Road blocked between Jiribam and Silchar

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04: Vehicular movement between Jiribam in Manipur and Silchar in Assam was blocked after a Ford Cruiser rammed into a cyclist at Fulertal in Assam today at about 9 am, reports our Jiri correspondent.

The victim is identified as Neithang Hmar (51) of Digar, Cachar.

The Ford Cruiser has been taken into custody by Lakhimpur police, but the driver is absconding.

Jiribam tea factory gathering dust even though tea leaves available in plenty

Thingbaijam Dhamen KanglaOnline

JIRIBAM, May 6: Even though the Jiribam tea factory established two decades back could not survive, the raw tea leaves from the Jiribam Tea Estate are feeding a tea factory in Assam.

Interestingly, even though the state`s own factory was shut down by the authorities of the Manipur government who were unable to generate income, a good income is being earned from the estate by a section of people.

Though the concerned officials of the estate blamed lack of security protection behind the death of the factory, locals and the ground situation tells a different story.

Analysis at the estate indicates that it has enough potential for producing raw tea leaves for feeding the factory as the tea plants are growing well and are being maintained. Apparently though, the plants are being maintained only for the vested interest of earning a good income by some individuals.

Whatever it may be, the big question that arising while visiting the estate is why the factory cannot run with profit as the factory itself is conveniently located within the estate where the basic raw material (tea leaves) for running the factory is available.

Regarding the harvesting of raw tea leaves, some local men revealed that, "We are used as labourers on engagement by some people for harvesting the tea leaves at Rs. 2 per kg." The local man who was reluctant to disclose his name added that they sold the raw leaves to a factory in Assam at Rs. 7 per kg.

A large portion of the estate was burnt down by a fire around two months back. It was reported that local men who owned the land before it was taken for the tea plantation burnt it down for jhum cultivation.

They wanted to take over the land again as the authorities have failed to keep their assurances given at the time of taking over the land for plantation.

Interaction with some villagers revealed that the estate was taken by the state authorities with a promise to give them jobs after developing it as a tea estate.

"But for a such a long time, they (officials) are earning income from the raw leaves and we are starving with no income," they said.

However, authorities have started fresh tea plantation in the area after turning out the villagers who attempted to take over the land again.

The tea plantation on commercial basis started from 1982 at Manipur Tea Estate at Jiribam, a border town of Manipur connecting Cachar district of Assam. The plantation covered an area of about 300 hectares of land against the target of 425 hectares.

The Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation (MPCC), a state government undertaking established in 1981 took up tea plantation on commercial basis. The tea garden started selling green leaves to Jirighat Tea Estate in Assam from 1985 at the rate of Rs 1.75 per kg but prices of finished tea for every kg of green leaves fetched Rs 7.

The Manipur government took up the construction of the tea factory at Jiribam Tea Estate with an annual production capacity of three lakh kgs of processed tea in 1996. Construction work on this project, which will cost approximately Rs. 206 lakhs, started during the year 1996.

The Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation took up the construction of tea factory at Jiribam based Manipur Tea Estate on a turnkey basis in three phases to produce around three lakh kgs of finished tea in the first phase and six lakh kgs in second phase and 10 lakh kgs of finished product per annum in the final phase when 425 hectares were fully brought under plantation. On completion of the construction the corporation incurred an expenditure of Rs. 178 lakhs.

The factory also targeted to meet 26 per cent of the state`s demand for tea in Manipur.

But soon after the commissioning of the factory, contrary to the targeted production and profit, the income generated by the factory could not meet the salaries of the employees and maintenance far exceeded the income of the tea estate. The annual deficit worked out to about Rs. 50.72 lakhs.

Since 2000-01 the Manipur government declared that the estate had not been able to generate any income and government considered privatization of the estate. But till date the government has not taken any decision.

Regarding the matter, current agriculture minister N Loken said, "There is no question of privatization of the factory or the estate."

The government has decided to revive the factory again and after reviving the same, whether it will be privatized or will be run by the government will be considered, he said.

The same statement has been made several times by various ministers of agriculture. But this time, "I will try at my best level to revive this most promising factory of the state," said the minister.

Last call to gardens to check disease

Guwahati, May 2: The Assam government today gave a “last warning” to tea garden managements and asked them to ensure that there were no more deaths from waterborne diseases.

“Take it as the last warning. If you do not mend your ways, we will take legal action against the garden managements,” health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told a gathering of garden managers and tea association officials at Jorhat.

More than 10 labourers have died in tea estates across Jorhat district recently. The district administration had directed the tea garden authorities to take the necessary steps to stop the deaths.

Sarma said the situation in every garden would be reviewed at 20-day intervals from now and the managements would be pulled up if it were found that no measures were taken to protect the labour force.

Sarma also directed the garden managements to submit sanitation and water supply schemes to the government within seven days for subsidised assistance under the National Rural Health Mission.

He added that it was the primary responsibility of the garden managements to check the outbreak of waterborne diseases in summer. “The government agencies are there only to provide necessary assistance,” he said.

Last year, Dispur had threatened to register cases of manslaughter against tea garden managements if there were any further deaths. Over 150 labourers died in tea gardens in Upper Assam, mostly in Golaghat district.

Meanwhile, tea gardens in the Barak Valley have appealed to the Cachar district administration to take steps and stem the exodus from the estates to the more lucrative National Rural Employee Guarantee scheme which ensures them a daily wage of Rs 77, adds our Silchar correspondent.

A part-time casual worker in the Barak Valley gardens is paid Rs 46.50 as daily wage, whereas he can earn Rs 77 per day for a maximum of 100 days under the rural scheme. The scheme, however, is for those below the poverty line.

Tea gardens in the Cachar and Hailakandi districts are facing a huge shortage of workers as most have shifted to work under the new project. But the district administration today turned down the gardens’ appeal saying it cannot do much if a tea labourer opts to work under the project.

Secondly, the district administration will welcome the workers since it has its own targets to meet.

Cachar deputy commissioner Gautam Ganguli said the government could not prevent the tea workers from joining this rural scheme as the tea gardens in the state were now included under the panchayat.

Instead, Ganguli said the gardens could stop the exodus themselves by converting casual workers into permanent ones, provide ration at subsidised rates, healthcare and education facilities and a few other welfare schemes.

“Only such steps on the part of the tea industry could help stop tea labourers from joining the rural programmes,” he said.

The Tea Association of India (TAI) and the Indian Tea Association (ITA)’s local branches had sent memoranda to the deputy commissioners of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts seeking a way to stop the exodus or else most of the tea leaves would not be plucked for want of workers.

Barak Valley has nearly 140 tea gardens, which produce about 50 million kg of tea per year.

Panchayat ceasework before audit team visit
Karimganj

May 2: A team of the Assam Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee, led by AGP president Brindaban Goswami, will begin its two-day tour of Karimganj on Monday to review the progress of various rural development schemes in the district. But chances are that the visit will prove futile.

All rural development work in the south Assam districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi has been stalled since the staff and the newly elected panchayat members went on a ceasework last Tuesday.

They are demanding the arrest of a district panchayat member, Raju Rajkumar, who allegedly beat up a junior engineer of the district rural development authority in Patherkandi.

The engineer, P.R. Dutta, was assaulted by hoodlums led by Rajkumar last Saturday after an altercation between the two over the construction of a boundary wall of a higher secondary school.

Yesterday, the Cachar deputy commissioner, Goutam Ganguli, met the panchayat secretaries, but failed break the deadlock.

Though three of Rajkumar’s associates were arrested from Patherkandi yesterday, the panchayat staff and members could not be pacified.

According to their agitation schedule, the ceasework will continue till Monday.

Two MLAs, Anaurul Haque of the Assam United Democratic Front and Siddek Ahmed of the Congress, have also extended their support to the striking panchayat members.

Besides Rajkumar’s arrest, the apex body of the panchayat staff members is also demanding appoint ment of more staff in the panchayat to help streamline work related to the execution of the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme.

Body fished out at Lakhipur, Assam

Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 02: The Lakhipur Police, Cachar, Assam have retrieved a body floating down the Barak river on a raft at Sonbari Ghat yesterday, reports our Jiribam correspondent.

The deceased has been identified as Vanlalriem Khojol (23) s/o Kapsang of Patpuihmum of Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district.

According to police, the deceased seemed to have been murdered as there were multiple injuries marks hit by a sharp weapon all over the body.

An FIR has been lodged with the Lakhipur Police Station in this connection

Barak Valley Cements posts net profit of Rs 37.6 mn for Mar`08 qtr

Barak Valley Cements (BVCL) reported standalone net profit of Rs 37.62 million, on total income of Rs 195.40 million for the fourth quarter ended March 2008.  

The company`s earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter stood at Rs 2.02.

Annual Result

The company recorded standalone net profit of Rs 110.03 million, on total income of Rs 707.78 million for the financial year ended March 2008.

The company`s earnings per share (EPS) for the year stood at Rs 5.90.
 

Profile

BVCL is engaged in the business of manufacturing of cement. The company primarily caters to the north-eastern region. The company has total cement manufacturing capacity of 760 TPD of which 460 TPD is manufactured in company and 300 TPD in wholly owned subsidiary Cement International. The plant of the company is situated at Karimganj, Assam.

Shares of the company gained Rs 1.65, or 4.67%, to trade at Rs 37.00. The total volume of shares traded was 39,584 at the BSE. (2.23 p.m., Thursday)

Bangla thieves leave water projects dry

April 30: Bangladeshi thieves are robbing villagers on the Indian side of the border along the Kushiara river of their right to safe drinking water.

Thugs from the neighbouring country regularly steal pumps and other accessories set up by the public health engineering department, rendering the government-run water supply schemes fully or partially defunct within days of their implementation.

To make matters worse, the water in the area is arsenic contaminated, making it unsafe for drinking. The impoverished villagers living along the border have little choice but to drink the contaminated water, raising fears of an outbreak of arsenic-induced diseases in the area.

Says Furmat Ali, a villager: “What can we do? Frequent closure of government water schemes leaves us with no option but to drink the arsenic-contaminated water.”

Work on 12 water supply projects of the PHE is under way along the banks of the Kushiara.

Though the fencing project has begun along the stretch, the thugs sneak in through the unfenced parts. PHE minister R. Daimary alleged that the BSF was not maintaining proper vigil, making it easy for the Bangladeshi thieves to steal into the Indian side and flee with the booty.

“The department reinstalls the pumps so that the people can get safe drinking water. But it is of no use since the thieves take them away again. The state government will take up the matter with the BSF officials soon and ask them to step up vigilance along the border,” Daimary said.

He said the state police can do nothing since the area was under the jurisdiction of the BSF. The BSF officials in Karimganj, on the other hand, vehemently denied any Bangladeshi intrusion. Source: Telegraph India

Badarpur BJP threatens stir over rail division

From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
 BADARPUR, May 8 — The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Badarpur mandal committee and the party’s Karimganj district unit have threatened that if the railway authority and the Central Government decide to set up a rail division at Dharamnagar of Tripura, instead of the Barak Valley railway subdivisional headquarter town of Badarpur, then it would launch a widespread mass movement. This was stated by the BJPs organising general secretary of Badarpur mandal committee Dipak Dev, while talking to this correspondent.

Dev said, “We must oppose the decision, regarding to setting up of rail division at Dharmanagar of Tripura, instead of Badarpur, as it is a very vital and genuine demand of the people of Badarpur, as well as the people of the entire Karimganj district since long. The BJP leader also stated that for upgradation of Badarpur railway subdivision into Badarpur railway division, several memorandums were submitted and movements were held a few years ago. But due to slackness on the part of the railway administration, State and Central Governments, Barak Valley MLA-MPs and ministers, and the lack of mass awareness regarding the matter, the Badarpur railway subdivision has not yet been upgraded.

Dev also said that the matter of upgradation from Badarpur railway subdivision to Badarpur rail division cannot be rejected at all as it is a very important and railway centre in north-eastern region.

Replying to another question, the BJP leader said that “for last 20 years, Badarpur people as well as the people of Karimganj district have been demanding setting up of Badarpur railway division, alongwith all sorts of facilities. In this connection, several memorandums were submitted and movements were also held, but the Badarpur people got nothing, except assurances till today.

Dev said that “we will not agree with the railway’s view that lack of essential sufficient land is the only obstacle for setting up a railway division and loco-shed at Badarpur as there are acres of sufficient railway land at Badarpur which has been occupied forcefully by the people. So, in this situation, these forcefully occupied railway lands must have to be evicted through a mutual solution by the railway administration and State government. If it is done, then, the requirement of railway lands will be fulfilled easily for constructing a railway divisional office, four guest houses, loco-shed, and the railway quarters for railway officials and railway employees, which are essential for setting up a railway division at Badarpur,” he said.

The BJP leader also informed this correspondent that “On the issue of Badarpur railway division, the Assam Government will have to put pressure on the Central Government.

Dev also stated that the district BJP is also agitated and perturbed due to Central Government’s announcement of upgradation of the 33 railway stations in the entire north-easte as model stations, excluding the Badarpur railway station, which is a railway subdivisional headquarter town of Barak Valley.

Dev also said that Badarpur and Karimganj railway stations will have to be included in the list of model stations, otherwise a widespread mass movement will be launched, alongwith the demand of speedy implementation of setting up of Badarpur railway division.”

Rail link between Sylhet, Karimganj demanded

From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
 KARIMGANJ, May 8 – With a view to improve socio-economic conditions of Barak Valley, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur the District BJP Committee demanding restoration of rail communication between Karimganj and Bangladesh.

In a memorandum submitted to Lalu Prasad, Railway Minister, Karimganj District BJP Committee mentioned that these underdeveloped region would be benefited if railway communication is restored between Karimganj and Sylhet in Bangladesh.
 

Scanty rain creases farmers’ brows

May 8: Scanty rainfall this summer has been giving sleepless nights to the farmers of Cachar district.

A source in the agriculture department in Silchar said May was the best time for planting ahu seedlings, but because of less rain the farmers were unable to start the process.

“The drought-like situation has become a nightmare for the farmers of the area. The ideal time to plant ahu is now, but this year it may be delayed. Good rainfall at the beginning of the season may have given a ray of hope to the farmers of the district,” the source said.

Cachar district has altogether 1.25 lakh hectares of paddy fields, of which 1,180 hectares have the irrigation facilities.

The agriculture department has distributed 857 pumps through subsidy among the farmers to provide better irrigation facilities.The farmers reaped a good harvest after the pumps were put to use. Earlier, boro was cultivated in 1,180 hectares, but following the distribution of pump sets, nearly 10,583 hectares could be irrigated. “About 20 per cent of the paddy fields were covered after the availability of water through the pumps,” the source said.

However, following the devastating floods in September last year,the farmers of Barak Valley were rendered helpless.Sources said a total of 7,286.1 quintals of ahu seeds were being distributed among the farmers.

Given the threat to their livlihood following scanty rain this season, experts have suggested that the farmers construct tempo rary khals (drains) in their paddy fields and proceed with the sowing.

‘Inadequate security creating hurdles for Barak Valley projects’

From Our Correspondent Assam Tribune
KARIMGANJ, May 9 – Inadequate security measures are creating hurdles in the implementation of three major projects of Barak Valley. Construction of the BG line, Mahasadak and Barak dam are facing threats from the extremists. Contractors, labourers and concerned officials engaged in the construction of the three major projects of Barak Valley have expressed concern over the activities of the State and the Central Government. While talking to this correspondent at Silchar, BJP MLA Dr Rumi Nath expressed grave resentment against the activities of Union Minister Santosh Mohan Dev. She strongly criticised the policy of the State and Central government towards the implementation of these projects.

Borkhala MLA Dr Nath mentioned name of few development project undertaken during the NDA period and said the present State government is not keen to develop Barak Valley.

Here she mentioned the appointment policy of the State Health Minister. Depriving the local unemployed youth of Barak Valley, the Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma gave appointment to the outside candidates in the malaria departments of Barak Valley.

In order to solve the problems of the Barak Valley, a mass movement is necessary. The BJP will launch such a movement, but common people should be come forward to support the movement of BJP said Dr Rumi Nath. The DC of Cachar Gautam Ganguly has taken drastic action against a former BDO of Silchar block Jyotirmoy Chaudhury. Ganguly lodged an FIR against Chaudhury that he has swindled Rs 17 lakh which was meant for the poor people.

According to the FIR lodged by the DC Rs 15.84 lakh was provided to the Silchar BDO on June 18, 2007 for the old-age pension and other beneficiary scheme. For the same head another cheque for Rs 1.98 lakh was given to Silchar BDO on July 10, 2007. It was found that the BDO Jyotirmoy Chaudhury has misappropriated the entire amount.

Police raided the residence of the BDO, but he is now decamping.

Local candidates deprived: Depriving local candidates and providing appointments to outside candidates of Barak Valley in the health department in three districts of the valley created resentment among the local unemployed youth. Several unemployed youth organisations including BJP, AUDF and ACKHSA expressed concern over the step-motherhood attitude of the State health department.

In Karimganj and Silchar youth organisations alongwith Opposition parties launched an agitation movement infront of the joint director of health services office.

In Silchar, AUDF MLA Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya strongly condemned the policy of the appointment taken by Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarmah. Generally third and fourth grade posts are being filled up by local candidates, but here health minister intentionally deprived the candidates of the Barak Valley, said Mazarbhuiya.

AUDF MLA also expressed concern over the activities of the Congress MLA and ministers of the valley. Congress MLAs and ministers of the Barak Valley are silent on this issue. AUDF will launch an agitation till local unemployed youths get job in health department, assured Moulana Ataur Rahman Mazrbhuiya.

ACKHSA president Rupam Nandi Purkayastha also condemned the appointment policy of Himanta Biswa Sarma, health minister. Cancellation of all the outside appointments and fresh appointments to the local candidates is the main demand of ACKHSA.

ACKHSA burnt the effigy of the health minister and held demonstration in front of the DC office of Cachar.

However, the district Congress committee leaders of Cachar, Karimganj have requested the health minister to review the appointment given to outside candidates.

New SP Cachar: Violet Barooah has joined as new superintendent of police of Cachar. She is the first woman SP joined as Cachar SP. Pradip Ranjan Kar, has also taken over the charge of additional SP of Cachar.

Before taking over the charge Barooah visited Kachar Kanti Kali temple at Udharbond and offered puja there.

Several woman organisations, women SHG have welcomed Barooah and expressed confidence that women will feel more secure.

Diarrhoea claims 47 in Hailakandi

OUR CORRESPONDENT   TELEGRAPH INDIA
Silchar, May 10: Diarrhoea and gastroenteritis have claimed 47 lives in Hailakandi over the past two weeks, with a majority of the deaths being reported from the Lala and Katlicherra blocks of the district.

Thirty-four of the deaths have been reported from Kundanala, a cluster of eight tribal hamlets 40km south of Lala town.

Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has assured local legislator and excise and border areas minister Gautam Roy of financial help to the families of the deceased.

Officials have confirmed that the deaths at Kundanala were caused by contamination of water sources.

Purnadas Tripura, a villager who lost two children to the killer diseases, said all the ponds and springs used for drinking water by the villagers had dried up, forcing the people to undertake long treks.

Political parties and civil society groups have rapped the the PHE department for its “lackadaisical and indifferent attitude” in tackling the spread of the disease.

The additional chief engineer of PHE, S.U. Laskar, visited the affected areas on Thursday. He, however, contested the spread of the stomach diseases, claiming most of the deaths were caused by malaria and not by diarrhoea.