Tag: Top Stories

IMPHAL, March 25: There will be no expansion of the Ibobi led Congress ministry before the March 31, according to sources close to the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh had himself told newsmen that expansion will not be possible before March 31, on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony of three senior ministers including Gaikhangam on March 16. Yet, rumors about possible expansion and the composition of the new ministry persist in certain sections of the public.

The possibility of Yumkham Erabot Singh in the Ibobi Cabinet and whether Ibobi wil part with the crucial portfolio of Finance is still a hot topic in the corridors of power and the roadside hotels.

Reliable sources in the Congress said, the compromise formula as worked out by the AICC High Command is seven representatives from Ibobi camp including himself and five from the Gaikhangam camp.

After the first expansion of his ministry, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has already two of his loyalists in the cabinet. They are Th Debendra Singh and Phungzathang Tonsing.

According to informed sources, Gaikhangam had proposed the names of Govindas Konthoujam of Bishnupur District, Victor Keishing of Ukhrul District, Ngamthang Haokip of Senapati District, Yumkham Erabot  of Imphal East district and L Nandakumar of Imphal West district.

While on the other hand the Chief Minister had proposed the names of Moirangthem Okendro Singh of Thoubal District, DK Korungthang of Chandel District, I Hemochandra of Imphal West District, Md Amin Shah of Imphal East District and AK Mirabai on women’s quota.

Sources further said, M Okendro’s name been proposed by both camps in the Congress. The party is still in the process of identifying as to who would be inducted as chairman and vice-chairman in the various government undertakings.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/no-expansion-till-marchend/

BHUBANESWAR, March 25 (agencies): Maoists Sunday released one of the two Italian hostages they had abducted March 14. The rebels said they will release the other Italian only after the government fulfills some of their demands.

After his release Claudio Colangelo said it was a frightening experience for him. He said he wants to visit India again but will be foolish to visit areas where there are Maoists. He said he wants to return to his native country Italy as soon as possible.

Appealing to the Maoists to release the second Italian immediately unharmed, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he will request the two mediators who were named by the rebels to resume talks to speed up the process.

State Home Secretary U.N. Behera said the state government will continue its efforts to secure the release of the other Italian, Bosusco Paolo, and a Biju Janata Dal legislator.

Rebel leader Sabyasachi Panda, who is named as `Sunil`, handed over Colangelo, 61, to a select group of three journalists somewhere in Kandhamal district. The Maoists released the Italian following an “appeal from people and a cross-section of society”, Panda said.

The guerrillas abducted Paolo and Colangelo from a forested area on the border of state`s Ganjam and Kandhamal district March 14.

On Saturday, the rebels kidnapped ruling BJD legislator and a popular tribal leader Jhina Hikaka, 37, in a hilly area of Koraput district.

However, Panda said he is not responsible for abduction of the BJP legislator and it has not been done by his group.

The rebel leader also said he released Colangelo because the state government halted negotiations with the Maoist-named mediators citing violence from the Maoist side.

He asserted that there was no violence in the area commanded by his group after declaration of ceasefire by him. Panda is the organising secretary of the Orissa state committee of Communist Party of India-Maoist.

The two Maoist mediators, tribal expert B.D. Sharma said social activist Dandapani Mohanty, who had withdrawn from mediation expressed his happiness over the release of Colangelo and said the government could resume dialogue for the release of the other.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Sunday appealed to the rebels to also release the legislator immediately.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/maoists-release-one-abducted-italian/

BHUBANESWAR, March 25 (agencies): Maoists Sunday released one of the two Italian hostages they had abducted March 14. The rebels said they will release the other Italian only after the government fulfills some of their demands.

After his release Claudio Colangelo said it was a frightening experience for him. He said he wants to visit India again but will be foolish to visit areas where there are Maoists. He said he wants to return to his native country Italy as soon as possible.

Appealing to the Maoists to release the second Italian immediately unharmed, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said he will request the two mediators who were named by the rebels to resume talks to speed up the process.

State Home Secretary U.N. Behera said the state government will continue its efforts to secure the release of the other Italian, Bosusco Paolo, and a Biju Janata Dal legislator.

Rebel leader Sabyasachi Panda, who is named as `Sunil`, handed over Colangelo, 61, to a select group of three journalists somewhere in Kandhamal district. The Maoists released the Italian following an “appeal from people and a cross-section of society”, Panda said.

The guerrillas abducted Paolo and Colangelo from a forested area on the border of state`s Ganjam and Kandhamal district March 14.

On Saturday, the rebels kidnapped ruling BJD legislator and a popular tribal leader Jhina Hikaka, 37, in a hilly area of Koraput district.

However, Panda said he is not responsible for abduction of the BJP legislator and it has not been done by his group.

The rebel leader also said he released Colangelo because the state government halted negotiations with the Maoist-named mediators citing violence from the Maoist side.

He asserted that there was no violence in the area commanded by his group after declaration of ceasefire by him. Panda is the organising secretary of the Orissa state committee of Communist Party of India-Maoist.

The two Maoist mediators, tribal expert B.D. Sharma said social activist Dandapani Mohanty, who had withdrawn from mediation expressed his happiness over the release of Colangelo and said the government could resume dialogue for the release of the other.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Sunday appealed to the rebels to also release the legislator immediately.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/maoists-release-one-abducted-italian/

IMPHAL, March 25: A man, who was reportedly gunned down by a combined team of Imphal west police commandos and 18 Sikh Regiment during an encounter at Naran Konjin under Wangoi police station on March 23, was an innocent bread-earner and not a militant, his family claimed Sunday.

Md Firoz Khan, 25, son of (L) Hesamuddin of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai was reported to have been shot dead in an encounter with security forces at Naran Konjin on March 23, but his family has claimed otherwise. The family has claimed that Fioz was picked up by security forces and later killed in a fake encounter.

Firoz is survived by three daughters and his six-month-old pregnant wife and that he was a daily wage earner, according to his family.

He left home on March 23 evening around 6pm along with his two friends identified as Md Abdul Rajaq, 23 of Lilong Chandakhong and Md Rasim Khan, 23 of Lilong Haoreibi Konjin Leikai in Thoubal district.

The two individuals were caught by locals yesterday afternoon from their respective houses and later the residents grilled them over the killing of Firoz, the family maintained.

According to the duo, on that day March 23, the three friends were going for a walk at Sawombung Penakhong. They started running from the area when they spotted a commando team approaching them. The team later on picked up Firozand opened fire towards the two friends while taking away Firoz from the scene, the family quoted the two friends.

Meanwhile, the body of Firoz was handed over to his family on Sunday after conducting autopsy at RIMS.

His body had received 11 bullets on his chest, his family source said.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/fake-encounter-slur-on-sf/

IMPHAL, March 25 (Newmai News Network): A salesman was rescued by the security force personnel in the late afternoon of Sunday from Manipur`s southern district Churachandpur from armed men.

According to the police, one Kh. Ibungojaoba (41) was abducted by three gunmen from Churachandpur market at about 7:30 pm on Saturday.

The kidnappers then demanded Rs 1 lakh for the release of Ibungojaoba from his employer.

Ibungojaoba who hails from Khumakjam Leikei of Churachandpur works as a salesman in a butcher shop which mostly deals in chicken in Churachandpur market.

At around 5:30 pm today, following a tip-off from certain quarters, a combined team of Churachandpur police and Assam Rifles personnel rushed to Bollen village, some 6 km from Churachandpur police station and rescued the man. The security personnel also arrested two of the three abductors. Though it is yet to confirm but the police suspect that the abductors are cadres of the Kuki National Front, KNF (S) which is a party to the Suspension of Operation (SoO).

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/police-rescue-man-from-kidnappers/

IMPHAL, March 25 (Newmai News Network): A salesman was rescued by the security force personnel in the late afternoon of Sunday from Manipur`s southern district Churachandpur from armed men.

According to the police, one Kh. Ibungojaoba (41) was abducted by three gunmen from Churachandpur market at about 7:30 pm on Saturday.

The kidnappers then demanded Rs 1 lakh for the release of Ibungojaoba from his employer.

Ibungojaoba who hails from Khumakjam Leikei of Churachandpur works as a salesman in a butcher shop which mostly deals in chicken in Churachandpur market.

At around 5:30 pm today, following a tip-off from certain quarters, a combined team of Churachandpur police and Assam Rifles personnel rushed to Bollen village, some 6 km from Churachandpur police station and rescued the man. The security personnel also arrested two of the three abductors. Though it is yet to confirm but the police suspect that the abductors are cadres of the Kuki National Front, KNF (S) which is a party to the Suspension of Operation (SoO).

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/police-rescue-man-from-kidnappers/

IMPHAL, March 25: A one day consultation program on “Crisis of potable water in Manipur: Is there a way out” was held today at EEMA conference hall, Keishampat Junction, Imphal. The function was attended by many organizations, students as well as individuals from different parts of the state.

The consultation program was chaired by Kheidem Mani, senior advocate, Yambem Laba, senior journalist and Meihoubam Rakesh, director, Human Rights Law Network, Manipur as moderators.

Addressing the keynote, Meihoubam Rakesh stated that we don’t have water problem but we lack potable water, even though we have Public Health Engineering Department running with thousands of employees.

Declaring that right to water is a basic fundamental right, Meihoubam Rakesh concluded his keynote address saying that the consultation program is the first step of protest towards the government’s failure to provide potable water to the general public.

Later, during the knowledge sharing session, K. Rabei, a practicing lawyer at Guwahati High Court said that if the government is responsible for the crisis so as the people, since India is a democratic country. He also said that we should take legal action with the help of legal experts.

Further, women folk who were present have expressed their anger, saying women folk suffer more, so they will take more initiative and support the cause in every possible way. Other organization representatives, students and individuals also expressed their anger towards the failure of the Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/crisis-of-potable-water-is-there-a-way-out/

IMPHAL, March 25: A one day consultation program on “Crisis of potable water in Manipur: Is there a way out” was held today at EEMA conference hall, Keishampat Junction, Imphal. The function was attended by many organizations, students as well as individuals from different parts of the state.

The consultation program was chaired by Kheidem Mani, senior advocate, Yambem Laba, senior journalist and Meihoubam Rakesh, director, Human Rights Law Network, Manipur as moderators.

Addressing the keynote, Meihoubam Rakesh stated that we don’t have water problem but we lack potable water, even though we have Public Health Engineering Department running with thousands of employees.

Declaring that right to water is a basic fundamental right, Meihoubam Rakesh concluded his keynote address saying that the consultation program is the first step of protest towards the government’s failure to provide potable water to the general public.

Later, during the knowledge sharing session, K. Rabei, a practicing lawyer at Guwahati High Court said that if the government is responsible for the crisis so as the people, since India is a democratic country. He also said that we should take legal action with the help of legal experts.

Further, women folk who were present have expressed their anger, saying women folk suffer more, so they will take more initiative and support the cause in every possible way. Other organization representatives, students and individuals also expressed their anger towards the failure of the Government.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/crisis-of-potable-water-is-there-a-way-out/

IMPHAL, Mar 24: Two CRPF jawans were on Saturday killed after a hand grenade accidentally exploded while they were on sentry duty at Loktak Project in Bishnupur district, police said here.

The incident occurred around 2:30 this afternoon when two personnel belonging to 32 CRPF on sentry duty at Loktak Project under Loktak police station were critically wounded after a hand grenade which fell unobserved from one of the jawans blasted. The duo died on the way to the RIMS hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Sitaram Gujjar, 27 and Banwarilal, 28, both hailing from Rajashthan.

The bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/2-crpf-jawans-killed-in-bomb-explosion/

By Our Correspondent
IMPHAL, March 24: A two-day free medical camp and routine immunization programme was organized at four remote border villages of Yangoubung, T. Bungmol, Ch. Tengnoupal and Chonjang in Chandel district about 35 km from Moreh town on March 21 to 22.

The medical camp assisted by Moreh Block Chiefs’ Association and guided by social activist Yamthang Mate was carried out under the leadership of Dr S Priyokumar, Medical-in-charge, PHC Moreh and District Immunization Officer, DIO, and Medical Officer Ayush Dr Kh Shantikumar along with 10 staffs from PHC Moreh.

The medical team provided free treatment to 452 patients and distributed medicines to them and over 70 children who have not been able to get any kind of vaccination from the time they were born received proper immunization during the camp, Dr Priyokumar said in a statement on Saturday.

The DIO Moreh also expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who participated and extended a helping hand in smooth conduct of the free medical camp.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/phc-moreh-organized-free-medical-camp-in-border-villages/

IMPHAL, Mar 24: The Anal Naga Taangpi (ANTA) has organized a public rally against construction of Chakpi Multipurpose Project on March 23 at Chakpikarong Sub-Divisional Headquarters, Chandel District, Manipur.

According to a press release, the 78 high and 510 m long dam will submerged an estimated area of over 3568.78 hectares displacing several villages in Chakpikarong and Chandel effecting on general agricultural Jhum and wet arable land towards the east and north. It will also severely affect the socio-economy of the indigenous people with the loss of rich biodiversity, land, people and natural resources. Further, the proposed mega project does not comply with World Commission of Dams (WCD) and therefore violates the Environment Protection Acts besides causing grievous threat to life and natural equilibrium.

ANTA warns the government and concerned authority that the tribal body will be forced to resort to democratic means of agitations in order to protect and safeguard their land and resources if the government failed to cancel the project.

ANTA is also aggrieved and socked to learn that, Pallel to Chandel, Sugnu to Chakpikarong road condition is so bad that even the BRTF authorities are not in the position to repair and improve this road before the rainy season comes. ANTA further appeals that if the BRTF authorities are not in the position to repair and improve before the rainy season, then one time relaxation for repairing of these roads be given to state PWD in the larger interest of the general public added the release.  

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/rally-against-construction-of-chakpi-multipurpose-project/

IMPHAL, Mar 24: Under the leadership of S. Shyamsunder, State Secretary of CPI (Marxist-Leninist) Manipur, in co-ordination with the Democratic Women front of Manipur, a team has left for Delhi to protest in support of the on-going movement to Repeal AFSPA, Safe Sarmila and to politically solve insurgency issues in Manipur.  The party’s State Control Commission Ch. Gopanmacha, retired Deputy Director, Manipur State Assembly has also joined the team.

According to a press statement, on March 25 a press conference and on March 26 a sit-in protest will be organized, later on March 27 a rally will be organized in front of the parliament at Delhi, along with thousands of people who will be coming from all over India with the slogan to Safe Sarmila, Repeal AFSPA. Further International Co-ordination of Revolutionary Parties and organization (ICOR) will also organize protest with the support of other countries of the world added the press release.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/repeal-afspa-safe-sarmila-and-politically-solve-insurgency-issues/

IMPHAL, Mar 24: To commemorate the 177th Raising Day of Assam Rifles, a wreath laying ceremony was held at Assam Rifles War Memorial at Kangla on March 24 to pay homage to the brave martyrs.

Maj gen UK Gurung, IGAR (s) led all ranks of AR and ex-servicemen in laying wreath at the historic Kangla War Memorial.

Kangla War Memorial is of great importance since 4 Assam Rifles represented the AR Force in entirety with participation in two great World Wars. This war memorial has assumed the importance of a Central memorial to the Force. It is a matter of honour and pride that IGAR (South) with vast expansion of the Force has organized wreath laying ceremony and remembered the martyrs at this Historical Memorial. The ceremony also marked the significance that the  ASSAM RIFLES has completed 177 years of dedicated service to the nation and North East in particular. Maj Gen U K Gurung,YSM  took special care and interest to perform the ceremony in a most befitting way & to the best traditions of the Force. The Memorial aesthetically bedecked with flowers added to its glory and its shine & glitter resented an impressive show amidst buglers sounding the last post and smartly turned out ASSAM RIFLES Contingent offering national salute to the  departed souls

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/wreath-laying-ceremony-on-assam-rifles-day/

IMPHAL, March 22: “Khangenbam Naocha was killed after being picked out from among his friends by a team of Bishnupur police CDOs and 33 Assam Rifles personnel while he was collecting money borrowed by one Pukhrambam Inaokhohee, 30 son of (l) Bijoy of Wangoo Sabal Mayai Leikai”, claimed family members today.

Khangenbam Naocha, 28 son of (l) Bor Singh of Wangoo Naodakhong was allegedly killed by a team of Cdo Bishnupur and 33 AR personnel during an encounter at Wangoo Sabal Mayai Leikai on Wednesday at around 8:40pm and recovered one 9mm pistol alongwith three live rounds from him, according to the police.

Negating the police claim of killing Naocha during an encounter, family members of the deceased has said that he was killed at the courtyard of Inaokhohee in front of his friends.

According to the family members, Naocha who works as a mason at Saikul had returned home at around 4:30pm on Wednesday.

However, instead of going straight to his home, he along with two of his co-workers and another friend lingered behind at a wine vendor, run by one Pukhrambam Somen of Wangoo Sabal Mayai leikai at his residence.

At around 8:30pm, he alongwith his companions came out of the vendor and went directly to the residence of Pukhrambam Inaokhohee to collect the sum of Rs 1300, which the latter had borrowed from him, family members informed.

However, even as he received the money, an argument ensued between the two, during which a team of the CDO Bishnupur and 33 Assam Rifles arrived at the scene and picked Naocha out and shoot him at the courtyard after making him lay down, the family alleged.

Further according to the family Naocha was a cadre of the UNLF, however after an arrest by police Cdos in the year 2006 from Moirang and after spending one and a half months in the jail, he had severed all ties with the outfit. He had started his own business of cutting wood and selling it alongwith masonry works.

He is survived by his wife and a one and half year old daughter, family source informed.

Post mortem was conducted on the dead body this evening at the RIMS morgue.

Family members have confirmed that they will received the body, however will further consult the local NGOs, clubs and Meira paibis on further steps to be taken out against the alleged fake encounter.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/fake-encounter-claim-surfaces-yet-again/

IMPHAL, March 22: The last sitting of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today finished in record time, and everything was wrapped up in 45 minutes.

In normal sittings, one hour is allotted for the Question Hour before other businesses are taken up. But, there was only one question today.

In the whole session, there were only two questions. Both the questions were asked by gaintkiller Karam Shyam of Langthabal. He had defeated the veteran MPP leader Okram Joy.

There was no Question Hour in the first two days. The first sitting began on March 19 with the address of the state Governor Gurbachan Jagat in the afternoon at 2 pm. The second day started with an obituary reference to the late MLA of Thangmeiband Kumarjit Singh.

Replying to K Shyam’s question Chief Minister O Ibobi  said, an amount of Rs 120 lakhs was sanctioned for the 2nd phase of Chandranadi project.

He said, with the coming up of the Manipur University complex and other institutions resectioning and modernization of the existing channel section of Chandranadi is required to carry the storm water.

During Zero Hour, lone NCP MLA Laishom Ibomcha of Keishamthong raised the issue of water scarcity and load shedding.

He said, CFL bulbs should be made mandatory so as to ease power consumption.

MSCP MLA Paonam Brojen of Wangjing Tentha raised the need for a Manipur Bhavan in Mumbai to facilitate cancer patients from Manipur.

After the ZeroHour, Trinamool MLAs Dr Ibohalbi and Kh Joykishan in a Calling Attention Motion raised the issue of alleged misappropriation of RKVY funds in the state Veterinary Department.

Dr Ibohalbi said, a newspaper has reported that payments have not been made to selected beneficiaries of the piggery scheme under RKVY.

He questioned as to whether the report is true or not, and if it is true what action has the government taken in this regard.

Giving his reply CM Ibobi Singh said, the report is not true and he has pulled up officials of the department for not clarifying in time.

Later, after passing two Appropriation Bills the Speaker Th Lokeshwar Singh adjourned the first session of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly sine die.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/assembly-sitting-gone-in-45-minutes/

NEW DELHI, March 22 (MIC): The President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil has extended the greetings to all the Manipuri communities on the occasion of Sajibu Cheiraoba Festival being celebrated tomorrow.

In her message released from Rashtrapati Bhavan here today on the occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Chetti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba which shall be celebrated tomorrow, Pratibha Devisingh Patil said: “On the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Sukladi, Ugadi, Gudi Padava, Cheti Chand, Navreh and Sajibu Cheiraoba, I send my greetings to all those celebrating these festivals in different parts of the country.

May these festivals, strengthen the bonds of unity amongst the people of different regions of the country”. 

Cheiraoba marks the New Year of Manipuri communities. It is celebrated on the first day of the Manipuri month Sajibu which falls in the month of March or April. It is also a sacred and socio-religious festival of Manipuri people. Family feasting and pilgrimage up the Cheiraoching hill marked the occasion.

On the day of festival, people clean and decorate their houses. They wear new clothes.

The best seasonal vegetables and fruits are offered to the Almighty God and Goddess namely, Lainingthou Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel Shidabi, which are worshipped in each house.

Special festive dishes are then prepared from the vegetables having offered to the deities, for a grand feast for the family.

After the preparation, the cooked foods are offered by the elder of the house outside the gate to the three deities- Iram Maba Tumaba, Iram Senba Tusenba and Kumsana Puriklai for protection of the family and then all the family members together have the feast.

The married women give their parents and brothers gifts on the occasion. The youths seek the blessings of the elders of the family.

After the feast, people all dressed in the pious traditional attires will climb the nearest hill-top in the belief that it will enable them to rise to greater heights in the worldly life. People will exchange greetings and new ideas.

On every Cheiraoba, a new Cheithaba is selected. The Cheithaba is the one who records the major events in the Cheitharol Kumbaba (Royal Chronicle). The uninterrupted line of Cheithaba since the reign of the 15th century king Kyamba are found recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba.

The major events since 33 AD are recorded in the Cheitharol Kumbaba under royal patronage.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/president-greets-people-on-sajibu-cheiraoba/

IMPHAL, March 22: The Manipur State Youth Policy 2011 was criticized today in a national seminar on Youth, Peace and Development organized by National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell of Manipur University in Imphal.

The 2 day seminar was sponsored by the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Sriperumbudur.

Besides scholars from outside the state, the afternoon session had Human Rights Activist Babloo Loitongbam and journalists Irengbam Arun and Yumnam Rupachandra.

As deliberations on the state youth policy began in the session held at the Senate Hall of Manipur University, speaker after speaker criticized the policy for lack of vision and direction.

Resident Editor of IFP Irengbam Arun said, it cannot be called a policy document as such but observations and it fail to address the real issues of the youth in the state.

He said, a policy document should start with the basic question of where do we want our youth to go and achieve. It has to set the stage for channelizing the vibrant energy of our youth, as reflected in the field of sports and education, and art and culture.

Dr N Jiten of MU Centre for Myanmar Studies said, the youths should be consulted in framing a youth policy and the question of what do the youth want should have priority.

Meanwhile, the Sports Movement Committee Manipur is organizing a state level seminar in association with Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Manipur University, Directorate of Youth Affairs and Sports, Govt. of Manipur and Sports Authority of India (NERC) Takyel, Manipur, under the theme “Sports movement in 21st century in Manipur” from April 3-5 at Centenary hall Manipur University, Canchipur.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/state-youth-policy-lambasted/

NEW DELHI, March 22 (agencies): Newly appointed railway minister Mukul Roy announced a rollback in some of the rail fares that were announced last week in the Rail Budget.

Mukul Roy told Parliament that fares for first and second class passengers in air-conditioned carriages would still go up, but there would be no increase for other classes of travel more commonly used by the poor.

“The proposal to increase (fares) will impact the common man,” Roy said. “I intend to give relief by not increasing fares in any of these classes.”

The proposed increase in passenger fares, the first in eight years, was aimed at shoring up the finances of a rail network whose dysfunction has become a major drag on the economy.

The objection to the increase, led by UPA ally Trinamool Congress, underscored the inability of Manmohan Singh`s government to take unpopular steps and its vulnerability in the face of querulous coalition allies.

Saying it was important to run railways economically and safely, Roy announced there would be no increase in passenger fares.

Mukul Roy also said he intends to launch an aggressive drive to mop up resources for the railways. Unmanned level crossing to be removed, he said.

Former railway minister Dinesh Trivedi, who had announced an increase in passenger fares across all classes in the Rail Budget on March 14, faced a lot of flak from Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee and was forced to resign over the issue a few days later.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/mukul-roy-announces-rollback-in-rail-fare-hike/

NEW DELHI, March 19 (agencies): Trinamool Congress`s Mukul Roy will be sworn-in Tuesday as cabinet minister to replace his party colleague Dinesh Trivedi who has resigned as railway minister, official sources said here.

Roy, minister of state for shipping, would take the oaths of office and secrecy Tuesday morning as cabinet minister, the sources said.

Trivedi had to resign after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee opposed the hike in passenger fares announced by him in the rail budget presented to Parliament last week.

Banerjee had written to the prime minister that Trivedi should be replaced by Roy.

Trivedi sent his resignation to the prime minister Sunday evening.

The prime minister told the Lok Sabha Monday that Trivedi`s resignation will be sent to the president with the recommendation that it should be accepted.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/mukul-roy-to-be-new-railway-minister-swearing-in-tuesday/

NEW DELHI, March 19 (agencies): In a major relief for the government over the fiercely contested National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), three amendment motions moved by the opposition on the anti-terror intelligence hub were defeated in the Lok Sabha Monday.

The Trinamool Congress, a bitter critic of NCTC but part of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), lent tacit support to the government in defeating the amendments after its MPs walked out of the house and didn`t participate in the voting.

The Samajwadi Party (SP), which also backs the government from outside, voted against the amendments that helped in defeating the motions. The ruling Uttar Pradesh party is also bitterly opposed to the NCTC.

MPs of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), which supports the UPA from outside but was also opposed to the anti-terror agency, also walked out, reducing the number of effective members present in the house and voting.

The amendments were moved by the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Left and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) after Prime Manmohan Singh told the house that the proposed anti-terror agency was “an important step” in “dealing with terrorism and dealing effectively” with it.

Manmohan Singh in his reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to President Pratibha Patil`s address dealt at length with NCTC row to address the concern that by setting up the proposed agency “the central government is trying to encroach upon the jurisdiction of the state government”.

The prime minister said consultations with state governments over the issue would continue and that the anti-terror agency would not be commissioned till a meeting was held with all chief ministers April 16.

“The idea of NCTC, you have all agreed is unexceptional. And the manner in which NCTC will function, there may be differences about tingle but I am confident that through discussions and dialogues, these differences could be narrowed down and a consensus can be arrived and that will be our sincere efforts.”

Not impressed by Manmohan Singh`s assurances, BJP`s Sushma Swaraj, who is also leader of opposition in the house, pressed for a vote on her amendment seeking deletion of the reference of NCTC from the president`s March 12 address to the joint session of parliament.

But the house rejected Sushma Swaraj`s motion. At least 141 members voted for the amendment and 226 voted against it. One member abstained.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) moved the second amendment motion. The motion by Basudeb Acharia of the CPI-M also met the same fate.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the ruling party in Odisha, moved the third motion, which was also defeated.

Trinamool leader and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been among the front runners along with her Odisha counterpart Naveen Patnaik in opposing the formation of NCTC on the grounds that powers given to the agency would infringe on the rights of state governments.

But by walking out during the NCTC vote, Trinamool MPs tried to kill two birds with one stone. They didn`t vote in favour of a policy they have ferociously opposed and also saved some embarrassment for the government it is part of by not voting against it.

Banerjee who is in Delhi later said her party would continue opposing NCTC which she described as “worse than TADA and POTA” – the two anti-terror acts that were scrapped after complaints over their misuse.

The West Bengal chief minister met the prime minister and among other things discussed with him the issue.

The agency was supposed to be formed March 1, but this was delayed after all non-Congress states wrote to the prime minister opposing it.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2012/03/government-wins-first-nctc-battle-defeats-opposition-amendments/