West Bengal police arrest state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar

He was heading towards a place where prohibitory orders were in place, a senior officer of Krishnanagar Police District said

Centre assesses Adarsh Gram scheme, seven in Odisha under review ambit

BHUBANESWAR : A decade after the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) was launched, the central government has begun an exercise to assess the progress and impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modis pet initiative. The move comes in the midst of ground-based reports that much has not changed in the villages adopted by the MPs under the scheme in terms of their all-round development. The MPs were tasked to pick a village each under their constituency and ensure its holistic development, including basic amenities like proper roads, water supply and sanitation along with other infrastructure and facilities. Official sources said in Odisha, seven-gram panchayats in Angul, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Bhadrak, Khurda, Nabarangpur and Nayagarh districts have been included in the nationwide study that will continue till November 27. Those included from the state are Andharua GP (Khurda) adopted by Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra, Bhatangpadar (Kalahandi) adopted by former RS member Sujeet Kumar and Lunahandi (Angul) adopted by former MP Nitesh Ganga Deb. Other panchayats selected for the study are Arana (Jagatsinghpur) adopted by former MP Rajashree Mallick, Ambaroli (Bhadrak) adopted by former MP Manjulata Mandal, Badakumuli (Nabarangpur) adopted by former MP Ramesh Chandra Majhi and Rasanga (Nayagarh) adopted by former MP Achyutananda Samanta. The assessment will include how the villages have been transformed after adoption by their MPs under SAGY. If there has not been much improvement, it will seek reasons and fix accountability. The study will find out the bottlenecks in the implementation of the programme which will ultimately help devise new and effective strategies. Wherever it has been a success, the best practices will serve as models, sources said. The study team will also ascertain why the MPs were not identifying GPs at the desired pace even though they are aware of the benefits of the scheme. They will collect suggestions for revision of the scheme and explore solutions to remove investment barriers and promote private investments in such GPs, the sources said. As per the SAGY portal of the Ministry of Rural Development, as many as 1,440 panchayats were selected in 2014-19 and 1,921 panchayats in 2019-24 while more than 2.29 lakh projects have been completed under village development plan (VDP). Odisha is placed at 16th position among states and UTs in terms of progress of VDP with around 72.86 per cent projects getting completed. Gujarat and West Bengal topped the chart with 100 per cent completion rate.

Santosh Trophy round-up: Rajasthan, West Bengal book berths in final rounds

Santosh Trophy round-up: Rajasthan, West Bengal book berths in final rounds New Delhi: Hosts Rajasthan qualified for the final rounds of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy from Group I after earning full points in their concluding tie against Dadra Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu with a 4-0 triumph, on Wednesday. [] The post Santosh Trophy round-up: Rajasthan, West Bengal book berths in final rounds appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Telangana HC questions legality of ex-MLA Narender Reddys arrest; wife files contempt petition

HYDERABAD: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday raised serious questions about the legality and procedure followed in the arrest of former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy . Hearing a bail petition filed by the former MLA, Justice Lakshman expressed concern over discrepancies in the account of the arrest, which has been a point of contention between his counsel and the prosecution. Senior counsel Gandra Mohan Rao , representing Narender Reddy , told the court that his client was arrested while on a morning walk at KBR Park. However, Public Prosecutor Palle Nageshwar Rao countered this claim, asserting that the arrest was made at Narender Reddys residence. The court questioned why Narender Reddys family was not informed about his arrest if it took place at his home, as required by law. Instead, the police informed one Saleem, a close associate of the former MLA. The judge remarked that such actions violated established arrest procedures and observed, The arrest of the petitioner was conducted as if he is a terrorist. The arrest followed accusations that Narender Reddy conspired to instigate farmers and others to oppose a government land acquisition policy, particularly in connection with the Lagcherla incident. However, the judge expressed scepticism about the prosecutions claims, questioning whether the allegations of conspiracy were substantiated. The judge noted that call data records showed Narender Reddy had made only one or two calls per day to farmers or associates in the 10-15 days preceding the incident, which was insufficient to establish a conspiracy. Another point of contention was the medical report of injuries sustained by government officials during the Lagcherla incident. The judge highlighted that the report, issued by a NIMS doctor, showed no evidence of grievous injuries. Furthermore, the presence of question marks in the report raised doubts about its authenticity and reliability. The court directed the public prosecutor to furnish statements from the co-accused, including Lakshmiah and two others, whose testimonies led to Narender Reddys inclusion in a remand report dated November 13, 2024. The matter was adjourned to Thursday for further hearing. NARENDER REDDYS WIFE MOVES COURT FOR CONTEMPT Patnam Shruti, wife of former MLA Patnam Narender Reddy, filed a contempt petition in the Telangana High Court on Wednesday, accusing senior police officers of illegal arrest and non-compliance with the Supreme Courts directives outlined in the landmark DK Basu vs. State of West Bengal (1997) judgment. The officers named in the petition include Multi Zone-II IGP V Satyanarayana; Vikarabad Superintendent of Police K Narayan Reddy, Bomraspet Inspector Sridhar Reddy and Bomraspet Sub-Inspector Md Abdul Rauf. Shrutis petition alleges that her husband was apprehended in broad daylight in an inhuman manner, with none of the mandatory safeguards outlined in Paragraph 35 of the DK Basu judgment being followed. The petition says that the arresting officers did not wear uniforms or carry visible identification as required, instead appearing in plain clothes.

Palakkad couple on overlanding mission to plant one lakh trees in five years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If one happens to spot a rugged 4x4 camper somewhere in the remote areas of the country, it must probably be Sangeeth, Kavya and their pet dog Drogo planting the seeds of tomorrows forests. When most people prioritise luxury and leisure, this couple from Palakkad has chosen to overland across India in their modified 4x4 SUV with a mission to plant one lakh trees in five years. Their journey Mission Mother Tree is a project towards sustainability, adventure and making a difference. It started as a simple plan leave a living memory in the form of trees across places they visit. It quickly became a full-scale drive. They left the security of their corporate jobs to pursue a life closer to nature. Sangeeth, who was previously a sales and marketing officer, and Kavya, a professional in dairy technology now pursuing research, packed up their lives, outfitted their vehicle and set off on a path that would take them to some of Indias most remote regions. Their goal is to explore responsibly and give back to the earth. Over the past two years, we have covered 45,000 kilometres across the country. Our travels arent just the thrill of overlanding but driven by a sense of purpose. We have successfully planted over 10,000 native saplings across the remote regions of India, with the help of a growing community of 4,000 volunteers who joined through social media and the acquaintances between travels, Sangeeth told TNIE. Their Instagram page lifeonroads_ is where they document their journey, and it has crossed over 2.4 lakh followers. To keep their journey sustainable and affordable, Sangeeth and Kavya transformed their Force Gurkha SUV into a camper, all for just Rs 20,000. All the work on the camper was completed by their IT friends group. The couple prepare their meals on the road, sharing their experiences with their companion, Drogo, who is as much a part of the adventure as they are. The couple relies on locally sourced seed balls, which they gather with the help of volunteers from the areas they visit. This ensures that the plants are suited to the local soil and climate, increasing the chances of survival. Their saplings span ten varieties of native trees, and they have achieved a 60% survival rate. For Kavya, the journey is about creating something lasting. One lakh trees may seem like a drop in the bucket against climate change, but were doing the best we can to build a community that values life on this planet, Kavya said. Not only do they plant these saplings but also keep track of their growth through an application, Tree Tag. Each sapling they plant is tagged and tracked using GPS coordinates via the app Tree Tag. Like a live report card, volunteers across the country too regularly update the couple on the progress of these plants. We note down the GPS coordinates of each tree we plant and track it through Tree Tag. It is a collective effort that wouldnt have been possible without the support of the people, Sangeeth said. In Kerala alone, they have planted around 300 saplings in Palakkad, 220 in Munnar, and 70 in Ernakulam. And each time they return to their home base, they plant a batch of seed balls nearby to keep a part of their mission close to home. They have travelled to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. They deviate to remote areas and camp there.Planning this mission often takes more time than the execution, Kavya said.

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Bengal BJP Chief Arrested On Way To Violence-Hit Murshidabad, Released Later

The West Bengal Police on Wednesday afternoon made preventive arrest of BJP's state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar in Krishnanagar area in Nadia district when he was on his way to violence-hit Beldanga in adjoining Murshidabad.

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Bengal BJP Chief Held for Attempting to Visit Beldanga

Kolkata/Berhampore: Union minister for state and West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was arrested by the police at Krishnanagar in Nadia for trying to visit trouble hit-Beldanga in Murshidabad on Wednesday afternoon. He was booked under section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which empowers police to arrest anyone to prevent him from the commission of cognisable offences. Mr Majumdar along with his party workers were going to visit Beldanga where communal violence broke out during Kartik Puja on November 16, leaving at least 17 people injured. Several houses were also torched forcing the district administration to suspend internet services there as a precautionary measure. On Wednesday, the state BJP chief declared visiting Beldanga to repose faith among the affected. However the cops stopped his convoy at Krishnanagar and entry to Murshidabad. The union minister had a verbal duel with them and launched a sit-in demonstration on the road. He was then arrested along with other BJP workers and was taken in a prison van to Kotwali police station. Irate BJP workers blocked national highway 12 at Dhubulia. The union minister alleged, There is no prohibitory orders here in Nadia. Still we have been held. We were demonstrating democratically. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee's police failed to protect the lives of tortured Hindus. On the other hand, the police claimed that the situation at Beldanga has been under control but the BJP state president was held as a precautionary measure.

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West Bengal tablet scam: State police freeze 797 bank accounts, arrest 22 suspects

KOLKATA: The West Bengal police froze around 797 bank accounts from various parts of the state in the school tablet purchase scam, arresting 22 people from various districts in this connection. According to state police it is a huge racket and investigations are on to nab others associated with the scam. They also claimed to have received inputs that many other bank accounts are involved in the scam. The cyber scam targeting West Bengal's 'Taruner Swapno' scheme, has affected 1,911 students out of the total 16 lakh beneficiaries. The West Bengal Police have registered 93 FIRs and arrested 11 people in connection with the fraud. Under the scheme, higher secondary students in government-aided schools and madrasas get a one-time benefit of Rs 10,000 to purchase tabs for educational purposes. The money directly gets credited to the bank account of students after the concerned school puts the data and bank account details of the eligible students on a government portal. The school authorities need to log into the portal using the user ID of the school to create the database. Police said, as per preliminary investigation, the scammers managed to hack the user ID and password of targeted schools and replaced the students' bank accounts with theirs'. South Bengal Additional Director General Supratim Sarkar said the investigation has revealed the involvement of cybercriminal gangs operating across multiple states, including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case. Kolkata Police and the CID department are conducting raids across the state to nab the hackers and the mastermind behind the fraud. A probe into the complaints lodged in Kolkata found that, in most cases, the money went into the bank accounts of residents of Chopra, Islampur and nearby areas.

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Sukanta stopped by cops, held en route to Beldanga

State can't be permitted to apply separate yardsticks for different accused, says SC

The Supreme Court granted bail to a man jailed for over a year in a West Bengal criminal case, criticizing the state government for applying different yardsticks after it chose not to challenge anticipatory bail given to four co-accused.

Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar Arrested on Way to Beldanga

Kolkata: The West Bengal Police on Wednesday afternoon made preventive arrest of BJP's state president Sukanta Majumdar in Krishnanagar area in Nadia district when he was moving towards violence-hit Beldanga in adjoining Murshidabad to take stock of the situation there, a senior officer said. The action was taken under Section 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which states that such arrests are made to prevent the commission of cognisable offences, he said. Majumdar's preventive arrest was made under Section 170 of BNSS. He was heading towards a place where prohibitory orders were in place, a senior officer of Krishnanagar Police District told PTI. I was trying to go to Beldanga to review the situation there. Our party workers have put up road blockades in other areas in protest against the police preventing us from going to Beldanga, Majumdar said, soon after his arrest by Kotwali police station. Earlier in the day, Majumdar's convoy was stopped by the police while he was on his way to Beldanga, where around 17 people have been injured in clashes between two communities. Police cited the imposition of prohibitory orders in the area and that the BJP leader's visit might have disrupted peace. Clashes erupted between two communities in Beldanga on Saturday night over an objectionable message on a display board at a temporary gate erected for Kartik Puja. A huge police team stopped Majumdar's convoy at Krishnanagar, following which the BJP MP staged a sit-in. Police are saying that prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area, hence I cannot go there. They stopped me around 70 km from Beldanga. We are not going there to create any law and order situation. We have asked them to escort us to the DM or SP office, but they are unwilling to let us go there, Majumdar told reporters. According to a senior officer of Krishnanagar police district, Majumdar was stopped as a precautionary measure since they feared his visit to Beldanga might have disrupted peace in the area. We cannot allow anyone to enter Beldanga as prohibitory orders have been imposed there. That is the reason Majumdar was stopped today, the IPS officer told PTI. At least 17 people have been injured and properties damaged in the clashes in Beldanga, following which the district administration imposed prohibitory orders and suspended internet services in the area.

Bengal school job case: No bail to Partha Chatterjee after HC division bench's split verdict

The decision on the bail plea of Partha Chatterjee, the former West Bengal Education Minister and ex-Trinamool Congress secretary general, in the cash-for-school-job case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) remained pending on Wednesday, as the two-judge division bench of the Calcutta High Court reached a split verdict.

Calcutta HC undecided on granting bail to Partha Chatterjee, four others in SSC recruitment scam case

A Calcutta High Court division bench delivered a split verdict on bail pleas from former West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee and four others in the SSC recruitment scam case. Justice Arijit Bandyopadhyay favored granting bail to all nine accused, while Justice Apurba Sinha Roy opposed bail for Chatterjee and four ex-education department officials.

Secure Financial Planning with changing Life Stages - Build a secure future with this LIC Agent in Kolkata

New Delhi [India], November 20: Kolkata, India's cultural capital, has a strong relationship with the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a trusted name in the insurance industry. LIC, India's largest insurance provider, has been a crucial financial security provider for families in Kolkata and West Bengal since its inception. Offering a range of products, including life insurance policies and investment plans, LIC has proven itself as a reliable partner in financial planning, protecting loved ones and growing wealth.

Bengal hospital: Woman suffering labour pain delivers premature baby on toilet floor, newborn carried away by stray dog

At Sonamukhi Rural Hospital, West Bengal, a stray dog allegedly carried off a premature baby, exposing severe lapses in hospital security. Authorities have initiated an inquiry.

Jaleswar woman arrested for brown sugar trade, parents-in-law detained

BALASORE: Jaleswar police on Tuesday arrested a woman and detained her parents-in-law for their alleged involvement in brown sugar trade. The accused, Ruksana Bibi, is a resident of Sheikhbad within Jaleswar municipality limits. IIC Ranjan Kumar Sethy said acting on a tip off, a team comprising 15 police personnel raided Ruksanas house and seized 55 gram brown sugar from her possession. Ruksana procured the brown sugar from West Bengal with the help of her relative who is a resident of the neighbouring state. She sold the contraband at different places in Jaleswar area on a scooter. The womans parents-in-law were reportedly supporting her in the illegal trade. Sethy said Jaleswar police was on the lookout for Ruksana who managed to evade the cops several times in the past. The accused womans husband was arrested by the special task force of Kolkata police in an NDPS case 20 months back. Ruksana will be produced in court on Wednesday. Police are interrogating her parents-in-law to ascertain their involvement in the illegal trade, the IIC added.

Remittances from Kerala make Norths rural pockets rich

PERUMBAVOOR: Its a hot Sunday afternoon at the Gandhi market in Perumbavoor, a town which is home to a large migrant population, mostly from West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and Odisha. Hundreds of migrant workers, who work in and around this small town near Kochi, have thronged the market to spend their weekly holiday -- purchasing cheap dresses, recharging their mobile phones, shopping groceries for the new week, or just catch up with their friends and relatives. But, perhaps the biggest business in the market is something else -- cash transfers. Tucked in a corner of the markets entrance is Mijanur Travels, an ordinary-looking shop run by Mijanur Rahman, in his 40s. Sunday is the busiest day in the week for Rahman, who hails from Murshidabad, West Bengal. People come here with the cash earned during the week gone by, and send it to their spouses or relatives back home in Guwahati, Nagaon, Bhubaneswar or Murshidabad. On a Sunday, I transfer anything between Rs 2-3 lakh for customers. There are some Sundays when Rs 4 lakh or more is transferred, he says. The remittances range from Rs 1,500 to 5,000, and even Rs 10,000 in some cases, and the small size of transactions means there could be as many as 100-150 such money transfers on a Sunday. Rahman charges Rs 12 per Rs 1,000 remittances -- Rs 8 for the services provider (Pay World, BharatPe, Paytm. etc) and Rs 4 as commission. Abhijul Islam of Assam Mobile Shop, a native of Nagaon, has been running a similar money transfer outlet inside the market for nearly three years. He says Assamese workers, who mostly work at plywood factories in the region, deposit the cash on a weekly basis while the Bengali workers, who are engaged in daily wage jobs in construction field, farms or other low-skilled works, deposit the money once in two or three days. Explains Lijin J, who runs a train and air-ticket booking shop in Perumbavoor: For the migrant workers, who stay along with three or four persons in a room, its not safe to keep the cash in the room. So, whenever they save Rs 3,000 or more, they immediately transfer the money back home. Mijanur Rahman helping a customer with transaction at Mijanur Travels, which is also a money remitting shop. There could be at least 30 shops in Perumbavoor engaged in money transfers. The business is booming, thanks to the high daily wages in Kerala and the shortage of workers in almost every sector that requires unskilled or semi-skilled workers. A 2021 study on In-migration, Informal Employment and Urbanisation in Kerala by Dr Jajati Keshari Parida of Department of Economic Studies, Central University of Punjab, and Dr K Ravi Raman, member, Kerala State Planning Board, found that about Rs 7,500 crore is going out of Kerala annually as remittance to other states. Binoy Peter, executive director of Perumbavoor-based Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID), reckons this figure is a gross underestimation. As per our conservative estimates, the migrant population in Kerala could be remitting at least Rs 17,000 crore per annum to their home states, he says. According to CMIDs calculation, there are over 35 lakh migrant workers in Kerala, who are earning a total of Rs 49,000 crore here. On a conservative basis, we have to assume that a migrant worker is earning Rs 700 per day, 20 days per month, for 10 months, he explains. Dr D Narayana, economist and former member of the Kerala Public Expenditure Review Committee, was involved in the first comprehensive study on migrant population in the state, in 2012. His report found that there was a 25-lakh strong migrant population during that time, growing at 8 % per year. The migrant population in Kerala could be at least 48 lakh now, he says. There are no sectors where migrant workers are not present in Kerala, from construction to plantation, hotels to resorts, fisheries to grocery stores, and barber shops to high-end saloons. Many sectors in Kerala would come to a standstill if migrant workers stop working, Dr Narayana says. Adds Planning Board member Raviraman: While they are in Kerala, they become integral to what I would call right making/state making process. According to Benoy, the resilience shown by rural India is due to the remittances by the migrant population, not just in Kerala, but also in other states. Significantly, the robustness of the informal Kerala economy is mainly due to the spending power of the migrant population on local goods and services here. While most of the Kerala households now depend on shopping malls or use e-commerce websites like Amazon and Flipkart for their purchases, and commute through Uber or their private vehicles, the small grocery shops, hotels, the private buses and autorickshaws largely survive on the spending by the migrant population here, he says. Going by CMIDs estimates, the migrant population could be spending anything between Rs 30,000 crore to 32,000 crore in Keralas informal economy. Social remittances are as important as financial remittances. The migrants see boys and girls, without discrimination, going to schools here. They dream about providing better education and jobs for their kids. There are village heads in north Indian states, who have been migrant workers here. Obviously, they will try to replicate this in their villages, says Benoy Peter.

Peeved Didi halts bulldozer action in tourism hub

KOLKATA: Overruling the district administrations decision, the West Bengal government on Tuesday chose not to demolish 140 illegal hotels, resorts, and homestays in Mandormani, a significant tourist destination located along West Bengals coastline. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees announcement came hours after the district administration decided to raze the unauthorised structures. Terming it a unilateral decision taken by the authorities, the CM said that no demolitions will take place until the state government issues an order. Earlier in the day, the East Medinipur district administration issued demolition orders after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) flagged violations of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules that govern construction in coastal areas to prevent environmental degradation. The properties in question were built in areas where construction is restricted under these guidelines, which aim to protect the coastal ecosystem from overdevelopment. On November 1, the CRZ district committee instructed the demolition of these illegal properties, setting a deadline of November 20 for the structures to be razed down. The affected hotels and resorts are spread across several locations in Mandormani and surrounding areas. Of the lot, 50 hotels are located in Dadonpatrabari, 36 in Sonamui, 27 in Silampur, and 30 in Mandormani itself. Additionally, a lodge in South Purushottampur mouza is also part of the demolition order. The district administration is now in charge of executing the demolition and clearing the area in accordance with the CRZ guidelines. The NGT first raised concerns about these illegal constructions in 2022, citing that they were built without following the CRZ regulations. According to the CRZ notification, no permanent structures can be built within 200 metres of the high tide line in coastal areas. These properties were constructed in violation of these restrictions. The NGTs ruling was aimed at protecting the fragile coastal environment, which could be at risk due to unregulated construction and tourism activity. The demolition was said to have a significant impact on the local economy, especially the tourism industry. Over the past few years, Mandormani has grown into a popular beach destination with a flourishing hospitality sector. The hotels and resorts built along the beachside have not only attracted tourists but also provided jobs to locals. These include jobs in the hospitality sector, retail, transportation, and other services tied to tourism. With the demolition of these properties, many business owners and workers face the risk of uncertainty about their livelihoods. The decision came after a series of inspections and legal proceedings focused on ensuring compliance with environmental laws. The demolitions was said to address the issue of illegal construction, but came along challenges while preserving environmental integrity. Prior to the CMs intervention, the district administration was working to meet the CRZ committees deadline, and efforts were being made to provide support to displaced workers and businesses.

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Premature baby allegedly carried off by stray dog in State-run hospital Bengals Bankura

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Garden Reach Shipbuilders Wins Rs 226-Crore Deal To Make Hybrid Ferries For West Bengal

Garden Reach Shipbuilders will deliver 13 ferries, six of which will feature twin decks with a capacity of 200 passengers each.

Actor Moon Moon Sens husband dies at 83

Kolkata, Nov 19 (PTI) Veteran actor Moon Moon Sens husband Bharat Dev Varma died at his residence here on Tuesday due to old age-related ailments, family sources said. Dev Varma, 83, is survived by his wife and two daughters Raima and Riya who are also actors. He breathed his last at their Ballygunge Circular Road residence, even as arrangements were being made to take him to a nearby hospital after his health condition deteriorated, the sources said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on X, said, Saddened by the demise of Bharat Dev Varma, the

Six Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Karnataka's Chitradurga for illegal stay

Six Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended in Chitradurga, Karnataka, on November 18 for illegal infiltration. The individuals were found to possess fake Aadhaar cards and other documents, which they had obtained in Kolkata after entering India through West Bengal. They had been working in various states before arriving in Chitradurga for employment.

Calcutta HC stays suspension of 7 BBMCH medical students

Kolkata: A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, stayed the decision of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) at Siliguri in West Bengals Darjeeling district to suspend seven medical students accused of running threat culture within the college campus. After an investigation into the matter, the NBMCH authorities barred these 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: Situation in Beldanga remains tense after onslaught on Hindus, internet suspended, Governor seeks report from Mamata govt

A resident of Beldanga told OpIndia that the ban on internet services is preventing more videos and photos of violence from emerging on social media.

Kerala leads haemophilia care with costly but effective monoclonal antibody treatment

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The global shortage of anti-clotting drugs, or anticoagulants, did not affect the medication of over 2,000 haemophilia patients, thanks to a timely shift in treatment protocols by the health department. The shortage was triggered when drug companies stopped making older medicines and focused on new ones, leaving states with limited options. However, Kerala was not affected as in July, the health department switched to Emicizumab, a monoclonal antibody treatment that is more expensive but effective against bleeding, for all patients aged below 18. The move helped the department manage the shortage of factor concentrate for adult patients, as the nationwide supply disruption led to serious issues. Factor shortage is a global issue. We have been gradually increasing the number of beneficiaries getting Emicizumab. This shift is unavoidable, but we started early and could provide treatment with minimal disruption, said Dr Rahul U R, the state nodal officer for Child Health. The shortage triggered protests in West Bengal and Karnataka. Tamil Nadu is now planning to buy Emicizumab to switch to the new treatment. The health department spends around Rs 35 crore on haemophilia treatment annually. The switch to Emicizumab increased the budget, as each vial costs between Rs 50,000 and Rs 3 lakh. The additional spending is being managed by using the states share under the national programme. However, the department found the new treatment to be more cost-effective in the long run. Dr Rahul said the rise in cost of using monoclonal antibody would be balanced by a reduction in the treatment required to manage complications under the factor replacement therapy. The department spent around Rs 11 crore on treating the complication using FEIBA (factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity) treatment. After switching to monoclonal antibody regimen the FEIBA treatment use came down by 50% this year, said Dr Rahul. The advanced preventive treatment eliminated the need for bi-weekly hospital visits for injections, which had previously caused disruptions in school and work for families. Previously, preventive care involved administering blood clotting factor concentrates, which could also potentially lead to drug resistance if used indiscriminately. In the absence of a national guideline for haemophilia, many states are in nascent stage of dealing with the disease. Health departments of various states have sought Keralas support in haemophilia management. Meanwhile, haemophilia patients are not happy with the shortage, saying it has affected adult patients. Factor concentrate is not available in many taluk hospitals. Patients have to travel far for an injection to stop bleeding, said Jimmy Manual, regional council chairman of the Hemophilia Federation of India. The health department is planning to buy newer drugs, including extended half-life products, and expand the use of monoclonal antibodies as part of its strategy.

At Jadavpur University, Mass Comm students awarded marks for unchecked answer scripts

Around 50 postgraduate Mass Communication students at Jadavpur University were given marks for an exam paper on Media Law and Ethics without their answer scripts being evaluated. The revelation came to light when students approached the university administration about discrepancies in their results, prompting an internal investigation into the matter.

Rs 12 cr, bank deposits of Rs 6 cr seized from Santiago Martin: ED

CHENNAI: The Enforcement Directorates searches at 22 premises linked to lottery baron Santiago Martin across six states, including TN, last week led to recovery and seizure of Rs 12.41 crore unexplained cash and freezing of bank deposits of Rs 6.42 crore, the agency said on Monday. Various digital devices, incriminating documents, records of huge investment in immovable properties in Coimbatore Chennai, Mumbai, Dubai and London and huge investments in share markets were found, the agency said in a release. Searches were held in connection with an investigation against Martin and his entity M/s Future Gaming and Hotel Services Private Limited and other associates. Four printing presses where lottery tickets have been printed were also covered by the operation. ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by Meghalaya Police on complaint by the Director of Meghalaya State Lottery and Kerala Police FIRs taken over by the CBI. The main allegations against the group are that they illegally captured the lottery market by not allowing others to operate, selling fake lottery tickets, manipulating winning prizes and purchasing big prize winning tickets against cash payment for converting black money into white leading to huge loss to the exchequer and general public. The agencys investigation has further found that over 90% of the business of the company is in the lottery tickets with face value of Rs 6 against which most of the prizes are below Rs 10,000 which is non-taxable. No proper record is maintained by the company regarding prize winners or sold and unsold tickets. Lottery schemes are designed by the company in such a way that substantial profit goes to the company and the organising state gets a very small portion of revenue. The searches were conducted in West Bengal, Karnataka, UP, Meghalaya and Punjab apart from TN. In the previous probe in the matter in EDs Kochi zone, it was found that Martin and his company had acquired around Rs 920 crore in lottery business from proceeds of crime.

KMDA to get 19.5 cr for new Topsia bridge

Shikha Mukerjee | Mismatched vocabularies in Maha and Jharkhand battle

Following the rigmarole of politicians pitching for votes has never been as befuddling as it is in this round of state Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. This is an election where the regional idiosyncrasies and ethos are posing a major challenge to the BJPs beliefs and Hindutva ideology, with its surreal notion of a homogenous Hindu majority that pays obeisance in a standardised format, ignoring the particular practices of an estimated 33 crore gods and deities according to Bengali folklore. The fight is whether Batange ya Katange (divided we will be decimated), Yogi Adityanaths contribution to the continuous proliferation of vocabularies of violence, and Narendra Modis spin Ek hain to safe hain, which means united we stand (and) divided we fall, to counter the tactics of Vote Jihad, correctly reflects the ethos of Maharashtra. Had the Opposition said these rabble-rousing chants were not relevant or said, Frankly, my politics is different. I wont support it just because I belong to the same party. My belief is that we should work on development alone. A leaders job is to make every living person on this land their own. Therefore, we need not bring any such topic to Maharashtra, the BJP would have been unfazed. Its pracharaks, including Devendra Fadnavis of blighted chief ministerial ambitions, would not have rushed to counter the narrative. The embarrassing thing is that these direct attacks on toxic, communally divisive rhetoric originates within the BJP. Pankaja Munde, a daughter with BJP lineage, and Ashok Chavan, a defector from the Congress, have said it. The BJPs difficulties are further complicated by the direct and indirect criticism of the Batange-Katange rhetoric voiced by Ajit Pawar and chief minister Eknath Shinde, the icons of the other side who split the Nationalist Congress Party and the Shiv Sena to join up with the BJP to form the Mahayuti. Since neither Mr Pawar nor Mr Shinde are nave politicians, their reason for distancing themselves from the BJPs venomous verbal strikes may be a protective device, because each wants a future, rooted in Maharashtra and its politics. Had Mr Modi studied Swami Vivekanandas guru Sri Ramakrishnas teachings he would have discovered that the Ramakrishna Math order is committed to an entirely different ideology Joto mot, toto poth which roughly translated means that there are as many paths to spiritualism as there are opinions. In other words, any Hindu is free to seek his own road to salvation. The obvious disrespect to the political culture and ethos of Maharashtra implicit in the last-ditch effort by Mr Fadnavis and the RSS in countering the criticism of Ms Munde, Mr Shinde, Mr Chavan and Ajit Pawar reveals the BJP hasnt learnt to deal with diversity even after losing elections in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Its obsession with one size-one formula doesnt fit all states. Successful in deploying a vocabulary that worked to its advantage in the Hindi heartland and in Assam where bhoomi putra politics versus migrants, illegal or otherwise, predates the BJPs rise as a dominant national party, its consistent failures elsewhere should have been a lesson. In Jharkhand, the BJP is tone deaf to the complex tribal identity issue. It has promised to bring in the Uniform Civil Code, by offering exceptions for tribal practices and laws. It has consistently campaigned against reservation benefits going to Christians among the tribals. The inability to understand that the tribal identity is not erased because a person has converted to Christianity in the same way as tribals do not change their identity by following mainstream Hindu practices is beyond their limited imagination. By adopting a nativist agenda and presenting themselves as the saviours of tribals, the BJP seems to have conveniently forgotten that the unanimous resolution passed by the Jharkhand Assembly to recognise Sarna and its Code as a separate religion has been blocked by the Centre, which has failed to accept the demand. The promise by Amit Shah to eject all infiltrators and Rohingyas and protect women and land rights from Muslims who seem to have been portrayed as an invasive species is a peculiar gambit. The Ek hain to safe hain message backed by the RSS call in Jharkhand Sajag Raho (Be Vigilant, Be Alert) to mobilise Hindus and tribals has fallen flat, by all accounts. In the expectation that tribal voters can be detached from their loyalty to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha by attackling the Soren family, including Shibu Soren, Hemant Soren, his wife and son, for facilitating the expanding settlements of illegal Muslim migrants from Bangladesh and Rohinghyas Muslims from Myanmar, the RSS and BJP used communal identity and the fear of being outnumbered to present themselves as nativists, the only bulwark against further marginalisation of tribals. It is hard to imagine that the politically astute Mr Modi, has not figured out that Jharkhands tribals are seriously suspicious of the Centres policies on tribal land and forest rights and have organised to oppose the alienation of rights. He and his party and the RSS and its offshoots have forgotten that the tribals, especially converts, hold a grudge because Father Stan Swamy lived and worked in Ranchi. The BJPs increasing anxiety can be measured by the shrillness of its marketing campaigns in successive Assembly elections of cash handouts to women, unemployed youth, farmers, free electricity and foodgrains to woo voters. The much reviled revdi (free handouts) culture as a cash-for-votes mechanism is now the BJPs own tactics. Since all its slightly different iterations of Mamata Banerjees original scheme Lakshmir Bhandar, rolled out in 2021, are sweeteners for voters, its an admission that the Modi magic has failed; Sabka Saath hasnt produced Sabka Vikas and Viksit Bharat is a farfetched promise since the poor need cash handouts and free foodgrains. The party and Mr Modi cannot cover up what the voter already knows through lived experiences. In Maharashtra and Jharkhand, voters were beneficiaries of the policy of liberalisation and the economic boom that followed. The current state of the economy, of joblessness, unemployment, inflation and sluggish and fitful and uneven growth, is something voters understand. It needs incentives to sell itself. The core message is obvious; regardless of how much confidence Mr Modi and the BJP try to exude, the appeal is minimalist; there is no alternative to the BJP, unsatisfactory as it is. The increasingly bizarre content of the BJPs campaign messages replete with references to the Red Book, Urban Naxals, anti-Hindus and anti-Sanatans, Vote Jihad and the mystifying resurrection of Razakars to trash the Congress and its president Mallikarjun Kharge, are pointers that even Mr Modis mystique needs props.

Missing scripts: CU hands over option forms to colleges

Kolkata rickshaw puller returns 15L lost cheques

Cops foil RG Kar accuseds attempt to speak outside court

HQ gets tough on traffic cop presence in school zones

Kolkata civic body marks Entally factory building unsafe after collapse

Indian Navy to Conduct Sea Vigil-24 Coastal Defence Exercise

Kolkata: The Indian Navy will conduct the fourth edition of pan-India coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil-24, on November 20-21. The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, National Security Guard, Border Security Force and Central Industrial Security Force will also take part in the two-day mega drill covering the entire 11,098 kms coastline and vast exclusive economic zone of 2.4 million square kilometres. Naval Officer-in-Charge West Bengal Commodore Ajay Yadav will maintain close liaison with various stakeholders in the eastern state. On Monday the Navy said, During the preparatory phase of exercise, various coordination meetings have been undertaken by NOIC (WB) including initial planning conference and main planning conference attended by stakeholders from various agencies for increased synergy and simultaneous activation of complete coastal defence and security mechanisms. It added, During the execution phase of exercise, precisely coordinated attacks will be launched on identified prominent vulnerable assets and vulnerable points by the Red Force. This complete exercise will be steered from Joint Coordination Center at Naval Station Kolkata, wherein representatives from all stakeholders will work closely for achieving increased coordination and synergy. The drill will focus on strengthening the security of coastal assets like ports, oil rigs, single point moorings and critical coastal infrastructure including the coastal population. This year, participation by the Army and Air Force and planned deployment of a large number of warships and aircrafts has enhanced the tempo of the exercise, according to the Navy.

Pather Panchalis Durga passes away at 83

RG Kar rape-murder probe in crucial stage: CBI

Protests across Kolkata demand speedy RG Kar probe

CCTVs help Kolkata cops nab killer in 2 hrs

Quick evacuation after fire at Kolkata malls food court

Tab funds fraud: Mastermind teacher, 2 aides held in Siliguri

Scooter with fake number plate used in failed murder attempt on councillor

Take action against any political party ransacking a govt office: HC

JU students create Braille map for campus inclusivity

Bangladesh in a tizzy on 'Crazy Medicine' 'Yaba'

The India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal is the longest and one of the most porous international borders in any state.

Panchayati Raj Institution In West Bengal

The glimmering light of Swaraj is gradually spreading to every village. Panchayat Raj is an interconnected and interdependent pattern of democracy, a system of sharing powers and responsibiliti...

Clashes in West Bengal over Islamophobic sign during event, 17 arrested

Violent communal clashes erupted in West Bengals Murshidabad city on Saturday night, November16, following the display of an allegedly Islamophobic message on a neon signboard at Kartik Purnima festival pandal in the Beldanga Village. The incident unfolded when a video clip went viral on social media on November 15 showing a blasphemous billboard sign insulting 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 .

Centre Issued Over 77 Lakh Digital Life Certificates to Ease Life for Pensioners

The central government's initiative to simplify the process for pensioners has seen significant success, with over 77 lakh Digital Life Certificates (DLCs) issued across the country by the second week of its launch. The campaign has particularly benefited senior citizens, with 1,77,153 pensioners over the age of 90 and 17,212 pensioners aged 80 to 90 receiving their DLCs, as per official reports. The introduction of advanced authentication methods, including face recognition, has played a key role in generating around 24 lakh certificates, making up 34% of the total DLCs issued. This has allowed elderly pensioners to submit their certificates easily from home, or through nearby offices and bank branches. Leading the charge, State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB) have successfully issued over 9 lakh DLCs each. Other banks, such as Canara Bank and Central Bank of India, also showed strong participation, generating 1 lakh and 57,000 DLCs, respectively. Maharashtra has been the top performer, issuing over 10 lakh certificates, followed by Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, each with 6 lakh, while Uttar Pradesh has also performed well with over 5 lakh DLCs. The nationwide campaign, which runs from November 1 to 30, is being held in 800 cities and towns, with 1,575 camps set up to facilitate the process. To further support this initiative, 1.8 lakh postmen have been deployed across the country. The program, which started on November 6, is part of the government's efforts to bring more convenience and accessibility to pensioners, aligning with the vision of a digitally empowered India. The Jeevan Pramaan initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision for the digital empowerment of pensioners. A wide range of stakeholders, including pension disbursing banks, government departments, and welfare associations, are all working together to make this vision a reality, the statement added. To raise awareness, the Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare has placed banners and posters in offices, bank branches, and ATMs to inform pensioners about the DLC-Face Authentication technique. In addition,all participating banks have set up dedicated teams to assist pensioners, ensuring that even those unable to visit branches due to age or illness can receive help at home. Centre to soon come up with new policy for senior citizens

Adenovirus-triggered conjunctivitis makes comeback in Kolkata, affecting all age groups

Adenovirus-triggered conjunctivitis has resurfaced in Kolkata, causing symptoms like eye redness, discharge, and stinging. Doctors attribute the surge to seasonal changes and rising pollution levels after Diwali. While affecting all age groups, schoolchildren and public transport commuters are more susceptible. Treatment is primarily symptomatic, with eye drops providing relief in a few days.

Early chill in Kolkata with consecutive sub-20C days

Kolkata recorded a chilly 19 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature this season. This unexpected dip brought an early winter chill to the city. The minimum temperature is expected to stay below 20 degrees for now. The northwesterly wind, bringing cold air from the hills, is the reason for the sudden temperature drop.

Paddy insurance coverage falls by 66K acres in Thanjavur

THANJAVUR: The crop insurance coverage for samba and thaladi in Thanjavur district has fallen by 66,500 acres compared to last years figures as the cut-off date for farmers to pay premium ended on November 15. Farmers attribute this to non-extension of the last date as done during last year and the growing apathy of farmers to insure their crop due to poor record of claim payment by private insurance companies. Samba and thaladi were cultivated in Thanjavur district to an extent of 2.43 lakh acres till November 15. The total area insured by farmers was 1,77,071 acres on this date. Last year farmers insurance covered 2,43,608 acres, which is 66,537 acres more than this years coverage. The farmers pointed out that the total area of cultivation would go up as transplantation is still going on in tail-end areas of the Grand Anaicut Canal (GAC) and lake-irrigated areas in Sengippatti and Budalur. We asked for extension of the cut-off date for crop insurance, but it didnt happen this year, said V Veerasenan, a farmer from Ponnavarayankottai village which depends on GAC. Last year, the cut-off date was extended from November 15 to 22. During the extension period around 75,000 acres was insured, officials data show. Veerasenan wanted the cut-off date to be extended this year also so that farmers who are now transplanting paddy could benefit. He added that instead of enrolling farmers under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the state could opt out from it as done by some states like Gujarat and West Bengal and directly compensate those farmers affected by natural calamities including drought, floods etc.

Band, baaja, baraat: The industry anticipates Rs 65,000 crore during this big, fat wedding season in Kolkata

Kolkata is gearing up for a surge in weddings this season, with over 60,000 ceremonies expected to boost the local economy by an estimated Rs 65,000 crore. This spike in matrimonial celebrations has triggered a surge in business for related sectors like jewelry, flowers, and photography.

West Bengal Violence: 15 held, internet shut down after clashes between two groups in Murshidabad

Trouble began late Saturday night when a group of youths assembled near a Kartik puja pandal alleging that an objectionable message hurting their sentiments popped up on the digital display board on the gate erected for the festival.

100 cyclists rally 10 km in Kolkata demanding justice for R G Kar victim

Kolkata: Demanding justice for the woman doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar hospital here in August, 100 cyclists on Sunday paddled for 10 km to reach her workplace in Shyambazar area in the northern part of the city. Organised by the Abhaya Mancha, a forum of protesting medics of West Bengal Junior 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 thermal power plants emit 18 times more air pollution than stubble burning: report

Bengal thermal power plants emit 18 times more air pollution than stubble burning: report Kolkata: Thermal power plants in West Bengal emit 18 times the 17.8 kilotonnes released from burning 8.9 million tonnes of paddy straw, as pointed out by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clear Air (CREA) in its status report. [] The post Bengal thermal power plants emit 18 times more air pollution than stubble burning: report appeared first on Mangalorean.com .