TMC releases manifesto for Siliguri Municipal Corporation election

With the election to the Siliguri Municipal Corporation scheduled for 25 April, 2015, Trinamool Congress on Friday released the party’s manifesto outlining its goals and mission for the city. The manifesto – which was released in the presence of Gautam Deb, Darjeeling district president of Trinamool – has been drafted keeping in mind the need of the citizens and their well being.

The issues covered in the manifesto include clean water, land distribution, public health, development of backward areas, and improvement of infrastructure and schemes for people living below the poverty line.

In the manifesto, TMC has vowed to address the drinking water crisis in the area with top priority. A proposal to start Rs 312 crore water project to provide fresh drinking water to the people is in the pipeline.

The manifesto also talked about building overbridges, providing health insurance cover to people, distributing land pattas among other things. The slum areas will be developed and will be provided with free clean drinking water.

WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee has always stressed on beautification; the manifesto also talked about the development and beautification of at least one public park in every ward. The manifesto also proposes to modernise the solid waste management system as well as the underground sewerage and drainage system.

The manifesto was drafted after receiving inputs from common people, experts and party officials. Trinamool is committed towards building a better Siliguri.

We demand state-funded elections: Mamata Banerjee at Barabazar

Trinamool Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee today started her municipal campaign by addressing a rally at Satyanarayan Park in Barabazar area.

She highlighted the cosmopolitan culture of Bengal during her speech and asked people not to vote for BJP which wants to destroy the liberal culture of the State.

People are the pillar of democracy

“In a democracy, people are our strength. We must reach out to them without arrogance. Trinamool Congress believes in free, fair, peaceful polls. People are the pillar of strength for a democracy. People are our family, doesn’t matter what your religion or language is,” she said.

The Chairperson added, “BJP wants to pit Hindus against Muslims, Christians against Hindus. They want to create fissures between people. Tyag ka naam hai Hindu, Iman ka naam hai Mussalman. Pyar ka naam hai Isai. Sikh ka naam hai balidan. Yeh hai hamara Hindustan.”

Mamata Banerjee reiterated that people cannot be fooled with lies and they will vote for development. She added that BJP, CPM and Congress were different sides of the same coin as they only engage in slander. She also slammed a few media houses for manufacturing propaganda against TMC.

TMC cannot be targeted with CBI

The Chairperson also took on the Opposition for levelling baseless charges against her regarding chit funds. She made it clear that it was TMC-led government that arrested the owner of a chit fund company from Kashmir.

She also said that just before elections, TMC is being targeted with CBI. “This is because we fight for the rights of people,” she added. “Narendra Modi can send 500 notices to TMC if he wants. We will not budge from our stand on Land Bill,” she dared the Centre.

Sale of paintings

Regarding sales of her paintings and books she said: “They are questioning my paintings and books. Who are they to ask these details? We have filed IT returns. I don’t claim to be a professional painter. I draw on canvas whatever I feel like. If people give us even one penny from their hard-earned money, it is a big blessing for us. Proceeds from the sales of my paintings and books go to the party. I don’t take a rupee. I even pay for my tea at Nabanna.”

Electoral reforms

Mamata Banerjee also called for electoral reforms, “We are a small party. We don’t have crores of rupees like other parties to launch multi-crore ad campaign. We have demanded electoral reforms since 1995. We demand state funding of elections. There is no hide and seek. Jago Bangla did an open exhibition of my paintings. They filed an affidavit. We also donated money from the sale of paintings to charity.”

Abhishek Banerjee slams BJP at Tala Park

Trinamool Youth Congress today organized a huge rally at Tala Park in support of the Trinamool candidates for the Kolkata Municipal Election 2015.

TMYC National President Abhishek Banerjee, who was the main speaker, slammed the Opposition for the slander campaign against Mamata Banerjee.

Abhishek slams Centre

“Mamata Banerjee has been working relentlessly for Kolkata and the districts for the last five years. From beautification to setting up of modern garbage compactors, a lot of development happened in the last five years,” he said.

He also lashed out against the Centre for using agencies like CBI for political purpose. “Some people think they can gag our voice with the help of CBI, ED, SFIO. The more they harass Mamata Banerjee, the stronger our resolve will become,” he said.

BJP’s false promises

Abhishek added, “The Centre promised Achhe Din after elections. What have we got? U-turns. This is a govt of U-turns. Those who have no idea about the culture of Bengal, want to come to power in Bengal. They think they can come to power with the help of a few media houses. Media doesn’t vote, people do.”

Abhishek clearly underlined the fact that Trinamool was fighting the elections on the plank of development. He challenged the BJP to compare Mamata Banerjee’s first ten months in power with that of the Centre. He dared them to compete based on facts.

Agenda of development

Abhishek also credited Mamata Banerjee for solving the law and order situation in Jangalmahal and Darjeeling. He said while no CM visited these areas in the past, Mamata Banerjee visited the Hills 42 times.

He asked people to vote against the terror of CPM, vote against BJP’s communal politics, vote for development, vote for Trinamool.

Marked improvement in paediatric healthcare infrastructure in Bengal

While we must admit that the infrastructure for paediatric ventilation in West Bengal, and rest of the country, needs a lot of improvement, it is also true that if there are exists 40 such ventilation units now in the State, four years ago we did not have even four.

Undoubtedly, in the last couple of years there has been a much needed improvement in paediatric intensive care infrastructure. Despite being someone from outside the periphery of government medical system, I have no hesitation in admitting about this improvement. The facilities available in Chittaranjan Seba Sadan are at par with any other such facility in the country.

The focus should be on primary healthcare; improvement in healthcare infrastructure will bring down the mortality rate and reduce our dependence on ventilators.

It is very painful indeed to see children sick or dying. But when these children are getting treated and cured by relentless efforts of government run hospitals like BC Roy Hospital, SSKM Hospital, Chittaranjan Shishu Sadan, why does the media not highlight such stories?

 

originally written by Dr Prabhas Prasun Giri, Assistant Professor, Institute of Child Health, Kolkata

KMC Election 2015 Campaign: Borough IV and V

Members of AITC Digital Desk tool a sneak peek at the campaigns for the Kolkata Municipal Election, 2015, by All Indian Trinamool Congress at Ward Nos 25, 26, 27, 39, 40 and 44 in Girish Park-College Street- Colutolla Street area of Borough IV and V. Campaign by Trinamool Congress in these areas has been based on the numerous developmental works including beautification of the areas.

Ward No: 25 –
AITC candidate Smita Bakshi

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Smita Bakshi inspects beautification works at at Girish Park

The Ward lies bounded by the Nanda Mullick Lane & Vivekananda Road in the North, Madan Chatterjee Lane and Mukta Ram Babu Street in the South, Bidhan Sarani and Chittaranjan Avenue in the east and Rabindra Sarani and Chittaranjan Avenue in the west.

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Open air stage at Girish Park

Smita di has completed visiting every household in the locality. Water supply, beatification of Girish Park, Tejendranarayan Park has been the high points in this ward. Smita lays stress on providing day-to-day civic amenities in her ward along with its beatification. A High Mast is also being set up in the Girish Park crossing. There is no community hall in this area and Smita di is eager to set up one in spite of the problem of space.

Ward No: 26 –
AITC candidate Rabin Chattopadhyay

The Ward lies bounded by the Beadon Street in the north, Vivekananda Road and Nanda Mullick Lane in the south, Bidhan Sarani in the east and Rabindra Sarani and Chittaranjan Avenue in the west.

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GraffitiRabin Chattopadhyay

This ward houses the historical Simla Street, the . The serenity of this area has been maintained during the last five years. A clean atmosphere along with all the available amenities has been the high point of this ward.

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Spic and span surrounding near the ancestral house of Swami Vivekananda

Ward No: 27 –
AITC candidate Minakshi Gupta

The Ward lies bounded by the Abhedananda Road in the north, Kailash Bose Street and Mohendra Sreemani Street in the south, Bidhan Sarani in the east, Rabindra Sarani and Chittaranjan Avenue in the west.

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Modern bus stand in Ward No 27

From modern bus stands to kiosks of cold drinking water, this ward has seen a tremendous upliftment during the last five years under the Trinamool-run KMC board. Spic and span streets with all the daily-needed civic amenities are high points of this ward.

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Tejendranarayan Park for children in Borough IV

Ward No: 39 –
AITC candidate Md Jasimuddin

The Ward lies bounded by the Muktaram Babu Street in the North, Mahatma Gandhi Road in the south, Bidhan Sarani and College Street in the east and Chittaranjan Avenue in the west.

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Kiosks of cold drinking water in Ward No 39

The College Street Market area, which falls under this ward, has been transformed during the last five years under the KMC Board run by Trinamool. Kiosks of cold drinking water, cleaning up of the neighborhood has been the key points here.

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Graffiti at Ward No 39

Ward No: 40 –
AITC candidate Swapna Das

The Ward lies bounded by the Keshab Chandra Sen Street in the north, Siddheswar Chandra Lane, Madhu Gupta Lane and Surendralal Pyne Lane in the south, Raja Rammohan Sarani in the east and College Street the west.

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Banner of Swapna Das in Ward No 40

The College Square is now a cleaner are and boasts of a park for children. The area is cleaned by KMC sweepers even during the midday. The heritage sites are well maintained in this educational hub of the city. 29 lanes have been provided with new water connections. Two garbage compactor machines have been installed in the ward. Lanes have been lit up, road indicators installed in this area along with renovation of sewerage system.

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Road being cleaned at mid-day in Ward No 40

Ward No: 44 –
AITC candidate Rehana Khatun

The Ward lies bounded by the C.I.T. Road, Moulana Saukat Ali Street, Tarachand Dutta Street and Mahatma Gandhi Road in the north, Bipin Behari Ganguly Street and Dr. Lalit Banerjee Sarani and Zakaria Street in the south, College Street and Chittaranjan Avenue east and Chittaranjan Avenue, Nawab Badruddin Street, Kanai Seal Street, Phears Lane, Sreenath Babu Lane and Rabindra Sarani in the west.

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Renovated Muhammed Ali Park

The area under the present councillor has seen tremendous upliftment during the last five years under Trinamool-run KMC Board. Landmarks like the Muhammed Ali Park are now well maintained and cleaned. Civic amenities are easily available.

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Show of support in Borough V

Despite torrential rain, huge turnout at Trinamool’s Tala Park rally

Trinamool Youth Congress organized a huge mass rally at Tala Park Minibus Stand on 7 April, 2015 in support of the Trinamool candidates of the Kolkata Municipal Election 2015 in Borough I.

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Hoarding for the campaign rally near Tala Park

The chief speaker of the rally was Trinamool Youth Congress President and MP Abhishek Banerjee.

AB Tala parkGates near the rally site

Present at the rally were Trinamool candidate for Ward No 1, Sita Jeswara, candidate for Ward No 2, Puspali Sinha, candidate for Ward No 3, Dr Santanu Sen, candidate for Ward No 4, Goutam Haldar, candidate for Ward No 5, Tarun Saha and candidate for Ward No 6, Suman Singh.

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The rally starts …

In spite of torrential downpour, the rally was a huge success with inspiring speeches by Dr Santanu Sen, the local MLA Mala Saha and Trinamool Chhatra Parishad President Ashok Rudra.

 

AB Tala parkCrowds gather withstanding rain to listen to their favourite leader

Trinamool Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee took the stage at around 7 PM withstanding the gutsy wind, torrential rain and thunder. In his brief speech he said that the opposition will be losers by huge margins. He said that another rally will be organized on 9 April at 4 PM at the same venue.

AB Tala parkTrinamool Youth Congress President Abhishek Banerjee speaking at the rally

Centre trying to gag voices of dissent, spreading communal tension: Mamata Banerjee

Trinamool Congress today organised a massive protest rally against the NDA government’s proposed ordinance to bring in amendments to the Land Acquisition Act.

Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee led today’s rally against the ‘draconian ordinance’, as people from all segments of the society marched with her from from Moulali till Mayo Road near the Gandhi statue. The Chairperson launched an attack on the central government while addressing the gathering at Mayo Road.

Sudip Bandyopadhyay, who also spoke at the rally said, “The party has been consistent in its opposition to the forcible land acquisition policy. TMC was the only party to oppose UPA II’s land bill and call for division on the floor of Rajya Sabha in 2013.”

Highlights of the Chairperson’s speech:

My dear brothers and sisters. I thank you all for walking in today’s massive rally. This government has promulgated this ‘kala’ ordinance not once but twice.

Only TMC carried out people’s movement for farmers at a time when no one considered this issue. We carried out 26 day hunger strike for farmers of Singur. We fought for the people of Nandigram & Netai. We have always maintained transparency and consistency in our stand. We are against forcible land acquisition.

 

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Trinamool Chairperson at today’s rally

The Central Govt has taken several anti-people measures. From railway to retail, they are bringing FDI. The Central Govt is promoting communal violence. They are practising politics of divide and rule. The work of a government is to provide good governance. This govt is instead promoting communal violence. This Central Govt is one of empty promises. They only talk of giving funds. They have reduced allocations for most schemes.

We don’t want your money. Just stop taking our taxes.

This Govt is misusing CBI, ED, IT Dept, NIA for political purposes. People who were happy when BJP came to power are now saying “yeh achha din nahi hai”. Doordarshan has become BJP-Darshan. In Delhi CPM and BJP pretend to fight. But in Bengal they are bhai-bhai. PIL has become Political Interest Litigation now.

The Opposition will lose in Municipal Polls just like they lost at Bongaon & Krishnaganj. We have not come to power overnight. We have a history of struggle.

Why are they asking for accounts of Trinamool? We are a poor party. What about parties who spent crores for LS polls? The system is to submit accounts and records to EC. Why should we submit them to someone else?

We fought against CPM for 34 years. Now they cannot win polls. So all they do is appear on TV studios. Has the CPM forgotten about 21 July? Have they forgotten about Coochbehar? Dhonekhali? What has the CPM not done? People have not forgotten about their reign of terror.

A party which cannot protect its party HQ from its own workers wants to come to power in Bengal.

 

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Posters and banners at today’s rally

From land bill to any undemocratic, anti-people measures – we will protest against everything. Opposition trusts forces more than the people during elections, it seems.

Every time elections approach, Central agencies send notices to TMC. Let’s compete on the agenda of developmental work. I challenge the Opposition. The more they try to attack me, my resolve strengthens.

I have conducted 80 district tours. Secretariat goes to districts now, not the other way round. The slander campaign will be defeated. The smear propaganda will be silenced. People will win in a democracy. Despite all odds, Bengal is surging ahead on the path of development. Even if they take away our revenue, development will continue in Bengal.

Vote for Trinamool in the upcoming municipal polls. Shower us with your blessings. Our Mayor has done excellent work in last 5 years; he will do even better in future. Kolkata is cleaner and greener now. Vote for Trinamool. Vote for development.

 

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Chairperson addressing the rally at Mayo Road

The changing face of Kolkata under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee

In the course of last 5 years, Kolkata has undergone a face-lift, under the initiatives of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). The Trinamool-run KMC has undertaken various measures for the residents of the city.

Under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and the initiatives of , the ‘city of joy’ is now even more beautiful.

From beautified road dividers to modernised automated garbage vats; underpasses to beautified banks of river Hoogly, Kolkata is now a clean and green city.

Few instances of the changing face of Kolkata:

 

Mordernised VAT:

Battery Operated Garbage Van

KMC - clean city

Kolkata Municipal Corporation has introduced mechanised garbage vans in place of the hand held vans

 

E-services:

E-services and Web Portals (1)

KMC has introduced a host of online services for the citizens like assessment-collection, birth-death certificates, water supplies, car parking and others

 

Road:

E M Bypass

The underpass constructed in Ultadanga has helped to make traffic smooth for the area

 

City beautification:

City Beautification Projects - Road Dividers

Ganga Ghat

City Beautification Projects - Parks

Kolkata has transformed into a clean and a green city

 

Initiatives for mosquito prevention:

Prevention against mosquito borne diseases

KMC has taken several measures to prevent mosquito borne diseases.

 

When it comes to providing quality services to residents, TMC-run Kolkata Municipal Corporation has lived up to the promises made in 2010.

 

Education for all: KMC initiative to provide free education makes mark

 

To provide basic education to the poor children within its jurisdiction without any discrimination of caste, religion or community is the basic principle on which Kolkata Municipal Corporation runs its schools.

This free education does no way mean it is not at par with other paid schools in the city. To keep up with the quality of education and to spread its reach, in February 2015, 24 new schools were inaugurated by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation at Uttam Manch by Sovan Chatterjee, Mayor of Kolkata. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had earlier announced the plan of setting up six Junior schools, eight English medium schools and ten Montessori schools at the Uttam Mancha near Kalighat.

Along with imparting education, KMC also attaches local parks and playgrounds to these schools to encourage the students to take up sports and extracurricular activities.

Highlights of KMC’s initiative in spreading education:

• No. of KMC Schools at present are 263 including three streams i.e. Bengali, Hindi and Urdu (Boys & Girls).

• No. of Bengali Medium Schools are 154

• No. of Hindi Medium Schools are 46

• No. of Urdu Medium Schools are 56

• No. of Mixed (Bengali & Urdu) Medium Schools are 5

• No. of Mixed (Hindi & Urdu) Medium Schools are 2

With the Financial assistance of Govt. of West Bengal, KMC is organizing 102 centres of Child education (S.S.K) between 01 to 141 Ward in different streams.

• Bengali Medium: 72 Centres

• Hindi Medium: 10 Centres

• Urdu Medium: 17 Centres

• Odiya Medium: 01 Centre

The following schemes have been undertaken in KMC Schools for the benefit of KMC School Children and /or the children of the neighbouring areas.

• Annual Sports meet of KMC School Children.

• Participation in State Level Sports on regular basis

• Distribution of national text books amongst the children of KMCP Schools and S.S.K. on free of cost.

• Libraries for students

• Participation in integrated learning project evaluation through Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (S.S.A.).

• Various training programme for development of scientific concepts of the children of KMCP Schools are arranged by Education       Department, KMC with the financial assistance of UNICEF.

• Celebration of International Literacy Day on 8th September every year.

• Distribution of School Uniforms.

• Distribution of academic prizes and sport prizes.

• Distribute Mid-day-meal to all students of KMC schools

• Celebration of auspicious days namely Netaji’s Birthday, Republic Day, Rabindra Jayanti, Independence Day etc.

• Participation of School Children in sit & draw programme.

• Participation of school children in educational tour to places of Historical interest.

• Arrangement of school wise exhibition on improvised models.

• Work Education and Physical Education.

Trinamool pays homage to martyrs of Nandigram Movement on Nandigram Divas

On the eighth anniversary of the Nandigram genocide that happened on 14 March 2007 Trinamool Congress paid homage to the martyrs of Nandigram Movement on Nandigram Divas.

Trinamool Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, MPs, Sisir Adhikari and Suvendu Adhikari, Firhad Hakim and other leaders paid tribute to the martyrs with floral wreaths on the Shahid Bedi at Bhangabera in Nandigram.

In 2007, on this very day, 14 innocent people, farmers and their families were killed and more than one hundred innocent villagers were injured by police firing while protesting against forced acquisition of multi-crop farm land by the then Left front Government.

The barbaric attitude of brutal massacre of innocent and helpless villagers, shown by the Left Government, can only be comparable with the Jalianwala Bagh Massacre.

The Nandigram Movement

The People’s Tribunal on Nandigram has called the violence of 14 March 2007 a ‘pre-planned, state-sponsored massacre’ carried out ‘to teach a lesson’ to people opposing the SEZ project on their land.

On January 2, 2007 farmers of Nandigram protested after getting a letter on land acquisition by the then West Bengal Government. Six people died in the clash and the farmers blocked the area earmarked for the SEZ. The movement gained momentum in the next two months that culminated in the killing of 14 poor farmers on March 14 in police firing.

Trinamool Chairperson Ms Mamata Banerjee rushed to the spot to meet the victims. She was assaulted and had to be hospitalized after being hit by a stone while on her way to areas affected by violence.

The brutal killings helped in mobilising the intellectual class of well-known writers, artists, poets and activists including, Mahasweta Devi, Aparna Sen and Medha Patkar against the forceful land acquisition.

The Left Government was forced to withdraw its plan to set up the chemical hub in Nandigram.

Present

After the Trinamool Government was established in Bengal, Chief Minister Ms Mamata Banerjee, announced a raft of development proposals, including an industrial cluster. An industrial cluster will be set up at Nayachar on 4500 acre to provide direct employment to 10,000 people and a tourism cluster of international standard on 268 acre which will boost the economy of the area, she announced.

The West Bengal Government has also declared 14 March as Krishak Divas to uphold the rights of farmers.