News Wrap
AGD
Assam’s poor have learnt
to live with floods every year.
Last September the third wave of floods in Assam affected more than 1.5 million people in 16 districts. During the monsoons, the mighty Brahmaputra river and its tributaries—Burhidehing, Subansiri, Dhansiri and the Jia Bharali—flow above danger marks in almost all districts. The fierce river keeps inundating vast areas of Kaziranga National Park, famous for one horned Rhinos. During 2012, the mighty Brahmaputra, inundated more than 70% of Majuli, the world’s largest river island. Between 2008 and 2012, Assam state received around Rs 21,000 crore for flood related schemes. Excessive siltation of Brahmaputra and Barak river systems is responsible for recurring floods. The siltation process has raised the river beds, and the water holding capacity of the Brahmaputra and Barak river systems have reduced sharply. The state government raised embankments in a big way, but breaches in embankments are common in Assam. The state has been experiencing devastating floods since 1954. After 1978 there has been no dredging and desiltation of rivers. It was not feasible to remove the huge quantum of silt, throughout the river plains.
Press Freedom
There was no private television in India in 1977, at the time of last Press Commission. Outside the purview of the Working Journalists Act, editors have introduced a contract system for journalists. There are strong links between television and the print media. Without cross media bars on ownership, a newspaper today can own a TV Channel or Radio. Ownership link between print media and audio-visual media is leading to cartels, affecting the freedom of the press, and constitutional guarantees for the freedom of expression. Newspaper owners cultivate political parties, and devolve into sitting members of the Rajya Sabha. Mutual favours culminate in ‘‘Paid News’’.
Panchayat Poll in Bengal
The Panchayat elections in West Bengal are due in May 2013. Over 4700 CPI(M) candidates won uncontested in Hooghly, Burdwan, West Midnapure and Bankura districts, in the 2008 Panchayet Election. However, there may be none to be fielded in the next rural poll. The party has decided to field Independent Candidates in the absence of eligible CPI(M) party candidates in the next Panchayet Elections of the state. District party leaders have accordingly been instructed in large parts of South Bengal, including supposedly CPI(M) strongholds like Hooghly, Burdwan, West Midnapore and Bankura districts. The then opposition parties had failed to field a single candidate in 2003 elections, in over 10,000 gram panchayets. The situation is almost the reverse this time. Representatives from nineteen districts have submitted reports to the state committee, that there would be nil candidates for the coming panchayet polls in most seats. CPI(M) workers are reportedly demoralized and demotivated, ever since the party’s fall from power. Cadres have been steadily abandoning the party. A large number of CPI(M) supporters and organizations have shifted allegiance. Many CPI(M) workers in the districts are living in a state of fear from the Trinamool Congress.
Frontier
Vol. 45, No. 23, Dec 16-22, 2012
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