Page 48 - Mamata Banerjee

Unesco's institute seeks to be associated with Bengal's education system

An institute affiliated with UNESCO has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing its interest in associating with the state's education system, a government official said on Wednesday. Banerjee has directed officials to explore the possible relationship with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), and a meeting may be held later this week on the issue between the two sides. "The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning has written to the chief minister expressing interest to be part of the state's education system. Officials have been directed to look into the matter and take necessary initiative," the bureaucrat said. The Hamburg-based UIL is one of UNESCO's key education-related institutes and is the only organisational unit in the UN family that holds a global mandate for lifelong learning. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) wants to be associated with the education system of the state by giving priority

Behead me, but can't do anything to increase dearness allowance: Mamata

She explained the difference in the salary structures of the Central and state governments and claimed that the TMC government is already giving its employees DA of 105 per cent

Cannot give DA on par with Centre even if protestors behead me: Mamata

With a large section of the state government employees sticking to their demand for enhanced dearness allowance on par with that of the Central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the government will not be able to provide it even if the protestors "behead" her. Speaking at the extended budget session in the Assembly, Banerjee cited the difference in the salary structures of the central and West Bengal governments and claimed that the TMC government in the state is already giving its employees DA of 105 per cent. "How much do you (agitating government staffers) want? How much will satisfy you? Please chop off my head and then hopefully you will be satisfied ... If you do not like me, chop off my head. But you will not get any more from me, she said. Various organisations of state government employees, including the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (united platform for struggle) are agitating for raising the DA on par with the central government ...

World Trade Center to open branch office in Kolkata: CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said the World Trade Center' in the US is likely to open a branch office in the metropolis, and an MoU in this regard will be signed. The process for identifying land is already underway, she said. "A delegation from the World Trade Center will come to the city on March 21. An MoU will be signed with the state government based on which the branch office will be set up here, Banerjee told reporters outside the assembly. "This will lead to trade opportunities, not only among states, but with different countries as well. It is a matter of pride that Kolkata has been chosen as the main city in the eastern region for the office, the CM added.

6 children die due to adenovirus; Mamata urges people to wear mask

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said six children have so far died in the state due to adenovirus, and urged people to start using face masks again to combat the menace. Banerjee also said one of her family members has been infected by the virus, but did not elaborate on the development. "So far, 19 people have died due to Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), and out of them, 13 had comorbidities and six (deaths of children) were due to adenovirus. I urge people to start wearing face masks for the time-being, she said at the state assembly. Do not panic and see a doctor immediately if you are having fever," the CM added. Banerjee also claimed that health services have improved a lot in Bengal compared to the Covid period. Taking a jibe at the opposition for questioning the health infrastructure in the state, she said that during the Left Front rule, no special newborn care units existed, while at present, there are over 2,486 SNCUs at 138 hospitals. The chief .

Delhi excise policy scam case: CBI produces Manish Sisodia before court

The CBI on Saturday produced former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, arrested in a corruption case related to the excise policy, before a court here. There was heavy security presence in and outside the Rouse Avenue Courts premises. The supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party staged a protest outside the premises and raised slogans. The agency produced Sisodia before special judge M K Nagpal on expiry of his five-day CBI custody granted on Monday and is likely to seek his custodial interrogation. The CBI on Sunday evening arrested Sisodia in connection with alleged corruption in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped liquor policy for 2021-22.

Cong wins 3, BJP and ally 2; TMC suffers shock defeat in West Bengal

The assembly by-election results on Thursday brought some solace for the Congress as it wrested one seat each from the BJP and the TMC in Maharashtra and West Bengal respectively and retained a seat in Tamil Nadu with DMK's support, while the BJP and its ally AJSU bagged one seat each in the western state and Jharkhand. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal suffered a shock defeat in Sagardighi which was won by Congress' Bayron Biswas by 22,986 votes. It is the only seat held by the Congress in the state assembly. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the Congress and the CPI(M) had entered into an understanding with the BJP to defeat the Trinamool Congress with their "immoral" alliance. Banerjee also said that her party will go it alone in the 2024 elections, "with the support of common people" and the Congress should refrain from calling itself anti-BJP. "For the Sagardighi loss, I do not blame anyone... But, there is an immoral alliance, which we strongly .

Adequate measures being taken for safety: Mamata on adenovirus scare

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday stated that only two adenovirus deaths have been recorded in the state, and assured people that there was nothing to be scared of, as ample measures are being taken by her administration to keep them safe. She also said that infants who died of late were mostly underweight and had several comorbidities. "Of the 12 (recent) cases, two resulted from adenovirus infections. The rest were due to comorbidities. Some had pulmonary hemorrhages, some suffered from weight loss. There is nothing to be afraid of We have readied 5,000 beds and 600 doctors have been tasked with the responsibility of dealing with such cases," Banerjee told reporters. The CM also noted that people are scared, after having endured the impact of COVID-19. "Any child's death is sad. Common cold and flu cases are registered every year during this time of seasonal transition. There is nothing to panic about. Such deaths are happening in every state, not just in ...

Derek O'Brien applauds SC judgement on the appointments of the CEC and ECs

The "Extremely Compromised EC" can now become "Extremely Competent EC", TMC MP Derek O'Brien said on Thursday, reacting to a Supreme Court ruling on the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the appointments of the Chief Election Commissioner and election commissioners will be done by the President on the advise of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India. "HUGE. So Extremely Comprised (EC) can again strive to become Extremely Competent (EC)," O'Brien said in a tweet. A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice KM Joseph, also made an appeal to the Parliament and the Union of India to constitute a separate and independent secretariat for dealing with the expenditure of the Election Commission of India to cut it from any financial obligation to the government.

Trinamool Congress second richest party after BJP, Congress at third: ADR

Trinamool Congress has emerged as the second richest party after BJP in terms of income in financial year 2021-22, as per a report

5 children die of respiratory infection in Kolkata, Mamata chairs meeting

Five children died due to respiratory infection at different hospitals in Kolkata in the last 24 hours, an official said on Tuesday evening. The deaths were reported amid fears of adenovirus infection, but doctors were not sure whether these fatalities could be linked to it. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held an emergency meeting on the evolving situation, following which the government issued a series of directives and announced a 24x7 emergency helpline -- 1800-313444-222. All paediatric acute respiratory infection (ARI) clinics will operate at the medical college and hospitals (MCHs), district hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals, among others, round the clock, the directive said. To curb the problem of patient referrals, it said that "no paediatric ARI cases shall be referred without the knowledge of the concerned MSVP/Superintendent of the hospital". It also directed the hospitals to ready ventilators and other logistics to deal with the situation. ASHA workers and other

Penalty for littering garbage on roads in Kolkata hiked 100 times

Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has decided to increase the penalty for littering garbage on the streets of the city by 100 times in the near future

Mamata likely to chair meeting for speedy disposal of public grievances

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to chair a review meeting on Monday for the speedy disposal of public grievances, an official said. Banerjee is likely to meet officials of departments concerned and district magistrates, he said. "The chief minister is likely to direct officials to speed up the administrative works before the panchayat elections. There may be discussions on complaints received through the 'Didir Doot' programme," the official said on Friday.

Mamata can be a game changer in 2024 Lok Sabha elections: Shatrughan Sinha

Amid opposition unity talks to take on the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bollywood star Shatrughan Sinha said that party chief and West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee can be a game changer

Don't allow people coming from outside to impose CAA, NRC: Mamata Banerjee

In a veiled attack on the BJP at an election rally in Meghalaya, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her party will not allow people coming from outside to impose CAA and NRC on residents of the northeastern state. She also accused the Conrad Sangma government in the state of not undertaking development work in the state and being involved in the scandal. Don't allow people coming from outside to impose CAA, NRC on you, Banerjee said at the poll rally in Meghalaya. TMC can develop Meghalaya.change this government...nothing is here. Not a medical college, not a good health system for treatment, no development but the scandal is there, she said. Banerjee also appealed to people to vote for her party. Vote for TMC in Meghalaya, we will oust BJP from Delhi: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at a poll rally, she added.

Mamata launches app for non-resident Bengalis to communicate in emergency

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said while emphasising on the use of Bengali language, the state government gives respect and importance to other languages

Commonly used words should enter lexicon for growth of language: Mamata

Emphasising the state's culture of promoting unity amidst diversity, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday that for the evolution and growth of a language it is necessary to include words used by the masses to enter its lexicon. Addressing a programme at Deshapriya Park in south Kolkata on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, the chief minister called for opening up rather than slamming the doors for any language to promote its growth. "We cannot keep our minds shut, we have to embrace other words and phrases which are used and understood by many Bengalis. Ma' is a universally understood word, but many people address their mother as Amma'. Those who have migrated from Bangladesh use certain phrases which were not used by people in this state. Language is like a flowing river. It is my humble submission to linguists and experts what is the harm in incorporating words to enrich our lexicon without tinkering with the basic spirit of the language? the

Mamata govt has turned 'Shiksha' into 'Ashiksha': Dharmendra Pradhan

Talking to reporters here in Kolkata, Pradhan said, "In Mamata Banerjee government, 'Shiksha' (education) has been turned into 'Ashiksha' (lack of education)

Mamata questions lack of central team in UP to probe mother-daughter death

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday sought to know why a central team was not sent to probe the death of a mother-daughter duo in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh during an eviction drive. The duo died allegedly due to self-immolation during an anti-encroachment drive in Kanpur's Dehat district on February 13. Banerjee claimed that the drive in UP was being conducted to evict "poor" people. "But no probe is instituted in such cases; why was no central team sent there?" she asked, while speaking at a programme in Bankura. She asserted that her government gives land rights to the poor to ensure their safety. Banerjee and her party TMC have been vocal about central teams being sent to West Bengal on various issues, with the most recent ones being on mid-day meal distribution and MNREGA implementation in the state. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of the mother-daughter duo in Kanpur Dehat during an ...

Freebies won't lead to sustainable growth: Top economist on Bengal budget

The West Bengal Budget for 2023-24 was "full of announcements, which can be misleading", said senior BJP leader and noted economist Ashok Lahiri, underscoring that extending freebies will not lead to sustainable growth. The TMC government is known for spending money on 'revdi' politics, handing out freebies which ultimately does not lead to sustained growth, he noted. Infrastructure holds the key in West Bengal, but the roads here are in shambles, he alleged. "The revenue expenditure in the current fiscal was Rs 8,000 crore more than what they had budgeted. Accordingly, the government had to spend much less on capital account. If not much is spent on capital account, how will roads, bridges and ports be built? Lahiri, also a member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, underlined. "The road infrastructure in West Bengal is in shambles. The NH-34, which connects Kolkata to Siliguri, does not look like a national highway, but resembles the streets of Bow Bazaar at times. Similarly, th