Page 30 - West Bengal

RG Kar case: Not happy with CBI probe, medics announce slew of protests

Almost three months after the rape and murder of a medic at state-run R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, junior doctors on Friday said they are not happy with the pace of probe by the CBI into the incident and announced a slew of fresh agitations. The West Bengal Junior Doctors' Forum was also dissatisfied with the central probe agency since the charge sheet it filed before the Supreme Court in the medic's murder case named only one person as accused, who was arrested by the police before the CBI took over the investigation on a Calcutta High Court order. "We will take out a rally in Kolkata on November 9 from College Square to Esplanade along with members of civil society organisations. There will be similar rallies in different parts of West Bengal, Forum spokesperson Debashis Halder told a press meet at R G Kar Hospital. A mass convention will be also held on November 9 on Rani Rashmoni Avenue in Esplanade area demanding justice for the murdered medic. "We are also

How Uttar Pradesh became India's new business magnet, overtaking Bengal

Over the past year-and-a-half, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed remarkable growth, adding 28,649 active companies

Bengal home to all, people celebrate every festival together: CM Mamata

Asserting that West Bengal is home to all sections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the people to live in peace and celebrate every festival together. Inaugurating a number of community Kali Puja pandals across Kolkata, she also urged the people to celebrate with environment-friendly firecrackers. "Bengal is such a place, where nobody will ask you about your caste, or which state you belong to or what is your religion or whether you are vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Nobody will ask whether you like Bengal or not. This is your right," Banerjee said. "We are proud to say that you all are citizens of Bengal. Whenever you are staying here, please consider it as your home state. Do not misunderstand me but consider my views," she added. Among the pandals she inaugurated were Girish Park Kali Puja, Janbazar Sammilito, India Club, Venus Club, and Youth Friends Club Kali Puja, which are located in areas that have significant non-Bengali population. "During festivals, we all

West Bengal extends ban on tobacco-based gutkha, pan masala till Nov 2025

The West Bengal government has extended the ban on manufacturing, storing and selling gutkha and pan masala products containing tobacco or nicotine for another year, starting November 7. The order was issued by the state health department on October 24, citing public health concerns. "The Commissioner of Food Safety of the state is empowered under Section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 to prohibit in the interest of public health, the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of any article of food in the whole of State, for a period of one year", the order stated.

Peace can be established in Bengal only after infiltration stops: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said peace can be established in West Bengal only when cross-border infiltration from Bangladesh stops. He claimed that illegal immigration from the neighbouring country will be stopped if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal in 2026. Addressing the inauguration of a new passenger terminal building and cargo gate at Petrapole land port along the India-Bangladesh border in Bengal, he slammed the TMC government over the issue of corruption and exhorted the people of the state to bring in political change in 2026. In establishing peace in the region, land ports play an important role. When there is no scope for the legal movement of people across the border, illegal modes of movement arise, which impacts the peace of the country. I urge the people of Bengal to bring in change in 2026, and we will stop infiltration, and peace will come, he said. There can be peace in Bengal only when infiltration stops Land ports play an important role in improv

HM Amit Shah arrives Kolkata to launch BJP's membership drive in state

On Amit Shah's visit, BJP leader Locket Chatterjee said that due to political issues in the state, the membership drive started late in the state

Sebi to auction 7 properties worth Rs 15.47 cr of Bishal Group on Dec 10

Capital markets regulator Sebi has said that it will auction seven properties belonging to Bishal Group of Companies on December 10 to recover money illegally collected by the entity from investors. The properties will be auctioned at a reserve price of a little over Rs 15.47 crore, according to a public notice issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India. These properties are flats, land and buildings, land parcels, and plots located in West Bengal. Sebi has invited bids for the sale of properties in the recovery proceedings against Bishal Abasan India Ltd, Bishal Distillers Ltd, Bishal Agri-Bio Industries Ltd, Bishal Horticulture and Animal Projects Ltd and their promoters/directors (collectively referred to as Bishal Group). The regulator said the auction will be conducted on December 10 from 11 am to 1 pm. Adroit Technical Services has been appointed by the markets watchdog to assist it in the sale of properties. The regulator has asked the bidders to make their own .

West Bengal staff recruitment scam: ED attaches properties worth Rs 163 cr

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Kolkata has provisionally attached properties over Rs 163.20 crore assets of Prasanna Kumar Roy, his wife Kajal Soni Roy, and their company, Shree Durga Dealcom Private Limited in connection with the West Bengal staff recruitment scam."Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office has provisionally attached hotels/resorts and immovable properties worth Rs 163.20 crore, in the Group 'C' & 'D' staff recruitment scam by the officials of WBCSSC in the State of West Bengal, held in the name of Prasanna Kumar Roy, the main middleman, his wife Kajal Soni Roy and Shree Durga Dealcom Private Limited, a company controlled and operated by Prasanna Kumar Roy," as per an official release.According to ED, the attached properties include five hotels/resorts, namely Chalankita Resort situated at Shyampur, Howrah, Royal Bengal Resort situated at Sundarbans, Hotel Mili (Rubina) situated at Digha, Hotel Murti situated at Jalpaiguri, Bamboo Village Resort

Cyclone Dana: Two more deaths reported in West Bengal, toll hits 4

Two more persons died in West Bengal due to cyclone Dana, taking the toll to four, officials said on Saturday. A civic volunteer, identified as Chandan Das (31), died on the spot when he allegedly touched a live wire in Bud Bud in Purba Bardhaman district. The incident happened when he was out with a police team, they said. An employee of the Howrah Municipal Corporation was found dead in a waterlogged road in Tantipara. It was suspected that he died due to drowning, they said. The state on Friday reported two deaths due to electrocution. One person died in Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas district, and another died in south Kolkata's Bhabanipur area, they added. Severe cyclonic storm Dana struck the eastern coast in the early hours of Friday, triggering torrential rain and high-speed winds that uprooted trees and electric poles, and caused significant damage to infrastructure and crops in Odisha and West Bengal. The landfall started around 12.05 am on Friday between Bhitarkanik

Cyclone Dana makes landfall in Odisha; heavy rains lash coastal areas

Cyclone Dana update: According to the IMD, Cyclone Dana, named by Qatar, is expected to weaken into a cyclonic storm by late Friday morning

Govt must extend support to states affected by Cyclone Dana: Congress

With the cyclonic storm Dana making a landfall in Odisha and impacting West Bengal and other eastern coastal regions, the Congress on Friday urged the government to extend comprehensive support to affected states and deploy all preventive and emergency measures to ensure public safety. The IMD said the landfall process of the severe cyclonic storm Dana was complete on Friday morning and the system took at least eight and half hours to enter the landmass. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Cyclone Dana's landfall in Odisha and its impact on West Bengal and other eastern coastal regions necessitates utmost preparedness and swift action. "The Union Government must extend comprehensive support to affected states, deploying all necessary preventive and emergency measures to ensure public safety," he said in a post on X. "I appeal to all Congress workers to provide assistance to those in need," Kharge said. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also urged the centra

Cyclone Dana: 216K people moved to relief camps, says CM Mamata Banerjee

Addressing a press conference Chief Minister Mamata said, "Some districtsare affected badly due to cyclone, especially kaccha houses

Cyclone Dana triggers widespread waterlogging in Kolkata, KMC on high alert

Large parts of Kolkata faced severe waterlogging during the morning hours of Friday as cyclone Dana brought torrential rain in its aftermath, inundating areas across the city. According to the regional Met office in Alipore, Kolkata received over 100 mm of rainfall till 11.30 am on Friday over the previous 24 hours. Knee-deep water at several thoroughfares in south and central parts of the city hampered traffic movement in Bhawanipur, New Market, Hazra, Dharmatala, and Behala areas. Reports of waterlogging were also received from Thanthania Kalibari, Mahatma Gandhi Road, VIP Road, Park Circus, Dum Dum and parts of New Town in the northern and eastern parts of the city. Significant flooding was also seen inside the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) headquarters in Esplanade area, while patients, staff and health workers were found wading through ankle-deep water at SSKM Hospital, one of the state's primary referral hospitals, causing major inconvenience to visitors and triggering

Cyclone Dana hits Odisha and West Bengal: Know latest updates

Cyclone Dana began its landfall on Odisha’s coast late Thursday, October 24, bringing heavy rain and disruption with it. Watch the video to know the latest updates.

Govt's role to enable conditions to boost exports: WB industry secretary

The West Bengal government on Friday said its export and logistics policies will strengthen the state's export sector, which currently generates approximately USD 11.7 billion in merchandise exports. At the launch of the Kolkata chapter of the National Centre for Export Promotion (NCEP), Bengal Industry and Commerce Secretary Vandana Yadav highlighted that engineering goods exports alone account for nearly USD 3.5 billion. Addressing industry representatives at the Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF), Yadav emphasised that the policies are designed to create favourable conditions for the private sector, which drives 100 per cent of the state's exports. "The government's role is to enable conditions whereby you can export more," Yadav said, noting that the focus is on sustaining traditional sectors like the foundry industry while integrating modern, knowledge-based methods. She described the establishment of the NCEP as a timely initiative to enhance traditional skills and provide

'No casualties' reported during cyclone Dana, says Odisha CM Majhi

Several roads were blocked in the area after trees were uprooted following strong winds and heavy downpours

Ports ministry takes precautionary measures as Cyclone Dana approaches

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) on Thursday said it has initiated comprehensive safety measures to safeguard ports, vessels, and personnel in response to cyclone Dana. Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shantanu Thakur, chaired a detailed review meeting to assess the preparedness of the Ministry, the Directorate General of Shipping, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Thakur praised the proactive measures taken by the concerned agencies and urged them to stay vigilant in monitoring the situation as the cyclone intensifies, according to an official statement. The cyclone, currently centered over the East-central Bay of Bengal, is expected to intensify and make landfall between Odisha and West Bengal on the night of October 24, with wind speeds of 100-110 kmph, gusting up to 120 kmph. The ministry has directed that all dredgers, barges, and support crafts in Paradip Port be secured for heavy weather. According to the statement, ...

Telcos activate intra-circle roaming as Cyclone Dana set to hit Odisha

Telecom service providers in Odisha have activated intra-circle roaming in seven districts of the state which were put under red-warning' for cyclone Dana, a minister said on Thursday. State Electronic and IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the intra-circle roaming allows telecom operators to use each other's network and such an arrangement has been activated in Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur and Cuttack districts since 8 am. As per a circular issued by the Department of Telecommunication, the intra-circle roaming facility has been activated among all four service providersBSNL, Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone, he said. "With the activation of the facility, telecom users can avail uninterrupted service in the seven districts," he said. DG sets have been made available at all telecom towers to manage the situation if there is an electricity failure, the minister said. The telecom service providers have also kept their technical teams ready to repair any da

Cyclone Dana news updates: 300,000 evacuated in Odisha; coastal regions receive heavy rain

Cyclone Dana updates: Cyclone Dana is expected to make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port on Oct 25. Catch all the latest news updates on Cyclone Dana here

Flights suspended in WB's Kolkata, Odisha as Cyclone Dana approaches

Both states have closed schools in the areas that are expected to be bear the brunt of the storm and asked fishermen not to venture out to sea