NEWS
29-09-2016
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on her visit to the Hooghly district, today inaugurated and laid foundation stones of a bouquet of developmental projects for the district after an administrative review meeting in Chinsurah. The projects that were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister today included new administrative buildings for the district, water projects, irrigation projects, road projects, bridges, parks, hostels and police stations, among others. She laid foundation stones for numerous projects including hostels, roads, administrative buildings and Karma Tirthas, among others. She distributed cycles under Sabuj Sathi, Kanyashree, Yubashree and Sikshashree benefits, agricultural machinery and land pattas.

•  The West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development department will give prize worth Rs 10 lakh to the best district in maintaining cleanliness, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Thursday at Chinsurah. Today she declared Hooghly and North 24 Parganas as Open Defecation Free (ODF) districts under the Nirmal Bangla Mission.
27-09-2016
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today inaugurated and laid foundation stones of a bouquet of development projects for Murshidabad district from a Government programme at Baharampur Stadium. This was her first visit to the district after taking oath as Chief Minister for a second term. The projects included, among others, Krishak Bazaars, Karma Tirthas, power sub-stations, police stations, road projects, girls’ hostels, new government buildings and water supply projects, including solar-powered ones. The Hon’ble Chief Minister today distributed several benefits like cycles under Sabuj Sathi, agricultural machinery, land pattas, and financial grants under Kanyashree, Yuvashree and Sikshashree.
24-09-2016
•  On the wake of a bandh called by the political parties of the Hills on September 28, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Government would not tolerate any attempt to foment trouble in the Darjeeling Hills. She said that politics of bandh should stop in the Hills as it would stall all the development projects. She instructed three Ministers of the State Cabinet to be in the Hills to monitor the situation.
23-09-2016
•  On the third day of her visit to Darjeeling district, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee participated in the 2nd Foundation Day celebration of the Tamang Development and Cultural Board at Kalimpong. She laid the foundation stone of a new Tamang Youth Hostel at Mirik, coming up with State Government assistance. She also handed over funds for the youth hostel and other development activities to the Tamang Board.

•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee through a message informed that the Government has received the kind consent of singing legend, Lata Mangeshkar to accept Banga Bibhusan, the highest civil award of Bengal. The Hon’ble Chief Minister informed that she will personally go to hand over the award to her in Mumbai on 20th October, 2016.
22-09-2016
•  On the second day of her three-day trip to the Hills, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a number of developmental projects in a Government programme. Among the projects inaugurated today were the eight new cottages of the Kalimpong Tourist Lodge at Morgan House, a treasury building in Kalimpong, a marketing hub at Suruk-Samther in Kalimpong Block –I, new roads and the office of the Tea Directorate on Hill Cart Road. She also laid the foundation stones of the New Jalpaiguri police station and the community hall at Lorungdhura in Jorbungalow. The Hon’ble Chief Minister today distributed services like cheques for Geetanjali scheme and scholarships for Kanyashree, among others to the local people.

•  On the invitation of the West Bengal Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board extended to her, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today took part in their 5th Foundation Day celebration at Kalimpong. Funds were allotted to the Boards including the newly formed Kami, Sarki and Damai Boards for development work and preservation of the culture and heritage of the indigenous communities. The Hon’ble Chief Minister announced that that the Government will also set up Boards for the Bhujel, Khaas, Paharia Muslim and Newar communities.
21-09-2016
•  Justice Girish Chandra Gupta was sworn in as the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court. Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was present at the swearing-in ceremony.

•  On her visit to the Darjeeling district in North Bengal, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today flagged off the second phase of distribution of cycles to school boys and girls under 'Sabooj Sathi' scheme from Siliguri. She also inaugurated a unique cooperative for the journalists of North Bengal, at Siliguri, named as Shreshtarghya. The Hon’ble Chief Minister today handed over the land documents for the Siliguri Journalists’ Club. Five kathas of land was allotted for the SJC at Kawakhali in the outskirts of Siliguri. Later, on her way to Kalimpong, the Hon’ble Chief Minister was given a grand welcome by the local people.
20-09-2016
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed that West Bengal has achieved a social revolution in child care sector under the state’s health system, in a message. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Bengal, which was 32 in 2011, has declined to 28 in 2014, as per the recent SRS data published in July, 2016, she informed. Bengal has achieved the highest decline in the country in IMR as a big state, and has been appreciated with Trophy and Certificate of Merit in the National Summit on Best Practices and Innovations in Public Healthcare Systems in India, organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India at Tirupati during 29-31st August, 2016, she informed. The corresponding figures of IMR of the country as a whole are 44 in 2011 and 39 in 2014. Thus, Bengal is far ahead of the country as a whole in terms of this critical health parameter, her message said.

•  Sepoy Gangadhar Dalui and Sepoy Biswajit Ghorai, both residents of West Bengal, were among the deceased jawans in the Uri attack. Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced financial support and job for the deceased’s family.
19-09-2016
•  After a meeting chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with the SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh, at Nabanna, it was announced that the domestic Airlines major is going to start new flight services to Silchar, Aizawl, Guwahati, Gorakhpur and Vishakhapatnam from the city starting October 4, just ahead of the Durga Puja festivals. From December, the airline would start daily direct flight services from Kolkata to Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh. Hon’ble Chief Minister requested the airline to consider connecting the eastern metropolis to Europe with direct flights. Stating that West Bengal is the gateway to north-east India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and even the ASEAN countries, she said the Government will give all possible support.
17-09-2016
•  West Bengal Government will confer the State’s highest civil award, ‘Banga Bibhushan’ to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar to honour her immense contribution to the world of music. Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the decision taken by the Government at Nabanna today. The award will be conferred to Lata Mangeshkar after the Durga Puja. Hon’ble Chief Minister said that a letter in this regard has already been sent to her.
15-09-2016
•  A MoU to set up a skill development centre in Paschim Midnapore was signed between Tata Metaliks and the Paschim Banga Society for Skill Development in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Industry and Finance Minister Dr Amit Mitra at Nabanna. As per the MoU, the skill development centre to be set up at ITI Medinipur, will train 1,000-1,200 youth annually in vocational courses. Speaking to the press, the Hon’ble Chief Minister informed that today she has also spoken to the representatives of the auto giant Volvo. It was decided to give them 25 acres in Panagarh industrial park, she informed.
14-09-2016
•  Following the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the Government of West Bengal today distributed 806 numbers of cheques along with parchas to the land owners of Singur. Cheques and parchas for the remaining, which are ready, will be handed over by the local authorities to them as per their convenience. Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with distinguished guests, dignitaries and officials distributed the cheques and the parchas today at a programme held in Singur, Hooghly. The Hon’ble Chief Minister announced today that the Government will give all support to the farmers, for cultivation on their land. Check-dams and tube-wells will be set up to provide adequate water for irrigation. Seeds, fertilizers and other implements will be provided to the farmers. The Government will also provide each farmer Rs.10,000 as one-time assistance for purchase of small farm implements, the Hon’ble Chief Minister informed today. A Custom Hiring Centre to obtain big implements and machineries for agriculture purposes on easy rent, is also being set up at Singur, she informed. All the beneficiaries who have been receiving support from the Government for the last five years, will continue to do so till such time their land becomes cultivable, the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced. She said that the Government is always open to all options for industries. The Government has land in land banks and all are invited to come and set up industries in the State, the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced.
12-09-2016
•  On the eve of a Government programme to be held at Singur, Hooghly, on September 14, 2016, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee informed the press at Nabanna that survey work on 620 acres, which is around one-third of the total area to be surveyed, would be completed by tomorrow. She added that on Wednesday, 800 people will be given out cheques in accordance with their land holdings and 9,117 people would be given out porchas, from the venue of the meeting. The Hon’ble Chief Minister said that the land parcels to be returned would be used for the purpose of farming. In its historic judgement, the Hon’ble Supreme Court had ordered that the land in Singur, which was acquisitioned by the Tatas, be returned to the original owners. In accordance with the judgement, over the last few days, the West Bengal Government has been working to complete the land survey to identify which portion belongs to whom, and return them.

•   Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been invited to speak at the Global Business Conference, scheduled to be held in November in Bangkok. While addressing the press at Nabanna, Hon’ble Chief Minister informed about the invitation which was extended to her in Munich and her acceptance to speak at the Conference.

•   On the eve of the Holy Eid-al-Adha, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that any attempt to create disharmony among the people on the basis of religion will not be tolerated and warned everyone against playing such dirty games. She was addressing a press conference at Nabanna today. The Hon’ble Chief Minister said that all festivals are celebrated in Bengal with equal fervour and India being a secular country, no one will be allowed to spread violence in the name of religion. She requested everyone to refrain from getting provoked by untoward elements bent on spreading hatred.
10-09-2016
•   Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned to Kolkata after her visit to the Vatican and Munich, Germany.
07-09-2016
•  Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today addressed the Interactive Meet with representatives of the German industrial bodies at City Centre in Munich. She urged the German investors to invest in the State and assured them that the Government would provide full support. The Hon’ble Chief Minister informed that West Bengal is the gateway to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and those who sought for investment in the State will get a ready market. She asked the German investors to consider Bengal as their home and the destination.
06-09-2016
•  Keeping in mind, the current weather situation of the State, in view of the flood threat in the backdrop of heavy rain in the last 24 hours, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in Munich, Germany, instructed the State Irrigation Minister Rajib Banerjee to interact with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) authorities to prevent excessive water release from DVC dams in the State that might worsen the situation.

•   Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today chaired a preliminary meeting at Munich, with the business delegation from Bengal that had reached Germany, before the Interactive Session with representatives of the German industry sector. The Hon’ble Chief Minister urged the industry captains from Bengal to share their experience of doing business in Bengal with the German counterparts. Decisions were also taken as to which sectors should be highlighted in the Interactive Session scheduled on September 7.
05-09-2016
•  On an invitation extended to her by two leading German chambers of commerce — BVMW and the Association of German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK), Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee left for Munich in Germany from Rome. She reached Munich late in the evening. She is expected to address an exclusive Interactive Session with representatives of the German industry sector on September 7 in Munich. In the forthcoming meeting, the Hon’ble Chief Minister will be accompanied by Finance and Industries Minister Dr Amit Mitra and Minister of Environment, Housing and Fire Services and Mayor of Kolkata, Sovan Chattterjee. A 29-member business delegation comprising Government officials and captains of industries will be present. This is the first business trip of Mamata Banerjee in her second term as the Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal.
04-09-2016
•  A delegation from the State led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was witness to the grand occasion of the canonization of Mother Teresa, where she was declared ‘Saint Teresa of Calcutta’ by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican. The Hon’ble Chief Minister was ushered in the venue in a very special way by Sister Prema, Head of the Missionaries of Charity and she was seated with them to witness the historic ceremony.
02-09-2016
•  Acting on an invitation extended to her by the Missionaries of Charity, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today left for an eight-day tour of Italy and Germany. This is her first overseas trip after being elected as the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Bengal for the second time. The Hon’ble Chief Minister will stay in Italy from September 2 to 5. She will attend the canonisation ceremony of Mother Teresa at Vatican City. From Italy, she will fly to Munich to meet some German industrialists leading major manufacturing businesses.

•   Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today thanked the people of the State for not showing their support to bandhs. While speaking to the press at Dubai airport on her way to Rome, she congratulated the people of Bengal for keeping the State normal in spite of the trade union strike in the country. She also announced that those who came to work today will get an extra holiday during Durga Puja.
01-09-2016
•  West Bengal Government, taking a stand to stop the menace of strikes and bandhs appealed to all to prevent the strike called by some of the trade unions on September 2. Bengal will not be stopped, announced Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She urged everybody to join their workplaces as all educational institutions, offices, shops and establishments and factories will remain open. She added that vehicles will ply normally and public transport will not be hindered. There will be strongest possible action against miscreants who try to disrupt public life, she said. The Government will arrange for due compensation for any damage caused by miscreants to any vehicle or shop or establishment, the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced.

•   Land in Singur will be returned within the time frame set by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Hon’ble Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said today at Nabanna. The Hon’ble Supreme Court, on Wednesday set aside the land acquisition by the then West Bengal Government in 2006 to facilitate Tata Motors to set up its plant for the Nano car. A strategy meeting was held in Nabanna today to discuss the process of return of land. Chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the meeting was attended by Ministers, public representatives and officials of the State Government. The survey of the land in Singur will begin tomorrow and will be completed within two weeks, the Hon’ble Chief Minister informed. Those who did not take the money for compensation will be given their dues, as per court verdict, she added. The land will be made suitable for agriculture, the Hon’ble Chief Minister said. The Government has also decided to give possession to bargadars as per land records before acquisition, she added.