Plea for Priya

Calcutta, Nov. 3: A section of state Congress leaders today urged Sonia Gandhi to appoint information and broadcasting minister Priya Ranjan Das Munshi the state party president.

Subrata Mukherjee, who led the 14-member team, said: “PCC is headless since Pranabda (Pranab Mukherjee) quit accepting responsibility for the Assembly poll debacle.... We want a dynamic and capable leader.”

Felling penalty

Calcutta: The high court has asked nine people accused of felling to plant at least three trees each to make up for the crime. A bench presided over by the chief justice said the trees should be planted on their land near Panagarh, 160 km from Calcutta, and their growth ensured.

Pune trip

Calcutta: Industries minister Nirupam Sen told the Assembly standing committee on commerce and industry on Friday to find out if Tata Motors’ community development model in Pune can be replicated in Singur. The Tatas have invited the committee headed by the Congress’s Sudip Bandopadhyay to their Pune factory.

Lifers free

Calcutta: The high court has acquitted 14 people lodged in Behrampore Central Jail for 18 years. It said the trial court had failed to prove the murder charge against them.