Wednesday, March 22, 2023
British-era bungalow razed in fire in teagarden in Kurseong
"There was an electric short circuit and one of the bungalows caught fire. We could not save the bungalow and property worth Rs 4 to 5 crore," he said. Garden officials informed the fire station who arrived ill equipped.
"A small fire tender arrived but the hose pipe had leaks. A bigger fire tender arrived later but by then it was too late to save the bungalow and other valuable properties," said Chowdhury.
The Goomtee Tea Estate is owned by the Mahanadi Tea Company Private Limited and is located south of Kurseong town.
The garden has over 225hectares with an area of 110 hectares under tea plantation and produces organic Muscatel tea leaf from the China tea bushes. It employs 300 workers in its payroll.
Naga peace talks mostly ‘bluff and bluster’ and an ‘absurdity:’ NSCN-IM
The Naga rebels said they felt a trust deficit had grown between the two sides because of the “unserious” and “unsavoury” attitude of the government.
The Centre-NSCN(IM) talks has been “bluff and bluster all the way with no seriousness”, the group president Q Tuccu said during a programme at its headquarters at Hebron on Tuesday. “There is thus a trust deficit,” he added for good measure.
The Naga peace talks have been continuing for several decades after a ceasefire was signed in 1997 with the NSCN(IM) after which a framework agreement was signed in 2015 which was to be a precursor for a final peace accord. The main sticking points between the two sides has been the Naga demand for a separate flag and a chapter in the Indian constitution guaranteeing the peace accord.
“The absurdity of the situation regarding the talks is entirely the making of the Government of India as its commitment to the Framework Agreement has turned unsavoury with each passing day,” Tuccu said.
NSCN-IM is the principal negotiator for Naga peace talks with the Centre since 1997 and has inked the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015.
He said that notwithstanding the Centre’s handling of the peace talks, the NSCN-IM has carried the talks forward with total commitment and conviction.
“No sacrifice is too great when it comes to defending the historical and political rights of the Nagas,” he said.
“It is for the central government to put its act together and get back the lost ground … The fate of the Framework Agreement hangs in balance as its commitment to it fluctuates wildly every now and then,” the NSCN(IM) leader said.
PM holds high level meeting amid spike in Covid, influenza cases
Modi stresses enhancement of genome sequencing, Covid-appropriate behaviour * XBB.1.16 variant could be driving recent surge: Expert
India has recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 7,026, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,813 with five deaths. One death each has been reported in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra while one fatality was reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The Prime Minister chaired the meeting to assess the Covid-19 and influenza situation in the country in terms of preparedness of health infrastructure and logistics, status of the vaccination campaign, emergence of new Covid-19 variants and influenza types and their public health implications for the country, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
This high-level review meeting comes in the backdrop of a spike in influenza cases in the country and rise of Covid cases in the past two weeks. During the meeting, a comprehensive presentation was made covering the global Covid situation including the rising cases in India by secretary, health, Rajesh Bhushan.
The Prime Minister was briefed that India has been witnessing a slight rise in new cases with average daily cases reported as 888 and weekly positivity reported as 0.98 per cent in the week ending March 22. However, 1.08 lakh daily average cases have been reported globally during the same week.
The action taken on the directions given by Modi during the last Covid review held on December 22, 2022 was also briefed, the statement said. The Prime Minister was informed that availability and prices of 20 main Covid drugs, 12 other drugs, eight buffer drugs and one influenza drug is being monitored.
A mock drill was also conducted on December 27, 2022 in 22,000 hospitals, and many remedial measures taken by hospitals there after. The Prime Minister was apprised on the influenza situation in the country particularly with respect to higher number of cases of H1N1 and H3N2 being noted in last few months. Modi directed officials to enhance whole genome sequencing of positive samples with the designated INSACOG genome sequencing laboratories. This will support tracking of newer variants, if any, and timely response, the PMO said. The Prime Minister emphasized Covid-appropriate behaviour including wearing of masks in hospital premises by both patients, health professionals and health workers. He also stressed that wearing of masks is advisable when senior citizens and those with co-morbidities visit crowded areas, the statement said.
It deserves mention here that former AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria on Wednesday said the new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the recent rise but emphasised there was no need for panic as long it does not cause severe illness and deaths. New variants will keep coming as the virus keeps on mutating over the time and the XBB 1.16 is sort of a "new kid on the block",
Guleria told news agency PTI in an interview. "...As long as they don't lead to severe illness, hospitalisation and deaths, it is alright because it helps in giving some degree of immunity to the population if they have mild illness," the renowned pulmonologist, who was part of the national Covid task force, said.Covid-19 infections increased in Kerala slightly prompting the state government to sound alerts to all districts on Wednesday.
In a statement, health minister Veena George said there has been a marginal rise in the number of Covid-19 cases, with the state reporting 172 cases on Tuesday. George noted that Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts saw more virus cases. "There are a total of 1,026 active cases of Covid-19, and 111 people are under treatment in hospitals. All districts have been alerted," the minister said.
She said the districts have been directed to strengthen surveillance. The health department also urged the people to take measures to protect themselves from the viral infection by wearing masks and taking other precautions.
"People with comorbidities, the elderly, children, and pregnant women should take special care. They should wear masks properly when going to public places. All those arriving at hospitals must wear masks", George said.
A high-level meeting, chaired by the health minister, also assessed the Covid situation in the state.
Chhattisgarh Assembly passes bill for protection of mediapersons
The bill has defined a ‘mediaperson’ living in Chhattisgarh and having an experience of at least one year in journalism, who has published six articles or photo, or news as writer or co-writer in a media institution in the last three months or a person who has received minimum three payments from media organisations for compiling news in the last six months
PTI, 22 March, 2023, Raipur, Mar 22, 2023 : The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill that aims to provide protection to mediapersons and prevent violence against them.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tabled the ‘Chhattisgarh Mediapersons Protection Bill 2023’ in the House for discussion. After it was passed, he termed the day as “historic”.
The opposition BJP MLAs demanded that the bill be sent to the Select Committee of the assembly for examination, which was rejected by Speaker Charandas Mahant.
The Congress had promised to bring a law to ensure protection to journalists in the state in its poll manifesto ahead of the 2018 assembly elections.
The CM said in the House that the bill is aimed at preventing violence against mediapersons discharging duty in Chhattisgarh and ensuring protection to properties of media persons and media institutions.
The act of violence causes injury or danger to the life of mediapersons and damage and loss of property of mediapersons or media institutions may create unrest in the state, he added.
“Several times the demands were made to implement the law and a committee headed by former Supreme Court Justice Aftab Alam was constituted in 2019 in this regard. This law has been drafted in consultation with all (concerned parties). This day will be written in golden letters and this is a historic day,” he added.
BJP legislators, including Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel and Ajay Chandrakar, asked whether the state government has consulted with Editors Guild, Press Council of India or Press Clubs in the state and said the recommendation made by the committee constituted to draft the bill should have been tabled in the Assembly.
They demanded that the bill be sent to the Select Committee.
Meanwhile, the ruling Congress members claimed that the BJP was against the interest of journalists and trying to stall the bill. Speaker Charandas Mahant rejected the opposition demand.
Later, BJP MLAs said they extend their support to the law but will not take part in the discussion.
The bill has defined a ‘mediaperson’ and laid down eligibility for the registration of mediapersons under this law.
As per the bill, a media person living in Chhattisgarh and having an experience of at least one year in journalism will be eligible for registration under this law.
A person who has published six articles or news as writer or co-writer in a media institution on current incidents in the last three months or a person who has received minimum three payments from media organisations for compiling news in the last six months, it said.
A person who has taken photographs that have been published in a media institution three times in the last three months or a person accredited by the Government as a journalist or person who has been declared as a media person by a media organisation as its employee will be eligible for registration, the bill said.
Mediaperson has been defined as any employee or representative of a media institution including editor, writer, news editor, deputy editor, feature writer, correspondent, copy editor, communicator, cartoonist, news photographer, video journalist, translator, train journalist, news gatherer or independent journalists.
The bill stated that the government will constitute a committee which will be known as ‘Chhattisgarh Media Freedom, Protection and Promotion Committee’ within 90 days of the enactment of the Act, which will also act as authority for the registration of media persons.
The committee will address complaints related to the protection of media persons, which include harassment, intimidation, violence or false allegations and arrest of media persons.
The Chairman of the committee will be a retired administrative/police service officer not below the level of secretary rank in the state government. An officer of the Prosecution Branch nominated by the Home Department, who is not less than the rank of Joint Director and three media persons having an experience of more than ten years in journalism and at least one of them shall be a woman, it said.
The bill further stated that the tenure of the committee shall be three years and no nominated member shall be re-nominated for more than one term in this committee.
The law also provides that any public servant found violating rules laid down under this law then he/she shall be punished with appropriate fine after a departmental enquiry, it said.
The Act stated that if a private person is the cause of violence, harassment or intimidation of a mediaperson, the committee, after examining the case and hearing both the parties, can impose a penalty of Rs 25,000 against the perpetrator.
Similarly, if any company is the cause of intimidation, torture or violence of a mediaperson then a fine of Rs 10,000 will be imposed after examination of the case and hearing of both parties by the committee.
Besides, if any person tries to create hindrances in registration of eligible mediapersons then a penalty of Rs 25,000 will be imposed on the concerned person after hearing of both parties by the committee.
If any media person furnishes to the committee any information which he knows or believes to be false and if the committee found the complaint as false, then the registration of the concerned mediaperson can be cancelled for the first time and for the second time, the mediaperson can be punished with a maximum penalty of Rs 10,000.
IJU Condemns arrest of Haryana journalist : TV journalist held in Haryana's Fatehabad on MLA's son's complaint .
KalimNews, New Delhi, 22 March, 2023: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) expresses serious concern at the arrest of Haryana’s Fatehabad-based journalist Jaspal Singh. He was arrested on charges of spreading false news to ‘defame’ a local BJP MLA Lakshman Napa, as well as violating the SC- ST Act and IT Act.
The arrest came after the MLA’s son filed a complaint against Singh, accusing him of intentionally spreading false information about his father.
According to reports, Sumit Kumar, son of Ratia BJP MLA had lodged a police complaint against Singh accusing him of posting news in various WhatsApp groups and Facebook regarding his father’s name appearing in a gambling case lodged on March 16. Thereafter an FIR was filed against Singh.
Singh was produced before a court in Ratia on Sunday and was sent to judicial custody. Many
journalists from Haryana met Fatehabad Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Sharma on Saturday and submitted a memorandum saying Singh was picked from his home and called it an attack on journalism and an attempt to subdue independent voices.
They termed the allegations as false, criticised the police for imposing charges under the SC-ST and IT acts and sought the withdrawal of the FIR.
IJU President and former member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General of IJU and Vice President of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Sabina Inderjit said in a statement that using legal routes to harass and silence journalists has become a trend in BJP-ruled states.
The IJU observed that in several cases the SC-ST act has been used indiscriminately against
people. Notably, the Supreme Court has also opined that a complaint cannot be registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act just because the complainant is a member of the SC/ST community.
The offence in question must be directed towards the caste of the individual. The IJU demands immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Jaspal Singh.
It is said that the police detained the Fatehabad-based TV journalist Jaspal Singh after an FIR was lodged under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, Sections 384 (extortion) and 500 (defamation) of the IPC and various sections of the SC/ST Act on the complaint of BJP MLA from Ratia Lakshman Napa’s son Sumit Kumar.
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Probing teachers' scam, ED gets clues of similar indiscretions in Bengal municipality recruitments
AGENCIES KOLKATA, 21 MARCH 2023 : During the course of its ongoing probe in multi-crore recruitment scam in teaching and non-teaching staff in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has come across clues of somewhat similar indiscretions in recruitment of staff in different municipalities in the state.
These crucial clues have come in the hands of the central agency sleuths during their marathon 40-hour raid at the residence of a private promoter Ayan Shil in connection with the teachers' recruitment scam. Shil was arrested early Monday morning.
Sources said that during the course of this marathon raid and search operations, the investigating sleuths have recovered a number of crucial documents relating to copies of advertisements for recruitment for different positions in different municipalities in the state and even some copies of appointment letters on this count. These recoveries have made the ED sleuths to believe that just as recruitments for teaching and nonteaching staff in the state-run schools were made against the payment of hefty amounts by the candidates concerned, there had been similar financial involvement in the recruitment of municipalities staff in different corners of the state.
Sources said that these documents were recovered from the hard-disc of the personal computer of Ayan Shil at his residence where sleuths conducted the raid and search operations.
"This investigation is really turning out into a labyrinth where the probe process in a particular sector is leading to similar scams in another sector. The matter has been reported to our top officials and now they will decide over the next course of action on this count," an ED associate said.
What is keeping the central agency sleuths intrigued is that how such crucial documents like optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets for written examinations by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) as well as the appointment letters of different municipalities in the state reached the residence of Ayan Shil, who is officially nothing but a private real estate promoter.
The ED sleuths believe that this could not have been possible unless the arrested promoters had extremely close links with the insiders in both WBSSC as well as these municipalities.
Shil will be presented at a special court of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata on Monday afternoon only, where the ED counsel will seek his custody.
Teachers' scam: Advance message cautioning Ayan Shil of ED raid tracked.
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AGENCIES, KOLKATA, 21 MARCH 2023 : Was the 40-hour raid and search operations of Enforcement Directorate (ED) that ultimately led to the arrest of real estate promoter Ayan Shil on early Monday morning in connection to the multi-crore scant in recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in state-run schools in West Bengal leaked in advance?
The investigating officials of ED have come across some definite clues in this connection following the recovery of the WhatsApp chat history from the mobile phone of Shil. Sources said that one such SMS was from a mysterious woman late Friday evening to Shil cautioning him of the probable arrival of ED officials at his residence.
In the message, sources said, the woman also advised Shil to move away from that place after removing the necessary documents. The message came less than 12 hours before the ED sleuths actually started the raid and search operations at Shils residence at Salt Lake in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Although the sleuths have tracked the details of the sender of the massage for the sake of investigation. they are not divulging her name right at this moment.
However, sources added, the same woman had been traced of having a number of financial transactions with Shil as evident from the details of the different bank accounts in the name of the accused promoter. What has made the suspicion stronger among the central agency officials about the potential leak of the forthcoming raid and search operations in advance is the irrelevant answers given by Shil in the matter when being questioned on the issue.
At times, he claims that he did not notice the message at all whereas at times he says he did not give any importance to the message. The ED sleuths are planning to question this mysterious woman in the matter shortly.
The raid and search operations at Shil's residence has opened a new dimension in the probe by central agencies in the recruitment scam. Incriminating documents have been seized by ED which reveals that there had been massive irregularities recruitments of staff in different municipalities in the state which is similar in nature to the scam in recruitment of teaching and non- teaching staff in state- run schools in West Bengal.
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