MP-LAD SCAM IN COOCH BEHAR

Cooch Behar MP-LAD scam : Main suspect arrested

 The main accused in the MP-LAD scam in Cooch Behar, Pradip Chakraborty, was arrested last night from a residence at Jamaldaha. He was produced in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate of Cooch Behar today and remanded to police custody for 14 days.

            An employee of the District Magistrate's office, Chakraborty was the main suspect in the MP-LAD scam. The Cooch Behar DM, Mohan Gandhi lodged an FIR against him on 10 January at Kotowali Police Station. Since then, he was absconding. It is believed that after arrest of Chakraborty it would be possible for the administration to know the other persons involved in the scam. The total money drained out from two MPs of the district may be around Rs 7-crore, sources said. Today, after producing at the court of the CJM, Sandip Kumar Manna, the judge remanded to police custody for 14 days. During the period he may be interrogated to find out the truth.

MP-LAD SCAM IN COOCH BEHAR

Rajya Sabha member alleges scam in MP-LAD fund

The MP-LAD scam in Cooch Behar got a new dimension on Tuesday. Cooch Behar MP (Rajya Sabha), Tarini Roy alleged that Rs 4-crore has been drained out from his Local Area Development fund towards 34 projects. He never recommended assistance to the said projects, he claimed.

Earlier, a few days ago, the Cooch Behar MP (Rajya Sabha), Nripendra Nath Roy (Forward Bloc) alleged of misappropriation of money from his MP-LAD fund. The amount of money that was cheated out from his fund was about 2-crore, sources said. Following Roy's complaint the District Magistrate of Cooch Behar, Mohan Gandhi inquired into the matter and lodged an FIR at Kotowali Police Station against the concerned dealing clerk of his office. Since then, the man named Pradip Chakraborty is absconding. Police however initiated a probe into the allegation.

In this perspective, another MP of Cooch Behar, a member of Rajya Sabha, Tarini Roy (CPI-M) today came out with a fresh allegation. He met the DM yesterday and while inquiring the status of his MP-LAD fund, the DM handed over a list of projects recommended by the MP. Examining the list he found that there were 34 projects that were never recommended by him. The estimated implementation cost of the projects was Rs 4-crore. An astonished Roy immediately submitted a written complaint to the DM and demanded inquiry into the matter. The DM, Gandhi, however assured that he already took measures against the concerned dealing clerk by filing an FIR and ordered a probe into the matter.

Tarini Roy, who is also the secretary of the CPI-M's Cooch Behar district unit, alleged that the misappropriation from the MP-LAD fund has been committed after change of power in the state. The main suspect, Chakraborty is also a Trinamul Congress man. A proper inquiry may unearth the truth, he believes.   

The sum of total money in the scam of MP-LAD funds of two MPs is more than 7-crore, sources claimed. Though the Forward Bloc is dealing the matter in a low tune, the CPI-M is trying to deal it otherwise. As the MP (Rajya Sabha), Tarini Roy disclosed his allegations to the media persons it is believed that the party may use the issue in the ensuing three-tier Panchayat elections. 

Cooch Behar (WB).
coochbeharcalling.blogspot.com

Fwd: Bibhu # 28-01-2013

Cooch Behar proud of Aneek

On the day of inauguration of Uttarbanga Utsav, a good news came in from Maharashtra. Annek Sarkar of Dinhata Byayam Vidyalaya won as Runners at the National Junior Power-lifting Championship competition organised by Indian Power-lifting Federation in association with Maharashtra State Power-lifting Association. The competition was held at Amaravati on Sunday. Aneek from Bengal team turned Runners in 110-Kg group. He lifted 550-Kg weight.

            Aneek is a student of Dinhata Byayam Vidyalaya in Cooch Behar. He resides at Alipurduar and goes to practice to the DBV daily by train. Earlier, he became Champion in the Sub-Junior National Power-lifting Competition.

            All in the DBV turned happy today learning Aneek's success in the National Junior Power-lifting Championship. The Secretary General of the institution, Bibhu Ranjan Saha said he received the news over telephone this morning from Amaravati. He hoped that Aneek would go ahead to attain more success in the field of Power-lifting. 

PANCHANAN UNIVERSITY

Sit-in demanding reconsideration of state government's decision.

PANCHANAN UNIVERSITY

Sit-in to get a university at Khalisamari

Demanding reconsideration of the state government's decision over setting up of the proposed Panchanan Barma University, the members and supporters of Rastriya Panchanan Barma Smarak Samiti (National Panchanan Barma Memorial Committee) staged a daylong sit-in today on the bank of Sagardighi, in front of the District Magistrate's office. They demanded the university to be set up at Khalisamari, the sacred birthplace of Roy Sahib Thakur Panchanan Barma, a legendary social reformer of the region. The agitators also submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister through the District Magistrate.

 

The president of the Rastriya Panchanan Barma Smarak Samiti, Girindra Nath Barman said that the present Chief Minister promised of the proposed university at Khalisamari during her address at a meeting at Mathabhanga prior to the last Assembly election. But now, ignoring the sentiment of the local people she is going to set up the university in Cooch Behar town. The organising committee of the university already collected a huge volume of land as donations from local people for building up of the university at Khalisamari. He said that they believe the CM would reconsider the state government's decision and would issue order to establish it at Khalisamari. To draw her attention they organised the sit-in today, Barman said.

COOCH BEHAR

Hindi school benefits from MP's fund

Cooch Behar MP (Lok sabha) Nripendra Nath Roy inaugurated a new classroom in the Sree Hindi Vidyalaya in Cooch Behar. The classroom has been constructed with financial assistance extended from his MP-LAD fund. A cultural programme was organised on the occasion.

 

After inaugurating the newly built classroom, Roy said that the school authority requested him for development of the science section of the school. During 2012-2013 fiscal year he extended a fund of Rs 6-lakh and with that money the new classroom was built. Needed tables and chairs also bought. He said that the school authority requested him for more assistance and he assured them of fund from his MP-LAD fund in 2013-2014.

 

The headmaster of Sree Hindi Vidyalaya, Surajbali Pandey thanked the MP for his help. He said he already requested the MP to help them to construct Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories in the Higher Secondary faculty and the MP assured of the required fund. The secretary of the school managing committee, Rajendra Kumar Baid also praised the MP for his assistance to develop the educational infrastructure of the lone Hindi high school of the district.

 

Bar Association's 125-th year

The concluding ceremony of the Cooch Behar Bar Association's 125-th year celebration festival will start on 9 February. The three-day programme will be inaugurated by the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, Arun Mishra. Several ministers and distinguished persons are to attend the programme.

 

The secretary of the 125-th celebration committee of Cooch Behar Bar Association, Abdul Jalil Ahmed said that the Chief Justice will inaugurate the three-day programme on 9 February at Netaji Subhas Indoor Stadium. Justice Jaymalya Bagchi, ministers like Partha Chatterjee, Chandrima Bhattacharjee, Noor-e-Alam Chaudhury and Gautam Deb will attend the festival as distinguished guests. A number of MPs and MLAs are also to join the celebration. Cultural programmes and seminars on legal service and legal awareness will also be organised on the occasion, Ahmed said.

NBSTC

Trinamul union defunct in NBSTC

The CPI-M and the Congress have their unions in the North Bengal State Transport Corporation, named NBSTC Employees Union and NBSTC Workers Union. But when the Trinamul Congress is in power in the state they have no active union in this largest transport organisation in North Bengal. The INTTUC affiliated NBSTC Drivers and Trinamul Shramik Karmochari Union is lying defunct following a decision enforced by the parent organisation (INTTUC). It is expected that the union may be activated again in February.

 

The Trinamul dominated union had to go on hibernation from November last year. Prior to that the union was running under leadership of Abdul Rahman and patronised by Cooch Behar district Trinamul Congress president, Rabindra Nath Ghosh (MLA). On 4 November 2012 a convention was held in presence of State INTTUC chairperson Dola Sen. In that convention it was decided that the union will be reformed on 18 February through a convention of the INTTUC. The state unit chairperson is to attend the proposed convention.

 

Cooch Behar district INTTUC president, Pranesh Dhar said that he was entrusted by the state chairperson to look after the union's activity in the interest of NBSTC workers and employees. After formation of the new committee on 18 February the charge of the union will be handed over to it. But, according to the system the INTTUC state chairperson will be the president of the union's central committee and the district INTTUC president will be president of the union's district committee. A working president will be appointed from the employees of the NBSTC. Dhar said that the previous working president of the union was not an employee of the corporation and due to that many problems rose in running the union.

 

Though there is no active Trinamul union in the NBSTC at present, the union office turns overcrowded everyday by enthusiastic workers and employees, the district INTTUC president claimed. 

NBSTC

Growing of income indicated in NBSTC

Monthly income is growing in the financially distressed North Bengal State Transport Corporation. The authorities felt the growth by comparing the income of September to December in 2011 with the income of September to December in 2012. The revenue growth has been observed during this period by about Rs 1.5-lakh per month. The Chairman of the Administrative Committee, Mihir Goswami attributed the growth to the active efforts of the Chairman of the corporation, Gautam Deb, Managing Director C Murugan and all workers and employees. During the said period the distance coverage in kilometres of the NBSTC buses also increased, he said.

 

The NBSTC is now eager to increase its inter-state bus service to generate revenue and also to regain its popularity. They will run buses to Assam and Bihar and the number of passenger buses will be about 42. If necessary the NBSTC will introduce franchisee system following the footsteps of Assam, Goswami said.

 

The Administrative Committee Chairman mentioned that to revive the lost glory of the NBSTC they need about 300 new buses. A process has been initiated to buy 150 buses and 35 buses already added to the fleet of the NBSTC. He hoped that by three years the NBSTC is likely to become a 'no profit no loss' organisation and from that position it will start its journey towards a self-supported one. With active co-operation of all the NBSTC will be able to regain its past glory, he hoped. 

WATER STRIKE

Strike call : No water day on 17 January

Drinking Water pump Operator Workers' Union called a strike on 17 January in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri demanding immediate payment of their salary that is pending for five months. On that day they will not operate pumps and so the water supply in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri will be disrupted. On behalf of the union's Northern Mechanical Division it was said that they have been forced to call the strike sa they are being unpaid of salaries for months.

 

 The CITU affiliated PHE Contractors Workers Union too may go on strike. The secretary of the district unit of the CITU and also an MP (Rajya Sabha) Tarini Roy said that they are not in favour of any strike that ends in suffering for drinking water to citizens. But, the workers have grievances as they received no salary for five months.

 

Mentionworthy, there are three stages related to supply of drinking water by the Public Health Engineering Department in Cooch Behar district. The water supply under Cooch Behar Zilla Parishad is maintained by the ZP using its own fund if the PHE fails to extend fund to it. The maintenance of the facility and salaries are borne by the CZP. The Cooch Behar Municipality too shoulders the responsibility of maintenance and salaries when the PHE department fails to extend fund to it. But, a large area of the district is controlled by the PHE itself and they conduct the job by engaging contractors. The workers of the contractors are not receiving salaries for the last five months as their employers are not receiving the fund from the PHE Department.

 

Cooch Behar MP Tarini Roy said that though they are not in favour of any strike in the drinking water sector but the situation is compelling them to strike. Without any payment the workers cannot work. "It the situation demands our workers may go for cease-work agitation", he said.  He demanded that the state government should come out to ease the situation by extending assurance of payment of salary regularly. "We will wait a few days to observe the government's stand on the matter", the MP said. 

MJN HOSPITAL

MJN Hospital's 'no' to room heaters in children ward

All the districts of North Bengal are shivering due to the ongoing cold wave. Realising the suffering of the school children the state government has announced special vacation in the schools. But the MJN Hospital authority in Cooch Behar is still indifferent about saving the child-patients from the severe cold. Though there are room heaters in the hospital for the children ward, the authority has disallowed their installation. Following the attitude, the doctors, nurses and other health workers expressed their resentment over the matter.

 

Maharaja Jitendra Narayan Hospital is the district hospital of Cooch Behar district. Not only patients come here from all sub-divisions of the district but they come from neighbouring areas like Alipurduar and even from Assam. The children ward of the hospital is the most crowed one. Here the number of patients is more than double of the beds round the year. The situation turned worsened this winter. There is no room heater to keep the new-borns and other child patients warm in this ward. A senior child specialist associated with the MJN Hospital alleged that there are seven electric room heaters meant for the ward but the hospital disallowed their use in the ward. When the state government declared special vacation to save the school children and incidents of a few children's death occurred at Malda Medical College Hospital due to non-functioning of room warmers, the MJN Hospital authority disallowed use of room heaters in the children ward. Now, if any death happens here due to cold the responsibility might be passed over to the doctors and others, the doctor said.

 

The president of the Cooch Behar Rogi Kalyan O Suraksha Samiti, Narayan Modak too expressed his anger over the issue. He said that they will draw the attention of the state Health minister and health secretary if the MJN Hospital authority fails to install room warmers in the children ward immediately.

 

The newly appointed superintendent of the hospital, Dr Jaydeb Barman however argued that he disallowed the installation of electric room heaters as that may invite troubles. The room heaters are meant for use on the floor, not for hanging on the walls. If any child or any other person touches the 'naked' electrical equipment, that may be fatal. And so, he disallowed the use of these heaters. "I suggested the mothers and guardians of child patients to cover up their children with warm clothes and keep the doors and windows of the ward closed", he said. At the same time he said that buying of hanging room heaters with permission from higher authorities is a time consuming matter and that may not be possible during this winter. That may be possible in next year, he hoped. 

Fwd: photo Palash Deb,CoochBehar

DPSC

Training 'must' for primary teachers

 

All the primary school teachers will have to undergo training for teaching before 2015, otherwise their service may come into danger. In a bid to save the school teachers from termination of job the state education department adopted a plan to train all the teachers who are still not received proper teachers' training.

Chairperson of Cooch Behar District Primary School Council (DPSC), Kalyani Poddar said a workshop related to the training for teachers will be organised in Cooch Behar very soon. State Education minister, Bratya Basu would inaugurate the workshop. She said that the primary school teachers who not completed two-year training yet should receive the training specially arranged for them. Those teachers, who received only one-year training, they should have to undergo additional one-year training.

            The teachers' training on teaching method is a 'must' for all primary school teachers according to the Right to Education Act of 2009 following the norms laid down by the National Council for Teachers Training. But the erstwhile Left Front government kept it as a secret from the teachers, the DPSC chairperson alleged. Now, realising the problem that is going to be faced by the teachers in 2015 the new state government adopted a plan to train all the teachers to spread a security blanket over their jobs. In Cooch Behar, they already identified three educational institutions to run the training programme for the, she said. Poddar hoped that they will be able to complete the training programme before the stipulated date in 2015 and save the jobs of the teachers. 

NBSTCEU CONFERENCE

CITU leader attacks Trinamul regime

State CITU president and former Transport minister
Shyamal Chakraborty alleged that several persons had to die due to
irregular pay of salary and pension in North Bengal State Transport
Corporation during the Trinamul led state government's regime. This
was never happened during the Left Front led government, he claimed.
He said this during his inaugural address at the Central Conference of
the NBSTC Employees Union at Netaji Subhas Indoor Stadium in Cooch
Behar. The two-day conference concluded on Monday.

The two-day 24-th Central Conference of the CITU
affiliated NBSTC Employees Union started on Sunday. Ex-ministers
Ananta Roy and Dinesh Dakua, Cooch Behar MP (Rajya Sabha) Tarini Roy
and a number of senior CPI-M and CITU leaders attended the conference.
A procession was also passed through the town to mark the occasion.

During his address Chakraborty congratulated the workers
and employees of the NBSTC for their attendance ignoring threats and
atrocities of the Trinamul Congress. He mentioned the conference as
the first CITU conference in the regime of 'change'. Retorting the
'change' he said that the workers and employees of the corporation and
others are feeling what the actual meawning of 'change' is under
Trinamul rule. Questions are arising whether the state transport
corporations will survive or not. The employees do not know whether
they will be able to get their salaries in next month. Similar is the
condition of the pensioners too, he said. A few men had to die
suffering from starvation or due to lack of proper medical care
following irregular payment of salary and pension. In Left Front days
this was never happened, he claimed. He congratulated the NBSTCEU men
for their struggle.

BSF organises free medical camp

The 7 Bn of the Border Security Force organised a free medical camp at Char Balabhut in Tufanganj sub-division. The area is encirled with rivers and Bangladesh territory. Not only thje residents of Char Balabhut village but people from neighbouring villages too attended the camp to avail the opportunity of free medical check up.

A member of Balabhut Gram panchayat, Moslem Haque said that the village is encircled by rivers on three sides and the rest one side there is Bangladesh territory. Existence of a BSF camp in the village is an advantage but they also need improved roads, irrigation facility, electricity, construction of an embankment to save the villagers from annual floods and erosion. Laying of barbed wire fencing is also needed to control infiltration of criminals from the other side of the border, he said.

A senior BSF offocial, JK Birdi claimed that the BSF stand by the needy villagers round the year. The 7 Bn of the BSF organised the free medical camp to extend health check up and treatment free of cost. It was done under its Civic Action Programme, he said. In future they would organise similar camps in adjacent areas, Birdi assured.