CM-News-W.B

Chief Minister expresses displeasure at the Center`s delay in releasing funds

July 31, 2011

Kolkata, July 31: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday strongly defended her demand for a special financial package from the Centre and said her government was facing a financial crisis because the previous Left Front government had left behind an empty coffer.

She also said she was unhappy with reports of Union Finance Minister`s comments about the demand for a special economic package from the Centre. `We have not done anything unconstitutional. Nor am I ashamed to demand money for Bengal from the Centre. It is our right to demand funds for the state. One can say things are being run arbitrarily only if after inheriting a debt burden of Rs 2.1 lakh crore we leave after five years leaving a debt burden of Rs 4.2 lakh crore.`

Asked if she would take the taxation route to generate revenues as the Union Finance Minister has advised, the Chief Minister said her government would not `burden the people`.

Referring to Union Finance Minister`s purported comments at his interaction with Congress legislators yesterday, she said: `There is no reason to criticize us in this manner. Ami e shob bhalo bhabe nichchhi na (I’m not taking this well). This is an insult to Bengal and I won’t accept this. Our MPs will raise the issue in Parliament. I’m watching the developments.`

Ms Banerjee stated that in the past the Centre had bailed the Left Front government out from financial stringency. `CPM was given a bailout package of Rs 3,500 crore. We are not resenting that. People of the state had benefited from it. When we can't pay salary to the employees, we have to ask for money. The Centre is like the father of the state governments, so we can ask for help.` She also stated that in the past the Centre had given special package to the Andhra Pradesh as well in a roundabout way.

She stressed that the Prime Minister, too, had promised to offer a special economic package to Bengal. `We have inherited an empty coffer. Why was the Centre silent when the finances of the state were mismanaged by the Left government for 34 years,` she asked. The CM pointed out that she herself and her Finance Minister Amit Mitra had met the PM and Union Finance Minister to discuss special assistance. 

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CM keeps her promises, assures assistance to minority community
July 30, 2011

Kolkata, July 30: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday met the people from different minority communities in a programme organized by West Bengal Minority Development & Finance Corporation and assured them that her government will take all possible steps towards meeting her commitments made in the Trinamool Congress manifesto. She reiterated that her government which is hardly two-months old has already taken positive steps in this direction and that she was constantly in talks with various members from the minority communities. Present on this occasion were representatives from Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist community. 

Ms. Banerjee who is also is the Minister for Ministry Affairs greeted all on the occasion of Ramzan starting next month and rendered the famous saying from Kazi Nazrul Islam `Mora eki brinte duti kusum Hindu Musalman, ekjon tar noyon moni aarekjon tar pran` She added, `We shall together walk ahead hand in hand and create the new Bengal`. 

`I have deliberately kept the Minority office under me as there has been no positive development over the years and I want to see positive development in this regard`, said Ms. Banerjee while the crowd listened to her being spellbound. She raised the question that why the society would regard the minority communities as neglected and deprived when they are no different from the rest. `I feel there is lack of awareness and to bridge this gap we need education`, she said. Expressing her concern for those students belonging to various minority communities who are unable to continue higher education, she said, `those interested to continue higher studies, may now contact the Minority Welfare Commission and you will get the required assistance`.

She said that Minority department will look into issues regarding overall development across the districts in the state and will  construct 37,300 houses under the Indira Awas Yojna, 7000 Anganwadi centres, 49 schools which will impart Urdu language, 717 health centre. `We on behalf of the Minority Commission will install 6,527 tube wells and 5000 solar lights. We will build three polytechnics in these areas which will provide opportunity for education`, added Ms. Banerjee.  She said that her government has given recognition to nearly 10,000 Madrashas in the state.

Ms. Banerjee said it`s the positive attitude which is required to do any work and she tries to work hard towards meeting the goals she has set for herself. `Aamra choli shobuj pane, ke amader bandhbe, roilo jara pechon pane, kandbe tara kandbe` (We walk with positive attitude, who can stop us, those who are left behind, shall repent for not being part of us), she added. She requested the people not to misunderstand her initiative as she is and will continue to work hard in this direction. `We are committed towards building a society where the minority communities will get full respect which it was deprived in the past`, she added. In her famous style Ms. Banerjee concluded her speech with the famous saying by Allama Iqbal, “Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqder se pehle, Khuda bande se ye poochche bata teri raza kia hai” (Make yourself confident to an extent that when the judgment day comes the Almighty will ask you your wish). 

Immediately, after this meeting Ms. Banerjee went to meet retired Justice Rajinder Sacher who had come from New Delhi purposely to meet the Chief Minister and informed him about the latest development on the minority issues.

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West Bengal Government to observe 150th birth anniversary of Tagore, CM declares State Holiday

July 30, 2011

The West Bengal government has made elaborate arrangements to observe the 150th Birth Anniversary of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.  West Bengal Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee who is an ardent admirer of Tagore announced state holiday on August 8 as a mark of respect to the poet. Ms. Banerjee, known for her admiration for Rabindranath Tagore, is often heard of quoting Tagore in her speeches. She announced series of special programmes lined up to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary this year.

Rabindranath Tagore needs no introduction among Bengalis, who since ages have taken refuge in the poetry and songs of the poet in happiness, sorrow and even expressing love. His songs give us the strength to face the challenges in life. Rabindranath Tagore, was always against `Acholayoton` (mundane) and the message is conveyed loud and clear through his writings, poetry, songs, paintings. Shantiniketan (Abode of Peace), a vision which he saw and now a seat of education also speaks of this philosophy.  Rabindrasangeet (Tagore songs) like ‘bandh bhenge dao’, ‘bhenge mor ghor r chabi’, ‘kothao amar hareye jawar nei mana’ are some which that inspires to break free from the daily humdrum. Tagore, a poet and philosopher, as we know him, saw life in very different perspective. In most of his writings, the poet has defined death as `dawn` rather than an end of life. ‘Jokhun porbe na mor payer chinho’ and ‘diner sheshe ghum r deshe’ are some of the songs which depicts many folds of life. Tagore who regarded his short stories as more popular as compared to his novels, once said that his works will admire more after his death and future generation will realize the pain and depth in his writings.

The state government will observe August 8, 9 and 10 which will coincide with 22 e Shrabon (death anniversary). Chief Minister said, `I had planned a series of programmes while in Delhi as Railways Minister to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore and after assuming office as Chief Minister, I decided to form a committee under the leadership of noted theatre person Ms. Shaoli Mitra`. She declared August 8 a state holiday as a mark of respect to the poet. Ms. Banerjee has requested the centre to declare a national holiday. `Then Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi had accepted my request to make holiday to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the poet in 1987`, added Ms. Banerjee.  However, it is not yet decided whether August 8 will be observed as an annual holiday by the state.

Every government department in West Bengal will organize various programmes to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of the poet. `I have requested the government departments to hold special programmes as a mark of respect to the poet`, said Ms. Banerjee who has also requested all the schools, colleges, universities and educational institutions across the state to prepare special programmes and has requested students to participate in large numbers. `We don’t want to pressurize the school students and don’t want them to come to schools on Sunday, hence, we have decided to hold programmes on August 8, 9 and 10. However, I will be happy if the students come out in large number and join the procession on August 8`, she added. She said that initiatives are being carried out across all the districts in West Bengal to organize programmes simultaneously. `The idea is to carry forward the teachings and philosophy of the great poet amongst all. I will be happy if the people participate and our initiative successful`, told Ms. Banerjee.

Initiatives are also being carried out to restore the heritage building. Tagore had visited the Himalayas several times and was fond of the Darjeeling hills. The poet had penned down a few of his classics while staying at renowned author Maitreyee Devi’s house in Mongpu near Kalimpong which he visited nearly four times and was quite fond  off. The house in Mongpu presently transformed into a museum having fond memories of the poet.  Ms. Banerjee informed that the state government has taken an initiative to renovate the house and plans to build a language academy. `We are planning to construct a language academy including a one for Nepali language`, she said.

On August 8, all roads will lead to the Shahid Minar in central Kolkata which will be the venue for the main programme. People will gather at four designated places across the city – Jorasanko, Collage Square, Park Circus and Harish Mukherjee Road and will travel to Shahid Minar in a rally. `I will be present at Harish Mukherjee Road along with children, also present will be people from all walk of life`. Noted singers and performers will perform Tagore’s poetry, songs and dance. A cultural programme will be held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium the same day from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

Ms. Banerjee said that all the government buildings will be illuminated. `I have also asked the Railways Ministry to do the same on their buildings`. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will also join hands in paying tribute to Rabindranath Tagore by putting up large hoarding across the city.