Tripurainfo (dot) com Constituted under MSME guide line, Govt. of Tripura Established in May 2001
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Monday, 26 September 2011
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
Monday, 19 September 2011
Saturday, 17 September 2011
Friday, 16 September 2011
Thursday, 15 September 2011
Wednesday, 14 September 2011
Mothers and babies to be alerted by SMS
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Agartala, Sep 14, 2011 : An innovative project to make the mothers aware of health and hygiene via SMS from health department was launched in Kumarghat on Tuesday.
Under the new project under the National Rural Health Mission mothers will now receive health reminders on their mobile phones for regular checkups. If the concerned women do not have a mobile phone, an SMS would be sent to their family members or to the officials of the nearest health centre.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Tapan Chakraborty formally launched the Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS)- a project first to be implemented in Tripura in entire North East region .
Under this computerized programme, every new mother will receive cell phone messages and alerts relating to her and the babies’ treatment and immunization as well as health checkup dates, said Dilip Kumar Das, Chief Medical Officer of North Tripura district. The SMS would be sent in the local language and in English, two weeks and seven days before the stipulated dates of the immunizations and checkups, said Dr Das.
Similarly, pregnant women will receive alerts on the various health measures they need to take.
In order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate, the department would provide its all efforts to track every pregnant woman to ensure delivery of baby, new and post-natal care. Besides, newborn babies would also be traced for complete immunization coverage, Das said.
Dr Das added that Data about expecting mothers and new mothers would be collected in advance and would be stored in the records of the concerned health centers of the block.
Agartala, Sep 14, 2011 : An innovative project to make the mothers aware of health and hygiene via SMS from health department was launched in Kumarghat on Tuesday.
Under the new project under the National Rural Health Mission mothers will now receive health reminders on their mobile phones for regular checkups. If the concerned women do not have a mobile phone, an SMS would be sent to their family members or to the officials of the nearest health centre.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Tapan Chakraborty formally launched the Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS)- a project first to be implemented in Tripura in entire North East region .
Under this computerized programme, every new mother will receive cell phone messages and alerts relating to her and the babies’ treatment and immunization as well as health checkup dates, said Dilip Kumar Das, Chief Medical Officer of North Tripura district. The SMS would be sent in the local language and in English, two weeks and seven days before the stipulated dates of the immunizations and checkups, said Dr Das.
Similarly, pregnant women will receive alerts on the various health measures they need to take.
In order to reduce maternal and infant mortality rate, the department would provide its all efforts to track every pregnant woman to ensure delivery of baby, new and post-natal care. Besides, newborn babies would also be traced for complete immunization coverage, Das said.
Dr Das added that Data about expecting mothers and new mothers would be collected in advance and would be stored in the records of the concerned health centers of the block.
Second CNG stn opens in Tripura
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Agartala, Sep 14, 2011 : Second Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station has been inaugurated at Agartala on Tuesday.
Industries Minister Jitendra Chaudhury inaugurated the CNG station near at Radhanagar Bus stop. The CNG project is a joint venture of Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC).
Chaudhury in his speech stressed on utilization of natural resources of Northeast region for uplift of human resources and for more employment.
The Radhanagar CNG station has a capacity to cater to 4000 auto rickshaws along with other heavy and medium vehicles, said S C Deogan, Managing Director of TNGCL.
He said, TNGCL would set up more CNG filling stations in some other parts of the state in coming days for easy access of gases for CNG run vehicles.
Agartala, Sep 14, 2011 : Second Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station has been inaugurated at Agartala on Tuesday.
Industries Minister Jitendra Chaudhury inaugurated the CNG station near at Radhanagar Bus stop. The CNG project is a joint venture of Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC).
Chaudhury in his speech stressed on utilization of natural resources of Northeast region for uplift of human resources and for more employment.
The Radhanagar CNG station has a capacity to cater to 4000 auto rickshaws along with other heavy and medium vehicles, said S C Deogan, Managing Director of TNGCL.
He said, TNGCL would set up more CNG filling stations in some other parts of the state in coming days for easy access of gases for CNG run vehicles.
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Rural population declines but increases literacy
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Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : Tripura’s current population stands at 36, 71,032, having registered a growth of 9.12 percent in urban population in 2011 compared with the preceding 2001 when the urban population stood at 17.06 percent.
Releasing the census data of rural and urban population in the directorate of census department here, director Dilip Kumar Acharjee said, “the rural population went down to 73.82 percent in 2011, which was earlier 82.94 percent”.
“The growth of urban population was highest in south district with 127.17 percent followed by remote Dhalai district with 114.53 percent in 2011”, he added.
“In child population, the rural covers 13.08 percent while the urban shows 9.32 percent”, Acharjee said.
Apart from this, the sex ratio of the state have increased from 948 (no. of females per 1000 males) in 2001 to 961 in the just concluded census while the national figure stands at 945.
On child sex ratio, the director said, “rural went down to 955 in 2011 which was 968 in 2001. Similarly, the urban showed a decadal reduction with 945 in 2011 that was touched 948 in 2001”.
Successful implementation of the literacy programmes like ‘Sarva Shiksha’ has helped the state achieve an overall literacy rate of 87.75 percent where rural population stands at 85.58 percent and urban marks 93.61 percent.
“The percentages of literacy in both rural and urban population in the state have risen compared with the last decade. The highest literacy rate in rural areas is reported in north district while the highest rate in urban area is reported in dhalai district”, he added.
He described that the literacy rate as a major success because in the 2001 census overall literacy of only 73.19% had been recorded.
On the pertinent question of caste census, he said, “process is going on as there would be four categories including scheduled tribe, scheduled caste, others and no caste”.
The caste census would be conducted simultaneously with the socio-economic survey to determine the number of people living below poverty line.
Among others deputy director Prabhakar Barat and assistant director Aparesh Chowdhury also remained present.
Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : Tripura’s current population stands at 36, 71,032, having registered a growth of 9.12 percent in urban population in 2011 compared with the preceding 2001 when the urban population stood at 17.06 percent.
Releasing the census data of rural and urban population in the directorate of census department here, director Dilip Kumar Acharjee said, “the rural population went down to 73.82 percent in 2011, which was earlier 82.94 percent”.
“The growth of urban population was highest in south district with 127.17 percent followed by remote Dhalai district with 114.53 percent in 2011”, he added.
“In child population, the rural covers 13.08 percent while the urban shows 9.32 percent”, Acharjee said.
Apart from this, the sex ratio of the state have increased from 948 (no. of females per 1000 males) in 2001 to 961 in the just concluded census while the national figure stands at 945.
On child sex ratio, the director said, “rural went down to 955 in 2011 which was 968 in 2001. Similarly, the urban showed a decadal reduction with 945 in 2011 that was touched 948 in 2001”.
Successful implementation of the literacy programmes like ‘Sarva Shiksha’ has helped the state achieve an overall literacy rate of 87.75 percent where rural population stands at 85.58 percent and urban marks 93.61 percent.
“The percentages of literacy in both rural and urban population in the state have risen compared with the last decade. The highest literacy rate in rural areas is reported in north district while the highest rate in urban area is reported in dhalai district”, he added.
He described that the literacy rate as a major success because in the 2001 census overall literacy of only 73.19% had been recorded.
On the pertinent question of caste census, he said, “process is going on as there would be four categories including scheduled tribe, scheduled caste, others and no caste”.
The caste census would be conducted simultaneously with the socio-economic survey to determine the number of people living below poverty line.
Among others deputy director Prabhakar Barat and assistant director Aparesh Chowdhury also remained present.
Manisankar join Junior India camp
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Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : Rising cricketer of Tripura Manisankar Murasing joined Junior Indian trial camp in Bangaluru for upcoming tournament.
The under-19 Tripura boy was selected as 20 member’s squad for India camp for upcoming four-nation tournament in Hyderabad this month. The final 15 will be selected by junior selection committee from them after some preparatory match.
Including Manisankar, five pace bowlers are in the team. Three of them will be picked up for final 15 members squad. The four nation matches are prelude to Junior World Cup cricket tournament.
Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : Rising cricketer of Tripura Manisankar Murasing joined Junior Indian trial camp in Bangaluru for upcoming tournament.
The under-19 Tripura boy was selected as 20 member’s squad for India camp for upcoming four-nation tournament in Hyderabad this month. The final 15 will be selected by junior selection committee from them after some preparatory match.
Including Manisankar, five pace bowlers are in the team. Three of them will be picked up for final 15 members squad. The four nation matches are prelude to Junior World Cup cricket tournament.
Financial crisis: CM seeks Prime Minister’s help
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Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : Chief Minister Manik Sarkar requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention to bail out the state from its financial crisis.
The Chief Minister in a letter to the PM sought special financial package of Rs. 13,600 crore from the union government, said Badal Chowdhury, finance minister on Monday.
“The Chief Minister in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh briefed him on the deprivation by 13th finance commission and sought his intervention to save the state’s economic condition” Chowdhury said.
“Sarkar is also likely to meet the Prime Minister soon”, he added.
The Prime Minister’s Office had not communicated on the matter yet.
The Chief Minister’s request came in the wake of recent the Union government’s special financial package to the Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government.
Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : Chief Minister Manik Sarkar requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention to bail out the state from its financial crisis.
The Chief Minister in a letter to the PM sought special financial package of Rs. 13,600 crore from the union government, said Badal Chowdhury, finance minister on Monday.
“The Chief Minister in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh briefed him on the deprivation by 13th finance commission and sought his intervention to save the state’s economic condition” Chowdhury said.
“Sarkar is also likely to meet the Prime Minister soon”, he added.
The Prime Minister’s Office had not communicated on the matter yet.
The Chief Minister’s request came in the wake of recent the Union government’s special financial package to the Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal government.
Assam Rifles DG arrives here
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Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : In a three-day visit, new Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy arrived in the state on Monday.
Roy, who took the charge on December 6 last year, in his maiden visit participated in discussions with AR sector 21 officers to assess the security status here and also reviewed the counter insurgency operations carried out by the force.
During his staying, the AR DG will pay a visit to Governor Dr DY Patil and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.
Agartala, Sep 13, 2011 : In a three-day visit, new Director General of Assam Rifles Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy arrived in the state on Monday.
Roy, who took the charge on December 6 last year, in his maiden visit participated in discussions with AR sector 21 officers to assess the security status here and also reviewed the counter insurgency operations carried out by the force.
During his staying, the AR DG will pay a visit to Governor Dr DY Patil and Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.
Monday, 12 September 2011
CM asks Gramin bank to focus on rural economy
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Agartala, Sep 12, 2011 : In order to boost the rural economy and to improve the socio-economic status of the rural Tripura, the rural banks would have to play a key role, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.
Speaking at the state conference of Tripura Gramin Bank Officer’s Association on Sunday, terming the Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) as the ‘life line of Tripura’, Sarkar said, ‘we would not achieve the developed country status unless the economic uplift of rural India is materialized’.
Expressing his concern over the poor CD ratio of nationalized banks, functioning in Tripura, Sarkar appealed to the officers of TG B to improve the CD ratio (Credit deposit) in the state and initiatives for encouraging of self-entrepreneurships.
He also urged the TGB authorities to sanction more financial assistance to the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and farmers.
Agartala, Sep 12, 2011 : In order to boost the rural economy and to improve the socio-economic status of the rural Tripura, the rural banks would have to play a key role, said Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.
Speaking at the state conference of Tripura Gramin Bank Officer’s Association on Sunday, terming the Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) as the ‘life line of Tripura’, Sarkar said, ‘we would not achieve the developed country status unless the economic uplift of rural India is materialized’.
Expressing his concern over the poor CD ratio of nationalized banks, functioning in Tripura, Sarkar appealed to the officers of TG B to improve the CD ratio (Credit deposit) in the state and initiatives for encouraging of self-entrepreneurships.
He also urged the TGB authorities to sanction more financial assistance to the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and farmers.
Trans-border movement increases hepatitis risk in Tripura, WB
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Agartala, Sep 12, 2011 : Proximity with Bangladesh and also trans-border movement from both sides increased the risk of Hepatitis infection manifold in Tripura and West Bengal.
Dr Pradip Bhowmik , associate professor of Medicine in Agartala Government Medical College. Dr Bhowmik who also heads the HB foundation conducted an intensive study on the subject .'Similarities in language and cultural tradition always result in close interaction between people of Bangladesh and India and the transborder movement is also very high ; this is the reason why incidence of HBV is very high in bordering Indian states' said Dr Bhowmik in his keynote address in a seminar on the threat posed by the deadly HB virus and the ways of tackling with the menace.
The prevalence of HBV in Bangladesh ranges between 2-8% but there is no authentic study of the incidence of HBV in West Bengal and Tripura . However, in the course of his study Dr Bhowmik has found the incidence of HBV in Tripura to be 2-8%. However, a study conducted by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has established that incidence of HBV among Reang tribesmen in Dhalai district is an alarming 13%. According to estimates made by HB foundation of Tripura on the basis of field study incidence of HBV among health care provider fraternity is an alarming 11% though in West Bengal it is only 2% . 'Comprehensive understanding about transborder transmission of HBV need specific epidemiological consideration' said Sr Bhownmik in his paper.
The more alarming aspect of Dr Bhowmik's study is that most of the people living close to border areas of India and Bangladesh are unaware of the HBV infection status though many of them are 'chronic HBV carriers'. 'Almost all the carriers have developed progressive liver diseases with advanced hepatic necrosis and fibrosis and , as they are unaware of their HBV infectivity , they may transmit HBV to healthy individuals' said Dr Bhowmik in his paper. He has called for utmost care in the matter of blood tranfusion to and from transborder travellers so that their overall health condition is put under thorough scrutiny before such transfusion to and from. Focussing on the risk factor of higher level of incidence of HBV Dr Bhowmik has pointed that many people from Bangladesh travel to West Bengal and other parts of India for treatment and they may act as transmitters of the HBV from ignorance of their own status as carriers of the deadly virus.
In order to contain the involuntary transmission of the HBV Dr Bhowmik has suggested checking of HBV DNA of transborder travellers. 'Checking the HBV infection should not be limited to assessment of Hepatitis-B surface antigen only but the HBV DNA should also be checked' said Dr Bhowmik. He has also called for stict surveillance over health condition of drug-abusers on both sides of the border because the menace of drug addiction has been growing on both sides of the border.
Interestingly, Dr Bhaumik said, medical researchers found in a Hepatitis study Tripura tribals’s anthropological connections with China. The anthropological ancestry of the Tripura tribals – a group of Bodo origin- was all along been a subject of discussion as many claim they actually belonged to Tibeto Burmese origin. But many tribal intellectuals always claimed that the Tripuri communities trace their ancestry to the Chinese. The new research result is now likely to give a new twist to the issue.
Dr Pradip Bhaumik, said, a particular type of Hepatitis strain was found in Tripura and which is predominant in China. Prevalence of this particular strain apparently supported the claim of human migration from China to Tripura.
“Recent Hepatitis B prevalence studies conducted in Tripura state found presence of a particular Hepatitis strain in Tripura which is also predominant in Far East China. The finding confirms the missing link between the NE regional Indo-Mongolians with China, the origin ancestors”, he said.
Elaborating the study, Dr Bhaumik, Associate Professor of Medicine Dept of Agartala Government Medical College, said, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) has its varied sub genotypes and net totally it’s ten genotypes of HBV identified as ‘A’ to ‘J’. All genotypes except for E, G and H are further subdivided into different sub genotypes and have been labeled by using the nomenclature 1, 2, 3, etc. Among them C is subdivided into 9 and 12 sub genotypes respectively namely B1-B9 and C1-C12 while 8 sub genotypes of D have so far been described (D1-D8).
The analysis revealed the presence of three distinct HBV genotypes D, C and A among the HBV infected patients of Tripura, the genotype D being most prevalent (86.5 percent) followed by genotypes C (8.1per cent) and A (5.4 per cent) respectively.
The genotype D isolates were found to be most divergent and the presence of four sub genotypes namely D1, D2, D3 and D4 could be detected. Among the sub genotypes, D4 (50 per cent) was most abundant. However, in case of HBV belonging to genotypes C and A, only a single sub genotype of the respective genotypes namely C2 and A1 were identified. Thus the preliminary data indicate a distinct epidemiology of HBV genotype in Tripura.
The presence of D4 sub genotype in such a significant proportion was not reported from any other part of the country including Eastern India.
“Interestingly, in contrast to C1 sub genotype found in Eastern India and which is also prevalent in South East Asia (Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar), in Tripura HBV/C strains were found to be exclusively of C2 sub genotype. This particular sub genotype is predominantly found in Far East (China, Japan and Korea) and appears to support the claims of human migration from China to North-Eastern India”, Dr Bhaumik said
Agartala, Sep 12, 2011 : Proximity with Bangladesh and also trans-border movement from both sides increased the risk of Hepatitis infection manifold in Tripura and West Bengal.
Dr Pradip Bhowmik , associate professor of Medicine in Agartala Government Medical College. Dr Bhowmik who also heads the HB foundation conducted an intensive study on the subject .'Similarities in language and cultural tradition always result in close interaction between people of Bangladesh and India and the transborder movement is also very high ; this is the reason why incidence of HBV is very high in bordering Indian states' said Dr Bhowmik in his keynote address in a seminar on the threat posed by the deadly HB virus and the ways of tackling with the menace.
The prevalence of HBV in Bangladesh ranges between 2-8% but there is no authentic study of the incidence of HBV in West Bengal and Tripura . However, in the course of his study Dr Bhowmik has found the incidence of HBV in Tripura to be 2-8%. However, a study conducted by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) has established that incidence of HBV among Reang tribesmen in Dhalai district is an alarming 13%. According to estimates made by HB foundation of Tripura on the basis of field study incidence of HBV among health care provider fraternity is an alarming 11% though in West Bengal it is only 2% . 'Comprehensive understanding about transborder transmission of HBV need specific epidemiological consideration' said Sr Bhownmik in his paper.
The more alarming aspect of Dr Bhowmik's study is that most of the people living close to border areas of India and Bangladesh are unaware of the HBV infection status though many of them are 'chronic HBV carriers'. 'Almost all the carriers have developed progressive liver diseases with advanced hepatic necrosis and fibrosis and , as they are unaware of their HBV infectivity , they may transmit HBV to healthy individuals' said Dr Bhowmik in his paper. He has called for utmost care in the matter of blood tranfusion to and from transborder travellers so that their overall health condition is put under thorough scrutiny before such transfusion to and from. Focussing on the risk factor of higher level of incidence of HBV Dr Bhowmik has pointed that many people from Bangladesh travel to West Bengal and other parts of India for treatment and they may act as transmitters of the HBV from ignorance of their own status as carriers of the deadly virus.
In order to contain the involuntary transmission of the HBV Dr Bhowmik has suggested checking of HBV DNA of transborder travellers. 'Checking the HBV infection should not be limited to assessment of Hepatitis-B surface antigen only but the HBV DNA should also be checked' said Dr Bhowmik. He has also called for stict surveillance over health condition of drug-abusers on both sides of the border because the menace of drug addiction has been growing on both sides of the border.
Interestingly, Dr Bhaumik said, medical researchers found in a Hepatitis study Tripura tribals’s anthropological connections with China. The anthropological ancestry of the Tripura tribals – a group of Bodo origin- was all along been a subject of discussion as many claim they actually belonged to Tibeto Burmese origin. But many tribal intellectuals always claimed that the Tripuri communities trace their ancestry to the Chinese. The new research result is now likely to give a new twist to the issue.
Dr Pradip Bhaumik, said, a particular type of Hepatitis strain was found in Tripura and which is predominant in China. Prevalence of this particular strain apparently supported the claim of human migration from China to Tripura.
“Recent Hepatitis B prevalence studies conducted in Tripura state found presence of a particular Hepatitis strain in Tripura which is also predominant in Far East China. The finding confirms the missing link between the NE regional Indo-Mongolians with China, the origin ancestors”, he said.
Elaborating the study, Dr Bhaumik, Associate Professor of Medicine Dept of Agartala Government Medical College, said, Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) has its varied sub genotypes and net totally it’s ten genotypes of HBV identified as ‘A’ to ‘J’. All genotypes except for E, G and H are further subdivided into different sub genotypes and have been labeled by using the nomenclature 1, 2, 3, etc. Among them C is subdivided into 9 and 12 sub genotypes respectively namely B1-B9 and C1-C12 while 8 sub genotypes of D have so far been described (D1-D8).
The analysis revealed the presence of three distinct HBV genotypes D, C and A among the HBV infected patients of Tripura, the genotype D being most prevalent (86.5 percent) followed by genotypes C (8.1per cent) and A (5.4 per cent) respectively.
The genotype D isolates were found to be most divergent and the presence of four sub genotypes namely D1, D2, D3 and D4 could be detected. Among the sub genotypes, D4 (50 per cent) was most abundant. However, in case of HBV belonging to genotypes C and A, only a single sub genotype of the respective genotypes namely C2 and A1 were identified. Thus the preliminary data indicate a distinct epidemiology of HBV genotype in Tripura.
The presence of D4 sub genotype in such a significant proportion was not reported from any other part of the country including Eastern India.
“Interestingly, in contrast to C1 sub genotype found in Eastern India and which is also prevalent in South East Asia (Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar), in Tripura HBV/C strains were found to be exclusively of C2 sub genotype. This particular sub genotype is predominantly found in Far East (China, Japan and Korea) and appears to support the claims of human migration from China to North-Eastern India”, Dr Bhaumik said
Tripura eve kifts Bronze in natnl Judo
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Agartala, Sep 12, 2011 : In a rare feat once again a Tripura eve shown in national arena of judo.
Purnam Nama of Tripura bagged bronze medal from National Sub-junior Judo championship this year.
The Tripura Sports School girl clinched the lone medal for state in 44 kg category from this tournament which was held in Kerala recently.
Agartala, Sep 12, 2011 : In a rare feat once again a Tripura eve shown in national arena of judo.
Purnam Nama of Tripura bagged bronze medal from National Sub-junior Judo championship this year.
The Tripura Sports School girl clinched the lone medal for state in 44 kg category from this tournament which was held in Kerala recently.
CM opposes communal violence bill
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Agartala, Sep 11, 2011 : Chief Minister Manik Sarkar strongly opposed the proposed ‘Communal violence bill-2011’, terming it an ‘infringement’ on the rights of the states.
Chief Minister in his address at the 15th National Integration Council (NIC) meeting at New Delhi on Saturday said ‘The proposed bill would be an infringement on the rights of the states and is bound to seriously impair the federal spirit enshrined in the constitution of India.
‘The existing legal framework is adequate to deal with all kinds of law and order situations including the communal disturbances,’ said Sarkar.
The bill, drafted by the National Advisory Council, seeks to protect ‘groups’ from communal violence and harm, describing ‘religious and linguistic minority, in any state in the Union of India, or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’ as victims.
Sarkar said that the fundamentalist organizations should be firmly dealt with and should not be allowed to create any communal disturbances in the country.
‘An appropriate development strategy can play a crucial role in promoting national integration,’ he said adding that all the national and regional political parties should launch an all out ideological and political campaign to promote national unity and integration.
Meanwhile, BJP and some other chief ministers also terming the proposed Communal Violence Bill as “dangerous”.
The BJP opposed the legislation, saying it presumes that the majority community is always responsible for such riots.
Agartala, Sep 11, 2011 : Chief Minister Manik Sarkar strongly opposed the proposed ‘Communal violence bill-2011’, terming it an ‘infringement’ on the rights of the states.
Chief Minister in his address at the 15th National Integration Council (NIC) meeting at New Delhi on Saturday said ‘The proposed bill would be an infringement on the rights of the states and is bound to seriously impair the federal spirit enshrined in the constitution of India.
‘The existing legal framework is adequate to deal with all kinds of law and order situations including the communal disturbances,’ said Sarkar.
The bill, drafted by the National Advisory Council, seeks to protect ‘groups’ from communal violence and harm, describing ‘religious and linguistic minority, in any state in the Union of India, or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes’ as victims.
Sarkar said that the fundamentalist organizations should be firmly dealt with and should not be allowed to create any communal disturbances in the country.
‘An appropriate development strategy can play a crucial role in promoting national integration,’ he said adding that all the national and regional political parties should launch an all out ideological and political campaign to promote national unity and integration.
Meanwhile, BJP and some other chief ministers also terming the proposed Communal Violence Bill as “dangerous”.
The BJP opposed the legislation, saying it presumes that the majority community is always responsible for such riots.
Govt to hold fresh Joint Entrance for SC, ST
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Agartala, Sep 11, 2011 : In an unprecedented move, Tripura government decided to hold fresh Joint entrance examination to meet the cut-off marks criteria for vacant 29 medical seats meant for ST, SC students in Agartala Government Medical College.
“The examination will be held soon”, said Anil Sarkar, higher education minister accompanied by health minister Tapan Chakraborty on Saturday.
“However, the decision for conducting joint entrance once for second time would need approval. We have placed the resolution before MCI seeking directives”, Sarkar added.
"The MCI is yet to communicate its decision ", he said.
The seats had fallen vacant due to non availability of eligible ST, SC candidates in TBJEE merit list. Recently, Medical Council of India turned down state government’s request for relaxation of the cut-off marks citing the verdict of Supreme Court of India.
Sarkar said, “Tripura Board of Joint Entrance Examination will conduct the fresh examination and also decide the schedules and venue for the examinations”.
On September 6 last, an all-party meet had unanimously taken the decision and requested the state government to consider the matter.
Agartala, Sep 11, 2011 : In an unprecedented move, Tripura government decided to hold fresh Joint entrance examination to meet the cut-off marks criteria for vacant 29 medical seats meant for ST, SC students in Agartala Government Medical College.
“The examination will be held soon”, said Anil Sarkar, higher education minister accompanied by health minister Tapan Chakraborty on Saturday.
“However, the decision for conducting joint entrance once for second time would need approval. We have placed the resolution before MCI seeking directives”, Sarkar added.
"The MCI is yet to communicate its decision ", he said.
The seats had fallen vacant due to non availability of eligible ST, SC candidates in TBJEE merit list. Recently, Medical Council of India turned down state government’s request for relaxation of the cut-off marks citing the verdict of Supreme Court of India.
Sarkar said, “Tripura Board of Joint Entrance Examination will conduct the fresh examination and also decide the schedules and venue for the examinations”.
On September 6 last, an all-party meet had unanimously taken the decision and requested the state government to consider the matter.
Saturday, 10 September 2011
Neermahal water festival inaugurated
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Agartala, Sep 10, 2011 : The ‘Neermahal Water festival’ at Rajghat in Melaghar was inaugurated on Friday by ICAT Minister Anil Sarkar amidst great enthusiasm.
The ICAT department organizes three day long tourism festival at Neermahal, the water palace of Tripura, in order to promote tourism. Swimming competition, boat race with cultural and folk programmes would be performing in the festivities.
In his inaugural speech Anil Sarkar said that the state government had taken several initiatives to improve tourism infrastructures of the state.
As part of the initiatives, the construction work for 70 bedded new tourist centers had already started, said Sarkar.
MLA Sukumar Barman addressing the gathering said, ‘Neermahal has a unique identity in the world for its enchanting beauty and people of the locality should actively take necessary steps to protect and preserve the beauties of the water palace’.
On Saturday, thousands of spectator gathered in front of Neermahal to enjoy the mega boat race and swimming competition.
Agartala, Sep 10, 2011 : The ‘Neermahal Water festival’ at Rajghat in Melaghar was inaugurated on Friday by ICAT Minister Anil Sarkar amidst great enthusiasm.
The ICAT department organizes three day long tourism festival at Neermahal, the water palace of Tripura, in order to promote tourism. Swimming competition, boat race with cultural and folk programmes would be performing in the festivities.
In his inaugural speech Anil Sarkar said that the state government had taken several initiatives to improve tourism infrastructures of the state.
As part of the initiatives, the construction work for 70 bedded new tourist centers had already started, said Sarkar.
MLA Sukumar Barman addressing the gathering said, ‘Neermahal has a unique identity in the world for its enchanting beauty and people of the locality should actively take necessary steps to protect and preserve the beauties of the water palace’.
On Saturday, thousands of spectator gathered in front of Neermahal to enjoy the mega boat race and swimming competition.
Three villagers abducted from Baranarayan
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Agartala, Sep 10, 2011 : In a bizarre incident, three villagers were abducted by the unknown Bangladeshi miscreants from extreme Indo-Bangla border area- Baranarayan under Jatrapur police station on September 8 late night.
They were- Maman Miah, Kutti Miah and Khurshed Alam, residents of Gakulnagar, Udaipur.
Jatrapur Police said, “An FIR was lodged in the Jatrapur police station reporting the abduction on Friday morning”.
“We have visited the spot and started investigation”, said an official on Saturday, adding, “we are also looking on why the trio went to such extreme border area at late night”.
So far, their trace is yet to be established.
“We have informed the BSF about the incident and the message was sent to Bangladesh Border Guards also to rescue the villagers”, police said.
Meantime, TSR was also pressed into duty in the area following the tension among the villagers.
Agartala, Sep 10, 2011 : In a bizarre incident, three villagers were abducted by the unknown Bangladeshi miscreants from extreme Indo-Bangla border area- Baranarayan under Jatrapur police station on September 8 late night.
They were- Maman Miah, Kutti Miah and Khurshed Alam, residents of Gakulnagar, Udaipur.
Jatrapur Police said, “An FIR was lodged in the Jatrapur police station reporting the abduction on Friday morning”.
“We have visited the spot and started investigation”, said an official on Saturday, adding, “we are also looking on why the trio went to such extreme border area at late night”.
So far, their trace is yet to be established.
“We have informed the BSF about the incident and the message was sent to Bangladesh Border Guards also to rescue the villagers”, police said.
Meantime, TSR was also pressed into duty in the area following the tension among the villagers.
Delhi- Dhaka talks, how the dreams die By Manas Pal
 | Delhi- Dhaka talks, how the dreams dieBy |
The Delhi Dhaka meet last night (September 6 2011) virtually came a cropper. It botched up two main issues -Teesta and Transit. Neither Bangladesh got Teesta water nor did we get transit facilities. Eight MoUs were signed on the subjects which were important of course, but certainly not as important as Teesta and Transit matters.
As it stands today we may say for West Bengal New Delhi sacrificed entire North East India's interest. But for this we have to look into and review the entire gamut of the issues and factors that relate to them. Most importantly, it was not only about North East India's opening to huge South Asian market and access to Indian heartland through seas. It is also about security and emerging geostrategic realties to which we cannot simply turn a blind eye. The botched Delhi Dhaka talks also have direct bearing on our much cherished Look East policy- which is virtually looking nowhere barring perhaps Indian initiative at Sittew port in Myanmar and in all intents and purpose a dead 'Ganga Mekong Cooperation' and at larger scale BIMSTEC dreams. On top of all, the Indian establishment's bungled up diplomatic efforts only help China
As it stands today we may say for West Bengal New Delhi sacrificed entire North East India's interest. But for this we have to look into and review the entire gamut of the issues and factors that relate to them. Most importantly, it was not only about North East India's opening to huge South Asian market and access to Indian heartland through seas. It is also about security and emerging geostrategic realties to which we cannot simply turn a blind eye. The botched Delhi Dhaka talks also have direct bearing on our much cherished Look East policy- which is virtually looking nowhere barring perhaps Indian initiative at Sittew port in Myanmar and in all intents and purpose a dead 'Ganga Mekong Cooperation' and at larger scale BIMSTEC dreams. On top of all, the Indian establishment's bungled up diplomatic efforts only help China
further strengthen its presence in our neighborhood.
It is, indeed, ironic that before Prime Minister, so many big wigs like Foreign Minister SM Krishna had gone there to discuss and formulate the policies to make his maiden Dhaka visit a success. The Delhi mandarins in reality failed to accomplish their tasks.
At the face it might look as if Mamata Banerjee threw the spanner with her political interest limited only to West Bengal. But if we read Dr Manmohan Singh's comment in July last that certain section of Bangladeshi population was under ISI influence and "25 percent"; people there anti-Indian, with the intransigence at which Delhi denied Dhaka of Teesta water, which they needed badly , only strengthens a suspicion that some people at the helm of affairs in the Union Government/ MEA had always been working with a fixed mindset- perhaps equating Bangladesh with Pakistan. They over the years had turned all our neighbors- if not direct enemy but certainly not a friendly nation. The last one left was Bangladesh under Awami League government. Mamata only played the second fiddle to those people, willy nilly. Or, how come it could be so that the Chief Minister of the state through which the Teesta flows down to Bangladesh was not shown the final draft and not taken into confidence. It smacks of a conspiracy.
Now, look at Bangladesh behavior. I found they were right in their decision. You just cannot expect a sovereign country would agree to whatever you ask, say here Transit and Chittagong port, without giving them what they deserved. It was a treatment equal. People in Delhi must now understand that you just cannot ignore or bully around a small country.
After her victory Sheikh Hasina first came to India and then went to China. It could be translated as her indication of preference. While in India she gave Ashuganj river port access to India for transporting Over Dimensional Cargo for Palatana power project being set up by ONGC ( OTPC) in South Tripura. This was Project specific clearance and indeed massive turbines came to the project via Ashuganj port from Kolkata.
Keep it in mind Bangladesh was even keen not to impose administrative fees for transit goods through it s territory which sparked off wild protests. According to International norms no country through which transit is given can impose customs or excise duties on goods on transit, but it can impose administrative fees. Bangladesh government, however, hit the hornet's nest when they indicated that they would not ask for transit fees as it would be 'uncivilized' for a neighboring country. This decision led to wild reaction among a section of Bangladeshi intelligentsia who cited example of Egypt that had imposed heavy fees on goods passing through Suez and earned millions of dollars. It was under this pressure Sheikh Hasina government had decided to form a core committee to look into the matter, by this time during Manmohan Singh's visit in Dhaka 'letter' on the issue would exchanged, a diplomatic step before formulation of legal instruments and SOP.
Sheikh Hasina had also assured New Delhi during her visit last year that anti Indian militants would not be allowed to use Bangladesh soil and, indeed, she handed over almost all senior NE militant leaders to India. She had done what she had promised despite being under severe political pressure from parties like BNP or Jamat. It was natural for her that she would be expecting some good will gesture from India. And they needed Teesta water badly.
How badly they needed Teesta water?
Teesta originated from Sikkim's So Lomo lake and then enters to Nilphamari district of Bangladesh through Jalpaiguri. It flowed down about 124 kms in Bangladesh and then joined Brahmaputra at Kurigram there. But before that it courses down about 45 kms criss crossing Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha -the areas that constitute 15-18 percent of rice and other crop yielding areas of Bangladesh- of which 63 percent needs irrigation from Teesta water. The area is populated by 8.5 percent of Bangladesh's total population.
India had constructed a dam at Gazalbad - about 25 kms from Siliguri controlling the water flow down to Bangladesh. And the end result is while in normal cases about 20,000 cubic feet per second - commonly termed as Cusec -water would have gone to Bangladesh but Dhaka claims they get only about 400 Cusec water during the dry season. Result is the area is facing serious irrigation crisis directly affecting Bangladesh's crop yield and population. It was already declared dry region-
Bangladesh to meet the situation had constructed a barrage at Dalia on down stream Teesta at Lalmonirhat through a canal network. But during dry spell Gazalabad dam controlling water flow turns this barrage meaningless. But when it rains and the Teesta swells Gazalabad sends down excess water that again causes floods in Bangladesh crop land and erodes banks.
When in March last year talks on Teesta water sharing did take place India proposed water sharing at 75 : 25 ratio. Bangladesh had demanded 50:50. Later , according to reports Dhaka settled for 52:42. But India was not ready. Mamata banerjee is reported to have agreed to share 30 percent.
But as it stands today, all initiatives fell through.
So what is next.
Hasina is seriously embarrassed and she will have to face her people. Who would simply ask : Well, you had given them Ashuganj port for their project and you had met their security concern. What they gave you ? And she will be going to polls in late 2013 or early 2014. Already in some local body elections her party suffered defeat.
On the other hand those anti-Indian parties would get a booster. Their campaign will be again simple : See, we always said India is a big bully who does not have any friend anywhere near her vicinity. This is the reason. And, it might to so happen that the Indian militants would seek to find a foothold again and Islamic terrorists from there with direct links with LeT would be further encouraged. They would simply identify this fiasco as the attitude of the Hindu Hindustan towards a predominantly muslim country.
Right at this moment West Bengal's interest was served. And Mamata Banerjee might be rejoicing. But interests of the entire North East -which means 262,230 sq. km. land and about 5 crores people and seven states were ignored.
For North East transit facilities through Bangladesh and access to Chittagong port - which is located only 75 kms from Sabrum southern most part of Tripura-for transshipment were of utmost important not only for trades and infrastructure developments but also for geo-strategic reasons. And apparently these geo-strategic components were not attached importance -with most media -talking sweet sounding bilateral and people to people relations and repeating those oft-spoken Indian roles for Bangladesh Liberation. Those sweetie talks apparently did neither ring so sweet nor strike the right chord.
Yes, Delhi agreed to provide duty-free access to the Indian market to 46 textile tariff lines, as per the request of Bangladesh, with immediate effect. Bangladesh had demanded 64 items for this. This is aimed at bridging the gap between trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh . And yes both sides settled the disputed land issues and that India agreed to finance 13 projects that involve $746 million, and two loan agreements involving about $41 million that were signed. The Indian Line of credit of $1 billion would entail 1.75 per cent interest per annum and it will be repaid in 20 years with five years' grace period. But all these are virtually India specific infrastructures and the financial assistance is not without interest- it is a loan.
Without detailing further what comes next for India. Answer is simple. The Dragon.
Now from last night ( September 6, 2011) who are the most happy persons ? Of course, Mamata Banerjee . But there more somewhere in Beijing. Not those in Delhi or Dhaka, or for that matter in Agartala or Guwahati.
It would now be a cat walk for China to come straight to our next door with many more offers and support and cooperation in critical matters including strategic infrastructures for Bangladesh. Their area of mutual cooperation and bilateral trades will be broadened further. It is already being said in Bangladesh that whatever India gave for infrastructure development those were all meant to meet Indian interest-including the line of credit. On the other hand Chinese support was more free and certainly far sighted for Beijing's interest.
.
Some examples as to how China had already made its inroad and given the tonight's debacle, it does not need a rocket scientist to feel that Bangladesh is now be more inclined to Beijing.
China has already emerged as bigger trading partner in Bangladesh and there are indications that Beijing would develop Chittagong port and Sonadia Deep sea port, 7 kms off Cox's Bazar there.
'We sought support from China to build Sonadia deep-sea port and Chittagong-Kunming Highway via Myanmar. Beijing has assured us of support in this regard,' Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the State Minister for Environment and Forests had said in 2010.
Apart from port development in Chittagong adjoining Tripura, a 900 kms tri-national highway from Kunming in Chittagong via Myanmar is already on the card. Last year, Myanmar also gave go ahead for the Kunming to Chittagong highway via its territory. Chittagong port handles about 92 per cent of Bangladesh's import-export trade and China coming to Chittagong with highway would only mean easy transportation of Chinese goods, and in cases military hardware, to Bangladesh as well as a quantum jump to Sino Bangla trade.
Two months later in March 2010, Sheikh Hasina went to China and both the countries discussed Beijing developing the Chittagong port.
For China, Chittagong port and Sonadia deep sea port would only add to Beijing's blue water strategy -'String of Pearls'- that already had Gwador in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyakpiu in Myanmar, besides its reported presence in Hanggyi and Coco-Islands under its wings. On the other hand, Chinese presence in next door would have serious geo-strategic concern for India.
Besides, according to media reports Chinese energy consortium, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Services, has already partnered with Bangladeshi state-owned firm Bapex, to explore four gas fields in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is astride South and North Tripura districts.
China is also helping Bangladesh in some critical infrastructure development including nuclear power plant. Only on 9 June last, Dhaka signed a loan agreement worth US$211 million with the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade the Bangladesh's telecommunications network.
One year ago China and Bangladesh also signed agreements for Beijing's financial assistance and expertise to support Dhaka to launch their first space satellite. China also pledged help Dhaka to build the 600-1000 MW Pabna nuclear power plant with a US$1.5 billion Chinese loan at concession, besides, development of Pagla water treatment plant and Shahjalal fertilizer factory. They would also construct seven important bridges for them.
Chinese trades and cooperation in Bangladesh had showed a steady upward turn since 2007. According to Bangladesh Board of Investment, till late 2010 as many as 55 Chinese businesses houses submitted 186 investment proposals in the infrastructure and trades that might touch around US$320 million.
One must also keep in mind that Bangladesh's tilt towards China virtually began during Begum Khaleda Zia's BNP tenure in Dhaka. Now, after the debacle suffered in the Dhaka, India will find Sheikh Hasina is also left with no other option to go the China way only.
It is indeed ironic that this China had opposed to Bangladesh Liberation War led by Sheikh Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
While of course it would their domestic policy now, and Bangladesh government would whatever they would feel better, we can only ask our mandarins in New Delhi, forget about revival of Ganga-Mekon Cooperation ... where our own Look East policy stands now ?
It is, indeed, ironic that before Prime Minister, so many big wigs like Foreign Minister SM Krishna had gone there to discuss and formulate the policies to make his maiden Dhaka visit a success. The Delhi mandarins in reality failed to accomplish their tasks.
At the face it might look as if Mamata Banerjee threw the spanner with her political interest limited only to West Bengal. But if we read Dr Manmohan Singh's comment in July last that certain section of Bangladeshi population was under ISI influence and "25 percent"; people there anti-Indian, with the intransigence at which Delhi denied Dhaka of Teesta water, which they needed badly , only strengthens a suspicion that some people at the helm of affairs in the Union Government/ MEA had always been working with a fixed mindset- perhaps equating Bangladesh with Pakistan. They over the years had turned all our neighbors- if not direct enemy but certainly not a friendly nation. The last one left was Bangladesh under Awami League government. Mamata only played the second fiddle to those people, willy nilly. Or, how come it could be so that the Chief Minister of the state through which the Teesta flows down to Bangladesh was not shown the final draft and not taken into confidence. It smacks of a conspiracy.
Now, look at Bangladesh behavior. I found they were right in their decision. You just cannot expect a sovereign country would agree to whatever you ask, say here Transit and Chittagong port, without giving them what they deserved. It was a treatment equal. People in Delhi must now understand that you just cannot ignore or bully around a small country.
After her victory Sheikh Hasina first came to India and then went to China. It could be translated as her indication of preference. While in India she gave Ashuganj river port access to India for transporting Over Dimensional Cargo for Palatana power project being set up by ONGC ( OTPC) in South Tripura. This was Project specific clearance and indeed massive turbines came to the project via Ashuganj port from Kolkata.
Keep it in mind Bangladesh was even keen not to impose administrative fees for transit goods through it s territory which sparked off wild protests. According to International norms no country through which transit is given can impose customs or excise duties on goods on transit, but it can impose administrative fees. Bangladesh government, however, hit the hornet's nest when they indicated that they would not ask for transit fees as it would be 'uncivilized' for a neighboring country. This decision led to wild reaction among a section of Bangladeshi intelligentsia who cited example of Egypt that had imposed heavy fees on goods passing through Suez and earned millions of dollars. It was under this pressure Sheikh Hasina government had decided to form a core committee to look into the matter, by this time during Manmohan Singh's visit in Dhaka 'letter' on the issue would exchanged, a diplomatic step before formulation of legal instruments and SOP.
Sheikh Hasina had also assured New Delhi during her visit last year that anti Indian militants would not be allowed to use Bangladesh soil and, indeed, she handed over almost all senior NE militant leaders to India. She had done what she had promised despite being under severe political pressure from parties like BNP or Jamat. It was natural for her that she would be expecting some good will gesture from India. And they needed Teesta water badly.
How badly they needed Teesta water?
Teesta originated from Sikkim's So Lomo lake and then enters to Nilphamari district of Bangladesh through Jalpaiguri. It flowed down about 124 kms in Bangladesh and then joined Brahmaputra at Kurigram there. But before that it courses down about 45 kms criss crossing Rangpur, Lalmonirhat and Gaibandha -the areas that constitute 15-18 percent of rice and other crop yielding areas of Bangladesh- of which 63 percent needs irrigation from Teesta water. The area is populated by 8.5 percent of Bangladesh's total population.
India had constructed a dam at Gazalbad - about 25 kms from Siliguri controlling the water flow down to Bangladesh. And the end result is while in normal cases about 20,000 cubic feet per second - commonly termed as Cusec -water would have gone to Bangladesh but Dhaka claims they get only about 400 Cusec water during the dry season. Result is the area is facing serious irrigation crisis directly affecting Bangladesh's crop yield and population. It was already declared dry region-
Bangladesh to meet the situation had constructed a barrage at Dalia on down stream Teesta at Lalmonirhat through a canal network. But during dry spell Gazalabad dam controlling water flow turns this barrage meaningless. But when it rains and the Teesta swells Gazalabad sends down excess water that again causes floods in Bangladesh crop land and erodes banks.
When in March last year talks on Teesta water sharing did take place India proposed water sharing at 75 : 25 ratio. Bangladesh had demanded 50:50. Later , according to reports Dhaka settled for 52:42. But India was not ready. Mamata banerjee is reported to have agreed to share 30 percent.
But as it stands today, all initiatives fell through.
So what is next.
Hasina is seriously embarrassed and she will have to face her people. Who would simply ask : Well, you had given them Ashuganj port for their project and you had met their security concern. What they gave you ? And she will be going to polls in late 2013 or early 2014. Already in some local body elections her party suffered defeat.
On the other hand those anti-Indian parties would get a booster. Their campaign will be again simple : See, we always said India is a big bully who does not have any friend anywhere near her vicinity. This is the reason. And, it might to so happen that the Indian militants would seek to find a foothold again and Islamic terrorists from there with direct links with LeT would be further encouraged. They would simply identify this fiasco as the attitude of the Hindu Hindustan towards a predominantly muslim country.
Right at this moment West Bengal's interest was served. And Mamata Banerjee might be rejoicing. But interests of the entire North East -which means 262,230 sq. km. land and about 5 crores people and seven states were ignored.
For North East transit facilities through Bangladesh and access to Chittagong port - which is located only 75 kms from Sabrum southern most part of Tripura-for transshipment were of utmost important not only for trades and infrastructure developments but also for geo-strategic reasons. And apparently these geo-strategic components were not attached importance -with most media -talking sweet sounding bilateral and people to people relations and repeating those oft-spoken Indian roles for Bangladesh Liberation. Those sweetie talks apparently did neither ring so sweet nor strike the right chord.
Yes, Delhi agreed to provide duty-free access to the Indian market to 46 textile tariff lines, as per the request of Bangladesh, with immediate effect. Bangladesh had demanded 64 items for this. This is aimed at bridging the gap between trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh . And yes both sides settled the disputed land issues and that India agreed to finance 13 projects that involve $746 million, and two loan agreements involving about $41 million that were signed. The Indian Line of credit of $1 billion would entail 1.75 per cent interest per annum and it will be repaid in 20 years with five years' grace period. But all these are virtually India specific infrastructures and the financial assistance is not without interest- it is a loan.
Without detailing further what comes next for India. Answer is simple. The Dragon.
Now from last night ( September 6, 2011) who are the most happy persons ? Of course, Mamata Banerjee . But there more somewhere in Beijing. Not those in Delhi or Dhaka, or for that matter in Agartala or Guwahati.
It would now be a cat walk for China to come straight to our next door with many more offers and support and cooperation in critical matters including strategic infrastructures for Bangladesh. Their area of mutual cooperation and bilateral trades will be broadened further. It is already being said in Bangladesh that whatever India gave for infrastructure development those were all meant to meet Indian interest-including the line of credit. On the other hand Chinese support was more free and certainly far sighted for Beijing's interest.
.
Some examples as to how China had already made its inroad and given the tonight's debacle, it does not need a rocket scientist to feel that Bangladesh is now be more inclined to Beijing.
China has already emerged as bigger trading partner in Bangladesh and there are indications that Beijing would develop Chittagong port and Sonadia Deep sea port, 7 kms off Cox's Bazar there.
'We sought support from China to build Sonadia deep-sea port and Chittagong-Kunming Highway via Myanmar. Beijing has assured us of support in this regard,' Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the State Minister for Environment and Forests had said in 2010.
Apart from port development in Chittagong adjoining Tripura, a 900 kms tri-national highway from Kunming in Chittagong via Myanmar is already on the card. Last year, Myanmar also gave go ahead for the Kunming to Chittagong highway via its territory. Chittagong port handles about 92 per cent of Bangladesh's import-export trade and China coming to Chittagong with highway would only mean easy transportation of Chinese goods, and in cases military hardware, to Bangladesh as well as a quantum jump to Sino Bangla trade.
Two months later in March 2010, Sheikh Hasina went to China and both the countries discussed Beijing developing the Chittagong port.
For China, Chittagong port and Sonadia deep sea port would only add to Beijing's blue water strategy -'String of Pearls'- that already had Gwador in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyakpiu in Myanmar, besides its reported presence in Hanggyi and Coco-Islands under its wings. On the other hand, Chinese presence in next door would have serious geo-strategic concern for India.
Besides, according to media reports Chinese energy consortium, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Services, has already partnered with Bangladeshi state-owned firm Bapex, to explore four gas fields in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is astride South and North Tripura districts.
China is also helping Bangladesh in some critical infrastructure development including nuclear power plant. Only on 9 June last, Dhaka signed a loan agreement worth US$211 million with the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade the Bangladesh's telecommunications network.
One year ago China and Bangladesh also signed agreements for Beijing's financial assistance and expertise to support Dhaka to launch their first space satellite. China also pledged help Dhaka to build the 600-1000 MW Pabna nuclear power plant with a US$1.5 billion Chinese loan at concession, besides, development of Pagla water treatment plant and Shahjalal fertilizer factory. They would also construct seven important bridges for them.
Chinese trades and cooperation in Bangladesh had showed a steady upward turn since 2007. According to Bangladesh Board of Investment, till late 2010 as many as 55 Chinese businesses houses submitted 186 investment proposals in the infrastructure and trades that might touch around US$320 million.
One must also keep in mind that Bangladesh's tilt towards China virtually began during Begum Khaleda Zia's BNP tenure in Dhaka. Now, after the debacle suffered in the Dhaka, India will find Sheikh Hasina is also left with no other option to go the China way only.
It is indeed ironic that this China had opposed to Bangladesh Liberation War led by Sheikh Hasina's father Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.
While of course it would their domestic policy now, and Bangladesh government would whatever they would feel better, we can only ask our mandarins in New Delhi, forget about revival of Ganga-Mekon Cooperation ... where our own Look East policy stands now ?
TRIPURAINFO QUIZ SCALING A NEW HEIGHT By Dr. R. L. Srivastava
http://www.tripurainfo.in/info/Archives/384.htm
The Sixth Annual Quiz Contest organized by Tripurainfo.com on the 28th August, 2011 in Town Hall Agartala has been another milestone in the history of ten years of its establishment.
This Sixth event in a series was a new version in its pomp and gaiety with participation of 864 contestants and more then thousand of audiences outpouring the hall's capacity. The people from all walks of life and of all ages specially the youngsters gathered to witness and enjoy the refreshing and inquisitive brain teasing day long exercise.
Shri Manik Sarkar, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Tripura too without missing the opportunity, graced the occasion with his presence and inaugural address, enthused the participants sixth time in a row and expressed his eagerness and satisfaction over the grand organization of the event in a renewed outfit with a noble cause of transferring the society to a well informed one, catching up with the latest developments and a young Tripura to face the world intelligentsia.
The Quiz was well attended by the Public Representatives, Senior Bureaucrats including Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries, Heads of Offices, colleges,
institutions etc. Shri Ratan Lal Nath, the Hon'ble Leader of Opposition, Vice Chancellor of Tripura University, Director, NIT, Agartala, galaxy of visitors cutting across all professions - engineers, doctors, administrators, politicians, business community, literary figures, academicians, educationists, historians, scholars and students of various schools and colleges participated in the event. Royal family's Pradyut Kishore Debbarma too made his appearance and addressed the quiz enthusiasts.
The Quiz Masters Shri Abhijit Bhattacharjee from School of Science, Agartala, Shri. Bharat Jain from South India ( Hyderabad) and Shri Nandu Panicker, son of renowned educationist and former Principal of MBB College Shri S. M. Panicker and Anil Raja Bijan Corporate Communication Chief from ONGC conducted the event in unique style and appearances with impeccable presence of mind coupled with judicious mix of interesting and intriguing questions from large arena of fields covering humanity, science, art, culture, history, geography and current affairs. Quizzing was well interspersed with humour and wits which kept the audience glued to their seats.
The legendry Quiz Master of Tripura Dr. M. J. Panicker (a long associate and elder brother of Quiz Master Nandu Panicker and a star attraction of last years' event) mesmerized the audience with on-line quizzing and chat directly from Oman. His three prized questions each fetching Rs.2,000/- mandated for kids, ladies and gentlemen in the audience evoked a huge response and created pleasant surprise among the participants.
The organizers Shri Shekhar Dutta, Manas Paul, Jayanta Debnath and dozens of sponsors made tremendous efforts with a class Turn Out in motivating and enthusing thousands of participants from far flung areas of the State converging in the form of 16 teams, reducing to 8 teams in semi finals and 6 teams participating in the finals for further elimination to top three places to bag the coveted prizes of Mobiles, Desk Tops and Lap Tops.
The participation in Audience Rounds and Ruffle Rounds with rewards of Rs.10,000/-, Rs.5,000/- and Return Ticket to Kolkata was thunderous, the enthusiasm was seen to be believed.
The response from kids, youngsters and craze to reply questions defying the rules of business forced the Quiz Masters to continuously innovate and adopt new strategies with flux of ideas and compose the questions on current affairs, twisters, teasers using common sense and reflexes.
The semblance of art, culture, science, history-geography, psychology, physical principles, convergence, divergence, space, literature, current affairs, poetry, philosophy, films, contemporary events were beautifully interwoven, in form of questions.
The atmosphere was surcharged with Newtonian Principles, Karl Marx Theories, space travel, 'Bhanware Ki Gunjan', the ecstasy, melodies of yesteryears and what not, truly rejoicing moment and tool for personality development for one and all.
The well knit structure of the CONTEST consisting Audio-Video Rounds, Who am I, Sporting Events, Cultural and Musical Bonanza with religious and patriotic fervour and flavoured questions, culminating with Rapid Fire Rounds elated the standard of quizzing to international one.
It has always been a rewarding experience for me to take part in these events.
(Author is senior most IFS officer of Tripura and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests)
The Sixth Annual Quiz Contest organized by Tripurainfo.com on the 28th August, 2011 in Town Hall Agartala has been another milestone in the history of ten years of its establishment.
This Sixth event in a series was a new version in its pomp and gaiety with participation of 864 contestants and more then thousand of audiences outpouring the hall's capacity. The people from all walks of life and of all ages specially the youngsters gathered to witness and enjoy the refreshing and inquisitive brain teasing day long exercise.
Shri Manik Sarkar, Hon'ble Chief Minister, Tripura too without missing the opportunity, graced the occasion with his presence and inaugural address, enthused the participants sixth time in a row and expressed his eagerness and satisfaction over the grand organization of the event in a renewed outfit with a noble cause of transferring the society to a well informed one, catching up with the latest developments and a young Tripura to face the world intelligentsia.
The Quiz was well attended by the Public Representatives, Senior Bureaucrats including Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries, Heads of Offices, colleges,
institutions etc. Shri Ratan Lal Nath, the Hon'ble Leader of Opposition, Vice Chancellor of Tripura University, Director, NIT, Agartala, galaxy of visitors cutting across all professions - engineers, doctors, administrators, politicians, business community, literary figures, academicians, educationists, historians, scholars and students of various schools and colleges participated in the event. Royal family's Pradyut Kishore Debbarma too made his appearance and addressed the quiz enthusiasts.The Quiz Masters Shri Abhijit Bhattacharjee from School of Science, Agartala, Shri. Bharat Jain from South India ( Hyderabad) and Shri Nandu Panicker, son of renowned educationist and former Principal of MBB College Shri S. M. Panicker and Anil Raja Bijan Corporate Communication Chief from ONGC conducted the event in unique style and appearances with impeccable presence of mind coupled with judicious mix of interesting and intriguing questions from large arena of fields covering humanity, science, art, culture, history, geography and current affairs. Quizzing was well interspersed with humour and wits which kept the audience glued to their seats.
The legendry Quiz Master of Tripura Dr. M. J. Panicker (a long associate and elder brother of Quiz Master Nandu Panicker and a star attraction of last years' event) mesmerized the audience with on-line quizzing and chat directly from Oman. His three prized questions each fetching Rs.2,000/- mandated for kids, ladies and gentlemen in the audience evoked a huge response and created pleasant surprise among the participants.
The organizers Shri Shekhar Dutta, Manas Paul, Jayanta Debnath and dozens of sponsors made tremendous efforts with a class Turn Out in motivating and enthusing thousands of participants from far flung areas of the State converging in the form of 16 teams, reducing to 8 teams in semi finals and 6 teams participating in the finals for further elimination to top three places to bag the coveted prizes of Mobiles, Desk Tops and Lap Tops.
The participation in Audience Rounds and Ruffle Rounds with rewards of Rs.10,000/-, Rs.5,000/- and Return Ticket to Kolkata was thunderous, the enthusiasm was seen to be believed.
The response from kids, youngsters and craze to reply questions defying the rules of business forced the Quiz Masters to continuously innovate and adopt new strategies with flux of ideas and compose the questions on current affairs, twisters, teasers using common sense and reflexes.
The semblance of art, culture, science, history-geography, psychology, physical principles, convergence, divergence, space, literature, current affairs, poetry, philosophy, films, contemporary events were beautifully interwoven, in form of questions.
The atmosphere was surcharged with Newtonian Principles, Karl Marx Theories, space travel, 'Bhanware Ki Gunjan', the ecstasy, melodies of yesteryears and what not, truly rejoicing moment and tool for personality development for one and all.
The well knit structure of the CONTEST consisting Audio-Video Rounds, Who am I, Sporting Events, Cultural and Musical Bonanza with religious and patriotic fervour and flavoured questions, culminating with Rapid Fire Rounds elated the standard of quizzing to international one.
It has always been a rewarding experience for me to take part in these events.
(Author is senior most IFS officer of Tripura and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests)
Friday, 9 September 2011
Durga Puja and the lost traditions
Agartala, Sep 09, 2011 : Fleeting snowy clouds in the azure blue sky coupled with seasonal Kash flower teased by the waves of cool breeze, ‘siuli phool’ soaked with morning dew and strewn on the ground – say it all : Durga Puja is round the corner. As the Bengalis start count down for the biggest festival of the year, the air is heavy in with the smell of clay, straw, wood, bamboos, clothes and other materials at Kumar Para, Netaji Chowmuhani, where the idols of the Mother deity are taking shape since last two months. Like previous years and in accordance with the tradition making of the idols of Goddess Durga and other gods had started in middle of June last as part of pre-puja preparations. The artisans are now – 23 days before the puja starts-busy at day and busy at night. Yet, talk to them, you will find something amiss in the mood. “So far, we have produced only 10-15 idols. And we are not expecting good returns this time. Prices of the goods that we use for making the idols have risen”, said Babul Chandra Biswas, an expert artisan of Kumur Para. The artisan stopped and then washed his dirty hands to talk to me. He brought out a Bidi and drew a long puff and then ruefully added: This year the order was less. But we have to come up with new look every year to meet the demand”. Nostalgia seems to have come crowding to this old timer. Once, big city clubs used to solely rely on us. Now, for the last four five years they have big budget and they hire artisans from outside the state. Besides, many eminent artists and sculptors of the state who are not traditional artisans also started making idols using new ideas and new materials which are quite attractive in modern times. It is now only the small clubs they come to us. “We are engaged for summer to autumn. And in the rest of the seasons, we work in various other fields”, stated a painter, who gives the colour to the idols. “We are paid very less wages on daily basis while a set of idol is sold at Rs. 15,000-20,000”, said a female artist who did not want to be named. “No body is willing is to come in this idol-artistry for the uncertainty of future and ever decreasing financial benefit. Is the trend goes on the traditional idol making would soon be abolished”, observed Biswas. The casualty is the traditional ‘dhakis’. Blame it on the advancement of music gadgets the traditional Dhakis are no more a favoured attraction in any Puja pandal. “Most of the time city clubs hire us only to beat drums when the puja is performed. After the puja is over, we virtually sit idle through out the day and at night there is virtually there is no use for us even as the electronic sound system blares popular albums for the puja ravellers ”, said Paltu Hrishi Das, a dhaki of East Pratapgarh. “Naturally, the wage has also reduced”, he said and then added “Only in temples and pujas which are performed at homes we are still required”. In view of the shrinking demands many also seek to explore possibilities in other fields, many also go to Kolkata and start a new life there, he said. “Problem also comes from our families. We are traditional Dhakis and we take pride for being so- to be part of the festival. But our children do not like to beat the drums”, said Rabindra Hrishi Das, veteran dhaki of the locality. “My sons pull rickshaw, but unwilling to join in the profession as dhaki”, he lamented, adding, “a day would come when electronic gadgets would replace us totally and we would not be there in the pandals to perform”. A new generation would then emerge who will never hear the sounds of ‘dhak’ and children will not dance and ravel with the rhythmic beat reverberating the festive time. |
AFSPA extended in Tripura
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Agartala, Sep 09, 2011 : The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a stringent law that gives powers to security forces deployed in disturbed areas to fight against terrorism has been extended in Tripura for next six months.
Official sources said, the State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC), reviewing the anti-insurgency operation and overall situation of the state, suggested extension of the AFSPA's term for another six months. The state government had accepted the recommendation, said Home department source on Thursday.
Though militancy has come down in Tripura, the Left Front government is not taking any chances, especially for security reasons, added official sources.
Out of 70 police stations of Tripura including five Railway police stations, areas of 34 police stations are fallen under the purview of AFSPA in full force and more six police station areas had imposed AFSPA partially.
Agartala, Sep 09, 2011 : The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), a stringent law that gives powers to security forces deployed in disturbed areas to fight against terrorism has been extended in Tripura for next six months.
Official sources said, the State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC), reviewing the anti-insurgency operation and overall situation of the state, suggested extension of the AFSPA's term for another six months. The state government had accepted the recommendation, said Home department source on Thursday.
Though militancy has come down in Tripura, the Left Front government is not taking any chances, especially for security reasons, added official sources.
Out of 70 police stations of Tripura including five Railway police stations, areas of 34 police stations are fallen under the purview of AFSPA in full force and more six police station areas had imposed AFSPA partially.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Fresh Joint Entrance likely
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Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : After a long dilly-dally, state government is likely to hold a fresh examination to open the shutters for vacant 29 medical seats meant for ST, SC students in Agartala Government Medical College fulfilling the cut-off marks criteria soon, officials sources here said on Thursday.
The shutter to get admission in the vacant 29 seats of AGMC was downed by the Union Health Ministry and Medical Council of India recently citing the verdict of Supreme Court of India.
According to sources, “the state health department may place the resolution and request the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar seeking directives when he returns to state from Dhaka on Thursday”.
Reports said, diluting criteria stipulated by MCI would neither be feasible nor simple as there are matters related to law and rule.
On September 6 last, an all-party meet headed by higher education minister Anil Sarkar unanimously decided to request the state government to review the results.
Having a discussion on the stalemate, the members of the all-party committee were of the view that the results should be reviewed followed by an amendment of the TBJEE rules adopted in 1989.
The cut-off marks deadlock sealed the fate of 29 ST, SC candidates in the state over non availability of candidates in TBJEE merit list.
Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : After a long dilly-dally, state government is likely to hold a fresh examination to open the shutters for vacant 29 medical seats meant for ST, SC students in Agartala Government Medical College fulfilling the cut-off marks criteria soon, officials sources here said on Thursday.
The shutter to get admission in the vacant 29 seats of AGMC was downed by the Union Health Ministry and Medical Council of India recently citing the verdict of Supreme Court of India.
According to sources, “the state health department may place the resolution and request the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar seeking directives when he returns to state from Dhaka on Thursday”.
Reports said, diluting criteria stipulated by MCI would neither be feasible nor simple as there are matters related to law and rule.
On September 6 last, an all-party meet headed by higher education minister Anil Sarkar unanimously decided to request the state government to review the results.
Having a discussion on the stalemate, the members of the all-party committee were of the view that the results should be reviewed followed by an amendment of the TBJEE rules adopted in 1989.
The cut-off marks deadlock sealed the fate of 29 ST, SC candidates in the state over non availability of candidates in TBJEE merit list.
First Tripura Science Congress begins
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Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : Two-day long Tripura Science Congress on the theme of ‘Tripura We Dream: Science & Technology Interventions’ organized by Tripura State Council for Science & Technology got underway here at Nazrul Kalakshetra on September 8.
Science and technology minister Joy Gobinda Debroy formally inaugurated the congress at 10-00 in the morning where eminent scientist Prof Siddhartha Roy, deputy speaker Bhanulal Saha, chief secretary SK Panda were also present.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who was slated to inaugurate the congress, could not come due to delay in arriving back at Agartala from Bangladesh. Similarly, eminent scientist Samir K.Brahmachari also failed to reach in time because of flight disruption.
In his address, Debroy listed out the attempts undertaken by the government in popularizing science and technology.
What were surprising in the inaugural session were the disturbances caused by load shedding that halted many of the speakers during address. The same thing had earlier happened to All Tripura Mega Quiz organized by tripurainfo.com at Agartala town hall on August 28 last.
Such disturbances which once became a common phenomenon almost in all the auditoriums have once again put a question mark on the supervision that plays the spoilsport.
Altogether seven technical sessions will be held on agriculture and life science, health sciences, ecology and environment, physical science, engineering for development, earth system sciences and science and technology education besides panel discussion and session for children’s during the congress.
Besides eminent scholars from across the country, about 800 invitees including students participated in the opening session of the Congress.
On September 9 next, Agriculture minister Aghore Debbarma will remain present at Sukanta Academy auditorium to preside over the valedictory session in the evening.
Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : Two-day long Tripura Science Congress on the theme of ‘Tripura We Dream: Science & Technology Interventions’ organized by Tripura State Council for Science & Technology got underway here at Nazrul Kalakshetra on September 8.
Science and technology minister Joy Gobinda Debroy formally inaugurated the congress at 10-00 in the morning where eminent scientist Prof Siddhartha Roy, deputy speaker Bhanulal Saha, chief secretary SK Panda were also present.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, who was slated to inaugurate the congress, could not come due to delay in arriving back at Agartala from Bangladesh. Similarly, eminent scientist Samir K.Brahmachari also failed to reach in time because of flight disruption.
In his address, Debroy listed out the attempts undertaken by the government in popularizing science and technology.
What were surprising in the inaugural session were the disturbances caused by load shedding that halted many of the speakers during address. The same thing had earlier happened to All Tripura Mega Quiz organized by tripurainfo.com at Agartala town hall on August 28 last.
Such disturbances which once became a common phenomenon almost in all the auditoriums have once again put a question mark on the supervision that plays the spoilsport.
Altogether seven technical sessions will be held on agriculture and life science, health sciences, ecology and environment, physical science, engineering for development, earth system sciences and science and technology education besides panel discussion and session for children’s during the congress.
Besides eminent scholars from across the country, about 800 invitees including students participated in the opening session of the Congress.
On September 9 next, Agriculture minister Aghore Debbarma will remain present at Sukanta Academy auditorium to preside over the valedictory session in the evening.
Good new for Tripura:Ashuganj & rails on right track
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Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : Even as a pall of gloom and disappointment descended in Tripura in particular and North East region in general for failing to arrive at transit facilities, a joint communiqué issued on Wednesday afternoon by both Indian and Bangladeshi premiers Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina came a silver lining.
Now according to the latest development not only Tripura will be allowed to use Ashuganj river port for cargo transportation but also Agartala Akhaura rail road would be made a reality.
At the end of the two day meet the Delhi Dhaka meet the joint statement issued in Dhaka on Wednesday said formalities would soon be completed to allow India to have access to Chittagong and Mongla port.
Besides Agartala will also be allowed to use Ashuganj river port.
"(Both)The Prime Ministers directed that necessary formalities for the use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports for movement of goods to and from India through water, rail and road should be completed urgently," said the 65-point joint statement issued on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Singh also expressed his gratitude and satisfaction as Bangladesh allowed Ashuganj river port to be allowed to transport OVC for Palatana Project in South district.
He, according to reports , expressed his appreciation for the successful commencement of trial run of the bulk cargo for Tripura using multi-modal facilities through Ashuganj port.
Following Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Indian in januray 2010 and Indo-Bangla accord signed there Ashuganj which is located only 45 kms from Agartala across the border was declared as fifth port of call and second transshipment point. In plain words it meant Indian cargoes could be transported to and from Tripura from the port through Akhaura border.
"The joint statement said : It was agreed that the construction of an inland container terminal at Ashuganj would be expedited and pending that, the port could be used for movement of bulk cargo immediately as far as practicable.
Both the prime ministers will also sign a MoU soon to develop railway infrastructure at the border point between Agartala and Akhaura so that it should be concluded and commenced at the earliest.
According to the both Prime Ministers, it will pave the way for "smooth transportation of transit goods to and from Tripura to Chittagong port through railway".
"Both the prime ministers noted that road, rail and waterways were building blocks to an inter-dependent and mutually beneficial relationship among the countries of the region," the statement continued.
Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : Even as a pall of gloom and disappointment descended in Tripura in particular and North East region in general for failing to arrive at transit facilities, a joint communiqué issued on Wednesday afternoon by both Indian and Bangladeshi premiers Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina came a silver lining.
Now according to the latest development not only Tripura will be allowed to use Ashuganj river port for cargo transportation but also Agartala Akhaura rail road would be made a reality.
At the end of the two day meet the Delhi Dhaka meet the joint statement issued in Dhaka on Wednesday said formalities would soon be completed to allow India to have access to Chittagong and Mongla port.
Besides Agartala will also be allowed to use Ashuganj river port.
"(Both)The Prime Ministers directed that necessary formalities for the use of Chittagong and Mongla seaports for movement of goods to and from India through water, rail and road should be completed urgently," said the 65-point joint statement issued on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Singh also expressed his gratitude and satisfaction as Bangladesh allowed Ashuganj river port to be allowed to transport OVC for Palatana Project in South district.
He, according to reports , expressed his appreciation for the successful commencement of trial run of the bulk cargo for Tripura using multi-modal facilities through Ashuganj port.
Following Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Indian in januray 2010 and Indo-Bangla accord signed there Ashuganj which is located only 45 kms from Agartala across the border was declared as fifth port of call and second transshipment point. In plain words it meant Indian cargoes could be transported to and from Tripura from the port through Akhaura border.
"The joint statement said : It was agreed that the construction of an inland container terminal at Ashuganj would be expedited and pending that, the port could be used for movement of bulk cargo immediately as far as practicable.
Both the prime ministers will also sign a MoU soon to develop railway infrastructure at the border point between Agartala and Akhaura so that it should be concluded and commenced at the earliest.
According to the both Prime Ministers, it will pave the way for "smooth transportation of transit goods to and from Tripura to Chittagong port through railway".
"Both the prime ministers noted that road, rail and waterways were building blocks to an inter-dependent and mutually beneficial relationship among the countries of the region," the statement continued.
Frustration sweeps Tripura as tansit not given
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Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : Disappointment and frustration sweeps Tripura as Delhi- Dhaka talks failed to settle transit facilities for the North East and the state in particular. Besides Teesta, both India and Bangladesh also failed to reach to an amicable settlement of water sharing of the Feni river that courses through Tripura. But what hurt the people of Tripura is Dhaka’s denial to give transit facility to India through its territory.
Tripura which is land locked in three sides by Bangladesh had long been demanding a transit through Bangladesh and also access to Chittagong Port which is only 75 kms from Sabrum, of South Tripura district. None did materialize.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had also gone to Dhaka with Prime Minister and was present in the meeting. He is expected to return Thursday.
“We had been eagerly waiting for the transit route. It would have served to a great extent for our domestic economy as well as bilateral relations. Given to the historic bondage of Tripura and Bangladesh it would have taken a new height”, said Kallol Dey the lone member of Rubber Board from the North East.
Dey felt that transit facilities and access to Chittagong Port would have given a fillip to rubber export from Tripura, the second largest rubber growing state.
“However, there are indications that the Teesta water sharing would be settled in a couple of months. There are reports that our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also had assured in this line saying that discussion on this matter would be carried on. We can only hope that after Teesta deal is struck, Bangladesh will also give us transit” he added .
Ajit Pal, another businessman who had trade relations in Bangladesh also expressed similar views.
“Yes, we are all disappointed as we expected transit. Virtually Tripura did not get what it expected from the Dhaka meet” he rued.
Many also harp on their hope that notwithstanding absence of transit, bilateral trades would get a booster following the meet.
According to the MoUs India will upgrade seven main border Land Customs Stations (LCS) as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at a total cost of Rs. 467 crore. ICPs will have facilities for
immigration, customs, parking, banks, warehousing, quarantine, fuelling etc. The first such park is already being set up in Agartala border ( Akhaura).
“Movement of goods between the two countries is covered by the existing ‘Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (IWTT)’ for use of waterways, ‘Fundamental and Subsidiary Rules’ guiding movement of railways, ‘Standard Operating Procedures for movement of Trucks’ between LCSs and ‘Air Services Agreement’”, the MoU pointed out adding that to restore the traditional economic and cultural links between people in adjoining states in India and Bangladesh, Border Haats had been established, starting with inauguration of Border Haat in Meghalaya
Agartala, Sep 08, 2011 : Disappointment and frustration sweeps Tripura as Delhi- Dhaka talks failed to settle transit facilities for the North East and the state in particular. Besides Teesta, both India and Bangladesh also failed to reach to an amicable settlement of water sharing of the Feni river that courses through Tripura. But what hurt the people of Tripura is Dhaka’s denial to give transit facility to India through its territory.
Tripura which is land locked in three sides by Bangladesh had long been demanding a transit through Bangladesh and also access to Chittagong Port which is only 75 kms from Sabrum, of South Tripura district. None did materialize.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar had also gone to Dhaka with Prime Minister and was present in the meeting. He is expected to return Thursday.
“We had been eagerly waiting for the transit route. It would have served to a great extent for our domestic economy as well as bilateral relations. Given to the historic bondage of Tripura and Bangladesh it would have taken a new height”, said Kallol Dey the lone member of Rubber Board from the North East.
Dey felt that transit facilities and access to Chittagong Port would have given a fillip to rubber export from Tripura, the second largest rubber growing state.
“However, there are indications that the Teesta water sharing would be settled in a couple of months. There are reports that our Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also had assured in this line saying that discussion on this matter would be carried on. We can only hope that after Teesta deal is struck, Bangladesh will also give us transit” he added .
Ajit Pal, another businessman who had trade relations in Bangladesh also expressed similar views.
“Yes, we are all disappointed as we expected transit. Virtually Tripura did not get what it expected from the Dhaka meet” he rued.
Many also harp on their hope that notwithstanding absence of transit, bilateral trades would get a booster following the meet.
According to the MoUs India will upgrade seven main border Land Customs Stations (LCS) as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at a total cost of Rs. 467 crore. ICPs will have facilities for
immigration, customs, parking, banks, warehousing, quarantine, fuelling etc. The first such park is already being set up in Agartala border ( Akhaura).
“Movement of goods between the two countries is covered by the existing ‘Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (IWTT)’ for use of waterways, ‘Fundamental and Subsidiary Rules’ guiding movement of railways, ‘Standard Operating Procedures for movement of Trucks’ between LCSs and ‘Air Services Agreement’”, the MoU pointed out adding that to restore the traditional economic and cultural links between people in adjoining states in India and Bangladesh, Border Haats had been established, starting with inauguration of Border Haat in Meghalaya
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Delhi-Dhaka talks dash Tripura, NE’s hope , No Transit
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Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the policy makers in New Delhi threw a spanner to long cherished hope of North East and Tripura in particular when they failed to get transit route through Bangladesh for the region. The much hyped Delhi Dhaka talks virtually fell through, as far as Tripura is concerned, despite all sweetie talks before the meet.
India declined to give Bangladesh their much needed Teesta water and in reply Dhaka denied any transit through its territory for Indian goods to North East.
Besides settling the disputed land issues the major success that could benefit Bangladesh is that India agreed to finance 13 projects that involve $746 million, and two loan agreements involving about $41 million that were signed. The Indian Line of credit would entail 1.75 per cent interest per annum and it will be repaid in 20 years with five years' grace period.
Besides as an addendum Bangladesh’s demand for transit corridor to Nepal through Indian territory was also included.
On trades, Delhi agreed to provide duty-free access to the Indian market to 46 textile tariff lines, as per the request of Bangladesh, with immediate effect. Bangladesh had demanded 64 items for this. This is aimed at bridging the gap between trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh .
India will also help Bangladesh in power sectors.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina sought to sound optimist when they in a joint statement said, "Our common rivers need not be sources of discord, but can become the harbingers of prosperity to both our countries”. And as usual, it continued : "We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters".
The two neighbouring countries have signed an agreement, a protocol and eight memoranda of understanding.
There were indication from Monday that agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka on Teesta water would be acceptable to the satisfaction of West Bengal government as well as to Bangladesh.
Mamata Banerjee had earlier declared that she would not accompany Prime Minister, but when Water Resource Minister Paban Banshal also did not go to Dhaka, it became clear that Teesta Water sharing deal had run into rough weather.
Indian refusal to share Teesta water as per Dhaka’s demand not only dashed the hope of Bangladesh but also sparked wild disappointement and frustration among general public there. The bangladesh response by not allowing transit put entire north east to square one as far as its opening to Indian heartland via Bangladesh is concerned. Disappointement in Tripura is loud and clear.
The only success that emerged from the largely botched up meet include, Land Boundary Agreement with both the governments signing a protocol to implement the land boundary agreement signed in 1974 between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. Bangladesh has 111 Indian enclaves and India houses 51 Bangladeshi enclaves . Added to it were undemarcated boundary of 6.5 kms and some adversely possessed land.
The problem was as old as 1947 and several attempts to settle it once and for all could not succeed. About 51,000 people live in the enclaves- and among them 34,000 happened to be Bangladeshi and 17000 Indians.
As a result , of the Protocol to the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) of 1974 both the countries have now demarcated the entire land boundary as well as resolved the issue of status of the enclaves and adversely possessed areas.
According to Singh, both the parties worked out 24-hour access to the enclaves of Dahagram-Angarpota through the Tin Bigha Corridor which means Bangladeshi people in Dahagram and Angorpota from now on would be able to move unrestricted through the Tin Bigha Corridor. The land boundar problem is as old as 1947 .
But the most shocking set back came for India was Dhaka’s denial even to exchange ‘letter’ on transit as it was decided earlier as they did not get the Teesta water.
However, the existing agreement and protocol will be the basis for providing the transit service through Bangladesh. Which means Bangladesh will allow ONGC to bring in their OVCs via Ashuganj as per the predermined deal. Not after that as Ashuganj port was given on Palatana specific terms.
The joint statement of Singh and Hasina said, "We have embarked on a series of measures to improve border infrastructure. These will facilitate Bangladesh's exports to India and provide it greater opening to India and other neighbouring countries."
"We are addressing issues relating to non-tariff barriers together with Bangladesh," he said.
The two prime ministers also signed a framework agreement on cooperation for development of a contemporary blueprint to encompass all forms and sectors of cooperation.
India will also help Bangladesh in its power sector.
"We will supply bulk power to Bangladesh by connecting our national grids. We will assist in setting up of a 1320 megawatt joint venture power plant in Khulna," Singh said.
India relaxed its conditions of procuring 85 per cent Indian manpower and machine under $1 billion line of credit in two construction sites at Khulna-Mongla port rail line including feasibility study, and second Bhairab and second Titas bridge including feasibility study with approach rail line.
Besides, Bangladesh and India also inked an addendum to the MoU between India and Bangladesh to facilitate overland transit traffic between Bangladesh and Nepal, an MoU for cooperation in renewable energy, another on conservation of the Sundarbans, a protocol on conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sundarbans, an MoU on cooperation in fisheries, one on cooperation between Doordarshan and Bangladesh Television, an MoU on cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dhaka University, and an agreement of cooperation between the National Institute of Fashion Designing, India and BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangladesh.
Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the policy makers in New Delhi threw a spanner to long cherished hope of North East and Tripura in particular when they failed to get transit route through Bangladesh for the region. The much hyped Delhi Dhaka talks virtually fell through, as far as Tripura is concerned, despite all sweetie talks before the meet.
India declined to give Bangladesh their much needed Teesta water and in reply Dhaka denied any transit through its territory for Indian goods to North East.
Besides settling the disputed land issues the major success that could benefit Bangladesh is that India agreed to finance 13 projects that involve $746 million, and two loan agreements involving about $41 million that were signed. The Indian Line of credit would entail 1.75 per cent interest per annum and it will be repaid in 20 years with five years' grace period.
Besides as an addendum Bangladesh’s demand for transit corridor to Nepal through Indian territory was also included.
On trades, Delhi agreed to provide duty-free access to the Indian market to 46 textile tariff lines, as per the request of Bangladesh, with immediate effect. Bangladesh had demanded 64 items for this. This is aimed at bridging the gap between trade imbalance between India and Bangladesh .
India will also help Bangladesh in power sectors.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Sheikh Hasina sought to sound optimist when they in a joint statement said, "Our common rivers need not be sources of discord, but can become the harbingers of prosperity to both our countries”. And as usual, it continued : "We have decided to continue discussions to reach a mutually acceptable, fair and amicable arrangement for the sharing of the Teesta and Feni river waters".
The two neighbouring countries have signed an agreement, a protocol and eight memoranda of understanding.
There were indication from Monday that agreement between New Delhi and Dhaka on Teesta water would be acceptable to the satisfaction of West Bengal government as well as to Bangladesh.
Mamata Banerjee had earlier declared that she would not accompany Prime Minister, but when Water Resource Minister Paban Banshal also did not go to Dhaka, it became clear that Teesta Water sharing deal had run into rough weather.
Indian refusal to share Teesta water as per Dhaka’s demand not only dashed the hope of Bangladesh but also sparked wild disappointement and frustration among general public there. The bangladesh response by not allowing transit put entire north east to square one as far as its opening to Indian heartland via Bangladesh is concerned. Disappointement in Tripura is loud and clear.
The only success that emerged from the largely botched up meet include, Land Boundary Agreement with both the governments signing a protocol to implement the land boundary agreement signed in 1974 between Indira Gandhi and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. Bangladesh has 111 Indian enclaves and India houses 51 Bangladeshi enclaves . Added to it were undemarcated boundary of 6.5 kms and some adversely possessed land.
The problem was as old as 1947 and several attempts to settle it once and for all could not succeed. About 51,000 people live in the enclaves- and among them 34,000 happened to be Bangladeshi and 17000 Indians.
As a result , of the Protocol to the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) of 1974 both the countries have now demarcated the entire land boundary as well as resolved the issue of status of the enclaves and adversely possessed areas.
According to Singh, both the parties worked out 24-hour access to the enclaves of Dahagram-Angarpota through the Tin Bigha Corridor which means Bangladeshi people in Dahagram and Angorpota from now on would be able to move unrestricted through the Tin Bigha Corridor. The land boundar problem is as old as 1947 .
But the most shocking set back came for India was Dhaka’s denial even to exchange ‘letter’ on transit as it was decided earlier as they did not get the Teesta water.
However, the existing agreement and protocol will be the basis for providing the transit service through Bangladesh. Which means Bangladesh will allow ONGC to bring in their OVCs via Ashuganj as per the predermined deal. Not after that as Ashuganj port was given on Palatana specific terms.
The joint statement of Singh and Hasina said, "We have embarked on a series of measures to improve border infrastructure. These will facilitate Bangladesh's exports to India and provide it greater opening to India and other neighbouring countries."
"We are addressing issues relating to non-tariff barriers together with Bangladesh," he said.
The two prime ministers also signed a framework agreement on cooperation for development of a contemporary blueprint to encompass all forms and sectors of cooperation.
India will also help Bangladesh in its power sector.
"We will supply bulk power to Bangladesh by connecting our national grids. We will assist in setting up of a 1320 megawatt joint venture power plant in Khulna," Singh said.
India relaxed its conditions of procuring 85 per cent Indian manpower and machine under $1 billion line of credit in two construction sites at Khulna-Mongla port rail line including feasibility study, and second Bhairab and second Titas bridge including feasibility study with approach rail line.
Besides, Bangladesh and India also inked an addendum to the MoU between India and Bangladesh to facilitate overland transit traffic between Bangladesh and Nepal, an MoU for cooperation in renewable energy, another on conservation of the Sundarbans, a protocol on conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sundarbans, an MoU on cooperation in fisheries, one on cooperation between Doordarshan and Bangladesh Television, an MoU on cooperation between Jawaharlal Nehru University and Dhaka University, and an agreement of cooperation between the National Institute of Fashion Designing, India and BGMEA Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangladesh.
Airport PS declared as ‘model police station’
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Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : Airport police station, Narsingarh, has been declared as state’s first model police station on Tuesday.
At around 5.30 pm, DGP K Saleem Ali accompanied by top police officials formally declared the police station as model one.
In his brief address, the DGP instructed the police officials to act professionally and laid emphasis on the improvement of community policing and police-public relations.
“We perform our duty to fulfill the expectations of the people, then the complainant should be informed about the progress of our work”, he said.
The DGP added that the Police Training College, Narsinghar would be elevated to academy by next two years. For this, the home department has already received the required fund.
Among others MLA Haricharan Sarkar, MLA Sankar Prasad Datta, former minister Prakash Das also remained present at the program.
Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : Airport police station, Narsingarh, has been declared as state’s first model police station on Tuesday.
At around 5.30 pm, DGP K Saleem Ali accompanied by top police officials formally declared the police station as model one.
In his brief address, the DGP instructed the police officials to act professionally and laid emphasis on the improvement of community policing and police-public relations.
“We perform our duty to fulfill the expectations of the people, then the complainant should be informed about the progress of our work”, he said.
The DGP added that the Police Training College, Narsinghar would be elevated to academy by next two years. For this, the home department has already received the required fund.
Among others MLA Haricharan Sarkar, MLA Sankar Prasad Datta, former minister Prakash Das also remained present at the program.
All party-meet demands review of TBJEE results
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Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : All-party meet demanded review of TBJEE 2011 results in the wake of recent controversy over 29 vacant medical seats meant for the ST and SC students.
The resolution would be placed before the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar when he returns to state from Dhaka.
“On Tuesday, the all-party meeting headed by higher education minister Anil Sarkar unanimously decided to request the state government to review the results”, sources said on Wednesday.
Having a discussion on the stalemate, the members of the all-party committee was of view that the results should be reviewed followed by an amendment of the TBJEE rules adopted in 1989.
“We will request the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar seeking directives soon after his return to the state”, a member of the committee informed over telephone.
Health minister Tapan Chakraborty, tribal welfare minister Aghore Debbarma, science and technology minister Joy Govinda Debroy and opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath also participated in the meeting.
Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : All-party meet demanded review of TBJEE 2011 results in the wake of recent controversy over 29 vacant medical seats meant for the ST and SC students.
The resolution would be placed before the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar when he returns to state from Dhaka.
“On Tuesday, the all-party meeting headed by higher education minister Anil Sarkar unanimously decided to request the state government to review the results”, sources said on Wednesday.
Having a discussion on the stalemate, the members of the all-party committee was of view that the results should be reviewed followed by an amendment of the TBJEE rules adopted in 1989.
“We will request the Chief Minister Manik Sarkar seeking directives soon after his return to the state”, a member of the committee informed over telephone.
Health minister Tapan Chakraborty, tribal welfare minister Aghore Debbarma, science and technology minister Joy Govinda Debroy and opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath also participated in the meeting.
Militants abduct 2 villagers
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Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : Suspected NLFT militants kidnapped 2 tribal villagers including a teenage from extreme border area Jatindra Roaza Para under Ganganagar police station in the interior of Dhalai district on September 5 last.
They were- Birkumar Reang (27) of Khusidhanpara and Pranay Tripura (12) of Jatindra Roaza Para.
Police sources said, the heavily armed militants swooped into the jhum huts of where the abducted villagers used to stay.
The militants had earlier demanded subscription from the villagers. The villagers did not pay the money as demanded, Police added on Wednesday.
“Top police officials rushed to the spot and TSR was pressed to nab the militants and rescue the kidnapped villagers”, said an official over telephone.
“We suspect that the militants had not crossed that Bangladesh border as the vigil was intensified in the wake of the visit of Prime Minister to Dhaka”, the official added.
Agartala, Sep 07, 2011 : Suspected NLFT militants kidnapped 2 tribal villagers including a teenage from extreme border area Jatindra Roaza Para under Ganganagar police station in the interior of Dhalai district on September 5 last.
They were- Birkumar Reang (27) of Khusidhanpara and Pranay Tripura (12) of Jatindra Roaza Para.
Police sources said, the heavily armed militants swooped into the jhum huts of where the abducted villagers used to stay.
The militants had earlier demanded subscription from the villagers. The villagers did not pay the money as demanded, Police added on Wednesday.
“Top police officials rushed to the spot and TSR was pressed to nab the militants and rescue the kidnapped villagers”, said an official over telephone.
“We suspect that the militants had not crossed that Bangladesh border as the vigil was intensified in the wake of the visit of Prime Minister to Dhaka”, the official added.
183 KM border in Tripura still porous
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Agartala, Sep 06, 2011 : About 183 kilometre stretch of 856 kilometres of Tripura’s border with Bangladesh is still left porous and the entire barbedware fencing work is expected to be completed by next March, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar informed the state assembly on Monday.
Replying to a query Sarkar said that the state government had already sent proposal to carry out fencing at zero line along Indo-Bangladesh border at nine places including Akhaura Check post of Agartala to Ministry of home affairs but it has not been sanctioned yet.
He however, pointed out that as many as 7744 houses of Indian residents had fallen outside fencing constructed along the border and 4691 of them had been provided houses in near by locations under Indira Awas Yujana and accordingly if the other families demand housing the state government is committed to provide house for them in phased manner.
In another reply, power minister Manik Dey stated that National Project Construction Corporation Ltd (NPCC) had released Rs 13 Cr for installation of floodlight along Indo-Bangladesh border to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) and Rs 10.84 Cr still lay unspent.
Detailing the flood light project Dey said NPCC had applied for installation of electricity in 192 Border outposts (BOP) across the state and subsequently TSECL submitted estimate of Rs 124.54 Cr but released only Rs 13 Cr by which flood lighting work was initiated in 41 BOPs.
Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Border Guards (BBG) have resolved the stalemate over zero line fencing along Indo-Bangladesh border in West Tripura and finalised the alignment for erection of wire fencing only two moths ago.
Bangladesh and India had agreed to erect zero line fencing avoiding the existing norms of fencing 150 yards inside India in 13 locations, considering the location of important institutions including airport, market and schools following persuasion of Tripura.
Of the total sanctioned flood-lighting area- 854 km, works have so far been completed along 180 km border, according to official report. The minister added that Centre had sanctioned Rs 400 core for flood lighting to ensure foolproof border vigil, keeping in mind illegal cross border movement.
Agartala, Sep 06, 2011 : About 183 kilometre stretch of 856 kilometres of Tripura’s border with Bangladesh is still left porous and the entire barbedware fencing work is expected to be completed by next March, Chief Minister Manik Sarkar informed the state assembly on Monday.
Replying to a query Sarkar said that the state government had already sent proposal to carry out fencing at zero line along Indo-Bangladesh border at nine places including Akhaura Check post of Agartala to Ministry of home affairs but it has not been sanctioned yet.
He however, pointed out that as many as 7744 houses of Indian residents had fallen outside fencing constructed along the border and 4691 of them had been provided houses in near by locations under Indira Awas Yujana and accordingly if the other families demand housing the state government is committed to provide house for them in phased manner.
In another reply, power minister Manik Dey stated that National Project Construction Corporation Ltd (NPCC) had released Rs 13 Cr for installation of floodlight along Indo-Bangladesh border to Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL) and Rs 10.84 Cr still lay unspent.
Detailing the flood light project Dey said NPCC had applied for installation of electricity in 192 Border outposts (BOP) across the state and subsequently TSECL submitted estimate of Rs 124.54 Cr but released only Rs 13 Cr by which flood lighting work was initiated in 41 BOPs.
Border Security Force (BSF) and Bangladesh Border Guards (BBG) have resolved the stalemate over zero line fencing along Indo-Bangladesh border in West Tripura and finalised the alignment for erection of wire fencing only two moths ago.
Bangladesh and India had agreed to erect zero line fencing avoiding the existing norms of fencing 150 yards inside India in 13 locations, considering the location of important institutions including airport, market and schools following persuasion of Tripura.
Of the total sanctioned flood-lighting area- 854 km, works have so far been completed along 180 km border, according to official report. The minister added that Centre had sanctioned Rs 400 core for flood lighting to ensure foolproof border vigil, keeping in mind illegal cross border movement.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Blow to Tripura’s hope: Transit, Chtg Port not now
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Agartala, Sep 06, 2011 : Much hyped visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka and agreements slated to be signed there would not bring any 'immediate' benefit for Tripura which was eagerly awaiting transit facilities through Bangladesh and access to Chittagong Port. None of the two would be included in the agreements ready to be signed in Dhaka. Only issues that are directly linked with Tripura to be included in agreement and protocol-are Feni water sharing and Muhurir char stalemate.
According to Bangladesh media reports, during Prime Minister’s visit three agreements relating to Teesta, Feni water sharing and purchase of 500 mw power from India from 2012 would be signed. Added to it would be two protocols on land boundaries and tiger protection. Five MoU that would be on card include Sundarban preservation, renewable energy, cooperation between BTV and DD stations, fishery development and cooperation between Dhaka University and JNU. On trade, India would allow duty-free access of 61 major Bangladeshi items to Indian market.
For Tripura, the two most important agenda were transit facility through Bangladesh and opening of this land locked state to Chittagong port – which is located only 75 kms from Sabrum-for transhipment.
But now, it was decided that on the two issues- 'transit' and 'Chittagong Port' -both the countries would exchange a 'Letter' during PM's visit to Dhaka. This would entail once again a long diplomatic and official process which might even take several years. Following the 'Letter exchange' both New Delhi and Bangladesh would have to put in place legal instruments including protocol, SOP etc.
In other words, the matter would be sent to back burner again.
It was evident that Dhaka sought to sit on the transit issue in view of huge uproar in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina government’s decision to exempt India from any transit fee. According to International norms no country through which transit is given can impose customs or excise duties on goods on transit, but it can impose administrative fees. Bangladesh government, however, hit the hornet’s nest when they indicated that they would not ask for transit fees as it would be ‘uncivilized’ for a neighboring country. This decision led to wild reaction among a section of Bangladeshi intelligentsia who cited example of Egypt that had imposed heavy fees on goods passing through Suez and earned millions of dollars.
Bangladesh would go to polls in 2014 and Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League naturally would not like to trigger any controversy which could be translated as ‘anti-national’ for them. Given the political situation it can now only be hoped that the core committee of Bangladesh that would look into the matter would hasten the process and give the facility to India at the earliest- at least before 2014. Even if some sorts of fees were to be imposed, it would be a welcome step.
But in regard to Chittagong, neither Bangladesh officials nor media gave any indication as to why it was not being opened to Tripura.
There is a feeling that even if Dhaka ultimately allows Transit facility it is highly unlikely that they would give India access to Chittagong Port in near future. It has a different geo-strategic implication which is not being discussed in open forum.
It relates directly to Bangladesh’s overt tilt towards China.
China has already emerged as bigger trading partner in Bangladesh and there are indications that Beijing would develop Chittagong port and Sonadia Deep sea port, 7 kms off Cox’s Bazar there.
‘We sought support from China to build Sonadia deep-sea port and Chittagong-Kunming Highway via Myanmar. Beijing has assured us of support in this regard,’ Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the State Minister for Environment and Forests had said in 2010.
Apart from port development in Chittagong adjoining Tripura, a 900 kms tri-national highway from Kunming in Chittagong via Myanmar is already on the card. Last year, Myanmar also gave go ahead for the Kunming to Chittagong highway via its territory. Chittagong port handles about 92 per cent of Bangladesh’s import-export trade and China coming to Chittagong with highway would only mean easy transportation of Chinese goods, and in cases military hardware, to Bangladesh as well as a quantum jump to Sino Bangla trade.
It must be remembered that in the Indo-Bangla accord signed during Sheikh Hasina’s New Delhi visit last year, Bangladesh gave access to Ashuganj river port to Tripura for transshipment and transportation of Over Dimensional Cargos for Palatana power project being set up in South Tripura. But the access was Palatana Power project specific and there was no commitment on Chittagong port use.
Two months later in March 2010, Sheikh Hasina went to China and both the countries discussed Beijing developing the Chittagong port.
For China, Chittagong port and Sonadia deep sea port would only add to Beijing’s blue water strategy -‘String of Pearls’- that already had Gwador in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyakpiu in Myanmar, besides its reported presence in Hanggyi and Coco-Islands under its wings. On the other hand, Chinese presence in next door would have serious geo-strategic concern for India.
Besides, according to media reports Chinese energy consortium, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Services, has already partnered with Bangladeshi state-owned firm Bapex, to explore four gas fields in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is astride South and North Tripura districts.
China is also helping Bangladesh in some critical infrastructure development including nuclear power plant. Only on 9 June last, Dhaka signed a loan agreement worth US$211 million with the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade the Bangladesh’s telecommunications network.
One year ago China and Bangladesh also signed agreements for Beijing’s financial assistance and expertise to support Dhaka to launch their first space satellite. China also pledged help Dhaka to build the 600-1000 MW Pabna nuclear power plant with a US$1.5 billion Chinese loan at concession, besides, development of Pagla water treatment plant and Shahjalal fertilizer factory. They would also construct seven important bridges for them.
Chinese trades and cooperation in Bangladesh had showed a steady upward turn since 2007. According to Bangladesh Board of Investment, till late 2010 as many as 55 Chinese businesses houses submitted 186 investment proposals in the infrastructure and trades that might touch around US$320 million.
India stands virtually nowhere relating to her support for Bangladesh. If the indications are anything then New Delhi would allow free access of 61 Bangladeshi items –out of 64 that were requested by Dhaka- to Indian market, build some infrastructures with soft credit lines. And significantly there is no evident geo-strategic component in the agenda that two countries would be discussing in Dhaka for the next two or three days. And that too keeping in mind imminent Chinese presence in Chittagong Port, and Chittagong Hill Tracts (oil exploration) etc.
Agartala, Sep 06, 2011 : Much hyped visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka and agreements slated to be signed there would not bring any 'immediate' benefit for Tripura which was eagerly awaiting transit facilities through Bangladesh and access to Chittagong Port. None of the two would be included in the agreements ready to be signed in Dhaka. Only issues that are directly linked with Tripura to be included in agreement and protocol-are Feni water sharing and Muhurir char stalemate.
According to Bangladesh media reports, during Prime Minister’s visit three agreements relating to Teesta, Feni water sharing and purchase of 500 mw power from India from 2012 would be signed. Added to it would be two protocols on land boundaries and tiger protection. Five MoU that would be on card include Sundarban preservation, renewable energy, cooperation between BTV and DD stations, fishery development and cooperation between Dhaka University and JNU. On trade, India would allow duty-free access of 61 major Bangladeshi items to Indian market.
For Tripura, the two most important agenda were transit facility through Bangladesh and opening of this land locked state to Chittagong port – which is located only 75 kms from Sabrum-for transhipment.
But now, it was decided that on the two issues- 'transit' and 'Chittagong Port' -both the countries would exchange a 'Letter' during PM's visit to Dhaka. This would entail once again a long diplomatic and official process which might even take several years. Following the 'Letter exchange' both New Delhi and Bangladesh would have to put in place legal instruments including protocol, SOP etc.
In other words, the matter would be sent to back burner again.
It was evident that Dhaka sought to sit on the transit issue in view of huge uproar in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina government’s decision to exempt India from any transit fee. According to International norms no country through which transit is given can impose customs or excise duties on goods on transit, but it can impose administrative fees. Bangladesh government, however, hit the hornet’s nest when they indicated that they would not ask for transit fees as it would be ‘uncivilized’ for a neighboring country. This decision led to wild reaction among a section of Bangladeshi intelligentsia who cited example of Egypt that had imposed heavy fees on goods passing through Suez and earned millions of dollars.
Bangladesh would go to polls in 2014 and Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League naturally would not like to trigger any controversy which could be translated as ‘anti-national’ for them. Given the political situation it can now only be hoped that the core committee of Bangladesh that would look into the matter would hasten the process and give the facility to India at the earliest- at least before 2014. Even if some sorts of fees were to be imposed, it would be a welcome step.
But in regard to Chittagong, neither Bangladesh officials nor media gave any indication as to why it was not being opened to Tripura.
There is a feeling that even if Dhaka ultimately allows Transit facility it is highly unlikely that they would give India access to Chittagong Port in near future. It has a different geo-strategic implication which is not being discussed in open forum.
It relates directly to Bangladesh’s overt tilt towards China.
China has already emerged as bigger trading partner in Bangladesh and there are indications that Beijing would develop Chittagong port and Sonadia Deep sea port, 7 kms off Cox’s Bazar there.
‘We sought support from China to build Sonadia deep-sea port and Chittagong-Kunming Highway via Myanmar. Beijing has assured us of support in this regard,’ Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the State Minister for Environment and Forests had said in 2010.
Apart from port development in Chittagong adjoining Tripura, a 900 kms tri-national highway from Kunming in Chittagong via Myanmar is already on the card. Last year, Myanmar also gave go ahead for the Kunming to Chittagong highway via its territory. Chittagong port handles about 92 per cent of Bangladesh’s import-export trade and China coming to Chittagong with highway would only mean easy transportation of Chinese goods, and in cases military hardware, to Bangladesh as well as a quantum jump to Sino Bangla trade.
It must be remembered that in the Indo-Bangla accord signed during Sheikh Hasina’s New Delhi visit last year, Bangladesh gave access to Ashuganj river port to Tripura for transshipment and transportation of Over Dimensional Cargos for Palatana power project being set up in South Tripura. But the access was Palatana Power project specific and there was no commitment on Chittagong port use.
Two months later in March 2010, Sheikh Hasina went to China and both the countries discussed Beijing developing the Chittagong port.
For China, Chittagong port and Sonadia deep sea port would only add to Beijing’s blue water strategy -‘String of Pearls’- that already had Gwador in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyakpiu in Myanmar, besides its reported presence in Hanggyi and Coco-Islands under its wings. On the other hand, Chinese presence in next door would have serious geo-strategic concern for India.
Besides, according to media reports Chinese energy consortium, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Services, has already partnered with Bangladeshi state-owned firm Bapex, to explore four gas fields in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is astride South and North Tripura districts.
China is also helping Bangladesh in some critical infrastructure development including nuclear power plant. Only on 9 June last, Dhaka signed a loan agreement worth US$211 million with the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade the Bangladesh’s telecommunications network.
One year ago China and Bangladesh also signed agreements for Beijing’s financial assistance and expertise to support Dhaka to launch their first space satellite. China also pledged help Dhaka to build the 600-1000 MW Pabna nuclear power plant with a US$1.5 billion Chinese loan at concession, besides, development of Pagla water treatment plant and Shahjalal fertilizer factory. They would also construct seven important bridges for them.
Chinese trades and cooperation in Bangladesh had showed a steady upward turn since 2007. According to Bangladesh Board of Investment, till late 2010 as many as 55 Chinese businesses houses submitted 186 investment proposals in the infrastructure and trades that might touch around US$320 million.
India stands virtually nowhere relating to her support for Bangladesh. If the indications are anything then New Delhi would allow free access of 61 Bangladeshi items –out of 64 that were requested by Dhaka- to Indian market, build some infrastructures with soft credit lines. And significantly there is no evident geo-strategic component in the agenda that two countries would be discussing in Dhaka for the next two or three days. And that too keeping in mind imminent Chinese presence in Chittagong Port, and Chittagong Hill Tracts (oil exploration) etc.
Average 2 persons commit suicide in Tripura
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Agartala, Sep 06, 2011 : More than two persons commit suicide in Tripura, according to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. He replied to a question in the assembly on Monday that during last six months alone altogether 360 persons –among them 114 -had committed suicide in the state.
If suicide that reflects something indeed amiss in the society that causes the fatal frustration to force one to end his life, unabated road accidents on the other hand manifests administrative failures in the containing traffic rules violations.
During the last financial year (2009-10 and 2010-11) as many as 1748 road accidents took place that killed 453 persons. A total of 2573 persons were injured.
Add to it were 90 persons who were killed in 363 accidents from March this year to July last. More than 500 people were injured.
Besides, 77 murder cases were registered in all 70 police stations including five Railway police stations of Tripura from the period of last February 16 to August 10 this year. In the same period 72 rape cases including 22 rapes on minor were registered in police stations.
Agartala, Sep 06, 2011 : More than two persons commit suicide in Tripura, according to Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. He replied to a question in the assembly on Monday that during last six months alone altogether 360 persons –among them 114 -had committed suicide in the state.
If suicide that reflects something indeed amiss in the society that causes the fatal frustration to force one to end his life, unabated road accidents on the other hand manifests administrative failures in the containing traffic rules violations.
During the last financial year (2009-10 and 2010-11) as many as 1748 road accidents took place that killed 453 persons. A total of 2573 persons were injured.
Add to it were 90 persons who were killed in 363 accidents from March this year to July last. More than 500 people were injured.
Besides, 77 murder cases were registered in all 70 police stations including five Railway police stations of Tripura from the period of last February 16 to August 10 this year. In the same period 72 rape cases including 22 rapes on minor were registered in police stations.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Blow to Tripura’s hope: Transit, Chtg Port not now
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Agartala, Sep 05, 2011 : Much hyped visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka and agreements slated to be signed there would not bring any 'immediate' benefit for Tripura which was eagerly awaiting transit facilities through Bangladesh and access to Chittagong Port. None of the two would be included in the agreements ready to be signed in Dhaka. Only issues that are directly linked with Tripura to be included in agreement and protocol-are Feni water sharing and Muhurir char stalemate.
According to Bangladesh media reports, during Prime Minister’s visit three agreements relating to Teesta, Feni water sharing and purchase of 500 mw power from India from 2012 would be signed. Added to it would be two protocols on land boundaries and tiger protection. Five MoU that would be on card include Sundarban preservation, renewable energy, cooperation between BTV and DD stations, fishery development and cooperation between Dhaka University and JNU. On trade, India would allow duty-free access of 61 major Bangladeshi items to Indian market.
For Tripura, the two most important agenda were transit facility through Bangladesh and opening of this land locked state to Chittagong port – which is located only 75 kms from Sabrum-for transhipment.
But now, it was decided that on the two issues- 'transit' and 'Chittagong Port' -both the countries would exchange a 'Letter' during PM's visit to Dhaka. This would entail once again a long diplomatic and official process which might even take several years. Following the 'Letter exchange' both New Delhi and Bangladesh would have to put in place legal instruments including protocol, SOP etc.
In other words, the matter would be sent to back burner again.
It was evident that Dhaka sought to sit on the transit issue in view of huge uproar in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina government’s decision to exempt India from any transit fee. According to International norms no country through which transit is given can impose customs or excise duties on goods on transit, but it can impose administrative fees. Bangladesh government, however, hit the hornet’s nest when they indicated that they would not ask for transit fees as it would be ‘uncivilized’ for a neighboring country. This decision led to wild reaction among a section of Bangladeshi intelligentsia who cited example of Egypt that had imposed heavy fees on goods passing through Suez and earned millions of dollars.
Bangladesh would go to polls in 2014 and Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League naturally would not like to trigger any controversy which could be translated as ‘anti-national’ for them. Given the political situation it can now only be hoped that the core committee of Bangladesh that would look into the matter would hasten the process and give the facility to India at the earliest- at least before 2014. Even if some sorts of fees were to be imposed, it would be a welcome step.
But in regard to Chittagong, neither Bangladesh officials nor media gave any indication as to why it was not being opened to Tripura.
There is a feeling that even if Dhaka ultimately allows Transit facility it is highly unlikely that they would give India access to Chittagong Port in near future. It has a different geo-strategic implication which is not being discussed in open forum.
It relates directly to Bangladesh’s overt tilt towards China.
China has already emerged as bigger trading partner in Bangladesh and there are indications that Beijing would develop Chittagong port and Sonadia Deep sea port, 7 kms off Cox’s Bazar there.
‘We sought support from China to build Sonadia deep-sea port and Chittagong-Kunming Highway via Myanmar. Beijing has assured us of support in this regard,’ Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the State Minister for Environment and Forests had said in 2010.
Apart from port development in Chittagong adjoining Tripura, a 900 kms tri-national highway from Kunming in Chittagong via Myanmar is already on the card. Last year, Myanmar also gave go ahead for the Kunming to Chittagong highway via its territory. Chittagong port handles about 92 per cent of Bangladesh’s import-export trade and China coming to Chittagong with highway would only mean easy transportation of Chinese goods, and in cases military hardware, to Bangladesh as well as a quantum jump to Sino Bangla trade.
It must be remembered that in the Indo-Bangla accord signed during Sheikh Hasina’s New Delhi visit last year, Bangladesh gave access to Ashuganj river port to Tripura for transshipment and transportation of Over Dimensional Cargos for Palatana power project being set up in South Tripura. But the access was Palatana Power project specific and there was no commitment on Chittagong port use.
Two months later in March 2010, Sheikh Hasina went to China and both the countries discussed Beijing developing the Chittagong port.
For China, Chittagong port and Sonadia deep sea port would only add to Beijing’s blue water strategy -‘String of Pearls’- that already had Gwador in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyakpiu in Myanmar, besides its reported presence in Hanggyi and Coco-Islands under its wings. On the other hand, Chinese presence in next door would have serious geo-strategic concern for India.
Besides, according to media reports Chinese energy consortium, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Services, has already partnered with Bangladeshi state-owned firm Bapex, to explore four gas fields in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is astride South and North Tripura districts.
China is also helping Bangladesh in some critical infrastructure development including nuclear power plant. Only on 9 June last, Dhaka signed a loan agreement worth US$211 million with the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade the Bangladesh’s telecommunications network.
One year ago China and Bangladesh also signed agreements for Beijing’s financial assistance and expertise to support Dhaka to launch their first space satellite. China also pledged help Dhaka to build the 600-1000 MW Pabna nuclear power plant with a US$1.5 billion Chinese loan at concession, besides, development of Pagla water treatment plant and Shahjalal fertilizer factory. They would also construct seven important bridges for them.
Chinese trades and cooperation in Bangladesh had showed a steady upward turn since 2007. According to Bangladesh Board of Investment, till late 2010 as many as 55 Chinese businesses houses submitted 186 investment proposals in the infrastructure and trades that might touch around US$320 million.
India stands virtually nowhere relating to her support for Bangladesh. If the indications are anything then New Delhi would allow free access of 61 Bangladeshi items –out of 64 that were requested by Dhaka- to Indian market, build some infrastructures with soft credit lines. And significantly there is no evident geo-strategic component in the agenda that two countries would be discussing in Dhaka for the next two or three days. And that too keeping in mind imminent Chinese presence in Chittagong Port, and Chittagong Hill Tracts (oil exploration) etc.
Agartala, Sep 05, 2011 : Much hyped visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka and agreements slated to be signed there would not bring any 'immediate' benefit for Tripura which was eagerly awaiting transit facilities through Bangladesh and access to Chittagong Port. None of the two would be included in the agreements ready to be signed in Dhaka. Only issues that are directly linked with Tripura to be included in agreement and protocol-are Feni water sharing and Muhurir char stalemate.
According to Bangladesh media reports, during Prime Minister’s visit three agreements relating to Teesta, Feni water sharing and purchase of 500 mw power from India from 2012 would be signed. Added to it would be two protocols on land boundaries and tiger protection. Five MoU that would be on card include Sundarban preservation, renewable energy, cooperation between BTV and DD stations, fishery development and cooperation between Dhaka University and JNU. On trade, India would allow duty-free access of 61 major Bangladeshi items to Indian market.
For Tripura, the two most important agenda were transit facility through Bangladesh and opening of this land locked state to Chittagong port – which is located only 75 kms from Sabrum-for transhipment.
But now, it was decided that on the two issues- 'transit' and 'Chittagong Port' -both the countries would exchange a 'Letter' during PM's visit to Dhaka. This would entail once again a long diplomatic and official process which might even take several years. Following the 'Letter exchange' both New Delhi and Bangladesh would have to put in place legal instruments including protocol, SOP etc.
In other words, the matter would be sent to back burner again.
It was evident that Dhaka sought to sit on the transit issue in view of huge uproar in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina government’s decision to exempt India from any transit fee. According to International norms no country through which transit is given can impose customs or excise duties on goods on transit, but it can impose administrative fees. Bangladesh government, however, hit the hornet’s nest when they indicated that they would not ask for transit fees as it would be ‘uncivilized’ for a neighboring country. This decision led to wild reaction among a section of Bangladeshi intelligentsia who cited example of Egypt that had imposed heavy fees on goods passing through Suez and earned millions of dollars.
Bangladesh would go to polls in 2014 and Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League naturally would not like to trigger any controversy which could be translated as ‘anti-national’ for them. Given the political situation it can now only be hoped that the core committee of Bangladesh that would look into the matter would hasten the process and give the facility to India at the earliest- at least before 2014. Even if some sorts of fees were to be imposed, it would be a welcome step.
But in regard to Chittagong, neither Bangladesh officials nor media gave any indication as to why it was not being opened to Tripura.
There is a feeling that even if Dhaka ultimately allows Transit facility it is highly unlikely that they would give India access to Chittagong Port in near future. It has a different geo-strategic implication which is not being discussed in open forum.
It relates directly to Bangladesh’s overt tilt towards China.
China has already emerged as bigger trading partner in Bangladesh and there are indications that Beijing would develop Chittagong port and Sonadia Deep sea port, 7 kms off Cox’s Bazar there.
‘We sought support from China to build Sonadia deep-sea port and Chittagong-Kunming Highway via Myanmar. Beijing has assured us of support in this regard,’ Dr. Hasan Mahmud, the State Minister for Environment and Forests had said in 2010.
Apart from port development in Chittagong adjoining Tripura, a 900 kms tri-national highway from Kunming in Chittagong via Myanmar is already on the card. Last year, Myanmar also gave go ahead for the Kunming to Chittagong highway via its territory. Chittagong port handles about 92 per cent of Bangladesh’s import-export trade and China coming to Chittagong with highway would only mean easy transportation of Chinese goods, and in cases military hardware, to Bangladesh as well as a quantum jump to Sino Bangla trade.
It must be remembered that in the Indo-Bangla accord signed during Sheikh Hasina’s New Delhi visit last year, Bangladesh gave access to Ashuganj river port to Tripura for transshipment and transportation of Over Dimensional Cargos for Palatana power project being set up in South Tripura. But the access was Palatana Power project specific and there was no commitment on Chittagong port use.
Two months later in March 2010, Sheikh Hasina went to China and both the countries discussed Beijing developing the Chittagong port.
For China, Chittagong port and Sonadia deep sea port would only add to Beijing’s blue water strategy -‘String of Pearls’- that already had Gwador in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, Kyakpiu in Myanmar, besides its reported presence in Hanggyi and Coco-Islands under its wings. On the other hand, Chinese presence in next door would have serious geo-strategic concern for India.
Besides, according to media reports Chinese energy consortium, Sinopec Shengli Oilfield Services, has already partnered with Bangladeshi state-owned firm Bapex, to explore four gas fields in the Chittagong Hill Tracts which is astride South and North Tripura districts.
China is also helping Bangladesh in some critical infrastructure development including nuclear power plant. Only on 9 June last, Dhaka signed a loan agreement worth US$211 million with the Export-Import Bank of China to upgrade the Bangladesh’s telecommunications network.
One year ago China and Bangladesh also signed agreements for Beijing’s financial assistance and expertise to support Dhaka to launch their first space satellite. China also pledged help Dhaka to build the 600-1000 MW Pabna nuclear power plant with a US$1.5 billion Chinese loan at concession, besides, development of Pagla water treatment plant and Shahjalal fertilizer factory. They would also construct seven important bridges for them.
Chinese trades and cooperation in Bangladesh had showed a steady upward turn since 2007. According to Bangladesh Board of Investment, till late 2010 as many as 55 Chinese businesses houses submitted 186 investment proposals in the infrastructure and trades that might touch around US$320 million.
India stands virtually nowhere relating to her support for Bangladesh. If the indications are anything then New Delhi would allow free access of 61 Bangladeshi items –out of 64 that were requested by Dhaka- to Indian market, build some infrastructures with soft credit lines. And significantly there is no evident geo-strategic component in the agenda that two countries would be discussing in Dhaka for the next two or three days. And that too keeping in mind imminent Chinese presence in Chittagong Port, and Chittagong Hill Tracts (oil exploration) etc.
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