Page 13 - Mamata Banerjee

Your blessings will help us work: Mamata to people after TMC's bypoll wins

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday thanked the people of the state as her party, the Trinamool Congress, was on the course to bag all the six assembly seats that went to the by-elections. She said the results of the by-elections would help her work for the people. "I would like to thank and congratulate the 'Maa, Mati and Manush' from the bottom of my heart. Your blessings will help us work for the people in the coming days. We all are common people and that is our identity. We are not zamindars, but the custodians of the people," she posted on X. According to the Election Commission, TMC has already won the Naihati, Sitai, Haroa and Madarihat seats, and was leading by big margins in Taldangra and Medinipur.

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

RG Kar case: Bengal Guv asks for report over Kolkata CP's involvement claim

In a post on X, Raj Bhavan Media Cell said that Governor Bose has urged the state government to look into the matter and inform him of the factual position

Crimes against women to stop only when Mamata ceases to be CM: Adhikari

Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday claimed that crimes like the rape and murder of the woman medic of R G Kar hospital can be effectively stopped only when West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ceases to be at the helm in coming days. Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, made this assertion while campaigning for the BJP candidate at Taldangra assembly seat in Bankura district, where by-poll will take place on November 13 along with five other constituencies across the state. "Shocking incidents of brutalisation of women are reported regularly in West Bengal. The police are turning a blind eye. This can end only when Mamata Banerjee ceases to be the CM," Adhikari said. A large number of people are demanding a quick and comprehensive justice for the RG Kar hospital victim, and it would have been better had the trial taken place outside the state, he said. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to transfer the trial of the R G Kar rape and murd

Economist Bibek Debroy passes away, leaders reflect on his life and legacy

Condolences and tributes poured in from across India for renowned economist Bibek Debroy, including heartfelt messages from PM Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and other leaders

Bengal home to all, people celebrate every festival together: CM Mamata

Asserting that West Bengal is home to all sections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the people to live in peace and celebrate every festival together. Inaugurating a number of community Kali Puja pandals across Kolkata, she also urged the people to celebrate with environment-friendly firecrackers. "Bengal is such a place, where nobody will ask you about your caste, or which state you belong to or what is your religion or whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Nobody will ask whether you like Bengal or not. This is your right," Banerjee said. "We are proud to say that you all are citizens of Bengal. Whenever you are staying here, please consider it as your home state. Do not misunderstand me but consider my views," she added. Among the pandals she inaugurated were Girish Park Kali Puja, Janbazar Sammilito, India Club, Venus Club, and Youth Friends Club Kali Puja, which are located in areas that have significant non-Bengali population. "During festivals, we all

West Bengal extends ban on tobacco-based gutkha, pan masala till Nov 2025

The West Bengal government has extended the ban on manufacturing, storing and selling gutkha and pan masala products containing tobacco or nicotine for another year, starting November 7. The order was issued by the state health department on October 24, citing public health concerns. "The Commissioner of Food Safety of the state is empowered under Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to prohibit in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of any article of food in the whole of State, for a period of one year", the order stated.

Peace can be established in Bengal only after infiltration stops: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said peace can be established in West Bengal only when cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh stops. He claimed that illegal immigration from the neighbouring country will be stopped if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal in 2026. Addressing the inauguration of a new passenger terminal building and cargo gate at Petrapole land port along the India-Bangladesh border in Bengal, he slammed the TMC government over the issue of corruption and exhorted the people of the state to bring in political change in 2026. In establishing peace in the region, land ports play an important role. When there is no scope for the legal movement of people across the border, illegal modes of movement arise, which impacts the peace of the country. I urge the people of Bengal to bring in change in 2026, and we will stop infiltration, and peace will come, he said. There can be peace in Bengal only when infiltration stops Land ports play an important role in improv

Cyclone Dana: 216K people moved to relief camps, says CM Mamata Banerjee

Addressing a press conference Chief Minister Mamata said, "Some districtsare affected badly due to cyclone, especially kaccha houses

Mamata urges Bangladesh to release 84 jailed Bengal fishermen after arrests

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she wants the Bangladesh government to release the 84 fishermen from the state, who were jailed in the neighbouring country for illegally crossing the international border. During an interaction with the journalists at the state secretariat, the Bengal CM said that India has a very good friendship" with the neighbouring country. "Two fishing trawlers have been caught in Bangladesh because they entered their jurisdiction (recently). Thirty-six fishermen were arrested and are now in jail. Even after this incident, three more trawlers with 48 fishermen somehow again crossed the border to reach Bangladesh after which they were also arrested and imprisoned," Banerjee said. The Bengal CM said that the trawlers could have lost their ways or there could be some other reasons. "We have to find out whether they went there mistakenly or due to some other reasons. We are doing whatever can be done legally," she said. Banerjee said tha

Bengal govt forms task force to ensure safety of doctors, health workers

The West Bengal government on Tuesday constituted a state-level task force to ensure safety and security of healthcare professionals in the state and improve the quality of services, a notification said. The task force was set up after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had promised junior doctors of such a measure during a meeting, he said. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant will be the chairperson of the task force, while Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar, Health Secretary NS Nigam and Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma will be part of it. "In pursuance of the Government of West Bengal's commitment to enhancing the quality of healthcare services across the state, and in the view of the safety, security, and grievances of healthcare professionals, the state government hereby constitutes a state-level task force," an order signed by Pant stated. It mentioned that there would be two representatives from senior and junior resident doctors, one

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 ...

Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital sees 53% drop in patients amid doctor protests

The strike by junior doctors at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata led to a 53 per cent drop in patient footfall and a 91 per cent decline in major surgeries, severely disrupting hospital services for months

RG Kar case: Junior doctors end hunger strike after meeting with CM Mamata

Agitating junior doctors on Monday evening withdrew their weeks-long hunger strike over the RG Kar incident, hours after a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The medics also called off their proposed shutdown in the state's health sector from Tuesday till an indefinite period. "In today's meeting (with the CM), we did get the assurance of some directives, but the body language of the state government was not positive... The common people have wholeheartedly supported us. They, as well as the parents of our deceased sister (RG Kar hospital victim), have been requesting us to call off the hunger strike, keeping in mind our deteriorating health. "We are therefore withdrawing our 'fast-unto-death' and also Tuesday's total shutdown in the health sector, but this is not a result of today's meeting but because the request came from the common people and the parents of Abhaya. This does not mean that we are ending the protest. In the coming days, we will conduct it in

Mamata meets Kultuli rape-murder victim's parents, assures quick justice

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday met the parents of a girl who was raped and murdered in Kultuli in South 24 Parganas district and assured them that the culprit would face the strictest punishment, a source said. The parents of the girl were accompanied by Canning's TMC MLA Saokat Mollah during the meeting at state secretariat Nabanna. "The CM assured them of all kinds of assistance and completion of investigation into the rape and murder of their daughter within three months. She assured them that the culprit would get the strictest form of punishment," the source told PTI. Police have so far arrested one person in connection with the incident. On October 5, the body of a class 4 student was recovered from a pond in Kultuli, leading to huge protests as locals torched vehicles, ransacked a police outpost and put up road blockades in the area.

RG Kar: Meeting between CM, junior docs to resolve impasse ends after 2 hrs

The much-awaited meeting between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and agitating junior doctors began at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' on Monday evening to resolve the ongoing impasse arising out of the rape-and-murder of a medic at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in August. Seventeen doctors from various medical colleges in the state joined the meeting chaired by Banerjee. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty, Health Secretary NS Nigam, DGP Rajeev Kumar, MSVPs, and principals of the medical colleges in the city were also present at the meeting.

Kolkata RG Kar case: Protesting junior doctors to meet CM Mamata today

The striking doctors said the outcome of the meeting will determine the future of the protest; they demand removal of Health Secretary NS Nigam as a key condition for resolving the situation

Amid CM's appeal to withdraw stir, doctors' hunger strike enters 16th day

Amid West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's request to agitating junior doctors to withdraw their indefinite hunger strike and come for talks, the 'fast-unto-death' of the medics demanding justice for the RG Kar Hospital rape-murder victim entered the 16th day on Sunday. Taking forward the proposal for talks, Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Saturday evening invited the medics for talks with Banerjee for "45 minutes" from 5 pm on Monday at state secretariat Nabanna, conditional upon the "withdrawal of the hunger strike". However, the protesting doctors refused to end their hunger strike until all their demands were met but agreed to join the talks on Monday. Banerjee on Saturday spoke to the agitating doctors over phone during a visit by Pant and Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty to the protest site in Kolkata's Esplanade area and urged them to end the hunger strike, stating that most of their demands have been addressed while rejecting their insistence on removing the state ...

Bengal's efforts forced Centre to exempt GST on health premium: CM Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday claimed that the Centre's likely decision to exempt GST on term life insurance premiums and premiums paid by senior citizens for health coverage is the result of sustained efforts by the state government. She said the central government appears to be "under pressure" to cut taxes to benefit the common people. An official stated that term life insurance policies and health insurance premiums for senior citizens are likely to be exempt from GST, as most members of a state ministerial panel favoured tax cuts to benefit the public. The GoM (Group of Ministers), which met on Saturday to decide on GST for health and life insurance premiums, chose to exempt GST on premiums paid by individuals, other than senior citizens, for health insurance coverage up to Rs 5 lakh. However, 18% GST will continue to be levied on health insurance coverage exceeding Rs 5 lakh. "Our sustained efforts appear to be paying dividends the Central government

WB junior doctors demand action, Mamata calls for end to hunger strike

Mamata Banerjee urged protesting doctors to rise above politics and return to work, stating that people are dependent on them and need their services