New Delhi, June 22: The total area sown under kharif crop as on June 22 stood at 115.9 lakh hectares as against 128.35 lakh hectares at this time last year, the Agriculture Ministry said on Friday.

According to the ministry, rice has been sown in 10.67 lakh hectares, pulses in 5.91 lakh hectares, coarse cereals in 16.69 lakh hectares, sugarcane in 50.01 lakh hectares, oil seeds in 5.03 lakh hectares, jute and mesta in 6.91 lakh hectares and cotton in 20.68 lakh hectares.

While the area sown under sugarcane is higher this year, the area under rice, pulses, coarse cereals, oil seeds, cotton and jute and mesta has reduced.

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Kolkata (PTI): CBI sleuths on Saturday started questioning another doctor, allegedly close to arrested former principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh, in connection with their probe into the rape and murder of a woman doctor at the medical establishment, an officer of the agency said.

Birupaksha Biswas, who was recently transferred by the West Bengal Health Department from Burdwan Medical College and Hospital to remote Kakdwip hospital in South 24 Parganas district, appeared before officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at its CGO Complex office in Salt Lake area.

Biswas, allegedly part of a 'North Bengal lobby' operational in medical colleges, was seen at RG Kar Hospital on August 9, when the body of the woman medic was found, the CBI officer said.

The 'North Bengal lobby' is being referred by medics in West Bengal to a group of doctors and officials posted at state-run medical establishments who allegedly threatened students.

"He is being questioned about his presence at RG Kar Hospital on August 9 despite having no official engagement, apart from other queries," the officer told PTI.

Incidentally, an FIR has been lodged against Biswas and two other doctors -- Avik De and Ranjit Saha – with Bowbazar police station for allegedly threatening students at different medical colleges and hospitals across West Bengal.

They have been booked under Section 351 (assault as making a gesture or preparation causing someone to believe that they are about to be subjected to criminal force) of Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.