»  India Factoring and Financial plans Rs.5 bn equity infusion
Kolkata |Thursday, 2012 11:05:05 PM IST
India Factoring and Financial Solutions, a joint venture between Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Malta-based FIMBank, is planning to receive Rs.5 billion equity infusion from its promoters by March 2014.

 »  Tata Steel posts Rs.6 billion Q3 net loss
Kolkata |Thursday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
India's biggest steel maker Tata Steel Thursday reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 6.03 billion for the quarter ended December 2011, against a net profit of Rs.10 billion in the same period a year ago.

 » Penguin chooses Ambassador as its celebratory mascot
Kolkata | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
Globally renowned publishing house Penguin has chosen India's iconic car Ambassador as its celebratory mascot to mark the 25th anniversary of Penguin India. This customized Ambassador, in the iconic Penguin stripey design with the TWENTY5 logo on its sides, is Penguin India's brand ambassador and apt visual representation of the joy of reading. A visual treat, book lovers would instantly recognize the classics inspired design on India's very own classic, the Ambassador from Hindustan Motors. The car's interiors have been tastefully customized too in beige leather. The car carries a collection of the 25th anniversary special Popular Penguins, a series of books specially published to celebrate this momentous occasion. Aptly attired for Penguin India's celebrations, the Ambassador will visit bookstores and literary festivals around the country through the year. Having started its literary sojourn from the prestigious Jaipur Literary Festival recently, the car has made its way to the national capital and is expected to be present at the World Book Fair being launched in Delhi on February 25. Soon the car will travel to other major metros as part of Penguin India's festivities which will involve eminent authors and literary personalities. Ambassador has thus been transformed into a knowledge vehicle for book lovers across the country. UNI ABA KK/src2007 NNNN

 » Trinamool demands not based on principles : CPI(M)
Kolkata | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
As the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal Government got embroiled in a row with the Centre over financial help, the Opposition CPI(M) today said the demands of the ruling Trinamool Congress were not based on principles. '' I doubt that the state Government's finance policy is based on any principle, '' Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) Central Committee member Surjyakanta Mishra said. '' Had it been so we would have stood by the side of the state Government. I would urge the Government to focus its demands on the basis of principle so that we can support the demands, '' he said. Dr Mishra suggested that 'if necessary', an all-party delegation could be be sent to Delhi to press for the state's just demands. Mocking at the Trinamool Congress for 'waking up late' on the Centre-state relationship, he said, '' The previous Left Front Government was always vocal about realising the state's dues from the Centre. '' '' We strongly feel that going by the country's federal structure, the Centre cannot put any moratorium on the state's just demands. It is stated that there is a due of Rs 7,000 crore to the state, but it has received only Rs 1,000 crore. Why should it happen? '' he asked. Dr Mishra said the state Government should sort out its problems with the Centre on financial issues. He criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her 'generous announcements' for funding of several projects and wondered how such announcements were made when the state was stated to be deep in a financial crisis. UNI KDG SJC/src1938 NNNN

 » JD(U) demands special economic package to WB
Kolkata | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The West Bengal Janata Dal(United) today demanded the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre to release special economic package to the state immediately. Addressing a press conference here, JD(U) president Amitava Datta said, '' The ruling Trinamool Congress came to power inheriting previous Left Front's debt of Rs 1,96,000 crore and the Centre has a responsibility in this regard. But the Centre has not taken any initiative for bailing out the present financial crisis in the state. '' '' The Centre should immediately release special economic package to the West Bengal government for bailing out the state from the present financial crisis, '' he demanded. He said, '' We are also demanding the ruling government to declare moratorium on spending on non-productive sectors like giving dole to the clubs and people, who have died of hooch, and should release its accounts to the common people for the development. '' '' We are also asking the Central and State governments for taking an immediate measure to arrest the price rise of essentials, '' he said. The JD(U)'s two-day conference would be held here on February 12 and 13 for strengthening the organisations in the state, Mr Datta informed. UNI AKM SJC/src1933 NNNN

 » Lakshman Seth file petition before Calcutta High Court
Kolkata | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
CPI(M) leader Lakshman Seth, who was charged with 87 other partymen for the ''CPI(M) attack to recapture Nandigram'' in November, 2007, today filed a petition before Calcutta High Court for anticipatory bail. The state-run Criminal Investigation began inquiry into the incident after a two-judge bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Joynarayan Patel and Justice Asim Kumar Roy on September 30 last issued the order on a habeus corpus petition filed by Anjali Singh and six others, whose husbands went missing since November 11, 2007. The CID submitted the chargesheet before Midnapore district court on January 30. Former MP from Haldia, Mr Seth, was wanted in connection with the incident. In all 13 peple had so far been arrested in connection with the incident. The matter is likely to come up for hearing next week. UNI XC SJC/src1903 NNNN

 »  Bengal, centre spar over funds
Kolkata |Thursday, 2012 7:35:06 PM IST
The West Bengal government Thursday refuted the Congress' claim that it was "understating" central assistance, and said it did not receive a penny more than what it constitutionally deserved.

 » No favour to WB, state gets constitutional share:Mitra
Kolkata | Thursday, Feb 9 2012 IST
The 'war of words' in respect of central grant to West Bengal continued today with state Finance Minister Amit Mitra iterating that whatever fund had reached here was constitutional obligation of the Centre and not any 'favour.' Replying to Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi's observation in this regard through a statement yesterday, Mr Mitra said the state had got its 'share' of central tax what the Centre had collected under revenue head. ''Whatever West Bengal received from the Centre was under the constitution. No extra favour, not a single penny beyond that,'' Mr Mitra maintained. ''I had thought that Mr Singhvi would have understood that, so I did not mention it separately,'' he said. The finance minister, however, admitted that Rs 1.46 crore had been disbured by the Centre to the state under BRGF on 7.2.12, a day after his reply to Mr Singhvi's claim here on Sunday last. Mr Mitra asserted that out of this fund Rs 1000 crore could not be spent for purposes other than backward region development. With this money, he said, it was not possible to pay salaries and pensions to government employees. MORE UNI ADG PL sdg1818 NNNN

 »  Rahul Bose to make English movie on Pakistani novel
Kolkata |Thursday, 2012 7:05:06 PM IST
Bollywood actor Rahul Bose Thursday said he is all set to make an English movie which will be a screen adaptation of a Pakistani novel.

 »  National Grass Court Tennis: Top seed Myneni in semis
Kolkata |Thursday, 2012 6:05:06 PM IST
Men's top seed Saketh Myneni and women's second seed Ankita Raina continued their good run entering the semi-finals of the singles events in the Indian Jute National Grass Court Tennis Championships here Thursday.

 »  Love your morning cuppa? Get ready to pay more
Kolkata |Thursday, 2012 10:35:05 AM IST
The humble tea is set to turn a bit pricey. A supply shortage, hike in the wages of tea garden workers and soaring input costs are about to make the favourite beverage of millions of Indians cost more, say industry sources.

 »  Confident Yuvraj will win cancer battle: Bhupathi
Kolkata |Wednesday, 2012 11:35:06 PM IST
Describing Yuvraj Singh as a "fighter", Indian tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi Wednesday exuded confidence the cricketer will win his battle against lung cancer.

 »  Rahul, Mangal in Indian archery team for Asian Grand Prix
Kolkata |Wednesday, 2012 11:05:06 PM IST
Rahul Banerjee and Mangal Singh Champia Wednesday returned to the Indian archery team for the first Asian Grand Prix at Bangkok Feb 14-20.

 » AIFB condemns attacks on party's MP and MLA
Kolkata | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
Condemning yesterday's attack on the party's MP and workers at Coochbehar, the All India Forward Bloc today urged the state Government for taking immediate action against the hooligans. The party alleged that the Trinamool Congress-backed anti-socials had attacked a street meeting of the AIFB's at Chandmari bazar under Coochbehar block one seriously injuring party's MP Nripen Roy, MLA Akshay Thakur and 12 party workers. '' We are stunned at this heinous attacks. The democracy -loving people of the state are now realising that the ruling Trinamool Congress is slowly creating an anarchy in the state. We demand that the Government takes immediate action against the culprits, '' AIFB General Secretary Ashok Ghosh said. He said, '' We are also astonished the way the Government withdrew the bodyguards of our party MPs and MLAs. We condemn this decision. '' UNI AKM SJC sdg2033 NNNN

 » FM's statement attempt to supress central assistance to WB:Singhvi
Kolkata | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
Asserting that he had talked only about central allocation/approvals for West Bengal, not disbursals, Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MP, today alleged that there appeared to be a deliberate attempt to understate and suppress central assistance to the state. In a statement, copies of which, signed by WBPCC president Pradip Bhattacharya, were released to the press here, the Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman also branded the statement of state Finance Minister Amit Mitra as 'complete error'. Incidentally, while Mr Singhvi claimed here on Sunday last of Rs 8750 crore central grant to West Bengal, Mr Mitra had dismissed it the next day saying the state received no financial aid from the Centre recently. Mr Mitra had also 'doubted' the 'ability' of Mr Singhvi, a lawyer, to understand economics. '' On my trip to Kolkata on 5.2.12, to inaugurate a party newspaper, I had only said about approved central assistance of about Rs 8750 crore to West Bengal during 2011-12, not disbursals, '' Mr Singhvi maintained. He said the state Finance Minister either did not know these figures or did not care to find them out or did not want to talk about them when he issued a 'blanket refutation' of his (Mr Singhvi's) comment, saying not a penny had been received by the state from the Centre. '' On 7.2.12 in Delhi, again I had said such criticism was unwarranted and distorted the facts since Dr Mitra had not controverted my statement of reallocation/ approval of the figure but instead talked of something totally different-disbursals, '' he observed. Defending his earlier statement, Mr Singhvi also said Rs 6754 crore worth of proposals from West Bengal stood approved by the Empowered Committee in the Planning Commission. He further said from May 20, 2011, to February 6, approximately Rs 23,695 crore had been disbursed/released by the Centre to West Bengal. This included releases for state sector schemes (including Rs 1046 crore released on 7.2.12), Finance Commission grants, West Bengal's share in central taxes, central plan schemes, releases under other central schemes like sanitation, MNREGA, rural drinking water, rural housing, education and literary programmes. Mr Singhvi also threw a 'challenge' to Mr Mitra, saying, '' If he or any member of the state ministry wants the details of these figures, they are free to contact me since I have all the breakups and the names of all the central schemes. '' UNI ADG SJC sdg2019 NNNN

 » CPI(M) state committee meeting ends
Kolkata | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
The two-day CPI(M) state committee meeting ended here today called for imparting political education to party workers and coming close to the people. The meeting, which discussed the observations of the district committees, emphasised on improving the party's quality and increasing organisational activities to take forward Left movement against all odds, a statement said. Party's state secretary Biman Basu placed the political-organisational report for the coming state conference to be held from February 15 to 19. To be held under a changed political situation in West Bengal, the state conference will demand protection of the peoples' rights, safeguarding democracy and an end to 'political terrorism', the statement said. The state conference will end with a public rally on February 19 at the Brigade Parade Ground. The state committee has also decided mass campaigning throughout the state in favour of the nationwide strike on February 28, called by the central trade unions. UNI AKM KK sdg2018 NNNN

 »  Singhvi takes on Amit Mitra over central funds for Bengal
Kolkata |Wednesday, 2012 9:05:07 PM IST
Firing a fresh salvo in the latest standoff with the Trinamool Congress over central assistance for West Bengal, the Congress Wednesday accused the state government of deliberately "understating and suppressing" central assistance.

 » Budget session of WB Assembly likely from March 14
Kolkata | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
The budget session of West Bengal Assembly is likely to begin on March 14, Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay has said. The Speaker, however, said last night that the date was not yet 'specified' by the state cabinet. Mr Bandopadhyay said the session of the House would begin as usual with the Governor's speech. He informed that there would be discussions on the address of Mr M K Narayanan for three/four days. The budget for 2012-13 would be placed in the House after debates and discussions on the Governor's address, the Speaker added. UNI ADG KK sdg1835 NNNN

 »  Tea exporters turn to Russia following Iran crisis
Kolkata |Wednesday, 2012 6:35:05 PM IST
Indian tea exporters are trying to increase exports to Russia as a balancing act following the countrys declining export trend mainly due to the Iran payment crisis, a top executive of the Calcutta Tea Traders Association said Wednesday.

 » Inquiry into police firing on Cong workers on July 21, '93 begins
Kolkata | Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 IST
The inquiry commission, formed to probe the police firing on Youth Congress activists infront of Writers' Buildings that claimed 13 lives on July 21, 1993, has started investigation. According to State Secretariat sources, the one-member inquiry commission has begun its work last evening to probe 'at length' the police firing on Congress supporters during its 'March to Writers' Buildings' 19 years ago. Earlier, the state government had appointed former Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and former Justice of Calcutta High Court Sushanta Chattopadhya to commence the inquiry into the 'tragedy.' The sources said the commission might interrogate some ministers and bureaucrats of the then Left Front Government in connection with the incident. Informatively, former Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was the then state Home Minister while Power Minister Manish Gupta was the then Home Secretary. Mr N Krishnamurthy was the then Chief Secretary. The date of submission of the report of the inquiry commission was not yet finalised. Thirteen Youth Congress workers were killed on July 21, 1993, when police opened fire infront of Writers' Buildings during 'Mahakaran Abhiyan' organised by the party. UNI ADG LR sdg1700 NNNN

 »  Independent legislator set to join Trinamool
Kolkata |Wednesday, 2012 5:05:05 PM IST
The Trinamool Congress is set to induct an independent legislator who defeated last year the Trinamool candidate with Congress backing.

 » CPI(M) leader Sushanto Ghosh released from Kolkata jail
Kolkata | February 07, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Jailed Communist Party of India (CPI-M) leader Sushanto Ghosh, was released from the Alipore Central Jail here on Tuesday, six months after he was arrested on a charge of seven skeletons being recovered from near his ancestral house in West Midnapore.

 » HC puts on hold state govt's move to cancel 2 police associations
Kolkata | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
The state government's move to cancel two police associations was put on hold today after a single-judge bench of Calcutta High Court asked government keep the order in abeyance and to explain why the organizations were axed. Justice Joyanta Kumar Biswas issued the ruling on two writ petitions filed by West Bengal Police Association and Non-gazetted Police Karmachari Police Association , declared illegal in a recent government notification. The matter was posted for hearing on Thursday. UNI XC KK RD2008 NNNN

 » Arrested SFI activists move Calcutta High court for bail
Kolkata | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
Three SFI activists, who had been arrested for assaulting the principal of a college in northern district of the state, moved Calcutta High court for bail today after a lower court refused to hear their plea. Abhijit Samaddar , Pushpen Sarkar and Pranab were arrested for having assaulted Sarojendranath Kar , the principal of Majdia Sudhir Ranjan Lahiri College in Nadia district on January 14. A district court rejected their bail plea on January 24. The single bench judge Kanchan Sarkar is likely to hear their plea tommorrow. UNI XC KK RD2007 NNNN

 » NCPCR asks State Govt to detail steps taken to tackle child deaths
Kolkata | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
Taking serious view of child deaths in different Government hospitals in West Bengal, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked the State Government to state in detail steps taken to tackle the situation. '' We have sought the details from the State Government on the measures initiated to tackle the situation, '' NCPCR spokesperson Vinod Kumar Tikoo today said. He said the NCPCR would intervene in the matter only after it received the information from the state Government. The NCPCR had asked for details the mechanism put in place by the administration to deal with identification of high risk pregnancies, their timely referral and promotion of institutionalised deliveries, the arrangements to strengthen the infrastructure and required number of trained personnel in PHCs, its sub-centers and Anganwadi centers. The Commission had also asked for furnishing the registration details of pregnant mothers from Anganwadis for 75 deaths reported in Malda District Hospital between October one to November 23, 2011 and 12 deaths reported in B C Roy Hospital with their registration particulars. Details of SNCUs made operational till date district-wise with number of beds in each SNCU had also been sought along with the details on strengthening the Medical staff in the hospital. The Commission had also asked for a status report on the number of newborns covered under the cash less service under each block. UNI KDG SJC RD1949 NNNN

 »  Reliance Life Insurance to have accounting profit this fiscal
Kolkata |Tuesday, 2012 8:05:05 PM IST
Reliance Life Insurance, a part of Reliance Capital, is expected to register its first year of accounting profit this financial year, a top executive of the company said Tuesday.

 » Fortis launches comprehensive spine care programme
Kolkata | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
To make eastern India free from back and neck pains and related problems, Fortis Hospitals Kolkata launched a comprehensive spine-care programme here today. Ms Richa S Debgupta Facility Director Fortis Hospitals said a team of spine surgeons, physiatrist, pain therapist, physiotherapists, yoga therapist and Clinical psychologist will be available on to provide expert guidance on such diseases. Remedial measures for all kind of spine-related problems will be available at the centre will not only cater to diagnostics but also therapeutic aspects of various types of spinal complications. On an average, five per cent of the adult population suffer from spinal problems related to back or neck pains at some point of their lives. The figure is likely to go up as the life expectancy increases. Depending on the seriousness of the situation, backaches can be treated medically or even surgically, but, if ignored for a long period of time, even minor backaches can grow into excruciating back problems. Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr Amitabha Chanda said, 'Spine surgery might be needed in case of degenerative disease of spine (slipped disc, spondylosis), spine tumor, spine injury and inborn defects of spine. In yester years people never thought of a usual daily life after any kind of spine surgery. They were always scared of and restricted to physical movements other than walking. But now with technology and science advancing even a dancer can continue dancing post a major spine surgery.' According to Dr Ujjwal K Debnath (Consultant Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon), 'If back paid is not neglected and paid attention immediately a lot of problems can be cured through individualised treatments. These require no injection or surgery. Based on the stage of the problem our first mode of treatment is physiotherapy followed by oral medication and then injection. The last resource is surgery, which is only done if required.' UNI ABA LR sdg1826 NNNN

 »  Sixth seed Selvaraj bows out of National Grass Court Tennis
Kolkata |Tuesday, 2012 6:35:05 PM IST
Qualifier Yogesh Phogat upset sixth seeded Ajay Selvaraj while numero uno Saketh Myneni coasted to an easy win in the mens singles first round matches of the Indian Jute National Grass Court Tennis Championships here Tuesday.

 »  BSF trooper dies three days after Bangladeshis' attack
Kolkata |Tuesday, 2012 5:05:05 PM IST
A Border Security Force (BSF) head constable, injured in an attack by a gang of Bangladeshi cattle smugglers at a border outpost in West Bengals North 24-Parganas, died here Tuesday, officials said.

 » Skeleton case accused Sushanta Gosh released from jail
Kolkata | Tuesday, Feb 7 2012 IST
Former minister and CPI(M) MLA from Garbeta Sushanta Ghosh, lodged in Alipore Correctional Home after being arrested in connection with the Benachapra skeleton recovery case, was released today. Mr Ghosh was released after the requisite papers reached the jail authority this afternoon. He had been in jail for the past 181 days. Court sources said Mr Ghosh would stay in the MLA hostel tonight and leave for Midnapore tomorrow. Opposition leader Surjyakanta Mishra, senior CPI(M) leader Rabin Deb, former party MP Sujan Chakraborty and a number of party leaders and workers had assembled outside the court to receive Mr Ghosh. Soon after his release the CPI(M) MLA maintained, ''I will speak out at the right time and at the right place.'' Informatively, the Supreme Court had granted him bail on February two in connection with the skeleton recovery case. A bench of justices Altamas Kabir and Gyan Sudha Mishra imposed the condition that Mr Ghosh would not visit other parts of West Midnapore district than his assembly constituency of Garbeta. The apex court, which had allowed his appeal against the denial of bail by Calcutta High Court on September 29 last, said Mr Ghosh would also have to visit a police station nearest to his residence on the last Sunday of every month. MORE UNI ADG AK PL AKM 1538 NNNN

 »  Premier League Soccer: Sorin to be Haldia franchisee's icon player
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 11:35:05 PM IST
The Rs 1.5 crore prize money Premier League Soccer (PLS), that has already grossed over Rs.100 crore, is tentatively slated to begin March 24 with the final scheduled for May 6, the organisers said Monday while announcing Argentine 2006 World Cup skipper Juan Pablo Sorin as the icon player of the Haldia franchisee.

 »  Left demands probe into farmer suicides
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 11:35:05 PM IST
West Bengal opposition leader Surya Kanta Mishra Monday demanded a probe into the farmer suicides in the state and compensation to the families of such farmers.

 »  Calcutta HC stays compensation to hooch victims families
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 11:35:05 PM IST
The Calcutta High Court Monday stayed the payment of compensation declared by the West Bengal government to the families of victims of last December's hooch tragedy in South 24 Parganas.

 »  Role of independent directors of company will be clarified: Moily
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 11:05:05 PM IST
Assuaging corporate and industry bodies following the arrest of several AMRI directors for a massive fire at the hospital, Corporate Affair Minister M. Veerappa Moily Monday said he would look into the possibility of issuing a clarification on the role and responsibilities of independent and non-executive directors of a company to bring in clarity of law.

 »  Australian varsity planning campus in Gujarat
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
Australias University of Wollongong (UOW) is planning to establish a 72-acre campus in Ahmedabad, an official of the varsity said Monday.

 »  CSR spending not mandatory under new companies bill: Moily
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
Expressing confidence that the new companies bill will be passed in parliament's budget session, Corporate Affair Minister Veerappa Moily Monday said the central government is not making the corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending mandatory.

 » Bengal govt. grants second language status to Urdu in some areas
Kolkata | February 06, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
West Bengal government has granted second language status to Urdu in those areas having ten percent Urdu-speaking population in the state.

 »  Premier League Soccer throws challenge to IPL
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 9:35:05 PM IST
Indian football, riding high on the mega bucks and euphoria generated by the upcoming Premier League Soccer, Monday threw a challenge to cricket with a top PLS official saying the fare to be dished out by the proposed tournament would eclipse cricket's cash-rich Indian Premier League.

 » Mamata Banerjee to unveil some rly projects on Tuesday
Kolkata | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee will inaugurate the newly-converted section of broad gauge between Krishnanagar and Shantipur stations of Eastern Railway's Sealdah division tomorrow. She will also flag off six (6) pairs of EMU local trains including one (1) pair between Ranaghat & Krishnanagar, three (3) pairs between Krishnanagar & Shantipur, one (1) pair between Shantipur & Ranaghat and one (1) pair Bangaon-B B D Bag-Krishnanagar local (Railway Budget announced train on Circular Railway system). UNI PC AK RD2026 NNNN

 »  New competition policy can bring down prices: Moily (Lead)
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 8:35:05 PM IST
A proposed national competition policy, which is slated to get cabinet approval by next month, will help bring a financial revolution in the country and will be "excellent" in combating inflation, union Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerappa Moily Monday said.

 » Mishra submits list of 33 farmers to Food Minister
Kolkata | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Alleging that farmers' suicide were continuing in West Bengal, Opposition Left Front today submitted a list of 33 'victims' to Food Minister Jyotipriya Mallick demanding urgent measures to contain the 'tragedies.' Opposition leader Surjyakanta Mishra led the delegation to the Food Minister urging him to take 'all necessary steps' to prevent recurrence of any such incident in the state. The Front, vocal against alleged farmers' suicide, had mentioned the figure of 33 after taking note of such incidents in different parts of the state. The submission of the list of farmers, who had allegedly committed suicides because of debt, on the part of the Opposition took place a day after Mr Mishra visited the residence of one such farmer at Gajol in Malda district. Mr Mishra, reportedly, had faced protest yesterday at the place from Trinamool Congress supporters claiming that the incident was result of family feud. Incidentally, besides support price for paddy, renaming of 'Indira Bhavan,' students' unrest and child deaths, alleged farmers' suicides had also 'catalysed' the chill in the relation between ruling Trinamool Congress and its ally Congress here. Expressing concern over such incidents, Governor M K Narayanan had also stated that urgent steps should be taken on the part of the administration to stop farmers' suicide. However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had denied that many farmers had committed suicides out of poverty in the state admitting only one such death. UNI ADG AK RD1921 NNNN

 »  Pranab praises Mamata for improving food supplies
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 8:05:05 PM IST
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday praised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for checking inflation by improving foodgrain supplies in the state.

 »  Not got a single paisa in relief from central government: Bengal
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 6:35:06 PM IST
Rejecting Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvis claim that the Mamata Banerjee-led dispensation has been given about Rs.8,000 crore aid in its first few months in office, the West Bengal government Monday it was yet to get a single paisa from New Delhi.

 » No grant from Centre, Singhvi's comment untrue: Mitra
Kolkata | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
Rubbishing Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi's claim of Rs 800 crore central grant to West Bengal, Finance Minister Amit Mitra today said the state received no financial aid from the Centre recently. ''Mr Singhvi's observation was completely wrong. Not a single penny was given to West Bengal by the Centre in the past few months. We are taking exception to the comment and sending our reservation to New Delhi,'' Mr Mitra told reporters at Writer's Buildings. He said a Development Project Report (DPR), worth Rs 8700 crore involving 11 districts, had only been sent to the Centre recently for its approval but there was no response so far in that regard. The DPR, he said, was supposed to be cleared first by the Planning Commission and then by the Union Finance Ministry before its final sanction to the state. ''As far our knowledge go, the DPR is not yet approved by both the Planning Commission and the Union Finance Ministry,'' Mr Mitra maintained. He informed that the state government had sent the DPR to the Centre in line with a central scheme started during 2005-06 for backward areas development across the country while Bihar had receieved Rs 8500 crore for the purpose. Mr Mitra said the new government had to pay Rs 22,000 crore to the Centre yearly, the combination of interest and some principal amount to repay the huge debt burden Rs 2.30 crore left by the previous Left Front government. He said the state government had requested the Centre for a moratorium on the matter, but that was also not granted. Mr Mitra, however, said tax collection growth in the state was 'positive' adding it could help better the economic situation 'to some extent'. Incidentally, contrary to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's observation that the state government was yet to receive any central assistance to tackle the 'financial crisis,' Mr Singhvi had said yesterday that the state had already been given about Rs 8000 crore. UNI ADG PL sdg1733 NNNN

 » HC stays payment of compensation in hooch tragedy
Kolkata | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
A two-judge bench of Calcutta High Court today passed an order staying the payment of government compensation to the families of victims of the December 14 hooch tragedy that claimed 173 lives. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Joynarayan Patel and justice Sombuddha Chakraborty issued the ruling after two lawyers filed writ petitions challenging the government move to pay the compensation. The bench also directed the state government to file an affidavit detailing the facts in regard to the hooch tragedy that took place at Sangrampur village in South 24 Parganas district. Lawyer Chitta Panda, who filed the petition, said brewing of country liquor and its sale is illegal. ''The government wants to dismantle all such distilleries and hence the state government's decision to pay compensation of Rs two lakhs to each family of the deceased is a contradictory decision,'' he maintained. Mr Panda further said a section of the excise department, looking after the sale of country liquor, was in league with the sellers of this poisonous drink. He also pointed out a number of 'lapses' in enquiries being made by the CID on a government order and prayed for a CBI inquiry for uncovering the racket in hooch trade. Government pleader Ashok Banerjee pleaded before the bench that the government took it as an 'accident' and wanted to pay compensation on humanitarian ground. After two days of hearing the bench directed the state government not to push with its plan to pay compensation for the next two months. The bench also directed investigating agency CID and the excise department to file reports on the issue within eight weeks. UNI XC PL sdg1728 NNNN

 »  'New competition policy will bring down food prices'
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 5:05:06 PM IST
Describing the proposed national competition policy as the second financial revolution, that would also bring down foodgrain prices, Corporate Affairs Minister M. Veerappa Moily Monday hoped the document will get cabinet approval by next month.

 »  Sukul in round two of national grasscourt tennis
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 4:35:07 PM IST
Fifth-seeded local boy Saurav Sakul marched into the second round with a straight set decimation of Maharashtras Saurabh Patil in the inaugural match of the Indian Jute National Grass Court Tennis Championships here Monday.

 » Centre to frame new Competiton Policy soon:Dr Veerappa Moily
Kolkata | Monday, Feb 6 2012 IST
The Centre is actively considering to introduce a new Competition Policy in line with those in the USA, UK, Australia and many other countries, by March next to bring in a univarsal parity in price structures of every commodity, Union Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily said here today. Inaugurating a day long seminar here today on 'India Corporate and Investors Meet', organised under the banner of Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI), Dr Moily said in order to bring about a change in the present pricing policy and halt the spiralling trend of inflation,a high power Committee under the Chairmanship of former Revenue Secretary Dhanendra Kumar had been set up for framing the new Policy. The Committee already had two sittings with government representatives to discuss in details the broad provisions of the proposed Policy framework, Dr Moily said and hoped that the matter would soon be discussed at the Cabinet level soon before placing the same during the coming Budget session for approval, the Corporatec Affairs minister informed. Also later speaking to newsmen on the issue, Dr Moily said the new (Cometition)Policy when implemented, would open up a new vista in fixinig pricies of all items.The prices of all major commodities and other items would not only be stabilised and controlled but would be much more affordable to large consumers across the country. Citing the example of the usefulness of the proposed new policy abroad, he said the Competiton Policy had forced the prices of oil and other petroleum produicts in the USA to stabilise despite their steep hike elsewhere in the globe. The same policy also provided several advantages to the consumers in the UK, Australia, France and also in New Zealand in recent years, Dr Moily pointed out. Asked about the possibility of changing any provisions of the Company's Act to make them more in tune with the current economic activities in the Corporate world, the Union Minister replied in the positive and said a number of new amendments to the law was now being drafted and would be placed before both the Houses of Parliament in the coming budget session for their approval. When his attention was drawn to the long term affect of the 2G scam and the possible impact among foreign companies after the recent Supreme Court judgement cancelling the licence of 122 bidders, Dr Moily said though the Centre inititially followed the rule set by the previous NDA government, later it was amended for good. MORE UNI ABA LR RD1529 NNNN

 »  2G verdict will have no impact on foreign investments: Moily
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 3:35:06 PM IST
The Supreme Court judgment regarding cancellation of 2G licences will have no impact on the inflow of foreign investments in the country, Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily said here Monday.

 »  Headline inflation to continue around 7 percent till March: Pranab
Kolkata |Monday, 2012 3:35:06 PM IST
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Monday headline inflation would continue around seven percent till March.

 » Nair does not have right to dictate terms to govt: Congress
Kolkata | Sunday, Feb 5 2012 IST
Snubbing former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief G Madhavan Nair for his comment on the twin probe reports on the multi-billion dollar Antrix-Devas spectrum deal, the Congress today said the eminent scientist does not have the right to dictate the government. ''It is not for a political party to comment on largely legal matters. It is between the Government and Mr Nair. It is not that it is a knee jerk reaction of the Government. The Government had set up a very high power committee and its report is in the public domain,'' AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters. His remark came after Mr Nair said the probe reports were 'one-sided and without all facts. The probe into the Antrix-Devas deal by a five-member team indicted former ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair and three other scientists for the controversial contract that allegedly entailed an estimated loss of Rs 2 lakh crore, while another probe panel disputed the CAG's estimation of the loss amount. Mr Nair is free to disagree and criticise. Nobody has the right to dictate the government. Certainly it is open for those who don't agree with the report to take appropriate action, But as long as the report is there and the decision of the Government of India is there it for them to decide which way to go, Mr Singhvi added. Referring to the timing of releasing the probe reports on the official websites of the ISRO and the space department, Mr Nair had said a quick look at the salient points and conclusions arrived at clearly showed that the inquiry was not based on factual information and many things had been considered out of context. UNI KDG AK SS2059 NNNN

 » Constructive criticism of TMC will continue: Congress leader Singhvi
Kolkata | February 05, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
Congress party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Sunday bluntly sent out a message to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress Government in West Bengal that his party is duty bound to give constructive criticism over the functioning of the state administration.

 » Cong will raise voice against lack of governance in WB:Singhvi
Kolkata | Sunday, Feb 5 2012 IST
Sending a forthright message to its partner, the Trinamool Congress, the Congress today said it would continue to raise voice against the administration in West Bengal if there was 'lack of governance'. ''Our objective is to improve administrative decision making and ensure better governance in West Bengal, which got itself freed from the tyranny of more than three decades,'' AICC spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. Mr Singhvi, who was in the state headquarters of the Congress in connection with a party programme, was replying a question of reporters on the reports of crib deaths in Government hospitals and farmer suicide. ''It is obvious that there are deaths of infants and farmers commit suicides on account of poor offtake or physical obstruction in procurement. I think all of us have to join together in raising voice for improvement in these services,'' he said. Mr Singhvi clarified that the intention of his party was only to improve the governance and it should never be viewed as 'negative politics' or attacks on the Government. When asked to comment on the allegation of the Trinamool Congress that the Congress had teamed up with CPI(M) in criticising the state Government on farmer suicides Mr Singhvi said, 'I strongly dismiss this. We have jointly come to power in the state and we are with the government.'' ''If there is lack of governance, voices will be raised and this should not be seen as a political attempt to undermine anybody,'' he said. He denied allegations that the Centre was not willing to extend financial assistance to West Bengal, saying that the state had been given Rs. 7,800 crore within a short period of time. ''Whatever more needed to be done can be achieved by further discussion between the two parties,'' Mr Singhvi said. UNI KDG AK SS1925 NNNN

 »  Congress rubbishes Mamata's claim of financial neglect
Kolkata |Sunday, 2012 6:05:06 PM IST
The Congress Sunday dismissed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's claims of not getting enough financial support from the central government.

 »  Another Kolkata man dies near burnt laptop
Kolkata |Sunday, 2012 6:05:06 PM IST
Three months after a laptop snag killed an MNC employee, another man in Kolkata was found dead close to his burnt laptop in his bedroom, police said Sunday. Asphyxiation is suspected to be the cause of death.

 » Kabir Suman urges Mamata to expel him from Trinamool
Kolkata | Sunday, Feb 5 2012 IST
Responding to party supremo Mamata Banerjee's earlier 'threat', disgruntled Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman has urged the West Bengal Chief Minister to expel him from the party. On the sidelines of a students programme here last evening, the Trinamool MP of Jadavpur said, 'I will be happy if I am expelled from the party.' Incidentally, Ms Banerjee, who earlier had sharp differences with Kabir Suman on number of issues, maintained, 'It will not take more than a second to expel the MP from the party.' The singer-turned Trinamool MP also informed that he did not have any 'connection' with his party at present. 'No one in the party gives an ear to my views in respect of development and other socio-political matters and so also I don reciprocate to them,' the rebel MP obseved. He also alleged that he was not receiving his MPLAD funds. Accussing the party of being 'inhuman', Suman, who was hospitalised recently, said no one from his party came to visit him at the hospital 'though it was a protocol'. UNI ADG LR RD1339 NNNN

 » India observes World Cancer Day
Kolkata | February 05, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
World Cancer Day was observed in India on Saturday, and saw the participation of cancer patients and locals in different events aimed at spreading a message of fighting against the deadly disease and to promote the undying spirit of life.

 » It is a shame that Taslima's book was denied official launch: Mahasweta Devi
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Magsaysay Award winning writer-activist Mahasweta Devi today said it was a 'shame' that the Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen's latest book was denied official launch because of threats from fundamentalists. ''It is unfortunate and shameful. Every time she has to face such opposition. Just because she writes, should such a treatment be meted out to her? Such behaviour from the city is not at all acceptable,'' she said at the 36th Kolkata Book Fair while releasing a book. Controversy broke out over the book, 'Nirbashan(Exile) after its official launch was cancelled on Wednesday last by Kolkata Book Sellers and Publishers' Guild, organisers of the fair after they received threat calls. The city police also received complaints from Milli Ittehad, a Muslim organisation, who warned about the possible trouble if the book was launched. The book was, however, released later in a humble programme held at the stall of the publishers. The incident came close on the heels of the Salman Rushdie episode in which the UK-based author was forced to cancel his visit to Jaipur Literary Festival following threats by several fundamentalist groups. As Rushdie was branded an enemy of the Islam for his controversial novel 'Satanic Verses', Nasreen also incurred the ire of religious fundamentalists for being 'sacrilege' in her book 'Lajja'. Both the authors had invited 'fatwa' against them from Muslim organisations. Nasreen, who left her homeland Bangladesh to live in Kolkata, had to move out of the city in November, 2007, and take refuge in Sweden after a major violence broke out with different Muslim groups demanding her immediate expulsion from the country. 'Nirbasan (Exile)', is the seventh volume of an autobiographical memoir of Nasreen recollecting the incidents that led to her ouster from the city. Her controversial 'Dwikhandita' (Split in Two) is the third book in the series and was banned by the West Bengal Government. But the ban was later lifted by Calcutta High Court. UNI KDG KK RD1912 NNNN

 » Pranab describes CBI spl court's ruling as 'relief'
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Welcoming the CBI special court's ruling against listing Union Home Minister P Chidambaram an accused in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said it was a 'relief'. I welcome the judgement, he told reporters. Of course it is a good judgement and it is a relief because somebody was persecuted unnecessarily, he said. Mr Mukherjee's statement came after a Special CBI court dismissed Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy's plea to declare Mr Chidambaram, a former Finance Minister, an accused in the scam. Mr Mukherjee said even in the judgement of the Supreme Court it was mentioned that the advice of the Finance Ministry was not heeded by the then Communication Minister A Raja while allocating licences. The Supreme Court has nullified 122 2G licences for mobile phone services issued in 2008 and left it to the trial court to decide on a possible probe into the role of Home Minister P Chidambaram in the scam. UNI KDG KK RD1850 NNNN

 » Pranab refuses to divulge details of his meeting with Army chief
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today declined to divulge details of his meeting with army chief V K Singh on Thursday. '' I am not going to discuss this with the media. He met me as the army chief,'' Mr Mukherjee told reporters at his south Kolkata residence. Replying a question on the dispute over the age of General Singh and the row he had with the Government over the issue, the Finance Minister said several persons had met him over the subject, but the discussions were confidential. Mr Mukherjee also refused to comment on the recent controversy over Salman Rushdie being forced to cancel his visit to Jaipur Literary Festival following threats by fundamentalist groups and cancellation of the official launch of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen at the Kolkata Book Fair. UNI KDG KK RD1837 NNNN

 »  Sahara's withdrawal fresh crisis for beleaguered cricket, BCCI
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 9:35:05 PM IST
Facing tough times following the Indian team's dismal performance, poor crowd response in home internationals, and challenge from Formula 1 racing, the Indian cricket board Saturday suffered a fresh setback with Sahara India's decision to end its sponsorship of the Indian team, despite optimism from some quarters that the matter could be resolved through negotiations.

 »  Not getting development funds, complains Trinamool MP
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 8:35:05 PM IST
Singer-turned-Trinamool Congress MP Kabir Suman Saturday complained that the developmental work in his Lok Sabha constituency was suffering with his MP Local Area Development funds being blocked.

 »  Medical group opposes leniency to accused AMRI doctor
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 6:05:07 PM IST
The Indian Medical Association Saturday said no leniency should be shown to AMRI Hospital managing director and veteran doctor Mani Chettri, as it would set a bad precedent if one hospital director was shown mercy while others languished in jail.

 »  Special 'Gitanjali' to mark Tagore's 150th birth anniversary
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 5:35:06 PM IST
A special edition of "Gitanjali", the Nobel Prize-winning anthology of Rabindranath Tagore's poems, was Saturday launched by union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee as part of the bard's 150th birth anniversary celebrations.

 » India can become the global outsourcing base in pharmaceutical research: NATCONPH2012
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Given the current market dynamics and strong fundamentals, the Indian pharmaceutical sector can script another success story like the IT sector, feel the speakers at the National Conference on Pharmaceutical Technology (NAPCONPH 2012). Inaugurating the two-day national Conference here last night, Kolkata University Vice-Chancellor Prof Suranjan Das said this year's theme 'Impact of Pharmaceutical Education and Research' was aimed at strengthening the industry academia interface. He said India had the right potential to emerge as a multi-billion dollar global base for outsourcing of research and development of new drug formulations, clinical and collaborative research, adding the cost of such research in India would be 20 to 40 times cheaper than in the West. Also Speaking on the occasion Dr Subhasis Maity, Head of Department, BSHM College of Pharmaceutical Technology said India would have to rapidly expand its base of industry-ready professionals over the next few years' to remain globally comepetitive. He said though Indian Pharmaceutical inudstry, estimated to become a 20 billion USD industry by 2015, was poised for a major growth, in the wake of increasing globalisation, soaring costs of medicines and generic competition, its pharmaceutical industry was looking for innovation and optimisation through an open-minded approach to intellectual property sharing from R&D. Over 300 delegates from across the country had been participating at NATCONPH 2012, including industry leaders, drug manufacturing companies, senior government officials, leading healthcare service providers and besides academicians, senior representative of IT companies providing software support for the healthcare sector. UNI ABA LR sdg1619 NNNN

 » Underprivileged families talk about child rights via street Threatre
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Creativity and children's expressions reigned supreme as youngsters from under privileged families shared their thoughts on child rights through street theatre in the city today. As part of 'Bol Jamoore'--a national street theatre festival organised by CRY-Child Rights and You, the participants showed their support for child rights, and in particular, every child's right to free and quality education, regardless of family background. Altogether 13 children's groups from Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal shared their thoughts about the trails and triumphs of childhoood at the Bol Jamoore theatre festival and using the medium of street theatre, raised voice against child rights violations for all children. Regional Director of CRY East, Atindranath Das said the festival was aimed at motivating the people at large to stand up for what is right and bring about a lasting change in the lives of underprivileged children. ''Theatre is a wonderful way to engage and involve children. It is a very powerful interactive medium to create consciousness about the everyday realities faced by underprivileged children.'' For thousands of children a happy and healthy childhood is still a distant dream. Bol Jamoore explore those realities and attempts to bring to the fore the iportance of every child's right to live, learn, grow and play,'' he said. ''The whole concept is for general people to rise to the occasion and take a call. We seek to build a community of aware and motivate citizens to work towards building a movement for child rights all across the country,'' Mr Das said. He said the children participating in the theatre festival were in the age group of nine to 12. Most of them hail from the families of farmers, daily labourers or workers in the unorganised sector. They were from various schools and project areas of CRY across the three states. The children participating in Bol Jamoore were trained by experts in various aspects of street theatre, including scripting, diection and acting. UNI KDG AK sdg1551 NNNN

 » Veteran sports scribe Atul Mukherjee dies at 86
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Veteran sports scribe and life member of Calcutta Sports Journalists Club Atul Mukherjee died of old age at his south Kolkata residence early today, family sources said. He was 86. Mukherjee had been suffering from old age related problems for quite some time. CSJC president and secretary S Sabanayakan and Purnendu Chkraborty condoled the demise of the former Khelar Ashar (sport magazine) editor. Mukherjee, before elevating to the post of editor of the sports magazine (now defunct), had also worked at Hindustan Standard (English daily) and the Janashevak (Bengali daily). He had been actively associated with CSJC and had also covered 1982 FIFA World Cup. The death of the octogenarian has cast a shadow among the scribes in maidan areas, where he was quite active in his working years for decades. UNI PC LR NC HT1550 NNNN

 »  Guilty should be punished in 2G, says Trinamool
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 3:35:05 PM IST
The Trinamool Congress Saturday refused to comment on the special CBI court's order declining to make Home Minister P. Chidambaram an accused in the 2G spectrum case, but added that the guilty should be punished.

 »  Good judgment, it's a relief: Pranab
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 3:35:05 PM IST
Calling it a relief, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Saturday welcomed a CBI special court's ruling dismissing a plea to make Home Minister P. Chidambaram an accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

 » Delhi, Mumbai to have new income tax settlement commission benches
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
To curb litigation by providing speedy settlement to tax prayers in alternative avenues, two more Income Tax Settlement Commission Benches in New Delhi and one such Bench in Mumbai will be set up this year. This was stated here today by Vice-Chairman, Income Tax Settlement Commission, Kolkata, S K Chattopadhya while interacting with members of MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr Chattopadhyay informed that no separate Bench has been provided for the north eastern states so far. He said the Commission could help reduction of Rs 1.35 lakh tax proceeding of various nature till last year and in 400 cases income finally settled by the Commission was Rs 595 crore against returned income of Rs 206 crore, indicating a net revenue gain of 187 per cent. ''The Commission is mandated to resolve tax disputes by serving as a neutral mediator and the basic approach is to arrive at a consensus rather than a conflict,'' Mr Chattopadhyay observed. Referring to the initiatives of the government towards expanding the scope of the Commission, he said scope of cases were expanded to include proceedings related to search and seizure cases pending for assessment. Scope of the Commission was also expanded in respect of central excise and customs to include certain categories of cases that hitherto fell outside its jurisdiction, Mr Chattopadhyay added. UNI ADG LR sdg1448 NNNN

 » Govt celbrates 150th anniversary of Tagore and Vivekananda internationally
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, also the Chairman of the National Executive Committee for the 150th Birth Anniversaty celebrations of Rabindranath Tagore and Swami Vivekananda, today reminded the people about the relevance to follow the paths of non-violence and brotherhood as preached by both these great personalities many years ago. Releasing a special edition of the English manuscript of 'Gitranjali' and another book called 'Nameless Recognition : The Impact of Rabindranath Tagore on Other Indian Literature' here this morning, Mr Mukherjee said both the state government and the Centre had undertaken a series of programmes, both in India and overseas, to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of these two great sons of the country with due respect and solemnity. He said the Nationmal Implementation Committee(NIC), formed by the Centre for guiding the dual celebrations through year-long programmes across the globe, had taken several inititiates to highlight the rich contributions made by both Tagore and Swami Vivekananada in various fields of art, culture and literature. As part of these programmes, Mr Mukherjee informed that an exhaustive bibliography of books by and on the 1913 Nobel Lauriet poet was launched this year as a 'unique interactive' narration of his works. Referring to the launch of the English manuscript of Tagore's 'Gitanjali', he said collected from the Houghton Library of Harvard University, this special edition was found closest to the original Rothenstein Diary and had Tagore's own handwritings. The other book (Nameless Recognition : The Impact of Rabindranath Tagore on Other Indian Literature)was also a compilation of papers delivered at the National Conference of 1947 in New Delhi, Mr Mukherjee said. Also referring to the rich contributions of Swami Vivekananda in popularising the great Indian philosophy of peace, harmony and brotherhood among the global audience through his famous speech at the World Religious Conference in Chicago way back on September 11, 1893, the Union Finance Minister deviating from his political outlook, said the government after great efforts had finally been able to install a plaque at the same Conference Hall last week inscribing his famous address 'My Sisters and Brothers of America' on it. 'We have also introduced a chair in the same of Swami Vivekananda at Chicago University from this year which would be rotated in every two years among great philophers of the world spreading the message of peace and harmony. Since Swamiji in his famous speach underlined the dagerous impact of regious fundamentalism and urged the people to resist them with all out efforts,Mr Mukherjee said, even after a century his ideas had the same relevance and importance of fighting against all kinds of regiouis fatwas and fundamentalism across the globe. This had proved his far-sightedness beyond all others imagination, Mr Mukherjee pointed out. He also congratulated the continuing efforts of the union ministry of culture,particully that of union Culture Secretary Jahar Sarkar and his team, in implementating series of programees to mark the 150 anniversaries of both the great personalities at the Central as well as the state level for the whole year now. UNI ABA NNNN

 »  Six dead in Kolkata car accident
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 2:35:05 PM IST
Six people were killed Saturday morning when a car collided head on with a lorry coming from the opposite direction here.

 »  Street theatre festival focuses on child rights
Kolkata |Saturday, 2012 1:05:05 PM IST
Children's theatre groups from many states are raising their voice against child rights violations in the five-day National Street Theatre Festival "Bol Jamoore" that began in Kolkata.

 » Mamata accuses Left of poor governance in West Bengal
Kolkata | February 04, 2012 12:01:13 AM IST
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee has blamed the previous Communist Party of India (Marxist) administration of misgovernance in the state.

 » 6 killed as truck rams into Tata Sumo
Kolkata | Saturday, Feb 4 2012 IST
Six people were killed and two seriously injured when a truck rammed into a Tata Sumo at the Mahatma Gandhi Road in central Kolkata early today. Police said the accident occured at around 0330 hours at the MG Road-Bidhan Sarani crossing when the truck collided with the Howrah-bound Tata Sumo. While five occupants of the car died on the spot, one succumbed to injuries at a hospital. The deceased included the driver of the Tata Sumo and two women passengers. Police seized the truck but its driver was absconding. A team of policemen reached the site where traffic was temporarily halted. The injured were admitted at the nearby Medical College Hospital. UNI ADG PL NNNN

 »  Mahasweta Devi slams cancellation of Taslimas book launch
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 11:05:05 PM IST
Magsaysay Award winning author Mahasweta Devi Friday strongly criticised the cancellation of the release of controversial writer Taslima Nasreens book following objections from fundamentalists.

 »  Bengal fishermen, abducted by Bangladeshi pirates, traced
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 10:35:05 PM IST
Eleven Indian fishermen who went missing following an attack by Bangladeshi pirates in West Bengal's Sundarbans area have been located in Bangladesh and efforts are to bring them back, an official said Friday.

 » HC asks state govt to set up a committee to look into shrinking wetland
Kolkata | Friday, Feb 3 2012 IST
Calcutta High Court today expressed serious concern over the shrinking wetland across the state and asked the state government to set up a high-power committee to look into the problem mainly being created by land sharks. A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Joynarayan Patel and Justice S Chakraborty issued the directive on a public interest litigation filed by two non-government organisations - disha and FHLER. The bench held that the committee must have experts working on wetlands and pollution other than the government officials. The matter is likely to come up for hearing after 12 weeks. The petition said the state was losing its wetland as realtors were pilling up the water bodies to construct buildings. There was no doubt that growing population had been a great concern and the government had also a role to make a well-thought, long-term plan to save the wetland, the petition said adding if there was no wetland, life would cease to exist. The petition also mentioned the 1982 Ramsar convention where India committed to protecting its wetland for maintaining ecological balance. Lawyer S P Mukherjee appearing for the petitioners also drew attention of the court towards the shrinking wetland in the sprawling city of Kolkata . Mr Mukherjee pleaded that the court should issue directive to stop encroachment of wetland in the city being targeted by realtors. UNI XC SJC RD2101 NNNN

 »  Kishenji was killed in fake shootout: Mahasweta Devi
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 9:35:05 PM IST
Claiming that top Maoist leader Kishenji was killed in a "fake" shootout by the security forces, Magsaysay awardee author-activist Mahasweta Devi Friday said the government must probe and bring out the truth behind his death.

 »  West Bengal to start golden highway project
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 9:35:05 PM IST
In a bid to attract private sector investment in improvement and maintenance of state highways and major roads, the West Bengal cabinet Friday decided to implement a golden highway project by setting up an agency in public-private partnership model with an initial paid-up capital of Rs.50 crore.

 »  19 infants die in two Bengal hospitals
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 9:35:05 PM IST
Highlighting the poor state of health services in West Bengal, 19 infants have died in two district government hospitals in the past two days, a state official said Friday.

 » CPI(M) expresses happiness at Supreme Court order on Sushanta
Kolkata | Friday, Feb 3 2012 IST
Expressing 'happiness' at the Supreme Court order granting bail to former West Bengal minister Sushanta Ghosh, the CPI(M) today said the Trinamool Congress Government should take a 'lesson' out of it. '' We are happy that the bail petition by comrade Sushanta Ghosh has been granted, '' CPI(M) state Secretary Biman Basu said. '' It is out of vindictiveness that the state Government is going all out to harass comarade Ghosh by framing him with various charges. The Government should take a lesson from the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court, '' he told reporters. Welcoming the Apex court order, Leader of the Opposition and CPI(M) Central Committee member Surjyakanta Mishra said the party would continue to fight the case. '' We welcome the order, but the case is not over yet. It is a conditional bail and we will have to fight the case during trial, '' Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Surjyakanta Mishra said. Alleging that thousands of CPI(M) workers had been framed by the Trinamool Congress Government in different cases, Mr Mishra said the party would fight all these cases to prove that they were innocent. Mr Ghosh, an MLA from Garbeta in West Midnapore district, had been arrested by the state CID in August last year for his alleged involvement in the murder of Ajay Acharya, a Trinamool worker and six others, who remained missing for years. Soon after the Trinamool Congress Government came to power several skeletons were unearthed from inside a pit in Garbeta and one of them was identified as that of Ajay Acharya by his son. It was on the basis of the complaint lodged by Acharya's son that the case was reopened and Sushanta Ghosh was arrested. The CPI(M) had been alleging that Ghosh, considered to be a party strongman, had been framed by the Mamata Banerjee Government out of 'political vindictiveness', while the Trinamool Congress had been clamouring for his punishment for his alleged involvement in the heinous crime. UNI KDG SJC AKM 2032 NNNN

 »  Maruti ramps up car production to bring down waiting period
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 9:05:05 PM IST
After reporting lower sales for its inability to meet the boom in demand for diesel vehicles, country's leading car maker Maruti Suzuki Friday said it is trying to bring down the waiting period for customers by ramping up production in its plants, including the Manesar unit.

 »  Srei Infra's Q3 net slips by 51.8 percent
Kolkata |Friday, 2012 9:05:05 PM IST
Srei Infrastructure Finance Ltd, an infrastructure and construction equipment financing non-banking finance company (NBFC), Friday reported a 51.78 percent decline in its consolidated net profit for the quarter ended December 2011 at Rs.194 million from Rs.402 million in the same period in 2010.

 » Govt recognises Urdu as second language in WB
Kolkata | Friday, Feb 3 2012 IST
The West Bengal government today recognised Urdu as the second language in the state. The decision to elevate Urdu as the second language was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet at Writers' Buildings. After the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee said Urdu would be recognised as the second language in a place where more than 10 per cent Urdu speaking people lived. Informatively, besides the area under Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), a large number of Urdu speaking people resides at North 24 Parganas, Titagarh, Kamarhati and Kadulia. Bhatpara, Chapdani, Rishra, Goalpokhar and Islampore are the other places in the state dominated by Urdu speaking people. According to critics of the Mamata Banerjee government, the decision to 'promote' Urdu was taken to woo the minority voters and keeping an eye on the next Panchayat election in the state. UNI ADG KK RD1918 NNNN