Page 22 - West Bengal

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

Bengal govt gives nod for ad hoc bonus of Rs 6,800 for section of employees

The West Bengal government decided to extend an ad hoc bonus of Rs 6,800 to all its employees who do not come under any productivity-linked bonus system, and have revised monthly emoluments below Rs 44,000 in March, a senior official said on Wednesday. An order in this regard was issued by the finance department on Tuesday which also stated that employees belonging to the Muslim community would be receiving the bonus before Eid-ul-Fitr festival, scheduled later this month, while others would have it in the September 15-19 period, he said. Pensioners would get an ex gratia of Rs 3,500, the official said. The state government also decided to sanction an interest-free advance up to a maximum of Rs 20,000 for those employees having monthly emoluments not exceeding Rs 52,000 in March, he said referring to the order of the finance department.

Amit Shah likely to visit West Bengal on March 29-30, says Sukanta Majumdar

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was on a visit three-day visit to Assam where he inaugurated several projects

Calcutta HC Justice Joymalya Bagchi to be sworn in as SC judge on March 17

Justice Joymalya Bagchi, a judge of the Calcutta High Court, will on Monday be sworn in as a Supreme Court judge. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna will administer the oath of office to Justice Bagchi in the presence of other Supreme Court judges at a ceremony on the apex court premises. Once Justice Bagchi takes oath, the Supreme Court will have 33 judges against its sanctioned strength of 34. Justice Bagchi will have a tenure of more than six years in the top court, during which he will also serve as the CJI. Born on October 3, 1966, Justice Bagchi will assume the office of CJI upon the retirement of Justice KV Viswanathan on May 25, 2031. His tenure will last till his his retirement on October 2, 2031. Justice Bagchi's name was cleared by the central government on March 10 for appointment as a Supreme Court judge. On March 6, a five-member collegium headed by CJI Khanna recommended his name for Supreme Court judgeship. The collegium -- also comprising Justice BR Gava

CPI(M) aiming to recover WB base, unite Left forces against TMC, BJP: Karat

The CPI(M) is aiming to recover its base in West Bengal and will try to bring together "Left and democratic forces" against both the TMC and the BJP, party leader Prakash Karat has said. He added that no discussions had been held on whether the Left Front and the Congress would contest the assembly polls, due in 2026, in an alliance. In an interview with PTI, the CPI(M) interim coordinator stressed that the party losing ground in West Bengal was a major reason behind its declining electoral strength. The CPI(M) is focusing on working among the rural poor to regain its traditional support base, Karat said. Asked about the party's standing in West Bengal, which the CPI(M)-led Left Front governed for 34 years between 1977 and 2011 before losing to the TMC, the veteran leader highlighted the recent mobilisations of youngsters, including during the protests against the RG Kar rape and murder incident. "I am not talking only about our party but all Left and progressive forces (that) cam

Internet suspended in parts of Birbhum's Sainthia in Bengal till March 17

The prohibitory order, suspending internet and call services, cited concerns over the potential spreading of "rumours for unlawful activities"

BJP rejects Mamata's claim on Bengal leading in investments as 'lie'

The BJP on Thursday rejected as a "lie" West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's assertion that the state is a front-runner in receiving big industrial investment intentions, alleging that it ranks much lower in its share of actual investment. Banerjee on Wednesday said the state has emerged as a front-runner in receiving concrete big industrial investment intentions. Citing a report published by the central government's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the chief minister claimed Bengal has surpassed all the states in attracting (big) corporate industrial investment intentions in 2024. BJP's co-incharge for the state, Amit Malviya, said in a post on X, "Stop lying Mamata Banerjee. Here is a fact check on West Bengal's Investment Intentions vs Actual Investment." Citing official figures, he said West Bengal ranked fourth in investment intentions for January-November 2024, attracting proposals worth Rs 39,133 crore (7.45 per cent of total investmen

Police record West Bengal education minister's statement over JU violence

The police have recorded the statement of West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu in connection with an FIR lodged against him and others in the recent incident of violence at Jadavpur University, a senior officer said. Based on a complaint by Jadavpur University student Indranuj Roy who was injured during the incident on March 1, the FIR was registered against Basu, JU professor and TMC leader Om Prakash Mishra and others. "The minister was asked about the entire incident...how he was attacked and other details. The minister's statement has been recorded," the officer said on Tuesday. Police officers had earlier spoken to Basu's driver, Rehan Molla, and Mishra. The student was injured after the minister's car allegedly grazed past him and others during protests on March 1 on the JU campus. Relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), including the one dealing with someone voluntarily causing hurt, assaulting or criminal force against a woman with the intent to

West Bengal minister rejects Centre's new labour law, calls it 'misleading'

Stating that the new labour law introduced by the BJP-led central government was "befooling" workers, West Bengal Labour minister Moloy Ghatak on Tuesday told the Assembly that the state government would not comply with them. Ghatak alleged that if the law was implemented, numerous workers would be deprived of social security like Provident Fund and benefits of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI). The minister called on everyone to fight together against the new labour law of the Centre. He claimed that the new labour rules of the central government state that if someone was earning more than Rs 15,000 per month, then he could no longer be called a worker. Ghatak also briefed the Assembly about the various steps taken by the state government for the development of the working class. He said that the state government would continue raising the salary of the tea garden workers as long as the minimum wage approved by the Labour Board was implemented. He alleged that the erstwhile Le

Bengal tops in MSME manufacturing industries in India: CM Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal topped the list in MSME manufacturing industries and also recorded the highest percentage of women-headed establishments in the country, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday. Citing the recently published findings of the 'Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises' conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), Banerjee highlighted Bengal's outstanding performance in multiple sectors. "Happy to share that the recently published findings of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises' conducted by the National Statistics Office, Government of India, once again establish Bengal's top position in MSME manufacturing industries and, simultaneously, our women's wonderful performance there," Banerjee posted on X. The state recorded the highest percentage of women-headed establishments in the country, at 36.4 per cent, she said. Banerjee added that the state has emerged as the leader in workers engaged in 'Manufacturing Enterprises,' contributing

RG Kar case: Mother of murdered doctor seeks meeting with PM for justice

Mother of the RG Kar hospital medic who was raped and murdered on Saturday said she and her husband would like to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek justice for their daughter. Speaking on International Women's Day, the bereaved mother also raised a question over the safety and security of women in West Bengal. "I would like to meet the PM and appeal to him to intervene in the matter and look into our appeal for justice for our deceased doctor," she said. The 31-year-old junior doctor was raped-killed at the state-run hospital in Kolkata on August 9 last year, triggering national outrage. "Our daughter had dreamt big, and we never thought that she would have to die such a death. It's been seven months since she left us, but where is justice? We do not even have the death certificate," she claimed. "If a woman doctor is unsafe at her workplace, then where is the security?" she questioned. Reacting to the mother's wish to meet the PM, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said, "There is a

Fight for worship continues in WB, 130 Dalit families denied temple entry

Threatened, ostracised and pushed to the edge, a group of about 130 Dalit families in West Bengal's Purba Bardhaman district are pinning their final hopes on police and district administration to end a caste-based discriminatory tradition of three centuries and receive their Constitutionally-guaranteed right to worship their God. The families at Daspara area of Gidhgram village, all having 'Das' surnames and belonging to the traditional community of cobblers and weavers, have allegedly been forced to stay away from the steps of Gidheswar Shiv temple, the only place of worship in the locality, by the shrine committee and other villagers on grounds that they belong to a "low caste", victims alleged. At their wits' end, victims at the receiving end of this discrimination now plan to take "the fight to the end" and even seek legal recourse if the state administration fails to resolve the crisis. The discriminatory practice almost unheard in modern Bengal and violative of Article 25 of t

EC's clarification on duplicate voter ID numbers a cover-up: TMC

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday dismissed the Election Commission's clarifications on duplicate voter ID numbers as a "cover-up" and cited the poll panel's own guidelines to assert that two cards cannot have the same number. The TMC on Monday alleged a "scam" in issuing duplicate voter ID card numbers and gave the poll panel a 24-hour deadline to "accept its mistake". On Tuesday, party Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale shared on X excerpts from the 'Handbook For Electoral Registration Officers' to counter the poll panel's clarifications on the issue, which was first raised by party chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "Yesterday, All India Trinamool Congress had given Election Commission of India 24 hours to admit and accept their blunder on the duplicate voter ID fraud issue. Clearly, the ECI, which has been exposed, wants to brazen it out," Gokhale said. "The 'clarification' given by ECI (on Sunday) in response to CM Mamata Banerjee is actually a cover-up. They have