EBM in tight spot due to strike

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 28: An indefinite strike, demanding punishment for Mr Asok Saha, a Congress councillor, called by the cleaning staff of the conservancy department, which is under the leadership of the CPI-M, and internal discord has put the authorities of the English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) in a tight spot.Today is the second day of the agitation in front of the English Bazaar Municipality by the CPI-M led contractual and permanent sweepers demanding punishment of Mr Ashok Saha, a congress councillor from ward no. 4. They workers have called an indefinite strike from today.The CPI-M leaders today informed the civic body chief Mr Narendra-nath Tiwari that workers in other departments like water and electricity department would also join the indefinite strike demanding punishment for Mr Saha, if the civic authorities do not take action against him.It was alleged that a group of people led by Ashok Saha beat up the sweepers engaged in cleaning drains and drove them out of wa-rd no. 4 a few days ago.Interestingly, Mr Saha and his people barged into the EBM office and ransacked the office furniture in the general sections on 25 February.When the municipality employees’ Union led mainly by the CPI-M had lodged protest against the nuisance, a group of people staged demonstration in front of the EBM office claiming Mr Asok Saha's innocence.The chairman of the civic body, Mr Narendranath Tiwari said: “We are facing a lot of trouble to manage this critical situation. However, we are trying hard to call off the strike by continuing dialogue with their leaders. I have informed the party leaders about the matter and sought their in-tervention to tackle internal problems.”The EBM is in trouble since the Congress, BJP and Trinamul councillors came to power after dislodging the CPI-M. The district Congress leaders in Malda had to issue a show cause notice to Mr Asok Saha on charges of non-cooperation with the civic body chief.Due to internal squabbling among the members of the ruling board the CPI-M has taken opportunity to expose the matter to people by staging a protest. #

More extortion threats

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 28: Malda police are still clueless about the identity of the person who sent anonymous threat letters demanding extortion to more than 10 villagers at Baidyapur under Habibpur police station, close to India Bangladesh border in the past few days. Tension gripped villagers and they are not in position to move freely in their villages fearing attack by the group who sent letters threatening to kill them.Malda police super Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay today admitted that more such threat letters were received by villagers since last night. Local sources said that a total of 12 persons got such letters. Local sources said: “6th battalion KLO is working behind the extortion.” “We are still clueless. We do not have any clue to establish KLO link at present. Our inspector in charge of Habibpur police station is trying hard to crack down the case. Local people are involved in this job”, Mr Bandyopadhya said. According to him, a year ago a man in the neighbouring village got a similar letter but no untoward incident occurred when he did not pay the demanded amount. In recent letters, the group (called Dada group) has demanded more than Rs. 30,000-40,000 from the villagers.

KLO man on fast in jail , demands release

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 28: Madhab Mandal alias Malkhan Singh, a Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) activist, who was arrested in February 2006 has started fasting in Malda correctional home since today morning, demanding imm-ediate release from jail, district officials said. The district judges yesterday visited the Malda jail and had a talk with Madhab Mandal. Reportedly, Madhab requested the judges to do something for his release from jail.The Malda jail superintendent said that the fasting programme was organised across the state jail with the decision of Association of Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) and another organisation named Bandi Mukti Samiti (BMS). “Malkhan today informed us this morning that he would continue fasting for an indefinite period,” the jail superintendent said.The jail super has informed the matter to the administration and district judges. The APDR and members of BMS organised the programme in different jails demanding rele-ase of such undertrials.A CPI-M worker was killed in a club in January 2006 and police held KLO men responsible for the murder after investigation. According to police records, Madhab was accused in several cases, including a murder in Pakuahat in Malda. He was engaged in subversive activities and extortion cases in Malda, north and south Dinajpur.He came back to Bamongola, a bordering block and took shelter in Bangladesh after training in the jungles of Bhutan.#

DM orders inquiry against Cong-led gram panchayat

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 27: Following the order of the Malda district magistrate Mr C R Das, the sub-divisional officer in Chanchal Mr Debasish Sarkar has completed an inquiry against a Congress led Malatipur gram panchayat.Interestingly, the inquiry order was issued following a complaint lodged recently by the district CPI-M secretary Mr Jiban Moitra.The sub-divisional officer also suggested taking prompt administrative action against the panchayat officials involved in financial irregularities in National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).Mr Moitra alleged that the administration intentionally had taken prompt action against the CPI-M led panchayat but no action was taken against the Congress led gram panchayat despite several reminders. Citing an example the CPI-M district secretary Mr Moitra said: “The district officials started an inquiry against the CPI-M led Olihonda gram panchayat in Chanchal and within a month they lodged an FIR against the panchayat officials. But in case of Congress led Malatipur gram panchayat in Chanchal, where the block panchayat development officer submitted his inquiry report six months ago accusing the panchayat officials of financial irregularities in NREGS, no action was taken. The block panchayat officer has been transferred after submission of the report to the BDO.”The sub divisional officer in Chanchal, Mr Debasish Sarkar said: “I have completed the inquiry in Malatipur gram panchayat and already sent the report to the district magistrate recommending actions to be taken against the panchayat officials on charges of defalcation of funds for implementing NREGS.“It was found that the Malatipur gram panchayat did not make proper use of funds allotted for a particular scheme and at least fifty per cent of the funds allotted to the scheme has been misappropriated.”After examining the books and other documents, the investigating officials suspect that panchayat officials had made false adjustment of the scheme by preparing false master roll. #

Malda zilla parishad fails to pass budget

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 27: Due to lack of majority members the Congress leaders in Malda zilla parishad (MZP) are facing difficulty to pass their draft budget focusing its ‘developmental plan’ for 2008-09 just before the panchayat polls likely to be held in May 2008. The Opposition leaders led by the CPI-M here are determined not to support the draft budget raising several questions on it and demanded a fresh draft budget based on their opinion and suggestions. Having failed to pass the draft budget for the second time on 26 February, the sabhadhipati Mr Goutam Chakraborty has planned to call another meeting in the first week of March to pass the budget again. The adamant CPI-M leaders and members of the zilla parishad have sought intervention of the divisional commissioner and informed him about their stand. The copy of the letter to divisional commissioner has been forwarded to the minister for panchayat and rural development, principal secretary, P&RD and the district magistrate and executive official of Malda zilla parishad. The Opposition leader of the MZP Mrs Gouri Tudu, in her letter to the divisional commissioner, said: “We demanded detailed discussion on the draft budget and demanded more allotment in, education, culture, sports, and welfare for women and children, fisheries, food and other sectors.”According to Mrs Tudu, the MZP had allotted 73.69 per cent of the total budget for the PWD but allotted only 0.06 per cent for education. Without discussion the board has changed the original draft budget twice and called a meeting on 26 February. The estimated draft budget prepared by the MZP was enhanced from Rs. 89.59 crore to 128. 59 crore, she said. The district LF convener Mr Jiban Moitra said: “We would not support the budget. We wanted to prepare the budget with the opinion of all members irrespective of different political entities in the interest of the people. But this budget does not reflect the interest of backward people in agriculture based districts whe-re most of the minority Muslim people are lagging behind. Even the draft budget did not consider the interest of the 6 per cent schedule caste people and 12 per cent tribal people.”“The administration should guide the present ruling board not to place a draft budget but to place a ‘vote on account’ maintaining minimum ethics of democracy because the panchayat vote will be held after two months. Though no system of vote on account is mentioned in panchayat Act,” he said.

Tension over anonymous extortion letters in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 27: Tension prevails in Baidyapur village under Habibpur police station in Malda district after three families received anonymous letters demanding extortion in the past few days. The police are clueless about the identity of the sender of these letters. However, the police are treating the matter with seriousness since Kamtapur Liberal Organisation (KLO) activists are known to have inhabited the area in the past. The sender has sought Rs 30,000 from each of the recipients. The recipients are threatened with dire consequences in the letter if they fail to dole out the money.According to police the recipients, Jamini Barman, Chitanya Das and Biru Ray, are poor people. “They ha-ve been asked to send the money to a particular place in a black bag with red ribbon. We are investigating the matter. We are not eliminating any possibility, including involvement of the militant organisations at this juncture,” Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay, SP, Malda today said.

Spotted deer to be shifted to Adina

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 26: The district administration in Malda has decided to shift the remaining 13 spotted deer from the Barduari Deer Park in Harishchandrapur following the death of five deer till Saturday night due to attacks by jackals. The herbivores are likely to be shifted to the Adina Deer Park, a protected area under the forest department.“Administrative action would be taken against any one found guilty of dereliction of duty,” said the Chanchal SDO Mr Debasish Sarkar. According to him, the forest department has proposed the shifting of the deer and the administration has accepted it.The affected park, which suffered the loss of five deer due to jackal attacks, is located near the Harishchandrapur -II Block and panchayat samiti office, who are its custodians. An inquiry has revealed that the jackals had sneaked in the park through a damaged portion of the park fencing.According to Mr Rajen-dra Jakhar, divisional forest officer, Malda, a pond close to the fencing had almost eroded it and the jackals took advantage of the situation. “The park needs better fencing at the vulnerable zone and sufficient illumination to prevent jackals from entering the park,” Mr Jakhar said.

English Bazaar Municipality indecisive over

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 26: The Congress, BJP and Trinamul Congress led English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) has not yet decided whether to implement the recent government order for collection of one per cent tax (cess) on the total estimated cost of a building which will be more than Rs. 10 lakh. The government has ordered to collect one per cent tax for the contribution to the welfare fund for labourers engaged in building construction sector. The joint secretary, municipal affairs has already directed the civic bodies to execute the order in January. The order said the civic body would collect one per cent on estimated cost before passing its permission order.Mr Narendranath Tiwari, chairman of the EBM, said: “We are bound to carry out the government’s order but we are facing difficulties to estimate the actual cost of the building based on the higher rate of specification sent by the municipal affairs department. The matter would be tabled before the board of councillors’ meeting on 27 February to get opinion of all councillors.“We have already sought clarification from the joint secretary regarding the municipality's own fees which is charge for the approval of building plan”, Mr Tiwari said.The Trinamul leader and councillor of the EBM, Mr Dulal Sarkar, also in-charge of the PWD section, said: “According to the recent government order plan approval charge would be higher than the earlier rate. We will have to take fees at least Rs. 70, 000 for approval of building plan which is at present Rs. 1,100 only. “We do not know how people will cooperate with us if they have to pay such a high rate”, Mr Sarkar said.Sources said, politically the board is not interested in implementing the government’s order at present because they would be unpopular among the people. One the other hand, the LF councillors are not willing to comment against the government but are also mum about the fate of the government order in execution. According to the guideline of the government order, the estimated cost of the general floor has been estimated Rs. 421.44 per sq feet. Mosaic floor Rs. 500.92 per sq feet, and for marvel floor the estimated cost is 58-2.25 per sq feet. This rate is fixed for civic bodies out side Kolkata. “We will think of it in the new financial year”, said Mr Narendranath Tiwari.

Show cause notice

The English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) chief has finally decided to issue a show cause notice to a dealing assistant on the issue of financial irregularities in utensil purchase for midday meal scheme. The chairman of the EBM Mr Narendranath Tiwari has taken such decision following an inquiry report of the district magistrate where the dealing assistance Mr Shyamal Ghosh has been accused of financial irregularities. Following complaint lodged by the Opposition councillors belonging to the CPI-M the district magistrate had assigned Mr Subho Mukherjee, a senior deputy magistrate, to inquire about the matter. Recently the administration has sent the inquiry report to the civic body chief and asked him what action was taken against the dealing assistant for financial irregularities. It may be noted that when the Opposition leaders had brought the matter to the Press and the administration. The civic body chief Mr Tiwari had also issued an order for internal inquiry. “The rate of utensils was abnormally high in quotation submitted by the traders in comparison with the market price. Though the department had bought the utensils, no payments were made to the traders”, said Mr Tiwari. “I would not suspend him right now but will issue a show cause notice initially”, Mr Tiwari said. “One dealing assistant was held responsible for this financial irregularity. We have asked the civic body chairman to find out what action has been taken against the dealing assistant. The civic body will not be able to make any financial transaction regarding purchase of utensils for midday meal until further order”, said Mr P C Shit, the additional district magistrate (general).The Opposition will raise the issue on the board of councillors’ meeting to he held on 27 February. The civic body bought utensils amounting to Rs. 2.91 lakh. The Opposition would ask: “How did the chairman of the board approve the quotation?”

House torched for shelter to criminal

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 26: Angry villagers torched a house and damaged two others for giving shelter to a criminal after an accident, which killed a 6-year-old girl at Mohonpara village under English Bazaar Police station last night. Yesterday afternoon, Monera Khatun (6) was run over by a motorcycle in front of her house, died in Malda district hospital. Some villagers chased the motorcyclist, Shamik Sheikh, a labour contractor and an inhabitant of a village in Gobindapur, Kaliachak. Shamik was provided a shelter by an aged lady Roshnara Biwi. Interestingly, Roshnara happened to be the grand mother of Monera. With the news reaching the village, angry villagers led by victim's father Ghuran Sheikh, alias Raju, came to Roshnara's house to get Shamik. However, sensing the people's sentiment Roshnara along with her son Mamloti Sheikh helped Shamik to escape. unable to get hold of the ‘culprit’, the angry mob set Roshnara's house on fire The house was completely gutted. The fire also damaged some portions of two neighbouring houses. Mamloti lodged a complaint with English Bazaar Police Station against Ghuran .“We have nothing left in our house, what was our fault? Should we not protect one from mob fury?” said Mamloti.Worse, all the family members of Mamloti along with his pregnant daughter came to the police station. They fear to return to the village in the face of strong village sentiment against them.Malda S P Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay conceded the fact. “We are looking for the motorcyclist and taking steps for Mamloti and his family’s security. In no case the motorcyclist will be allowed to suffer at hands of the villagers.

New building cess to help masons

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 25: “The state government will collect one per cent tax (cess) on the valuation of a constructed building, which is more than Rs. 10,000,00 as contribution to welfare fund for unorganised labourers like masons and their helpers”, the minister of state for labour department , Mr Anadi Sahu said.The minister said that the government had already directed the labour department to execute the plan through its concerned department including the civic bodies. District administrative officials said that municipal affairs department has already sent the order to the civic bodies for its execution collecting one per cent tax from the building owners before passing construction plan. “Even the government department will have to pay one per cent tax on total value of its own building for the welfare fund”, they said. The minister Mr. Anadi Sahu also said the government has planned to bear cost of electricity connection charges to Bidi workers. Nearly 15 lakh biri workers in the state would be getting cost of electricity connection charges from the government. Addressing a camp for distribution of financial assistance to the labourers in unorganized sector in Malda on Saturday , the minister announced that Biri workers would submit application for electricity connection to the labour department. “The officials of the labour department would contact the electricity department to provide connection of electricity to them. The government will pay Rs. 2,500 for each connection to the electricity department”, Mr. Sahu said. Just two months before the panchayat polls, the minister today announced several labourers’ welfare schemes to organise thousands of labourers in the unorganized sector. He said that the government planned to enroll the labouers in unorganized building construction sector within two months and urged the labourers to enlist their names to avail the benefit of government's welfare schemes. He stressed to implement provident fund schemes for labourers belong to building construction. He announced pension scheme for masons and labourers where government will pay Rs. 400 to 600 per month if they contribute Rs. 20 per month under the schemes. Besides, the government will provide Rs. 2000 twice to the women labourers for maternity benefit, Rs. 1000 per year for education of children, Rs. 15,000 for medical expenses.The labour department would grant loan of Rs. 50,000 for their own building construction, he added. According to the minister, the state government will give a total of Rs. 22,500 to each registered Biri worker including housing cooperative scheme in vest land. The minister criticised the transport owners for not paying their contribution for the welfare of workers in transportation sector. The government has planned to set up residential schools for orphan child labourers, he said.

EBM labourers agitate against 'ill treatment'

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 25: Contract labourers of English Bazaar Municipality's ( EBM) conservancy department today staged agitation demanding punishment of culprits who had beaten them during their cleaning job at ward no. 4 yesterday. The CPI-M zonal committee secretary led the labourers to stage demonstration in front of the EBM office. Embarrassed civic body chief Mr Narendranath Tiwari held an urgent meeting inviting the CPI-M leader and councillors today to manage the situation. Interestingly, a group of youth allegedly beat up the labourers engaged in cleaning drains in ward no. 4 and drove them out yesterday. It may be noted that the ward no. 4 is under the control of the congress councillor Mr Ashok Saha, who was elected from this ward and became incharge of conservancy department of the EBM. It is learnt that he is reluctant to oversee his department at present after receiving show cause notice from the district Congress high command recently. The district Congress leaders had to issue a show cause notice to him because he was one of the seven rebel councillors who had expressed ‘no confidence’ against the Congress chairman of the board. Due to the non cooperation of the rebel councillors the Congress led civic board was not in a position to adopt resolution when they had boycotted the board of councillors’ meeting twice. It was also learnt that people were not satisfied with the job of the labourers engaged in cleaning the drains. Labourers pull out dirt and mud from the drains but dump it on the road sides for two days and do not make an effort to clean-up the surroundings.

Bank strike called off amid staff shortage

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 25:- Though the two day all India bank strike on 25 and 26 February, called by the United Forum of Bank Employee, was called off at the last moment, the banks could not provide services to the consumers properly owing to lack of this information on time. The reason: many branch managers and deputy branch managers of various banks had left their station on Saturday and went to their home in other districts to ‘enjoy’ three days as holiday taking advantage of the strike. Those employees could not return to their stations to open their branches on Monday morning in Malda .For example, a manager posted in Balurghat in South Dinajpur could not reach his office from Berhampore in Murshidabad.Though the officials of the State Bank of India got the information at midnight from sources in the organisation, other bank employees got the information this morning. The employees and officials who are local residents were able to reach their offices on time but those others could not make it to the office today.At last the bank officials managed to open a few branches by sending the staff from one branch to other branch. The union leaders, mainly officers’ Association, had been directing their colleagues over the phone to manage the situation where the officials were out of station taking advantage of strike called by the united forum.

Bullocks: Authorities slam reports

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 24:- While the district magistrate Mr. C R Das claimed that media reports were baseless and it has tarnished the image of the state as a whole ignoring strict ehicks to publish genuine facts on the controversial issue of the ‘people working as bullocks to repay loans’ the local CPIM MLA Mr. Subhendu Choudhury claimend that the specific report may be wrong but there are so many ‘Netai’ (name of a labour) who pull to earn money.

According to the inquiry report submitted to the SDO from the BDO of Old Malda block Mr. Suman Pal, it was pointed out “Netai Mandal categorically denied taking loan from any Mahajan Netai Sarkar”.

At least 25 people failed to recognize any Mahajan with such name “, the BDO added.

Based on this report, the district magistrate informed the government: “The story was cooked up for cheap publicity”. #

'Bullock' theory denied

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 22:-

The controversial and embarrassing issue of humans offering themselves to be hitched to yokes in place of bullocks or buffalo to till land as a mode of loan repayment in Malda district, has received a fresh twist with the Malda district administration and the labour department authorities denying any such incident. A section of government officials, who have resided in the district for loan, however, confirm that veracity of media reports that tossed up the issue recently and say:” It is common practice in the district”. According to the Malda DM, Mr. C R Das’s report submitted to the panchayat department on 21 February on the subject: “… the story published and carried by a section of the press does not reflect the truth and characters mentioned were actually paid to enact the story”. “The story was cooked up for cheap publicity”, the DM wrote and added, “… there was no evidence of bonded labour in this case”. Denying the media report on the issue as well, the assistant labour commissioner, Malda, Mr. PP Das said: “Sometimes people pull the plough to till a small plot of land as seed beds. If a man pulls the plough in exchange of money as labour, it is offence. We can take action against the employer based on labour laws”. #

V U archaeological

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 24: A team from Visva-Bharati University found six human skeletons during an excavation at Pichli-Kathal village under Kanaipur mo-uja in English Bazaar yesterday. The team under the leadership of Mrs Seena Panja, head of the department of archeology, VU, has been excavating the area over the past few days. The team has unearthed many historical ruins and collected various forms of potteries, stones and other materials from the area. According to the research scholars, the area is historically important in connection with the period of Iltutmish (1400 AD). The team, engaged un-der the project of UGC, would take all the findings to Kolkata for radiocarbon testing.

'Bullock' theory denied

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 22:- The controversial and embarrassing issue of humans offering themselves to be hitched to yokes in place of bullocks or buffalo to till land as a mode of loan repayment in Malda district, has received a fresh twist with the Malda district administration and the labour department authorities denying any such incident.

A section of government officials, who have resided in the district for loan, however, confirm that veracity of media reports that tossed up the issue recently and say:” It is common practice in the district”.

According to the Malda DM, Mr. C R Das’s report submitted to the panchayat department on 21 February on the subject: “… the story published and carried by a section of the press does not reflect the truth and characters mentioned were actually paid to enact the story”.

“The story was cooked up for cheap publicity”, the DM wrote and added, “… there was no evidence of bonded labour in this case”.

Denying the media report on the issue as well, the assistant labour commissioner, Malda, Mr. PP Das said: “Sometimes people pull the plough to till a small plot of land as seed beds. If a man pulls the plough in exchange of money as labour, it is offence. We can take action against the employer based on labour laws”. #

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 24:- While the district magistrate Mr. C R Das claimed that media reports were baseless and it has tarnished the image of the state as a whole ignoring strict ehicks to publish genuine facts on the controversial issue of the ‘people working as bullocks to repay loans’ the local CPIM MLA Mr. Subhendu Choudhuryclaimend that the specific report may be wrong but there are so many ‘Netai’ (name of a labour who pull to earn money.

According to the inquiry report submitted to the SDO from the BDO of Old Malda block Mr. Suman Pal, it was pointed out “Netai Mandal categorically denied taking loan from any Mahajan Netai Sarkar”.

At least 25 people failed to recognize any Mahajan with such name “, the BDO added.

Based on this report, the district magistrate informed the government: “The story was cooked up for cheap publicity”. #

More compensation for farmers likely

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 22: To acquire farmland, the state government is planning to increase the rate of compensation and prepare a rehabilitation package for the genuine farmers and enlisted sharecroppers who will offer their lands to the state. Addressing the three-day state conference of land and land reforms officers at Malda town hall, the departmental minister Mr Abdur Rezzak Molla said: “There are two types of land owners. We would pay only value of the land to the owners who are not directly engaged in agriculture. But we have to pay more than the value of the farm land to the genuine farmers, who are directly involved in agriculture based on their land.” “Not only cash payment but also something extra like a share of equity or anything so a farmer can get an alternative source of earning in exchange of farmland. Cash component is not sufficient for a farmer. It may be exhausted in a certain period,” he said. According to him, the government did not think about the fate of farmers who had offered their land to government but they have to think about this and land acquisition would be smoother for industrialisation. "We should be strict before offering land for real estate but should be liberal for social service. But we remain soft to offer land for real estate but not for social service," he said. The minister has stressed the need of land management and land reforms to save it from the hands of land mafia who are grabbing land in the state. He criticised departmental officials for failing to maintain land records and information. In his speech, the minister also came heavily upon the officers of his department for their dilly-dally. "Why do you harass the people by asking for different papers in different time instead of asking for them all at a time?" he asked. Explaining the present controversy on the issue of agriculture versus industry, he said: “There is no 'versus'. Industry and agriculture is reciprocal and both are depending on each other for employment. We are struggling to use capital and investment but we are not developing capital in this state.” “We are under compulsion to generate employment and acting as facilitator promoting Tata to develop automobile industries in this state,” Mr Molla said.He stressed the need to develop major irrigation for agriculture lands to increase productivity of agriculture produce to make up losses of agriculture land for industrialisation. “There is no major irrigation and its commendable areas. One Teesta project was started many years ago but one-fourth of its project is yet to complete in north Bengal. There is no irrigation system in nearly 13 lakh acres land,” he said. The minister also criticised the party workers and said: “I got an application seeking land for a library building. But we found out it was for the construction of a CPI-M party office. I told them I would allow land for the library of Karl Marx but not for party office.”

AISA demands introduction of Alchiki language for tribals

Statesman News Service

MALDA Feb 21:- Demanding introduction of the Alchiki language in the tribal dominated areas of this district the student’s wing of CPI (ML) Liberation All India Student Association ( AISA) , today organised a rally in Gazole to mark 21 February, Bhasha Diwas. The AISA leaders said that though the state government directed the district school authorities to introduce Alchiki language as medium of instruction in primary level in the tribal dominated areas yet nothing had been done here. It may be noted that three years ago the state government had send direction to the district school authorities to introduce of Alchiki language where maximum tribal kids are studying in the primary schools. The government had also sent text books on Alchiki language for them. But, interestingly, the district primary education and primary council officials organised some programmes for its introduction but finally failed to introduce it when they found that there was no teacher who can teach the Alchiki language.“I am not in a position to say what happened earlier. But at present, from next academic session, we are trying hard to introduce Alchiki language as medium of instruction in primary level for the tribal people”, said Mr Uttam Sarkar, the chairman of the district primary school council. He also disclosed that they did not identify any primary school where all students came from tribal families in the tribal dominated primary school.“We are facing problems in introducing Alchiki language here because students are coming from different community. It would be difficult to teach tribal students separately on the same premises of the school”, Mr Sarkar pointed out.“Introduction of Alchiki language would not be effective if we implement it emotionally. If a tribal student completes his primary education in Alchiki language he needs a secondary school where the medium of instruction is in Alchiki language. But where he would? Is there any secondary school for them?” Mr Sarkar raised the question.

Pilgrims want river excavated for them

Statesman News Service

MALDA Feb. 21: Thousands of people across the district took a holy dip on Maghi Purnima in the silted river Bhagirathi at Shadullapur burning ghat today.According to the local committee members, mo-re than one lakh people came to immerse themselves in the holy water. Though a fair was also org-anised traditionally, there were no basic amenities for the pilgrims. Neither the local fair committee nor the administration took initiative for them to provide at least one extra tube well for the pilgrims. The river Bhagirathi, which was earlier connected with the river Ganges as its tributary has been completely silted and dried up. Constructing embankme-nts year after year since 1970 on the left bank of the river Ganges for flood protection, disconnected the river Bhagirathi. There is no longer water flowing to it from the Ganges. But based on their old belief and considering the Bhagirathi as the Ganges, thousands of people take a dip in the river.Addressing a programme of local cable channel at Shiba Temple in the fair ground today, the gram panchayat pradhan Mr Biresh Mandal demanded excavation of the river so pilgrims can use the river for holy dip. The local cable channel today inaugurated a free information service and entertainment cable channel programme for the entertainment of cremation party members close to electric crematorium at Sadullapur. “I had raised the question in panchayat samiti level for its excavation but no plan has been adopted,” he said.Similarly , the Sadullapur fair committee members Mr Anil Kumamr Ghosh and secretary of burning ghat committee Mr Sudhir Ghosh also demanded excavation of the river. Addressing the inauguration programme, the Malda SDO said: “The fair committee did not inform us to provide some facilities for the pilgrims. I did not have any idea that many pilgrims come here to take a holy dip to mark Maghi Purnia”.“I have spoken to the BDO Kaliachak II regarding excavation of river Bhagirathi. But it is difficult to carry out the job by the block alone. There is need to ‘pull funds’ from various sources, MLAs, MPs and other sources to implement the project,” said Malda SDO, Ms Arunima De. “Huge money will be required to excavate the river,” she said. The former MLA Mr Samar Roy, who was also present at the programme, said: “The water of the silted river is completely unhygienic. Explaining importance to excavate the river, I had written a letter to the proper authorities to rejuvenate the river connecting with Ganges properly. Nothing has been done.”

Adhir Chowdhury named Murshidabad Cong leader

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 21: Admitting the problem of factional feud among Congress leaders in Murshidabad, the PCC chief Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi today projected Mr Adhir Chowdhury, as the leader of party in this district.Addressing the felicitation programme for new PCC chief, organised by the Behrampore MP Mr Adhir Chowdhury, Mr Das Munshi said: “Adhir is the only leader here. Every body should accept him. Congress will fight here under the leadership of Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury because he has contributed a lot for the party”.Ignoring the existence of other congress leaders like Mr Atish Singha and Mr Mannan Hossain, Mr Das Munshi said: “I can talk to them but they have to accept Adhir as the party leader here. I do not have problem with them. We will overcome the present problem of misunderstanding among the leaders and we want to be united.”Citing some examples Mr Das Munshi said: “Adhir is not only popular in Murshidabad but also in Tripura”.The Union minister urged both Mr Subhash Ghishingh and Mr Bimal Gurung to stay off "blood battle" in the Hills on the issue of controversial Darjeeling Sixth Schedule Bill (Constitutional amendment) which is still under the consideration of the parliamentary standing committee.No leader, belonging to Mr Somen Mitra, was present at today's felicitation programme.Mr Adhir Chowdhury said: “After a long period the PPC chief has been finalised and Mr Das Munshi has started his first political campaigning from here. It is matter of pride."

'Defiant' headmasters forced to resign

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 20: At least eight headmasters appointed in the Secondary and Higher Secondary schools in Malda district, recommended by the School Service Commission (SSC) in its last recruitment, have resi-gned from their posts due to unhealthy working atmosphere and having failed to bear undue pressure from managing committees of the schools, district education officials said today .

“The newly appointed headmasters selected by the SSC prefer to go back and continue their service as assistant teachers peacefully and they have already joined their old educational institutions recently,” officials said.

“This trend is very bad and alarming for the education system in this district. The recent trend to drive out competent headmasters, recommended by the SSC, is against the present policy of the state government. Recently we noticed that at least five newly appointed headmasters and headmistresses had been forced to submit their resignation due to internal problem of the school where the managing committee, a section of school teachers and local people played active role to drive out headmasters keeping their vested interest," Mr Chinmay Sarkar, the district inspector (DI) of school in Malda said.

According to the Malda DI, the state government has planned to appoint competent headmasters in all Secondary and Higher Secondary schools through SSC for ‘internal supervision’ of the institution where they will act as ‘micro unit monitor’ for the development of education.

"But the posts will be lying vacant for more than one year and will have to wait for the next advertisement of SSC for headmasters and completion of its examination".

According to officials of the education department in Malda, newly appointed headmasters were humiliated, hackled and even one of them was threatened with dire consequences after joining.

“One headmaster, M Sc in Physics with a Ph D, had joined the Chamagram High School in Kaliachak III but left the job when he was humiliated by the teachers , managing committee members. Even the local people confined him and threatened him with dire consequences,” the Malda DI said.

“Why a competent and educated teacher will bear humiliation in educational institutions?," he asked.

Similarly, Mr Ashok Mandal had joined Pramilabala High School in Ratua as a headmaster but finally submitted his resignation due to internal squabbling between the managing committee members and teachers.

“I could not adjust to the unfavorable atmosphere there. Nothing was systematic due to internal problems of the school and it was difficult to start afresh," Mr Ashok Mandal said.

Mrs Anjana Bhadra also shared a similar fate. She had joined Mohanpara Nivedita Girls' school but had to quit her job from there and rejoin Shaymsukhi Girls' High School in Gazole due to pressure from the managing committee and being hackled by them.

Mr Shantanu Chatterjee, who joined Muchia Anchal High School in Old Malda, recently decided to go back to his previous institution.

According to education officials, local managing committees prefer to appoint teachers-in-charge (TIC) from assistant teachers for their vested interests. #

Measures to foster eco-tourism in Adina

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 20: The forest department in Malda has planned to inaugurate a guest house located in Adina Forest on the national highway 34 in Gazole next month as the first step to foster eco-tourism in the district.The eco-tourism project was conceived in 2006 and Ms Sumita Ghatak, the former Malda divisional forest officer (DFO) had prepared a plan jointly with the financial help from Malda zillaparishad.Mr Rajendra Jakhar, DFO, Malda has implemented the earlier plan and has chalked out more programmes to attract the tourists to the spot.“Tourists comprising two families can easily stay at night at the newly constructed guest house in Adina Forest on their way to visit north Bengal forests or on their way back. They can also enjoy the historical remnants at Pandua and leave for their destination in the morning after breakfast," Mr Rajendra Jakhar said. According to him, the tourists will be able to stay at the guest house through official booking system. Staff has been appointed to cook meals and refreshments for the tourists.The forest department in Malda has planned to acquire more land to develop the deer park, and also migratory birds’ hub excavating a big pond there with the help of Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) by NABARD.The forest department is now finishing off the fencing around the area for security. It has planed to expand the deer park close to the national highway 34 where a total of 79 spotted deer are the main attraction.“We have planned to build a watch tower for bird lovers, extra space for picnic spot with a car parking and other facilities for the tourists”, Mr Jakhar said.The department officers claim that tourists can enjoy the Adina forest especially in November and December as migratory birds flock in the area during that period.The forest department had been facing difficulties to expand forest on a large scale due to land dispute. At present, the forest covers about 70 hectares of land. If the department manages to acquire the private ( disputed ) lands close to the forest, the total area under the forest would increase to about 100 hectares.

Taare Zameen Par educates teachers

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 19: If Union minister Mrs Renuka Chowdhury has learnt something from Taare Zameen Par, then the Malda district administration is not far behind. However, far from the lesson of dyslexia, which Mrs Chowdhury found noteworthy, Malda administration feels that the latest Bollywood sensation has a lesson for all teachers and parents.Focusing on the dilemmas children face, Bollywood's latest offering Taare Zameen Par delved into the world of a special child for whom the colours of flowers and kites held more appeal than grades, but only a sensitive teacher understood the child's talent.Malda sub divisional officer Ms Arunima De, like many others, saw the movie last week.She felt many children ~ either dyslexic or suffering from other challenges ~ deserve special care from their teachers. Thus, came her decision to make the teachers watch the movie. "I have asked the teachers to watch the movie and if they find a leaf out of Nikumbh sir's (Aamir Khan) book it would be of immense help to hundreds of Ishaan Awastis of our district," said Ms De. The Malda SDO had approached Mr Shakti Patra, teacher-in-charge Malda Teachers' Training College to watch the film with students of the institution and she booked seats of a local cinema hall where the film is running. A total of 150 students including the teachers watched the film."Practically what we cannot teach in a ten-month syllabus has been conveyed through a three-hour film. I am grateful to Malda SDO," Mr Patra told reporters. Mr Patra has planned to organise a seminar on the subject of the film and problems of such students who suffer from dyslexia.

People work as bullocks to repay loans

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 19: Reports that a section of people are offering themselves to be used like bullocks to till land and repay loan sharks, have created ripples in the social circles here. Following the reports, Mr CR Das, district magistrate, Malda yesterday instructed the assistant labour commissioner and the Malda SDO to inquire into the incidents."The information is quite shocking. However, I have issued an inquiry and have asked the assistant labour commissioner to look into the matter. The Malda SDO would also inquire into the matter," Mr CR Das, DM, Malda said.A section of the media recently reported that a group of poor people, who had taken loan from money lenders and could not repay the loans, were now paying off their loans by "working as bullocks" in fields. Reportedly, they are literally hitched to the yokes of ploughs to till the land of the moneylenders.The DM criticised the role of local panchayat officials, who had failed to implement several government schemes in Muchia and Sahapur gram panchayat areas including 100 days' job in the interest of the poor people.The DM admitted that huge funds meant for government sponsored schemes including 100 days' job remained unused in the two gram panchayat areas. Ms Arunima De, SDO, Malda has been directed to seek clarification from the gram panchayat pradhans regarding non-utilisation of funds.While the district admi-nistration is finding it hard to believe that humans are made to work as bullocks, and is inquiring if it contradicts the labour laws, residents of Muchia, inclu-ding Mr Asit Sarkar, panchayat pradhan said, "It is nothing unusual. Some people do work as bullocks to earn money, to repay loans. It is a common practice in these villages. Some people do such work in their own fields when they cannot buy bullocks to till the land."Mr Sukumar Mandal, a labourer was yesterday found working as a bullock in the paddy field of Mr Jiten Mandal pulling the plough on the wet field at Taltal village under Muchia gram panchayat in Old Malda Block. Sukumar said that he had taken a loan of Rs 10,000 from Jiten Mondal and was now repaying him at the rate of Rs 70 per day by pulling the plough in his field. A similar scene was witnessed at Kailashpur village too where a man was seen pulling the plough alongside a buffalo attached to the yoke.

Registered labourers protest to demand compensation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 19: Registered labourers today staged demonstration in front of the Habibpur Block development office demanding compensation for job cardholders under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)."This is third time the CPI (ML) Liberation has organised the demonstration demanding compensation for those 240 registered labourers in Habibpur Block who did not get an opportunity for 100 days' job in their localities," Mr Indrajit Barman, former KPP leader, who has joined CPI (ML) Liberation recently, said.According to the NREGA, the job card holders will get compensation if the administration is unable to provide job within a stipulated time of 14 days after registering their names on demand.“The copy of the deputation submitted to the Habibpur Block development officer would be submitted to the district magistrate. If the administration does not take care of the registered labourers, we would go to the High Court demanding compensation from the government,” Mr Mrityunjay Das, the CPI (ML) district committee leader said. Though the CPI (ML) Liberation leaders had been demanding compensation for the registered labourers where the block authorities could not provide the job within a stipulated time, the administration had been able to manage the situation after agitation.“There was no such report where the administration had to pay compensation to the registered labourers due to failure in providing job under the NREGS”, Mr PC Shit, additional district magistrate, Malda said based on the progress report of NREGS in this district in two years.But it is true that the Malda administration could not implement the 100 days' job scheme in some gram panchayat areas in this district.In the last review meeting, it was revealed that two gram panchayats like Muchia and Sahapur under the Old Malda Block were the areas where the block authorities could not implement NREGS properly.The district magistrate has asked the Malda sub divisional officer to look into the matter of such areas including Old Malda Block areas.Earlier, the average number of days per household was 13.31 in 2006-07 and the average is gradually increasing to 15 days from this year in the district, according to an official report prepared by the district administration.The district officials also fear that the implementation of NREGS before panchayat elections will be affected more because the panchayat members would be busy with the polls.

Examinee commits suicide in Malda

MALDA, Feb. 19: A Madhyamik examinee Shampa Sarkar (18) committed suicide by jumping under a moving train near Bulbulchandi Railway Station under Habibpur police station this morning. The police suspect she had not prepared well for the examinations and committed suicide fearing failure in the examinations. The victim was a resident of Dangapara and student of RN Girls’ High School.According to the police report, she failed in the Science group in last year's Madhyamaik examination and had decided to sit for the examinations again this year. Shampa's father Mr Dilip Sarkar is a police constable and is posted at Suti police station in Murshidabad.According to the police, the girl left home early in the morning telling her mother she was going to a friend's house to collect some notes for last minute preparations and would be returning home soon. Her body was recovered at 7.30 am by locals from the rail tracks near the Bulbulchandi Station.It was learnt that the girl had jumped under the wheels of the Singabad Passenger train, which was passing through the place at about 7.15 am. n sns

Examinees suffer due to station scuffle

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 18: Several Madhyamik examinees today failed to reach the examination centre at Bunidapur in South Dinajpur due to a scuffle between the boarders of the Balurghat passenger, a link train of Gour Express and the assistant station master (ASM) of Eklakhi Junction Station in Gazole, Malda.The ASM allegedly hired a group of ‘anti-socials’ and beat up the railway passengers severely this morning when they demanded replacement of the broken down locomotive of Balurghat passenger.The reason being nothing but a visit by the general manager and other top railway officials who were scheduled to visit the station this morning forbade the railway staff to replace the locomotive.The engine driver reported that the air valve of the engine was removed. The train was detained for more than four hours at Eklakhi and the railway staff was not in a position to stop leakage of diesel from the locomotive.However, the railway passengers said that the local railway authorities informed them that the train was detained to give pass to the saloon car of the general manager of the Northeast Frontier Rail-ways.The local railway staff was reluctant to listen to their plea while they were busy cleaning the station and driving hawkers out of the station.The train was detained at around 8.30 am and the train left for Balurghat at around 12.30 pm today after the railway authorities had been able to replace the engine.Mr Prasun Banerjee, one of the passengers on the train said, “A group of people under the leadership of the Mr Rajesh Kumar, assistant station master severely beat up the protesters at the station. Three of them were injured seriously”The angry passengers also blocked the railway track near Eklakhi Junction Station against the highhandedness of the railway authorities.Mr Pravakar Bhattacharjee, one of the injured passengers, lodged an FIR with the local government railway police station against the assistant station master Mr Rajesh Kumar.“One man without uniform claimed himself to be the ASM and called some local people to beat us throwing stones and bricks. But the station master Mr Anil Kumar Sarkar was a nice man. He provided a car for a tribal girl (Madhyamik examinee) to go to the Madhyamik examination centre. But others failed to appear for the examination today because the train reached Buniadpur at around 1.30 pm,” Mr Bhattacharjee said over the phone.Mr Murmu, father of a Madhyamik examinee, was also injured in the attack by the 'anti-socials'.However, Mr Rajesh Kumar finally apologised after the intervention of the railway authorities. Following instructions from Malda SP, officers from Gazole police station rushed to the spot to control the situation.“There was a scuffle between the passengers and the railway staff initially. Later the assistant station master sought help from local people to tackle the angry passengers. When the local people realised the problem of the passengers they did not interfere”, Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhayay, SP, Malda said.It may be noted that though Eklakhi station, which is under the Northeast Frontier Railway, is nearer to Malda there was a technical problem to supply auxiliary engine there because Malda town station is under the control of the eastern railway.

Illegal construction at English Bazaar school stopped

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 17: The district administration has stopped illegal construction at Dhirendra Nath Saha Vidyabhawan premises in English Bazaar town, which was carried out by the teacher in charge (TIC ) of the school. A group of assistant teachers and local people had lodged complaints with the civic body, the sabhadhipati** and district magistrate, the district inspector of schools and other concerned officials. It was alleged the TIC started construction without the civic body's permission, obstructing the playground for the school's students. In a complaint lodged with the district officials it was stated: “There is no staff council or finance committee or any managing committee since long time. There is a trust body and being the secretary of the body, the TIC has been functioning here as the planner, contractor, supplier of materials for the construction and keep records of finance so he could earn something extra from the school.” The English Bazaar civic body immediately issued a stop construction notice to the TIC. On the other hand, the district magistrate Mr CR Das asked the district inspector of school to look into the matter to stop construction until further order. The Malda DI (secondary) Mr Chinmay Sarkar, said: “I have instructed to stop construction and the TIC has stopped the construction.” Sources said the district magistrate’s representative would visit the school soon following allegation. It was learnt the TIC had sold another plot of land to others where residential complexes were constructed. A few days ago a top official from the education department came to school to inquire into gross irregularities. The TIC Mr K Sen told reporters: “There was no objection earlier when we had constructed a building. I cannot understand why they raise objections now. I have stopped the construction work following the instruction of the district administration.”

Heritage block to hospital demolition

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 15: The Malda chief medical officer of health has planned to approach the local heritage committee for the second time to furnish authentic information and documents about the old district hospital building.It may be noted that when the district health authorities planned to demolish the abandoned building at the heart of the town for the construction of a new building there, the local intellectuals and heritage committee objected to the demolition drive in mid-January.Following the objection, the Malda chief medical officer of health could not proceed to implement its plan based on the government's proposal to build a district health directorate where all health-related departments would be coming altogether.Speaking to reporters, the Malda CMOH Mr Radha Raman Banik said: “The plan for the construction of the new building has been stalled due to objection, though there is no notification from the heritage commission. If they allow us, we are agreed to construct a replica, based on its old model”.Mr Banik had written a letter to the local committee after the objection and requested them to furnish authentic information and documents to prove the building was really a heritage site and urged them to allow the plan to be implemented. The CMOH had set a 15-day deadline for submission of the valid documents.“The committee could not submit authentic information about the status of the building within the deadline. We have planned to send another letter to them seeking the same information,” Mr Banik said.“If they cannot submit authentic information we will approach the district magistrate and the sabhadhipati to finalise the matter,” he said.According to him, the government had allotted Rs. 1.89 crore for a new administrative building for the district health department.The local heritage building committee members had claimed it was a heritage monument dating back to the British era.Citing reference books, they also claimed a part of the building was used for treatment of prisoners and another part of it was used as a commercial headquarter during the rule of East India Company. It connected with the nearest building through a tunnel, which is presently used as a Circuit House (earlier known as Nil Kuthi) by the district administration.

Loud noise prompts eviction notice

MALDA, Feb 15: The Malda district magistrate Mr CR Das today issued an urgent eviction notice to the unauthorised encroachers and instructed police to clear all temporary structures from the premises of the district collector's office. The district magistrate issued such an order following complaints for violation of government order for restriction of using microphone before Madhyamik examination. Nearly 100 proclaimed agents of the motor vehicles department of the district magistrate office organised a ‘cultural’ programme to celebrate Saraswati puja** within the premises of the collector's office till midnight without permission. The agents’ association affiliated to CITU had submitted an application to the Malda SDO but they did not bother to wait for permission from the concerned authorities. Today the owners of all temporary structures started shifting their temporary structures following the notice. Besides the motor vehicle agents, there were several temporary structures for food, tea and cigarette stalls. At present the entire area in front of the district magistrate office and Malda town hall is under the clutch of hawkers for winter clothes and garments. The evicted stall owners are finding it difficult to find an alternative place to set up their temporary business structures. n SNS

Congress leaders cling to railway

MALDA, Feb 15: The English Bazaar Congress leaders have requested the Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury to urge the railway minister Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav not to axe Malda railway subdivision's jurisdiction and its activity. The leaders have also planned to tell the union information and broadcasting and PCC chief minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi to look into the matter. The leaders think the railway board has planned to set up another division office in Bhagalpur in Bihar, axing the jurisdiction of the Malda divisional office. The English Bazaar Municipality chairman and local Congress leader Mr. Narendranath Tiwari said: "Though there is no official notification to axe jurisdiction of Malda railway divisional office, we have apprehended the process to shift the division has been started. The railway authorities also planned to cut short its areas and function for setting up another division in Bhagalpur." “We have all prepared to launch a protest agitation when the notification will be published,” Mr Tiwari said. “To pay respect to our leader ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, former railway minister, who set up Malda railway division here, we will try to resist the attempt to cripple the Malda railway division,” he said. The Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, brother of former railway minister and Malda MP, would talk to the railway minister shortly, the local Congress leaders said. The leaders alleged it was planned earlier that the Malda railway station would be a model one but there is no such remarkable development till date for better services to the passengers. At present there are no basic amenities for the passengers for long distance train, when it runs too late, at Malda town station. n SNS

Goats to replace birds

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 14:- The state animal resources development (ARD) minister Mr Anisur Rahaman today directed the deputy director of Malda ARD to rehabilitate families whose backyard poultry were culled, by supplying goat kids as an alternative way to make up their losses.

Attending a meeting with the Malda district officials here today Mr. Rahaman alerted the district officials and asked them to keep strict monitoring in Chanchal sub division so that Bird Flu hit families can not rear chickens within stipulated period after culling operation.

During the meeting the minister directed the ARD officials for necessary arrangement for supplying goat kids to them, including the self help groups, as alternative to chicken rearing.

Expressing satisfaction over the post Bird Flu control system the animal resources development minister today asked the Chanchal sub divisional official to be cautious before finalise the list of victim families for compensation.


The minister admitted that during culling operation several villagers tried to enlist their family name falsely to get compensation from the government.

Mr. Rahaman asked them to send the list of beneficiaries soon to seek fund for compensation.

“Enough funds for compensation are available”, he added.


Meanwhile, the state animal resources development minister today suggested stepping up vigilance along Indo-Bangla border to curb Bird Flu menace in the state.

During interaction with the ARD and district top officials regarding recent out break of Bird Flu the minister alerted the officials to keep restriction along the India-Bangladesh border so that none can carry chickens from the neighbouring country.

“We are apprehending that avian flu virus came from Bangladesh observing the trend of its out break in Birbhum. Many people in Nalhati and Rampurhat in Birbhum are connected with Bangladesh for illegal cattle trade and they frequently move to that country. We suspect that that virus came with them in Birbhum and spread its wings to other areas”, he said.

According to the minister, cause of avian flu outbreak in Malda may be either from drops of migratory bird or some one brought virus affected chickens there.

“We are fortunate enough that there is no report of human infection from Bird Flu. Had one human infection case detected here we (West Bengal government) would have blamed internationally for failing to control avian flu”, he disclosed during the meeting.

Uninterrupted power supply assured

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 14:- In order to ensure uninterrupted power supply on the eve of Madhyamik examination, which is scheduled to start from tomorrow, the power department has turned power off since morning to make up for the supply deficit , based on regular demand.

A large part of English Bazaar town was thrown out of gear due to power cut since this morning. Load shedding was started about 8.45 am and the zone got power after 12.45 pm. This for the first time power cut was continued for four hours at a time.

The department cut the power supply about 10.30 am and power came after a few hours in another zone of English Bazaar town today.

Drinking water supply from the Municiaplity was disrupted due to power cut. Traffic signals were not functioning on the National Highway 34 and police faced a lot of inconvenience while controlling traffic on the busy road crossing in Malda town.


“We are trying hard to supply uninterrupted power during the evenings as board examinations are round the corner. There may be a power cut late into the night or during the day time but surely nit in the evening “, said Mr. A. Maity, the circle manager, electricity department in Malda.

Yesterday, there was no power cut during the daytime but the area lost power at around 9.30 pm and it came back around 10 .30 pm.


During the period of massive power deficit English Bazaar residents face load shedding problem thrice a day. The department cuts power for an hour three times except some import areas like Malda railway station and some industrial units. #

Minister falls sick

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 14:- The state environment minister Mr Sailen Sarkar fell ill seriously and was admitted to a nursing home in Malda yesterday evening. A team of local doctors examined him and advised to take rest. He is suffering from multiple infections including a prostate gland problem. Yesterday, he fell unconscious at Kaliachak during a resource mobilisation programme for the proposed Gaur Bango University. He was then suffering from fever and breathing problem. Mr Sarkar would be shifted to Kolkata for better treatment and eye operation shortly. At present he is in rest in a nursing home and has been advised not to talk.

SBI plans to adopt girl children

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 13:- The State Bank of India (SBI) has planned to adopt meritorious girl chidren who are either orphans or physically challenged. Each of its branches will adopt two such girls and extend financial help to provide them with a fresh lease of life. "The SBI has targeted to adopt at least 20,000 such girl children in the country. A total of 700 branches in West Bengal will adopt at least 1400 girls." Mr B Halder, regional manager, SBI said.Mr Halder had tabled this proposal at the routine district consultative committee meeting convened by the Malda district administration on 31 January and requested district officials to supply names and addresses of such girls for adoption.Ms Arunima De, sub-divisional officer, Malda selected four such girls from poor families of this district and proposed adoption to Mr Halder in Malda yesterday.Mr Halder said that he would ask the respective branch managers to contact the families for necessary steps to adopt them.There are 35 SBI branches in Malda and it has planned to adopt at least 70 girls.

Bird Flu : Minister to hold talks in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 13: The state animal resources development minister Mr Anisur Rahaman will convene a post Bird Flu review and prevention meeting in Malda tomorrow.The district magistrate has asked the Chanchal SDO and other officials to attend the meeting.Only two blocks in Chanchal sub-division in the northern part of Malda district was hit by Bird Flu where more than 16,000 families handed over their back yard chickens for culling.District administrative officials said that the minister would also inaugurate a bulk milk cooler plant at the farm house of the Malda animal resources development department in English Bazaar town tomorrow and hold a meeting with the officials for post avian flu preventive measures and preparation."A women's dairy cooperative society has been formed based on the bulk milk cooler plant here. This cooperative society would supply milk to the Kulik chilling plant in Raiganj, North Dinajpur."Tomorrow the milk cooler unit would be handed over to the officials of the Milk Federation in presence of the minister.", Mr NK Shit, deputy director, ARD, Malda said.Prior to the meeting with the ARD minister Mr Debashish Sarkar, SDO, Chanchal has been preparing an estimated budget of the expenditures in order to ask for funds from the government.“More than Rs 15 lakh is required to make the payment of other expenses for conducting the culling and mopping up and surveillance programme in the Bird Flu affected areas”, a senior administrative official said.The district administration has already paid the compensation to the villagers whose backyard chickens were culled during culling and mopping up.“A total of Rs 22.9 lakh has been paid to villagers after culling 86,903 backyard chickens in Chanchal I and Harishchandrapur I Block areas”, the Chanchal SDO said.The ARD and panchayat is preparing a fresh list of people entitled to compensation of Rs 500 to begin their business after three months.

Dam hopes dashed

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 12: The executive engineer of irrigation department informed the Malda district administration their disapproval of the villagers’ demand for the construction of the proposed ninth retired embankment in Kaliachak II here today. In a letter to the executive engineer of Malda irrigation department the additional district magistrate (general) inquired about his views on villagers’ demand based on the minutes of an all political party meeting held at Kaliachak II block office in December. Villagers demanded of government's acquisition of all lands on the left bank of river before construction of the embankment. “Villagers will allow the irrigation officials to carry on if the administration acquires all lands from bank line of the Ganges to the alignment of the five km long embankment,” said executive engineer Mr S Misra. After receiving the letter from the Malda additional district magistrate the executive officer Mr S Misra said “Villagers’ demands are not feasible and it can't be accepted by the government”. “The government allotted Rs 7.75 crore for the construction of the embankment and the estimated cost of the land acquisition is about Rs 1 crore. If we acquire all lands, according to the villagers’ demand, the cost of land acquisition would crop up to Rs 90 crore roughly. Is it possible for government to allot such a huge fund for flood protection?” added Mr MisraIn a meeting with all political parties and administration at the district level a go ahead signal had been given if the department can reduce the ‘ safe distance’ of the embankment from the bank line. After the meeting, the irrigation department took a decision to reduce distance from 1200 metres to 800 metres from the bank line of the Ganges for the construction of the proposed ninth retired embankment. The plan of embankment was conceived for flood protection of at least five blocks in Malda district.

Team from United Nations' to monitor flu status

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 11: "An experts' team from the United Nations' regional office of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Bangkok will visit Bird Flu affected areas in West Bengal including areas of Chanchal sub-division in Malda district", administrative officials said today. The team will pay attention to the contamination control programme in the affected areas after the outbreak of avian influenza.The team headed by Mr S Morzaria, chief technical advisor, regional office, FAO, Bangkok , would visit Malda's affected areas tentatively on Wednesday. The team is scheduled to reach West Bengal on Monday and would visit all the affected areas in the state.", Mr Debasish Sarkar, SDO, Chanchal said.The state authorities have directed the district administration to prepare required reports on the Bird Flu affected areas and the control programme taken up after culling operation and mopping up for the experts' team.It may be noted that after unnatural deaths of hundreds of backyard chickens at Mahanandapur village in Chanchal Block-I last month, in the northern part of the district, the High Security Animal Disease laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal had confirmed avian flu.The state authorities finally had culled more than 86,000 backyard chickens in the region covering 5 km radius from the epicenter Mahanandapur in Malda and North Dinajpur areas.But the area within 5 km radius belonging to Katihar district in Bihar was reportedly left out while the culling operation was going on in West Bengal areas."The staff from animal resources development and labourers directly engaged in culling and mopping were quarantined for 10 days and many of them released on 10 February."Only 15 people, who were engaged in the mopping drive during the second phase to kill left out birds in Chanchal Block , have been quarantined and they would be released on 15 and 16 February", district officials said.According to the Malda chief medical officer, no cases of human avian flu have been detected in this region after a door to door survey was conducted.Following government's direction, the district administration has started another joint survey comprising ARD officials and local panchayat officials to finalise the list of beneficiaries to provide compensation in the Bird Flu affected zone here. #

Basmati : Drivers stranded owing to ban

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 11:- Hundreds of drivers and their helpers of non-Basmati laden trucks, coming from different states, are in trouble staying at Mehadipur land customs' station in Malda, for the last three days, without basic infrastructure.Nearly 300 rice laden trucks are stranded at Mehadipur in English Bazaar due to the ban on export of non-Basmati rice to Bangladesh.The drivers and helpers,who have come from Jharkhand, Bihar , Chhatishgarh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, can neither go to Bangladesh to unload their trucks nor can they return without the permission of the exporters, who hired the trucks for carrying non-Basmati rice.Though more than 250 trucks loaded with export items cross the border through Mehadipur land customs station, the halting station lacks basic infrastructure.The exporters hope that the customs department will withdraw the order to resolve the present problem.The local exporters have already sent a petition to Mr R S Gujral, director general, Foreign Trade requesting to allow export of non-Basmati rice.They have forwarded the petition to department concerned for necessary action to resolve the crisis.The ministry of commerce and industry, department of commerce of the Union government had published the notification regarding the prohibition of export of non-Basmati rice in the public interest on 7 February.The commissioner of the customs intimated the notification to all land custom stations located on India-Bangladesh border in the state on 8 February to stop export of non-Basmati rice to the neighbouring country.

Ban on export of non-basmati rice to Bangaldesh

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 10: Mr. Chander Bhan, the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) informed today in Kolkata about the prohibition of export of Non-Basmati rice to all land port stations in West Bengal following the notification of the Director General of Foreign Trade , Mr RS Gujral. The ministry of commerce & industry, department of commerce of the union government, had published the notification regarding the prohibition of export of Non-Basmati rice in the public interest on 7 February. The commissioner of customs intimated the notification to all land customs stations located India-Bangladesh border in the state on 8 February to stop export of rice to Bangladesh. Following this order hundreds trucks were stranded in Mahedipur land customs station in English Bazaar and other land ports in north and South Bengal. On the other hand, exporters today protested against the decision to ban on rice export in Malda when the Mahedipur customs officials prevented rice laden trucks from entering Bangladesh. One of the leaders of local exporters, Mr. Ujjal Saha claimed that the assistant general manager, agriculture and processed food product export development authorities, Mr. Vinod K Kaul informed them through e-mail that “export of non basmati rice at US$ 500/TFOB is permitted.“We are confused about the notification regarding prohibition of export of Non-Basmati rice. If the ban is not lifted soon, we will start agitating in front of the office of the commissioner of customs in Kolkata on Tuesday”, Mr Saha said. It may be noted that huge quantities of rice which had been collected from Malda district and other areas was being allegedly smuggled into Bangladesh. A team from the enforcement department and some senor officials of the district distribution, procurement and food supplies department started an inquiry into the allegation. The India government had relaxed prohibition on rice export to Bangladesh when the country was hit by Sidr .

Marathan race in Malda

MALDA, Feb 10: Gollapatty Kishore Sangha in association with West Bengal Athletic Association and Malda District Sports Association today organised a 42.195 km Marathon 2008 for men and a 10 km road race for women.The participants came from all part of the state. The marathon started from the Nurul Hassan College field at Farakka in Murshidabad.Mr. Arun Mahato ,a resident of West Midnapore stood first covering the distance within 2 hours 39 minute and 56 seconds.

School forced to return funds

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 8: The invalid managing committee of Sukanta Memorial High School in Kaliachak block had withdrawn Rs 1,17,826 from the United Bank of India, Kaliachak branch, illegally but after the intervention of the Malda district inspector of school, the school had to return the amount to bank. The Malda DI, Mr Chinmay Sarkar said: “The invalid school committee had withdrawn the money illegally from the bank for teachers’ salary for the month of December. On receiving information, I informed the matter to the bank manager on 4 February about illegal transaction.” “The manager Mr S Chatterjee lastly went to the school and forced them to deposit the money,” Mr Sarkar said. The district inspector of school had asked the bank how it could make a payment to the school without the authentication of the signature of office bearer of the school committee. “I did not authenticate the signature of the school authorities to the bank for the payment,” said Mr Sarkar.According to the records of district inspector of school, the Sukanta Memorial High School did not have a valid managing committee and there was an administrator appointed by the district inspector of school. The term of the administrator was ended on 30 November, 2007 and no administrator was appointed for the school.But the teacher in charge of the school and other former members of the school committee had conducted an election to form a managing committee on 18 December and without informing the district inspector of school they completed office bearers’ election on 17 January, showing a name of government nominee falsely. The district inspector of school had issued a letter to the school on 15 January and informed them that no government nominee was given to them officially. “The school intentionally did not accept the letter issued on 15 January and completed office bearers’ election ignoring government's direction,” said Mr Sarkar. According to him, the entire matter is now under the consideration of board of secondary education. The board will decide how they would form managing committee now. “To get salary the teacher in charge would have to appeal for the appointment of an administrator. If they do that I will appoint administrator within 24 hours for the salary of the teachers,” the Malda DI said.

FIR against pradhan

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 8: The district administration has finally decided to lodge an FIR against the panchayat pradhan and other office staff of Olionda gram panchayat in Chanchal block after detection of gross irregularities in National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). The nodal officer for implementing NREGS in Malda, Mr Ranjit Kumar Mandal, has been instructed to ask the block development officer about the decision to lodge an FIR with the police against the chief of the gram panchayat and other persons involved in the scam. It was alleged that a total of 529 job cards of the registered labourers were undistributed. The gram panchayat chief did not distribute the job cards to the labourers despite several reminders from the district headquarters. A few days ago the district administrative officials started enquiry and found that 50 job cards out of 529 had been used in a particular NREGS plan. According to Mr Mandal, the gram panchayat had used the 50 names of labourers in the master roll based on the job cards using its number, which were under their custody and made the payment by falsely putting thumb impressions. The investigation revealed that the panchayat members put thumb impression falsely and many of the thumb impression were similar to others. Based on the investigative report of the government officials, the additional district magistrate (general) has decided to lodge an FIR against culprits for malpractice and forwarded the file to the district magistrate yesterday. A total of 45 complaints were lodged related to NREGS in Malda district. In order to avoid such irregularities and to check deprivation of poor labourers from their 100-days job and its remuneration, the government has planned to make the payment to labourers through banks and post offices. According to the additional district magistrate (general) Mr PC Shit, the Ratua Block has opened 250 bank and post office accounts for the registered labourers and job cardholders for the payment of 100-days job. It was decided that the block development officer would take initiative to open bank or post office accounts for the labourers, at least one gram panchayat in each block.Today, the CPI (ML) Liberation protested against on going 100 days job, which was allegedly executed under a contractor at Bardanga village under Salaidanga gram panchayat in Gazole block, violating government direction. #

This Saddam gets a fresh lease of life

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 7:- Nineteen year old Mithun Saha alias Saddam, who took burglary and forgery as profession from his childhood, has been rehabilitated with the help of Malda Ramkrishna Mission and a few police officers.

On 31 January, the Malda Ramkrishna mission extended its help opening a tea stall at Gazole police station premises so that he can come back in the mainstream.

Today, the Malda RKM chief, Swami Divyananda Maharaj, visited his stall and donated some materials to develop it.

"At the age of his 14 Saddam started committing crimes and he was arrested several times and lodged in jail on charges of stealing and burglary. I met him several times in jails and asked him to come back to the mainstream but he could not change his mind", said Swami Divyananda.

According to police records, Saddam was arrested a few weeks ago on the charge of stealing and lodged in Malda jail. He committed his last crime at the house of a retired teacher Mr. Dukhu Rabidas on 8 January 2008 night at Panchpara village in Gazole police station.

Even he had forged the signature of his employer and committed crime when he was minor.

"Saddam told me that he would lead a normal life seeking help when I visited Malda jail a few days ago", Divyananda said.

The chief of the Malda RKM, Swami Divyananda, met Dukhu Rabidas and requested him to withdraw his complaint against Saddam so that he can get relief from the jail custody.

"We have been able to release Saddam from jail officially when kindhearted Dukhu withdrew the complaint against him. Finally I talked to the police officials for his rehabilitation", said Swami Divyananda.

Swami Divyananda today requested the police officials of Gazole to keep close eye on him so that he cannot commit crime again meeting his former criminal friends in off time.

Saddam has been supplying several cups of tea to the police officers in Gazole police station every day and police officials have also extended help so that he can lead a normal life.

According to local police, he lost his father many years ago and his mother eloped. One maternal aunt Minati Saha used to look after him.

Divyananda met Minati and asked her to take care of Saddam more so that he can lead a normal life with her at home. Minati is a slam dweller at Gazole town.

'Mobile court' listens to disabled

Statesman News Service
MALDA, Feb 7:- The state woman and child development and social welfare department today organised a 'mobile court' at Malda district town today.

The objective of this programme was to hear grievances relating to disabled persons to dispose of serious pending cases issuing 'instant' order to the concerned departmental heads for necessary action.

The concerned head of the departments including the divisional railway manager, regional transport officer, chief medical officer, deputy director animal resources, chairman district primary school, civic body chief, block development officers, employment exchange and other departmental officials were summoned to carry out instant order of the commissioner.

Addressing the inauguration programme of mobile court at Satya Choudhury Indoor Stadium today, the Malda district magistrate, Mr. C R Das, described it as the first time in West Bengal and first time in India so far where the disable persons would be getting justice at their door step based on the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.

Mrs. Uma Mukherjee, the commissioner, disabilities, woman and child development and social welfare, her deputy and other concerned officials were present to hear grievances of disabled persons including the children of this district.

According to the district social welfare officer, Mr. Prafulla Kumar Dey, a total of 300 hundreds grievances were lodged initially but out of them only 70 cases were selected for hearing on merit of specific complaints against government departments.

On the basis of the complaints against the government departments the concerned head of the departments were summoned here to ensure the rights of the disabled persons, he said.

"We would go to civil court against the concerned authorities later, if we find that the concerned authorities were reluctant to carry out the order passed from the mobile court", Mrs. Uma Mukherjee told reporters.

Out of 70 cases many of them related to disable certificates where the genuine candidates were deprived of their legitimate claim and certificate.

Mrs. Uma Mukherjee, the commissioner, has ordered the Malda CMOH to issue some certificate to the genuine candidates today.

The Malda CMOH, Mr. Radha Raman Banik finally requested the victims to come his office today for collecting disabled certificates.

One of them was Debanshu Haldar, who will appear Madhyamik exam this month, did not get disable certificate despite several reminders.

Mrs. Mukherjee today issued another order to release life long family pension to a disabled family member Chandana Choudhury. The animal resources development department had stopped her family pension after she had crossed 25 years of age.

Similarly, there were two cases against the railway department. One case was disposed of where the complainant could not establish that he stood first but authorities had deprived of his job.

In another case the rail authorities have been asked to clarify their stand within five days. #

Central team to visit bird flu affected areas

MALDA, Feb. 6: Central observers will visit the Bird Flu affected areas in the northern part of this district tomorrow, the Chanchal SDO, Mr Debasish Sarkar, said today. Before the visit of the proposed team, the district administration is trying hard to complete mopping up today. Mr Sarkar had to start mopping actions for a second time, when the villagers started backyard chicken rearing in 17 villages after the completion of culling and mopping operations on 31 January. Mr Sarkar said that nine rapid response teams teams have been deployed in nine villages. They have killed 693 birds yesterday. Another eight teams were engaged in mopping up activities in other villages close to the Bihar border.A total of 86,065 birds belonging to backyard poultry were culled till 31 January in Chanchal I and Harishchandrapur block I, covering a five km radius from Mahanandapur in Chanchal-I block. The ART members have faced resistance in two villages, including Nonator along the Bihar border. According Mr Sarkar the villagers questioned the killing of birds brought from Bihar."With the help of police, ART officials collected the birds and killed them later. No compensation would be paid," Mr Sarkar said. The Chanchal SDO has already written a letter to the Malda district magistrate so that he can urge the district magistrate of Katihar to conduct culling operations in his part to stop bird smuggling.Though the state has restricted trade of chicken and egg for an indefinite period, the traders did not know this and sold off chickens in Malda market openly last evening. Despite today's strike some chicken traders opened their counters today. Though the prices of poultry is low, that of backyard chickens is high. A few retail traders are selling them for Rs 90 per kg. The broiler chicken is being sold at Rs 30 per kg in the market. "We had brought backyard chickens from Itahar in North Dinajpur secretly. That is why the rate is high," Shiekh Ajmal, a chicken trader in Malda market said.