Page 18 - Mamata Banerjee

Fake passport scam: Bengal DGP urges MEA to strengthen verification process

West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar on Sunday said that he had written to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urging a total overhauling of the verification and distribution of new passports to combat misuse. Kolkata Police recently unearthed a fake passport racket and arrested at least eight persons for their alleged involvement in it. Talking to reporters, the IPS officer said in the letter to the MEA, they also pointed out software issues and proposed the idea of superintendents of police personally conducting the verification process. "We have written to the MEA requesting them to strengthen the passport verification system. We have proposed a new system where the district intelligence branch (DIB), local police stations, and senior officers will have a more significant role," Kumar said. "In the letter, we have also expressed our concerns about the distribution of passports through post offices. All the agencies must collaborate to address these ...

Suvendu Adhikari accuses TMC of 'ration scam', urges ED to launch probe

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday targeted the Trinamool Congress-led West Bengal government, alleging scam in the ration distribution.Launching an attack in a post on X, he said that the multi-crore ration distribution "scam" is still going on in West Bengal despite the arrest of former Food and Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick and his aides.He claimed that the rice meant to be distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS) is sent to privately owned rice mills and further polished to sell in the open market.He shared a video of a rice mill, which he alleged was polishing the rice meant to be distributed through the Public Distribution System (PDS)."This video illustrates how the multi-crore Ration Distribution Scam is still going on in West Bengal despite the arrest of former Food & Supplies Minister Jyotipriya Mallick and his aides," Adikari wrote in his X post."First of all, tonnes of rice meant to .

Mamata Banerjee inaugurates Infosys development centre in Kolkata

IT giant Infosys on Wednesday inaugurated a development centre built at a cost of Rs 426 crore at New Town near here. Inaugurating the development centre, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "This is a New Year gift to West Bengal". "This centre of Infosys will help other IT companies to come to West Bengal. West Bengal is a leading IT state in the country. Nearly 2,200 IT companies have presence in the state, including big ones like TCS, Wipro, IBM and Accenture," she said. The chief minister also said it is a historic day for the state. Banerjee said, "We wanted Infosys in the state and the company fulfilled our dreams." The chief minister said a new Silicon Valley is coming to New Town on 200 acres with the potential to create 75,000 jobs involving an investment of Rs 27,000 crore. "Twenty-eight companies have already started work with 11 data centres coming up," she said. The Infosys campus, built on 50 acres, will have an employment potential of 4,000 IT professionals. Ba

Mamata launches housing scheme, transfers funds to 1.2 mn beneficiaries

Accusing the Centre of not sending funds for the 'Awas Yojana' for the last three years to the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched 'Banglar Bari', a scheme funded entirely by her government. She said that over 28 lakh genuine beneficiaries were identified in a survey conducted by the state for the 'Banglar Bari' scheme for which a total of Rs 1.2 lakh would be transferred to them by next December. During the day, funds of Rs 60,000 were transferred to the bank accounts of 12 lakh beneficiaries in the first instalment, the chief minister said. "My life is dedicated to working for people. Today, in the interest of the people of rural Bengal, I launched the 'Banglar Bari' project. The first instalment of Rs 60,000 was transferred directly through the bank to 12 lakh beneficiaries to build houses," Banerjee said. "The Centre had already surveyed around 36 lakh families. We also conducted one survey. A draft list was also published and their claims and

Politics in 2024: Lotus blooms in North; South witnesses a 'son' rise

The year 2024 not just reshaped the Indian politics, but also forced the political thinkers to come up with new explanations to describe the electoral behaviour

Nothing less than capital punishment for rape convict, says Mamata

She also recalled the previous instance, where the court handed capital punishment to the convict in Joynagar in 62 days

Minister's post does not entitle someone to special bail consideration: SC

Holding a minister's post does not entitle a person for a special consideration for the grant of bail, the Supreme Court said on Friday, asserting that "official positions, regardless of their stature, lose relevance for the purpose of exercising judicial discretion judiciously". A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, which granted conditional future bail to former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee in a money-laundering case related to the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state, said impartiality is a prerequisite to the rule of law, wherein decisions are based on the factual matrix of a case as opposed to an individual's position or influence. It rejected Chatterjee's argument seeking special consideration for the grant of bail on the ground that he was entitled for the relief as he was a minister at the relevant time. "In this context, the argument that the appellant's position as a minister entitles him to any special consideration does not hold merit from either

Political business: INDIA demands Mamata, moves against Jagdeep Dhankhar

INDIA bloc leaders demand Mamata Banerjee's leadership, Opposition moves to impeach Jagdeep Dhankhar, and more in this week's political news wrap

Must save minorities in Bangladesh, bring them back: Mamata to Centre

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the Centre must give protection to minorities in violence-hit Bangladesh, and bring back those willing to return. Banerjee also claimed that fake videos were being purposefully circulated, as certain sections were trying to foment communal tension. "We want protection for minorities in Bangladesh. The Union government must act. It should also bring back those who want to return to India," she told reporters here. The CM is on a two-day trip to Digha to review the construction of the Jagannath temple. Bangladesh's minority Hindus, who constitute about 8 per cent of the 170 million population, have faced attacks in 50-odd districts since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5.

Lalu Prasad joins Oppn chorus to back Mamata for heading INDIA bloc

The Assembly elections in Bihar are less than a year away, and Congress sources attributed Prasad's comments as a tactic to pressure their party during the forthcoming seat-sharing negotiations

Rift in Opposition as Lalu Yadav backs Mamata Banerjee to lead INDIA bloc

Lalu Prasad Yadav has backed Mamata Banerjee to lead the INDIA bloc, intensifying the rift in the Opposition, as Congress continues to oppose her leadership bid

Mamata should be allowed to lead INDIA bloc: RJD chief Lalu Prasad

RJD chief Lalu Prasad on Tuesday asserted that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc. His comment comes days after Banerjee expressed her intent to take charge of the anti-BJP coalition. Prasad also said if the Congress, a major ally of the INDIA bloc, had any reservation about accepting Banerjee as the leader of the opposition front, it would "not make any difference". "Mamta Banerjee should be allowed to head the INDIA bloc," the RJD chief said. Asked about the Congress' "reservation" to accept her as the opposition bloc leader, Lalu said, "The Congress' opposition will not make any differenceShe should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc." Earlier, Lalu's son and senior RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav had said he had "no objection to any senior leader of the INDIA bloc, including Banerjee, leading the coalition", but stressed that the decision must be reached through consensus. Banerjee had, on December 6, ..

Will we have lollypop? Mamata slams 'occupy' claim of Bangladeshi politicos

Taking a dig at a section of Bangladeshi politicians, who said the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wondered whether Indians "would have lollipop" when external forces would try to occupy Indian lands. Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, she urged people to remain calm and not get provoked by statements made in Bangladesh, stating that West Bengal will always stand by any decision taken by the Centre. Mocking some Bangladeshi leaders, who have made provocative statements recently, she said, "Stay calm and healthy and have peace of mind." A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently said in a public meeting in Dhaka that the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha. Asking people of West Bengal to remain calm and not get swayed by provocative statements made by some people in Bangladesh, she said, "In our state, even imams have condemned the comments and attacks on minorities in ..

Want Mamata to be major partner of INDIA bloc, will soon talk to her: Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that she has shown a successful model in West Bengal where she has kept BJP away from power

Willing to lead INDIA bloc if I get opportunity: WB CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the opposition INDIA bloc, signaling her intent to take charge of the alliance if given the opportunity. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said she could manage the dual responsibility of running the opposition front while continuing her role as the chief minister of Bengal. "I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it is up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can't run the show, what can I do? I would just say that everyone needs to be taken along," she said in an interview with Bengali news channel News 18 Bangla. Asked why she is not taking the charge of the bloc, given her credentials as a strong anti-BJP force, Banerjee said, "If given the opportunity I would ensure its smooth functioning." "I don't want to go outside Bengal, but I can run it from here," she said. The INDIA bloc, formed to counter the BJP, comprises over two dozen opposition parties. However, interna

Bengal giving central welfare scheme funds to 'undeserving' people: Chouhan

Declaring that the government would not allow the misuse of resources, Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday alleged that the West Bengal government was diverting central funds and making "undeserving" people beneficiaries of welfare schemes. As Lok Sabha proceedings began in the morning after six days of disruption, his junior Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani also spoke in the House and dismissed the suggestion that the government has reduced funds for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS). He said the budget allocation for MGNREGS has been increased by Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore every year -- in comparison to the previous year -- and it has not been reduced at all. Chouhan strongly refuted Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee's allegation that Central funds of various welfare schemes had not been released to West Bengal. He said during Question Hour that the West Bengal government has made "undeserving" people ...

Centre targeting Muslims with Waqf Bill; lacks majority to pass: CM Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the BJP-led central government over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, accusing it of targeting Muslims and expressing doubts on its passage in Parliament. Touching upon the reduction of the minority Hindu population in Bangladesh and the ongoing unrest in the neighbouring country, she questioned the Centre's alleged inaction in the matter. The chief minister, during a debate in the West Bengal assembly on a resolution opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led central government, accusing it of "fostering divisiveness, neglecting Constitutional norms, and mishandling issues like Bangladesh's minorities, the NRC, UCC, and CAA". Banerjee alleged that the Centre had "bypassed" state governments over the matter and criticised the "lack of dialogue" on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024. The Centre did not consult us on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, she claimed. Banerjee also questioned the timing and ..

Mamata Banerjee calls for UN peacekeeping in Bangladesh amid violence

Bangladesh unrest: Mamata Banerjee's appeal comes after reports of escalating unrest in Bangladesh, where three Hindu priests from the Iskcon have been detained

KMC asks shops to put up signboards in Bengali alongside other languages

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has made it mandatory for every commercial establishment in the metropolis to put up signboards in Bengali along with other languages, an official said. The civic body is determined to enforce the usage of Bengali in signages, and has set a tentative deadline of February 21, 2025 to initiate the process, he said. Municipal Secretary Swapan Kundu said the corporation is in contact with the owners of shops, restaurants and other business establishments to ensure that names and other information about the outlets are written in Bengali in addition to any other language. In October, TMC Councillor Biswarup Dey had said at a KMC session that all signboards in public and private offices should have Bengali text apart from other languages and all notifications, letters and documents of the municipal corporation should also be published in Bengali. Dey had made the proposal in the wake of Bengali receiving the distinction of a classical language by t

J'khand CM takes note of 'stopping' potato-laden vehicles on Bengal borders

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday took cognizance on "stopping" of potato-laden vehicles to Jharkhand on Bengal borders, allegedly restricting the supply to the state, an official statement said. The CM directed chief secretary Alka Tiwari to deal with the matter with immediate effect, it said. The West Bengal government has allegedly put restriction on interstate supply of the tuber since Thursday in a bid to maintain the stock and keep the price of potato under control in its state, according to a potato traders' association in West Bengal. On the CM's direction, Tiwari spoke to West Bengal chief secretary Manoj Pant over phone for disposal of the matter, according to the official statement. "Pant has assured that a committee will be formed soon to sort out the issue of potato supply," it said. The price of potato has shot up by Rs 5 a kg in Jharkhand's retail market in the past two days after neighbouring West Bengal reportedly restricted the supply of the tuber, according