EasternChroniWINDOW TO THE EAST cle WEATHERWATCH B'DESH CALLS ON Southeast GET READY FOR HIKE IN SUNRISERS HYDERABAD Max 35°c Asia to pressure Myanmar to take petrol, diesel prices post thump Punjab Kings by 9 Min 27°c back the Rohingya refugees P 6 elections P 9 wickets P 10 Humidity 62% VOL II, ISSUE 198 PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY FROM SILCHAR GUWAHATI KOLKATA PAGES: 10 epaper at: www.easternchronicle.net PRICE `5 THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021 SPOTLIGHT Door-to-door Covid Bengal to vote for 43 vaccination not EC rejects TMC’s suggestion possible: Centre seats in sixth phase today MUMBAI: The Union gov- AGENCIES ernment on Wednesday to club remaining phases informed the Bombay High KOLKATA: Amidst unprecedent- Court that door-to-door AGENCIES TMC leader Derek O’Brien remaining phases since they have ed security arrangements, COVID-19 vaccination was had written a letter to the West been notified already,” a senior 43 of the state’s 294 assembly not possible due to various NEW DELHI: The Election Com- Bengal Chief Electoral Officer EC officer told media. seats will go to polls in the reasons including fear of mission (EC) on Wednesday (CEO) Aariz Aftab on Tuesday, The poll body also drew the sixth phase of elections on contamination and wast- rejected the Trinamool Con- urging him to consider the par- party’s attention to the fact that Thursday. The districts in- age. gress’ suggestion to merge the ty’s request amid the steep hike the Commission has already cur- clude North 24 Pargana Part II, The Union Ministry of remaining three phases of vot- in Covid-19 cases. tailed the campaigning hours and Nadia Part II, East Burdwan Health and Family Welfare ing in West Bengal citing legal “Two equally important issues extended the silence period from Part II and Uttar Dinajpur on submitted its reply to a pub- and resource constraints. are at stake: the right to life and 48 hours to 72 hours before the Thursday. lic interest litigation filed by public health and the right to To TMC’s argument that par- remaining phases of elections.“In The forty-three Assembly constituencies of West Bengal 24. Baduria 25. Habra 26. lawyers Dhruti Kapadia and THE COMMISSION, hold elections,” TMC’s letter to ties and candidates have had view of extension of the silence going to polls in the sixth phase Ashoknagar 27. Amdanga 28. Kunal Tiwari. the CEO stated. The EC has to adequate time for campaigning period, there would in any case DURING THE SIXTH are: 1. Chopra 2. Islampur 3. Bijpur 29. Naihati 30. Bhatpara The PIL sought at-home › IN ITS RESPONSE, make a choice, the letter read.It and, hence, clubbing the remain- be no campaigning from 6.30 pm Goalpokhar 4. Chakulia 5. 31. Jagatdal 32. Noapara 33. vaccination... Pg 5 TOLD O’BRIEN THAT urged the poll body to take neces- ing phases will not hurt anyone’s on 26.4.2021 (date of poll of 7th › PHASE, TOTAL 306 Karandighi 6. Hemtabad (SC) Barrackpur 34. Khardaha 35. CHANGING THE SCHEDULE sary steps and said that measures chances, the EC said it would be phase) to 29.4.21 (date of poll of 8th CANDIDATES INCLUDING 7. Kaliaganj (SC) 8. Raiganj 9. Dum Dum Uttar 36. Bhatar taken previously, such as reduc- legally incorrect to treat cam- phase). Further, the Commission 27 WOMEN WILL BE VYING Itahar 10. Karimpur 11. Tehatta 37. Purbasthali Dakshin 38. Tripura to impose OF ELECTIONS PLANNED ing the campaigning period, were paigning meant for one phase as has already mandated detailed 12. Palashipara 13. Kaliganj Purbasthali Uttar 39. Katwa night curfew “MUCH IN ADVANCE” AND only ‘cosmetic’. electioneering for others.“Every guidelines to ensure that safety FOR THE 43 ASSEMBLY 14. Nakashipara 15. Chapra 40. Ketugram 41. Mangalkot 42. INVOLVING A “COMPLEX The Commission, in its phase of election is distinct and norms are adhered to without any SEATS SPREAD OVER 16. Krishnanagar Uttar 17. Ausgram (SC) 43. Galsi (SC). from today response, told O’Brien that different, which is why a sepa- exceptions and Chief Secretary, FOUR DISTRICTS OF WEST Nabadwip 18. Krishnanagar During the sixth phase, total INTERPLAY OF VARIETY changing the schedule of elections rate notification is issued for WB CEO and concerned DEOs Dakshin 19. Bagda (SC) 20. 306 candidates including 27 MRINAL KANTI BANIK OF FACTORS” IS NOT planned “much in advance” and each phase. Each phase also has have been directed to strictly BENGAL GOING TO POLLS IN Bangaon Uttar (SC) 21. Bangaon women will be vying for the 43 FEASIBLE. involving a “complex interplay of its dedicated time for campaign- enforce the same,” EC’s letter THIS PHASE. Dakshin (SC) 22. Gaighata Assembly seats spread over four AGARTALA: Tripura govern- variety of factors” is not feasible. ing. It’s legally difficult to club the states. (SC) 23. Swarupnagar (SC) districts of West Bengal... Pg 5 ment has imposed a set of re- strictions in view of the re- Congress demands CM directs officials cent spurt in the number of CM misleading people Covid 19 cases. As a part of India witnesses almost 3 one nation, one to rescue kidnapped the severe measures aimed ONGC employees to contain the spread of the price for vaccines on Centre's Covid-19 disease night curfew will be imposed from April 22 next lakh Covid cases in a day NEW DELHI: The Congress on GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Min- in between... Pg 5 Wednesday slammed the Cen- ister Sarbananda Sonowal AGENCIES REGISTERING A STEADY crossed the 21-lakh mark, the tre over the differential pricing measures: Dilip Ghosh on Wednesday condemned INCREASE FOR THE data updated at 8 am showed. for COVID vaccines, saying it the kidnapping of three Oil NFR to run special NEW DELHI: The single-day rise › Registering a steady increase was discriminatory and will AGENCIES and Natural Gas Corporation train between Silchar in new coronavirus infections 42ND DAY IN A ROW, for the 42nd day in a row, the benefit only a "few big indus- (ONGC) employees by sus- inched closer to 3 lakh push- THE ACTIVE CASES HAVE active cases have increased to trialists" while common people KOLKATA: Alleging that West pected ULFA(I) militants and and Dibrugarh ing India's total tally of Covid INCREASED TO 21,57,538, 21,57,538, comprising 13.82 per will suffer. Bengal Chief Minister Mama- directed the chief secretary cases to 1,56,16,130, while the cent of the total infections, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ta Banerjee was carrying out and the DGP to take all steps to CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE death toll increased to 1,82,553 COMPRISING 13.82 PER the national Covid recovery rate took to Twitter to alleged injus- a "false propaganda" to belittle rescue them. with a record 2,023 daily fatal- CENT OF THE TOTAL has dropped to 85.01 per cent. tice on the part of the central gov- the Centre's measures to curb In a series of tweets, Sonowal GUWAHATI: The Northeast ities, according to the Union INFECTIONS, WHILE THE The number of people who ernment and compared the new the spread of Covid-19, state denounced the abduction of Frontier (NFR) has decided Health Ministry data updated have recuperated from the dis- vaccine policy to demonetisation. BJP chief Dilip Ghosh urged ONGC employees Mohini Mohan to run two special trains on Wednesday. NATIONAL COVID RECOVERY ease surged to 1,32,76,039, while "Disaster of the country, people to steer clear of all "mis- Gogoi, Alakesh Saikia and between Silchar and Dibru- A total of 2,95,041 fresh infec- RATE HAS DROPPED TO the case fatality rate has further opportunity for friends of Modi. leading information" provided that Modi had exported a major Ritul Saikia from an oilfield in garh in Assam. According tions were registered in a span of 85.01 PER CENT. dropped to 1.17 per cent, the data Injustice of the central govern- by her. chunk of vaccines, Ghosh said, Sivasagar district. "I have asked to a statement of NFR, train 24 hours, while the active cases stated. Pg 5 ment," Pg 5 Trashing Banerjee's charges "Our country... Pg 5 CS Shri Jishnu... Pg 5 number 05944 will run from Dibrugarh on every Satur- 'SECOND COVID WAVE IS MODI-MADE DISASTER' day from May 1. Similarly, Lockdown will be imposed Bandh paralyses normal train number 05943 will leave Silchar on every Sun- day from May 2. in Meghalaya, says Dy CM Mamata Banerjee rules life in Manipur valley SHILLONG: As COVID-19 cases employees in offices has been NEWMAI NEWS SERVICE holders of MGNREGS came out Guwahati hotels continues to rise rapidly in reduced to 33 percent. on the roads in their respective Meghalaya, especially in Shil- People coming from outside IMPHAL: Bandh imposed by areas in large number and to accommodate long agglomeration, the State the state, RT-PCR test has been out lockdown in Bengal functionaries of panchaya- imposed the bandh, disrupt- Covid patients Government has indicated made mandatory. ti raj institutions (PRIs) on ing normal vehicular move- that if the situation gets out “Only those who have com- AGENCIES "The COVID-19 pandemic had Wednesday impacted normal ments across the rural areas GUWAHATI: With Covid 19 of control, the Government pleted the vaccination of both the subsided in the country but has life in rural areas across the of the valley districts –Imphal cases constantly rising in would have no option but to doses and who have with them CHANCHAL/HARIRAMPUR/BAL- surged in a second wave owing five valley districts of Mani- West, Imphal East, Thoubal, the state and a possible impose lockdown once again. the certificate are exempted,” URGHAT (WEST BENGAL): West to the monumental failure of the pur. Bishnupur and Kakching dis- shortage of intensive care The State Government, dur- deputy chief minister Prestone Bengal Chief Minister Mam- central government and negli- PRI functionaries imposed tricts. units (ICU) in city hospitals ing a review meeting chaired Tynsong told reporters on ata Banerjee on Wednesday gence and total incompetence the bandh intensifying their PRI functionaries led the looming, the state govern- by Meghalaya Chief Minister Wednesday after the review sharpened her attack on the on its part," she said addressing ongoing agitations demanding beneficiaries of the MGNREGS ment has asked the hospi- Conrad Sangma, has decided to meeting. prime minister over the resur- public meetings at Chanchal in immediate release MGNREGS in imposing the bandh during tals to join hands with ho- close down tourist spots in East Returnee or entrant from out- gence of Covid-19, terming it a Malda and at Harirampur in funds, second instalment of 15th which police, at many places, tels here to accommodate Khasi Hills district till April 30. side the state must go for RT-PCR "Modi-made disaster" and de- and said a universal vaccination Dakshin Dinajpur districts. state Finance Commission and tried to foil but failed as they Covid positive patients. The government has decided test, Tynsong said. manded that he quit if unable drive for people aged 18 years As the Election Commission disbursement of honorariums continued to block the roads Assam health minister to shut down colleges till May During the review meeting, to provide adequate medical and above will start from May did not accede to Trinamool of the elected PRI functionaries repeatedly. Apart from blocking Himanta Biswa... Pg 5 3, while non-essential shops in the government discussed a supplies to combat the disease. 5. She alleged that 65 per cent of Congress' request to hold the last pending for 17 months among the roads, they also shouted var- the city will remain closed from number of issues in view of the She also ruled out the possi- the drugs manufactured in the three of the eight-phase election others. ious slogans against non-release April 26 to May 2. increase of COVID cases. bility of a lockdown in the state country for tackling the pandem- in West Bengal on a single day, Responding to the calls of of the Central sponsored scheme ‘Ambulance’ Attendance of government On Wednesday, Pg 5 amid spurting COVID-19 cases ic have already been exported. Banerjee said... Pg 5 the PRI functionaries, job card while police came... Pg 5 status to Oxygen Kaziranga records carrying vehicles 22 Covid-19 patients die after first poaching in `100 crore spent by parties CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE 2021 GUWAHATI: Assam govern- oxygen tank leak at Nashik hospital CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE for air travel during campaigning ment has decided to grant the status of an ambulance AGENCIES GUWAHATI: A carcass of a fully AGENCIES Chief Minister Mamata Trinamool Congress have to all the tankers carry- grown one-horned rhino was Banerjee and a select few in flown around, specially to North ing Oxygen, Nitrogen and NASIK/MUMBAI: At least 22 COV- found by the forest officials KOLKATA: West Bengal is reel- Bengal. Argon to ensure their has- ID-19 patients on ventilator in a water body under the Ko- ing under an acute shortage AT LEAST 90 PER CENT "But this is mainly because sle-free movement in the support suffocated to death hora range area of Kaziranga of Covid-19 vaccines amidst OF THIS SPENDING Didi is injured and long travels state and transit... Pg 5 on Wednesday when their ox- National Park on Tuesday a dreary long eight-phase As- › by road impacts on her leg. We ygen supply stopped suddenly evening. This was the first sembly election, but leaders CAN BE TRACED TO BJP don't have the kind of funds the because of a malfunction in poaching incident in the park campaigning here have al- BECAUSE THEIR STAR BJP has mobilised, so we have Pune police arrest the main storage at a civic-run in 2021 after an interval of ready spent Rs 100 crore to fly used helicopters sparingly," said hospital in Nashik in Mahar- some nine months. around to pitch for votes. CAMPAIGNERS LIKE PM Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh former BJP MP ashtra, officials said. One empty cartridge of a .303 At least 90 per cent of this MODI, HOME MINISTER AMIT Dastidar. Sanjay Kakade The dead included 11 men and These patients were being treated at a hospital run by the Nashik Municipal rifle was recovered at the crime spending can be traced to BJP SHAH, BJP PRESIDENT BJP leaders justify the expens- an equal number of women. Corporation (NMC) for the Covid-19 patients. scene. “Postmortem done, bullet because their star campaigners es on air travel as 'unavoidable' PUNE: Former BJP Rajya Sab- The government will probe Minister Rajesh Tope said. Suraj Mandhare said, adding injury mark found,” said Park like PM Modi, Home Minister J.P. NADDA AND MINISTER in a fierce election battle like ha member Sanjay Kakade if the tragedy at the Dr Zakir A private company looked technicians closed the tank valve authority. Amit Shah, BJP president J.P. SMRITI IRANI ARE FROM West Bengal. was on Wednesday arrested Husain Hospital was due to after the tank maintenance at preventing more deaths. As per the forest officials, the Nadda and minister Smriti Irani OUTSIDE THE STATE. "Tagra larai me goli jyada and later got bail in connec- negligence, Maharashtra Health the hospital, District Collector Three days... Pg 5 rhino was probably... Pg 5 are from outside the state. lagta hai", Pg 5 tion with a car procession taken out upon gangster Ga- janan Marne's release from prison, police said. The remand plea of the Celebrated Bengali poet Covishield to cost `400 for police alleged that Kakade was involved in 'planning' the procession. After Marne states, `600 for private hospitals was released on bail from Sankha Ghosh dies of Covid Taloja Jail in Navi Mumbai AGENCIES procurement price, private in February, Pg 5 AGENCIES April 14. He was in home iso- hospitals may apply addition- lation. On Tuesday, April 20, NEW DELHI: Two days after the al charges. KOLKATA: Celebrated Bengali his health deteriorated. On Centre liberalised the Covid In vaccination centres run Popular singer poet Sankha Ghosh breathed Wednesday morning, he was vaccination policy allowing by the Union government, the Vitali Das no more, his last on Wednesday. taken off the ventilator. Ghosh states and private hospitals vaccine will continue to be Ghosh was 89 years old and breathed his last around 11 am to procure 50% of all vaccine administered for free to those succumbs to Covid had tested positive for Cov- on Wednesday. supplies, Serum Institute of above 45 years while states will id-19. After his demise, condolence India (SII) said that Covish- take individual calls for vacci- Sankha Ghosh, a recipient messages started pouring in on ield would be sold at Rs 400 nation centres run by them. vate hospitals directly and the of the coveted Jnanpith and social media. Prime Minister per dose to states and Rs 600 On Monday, the Narendra vaccine makers can sell them Sahitya Akademi awards, had Narendra Modi led the trib- per dose to private hospitals. Modi government, while at pre-declared prices. been suffering from age-related utes as he remembered the Though not said explicitly, it announcing that starting May Though a statement by the ailments for a while. He was celebrated poet for his con- Sankha Ghosh implies that people who go for 1, Covid19 vaccination will be company did not mention the also admitted to the hospital tribution to Indian literature. erature. His works were widely Shanti," PM Modi tweeted. vaccinations in private hospi- opened for all above 18 years change in price to the Centre, in January this year. "Shri Shankha Ghosh will be read and admired. Saddened Chief Minister of West tals may have to pay a higher in India, also said that half of in an interview with a TV chan- Sankha Ghosh tested remembered for his contribu- by his demise. Condolences Bengal Mamata Banerjee price per dose of Covishield, the vaccine supplied can be nel, the company CEO Adar Full Story on Page 5 positive for coronavirus on tions to Bengali and Indian lit- to his family and friends. Om expressed grief... Pg 5 as Rs 600 per dose being the procured by the states and pri- Poonawalla... Pg 5