How large is the issue?

It is a main difficulty in Malda, notably the areas via which the Ganga flows. The individuals of the area have been struggling for ages and we have now been requesting the Union Ministry of Water Assets to take remedial measures. Throughout monsoons, lakhs of individuals are displaced yearly as a result of floods within the area which submerge homes, farms and orchards.

Have you ever raised this matter earlier than?

I’ve raised it a number of instances earlier than, each inside and out of doors Parliament. I raised it even once I was a Lok Sabha MP. I met officers on the ministry in addition to the Farakka Barrage, beneath whose purview the affected areas come. However to no avail.

How many individuals are affected as a result of erosion and floods?

The numbers are in lakhs. And other people from backward communities are disproportionately affected by the difficulty because the low-lying areas which can be flooded and being washed away are inhabited by the financially weak. Not less than 4 to 5 blocks are majorly affected. The home of a former BJP MLA of the world was additionally washed away just a few years again.

What’s the state authorities doing?

The state authorities has restricted powers on this case because the affected areas come beneath the direct purview of Farakka Barrage, which comes beneath the Ministry of Water Assets, Authorities of India. Nevertheless it does as a lot as it may by way of offering aid. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised the matter not too long ago as nicely, calling for a everlasting resolution.

What generally is a resolution?

I really feel an embankment generally is a everlasting resolution. As a result of an embankment helped forestall floods to some extent within the case of Mahananda, which additionally flows via the area

The Congress, TMC, Shiv Sena, DMK, RJD, TRS, CPI, AAP, SP and IUML are signatories to the memorandum, which additionally condemned the “reprehensible conduct” of Governors in Opposition-ruled states of West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, saying their actions are a “direct assault on the federal construction of the Structure”.

“We’ve come collectively in unison to articulate our consensus and demand that the alarming and relentless depredations of the Union on areas which might be squarely within the area of States be stopped instantly. Issues that undoubtedly require federal consultations should be mentioned with the States, as a substitute of issuing unilateral orders,” mentioned the memorandum.

Addressing a joint press convention later, CPI Rajya Sabha member Binoy Viswam mentioned the Opposition events, which differ with one another on many different points, have been “compelled to affix palms” to defend the Structure.

TMC MPs Saugata Roy, Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, Dola Sen, Jawhar Sircar; Congress MPs Amee Yajnik and Kumar Ketkar and DMK MP Tiruchi Siva have been additionally current on the press convention the place the BJP, the ruling occasion within the Centre, was accused of lowering the workplaces of the Governors to its “camp workplaces”.

“The BJP authorities has been persistently attacking federalism, usurping energy of the states…The Governors now don’t respect the state Assemblies,” mentioned DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva, referring to the standoff between the Tamil Nadu authorities and Governor R N Ravi over the NEET Invoice.

In its written response to a Lok Sabha query requested by TMC’s Roy, the Centre on Wednesday mentioned it analyzing feedback from the states and UTs on the proposal to amend the IAS (Cadre) guidelines to deal with the issue of “state governments not sponsoring sufficient variety of officers for central deputation”.

9 states have written to the Centre opposing the proposal, Roy mentioned.

Former diplomat Dev Mukharji, who’s among the many signatories, mentioned, “I depart it to you choose who actually is the tukde tukde gang on this nation.” Former planning fee secretary N C Saxena mentioned the issue “is political in addition to administrative”.

“We have to recommend sensible strategies that can deal with the scarcity of IAS in states. That is partly their (Centre) personal doing because the consumption of IAS was diminished… Relatively than name a gathering on the political stage, it’s a lot better if the federal government units up a committee with retired bureaucrats to recommend a means out,” Saxena, who additionally addressed the press convention, mentioned.

By PTI

PANAJI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) common secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday claimed that ever since his social gathering forayed into Goa’s electoral politics, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned him eight to 10 instances on the behest of the BJP.

In controversial remarks, he informed Goan voters to “take cash from the BJP, however vote for the TMC” within the February 14 meeting polls.

Addressing a public assembly at Cumbharjua in North Goa, he stated the BJP has been “misusing energy” and concentrating on the TMC, the ruling social gathering in West Bengal.

The Mamata Banerjee-led TMC is contesting the meeting polls in Goa in an alliance with the MGP, the state’s oldest regional outfit.

Abhishek Banerjee is the nephew of Mamata Banerjee.

The Trinamool Congress common secretary claimed his social gathering has grow to be a formidable drive within the tiny coastal state dominated by the BJP.

“The BJP has been misusing energy towards the TMC, which has grow to be a formidable drive in Goa. Each because the TMC has come to Goa, the Enforcement Directorate, on the behest of the BJP, has summoned me eight to 10 instances,” the Lok Sabha MP claimed.

Banerjee asserted his social gathering is not going to get intimidated and vowed to battle again.

“I’m standing right here and I offer you my phrase that regardless of how a lot the BJP tries to intimidate us, we is not going to bow down earlier than them,” he stated.

“Until the time I’m alive, until the time blood is flowing by way of my veins, I’ll proceed to battle on your rights,” the highest TMC chief stated, making an emotional pitch for his social gathering and searching for votes for it in what’s a brand new terrain for the 24-year-old outfit which remains to be to make a mark outdoors its stronghold of West Bengal.

Banerjee informed Goan voters to punish the BJP for its “betrayal”.

“You’re taking cash from the BJP, however vote for don fula (two flowers – ballot image of TMC) and betray the BJP like they betrayed Goans in 2017 (when the saffron social gathering got here to energy),” stated the 34-year-old politician.

Banerjee stated the best betrayal for Goans was in 2017 when “each MLA individuals voted for offered his soul for Rs 50 crore”.

“Everybody in Goa is conscious of this reality. There are 20,000 to 25,000 voters per constituency. So, you possibly can calculate for your self. One vote for them prices Rs 20,000,” he stated.

In addition to the BJP, he additionally focused the opposition Congress.

The TMC chief stated, “Your vote, your belief, your religion, your love, your blessings, your honour is being offered by each the BJP and the Congress for a mere Rs 20,000.

Banerjee stated what occurred with Goa in 2017 has by no means occurred in another state over the last 50 years.

“You voted for the Congress and rejected the BJP. However the Congress performed with the love and belief of the individuals of Goa. Shopping for and promoting politics should cease in Goa,” he stated.

After the final meeting polls, the Congress emerged as the one largest social gathering, but it surely was the BJP which fashioned a authorities by rapidly forging an alliance with smaller events and Impartial MLAs.

Banerjee stated the time has come to vote for clear politics and this may be ensured solely by the TMC-led alliance.

“Voting for another social gathering besides the Trinamool Congress is the same as voting for the BJP which in flip means defeat of Goa,” he added.

Referring to the BJP’s oft-repated speak of “double engine” goverment, Banerjee dismissed it as “double loot”.

The time period “double engine” is utilized by BJP leaders to seek advice from the social gathering being in energy on the Centre in addition to in a state.

“Loot of sources is going on in Goa and one other loot of the nationwide exchequer is going on in Delhi (Centre),” the TMC chief stated.

The state, which has a 40-member meeting, will go to the polls on February 14 and votes shall be counted on March 10.

By PTI

KOLKATA: The BJP on Thursday urged the State Election Fee to countermand elections to 3 municipalities in West Bengal which the ruling Trinamool Congress gained with none contest.

The TMC was declared winner in Sainthia and Budge Budge municipalities on Wednesday, and in Dinhata on Thursday.

Elections to 108 municipalities within the state are scheduled to be held on February 27.

Chief of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari informed reporters after assembly senior SEC officers that the BJP desires the polls to the three civic our bodies be countermanded on account of “intimidation and risk to BJP candidates, and acts of bodily stopping them from submitting nomination papers”.

“We have now informed SEC Sourav Das and fee secretary N Shandilya that what occurred within the three civic our bodies was nothing wanting mockery of democracy. If the ruling occasion can maintain up the municipal elections for about two years, why cannot elections be deferred in these three civic our bodies by one other six months?” he mentioned.

Adhikari mentioned the BJP will launch an agitation if the demand was not met.

The BJP chief additionally demanded the deployment of central armed paramilitary forces in elections to 4 municipal companies of Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Chandernagore and Asansol on February 12.

“The MHA will despatch consignments of central forces in a 24-hour discover. Let the SEC being an autonomous physique take a choice to make sure free and truthful polls. Let the central forces be additionally deployed within the February 27 polls in 108 municipalities,” he mentioned.

The TMC gained 13 of the 16 wards of Sainthia municipality, 12 of the 20 wards in Budge Budge, and 13 of the 16 wards in Sainthia uncontested.

Reacting to Adhikari’s demand, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh mentioned, “Who’s Suvendu Adhikari to ask for countermanding the municipal polls? Does he count on the SEC to bop to his tunes?” Dinhata’s TMC MLA Udayan Guha denied the BJP allegations.

“It’s the BJP which had unleashed a reign of terror in Coochbehar over the last meeting and Lok Sabha elections. However now persons are turning in opposition to them. The BJP is just not discovering individuals to contest in Dinhata, and the Congress and CPI(M) have lengthy been decimated,” he mentioned.

Previously 4 years, the BJP has seen a number of episodes of comparable turbulence, together with insurgent MLAs tenting in Delhi looking for substitute of Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, and public criticism of the get together and authorities from inside. Barman and Saha have been on the centre of most such episodes.

A five-time MLA and one of many seniormost leaders of the state, Barman had been dropped as well being minister for unspecified causes in 2019, and had been bristling since. Barman stated many different BJP leaders and legislators would go away. “You will notice this authorities find yourself in minority.”

Two months in the past, one other BJP MLA, Ashish Das, had resigned and joined the Trinamool Congress.

The BJP, in flip, has accused Barman and Saha, a three-time MLA, of plotting to overthrow the federal government. BJP state president Manik Saha advised reporters: “The Barman drama has been happening for fairly a while. A circulate chart needs to be made on what number of occasions they’ve modified events… We’re not in any respect anxious about this (growth).”

Sinking for the reason that BJP took away its house within the state, the Congress has positively acquired a contemporary breath of life with Barman’s entry. He has returned five-and-a-half years after leaving the Congress with 5 different MLAs for the Trinamool Congress, adopted by the BJP. AICC in-charge for Tripura Ajay Kumar stated Tuesday that the state will see “extra surprises”.

Barman claimed that the Congress vote share that had shifted to the BJP in 2018 would return to it with him. “I dedicated a sin (by leaving the Congress). Our penance shall be full after we set up a Congress authorities in Tripura in 2023.”

Nonetheless, it might be simpler stated than carried out. Each the CPM’s Jitendra Chaudhury and the TMC’s Subal Bhowmik welcomed Barman’s resolution however clarified that it didn’t imply they have been in a rush to tug down the Deb authorities.

Chaudhury stated the query of whether or not the Left might think about becoming a member of arms with the Congress would rely upon what the Congress does. Bhowmik stated the TMC was not keen on overthrowing a authorities by “buying MLAs”.

The previous few elections point out a widening hole between the BJP and the remainder of the events within the state. The BJP had gained in 2018 with 43% of the votes, an enormous rise from simply 1.87% in 2013. It elevated this additional, to 49% of the votes, within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and round 60% in November’s civic polls. (The Opposition had alleged large riging within the civic polls.)

The CPM’s vote share has correspondingly slipped, from 53.80% votes in 2013 to 45.46% in 2018 and 18.13% within the civic polls. Within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, it completed behind the BJP and Congress.

The most important slide has been for the Congress, falling from round 45.75% of the votes (its routine share) in 2013 to 1.86% in 2018 – indicating that the BJP took away its votes. The appointment of Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, belonging to the Tripura royal household, as state chief helped regular the Congress a bit, to round 27% votes within the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, however after he departed, the Congress plunged to lower than 1% votes within the city physique polls.

As a frontrunner with a reputation recall all through the state, Barman undoubtedly offers the Congress hope of bouncing again. Nonetheless, one of many first hiccups may be challengers inside the get together. His departure was marked by a lot rancour, together with brawls contained in the PCC workplace between his supporters and others.

In line with some observers, the larger gainer of disenchantment with the BJP may be the Left, which has a dedicated cadre. The Congress vote, alternatively, will get divided between the get together and the TIPRA Motha floated by Debbarma.

As for the largest query, what occurs to Biplab Deb, all would rely upon how a lot the BJP bleeds after this. The CM’s camp says he’s truly stronger now having weeded out the rebels. However the get together realises its vulnerability provided that a big chunk of its cadre includes imports from different events. Sources stated it’s most nervous about 4 serving ministers recognized to be near Barman.

However Moitra was unfazed. Speaking to The Indian Categorical, she stated Opposition leaders had been “sure to agree with the Speaker by protocol of Parliamentary system”. That, she stated over phone from Goa, “doesn’t imply they rallied behind him (Speaker).”

In Lok Sabha on Friday, Birla stated lawmakers ought to see that dignity of the Home and the Chair is protected each inside and out of doors the Home.

“That is the dignity of Parliamentary democracy and I hope you all will agree with this. I’ve taken severe cognisance of incidents that had occurred up to now few days. I wish to request all members that commenting on the Chair, particularly exterior the Home utilizing social media and media, will not be proper,” Birla stated in a press release in Lok Sabha, with out naming Moitra.

Leaders from all events, together with TMC, agreed and pledged their assist to the Speaker. TMC chief Sudip Bandyopadhyay stated, “We’re actually of the opinion that status of the Home ought to all the time be saved at a degree the place we should always all stay dedicated to ideas, concepts and philosophy of this Home.”

On Thursday, Moitra had protested vehemently when BJP MP Rema Devi, who was within the Chair on the time, requested her to wind up her speech. When Rema Devi known as the subsequent speaker’s title, Moitra rushed to the properly of the Home. Later, she tweeted: “LS Speaker had allotted AT LEAST 13 minutes to me, when confronted in his chamber he claimed he was not in chair therefore can’t be blamed. When additional cornered he stated “It was my greatness that I even allowed you 13 minutes in 1st place.”

“Unbelievable,” she tweeted. “And who’s Chair to interrupt me (taking over MY helpful time) to lecture me on whether or not I ought to communicate with gussa or pyar? None of your small business Madam. You may solely appropriate me on guidelines. You’re NOT the ethical science trainer for LS.” Rema Devi advised her: “Mahua-ji, thoda sa prem se boliye. Itna gussa mat kariye. Achchhe se boliye (Please speak in a mellow method. Don’t get indignant; say it in a great way).”

On Friday, Moitra advised The Indian Categorical from Goa: “I imagine the Speaker is pained. As an MP, (I really feel) no one would disrespect the Chair. Nonetheless, I solely want the Speaker’s ache can also be reserved for Opposition MPs, who had been heckled, abused, not given their time, and never allowed to talk…” She stated, “I might hope that any neutral Chair of the biggest democracy on the earth would keep in mind that the Home belongs to the Opposition, and that the Speaker is there to ensure rights of the minority of even one, and never movement with the bulk.” Moitra stated her social gathering chief needed to agree, as “he had no possibility”.

By PTI

KOLKATA: The ruling TMC in West Bengal launched on Friday its listing of candidates for elections to 108 municipalities, and asserted that these not given nomination shouldn’t voice their displeasure in an “unseemly method” and work within the curiosity of the occasion.

TMC secretary common Partha Chatterjee, whereas releasing the listing, advised media individuals that no sitting MLA has been fielded as candidate for the February 27 polls.

He famous that the listing incorporates names of incumbent councillors in addition to debutants — a lot of them ladies and youth.

“We all know that those who didn’t get a nomination could really feel upset. However we hope that none will voice displeasure in an unseemly method. That will not be tolerated. All of us ought to work for the occasion, marketing campaign for the occasion. The TMC will win with overwhelming majority in each municipality,” he said.

Chatterjee additionally mentioned that going by its precept, the occasion has tried to make sure that no multiple member of a household is given nomination in a selected municipality. He identified that TMC chairperson Mamata Banerjee has gone via the listing earlier than launch.

By PTI

KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday stated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s feedback in opposition to him at a TMC assembly in the course of the day had been “wildest of allegations” and haven’t any credibility.

He requested Banerjee to level out any doc written by him or tweet posted by him which is in abusive language or will not be justified underneath constitutional provisions.

Banerjee had criticised Dhankhar at a Trinamool Congress assembly in the course of the day with out naming him.

“What she has stated, there isn’t any credibility in them for me. It doesn’t behove the chief minister to make such wild allegations,” Dhankhar informed reporters right here.

Banerjee had criticised Dhankhar at a Trinamool Congress assembly in the course of the day with out naming him.

The governor termed as “100 per cent factually incorrect” the chief minister’s declare that he will get meals delivered from a five-star resort within the metropolis on a regular basis.

“All that the chief minister stated are wildest of allegations. There are abuses in opposition to me, invectives in opposition to me,” he stated and asserted that nothing will deter him from the constitutional path.

He stated that it’s his obligation to make sure that governance of the state is in accordance with the structure and rule of regulation.

“For 2 and half years there was complete failure at your (Banerjee’s) finish to carry out your constitutional obligation underneath Article 167 to present info to the governor,” he stated, claiming that element was sought from the Mamata Banerjee authorities in elements the place “severe allegations had been made from fiscal irregularities”.

Dhankhar claimed that she has made wild allegations questioning the happenings in Raj Bhavan and hinted at telephonic tapping.

“Notion by and enormous is due to the current (TMC) authorities that folks within the state have taken to telephoning solely on Whatsapp, Facetime, Sign and Telegram and that could be a terrifying state of affairs,” Dhankhar stated.

He alleged that concern is haunting nearly each thoughts of the state. “You (Banerjee) are in your third time period. You will have at present been once more elected chairperson of your social gathering. On at the present time I enchantment to you to soul search, reply to your conscience, maintain in your coronary heart not the pursuit of energy however serving to the greater than 9 crore folks of the state,” the governor stated.

Dhankhar claimed that the chief minister had described a horse of the Kolkata Police, which was maybe not in line in the course of the Republic Day parade, as exhibiting its again to him. “The place are we heading, are we to interact in mudslinging?” he requested.

Calling for dialogue between the governor and the chief minister, Dhankar stated that he will probably be “completely satisfied to stroll the additional mile”.

He stated that Banerjee needed to make an emotional problem of his elevating the query of funding for ‘Maa Canteen’ (launched by TMC authorities to offer meals for Rs 5 solely) which was launched earlier than the stipulated date of April 1, 2021.

“My level could be very easy – the place did the cash come from? Maa Canteen was operational from mid-February to March 31, 2021 however the constitutional allocation was solely from April, 2021,” he stated. Replies to his questions on ‘Maa Canteen’ have to come back from the federal government, Dhankhar stated.

The governor stated he isn’t a stakeholder in politics and claimed that the efficiency of the forms within the state is popping out to be a problem to the rule of regulation. He’ll be sure that governance in Bengal is in accordance with it. “I would like funding within the state. However it will probably come solely when there’s proper atmosphere, democratic values flourish, human rights blossom, there’s rule of regulation and forms is apolitical,” the governor, who earlier attended a enterprise chamber programme, stated.

Asserting that no file is pending with him as alleged by the chief minister, Dhankhar claimed that it’s the Mamata Banerjee authorities that has not been in a position to reply to points on which he raised questions.

There may be an ongoing tussle between the governor and the TMC dispensation over the problem of his assent to a invoice on bifurcation of Howrah Municipal Company.

Whereas TMC has claimed that the problem of his not giving assent is delaying the election to Howrah Municipal Company, the governor has stated that questions raised by him on the invoice are but to be replied to by the federal government.

By PTI

KOLKATA: Terming the union funds introduced in Parliament on Tuesday as a “Pegasus spin funds”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned it’s got nothing for the widespread people who find themselves being crushed by inflation and unemployment.

Banerjee’s principal chief advisor Amit Mitra claimed there isn’t a course for monetary progress within the union funds and it’s “both a hoax or lack of goodwill”.

The opposition BJP supported the Union funds as “pro-people” and requested the TMC authorities to return out with a white paper on the quantity of funding that has materialised within the state within the final ten years.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presenting the union funds in Parliament mentioned the nation’s financial progress is predicted to be at 9.2 per cent within the present monetary yr on the again of a pointy rebound within the economic system.

Criticising the funds, Banerjee mentioned the Centre was misplaced in “massive phrases signifying nothing”. “BUDGET HAS ZERO FOR COMMON PEOPLE, WHO ARE GETTING CRUSHED BY UNEMPLOYMENT & INFLATION. GOVT IS LOST IN BIG WORDS SIGNIFYING NOTHING – A PEGASUS SPIN BUDGET (sic),” she tweeted.

Mitra, who was addressing a digital press convention, mentioned India is the one nation globally with stagflation and the union funds will hit rural employment additional with the discount in allocation for the job assure scheme.

“There is no such thing as a allocation for social safety schemes. The most important factor is that there isn’t a resolution for center class workers within the funds. Round 1.20 crore center class folks misplaced their jobs in lockdown. What’s allotted for them within the funds? What’s allotted within the funds for the households of those that misplaced their lives on account of COVID? There may be nothing,” he mentioned.

Mitra, a former finance minister of the state, mentioned there isn’t a course of monetary progress on this union funds. “The revenue tax construction stays unchanged. There may be nothing for the poor and center class. The Centre’s funds is both a hoax or a scarcity of goodwill,” he mentioned.

Mitra mentioned the quantity allotted for 100 days work had been lowered from Rs 98,000 crore to Rs 73,000 crore on this yr’s funds, which is a “horrible factor”.

The funds doesn’t handle the issue of 30 million unemployed folks or inflation of 14 per cent of wholesale costs or 6 per cent of the rise in shopper costs.

“It doesn’t stimulate demand by placing cash within the palms of the widespread folks – one thing that each one different nations are doing,” he mentioned.

The BJP then again accused Mitra and the TMC authorities of destroying the state’s economic system. “The union funds is a pro-people funds. The TMC has opposed it for political causes. However earlier than opposing it, TMC ought to reply why Bengal has been pushed to a debt entice. It ought to come out with a white paper on the funding the state has acquired and people which has been carried out on the bottom,” BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya mentioned.

Criticising the union funds as “anti-people’, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty mentioned it’s a “Sale India funds conceptualised by a celebration which has no contribution in both the nation’s independence or nation constructing.”