Page 50 - West Bengal

Goods train rams into Kanchanjunga Express train in West Bengal | Darjeeling Train accident

At least five persons died and around 30 others were injured after a goods train collided with the Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express near Rangapani station in West Bengal on Monday, police said.

Tragedy in Darjeeling as trains collide, lack of Kavach raises questions

A viral video of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explaining the capabilities of Kavach has sparked renewed scrutiny

BJP declares name of candidates for by-polls to 4 Assembly seats in Bengal

The BJP on Monday announced the name of Kalyan Chaubey and three new faces for the four assembly seats in West Bengal where by-polls are slated to be held on July 10. The ruling Trinamool Congress has already announced its candidates for the by-polls a few days back. The BJP has fielded Kalyan Chaubey from Maniktala constituency in Kolkata, Manas Kumar Ghosh from Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district, Manoj Kumar Biswas from Ranaghat Dakshin (SC) in Nadia district and Binay Kumar Biswas from Bagda (SC) seat. Both Manoj Kumar Biswas and Binay Kumar Biswas belong to the Matua community which has a significant chunk of voters in Ranaghat Dakshin and Bagda, both seats reserved for SCs. Chaubey had been defeated by TMC leader Sadhan Pandey in the 2021 assembly polls but the seat fell vacant after Pandey's death. The TMC has announced Krishna Kalyani from Raiganj, Mukut Mani Adhikari from Ranaghat-Dakshin, Supti Pandey from Maniktala and Madhuparna Thakur from Bagdah as their ...

Kanchanjungha Express accident: Signal was defective since 5.50 am

The automatic signalling system between Ranipatra Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West Bengal, where a goods train hit Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express in the rear, was defective since 5.50 in the morning, according to a railway source. "Train No 13174 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express) departed Rangapani station at 8:27 am and stopped between Ranipatra railway station and Chattar Hat due to automatic signalling failure from 5:50 am," the source told PTI. According to another railway official, when the automatic signalling system fails, the station master issues a written authority called TA 912, which authorises the driver to cross all red signals in the section because of the defect. "The station master of Ranipatra had issued TA 912 to Train No 1374 (Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express)," the source said. He added, "Around the same time, a goods train, GFCJ, departed Rangapani at 8:42 am and hit 13174 in the rear portion resulting from the derailment of the guard's coach, two ..

Mamata to visit train accident site in New Jalpaiguri, review relief ops

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Monday visit the train accident site in New Jalpaiguri to take stock of relief operations, an official said. At least 15 passengers died and 60 others were injured, after three rear coaches of the stationary Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express derailed on Monday morning as a goods train collided with it in West Bengal's Darjeeling district. "The chief minister is going to visit the accident spot in New Jalpaiguri to take stock of the relief operations," the official told PTI. The three rear compartments derailed under the impact of the collision from behind by the locomotive of the goods train near Rangapani station, about 30 km from North Bengal's New Jalpaiguri station, railway officials said.

Suvendu Adhikari leads 'victims' of post-poll violence to governor's house

BJP MLA and leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, led over 100 'victims' of post-poll violence to the Raj Bhavan on Sunday to meet Governor CV Ananda Bose. During the meeting, Adhikari briefed the Governor on incidents of violence against BJP party workers and urged him to ensure that central forces remain deployed in the state until Durga Puja, scheduled for early October. "I have informed the Governor that all four pillars of democracy in Bengal are affected. Ration cards of more than 5,000 people have been confiscated. Even cattle were taken away," Adhikari told reporters after the meeting. After individually listening to the alleged victims of post-poll violence, Bose assured them of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence in the state. At the meeting, the Governor said, "The Calcutta High Court has issued an order. They are surprised that the Governor is seemingly under house arrest, as those who were attacked could not meet him. We will ensure

Ensure 1% quota for transgenders in public employment: HC to WB govt

The Calcutta High Court has directed the West Bengal government to ensure one per cent reservation for transgender persons in all public employment in the state. Noting that the state government adopted a policy of equal treatment in employment to transgenders, the court said the reservation has, however, not yet been made for them. Justice Rajasekhar Mantha directed the chief secretary of the West Bengal government to ensure one per cent reservation for transgenders in all public employment. The high court order was passed on a petition by a transgender person, who succeeded in the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) 2014 and also in the TET 2022, but was not called for counseling or interview. In the order passed on Friday, Justice Mantha noted that the Supreme Court had declared in a 2014 case that hijras' and eunuchs, apart from binary genders, be treated as "third gender" for the purpose of safeguarding their rights under Part III of the Constitution. The apex court had also uph

BJP forms committee of 4 MPs to analyse post-poll violence in Bengal

BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday formed a four-member committee to look into the alleged political violence in West Bengal, as the party accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of remaining a mute spectator. The committee includes Biplab Kumar Deb, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Brij Lal and Kavita Patidar, all BJP MPs, with Deb as its convener. A party statement said, "Mamata Banerjee remains a mute spectator, while criminals of her party, attack and intimidate opposition workers and voters with impunity. Even the Calcutta High Court has taken note of these excesses and extended deployment of CAPF till June 21 and has listed the matter for hearing on June 18." The BJP said the Lok Sabha elections were held across the country and no instance of political violence was reported from anywhere except West Bengal. "It continues to be in the vice grip of post-poll violence, the kind we saw post 2021 assembly elections," the BJP alleged.

Bengal govt issues alert for northern districts after heavy rain in Sikkim

Following incessant rainfall causing devastation in neighbouring Sikkim resulting in overflowing of the Teesta river, the West Bengal Irrigation department issued an alert for the northern districts of the state, an official said on Friday. The release of water from the barrages has resulted in rising the water level of the Teesta and because of that there is a threat of flood in areas on both sides of Teesta in Jalpaiguri district, he said. Teesta is one of the major rivers of the state, and Jalpaiguri district is in the floodplain of this river. A barrage across the river was built at Gajoldoba in the district. Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts in the northern part of West Bengal share borders with Sikkim where rain-triggered landslides left a trail of destruction and six dead people on Thursday. "The water of Teesta is rising because of the release of water from barrages in Sikkim. Teesta is coming down with great speed and an alert has been issued in this regard. We have taken

TMC announces candidates for assembly by-elections in West Bengal

The ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday announced candidates for the July 10 by-elections to four assembly seats in West Bengal. The Mamata Banerjee-led party has nominated Krishna Kalyani from Raiganj seat and Mukut Mani Adhikari from Ranaghat-Dakshin constituency. Supti Pandey, the widow of former TMC MLA Sadhan Pandey, has been fielded from Maniktala seat in Kolkata, while Madhuparna Thakur has been nominated from Matua-dominated Bagda seat. Raiganj and Ranaghat assembly segments fell vacant after Kalyani and Adhikari, both BJP MLAs, switched over to the TMC and unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls. The Maniktala seat fell vacant after the death of Sadhan Pande in 2022. Bagda's sitting BJP MLA Biswajit Das had switched over to the TMC and unsuccessfully contested from the Bangaon Lok Sabha seat.

India logs second ever human case of bird flu in Bengal: How to stay safe

A bird flu case of infection in a human being was detected in a four year old in West Bengal. The patient, admitted to a local hospital since February, has been treated and discharged

DA hike announced for government employees in these states: Check details

The hike is expected to benefit millions, including teachers, health care professionals, police personnel, administrative staff, among others

WB announces 4% DA hike for state govt employees with effect from Apr 1

Bengal's Chief Secy said that the government of West Bengal increased the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief by 4 percent in the state. The government notification was released on Tuesday

Following HC order, Sebi to auction 22 properties of 7 companies on July 10

Markets regulator Sebi on Monday said it has lined up 22 properties of seven companies -- including Pailan Group, Vibgyor Group and GBC Industrial Corp group -- for auction on July 10 to recover money illegally collected from investors. Other firms, whose properties will also be auctioned, are Tower Infotech Group, Waris Group, Teachers' Welfare Credit and Holding Group, and Annex Infrastructure India Ltd. The regulator has initiated the process for the sale of assets of the companies as per orders by the Calcutta High Court. Justice Sailendra Prasad Talukdar has been appointed as the one-man committee for liquidating the assets of the firms and repaying the investors. The move is part of Sebi's effort to recover investors' money. The properties include plots and a flat in West Bengal and they will be auctioned at a reserve price of Rs 45.47 crore, according to a notice issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). Adroit Technical Services Ltd has been engaged by t

Suvendu Adhikari moves HC over post-poll violence in West Bengal

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Monday moved the Calcutta High Court, claiming that numerous incidents of post-poll violence were taking place in the state following the Lok Sabha elections. A division bench presided by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam said the court will take up the BJP leader's petition for hearing on Wednesday. Adhikari's lawyer Billwadal Bhattacharya stated before the bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, that the petitioner was seeking an order for protection of the victims. The court said another petition by lawyer Priyanka Tibrewal on the issue of alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal will also be taken up for hearing on Wednesday.

Bypolls for 13 Assembly seats in 7 states on July 10; results on 13th: EC

The Election Commission on Monday announced bypolls to 13 assembly constituencies across seven states, including four in West Bengal, on July 10. The bypolls are to be held against vacancies created either due to deaths or resignation of incumbent members. The assembly seats going for bypolls are Rupauli (Bihar), Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin, Bagda and Maniktala (all West Bengal), Vikravandi (Tamil Nadu), Amarwara (Madhya Pradesh), Badrinath and Manglaur (Uttarakhand), Jalandhar West (Punjab) and Dehra, Hamirpur and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh). The notification for the elections will be issued on June 14, the last date for filing of nomination papers is June 21, the poll papers will be scrutinised on June 24 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is June 26. The bypolls will be held on July 10 and the counting of votes will be on July 13. The Election Commission said the bypolls have to be completed before July 15.

Mamata discusses party's Lok Sabha strategy with newly elected TMC MPs

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday held a meeting of senior TMC leaders and newly elected MPs on Saturday to discuss the party's strategy in the Lok Sabha. The meeting started at around 4:30 PM and is still on. At the onset of the meeting, Banerjee congratulated the victorious candidates, especially the new ones such as Yusuf Pathan, Rachana Banerjee, Mitali Bag, Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia. The TMC maintained its dominance in the state as Banerjee led her party to a resounding victory by bagging 29 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, whereas the principal opposition BJP was down to 12 and the Congress to one seat. Apart from Lok Sabha MPs, Rajya Sabha MPs and district presidents are attending the meeting. "During the meeting, the role and strategy of the party in the Lok Sabha will be discussed. The party might also decide on who will be the leader of the TMC party in Lok Sabha," a party leader said earlier in the day. In the last Lok Sabha, 75-year-ol

WBJEE 2024: West Bengal JEE Results today at 2:30 pm, link active at 4 pm

On June 6, 2024, students who took the West Bengal JEE Board exam can view their results at 2:30 pm at wbjeeb.nic.in. The result link will be made active at 4 pm

LS polls: The X factors in Mamata Banerjee-led TMC's march in West Bengal

The men were sure to vote for the saffron party. But the women at home?

TMC's victory run in West Bengal unabated as Mamata defies exit polls

The trends defied most of the exit polls that had put the BJP ahead of the TMC