Trinamool leader flags unfenced borders, BSF jurisdiction in letter to Par panel chairman
New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI): A Trinamool Congress leader has written to the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, flagging large, unfenced stretches along key international borders in West Bengal, and raising concerns over the expanded jurisdiction of the Border Security Force in the state, among other issues, a source said.
Two letters have been written to Agrawal, which also expressed concerns about the implementation of schemes under the Ministry of Home Affairs, particularly relating to women's safety, border management, police modernisation, and pending disaster relief dues, the source said.
It has been pointed out that 371.58 km of the India-Bangladesh border remains unfenced, while fencing along the India-Myanmar border covers only 44 km of the approved 1,643 km.
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Concerns have also been raised over a 2021 notification extending the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) to 50 km inside international borders, bringing large parts of border regions under the Central force's ambit.
Reference has also been made to the Supreme Court's ruling in the Naga People's Movement of Human Rights vs Union of India (1997) case, with it being argued that Central forces should operate in cooperation with the civil administration, and not supplant it.
The underutilisation of funds in key schemes under the Ministry of Home Affairs, particularly those related to women's safety, has also been flagged, the source said.
The letters express concern over the Nirbhaya Fund remaining unspent.
"The underutilisation of funds in these critical schemes raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of measures intended to enhance women's safety and strengthen forensic capabilities," one of the letters said.
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It also flagged that only about 50 per cent of the allocation for modernisation of forensic capacities has been spent, while utilisation under schemes for upgrading Central Forensic Science Laboratories and the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme stands at 18.5 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively.
The Trinamool leader also claimed the Union government owes West Bengal Rs 53,696 crore under various disaster management heads, including funds related to cyclones such as Amphan, Yaas and Bulbul, as well as floods, landslides and other calamities.
"Given the frequency and severity of disasters in the region, timely disbursement of these funds is essential to support rehabilitation, infrastructure rebuilding and disaster preparedness," the letter said.
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'No full stop in politics': PM bids farewell to 59 RS members, hails Deve Gowda, Kharge, Pawar
New Delhi, Mar 18 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tributes to 59 members retiring from the Rajya Sabha between April and July, calling Parliament "an open university" and urging outgoing legislators to continue contributing to national life.
Addressing the Upper House on the occasion of the biennial farewell, Modi said such moments naturally dissolve partisan divides.
"A shared sentiment emerges within us all -- the realisation that our colleagues are now moving forward to undertake other endeavours," he said.
To members who do not plan to return, the Prime Minister offered reassurance: "In politics, there is no such thing as a full stop. The future awaits you as well, and your experience will forever remain an enduring part of our national life."
Modi reserved special praise for three senior leaders -- former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar -- calling them stalwarts who have spent more than half their lives in parliamentary proceedings.
"The manner in which they continue to attend the House with such dedication is truly exemplary -- a spirit from which all new parliamentarians ought to learn," he said.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to outgoing Deputy Chairman Harivansh, describing him as "gentle and soft-spoken" yet a "man of rigorous action".
He noted that Harivansh had continued to travel across the country during recess periods, engaging with the youth on issues of national importance.
In a lighter vein, Modi singled out Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. "Our Athawale-ji is truly evergreen," he said, drawing laughter in the House.
"He is departing, yet I am confident no one will feel a void -- he will continue to serve tirelessly."
Reflecting on the bicameral structure of Parliament, the Prime Minister likened the passage of legislation between the two Houses to seeking a "second opinion" -- a practice, he said, that strengthens democratic decision-making.
"A decision taken in one House goes to the other for a second opinion. This gives new direction to the entire debate and the decision-making process," he said.
Modi also noted that some outgoing members had the rare distinction of having served in both old and new Parliament buildings. He described a six-year Rajya Sabha term as "an invaluable opportunity to shape one's life", offering legislators deep insight into the nuances of national affairs.
