IANS, Kolkata, 20 September : West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Monday demanded that the central government replace the age-old Land Acquisition Act with a new legislation benefiting both agriculture and industry."We think a new land acquisition bill should be passed by parliament. We cannot move ahead with this old bill. This old bill should be completely changed," Bhattacharjee said after inaugurating a new building of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBDIC) here. "We want that the bill should be balanced so that both industrialisation and agriculture are benefited. We want that the poor and the displaced should also be benefited," said Bhattacharjee. Earlier, Railway Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee expressed her reservations about the new land acquisition bill.
The Land Acquisition Amendment Bill, which seeks to amend the Land Acquisition Act of 1894, provides for mandatory social impact assessment for any acquisition resulting in large-scale displacement. န A File Cartoon
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Bangladesh joins high-profile United Nations MDG summit
BSS, New York, 20 September : Bangladesh joined a high-profile UN summit on Millennium Development Goals (MDG) with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina later today expecting to reiterate her pledge towards achieving the goals in the plenary being attended by nearly 140 heads of government.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared the opening of the three-day MDG summit on the sidelines of the 65th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters this morning (9 am US time) urging the world leaders to deliver their "shared responsibility" to build a better world for generations to come.
"Our world possesses the knowledge and the resources to achieve the Millennium Development Goals," Moon told the opening that came a day after the Prime Minister received a UN award for Bangladesh's outstanding achievements in attaining the MDG, particularly in reducing child mortality, at a colourful function.
The MDG summit came 10 years after the UN general assembly had set the eight-point MDG at a session, also joined by Sheikh Hasina during the previous 1996 2001 tenure of her Awami League government. န Photo : AFP
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Mamata Banerjee has 'CPI(M) phobia' disease: Biman Bose
Siliguri, 20 September : "Mamata Banerjee is suffering from CPI(M) phobia. It's a disease. She needs to consult a doctor," the CPI(M) state secretary told a press conference here. Any rail accident, whether in Delhi or Madhya Pradesh, Banerjee who is the Railway Minister, found the CPI(M) responsible, Bose said and alleged that the safety and security of the railways were in a shambles.
Asked about the West Bengal Assembly election slated next year, Bose said it would be held on time and would not be advanced.
Siliguri, 20 September : "Mamata Banerjee is suffering from CPI(M) phobia. It's a disease. She needs to consult a doctor," the CPI(M) state secretary told a press conference here. Any rail accident, whether in Delhi or Madhya Pradesh, Banerjee who is the Railway Minister, found the CPI(M) responsible, Bose said and alleged that the safety and security of the railways were in a shambles.
Asked about the West Bengal Assembly election slated next year, Bose said it would be held on time and would not be advanced.
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World’s most isolated tribe threatened by poachers in A&N
Survival International, London, 20 September : Poachers targeting rich fishing grounds in India’s Andaman Islands are endangering the world’s most isolated tribe.More than a hundred iIllegal fishermen from Burma have been arrested in recent weeks. Fourteen were fishing off North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese tribe, who attack anyone approaching their island. Members of the tribe killed two fishermen in 2006. Burmese and local Indian poachers also threaten the survival of the Jarawa tribe, who have only had contact with outsiders since 1998. An Indian poacher and a Jarawa man died in a conflict in the Jarawa’s reserve in 2008.
The Indian coast guard has announced a series of arrests of more than a hundred Burmese poachers since late August, mostly in the vicinity of the Jarawa reserve. However, local Indian poachers are rarely targeted. READ FULL STORY
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'Sidhu Kanu Gana Militia's Ajit new secretary of 'PCPA'
Kolkata, 20 September : Nearly a fortnight after the arrest of Manoj Mahato, the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities' (PCPA) has named Ajit Mahato as its new secretary.
"Ajit Mahato has been unanimously elected secretary of PCPA and from now onwards he will take the responsibility of carrying on the people's movement," PCPA spokesperson Asit Mahato told Bengal Newz from an undisclosed location. Ajit, who belongs to the 'Sidhu Kanu Gana Militia', the armed wing of the PCPA, is a central committee member of PCPA and a resident of Goaltore.
Kolkata, 20 September : Nearly a fortnight after the arrest of Manoj Mahato, the People's Committee Against Police Atrocities' (PCPA) has named Ajit Mahato as its new secretary.
"Ajit Mahato has been unanimously elected secretary of PCPA and from now onwards he will take the responsibility of carrying on the people's movement," PCPA spokesperson Asit Mahato told Bengal Newz from an undisclosed location. Ajit, who belongs to the 'Sidhu Kanu Gana Militia', the armed wing of the PCPA, is a central committee member of PCPA and a resident of Goaltore.
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We are going to stay in power : Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee
Kolkata, 20 September : West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today asserted that he and his party CPI(M) will remain in power in the state in future."We will never leave. We cannot transfer power to an irresponsible and indisciplined party and bring total darkness to the state," Bhattacharjee said apparently referring to the Trinamool Congress.
He was reacting to some media reports that he had expressed doubt at a function yesterday whether staying in power would be possible after the next Assembly elections.
The Left Front needs to stay in power so that West Bengal can surge ahead, he stated.
The Left Front needs to stay in power so that West Bengal can surge ahead, he stated.
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125 died in road accidents in past eight months in Tripura
Agartala, 20 September : As many as 125 people died in road accidents in Tripura over the past eight months while 350 people received serious injuries, an official report said here today.
Leading public transport advocacy group of Tripura ARPAN has blamed inefficient traffic management and unprecedented increase in the number of personal vehicles, coupled with encroachment of road space for the accidents.
Agartala, 20 September : As many as 125 people died in road accidents in Tripura over the past eight months while 350 people received serious injuries, an official report said here today.
Leading public transport advocacy group of Tripura ARPAN has blamed inefficient traffic management and unprecedented increase in the number of personal vehicles, coupled with encroachment of road space for the accidents.
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CPIM leader shot dead in Silda by suspected Maoists
Jhargram, 20 September : A local CPI(M) leader was shot dead and one of his guards injured in an attack by suspected Maoists in West Midnapore district today, police said.
A group of around 10 Maoists entered the Silda High School and shot the CPI(M) leader, Ananta Mukherjee, a clerk in the school, in his head and stomach, they said, adding Mukherjee died on the spot. One of the two guards, who was with Mukherjee at the time, was shot at and injured by the youths, they said.
Jhargram, 20 September : A local CPI(M) leader was shot dead and one of his guards injured in an attack by suspected Maoists in West Midnapore district today, police said.
A group of around 10 Maoists entered the Silda High School and shot the CPI(M) leader, Ananta Mukherjee, a clerk in the school, in his head and stomach, they said, adding Mukherjee died on the spot. One of the two guards, who was with Mukherjee at the time, was shot at and injured by the youths, they said.
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Mixed response in Jhargram bandh against killing of ZCM
Jhargram, 20 September : A CPI(M)-sponsored bandh for 12 hours in Jhargram town today has met with a mixed response, C Murugan, SDO Jhargram, said.
The bandh had been called by the CPI(M) to protest against the killing of Gour Mohon Puchha, a zonal committee member of the party. He died yesterday at SSKM hospital in Kolkata after being allegedly fired at by Maoists in Jhargram town a couple of days ago.
Jhargram, 20 September : A CPI(M)-sponsored bandh for 12 hours in Jhargram town today has met with a mixed response, C Murugan, SDO Jhargram, said.
The bandh had been called by the CPI(M) to protest against the killing of Gour Mohon Puchha, a zonal committee member of the party. He died yesterday at SSKM hospital in Kolkata after being allegedly fired at by Maoists in Jhargram town a couple of days ago.
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Top Naga leaders of 'NSCN' factions meet at Dimapur
PTI, Kohima, 20 September : In a significant development aimed at strengthening the Naga reconciliation process, NSCN-IM 'general secretary' T Muivah, his NSCN-K counterpart N Kitovi Zhimomi and NNC/FGN 'president' S Singnya met for the first time accompanied by senior leaders at Dimapur.
Hailing this, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today described the summit of top Naga underground leaders on Saturday as 'a priceless gift'. According to FNR, signatories of the 'Covenant of Naga Reconciliation' would work out differences in the coming days.
PTI, Kohima, 20 September : In a significant development aimed at strengthening the Naga reconciliation process, NSCN-IM 'general secretary' T Muivah, his NSCN-K counterpart N Kitovi Zhimomi and NNC/FGN 'president' S Singnya met for the first time accompanied by senior leaders at Dimapur.
Hailing this, the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) today described the summit of top Naga underground leaders on Saturday as 'a priceless gift'. According to FNR, signatories of the 'Covenant of Naga Reconciliation' would work out differences in the coming days.
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Stringent law in offing for BDR guardsDhaka, 20 September : A protest by two or more border guards could be termed a mutinous act under a legislation proposed for the force that is being revamped after hundreds of troopers took part in a rebellion in February last year, leaving 71 people dead.
Punishment up to death has been prescribed for those involved in such protests or attempts to protest, Daily Star newspaper reported Monday. The proposed law is likely to be placed on the first day of its sixth session. The government has moved to introduce the new law, repealing the existing one, to restructure the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and give a new name "Border Guard Bangladesh".
Death penalty is a new provision. The existing law provided for imprisonment up to seven years and it was amended as special tribunals conducted trials of hundreds of troopers who staged the mutiny 25-26 Feb last year.
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Suspected landmine on rail tracks, train services disrupted
UNI, Midnapore, 20 September : Train services between Kharagpur-Adra route of the Kharagpur railway Division of South Eastern Railway remain suspended from this morning following discovery of a suspected landmine on the tracks near Atabandha village under Garbeta police station.
Anil Handa, Divisional Manager, South Eastern Railway, said a bomb disposal squad had been sent to the area. As many as five important trains are stranded at Kharagpur, Midnapore and Salboni railway stations following discovery of the suspected landmine.
UNI, Midnapore, 20 September : Train services between Kharagpur-Adra route of the Kharagpur railway Division of South Eastern Railway remain suspended from this morning following discovery of a suspected landmine on the tracks near Atabandha village under Garbeta police station.
Anil Handa, Divisional Manager, South Eastern Railway, said a bomb disposal squad had been sent to the area. As many as five important trains are stranded at Kharagpur, Midnapore and Salboni railway stations following discovery of the suspected landmine.
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NRI turns heat on WBMC to cancel medicos' licences
IBNS, Kolkata, 20 September : A US-based Indian doctor, who is fighting a crusade against medicos here responsible for the death of his wife, has threatened to sue the West Bengal Medical Council of India (WBMC) if they did not immediately cancel registration of two top city doctors who were reportedly held guilty of medical negligence by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
"...in view of the findings by the MCI, I request you to take appropriate steps for immediate cancellation of the license of these two doctors who are registered with this Council. "It may be pertinent to mention that on August 7, 2009, the Hon'ble Supreme Court also found these two doctors responsible for the wrongful death of my wife,'' Dr Kunal Saha, husband of the deceased, wrote in a letter to West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) on Sunday.
IBNS, Kolkata, 20 September : A US-based Indian doctor, who is fighting a crusade against medicos here responsible for the death of his wife, has threatened to sue the West Bengal Medical Council of India (WBMC) if they did not immediately cancel registration of two top city doctors who were reportedly held guilty of medical negligence by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
"...in view of the findings by the MCI, I request you to take appropriate steps for immediate cancellation of the license of these two doctors who are registered with this Council. "It may be pertinent to mention that on August 7, 2009, the Hon'ble Supreme Court also found these two doctors responsible for the wrongful death of my wife,'' Dr Kunal Saha, husband of the deceased, wrote in a letter to West Bengal Medical Council (WBMC) on Sunday.
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Rail scouts for Ad agency to give itself an image makeover
TOI, New Delhi, 20 September : To tide over the barrage of negative publicity after a spate of accidents, Indian Railways is set to appoint an advertising agency to boost its public image ahead of assembly elections in rail minister Mamata Banerjee's home state of West Bengal.
While "officially", railways is looking for agencies to create a new `Brand Railways' and sell the brand to earn money, the move will also help project Mamata as an efficient administrator. The railways is looking to create a brand through an aggressive advertisement campaign in the print, electronic and outdoor media space and has earmarked a substantial amount of funds for the purpose.
Many in the ministry are surprised at the timing of the move, aiming to give the 150-year-old railways a makeover. The rail ministry is evaluating the response it got to an expression of interest to appoint an agency to prepare the advertising campaign. Along with launching a brand-building campaign, the PSU also wants a media buying agency to market advertising opportunities in railway property - trains, stations, platforms and other locations. By doing so, railways wants to use its properties to raise resources and make up for increasing costs without raising passenger fare.
TOI, New Delhi, 20 September : To tide over the barrage of negative publicity after a spate of accidents, Indian Railways is set to appoint an advertising agency to boost its public image ahead of assembly elections in rail minister Mamata Banerjee's home state of West Bengal.
While "officially", railways is looking for agencies to create a new `Brand Railways' and sell the brand to earn money, the move will also help project Mamata as an efficient administrator. The railways is looking to create a brand through an aggressive advertisement campaign in the print, electronic and outdoor media space and has earmarked a substantial amount of funds for the purpose.
Many in the ministry are surprised at the timing of the move, aiming to give the 150-year-old railways a makeover. The rail ministry is evaluating the response it got to an expression of interest to appoint an agency to prepare the advertising campaign. Along with launching a brand-building campaign, the PSU also wants a media buying agency to market advertising opportunities in railway property - trains, stations, platforms and other locations. By doing so, railways wants to use its properties to raise resources and make up for increasing costs without raising passenger fare.
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