Priya criticises Mamata for demanding invocation of Art 355

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 30: The West Bengal PCC chief Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi today criticised the Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee for demanding invocation of Article 355 in West Bengal.

“We support some points raised by Miss Mamta Banerjee on the Singur issue but not her demand for the invocation of Article 355 in the state,” Mr Das Munshi said here today. Downplaying Miss Banerjee's criticism against the Congress for agreeing to attend the all-party meeting convened by the state government in Kolkata today, the Congress leader said: “Those who were in the Congress but siding with the CPI-M are now with Miss Banerjee.”

The PCC chief, however, added that he did not mind Miss Banerjee meeting Mrs Sonia Gandhi. “Any person can meet Mrs Gandhi,” he said.

Supporting Miss Banerjee's demands on Singur, the Union minister said that the state government should have to execute the accord signed in presence of the Governor Mr Gopalkrishna Gandhi to resolve the Singur crisis.

“The state government hurriedly published the package but failed to manage the overall situation,” he said adding: “Still 21 ancillary industries have not set up their units in the Nano project site. There is sufficient land left to be returned to the farmers unwilling to offer land for the project,” he claimed.

The Union minister also said the Tata Motors should respond to the farmers’ demand and plight to resolve the Singur impasse. “I shall write a letter to Mr Ratan Tata soon pointing out the problems and offering proposals to resolve the crisis,” the minister, said.

Film festival at Malda Women's College

MALDA, Sept. 30: A Film festival is being held at Malda Women's College. Organised by the film club, the festival will be on for two days at the college premises.

Aniruddha Roy Choudhury's Anuranan was screened at its inaugural session. MWC principal Dr Chaitali Chattoraj, the officer in charge of Malda B Ed College Mr Shakti Patra, Dr Anuradha Kunda, teacher of Malda College, other teachers and hundreds of students were present. Making the event special, the history department of the MWC published a journal - Perspective Gauda past and present Vol-I edited by Mrs Manasi Chakrabory, a teacher of MWC. The MWC film club has planned to screen three other films like Ingmar Bergman's swedish film, Hour Of The Wolf, Taste of Cherry- directed by Abbas Kiarostami and Sarah Gavron's Brick Lane, adapted from Monica Ali's award winning novel.

The principal of MWC Dr Chattoraj said that students of this college had been planning to form a cine club for the last two years and their efforts have finally borne fruits. n SNS

PWD wants removal of 'illegal construction'

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 30: The Public Works department has sought help from the district magistrate to remove an "illegal construction" set up by an advertising agency even though the English Bazaar Municipality approved the project.

The iron frame for setting up a hoarding on either side of the flyover on four lanes of the National Highway 34 in English Bazaar town was erected without permission from the PWD (roads) or National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI), police said.

The executive engineer of the PWD (roads) informed the Malda district magistrate that neither any advertisement agency nor the English Bazaar Municipality sought permission from the department for permanent construction of the structure on the flyover owned by the PWD (Roads).

The officer in charge of traffic in English Bazaar town, Mr Ashim Gope said: “I objected to the construction at the beginning without the permission from the NHAI and the owner of the flyover. I allowed them at last when they showed a permission letter from English Bazaar Municipality”.

Mr Gope said the vision of drivers would be affected at night if the glowing sign reflects bright light.

The vice chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality, Mr Dulal Sarkar said: “The civic body does not need to seek permission from any other organisation for this purpose. The advertisement agency will seek permission from the concerned authorities if necessary.”

The civic body has made an agreement with the advertisement agencies wherein they will pay Rs. 40,000 per year for the project.

“We usually give permission to advertisement agencies for installation of hoarding in our jurisdiction to increase income of the civic body. Similarly, we gave permission to them for setting up a glow sign on the flyover,” Mr Sarkar said.

The Malda district magistrate Mr CR Das said: “The civic body is not the authority to give permission for construction on a flyover which is owned by the PWD (roads). We must look into the matter.”

Drive to check power theft

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 30: Vigilance officials of the state electricity department have launched a special drive to identify departmental staff, allegedly involved in power theft.

Vigilance officials raided the houses of suspected power department employees in Malda and the two Dinajpur districts recently and charged large amounts of penalty on the spot after detecting tempering and manipulation of meters and reading books at their residence. It was learnt that more than eight power department employees have been penalised after last week's raids in this region.

The department identified the errant workers by keeping a watch on their power bills. The bills registered abnormally low consumption and the practice was continuing for months.

During the raids the vigilance officials identified gadgets run by electricity in their houses and estimated the cost of monthly power consumption. The giveaway differences prompted the department to run a check and it was detected that the errant staffs had tampered with the meters to evade the departmental meter reading system.

The chief circle manager of the state electricity distribution company limited Mr A Maity admitted the problem and said: “ Not only departmental staffs, any person found guilty of similar crime would be penalized. He, however, did not disclose what steps the department would take against the staffs found guilty.

VEC: No selection criteria stated

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 29: The formation of a five-member committee to monitor the village education committee (VEC) has been stalled in many gram panchayats owing to lack specific criteria for selecting members.

The government had issued an order to form VEC and the monitoring committee by September this year after introducing new system of formation of the VEC following delimitation, district education officials said.

The objective of the new VEC is to start a ‘social audit’ system for proper utilisation of funds and to check corruption within the limited member of the VEC.

According to education officials, owing to the on going process to form a gram sansad after panchayat election, the process to constitute VEC suffered a setback in many blocks. The government has directed that other than the head master of a primary school and member of a gram panchayat, all guardians of children from 5 to 14 year of age would be inducted as the member of VEC.

“The pradhan has been assigned to constitute a monitoring committee members of which would be from the guardians. But the panchayat has been facing problem to select five men since many of them want to be the member of the committee,” the district project officer of SSM (Sarba Shikhsha Mission), Mr Chinmay Sarkar said.

The objective of this new system is to inform all local residents about the allotment of funds from the Sarba Shiksha Mission (SSM) for the development of education system, construction of school and other purposes.

“After execution of delimitation the total number of VEC in this district has been reduced from 2019 to 1468,” said Mr Chinmay Sarkar, the district project officer, SSM. The government had directed to dissolve the old VEC and to form new VEC inducting an elected member of gram panchayat as president of the VEC.

The headmaster of a primary school would be functioning as secretary of the VEC. The government has also instructed to induct an engineer of the SSM project as coordinator.

The three key members (panchayat nominee, headmaster and engineer) would be entitled to deal with the financial transaction from bank and utilise funds allotted from the SSM for the development of primary schools. The government has directed to close the bank account of the old VEC and transfer the unutilised fund to the new VEC's account. According to government's decision, VEC members would be meeting every six months to make an audit report of the funds. The monitoring committee would table accounts and utilisation reports of funds before the VEC.

Gearing up for Sujapur by poll

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 28: The state election commission has asked the Malda district election officials to make preparation for the upcoming by poll in Sujapur assembly constituency, the date of which is yet to be announced.

The state election commission is going to conduct three assembly by elections in the state on the basis of the old electoral roll. These three assembly constituencies are Sujapur in Malda, Nandigram in East Midnapore and Para in Purulia.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Malda district election department would publish the draft electoral roll of Sujapur on 7 October. The draft electoral roll would be finalised by 15 October. The state election commission would hold a meeting with the district election officials on 1 October to take stock of the election preparation. It may be noted that in July this year the Sujapur MLA Rubi Noor, also the district Congress president died.

Based on delimitation a fresh electoral roll of this district was published on 22 September where 18,54,374 voters figured of which 8,89,335 were women voters. Earlier the number of voters stood at 17,98,935.

Malda had 11 assembly constituencies previously and now the number has gone up to 12 following the delimitation of the constituencies.

As far as the Sujapur assembly constituency is concerned, there are 1,52, 652 voters including 73,183 women at present following delimitation.

The Congress leaders in Malda have not yet announced the name of its candidate for Sujapur but according to the party sources one of her daughters might be fielded for the by poll.

Incessant rains mar festive preparations

MALDA, Sept. 28: Incessant rains since yesterday have upset the people on the eve of Id and Durga Puja.


Heavy downpour since the past few days, added to the woes of both Hindus and Muslims as they were unable to buy new cloths for the upcoming festivities.

Shop owners, including the small traders trading on footpaths, who do good business during the festive season, were most affected by the inclement weather.

The organisers entrusted with the responsibility of making preperations preparing for Id have stopped working due to the continuous rains.


On the other hand, the artisans are also anxious as to how they would be able to complete making idols, work for which is stalled for the time being due to the weather condition.

Even construction of community Puja pandals is being affected particularly in the English Bazar town. n SNS

Welfare home in Malda to re-open

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 26: The district administration has decided to reopen Sahapur Child Welfare Home on 15 October. The managing committee of the Home decided to revamp the Home at a meeting held on Wednesday.

It may be noted that the district administration had closed down the home when Rajib Soren, a minor inmate died after being electrocuted on 3 July this year. Police had arrested 12 inmates of the state run home on charges of rioting and damaging three government vehicles.

The Malda SDO Ms Arunima De, also the chairman of the managing committee of the Sahapur Child Welfare Home, said that a notice would be served to the guardians of all inmates, excluding the twelve who were arrested, to return to the Home on 15 October.

The district magistrate Mr C R Das has begun repair work particularly electric wiring and allotted Rs 2 lakh for the purpose.

“Another fund was allotted from Uttar Banga Unnayan Parishad for a toilet block. The BDO in Old Malda has been asked to complete the construction of toilet block by 15 October”, said Ms De.

A new superintendent will be taking charge of the Home from 15 October. It may be noted that following the complaint lodged by the administration, police have arrested Sukumar De Das, the superintendent of the Home.

The Malda SDO said the government has sanctioned 100 seats for this home where economically backward male children (below 18 years) will get an opportunity to stay at the Sahapur Child Welfare Home.(END)

Man kills self over marital dispute

MALDA, Sept. 26: Newly married Bablu Sheikh (20) committed suicide by hanging himself after being separated forcibly from his wife, family members said.

The incident took place at Gangarampur village under Kaliachak police station last night. Family members found him hanging in his room this morning.

Bablu, a labour supplier by profession, was in a relation with Rimpa since six years and planned to marry her when she crossed 18 year without the consent of their parents. He eloped with her twenty-five days ago. Photographs and marriage registration papers were recovered from his room.

They came to Malda town and decided to settle here. But five days after their marriage the girls father, Mr Naimuddin Ahmed, a schoolteacher, was against their decision. He later met Bablu's father, Mr Kamrul Hoque and said that he wanted a proper wedding ceremony for her daughter.

On hearing this proposal, Bablu's father, a clerk of a madrassa covinced Rimpa to go back. Returning back, Rimpa was confined to her home and Mr Naimuddin Ahmed refused to send her back to Bablu. It was also reported that Rimpa had to get married to a guy of her father's choice. No complaint has been lodged so far. The victim's body has been cremated. n SNS

Dry fruits for food!

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 25: Hundreds of residents of three villages in Gazole did not cook food today and made good with dry food as per instruction from the police.

The ‘no cooking’ programme was forced on the residents by an overturned oil tanker.

The inflammable laden vehicle skidded off the National Highway and fell into a roadside ditch this morning at Ahora in Gazole police station.

Fearing leakage from the tanker, the police alerted the local people and asked them not to use fire in the area, as it could prove dangerous.

The police failed to lift the tanker weighing 17 tons despite the best efforts through out the day and have finally urged the Indian Oil Corporation to bring a heavy recovery van.

The fire brigade employees checked the tanker. Though they did not find any seepage or leakage, they have suggested not to use fire in the area. #

DI initiates steps against dishonest school headmaster

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 25: The district inspector of schools, Malda, Mr Chinmay Sarkar has asked bank authorities in Malda not to make payment against salary bill of Milky High School, in English Bazaar for the month of September.

The DI schools said that the decision was taken after it was found out that the head master of the Milky High School Mr Nur-ul-Islam has been submitting salary bill forging the signature of the school secretary Mr Rahman Ajijur.

According to the DI, the secretary of the managing committee was not signing the salary bill over a difference of opinion with the headmaster. “The school secretary recently informed the matter to me. He has also submitted a written complaint against the head master about the signature forging matter,” Mr Sarkar alleged.

“The education officials examined the specimen signature of the secretary and the forged signature in the salary bills and decided that legal action would be taken against the head master,” the DI said.

The district inspector of schools Mr. Chinmay Sarkar said: “ We have sufficient documents about the scam. Both the head master and secretary of the school have been asked to come to our office on Friday. Legal action would be taken against the headmaster on the basis of the secretary's complaint.”

The accused headmaster Mr Nur-ul- Islam admitted the mistake. “I had to forge the secretary's signature because he was not co-operating,” he said.

“I know that i made a big mistake,” he added but did not divulge the nature of the problem with the secretary.

Education system in Malda criticised

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 25: Standing committee on education of state legislative assembly visited Malda district on 23 and 24 September and was unhappy with the system of education prevalent here.

After visiting two primary schools located at Tajpur and Jagajjibanpur in Habibpur, the committee headed by Mr Gurupada Dutta and other officials including the chairman of the district primary school council Mr Uttam Sarkar was upset with the shortage of teachers in the schools.

Mr Uttam Sarkar said that the problem arose as many teachers retired. Delay in recruitment too was a huge setback to the education system. The council was facing a shortage of atleast 2000 teachers in primary schools.

“Where there is only one teacher, we have placed another one on deputation for three months from any near by school. We have issued a standing order to depute another teacher immediately where only a single teacher is on duty”, he said.

According to Mr. Sarkar, the council is collecting information on the enrollment of students and teachers posted in each school to resolve the problem of shortage of teachers.

The standing committee has also opposed the ongoing system of mid-day meal being prepared in open air.

The committee has asked the administrative officials to complete the repair work of the kitchen so that mid-may meal could be cooked hygenically.

Non-implementation of sanitation and drinking water too are under scanner.

The committee also inquired about mid day meal project for upper primary students and cause for the delay in its implementation.

Silk Park to be set up in Malda

MALDA, Sept. 24: Small scale enterprise and textile minister of state Mr Manab Mukherjee said here yesterday that he had recently spoken to Mr Shankersinh Vaghela, Union minister for textile for setting up a 'Silk Park' in Malda. At a meeting with the officers of Malda, Mr Mukherjee disclosed that the Centre has no concept about 'Silk Park,' but the Centre can allot funds in the head of Textile Park. "But Mr Vaghela told me to send a proposal of the proposed 'Silk Park," he said. In yesterday's meeting about the proposed project, which was conceived in April 2007, it was decided that the government would send the idea of 'Silk Park' in Malda with a view to sanctioning funds from the Centre. In the mean time, the department of textile (sericulture) would prepare a project report on 'Silk Park' with the help of a consultancy firm. Yesterday the minister interacted with the farmers to explore opportunities to form a 'Honey Cluster' in Malda district and the scope of its marketing to other areas. He visited Sahapur village in Old Malda last afternoon and interacted with the farmers who are facing problems in storing raw honey after collecting honey due to lack of a proper storage system. Since many days the local farmers have been drawing attention of the government, seeking financial assistance to form a ‘Honey Cluster’ here with storage facility so that they can sell raw honey at reasonable price in the market. Mr Manab Mukherjee yesterday held a review meeting with his departmental officials including directorate of textile (sericulture), district industrial centre where the district magistrate Mr CR Das, Sabhdhipati Mrs Sabina Yeasmin and other top officials were also present.Mr Mukherjee yesterday visited a weaving cluster, which is in its initial stage, at Sattari and the cocoon market in Kaliachak and suggested the district officials of directorate of textile (sericulture) to prepare a plan of infrastructure development with a facility of modern technology. The mister reviewed the performance of district industrial centre and asked officials to function properly for setting up small-scale industries when the departmental officials blamed the electricity department for delaying power supply to new industrial units. n SNS

Centre allots funds for anti-erosion work

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 24: Centre has approved funds worth Rs. 46 crore for anti-erosion work on the bank of the rivers Mahananda and Punarbhaba along India Bangladesh border in Malda, irrigation officials said today.The Central Water Commission (CWC) took the initiative to carry out permanent bank line protection work along the border to save existing barbed wire fencing and border road, which are under threat due to erosion by these rivers.At a meeting of the technical advisory committee (TAC), held in Kolkata today, it was decided that the irrigation officials in the districts would begin work in December this year. Experts of CWC, GFCC (Ganga Flood Control Commission) Port Trust and other top officers of state irrigation and waterways department were also present at the meeting.It may be noted that estimated plans for bank line protection of major rivers along the India Bangladesh border in North and South Dinajpur have been sanctioned. In Malda the irrigation and waterways department would cover eight km stretch along the border in Old Malda and Bamongola blocks. The department had sent the revised plan to the CWC in early September this year.A few years ago authorities took initiative to take up bank line protection work on the Indian side but it was stalled due to objections from Bangladesh authorities over borderline demarcations. A few months ago the CWC was given a green signal by Bangladesh and hence it decided to revamp the project. "We have to undergo some official procedures and formalities to commence the work in December”, the executive engineer, irrigation department in Malda Mr S Misra said over telephone from Kolkata today.

Gour Banga varsity to have new PG courses

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 23: The University of Gour Banga has plans to introduce seven campus post graduation courses from December this year, the registrar Mr. Tapas Kumar Chatterjee said today.

Since the university does not have its own building at present, it has plans to start these courses in four colleges in Malda as a temporary arrangement for morning shift.

The four colleges that have been selected by the university authorities are Malda College, Gour Malda College, Malda Women’s College and Malda B Ed College.

According to the registrar, initially the university had planned to introduce campus courses like English, Bengali, Sanskrit, Arabic, History, Education and Mathematics based on the demand of secondary and higher secondary school education services through school service commission.

Notification for admission of students will be published soon and admission forms will be issued from 15 to 31 October.

Mr. Tapas Kumar Chatterjee, registrar of the UGB, said the process of admission will be completed by 30 November and classes for the post graduation campus courses, which will follow the semester system, will commence from first week of December.

The university authorities have decided to publish an advertisement by September 25 for the recruitment of regular teachers for 49 posts in UGB, including professors, readers, and lecturers following government’s reservation system, he informed.

Information regarding UGB’s notifications will be available on its own website http://www.ugb.ac.in/.

In another development the state has sanctioned Rs. 1.24 crore for the construction of a boundary wall of the selected site of the UGB in English Bazaar town. Of this, Rs.15 lakh has been released and Rs. 20 lakh will be released soon, university officials said today.

At present estimated cost of its proposed plan of the university building is nearly Rs. 70 crore and it would be submitted to the government in early November.

Balm for aching hearts...

MALDA, Sept. 23: The Malda social welfare department observed Elder Abuse Awareness Day at Malda College auditorium today. They also invited elderly men, women and disabled people from all the blocks of the district.

The top district officials including the sabhadhipati of Malda Zilla Parishad Mrs Sabina Yasmin, the district magistrate Mr CR Das and additional district magistrate Mrs Indrani Saha and others present in the programme to felicitate elderly men and women including a person, 103-year-old, present today.

The department also distributed gadgets to be used by disabled men and women. The speakers highlighted the plight of elderly couples who are neglected by their children.

The officials also announced that it would conduct a survey to find out how many families looking after and care for the elderly members in their family with the help of Malda Women's college students. Citing statistics they claimed that nearly 1.5 crore of the population in the country would be old by 2015. Mr Gobinda Basak, Treasury Officer-I, said: “A lot of elderly men and women in the society are being deprived of their rights”.

Mr Basak further said: “A retired teacher, Mr Abul Hossian of Talbangrua village, who got pension from the government after a wait of seven years, was harassed by the bank officials a few days ago when he wanted to open a joint pension account”. The incident took place in English Bazaar town.

“The regional manager of this particular bank has recently issued an order to ‘freeze’ his pension account on the grounds that this old man has lost his mental stability,” he said.

“Recently, the district administration took initiative to ‘rehabilitate’ an elderly women Kadamvari Debi, who was driven out of her house by family members. She narrated her story before the district magistrate, Mr CR Das, and said that since her life holds no value she wands to die,” Mr Pratyarpan Singha Roy, a government official, said. n SNS

Boy kills sister for 'food'

MALDA, Sept. 22: A 12-year-old-boy, Ajmal Sheikh, killed his elder sister Akhtara (22) in Uttar Dariapur.

The boy hacked Akhtara to death, in front of the family members, and fled from his home.

Ajmal had asked the victim to prepare some food since he was hungry.

When she refused to do so, he insulted his sister, who was a divorcee and was staying in her father's house.

Akhtara picked up a stick to beat Ajmal up but he snatched it and beat her up instead.

Akhtara then picked up a sharp weapon to scare away her younger brother who overpowered her and killed her. n SNS

Three held for kidnapping trader

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 22: The Malda police have arrested three people in connection with a kidnap charge made by Mrs Susmita Mallick. According to Mrs Mallick, eight people had kidnapped her husband Mr Bishwadeb Mallick, a trader and had sought a ransom of Rs 1.5 lakh.

She also complained that police had initially refused to register the complaint and had suggested to patch up with the offenders. The Malda SP, Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay, stepped in after hearing the allegation and arrested the accused persons. According to Mrs Mallick, eight people had confined her husband Mr Bishwadeb Mallick, a trader of Malda, in Raiganj, North Dinajpur district, and had demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from him.

“Yesterday, a man had called him for installation of water purifier but when he arrived at the given address the youth and his associates confined him,” Mrs Mallick said.

“They has called me up to inform me of my husband's kidnap and told me to send the money at a certain address in Malda if I want my husband to be released. I could, however, manage to collect Rs 55,000 only and deposited it with a person at the given address in English Bazaar town to free my husband. I also informed police about the matter at the same time,” she said.

Today, police caught three youths Biltu Roy, Tamal Roy and Debabrata Dutta, who had come to the English Bazaar address to collect the cheque.

“I have asked the English Bazaar police station to accept a written complaint. I would also inquire if there was any attempt to hush up the case,” the Malda SP, said.

Police fail to trace threat caller

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 22: The chairman of English Bazaar Municipality, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, has expressed discontent over the role of police who have not been able to identify a particular man have been making threat calls to him.

"Police have done nothing except increasing the number of security personnel I had by one”, said Mr Tiwari adding that police would not be able to identify or trace the caller who had been threatening him calling from a ‘coin telephone booth'.

On 16 September, he received first threat call about 4.10 p.m. and the caller kept calling him till 5.40 p.m. The unknown caller phoned him four times and one of the calls he made was from a landline number.

Congress leader Mr Tiwari received similar threat calls, again, at 4.39 p.m. on 19 September when he was in a meeting with the administrative officials. Some police officers were also present when he got the call.

According to Mr Tiwari, three police officers including IC English Bazaar had received last three calls of which one was from a landline number.

The chairman said that because of his municipal and political connections, few people have been conspiring against him.

“I took initiative to investigate the matter and got some clues. Finally, I decided to ignore such calls,” Mr Tiwari said.

"We detained some local phone booth owners and examined them. We are monitoring telephone network to trace the caller,” said Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay, the Malda SP.

Second phase of eviction to start after Pujas

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 22: The district administration has deferred the ongoing in English Bazaar eviction drive and has announced that the civic body with the help of administration would launch an eviction drive again after the Durga Puja.

“Keeping in mind people's sentiment on the issue of small traders’ livelihood on the eve of Puja and Id, we have stopped evicting traders from English Bazaar town. But, after the Puja, the encroachments on pavements of main roads in this town would be cleared,” said Mr CR Das, the Malda DM.

On July 9, the district administration had launched the eviction drive earlier in and around NH-34, from Rathbari to Sukanta More. But, the second phase of the eviction drive that was to clear the stretch from Rathbari to an underpass near district hospital was yet to kick off.

A few days ago, the district magistrate took an initiative to evict some hawkers from the footpath off the old circuit house and the district magistrate bungalow.

Though that particular stretch of footpaths was cleared, administration did not evict other hawkers who set their stalls close to the marketplaces on humanitarian ground.

Hundreds of small scale traders have been selling various items including garments on the eve of Puja and Id and every days thousands of people are coming in English Bazaar town from block areas for shopping.

It may be noted that the administration has fenced the foothpath of NH-34 and have put up ‘mobile dividers’ for other roads of the town.

After a meeting with the district magistrate, the English Bazaar civic body chief, Mr Narendranath Tiwari said: “We have planned revamp traffic system by clearing all encroachments after Puja with the help of police in English Bazaar town”.

Shift pandals or face demolition :Malda DM

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 21: The Malda district administration has set a 48-hour deadline to the puja organisers to clear the roads encroached by pandals.

“If the deadline is not complied with unauthorized structures would be demolished,” said the district magistrate.

Recently at a meeting with the puja committees of Malda town, the district magistrate and superintendent of police jointly approached the puja organisers to remove the structures, which were illegally constructed creating congestion of main roads in English Bazaar town.

The district magistrate Mr CR Das said: “The hostile attitude of some puja committees towards the instruction has compelled us to take the harsh decision. They seem to be challenging administration, violating and ignoring rule of law. It cannot be tolerated.”

The Malda DM also said that some puja organisers had already encroached upon the Rabindra Avenue, popularly known as Rajmahal Road, deemed to be the lifeline of English Bazaar town, ignoring traffic rules.

The English Bazaar civic body has already appealed to the puja organisers to follow the administrative decision and shift the constructed structures within 48 hours.

The district administration has prevented the English Bazaar civic body from granting permission to the organisers for the construction of gates on main roads.

It was decided that only the office of the district magistrate would give permission for construction of gates on roads.

The Malda SP said: “Police would approach the organisers to shift unauthorised structures on road tomorrow. If they do not move the unauthorised structures, the police will demolish all structures.”

“The organisers will have to follow the ‘alignment’ formulated by the administration on either the side of the road for setting up pandals and gates. If they do not follow the direction all unauthorised structures will be evicted by police,” the Malda DM said.

The administration has alerted the puja organisers to follow other relevant rules and requested them to seek permission and approval from pollution control board and fire brigade.

The administration, police, civic body and some non-governmental organisations have chalked out plans to set up drop gates and parking zones to control traffic. They would also set up assistance booths, health centres, telephone and ambulance services during the Puja days.

Puja lotteries banned

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 21: Malda district magistrate Mr CR Das today banned lotteries meant for raising Durga Puja funds of several clubs in the district. Organisers who had earlier launched such lotteries have stopped advertising them now, following the ban.

“None can organise such lotteries without permission from the government. Specifically, the organisers need to get permission from the Home department," Mr Das said. “Police will arrest the organisers if they organise such lotteries either openly or secretly,” he added.

“But in Malda nobody cares about the government's order,” he remarked.

A few organisations, however, have already announced the reults of their lotteries. Lotteries organised by some Puja committees on Rabindra Avenue have already wound up their counters.

For the past few years, several puja organisers had been conducting big budget lotteries openly before and after Durga Puja. The authorities took no steps to ban the lottery culture and silently allowed them for lack of complaints against them.

Municipality asks BSNL to explain 'illegal' mobile towers

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Sept.18: The English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) has sought clarification from the general manager, BSNL in Malda regarding alleged violation of norms for installation of mobile towers in the town.

The chairman of the EBM wrote a letter to the general manager BSNL, Malda on 30 August 2008 (Memo No. 861/T-54) requesting him to reply early to six questions on the issue of ‘illegal installation’ of mobile towers.

The civic body’ action was prompted by several complaints from local residents.

The letter said: “ A number of mobile towers have been installed within the jurisdiction of the EBM without the permission from the civic body that leads to violation of West Bengal Municipal Act 1993”.

The civic body has also said the buildings on which the mobile towers have been installed have neither obtained permission from the civic body nor were inspected by the competent authority as to whether those buildings are suitable enough for installing the mobile towers.

The EMB chairman also drew the attention of the BSNL general manager regarding the specific guidelines issued by the Department of Environment, order No. EN/939/T-IV-I/001/2006 dated 24.04.2008, which are to be followed while installation of mobile towers.

The EBM has sought replies to six questions: Whether approval was obtained from the director of fire service or expert opinion taken for ensuring the structure, whether any pollution control board approval was obtained or soil tests made, whether the community vis a vis security has been followed as per section 327 of the West Bengal Municipal Act and whether the regulation and direction under section 386 of the Municipal Act 1993 is followed.

The general manager, Malda, BSNL Mr. Neeraj Khare said he had not received the letter toll now.

“It is a letter related to legal matters. We would consult the matter with legal experts for necessary action”, he said.

“Several rules and regulations have been formulated recently which did not exist earlier. But I must look into the matter before making any statement ”, Mr. Khare said.

Brahmaputra Mail detained for two hours

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Sept.18: The New Delhi bound Brahmaputra Mail was detained for over two hours at Chamagram Station near Farakka this morning after it was detected that a wheel had caught fire.

The train was stopped at Chamagram Station when railway men working on tracks near Jamirghata Station observed that one of the wheels had caught fire.

The stationmaster of Chamargam Mr. A Kumar informed the matter to the higher authorities following which, inspectors Mr. H K Singh from Malda Town Station and Mr. M Sharma from Farakka rushed to the spot and found a wheel attached to a coach no. SN-1 had broken and caught fire.

The coach was replaced after verification and the train left eh station after 8 am today.

Wife of slain Intuc leader demands high level inquiry

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Sept.18: Ms Lakhi Guho, the widow of former INTUC district president and vice chairman of English Bazaar Municipality late Biswanath Guho, today renewed her appeal to the superintendent of police seeking high level inquiry into the murder case of her husband.

Demanding punishment of killers of her husband she reminded that the accused Akhtar Sheikh, driver of Guho’s private car, got bail from the lower court because police could not submit charge sheet within 90 days from the date of murder.

Guho was murdered near garage, which was very close to his residence on 12 June mid night.

Though police arrested Akhtar, his drive, as prime suspect behind murder but could not establish motive behind and murder and specific evidence to accuse Akhtar.

Finally police had to send Akhtar to Bangalore for Narco Analysis to get specific clue and think tank behind the murder following political pressure from leaders of the Congress and INTUC.

Police could not submit a charge sheet within 90 days because the report of the narco test report is yet to reach here officially and could not go ahead based on the information that has come up during narco tests.


Police officials said the investigation of this murder case was going on right track and police would be able to book original culprits within a few days.

Mid-day meal to be reintroduced in upper primary schools

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept.17: The top district administrative officials held a meeting with the education officials today to introduce the mid-day meal project in upper primary level where the programme was yet to begin despite Order of the Supreme Court.

Though the mid-day meal project is running in primary schools in many blocks in this district but in secondary schools for class V to VIII students the project was yet to begin in Manikchak, Old Malda and English Bazaar including its municipal areas.

To introduce the project in upper primary level immediately and to maintain a proper monitoring system of this project the district administration has decided to involve all inspectors of primary and secondary education.

The district magistrate Mr. C R Das today approached the DI, SI and ASI of primary and secondary education to keep vigilance on quality of rice, cooked food and weights prescribed by the government for mid-day meal apart from functioning of schools from now.

“The headmaster of the school will submit the monthly report of accounts of the project to the block development officer. But the report must be counter signed by the respective education officials. The BDO would not receive the report without signature of two officials”, said Mr. C R Das, the district magistrate in Malda.

Earlier this system was not maintained properly due to reluctance of both teachers and education officials, he added.

To maintain the quality of the rice meant for mid-day meal the district magistrate office has decided to send sample of rice, collected from the FCI to be allotted to all school authorities, so that distributor can not change the rice on transit and can not deliver poor quality of rice instead.

The education officials including the teachers said they will face problem even then as the number of upper primary students is more than 800 to 1200 in many schools.

“ We will face problem due to lack of man power and infrastructure and it would kill time and hamper study during school hours”, they pointed out.

Finally the district magistrate Mr. C R Das said that the mid-day meal project must be introduced in upper primary where the students’ strength is below 500 to 600 at present and he assured them of the fact that the administration would consider their ‘logistic problem’ of management and take steps for implementing the project. (END)

Old-age home inmate kills self

MALDA, Sept.17: Nirmal Haldar (82), an inmate of an NGO run old-age home, located at Bachamari Colony in Malda police station, committed suicide by hanging himself today.The man a resident of Old Malda village, committed suicide at about 2 a.m as he was suffering from depression, said police and social welfare officers after the primary investigation. The body was sent for post mortem. Mr Ratan Sarkar, who runs the old age home, confessed before the district welfare officers that he would not be able to run the home without financial assistance. Expressing his inability, Mr Sarkar said: “I want to give up my responsibility of this home,” he told the officers during their visit. The inmates, it was learnt, are not happy due to a fund crunch. Despite several reminders and recommendation by the state welfare department, the Central social justice and empowerment department has not sent funds for the home since 2000, alleged the district welfare officers.The Malda district magistrate Mr C R Das instructed the welfare officers to shift other inmates from the home. The social welfare department has planned to shift the only two women inmates of the home to another sanitarium at Chanchal. n SNS

Blame game over disruption of power in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 16: Blame game has started between the officials of Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Electricity Distribution Company Limited over the issue of unstable power supply that has disrupted supply of arsenic free drinking water in Kaliachak. Drinking water supply from the arsenic free water treatment plant located at Dariapur in Kaliachak-III has been disrupted over a month in its due to electrical problems. When the PHE officials complained about the disruption of power supply, the electricity department officials blamed PHE officials for failing to detect electrical fault in its own system. In last seven days, when the thousands of people have been facing acute drinking water crisis, both the departments have started blame games to avoid their own responsibilities and accountabilities. A few days ago, the additional district magistrate (development) held a meeting but failed to sort out the problem. The executive engineer (PHE) arsenic division, Mr D Banerjee said: “ We have failed to supply water because of electricity department has failed to supply ‘uninterrupted stable power’ in spite of our own ‘dedicated feeder line’ at sub station buildings located at Rajnagar (in take point) on the bank of the Ganga and at Dariapur, the main plant for water treatment and distribution.” “The PHE officials did not inform us officially in its respective assistant engineer in Kaliachak about the fault. We did not have information about the situation. Receiving information from the Press we inspected the feeder line yesterday and found that feeder line was providing adequate uninterrupted power. The PHE officials need to check their the fault in their own system at sub station,” said Mr A Maity, chief circle manager, State Electricity Distribution Company Limited in Malda. “There are so many illegal and unlawful connections from the ‘dedicated’ feeder line in Rajnagar area. The electricity department does not bother to check such power theft that disrupts the process of lifting waters from the river every day especially at night,” said Mr Banerjee. “Even electricity department officials did not bother to attend meeting convened by the administration. The matter was noted in the minutes in last meeting convened by the ADM (D) Mrs Indrani Saha, a few days ago”, said Mr Banerjee “Owing to heavy work schedule departmental official, for the first time, could not attend the meeting. But the PHE officials did not bother to attend our meeting of bulk consumers to point out their problem. Every month we invite our 65 bulk consumers to hear any problem related to power supply but PHE did not attend a single meeting,” said Mr Maity, the chief circle manager. “A joint inspection of both departmental officials is imperative to sort the present problem,” Mr. Maity added.

'Prepare strategies to enhance production'

MALDA, Sept. 16: Mr Mahanta Chatterjee, minister for food processing and horticulture, today held a meeting with the district administrative officials and review the programmes of national horticulture mission in Malda and Murshidabad districts. The minister today stressed to prepare plans and strategy to develop quality production of mangoes and litchis from now, not waiting for beginning of its season. The minister asked the horticulture officials to train farmers as well as traders for exporting their products. The horticulture departmental officials have been asked to increase cultivation of flowers and spice. Considering the demands of bulbous plants in floriculture sector in Malda district. The minister announced that the Malda district would be getting Rs 2.5 lakh to renovate at least 10 mango slice processing units. The district food processing and horticulture department has been asked to involve people's representatives up to gram panchayat level for preparing extensive programme of horticulture development. At a review meeting it was found that the districts could not achieve the targeted figure utilising the funds allotted from the national horticulture mission. The Malda officials, coming out of the meeting, said the performance of the tiny Malda is better than the big district Murshidabad on issue of utilisation of funds for national horticulture mission. n SNS

Labourers shun Mumbai fearing attacks by Shiv Sena

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 15: Several migrant labourers working in Mumbai left the tinsel town for home in Malda in the past three days fearing attacks by the Shiv Sena. According to the labourers, who are mostly from the Gopalpur village in Manikchak village and are from the minority community, Shiv Sainiks had apprehended hundreds of migrant labourers of Malda origin and handed them over to the police in the past week. Mr Akhtar Ali, a resident of Gopalpur village in Manikchak block, who returned home on yesterday, said: “Nearly 500 such labourers are in Mumbai police custody. We have failed to establish ourselves as Indians. The Shiv Sena activists did not recognise the photocopy identity card as a valid enough document. They suspect us as Bangladeshis and threatened to leave." According to him, a relative Mr Roushan Ali, who failed to prove his citizenship, was apprehended from a Mumbai hotel three days ago and was handed over to the Belapur police in Mumbai. “The Shiv Sainiks barged into the hotel when about a hundred of us were lunching in the hotel and accosted us. I managed to escape and reach home,” Mr Akhtar, said. According to those who have succeeded in returning home, the Mumbai police have lodged hundreds of workers from Malda in several go-downs due to space constraint in the police stations. Today, some migrant labourers with helped by the CPI-ML (Liberation) submitted a memorandum to the Malda district magistrate requesting him to help bring back home those languishing in Mumbai police custody.

UGC gives university recognition

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 15: The University of Gour Banga (UGB) has got recognition from the University Grants Commission under section 2 (f) of the UGC Act 1956 to award degrees to the students, the registrar Dr Tapas Kumar Chatterjee said today. The UGB would apply to the UGC for development funds after its building is completed at the selected campus site in English Bazaar town. The university will request the commission to send a team to the site for inspection. According to Dr Chatterjee, after the campus soil was tested, the university plans, designs and estimated cost of the buildings have been finalised. The state government will sanction funds for the campus's construction and the state government-undertaking firm Mackintosh Burn will start construction in November. The UGB had been set up a few months ago in Malda and started functioning in an annex building of Malda College. The UGB has already completed admission of students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. A total of 31 colleges in three districts ~ Malda, North and South Dinajpur ~ have come under the University of Gour Banga. Besides BA, BSc, B Com, B Ed and LLB, post graduation courses have been started in colleges. This is for the first time in north Bengal an MA in Education for women has been started in Malda Women's College. Students were admitted in Malda College for post graduation in History and English and for MA in Bengali in Balurghat College. We are planning to start MA in Sanskrit in Balurghat College.After completion of the university campus, students for postgraduate courses will study in the campus. The UGB has launched a website ~ http://www.ugb.ac.in ~ a few days ago to provide information, notification and announcements to its affiliated colleges and students.

Fake currency: Racket thrives in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 14: Gujarat police seemed to have failed to bust a fake currency racket in Malda as expected and finally returned with the accused Nazrul Shiekh who had been arrested in Gujarat on charge of fake currency circulation.Gujarat police arrested Nazrul on 6 September and following interrogation they came to know that the Malda resident had got a huge amount of fake currency from a resident of Achintala under Kaliachak police station. Nazrul, a day labourer in Gujarat, allegedly collected 130 pieces of five hundred rupee fake note from an agent in Kaliachak.According to the Malda police, following the address collected from Nazrul the team from Gujarat police raided several houses. “But the racketeers were absconding during operation,” the police sources said.It is common knowledge that several places under Kaliachak police station bordering Bangladesh have become hubs of fake currency circulation. Local people including women are allegedly involved in this seemingly wide spread racket.In the last few years this activity has become widespread. Earlier police from Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh came to Kaliachak area to unearth the origin of the fake currency circulation here. A few days ago the district police and border security force held a meeting to curb the fake currency menace along the border in Kaliachak areas.

Insurence cover for BPL families

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 14: At least five members of a family who live below poverty line (BPL) would be brought under health insurance worth Rs 30,000 under the scheme of Rashtriaya Sasthya Bima Yojona (RSBY). To finalise things the director of Employees’ State Insurance Mr A R Bardhan held a meeting with senior officials in Malda on Friday. In the first phase the scheme was introduced in north 24 Parganas, Burdwan and Midnapore East. The objective of RSBY is to protect below poverty line (BPL) households from major health shocks that involve hospitalisation. Specifically, BPL families are entitled to more than 700 in-patient procedures with a cost of up to 30,000 rupees per annum for a nominal registration fee of Rs 30. Pre-existing conditions are covered and there is no age limit. Coverage extends to the head of household, spouse and up to three dependent children or parents.It is learnt that the scheme provides the participating BPL household with choice between public and private hospitals. The design of the scheme involves incentives that are conducive to the expansion of the scheme as well as long run sustainability. In the case of enrollment, the insurer is compensated for each household enrolled and issued a smart card. National Insurance Company would play the insurer. Attended by the district administrative and health officials along with people's representatives, the meeting also expressed hope that private nursing homes would be involved in this scheme.

Death in sterilisation camp sparks off protest

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 12: Thousands of angry people backed by Congress leaders staged an agitation in front of the Modipukur health centre in Bamongola police station today demanding compensation for a women who died after sterilisation in government hospital. Demanding punishment of the responsible doctor, irate mob blocked the highway for over three hours paralysing the block primary health centre. Police and health officials failed to pacify the agitators.According to the chief medical officer of health, Malda, Dr Radha Raman Banik, a 22-year-old woman Parul Barman was sterilised yesterday. “She was having problem in breathing and died of cardiac arrest. Dr (Mrs) Rinku Mandal, an empanelled doctor attended her and statutory tests were done but all failed,” he said. Locals, however, alleged that besides the victim Parul another patient is also not keeping well after sterilisation in the hospital.The district administration approached the Congress leadership for help in controlling the situation. The authorities assured the victim's relatives and the agitators that the district health authorities would conduct a post mortem of the victim and appropriate steps including compensation would be taken and made on the basis of the report.The CMOH Malda said: “In case of death in sterilisation camp, the government can compensate up to Rs 2 lakh.”

Workshop on RTI in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 12: Dr M N Roy, principal secretary of rural and panchayat department, has requested all district magistrates and zilla parishad sabhadhipatis to conduct training and awareness programme on Right to Information Act (RTI Act 2005) for panchayat officials upto gram panchayats immediately.Quoting a recent verdict of the West Bengal Information Commission in connection with a case, Sunil Kumar Sahish and Gopal Mahato versus Hensla gram panchayat in Purulia, in his letter (issued on 2 Sept.'08) Dr, Roy said, “Undoubtedly the matter is very serious. It is evident that the panchayat officer bearers do not have sufficient knowledge about the RTI Act”.“We have been asking to train the panchayat officials repeatedly. Now authorities would have to train all of them soon,” Dr Roy said in his letter. The matter came to light in an interactive session during an orientation-training programme to discuss the object, purpose and functioning of the RTI Act at Malda college auditorium today.Discussing details about RTI Act and its functioning between information seekers and information providers the speakers repeatedly mentioned that ASPIO, SPIO or PIO should always try to covey information within 30 days, incase of any delay, the information providers will be liable to a penalty.Main speaker Mr Subrata Kundu, Development research Communication and Services Centre, presented detail functioning of RTI Act and duties of information providers in the workshop today.The district would organise another programme on 18 September.Government officials from various department and panchayat officials came to attend the programme today and interacted with the speakers. Several cases came up at the workshop. The nodal official Mr Pratyarpan Singha Roy has urged them to refer such cases to the district headquarters soon.According to the officials, the West Bengal Information Commission has planned to make date base on total number of applications received and number of information providers district wise. At present it has not accurate information about applications.From the interactive session another information came out that information providers have not been appointed in many sectors including the municipalities such as English Bazaar and Old Malda in this district.

Mid-day meal scam: Police inactive

MALDA, Sept. 11: Villagers took their grievances to the inspection team during their visit to the Kulipara primary school at Makhna in Harishchandrapur-I block, today, demanding arrest of the headmaster on charges of misappropriation of rice allotted for mid-day meal.The five-member team visited the school today to probe the allegation that the headmaster of the primary school was allegedly trying to sell the mid-day meal rice in the open market. The team also found that the school was locked up and there was no student and other teachers. When the headmaster, Mr Sukul Singh, told the sub-inspector of school that villagers locked up the school and prevented teachers from entering the campus, villagers said that it was the headmaster who locked up the school to put blame on villagers.It may be recalled that on 9 September, villagers intercepted a rickshaw van loaded with 7.5 quintal rice allotted for mid-day meal, which was being allegedly transported to open market of the Makhna village. Police did not arrest the headmaster even after catching him red-handed. A senior police officer asked the joint block development officer of Harischandrapur-I to lodge a complaint against the headmaster.In reply the joint BDO, Mr Sougata Patra, said police would have to take action if there are several complaints against the headmaster. Police got mass petition from villagers against him."Without specific complaint police cannot arrest the headmaster on charges of mid-day meal scam. Mass petition is not sufficient to register a case against a headmaster of a primary school,” said Mr Sujit Sarkar, the additional SP for Malda. n SNS

Erosion at Gadai-char makes people flee home

MALDA, Sept. 11: Erosion has been eating away Gadai-Char. The right side of the island has been eroding, with large chucks getting washed away by the ganga in the last three days owing to fluctuation of water level.The pensive block officials have informed of the matter to the district headquarters. They also talked about the plight of hundreds of local people seeking palliative measures to save the island. Though the district administration had approached the irrigation officials and sought suggestions, the irrigation department expressed their helplessness and said they cannot take up any work there.Gadai-Char is a small island very close to Jharkhand. It has been prone to erosion and the people living on the island have started fleeing to safer areas.“We have not taken any anti-erosion work at Gadai-Char in recent past. We can not take up any anti erosion work on ‘shoal’ without permission from higher authorities including central wing,” said Mr Soumen Misra, the executive engineer, irrigation and waterways department in Malda.The administration has planned to issue a shifting notice to the people if severe erosion of the island continues. It may be recalled that irrigation department had taken up anti erosion work at Kasharpur and Bagdogra in Bhutni Diara a few weeks ago.The Bhutni Diara has been narrowed down from 100 square km to 60 square km due to erosion in last few years. n SNS

Students lock welfare office in Gazole

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 10: Several students belonging to the All India Students’ Association, (Aisa) backed by the CPI (ML) Liberation today locked up the office of the backward class welfare in Gazole to protest against an inspector who allegedly harassed students with regard to issue of caste certificates. They prevented the inspector from entering his office today. The students’ staged an agitation in front of the Gazole block development office demanding punishment of the inspector Mr. Manaranjan Das giving an ultimatum to the local administration after locking the door of his office. The AISA leader Mr. Emmanual Hemram said that despite several reminders the administrative officials did not take any action against the inspector. “We have lodged several complaints with the block development officer regarding the inspector Mr. Das who has been harassing the students for with regard to issue of caste certificates. He is reluctant to conduct an inspection in respect of an application without extra money”, said Emmanual Hemram. According to the AISA, there are many seats lying vacant from Jadavpur University to Jawaharlal Nehru University reserved for Schedule Caste and especially Schedule Tribe. But the students in tribal dominated block Gazole are not getting caste certificate due to the reluctance on the part of the inspector. The district administrative officials admitted the problem of the Gazole block and allegation against the inspector responsible for this job. To clear the application backlog, where 150 students apply for caste certificate there, the BDO had to engage extension officers of other department for completion of inspection before recommendation for issuing caste certificate. The BDO, Mrs. S. Bhattacharjee has been asked to take official steps against the inspector based on the complaints lodged by the agitating students’ association. After a few hours, police broke the lock of the office. (END)

SI held on bribe charges

MALDA, Sept. 10: The police have arrested an assistant sub-inspector of Bengal Excise Mr. M K Roy from the department's Sadar circle office today on bribe charges. A senior police officer and a deputy magistrate jointly seized Rs 2.46 lakh from the office room where some Excise department staff were allegedly distributing money among themselves collected from liquor shops in different areas. The matter came to light following complaints from media persons. The additional district magistrate (general) Mr PC Sit said the process of departmental inquiry has been started against the arrested Excise official.On receiving a bribe accusation against the Excise official, the ADM (general) asked the Excise department district chief to inquire into the matter. Senior officials of the Excise department, a deputy magistrate and a deputy superintendent of police went to the spot and found a bag with Rs 2.46 lakh in it. Though Mr M K Roy, who was responsible for the Samsi area in northern part of Malda district, was caught red handed seven others managed to escape. The senior officials checked the attendance register of the office and sought video footage from the media persons to identify the office staff member who have fled.It is learnt that eight persons including three liquor businessmen were in a room of the Excise department sadar circle office and were allegedly distributing booty collected through bribe from different liquor shops authorised by the Bengal Excise department. The district administrative officials have informed the matter to the Bengal Excise headquarters in Kolkata and a special inquiry team will be coming here tomorrow for further investigation. n sns

Malda sabhadhipati seeks magistrate's intervention

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 10: Mrs Sabina Yeasmin, sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad, has sought intervention of the district magistrate Mr CR Das to stop the making of a fresh panel for the appointment of helpers in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) centres in Kaliachak. In a letter to the district magistrate on 5 September, the sabhadhipati alleged that the panel was prepared under the chairmanship of local MLA Rubi Noor but in her absence the panel was held up and some ICDS officials and ‘ruling’ political party leaders have planned to make another panel afresh. Mrs Yeasmin also requested the Malda DM to stop such political initiative until new MLA is elected from Sujapur through by-election. In the meantime, following political pressure for preparing a fresh panel to appoint helper in ICDS centres two CDPOs (Child Development Project Officer) had to abstain from the decision and went on leave. The CDPO Kaliachak-I had left the place to avoid the political pressure first. When the CDPO Kaliachak III was directed to take charge of Kaliachak-I, he also decided to leave his block. Finally the additional district magistrate directed CDPO English Bazaar to assume the charge of Kaliachak I. It may be recalled that the interviews for recruitment of the helpers in Kaliachak were held back on 22 July and 2 August last year. The six-member interview board comprised of the late Congress MLA of Sujapur Rubi Noor, the then Panchayat Samiti Sabhapati of Kaliachak-1, and MLA of Kaliachak Mr . Biswanath Ghosh apart from govt officials of Social Welfare department and BDO. As per govt guideline Noor herself was the Chairman of the committee.Now after the demise of Noor this July and the absence of Panchayat Samiti Sabhapati after the Panchayat election, a process began to manipulate the panel. It may be noted that as per govt guideline, any panel is valid for two years, which can be extended if needed, but none from the panel could be replaced. Sources said, the move to change the panel began with the individual score sheet of Noor itself gone missing. The pressure of CPI (M), local RSP along with a section of govt officials became so heavy that Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Kaliachak-I went to leave to eschew of the responsibility of publishing the panel. Now the onus fell on CDPO of English Bazaar who has already began to face the heat. (END)

Mid-day meal project in Malda under scanner

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 9: Mid-day meal project for the development of primary education is a complete failure in Malda district. Series of incidents proved that the project was not being executed properly due to malpractice of distributors, school teachers and finally lack of administrative monitoring. Today, villagers intercepted a rickshaw van loaded with 7.5 quintal rice meant for mid-day meal, which was allegedly transported to open market for selling, at Makhna village under Harishchandrapur police station. Acting on a tip off villagers raised alarm and informed the matter to the administration and police with the help of the media persons. Police found that the rice meant for mid-day meal was being transported from the house of Mr Sukul Singh, headmaster of Kulipara Parimary School. Villagers alleged that the ‘fine’ rice was transported to the market for sale in exchange of ‘rotten’ rice which would be cooked and served for children in the schools to show mid day meal programme officially. The sub divisional officer in Chanchal in northern part of this district Mr Debashis Sarkar said police recovered the rice from the spot after primary investigation. “I have asked the block development officer to start inquiry into the matter so that steps would be taken against culprits”, Mr Sarkar said. “The block official informed me that the rice was stored in the house of the head master of Kulipara Primary School and it was being transported somewhere else," the SDO said. “We need to find out why rice meant for mid-day meal was stored in the house of the headmaster and why did he send the rice from his house today. If the headmaster found guilty, necessary steps would be taken after completion of inquiry”, Mr. Sarkar said. In another development, the district administrative officials have finally decided to lodge an FIR against a distributor in Manikchak on the charges of malpractice for handling rice meant for mid-day meal for primary schools. A total of 3311.99 quintal of rice meant for mid day meal was stored in the godown of that distributor where the samples of rice collected from the FCI and the one delivered to the distributor in Maickchak did not match with the stock of rice in his godown, district administrative officials said. The Directorate of Inspection (Quality Control), Food and Supplies has recently reported to the district administration that rice meant of mid-day meal was stored in the godown of that distributor in Manikchak not collected from the Food Corporation of India. The mid day meal project was suspended for a long period as rice meant for mid day meal was not for human consumption in Manikchak block.

Thirty five 'unauthorised' madrassas to be recognised

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 9: The Malda district administration and education department jointly have planned to enlist 35 ‘unauthorised’ madrassas out of 69 present in the district. The district education department said that those 35 ‘organised’ madrassas would be converted into Madrassa Shiksha Kendra (MSK) under the supervision of Madrassa Education Directorate (MED). This decision was taken on 5 September in a meeting attended by the district magistrate, Sabhadhipati and the district inspector of schools. Following Madhyamik Shiksha Kendra (MSK), which is run under the supervision of the zilla parishad, Madrassa Shiksha Kendra (MSK) will be running under the supervision of MED, said district inspector of schools Mr Chinmay Sarkar. According to Mr Sarkar, the officials are inspecting ‘organised’ madrassas and within a short period the report of its conversion will be prepared. Besides MKS, the district school education department will start inspection to ‘bifurcate’ at least 16 recognised madrassas, where students’ enrollment is high, with a view to setting up 16 new madrassas in this district for the education of those belonging to minority community. The district administration has also decided to set up at least 75 secondary schools in all 15 blocks distributing 5 in each block in the first phase shortly out of 180 which was sanctioned for this district from Sarva Shiksha Mission in this financial year. It was also decided that the district education officials will complete inspection of location after scrutiny of application submitted by the locals in the block level within a month. In the first phase, the education department will try to set up at least five secondary schools in each block. Out of 180 schools only two have been set up in Kaliachak and Ratua, officials said.

Mid-day meal: Rice quality under scanner

MALDA, Sept. 8: The Malda district administration is concerned with the alleged malpractice in the distribution of mid-day meal after gross anomalies were detected by officials of the food and supplies department.The Directorate of Inspection (Quality Control), Food and Supplies has reported to the district administration that rice meant for mid-day meal was stored in the godown of a distributor in Manikchak, and not collected from the Food Corporation of India. “The samples of rice collected from the FCI and the one delivered to the distributor in Manikchak did not match with the stock of rice in the godown meant for mid day meal,” administrative officials said. Officials suspect that the fine rice delivered by the FCI was sold off in the open market and replaced with inferior grade for distribution as mid-day meal rice.The Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De, said that senior administrative officials including the officer in-charge of food department would hold a meeting tomorrow to take action against the distributor. The district administration has primarily planned to lodge an FIR against the distributor who was responsible to cater mid-day meal rice to the primary schools in Manikchak block.Receiving complaints that poor quality rice was being used in the mid-day meal project in schools, the district administration decided to check.It was reported that the huge stock of rice meant for midday meal at Manikchak was not fit for human consumption. n SNS

Food crisis hits relief work in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 8: Government officials are facing problem following guidelines of the relief department regarding distribution of relief materials to flood victims due to unavailability of rice and grain.The Sabhdhipati Malda zilla parishad Mrs Sabina Yeasmin has raised the issue after inspecting the flood-affected zone in northern part of this district recently. Mrs Yeasmin was taken aback when she heard that the local block officials distributed 5 kg rice per family but the government order said that it would be distribute 12 kg per unit / head of a family in a month.The block officials have planned to increase relief by 1 kg next time after the sabhadhipati requested them to increase the quantity of rice for the flood victims. “It is very difficult to follow the government guideline on crisis management when adequate stock of rice is not available to meet demands of all flood affected people,” said Mr Debashis Sarkar, Chanchal SDO.Citing an example, Mr Sarkar said, “We need to distribute 1,200 kg rice when 100 people have been affected. But we have only 500 kg of rice available. How could we follow the government guidelines.”“Based on availability of stock of rice we had to distribute 5 to 6 kg rice to each family so that each and every one gets enough food,” he said. The Chanchal SDO said block officials would also distribute relief next time and it will continue until things are normal.