Electronics manufacturing in Bengal to see a lot of change soon

Electronics manufacturing in Bengal is going to see a lot of changes soon. According to the State Information Technology and Electronics (IT&E) Minister, the Government is putting a lot of stress on this sector as there is a huge employment potential, with the emergence of automated vehicle, robotics and Internet of Things (IoT) across the globe.

The State is fully prepared to take a lead in this sector in the country. The Government is coming up with two electronics manufacturing clusters (EMC) in Kalyani and Falta. They will be ready within a year.

A 107-acre hardware park is already complete in Sonarpur. It has plug-and-play infrastructure with uninterrupted power supply, round-the-clock potable filtered water and top-class drainage and water supply systems.

Also, there are 12 existing IT parks across the State and the third floor in each of these parks is earmarked for electronics.

The IT Minister gave the above information while speaking at a knowledge-sharing workshop on ‘Embedded Technology’ at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre on June 15.

Source: Millennium Post

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Fairground of international-standard coming up at Milan Mela complex

Last year, the Bengal Government had decided to construct a new permanent fairground at Milan Mela. Now the architect has been decided, and what would come up is a trade fair ground of international standards. The new Milan Mela will come up in two years.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress Government’s concerted efforts over the last few years are gradually turning Kolkata into a favoured destination for many international trade fairs, conferences and tournaments.

The redesigned fairground will have two massive exhibition halls that will together offer 200,000 sq ft space. They will be separated by an area equipped with an auditorium, will be a global cuisine hub.

Covering the walls of the exhibition halls will be an exo-skin architectural membrane on which will be displayed audio-visual content, including films, 3D projections and illumination graphics. This will be a first in the country.

The exhibition halls will be designed in such a way that the crowd would get evenly distributed, without giving a choking feeling. The design has been prepared keeping in mind that at any given point, the maximum gathering could go up to 2.5 lakh.

A road cutting across the fairground will drop off visitors inside and then end at a multi-level parking space.

The centrepiece of the project, however, will be the Biswa Bangla tower. It will be an illuminated smart clock tower capped with a dome. There will be a trade museum underneath it that will tell the history of Bengal’s trade.

Source: The Times of India

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Bengal Govt setting up cluster for fireworks manufacturing industry

With a view to developing the manufacturing of fireworks as a major industry and control illegal manufacturing, the Bengal Government has decided set up fireworks manufacturing clusters across the State.

There are many villages where manufacturing firecrackers is the source of livelihood for many. The new policy would put a proper structure in place.

Manufacturing of fireworks is a recognised small-scale industry in the State, but it needs more organisation. Hence the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise and Textiles Department is coming up with the policy of setting up manufacturing clusters.

The Government has roped in Fireworks Research and Development Centre (FRDC) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to set up a cluster of fireworks factories on 50 acres at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas.

Based on the DPR, manufacturing clusters will be set up in the districts of Hooghly, Howrah, Murshidabad and Purba Bardhaman.

The policy would ensure a single-window opportunity for acquiring license and environment certificate by interested manufacturers.

It would ensure that the families involved in the manufacturing of firecrackers get to work in a better, safe and hazard-free environment. The clusters will have facilities for testing of materials to ensure quality control. The processes for manufacturing would be standardised.

There will be separate entry and exit points at each of the units in a cluster and those will have proper working conditions like adequate light, air, safety measures, etc. Moreover, warehouses for storing highly inflammable materials will be properly planned.

Source: Sangbad Pratidin

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KMC pilot project to put overhead wires underground on Park Street

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will undertake a pilot project on Park Street with the idea of putting all overhead wires underground. Wires hanging from lampposts, trees and every vantage point are an eyesore in the city’s skyline, and hence the decision.

It will be done in conjunction with the State Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department and a number of agencies like cable service MSOs (multiple system operators), CESC, BSNL and similar stakeholders who have overground wires.

After the pilot is completed, similar projects, with whatever modifications required, will be undertaken all across Kolkata.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing MSOs and cable operators during a meeting last April, had asked them to clean up the mess of wires and had urged all stakeholders, including the KMC, Public Works Department (PWD) and utility services, to chalk out a suitable plan.

 

Source: Millennium Post

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Bengal Govt invites applications for second phase of Bonyopran Sathi scheme

The Bengal Government is ready with the second phase of its highly successful scheme, Bonyo22pran Sathi (Honorary Wildlife Volunteer Service Programme), which offers wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to venture into core areas of forests, especially in north Bengal and the Sundarbans, to get real-life experiences on how to deal with animals and in the process, learn about them through hands-on experience.

Interested participants for this study-cum-adventure programme of the Forest Department have to submit a form, the last date for which is June 30.

Those who will go into the forests will go as conservationists and not merely as tourists, said the Forest Minister while announcing the dates and other details. He said that this is one-of-a-kind scheme in the country.

After the completion of the programme, the enthusiasts will be expected to spread the message of wildlife protection and environmental conservation in their localities.

As part of the programme, visitors will stay with forest guards in camps, which will also give them the experience of keeping guard in a forest. Before a tour starts, the visitors will be provided a day-long training on how to behave if they come close to animals like tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, etc. during their adventure. A team will be accompanied by two Forest Department officials, who will be experts in handling wild animals.

The first phase drew applications from a lot of enthusiasts, and so has the second phase. Applications have already come from a diverse range of people like school teachers, professors, retired Army personnel and businessmen.

There are six national parks and 15 wildlife sanctuaries in Bengal.

Click here to download the form and details about the scheme.

Source: Aajkaal

Bengal Govt to introduce integrated project monitoring system

To ensure better execution of projects, the State Government is planning to introduce an integrated online platform for monitoring projects undertaken by its departments.

This was decided at a recent meeting of senior officials of some of the crucial departments of the State Government, including Finance Department, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and Public Works Department. The preliminary tasks for introducing the integrated project monitoring system have already been carried out.

It may be mentioned that, after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came to power in 2011, Bengal has witnessed a lot of developmental work. Moreover, in a bid to ensure that all projects are implemented properly and in a time-bound manner, the Chief Minister visits every district to hold administrative review meetings with concerned officials.

The Trinamool Congress Government has also introduced the Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS) and it has simplified the system of managing all finance-related issues.

Source: Millennium Post

Now report taxi refusals via WhatsApp

The State Government has set up helplines to address any grievance that a commuter or traveller might have regarding taxis.

This is in response to complaints by ordinary citizens about taxi drivers unwilling to take people unless they pay an amount higher than normal or misbehaving with passengers regarding the issue of fares. These complaints started coming even though the State Government recently notified higher fares in line with higher fuel prices.

There are three ways to lodge a complaint – call up a toll-free number (between 11am and 5pm), send the complaint through WhatsApp or mail the complaint.

· Toll-free number: 18003455192
· WhatsApp number: 8902017191
· Email: pvdkolkata20@gmail.com

The complaints would be attended to on a first-come-first-served basis. The complainants would be called for a hearing, following which the driving license of the accused could be suspended for three months. All complaints would be addressed within 15 days.

Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP at extended core committee meeting of Trinamool

Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. Ahead of the polls that decide the fate of the country, Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee instructed party leaders and workers to increase their people’s outreach activities. She was addressing the extended core committee meeting of the party.

The Chairperson said, “You must reach out to the people. Or else there is no place for you in the party. The party will not tolerate those who are inactive.”

She said that Lok Sabha elections could happen three times from now, may be six months. They will surely be held eight months later. She asked the party workers to be ready. She took on the BJP over allegations of EVM tampering.

The Chairperson said, “The work for the revision of electoral rolls has begun. Ensure that the procedures are followed. It is the BJP’s habit to tamper EVMs. Our party workers must be alert and monitor them.”

She also slammed the BJP for their divisive politics. Mamata Banerjee said, “We are not a militant organisation like the BJP. They are creating fights not only among Christians, Muslims but also among Hindus.”

“They are threatening to carry out encounters. Just because they are in power in Delhi, they are talking about hurling bombs. I dare them to come and touch us. We will show them their place.”

“The CPM is falling at the feet of the BJP and clutching at their straws to stay afloat…Congress is opposing BJP in Delhi and holding hands here. Where are the rules, the principles of the Congress? CPM, Congress, Maoists and BJP… they are the darkest underbelly of society,” the Trinamool chief said.

Suggesting a nexus between the parties, she added, “Four heads have come together. They are looting money, stealing it, and lighting fires”.

She also warned party workers against infighting and complacency. The Chairperson said, “We have formed the party after years of struggle. We have come to power because of people’s support. If someone thinks they are bigger than the party, the doors are open for them to leave. Only Mamata Banerjee will work, this cannot be the way.”

She also asked district-level leadership to take up programmes in the run up to 21 July rally. Mamata Banerjee also asked the party to step-up the protests against rising fuel prices.

 

Sangeet Mela and Sangeet Samman – Honouring the talent of Bengal

It is well-known that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a connoisseur of the arts – be it music, dance, art or anything else.

Under her initiative, every year, the Trinamool Congress Government has been organising Bangla Sangeet Mela successfully. The festival has turned into one of the foremost cultural extravaganzas of the State.

After taking over as the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee also started the tradition of honouring the musical talent of Bengal with Sangeet Samman and Sangeet Mahasamman awards.

At the last festival, held from December 23 to 30, 2017 across nine venues, more than 3,000 artistes performed. Veteran artistes from across Bengal, including thousands of folk artistes participated.

The Sangeet Mela is not only a musical treat but also a platform for new and upcoming artistes to showcase their talents.

West Bengal: Development at its best wins the Panchayat 

The Bengal Government publication, West Bengal, has published a special supplement (February-May 2018), titled Development at its Best Wins the Panchayat. 

The issue focuses on the development in various sectors in Bengal that have been brought about by the Trinamool Congress Government.

The supplement has been brought out in both English and Bengali.

The English version of the book can be accessed by clicking here.