Tag: inauguration

In conversation with… Sovan Chatterjee, Mayor of Kolkata

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on In conversation with… Sovan Chatterjee, Mayor of Kolkata

AITC Web Team: The Municipal Corporation elections are a few weeks away. What are the preparations leading up to it?

Mayor: Throughout the last five years, development work has been done in all the wards under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. From ward number 1 to 144, a lot of work has been happening in every department including roads, lighting, parks, health, drainage and drinking water. Therefore, there is no need to take preparations for the elections separately. Work has been done for the common man and they will vote in favour of us.

AITC Web Team: According to the Opposition, the municipal board failed in the last five years. What would you say to that?

Mayor: Opposition will always criticize. People are the ultimate judge. Work has been done in all the departments and in all the wards irrespective of the political background.

AITC Web Team: Some projects of the Corporation are dependant on Central grants. Did you receive cooperation from the Centre?

Mayor: Before the Lok Sabha 2014 elections, we had sent reports to the Centre regarding several projects like JNNURM, garbage compactors, Tala Park etc. Funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission were also sanctioned. But BJP dismissed all such allocation after coming to power. However, that could not halt the surge of development in Kolkata.

The Corporation has achieved success in removing garbage dumps from the city with the quick action financial support from West Bengal Government. Kolkata has been made clean with the compactor machines and movable compactors. Kolkata has been made ‘Vat-Free’ without any support from the Centre.

AITC Web Team: What are the other significant works done by the Corporation in the past five years?

Mayor: Developmental work has taken place in every department. The most significant among all would be the supply of drinking water supply to 95% parts of the city. With the one and half crore gallon capacity water purification system at Garden Reach and the booster pumping station at Chetla, almost 12 wards including areas of Chetla, Alipore, eastern areas of Behala, Thakurpukur, Daspara and Joka would benefit directly and indirectly.

The Dhapa Jai Hind project has also been started which is supplying almost 30 million gallons of purified drinking water to Anandapur, Mukundapur, Patuli, JJ Khan Road and seven booster pumping station and 12 overhead reservoirs.

Also, the Kolkata Improvement Trust has done a great work to improve the drainage system, due to which Kolkata did not get water logged despite of having excessive rainfall from 2012 to 2014. Apart from this entire routine road building and repair work has been undertaken. Roads were repaired swiftly on complaints that were received.

AITC Web Team: What work has been undertaken to beautify Kolkata under the current Municipal Corporation?

Mayor: Our Hon’ble Chief Minister wished that the City of Joy be beautified in a single colour theme. In accordance with that, bridges, road railings, etc. have been painted. Out of the 620 odd parks in the city, almost all have been freshly painted; decorative lights have been installed along the roads.

The 2.5 km riverside along the Ganga from Princep Ghat to Babughat has been beautified. Anti-pollution devices have been installed at the crematoriums and the Nimtala crematorium has also been revamped. The Tangra slaughter house has also been modernised using latest technology and standards.

AITC Web Team: What are your expectations about the upcoming Kolkata Municipal elections?

Mayor: Our strength in the Corporation will increase from what it was last time. We have completed every work that was undertaken. Not a single developmental agenda has been left out. All the Councilors are now waiting for the elections.

Education for all: KMC initiative to provide free education makes mark

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on Education for all: KMC initiative to provide free education makes mark

 

To provide basic education to the poor children within its jurisdiction without any discrimination of caste, religion or community is the basic principle on which Kolkata Municipal Corporation runs its schools.

This free education does no way mean it is not at par with other paid schools in the city. To keep up with the quality of education and to spread its reach, in February 2015, 24 new schools were inaugurated by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation at Uttam Manch by Sovan Chatterjee, Mayor of Kolkata. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had earlier announced the plan of setting up six Junior schools, eight English medium schools and ten Montessori schools at the Uttam Mancha near Kalighat.

Along with imparting education, KMC also attaches local parks and playgrounds to these schools to encourage the students to take up sports and extracurricular activities.

Highlights of KMC’s initiative in spreading education:

• No. of KMC Schools at present are 263 including three streams i.e. Bengali, Hindi and Urdu (Boys & Girls).

• No. of Bengali Medium Schools are 154

• No. of Hindi Medium Schools are 46

• No. of Urdu Medium Schools are 56

• No. of Mixed (Bengali & Urdu) Medium Schools are 5

• No. of Mixed (Hindi & Urdu) Medium Schools are 2

With the Financial assistance of Govt. of West Bengal, KMC is organizing 102 centres of Child education (S.S.K) between 01 to 141 Ward in different streams.

• Bengali Medium: 72 Centres

• Hindi Medium: 10 Centres

• Urdu Medium: 17 Centres

• Odiya Medium: 01 Centre

The following schemes have been undertaken in KMC Schools for the benefit of KMC School Children and /or the children of the neighbouring areas.

• Annual Sports meet of KMC School Children.

• Participation in State Level Sports on regular basis

• Distribution of national text books amongst the children of KMCP Schools and S.S.K. on free of cost.

• Libraries for students

• Participation in integrated learning project evaluation through Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (S.S.A.).

• Various training programme for development of scientific concepts of the children of KMCP Schools are arranged by Education       Department, KMC with the financial assistance of UNICEF.

• Celebration of International Literacy Day on 8th September every year.

• Distribution of School Uniforms.

• Distribution of academic prizes and sport prizes.

• Distribute Mid-day-meal to all students of KMC schools

• Celebration of auspicious days namely Netaji’s Birthday, Republic Day, Rabindra Jayanti, Independence Day etc.

• Participation of School Children in sit & draw programme.

• Participation of school children in educational tour to places of Historical interest.

• Arrangement of school wise exhibition on improvised models.

• Work Education and Physical Education.

Statewide solar project to start in WB today

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on Statewide solar project to start in WB today

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee had encouraged use of Green Energy in different spheres and had asked  to use solar power in all government buildings. To keep pace with that, the West Bengal Government Environment Department and the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) will start installing solar photo voltaic (SPV) panels in 80 schools and 20 primary health centres across the state from today. The project will be launched in six venues in different districts.

The project will be executed by the West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation (WBGEDC). It will take about a year to complete the project, including generating solar power from the SPV panels and putting it on the grid.

For the schools and health centres of Burdhaman, Birbhum and Bankura, the project will be launched from Rabindra Bhavan in Asansol. For East and West Midnapore, it will be launched from Mahishadal. For Howrah and Hooghly , the launch will be from Baluhati in Howrah. The project for Darjeeling will be inaugurated from Udayan Sangha Club ground in Hakimpra, Siliguri, and for Kolkata and North 24-Parganas, the programme will be inaugurated from Sarat Sadan, Behala, and Nazrul Mancha in Madhyamgram respectively .

Incidentally the West Bengal Government is soon going to introduce roof top solar power system, particularly for high-rise buildings. Moves are afoot to offer a subsidy/incentive of 20 per cent to users of solar power.

There is a flood of development all around the State: WB CM

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on There is a flood of development all around the State: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee yesterday inaugurated the much awaited flyover connecting VIP Road, Kestopur and Joramandir. This flyover will ease the traffic towards the Airport and the travelling time will cut down considerably.  The four lane flyover is 2 km long, 200 mtr broad and built with a cost of Rs 313 crore.  For the convenience of the people four subways have also been built under the flyover.

Speaking on the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister pointed out the development and beautification work done Government all around the state. These projects are generating work for the people here.

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:

• The city roads are now flooded with new buses, taxis

• New bus stands with sitting places have also been built

• There has been an increase in number of ‘Pay and Use toilets’

• The Andal Airport will start operating from 14 March, 2015

• Despite the Centre deducting over Rs one crore as interest, we are number one in 100 days work, MSME, Small Savings Schemes.

• In Kanyashree we are number one in the world despite all the monetary restrictions faced by the state

• Eco Tourism Park is a big attraction for visitors all around the world. The wax museum is one of its kind after Madame Tussauds

• The development and beautification work done from VIP Road, Rajarhat, Bidhannagar and Kolkata city are being appreciated all around

• We are building education hub

Kolkata soon to become free from open garbage vats: WB CM

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on Kolkata soon to become free from open garbage vats: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee said that very soon, the Kolkata will be free of open garbage vats. She said that KMC has set up 49 compactors around the city to keep it clean from open garbage. Th e city is being cleaned three times a day with the 100 Days Work Scheme being utilized to do so.

The Chief Minister today inaugurated the Jai Hind Community Hall at Harish Mukherjee Road-Kalighat Road Crossing in Bhowanipore, set up by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s speech:

  • Small ideas can lead to bigger implementations
  • We have started the practice of songs being played at traffic signals
  • When we came in power in KMC, we took the initiative to set up decorative street lights
  • We have beautified other district towns with the same decorative street lights
  • KMC initiated setting up proper bus stands, pay and use toilets in different parts of the city
  • I had the idea of decorating Kolkata with blue and white after I visited the Pink City – Jaipur
  • The Community hall will be of help to people of this ward. I will ask the KMC to set up such halls in other wards too
  • The Basanta Utsav starts today. We have announced holiday on both Dol and Holi

 

The Chief Minister wished best to all for a happy and peaceful Basanta Utsav

Investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the offing: WB CM at Purulia

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on Investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore in the offing: WB CM at Purulia

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee announced a number of projects in Borjora, Purulia, on Monday. She said that investments worth Rs 1 lakh crore are in the offing for Raghunathpur and Barjora. The infrastructure of these industrial park is being improved so that the investors do not face any difficulties.

Along with these industrial zones, the WB Government will be investing in coal blocks in Deocha-Panchami.

Keeping with the public demand the Chief Minister also announced one Hindi medium school will be set up along with 20 other schools. Purulia will soon have a Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital in PPP model.

She inaugurated 28 projects worth Rs 61 crore 97 lakh.  The noteworthy projects which are coming up are expansion of Purulia-Bankura two lane NH 60 worth Rs 340.34 crore.  She also inaugurated Youth Hostel in Murutbaha Park worth Rs 2.5 crore.

WB CM inaugurates a number of projects at Purulia

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on WB CM inaugurates a number of projects at Purulia

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee  addressed a public meeting at Lodhurka in Hura, at Purulia. She inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a number of developmental projects.

The Chief Minister  inaugurated a number of youth hostels, Krishak bazaars, skill development training centers, eco tourism projects, hostels for girl students and new roads among others.

The Chief Minister  laid foundation stone for the widening project of a road that connects Bankura and Purulia.

The Chief Minister  distributed several scholarships, loans and grants like Kanyashree, Nijo Bhumi Nijo Griho, Bonpatta, Artisan Credit Card etc.

First time in India – WB Govt launches Micro Business Credit Card

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on First time in India – WB Govt launches Micro Business Credit Card

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today launched the Micro Business Credit Card for medium and small businesses at the State Secretariat, Nabanna.

The Micro Business Credit Card, which is the first of its kind in India, will facilitate small and medium business entrepreneurs of the State. The introduction of this Credit Card will immensely benefit the entrepreneurs, particularly in the MSME sector.

The small and medium entrepreneurs will be able to avail cash credit or loan up to Rs 5 lakhs for their business activities, even without collateral security. The State Bank of India has extended support to the Government of West Bengal in this venture.

The State Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra and the Panchayat & Rural Development Minister Mr Subrata Mukherjee were present on the occasion.

Incidentally, in his Budget speech in 2014, Dr Amit Mitra had noted that small and medium businesses were the largest employers in the State, and said that to ease their woes in getting bank credit, the government would facilitate the launch of a micro business credit card (on the lines of the Kisan Credit Card).

Excerpts of WB CM’s speech:

  • We must concentrate on small things. Small grows into big. We must take care of the small.
  • No one becomes a big industrialist in a day.
  • This is the first time Micro Business Credit Card is being launched in India. I congratulate all.
  • I congratulate my Finance Minister Amit Mitra for this bold step.
  • We believe in keeping the process simple and hassle-free.
  • To do business we have to keep all doors open.
  • Just because I am involved in small agricultural marketing hub, does not mean I cannot promote big business.
  • We have given Kisan Credit Cards to 65 lakh people in three years.
  • 65 Lakh Kisan Credit Cards have already been distributed.
  • 3.2 crore people out of 9 crore people in Bengal get rice at Rs 2 per kilo.
  • Till Rs 5 lakh, no guarantee is required in this Micro Business Credit Card scheme.
  • Today Business Credit cards are being given to that Kisans can start businesses. No guarantees would be required till 5 Lakh rupees.
  • It is my duty to help the people to progress.
  • If you are determined to work hard, you will reach the heights of success. My best wishes are with you.
  • We have made a fund of Rs 200 crore for business and a simplified clearance process.
  • We will start facilitation and clearance centers in Bardhaman, Durgapur, Asansol and other places to speed up the clearance process.

Bengal number one in 100 Days’ Work : WB CM at Mati Tirtha, Bardhaman

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on Bengal number one in 100 Days’ Work : WB CM at Mati Tirtha, Bardhaman

The State government organised the first leg of “Mati Tirtha Krishi Katha”, in Bardhaman. The conference will continue for three days and the second leg in Balurghat. The conference is indented to inform the farmers of the latest developments in agriculture and also how to avail easy agricultural loans.

The current government is giving agriculture top priority and such conferences are being held to reach out to farmers.

WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the conference at Bardhaman and she spoke to farmers and take questions from them.

The state government will also deploy agricultural experts to advice farmers regarding preventive measures to be adopted to prevent fungus infection of several agricultural crops.

It may be recalled that the state government has already provided Rs 4.70 crore for the development of agriculture in several districts.

Highlights of WB CM speech:

  • We thank the United Nations for sending a representative for the inauguration of Mati Tirtha.
  • UN has declared 2015 as the International Year of Soils.
  • Bengal has been celebrating Mati Utsav for the last three years at Panagarh.
  • We have set up a Mati Tirtha at the Agricultural University in Bardhaman.
  • The Mati Tirtha will advise farmers in increasing efficiency of agriculture and improving productivity. The Mati Tirtha will help people associated with soil 365 days in a year, not just during 7 days of Mati Utsav.
  • We must ensure farmers are able to easily sell their products in urban areas, not just rural areas.
  • Mati (soil) is our janmabhoomi, karmabhoomi.
  • We have inaugurated 429 roads today. The project cost Rs 1151 crore
  • In the past we initiated the process of building 60000 km of roads in rural areas.
  • Centre is not giving us any funds. Instead they are taking away all our revenues. We are paying for sins committed by others.
  • We want answers from the Centre. We will go to Delhi if necessary. Bengal must get its dues.
  • They have no base in Bengal. They only appear on TV studios. They have no idea about running government.
  • I welcome criticism. But some people are indulging in smear campaign. UPA neglected Bengal. BJP is crossing all limits.
  • Why did our predecessors not think of Krishak Bazars, Mati Tirtha? Why did they not set up schools, hospitals?
  • We have given Kisan Credit Cards to 35 lakh people. We gave land pattas to 2.5 lakh people.
  • We will also set up Mati Tirtha at north Bengal.
  • Post independence, only 34 colleges were set up in Bengal till 2011. In 3 years we set up 31 colleges.
  • Only 2 universities were set up in Bengal during CPM rule. We set up 7 government and 5 private universities in 3 years.
  • AIIMS is being set up at Kalyani. IIIT is coming up in Kalyani.
  • We had set up a target of 50,000 ponds for 5 years. We have already created more than 1 lakh ponds in 3 years.
  • Bengal is No. 1 in 100 Days’ Work Scheme. That is why Centre has stopped giving us funds.
  • BJP Govt slashed funds for 100 Days’ Work. Prices of fertilizers have been increased. Funds for PMGSY have been blocked.
  • Centre abolished the Planning Commission. We oppose that. Netaji conceptualised the Planning Commission. We will not accept this.
  • We increased our revenues. But the Centre is taking away our taxes.
  • We want federal structure to be strengthened. States must have power of taxation.
  • Food grain procurement in Bengal has crossed 1.74 lakh metric tonnes.
  • We are giving away benefits of various schemes to 25000 people today.

Fabulous response as Kolkata gears up to be India’s first Wi-Fi city

Posted on | by admin2 | Leave a Comment on Fabulous response as Kolkata gears up to be India’s first Wi-Fi city

From students to professionals, restaurateurs to smartphone sellers, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Wi-Fi plan has touched every Kolkatan.

Thanks to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s announcement of the roll-out of Wi-Fi service, Netizens are all geared up to take a big leap into the virtual world.

But they will have to wait a little longer – two months to be precise – before they can log on.

Reliance Jio, that will be offering the service, says they will begin the roll-out in March and cover the whole of Kolkata in a year.

To begin with, users will not have to pay anything for the first two months. And they can log on without much effort. All that they must do is click on the Wi-Fi option, after which they will receive an SMS asking their e-mail ID. A password will be mailed to them.

Park Street apart, Wi-Fi signal will be available in Loudon Street, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road and Mirza Ghalib Street. The rest of Kolkata will be covered in phases, according to Reliance JIO.

“We will expand the area in phases and that might take up to a year. We will offer 4G services and anyone with a Wi-Fi option in the device can log on. But even as we expand the area, we will launch schemes. So, you could expect free services for the first 4-5 months,” said a Reliance JIO spokesperson.

Park Street is excited about the roll-out.

Once it happens, you can log on to the Net from anywhere in the area – pavements, staircases or cafeterias. Flurys executive chef Vikas Singh believes it will change the perception about Kolkata. “In London, I have used hotspots where Wi-Fi is offered free and advertized. People tend to gather in these areas. That it is happening to Park Street, is a big thing. For a tea shop and confectionery like Flurys, it will obviously be great as our patrons are used to staying connected while on the go,“ said Singh.

Wi-Fi will free Net-users from the bondage of restricted connectivity promises to bring about a significant change, especially for youngsters. Students could be surfing the Net even in college corridors and canteens. “It will be so much easier with Wi-Fi. We won’t need to carry a dongle any more,“ said Srobona Basu, a St. Xavier’s student.

Tourists from abroad are delighted as well. “Free data services will obviously be a blessing for budget travellers like me. I guess hundreds of travellers will be benefitted for many check into hotels near Park Street where the service is going to be available. Voice calls are expensive so we look for cheap Internet access,” said Corline, a tourist from Canada.

Dealers of smart devices are looking forward to the roll-out with optimism. A Wi-Fi enabled city will definitely encourage more to log on to the Internet, they feel. But they also realize that the impact may not be immediate. “This is tailor-made for youngsters who love to stay connected on the move. Now everyone has a smartphone. More will now opt for larger Internet-enabled devices like tablets,“ predicted Pulkit Vaid, Director, Great Eastern Appliances.

Kapil Gupta, owner of Konnect, ­ another city electronic outlet, ­ felt connectivity could be an issue in the initial stages. “With so many logging in at the same time, the network can get clogged. Most potential users are Net subscribers already. So, they will be tempted to gauge the quality of service and also the charges. In case both are good, there’s no reason why people won’t be availing the service,“ said Gupta.

IIT-Kharagpur professor AN Samanta was upbeat with the prospect of a Wi-Fi environment, but he sounded cautious. “It will help those carrying smartphones and laptops, but security remains a concern. I hope the government will take care of security issues.”