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West Bengal CEO directs BLOs to re-verify voter lists, remove ineligible names by December 11
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal has directed booth-level officers (BLOs) involved in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to re-check enumeration forms and ensure that the names of all deceased, absent, or duplicate voters are removed before the first phase concludes on December 11. The deadline for the first phase of the SIR has been extended from December 4 to December 11. In a message to BLOs, Agarwal emphasised the need for utmost care while uploading data. You must ensure every single dead, absent, or duplicate voters name is deleted from the voter list, as the Election Commission aims to include every eligible voter and remove every ineligible one. There should not be any mistake, inadvertent or otherwise, Agarwal said on Thursday. 'They are forcing me to end my life': Why many BLOs in Bengal found the SIR drive 'inhuman' He warned that the commission will take legal action if any intentional mistake is detected. A senior official in the CEOs office stated that only seven polling booths reported having no deceased or shifted voters in the past year, a decline from 2,208 initially and 480 two days ago. The revised figures came after the CEOs office instructed districts to thoroughly re-check numbers before submission, the official added. In his note, the CEO reminded BLOs that they are on deputation to the Election Commission for the SIR exercise and are responsible for critical verification work. He also expressed gratitude to those BLOs who have done a commendable job, saying no word is enough to praise them. The CEOs message, however, did not mention the BLO Oikyo Manchs claim that four BLOs had died due to stress and deadline pressure during the SIR process over the past month, nor did it address compensation for their families. A deputy CEO earlier stated that district election officers have been asked to submit reports on the alleged incidents and the actual causes of the deaths. ECI directs states, UTs to expedite preparations for Special Intensive Revision
CEO tells West Bengal BLOs to re-verify forms, delete dead or absent voters by December 11
In his note, the CEO reminded BLOs that they are on deputation to the ECI for the SIR exercise and are responsible for crucial verification work
CEO tells Bengal BLOs to re-verify forms, delete dead or absent voters by Dec 11
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal directed booth-level officers (BLOs) engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to re-check enumeration forms and ensure that names of all deceased, absent or duplicate voters are deleted before the first phase ends on December 11. The last date for the first phase []
Bengal SIR: CEO tells BLOs to re-verify forms by Dec 11
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal directed booth-level officers (BLOs) engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to re-check enumeration forms and ensure that names of all deceased, absent or duplicate voters are deleted before the first phase ends on December 11. The last date for the first phase of 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 BLOs asked to re-verify forms, delete dead or absent voters by Dec 11
West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal has instructed booth-level officers to meticulously re-examine voter enumeration forms. The directive emphasizes the urgent deletion of names of deceased, absent, or duplicate voters. This crucial task must be completed before the first phase of the Special Intensive Revision concludes on December 11.
Rajya Sabha green light to excise policy to curb tobacco consumption
NEW DELHI: Parliament on Thursday passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after the Rajya Sabha approved it and returned it to the Lok Sabha. The Bill amends the Central Excise Act, 1944, with the key objective of increasing excise duties and cess on multiple tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, zarda and scented tobacco. Replying to the discussion on the Bill, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accused the West Bengal government of obstructing the states development despite receiving full assistance from the Centre. She insisted that the Centre had never neglected West Bengal. In fact, it is the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government that is hurting the growth of the people of West Bengal, she said while responding to points raised by TMC members. Referring to health coverage, she reminded the House that West Bengal withdrew from the Ayushman Bharat scheme in January 2019, adding, Is that good for the people of Bengal? Sitharaman said industries were steadily leaving West Bengal and listed several indicators of the Centres contributions. She noted that AIIMS Kalyani had been established and 11 medical colleges were approved under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme. She added that West Bengal received a record railway budget allocation of Rs 13,955 crore for 202526, more than three times the 200914 average outlay of Rs 4,380 crore. In addition, 101 Amrit Stations are being developed in the state at a cost of Rs 3,847.5 crore. The minister said that 1,650 km of railway lines had been electrified, bringing total electrification in Bengal to over 98%. She informed the House that more than 2,300 km of National Highways had been built since 2014. Responding to concerns raised by TMC MP Sagarika Ghose about the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), Sitharaman said that transfers had not been halted.
Presidents rule would have been imposed in West Bengal had we not gone ahead with SIR says Mamata
Without making a direct reference to MLA Humayun Kabir who was suspended by the Trinamool Congress earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that traitors take BJPs money to stoke communal tensions in Murshidabad
ECI to roll out Demographic Similar Entries Software in 12 states amid intensive voter roll revision
The Election Commission of India is launching new software to find and remove duplicate voters. This technology will be used in 12 states, including West Bengal, during a special revision of voter lists. Officials are urging election workers to be diligent in verifying voter details. Strict action will be taken against intentional errors.
TMC accuses Sitharaman of misleading Rajya Sabha during excise bill debate
TMC Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader Sagarika Ghose accused Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman of misleading the House on West Bengal during the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 debate. The party staged a walkout, calling it a murder of constitutional democracy
Shah Planned Presidents Rule in West Bengal If We Didnt Allow SIR: Didi
They may be found in North Eastern states like Tripura.
'Mamata Banerjee Will Be Ex-Chief Minister In 2026': MLA Humayun Kabir
Suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir on Thursday escalated his attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, declaring that she will no longer remain in power after the 2026 Assembly elections.
Some traitors take BJPs money to stoke communal tensions: CM Mamata
Murshidabad: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said Murshidabad would never accept politics of riots and that some traitors take BJPs money to stoke communal tensions on the day the TMC suspended MLA Humayun Kabir over his proposed Babri Masjid-style mosque. Addressing a rally in Baharampur, Banerjee, without naming Bharatpur MLA Kabir, said 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 .
A total of 448 listed companies have left since Mamata Banerjee came to power, the BJP leader said, alleging that the situation is far worse than what the Trinamool Congress government tries to hide
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjees assembly constituency records 41,495 'uncollectable' SIR forms: ECI
KOLKATA: The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees Bhawanipore Assembly seat under the Kolkata South electoral district has recorded 41,495 uncollectable enumeration forms (EFs) so far till Thursday afternoon, Election Commission of India (ECI) says. According to the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), 41,495 EFs in Bhawanipore Assembly remained uncollected so far till today. Uncollectable EFs means that they cannot be collected by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the ongoing door-to-door exercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The ruling Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, after being defeated by the BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram constituency in East Midnapore district in 2021, had contested the by-polls in Bhawanipore against the BJP candidate and won the same year. More than 1.5 lakh EFs out of total 2.6 lakh voters in her constituency have been digitalised so far, the CEO office said. Around 1.88 lakh EFs have been reported uncollectable in the Kolkata South electoral district. The uncollectable forms include dead, duplicate, shifted and absent voters. The prime reasons for EFs deemed uncollectable are categorized as ASDD voters indicating individuals who are dead, permanently shifted to different location or constituency, untraceable or absent and duplicates who are found to be enrolled in multiple polling stations or have fake entries.
WBSU result 2025: UG NEP, CBCS even semester results declared at wbsu.ac.in, check direct link here
West Bengal State University (WBSU) has released the UG CBCS and UG NEP Sem-II/IV results for 2025. Students can now check their results online at the official portal by entering their registration number and captcha code. The results provide detailed subject-wise marks for both CBCS and NEP students. Candidates are advised to download or print their results for future reference. A direct link is available for quick and secure access.
Amid the rising number of suicides and deaths allegedly due to work pressure during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal, hundreds of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) on Thursday protested outside the office of the state's Chief Electoral Officer in Kolkata. Breaching police barricades, a group of over 400 BLOs marched towards the office of CEO Manoj Agarwal and staged a sit-in demanding further extension of the enumeration deadline of the SIR exercise by at least three months, citing inhuman work-related stress. We are working round-the-clock and are on the verge of a breakdown. We have to attend to our duties in schools, remain up all night to digitise the enumeration forms. Despite our repeated appeals for deadline extension, the EC is not responsive. They are issuing fresh notifications and orders over WhatsApp every day, said BLO Reba Muhuri. We demand immediate extension of the SIR deadlines for submitting forms, and preparing draft rolls not by a week, but by three months at least, if not six months, she added. Sasanka Pal, another forum member and a state government employee, maintained that although he was not a BLO, he joined the protests to express his solidarity with them. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arm twisting the EC to enforce the BJP's diktat for completing the SIR before assembly polls, which has triggered so much pressure on the BLOs and Booth Level Assistants (BLAs) of political parties, he said. The BLOs, accompanied by the family members of four officials who lost their lives allegedly due to SIR work pressure also demanded adequate compensation to the next of kin of the deceased. The protest march was conducted under the banner of the TMC-leaning 'BLO Aikya Manch' (BLO Unity Forum). The protesters held a march from the Sealdah Station in north Kolkata to the CEO's office in BBD Bag, where it merged with a section of aggrieved BLOs, who are already holding a sit-in before the premises for the past 10 days. This is the second such protest at the CEO's office in 10 days despite the Election Commission directing Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma to ensure safety and security of officers and staff at the office of the CEO. An EC official said the CEO's office was yet to receive any reports from District Election Officers (DEOs) on the alleged deaths of BLOs due to work-related stress. We cannot comment on the issue till there is confirmation that those deaths are connected to the SIR exercise, the Deputy CEO-ranked official said. The EC has extended the deadline of the enumeration phase of SIR, and the subsequent publication of draft and final rolls by seven days, but the opposition parties and the BLOs have pointed out that the time is too short to complete the job. Following the EC's extension of deadlines, the house-to-house enumeration phase would conclude on December 11, followed by the publication of draft electoral rolls on December 16. The final rolls are scheduled to be published on February 14 next year, after completion of the claims and objections period, and the notice phase of hearing and verification of voters. (With inputs from PTI) SC directs states to deploy additional staff for SIR duty; passes slew of orders to ease pressure on BLOs
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court, on Thursday, issued a slew of directions to address the problems faced by the BLOs while working in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in various states. A two-judge Bench of the top court, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, in its order directed that the states which were affected would depute additional staff for SIR duty to reduce the working hours of persons engaged in SIR. Whenever any individual has a specific reason for seeking exemption, the state government shall consider such requests on a case-by-case basis and replace such person with another person. The state is obligated to provide the workforce in case there is a need to increase the same. If any other relief is not dealt with, the aggrieved individual can approach the court, the apex court ordered. It passed these directions, after hearing an application filed by the political party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) against the Election Commission of India (ECI), stating that the condition of BLOs, including the suicide of some of them who had cited work pressure before taking the extreme step. Thursday's hearing in the top court waspart of a batch of petitions challenging the SIR process in various states, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala. During the course of the hearing,Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for TVK, argued that 35 to 40 BLOs have died by suicide. These are all Anganwadi workers and teachers. He further submitted before the apex court that many were getting notices saying that they would be imprisoned for 2 years if they didn't meet deadlines. 50 FIRs have been filed against BLOs in UP. They (Election Commission of India) are taking pride in this. There was a boy who wanted to attend his wedding. He was denied, and he committed suicide, he contended before the top court.
West Bengal SIR: Polling stations with zero ineligible voters drops from 2,208 to 29
Between December 1 and December 3, the number of polling booths that recorded zero dead, duplicate, shifted or absent voters saw a drastic drop
Amit Shah behind SIR 'ploy' in Bengal; BJP dug its own grave by rushing it: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fiercely criticized the BJP and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging it was a ploy to manipulate voters and capture the state.
Bengal SIR: Nearly 50 lakh voters flagged for possible deletion from voter list
Around 50 lakh names have been identified for possible deletion from West Bengals voters list during the Election Commissions ongoing Special Intensive Revision
TMC suspends MLA Humayun Kabir who proposed to build 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad
KOLKATA: West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress on Thursday suspended its Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir, who had triggered a storm with the proposal to build 'Babri Masjid' in Murshidabad district. Kabir, who has hogged the limelight over the last few years with his controversial statements on various matters, including the party's internal affairs, had announced that the foundation stone of the proposed mosque would be laid at Beldanga on December 6. Announcing his suspension, senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim said Kabir's conduct amounted to gross indiscipline at a time when the party was working to maintain peace and communal harmony in the state. Kabir was involved in communal politics, which the TMC is strictly against. TMC does not believe in communal politics. He will have no relation with the party from this moment. He is being suspended on the instructions of our top leadership, said Hakim, a senior minister in the Mamata Banerjee government. Asked about his reaction, Kabir said he will tender his resignation and form a new political outfit. Earlier, he had claimed that lakhs of people would join the December 6 programme, which may block the NH-12 that connects Kolkata in the south to Siliguri in the north. VIDEO | Berhampore: After being suspended from TMC, MLA Humayun Kabir says, I will announce a new party on December 22 and will field candidates on 135 Assembly seats (in West Bengal polls). I will fight against both the BJP and them (TMC). They can do whatever they want. pic.twitter.com/TLxHPKDGU4 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 4, 2025 After his suspension from TMC, Humayun Kabir announced he will form a new political party on December 22 and contest 135 Assembly seats in the upcoming West Bengal polls, vowing to take on both the BJP and TMC. They can do whatever they want, he added.
Bengal SIR: 50 lakh names identified for likely exclusion from voters list
Kolkata: Around 50 lakh names in West Bengal have been identified for exclusion in the voters list as per the latest trend available during the digitisation of the enumeration forms in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) that started from November 4. The same figure was a little 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 .
WBSSC Group C and D registration underway for over 8000 vacancies: Check direct link to apply here
The registration window for WBSSC Recruitment 2025 is currently underway, inviting applications for 8,477 Group C and D non-teaching posts across West Bengals government-aided schools. Open until December 8, 2025, the drive covers clerical, administrative and support roles. The Commission has urged candidates to follow document and format specifications strictly to avoid application rejection.
SIR Reunites Son With Parents After 26 Years In West Bengal
The SIR process reunited Prashanta Dutta and his wife, Santona Dutta, with their son, Tarun Dutta, who left home 26 years ago.
29 Poll Booths In Bengal Have 0 Dead, Duplicate Or Shifted Voters
As on Monday evening, the Election Commission of India (ECI) identified 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal that did not have a single dead voter or duplicate voter or shifted voter.
RS fixes Vande Mataram, SIR discussions for next week at multi-party meet
NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha will take up two major debates next week one marking the 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram and the other on electoral reforms, including the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Chairperson C P Radhakrishnan and attended by floor leaders of several parties, finalised the schedule on Wednesday evening. According to sources, the BAC decided to hold the Vande Mataram debate on Tuesday and take up electoral reforms on Wednesday or Thursday, once the Lok Sabha completes its own debate. Each debate has been allotted ten hours. In the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the lower House will take up the Vande Mataram debate on Monday and the discussion on electoral reforms on Tuesday. These decisions were taken after an all-party meeting and a BAC meeting chaired by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The move signals that the logjam over the Oppositions demand to discuss the SIR of voter rolls may finally be easing, after repeated disruptions since the Winter Session began on December 1. Opposition MPs said they plan to raise concerns about the ongoing SIR in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal, as well as the reported suicides of booth-level officers and highlight the inhuman workload and coercive pressure on these officials. Opposition leaders are viewing the BAC okaying the debates as a victory, claiming the government had climbed down from its earlier stance. They said the role of the Election Commission will be examined, amid allegations of vote theft and manipulation of electoral rolls charges the EC has repeatedly denied. Rijiju told reporters that the SIR is an administrative exercise of the EC, adding that the government looks forward to a constructive and engaging discussion.
Modi meets BJP MPs to firm up Bengal strategy
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked BJP MPs from West Bengal to counter the TMC government and work towards winning the assembly elections next year. BJP MPs from the state met the PM along with Khagen Murmu, Maldah Uttar MP who was attacked by a mob in October. The PM told us to keep fighting the West Bengal government to save democracy. We will remove this government, Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said after the meeting. Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said the PM highlighted BJP workers role in public outreach. He has encouraged us to continue the positive work and to take steps towards reaching out to every individual across the state, Bista posted on X.
Haryana CM Saini hits out at Mamata-led TMC government in Bengal; says targeting Hindus
CM Saini said that despite West Bengal having a woman Chief Minister, the condition of women in the state wassuffering and their situation was deteriorating
Centre agrees to bring back Sunali, son from Bangladesh
In a humanitarian move, the Indian government will bring back a pregnant Bangladeshi national, Sunali Khatun, and her son after their deportation. The Supreme Court, emphasizing humanity over law, directed the Centre to send Sunali to her father in West Bengal for care. The court also raised questions about her citizenship based on her father's status.
Mamata tries to allay fears of over implementation of Waqf Amendment Bill
The Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees remarks come days after a letter by West Bengal Minority Affairs Department directed all District Magistrates to upload registeredWaqfProperties on Data in UnifiedWaqfManagement, Empowerment
PM asks BJP MPs from West Bengal to keep SIR straightforward
PM asks MPs not to let the ongoing SIR become a subject of controversy in the State, where the BJP is the main Oppposition party; asks them to focus on ground level work ahead of next years polls
No termination for 32,000 West Bengal primary teachers: Calcutta HC
The Calcutta High Court has overturned a previous order that cancelled the jobs of 32,000 primary school teachers in West Bengal. A division bench ruled that innocent teachers should not suffer for administrative faults. The court stated that these teachers, who have been employed for about nine years, will retain their positions.
Modi meets BJP MPs over SIR & Matua vote fears
In a pivotal meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with a group of twelve BJP MPs from West Bengal, concentrating on strategies for the forthcoming assembly elections. Discussions highlighted the need for a thorough Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls, with a strong emphasis on ensuring the Matua community's representation.
Rajya Sabha back to normal, takes up first question hour of session
In a heated session of the Rajya Sabha, members of the Trinamool Congress voiced their frustration over the outstanding MNREGA payments owed to West Bengal. The BJP retaliated, expressing discontent with how the matter was presented. Congress threw their support behind the TMC, illustrating a united front.
Mamata Banerjee slams centre over deportation of pregnant woman Sunali Khatun
The Centre will bring back Sunali Khatun, a pregnant woman deported to Bangladesh, and her son. This decision follows a Supreme Court directive on humanitarian grounds. The West Bengal Chief Minister had criticized the deportation. The Supreme Court ordered the state government to provide all necessary medical facilities for Sunali and care for her child.
Mamata Banerjee defends Waqf properties, challenges centre's amendment act
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has vowed to protect Waqf properties in Malda. She stated the Central government's Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, will not be implemented. Banerjee asserted her government has moved the Supreme Court against the Act. She emphasized her commitment to secularism and protecting all religious places in Bengal.
KOLKATA: A Division Bench of the Calcutta HC rejected the verdict of (now retired) Justice Ganguly on cancelling the appointment of 32,000 primary teachers in State-run and State-aided primary schools across West Bengal. The Division Bench of Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra pronounced the verdict this afternoon. With todays verdict, the Mamata Banerjee government in the State heaved a sigh of relief. It comes at a crucial time when the Supreme Court invalidated appointments of around 26,000 teachers of government-sponsored and government-aided secondary and higher secondary schools across districts and cities, citing institutional corruption in recruitment tests organised by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). The verdict, ahead of the Bengal Assembly elections due next year, also comes as a major relief to the ruling Trinamool, hit by several corruption scandals, especially in the education sector. Expressing satisfaction with todays verdict, the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, told reporters, I am happy with the court order and families of the teachers have been saved. The judges have handled the issue with humanity. Its not justified to move the court every now and then to cancel someones job. We give jobs, not take them away. The Bench said today, After being in service for nine years, if they are removed now, there could be an adverse impact on the families. Calcutta HC asks CBI to probe 'illegal' appointments of primary teachers in Bengal schools In 2023, Justice Ganguly, who is now a BJP MP from Tamluk in East Midnapore district, had cancelled the appointments of the 32,000 primary teachers for alleged manipulation of the recruitment process (Teachers Eligibility Test held in 2014). In his order, Justice Ganguly had asked the state government to execute a fresh recruitment process and complete it within three months. However, the division bench of Justice Subrata Talukdar and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya put an interim stay on the single bench order of cancelling the appointments and granted the State six months to complete the process of recruitment of a fresh panel. The state government moved the apex court against the Division Bench order. The apex court had upheld the stay on appointments to the 32,000 posts and sent back the case to the High Court for final hearing. Meanwhile, on 12 November, the Division Bench of Justice Tapobrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra concluded the hearing in the matter. Trinamool leadership alleged that isolated incidents of mistakes, misdemeanours, negligence and crime were being projected as a complete collapse of the education system. A political issue is being created from these isolated instances. We object to that. The BJP, the CPM and a section of the Congress are involved in this, the leadership expressed.
NCBC recommends exclusion of35 communities, mostly Muslim, from West Bengals Central OBC list
The recommendation comes months after the NCBC initiated a probe into 37 communities included in the Central OBC list of West Bengal in 2014; the State will have Assembly polls in early 2026
Keep up fight against TMC, will win polls next year: PM Modi tells West Bengal BJP MPs
NEW DELHI:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked BJP MPs from West Bengal to effectively counter the Trinamool Congress-led government in the state and work towards winning the assembly elections next year. BJP MPs from West Bengal met the prime minister, along with Khagen Murmu the Lok Sabha member from Maldah Uttar who []
Calcutta High Court upholds jobs of 32,000 primary teachers, overturns single-judge order
The Calcutta High Court has retained the jobs of 32,000 primary teachers, overturning a single-judge order that had dismissed their appointments due to recruitment irregularities. A division bench ruled that innocent teachers should not suffer for the faults of authorities, stating they were not involved in corruption. This decision brings relief to the teachers and the West Bengal government.
BJP made Waqf Act, TMC won't allow anybody to touch properties: West Bengal CM
KOLKATA: In an apparent attempt to retain the Trinamool Congress' Muslim vote bank for ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday claimed that the BJP made the Waqf Act, not her party. We wont follow the Act and have opposed it in the state legislative assembly. The state government has filed a case in the Supreme Court. The case is still on and I wont allow anybody to touch the Waqf properties, Mamata said while addressing a party rally at Gazole in Malda district. Earlier this year, the Central Government amended several provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995. While some of these amendments remain under consideration before the Supreme Court, a senior official of the state government pointed out that here is no stay on the implementation of the Centre's proposed changes. The state is obliged to follow the directive within the given timeframe, he felt. Under the amended rules, mutawallis (caretakers of a waqf) of 8,063 Waqf estates in Bengal must register complete property details on the UMEED portal by 6 December, he elaborated. The Trinamool Congress supremos statement came hardly four days after her government directed district magistrates (DMs) across the state on Friday to upload details of Waqf properties to the Central Governments Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED) portal. The state minority affairs and madrasah education department sent the directive to the DMs in this regard at a time when some officials in the department felt that the exercise as a ime-bound compliance requirement set by the Centre. The Centre has asked the states to upload information on all undisputed Waqf properties by 6 December, prompting the state administration to start the data-entry process immediately, according to officials. The directive sent to DMs lists four primary issues. They have been asked to convene meetings with imams, muezzins (a person who proclaims the call to the daily prayer five times a day at a mosque) and madrasa teachers to explain the uploading procedure, an official said. The DMs have been told that only uncontested properties are to be entered in the portal, he said. All districts have been asked to set up facilitation centres wherever technical support is necessary, the official added. Bengal government order to upload details of the states waqf properties onto the UMEED portal has triggered a political controversy, the state having earlier said it would not implement the amended Waqf Act that came into force in April. Senior BJP leaders in the state held the chief minister responsible for the communal violence in Samserganj, Murshidabad, arising from a protest against the amendment in April this year. Will Mamata Banerjee apologise to Hindus in Mothabari (Malda) where 68 shops belonging to them were vandalised? leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had said hours after the state governments directives to the DMs to upload the Waqf properties on UMEED portal on Friday. Bengal is home to around 82,000 waqf properties under nearly 8,000 waqf estates.
Calcutta HC division bench sets aside order terminating appointment of 32,000 primary teachers
KOLKATA: A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday set aside a single bench order that annulled appointments of 32,000 primary school teachers in West Bengal. These teachers were recruited through the Teachers' Eligibility Test (TET) of 2014. The bench, presided by Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty, said it is not inclined to uphold the single bench order as irregularities have not been proven in all the recruitments. The court maintained that the termination of employment after nine years would have a great adverse impact on the primary teachers and their families. It said that the CBI, which was directed to investigate the matter by the high court, had initially identified 264 appointments in which irregularities took place, following which the names of another 96 teachers came under the agency's scanner. The court said that in view of this, the entire selection process cannot be cancelled. A single bench of then Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay on May 12, 2023, had terminated the appointments of these 32,000 primary teachers.
Amit Shah behind SIR ploy in Bengal, BJP dug its own grave by rushing exercise: CM Mamata Banerjee
MALDA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah was 'behind the ploy' of implementing the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state, months before the assembly polls. Banerjee, addressing a rally here, called the SIR a 'politically-driven exercise' aimed at unsettling voters. Amit Shah is behind this ploy of implementing the SIR in Bengal just before the elections, she claimed. He wants to capture Bengal at any cost, but he will get a befitting reply, the chief minister asserted. Claiming that the BJP miscalculated the political impact of the voter revision exercise, Banerjee said. By implementing the SIR in Bengal, the BJP has dug its own grave. Bengal and Bihar are not the same. She, however, said that her party, the TMC, was not opposing the exercise, but you have to give appropriate time to conduct it. If BJP strikes me in Bengal, Ill shake its foundation nationwide: Mamata Banerjee | Bongaon rally You cannot just rush things to serve the political agenda of BJP. Banerjee also announced that from December 12, the TMC will launch 'May I Help You' camps across the state to assist people when SIR hearings begin later this month. Targeting the saffron party's ideological pitch, she added, We don't need to learn Hindutva from the BJP. She also referred to the case of Sunali Khatun, the pregnant woman who was pushed into Bangladesh along with her eight-year-old son. The (Supreme) court asked the Centre to bring back Khatun. We fought the case in court, the CM said. Questioning the conduct of central forces, she said, Sunali was an Indian, then why did the BSF push the pregnant woman to Bangladesh? Is it just because she is a Bengali that she was branded Bangladeshi and pushed across the border? Reiterating her stand on citizenship issues, the TMC chief asserted: As long as I am here, no Bengali will be sent to any detention camp or pushed back. Mamata to scale up anti-SIR campaign with rallies in Malda, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar
Have ensured that persons with disabilities lead life of dignity: Mamata
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said her government has strengthened institutional mechanisms to support persons with disabilities right from their birth through their entire lifecycle. Banerjee said the government has also created a robust social security network for PwDs through various schemes. On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we 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 .
The Supreme Court allowed a pregnant woman and her child to enter India on humanitarian grounds after their deportation to Bangladesh. The court directed the West Bengal government to provide care and medical support, including delivery, for the woman. This decision follows the Centre's challenge to a Calcutta High Court order that deemed the deportation illegal.
West Bengal: Newborn left outside toilet survives only because stray dogs did the 'unthinkable'
A newborn abandoned outside a toilet in Nabadwip, West Bengal, was found safe after a pack of stray dogs formed a protective circle around him throughout the night. Discovered by a local woman at dawn, the infant was rescued and taken to the hospital, showing no external injuries.
Punjab records highest groundwater extraction in India, says CGWB report
CHANDIGARH: Groundwater extraction in the country is the highest in Punjab, followed by Rajasthan and Haryana, according to the latest National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The findings show that 25 per cent of the 6,762 total blocks in India have been categorised as over-exploited, critical or semi-critical, a situation concentrated in nine states, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. As per the report, groundwater extraction in Punjab stands at 156.36 per cent, the highest in the country, followed by Rajasthan at 147.11 per cent and Haryana at 136.75 per cent, all significantly above the national average of 60.63 per cent. At the national level, annual groundwater extraction has seen a marginal decline, from 27.66 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2023 to 26.27 BCM last year. The total annual ground water recharge of Punjab has been assessed as 18.6 bcm and annual extractable ground water resource as 16.8 bcm. Out of total 153 assessment units including three urban areas taken for study, 111 assessment units (72.55 per cent) have been categorized as Over-exploited, 10 blocks (6.54 per cent) as Critical, 15 blocks (9.80 per cent) as Semi Critical and 17 blocks (11.11 per cent) as Safe, the report said. Similarly, out of 50175.27 square kilometers recharge worthy area of the state, 34294.3 sq km (68.35 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 4353.15 sq. km (8.68 per cent) under Critical, 4478.11 sq km (8.92 per cent) under Semi-critical and 7049.71sq km (14.05 per cent) under Safe category, reads the report. For Rajasthan, the report states,Out of the 302 assessment units (blocks and urban areas), 213 units (70.53 per cent) have been categorized as Over Exploited, 23 units (7.62 per cent) as Critical, 27 units (8.94 per cent) as Semi-Critical, 36 units (11.92 per cent) blocks as Safe and 3 units (0.99 per cent) as Saline. Similarly, out of 317010.74 sq km recharge worthy area of the state, 222266.46 sq km (70.11 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 19404.23 sq. km (6.12 per cent) under Critical, 22535.05 sq km (7.11 per cent) under Semi-critical, 43869.11 sq km (13.84 per cent) under Safe and 8935.89 sq km (2.82 per cent) area under Saline categories of assessment units. In Haryana, the situation is similar. While in Haryana, out of total 143 assessment units (blocks/Urban), 91 units (63.64 per cent) have been categorized as Overexploited, 6 units (4.20 per cent) as Critical, 15 units (10.49 per cent) as Semi Critical and 31 units (21.68 per cent) as Safe categories of assessment units. Similarly, out of 43,205.81 sq. km recharge worthy area of the State, 26,828.05 sq. km (62.09 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 1,170.46 sq. km (2.71 per cent) under Critical, 4,253.89 sq. km (9.85 per cent) under Semicritical, 10,953.42 sq. km (25.35 per cent) under Safe categories of assessment units, it added. The report assesses the total annual groundwater extraction of the entire country for 2025 at 247.22 bcm. Agriculture remains the largest consumer, accounting for 87 per cent, or 215.10 bcm, followed by 11 per cent for domestic use (27.89 bcm) and 2 per cent for industrial use (4.23 bcm). In the present assessment, total annual groundwater recharge has been pegged at 448.52 bcm, while the annual extractable groundwater resource stands at 407.75 bcm. The average stage of groundwater extraction at the national level is 60.63 per cent. Out of 6,762 blocks in the country, 730 units (10.80 per cent) are categorised as over-exploited, and 201 blocks (2.97 per cent) are classified as critical where extraction ranges from 90 to 100 per cent. Another 758 blocks (11.21 per cent) fall under the semi-critical category, while 4,946 units (73.14 per cent) are considered safe, with extraction below 70 per cent. Additionally, 127 blocks (1.88 per cent) have been listed as saline due to brackish or saline groundwater in phreatic aquifers. The report highlights that the percentage of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks exceeding 25 per cent of total units is found only in nine states, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. It attributes the situation to region-specific factors, Over-exploitation of ground water resources could be due to various region-specific reasons. The assessment units located in the north-western part of the country (particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh) have plenty of replenishable ground water resources but because of the over extraction beyond the annual ground water recharge, many of these units have become Over-exploited. Overexploited units are also common in the western part of the country, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat where the prevailing arid climate results in low recharge of ground water and hence stress on these sources, the report stated. It further adds, In peninsular India, over-exploited units are wide spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which could be attributed mainly to the low storage and transmission capacities of aquifers of the hard rock terrains, which results in reduced availability of the resource. The report also notes that in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, domestic groundwater extraction exceeds 40 per cent. Groundwater extraction stands between 90 and 100 per cent in Delhi, and between 70 and 90 per cent in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In most other states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, extraction levels are around 70 per cent. The report concludes that compared to the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment of 2024, the total annual groundwater recharge has marginally increased from 446.9 bcm to 448.52 bcm.
Parliament proceedings began without disruptions on Wednesday, the third day of the Winter Session, after two days of protests and ruckus. The calm followed the resolution of the logjam over the Oppositions demand for a discussion on SIR a day earlier. On Tuesday, floor leaders agreed that the Lok Sabha will take up the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram on December 8, and hold discussions on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and on electoral reforms on December 9. The schedule was finalised at an all-party meeting that resolved the Oppositions demand for a discussion on SIR. Meanwhile, top leadership of the Congress party, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Legislative Party leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and MP Priyanka Gandhi attended the INDIA bloc protest on Wednesday against the labour codes at Parliament premises. As the Parliament session enters day 3, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to move the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha, as per the list of business. The Bill aims to raise excise duties and cess on tobacco products, with an amendment to the Central Excise Act, 1944. PM Modi likely to meet BJP MPs from West Bengal in Parliament: Sources Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to meet all BJP MPs from West Bengal in the Parliament premises on Wednesday, party sources told ANI . This meeting comes ahead of the Parliamentary discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in 12 States and Union Territories, including West Bengal, on December 9. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been a staunch opponent of the SIR exercise in West Bengal. PM Modi's meeting with the MPs is also crucial as the state is set to undergo the Legislative Assembly elections in 2026. West Bengal also came into discussion in the Parliament when a question regarding funds allocated under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Animal Husbandry Development Fund (AHIDF) in the state was raised in the Question Hour in Lok Sabha. While answering the question, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh of the JD(U) gave an overview of the funds. If we want to make a Viksit Bharat, then every state needs to have development. Until we develop every state, it cannot happen. Keeping that in mind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started the PMMSY to revolutionise the fishing industry across the country. But the sad thing is that West Bengal did not support this, Singh told the House. Rajya Sabha witnesses war of words over renaming of Raj Bhavans, expunging of remarks The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated exchange on Wednesday after AITC member Dola Sen raised the issue of the Ministry of Home Affairs' November 25 directive to rename all Raj Bhavans in the country as Lok Bhavans during Zero Hour. But first of all, we would like to say that neither the Parliament, Assembly, nor the Cabinet is aware of this... They are not even discussing it with you, sir, Sen said. However, the discussion took a contentious turn when Sen raised additional issues, including MGNREGA, prompting the Chair to intervene and state that the deviated remarks would not go on record. Leader of the House JP Nadda objected to the deviation, saying, You permitted her to speak during Zero Hour about the change of name from Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan. She spoke about MGNREGA and other issues. I would like to be very clear that because it does not relate to the subject, it should be deleted and it should not be brought on record and only issues related to Lok Bhavan should be admitted. Chairman CP Radhakrishnan concurred, reiterating that anything deviated from the subject will not go on record. Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge came to Sen's defence, arguing, She has not spoken any unparliamentary word. Everything is connected with the subject. And that subject was examined in your office, after that she spoke. Accusing the government of stifling debate, Kharge said, The Leader of the House cannot interfere and say whatever is said is unparliamentary and delete it. The Leader (of the House) is bulldozing. You don't want to run according to parliamentary democracy. The Chair maintained that proceedings were being conducted properly and urged members to stick to listed subjects during Zero Hour. Nadda defended his intervention, stating, I never bulldozed, and clarified that he was only requesting that matters related to the subject remain on record. Snooping will never happen with Sanchar Saathi app: Scindia in LS Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app, amid a row over his ministry's order asking smartphone makers to preload the state-run cybersecurity app on all new devices. In Lok Sabha, Scindia said the app is for the protection of the people. Sanchar Saathi app se a snooping sambhav hai, na snooping hoga, the minister said during Question Hour. In the context of the discussions about the app, the minister also said the government want to give power in the hands of the people to help them protect themselves. The ministry's order dated November 28, mandates all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi app in all handsets to be sold in India as well as in existing devices through software update. It mandates mobile phone companies to ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted. On Tuesday, Scindia said users are free to delete the app if they don't want to use it. Lok Sabh functions smoothly; Takes up Question Hour Lok Sabha on Wednesday took up the Question Hour without disruptions for the first time in the ongoing Winter session, a day after the logjam over the opposition's demand for a discussion on SIR was resolved. During a meeting chaired by Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday evening, it was decided to hold a discussion in Lok Sabha on the 150th anniversary of national song 'Vande Mataram' on next Monday and on election reforms on next Tuesday. As soon as the House assembled for the day, obituaries were paid to former members who had passed away recently. The House then took up the Question Hour. Since the session began on Monday, proceedings were disrupted by opposition members demanding a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise ongoing in nine states and three Union territories. Rahul, Sonia Gandhi join INDIA bloc protest against labour codes Top leadership of the Congress party, including party President Mallikarjun Kharge, Legislative Party leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and MP Priyanka Gandhi attended the INDIA bloc protest on Wednesday against the four labour codes at Parliament premises. Claiming that the four labour codes propagate corporate jungle raj, the INDIA bloc MPs held up various banners, and a bigger banner reading No to Corporate Jungle raj- Yes to labour justice Earlier today, INDIA bloc floor leaders held a meeting ahead of the third day of the Winter Session of the Parliament, to chalk out the strategy after the Centre accepted the Opposition's demand to hold a debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. VIDEO | Parliament winter session: Opposition leaders, including Congress MPs Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, stage a protest outside parliament on the Labour Code. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/RLiHckGP8Y Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 3, 2025
Continue The Fight: PM Modi's Strong Message To Bengal BJP MPs Ahead Of Polls Next Year
PM Modi praised the West Bengal BJP MP's efforts so far and encouraged them to continue the fight against the current TMC regime.
The Supreme Court has permitted a pregnant woman and her eight-year-old child to enter India on humanitarian grounds after their deportation to Bangladesh. The West Bengal government will provide care and medical assistance, while the Centre agreed to their entry under surveillance. The court will eventually facilitate their return to Delhi.
Cough syrup case: Fourth man arrested from Lucknow for illegal storage, trade of banned drug
The informants revealed that these drugs were being sent to other parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee unveils report card of her governments performance for past 14 years
Among the major announcements, which the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made, included that 1.72 crore people have been lifted out of poverty between 2013 and 2023 reduced by 40%
Bengal SIR: 46 lakh names identified, likely to be excluded from voters list
Kolkata: Over 46 lakh names in West Bengal have already been identified for exclusion in the voters list as per the latest trend available during the digitisation of the enumeration forms in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) that started from November 4. The total number of names 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 .
West Bengal: Stray dogs stand guard through night as abandoned newborn survives chill
NABADWIP: In the hours before dawn, when most of this river town in West Bengal's Nadia district lies silent under a winter sky, a newborn baby was left alone on the cold ground outside a bathroom in a railway workers' colony. The infant was only a few hours old, still marked with blood from birth, with no blanket, no note, and no one nearby. But the baby was not entirely alone. What followed is now whispered with the disbelief reserved for miracles-a pack of strays, the very dogs people chase away daily, had formed a perfect ring around the newborn, not barking or moving, simply standing guard through the night. Residents say the dogs did not allow anyone or anything to come near through the night, except the morning light itself. Waking up, we saw something that still gives us goosebumps, said Sukla Mondal, a resident who was among the first to spot the baby. The dogs were not aggressive. They looked alert. As if they understood the child was fighting to live, she said. Another resident, Subhash Pal, recalled hearing the short, sharp cry around dawn. I thought some family had a sick baby. Never imagined a newborn was lying outside, with dogs watching over. They behaved like sentries, he said. It was only when Sukla finally approached, whispering softly, that the dogs eased open their circle. She wrapped the baby in her dupatta and called neighbours for help. The infant was rushed first to Maheshganj Hospital and then referred to Krishnanagar Sadar Hospital. Doctors later said there were no injuries, and the blood on the head was likely from birth sign that the abandonment happened minutes, not hours, after delivery. Police suspect someone from the locality may have left the child there under the cover of night. Nabadwip police and Child Help authorities have begun inquiries and initiated procedures for the baby's long-term care. Yet, even as officials get to work, the town cannot shake off the image of the dogs-silent, untrained, and yet uncannily protective. These are the same dogs we complain about, said a railway worker. But they showed more humanity than whoever abandoned that child, he said. Old-timers in Nabadwip say the place has always been touched by an inexplicable compassion, tracing it back to the teachings of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a 15th-century saint, who was born in this river town and whose message of empathy still echoes through its ghats and temples. Maybe that spirit worked through those animals, an elder remarked. As evening fell, children in the Rail Colony were seen offering biscuits to the very dogs that held vigil the night before. One teenager, stroking a brown stray, said, They saved the baby. In a community used to daily struggles, residents say this night will stay with them - a reminder that sometimes protection comes from the most unexpected places, and that humanity, too often missing, can arrive on four legs.
Abandoned In Cold, Newborn Finds Unlikely Protectors In Pack Of Stray Dogs
In the hours before dawn, when most of this river town in West Bengal's Nadia district lies silent under a winter sky, a newborn baby was left alone on the cold ground outside a bathroom in a railway workers' colony.
View: Why larger and more populous states gradually losing their fiscal strength
A 2013-14 to 2022-23 CAG analysis of state finances paints a sobering picture. 10 most populous states - UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, MP, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh - account for about 3/4th of India's population. Yet, in 2022-23, their combined share in the total revenue receipts of all states stood at 68.9%, down from 74.4% a decade earlier. This 6-point decline signals a weakening of fiscal capacity where it should have been strongest.
West Bengal announces compensation linked to SIR-related distress
39 deaths and several illness cases have been reported amid stress surrounding the Special Intensive Revision process, says Mamata Banerjee
Rebel TMC MLA Kabir stokes Babri row, vows mosque & Dec 6 blockade
Kolkata: A fresh political firestorm gripped West Bengal on Tuesday as estranged TMC MLA Humayun Kabir doubled down on building a mosque modelled on the Babri Masjid in Murshidabad district and warned that NH-34 would be under Muslim control on December 6, escalating a clash the ruling party is scrambling to contain. Kabir, the Beldanga 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 .
Jammu & Kashmir renames Raj Bhavan as Lok Bhavan
SRINAGAR: Implementing a Central Government notification, the Rajbhavan in Jammu and Kashmir has been renamed as Lok Bhavan. In pursuance of communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs the Government of India vide Memo No 7/10/2025 (Part)-M&G dated 25/11/2025 and as per the direction of the Lieutenant Governor, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, it is hereby notified that the name of the Institution Raj Bhavan, Jammu and Kashmir has hereby been modified and named as Lok Bhavan, Jammu and Kashmir, read an official order issued by Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. It stated that henceforth, Raj Bhavan in Jammu and Kashmir would be referred to only as Lok Bhavan. Two days back, the Raj Bhavan in Ladakh was named as Lok Niwas. Lt Governor of the Ladakh Union Territory, Kavinder Gupta had called the naming of Raj Niwas as Lok Niwas a historic moment. A historic moment for Ladakh. Raj Niwas has been officially renamed as Lok Niwas, symbolising our deep commitment to people-centric governance and inclusive development, Gupta said. The change in the name of Raj Bhavan of J&K and Raj Niwas of Ladakh followeda directive from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to states and UTs to rename Raj Bhavans and shed the earlier nomenclature associated with colonial era. The MHA in its directive had asked for the renaming of offices of Governor and offices of Lt Governor in states and UTs as Lok Bhavan and Lok Niwas respectively, for all official purposes. Taking cue from the MHA letter, many states have changed the nomenclature of Governor residence-cum-offices. West Bengal becomes first State in the country to rename Raj Bhavan as Lok Bhavan
Two crore jobs created during 14-year TMC rule in Bengal: Mamata
The West Bengal Government continued with its development activities despite the Centre not clearing the State's dues, says Mamata Banergee
KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has announced that it will provide two lakh rupees financial assistance to bereaved families of the 39 persons who allegedly passed away due to panic and stress triggered by the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, made the announcement releasing the report card of her governments performance during the past 14 years. Mamata claimed that 39 people have died in the State due to SIR-induced panic, including cases of suicide. She also said that thirteen others who fell ill during the SIR exercise, including three BLOs allegedly burdened by 'excessive workload', would be given Rs 1 lakh each. The launch of the SIR exercise since November 4 has triggered widespread fear and distress among sections of the public across the State. West Bengal CM says SIR exercise is putting BLOs under stress, expresses solidarity with them INTERVIEW | One extra week not enough, BLOs scramble to meet deadline
MFI body seeks greater penetration of credit flow for growth
Microfinance institutions in West Bengal need more credit to reach the bottom of the pyramid. Currently, only one-third of the target segment accesses formal credit. This gap hinders economic activity and sector growth. India's MFI sector has Rs 3.4 lakh crore outstanding with 75 million beneficiaries. West Bengal's portfolio stands at Rs 35,000 crore with one crore beneficiaries.
Bengal govt did not implement Central fisheries scheme for 2 years: Govt
West Bengal has postponed the rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana by two years, utilizing just Rs 58.51 crore of the allocated budget. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh pointed out that the state governments lack of collaboration is a significant hurdle. The overarching goal of this initiative is to usher in a Blue Revolution in India's fisheries sector.
Number of expected deletion of names from voters list crosses 43 lakhs
KOLKATA, Dec 2: The Election Commission of India (ECI) expects that roughly 43.30 lakh names will be dropped from West Bengals draft voters list, scheduled for publication on December 16, based on the current pace of digitising enumeration forms submitted by booth-level officers (BLOs). Officials in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, cautioned that this is an evolving estimate. Since the projection reflects the digitisation status only till Monday evening, the exclusion figure may rise as [] The post Number of expected deletion of names from voters list crosses 43 lakhs appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Supreme Court to resume hearing on SIR: LIVE
Election Commission of India, in separate affidavits in the Supreme Court, submitted that 95.65% of electors in Tamil Nadu and 99.77% in West Bengal have already been supplied with pre-filled enumeration forms
The West Bengal School Service Commission has extended the application deadline for 8,477 Group C and D non-teaching posts to December 8, 2025. This move aims to accommodate applicants facing portal issues. Key dates, eligibility, and application steps are detailed, with exams tentatively scheduled for January 2026. Interested candidates should apply online promptly.
When an Earthquake Stopped Play: Cricket's Rare Tremor Interruptions
Few days back, the play on the third day of Ireland's second Test in Dacca, Bangladesh, was suddenly stopped, during the second ball of the 56th over of Ireland's first innings. Reason: A 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Dhaka around 10.38am local time. The impact of the earthquake was felt in Kolkata, several parts of West Bengal, and Assams Guwahati also, where the second India- South Africa Test was scheduled to play after a few days. The moment the earthquake struck the visitors were at 165 for 5 when play was suddenly interrupted, leaving players and officials visibly startled. Play was stopped but players stayed on the field at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. All others related to the teams also came on the ground while spectators ran for the safety cover. Play resumed after approximately four minutes. For many it was a new experience but not for the Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan who said, I've been involved in a couple of earthquakes from my time living in New Zealand. The match was going on. I was in the press box. It was a terrifying situation. The press box collapsed - it was a terrible situation, Ariful Islam Roney, a Bangladesh sports journalist present in the press box, revealed. This is probably the first-time play stopped in a Test match due to an earthquake but not the first-time earthquake that has found mention in cricket. In 2016 the earthquake hit North India and Gujarat Lions IPL side was in a hotel at Mohali for their match against Kings XI Punjab. The players were evacuated from their hotel. The tremors were felt around 3:58 pm, measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale. The overseas players Dale Steyn, Aaron Finch and Andrew Tye shared their experience on social media. Tye spoke to Cricket Australia and revealed, I was sitting on the end of my bed fixing a cricket bat and it felt like the bed started to move. I was like what happened there and I looked around the room and certain things were shaking, so I thought it must be an earthquake. Christchurchs Hagley Oval is a permanent reminder of the earthquake that devastated Christchurch in 2011. The earthquake, which registered 6.3 on the Richter scale, resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people. Incidentally, the third day of the Test between New Zealand and Australia in 2016 (the second Test match played at this stadium), fell on the fifth anniversary of the earthquake and a minute's silence was observed during the lunch break at 12.51pm, the same time the earthquake struck. Another surprise is both the sides of the 2016 Test, also felt tremors on reaching Christchurch twice, before the start of the Test. The Hagley Oval became the city's major cricket venue only due to the damage to Lancaster Park, by earthquake. In 2022, an Under-19 World Cup clash between Zimbabwe and Ireland was briefly halted, due to a 5.2 magnitude earthquake at the Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain. The commentator Andrew Leonard shouted on the air, We are... I believe we are having an earthquake right now. In the box. We are indeed having an earthquake. It felt like not just a train going by behind us, but the whole Queen's Park Oval media centre rocked. Ireland spinner Matthew Humphreys was bowling the fifth bowl of the sixth over to Brian Bennett when the front-on camera showing the action began to shake furiously. Play was not interrupted, although the broadcaster's camera wobbled and the tremors were felt. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The best India earthquake story occurred during the first unofficial Test between Lord Tennyson's XI and India at Lahore in November 1937. On the second day of the four-day match, at the Bagh-e-Jinnah (Lawrence Gardens) ground, a tremor that lasted for approximately 90 seconds was felt. Its on record that a clock in the pavilion fell to the ground with a crash. Play was stopped for two minutes and after that match resumed. Lord Tennyson, standing in the slips, thought he had a sunstroke when the buildings around the ground started shaking.
2,208 booths in Bengal under scanner after no dead, duplicate voter found
Election Commission sources revealed 2,208 booths in West Bengal are under scrutiny. All enumeration forms were returned filled, showing no dead, duplicate, or untraceable voters. South 24 Parganas district has the highest number of such booths. The Election Commission has requested reports from officials. The revision process has been extended in several states and union territories.
SIR in Bengal: No single deceased or duplicate voter in 2,208 booths, says ECI
Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI), till Monday evening, has identified 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal which do not have a single deceased voter or duplicate voter having names in two places or any voter who has shifted elsewhere. An insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, said 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 .
Ananyaa to represent J&K in 51st National Women Chess Cship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent BHADERWAH, Dec 1: In a proud moment for Jammu & Kashmir, Ananyaa Kotwal, daughter of Prof. Arjun Kotwal from Bhalra Bhaderwah, has been selected to represent the Union Territory in the 51st National Women Chess Championship 2025. The prestigious championship is scheduled from December 3 to 13, 2025, at the Sidhu Kanu Indoor Stadium, Durgapur, West Bengal, organized by Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha on behalf of the All India Chess Federation (AICF). During the screening event, Ananyaa [] The post Ananyaa to represent J&K in 51st National Women Chess Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Trinamool has no issue with SIR, only its execution: Abhishek Banerjee
Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee stated his party supports the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal but objects to its implementation. He called for a Lok Sabha debate on the SIR, asserting the Trinamool will win more seats in upcoming assembly polls despite the process.
Bengal CEO seeks report on 2,208 booths where no deaths, absentees or duplicate voters found
The Election Commission of India reported zero uncollectible enumeration forms in 2,208 West Bengal polling booths, prompting a 24-hour report request from district officials. Meanwhile, Trinamool-backed BLOs protested at the CEO's office, alleging irregularities and demanding a probe into IPAC's role in form digitisation, with claims of fake entries and illegal voters.
No dead or untraceable voters found in 2,208 polling booths in West Bengal, ECI expresses concern
KOLKATA: In a startling revelation, the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls could not find any dead, duplicate or untraceable voters in 2,208 polling booths across West Bengal. The Election Commission of India (ECI) came to know about the matter after verifying the enumeration forms that have already been digitised. In the SIR exercise, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) distribute enumeration forms among voters during their door-to-door visits and collect them once they are filled. All enumeration forms from 2,208 booths were filled up and returned, suggesting that there were no dead, duplicate or untraceable voters in these booths. Expressing serious concern over the irregularities, the ECI on Monday sought reports from district magistrates (DMs), who also function as district electoral officers (DEOs), by Tuesday. The national poll panel has decided to keep special watch in these booths in districts of South 24 Parganas, Purulia, Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, Bankura, Howrah, East Midnapore, Birbhum, North 24 Parganas, Jalpaiguri, Hooghly, South Dinajpur, West Midnapore, North Dinajpur, East Bardhaman, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kolkata North, and West Bardhaman. The Commission sources said, South 24 Parganas district has the highest number, with 760 such booths without any dead, duplicate or untraceable voters. Purulia records the second-highest number at 228 such booths followed by Murshidabad with 226. Nearly 14 lakh SIR forms identified as 'uncollectable' so far in West Bengal The sources said that the Commission has asked DEOs to clarify whether the names of deceased voters still appear on the electoral rolls, as it is difficult to believe that not a single dead voter was reported from any of the 2,208 booths. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday asked officers, including bureaucrats and sub-divisional officers (SDO), not to panic. Dont get panicked with the exercise because I am with you. They (Commission) has appointed a retired IAS office who is disturbing you, she reportedly told senior officials during a virtual conference in connection with development works in the state. The ECI has appointed Subrata Gupta , a retired bureaucrat, as the special roll observer in Bengal to supervise the SIR process in the state. Besides Gupta, the commission has also appointed 12 other serving IAS officers of the Bengal cadre as roll observers in districts across the state. West Bengal SIR: Over 21 lakh dead voters recorded till December 1
SIR 2.0: Election Commission dismisses allegations of mass disenfranchisement
The poll body tells Supreme Court that 95.65% of electors in Tamil Nadu and 99.77% in West Bengal have already been supplied with pre-filled enumeration forms
EC in SC defends SIR in Bengal, Tamil Nadu; terms disenfranchisement claims exaggerated
NEW DELHI, Dec 1: The Election Commission has strongly defended in the Supreme Court its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, saying that allegations of mass deletion of genuine voters are highly exaggerated, speculative and politically motivated. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on November 11 had sought separate responses from the poll panel on the pleas filed by the DMK, CPI(M), the West Bengal unit of [] The post EC in SC defends SIR in Bengal, Tamil Nadu; terms disenfranchisement claims exaggerated appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Government not averse to taking up discussion on SIR, electoral reforms: Kiren Rijiju
NEW DELHI: Union parliamentary affairs minister, Kiren Rijiju, on Monday stated in Rajya Sabha that the Government is not averse to holding a detailed discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Clarifying the Governments stand on the Oppositions insistence, he said that their request for a debate on the issue is already under active consideration. However, Rijiju urged the Opposition members not to press for a strict timeline for conducting the discussion. Nobody is undermining any matter which was brought out by the Opposition party yesterday in the all-party meeting or Business Advisory Committee (BAC) today. What I am saying is, it is under the consideration of the governmentif you put a condition that it has to be taken up today itself, then it becomes difficult, because you have to give certain space, Rijiju said. The minister also said that certain parties raised matters other than the SIR and stressed the need to protect their rights as well. However, I am saying again, the matter is related to whatever you call it, special intensive revision or electoral reforms or whatever. I have stated before the beginning of the winter session that the Government is not averse to taking up discussion on anything, said Rijiju. As the Opposition continued insisting on a timeline referring to his remarks at the BAC that he would respond by Sunday 9 pm, the minister said, Please give us some time while there are other businesses, which are listed, that can be taken up. The demand, which you have put forward, has not been rejected. So, don't presume that the government is not ready to discuss any matter. Please do not put a condition on the timeline, the minister added. On this, Trinamool Congress (TMC) floor leader Derek O'Brien retorted sharply. Problem is not the timeline but the trust deficit, he shouted back. As the Upper House welcomed Radhakrishnan on his first day of conducting the House proceedings, O'Brien called for the start of a discussion on electoral reforms with immediate effect, while the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) MP John Brittas said the Parliamentary Affairs Minister should honour his words and the House should hold a discussion on electoral reforms. Earlier, Leader of Opposition and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded that the discussion should start immediately. He also asked the ruling party not to divide opposition parties. Don't divide us. If you try to divide us, we will be stronger, he said. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha chairman CP Radhakrishnan disallowed the notices given by nine Opposition members on several issues, including a discussion on SIR under rule 267, leading to protests by them. The Chairman later asked members to raise their Zero Hour mentions. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced SIR in West Bengal, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Chhattisgarh, and Goa. Among these, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and West Bengal will go to the polls in 2026. In Assam, where polls are also due in 2026, the revision of electoral rolls was announced separately.
SC asks Centre to consider allowing entry of pregnant woman pushed into Bangladesh
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to consider allowing a pregnant woman and her child, who were pushed into Bangladesh earlier this year, to enter India on humanitarian ground while keeping her under surveillance. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek instruction on allowing the woman, who is in the advanced stage of pregnancy, to enter India through the Indo-Bangladesh border at Malda in West Bengal. Give us two days' time to seek instructions on the issue. We understand the court is asking us to consider the case on humanitarian ground. We will look into it, Mehta said while urging the court for some time. Senior advocate Sajay Hegde, appearing for Bhodu Sheikh, father of the woman, Sonali Khatun, said that they were waiting on the Bangladesh side to enter India. He said that their deportation to Bangladesh has been held illegal and they are Indian citizens. The bench said the Centre may consider allowing the pregnant woman and her child to enter India and keep her under surveillance in a hospital to avoid any further complications. Hegde said that if the Centre allows the pregnant woman, then her husband should also be allowed to enter India as he can't be left behind. The top court posted the matter for hearing on December 3 and asked Mehta to seek instructions on the issue. The bench was hearing a plea of the Centre challenging the September 26 order of the Calcutta High Court by which it had set aside the central government's decision to deport Sonali Khatun and others to Bangladesh and termed it as illegal. On September 26, the high court quashed the Centre's decision to deport Sonali Khatun and Sweety Bibi, residents of Birbhum district in West Bengal, along with their families to Bangladesh after terming them as illegal immigrants. The high court had directed the Centre to ensure that the six deported citizens are brought back to India within a month and rejected the government's appeal to grant temporary stay on the order. The high court had passed two orders in connection with a habeas corpus petition filed by Bhodu Sheikh who claimed that her daughter Sonali Khatun, who was in advance stage of pregnancy, along with her husband Danesh Sheikh and five-year-old son hailing from Murarai in Birbhum, were detained in Delhi and pushed to Bangladesh. Another petition from the same Birbhum neighbourhood by Amir Khan made a similar claim stating that his sister Sweety Bibi and her two children were detained by the Delhi Police from the same area and pushed to the neighbouring country. The petitioners alleged that the families, working as daily wage earners in Sector 26 of the Rohini area in Delhi for over two decades, were picked up by the AN Katju Marg police on June 18 on suspicion of being Bangladeshis and subsequently pushed across the border on June 27. The deportees were then reportedly arrested by the Bangladesh police. The high court had noted that the Centre stated in its affidavit that FRRO (Foreigner Regional Registration Office), Delhi being a civil authority, has been repatriating illegal migrants of Bangladesh as per instruction dated May 2, 2025 issued by the Union home ministry in a memo. Detailing the protocols to be followed for deportation, the memo states that in respect of Bangladesh/Myanmar nationals identified to be staying in an unauthorised manner in any particular state or Union territory, an inquiry will be conducted by the state government or UT concerned, following which the process of deportation would be taken up. In its order, the high court had observed that he proceeding for deportation was conducted in hot haste by the authorities and in violation of the provisions of the memo. The detainees have their relations residing in the State of West Bengal. The kind of overenthusiasm in deporting the detainees, as visible herein, is susceptible to misunderstanding and disturbs the judicial climate in the country, the order had stated.
Bangladeshi couple in West Bengal gets Indian citizenship after 35 years
KOLKATA: A Bangladeshi couple have finally received Indian citizenship after spending 35 years in Nadia district of West Bengal. Laturam Sikdar and his wife Padma Sikdar have been staying at Kamgachhi Joypur under Nadias Taherpur police station area for the past 35 years. Laturam used to stay at Sanatanpur in Bangladesh while Padma was a resident of Panditpur, before coming to India. The couple had managed to get Aadhaar cards a few years after entering India, but could not include their names to voters list in the last Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 2002 in the state. The couple is relieved after becoming citizens of India on Monday. We were in tremendous tension soon after dates of the SIR exercise were announced during the end of October. Sensing trouble we applied for citizenship at a CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) camp on 10 October and got the certificates on 19 November, said Padma. We are very happy because we can cast our votes from now. We were born in Bangladesh but brought up in Nadia district. With launching of the SIR process in the state, we became panicked because our names were not listed in the 2002 SIR of electoral rolls. Following the Government of Indias previous announcement in connection with CAA and National Register of Citizens (NRC) guidelines we visited CAA camps and applied for citizenships, Laturam said. Minorities in Bangaladesh are brutally tortured by the Muslim fundamentalists in the country. It was unbearable to us and we left for India, he added. Partha Sarathi Chattyerjee, local BJP MLA from Ranaghat Uttar Paschim assembly constituency, told media, We had been assuring the couple not to get panicked. Finally, they got the citizenship cards and others can also get citizenship if they apply to the concerned authority seeking CAA cards following proper methods. BJP trying to implement CAA through SIR in border areas, alleges West Bengal CM at Bongaon rally
Mass Voter Deletion Allegations In Bengal False: Poll Body To Supreme Court
Allegations of large-scale voter deletion in West Bengal are false and fabricated and an attempt to further vested political interests, the Election Commission has told the Supreme Court in an affidavit.
West Bengal SIR: Over 21 lakh dead voters recorded till December 1
KOLKATA: West Bengal has recorded more than 21 lakh dead voters so far till Monday afternoon, according to sources in the Election Commission of India (ECI). In North 24 Parganas district alone, more than 2.75 lakh dead voters have been identified in the state by the ECI. West Bardhaman and South 24 Parganas hold second and third positions respectively in term of dead voters identified by the Commission during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls so far in the state. West Bardhaman district has 1.57 lakh dead voters while it is 1.39 lakh so far till today, the Commission sources said. Sources requesting anonymity said that the more than 90 per cent digitalisation of enumeration forms have already been completed. The total number of dead voters in the state would be figured out after the complete digitalisation of uncollected enumeration forms is done by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across the state. Uncollected forms include voters who are absent, permanently shifted, dead and duplicate. Many BLOs are yet to upload these forms, delaying the process of identifying dead voters, sources said. Following 'instructions' of local administrations, BLOs in several districts are seen reluctant to upload these forms, sources added. Considering the seriousness of the issue, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal and special observer of electoral rolls Subrata Gupta have already held meetings with the district magistrates (DMs) functioning as district election observers (DEO) to streamline the process. Large number of BLOs are not marking enumeration forms (EFs) as ASDD (absent, shifted, dead and duplicate) voters, despite lapse of considerable period. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has come to know about the irregularities in connection with alleged reluctance of many BLOs, who are not regularly marking EFs as ASDD even after they identify cases like absent, shifted, dead and duplicate voters, during their door-to-door visits for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state. The Commission has also noted that the EFs identified as ASDD cases are being collected somewhere else without being marked/digitalised in the BLO App. The CEO office area at B B D Bag in the city today virtually turned into a war zone between agitating BLOs backed by the ruling party Trinamool Congress and rival BJP. The agitating BLOs and Trinamool Congress workers were seen shouting slogans like Suvendu Adhikari go back in front of the CEO office building since this afternoon. A BJP delegation led by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the state Legislative Assembly, met Agarwal and submitted charter of demands to him. Suvendu alleged that I-PAC, Trinamool Congress poll strategic agency, along with BDOs has been forcing a section of BLOs to manipulate enumeration forms so that dead, shifted voters, Bangladeshi infiltrators can figure in the electoral rolls. His pre-scheduled visit to the CEO triggered loud protests by members of the agitating BLOs who have been demonstrating there over alleged excessive workload during the ongoing SIR exercise.
SC Entrusts CBI with Pan-India Probe into Digital Arrest Cases
The court asked the States, including opposition ruled West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana, to accord assent to CBI for probing digital arrest cases in their jurisdiction
West Bengal BJP Writes To Election Commission, Alleges Serious Irregularities In SIR Exercise
The BJP alleged serious irregularities in the process of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and demanded immediate corrective measures.
Significant Changes Made To BLO App After EC Appoints Special Observer For Bengal SIR
The Election Commission of India updates the BLO app in West Bengal, allowing EROs to edit submitted forms amid SIR controversy and TMC allegations.
Supreme Court entrusts CBI with pan-India probe into digital arrest cases
The Bench asked the States, including Opposition ruled West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana, to accord assent to CBI for probing digital arrest cases
West Bengal govt issues fresh tender for development of mega Tajpur deep sea port
The West Bengal Cabinet decided to issue a fresh tender for the development of the mega greenfield deep-sea port, effectively ending its four-year association with the Adani Group for the project
Tensions outside West Bengal CEO's office amid BLOs' protest
Tensions flared outside the CEO's office in West Bengal as the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee organized a fervent protest. With BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and fellow MLAs arriving for an important discussion, committee members attempted to push past police lines, advocating for better treatment of Booth Level Officers.
Supreme Court upholds cancellation of WBSSC appointments, rejects review pleas
The Supreme Court has firmly declined to interfere with its earlier judgment that annulled thousands of appointments made through the West Bengal School Service Commissions (WBSSC) 2016 recruitment process, reiterating that the selection was irredeemably tainted by extensive fraud and manipulation. The Court dismissed the review petitions filed by the State, making it clear that [] The post Supreme Court upholds cancellation of WBSSC appointments, rejects review pleas appeared first on India Legal .
Marandi claims Dhanbad coal mafia switching to Apple FaceTime to evade ED surveillance
RANCHI: Making a sensational revelation, State BJP Chief and Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, has claimed that fearing the possibility of normal phone calls being traced, the police and the coal mafia in Dhanbad are now preparing to operate a coal theft syndicate using Apples FaceTime. According to Marandi, this indicates a new strategy in which elements within the police and the coal mafia may be shifting to FaceTime, considered more difficult to intercept due to its advanced security features. FaceTime is regarded as safe and secure because it uses end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and receiver can access the audio and video content. Apple states that it does not store the content of FaceTime calls and regularly updates its software to address vulnerabilities. Marandi further stated that following the Enforcement Directorates (ED) crackdown and sustained pressure on the coal mafia, which exposed widespread coal theft, there has been an undeclared partial pause in the illegal coal trade in Dhanbad. This, he said, has instilled fear among the mafia, leading to a slight reduction in the ongoing plunder. However, he claimed his reliable sources have informed him that coal thieves are becoming active again and have changed their communication methods to evade the law. The most shocking information is that a shopkeeper at Bank More in Dhanbad recently ordered about 55 iPhones. The motive is clear: fearing that normal calls can be traced, the police and the mafia are now preparing to run a coal theft syndicate through FaceTime, Marandi told media persons at the State BJP headquarters in Ranchi on Friday. He reiterated that this reflects a new strategy by those involved, including some within the police, to exploit FaceTimes reputation for being harder to intercept. Marandi urged central investigative agencies to closely monitor the iPhones that have recently become active in Dhanbad, as well as their buyers and users, both known and unknown. He asserted that no matter what technology the thieves adopt, he will continue to expose them to stop the plunder of the states natural resources. Police officials, however, expressed ignorance of these claims. I have no idea about it, said Dhanbad Senior Superintendent of Police, Prabhat Kumar. Marandis remarks gain significance in light of the Enforcement Directorates recent raids at 44 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal on 21 November, during which cash and jewellery worth over 14 crore were recovered, along with a substantial amount of incriminating evidence. According to an official communiqu issued by the ED, the action, carried out under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 , was linked to a sprawling illegal coal mining, theft, transportation, and sale racket allegedly operating across the two states for years. Officials also recovered various property deeds tied to the coal syndicate, agreements related to land transactions, digital devices, and books of accounts belonging to entities allegedly controlled by the accused. The ED reported that raids were conducted at 20 locations across Dhanbad and Dumka in Jharkhand. These locations are linked to individuals including Lal Bahadur Singh, Anil Goyal, Sanjay Khemka, Amar Mondal, and several others associated with their companies and entities operating in Dhanbad.
Mamata Banerjee to scale up anti-SIR campaign with rallies in Malda, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee intensifies her campaign against the Election Commission's electoral roll revision. She will hold rallies in Malda and Murshidabad this week, followed by a major event in Cooch Behar next week. The Trinamool Congress positions these rallies as a counter to the BJP's narrative.
Three lanes of Magadi-Mysuru road link likely to open in January
BENGALURU: Work on the six-lane Major Arterial Road (MAR) linking Magadi Road to Mysuru Road has gained momentum, with three lanes likely to be opened to the public in January, according to Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) officials. The underpass connecting Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, being constructed using box-push technology, has also progressed as steel girder installation moves forward. Officials said the project advanced after railway authorities cleared the installation of steel girders, which required temporarily suspending train movement on the track. With the girder in place under one of the two tracks that run between Bengaluru and Mysuru, trains can now run safely above, while excavation and construction continue below. Once steel girders are installed on both the tracks, the BDA will begin the box-pushing process, pushing precast concrete boxes beneath the railway line to create the underpass for vehicle movement on the MAR. A project official said if girder installation and box-pushing continue at the current pace, the first three lanes will likely be opened to the public in January. However, another official noted that progress also depends largely on timely approvals from the Railways for installing the girders required to push the second box and complete the other three lanes. Officials said that once the underpass is completed, a cloverleaf interchange will be built to make the corridor signal-free. This portion will be taken up by National Highways Authority of India. Once complete, this road is expected to bring down travel time between South and West Bengaluru to 10 minutes from 60 minutes. The project was originally slated for completion by November 2025.
