2000 people still there in Harsil, expected to be evacuated on Monday

Kolkata: Rescue and relief operations were carried on in full swing Sunday despite bad weather conditions a factsheet released by the government said.

“Jungle Chetti area which was a matter of concern yesterday has been fully cleared by joint efforts of Army, ITBP and Air Force.  12,000 people were rescued and evacuated today,” it said.

"Using cliff assault techniques, skilled mountain rescue troops of Army evacuated 460 by foot through one of the most dangerous Zones in Kedar Valley. The pilgrims were given food, fresh water, medical aid, blankets and plastic sheets at Gauri Kund Army Camp before further evacuation to Sonprayag," a Defense ministry statement said Sunday.

Even though about 125 people have been evacuated from Gauri Kund about 100 more are still there. 2000 people are in Harsil under the charge of army. They are expected to be rescued on Monday.

Army launched Phase III of ‘Surya Hope’ Sunday to focus on contingency plan of evacuating people by road from the hubs at Harsil, Gauri Kund and Badrinath.

All together 83  aircrafts were deployed on Sunday.

The process of identification of the death has begun as the local police have reached Kedarnath and Gauri Kund. In response to the allegations of some taxi drivers making exorbitant charges the Uttarakhand Government is making arrangements for transporting the pilgrims.

The Indian Air Force has rescued 3100 persons despite bad weather conditions as predicted by the Met-department.

75 satellite phones are being used by the agencies involved in rescue operation; a consignment of 50 such devices was imported from Congo Saturday.

“BSNL has also provided free phone facilities at its telephone exchanges, telephone and control rooms at various locations to enable those stranded to contact their families,” the factsheet said.

Joshimath airbase went out of fuel Sunday, the fact sheet says that 112 kilolitre of aviation fuel is in transit to meet the deficiency. 35 kilolitre of aviation fuel was also airlifted to Gauchar.

A three truck load of medical supplies has also been despatched by the Central Government on request of the Uttarakhand government.

The Indian Railways will be running a special train from Haridwar to Mumbai via Kota which will take the stranded passengers without charging them.

छह् राजपूत किले विश्व विरासत की सूची में शामिल

कोलकाता, जून 23। यूनेस्को की विश्व विरासत समिति ने अपने 37 वें सत्र में राजस्थान  के 6 पहाड़ी किलों को विश्व विरासत सूची में दर्ज करने की स्वीकृति दे दी है।

राजस्थान के चित्तौड़ गढ़, कुंभलगढ़, रणथंभौड़, जैसलमेर, अंबर , ऐवं गागरान किलों को विश्व  विरासत सूची में शामिल किया जाऐगा।

राजस्थान सरकार ने 2011 में विश्व विरासत समिति को एक प्रस्ताव भेजा था। इस प्रस्ताव में इन किलों को विश्व विरासत सूची में शामिल करने की माँग की गई थी।

23 नवंबर 2012 को विश्व विरासत समिति की एक दो सदस्यीय टीम भारत आकर राजस्थान सरकार ओर भारतीय पुरातत्व सर्वक्षण के अधिकारियों से मिली थी।

8 वीं और 19 वीं सदी के बीच निर्मित ये किले ऊँची और चौड़ी दीवारों से घिरे हुए हैं। इन दीवारों में किले के अंदर पहुँचने के लिए कई द्वार बनाए गए हैं। इन किलों के अंदर महल, उपासना गृह, स्मारक और जलाशय बनाए गए हैं।

भारत के संस्कृति मंत्रालय ने अपने एक वक्तव्य में कहा है कि “ये (किले) राजपूत पहाड़ी सैन्य वास्तुशास्त्र का प्रतिनिधित्व करते हैं। ये राजपूत सत्ता और उसके नियंत्रण के असाघारण उदाहरण हैं, जो दरबारी संस्कृति तथा उनके कला और संगीत के संरक्षण एवं उनके व्यापारिक कारोबार आदि को प्रतिबिंबित करते हैं।”

Inter-services affiliation 'would maximise combat potential' : Gen Bikram Singh

Kolkata: Indian Naval Ship Teg a multi-role Frigate Thursday affiliated with the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai to maximise the combat potential of the Indian Armed Forces, a release from Indian Ministry of defence said.

 “An ‘Affiliation’ between any two units of different services is aimed at enhancing ‘jointness’ and synergy between the services to better meet the ever changing dynamics of modern warfare,” said the release.

It also said it was in conformity with the ongoing practice and 25 Indian Army regiments were already affiliated to various ships of the Navy.

“The Charter of Affiliation was signed by Commandant of the Sikh Light Infantry Regimental Centre and Commanding Officer of INS Teg, in the presence of Army Chief and Colonel of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet,” it said.

A joint guard of honour was presented to Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh.

“This unique and enduring partnership would foster espirit de corps, camaraderie and catalyse the combat potential of the two services,” said Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, adding that the emerging nature of warfare, demanded synergy through jointness and integration.

Gen Singh termed the affiliation of the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment with INS Teg as historic, as both the units symbolised the ‘Cutting Edge’ of their respective forces.

“This unique bonding would enable sharing of new operational concepts and maximise the combat potential of the Indian Armed Forces at the time of reckoning,” he said.

Six Rajput forts find place in World Heritage List

Kolkata: UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in its 37^th session approved six Rajputana hill forts in Rajasthan to be inscribed in World Heritage list, a release from ministry of culture said.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

The six forts to be enlisted in the World Heritage list are Chittaurgarh, Kumbhalgarh , Ranthambhore Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Amber Fort and Gagron Fort.

“They (the forts) represent Rajput military hill architecture, which are exceptional examples of centres of Rajput power and control, are reflections of courtly culture and patronage of arts and music, their mercantile business, etc.” the statement said.

The forts were built between 8th to 19th century A.D. have multi-gated approaches through massive and high fortification walls. Inside of the forts comprises of palaces, temples, memorials and water reservoirs.

“The extensive fortifications – up to 20 kilometres in circumference – exploit the contours of the hills, and specifically the river at Gagron, the dense forest at Ranthambhore, and the desert at Jaisalmer,” said the statement.

Rajasthan State Government in 2011 had sent a proposal to the World heritage Committee following which a two member team comprising of Mrs. Susan Denyor and Dr. Giles Tillotson visited Jaipur on 23rd November, 2012 and held a meeting with ASI and State Government of Rajasthan officials.

Great Himalayan National Park.
Source himachaltourism.gov.in

The statement further said, India’s another proposal “relating to ‘Great Himalayan National Park’ for inscription on the World Heritage list under ‘Natural’ category has also been upgraded from ‘Deferral’ to ‘Referral’ which means that its outstanding universal value has been accepted by the Advisory Body of World Heritage Committee.”

Rescue operations expected to be complete by Sunday: Manish Tewari

Kolkata/Delhi/Uttarakhand: In the wake of the massive floods that hit the Northern state of Uttarakhand where thousands are expected to be killed and stranded in different parts of the state, Information and Broadcasting Minister, Manish Tewari Saturday said “the rescue operation is likely to be over by tomorrow (Sunday)”. By far 70,000 people have been rescued and on Saturday itself 10,000 people have been rescued the minister added.

"556 bodies have been recovered and there were reports that more could be buried under the debris," Uttarakhand chief minister, Vijay Bahuguna said to a television channel.

The met-department has forecasted rain in next 48 hours which may adversely affect the rescue operation being carried out.

The Indian Army, Air Force, ITBP, BRO and NDRF are involved in the rescue operation.

Rescue and relief operations by Armed forces, at Gauri Kund, in Kedarnath valley, Uttarakhand.
Source: Dr. Manmohan Singh fb page. 

All together 61 helicopters have been pressed into the rescue operation of which 43 belong to IAF, 11 to Army and 7 are private; 2 more helicopters are expected to join the fleet on Sunday. IAF helicopters alone have done 150 sorties on Saturday alone.

Indian Army has deployed 6200 jawans and the BRO 4000 personnel and labours along with 90 excavators and bull dozers.  

Nine bridges have either been washed out or damaged and a total of about 13 km length of road at 100 places have been breached in the massive flood as per the assessment done by the BRO.

“BRO has mobilized about 15 excavators and Bull dozers from other BRO projects to expedite road clearance works.  Bridges has been airlifted to bridge gaps and establish early connectivity,” a defense ministry statement said Saturday.

“We have deployed 25 satellite phones and are expecting a consignment of 50 more from Congo to be delivered by today (Saturday) evening,” said a senior ITBP official.

According to official sources all pilgrims from Gangotri have been rescued, however 700 people are still stranded in Yamunotri.

NDRF has rescued 347 persons from Gauri Kund. 149 Sadhus remained there. They do not want to leave.

It is also being said that around 300-350 people are being expected to be stuck between Kedarnath and Gaurikund.

Army officials Saturday said the rescue priorities were senior citizen, women and children who are being airlifted and the able bodied people (in walking condition) were under the guidance of army personnel being brought to safe places on foot.

"Railways are moving people and relief supplies free of charge. No one is waiting at station at Haridwar," a statement from GoM (media) said.

It also said that 167 out of 287 communication towers were restored which will start working from tomorrow. 

CPI-M calls Mamata 'unitary'

Kolkata Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Wednesday termed Mamata Banerjee’s call for federal front comprising of all non-Congress non-BJP regional parties a “joke”.

“It is a joke… I don’t know when did she become federal? She is totally unitary,” said Surjya Kanta Mishra, CPI-M leader and leader of opposition in West Bengal here.

“She was with NDA and UPA… She was with congress led Government 2-4 times… I don’t know with whom she will go now” he said.

Mishra said her sole intention was to increase the coverage of her party and “she has given the call now but who will come… is there any one to respond to her call.”

“It might happen that she will have to sing her favourite song ‘ekla chalo re’ this time also as she did in Haldia,” he said referring to the Bengal leads programme where she had invited many industrialists but no one turned up.

Mamata calls for 'Federal Front'

Kolkata West Bengal chief minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee Monday urged all the “non-Congress and non-BJP” regional parties to come together and form a federal front for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

“Time has come for all the regional parties to come together and form a Federal Front in the coming Lok Sabha election,” posted Banerjee in a social networking site.

She appealed to all the “non-Congress, non-BJP regional parties to launch a united fight to free the country from misrule and anti-people decisions, and work together to build a better and brighter India.”

Asking all the regional parties to stand and talk together Banerjee also said, “let us decide a plan of action for the next Lok Sabha election.”

Her post was published after Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) veteran L.K. Advani shot off an angry letter to BJP president Rajnath Singh a day after the party named Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as head of the Lok Sabha campaign committee. Advani in his letter said he was resigning from all top party posts - the national executive, parliamentary board and the election committee.

In his letter he also accused most of the party leaders of being concerned "just with their personal agendas" unlike its creators Shyama Prasad Mookherji, Panadit Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Nanaji Deshmukh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee "whose sole concern was the country and its people".

Advani in his letter mentioned that he no longer had" the feeling that this is the same idealistic party". 

Banerjee has been pitching for the all non-Congress and non-BJP parties to rally together ahead of the next general election ever since she left Congress led- Unite Progressive Alliance last September.

2 minors raped in Malda district of Bengal

Kolkata Two minors, one being physically challenged were raped in two different incidents, in the Malda district of West Bengal police said Saturday.

In the first case a 12 year old was raped Friday morning in her home while her parents were not at home. The incident took place in the area English Bazaar police station of Malda town.

“We have arrested the accused following a complaint lodged by her parents,” a police officer said.

In another case under the jurisdiction of the same police station, a 16 year old physically challenged girl was allegedly abducted and gang raped by three men, all in their mid-twenties.

A few people gathered after hearing screams from from the vehicle which was used by them and thrashed the trio, later they were handed over to the police.

The arrested quartet (one in the first case and three in the second) was produced in the court on Saturday, while the minor duo were taken to the Malda district Hospital for medical tests to ascertain the authenticity of rape.

Mamata will ruin Bengal and Trinamool :CPI-M

Kolkata The Communist Party of India –Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday said that chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee was an “asset” as well as a “liability” for her party Trinamool Congress, she gave birth to it and now will herself ruin it herself.

“She has become a liability… she will ruin Bengal and Trinamool,” said CPI-M leader Goutam Deb here.

Deb said the communists had seen many ups and downs in their journey and Banerjee was just one of them, but now they have reorganised themselves and are back with new zeal.

He said “no one will be spared irrespective of ones stature and position in the party; if one is found guilty he will have to face dire consequences”.

He accepted the fact that over the years the communist party has grown and many people have joined, some of them may not be good but they were” regularly cleaning the party, though it may not always be possible to expel from party due to rules and regulation, but still action will be taken.”

The Communist Party of India-Marxist earlier on Saturday had announced that it has expelled Ganesh Dey, a party member, who was quizzed by police in connection with the chit fund scam, for maintaining links with the tainted Saradha Group.

He was said to be "maintaining links with the Saradha Group in a personal capacity without the knowledge of the party".

Deb also forecasted “if CBI comes in to probe the chit fund mess, which it will... It will mark the official beginning of end of Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress which has already begun.”

He also alleged that Banerjee was at the moment only concerned to avoid CBI inquiry and she has put all her efforts into it.

The veteran communist leader said that not all people in Trinamool congress party were bad, adding that once it disintegrates, it will be fragmented into three sections, some of its men will join Bhartiya Janta Party, Congress, and CPI-M.

 “She is threatening us by saying that she will lock us in jail, but she does not know that the communist are not afraid of going to jail,” said Deb in a press conference.

The CPI-M leader said they had always accepted that Banerjee was “a very good crowd puller”, she could pull crowd at any time of the day which they never dared. “But the crowd that she pulls is not converted into votes.”

He alleged that the money that Saradha Group had amassed over the year from the poor depositors was diverted to many sources and Trinamool Congress was one of them.

He also trained his guns on Trinamool Congress for destroying its 1500 offices across the state.

“As long as she (Banerjee) will live, in government or in opposition, in politics or outside, it will haunt her… we won’t let her forget it,” said Deb.

Attacking the chit fund companies who are still functioning in the state, Deb said “these companies are so shameless that they are openly saying in their advertisements on television saying people not to fear, the government should take immediate action against them.”

Deb said he can show “30 such letters which were sent to her alerting about the operation of chit funds in the state but can she show one such letter that she has written to the prime minister on the issue.”

Mamata Banerjee Thursday had publicly showed a few pictures of a few CPI-M leaders with the chit fund group heads.

Indian Govt. gives green signal to ₹10,500 crore "IKEA" investment

The Indian Government Friday approved the proposal of Ingka Holdings B.V of Netherlands to set up its brand, "IKEA" in India. 

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today gave its approval to the proposal of M/s Ingka Holding B.V. Netherlands, (for FDI in single brand retail trading of products under the brand “IKEA”), as recommended by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB)." said an official statement. 

Last year the norms for foreign investment were relaxed, which allowed 100% FDI in single brand retail.

"The approval would result in FDI inflows amounting to Rs.10,500 crore approximately into the country." said the statement.

INGKA Holding is not an independent company, but is wholly owned by the Stichting Ingka Foundation, which Kamprad established in 1982 in the Netherlands as a tax-exempt, not-for-profit foundation.

Man sets in-law's house on fire; 5 killed, 3 critical

West Midnapore Five people of the same family were charred to death and six injured three of them are said to be critical in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.

The incident took place under Keshpur police station, where son-in-law of the family along with his associates set the thatched house on fire.

Taher Ali, allegedly set the house on fire following a family dispute.

The police sources said three people have been arrested while Ali is still absconding.   

Trinamool delaying rural body elections to plant its men in key admin positions: Left Front

Kolkata Left Front Saturday lambasted the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal for delaying the rural body elections in a bid "plant its people" in key administrative positions.

“The Trinamool Congress speaks of Democracy but practices 'party-cracy', and that is why they are not willing to conduct timely elections. By that time they want to plant their people in key positions,” Left Front chairman, Biman Bose said here.

He also said the key reason behind delaying the rural body elections was that “they have come to power after cheating them (people of Bengal) and now they (Trinamool) are not willing to face them”.

“If they believed in democracy they would have conducted these elections on time,” Bose said.

Bose boasted that all the elections were held on time during Left Front rule as they "believe in democracy and democratic procedure".

The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government had been engaged in a war of words and letters with the State Election Commission over the scheduling of the dates and deployment of central paramilitary forces.

The Commission has moved to Calcutta High Court with the issue which is being heard.

If the rural body polls are not conducted on time and a new panchayat is not in place before the expiry of the tenure of existing Panchayats which in many case is going to expire in June end, the villagers wont get any benefit out of the central funds which is given to the Panchayat.

DRDO and Indian Railways join hands for clean rails

Kolkata Indian Railways and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will join hands to equip the railway coaches with environment friendly toilets.

A total number of 1563 bio-toilets have been installed in coaches up to March 2013 for field trials.

Indian Railways is aiming to fit all its coaches with the bio-toilets, though there is no fixed time frame by when the job will be done as “deployment cannot be forecast with reasonable accuracy as it will depend upon the changes/modifications necessitated from time to time based on the feedback on its performance, outcome of the fitment trials, exigency of their usage pattern and other service conditions.”

It has planned that all the new coaches will be fitted with bio-toilets from 2016-17 onward.

It also claims that if all goes well the entire fleet of passenger coaches will be fitted with 

environment friendly bio-toilets by 2021-22.

ASSOCHAM report incorrect: Chiranjeevi

Kolkata In a written reply to a question asked in Lok Sabha , Union Tourism Minister, K. Chiranjeevi Friday said the conclusion of the quick random survey undertaken by ASSOCHAM Social Development Foundation are incorrect.

The ASSOCHAM report concluded that there has been a decrease of 25% in foreign tourist inflow and a decrease of 35% in women foreign tourist inflow in India since December 2012.

source: PIB

The Minister said that the statistics (above) clearly show that the number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in India during January, February and March 2013 have registered positive growth over the corresponding months of 2012.

High-power inquiry into chit fund mess in West Bengal: Left Front

Kolkata Left Front Monday accused Trinamool Congress of misleading people and demanded a high power inquiry committee to probe the Saradha chit fund mess, offenders be arrested, and the depositors be paid out of the assets of the group.

“A high power inquiry committee should be formed to probe how it happened, how and who all are involved, everything should come to light, and ultimately the guilty should be punished,” said left front chairman Biman Bose.

Bose said the state and the centre should jointly deal with the situation.

“A Left Front delegation headed by Surya Kanta Mishra will give a deputation to the central government in Delhi,” he said.

Bose said the government should take immediate measures to save the interests of depositors and agents who mainly belong to low and medium income group.

“The State and the Central government should acquire the assets of the chit fund group and immediately take measures to give away the money to the depositors who have lost their money,” he said demanding immediate arrests of the owners and other officials associated with them as things may get complicated due to the delay.

In the wake of three suicides associated with the chit fund mess in the state the Left Front will hold rallies in all the districts of the state to create awareness among the people, it will also come out with a booklet which will deal with the problems in state and how deal with them.

Accusing the Trinamool General Secretary of misleading people of the state Bose said,“All India General Secretary of Trinamool Congress (Mukul Roy) is repeatedly saying that the Left front government has given the license to these organisations, if a lie is said 100 times it cannot turn into truth, the state government.”

Left Front also alleged that they have come to know during the elections many agents were indulged in “whisper campaigns” telling people “if the left front comes in power their business will suffer due to the bill it (left front) was coming with.”

“Many of the agents have themselves confessed of doing the campaign, that if Trinamool is not voted to power, business cannot be done. We can very well infer from this that who is linked to whom,” said Bose

Left Front also accused that the ordinance the state government was coming up with was just to delay the process of arrests as it will take a lot of time and by then the government will make all the arrangements.

“Ordinance cannot be implemented unless it gets the assent of the governor and the president, therefore this is a dilly dally process by which she and her government can rescue Sudipto Sen,” he said.

Bose urged that the Trinamool congress declare the names of all the buyers of Mamata Banerjee paintings.

Trinamool used the chit fund for political interests:CPM

Kolkata The Communist Party of India –Marxist (CPI-M) Saturday alleged that the ruling Trinamool Congress used the chit fund companies politically.

“They have used this chit fund for political interests, to come into power and to remain there,” said leader of opposition Surjya Kant Mishra.

He also accused that the ruling party had used the print and electronic media under the chit fund company Saradha Group for its publicity and have helped as well as received help from them.

Saradha Group is one of the largest chit fund companies in eastern India. It has also diversified into construction, realty, tourism, hospitality, agri-businesses and media.

As capital market regulator SEBI started taking actios against chit fund companies for flouting rules, which raised concerns over safety of public money, pressure on the group's finances mounted.

Crisis in the group was brewing since January, which forced it to recently wind up at least 10 media organisations - newspapers and television channels - that it had launched or acquired since 2010. Over 1,000 journalists and non-journalists have been rendered jobless.

The agents of the company Saturday protested in front of Trinamool Congress head office , as the customers were looking for them. There have been incidents of clashes between the agents and customers.

The agents had Friday protested in front of chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence.

Many of them have been forced to leave their homes to be safe from the wrath of the customers. Group’s offices were attacked across the state.

Come up with white paper, deal the situation on war-footing: Congress

Kolkata Congress Saturday accused the West Bengal government of inaction, and demanded a probe by CBI and SEBI into the money laundering case of Saradha Group, one of the largest chit fund companies in eastern India. It also urged that the government should deal with the situation on war-footing.

“We demand that serious investigation is made by SEBI and CBI so that truth can be unearthed, at the same time we demand that the victims should be properly compensated,” state Congress president, Pradip Bhattacharya said here.

Bhattacharya said that there were close relations between the chit fund group and the Trinamool Congress.

“The state government had very close relations with a few groups and people, and it stopped the government from taking appropriate action at the correct time,” he said.

 Bhattachrya claimed, Sachin Pilot in reply to a question in parliament had said that there are many chit funds in West Bengal and asked the state government to take immediate action against them had it acted then, the Bengal would have been saved from this disaster.

“But what we saw, when the states like Tripura and Assam were closing down the offices of these groups in their state then chit fund groups here in Bengal were busy with their business,” he said

“Authorities say that they have sent a letter to the CBI and also included many names there, that letter must have reached the home department of the state, if so they have to come out with the names, and why the letter has been sent that has to be properly inquired.”

He said an investigation on the subject matter of the letter and the intention of the sender is needed.

He also called for a white paper disclosure from the government as it was its basic duty to prove that it was not involved in money laundering case.

“We want to see that the state government refuse any direct or indirect links to it, the government should prove it, the evidences that have come up show that the top Trinamool leaders are directly and indirectly related to it.” said Bhattacharya.

He announced that they will carry out law violation programme on April 23 in all the districts of the state against the law and order situation.

“There are many such chit funds in the state, from whom the ruling party (Trinamool Congress) had accepted donations and helped them grow.” Congress parliamentarian from the state, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury  said.

He also said that the government was very well aware that these groups won’t be able to pay back.

“When there is an economic slowdown in the entire nation how can they generate profit, do they know any magic trick?” said Chowdhury.

Chowdhury also said Sudipto Sen, the Saradha Group CMD, was one of the biggest buyers of Mamata Banerjee paintings, and had purchased one of them for Rs. 1 crore and 86 lakhs.

A few days ago, the Banerjee government in the state ordered the arrest of the group's chairman and managing director Sudipta Sen for defaulting on repayments.

“He (Sudipto Sen) has not eaten up all the money; the ruling party is also involved.” he alleged.

Mamata Banerjee, also the Trinamool Congress supremo, Thursday said steps were being taken to arrest Sen.

Crisis in the group was brewing since January, which forced it to recently wind up at least 10 media organisations - newspapers and television channels - that it had launched or acquired since 2010. Over 1,000 journalists and non-journalists have been rendered jobless.

The agents of the company protested in front of Trinamool Congress head office today, as the customers were looking for them. Many have been forced to leave their homes to be safe from the wrath of the customers.

Many offices of the group were attacked across the state. There have been incidents of clashes between the agents and customers.

National Highway 34 was also blocked by the protesters.

Presidency Vandalism : Probe Initiated

Kolkata: West Bengal Human Rights Commission Thursday initiated its probe in the April 10 Presidency University vandalism.

Amol Mukhopadhyay, former principal of Presidency University, who was asked by the Commission to conduct an independent inquiry and submit a report within two weeks, recorded the statement the registrar and the vice-chancellor’s statement here on Thursday.

Mukkhopadyay, along with the Commission’s superintendent of police Annappa had surveyed the campus earlier on April 16 and asked for a list of eye-witnesses and a room.

According to the Registrar of the University, Pradip Sarkar, there were around 35 people in the lists of eye witnesses given to the commission. 

The two lists of eye witnesses include teachers, students and non-teaching staffs who were present at the main building as well as at the Baker building.

“I was asked to say what I had seen that day, and about my telephone calls to the police,” he said.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the vandalism at the prestigious Presidency University, the West Bengal Human Rights Commission on April 11 had asked city police to probe the matter.

Armed with sticks and rods, alleged Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad members stormed the Presidency University campus on April 10. They assaulted students, including women, and vandalised the famous physics department at the varsity.

They ransacked the century-old Baker Building that houses the physics laboratory where eminent scientists like Jagadish Chandra Bose, Satyendra Nath Bose and Meghnad Saha conducted researches.

The vandalism was a part of a series of state wide retaliatory attacks in the wake of the heckling of Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and one of her ministers in New Delhi, by a group on April 9.

Be sensitive towards common man: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury to railway officials.

Kolkata: Railway Minister of state Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Monday urged the Railway officials and employees to be sensitive towards common man availing the services of Railways as it was “lifeline of India”.

“Don’t get impatient when common man complains to you, listen to them carefully and take initiative if you can solve them, if not then try to make them understand, but never misbehave with the passengers as railway is the life line of India,” the minister said.

He was here to flag-off Haldia-Anand Vihar weekly superfast express and two other local trains, and announced another superfast express train weekly train from Shalimar in West Bengal to Bhuj in Gujarat from April 20.

Haldia- Ananda Vihar superfast express (train no. 12443/12444) will run from Ananda Vihar (from 23^rd April) every Tuesday at 19.10 and every Thursday from Haldia.  

Shalimar- Bhuj Superfast express (train no. 22829/22830) will run every Tuesday from Bhuj and every Saturday from Shalimar.

Chowdhury said that India was one of the four countries which had the capacity to carry 10 billion tonnes of freight per annum.

“We are also trying to increase the capacity of goods train to 10000 tonnes” he said.

In USA a goods train has the capacity to carry over 25000 tonnes.

He also said there were plans to set up base kitchens at major stations as a step to improve the standard of food.

No serious corruption allegation against any BJP Government:Modi

Kolkata: Narendra Modi who is seen as the potential prime ministerial candidate of Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP) here claimed that there are no serious allegation of corruption against BJP government in any state.

“There are no serious allegations against any BJP government (in states),” Modi said here Tuesday while addressing BJP workers.

Modi said India has witnessed in total five types of government namely, family run governments, communists, Regional Government, Congress and BJP and if all these are evaluated on the basis of their peak performances on various parameters he was confident that BJP would emerge as the best performer.

He lambasted Congress of not giving the country anything even when it had golden opportunity to work without any obstacle without any opposition.

“There were three such decades of Congress  rule where no it had no obstacles as are today like the Media, NGOs judicial activism the government’ decision was the last decision, infact there were no opposition and the Congress was in power from Panchayat to parliament what did they give India during that time?” said Modi.

He also added that Congress had ruined the country and there was a need to make the country congress-free.