Page 70 - West Bengal

Mamata to take call on seat sharing, Cong unit cannot do bargaining: TMC

The TMC on Saturday said its supremo Mamata Banerjee will take the final call on seat sharing with the Congress in West Bengal for the Lok Sabha polls this year and asserted that "unjustified bargaining" cannot be done by the state unit of the grand old party. Based on the 2021 assembly poll results in the state, in which the Congress in alliance with the CPI(M)-led Left Front had fared badly, the Trinamool Congress top leadership offered the grand old party two seats, out of 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal, in the coming general elections, its spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said. "The Congress state unit cannot do unjustified bargaining on the matter," Ghosh said. Meanwhile, All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba said in Siliguri that the party's leadership has been holding parleys with constituents of the INDIA bloc in different states, including in West Bengal, for seat sharing for the Lok Sabha elections. She said the process will be concluded soon. "Parleys are o

Train services affected as protestors block railway tracks in Jalpaiguri

Train services were affected as members of the All Kamtapur Students' Union (AKSU) blocked the railway tracks in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district on Friday morning to press for their demand for a separate state. The blockade at the Betgara station in the New Jalpaiguri-New Bongaigaon section of the Northeast Frontier Railway began at 7 am, officials said. The blockade has disrupted train services on the all-important route. Among the trains affected were the New Jalpaiguri-Guwahati Vande Bharat Express, they said. Officers of the RPF and the state police were talking to the protestors, and trying to persuade them to remove the blockade, they added. The protesters said the blockade would continue till 7 pm, but railway officials said they were hopeful of an earlier resumption of services. The protesters raised slogans against both the TMC and BJP for not fulfilling their demand. The AKSU is the students' wing of the Kamtapur People's Party United, which is agitating for a separat

Bengal school jobs scam: ED conducts raids in Kolkata for over 12 hours

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday raided eight places in and around Kolkata in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment in state-run and-aided schools of West Bengal, a senior officer said. The raids, which started around 6.30 am, ended in phases in the evening and the final one at around 10 pm. The searches were conducted at the residences, offices and bungalows of those who allegedly "acted as middlemen" in the scam, he said. "These middlemen used to collect money and transfer it to various addresses. We are conducting raids at the residences and offices used by them," the ED officer told PTI. Accompanied by a huge number of central forces, the ED officers started search operations at New Town and Nayabad on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, and Mukundapur in the south, he said, adding that family members of the alleged middlemen were also questioned. The officer said one of the "middlemen" was very close to former Bengal minister Partha ...

ED conducts raids at seven places in Kolkata in Bengal school jobs scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday started conducting raids simultaneously at seven places in and around Kolkata in connection with its probe into the alleged irregularities in recruitment in schools of West Bengal, a senior officer said. Raids are being held at the residences and offices of those who allegedly "acted as middlemen" in the scam, he said. "These middlemen used to collect money and transfer it to various addresses. We are conducting raids at residences and offices used by them," the ED officer told PTI. Accompanied by a huge number of central forces, the ED officers started search operations at New Town and Nayabad on the eastern fringes of Kolkata, he said. Family members of the alleged middlemen are being questioned, he said, adding that ED officers are yet to enter one of the offices of a middleman since it was closed.

Ram mandir inauguration: Mamata to lead religious harmony rally on Jan 22

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that on January 22, she will hold a rally from Kali Mandir, following which an interfaith rally will be held

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Security tightened in West Bengal as devotees gather for Gangasagar Mela

The annual fair at one of the oldest and leading prilgrimage sites in the country draws devotees every year, who also take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Ganga at Sagardweep

Lawlessness, corruption at peak in West Bengal, says Anurag Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Monday flayed the TMC government in West Bengal, alleging a severe breakdown in law and order and unprecedented levels of corruption in the state. Thakur's remarks come in the wake of the recent controversy surrounding the assault on three Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials during a raid at the residence of a TMC leader, accused in a ration distribution scam. "Law and order in West Bengal has collapsed under Mamata Banerjee's rule. The TMC ensures that public money from the Centre meant for welfare is being siphoned off through its infamous cut money (commission) system. Corruption is at its peak in Bengal; if action is taken against the corrupt, even the ED team is being attacked, stones are pelted at them," Thakur, who is in the city to attend a programme, told reporters at the airport. On January 5, three ED officers were injured and their vehicles vandalised during a raid at the house of TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh in Sandeshkhali in North 24

SC grants Union Minister Pramanik protection in attempt-to-murder case

BJP legislator and MoS for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik has been granted protection from arrest in an attempt-to-murder case in West Bengal

Bengal's garment industry buyers; sellers meet generates Rs 850 cr biz

The 55th Garment Buyers and Sellers Meet of WBGMDA generated an estimated Rs 850 crore in business transactions in wholesale deals, an official said on Friday. Over 900 national and international brands participated in the three-day event of the West Bengal Garment and Manufacturer and Dealers Association (WBGMDA), a statement said. "This industry already boasts one of the largest workforces in the country, with over 50 lakh employees engaged directly or indirectly," said Hari Kishan Rathi, president of WBGMDA. "The Rs 850 crore in business transactions, driven by participation from 900 national and international brands, reinforces the potential of this meet to elevate Bengal's readymade garment industry. We are deeply grateful for the government's continued support for the textile and garment sector, particularly in promoting clothing businesses and marketing opportunities," he said. The association has requested the state government for land for a dedicated showroom hub for garme

CM Mamata Banerjee asks Centre to change West Bengal's name to 'Bangla'

Trinamool Congress government has been pressing for the renaming of West Bengal since 2011. Paschim Banga, Paschim Bango, Bongo, and Bangla were among some of the suggestions

Civic jobs scam: ED conduct raids at residences of WB minister, TMC leaders

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday morning conducted raids at the residences of West Bengal Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose, TMC MLA Tapas Roy and former North Dumdum Municipality chairman Subodh Chakraborty in connection with its probe into the irregularities in recruitments in civic bodies. Accompanied by central forces, ED officers conducted raids at two residences of Bose in the Lake Town area in North 24 Parganas district early Friday morning, he said. The central agency officers also raided Tapas Roy's BB Ganguly Street residence and Chakraborty's residence in Birati, he said. "We are conducting search operations at the residences of three TMC leaders in connection with the recruitments in civic bodies. We are also talking to the leaders," the officer told PTI.

'TMC not to hold meet with Cong alliance panel for seat-sharing in Bengal'

The Trinamool Congress will not send its representatives for any meeting with the Congress' national alliance committee on seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections as it has already conveyed its position to the grand old party, TMC sources said on Thursday. The Congress panel has been holding seat-sharing talks with Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) partners from different states. TMC sources said the Congress contacted party leaders for such a meeting and has been conveyed that they are not keen on sending any representative for talks. They said the Trinamool Congress has offered two seats to the Congress -- the ones it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal has 42 parliamentary constituencies. The Congress has said the offer is too low and difficult to accept. Any change in the offer can only be made by Trinamool Congress supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, they said. The TMC is also looking at fighting from one seat in Meghal

Sebi to auction 30 properties of 6 companies to recover money on Feb 13

Sebi on Thursday said it will auction 30 properties of six companies, including Mangalam Agro Products, on February 13 to recover money illegally collected from the investors. The properties will be auctioned for a reserve price of nearly Rs 30 crore. The other companies whose properties will also be auctioned are Bishal group of companies, Purusattam Infotech Industries, NVD Solar Ltd, Sun Plant Business and Jivan Sathi Dream Projects. The properties that go under the hammer include land parcels, plots, land with building structures and flats in West Bengal and Odisha, and they will be auctioned at a reserve price of Rs 29.97 crore, according to a notice issued by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The markets regulator invited bids for sale of properties in the recovery proceedings against Mangalam Agro Products, Purusattam Infotech Industries, Jivan Sathi Dream Projects, Sun Plant Business, Bishal group and NVD Solar, along with their promoters/ directors, it said.

Do not agree with 'One Nation, One Election': CM Mamata to Kovind-led panel

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to the high-level committee on "One Nation, One Election" expressing her disagreement with the concept of simultaneous polls to the Lok Sabha and assemblies, and said it would be against the basic structure of India's constitutional arrangements. In a letter to the panel secretary, Banerjee said that in 1952, the first general elections were simultaneously conducted for the central and state levels. "There was such simultaneity for some years. But the coevality has since been ruptured...," she said. "I regret that I cannot agree with the concept of 'One Nation, One Election', as framed by you. We disagree with your formulation and proposal," she wrote. She said there are basic conceptual difficulties in agreeing with the committee, and the concept is not clear. The West Bengal chief minister questioned the meaning of 'One Nation' in the context, and said, "While I understand the meaning of one nation in a ...

SC to hear union minister Pramanik's anticipatory bail plea on Friday

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear on January 12 a plea of union minister of state for home affairs Nisith Pramanik seeking anticipatory bail in an attempt-to-murder case lodged against him in 2018. A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Pankaj Mithal issued notice to the West Bengal government and asked senior advocate PS Patwalia, appearing for Pramanik, to serve the copy of the petition on the counsel for the state. It listed his plea for hearing on Friday. Pramanik has moved the apex court challenging the January 4 order of the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court by which it had refused to grant him anticipatory bail in the case. During the brief hearing, Patwalia said, "I am a Member of Parliament. The High Court has refused to grant me protection from arrest. I was earlier with the Trinamool Congress and now I am with BJP. Situation in West Bengal is very volatile, I may be arrested in this case, kindly grant me protection." The bench said his plea

Amid seat-sharing dispute, Mamata asserts TMC to stay with INDIA bloc

TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday asserted that it will remain part of the INDIA bloc in the fight against the BJP, days after fissures appeared in the alliance over seat-sharing disagreement between her party and the Congress in West Bengal. Banerjee conveyed her stance during a closed-door organisational meeting of the TMC's West Midnapore district unit. "Our party supremo clearly stated that the TMC would remain in the INDIA bloc in the fight against the BJP. Although critical of the CPI(M), she did not utter a single word against the Congress," said a senior TMC official present in the meeting, who did not wish to be named. The CPI(M), Congress and the TMC collectively constitute the 28-party strong INDIA bloc. However, in West Bengal, the CPI(M) and Congress have allied against the TMC and BJP. Banerjee's statement follows TMC's Lok Sabha Party leader Sudip Bandopadhyay's recent remark that the party has an "open heart" for the Congress regarding seat-sharing in West ..

Pricing to quality: West Bengal GoM to look into tea industry woes

The GoM would also be interacting with stakeholders of the industry to deliberate on the issues facing the industry and where the West Bengal government can help

Bengal Guv seeks report on ration scam probe; summons state officials

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has asked senior state government officers including Chief Secretary BP Gopalika to brief him about the ration scam, an official said on Wednesday. Besides, Gopalika, Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty and DGP Rajiv Kumar have been called by the Governor for the meeting. "The governor has asked the chief secretary, home secretary and DGP to brief him about the proceedings on the ration scam. He will also ask them to give them details about the development in arresting the accused TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh," he told PTI. The ED director on Tuesday met the governor. "The meeting lasted for nearly 40 minutes and the ED chief briefed the governor," he said. An ED team was attacked on Friday when they went to TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh's house in Sandeshkhali to conduct a raid in connection with alleged irregularities in the ration scam. The ED has already lodged a complaint at the Nazat police station in connection with the assault. The family

Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan dies at 55 in Kolkata, was battling cancer

Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan, who has been undergoing treatment at a Kolkata-based hospital for prostate cancer, died at a city hospital this afternoon, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said. He was 55. "We tried our best but failed. He passed away at around 3:45 PM," an official of the private hospital where Khan was admitted said. The chief minister who visited the hospital said, "This is a great loss for the entire country and the entire music fraternity. I am in a lot of pain as I still can't believe that Rashid Khan is no more.