“Chana Ghotala”? Irregularities in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration’s Handling of Bharat Dal Scheme (Chana Allocation)

The Bharat Dal initiative aims to supply pulses at subsidized rates through cooperatives like the National Consumer Cooperative Federation of India Ltd. (NCCF) and NAFED to stabilize retail prices and meet dietary needs. However, the GTA’s implementation appears to have involved the swift appointment of an advisor, an immediate large-scale requisition, appointment of a private Kanpur-based firm as “Nodal Agency” without visible tender process, a substantial advance payment by that firm, and subsequent justifications amid apparent objections from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The advisor later resigned in April 2025.

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Dazzling Darjeeling

Atharva Singh adds New Bird species to the bird list of India

TheDC team send a warm “Shout Out” to Atharva Singh, a proud son of Darjeeling for etching his name in the annals of Birding in India and also for keeping the Darjeeling flag flying high. Atharva is part of a team of scientists from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai, who while exploring the high-altitude coniferous forests of Arunachal Pradesh, has recorded a rare species of bird which has been identified as the Three-banded Rosefinch after detailed observations.