Madhyamik examinees up in arms again

MALDA, Feb 28: A day after Madhyamik candidates and their guardians roughed up invigilators, police today fired two rounds in the air to dissuade students and guardians from attacking invigilators again at a Madhayamik examination centre in Bangitola Higher Secondary School at Kaliachak II block in Malda.

“The school premises turned into a war zone after continuing candidates (CC) and their relatives ransacked the school office and attacked police and teachers for not helping them in the Life Science paper,” the Malda DI of schools Mr Chinmay Sarkar said. Two teachers and a policeman were injured in the attacks. Four persons were arrested in connection with the violence. SNS

Cong yet to decide on candidate for North Malda constituency

MALDA, Feb. 27: The Congress is in a dilemma over nomination for the North Malda Parliamentary constituency.

Embarrassed over the “Swiss citizenship” controversy surrounding possible candidate Dr AN Khan Choudhury, a major section of the district Congress leadership including MLAs, are unsure if he should get the ticket. Others including the Congress district general secretary Mr Moshtaque Alam want his candidacy and said they were waiting for the AICC's nod on the matter.

Speaking on the subject, the English Bazaar Congress MLA, Mr Krishnendu Choudhury said: “No meeting was held in the district congress committee or in the PCC and AICC to select Dr AN Khan Choudhury as Congress candidate for North Malda. No final decision has been taken for the seat till now. The PCC chief, Mr Pranab Mukherjee would take the decision.”

The district Intuc president and chairman of the Congress-run English Bazaar Municipality, Mr Narendranath Tiwari has a different view. “If Dr AN Khan Choudhury does not qualify to contest on the issue of his citizenship, the newly elected Sujapur MLA Miss Mausam Benazir Noor is the next possible candidate for North Malda,” he said.

There is a hitch here though. According to party sources, Mr Moshtaque Alam has informed the Malda Congress MP that he too would claim ticket for North Malda if Miss Noor's name is considered for the seat.

The former district Congress president and MLA from Araidanga, Mrs Sabitri Mitra has a different opinion again. “Miss Noor should not contest in Parliament elections now. She is committed to serve the people of Sujapur. She should not deprive them,” Mrs Mitra, said.

It is learnt that besides Dr A N Khan Choudhury and Miss Noor, five other Congress leaders including MLAs are trying to secure ticket for the North Malda Parliamentary seat. According to sources in the Congress, two from Malda including the English Bazaar MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury and one leader from Kolkata are in the race. n SNS

Madhyamik question upsets teachers

Invigilators feel students’ ire

Statesman News Service

KOLKATA, Feb. 27: Teachers in the city feel that rural students with English as second language in the Madhyamik examinations might have found it difficult to compose a letter on important places in the city as required by a question set in today's examination.

The West Bengal Headmasters’ Association (WBHA) has complained to officials of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) and requested the Board not to set questions on a particular city. Ten marks were allotted for letter writing.

“The bulk of Madhyamik examinees are from rural areas and a large number of them do not have access to television. It is very difficult for them to write anything about a place about which they do not have much knowledge,” said WBHA secretary Mr Ashok Maity.

According to a teacher in a government school, many rural students have heard about Kolkata from their relatives only, and it might have been difficult for them to express their thoughts in English and write around 120 words.

WBBSE president Ms Mamata Ray, however, said students would not have faced any difficulty. “Students surely know some of the places in the city,” she added.

Meanwhile, examinees at Ramjibanpur exam centre failed to enter the examination hall on time following a clash between two groups in Midnapore West. WBBSE officials intervened and finally police managed to help students appear for the examination.

Students will appear for life science tomorrow. It will be the first time that the paper will be printed in Hindi as well.

Invigilators feel students’ ire

Madhyamik candidates and their guardians roughed up invigilators, damaged their two-wheelers and confined them till evening at two examination venues - Baluachara High School and Bangitola Higher Secondary School respectively in Kaliachak II block in Malda today. According to the authority of the two schools, the invigilators performed their duty strictly and with integrity, which displeased some people and they took out their frustration by assaulting the invigilators. “It is a shameful incident,” the authorities of both schools, said.

It is learnt that the candidates found the English paper tough and hence sought help of the invigilators. The invigilators turned down their request, which upset the examinees and they attacked the schoolteachers with bamboo sticks and bricks. It has been alleged that a section of the guardians encouraged the attackers. The centre in-charge, Mr Mantu Roy informed the district inspector of schools (secondary) that the teachers had demanded more police force for their security.

Every penny counts

MALDA, Feb. 27: Mrs Prabha Saha, a registered labourer for 100-days job under NREGA, today lodged a complaint with the police and the block development officer of Kaliachak II, against a Gram Panchayat pradhan regarding pay cut.

Mrs Saha alleged that the pradhan of Panchanandapur-II Mr Haripada Ghosh demanded Rs 100 out of Rs 550 for 100-days job from her husband. “When my husband, Mr Akhil Saha refused to pay this amount, the pradhan beat him up yesterday”, she said. It may be noted that Mr and Mrs Saha worked for only 14 days under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and received their money from the Panchanandapur-II gram panchayat office located at Meghutola market office on Wednesday.

Today, Mrs Saha with the support of some CPI (ML) Liberation members, lodged a complaint and submitted another representation to the BDO Kaliachak II. “Locals, backed by the Congress pradhan, today put a fence round Akhil Saha's house. Last evening some goons destroyed five trees near their home”, Mr Rajab Ali, CPI (ML) block secretary said. “We will enquire about the incident. If the pradhan is found guilty we must take action against him”, the BDO, Kaliachak II said. n SNS

Detached... yet attached

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 27: The Trinamul Congress has decided to practice the theory of detached attachment with the Congress. And in keeping with the philosophy, the party has asked its office bearers in Congress run civic boards to step down from their posts but not to withdraw support.

Commensurate to the policy again, the Malda district Trinamul Congress president Mr Dulal Sarkar would step down from the vice chairman's post in English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) tomorrow. The instruction, according to him, has come from party chief Miss Mamata Banerjee.

“Miss Banerjee has directed Trinamul supporters against holding office in any Congress led civic board. The instruction is to be executed before the Lok Sabha polls, which is why I would resign tomorrow,” Mr Sarkar said. According to him again, Trinamul members holding office in gram panchayats along with the Congress would step down in the next phase of the exercise.

“Miss Banerjee said that the party was being criticised for holding posts in Congress run civic boards and panchayats. We need to keep safe distance from the Congress but not withdraw support as the CPI-M would then seize the opportunity and dissolve the anti-Left boards,” Mr Sarkar added.

Not sitting idle, the Congress led EBM board has initiated the process to select a substitute for the vice chairman's post, which would fall vacant after the Trinamul man resigns tomorrow.

Ghani Khan's citizenship issue gains momentum

MALDA, Feb. 26: Dr AN Khan Choudhury, elder brother of Malda Congress MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, has almost become the centre of controversy over his Swiss citizenship issue with a Malda lawyer, Mr Ashoke Agarwala, filing a complaint against him. The lawyer filed a complained with the electoral registration officer, English Bazaar Assembly constituency, urging deletion of his name from the voters’ list.

Mr Agarwala submitted an application in a prescribed form (Form-7) of the Election Commission to the Malda district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh, yesterday evening demanding deletion of Dr Khan Choudhury's name from the voters’ list. The ERO, Mr Prakash Pal, who is also the Malda SDO, said: “We shall have to issue notices to Dr AN Khan Choudhury and the objector, Mr Ashoke Agarwala, for a hearing soon in addition to a public notice in this regard.”

It may be noted that following an instruction from the state chief electoral officer, Mr Debasish Sen, the Malda district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh, yesterday appointed a deputy magistrate, Mr Ajmal Hossain, to verify the citizenship status of Dr Khan Choudhury. n SNS

Intuc calls rail blockade

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 26: The Malda Intuc will stage an agitation for two hours from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in Malda town in protest against the Indian Railway Board's decision to form a new railway division in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

The Intuc called a 12-hour strike on this issue on 21 February but cancelled it at the last minute in the public interest following requests from various quarters.

“We have heard that the Railway Board plans to lay a foundation stone for the new railway division at Bhagalpur on 1 March. To protect the interests of Malda railway division we have decided to call a "Rail Roko" for two hours on 28 March between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m,” Mr Narendranath Tiwari, the Intuc district president and the chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality, said.

Large areas in Jamalpur and Bhagalpur, currently under the Malda Railway Division, would be ceded to the planned Bhagalpur Railway Division under the new plans.

“We will not tolerate the Railway Board's decision to reduce the territory of the Malda Railway division or its moves to wind up the construction division of the Northeast Frontier Railway from Malda. These actions will hamper the district's economy,” Mr Tiwari said.

The Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce (MMCC) called a convention on 20 February, forming a 31-member committee inducting all political leaders to consider the current situation of the Malda Railway Division.

The Committee adopted a resolution to send letters to the Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Mrs Sonia Gandhi, railway minister Mr Lalu Prasad and other officials concerned.

The MMCC has not confirmed whether the committee has sent letters to them, but the spokesperson of the MMCC, Mr Ujjal Saha, said that it would cooperate with the Intuc during the "Rail Roko" movement.

SFI cry bias against CPM

MALDA, Feb. 26: Protesting against a section of the CPI-M leadership allegedly backing Chhatra Parishad supporters who assaulted Mr Sariful Sheikh, an SFI leader, party activists ransacked the CPI-M Kaliachak zonal party office and locked it last evening. The office remained locked today.

According to the SFI activists, they had urged the CPI-M leadership to talk to police against the Chhatra Parishad supporters after the incident but instead of helping them, they were siding with the CP supporters. As a result although police arrested two CP activists on Tuesday night, the two got bail from Malda court.

Aggrieved over the incident, the SFI workers stormed the party office and threatened the CPI-M leaders including Enamul Hoque, local committee secretary, and Mr Farijuddin, another party worker with dire consequences for backing the CP discreetly.

The victim, Mr Sheikh, said that the CPI-M zonal committee members were indulging in a divide and rule game, creating factional feud within the SFI.

The Malda CPI-M district secretary, Mr Jiban Moitra, however, diluted the incident: "The SFI leaders did not ransack and lock the office. They had come to express grievance against police as the police failed to arrest the main accused. Some outsiders entered the office with them and created problem.” n SNS

Trinamul names N Malda man

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 25: The Trinamul Congress has at last finalised its candidate for North Malda Lok Sabha constituency.

Mr Goutam Chakraborty, former Congress MLA and former sabhadhipati of the Congress-led Malda zilla parishad (MZP), who had recently joined the Trinamul Congress, has finally been selected for the Parliamentary elections following a proposal from the district unit.

According to Mr Chakraborty, the district Trinamul Congress has proposed the name of Mr Rajendra Singha, former Congress leader of Manikchak block, for South Malda constituency.

State Trinamul Congress leader Mr Mukul Roy has informed the district Trinamul leaders that Miss Mamata Banerjee may withdraw its candidate from South Malda if the proposed alliance with the Congress materialises.

“But the Trinamul Congress will in no case withdraw its candidate from North Malda constituency,” Mr Roy informed the district leaders.

It may be noted that the present district Congress president and Malda MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, will contest from the South Malda parliamentary constituency.

Having received the green signal from Miss Banerjee, Mr Goutam Chakraborty has already started meetings with his followers and block-level Trinamul leaders to prepare for the election.

Mr Chakraborty held a series of meetings with local Congress leaders and workers, particularly in the Barind belt comprising Gazol, Bamongola and Habibpur blocks, in the last five years for greater organisational strength in the Congress.

The Congress leaders have been finding it hard to maintain unity among the block-level Congress leaders and workers since Mr Chakraborty joined the Trinamul Congress.

In the last few months, Dr AN Khan Choudhury, the elder brother of Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, had been keeping in touch with the leaders of the tribal-dominated and backward areas of Habibpur and Bamongola, projecting him as candidate for North Malda parliamentary constituency.

“I shall contest from North Malda constituency as Trinamul Congress candidate and have already started meeting present Trinamul Congress and Congress workers who had helped the late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury win with a record margin from Barind belt,” said Mr Chakraborty.

“If the proposed alliance materialises, the Congress would have to withdraw its candidate,” he added. ( END)

Citizenship under scanner

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 25: Following an instruction from the state chief electoral officer Mr Debasish Sen, the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh today appointed a magistrate to verify the citizenship status of Dr AN Khan Choudhury, elder brother of the Malda Congress MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury.

The CEO, Mr Sen, yesterday asked the district magistrate over phone to verify Dr Khan Choudhury's citizenship status following a report ~ ‘A Swiss citizen with an Indian voter card!’ published in the 24 February 2009 edition of The Statesman.

“The election commission has taken up the matter. We had asked Dr AN Khan Choudhury to show documents in support of his Indian citizenship but he did not turn up today. We have assigned a magistrate to inquire into the matter,” said the DM Mr Ghosh. The Malda DM added that the district election officials will verify how Dr Khan Choudhury, who is still a Swiss citizen, registered his name in part No. 40, serial number 324, of the English Bazaar Assembly constituency voters’ list. (Epic No. 2994127). The matter came to light after the Malda MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhury wrote a letter to the joint secretary (foreigners) under the Union home ministry on 22 December 2008, regarding the resumption of his brother's Indian citizenship under Section 8 (2) of the Citizenship Act 1955.

Dr Khan Choudhury is one of the proposed Congress candidates for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls from North Malda Parliamentary constituency. His supporters today claimed that Dr AN Khan Choudhury had registered his name in the voters’ list in 1995 with a special permission from the then CEO of West Bengal. He had also contested in the Malda Parliamentary seat against his elder brother late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury.

It is learnt that Dr Khan Choudhury left for Kolkata last evening and would visit New Delhi on emergency work related to the resumption of his Indian citizenship.

Aged couple allege torture by son

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 25: The Malda district administration today registered the first case under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 following a complaint from an elderly couple.

Mr Prashanta Choudhury (70) and his wife Mrs Niva Choudhury (66), residents of Bachamari colony, today met the Malda SDO and lodged a complaint against one of their sons and his wife who, they alleged, had severely beaten them.

A visibly scared Mr Choudhury informed the SDO and social welfare officers that his son Prabhat and daughter-in-law Chameli had severely beaten him up demanding gold ornaments weighing 30 grams.

In the last few days, they had begun to torture the elderly couple, demanding gold despite having received plots of land.

The SDO informed police about the situation so that protection for the elderly couple could be provided. The SDO has also asked a senior welfare officer, Mr P Singha Roy, to inquire into the matter so that maintenance may be arranged.

After receiving the complaint, the district officials talked to Mr Prabhat Choudhury over the telephone and warned him not to torture his parents. (END)

Malda gears up for exams

Nearly 30,000 to sit for Madhyamik

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 24: A total of 29,039 students including 13,413 female students from Malda district will begin the Madhyamik examinations tomorrow. According to the manager in charge of the Madhyamik exams in the district, more than 26,000 students took the exam last year. Almost 3,000 more students will do so this year.

A total of 12,629 boys and 10,406 girls will appear in Madhyamik as regular candidates, while 2,692 boys and 2,634 girls will appear as continuing candidates (CC). 305 boys and 373 girls will appear for compartmental subjects. The education department has finalised 14 examination centres and 77 venues for all students appearing for this examination across the district.

The district administration has imposed Section 144 CrPC at a distance of 100 metres from all the venues and asked photocopier shops to close from 11.30 am to prevent unfair examination practices. The 14 examination centres have also been asked to take care of candidates who fall ill and make the necessary arrangements for them to sit their examinations in nearby hospitals.

Sabitri Das, a Madhyamik candidate, was admitted to a private nursing home for an appendectomy operation today. Her father, Mr Pinaki Das, sought help from the centre in the Bamongola block area in order for her to be able to sit the exam in the nursing home tomorrow. Two female students from the Araidanga area in an advanced stage of pregnancy have been asked to be admitted to hospital to sit the exam.

The district magistrate has asked the authorities of the private and government bus services to provide adequate and punctual services.

The manager in charge of the examinations, Mr Partha Jha, said: “One invigilator will be appointed for every 20 examinees. Invigilators have been asked not to expel any candidates. They will only cancel the candidate’s answer script if the candidate undertakes unfair practices in the examination hall.”

A cut above the rest

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 24: The BSF has hit upon a novel idea to keep border residents, particularly young people, from straying into the world of crime. It is giving vocational training in areas such as hairdressing to young people. The programme appears to be taking effect.

Encouraged by the success of the scheme, the BSF today announced several programmes to bring young people back into the mainstream in two villages in Malda district. The exercise bore immediate fruit as five smugglers engaged in border crime surrendered before the DIG, BSF, Berhampore sector, Mr DS Sidhu, at Mahadipur in English Bazaar police station.

Several of the accused men ~ Samir Ghosh, Lakshman Ghosh, Sayed Sheikh, Sabil Sheikh and Israel Sheikh ~ possessed criminal records. The BSF chose to integrate them into the mainstream rather than using tough measures, with considerable success.

“We have been committing crimes along the border to make a living. Many of our friends are still engaged in this work and are at large. We ask them to surrender and return to normal life,” they told the media after the surrender ceremony.

The DIG, Mr Sidhu, said that border crime would come down once people realized it was harmful for their country. “Good relations between the locals and BSF personnel is important as it will lead to better coordination in keeping the borders safe,” he added. Asked about the surrendered smugglers, the DIG said: “We will take the next step in accordance with the law.”

BJP plays Hindu card

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 24: The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to play the Hindu card in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls in the primarily Muslim-domiciled constituencies of North and South Malda. The tactic is a departure from the party's previous policy of fielding Muslim candidates in Malda.

The Malda BJP district committee did not submit the names of candidates to the state committee on time which has led to confusion in the party over the nominations.

According to a section of the BJP local leadership, the state committee selected Mr Biswapriya Roy Choudhury as the candidate for the North Malda Parliamentary constituency after the district committee failed to provide a candidate on time. The issue became even more complex when the district committee suggested Mr Roy Choudhury's name for the South Malda Parliamentary seat with Mr Sanjit Mishra as an alternative.

“Similarly, the district committee also proposed the names of Mr Amlan Bhaduri and Mr Dipak Choudhury for North Malda, which gave the issue a new twist. However, the state leadership will probably shortlist Mr B Roy Chowdhury and Mr Amlan Bhaduri for the two constituencies,” a senior leader said.

Body recovered , murder suspected

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 24: Police today recovered the body of Mili Bibi (19) from Choto Kamad village under Baishnabnagar police station. The site was close to the victim's in-laws house.

Baishnabnagar police stated that the victim married a migrant labourer, Barkat Ali, a year ago. She returned to her in-laws’ house yesterday, and her husband arrived home from Delhi several days ago. She is believed to have been hacked to death last night. Her body was found this morning. The police have arrested the victim's husband and her father-in law.

In a separate incident, the police recovered a cattle trader in an unconscious state from the banks of the Ganga in Manikchak. Mr Ziaul Haque was believed to have been kidnapped, having been missing since 30 January. He was admitted to Malda district hospital.

Mr Haque's family members lodged a complaint with the police on 7 February against five people allegedly involved with the kidnapping. They claimed to have received a ransom call demanding Rs 30,000 to ensure Mr Haque's safe release. Police have arrested two men, Afjal Sheikh and Sheikh Manna, in connection with the crime. They are currently in search of a third.

According to the police, Haque is a mango trader who was also involved in the cattle trade. “We suspect that his associates kidnapped him over a monetary dispute,” police officials said.

A Swiss citizen with an Indian voter card!

MALDA, Feb. 23: Dr AN Khan Choudhury, who is the elder brother of Malda MP and district Congress president Mr AH Khan Choudhury, is now a proud possessor of an electoral photo identity card (No. JSL-2994127). There is one problem, though. He is not an Indian citizen!

Dr Khan Choudhury, who is still a Swiss citizen, has registered his name in part No. 40, serial number 324, of the English Bazaar Assembly constituency voters’ list, and word is that Mr AH Khan Choudhury has proposed his brother's name as the Congress candidate for the North Malda Lok Sabha constituency in the forthcoming Parliamentary polls.

It is learnt that Dr Khan Choudhury is now trying hard to secure an Indian citizenship.

The matter came to light after the Malda MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, wrote to the joint secretary (foreigners) under the Union home ministry on 22 December 2008, regarding his brother's resumption of Indian citizenship under Section 8(2) of the Citizenship Act 1955.

On 2 January, 2009, the joint secretary (foreigners) wrote back, pointing out that under the Citizenship Act, once an Indian citizen renounces Indian nationality, he cannot re-acquire Indian citizenship automatically. He advised that Dr Khan Choudhury apply for Indian citizenship by registration.

While Mr AH Khan Choudhury refused to comment on the matter, Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh, said: “Perhaps the name Abu Naser Khan Choudhury failed to ring a bell among the election officials and they enlisted him as they would any other resident.”

“We have not received any complaint, but if anyone does, we shall inquire into it and ask him (Dr AN Khan Choudhury) to furnish papers to prove his citizenship. If he fails to do so, his name would be deleted from the voters’ list,” he added. n Manas R Bannerjee

Goons spell havoc at Malda village

Eight houses torched in gang war

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 23: A group of attackers ransacked at least 10 houses, beat up family members, molested women and torched more than eight houses including a temple last night at Rajnagar village under Kaliachak police station.

Trouble broke out at around 11:30 pm last night. After setting fire to several houses, the attackers fled the scene. Villagers brought the fire under control at 1:30 am after a fire brigade from Malda town reached Rajnagar. A police team visited the village this morning and began inquiries into the attack.

According to the villagers and police, trouble broke out between two communities belonging to Ghosh and Chnai Mandal due to disagreements between the two in the past. No one has been arrested so far.

“The DSP (D&T) is inquiring into the incident. The police will act according to the complaints,” Malda SP Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay told reporters.

According to villagers, tension had been brewing since the day after Saraswati Puja after children from Chnai-Mandal families were prevented from taking part in a sports event. A clash subsequently broke out between the two groups on this issue and one boy belonging to the Ghosh community was seriously injured. The Ghosh community attacked the Mandal community in retaliation and two families were forced to flee the village.

When neighbours attempted to bring the two families back to Rajnagar (under Birnagar II gram panchayat in Kaliachak III block) a group of 12 armed people attacked them at midnight.

Five families' houses were severely damaged by the fire. Satish Mandal, a farmer, lost Rs 45,000 which he was keeping at home to buy crop land. Neighbouring houses belonging to Muslims were also damaged, while a woman, Jyotysana Mandal, was allegedly molested. According to eyewitnesses, pet birds and snakes within the temple burned to death.

Harishchandrapur all set for a new college

MALDA, Feb 23: With the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the newly formed North Malda parliamentary constituency in mind, the state government today laid the foundation stone for a new college at Harishchandrapur in Chanchal subdivision.

The environment minister and state parliamentary affairs minister Mr Sailen Sarkar, one of the projected candidates for the north Malda parliamentary constituency, conducted the ceremony. The CPI-M will finalise its candidates on February 24 with the state leaders in Kolkata.

Though the Congress-led Malda Zilla Parishad (MZP) sabahdhipati Mrs Sabina Yeasmin attended the foundation-laying ceremony, she objected to allowing the local committee of the College to utilise funds allotted for the construction and development of the college campus. Mrs Yeasmin claimed that the MZP was entitled to utilise the funds for the college.

The district magistrate Mr. Sridhar Ghosh attempted to seek the co-operation of the MZP chief for the development of a college in backward blocks like Harishchandrapur I and II.

There are two colleges at Samsi and Chanchal for six blocks in the Chanchal subdivision of north Malda. The ruling political leaders in the district administration have proposed to set up two more colleges at Harishchandrapur in Chanchal subdivision and at Manikchak in Malda subdivision. The district has nine colleges. n SNS

Malda plays host to health dept meet on 28 Feb

MALDA, Feb. 23: For the first time, the director of health has selected Malda district headquarters as the venue for a meeting to review the performance of the health department on 28 February with nine district officials

The director of health, Mrs Sanchita Baksi would interact with the district magistrates, sabhadhipatis and chief medical officer of health from six north Bengal districts and three districts from south Bengal ie. Murshidabad, Birbhum and Nadia. Besides routine health projects sponsored by the state and the Centre, post Bird Flu situation will be also reviewed in the meeting scheduled to be held in Malda on 28 February. The secretary of the health department, Dr S Ghosh will be visiting Malda on 27 February regarding pre-meet preparations.

The Malda CMOH, Dr Srikanta Roy said: “It is a routine meeting to evaluate the performance of health projects in this financial year." Dr Roy said that the secretary of the health department, Dr Ghosh would visit the district hospital on 27 February and interact with the health officials to review the performance of the on-going health projects in this district.

The district hospital authorities have started cleaning the district hospital premises from today and doctors, staff members have been alerted about their duties before the arrival of the top health officials on 27 and 28 February in Malda. n SNS

Cops suspended for ‘protecting’ rape accused

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 22: Malda police suspended two cops today on charge of holding a reconciliation meeting to settle a case charging Mr Mohammed Sanaullaha ~ a local gram panchayat member belonging to the CPI-M ~ of raping a minor.

Meanwhile, Manichkak police are under trail for attempted bribery, concerning Mr Baijul Hoque, one of eleven protesters recently accused of rioting and murdering a woman.

Mr Mohammed Sanaullaha has been accused of raping a minor girl last Wednesday in her home at Ramchandrapur under Ratua police station area. On Wednesday evening, the relatives of the victim began protesting, claiming that police and local leaders were unlawfully protecting the accused. The outraged locals attempted to seize Mr Sanaullaha, but he managed to escape and is still at large.

The Malda superintendent of police had received several complaints from various quarters alleging that a pair of officers ~ Mr Dilip Mohanta and Mr Dilip Roy ~ had refused to accept an FIR from the father of the alleged rape victim. Instead, they were accused of holding a reconciliation meeting at Pukuria outpost, under Ratua police station area in a bid to protect the accused, Mr Mohammed Sanaullaha, a CPI-M member of a local gram panchayat.

After receiving an inquiry report prepared by the circle inspector, the Malda SP has begun departmental proceedings for the suspension of the two officers. The foiled cover-up also allegedly involved several local leaders, accused of offering Rs 30,000 to the father of the victim in return for withdrawing his complaints.

Meanwhile, charges of corruption have been leveled against a member of Manikchak police, concerning a case charging one Mr Baijul Hoque of rioting and attempted murder of a woman. Mr Hoque, a Congress worker, had allegedly led a mob that had attacked Ms Rajnur Bibi's house on 2 Feb, 2009.

Manikchak police officer Mr Bikash Bhadra reportedly phoned the accused, asking him to bring Rs 10,000 to the police station in exchange for his acquittal.

Mr Hoque recorded the call on his cell phone and yesterday brought the matter to the attention of the Malda superintendent, Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay, with the help of Congress MLA Mrs Sabitri Mitra.

Terming the incident ‘unfortunate’, the Malda superindent said: “We must take action against the accused, based on the inquiry report.” (END)

Meet held to curb proxy voting

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 22: The Malda district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh, today held a meeting with the officials of the Border Security Force to discuss proxy voting.

Mr Ghosh explained the system of service and proxy voting as a part of the preparation for the forthcoming parliamentary poll.

The election commission has directed election officials to follow specific methodology in the wake of grievance expressed by the service voters over non-receipt of postal ballots. As per the allegation, the postal ballots in most cases reach the returning officers after the counting is over.

The district magistrate said that the BSF jawans engaged in duty and unable to cast vote themselves would be empowered to authorize others to cast proxy votes on their behalf.

The state chief electoral officer, Mr Debasish Sen, has directed all the district magistrates to hold election co-ordination meetings on a daily basis with all officers at district, subdivisions and block levels to sort out matters promptly.

The CEO also directed the district magistrates to ensure that the electoral photo identity cards hitherto undistributed are provided to all concerned by 28 February. The CEO also directed them to arrange suitable distribution programmes so that electors individually are intimated to collect their cards by 28 February.

The commission instructed the district officials to guarantee providing cards to all concerned latest by 7 March. The returning officers have been asked to complete database on polling personnel by 28 February and to inform the matter to CEO office.

The district magistrates have also been asked to set up control rooms in the district head quarters to monitor complaints on violations of Model Code of Conduct once it comes into force.

Opium destruction drive in N Bengal

MALDA, Feb 20: Acting on intelligence reports, the Deputy Commissioner of Excise (Preventive) in Jalpaiguri division has started the destruction of illegal opium cultivation in the six north Bengal districts. The excise officials, accompanied by police personnel and narcotic cell officials from Kolkata, uprooted and destroyed opium plants cultivated in 10 acres of land at Pukuria under Ratua police station area yesterday. The team has detected another large plot of land at Kadamtali under the same police station area today and began destruction of the plants there. Besides Ratua, intelligence officials of the Central Detective Department (Excise) have been deployed across the district to identify opium plantations for its destruction. The deputy commissioner of Excise (Preventive) in the Jalpaiguri division, Mr PT Bhutia, has been staying in the region for the past three days to collect information and identify the opium cultivation lands in the district. Mr Bhutia will leave for North Dinajpur district this evening to assist the Excise Department in the destruction of opium cultivation there. The district police officials have also deployed parallel informers in their respective police stations to collect information on opium cultivation. n SNS

Asok reviews water projects in Malda

MALDA, Feb 20: The municipal affairs minister Mr Asok Bhattacharya, today held a meeting with officials of the Old Malda and English Bazaar municipalities to review their on-going projects.

The English Bazaar Congress MLA, Mr Krishnendu Choudhury was also present at the meeting. He urged the minister to implement a drinking water project based on surface water sources to provide for future generations. He stressed the need to implement the Slum Area Development Project, set up an electric crematorium for two municipalities, initiate a drinking water project collecting water from the river Ganga and review other pending works such as sanitation projects.

Mr Choudhury argued that the 15 km distance between the Ganga and the English Bazaar town would not prove to be a problem. The Kandi municipality was setting up water from a river 25 km from its treatment plant, he said.“We can lift and bring water from the Ganga through a pipeline. After treatment we can distribute it as drinking water. The project will be prepared with a view to providing for the increased population of this municipal area by the year 2040," the MLA said.

The English Bazaar civic body has proposed to set up a water treatment plant based on the river Mahananda. The MLA argued, however, that the water flow of the river would not be sufficient in the long term, noting that the Old Malda Municipality was also setting up a water project based on the Mahananda.

The minister said that he would discuss the matter with experts in Kolkata to examine its feasibility. Without permission from central agencies such as the Central Water Commission (CWC) or GFCC (Ganga Flood Control Commission) no one is entitled to lift water from the Ganga for this purpose.

The minister has agreed to look into the MLA's proposal to declare Sahapur, a rural belt in Old Malda, as a notified area for the future expansion of the English Bazaar municipality. n SNS

Intuc calls off 12-hour strike in Malda

MALDA, Feb 20: Following complaints from various quarters, Intuc leaders today called off its 12-hour strike slated on 21 February in Malda district.

The Intuc district president had given a bandh call in protest against the Indian Railway Board's decision to form a new railway division in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Local residents, students and political leaders including Congress members were against the bandh. Giving in to the mounting pressure on the Congress affiliated labour front, the district Intuc president Mr Narendranath Tiwari today said his organisation called off the strike in response to the request by the Malda MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhury. “He asked us to postpone it following a telephonic conversation with the railway minister Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav and other Congress leaders. We accepted his proposal,” Mr Tiwari said.

“The Malda MP has assured me that the formation of the Bhagalpur railway division would not affect the interests of the Malda railway division. In case the working of the Malda railway division is affected, we would stage a protest”, he said. n SNS

Malda Intuc leaders plan stir against proposed shifting of railway office

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 19: The Malda Intuc leaders have decided to begin fresh agitation against the decision of the Northeast Frontier Railway to shift its construction office of the Deputy Chief Engineer (NF Railway) from Malda town.

The Intuc district president Mr Narendranath Tiwari today said: “We have got information that the NF railway has asked to wind up its construction office in Malda, close to the Malda railway division office. This office will be shifted to Assam and its staff will be transferred to other areas." The construction office was set up to execute the Eklakhi-Balurghat railway and other projects since the tenure of the then-railway minister Mr ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury.

After completion of Eklakhi-Balurghat railway project, the railway board planned to implement its Gazol to Itahar (North Dinajpur) railway project and conducted a survey for its execution. The construction office was working on the project.

According to the Intuc district president, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, the Indian railway allotted Rs 55 crore for bridge construction and laying railway tracks after conducting a survey from Gazole (Eklakhi in Malda) to Itahar via Gunjaria (North Dinajpur). “The then-Union information and broadcasting minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi took the initiative in undertaking the project from Gazol to Itahar,” Mr Tiwari added.

Based on the construction office, Mr Das Munshi also tried to build a railway link from Kaliaganj (North Dinajpur) to Buniadpur (South Dinajpur) which is under the division of the NF railway. “We will launch a protest against the decision of the NF railway shortly if it shifts construction office from here,” Mr. Tiwari said.

Survey on traffic management

MALDA, Feb 19: The Malda district magistrate Mr. Sridhar Ghosh has asked the English Bazaar Municipality (EBM) to conduct a survey for a new traffic management system in Malda town following complaints from various quarters. The vice chairman of the EBM Mr Dulal Sarkar said that the district magistrate had asked the EBM to submit proposals for a new system after the survey was completed. “The district magistrate will call a meeting on the matter soon but the date has not been fixed yet,” Mr Sarkar said. “We are planning to rearrange the present traffic management system following complaints from local people and public representatives. We would take a few days more,” he added. The district administration rearranged the traffic management system and issued notifications to this effect months earlier during the tenure of the then-district magistrate Mr CR Das. A range of individuals, including rickshaw pullers and political leaders subsequently objected to a one way traffic system in which rickshaws were barred from some roads. The former Malda Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati and senior CPI-M leader Mr Somen Pandey criticized the system when rickshaw pullers started to claim a double fare for short journeys. The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury said: “The administration did not call us to finalise the traffic rearrangement system before notifying the public. The police planned the traffic system according to their wishes, which was not scientific. I have asked the administration to rethink the present traffic management system." The EBM, following instructions from the administration, has attempted to restrict the movement of unauthorised and unlicensed rickshaws. n SNS

Bandh call irks residents

MALDA, Feb 19: In view of the annual examinations, students on Saturday would face problems because of the 12-hour strike on the same day by the Intuc leaders in Malda district. The Intuc leaders have called the strike to protest against the Indian Railway Board's decision to form a new railway division in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

Unfazed by criticism from various quarters over the justification of the bandh call, the Intuc district president Mr Narendranath Tiwari said that he would change his decision. “The proposal by the railway board if implemented would impoverish the Malda division and we would not accept it,” he said.

The Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce (MMCC) has sent a letter to Mr Tiwari, also the chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality (EBM), requesting him to defer the strike called on 21 February. The joint secretary of the MMCC Mr. Ujjal Saha said: “We have urged Intuc leaders to defer the strike as the Mahedipur exporters’ association would organise a sports meet for disabled boys and girls at English Bazaar town on 21 February. If they are still adamant on their stand, hundreds of disabled boys and girls will face problem to attend the sports meet," he said. Even teachers and students are very worried. Mrs Pranati Dasgupta, headmistress of Barlow Girls’ High School, said: “We are very confused and do not dont what to to do. Students will face problem in coming to school for the exam on 21 February due to the strike. If we get to know that there will be a strike on Saturday by tomorrow morning we might just cancel Saturday's exams”.

When contacted, the Intuc district president Mr Tiwari said: “We would announce our final decision tomorrow morning. But still I stand by my decision”.

Meanwhile, while the Congress MLA from English Bazaar Mr Krishnendu Choudhury and other Congress leaders said that the Intuc had no justification to call a strike on the issue, BJP leaders decided to extend their support. n SNS

Child help abuse: Probe initiated

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 18: The Assistant Labour Commissioner in Malda began an inquiry into a case of child help abuse and molestation following a media report today.

English Bazaar police station finally arrested Mr Sudip Chakraborty, his wife Mrs Aparajita Chakraborty and her brother Mr Biswanath Maitra under Sections 323, 324, 326 and 34 IPC and 14(I) Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986. Malda police today produced them in the chief judicial magistrate's court. The lawyers of the accused submitted a petition for bail.

Judicial Magistrate Mr TK Pradhan, first court (in charge of CJM court), rejected their bail plea and remanded them in judicial custody for seven days' further investigation.

The assistant labour commissioner in Malda, Mr Soumyanil Sarkar, said: “We have also started an inquiry following media reports and decided to register a case based on the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act 1986. We will examine the accused, his neighbours, eyewitnesses, and the people allegedly involved in guarding the accused family members and organising a reconciliation meeting preventing them from going to the labour department or police station."

"After an inquiry we will register a case and produce the accused in a court at the level of first judicial magistrate or metropolitan magistrate at least. There is no provision under the Child Labour (P&R) Act to take action against individuals who attempted to suppress the case by organising a reconciliation meeting. The police can take action against them after a thorough investigation,” Mr Sarkar added.

Gita Karmakar (7) was employed as a baby-sitter with the Chakraborty family several months earlier. Her mother alleged that she was tortured while working there.

“The injured girl was locked in the house on 15 February for hours when the couple went out. A burning candle was pressed to her buttock after she soiled the toilet,” her mother said.

Local residents of Church-pally in Ward No. 24 rescued the girl by breaking the lock of the door but did not inform the police or labour department of their actions.

Local residents backed by the CPI-M organised a reconciliation meeting and demanded Rs 22,000 in compensation. The child is alleged to have suffered burns on her body. The family finally gave Rs 7,000 to the local leaders, according to police.

“The local (CPI-M) leaders assured us that they would manage everything but after the media interfered the situation went out of control. It is simply a conspiracy against us. We have lost our social prestige,” Mrs Aparajita Chakraborty said this morning. (END)

Land a problem for Malda Food Park

MALDA, Feb. 18: The State Food Processing and Horticulture Development Corporation (SFPHDC) has delayed handing over land earmarked for the proposed Malda Food Park to interested entrepreneurs, due to technical problems.

Nearly 32.23 acres of land have been allotted to the Malda Food Park to be established in English Bazaar town, close to the projected site of the University of Gour Banga. The food processing industries and horticulture department had begun inviting investment into the food park back in December, 2006. Out of 33 plots, 24 plots have now been allotted to various entrepreneurs, including local investors, who are now waiting to set up industries there.

However, the process of registering the plots under the names of the entrepreneurs has been delayed due to technical problems concerning land records. The Congress MLA of English Bazaar, Mr Krishnendu Choudhury, said top officials of the horticulture department have taken steps to end the land dispute: “We hope that the entrepreneurs will soon be able to begin construction at the food park.” Recently, officials of the TIFAC and its knowledge partner, the Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow, studied the allotted plots of land, making use of technology gap analysis in reference to the Food Processing Industry Cluster in Malda.

Mr SN Khara, mango development officer of the Malda horticulture department, was confident that the project would not be halted for long. He said: “The Centre would extend financial assistance to the proposed Malda Food Park following reports to be submitted by the TIFAC and CISH to the government.” n SNS

PWD to lease out encroached land

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 18: The state Public Works Department (PWD) has agreed to lease out its lands to hundreds of traders on the eastern side of National Highway-34.

Hundreds of small traders have occupied the basement of the Rathbari Flyover illegally. Under the banner of the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce (MMCC), they have been demanding a permanent settlement of their business under the flyover for several years. The minister of the PWD, Mr Kshiti Goswami, agreed to accept the proposals of the MMCC several weeks earlier. He has leased out the basement subject to terms and conditions. The MMCC will construct stalls for traders at their own cost according to guidelines formulated by PWD engineers. The MMCC will have to follow these designs and vacate some areas to ensure the safety of the Rathbari Flyover. Following the order of the higher authorities of the PWD, the executive engineer of the Malda PWD (Roads), Mr Ram Chanda, has sought proposals from the MMCC including lists of traders.

Mr Chanda has also asked the land acquisition department to provide government guidelines to calculate the rent and salami (one time payment) to be claimed from each trader before finalizing the lease deed of agreement with the traders.

Mr Chanda said: “The MMCC will have to build fire proof structures under the supervision of PWD engineers. We will accept the model structure given by the MMCC after clearance from the fire brigade. No canteen, tea stalls and other fire related stalls will be allowed under flyover. The MMCC has not shown us the model structure yet." According to Mr Chanda, no decision has been taken to remove encroachments under the Rathbari Flyover on the western side of the NH-34 and railway track.

“Following an order from the Malda district magistrate, we have completed an inquiry into encroachments of PWD land and the illegal construction of a building attached to the flyover. Though we have submitted an inquiry report suggesting demolishing the illegal structure to the district magistrate office, no magistrate inquiry has been initiated to take final action against the encroachers," he said. Following a media report, the Malda district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh asked Mr Chanda, to investigate the illegal construction of a multi-storied building built by a local group of residents in Ward No. 24 backed by the CPI-M.

Furore over extra exam fees in Malda school

MALDA, Feb. 17: Students appearing for the Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations this year have refused to deposit an extra Rs 25 and Rs 50 as ‘centre fee’ sought by the Babupur High School authorities in Gazol causing tension on the school premises.

Students backed by the CPI-ML (Liberation) affiliated All India Students’ Association today protested against the decision and met the headmaster Mr Samsuddin Ahmed seeking clarification for the extra charges sought. When the headmaster reportedly explained that he would have to deposit the ‘centre fee’ to the centre committee in Gazol to meet expenses for arranging the examinations including the ‘cost of police deployment’, the AISA backed class XI students decided to boycott the extra centre fees of Rs 50.

“The headmaster was demanding centre fee from the students verbally and without receipt. Students urged him to issue a notice regarding the centre fee which the headmaster did today,” said CPI-ML leader Mr Naba Biswas. “Students denied depositing the extra fees because they had already deposited Rs 200 as exam fees to the school at the time of form filling,” said AISA student leader Mr Manabendra Roy.

Mr Samsuddin Ahmed, the headmaster of the Babupur High School, said over phone: “The centre committee in Gazole has asked me to collect centre fees from the students to meet up expenses for organising exams. So we decided to collect Rs 25 from Madhyamik students, Rs 50 from the HS students and Rs 10 from class XI students. Today some Madhyamik students deposited the fee but the HS students did not deposit the fixed amount. They have been asked to deposit the amount before obtaining the admit cards”.

The Malda DI Mr Chinmay Sarkar, however, said: “The Board had directed to collect Rs 20 only from a student as centre charge.” Speaking on the issue, the in-charge of examinations in Malda district Mr Partha Jha said: “With permission from the Centre Committee the headmaster can collect Rs 30 only from each student as centre fee. He can not claim Rs 50.” The matter has reached the police. The Malda, ASP, Mr Kalyan Mukhopadhayay today asked the OC Gazol to contact the headmaster, inquire about the matter and file a general diary against him if the headmaster has told the students to pay the ‘centre fee’ to meet the expenses for police deployment. n SNS

Minor help tortured, man held

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb 17: Malda police arrested a man on charges of child labour, abuse and child molestation in English Bazaar town today. Mr Sudip Chakraborty, a contractor, attempted to escape from police after the mother of Gita Karmakar lodged an FIR with the police. The accused's wife Mrs Aparajita Chakraborty was also detained. “We may arrest her tonight after interrogation,” a senior police officer said.

According to the Malda SP Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay the man was arrested for violating the amended Child Labour Act. Gita Karmakar, seven, was employed as a baby-sitter by the Chakraborty family. Her mother alleged that she was tortured while working there. "She was locked in the house on 15 February for hours when the couple went out. Scared, my daughter screamed for help, which brought the neighbours to the house. They broke the lock and rescued my daughter.”

Local residents backed by the CPI-M organised a reconciliation meeting and demanded Rs 22,000 in compensation for the child's treatment as she suffered burns on her body. Mr Chakraborty stated that his family agreed to give Rs 5,000 and finally gave Rs 7,000 as compensation.

“I pleaded with my mother to take me away. I could not bear the torture,” Gita said today. She alleged that a burning candle was pressed to her bottom after she soiled the toilet.

Intuc 12-hour bandh call draws flak from Cong

MALDA, Feb 17: A group of Congress leaders have criticised the decision of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) to call a 12-hour strike in Malda district on 21 February. The strike has been called in protest at the Indian Railway Board's decision to form a new railway division based in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

INTUC called the strike yesterday evening, arguing that the proposed division would reduce the present territory of the Malda railway division. The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury said: “INTUC has no justification to call a strike. The former railway minister ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury formed the Malda railway division, reducing the territory of another division. “The railway minister Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav will add the reduced areas from West Bengal to maintain the Malda railway division's present activities”, he said. "INTUC called the strike without consulting the district Congress president. The Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury instructed us not to proceed with a movement now, and we are finding it difficult to explain its justification,” said Mr Ujjal Sheikh, the working president of Chharta Parishad. The INTUC district president Mr Narendranath Tiwari, also the chairman of the English Bazaar Municipality (EBM), said: “I took the decision to call the 12-hour Malda bandh when I saw that other political parties (the Trinamul Congress and CPI-M) were trying to catch the issue politically.”

“I spoke to the Malda MP over the phone from Delhi this morning. He suggested that I wait until this evening before undertaking the movement. He is attempting to meet Mr Lalu Prasad, Mr Pranab Mukherjee and Mrs Sonia Gandhi today to address the issue,” Mr Tiwari said. “After discussing the matter with Dalu-da (MP for Malda) we will take a final decision as to whether we can call off the strike,” he added. BJP district leaders have extended support to the 12-hour bandh. The general secretary of the Malda BJP Mr Amlan Bhaduri said: “We know the decision to call a strike was simply a drama. But we have decided to extend our support because the decision to form a new division was taken while the Congress is in power.”

After launching the agitation on Saturday, the Trinamul leaders met the Malda divisional railway manager yesterday and submitted a deputation demanding the inclusion of new areas in West Bengal. “The Divisional Railway Manager admitted the move to form the new division and stated that he would send their proposals to the railway board,” said Mr Dulal Sarkar, district president of the Trinamul Congress.

CPI-M and LF leaders are expected to attend a convention called by the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce (MMCC). n SNS

Poor mango harvest in Malda?

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Feb. 16: It is past mid-February but mango flowers are yet to be seen, indicating a poor mango harvest for Malda this year. Farmers are despondent, as going by the cycle they were expecting a bumper crop this year. The scope for a make up is slim too since the state government has a provision to compensate damage caused to the mango crop but there is no provision to compensate for the absence of flowers.

According to the mango development officer in Malda, Mr S N Khara, the mango trees so far flaunt 25 to 30 per cent of the expected bloom. “We would have to wait a week more for the final calculation of flowering. But going by the indications so far, mango harvest is feared to be poor in Malda this year,” he said. Holding the unfavourable weather conditions responsible for the situation, the official added: “We expect 40 per cent flowering to be completed in another week's time.”

“The district did not receive ample sunlight for 10 days in the month of January, which caused the major damage. From 22 January onwards, Malda district was shrouded in fog. Moreover, the proper chill also did not come in time and now the mango trees are not getting the much-required western breeze to help flowering properly.”

The situation of mango cultivation was discussed in a meeting today in presence of the ADM (development) and sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad. The meeting was held to draft action plans and proposals to be sent to the national horticulture mission (NHM) seeking funds for 2009-10 for the development of mango cultivation in the district.

There is a twist here. “The state government compensates farmers for loss in the mango crop but in this case, the loss is due to non-flowering, which we cannot compensate for,” said Mr Khara.

The district horticulture department officials are hoping that production of the laxmanbhog and fazli varieties of mango would be better than the ashwina, himsagar and langra varieties this year.