Irresponsible comments being made are against the Constitution: WB CM

Irresponsible comments being made are against the Constitution: WB CM

Posted on November 6, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that irresponsible statements should not be made on what one should do or what one should eat and those who had taken oath did not have any right to undermine the Constitution.

“First, intolerance was shown towards the church. Then the issue was on what one should eat and where one should stay. I feel these comments are irresponsible”, she told reporters.

“When a political party is formed, it should carry all the people along. Those who are making such statements, they are violating the Constitution,” she observed.

“Those who first say that they will abide by the Constitution and then violate it, the responsibility lies with them,” she said adding that “they don’t have any right to ditch the Constitution”.

WB CM drew a parallel to a popular story about Kalidas who is said to have sawn off the tree branch he was sitting on. “I base my work on equality of all, and our Constitution is based on that. Our pledge is to work for the people,” she added.

China keen to enhance economic activity with Bengal

Posted on November 6, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Chinese government has expressed keen interest in enhancing economic activity with West Bengal as the state is both economically and geographically close to China, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday.

The Chief Minister said that the Vice-President also expressed a desire to cooperate with the state government in developing infrastructure in West Bengal.

She was talking to reporters after a meeting with Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao. He led a delegation of Chinese ministers and officials at the venue of the meeting at Eco-Park on the outskirts of the city.

The leaders discussed a range of issues – from increasing economic activity and cultural cooperation to tourism during the 45-minute meeting.

The Chief Minister said that she had also invited the Chinese commerce and investment Minster and the business delegation to attend the upcoming Biswa Bangla Business Summit.

“We also discussed setting up of an auto hub here..we will be jointly manufacturing buses. We also discussed enhancing cultural ties between China and Bengal,” she said adding a tourism package for Chinese tourists during Dura Puja had been proposed in the meeting.

Mr Li Yuanchao for his part said that the meeting was fruitful.

Mamata Banerjee most honest politician in India: VP of China

Posted on November 6, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

A chinese survey has reportedly ranked Mamata Banerjee first among all Indian politicians in terms of honesty. This was reportedly the opening remarks of Chinese Vice-President Li Yuan Chao when he met the chief minister in Kolkata on Thursday evening, said state Finance and Industries Minister Dr Amit Mitra.

Dr Mitra, who attended the meeting, said: “This was a stimulating accolade from the visiting Chinese dignitary.”

The survey had also reportedly found that the development in Bengal was taking place at a fast pace.

Briefing mediapersons about the meeting held at Eco Park in New Town-Rajarhat, Dr Mitra said Chao appreciated the development initiative unleashed by Mamata in Bengal and was also aware about the state’s high growth rate.

The leaders discussed a range of issues — from increasing economic activity and cultural cooperation to tourism — during the 45-minute meeting.

WB Govt planning for coastal tourism circuit development in a big way

Posted on November 5, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The West Bengal State Tourism department has come up with a Rs 123-crore coastal tourism circuit development plan. The coastal circuit plan envisages a total tourism infrastructure development plan along the state’s coastal border from Old Digha to Fraserganj, including New Digha, Udaypur, Shankarpur, Tajpur, Mandarmani, Bakkhali and Henry Islands.The proposed coastal tourism circuit plan will be discussed with the union tourism ministry.

According to the plan, beach and local area beautification plans will be taken up in all the coastal places. Highmast lights, tourist amenity centres, parking facilities and an eco-trail along the seaside pathway with provisions for seating will be set up in the state’s coastal area as a part of the project.

The Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority has already started working to develop the coastal areas within its limits. A welcome gate has been installed at Digha and the beaches have been spruced up with beautification and civic infrastructure projects.

The Sate wants to develop tourist facilities, such as parking with gazebo, beach side seating arrangements lifeguard towers, toilet blocks and cloak rooms in Tajpur and Mandarmani. Establishment of house boats has also been planned at the creek between Tajpur and Mandarmani.

Proper beach connectivity from the proposed marine drive along the coastal belt will also be developed with illumination, parking spaces and tourist facilities. Water sports have also been planned along the beaches.

Tourism infrastructure will be spruced up particularly in Henry Islands, Fraserganj and Bakkhali. A nature interpretation centre has been planned at Henry Islands. The State is already working to develop Gangasagar and to start off a nature trail at Jambudwip.

Big garbage bins of 50 litre carrying capacity will be placed at various points on the beaches to keep the areas clean. Garbage compactor machines will also be used for waste management. The Government also wants to provide wi-fi connectivity at the tourist places.

WB CM to hold meeting with Chinese Vice President today

Posted on November 5, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the visiting Vice President of China today. The meeting will be held at the Glass House of the Eco Park.

The State today will witness a MoU signing ceremony between the State Government and Chinese bus manufacturer Zhongtong Bus Holding Company which specializes in diverse types of buses and tour coaches.

West Bengal government plans to set up a bus manufacturing unit under the brand name Bengal Zhongtong Ltd at Andal where the new airport has come up in which. The State Government is likely to have share in the company. The State Government promises to buy a major part of its fleet from this joint venture company.

On Thursday, the MoU is to be signed in which both The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao would be present.

We believe in unity not division of masses: WB CM

Posted on November 4, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

Expressing concern over the growing intolerance in the society, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said her government was not in favor of division of masses but unity of the people.

“We don’t believe in division of masses but unity of the masses. We are against any kind of division of people. We may preach gods in different names but our purpose is the same. Someone calls God, someone Allah and someone Bhagwan, but the purpose is the same,” said Banerjee.

“Bengal is a pilgrimage of secularism and brotherhood in the country. We all love to live in peace. We will not tolerate any kind of violence here,” Banerjee said.

The Chief Minister had earlier also expressed concern over intolerance and called for unity.

Mobile Monitoring System using GIS to cover all panchayats in Bengal

Posted on November 4, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The West Bengal Government is setting up Mobile Monitoring System using GIS for keeping an eye on the works being done at all the panchayats. This android phone-based monitoring system is already in place in one thousand panchayats and will be applicable within one year in the rest 2349 panchayats.

Through this system, the Panchayat Minister and the officials of the State Secretariat at Nabanna will be able to monitor the works of the district officials based in the rural areas.

The State Government will provide android-based mobile phones to all the district officials responsible for panchayat development. The officers of the panchayat department are now visiting rural areas to train the panchayat workers to upload the developmental progress details through their mobile phones every 15 days.

From now on, the rural officials have to upload pictures of every projects undertaken by the panchayats at regular intervals, including those of Gram Sabhas. The pictures and records will be uploaded on the Panchayat department website and will thus be accessible from any part of the world.

WB CM to develop Jaigaon as a “planned city”

Posted on November 4, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday held a review meeting with Bhutan officials, including external affairs minister Norbu Wangchuk, at Jaigaon on the Indo-Bhutan border.

Sources said that officials discussed the construction of a second (new) gate of Bhutan like the entry point located at Phuentsholing, and a joint survey for development work, including an Immigration Check Post, on the Indian side.

Chief Secretary Sanjay Mitra and principal secretary for urban development Debasish Sen and other officials accompanied the CM as she met minister Wangchuk and other officials.

Addressing a government programme at Alipurduar, WB CM said:”We plan to set up a municipality at Jaigaon and make it a planned city.”

In her speech, the Chief Minister pointed out that people in this region will be able to do good business as transport services for both goods and passengers will be started in Asian countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Keeping an eye on industrial development in north Bengal, the CM said that members of the chambers of commerce can demand what they need when an ‘industrial meet’ will be organised in north Bengal in November.

She added that the Biswa Bangla Sammelan will be held on 8 and 9 January in Kolkata.

“A total of Rs 50 crore has been allotted for the construction of an administrative building where 36 departments will be accommodated. We will develop Jayanti for tourism. A total of Rs 20 crore was allotted for a medical hub here,” she added.

“Readying infrastructure here will take time because this is a newly-formed district. Land officials have started a survey to settle land records,” the Chief Minister said.

WB Govt to appoint Aranya Bandhus to protect green cover

Posted on November 4, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

The Mamata Banerjee government is appointing more than 48,000 aranya bandhus (friends of the forest) to protect Bengal’s green cover.The aranya bandhus have been categorised as self-employed workers.

An aranya bandhu will be appointed for each panchayat. Those eligible for the post will have to be permanent residents of their respective gram panchayats. The candidates, ideally aged between 21 years and 45 years, will also have to have a minimum qualification of a pass in madhyamik.

Protecting forests

The primary job of the aranya bandhus will be to alert the forest department whenever a tree is felled. The green guards will also organise campaigns for awareness on afforestation. They will act as a liaison between the people and the forest department and help resolve issues that require trees to be chopped off.

The forest guards will also ensure compensatory afforestation according to appropriate legal provisions if trees have to be felled for any unavoidable reason.

Functions of Aranya Bandhu

A government order related to appointment of the green guards says, “Engagement of aranya bandhu has been decided upon to facilitate afforestation. To encourage afforestation in rural areas, engagement of local persons as aranya bandhu has been under active consideration of the forest department for some time.“

Other functions and responsibilities of the aranya bandhus will include raising and supplying quality planting materials (seedlings) to tree growers, forest department and panchayat bodies and to involve themselves in planting and maintenance of greeneries.

The aranya bandhus will approach range and beat officers for issuance of transit and other permits.

WB CM in north Bengal – Bouquet of projects for Jalpaiguri district

Posted on November 4, 2015 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

West Bengal Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, on her 4-day visit to north Bengal, addresses a public rally today at Malbazar (Jalpaiguri district). She launched the ‘Sabuj Sathi’ scheme in the district. Under this scheme 40 lakh students in the State will receive bicycles.

Today, the Chief Minister inaugurated a slew of projects for Jalpaiguri district including Farmers’ mart at Belakoba, Mal and Maynaguri, Tourist lodge at West Damdim, Neora and Mangalbari, Plastic cluster at Dabgram,new sub-station at Gajaldoba, Pather Sathi and helipad at Chalsa, tourist assistance centres, girls’ hostel, public health check up centre, workshop of NBSTC at Matigara.

She also laid the foundation stone for the development of Rabindra Bhavan at Jalpaiguri, new sub-station at Jalpaiguri Sadar, Karma Tirtha and Eco Park at Matiyali block, food godown at Belakoba, piped drinking water projects for Maynaguri, Dhupguri and Matiyali blocks, Hindi high school at Matiyali block, Karma Tirtha at Ambari-Flakata, Adivasi Bhavan at Matiyali block, boys’ hostel at Matiyali block.

That apart, she also distributed benefits under various schemes like Kanyashree, Nijo Bhumi Nijo Griha, agricultural pattas, grants to farmers for purchasing equipment, training and tools to artisans among others.