Month: September 2013

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addresses a public meeting at Shilda in Paschim Medinipur

Posted on | by AITC
On the second day of her three-day visit to the three districts of Bankura, Purulia and Paschim Medinipur.  the West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee addressed two rallies, first at Barikul in Bankura and later at Shilda, Paschim Medinipur.
The Chief Minister laid foundations of 70 development projects. Taking stock of health, education, employment, agriculture, industry and an overall development of the people of the region, Ms Banerjee convened administrative meets with the district  officials all of departments.
The Chief Minister distributed cycles among 50,000 students in Jungalmahal.
Excerpts from the Chief Minister`s speech at Barikul in Bankura:
“It is our duty to supply food to poor people. If people get food and have jobs why should they kill? State Govt. has increased price of Kendu leaves from Rs 44 to Rs 75 to help the poor. Small Scale Industry Hubs are being created at Bankura and Bishnupur. The state government wants to give forest rights to tribals which is their birth right. The Central Government should take necessary steps. The tribals have demanded rights over forests where they live. I feel they should have it.
Schools in Purulia and Bankura will receive financial assistance from MPLAD Fund. A primary school would be named after the officer-in-charge of Barikul Police Station Prabal Sengupta, who was killed by Maoists in 2005. 11 Model Schools are being formed in Bankura. Foundation Stone of Raipur Polytechnic College has been laid today.
Within 3 years, everybody in Bengal will have proper home, we are working on making this dream a reality soon.
Initiative have been taken to form Kisan Mandi in every block of the district.
Bankura  will get 2 Multi Super Hospital.
Rs 1100 Cr allotted for developments in Bankura.
10,000 girl students to get financial help through Kanyashree on Oct 1.
I am not against an ideology, though I may not like it, but violence cannot be tolerated and democracy is the only way.
Junglemahal, had witnessed killings before we came to power, now it is `smiling` with a slew of development projects being taken up. 
Excerpts from the Chief Minister`s speech at Shilda, Paschim Medinipur:
“We are building 10 new colleges in the district and also ITIs will be set up at each block. 
25,000 Acres of land for Small and Handicrafts industry had been allotted.
6 Multi Specialty Hospitals are being built in the district and 3 Fair Price Medicine Shops already functional. Fair Price Diagnostic Center is coming up at Jhargram.
Bridge is being built on Subarnarekha as promised earlier. Tourism Project centering Jhargram is in process. The state government would take up a tourism project spread over Goaltore, Silda and other areas of the district for its economic development.
24 Lakh Girl Students across the State will get scholarships under Kanyashree on Oct. 1st.
1 Lakh unemployed youth who have enrolled in the employment bank will get allowance from 3rd Oct under Yubashree.
Please do the 100 days work allotted from government. Fingerlings are being distributed; raise them in your ponds, the deficit in fish supply in State will be met, there will be no need to import fish from other states. A community training centre would also come up.
Promise me you will not take up guns, promise me that you will let peace prevail. We have recruited many people in the police force, in the civic police and village police. I will visit Jungalmahal a thousand times to carry on the development process. Nothing can stop me. 
We will build a memorial in honour of the 24 Eastern Frontier Rifles personnel, who were killed by the ultras in their camp in Paschim Medinipur. district in February 2010.“
Watch Shilda Video: 

Trinamool Congress sweep polls again, win 8 out of 12 Municipalities including Bardhaman, Panihati and Balurghat

Posted on | by AITC

After the Panchayat election, Trinamool Congress got the blessings of Maa, Mati, Manush in the Municipal Election held across 9 districts of the state. Trinamool Congress won 8 out of 12 municipalities. Trinamool Congress won at Balurghat, Bardhaman, Dubrajpur, Guskara, Diamond Harbour, Panihati, Habra, Chakdah.

 
Trinamool Congress Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee said, “the Municipal Election results reflect the victory of the people. We have got 70% votes and others have got 30%. This victory with encourage us to work more for the welfare of the people.“

The results are as follows:
Balurghat – Trinamool Congress wins in 12 of the 25 wards
Chakdah – Trinamool Congress wins in 21 of the 21 wards
Habra – Trinamool Congress wins in 15 of the 24 wards
Panihati – Trinamool Congress wins in 30 of the 35 wards
Diamond Harbour – Trinamool Congress wins in 10 of the 16 wards
Bardhaman – Trinamool Congress wins in 35 of the 35 wards
Guskara – Trinamool Congress wins in 11 of the 16 wards
Dubrajpur – Trinamool Congress wins in 9 of the 16 wards
Alipurduar – Hung, Trinamool Congress wins in 6 wards
Mekhliganj – Trinamool Congress did not gain majority
Haldibari – Trinamool Congress did not gain majority
Dalkhola – Trinamool Congress did not gain majority

No guns, we want peace, we want food, we want work for all – Mamata Banerjee at Baghmundi, Purulia

Posted on | by AITC
West Bengal Chief Minister addressed a public meeting at Baghmundi in Purulia during the second phase of her district tour, where she took a first hand report of the progress made in the various developmental projects.
Excerpts from the Chief Minister`s speech:
“Firstly, I would like to thank all the people who have traveled from far and have assembled here to attend the meeting in this hot afternoon.
Secondly, thanking you all is not sufficient for the effort you have put in restoring peace in the region and allowing the government to continue developmental and welfare project work here. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve the interest of the poor people here, we will do more work for them in the future.
I want Ayodhya Hills to be a tourism hub, for this we have many initiatives planned like promoting cottage industry, handloom industry, promoting local or folk culture, providing shelters for people. All these will generate income for the local people.
A big power project is in place for this region where thousands of people will get employment opportunity.
I have taken first hand stock of the situation in the district, more buses and bus routes will be provided within a month. This will improve connectivity. Roads will be renovated. Roadway is the basic infrastructure need for development work to be carried out efficiently, so we will focus on the improvement of the roadway.
Adventure sports like trekking will be promoted so that income is generated.
Markets should be set up in the region where various items can be sold and poor people can generate income. 
 
No guns, drop all guns, we want peace, we want food, we want work for all and we will achieve it.
Rs.13 hundred crore is being invested for a water plant so that the drinking water problem in the district can be solved. New agricultural technologies and seeds are being introduced so that the farmers can yield more and earn more. 
Sports complex, mini sport stadium, many schools, 2 colleges, 1 engineer college etc. are coming up in the region for the children and the youth. Many junior schools have been up graded to high schools. ITI hubs are coming up. 
Purulia and Raghunathpur are getting multi specialty hospitals, 4 fair price medicine shops are being introduced and 8 mobile ambulances are already functional to address heath issues in villages and remote area.
We will look into the development and welfare of the teachers and folk artists. Everyone will have a job.“

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

Posted on | by AITC
`Confident of overwhelming and a solid backing of the people of Bengal, Trinamool politely turns down Prime Minister`s hint of poll pact for 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, reports All India Trinamool Congress Leads Bureau.`
Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress on September 8 thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for leaving open the possibility of reviving a tie-up before the Lok Sabha elections but made it clear that the party was doing well on its own and was happy to go it alone.
The Trinamool Congress chief whip in the Rajya Sabha, Derek O`Brien, responded to the Prime Minister`s statement that there were “no permanent friends or enemies“ in politics by saying, “PM has not ruled out a Congress-Trinamool Congress alliance for the 2014 LS poll. We are doing just great on our own. So thanks, Sir – but no thanks. The people of Bengal are with us. They have supported us overwhelmingly in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, the 2011 Assembly polls, in the by-polls and in the recent panchayat polls.“
In the panchayat polls, the Trinamool Congress fought against Congress, BJP and CPI (M) and won 13 out of 17 districts. The Rajya Sabha chief whip also pointed out that chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already called upon regional parties to come together after the polls to form a government which would be corruption-free and pro-people.
On September 7, while responding to a question on the possibility of an alliance with Trinamool Congress Party, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said, “There are no permanent enemies and friends in politics. I do not rule out alliances.“ He said that his party would prefer secular parties for an electoral alliance and did not rule out any truck with the Trinamool Congress as “in politics there is no permanent enemies and permanent friends. And in many ways, a week in politics is sometimes an unusually long period of time. So I do not rule out alliances.“
The Prime Minister also showered praise on chief minister Mamata Banerjee, despite her pulling out of the UPA-II government last September protesting the Centre`s economic policies. He further added, “Mamata Banerjee was very respectable member of the Congress at one time. As the leader of the Trinamool also, we were very happy to have her in our Government.“
However, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh`s observation that a future electoral tie-up with Trinamool Congress cannot be ruled out was greeted with a response that bordered on scepticism here in West Bengal as the Trinamool Congress said it would like to go it alone in the coming Lok Sabha election.
Describing it as nothing surprising, ministers of the congress party of Bengal said the Prime Minister had rightly expressed his mind stressing the need for a strong and secular democratic government at the Centre keeping the communal forces at bay. After the separation with Congress, Trinamool Congress retained the Howrah Lok Sabha seat in a by-election and, going it alone, had a decisive victory in the recently held Panchayat Polls. In the Panchayat Polls, Trinamool Congress fought against Congress, BJP and CPI (M) and won 13 out of 17 districts.
“There is no doubt that Trinamool is the biggest political force in Bengal now and it appears set to win a larger number of seats in next year`s Lok Sabha elections. It may be difficult for any party to form a government at the Centre without the participation or support of Trinamul. So, the party is in no hurry to pick its partners,“ said a Trinamool MP. The Panchayat results have proved that Trinamul has made inroads into Congress-dominated areas of north Bengal. Trinamool has managed to rock the Congress boat in Malda and North Dinajpur. It is only in Murshidabad that the Congress flag is still flying high. “It is up to the Congress to decide whether it wants an alliance or not. We are confident of winning around 30 to 35 seats of the 42 in the next parliamentary elections all by ourselves,“ said a senior Trinamool leader.
The Trinamool and the Congress had contested together the 2009 Lok Sabha Elections and the West Bengal assembly elections two years later. But TMC parted ways with the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government on Sep 21, 2012, over a slew of policy issues ranging from allowing foreign investment in multi-brand retail, increase in diesel prices and putting a cap on the availability of subsidised cooking gas cylinders. But, even in the last Lok Sabha polls when TMC had allied with the UPA, it won a total of 19 seats alone, three times more than what UPA had won in Bengal. And in the year 2013, when the whole of Bengal seems to be beside Mamata Banerjee, anyone can say that in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections in 2014 also the TMC will have a massive victory over any other party in Bengal.

Reducing India`s Child Labour Force: Article by Trinamool MP Kalyan Bandopadhyay published in `The Parliamentarian`, the journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth

Posted on | by AITC

With the highest figure in the world for child labour, the Indian Government is working on ways to tackle the problem. However, other factors are contributing to the situation, argues a Member of India`s Lower House, the Lok Sabha. 'The Parliamentarian' is the journal of the Parliaments of the Commonwealth published by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Click link to read:

http://content.yudu.com/A2d8nc/Parliamentarian22013/resources/32.htm
http://content.yudu.com/A2d8nc/Parliamentarian22013/resources/32.htm

Singur holds a very significant place in my life – Mamata Banerjee

Posted on | by AITC
West Bengal Chief MInister Ms Mamata Banerjee addressed a public gathering at Kamarkundu, after completing an administrative meeting at Singur BDO Office in Hooghly.
Excerpts from the Chief Minister`s Speech: 
“Singur holds a very significant place in my life, Bengal`s land reform movement started from here. I have been part of the land revolution in Singur for several days. Many of my brothers and sisters here have supported us in various ways during those tough days. I respect all of them and thank them for being by our side. We remember every sacrifice made by the innocent people.
Thank you for showering your blessings and support during the Panchayat elections and making us victorious. Since you have been beside us always, today even we are beside you. We have brought the Writer`s Building here for you in your district. This is the specialty of the Maa, Mati, Manush government.
We have discusses various developmental issues in the administrative meetings and inaugurated various project throughout the day.
8 new bus routes and many new buses have been introduced in the district for better internal and external connectivity.
Two fair price medicine shops were already functional in the district. 1 new fair price medicine shop has been inaugurated at Serampore. The district is getting many new critical units and old hospitals are being up-graded with modern facilities. 
Our government has distributed over 1 lakh patta in 2 years time under the `Nijo Bhoomi Nijo Griha` scheme and beside land we are also assisting poor people with houses under `Gitanjali` and `Indira Awas` schemes. `Adhikar` scheme has also been introduced for the poor people in the general caste. 
Hooghly district press club building has been inaugurated today. I wish the members luck for their future work. 
District Civil Disaster Management Teams have been constituted in every district, including Hooghly, so that in case of any emergency swift action and aid is available. Government is employing police and volunteers. 
Development would have been much more widespread and faster than this only if the center would bail us out the debt that the CPM government had incurred. 
A Mother knows well how to equally divide the limited rice in the house among all her children, she does not allow her children to starve. Similarly I also know how to do this. I will go against everyone to stand by my people. 
There is no medicine for jealousy, some people who have no better work to do will try and create obstacles in the path of development. Some media houses also have this tendency. People who are jealous just wait and watch what this government can do.
Kanyashree will be implemented from October 1st this year. 10,000 girls who are 18 years and above and are still enrolled in educational institutions of any kind will receive Rs. 25,000 each.  Schools, colleges, madrasas and vocational training centers have been told to open bank accounts. 13 -17 years old girls irrespective of caste will get Rs 500 scholarship each who are enrolled in any educational institution of course.
We have created employment banks and 1 lakh unemployed youth; they will be given Rs. 1500 till they get jobs. This `Yuvashre` scheme will start from October 3rd, everyone must enroll to get jobs. 
Asha girls work in the villages in different projects. They were paid Rs. 1300, now I announce to increase their salary to Rs. 1500. Midday meal cook cum helpers get Rs. 1000, their salary will be increased to Rs. 1500 and made sure it is pained on time.
I request folk or local or cultural artists to put application with the BDO office so that they can avail the job opportunity of advertising government schemes. Government will advertise its schemes through the artists and hence provide them Rs. 5000-7000 monthly.
Around 250 market hubs will be established in the State for self help groups so that they can sell their products. 
In Shishu shathi prokolpo the State Government has joined hands with three private hospitals and government hospitals to provide free paediatric cardiac surgery to 3,000 children each year, the scheme has already started. They are our future, our treasure.
A film city is coming up in Uttarpara, this will generate employment. Eco tourism is being promoted. MSME sector will see a boom. 
All BPL card holders will get electricity in their houses before December; all kisan credit cards will be distributed. 
The `Jal Dharo Jal Bharo` is a success, now we will cultivate fish in those water bodies. Bengal will be self sufficient. We will not have to import from Andhra Pradesh. The fishermen and villagers will get better income.
We have to import onions from other states. Look at the soaring price of onions. This government has taken the initiative to conduct research and located land in Bengal where onions can be grown. Hence the price of onion will not rise, we will not import, rather we will export. 
Riot and conspiracy is a crime. Do not indulge in these anti social activities. It will not do any good to anyone. Do not play with fire. All communities live in peace and harmony. 
I do not dupe people, I am not a coward, so I will never run away and I will always be beside you. I am working hard, so I am losing my health but I will continue my hard work till Bengal regains her good health.“

50 days of Mumbai Industrial Summit – reportage on the current scenario

Posted on | by AITC
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee won the hearts of the Mumbai-based industrialists present at `Bengal Beckons`, the Industrial Meet organized by West Bengal Government at World Trade Center, Mumbai on August 1, 2013 . Your hope is Bengal, I am here because Mumbai is my hope, said the West Bengal CM. Within 50 days, the developmental wave in West Bengal reveals that the West Bengal Chief Minister meant business.
Here is what happened in West Bengal in the last 50 days –
1.       Reliance Jio 4G: Mukesh Ambani led Reliance Jio signed an MoU with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for laying out 4G network in the city. The company will lay 750 km of optical fibre cable within KMC's jurisdiction, the work for which will start after the Durga Puja. KMC will earn an one-time income of Rs 26 crore from the project. The project will be of Rs 3,000 crore and likely to be completed during the first quarter of 2014. The investment by the company has the potential to generate direct and indirect employment to 5000 people in the state.
 
2.       Airtel 4G: KMC also signed an MoU with Airtel for 4G services to roll-out in Kolkata. Airtel would invest Rs 6,000 crore and would lay 1,000 km of optical fibre network in the city.
 
3.       ACC Cement: the company is setting up a 1.5 million tonne grinding unit at Kharagpur in Paschim Medinipur district, with an investment of Rs 600 crore. Work on the project is expected to begin by January 2014 with completion scheduled for 2016.  The company is also engaged in talks with the state government to acquire about 150 acre for the proposed project.
 
4.       MSME/ Biswa Bangla Brand: Mamat Banerjee inaugurated Synergy MSME 2013, a business conclave organised by the Department of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises and Textiles. The six-day conclave, the first-of-its-kind, aims to bring all services related to small and medium scale industries under one roof- named Biswa Bangla Brand. She also unveiled a new logo for Biswa Bangla Brand she herself designed along with a new slogan “Shilpo korun, bangla gorun”. Up to March, 2011 there were 7,000 enterprises in the State but now there are 22,700 micro, small and medium scale enterprises. The Department of Micro and Small Scale Enterprises and Textiles signed eight MoUs with various institutes and also launched its website ~www.myenterprise.wb.gov.in
 
5.       Industry welcomes Bengal investment policy: Industry bodies welcomed the West Bengal Investment and Industrial Policy, 2013, particularly for its measures to reduce paper work and incentives.
While the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has appreciated the State Government`s move to reduce procedural hurdles for any fresh investment proposals, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) said the final policy would boost fresh investments in view of incentives in terms of VAT refunds, waiver of stamp duty, registration and electricity duty.
According to a CII official, the increased focus on the policy on industrial cluster development, SMEs and public-private partnership will `usher in an overall growth and development of industries in the State`. CII also hailed the State`s focus on infrastructure – roads, highways, bridges and ports – to maximise the State`s industrial growth potential.
 “It is a forward looking and pragmatic policy,“ Kallol Datta, President, BCCI, said. MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry felt that the proposal to develop industrial units in districts would boost small-scale industry.
Sanjay K Jain, Managing Director, TT Ltd and Vice-President, West Bengal Hosiery Association, said the Textile Policy announced by the State would usher in changes in the knitwear and garments industry here. According to him, special emphasis has been given for fabric and garmenting segment of the industry, wherein West Bengal is ideally placed to muster double digit growth and shows traits seen in its neighbour Bangladesh in the field of garment exports.
 
6.       E-tender base level comes down to Rs 5 Lakh: The state government has decided to bring down the base level for e-tendering from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 lakh as the government wants most of the development projects to be implemented fast and in a transparent manner. The order will take effect from October 1. Initially e-tendering was mandatory for tender or auction worth Rs 50 lakh and above and gave an option for those of lower amounts.
 
7.       10,000 acres idle land for industry: The labour department traced about 10,000 acres across the state which has been lying idle for long. Several industrial units, which were located on these plots, were closed down years ago. Most of these plots were leased out for industry. The state government is planning to reuse the plots so that these plots can change hands for setting up industries. More than 100 acres were found at Belur, while another big plot of 1100 acres could be traced at Goaltore in Midnapore (west). Most of the plots are lying in North 24-Parganas, Hooghly and Howrah. The state government is also pushing industries in backward areas like Bankura and Purulia and for that it has announced special incentives for the investors.
 
8.       Airport city project at Andal: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee formally launched Bengal Aerotropolis Project on 19th Sept 2013, a venture of local entrepreneurs in partnership with Singapore`s Changi Airport International. This project, aimed at constructing a township and industrial park around a new airport 200km from Kolkata, could receive up to Rs.12,000 crore in investments and create as many as 100,000 jobs. The CM visited the newly-developed airport – the first such privately built greenfield facility in the region – and christen it Kavi Nazrul Islam Airport after the Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary. Consequently, the airport city project at Andal is now palatable. In a bid to woo airlines, Mamata Banerjee announced a waiver of sales tax on aviation turbine fuel for Andal, Bagdogra and Cooch Behar airports, shortly after the Mumbai meet. With work on the airport nearing completion, the focus will soon shift to the city in the making that will develop as a satellite township to both Durgapur and Asansol. The 650-acre airport is the nucleus of the airport city project that will also house an integrated township and an industrial and logistics hub. The township with contain residential blocks, hospitals, schools, markets, hotels, sporting venues, shops, offices and retail centers. When complete, it will be home to nearly 15,000 people.  When it does take off in the first half of next year, it will shrink the world for those living in the region. The airport city will completely transform the socio-economic scenario of south Bengal. 
 
9.       Investment windfall in Asansol-Durgapur belt: 
– The Rs 5,000-crore 1,000 mw greenfield thermal power plant of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) at Andal has already commenced commercial generation and secured the energy needs of this rapidly industrializing belt. 
– The Rs 17,000-crore greenfield 2.5 million tonne integrated Iisco Steel Plant of SAIL is set to start commercial production in months.
– Construction of the Rs 5,000-crore Matix Fertiliser Plant of the Essar Group at Panagarh is progressing steadily.
– The NHDP of the Centre has sanctioned the six-lane conversion of NH-2 connecting New Delhi with Kolkata, expanding what is already the lifeline of the area. 
– Essar Oil & Gas Ltd is setting up the Rs 3,000-crore coal bed methane gas extraction project in Durgapur that will open new vistas in alternative fuel and green energy in the region. The pipeline network has already been laid. 
– Several companies like HR Johnson (ceramic unit at Panagarh) and Jayashree Tea (fertilizer plant at Panagarh) have evinced interest.
– DVC chairman RN Sen has also announced that the company will develop an unused 250-acre plot at Panagarh to set up an industrial park.
– The biggest paper unit in the east – Ballavpur Paper Mill – is planning to expand the Raniganj unit. 
– Pramod Srivastava, director of Allied ICD Services, eastern India`s only operational dry port at the Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) in Durgapur, is extremely upbeat about the future. While the ICD handles 1,200 containers per month at present, he is confident that the figure will shoot up to 2,500 containers by next March. 
– P&H Joy Mining, the Indian subsidiary of US based Joy Global Inc, has purchased 25 acres in Andal to set up a manufacturing unit.
– Ardex Endura and Shyam Agro Foods have also taken land at the airport city as has Mission Hospital. 
– With industries pouring in, real estate sector is also abuzz with activity as some of the leading groups in the realty sector line up projects.
– Vedanta Group – Aluminum/ power to invest 20,000 Cr
– Videocon Group – Steel / Power to invest 15,000 Cr
– Abhijit Group – Steel/ Power to invest 10,00 Cr
– Consumer goods firms and auto companies are also making a beeline to tap customers. 
“The Asansol-Durgapur belt is attracting the biggest investment in the state at present and the Andal airport city is poised to play a bigger role in its further development,“ said Burdwan district magistrate Saumitra Mohan. 
Asansol Chamber of Commerce secretary and FICCI member Subrata Dutta is delighted at the strong showing by both central public sector undertakings and private companies.  “Kobe Steel of Japan is setting up a Rs 5,000-crore steel unit in Durgapur. I am happy I live in a city that is bustling with energy,“ he said.
 
10.   Prospective banks will find space in financial hub: The financial hub at Rajarhat New Town, the second in the country after Bandra Kurla in Mumbai, picks up pace as the Housing Infrastructure and Development Corporation (Hidco) is approaching 26 financial institutions which have applied for new banking license. It has already roped in eight banking institutions for setting up their units in the financial hub.

Bardhaman will witness agricultural as well as industrial revolution – Mamata Banerjee

Posted on | by AITC
The West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee commenced the second phase of district tour on Wednesday as she left for Bardhaman. She held administrative meetings with the district administrative officials of every department to take a stock of the situation. 
On Thursday morning she inaugurated the new terminal building of the Aerotropolis project in Andal, Bardhaman. She christened the airport `Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport` after the rebel poet of Bengal Kazi Nazrul Islam.
In a public meeting held later during the day she said that the Writer`s Building had walked up to the district to monitor development work.
Excerpts from the Chief Minister`s Speech:
“The government has prepared 13,000 patta out of which 1500 have been distributed in Bardhaman today, under the `Nijo Bhoomi Nijo Griha` scheme. This scheme was initiated by the government after coming to power for the people in the State who did not have houses to live in. 
Cycles have been distributed to school students today. I wish they work hard and succeed in life. 
This is my third meeting in the day. In the morning I have inaugurated the Airport city at Andal, which will be operational from `Poila Boishak`. This will boost industry and development in the region. Many people will benefit out of this project. 12,000 crore will be invested and 1 lakh people will get employment. The proper infrastructure will also help develop the socio-economic status of the region comprising Bardhaman, Birbhum, Bankura and Purulia. Such infrastructure would help set up many new industries. 6 coal blocks have been identified that will generate employment opportunities for over one lakh people. In future we will inaugurate helicopter service to boost tourism and other industries by networking the Sundarbans, Shantiniketan, Haldia, Dhanbad and Jamshedpur.
Kazi Nazrul University has been started, classes have been commenced. 
Every block will get ITI, polytechnic college, cold storage, kisan mandi, rural and urban development will go on hand in hand. Agriculture, health, education, every sector is getting attention. 4 lakh 40 thousand Kisan credit cards have been distributed. 84% rural electricity has been given to BLP families.
I request folk or local or cultural artists to put application with the BDO office so that they can avail the job opportunity of advertising government schemes. Government will advertise its schemes through the artists and hence provide them Rs. 5000-7000 monthly.
Durgapur, Asansol and Bardhaman will get 3 IT hubs. Various small scale industries are being set up in the district which will generate huge employment. 
Kanyashree will be implemented from October 1st this year. 10,000 girls who are 18 years and above and still continue education will receive Rs. 25,000 each. 13 -17 years old girls will get Rs 500 scholarship each who are enrolled in any educational institution of course.
We have created employment banks and 1 lakh unemployed youth will be given Rs. 1500. This `Yuvashre` scheme will start from October 3rd, everyone must enroll to get jobs.
Around 250 market hubs will be established in the State for self help groups so that they can sell their products.
We will try and start distributing the fund to the victims of Chit fund before Durga Puja.
In Shishu shathi prokolpo the State Government has joined hands with three private hospitals and government hospitals to provide free paediatric cardiac surgery to 3,000 children each year, the scheme has already started.
Our government cares for everyone, right from small children to young girls and boys, women, elders, backward classes, minorities, farmers etc.
We are working on several projects only so that people of Bengal can be self sufficient.
Bardhaman will witness agricultural as well as industrial revolution. 
The state is lagging behind in many fields, we have to buck up. Bengal has to be number one in all aspects. Please do not indulge in violence and riots. No community wants riots; only some anti-social people fuel it. 
Ahead is the season for celebrations and festivals like Durga Puja and Eid, let us all celebrate together in peace and harmony.
I don`t want to see `agun` in Bangla, I want to see `fagun` here.

KMC lights up the Kolkata evenings – An exclusive survey by AITMC NEWS Bureau

Posted on | by AITC
Kolkata is being beautified. No questions about it. Gone are the days of smelly unhygienic vats at different points of the road. Gone are the days when people were scared to walk up certain locales infamously dark for non-functioning lights. Even the Dhakuria lakes, once den of illegal activities, have been purified as the true lungs of the South Kolkata and a walkers` paradise, not just in the morning, but also in the evenings.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) led by Trinamool Congress, with able guidance from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has done wonders to light up the city. Not only did they try to maintain ecology by stressing on solar power, they did a proper planning and timelined execution of the works.
As an energy conservation measure, KMC is implementation a process where CFL and other parks lights will remain `off` after 10 p.m., and only `SOLAR lights` will operate for rest of the night. For this purpose, SOLAR light posts are being installed at different parks.  A pilot project for LED light installation at 273 no. street lighting poles, has been completed.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has undertaken various initiatives to upgrade the street lighting system. On one hand, it is implementing eco-friendly street lights and on the other hand, it is installing decorative lights for beautification. The aim is to ensure scientific and proper illumination planning in order to bring Kolkata on par with some of the best cities in the world.
The Lighting & Electricity Department of the KMC has been implementing the city beautification programme through installation of Trident Light with energy efficient CFL lamps. This programme has been taken up & has been done partly or completely in different main thoroughfares, roads and streets of the city of Kolkata, at places like R. B. Avenue, Southern Avenue, Harish Mukherjee Road, D. L Khan Road, A.P.C. Road, Vivekananda Road, Kalighat Road adjacent to Temple, D. H. Road, James Long Sarani, C.G.R. Road way to Soloana Masjid, S. N. Banerjee Road, Lenin Sarani, B. B. Ganguly Street and many other areas including the bank of river Ganga.
As a part of city beautification initiative, the facade of the Kalighat Temple has been lit using LED lights. The fascinating aspect of these lights is that they change colour in a few seconds. This is a first of its kind lighting system introduced by KMC and can be cherished throughout the year during evening hours from outside the Kalighat temple. Permanent illumination and beautification of different city parks through lighting arrangement has been an important initiative under the ambit of the KMC Lighting Department. Lighting arrangement at Jatin Moitra Park has been a noteworthy achievement.
Various initiatives have been undertaken for Temporary Lighting arrangements for different occasions – like (i) Immersion ghat illumination during Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Chat Puja etc. (ii) KMC buildings, Borough Offices, markets, Park and Square and water bodies (recently Lal Dighi) on different important days like Christmas, 26th January, 15th August, Muharram and other days from time to time (iii) Facades of Temples, Masjid, Mazar, Burial Ground in the evening on different important occasions.
KMC also took initiative to isolate the area of the part of the Mahasamsan at Cossiepur where `Param Purus Ramkrishna` was cremated by shifting the wooden pyre. A separate way has been constructed for passage to Ramkrishna Samadhi Prangan, a place being developed for innumerable devotees, often visiting the place on memorable days like 1st January every year (i.e. Kalpataru Utsav) & other days of the year.