How can they remove Rabindranath Tagore from the books? He is India’s first Nobel laureate: Mamata Banerjee

Posted on July 25, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today held a media interaction outside the Central Hall of Parliament, after attending the oath-taking ceremony of the new President of India.

She spoke on a variety of issues, including the issue of a recommendation given to the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development for the removal of works by Rabindranath Tagore from NCERT textbooks.

On the recommendation for removal of works by Tagore from NCERT textbooks

How can they remove Rabindranath Tagore from the books? He is India’s first Nobel laureate. He is not just the pride of Bengal, but a pride of the world too. Everybody respects him.

Everybody knows the lines from his poem, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”. Every Prime Minister and President has quoted it.

This is absolutely rubbish. I think nobody is supporting this.

Even Ghalib is very popular. So many songs have been made from his works. How can they do such things? This is absolutely wrong. We will fight the battle, and will do whatever we can to end this.

On six Congress MPs of Lok Sabha being suspended for five days yesterday

What happens inside the Parliament is not for me to comment on. But our party is with them.

On a channel’s expose about former SIMI chief Safdar Nagori confessing that the Samjhauta Express was planned by SIMI and Pakistan, and on UPA’s fake Hindu terror theory

I don’t know the full details, so I can’t comment on it.

Baluchari, Kantha and Silk Mela at Salt Lake

Posted on July 25, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

A 20-day ‘Baluchari, Kantha and Silk Mela’ started on July 18 at Salt Lake Sector-III. It would continue till August 6. The fair is open every day from 2 PM to 8.30 PM. The fair is being organised by the State Department of Commerce and Industries.

Craftspeople and handloom workers from all over Bengal are taking part in this fair. Among the various products being sold at the fair are Baluchari and tussar sarees, hand-painted silk sarees, embroidered kanthas, sarees made of silk and cotton, batik print kurtis, t-shirts for children with popular characters from Bengali comics like Gopal Bhand and Handa-Bhonda painted on them, bed sheets, bags, meenakari-on-bronze jewellery and wall hangings.

There is a lot of enthusiasm around the fair.

Source: Aajkal

বালুচরি, কাঁথা ও সিল্ক মেলা হচ্ছে বিধাননগরে

রাজ্য শিল্প ও বাণিজ্য দপ্তরের উদ্যোগে ১৮ই জুলাই থেকে বিধাননগরের সেক্টর ৩-তে শুরু হয়েছে বালুচরি, কাঁথা ও সিল্ক মেলা। এই মেলা চলবে ৬ই আগস্ট পর্যন্ত। প্রতিদিন মেলা খোলা থাকবে দুপুর ২টো থেকে সন্ধ্যে সাড়ে ৮টা পর্যন্ত।

রাজ্যের বিভিন্ন প্রান্ত থেকে হস্তশিল্পী ও তন্তুশিল্পীরা এই মেলায় অংশগ্রহণ করছেন। অন্যান্য জিনিসের সঙ্গে বালুচরি, তসর, হাতে রঙ করা সিল্কের শাড়ি, নক্সা করা কাঁথা শাড়িও পাওয়া যাবে। মিলবে বাটিক প্রিন্টের কুর্তি, ছোটদের জন্য জনপ্রিয় বাংলা কমিক চরিত্রের ছবি দেওয়া টি-শার্ট। বেড-শিট, ব্যাগও পাওয়া যাবে এই মেলায়। মিনাকারী কারুকার্য করা তামার গয়নাও মিলবে এই মেলায়। ঘরের দেওয়াল সাজানোর জিনিসপত্রও পাওয়া যাবে এখানে।

মেলাটিকে ঘিরে মানুষের উৎসাহ বেশ চোখে পড়ার মত।

Vivek Gupta makes a Special Mention on Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd employees’ salaries not getting paid

Posted on July 24, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Sir, my Special Mention today is on stopping the disinvestment of Hindustan Paper Corporation and Bridge and Roof Company Limited. Both are two PSUs which give direct and indirect employment to thousands of people in the country and especially in Bengal. It is unfortunate that the Hindustan Paper Corporation employees have not received their salaries and other related payments for more than eight months. Furthermore, employees who have retired recently have not been paid their dues for more than one-and-a-half years. They are in deep distress and their salaries should be paid immediately. Similarly, instead of making efforts to shut down HPC, efforts should be made to ensure commencement of production of both the units of HPC.
It is also unfortunate that the Government is making all-round efforts to shut down a profit-making PSU, Bridge and Roof Company situated in Kolkata, West Bengal. The company had a turnover of almost Rs 2,000 crore with a profit of Rs 25 crore in 2016-17. It has always funded its entire expenditure and working capital requirement through internal generation of funds, without any Government support. Still the company wants to sell itself, we don’t know why. The company is credited with building defence bridges in border areas and has taken up several projects in the north-east and other sensitive areas; it should be of strategic interest. The Parliament Standing Committee on Industry also suggested against disinvestment of Bridge and Roof Company . The Administrative Ministry should stop forcing the board to take a resolution to sell both companies’ movable and immovable assets.

Thank you Sir

D Bandyopadhyay speaks on The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2017

Posted on July 24, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

India is a leading maritime nation and has a coastline stretching to around 7500 km. Maritime transportation caters to about 95% of its merchandise trade volume and 68% in terms of value.

This Bill seeks to repeal colonial legislations in force under Article 372 of the Constitution of India, namely:

(a) Admiralty Court Act, 1840,
(b) Admiralty Court Act, 1861,
(c) Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act, 1890,
(d) Colonial Courts of Admiralty (India) Act, 1891, and
(e) the provisions of the Letters Patent, 1865, applicable to the admiralty jurisdiction of the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras High Courts

This is a welcome move. These legislations came into force during the colonial era when India had only three major ports — Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Now there are 12 major ports and 205 minor ports in India. Thus, it was the need of the hour to repeal such archaic laws. However, I must point out that the Supreme Court had suggested this in 1992, and it took us 25 years to finally take cognizance.

Firstly, I would like to talk about jurisdiction – The Bill states that jurisdiction in respect of all maritime claims under this Act shall vest in the respective High Courts and be exercisable over the waters up to and including the territorial waters of their respective jurisdictions in accordance with the provisions contained in this Act.

It further adds that Central Government may by notification, extend the jurisdiction of the High Court up to the limit as defined in section 2 of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.

Sir, this is rather ambiguous and may lead to disputes with States. For this to be effective, the jurisdiction of territorial waters needs to be clearly demarcated through the use of modern technology such as satellite mapping, geospatial mapping, etc.

Here, let me point out that, West Bengal had a territorial water dispute with Odisha. However, the two Chief Ministers of the States had a discussion and solved the issue amicably.

Secondly sir, the High Courts have been given power to adjudicate on such matters, but it is a reality that High Courts across the country are overburdened with the number of cases before them for dispensation. The latest data released by the Ministry of Law and Justice reveals that as of December 2014, there are 3116492 civil cases and 1037465 criminal cases pending in High Courts.

We can safely assume that the number has gone up in the last three years. A major cause of this is that the High Courts are not running to their full strength. Thus, we need to ensure that all vacancies of judges in High Courts are fulfilled to ensure speedy dispensation of cases.

It is also important to look into the environmental aspect and ensure that in case of accidents releasing harmful toxic pollutants, we have a system in place to ensure speedy action. I would like to end by saying that this Bill was long pending and we welcome it.

Saugata Roy opposes the introduction of The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2017

Posted on July 24, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, under rule 72(1), I oppose the introduction of The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017. This is a desperate step by a desperate Government. When the banks have reached stressed assets of Rs 9.64 lakh crore, the RBI is being giving the power to refer matters relating to stressed assets to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board.

Earlier also, the RBI had the power to regulate banks but they have totally failed in their action. And it is the same RBI, which did demonetisation and till now has been not able to count the old notes that were deposited with them.

By giving this power to RBI, we detract from its regulatory powers and macroeconomic responsibilities and involve the RBI in microeconomic matters; this will render the management of bank useless, without any work.

That is why we have also opposed the Ordinance because there is no urgency on this matter. NPAs have been rising in this country for a long time. So I want this Bill to be referred to the Standing Committee of Finance.

Saugata Roy speaks on the issue of violence in the name of gau-raksha across the country

Posted on July 24, 2017 | by admin2 | Leave a Comment

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Madam, I have been giving Notices for the last three days on the issue of rampage by gau-rakshaks throughout the country. One 15-year-old boy, Junaid Khan, was stabbed to death in a train in Ballavgarh. Uske pehle Rajasthan ke Alwar mein Pehlu Khan naam ke ek aadmi ko peet ke mar diya gaya.

Jab se BJP ka sarkar hukumat mein aayi hain saare desh mein yeh gau-rakshak tandav kar rahe hein. Madam, Pradhan Mantri bolte hain, lekin koi suntan nahin hain. Is ka matlab Pradhan Mantri un logon ke saath hain – hum bolenge, tum karte raho. Sara desh mein sannata chhaya hua hain.

‘Kanyashree’ helps in reduction of dropout rates among girl students in Purulia

Posted on July 24, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Kanyashree Scheme has resulted in a fall in school dropout rates in Purulia district. As a result, more and more girls are becoming empowered.

Kanyashree is not only about the money that the girls receive but also about the way their characters get built by giving them opportunities to run the clubs under the scheme, empowering them and and making them strong to face all odds.

There are 173 clubs spread over the interiors of Purulia district that are run by girl students. They visit these and help in bringing more girls under the scheme’s umbrella. They also convince parents to send their girls to schools and talk of the benefits of education.

Source: Millennium Post

মেয়েদের স্কুলছুটের হার কমল পুরুলিয়ায়, সৌজন্যে “কন্যাশ্রী”

পুরুলিয়া জেলায় কন্যাশ্রী প্রকল্পের সৌজন্যে মেয়েদের স্কুলছুটের হার কমেছে। ফলস্বরূপ আরও অনেক মেয়েরা স্বনির্ভর হচ্ছে।

পুরুলিয়া জেলায় মেয়েদের দ্বারা পরিচালিত ১৭৩টি কন্যাশ্রী ক্লাব আছে। এই সব ক্লাবের সদস্যারা জেলার বিভিন্ন প্রত্যন্ত অঞ্চল পরিদর্শন করে আরও মেয়েদের এই প্রকল্পের আওতায় নিয়ে আসতে সাহায্য করে। এই মেয়েরা অভিভাবকদের সঙ্গে কথা বলেন ও তাঁদের কন্যা সন্তানকে স্কুলে পাঠানোর পাশাপাশি শিক্ষার উপকারিতাও বোঝান।

কন্যাশ্রী প্রকল্পে শুধু যে মেয়েরা অর্থনৈতিক সহায়তা পায় তাই নয়, তাদের চারিত্রিক গঠনও হয়ে হয় এই প্রকল্পের মাধ্যমে। জীবনের নানা বাধা বিপত্তি অতিক্রম করে, মাথা উঁচু করে বাঁচার প্রেরণা পায় তারা।

10 points Mamata Banerjee said at the July 21 Shahid Dibas rally

Posted on July 21, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

1. We will launch ‘BJP Bharat Chharo Andolan’ from August 9, and will continue at block level till August 30. 18 Opposition parties have come together. We will have a bigger alliance in future. Political arithmetic says Modi Babu will not get even 30% votes in 2019. BJP will not get any seat in Bengal. Saradha or Narada will not be able to save ‘Barda’ (the BJP) in 2019. We have had a history of struggle. We fought against the CPI(M) and drove them out of power. Bengal is with Sonia ji, Lalu ji, Omar Abdullah and everyone who is fighting against the BJP.

We are like royal Bengal tigers. Trinamool must inspire all of India. Let’s show India the way. We will fight for our nation and speak up strongly. ‘Karenge ya Marenge’ – We will save Bengal from BJP. We will fight against the dangabaaz. We will throw the party of rioters out of Bengal. This is our challenge.

2. July 21 is the day we decide our future course of action. 2018 will be the 25th anniversary of July 21 Shahid Dibas. We will observe it as ‘Angikaar Dibas’ which will stand for hope, struggle for existence of all people, the tribals and marginalised. The day stands for democracy and the rights of the downtrodden. The Judicial Commission report says July 21 was a conspiracy in which 13 people were killed in police firing and thousands injured. We will take action against those who fired bullets on that day. All cases lodged against youth activists by the then CPI(M) Govt in July 1993 will be withdrawn. We believe in political courtesy. We will not touch Jyoti Babu or Buddha Babu. Fresh compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be paid to every shahid family.

3. We are not sure if the rights of the people will be secure under this govt at the Centre. Who are they to decide on what one can eat? They are telling pregnant women not to eat non-veg. In the name of gau-raksha, a gau-rakshas has been unleashed on the country. They want Aadhaar even before kids are born. They are depriving students of mid-day meals for Aadhaar. Now should we also need Aadhaar for bathing and getting married? The Centre is bulldozing everyone. What is happening to the right to privacy? They even want to link Aadhaar with mobile numbers.

4. Counter BJP on social media. Bring all fake news to our notice. Complain to the police. Photos of Comilla (Bangladesh), Gujarat riots and even a Bhojpuri film clip are being shared as those of violence in Bengal. Cyber crime is a big crime, we are monitoring such posts. We respect Facebook, not ‘Fakebook’.

5. We will celebrate Sampriti Dibas on August 7 (Rakhee Bandhan). The Bengal Govt will also observe Sampriti Dibas on that day. Police will form ‘Shanti Vahini’ in every area. Do not allow the BJP to incite riots. True Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians do not riot. A few goons with ulterior motives do that. Trinamool workers must take a pledge today to thwart any attempts to foment communal tension in Bengal. Let’s take a solemn pledge today to stop any form of communal hostility.

6. Trinamool is the most vocal party against the Centre. So we are targeted the most. But Chorer maayer boro gola. No CBI probe into the corruption in Rajasthan, on Vyapam in MP or on the Reddy brothers in Karnataka. Why is there no CBI probe into the petroleum scam in Gujarat? Trinamool spoke out against demonetisation, so they unleashed the CBI. We spoke against the GST, and they sent the ED. Trinamool does not need character certificate from the BJP. Saradha chit fund was formed during the CPI(M) rule. Has any CPI(M) leader been arrested?

7. The RBI has not yet been able to tell the nation how much black money has been recovered. To recover just Rs 11 crore, they imposed demonetisation. Now GST has ruined the textile industry. GDP growth has dipped. GVA growth in industry sector has come down. There have been job losses in 8 core sectors. Bank credit growth of 10% in 2015-16 has come down to 5% in 2016-17. Economy is on a downward spiral.

8. Over 12,000 farmers have committed suicide across the country. We have done away with tax on farm land. Modi Sarkar has failed on the economic front. Demonetisation was a huge scam. GST will give rise to corruption. Trade and industry have been affected; even the sweet industry is affected due GST. Gujarat’s heera (diamond) has 3% tax while Bengal’s jeera has 14% tax!

9. Dalits, Muslims, even Hindus who criticise the govt are being attacked. Journalists speaking out are losing their jobs. Media houses in Delhi have sold themselves out. They are doing dalali. One channel (beginning with R) has been started with the money from RAW. Amartya Sen is not safe under this regime in Delhi. Paranjoy Guhathakurta had to lose his job.

10. The Centre has soured relationships with all neighbouring countries. Bengal shares borders with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh. Kalidas (referring to Centre) is cutting the branch he is sitting on. We fight like a royal Bengal tiger. It is not easy to defeat us. Hindus, Dalits, minorities, Advasis, the SC/ST, media, sportspersons, intellectuals, artistes are all safe in Bengal. Let them first challenge a July 21 turnout. Then come and challenge us. Arrest 30 lakh workers of Trinamool. If you arrest one of us, another worker will be born.

Slice of Bengal on display at Dharmatala on the occasion of Shahid Dibas

Posted on July 21, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The July 21 mega-public meeting today on the occasion of Shahid Dibas turned into a display of a slice of Bengal.

The stage hosted stalwarts from various fields of arts, sports and culture. People from all walks of life came to the rally in huge numbers to pay tributes to the martyrs of the July 21, 1993 police firing.

Celebrity singers like Nachiketa, Kabir Suman and Indranil Sen enthralled the crowd with their patriotic songs. Several personalities from the Bengali film and television fraternity were present. The Trinamool Congress Chairperson, Mamata Banerjee spoke to each of them individually.

Near the main dais, there was a list of the 13 people who were martyred on July 21, 1993, even as LED screens displayed the proceedings on the dais for the huge gathering of supporters that stretched up to 2km from the venue. Medical camps were set up at various points.

People in all their colours were seen everywhere. From Cooch Behar to Jangalmahal, they came from every corner of Bengal to commemorate July 21.

The Esplanade East area saw colourful dance performances by the Tusu dancers of Jangalmahal, sakhi dancers of Mukutmanipur, tribal dancers of Bankura, chhau dancers of Purulia and dhakis. They won the hearts of the people through their performances.

There were tableaux depicting the history of July 21. People came adorned in the colours of the party – be it cutouts of the party symbol or tricolour shirts and kurtas or decorative headdresses. Teenagers to the elderly braved the possibility of showers to attend the meeting.

It was a spontaneous outpouring of the Maa-Mati-Manush of Bengal.

State Govt to announce industrial township authority in Howrah

Posted on July 20, 2017 | by aitc | Leave a Comment

The Bengal Government will be formally announcing the setting up of an industrial township authority in Howrah in three months.

Surveys are on in full swing at the moment to determine the areas to be brought under the authority. Some 20,000-30,000 acres of Howrah district covering several proposed industrial parks, like ones for foundry, chemicals, plastics and rubber will be notified as part of the industrial township.

The Howrah Industrial Township will be set up on the lines of the Bantala Township and will enable the Government to invest in basic infrastructure for industrial development. The Government is expecting fresh investments to the tune of Rs 46,000 crore in the area.

Source: The Times of India

হাওড়ায় তিন মাসের মধ্যে ইন্ডাস্ট্রিয়াল টাউনশিপ অথরিটি গঠন করবে রাজ্য

আগামী তিন মাসের মধ্যে হাওড়ায় ইন্ডাস্ট্রিয়াল টাউনশিপ অথরিটি গঠন করবে রাজ্য সরকার। কোনকোন জায়গাকে এই টাউনশিপের জায়গায় আনা হবে, সেই বিষয়ে এখন জমি জরিপের কাজ চলছে। এরপর বিনিয়োগকারীরা সেখানে বিনিয়োগ করতে পারবেন। সরকারের আশা, ওই টাউনশিপে ৪৬ হাজার কোটি টাকার বিনিয়োগ প্রস্তাব আসবে।

ইতিমধ্যেই হাওড়ায় বেশ কয়েকটি ইন্ডাস্ট্রিয়াল পার্ক তৈরী করা হয়েছে। এর মধ্যে আছে রবার পার্ক, ফাউন্ড্রি পার্ক, প্ল্যাস্টিক পার্ক। পার্কগুলিকে এক ছাতার তলায় আনার পাশাপাশি নতুন পার্কও গড়ে তোলা হবে এখানে, এমনটাই জানা গিয়েছে।