Bengal Govt connects Purulia to Kolkata via helicopter flights

Bengal Govt connects Purulia to Kolkata via helicopter flights

Posted on July 17, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during her recent district visit to Purulia, announced the starting of helicopter services to the district. This is a big step in the promotion of industry in Purulia.

The service would be under the aegis of the State Transport Department. A successful pilot flight was conducted on July 3 from Kolkata to the Charra Airfield, 8 km from Purulia town.

The airfield had long been abandoned. It was used during World War II by the US Air Force. Now, under the initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee the Charra Airfield would again be actively used.

Source: Aajkaal

Mamata Banerjee flags off Rath Yatra in Kolkata

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today flagged off this year’s Rath Yatra in Kolkata, organised by ISKCON.

Starting from Hungerford Street opposite the ISKCON temple on Albert Road, the raths, or chariots, moved through some of the most important thoroughfares of the city – AJC Bose Road, Sarat Bose Road, Hazra Road, SP Mukherjee Road, ATM Road, Exide crossing, Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Outram Road – to reach the Brigade Parade Ground, where arrangements have been made for daily special darshan of Lord Jagananth, till July 22.

Special prasad will be distributed at the site of the rath on the Brigade Parade Ground every day till July 22, the day of Ulto Rath Yatra. Various cultural programmes will be held during the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said:

Rath Yatra is celebrated with a lot of fanfare here. Besides by ISKCON in Kolkata and in Mahesh, it is also celebrated in many other places in Bengal in big or small forms. In fact, the Yatra is celebrated all over the world.
We should remember that religion is an integral part of our lives, whatever that religion may be. And festivals are for all to celebrate together.
Rath Yatra is for everyone. Devotees purify themselves by pulling the raths of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra.
Lord Jagannath is considered the ‘nath’ or ‘lord’ of the world by many believers.
There is a close connection between Maa Kali’s Temple and the Jagannath Temple of Puri.
Today, I am praying to Lord Jagannath for the good of all of you, to keep you and your families happy and healthy.
I am also praying for peace to reign in Bengal as well as in the entire country, and the whole world.
Wishing all of you to remain healthy and happy.

Bengal performing very well on crucial forest health parameters

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Forest Department’s exemplary work has resulted in significant improvement of three crucial parameters – forest and tree cover, amount distributed to Forest Protection Committees (FPC) and revenue collection.

Forest and tree cover: 21.35% of the total area during financial year (FY) 2017-18, from 17.27% during FY 2010-11.

The amount distributed to Forest Protection Committees (FPC): Rs 167.25 crore from FY 2011-12 to 2017-18, from Rs 66.17 crore from FY 2004-05 to 2010-11.

Revenue collection: Rs 135.33 crore during FY 2017-18, from Rs 75.49 crore during FY 2010-11

The forest cover in Bengal, as a percentage of the total geographical area, has been growing over the last seven years. Currently, the total forest cover stands at 12,102 square kilometres (sq km).

Another related data is that, between 2010 and 2015, forest cover went up by 3,810 sq km, or 4.29 per cent, which was one of the highest in the country (according to Forest Survey of India data), and this trend continues. This is the result of the large amount of afforestation work, both inside and outside the forest areas, undertaken by the State Government.

From FY 2011-12 to 2016-17, the Forest Directorate has afforested 72,697 hectares (ha) of forest area, besides extensive soil and moisture conservation work. During FY 2018-19, approximately 10,000 ha of plantation will be taken up. One hundred modern nurseries have been created, and the work for 20 tall seedling nurseries will be taken up in different forest divisions.

As per the numbers stated above, the amount distributed to Forest Protection Committees has seen an increase of more than 2.5 times. Also, FPCs are rewarded for their invaluable contributions.

According to the revenue collection data mentioned earlier, the revenue collection by the Forest Department in Bengal has almost doubled, enabling more resources for developmental activities.

The Forest Department has also prepared a Vision and Mission Document for the period from 2017 to 2030.

Source: 7 Years: Chronicles of Bengal’s Progress

Weeklong Vanmahotsav begins today in Bengal

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The annual seven-day ‘Vanmahotsav’ begins today in Bengal. The theme for this year is ‘Aranya o banyapran/ Prakriti mayer sabuj daan’, which translates to ‘Forests and wildlife/ Mother Nature’s green gifts’. The slogan has been penned by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself.

On this occasion, the State Forest Department will distribute 50 lakh saplings – to State MLAs, and educational and other institutions across Bengal. Fifteen per cent of the 50 lakh would be fruit trees.

All the 294 MLAs of the State will be given 1,000 saplings to plant in their own areas. Schools, colleges, clubs, and various institutions and offices which have space to plant would also be given saplings.

Saplings would be sold from the counter of the Forest Department too. Anyone can go and buy them, at a rate of Rs 2 per sapling. Forest Department products like honey and citronella oil would be sold at a discount of 10 per cent.

As a part of Vanmahotsav, neem trees would be planted across Kolkata – for shade as well as for the fact that they are strong enough to withstand strong winds.

The Forest Department has decided to reward those show good results in taking care of trees, including Forest Department officials and workers – first prize of Rs 1 lakh, second prize of Rs 75,000 and third prize of Rs 50,000.

A special edition of the Forest Department magazine, Banabithi would be published on the occasion of Vanmahotsav.

Source: Aajkaal

Bengal CM flays Centre for not fulfilling promise of taking over 7 tea gardens

Posted on July 12, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today chaired a meeting regarding the condition of tea gardens in north Bengal. The meeting was held at Uttarkanya.

At the end of the meeting, she announced that the government has given clearance to the wage-hike of workers and formed a committee to find a solution to the problems facing tea industry.

She also attacked the Centre for failing to fulfill its promise of taking over 7 tea gardens. The promise was made by a Union Minister during 2016 Assembly election campaign.

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s press meet:

We have allocated more than 1000 crore for the welfare of tea garden workers since 2011.
We need a permanent solution to the problem of tea gardens.
Some trade unions are calling bandhs for their vested political interests
Centre had promised to take over 7 tea gardens before 2016 elections. It was a lie for garnering votes. The tea garden owner went to court, got the tea garden declared ‘abandoned’ and workers are suffering. Centre must withdraw the notification.
Some owners open their ‘abandoned’ tea gardens for some days, and close it down again.
We have formed an expert committee under the leadership of our Chief Secretary. They will submit a report within 3 months.
There are 2.72 lakh workers in tea gardens and 8 lakh non-workers who leave in tea gardens.
We give 35 kg rice at Rs 2 per kg, electricity, water supply to tea gardens.
We have increased wages of tea garden workers after coming to power. The cash component has now become Rs 159. We have given interim relief of Rs 17.50.
Lease of abandoned tea gardens which are closed, will be cancelled and they will be auctioned.
We will take action against organisations which don’t pay PF and gratuity.
We will focus on ICDS through community development programmes.
Non-workers in tea gardens will be given skill development training. They will be given training in poultry farming, rearing hens, ducks etc.
Tea tourism is also under consideration.
Peace prevails in the Hills. People are happy and in peace. We will observe the birth anniversary of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya in the Hills tomorrow.

Thanks to govt infomercial, sale of meat goes up in Bengal

Posted on July 12, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Sale of meat in Bengal has gone up, all thanks to the infomercial that was telecast on different channels to sensitise buyers. The infomercial was created by the State Information and Cultural Affairs Department at the behest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to assure buyers about the right quality of meat. The efforts have borne fruit and have ensured a rise in its sale.

The Government has set up a high-powered committee to evolve a foolproof mechanism to ensure quality meat is sold across the State.

In June, the Chief Minister had held a meeting and directed the concerned officials to create the infomercial. The film urges people to verify before buying that the packaged meat is certified by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and at the same time, not to pay heed to any rumours.

Source: Millennium Post

New initiatives taken by the Cooperation Department in Bengal

Posted on July 6, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government’s Cooperation Department has taken several initiatives to improve the reach of cooperative societies across the State by converting cooperative societies into banks, and introducing computerisation and modern banking services. Regular audits of cooperative societies are being conducted and special initiatives are being taken for increasing memberships of cooperative societies.

New initiatives

Overhauling rural cooperative system: The department has set a target of overhauling the entire rural cooperative system and mobilising deposits of about Rs 1 lakh crore in the next two to three years. As a result, cooperative banks and primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) will be able to contribute more effectively towards various Government schemes and extend loans to SHGs. They should be able to extend at least 50 per cent of the almost Rs 40,000 crore loan required annually for crop production and marketing.

Banking for the unbanked: The department has set a target of opening at least 75 cooperative bank branches in unbanked gram panchayats (GP) by the end of financial year 2018-19.

Modern banking: Modern banking facilities, viz., ATM, RTGS, NEFT, etc. are being provided at existing cooperative banks. Till now, 350 branches of West Bengal State Cooperative Bank (WBSCB) and Central Cooperative Bank (CCB) have already been CBS-enabled and 80 ATMs are in operation. Besides, mobile ATM services have also been introduced.

Assistance to PACS: An assistance of Rs 34.75 crore has been given for the computerisation of 2,780 primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS).

New cold storage units: Construction of six cold storage units has been taken up, having a total capacity of 49,000 MT, which are likely to be completed during the current year.

Regular audit: Initiatives have been taken to conduct timely and regular audit of cooperative societies.

Increasing membership: Special initiatives have been taken to enhance the memberships of cooperative societies.

Samabay Bhavans: The State Government has decided to establish Samabay Bhavans in all the districts to accommodate all offices related to the Cooperation Department under one roof. So far, bhavans have been completed in Purba Bardhaman (Bardhaman), Paschim Bardhaman (Asansol), Bankura, Purulia, North 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur. Construction is going on in Malda.

Important schemes being implemented in the cooperative sector by Bengal Govt

Posted on July 6, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Several important schemes are being implemented by the State Cooperation Department to improve the cooperative sector. The Trinamool Congress Government has been very proactive in empowering the rural population, as well as the urban population to some extent, by energising the cooperative sector.

Special Bad Debt Reserve for CCBs and PACS (Risk Fund): Under this scheme, an outright grant to primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) and central cooperative banks (CCB), at 4 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively, of the additional amount of loans issued over and above last year’s amounts, would be given to encourage agricultural credit to the weaker sections of society. Rs 1,300 lakh has been allocated for the Special Bad Debt Reserve for CCBs (Risk Fund) and Rs 2,600 lakh has been allocated for the Special Bad Debt Reserve for PACSs (Risk Fund).

Strengthening of central cooperative banks (CCB): Rs 500 lakh has been allocated for assisting the weak central cooperative banks for 2018-19, to strengthen the capital base and raise the net worth, as these banks play a pivotal role in spreading the Cooperative Movement at the district-level.

Strengthening of primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS): Rs 1,000 lakh has been allocated for assisting the weak primary agricultural cooperative societies in hiring godowns, purchasing furniture, giving incentives to staff, computerising offices and training SHGs, for a period of three years.

Investment in shares – National Rural Credit (Long Term Operations) Fund: Rs 500 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19 towards financial assistance in the form of State share to West Bengal State Cooperative Bank (WBSCB), Central Cooperative Banks (CCB), West Bengal State Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (WBSCARD) and Primary Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Banks (PCARDB), to strengthen their capital base.

Assistance for universal membership: Rs 50 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19 for encouraging the weaker sections of society to be brought within the cooperative fold by allowing an assistance of Rs 250 per head to purchase shares of PACSs.

Training of self-help groups (SHG): Rs 965 crore has been allocated for 2018-19 for sensitisation and awareness training programmes for the members of more than 2 lakh SHGs, and for skill development training for the members of the SHGs.

Supply of long-term credit: Rs 500 crore has been allocated for 2018-19 for supplying long-term credit to the weaker sections of society by the agricultural and rural development banks.

Assistance for offsetting imbalance in PCARDBs: Rs 4,000 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19 for reviving WBSCARD and the PCARDBs under the long-term cooperative credit sector.

Urban credit cooperative sector: For 2018-19, for the revival and development of the urban cooperative banks (URB), urban credit cooperative societies (UCCS) and mahila cooperative societies (MCS), Rs 100 lakh, Rs 300 lakh and Rs 300 lakh, respectively has been allocated.

Establishment of cold storages: Rs 200 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19 for the repairing, renovation and expansion of cold storages under the various cooperatives.

Establishment of storage godowns: Rs 50 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19, to be given to primary agricultural credit societies and primary agricultural marketing societies for the construction of godowns and the repairing and renovation of existing ones.

Assistance to agricultural marketing societies: Rs 1,000 lakh and Rs 50 lakh have been allocated to West Bengal State Cooperative Marketing Federation and the primary agricultural marketing societies, respectively, to supply agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, etc. and market agricultural produce including procurement of paddy at the State Government-mandated minimum support price (MSP).

Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF): Rs 6,000 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19 under RIDF for the construction of large godowns, cold storages, rice mills, seed farms, etc.

Development of cooperative societies: For 2018-19, Rs 200 lakh has been allocated for Apex Consumers’ Cooperative Society, Rs 300 lakh for urban consumers’ cooperative societies and another Rs 200 lakh for rural consumers’ cooperative societies.

Training: Rs 275 lakh has been allotted for 2018-19 for the construction of training centres and for conducting training programmes by West Bengal State Cooperative Union.

Samabay Bhavans: Samabay Bhavans have been built in the districts of Purba Bardhaman (Bardhaman), Paschim Bardhaman (Asansol), Bankura, Purulia, North 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur. Construction is going on in Malda. Rs 200 crore has been allotted for constructions in a few more districts.

Ad hoc Grant to employees of cooperative societies: Rs 1,500 crore has been allocated for 2018-19 under the head of Ad hoc Grant for enhancing the emoluments of the employees of the various cooperative societies.

West Bengal Cooperative Service Commission: Rs 74 lakh has been allocated for 2018-19 for West Bengal Cooperative Service Commission, which selects and recommends the appointments of personnel in cooperative societies across the state, in line with the provisions of the West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act, 2006.

Achievements of the Cooperation Department

Posted on July 6, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The cooperative sector is a major success story in Bengal. As per the direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the State Cooperation Department, by empowering cooperatives societies, upgrading numerous societies to banks to overcome the problem of lack of banks in far-flung areas, and through loans from cooperative banks, creating lakhs of self-help groups (SHG), has enabled the rural populace of Bengal to enjoy an economic revival like never before.

In total, there are more than 28,000 cooperative societies having a membership of more than 78 lakh, and lakhs of self-help groups involving more than 18 lakh people.

Achievements of the Cooperation Department

Huge increase in loan dispersals: Over the last seven financial years, that is, 2010-11 to 2017-18, crop loan disbursed has increased by 143.88 per cent (from Rs 1,388 crore to Rs 3,385 crore) and loan given to SHGs has increased by 374.42 per cent (Rs 129 crore to Rs 612 crore).

Huge increase in paddy procurement: Over the last seven financial years, that is, 2010-11 to 2017-18, quantity of paddy procured by BENFED and CONFED has increased by 157.87 per cent (1.97 lakh MT to 5.08 lakh MT), whose corresponding value increased by 124.5 per cent (Rs 351 crore to Rs 788 crore).

BENFED is the acronym for West Bengal State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd. While CONFED is the acronym for West Bengal State Consumers Cooperative Federation Ltd.

Crop loans: During financial year (FY) 2016-17, more than 50 per cent of crop loans in Bengal, or Rs 3,018 crore, was extended by cooperative banks only. Over the last seven years, crop loans to the tune of Rs 18,162 crore have been disbursed.

Kisan Credit Cards: During the last seven years, 8,97,664 Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) have been issued. ATM-enabled RuPay Kisan Cards has been introduced and already around 10 lakh cards have been distributed amongst the farmer-members.

Membership drives: A special initiative was taken to enhance membership of cooperative societies, as a result of which 1,51,602 new members have been enrolled by primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS).

Elections for cooperative societies: Cooperative Election Commission was set up for holding free and fair elections for management of cooperative societies. It started functioning from April 16, 2012, since when, elections to 8,262 societies have been held.

Financing: During the 2017-18 fiscal, West Bengal State Cooperative Agricultural and Rural Development (WBSCARD) Bank received the highest ever refinance of Rs 212 crore from NABARD.

Crop loans: There are 23,70,281 Kisan Credit Card (KCC) holders and crop loans worth Rs 2,005.33 crore have been disbursed to 8,41,424 farmer-members.

Self-Help Groups (SHG): FY 2017-18 saw the creation of 1,721 SHGs and the credit-linking of 18,029 SHGs. Loans worth Rs 612.25 crore have been extended to SHGs.

Kharif marketing season (KMF): During KMS 2016-17, 28 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of the 39 LMT of paddy procured was through cooperative societies.

Seed multiplication units: As part of the cooperative sector, 57 seed multiplication units have been set up; another three, involving Rs 1.14 crore, are to be completed soon.

Godowns: Four storage godowns, having a total capacity of 5,462 MT, have been constructed at a cost of Rs 2.73 crore.

Cold storages: Construction of six cold storages, having a total capacity of 49,000 MT, is going on at a cost of Rs 67.18 crore.

Samabay Bhavan: The purpose of Samabay Bhavans is to bring all the district offices and institutions of the cooperative sector under one roof to ensure smooth and hassle-free service. So far, Bhavans have been completed in Purba Bardhaman (Bardhaman), Paschim Bardhaman (Asansol), Bankura, Purulia, North 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur. Construction is going on in Malda.

Sufala outlets: Sufala outlets are being opened across more and more districts to provide quality vegetables and grocery items to the masses at fair prices. For selling at these State Government-owned outlets, the government buys directly from the farmers thus helping them get remunerative prices. So far, 30 Sufala outlets have been opened across six districts and 70 Mobile Sufala outlets have been opened across seven districts.

Fairs and conventions: Samabay Mela 2017 was organised from April 11 to 13, 2017 at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata to showcase the achievements and products prepared by the cooperative societies and self-help groups. At the function, Samabay Ratna, Samabay Bhushan and Samabay Shri awards were bestowed on cooperatives. On January 25, 2018, the first-ever convention on cooperatives in Bengal since independence, titled ‘Cooperatives in Socio-Economic Development’, was held at Netaji Indoor Stadium. It was inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

Government to citizen services: An initiative has been taken by the Cooperation Department to incorporate the services offered in terms of the West Bengal Cooperative Societies Act and the rules therein into the e-District Project under the National e-Governance Plan through which government-to-citizen services will be provided online. The objective is to ensure prompt and effective delivery of services in a transparent manner. A total of 89 services have been identified for the purpose, of which six services have already gone live, nine more services are ready to be deployed live and development work of the remaining services are under process.

Awards: Nadia District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Krishnanagar has received the award for best performance in the country during FY 2017-18 for outstanding performance in SHG development.

State Govt brings relief to passengers, asks app cabs to limit surge fares

Posted on July 6, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Listening to the voice of the people, the Trinamool Congress Government has taken a decision to limit the amount by which app cabs can increase their fares during periods of high demand.

Surge fares, as it is called, can only go up to a level of 45 per cent of the base, or minimum, fares. This will apply for all app cab companies. Usually, the fares go up when the demand for cabs is more and the supply is less.

This and other crucial decisions were made after a meeting between the State Transport Minister and representatives of app cab companies on July 4.

The basic fares of the app cab services have to be announced so that the Transport Department is aware of them and people also come to know the base fare that they have to pay to avail the cabs. The app cab operators have to give a report containing details of the fare slabs to the Transport Department.

There will be no surge pricing during office hours on weekdays, hence higher fares cannot be charged for the 12 hours from 8am to 8pm.

Another decision made was that a portion of the surge fare has to be given to drivers. There will also be a review meeting after every three months.

Earlier, the app cab operators had been directed by the Transport Department to take a certain measures to ensure the safety and security of passengers.

Source: Millennium Post