Bangla no. 1 in growth rate

Bangla no. 1 in growth rate

Posted on August 11, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

In a Facebook post written today, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee put up the news that according to a report by the Central Government, Bangla has achieved the highest growth rate in the country – 12.58 per cent, in financial year (FY) 2018-19.

Sharp contrast to the national scene

Congratulating everyone concerned, she also noted that this was in sharp contrast to the deep recession and policy paralysis that has engulfed the country, courtesy the policies of the Union Government.

As a result, there has been a significant decline in the overall growth rate in the country as well as the highest rate of unemployment in 45 years.

In recent months, the automobile and leather sectors saw job losses to the tune of 3 lakh.

Disinvestment dampener

On top of so much unemployment, the Centre is actively pursuing the disinvestment of 45 public sector companies. This will lead to further loss of jobs for lakhs of people.

Investments going down

And on the other hand, she wrote, investment in new projects has plunged to a 15-year low in the quarter ending June 2019.

Implementation of new projects worth Rs 13 trillion has stalled, according to the well-respected business and economic data research company, Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE). This is the highest value since it began compiling data in 1995.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has shown a negative growth rate of 1.09 per cent in FY 2018-19, as compared to 2017-18.

Figures prove the desperate state of economy

Figures put up in her post point to the desperate state of the Indian economy:

GDP growth: 5.8% in Q4 of 2018-19, lowest in last five years (from FY 2014-15)

Industrial Output growth: 2% in June 2019, against 7% in June 2018

Growth: 3.6% in Q1 of 2019-20, compared to 5.1% in Q1 of 2018-19

Index of Industrial Production: 1.2% in June 2019, compared to 6.9% in June 2018

Capital Goods Sector growth: -6.5% in June 2019, compared to 9.7% in June 2018

Mining Sector growth: 1.6% in June 2019 , compared to 6.5% in June 2018

Unemployment rate: 6.1% in FY 2018-19, the highest in the last 45 years

Number of new projects announced: In Q1 of FY 2019-20, 87% lower compared to Q1 of FY 2018-19 and 81% lower in compared to Q4 of the same FY

Politics trumps development

Mamata Banerjee ended her post saying, for the new government at the Centre, it is all about “politics, politics and only politics” now, rather than economy and development.

She exhorted the people of the country to realise the true situation India has been dragged into by this government.

Tech giants investing in the MSME space in Bangla

Posted on August 9, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Two of the world’s tech giants are firming up plans for providing help to people involved in sectors like MSME, agriculture, education, healthcare and e-governance in Bangla.

Microsoft

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently announced that Microsoft will work towards creating an e-commerce platform for weavers in Bangla, through two projects, named ‘Sangam’ and ‘E-Web’.

The company will impart training to weavers and share its expertise in enhancing their skills. As a result of this initiative, about six lakh weavers will benefit. Their income will increase by 25 per cent.

Amazon

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud technology service platform of the e-commerce giant, Amazon, will offer learning content and promotional credit worth $100,000 to start-ups in the State, to enable them to develop innovative solutions addressing the requirement of the MSME industry in the State.

This was announced by the State Commerce & Industries and Finance Minister, Dr Amit Mitra, who added that this was the result of the MoU signed between WEBEL and AWS at the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) last February.

Sources: The Statesman, Millennium Post, Livemint

Budget Session summary: Trinamool puts forth its views strongly on issues affecting the nation

Posted on August 8, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Budget Session saw Trinamool Congress take part in a wide range of debates and raise crucial issues through Zero Hour, Question Hour and Special Mentions, and also through Points of Order, interventions and clarifications.

Three MPs from the Lok Sabha and two from the Rajya Sabha spoke on the Union Budget, nine from the Lok Sabha spoke on the Demands for Grants for various ministries while one MP from the Lok Sabha spoke on the Finance Bill.

Among the important Bills debated upon were The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, The Right to Information (Amendment) Bill, The Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, The National Medical Commission Bill, The Code on Wages Bill, The Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, The Dam Safety Bill, The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, The Consumer Protection Bill, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill and the two Arbitration Bills.

Here are the links to the weekly stories that detail all that the party said in the two Houses:

Week 1: Trinamool welcomes new Speaker

Week 2: Trinamool MPs raise matters of public importance in Parliament

Week 3: From Aadhaar to electoral reforms, Trinamool corners Govt

Week 4: Trinamool opposes anti-people decisions of Centre

Week 5: Trinamool protests against Aadhaar Bill, lack of scrutiny of Bills

Week 6: Party opposes regressive Right to Information & Triple Talaq Bill

Week 7: MPs in both Houses spoke on several important Bills

Week 8: Trinamool MPs walk out in protest against the procedure used to bring J&K Reorganisation Bill

District sabhadhipatis undergoing training

Posted on August 8, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Trinamool Congress Government has organised a comprehensive training for district sabhadhipatis from across the State. The training is taking place from August 6 to 8, at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town.

The training is being given by senior officers of various departments on all aspects of governance related to zilla parishads, like e-governance, health, education, public works, running panchayats, etc.

Since the responsibility for many crucial work lie with the sabhadhipatis, this training would help in better management of the work related to panchayats.

Source: Sangbad Pratidin

KMC sets up its first EV charging stations

Posted on August 8, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

On August 6, two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations were inaugurated by the Mayor in Dhakuria. These are the first EV charging stations built at the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s (KMC) initiative in collaboration with the CESC.

Two more EV charging stations will be coming up – adjacent to the Maa Flyover and AJC Bose Road Flyover.

Rule to encourage electric vehicles

The KMC has taken the initiative to encourage the use of electric vehicles to keep a lid on pollution from vehicles run on conventional fuel.

Towards that end, the Mayor said, the Corporation will introduce a rule that will make it mandatory for big housing complexes to keep aside space in the parking area for setting up charging points. The meters will be set up by the CESC

Currently, there are 40 electric buses running in Kolkata, with their EV station located at the Nabanna bus stand.

Replacing coal-heated ovens

Another recent decision by the KMC to prevent pollution, the Mayor said, was to replace with electric ovens the coal-heated ovens used at roadside eating places and ironing stalls. The civic body will provide subsidy for buying the ovens.

All these efforts are towards making a greener and cleaner Kolkata, wherein the cooperation of the city’s citizens ia also called for.

Source: Bartaman, Millennium Post

Save water, electricity today to save the world tomorrow, urges Mamata Banerjee

Posted on August 2, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a padayatra ON Thursday with slogans of saving the environment. From Birla Planetarium to Nazrul Mancha, thousands of concerned people marched with her to draw attention and spread awareness about the urgent need to adopt measures that would save the State, the country and the planet’s future.

Some excerpts from her speech at Nazrul Mancha:

I welcome all those who walked with us for so long for saving the environment. I am happy to announce that the environment department has set up six dedicated units for the protection of the environment.

After talks with the KMC, the Government will be providing electric ovens to stall owners and hawkers who are using coal ovens over the next one year. I hope they will cooperate with us in this venture.

Pollution and environment degradation are worse fears today than wars. If we do not save water and electricity today, we will not be able to save the planet tomorrow.

Trees are our friends, they cannot be destroyed. In Bhutan, they build houses in the valleys, not on the mountainside so that trees and greenery is conserved.

The monsoon this year has not come on time. Late monsoon usually implies the possibility of floods. The more there is pollution, there more there are natural calamities.

Noise pollution too is a problem. VIPs in Kolkata do not use hooters, and I feel that ambulances should control the use of theirs. Sirens and hooters should not be misused.

If everyone plants a tree, then Bangla and its future will be richer by 10 crore trees. Chennai had a drinking water problem a few days ago. People had to buy water at several places. There is no need to do so in Bangla, but everyone must see that water is not wasted.

Every year on July 12, we have started observing as “Save water, save life” and “Preserve water, reserve water” day. This is observed right up to the block level. Everyone must conserve clean water.

Draw up a plan for an awareness drive before the meeting with Puja Committees. Use festoons, leaflets, LED display boards for this.

Our dream is to create and ‘green and clean Bengal’. Aforestation of a total of 6.75 lakh bighas has been carried out in Bangla over the last eight years. More will be done in the coming days. Under the Sabujsree scheme, a sapling is given to the family of every child born. About 3 crore saplings have been distributed so far.

The ‘green and clean Bengal’ dream can be achieved if programmes like Save energy, save water, save power, save the environment, safe drive, save life are implemented properly.

‘Save green, grow green’ drive will be held every year on August 1 up to the block levels. It will be good if schools, colleges, universities and Puja committees observe this.
Wipro is coming back to Bangla. They will create a Silicon Valley over 50 acres, with 10,000 job openings. Microsoft will be setting up an e-commerce platform. Project Sangam and Project Rewave are two public interest projects wherein up to 6 lakh weavers will get an opportunity to market their products. This will start very soon in Nadia.

August 9 is Bharat Chharo Andolan Dibas, August 12 is Bakri Id, then there is Srabani Mela at Tarakeswar, followed by Independence Day on August 15 and Janmashtami on August 23… this month is full of occasions. So everyone must observe harmony, friendship and creativity for a better world.

Comprehensive plan for improving healthcare for mothers & infants in Bangla

Posted on August 2, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Bangla Government has taken up a comprehensive scheme for the upgrading of maternal, newborn and paediatric services at 68 tertiary and secondary healthcare facilities across the State with an aim to provide better treatment to expectant mothers and infants.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has laid great stress on infrastructure-building at various healthcare facilities run by the State Health Department in the districts.

Infrastructural upgrades

The 68 tertiary and secondary healthcare units that have been selected for infrastructural upgrade are all ones that conduct more than 3,000 deliveries in a year.

The plan includes upgrading of labour rooms, operation theatres, toilets, and power backup and drinking water facilities.

Mother and Child Hubs

The Health Department has also initiated the process to setting up 14 Mother and Child Hubs (MCH) at different facilities across the State for ensuring qualitative and quantitative improvement in maternal and child services at various hospitals. Out of the 14, nine are operational.

The remaining five are coming up at Chittaranjan Seva Sadan, Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, Silampur Block Primary Health Care, Sujapur Primary Healthcare Centre in Malda district and Anupnagar Rural Hospital in Murshidabad in the current financial year.

Waiting Huts

Twelve Waiting Huts for pregnant women have been set up to facilitate safe delivery of infants in remote areas. All of them are currently functioning. The Health Department has a plan to set up five more Waiting Huts.

Waiting Huts have turned out to be extremely essential for the people, who had to travel long distances to reach hospitals.

Significantly, the Committee on the Empowerment of Women, a parliamentary committee for studying women’s issues, in a report titled ‘Women’s Healthcare: Policy Options’, tabled in Parliament on January 3, 2018, had proposed the creation of Pre-Delivery Hubs across the country, on the lines of Waiting Huts.

IMR and MMR going down, institutional delivery going up

Both the infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rates (MMR) in the districts have gone down considerably in the past seven-and-half-years due relentless efforts taken by the State Government. This new set of projects will bring down the rates further.

It may be mentioned here that the maternal mortality rate in the State has reduced from 113 per 1 lakh mothers in 2011 to 101 in 2018 which is much below the national average of 130.

Infant mortality rate has reduced to 25 per 1,000 live births, which is also much lower than the national average of 34.

What is also significant is that the state government has increased institutional delivery from 65 per cent in 2010 to 97.5 per cent in 2018-19.

Budgetary allocation gone up

The Bangla Government has increased the budgetary allocation for Health Department from Rs 8,773.52 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 9,556.69 crore in 2019-20.

Source: Millennium Post

Political vendetta and agencies should not destroy the future of the country: Mamata Banerjee

Posted on July 31, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Following the incident relating to the death of V G Siddhartha, founder of the Cafe Coffee Day chain, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on social media, termed the incident as sad and unfortunate.

Below is the text of her full post:

“I am deeply shocked by the incident relating to V G Siddhartha, Cafe Coffee Day founder. It is indeed very sad and very unfortunate.

From what he has expressed, it appears that he was greatly depressed due to harassment and pressure from different agencies for which he could not run his business in a peaceful manner. This he could not resist.

I hear from different sources that captains of industry in the country are under pressure; some of them have left the country and some are contemplating to move out.

All the opposition political parties are afraid of horse trading and harassment with political vendetta.

On one hand, the economic growth of the country has nosedived to as low as 5.8% in the fourth quarter of 2018/19, the lowest in the last 5 years, and unemployment has increased to the highest level in the last 45 years.

On the other hand, central government is actively pursuing disinvestment of government assets, from Ordnance Factory Board to BSNL, from Air India to Railways, from Chittaranjan Locomotive Works to Alloy Steel Plant, Durgapur and about 45 more public sector undertakings.

The overall economy is in bad shape with the common people suffering the most.

Industry and agriculture and creation of employment is the future of our country. If industry is demoralised, then there will be no economic and employment growth. As a result, more and more people will become jobless.

My appeal to the government is that when you have been elected, you have to work in a peaceful manner so that people are confident and that political vendetta and agencies do not destroy the future of the country.

I express my deep condolence to the family members of Siddhartha. I feel really sad to hear the news.

I thought of sharing my feelings and thoughts with all of you.”

I am deeply shocked by the incident relating to V G Siddhartha, Cafe Coffee Day founder. It is indeed very sad and very…

Mamata Banerjee यांनी वर पोस्ट केले बुधवार, ३१ जुलै, २०१९

Bangla has given highest amount in loans to SHGs: Central report

Posted on July 31, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The latest NABARD report has painted a bright picture about self-help groups (SHG) in Bangla. The Central Government-run agricultural bank has reported that the State’s performance in credit linkage of SHGs in the cooperative sector in financial year (FY) 2018-19 has been the best in the country.

As per the report, Bangla provided long-term loans to 97,535 SHGs, which is the highest, leading to huge employment and income generation, mostly among women.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had recently announced a yearly aid of Rs 5,000 per SHG for their empowerment. SHGs registered for a period of one year or more will be entitled to the benefit. The government will spend Rs 500 crore for this purpose, said an official of the State Cooperation Department.

Bank loans disbursed to SHGs has gone up noticeably under the Trinamool Congress Government. What was Rs 553 crore in FY 2010-11 went up to Rs 7,000 crore in 2018-19.

The State Government is also providing a subsidy so that SHGs have to pay only 2 per cent of their bank loans. The number of SHGs, which was 4.72 lakh in FY 2010-11, has also more than doubled.

Source: Millennium Post

Super-specialty blocks in Bengal Govt. hospitals

Posted on July 31, 2019 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

To enable improved access to super-specialty services at government hospitals, the State Government is bringing all such services in a hospital under one roof.

The first such combined service centre is being set up at the Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. Work on the fully air-conditioned block is almost complete.

There will be nine super-specialty services in the block – nephrology, urology, neuromedicine, neurosurgery, gastro-surgery, gastro-medicine, diabetics, endocrinology and geriatric medicine. Besides these, there will a 40-bed critical care unit (CCU).

There will also be 24 superior cabins spread across two floors, with 12 on each. They have been named Charaka Ward and Susruta Ward, after the two famous surgeons of ancient India. Nine operation theatres and all manners of hi-tech diagnostic services will also be located in the block.

It may be mentioned that such superior quality cabins had been set up earlier at the Woodburn Ward in SSKM Hospital. Being situated at government hospitals, the services cost much less than in private hospitals and yet are of the same high quality.

Source: Aajkaal