PTI, New Delhi, 16 May : Set to take over as Chief Minister of West Bengal on Friday, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee today indicated that Congress will join her government in the state.
On her first visit to Delhi after a landslide win in the assembly polls on 13 May, the 56-year-old leader met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and invited them to attend the swearing-in ceremony of her ministry in Kolkata on 20 May.Emerging from the meetings, Mamata said she had invited Congress to be part of the Trinamool-led government in West Bengal.
Asked whether whether Congress had agreed, she said, "Congress will be part of the government. I have invited them and they will let me know."
The Railway Minister also dropped enough hints that her portfolio in the Central government would be retained by her party. "I told him (the Prime Minister) that Railway is with Trinamool and the Prime Minister is a good man.
There is no problem," said Mamata, who will be quitting as Railway Minister on 19 May.
Asked why the oath-taking ceremony will take place on 20 May, she said "it is a Friday and a very auspicious day" .... READ FULL STORY @ www.westbengalelections2011.com
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Trinamool formally invited to form Government in W Bengal
Kolkata, 16 May : West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan Monday formally invited the Trinamool Congress to form the next government in the state. 'The governor has formally invited us to form the next government. Yesterday we had met him and had staked our claim,' said Partha Chatterjee, deputy leader of the Trinamool legislature party.
Chatterjee also said that veteran Congress leader and legislator Gyan Singh Sohanpal will be the protem speaker.
Kolkata, 16 May : West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan Monday formally invited the Trinamool Congress to form the next government in the state. 'The governor has formally invited us to form the next government. Yesterday we had met him and had staked our claim,' said Partha Chatterjee, deputy leader of the Trinamool legislature party.
Chatterjee also said that veteran Congress leader and legislator Gyan Singh Sohanpal will be the protem speaker.
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Govt re-fix bus, minibus, auto fares, new fares effective 19
UNB, Dhaka, 16 May : Bangladesh government has re-fixed fares of bus, minibus and CNG auto-rickshaws in the wake of enhanced price of compressed natural gas (CNG) and fuel.According to the re-fixed rate, bus fare per kilometer in Dhaka and Chittagong cities has been increased to Tk 1.55 from Tk 1.20, and of minibus to Tk 1.45 from Tk 1.10. Minimum bus fare has been increased to Tk 7 from Tk 5, which will be applicable for bus and minibus plying in adjacent districts of Dhaka and Chittagong.
Fare for inter-district and long distance bus and minibus has been increased to Tk 1.15 from Tk 0.94 per kilometer. This fare excludes ferry and toll charge. Per kilometer fare of CNG auto-rickshaws in Dhaka and Chittagong cities has been re-fixed at Tk 7.50 from Tk 7. Haltage charge has been raised to Tk 1.30 per minute from Tk 1.25.
Bus fare for Uttara-Azampur route in Dhaka city has not been changed. The new fares will come into force from 19 May after publication of the gazette notification.
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12 killed, 50 hurt in bus accident at Meghnath in Bankura
Bankura, 16 May : At least 12 people were killed and 50 injured when a private bus lost control and overturned on a road at Meghnath jungle in Bankura district today.
"Twelve passengers were killed and 50 were injured in the accident. The driver, who lost control of the bus, was among those killed," Bankura Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar told Bengal Newz. The injured passengers were rushed to Sammilani Medical College in Bankura town, he said. The bus was going from Purulia to Kolkata.
Bankura, 16 May : At least 12 people were killed and 50 injured when a private bus lost control and overturned on a road at Meghnath jungle in Bankura district today.
"Twelve passengers were killed and 50 were injured in the accident. The driver, who lost control of the bus, was among those killed," Bankura Superintendent of Police Pranab Kumar told Bengal Newz. The injured passengers were rushed to Sammilani Medical College in Bankura town, he said. The bus was going from Purulia to Kolkata.
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PC to lay foundation of Integrated Check Post in Tripura
Agartala, 16 May : Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram would lay the foundation stone for an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Akhaura near the Indo-Bangla border tomorrow, official sources said.
The Rs 60 crore ICP will have terminal buildings for passengers, modern facilities of immigration and weigh bridges, scanning equipment, currency exchange booths, cargo process building, banks, close circuit television cameras and other public utilities, the sources said.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Secretary of Border Management A E Ahmad and Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi T A Karim would be present at the programme.
Security has been beefed up in the entire capital town and Chief Secretary S K Panda and DGP Saleem Ali have visited the site to supervise security arrangement there.
After laying the ICP foundation stone, Chidambaram would review law and order situation and border management with the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and DGP at Rajbhavan. He will leave for Aizawl on 18 May, sources said.
Agartala, 16 May : Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram would lay the foundation stone for an Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Akhaura near the Indo-Bangla border tomorrow, official sources said.
The Rs 60 crore ICP will have terminal buildings for passengers, modern facilities of immigration and weigh bridges, scanning equipment, currency exchange booths, cargo process building, banks, close circuit television cameras and other public utilities, the sources said.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar and Secretary of Border Management A E Ahmad and Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi T A Karim would be present at the programme.
Security has been beefed up in the entire capital town and Chief Secretary S K Panda and DGP Saleem Ali have visited the site to supervise security arrangement there.
After laying the ICP foundation stone, Chidambaram would review law and order situation and border management with the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and DGP at Rajbhavan. He will leave for Aizawl on 18 May, sources said.
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Those writing CPM's epitaph, Left will be proved wrong: GS
PTI, New Delhi, 16 May : After its severe electoral reverses in West Bengal, the CPI(M) today claimed it had garnered the support of 1.96 crore voters but accepted that people had "decisively voted for a change" after 34 years of Left rule.But those writing "an epitaph for the CPI(M) and the Left will be mistaken and proved wrong", party General Secretary Prakash Karat told reporters here after a day-long meeting of the Politburo.
"Despite the electoral reverses, the Left Front has got the support of 1.96 crore people which is over 41% of the votes polled," he said.
While the Left's vote share increased by 11 lakh between 2009 Lok Sabha polls and now, Trinamool Congress-Congress combine's votes increased by 34 lakh.
"It is evident that people have opted for a change and the circumstances that led to this mood among the people should be properly assessed," he said, adding the situation would be examined seriously and necessary steps taken to overcome shortcomings and "reconnect with the people who have been alienated."
Karat refuted speculation that former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had quit or had offered to resign from the Politburo, saying "nobody has resigned or even offered to resign."
He said Bhattacharjee did not attend today's meeting because of the "grim situation" in West Bengal where large- scale attacks were now being launched against the Left and CPI(M) functionaries and offices..... READ FULL STORY @ www.westbengalelections2011.com
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Left Front urges Bengal governor to stop post-poll violence
Kolkata, 16 May : A delegation of West Bengal's ousted Left Front headed by CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim today met Governor MK Narayanan and urged him to stop post-poll violence 'purposefully' carried against Left Front workers and supporters.'There have been several attacks on our party workers resulting in quite a few deaths while many have been injured. All across the state our representatives - be it in the students unions, village panchayats or zilla parishads - all are being threatened at gun-point to relinquish their positions,' Salim told media persons after the meeting.
He alleged that three CPI(M) workers were killed since the declaration of results.'From North Bengal to Purulia, Midnapore and Bankura, there have been continuous incidents of attacks on people including rape, loot, arson, and house damage. There is a concerted effort on the part of goons backed by the Trinamool Congress to demoralise the Left workers and supporters,' he said.
Accusing the Maoists of being part of the conspiracy, he said : 'The Maoists have also colluded with the Trinamool goons. To extend their area of operation they are attacking the Left party offices, and the workers.
'There is a particular pattern in the attacks. They are all being done in a concerted manner and following a conspiracy. There is purpose behind the attacks.'
Salim said that after they briefed the governor, Narayanan replied that he was aware of the situation. 'He had apprehension of such a thing and already had a meeting with the DGP (director general of police).'
'The governor has assured us that things will change within 48 hours. He has already given suitable directions to the administration. He has asked the police to be more vigilant and ensure that such incidences do not recur. He also said that, if needed, he will take further steps,' Salim added.
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UNDP keen to support in eco-friendly green industrialization
UNB, Dhaka, 16 May : The UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) on Sunday expressed eagerness to extend its support for alleviating poverty through environment-friendly green industrialization in the country.UNDP will also lend its support in removing policy related barriers in industrial sector, ensuring gender-friendly work environment, technology transfer and help flourish the private sector in Bangladesh.
UNDP country director Stefan Priesner informed it to Industries Minister Dilip Barua at a workshop at the ministry conference room yesterday.
Minister Barua said that trained and efficient human resources are needed for building industrially-developed country. “UNDP can help Bangladesh in developing skilled human resources by setting up Training Institute.”
He drew attention of UNDP country director to help flourish environment-friendly shipbuilding, ship-breaking and ship-recycling industries in the country and help in setting up a shipbuilding institute.
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Cocoon bank set up in Nagaland villages to boost economy
ANI, Kohima, 16 May : Keen to promote the silk industry and boost the economy of Naga villages, authorities in Nagaland have opened a cocoon bank in the region.
Recently, the Department of Sericulture inaugurated the Cocoon Bank at Signal Angami Village in Dimapur, Nagaland. Launched by the Ministry of Textiles, the bank aims to improve silk production from the state to make it competitive in the country. Currently the bank provides for silk yarn production that employs several people.
ANI, Kohima, 16 May : Keen to promote the silk industry and boost the economy of Naga villages, authorities in Nagaland have opened a cocoon bank in the region.
Recently, the Department of Sericulture inaugurated the Cocoon Bank at Signal Angami Village in Dimapur, Nagaland. Launched by the Ministry of Textiles, the bank aims to improve silk production from the state to make it competitive in the country. Currently the bank provides for silk yarn production that employs several people.
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Remain united to pledge of safe and secure world : Hasina
UNB, Geneva, 16 May : Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested the international community, particularly the developed countries, to reject all their shortsighted needs and remain united to the pledge of a safe, secure world for the future generations.“We have no other alternative. Our only way is collective action,” PM Hasina said while addressing the 16th World Meteorological Congress at the Geneva International Conference Centre on Monday.
The report on the Global Framework for Climate Services was mandated in Geneva during the 3rd World Climate Conference in 2009.
The Prime MinisterHasina later signed the Honour Book of the WMO.
Addressing the opening session, Hasina reiterated her demand to the industrialized countries who are historically responsible for climate change, to generously invest funds for adaptation, and for easy access of green technology at an affordable price, to vulnerable economies.
She also said this climate fund must be made operational soon.
"Adequate allocation of fund for capacity building in vulnerable countries is vital. In fact, all countries should assume their due responsibility though it falls heavily on industrialized countries," she said.
The fund to be envisaged should be adequate, sustainable, and easily accessible to meet the full cost of adaptation, she said.
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