Page 91 - West Bengal

No West Bengal representative at Niti Aayog meeting in Delhi on Saturday

West Bengal will not have any representative at the Niti Aayog meeting in New Delhi on Saturday as the TMC government's request to send the state finance minister and the chief secretary was "turned down" by the Centre, which "insisted" that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee may attend the event. Banerjee has already decided not to attend the eighth governing council meeting of Niti Aayog. Confirming the development, State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya told PTI, "We had requested the Centre to allow me and the chief secretary to attend the meeting as Mamata Banerjee is busy with some other work. In its reply, the Centre said the 'CM may attend'. This is an indirect way of not allowing anybody other than the CM to attend the meeting. Hence, there will be no representative of West Bengal at tomorrow's meeting." "If the chief minister of the state is preoccupied with some other work, can't she send any minister or official on her behalf? After all, I am the finance minister of t

Darjeeling may join 6 other non-attainment cities in Bengal in 2024: Report

According to Dr Chatterjee, there is an urgent need for attention from policymakers regarding the significant pollution load experienced in Darjeeling

WBCHSE announced class 12th exam results yesterday, here's how to download

WBCHSE released higher secondary exam results on Wednesday. Boys performed better than girls. Students can check their results on wbresults.nic.in.

Law and order in Bengal 'not good at all': Union minister Meghwal

Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal claimed that the law and order situation in West Bengal was "not good at all". The newly appointed Union Minister of State for Law and Justice was on an official visit to the city on Monday. Asked by reporters about some recent incidents in the state, including a blast at Egra in Purba Medinipur district that claimed 12 lives, he said, "I feel that the law and order situation in West Bengal is not good at all. But I will survey that first and then will be able to speak (more) on that." On Tuesday's scheduled meeting between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal at Nabanna, the state secretariat, Meghwal said he was trying to drum up support over his opposition to an ordinance brought by the central government. The BJP-led government at the Centre has brought an ordinance related to the transfer and posting of officers in the Delhi government. Meghwal claimed that Kejriwal, who had an interaction with B

Will ask govt to stop funds if Bengal doesn't rename fishery scheme: Oppn

Leader of opposition in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday said he will write to the Centre for stopping funds if the state government does not change the name of 'Banga Matsya Yojana' to 'PM Matsya Sampada Yojana', which was earlier renamed "illegally". Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the BJP state executive meeting, he said the TMC government renamed the centrally-sponsored scheme "illegally and unethically" just like it changed the name of 'PM Awas Yojana' to 'Bangla Awas Yojana'. "The TMC government is doing this to get mileage from the central projects, without acknowledging the role and contribution of the Centre. Such malpractices cannot go on forever," he said. He said he will write to Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Parshottam Rupala if the issue was not resolved at the earliest. Alleging that Adhikari was working against the interests of West Bengal, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen said, "He is instigating the BJP leaders in Delhi to deprive the peopl

Theatres in Bengal continue to shun showing 'The Kerala Story' movie

The 'Kerala Story' continued to remain absent from Bengal's movie halls for a second day in a row on Saturday as theatre-owners remained aloof from screening the controversial film. The Supreme Court had overturned a West Bengal government ban on the movie on Thursday and its distributors had tried to interest theatre owners in picking it up, without much success till now. Satadeep Saha, distributor of the film in Bengal, told PTI, "There is no change in the situation no theatre owner has said yes as yet (to shoing the film)". On Friday the movie's director Sudipta Sen had speculated that movie hall owners here were perhaps afraid of showing the controversial film, which the state had earlier banned fearing it may cause "communal disturbances". Sen at a press conference on Friday claimed he has been told by several hall owners that they have been threatened "by certain quarters" and asked not to screen the film. 'The Kerala Story' which was released in theatre halls on May 5, cla

Death toll in West Bengal firecracker factory explosion rises to 11

The toll in a blast at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district rose to 11 as one more person, who was seriously injured in the explosion, succumbed to his injuries, a senior official said on Saturday. Rabindranath Maity, who had 80 per cent burn injuries, was undergoing treatment at the state-run SSKM Hospital here, died on Friday, he said. "He had third-degree burn injuries. His condition deteriorated constantly since he was brought here and he died last evening," the official said. Another injured in the explosion, Pinki Maity, is undergoing treatment at the hospital and his condition is also "very critical", he said. Prime accused and owner of the illegal firecracker manufacturing unit Kalipada alias Bhanu Bagh had succumbed to his injuries at a private nursing home in Odisha's Cuttack, where he had fled soon after the blast on May 16. The West Bengal CID is conducting a probe into the explosion in Egra area. Meanwhile, the National Human Right

No movie hall in Bengal is screening 'Kerala Story' as yet: Distributors

Despite the Supreme Court allowing screening of the movie 'The Kerala Story' in West Bengal, no cinema hall has as yet agreed to show the controversial film which was earlier banned by the state government fearing "communal disturbances". Satadeep Saha, distributor of the film in Bengal, told PTI on Friday that none of the single screens and multiplexes in the state have come forward to show 'The Kerala Story' as yet, including theatres owned by his family. "We have asked the hall owners and multi-plex authorities that they can go ahead with the screening since there is no hurdle in showing Kerala Story now. But till now no one has picked up the move for release here May be they don't want to antagonise anyone," Saha told PTI. However, the Regional Head of Inox Amitabha Guha Thakurata told PTI "we are waiting for (state) government's formal orders." Director of the movie, Sudipto Sen at a press conference on Friday claimed he has been told by several hall owners that they have be

NHRC issues notice to Bengal govt over 9 deaths in firecracker factory

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the West Bengal government seeking a detailed report on the explosion in an illegal firecracker factory that left nine people dead and several others injured, an official said. The blast took place at Egra in Purba Medinipur district on May 16. There seems to be a violation of the human rights of the victims of the blast due to negligence on the part of the administration, the NHRC official told PTI. The notice was sent to West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi and Director General of Police Manoj Malviya seeking a detailed report in the matter within four weeks, he said. We would like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officers, responsible for the tragedy and how much compensation has been paid to the family members of those killed and injured," the official said.

BSF seizes gold worth Rs 86 lakh at Indo-Bangladesh border in WB's Nadia

Border Security Forces on Thursday seized gold worth Rs 86 lakh and Bangladeshi Taka worth Rs 6 lakh on the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Nadia district.Acting on a tip-off, the troops of Border Outpost Banpur, 54 Battalion, under South Bengal Frontier launched an operation and seized nine gold biscuits, nineteen gold chips, and a gold chain. "They also recovered six lakh Bangladeshi Taka, which were being smuggled from Bangladesh to India by the smugglers," a BSF statement said."The Border Security Force jawans have seized gold worth Rs 86 lakh and Bangladeshi Taka worth 6 lakh on the Indo-Bangladesh border in Nadia district," the statement said.As per the statement, the seized gold has a weight of 1390 grams, and its estimated value is Rs 86,04,100."While on duty, the jawans noticed two smugglers from the Bangladesh side approaching the border fence. The smugglers quickly ran away after throwing some goods over the wall. The jawans immediately reached the spot and ...

Bengal, Vietnam have much to do to strengthen bilateral trade: Envoy

West Bengal and Vietnam have much to do in terms of strengthening bilateral trade, Ambassador of Vietnam to India, Nguyen Thanh Hai said on Thursday. Though bilateral trade between the nations has touched USD 15 billion, it only accounts for two per cent of Vietnam's global trade volume, the diplomat said addressing a Bharat Chamber of Commerce organised special session on West Bengal and Vietnam. Speaking on the scope for establishing trade ties with West Bengal, Hai observed that aquaculture, seafood, chemicals, iron and steel, rubber and tourism have been identified as the most vibrant sectors. He felt that an effective FTA between the nations would prove to be beneficial. Vietnam has 400 industrial parks and 18 economic zones. Foreign investors enjoy corporate tax holidays for 15 years, with zero tax liability for the first four years, he added. Sharing his views on the issue of connectivity between West Bengal and Vietnam, the Ambassador said that 50 direct flights are ...

SC stays West Bengal government's order banning film 'The Kerala Story'

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the West Bengal government order banning the film 'The Kerala Story'.

Poverty brought victims of Bengal blast to illegal firecracker factory

The nine workers killed in the illegal firecracker factory explosion in West Bengal's East Midnapore district were forced to take up the job owing to acute poverty and lack of alternative income

CID, forensic team start probe of firecracker factory explosion in WB

Teams from the state CID and forensic department started their investigation into the explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Egra area of West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district on Wednesday, a senior officer said. Forensic experts started collecting samples from the now collapsed house at Khadikul village which housed the illegal firecracker unit and its surroundings, he said. The CID officers will speak to witnesses as well as with family members of those killed in the blast, the officer said. A huge posse of local police have been deployed in the village near the Odisha border. The district police have lodged an FIR in connection with the explosion that took place on Tuesday in which nine people were killed and several others injured. "Our officers are at the spot and they have started their investigation. Forensic experts are also there. The samples collected from the spot will be sent for examination to identify the materials used at the factory to prepare firecrackers

I-T dept detects Rs 40 cr 'unaccounted' money after raids on business group

The income tax department has detected alleged black income of more than Rs 40 crore after it recently raided a West Bengal-based group "controlled" by a person with an active political background, the CBDT said Tuesday. The sleuths also seized cash and jewellery worth Rs 2.73 crore during the searches on the business group which has not been identified. The taxmen alleged that the group was "suppressing" its yield and making unaccounted cash sales of edible oils and DORB (de-oiled rice bran). "Several instances of cash transactions not recorded in regular books of account have been detected during the search operation," the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said in a statement without specifying when the searches were conducted. The CBDT frames policy for the I-T department. It said the group is engaged in a variety of businesses ranging from production and sale of edible rice bran oil, mustard oil, DORB, different types of chemicals and real estate, etc. A total of 23 premis

WB health committee suggests restrictions on 3-year diploma in medicine

Committee, formed by WB Health Department to explore possibility of introducing three-year diploma course in medicine in the state, is of opinion that it cannot be introduced without restrictions

Municipality recruitment case: WB govt approaches court opposing CBI probe

West Bengal govt approached division bench of Calcutta High Court challenging an earlier order for a CBI probe in alleged multi-crore recruitment scam in different municipalities of state

Cong will definitely fight Bengal elections: Chowdhury on Mamata's remark

Mamata had said that her party will support Congress where it is strong but "it should not fight against her in Bengal"

Mamata to participate in May 27 NITI Aayog meeting to put state issues

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she would participate in the Niti Aayog meeting scheduled in New Delhi on May 27, and highlight the issues the state has been facing. Banerjee also claimed that the erstwhile Planning Commission gave states a platform to speak and resolve issues, but now the Centre "decides the agenda" to discuss at Niti Aayog meetings. I will participate (in the meeting). There is no other platform to highlight the issues of the state even if I am allowed to speak only at the end," she said. "They will maybe let me speak after sunset and after everyone. Still, I will go. I have been escalating several matters related to West Bengal, and I will highlight those, the CM said.

Govt to challenge HC order cancelling 36,000 primary teachers' jobs: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that her government will challenge the Calcutta High Court order cancelling jobs of around 36,000 primary teachers in state-sponsored and aided schools. She also urged those teachers who lost their jobs and their family members not to be depressed as her government is with them. The CM also alleged that those teachers lost their jobs because of the ongoing agitation of the state government employees demanding a hike in their DA and bringing it at par with the central government staff. "We have been getting appeals from the families of these 36,000 (teachers) who lost their jobs. I feel very bad. We have decided to move the division bench," Banerjee told reporters at the state secretariat. The Calcutta High Court on Friday ordered cancellation of the appointments of 36,000 primary teachers in state-sponsored and aided schools as the due procedure was not followed in the appointment process. "Do not be depressed, remember tha