Chief Minister of West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, on Thursday told the Assembly that more and more Maoists are coming forward to give up their arms after the state government announced a special surrender-cum-rehabilitation package.Though the package was formally notified on Wednesday, the announcement was made on June 17 and it was well covered by the media."After the announcement of the surrender package, the situation in Lalgarh is changing," the chief minister said, adding that the names of all those who are surrendering are not being published in media.As per the package, the government will provide Rs 1.5 lakh in fixed deposits, besides a monthly fund of Rs 2,000 and other benefits to each surrendered ultra. Money would also be given against surrendered arms.Speaking during the Question Hour, the chief minister rejected the Trinamool Congress's demand for withdrawal of Central forces from the Maoist-dominated districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia. Bhattacharjee said the forces would remain in Jungalmahal till their work was complete. He said
the matter was discussed with the Centre which too held a similar view. Without specifying the area where peace had returned following operations by the joint forces, the chief minister said a qualitative difference has been noticed at Goaltore and Salboni in West Midnapore district.Various government departments have started development work in Maoist-hit areas, but there were problems in the Binpur-I and II blocks (in West Midnapore district) because of lack of security, the chief minister said.
Bhattacharjee also said that while the Maoists had earlier forced closure of schools, students were now coming out in protest, sometimes creating an unstable situation.
According to him, steps like distribution of rice at Rs 2 per kg and distribution of cycles to girl students have been received well by the locals.
Referring to his meeting with two youngsters from Lalgarh who will be taking part at a football camp of Bayern Munich club in Germany, the chief minister said the government will take more initiatives in organising football tournaments in the Left Wing Extremism-affected areas.
"The parents of the students who met me that day requested me to organise more such tournaments at Lalgarh. They said they were tired of violence and they want a change," the chief minister added.
Will overcome Maoist problem in 3 years: PCNew Delhi: Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday said his government is confident of overcoming the Maoist problem in the next three years, and has prepared a two-pronged strategy of initiating development and police action in the affected areas. Addressing Parliamentary Consultative Committee for Ministry of Home Affairs, he said the primary responsibility of enforcing law and order is of the states, but it also recognised the Centre's responsibility in assisting the states in every way.
Maoists kill CPM manPurulia: The Maoists killed a local CPM leader at Dava in Purulia district, police said on Thursday. Sashadhar Kumar (45), local committee member, was called out of his house and shot dead by the rebels late on Wednesday.ENS/PTI
Clinical Establishment Regulation Act passedTo prevent unethical practices in private hospitals and clinics, the Assembly passed West Bengal Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2010, on Thursday.
The salient features of the Bill are: * There will be a state and district register with which all clinical establishments will have to be registered. * All such establishments will have to display their licences in front of their main entrances. * The right of all patients to have quality health care will have to be ensured. * Admission cannot be denied to any patient who needs emergency medical attention. * All records will have to be sent to the government periodically. * No unfair and unethical trade practices, for example inflated bills will not be tolerated.* It will be mandatory for the hospital to release the body to the patient's party even if they are not in a position to pay the hospitalisation costs. The state government, if need be, will pay for that. * Licences can be suspended for violation of law and establishment will have to be shut down.
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