Page 112 - West Bengal

Normal life disrupted as rain lashes Kolkata, parts of south Bengal

Normal life was partially disrupted in Kolkata and parts of the southern region of West Bengal on Monday as heavy rain triggered by depression caused hurdles to commuters on the first working day of the week. The Met department forecast downpour till Tuesday morning owing to the depression that lay over south Chhattisgarh and will bring in its wake gusty wind with a speed of 35 to 45 kmph in the coastal areas of West Bengal. Children going to schools and people to their workplaces faced a tough time reaching their destinations as public transport was scarce. Kolkata received rain at an average rate of 7-8 mm per hour since morning, and all the pumping stations are operational, a civic body official said, adding that adequate personnel have been deployed to pump out water from low-lying areas. The weatherman forecast heavy rain in Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Jhargram, West Midnapore, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia districts of Gangetic West Bengal till Tuesday ...

Odisha, West Bengal, Telangana likely to get heavy rain today: IMD

Indian Meteorological Department issued a warning for heavy rainfall in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and Telangana today

Mobile gaming application case: ED raids six locations in Kolkata

ED has carried out search operations at six locations here with respect to an investigation relating to the Mobile Gaming Application

WB govt, UNICEF rope in SHGs to stop child marriage, teenage pregnancy

The West Bengal government in collaboration with UNICEF will form child-friendly sanghas' (clusters), comprising members of self-help groups, to curb child marriage and teenage pregnancy in the state, which is the highest in the country. To stop these twin menaces, the state government and UNICEF have planned, as a pilot project, to form 110 child-friendly sanghas' in the next six months in 87 blocks in all 23 districts of the state, a UNICEF release said here. "This initiative is aimed at addressing the issues that affect the lives of SHG members and their family members," Vibhu Goel, State Mission Director and CEO of West Bengal State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM), said at the end of a validation workshop held here on Friday. West Bengal is at the top in cases of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, according to a National Family Health Survey report. As per the data available, after the National Family Health Survey-5 was conducted in 2019-20, a total 41.6 per cent of women a

UP joins lottery lobby as West Bengal pushes for 28% GST on online gaming

West Bengal, a state with a flourishing lottery business, has been joined by Uttar Pradesh, where there is a lottery ban, to push for a 28 per cent GST for online skill gaming

CBI raids Bengal minister Moloy Ghatak's residences in coal smuggling scam

The CBI on Wednesday morning raided several residences of West Bengal minister Moloy Ghatak in connection with its probe into a coal smuggling scam, an officer said. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths conducted raids at three houses of Ghatak in Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district and one in Lake Gardens area of Kolkata. The agency, aided by a huge contingent of central paramilitary personnel, conducted searches in these properties in connection with the scam. Women officers were also part of the team. "As his name surfaced in the coal smuggling scam, we need to find out what was his role in it. We have evidence of Ghatak's involvement in the scam," the CBI officer told PTI. Ghatak was not present in any of his residences when the raids took place. The CBI sleuths took away mobile phones from the state law minister's family members and made them sit in one room in his Asansol houses, he said. The entire areas around Ghatak's residences were surrounded by central forc

CBI quizzes TMC MLA for BJP worker's murder in post-poll violence

Senior TMC MLA Paresh Pal appeared before the CBI on Tuesday in connection with its probe into the murder of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar in post-poll violence in Kolkata. Pal, the MLA of Beleghata, was questioned by the agency in May as well in the case. "We have specific questions for Pal in connection with the murder of Sarkar. These questions have been framed after grilling a few others in connection with the murder," a CBI officer said. Pal is being questioned by CBI officers at the agency's CGO Complex office in Salt Lake near Kolkata. Sarkar was dragged out of his house in Narkeldanga and murdered allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers, hours after the results of the state assembly elections were declared on May 2 last year.

2 arrested with gold biscuits worth Rs 2.42 crore in West Bengal's Siliguri

Two persons were arrested in West Bengal's Siliguri with gold biscuits worth Rs 2.42 crore, officials said on Tuesday. Acting on a tip-off, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested Tlangmuanthanga and Dalsuankhai from the Siliguri Junction area on Monday, they said. Twenty-nine gold biscuits, weighing 4.81 kg, were found hidden in their shoes, they added. When produced before a court, they were sent to 14 days in judicial custody.

West Bengal cattle smuggling case: CBI summons bank officials for details

The CBI on Monday summoned four officials of two public sector banks at Bolpur and Suri in Birbhum district of West Bengal to question them

CBI arrests another TMC leader, Raju Sahani in West Bengal chit fund case

Th CBI arrested the chairperson of Halisahar Municipality and TMC leader Raju Sahani, in Kolkata and took him for five days' custody in an ongoing investigation related with a chit fund case

NGT imposes environmental compensation of Rs 3,500 cr on West Bengal govt

The National Green Tribunal has imposed an environmental compensation of Rs 3,500 crore on West Bengal for its failure in the treatment of solid and liquid waste. The green bench observed there was not much initiative by the West Bengal government in prioritising solid and sewage treatment plants in urban areas. The bench, headed by Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, said remedial measures must be taken within six months. The order said that for failure in liquid waste management processing, "liability of the state is to pay compensation of Rs 2,980 crores, rounded off to Rs 3,000 crore in view of continuing damage." For failure to process solid waste, the compensation to be paid is Rs 500 crore, the NGT said. "Final amount of compensation under the two heads (solid and liquid waste) is assessed at Rs 3500 crore which may be deposited by the state of West Bengal in a separate ring-fenced account within two months," according to the September 1 order. The chief secretary may personally mo

NGT slaps Rs 3,500 cr penalty on WB govt for huge gap in waste management

The National Green Tribunal has imposed a penalty of Rs 3,500 crore on the West Bengal government for the huge gap in solid and liquid waste generation and treatment. The green panel said the state government does not appear to be prioritising setting up of sewage and solid waste management facilities though according to the state's budget for 2022-2023, there is provision of Rs 12,818.99 crore on Urban Development and Municipal Affairs. Observing that health issues cannot be deferred to the long future, a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice A K Goel said it is the constitutional responsibility of the state and the local bodies to provide a pollution free environment. The NGT noted that out of 2,758 million litres per day of sewage generation in urban areas and the treatment capacity of 1505.85 MLD (by setting up 44 STPs), only 1268 MLD is reported to be treated, leaving a huge gap of 1490 MLD. It said being part of the right to life, which is also a basic human right and absol

Hotels nearly full as Bengal braces for 'revenge travel' during Durga Puja

Over 70 per cent of hotel rooms in the tourist destinations of northern West Bengal are booked for the Durga Puja vacation, an official said on Saturday. The economy of the region, which boasts of some picturesque Himalayan destinations such as Darjeeling and Kalimpong, and forests of the Dooars, was battered by the pandemic as tourists stayed home amid the lockdowns. As coronavirus cases subside, businesses are hopeful of an effervescent festive season with tickets of trains to New Jalpaiguri -- the gateway to the region, sold out and hotel rooms fast getting filled up. Federation of Bengal Hotels assistant secretary Ujjwal Ghosh said the region saw a good footfall during the summer holidays this years, and the hoteliers expect even a better festive season. "Over 70 per cent of hotel rooms have already been booked in the Hills and in Dooars, and we expect the rest to be filled up soon," he said. The homestays are also witnessing a huge demand with most expected to be fully booked

Tribals protest in parts of West Bengal demanding holiday on their festival

Different organisations of the Kudmi tribe started road blockades in Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal on Saturday, demanding that the government declare a state holiday on their festival on Tuesday. The West Bengal government has already declared a sectional holiday on Tuesday, but the protesters want it to be a state holiday. The protesters started the blockades around 6 am on the state highways and other important junctions in the two districts with traditional weapons, affecting normal lives. The roads were largely empty. Protests were also held in neighbouring Bankura and Purulia districts. The protesters said that the blockades will continue till the evening, and the demonstration would be intensified if the demand was not met.

BJP asks West Bengal unit to work unitedly ahead of panchayat elections

The BJP has asked its West Bengal unit to keep aside internal differences and work in a united manner ahead of next year's panchayat elections in the state, party leaders said. The central leadership put forth this message at a three-day organisational meeting of the BJP near Kolkata, which concluded on Wednesday. Several senior party leaders, including state president Sukanta Majumdar and newly appointed state in-charge Sunil Bansal, attended the 'Prashikshan Shivir' at a resort in Rajarhat in North 24 Parganas district. BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh also participated in the concluding session. "During the meeting, the central leadership said the party has to work unitedly and keep aside internal differences. It should reflect collective leadership and responsibility. This message has to be percolated to the booth level," a senior state BJP leader said. Leaders of the BJP also stressed on the need to induct people who are willing to join the party, bu

Will fight legally if my family gets notice from central agencies: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that if her family members get a notice from any of the central government probe agencies, she would fight them legally though it has become a tough affair these days. Her comment came after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued a fresh summons to her nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee to appear before its officers on Friday in connection with its ongoing investigation into the coal smuggling scam. "If my family gets notice (from central agencies), I will fight it legally, though it has become tough these days. I have faith in the judiciary," the chief minister told reporters here. She said, "They (BJP) allege that the coal scam proceeds are going to Kalighat, but they don't name anyone. Is the money going to Maa Kali?" Banerjee lives in Kolkata's Kalighat area, famous for its Kali temple. The chief minister said she did not help anyone get properties illegally. "If it is proved that I have encroached

Bengal withdraws minister's security after jibes against celebrity leaders

The development happens despite Mahata apologising for his comments and explaining he made such statements being driven by emotions

ED seeks information on teachers' appointment in Bengal school jobs scam

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday sought information from the West Bengal Board of Primary Education about the appointment of primary teachers since 2011 in connection with its ongoing probe into a school jobs scam, an official said. The ED wrote to the chairman of the board for soft copies of the appointments-related details by Thursday, he said. A source in the education body said officials concerned in primary schools in all the districts have been asked to furnish the information on time. The ED had earlier arrested suspended Trinamool Congress leader and former state minister Partha Chatterjee, and his close associate Arpita Mukherjee for their alleged involvement in the multi-crore scam.

'I dare BJP to arrest me; allegations of rise in assets baseless': Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday dared the BJP to have her arrested, even as she dubbed the allegations of a rise in assets of her and her relatives exponentially in the last few years as "baseless". Claiming that central agencies and "ill-gotten money of the BJP" are being used to dislodge elected state governments run by parties opposed to the saffron camp, the Trinamool Congress supremo vowed to defeat the BJP in the next Lok Sabha polls. She slammed the opposition for allegedly unleashing a malicious campaign against her and her party leaders following the arrest of two senior leaders by the ED and CBI in different cases, Banerjee said had she not been in politics, she would have asked her people to tear off the tongues of those liars. Addressing a rally of her party's student wing, Banerjee said a malicious campaign has been unleashed against senior TMC leaders such as Abhishek Banerjee, Firhad Hakim and herself. "Someone told me they have filed a case ...

Oppn parties up the ante as TMC warns leaders against aggressive remarks

As the CBI and ED stretch their nets to haul in people involved in the school teacher appointment scam and cattle-smuggling racket, the ruling Trinamool Congress is attempting to play it safe