Month: February 2015

We are committed to providing social security to workers : WB CM at Shramik Mela

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Fulfilling the promise for all round development in every sector, WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee has taken up the cause for welfare of workers in organised and unorganised sectors. The CM Ms Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a Workers’ Fair today at Milan Mela Grounds, organised by the Department of Labour Department, West Bengal Government.

This endeavour is a big step which surely will enhance the standards of living of the workers. The government will not only provide with financial assistance but also educate the workers about their rights and safety measures to be taken in work place.

WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee said, “We should simplify processes so that workers can get their benefits easily. Our government launched the Social Security Scheme for unorganised sector who have no PF or no insurance. We are committed to providing social security to workers”

Workers must be educated about their rights through these fairs. Such fairs must be held in every district. Your struggle inspires us to work. You are our pride”, she added.

Highlights of the measures announced at the fair:

  • Providing assistance to the construction / transport workers and workers from more than 58 unorganised sectors.
  • Registration at Employment Bank and providing Youth Incentives.
  • Construction of house and financial assistant for house hold power connection to the Bidi workers.
  • Counselling regarding West Bengal Shop and Establishment Act, Labour Act, minimum wages, Gratuity etc.
  • Counselling regarding the security of boilers.
  • Workshop on legal matters regarding security of workers, safety measures in prevention of accidents.
  • Counselling and providing information in connection of various assistance by the West Bengal Labour Welfare Board.

Kolkata Municipal Corporation plans developmental projects for future

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Kolkata Municipal Corporation is chalking out various developmental plans to be implemented in the next five years. Continuing with the noteworthy developmental work Kolkata Municipal Corporation has done in the last 5 years, it has now decided to revamp the Corporation School education. The Kolkata Mayor Mr Shovan Chatterjee has already chaired a meeting with the Members of the Mayor in Council in this regard.

KMC has inaugurated six new Montessori schools and eight Higher Secondary Schools. In the past the corporation schools were named after the locality / road it is situated in but now the Corporation has taken the initiative to rename the schools after famous personalities. The schools are also gearing up to admit new students for the forthcoming session. KMC also has plans to recruit new teachers but that only can happen after the municipal vote. KMC now runs more than two hundred and fifty schools in areas under its jurisdiction

Some recent achievements of KMC are installation of composite vats, building new community halls, public toilets and water distribution plants in various parts of the city for convenience and betterment of urban life.

Remember that people are dependent on you: WB CM to bus-auto-taxi employees

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WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee for the first time called a meeting with the Commercial Vehicle Operators plying in the state at Nazrul Mancha, organised by WB Transport and Labour Department. West Bengal Transport Department has made huge development in the last three years with numerous new AC buses and new routes being introduced. Traffic signals have been installed at every important crossing, and road dividers have been set up.

While she stressed on need of public friendly attitude towards the service of the people, she also reiterated her Government’s understanding of the constraints faced by the drivers/conductors/cleaners etc.  To encourage conducive atmosphere between the passenger and the operator, the CM stated various measures through which people working in this field can have a better professional life and a secured future.

The highlights of her speech stating the achievements and the measures undertaken by the Transport Dept for welfare of transport employees are as under:

  • We decided at Government level regarding what we could do for the people engaged in transport trade.
  • Strikes, bandhs, road blocks are not options for protest. These only disrupt the routine of the common people and the those who are in distress.
  • All commercial drivers may file form for registration by paying Rs 30. This will help you get Rs 30,000 annually for medical expense.
  • The one time registration will make you eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 1500 after 60 years of age.
  • This one time registration will ensure Rs 2 lakh for accidental insurance for commercial drivers of bus, auto, taxi and others.
  • We are also giving Rs 25,000 for the marriage of the kins of drivers. This will be available 5 years apart.
  • I do not believe in punishments. I believe in working with love.
  • Refusals to passengers, incidents of passenger harassment should be avoided.
  • A steering committee being formed with members from Labour Dept, Transport Dept and Police to sort out all transport related problems.
  • We are banning the Rs 3000 fine that was imposed. The minimum fine from tomorrow will be Rs 100 for 1st offense.
  • Please remember that people are dependent on you.
  • Tell your co-workers that the Govt. is solving your problems, so all should work accordingly, cooperate with Police.
  • Cooperate with the passengers, make your behavior courteous.
  • Mohabbat ka sath kam kijiye, sab kucch ho jayega.

WiFi Kolkata – One week after launch, positive response pours in

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Kolkata – India’s first WiFi city is still creating buzz in the world of social media and random coffee shops around the city. Much to the delight of those who are using the services rolled out by the Bengal government in Park Street a week before today, the latest addition to the city has brought nothing but smiles on citizens’ faces.

 

 

Here’s what much enthusiastic social media ‘keedas’ have to say a week from the launch of WiFi Kolkata

Kolkata Bloggers Rejoice

  • Kolkata now comes up with a variety of visible changes to the city – beautiful river banks, newer set of trident street lights, AC bus stops to name a few and now the Wi-Fi – Anirban Saha
  • The youth today are more at ease today with wireless devices and welcome this move by the government – Anirban Saha
  • The 5th of February, 2015 was historic. Kolkata needed WiFi. And it was served what it needed – Nabhoneel Majumdar
  • This was a momentous occasion for all bloggers – going digital is the way forward – Arjyak Bhattachrya
  • With free Wi-Fi more people will get access to internet, thus making Kolkata a ‘smart city’. As your phone number gets registered, all illegal activities done using the Wi-Fi network can be tracked easily – Rimbik Das
  • 5 February will be remembered in the history of #KolkataMilestones as it becomes #WiFiKolkata – Abhishek Chamaria
  • The world today is digitally advanced..having a social identity online.. Industries and Entrepreneurs have this Wi-Fi zoning of the city like a gift to them…not mentioning the benefits for the common people – Saimantick Bhadra
  • Citizen journalism can evolve in due course of time. Will benefit during an emergency to establish communication with those who need help – Asmita Nandy
  • Kolkata having the reputation for being the city of firsts, from golf to metros and trams, it is now the first fully WiFi enabled city in India – Kanishk Xavier Gomes
  • Kolkata is the first metro city which aims to go fully WiFi by April 2015 – Poorna Banerjee
  • Home is where the WI-Fi connects automatically and much justifies Kolkata being our hometown – Sonket

 

Twitter responses

 

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There is need for communicative policing: WB CM

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WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee today gave away service awards at the 12th Investiture Ceremony of West Bengal Police, held at Nazrul Mancha. She appreciated the hard work that is done by the police in ensuring peace and stressed on the importance of ‘communicative policing’.

Hooghly has been honoured with Best District in the state for performance of the State Police.

“Those who perform well must be rewarded. Police takes care of the law and order. We must take care of their well-being. We have started Pratyasha scheme, started housing scheme for police force. Constables who serve for 15 years can now be transferred to their home districts,” she said.

The State Government has created 57 new police stations, 20 new women’s police stations, 14 postal police stations and 5 cyber police stations and almost 400 new sub inspectors. About 40,000 constables and 1.3 lakh civic police  have been recruited.

West Bengal Police has also been involved in organising sports events for the youth in Jangalmahal, Darjeeling and Sunderbans.

The Chief Minister urged the police to use less force in solving any crisis. “In today’s world, policing has to be done with common sense more than lathis and gas,” she said.

She also had a word of caution to the state police when she said, “Some people are trying to incite riots. Police’s work has become even more crucial.”

She assured the policemen for full co-operation from her government and urged them to carry the good work. “Police work round the clock, everyday of the year. This is exemplary. Without their support, it is not possible for servicemen to work. Some people only criticize. They do not see the humane side of the police,” she added.

India will soon witness BJP’s end: Abhishek Banerjee in Krishnaganj

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Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said that the Delhi electorate today has said BHAG MODI BHAG! He also raised the slogan: “Delhi te holo Shuru, Banglai hobe sesh, Ebar Bharat dekhbe, Modi-mukto desh (Delhi has started, Bengal will end, India will witness BJP’s end).”

He was addressing a campaign rally at Badkulla in Krishnaganj Assembly constituency at Nadia in support of the Trinamool candidate Mr Satyajit Biswas.

The Trinamool Youth Congress Chief urged people to set an example by raising the margin of victory and defeating the Opposition.

On BJP being decimated at the Delhi elections, he congratulated Kejriwal saying,  “Today’s verdict in Delhi has proven that political vendetta, smear campaign and arrogance have no place in a healthy democracy. Today AAP did to BJP what the later did to Indian National Congress in the 2014 LS. BJP at this juncture can’t even claim the LOP in Delhi Assembly. History repeats itself. Such is the strength and power of our democracy.”

“The change has started from Delhi. This victory is of the people. Delhi elections are a game changer. Janata is janardan in any democracy. The common people have spoken and replied befittingly to the autocratic narcissists. Entire country will follow Delhi’s example in future,” he had earlier written on his Facebook page.

 

Bengal Tourism to promote ‘Little Europe’ along the river Hooghly

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The West Bengal Tourism is promoting ‘Little Europe’ along the river Hooghly showcasing the settlement of European traders around its banks.  To develop the idea further, the State Government has been making repeated representations to the Centre for a tourist circuit along the riverbanks including Ganga by connecting the rivers of the state.

With an estimated cost of Rs 680 crore, the project will be co-sponsored by World Bank & Union Roads and Waterways Dept.  The State Transport Secretary recently had a meeting with representatives of World Bank and the Centre to give shape to this idea and have earmarked Katwa as one of the terminals of this project with Banaras, Allahabad, Gazipur and Sahebganj in other states.

The circuit will begin at Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh and end at Haldia, West Bengal.  The 12 rivers of West Bengal identified for this project are Mahananda, Ajoy, Jalangi, Damodar, Dwarka, Bakreshwar, Dwarkeshwar, Shilaboti, Kumari, Ichhamoti, Sundarbans Waterways and DVC Canal. A team of experts will do a study of these rivers and ensure that the constitutional and legal identity of the State remains intact.

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

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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.

Never disrespect people in a democracy: WB CM at Rampurhat

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With the BJP suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of AAP in Delhi polls, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said “arrogance and political vendetta have been defeated today” and that BJP’s “balloon has burst”.

“Never disrespect people in a democracy. Arrogance and political vendetta have been defeated today. People have the final word in a democracy. What an audacity ? There is a (Bengali) proverb that unchecked rise of anything leads to its downfall,” Banerjee said. “In politics there should not be political vengeance and character assassination and insulting the people”, the Trinamool Congress supremo said.

Banerjee is strongly critical of various policies of the Modi government and had earlier accused the BJP of political vendetta against her party over the CBI probe into Saradha scam. Hailing AAP’s victory, Banerjee who is speaking at a state government function on welfare projects said, “This is a victory for formation of government of the people, by the people and for the people. Loser is always a loser and winner is a winner.”

Earlier in the day she had tweeted that the Delhi Assembly polls were a “turning point” in the present political situation which showed that political vendetta had no place in democracy. Party Spokesman Derek O’Brien said besides congratulating AAP for its landslide victory in Delhi polls on Twitter, she has sent a SMS to Kejriwal congratulating him.

 

Source: PTI