Tag: মুখ্যমন্ত্রী

Paternity leave – Bengal shows the way

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Children have been an area of special focus for the Trinamool Congress Government. Under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bengal has been among the best performers in terms of infant mortality rate, and under-5 mortality rate, and in institutional delivery too.

The State Government has a comprehensive maternal leave structure. However, the importance of fathers during the phase of the birth of a child and during the period following that has been recognised too by the Government.

Following the initiative of Mamata Banerjee, the Bengal Government has shown the way to other States by instituting paternity-cum-child care leave in 2016. A cumulative period of 30 days is granted for the purpose for all State Government employees, Panchayat & other Local Bodies, Boards, sponsored/non-Govt aided Schools and Colleges, State-aided Universities & Companies, Corporations, Undertakings, etc.

 

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Blood donation – Efforts and infrastructure in Bengal

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The Trinamool Congress Government has always stressed on the need for voluntary donation of blood. Through the year the party conducts, through its various frontal organisations and wings, blood donation camps across all the districts, including in Kolkata.

The State Government also encourages various clubs, NGOs and even corporate to organise and participate in blood donation efforts.

At certain times of the year, like during the hot summer months, there is an extra need for blood. Hence during this time more camps are organised.

During the sixth anniversary celebrations of the Trinamool Congress Government last year, a blood donation camp was organised at the state secretariat, Nabanna on May 27. Similar camps were organised in all the districts, down to the panchayat level, and also at police stations. Various clubs had also participated.

The State Government has also been steadily improving the infrastructure of blood banks. Last October, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had inaugurated three more blood banks – two in south Bengal and one in the north. The blood banks were set up in Panskura in Purba Medinipur district, Gopiballavpur in Paschim Medinipur district and Chanchal in Malda district. All the three are located inside multi super-speciality hospitals, a brainchild of the Chief Minister.

With the completion of these three, the number of State Government-run blood banks has risen to 70. Combined with private blood banks, the total number is 131.

To cater to the increasing demand for blood components, like plasma, platelets, etc., the Government set up four more platelet separation units last year – at Nadia and Asansol District Hospitals, Cooch Behar MGN Hospital and Murshidabad Medical College Hospital – bringing the total number of component separation units in State Government hospitals to 17.

Then, information about supplies of blood in the blood banks of Bengal, be they Government or private – how many units of which blood group are available – can now be had online. This service, called e-raktkosh, [may hyperlink http://www.eraktkosh.in/BLDAHIMS/bloodbank/nearbyBBRed.cnt] facilitated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was also inaugurated last year.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has also set up its first blood bank – at 242, Kalighat Road. This step is meant to help not only the city residents but people from all over the State, especially the poor, who cannot afford high prices.

Necessary to have wider debate and discussion: Mamata Banerjee on lateral entries into senior govt positions

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Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today reacted to the recent media reports suggesting that the Government of India has invited applications for appointment to the post of Joint Secretary of 10 important ministries of Government of India through lateral entries.

She said that in her view, there is no objection if talented persons join the Central Government to improve its professional competence and efficiency. But she had a few concerns about the issue involving various implications.

“The officers from All India Services/Central Services presently hold positions of Joint Secretary and equivalent levels in the Government of India. These officers are inducted in government services through transparent recruitment processes by Constitutional bodies like the UPSC. The officers are expected to be politically neutral while discharging their duties. Any shift from such standard will not be good for the nation,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

Presently, the officers of All India/Central Services have been working in the government with sincerity and accountability and maintaining secrecy, where the paramount interest of the nation remains supreme. In view of it, I feel that any deviation from the system, particularly by inducting professionals from non-governmental sector, notwithstanding their talent may dilute the sensitivity attached to the functioning of the government,” the Chief Minister wrote.

Mamata Banerjee said that it is necessary to have wider debate and discussion with different stake-holders, including representatives of the All India Services/Central Services, before implementing the proposed induction of lateral entries into senior positions of the government.

Shola Hub at Bonkapasi village empowering women

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To give impetus to the famous shola article-makers of Bonkapasi village of Mongalkote block of the district of Purba Bardhaman, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has designated the place as a Shola Hub. This is a big step towards a more sustaining future for this traditional cottage industry.

Shola (or ‘sholapith’ in English) is the dried milky-white spongy matter which comprises the bark of the shola plant. It has traditionally been shaped into various objects like ornaments for goddesses (called ‘daaker kaaj’ in Bengali), necklaces and other ornaments, headgear for bridegrooms (‘topor’), etc.

The more than 2,818 artisans and 97 self-help groups (SHG) who comprise the shola workforce of Bonkapasi can now expect a much brighter future. Infrastructural improvements will follow soon, which would lead to better working conditions, better quality and quantity of products, and consequently, much more earnings.

Source: bengali.news18.com

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Four-fold jump in infrastructure development budget since 2011: Bengal CM

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In a bid to ensure overall development of the state, the Mamata Banerjee government has increased the expenditure for developing physical infrastructure “four-fold”, since 2011.

The Chief Minister tweeted on Sunday: “Infrastructure development is going on in a rapid pace in Bengal. In fact, expenditure on physical infrastructure in the state has increased almost 4-fold since 2011.”

Giving detailed information on the expenditure carried out by her government, the Chief Minister stated in the tweet: “Recently, new infrastructure projects including flyovers, rural and urban drinking water, roads and bridges, power, affordable housing, irrigation etc worth Rs 18,000 crore, have been sanctioned by our government.”

She also tweeted: “This is in addition to the Rs 25,755 crore budgetary allocation for capital expenditure, for the current financial year. These will open up huge investment opportunities and generate employment in the state.”

After coming to power, Mamata Banerjee had given equal stress on the development of both the rural and urban parts of the state. Development of roads and bridges has ensured better connectivity between different parts of the state.

 

Pursue a career of your choice, undaunted by any adversity: Bengal CM to board toppers

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today felicitated the toppers of Madhyamik, Higher Secondary, ICSE, CBSE, ISC and WBJEE examinations. The felicitation programme was held at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

It was Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had initiated the programme to felicitate the toppers in the state from all boards.

In her speech, she congratulated all the students for securing a rank in the merit list, in this age of competition. She also urged them to stick to the values imparted by their teachers and parents, and pursue a career of their choice, undaunted by any adversity.

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:

  • My best wishes to all the students who aced the various board exams and secured top ranks. I want to mention the toppers of Madhyamik exam, because it is the first board exam of their life, an experience which comes once in a lifetime.
  • In this age of tough competition to secure a rank in the merit list is no mean feat. Times are changing, the infrastructure has improved. Teaching methods have undergone a change. There are more opportunities.
  • There are many stories of struggle, we must salute those. There may be students whose parents may not be well-to-do, and have to make ends meet to buy them books. We must recognise their struggle too.
  • Our teachers play a major role in shaping our future. The students are their pride. The talent that teachers create requires a lot of dedication, determination and devotion; this is unmatched.
  • There was a time when teachers used to think twice before giving full marks. But our students have to compete with the world now. So, I had requested our Education Minister to ensure our students also get marks at par with ICSE or CBSE. They have done really well.
  • I want you to use your talent and pursue a stream which you like. I would urge you not to neglect the teachers who taught you, or your parents, or even the land where you received your education. This is a learning for your life.
  • Our parents imparted values in us. They taught us Rabindranath-Nazrul, the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. They instilled a sense of patriotism and harmony in us. This helped in shaping our conscience.
  • We have learnt not to bow our heads before any hindrance. We should not be afraid of any turbulence. We have to keep marching ahead.
  • Talent from Bengal is famous all over the world. We all have our roots in the villages.
  • Your merit should be your pride. Your skill will help shape your future. Some of you will become doctors, some engineers, some may become professors, some may choose research.
  • We have set up 22 new universities, 6 more are coming up. We have set up 47 new colleges and 7 new medical colleges. 13 new medical colleges are in the pipeline. Number of medical seats has gone up, and we have to keep increasing the number of seats.
  • Granthan, who secured the first rank in Higher Secondary exam, has proved even a student of humanities can secure full marks. No matter which stream you choose, you all must excel in your respective fields.

7 years: Chronicles of Bengal’s progress

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In May 2011, the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, established efficient governance in West Bengal, with the Government of Maa, Mati, Manush. On May 27, 2016, through a historic verdict, the government was sworn in for the second time in a row.

On the seventh anniversary of that historic day, the State Government came out with a book enlisting all the work done by various departments in the last seven years. The book was released by the Chief Minister during the administrative review meeting at Howrah on June 7, 2018.

In the last seven years, Bengal has witnessed phenomenal growth in development and prosperity. Nearly 90% of the State’s population has benefited from various public services. 90% of the State’s population is provided with food grains at a subsidised rate, under the ‘Khadya Sathi’ scheme. Apart from this, the Government has also taken initiatives such as ‘Sabujshree’, ‘Kanyashree’, ‘Sikshashree’, ‘Sabuj Sathi’, ‘Sishu Sathi’, ‘Yuvashree’, ‘Rupashree’, ‘Manabik’, and ‘Samabyathi’, to name just a few.

These schemes have made available a plethora of services to all citizens, including members of scheduled castes, tribes, minorities, and OBCs.

Click here to read the book.

Bengal Govt to open 50 tourist information centres across Bengal

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To make information to tourists easily available, the Bengal Government has decided to open as many as 50 tourist information centres across the State.

Though aimed primarily at tourists from other parts of the country as well as from across the world, the information centres would cater to tourists from the State as well. All information related to a particular area would be available at each centre. These would be run by the Tourism Department.

These tourist centres would play a major role in making Bengal more tourist-friendly. As it is, it is one of the top States in terms of tourist arrivals, both nationally and internationally. This project would take Bengal significantly higher in the rankings.

Where to stay, what to do, what to eat, what to buy, what are the specialities of a particular place or area – information of every kind would be available at these centres. Guide books would be available in English, Hindi and Bengali. They would contain detailed information about the history, geography and culture of a place.

These centres are already running at the airports in Kolkata and Bagdogra. Soon they would come up in four other places in Kolkata (Kolkata and Sealdah railway stations, Rabindra Sadan and Madhusadan Mancha), Howrah and Santragachi railway stations, Kakdwip and Diamond Harbour railway stations (South 24 Parganas district), Murshidabad, Malda, Bankura, Birbhum district, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Siliguri and other places to cover all the districts.

The information available at the centres would also help tourists to decide how and where to go next. All in all, the tourist information centres would act as one-stop centres for all tourists visiting Bengal.

Source: Sangbad Pratidin

West Bengal Pollution Control Board: Setting higher standards for a better environment

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The West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) is a statutory regulatory authority of the Bengal Government. It is responsible for setting standards and monitoring pollution levels and taking steps as and when required.

Among its responsibilities, functions and activities are:

  • Monitoring and control of industrial effluents and emissions
  • Management of wastes in coordination with urban local bodies
  • Installation of online effluent quality monitoring system at 42 grossly polluting industrial units
  • Control of vehicular tail pipe permission, especially in Kolkata, by working in collaboration with the State Transport Department and Kolkata Traffic Police
  • Provision of e-rickshaws in rural areas
  • Installation of rainwater harvesting structures in 32 schools and solar panels on the roofs of 200 schools
  • Creation of environmental awareness programmes on World Environment Day, organising rallies, cultural programmes and training programmes, reclamation and beautification of waterbodies and parks, distribution of non-toxic colours to idol-makers participating in various fairs, etc.
  • Effective use of the fly ash generated in thermal power plants
  • Provision of solid waste management units in rural areas

These and other measures being taken by WBPCB are resulting in the improvement of all aspects of the environment of the State.

Source: Departmental Budget

 

Environment Department: Working towards a more livable future

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The scope of work of the Environment Department is very wide, exhaustive and challenging. The wings of the department work in close coordination to fulfil the commitment of the Bengal Government towards its people for a clean and more livable environment – be it in terms of air, water, noise or several other aspects.

For effective control of pollution, a number of steps, measures and policies have been initiated by the Environment Department which include stringent regulations, development and periodical revision of environment standards, control of vehicular pollution, control of air and water pollution, abatement and prevention of noise pollution, revisiting and revision of the list of critically polluted areas and their environment improvement plans, etc.

The department has been funding research projects through grants-in-aid both to its parastatals like West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), West Bengal Biodiversity Board (WBBB), East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority (EKWMA) and Institute of Environmental Studies and Wetland Management (IES&WM), and also to some research institutions.

Some of the salient points regarding the working of the Environment Department:

  • WBPCB is constantly monitoring and taking suitable measures for improving air quality and reducing water body pollution.
  • An online system of WBPCB’s consent administration has been developed for transparency. All monitoring data can now be accessed from the board’s website. The consent administration has also been simplified.
  • The ‘consent to operate’ periods have been increased: from two years to five years for Red Category Industries, from three years to five years for Orange Category Industries and from five years to seven years for Green Category Industries. A new White Category has been introduced which only requires the relevant industries to give information to the WBPCB and is exempt from ‘consent’ administration.
  • The State Action Plan for climate change is being amended to strengthen the plan, introduce mitigation measures in addition to adaptation measures and bring it in line with the latest developments in various fields.
  • Actions on conservation of biodiversity, preparing a comprehensive register and promoting conservation have been accelerated.
  • A lot of work has been done for restoration and beautification of many waterbodies.
  • More emphasis has been laid on organising awareness activities to spread environment education among all sections of society and mobilising people’s participation for preservation and conservation of environment.

Source: Departmental Budget