Trinamool wants Parliament to function: Sudip Bandopadhyay

Ahead of the Winter Session this week, Trinamool Congress on Saturday said it does not favour disrupting of Parliament proceedings and will raise issues of intolerance, communal harmony and strengthening of federal structure in the House.

“The strategy of our party is yet to be decided. It will be decided after discussions with our party chief Mamata Banerjee. But yes, we want the Parliament to function properly. We don’t want any disruption of the house,” TMC Parliamentary Party leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay said.

“If Parliament functions smoothly, we will be able to raise the burning issues of the country such as price rise, intolerance, threat to secularism and others. We can make the government answerable for these issues,” he said.

Sudip Bandopadhyay said, “The issue of intolerance and threat to communal harmony will top our agenda.”

“Never before has India gone through such an intolerant atmosphere. We want to raise this issue of intolerance in the Parliament. We have always spoken in favour of strengthening communal harmony of our country. In the present situation the communal harmony too is under threat,” he added.

The MP also lashed out at the Centre for interfering in the federal structure of the country.

“We have always spoken in favour of strengthening the federal structure and for more powers to the states. But under the present regime at the centre, the Prime Minister is calling up chief secretaries of the state bypassing the chief ministers.

“Is this the way you protect the federal structure, which is the basis of our country? We all need to strengthen the federal structure,” he added.

Parliament: Trinamool speaks on important legislations

Trinamool MPs today spoke on important legislations in both Houses of the Parliament.

Derek O’Brien supported the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Rajya Sabha. But he moved a Statutory Resolution on the Ordinance and slammed the Government for issuing a flurry of Ordinances in the last nine months. “Ordinance is passed when the Legislature is not in Session and immediate action is required. My contention is, Sir, it was not required to be introduced in such a hurry”, he said.

Full transcript to theDerek O’Brien speech

Derek O’Brien also raised the important issue of rising communal violence in the country during Zero Hour. He slammed the government for lack of progress in SIT probe on church attacks. He asked the government to clarify the number of communal incidents.

Full transcript to the Derek O’Brien speech

Kalyan Banerjee spoke on the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha and requested the Hon’ble Minister make a legislative scheme through which priorities could be given to PSUs of our country in the bidding process itself. “The committee felt that entire decision making process for distribution of coal blocks needs investigation and necessary penal steps should be taken”, he said.

Full transcript to the Kalyan Banerjee speech

Saugata Roy objected to the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2015 in the Lok Sabha. He spoke against hiking the FDI cap from existing 26% to 49%. “If you compare LIC lapsing with private industry, more than 99% settlements of the claims and more than 99% of death claims this is the performance of LIC. Now, the private sector Future Generali 49%, Prudential 42%, Reliance 38%, Bharati AXA 36%”, he said.

Full transcript to the Saugata Roy speech

Saugata Roy also raised concerns regarding how Centre has stopped funding under JNNURM scheme. He said,” I ask the Hon’ble Minister what is the exact plan for an alternative mission to follow up the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission which had done quite significant work 65 mission cities throughout the country.”

Full transcript to the Saugata Roy speech

Will not allow communal violence in Bengal: WB CM at Milan Mela inauguration

The Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department of West Bengal and the West Bengal Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (WBMDFC) have organised Milan Mela 2015, which was inaugurated by the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee at Netaji Indoor Stadium.

The fair would run from January 30 to February 4. With a tagline of ‘For Self-Employment and Communal Harmony,’ the fair aims to promote and assist entrepreneurs.

WBMDFC is involved in several beneficiary schemes like loans and scholarships, vocational training, talent support programmes.

 

 

 

 Highlights of WB CM speech:

  • Our government works for people of all religions.
  • Our Govt has given official recognition to Urdu, Nepali, Gurmukhi, Santhali languages.
  • We increased the budget of the Minority department for the welfare of people. We are paying for the debt incurred by the previous government. Centre is taking away our revenues.
  • We have given scholarships to more than 57 lakh students.
  • We have already set up Minority Bhavans in 15 districts. 5 more will come up soon.
  • We have given reservation for OBCs and minorities without touching general caste.
  • We are providing loans up to Rs 20 lakh for higher education.
  • People have got homes under Nija Griha Nija Bhoomi scheme.
  • We have set up Urdu Academy. We are setting up 2 Urdu Cultural Centres and a Hajj House.
  • Work for Aliah University was completed in very less time.
  • We are setting up English-medium, model madrasahs. We are providing computers to madrasahs.
  • Today is the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. We must observe this day to maintain communal harmony.
  • Some people are trying to incite violence and tension among different religions.
  • We will not allow communal violence in Bengal. We want peace. We want prosperity.
  • Indian Constitution is secular constitution. Some people are trying to carry out forcible conversions by giving money.
  • Why should someone force others to convert others? Who gave them that responsibility?
  • When you are in power you must follow good governance. Secularism is enshrined in the Constitution.
  • I am ready to sacrifice my life but I will not discriminate people based on their religion.
  • Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains – everyone is part of this country.
  • If anyone tries to incite violence between religions, law will take its own course. We will not spare anyone.
  • I am a member of the human family. We are in public life. We are dedicated to people’s work.
  • There is no use intimidating me. I was, am, and will always be with the people.

 

Image: File Photo

Jago Bangla stall wins hearts at Kolkata Book Fair

The 39th International Book Fair which was inaugurated on the 27 January is buzzing with book enthusiasts.

This year Jago Bangla – the official party mouthpiece – has been depicted through a stall which has been modeled around theme communal harmony. The figures at the entrance of the stall depict a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Christian showcasing unity in diversity and the motto the party firmly believes in.

Dola Sen, West Bengal State President of the Indian National Trinamool Trade Union Congress, said “Our Leader Mamata Banerjee has an open mind and heart. TMC is also an open platform. Like Mamata Banerjee our party accommodates people from different castes and creeds. Our country is now in crisis because of BJP, but our culture here is university in diversity. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian all stand in communal harmony here and our stand is anti-communalism.”

“Mamata Banerjee has come up with this special theme of Dhamsha Madol, Ektara and Veena and the entire stall has been made using old recycled Jago Bangla newsletters keeping in mind the environment” she added.

The Biswa Bangla stall of the West Bengal Government was also thronged by people.

This year seven books by Mamata Banerjee were released at the Book Fair, taking the total number of books written by her to 53.

Here are some images from the book fair:

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Jago Bangla display stands made with recycled paper

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A slice of Bengal at Book Fair

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Baul performance at Jago Bangla stall

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The ektara at Jago Bangla stall

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Dhamsa-Madol signifying Adivasis at Jago Bangla stall

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 Collage of the Chairperson 

Sudip Bandhyopadhyay speaks on communal harmony | Transcript

India stands on the principles of communal harmony, secularism and national integrity; we must respect all religions. Recently some evil forces are trying to create communal tensions in different part of the country which is alarming.

A new government has come into power.  Government of India, according to me, should remain alert, should remain cautious and vigilant to prevent communal tension. Otherwise safety and security of the common people of the country and the secular fabric of this vast country will be under threat.

The Government should rise to the occasion and assure the House.  Madam, we saw yesterday that hon. Prime Minister went and offered Puja in Nepal with 2400 kg of ghee. We are happy to see that… we appreciate that… Madam, I appreciate the steps taken by the hon. Prime Minister but it was equally expected that Prime Minister should communicate ‘Eid Mubarak’ also to the other people.

This was the common sentimental feeling of the country across all the castes, creed and all sections of the people. We offer puja greetings at the time of ‘Vijay Dashami’ and wish ‘Eid Mubarak’ at the time of Eid.  Why should there be a difference? Let us all unite together.