'More mishti, better schools, cleaner Burdwan from now on'

Burdwan, now being split into two instead of one district, has an interesting journey of development mapped out for the year 2017-18.

Better implementation of Central government schemes, computerisation of monitoring process for the schools, a new solid waste management system, an active mishti hub are on the agenda, says District Magistrate (DM) of Burdwan Anurag Srivastava.

Though Burdwan won two national awards for its progress in school education as well as better election management system, it can achieve more penetration of the Centre's NREGS scheme, which ensures jobs for the unskilled, rural poor.

"We have scored an average of 30 man-days a year but in 2017, we would like to take it up to 50 man-days," Anurag Srivastava, DM of Burdwan told Millennium Post. New jobs will be created in areas like solid waste management, anganwadi centres, eco parks which are being set up in the twin districts.

Burdwan as a district has almost achieved ODF (open defecation free) status though the declaration by the state government is yet to be made.

Srivastava says that now the district administration will focus on developing a solid waste management system especially in the urban and semi-urban areas. Plants maybe planted for this purpose as well.

The district has already excelled in improving the school education system by introducing an efficient monitoring mechanism. To make things better, an MIS system has already been installed in order to achieve more scientific checking of reports of school inspection. Computerisation will make it easier to monitor performances and progress of schools by the district administration, adds Srivastava.

The process of procurement of cereals by the state government is also being spruced up, he added. The mishti hub — where mouthwatering shitabhog and mihidana will be sold from — will also be operational from Friday.

The DM, who has earlier served in Darjeeling, says that the new division of the state will require some amount of hand-holding by the existing administration.

Additional responsibilities are being given to some of the officers, he explained. But Srivastava is hopeful that the new move will benefit the state.

"All that the two districts achieve will ultimately benefit the state. I think the government has taken a wise decision after much deliberation. It will prove to be prudent in the long run," he said.