Tag: governance

Bangla Govt to project Kolkata as MICE hotspot

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The State Tourism Department has plans to project Kolkata as a hotspot for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) tourism.

The department’s principal secretary made this comment at a conclave arranged by the India Convention Promotion Bureau (ICPB) at the state-of-the-art Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in New Town on August 30.

He also mentioned that Bangla in general has a big potential to grow MICE tourism and the State Government was making all efforts to make that a reality.

He also said that if the number of direct flights with some parts of world could be increased, then it would be a plus point for the tourism sector.

The State Government is looking into business tourism very seriously and is going all out to formulate strategies for making it a success.

Source: Millennium Post

North Bengal Development Department to reconstruct Rajrajeshwari Hall in Kurseong

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The North Bengal Development Department has undertaken the construction of Rajrajeshwari Hall in Kurseong.

The heritage — Rajrajeshwari Hall had been torched during the political unrest in the Hills in 2017.

The Rajrajeshwari Hall under the Bengali Association of Kurseong has a rich history. Rai Bahadur Sashi Bhusan Dey had started a Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Kurseong, in memory of his late son who had died from this disease.

While he was in Kurseong, the local Bengalis approached him for his patronage in constructing a Hall for the Bengali Association to meet. Being a philanthropist, he built the Rajrajeshwari Hall in the name of his wife just below the TB Sanatorium. Thus, it was built in 1930.

Along with this, the department has also taken up the project of constructing a Subash Ghising memorial community Hall in Kurseong.

 

Development of Hill Areas a top priority for Bangla Govt

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Developmental measures aimed at benefiting the people in the Hill areas and Dooars have culminated in significant socio-economic improvement of the people residing in these areas.
The overall impact of such activities has resulted in the building up of a peaceful and calm atmosphere in the region.

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Act, 2011 was notified in 2012. Thirty-five departments of the State Government have notified the setting up of their offices under GTA.

Here are some of the achievements of the Hill Affairs Department:

A. Allocation of more than Rs 4,035 crore for the Hills

B. Creation of district of Kalimpong and subdivision of Mirik

C. Formation of 15 Development Boards for the indigenous communities of the Hills and disbursal of various developmental activities including preservation and promotion of their ancient culture and traditions

D. Development of road infrastructure in the Hill areas has been a priority:

Renovations of NH-55 between Tindharia and Paglajhora and NH-10 between Sevoke and Sikkim border which were badly damaged due to landslides taken up

Construction of AH-2 and AH-48 underway; they will improve connectivity of Bengal with Sikkim, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan

E. Considerable thrust given to Tourism sector of Hill areas:

Eight cottages constructed in Kalimpong within the premises of Morgan House Tourist Lodge

Two Cultural Tourism Centres being developed at Kalimpong-I and Sukhiapokhri blocks for focusing on Lepcha culture and heritage

One hundred-bedded Youth Hostel under construction in Kalimpong

Development of several new tourist destinations undertaken

Four executive-class buses for foreign tourists as well as four small vehicles for local sightseeing introduced

Eco-friendly tourist lodge being developed at Tiger Hill in Darjeeling

Siliguri Royal Tiger Safari started, which is first tiger safari in Bangla

F. Thrust given on education:

Model schools established in Sukna, Mongarjung and RKSP in Darjeeling district

Two degree colleges established in Pedong and Gorubathan

One ITI and one polytechnic college being built in Kalimpong; another ITI completed in Gorubathan

In Kurseong, Dow Hill is being developed as an Education Hub. The Himalayan Centre of Presidency University is also being established at the same place.

G. Due priority given to health sector in Hill areas:

One HDU set up In Kalimpong

Eight SNSUs set up in the district of Darjeeling

Two CCUs established in Siliguri and Darjeeling

Four fair price medicine shops established in Darjeeling, Siliguri, Kurseong and Naxalbari

Medical college being set up in Kurseong

Hundred-bedded ESI Hospital being established in Siliguri

Four health sub-centres are ready to be commissioned.

H. Government proposes to lay emphasis on:

Eco-tourism and village tourism

Setting up of new health centres

Agriculture and horticulture

Skill development schemes in the areas of hospitality

Security Services (unarmed)

Handloom and handicrafts

I. Himal-Terai-Dooars Sports Festival being held to encourage the youth of the region to participate in sports and games activities

J. Hill Area Development Committee constituted to supervise development works in the Hill areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

Be it the court or any election, Trinamool wins everywhere: Abhishek Banerjee

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Trinamool Youth Congress president and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee strongly criticised the BJP Government’s anti-people policies during a speech at Rathtala Maidan in Balarampur in Purulia district.

In connection with the victory in the panchayat election, he said, whether it is at a court of law or in an election, Trinamool Congress will always win.

According to him, whether voting the BJP to win is the same as bringing a calamity oneself to one’s doorstep. In Balarampur, Trinamool had won election after election, but there has never been any violence. Yet, within a week after winning the panchayat election this time, violence spread across the place. There were two unnatural deaths. They had started playing political games with those deaths. Wherever Trinamool won, peace was established, and wherever BJP won, there has been a lack of peace.

We do not do politics with religion, he said. They mislead people by saying stipends are paid to imams using the tax-payers’ money. People should remember that tax-payers’ money is used for developmental projects – Sabooj Sathi, Gitanjali, etc. We believe in the Hindutva of Swami Vivekananda, not in the saffron Hindutva of Yogi.

He said, despite doing so much for the people of Raghunathpur, some people have turned away from us; we need to reach out to them. Support Mamata Banerjee as she is doing a lot of work for all of us. She will never let unrest spread its web in Jangalmahal.

It must also be remembered that many of those who won on BJP tickets in the panchayat election have come back to our fold, some even covertly. Everyone wants to participate in the wave of development that Mamata Banerjee is bringing along. Nobody can stop them, those who want to join her.

 

Source: Aajkaal

’Safe Drive, Save Life’ will become a global model: Mamata Banerjee at ‘Jaya Hey’ event

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today showered praises on the state police force. She said they did not get any holidays and cannot even spend time with their families during festivals because of their commitment to work. She also praised the various community development programmes started by the police.

The Chief Minister also said that ‘Safe Drive, Save Life’ will become a global model one day, and asked each and every one to spread awareness about road safety.

Highlights of the CM’s speech:

  • We started this event called ‘Jaya Hey’ in 2011. I hope this event will reach newer heights of glory in the days to come.
  • The police does not have any holidays. They do not celebrate any festival with their festivals. Their work is to serve the country 24X7 for 365 days. People are part of their larger family.
  • From Dol to Eid – during every festival we need them. From social functions to road accidents, police is required. Whenever any disaster takes place in the Hills, the police goes for rescue and relief operations. We cannot spend a second without their help.
  • The police to their work willingly and with earnestness. Their families are their pillars of support. We cannot do anything for them. So we started this function.
  • We all commit mistakes. When we work for 365 days in a years, small slip-ups are bound to happen. We must remember that. Whether it is scorching heat or raining torrentially, even when we do not want to step out, a traffic police personnel has to perform his duty. They are the guardians of the people.
  • Presence of police assures us of our safety. They have to be alert all the time. Their work is not just providing training or maintaining law and order. They also take part in community development programmes. They organise blood donation camps.
  • Like Kanyashree, Safe Drive Save Life will become a global model one day. It is being implemented in other States as well. What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow. Number of road accidents have reduced a lot ever since this project was launched.We all must raise awareness about road safety. We must all participate to save even one precious life.
  • It is the police’s job to save lives, not take them. My best wishes to all police personnel and their families on this special day. My best wishes to all those who are associated with this ‘Jaya Hey’ programme.

 

Safe Drive Save Life: State Govt to install reflectors on road dividers

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To prevent accidents at night, as part of the pioneering Safe Drive Save Life programme, the State Government has decided to install reflectors on road dividers.

The work between Golpark and Dhakuria in Kolkata has already started. Senior police officers say, during night, particularly when it rains heavily, drivers often fail to spot the dividers and hit them. In areas where there are small road dividers, drivers mount them after failing to negotiate lanes.

The reflectors will be seen from more than 50 feet away, even during rainy nights. Hence the installation of the reflectors will be of great help to drivers.

The State Transport Department has left no stone unturned to reduce the number of road accidents and to train drivers to pick up proper driving skills.

Source: Millennium Post

Depreciating rupee will increase oil prices, kill small businesses: Mamata Banerjee

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Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today tweeted about the alarming rate at which the rupee is getting devalued, saying it will lead to a host of problems for the economy of the country, including an increase in oil import bills and the closing down of small businesses. For the latter, this will be another massive blow following that of demonetisation.

Among other sectors to be hit would be agriculture. Farmers’ distress will be compounded as the rupee falls. Also, as a consequence of oil prices going up, transportation will become costlier and naturally, the prices of vegetables and other farm items will go up.

She ended by saying that “the writing is on the wall” for the BJP-led government at the Centre.

 

 

অমিত শাহ, ক্ষমা চান, নয়তো আইনি প্রক্রিয়া শুরু করা হবেঃ তৃণমূল কংগ্রেস

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আজ কলকাতায় বিজেপির সভাপতি অমিত শাহ এক জনসভা করেন। সেই সভায় অমিত শাহ রাজ্য সরকারের ওপর ভিত্তিহীন অভিযোগ আনেন। তার প্রতিবাদে তৃণমূল কংগ্রেসের পক্ষ থেকে সাংবাদিকদের মুখোমুখি হন, তৃণমূল কংগ্রেসের সর্বভারতীয় মুখপাত্র ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন।

তিনি বলেন, “অমিত শাহ আজকে বাংলাকে অপমান করেছেন, বাংলাকে অসম্মান করেছেন। বাংলার সভ্যতা, বাংলার শুদ্ধ সূচী, সুস্থ রুচি উনি বোঝেন না। এসব ওনাকে কি বোঝাব? বাংলার যে একটা সংস্কৃতি আছে, উনি সেটাকে অপমান করেছেন। তিনি ডাহা মিথ্যে দুর্নীতির কথা বলেছেন। উনি যদি ৭২ ঘণ্টার মধ্যে ক্ষমা না চান, অবশ্যই আমরা আইনি ব্যবস্থা নেব। সভ্যতার একটা সীমা থাকে, সম্মানের একটা সীমা থাকে। সেই সীমা অমিত শাহ আজ অতিক্রম করেছেন। অমিত শাহ, আপনি আগে নিজের ইতিহাস দেখুন, হলফনামা দেখুন।”

ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন অমিত শাহের বিষয়ে আরও বলেন, “উনি দুর্নীতির ডাকাত, দাঙ্গার ডাকাত। এইসব ধরনের রাজনীতি আগে যেখানেই করে থাকুন না কেন, এই রাজনীতি বাংলায় চলবে না। একদিনের জন্য আসবেন, বাংলাকে অপমান করে পালিয়ে যাবেন। আমাদের কাছে যথেষ্ট প্রমাণ আছে। সোজা ভাবে তৃণমূলের পক্ষ থেকে বলা হচ্ছে, হয় ক্ষমা চান, আর যদি না চান, আমরা আইনি ব্যবস্থা নেব। ”

সাংবাদিকদের প্রশ্নের উত্তরে তিনি বলেন, “এটি একটি ফ্লপ শো ছিল। মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নামে বাংলায় কোনও দুর্নীতির অভিযোগ আনলে, বাংলার মানুষ তা মেনে নেবে না। মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের বিশ্বাসযোগ্যতা, মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের প্রতি মানুষের আস্থা-ভরসা প্রশ্নাতীত। সেই মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের ওপর দুর্নীতির কাদা ছোঁড়ার চেষ্টা করা হয়েছে।”

রাষ্ট্রীয় নাগরিক পঞ্জীর (National Register of Citizens or, NRC) বিষয়ে সাংবাদিকদের প্রশ্নের উত্তরে তিনি বলেন, “এটা শুধু বাংলার বিষয় নয়, এটা পুরো দেশের নাগরিকদের নিরাপত্তার বিষয়। আমাদের রাষ্ট্রীয় নাগরিক পঞ্জীর বিষয়ে বক্তব্য পরিষ্কার, এটা বাংলার একার ব্যাপার না, এটা রাজস্থান, পাঞ্জাব, বিহার, আসামেরও বিষয়। গোর্খা, গরীব, প্রান্তিক মানুষ, বীর সেনা, জনপ্রতিনিধিদের, এমনকি প্রাক্তন রাষ্ট্রপতির পরিবারের মানুষদেরও ঐ তালিকা থেকে বাদ দেওয়া হয়েছে। ভারতীয় নাগরিক বাঁচাও, এটাই আমাদের স্লোগান। এটা কোনও সস্তার দাঙ্গা লাগানোর স্লোগান না। কোনও দাঙ্গার রাজনীতি বাংলায় চলবে না। আমরা আমাদের সীমার মধ্যে থেকে, শান্ত-নম্র ভাবে বলেছি, আমাদের বাংলার পারম্পরিক সংস্কৃতি আমরা ধর্ম-বর্ণ নির্বিশেষে মেনে চলি। আজ অমিত শাহ তাঁর সীমা ছাড়িয়েছেন।”

Idris Ali makes a Zero Hour mention on Adivasi Dibas

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you, hon Deputy Speaker Sir for allowing me to speak. আমি মাননীয়া মুখ্যমন্ত্রী মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের প্রতি কৃতজ্ঞতা জানাই। স্যার, আজ আদিবাসী দিবস। এই উপলক্ষে ইতিমধ্যেই রত্না নাগ বলেছেন, আমি বেশী কিছু বলব না। আমি শুধু দু-তিনটে ডিমান্ড জনাব।

স্যার, আদিবাসীদের স্বার্থে বিরসা মুন্ডার নামে একটা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় গড়ার দাবি আমি জানাচ্ছি। দ্বিতীয়, আদিবাসীদের জন্য ট্রাইবাল রিসার্চ ইনস্টিটিউট করার ডিমান্ড। ওয়াকফ প্রপার্টি, যেগুলি কেন্দ্রের অধীনে আছে, যেগুলি ডিসপোস হয়ে গেছে, সেগুলি যারা এন্টিটলেড টু এনজয়, তাদের ফিরিয়ে দেওয়া হোক।

স্যার, আমার লোকসভা কেন্দ্র বসিরহাটে অনেক আদিবাসী থাকেন। অনেক চাষিরা থাকেন। বিজেপি সরকার বলছে যে আমরা চাষিদের বন্ধু। আমার বিনীত অনুরোধ যে চাষিদের ঋণ মকুব করা হোক। আর তাদের যেন চাষের বীজ দেওয়া হয়।

ধন্যবাদ।

Mumtaz Sanghamita speaks on The Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2017

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FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you, Sir, for allowing me. I am very surprised that honourable minister has said that this is a very simple thing. But it cannot be a simple thing, it is a question of people’s identity. It is a question of people’s rights. How can proxy vote do the thing?

First of all, when we are trying to abolish all sorts of irregularities from everywhere, we are creating another irregularity by allowing proxy vote. How can we be sure the person who will give the proxy vote will do so exactly as per the original voter’s wishes? One person, who is a genuine voter, probably he or she will be the proxy voter; so one person can give the vote twice? To make it a very foolproof thing is very difficult.

The Government is trying to show that it is thinking about the NRIs. We understand where the vote goes. But they are shedding crocodile tears for the vast migrants in the different states; they will not able to give a proxy votes. So this is irregular and not fool proof at all. Electronic voting system is also not foolproof. Government should think twice or thrice before implementing. Though we are passing the Bill, I think it is irregular and unnatural thing.