Tag: Bengal

Mamata Banerjee slams Centre over Aadhaar

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today questioned the Centre for making Aadhaar compulsory for availing services and whether the decision has brought down the number of terrorists infiltrating in the country.

She said that the Centre has made Aadhaar compulsory for everything yet this decision has not been able to bring down the number of terrorists entering the country.

Mamata Banerjee has time and again criticised the decision of making Aadhaar mandatory and had said that linking of personal details with Aadhaar number was “dangerous” for individuals and society.

Source: Millennium Post

 

 

No farmers suicides have happened in Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee proudly claimed in the Assembly that under the rule of Trinamool Congress there have been no farmer suicides in Bengal (due to crop-related reasons), when, unfortunately, there have been over 12,000 suicides by farmers all over the rest of India.

This stark contrast is the result of the developmental projects being implemented, many of which are conceptions of the Chief Minister. A significant impact of these policies has been the increase by 3.2 times of the average annual income of farmers.

She went on to say that the Centre talks big on farmers’ insurance to cover crop losses due to natural disasters: the reality is that the State pays 60 per cent of the amount while the Centre pays only 40 per cent. A related point she raised: if the State pays the majority portion, why should the picture of the Prime Minister be there on the form?

Mamata Banerjee also said during her reply that the Bengal Government has given complete compensation of losses to 30 lakh farmers. The Government has set up cold storages and Krishak Bazars across the state, the latter helping in selling as well as storing of a farmer’s goods.

The Government has also removed the mutation fee for farmlands, and this should be model to be followed by the rest of the country, she said, to give some relief to the so many affected farmers.

Source: Sangbad Pratidin

 

State Govt to start five more universities

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The Bengal Government has decided to open five more universities, taking the total number of universities in the State to 28.

One university is going to be set up in the district of Purba Medinipur. The other four universities will be Jalpaiguri University, Alipurduar University, South Dinajpur University and Murshidabad University.

This was announced by the Education Minister recently. It has also been decided that the proposed university in Purba Medinipur district will be named after Mahatma Gandhi.

There are universities in the State named after Kazi Nazrul Islam and Iswarchandra Vidyasagar. Now, the state is going to get a university named after Mahatma Gandhi. This shows the liberal and secular face of the Trinamool Congress Government.

The Bengal Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken up several steps in the past seven years for the development of infrastructure for higher education.

With the steps to set up four more universities in the northern districts, the students from those regions will be benefitted as well. They will no longer have to travel all the way to Kolkata or some other place for pursuing higher education.

Source: Millennium Post

 

Adivasi lands will never be seized: Mamata Banerjee in Assembly

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On Thursday, July 26, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a momentous decision: Adivasi lands will never be seized by the State Government. This has the potential to become a path-breaking decision with respect to the respect to the rest of the country, wherever Adivasi issues crop up.

There would no acquisition of land belonging to the Adivasi population of the State, be it for whatever reason. Development and industrialisation will never be at the cost of the rights of the indigenous peoples of the State to their ancestral lands.

In this connection, it needs to be mentioned that as Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee has done for the Adivasis of Bengal what no predecessor of her has done. From improving access of tribal children to education to introducing the Ol Chiki script for writing Santhali to getting various developmental projects of the Government to reach them, the tribal population of the State, be it in the Jangalmahal region (where they live primarily) or in the other pockets, has benefitted comprehensively and has thus been able to partake of the fruits of progress that Bengal under Mamata Banerjee has experienced.

Source: Pratidin, Aajkaal

People will oust BJP from power in 2019: Abhishek Banerjee

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National President of Trinamool Youth Congress and MP Abhishek Banerjee today took on the BJP at a rally in Medinipur. He also countered the Prime Minister’s ‘syndicate’ allegations against the party and said Trinamool is people’s syndicate, and that the people will dislodge the BJP from power in 2019.

Highlights of Abhishek Banerjee’s speech:

  • We are not a rich party like BJP. We do not have enough financial resources. We could not erect shades at this rally venue, like the BJP did by selling the country for crores of money. Those who cannot even erect a pandal properly are dreaming of winning in Bengal. The soil of Medinipur is one of struggle and fighting. This soil does not tolerate lies. People of Medinipur have not learnt to bow down.
  • Those who have come to this rally, braving the downpour, have come here not to listen to political speeches, but with the resolve to oust BJP from Delhi in 2019.
  • The Prime Minister addressed a rally here in this venue on July 16. It was titled ‘Krishi Kalyan Samabesh’. But one could hardly spot a farmer that day. They brought people from UP, Bihar, Odisha, and 10 districts. We have the details.
  • BJP does not understand the pain of farmers. The highest number of farmer suicides occurs in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. If the Prime Minister really cares for them, he should organise a farmers’ rally in these States. More than 12,000 farmers have committed suicide. Seven farmers were killed, in the same way like Nandigram, in Madhya Pradesh. Nearly 80 children died in a hospital in Gorakhpur due to lack of oxygen. More than 120 people died due to demonetisation, while waiting in queues.
  • The Prime Minister did not utter a word on development. He only uttered lies after lies. There is autocracy going on in the country. Everyday names of stations are being changed, Red Fort is being given away to private entities, Taj Mahal is being insulted. Farmer suicides are increasing. Yet, the PM and BJP President are giving bhashan.
  • The Prime Minister said, Trinamool is running a syndicate. We are a syndicate of the people. Our syndicate ended the 34-year old misrule of the Left. The syndicate brought peace of Jangalmahal and Darjeeling. In the days to come, the syndicate will dislodge BJP from power.
  • We are ready to give our lives but we will not these people dupe the people of Bengal. We will not allow communal tension in the State. We believe in Hinduism of Swami Vivekananda not that of Yogi Adityanath. Our Hinduism does not talk of divisive politics, destruction or violence. We also have devotees of Ram in our party, but unlike their Ram Bhakts, we do not organized rallies with arms. Religion for Trinamool is a unifying force, not divisive force.
  • I want to ask the BJP what they have done for Hindus? They started a project to clean the Ganga, and allocated crores of rupees, but they could not even clean a pond. They only use Hinduism for politics.
  • We are not atheists ike the CPI(M). We do not indulge in politics over religion like the BJP. They allege that Mamata Banerjee indulges in Muslim appeasement. I want to tell them, Mamata Banerjee has worked for the development of both Furfura Sharif and Dakshineshwar. She has brought a tide of development to Gangasagar as well as Tarapith.
  • The Prime Minister said Durga Puja is under threat. He does not know Mamata Banerjee has started the Bisarjan Carnival at Red Road. My advice to the BJP is to first take care of the pandal and then think of Bengal. In 2018, the pandal broke. In 2019, the government will break.
  • Our leader has fixed our target from the July 21 rally stage. Her message was 42 out of 42 in 2019, BJP finish. This should be our motto. We did not concede ground to the CPI(M), neither will we concede ground to the BJP. Let us resolve to protect the unity, culture, harmony of Bengal with our lives. Let us rid Bengal of the dirt called BJP, in a democratic way.
  • Let them fight us politically. Those who think they can win in Bengal by communally polarising the people, I want to remind them that people of Bengal cannot be brought for money. This is our Bengal, our pride.
  • They say they will win 22 seats in Bengal. We have to ensure that they don’t even win in 22 booths. A secular government will be formed in India in the coming days. That government will be for the common people, the farmers. That government will work for the progress in every sphere.
  • The only clash in Bengal will be one between 10 crore people of Bengal versus the BJP, not Hindu-Muslim clash.
  • Today is the death anniversary of Mahasweta Devi. She had a deep connection to this district. My deepest respects to her.

Preserving trees is an essential duty: Mamata Banerjee at Vanmahotsav

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Trees are extremely important for preserving the fabric of the environment, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said at a programme on Vanmahotsav at the State Assembly premises today. She stressed on the usefulness of trees, for the fabric of the environment was coterminous with the fabric of our society, both existing in their multitude of variety yet essentially in a state of harmony.

Salient points of her speech:

  • 50 lakh saplings will be distributed by the State Forest Department for planting across Bengal.
  • The State Government is distributing saplings through the Sabujshree Scheme too, wherein a sapling is given to the mother of a child born in a Government facility. These are valuable trees, whose wood can be sold after the child attains 18 years of age to fund educational and other needs of the child.
  • Without greenery there will be no life, no joy and laughter, and consequently, no peace and prosperity. Trees and plants are a salve for the eyes, and by extension, the mind.
  • We never try to divide people, be it on the basis of religion or anything else. We believe humanity is one, people are one and the same everywhere.
  • We abhor any form of artificially-created division. Thought, religion, language, colour of skin – these are points of difference for sure, but we are ultimately tied by the blood which flows in us, which has the same colour for every person.
  • We, the people of our great country, have been taught about the essential unity of humanity through the words and works of people like Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Kazi Nazrul Islam, Netaji, BR Ambedkar, Matangini Hazra and Pritilata Waddedar, Birsa Munda, Raghunath Murmu, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, APJ Abdul Kalam and many others.
  • Rabindra Tagore had expressed in our national anthem, ‘Punjab Sindhu, Gujarat, Maratha, Dravida, Utkala, Banga’. We hail from different places and regions, we hail from different castes and creeds, but we are essentially the same.
  • Unity in diversity is the fundamental thought behind our society.
  • In a similar way, there are so many types of trees. But one is as much essential as the other, they live in harmony with each other. Respect trees as much we respect each other.

 

Saugata Roy makes an intervention on The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Actually I have two small points; I do believe that this offence of trafficking is not known to the people in general. I saw a Hindi film called ‘Mardaani’ starring Rani Mukherjee which really brought out this problem of child trafficking. Would the Minister please consider promoting a film or films in different languages by noted directors to highlight the problem of particularly child trafficking?

The second question I want to ask that at the national level she has given the task of investigation to the NIA. The national investigative agencies are already overburdened with crimes concerning terrorism. I would like to ask her whether she would consider setting up a different national body for investigating crimes regarding trafficking? That would be very proper instead of burdening the already overburdened national investigative agencies.

Satabdi Roy speaks on The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, I rise to support the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2018. To showcase its commitment to combat human trafficking, we request the Government of India to ensure the following:

The due law must safeguard the non-liability of the victims of trafficking, empowerment of HST units across the districts in India, which has the authority to rescue and investigation throughout the case cycle, filing the registration of FIR, the arrest, of evidence, investigation or prosecution. Protocols and funds, coordination in interstate cases of forced labour should be made available to support officials and NGOs. Part of interstate transfer, including for loading and food and survivors for they are dependent. Adequate police protection should also be ensured in this transfer. Acknowledgement in critical roles of NGOs and support and corroborate combating trafficking, including labour trafficking and bonded labour. Adequate funding for rescued and further reinforcement for the new law of trafficking. On May 31, the Walk Free Foundation released its 2016 Global Slavery index which claimed that there were 45.8 million modern slaves around the world out of which 18.3 million were in India. The proposed law removes little of India’s modern slavery. It is a photocopy of a western approach.

Madam, main Standing Committee ke vajah se 2 -4 jail mein visit kiya. Vahan pe bahut saare Bangladesh ke log mile. Jail mein chaay (6) saal tak ke bachche maa ke saath jail mein reh sakte hai. Uske baad who nahin reh sakte. Uske baad kyun nahin reh sakte? Us samay bahut sare maa mere paas aaye the jiske bacche kaha hain unko pata nahin. NGO ke pass hain? Kaun se NGO ke pass hain? Kuch nahin malum. Unke paas koi support hain nahin. Jail mein aap kabhi jayenge to depression mein aa jayenge. Saat saal, dus saal trial hi ho raha hain, jis ke kuch result ho hi nahin raha hain.
Mein aur ek baat batau, jo aap sab ko malum hain. It is a very big racket, yahaan pe NGOs, homes aur police bhi saath mein jure hote hain. Ek bachche ko le aane se Rs 700 milte hain, unke liye bhi yeh sab karte hain. Yeh adoption ke bare me bhi mein bol sakti hoon. Pata nahin jo rules and regulations hote hain is mein jo log crime korte hain woh to nikal jate hain dusre line se, jo log sach much adopt karna chahte hain, kyun pahunch nehi pate hain? Kyun ki, itna files, itna rules hain. Lekin bacche bare ho jaye to unka adoption ka koi matlab nahin hain. Kitne log tadapte hain bachche ke liye. Aur mujhe ek baat bataya jaye. Jo aajayenge rehabilitation board se, panch saal baad mein ghar aaye ya panch mahine baad mein bhi ghar aaye, ghar usko society ki wajah se accept nahin karti.

Mein yeh manti hoon, rules, law, kanoon, kuch bhi society ko badal nahin sakte, kuch change kar sakte. Nahin toh crime bhi nahin hote iske baare mein. Main yeh request karungi, after yeh new law ke saath, bhagwan kare, society change ho jaye, badal ho jaye jiske saath humlog is society mein un logon ko accept kare , jo sach much problem mein hain, yeh society change ke liye humlog appeal korte hain.

We support this Bill, thank you.

Derek O’Brien speaks on The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (Amendment) Bill, 2018

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, all the Opposition members spoke. everyone has expressed themselves. There is an issue here on the quality of person who will be appointed. I don’t think anyone in the Opposition is suggesting that the post be left vacant. Nobody is suggesting that. The question is, do we have a professional who understands the issue. That’s all.

If the minister has changed the rules of the Bill, he must be congratulated for it. But, he has changed the rules, not the Act. What has caused a concern, is that we are doing legislation not for one person.

In the spirit of what you suggested, Sir, may I with your permission, Sir, through you, suggest to the House, that this is an issue which can be resolved. There are just two issues. We all want a qualified professional to be there. After that, we can resolve this issue by discussion.

Derek O’Brien speaks during a Calling Attention Motion on misuse of social media and fake news

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Sir, regarding this Calling Attention Motion, I have four specific questions to the minister and I hope he will answer that. Bur before that I have 3 sentences.

It is the party which came to power in 2014 which created the culture of digital mobs.

It is the party which came to power in 2014 which is trying to condition minds.

It is the party which came to power on 2014 which has made fake news into its master hobby.

I have four specific questions and all I ask for are the answers at the end of this debate. What did the minister not tell you in his so-called comprehensive review? He didn’t tell you which is the largest Facebook platform which was brought down by Facebook. And that page was called ‘Postcard News’. Look at the content of ‘Postcard News’. It is 100% right wing/RSS/BJP content.

(When did RSS become unparliamentary, Sir? I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. In my book it means Rumour Spreading Society.)

My first question: If Postcard News was brought down, why are BJP MLAs, MPs and ministers now demanding from Facebook that it should be brought back. Why?

My second question: One of India’s most vile, bilious, hatred-spreading Twitter handles is @IPPatel. Why was he called to the BJP President’s social media network meet last week?

My third question: Minister, if these big WhatsApp groups are creating all these problems – and you are right they are creating all these problems – please get WhatsApp to disclose to you at least 1,000 such groups and it will be very useful to you to find out who they are.

My fourth question: It is on Facebook. Facebook’s largest advertiser in India today, with 19 sponsored ads in the last six months, is ‘Nation with Namo’. My question is, who is paying for this?

Sir, I’m only concluding with one sentence. Sir, if I’m not making a relevant point I can sit down, if you want me to, but the four questions I’ve asked, I want the answers to those. Because, I believe and the Trinamool Congress believes, that digital India is really divisive India.

Thank you.