Lack of competent candidates for GBU post

Statesman News Service, MALDA, 26 FEB: The Gour Banga University (GBU) has cancelled two panels that were put together for the appointment of financial officer and controller of examination.

The decision was taken yesterday at a meeting of the executive council of the GBU following the memo of the inter board.

The board member concluded the interview for two posts with the comment, “none found suitable”.

They also mentioned that the two posts were equivalent to a professor’s rank and none of those who appeared for the interview had any impressive qualifications to their credit, to match the rank for which they were interviewing.

It may be noted here that out of four candidates, three appeared before the interview board for the post of controller of examination. Five candidates appeared before the interview board out of six, for the post of financial officer.

Though, one of the candidates, Mr Debashis Dutta, presently posted at North Bengal University, was found to be suitable , the fact that an investigation is going on against him regarding an alleged financial scam, spoiled his changes of getting the job.

The vice-chancellor of the GBU, Professor Gopa Datta said that since no suitable candidates have been found, the EC has decided to advertise afresh for the recruitment of financial officer, controller examination and other few sanctioned posts except for the post of registrar.

Meanwhile, the EC members held another meeting yesterday on the issue of the registrar’s appointment in GBU which has been kept in abeyance following a debate and complaint of “plagiarism” against the selected candidate, Dr Bikash Mukherjee, a senior information scientist of Burdwan University.

The EC members have also decided that the GBU authorities would send a letter to Dr Mukherjee just to respond to this letter based on Right to Information Act.

Dr Mukherjee had asked the GBU authorities as to why his appointment was “kept in abeyance” and what his “ineligibility” was.

One of the EC members said that the GBU authorities would seek legal advice on this issue in order to response to Dr Mukherjee’s plea for “clarification” based on the RTI Act.

It may be noted that the GBU authorities had issued an appointment letter to Dr Mukherjee asking him to join from 18 January 2010 but following “media reports” the EC members on 15 January took the decision to keep the appointment in abeyance and sought a report on “plagiarism” from the Burdwan University( BU)

Interestingly, one of the EC members, Dr Pranatosh Sen, he is also the principal of Gour College in Malda, was also one of the applicants for the post of registrar of the GBU.

Yesterday, EC members of the GBU examined the reports and papers sent by Dr S Dan, registrar of the BU, on “plagiarism” issue and decided to seek more information about the matter form the BU.

One of the EC members of the GBU claimed that Dr Mukherje’s plagiarism issue was related to his PhD degree and it was decided to seek more information from the BU to take a final decision over his appointment.

The vice chancellor of the GBU Professor Gopa Datta denied divulging the report of the BU on “Plagiarism” issue but she said “a letter has been sent to BU seeking more information”.

On the other hand, the registrar of the BU, Dr S Dan said: “I did not send any report related to Dr Mukherjee’s PhD degree. There was no complaint against his PHD degree”.

Dr Bikash Mukherjee today sought clarification from the BU authority about his PhD degree based on the RTI Act asking them whether any complaint was lodged against his PhD degree and if there are any questions regarding the validity of his doctorial degree.

Dr Mukherjee obtained his PhD degree from BU in June 2005.

In 2006 Mr Scott Nicholson from USA had lodged a complaint with the BU vice-chancellor, when Dr Mukherjee published an article on Biblioming (Library Automation) without citing Mr Nicholson’s name. Though Dr Mukherjee corrected his mistake latter, the BU authorities stopped two increments of Dr Mukherjee.

But after a few years Dr Mukherjee got promoted in BU. (END)

FIR lodged against pradhan over financial 'irregularities'

MALDA, 26 FEB: The Chanchal SDO Mr Subho Mukherjee has lodged an FIR with the police against Mr Ajit Kumar Das; pradhan of the Congress led Chanchal Gram Panchayat on charges of financial irregularities.

According to the SDO, Mr Das has misappropriated funds allotted from the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). The administration filed the FIR after receiving two complaints against him and having those complaints looked into by technical and senior administrative officials.

It is learnt that the two complainants are Mr Pralay Mukherjee, secretary of the Gram Unnayan Sansad and Mr Gobardhan Singh, Opposition leader of the board. Mr Mukherjee , who is also a Congress leader said: “ Money was distributed for non existent NREGA works among non-registered people , which is a gross violence”.

The Opposition leader of the Congress led board Mr Gobardhan Singh too lodged similarly complaint against the pradhan.

According to Mr Singh, although the pradhan had implemented one NREGS project, he had distributed about Rs. 2.38 lakh for the non existent work.

An inquiry revealed that although no work was executed, wages were distributed among jewelry shop owners, house wives and others who are not registered labourers.

Today local Congress leaders urged the SDO to issue a show cause notice to the pradhan and withdraw the FIR against him claiming the works in question had been executed.

The pradhan Mr Das is at large. (END)

Stir against fertiliser distribution

MALDA, 25 FEB: CPI-M backed farmers today demonstrated against alleged distribution of “under weight” fertilizer mini-kit through the agriculture development office in Gazole. The farmers blocked the National Highway-34 at Kadubari More in Gazole demanding replacement of such under-weight mini-kit.

The agriculture department had announced to distribute fertilizer mini-kit of 35 kg each. The agitators, however, alleged the sacks they received were around 20 kg in weight and in damaged condition.

A CPI-M district committee member Mr Satish Sarkar alleged that the agriculture development office had distributed inferior quality fertiliser. Admitting to the problem, the deputy director, agriculture department in Malda, Mr Satinath Palit said that the state seed corporation had supplied the fertiliser mini-kit.

“I have asked the agriculture development officer in Gazole to separate the damaged and under-weight mini-kit sacks before distribution. The beneficiaries are entitled to 35 kg fertilizer and we would ensure they received so. The State Seed Corporation would replace the under weight kits”, Mr Palit assured.

A senior officer of the agriculture department ‘s plant protection cell said that samples of distributed fertiliser would be sent for laboratory test and further distribution of fertiliser would remain suspended till the tests are completed. SNS

Plagiarism report sent to GBU over varsity registrar

MALDA, 24 FEB: The authorities of Burdwan University have finally sent a ‘plagiarism’ report to the Gour Banga University authorities regarding the appointment of its new registrar.

It may be recalled that the GBU authorities has asked the BU for certain clarifications regarding Dr Bikash Mukherjee, who was appointed as a GBU registrar following advertisement and interview.

Though Dr Mukherjee, a senior information scientist of the BU, was asked to join the GBU as registrar form 18 January 2010, following complaints the executive council of the GBU decided to keep his appointment issue in abeyance. They also asked the BU authorities to provide information regarding Dr Mukherjee’s plagiarism incident and decided to hold his appointment until fresh orders were given.

According to Dr Mukherjee, he mistakenly forgot to acknowledge the name of a foreign writer in an article written by him but later however he had corrected it.

The BU had stopped two increments after the incident occurred in 2006. It was also decided that after the GBU authorities receive a report on the alleged plagiarism incident from the BU, the council will take its final decision.

The members of the GBU executive council will meet on 25 February to discuss the various agendas including the important appointments.

The registrar of the Burdwan University Dr S Dan said over phone” In response to the letter of the GBU authorities all papers including the report of the inquiry committee, which was set up when a complaint was lodged against Dr Mukherjee, have been reported”.

The vice chancellor of the GBU, Professor Gopa Datta said that she came to know that BU authorities have sent some papers regarding the matter and said: “The executive council members will be taking final decision. At present the appointment of the registrar has been kept in abeyance”.

On the other hand, Dr Mukherjee has asked the GBU authorities about the decision of his appointment several times and finally he has asked the authorities about the matter of his appointment several times and finally he has asked the authorities about the matter based on Right to Information Act recently.

“The executive council will taking the final decision to inform the matter to his appointment to Dr Mukherjee based on RTI Act”, Prof Datta, V-C of the GBU, said. SNS

Four hurt in Jackal attack

MALDA, 23 FEB: Four persons including a madhyamik examinee were injured in a jackal attack at Babupara in ward number 13 of English Bazaar Municipality in Malda town last evening. Failing to summon the forest department officials on time, the locals trapped and killed the animal. The locals alleged the forest officials did not respond to their frantic phone calls. Apprehending fresh attacks by jackal packs, the locals have decided to stand watch tonight. They fear jackals may mount an attack following the death of a pack member. A local Mr Rabi Karmakar said they had no idea that the area, which is located 200 metres from the Mahananda River, was a habitat of jackals, as the area is densely populated. “We know that jackals live on the left bank of the Mahananda River. We never imagined a jackal would wander into the locality and attack humans”, was his incredulous response to the incident. The locals last evening initially took the jackal for a stray dog and did not attach much importance to it till it attacked two persons including a woman who managed to escape. The jackal returned latter in the evening and attacked four persons identified as Mrs BIna Sarkjar, Miss Moumita Choudhury, Mr Shambhu Das and Biswajit Bhaskar, a madhyamik candidate. Four of them were brought to the district hospital last night and discharged after treatment. Biswajit Bhaskar appeared the exam today. The hospital authority assured to supply requisite injection and medicines to the victims. SNS

Madhyamik examinee injures eye in accident, takes wirter's help

MALDA, 23 FEB: Mohd Ekbal Hossian, a madhyamik examinee, today sought permission for taking help of a writer for appearing examination as his right eye was damaged due to an accident yesterday. Today, he was not satisfied with his test due to his eye problem.

The officer in charge of the venue Mrs Bijoy Lakshmi Pal today informed that matter to the board and asked for permission to allow a writer for Hossian from tomorrow at the examination hall at Hindi High school in English Bazaar town.

“He has lost sight of his right eye due to a blood clot that occurred due to an internal injury”, the doctor’s certificate said.

“An extra object of a truck hit his right eye when he was travelling on a rickshaw yesterday”, his family members said.

This year a total of 34,221 candidates including 16,482 girls, are appearing for the madhyamik examinations in Malda district. A total of 15,769 boys and 13,808 girls are regular candidates for this examination.

According to the district education department, 5182 candidates including 3,068 have been increased than last year’s madhyamik.

A few girls in Madrassa board exams, which commenced from yesterday, took their tests despite a lot of trouble. Rafina Khatun, a madrassa examinee, who gave birth to a baby girl yesterday, could not appear in the examination yesterday.

Today, however, she managed to appear in the examination at Ratua block area.

Samima Khatun , who also gave birth to baby girl seven days ago, appeared in the madrassa examination centre in Ratua block area.

Another girl, Maleka Khatun , has appeared in the madrassa exam in the Malatipur health centre in Chanchal , with labour pain. SNS

Police on high alert over Maoist menace

MALDA, 22 FEB: Apprehending attacks from Maoists, all police stations in the state have been alerted. Following the instructions, the district police officers have asked police personnel not to sit idle over the issue.

After the attack on Silda EFR camp, it has been decided that even reserve force will be deployed in civil uniform. In ‘police line’ reserved forces have to carry on duty in plan cloths around the police stations.

In Malda police-line the reserved police forces have been deployed in plan clothes around the English Bazaar as well as other police stations. The Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal, acknowledged the information and said that police have been alerted to keep a watch on any suspicious persons around the police stations.

Senior police personnel said that Maoists have targeted police stations in the state to show their strong hold before the operation “Green Hunt”.

Meanwhile, the Malda police have set up a sub-divisional police control room in Chanchal separately on Friday to keep in touch with the three police stations located in the area along the Bihar Bengal border. The top police officers have trained the officers of all police stations and have asked them to send information as soon as possible. SNS

Suci, CPI-ML block roads in Malda

Recognition Of Vans Demanded

MALDA, 22 FEB: The Suci affiliated All India Utuc today held up traffic on different roads of the district demanding recognition of motorised three wheeler vans. “The administration must permit the motorised vans to legally transport passengers on state and national Highways”, demanded the agitators.

In another incident, the CPI-ML (Liberation) today blocked the N H 34 at two spots in Gazole and Old Malda for more than an hour in protest against the Centre’s decision to increase price of fertilizer by 10 per cent. They also demanded the state government should buy potato directly from the farmers at the Rs 600 per quintal to control the market price in off-season.

The Sara Bangla Motor Van Chalak Union today blocked NH34 at Rathbari for more than an hour under the banner of the Utuc. The agitators have decided to operate the motorised vans on national and State Highways from tomorrow.

Ignoring the Malda district administration’s decision taken on 16 February, to stop movement of such vans on the highway, the Suci Malda district secretary Mr Gopal Nandi said that we are making our last appeal today.

“From tomorrow the van operators, who had withdrawn the vehicles on 16 February, would start operating the vans again”, he declared threatening to block every police station in the district if the police seize one single van.

The Malda administration had decided to treat the motorised vans illegal after the authorised Passenger Vehicles’ Forum had threatened an indefinite strike unless the vans were withdrawn from the major thoroughfares. SNS

Special drive launched to destroy opium cultivation in Malda

MALDA, 17 FEB: The Narcotics Control Bureau, CID and the police today launched a special drive to destroy opium cultivation in areas under the Kaliachak police station in Malda. The NCB, which has been detecting opium growing centres in Malda, Nadia, Murshidabad and Birbhum districts, has indentified two villages Mukshedpur and Bibigram in Kaliachak, Malda district through satellite imagery as centres of opium cultivation.

According to the regional director, NCB, Northeast region, Mr Pabitra Ghosh, opium cultivation is restricted in West Bengal but criminals and traffickers were investing money for opium cultivation, especially among the Bangladesh border.

Tipped off by the USA after a recent haul, the NCB authority decided to identify opium fields through satellite imagery and destroy those to stop the manufacture and trade of the drug.

“Raw material needed for the narcotic seized in the USA, some time ago was cultivated and collected from the Khayrasol village in Birbhum district”, Mr Ghosh informed.

“Our department is alert to problem and we have already destroyed more than 1000 acres of opium cultivation financed by the mafia”.

In addition to the NCB, the excise department and land and land reforms department have also identified nearly 100 acres of land under opium in the district and started to destroy it. SNS

ONGC takes up soil survey to find oil in Malda

MALDA, 16 FEB: Malda could make it big if an ongoing survey by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation in the district strikes oil. Stationed at Gazole in Malda, an ONGC team has begun a survey in Malda, North Dinajpur and parts of Bihar for oil and gas reserves.The ONGC team today drilled some land at Ranikamat in Chanchal police station area as part of the survey. There is confusion, however, in the area due to lack of information on the matter at the administrative level. A local, Mr Gour Ghosh had actually objected to the survey on his land, as the ONGC workers had not sought his permission before drilling his land for the survey. The situation grew more confusing after the Chanchal SDO and BDO claimed they did not have official information about the survey. “I received information about the ongoing survey from the locals. I do not have any official information about it “, claimed the Chanchal SDO Mr Subho Mukherjee.The Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal, however, said that the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh had permitted the ONGC team to carry out the survey. According to the SP, the ONGC team, which is stationed at Gazole would hold surveys in Malda, North Dinajpur and parts of Bihar for oil and natural gas. The district magistrate was out of station on official work and not available for comment. The locals, however, continue to remain apprehensive and confused, as the ONGC team has exploded dynamites for its tests in the area. According to the locals, the ONGC officials had assured them compensation if the survey in any way affected crops. SNS

Awareness camp on floods

DISASTER MANAGEMENTPROGRAMME TAKEN UP IN 6 MALDA BLOCKS

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 16 FEB: To combat disasters during floods that are common in Malda district, the district administration has launched an awareness programme on disaster management in the six blocks of the district. The district administration has selected five gram panchayat area in the Ratua and Harishchandrapur blocks for the exercise in particular as those are flood prone.

According to the Chanchal SDO Mr Subho Mukherjee, a meeting on the subject has been convened at Chanchal tomorrow.

Gram panchayat members and representatives of non-government organisations would attend the meeting on flood management preparations.

“Areas under Bilaimari, Mahanandatola, Islampur, Doulatpur, Bhaluka and adjoining gram panchayats face devastating floods every year and the locals are terribly inconvenienced when the Fulohar River breaches embankments every year between the months of June and September”.

Tomorrow the participants would be trained on disaster and flood management so that they can provide shelter and relief to locals before and after floods”, said the Chanchal SDO.

Besides floods fire is another major problem in the area and so the Chanchal sub-division administration has added campaign and training on how to douse blazes as and when those occur. According to the administration officials, hundreds of huts are lost to fire in the area every year, which necessitated the training in addition to tips on flood management.

According to the Chanchal SDO, the fire incidents occur when the western breeze starts from February and continues till March. Being the dry season as well, the problem often goes out of control at Chanchal, Harishchandrapur and Ratua every year.

“Campaign against fire hazard has been taken up from the block level through gram panchayats by circulating leaflets and guidelines on the matter”, the SDO informed. (END)

Urgent need of anti-erosion project at Bhaluka

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 15 FEB: The executive engineer of the irrigation department in Malda,Mr S Misra (on Friday 12 February) has requested the district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Ghosh to arrange for funds from alternative sources for immediate implementation of permanent anti-erosion work at Bhaluka in Harishchandrapur on the bank of river Fulohar.

Mr Misra was forced to request the district magistrate due to the delay in the sanctioning of funds for this project from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

The irrigation division in Malda had submitted the anti-erosion project to the district magistrate in September 2009 after receiving clearance from the chief engineers’ committee of the irrigation and waterways department.

The district administration took initiative to allot funds for this project from RIDF-XV (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) which is controlled by the Nabard. The project was sent to the Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner so that it reaches the government on time.

Though the divisional commissioner had recommended the state government for the project but the file was reportedly gathering dust in finance department since October. The estimated cost of the project is nearly Rs 9 crore.

Today, the file was cleared from the finance department and it is now ready for the consideration of Nabard.

Interestingly, the deadline for sanctioning funds from RIDF-XV was 31 January 2010.

The executive engineer Mr S Misra said: “We need to start anti erosion work by March this year to save the existing embankments which were constructed last year after monsoon at vulnerable zone at Bhaluka in Harishchandrapur on the bank of Fulohar. In June, flood waters will be coming and the existing flood protection works will be wiped out due to erosion in June this year”.

“We are concern about the vulnerable spot at Bhaluka. If the funds are not available soon we will not be able to start work in March after floating the tender. We requested the district magistrate to arrange alternative funds to start the work immediately. Contractors’ payment would be made latter when the Nabard would sanction the funds from RIDF-XVI”, Mr Misra said.

Transport stike called off in Malda , Dinajpur

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 15 FEB: Malda, North and South Dinajpur passenger vehicles forum today called off transport strike in three districts from tomorrow till 26 February after receiving a letter from the Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner.

The forum called an indefinite transport strike from 15 February demanding administrative action against ‘illegal’ three-wheeler motorised vans in three districts.

According to their announcement, transport strike had begun since morning in three districts.

People faced difficulties to go to their destinations in absence of private buses and other passenger vehicles today.

The forum’s convenor Mr Kajal Roy said that transport strike began because the district magistrates of North and South Dinajpur did not hold meeting with the authorised passenger vehicles’ owners to solve the problem.

Mr Roy said that the Jalpaiguri divisional commissioner has sent a letter requesting them to withdraw the strike.

The commissioner has also called a meeting on 26 February inviting three district magistrates and forum’s members to discuss the issues.

“So we decided to keep the strike on hold up to 26 February. From tomorrow all passengers vehicles will ply in their respective routes”, Mr Roy said.

It may be noted that Malda district administration has finally decided to take action against the drivers and owners of ‘illegal’ motorised vans from 16 February if they continue to ply on the state and national highways in this district.

Police to take action against illegal vans

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 14 FEB: Malda district administration will take illegal action against the ‘illegal’ motorised three-wheeler vans from 16 February. The decision was taken on the night of 12 February after an all-party meeting following the demands of the authorised passenger vehicles’ owners was held here.

Besides Suci, other political parties including the Citu have agreed to the decision.

The district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “Police would take action against the illegal vans if they continue plying on the roads. The state transport department has given route permits to only the passenger vehicles such as bus, mini-bus, taxi, trekker and other contract carriers for passengers”.

Police have been asked to seize illegal vans and start a specific case against the driver or owner of the van.

Meanwhile, police have already arrested seven persons from Manikchak area for allegedly manufacturing illegal motorised van by assembling parts of stolen motor cycles.

Police decided to continue raid in such manufacturing centres in Samsi, Bhado in Ratua, Bhaluka in Harishchandrapur and other places across the district to seize the illegal vans.

The police had to take the decision following a compliant lodged by the Malda Bus Owners’ Association in the all-party meeting held ob 12 February.

The secretary of the association, Mr Kajal Roy alleged that a section of traders were collecting machines from China illegally and were selling them for manufacturing motorised vans in this district.

Mr Roy also urged the district administration to take action against the manufacturers.

The owners have invested at least Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 to buy a van and can earn at Rs 200 to 250 per day carrying passengers and goods.

The cost of fuel is low and they do not pay tax to the government.

The Suci district secretary Mr Gopal Nandi has formed a union of van owners and is still demanding administrative permission from district motor vehicles’ authorities for carrying passengers and goods on all roads including state highways.

The district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “Administration is in no position to fulfill their demands because motor vehicles’ department can not register such vehicle model which is neither manufactured by a company nor approved by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)”.

LF captures district sports association

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 14 FEB: The CPI-M backed Left Front candidates have successfully come to power again in Malda District Sports Association (DSA) with the support of a section of Trinamul members.

For the first time after 1977 the district administration today conducted a general election among the members of the DSA amid tight security following the local court order.

Prohibitory order under Section 144 Cr PC was also imposed within 200 metre radius around the DSA ground in English Bazaar town today apprehending untoward incident during election through secret ballots and counting.

Members of the DSA were divided into two camps belonging to Mr Krishnendu Choudhury, the Congress MLA in English Bazaar and the present ruling members of the DSA backed by the LF.

Two Trinamul Councillors of the English Bazaar Municipality, Mr Shantanu Saha and Subrata Sardar contested the panel of the ruling body backed LF.

Out of more 1,900 voters, 1332 of them cast their votes today.

Administrative officials who were conducting election detected several “ghost voters” and prevented them from voting.

Twenty eight candidates contested to elect a panel of 15-member to run the DSA.

The existing secretary and vice presidents and other members were elected.

It may be noted that to defeat LF backed members contested in the DSA election, the South Malda Congress MP Mr A H Khan Choudhury and English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury started campaigning.

But representatives from various clubs and LF organisations decided to take on the Congress backed panel with the help of Trinamul Councillors who were associated with the DSA since many years.

“The LF took help of the Trinamul. We have been defeated because nearly 200 members were prevented from voting”, said the English Bazaar MLA.

Ghani Khan institute to be set up on 'grabbed' land?

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 12 FEB: An agency that was appointed by the South Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury to buy land for setting up the proposed ‘Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology’ has allegedly grabbed a large quantum of tribal land in old Malda. The Centre had approved the institute to be name after Congress patriarch and allocated Rs 97 crore for the project in November 2008. The agency engaged to procure land for the purpose, bought about 100 acre agriculture land in the district in past six months. Some of the land bought allegedly belongs to tribals. The tribals who lost their land have, however, expressed surprise with the development. They alleged that they were not aware who sold off their land to the agency.Two tribal women Mrs Talamoyee Kisku and Mrs Sajli Kisku recently filed a case against the deal in the Malda district court to save their land. They have also brought the issue to the notice of the land and land reforms department. According to their lawyer Mr Amitava Maitra, his clients were unaware who sold off their land to the agency. “A third party sold off 1.55 acres of their land by preparing false documents”, the lawyer alleged.Pursuant to the litigation, civil judge (Jr division) first court, Malda, Mrs Madhumita Roy on 10 February issued an injunction so that no one could take possession of the disputed land.Claiming they had not received any money for the land, complainant Sajli Kisku’s husband Mr Kajal Singh said. “We do not know who sold off our land. Some touts are threatening and preventing us form cultivating the land claiming that an agro-company has bought he land to set up the Ghani Khan University”.The issue is causing ripples in the Congress too. Siding with the land losers, former Old Malda block Mrs Dolly Hansada said: “We have come to know that an agency has allegedly grabbed tribal land ignoring the government’s land acquisition system”.“An agency cannot buy tribal land in such fashion. We would resist the deal”, she said.The district administration too has been caught off guard on the issue. “Members of the Ghani Khan family had met me and pointed out the problem of tribal land in the area. As far as I know they can not buy tribal land”. “There is a specific guideline for acquisition of tribal land. It is surprising how the land and land reforms department cleared the deal. I must look into the matter”, said the Malda DM Mr Sridhar Ghosh.

HC puts new ration cards on hold

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 11 FEB: Following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed with the Calcutta High Court against the state government, the Malda district administration has stopped the distribution of family ration cards in two blocks- Gazole and Chanchal- in the Malda district.

The district administration has started the distribution of family ration cards experimentally identifying the two blocks as a pilot project for distributing ration cards based on the draft BPL lists in Malda. The district received an order from the HC which said that no ration cards would be replaced or cancelled until the PIL was disposed of.

Mr Priyabrata Ganguly filed the PIL (1825(W)/ 2010) and the next hearing was held on 8 February. “We have not yet concluded on a decision after the last hearing of the case held on 8 February but we have stopped the distribution of family ration cards following the first court order”, said the additional district magistrate (land reforms) Mr K N Dew, who is also the in charge for this section.

The state government however had planned to complete BPL list and procedure of the distribution of family ration cards by December 2009. Though the Malda district published the draft list of the BPL families in December, there are several complaints surrounding the publication.

The Malda district administration has been receiving applications of claims and objections for preparing a fresh publication of the BPL lists here in order to include the name of genuine family members in the category.

The additional district magistrate, Malda zilla parishad, Mr Kajal Banerjee said: “The process to prepare and finalise the BPL list is still under way. Distribution of family ration cards however has been stopped for now”.

“The concerned department can prepare ration cards based on the BPL lists but it will not distribute them following the court order”.

Brick kilns affect Malda mango cultivation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 10 FEB: Smoke from burning bricks in kilns across Malda has severely affected mango cultivation across the district.

Farmers fear that their orchards will suffer “black tip of mango disease” and production will be hampered due to the heavy smoke.

Recently farmers from Kaliachak-II, Ratua , Gazole and other blocks lodged complaints against brick kiln owners with the district horticulture department.

Farmers alleged that despite several requests to the block development officers, local police stations and the block land and land reforms officers no action has been taken against brick kiln owners despite an order of the High Court.

Finally they lodged complaints with the district horticulture department seeking administrative helps.

Mr Subodh Misra, secretary of the Malda Mango Merchants’ Association, said: “Many farmers from Bangitola and Rajnagar in Kailachak-II came to me and requested that I take steps against the brick kiln owners. Despite several requests, following High Court orders, to the local administration like BLLRO, BDO and police station nothing has been done against the influential brick businessmen”.

“We are helpless. I have to quite the post of the association when I could not do anything for them”, said Mr Misra.

The district horticulture officer Mr Goutam Roy admitted the problem of mango farmers and said: “We have informed the matter to the concerned district administrative officer to take necessary action against the brick kiln owners”.

According to Mr Roy, mangoes will sustain black spot due to carbon monoxide and sulfur monoxide that are released thorough smoke from brick kilns located close to the mango orchards in many areas of this district. The fruits that get the spots will eventually rot.

Mr Roy also pointed out: “There are a huge number of traditional brick kilns (Bangla It Bhaata) without chimneys. These are harmful to mango production. A few brick kilns use chimneys following the guidelines of the pollution control board”.

According to the horticulture department, high court has a standing order to stop brick kilns during mango seasons until its harvesting period is over.

The local BDO and BLLRO have given permission to the traditional brick kilns in this district and pollution control board monitors whether the owners follow proper systems.

The additional district magistrate (land reforms) Mr K N Dew said: “Ten days ago I got a complaint from horticulture department and already we have taken action against the brick kiln owner in Gazole”.

“I do not have complaints from Kaliachak-II and Ratua. I must look into the matter after talking to the concerned BLLROs”.

Vehicle owners' clash sparks tension

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 10 FEB: After Pakuahat in Bamongola, now it’s the turn of Gazole town in Malda district. Tension sparked in the area here this morning after a clash broke out between the “illegal” motorised three-wheeler van owners and passenger vehicle owners.

Trouble broke out following an altercation between them for carrying passengers. Three wheeler vans’ owners backed by the political parties turned violent when more than three vans were set on fire allegedly by the trekkers’ drivers. Police and fire fighters rushed to the spot to douse the fire.

Both passenger vehicles’ association backed by the Malda Bus and Mini Bus Owners’ Association blocked the state highway at Gazole stand. On the other hand, hundreds of van owners blocked the same road in another spot near Jamtala.

Though two road blocks were withdrawn after police intervention and lathicharge police apprehended a fresh clash between the two groups.

Yesterday, traffic was disrupted on the Pakuahat-Nalagola route following a clash between the passenger vehicles’ workers and motorised van owners. They blocked the road twice at Pakuahat. Today, passenger vehicles were off the road on the Pakuahat-Nalagola route.

It may be noted the district administration recently has banned the illegal motorised vans for carrying passengers on the four state highways following the movement of the passengers’ vehicles owners association. The decision was taken on 12 January.

Huge police forces were deployed to brig the situation under control in Gazole.

The convener of the Malda, North and South Dinajpur passenger vehicles’ forum Mr Kajal Roy denied the charges that their members set fire to a motorised van this morning.

“Some miscreants set fire to a motorised van. Police will be able to identify them”, Mr Roy said.

The additional SP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee said: “It would be very difficult to defuse the crisis set off by the passenger vehicles’ works”.

“We would start specific case against them. We are apprehending that motorised van owners will take revenge”. “We can wind up the motorised vans from the district but it is now difficult because political leaders are backing them”, Mr Mukherjee said.

It may be noted that CPI-M and on the other hand SUCI have formed unions for the protection of ‘illegal’ motorised van owners.

The additional district magistrate, Mr Kajal Banerjee, who is also in charge of the district magistrate now, said: “Trouble broke out after four motorised van were set on fire in Gazole. There was retaliation between the two groups. Situation is now under control after police intervention”.

The distort magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh has convened an all party meeting including political leaders on 12 February where the matter would be discussed, Mr Banerjee said.

The Malda DM called the meting on 12 February on the issue of passenger vehicles’ forum’s indefinite strike from 15 February in three districts.

Passenger vehicles’ associations of the three districts – Malda, North and South Dinajpur- have united and called an indefinite strike from 15 February in three districts demanding action against motorised vans which have been plying and carrying passengers on state and national highways ignoring administrative decisions.

The Malda bus owners association alleged that motorised van owners are still preventing movement of passenger vehicles from entering South Dinajpur at Jamtala in Gazole.

Dial 100... but it may avail naught

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 10 FEB: Malda police department’s number -100- for receiving information and taking prompt action is not functioning since many days.

The non-functioning of 100-dial came to light today when the additional district magistrate (development ) Mr Indrajit Paul was trying to report an incident since this morning.

Mr Paul initially got information from locals that a man fell into a drain, close to Bandh Road near irrigation office, this morning and died but no body had come to rescue the victim.

He also got further information that no one was coming forward to rescue him and people suspected that he was murdered.

“I decided to report the matter to police through 100-dial. I tried hard to contact 100-dial from my residence, close to the place of occurrence, but no one was responding. I came to my office and tried again to contact police through the 100-dial but no one replied”, said Mr Indrajit Paul.

Mr Paul later came to know that police found the body and registered it as unnatural death.

The body was identified as Uttam Das, a group D employee of irrigation department.

Police sent the body for post-mortem for further investigation.

According to locals he was an alcoholic.

When asked about 100-dial, the additional SP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee said: “ Not only 100-dial but the telephone of English Bazaar police station too is not functioning well over the past few days”.

Too many options for FM listeners, look which is legal !

Three held for running illegal FM stations in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 8 FEB: Illegal FM radio stations are mushrooming in Malda district while the administration remains silent on the issue. The Malda district magistrate has received a confidential report against the FM radio statons from Chanchal sub-divisional officer.

“The Chanchal SDO Mr Subho Mukherjee recently submitted a report to me on the issue. The report has been forwarded to the Malda SP for necessary action”, claimed the Malda DM Mr Sridhar Ghosh. Expressing surprise with the development the DM added: “I do not know how they are using frequency modulation without permission. I have urged the police to look into the matter.”

While the Chanchal SDO Mr Subho Mukherjee said the permission from the information and broadcasting ministry was an absolute must to operate such radio stations, the ASP Malda Mr Kalyan Mukherjee said that police would follow up the DM’s letter and take necessary steps. The administration is apprehensive that such illegal radio stations may be misused by the organizers and worse still, anti national elements could use it to their gains.

The former Union information and broadcasting minister Mr Priya Ranjan Das Munshi had laid foundation stone for setting up an FM radio station in September 2008, but the project lingered du to his illness. “But the local youths , who are radio and cell phone mechanics , set up FM radio stations in the northern part of the district a few months ago and are successfully running their business”, alleged a Chanchal resident Mr Debashis Ghosh.

“There is a demand for an FM radio station in the district but officially no such station has been set up here. As a result, local youths have set up several such stations”, acknowledged a senior police officer.

For no, however, the locals are lapping up the jazz pouring out of their radios on the FM band and local traders are providing advertisements to reach out to the population.

Kit for short range FM is available in the local markets and experienced radio makers are using the kit and other accessories to expand their area in running the illegal radios stations.

Three held for running illegal FM stations in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 9 FEB: The police have arrested three persons for allegedly running illegal FM radio stations in Malda district. According to the police more such illegal radio stations are operational in the district.


“The raids would continue till the last one is brought to book”, said the Malda ASP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee.


According to the ASP, two persons were arrested from Manikchak police station area and materials being used to run such stations were seized from three illegal FM radio stations under the same police station. Another person was arrested from Chanchal police station for similar reasons in the raids continuing since yesterday.


The police cracked into action yesterday after the Chanchal sub-divisional officer Mr Subho Mukherjee sent a confidential report about the presence of several illegal FM radio stations in the district to the district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh requesting him immediate action. The DM forwarded the report to the Malda SP for necessary action.


“We learnt of several other issues while raiding the FM stations. The owner of one such FM station Mr B Saha showed us a trade license issued by the English Bazaar Municipality and claimed the document authorised him to run an FM station.


On examination we found that the trade license had been issued for trading and selling electronics goods. Although we did not arrest the owner, we have asked him to furnish documents permitting him to run an FM radio station or else stop running the station until further instruction,” the ASP Mr Kalyan Mukherjee said.

Some other headlines

Cong MLA desires to contest municipal polls (10 Feb)

Transport strike called in Malda (10 Feb)

CPI-ML leader blamed of misleading minors (10 Feb)

One Home Guard , 2 NVFs demobilised

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 28 JAN: One Home Guard and two NVFs have been demobilized on charges of negligence of duty here today. According to Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal , out of the four police personnel who were assisting the police officer murdered during a raid, had fled the spot when the officer was dragged into the house of the ex-Army personnel, Mr Ansarul Sheikh. Only one aged Home Guard was present at the spot.

“We have to take departmental action against the police personnel for such an attitude. They could have opened fire at the criminals but instead they fled the area during such a grave situation”, Mr Bhuban said.

“However, it is true that usually the police personnel here hesitate to fire in order to nab criminals due to political pressure. There are lots of incidents of police firing like one in Harishchandrapur, when the entire police team was criticised for the action” he added.

Ansarul Sheikh, who was arrested on charges of the Malda ASI Sanat Ghosh was remanded in police custody for three days, Malda SP said. Sheikh, a resident of Mirzatpur of Ratua police station, killed the police officer at his residence with the help of his family members, during a raid on the night of 23 January. He was arrested from Raiganj police station area on Tuesday night. Malda police produced him in front of the CJM seeking permission to remand him in police custody. The Malda SP said that police had got some vital information after interrogating him.

“We need to interrogate him further to collect more information about his family membres’ possible locations, who are still at large”, he added.

Police will start a murder case against Sheikh and the other accused, including his wife he added.

Drive to destroy poppy, marijuana plantation

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 28 JAN: Bengal Excise department and the police jointly undertook a drive to destroy marijuana and poppy plantation at Narayanpur village in Kaliachak police station today. The drive would continue for the next two days.

According to officials of the exercise department, the locals were cultivating marijuana and poppy in more than 300 acres of land in the area. Owners of land under cultivation of the two narcotic substances fled the village after the raid. Bengal Excise superintendent in Malda Mr T K Mohanta said officials of the land reforms department were measuring the plots of land under cultivation and examining records of such land.

‘We would take action against the land owners who were cultivating cannabis and poppy or leased out their land for its cultivation”, Mr Mohanta said. The Excise department today engaged several labourers to uproot the cannabis and poppy plants and burned those.

Commenting on today’s raid, the Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal said that they would continue destroying cannabis and poppy plantations where found in the district.

“The programme was started from Narayanpur village and would cover the rest of the district”, he added. Excise department officials feared to visit the Narayanpur and its adjoin Majampur area earlier as those were under the control of Mr Tuhur Ali Biswas of the Congress and Mr Asadullah Biswas of the CPI-M , both with criminal activities under their belt.

Eye on bypass, no help in sight

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 28JAN: Despite Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh’s request , the project director of national Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) Project Implementing Unit ( PIU) , Mr Goutam Datta, could neither finalise the date of a meeting with the administration and agitating villagers nor for spot verification.

The proposed bypass would branch off the highway at Jadupur in the southern end of English Bazaar and connect it with Narayanpur in the northern end, covering more than nine kms. Mr Ghosh had held a meeting with Mr Datta on 16 December, 2009 requesting him to sort out the problem of land acquisition for a bypass project off national Highway-34.

Mr Datta, who started agitation against land acquisition for this project and demanded a fresh alignment for the proposed bypass for this NH, had ensured that he would arrange a meeting with the villagers of Jadupur-I gram panchayat in English Bazaar in January.

The project director Mr Goutam Datta said: “ We could not finalise the date because we were busy with several departmental meetings and are busy with other jobs related to NH in Nadia and adjoining districts in south Bengal. Though I am in charge of the Malda project, still we are not in position to arrange meetings now”.

He also said: “We need to bring consultant agency that had surveyed and prepared the final alignment for by pass in order to hear the villagers’ views who are demanding fresh alignment. At present we are not sure if we will be able to make a fresh alignment following the villagers’ demand, due to some technical reasons. But we would discuss the matter with the civil administrative officials and the leaders of the agitators”, he added.

Around 300 families backed by the CPI-M under the banner of Jadupur-I Krishi Jami O Bastuhara Nagarik Adhikar Raksha Committee (JKBNARC), had submitted an eight-point charter of demands including an alternative alignment proposal for the Malda project in December.

Former CPI-M MLA and a member of the JKJBNRC, Mr Samar Roy, alleged that NHAI had changed the previous alignment of the proposed bypass to save the existing buildings of businessmen along the highway near Jadupur.

Man accused of killing ASI , held

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 27 JAN: The police have succeeded in arresting former Army personnel, Mr Ansarul Sheikh, accused of killing an assistant sub-inspector of police, Sanat Ghosh, from Ukilpara under Raiganj police station in North Dinajpur last night.

According to police, sheikh had hacked the ASI to death on the night of 24 January during a police raid at Chandpur villager under Ratua police station in Malda district.

The Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal said that the police had come to know Sheikh was scheduled to meet a person for financial transaction in Raiganj.

“Plain cloths policemen were waiting for him and arrested him after he arrived at the designated place. The Raiganj police arrested him and would hand him over to the Ratua police after producing him in court”, the SP informed. It is learnt that the police were monitoring his cell phone number as well. “We would interrogate Sheikh to learn where his son and other accused were. They are involved in murder, extortion and kidnapping cases.

The Malda police are, however, upset after the news of Ansarul’s arrest was televised before they got a chance to interrogate him.

“The news was broadcast from Raiganj police station before we could interrogate him. It would now prove difficult to arrest Sheikh’s associates. They would have the news of the arrest too and would go further under ground”, the Malda SP said.

After the incident, all family members including his sons left the house.

According to the police sheikh and his associates had hurled bombs at the police during the 24 January night raid and had dragged the victim police officer inside their house before hacking him to death. Two NVF and two home guards were accompanying the victim police official but could not open fire on time for want of permission from the higher authority. “The after effects of the recent Harishchnadrapur incident in which the police had to fire in self defence and injured five persons, have shaken the police.

“Political intervention followed the incident and the police were at the receiving end for opening fire. Junior officers are scared to fire now which cost a police officer’s life on 24 January night”, he lamented.

Meanwhile, a CID bomb today visited the Chanchal police station where seized crude bombs had exploded on 25 January evening injuring three police personnel. According to the Malda SP, primary investigation reveals that the incident was an accident.

“The CID bomb squad team would submit any inquiry report after examining the spot and then we would draw a conclusion on the incident”, he added.

According to the police, the crude bomb exploded after another object fell on it while the officers were rearranging the store.

Cong MLA to urge CM to set up horticulture institute

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 27 JAN: The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury has decided to urge chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to set up a unit of Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (Indian Council of Agriculture Research) in Malda for the development of horticulture and its industries in the region.

Recently back from a visit to the CISH, Lucknow, the MLA said:” The Centre had earlier sanctioned Rs 12 crore to set up a wing of the CISH at Malda . Though the state government has earmarked a 60 acres plot of land close to the Malda food park and newly set up Gour Banga University for the purpose, the land is yet to be handed over to the CISH”, Mr Choudhury claimed.

According to him, an agreement for the purpose between the CISH and the state government is yet to be signed. “I shall write to the chief minister to finalise the matter after signing agreement for the handing over the plot of land to the Centre for setting up the research station”, he said.

Experts in Lucknow claimed that such a research station would help farmers in northern region of West Bengal, identified as agri-export zone, for the development of horticulture.

Meeting to solve registrar row in GBU

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 27 JAN: The executive council of Gour Banga University (GBU) in Malda will hold a meeting on 28 January to discuss the appointment of its new registrar which was kept in abeyance since past few days.

GBU authorities have sought the intervention of Burdwan University (BU) and have asked for a report on the alleged plagiarism incident in which the newly appointed registrar, Dr Bikash Mukherjee, was involved. Dr Mukherjee was a senior information scientist of BU. However, Professor Gopa Datta, vice chancellor of GBU, said that she had not received the report from the BU authorities yet.

“I have not received the report yet. The council can not derive any conclusion over the matter without the BU report. The matter has been kept in abeyance for the time being and EC will be taking the final decision”, Prof Datta said.

Dr Mukherjee has already written a letter to the state governor, who is also the chancellor of the university, seeking his help in this regard. Copies of this letter have been sent to all the concerned officials including the chief minister and the higher education minister.

In his letter, Dr Mukherjee explained the matter explicitly and admitted that he committed a mistake by not acknowledging the name of the foreign writer whose writing he referred to in his special article. But he further added in the letter that he had mentioned the original writer’s name later in his article.

The present registrar, Dr Tapas Chatterjee will resign on 28 January and hand over his post and duties to Mr Apurba Chakraborty.

However, it was learnt that though an appointment letter was issued and Dr Mukherjee was asked to join his post from 18 January, the GBU council decided otherwise and kept his joining in abeyance till the plagiarism dispute was resolved.