Page 68 - West Bengal

West Bengal CM Mamata may visit Punjab on Feb 21; to meet Kejriwal, Mann

West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may visit Punjab on February 21 and meet her Delhi and Punjab counterparts, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann respectively, an official source said on Thursday. The Trinamool Congress supremo is expected to offer prayers at the Golden Temple also, he said. "The chief minister is likely to visit Punjab on February 21. During her visit, she will offer prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. There is a high possibility of her meeting, Delhi Chief Minister and Punjab Chief Minister during this visit," the senior official, told PTI. Banerjee's meeting with the top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is considered crucial in the backdrop of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections and the formation of an opposition coalition. The possible visit of West Bengal chief minister to Punjab comes at a time when farmers are demanding minimum support price for their crops. Banerjee has already extended her support to the farmers and condemned the attack

What's happening in Bengal's Sandeshkhali, and how's state govt responding?

Women in West Bengal's Sandeshkhali village have alleged systemic sexual exploitation by Trinamool Congress (TMC) members

Mamata 'mute spectator' to violence against women in West Bengal: BJP

The BJP on Wednesday charged that 'jungle raj' prevailed in West Bengal and demanded resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after the state was rocked by protests and clashes over the claims of sexual harassment of women in the state's Sandeshkhali area. Addressing a press conference here, BJP national spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia claimed there is "complete anarchy and lawlessness" in West Bengal under the TMC rule with Chief Minister Banerjee allegedly providing protection to her party goons who allegedly raped and exploited tribal women in Sandeshkhali. "There is jungle raj in West Bengal. Our sisters who belong to the scheduled tribes are being raped and assaulted by the TMC goons and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is a mute spectator," he charged. Bhatia said it is clear to every citizen that the rule of law doesn't exist in West Bengal. "Rather it is the law of anarchic ruler Mamata Banerjee which prevails there," he said. Banerjee has no right to remain in the post and

BJP MLAs suspended from WB Assembly session over Sandeshkhali unrest

The suspension, under Rule 348 of the State Assembly, was meted out by the Speaker following a Privilege Motion brought by Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs of West Bengal

Post TMC-Cong break up, BJP bets on Ram Mandir, CAA for 35 LS seats in WB

Struggling to gain political traction on issues of corruption, the West Bengal BJP is shifting its focus to emotive topics such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in a bid to achieve its target of securing 35 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats from the state. The BJP's strategy is buoyed by the decision of the Trinamool Congress to contest alone in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, breaking away from the INDIA bloc in the state. This move has raised hopes within the saffron camp of consolidating anti-TMC votes, a trend evident in the party's surge from a 17% vote share in 2014 to 40% in 2019, resulting in 18 Lok Sabha seats. Despite facing internal strife and electoral setbacks since its defeat in the 2021 assembly polls, the BJP's attempts to capitalise on corruption allegations against the Mamata Banerjee government have fallen short. With a target of winning 35 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats, the BJP is now banking on emotive issues lik

WBJEE JELET 2024: Registration window to open today at wbjeeb.nic.in

Interested applicants can fill up the registration form by logging on to the official site at wbjeeb.nic.in. The last date to register for the WBJEE JELET 2024 is till March 11

Uttarakhand saw sharpest dip in workforce during Covid, says survey

This was followed by the decline in workforce in the states such as Jharkhand (-8.9 per cent), West Bengal (-8.3 per cent), Kerala (- 8 per cent) and Karnataka (-7.8 per cent)

A grand conspiracy or a massive scam?

The Union government has withheld MNREGS and PMAY funds -two centrally sponsored schemes - because of procedural lapses, alleged corruption

ED raids vendetta politics, attempt to divert attention from dharna: TMC

The Trinamool Congress on Tuesday denounced the coordinated ED searches in West Bengal as "vendetta politics" and a "desperate manoeuvre" by the BJP to divert attention from the TMC's ongoing dharna demanding clearance of the state's dues. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday morning started simultaneous searches at multiple places in West Bengal, including residences of some state officers, in connection with its investigation into alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds, officials said. Senior TMC leader Shashi Panja asserted, "This is an attempt to divert public and media's attention from the TMC's ongoing dharna demanding clearance of state's dues. This is a clear example of vendetta politics." However, the West Bengal BJP dismissed these allegations as "baseless". BJP leader Samik Bhattacharya stated, "The reality is that the TMC is deeply mired in corruption, with nearly every leader facing corruption allegations." Senior TMC leaders Partha Chatterjee, Jyotipriyo Mallic

ED searches at multiple places in Bengal in 'embezzlement' of MGNREGA funds

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday morning started simultaneous searches at multiple places in West Bengal in connection with its investigation into alleged embezzlement of MGNREGA funds, officials said. While the residence of a former block development officer (BDO) was raided in Salt Lake's IA Block, the personnel of the agency were also conducting searches at the house and office of a businessman in Chinsurah in Hooghly district, they said. Searches were also being conducted at a property linked to a state government employee in Baharampur in Murshidabad district, they added. The former BDO was posted in Dhaniakhali in Hooghly district, an officer said. The searches were being conducted after evidence of their involvement was found in the "irregularities", he claimed. The alleged irregularities relate to about 25 lakh "fake" job cards issued under MGNREGA in the state, officials said.

SAIL's IISCO steel plant may infuse Rs 20,000-24,000 cr in Bengal

Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) may invest Rs 20,000-24,000 crore in setting up a four-million-tonne greenfield steel plant at its IISCO plant in West Bengal, officials said. It plans to produce high-end flat hot rolled coil (HRC), including for automotive applications, at its existing site at Burnpur and has received in-principle approval, they added. "We have received in-principle approval for the greenfield plant which will produce flat HR coils, targeting grades like API (American Petroleum Institute) and automotive among others," IISCO steel plant director-in-charge Brijendra Pratap Singh told PTI. "Board approval is still awaited, but expected shortly," he said. Singh added that the exact capex and investment details would be finalised after the tendering process. After numerous delays and discussions regarding potential foreign partners for a joint venture, SAIL has finally decided to undertake the flat steel expansion project independently, likely relying on imported .

West Bengal village e-waste fair gives new life to electronic scrap

The fair offers a range of used gadgets and household goods at far reduced costs to new ones and provides an avenue for abandoned items to be reused and recycled

Eastbound and determined: Will BJP's West Bengal blitz hit the mark?

Hoisting the sails of resurgence, BJP's flotilla charts a course for redemption with sights set on 35 seats in West Bengal

Mamata Banerjee to visit Delhi on Mon for meeting on simultaneous polls

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will visit New Delhi on Monday after attending the inaugural day of the state budget session to attend the meeting of the 'one nation one election' committee slated for February 6. Expressing her disagreement with the concept of simultaneous polls, Banerjee had last month written to the high-level committee that it would be against the basic structure of India's constitutional arrangements. However, during the dharna she held demanding release of central funds due to the state, Banerjee said that she will be visiting Delhi on February 5 regarding the meeting on 'one nation one election'. "They have formed an expert committee and sought my opinion on the same," she had told the gathering. Banerjee's visit to Delhi takes place amid visible strains in her party's ties with opposition bloc INDIA partner Congress as manifested in her recent utterances that TMC will go alone in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. She also doubted the grand old .

J'khand people will deliver resounding response: Mamata on Soren's arrest

Condemning the arrest of JMM leader Hemant Soren, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the people of Jharkhand will deliver a "resounding response" to it. Stating that Soren was a close friend, Banerjee "vowed" to stand "unwaveringly" by his side. "I strongly condemn the unjust arrest of Shri Hemant Soren, a powerful tribal leader. The vindictive act by BJP-backed central agencies reeks of a planned conspiracy to undermine a popularly elected government," she posted on X. "He is a close friend of mine, and I vow to stand unwaveringly by his side, dedicated to protecting democracy in these trying times. The resilient people of Jharkhand will deliver a resounding response and emerge victorious in this crucial battle!" she added. Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Director on Wednesday in a money laundering case after he resigned as Jharkhand chief minister.

Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' resumes from Bengal's Nabagram

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' on Friday resumed from Nabagram in West Bengal's Murshidabad after the district administration asked the party to delay it owing to the class 10 state board examination, senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed. The Yatra, which was scheduled to resume at 8 am from Gokarna in Murshidabad, started around 10.30 am from Nabagram. Chowdhury, the Baharampur MP, said that permission to hold the Yatra was refused in neighbouring Birbhum district, through which it is to pass to enter Pakur in Jharkhand later in the day. He said that the permission to hold a roadshow was not granted in Murshidabad district owing to the commencement of West Bengal secondary education board's class 10 examination being held across the state. "I do not understand what is the problem if we peacefully conduct our Yatra after the examinees enter the centres," Chowdhury told reporters. The Yatra commenced with only a few vehicles as Gandhi rode a red SUV

CM Mamata Banerjee to stage dharna in Kolkata today over West Bengal's dues

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will stage a dharna here from Friday to protest against alleged withholding of the state's dues by the Centre. The issue of the Centre withholding the dues, particularly under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has snowballed into a significant political controversy in the state. "The dharna will start at 1 pm in Red Road area in Maidan. Our party supremo Mamata Banerjee will lead the agitation. Other senior leaders of the party will also be present," a senior TMC leader said. Earlier demonstrations by TMC's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, along with a cohort of party legislators, MPs, ministers, and MGNREGA workers at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, followed by a five-day sit-in outside Raj Bhavan here, have underscored the gravity of the situation. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005, aims at enhancing the livelihood security of households in rural areas by providin

Rahul Gandhi led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' enters Murshidabad in West Bengal

The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi entered Murshidabad district in West Bengal on Thursday. The first phase of the yatra in West Bengal concluded on Monday, as it entered Bihar from Islampur. It re-entered West Bengal on Wednesday through Debipur, Ratua in Malda district in the northern part of the state. Covering 523 km across six West Bengal districts so far, the yatra has traversed Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Uttar Dinajpur, with Malda and Murshidabad slated for the second phase, they said. The journey through North Bengal, once a Congress stronghold, witnessed enthusiastic reception, as Gandhi interacted with locals along the route. The Congress faced challenges in securing permission for public meetings and lodging arrangements in Jalpaiguri, Malda and Murshidabad districts of TMC-ruled Bengal, its ally at the national level, the leaders said. The 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra', which started in Manipur on January 14, is scheduled to cover

Rahul's car 'pelted with stones' during Congress yatra in Bengal: Adhir

A car in which Rahul Gandhi was travelling in West Bengal's Malda district as part of 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' was pelted with stones by unidentified persons on Wednesday, claimed state party chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. The rear window pane of the vehicle was smashed in the incident but Gandhi did not suffer any injury. Television visuals showed Gandhi alighting from the vehicle after reaching a designated halt and inspecting the damaged windowpane. The attack took place in Malda's Harischandrapur area as the yatra re-entered West Bengal from Bihar. "The rear window pane of the vehicle Rahul Gandhi was travelling in was smashed after being pelted with stones... this is unacceptable," Chowdhury said.

Rahul Gandhi-led 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' to re-enter Bengal today

The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to re-enter West Bengal from Bihar on Wednesday. The first phase of the yatra in West Bengal concluded on Monday, as it stepped into Bihar from Islampur. It will re-enter West Bengal through Debipur, Ratua in Malda district in the northern part of the state around 11.15 am, party leaders said. After the handover of the flag, the yatra will resume from Ratua stadium and move towards Sujapur, where Gandhi will address people before a night halt. On February 1, it will enter Murshidabad before exiting the state the next day. Covering 523 km across six West Bengal districts so far, the yatra has traversed Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Uttar Dinajpur, with Malda and Murshidabad slated for the second phase, they said. The journey through North Bengal, once a Congress stronghold, witnessed enthusiastic reception, as Gandhi interacted with locals along the route. Encountering obstacles akin to those fa