dawn/ann
ISLAMABAD, 24 JUNE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif dropped the strongest hint today to file a written request before the Supreme Court to try former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf for treason under Article 6 of the constitution.
Addressing the National Assembly, Mr Sharif said that the former president had committed treason by abrogating the constitution and he should be tried under the law.
(Mr Musharraf’s actions came under the purview of “high treason”, Mr Sharif told parliament.
“Musharraf violated the constitution twice. He overthrew an elected government in 1999 and put everything into jeopardy. He sacked judges and imprisoned them,” said Mr Sharif.
The 69-year-old former army chief, currently under house arrest, should face trial in the SC and answer for his actions, Sharif said. If convicted, Mr Musharraf could face a possible death sentence or life imprisonment.
Mr Musharraf may become the first dictator in Pakistan’s history to face trial for high treason in the country that has witnessed three military coups in its 66-year history. Mr Musharraf had come to power in 1999 by deposing Sharif’s last government in a coup, pti adds).
Referring to Mr Musharraf’s decision to impose emergency rule in 2007, Mr Sharif said: “The federal government firmly subscribes to the view that the holding in abeyance of the constitution on 3 November 2007 constituted an act of high treason within the meaning of Article 6 of the constitution of Pakistan.”
Attorney General Munir A Malik submitted his response in the Supreme Court, stating that the procedure to try Mr Musharraf under Article 6 of the constitution has begun today.
Mr Sharif said, “Notwithstanding the fact that the Prime Minister has borne the brunt of Musharraf’s brazen coup, he wishes to assure both this august court and the people of Pakistan that he will act according to the highest standards of justice and follow the due process of law.”
Leader of Opposition Khurshid Shah welcomed the prime minister’s speech and said that the pictures of all past dictators should be removed from the parliament premises.
The Prime Minister is under oath to protect and defend the constitution and “it is implicit in this oath that his government ensures that persons guilty of acts under Article 6 are brought to justice”, he said.
Earlier, the apex court had asked the government to clarify its position on the petitions urging the court to try the former general under Article 6 of the constitution.
(Experts said the government could also face pressure from the powerful military, which would not like to see a former army chief being publicly humiliated. Under Pakistani law, a treason trial can be initiated only by the government, pti adds).

NEW DELHI, 24 JUNE: India will not get fresh access to Mumbai terror attack mastermind David Headley, who is currently in American jail, for questioning, the USA indicated today.
This was conveyed to India during the Indo-US strategic dialogue held here today for which Secretary of State John Kerry is here.India had persistently asked the USA to give access to Headley for a second time to get more information about the November 2008 audacious attack.
The US interlocutors have cited Headley’s plea bargain with the American authorities (under which a person avoids death penalty by confessing to the crime) and indicated its difficulty in allowing Indian investigators to further question him.
Headley, had also opposed further interrogation by Indian investigators, official sources said. Indian investigators had questioned Headley in 2010.However, India may be allowed to question Headley’s accomplice Tahawwur Hussain Rana who helped his childhood friend to recce the 26/11 targets.  Indian investigators believe that if they could quiz Pakistani-Canadian Rana, a lot of  information could come to light as he was a close associate of his Pakistani-American friend Headley.The investigators believe that Headley and Rana have a lot of information and their interrogations could throw more light on the conspiracy hatched to carry out the worst terror strike in India and role of those behind it.
Headley had pleaded guilty to 12 terrorism charges, including his involvement in the November 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai that claimed 166 lives. He had, however, entered into a plea bargain with US authorities. pti

press trust of india
JAIPUR, 24 JUNE: the BJP today criticised the UPA government and said it was reluctant to clear the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament and has delayed the process for the past four years of its rule.
“The Congress-led UPA government has literally played politics over the  Women’s Reservation Bill,” BJP Mahila Morcha national president, Ms Saroj Pandey told at a press conference after chairing a state-level meeting of party functionaries here.
“The UPA government has not had an honest approach to get the Bill cleared and its allies kept opposing it in every Parliament session. Let the UPA government introduce the Bill, and show its will power to get it passed,” she said.
The BJP Mahila Morcha’s national executive meeting will be held in Delhi next month, she said.
Criticising Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s Sandesh Yatra, Ms Pandey said: “If the Chief Minister is making any allegation against the BJP state president Vasundhara Raje during the latter’s Suraj Sankalp Yatra, he should prove every allegation with evidence.”
Speaking on the occasion, state BJP Mahila Morcha president Suman Sharma said the party would deploy three women workers in every polling booth in the state in the upcoming Assembly elections.

NEW DELHI, 24 JUNE: The Confederation of Indian Industry has described as highly discriminatory, the suggested changes to the UK visa procedure including a security bond of 3,000 pounds for visitors from certain countries. 
“We share UK&’s concern on illegal immigration but surely there are other more effective and non-discriminatory ways to put a check on it,” CII said in a statement issued here today.
It said that adding such blanket rules for visas will negatively affect not only businesses, especially small businesses, but will also further bring down the number of students going to UK for higher studies and affect the tourism inflow from India to UK. This will also not help the cause of early conclusion of EU-India FTA, for which both the parties are committed, the statement said. sns

statesman news service
BANGALORE, 24 JUNE: A herd of elephants comprising about 16 pachyderms, including four calves, has been creating near panic for people living on the outskirts of the IT city; even sparking off fears that the mammals just might stray into Bangalore. Already, the wild herd which strayed into Karnataka from neighbouring Tamil Nadu through Kolar, 90 km from Bangalore, has mauled and even killed four people, including a photographer from a local daily who got too close to the animals yesterday in Hoskote, 26 km in rural Bangalore district.
This morning, however, there was utter panic when the herd came close to the city, about 18 kms away, with residents in a host of outlying villages running out of their homes. Experts from the Bannerghatta National Park told the media that the herd appeared to have lost its way searching for food while trying to follow the traditional  elephant corridor, stretching from Bannerghatta National Park to Erode in Tamil Nadu.
The matter assumed urgency with minister of forest, Mr Ramnath Rai, promising immediate action, even arranging for Abimanyu and Arjun, two tame elephants from Mysore to be brought to Bangalore to drive away the wild herd. The elephant duo is normally used in the famous Mysore Dusshera. In addition, Vanraj, another elephant from the Bannerghatta National Park, was used in the drive to herd the elephants into the elephant corridor .
Earlier today, the herd managed to get into the Inventure Academy, an international school. Luckily, the managing trustee, Ms Noorain was quick  to alert the parents to ensure that they did not send their wards to school. While the elephants did damage the school playground, particularly its tennis court, residents living on the outskirts of Sarjapur which houses a host of IT companies, had reason to worry as the pachyderms settled in the nearby forest.
For the worried forest range officials, the onlookers made matters worse with many attempting to crowd the herd. The officials tried hard to keep the crowd at bay, fearing that the elephants might get provoked.
Till late tonight, attempts were on to drive the wild elephants to the Anekal forest area and then through the Bannerghatta National Park. The officials appeared confident that by morning they would be able to succeed in their attempt though they did not rule out the possibility of a few animals making an attempt to stray into the city.
They were, however, quick to point out that every effort had been made to see that this did not happen with adequate arrangements having been put in place.
The people on the outskirts of the city and those within, however, have remained on tenterhooks. More so as last year, a few wild elephants had managed to sneak into Mysore, injuring a few while trampling one
youngster.

statesman news service
BALURGHAT, 24 JUNE: Former state small scale industries minister and a CPI-M leader, Mr Narayan Biswas along with party district secretary for South Dinajpur and the district Left Front convener, Mr Manabesh Choudhury, are reportedly absconding till date.
Gangarampur police lodged a case against them, charging them with instigating violence during the cooperative society elections at Damdama on 23 September last year. Police have already arrested three CPI-M leaders of the same block ~ former Gangarampur municipality chairman Mr Balaram Ghosh, acting Gangarampur municipality chairman Mr Subal Basak and the local CPI-M leader Mr Achinta Chakraborty ~ on the same charge on 21 June. The district Marxist leaders, however, denied any involvement in the matter.
According to the district CPI-M leaders, the senior state level CPI-M leader and former minister Mr Manab Mukherjee, is currently visiting the district to boost the sagging morale of the rank and file ahead of the rural polls. “We are a bit distraught with the senior leaders having been arrested. Arrest warrants are dangling over the former ministers. We are happy that the party state committee has taken initiative to pump spirit in us. The party state secretary and state Left Front chairman, Mr Biman Bose along with the leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Mr Surya Kanta Misra will address a public rally on 30 June both in Balurghat and at Gangarampur,” a district Marxist leader said.
Mr Mukherjee called the arrest of the CPI-M leaders and the arrest warrants issued against two others a part of a Trinamul-hatched conspiracy to malign the party and its leaders. “Police filed a politically-fabricated case at the Trinamul Congress’ behest. We will organise a public rally soon in presence of the state level party leaders at Gangarampur,” he said.
The district president of South Dinajpur Trinamul Congress, Mr Biplab Mitra, however, rubbished the allegation. “We have nothing to do with the cases. Our party is against vendetta politics. Police are doing their duty,” he said.
The South Dinajpur police superintendent, Mr P Banerjee, said police are investigating the case from all angles. “While three of the accused CPI-M leaders have already been arrested the other two would be arrested soon,” he added.

statesman news service
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee today urged the "future doctors" not to leave the state after attaining their degrees as there is a dearth of medical practitioners in the state. 
Addressing a programme to felicitate the toppers of Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations at Town Hall, Miss Banerjee said, "Don’t leave the state after you become doctors. I want to depute more doctors in hospitals but I have failed as there is an acute shortage of good doctors. If you render service in villages for one year, we will facilitate your higher studies, I promise you."
For those who did not want to become doctors, Miss Banerjee had the same plea: stay back and look after the needs of the state. "Eighty per cent candidates told me that they want to be doctors. The rest will study Chemistry Honours and will probably go on to pursue research. Many will go outside West Bengal pursue higher studies. Take care of yourself wherever you are and whatever you do. But don’t forget the state and come to us whenever you face any problem," the chief minister told the students at the programme, where 38 Madhyamik toppers and 37 Higher Secondary toppers were felicitated. They received a laptop and four books each from education minister Mr Bratya Basu. Miss Banerjee handed over flower bouquets to every one and spoke to them about their future plans.
The chief minister&’s ‘stay back’ plea comes at a time when students are increasingly interested in leaving the state to pursue higher studies.
"No one wants to become a policeman. No one is interested in becoming an IAS either," she noted while speaking at the programme. Turning to Mr Arnab Roy, principal secretary of the school education department, she said, "It seems you people are not being able to attract students to your profession. Anyway, we will soon come up with a training institute for IAS."
Miss Banerjee also had words of advice for students. "Never give in to depression. Life is never a cakewalk. You will have to face hard times. Learn to take everything sportingly," she said.  Extending a helping hand to all toppers, Miss Banerjee said, "If there are any obstacles in your higher studies, please come to us. The officials of our school education department will write down your names and contact numbers and will help you." Later, eight students sought financial help from the government, said an official of the department.
Among them was Payel Khara, a second year student of Harimohon Ghose College. She sought Miss Banerjee&’s help  as she has been suffering from progressive myopathy, and was assured help. Miss Banerjee also indulged overenthusiastic parents who sought her autograph. 
Meanwhile, the state, which has been accused of faring poorly in UPSC examinations will get a government-run IAS training centre. "It will be in the campus of Bidhannagar Government College. As the chief minister has given her nod to the proposal, we will now proceed further. The idea is to produce more IAS for our state," said education minister Mr Bratya Basu.

press trust of india
KOLKATA, 24 JUNE: After exploring the subject of foley art in National Award-winning movie Shabdo, filmmaker Kaushik Ganguly’s next delves into the world of a visually impaired.
Set in the backdrop of misty hills, C/O Sir, his next film, tells the story of a visually impaired school teacher.
Kaushik has already handled the subject in his earlier film Laptop, but C/O Sir will go deeper.
“Blind people are introvert but have a stronger grasp of things happening around them because of their extra-sensory ability. Their world is fascinating to explore,” Kaushik told PTI.
Kaushik, who is also an actor, said he had met many blind people and therefore knew something about their inner world.
Providing a glimpse into the story, the director said it was based on his recollections of a visually challenged friend whose vision blurred as he transformed from boy to adult.
“I never told him that I wanted to make a film on him. But his battle with adversity once his vision started clouding moved me,” he said.
“You can remove a photo from an album. But can you remove the album? You will realise why I am saying this once you see the film,” the director said.
“Now is the right time to make it as my experiences have widened and richened,” he added.
Actor Saswata Chatterjee (in file photo) who has played the character of a teacher in C/O Sir, said: “The visually impaired person can make out the difference between light and dark if not born blind. I haven’t known any such person, but I know of some of their behavioural patterns and mannerisms to portray the role.”
Actor Indraneil Sengupta, who appeared in another Kaushik’s national award-winning film Arekti Premer Golpo starring late Rituparno, is in the lead role with Raima Sen.
Kaushik said his film was also a tribute to Rituparno Ghosh who taught him many things during the shoot of Arekti Premer Golpo.

Mr Pawan Chamling, today said his party would fight back goondaism after two of his party supporters were arrested today on charges of attacking a Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) supporter and vandalising his house at Melli Gumpa area, South Sikkim last night
statesman news service
GANGTOK, 24 JUNE: The SDF chief and Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling (in file photo), today said his party would fight back goondaism after two of his party supporters were arrested today on charges of attacking a Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) supporter and vandalising his house at Melli Gumpa area, South Sikkim last night.
Mr Kishore Tamang, a SKM supporter, had complained that local SDF workers Mr Bigen Rai, Mr RN Rai, Mr Damber Chettri and others had pelted stones and vandalised his house around 10 p.m. last Saturday. He said he had suffered mild injuries during the incident. Acting on his complaint, the police arrested Nar Bir Tamang and Sukh Raj Rai ~ both SDF supporters.
Tension prevailed at Melli on Sunday, as SKM supporters from various areas gheraoed the Melli police station and demanded arrest of Mr Bigen Rai, who is alleged to have masterminded the attack.
The South District Police Superintendent, Mr Sonam Bhutia informed that the law and order situation is presently under control and efforts are being made by police to arrest the other accused.
Meanwhile, the SDF supporters alleged police are doing the bidding of the Opposition party.
“Police did nothing when one of the accused while being brought by the police personnel was slapped by some SKM supporters. We have lost confidence in the impartiality of the police,” a SDF activist said.
It is learnt that a large number of SDF supporters have gathered at Melli. Keeping in view the rising tension in the politically-sensitive area, police have tightened vigil, police sources said.
 

statesman news service
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation will allow the representatives of Poultry Federation for setting up stalls in KMC markets for selling chicken at subsidised rate.
The stalls will come up in 14 markets of the KMC where chicken will be sold at Rs 150 per kilogram. These stalls will be set up at Kankurgachi, VIP market, Ultodanga, Lansdowne market, Gurudas market, Ramlal Bazar, Jadavgarh, Park Circus, Santoshpur, Purno Porno Bithika and SN Roy market in Behala.
Recently, senior officials of the civic body, including municipal commissioner Mr Khalil Ahmed, joint municipal commissioner and senior officials of the market department of the KMC, held a meeting with representatives of the West Bengal Poultry Federation in this regard. Officials of the Animal Resource Development and Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation also attended the meeting. The stalls in the KMC markets are likely to come up in the next few days.
The decision to set up stalls in KMC markets was taken for selling chicken to people at subsidised rates and to stop illegal slaughter of chicken on footpaths and pavements, said Mr Tarak Singh, member, mayor-in-council, markets.
The civic body also plans to start a drive against illegal slaughter of chicken. Health department inspectors will seize chicken that are sold on pavements.
Meat sellers are required to cover the front of their shops with tinted glass and arrange a proper drainage system to ensure customers are nor exposed to the gory sight of slaughter and spilling of blood, said Mr Atin Ghosh, member, mayor-in-council, health. A semi-automatic poultry processing machine will be installed at Kankurgachi market. The representatives of the Poultry Federation will install the machine where de-feathering, separating of blood and piecing of meat will be done automatically.

Nadal, Errani crash out
LONDON, 24 JUNE: Rafael Nadal crashed to one of the most humiliating defeats in Wimbledon history at the hands of Belgium’s world number 135 Steve Darcis. Earlier, fifth seed Sara Errani was out-gunned by a teenager playing her first senior match on grass, Puerto Rican Monica Puig. agencies 
    details on page 11
Musharraf trial
ISLAMABAD, 24 JUNE: Nawaz Sharif today indicated filing a written request before the Supreme Court to try Pervez Musharraf for treason. dawn/ann
           details on page 8
Salman to face trial
MUMBAI, 24 JUNE: A court here today clear-ed the way for Salman Khan’s trial in the  2002 hit and run offence under Sect-ion 304 (part II) of the IPC that carries a provi-sion for 10 years in jail if proved guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. sns            
    details on page 4
 

statesman news service 
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Kolkata Knight Riders is not paying all its taxes to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, the state convener of the BJP’s human rights cell has claimed. 
A few days ago, the state convener of the cell went to the West Bengal Human Rights Commission and “alleged that an amount of Rs 79 lakh had been due from Kolkata Knight Riders to the KMC on account of entertainment tax for the recently played IPL match at Eden Gardens,” said the registrar at the commission, Mr Rabindranath Samanta. Only Rs 20 lakh has been paid by KKR to the municipal authorities despite the KMC issuing a notice of demand, the BJP said in their complaint to the commission.
The BJP asked why the KMC has shown “softness” towards the KKR and not pressed for payment, when it is a multi-crore company owned by a well-off actor.  The BJP has said this is a “violation of equality” because less affluent citizens are treated more harshly when it comes to taxes, Mr Samanta said.
“Today, the honourable chairman Justice Asok Kumar Ganguly directed the KMC commissioner to make an inquiry and submit a report within three weeks of the communication of the order,” he said. 

Doc’ forum alleges poll irregularities
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Service Doctors’ Forum today sent a deputation to the Returning Officer of West Bengal Medical Council election and the Governor alleging irregularities in the poll process. Dr Sajal Biswas, secretary of the forum, accused the WBMC of protecting rights of unscrupulous doctors and remaining indifferent towards people. He also pointed out certain irregularities in the poll process such as voting through open ballots with ballot paper number and name on the envelope and more than 400 names of technical panel not enlisted.
Youth drowns in Hooghly
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: A youth drowned today in river Hooghly at Howrah botanical garden while trying to save his friend. Pramit Mondal (26) had gone for a bath in the river along with Montu, Anijul and Kalam around 10 a.m. when Montu lost balance and slipped into the river. Mondal managed to save his friend, but was caught in the waves and drowned. His body is yet to be recovered.
ABUTA to protest
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: University teachers of All-Bengal University Teachers’ Association (ABUTA) will sit in a demonstration on 17 June to protest the state government&’s delay in fulfiling their demands. They will also launch a hunger-strike on 19 July. “So far we have never hampered our academic responsibilities while taking up any such protest programmes. But now it is time to take a stern step. This time, classes will be disrupted,” said Professor Tarun Naskar, general secretary of ABUTA, who is also an MLA.
Metro services affected for two hours
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Metro Rail services were affected for around two hours this evening after after a New Garia-bound air-conditioned rake developed a snag at Shyambazar station around 6.23 p.m. The situation turned worse as Metro engineers failed to restore the third rail power supply to the snag-hit rake; it remained stationed at Shyambazar till around 8.10 p.m., blocking the down line. As a result, Metro services between New Garia and Dum Dum were affected. Services were fully restored at 8.12 p.m.
Bombs found in TMC candidate’s home
BASANTI, 7 JUNE: Police recovered 50 bombs from a Trinamul candidate’s house at Mollah para in Titkumar under Basanti police station last night. Shefajul Mollah, contesting for Amjhara gram panchayat, managed to escape; however, his brother, a TMC activist, Sirajul Mollah, was arrested.
Youth hangs himself
DIAMOND HARBOUR, 7 JUNE: Sajid Sheikh (16), who passed Madhyamik examination this year, committed suicide by hanging himself, police said. The incident took place at Chakmari village of Dhankal gram panchayat under Bishnupur police station. Sajid had an altercation with his mother last night over a family matter and after some time he went out of the house. Sajid’s body was found hanging from a tree this morning, police said.
TMC factions clash
CANNING, 7 JUNE: Two factions of Trinamul Congress clashed at Ramkrishna palli under Jibantala police station today. Police said the two groups hurled bombs at each other, injuring some party workers. A large contingent of police was deployed and the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
AI passengers protest
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Passengers of an Air India flight, AI-774, from Kolkata to Mumbai, staged a demonstration in front of AI counter at New Terminal of the NSBI Airport this evening as the flight was delayed for more than an hour.
Security for TMC leader beefed up
BIRBHUM, 7 JUNE: Security of the Trinamul Congress Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal has been beefed up. The district police have been asked to provide him "Z" category security. District police felt the decision may have been taken keeping the recent Maoist attack in mind.
Woman electrocuted to death
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Jayashri Hazra (21) was electrocuted in her residence at Joka this afternoon. She was declared brought dead when taken to a local hospital.
Missing man found dead
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Ranjit Sarkar (61), who went missing from MR Bangur Hospital within a few hours after getting admitted on 5 June, was found dead in a pond at Regent Park today.
Woman commits suicide
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: Anima Sarkar (32) committed suicide by hanging herself in a room in her in-law’s house at BC Sen Colony today. Police are yet to ascertain the reason behind the suicide.

KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: The results of the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination, 2013 will be published tomorrow at 3 p.m. Candidates will be able to check their results on the following websites ~
www.wbjeeb.nic.in, www.banglarmukh.gov.in, www.wbjeeb.nic.in, www.banglarmukh.gov.in, www.calcuttatelephones.com www.exametc.com (preregister for push sms),  www.ExamResults.net, www.WestBengalEducation.net, http://Results.WestBengalEducation.net, www.indiaresults.com. 
To get the result through sms type Result <space> WBJEE <space> Roll Number and send it to 56263. sns

ARAMBAGH, 6 JUNE: A Congress candidate was allegedly tortured by some Trinamul workers who prevented him from filing his nomination papers.
Mr Asfar Hussain Chowdhury, a resident of Palashpai-I gram panchayat of Khanakhul, who is also the Congress president of Khanakul-II block, was allegedly attacked by some Trinamul workers while he was on his way to file his nomination papers at the Arambagh SDO office yesterday.
Mr Hussain said that he was tortured with a burning cigarette stub all over his face and hands and then beaten with a belt at Arambagh bus stand by some Trinamul goons who called themselves Khanakul MLA Iqbal’s men. They also threatened him with dire consequences if he tried to file his nomination papers.
Mr Giridhari Saha, the president of Serampore town Congress, rescued Asfar on Wednesday night and admitted him to Serampore Walsh hospital. Incidentally, Malekha Begum, another Congress candidate from Khanakul,  was also attacked by Trinamul goons recently. Congress leader Abdul Mannan alleged that Trinamul workers are preventing Congress candidates from filing their nomination papers in a pre-planned manner. Mr Iqbal, the Khanakul MLA, rubbished the allegations saying it was a conspiracy of both the CPI-M and Congress to malign him. sns

arunima ghosh
KOLKATA, 7 JUNE: The state government is spending Rs 6 crores per annum to pay salaries to 1600-odd employees of state-owned dairies although their services are no longer required following restructuring of the loss-making concerns. 
The reason is that the employees are not interested in being relocated to other departments. The state Animal Resources Development (ARD) department had given the option to the employees twice for relocating to the government department of their choice but only three responded.    
The employees belong to Central Dairy, Burdwan Dairy, Haringhata Dairy and Durgapur Dairy, of which around 1100 employees belong to the Central Dairy alone.
Because of the huge losses incurred by the government-owned dairies, the government had decided to restructure the dairies so as to reduce the production cost.
During the restructuring process, the department has identified around 1600 non-technical staff who presently cannot be engaged in any task in the dairies. In fact, even after the restructuring is completed, there is no capacity in which their services can be utilised, said an official.
The government has to continue spending such a huge sum till 2016, after which around 850 employees are expected to retire. "We are helpless since the employees are unwilling to relocate elsewhere and we are not in favour of transferring them forciby" said an official.
The restructuring process primarily involves merging the government-owned sick dairies, namely Central Dairy ~ where production cost dipped from 2 lakh to 35,000 litres during the past few years ~ and the dairies at Belgachia, Durgapur, Krishnanagar and Burdwan, with Mother Dairy, which incurred losses of around Rs 7 crore per month but turned into a profitable unit last year.
At present, work is on for merging Burdwan Dairy, which was closed over five years back. Following the amalgamation, the dairy will go in for diversification of milk products instead of focussing only on processed milk. The employees of the Burdwan Dairy will be engaged accordingly.
Next in line for being merged is Durgapur Dairy and a proposal in this regard is lying with the ARD minister, Mr Nure Alam Chowdhury, for being placed before the Cabinet for approval soon.
Haringhata Dairy has already been selected for restructuring and an amount of Rs 15 crore out from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund has been earmarked for it.  

statesman news service
SILIGURI, 6 JUNE: To protest against massive attacks on LF candidates during filing of nomination papers in Cooch Behar yesterday, the district Left Front abstained from filing nominations for rural polls today demanding adequate security measures.
Trinamul Congress activists allegedly attacked LF candidates at Cooch Behar-I block and Sitai block premises when the latter arrived for filling of nominations for the three-tier panchayat polls in the third phase.
The LF leaders met the district magistrate Mr Mohan Gandhi and requested him to arrange adequate security measures at block offices during filing nominations and even on the ways where the Trinamul Congress activists allegedly prevented the LF candidates from arriving at the block offices.
The LF leaders also demanded that the district administration should make alternative arrangements at the SDO’s (sub-divisional officer) office if candidates are prevented from filing nomination papers at the block development office (BDO).
Though the Cooch Behar Trinamul Congress leadership denied charges, the district magistrate Mr Mohan Gandhi described yesterday&’s incident as ‘unfortunate’ and assured the LF leaders that he would ensure proper policing at block offices.
The Cooch Behar DM, Mr Gandhi, said: “We have deployed adequate police force at the block premises to maintain peace. Nomination process was peaceful today.  No untoward incident was reported from any corner.”
“We held a meeting with the Superintendent of Police and ensured deployment of additional forces in and around block offices during submission of nomination papers. Taking a cue from yesterday&’s incident, particularly at Cooch Behar-I block, necessary arrangement was made to avoid crowds inside block offices,” Mr Mohan said over the phone.
Police arrested nearly 20 persons in connection with the violence. The LF MLA was also assaulted yesterday when they were on their way to the block offices in Cooch Behar.
The Forward Bloc state committee member, Mr Udayan Guho, said: “Nine blocks out of 12 are highly sensitive. In protest against attacks on us and demanding adequate security, we decided not to file nomination today. The district LF has decided to contest all seats in three-tier rural polls if the administration can ensure adequate security measures.”
The district Trinamul Congress president, Mr Rabindranath Ghosh, said the CPI-M-led LF leaders staged a drama to earn political dividend maligning our party image.