Kolkatas Arsalan Restaurant Undergoes Food Safety Inspection Amid Increased Regulatory Scrutiny
Kolkatas Arsalan Restaurant faces a food safety inspection, with officials emphasizing the importance of compliance and hygiene standards. Kolkatas Arsalan Restaurant Undergoes Food Safety Inspection Amid Increased Regulatory Scrutiny
Bengal Chief Minister Vows to Root Out Anti-National Forces and Insult to Saffron
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari pledges to eliminate anti-national elements and disrespect towards saffron during a rally in Kolkata. Bengal Chief Minister Vows to Root Out Anti-National Forces and Insult to Saffron
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had submitted its chargesheet in the 2023 Ram Navami violence in Hooghly district of West Bengal, probe agency officials said. In the chargesheet filed on Wednesday, NIA had named Shakir Ali, the husband of former and two-time Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Arambagh Assembly constituency in Hooghly district, as the mastermind behind the violence. Sources aware of the development said that in the chargesheet NIA had claimed that Shakir Ali and his aides planned the unrest over the Ram Navami processions in the district for political gains. The NIA sleuths arrested Shakir Ali in the Ram Navami violence case in June this year. He was the councilor of Ward number 4 of Rishara Municipality in Hooghly district. Before arresting him, NIA officials searched his house for several hours. Shakir is currently out on bail. In the chargesheet submitted by the NIA a total of 43 people has been named as accused. Of them, 20 were arrested by the state police and two were arrested by the NIA. Apart from this, 21 more are on the list of accused by the National Investigation Agency. All of them, including Shakir, are currently out on bail. In the chargesheet, NIA had claimed that that the police had recovered many swords in relation to the Ram Navami violence. In addition, as per the chargesheet, a large quantity of explosives and gunpowder were also recovered from the residence of another accused in the case, Kamran Qureshi, who was arrested by the NIA sleuths. It may be noted that Rishra in Hooghly district witnessed unrest in 2023 during the Ram Navami procession. At that time, panic spread in the area due to bomb attacks, vandalism and arson. The lives of ordinary residents practically came to a standstill. The situation had reached such a point that the administration had to impose a virtual curfew for a few days to maintain law and order.
Joao Pedro, Estevao recalled as Brazil name squad for Australia and India friendlies
Brazil will face Australia in Townsville on September 25 and Brisbane on September 29 before taking on India in Kolkata on October 3.
Kolkata Police, Fire dept officials conduct audit at shopping malls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 10 (IANS) After hotels, restaurants and guest houses, Kolkata Police and Fire Department officials visited several shopping malls to check fire safety measures in the city. Officials were spotted at shopping malls like South City Mall and Park Street's Pataka House and Acropolis Mall on Wednesday. According to an official, an audit is underway and the fire safety regulations of the places are being checked. It is also being checked whether all the documents are in order. Officials are checking whether the temporary stairs can be used in case of a emergency situation. According to an official, condition of the fire safety system of those placed are being checked. It is also being checked whether there is a safe exit route for the common people in case of an accident. The police and fire officials are checking the safety system in the restaurants or food courts of these malls. It is being informed through sources that the fire department and police are conducting raids in 29 shopping malls (small, medium and large) in the city. Recently, a fire broke out in the hotel Shikha Inn at building number 15H on Mirza Ghalib Street in New Market, killing nine people. Later, a special team was formed to investigate the fire safety of the hotels, restaurants and guest houses. A report was submitted to State Secretariat Nabanna. Based on the report, the West Bengal government cancelled the licenses of 919 hotels and guest houses in and around the city, following which the police and fire brigade conducted raids in various shopping malls on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the licenses of about 40 restaurants and food shops in Kolkata were cancelled for failing food safety standards. The decision to cancel the license of these restaurants were taken following a week-long drive by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and its Food Safety Department officials to check the quality of food, raw materials and overall condition of the food shops. According to the official, in may places rotten food was found while evidence of mixing paint used on the walls of the house with biryani was also discovered. Somewhere fungus was found in the food while arachnids and rat nests were found in the food storage area. As a result of the findings, the KMC suspended the licenses of several famous restaurants in Kolkata.
Vinicius Junior To Play In India? Brazil Finally Confirm Squad For Kolkata Friendly
The list includes Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, who remains the star attraction, and Barcelona forward Raphinha, among a host of other stars.
115 free zones set to become fee parking lots before pujas
Cops hunt for more parking spaces near Durga Puja pandals
Buses can now park on roads at night for Rs 700 per month
KMDA to engage agency for College Street heritage book district plan
Hazarika home: Assam CM writes to Bengal CM
Soon, state SOP for underage pregnancy
BJP state panel: Suvendu to look over Tamluk
Will Uproot Them: Suvendu Targets Kashmir Azadi, Red Salute Slogans At Jadavpur University
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari led a three-kilometre saffron procession from Kolkatas 8B bus stand to Jadavpur University, joined by monks, Naga Sadhus and BJP workers. Adhikari vowed to uproot forces raising Kashmir Mange Azadi and red salute slogans, while announcing plans to return with Gita and Hanuman Chalisa recitations. The mobilisation comes amid escalating clashes, graffiti and slogan wars between Left-wing student groups and ABVP at Jadavpur University. It also follows a recent full Vande Mataram event attended by around 10,000 people outside the campus.
ECI to meet both Trinamool factions on Sep 12, decision on name & symbol may be resolved
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI), which had already consented to meet a five-member delegation of the ebel but majority faction in Trinamool Congress led by the party's expelled legislator Ritabrata Banerjee on September 12, had now also given the consent to meet the original but minority faction of the party led by the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at the same venue in New Delhi on the same day. While the time fixed for the meeting with the Ritabrata-led faction is 11 a.m. on September 12, the time allotted for the Mamata Banerjee-led faction is 12 noon on the same day. The venue of the meeting with both the factions of Trinamool Congress is India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIDEM) in New Delhi. Although in the communications to both the factions of Trinamool Congress, the Commission had not specified the agenda of the meetings, however, ECI insiders said that the discussions will be in relation to the arguments of both the delegations in favour of their claims for the party name and symbol. In the communications to both the factions, the ECI Secretary Ashwani Kumar Mohal had sought the names of the members of the delegations of both the factions as well as their vehicle numbers for necessary arrangements. It is learnt that the Commission will decide on the fate of the party name and symbol only after hearing both the factions. In the letter, Mohal had Ritabrata Banerjee to intimate the names of the members of delegation along with their vehicle details to ECI for making necessary arrangements. In the letter, ECI had specified that the number of delegation members will be five. The letter from ECI Secretary on Wednesday is in response to a previous communication sent to the Commission from the Ritabrata Banerjee-led faction seeking appointment. However, Commission insiders said that the decision will be made surely before September 16, which is the last date for filing nominations for the bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. Political observers say that the ECI has two options amid the forthcoming bypolls for these two constituencies. The first option is allotting the official 'grassroots' symbol to any of the two rival Trinamool Congress factions. In that case, the faction to whom the symbol will be allotted will be able to contest the bypolls with that official symbol. The second option is not allotting the symbol to any of the factions for the time being before a final decision in the matter is taken. In that case, neither of two factions will be able to contest the bypolls with that official symbol, a city-based observer noted.
JU acting registrar, finance officer removed
Lightning strikes kill 2 in Jalpaiguri
Tarapith readies for Kaushiki Amabasya with 200 firemen, robot fire tenders, 4,000 cops
Probe ordered into Jalpaiguri school headmaster assault
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday, September 9, said its three-day search operations at premises linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque resulted in the seizure of various incriminating documents and digital devices, while bank accounts of Urdu daily Akhbar-e-Mashriq, with balances of about Rs 5.25 crore, have been frozen. Haque, 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 .
Indian Womens Rugby Sevens Team Begins Training Camp for Asian Games 2026 in Kolkata
The Indian womens rugby sevens team has started preparations for the 2026 Asian Games at the SAI Kolkata camp, aiming for success in Nagoya. Indian Womens Rugby Sevens Team Begins Training Camp for Asian Games 2026 in Kolkata
14 injured in attacks by stray horses in East Burdwan
Dr. Vivek Pathak, Founder Director, NIPS Institute of Hotel Management Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9: Never go for shortcuts. It was perhaps the simplest message Chef Nimish Bhatia gave
Left (File pic) Sundeep Bhutoria; Right PIB Picture: Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Education, Jayant Chaudhary at the International Literacy Day in Delhi Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9:
Suvendu Adhikari Leads Gerua Samman Yatra in Kolkata
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari leads the Gerua Samman Yatra from Golpark towards Jadavpur, with the march focusing on saffron cultural identity.
Tamanna murder: Charges framed against 24
Threat to Sundarbans: Barclays faces complaint in UK over link to power project
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari led a procession in south Kolkata on Wednesday. He asserted that those raising 'Kashmir wants freedom' slogans would be uprooted. The 'Gerua Samman Yatra' began at Golpark and concluded near Jadavpur University. Monks and seers joined the procession, chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' and carrying saffron flags. This march aimed to protect the dignity of the saffron colour and its associated values.
Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge sworn in as 45th Calcutta HC Chief Justice
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], September 9: The weight of the Indian schoolchild's bag - a subject that social and cultural activist Sundeep Bhutoria has pressed with the Union Ministry of Education through the past week - was raised from the national stage on 8 September, when Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Education, spoke about the School Bag Policy, 2020, at the International Literacy Day celebration in New Delhi. The Minister's office also posted a short video on X and thanked Shri Bhutoria for highlighting this important matter.
Tripura VC polls: BJP skips over 57% seats despite hill alliances
Rugby Sevens Team Gears Up For Asian Games Challenge
The Indian senior women's rugby sevens team is undergoing a national camp in Kolkata to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya. Coach Terence Joseph and Captain Shikha Yadav emphasise execution, consistency, and building on recent form against strong Pool B opponents like China and Hong Kong China.
Calcutta HC extends interim bail by a month for CPI-M leader arrested in Baruipur violence case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday extended the interim bail period for Cooomunist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Md. Lahek Ali, who was arrested in July this year by the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police in connection with the massive unrest at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas over the rape and murder of a girl. Lahek was granted interim bail till September 10 by the single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on September 2 on grounds of the serious medical conditions of his mother. On that day, Justice Ghosh directed the West Bengal Police to submit to his bench on September 9 the video footage regarding Lahek's public statements instigating violence over the rape and murder of the minor. The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday afternoon at Justice Ghosh's bench and the state police failed to submit to the court the necessary video footage in the matter. During the hearing in the matter on Wednesday, the Public Prosecutor Kallol Mandal, told the court that it had not yet been possible to bring the pen drive containing the video footage of the day of the incident from the police station. Thereafter, the public prosecutor sought more time from the court in the matter. Following the submission of the public prosecutor, Justice Ghosh extended the interim bail period for Lahek by more than a month till October 12. The next hearing on the matter will be on held on October 10. Tension broke out in Baruipur in July this year over the rape and murder of a minor girl. The local people resorted to major ruckus in the area and lynched a local youth suspecting him of being involved in the crime. Later, the lynched youth turned out to be innocent. Ali, the CPI-M's South 24 Parganas district committee member, was accused by the police of being one of the principal masterminds behind instigating and mobilising people to take the law into their own hands. The police registered 26 cases against him. Finally, on the night of July 12, he was arrested at his residence. The CPI-M leadership, however, described his arrest as a reflection of 'political vendetta'. The Suryapur area of Baruipur witnessed widespread unrest after the body of the minor girl was recovered on July 5. Since the incident, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has visited Baruipur twice. Besides, assuring strict punishment for those accused in the alleged rape and murder of the minor, the Chief Minister also warned of action against those accused of inciting violence during the protests. Several arrests have already been made in connection with the unrest. Allegations that Lahek had incited violence had been raised from the outset, following which police arrested him. Pravas Mondal, one of the key accused in the crime of rape and murder, was killed in a police encounter after he tried to escape by snatching the firearm of an on-duty police officer.
Indias women rugby sevens team step up Asian Games preparations with SAI Kolkata camp
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) The Indian senior womens rugby sevens team have begun the crucial phase of its preparation for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a national camp at the Sports Authority of Indias Netaji Subhas Eastern Centre in Kolkata. The Salt Lake facility has always been the rugby teams operational home ahead of major international competitions. The Indian eves will compete in the womens rugby sevens tournament at the Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya from October 1 to 3. India has been drawn in Pool B alongside defending champions China, Hong Kong China and Malaysia. Addressing the media at a conference in SAI Kolkata on Wednesday, coach Terence Joseph voiced confidence that his wards will be able to match up to the challenge in Japan. The Asian Games is a big tournament for us. We are looking at the team's details and consistency. A lot depends on how we execute our plans in Japan, Joseph asserted. SAI Kolkata has been the home for the Indian rugby team. We have been conducting camps here for the past three years, he added. On Wednesday, the press conference was addressed by Sh Sibananda Mishra, Regional Director, SAI Kolkata; coach Terence; captain Shikha Yadav; vice captain Dumini Marandi; and S&C foreign coach Kiano Fourie. Indian womens rugby sevens team captain Shikha Yadav echoed her coachs sentiment. We want to carry the form and consistency from recent impressive performances at the Asia Rugby Sevens series into the Asian Games. Rather than putting ourselves under added pressure, we want to remain grounded, follow the pattern and stick to the basics, Shikha remarked. From the previous Asian Games 2022 squad, Shikha, Dumini, Kalyani Patil, Vaishnavi Patil, Mama Nayak, and Sandhya Rai are a part of the squad for Aichi-Nagoya. The SAI Kolkata base was also utilised ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2022, where the womens team finished 7th. The current camp, scheduled until September 24, is focused on finalising the travelling core team and sharpening the tactical details required against some of the continents strongest teams. SAI Kolkata has provided all the required facilities, sports science and ancillary support to the Indian rugby team. I assure you that in the future, we will continue to remain a base for both the mens and womens squads, Shri Sibananda Mishra, Honourable Regional Director, SAI Kolkata, said. We have an extremely cordial relationship with the rugby federation. We have been working jointly to ensure that high-quality training support is provided for both the mens and womens teams, he added. Ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya games, a total of 20 players are being put through their paces at the national coaching camp, sanctioned by the Sports Authority of India, at a cost of Rs. 19.8 Lakh. The Government of India has approved a contingent of 492 Indian athletes across 35 disciplines for Aichi-Nagoya, with women's rugby accounting for 13 athletes. The current team is benefiting from increased international competition and a more structured high-performance environment. Over the years, after I first came to India, we have had the objective of improving the team and individual players physically and technically for the bigger games they will now play. We see that development. The ladies have put on good muscle from when they started. We have seen them train more consistently and develop better habits. With these improvements, I am confident they will meet the demands of the Asian Games, Kiano Fourie, the strength and conditioning coach from South Africa, remarked. The Kolkata camp is more than just another residential training block. It represents the continuation of a model in which the national squad gets an extended period together to work on team combinations, tactical systems, conditioning and match preparation under South African head coach Paul Delport. This camp also gives the coaching staff greater scope to work on tactical structures, combinations, recovery, strength and conditioning and match analysis as an integrated programme. For a sport that has traditionally operated away from the mainstream Indian sporting spotlight, the repeated use of a dedicated residential high-performance environment is itself an important marker of how far the women's programme has travelled, and how seriously it is now preparing to challenge the established powers of Asian rugby. India's presence at the Asian Games itself is part of a longer journey. Women's rugby sevens made its Asian Games debut at Guangzhou in 2010, when India fielded its first official national women's sevens team. After missing the 2014 and 2018 editions, the team returned to Hangzhou in 2022 and finished seventh.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday wrote a letter to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing concern over the detention of Bengali speaking workers on the suspicion of being Bangladeshis in Chhattisgarh and other states. In an X post, the former Baharampur MP said, Written to Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji expressing grave concern over reports of arbitrary profiling & detention of Bengali-speaking Indian workers as alleged Bangladeshis in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur & other states. The Congress leader said that those who have been detained have valid government ID cards, thus proving their Indian nationality. As per media reports, those detainedincluding women, domestic workers & impoverished labourersallegedly hold valid Voter IDs & Aadhaar cards. Despite these reports, they are being subjected to custodial harassment without proper verification, separating families & violating constitutional rights. The senior Congress leader demanded the intervention of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in this regard to stop this detention. Bengali is India's second most-spoken language (9.72+ crore speakers) & an official language under the 8th Schedule. @MHAIndia must urgently intervene, halt arbitrary detentions, and establish strict protocols against linguistic profiling, Chowdhury said. He concluded by saying, If the State considers the Bengali language itself a threat, let a resolution be brought to Parliament to remove Bengali from the 8th Schedule. As long as Bengali remains constitutionally protected, no citizen should be forced to prove their patriotism for speaking their mother tongue. It may be noted that Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam also raised the same issue and demanded the intervention of West Bengal government and Chhattisgarh Police in this regard. He also demanded the immediate release of the detained workers and stop the harassment of Bengali speaking workers from West Bengal in others states. It was learnt that the migrant labourers who have been detained in Chhattisgarh hail from Murshidabad district's Suti Police Station area. They were working in Bilaspur district as hawkers and labourers.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation suspends FSSAI license of 40 establishments
In an alarming development for food lovers in the city, the food licences of 40 establishments, including restaurants and sweet shops, have been suspended by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for violating food safety norms.
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across metro cities on September 9
Kolkata-based GRSE launches indigenous ocean research vessel 'Sagar Manthan'
A top government official said the 840-crore research vessel is expected to be ready for use by early 2028
Kolkata-based GRSE launches indigenous ocean research vessel 'Sagar Manthan'
A top government official said the 840-crore research vessel is expected to be ready for use by early 2028
Temporary closure notices issued to 919 hotels, guest houses over safety violations in Kolkata
As many as 919 hotels and guest houses in Kolkata have been served temporary closure notices for failing to meet mandatory fire safety requirements, officials said. The action follows an extensive inspection drive launched after a deadly guest house fire exposed serious safety concerns in the city. Joint inspection teams comprising officials from the West Bengal Fire Services, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police have so far examined around 960 hotels and guest houses across Kolkata. Of these, only 41 establishments were found to have complied with the required fire safety measures, while the remaining 919 were issued notices directing them to temporarily shut operations until they meet the prescribed safety standards, officials said.
India's first indigenous ocean research vessel launched by GRSE
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, launched Sagar Manthan, the Ocean Research Vessel (ORV) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, on Wednesday. This is the first ORV of its kind to be built in India. The launch comes barely five months after the keel laying of the vessel, highlighting the shipyard's capability to maintain schedules. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences, who was supposed to attend the event as chief guest virtually, was unable to do so. He, however, sent a message congratulating both GRSE and NCPOR for the achievement. The Minister also highlighted the important role that the ORV will play in India's deep ocean research once it is delivered in 2028. Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, was present as the guest of honour at the event at GRSEs Rishi Bankim Shipyard in Kolkata. In his address, the secretary, who is a renowned oceanographer, spoke on the importance of ocean research for the country's development. We are also building a Marine Acoustic Research Vessel (ARV) for the Ministry of Defence and two Coastal Research Vessels (CRVs). Till now, we used to say that GRSE has achieved Atmanirbharta in warship building. From now onwards, we can say that GRSE has achieved Atmanirbharta, both in the field of warships and specialised vessels, Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), chairman and managing director, GRSE, said. The 89.50 m long, 18.80 m wide ORV will have a gross tonnage of 5,900 tonnes and its speed will be 14 knots at 90 per cent maximum continuous rating (MCR). Once delivered, the ORV will be capable of Underway Swath Multibeam as well as Geophysical Seismic surveys in coastal seas and deep waters at a maximum depth of 6 km. She will also be able to carry out Conductivity, Temperature and Depth (CTD) profiling and water sampling operations such as biological sampling using vertical and horizontal methods through various nets. The research vessel will also effectively carry out surface and deep-sea mooring and data buoy operations, seabed sampling using corers and grabs as well as rock dredging with chain bag dredges. The vessel will also undertake underway atmospheric observations, surface meteorological and current measurements, and collect upper air data. Scientists will be able to carry out analytical work and data processing on board. The ship will also provide training and education to scientists and technicians. GRSE has the necessary expertise in the field of survey vessels and has been building them for the Indian Navy for nearly four decades now. The shipyard delivered survey ships to the Navy in the 80s. It also built and delivered the Marine Acoustic Research Vessel INS Sagardhwani to the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) in 1994. The ship is still in service and recently underwent a refit at GRSE. In his address, the GRSE CMD mentioned how the INS Sagardhwani was refurbished at GRSE in 2025. He also spoke about the new ARV being built for NPOL that will be named Sagar Spandan.
Bengal health department issues stricter guidelines on patients referrals
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sept 9 (IANS): West Bengal health department has made patients referral rules stricter for state-run medical entities, in an attempt to eliminate the age-old menace of referring even the most critical patients coming for admissions to other hospitals. Insiders from the state health department said that after reviewing the critical care units of all the state-run medical establishments, the department had issued a set of fresh guidelines as regards to patients referrals. The first and most important guideline is that no state-run medical establishment should immediately refer any critical patients to other hospitals. The medical establishment concerned should first stabilize the condition of the critical patient and then only refer that patient to any other hospital and that too if absolutely necessary, said a state health department official. The second important guideline on patients referral, according to the official, is the detailed procedure for referral on a case-to-case basis. Before referring a critical patient elsewhere, the critical care unit of the hospital should inform the deputy superintendent or the assistant superintendent of the hospital about the referral decision. The deputy superintendent or the assistant superintendent will then contact the integrated control room at Swasthya Bhavan, the state health department headquarters in Kolkata. It should be ensured that there is a critical care bed at the place where the referral is being made, the health department official. At the same time, he said, such referrals should be restricted in extreme emergency cases where the patients family insist on such referrals. According to him, besides eliminating the age-old disease of unnecessary referrals, the new guidelines will also ensure maximum utilization of critical care units in all state-run medical establishments in the state. Recently, the state health department reviewed its Critical Care Management Information System (CCMIS), where details of all the critical care units in all state-run medical establishments need to be uploaded. Following the review of the portal, it came to the notice of the state health department that the existing critical care unit infrastructure in many state-rune medical establishments were not utilized up to the optimum level. In such a situation, the state health department official said, the new and stricter referral guidelines had been issued. Guidelines have also been set for the critical care units in all state-run medical establishments. Review meetings will have to be held every week to review the condition of the critical care units of all medical establishments. Each critical care unit or intensive care unit will have a specialist doctor with a postgraduate degree, said the department officials. At the same time, he added that there had been frequent cases of infection spreading from critical care units. The health department has set specific 'guidelines' to prevent it, where the infection control nurse of each hospital has been instructed to regularly monitor the infection control status in CCUs.
BJP chief Nitin Nabin to visit Bengal on Sep 15; focus on party revamp, civic poll strategy
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to reach West Bengal for a two-day visit next week with a packed organisation schedule, party sources confirmed on Wednesday. He is scheduled to arrive in the state on September 15. He will hold several organisational meetings with the state party leadership. He will be accompanied by the party's all-India general secretary (organisation), B.L. Santhosh. From the formation of a new state committee to the necessary reshuffle in the organisation, several issues are likely to be discussed in the meetings, said a state committee member of the BJP. He also said that during the two-day visit, both Nabin and Santhosh are expected to give guidelines for ensuring coordination between the partys organisation and the state government. It is learnt that while the BJPs organisational strength in the districts has improved substantially since the party came to power in the state following the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, several organisational lapses in the state have also come to the notice of the partys state and central leadership. Questions have already started surfacing over the role of a section of the grassroots-level party leaders and workers. Apart from allegations of corruption, there have been reports of conflicts also emerging between new and old party workers in several pockets. These issues may also be discussed in the meetings chaired by Nabin later this month, said the partys state committee member. At the same time, the state committee member said the issue of finalising party strategy for the forthcoming crucial elections later this year for a number of urban civic bodies, including municipal corporations and municipalities, might also be discussed during Nabins visit. The state BJP is very serious about the urban civic body polls especially that for Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Howrah Municipal Corporation. The party has started planning its strategy for these elections. Our state leadership is constantly giving messages for building up better organisational coordination among the party's grassroots leaders and workers. Now our national president is also expected to give a message on this count, said the state committee member.
Two arrested over lynching of man in West Bengal's Howrah on theft suspicion
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) The West Bengal Police have arrested two people in connection with the alleged lynching of a man on suspicion of theft and an attempt to move his body to another location, a senior police officer said on Wednesday. The incident took place in the Liluah area of Howrah district late Tuesday night. The arrests were made in the early hours of Wednesday. According to the police, the deceased was identified as Rajkumar Chauhan, 43, a resident of Uttarpara in neighbouring Hooghly district. The police said Chauhan allegedly entered a factory in an area adjacent to the Liluah police station on Tuesday night. Local residents claimed that he had entered the factory with the intention of stealing and was allegedly caught inside the premises. He was then allegedly assaulted by a group of people. The police suspect that Chauhan died as a result of the severe attack on him. According to the police, an attempt was subsequently made to move the body to another location, allegedly to conceal the crime. After receiving information about the incident, officers from Liluah police station reached the spot and began an investigation. Following a preliminary inquiry, police arrested two youths, identified as Shubhjit Patel and Sumit Paswan, in connection with the incident. Howrah City Police Commissioner Akhilesh Chaturvedi also visited the spot. Speaking to media persons, Chaturvedi said a murder case had been registered against the accused. Two people have already been arrested. The reason behind the incident is being investigated, he said. A forensic team is expected to visit the site to collect further evidence. The body has been sent for an autopsy. The police said the exact circumstances surrounding Chauhan's death would become clearer after the forensic examination and autopsy reports are received. The incident created tension in the locality. Residents alleged that thefts from factory premises in Howrah and Hooghly districts are common, with equipment and other materials frequently reported missing. However, locals said such an alleged lynching on suspicion of theft was unprecedented in the Liluah area. They demanded strict action against all those involved in the violence.
Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge takes oath as 45th Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 9 (IANS) Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge took the oath as the 45th Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court during a formal ceremony held on the court premises here on Wednesday. West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi administered the oath of office to Justice Ghuge in the presence of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, West Bengal Assembly Speaker Rathindra Bose, and senior members of the state cabinet. Former and serving judges of various High Courts also attended the oath-taking ceremony. The appointment fills the permanent vacancy created after the retirement of former Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, during which Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty managed the judicial duties of the High Court. There was a demand for the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice for the Calcutta High Court. In the meantime, the Supreme Court Collegium, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, made recommendations in this regard. The Supreme Court Collegium recommended his elevation as the permanent Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court on August 6, and his appointment was cleared by the government on September 5. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said on X Handle that the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice, has given his consent to Justice Ghuges appointment as the new Calcutta High Court Chief Justice under the powers granted by the Indian Constitution. Justice Ghuge started his legal career as an advocate in 1990. He has appeared in more than 2,000 cases, a majority of them representing labour unions. Over the years, he has also represented several industrial organisations and multinational companies. He also served as a contributory professor for the PG LL.M course at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU) from 2005 to 2008. Justice Ghuge had also served as secretary of the Bar Association of Industrial Lawyers, Aurangabad for five years, as well as its president from July 2010 to December 2011. His judicial career began in June 2013, with his appointment as an Additional Judge of the Bombay High Court. He became a permanent judge there in March 2016. He was appointed the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court in June 2026.
When the sea comes calling Mumbai and Kolkata cannot look away
The United Nations has sounded an unmistakable warning about rising seas, naming Mumbai and Kolkata among the South Asian cities facing an increasing risk of permanent inundation and displacement. The warning is serious, but it is not a prophecy of two cities suddenly disappearing beneath the sea. The real danger lies in a slower, more insidious process in which high tides, extreme rainfall, storm surges, land subsidence and rising sea levels progressively make parts of these cities harder to inhabit.
'Not my wife, daughter': Bengal man kills 2, chops bodies, packs them in sacks, dumps in river
Are petrol and diesel cheaper or more expensive today, September 9th? Crude oil is skyrocketing.
Petrol and diesel prices remained mostly stable across major Indian cities on Wednesday. Fuel prices remained unchanged in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.No change in petrol and diesel prices todayToday, September 9, 2026, petrol and diesel prices across the country have r...
Bageshwar Baba faces police complaint in Kolkata over remarks on Bengali identity and food habits
A Congress leader filed a police complaint against Dhirendra Shastri for his remarks. Shastri's comments on Bengali identity and food practices have caused controversy. He questioned the consumption of non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja celebrations. West Bengal BJP leaders and ministers stated meat and fish are part of Bengali culture. The Congress leader demanded an apology and police action against Shastri.
Gold and silver prices today, 9 September: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
919 Kolkata hotels, guest houses get temporary closure notices for fire safety violations
The notices were issued after joint inspections by the state fire services department, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police, with only 41 of the 960 establishments inspected so far found to be compliant with the required fire safety measures, they said.
Kolkata food safety drive: KMC suspends about 40 eateries; iconic Nizams, Karims hit
The Clean-Air Report Card: How Major Metros and Smaller Towns Performed
Delhi scored 172 points and ranked 21st, sharing the position with Visakhapatnam. It was ahead of Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata.
40 restaurants, sweet shops shut in Kolkata over safety norms
SC settles 3-decade-old shareholding dispute in favour of Peerless
Organisers, caterers pray to Devi: Clear puja food cloud ASAP
Fuel pinch: IndiGo cuts Hindon flights on Kolkata, Navi Mumbai & Varanasi routes
Water jets, workers at ghats: KMC mulls crane alternatives
All in a day: Sundarbans tiger attack victim, Hooghly deceased set to save multiple lives
Assam Government Seeks Support to Preserve Bhupen Hazarikas Historic Home in Kolkata
Assams Chief Minister requests West Bengals help to preserve Bhupen Hazarikas home, a site of significant cultural heritage. Assam Government Seeks Support to Preserve Bhupen Hazarikas Historic Home in Kolkata
Calcutta High Court allows advocate to retrieve briefs
Licence suspension: Restaurants stare at business loss ahead of festive season
Calcutta HC warns of lifting interim stay on demolition of Abhishek Banerjee's Amtala party office
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 8 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday cautioned that the interim stay on the demolition of the party office of Trinamool Congress General Secretary and the party's Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, at Amtala in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The single-judge bench of Justice Suvra Ghosh gave this caution after being displeased by repeated seeking for further dates by Abhishek Banerjee's counsel for presenting arguments in the matter. Justice Ghosh also cautioned the Trinamool Congress General Secretary's counsel on the matter. The hearing of the case related to the demolition of the office in Amtala was held on Tuesday. In this court hearing, the counsel of Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the nephew of the former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banewrjee, asked for time. Justice Ghosh expressed her dissatisfaction with Abhishek Banerjee seeking time in the matter. Thereafter, Justice Ghosh said the next hearing in the matter will be held on September 22 and if on that date Abhishek Banerjee's counsel would not come prepared for argument, the period of the interim stay will not be extended. A person named Sushant Mondal had filed a complaint on May 17 alleging that Abhishek Banerjee's office in Amtala was illegally constructed. The state administration took action in response to that complaint. A part of the Amtala office was demolished on July 18. The demolition work began again on July 19. The Calcutta High Court, which observed a holiday on Sunday, issued a stay order. The office was registered in the name of a corporate entity Leaps & Bounds Private Limited, which is linked to the Banerjee family. The notice sent by the administration was also in the name of that organisation. The Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee had accused the administration of beginning the demolition work without serving prior notice in the matter. It also accused the administration of not providing any information about the basis of which the action was being taken. The faction also alleged that the demolition of the office began without giving any opportunity to speak. The court, considering the arguments of both parties, ordered an interim stay on the demolition of the office.
Man duped of Rs 4 lakh with New Zealand job promise
100 ganja packets, two improvised pistols seized
Train diversions, cancellations to end before puja
Youth arrested after underage wife gives birth
Beyond the podium: Exploring new frontiers
Bolpur man regains mobility after rare ankle replacement operation
31 stretches repaired, 45 more to go before pujas
Clean up vacant plots or get ready to pay fine: Minister Agnimitra Paul
Assam govt plans museum where Bhupen Hazarikas timeless songs came alive
Intense spell pounds north, east Kolkata; south escapes with light rain
Kol to get a sanatani mayor soon, says Sukanta
Kolkata Authorities Revoke Licenses of Over 40 Restaurants for Food Safety Violations
Kolkata officials have revoked licenses of 40+ restaurants due to serious food safety violations, following a week-long inspection campaign. Kolkata Authorities Revoke Licenses of Over 40 Restaurants for Food Safety Violations
Govt restores CRCS-Sahara refund portal to expedite claims of genuine depositors
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS) The Ministry of Cooperation announced on Tuesday that it has restored the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS)-Sahara refund portal to expedite the claims of genuine depositors of Sahara through a secure, transparent and online mechanism. Till date, a total amount of Rs 9,267 crore has been refunded to 41,56,711 depositors directly into their Aadhaar-seeded bank accounts. Approximately 20 lakh applications are still remaining for processing through the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal. With the portal now restored, verification and refund processing of these pending applications has resumed, the ministry said. The functioning of the Sahara cooperative societies was affected in November 2025 after their premises were sealed due to certain matters disconnected to the Sahara societies. The Societies also faced operational and administrative constraints, including outstanding dues related to hardware and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs), renewal of essential IT infrastructure and licenses, and human-resource and other administrative issues. Collectively, these factors disrupted the systems required for verification and processing of refund claims. The Ministry of Cooperation played a pivotal role in addressing the administrative, financial, operational and technology-related impediments of the Sahara Societies affecting the refund mechanism. Through sustained institutional intervention and coordination with stakeholders, including the officials and Authorities of the Govt of Uttar Pradesh, the CRCS facilitated resolution of the hurdles relating to essential systems, infrastructure and administrative functioning, enabling restoration of the portal and its associated verification systems. This has restarted the processing of legitimate dues of genuine depositors of the Sahara Group cooperative societies, namely, Sahara Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Lucknow; Saharayn Universal Multipurpose Society Ltd, Bhopal; Humara India Credit Cooperative Society Ltd, Kolkata; and Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, Hyderabad, the statement said. The refund process is being administered by the CRCS through the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal, ensuring that the entire mechanism remains transparent, digital, paperless and verification-based. The dedicated online portal, launched by the Government on 18 July 2023, enables depositors to submit refund applications without physical paperwork, making the process accessible and convenient while maintaining a clear digital trail. Claims are processed through Aadhaar e-KYC and by matching depositor, membership and account details with data provided by the respective societies. Deposit certificates or receipts and other prescribed documents are scrutinised in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) approved under the Supreme Court-directed monitoring mechanism. Upon successful verification, eligible refund amounts are credited directly to the depositors Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Depositors are advised to use only the official CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal (https://mocrefund.crcs.gov.in) for submission of fresh claims and the Resubmission portal (https://mocresubmit.crcs.gov.in) for rectification of errors in submitted claims, whenever communicated and to follow the prescribed process and document requirements while submitting or re-submitting their claims. This will help ensure timely verification and protect applicants from unauthorised channels or misleading claims, the statement added.
Centre approves Rs 1,043cr for six Bengal road projects
2.5 lakh marooned as Ganga breaches danger mark in Malda
Shikha Inn tragedy: Kolkata shuts 919 hotels, guesthouses over fire safety violations
The civic body has given an opportunity to the owners of the assembly buildings to comply with the norms and reapply for licences on a suo motu basis
Jadavpur road to turn single-lane, varsity to close 4 out of 5 gates
Camac St ruckus: Derek OBrien questioned by cops again, this time for 6 hours
Kolkata food safety drive: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation suspended the food licences of 40 establishments after inspections revealed several hygiene violations. Rotten food, cockroaches and rats were found at several establishments during the drive. Officials also destroyed more than 1,200 kg of non-conforming food items. The licence suspensions are temporary and will initially remain in place for two weeks. Similar food safety drives were also conducted across West Bengal.
Big pujas forgo govt grant after CM appeal
Politics over Baba address refuses to die down, Cong lodges plaint
GTA placed under administrator, CM warns of action against corruption in Hills body
TMC regime corruption: GoM constituted to place white paper holds 3rd meet
Cafu: India Must Learn From Brazil Friendly
Brazil football legend Cafu has advised the Indian national team to view their upcoming friendly against Brazil on October 3 in Kolkata as a crucial learning experience rather than just a spectacle. He emphasised the match's importance for India's preparation for the 2030 World Cup cycle and highlighted Brazil's deep connection with Kolkata, referencing Pele's historic visit. Cafu also discussed the future of Brazilian football and his unique World Cup record.
India To Face Brazil, Uruguay As AIFF Unveils 13-Match Football Schedule
The Indian men's team will face the Panama senior Team in Bengaluru on September 25 before returning to Kolkata for two high-profile encounters against Brazil on October 3 and Uruguay on October 6.
