It’s a constitutional breakdown: Mamata Banerjee on proposed change to UPSC

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday spoke out against the proposed change in the allocation of services to candidates who clear the all-India civil services examination, describing it as “very dangerous”. The examinations are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

“What I have come to know about the (proposed changes for) civil servants is very dangerous. They (IAS and IPS officers) used to come through the merit list. Now, if you think that whoever will be an IAS or IPS because of a particular recommendation, then don’t you think it is a constitutional crisis?” Mamata Banerjee told reporters.

“It’s a constitutional breakdown,” she said, adding, “There must be a limit to everything.”

The Centre is considering a major change in the allocation of services to the successful candidates in the civil services examination.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked the Ministry of Personnel to explore if the allocation of services to the probationers can be done after the completion of the three-month foundation course, according to an official communique. At present, the allocation is done on the basis of the ranks obtained in the civil services examination.

 

 

Cyber crime police stations in every district

Cyber crimes are increasing day by day. Posts in poor taste, provocative posts, hacking others’ accounts, etc. on social media and other cyber crimes like banking frauds, etc. are on the rise here, as in so many places across the world.

To combat such online crimes originating in Bengal, the State Government has decided to firm up its cyber crime fighting capabilities. For a start, it is being planned to set up cyber crime police stations in the districts.

Right now there is a cyber crime setup at the police headquarters in Lalbazar, Kolkata. However, having only one such unit hampers proper investigations of such crimes.

The State Police Department is now carrying on a study on which districts to set up the cyber crime-fighting units in, depending on where most crimes emanate from. Gradually such units will be set up in all the districts.

A group of police personnel are given special training on how to handle such crimes. Officers to operate from these district-based cyber crime police stations would be selected from this group. The computers in the police stations would be installed with the special software.

Plans are on to open some police stations this year itself. Budget requirements are being prepared. The Police Department would send the proposals to the Government soon.

 

Mamata Banerjee expresses deep concern over rising fuel prices

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep concern over the sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices, saying it will affect common people.

“We are very concerned about the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This will certainly affect prices all around. Common people, farmers and many will suffer,” Mamata Banerjee said on her official Twitter handle.

It must be mentioned that while the price of petrol stood at Rs 76.57 a litre in Delhi on Monday, diesel hit Rs 67.82 a litre, reflecting a rise of 33 paise and 25 paise through Sunday respectively.

The price of petrol stood at Rs 79.24 in Kolkata, Rs 84.4 in Mumbai and Rs 79.47 in Chennai, as per the Indian Oil Corporation. As far as diesel is concerned, the price rose to Rs 70.37 in Kolkata, Rs 72.21 in Mumbai and Rs 71.59 in Chennai.

 

Committed to working for the people: Mamata Banerjee on the seventh anniversary of Maa, Mati, Manush Govt

On the occasion of the seventh anniversary of Trinamool coming to power, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee greeted the people Bengal and reiterated her commitment towards working for the betterment of the people.

She posted on her Twitter page: “On May 20, 2011 the first Maa, Mati, Manush Government took oath of office. It has been seven years and we continue to be committed to working for the betterment of the people.”

On May 13, 2011, the people of Bengal gave a historic mandate, ousting the Left Front out of power. Mamata Banerjee took oath as the Chief Minister of Bengal on May 20, 2011 at 1:05 PM. To read more about the historic day, click here.

Looking back at May 20, 2011

Shortly before 1 PM, Mamata Banerjee entered the Raj Bhavan. Earlier in the morning, she had visited the Kalighat temple and took blessings of her mother, now late Gayatri Devi. Alighting at the north gate of the Raj Bhavan, she walked in, amidst cheers and slogans from the people waiting outside in thousands.

At 1.05 PM, Mamata Banerjee took oath as the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal. History was created.

Mamata Banerjee takes oath as Bengal CM

Mamata Banerjee and her cabinet took oath in the presence of some 3,000 people that included her party workers and relatives of the victims of violence in Nandigram and Singur. This has perhaps been one of the most crowded swearing-in ceremonies of a chief minister. Along with her, 35 MLAs from Trinamool Congress took oath as ministers of the two-tier ministry. Four of the Trinamool Congress MLAs were sworn in as Ministers of State.

Mamata Banerjee takes oath

 

Clad in a simple white sari and wearing a tricolor uttariya (long scarf) that has by now become her trade mark, Mamata Banerjee took the oath in Bengali in the name of God, which was administered by Governor M.K. Narayanan.

Some hours earlier, Ms Banerjee had set off from her humble Harish Chatterjee Street house on a journey to change Bengal`s course. Thousands of supporters had already lined the route she would take to Raj Bhavan, holding puja thalis and blowing conch shells. Many were barefoot, as if had come to worship a deity.

In Ms Banerjee’s para, the atmosphere was Puja-like. When she emerged from the door, wearing a crisp off-white saree with a blue zari border, a chant of “Didi…Didi” went up. Her car was ready to take her to Raj Bhavan, but the Iron Lady of Bengal walked into the crowd, much to the dismay of her bodyguards from the Special Security Unit. She touched as many hands as she could, smiled, and folded her hands in humility. Someone passed her a microphone.

At exactly 12.55 PM, the Chief Minister-in-waiting walked into Raj Bhavan. She greeted Governor M K Narayanan and took the sheet of paper she was to read from.

 

The historic march from Raj Bhavan to Writers’

Trailed by a sea of supporters, Mamata Banerjee walked the 1 km from Raj Bhavan, where she took oath as the first non-Left Chief Minister in 34 years, to Writers’ Building on Friday, May 20, 2011. Euphoric, swelling crowds — nearly 2.5 lakh — thronged the kilometre-long road to Writers’ Buildings. “Democracy has to be with the people,” she said. “I saw the crowds and asked the governor’s permission to walk to Writers’ Buildings.”

 

writers wave

Her first day at Writers’ Building

 

Bureaucrats and security officers escorted Mamata Banerjee up the same flight of stairs along which she had been dragged down in 1993. In the corridor, she suddenly cut her brisk stride and turned towards a balcony. She stood there for a while and waved to the delirious crowd. A bodyguard swiftly crouched before her, hanging on to the low guard rails to protect her from the mad scramble of photojournalists. With a final wave, Ms Banerjee walked off purposefully to the CM`s chamber. It was 4.44pm.

It was from there that Ms Banerjee had been hauled out 17 years ago. Then a firebrand Congress worker, she had been agitating outside former CM Jyoti Basu’s office, insisting he meet a woman who had been allegedly raped by CPM workers. As the police yanked her out, Banerjee swore to set foot in Writers’ Buildings only after the Left was ousted. On the afternoon of 20 May, she kept her vow.

The first Cabinet Meeting

On her first days as chief minister, the people’s leader broke all protocol. She refused a bullet-proof car, declined the privilege of free passage, instructed police to halt her black car at traffic signals, worked in office until 12.35 AM the day she was sworn in.

 

didi greet

People greet Mamata Banerjee on 20 May, 2011

 

After the swearing-in, Mamata Banerjee chaired her first Cabinet meeting at around 5 PM: Singur topped the agenda, then came her first press conference as CM around 8 PM. Then she sat in her office, allotting ministries to her Cabinet colleagues. The CM left office at 12:35 AM on Saturday.

It is a constitutional crisis in Karnataka: Mamata Banerjee

Calling the political chaos in Karnataka as a ‘constitutional crisis’, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raises question on the alleged “horse-trading” in the State.

“In Karnataka,this is a constitutional crisis. The governor is a constitutional post. he cannot act like a political guide. Why he is not calling the Congress-JD(S) when they have already submitted letter with the adequate numbers. A governor should act abiding by the Constitution and not by his personal choice. I endorse all Opposition leaders’ views in this regard. I support Mayawati Ji, Stalin, Chandrababu Naidu and Akhilesh’s opinion on this issue,” said Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

Hinting at the Karnataka crisis, she said: “Of late, there are so many instances of horse trading. If this becomes a rule, a bad precedence will be set in the country. It will not only destroy democracy, but the country as well.”

 

Compassion and statesmanship hallmark of Didi presser after huge Panchayat poll win

Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, reacting to the Panchayat election results on Thursday evening, said that despite the tie-up between the Opposition parties in some places, including with the Maoists, “The Trinamool has won 90% of the seats where elections were held. This shows how strong we are at the grassroot level.”

“We had candidates in many seats that were uncontested. But the Supreme Court will decide on that. In today’s results, that include the re-polling in about 600 booths which, keep in mind, has not happened before, show that this has been a contest where the CPI(M), Congress, BJP and Maoists have fought together. Even then, Trinamool has won in 90% seats.

“There has been violence and some incidents have taken place. But Bengal panchayat elections are very political. They have been so from the early Left Front rule. We wanted peaceful polling but incidents have taken place, and which are related to both sides. It must be remembered that 10 Trinamool workers have also died. However, a lot of disrespect has been shown, and remarks made that are unconstitutional. We have kept quiet.

“Why did the BSF interfere in the border districts of Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram, bordering the BJP-ruled Jharkhand, and Murshidabad and Malda, bordering Bangladesh? Voting had to be stopped. A lot of money has come in from Assam and Jharkhand. All these will end democracy in the country. The Tripura elections have opened our eyes.

“The Opposition said the filing of nominations was prevented. But over 28,000 Opposition candidates had filed. Then why all these lies? Whenever an incident happened, action was taken. It is very sad for those who have died. We will look after the shahid families, whichever party they may be from.

The presiding officer (of a booth in Raiganj) left early, saying he had a headache. The train driver said his train knocked down a person at the spot where his body was found. The CID is probing the incident. But why are so many accusations flying around? If there was no democracy, then voting would not have taken place for so many seats.

“The BJP-Congress tie-up lost in Murshidabad. It was expected. They will go to any extent. Can you believe that the Maoists are working with the BJP? Lots of injustice have taken place. We want peace. For those who lost, I will say, let us work together.”

She also said monetary help will be provided “in whatever way we can” to the families of those who have lost their lives. On the horse-trading in Karnataka, Mamata Banerjee said, “I will not complain against the BJP or against a particular situation. In general, the situation is bad. Goa, Manipur, and now Karnataka are going that way. Please do not violate the Constitution. Why did the Governor not call Kumaraswamy even after he produced the list of 116 MLAs? This is a constitutional crisis. The Governor cannot decide on the basis of political choice. Democracy must be protected. I spoke with Mayawati ji and Chandrababu Naidu on this. I appeal to the President to please guide the country.”

“There may be differences between political parties. But we must all work for the nation. If regional parties can come together, I will be the happiest,” she concluded.

 

Statement by All India Trinamool Congress on the Panchayat election

People have exercised their rights in polling stations today. A few isolated incidents have taken place, however, which All India Trinamool Congress neither wanted nor supported. The administration today helped the Election Commission and nobody got involved in any instigation.

A few of our supporters were badly injured. But, across the length and breadth of the State, our supporters were the model of tolerance.

The allegation made against us regarding the incident in Kakdwip is untrue. At no time is death welcome. So, be it any party, death of a worker is always a sad event.

The BJP is involved in a dirty game. The way it brought in people from Bangladesh, Assam and Jharkhand to create trouble in border regions is extremely reprehensible and in this, it has indirectly taken the help of the BSF, which is under the control of the Central Government. It was shown on TV how BSF personnel were trying to influence voters standing in queues for casting votes.

Law and order is a State subject, as per our Constitution. Hence, we have written to the Election Commission to investigate how the BSF engaged in these activities without any permission from the State Government.

 

Abhishek features in final episode of FB LIVE, Today 4.30

Trinamool always believes in ‘360 degree communication’. From wall graffiti to street corner meetings and rallies, from door-to-door campaigning to the use of social media – Trinamool lays emphasis on all modes of communication. And no exception was made for the Panchayat polls either.

For the last 12 days, we have been organising Facebook LIVE sessions on our page. The response from the people has been massive. We are thankful to the people for the stupendous outpouring of support.

Today we present to you the last 5tay Panchayat session. Today’s speaker is National President of Trinamool Youth Congress, Abhishek Banerjee. Because of model code of conduct, the LIVE will begin at 4:30 PM instead of 5 PM.

 

 

Seven years of Poriborton: Bengal now the model in development and governance 

May 13 is one of the most important dates in the electoral history of Trinamool Congress. For on this date in 2011, Mamata Banerjee led the party in breaking down the 34-year-old Left citadel and coming to power; again in 2016, on this date, the party returned to power for a second consecutive term, again with a thumping majority.

The mandate of Ma, Mati, Manush has prevailed.

Seven years of running a cash-strapped Government is an inhuman job. However, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has proved more than equal to the task.

Despite a lion’s share of the State’s revenues being taken away by the Centre to service the debt incurred by the Left Front Government, Mamata Banerjee has carried out development in every sector in the State. Unthinkable, yet true.

What has the Government achieved in these seven years? Democracy, peace and progress. Mamata Banerjee has given confidence to the people. There is hope in the air that Bengal can be the best; and it, slowly but surely, is inching its way to the top. From fair price medicine shops to the Kanyashree Scheme, from setting records under the 100 Days’ Work Scheme to massive developments in the Jangalmahal region, Bengal is a national model now.

Seven years ago, Bengal had little to boast about. Now it can boast of Brand Bengal, or Biswa Bangla. Trinamool Congress raised the slogan ‘bodla noy, bodol chai‘ (‘we want change, not revenge’) and has lived up to the principle during the last six years.

 

 

পরিবর্তনের ৭ বছর – বিশ্ব সেরা বাংলা

 

১৩ই মে বাংলার মানুষের কাছে এক ঐতিহাসিক দিন। ২০১১ সালে এই দিনেই বাংলার জনগণের রায়ে ৩৪ বছরের বাম অপশাসনের অবসান ঘটে। ক্ষমতায় আসে মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়ের নেতৃত্বাধীন তৃণমূল কংগ্রেস সরকার। ২০১৬ সালে আবারও বিপুল সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠতা নিয়ে ক্ষমতায় ফেরেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় প্রতিপক্ষদের কুৎসা, অপপ্রচার ও সন্ত্রাসকে জনগণের সাহায্যে পরাস্ত করে।

রাজ্য রাজ্যবাসীর উন্নয়নের প্রতি কতটা দায়বদ্ধতা থাকলে সাত বছর ধরে এই বিপুল দেনার বোঝা বহন করেও এই সার্বিক উন্নয়ন সম্ভব, সেটা প্রমাণ করেছেন মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায়। বামেদের করা ঋণ শোধের জন্য প্রত্যেক বছর এক বিপুল পরিমান অর্থ রাজ্যের কোষাগার থেকে কেটে নিয়ে যাচ্ছে কেন্দ্র সুদ বাবদ। তার ওপর আবার রাজনৈতিক প্রতিহিংসার ফলে রাজ্যের বরাদ্দ অর্থ ঠিকমত পাঠায় না কেন্দ্র। তবুও একনিষ্ঠ ভাবে মা, মাটি, মানুষের সরকার কাজ করে চলেছে রাজ্যের প্রতি ক্ষেত্রে উন্নয়নের জন্য।

বাংলায় গণতন্ত্র স্থাপন হয়েছে। শান্তি ফিরেছে জঙ্গলমহলে। পাহাড়েও উন্নয়নের হাওয়া। একশো দিনের কাজ থেকে শুরু করে কন্যাশ্রী, ন্যায্য মূল্যের ওষুধের দোকান থেকে শুরু করে নির্মল বাংলা অভিযান, ই-গভর্ন্যান্স থেকে কৃষি – সবেতেই সেরা বাংলা।

বাংলা এখন সারা বিশ্বের কাছে একটি মডেল। মমতা বন্দ্যোপাধ্যায় স্বপ্ন দেখেছেন বিশ্ব বাংলা গড়ার। ‘বদলা নয় বদল চাই’ এর স্লোগান দিয়ে যে যাত্রা শুরু হয়েছিল সেই ২০১১ সালে এখন তা বাংলাকে বিশ্ব সেরা করার অঙ্গীকারে পরিবর্তিত হয়েছে।