Page 22 - West Bengal

Guv has no authority to summon officers to discuss Bills: Bengal minister

West Bengal's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the governor does not have any authority to summon officers to discuss pending Bills. Chattopadhyay's statement on Thursday came after Governor C V Ananda Bose said he has sought meetings with officers of different departments before approving some Bills that are pending with him. "The Constitution clearly states that the governor does not have the power to indefinitely hold back Bills. If there are legal concerns with a Bill, the governor may write to the government. But nowhere does the Constitution say he can summon officials or hold discussions. I have read the Constitution many times," the minister said. Following a Supreme Court verdict on the matter, Speaker Biman Banerjee said 23 Bills passed by the West Bengal Assembly since 2016 have not received the governor's assent. In a major victory for the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, the apex court on Tuesday cleared 10 Bills that were stalled and reserved b

Sacked teachers start relay hunger strike over job loss, police action

A section of teachers who lost their jobs following a Supreme Court judgment which held that the whole appointment process was tainted, on Thursday announced a relay hunger strike in protest over the issue. The teachers and other staff who lost their jobs said that they were also protesting police action against their compatriots at the district inspector (DI) of school's office at Kasba in south Kolkata on Wednesday. "We started a relay hunger strike agitation with one teacher at the beginning and will soon chalk out further programme to protest the issue," one of the protesters told reporters outside the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) office at Salt Lake here. The agitating teachers have been holding a sit-in outside the SSC office building 'Acharya Sadan' since Wednesday night to protest the loss of jobs and police action against their compatriots. The protesters alleged they were subjected to baton-charge and were even kicked and shoved around by law enforcement ..

22 held over violence during protests against Waqf Act in WB's Murshidabad

The official further said that the situation remains under control even though stone pelting occurred

PM Modi pays tribute to Lord Mahavir, hails message of non-violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to Mahavir, the 24th and last 'tirthankar' in the Jain religion, on his birth anniversary, saying his ideals give strength to countless people all around the world. Modi said his government will always work to fulfil the vision of the reverted holy figure. He noted that the government last year conferred the status of classical language on Prakrit, a decision which received a lot of appreciation. He said, "We all bow to Bhagwan Mahavir, who always emphasised on non-violence, truth and compassion. His ideals give strength to countless people all around the world." "His teachings have been beautifully preserved and popularised by the Jain community. Inspired by Bhagwan Mahavir, they have excelled in different walks of life and contributed to societal well-being," he added.

West Bengal govt to seek SC review after annulling 25,000 teacher jobs

West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Wednesday urged teachers to continue working in their respective schools to ensure that the state's education system does not collapse and asserted that the government would soon file a review petition in the Supreme Court in the context of its order annulling over 25,000 jobs last week. Referring to clashes between police and teachers outside the District Inspector (DI) of Schools' office at Kasba here, Pant appealed to the educators not to get involved in confrontations so that their plan to legally resolve the impasse does not get affected. "It has come to our notice that teachers were seen attending schools and interacting with students. I would like to congratulate them. I will appeal to them not to get involved in anything that would affect the steps we are planning to take. I would like to assure them that the government is trying to find a solution to the problem legally," Pant added. "We have already filed a clarificatory petition i

A string of airports in Gangetic plains aims to change the face of travel

These airports in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal could also provide logistics services and help bring down notoriously high freight charges out of these states

22 held for violence over Waqf Act in Murshidabad; security tightened

Twenty-two people were arrested in connection with the violence in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a demonstration against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police said on Wednesday. The situation has been peaceful with a huge contingent of police maintaining a strict vigil on the sensitive areas, especially in and around Jangipur, which was rocked by the violence on Tuesday, they said. "The situation is calm, peaceful and under control. Not a single untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the district. Prohibitory orders would continue to remain in force till 6 pm on April 10. Internet would also remain suspended till 6 pm on April 11," a senior police officer said. Prohibitory orders were clamped in and around Raghunathganj and Suti police station areas following the violence. Stones were hurled targeting the police, and vehicles of the force were set on fire by a mob that blocked the NH-12, demanding the withdrawal of the legislation. "Since Tues

Mamata Banerjee says Waqf Amendment Act will not be implemented in Bengal

Speaking at a programme organised by the Jain community in Kolkata, CM Mamata Banerjee said she would always stand by the minority communities and protect their rights

BJP slams Mamata for 'vote bank politics' over Murshidabad Waqf protest

Reportedly, during the protest against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad, violence broke out on Tuesday

Waqf row: Police vehicles torched, stones hurled during protest in Bengal

Stones were allegedly hurled at the police and their vehicles were set on fire during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday, officials said. The incident happened in the Jangipur area where a large number of people gathered in the afternoon to demand the withdrawal of the Act. "The protestors hurled stones at the police who were deployed in the area, following which some police vehicles were set on fire," a senior district police officer said. Security has been strengthened in the area following the incident, he said. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday, and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the bill on Saturday. The Act aims to streamline the management of Waqf properties (assets permanently donated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes) with provisions to ..

Rahul Gandhi urges President Murmu to protect jobs of sacked WB teachers

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drew attention of President Droupadi Murmu to the plight of the teachers who were selected through 'fair means'

Supreme Court stays HC order for CBI probe into Bengal SSC jobs case

The Supreme Court's stay gives interim relief to the West Bengal government, which was under scrutiny over alleged irregularities in the appointment of staff through the SSC recruitment process

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 ...