Cong, Trinamul meeting over seat sharing in civic polls

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 30 MARCH: The South Malda Congress MP and the party’s district president, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, has finally agreed to meet the Trinamul Congress district president, Mr Goutam Chakraborty, on the issue of seat sharing for the Old Malda and English Bazaar Municipality elections likely in May.

According to Mr Chakraborty, Mr Khan Choudhury has agreed to listen to the Trinamul’s proposal about seat sharing for the two civic body elections. “We would place our demands and proposals on the basis of our past record in English Bazaar. We shall demand at least 50 per cent of the 25 seats in the taking in English Bazaar. The Trinamul had bagged eight seats in the 2000 election and nine in the 2005 election,” said Mr Chakraborty.

He, however, had a rider. “I shall talk only to Mr Khan Choudhury and no other Congress leader or committee to avoid controversy. We shall also want to know the MP’s view on seat sharing as far as Old Malda is concerned”, the Trinamul district president said. Although the Congress leadership is against sharing seats with the Trinamul in Old Malda , Mr Khan Choudhury said: “ We want to adjust seats with the Trinamul in English bazaar. But, as far as Old Malda is concerned, we would hear out their proposals fist and then express our view on the subject”. The Old Malda civic body has 17 seats. The Congress , it is learnt has not been able to decided on its candidates for the two elections due to a squabble between the EBM chairman and senior Congress leader Mr Narendranath Tiwari and the English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury, who intends to contest the municipal election this year . Mr Khan Choudhury had convened a meeting on Saturday night at his residence for the purpose, but Mr Tiwari objected to Mr Krishnenduu Choudhury’s candidature. While Mr Tiwari commented that the MLA wanted to contest the election simply’ to obtain chair”, the MLA Mr Choudhury said: “He interferes in every matter. I have warned him not to do so”. 

2 killed by Cong associates in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 30 MARCH: Two persons were murdered and three others injured by Congress leader Mr Tuhur Ali Biswas’s associates at Sayedpur under Kaliachak police station this morning.

The Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal said that the incident was not related to politics. “It was fallout of a quarrel between two groups over the right of road”.

The deceased has been identified as Altaf Hossian (55), resident of Jaluabathal village and Shaleque Sheikh (38).

According to police, around 8 am yesterday two of Mr Tuhur Ali Biswas’s nephews, were coming from Jalalpur by horse cart. When they reached at Srirampur village, some people were coming from opposite direction also on a horse drawn cart. A quarrel broke out between the two groups and the Congress leader’s relatives assaulted one Gem Sheikh for obstructing the way.

Retaliating, Gem Sheikh intercepted one of Biswas’s nephews Mr Bachchu this morning, beat him and confined him. Bachchu reportedly informed the situation to his uncle over cell phone following which, a large group of armed people attacked Sayedpur village and shot dead Altaf and Shaleque injuring three others. Three of the injured have been admitted to Malda district hospital for treatment.

Promoting honey, pollen collection from litchi

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 30 MARCH: The district industrial centre and horticulture departments jointly have undertaken the initiative to promote collection of honey and pollen from litchi orchards for the development of apiarists in Malda.

Today, officials of both departments held a meeting with the 60 litchi orchard owners and apiarists’ cooperative society members on this subject.

The horticulture officials requested the owners of litchi orchards to allow the bee keepers for setting up boxes of bees for collection of honey.

They have been asked not to use any chemical or substance in litchi orchards prove harmful to bees.

“We have requested the owners of litchi orchard not to use any pesticides during the period of full grown flowering in litchi trees”, said Mr Rahul Chakraborty, assistant director, horticulture in Malda.

“Besides collection of honey from litchi we have planed to collect pollens through bees on a scientific basis. At present, market rate of pollen, useful for medicinal purpose, is higher than honey”, Mr Chakraborty said.

The horticulture department has included such programme in its present annual action plan under the national horticulture mission for the development of apiarists in this district.

During the meeting it was also discussed that litchi owners sometimes had not allowed bee keepers in their orchards due to their lack of knowledge.

Apiarists’ cooperative members alleged that litchi farmers believe that bees hamper production of litchi.

The horticulture officials presented demonstration how bees help produce more litchi by pollination.

Tech institute land procured fraudulently

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 29 MARCH: The district land and land reforms department has uncovered a fraudulent deal in land procured for setting up the proposed Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology in Old Malda.

According to the department, the owner of the plot of land in question had sold it twice-once in 1998 to an individual and then in 2009 to the agency procuring land for the institute. The alleged fraudulent dealer Gorokh Prasad, who is a resident of Gangarampur in South Dinajpur cannot be traced. He had allegedly sold the land in question to one Mr Prasanta Roy in 1998 and Mr Roy subsequently sold it to two tribal women. Gorokh Prasad again sold the land measuring 1.55 acre to an agency appointed by the Late Ghani Khan Choudhury’s family.

According to the district land and land reforms officer Mr K N Dew, records show that Gorokh Prasad had sold the land to one Prasanta Roy in 1998.

“It is surprising how the agency appointed by the Late Ghani Khan Choudhury’s family bought the same plot of land from Gorokh Prasad again in 2009”, said Mr Dew.

The two tribal women, who had started cultivating the land after buying it from Mr Roy in 2005, meanwhile were told that the proposed institute had purchased their land. Puzzled they lodged a complaint and there is now a court injunction on the piece of the land.

“I sold off the land to two tribal women in 2005. But being poor they could not pay the full amount of land which is why the said plot of land was registered in their name later” said Mr Prasant Roy.

Commenting on the matter, the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “I learnt of the matter from the ADM (LR) later. We have to find out how the agency could purchase the land from Gorokh Prasad in 2009 when he had sold it to Mr Roy in 1998 and Mr Roy sold it subsequently to the two tribal women in 2005. The development demands an inquiry”.

According to the land and land reforms department, besides confusion over the two tribal women’s land, controversy exists over the deals of nine other tribals in relation to the land procured for the institute. According to the department, the land had been procured violating state government guideline on such deals.

Pulp plant cost estimated at Rs 12 cr

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 29 MARCH: After completion of feasibility studies on proposed pulp-processing-cum-pulp packaging plant in Malda Food Park, the district food processing industries and horticulture (FPI&H) department has estimated Rs 12 crore as its project cost.

Yesterday, the departmental officials presented the feasibility the study report before officials from the district administration and the Central government, who came from Central Institute of Subtropical Horticulture (CISH) in Lucknow, and Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) in New Delhi.

According to the assistant director of the district FPI&H, Mr Rahul Chakraborty, Rs 8.5 crore has been estimated as cost of the plant and machinery for the proposed pulp processing cum pulp packaging plant . Nearly Rs. 3.5 crore would be spent for building construction.

“We have proposed the plan based on its feasibility study report submitted to the TIFAC. In the last week of April, another high-level meeting will be held here between the state officials of the FPI&H and TIFAC to finalise the matter and sign a memorandum between the state and Centre for this project”, said Mr Chakraborty.

It has been drafted that under PPP (Private Public Partnership) model that the project will run here. The state government will provide land and other basic infrastructures at Malda Food Park for setting up the plant. The private entrepreneurs will bear 10 percent of the cost. And the TIFAC, under the department of science and technology of the Central government, would bear 90 percent of the project cost.

A senior scientist of the TIFAC, Dr Debabrata Majumdar, also assured that his department would also bear the recurring expenditure of the project for three years.

According to the proposed project, the capacity of the plant would be 10 ton production per hour.

The plant would run here based on fruits production in Malda, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, Murshidabad and Nadia districts.The horticulture department has selected fruits like Mango, litchi, guava, pineapple, tomato and lime and lemon for this project.

According to officials of the horticulture department, only two percent of total production of fruits in the neighboring districts will be consumed here. (END)       

Demand for geographical indication index for aswwina mango

MALDA, 28 MARCH: Malda district deserves  to earn Geographical Indication Index for another variety of Malda mango called  Ashwina, used  for pickles , from Intellectual Property Rights, Union commerce and Industry ministry, said Mr MD Singh , principal scientist, Central Institute of subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow.

He was addressing a training programme of mango growers and traders on “Geographical Indication and Patent” in Malda yesterday having succeeded in earning Geographical Indication for three varieties of Malda mangoes Lakshman Bhog, Himsagar and Fazli.

The programme was organised by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), under the Central government’s department of science and technology, in association with state Food Processing Industries and Horticulture.

The objective of this training programme was to campaign about the benefits of the GI registration. Dr Indira Banerjee, Patent Attorney in Kolkata, came here to train the mango growers.     

According to Mr MD Singh, a research and training centre under the CISH would be set up soon in Malda for quality mango production. A pulp processing as well as pulp packaging plant would be set up at Malda Food Park.

Addressing the programme, Mrs Sabina Yeasmin, sabhadhipati of Malda zilla parishad, said: “Every body knows about Malda mangoes but we are no position to earn recognition due to lack of technical support”.

The deputy director of horticulture department in Malda Mr Taslimuddin Ahmed thanked the TIFAC and CISH for extending support to development mango industries here.

The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury pointed that land ceiling has prevented interested entrepreneurs from setting up mango industries here.

“In Darjeeling there is no ceiling of land procurement for tea industries. In last budget session I pointed the problem and urged the house to consider the point”, Mr Choudhury said.

The Sujapur Congress MLA, Dr AN Khan Choudhury, he is also chairman of the governing council of Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology said: “Due to lack of knowledge and manpower the Malda is lagging behind in Mango industries. Food processing would be given top priority in our Institution”.

The assistant director of horticulture department Mr Rahul Chakraborty said: “Smoke from huge brick kilns is the biggest threat in Malda for mango cultivation”.

Dr Debabrata Majumdar , senior scientist of the TIFAC, ensured that his department would extend technical support to develop mango industries  in this district. SNS

All India Radio

MALDA, 26 MARCH: Malda could be in line for an AIR frequency modulation station of the Union minister of state for information and broadcasting , Mr CM Jatua’s ‘advise’ on the matter is carried out. The English Bazaar Congress MLA Mr Krishnendu Choudhury had recently written to the Union minster urging setting up an FM station at Chanchal in Malda district. Responding to the appeal, Mr Jatua has informed he has advised the concerned officers in the ministry to look into the matter. SNS

Mukul Roy to flag off New Farakka-Delhi train

MALDA, 25 MARCH: The Union minister of state for shipping, Mr Mukul Roy is likely to start a new train -- Anand Vihar- from New Farakka to New Delhi tomorrow. The railway authority has asked the Malda DRM, Mr MK Mathur, to make arrangements for the flagging off ceremony. According to Mr Mathur, they were yet to receive any written instructions on the matter. “Hopefully, a written instruction would arrive by this evening”, the DRM said.

When asked if the South Malda Congress MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhury, who had recently expressed reservation about Mamata Banerjee‘s proposed visit to Malda, would be invited for the flagging off ceremony Mr Mathur said: “Conventionally demands we invite the local MP and MLA to the programme”.

Mr Khan Choudhury is in New Delhi and according to the Congress secretary in Malda, Mr Narendranath Tiwari, said the MP was scheduled to reach Malda on Saturday. “He may not attend the programme at Farakka”, Mr Tiwari said.

More over, controversy surrounds the new train. The people here had expected the rain service would be extended to Malda in keeping with South Malda Congress MP, Mr AH Khan Choudhur’s request to railway minister. The request, however, has been ignored. The railway, instead, would be taking the train to Malda for cleaning and replenishing water supply after its service terminates at Farakka, which is adjacent to Murshidabad district. SNS 

Labour welfare schemes discussed

MALDA, 25 MARCH: Mr Tallin Kumar, secretary of the state’s labour department, asked three district magistrate of Malda, North and South Dinajpur to implement labour welfare schemes for workers engaged I unorganized sectors.

Yesterday, Mr Kumar held a meeting with the concerned officials in Malda and reviewed the implementation of labour welfare schemes through its department at the district level. During the meeting, he noticed that only 1.07 lakh labours come under the provided fund scheme out of total 12 lakh labourers in Malda district.

Citing this example, he also asked the district magistrates to prepare hoardings, banners and posters highlighting the state and Central government’s welfare schemes for labours, including masons and their helpers engaged in building construction work. Mr Kumar added the district magistrate to publicise new welfare programmes for masons and labours engaged in building construction to increase the number of beneficiaries.

Apart from financial benefits for housing education and health, the labour department will also provide assistance in case of death of any worker engaged in construction job. Mr Kumar has requested another scheme for financial assistance to help masons buy tools. A mason will be getting up to Rs 1,000 for buying tools for construction work. Also, the labour department plans to organise skill development training programmes for masons and labourers. SNS

Malda experiences hottest day, cultivation expected to suffer

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 24 MARCH: Wednesday was the hottest day of the year so far in Malda with the mercury rising to 39.7 degree Celsius. According to the weather officials of the agriculture department in Malda, the district recorded the highest temperature today for the month of March in the past 10 years.

The normal temperature in March in Malda was 30 degree Celsius about 10 years back but it has continued to rise over the years.

Last year, the temperature had tone up to 36 degree Celsius in the corresponding period. Conversely, the district has not received any rain since November.

The soaring temperature has started taking a toll on paddy, mango and the litchi crop. We have not estimated the loss sustained so far. The toll would, however, be on the higher side”, said Mr Soumendranath Das, assistant director (technical), agriculture department in Malda.

According to him, the boro paddy is still in the growing stages and the heat wave, if it continues, would hurt grain formation.

“Moreover, rain is now a must for the mango crop. The excessive heat would otherwise make the fruits to wither away”, he informed.

Under these circumstances, the experts of the horticulture department have suggested spaying water after sunset on the mango trees to save the young mangoes from the heat.

The officials fear that the litchi trees, which are in bloom, would also suffer if heat wave continues.

The deputy director of the agriculture department in Malda, Mr Satinath Palit, said: “The farmers would have to store water in the boro paddy fields to save the plants from wilting under a scorching sun. The situation could turn grim further if the temperature goes up to 40 degree Celsius when the paddy stalks approach flowering period. Moreover, the vegetables in the fields would also require irrigation or would perish”, he added. 

Malda mangoes get geographical indicator index

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 24 MARCH: Three varieties of Malda mangoes Lakshman Bhog, Khirsapati ( Himsagar) and Fazli have succeeded in earning Geographical Indicator Index from the Intellectual Property Rights, Union commerce and Industry minister. The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council and West Bengal government had taken the initiative for the purpose in 2003.

The GI registration would not help mango farmers right now in promoting or exporting the fruit in the national and International markets. It is, however, a vital step forward in promoting Malda mangoes in the World markets.

“The GI registration would help fetch more infrastructure in Malda related to processing and export of Malda mangoes”, informed senior scientist, TIFAC, Mr Debabrata Majumdar.

It is learnt that Malda achieved the GI registration some time ago but could not exploit the prestige and benefits associated with it due to lack of propaganda, and market promotion.

“The farmers and traders of Malda would have to campaign about the benefits of the GI registration. In keeping with the development, 60 farmers and traders have been selected for training on how to exploit the GI registration for Malda mangoes. The training would be held on 27 March”, the scientist added.

It is also learnt that due to the GI indicator, entrepreneurs interested in setting up mango processing units using the particular three brands of Malda mangoes would have to set up processing units in Malda to avail of the right.

None beyond Malda district would be able to use the patent and right of Malda mango. 

PHE campaigns against water wastage

MALDA, 24 MARCH: The shortage of water in the Ganga which has affected distribution of arsenic-free drinking water supply to large parts of the district, the public health engineering (PHE) department here has resorted to public campaign against wastage of water.

Using public address systems, PHE department officials are urging people in blocks I and III of Kaliachak in the district not to misuse drinking water. They are also making people aware of the water situation in the Ganga.

According to the executive engineer of the PHE department in Malda, Mr Debashish Banerjee, the people have been asked not waste water supplied from the arsenic-free treatment plant, to turn off the street taps after use and not to drill pipelines illegally to get water. Apprehending uncertainty over the availability of adequate water-flow in the Ganga from the first week of April, the PHE department has also asked people to store drinking water fro the next few days.

About 5.5 lakh people in the three arsenic affected blocks depend on drinking water supplied from the treatment plant at Dariapur, in Kaliachak block III. The non-availability of water has affected them the most. The PHE department could not supply water from 19 March till midday today, as the pond level of the Ganga went down after releasing water to Bangladesh in keeping with the water-sharing pact between the two countries.

“We are worried about the inadequate flow of water in the Ganga during the dry spell. We do not know how to collect water from the Ganga when water would be released to Bangladesh from 1 April”, said a PHE executive engineer.

The Farakka Barrage Project (FBP) authorities held a meeting with the PHE and NTPC officials in Malda and Farakka, respectably, on the situation. The FBP has reduced distribution of water through its feeder canal to Calcutta Port from yesterday to save the PHE in Malda. SNS  

Horticulture dept export mangoes this year

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 23 MARCH: The Agriculture and Process Food Products Export Development Authority and the state horticulture department would jointly export Malda mango this year.

The APEDA officials have targeted to export mango from Malda to Japan, the United Kingdom and Middle East.

In addition, the joint director of horticulture department Mr Udayan Chakraborty has initiated dialogue with the Andaman and Nicobar administration aiming to ship mango to those parts.

According to the district horticulture development officer in Malda , Mr Goutam Roy, APEDA officials have held a meeting with some selected mango growers in Malda district and have encouraged them up to cultivate quality mango for export. The APEDA would now contact exporters and urge them to promote Malda mango in the foreign countries.

The APEDA and state horticulture officials would hold a meeting with the farmers and selected exporters in Malda in the month of May. The exporters would also visit mango orchards in Malda to select the variety of mangoes they would like to deal in, said the district horticulture development officer.

A team of mango growers from Malda would visit Andaman and Nocobar tentatively on 18 April under the guidance of the state horticulture department. They would interact with the Bengali community in the islands and also with mango traders. Primarily the state horticulture department has planned to ferry a variety of mangoes form Malda by ship to the Andamans.

Horticulture department officials in Malda expect that the district would be able to produce more than 3 lakh metric ton mango this year. 

Power shortage disrupts supply of arsenic-free drinking water

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 23 MARCH: First it was the receding Ganga water and now power shortage that is denying the public health engineering from supplying arsenic-free drinking water in Malda. Although the PHE has been able to draw water from the Ganga after the Farakka Barrage Project authority stopped release of water to Bangladesh, it has not been able to purify the drawn water due to power failure.

The dual problems have held up distribution of arsenic-free drinking water affecting over 5.5 lakh people in three blocks of the district for the past five days.

According to the executive engineer, PHE arsenic division, Mr Debashish Banerjee, power supply to the water treatment plant at Dariapur was suspended following a technical snag. Though the dlectricity department had made an alternative arrangement of supplying power from Dhulian in Murshidabad district, we are not getting the required voltage to operate the pumps to purify water”, he added.

Though Mr Banerjee claimed that he had informed the power department of the low voltage problem, the divisional engineer, electricity department in Malda Mr Dilip Kumar Mondal said: “Mr  Banerjee did not inform me about unstable power supply. Neither were we informed of the technical snag”.

Mr Mondal admitted that the transmission wing of the power department was facing problems in supplying power. “We must attend the site to repair the technical snag to supply power to the PHE. The PHE authority should have informed us by now about the problem which it did not”, Mr Mondal said.  

Train flag-off put off as Mamata postpones visit to Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 22 MARCH: The flagging off of the proposed train between New Farakka and Anand Vihar on 26 March looks suspect.

The train was earlier scheduled for flag off on 12 February but the programme was postponed to 26 March. According to railway officials here, railway minister Miss Mamata Banerjee and Union finance minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee were supposed to flag off the train on 26 March as they were scheduled to attend a programme along with the Prime Minister at Malda on that date.

The Prime Minister’s proposed Malda visit on 26 March has been postponed, which has also put off the railway minister’s visit to Malda. Under the circumstances, the Malda railway divisional officials are not aware if the train would be flagged off on 26 March or not. They hope it would.

Miss Mamata Banerjee wanted to come to Malda on 26 March with Dr Manmohan Singh and Mr Pranab Mukherjee to attend the proposed foundation stone laying function of the Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology. A controversy arose thereafter concerning her visit as the South Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury made it clear that Miss Banerjee was not welcome at the PM’s programme.

According to the South Malda MP Miss Banerjee had ignored his proposals for the development of railways in Malda. He also alleged that the railway minister had overlooked his request for another train connecting New Delhi with Malda Town Station.

Speaking on the issue, the Malda district Congress secretary and English Bazaar Municipality Chairman Mr Narendranath Tiwari said: “The proposed train from New Farakka to Anand Vihar, which is likely to travel to New Delhi ultimately, is a perfect example of how Malda is being neglected. The new train would be coming to Malda Town Station from Farakka only for cleaning and storing water. Passengers would not be allowed to board the train in Malda”.

Meanwhile, on 19 March, the Malda railway divisional has been asked to develop infrastructure at Chamagram railway station in Malda district for the cleaning of the proposed train and for storing water.

The divisional railway manager Mr MK Mathur informed: “We have been asked to develop Chamagram railway station to cleaning and supply water in the new train. It would take time to arrange the facilities at Chamagram. Till then, the train from Farakka to Anand Vihar would be serviced at Malda”.

    

Two dead, 6 taken ill by Kalaazar

MALDA, 22 MARCH: The Malda administration has admitted that two persons have died of kalaazar and six others have been taken ill by the disease from Mushaharpara in Harischandrapur block I.

The administration officials including the joint director of health visited the village on Saturday and took up some development plans for the people belonging to musahar community. The Chanchal SDO has sent a detailed report to the district magistrate on the Musaharapara situation. “ All of them are not poor., Some of the , who work as migrant labourers lead a better life but their life style and standard of living is poor. Almost all of the consume liquor. I have asked the SDPO to demolish illegal liquor shops in the area”, said the Chanchal SDO, Mr Subho Mukherjee.

“Two people died of kala-azar and six persons affected by the disease are undergoing treatment. I have asked the ACMOH to start spaying DDT in the area. The locals cannot check the menace of sand flies due to their impoverished conditions. Many of them are suffering from malnutrition”, the SDO added. The administration has started a ‘Sahay Prokolpo’ in the locality and would provide free meals to 36 people through the programme. The Chanchal SDO has convened a meeting to review the situation at Mushaharpara and would assess the list of BPL beneficiaries to provide government facilities. The ICDS officials have been asked to bring the village under its supervision. SNS 

Farakka authorities aprehensive

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 22 MARCH: The Farakka Barrage Project authorities fear that it might not be able to provide water to the PHE for onward distribution of arsenic-free drinking water project in Malda from 1 April.

The FBP tried, suspending water supply to Bangladesh through the Farakka Barrage last night, to increase the water level in the Ganga, which has started rising after the suspension.

According to the FBP authorities, it would have to resume releasing water to Bangladesh from 1 April for 10 days at least and that would affect the water level in the Ganga and affect the PHE’s water source.

The FBP’s general manager Mr K Yadav has informed that situation to the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh and urged him to draw the attention of the higher authorities to sort out the problem. “The rate of discharge in the Ganga has drastically reduced this dry spell”, Mr Yadav informed.

According to irrigation department officials here, if Uttar Pradesh and Bihar do not receive rain in March and April the rate of discharge in the Ganga would not increase.

“We do not know what the fate of arsenic free water treatment plants would be after 1 April. If the pond level in the Ganga goes down again we would have to arrange alternative source of water to supply water to the people”, said Mr Debashish Banerjee, executive engineer, PHE in Malda.

The PHE could not lift water from the Ganga at Rajnagar Ghaat since 18 March due to a fall in the water level. It has affected distribution of arsenic free water to over 5.50 lakh people in Kaliachak I, II and III. Following the syndrome, the district administration yesterday decided to supply drinking water through water tanks at 33 points in two blocks from Monday. 

Less Ganga water-flow hits Farakka Barrage supply

MALDA, 21 MARCH: Due to shortage in water-flow of the Ganga the Farakka Barrage Project is facing acute problem to supply water to Calcutta Port, NTPC at Farakka, and also Public Health Engineering department in Malda for its drinking water project.

The FBP is facing such problems over last nine days after releasing water to Bangladesh according to agreement.

The general manager FBP Mr K Yadav today informed the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh that it would stop releasing water to Bangladesh tonight because 10 days will be completed on 21 March.

The FBP authorities expect that ‘pond level’ of the Ganga may go up slightly in next 10-days. The FBP used to release water to Bangladesh for 10 days continuously in summer and stop it for next 10 days.

Mr K Yadav also asked Mr Ghosh that a high level meeting should be convened to sort out the present problem.

According to Mr Yadav, the rate of discharge in the Ganga has been drastically gone down. The NTPC and Calcutta Port are not getting sufficient water. Even though the FBP is trying to release water to Bangladesh, according to agreement, but the water-flow is not adequate for the neighbouring country. 

Supply of arsenic-free drinking water has been disrupted completely in five blocks in the district due to shortage in supply of surface water from the Ganga and Fulohar since 18 March.

Nearly 10 lakh people have been affected in five blocks Kaliachak I, II and III, Manikchak and English Bazaar.

In southern sector of the arsenic-free water treatment plant near Farakka, nearly 5.50 lakh people have been affected.

The PHE engineers could not collect single drop of water from the Ganga through the intake plant located at Rajnagar since 18 March.

The district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “I have informed the matter to the secretary of the PHE to sort out the problem and sought alternative suggestions”.

Having failed to supply drinking water due to shortage in supply of surface water from the Ganga the PHE has planned to supply water tanks, collecting water from other places, through trucks at 33 points covering 26 gram panchayats under the Kaliachak-I and III blocks from Monday.

The district magistrate today held meeting with the PHE, block officials, panchayat officials and other concerned authorities.

Six BSF’s border out posts and one of its sector offices in Kaliachak areas are facing drinking water crisis.

Malda DM has requested police and BSF to present at the time of water tank distribution at every spot from where people will collect drinking water.

A total of 66 trucks would be requisitioned for distribution of drinking water to the badly affected zone in Kaliachak I and III, the Malda DM said.   SNS

Mother administers opium to child for treatment, boy fighting for life

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 16 MARCH: In a curious method of treatment, a woman Mausama Bibi of Masimpur, Malda yesterday gave her one-year-old son, Rahamatullah, condensed poppy sap to consume believing it would tranquil the child and save her the torment of constant nagging.

The result, however, proved dangerous and the child is now fighting for life in Malda district hospital.

The shocked mother today claimed that she had acted on the advice of a neighbour. The child fell asleep after consuming the condensed poppy sap and fell unconscious soon. As the situation worsened, the child’s father came to know that his wife had administered opium to the child and assaulted her. They rushed the child to the hospital.

The doctors treating the ill child are yet to claim he is out of danger. “It is serious matter. The chld would take some more time to recover. The doctors are trying their best”, said the Malda CMOH Dr Srikanta Roy.

The incident highlights how poppy and opium have become household items in Malda. According to the district administration and excise department officials, foreign investors are using the local people to cultivate poppy in almost all blocks of the district.

Hundreds of locals including women and children are engaged in poppy cultivation for big money and the cultivation is catching up in areas along the Bangladesh border under Kaliachak police station in the district.

Though the Bengal excise department launched a special drive in January to destroy the poppy cultivation in these areas, large areas under poppy still remain to be attended to.

Hearing of the incident of the child’s illness, the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh said: “We have destructed large areas of poppy cultivation already but more needs to be done. However, we must learn a lesson from the incident. I would arrange an awareness campaign in the rural areas about the vice”.

Officials visit seven wakf estate sites encroached upon

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 18 MARCH: Wakf Board officials including the deputy chief executive officer today visited seven wakf estate sites including properties encroached by promoters in English Bazaar town.

“The visit was to take stock of the encroached properties of the wakf estate and explore prospects of developing education, health and other infrastructure in those estates”, the officials said.

The wakf members today interacted with the residents of a multi-storied residential complex at Kuttitala in Malda town. A local builder had allegedly constructed the complex on wakf land illegally.

The board members also visited a girls’ hostel run by the Malda Zilla Parishad and concluded that the board should allot funds for the construction of another floor atop the existing hostel to accommodate more girls for education.

The board members also inspected a parcel of land at Chandan Park in ward no 25, which is being used as a garbage dump by the English Bazaar Municiaplaity. The wakf board intends to construct a hostel for Muslim girls and a vocational training institute at the site.

A wakf board member Mr Ishaque Madani said: “We inspected a residential complex, which a builder constructed on wakf land. We do no want the occupants of the complex displaced but we would also have to think about the interest of the wakf board. We shall submit our proposals to the state government”.

The deputy CEO wakf board Mr Humayun Biswas said: “Our visit was aimed at taking stock of the status of wakf property here and utilize those for development purposes. The state Wakf Board has lots of funds and the wakf properties can be developed through those funds. If necessary we can seek funds from the central wakf council as well. The Wakf Board has planned to build a guest house on wakf estate land for the poor people”. Mr Biswas said.

Women, children of Musahar community die of diseases in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 18 MARCH: At least seven people including women and children, belonging to Musahar community, died owing to multiple diseases at Borui gram panchayat area in Harishchandrapur block –I in the past two weeks.

Several people out of 75 poor tribal families, most of them daily wage earners, live at Musaharpara near Kushida in this block. They have been suffering from various diseases including Kala-ajar since many days.

According to the district health authorities, three persons belonging to this community died in last two days.

“Though two of them (out of three) were under the treatment of kala-ajar but they died owing to other cause of diseases”, said Dr Srikanta Roy, the chief medical officer of health in Malda.

“A thirteen year old patient died owing to blockage of intestine. Two others died due to problem of multiple diseases including renal failure”, Dr Roy informed.

“No one has died of kala-ajar”, he claimed.   

It may be noted that the local health official Dr Tanmay Bhadra prepared a list of 49 persons of Musaharpara who have been suffering from kala-ajar. A few of them were under treatment and many of them discontinued treatment of kala-ajar.

Interestingly, the local gram unnayan parishad secretary, Mr Sanatan Sinha, has prepared a list of persons who died recently there.

According to him, they are Nirola Musahar (45), Domnia Musahar (48) Najima Musahar (30), Bangali Musahar (48) Gouri Musahar (14) Sajia Musahar (55) and Kayla Musahar (38).

 One year old Amit and 70 year old Rebi Musahar and other aged persons are in critical condition suffering from multiples diseases including kala-ajar at their houses.

The local panchayat officials have decided to hand over the list of deceased to the medical team during their visit.

District health officials denied the death report of seven persons prepared by the panchayat officials.

The local zilla parishad member Mr Abdus Salam had informed the matter to the Malda zilla parishad for sending a medical team to check death of people in this community.

“They were being neglected and health department did not take care of them seriously”, Mr Salam said.

Though the medical team led by the assistant CMOH Dr Swapan Biswas rushed to the area today but faced villagers’ ire this afternoon.

The local people demanded more medical teams for them.

Mr Tuku Musahar, former gram panchayat member, expressed unhappiness over the health workers’ role and held responsible them not to report the matter to their concerned officials on time. 

Arsenic-free water supply disrupted in five Malda blocks

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 19 MARCH: Supply of arsenic-free drinking water has been disrupted completely in five blocks in the district due to shortage in supply of surface water from the Ganga and Fulohar, since yesterday afternoon.

The officials of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department detected the problem around 4.10 pm yesterday when the ‘pond level’ of the Ganga at Rajnagar Ghaat, near Farakka Barrage Project, went down abnormally.

Hence, he PHE officials could not collect water from the Ganga to run their water treatment plant at Dariapur in Kaliachak III since last evening.

Similarly, PHE officials could run its treatment plant located at Mathurapur in Manikchak block since last evening when the water-flow of the Fulohar, connected to the Ganga, went down.

More than 10 lakh people have been affected in the two sectors.

The water reservoirs at Dariapur water treatment plant in southern sector got completely dried up since morning.

“We could not collect a single drop of water from the Ganga since yesterday evening. Nearly 5.53 lakh people were affected in southern sector. 22,995 families, from whom a net sum of Rs 16.98 lakh is earned by the PHE per year, have been affected”, said Mr D Banerjee, executive engineer PHE arsenic division.

"We need to get 35.6 million litre of water per day for the treatment plant", he said.

The PHE officials held a meeting with the district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh midday today and informed the critical water situation.

Mr Ghosh contacted the general manager of the Farakka Barrage Project to increase the pond-level of the Ganga to sort out the problem.

The PHE officials reportedly were informed that due to an important ongoing work for the barrage the water level would be reduced by releasing water of the Ganga.

The PHE officials also reported the matter to the Kaliachak and Sujapur MLAs to sort out the problem soon.

The CPI-M MLA from Kaliachak has already informed the matter to the PHE minister Mr Goutam Deb and the chief minister Mr Buddhabdeb Bhattacharjee seeking their interventions to meet the crisis.

After receiving a call from the district magistrate, the general manager of the FBP, who is in Delhi today, asked the senior engineers of the FBP to look into the matter.

The FBP authorities, have however, ensured the PHE engineer, Mr D Banerjee that they would try to sort out the problem soon.  

The PHE officials also said that during this lean period, the water-flow of the Ganga is significantly lower compared to the past few years.

They apprehend that during a dry spell they may face similarly problem.  

On the other hand, arsenic free water treatment plant at Mathurapur in Manikchak, has been facing problem to collect sufficient water from the Fulohar, near the confluence point of the Ganga and the Fulohar since the past three days.

Water supply was disrupted since Tuesday in the northern sector of arsenic free water supply zone.

Fake currency in cattle smuggling

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 15 MARCH: Cattle smugglers across the Bangladesh border are paying their Indian counterparts fake India currency for every cattle purchased.

It is learnt that the Bangladeshi cattle smugglers these days are paying Rs 30,000 in Indian currency for every cow they purchase from the Indian rustlers. The money is, however, counterfeit.

“A smuggled cow general fetches Rs 10,000 from the Bangladeshi dealers, but these days the Indian smugglers are receiving Rs 30,000 in fake Indian currency for every cow they steal and smuggle out”, said the Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal.

Despite the best efforts of the police and other security agencies, cattle smuggling continues through the border at Kaliachak and Baishnabnagar police station areas in Malda district.

Police and BSF conducted a joint raid at Chori-Anantapur village under Kaliachak police station last night and apprehended on Esraf Ali. The BSF seized Rs 53,000 in fake Indian currencies from his possession along with three improvised firearms and cartridges Malda SP added.

On Saturday, the BSF had intercepted one Naushad Ali, a resident of Mahabbatpur, and had seized Rs 5 lakh in fake Indian currency from his possession.

Nausad Ali reportedly confessed before the police that he had brought the fake Indian notes from Bholahat in Nawabganj district of Bangladesh. 

Villagers assaulted police team in Malda

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 14 MARCH: A police team at Jamgachhi village within Chanchal police station was allegedly assaulted by villagers backed by a group of criminals last evening. Police had gone to raid the village as they had information of gambling in the area.

The problem rose when police caught a group of four people gambling in the village. Another person Shahjahan relative of a local gram panchayat leader was watching the game. After interrogation police arrested three people from the group including Shahjahan around 8.30 pm. The Congress backed gram panchayat members in an attempt to free Shahjahan spread a rumor that policemen had assaulted the local Imam.

This provoked the villagers and they attacked the policemen, Malda SP Mr Bhuban Mandal said.

Two police officers Mr M Chatterjee and M B Das and four other personnel were assaulted by locals.

The injured police men were administered first aid at the Chanchal hospital after they returned from Jamgachhi village. Umed Ali and Martu Ali have been identified behind the attacks. The duo was involved in several case of robbery as per police records.

Police find it difficult to curb ‘illegal’ and ‘antisocial’ activities due to locals’ resistance in many places”, said Mandal.

“Locals support illegal activities in their areas, he added.

Controversy engulfs tech institute site

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 19 MARCH: A controversy has erupted against the land on which Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is scheduled to lay foundation stone of the proposed Ghani Khan Choudhury Institute of Engineering and Technology in Malda on 26 March.

The Malda district administration has detected that a large quantum of tribal land has been bought ‘illegally’ to set up the institute without clearance of the West Bengal government. The Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh had instructed the land and land reforms department authority in the district to inquire into the matter. It has been found out that an agency appointed by the Ghani Khan’s family to obtain the land had not sought status report of the land as is necessary while purchasing bulk quantum of land.

The investigation also revealed that out of approximately 100-acres of land bought by the agency at Sukandighi and Maligram moujas, a large quantum of land belongs to 10 tribal families might have been deprived of proper compensation.

The land and land reforms department has prepared a report of land records to be submitted to the district magistrate on 22 March and suggest him to refer the issue to the scheduled caste and scheduled tribe welfare department to take legal action in the interest of the tribals.

It may be noted that one tribal family in Maligram had filed a case against the land deal in the Malda district court in the month of February. The civil judge (Jr Divn) first court on 10 February issued an injunction on 1.55 acres of the disputed land following the suit.

It is learnt that in reply to query from the union deputy education advisor (T) HRD Mr NM Das about the status of land on which the proposed institute was coming up, the Malda district magistrate Mr Sridhar Ghosh had on 9 February informed that the land bought by the agency was “recorded” and not “vested land”.

Speaking on the issue today the DM said: “If tribal people have been deprived and they appeal to me, I must look into the matter again so that their interest is protected”.

The South Malda MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury, who is the brother of the Late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, refused to get dragged into the controversy.

“I was not aware of any controversy regarding the land deal. All I know is that the Prime Minister is scheduled to lay ‘symbolic’ foundation stone at Sujapur for the institute and address a rally there as the land bought for the proposed technical university in Old Malda is not suitable to hold the PM’s public rally”.  

No entry for Didi in Malda: Cong

MALDA, 19 MARCH: The Trinamul Congress chief Miss Mamata Banerjee may be eager to share the dais with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Malda on 26 March during the proposed foundation stone laying ceremony for a technical university, but the Congress in Malda is in no mood to welcome her.

Objecting to the Trinamul chief's proposed presence in the function, the South Malda Congress MP Mr AH Khan Choudhury today said: “There is no question of Miss Banerjee attending the programme.” Adding further humiliation, the MP said: “I have informed the Prime Minister's office not to invite the Trinamul chief in the function.”

The political rumour is that the MP's decision may have created a rift in the Ghani Khan family with Mr Khan Choudhury and the North Malda MP Mrs Mausam Noor occupying the pole positions. It is being said that Mr Choudhury's niece Mrs Mausam Noor was instrumental in inviting Miss Banerjee.

According to the South Malda Congress MP, the programme is of the Congress. “What would the Trinamul chief do here? She wants to share the dais for political gains. Malda is a Congress stronghold and would remain so,” Mr Khan Choudhury said.

Expressing grievance with Miss Banerjee's role as the railway minister the MP said: “We had sent many proposals to Miss Banerjee for the development of railway services with Malda as the base in memory of the late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury, but she did nothing as far as the Railway Budget is concered. It was a humiliation for Ghani Khan and also the people of Malda. We want the PCC chief and Union finance minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee along with the Prime Minister at the proposed function but not Miss Mamata Banerjee,” he said with finality.;sns

Where police sit idel in staff crunch...

MALDA, 12 MARCH: Policing in Malda is being adversely affected owing to shortage of staff and equipment. According to some officers of police department, the district lacks the required number of police personnel and equipment to maintain law and order and bring down crime rate. Cops do not have sufficient number of batons, helmets or firearms for doing their job properly and therefore are often caught short during emergencies.

Addressing a police conference here recently, the West Bengal Police Association secretary, Mr Bijitaswa Routh, suggested that the state government review the position of the police department every three years and provide the required staff and equipment.

“The assessment, however, is not being done”, he rued adding, “The department is understaffed and extra pressure is often built up on the force. The load is taking its toll and the policemen are not being able to function properly. Moreover, there is a shortage of inspectors and sub-inspectors, which is why investigation of many cases remain pending at every police station. The state cannot expect quality investigation from an officer who is already burdened with the several others”, he added.

When asked about the problem, the Malda SP, Mr Bhuban Mandal did not want to elaborate on the subject.

“I have informed the state government through my higher authorities about the situation here and have sought required personnel, equipment and proper infrastructure”, the SP said.

It was learnt that the Malda police authority has proposed that at least seven police stations – English Bazaar, Gazole, Habibpur, Harishchandrapur, Chanchal, Ratua and Kaliachak—be bifurcated for better functioning. SNS

HS students demand change in exam centre

MALDA, 11 MARCH: Demanding a change in the venue of examination, potential Higher Secondary examinees of the Nalagola Higher Secondary School in Malda locked their institution today. The agitators claimed they would not sit for the HS examination as the Pakuahat ANM Higher Secondary School at Bamongola block, which is their designated examination centre.

Today’s development was triggered by incidents during the recently concluded Madhyamik examination. It is learnt that the Pakuahat ANM HS School was also the Madhyamik examination centre for examinees of the NHSS. A section of the NHSS examinees allegedly wanted to obtain unfair means during the examination, which the invigilators had discouraged.

It is also learnt that the Pakuahat ANM HS School authority had appointed local youths to guard areas adjacent to the school premises so that outsiders could not create problems or help the examinees adopt unfair means.

The condition grew seriously antagonistic on the last day of the Madhyamik examination when many examinees allegedly wanted to copy some answers. The invigilators stopped it with an iron hand. Frustrated with not being allowed to cheat, a section of examinees damaged property line ceiling fans, benches m chairs, tables and black boards of the Pakuahat ANM HS School.

Noticing the ransacking, the Pakuahat, the Pakuahat ANM HS School headmaster had informed the matter to the locals, who intercepted the rampaging students at the local bus stand and roughed them up for damaging school property.

After returning home, the trouble makers informed the matter to the Nalagola School HS examinees, who blocked a local road on the issue yesterday and staged an agitation and locked school today demanding a change in the examination venue from the Pakuahat ANM HS School.

Acknowledging the turn of events, the Malda district inspector of schools Mr Chinmay Sarkar today said: “The HS examination authority at Bamongola block has been asked to sort out the problem. It is very difficult to change the venue as it was finalized by the HS council. The responsible officers are holding a meeting to find a way out of the problem. The officials may try to convince the agitating students to accept the examination venue finalized by the authorities”. SNS