करोड़ौं लुटेर भाग्यो युनिपेका एजेन्ट - इन्फो सोल्युसनका एजेन्टले आत्मसमर्पण गर्ने
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 30 जून। कालेबुङ लुटेराहरूको गढ बनेको यस्ता केही कम्पनीहरूले लगालग धनराशि लुटेर सुइँकुच्चा ठोक्नुले स्पष्ट पारेको छ। कालेबुङ सानो क्षेत्र रहेको भए पनि शीघ्र नै पैसा कमाउने लालच देखाएर रुपियॉं लुट्ने यस्ता कम्पनीहरू धेरै आयो अनि अझ आइरहेको छ। केही वर्ष अघिसम्म गृहलक्ष्मी नामक यस्तै लुटेरा कम्पनीको चर्चा थियो। यो कम्पनीले कालेबुङवासीको लाखौं रुपियॉं हिनामिना गरिदिएको थियो। लगाइएको रुपियॉं फर्किने आशामा लगानीकर्ताहरू अझ पनि आशामा छन्। गृहलक्ष्मी जस्तै पैसा लुट्ने र चम्पट कस्ने कम्पनीहरू पहाड़मा धेरैवटा आयो। तर यस्ता कुनै कम्पनी छैन, जो पुलिसको पञ्जामा परेको होस्। यस्ता कुनै एजेन्ट छैनन्, जसले अहिलेसम्म जेलको हावा खाइरहेको होस्। कालेबुङ, पैसा लुट्ने कम्पनीहरूको निम्ति धेरै उर्वर क्षेत्र बनेको छ। |
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आज डोकोमो आरपी थ्रीले विद्यार्थी अनि वेरोजगार युवाहरूको पैसा लुटेको भुक्तभोगी एक विद्यार्थी ज्योति तामङले जनाएकी छन्। तिनी अनुसार यो कम्पनीले तिनलाई कार्यालयको भाड़ा तिर्न लगानी गर्न लगाएको थियो। कम्पनी डुब्यो, अनि एजेन्टहरूले तिनको पैसा फर्काउने आशा देखाए पनि आजसम्म फर्काएको छैन। एजेन्टहरू सबै लाखौं रुपियॉं कुम्लाएर कालेबुङ छोड़ेर भागेका छन्।
अर्को कम्पनी रिलायन्स अनि एसएमएस बिजिनेशले त करोड़ौ लुटेर भागेको छ। यस कम्पनीमा कालेबुङका साधारण नागिरदेखि लिएर ठेकेदार, व्यवसायी,सरकारी कर्मचारीसमेतले लगानी गरेका थिए। कम्पनी नै बन्द भयो, तर लगानीकर्ताहरू चुपचाप बस्न पर्यो। उनीहरूको जाने ठाउँ कतै छैन। पैसा लाखौं लगाइएको छ, कम्पनी डुब्यो तरै पनि उनीहरू किन बोल्दैनन्? यो पनि निक्कै चाखलाग्दो विषय बनेको छ। अहिले के शंका उठ्न थालेको छ भने ती लगानी गरिएका रुपियॉं परिश्रम कै धन थियो कि कालो धन? परिश्रमको पैसा हुनु हो भने पैसा डुब्दा लगानीकर्ताहरू बोल्नुपर्ने, कोही पनि पैसा डुबेको मामिलामा मुख खोल्न तयार छैनन्। यसकारण लगानी गरिएको पैसा कालो धन नै थियो कि भन्ने शंका अहिले उठेको छ।
धेरै लगानीकर्ताहरू नबोलेको कारण थोरै लगानी गर्नेहरू तल्लोस्तरका लगानीकर्ताहरूलाई असुविधा भइरहेको एक कम्पनीमा तीस हजार लगाउने भक्तिराज शर्माले जनाएका छन्। जमीन बेचेर पैसा लगाएको बताउने भक्तिहरू धेरै छन्, जसले खाइ नखाइ कमाएको पैसा कम्पनीमा लगाएका छन्। तिनले आफूले पैसा लगानी गरेको कम्पनीका एजेन्ट नेपालमा चियाबारी किनेर मस्त रहेको थाहा पाएको भए पनि तिनको विरुद्धमा केही गर्न नसकेको दुःख पोखाएका छन्।
लाखौं लुट्ने कम्पनीको कुरा छोड़ौं, कालेबुङमा करोड़ौ पैसा लुट्ने एउटा कम्पनी युनिपे अनि भिसारेभका एजेन्टले लगानीकर्ताहरूलाई पैसा फिर्ता गर्ने दुइपल्ट बचन दिए तर तिनको अत्तोपत्तो छैन। 2009 को सितम्बरमा कालेबुङ पसेको यो कम्पनी अहिले बन्द छ। जसमा यति धेरै पैसा लगानी गरिएको छ कि लगानी कर्ताहरू प्राय नै सम्पन्नवर्गको रहेको थाहा लागेका छन्। एजेन्ट नै गुडशेफर्ड होटल म्यानेज्मेन्टका मालिक रहेकोले तिनको विश्वासमा लाखौं रुपिया लगानी गर्ने ती सम्पन्नवर्ग अहिले रोउँ न हाशुँ बनेका छन्।
लगानीकर्ताहरूले जनाए अनुसार मुख्य एजेन्ट एल्विन लामा अनि अनु लामा हुन्। उनीहरूले आफूहरू मलेशियामा रहेको दुइमहिना अघि स्थानीय च्यानललाई जनाउँदै जुन महिनासम्ममा पैसा फर्काउने बाचा गरेका थिए। हजार र लाख रुपियॉं लगानी गर्नुपर्ने कम्पनीको आचारसंहिता नै थियो। जसको कारण धेरैभन्दा धेरै रुपियॉं छोटो समयमा नै कुम्लाउन एजेन्टलाई सजिलो भयो। एक सूत्र अनुसार यो कम्पनीका एजेन्ट एल्विन लामा अनि अनु लामाले मोठ 4 करोड़ 67 लाख 25 हजार 9 सय 74 रुपियॉं लुटेका छन्।
यो कम्पनी कालेबुङमा एकवर्ष चल्यो। कम्पनीमा 2 लाख लगानी गर्ने तर नाम प्रकाशमा आएको नचाहने एक लगानीकर्ताले जनाए अनुसार यो कम्पनीमा मोठ 916 जनाले रुपियॉं लगानी गरेका छन्। यसरी नै कम्पनीमा 30 लाख लगानी गरेको बताउने मनिता तामङले आफूले सुन बेचेर लगानी गरेको जनाइन्। तिनले 2010 मा नै कम्पनी उड़िसकेको थियो तर पनि एजेन्टहरूले जनवरी 2011 सम्मनै लगानी गर्न लगाए। तिनी अनुसार कम्पनी उडेकोले अधिक पैसा लुट्न नै यसो गर्न लगाइएको थियो। कम्पनी डुबेपछि ठगार दम्पति एल्विन लामा अनि अनु लामा कालेबुङबाट हराएका छन्। एजेन्टहरूले केही महिना अघि आफूहरू मलेशियामा रहेको अनि पैसा फिर्ता गराउन प्रयासरत् रहेको जनाएका थिए। तर दुइपल्ट बचन दिएर पनि अहिलेसम्म पैसा पर्काएका छैनन्। डुबेको पैसा उकास्न एउटा कमिटिसमेत बनाइएको थियो। जसमा कंग्रेस नेता शान्तिकुमार शर्मा अध्यक्ष अनि महेश छेत्री उपाध्यक्ष रहेको थाहा लागेको छ। उनीहरूसित सम्पर्क गर्न चाहे पनि माध्यमको अभावको कारण सम्पर्क हुन सकेन।
यो कम्पनीमा सल्लाहकारहरू कालेबुङका विभिन्न दलका नेताहरू रहेको समेत थाहा लागेको छ। कमिटीसित एजेन्टहरूले 14 जुलाईभित्र पैसा फर्काउने सम्झौता गरेको लगानीकर्ता मनिता तामङले जनाएकी छन्। अन्य लगानीकर्ताहरू अनुसार ठग दम्पति एजेन्टहरूले आफूहरू मलेशियामा रहेको जनाएको भए पनि उनीहरू सिलगढ़ीमा नै लुकेर बसेको थाहा लागेको पनि जनाएका छन्। उनीहरूसित पनि सम्पर्क माध्यमको कमीको कारण सम्पर्क हुन सकेन।
ती एजेन्टहरूले 14 महिनासम्ममा सबै पैसा फर्काउनको निम्ति कमिटीलाई एउटा नयॉं प्रोजेक्ट शुरू गरेको बताएको पनि खुलासा भएको छ तर कमिटीले लगानीकर्ताहरूलाई ती कुरा नबताएको पनि लगानीकर्ताहरूको आरोप छ। लगानीकर्ताहरूले कमिटी पनि एजेन्टहरूसित मिलेको हुन सक्ने शंका गरिरहेको पनि जनाएका छन्। कमिटी र एजेन्टहरूमाझ भएको सम्झौता अनुसार आज एउटा बैठक हुनुपर्नेथियो तर त्यो बैठक पनि भएन। अहिलेसम्म ठग कम्पनीहरूको विरुद्धमा कसैले पनि प्राथमिकता दर्ता गरेका छैनन्। यसको कारण कर विभागले हिर्काउने सिर्कुना रहेको अनुमान सबैले गरिरहेका छन्। लाखौं रुपियॉं लगानी गर्नेहरूको पछि कर विभाग लाग्न सक्ने डरले नै चुपचाप बसेको हुनसक्ने अनुमान पनि गरिएको छ।
यता आज नै यो संवाददातालाई वेभ इन्फो सोल्युसनका निर्देशकले एउटा भोइसमेल पठाएर आफू निर्दोष रहेको जनाएका छन्। यसै वर्ष यो कम्पनीका कालेबुङे एजेन्टहरूले करोड़ौ लुटेर भागेका थिए। कम्पनीका निर्देशक प्रकाश सुब्बाले भोइसमेलमा जनाए अनुसार आफूलाई अँध्यारोमा राखेर साथीहरूले आफूलाई फँसाएको जनाएका छन्। आफू निर्दोश रहेको अनि कालेबुङका लगानी कर्ताहरूलाई पैसा फिर्ता गराउन आफूले लगानीकर्ताहरूमा आत्मसमर्पण गर्न चाहेको तिनले बताएका छन्। तिनले जनाए अनुसार तिनी कालेबुङ आउन चहान्छन् अनि लगानीकर्तासित भेटेर उनीहरूको पैसा फर्काउन सहयोग गर्न चहान्छन्। जमीन बेचेर होस् वा कुनै उपाय लगाएर होस्, म उनीहरूको पैसा फिर्ता गर्न चहान्छु। लगानीकर्ताहरू राजी भए म आत्मसमर्पण गर्न चहान्छु-तिनले भनेका छन्।
Visarev investors duped
KalimNews: UniPay2U has duped investors of Kalimpong and adjoining areas. KalimNews had published a report on December 28, 2010 regarding an allegation regarding Visarev an internet financial investment chain system. Its subscribers had complained of non deposition of interest of December 2010 in their respective Axis bank accounts in Kalimpong and other places. A news of similar fraudulence was published by Imphal Free Press. A report published by imphal free press details the allegation. It is believed to be a sister concern of Unipay2U but this fact is found to be untrue a source said.
Sources said that local in charge of the Visarev had agreed to deposit the unpaid interest to the subscribers. He even visited the Malaysian headquarters of the company. Later he held a meeting with the subscribers and promised to repay them. A committee was also formed to make arrangements for the repayment by investing a sum to another productive project. But lately it was reported by some of the investors that the incharge Alvin Lama along with his wife Anupama Lama are absconding along with their children. Lama is the owner cum founder director and principal of Good shepherd Institute of Hospitality Management since a decade.
A source said that since the company failed to deposit the money and is not responding to the agents, the agents are helpless and they cannot refund the subscribers their investment which is equivalent to Rs,4,67,25,974. So far no case is registered in the police. It is believed that many have invested their unaccountable money which prohibits them to go the police but still there are who invested their hard earned money .
As per the investigation the following questions were not answered by the company.
1. Complete registration details of the company is not available
2. If company is registered in Ministry of Corporate affairs, the details thereof is required.
3. Is Visarev a sister concern of Unipay2U?, if no why its advertisement was given in Unipay2U site and it is not now in the net.
4. Why there is no India Office shown in “Contacts Us”?.
5. Why there is no Phone Number, fax number or any contact person name except email address supprot@visarev.com ?
6- There are serious complain of fraud and scam about Visarev on Complaintsindia.com, Visarev complaints in google as "Visarev is called- Biggest scam in India”.
7. Why investors do not deal in complains submitted in writing and only in e-communication is accepted?
Centre Awaiting WB's Response on Gorkha Demands
PTI: The Centre today said it was awaiting a response from the West Bengal government on future course of action on Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's demand for creation of a Gorkhaland Autonomous Authority.
New Home Secretary R K Singh said there was a broad agreement between the West Bengal Government and GJM on the demands of the later.
"After that a few additional issues have been raised. GJM wanted the involvement of the Central government in respect to the package. We will get involved only if and after the state government so requests us," he told reporters when asked about the status of the proposed pact.
Singh said the West Bengal government was carrying out internal consultations on the new issues raised by the GJM.
"When they (state government) come to us, we will decide," he said.
Official sources said the GJM has requested the Home Ministry to convene a tripartite meeting to discuss the issues concerning the proposed agreement as it wants a review of certain provisions of it.
The GJM has been insisting inclusion of more areas in the proposed Gorkhaland Autonomous Authority (GAA) than what the existing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council have i.E. Only three subdivisions in Darjeeling.
The GJM wants that other areas such as Mal, Matiali, Nagrakata, Phansidewa and Birpara in Dooars should also come under the proposed GAA.
The divesting of certain legislative powers to the GAA is another contentious issue. None of the bodies such as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council have such wide-ranging powers which are being proposed by the GJM.
The proposed agreement includes holding direct elections to the proposed GAA and vesting it with certain legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers.
Sources said the Centre was not going to accede any "unconstitutional" demands even though West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was in a hurry to resolve the Gorkhaland issue quickly.
Since its inception in 2007, the GJM has been fighting for a separate state that includes Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district in the plains and contiguous areas in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.
KalimNews: UniPay2U has duped investors of Kalimpong and adjoining areas. KalimNews had published a report on December 28, 2010 regarding an allegation regarding Visarev an internet financial investment chain system. Its subscribers had complained of non deposition of interest of December 2010 in their respective Axis bank accounts in Kalimpong and other places. A news of similar fraudulence was published by Imphal Free Press. A report published by imphal free press details the allegation. It is believed to be a sister concern of Unipay2U but this fact is found to be untrue a source said.
Sources said that local in charge of the Visarev had agreed to deposit the unpaid interest to the subscribers. He even visited the Malaysian headquarters of the company. Later he held a meeting with the subscribers and promised to repay them. A committee was also formed to make arrangements for the repayment by investing a sum to another productive project. But lately it was reported by some of the investors that the incharge Alvin Lama along with his wife Anupama Lama are absconding along with their children. Lama is the owner cum founder director and principal of Good shepherd Institute of Hospitality Management since a decade.
A source said that since the company failed to deposit the money and is not responding to the agents, the agents are helpless and they cannot refund the subscribers their investment which is equivalent to Rs,4,67,25,974. So far no case is registered in the police. It is believed that many have invested their unaccountable money which prohibits them to go the police but still there are who invested their hard earned money .
As per the investigation the following questions were not answered by the company.
1. Complete registration details of the company is not available
2. If company is registered in Ministry of Corporate affairs, the details thereof is required.
3. Is Visarev a sister concern of Unipay2U?, if no why its advertisement was given in Unipay2U site and it is not now in the net.
4. Why there is no India Office shown in “Contacts Us”?.
5. Why there is no Phone Number, fax number or any contact person name except email address supprot@visarev.com ?
6- There are serious complain of fraud and scam about Visarev on Complaintsindia.com, Visarev complaints in google as "Visarev is called- Biggest scam in India”.
7. Why investors do not deal in complains submitted in writing and only in e-communication is accepted?
Centre Awaiting WB's Response on Gorkha Demands
PTI: The Centre today said it was awaiting a response from the West Bengal government on future course of action on Gorkha Janmukti Morcha's demand for creation of a Gorkhaland Autonomous Authority.
New Home Secretary R K Singh said there was a broad agreement between the West Bengal Government and GJM on the demands of the later.
"After that a few additional issues have been raised. GJM wanted the involvement of the Central government in respect to the package. We will get involved only if and after the state government so requests us," he told reporters when asked about the status of the proposed pact.
Singh said the West Bengal government was carrying out internal consultations on the new issues raised by the GJM.
"When they (state government) come to us, we will decide," he said.
Official sources said the GJM has requested the Home Ministry to convene a tripartite meeting to discuss the issues concerning the proposed agreement as it wants a review of certain provisions of it.
The GJM has been insisting inclusion of more areas in the proposed Gorkhaland Autonomous Authority (GAA) than what the existing Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council have i.E. Only three subdivisions in Darjeeling.
The GJM wants that other areas such as Mal, Matiali, Nagrakata, Phansidewa and Birpara in Dooars should also come under the proposed GAA.
The divesting of certain legislative powers to the GAA is another contentious issue. None of the bodies such as the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council have such wide-ranging powers which are being proposed by the GJM.
The proposed agreement includes holding direct elections to the proposed GAA and vesting it with certain legislative, executive, administrative and financial powers.
Sources said the Centre was not going to accede any "unconstitutional" demands even though West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was in a hurry to resolve the Gorkhaland issue quickly.
Since its inception in 2007, the GJM has been fighting for a separate state that includes Siliguri sub-division of Darjeeling district in the plains and contiguous areas in neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.
मोर्चाले इन्टेरिम हिसाबमा व्यवस्था मानेको दाबी - जनता थाकेका छैनन्-गुरूङ
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 30 जून। ममता व्यानर्जीले 7 जुनको दिन पत्रकारहरूको सामु भनेकी थिइन्, गोर्खाल्याण्ड समस्याको समाधान स्थायीरुपले भयो। तर यसलाई अहिले मोर्चाले मानिरहेको छैन। मोर्चा अनुसार थापिने व्यवस्था स्थायी होइन, गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति पनि बाटो राखिएको छ। मुख्यमन्त्रीको कुरा पत्याउने कि मोर्चाको? यस्तै अन्योलपरक स्थितिमा आज मोर्चा नेता सामुएल गुरूङले मोर्चाले व्यवस्था इन्टेरिम हिसाबले मात्र ग्रहण गर्ने जनाएका छन्। तिनले भने अनुसार मोर्चाको आन्दोलनलाई माकपा सरकारले जातिगत बताएको थियो। बङ्गाली बिरुद्धको आन्दोलन रहेको प्रचार गरेको थियो।
तर मोर्चाले बङ्गाली विरुद्ध आन्दोलन गरेको होइन,संविधान अनुसार सम्पूर्ण भारतका गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीको निम्ति गरेको हो। यही कुरा बुझाउन अहिले राज्य सरकारसित राम्रो सम्बन्ध बनाइएको हो, ताकी बङ्गाली समुदायलाई मोर्चाको आन्दोलन उनीहरू विरुद्धको होइन भन्ने आभास होस्। तिनले मोर्चालाई क्षेत्रीय व्यवस्थासित भारतभरिका गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीको मुद्दा साटेको भनेर लगाइने आरोपलाई पनि सोझै खण्डन गरेका छन्। यसबारेमा तिनले जनतालाई बुझाइसकेको पनि जनाएका छन्। अर्कोतिर दार्जीलिङको जिमखानामा मोर्चा अध्यक्ष विमल गुरूङले अहिले जनता थाकिसकेको अनि गोर्खाल्याण्ड भन्दा पनि हाइ काड्न थालिसकेको बताउँदै जनतालाई केही समय विश्राम दिन व्यवस्था ग्रहण गर्ने जनाएका थिए। तर आज सामुएल गुरूङले जनता नथाकेको जनाए।
तिनले भने, गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दा गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीसित जड़ित मुद्दा हो। यसैलाई अघि राखेर मोर्चाले आन्दोलन र सरकारहरूसित तालमेल मिलाइरहेको छ। जनता थाकेका छैनन् न कि नेता थाकेका छन्। जनतालाई त अझ डटेर लक्ष्य प्राप्त नभइजेल मोर्चामा अडिग रहेर आन्दोलन गर्न आह्वान गरिरहेका छौं। जनता थाक्यो भन्नु ठीक सुनिँदैन। तिनले अर्कोतिर नयॉं व्यवस्थामा तराई र डुवर्सको अन्तर्भुक्तिलाई लिएर मोर्चाले कार्य गरिरहेको अनि यसको निम्ति हाइपावर कमिटी बनाइएको जनाए। तिनले भने, मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको 199 मौजा व्यवस्थामा पस्ने छ। आदिवासी विकास परिषदको सहमति नहुँदै पनि यी मौजाहरू पस्ने छन्। बरू तराई र डुवर्सका आदिवासी, बोडो,टोटो, राभा, डुक्पा बङ्गाली तथा अरू अल्पसंख्यक समुदायले पनि परिषदमा पस्न हाइपावर कमिटीमा कुरा राख्ने सल्लाह भइरहेको छ।
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ, 30 जून। ममता व्यानर्जीले 7 जुनको दिन पत्रकारहरूको सामु भनेकी थिइन्, गोर्खाल्याण्ड समस्याको समाधान स्थायीरुपले भयो। तर यसलाई अहिले मोर्चाले मानिरहेको छैन। मोर्चा अनुसार थापिने व्यवस्था स्थायी होइन, गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति पनि बाटो राखिएको छ। मुख्यमन्त्रीको कुरा पत्याउने कि मोर्चाको? यस्तै अन्योलपरक स्थितिमा आज मोर्चा नेता सामुएल गुरूङले मोर्चाले व्यवस्था इन्टेरिम हिसाबले मात्र ग्रहण गर्ने जनाएका छन्। तिनले भने अनुसार मोर्चाको आन्दोलनलाई माकपा सरकारले जातिगत बताएको थियो। बङ्गाली बिरुद्धको आन्दोलन रहेको प्रचार गरेको थियो।
तर मोर्चाले बङ्गाली विरुद्ध आन्दोलन गरेको होइन,संविधान अनुसार सम्पूर्ण भारतका गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीको निम्ति गरेको हो। यही कुरा बुझाउन अहिले राज्य सरकारसित राम्रो सम्बन्ध बनाइएको हो, ताकी बङ्गाली समुदायलाई मोर्चाको आन्दोलन उनीहरू विरुद्धको होइन भन्ने आभास होस्। तिनले मोर्चालाई क्षेत्रीय व्यवस्थासित भारतभरिका गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीको मुद्दा साटेको भनेर लगाइने आरोपलाई पनि सोझै खण्डन गरेका छन्। यसबारेमा तिनले जनतालाई बुझाइसकेको पनि जनाएका छन्। अर्कोतिर दार्जीलिङको जिमखानामा मोर्चा अध्यक्ष विमल गुरूङले अहिले जनता थाकिसकेको अनि गोर्खाल्याण्ड भन्दा पनि हाइ काड्न थालिसकेको बताउँदै जनतालाई केही समय विश्राम दिन व्यवस्था ग्रहण गर्ने जनाएका थिए। तर आज सामुएल गुरूङले जनता नथाकेको जनाए।
तिनले भने, गोर्खाल्याण्डको मुद्दा गोर्खाहरूको चिन्हारीसित जड़ित मुद्दा हो। यसैलाई अघि राखेर मोर्चाले आन्दोलन र सरकारहरूसित तालमेल मिलाइरहेको छ। जनता थाकेका छैनन् न कि नेता थाकेका छन्। जनतालाई त अझ डटेर लक्ष्य प्राप्त नभइजेल मोर्चामा अडिग रहेर आन्दोलन गर्न आह्वान गरिरहेका छौं। जनता थाक्यो भन्नु ठीक सुनिँदैन। तिनले अर्कोतिर नयॉं व्यवस्थामा तराई र डुवर्सको अन्तर्भुक्तिलाई लिएर मोर्चाले कार्य गरिरहेको अनि यसको निम्ति हाइपावर कमिटी बनाइएको जनाए। तिनले भने, मोर्चाले दाबी गरेको 199 मौजा व्यवस्थामा पस्ने छ। आदिवासी विकास परिषदको सहमति नहुँदै पनि यी मौजाहरू पस्ने छन्। बरू तराई र डुवर्सका आदिवासी, बोडो,टोटो, राभा, डुक्पा बङ्गाली तथा अरू अल्पसंख्यक समुदायले पनि परिषदमा पस्न हाइपावर कमिटीमा कुरा राख्ने सल्लाह भइरहेको छ।
परिषदमा जीएलपीको निम्ति पनि प्रावधानको निम्ति रिपोर्ट बनाइने - अहिलेलाई लघु उध्योगहरूमा जीलएपीलाई मेन्टेन गरिनेछ-आले
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ,30 जून। गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाको एक सङ्गठन जीएलपीमा 12 सयले भर्ना लिएको भए पनि अहिले लगभग 7 हजार मात्र रहेको कर्णल रमेश आलेले जनाएका छन्। तिनले देशमा बढेको भ्रष्टचारसित नै पहाड़मा भइरहेको भ्रष्टचार रोक्न गाउँबस्तीबाट नै मोर्चा गठन गरेर डटेर अघि बढ्नुपर्ने बताए। यसै सन्दर्भमा सोधिएको प्रश्नको जवाब दिँदै तिनले नयॉं व्यवस्थामा जीएलपीलाई व्यवस्थित गर्न काम भइरहेको जनाए। तिनले जनाए अनुसार यसको निम्ति मोर्चा अध्यक्ष विमल गुरूङको निर्देशमा एउटा रिपोर्ट बनाउने काम भइरहेको छ। कागज बनाउने काम तीब्र रहेको छ।
नयॉं व्यवस्थाभित्र जीएलपीलाई व्यवस्थित गराउनुपर्ने सम्बन्धमा मोर्चा निक्कै गम्भीर छ। तिनले भने, मोर्चाको मूल लक्ष्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड हो। यसैको निम्ति जीएलपी पनि गठन गरिएको हो। यो गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति आन्दोलन जारी छ। अहिले नयॉं व्यवस्थाको कुरा चलिरहेको छ। यो नै चुडान्त होइन। मूल मुद्दालाई मोर्चाले छोड़ेको छैन। यसकारण मूल लक्ष्यप्राप्त नभइञ्जेल जीएलपीलाई विभिन्न लघु उध्योगहरूमा लगाइने छ। तिनले सुङ्गुर पालन, डेयरी फार्मिङ, टी प्लान्टेशन तथा यस्ता अन्य उध्योगहरूमा जीएलपीलाई लगाइनेछ। तिनले भने, जीएलपीलाई समाजिक कार्यमा जुटाउने कार्य भइरहेको छ। असामाजिक कुराहरूको विरुद्ध जीएलपीलाई सक्रिय राखिने छ। मूल लक्ष्य प्राप्त नभइञ्जेल जीएलपीलाई यसरी नै मेन्टेन गरेर राखिने छ।
MLAs to make development plans
KalimNews:In the first meeting of the administrative board of DGHC the meeting resolved to empower the three MLAs to formulate and propose a list of development project. The proposed plans prepared by the Administrator, Anil Verma was rejected by the three MLAs present in the first meeting held in Darjeeling. The plan and projects to be prepared by the MLAs within seven days will be forwarded to the state government for approval.
Focus on hill food supply
VIVEK CHHETRI,TT, Darjeeling, June 30: The state government is looking at revamping the public distribution system in the region, terming it a top priority of the food and supplies department.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the dominant party in the hills with three MLAs, has, however, demanded that the entire population in the hills be brought under BPL category as far as PDS system was concerned.
Yesterday, the government had announced the doubling of the foodgrain allotment for the hills for a year.
The last BPL classification in the hills took place in early 2000 and only people from parts of Kalimpong sub-division were brought under the category. The remaining parts of the hills are given foodgrain under a special hill PDS. In this system, the beneficiaries buy grain at a rate slightly below the price meant for the APL category in the plains and more than the BPL.
State food minister Jyotipriya Mullick, who was in Darjeeling today, said: “The revamp of the PDS in the hills is now our top priority. In the plains, a dealer usually covers around 3,500-4000 card holders in a radius of 10km. In the hills, this radius is a huge area and people have to spend money on transport to reach the dealers. We will, therefore, appoint dealers for every 3km in the hills.”
The department will also write to the Indian Oil Corporation to appoint two kerosene agents for Kalimpong sub-division and one for Kurseong.
“Food supply to the hills have also been doubled (see chart),” said Mullick.
The state government is also looking at reviving monitoring and vigilance committees across the state apart from appointing quality control staff. “The committees will include apolitical people like headmasters at the village level who will regularly monitor the quality of foodgrain distributed. At the district-level, the sabhadipati and district magistrate will be on the committee,” he added.
The minister visited Kanchan View tea garden, 4km from town, and ordered his staff to camp on the estate and issue Antoday Anna Yojana cards to the 180-odd workers within July 15. “The workers need not come to the office, the officers will go to them,” said Mullick.
Morcha president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri met the minister at the Darjeeling circuit house in the afternoon. “We have thanked the government for doubling the foodgrain allotment to the hills. We have, however, requested the minister to double the kerosene and sugar quantities and also give BPL category status to the people of the region as it is a non-producing area,” said Giri after the meeting.
The minister said he would go back to Calcutta and check the amount of kerosene and sugar that could be added to the existing stock.
N.D. Bhutia, the president of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Modified Ration Dealers’ Association, said the government gives only Rs 20 for the transport of a quintal of grain.
“This is insufficient. The government should conduct a survey and find out the cost incurred during transportation,” said Bhutia. The dealers claimed they received a commission of Rs 45 for a quintal of wheat, Rs 21 on flour and Rs 15 for sugar.
“This is too low for us to survive. If the government does not want to increase the commission, then they should give us a monthly salary of Rs 25,000. This will stem corruption,” said Bhutia.
In Siliguri, Mullick said “bar-coded” ration cards would be introduced to counter fake cards. “We will need Rs 200 crore to implement the scheme that has been discussed with Wipro and Webel. A demonstration of the proposal would be made before the chief minister on July 2.”
Deep Gazmer, TNN,DARJEELING: State food minister Jyotipriya Mullick on his maiden visit to Darjeeling today, announced his plans of revamping the existing Public Distribution System (PDS) in the Hills against the backdrop of growing complaints of the irregular functioning of the food and supplies department.
"I have plans to increase the number of PDS dealers in the Hills. Instead of the initial 10 km radius, there will now be a PDS dealer in the radius of every 3-4 km for the convenience of the consumers," he said. Plans are also on the anvil for setting up quality control laboratories in districts and sub-divisions, and a Monitoring Vigilance Committee (MVC). "Our endeavour is to deal with the 34 years of neglect in the Hills," said Mullick, adding, "the chairman of the MVC will be a head without any political affiliation, who will be identified by the local BDO." Around 10,54,632 PDS consumers in Kurseong and Darjeeling, who are not on the BPL list due to non-identification, will be provided with 1.6 kg rice and 1.5 kg flour per head, which is an increase compared to the initial 800 gm and 700 gm respectively, but at the existing rate of Rs.7 per kg . The 95,007 BPL consumers identified in Kalimpong will receive 1.25 kg rice at the rate of Rs.2 and 900 gm wheat at Rs.5.
The state food minister, while taking stock of the dismal situation of PDS in the Hills, also announced that abandoned godowns will be rented out to dealers for storing food grains. "The rent will be collected by the food and supplies department," he said. He also pointed out that citizens of Nepal availing Indian ration cards illegally was resulting in an increase of fake card holders. "There are more than 5.5 lakh fake ration card holders in the district. Apparently, many people from the Pashupatinagar area of Nepal are holding Indian ration cards. We will have to check this," said the minister. On his way back from a meeting, the food minister made a pitstop at the food and supplies department office. Officials were caught unaware and put up ration cards belonging to those already deceased when asked for the fake documents.
The food minister also said that three MR shops, two in Kalimpong and one in Kurseong, will be set up for distributing kerosene oil.
"I have already written to the Indian Oil Corporation. Consumers in the region are currently paying twice the actual price for their kerosene," said Mullick.
Sikkim varsity’s first UG batch out
TT, Gangtok, June 30: A total of 890 students became the first batch of graduates from Sikkim Central University today.
Sources said 906 students had appeared for the sixth and final semester exams, which were completed on June 10. The results were announced by the vice-chancellor Mahendra P. Lama today.
The university was established by an Act of Parliament in 2007 and under-graduate courses were introduced in nine colleges under it the next year. The colleges in Sikkim had been under North Bengal University till 2008.
“The pass percentage of the first batch stood at 98.34 per cent. We could declare the results within 20 days of completing the exams. The university has been publishing results within three weeks of completing the exams of each semester,” said a university official.
Binita Rai is among the 890 students who became the first graduates from the Sikkim university.
“The semester system is wonderful and made us confident. We had to write exams every six months, submit our fieldwork presentation and go to classes regularly because of compulsory attendance of 75 per cent. There were mid-semester tests also.
The semester system ensured that we studied the whole year compared to other university students, most of whom, usually study only when their annual exams are near,” said Binita, an arts graduate.
Another student said there was also an incentive of five per cent marks for 100 per cent attendance.
“This incentive motivated us to attend classes regularly. We got opportunities not only to learn the history of our region but also other fields. There was a scope for personality development also as we get opportunities to meet and listen to distinguished national and international scholars who are invited by the university,” he said.
The Sikkim university has introduced health insurance for students doing under-graduate and post-graduate courses on its campus.
“Ours is the first university in the country to insure the students against diseases. It is a pilot project and if successful, will be introduced in all colleges affiliated to the university,” said VC Lama.
The insurance certificates will be presented to the students in a month. There are 118 students with the university at present and the number is likely to double when the admission process is over this year.
“The university has tied up with a national insurance company to cover each student under a Rs 1 lakh policy for one year. The students have to pay Rs 300 each as health fee at the time of admission and the university will chip in with Rs 1,000 to pay the premium of Rs. 1300.
Dutta, Agarwal to retain posts
TT, Siliguri, June 30: Gangotri Dutta and Sabita Devi Agarwal are set to become once again the mayor and chairperson of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation respectively with the Congress rejecting Nantu Pal’s claim to the top post.
The Trinamul Congress has finalised the name of Krishna Pal for the deputy mayor’s office, while the Congress has decided to make Nantu Pal a member-mayor-in-council. Elections to the posts of mayor and the chairperson will be held on July 9.
“Our leaders have almost decided on Gangotri Dutta and Sabita Devi Agarwal for the posts of mayor and the chairperson. There are little chances that new contenders will emerge for these posts,” said a Congress leader.
“Unless there is some last minute change, Gangotri Dutta and Sabita Devi Agarwal are likely to file nominations on July 8 to contest elections the next day.”
Both Dutta and Agarwal had resigned as the mayor and the chairperson on June 27 to pave the way for the formation of the new board with Trinamul. A notification from the state municipal affairs department reached SMC Commissioner P.N Bhutia yesterday, mentioning that the polls to choose the mayor and the chairperson would be held on July 9.
Dutta and Agarwal are likely to win the posts uncontested, as the Opposition Left Front has already decided not to field candidates.
The Congress has been allotted three posts of member-mayor-in-council in the new civic board.
Asked about Pal’s open demand for the mayor’s post, a Congress councillor said: “We are not ignoring Pal’s seniority and experience. But it doesn’t seem that party leaders have any plan to propose his name for the mayor’s post. He is most likely to be offered the post of member mayor-in-council.”
Pal was the deputy mayor in the just dissolved civic board.
Asked who would be the other two members-mayor-in-council from the Congress, a party insider said selections were likely to be made on parameters like performance.
“Right now, names of two former members-mayor-in-council, Sujoy Ghatak and Sanjoy Pathak, are making the rounds. Both had performed well during their last tenure. The conservancy department could implement the ban on plastic carry bags across town successfully with the help of SMC employees and councillors,” said the Congress insider
Ghatak was in charge of conservancy and environment, while Pathak took care of slum development in the previous civic board.
The Congress leaders fear that Ghatak and Pathak would refuse to accept the member-mayor-in-council’s posts if the two are not allotted suitable departments.
“Any attempt to rehabilitate them in other departments is likely to be met with resistance. There is also a chance that they will decline the offer,” said a leader.
Shankar Malakar, the Darjeeling district Congress president, said there would be an end to speculation about the party’s choice for various civic posts in a week.
“The notification for elections has been issued. People will come to know about the names of the new mayor and chairperson when nominations are filed. Once the election process is completed, it will take a few days to form the mayor-in-council.”
Trinamul sources said Krishna Pal was the only party councillor being considered at present for the deputy mayor’s office.
However, when asked about his prospects, Krishna Pal was not forthcoming. “It is a matter of days before you come to know about the Trinamul nominees for various posts in the civic board. Once our party leaders reach a final decision, the names of five Trinamul councillors will be forwarded to the mayor for their elevation as deputy mayor and the members-mayor-in-council,” he said.
Death panel set up for elephants
TT, Jalpaiguri, June 30: The forest department has formed a committee that would decide if the two train-hit elephants can be put down, especially since the animals have hardly shown signs of improvement.
Forest minister Hiten Barman held a meeting with senior forest officials at Gorumara around 7pm today to select the members of the committee.
After the meeting the minister told the reporters that there would be five members in the body.
“We are calling in two veterinarians from Assam, one from the Alipore Zoo, a member of a wildlife NGO and a representative of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Calcutta. They will review the condition of the two elephants and inform us about the next step by Saturday,” Barman said.
The forest minister said he had been monitoring the injured animals on a regular basis.
“There is no facility available to treat the elephant with the broken hip. However, the committee will submit a report and it is up to the chief wildlife warden to pass the order to put them to sleep,” said the minister.
The two elephants were hit by a moving train near Banarhat station on Saturday night.
While one elephant was brought to the Gorumara National Park the next day and is being treated there , the other animal is in Diana forest near the accident spot.
The elephant had limped to the Diana forest after the accident.
“The chief wildlife warden is the only authority who can issue the relevant order in case the committee recommends that the animals should be put out of misery,” said the chief conservator of forests (wildlife) for north Bengal, Rajkumar Mahatolia, who was also present in the meeting.
A veterinary surgeon from the Alipore Zoo in Calcutta, Swapan Ghosh, is in charge of the treatment of the two animals.
Divisional forest officer, Sumita Ghatak said the 15-year-old female elephant at Gorumara has her left hind leg and hip completely broken.
“Today she ate a small quantity of jackfruit and bananas but she is in great pain. The other female elephant in Diana has her left leg broken and she is being given water and banana plant stalks. Their suffering is unbearable. They are being given pain killers and we have been sending medical bulletins every morning and evening to our headquarters in Calcutta,” Ghatak said.
Two years ago an elephant that was injured in a train accident was put to sleep.
“We had to put down an elephant that had been badly injured by a train in Buxa about two years ago after forming a committee and the chief wildlife warden issuing the order,” said Ghatak.
Dey murder: Cops seek help of US experts to improve CCTV footage
IE, Mumbai: In a bid to tighten the screws on the seven men arrested for their alleged role in the June 11 murder of Mid-Day journalist J Dey, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch has approached technical experts in the US to enhance the quality of CCTV footage captured in Powai of the attackers on their bikes in the minutes leading up to the murder.
“We are consulting a US technology firm in an attempt to enhance the quality of the video footage captured. This will further strengthen our case against the accused,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy.
According to Roy, the Mumbai Police has also launched a special drive against underworld elements on their records in order to send out a strong message in the wake of Dey’s murder. The activities of known gangsters are being closely monitored as part of this exercise.
“At a crime conference held today, the Mumbai Police Commissioner has directed all police stations to ensure that their criminal records are updated, and as part of a special drive to check the whereabouts of gangsters and take action against them if they are found to be indulging in anything suspicious.We believe in being aggressive and on the front-foot. There will be a zero tolerance policy for gangsters,” said Roy.
Meanwhile, a Government Resolution was issued on Thursday, and the reward of Rs 10 lakh promised by the state government to the police team that cracked the murder case was handed over to the officers by Home Minister RR Patil and minister of state (home) Satej Patil.
Tale of Two Moral Questions : Orissa Government And US Supreme Court Don't see Eye To Eye
Sadanand Patwardhan, Satark.Blogspot.Com, 30 June, 2011: Let us pretend we have to make a moral judgment. The judgment we have to make is about what is good for our children. We have to decide as responsible parents, would be parents, grand-parents, guardians, or simply as concerned adults. We now have to decide as if we are in the midst of two situations described below.
Scenario One .
Our community is under attack. We are threatened with imminent evictions from our lands where we have stayed for generations and which we have cultivated with love. We are to be forcibly and ruthlessly dispossessed of our lands, which have sustained us for decades or centuries.
All this is planned against our wishes. It is unjust and unfair even going by the laws of the land. The government we elected to care for us, look after our interests, & protect us from the depredations of rich & powerful, has in fact turned against us. We as a community have decided to fight back through non-violent and democratic methods. We say if you want our vineyards, paddy-fields, or orchards, then you can have them; but not before you have killed us all. Our entire family is in it as one : parents, brothers, sisters, and even children. Yes, Children! Our children want to be with us when we face bullets or truncheons. Is it unnatural that children want to be with us when it is matter of life & death for all of us ? Now the question is :
Should we allow our children to be part of our peaceful protest, which our government most likely will turn into a bloody mayhem?
Scenario Two
Our community is worried & exercised over the perverse effects of violent video games on our children's mind. We worry about the magazines, comic books, and TV serials that depict mindless violence against *enemy combatants* or *alien beings* or some imaginary enemy. We worry more about the new *breed games* that brag to deliver *real life* feel to *gaming experience*. These games give our children multiple choices (in our community we otherwise believe that having choice is fundamental to life) to finish ofF the enemy. Children can use swords, guns, lasers, tanks, aeroplanes, or drones, to wound, maim, behead, riddle with bullets, vapourise, or blast into smithereens, *the enemy*. We see our children imitating these violent *heroes* that they see & hear. Instances have happened in our community when underage child has gone to school and wounded or killed other children with firearms (it is a constitutional right in our community to possess deadly firearms) that they took away from home. Psychologist tell us that by seeing violence passively, & more so by *participating in lifelike violent action* our children are getting insensitive to violence. Now the question is:
Should we prohibit our children from accessing violent & sexually explicit video games?
These two *hypothetical* situations are for real. In the first case the senior most functionary of a provincial (state) government pronounced the moral judgment of the government he represents. In the latter the highest court pronounced its legal (even law somewhere is informed by morality) judgment. Both differed in their judgments.
A] * Use of kids in Posco stir illegal: Orissa government *.
http://tiny.tw/6s5
“ Posco's efforts for speeding up the construction of the 12-million tonne steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa received a jolt on Monday as angry villagers damaged the camp of a contractor and did not allow earth excavators to operate, protesting the government's betrayal over assurance of engaging locals . < the foregoing concerns people who have *agreed* to give up their land for * some compensation* and assurance of further benefits like *employment* in the project. The following concerns people who are vehemently opposing forcible dispossession from their ancestral lands > Meanwhile, the opposition to the project at the borders of Govindpur village continued on Monday even as the Orissa government declared “ use of kids ” in the anti-Posco agitation as illegal . Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said, It is illegal to use children in the agitation ”.
The news report doesn't say if Patnaik gave any reasons in support of his pronouncements or cite any statutes that make children's participation in such an agitation illegal. Probably, Patnaik wanted to say use of kids is *Immoral*.
“ Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai ( an elected representative of people to India's highest law making body ), on the other hand, justified children's participation as "normal and legal ". "No one has forced children to take part. As their parents are agitating, they come on their own," the MP said ”.
“ Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) however, dubbed the state government's move as " undemocratic " and " vulgar display of force ". Our people are democratically protesting at the Govindpur village border protesting the forceful land acquisition for POSCO, PPSS president Abhay Sahu said ” - http://tiny.tw/6s8 .
Children's participation along with their family in a democratic peaceful action is unlawful. But, Indian state finds recruiting children as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in conflict zones for fighting Maoists perfectly *legal* .
“ Chhattisgarh government claims that all children in its ranks have been removed, yet Human Rights Watch found that children who were appointed earlier continue to serve as SPOs , perform paramilitary tasks, and risk their lives. Police estimate that as of February 2008 there were around 3,500-3,800 SPOs in Dantewada and Bijapur districts;84 of these, 10 to 20 percent are female.85 The percentage of children among SPOs is not known - http://tiny.tw/6s8 page 35 of HRW report”. Supreme Court has observed that the practice itself of appointing SPOs is unlawful leave alone using children for the task .
B] * Justices Reject Ban on Violent Video Games for Children *
http://tiny.tw/6s5
“ The Supreme Court on Monday struck down on First Amendment grounds a California law that banned the sale of violent video games to children. The 7-to-2 decision was the latest in a series of rulings protecting free speech , joining ones on funeral protests, videos showing cruelty to animals and political speech by corporations. < Comment : Last one was one of the mightiest innovation of US Justice that held Corporations, defined in most laws as * artificial persons *, to have same rights as * biological persons *. This among other things gave protection of first amendment, Free Speech guarantee, to corporations > ”.
“ Depictions of violence , Justice Scalia added, have never been subject to government regulation . “ Grimm's Fairy Tales , for example, are grim indeed,” he wrote , recounting the gory plots of “ Snow White ,” “ Cinderella ” and “ Hansel and Gretel .” High school reading lists and Saturday morning cartoons, too, he said, are riddled with violence ”.
The California law which justices in their wisdom struck down “ defined violent games as those “in which the range of options available to a player includes killing, maiming, dismembering or sexually assaulting an image of a human being ” in a way that was “patently offensive,” appealed to minors' “deviant or morbid interests” and lacked “serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value ”.
How did gaming industry react to this judgment? “ Everybody wins on this decision, John Riccitiello, chief executive of Electronic Arts, one of the largest public video game companies, said in a statement. “The court has affirmed the constitutional rights of game developers , adults keep the right to decide what's appropriate in their houses, and store owners can sell games without fear of criminal prosecution. ” Did you get that?, it is a win-win situation for everyone. Riccitiello says * adults keep the right….. * But, we thought that case was about stores not allowed to sell to minors (<18) violent games “ The California law would have imposed $1,000 fines on stores that sold violent video games to anyone under 18 ”. Riccitiello is either deliberately misleading when he says, *Adults keep the right…….*, or he genuinely believes that in matters violent, age is of no consequence . It is now time for each one of us to answer the two questions. 1. Should we allow our children to be part of our peaceful protest, which our government most likely will turn into a bloody mayhem? 2. Should we prohibit our children from accessing violent & sexually explicit video games? Sadanand Patwardhan is a blogger who contributes regularly to Countercurrents.org
मनोज वोगटी, कालिमन्युज, कालेबुङ,30 जून। गोर्खा जनमुक्ति मोर्चाको एक सङ्गठन जीएलपीमा 12 सयले भर्ना लिएको भए पनि अहिले लगभग 7 हजार मात्र रहेको कर्णल रमेश आलेले जनाएका छन्। तिनले देशमा बढेको भ्रष्टचारसित नै पहाड़मा भइरहेको भ्रष्टचार रोक्न गाउँबस्तीबाट नै मोर्चा गठन गरेर डटेर अघि बढ्नुपर्ने बताए। यसै सन्दर्भमा सोधिएको प्रश्नको जवाब दिँदै तिनले नयॉं व्यवस्थामा जीएलपीलाई व्यवस्थित गर्न काम भइरहेको जनाए। तिनले जनाए अनुसार यसको निम्ति मोर्चा अध्यक्ष विमल गुरूङको निर्देशमा एउटा रिपोर्ट बनाउने काम भइरहेको छ। कागज बनाउने काम तीब्र रहेको छ।
नयॉं व्यवस्थाभित्र जीएलपीलाई व्यवस्थित गराउनुपर्ने सम्बन्धमा मोर्चा निक्कै गम्भीर छ। तिनले भने, मोर्चाको मूल लक्ष्य गोर्खाल्याण्ड हो। यसैको निम्ति जीएलपी पनि गठन गरिएको हो। यो गोर्खाल्याण्डको निम्ति आन्दोलन जारी छ। अहिले नयॉं व्यवस्थाको कुरा चलिरहेको छ। यो नै चुडान्त होइन। मूल मुद्दालाई मोर्चाले छोड़ेको छैन। यसकारण मूल लक्ष्यप्राप्त नभइञ्जेल जीएलपीलाई विभिन्न लघु उध्योगहरूमा लगाइने छ। तिनले सुङ्गुर पालन, डेयरी फार्मिङ, टी प्लान्टेशन तथा यस्ता अन्य उध्योगहरूमा जीएलपीलाई लगाइनेछ। तिनले भने, जीएलपीलाई समाजिक कार्यमा जुटाउने कार्य भइरहेको छ। असामाजिक कुराहरूको विरुद्ध जीएलपीलाई सक्रिय राखिने छ। मूल लक्ष्य प्राप्त नभइञ्जेल जीएलपीलाई यसरी नै मेन्टेन गरेर राखिने छ।
MLAs to make development plans
KalimNews:In the first meeting of the administrative board of DGHC the meeting resolved to empower the three MLAs to formulate and propose a list of development project. The proposed plans prepared by the Administrator, Anil Verma was rejected by the three MLAs present in the first meeting held in Darjeeling. The plan and projects to be prepared by the MLAs within seven days will be forwarded to the state government for approval.
Focus on hill food supply
VIVEK CHHETRI,TT, Darjeeling, June 30: The state government is looking at revamping the public distribution system in the region, terming it a top priority of the food and supplies department.
The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the dominant party in the hills with three MLAs, has, however, demanded that the entire population in the hills be brought under BPL category as far as PDS system was concerned.
Yesterday, the government had announced the doubling of the foodgrain allotment for the hills for a year.
The last BPL classification in the hills took place in early 2000 and only people from parts of Kalimpong sub-division were brought under the category. The remaining parts of the hills are given foodgrain under a special hill PDS. In this system, the beneficiaries buy grain at a rate slightly below the price meant for the APL category in the plains and more than the BPL.
State food minister Jyotipriya Mullick, who was in Darjeeling today, said: “The revamp of the PDS in the hills is now our top priority. In the plains, a dealer usually covers around 3,500-4000 card holders in a radius of 10km. In the hills, this radius is a huge area and people have to spend money on transport to reach the dealers. We will, therefore, appoint dealers for every 3km in the hills.”
The department will also write to the Indian Oil Corporation to appoint two kerosene agents for Kalimpong sub-division and one for Kurseong.
“Food supply to the hills have also been doubled (see chart),” said Mullick.
The state government is also looking at reviving monitoring and vigilance committees across the state apart from appointing quality control staff. “The committees will include apolitical people like headmasters at the village level who will regularly monitor the quality of foodgrain distributed. At the district-level, the sabhadipati and district magistrate will be on the committee,” he added.
The minister visited Kanchan View tea garden, 4km from town, and ordered his staff to camp on the estate and issue Antoday Anna Yojana cards to the 180-odd workers within July 15. “The workers need not come to the office, the officers will go to them,” said Mullick.
Morcha president Bimal Gurung and general secretary Roshan Giri met the minister at the Darjeeling circuit house in the afternoon. “We have thanked the government for doubling the foodgrain allotment to the hills. We have, however, requested the minister to double the kerosene and sugar quantities and also give BPL category status to the people of the region as it is a non-producing area,” said Giri after the meeting.
The minister said he would go back to Calcutta and check the amount of kerosene and sugar that could be added to the existing stock.
N.D. Bhutia, the president of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Modified Ration Dealers’ Association, said the government gives only Rs 20 for the transport of a quintal of grain.
“This is insufficient. The government should conduct a survey and find out the cost incurred during transportation,” said Bhutia. The dealers claimed they received a commission of Rs 45 for a quintal of wheat, Rs 21 on flour and Rs 15 for sugar.
“This is too low for us to survive. If the government does not want to increase the commission, then they should give us a monthly salary of Rs 25,000. This will stem corruption,” said Bhutia.
In Siliguri, Mullick said “bar-coded” ration cards would be introduced to counter fake cards. “We will need Rs 200 crore to implement the scheme that has been discussed with Wipro and Webel. A demonstration of the proposal would be made before the chief minister on July 2.”
Deep Gazmer, TNN,DARJEELING: State food minister Jyotipriya Mullick on his maiden visit to Darjeeling today, announced his plans of revamping the existing Public Distribution System (PDS) in the Hills against the backdrop of growing complaints of the irregular functioning of the food and supplies department.
"I have plans to increase the number of PDS dealers in the Hills. Instead of the initial 10 km radius, there will now be a PDS dealer in the radius of every 3-4 km for the convenience of the consumers," he said. Plans are also on the anvil for setting up quality control laboratories in districts and sub-divisions, and a Monitoring Vigilance Committee (MVC). "Our endeavour is to deal with the 34 years of neglect in the Hills," said Mullick, adding, "the chairman of the MVC will be a head without any political affiliation, who will be identified by the local BDO." Around 10,54,632 PDS consumers in Kurseong and Darjeeling, who are not on the BPL list due to non-identification, will be provided with 1.6 kg rice and 1.5 kg flour per head, which is an increase compared to the initial 800 gm and 700 gm respectively, but at the existing rate of Rs.7 per kg . The 95,007 BPL consumers identified in Kalimpong will receive 1.25 kg rice at the rate of Rs.2 and 900 gm wheat at Rs.5.
The state food minister, while taking stock of the dismal situation of PDS in the Hills, also announced that abandoned godowns will be rented out to dealers for storing food grains. "The rent will be collected by the food and supplies department," he said. He also pointed out that citizens of Nepal availing Indian ration cards illegally was resulting in an increase of fake card holders. "There are more than 5.5 lakh fake ration card holders in the district. Apparently, many people from the Pashupatinagar area of Nepal are holding Indian ration cards. We will have to check this," said the minister. On his way back from a meeting, the food minister made a pitstop at the food and supplies department office. Officials were caught unaware and put up ration cards belonging to those already deceased when asked for the fake documents.
The food minister also said that three MR shops, two in Kalimpong and one in Kurseong, will be set up for distributing kerosene oil.
"I have already written to the Indian Oil Corporation. Consumers in the region are currently paying twice the actual price for their kerosene," said Mullick.
Sikkim varsity’s first UG batch out
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| Sikkim Central University vice-chancellor Mahendra P Lama (centre) announces the under-graduate exam results in Gangtok on Thursday. Picture by Prabin Khaling |
Sources said 906 students had appeared for the sixth and final semester exams, which were completed on June 10. The results were announced by the vice-chancellor Mahendra P. Lama today.
The university was established by an Act of Parliament in 2007 and under-graduate courses were introduced in nine colleges under it the next year. The colleges in Sikkim had been under North Bengal University till 2008.
“The pass percentage of the first batch stood at 98.34 per cent. We could declare the results within 20 days of completing the exams. The university has been publishing results within three weeks of completing the exams of each semester,” said a university official.
Binita Rai is among the 890 students who became the first graduates from the Sikkim university.
“The semester system is wonderful and made us confident. We had to write exams every six months, submit our fieldwork presentation and go to classes regularly because of compulsory attendance of 75 per cent. There were mid-semester tests also.
The semester system ensured that we studied the whole year compared to other university students, most of whom, usually study only when their annual exams are near,” said Binita, an arts graduate.
Another student said there was also an incentive of five per cent marks for 100 per cent attendance.
“This incentive motivated us to attend classes regularly. We got opportunities not only to learn the history of our region but also other fields. There was a scope for personality development also as we get opportunities to meet and listen to distinguished national and international scholars who are invited by the university,” he said.
The Sikkim university has introduced health insurance for students doing under-graduate and post-graduate courses on its campus.
“Ours is the first university in the country to insure the students against diseases. It is a pilot project and if successful, will be introduced in all colleges affiliated to the university,” said VC Lama.
The insurance certificates will be presented to the students in a month. There are 118 students with the university at present and the number is likely to double when the admission process is over this year.
“The university has tied up with a national insurance company to cover each student under a Rs 1 lakh policy for one year. The students have to pay Rs 300 each as health fee at the time of admission and the university will chip in with Rs 1,000 to pay the premium of Rs. 1300.
Dutta, Agarwal to retain posts
TT, Siliguri, June 30: Gangotri Dutta and Sabita Devi Agarwal are set to become once again the mayor and chairperson of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation respectively with the Congress rejecting Nantu Pal’s claim to the top post.The Trinamul Congress has finalised the name of Krishna Pal for the deputy mayor’s office, while the Congress has decided to make Nantu Pal a member-mayor-in-council. Elections to the posts of mayor and the chairperson will be held on July 9.
“Our leaders have almost decided on Gangotri Dutta and Sabita Devi Agarwal for the posts of mayor and the chairperson. There are little chances that new contenders will emerge for these posts,” said a Congress leader.
“Unless there is some last minute change, Gangotri Dutta and Sabita Devi Agarwal are likely to file nominations on July 8 to contest elections the next day.”
Both Dutta and Agarwal had resigned as the mayor and the chairperson on June 27 to pave the way for the formation of the new board with Trinamul. A notification from the state municipal affairs department reached SMC Commissioner P.N Bhutia yesterday, mentioning that the polls to choose the mayor and the chairperson would be held on July 9.
Dutta and Agarwal are likely to win the posts uncontested, as the Opposition Left Front has already decided not to field candidates.
The Congress has been allotted three posts of member-mayor-in-council in the new civic board.
Asked about Pal’s open demand for the mayor’s post, a Congress councillor said: “We are not ignoring Pal’s seniority and experience. But it doesn’t seem that party leaders have any plan to propose his name for the mayor’s post. He is most likely to be offered the post of member mayor-in-council.”
Pal was the deputy mayor in the just dissolved civic board.
Asked who would be the other two members-mayor-in-council from the Congress, a party insider said selections were likely to be made on parameters like performance.
“Right now, names of two former members-mayor-in-council, Sujoy Ghatak and Sanjoy Pathak, are making the rounds. Both had performed well during their last tenure. The conservancy department could implement the ban on plastic carry bags across town successfully with the help of SMC employees and councillors,” said the Congress insider
Ghatak was in charge of conservancy and environment, while Pathak took care of slum development in the previous civic board.
The Congress leaders fear that Ghatak and Pathak would refuse to accept the member-mayor-in-council’s posts if the two are not allotted suitable departments.
“Any attempt to rehabilitate them in other departments is likely to be met with resistance. There is also a chance that they will decline the offer,” said a leader.
Shankar Malakar, the Darjeeling district Congress president, said there would be an end to speculation about the party’s choice for various civic posts in a week.
“The notification for elections has been issued. People will come to know about the names of the new mayor and chairperson when nominations are filed. Once the election process is completed, it will take a few days to form the mayor-in-council.”
Trinamul sources said Krishna Pal was the only party councillor being considered at present for the deputy mayor’s office.
However, when asked about his prospects, Krishna Pal was not forthcoming. “It is a matter of days before you come to know about the Trinamul nominees for various posts in the civic board. Once our party leaders reach a final decision, the names of five Trinamul councillors will be forwarded to the mayor for their elevation as deputy mayor and the members-mayor-in-council,” he said.
Death panel set up for elephants
TT, Jalpaiguri, June 30: The forest department has formed a committee that would decide if the two train-hit elephants can be put down, especially since the animals have hardly shown signs of improvement.
Forest minister Hiten Barman held a meeting with senior forest officials at Gorumara around 7pm today to select the members of the committee.
After the meeting the minister told the reporters that there would be five members in the body.
“We are calling in two veterinarians from Assam, one from the Alipore Zoo, a member of a wildlife NGO and a representative of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Calcutta. They will review the condition of the two elephants and inform us about the next step by Saturday,” Barman said.
The forest minister said he had been monitoring the injured animals on a regular basis.
“There is no facility available to treat the elephant with the broken hip. However, the committee will submit a report and it is up to the chief wildlife warden to pass the order to put them to sleep,” said the minister.
The two elephants were hit by a moving train near Banarhat station on Saturday night.
While one elephant was brought to the Gorumara National Park the next day and is being treated there , the other animal is in Diana forest near the accident spot.
The elephant had limped to the Diana forest after the accident.
“The chief wildlife warden is the only authority who can issue the relevant order in case the committee recommends that the animals should be put out of misery,” said the chief conservator of forests (wildlife) for north Bengal, Rajkumar Mahatolia, who was also present in the meeting.
A veterinary surgeon from the Alipore Zoo in Calcutta, Swapan Ghosh, is in charge of the treatment of the two animals.
Divisional forest officer, Sumita Ghatak said the 15-year-old female elephant at Gorumara has her left hind leg and hip completely broken.
“Today she ate a small quantity of jackfruit and bananas but she is in great pain. The other female elephant in Diana has her left leg broken and she is being given water and banana plant stalks. Their suffering is unbearable. They are being given pain killers and we have been sending medical bulletins every morning and evening to our headquarters in Calcutta,” Ghatak said.
Two years ago an elephant that was injured in a train accident was put to sleep.
“We had to put down an elephant that had been badly injured by a train in Buxa about two years ago after forming a committee and the chief wildlife warden issuing the order,” said Ghatak.
Dey murder: Cops seek help of US experts to improve CCTV footage
IE, Mumbai: In a bid to tighten the screws on the seven men arrested for their alleged role in the June 11 murder of Mid-Day journalist J Dey, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch has approached technical experts in the US to enhance the quality of CCTV footage captured in Powai of the attackers on their bikes in the minutes leading up to the murder.
“We are consulting a US technology firm in an attempt to enhance the quality of the video footage captured. This will further strengthen our case against the accused,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Himanshu Roy.
According to Roy, the Mumbai Police has also launched a special drive against underworld elements on their records in order to send out a strong message in the wake of Dey’s murder. The activities of known gangsters are being closely monitored as part of this exercise.
“At a crime conference held today, the Mumbai Police Commissioner has directed all police stations to ensure that their criminal records are updated, and as part of a special drive to check the whereabouts of gangsters and take action against them if they are found to be indulging in anything suspicious.We believe in being aggressive and on the front-foot. There will be a zero tolerance policy for gangsters,” said Roy.
Meanwhile, a Government Resolution was issued on Thursday, and the reward of Rs 10 lakh promised by the state government to the police team that cracked the murder case was handed over to the officers by Home Minister RR Patil and minister of state (home) Satej Patil.
Tale of Two Moral Questions : Orissa Government And US Supreme Court Don't see Eye To Eye
Sadanand Patwardhan, Satark.Blogspot.Com, 30 June, 2011: Let us pretend we have to make a moral judgment. The judgment we have to make is about what is good for our children. We have to decide as responsible parents, would be parents, grand-parents, guardians, or simply as concerned adults. We now have to decide as if we are in the midst of two situations described below.
Scenario One .Our community is under attack. We are threatened with imminent evictions from our lands where we have stayed for generations and which we have cultivated with love. We are to be forcibly and ruthlessly dispossessed of our lands, which have sustained us for decades or centuries.
All this is planned against our wishes. It is unjust and unfair even going by the laws of the land. The government we elected to care for us, look after our interests, & protect us from the depredations of rich & powerful, has in fact turned against us. We as a community have decided to fight back through non-violent and democratic methods. We say if you want our vineyards, paddy-fields, or orchards, then you can have them; but not before you have killed us all. Our entire family is in it as one : parents, brothers, sisters, and even children. Yes, Children! Our children want to be with us when we face bullets or truncheons. Is it unnatural that children want to be with us when it is matter of life & death for all of us ? Now the question is :
Should we allow our children to be part of our peaceful protest, which our government most likely will turn into a bloody mayhem?
Scenario Two
Our community is worried & exercised over the perverse effects of violent video games on our children's mind. We worry about the magazines, comic books, and TV serials that depict mindless violence against *enemy combatants* or *alien beings* or some imaginary enemy. We worry more about the new *breed games* that brag to deliver *real life* feel to *gaming experience*. These games give our children multiple choices (in our community we otherwise believe that having choice is fundamental to life) to finish ofF the enemy. Children can use swords, guns, lasers, tanks, aeroplanes, or drones, to wound, maim, behead, riddle with bullets, vapourise, or blast into smithereens, *the enemy*. We see our children imitating these violent *heroes* that they see & hear. Instances have happened in our community when underage child has gone to school and wounded or killed other children with firearms (it is a constitutional right in our community to possess deadly firearms) that they took away from home. Psychologist tell us that by seeing violence passively, & more so by *participating in lifelike violent action* our children are getting insensitive to violence. Now the question is:
Should we prohibit our children from accessing violent & sexually explicit video games?
These two *hypothetical* situations are for real. In the first case the senior most functionary of a provincial (state) government pronounced the moral judgment of the government he represents. In the latter the highest court pronounced its legal (even law somewhere is informed by morality) judgment. Both differed in their judgments.
A] * Use of kids in Posco stir illegal: Orissa government *.
http://tiny.tw/6s5
“ Posco's efforts for speeding up the construction of the 12-million tonne steel plant in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa received a jolt on Monday as angry villagers damaged the camp of a contractor and did not allow earth excavators to operate, protesting the government's betrayal over assurance of engaging locals . < the foregoing concerns people who have *agreed* to give up their land for * some compensation* and assurance of further benefits like *employment* in the project. The following concerns people who are vehemently opposing forcible dispossession from their ancestral lands > Meanwhile, the opposition to the project at the borders of Govindpur village continued on Monday even as the Orissa government declared “ use of kids ” in the anti-Posco agitation as illegal . Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said, It is illegal to use children in the agitation ”.
The news report doesn't say if Patnaik gave any reasons in support of his pronouncements or cite any statutes that make children's participation in such an agitation illegal. Probably, Patnaik wanted to say use of kids is *Immoral*.
“ Jagatsinghpur MP Bibhu Prasad Tarai ( an elected representative of people to India's highest law making body ), on the other hand, justified children's participation as "normal and legal ". "No one has forced children to take part. As their parents are agitating, they come on their own," the MP said ”.
“ Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) however, dubbed the state government's move as " undemocratic " and " vulgar display of force ". Our people are democratically protesting at the Govindpur village border protesting the forceful land acquisition for POSCO, PPSS president Abhay Sahu said ” - http://tiny.tw/6s8 .
Children's participation along with their family in a democratic peaceful action is unlawful. But, Indian state finds recruiting children as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in conflict zones for fighting Maoists perfectly *legal* .
“ Chhattisgarh government claims that all children in its ranks have been removed, yet Human Rights Watch found that children who were appointed earlier continue to serve as SPOs , perform paramilitary tasks, and risk their lives. Police estimate that as of February 2008 there were around 3,500-3,800 SPOs in Dantewada and Bijapur districts;84 of these, 10 to 20 percent are female.85 The percentage of children among SPOs is not known - http://tiny.tw/6s8 page 35 of HRW report”. Supreme Court has observed that the practice itself of appointing SPOs is unlawful leave alone using children for the task .
B] * Justices Reject Ban on Violent Video Games for Children *
http://tiny.tw/6s5
“ The Supreme Court on Monday struck down on First Amendment grounds a California law that banned the sale of violent video games to children. The 7-to-2 decision was the latest in a series of rulings protecting free speech , joining ones on funeral protests, videos showing cruelty to animals and political speech by corporations. < Comment : Last one was one of the mightiest innovation of US Justice that held Corporations, defined in most laws as * artificial persons *, to have same rights as * biological persons *. This among other things gave protection of first amendment, Free Speech guarantee, to corporations > ”.
“ Depictions of violence , Justice Scalia added, have never been subject to government regulation . “ Grimm's Fairy Tales , for example, are grim indeed,” he wrote , recounting the gory plots of “ Snow White ,” “ Cinderella ” and “ Hansel and Gretel .” High school reading lists and Saturday morning cartoons, too, he said, are riddled with violence
The California law which justices in their wisdom struck down “ defined violent games as those “in which the range of options available to a player includes killing, maiming, dismembering or sexually assaulting an image of a human being ” in a way that was “patently offensive,” appealed to minors' “deviant or morbid interests” and lacked “serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value
How did gaming industry react to this judgment? “ Everybody wins on this decision, John Riccitiello, chief executive of Electronic Arts, one of the largest public video game companies, said in a statement. “The court has affirmed the constitutional rights of game developers , adults keep the right to decide what's appropriate in their houses, and store owners can sell games without fear of criminal prosecution. ” Did you get that?, it is a win-win situation for everyone. Riccitiello says * adults keep the right….. * But, we thought that case was about stores not allowed to sell to minors (<18) violent games “ The California law would have imposed $1,000 fines on stores that sold violent video games to anyone under 18 ”. Riccitiello is either deliberately misleading when he says, *Adults keep the right…….*, or he genuinely believes that in matters violent, age is of no consequence . It is now time for each one of us to answer the two questions. 1. Should we allow our children to be part of our peaceful protest, which our government most likely will turn into a bloody mayhem? 2. Should we prohibit our children from accessing violent & sexually explicit video games? Sadanand Patwardhan is a blogger who contributes regularly to Countercurrents.org
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