Minority Development

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


Ever since the Trinamool Congress led by Ms. Mamata Banerjee came to power in West Bengal, special focus has been given to the development of minority communities in the state. The Government works for all, irrespective of their caste, creed or religion. In the last two-and-a-half years, various scholarships worth Rs 993.2 crore have been conferred on 57 lakh students from minority communities.


Scholarships for students: From 2006-07 to 2010-11, only 8.69 lakh students were given scholarships worth Rs 193 crore whereas in 2012-13 alone, 17.72 lakh students were conferred scholarships worth Rs 298 crore. In the financial year 2013-14, till date, scholarships worth Rs 417 crore have been provided to 22.77 lakh students.

More credit for self-employment: During the tenure of this government, credit amounting to Rs 462 crore has been provided to 2.5 lakh minority youths for self-employment. During 2010-11, credit worth Rs 30 crore was given to 5637 people, whereas during 2012-13, credit worth Rs 208 crore has been given to 1.21 lakh people. In financial year 2013-14, till date, 69,000 youths have been provided with credit worth Rs 112 crore.

More reservation in government jobs and higher studies: 94.5% of total Muslim population of the state has been provided reservation in jobs and higher studies.

Due to the continuous efforts of the government of West Bengal and as an outcome of a long-standing demand, the government of India has enlisted 37 new communities as OBCs, out of which 35 are minority communities. This will enhance the scope of education and jobs among Muslims.

Providing bicycles to facilitate education: Bicycles have been provided to 1.82 lakh girl-students from minority communities.

Recognizing Urdu language: Urdu has been recognised as an official language in areas where the Urdu-speaking population is 10% or more of the total. Branches of Urdu Academy are going to be opened in Asansol and Islampur.

New initiatives in the education sector:

• Work for the construction of a new medical college at the border of North and South 24 Parganas, seven polytechnic colleges and 24 ITIs in minority-dominated areas across the state is underway. 238 new hostels are being built for minority students.

• An additional few thousand teachers for 614 madrasahs will be appointed. Besides, construction work for 12 English-medium madrasahs has started. Two new buildings of Aliah University, at Rajarhat and Gorachand Road in Kolkata, are being built at a cost of Rs 298 crore.

• Courses on education (B Ed) and Islamic theology, and the higher secondary section of Anglo-Persian School have recently been inaugurated at the new campus of Aliah University. These have opened a new door for higher studies for minority students.

• 614 madrasahs across the state have been given a total of Rs 3.57 crore as laboratory grant and Rs 2.61 crore as library grant, and 87 madrasahs have been given computers worth Rs 3.68 crore.

• Three thousand seven hundred and fifty madrasah teachers are being trained to acquire B Ed and D L Ed certificates.

Steps for the security of cemeteries: Rs 66 crore has been provided for reforming 1400 burial grounds.

Construction of Haj-house: Construction of the third Haj-house for Haj Pilgrims is going on. Under the Geetanjali and Natun Bari housing projects, 1.48 lakh minority-community families have been given financial help to construct houses.

Marketing hubs to facilitate self-employment: Construction of marketing hubs in 212 blocks have started, with the aim being to construct 500 such hubs across the state. Of these, 109 marketing hubs are being constructed by the Department of Minority Affairs to market products made by minority self-help groups. To provide more employment opportunities, 2.66 lakh people have been given training.

Minority-community buildings in the districts: Eighteen minority-community buildings in 18 districts have been planned; out of this, 15 have already been completed.

Infrastructure development under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP): Under this project, 11,196 new anganwadi centres, 944 sub-health centres, 10,164 additional classrooms in schools and 12,421 tube wells have been constructed.

Public Works: An important cog in the wheel of governance

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


Intentions of good governance and all the plans surrounding it may get tossed up in thin air if there isn’t enough infrastructural support to various departments for their developmental work. Public works department is responsible for providing adequate infrastructural support to both original and repair works of all the departments directly under the Government of West Bengal as well as different semi-government and government undertakings etc. so that they can successfully deliver their assigned services. This support includes buildings, roads, bridges, electrification, sanitary plumbing, air-conditioning, fire-fighting & detection, lifts, water supply, Generators, EPABX, information technology etc.


Developments in Jangalmahal

Under the backward regions grant fund (BRGF) a total length of 2,281 km of roads were sanctioned, out of which 1,163 km of roads have been completed. 16 bridges have been constructed in the region along with widening and strength of 210 km of roads. 12 new schools with hostels, 1 Primary Teacher Training Institute, 74 girls hostels having 50 seat capacity each, 4 new colleges, 3 stadiums, 1 sports academy, 1 polytechnic institute, 2 industrial training institutes (ITI) and 1 state data centre (SDC) have been taken up for construction. 48 girls’ hostels and 1 stadium have already been constructed. A total of 422 projects out of 621 under state plan have been completed.


National highways

Around 540 km of national highways have been widened and strengthened in the past 34 months, which has improved connectivity and comfort in transportation.  7 bridges and 2 flyovers are also being constructed on different national highways. A large bridge has already been completed which connects Malda district in West Bengal with Katihar district in Bihar over Fulahar River at Nakatia.


Improving health infrastructure

Seth Sukhlal Karnani Memorial (SSKM) hospital has witnessed a lot of improvement in its infrastructure in the past two and a half years. It includes new seven storied Rheumatology department, a two storied shelter room of people accompanying patients, trauma centre and a new academic block for its students. Linear Accelerator Facility has been constructed in Radiotherapy department at Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College. In Uluberia sub-divisional hospital, a labour room and a Neo-natal unit have been constructed.


Building new educational infrastructure

As West Bengal government is trying to create new institutions to propel growth in education sector, it requires a faster delivery of necessary infrastructure for new colleges and universities. Some of notable developments in this field are the construction of Government Engineering College and Leather Technology building at Salt Lake along with Minorities’ Building and Meeting halls for minorities and madrassah education at Hooghly, which have been completed.  Construction is going on for Women’s university, Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Aliah University etc.


New roads and bridges

Around 4,000 km of roads have been made double lane in the past 34 months. 16 bridges and 5 flyovers also been completed in the period. Rs 170 crore bridge is being constructed at rapid pace over the river Subarnarekha at Bhasaraghat in Paschim Medinipur. Also, developmental proposal of constructing Asian Highways, AH-2 (Nepal to Bangladesh) and AH-48 (Bhutan to Bangladesh, under the aegis of South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation has been adopted.


A big landmark for the public works department was the completion of Nabanna. Renovation of Writer’s building has started after shifting the State’s Secretariat to Nabanna, which took about 2 months. Public works department has displayed that it has all the capabilities to handle the requirements of fast paced reconstruction of the state and to enhance its efficiency; it has started e-Tendering and e-Procurement, which is a great initiative.

West Bengal: Safe drinking water for all

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


In July 2010, the United Nations declared access to clean water and sanitation as a human right. Even the 7th Millennium Development Goal calls for halving the proportion of population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015.

West Bengal is endowed with about 7.5% of the water resource of the country. About 60% of the water resource is available in North Bengal with the rest available to South Bengal. As per a report on West Bengal action plan on climate change, the State is facing inadequate and erratic rainfall in successive years mainly in South Bengal districts. Coupled with this is the problem of high arsenic and fluoride content in state’s ground water. Realizing the consequences of these problems and to build a healthy state, the government has taken many steps for providing clean drinking water to the state’s population.


Serious about the threat

Vision 2020: For the first time a vision document has been prepared by the government for rural areas, underlining the short term and long term goals for supplying safe drinking water. The document entails projects worth Rs. 1,295 crore for short term and worth Rs. 21,125 crore for long term. Rs. 5,640 crore has already been sanctioned under the plan, benefitting 1.1 crore population of drought prone districts of South Bengal, through 383 projects of rural pipelined water supply which will also benefit people of salt and arsenic prone areas of North and South 24 Paraganas.

Arsenic free drinking water: Close to 130 lakh villagers, which amount to 78.4% of the total population of arsenic prone districts, are being provided arsenic free water through pipelines. This effort marks 96% completion of the current master plan of the new government in just 32 months.

Fluoride free drinking water: Rs. 1580 crore worth of projects have been taken up to supply fluoride free water to 43 fluoride prone blocks in 7 districts.

Solar energy in water projects: For the first time in West Bengal solar energy is being used to supply water in the drought prone areas where 704 such projects are going on with an estimated expense of Rs. 51.67 crore.

Projects in Jangalmahal: 47 projects, out of a total of 50, have been implemented in Jangalmahal area amounting to an investment of Rs. 141.7 crore and benefitting close to 3.7 lakh people in the region.

Project in association with JICA: Close to 29 lakh people of Purulia district are set to benefit from Rs. 1,173.1 crore worth project which has received financial assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Innovative initiatives: 14 mobile water purification units which have drinking pouch vending machine as well, have been commissioned across the state to help distressed people during floods or droughts.  State has also ventured to produce bottled drinking water Prandhara with 8 bottling plants across the state.


Parting Thought

It is worth noting that in the last 34 months, the state government has completed 416 rural pipelined water supply projects and installed 54,935 tube wells at an expense of Rs. 1,777 crore which has resulted in benefitting 37 lakh people. In a recent report of National Sample Survey Organization on ‘Drinking Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Housing’, West Bengal has emerged as the state where highest proportion of households, has to travel less than 500 m to fetch drinking water in urban areas, a credential which the so called developed states failed to earn.

Housing for all

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


Shelter is a basic human need next only to food and clothing. At the end of the 12th Five Year Plan, the housing shortage is estimated to be 40 million. In last 34 months, the West Bengal Government has initiated several policies, so that they can provide shelter to the homeless people of the state.


Gitanjali and Aamar Thikana under E.W.S Scheme

The construction work of 94,180 houses is going on under E.W.S project in rural areas for the financially weak people. 720 flats have been constructed at New Town and Rajarhat under ‘Gitanjali’ prakalpo which will be distributed to the homeless people of those areas.


Motels for convenience of the common man

• A plan has been undertaken to construct Motels or Passenger Facilitation Centers for convenience of the passenger at every 50 km distance beside the state highways and other important roads

• Those Motels have been named as ‘Pothosathi’

• Construction work of 12 Motels are in the final stage. Those are 1) Raghunathpur 2) Karjana 3) Santipur 4) Haringhata 5) Krishnanagar 6) Diamond Harbour 7) Pailan 8) Baharampur 9) Nandakumar 10) Jamaldaha 11) Bagdogra 12) Chalsah

• Additionally, construction work of 18 Motels has also begun at 1) Jhargram 2) Kharagpur 3) Farakka 4) Old Malda 5) Patiram 6) Mathapukur 7) Tarakeswar 8) Debra 9) Narayangarh 10) Pankhabari 11) Sukhna 12) Tapan 13) Hili 14) Bagnan 15) Rampurhat 16) Gaighata 17) Ashoknagar 18) Petrapole


Night Shelters

80 bedded ‘Night shelters’ have been constructed at the Nilratan Sirkar Medical College and Hospital for convenience of the relatives of the patients. The construction work is in its final stage. ‘Night Shelter’ of the same kind is also being constructed at Diamond Harbour District Hospital.


Rental hostels for working women

Construction work of a 40 bedded hostel (Ananya) at Durgapur has been completed. One 44 bedded hostel (Sayamsiddha) at Salt Lake has been renovated. Construction of a hostel will start at Ibrahimpur and in Jadavpur.


Housing for Government employees

• 50 thousand houses will be constructed for the Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ government employees under ‘Akankha’ prakalpo

• Among these, the PWD will construct 30 thousand houses and the Housing Department will construct 20 thousand houses. Primarily, 100 crore has been allotted for this purpose

• In this project, employees will get land at very low prices. They will also be provided with loans on easy terms and with the facility of repayment in installments

• The construction works of 48 flats at Bishnupur and 24 flats at Diamond Harbour are over

• The construction works of 60 flats at Khatra, 24 flats at Bachhurdoba in Jhargram and 48 flats at Ghatal, are on the verge of completion

• The construction work of the new Rental Housing Estate (G+10) at Salt Lake for the high-ranking government officials has been started


Pratyasha - Housing for police personnel

Provision for housing for police personnel has been facilitated through Pratyasha Prakalpo. In this project, almost 10 thousand houses will be constructed within next three years. This project includes the facility of repayment of loans through EMI.


L.I.G./M.I.G Housing

The entire construction works of 48 flats for the people from low income group (LIG) at New Town - Rajarhat and 48 flats for the people from middle income group (MIG) are on the way of completion.


Auditorium

A new auditorium has been constructed at Kusthia.


Noteworthy decisions

• Entire ‘Quota’ system has been abolished regarding flat distribution in the Housing department and in all the other undertaken departments

• A special scheme has been made for arranging accommodation for the Bangabibhusan awardees, which does not have any residence in Kolkata.

• All the information of Housing Department (http://www.wbhousing.gov.in/) and Housing Board (http://www.wbhousingboard.in/) is being regularly published for the people through the official website.

• Seniority based and computerized distribution of flats has been started in R.H.I, P.R.H.E and Housing Board.

• An initiative has been taken to install online system to make the entire system more transparent.

• Housing Board has given sanctions for distribution of flats to 608 persons from L.I.G under new ‘STARLIT’ prokalpo and 560 persons from M.I.G. under new ‘MOONBEAM’ prokalpo.

Paschimanchal Unnayan

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


In the year 2001, a high level committee constituted by the Government of West Bengal identified a region situated along the western fringe of south-west West Bengal as one of the most backward regions in the state. The committee was formed at the instance of department of Development and Planning and it named the area as Paschimanchal Unnayan Parshad Area (PUPA).

PUPA consists of 74 blocks of Birbhum, Bankura, Burdwan, Paschim Medinipur and Purulia districts including 23 Left Wing Extremism (LWE) blocks. A new department ‘Department of Paschimanchal Unnayan Affairs’ was formed in the year 2006 to better address the issue. The new government has strengthened the resolve to develop Paschimanchal in a big way in the past 34 months.


Increase in funding

From 2006-07 to 2010-11, the PUPA received funding in the range of Rs 1,989 lakh to Rs 5,392 lakh. The highest released amount i.e. Rs 5,392 lakh was released in the year 2008-09. After the change of guard in Kolkata, this funding increased to Rs 7,604 lakh for the year 2011-12, an increase of 41% over the maximum funding given by the earlier government.


Education

A total of 33 new hostels for school students have been constructed and infrastructure of 88 schools has been developed in the past two and a half years. A vocational training centre has been established in Bankura.


Health Services

6 Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers have been constructed in Purulia along with 5 in Pashchim Medinipur and 4 in Bankura. Raipur Rural Hospital, Jhargram District Hospital and Deben Mahato Hospital in Purulia, have been modernized and Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) has also been established in these hospitals. Mobile Medical Camp had been arranged at Jangalmahal area along with a referral eye hospital which has been constructed in Purulia. A Nursing Training College is also being constructed at Lalgarh, Paschim Medinipur.


Irrigation system

Around 16 river lift irrigation systems have been renovated with 9 in Paschim Medinipur and 7 in Bankura. 4 Canals have been renovated in Bankura district along with construction of 2 deep tube wells. A total of 29 deep tube wells have also been constructed in Paschim Medinipur. More than 216 projects on constructing check dams, digging and renovation of ponds have been completed in past 34 months.


Improving connectivity in the region

In the past two and a half years more than 400 concrete, bituminous and paved roads and bridges have been constructed in the region to improve the transport infrastructure.


Providing shelter and drinking water

Under the Geetanjali Project, a total of 4,661 houses have been constructed for economically backward people. Construction of 712 Anganwadi centers has been started in Bankura, Purulia, Burdwan and Birbhum in this financial year. Close to 1200 tube wells have been installed for drinking purposes in the 5 PUPA districts along with supply of purified drinking water in 20 Rural Health Centers in Paschim Medinipur and Bankura.


Improving livelihood opportunities

5,000 families have benefitted through Lac cultivation in Purulia district which was promoted by the new government. With help of scientists from Bidhan Chandra Agricultural University, farmers from Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Purulia are being encouraged to cultivate onion and turmeric through non-conventional methods which will bear fruit in future. Financial assistance has also been provided to construct a tourism centre at the foothill of Susunia.

Backward Classes Welfare & Tribal Development

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


The Backward Classes Welfare Department is entrusted with various welfare activities for the people of SC, ST and OBC communities. The main focus of this department is on the educational upliftment of the people belonging to Backward Classes living in this state.


Department of Tribal Development

The present government has created the Department of Tribal Development to uplift the overall standard of living of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The first meeting of the newly constituted Tribes Advisory Council, formed by representatives of various tribes, has already taken place.


Tribal Development in the Terai region

Hindi as a language will be included in the graduate and post-graduate curriculum of North Bengal University. keeping the demands of tribal students in mind. Banarhat College (Hindi medium) will start functioning from August 2014. Hindi medium schools will start in Banarhat, Matiali and Kalchini. The government is supplying rice to the workers of closed tea gardens at Rs 2 per kg.


Special reservation

A historic decision towards 17% reservation for OBC students in government-aided higher education centres has been made during the tenure of the present government. It will be introduced in the academic year 2014-15. The step has been taken without reducing the number of seats earmarked for general students.

The government of India has recently enlisted 37 new groups as Bengal, as a result of relentless endeavour and a long-standing demand of the government of West Bengal. Of these, 35 are from minority communities. As a consequence, scopes for the education and the employment of backward classes will be widened.


Tribal Development in the Hills

The State Government has taken positive steps for the development of various ethnic people on the hills. The Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board was formed in 2012 for the socio-economic and cultural development of the Lepcha community, besides the implementation of the GTA Agreement. The Lepcha Development Board was registered as a separate society on August 5, 2013.

Rs 1 crore has already been sanctioned to the Board for the growth of education and culture under the plan-head. One thousand women have been identified as beneficiaries of houses to be built under the Rangee scheme. Rs 50 crore has been granted for this project, out of which Rs 20 crore has already been sanctioned to the Development Board under the plan-head.


Formation of Tamang Development Board

The state government has recently constituted the Tamang Development Board for the overall growth of Tamang and other communities and to preserve Tamang culture and traditions. This Board will also look into matters related to the development of other communities.


Inclusion of 11 groups in the list of scheduled tribes

The union government has been requested by the state to induct 11 groups, including the 10 ethnic groups of Darjeeling - Bhujel, Gurung, Mangar, Newar, Yogi, Khas, Rai, Sunuar, Thammi and Iksa (Dewan) - and Dhimal, in the list of scheduled tribes.


Other welfare projects

• Giving bicycles to girl students reading in classes IX to XII in order to encourage them to continue with their studies

• Scope for applying online for caste certificates and different scholarships for students

• Scope for construction of houses under the Geetanjali project

• Arrangements for the availability of individual/collective land deeds under the Forest Rights Act

• Loans and grants according to the terms and conditions of the concerned financial enterprise (Aranya Shakti Prokalpa)

• Many people pluck kendu leaves from jungles and sell them. Keeping this in consideration, the price of kendu leaves has been enhanced from Rs 48 per chatta to Rs 75 per chatta.

• Special training in subjects, including spoken English, computer education, etc. under the monitoring of internationally famous institutions for employment in private sectors.

• Education loans under easy terms and conditions for professional and technical higher education.

Tourism: Unleashing the potential

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


West Bengal has all the diversities of nature. The snow capped peaks of the Himalayas, Darjeeling, referred by many as the Queen of Hill Stations, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway declared as a World Heritage Site, the vast tea estates of the Dooars, the famed Royal Bengal Tiger of Sunderbans, the innumerable historical landmarks of India’s and Bengal’s glorious history, and long unending beaches with gentle rolling sea lined with Casuarina forests, are all wonders for the prospective tourists. Given the variance of the tourism sites in the State, West Bengal has something to offer throughout the year.


Performance of the sector

West Bengal has managed to attract 3-3.7% of domestic tourists, as a percentage of total domestic tourists of India. It performs much better in terms of foreign tourists by attracting close 8% of all foreign tourists coming to India. It is worth noting that this share of foreign tourists was close to 10.5% in year 2003 and it decreased gradually to 8.33% by 2010. Though the number of tourists has been increasing every year but as a share of total tourists of the country, state has not performed that well. This is the reason why there is increased focus to promote the tourism of the state by the new government.


Development of Tourism through Public Private Partnership Model: The state government has adopted the Public Private Partnership Model, followed worldwide. It includes Tourism Parks, Lodge (both economic and luxurious), Amusement Parks, Adventure sports, Helicopter and Sea- Transport services and numerous revenue earning projects.


Cultural Tourism: Cultural Tourism is, nowadays, considered to be an integral part of general tourism and the department of Tourism is trying to uphold enriched cultural pluralism of this state. Besides, Bauls, Chhou performers, flouteplayers etc., the Pata artists, creators of handicraft designs, experts in Kantha stiching, the Dokra fine-artists have been included in all the street exhibitions at home and abroad as part of this cultural tourism. The presence of these artists in the large-scale tourism-centric programme in London and Berlin has made the pavillion of West Bengal an important centre of attraction. In order to make available for the tourists, these kinds of cultural assets through lodging, centres of skill development, exhibitions and sales counters, the Department of Tourism at the same time, is upholding rural tourism.


Home Tourism: The Department of Tourism has laid special emphasis on Home Tourism in various tourist centres specially in Derjeeling and Dooars.


Heritage Tourism: Keeping in view enormous cultural and historical heritage, the state government has taken up a plan for the development of heritage sites of Malda and Murshidabad and the temples of Bishnupur from the viewpoint of tourism development. A project on tourism has been taken on Motijheel in Murshidabad involving Rs. 14 crore.


Beautification of Cities: A lot of projects have been undertaken for beautification of Kolkata, a city of heritage. One of these projects is the beautification of the river Ganga involving Rs 20 crore.

Besides, a project is being implemented by the Department of Tourism in view of maintenance, renovation and cultural artefacts of colonial heritage on the both sides of the river Hooghly with the assistance of the concerned embassies.


Taking tourism to remote destinations: Special emphasis has been laid on spread of tourism in places which has not yet captured the imagination of the tourists. It includes construction of tourist lodge at Gangarampur in the district of Dakshin Dinajpur, and construction of guest houses at Ramganga and Patharpratima in the district of South 24 Parganas. This apart, a district-wise narrative list of tourism destinations has been prepared.


Publicity: Keeping in view the marketing of the 'RUPASI BANGLA' (Beautiful Bengal), the Department of Tourism has been participating relentlessly in the Travel & Tourism Fairs organised at home and abroad. Few of these are International Trade Fair, IITM, IATO Annual Convention, WTM London, ITB Berlin etc.


Parting Thought

West Bengal has seen increased participation in, both domestic and international, travel and tourism fairs with more efforts towards renovation of tourist lodges and construction of new tourist lodges, and enabling connection to even the remote tourist locations, the future of tourism in West Bengal is looking bright.

Panchayat & Rural Development: Empowering our villages

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


In the last two and half years of the All India Trinamool Congress led Ma, Mati, Manush Government in West Bengal, the grassroots bodies have been empowered through Panchayat and rural development. West Bengal has in fact been honoured with global awards for rural development and also secured the top rank among states in the implementation of 100-days job scheme.

Seven Gram Panchayats, two Panchayat Samitis and two Zila Parishads will receive these awards. The Union Ministry of Rural Development had assessed the work performed by all the Gram Panchayats during the financial year 2012-13. The sectors of assessment included administrative work, production and other measures.

Earlier in January the district of Bankura has received the District Award for Effective Initiatives under MGNREGA administration in the category of `Enhancing Livelihood through Convergence with MGNREGA` while Lego Gram Panchayat in Kotulpur Block, Bankura has received the award for being one of the 11 Best Performing Gram Panchayats. The Awards were received on February 2, 2014 on the occasion of the 9th MGNREGA Day by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.


Strong measures for empowerment of women

• After amendment of West Bengal Panchayat Act reservation of seats for women in each tier of Panchayat has been enhanced from one-third to half.

• More empowerment of people belonging to other Backward Classes. So far the reservations were only for the representatives of women, members of Scheduled Castes and tribes.

• This government has facilitated the participation of OBCs in the Panchayats through reservations.


Villagers build their own villages

• A new milestone has been laid upon in 100-day work project.

• Man-days which have been created during the last two- and-a-half years are greater than the sum total of man-days created through preceding years.

• During the fiscal year 2012-13 man-days of 20 crore 18 lakh have been made

• During 2012-13, this Government has stood first in terms of spending 107% of the allotted funds and, along with Job has been provided to 58 lakh of families, with an expenditure of rupees 4,688 crore.

• West Bengal has created unparalleled precedence by making man-days out of 109% of Labour budget


The path itself is the Pathfinder

On 7 January, 2014 a unique and unparalleled initiative has been brought up for creating 16,000 k.m. length of road which can be utilized in whole seasons in each of the gram Panchayats. This particular effort will produce roughly 3 crore 50 lakh of man-days across the state.


Gram Sadak Yojana

On an average 1,069 k.m. of road has been constructed up to 2010-11 under the Gram Sadak Yojana, the road-length constructed during the tenure of this government becomes 1,978 km on average. Till January 2014 construction work of 255 roads, under the project of Gram Sadak Yojana, covering 1,016 km has been concluded, with an expenditure of rupees 558 crore.


Extension of Nirmal Bangla following proper sanitation

By the year 2017 'Sanitary Lavatories' will be made in all the houses with the objective of building up Nirmal Bangla. Work for lavatories, solid and liquid waste management in schools and Anganwadi centres is working along.


My Home, My Right

The construction work of houses for the rural poor families, with the assistance of IAY Scheme, is going on at a rapid pace. During the period of last two-and-a-half years more than 4.5 lakh of dwelling houses have been built. Help for building houses under Adhikar Prokalpo was provided to 25 thousand families in 11 territories.


Anandadhara Bahichhe Bhubane

More than 50 thousand Self-help Groups were constituted in last two years under the Anandadhara Scheme. The total amount of credit received by the self-help groups in last two and half years amounts to 1,232 crore.


New ray of hope to the destitute, old, widow and differently-able people

• Allowance under the National Social Assistance Scheme is now much more easily available

• 10.68 lakh rural families are getting old-age pensions

• 7.39 lakh  rural women are getting widow pension

• 38 thousand differently able people are also getting an allowance

• The sum of allowance for the widows and differently able people has been increased to rupees 600 per month

• Age limit for old-age pension has been cut from 65 to 60

Irrigation: Realising the potential

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


Water, as a resource, is extremely important for West Bengal given the fact that net sown area comprises of about 61% of total geographical area of the state and despite the fact that close to 69% of agricultural land is covered through irrigation; there is a high dependence on monsoon. West Bengal falls in the flood prone zone and hence, it becomes imperative to manage the flow of water through the state in such a manner that it ensures the safety of the population of the state.


New strides in farm irrigation

More farms being irrigated: After a negligence of several decades, the western districts have now received irrigation facilities through canals to about 1,34,000 acres of land. Several projects across the state have been initiated to bring about 58,000 acres of land under irrigation in this financial year and close to 1,24,000 acres in the next financial year.

Water for Rabi season: This year, a total of about 8,95,000 acres of land is being irrigated through various small and medium sized irrigation projects throughout the state, making it highest quantum of irrigated land during Rabi season in the last 7 years. For the first time ever, almost 1,10,000 acres is being irrigated through Teesta Barrage Project in North Bengal.

Bringing water to drought-prone regions: To promote rain harvesting and make water available for irrigation in the drought-prone Purulia district, 14 check dams are being built even in the remote areas. 23 more such check-dams have been planned for next financial year.


Restoration of river banks and dams, to protect people from floods

New milestones: Last 30 months have seen an unprecedented work to prevent erosion, strengthen dams and reconstruction of damaged dams like the one in Sundarbans which got damaged due to Aila. The total area of completed work amounts to 518 km with work in progress in additional 100 km.

Advanced technology: Geo-synthetic filter and bag, and concrete blocks are being used to arrest erosion from river banks. Historic town of Tamluk has now been preserved by erosion and beautification measures along Rupnarayan river and Digha-Sankarpur coasts.

Encouraging results: Despite receiving heavy rainfall last year, the flood prone lower catchment areas of Keleghai and Kapaleshwari rivers witnessed quick recession of water.
Building roads and bridges: Connecting people

New bridges: In just 30 months, 30 concrete bridges have been completed and opened for people across the state. For the first time in the state, around 95 bridges are being constructed on various rivers and canals in remote rural locations. With a special focus on South Bengal, 43 new bridges have been approved for construction and work has already begun.

New roads and repair of bridges: In just three and a half months, 75 km of bituminous road has been constructed along the banks of Mahananda and Fulhar rivers in Malda. Also, new projects are going to be taken up from next financial year for replacing dilapidated bridges with concrete bridges.


Utilizing information technology for better efficiency

e-Governance initiatives: e-Tendering system has been commissioned and it is now mandatory for all existing major work or new projects involving a sum of Rs 5 lakh to follow this system only. Initiatives to implement such e-governance initiatives in district offices have also been taken in a phase wise manner. These initiatives will put a check on leakages of revenue.

Helpline for floods:  For exchanging flood related information and communicate it to people in a more effective manner, a 24x7 helpline has been established having offices in Bidhannagar for South Bengal and Jalpaiguri for North Bengal.

Irrigation was overlooked for a long time in the past, but now many steps have been taken to optimize the use of this resource and also to ensure safety of people in case of any calamity due to floods. To reclaim rivers which were lost due to erosion, ducts measuring 330 km have been installed in the areas of South Bengal, pointing to the fact that there is ample scope of work that can be done in this field.

Creating new employment opportunities in West Bengal

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


West Bengal suffered a lot due to brain drain from the State during the Left regime. Even lockouts and militant trade-unionism led to a negative image of the state being projected globally. However, after coming to power, the Trinamool led government under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee has started infusing fresh energy into the youth of the State, and have also begun extending Government support to the labour force in several ways.

New Employment Bank to provide new opportunities: After the Employment Bank Portal was introduced in July, 2012, approximately 15 lakh verified and registered employment-seekers have been enlisted so far. The total number of verified and registered employers is 279 up to 31 January 2014.


New Dimension Yuvashree Project

• To provide unemployed youth with monthly incentive, the West Bengal Government has inserted the Yuvashree Project.

• The project has been implemented from October, 2013.

• The Government has settled to give monthly Rs 1500 financial aid to the one lakh unemployed youth.

• At present, 87,000 young job-seekers are receiving this allowance.

Employment: In 2013-14, new employment provisions have reached to 13 lakh 22 thousand. The government has planned to build more than 16 lakh employment opportunities in 2014-15 financial years.

Enhancement of age-limit for recruitment to government jobs: The age-limit for recruitment to the government jobs has been enhanced to 40 years in case of general candidates, 45 years for SC / ST candidates and 43 years for Differently-able and OBC candidates.


Reduction in the number of man days on account of strikes

• The work culture is back in the state after the new government has assumed power

• The number of lost man days due to strikes was nearly 3.6 crore in the pair of 2007 to 2011

• Whereas it has been cut back to 60 thousand in 2011-12

• In 2012-13 it has further reduced to 5,200 and till January, 2014 the number is equivalent to 0


More speed to Social Security Projects

• The number of registered workers in Social Security Projects was 26 lakh within the span of 2001-2011; this is an average of 2.6 lakh per year.

• The numbers of registered workers under this project within May, 2011 to January 2014 are 31 lakh with an average of 12.4 lakh per year.

• An amount of Rs 9 crore was distributed among 45,000 workers within 2001 to April 2011.

• The amount of  Rs 176 crore has been distributed among 6.32 lakh workers within May, 2011 and January, 2014.

Samajik Mukti Card: Every member of unorganized sector has an easy access to the account of State Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for unorganized Workers (SASPFUW) through the smart card. So far, 7.5 lakh workers in the unorganized sector have been given the smart card.

Shramik Mela was organized to reach out to more workers in the unorganized sector. Similar fairs have been organized in seven places in 2014.

Shramik Barta - All news ready at hand: The labour department has been publishing a quarterly Bengali journal named Shramik Barta since August, 2013.


ESI – Manifold increase in facilities

• The ESI Hospital of Manicktala has been developed through the initiation of the Modular Operation Theatre and Postgraduate courses in Pathology and Anesthesia

• This is the first ESI Hospital in the country, declared to be the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science and Research

• For the first time in India, the Pain Management Institute has been operational at the ESI Hospital, Sealdah

• ESI facilities have been introduced in the regions out of its service-area. Service-dispensaries have been operational in Medinipur town, Baharampur, Malda, Rampurhat and Jamuria during the tenure of the present government.

West Bengal's Second Renaissance

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


The cultural heritage of West Bengal is one of the richest across the globe. The sanctity of Hooghly, the beauty of Eastern Himalayas, the diversity of Sunderbans and the freshness of the Tea Gardens, all blend together to constitute the unique culture of West Bengal.

The land of many legends, it gave the nation its National Anthem and National Song. It has always proved to be a place with a perfect blend of traditions and modernity.  But somewhere after the independence, it lost its place as a cultural leader and a thought provoker. The new government in the state wants to reclaim the lost glory.


Remembering the Titans

Tagore’s ideas for people: Various literary works of Swami Rabindranath Tagore have been compiled in 17 volumes and 7 of those volumes have already been published and made available to public.

Ceremonies: 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda and Dwijendralal Roy were organized at a large scale. Chetna Utsav was celebrated in each district of the state to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. Birth anniversaries of Kazi Nazrul Islam and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose (first time ever in Darjeeling) were observed throughout the state. Tributes to around 200 great personalities have been paid through various functions held at the State Secretariat.

New Academies: Paschimbanga Kazi Nazrul Academy, Rajbanshi Bhasha Academy, Birsa Munda Academy and Hindi Academy have been formed in order to preserve and extend the languages and cultures of different ethnic groups of the state.

Re-construction in Technicians’ studio: 6 floors have been re-constructed in Technicians’ studio and have been named in the honour of Satyaijit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Tapan Sinha, Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen and Rituparno Ghosh.


Promoting film and television

Film festivals: Kolkata International Film Festival received the support of West Bengal government to scale greater heights and for the first time ever a Children’s Film festival was also organized at the state level.

Film cities: For the first time in two comprehensive film cities are being constructed at Dabgram in Jalpaiguri and Baruipur in South 24 Paraganas.

Tele Academy: To develop television industry, first Tele Academy of the state has been formed. 90 eminent TV personalities have been awarded by Tele Samman award.


Support to artistes

Revitalizing folk artistes: 10,000 folk artistes have been identified and were provided financial support to develop and preserve folk culture of the state. Social messages were propagated through folk artistes about Child Marriage, Dowry problem and Kanyashree scheme etc.

Health cover: Close to 10,000 artistes and technicians, along with their families, from cinema and television industries have been brought under health insurance cover.

Pension scheme: A new scheme to provide social security to cultural personalities has been started and close to 150 have already availed this pension facility.


Preserving heritage and protecting creativity

Renovation: 32 Rabindra Bhabans and many heritage sites like University Institute Hall, Mahajati Sadan etc. are being renovated. Reconstruction of Nazrul Mancha has been completed.

Digitization of art work: Manuscripts and letters of eminent authors of Bengal have been completed by the government to preserve their heritage for years to come. Digitization of music, cinema, paintings and other art works is currently in progress.

New laws: Audio and video piracy act has been brought into force in the state to stop piracy and promote creativity and innovation. Also, Urdu, Hindi, Oriya, Santhali and Punjabi languages have been enlisted as official languages to promote these languages in the state.


West Bengal won the first prize for its tableau in this year’s Republic Day parade for depicting its folk culture through Chhau dance. Some artifacts belonging to Gupta period have been discovered in Medinipur. Around 350 artistes have been awarded by the state government across various fields of cultural spectrum. Other states could take out a leaf out of West Bengal’s book to promote their artistes and cultural heritage.

West Bengal transport sector surges ahead

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


The transport sector is an important component of the economy impacting the development and the welfare of the people. The West Bengal Government in last 34 months has taken several measures to improve the infrastructure of the transport department, resulting in continuous improvement in revenue generation.


Administrative re-expansion and reform of the Transport Department

(i) For the benefit of common people and also with the view for decentralisation and speedy disposal of works, two new offices of Public Vehicles Department (PVD) have been opened at Salt lake & Kasba. With the same objective, a new motor vehicle office has been opened in each of the 18 sub-divisions across Bengal.

(ii) New branch offices of State Transport Authority, with the aim to speed up the works in 6 districts of North Bengal, have been opened. The tasks mentioned below can be done in these offices; there will be no need to visit the state level offices:

•    National permit (Goods carriage)
•    Temporary permit (Goods carriage)
•    State contract carriage permit -up to 3 districts
•    All Bengal carriage permit (only for transportation of tourists)

(iii) An integrated and centralized council has been set up for the management of CSTC, CTC & WBSTC

(iv) Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) has been initiated for the employees of State Transport Corporations and in the first phase 850 employees of 4 State Transport Corporations have been included in the scheme

(v) Neutral & open-tender system has been started with the view to increase financial revenues and for the holistic usage of unused lands of State Transport Corporations


Bus-Tram services

•    More than thousand permits of Buses and Mini-buses have been issued and these have been done with the introduction of an easy and hassle-free system of issuing permits

•    More than a hundred Bus-services have been started under State Transport Corporations in new routes

•    Corporate AC Bus-services have been started in many long-distance routes

•    With the financial assistance of JNNURM, 632 new Bus-services in Kolkata Metropolitan areas, 80 in Asansol-Durgapur areas and 140 in Siliguri-Jalpaiguri areas have been started

•    AC tram-services have been started in traditional routes


Taxi Services

•    Taxi permits for 4000 `No refusal` AC and non-AC new taxis are being issued in Kolkata Metropolitan areas

•    Pre-paid taxi service has been started from Railway stations of Kolkata, Howrah, Sealdah & Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.


Air Services

•    Regular Helicopter-services have been started between Kolkata and Gangasagar, Bolpur and Santiniketan and from Durgapur, Malda and Balurghat. Facility for pleasure trips on air are also on offer. For this, Pawan Hans Ltd, an India Govt. undertaking, has been appointed on contract basis to make the services available.

•    State Govt. has been providing assistance in many ways to Airports authority of India for the restoration of the regular Air-services between Kolkata & Cooch Behar again; it is also constructing a new culvert on Mora- Torsha to facilitate landing of heavy aero-planes.

•    Government has allowed tax-concessions to help more aero-planes taking flights from Bagdogra, Cooch Behar & Durgapur, State Govt. will not impose taxes if they avail of turbine fuels from these three airports.


Inland Waterways services

•    New launch services have been started on the Shree Ramakrishna-Ma Sarada-Vivekananda heritage route

•    Pleasure trips or river Hooghly

•    Cargo movement through waterways between South 24 Paraganas & East Medinipur

•    New ferry service on PPP model on river Ganga - for this additional 06 launches have been brought


Transport infrastructure

•    Flyover between Nagerbazer and Dum Dum is now open

•    A ramp has been constructed to descend on AJC Bose Road

•    Necessary fund has been allotted to construct 14 jetties and for renovation & development of these jetties

•    Fund has been sanctioned for construction of 29 Bus-stands and terminuses and also for renovation and development of these

•    Necessary fund has been sanctioned for the construction of Bus-stands in districts


Revenue

•    Generation of revenues from transport sector is on the rise for succeeding years now. Revenue generation for the financial year 2011-12 was Rs 986.04 crore, which is 7.5% higher than the previous year.

•    It has gone up even further to Rs 1192.11 crore in the year 2012-13, which is 21% higher than the last year

•    For the year 2013-14, the revenue earning has been Rs 993.68 crore till the month of December, which is 17.5% higher than the amount earned till the same period of the previous year.

West Bengal: Powering ahead

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


With a rise of 19.9% in total installed generation capacity in just two years, West Bengal has increased its installed capacity base from 8,316.8 MW in 2010-11 to 9,974.1 MW in 2012-13. This shows the efforts put in by the state government to keep the power surplus state ready for 100% electrification in the years to come. There have been some significant developments in every sphere of the power sector from generation to transmission.


Preparing for the future

Thermal Power: Initiative has been taken to construct thermal power centres with capacity of 1500 MW at Santaldih, Durgapur and Sagardighi. With the concurrence of State Government, N.T.P.C. is going to start Katwa Thermal power project (1320 MW) near Bardhman. This project will invite an investment of Rs 10000 crore. Another thermal power plant, under D.V.C., with the capacity of 2,520 MW is being constructed at Raghunathpur in Purulia.

Hydro Power: Through the Lodhama Interconnection Scheme, there will be an increase in production of 30 MW power during the dry season. With the supply of extra water from Teesta, there has been a remarkable increase in production of power under the Teesta Canal Fall Hydel Power Scheme.


Marching towards the goal of 100% electrification

West Bengal is one of the few states in country which supplies electricity 24x7 all throughout the year. Under the aegis of Sabar Ghare Alo scheme, the state government aims to supply power to every household in the state before the end of 2015-16. Due to these efforts 31 lakh BPL families have now been given electricity connections till end of January 2014. West Bengal Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. has added about 1.35 crore customers in past 34 months, which amounts to about 40000 customers every month.


New strides in transmission

High tension: Transmission infrastructure for high tension segment has been developed through the addition of 343,000 kilowatts (kvA) in transformer capacity and construction of 887 km high tension (HT) transmission line, in last 30 months.

Low tension: During the same time, in case of low tension (LT) line, enhancement of 2,654,000 kilowatts (kvA) in transformer capacity and construction of new 2,51,674 km low tension line have been completed.

Transmission sub-stations: Being first of such initiatives in government sector, two gas-insulated sub-stations have been installed in Salt Lake and Bagnan with a capacity of 132 kv each. Also, transmission sub-stations have been installed at 6 new locations across the state.


Superior service leading to more achievements

Many steps have been taken to improve services given to consumers such as monitoring system to inspect the operational health of machineries, arrangement of over 1100 mobile vans to maintain the LT and HT lines, interactive voice response system to register the grievances, system of spot billing and payment of bills through letters in many service centres.

Preparing to combat accidents: For the first time ever in India, a centralised database and data retrieval centres for providing necessary support in case of accidents, have been started in West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd.

Power Banking: The excess power produced in the state is being saved under the Power Banking scheme to be utilized in peak hours.


Because of its efforts the State Power Transmission Company has got the Power Line 2012 award for the best power transmission company of India. Power Finance Corporation, IKRA and CARE together in a rating for 2013 have announced the West Bengal State Power Transmission Company as the second best transmission company in India.

Development for North Bengal

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


The northern districts of West Bengal have long been neglected. Under the Left regime, the area has not seen any development, resulting in several agitations and movements for separate Statehood in various districts. The All India Trinamool Congress led West Bengal Government has taken several steps in last 34 months to make the people of North Bengal a part of the State.


North Bengal Development Department

The previous North Bengal Development Board has been transformed into a full-fledged Department, with an objective to develop the condition of the people of hill and plain. The North Bengal Development Department is functional since July 8, 2011 and working continuously to serve the people of North Bengal.


Uttar Kanya

• The present government has established the branch secretariat of the Government of West Bengal at Uttar Kanya after the creation of North Bengal Development department.

• The construction of the building has been completed in a record time of less than one year.

• Close Circuit cameras have been installed at all the critical places and provision for Hot Line between Uttar Kanya and Nabanna, video conference facilities with six districts of North Bengal and bio-metric attendance arrangements will be made very soon.

• Provision has been made for pantry, security monitoring room, press corner, press briefing hall, waiting lounges, canteen building, meeting halls and conference hall.

• There are provision of 20 office chamber for Special Secretaries/Additional Secretaries and Joint Secretaries of different departments in the first floor of Uttar Kanya.

• It is expected that Honorable Chief Minister will come to Uttar Kanya frequently whenever her busy schedule permits and most of the high level meetings, especially of the issues pertaining to North Bengal, will be held at Uttar Kanya.

• All MICs and Secretaries on tour to North Bengal are expected to discharge their functions from Uttar Kanya. The Secretariat is fully capable of hosting a complete Cabinet Meeting in the Conference Hall

Uttar Banga Utsav: This is another important initiative taken by the Government to encourage cultural activities in the region. Six eminent personalities have been honoured with Banga Ratna Samman on the inaugural day of Uttar Banga Utsav.


Other initiatives

• For the development of whole Dooars area, the Dooars Task Force has been formed under the North Bengal Development Department.

• Seven new Government colleges have been approved for the region. A branch of the North Bengal University is being set up in Jalpaiguri. Coochbehar got a new university named after Panchanan Barma.

• Construction work of the Circuit Bench of Kolkata High Court at Jalpaiguri is in final phase.

• The Chief Minister had laid special stress on tourism in North Bengal. Lamahata Home Tourism is now functional, the newest attraction. The Gazaldoba Tourist Hub was inaugurated by the Chief Minister in October 2013.

• WBSIDC is setting up a mega tourism hub at Banarhat, Jalpaiguri.  The hub will boast a convention centre, five and three star resorts, day centre for picnics, amusement park, budget resort, crafts village, hospitality management training institute and youth hostel among others.

• All the district hospitals are being equipped with modern equipments. With increased number of beds, facilities like SNSU and SNCU, MRI facilities, fair price medicine and diagnostic centres, the hospitals are being raised to the status of multi-super specialty hospitals.

• A film-city and film school are being set up at Dabgram-Fulbari.

• A Mahananda action plan has been adopted to clean up the river and reduce the water pollution in the region.

West Bengal: Empowered Women. Empowered State.

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


As has been rightly said, if a woman gets educated, she educates the whole family. The state government has focused a lot on empowerment of women. With steps being taken to support women at every stage of their life, the West Bengal Government’s policy towards women is a holistic model that can be adopted by other states in India.


Kanyashree: A unique effort

In order to encourage girls to go to schools and discourage early marriage Kanyashree Prakalpo has been implemented in West Bengal from 1st October, 2013. As per this scheme, money is directly credited to the bank account of the beneficiaries. This scheme consists of two components: annual stipend of Rs 500 for the girls, aged between 13-18, studying in schools, and providing one-time grant of Rs 25,000 to the unmarried girls aged between 18-19 who are studying or undergoing training. About 11 lakh girls have been enlisted so far and among this, applications of 9 lakh girls have been sanctioned.


Exclusive measures

• Women University: The first Women University of Eastern Zone at Diamond Harbour will commence its session from July 2014.

• Building hostels for girls: 105 hostels are being set up for girl students in 11 underdeveloped districts. Out of 105, about 34 Girls hostels have already been constructed which includes 17 in West Medinipur, 9 in Bankura and 8 in Purulia.

• Other initiatives: 76,085 bicycles have been distributed to girls studying in classes XI-XII. 24 January, 2013 was observed i the state as National Girl Child Day - yet another first, giving emphasis to girl children and stressing on the importance of their holistic upbringing.


Opportunities to lead

Reservation in Panchayati Raj Institutions: Ratio for reservation of seats for women in each tier of Panchayat has been enhanced from one-third to half. This is a strong statement given the fact that women’s reservation bill is still pending in the Parliament.

State Women’s Empowerment Policy has been formulated for the first time in West Bengal. Rajya Mahila Sampad Kendra has organized various workshops, seminars etc. with an eye to implementation of the policy of empowerment of women.


Economic opportunities

Widow pension: The State has simplified the process of getting allowance under the National Social Assistance Scheme. Around 7.39 lakh rural women are now getting Rs 600 per month as widow pension.

Providing shelter: 1000 tribal women have been identified as beneficiaries for houses to be built under Rangee scheme. About Rs 20 crore has already been conferred to the Development Board under the plan-head.

Training for employment: With a view to enhance efficiency and for the purpose of economic empowerment of women under the Swabalamban Prakalpo, technical training has been provided to women. During the year 2012-13, a total 3115 women were provided technical training across 23 profession-oriented courses for 6 months duration.


Ensuring women safety

Self defense: Girl students in schools and colleges are being trained in the art of self-defense with the assistance from police through Sukanya Prakalpo.

Faster justice: In order to extend the facilitate of speedy trials, especially in cases of oppression of women, new 88 fast-track courts, 45 courts for women, 19 Human Rights courts and 3 CBI courts have either been set up or notified.

Police protection: 10 additional police stations for women have been set up bringing the number of total such stations to 70. Out of 40,000 constables recruited, a significant fraction consists of women.


Kolkata: The safest city

As per the latest statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, Kolkata is the safest major city for women, with a crime rate of 0.5 (for rapes) when compared to 53 major cities across the country. The number of rape cases in the state in 2009, 2010 and 2011 were 2,336, 2,311 and 2,363, respectively. This number came down to 2,046 in 2012 and further to 1,590 till November 2013.

Skill development through technical education

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


To improve the State’s output, it is desirable to focus on skill development during higher education. In the last few decades West Bengal failed miserably in this respect, and consequently, witnessed a huge brain drain. After coming to power, the present Government is constantly making efforts for skill-building among the youth, so as to reverse the brain drain.


West Bengal Skill Development Mission

Under the leadership of Honorable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Skill Development Mission has been adopted with a view to develop job-oriented skills in students.


Technical, Vocational Education and Skill Development Act, 2013

To ensure the development of total skill the West Bengal State Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Skill Development Act 2013 has been passed.


All India Skill Contest

The state secured the first place for the first time in the All India Skill Contest 2013.


West Bengal Handloom Circuit Development Scheme 2014

Rupees 30 crore were funded for this scheme with a view to develop the skill of 97,000 handloom weavers and laborers of ancillary industries within the coming next three years.


Establishment of new polytechnic colleges

The Chief Minister has announced that one polytechnic college will be established in each subdivision. Meanwhile 24 new polytechnic colleges have been established and 7,000 seats have been increased therein. Also, 39 new government polytechnic colleges are in the process of being established.


Establishment of new ITIs

One new ITI will be formed in each block of the State. 38 new ITIs have already been established and 3,700 seats have been increased. Apart from this, 88 new government ITIs are being made.


Interest shown by private companies

• In order to impart training to 6,800 persons for making garments, an MOU has been signed with Raymonds and Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industries (BCCI).

• An MOU has been signed with ILFS and FICCI in order to provide services and imparting training to 5,000 people in the production sector.

• With a view to impart training to 5,000 people in gems and jewellery, an industry MOU has been signed with Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industries of India (ASSOCHAM).

• The MOU has been signed by Security sector, skill Development Council (SSSDC) to impart training to 20,000 people on security, fire-fighting and First-Aid as an additional arrangement.

• The MOU has been signed with Ahmadabad Textile Industries Research Association (ATIRA) to impart training to 2,000 people on embroidery.

MSME Sector: Backbone of Industrial Growth

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


As per the fourth census of the MSME sector, there are about 361.76 lakh enterprises in the country which provide employment to close to 805.24 lakh people. The MSME sector accounts for 45% of Indian industrial output and 40% of exports. The sector includes about 26.61 lakh women led enterprises (7.4%) and 200.81 lakh rural enterprises comprising about 55.34% of the MSME sector. These statistics clearly depict the integral role the MSME sector plays in India’s economy.


West Bengal: An Ideal leader

West Bengal has the second largest number of MSME enterprises. It has 36.64 lakh enterprises which constitute about 10% of total Indian MSME enterprises. Not surprisingly, it comes second, only after Uttar Pradesh, in providing employment in the MSME sector with 85.78 lakh employees working in this sector. With an output of Rs 78,880 lakh crore it represents an important sector of West Bengal’s economy, and precisely for this reason, the government has taken very many initiatives which have started showing results in this sector. During the last 30 months, 29,735 new industries have been set-up, with an investment of Rs 2,595 crore, This has resulted in employment generation to the tune of 2,02,245 jobs.


Achieving highest credit out-flow in the country

Being one of the pioneers, West Bengal government has introduced a host of incentives in the MSME policy for the period of 2013-18, which includes subsidies in capital investment and interest on term loans, electricity duty waiver, reimbursement of entry tax, refund of central sales tax and stamp duty waiver. One of the biggest hurdles which entrepreneurs face in this sector is the unavailability of funds for expansion or starting up an enterprise. With the steps taken by the government, the MSME sector in West Bengal has seen an unprecedented growth of 105% in credit flow from banks for the period of April-September 2013 - an increase from Rs 4,331 crore to Rs 8,900 crore. While other states such as Karnataka and Gujarat witnessed a growth of 48% and 20%, respectively, this 105% growth in Bengal is unparalleled.


Providing markets

• Rural Craft Hub: For creating markets for products made by traditional artisans, a UNESCO assisted Rural Craft Hub has been set up for 10 different types of rural handicrafts.

• Showcasing Bengal crafts: To bring market-facilities at the doorstep of artisans, an opportunity for manufacturers of handicrafts to participate in different state level, national and international exhibitions and fairs has been created. This has benefitted around 17,400 artisans with a sale of goods worth Rs 86 crore and confirmed orders for supply worth Rs 257 crore.

• Eliminating the middle agencies: ‘Urban Haat’ has either been opened or the in process of opening at various locations (such as Durgapur, Santiniketan, Purulia, Siliguri) across the state. These haat bazaars will enable rural artisans and crafts men to sell their goods directly to urban customers without involving any middle men.

• Brand building: For promotion of traditional Bengali products and handloom the Biswa Bangla Brand has been created for marketing. One of its stores has opened at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.


Providing training and infrastructure

• Preparing employable youth: Special training program to facilitate employment of close to 1,06,000 youth in MSME sector has been initiated across the state.

• Equipping traditional craftsmen with modern knowledge: To empower the artisans and weavers who face stiff competition from national and international markets, a Technology Facilitation Centre has been established with the assistance of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Kolkata for MSME.

• Building industrial hubs: Out of the 14 industrial hubs being planned, 3 have already begun operations. About 915 acres of land has been allocated for the plan and 5 of these hubs will be under joint-venture mechanism, drawing an investment of close to Rs 528 crore.

• Silk farming: For promoting sericulture, close to 5,796 acres of land has been allotted, This has resulted in generation of employment for close to 35,200 people.


Parting thought

While the country performed abysmally with a 0.7% growth rate in the industrial sector, constant focus on the MSME sector has been a major factor in West Bengal’s achievement of a 9.58% industrial growth rate in the financial year 2013-14.

Industry: Reviving a dying sector

Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


The Department of Commerce and Industries is responsible for the promotion and regulation of industries, trade and commerce in the State of West Bengal. With the progressive liberalization in the Indian economy, the role and functions of the department have increased many folds. Instead of bringing new industries and focusing on creating healthy environment for business in the state the previous government was busy in closing existing industries.

Several major initiatives have been taken in last 34 months by the present government; as a result new industries are showing their interest to enter West Bengal.


Reconstitution of Core Committee

Core Committee has been re-constituted, comprising representatives from the Chambers of Commerce and the Honorable Chief Minister as its Chairperson. The main objective of this Committee is to implement industrial projects and immediately solve problems relating to industry.


Single-Window Shilpa-Sathi

According to existing procedures, investors need to submit an array of application forms to different government departments to get relevant licenses and registrations. It often results in un-necessary delays due to lack of inter- departmental co-ordination.

To assist the investors in setting up industries in West Bengal, the Government of West Bengal has launched Shilpa Sathi where an investor can submit a Common Application Form in the Single Window Cell at WBIDC.


New Industrial policy and interesting incentives

• New Industrial Investment policy proposals are now performance-based and incentive-driven.

• Since May, 2011, Rs 528.22 crore has already been paid as incentive.


Investment proposal and implementation

The department of Commerce and Industry has received investment proposals from different companies including Steel Authority of India Ltd, Matrix Fertilizers and Chemicals, Great Eastern Energy, Ultratech Cement, Reliance Cement, Emami Cement, ACC, BAPL, ESSAR and the total estimated investment is around Rs 1,40,000 crore, out of which Rs 78,000 crore investment proposal are in progress.


Transparency in distribution of lands for industries

• 39 plots (1,829.68 acres) have been distributed by Industrial Development Corporation.

• 15 modules (1, 78,853 sq.ft.) have been distributed by Industrial Development Corporation.

• The proposed investment is Rs 17,744.8 crore and proposed employment is 47,650.

• In the year 2012-13, Rs 10.49 crore subsistence allowance has been dispensed to landless families of Singur.


14 Y Clearances

According to 14Y clause of the WBLR Act, clearance has already been provided to 14 projects, and 13 more projects will get recommendation soon, as a result the proposed investment will be Rs 67000 crore. The State government has launched an attractive incentive scheme, through which more assistance will be provided in a specified time frame.


Remarkable strides made by big industries in the state

Upcoming big projects are: BAPL, Matrix Fertilizers and Chemical Ltd., South Asia Rubber and Polymers Ltd., Bengal Shipyard, Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd., Ultratech Cement Ltd., ACC Ltd., Patton International.


Present and upcoming industrial parks

• The Plasto Steel Park, Barjora; Panagarh Industrials Park, Panagarh; Vidyasagar Industrials Park, Kharagpur; Food Park, Sankrail; Garment Park, Beleghata; Shilpangan– light engineering park, Salt Lake.

• New Industrial Park proposed by West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation will be established at Goaltor, Haldia, Budgebudge and Ankurhati.

• The plot/site booking is going on for the required land for Food Park, Phase III at Sankrail, Howrah and Gems and Jewellery Park at Ankurhati.

• A rubber park is being established on a 95 acre site at Domjur, Howrah. The proposed investment for the park is Rs 1500 crore and proposed employment is 10000.

• Foundry Park is being established on a 924 acre site at Ranihati, Howrah. The proposed investment for the park is Rs 2500 crore and proposed employment is 30000.

• In order to implement Chemical Park project at Howrah, the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation has proposed for a special purpose vehicle.

• The Growth Centre for the West Bengal Industrial infrastructure Development Corporation is operational in Coochbehar, Raninagar, Dabgram, Malda- I and II, Bishnupur, Kalyani I, II and III, Kharagpur, Uluberia, Haldia and Falta I and II.

• The West Bengal Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation has proposed for new industrial park at Guptamoni, Haringhata (Nadia), Falta and Coochbehar.


West Bengal Mineral Development and Marketing Corporation

The WBMTDC has increased the production of Black Stone Mining at Trans-Damodar Coal Mine Project in Barjora, Bankura, at Panchami and Hathgacha-Jethia in Birbhum and at Palsara in Purulia.


Creating infrastructure for enhancing international business

• Providing more than Rs 50 crore in various projects such as Land Customs Station, Tissue culture project at Phulbari and Hili in Dakshin Dinajpur.

• The Land Customs Station has been working at Phulbari at India-Bangladesh border since 2012-13.


Enhancement of effort

Development programs have been organized through participation in various programs such as Bengal Leads, India International Trade fair, Pragati Utsav and Mati Utsav.

Empowering farmers. Encouraging agriculture.

Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014


As 95% of farmers of the state are small and marginal farmers who operate on about 80% of the land under cultivation, it becomes important to provide support to farmers at different stages of cultivation, i.e. sowing, harvesting and post-harvesting (marketing of produce). Because of the change in strategy to produce crops as per market demand rather than focussing on just increasing the production levels, farmers had to bring changes in their agricultural practices and the government acted as a guide at each step.


You shall reap, what you sow

‘Tested Seeds’: To yield a uniform quality of produce, farmers are being educated to use seeds rather than using previous produce for sowing. This has increased the seed replacement rate of major crops and only ‘Tested Seeds’ were supplied in a timely manner through the state agricultural department. Two new seed testing facilities have been notified as per the act to cater to increased load of seed testing.


Support for fertilizers and weather forecasting

Vermi-compost facility: 34,492 Vermi-compost production centres have been set up to empower small and marginal farmers.

Weather forecasting centres: 45 automated Krishi weather forecasting centres are now operational, and there is a plan to establish 145 more such centres.

Fair price shops for fertilizers: In conjunction to better seeds, farmers were provided fertilizers through fair price shops with increased vigilance to check any malpractice.

Crop Insurance: The government also pays the premium of crop insurance and in turn motivates farmers to put all their efforts in to cultivation.


Financial support has increased manifold

Kisan Credit Card: Within 1000 days of governance, Kisan Credit Card has now been extended to 24,33,719 farmers which in itself is remarkable.

Electric connection for pump sets: To help in reducing cost of cultivation, a one-time assistance of Rs. 8,000 is given to farmers to avail electric connection for pump sets.

Pension for farmers: About 66,700 farmers have been brought under Farmer’s Old Age Pensions network.

Subsidy for farm equipment: Government subsidy ranging from Rs 45,000-10,000 has been given to 67,186 farmers for buying tractors, power tillers, power rippers, pump sets and small farm equipment, through direct transfer in Kisan credit bank accounts.

Support to marginal farmers: About 50,000 marginal farmers have been given Rs 5,000 each for purchasing small implements as per their choice.

Apart from financial support, Mobile Extension Units and regular broadcast of advisory and subsidy schemes over AIR and TV channels have helped in solving information asymmetry problems of farmers.


Developing markets for the produce to be sold

A unique approach to create markets for farmers at each block level through ‘Bruhat Krishi Bazaar’ has been adopted. It aims to formulate Farmer Interest Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations (already present in 6 districts) which will eradicate the middle men involved in the marketing of farm produce. The construction of 25 such markets will be complete by March 31, 2014. Another, 102 agri-markets are in the work-in-progress phase.


Achievements galore

West Bengal has received many accolades in the recent past for its achievements in agriculture. For two consecutive years it has received the ‘Krishi Karman Award’ from the Government of India. Software developed under the project on electronic-disease and pest surveillance has been rewarded with the India Geospatial Award for 2013-14.

The government believes that all these achievements are due to the farmers, and that is why it has started celebrating Maati Utsav. The day is marked by the Chief Minister spending a day with farmers and awarding the best performing farmers with ‘Krishi Ratna’ at the block level (Rs 10,000 and citation) and ‘Krishi Samman’ at district level (Rs 50,000 and citation).