Kalimpong
15-Feb-2017: Kalimpong declared as 21st district of West Bengal
The Kalimpong subdivision of the Darjeeling hills became the 21st district of West Bengal.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made the announcement at Kalimpong. Kalimpong was once known for the Silk Route that passed through the region, connecting Nepal and Bhutan with the city. We will rebuild it. Our government will invest ₹ 220 crore on road construction.
When the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government came to power in 2011, there were 19 districts in the State. Alipurduar was made the 20th district of the State in June 2014.
Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017
1-Feb-2017: Cabinet approves Introduction of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Parliament.
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of The Indian Institutes of Information Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2017 in Parliament.
The amendment Bill provides for inclusion of Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing (IIITDM), Kurnool along with the other IITs in the Principal Act. Subsequently, IITDM Kurnool will be declared as an institute of National Importance with the power to award degrees to students
The expenditure for the operationalization of IITDM Kurnool is incurred from the Plan funds of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The emerging needs of the industry and the economy, as a whole for skilled technical manpower is expected to be met from the talent pool of trained personnel of the Institute. The Institute shall be open to all persons irrespective of gender, caste, creed, disability, domicile, ethnicity, social or economic background.
Background:
The Indian Institutes of Information Technology Act, 2014 confers the status of Institutions of National Importance on the IIITs and also provides for matters connected with administering these IIITs. Subsequently, the Government has approved creation of a new NIT at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh as embodied in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014. Due to addition of a new IIIT, amendment has to be made in the IIIT Act, 2014. With this, IIITDM. Kurnool will be the fifth Member as a Centrally Funded IIIT.
Bunkar Mitra
4-Jan-2017: Helpline for Handloom Weavers ‘Bunkar Mitra’ starts functioning
“Bunkar Mitra”, the Government of India’s Helpline for Handloom Weavers, went live today. The helpline was launched by the Union Textiles Minister Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani on December 25, 2016 on the occasion of “Good Governance Day”.
Interacting with an official of the call centre housing the helpline agents, the Minister said that the helpline is a great mix of technology, youth and tradition. She told the officials of the Ministry to monitor issues on which maximum complaints are received, so that corrective actions can be taken accordingly. Smt. Irani congratulated the Development Commissioner (Handlooms) and appreciated the time-bound manner in which the helpline is designed to addressed to respond to weavers’ queries and grievances.
The helpline provides a single point of contact to handloom weavers across the country for addressing queries and providing guidance. This helpline can be accessed by dialing the toll free number 1800-208-9988. Weavers can call from anywhere in India, from any number. The service is available from 10.00 A.M to 06.00 P.M, on all 7 days of the week, in seven languages: Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada and Assamese.