Page 81 - West Bengal

Six more held in connection with death of JU student, officer says

The Kolkata Police arrested six more people in connection with its probe into the death of a first-year student of Jadavpur University, a senior officer said on Wednesday. With these arrests, the city police apprehended a total of nine people in the case. Dean of Students and Registrar of JU were asked to meet Joint CP Crime on Wednesday at the Lalbazar, the Kolkata Police headquarters, the officer said. The city police have taken cognisance of JU students' social media posts, including photographs, which suggest that there was an element of sexual harassment in the ragging of the deceased. Three former students of the varsity are among the six held on Tuesday night during multiple operations conducted by teams of the city police, the officer said. "We arrested them last night after they gave incoherent replies to our officers during questioning. It seems that they were actively involved in the death of the student. We will produce them in a court later in the day," he told ...

Adani Ports for minimum 50 yrs of concession period in PPP projects

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on Monday emphasised the need for an "extended" concession period of at least 50 years and a comprehensive dispute resolution mechanism in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in infrastructure projects. The suggestions made by Adani Ports and SEZ CEO (Ports) Subrat Tripathy at the roadshow of the 3rd Global Maritime India Summit 2023 here were in sync with the ongoing discussions aimed at bolstering India's maritime infrastructure and attracting significant global investments. "I want to highlight to the minister and the offices of the Ministry of Shipping for both shipping and that a 30-year concession period may not be adequate. The new concession regime already recognises the ability to roll over, but I believe that a 50-year concession period would be more beneficial, Tripathy said. This would provide a greater incentive for investors to come forward and ensure that adequate revenues are met, he said. It would also help mitigat

West Bengal has Rs 1 trn investment opportunity in port, logistics: Sonowal

Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday said West Bengal has an investment opportunity of Rs 1 lakh crore in the port and logistics sector. He was optimistic about garnering greater interest from domestic and international investors in the 2023 edition of the Global Maritime India Summit. The minister was speaking at the Kolkata roadshow for the summit, which will be held between October 17 and 19 in New Delhi. Sonowal, the union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, is expecting participation from over 100 countries in the ensuing event and a higher number of delegates than the previous 2021 edition of the summit. In the conference two years ago, 475 MoUs were signed worth Rs 3.5 lakh crore, the minister said. He also stated that 75 per cent of the MoUs are "under implementation". The minister stressed the need to unlock investment opportunities in India's maritime sector from both domestic and overseas. He noted that the country has a policy of 100 per cent

BJP chief Nadda compares Bengal rural poll violence to turmoil of partition

In a scathing attack on West Bengal's TMC government, BJP president JP Nadda on Saturday compared the violence during rural polls to the turmoil of partition. He also claimed that TMC supremo and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee portrays herself as a champion of democracy, while "undermining" it. Mocking the TMC over arrest of its leaders in corruption cases by central agencies, Nadda said the next cabinet meeting of the TMC government will be soon held in jail. "The violence and killings we witnessed during the panchayat polls are unprecedented. Is this a reflection of democracy? Is this how elections are being held under the TMC government? We have witnessed post-poll violence after the 2021 assembly polls. But the violence we witnessed during the rural polls resembled the bloody days of partition here," he said. While addressing the party's winning candidates in panchayat elections and the alleged victims of poll violence at an auditorium here, Nadda asserted that Jungle Raj

'BJP Bharat Chodo' slogan reverberating across country: Mamata Banerjee

Accusing the Centre of not acting against perpetrators of atrocities in Manipur, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday asserted that the slogan of 'BJP Bharat Chodo' (BJP Quit India) is reverberating across the country. She also said that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi can't speak on corruption" as his government was facing allegations of graft "in PM Care funds, Rafale deal and demonetisation". Her comments came hours after Modi, while virtually addressing the G20 Anti-Corruption Ministerial Meet here, said India has a strict zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Modi accused the opposition parties of "running away" from the Lok Sabha during a debate on the no-confidence motion, and said his government has countered the "negativity being spread" by them across the country. In response, the feisty TMC supremo said the PM was "blaming the opposition without any evidence as the BJP doesn't want the country's poor people to survive". "The prime minister is mislead

Khooni khel khela hai..., PM Modi attacks TMC over Bengal poll violence

Further, the prime minister accused the party of threatening voters and "making their life hell"

On Quit India day, we pledge to make BJP quit Delhi: W Bengal CM Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the tribals in ethnic strife-hit Manipur are facing a crisis and there is none to listen to their plight. Banerjee, who is on a three-day administrative tour of Jhargram, held the BJP-led central government for failing to address the situation in the northeastern state and urged people across the world to pray for them. Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of the Quit India movement, the chief minister said the saffron party should quit the country. "The tribals in Manipur are facing a crisis. There is none to listen to their plight. Dalits are tortured in India and the Centre is unmoved. On Quit India day, we pledge we will make BJP quit India," Banerjee said. Referring to Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose appointing a non-academic as the vice-chancellor of a university in the state, Banerjee said, "The governor's post is a constitutional one and there are constitutional limitations to it." "We will fight

Quit India movement: CM Mamata says the idea of India should not die

Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on the anniversary of the Quit India movement launched by him, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said the ideas of harmony and humanity must be upheld for a strong India. The TMC supremo said the idea of India should not die. "Today, on the anniversary of Bharat Chhodo Andolan', I pay my homage to everyone who had given everything for the freedom of this great country. We must always uphold their great ideals of harmony and humanity to ensure a healthy, beautiful, promising, united, tolerant, strong India in the future. The idea of India should not die. Jai Hind! Jai INDIA!" she tweeted.

Rabindranath Tagore's 82nd death anniversary: Facts you didn't know

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, also popular as "Gurudev" and the "Bard of Bengal," died at the age of 80 on August 7 in 1941 and today is his 82nd death anniversary

Police, goons threatening Congress members to join TMC in Bengal: Adhir

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Sunday wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, alleging that his party's victorious candidates in the panchayat polls are being threatened by the police and goons, compelling them to join the ruling TMC. He urged Banerjee to look into the matter and take preventive steps before the formation of the panchayat boards. "Despite violence (in West Bengal during the panchayat polls), wherever Congress candidates have won, police/political leaders/goons are threatening them by slapping murder and other charges, thus compelling them to save their lives through surrender by accepting TMC membership. If this goes on unchecked, it is bound to assume in the days to come a monstrous dimension, which will tell upon the democratic health of the nation as well as that of West Bengal," Chowdhury said in his two-page letter. Chowdhury, the Bengal Congress president, also alleged that the insatiable thirst of TMC activits for more power and lucre

Several trains stuck as locals block tracks at Murarai station in Birbhum

Train services were affected as locals blocked the railway tracks at Murarai station in West Bengal's Birbhum district on Sunday morning, officials said. The blockade disrupted services on the Eastern Railway's Sahebganj line with several long-distance trains, including the Howrah-New Jalpaiguri Vande Bharat Express, stuck, they said. Locals blocked the tracks around 7.30 am, demanding stoppage of express trains at the Murarai station. Efforts were on to persuade the agitators to lift the blockade and resume services at the earliest, officials said.

SUCI(C) questions INDIA's credibility, slams CPI(M) on alliance with TMC

The SUCI(C) on Saturday questioned the credibility of the INDIA opposition bloc in the fight against the BJP and slammed fellow communist party, CPI(M), of being part of the alliance in which Bengal's ruling TMC is also an ally. The Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist), which held a rally at the iconic Brigade Parade grounds here after nearly 35 years, slammed the BJP government at the Centre over misrule and anti-people policies. SUCI (C) general secretary Provash Ghosh, while addressing the rally, wondered about the credibility of the Congress in the fight against capitalist and communal forces. "It was during the Congress tenure that capitalist forces were strengthened in the country. And during the Congress period too, communal riots had taken place in the country. Who is this INDIA alliance representing? Does it represent the oppressed and poor section of the country?" he questioned. Wondering whether poor people would benefit and communal harmony be in safe hands if IN

2 GST tribunal benches will come up in Bengal: WB Finance Minister

Two GST tribunal benches will come up in West Bengal this year, Minister of State for Finance (Independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya told the Assembly on Thursday. The two benches, part of the central Appellate Tribunal, will address the issues of aggrieved parties, she said. "Two GST tribunal benches will come up in our state and will be functional from October 1. It will facilitate faster resolution of GST-related issues," she said. Bhattacharya, also the MoS for Health, Family Welfare, Land and Land Reforms, told reporters that the benches will function in a phased manner. "We had requested for two benches at the 50th GST Council meeting and the Centre agreed to it," she said. Bhattacharya, who moved the West Bengal Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, said it will help the MSME sector to grow. The minister also voiced her concern on the rise in online gaming addiction among children and youth and said Bengal had decided to go ahead with the Centre's move to levy

TMC to table motion in assembly against 'Centre withholding dues of Bengal'

The ruling Trinamool Congress will table a motion in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday to discuss the issues of financial dues that the Union government owes to the state, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said. The opposition BJP said that the party will oppose the motion. "The Centre has started an economic blockade against the state. The Union government has stopped funds under several central schemes, including MGNREGA. We will discuss the issue on the floor of the House," he said. The senior minister alleged that the Centre had stopped funds for West Bengal due to vendetta politics. Reacting to the proposal, BJP chief whip Manoj Tigga said the party will oppose the motion. "We will oppose such a motion. The TMC has been trying to mislead the people by spreading canards. Before bringing a motion against the Centre and Manipur, they should discuss panchayat violence in the state," he said. The West Bengal Assembly on Monday passed a motion condemning the

Aviation Security Culture Week held at Kolkata airport to make flying safer

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security along with other agencies began observing Aviation Security Culture Week in the NSCB International Airport (NSCBI) in Kolkata on Monday. The main objective of security culture week is to inculcate security consciousness among members of the aviation community and passengers, an Airports Authority of India (AAI) statement said. This will make flying safer, it said. Various programmes such as awareness sessions, quiz contests, reward and recognition and walkathon will be organised throughout the week. The Aviation Security Culture Week commenced with an inauguration pledge by the director of NSCBI Airport C Pattabhi, and other top officials of different agencies. All the stakeholders such as the AAI, airlines, CISF and passengers will be participating in the security culture week on the theme 'See it, Say it, Secure it'. During this special week, various activities will be undertaken to educate, engage and create awareness about aviation securi

West Bengal assembly passes motion condemning violence in Manipur

The West Bengal assembly on Monday passed a motion condemning the violence in Manipur, amid opposition by the BJP. State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay read out the motion in the House in the second half of the assembly session. Speaking on the motion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the role of the BJP and the Union government in tackling the situation in the strife-torn state. "The Prime Minister should make a statement on Manipur. It is a matter of shame that the PM can go on foreign trips, but can't go to Manipur," she said. Banerjee said, "if the Prime Minister is unable to restore peace in Manipur, then let us (INDIA) be allowed to restore peace." Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, said, "The discussion is illegal as the matter is sub-judice." "We will move court against this illegal decision to allow discussion on Manipur. This is against the ethos of federal structure," he said. The BJP, which participated in the discussion, stage

Mamata assures Manipur people of help, urges them to embrace peace

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday urged the people of ethnic strife affected Manipur to embrace peace for the sake of humanity. She also assured the people of the northeastern state of standing by their side. "My heart aches deeply upon hearing the heart-wrenching stories from Manipur. Human lives should never endure the agonies of hatred's cruel experiments. Yet, in the face of silence from those in power, let us find solace in knowing that INDIA will mend wounds and rekindle the flame of humanity," Banerjee tweeted. A delegation of MPs from the opposition bloc INDIA, of which the TMC is a part, visited Manipur for two days since Saturday. "I earnestly plead to Manipur's brave brothers and sisters to embrace peace for the sake of humanity. We stand beside you, offering unwavering support and compassion," she said. More than 160 people lost their lives and several hundreds were injured since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on M

1.31 mn girls, women went missing between 2019 and 2021: Govt data

More than 13.13 lakh girls and women went missing in the country in three years between 2019 and 2021 and most of them were from Madhya Pradesh, followed by West Bengal. According to the Union Home Ministry data, tabled in Parliament last week, 10,61,648 women above 18 years and 2,51,430 girls below that age went missing between 2019 and 2021 across the country. The data was compiled by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). In Madhya Pradesh, 1,60,180 women and 38,234 girls went missing between 2019 and 2021, according to the data provided to Parliament. A total of 1,56,905 women and 36,606 girls went missing from West Bengal in the same period. In Maharashtra, 1,78,400 women and 13,033 girls went missing in the said period. In Odisha, 70,222 women and 16,649 girls went missing in the three years while 49,116 women and 10,817 girls went missing from Chhattisgarh in the said period. Among the Union Territories, Delhi recorded the highest number of missing girls and women. In

Massive fire at plastic factory in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas

A massive fire broke out in a plastic manufacturing factory in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, a fire official said. The blaze erupted in the unit in Mallikpur area on Saturday and 15 fire engines are continuing efforts to douse it, District Fire Officer T K Dutta said. No casualties have been reported so far and no workers were present in the factory at the time of the incident. "There are fires in at least five pockets. It may take the entire day today to completely douse the blaze," Dutta said. The cause of the blaze is yet to be ascertained, he added.

Dilip Ghosh may be used to bolster BJP's WB unit before LS polls: Majumdar

BJP's West Bengal state secretary Sukanta Majumdar on Saturday said senior party leader Dilip Ghosh, whose name did not feature in a rejigged list of the party's central office bearers, is likely to be used for strengthening the state unit to fight the TMC ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. There are, however, speculations within a section of the party that Ghosh may be inducted in the Union ministry. "A veteran and loyal leader like Dilipda is likely to be used for strengthening the state unit to take on the Trinamool Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections," Majumdar told PTI. He said it was a decision taken at the highest level of the party in the interest of the organisation. To a question about possibility of Ghosh's induction in the Union ministry, he said, "We don't have any such information, the party national leadership does not discuss such issues with the state committee." BJP president JP Nadda rejigged the list of the party's central office bearers on Saturday,