Bengal

Situation peaceful, under control in violence-hit Murshidabad, say police

The situation in violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district, mainly Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur was peaceful and under control on Monday, a senior police officer said. Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force in the violence-hit pockets where the roads wore a deserted look and shops downed their shutters. The internet remains suspended in the affected areas while security forces are conducting checks on vehicles along the main roads. Three people have died and several others injured in the violence which raged in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas since Friday afternoon but there was no report of any fresh incident from anywhere in the district. A total of 180 people have been arrested in connection with the violence following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act till Saturday afternoon, he said. "The situation in and around these disturbed areas is peaceful and under control. There is no repor

Mamata Banerjee heckled at Oxford, shows 1990s attack photo in reply. WATCH

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Oxford speech turned chaotic as protesters heckled her. In response, she held up an old injury photo, calling it proof of an attack on her

West Bengal passes bill allowing women to work in bars, amends excise act

One of the major changes introduced is the removal of restrictions on the employment of women in ON-category liquor shops

Internet suspended in parts of Birbhum's Sainthia in Bengal till March 17

The prohibitory order, suspending internet and call services, cited concerns over the potential spreading of "rumours for unlawful activities"

Police record West Bengal education minister's statement over JU violence

The police have recorded the statement of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu in connection with an FIR lodged against him and others in the recent incident of violence at Jadavpur University, a senior officer said. Based on a complaint by Jadavpur University student Indranuj Roy who was injured during the incident on March 1, the FIR was registered against Basu, JU professor and TMC leader Om Prakash Mishra and others. "The minister was asked about the entire incident...how he was attacked and other details. The minister's statement has been recorded," the officer said on Tuesday. Police officers had earlier spoken to Basu's driver, Rehan Molla, and Mishra. The student was injured after the minister's car allegedly grazed past him and others during protests on March 1 on the JU campus. Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), including the one dealing with someone voluntarily causing hurt, assaulting or criminal force against a woman with the intent to

Sourav Ganguly's OTT debut? Buzz grows over his role in Netflix's Khakee 2

While interacting with the media, filmmaker Neeraj Pandey revealed his personal ties to Kolkata. "As far as Sourav is concerned... keep looking," the filmmaker hinted

Bengal LoP Suvendu Adhikari slams CM Mamata on blaming BSF for infiltration

Adhikari accused Banerjee of indulging in 'low-level politics' by blaming the BSF for infiltration, stating that the security forces serve the nation, not the government

Potato supply ban sparks political tensions, price hikes in states

Amid political blame game over Bengal's ban on tuber exports, which led to shortages in Jharkhand and Odisha, Uttar Pradesh farmers are the unlikely winners

WB Guv draws upon grassroots experiences, highlights 'regional imbalances'

Days before completing two years in office, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose drew upon his grassroots experiences to highlight "regional imbalances" between the state's northern and southern districts and claimed that lack of prosperity in the former region has led to a "disconnect" between the state government and its people. Speaking exclusively to PTI about various issues, Bose refrained from evaluating his constitutional colleague, Mamata Banerjee, but made it clear that he was "more concerned" about her performance as Chief Minister than as a politician. Expressing satisfaction with his tenure in office so far, Bose said, "These two years have taught me many positive things. It is a very refined state, which gives a lot of emphasis on art and culture." "But the state has some problems especially in north Bengal, where there are regional imbalances and a disconnect that arises because of that," he added, while explaining that "economic backwardness" in districts north of the

Bengal braces for cyclonic storm, schools to close from Oct 23-26: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the state administration was ready to respond to any disaster that could occur due to an impending cyclone and announced that primary and secondary schools in nine districts would remain closed from Wednesday to October 26 as a precautionary measure. She said teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and SDRF have already been deployed and integrated control rooms, at both state and district levels, become functional 24X7. A well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a depression on Tuesday as it rolled towards the eastern coast with the likelihood of turning into a severe cyclonic storm, the IMD said. "Our government is ready to face this cyclonic storm. We have already started integrated control rooms at state and district levels and they are working 24X7. As a precautionary measure, fishermen have been asked not to venture into the seas. Public address systems are in place in the ...

ADB commits $241 mn loan to improve power distribution in West Bengal

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 241.3-million loan to improve electricity distribution in West Bengal in order to help enhance people's quality of life by ensuring reliable and sustainable power supply. "This ADB programme is aligned with the government's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, which aims to strengthen the operational efficiency of power distribution companies," ADB Principal Energy Specialist Roka Sanda said in a statement. Reliable and sustainable electricity distribution and service is essential to West Bengal's growth and development, the statement said. The West Bengal Distribution System Strengthening Program will improve electricity distribution for 8.96 million consumers in seven districts in the state, it said. The programme will ensure replacement of low-tension overhead lines with aerial bundled cables, separate electricity feeders for agriculture and non-agriculture users, and an integrated information and operation management system fo

Centre not extending help as north Bengal flood situation worsens: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday described the flood situation in the northern districts as "alarming" and claimed that the state is deprived of central assistance to deal with the natural calamity. Banerjee, who was on her way to north Bengal to inspect the flood situation there, told reporters that her government is dealing with the deluge on a war footing. "North Bengal is reeling under flood. Districts like Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar have been affected. Due to heavy rain in catchment areas of Koshi river, places in Bihar and Malda and Dakshin Dinajpur districts of Bengal will be affected in the near future," she said on her way to Siliguri. Accusing the central government of "not performing its role to help the state fight the calamities", she said, "The Centre did not take up maintenance work of Farakka barrage and its water-bearing capacity has reduced to a great extent despite our repeated reminders to them.

RG Kar impasse: Meeting of agitating medics with Bengal chief secy underway

The second round of talks between agitating junior doctors and officials of the West Bengal government to resolve the impasse due to the RG Kar issue is presently underway for nearly one-and-a-half hours, officials said. Escorted by a pilot police vehicle, the delegation of around 30 medics reached the secretariat around 7.15 pm. The meeting with the Chief Secretary Manoj Pant started around 7.30 pm. Just like Monday when they held talks with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the protesting medics were accompanied by stenographers to record the minutes of the meeting. "We want the issue of safety and security in hospitals to be addressed. The chief minister had announced the formation of a task force, but there is no proper clarity on it. We want the state government to accept our legitimate demands," an agitating doctor said before leaving for the meeting venue. The West Bengal government on Wednesday invited the junior doctors agitating over the RG Kar rape-murder incident for a .

Stage set for 2nd round of talks between Bengal govt, agitating junior docs

The West Bengal government on Wednesday invited the junior doctors agitating over the RG Kar incident for a meeting at the state secretariat at 6.30 pm, responding to their request for a fresh round of talks. In his response, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant reiterated the state's appeal to the protesting medics to join work in the wake of the emerging flood-like situation in parts of the state. The scheduled meeting would be the second round of talks between the stirring medics and the state government in 48 hours, the first of which was held in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday. You are aware that many districts of South Bengal are facing a flood-like situation with vast areas inundated. In the light of the above situation, while we again appeal to you to join duties in larger public interest and provide services to common people, I along with the other members of the task force will meet your delegation of 30 members at Nabanna Sabhaghar today at 6.30 pm, Pant's

Women in police: Bihar leads, Bengal one of the lowest among large states

The annual report said that the availability of an adequate number of women in police is essential for reducing the vulnerability of women against crimes

Bengal bandh, RIL-Disney merger, Jan Dhan Yojana

Tea Board officials inspect several gardens in Bengal to check quality

A special team of Tea Board officials inspected several gardens in North Bengal to determine the quality of leaves manufactured in these estates. An official of the Tea Board told PTI that several samples have been collected from these estates and their quality will be determined. "The operation was conducted at various tea gardens in North Bengal over the last several days on a large scale. Tea Board has collected samples from these estates and future course of action will be determined as per provisions of the Tea Marketing Control Order (TMCO)," the official said. President of the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Association (CISTA) Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty said "We welcome the action taken by Tea Board in inspecting several gardens of North Bengal. We demand that exemplary action be taken against these entities so that it becomes a deterrent in future". Chakraborty said CISTA had come to learn that some tea gardens are procuring tea waste from Assam and mixing it with .

Sandeshkhali post-poll violence: Bengal Guv asks Mamata to intervene

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Sunday said he was worried after getting reports about post-poll violence in Sandeshkhali, and asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to intervene immediately and restore peace there. Speaking to PTI, Bose said that he has written to Banerjee asking her to inform him about the action taken against those involved in the incidents of violence in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas district. "I am a bit worried about the situation in Sandeshkhali. From the inputs I have received, I have come to know about incidents of attacks on the women of Sandeshkhali within hours after the polling was over yesterday. I have written to the Chief Minister about the steps taken in this regard," Bose said. "If such attacks continue and the inhabitants are tortured, I will open the doors of the Raj Bhavan for them to come and stay here. They will be provided safe shelter here," he added. In less than 24 hours after the election was over, trouble-torn Sandehkhali on .

Southern Bengal, parts of northern districts sizzle as heatwave continues

Heatwave prevailed in south Bengal and many parts of the northern districts of West Bengal on Sunday as the Met department forecast it will continue, particularly in southern districts, till May 2. The day's maximum temperature was recorded at 44.3 degrees Celsius, 7.5 deg C above normal, at Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur district, the department said in a bulletin. At Panagarh in Paschim Bardhaman district, the temperature was 44.2 deg C, followed by Bankura 43.5 deg C. In Kolkata, the maximum temperature was 41.3 deg C, which was 5.7 deg C above normal. In the relatively cooler northern parts of the state, Balurghat and Malda recorded maximum temperatures of 41 deg C each. In Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the mercury, however, read 22.4 deg C and 25.2 deg C, respectively, the MeT office said. "Mainly dry westerly to northwesterly winds at lower levels continue to prevail over the region. Due to strong solar insolation, the heatwave condition is very likely to prevail over the dist

Odisha declares summer vacation for schools as heatwave grips states

IMD predicts heatwave conditions in Odisha, Bengal, and Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh until April 26; possibility of light rainfall in eastern states