Tag: Finance Minister

Bengal won’t accept bypassing of finance dept in distribution of MGNREGA: Dr Amit Mitra

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Stating that the Centre was trying to undermine the federal structure of the country, the West Bengal Government today said they will not accept the decision to bypass the state finance department in sending funds for MGNREGA scheme.

“Earlier, the money for 100 days work would come to the state finance department from where we used to distribute it to other departments. Now they are starting a ‘Tughlaqi-system’ where they are trying to avoid the finance department,” State Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra told newspersons here.

A meeting of different departments called by Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee decided that they would write a strong protest letter to the Centre in this regard. “It is a step against federalism and autonomy of the state. It is as if they do not trust the states. It is against the legislative process and undermines the federal structure,” the State Finance Minister said hoping the Centre and other states would understand the issue.

Dr Mitra said now the Centre was trying to send money directly to beneficiaries. State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said they were not going to accept the decision which “undermines the jurisdiction of the state.” He alleged that the Centre had shown a tendency to keep the state government in the dark on such decisions. Dr Mitra said they discussed how to start economic reforms without affecting the common man at a special meeting, where secretaries of various departments were also present. “We want a win-win situation where reforms will not hamper the lives of common people,” he added.

 

 

একশো দিনের প্রকল্পে রাজ্যকে এড়িয়ে টাকা দেওয়া মেনে নেওয়া হবে নাঃ অর্থমন্ত্রী

একশো দিনের প্রকল্পে মজুরির টাকা সরাসরি কর্মীদের ব্যাঙ্ক অ্যাকাউণ্টে পাঠানোর কেন্দ্রীয় সিদ্ধান্তের বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিবাদ জানাল রাজ্য৷ কেন্দ্র রাজ্যের যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় কাঠামোয় হস্তক্ষেপ করছে যা রাজ্য কখনোই মেনে নেবে না।

অর্থমন্ত্রী সাংবাদিকদের জানান, “আগে একশো দিনের প্রকল্পের টাকা সরাসরি রাজ্যের অর্থ দফতরে আসত৷ সেখান থেকে পঞ্চায়েত ও সংশ্লিষ্ট দফতর মারফত কর্মীদের ব্যাঙ্কের অ্যাকাউণ্টে টাকা চলে যেত৷ কয়েকদিন আগে কেন্দ্র এক নির্দেশে সব রাজ্যকেই জানায়, একশো দিনের প্রকল্পের টাকা আর রাজ্যের অর্থ দফতরে জমা দেওয়া হবে না৷ অর্থাৎ এভাবে রাজ্যের অধিকার কেড়ে নেওয়া হচ্ছে৷”।

মাননীয়া মুখ্যমন্ত্রী এদিন বিভিন্ন দপ্তরের মন্ত্রীদের নিয়ে একটি বৈঠক করেন, যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় কাঠামোয় হস্তক্ষেপের প্রতিবাদে কেন্দ্রকে চিঠি দেওয়ার সিদ্ধান্ত নেন মুখ্যমন্ত্রী। এটা যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় কাঠামোয় এবং রাজ্যের স্বায়ত্তশাসন বিরুদ্ধ একটি পদক্ষেপ। অর্থ দফতরের মাধ্যমে টাকা পাঠানোই নিয়ম৷ সেটা না হওয়া মানে বিধানসভাকেও অবমাননা করা।

অমিত মিত্র জানান, কেন্দ্র এখন সরাসরি কর্মীদের টাকা পাঠানোর চেষ্টা করছে। রাজ্যের শিক্ষা ও পরিষদীয় মন্ত্রী পার্থ চট্টোপাধ্যায় বলেছেন, এই সিদ্ধান্ত যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় কাঠামোয় আঘাত৷ অগণতান্ত্রিক ও অসাংবিধানিক সিদ্ধান্ত৷ যতদূর সম্ভব প্রতিবাদ করা হবে৷ তিনি আরও বলেন কেন্দ্রের এই সিদ্ধান্ত রাজ্যকে ক্রমশ অন্ধকারে ঠেলে দেবে।

ডঃ মিত্র জানান, “কীভাবে অর্থনৈতিক সংস্কার করা যায়, যাতে সাধারণ মানুষের মধ্যে আঘাত না আসে, সে ব্যাপারে বৈঠকে আলোচনা হয়েছে৷  কেন্দ্র থেকে একটি পদক্ষেপের চেষ্টা করা হচ্ছে, যা অত্যন্ত ক্ষতিকর৷ যুক্তরাষ্ট্রীয় কাঠামোর বিরুদ্ধে আঘাত৷ রাজ্যের স্বায়ত্ত ব্যবস্থার বিরুদ্ধে৷”

 

Beneficiaries of Kanyashree should get bank loans to set up own business: Dr Amit Mitra

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The Kanyashrees of the state should get the bank loans to start their own entrepreneurship as they deserve this much support from the banking sector to achieve their dreams in future, feels state Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra.

Dr Mitra who was addressing the dignitaries in a banking conclave on Wednesday has put this proposal before State Bank of India Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya, who was also the speaker of the conclave.

“I have said to the SBI chairperson that the Kanyashree Prakalpa is completely funded by the state budget. But the girls, who have received Kanyashree before passing out from their colleges, may need the bank’s help to start entrepreneurship or may get attached to the Self Help Groups,” Dr Mitra said.

The State Finance Minister opines that the girls, who are getting Kanyashree, could start their own viable occupation but only after completion of their education. “These girls can set up boutiques, beauty salon by their own credit, or they can learn accounting software and set up their own institute,” he said.

“As a Kanyashree recipient, they have gained legitimacy. They have received Rs 25,000, after attaining the age of 18 from the state government. Now, if they could prepare a bankable project and approach any bank, will the bank support them? I think banks would certainly think over it,” Dr Mitra added.

He assured to raise this issue in the next State Level Banking Committee (SLBC) meeting. “We can make a list of aspiring candidates who have received Kanyashree and opt for getting bank loans to start their own business. We will approach every bank,” the Minister said.

Kanyashree Prakalpa, a pioneering model across India, followed by central government and many other states for similar projects, has been much acclaimed in the international and national arena. It is mentored by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the project seeks to improve the status of girls, especially those belonging to the underprivileged family background.

This project gives financial support to those girls to continue their studies, complete secondary education, and even technical educations. The Kanyashree has decreased the early marriages in our state, at least till 18 years which is the legal age for marriage. It has reduced the risks of early pregnancies and maternal and child mortality, malnutrition and other harmful health conditions.

Bengal Finance Minister starts preparation for Bengal Global Business Summit

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West Bengal Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra Monday held a meeting with the Ambassadors of 22 countries in preparation to the Bengal Global Business Summit to be held in January, 2017.

Ambassadors of nations including Germany, France, Britain, Belgium, Singapore and Bangladesh were present at the meeting with the Bengal Finance Minister where the State Government showcased a presentation.

Dr Mitra informed the Ambassadors about the scopes and opportunities in the State for doing business in areas like ports, solar energy and many other areas.

This is the first time the State Finance Minister held a meeting with the Ambassadors of different countries.

 

বেঙ্গল গ্লোবাল বিজনেস সামিটের প্রস্তুতি শুরু করলেন অর্থমন্ত্রী

পশ্চিমবঙ্গের অর্থমন্ত্রী ডঃ অমিত মিত্র সোমবার বিশ্বের ২২টি দেশের রাষ্ট্রদূতের সঙ্গে দিল্লিতে বৈঠক করলেন। ২০১৭ সালের বেঙ্গল গ্লোবাল বিজনেস সামিটের প্রাথমিক প্রস্তুতির জন্যই এই বৈঠক।

দিল্লির ফিকির দফতরে আয়োজিত এই বৈঠকে জার্মানি, ফ্রান্স, ব্রিটেন, উত্তর কোরিয়া,বেলজিয়াম, সিঙ্গাপুর এবং বাংলাদেশসহ ২২ টি দেশের রাষ্ট্রদূত অংশগ্রহণ করেন। রাজ্য সরকারের তরফ থেকে অর্থমন্ত্রী একটি উপস্থাপনা পেশ করেন।

ডঃ মিত্র পোর্ট, সৌর শক্তি এবং অনেক অন্যান্য স্থানসহ রাজ্যের বিভিন্ন এলাকায় ব্যবসার সুযোগ-সুবিধার কথা জানান রাষ্ট্রদূতদের।

এই প্রথমবার রাজ্যের অর্থমন্ত্রী বিভিন্ন দেশের রাষ্ট্রদূতদের সঙ্গে বৈঠক করলেন।

Chambers of commerce laud ‘forward-looking’ Budget

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The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday congratulated state Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra for presenting a forward looking Budget for 2016-17, with an almost five-fold increase in planned expenditure that focuses on education, employment, agriculture and the MSME sector.

The Chamber said it was encouraging that the state has also been able to achieve a robust growth of seven times in agriculture and four times in infrastructure development in the past five years, while at the same time pushing down fiscal and revenue deficits within manageable limits even against the backdrop of a huge inherited debt burden of over Rs. 2.5 lakh crore.

Rakesh Shah, president of Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata said: “Amit Mitra deserves rich accolades for the most remarkable accomplishments in terms of the reduction in fiscal deficit and revenue deficit. This is despite large scale implementation of several ambitious schemes and projects for growth in the social development sector, which are being emulated in other States of the country.”

Anil Vaswani, Chairman, CII West Bengal State Council said that the Budget is a developmental one “with a focus on small-scale industries, health, infrastructure and education. The Finance Minister has made proposals to expedite speedy dispute resolution of VAT appeal cases. This will certainly go a long a long way in improving business environment in the state.”

There is universal support for GST: Amit Mitra

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Dr Amit Mitra, the Finance, Commerce and Industries Minister of West Bengal, who is also the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers on GST, today said that there was universal support for GST.

“The enthusiasm and participation today was very high. 23 Finance Ministers attended the meeting today in Kolkata,” Dr Mitra said. He added that every State presented their perspective and there were only two issues regarding which there are concerns.

“The first issue is that of dual control – between Centre and State. The panel today took a decision that only above a limit of Rs 1.5 crore will the dual control come into play. Small entrepreneurs will remain out of GST ambit,” Dr Mitra said.

The issue of Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) will be taken up during a meeting in July, the Minister added. “There are two suggestions, one putting the RNR at 17% and the other at 26%,” the WB Finance Minister said while adding that officials have been asked to submit presentations based on which the committee will decide the optimal RNR.

Dr Mitra asserted that GST was a win-win for all and will benefit industry as well as the consumers. He also reiterated Mamata Banerjee’s support for GST.

Rajya Sabha: Trinamool counters FM factually regarding VAT

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The Rajya Sabha today had a debate on the hike in the excise duty on petrol and diesel. In spite of international crude prices falling from 115$ per barrel to 35$ a barrel, the government has increased excise duty of fuel by 17 per cent, thus burdening the common man.

Taking part in the debate, the Union Finance Minister Mr Arun Jaitley said that States like West Bengal and Bihar increased VAT on petroleum goods in the last one year.

Leader of party in Rajya Sabha, Derek O’Brien countered Mr Arun Jaitley’s claim and said he was factually incorrect.

“Bengal did not raise VAT on petrol in the past one year. Bengal capped VAT rate in January, 2015,” he said. He also mentioned that the rate of tax on diesel in West Bengal is 17%, and the rate of tax on petrol is 25%.

Derek O’Brien also asked the Chair to set the record straight.

We deserve Central funds as we have performed well: WB CM at Delhi

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Union Finance Minister on Tuesday to discuss disbursement of central funds to the state.

She has been consistently taking up the issue of disbursement of central funds to the State on each of her visits in Delhi.

On Tuesday, the West Bengal Chief Minister said she took up the issue of funds for flood relief as the Centre has given West Bengal nothing so far on this account.

She also pointed out to the finance minister that no funds from the Centre have reached the state on account of development in the backward regions even while the state is supposed to get Rs 3,000 crore for BRGF.

The West Bengal Chief Minister said the Central Government had withdrawn 39 projects from the State and in case of 54 projects the funding pattern had changed. While earlier the Centre would have provided for 90% of the funds and states 10 %, now there will be a 60-40 sharing ratio, she explained.

On the day, the West Bengal Chief Minister also visited Rashtrapati Bhavan and handed over the digitised declassified Netaji Files.

WB Govt to tap 1 lakh acres of government land for industry

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West Bengal is planning to tap over one lakh acres of land available with the government in a bid to woo investors to the state.

State Finance, Industries and Commerce Minister Dr Amit Mitra said: “We are pro-poor and pro-business. Bengal is one case where reality is significantly better than perception. The question of land acquisition doesn’t arise. The government and its various departments have over one lakh acres of ready land, which we have decided to give to business houses to set up industries.“

Dr Mitra was in Mumbai for a road show to promote ‘Bengal Global Business Summit 2016’ to be held in Kolkata in January 2016.

“Land will not be a problem in West Bengal. WBIDC has 4,400 acres of ready land under its possession for industrial development. This is apart from the land for 6 townships in the state. Another 4000 acres of land will be made available soon,” the finance minister said.

The rest of its land bank is available with various government departments spread all over the state.

“Come and make money, come where the rising curve is happening,” said Dr Mitra, highlighting the growth benefits of investing in the state.

Among the key features offered to investors include land for greenfield projects, industrial parks and smart public administration.

Group of Ministers constituted to identify and reclaim closed industry land

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The West Bengal Government has decided to step up its efforts to reclaim 285 acres of land acquired by public sector firm Cycle Corporation of India, at Asansol.

The decision was taken at the third meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted to identify and reclaim land acquired by closed industrial units.

As per the findings of the GoM, of the 49,000 acres of land acquired by closed industrial units in Bengal, only about 7,500 acres are deemed non-litigant (not mired in litigations) by the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR).

As per preliminary findings of the panel, the land held by the Cycle Corporation of India does appear to be litigation-free.However, to be absolutely certain that the piece of land in question isn’t mired in litigation problems, the GoM, today (Thursday), set up a separate panel comprising directors, commissioners or joint secretaries of five state government departments, namely law, land, industrial reconstruction, agriculture and labour.

The panel will probe the current status of the land held by the Cycle Corporation of India and submit its report (to the GoM) on September 29, 2015,” the cabinet member said.

 

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Bengal growth story not highlighted on national scale: Amit Mitra

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Interview of Dr Amit Mitra, Hon’ble Industries & Finance Minister, West Bengal

Q: Is Bengal suffering from a perception issue?

Dr Mitra: Bengal’s reality has changed a lot. It is not being shown on national scale. Bengal’s GDP is growing at 10%. The state is surging ahead in every field, be it agriculture, services or industry. Our slogan is “Come to Bengal, Ride the growth”.

 

Q: Is WB Govt suffering from communication issue?

Dr Mitra: Media channels are the main source of communication. Some local media channels do not want to show the Bengal growth story.

 

Q: What is the sales pitch of Bengal in UK?

Dr Mitra: We will highlight all the macroeconomic parameters. Investment proposals worth Rs 84000 crore are already underway. If you take our statistics that I have submitted in the State Legislative Assembly, there will be a lot of heads turning.

Changi airport and SAIL are taking up projects which will not only help in infrastructure but also generate employment. We have land in 38 industrial parks. 4500 acres of land are ready for industries. All departments together have 100000 acres of land which can be put to judicious use.

We have an analytics park coming up at Kalyani. AIIMS-like hospital and several universities in the pipeline too. All this is coming up on government land. We have cleared 7500 acres of private land which is vested and already in the market. The largest technology park of the Central Govt is coming up in Kolkata.

Five tea estates belonging to State Government, which were lying closed for a long time, have been given out in transparent, competitive manner. The transition of the tea estates also saw 100% employee retention. Haldia Petrochemicals is receiving 95% capacity even as stake sale process is underway.

We have applied our minds and are moving ahead at a fantastic pace regarding the issue of land and SEZ. Research shows that SEZs are not sustainable in India which have become a playground for real estate.

Bengal is a power-surplus State now. NTPC is taking up power projects in the State. Bengal is water-surplus State, thanks to the Jal Dharo Jal Bharo project.

The MoUs that will be signed in London are across the board and will encompass all major small and large industries.

 

Q: Will you change your FDI policy?

Dr Mitra: We will not change our policy. Let me be clear because it is our commitment to the people. We have a mall in the heart of Kolkata which is the highest rated mall in India. So who is against business houses setting up shop? We welcome companies to enter Bengal.

We have eased the process of doing business. One of the biggest problems was mutation. WB CM has put a 30 days limit for the process.

West Bengal Government received award from Central Govt for e-taxation. We are the only State in India to go cheque-free in taxation.

Kanyashree is a revolutionary programme where 22 lakh girls have been registered for financial assistance to pursue education and got appreciation from United Nations as well.