KalimNews, Kalimpong, February 20: After a gap of 12 days all cable news channels of Kalimpong were back in Sky Scan cable Networks. These news channels were denied transmission by the Sky Satellite Linked Cable Network from 8 February on the plea that the cable may face legal complications which was indirectly indicating to the statement made by Bimal Gurung, President of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha during two speeches at Kalimpong Town Hall on 7 February and at Shibsu on 8 February. Gurung had alleged that some of the News channels of Kalimpong are airing derogatory statements and comments of GJM opposing political parties. Gurung had threatened to sue the channels.
On 8 February the local Cable Network didnot allow the local News channels except the two to air the news. The aired news and informative programme contained the Sahid Diwas observed in Shibsu and the speech of Bimal Gurung. Representation by some political parties and media organisations were made to the local administration and the cable owners demanding to allow the channels to operate as usual. The cable owner also had informal meetings with the media personnel of the News channels.On 16th a meeting was called by the Sky Scan to sort out the impasse. On 17 a meeting was called by GJM and was attended by the News channels at Gorubathan where Bimal Gurung himself intervened to resume the transmission of news channels. In the meantime several informal discussions were also held between the aggrieved parties and GJM to resume the transmission.
On 19 February a meeting between the News channels and the cable owners made an MOU to start the telecasting of local news and other programmes from 20 February. The MOU between four channels namely KTv, HPC, Dainandini and Pratidin also agreed to make an agreement of code of conduct within February to safeguard the business and legal interests.
It is clear that the transmission and airing of the news programme in Kalimpong is not in accordance to the provisions made by the Information and broadcasting ministry, as such a local arrangement for the welfare of the public to provide necessary information is the need of the hour. Gurung himself has offered to do the needful in this aspect.
Meanwhile to avoid legal complications the news channels have also been directed to go along the lines of the journalistic code of conduct as provided or restricted by the concerned ministry.
Make the pact workable
TH, Editorial, February 20:For Mamata Banerjee to lay at the doors of the Central government the whole blame for the delay in implementation of the July 2011 agreement for the formation of an autonomous administrative set-up for the Darjeeling hills is less than charitable. Having gone ahead and claimed a breakthrough on the long-simmering issue rather prematurely, she doubtless needs to save face as the prospect of fresh trouble looms.
But the fact remains that the manner in which the tripartite agreement was signed without figuring out ways to address all the substantive questions, involved essentially a tactic of political one-upmanship vis-à-vis the preceding Left Front government that really had not spared any effort to solve the issue in a sensible manner. The Shyamal Sen Committee, tasked with looking into “the question of identification of additional areas in Siliguri, Terai and Dooars that may be transferred to the new Body,” is still at work.
The territorial issue is a crucial component of the formula set out, and if presidential assent for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill that was passed by the State Assembly in September is not yet forthcoming, it is not a mystery why. The wishes of the people of the areas in question will need to be factored in before conclusive decisions are taken, in order to avoid incendiary outcomes. As yet, there does not seem to be any solution in view for this problem within the problem.
After meeting the West Bengal Chief Minister earlier this month, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders did seem to soften somewhat their threat to start a fresh agitation for implementation of the agreement. But their persisting with the term “statehood,” even if as a pressure tactic, does not augur well. This slogan needs to be resisted — as Ms Banerjee rightly and promptly did by stressing her opposition to any division, and underlining the importance of a unified Bengal.
The liberal financial package that the Central government offered for the development of the region as an incentive for peace, and the Chief Minister’s emphasis on the development of the north Bengal region, are both commendable. But for the restive region, this is not enough. It seems fair to say that as things stand, unless the GJM adopts a more pragmatic approach on its territorial claims, if necessary by agreeing to renegotiate the terms of the pact while managing the feelings of its constituency, a real and workable solution would remain elusive. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister should give up the politically expedient blame game — and stop running with the hares and hunting with the hounds.
Make the pact workable
TH, Editorial, February 20:For Mamata Banerjee to lay at the doors of the Central government the whole blame for the delay in implementation of the July 2011 agreement for the formation of an autonomous administrative set-up for the Darjeeling hills is less than charitable. Having gone ahead and claimed a breakthrough on the long-simmering issue rather prematurely, she doubtless needs to save face as the prospect of fresh trouble looms.
The territorial issue is a crucial component of the formula set out, and if presidential assent for the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill that was passed by the State Assembly in September is not yet forthcoming, it is not a mystery why. The wishes of the people of the areas in question will need to be factored in before conclusive decisions are taken, in order to avoid incendiary outcomes. As yet, there does not seem to be any solution in view for this problem within the problem.
After meeting the West Bengal Chief Minister earlier this month, the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha leaders did seem to soften somewhat their threat to start a fresh agitation for implementation of the agreement. But their persisting with the term “statehood,” even if as a pressure tactic, does not augur well. This slogan needs to be resisted — as Ms Banerjee rightly and promptly did by stressing her opposition to any division, and underlining the importance of a unified Bengal.
The liberal financial package that the Central government offered for the development of the region as an incentive for peace, and the Chief Minister’s emphasis on the development of the north Bengal region, are both commendable. But for the restive region, this is not enough. It seems fair to say that as things stand, unless the GJM adopts a more pragmatic approach on its territorial claims, if necessary by agreeing to renegotiate the terms of the pact while managing the feelings of its constituency, a real and workable solution would remain elusive. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister should give up the politically expedient blame game — and stop running with the hares and hunting with the hounds.
Related posts:
- Kalimpong channels to resume
- Local cable Tv News Channel transmission stopped…कालेबुंगका पाँचवटा समाचार च्यानलहरु अनिश्चितकालीनको निम्ति बन्द
- A Dainandini Cable Tv news report on Relief for earthquake victims by the people of Kalimpong
- More cable cars to ride over Darjeeling
- Rally at Kalimpong and Bimal Gurung with Lepcha Community at Kalimpong
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