Mamata Banerjee flags off Rath Yatra in Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee flags off Rath Yatra in Kolkata

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today flagged off this year’s Rath Yatra in Kolkata, organised by ISKCON.

Starting from Hungerford Street opposite the ISKCON temple on Albert Road, the raths, or chariots, moved through some of the most important thoroughfares of the city – AJC Bose Road, Sarat Bose Road, Hazra Road, SP Mukherjee Road, ATM Road, Exide crossing, Jawaharlal Nehru Road and Outram Road – to reach the Brigade Parade Ground, where arrangements have been made for daily special darshan of Lord Jagananth, till July 22.

Special prasad will be distributed at the site of the rath on the Brigade Parade Ground every day till July 22, the day of Ulto Rath Yatra. Various cultural programmes will be held during the festival.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said:

Rath Yatra is celebrated with a lot of fanfare here. Besides by ISKCON in Kolkata and in Mahesh, it is also celebrated in many other places in Bengal in big or small forms. In fact, the Yatra is celebrated all over the world.
We should remember that religion is an integral part of our lives, whatever that religion may be. And festivals are for all to celebrate together.
Rath Yatra is for everyone. Devotees purify themselves by pulling the raths of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra.
Lord Jagannath is considered the ‘nath’ or ‘lord’ of the world by many believers.
There is a close connection between Maa Kali’s Temple and the Jagannath Temple of Puri.
Today, I am praying to Lord Jagannath for the good of all of you, to keep you and your families happy and healthy.
I am also praying for peace to reign in Bengal as well as in the entire country, and the whole world.
Wishing all of you to remain healthy and happy.

Bengal performing very well on crucial forest health parameters

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Forest Department’s exemplary work has resulted in significant improvement of three crucial parameters – forest and tree cover, amount distributed to Forest Protection Committees (FPC) and revenue collection.

Forest and tree cover: 21.35% of the total area during financial year (FY) 2017-18, from 17.27% during FY 2010-11.

The amount distributed to Forest Protection Committees (FPC): Rs 167.25 crore from FY 2011-12 to 2017-18, from Rs 66.17 crore from FY 2004-05 to 2010-11.

Revenue collection: Rs 135.33 crore during FY 2017-18, from Rs 75.49 crore during FY 2010-11

The forest cover in Bengal, as a percentage of the total geographical area, has been growing over the last seven years. Currently, the total forest cover stands at 12,102 square kilometres (sq km).

Another related data is that, between 2010 and 2015, forest cover went up by 3,810 sq km, or 4.29 per cent, which was one of the highest in the country (according to Forest Survey of India data), and this trend continues. This is the result of the large amount of afforestation work, both inside and outside the forest areas, undertaken by the State Government.

From FY 2011-12 to 2016-17, the Forest Directorate has afforested 72,697 hectares (ha) of forest area, besides extensive soil and moisture conservation work. During FY 2018-19, approximately 10,000 ha of plantation will be taken up. One hundred modern nurseries have been created, and the work for 20 tall seedling nurseries will be taken up in different forest divisions.

As per the numbers stated above, the amount distributed to Forest Protection Committees has seen an increase of more than 2.5 times. Also, FPCs are rewarded for their invaluable contributions.

According to the revenue collection data mentioned earlier, the revenue collection by the Forest Department in Bengal has almost doubled, enabling more resources for developmental activities.

The Forest Department has also prepared a Vision and Mission Document for the period from 2017 to 2030.

Source: 7 Years: Chronicles of Bengal’s Progress

Conservation of forests – Bengal shows the way

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Forest Department has taken several significant steps for the conservation of forests. The festival of Vanmahotsav, organised by the State Government every year for a week from July 14, is an important step towards raising awareness about forests and natural resources.

This year the Government is giving away 50 lakh saplings to elected representatives and educational and other institutions across Bengal, to plant on the occasion.

The principal achievements of the Forest Department for the conservation of forests are listed below:

Banabandhab Utsav: Banabandhab Utsav is held in the districts, involving the Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMC), to boost up the protection of forests in the State. Activities held during the festivals include distribution of Forest Protection Committee (FPC) shares, giving books to meritorious students, organising cultural functions and, in some cases, acknowledging the good works of the FPC members.

Sabujshree: The Sabujshree scheme provides saplings to every newborn child. It was launched in 2016 to inculcate emotional bonding between child and nature and also provide an incentive for the future (the trees can be sold after the child attains 18 years of age to provide for educational and other needs). Till date, about 17 lakh newborns have been distributed seedlings.

Jalatirtha: This scheme is operational in the district of Purulia and in some parts of Bankura. It is being implemented in highly water-deficient areas. Check dams are being constructed in the upstream and downstream of major river catchment areas to check runoff velocity, erosion of top soil and stabilisation of downstream areas. Thirty-six projects in the forest areas of Bankura and Purulia have been completed.

West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project: The West Bengal Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Project (WBFBCP) was started in 2012. It is being implemented in 600 JFMCs. From FY 2014-15 to 2017-18, 18,775 hectares (ha) of plantations have been created under the scheme while for 2018, the target is 2,995 ha. Under the project, biodiversity studies have been initiated to study the population dynamics and habitat management of the elephant, leopard, tiger and gaur. Community development work in 210 JFMCs in the form of infrastructure and asset creation, and micro-financing, has been initiated.

West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd: West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Ltd. (WBFDCL) has broadened its area of activity and gone hi-tech in several major activities. The corporation has initiated the greening of south Bengal, aiming 30,000 ha of plantation in wastelands over the next 10 years in partnership with the villagers. Lac cultivation is being implemented for the uplifting of forest fringe populations. This would benefit about 4,000 families. The corporation runs 19 eco-tourism centres; new ones are being constructed in Samsing (Kalimpong district), Tajpur (Purba Medinipur) and Lodhasuli (Jhargram). Besides, a Nature Interpretation Centre is being built at Ilambazar in Birbhum district to accommodate the plant fossils excavated near Bolpur.

West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Ltd: The West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Ltd. (WBWDCL) has contributed towards the development of Eco Park (Prakriti Tirtha) in Rajarhat, and the landscaping and beautification of the Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan), underneath a portion of the Maa Flyover, and in the campuses of ECL, DVC, and the Mejhia and Raghunathpur power stations. The organisation has also contributed towards the beautification of areas within Kolkata Port Trust, and the promotion of angling at Banabitan Biodiversity Park, Salt Lake.

Conservation of medicinal plants: The Research, Monitoring & Development (RMD) Wing of the Forest Department has launched 14 Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas and schemes for the socio-economic uplifting of JFMCs through medicinal plants, and their value addition and marketing. The wing has developed nursery protocols for nutrient supplements, and media and environment protocols.

It has renovated the nurseries in Arabari and Sarugara, the soil testing laboratories in Medinipur and Sarugara, the Llyod Botanical Garden in Darjeeling and the ex situ medicinal plant germplasm conservation area in Amlachati, Jhargram. To ensure ex situ conservation, 435 ha of medicinal trees, herbs and shrubs have been created in south Bengal with the active involvement of JFMCs.

Presently the wing is standardising the tall seedling nursery protocol and working on forest division-wise soil mapping. The RMD Wing has also published research work – a book of 600 medicinal plants of south Bengal.

West Bengal State Forest Development Agency: The West Bengal State Forest Development Agency (WBSFDA) was set up in 2014. It is creating a new mechanism for the implementation of the National Afforestation Programme and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR). It is also working as the nodal unit for facilitating eco-tourism initiatives in the State, including the online booking at 19 eco-tourism centres.

GIS-assisted forest management: The Forest Directorate scientifically manages the State’s forest areas using geographic information system (GIS), as per the Working Plans of the various forest divisions. The Forest Department has introduced latest technologies like ArcGIS, ERDAS image processing software, AutoCAD Map 2000 software and Geo Media Professional software for the preparation of the Working Plans as per the National Working Plan Code 2014.

Thus we find that the State Government has been taking a lot of measures for effectively managing the forest areas of Bengal. As a result, forests in the State are thriving, making Bengal one of the best in the country in terms of managing and increasing forest (both natural and planted) areas.

Source: 7 Years: Chronicles of Bengal’s Progress

Weeklong Vanmahotsav begins today in Bengal

Posted on July 14, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The annual seven-day ‘Vanmahotsav’ begins today in Bengal. The theme for this year is ‘Aranya o banyapran/ Prakriti mayer sabuj daan’, which translates to ‘Forests and wildlife/ Mother Nature’s green gifts’. The slogan has been penned by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee herself.

On this occasion, the State Forest Department will distribute 50 lakh saplings – to State MLAs, and educational and other institutions across Bengal. Fifteen per cent of the 50 lakh would be fruit trees.

All the 294 MLAs of the State will be given 1,000 saplings to plant in their own areas. Schools, colleges, clubs, and various institutions and offices which have space to plant would also be given saplings.

Saplings would be sold from the counter of the Forest Department too. Anyone can go and buy them, at a rate of Rs 2 per sapling. Forest Department products like honey and citronella oil would be sold at a discount of 10 per cent.

As a part of Vanmahotsav, neem trees would be planted across Kolkata – for shade as well as for the fact that they are strong enough to withstand strong winds.

The Forest Department has decided to reward those show good results in taking care of trees, including Forest Department officials and workers – first prize of Rs 1 lakh, second prize of Rs 75,000 and third prize of Rs 50,000.

A special edition of the Forest Department magazine, Banabithi would be published on the occasion of Vanmahotsav.

Source: Aajkaal

Bengal CM flays Centre for not fulfilling promise of taking over 7 tea gardens

Posted on July 12, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today chaired a meeting regarding the condition of tea gardens in north Bengal. The meeting was held at Uttarkanya.

At the end of the meeting, she announced that the government has given clearance to the wage-hike of workers and formed a committee to find a solution to the problems facing tea industry.

She also attacked the Centre for failing to fulfill its promise of taking over 7 tea gardens. The promise was made by a Union Minister during 2016 Assembly election campaign.

Highlights of the Chief Minister’s press meet:

We have allocated more than 1000 crore for the welfare of tea garden workers since 2011.
We need a permanent solution to the problem of tea gardens.
Some trade unions are calling bandhs for their vested political interests
Centre had promised to take over 7 tea gardens before 2016 elections. It was a lie for garnering votes. The tea garden owner went to court, got the tea garden declared ‘abandoned’ and workers are suffering. Centre must withdraw the notification.
Some owners open their ‘abandoned’ tea gardens for some days, and close it down again.
We have formed an expert committee under the leadership of our Chief Secretary. They will submit a report within 3 months.
There are 2.72 lakh workers in tea gardens and 8 lakh non-workers who leave in tea gardens.
We give 35 kg rice at Rs 2 per kg, electricity, water supply to tea gardens.
We have increased wages of tea garden workers after coming to power. The cash component has now become Rs 159. We have given interim relief of Rs 17.50.
Lease of abandoned tea gardens which are closed, will be cancelled and they will be auctioned.
We will take action against organisations which don’t pay PF and gratuity.
We will focus on ICDS through community development programmes.
Non-workers in tea gardens will be given skill development training. They will be given training in poultry farming, rearing hens, ducks etc.
Tea tourism is also under consideration.
Peace prevails in the Hills. People are happy and in peace. We will observe the birth anniversary of Bhanu Bhakta Acharya in the Hills tomorrow.

Thanks to govt infomercial, sale of meat goes up in Bengal

Posted on July 12, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Sale of meat in Bengal has gone up, all thanks to the infomercial that was telecast on different channels to sensitise buyers. The infomercial was created by the State Information and Cultural Affairs Department at the behest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to assure buyers about the right quality of meat. The efforts have borne fruit and have ensured a rise in its sale.

The Government has set up a high-powered committee to evolve a foolproof mechanism to ensure quality meat is sold across the State.

In June, the Chief Minister had held a meeting and directed the concerned officials to create the infomercial. The film urges people to verify before buying that the packaged meat is certified by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and at the same time, not to pay heed to any rumours.

Source: Millennium Post

Bengal Govt to bring school education under the aegis of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

Posted on July 12, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan – a programme created by combining Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan – will now form the basis of the Bengal Government’s approach to school education. This would help in optimising the administration of education in Bengal.

This programme would work for all aspects of management and betterment of education (including aspects like the free distribution of school textbooks, shoes and uniforms) right from the pre-primary to the higher secondary level.

A person experienced in the administration of education would be nominated by the State Government for heading the programme. There would a district head for each of the districts too.

Scientists would be inducted in the programme to visit schools and awaken interest in science among students.

Source: Sangbad Pratidin

Bengal Govt mulls increasing paternity leave

Posted on July 12, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal government is planning to increase paternity-cum-child care leave for its employees from 30 days to 45 days.

The Trinamool Congress Government was the first State Government to introduce paternity-cum-child care leave, in February 2016. It was introduced, considering that it would be of great help for the male employees to discharge their responsibilities towards their children in a better way.

All male employees of the Panchayat and other local bodies, boards, sponsored and non-government aided schools and colleges, state-aided universities and companies, corporations and undertakings are entitled to get the paternity-cum-child care leave.

Paternity leave can be taken during the birth of the child or at any time at a stretch, up to 18 years of his child’s age.

Source: Millennium Post

Skill development training for employment in jute industry

Posted on July 6, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government has announced the starting of a skill development programme for people wanting to get employed in the jute industry.

Jute is a traditional industry of Bengal. Though it has suffered for many years, with the earnest effort of the Trinamool Congress Government, things are gradually looking up.

Important features of the programme are the provision for stipends and placement opportunities in the jute industry.

The courses, to be run by the Labour Department, would run for a period of three months, of which one month would be theoretical training and two months would be practical training.

The training centres have been set up at the employment centres in Bankura, Howrah and Dum Dum. With regards to qualifications, the minimum educational qualification should be class 8 passed and the minimum age should be 18 years.

Source: Govt ad

New initiatives taken by the Cooperation Department in Bengal

Posted on July 6, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government’s Cooperation Department has taken several initiatives to improve the reach of cooperative societies across the State by converting cooperative societies into banks, and introducing computerisation and modern banking services. Regular audits of cooperative societies are being conducted and special initiatives are being taken for increasing memberships of cooperative societies.

New initiatives

Overhauling rural cooperative system: The department has set a target of overhauling the entire rural cooperative system and mobilising deposits of about Rs 1 lakh crore in the next two to three years. As a result, cooperative banks and primary agricultural credit societies (PACS) will be able to contribute more effectively towards various Government schemes and extend loans to SHGs. They should be able to extend at least 50 per cent of the almost Rs 40,000 crore loan required annually for crop production and marketing.

Banking for the unbanked: The department has set a target of opening at least 75 cooperative bank branches in unbanked gram panchayats (GP) by the end of financial year 2018-19.

Modern banking: Modern banking facilities, viz., ATM, RTGS, NEFT, etc. are being provided at existing cooperative banks. Till now, 350 branches of West Bengal State Cooperative Bank (WBSCB) and Central Cooperative Bank (CCB) have already been CBS-enabled and 80 ATMs are in operation. Besides, mobile ATM services have also been introduced.

Assistance to PACS: An assistance of Rs 34.75 crore has been given for the computerisation of 2,780 primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS).

New cold storage units: Construction of six cold storage units has been taken up, having a total capacity of 49,000 MT, which are likely to be completed during the current year.

Regular audit: Initiatives have been taken to conduct timely and regular audit of cooperative societies.

Increasing membership: Special initiatives have been taken to enhance the memberships of cooperative societies.

Samabay Bhavans: The State Government has decided to establish Samabay Bhavans in all the districts to accommodate all offices related to the Cooperation Department under one roof. So far, bhavans have been completed in Purba Bardhaman (Bardhaman), Paschim Bardhaman (Asansol), Bankura, Purulia, North 24 Parganas and Paschim Medinipur. Construction is going on in Malda.