RBI stresses on better customer services in NE region

Agartala, Aug 31, 2012 : “All the Non-Banking Financial Corporation (NBFC), popularly known as chit fund companies working in Tripura do not have any ‘registration or affiliation from Reserve bank of India (RBI)”, said BB Sangma, RBI’s Ombudsman for Northeast region.

Speaking with media persons here at RBI branch office on Thursday, Sangma appreciated the role of the Tripura government for crackdown of unscrupulous functioning of NBFC.

‘The formation of a separate wing in CID by Tripura state government to tackle with forgery of NBFCs, is an instance in the country for its alertness and determination to save the money of people’, said Sangma.

He said, banks in the Northeast are not improving their banking and customer services.

In the Ombudsman wing, RBI receives numerous complaints every year. Tripura stands at second position with 48 complaints after Assam with 536 complaints”, he added. “We have asked the banks to improve their services and follow the rules based on the banking ombudsman scheme, which they have to do”, said Sangma 

The Banking Ombudsman Scheme has been introduced by Reserve Bank of India on June 14, 1995, to provide an expeditious and inexpensive forum to bank customers for resolution of their complaints relating to deficiency in banking services provided by commercial banks, regional rural banks and scheduled primary co-operative banks.

The Ombudsman stressed on more awareness among the customers and initiated massive awareness programme across the state to make the people aware about banking.

Sangma admitted that there are severe scarcities of small denomination currencies in Tripura market and assured that RBI would take in initiative to solve the problem. Among others, AK Pandey, General Manager of RBI Agartala and DGM Guwahati AK Kureel were also present.

YC election results declared, Sushanta Choudhury re-elected state president

Agartala, Aug 30, 2012 : Sushanta Choudhury was re-elected as president of Tripura Pradesh Youth Congress for the second consecutive term today. He was declared victorious with the largest share of votes after counting of second phase of Youth Congress organizational elections concluded this afternoon. Sushanta Choudhury bagged 3,457 votes while Sushanta Chakraborty, other favourite of the poll fray ended with 2,122 votes. Hollywood Chakma, other contestant of the polls landed with 219 votes in his bag, Pramod Reang had 135 votes, Rabindra Dutta had 124 votes, Joydami Tripura – the lone female member of Youth Congress who contested in last organizational elections bagged 112 votes while Sharmila Haldar had 65 votes.

While celebrations were seen in many parts of Agartala after the results came out, Barman faction inside the Congress party seemed a bit troubled throughout the day. Candidates put up by six anti-Barman Congress MLAs – Dilip Sarkar, Surajit Dutta, Subal Bhowmik, Manoj Kanti Deb, Gopal Roy and Birajit Sinha, were declared victorious in their respective block and assembly constituency seats. Meanwhile, candidate put up by MLA Ashish Kumar Saha, well known ally of the incumbent PCC president, suffered defeat in the organizational elections.

INPT likely to contest alone in 2013 assembly election

Agartala, Aug 30, 2012 : With less than six months left for the coming assembly elections, emergence of split seems to be only a matter of time within opposition alliance in Tripura. Indigenous Nationalist Party of Twipra (INPT), prime ally of Congress in the state politics, is extremely discontented with progress in seat sharing discussion for contesting in the election, sources said inside the party. Speaking to Tripurainfo.com, INPT general secretary Jagdish Debbarma said on Thursday that dialogue for seat sharing is going on between INPT and Congress. The leader, however, visibly expressed dissatisfaction at the progress of dialogue saying that if the larger ally declines to allow reasonable seats to INPT for the elections, they would be left with no other option but to contest alone.

Four separate meetings on the issue between Congress and INPT have gone inconclusive till date with Congress firmly sticking to its stance of rejecting the seats demanded by its ally. INPT contested in 11 seats in 2008 assembly election and emerged victorious in only one. A large section of the Pradesh Congress leaders are averse to experimenting a faint chance of INPT-sentiment in majority of ST reserved seats, especially looking at their massive losses last season.

INPT general secretary Jagdish Debbarma, however, brushed aside the logic that if INPT can’t be considered for larger share of ST reserved seats due to defeat in 2008, so should be Congress. “Congress contested in nine ST reserved assembly constituency seats in 2008 and couldn’t bring even one victory. What should we think about that?” asked a defiant Jagdish. “We are still keeping trust in mutual cooperation and trust. Seat sharing discussion is still going on and there is room for consideration, we believe. It would be too premature to state anything specifically on contesting alone”, he added.

UBI fund embezzlement in Shantirbazar branch

Agartala, Aug 30, 2012 : In a massive embezzlement case, a branch manager of Shantirbazar branch of United Bank of India (UBI) was suspended and a specific case has also been launched against a employee of the branch.

Sources said, Rajendra Das, a temporary computer operator of UBI’s Shantirbazar branch had been assigned the task to maintain the daily operations of the funds for pensioners, wages of MGNREGA and old age pension since August 26, 2006 till date.

During the period, Rajendra Das managed to transfer the amount of Rs 3 lakh in the account of his father (Rabindra Das) , Rs 28.32 lakh into his mother’s (Manjurani Das)account, Rs 19.20 lakh into his brother-in-law ‘s(Litan das) account through the computerized system of UBI .

In May, 2012, when Rajendra tried to open a fixed deposit account at the Shantirbazar branch of UBI, entire embezzlement of fund was noticed by the officials of UBI branch. In the meantime, accused Rajendra managed to escape from the bank.

Soon after the incident, the top officials of UBI from Kolkata camped at Shantirbazar branch and during their investigation they recovered all transaction details of forgery of government funds.

On Wednesday, UBI filed a specific case against accused Rajendra Das and suspended branch manager Shankar Malakar on charges of dereliction of duty.

So far, main accused Rajendra Das has remained untraced.

Reshuffle in Tripura police, SP(South) transferred

Agartala, Aug 29, 2012 : In a minor reshuffle, eight senior police officers including IPS officers were transferred in various wings of Tripura police.

An official communiqué of police headquarters released on Wednesday said, IPS officer Gourab Chakraborty, incumbent SP of GRP, has been transferred and posted as AIGP (Personnel) in police headquarters and incumbent AIGP (personnel) Krishnendu Chakraborty transferred as principal of Police Training Academy at Narsingarh.

Arjun Debbarma (IPS), incumbent SP of South Tripura district, has been transferred as new commandant of TSR 7th battalion and present commandant of 7th battalion TSR, Shankar Debnath will now look after the charges of SP of South Tripura district.

TPS-Grade-I officer Bidhan Debbarma has been posted as new commandant of 13th battalion of TSR, Suresh Koloi will now look after the charges of 11th battalion of TSR.

Tapan Kumar Debnath, incumbent ASP of Police Control has been transferred as deputy commandant of TSR’s 12th battalion. Another TPS-Grade-I officer, Abhijit Choudhury has been transferred as Additional SP in police welfare wing at police headquarters.

CM calls for contribution to society

Agartala, Aug 29, 2012 : “Tripura government will continue its agitation against the central government policies of foreign direct investment (FDI) in higher education and elimination of pass-fail system up to class eight standard”, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

School Education department organized a unique programme here at Sukanta Academy on Tuesday evening, where 85 persons were felicitated for helping poor and needy students in prosecuting their studies. Speaking at this programme, Chief Minister Sarkar said, Tripura government has always given emphasis on development of human resources of the state along with basic infrastructures for development of education and health services.

Expressing his satisfaction over the ongoing developmental process of the state government with limited resources, Sarkar appealed to all citizen of the state to cooperate in the developmental work of the state government.

‘Attending such unique programme is a totally different experience’, said Sarkar adding that when more and more people contributed towards society, true development would be achieved .He also appealed to the organizers to organize such programme annually to motivate people towards social welfare.

Persons, who contribute to expansion of education and provide financial assistance for building educational and other social infrastructures would also be felicitated in coming days, hoped Sarkar.

School Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty expressing his gratitude towards the 85 social activists, who had contributed for merit scholarship, said such initiatives are very important in our social systems.

Tripura regularizes over 1,700 DRW, contingent workers

Agartala, Aug 28, 2012 : The state cabinet on Wednesday approved regularization of 1753 DRW, contingent and casual workers serving under the Agriculture Department, Animal Resource Development Department, Forest department & Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture Department.



Briefing the cabinet decision to media at civil secretariat this afternoon, Finance Minister Badal Choudhury said that it was decided to regularize services of workers engaged before March 31, 2003 who have completed 10 years of service. A total of 1753 workers of such categories during the initiative would be regularized with an estimated annual additional financial involvement of Rs. 9.82 crores, the minister said. The regularization is likely to come into effect from September 01, 2012, he added.



The meeting of council of ministers held on Wednesday resolved that services of permanent labourers working in Agriculture, ARDD, Forest and Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture Department and DRW, contingent, casual workers, consolidated fixed pay or fixed pay workers of Public Sector Undertakings and other autonomous organizations including Agartala Municipal Corporation and Nagar Panchayats, consolidated fixed pay workers of government departments engaged up to March 31, 2003 on full time basis would be covered by the decision of regularization. Finance Minister Choudhury also said that fixed pay employees recruited against fixed pay posts created by keeping scale posts in abeyance of PSUs and other autonomous organizations would be provided regular pay scale on the next day of completion of five years of continuous service as per practice followed in government departments. All the benefited workers would serve in their previous workstations even after being regularized, said the minister.



The cabinet meeting also resolved today to fill up 76 vacant posts of Sub-Inspectors of state police, 147 Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) supervisors, 14 junior food store keepers while a post was created in the name and style of State Yoga Coordinator. The meeting also discussed on the revised employment policy in conformation to which Banasree Debnath, successful gymnast from the state, would be provided service under the state government. Banasree participated in 10 national meets and numerous state meets in gymnastics arena and won 14 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 3 bronze medals from different sports events.

CM stresses on development of sports infrastructure

Agartala, Aug 28, 2012 : ‘With the principal initiatives for education, health and sports facilities for all, Tripura government is moving ahead to achieve the goal’, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

Addressing a felicitation programme for Sports awardees in national games here at Nazrul Kalakshetra on Monday, Sarkar said the human resource development of the country would not be possible till the development of education and health infrastructures of the country.

Congratulating all the medal winners of London-2012 Olympic andUnder-19 World Cup Cricket winner team, Sarkar said ‘it’s indeed a pleasant moment attending a prize giving ceremony for national awardees.

‘A country having a total population of 1.25 crore, got only six medals in Olympic without any gold medal, it is shameful for every citizen of the country’, said Sarkar.

The faulty sports policies of UPA government are responsible for backwardness in sports, said Sarkar adding that a transparent and fresh sport policy should be adopted for overall development of sports atmosphere of the country.

Altogether 233 national level awardees from Tripura have been felicitated with cash prize and Golden girl gymnast Dipa Karmakar has also been awarded with cash prize of Rs 15 lakh from DoNER Ministry of Union government.

20 thousand MT rice for Adhoc BPL consumers reaches state

Agartala, Aug 27, 2012 : Tripura has got 20 thousand 360 MT rice as additional allotment for over 1 lakh adhoc BPL consumers of the state, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Manik Dey said on Monday. Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat this evening, the minister said that the state government recieved the rice meant for adhoc BPL consumers recently. He also said that concerned District Magistrates were asked to conduct a survey to figure out the exact number of such consumers.

“The survey was completed recently. We have found that 1 lakh 29 thousand 833 families are covered under the benefit sans Dhalai district”, he added. Over 9,000 families are already covered under the benefit in Dhalai district. All the beneficiaries who will be supported by the initiative would get 22 KG additional rice per month fromSeptember till March, 2012, the minister said. He also said that the state governemnt has written to the cenbtre seeking continuation of the benefit after March, 2013.

It has been learnt that 12,360 families would be benefited by the initiative in North Tripura district, 13123 families would be benefited in newly formed Unakoti district, 10998 families in Khowai district, 21636 families in Sepahijala district, 10,264 families in South Tripura district, 13754 families in Gomati district while 47698 APL families in West Tripura would be benefited as adhoc BPL.

Kalam remembers Tripura for his hut in the Mughal garden

Agartala, Aug 27, 2012 : A decade ago in the year 2002 the CPI (M) politburo had decided to put up late Laxmi Seghal as candidate for presidential poll against eminent scientist and ‘Bharat Ratna’ APJ Abdul Kalam , consensus candidate of then ruling NDA and opposition Congress. Reports-albeit unconfirmed-had trickled out in the aftermath of the presidential poll that the Tripura unit of the party had rooted for Kalam but accepted the party’s central wisdom like communist faithfuls. Absolutely nobody is available here to vouch for exactly what had transpired in the lead-up to the presidential poll of 2002. 

But president APJ Abdul Kalam in all his magnanimity had retained a soft corner for tiny Tripura in his noble heart. Within three months of assuming the presidency of the world's largest democracy the great man had visited Tripura and fascinated everyone by closely interacting with students in an auditorium, proclaiming a road-map for Tripura's development in a public meeting and offering sage counsel to the political leadership. His robust optimism and enervating positivism were contagious indeed. 

But more was to come soon as the unorthodox president set about renovating and refashioning the celebrated 'Mughal Garden' within the hallowed precincts of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. As he desired installing two huts in the garden skilful craftsmen from Tripura came to his mind. What followed this is recorded in Kalam's latest book 'Turning Points: a journey through challenges'.

How his idea of installing huts took shape is impeccably described by the president in his inimitable style : " I installed two huts in the garden, both designed in keeping with the environment and using natural materials. One was built by craftsmen from Tripura and was called the Thinking Hut. I took many of my close friends to this hut for discussions during weekends and one of my books 'Indomitable Spirit' , was mostly written in this hut". The identity of the craftsmen behind the second hut named 'Immortal Hut' is concealed but the two huts nestled in corners of the massive Mughal garden provided the quiet serenity Kalam required for reflection over critical issues as well as ideas of poetry. 'Whenever a complex national decision was to be made, these two huts were where I sat and thought. Of course the inspiration for many poems also came while I was there' Kalam says in his latest book.

Apart from the pithy reference to Tripura in his book, Kalam has allotted two of altogether twenty seven coloured pictures to states of northeast. One picture shows him giving away degrees to ritually attired Naga students in the Nagaland univesity while in the other he is interacting with female folk dancers of Arunachal Pradesh.

Tripura records Monsoon rainfall deficit

Agartala, Aug 27, 2012 : Tripura has recorded about 26 to 35 percent deficit rainfall in average all districts of the state barring only Unakoti district during the Monsoon season so far, which appears to be better among northeastern states. But unequal distribution of rain in different locations has affected crop production in the state. Mid-term monsoon review of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Tripura revealed that state had recorded till July total rainfall of 1047mm which is about 31 percent below the Long Period Average between 1971 and 2011.

A report on rainfall status in the state “Rain 2012-An overview in Tripura” by ICAR, Tripura said among the different districts, Dhalai is having about 50% deficit rain while Unakoti is normal. North Tripura district is having about 20% deficits, which is more or less normal. The rest of the state, West Tripura, Khowai and Sipahijala, Gomati and South Tripura district is having 26 to 35 percent deficit rain.

Referring to review, Joint Director ICAR Tripura Centre Dr M. Datta said that in absence of sufficient rain, extra heat exacerbates drying and that contributed to longer and more intense dry spell this year.

Mentioning the status of monsoon rain in Tripura, joint director Datta said, State normally receives about 1425mm rain during monsoon i.e. June to September which is about 60 percent of yearly rainfall. Out of total monsoon rain, about 60 percent rain occurred during first two month of monsoon i.e. June and July. In 2012, this rainfall is about 22 percent below the normal in first two months. Out of eight districts only three districts, North, Unakoti and South Tripura District recorded normal rainfall i.e. within the range of plus-minus 19 percent of normal rain. In all the other five districts the rain is in deficit.

In the absence of rain, extra heat exacerbates drying and can contribute to longer and more intense drought periods. Climate change in the region is found to be accelerated with large amount of carbon emission and deforestation in Northeast India, said Dr Datta , adding that variation of rainfall in small geographical area was found evident this year.

Meanwhile, ICAR Technical Officer (Agromet Advisory Service) Dhiman Das Choudhury said, a projection of rain fall in different stations considering the normal rain in first two months of the season indicates almost normal rain in every district of the state. Any little deviation will lead to deficit rain in many districts particularly in Gomati, Khowai, Dhalai and Sipahijala, which are considered intensive cropping zone of the district.

Das Choudhury said that the union agriculture secretary had expressed concern saying it would not be possible to achieve 257.44 million tons of food grains production this year. Weak rains that started in June will drive up food prices and erode spending power in a country where more than half the population relies on the rural economy.

He suggested that rainwater harvesting is increasingly being considered as a viable strategy for improving food production in rain fed agriculture, as in the state, the total deficit as recorded is around 32 percent and some of the districts are showing alarming deficit in summer rainfall.

Exhibition concludes on visit of first scribe from Tripura at Olympics

Agartala, Aug 27, 2012 : A three day exhibition on the visit of Saraju Chakraborty, renowned sports scribe of the state, at London Olympics- 2012 concluded on Sunday – 72 hours of excellence as many called it.

The exhibition started on Friday at Agartala Press Club with 53 photographs of his visit at London during the Olympics in July. Chakraborty reached London on July 23 and covered a wide array of events of the Olympics. He came back home on August 14. Saraju Chakraborty’s visit to the Olympics has been the first visit ever for any scribe from Tripura to represent in the world’s largest sports event.

Speaking to Tripurainfo.com on the last eve of his exhibition at Agartala Press Club, Chakraborty said, “Most of my photographs exhibited here are those which aren’t available anywhere in the news. It’s not about excellence or rarity but more about perception. Any professional photojournalist wouldn’t probably click the Tower Bridge of London or the Wimbledon Tennis Stadium for nothing. But for people who aspire to do something in media, the very sight of a live presence in front of the Lords or the Wimbledon might be breathtaking”, he said. “My photographs are a memoir of my visit from Tripura as the first scribe in the Olympics and not any testimony of photography. I am a scribe, not a photojournalist by the way”, quipped Chakraborty.

Eminent journalists and editors like Subal Kumar Dey, Sanit Debroy visited the exhibition on its debut day while Chief Minister Manik Sarkar paid a visit on the concluding eve. He had a stroll around the photographs in the exhibition and highly appreciated the endeavour. The visitor’s book of the exhibition has still got a comment – “I am highly impressed by visiting this exhibition” with Manik Sarkar signed below.

Congress spreading derogatory issues among religious minorities in Tripura, says CPI (M)

Agartala, Aug 26, 2012 : Accusing the opposition of spreading anti-CPI (M) propaganda among religious minorities of the state, CPI (M) state general secretary Bijan Dhar on Sunday said that the opposition has resorted to spread derogatory issues among the religious minorities. He expressed serious concern over the issue stating that a variety of problems might crop up from the issue which might as well disrupt the harmony of the state. The party leader has asked people of the state to stay aware about the turn of events. He also voiced concern about steadily rising activities of saffron fundamentalist groups under the name and style of Hindu Jagaran Mancha in Dharmanagar township in North Tripura district.

Accusing Congress of playing bankrupt politics, Bijan Dhar said that the opposition has flopped on each of the issues which they resorted to for election propaganda. “Congress tried to play politics in the veil of computer faculties movement, joint entrance result issue and alliance with banned insurgent groups of the state. Each of their designs flopped. People of the state have identified their real faces”, he said.

Speaking about the latest status of seat sharing discussion among the Left Front allies, Dhar said that nothing has been finalized yet. “CPI (M) is capable of contesting in the elections all alone. But discussion is still going on and nothing can be stated about the issue at this stage”, he said.

The party also announced a number of movement agendas on the day including protest movements against recently exposed coal scam. Local protest agendas would start across the state from September 03 and a central rally would be organized in Agartala on September 05. Mass sit-in-demonstrations would be held in front of all central government offices in the state on September 13 as a sign of protest on Food Security Day.

Computer teachers’ association suffers split, praise government

Agartala, Aug 26, 2012 : Amidst massive controversy and withdrew the mass hunger strike agitation following assurance of discussion from Principal Secretary Banamali Sinha on Saturday, the All Tripura School Computer Faculties Association (ATSCFA) has virtually split into two factions.

A section of computer faculties on Saturday evening addressing a press meet here at Agartala Press Club, gave full-scale praise to the state government for hiking their salary in the middle of financial constraint.

The divided section of ATSCFA strongly opposed the ‘fast unto death’ programme of faculties and called it a response to a particular political party to disturb the peace in the state.

Expressing their gratitude towards the state government for hiking of their remuneration by Rs. 2000, Debasish Das of ATSCFA said though the state is reeling under financial constrain the association will support the state government’s initiative for pressing demand for regularization of their services before the Central government.

Attacking at the leadership of Computer Faculties Association, he alleged, ‘they have been using the platform at the behest of opposition parties. The presence of leaders from particular political parties is of course against the spirit of our movement’.

Santanu Datta, Dhruba Datta, Subir Roy, another computer faculty said, ‘we will join work from Monday keeping in mind of the state government’s goodwill gesture as well as future of students’. 

Faculties added that among 763 working faculties in ICT @ School project across the state, about 600 faculties opposed the so called ‘fast unto death’ programme by a section of faculties.

They alleged that, ATSCFA’s president, secretary and a member of working committee are working under the behest of a particular political party of their personal interests.

Earlier, state government had assured them for all sorts of government assistance. A discussion between the faculties and government is scheduled to be held at 5 PM on August 27 next.

However, there are reports that the Tripura government could announce some more sops for computer teachers to defuse the anger.

NEEPCO proposes joint venture for power in Tripura

Agartala, Aug 25, 2012 : North Eastern electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) expressed eagerness to start power projects in joint venture with the state government in Tripura. PC Pankaj - CMD of the region’s premier power trading corporation, met Power Minister of the state’s ruling Left Front government on Saturday and said that the corporation is interested to start a joint venture for setting up combined cycle unit at Rukhia power plant in Baramura Range. Dey welcomed the approach of NEEPCO. The state government has always supported initiatives from NEEPCO and the support would go unabated, he said.

However, the Power Minister has asked NEEPCO for allowing 50 percent share in generation from upcoming 46 MW combined cycle extension project at RC Nagar. CMD Pankaj has assured that the corporation would consider the issue with utmost importance. The project is expected to get commissioned within March, 2014.

The official also apprised Power Minister Dey about progress of all ongoing projects of NEEPCO in Tripura. He strongly urged the state government for help in the upcoming projects and expressed hopes that the projects would be commissioned on schedule.

Computer faculties withdraw fast unto death; govt may take strict action on engaging agencies

Agartala, Aug 25, 2012 : Amid massive controversy, All Tripura School Computer Faculties Association on Saturday withdrew the mass hunger strike agitation following assurance of discussion from Principal Secretary Banamali Sinha.

Sinha met the agitating computer faculties at their protest-podium near RMS Chowmuhani this morning and assured them all sorts of government assistance. A discussion between the faculties and government is scheduled to be held at 5 PM on August 27 next. Six female agitators were shifted from the protest-podium this morning for medical attention in serious condition.

The Principal Secretary told protesting computer faculties that the state government has resolved to allow Rs. 5,000 as fixed pay to over 700 computer faculties serving in the state under ICT@ School Project and there is nothing more the state can do about the issue.

A highly placed source said later today that the state government is going to take strict action on all five agencies entrusted with the responsibility of running computer education in the schools. “The agencies were engaged for promoting computer education in school level and it’s been years since they engaged the faculties. Still, results aren’t satisfactory at all. All the computer faculties are doing is to create hue and cry now and then demanding pay hike, regularization etc. Students are the end sufferers in the process”, said the source. It also added that few agencies engaged in the process, who have performed poorly since inception of the course might be instigating the faculties for agitation to ensure renewal of their contract. “There is no stake that the state government holds on the issue. If the companies can’t manage their manpower, state government can’t be blamed for that”, said the source.

Revised ICT@ School Project – revised phase of the centrally sponsored scheme has got provisions for allowing Rs. 5,000 to computer faculties holding diploma certificates and Rs. 10,000 for M.Tech and MCA degree holders. The source informed that the state government is ready to allow the pay scale to all computer faculties serving under initial phase of the scheme but strict action would be taken on any stakeholders who would be found defaulter. There are rumours that the state government is likely to totally withdrawal the scheme and start own initiatives for computer education in school level. Though no official confirmation was found on the issue, a source informed that the state government is highly discontented with the state-of-affairs of computer education running in the schools.

Most of the computer faculties didn’t actually impart any education in the schools since inception of the scheme and SCERT, nodal authority for monitoring the scheme, didn’t keep any watch as well. The government was learnt to be highly anxious of the future of computer education imparted through these faculties who are themselves untrained under any specific course module. 

NE insurgents shifting camps in Myanmar: Maj General Dua

Agartala, Aug 25, 2012 : “The underground militants of Tripura are trying to revive their outfits and have shifted their base camps in the territory of Myanmar”, said Major General Satish Dua, Inspector General (East wing) of Assam Rifles here on Friday.

Major General Dua arrived in Tripura on Thursday last for three day state visit for the first time after assuming office. He held meetings with local officers of Assam Rifles and stressed on combined efforts of Assam Rifles with other security agencies active in Tripura to combat rising incidents of insurgency.

On Friday evening Major General Dua met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar here at Civil Secretariat.

Speaking with media persons after his courtesy visit, Dua said, ‘the insurgency activities in Tripura have almost vanished, but there are reports of reviving their activities in some interior parts of the state’.

“We have specific information that Northeast insurgent groups including outfits of Tripura are now shifting their base camps in Myanmar and their efforts are on to regroup their cadres for fresh offensives in the region”, said Major General Dua.

All the battalions of AR have been asked to intensify their counter-insurgency operations and to monitor militant activities in Tripura, said Dua.

An official communiqué of the Assam Rifles, 21 Sector headquarters informed that Major General Dua also met Governor of Tripura Dr. D Y Patil and assured him that the force is well prepared to meet any sort of law and order situation in the region. He held a brief meeting with Brigadier V K Mishra, commanding officer of 21 Sector headquarters of Assam Rifles.

Major General Satish Dua will leave the state on Saturday.

NEEPCO wants to set up more power plants in Tripura, CMD PC Pankaj says

Agartala, Aug 24, 2012 : NEEPCO is interested to invest more for power projects in Tripura if gas is available for setting up power plants, PC Pankaj - CMD of the region’s premier power trading corporation said here on Friday. Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat today, Pankaj said that he has written to the CMD of ONGC and Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) seeking consideration for preference in getting gas allocation if the corporations hit any new gas fields in Tripura.

The NEEPCO chief met Chief Minister Manik Sarkar earlier on the day. Briefing about the status and progress of ongoing projects of the corporation in Tripura, Pankaj told the CM that upcoming 104 MW thermal power plant at Manarchak and 46 MW extension project at Agartala Gas Turbine Project would get commissioned right on time.

“Both Manarchak project and the combined cycle extension project of Agartala Gas Turbine Project (AGTP) are running on schedule. If everything goes right, we are hopeful of commissioning both of them in time”, Pankaj said. Manarchak project is scheduled to be commissioned in July, 2013.

The NEEPCO top boss also said that the corporation is contemplating to add 950 MW to the existing power generation graph in Northeastern region by the coming five years. “We are already generating 1130 MW in the region. Every 70 houses in a hundred are powered by NEEPCO. We shall add 950 MW according to scheduled by the next 5 years in the region. If we get new projects, we might give more”, he said.

NEEPCO is currently working on setting up a project in Manipur on which preliminary talks have begun. Initial approval was given from the Government of India as well. Two hydroelectric projects are in the pipeline at Arunachal Pradesh and there are projects in Mizoram as well. The corporation has invited Expression of Interest (EoI) for joint ventures in Nagaland recently.

Police bust robbery gang, 4 nabbed by Tripura-Mizoram police

Agartala, Aug 24, 2012 : In a successful raid, Tripura and Mizoram police have jointly busted a gang and recovered huge amount of stolen money, which had been looted from the office of the Block development Office (BDO) of Mammith district of Mizoram. A total amount of Rs 1.98 crore had been looted from the BDO office.

Police said, four persons involved in the theft of the money from Zowlnuam BDO office of Mammith district were arrested from remote places under Khedacherra police station of North Tripura district on Thursday.

North Tripura Police added that, recently, an amount of Rs.1, 98, 47,996/- was looted from the office of BDO, Zowlnuam, Laxmicherra of Mammith district in Mizoram by some unknown miscreants. 

The block development authorities of Mammith district had filed a specific case at the Khunmun police station of Mizoram. 

Later, in the course of investigation Mizoram police arrested cashier of BDO office, C Lal Fakjuala and some other miscreants involved with looted booty from Mizoram. 

Based on the interrogation of the arrested persons, a team of Mizoram police headed by SDPO, Kwartha, Lal Chuang Thanga came to Khedacherra police station and contacted with Bijoy Nag, SP of North Tripura district for joint raids.

On the requisition of Mizoram police, a joint team of Tripura and Mizoram police had conducted joint raids at Manachaerra and Chandra Kumar Para villages under Khedacherra police station on Thursday.

During raid Police arrested Jyotish Reang (18) of South Matacharra and Binode Kumar Reang (30) of Matacherra and recovered Rs.7.99 lakh and Rs 27.65 lakh respectively from their possessions. Police also recovered Rs.8.19 lakh from the house of another Banke Rai Reang of Chandra Kumar Para. In subsequent raids Khedacherra police also recovered further Rs.50, 000 from the house of Binode Kumar Reang on the basis of information provided by Mizoram police.

Later, Mizoram Police left Khedacharra along with four arrested persons and recovered money for Khanmun PS on Friday morning. All four belonged to Tripura.

LPG crisis: Tripura unhappy over IOC role

Agartala, Aug 24, 2012 : Once gain Tripura government requested Union Petroleum Ministry and Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to maintain daily supply of LPG cylinders and petroleum products through surface transport to decrease severe crisis in the state.

In the wake of poor supply of IOC, the state has been facing a severe crisis of LPG, said Food Minister Manik Dey here on Thursday.

Speaking with media persons, Dey said, ‘on a monthly average, there is a drop in the supply of LPG to the state by more than 113 trucks cylinders against the demand of around 663 trucks of LPG cylinders’.

‘Tripura government frequently requested Petroleum Ministry and IOC to maintain the regular supply of LPG bullets, instead of that every month Tripura has received less number of LPG loaded trucks compare to its normal monthly requirement’, said Dey

“Till third week of August, altogether 365 trucks have reached here and the shortfall of LPG is 298 trucks”, claimed Dey adding that the situation can improve by the end of this month if the normal supply is restored. 

Due to apathy of IOC, every month Tripura faces severe crisis in LPG supply and the number of backlog day by day increased, said Dey adding that the crisis, also may worsen due to black market of LPG in the local market. 

Expressing his concern over the present situation, Dey added that if the production of LPG cylinders at Bishalgarh and Mohanpur bottling was not increased the present crisis would worsen in Tripura.

Earlier, state government wrote several letters to the Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry and the IOCL to resolve the crisis.

Tapan smells politics behind computer facuties agitation

Agartala, Aug 23, 2012 : The agitating computer faculties are being used for playing politics by certain stakeholders, School Education Minister Tapan Chakraborty said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters at the civil secretariat on the day, Chakraborty said that the state government has accepted demands of agitating computer faculties and has notified a hike of Rs. 2,000 over their existing pay.

“Opposition MLA Subal Bhowmik and Ajoy Biswas, chief of their ally party – PDS came to us and discussed about the issue. They were quite satisfied about our explanation”, said the minister and said that certain stakeholders are trying to politicalize the issue.

Demands of computer faculties, who have resorted to hunger strike, have been carefully considered by the state government, the minister said adding that the consideration was made purely on humanitarian basis. 

“These people are working in a project sanctioned by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) under BOOT model. The model is implemented by private service providers over which the state government initially expressed reservation”, said Chakraborty. He also added that the centrally sponsored scheme is implemented in the stae on a 90:10 basis.

The School Education Minister also said that the council of ministers considered the matter and decided that rate of honourarium paid to the facuties would be hiked from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 per month. The hike would come into effect from April 01, 2012, he said. The government has appealed the agitating faculties to withdraw the strike forthwith as well.

Maharaja Pradyot Kishore calls for change in coming assembly election

Agartala, Aug 23, 2012 : Maharaja Pradyot Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, scion of the Tripura royal family, has called for a change in power in Tripura in the coming assembly election. Speaking at a public rally organized by Congress ST Cell in Gandacherra sub-division on Wednesday, Maharaj said that tribal communities of the state have got lots of grievances during 19 years of left rule in Tripura. Large number of tribal population from distant tribal hamlets of the sub-division like Jagabandhu Para, Taichakma, Raishyabari, Ratannagar etc participated in the rally to hear dear old ‘bubagra’ speak.

Condition of far-flung tribal hamlets haven’t changed much in two decades of left regime in the state, said Maharaja adding that the era of ‘deprivation’ has to change. There is massive shortfall in providing education, drinkning water, proper road connectivity and health services to the tribal population in most parts of the state and Gandacherra is one of the burning examples, he said.

Maharaj claimed that marginal development has been done in the state which again was funded by the central government. Large chunks of funds meant for centrally sponsored scheme was siphoned off by the ruling party in Tripura, he alleged. He also urged for unified struggle in the coming assembly election to ensure end of the Left rule.