ED searches multiple locations in Bengal in over Rs 280 crore bank fraud
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) Enforcement Directorate's (ED) Kolkata Zonal Office recently conducted search operations at 12 premises across West Bengal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with the investigation into the Kohinoor Power Pvt. Ltd. (KPPL) bank fraud involving default of more than Rs 280 crore, the central probe agency said in a statement on Monday. According to the ED, the investigation was initiated on the basis of the complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) before the 2nd Special Court at Kolkata in respect of the affairs of Kohinoor Power Private Limited (KPPL) and others. Investigation into the affairs of the company was ordered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) pursuant to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) forwarding a list of companies in respect of which the Resolution Professional (RP) had fled applications before the NCLT concerning avoidance transactions. The ED investigation has revealed that KPPL, along with its directors indulged in fraudulent activities, including submission of false information, concealment of material facts, falsification/manipulation of books of accounts and diversion of loan funds, thereby dishonestly inducing the consortium banks to sanction and disburse financial facilities. The ED investigation has further revealed that the company eventually went into liquidation under the IBC and only around Rs 7 crore could be recovered, leading to 97.5 per cent haircut to the banks. Further investigation has revealed possession of dozens of immovable properties in and around Kolkata acquired from the proceeds of crime, from which the promoters were allegedly enjoying rental income of around Rs 26 lakh per month. Search operations have revealed that the promoters of the company Vijay Bothra and Prashant Bothra, are controlling more than 100 shell entities which were allegedly being used for siphoning and laundering the proceeds of crime generated from the bank fraud. Further, large sums have also been invested abroad in the name of relatives and dummy directors. Search operations resulted in freezing of bank accounts of more than 150 shell entities/individuals along with securities and other financial investments, including shares, mutual funds and debt securities. The total value of the bank balances and financial assets frozen during the operations is around Rs 64 crore. Search operations also resulted in seizure of incriminating digital evidences, company records, financial documents, property deeds, etc, have been seized during the search operations, which are being analysed for tracing the proceeds of crime and identifying further assets acquired from them.
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ED raids on premises linked to TMC MP spark political row
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorates (ED) searches at premises linked to TMC Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque on Monday, September 7, triggered a political war of words, with the BJP defending the action as part of a legitimate probe and the TMC alleging vendetta politics. BJP leader Keya Ghosh said there was no reason to politicise Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Bengal govt announces Rs 1 lakh donation for community Durga Puja committees
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced Rs 1,00,000 as donations for all community Durga Puja Committees for this year. The Chief Minister made this announcement after a meeting with the members of the community Durga Puja committees in the state on Monday. At the same time, he also requested the big-budget puja committees, who are capable of running their shows successfully with the state government aid, to voluntarily decline accepting that state government donation. Earlier, I said in a programme that I will give grants to those community Durga Puja committees with small budgets. However, I do not want to abuse the power of the Chief Minister. So, this grant will be open for all community Pujas. However, I will request those Puja Committees who are capable of organising their respective Pujas without the state government aid, not to take financial assistance from the state government. We want to give this grant of Rs 1,00,000 to those committees who cannot perform puja without this money, the Chief Minister told media persons after the meeting with the representatives of different Puja Committees. The Chief Minister, at the same time, assured that Puja committees across the state will not have to pay any price for electricity. However, the Chief Minister warned that DJs will not be allowed to play anywhere in the state during the Puja days. Liquor shops will be closed on the occasion of Maha Ashtami this year on October 19. Even liquor will not be available in the pubs and bars on that day. Maha Ashtami is an auspicious occasion. On that day, we offer flowers to Devi Durga. So, this year, we have decided to declare a dry day on that day. Puja is our religious tradition. Our cultural tradition is intertwined with the occasion. You should not do anything that hurts it, the Chief Minister said. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister also ridiculed his predecessor and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on this Puja grant issue. In the previous regime, this grant almost took the shape of an auction to gain political mileage. But that strategy did not work in the last elections. Rather, many Puja Committees got dependent on grants, the Chief Minister said.
Law minister seeks suggestions to strengthen National Tribunal Commission
Arjun Ram Meghwal sought stakeholder inputs on the proposed National Tribunal Commission framework while inaugurating the new premises of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in Kolkata
Husbands to face POCSO charges if wife becomes mother before 18: Bengal CM
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) In a major crackdown on child marriage and teenage pregnancies, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced that husbands of girls who become mothers before attaining the age of 18 will be prosecuted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, with the state government initiating suo motu cases against offenders. Speaking to the media persons here on Monday, the Chief Minister said, Now West Bengal is notorious in terms of child marriage and childbirth before the age of 18. The previous Trinamool Congress government is responsible for this. So, henceforth, strong legal action will be taken under the POCSO Act against the husbands of girls who conceive before the age of 18. The government will file suo motu cases in such matters. The culprit can be imprisoned for a maximum of 20 years. They will also be deprived of all government opportunities and social welfare allowances. He also said that the priests or Kazis performing rituals of marriage between underage brides and grooms will also not be spared. The administration will also take action against the guardians concerned. From January 1, 2016, to June 30 this year, about 60,000 girls under the age of 18 became mothers. Murshidabad tops the list. During that period, 12,847 girls from the district became mothers before attaining the age of 18. Next on the list is South 24 Parganas, where 4,178 girls under the age of 18 became mothers, the Chief Minister added. He informed that the State Health Department provided him with this information. The law under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 specifies the prevention of child marriages. The number of child marriages is so high that there are not even enough jails in the state to house all those who are guilty on this count. But still, we will not allow this to continue. We will make arrests. We have to stop all these social evils. We will launch a bigger campaign on this issue in the coming days, CM Adhikari said.
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Bengal Bans Liquor Sales On Ashtami, DJs During Immersion; Scraps Mamata-Era Puja Carinval
The carnival, held on Kolkata's Red Road, had become a prominent post-Puja spectacle featuring idols from leading committees before immersion in the Hooghly River.
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Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, September 7, apologised for a government advertisement carrying a distorted image of Goddess Durga with 11 arms instead of the traditional 10, seeking to put an end to the controversy that erupted over the depiction. Addressing a coordination meeting with Durga Puja committees at the Milan Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
udaan acquires Swiggys LYNK Logistics for 500 crore, gets Swiggy as shareholder
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Bengal CM announces allowance hikes for contractual employees across sectors
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday announced substantial hikes in the monthly allowances of several categories of contractual employees attached to different state government departments following a decision taken at a state Cabinet meeting held at Nabanna. Addressing media persons after chairing the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said the enhanced allowances would benefit para-teachers in both primary and upper-primary sections of state-run schools. Following the allowance revision, 20,343 para-teachers in the primary section and 21,849 para-teachers in the upper-primary section will benefit. The monthly allowance of primary para-teachers has been increased from Rs 11,941 to Rs 16,941, while that of upper-primary para-teachers has been raised from Rs 15,523 to Rs 20,523. The revised rates will come into effect from November 1, he said. The Chief Minister also announced an increase in the monthly allowance of around 2,000 forest assistants by Rs 5,000, effective from October 1. In addition, the Cabinet approved an increase in the medical allowance of former MLAs with effect from August 1. He said the salaries of Shiksha Bandhus (education assistants) and special educators would also be increased by Rs 5,000 per month. The move is expected to benefit 2,280 Shiksha Bandhus, with the revised pay structure taking effect from November 1. Apart from these categories, employees working as management staff, SSK assistants and MSK assistants will also receive a monthly increase of Rs 5,000, the Chief Minister said. On the occasion, Adhikari also announced that the state government would introduce a new Bill in the West Bengal Assembly this year to facilitate the transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff in universities. The Cabinet has approved the proposed legislation today. It seeks to provide a statutory framework for mutual transfers at the university level. The Bill will be placed before the Assembly on a priority basis, he said.
A file picture of Kolkata-based social and cultural activist Sundeep Bhutoria with Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Education. Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 4: Imagine six-year-old children,
CM Adhikari highlights achievement of AB PM-JAY scheme in Bengal
Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, on Monday highlighted the achievements of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) within a short period since the launch of the scheme in the state after the recently-concluded West Bengal Assembly polls earlier this year. In a social media statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Chief Minister claimed that currently there are 3.23 crore active cards in West Bengal under which 3.23 crore beneficiaries across the state now get guaranteed financial protection of up to Rs 500,000. He also informed that so far there had been 31,541 hospital admissions under the scheme from the state. Thousands of patients have already received timely, cashless treatment across empaneled hospitals without pushing their families into economic distress, the Chief Ministers social media statement read. He had also informed that of the 31,541 hospital admissions, as many as 716 had been outside-state admissions. Leveraging nationwide portability, patients from West Bengal, including migrant workers and those needing specialised interventions have accessed seamless treatment at premier institutions across India, the Chief Minister claimed. According to him, from expanding access in rural heartlands to enabling seamless healthcare portability nationwide, this scheme has started fundamentally transforming West Bengals healthcare landscape into one anchored in equity, affordability and trust. To recall, the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal did not allow the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state as the previous Chief Minister used to assert that with Swastha Sathi, the state-own health insurance scheme existing, there was no necessity for the central health insurance scheme for West Bengal. After taking charge as the new and ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal earlier, one of the first things that Suvendu Adhikari did was to implement the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in the state. In addition to that, the Chief Minister had also announced that those who will not be eligible for the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY scheme, will be covered under Chief Ministers Health Insurance Scheme. The coverage amount will be the same at Rs 500,000 a year.
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Supreme Court Urges Kolkata High Court to Expedite Decision on Controversial Signboard Removal
The Supreme Court has asked the Kolkata High Court to quickly resolve a dispute regarding the removal of a signboard from a political office. Supreme Court Urges Kolkata High Court to Expedite Decision on Controversial Signboard Removal
SC declines to interfere in Trinamool signboard row, asks Calcutta HC to decide matter expeditiously
New Delhi, Sep 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Calcutta High Court to expeditiously decide the Trinamool Congress' plea challenging the removal of a signboard carrying the party's name and logo from the roof of the office of its General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Camac Street in Kolkata. A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana was hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool faction against the Calcutta High Court's refusal to grant interim relief in the matter. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the Trinamool, submitted that the signboard was removed without issuing any notice to the party and contended that the High Court had erred in observing that no cause of action survived after the board had already been removed. The High Court says that no cause of action survives because the signboard has already been removed, he submitted. However, the CJI-led Bench remarked that merely because the signboard had been removed did not mean that the grievance of the party had been satisfied. Merely because it has been removed does not mean that your grievance has been satisfied. If your claim is accepted, the High Court will have to grant you liberty to raise the issue, the apex court observed. Sibal submitted that the party was seeking restoration of the signboard and reiterated that no notice had been issued before the removal. I am entitled to notice before such action is taken. No notice was issued, he said. The senior counsel further submitted that information had been given to the Kolkata Police on August 26 that security was required for removing the signboard, but no notice had been served on the party. I approached the High Court saying that no notice had been issued to me. The High Court did not examine whether notice had been issued. It merely held that since the board had already been removed, no cause of action survived, he submitted. He further argued that the Trinamool was a registered political party and that its name had been displayed on the building pursuant to a registered lease. This is a registered political party. Its name was displayed on the building and was removed without notice. A commercial establishment's name would not be removed in this manner, Sibal said. He urged the apex court to send the matter back to the Calcutta High Court and permit the party to raise all its contentions, without the observations contained in the interim order coming in its way. After hearing the submissions, the CJI-headed Bench ordered: In our view, the interim order dated August 28, 2026 has not decided pending issues on merits. Since the High Court is seized of the matter, and there are tentative observations made in the order, the parties are granted liberty to raise their respective contentions before HC. We request the High Court to determine all issues that arise for consideration expeditiously. The Supreme Court also clarified that the observations made in the impugned order would not come in the way of the parties raising their respective contentions before the High Court. The dispute relates to the removal of a giant billboard carrying the name All India Trinamool Congress and the party's logo from the roof of Abhishek Banerjee's office on Camac Street on August 27. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), accompanied by police personnel, had reached the premises to remove the billboard, which the civic authorities claimed was installed without the mandatory permission and payment of applicable taxes. The action led to tension at the spot, with Trinamool leaders and activists, including Rajya Sabha member Derek O'Brien, opposing the removal. Scuffles broke out between the police personnel and party activists before the billboard was finally removed. Following the incident, the Kolkata Police registered three FIRs and arrested several Trinamool activists. Abhishek Banerjee, O'Brien and other party leaders were named in two of the FIRs. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction subsequently approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking restoration of the removed billboard and also raising questions over the action taken by the KMC and police. On August 28, a special single-judge Bench of Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury declined to grant interim relief, observing that the matter was at a premature stage and that affidavits from all concerned parties were required before any interim direction could be considered. The High Court had also rejected the plea seeking details of the KMC staff and Kolkata Police personnel who had gone to the Camac Street office to remove the billboard. The Camac Street office subsequently came under scrutiny from the West Bengal Fire Services Department as well. Last week, the department issued a notice alleging several irregularities in the fire safety arrangements at the seventh and eighth floors of the building, where Abhishek Banerjee's office is located. The department said the fire safety certificate had expired on August 10 and sought an explanation within 48 hours as to why the premises should not be sealed. On September 4, after the response deadline expired, the Fire Services Department directed the occupants to vacate the seventh and eighth floors, citing inadequate fire-fighting measures and non-compliance with fire safety regulations.
CM Adhikari says Bengal economy on slow road to recovery
Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the state's fiscal health has begun to improve, albeit slowly, following the government's decision to link the state with various Central schemes, a move he claimed was obstructed by the previous regime. Because of the fiscal indiscipline of the previous regime and the huge revenue losses caused by corruption, West Bengals economy was pushed to the verge of bankruptcy. The situation was further aggravated by the previous governments reluctance to join various Centrally sponsored schemes. I cannot say that the states economic health has fully recovered yet. I personally feel it may take a year for us to come out of the economic crisis. However, there are signs of a gradual revival. We have decided to join various Central schemes, and as a result, more funds are now coming to the state, the Chief Minister said. He was addressing a function held to mark the beginning of the disbursement of enhanced old-age, widow and disability allowances in the state. Previously, the beneficiaries under these three schemes in the state were entitled to a monthly payment of Rs 1,000. However, from Monday, the same beneficiaries have started receiving an enhanced amount of Rs 1,500. The CM said that the BJP-led new state government took some measures to eliminate the scope for revenue leakages, which he expects will improve the states own tax revenue by 18 per cent. We have been able to plug such revenue leakages to a great extent. I hope these leakages will be addressed further in the coming days, leading to a further improvement in the states own revenue generation, Adhikari said. According to him, his government is also focusing on the identification of fake beneficiaries under different welfare schemes. Our aim is to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive these benefits. There have been instances of men receiving widow allowances. Such irregularities will be eliminated, he said. The Chief Minister also announced the waiting lists of beneficiaries prepared during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime. All the waiting lists of the previous government stand cancelled from today. We will hold public welfare camps again. Everyone will go there and make fresh applications, Adhikari said.
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ED raids Trinamool Rajya Sabha member's newspaper office, other premises
Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team on Monday began major search operations at the Kolkata office of the Urdu newspaper 'Akhbar-e-Mashriq', which is owned by the Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member, Nadimul Haque. Sources aware of the development said that besides the main office of 'Akhbar-e-Mashriq' at Park Circus in central Kolkata, simultaneous raids and search operations are being conducted at six other locations in Delhi, Ranchi, and Kolkata that are linked to Haque. The total of the seven locations where the ED raids are being conducted since Monday morning also included the residence of the Trinamool MP at Darga Road in south Kolkata. ED officials have also reportedly reached the residence of Haques son-in-law. Besides Kolkata, 'Akhbar-e-Mashriq' has editions from Delhi, Ranchi, Asansol, Siliguri, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Srinagar. Although ED officials have remained tight-lipped over the details behind the raid, as per preliminary information available, it is in relation to alleged illegal transactions carried out through the bank accounts of the media entity. The financial probe agency has come to investigate allegations of financial transactions in the newspaper's bank account, for which no correspondence has been found. It is learnt that the investigating officials have detected serious irregularities in the accounts of the media entity, hinting at money laundering. The ED, sources said, had decided to interrogate Haque, his family members and the other directors of the media entity in this connection. On early Monday, the ED officials, accompanied by a contingent of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, arrived at 'Akhbar-e-Mashriq's Park Circus office. While the ED officials, along with some CAPF personnel, entered the office premises, the other CAPF personnel surrounded the office. The office's main entrance was locked to prevent anyone from getting in or coming out of the office. The raids and search operation were ongoing, and as indicated by sources, this operation might be continued for quite some time. Haque had been a Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member since April 2012.
ED raids premises linked to Urdu daily promoted by TMC MP
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday raided premises in Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi as part of a money laundering investigation against an Urdu daily promoted by TMC Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque, officials said. The 56-year-old Haque, who is also a journalist and businessman, is the director of the company (Akhbar-E-Mashriq Pvt Ltd) that brings out Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
New dengue cases in Bengal cross 500 mark in last seven days
Kolkata, Sep 7 (IANS) The number of new dengue cases in West Bengal, in the last seven days, have crossed the 500 mark, according to statistics available from the state Health Department. The state Health Department officials claimed that following the release of a standard operating procedure for monitoring and preventing dengue cases in the state on September 2, an extensive exercise for door-to-door monitoring and immediate blood testing of people identified as having dengue symptoms was carried out. Following that extensive exercise, over 500 new dengue-affected cases in the state had been detected in the last seven days, an official said. With these 500 new cases detected in the last seven days, the total number of dengue-affected people during the current calendar year, or to be more precise, during the current monsoon, has crossed the figure of 4,500, the official said. Murshidabad had been the worst-affected district both in terms of the new cases during the last seven days as well as in terms of the numbers during the current calendar year. Of the 500-odd newly detected cases during the last seven days, 96 are from Murshidabad alone. Similarly, of the 4,500 cases of total dengue-affected people during the current calendar year, 870 had been from Murshidabad alone. Kolkata is in the second position, with the total number of affected people during the current calendar year being 402. The number of newly affected people in the last seven days is 62. The Health Department official also provided statistical details on the progressive increase in the number of dengue-affected cases in the state since April. As per statistics provided by the department, 770 people were infected with dengue in the state till April 30, which progressively increased to 1,946 till July 31, 3,966 till August 31 and little over 4,500 till date. However, the good thing is that whatever the figures that have surfaced this year are 100 per cent authentic, without any question of underquoting the affected figure or describing dengue as 'unknown fever' - a phenomenon which was rampant during the last few years. The instructions from Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for the medical institutions are very clear. If the case is dengue, it should be reported as dengue and not as any 'unknown fever'. So, the figure this year so far is 100 per cent authentic, the Health Department official said. Earlier this year, the Chief Minister requested the people not to panic about the dengue situation amid continued heavy downpour, and also said that the situation, though serious, was not highly alarming. He also said that the number of dengue-affected people in West Bengal during the current and ongoing monsoons, though high, is much less compared to what the figure was during the monsoons of the previous year
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AIIMS Jammu to become first Indian hospital with CISF Security
New Delhi, Sep 6: The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu could become the first hospital in the country to be guarded by an armed contingent of the CISF given its sensitive location close to the India-Pakistan international border, officials said. The 226.84-acre hospital and medical college is located in the Vijaypur area of Jammu and Kashmirs Samba district, along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway-44. The campus is located a few kilometres from the India-Pakistan International Border (IB). The hospital was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024. Sources in the security establishment told PTI that given the sensitive nature of its location near the IB, the Centre has planned to provide an armed security cover to the facility. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is expected to be deployed at the AIIMS-Jammu campus, making it the first hospital to be brought under the security cover of the central paramilitary force, the sources said. They added that a security survey and a manpower-estimation exercise are currently underway. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has for long resisted deploying armed personnel at hospitals post the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, when health facilities were targeted by the terrorists. The officials said there have been demands from many hospitals to get a CISF security cover for their campuses after 2008, but such proposals were turned down after a broad security assessment of the potential threats to these institutions and the limited manpower of the force. There are many hospitals in the government and private domains that experience high footfall. Incidentally, CISF personnel have been temporarily deployed at the R G Kar Hospital premises in Kolkata following a Supreme Court directive in August 2024 in the backdrop of the rape and murder of a doctor there. The AIIMS-Jammu deployment is expected to be a permanent duty for the CISF, the officials said. The force, which guards vital installations in the space, nuclear and power-sector domains, is also expected to be deployed for the security of the Kolkata Metro. The 58 stations of the Kolkata Metro along 74 km are currently guarded by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Once sanctioned, it will be the second metro rail network in the country after the Delhi Metro to be brought under a CISF cover, the officials said. The paramilitary force is also expected to be deployed to guard the only civil airport in Arunachal Pradesh the Donyi Polo Airport at Hollongi in Papum Pare district. Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently mentioned about the move in a social media post.
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IISc Bengaluru develops more effective method to extract uranium from seawater
Kolkata/Bengaluru, Sep 7 (IANS) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have found a more effective way of extracting uranium from seawater. The method will also help in the removal of uranium from groundwater in a more effective manner. Developing efficient technologies to extract uranium from seawater could offer a promising long-term pathway toward securing a sustainable supply of nuclear fuel. At the same time, uranium contamination of groundwater is an important environmental and public health concern, the institute has said. With land-based uranium deposits depleting fast, the focus is now on extracting uranium from seawater. As compared to about 7.5 million tonnes of uranium on land, seawater has about 4.5 billion tonnes of the vital material needed for nuclear power plants. Over the years, researchers have developed a wide range of materials for capturing uranium from aqueous environments and seawater, including porous organic polymers and functional nanomaterials. Many of these materials rely on strong chemical interactions between functional groups and uranyl ions to selectively capture uranium. However, achieving highly selective uranium separation in the chemically complex environment of seawater remains a major challenge due to the high concentrations of competing ions, the IISc has said. A recent study from the Department of Physics, IISc, presents a new approach to addressing this challenge. The team has shown that specially designed slipped covalent organic framework (COF) membranes can completely reject uranyl ions while allowing common seawater ions to pass through, it said. The researchers investigated the molecular-level mechanisms responsible for this selective separation. Their analysis of ion hydration structures, free-energy barriers, and membrane-induced friction revealed how the structural arrangement of the COF layers controls the movement of different ions through the membrane. Unlike conventional approaches that often depend on extensive chemical functionalization to introduce selective binding sites, the new strategy exploits the intrinsic structural confinement created by slipping the COF layers. This provides a way to control ion transport across the membrane primarily based on its nanoscale structure, rather than relying solely on strong chemical interactions with uranium, the institute has said. The findings provide important insights into how the architecture of layered COF membranes can be engineered to control ion transport pathways and free-energy landscapes. Overall, the work demonstrates the potential of combining advanced molecular simulations with rational membrane design to develop highly selective separation technologies for challenging environmental and energy-related applications. The research was carried out by Yogendra Kumar and Binu Varghese, under the mentorship of Prabal K Maiti, and carried out in collaboration with Accenture Labs, Bengaluru.
Mystery shrouds death of couple in Bengals Cooch Behar
Kolkata, Sep 6 (IANS) Sensation had surfaced at Bakshirhat under Tufanganj community development block in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal on Sunday following the recovery of a couples body under mysterious circumstances at two different locations within and near their residence. While the body of the husband, Sunil Biswas (70), was recovered from within their residence, the body of his wife, Janki Biswas (45), was recovered from within the thick bushes near that house. Janki is the second wife of Sunil. Incidentally, Sunils first wife, Gita Biswas and their biological son, Sajal Biswas, stay in the same locality but at a separate residence. The Cooch Behar district police have so far detained four persons for interrogation in the matter. However, the district police are yet to declare their identities for the sake of secrecy in the investigation process. Injury marks created by sharp weapons have been detected on the bodies of both Sunil and Janki. Their bodies have been sent for post-mortem purposes. A district police officer said that on receiving the information about Sunils body from his residence, the cops from the Bakshirhat Police Station reached the residence. However, at that point in time, Janki was untraceable at the residence. The police started looking for her and finally recovered her body from the bushes, which were barely 20 meters away from their residence. Sensation is prevailing in the area over the mysterious death of Sunil and Janki. After initial investigation, the investigating officials are more or less convinced that the couple was murdered. But there is confusion about the reason. The police, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ricky Agrawal, have started searching for the weapon used in the murder and other evidence. The police have detained four persons so far for interrogation purposes. However, the cops are not willing to reveal anything further at this moment right now for the sake of the investigation. The local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and the West Bengal minister of state for women and child welfare Malti Rava Roy said that she had heard the news that a couple had been murdered. However, I do not know the reason for the murder. The police have started an investigation. I hope the criminals will be caught soon, she said.
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New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday called for a fundamental change in the way industry and research institutions collaborate, stressing that potential commercial partners should be brought into research projects from the very beginning. Addressing CEOs, CSOs and COOs from industry during an interaction at the 6th RISE Conclave at CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (CSIR-IICB) in Kolkata, the Minister said the commercial arm should be in association with the lab right from day one. Dr Singh said involving industry at the project-planning stage would ensure that market requirements, user needs and commercial considerations are incorporated while a technology is still under development. This, he said, would help prevent situations where a technology reaches the market but subsequently requires substantial modifications to meet actual industry or consumer requirements. Responding to an industry suggestion that commercial partners should be involved at the laboratory stage itself, the Minister said early industry participation could provide valuable inputs on market dynamics, product design, environmental sustainability, supply-chain requirements and commercial viability. Such collaboration, he said, would help bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready products. The interaction also provided an opportunity for industry representatives to place specific technological challenges and requirements before the Minister. Critical minerals and indigenous technologies emerged as important areas of discussion, with participants highlighting opportunities in rare-earth extraction, permanent magnets, recycling, lithium beneficiation and the recovery of strategic minerals such as vanadium and titanium. Industry representatives sought technological support and hand-holding from CSIR laboratories to scale up technologies in these areas. Discussions also covered the possibility of exploring rare-earth resources and other critical minerals in eastern India. Dr Singh emphasised the need to make greater use of capabilities being developed across CSIR laboratories and other government scientific institutions. He encouraged industries to identify specific requirements and work with laboratories to develop practical technological solutions. Space technology and specialised optical components were also raised during the interaction. The Minister sought details on the issues presented by industry and indicated that matters relating to space technology could be taken up with the Department of Space.
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ED conducting searches at residence of business family in Kolkata
Kolkata, Sep 6 (IANS) An Enforcement Directorate (ED) team was carrying out search operations at the residence of a business family, involved in share trading and money market operations, in north Kolkata since Sunday morning. In this raid, instead of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, the ED team was escorted by Kolkata Police personnel. It is learnt that a team of ED officials from the central agencys eastern regional office turned up at the Phoolbagan Police Station, under whose jurisdiction the residence of the said business family falls. After completion of the necessary formalities there, a joint team of ED officials and police from the Phoolbagan Police Station arrived at the multi-story building named Shivam located at Kankurgachi. The ED officials are tight-lipped over the exact reason behind the raid and search operations. It is learnt that the residence at which the raid and search operations are being conducted belongs to the Shah family, who are involved in share trading and money market operations. Recently, ED had become active again in West Bengal over a number of money-laundering cases. On September 3, ED officials conducted search operations at multiple locations in Kolkata, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged Rs 290 crore bank-loan fraud by a private company. The private company had availed loans from banks to set up a 66 MW power plant in Jharkhand, but the loans were allegedly siphoned off to other group entities and for personal use. On September 2, the ED launched search operations at 14 premises under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in different locations in the country, including Kolkata, as part of an investigation into alleged fraudulent collection at various National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) toll plazas. The searches were carried out in locations across Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, the National Capital Region (NCR), as well as Kolkata.
Ayodhya, Sep 6 (IANS) A fresh war of words has erupted between Hindu seers and All India Imam Association President Maulana Sajid Rashidi following remarks attributed to Bageshwar Dham head Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri over the cultural and religious identity of India. Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya, Peethadhishwar of Tapasvi Chhawani in Ayodhya, strongly reacted to the controversy and called for vigilance among followers of Sanatan Dharma, while asserting that religious differences should not be allowed to threaten the countrys cultural identity. The controversy stems from remarks made by Shastri during a religious discourse in Kolkata, West Bengal. Shastri was quoted as saying that the country belongs to Raghuvar and Lord Ram rather than Akbar, while adding that the Quran and the Bible are respected in India out of regard for humanity. He had maintained that attempts to erase Indian culture in order to promote Christianity or Islam would not be acceptable. Rashidi had expressed displeasure over the remarks and said that they can do the construction according to Raghuvars vision as they are in power; when his preferred people will be in power, they will change the things. The exchange is a warning sign for followers of Sanatan Dharma. There is a need to remain vigilant and formulate a strategy to protect the communitys cultural interests, Acharya alleged. We are liberal and wish well for everyone, but we will not tolerate any challenge to our very existence, Acharya said, according to the statement. The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of a series of contentious exchanges between Rashidi and Shastri. Earlier in August, too, Rashidi drew criticism over remarks concerning participants in the Kanwar Yatra. Reports said he described people involved in alleged incidents of vandalism, attacks on police and other disorderly conduct as terrorists and drug addicts. Shastri subsequently objected to portraying the wider community of Kanwariyas in such terms, arguing that isolated acts of wrongdoing should not be used to label millions of devotees. Separately, Rashidi had also faced condemnation earlier this year over remarks that were interpreted by Hindu seers as threatening to the Hindu community. In May, several Ayodhya seers criticised him over comments concerning fear among Hindus and called for legal action. Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya was among those who publicly condemned Rashidis remarks at the time.
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