Last updated on 29 September, 2001.

Tender Notices : Common Forms  :  Swavalamban

  29 September, 2001

• Decisions taken at the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at 10:30 a.m. on 29 September 2001 :   

1.     The Council of Ministers approved the implementation of the "Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana" in the State. It will replace the earlier scheme of ‘Comprehensive crop insurance’. Under the old scheme, the compensation liability in the event of crop damage was shared in the ration of 1:3 between the State and Central Governments, and in the present scheme, sharing is on 50:50 basis.

After the old scheme was discontinued, the State Government had requested the Central Government to continue the earlier scheme under which the financial burden was less for the State, but this was not agreed to by Government of India. As a result, there was no insurance scheme at present. With the implementation of "Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana", the farmers in Tripura will be brought under the purview of insurance coverage. The risk insurance will cover yield losses due to non-preventable risks, like natural fire, lightning, storm, cyclone, typhoon, hurricane, floods, drought and pests/diseases,etc.

The salient features of the new scheme are:

1. All farmers will be covered under this scheme.
2. The scheme will be compulsory for loanee farmers and optional for non-loanee farmers.
3. Kharif paddy, rabi paddy and potato will be covered under this scheme for the present.
4. The premium rates will be 2.5% for kharif paddy and 2% for rabi paddy and potato.

Small and marginal farmers will be entitled to subsidy of 50% of the premium charged from them.

2.     The Council of Ministers approved the setting up of a new Directorate of Bio-technology under the Science, Technology and Environment Department of the State Government. This step has been taken to harness the potential of latest advancements in the field of bio-technology for the developmental efforts of the state. The Directorate will be headed by a qualified person as Director and consist of a few supporting officers and staff.

A Task Force will also be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister for the development of the bio-techology sector in Tripura.

3.     The Council of Ministers approved the "State Afforestation Policy". The Policy envisages effective re-habilitation of degraded forests and extending tree cover beyond traditional forest areas through suitable multi-product afforestation models. Joint Forest planning and management arrangements, involving local communities, would be integral part of all afforestation efforts.

To achieve the objectives of the policy, the strategy would be to ensure community participation, implementation of site specific afforestation and treatment models, appropriate site matching for different species, improvement of productivity of wide perspective of forest produce and appropriate research, extension and technological support.

The policy envisages greater involvement of PRIs and BACs, special programme for social awareness through schools and colleges and emphasis on economic benefit to the participating community.

  27 September, 2001

• State urges Plan body to approve 21 projects :  

State Government has urged the Planning Commission to clear 21 project proposals which were pending in New Delhi for the last three years. The Finance Minister Badal Choudhury during his visit to New Delhi called on the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission K C Pant and told him that Tripura had sent 34 projects proposals worth Rs. 396.79 crore to Central Government. But till date only 13 projects for Rs. 13 crores were sanctioned.

While speaking to the reporters at the State Secretariat today, Shri Choudhury informed that he had urged Shri Pant to release Rs. 16.38 crore as an extra aid for the developmental projects of state immediately as assured by the Central Government. Providing funds for the proposed medical college in the state was also raised in the discussion, he informed.

In the press meet, Shri Choudhury said that the State Government has sent a Rs. 139 crore proposal for the construction of a substitute National Highway from Belonia to Halahali via Dangabari, Ambassa, of which only 8 crore were sanctioned. Other than these, the State Government has also sent five projects for sanctions from World Bank.

  24 September, 2001

• Khetricherra readies for the biggest rural power plant. :  

Stage is all set for the biggest ever non-conventional power generator of the country at Khetricherra under Chawmanu block. The Bio-mass power plant is being funded by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources and the Power department of the state government.

The project is being built up involving a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore, of which Rs. 50 lakh is borne by the state government.

The work for the power plant was started in 1999. After completion, the plant would consists of four gas-fire machines of 250 kilowatts, four generators and accessories.

Around 3.6 tonnes of timber would be required for the purpose of generating 1 mega watt of power of which 600 kilograms would be required per hour.

Timber of sizes 20-25 millimetres length and 12 to 60 millimetres width would be fed into the furnace for generation.

Timber would be supplied by the power department at the beginning and once the project begins power generation afforestation in over 200 hectares would be undertaken by the power department.

The management for Khetricherra power project would be run on co-operative basis with Purna Mohan Tripura as the Chairman and Block Development Officer, Chawmanu as it’s Managing Director besides 16 other members. The society has been named as Chawmanu Rural Energy Co-operative Society Limited.

Two tribal youths have already been sent to Chotmulakhali bio-mass power plant in Gujarat for training.

Baroda based M/S Ankur Scientific Energy technology Private Limited will supervise the functioning of the plant initially for a period of six months.

The plant would be operational between five and nine in the evening, which remains the peak hour. The per-unit charges of power would be Rs. 2.75.

• Forest bungalow inaugurated :  

Forest minister Narayan Rupini today inaugurated the forest bungalow at North Sarisima near Ratanmani bridge over Muhuri at Belonia.

The bungalow has been constructed to serve the purpose of tourism as well as for forest officials of the state. The forest bungalow will also act as an eco park.

The bungalow has been constructed at a cost of Rs. five lakh.

  23 September, 2001

• Antodaya scheme launched :  

The Antodaya scheme, also known as the poorest of the poor scheme, was formally launched today at Chawmanu by Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

However, he severely criticized the centre for not paying the transportation charges for the same as a result of which Rs. 60 lakh will be incurred by the State Government every year.

"We do not know how long we can sustain the financial pressure "he said, while criticizing the centre.

  13 September, 2001

• NEEPCO Strike :

The state government has taken all possible measures to ensure supply of power during the proposed strike period of the NEEPCO employees starting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Power Department will launch ten day anti-pilferage operation in the entire North district from September 20 next.

A high level meeting was held at Kumarghat panchayat office today where Power Minister Badal Choudhury expressed the need for checking the illegal power tapping.

In the meantime, the newly constituted Vigilance Wing of the Power Department will come into operation on the same day in all the four districts. The wing will be headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police on deputation.

The Power Department has ordered clearance of all the waiting list customers before Durga Puja on priority basis.

Minister Power had also announced special incentives for those panchayat samitis and blocks, which are found to be free of illegal power tapping. He said that those eligible blocks and panchayats will be provided with ten free electric poles for power extension. He also expressed the need for speedy fulfillment of the Kutir Jyoti Scheme in the state. Presently the state government loses about six to eight core rupees per year on pilferage or transmission losses.

  12 September, 2001

• Antodaya : Centre gives rice :

  The Central Government has sanctioned 1131 metric tonnes of rice for the Antodaya beneficiaries in the state.

  Food minister Gopal Das speaking to the reporters today said that the Central Government had rejected the state government’s plea for bearing the transportation charges. Minister Food said that the State Government would have to bear an additional expenditure of Rs. 60 lakhs per year on transportation.

  He said that the Centre has also rejected the state government’s plea to fill the gap arising out of the upgradation of the 45,000 BPL families as Antodaya beneficiaries.

  The state government had urged the centre to allocate additional rice for 25,000 BPL families in waiting list.

  Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony for the Andodaya scheme, which was supposed to be held today at Chawmanu has been deferred till 23 Sept 2001.

  It may be mentioned here that the Antodaya scheme launched by the centre also known as the ‘poorest of the poor scheme’ has 45,000 beneficiaries in the state. The state also has 2,95,000 BPL individual is entitled to have 20 kilograms of rice at the rate of Rs. 3 per kilogram.

  On the other hand, the rice for the BPL category is sold at a price of Rs. 6.25 paisa per kilogram.
  
  

• State pays last respects to MP, Shri Samar Choudhury :  

The entire state paid last respect to the departed CPI(M) leader Samar Choudhury yesterday (Sept 11^th 2001). The mortal remains of Choudhury were brought to the state capital by Indian Airlines plane. The coffin was accompanied by his wife, relatives and MP Bajuban Reang. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar received the body at the airport from which his body was taken to his official Rabindra palli residence where Governor Lt Gen (Retd.) Krishna Mohan Seth and his wife Bina Seth offered floral tributes to the departed leader.

From his residence, the mortal body of the late leader was taken to CPI(M) party officer at Melarmath where State Secretary Baidyanath Majumder and other leaders paid their homage.

Thousands of people thronged the party office since early morning and paid their respect to the departed leader.

A procession with his body passed through the major thoroughfare of the capital before reaching the Tripura Legislative Assembly, a place where he represented Sonamura for four consecutive times. Assembly deputy Speaker Subal Rudra and several members of the assembly including Jawhar Shaha and Secretary offered their floral tributes to Samar Choudhury.

From the Tripura Legislative Assembly, the procession reached the Civil Secretariat. Chief minister Manik Sarkar, Education Minister Anil Sarkar, Finance Minister Badal Chodhury, Health minister Keshab Majumder, Forests Minister Narayan Rupini, Industries minister Pabitra Kar, Agriculture Minister Aghore Debbarma, Labour Minister Faizur Rahman, Chief secretary V Thulasidas, DGP B L Vohra and other high officials offered homage to the former minister.

Later, Choudhury’s mortal remains were taken to his home town in Sonamura. People in large numbers thronged the roadside in Bishalgarh and Bishramganj to have a last look at their departed party leader.

His body was kept at the Sonamura party office. His last rites were performed today morning on the banks of Gumti river. Among others, the ceremony was attended by Chief Minister, Shri Manik Sarkar.

  11 September, 2001

• Rs 39 crore sanctioned for Agartala :  

Union ministry of Urban development has sanctioned Rs 39 crore for infrastructure development of Agartala.

Chairperson, Shankar Das said today that the amount has been sanctioned for the drainage system reforms, drinking system facility, roads repairing and garbage management. He said the works for the above mentioned would be taken up soon.

  05 September, 2001

• Tripura already identified BPL population at 67.6 pc :  

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has said that the State government has already completed the BPL population in the state. In reference to the recent central government’s directive, the Chief Minister, in a Press conference held here today, said that there was no starvation death in Tripura and there is no scope for confusion on the figure of BPL in Tripura. There is at present 67.6 percent BPL in the state and it has been settled on the basis of hundred percent headcount. Earlier the BPL percentage was around 74.

• 40^th Teacher’s day observed :  

40th Teachers Day was observed throughout the state. In Agartala, special ceremony at the Town hall was organized where 20 teachers were felicitated by the Education Department.

The PWD minister, Badal Choudhury was the Chief Guest. Besides, ICAT minister Jitendra Chowdhury and Social welfare minister Bidhu Bhusan Malakar were also present on the occasion. Education minister, Anil Sarkar speaking on the occasion said, the teachers must make sincere endeavour to impart education to the children.

Badal Chowdhury speaking on the occasion said, after independence, 87 education reform committee panels were formed but the recommendations were not at all implemented. "Of the 70 crore illiterates in the world, 40 crore reside in India alone" he said.

Where in the western countries for every hundred students there is one teacher, but in India there is only one teacher per hundred ninety eight students. In Tripura there is one teacher per twenty students, Chowdhury said.

The Teacher’s day was also celebrated in other parts of the State

• Udaipur, Kailashahar ISDN linked, BSNL plans to lay 300 kms OFC :  

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Tripura unit has established Integrated Services Digital Network (isdn) services in Kailashahar and Radhakishorepur recently.

The department had also set up distinctive ring for incoming trunk call, detailed billing sum and Calling line identification at Radhakishorepur and Kailashahar.

Addressing the press at the Sanchar Bhawan, General Manager Deb Kumar Chakraborty said, now the video-conferencing facility can be availed simply by sitting at the district headquarters.

"We plan to set up such services at Ambassa also shortly to connect the Dhalai district " he said.

Giving a picture of the ongoing projects of BSNL in the state, he said, the remotest Gandhacherra sub division has been updated to a 30channel digital Microwave link from September 4 last as a result of which any subscriber can talk to Gandacherra by dialing the Ambassa STD code instead of the R. K. Pur code. Microwave media recently established is satisfactorily working at Kanchanpur also, he said.

"Through Optical fibre cable, Khowai via Kalyanpur and Ramchandrghat has been recently linked to Agartala and the department plans to expand the 849 kms network by 300 kms this years to the entire state but for paucity of optic cables, the project could not be materialized " Chakraborty said.

On the further development schemes of the department, he said, more Remote Subscriber Units (RSU) are being planned at Collegetilla, Gandhighat, Bishramganj, Ranirbazar, Melaghar, Sonamura and new telephone exchanges at Airport, Gandhigram, Kanchanbari, Boxnagar, Chottakhola, Halahali, Jatanbari, Kakraban, Kamalghat and Salgarah by October next.

• Bengali Film Fest starts from 5th September at Agartala :  

The Four day long Film festival screening old Bengali films will begin on September 5 at Rupashi Cinema Hall here. Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism department has arranged the festival. Noted actor Tarun Kumar will inaugurate the festivals.Noted actor Tarun Kumar will inaugurate the festival. Altogether five Bengali Cinema will be screened. The films are Jiban Mritu,  Prithibi Amare Chay, Saptapadi,  Bipasha , Sare Chuattar.

• NDC Meet :   

Chief Minister, Shri Manik Sarkar has appealed to the Planning Commission to be rational and practical while formulating the Approach Paper of the 10^th Five Year Plan. He laid importance on eradication of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment in a time bound manner.

He was speaking at the 49^th meeting of the National Development Council today at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee presided over the meeting.

Chief Minister said that in the previous five year plans also, the issues of reducing poverty, illiteracy, and unemployment were addressed but the progress was very slow. While formulating the plan, he suggested “assessment should be made on a state based criteria taking into account the poverty percentage, per capita income, infrastructure index, human resource development index etc. and the States may be grouped into 3 categories, advanced states, less advanced states and backward states. He said, “Before finalizing such an important document, I feel that it should be discussed by the State Planning Boards in each state and their views and suggestions be duly examined”. In his speech he emphasized  for a separate strategy for the North Eastern Region and specially for tribal welfare and development.

Raising the issue of disadvantageous locations of the state for trade and transport he said, “needs to be greater attention given for value addition and food processing during the 10^th plan” and at the same time plans to be drawn up for development of animal resources and for fisheries development. He said, “our Forest conservation Act should be reviewed for rehabilitation of Tribals and other weaker sections of the region.”

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