Bengal Govt to train 2.5 lakh rural youths

Bengal Govt to train 2.5 lakh rural youths

Posted on June 13, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government is planning to impart skill training to 2.5 lakh unemployed rural youths in the state to enable them earn livelihood without migrating to cities, the Self-Help Group and Self-Employment Minister has said.

He said the training programme by the concerned department would be conducted with an integrated approach, combining with various State welfare schemes to skill the youths across 10,000 villages.

At the end of the training, the department will provide them assistance in the form of resources like building hatcheries and goat farms, greenhouses (where they can start horticulture or cultivation of herbs), etc.

The department has identified 10,000 villages from 1,030 gram panchayats across the State. Initially, 25 youths from each of these villages will be given training. So, a total of 2.5 lakh youths will be skilled.

Source: Business Standard

Bengal Govt introduces e-pension system for teachers, Panchayat employees

Posted on June 13, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Finance Department’s e-pension system, a revolutionary project which has also been nominated for the Skoch Award, has so far ensured initiation of pension of more than 6,000 retired employees, without delay of a single day after retirement.

Now even school teachers, employees of panchayat and civic bodies will be a part of this system too. With this initiative, an employee now receives his or her Pension Payment Order (PPO) through email, 15 days ahead of retirement.

With the introduction of the e-pension system, an employee just needs to scan all documents and upload it through a portal, the link of which is available on the website of the Finance Department . An application number gets generated as soon as the employee uploads the same. Using the application number, the employee can even track which particular stage his or her application is passing through.

The concerned officials take minimum time in clearing the files and at least 15 days before retirement, the employee gets an email with directions to go to the concerned treasury to provide details of the pension account where it will get deposited.

Source: Millennium Post

Bengal Govt employing GPS & GIS to create a comprehensive map of the Sundarbans

Posted on June 13, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government has started using GPS and GIS to create real-time interactive maps of the Sundarbans region. These technologies would help keep a ‘smart’ eye on the entire biosphere – forest cover, land use, illegal activities, etc.

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based radio navigation system that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver while geographic information system (GIS) is a system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage and present spatial or geographic data. GIS accuracy depends upon source data, and it is here that the accuracy of GPS comes into use.

The surveillance system implemented by the Forest Department uses GPS to capture the data and GIS tools (softwares) to analyse that data. The information being collected, which will be on a continuous basis, is helping the Government to keep track of detailed data on forest cover (number and types of trees, their exact locations, even information on trees cut down) and human habitation, nature of an area, locations of coves and bays, etc. Importantly too, all data would be updated on a real-time basis.

The Forest Department officials are using these data along with the existing ground maps to create a comprehensive database of the region. This method of data compilation would eventually be used to cover the whole of Bengal.

The Sundarbans forest in Bengal comprises of the Matla, Raidighi, Ramganga, Namkhana, Bakkhali and Bhagabatpur forest ranges. The mangrove cover comprises of 77,243 hectares and the wildlife sanctuary, 60,000 hectares. Eco-tourism is permitted on an area comprising of a little more than 27,000 hectares.

The data is also being made available for use by other departments. According to the Chief Conservator of Forests, Bengal, who is overseeing the whole project, the data would be a big help for departments like Tourism and Land and Land Reforms.

A new university coming up in Purba Medinipur district

Posted on June 13, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government is setting up a university in the district of Purba Medinipur, which would be the first university in the district.

The land for setting up the university has already been designated – a plot of 20 acres in Kapaseria mouza in Mahishadal block, part of Haldia subdivision, and located on national highway 41 (NH-41).

It would be named after Mahatma Gandhi and might be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on October 2, the birth anniversary of the ‘Father of the Nation’.

The setting up of the university would be a big boon to the students from the district as they would now be able to pursue post-graduate and doctoral studies nearer home. Students from the district have always fare very well in secondary and higher secondary exams and now, a university is being built for them.

Classes would begin from July, and would, for the time being, be held at Mahishadal Raj College.

Source: bengali.news18.com

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

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

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.

Centre sitting on Rs 10,000 crore aid to Bengal: Mamata Banerjee

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

Bengal Chief Minister has once again raised the issue of Central deprivation alleging the BJP Government has held back its rightful Rs 10,000 crore earmarked for development.

In the recent weeks the Chief Minister has shot off at least three letters to the Centre demanding clearance of her State’s dues amounting to about Rs 9,959 crore under 16 heads.

According to officials in the State Finance Department the Centre is yet to clear Rs 609 crore — due on account of good performance. Besides, the State has also demanded its due of Rs 3830 crore on account of Sarva Shiksha Aviyan and Rs 790 crore under Mid Day Meal scheme.

Besides there are a number of other schemes under which the State has been deprived of its lawful grants from the Centre, sources said. Accordingly huge amount of money is due under Urban Renewal Mission, National Urban Employment Scheme, Swacchh Bharat and other programmes.

“This is a blatant denial of State rights. The people of Bengal are being deprived. We are not begging for funds. We are only demanding our dues. The Centre will have to keep in mind that the people of the States pay taxes and out of those taxes the States get their dues for development of their people,” the Chief Minister has said wondering whether Bengal is being deprived because of its political preference.

Shola Hub at Bonkapasi village empowering women

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

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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Bengal set to boost raw silk production

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

With Bengal witnessing a nine-fold increase in the production of bivoltine silk in the past seven years, the State Government is targeting to extend the cultivation of raw silk on a new area of 1,620 acres during the 2018-19 fiscal.

During the 2017-18 fiscal, the area of plantation was increased by 1,733 acres and it resulted in an yield of 2,540 metric tonne (MT) of mulberry raw silk, 34.50 MT of tasar raw silk, 2.60 MT of eri raw silk and 185 kg of muga raw silk. Infrastructure, including 898 rearing houses, 147 vermi-compost sheds and 10 cocoon storage buildings were developed to extend support to silk farmers during 2017-18.

The State Agriculture Minister has said that the production targets for raw silk for 2018-19 are 2,575 MT mulberry, 46 MT tasar, 6 MT eri and 400 kg muga.

Of the 1,620 acres of land that will be brought under sericulture during 2018-19, 1,000 acres will be for mulberry, 400 acres for tasar, 70 acres for muga and 150 acres for eri.

Large areas of land in the districts including Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Birbhum (together comprising the region of Jangalmahal) were brought under tasar cultivation during 2017-18, from which 18,040 people benefitted.

It may be mentioned that the production of bivoltine silk was 7.16 MT during 2012-13, which has gone up to 36 MT during 2017-18.

The State Agriculture Department will be organising a symposium, in which officials of agriculture, horticulture and sericulture sections will be present. Representative of silk-farmers will also be attending the symposium.

Source: Millennium Post

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

Posted on June 11, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

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.

Bengal Govt has enabled threefold rise in the average annual income of farmers

Posted on June 11, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government has set an example for other States by increasing the income level of farmers three times. The average annual income of farmers in the State has gone up threefold during financial year 2017-18 than what it was seven years ago.

According to the Agriculture Department, the average annual income of a farmer now stands at Rs 2.91 lakh during 2017-18 while it stood at Rs 2,39,123 during 2016-17. During 2010-11, the average annual income of a farmer was Rs 91,000.

This has become possible due to various social schemes introduced by the Trinamool Congress Government to improve the socio-economic conditions of the farmers.

The overall production of each farmer has shot up as their expenses have slashed due to the availability of certified seeds at much cheaper rates. The agricultural growth rate has gone up which in turn is expected to drive up the State’s economic growth rate.

Distribution of paddy seeds at subsidised rates by the Agriculture Department and giving farmers platforms to sell their produce directly at various State Government-managed outlets and Krishak Bazars at proper costs are among those contributing to the rise of income for farmers.

The State Agriculture Department has already ironed out the middle-man system that had become a practice during the regime of the erstwhile Left Front government.

The State Government has been providing Rs 400 crore subsidy to the farmers. The Agriculture Department provides certified seeds to farmers at 50 per cent subsidised rates or Rs 20 is given to them against per kg of paddy seeds, whichever is less. One farmer can receive up to 100 kg seeds at a time. The amount is credited to the bank accounts of individual farmers.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has laid enormous emphasis on the well-being of farmers and on the increase of productivity through the introduction of a host of new schemes.

Source: Millennium Post