Bengal Govt setting up cluster for fireworks manufacturing industry

Bengal Govt setting up cluster for fireworks manufacturing industry

Posted on June 26, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

With a view to developing the manufacturing of fireworks as a major industry and control illegal manufacturing, the Bengal Government has decided set up fireworks manufacturing clusters across the State.

There are many villages where manufacturing firecrackers is the source of livelihood for many. The new policy would put a proper structure in place.

Manufacturing of fireworks is a recognised small-scale industry in the State, but it needs more organisation. Hence the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise and Textiles Department is coming up with the policy of setting up manufacturing clusters.

The Government has roped in Fireworks Research and Development Centre (FRDC) to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to set up a cluster of fireworks factories on 50 acres at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas.

Based on the DPR, manufacturing clusters will be set up in the districts of Hooghly, Howrah, Murshidabad and Purba Bardhaman.

The policy would ensure a single-window opportunity for acquiring license and environment certificate by interested manufacturers.

It would ensure that the families involved in the manufacturing of firecrackers get to work in a better, safe and hazard-free environment. The clusters will have facilities for testing of materials to ensure quality control. The processes for manufacturing would be standardised.

There will be separate entry and exit points at each of the units in a cluster and those will have proper working conditions like adequate light, air, safety measures, etc. Moreover, warehouses for storing highly inflammable materials will be properly planned.

Source: Sangbad Pratidin

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Bengal Govt to provide year-round training to farmers

Posted on June 26, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Agriculture Department has initiated steps to ensure round-the-year training programmes for farmers at Mati Tirtha, located in the district of Purba Bardhaman.

The requirement for year-round training was felt to ensure that farmers keep getting regular updates on agricultural activities, including on the latest techniques, and are able to implement the same.

A team of senior officials from the Agriculture Department had visited Mati Tirtha on June 13 and prepared a detailed report on the sort of infrastructure required for round-the-year training of farmers.

Mati Tirtha is the permanent venue of Mati Utsav that takes place in January every year where, among other activities, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee felicitates successful farmers from different parts of the State.

Source: Millennium Post

KMC pilot project to put overhead wires underground on Park Street

Posted on June 26, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) will undertake a pilot project on Park Street with the idea of putting all overhead wires underground. Wires hanging from lampposts, trees and every vantage point are an eyesore in the city’s skyline, and hence the decision.

It will be done in conjunction with the State Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department and a number of agencies like cable service MSOs (multiple system operators), CESC, BSNL and similar stakeholders who have overground wires.

After the pilot is completed, similar projects, with whatever modifications required, will be undertaken all across Kolkata.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing MSOs and cable operators during a meeting last April, had asked them to clean up the mess of wires and had urged all stakeholders, including the KMC, Public Works Department (PWD) and utility services, to chalk out a suitable plan.

Source: Millennium Post

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Bengal Govt invites applications for second phase of Bonyopran Sathi scheme

Posted on June 24, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government is ready with the second phase of its highly successful scheme, Bonyo22pran Sathi (Honorary Wildlife Volunteer Service Programme), which offers wildlife enthusiasts the opportunity to venture into core areas of forests, especially in north Bengal and the Sundarbans, to get real-life experiences on how to deal with animals and in the process, learn about them through hands-on experience.

Interested participants for this study-cum-adventure programme of the Forest Department have to submit a form, the last date for which is June 30.

Those who will go into the forests will go as conservationists and not merely as tourists, said the Forest Minister while announcing the dates and other details. He said that this is one-of-a-kind scheme in the country.

After the completion of the programme, the enthusiasts will be expected to spread the message of wildlife protection and environmental conservation in their localities.

As part of the programme, visitors will stay with forest guards in camps, which will also give them the experience of keeping guard in a forest. Before a tour starts, the visitors will be provided a day-long training on how to behave if they come close to animals like tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, etc. during their adventure. A team will be accompanied by two Forest Department officials, who will be experts in handling wild animals.

The first phase drew applications from a lot of enthusiasts, and so has the second phase. Applications have already come from a diverse range of people like school teachers, professors, retired Army personnel and businessmen.

There are six national parks and 15 wildlife sanctuaries in Bengal.

Click here to download the form and details about the scheme.

Source: Aajkaal

Bengal Govt to introduce integrated project monitoring system

Posted on June 24, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

To ensure better execution of projects, the State Government is planning to introduce an integrated online platform for monitoring projects undertaken by its departments.

This was decided at a recent meeting of senior officials of some of the crucial departments of the State Government, including Finance Department, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and Public Works Department. The preliminary tasks for introducing the integrated project monitoring system have already been carried out.

It may be mentioned that, after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came to power in 2011, Bengal has witnessed a lot of developmental work. Moreover, in a bid to ensure that all projects are implemented properly and in a time-bound manner, the Chief Minister visits every district to hold administrative review meetings with concerned officials.

The Trinamool Congress Government has also introduced the Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS) and it has simplified the system of managing all finance-related issues.

Source: Millennium Post

India’s first transgender lit fest to be held in Kolkata

Posted on June 23, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

India’s first literature festival for transgender people in the second week of July.

This was recently announced in Kolkata by Sahitya Akademi, whose eastern India branch is organising the meet. According to the organisers, the event will empower the community.

In this connection, it needs to be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always prioritised transgender rights, and the Trinamool Congress Government was only the third State Government to set up a development board for the community in 2015.

Manabi Bandopadhyay, a trendsetter in transgender rights and the vice-chairman of the above-mentioned board, who is also the country’s first transgender college principal, is taking the lead role in suggesting the names of authors who will be participating in the event.

Source: The Times of India

Mamata Banerjee attacks BJP at extended core committee meeting of Trinamool

Posted on June 21, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Lok Sabha elections are around the corner. Ahead of the polls that decide the fate of the country, Trinamool Chairperson Mamata Banerjee instructed party leaders and workers to increase their people’s outreach activities. She was addressing the extended core committee meeting of the party.

The Chairperson said, “You must reach out to the people. Or else there is no place for you in the party. The party will not tolerate those who are inactive.”

She said that Lok Sabha elections could happen three times from now, may be six months. They will surely be held eight months later. She asked the party workers to be ready. She took on the BJP over allegations of EVM tampering.

The Chairperson said, “The work for the revision of electoral rolls has begun. Ensure that the procedures are followed. It is the BJP’s habit to tamper EVMs. Our party workers must be alert and monitor them.”

She also slammed the BJP for their divisive politics. Mamata Banerjee said, “We are not a militant organisation like the BJP. They are creating fights not only among Christians, Muslims but also among Hindus.”

“They are threatening to carry out encounters. Just because they are in power in Delhi, they are talking about hurling bombs. I dare them to come and touch us. We will show them their place.”

“The CPM is falling at the feet of the BJP and clutching at their straws to stay afloat…Congress is opposing BJP in Delhi and holding hands here. Where are the rules, the principles of the Congress? CPM, Congress, Maoists and BJP… they are the darkest underbelly of society,” the Trinamool chief said.

Suggesting a nexus between the parties, she added, “Four heads have come together. They are looting money, stealing it, and lighting fires”.

She also warned party workers against infighting and complacency. The Chairperson said, “We have formed the party after years of struggle. We have come to power because of people’s support. If someone thinks they are bigger than the party, the doors are open for them to leave. Only Mamata Banerjee will work, this cannot be the way.”

She also asked district-level leadership to take up programmes in the run up to 21 July rally. Mamata Banerjee also asked the party to step-up the protests against rising fuel prices.

Sangeet Mela and Sangeet Samman – Honouring the talent of Bengal

Posted on June 21, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

It is well-known that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a connoisseur of the arts – be it music, dance, art or anything else.

Under her initiative, every year, the Trinamool Congress Government has been organising Bangla Sangeet Mela successfully. The festival has turned into one of the foremost cultural extravaganzas of the State.

After taking over as the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee also started the tradition of honouring the musical talent of Bengal with Sangeet Samman and Sangeet Mahasamman awards.

At the last festival, held from December 23 to 30, 2017 across nine venues, more than 3,000 artistes performed. Veteran artistes from across Bengal, including thousands of folk artistes participated.

The Sangeet Mela is not only a musical treat but also a platform for new and upcoming artistes to showcase their talents.

West Bengal: Development at its best wins the Panchayat

Posted on June 20, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government publication, West Bengal, has published a special supplement (February-May 2018), titled Development at its Best Wins the Panchayat.

The issue focuses on the development in various sectors in Bengal that have been brought about by the Trinamool Congress Government.

The supplement has been brought out in both English and Bengali.

The English version of the book can be accessed by clicking here.

Autism township, a first in India, to come up in Bengal

Posted on June 18, 2018 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister has announced the setting up of a first-of-its-kind autism township project in Bengal.

At the press conference, he also said investment proposals worth Rs 39,000 crore have come in the urban development and infrastructure sector during the just-concluded Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS).

According to the minister, the autism township will not only be the first such in India but in the entire world. There will be a hospital, a residential complex, a school, a day-care centre, a conference hall and training facilities, all pertaining to autism, under one roof.

The township will come up on 50 acres in Shirakole on Diamond Harbour Road, near Usthi in the South 24 Parganas district. It will be constructed by a private company at an investment of Rs 600 crore, and will be ready within four years.

The joint managing managing director of the company has said that it is also planning to set up a college which will churn out qualified professionals working in the area of autism.

Source: Millennium Post