Bengal’s development cannot be halted by Centre’s neglect: WB CM

Bengal’s development cannot be halted by Centre’s neglect: WB CM

Posted on November 30, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today lashed out at the Centre saying that progress and development of Bengal will not be halted due to paucity of funds and neglect of the Centre.

She was speaking at a public meeting at Amta in Howrah district where she launched a bouquet of projects.

“CPM incurred debts, BJP is taking our revenue away. Congress promised to give a package but didn’t keep its promise. We are creating pressure on Centre to release all pending funds. Why should we pay for the sins of the CPM?” she said.

“Have faith on us. We are working for you despite financial compulsions. We want to work more and more for people,” she added.

Bouquet of projects

WB CM today launched the ‘Sabuj Sathi’ project for Howrah and flagged off 31 buses over 11 routes for the district. WB CM also laid the foundation stone for a 300-bedded multi super speciality hospital at Uluberia.

The projects WB CM inaugurated today include road projects, several health care projects, Karma Tirtha, new buses for the districts, Pather Sathi motels, bridges, hostels for boys and girls.

The West Bengal Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for renovation of administrative buildings, minority hostels, godowns, renovation of Damodar river, various irrigation projects among other things.

The CM also distributed several services including Kanyashree, Yuvashree, Sikshashree, equipment to fishermen, Kisan and artisan credit cards, different agricultural machineries and equipment, pattas, financial assistance for natural disasters and a host of other such services.

Highlights of WB CM’s speech:

· Today I have laid the foundation stone for a multi super speciality hospital at Uluberia. It will be complete in a year

· Unlike other governments, we always fulfill our promises. We never make promises that we cannot keep

· We will develop Amta Sporting Ground as a stadium. We will allocate Rs 50 lakh

· I am meeting you all after month-long festivities. May the divine mother keep you all well

· WB CM chants “Sarva Mangal Mangalye” and says she stand for ‘sarva dharma samanyay

· I work for the people to the best of my capabilities

· The previous government incurred so much debt that Centre is taking away Rs 28000 Cr every year

· We increased our revenues from Rs 21000 Cr to Rs 40000 Cr but Centre is taking away Rs 28000 Cr every year

· Despite our financial stress, salaries of govt employees, teachers has not been hampered

· Centre has stopped giving funds for Asha/ICDS workers. Yet we are paying them every month

· The money that Centre gives us is collected as revenue by States. This is like frying fish in fish oil

· I do not seek material wealth. I belong to a humble background and will stay like this all my life. I will struggle for people

· 81% people in Howrah have received government grants and benefits

· We have inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 200 Cr today. 1.43 lakh people will be benefited

· We set up a “Kanyashree Sangha” comprising 100 schools in North 24 Parganas where they are given training for karate and other skills

· The new generation of youths and students is our future. We have to plan for their future

· Like Kanyashree, Shikkhashree, Yuvashree, we have started a new scheme Sabuj Sathi for school children

· Students of 9-12, irrespective of gender, religion or caste, will get cycles. We will distribute cycles to 40 lakh students

· The logo of ‘Sabuj Sathi’ has been designed by me. It represents the spirit of the youth

· I strongly believe the youth of today will win over the world one day. Bengal will become Biswa Bangla

· Bolo bolo bolo shawbey, Bangla abar biswa sobhaye sreshtho ashon lawbey

· We have introduced a fleet of new buses along 31 routes. This will help people a lot

· Healthcare is now free in Bengal. You do not have to pay for beds and medicines

· We have started fair price medicine shops where discounts worth 60-70% are offered

· We have also started fair price diagnostic centres where dialysis can be performed at Rs 500 only

· 176 Krishak Bazaars have been set up. 3 Kisan Mandis have been set up in Howrah district

· Farmers never got compensation for crop loss due to floods earlier. We have given compensation to 96000 farmers

· A lot of industrial parks are coming up in Howrah district which will generate jobs for 30000 people

· We have tied up with Japan to set up a ‘Shilpa Tirtha’ at Belur where one lakh people will get jobs

· We have laid the foundation stone for Handloom Hub at Udaynarayanpur

· 3.2 Cr people out of 9 Cr people in Bengal are given rice at Rs 2/kg

· CPM incurred debts, BJP is taking our revenue away. Congress promised to give a package but didn’t keep its promise

· 3 crore people will additionally get rice at Rs 3/kg under Food Security Act

· One crore people will also get rice at PDS rates. This means 7 Cr out of 9 Cr people in Bengal will get food at subsidised rate

· CPM gave scholarships to 4 lakh students. We distributed scholarships to 84 lakh students, 4.71 lakhs in Howrah alone

· Work for 14 water supply projects is going on. We will provide electricity to every household by March/April 2016

· The black days of loadshedding are gone. We are now self-sufficient in power

· Work for Uluberia flyover has already begun. I had announced the project

· The 34 years of Left rule were marred by violence in Singur, Nandigram, Netai

· We are setting up polytechnic colleges and ITIs in every sub-division. 41 multi super speciality hospitals are coming up

· Have faith on us. We are working for you despite financial compulsions. We want to work more and more for people

· We are creating pressure on Centre to release all pending funds. Why should we pay for the sins of the CPM?

· We had recruited over one lakh civic volunteers after coming to powe. They are working harder

· If Centre stops taking our revenue away, we can work more for people

· After floods in Chennai, Centre releases funds in 3 days. It’s been months since floods in Bengal, not a single penny has been given

· Does the Centre feel no shame? They are not giving funds meant for people in distress

· The Opposition only appears on TV studios and spreads canards against Mamata Banerjee

· I will not tolerate wrong actions. No matter who is at fault I have taken action

· Bengal’s development cannot be halted by apathy and neglect by Centre

Suderbans to become a district in 2016

Posted on November 27, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today announced that Suderbans region will become a full-fledged district before Durga Puja in 2016. The decision was taken because the area is river-based and the people their have their specific problems, WB CM said.

The Chief Minister also announced that Dr BR Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary celebrations will be held in West Bengal in every block on 30 December. A chair will be named after Dr Ambedkar at Calcutta University and a Panchayat Training Centre, named after him will be set up.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a visit to North 24 Parganas district today, also flagged off Sabuj Sathi scheme for the district.

She addressed a public meeting at Sandeshkhali, where she will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for a bouquet of projects.

The projects WB CM inaugurated today include road projects, irrigation schemes, Shishu Aaloy, several health care projects, new hostels, water supply projects among others.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for road and irrigation projects, renovation of administrative buildings, minority hostels, godowns among other things.

The CM distributed several services including Kanyashree, Yuvashree, Sikshashree, equipment to fishermen, Kisan and artisan credit cards, different agricultural machineries and equipment, pattas, financial assistance for natural disasters and a host of other such services.

Highlights of WB CM’s speech:

West Bengal has become self-sufficient in power, Loadsheddings are a thing of the past now.

Out of 9 crore people in Bengal, 3.2 crore people get rice at Rs 2/kg.

Our government has increased allocations for minority development from Rs 400 Cr to Rs 2400 Cr.

Healthcare is free in Bengal. From beds to medicines, you can avail everything for free at govt hospitals.

We do not want alms from the Centre. We want our due right.

Centre is taking a way a major share of our revenues because of the sins of the CPM.

Despite financial problem, the surge of development will continue in Bengal. My challenge to Opposition “Catch me if you can”.

From multi super speciality hospitals, roads and bridges, we have done a lot of work in North 24 Parganas.

We have undertaken ‘Pather Sathi’, ‘Sobar Ghore Aalo’ schemes for your benefit.

We have introduced ‘Sabuj Sathi’ scheme for school students from Class 9-12. 40 lakh cycles will be distributed.

By January 25 lakh cycles will be distributed in the State and rest will be given away by July, 2016.

I am proud of my Kanyashree girls. 27 lakh girls have been registered already. One day they will shine in the world.

Our students and youths are the future of the country. I firmly believe Bengal will become Biswa Bangla one day.

WB CM protests imposing Swachh Bharat cess

Posted on November 25, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday protested over the Swachh Bharat cess and a range of other issues, including alleged refusal to finance flood relief in Bengal.

While addressing a public meeting at the Kalipur ground in Hooghly’s Arambagh after an administrative meeting in the district, she said , “Someone is busy harping on Swachh Bharat and promoting himself, while I am doing all the work here.”

The CM inaugurated a slew of projects at the meeting apart from laying the foundation stone for the fifth unit of Bandel Thermal Power Station (BTPS) that will come up with World Bank assistance.

While talking about the BTPS projects, she said, “People reeling under frequent load shedding during Left rule would often joke about it with the lyrics of the popular Bengali song `tomar dekha nai re’. But power cuts are now a passé and we have set up a power bank with World Bank help. Soon, Bengal will sell power to other states.”

Two representatives of the World Bank were present on the dais with the WB CM.

Criticizing the Centre for “discriminating against Bengal over flood relief “, she said, “It took Delhi just a week to act when floods ravaged Tamil Nadu. But eight months have passed since floods hit Bengal, yet no assistance has reached the state. It is the state government which is executing flood-relief work with its own funds. We have already spent Rs 850 crore for the purpose and I have allocated another Rs 800 crore.”

The WB CM cited statistics and said, “It’s not just flood relief. The Centre has even reduced its allocations under the ICDS, Asha and MSK schemes. “

WB CM slams Centre for not releasing funds

Posted on November 24, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the BJP government at the Centre for not releasing funds for central schemes such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF). She was in Nadia’s Tehatta to inaugurate several projects, mainly for the district.

“We’ll continue providing funds for the ICDS programme. We have been paying off the interest for the Central government loans taken by the CPI(M) during its tenure. We have to pay Rs 28,000 crore only as interest for the same. Otherwise, we would have funded all Central programmes,” the chief minister said.

She came to Tehatta on Monday and inaugurated several projects while laying the foundation stone of others.

While criticising the BJP government, she did not spare the CPI(M) either, blaming them for the loans taken by them towards the end of their 34-year rule.

“When we start development projects, we complete them. In this way, we keep our promises,” she said.

Blaming the Centre, she said that the Centre is supposed to bear 90% of the cost of ICDS while the state’s share is 10%. “Yet, the Central government has stopped releasing funds for ICDS. What will happen to the kids? So, we’ll continue funding the scheme,” Mamata Banerjee said.

She added that her government would distribute 1,75,000 cycles in Nadia for boys and girls studying in classes 9 to 12 under the Sabuj Sathi scheme.

“Out of 1,75,00 cycles, we are handing over 5,000 today (Monday) and the remaining would be given soon. We have already announced that we will distribute 40 lakh cycles in the state but right now only 25 lakh are available due to lack of production. We hope to hand over all the cycles by January, 2016,” the chief minister said.

She also said that her government has increased the remuneration of civic volunteers and Asha workers. Highlighting her government’s achievements, she described the list of development projects in the district.

WB CM unveils several projects for Hooghly district

Posted on November 24, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on a visit to Hooghly district today, flagged off Sabuj Sathi scheme for the district.

She addressed a public meeting at Arambagh, where she inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a bouquet of projects including the renovated and modernised fifth unit of Bandel Thermal Power Plant.

The projects WB CM inaugurated today include road projects, water supply projects, several health care projects, new buses for the districts, Pather Sathi motels, bridges, hostels for boys and girls.

The West Bengal Chief Minister also laid the foundation stones for road and irrigation projects, renovation of administrative buildings, minority hostels, godowns among other things.

Highlights of WB CM’s speech:

• Singur, in Hooghly district showed the way to the country. It was followed by Nandigram and Netai movements.

• I am proud to say I sat on 26-day anshan during the Singur movement. We have always protected the rights of farmers.

• We have been able to provide govt services and benefits to 71% residents in Hooghly district.

• The fifth unit of Bandel Thermal Power Plant has been inaugurated today. It is a new feather in Hooghly’s cap.

• By the next fiscal year every household in Hooghly district will be electrified.

• Earlier people said “Loadshedding er sarkar aar nai dorkar”. Now they say “tomar (loadshedding) dekha nai”.

• Bengal now has a power bank. We dedicate our achievements to Maa, Mati, Manush of Bengal.

• Earlier only foundation stones were laid, which would wither away. Now all promises are fulfilled.

• Two new ITIs are coming up in Hooghly district. A new polytechnic college is also coming up.

• We are giving healthcare for free at govt hospitals, from medicines to beds. It is our responsibility to work for the poor.

• We have ensured guarantee of healthcare for people. Two multi super speciality hospitals are coming up in Hooghly district.

• Six fair price medicine shops have come up in Hooghly district that provide up to 70% discount on prices of medicines.

• A new dialysis unit, CT Scan, Digital X Ray units have come up at Hooghly Sadar Hospital.

• We have set up several fair price diagnostic centres. Dialysis is performed for only Rs 500 at these centres.

• We have set up 36 new Critical Care Units in the State.

• We want people to lead their lives satisfactorily. Honoured to work for people. All developmental works are dedicated to people.

• Over 3 lakh people have called Kisan Credit Cards. Krishak Bazaars are coming up across the State.

• Those who did not work for farmers for 34 years are shedding crocodile tears for them now.

• Centre has not given a penny to Bengal after the massive floods.

• Chennai got central funds for floods within a week. Bengal is still waiting for funds. Are lives in Bengal less precious?

• We are procuring paddy at fair price. We are setting up 176 Krishak Bazaars to protect the rights of farmers.

• 45 new colleges have up in the last 4 years. Till 2011 there were only 31 govt colleges in the State.

• A major share of revenues are taken away by Centre for repaying the debt incurred by Left Front Govt.

• We increased our revenue to Rs 40000 Cr. But Centre takes away Rs 28000 Cr for repaying CPM’s debts. Where will we get funds?

• We have ensured state govt employees and teachers get their salaries on the first day of every month.

• When I was Railway Minister I allotted two railway factories at Dankuni.

• We are allotting funds for bettering the infrastructure at Jairambati and Kamarpukur. They are heritage places.

• We will set up a tourist shelter at Furfura Sharif.

• I attend Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chhat Puja, Jagadhatri Puja as well as Eid and Christmas.

• Prafulla Da (Prafulla Sen, former WB CM) cared for me a lot. He was known as Arambagh’s Gandhi.

• 3 out of top 4 districts in India under Swachh Bharat are from Bengal. Hooghly is among them.

• Some people only advertise and talk about Swachh Bharat. Bengal leads the way through action.

• The Centre is not giving funds for schemes like ICDS, Sarva Siksha Mission etc.

• If Centre did not take away Rs 28000 Cr from our treasury, we could have done much more for people.

• We have introduced 17% reservation for OBCs without affecting General category by developing infrastructure.

• A new road parallel to NH 34 will come up. State Govt is paying for this project worth Rs 3000 Cr.

• Several bridges are coming up in this district that will benefit people of Hooghly as well as adjoining districts.

• A new Pather Sathi motel has come up in this district. We have undertaken several water supply projects in Hooghly district.

• We are developing eco tourism at Sabuj Dweep modeled after Eco Park in Kolkata.

• We are giving benefits to folk artists under Lok Prasar Prokolpo.

• The good work we are doing is not publicized. Few media houses and Opposition are spreading canards against our government.

• A true government of the people views public purpose more importantly than political purpose.

• Sabuj Sathi scheme is my dream. 40 lakh students studying in classes 9-12 will get cycles.

• Our Govt will distribute test papers for Madhyamik for free to students. We want everyone to learn and prosper.

• The students and youth will take Bengal forward. They are our assets, they are our future.

• Maa, Mother, Ammi are all one and the same. There cannot be any discrimination between mothers.

• Land where Ramakrishna, Sarada Maa, Vivekananda, Rabindranath, Nazrul, Khudiram, Matangini belong to is holy land, purer than gold.

• You could not do anything for 34 years. We are working for people, do not pose any hurdles.

Surge of development in Nadia district

Posted on November 23, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited Nadia district today, launched several projects for the people of the district.

She addressed a public meeting at Tehatta, where she inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a bouquet of projects.

The projects WB CM inaugurated today include road projects, water suppy projects, several health care projects including multi super speciality hospitals for Nayagram and Barjora, new buses for the districts, administrative buildings, bridges, new equipment and godown for sericulture institute among others.

The West Bengal Chief Minister laid the foundation stones for road and irrigation projects, renovation of administrative buildings, a mini indoor stadium, godowns among other things.

The CM also distributed several services including cycles to students under Sabuj Sathi scheme,benefits under Tant Sathi scheme, Kanyashree, Yuvashree, Sikshashree, equipments to fishermen, Kisan and artisan credit cards, different agricultural machineries and equipments, pattas, saplings and a host of other such services.

Mamata Banerjee visits ailing tribal lady in Bankura village

Posted on October 31, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister on Friday visited an ailing tribal lady in a remote village in Bankura district. The Chief Minister is currently on a tour of Jangalmahal.

Breaking protocol and deviating from her schedule, Mamata Banerjee – fondly called Didi – stopped her car midway and went to meet this tribal family.

The Chief Minister inquired about their well-being and wanted to know if they are getting rice at subsidised rates. She also asked if they received green ration cards.

In a freewheeling chat, she inquired about the lunch being prepared at the house. She also asked accompanying officials to renovate the house the family lived in.

Such ‘detours’ exemplify how despite occupying high office, Didi is grounded and humane.

Surge of development in Jangalmahal will continue: WB CM at Bankura

Posted on October 30, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister today flagged off the ‘Sabuj Sathi’ scheme for Bankura district at Khatra. She also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 81 projects and schemes today.

Currently on a tour of Jangalmahal, the Chief Minister had visited Jhargram and Gopiballavpur earlier this week.

On her last day of Jangalmahal visit today, the Chief Minister inaugurated a slew of projects including Tarapith Police Station, Sabuj Dweep Eco Tourism Park, fair price medicine shops, parks, hostels for boys and girls, rickshaw stands, ambulances, roads, godowns, irrigation projects, administrative building at Simplipal police station among other things.

She also laid the foundation stone for over 20 other projects from the venue of her public meeting.

The Chief Minister also distributed cycles under Sabuj Sathi scheme and gave away certificates for Kanyashree, Yuvashree and other schemes. She also distributed land pattas, dhamsa and madol, power tillers, identity cards for folk artists, machines and equipment for farmers and artisans and slew of other benefits.

Excerpts of Chief Minister’s speech:

Jangalmahal is close to my heart. I love the Laal Mati (red soil). The bag I carry with me is named ‘Jangalmahal’

Centre has stopped giving funds for development in Jangalmahal. But we will continue the development initiatives with State funds

In 2013 I had announced a new university will come up in Bankura. Classes have began already

Earlier only foundation stones were laid and no work was done. Ichhe thaklei kaaj hoye (where there is a will, there is a way)

We have started the system of self-attestation in 43 cases. We have removed the system of affidavit in 31 cases

Thirteen new universities have been started in the last four years. We started 45 new colleges in 4 years

45 new ITIs, 45 new polytechnic colleges have been set up. 130 new ITIs and 31 new polytechnic colleges are coming up

We believe in ‘Health For All’. We set up fair price medicine shops that provide up to 65% discount. Medicines and beds at govt hospitals are free

We have set up fair price diagnostic centres. Procedures like MRI, dialysis, CT Scan are offered at low cost

We have set up 32 critical care units, 10 High Dependency Units. We have developed ‘Breast Milk Bank’ named Madhur Sneho

There were no SNSUs in Bengal.We set up 301 such units. There were 6 SNCUs till 2011. Now there are 46 such units

There were only 1300 medical seats in Bengal till 2011. In last four years the number increased to 2900

New medical colleges are coming up in Bankura. New doctors will come up from the present generation

Four multi super speciality hospitals will be set up in Bankura district alone. 20-25 hospitals will be ready in 6 months

69 lakh people have received Kisan Credit Cards. 32 lakh students have received scholarships

Onion is being cultivated in Bankura, where the soil condition was not conducive, through experiment

3.2 crore people in Bengal receive rice at Rs 2/kilo. Soon more people will be given rice at Rs 3/kilo

We have started a social security scheme for kendu leaf collectors

We are setting up 500 Karma Tirtha marketing hubs across the State, 12 of which will be in Bankura

We have created reservation for OBCs and minorities without touching general seats. We created infrastructure for that

We have inaugurated a new police station at Tarapith today. We have started a new scheme called Jala Tirtha for water conservation

My govt is that of people. I work for the people. Bengal will shine in the world. We will become Biswa Bangla one day

WB CM plants seeds for a Neem forest

Posted on October 30, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday inaugurated the Neem Banani Programme – an initiative to grow a neem forest – at Gopiballavpur in Jhargram, West Midnapore.

The PC Chandra Group is partnering the state in the project and committed to provide 1 lakh neem saplings.

It has already handed 35,000 neem saplings to the forest department for plantations at Alipurduar, Goal tore, Bagnan, Kalyani, Jharkhali and Kolkata (Eco Park in New Town) in JulyAugust this year. The balance saplings will be handed over to the forest department next year.

The neem forestry project aims to cleanse and rejuvenate the environment by reaping the benefits of the wonder tree whose medicinal and environmental benefits are well documented.

There can be no politics over development: WB CM in Jangalmahal

Posted on October 29, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee today said that in a democracy there can be no politics without people and it was her social responsibility to work for them. She was addressing a public rally at Gopiballavpur in West Midnapore district.

After inaugurating a bouquet of projects at the venue, the Chief Minister highlighted the various schemes started by her in the past four years. She said that the GSDP growth of Bengal was higher than the national average. Despite paying off crores of rupees as installments for debt incurred by the CPM, a lot of new roads, schools, colleges were built, she maintained.

“We have started 13 new universities in four years. Polytechnic colleges are coming up in every sub-division. We started fair price medicine shops. Beds are given for free in Bengal hospitals. We have started setting up fair price diagnostic centres. Poor people can now afford MRI, CT scans, dialysis,” she said.

“We have set up critical care units across districts and sub-division. Poor people get healthcare for free. We have started a Mother and Child Hub. We started a Breast Milk Bank, Cord Blood Bank. We started Shishu Sathi scheme. Surgeries for cardiac problems in kids are performed for free,” she added.

The Chief Minister said that land and forest pattas have been distributed to over 3 lakh people in the State. 3.2 crore people out of 9 crore people in Bengal get rice at Rs 2/kg, despite lack of funds from Centre, she added.

“From agriculture to schools & colleges, Karma Tirtha to tourism, we are working for all round development. I do not believe in politics. I work for Maa, Mati, Manush. We are all Paschim Banga parivar,” Mamata Banerjee said.