Page 3 - West Bengal

WB govt plans to appoint 600 young 'gajamitras' to protect elephants

In order to check the rising incidents of human-elephant conflict (HEC), West Bengal has launched a unique human-driven initiative, named "Gajamitra (Friends of Elephants)"

Irregularities in Teachers' recruitment in West Bengal; CBI files fresh FIR

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a fresh FIR into the allegation of irregularities in the recruitment of primary school teachers by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education

West Bengal business meet in Nov, govt plans campaign in multiple states

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) this year will be held from November 21 to 23, and her government, for its promotion, would undertake vigorous campaigns in cities across the country. Chairing the Industrial Promotional Board meeting at Nabanna Sabhaghar on Wednesday, Banerjee also stated that West Bengal, which has been a logistics hub, is also emerging as a data centre. "We will be holding this year's BGBS from November 21-23. Vigorous campaigns and eight to nine padayatras will be held in different states to promote the event. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) will organise a meeting in Mumbai, and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) can do so in Chennai," she said. Several senior bureaucrats, ministers and industrialists were present at the meeting, while former finance minister Amit Mitra attended the session virtually. "I will request Amit Mitra to take care of Delhi virtually and the ..

West Bengal teachers' recruitment scam: ED arrests TMC's Santanu Banerjee

Trinamool Congress (TMC) youthwing leader Santanu Banerjee was arrested by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the teachers' recruitment scam and was produced before the Special Court (PMLA) in Kolkata, which remanded him to the ED custody till March 24."Santanu Banerjee was acting as a conduit to facilitate the illegal qualification and appointments of primary teachers, Group 'C' & 'D' staff of schools of the government of West Bengal in lieu of money. Banerjee was in cahoots with (another TMC youthwing leader) Kuntal Ghosh, who is presently in judicial custody for the said illegal activities," the ED said in a statement.The ED, in an official release, said Santanu Banerjee also purchased a number of properties in the name of his family members and companies/firms with the said proceeds of crime.ED had earlier arrested Partha Chatterjee, TMC MLA and former Education minister, his aide Arpita Mukherjee, minister and TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya, and Kuntal Ghosh in the

Coal Scam matter: CBI grilling West Bengal Inspector from several persons

The Central Bureau (CBI) on Tuesday grilled a West Bengal Police Inspector for allegedly receiving protection money from several persons, including the main accused, in the coal scam case

WBSSC publishes list of 3,478 Group C staff with manipulated marks

The WBSSC published on its website a list of 3,478 candidates who reportedly have qualified for appointment as non-teaching staff in different state-run schools through manipulation of marks

WBSSC scam: More relatives of TMC leaders in list of terminated staff

Names of close relatives of a number of Trinamool Congress leaders including ministers in West Bengal government have surfaced in the list published by West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC)

Bengal: 34% of seats uncontested in 2018 panchayat polls, claims Suvendu

With the panchayat elections round the corner in West Bengal, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP claimed in the Assembly on Friday that 34 per cent of the seats had gone uncontested in the 2018 polls and won by the ruling Trinamool Congress. Claiming that the panchayat elections of 2003 during the CPI(M)-led Left Front rule and the 2018 polls under the TMC regime have set bitter precedents, Adhikari said that he hopes that the state government will help the State Election Commission hold free and fair elections in 2023. He said that 34 per cent of the seats had gone uncontested under the TMC rule in the 2018 panchayat elections in the state. Participating in the debate on budgetary demands for the financial year 2023-24 for the Panchayat department of the state, he said that of the total 78,492 seats, 20,269 were uncontested and won by the ruling party in the 2018 panchayat elections. Adhikari claimed that there remains much to be done to ensure that true ...

West Bengal accounts for 38% of adenovirus cases in country: Survey

West Bengal accounts for 38 per cent of the swab samples that have been tested adenovirus-positive throughout the country, according to a recent survey conducted by ICMR-NICED

Unesco's institute seeks to be associated with Bengal's education system

An institute affiliated with UNESCO has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing its interest in associating with the state's education system, a government official said on Wednesday. Banerjee has directed officials to explore the possible relationship with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), and a meeting may be held later this week on the issue between the two sides. "The UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning has written to the chief minister expressing interest to be part of the state's education system. Officials have been directed to look into the matter and take necessary initiative," the bureaucrat said. The Hamburg-based UIL is one of UNESCO's key education-related institutes and is the only organisational unit in the UN family that holds a global mandate for lifelong learning. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) wants to be associated with the education system of the state by giving priority

No income tax on agricultural produce for next 2 fiscal years: Bengal FM

The West Bengal government has decided that farmers will not have to pay income tax on any agricultural product for the next two fiscal years, Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said Monday. The state government has also announced the withdrawal of two types of cess on raw tea leaves for the period. Presenting the Finance Bill in the assembly, Bhattacharya said the current exemption period for agricultural income tax ends on March 31. She also said that the state government has taken up a detailed and convenient scheme to resolve issues related to arrears of tax to facilitate sales tax payers. In her budget speech on February 15, Bhattacharya had said without imposing new taxes, income tax exemption on agricultural produce will be maintained. The West Bengal government has also decided to fill thousands of vacancies in several departments, including minorities and agriculture, official sources said.

Cannot give DA on par with Centre even if protestors behead me: Mamata

With a large section of the state government employees sticking to their demand for enhanced dearness allowance on par with that of the Central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the government will not be able to provide it even if the protestors "behead" her. Speaking at the extended budget session in the Assembly, Banerjee cited the difference in the salary structures of the central and West Bengal governments and claimed that the TMC government in the state is already giving its employees DA of 105 per cent. "How much do you (agitating government staffers) want? How much will satisfy you? Please chop off my head and then hopefully you will be satisfied ... If you do not like me, chop off my head. But you will not get any more from me, she said. Various organisations of state government employees, including the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (united platform for struggle) are agitating for raising the DA on par with the central government ...

6 children die due to adenovirus; Mamata urges people to wear mask

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said six children have so far died in the state due to adenovirus, and urged people to start using face masks again to combat the menace. Banerjee also said one of her family members has been infected by the virus, but did not elaborate on the development. "So far, 19 people have died due to Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), and out of them, 13 had comorbidities and six (deaths of children) were due to adenovirus. I urge people to start wearing face masks for the time-being, she said at the state assembly. Do not panic and see a doctor immediately if you are having fever," the CM added. Banerjee also claimed that health services have improved a lot in Bengal compared to the Covid period. Taking a jibe at the opposition for questioning the health infrastructure in the state, she said that during the Left Front rule, no special newborn care units existed, while at present, there are over 2,486 SNCUs at 138 hospitals. The chief .

CVC acknowledges receipt of Suvendu's complaint against Bengal's CS

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has informed that the Central Vigilance Commission has acknowledged the receipt and documentation of his complaint

Sufficient infra to fight rising respiratory infections: West Bengal govt

Several districts in West Bengal have been witnessing a surge in cases of children suffering from Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI), the hospital authorities informed

Cong wins 3, BJP and ally 2; TMC suffers shock defeat in West Bengal

The assembly by-election results on Thursday brought some solace for the Congress as it wrested one seat each from the BJP and the TMC in Maharashtra and West Bengal respectively and retained a seat in Tamil Nadu with DMK's support, while the BJP and its ally AJSU bagged one seat each in the western state and Jharkhand. The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal suffered a shock defeat in Sagardighi which was won by Congress' Bayron Biswas by 22,986 votes. It is the only seat held by the Congress in the state assembly. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the Congress and the CPI(M) had entered into an understanding with the BJP to defeat the Trinamool Congress with their "immoral" alliance. Banerjee also said that her party will go it alone in the 2024 elections, "with the support of common people" and the Congress should refrain from calling itself anti-BJP. "For the Sagardighi loss, I do not blame anyone... But, there is an immoral alliance, which we strongly .

Adequate measures being taken for safety: Mamata on adenovirus scare

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday stated that only two adenovirus deaths have been recorded in the state, and assured people that there was nothing to be scared of, as ample measures are being taken by her administration to keep them safe. She also said that infants who died of late were mostly underweight and had several comorbidities. "Of the 12 (recent) cases, two resulted from adenovirus infections. The rest were due to comorbidities. Some had pulmonary hemorrhages, some suffered from weight loss. There is nothing to be afraid of We have readied 5,000 beds and 600 doctors have been tasked with the responsibility of dealing with such cases," Banerjee told reporters. The CM also noted that people are scared, after having endured the impact of COVID-19. "Any child's death is sad. Common cold and flu cases are registered every year during this time of seasonal transition. There is nothing to panic about. Such deaths are happening in every state, not just in ...

With 84 internet shutdowns in 2022, India tops the list fifth time in a row

With 49 shutdowns to its credit, Jammu and Kashmir experienced the most shutdowns in 2022

Bengal Forest Dept to set limits within wildlife sanctuaries for tourists

The state forest department sources said that the exact reason behind the rhinos suddenly charging at the tourist safari jeep is yet to be ascertained

Over 63% voter turnout in Bengal's Sagardighi assembly by-poll till 3 PM

A voter turnout of over 63 per cent was recorded till 3 PM in the by-election to West Bengal's Sagardighi assembly constituency in Murshidabad district on Monday, an election official said. No untoward incident was reported during the voting. "Till 3 PM, 63.43 per cent polling was recorded. So far, it is completely peaceful," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjoy Basu told PTI. The ruling TMC, however, accused the CRPF of trying to influence the voters. "Sagardighi Bypolls is a SHINING example of @BJP4Bengal's UNDEMOCRATIC approach and their BLATANT MISUSE of power. Elections are won by catering to people, BJP, not by HARASSING them. Take a look at how the CRPF is trying to influence voters, the party tweeted while sharing a video. The opposition BJP, however, charged the TMC with trying to create an issue out of a non-issue. "The CRPF has put up a strong vigil, and that's the reason behind the TMC's allegation and displeasure," BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.