Massive improvement in irrigation infrastructure in Bangla

Massive improvement in irrigation infrastructure in Bangla

Posted on March 27, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The irrigation network of Bangla has undergone massive improvements during the eight-year rule of the Trinamool Congress.

Highlights of the Irrigation & Waterways and Water Resources Investigation & Development Departments’ achievements

Additional land under irrigation

30,000 acres of additional land brought under irrigation in FY 2018-19

Irrigation & flood management

Rehabilitation and rejuvenation of 57 medium and minor irrigation schemes
Replacement of 373 bridges across irrigation channels and canals
West Bengal Major Irrigation and Flood Management Project to start functioning soon

Minor irrigation projects

From 2011, 74,606 hectares brought under irrigation through 2,305 minor irrigation projects
In FY 2018-19, irrigation potential of 55,000 hectares created through Jal Dharo Jal Bharo, Jalatirtha, RIDF and WBADMIP

Jal Dharo Jal Bharo

29,135 waterbodies and/or water detention structures created or renovated in FY 2018-19
2.62 lakh water bodies and/or water detention structures created since 2011
These are used for irrigation as well as fish and animal farming

Jalatirtha

448 minor irrigation schemes completed, creating irrigation potential of 20,660 hectares
Jalatirtha Scheme extended to the Sundarbans and the hilly areas of Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts

Special fund-assisted minor irrigation schemes

1,421 minor irrigation schemes set up in FY 2018-19 (upto Dec), creating irrigation potential of 28,270 hectares

Solar power-assisted projects

876 solar-powered schemes having irrigation potential of 9,082 hectares taken up

Micro-irrigation

To bring efficiency in water usage, State Govt promoting micro-irrigation schemes like sprinkler irrigation and drip irrigation
Of these, 191 schemes, creating irrigation potential of 2,005 hectares, are solar power-operated

Bangla No. 1 in MSME sector

Posted on March 26, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Bangla ranks number one in India in micro, small and medium enterprises

1.36 crore people being employed by 90 lakh MSME units
Bangla contributes 14 per cent to the country’s total income in the MSME sector
Over 6 lakh people employed directly in 471 new MSME and textile clusters
Lakhs of handloom weavers trained and given loom for free to make them self-sufficient
Number of handloom cooperatives increased by six times
Biswa Bangla store has become a formidable brand, taking traditional handicrafts of the State to international markets
Number of muslin artistes engaged in muslin production increased from nearly zero to 7,000
Number of handicraft entrepreneurs increased twofold to reach 6 lakh
Turnover of silk sector increased by over two times
10 Rural Craft Hubs set up in conjunction with UNESCO for the welfare of craft-makers
Tantuja and Manjusha became profit-making bodies, their turnover increasing about five times since 2011
Tribal and Sabar artisans of Jangalmahal being specially trained and their products marketed all over
Biswa Bangla Shilpi Haats functional in Durgapur, Santiniketan, Siliguri and Rajarhat
‘Taant Haats’ set up in Purbasthali, Dhatrigram and Udaynarayanpur to promote marketing of handloom products
For any help, log in to https://myenterprisewb.in and http://www.silpasathi.in, or download the ‘Shilpa Sathi’ mobile app.

File Image

Bengal takes the leap in the holistic development of its industrial sector

Posted on March 26, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Since coming to power, the Trinamool Congress Government, inspired Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has laid great emphasis on the development of the industrial sector in the State.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote Bangla as an investment destination are:

Industrial parks

14 industrial parks set up and operations begun
10 industrial parks upgraded to international standards
Establishment of 23 industrial parks undertaken
In Howrah district, India’s largest hosiery park, and a foundry park and a state-of-the art gems and jewellery park set up
Asia’s largest leather complex in Bantala has welcomed industrialists from Kanpur and Chennai. This will lead to the generation of over 5 lakh jobs
2,500-acre industrial centre being set up at Raghunathpur in Purulia district

Industrial Infrastructure:

Two ports being set up – Tajpur Sea Port and Kulpi River Port, both in Purba Medinipur
India’s first greenfield airport operating in Andal

Multinational and private investments

Haldia Petrochemicals revived with the help of State Government; as a result, revival of 2,500 downstream industries have led to the creation of 5 lakh jobs
JSW Group investing Rs 10,000 crore, being used for constructing cement plant in Salboni on 1,500 acres, thus creating employment for 15,000 people
Investment by renowned companies like Flipkart, Coca-Cola, Genpact, Cognizant, IBM, Reliance, Pepsi, Amul India, Mitsubishi, ITC, BASF (Germany) and many more

Gains from business summits

Bengal Global Business Summit

The five Bengal Global Business Summits (BGBS) received investments from many national and international industrialists

50 per cent of the above investment proposals already being implemented

Hill Business Summit

Bangla’s first Hill Business Summit organised successfully in March 2018. It generated investment proposals worth almost Rs 1,500 crore for the Hills and north Bengal.

Bengal’s exports

‘Banglar Raftani’ mobile app launched to promote Bengal’s exports
State’s export earnings increased from USD 7.1 billion (2011) to USD 9.16 billion (2018)

File Image

Service to mankind is the only religion: Mamata Banerjee

Posted on March 25, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Bangla Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today attended a function organised by the Akhil Bharat Jayguru Sampraday at Mahamilan Math in Dakshineshwar.

In her speech, she strongly advocated in favour of communal harmony and peace and spoke about the equality of all religions.

Highlights of her speech:

This institution (Mahamilan Math in Dakshineswar) has served lots of people

All religions are interdependent and have elements of cooperation

Religion is not a small thing; there are several religions followed by different people

The need to go hand in hand despite the huge diversities that civilisation is in was stressed, using religious analogies and mantras

But there are people who foment trouble in the name of religion; they are hijacking religion, for there is no faith that encourages fighting on the path of salvation

Why do we still have to identify ourselves on the basis of religion; why not as human beings?

Religion means humanitarian work, working for mankind – this is the only truth

Whenever you need me, I will respond; not to fill any post but to help you in your service to mankind.

Massive improvement in IT infrastructure in Bangla

Posted on March 25, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bangla Government has done a lot to provide an enabling environment for information technology (IT) companies and generating more employment in the IT sector.

Major achievements in IT sector:

Total export from IT sector crossed Rs 15,000 crore in 2016-17, from Rs 8,335 crore in 2010-11

IT parks increased from eight to 12 in 2017-18

Four IT parks have 100% occupancy – in Durgapur (Phase-II), Siliguri (Phase-II), Kalyani and Rajarhat

Infosys will open 100-acre campus in Rajarhat; first phase to give employment to 1,000 people

Sonarpur IT Park fully commissioned and ready for allocation

NIELIT Training Centre at Bolpur IT Park to provide cost-effective computer literacy and professional courses

Cyber Security Cell Centre of Excellence has started operating

Silicon Valley Hub started attract even more investments in IT, ITeS and ICT–Rs 181.68 crore allocated for 2019-20

Bangla committed to the welfare of backward classes and tribal development

Posted on March 24, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Government’s policies and programmes for the welfare and development of backward classes and tribal communities have been successfully transforming people across Bangla.

Some of the main achievements:

Separate Tribal Development Department was created in 2013 by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Department’s budget has increased by more than five times – from Rs 360 crore for financial year (FY) 2010-11 to Rs 1,878 crore for FY 2020.

Special recruitment drives undertaken for filling up vacant reserved posts – 2,669 posts for Adivasis and 10,241 posts for scheduled castes

Getting caste certificates is much easier now – through online application

Number of caste certificates being given has increased substantially – 9 lakh on an average every year

Almost 1 crore caste certificates can be viewed on the internet now

12 lakh schedule castes (SC), 1.5 lakh scheduled tribes (ST) and 7 lakh other backward caste (OBC) students at the secondary and higher secondary levels getting stipends

On an average, 10.5 lakh SC students and 2.25 lakh ST students getting scholarships under Shikshashree

Bicycles have been provided to 1 crore students (of all categories) from classes IX to XII under Sabooj Sathi Scheme

Sabooj Sathi has also been named a Champion Project at the WSIS Prizes 2019 given by the ITU, an organisation under the United Nations (award to be given on April 9)

Best performance in the country in providing skill development courses – 28,000 SC and Adivasi women trained in beautician course and another 1 lakh in plastic utensils making, stitching and other courses

Student loan for professional and vocational courses for SC and ST students – a maximum of Rs 10 lakh for studying within the country and a maximum of Rs 20 lakh for studying outside the country; this has been recognised as a model scheme by the Centre

Special training at 36 centres across the State for SC and ST students for getting admitted to government medical colleges, IITs and other recognised institutions

Assistance for self-help groups (SHG) run by women belonging to SC and ST communities has resulting in self-employment opportunities for 75,000 women on an average every year

35,000 kendu leaf collectors covered under the West Bengal Kendu Leaves Collectors’ Social Security Scheme, a part of the 2015 Samajik Suraksha Scheme; these people are also covered by the Swasthya Sathi Scheme

Under the Forest rights Act, 2006, 46,500 ST people distributed personal patta deeds and 323 community pattas for ‘Jaher Than’ distributed

Special law promulgated to prevent transfer of tribal land

20 development and culture boards formed for 20 communities

Kurukh, Kamtapuri and Rajbanshi recognised as State languages

Special recognition for Santhali language: Made an elective language for WBCS examination; school textbooks brought out in ol-Chiki; trilingual dictionary (Santhali-English-Bengali) published

To give recognition to Adivasi people and their cultures, Jangalmahal Utsav started, and special days like Adivasi Divas, Karm Divas and Hul Divas being celebrated every year

India’s first State Assembly-mandated Scheduled Caste Advisory Council formed

Under the chairpersonship of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Tribal Advisory Council and Scheduled Caste Advisory Council regularly undertaking development programmes

File Image

Bangla’s economy surging ahead

Posted on March 22, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Thanks to the tremendous efforts put in by the Trinamool Congress Government, Bangla has become one of the best-performing States with respect to economy.

Primary achievements of the State:

Gross state domestic product (GSDP): From Rs 4.74 crore in May 2011 to Rs 11.55 crore in FY 2019 (as per advanced estimates (AE))

GSDP growth: In terms of GSDP growth (AE), Bangla is no. 1

Industrial Growth: In FY 2018, State’s industrial growth was almost three times that of India’s – 16.29% (AE) against 5.54%

Revenue deposit: Revenue deposit as percentage of GSDP down from 3.75 in FY 2011 to 0.96 in FY 2018

Fiscal deposit: Fiscal deposit as percentage of GSDP down from 4.24 in FY 2011 to 2.83 in FY 2018

Tax revenue: More than 2.5 times increase, from Rs 21,128 crore in FY 2011 to Rs 57,700 crore in FY 2018

From 2011, state plan expenditure of Rs 3.45 lakh crore and capital expenditure of Rs 92,000 crore spent on creating infrastructural assets and social assets

File Image

Bengal takes the lead in employment generation

Posted on March 22, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Over the last few years, Bangla has witnessed phenomenal growth under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee.

Here are the areas where Bangla has achieved immense success in terms of employment generation

1. Unemployment has reduced by 40%

2. Bengal ranks first in 100 Days’ Work with respect to man-day generation, where over 191 crore man-days have been generated

3. Significant increase in employment opportunities in all sectors where almost 1 crore people have become employed in 7.5 years

4. Under Utkarsha Bangla Scheme, almost 6 lakh youths receive skill training every year. The majority have also secured a job in their own profession

5. Yuvashree Scheme: Almost 1.70 lakh youths have received assistance under the Yuvashree Scheme
Under the Yuvashree 2 Arpan Scheme, 50,000 youths will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh every year to start their own businesses

6. 528 Karmatirthas set up to create more employment opportunities

File Image

This is a got-up match: Mamata Banerjee on Nirav Modi arrest

Posted on March 20, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Bangla Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today addressed the press at Nabanna. Commenting on the issue of Nirav Modi’s arrest, she said it was a got-up match.

Highlights of her speech:

We Bengalis have a soft corner for Rabindrasangeet, I am reminded of a song: “Tumi robe nirobe, hridaye mamo”
This is a trick by Modi Govt. This is a got-up match
Credit must go to the London Telegraph journalist who exposed Nirav Modi
The government had no clue where Nirav Modi was hiding. And a journalist had to expose where he was holed up
Parde ke peeche kya hain? (What is going on behind the scenes?)
The real chhupa rustam has run away
Like strikes at factories in the past, we are seeing new ‘strikes’ now. This Nirav Modi ‘strike’ is one of them. More such ‘strikes’ will happen during the polls
The expiry date of this government is over. Even medicines cannot fix the ailment now
The other man is also there (abroad). They are no longer Indian citizens.
Many rich people are being protected by law-enforcing agencies while labourers are suffering
BSNL employees are not getting their salaries. So, many PSUs are suffering
Air India is our pride. It is also under sale. They are disinvesting everything. One day entire country will be disinvested
They ruined the economy with demonetisation. Unemployment is at a 45-year high
More than 2 crore people have lost their jobs in one year.
Farmers are in distress and are committing suicide. Giving money during elections serves no purpose

State Govt promoting herbal colours for a safe Dol Jatra

Posted on March 20, 2019 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Food Processing and Horticulture Department is promoting the use and sale of herbal colours for Dol Jatra celebrations.

The herbal aabir, as the colours used in the festivities are called, are manufactured by a self-help group (SHG) and are being sold at Mayukh Bhavan in Salt Lake, which houses the Horticulture Department.

The counter will remain open till today (March 20). The price of the herbal colours has been fixed at Rs 30 per 100 grams.

The members of the SHG responsible for manufacturing the herbal colours have received training from Jadavpur University. The colours are extracted from flowers and mixed with talcum powder and arrowroot to manufacture the finished product, said the head of the SHG.

There are five varieties of aabir – green, orange, pink, yellow and violet, extracted from rose, marigold, palash, aparajita and balsam, respectively.