Centre’s economic policy spelling doom on country: Special CorrespondentSILCHAR, Jan 5: “The economic policy followed by the country since the time of Narsimha Rao, the then Prime Minister, has its disastrous consequences, affecting both agriculture and industry.
Many challenges have been thrown open which are only complicating the economic scenario”, was the observation of all India secretary of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh Baijnath Rai while addressing the 13th Asom Pradesh Conference of the union here today which was attended by more than 300 delegates from across the state.
He castigated the successive governments at Delhi for coping the European countries, America and China in respect of liberalization, privatization and globalization which have only resulted in adversely affecting industrial production, leading to retrenchment of workers in huge numbers and blocking employment generation. He did admit that service and IT sectors calling for skilled jobs have been exceptions.
The economic stagnation as the country faces today has created a situation, as Rai pointed out, where the very security of the country has been put at stake.
He stressed on the fact that for all round development, a new policy different from the western countries was the need of the hour. The best option for India is not to go for import or export but to explore its own internal markets for production and consumption, he added to say. Ignoring its own potential and expanding markets have caused inflationary trends and the phenomenon of share markets, equity and mutual fund.
All this arrangement and system with massive investments have failed, Rai maintained. Worst affected by it are the middle and lower classes of people. Of the 246 public sectors, 120 are closed due to losses. 3.22 lakh mills and factories have also been shut down. The slump in agriculture has been driving rural masses to urban areas, leading to social conflict as witnessed in Mumbai. The poison of regionalism and chauvinism has struck at the fabric of solidarity.
According to him, global terrorism is the offshoot of international economic recession and depression. Even the communist China has felt the heat, weakening its economic structure. Instead of copying other nations, India should follow its own economic policy based on its own concept and strong sense of nationalism and patriotism.
Vice-president of BMS Sudhakar Kulkarni in his address came down heavily on the centre for its anti-labour policy. The workers and employees in public and private sectors are denied basic facilities. This is an all India phenomenon. Referring to Northeast in particular. He also said that lack of industrialization has failed to boost up economy of the region.
The only paper mill in Barak Valley is in dire strait due to politician, management and contractor’s unholy nexus. General secretary of the Union Nirmal Kanti Das also addressed the conference. Earlier, noted journalist and chairman of the reception committee Paresh Dutta welcomed the delegates and other invitees. source: sentinel assam
Electoral rolls publishedSpecial CorrespondentSILCHAR, Jan 5: The draft electoral rolls of areas under Silchar Municipal Board and Lakhipur Municipal Board have been published on January 3 and the copies of which have been kept for public notice in the offices of the deputy commissioner and Silchar Municipal Board as well as in the office of the Lakhipur civil SDO.
It was reported that applications for entry of new names and objections if any would be received till January 12 next and the final electoral rolls would be published by the state election commission on January 29. source: sentinel assam
Lions Club eye camp on January 7 From our Staff ReporterSILCHAR, Jan 5: Lions Club of
Silchar Central is organizing an eye camp on January 7 at Tarapur Tea Estate in Labac. Patients with cataract will be operated upon at Lions Eye Hospital in Silchar. The camp will be sponsored by Dewan Group of Tea Estates. On January 21 a similar camp will be organized by Lions Club at Bandou Tea Estate. source: sentinel assam
Triennial conference to begin from January 5
: Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 4: The 13th All Assam Conference of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh is slated to begin from January 5 here under the aegis of Cachar district unit.
The two day conference would deliberate over the important issues related to workers and employees of various public and private sector organizations as well as tea gardens.
President of BMS Cachar Sabyasachi Bhattacharjee said that around 300 delegates from different parts of the state would participate in the conference.
All India secretary of the Sangh Baijnath Rai would take part in the conference as the chief guest. The inaugural session will begin at 9.30 am on Tuesday while the open session is fixed at 2.30 pm the next day.
Among the prominent leaders, vice president of the union Dr Sudhakar Kukarni would also be present in the conference. source: sentinel assam
Merit test of Science Forum conducted
: Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 4: The 10th merit test for the students of different schools of Cachar district was conducted by Science Forum today in the premises of Government Girls Higher Secondary School here, member of the Forum Champak Saha said.
In all, 1,303 students from 105 schools sat for the merit test. There were 17 examination centres spread over eight academic circles of the district. He pointed out that this merit test will help in evincing keen interest among the students which is reflected in the growing number of participants. source: sentinel assam
ABVP stir against Bangladeshi infiltrators
Correspondent
BADARPUR, Jan 1 – The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has strongly demanded the Central government to immediately declare Bangladesh and Pakistan as enemy State.
The ABVP said that these two countries are betrayers and non-peace lovers. This was demanded by the ABVP leaders recently at Kisanganj Bihar, recently as a part of their movement against Bangladeshi infiltration.
The ABVP said that in the entire country there are more than 3.5 crore Bangladeshi infiltrators out of these there are 50 lakh in Assam, which is a matter of deep concern for the people of the State as this State will be fully captured in future by the Bangladeshis if it is not tackled by the governments. source: assam tribune
BHRPC takes umbrage at ‘passport bribe’
: Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 1: Barak Human Rights Protection Committee (BHRPC) has taken serious exception on the bribe demanded by passport in-charge officer, Abdur Rahman Laskar of SP office Cachar while dealing with the applications of Faruk Ahmed Barlaskar, Makhmadur Rahman Laskar and Ikbal Hussain Laskar.
In a written complaint to SP of Cachar Violet Barua, a copy of which was given to The Sentinel on December 30 last, Secretary N A Mazumdar, Secretary General of BHRPC, said that the trio applied for passport verification report under tatkal system.
According to the submission, the said passport in-charge officer asked for the greasing of his palms for processing the applications. But, Faruk and others refused to oblige him. In fact, the SP (DSB) of Cachar directed the officer in charge of Lakhipur police station to carry out the necessary verification and submit the same to the department concerned. With due process, the verification reports of Faruk Makhmadur and Ikbal were submitted to the SP office.
Further, the written complaint stated that the passport-in-charge officer Abdur Rahman Laskar demanded Rs 300 only as fees from Faruk which he paid. After that Faruk and the other two applicants have been regularly meeting the officer who have been giving one excuse or the other everyday for not completing the verification process. On their subsequent meetings, the officer demanded another amount of Rs 6000 for the three verification reports.
The secretary general of BHRPC said the statement of the applicants recorded by them reveals that Abdur Rahman Laskar received an amount as gratification and demanded another amount from the three applicants. This, according to the Committee, constitutes an offence under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The Committee has demanded intervention of the SP for taking necessary action on the matter since it is a serious offence. source: sentinel assam
Siguilong Puinah Oneness celebration
Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 7: The first ever Siguilong Puinah Oneness celebration cum development workshop would be held from January 13 to January 16 at Siguilong in Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district of Manipur. This unique meet, according to Disinlung Kamei, Chairman of Siguilong village, would be attended by people Siguilong scattered in different parts of northeast, east and west of the country.
Disinlung Kamei said the theme of this celebration would be ‘one origin, one vision’ which would be graced by Mani Charenamei, MP outer Manipur, G Gaingam, former vice-president Naga Hoho, Khianiyang Panmei, commissioner excise, Government of Manipur, G Phaomei, Pastor Bethel Baptist Church Tamenglong and Graceson Pastor, SDA, Tamenglong. source: sentinel assam
BMS urges upon Centre to review economic policy
: Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 6: The 13th triennial conference of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, Asom, which concluded here to day in its string of resolutions adopted, expressed its serious concern at the mounting problem of workers in the private and public sectors and demanded review of the economic policy pursued by the central government. A study of Indian economy, it notes, reveals that reforms have led to damage of Indian business, trade and commerce in contrast to the bright prospect under liberalization.
Though liberalization has increased the inflow of foreign capital and funds in the Indian market, the firms of the country have been adversely affected. The changes in patent laws, foreign investment and foreign trade have vastly pushed the Indian industries to a state of uncertainty. BMS is of the considered opinion that economic reforms can not be implemented in a straight jacket method. It insists on evolving indigenous ideas for economic governance and better results.
In another resolution, BMS takes exception to the indifferent attitude of the government- management combine towards tea workers in order to mitigate their suffering and hardship. It has been therefore reiterated that the government-management combine should take immediate measures for the implementation of Plantation Labour Act. All the facilities and amenities as provided under the Act should be extended to the tea tribes. The conference also calls upon the workers to prepare themselves for united struggle to realize their legitimate demands.
The problems of Anganwadi workers and helpers of Northeast region have also been brought in to sharp focus. It has been observed that neither the centre nor the state has taken any proper steps to solve the problems of Anganwadi workers. It is therefore imperative that the Government of India and State Governments should look in to their problems for their betterment. source: sentinel assam
Peace rally for justice held
: Special Correspondent
SILCHAR, Jan 6: A mass rally with placards and festoons was brought out on Monday under the aegis of Jadikhe Naiso Hoshom, Dimasa Mothers’ Association, student bodies and other social organizations which paraded through the main thoroughfares of Haflong, demanding justice and human rights protection. Later on a joint memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister of Asom through the deputy commissioner of NC Hills district.
The memorandum expressed serious concern at the prevailing situation in the Hills district due to the factional feuds and clashes between DHD (Dilip Nunisa) and DHD (Jewel Gorlosa) which often result in killings of the cadres of each other. Even relatives of the factions are becoming victims of gory conflict. Quite shockingly many people including gaon burahs, mauzadars, politicians and people of different communities are also being killed as suspects.
The joint memorandum stresses for declaring bilateral ceasefire with DHD (J) by the government. In spite of army operation, it has been pointed out that people are not safe. Militants are rarely nabbed. Innocent people are picked up, tortured and killed without any reason. Several such cases have been cited by the signatories to the memorandum. During 2008 alone, about 100 people, civilians, security and extremists were killed in the district.
Many have become widows and orphans in this orgy violence. Many have been disabled for life. The continuing violence has seriously affected normal life and created a reign of panic among people who are virtually sandwiched between the strikes of extremists and counter insurgency operations of the security forces. People have lost the right to existence.
Besides the activities of DHD (J) or DHD (Dilip), the district is also caught in the vortex of extremism of NSCN (IM), NSCN (K), HPC, KNA, MC and KNLF who are freely operating in the district, extorting money and resorting to violent actions. The memorandum calls for tough measures in order to control the militant organization. It also urges upon the government to take initiative for adequate payment of ex-gratia to the victims of violence. source: sentinel assam
