FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 2024 www.thestatesman.com X.com/thestatesmanltd. Fb/thestatesman1875 INDIA’S NATIONAL NEWSPAPER SINCE 1818 Pages 16 |` 5.00|LC KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR RAHUL SLAMS HARYANA GOVT OVER YOUTH EXODUS MK STALIN TO MEET PM REGARDING FUND DELAYS P6 P5 SENSEX 85,836.12p666.25 NIFTY 26,216.05p211.90 ` vs $ 83.64 SHAKIB MAY END TEST CAREER IN MIRPUR IF GIVEN SECURE PASSAGE MAHATMA'S AGONIES P8 GOLD 77,900.00 P16 SILVER 99,990 BRENT CRUDE (IN $) 70.88q2.02 RKS in govt hospitals rejigged, Most of Congress’ time spent on factionalism, principal to be chairman: CM infighting: PM Modi The decision was taken at a meeting held between the CM, principals & doctors STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE KOLKATA, 26 SEPTEMBER I n a major decision, the state government has rejigged the structure of the Rogi Kalyan Samitis, which manage the functioning of state-run hospitals and medical colleges in Bengal, by making the principal of the medical college the head of the Samiti Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced today. The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (Patient Welfare Committee) of state-run hospitals have hitherto been headed by political leaders, usually belonging to the ruling party. Miss Banerjee, who spoke to the media on Thursday, said that from now the principal of different medical colleges across the state will be the chairman of the respective Rogi Kalyan Samiti of that hospital. The other members would include a senior doctor, possibly of the rank of the head of department, a junior doctor, a staff nurse and a public reprsentative, she said. The decision was taken at a meeting held between the Chief Minister and principals of different medical colleges and other senior doctors. The state Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police were present at the meeting. The decision is also seen as an outcome of the prolonged agitation by junior doctors in the wake of the rape and murder of a post graduate trainee doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on 9 August. Miss Banerjee also announced that 12,000 police personnel would be appointed for strengthening security at government medical colleges and hospitals for which an order is expected very soon. She said the principals have been requested to expedite introduction of biometric attendence, including of con- struction workers and temporary workers. She said that the CMOH of various districts, particularly in north Bengal, has been asked to intensify vigil to combat malaria. The CMOHs of the flood-hit areas have been asked to ensure adequate stock of medicines to combat viral fever, diarrhoea and snake bite ready, she added. “ We have to combat manmade flood and really do not know what will happen if rain does not stop within the next couple of days. The DVC today released 25,000 cusecs of water," she said. Referring to the forthcoming Durga Puja, and the crowds that are expected to gather, she said: “My only request will be to ensure that no stampede-like situation occurs. Lakhs of people will come to visit the pandals. The police prepared a blueprint one month ago." Miss Banerjee welcomed the decision to set up a semiconductor unit in West Bengal by the US firm. She said this will enhance the job opportunities in the IT sector. “There is no dearth of talent in West Bengal and the talent pool will be strengthened,” she said, adding that the state government has identified the land where the semiconductor plant can come up. She said that the Bengal Global Business Summit will take place on 5 and 6 February, 2025. "It would be good if prior to that we can sit and discuss the matter with our US counterparts and all stakeholders will be invited to attend the meeting which is likely to be held in the third week of January,” she said. She added: “The Lulu group is coming and we have kept land aside for them to set up their unit." She said the state government will set up two power plants while two more will be set up by the private players. STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE NEW DELHI, 26 SEPTEMBER In a blistering attack on the Congress ahead of the Haryana assembly elections on 5 October, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that most of the time of the grand old party is spent on factionalism, infighting, and settling scores with each other. Mr Modi exuded confidence that the people of Haryana would give the BJP an opportunity to serve them for a third consecutive term. "National interest is paramount for every BJP worker, and the people of Haryana have decided to give BJP a chance to serve once again," he said in an interaction with BJP booth workers of the state through the NaMo App. Slamming the Opposition party, he said, "The entire focus of those contesting against us is based on lies. Spreading lies and canards, talking nonsense, and vitiating the atmosphere has been their strategy." "The party that has remained indifferent to public issues for 10 years, which lives for its own family or its own group, can never win the trust of the people of Haryana," the prime minister contended. Stating that the Congress has failed as an Opposition in the past ten years, Modi added that the party, despite its big boasts, is not making an impact on the people. Highlighting the achievements of the BJP government in Haryana in the past decade, he said the corruption-free dispensation ensured that employment was given without any slip or expenditure for the first time in the state. "Therefore, the people of Haryana are with us, their blessings are with us, hence our victory is certain," he asserted. "Congress people live only for their own families. Congress is not concerned about anyone else's children," Mr Modi said. SC dismisses Gujarat govt’s review plea on Bilkis Bano case PARMOD KUMAR NEW DELHI, 26 SEPTEMBER The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the Gujarat government’s review petition seeking to expunge adverse remarks made against it in January 8, 2024 judgment, for its conduct in the premature release of 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano gangrape and murder of nine members of her family including her three-year old daughter during 2002 Gujarat. Dismissing the review petition by the Gujarat government, a bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan in an order said: “We are satisfied that there is no error apparent on the face of the record or any merit in the review petitions, warranting reconsideration of the order impugned. The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed.” The Gujarat government in its review petition had said it had only acted in pursuance to the mandamus issued by the Supreme Court by its May 2022 judgment directing it to consider the remission application of one of the convicts. (Details on page 5)