Author: AITC

West Bengal Home department has allowed thepolice commissionerates at Bidhannagar, Howrah, Siliguri, Barrackpore andAsansol-Durgapur to set up one cyber police station each. In the future, allthese commissionerates are likely to get separate bomb disposal squads and highradio frequency squad for patrolling purposes.

Cyber crimes are on the rise across thecountry. Similarly, lax patrolling is helping criminals to commit crimes andfinally slip away. The cyber crime police station can solely concentrate onsuch frauds. The patrolling squad will help protect the vulnerable borders and areaslike Rajarhat-New Town- Sector V, the IT hub of the State. The commissionerateshave also been asked to collect information from all households to come up witha list of paying guests and number of guest houses and cyber cafes.

Kolkata Police is starting a new initiativefor making Kolkata even safer. The new initiative, Intensive City Patrolling,will comprise a unit that will patrol city streets, lanes and by-lanes to curbcrime as well as help people in case of accidents or mishaps.

The new unit is being set up with theofficers of eight divisions and will have up to forty members. Each team,comprise of one officer and four subordinates have been handpicked for specialtraining. Special cars equipped with GPS have been given to this unit. Theteams will be in direct contact with the police control room. If there is anyreport, the nearest vehicle will attend the trouble spot, informed by thecontrol room.

Incidentally, the nine most importantcrossings of the city already have the presence of Heavy Radio Flying Squad ofthe Kolkata Police. Another 35 vehicles of the Radio Flying Squad patrol thecity. However, the new Intensive City Patrolling unit will make the city muchsafer with their movements in the lanes and the by-lanes and will try to put astop to petty crimes, harassments or even be in assistance in case ofaccidents.

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চলতি সপ্তাহের শেষ থেকেই মহানগরের অলিগলিতে টহলদারি পুলিশের দেখা মিলবে, খাতায়–কলমে যার পোশাকি নাম 'ইনটেনসিভ সিটি পেট্রোলিং'।

কলকাতায় অবশ্য টহলদারি পুলিশ রয়েছে। শহরের ৯টি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ মোড়ে ওয়্যারলেস বিভাগের হেভি রেডিও ফ্লাইং স্কোয়াডের গাড়ি মোতায়েন থাকে। ৩৫টি রেডিও ফ্লাইং স্কোয়াডের গাড়ি শহরের নানা প্রান্তে ঘুরে বেড়ায়। সর্বত্র পুলিশের উপস্থিতি যাতে নাগরিকদের চোখে পড়ে, তেমনই ব্যবস্থা করতে চান কলকাতার পুলিশ কমিশনার। এতে যেমন শহরে অপরাধের আশঙ্কা কিছুটা হলেও হ্রাস পাবে, তেমন কোন নাগরিক বিপদে পড়লে তাঁর পাশে দ্রুত পৌঁছেও যেতে পারবে পুলিশ। যদিও পুলিশকর্তাদের একাংশ এই ব্যবস্থার পিছনে অন্য কারণও দেখতে পাচ্ছেন।

শহরের বিভিন্ন প্রান্তে আচমকাই গোলমালের খবর মেলে। থানার অফিসারদের পৌঁছনোর আগে সেখানে টহলদার পুলিশ পাঠানো হয়।

কী ভাবে কাজ করবে এই দল?

কলকাতা পুলিশের আটটি ডিভিশনে থানার অফিসারদের নিয়ে প্রায় চল্লিশটি দল গঠন করা হচ্ছে। একটি দলে এক জন সাব–ইনস্পেক্টরের নেতৃত্বে কনস্টেবল এবং হোমগার্ডেরা থাকবেন। কলকাতা পুলিশ এলাকায় কোনও ঘটনার খবর পেলে দ্রুত ঘটনাস্থলে পৌঁছবে এক অফিসার–সহ পাঁচ সদস্যের ওই বিশেষ দল। এর জন্য প্রতি থানা থেকে বাছাই করা কর্মীদের 'পুলিশ ট্রেনিং স্কুলে' বিশেষ প্রশিক্ষণও দেওয়া হচ্ছে বলে জানিয়েছে পুলিশ।

চলতি সপ্তাহের শেষ থেকে শহরের রাস্তায় আধুনিক মানের গাড়িতে টহল দিতে দেখা যাবে পুলিশের ওই বিশেষ দলকে। কন্ট্রোল রুম বা থানা থেকে কোনও খবর পাওয়া মাত্র তারা ঘটনাস্থলে পৌঁছে যাবে অল্প সময়ের মধ্যেই। প্রাথমিক তদন্ত থেকে শুরু করে প্রযোজনীয় সব কাজই শুরু করবে ওই দল। প্রয়োজনে তারাই যোগাযোগ করবে স্থানীয় থানা থেকে লালবাজারের প্রধান কন্ট্রোল রুমে। প্রতিটি দলের নির্দিষ্ট থানা এলাকায় টহল দেওয়ার কথা।

কোনও এলাকা থেকে গোলমালের খবর এলে সেই জায়গার সবচেয়ে কাছে থাকা বিশেষ দলকে ঘটনাস্থলে পৌঁছে যাওয়ার নিদের্শ দেওয়া হবে। তাঁর কথায়, 'ইনটেনসিভ সিটি পেট্রোলিং'–এর প্রতিটি গাড়িতে 'গ্লোবাল পজিশনিং সিস্টেম' (জিপিএস) লাগানো থাকবে। দুঘর্টনাস্থলের সবচেয়ে কাছে থাকা দলটিকে জিপিএসের মাধ্যমে জেনে নিয়ে সেখানে পৌঁছতে বলা হবে। যে কোনও সমস্যায় দ্রুত কর্মীরা পৌঁছে গিয়ে সাহায্য করলে পুলিশের ভাবমূর্তি উন্নত হবে।

The State Government will no longertolerate the vandalism and lawlessness being carried out by a section oftaxi-drivers who are striking in the city. West Bengal Transport Minister MrMadan Mitra has instructed the police officials present at major city crossingsto book the errant drivers who are not letting other taxis to ply.

The errant drivers have damaged 300no-refusal taxis in the past few days. The initiative to slap a higher fine forpassenger refusal had been taken by the public vehicles department.

A day after the taxi strike, the Kolkatapolice had identified 445 drivers for further legal action. The police saidthey have CCTV footage to identify the erring drivers, who could reportedly beseen leaving their taxis parked on streets.

Trinamool MP Debabrata Bandyopadhyay todayspoke in Rajya Sabha in favour of the Securities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014.He termed it a three in one Bill that simultaneously amends the Securities andExchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Securities Contract (Regulation) Act,1956 and the Depositories Act 1996.

He said that the SEBI Act, 1992 was enactedfor the purpose of increasing the confidence of investors. But unfortunately,the act was not implemented in the true spirit. “Steps were not taken againsterring stock brokers, sub-stock brokers, share transfer agents, otherintermediary and non-banking institutions who are actively associated withsecurity market and to refund money to the poor investors. In the interplay ofsharks of the money market they lost out totally,” he said.

Citing the example of Sanchayita scam, hesaid chit funds have mushroomed in India in the last three/four decades. “Theseunregistered chit funds functioned to maximise profits for themselves, caringnothing for the investors. Investors were left in the lurch,” he added.

He also cautioned the Finance Ministeragainst using the SEBI as a tool to settle political scores. SEBI should notbecome another CBI, he added. He urged the Government to standby the smallestinvestor who looks to us to look after his interest.

Here is the full transcript of his speech:

Irise to support the Bill. This is a three in one law. It simultaneously amendsthe Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Securities Contract(Regulation) Act, 1956 and the Depositories Act 1996. This is a fairlycomplicated piece of legislation, which requires a thorough knowledge not onlyof the laws it seeks to amend but the complex functioning of financial market.

TheSecurities & Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 was enacted for the purposeof increasing the confidence of investors. But unfortunately, the act was notimplemented in the true spirit. Inaction on the part of the authorities underthe SEBI Act and lackadaisical attitude of the authorities under the SEBI Acthave resulted in the act not being properly implemented. Steps were not takenagainst erring stock brokers, sub-stock brokers, share transfer agents, otherintermediary and non-banking institutions who are actively associated withsecurity market and to refund money to the poor investors. In the interplay ofsharks of the money market they lost out totally.

Chitfunds have grown in the country like mushrooms in the last three / fourdecades. They have history beginning in southern Indian States and thenspreading across the country. 3 or 4 decades ago, the Sanchayita scam came tolight. Thousands of families were ruined and the culprits got away. This chitfund menace continues to grow, unchecked through the 80s and 90s in differentnames – cheating unwary investors. Most of these chit funds were not registeredunder the SEBI Act for long three decades. These unregistered chit fundsfunctioned to maximise profits for themselves, caring nothing for theinvestors. Investors were left in the lurch. There is no point in blaminganyone for what had happened. 

But my fervently appeal to the Finance Ministerto prevent any further mischief and to protect the general investors who hadbeen the unfortunate victims of the foul game of the financial operators in themarket. We are happy that the Government has come forward to protect the unwaryinvestors from falling victims to the sharks who operate in the money market tomaximise their own or corporate gain at the cost of investors. Once the Billbecomes an Act, SEBI would have powers to call for information not only fromthe people or entities associated with the securities market but also frompersons who are apparently not directly associated with securities market.

Besidesthe capital watchdog would get increased powers to crack whip on illegalinvestment schemes. The Bill aims at protecting investors as well as to curbfor fraudulent investment schemes thriving at the expense of innocentinvestors.

Weare happy to note that to deal with huge pendency of cases, special courtswould be established for the prosecution of offences under the securities lawto provide speedy trial. This is a welcome feature.

Tokeep the credibility of SEBI we would caution the Government not to use itspowers to settle any political score.

Whileappointing Chairman, the Government has to ensure that candidate has thehighest credibility to have investors' confidence.

InWest Bengal we have a bad and long history of the activities of such chit fundslast 40 years. This is not phenomenon. The case of Sanchayita is well known. SEBIshould proactively try to control such mushroom growth of chit funds inwhichever name they operate. The Trinamool Congress would always support anypro-people such activity. But SEBI should not convert itself into another CBI.

Maythe FM consider two observations:

1. The opponents of this Bill may say thatgiving such powers to one body may lead to misuse and make this legislationdraconian. There is a clause to summon anyone not even directly connected withthe matter. However, the pluses in this Bill far outweigh the negatives.

2. Consider an orderly exist to suchschemes so that small investors are not inconvenienced. We must do all at ittakes to standby the smallest investor who looks to us to look after hisinterest.

Trinamool MP from Serampore, KalyanBanerjee today spoke in Lok Sabha in support of the National JudicialAppointments Commission Bill, 2014. He said that this Bill was need for longyears. He said that when the UPA wanted to bring a Bill akin to this one,Trinamool had supported it.

“Our party has the highest respect for thejudiciary. Today is a historic day because this Bill is being introduced in thiscountry. The Collegium system must go. We need a substitute,” he said.

“Wewould like to know what the system is for appointment of Supreme Court judges,is it seniority, merit or quota? We need to know the guidelines. Why there isnon-transparent system for appointment of High Court judges?” Mr Banerjee said.

He also suggested that judges from HighCourt should be transferred every 3-4 years. He also suggested that CircuitBenches be set up in the regions as that will ensure justice to be delivered onthe doorsteps of the litigants and will reduce litigation expenses.

West Bengal's State President of theTrinamool Congress and senior MP Mr Subrata Bakshi lashed out at the CentralGovernment saying that although the Budget session of the Parliament is nearingcompletion, the honeymoon period of the new Government is yet to be over. TheGovernment could not yet determine the division (seat) numbers of the new MPs,he said.

In the Lok Sabha, a Deputy Speaker isappointed besides the Speaker. The current government has not yet been able toname the Deputy Speaker, Mr Bakshi said. The senior MP said that since thereare no designated seats for the MPs. If a situation arises whereParliamentarians have to vote in the House, there will be utter confusion, headded.

Mr Bakshi also pointed out that in spite ofhaving 45 MPs, Trinamool Congress has not been allotted any room in theParliament. In the previous term too, Trinamool did not get any room despitehaving 19 MPs in Lok Sabha whereas parties with lesser number of MPs have beenallotted rooms.

The state government's information andcultural affairs department has planned to ensure employment for poor folkartistes and has asked all district officers to start enrolling themimmediately for execution of the plans. The objective of the project is toprovide financial assistance to the artistes belonging to the weaker sectionsby engaging them in campaigning of government's plans and projects. The statealso plans to save traditional folk cultures.

Following the instructions, the districtinformation and cultural affairs (I&CA) department in North Bengaldistricts have started enrolling such artistes in a new application format.

It may be noted that the state had providedfinancial assistance of Rs 750 per month to folk artists who are above 60 yearsin 2013. But this year, the state plans to give them Rs 1000. A folk artiste,who is below 60 years and will work for the government's programmes, will begetting Rs 1000 per month as remuneration.

The state has decided to offer all of themequal jobs so that an artist gets to work for at least four days a month. Folkartists in parts of North Bengal have been presenting two cultural items ineach block once a week. District officials have been organizing 28 programmesonce a month. To provide employment for the artistes, the number of programmesmay be increased on various new schemes and awareness agendas. A total of 635folk artistes were enrolled from the undivided Jalpaiguri earlier.

Around 900 folk artistes from the undividedJalpaiguri district have applied and all applications are under process. Allartistes associated with various cultural items, including Boirati Nritya, Chor-Chunni Nach, Mursia and those who perform folkdrama and songs in Sadri and Rajbanshi languages have been selectedfor campaigning for the government's programmes.

West Bengal Government is takingprecautions in light of the global Ebola health emergency. The West BengalHealth Services Director said an isolation ward has been set up at theBeliaghata ID Hospital in Kolkata and a similar ward will be set up at theNorth Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

International carriers have been asked todistribute health forms on board arriving flights where passengers have toreport symptoms like fever, tendency to vomit and rash. Airlines have been alsoasked to put their cabin staff on alert so that they report passengersdisplaying symptoms of the disease to the pilot, who will then transmit theinformation to the airport authority. Immigration authorities were asked toflip through all the visas and stamps on the passport of incoming passengers tocheck if they have been to the Ebola affected countries in the past 21 days.

If anybody is detected displaying Ebolasymptoms or with documents that show they have been to one of the fourcountries, they will alert the airport medical unit. The doctors will thenescort the person to a segregated area for screening. The screening includeschecking the passenger's body temperature, signs of rash and other Ebolasymptoms. Though a thermal screen has been installed at the airport to identifythose suffering from fever in a planeload of passengers, it is not being usednow because there are no direct flights from Africa to Kolkata.

The country's first floating solar powerpanel will come up on a water-body beside the Eco Park by November. The 15 KWsolar power generating panel would be set up beside Eco Park in New Town. Theproject will be implemented under central funding by the Arka Ignou College ofRenewable Energy. It will be the country's first floating solar panel to beexecuted under central government funding of Rs 40 lakh.

The New Town Kolkata Development Authority(NKDA), early next year, will also set up a canal-top solar power panel on alink-up canal flowing near Eco Park that will generate 500KW solar power everyday. The canal-top solar panel will be the state's first.

The NKDA has started work of setting up a500 KW canal-top solar power project at an estimated cost of more than Rs 1crore. An agency has been selected through an e-tender process and approved bya committee headed by the director of West Bengal Renewable Energy DevelopmentAgency (WBREDA) for the purpose.

The canal-top solar project, which is apart of the Union ministry of new and renewable energy's Solar City programme,was prepared by the solar cell of the Indian Institute of Engineering, Scienceand Technology (formerly known as BESU), Shibpur. It is a flagship canal-topsolar project and would be fully funded by the development authority.

The project consisted of using sloped steelstructure laid across a link canal flowing beside the Eco Park. The panel willgenerate 500KW power, which will be able to light up the entire Eco Parkspreading over 480 acres. The NKDA will lay the most efficient solar panels forthe flagship project, which is also a part projects aimed at developing thetownship as a solar city as declared by the Centre.

The NKDA will use a net metering system inwhich the power that will be generated and put to the grid every day will bemeasured. The advantage of laying the solar panels on top of canals is that notonly there will be no requirement for land for the solar power plant, but thecanal will also be saved from accumulation of external wastes.

The image used in this story is a representative one.