First in NB : 2 Panchayat Samities to get Nirmal Gram awards

  

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 30: There are sixteen Gram Panchayats out of 128 GPs in Cooch Behar district that were awarded with Nirmal Gram (total sanitised village) status. Now, another twenty-three Gram Panchayats and two Panchayat Samities are going to achieve the similar status. There is no Panchayat Samity in north Bengal that received the Nirmal Gram award till now, claimed the sabhadhipati of Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad Mr Jnanendra Chandra Chanda.

 

Successful implementation of the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) programme in Mathabhanga-II and Sitai blocks made them eligible to get the Nirmal Gram awards. As per government norms a village or a Gram Panchayat or Panchayat Samity can be declared as a Nirmal Gram if ninety percent of the latrines of the area concerned turn into sanitary toilets, said the TSC district co-ordinator, Mr Amalendu Naha.

 

The TSC programme was started in this district in 2000. There are 12 Rural Sanitary Marts but five turned defunct. There are 27 approved clubs who are doing as Production Centres. The objective of the programme is to extend sanitary toilet and safe drinking water facilities to all residents. Following a survey that was done in 2002 the number of target households was fixed at 4,30,122. Already the TSC scheme achieved success by extending sanitary toilets to 2,00,060 residences. While Mathabhanga-II block is on the top position in implementing the TSC scheme by extending sanitary toilets in 37,006 households the position of Haldibari block is at the bottom. Here the achievement is 2,549 only.

 

Not only the residences, the TSC programme is also bringing primary schools, high schools, madrasas, Shishu Shiksha Kendras (SSK), Madhyamik Shiksha Kendras (MSK) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) centres under its activity. All schools will be brought under the sanitation programme, the TSC district co-ordinator said. Following a unique plan the students of different schools are being asked to collect data on regular practice of health and hygienic habits and using of sanitary facilities in their families and neighbourhood. This awareness drive may boost up healthy habits among the students and the members of their families, Mr Naha hoped. []

 

WHO team visited progress : Culling almost completed in Dinhata

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 30: The culling drive that was undertaken to combat the spreading of bird flu disease almost completed in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks. 49,595 domestic birds were culled in the villages of these two blocks till last night. Today, only eight Rapid Response Teams were deployed to cull remaining chickens, ducks and pigeons. Mop-up drive started from today in the villages and it will continue for ten days. The members of the RRTs will not be able to get back to their residences for seven days. They will be kept under observation for the period.

 

In Mathabhanga-I block, 3,710 birds were culled till last night in the villages. Culling also started in Sannyasir-danga village today. It may be recalled here that local people of Sannyasir-danga village attacked the RRT men on Monday evening. A vehicle was also damaged. The frightened RRT men had to go back without doing their scheduled job. A number of meetings were held from that night to chalk out plans to restore normalcy in the troubled village. Additional police forces were also deployed for the security of the RRT men. But, the RRT men failed to do any culling in that village on yesterday too. After adequately convincing the villagers the situation restored to normalcy today.

 

Meanwhile, a five-member WHO team comprising of experts from New Delhi, Pune and Kolkata visited the progress of culling in this district. They also visited the arrangement in the isolation wards that were made in Dinhata and Mathabhanga sub-divisional hospitals to combat any case of infection in human beings. They expressed their satisfaction after visiting the facilities offered in the isolation wards claimed the ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra.

 

On the otherhand, fifty surveillance teams comprising of two members in each team were formed with ICDS and health department personnel. These teams will visit the villages from where abnormal deaths of birds were reported. They were instructed to report any case of influenza or similar ailments immediately to the authorities.

 

It was learnt that the district administration already paid Rs 15,08,750 in Dinhata and Rs 1,19,910 in Mathabhanga as compensation to the villagers whose chickens and ducks were culled. []

Need for consumption of iodised salt stressed in NSS camp

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 30: The programme officer of National Service Scheme (Unit-I) of Dinhata College, Md Saukat Ali today declared closing of the special camp that began at Panchanan Chhatrabas in Dinhata on 21 January. The theme of the NSS camp was "healthy youth for healthy India".

 

One hundred student-volunteers of the camp were oriented by Dr Bijay Roy (ACMOH), Dr Dr Suvendu Roy and Prof Asit Chakraborty regarding different aspects of health awareness attaching special importance to AIDS, bird flu and iodine deficiency diseases.

 

Two consumer welfare officers, Mr G Goswami and Mr TK Pal made the camp volunteers aware of rights, duties and responsibilities of consumers.

 

After being properly oriented the student-volunteers took part in health awareness programmes and tested presence of iodine in salts in different corners of Putimari-I and Putimari-II in addition to cleaning drives, socio-economic survey and consumer awareness programmes.

 

Dr Samarpan Saha attended two medical camps that were organised during the ten-day special camp. []

 

PHOTO : NSS programme officer Md Saukat Ali demonstrates testing of presence of iodine in salts before the student-volunteers. At Dinhata College in Dinhata.

 

Blood memory

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 30: Trinamul Youth Congress organised a blood donation camp in association with MJN Hospital Blood Bank at Nilkuthi in Cooch Behar where 31 persons donated blood. TYC leader Mr Shiben Roy said the annual blood donation camp was organised in memory of the demised Trinamul leader Nabiuddin Mian. []

 

Damage control

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 30: Cooch Behar district received a fund of Rs 4.44-crore from the state government against a disaster management scheme. The scheme was sent in an aim to repair damaged roads and bridges that were damaged during the floods in the last monsoon. Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad sabhadhipati Mr Jnanendra Chandra Chanda said the CZP is now preparing plans to start restoration work. No other agency but the CZP itself will implement the plans, Mr Chanda said. []

 

Civic action programme

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 29: The deputy inspector general of Border Security Force Mr PJ Rao distributed blankets among the poor people of the bordering area at a function organised at Choto Madhusudhan village in Sitalkuchi yesterday. He also distributed various sports items to a few schools of the area including Maheshmari High School, Ratanpur High School, Gosairhat Girls high school, Chota Madhusudhan Primary School, Gautam Primary School and Gadopota Primary School. As a part of their civic action programme the 13 Bn BSF organised the programme.

 

The DIG-BSF, Mr Rao said the BSF is always committed to maintain better relation with bordering people by helping them in various means like organising medical check up camps, sports and games, recreational activities and other development works under Border Area Development Programme.  Commandant of 13-Battalion BSF Mr KS Rathore also spoke on the occasion and assured of maintaining cordial relations with local people through such programmes in future. []

 

Conference

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 29: 41-st biennial state conference of Pashchimbanga Group-D Sarkari Karmachari Samity will be held in Cooch Behar from 9 February to 12 February. 877 delegates from all the districts will attend the four-day conference, said secretary of the reception committee Mr Sekhar Pal. A veteran trade union leader Mr Sukomal Sen will inaugurate the conference. To make the conference a spectacular one the organisers are now busy in decorating the town with large sized gates. []

Culling teams face problems in Dinhata and Mathabhanga

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 29: Twenty Rapid Response Teams (RRT) comprising of five members in each team started culling of domestic birds including chickens, ducks and pigeons in a few villages including Baro-Khalisamari village under Kursamari Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-I block from yesterday afternoon. Earlier it was planned that the culling will start from today but to complete the job speedily and to stop the spreading of the avian flu disease in newer areas the district administration differed the decision and ordered culling from yesterday afternoon. About 500 chickens were culled there yesterday.

 

The RRTs did their duties without any problem in most of the villages in Mathabhanga-I block but resistance came from local people at Sannyasir-danga village. In this village the locals pelted stones to the RRT men on yesterday evening. A vehicle was also damaged. The frightened RRT men had to go back to Mathabhanga-I block office without doing their scheduled jobs. A number of meetings were held from last night till this noon to chalk out plans to restore normalcy in the troubled village. Additional police forces were also deployed for the security of the RRT men.

 

It was decided that intensive awareness drive would be conducted among the residents of Sannyasir-danga village and after convincing the villagers about the need of the culling the work will be resumed. Several meetings were held today among officials concerned and leaders of different political parties, panchayat functionaries, representatives of non-government organisations and local people. But, no culling was held in this village today. It is expected that the RRTs may be able to resume work in this village from tomorrow morning.

 

On the otherhand, labourers recruited from the localities in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks denied to work since last night. They were recruited to assist the RRTs. As per government norms they were appointed against Rs 70 per day as unskilled labourers. But as they have had to work for about 12-hours they demanded Rs 200 per day. Today, the additional district magistrate (development) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra and other senior officials visited the area and assured of considering the demand for hike of wage. Getting assurance the labourers joined their duties and culling drive resumed. It may be mentioned here that about 43,300 chickens, ducks and pigeons were culled in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II till last night. []

 

Culling begins in Mathabhanga today

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 28: Twenty Rapid Response Teams (RRT) comprising of five members in each team started culling of domestic birds including chickens, ducks and pigeons at Baro-Khalisamari village under Kursamari Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-I block from today. Earlier it was planned that the culling will start from tomorrow but to stop the spreading of the avian flu disease in newer areas the district administration differed the decision and ordered culling from this afternoon.

 

Additional district magistrate (development) of Cooch Behar Mr Pannalal Mahapatra said adequate policemen were provided with the RRTs to make the culling drive trouble free in Mathabhanga. The target of culling is 35,000 in five-kilometre radius of Baro-Khalisamari village. The deadly virus was detected in the samples sent from this village.

 

Before launching of the culling drive the villagers were asked to keep their pet birds at home. They were advised not to set these animals free on tomorrow morning too so that the RRT men can do the job smoothly. He claimed that the compensation at the rate of Rs 40 per bird is paid on the spot and so no resistance came from anywhere during the culling drive so far.

 

Meanwhile, about 28,000 domestic birds were culled in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks till last night, the ADM (D) said. Fifty RRTs are conducting the culling drive there in four Gram Panchayat areas. The drive will continue for a few days more to fulfil the target of 70,000. []

PHOTO : NO FLU - A pet laying hen in a residence on Sunday. -DB

 

R-Day celebrated in Cooch Behar

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 27: The 59-th Republic Day was celebrated with due respect in Cooch Behar. The main programme was held at Cooch Behar Stadium. Here, the district magistrate Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha hoisted the National flag. Display of colourful march past, tableau and cultural programme made the programme a successful one. Police, home guard, NCC and students of different educational institutions participated in the parade. The DM took salute from the jawans of Armed Police Force. Superintendent of police Mr Anil Kumar and other distinguished persons were present at the programme.

 

Border Security Force too observed the day. DIG-BSF Mr PJ Rao hoisted the National flag in the premises of the Cooch Behar Sector Headquarters. The officers and jawans of the sector attended the programme. The BSF also organised a civic action programme at Gitaldaha on the occasion. A free medical camp was held there and free medicines were distributed among the people of the bordering area. The DIG-BSF Mr Rao, Commandant of 127 Bn Mr KC Jat, Dr Subhasini Besra and Dr Kadambini Rastogi attended the programme. Books, school uniform and sports items were distributed among the students of the area. A cultural programme was also held on the occasion. []

 

PHOTO : DIG-BSF (Cooch Behar Sector) Mr PJ Rao at the Republic Day flag hoisting ceremony at the Sector Headquarters in Cooch Behar on Saturday.

 

PHOTO : DIG-BSF (Cooch Behar) Mr PJ Rao presents gifts to a village girl on the occasion of Republic Day. At Gitaldaha in Cooch Behar on Saturday.

 

Culling to begin in Mathabhanga from Tuesday

 

COOCH BEHAR, Jan. 27: Samples taken from dead chickens collected from Baro-Khalisamari village of Kursamari Gram Panchayat in Mathabhanga-I block tested positive of bird flu virus. When culling operation in Dinhata is going smoothly and the officials concerned are getting ready to heave a sigh this news came as a heavy blow to them this afternoon.

 

The district magistrate of Cooch Behar Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha said as the samples from Baro-Khalisamari village tested positive of the deadly virus the rapid response teams will start culling operations in that area from Tuesday. At present fifty RRTs are working in Dinhata and thirty were kept reserved. These thirty teams will be deployed tomorrow in Mathabhanga-I for culling of about 25,000 domestic birds, the DM said.

 

On the otherhand, about 13,500 chickens, ducks and pigeons were culled during the first two days in Dinhata-I block. Here, the target of culling is 70,000. Fifty RRTs are doing the job in Gitaldaha-I and Gitaldaha-II blocks. Culling operation was completed in Jaridharla and Daribash villages yesterday, claimed Cooch Behar ADM (D) Mr Pannalal Mahapatra. Samples sent from these two villages were tested positive of avian flu virus.

 

The ADM (D) said the RRT men are now conducting culling in four Gram Panchayat areas including Okrabari and Gobrachhara in Dinhata-I and Dinhata-II blocks within five-kilometre radius of the two affected villages today. Achieving of the target may take two or three days more, he said.

 

It may be mentioned here that a report arrived here yesterday confirmed that no samples sent from this district except from Jaridharla and Daribash tested positive. But today the situation turned otherwise.

 

Meanwhile, Anasristi, an organisation of science conscious youths, started an awareness drive on bird flu at Kalabagan and Khagrabari in Cooch Behar today. As many residents of these areas keep chickens and ducks the members of Anasristi conveyed them the dos and don'ts to avoid the deadly disease and what to do in case of its outbreak. Secretary of Anasristi, Mr Sumanta Saha said they requested the residents to maintain cleanliness. They also sprayed lime and bleaching powder in the drains. []

PHOTO : From Monarchy to Democracy. School children perform dance on the occasion of Rupublic Day at Cooch Behar Stadium adjacent to Cooch Behar Royal Palace (in West Bengal) on Saturday.