Page 20 - West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee meets teachers who lost jobs, asks them to 'keep working'

The Supreme Court, in a strongly worded verdict last week, upheld an earlier verdict of the Calcutta High Court invalidating over 25,000 appointments of teaching and non-teaching staff

'Mamata Banerjee should be in jail': BJP, Cong protest over SSC jobs case

The protests come days after the Supreme Court upheld a Calcutta HC verdict that invalidated the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff across state-run and state-aided schools

BJP's Suvendu Adhikari slams Mamata govt over Ram Navami celebrations

Calcutta HC allows Howrah Ram Navami rally from 3-5 pm with conditions: no arms or motorcycles permitted; rally must remain peaceful under proper police supervision

Ready to be arrested for supporting candidates: Mamata to BJP over SSC scam

The reaction of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came after the Supreme Court cancelled the appointments of 25,753 teachers and staff in government-run and aided schools in 2016

BJP demands Mamata's resignation after verdict on teacher recruitment scam

Supreme Court invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and staff at West Bengal schools due to large-scale irregularities

Supreme Court upholds Calcutta HC's cancellation of 25,000 WB school jobs

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar noted that "the appointments were vitiated by manipulation and fraud"

SC scraps appointment of 25,753 teachers, staff in West Bengal schools

The Supreme Court on Thursday invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-run and state-aided schools in West Bengal, terming their selection process "vitiated and tainted". A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld a Calcutta High Court verdict dated April 22, 2024, annulling the appointments. Pronouncing the verdict, the CJI said the employees, whose appointments have been annulled, are not needed to return their salaries and other emoluments. The top court also ordered the state government to initiate a fresh selection process and complete it within three months. It, however, made relaxation for the disabled employees on humanitarian grounds, saying they would remain in the job. The bench fixed the West Bengal government's plea challenging the high court direction for a CBI probe for hearing on April 4. On February 10, the top court reserved its judgement on a batch of petitions in the matter.

Mamata appeals for peace during Ram Navami, warns against rumours

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to all communities in the state to celebrate the upcoming Ram Navami festival peacefully without paying heed to rumours. Ram Navami will be celebrated on April 6 (Sunday). In an apparent reference to the BJP, Banerjee described it as a "jumla" outfit with a sole agenda to divide the country on the basis of religion. "I will ask all communities to maintain peace during Ram Navami, not pay heed to rumours and remain alert," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat on Wednesday. "I request you not to get involved in any riots... remember, it's their game plan. In West Bengal, we follow the teachings of Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, and not that of the Jumla party. Also, do not disturb other festivals," the CM said. "Remember that religion belongs to an individual, but festivals are for everybody. Sikhs hold rallies with kirpans -- you can also take out rallies, but you must adhere to the police's restrictions and not create ...

Highlights: Supreme Court refuses to release Ranveer Allahbadia's passport until Latent probe ends

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8 killed, many injured after explosion reported in Bengal's Patharpratima

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that the building where the incident happened was a crude bomb manufacturing unit

Calcutta HC orders Malda DM, SP to submit report on Mothabari violence

The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the district magistrate and the superintendent of police of West Bengal's Malda to file an action taken report over clashes between two communities in the Mothabari area. The court observed that in view of the sensitivity attached to the matter, it is expected that the "state should act cautiously and take appropriate measures" to ensure the safety and security of the people affected by such violence. "The state is required to preserve and protect imprescriptible right of its citizens," a division bench headed by Justice Soumen Sen observed. The bench, also comprising Justice Smita Das De, said that it will be the responsibility of the state to restore peace and confidence in the minds of the public. "The offenders should be immediately arrested," the bench said. The court directed the district magistrate and the superintendent of police, Malda, to file an action taken report on April 3. The state administration was directed to verify th

BJP calls Mamata 'a disgrace to Bengal' as protests mar her Oxford speech

BJP leader Amit Malviya shared a video claiming Bengali Hindus confronted CM Mamata Banerjee at Kellogg College, London, during her visit

At Oxford, Mamata says her governance model doesn't allow discrimination

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that her governance model does not allow discrimination and that she prioritises the welfare of all sections of society. Addressing a gathering at the Kellogg College in the University of Oxford, she stressed the importance of inclusive development and stated that division in society is counterproductive. "If I die, before my death, I want to see unity. Unity is our strength, and division leads to our fall. This was Swami Vivekananda's belief. Keeping unity is a difficult task, but dividing people takes only a moment. Do you think the world can sustain such divisive ideology?" she asked "When I am in the chair, I cannot divide society. I have to look after the weaker sections and the poor. We have to work hard for them. At the same time, we must work for all religions, castes, and creeds together, move forward with them, and help them," she said. Banerjee, who leads the Trinamool Congress, was speaking on 'Social Developm

Vi partners with WB's export body to boost MSME digital transformation

Telecom major Vodafone Idea (Vi) on Tuesday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal State Export Promotion Society (WBSEPS) to accelerate digital transformation of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state. The move comes as the West Bengal government aims to strengthen its MSME ecosystem, which employs over one crore people. The collaboration will leverage the digital assessment and advisory initiative of the telecom company and it has already evaluated over 1.9 lakh MSMEs nationwide since its launch in 2022, the statement said. Under the partnership, the telecom major will provide localised digital tools and training modules in Bengali, and host webinars to enhance tech adoption among West Bengal's MSMEs. "MSMEs contribute 30 per cent to India's GDP. This partnership will empower them with digital capabilities to scale operations and access global markets," Vi Business EVP & Segment Head Rajeev Mehta said. The West Bengal ...

Look forward to fostering ties with partners in UK, says Mamata Banerjee

Speaking at the High Commission of India in London where she attended a high-tea reception, CM Banerjee called the relationship very deep

Matter of pride that CM Mamata is going to Oxford University, says Governor

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday said it is a matter of pride that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is visiting Oxford University to deliver a lecture. He also said that whenever good things happen to the state, they make him happy. "If anything good happens to Bengal, it makes us happy. Also we are proud that the CM is going to Oxford," Bose told reporters on the sidelines of a CII meet here. It is a matter of pride that the CM (who is) from the land of Rabindranath Tagore has been invited there, he said. Banerjee's lecture at Oxford University is slated for March 27. During her stay, she will also meet industrialists on March 25 to seek investments for the state. She is expected to return between March 28 and 29. As part of her itinerary in the UK, Banerjee will attend a programme at the Indian High Commission on March 24, a government-to-government (G2G) programme on March 26, and another G2G event at Oxford on March 27. About the appointment of a permanent vice .

Calcutta HC to hear plea for further probe into RG Kar case on March 24

The Calcutta High Court will on Monday hear a petition by the parents of the doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital seeking further probe into the crime. The lawyer representing the parents mentioned the matter before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, stating that the Supreme Court had asked them to move the designated single bench of the HC with their plea. Justice Ghosh on Thursday said that the matter will appear in Monday's list for hearing in his court as "to be mentioned". The parents in their petition have prayed for further probe by the CBI, which was entrusted with the investigation into the rape and murder that happened on August 9, by the HC. The court of Justice Ghosh had asked the parents to seek clarification from the SC, the lawyer noted. The clarification was sought since a suo motu matter with regard to the rape and murder was pending before the apex court, he said. The lawyer submitted that the Supreme Court has given the parents th

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

RG Kar rape-murder: Parents get daughter's death certificate after 7 months

Seven months after their daughter's rape-murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, her parents finally received her death certificate from West Bengal Health Secretary NS Nigam. Accompanied by the medical superintendent and vice principal (MSVP) of RG Kar hospital, the health secretary visited the deceased doctor's residence on Wednesday evening to deliver the original death certificate to her parents. "They needed the original death certificate. Today, I came here and handed it over to them. No discussions were held," Nigam said. The victim's father, who had been demanding the death certificate since August 9 the day of the tragic incident at the state-run institute said, "The health secretary suddenly arrived at our residence and gave us the original document." "We have been struggling to obtain it. We sent an email in January and, even after that, had to go from one department to another, but no one cooperated," he alleged. He also acknowledged receiving a link that coul

At least 200,000 recruitments in Bengal once OBC issue sorted out: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said recruitment to fill at least two to three lakh vacancies in various state government departments could proceed once the ongoing survey to assess community backwardnessand thereby include more groups under the OBC category for reservationis completed and receives approval. Speaking in the Assembly, Banerjee lamented that recruitment had been stalled due to court cases filed by opposition parties, urging them not to "play games" that hinder the process of filling vacancies. She expressed satisfaction at the Supreme Court allowing the state's plea to conduct a fresh assessment of community backwardness for OBC categorisation and reservation, aiming to complete it within three months. "Those against OBC recruitment have moved court, thereby blocking the recruitments. Yesterday, there was a hearing at the Supreme Court and it was good. I think the matter will be sorted out soon," she said. "They have not stopped our survey, so