Kolkata, 1 April : In a jolt to the BJP, its ally Gorkha Janamukti Morcha has decided to extend unconditional support to Trinamool Congress and Congress candidates in the Terai and Dooars in north Bengal in the assembly elections with Trinamool saying the decision is "totally uncalled for".-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Major explosive haul by forces in West Midnapore district Midnapore, 1 April : In a large haul, security forces today recovered detonators, parts of landmine, fuse and wires from two Maoist pockets in West Midnapore district.
Police said the forces dug up parts of land mine, detonators, wire from Kalsibhanga jungle at Salboni area following a tip-off. In an almost simultaneous raid at Lalgarh's Dharampur two revolvers, large amounts of explosives were found in a house by the joint forces, police said. However, no arrests could be made in either raid.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tripura LF wants forest land norms relaxed for non-tribals
IANS, Agartala, 1 April : The ruling Left Front in Tripura wants same norms for non-tribals and tribals for getting 'patta' (title deeds) of forest land."We have been demanding that the central act should be modified suitably, and reduce the stipulated years so that the non-tribals also get the patta along with tribals," a ruling combine spokesperson said here friday.
Currently, the law states that tribals living in forest for last 75 years are eligible for 'patta' while the time frame for non-tribals is more. Besides reduction in the stipulated period for patta entitlement, the ruling Left Front has been demanding non-tribals as well be allowed to settle on the forest land.
According to state Tribal Welfare Minister Aghore Debbarma, 132,249 tribals and 34,937 non-tribals have applied for getting settlement in the forest through patta system.
The Tripura government has so far distributed land deeds among 116,000 tribals, he said. The tribals account for about 33 percent of Tripura's 3.8 million population.
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Bangladesh Govt. to maintain Fuel Prices at least to May Reuters, Dhaka, 1 April : Bangladesh will not raise gasoline and diesel prices at least till May despite surging global oil prices, a senior energy ministry official said on Friday.
"At the moment the government has no plan to lift oil prices," the official told Reuters, although many countries have raised prices in the wake of the global increases. He said the move was mainly intended to ensure that diesel-run irrigation facilities are not affected in the current cropping season as Bangladesh aims to strengthen security of food supplies...... READ FULL REPORT
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Election Commisison yet to decide on Sourav's promo issue Kolkata, 1 April : A promo featuring former Team India captain Sourav Ganguly to create interest among the electorate to vote in the West Bengal assembly elections will not be telecast unless a clearance is received from the Election Commission.
"We have sent our observation to the Election Commission and there has been no communication as yet," Additional Chief Electoral Officer N K Sahana told reporters here today. "Unless we get the clearance from the Commission, Sourav's promo will not be aired," he said.
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Former CP Gautam Chakrabarti new DG of armed policeKolkata, 1 April : West Bengal state government transferred some officers including former police commissioner Gautam Mohan Chakrabarti who was appointed DG (armed police).
Chakrabarti was removed on 18 March after an Election Commission order as he had been CP for over three years. This week, some officers were removed in similr fashion including East Midnapore SP Ajit Sarkar, who is now special superintendent of IB. Anil Kumar who was earlier DIG (Midnapore), is now DIG (welfare). Rajib Mishra who was DIG, CID (operations) is now joint CP (administration) after Niraj Singh was posted DIG (Murshidabad). VV Thambi, former chairman of police recruitment board, is now DG, SCRB. PK Samanta, former Malda DM, is the joint secretary with the higher education department. Pranay Sahay, a special DG of BSF, is now OSD with PM's Office.
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Bangladesh for duty-free access of 129 items to Indonesia Financial Express, Dhaka, 1 April : Bangladesh has sought duty-free market access of its 129 potential items to Indonesia, commerce ministry sources said.
The proposal has recently been submitted to Indonesian government through Bangladesh mission in Jakarta as Bangladesh-Indonesia Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting, held in Tingi, Indonesia in August last year, decided to offer this facility to Bangladesh, a high official in the ministry said. "The proposal, if granted by the Indonesian government according to the decision of the JEC meeting, will help boost the country's export to Indonesia," a trade official said..... READ FULL STORY
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Andaman to implement "ban" on smoking in public places
"A sum of Rs 200 will be imposed as fine on those found smoking in public places from 1 April, 2011," Dr SK Paul, the Director of Health Services in the Andamans told reporters yesterday. Dr Paul said though the ban on smoking at public places was implemented in October 2008 but adequate awareness generation programme could not be organised due to the non-release of funds from the Centre. "However, the department has sent a proposal for Rs 26 lakh to the Centre for creating awareness among the masses about the ill-effects of smoking and also the use of tobacco products,'' Dr Paul said.
Nodal officers for tobacco control programme have been appointed to check smoking and use of tobacco products in offices. They have also been appointed in schools to check the use of tobacco products there, he added.
He said the number of smokers may be less, but a large number of people are affected due to passive smoking.
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Nagaland records negative growth in decadal populationPTI, Kohima, 1 April : Nagaland has recorded a negative decadal growth of population with the new Census data showing the state's population at 19,80,602 against the 2001 figure of 19,88,636.
While all the North Eastern states recorded the decadal population growth more or less around the national average of 17.64 per cent, Nagaland recorded the same at minus 0.40 per cent. Nagaland had recorded the country?s highest decadal population growth of 64.41 per cent in 2001 and 56.08 in 1991 respectively.
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Nokia renews contract with Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 4
PTI, New Delhi, 1 April : Nokia India today said it has renewed its contract as the principal sponsor of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the team co-owned by Bollywood actor Sharukh Khan.
"Nokia India has announced the renewal of its association with KKR for the fourth year. It will continue as the principal sponsor of the team," Nokia India said in a statement. As a part of the tie-up, Nokia and KKR have announced a new promotional campaign -- 'KKR tension mat le yaar' - to be launched on 5 April. "The campaign will use digital and mobile mediums for the fans to interact with the team," the statement said.
KKR will be led by Gautam Gambhir, who was bought for a record USD 2.4 million. The team will play IPL's inaugural match on 8 April against Chennai Super Kings. The team's previous ad campaigns were 'Milan of villain', 'It's time to win' and 'Everybody can be a coach'.
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