Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil chairs 19th meeting of Ganga Flood Control Board in New Delhi
The 19th Meeting of the Ganga Flood Control Board (GFCB) was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Thursday under the chairmanship of Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C R Patil. The meeting was also attended by West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari. According to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, the meeting reviewed ongoing initiatives, strengthened interstate coordination and deliberated on emerging approaches for effective flood management. During the meeting, the Jal Shakti Minister launched the Punah Bharan Mobile App, developed by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics in collaboration with the National Water Mission. The application aims to facilitate scientific identification of suitable locations for artificial groundwater recharge interventions. The Board deliberated on the revised mandate and restructuring of the Ganga Flood Control Commission (GFCC), which includes strengthening basin-level flood management planning, appraisal o...
'Encouraging anarchic ideas': NDA attacks Naseeruddin Shah over 'Dimagi Naxal' remark
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday came down heavily on Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah over his 'Dimagi Naxal' remark, accusing him of encouraging ideas that seek to create anarchy in the country. This comes after the actor launched a scathing attack on the government, sharing a video of himself talking to the camera as he flaunted his badge of 'Dimagi Naxal' and called himself 'proud Dimagi Naxal', a term coined by Prime Minister Modi in his Independence Day address in August. Speaking to IANS, BJP National Spokesperson RP Singh said: The kind of language Naseeruddin Shah has used recently, along with his past statements that have been anti-national and supportive of Pakistan, and the way he has spoken about West Bengal this time, shows how his thinking is encouraging ideas that seek to create anarchy in the country. While acknowledging Shah's craft, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said: We fully respect his art. However, we cannot forget how he praised Pakistan during the release of a book in 2015. How can we forget that Naseeruddin Shah supports Mughal invaders who came to this country, persecuted people, and destroyed temples? You live in India, earn your livelihood and respect here, yet praise Pakistan. He is not 'Dimagi Naxal', rather, he is 'Dimagi Pakistani', Kadam remarked while speaking to IANS. Union Minister and RPI-A chief Ramdas Athawale also acknowledged that Naseeruddin Shah is a good film actor who possesses a social conscience, while adding: He should not have a Naxalite mindset. He has the right to suggest measures to the government for the welfare of society, but he has no right to criticise the BJP. Naxalism has been eliminated from the country, so making such remarks is not right, he told reporters. Meanwhile, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly rebuked the veteran actor, calling him extremely harmful to India's democracy. Reacting to Rijiju's criticism, Congress MP Jebi Mather said: Anybody who says anything the BJP doesn't like, they come up with many terms, like Tukde-Tukde, Urban Naxal... that is their way of functioning. So, nothing is surprising about this. Trinamool Congress-Mamata MP Saugata Roy also backed Naseerudin Shah, saying that the actor has just expressed his views. This (expressing views) is not liked by the BJP; that is why Kiren Rijiju criticised it, he told IANS.
Bengal warns of strict action for firecracker norms violations, urges people to exercise restraint
The West Bengal government is initiating strict measures against firecracker violations during Kali Puja and Diwali. Authorities emphasize the importance of self-awareness and adherence to pollution-control guidelines this festive season. Residents are urged to respect silence zones near sensitive locations like hospitals and old-age homes. Vigilance will be heightened for illegal firecracker sales and safety inspections at firecracker markets.
Indranil Sens financial links with private event management entities also under scanner
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Besides the alleged involvement of former West Bengal Minister, Indranil Sen, in an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, Kolkata Police is also probing the financial links of a corporate entity owned by Sens wife Madhucchanda Sen, with a couple of event management entities when the singer-turned-politician was serving as the Minister of State for Information & Cultural Affairs. Insiders from the city police said that during Sens tenure as minister, an event management tender on behalf of the department worth Rs 53.46 crore was granted to an event management entity GIDI Creation. The administration, according to city police, then overlooked complaints that the tender was granted to that event management entity just because the firm, which did not have sufficient experience in the related field, was owned by a childhood friend of Sen. Later, as per information gathered by the Investigating Officers in the matter, GIDI Creation outsourced the work, for which the tender was granted to another event management entity Third Line Creation, which is completely inoperative now. At that point in time, GIDI Creations had transferred an amount of Rs 50.31 crore to the accounts of Third Line Creation. Subsequently, substantial funds were transferred to the Madhucchanda Sen-owned entity Mass Art Society, through which the UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja passes were sold. At the same time, city police insiders said, the accounts of two other entities namely ISCAPE and Myra, both owned by close relatives of Sen, are also under the scanner of the Investigating Officers. Both the Kolkata Police and Enforcement Directorate (ED) had been conducting parallel investigations in the alleged UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja passes scam. In fact, the cops of Kolkata Police arrested Sen after he came out of EDs Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon after facing a marathon interrogation by the central agency officials in the matter. Sen will be presented at a lower court in Kolkata later on Thursday and the Public Prosecutor will seek his police custody for further interrogation. The police are trying to track other beneficiaries in the alleged scam.
Chorbagan stampede: Abhishek demands arrest of top functionaries of Durga Puja committee
Abhishek Banerjee has called for the interrogation of officials from the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee. Nineteen lives were lost in a stampede on October 17, raising concerns over the investigation. Banerjee questions the lack of accountability among committee leaders with political affiliations. The West Bengal government has set up a Special Investigation Team to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Former Minister Indraneel Sen Arrested in Kolkata Over Durga Puja Pass Scam
Indraneel Sen, former West Bengal minister, arrested in connection with a Durga Puja pass scam; further inquiries expected in court. Former Minister Indraneel Sen Arrested in Kolkata Over Durga Puja Pass Scam
Restore previous elected govt in West Bengal, says TMCs Abhishek Banerjee after SCs SIR observations
The Supreme Court said it has not yet adjudicated the legality of the ECIs use of the logical discrepancy category to scrutinise voters' details durins SIR
West Bengal police encounters: the events and the questions they raise | Explained
Since the BJP government came to power in Bengal in May, five people three of them accused of murder and two charged with sexual assault of minors have been killed in police encounters
CPI(M) to legally challenge govt's move to bar would-be teachers in Bengal from contesting polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The CPI(M) leadership has decided to challenge any move by the West Bengal government to bar teachers recruited henceforth in the state-run schools from contesting any election for panchayats, municipal bodies, Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies. The challenge by the CPI(M) leadership comes amid an announcement by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday, saying that a new clause will be introduced in the recruitment rules of the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) barring would-be teachers from contesting polls. A proposal on this count was cleared at a meeting of the state cabinet on Wednesday. However, the Chief Minister, at the same time, made it clear that the clause will not be applicable to those serving teachers who are already elected public representatives. Reacting to the Chief Ministers announcement on this count, former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and senior advocate, Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya, said once this proposal is formally implemented in the recruitment rules of the WBSSC, he will take up the matter legally. It will not be easy to suppress the democratic rights of the common people. Any attempt to do this will be opposed legally, said Bhattacharya, also the former Mayor of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). He also said that the decision to bar teachers from contesting the polls is unconstitutional. So let the decision be officially implemented. I will take up the matter at the Calcutta High Court, said Bhattacharya. Even a section of the service teachers has opposed the idea and claimed that they do not subscribe to the Chief Ministers argument that the move to bar would-be teachers from contesting polls is aimed at depoliticising the education sector. Had the Chief Minister been serious about depoliticising the sector, he would have removed political persons from different education-related committees. But that did not happen. The laws and regulations related to education in West Bengal do not prevent schoolteachers from engaging in active politics. If this decision is implemented without changing that law, there will be obstacles from the legal angle, said a headmaster of a state-run higher secondary school, who refused to be named.
Delhi Police bust bank account impersonation syndicate, arrest two; assets worth Rs 2.5 crore seized
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Delhi Police's Central District has busted a syndicate involved in impersonation of bank account holders and arrested two accused for defrauding bank officials of Rs 22.56 lakh through fraudulent Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) instructions, officials said on Thursday. Assets worth approximately Rs 2.50 crore, including gold jewellery, 101 gold coins, cash and a SUV, have been seized in the present and connected cases. One of the arrested accused was also found to be a proclaimed offender who had been absconding for more than seven years in a forged currency case, police said. The case originated from a complaint filed by the Branch Manager of Bank of India, Rajendra Place, New Delhi. On August 5, a person impersonating Deepak Malhotra, a director associated with multiple corporate entities maintaining accounts at the branch, contacted bank officials. According to the police, the caller initially discussed creating a Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) worth Rs 1 crore to gain the officials' confidence. He later contacted them, claiming that the company needed to make a payment but had exhausted its cheque book. He requested that the transaction be processed through email. The accused sent a forged payment request using an email ID closely resembling the company's registered address. The email, bearing a forged company letterhead, instructed the bank to transfer Rs 22,56,922 to another account. When bank officials sought mandatory indemnity documents, the caller pressured them by claiming that similar transactions had been processed earlier and stressing the urgency of the payment. The bank subsequently processed the fraudulent RTGS transfer. An e-FIR was registered at the Cyber Police Station of Central District under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the investigation, police traced the defrauded amount to a mule bank account maintained with Bandhan Bank in West Bengal. Technical analysis of telecom records, digital evidence and communication details helped investigators identify the suspects. A police team led by Sub-Inspector Kamlesh Kumar arrested the accused, identified as Vinay Kumar Yadav, 36, a resident of Loni in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Anil Kumar Sehgal, 65, a resident of Noida. The investigation revealed that the accused used forged company letterheads, deceptive email IDs, social engineering and mule accounts to target corporate bank transactions. The money was subsequently diverted into other assets, including gold purchased from a jeweller in West Bengal. Police said both accused had previous criminal involvement in financial fraud cases across several locations, including Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Ayodhya and Faridabad. They allegedly became acquainted while in jail and had previously been associated with cheque-related frauds involving so-called magic pens. The arrests have also helped police work out six similar cases registered in Gurugram, Palwal and Delhi, involving fraud amounts ranging from Rs 16.65 lakh to Rs 2.98 crore, along with an attempted fraud of Rs 88 lakh.
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee raised concerns about the electoral legitimacy of the current BJP government in West Bengal. He urged the Supreme Court to restore the previous government and conduct fresh elections within six months. The Supreme Court is evaluating the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Banerjee emphasized the need to reinstate all eligible voters excluded from the rolls.
Arrested ex-Bengal Minister Indranil Sen to be produced in court today
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen, who has been arrested by Kolkata Police in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, will be presented at a lower court on Thursday, and the public prosecutor will seek his police custody for further interrogation. He was arrested on Wednesday evening. An insider from the city police said that first he will be taken for medical examination from the Kolkata Police headquarters, and thereafter he will be presented at the city court. A detailed interrogation of the former state minister is necessary to know about other beneficiaries not just in the fake Durga Puja pass scam, but also in other cases of financial irregularities where he got involved during his tenure as a member of the state cabinet during the previous regime. Hence, the public prosecutor will seek his custody, said an insider of the city police associated with the investigation against Sen. In fact, immediately after his arrest, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari gave a subtle hint when he said that other influential persons who were beneficiaries in the alleged scams in which Sen had been accused would not be spared. The CM also indirectly targeted his predecessor and the former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, without directly naming the latter. Sen made his fortune taking advantage of his ministerial position and using his proximity to the former West Bengal Chief Minister. Sen and the former Chief Minister used to sing duets in government programmes. Surely, Sen is not the only one in the previous cabinet who had made his fortune using the ministerial position. The share surely had reached the higher levels. They will not be spared either. Just wait and watch, CM Adhikari said, reacting to Sens arrest. Kolkata Police and Enforcement Directorate (ED) were conducting parallel probes into the alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam. Sen was arrested on Wednesday evening as he came out of the EDs Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata after facing a marathon interrogation in the matter. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with a transaction involving Sen-owned Octave Records. According to the agency, nearly Rs 30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the companys accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen, however, maintained that the payment was made as royalty. Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the state government to investigate alleged institutional corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress regime has initiated an inquiry involving Sen. The commission is examining alleged multi-crore irregularities in the tendering process of the states Information and Cultural Affairs Department, where Sen had served as Minister of State. The inquiry is separate from the money laundering investigation being conducted by the ED
West Bengal cabinet approves new industry policy to attract investments
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to announce details on November 5 along with farmer assistance transfers under state scheme
'Changed circumstances': CBI withdraws pleas to transfer 2021 West Bengal poll violence trials
The CBI's recent decision to withdraw its petitions for relocating the trials of post-poll violence in West Bengal marks a pivotal moment in the state's political dynamics. With BJP's Suvendu Adhikari now at the helm post-2026 elections, initial fears of unfair trial conditions seemed less pressing.
5 flights, long-distance trains cancelled due to cyclone
Arnab tail: Met predicts light rain in city today
Dont neglect mild attack: Docs on World Stroke Day
RG Kar case: 2-day CBI custody for former Panihati Municipality chairperson
Most Salt Lake puja clubs miss park-clear deadline
Teacher attacked during morning walk in Siliguri
No frisking, no CCTV surveillance: MBBS exam shows up pre-RG Kar movement faults
On makeover mode: KIFF set to get new trophy, Sandip Ray redesigns logo
3-minute chaos window killed 19 in Chorbagan, organisers ignored obvious risks, cops tell court
CM reviews safety prep for upcoming festivals
HC calls notices abrupt, six more New Market hotels reopen
No QR code this time, choose green crackers from 1,700 approved makers
First In Bengal: ICMR Pat For IPGMER Endocrinology Department
New KMC ward list: 8 have 20,000+ voters, 12 fewer than 10,000
Cops enter SRFTI campus at night after torchlight march
Kolkata Police investigate woman's body found in Behala pond
Girls statement holds key to Behala strip probe
Teen assaulted in Hastings road rage
Vedanta chief meets Suvendu, explores investments in West Bengal
Anil Agarwal says he will leave no stone unturned to invest in Bengal if the right opportunity presents itself; CM says the industrialist made a specific proposal to set up a unit in Asansol
Bengals new industry policy may fast-track projects over 100 acres
Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen arrested in Durga Puja ticket scam
He faces allegations of financial irregularities and had been reportedly avoiding the police for a while
Fortis Healthcare acquires Suguna Hospital in an all-cash 277-crore deal
Commissioned in 2006, Suguna Hospital is a 110-bed facility on Dr Rajkumar Road in Rajajinagar, north-west Bengaluru
Vedanta explores Rs 80,000 crore investment in West Bengal, says Anil Agarwal
In a bold move, Vedanta Group's Anil Agarwal announced an investment strategy of Rs 70,000-80,000 crore in West Bengal, set to foster job creation for around 10,000 individuals. He conveyed confidence in the state's manufacturing potential and the necessity of leveraging local resources. This announcement came during a key meeting at Nabanna, highlighting Agarwal's commitment to positioning India as a manufacturing powerhouse on the global stage.
STF likely to take over Samserganj encounter probe; Samauls wife seeks compensation
The group would examine the viability of setting up the projects in the State
Ex-WB Minister Held For Durga Puja Entry Pass Scam
Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen was arrested by the Kolkata Police: Reports
Farmer found with throat slit in Gaighata field; 1 detained
After twin encounters, minister Agnimitra pens poem on BJP govts tough-on-crime pitch
CBI Withdraws Bengal Poll Violence Pleas in SC
The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department has since initiated fresh action in cases relating to the 2021 violence, launching 458 inquiries and registering 181 fresh FIRs.
Can you punish laxity by forfeiting the right to vote forever, Supreme Court asks ECI
Form 6 is cast in stone and cannot be changed, says SC, adding that the Bihar judgment is not a binding precedent and that it allowed logical discrepancy in West Bengal as an interim arrangement; top court tells ECI to extend Delhi SIR
Can you punish laxity by forfeiting the right to vote forever, SC asks EC
Form 6 is cast in stone' and cannot be changed. The Bihar judgment is not a binding precedent. Allowed logical discrepancy in West Bengal as an interim arrangement. Dont stick to timelines in Delhi SIR.
Vedanta explores Rs 80,000 crore investment in Bengal for power, aluminium projects: Anil Agarwal
In a promising development, Vedanta's Chairman Anil Agarwal has signaled interest in investing up to Rs 80,000 crore in West Bengal, concentrating on energy and aluminium manufacturing. This venture could generate thousands of jobs, with Asansol identified as a pivotal site due to its resources and infrastructure. Moreover, Agarwal is committed to fostering smaller businesses for downstream industry growth, with thorough feasibility studies to ensure the project's potential success.
Suvendu raises Chandranath murder in assembly, questions source of Rs 2 crore contract
Bijoya visit sparks BJP face-off
SC says legality of EC's 'logical discrepancy' checks in SIR remains undecided
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said its earlier decision allowing the Election Commission to use the category in West Bengal was only an interim measure. It also clarified that the courts ruling on the SIR exercise in Bihar had not settled every legal question surrounding the revision process.
Sarvamangala 2026 Marks the Fifth Year of its Inception with the Sublime Theme of Dharagni
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 28: Sarvamangala 2026 marked the fifth year of its inception with the sublime theme of Dharagni, depicting Earth and Fire coming together in a symbiotic
NCW presents roadmap for womens development in Bengal, submits report to CM Adhikari
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) The National Commission for Women (NCW) has prepared a report consolidating recommendations for the development, safety and empowerment of women in West Bengal and submitted it to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari for consideration. The same has been forwarded to the state Women and Child Development Minister, Malati Rava Roy, said a statement by NCW on Wednesday. The report was prepared following the 'Nari Netritwe Unnoto' conclave, which was held in August this year at the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata. The conclave brought together over 120 stakeholders, including policymakers, administrators, legal experts, healthcare professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, artists and civil society representatives. Deliberations focused on three interconnected priorities related to womens health, safety and social protection; womens leadership in education, arts, literature and culture; and entrepreneurship, industry and economic empowerment. The report sets out recommendations intended to inform policy and strengthen implementation at the grassroots level. Under the 'Holistic Well-being: Health, Safety and Social Protection' initiative, the NCW recommended expanding access to maternal and preventive healthcare, including iron supplementation, support for women recovering from cancer, mobile health camps, eye care and vaccination for women tea-garden workers. Consider a family health-insurance card of Rs 5 lakh registered in the womans name for families without existing health insurance. Strengthen One Stop Centres to provide survivors of domestic violence with coordinated legal aid, counselling, medical care and appropriate shelter support. Expand public awareness of womens legal rights, access to legal aid, safety in public spaces and relevant government schemes; continue strengthening the Durga Suraksha Bahini initiative, read the recommendations as stated in the statement. The NCW further urged the state government to initiate women-led development: entrepreneurship, industry and economic empowerment, and improve institutional credit for Self-Help Groups (SHGs), strengthen cooperative societies and expand access to livelihood programmes, digital literacy and skills training, particularly in remote and border areas. The recommendations emerging from the conclave call for coordinated policy action, adequate resources and robust monitoring to translate women-led development into measurable outcomes across West Bengal. The NCW will continue to engage with the State Government and stakeholders to advance their consideration and effective implementation, read the statement.
Former Bengal minister Indranil Sen arrested over fake Durga Puja pass scam
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) Former West Bengal Tourism Minister and former Minister of State for Information & Cultural Affairs Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday evening in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours. According to investigators, Sen and his wife, Madhuchanda Sen, are accused of irregularities in the sale of fake passes for Durga Puja tours. The transactions under scrutiny were initially estimated to involve around Rs 60 crore. Earlier in the day, the singer-turned-politician appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel probe into the matter. During his questioning at the agency's Salt Lake office, Kolkata Police personnel, along with officers from Bidhannagar City Police, remained stationed outside the premises. After the ED interrogation concluded, police took Sen into custody and transported him to the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar. A police source said the former minister had allegedly not been cooperating with the investigation, leading to his arrest. Earlier this month, Sen approached the Supreme Court with an anticipatory bail petition after a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court rejected his plea earlier. Since the apex court was closed for a week, the matter could not be heard. However, before the matter could come up for hearing in the apex court, he was arrested by the Kolkata Police. The Kolkata Police launched the investigation following a complaint registered at Bowbazar Police Station. The ED subsequently took over the investigation by registering an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR). Last month, the central agency conducted raids and searches at multiple locations, including Sens residence, the premises of some of his relatives and the office or premises of an event manager connected with the case. The agency also questioned Sen twice as part of its investigation. Anticipating arrest, Sen first approached the Calcutta High Court through his counsel, seeking anticipatory bail. The plea came up for hearing before a single-judge bench of Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on October 15. After hearing the matter, the court rejected his application. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with a transaction involving Sen-owned Octave Records. According to the agency, nearly Rs 30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the companys accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen, however, maintained that the payment was made as royalty. Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the West Bengal government to investigate alleged institutional corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress regime has initiated an inquiry involving Sen. The commission is examining alleged multi-crore irregularities in the tendering process of the states Information and Cultural Affairs Department, where Sen had served as Minister of State. The inquiry is separate from the money laundering investigation being conducted by the ED.
Legality of 'logical discrepancy' in SIR not decided: SC
The Supreme Court clarified on Wednesday that it has not yet made a final ruling on the legality of the Election Commission's logical discrepancy category used for scrutinising voter details during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The court noted that its previous permission for this exercise in West Bengal was only an interim arrangement and its Bihar SIR decision was not a final determination of all related issues.
Female teacher stabbed repeatedly by alleged lover in Siliguri, accused attempts suicide
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) A private school teacher was critically injured after she was stabbed multiple times by a man said to be her former lover in West Bengal's Siliguri on Wednesday morning. The accused later allegedly consumed poison and stabbed himself in an apparent suicide attempt, police said. The injured teacher has been identified as Shiuli Dutta. She works as a private teacher in Siliguri. On Wednesday, she went out for a morning walk when a young man named Sajal Das followed her for some distance and then attacked her with a knife. According to police, she received injuries to the face and neck during the assault. The attacker cut off her hair and threw it on the road. The teacher ran and entered a nearby house to save her life. The police further said that the alleged 'lover' also followed her and entered the house. Sajal again stabbed Shiuli repeatedly. Witnesses said the man then consumed poison and later stabbed himself in the abdomen with the same knife. Local residents who attempted to intervene were also threatened and attacked by him, they claimed. A witness identified as Kanchana Mandal told local reporters, The woman ran into the house next door. The man also entered. While stabbing the woman with the knife, he took poison and inserted the knife into his own stomach in front of my eyes. My hands and legs are still shaking when I think of that scene. Several people claimed that they tried to stop Sajal, but the young man also attacked them with a knife. Later, personnel from the Ashighar outpost under Bhaktinagar Police Station rushed to the spot and rescued both the injured woman and the accused. They were taken to Siliguri District Hospital, from where the accused was later shifted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital after his condition deteriorated. Doctors treated the woman for multiple injuries, including wounds to her neck. Police said her condition is currently stable. According to local residents, the accused is married, while the woman is divorced and has a minor son. Locals claimed the two had known each other for years and were previously in a relationship that had reportedly soured in recent months. The victim's brother, Kalyan Saha, alleged that the accused had been harassing his sister for some time and that complaints had earlier been made to the police. Police said an investigation into the incident is underway.
Gujarat bomb threats: Email trail leads to Bangladesh, Pakistan
Digital Desk | Ahmedabad, Oct 28 (IANS) Two separate bomb threat emails sent to schools, courts, government offices and Narendra Modi Stadium in October appear to have been routed through Bangladesh and Pakistan using old email accounts, the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch said on Wednesday. The threats, received on October 7 and October 27, named a total of 35 locations, including 24 schools, the Mayors Office, courts and the cricket stadium in Motera. The police have registered two cases and are investigating them in coordination with central agencies. According to the Cyber Crime Branch, the October 7 email threatened bomb blasts at 16 locations, including 10 schools, the Mayors Office, the Gujarat High Court, the Sola court, the Metro Court at Gheekanta, the District and Sessions Court in Ahmedabad and Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. The email was sent with the subject line Time B00 MB at Gujarat Schools. @11:11AM and used the email addresses onnieeubanks49@gmail.com and kwajids@gmail.com. The message, which invoked Khalistani organisations, urged people not to attend Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjhs shows and threatened explosions at Narendra Modi Stadium on November 21 and at Delhis JLN Stadium on November 1. It also referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and contained references to the Khalistan National Army and Babbar Khalsa, along with the names of several individuals. The second email, received on October 27 from eduak079@gmail.com, carried the subject line Warning! BOMB Blast Ahmedabad Schools @ 1:11 PM. It threatened attacks at 19 locations, including 14 schools, the Mayors Office, two offices at Danapith, the Metro Court at Gheekanta, the City Civil Court in Ahmedabad and Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium. The message again invoked Khalistani organisations and warned of bomb attacks linked to Dosanjhs November 21 show. It also threatened explosions involving iPhones, referred to the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and warned people against travelling through Motera Stadium Metro Station on November 21. The Cyber Crime Branch said it had registered cases in connection with both emails under Sections 351(3), 351(4), 353(1)(b) and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(c) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. Police visited the affected schools and court premises and examined email headers and information obtained from Gmail to trace the origin of the messages. Preliminary findings indicated that the email accounts used to send the threats had been operated from Bangladesh and Pakistan. The October 7 email was traced to accounts apparently operated from Bangladesh and Rawalpindi in Pakistan, while the October 27 email appeared to have been operated from Rangpur in Bangladesh and Lahore in Pakistan, the police said. The investigation has also drawn on an earlier case involving similar bomb threats issued in the name of Khalistani organisations. During that investigation, an accused was arrested in West Bengal. Police found that he had sold hacked Gmail accounts to a person based in Bangladesh. During further questioning, the Bangladesh-based individual disclosed that he sold the accounts to a person in Pakistan and received payments in cryptocurrency, according to officials. Investigators found that individuals based in Pakistan were allegedly sending bomb threat emails ahead of festivals and other significant events to create fear and panic among the public. They were also allegedly obtaining previously used or compromised email accounts from individuals in Bangladesh and elsewhere through Telegram and WhatsApp groups. The Cyber Crime Branch said investigations into both cases are continuing in coordination with central agencies.
Bengal soil theft case: Abhishek Banerjees aide now shown arrested
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) Sumit Roy, the executive assistant of Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, on Wednesday, was shown as arrested by the Diamond District Police in soil theft case. Roy is already serving judicial custody after he was arrested on September 10 this year by the sleuths of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal Police, in connection with a multi-crore illegal land-grabbing case at Salboni in West Midnapore district of West Bengal. With the Diamond Harbour Police showing him as arrested in a new case, political observers feel that additional pressure has started mounting both on him as well as his political bosses. Roy had been shown as arrested by the Diamond Harbour District Police in relation to a case registered against him at Kalitala- Ashuti Police Station under the same police district, where he had been accused of involvement in soil theft to the tune of Rs 400 crore. Roy was produced at a lower court in Kolkata on Wednesday with a request to take him into custody. He is already in judicial custody in the Salboni land corruption case. That investigation is ongoing. Therefore, the Diamond Harbour Police District has shown him as arrested in this soil theft case as per the rules and pleaded for his custody, said a district police officer. In the Salboni illegal land grabbing case, the police first arrested former Trinamool Congress legislator Sujay Hazra. During the investigation of Hazra, the name of Roy in relation to the case surfaced, following which he was arrested by the CID sleuths on September 10 after being questioned a number of times. In the chargesheet filed by the CID in the matter, the investigating agency had given details of how money in the Salboni illegal land grabbing case reached the office of Roy. In the midst of that investigation, he had been shown as arrested in another case by the Diamond Harbour District Police.
BJP accuses Congress of trying to incite violence against CEC through 'public impeachment'
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday alleged that the Congress was attempting to incite violence against Gyanesh Kumar by organising a public impeachment against the Chief Election Commissioner. This comes after the Congress decided to hold the INDIA Blocs proposed public impeachment of CEC Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, at party President Mallikarjun Kharge's official residence on October 30. The event is scheduled to take place ahead of the Opposition alliances joint rally on November 1. Speaking to IANS, BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha referred to the Opposition's move as mock judiciary campaign. They are challenging our judicial system, mocking and taunting our judicial set-up. At a time when the matter is being heard in the Supreme Courtwhere the Election Commission has submitted its affidavit, and the apex court has granted 10 days to the petitioners to file any objections they may havewhat is Congress trying to demonstrate? Are they trying to show that they have zero faith in the country's judicial system? Do they want to set up kangaroo courts in this country? he asked. Further, Sinha alleged, The Congress is inciting violence against Gyanesh Kumar through such mock impeachment. This proves that the Congress party is harmful for the country and its violent approach is proving to be dangerous for democracy. West Bengal BJP MLA, Rudranil Ghosh, said that the Opposition can bring whatever they want, while cautioning Congress President Kharge over his remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They are frustrated after having failed to garner support from the people and, therefore, are now resorting to such things, he told IANS. BJP leader Pratul Shah Deo also accused Congress of making a mockery of Indian democracy and its political system. Now when they (Congress) have realised that they cannot win elections on their own, they are making allegations of vote theft...SIR has been conducted by the Congress also during its tenure, there were no such objections back then, he told IANS. He added, This drama of mock Parliament and impeachment is extremely wrong. If they want to take any action against the CEC, they should follow the Constitutional procedure. Deo defended Gyanesh Kumar, saying that the CEC has driven out illegal infiltrators by conducting the SIR. Meanwhile, All India Mahila Congress President, Alka Lamba, backed the INDIA Blocs anti-SIR rally scheduled to be held at Ramlila Maidan on November 1. It is a mega rally. Around 10 lakh people are arriving here from every corner of India. The main slogan is 'Save the Vote, Save the Nation, Save Democracy'. Nothing can stop this rally from happening now. If the BJP-led government wants to prevent this, Rahul Gandhi ji has already given a suggestion: Accept Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation before October 30th, Lamba stated.
CBI withdraws pleas in SC seeking transfer of 2021 Bengal post-poll violence cases
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday withdrew its petitions seeking the transfer of cases related to the 2021 post-poll violence in West Bengal to courts outside the state, telling the Supreme Court that it no longer wished to pursue the matter in view of the changed circumstances. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the CBI, sought permission to withdraw the transfer petitions before a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The withdrawal comes after the CBI had earlier sought the transfer of these cases outside West Bengal, claiming that threats and intimidation of witnesses, investigating officials and lawyers were creating an atmosphere unconducive to a fair trial. The Central agency had moved the Supreme Court during the tenure of the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal, contending that the prevailing circumstances in the state could impede the course of justice. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed trial proceedings in the post-poll violence cases pending before various courts in West Bengal while considering the CBI's plea seeking their transfer outside the state. At the time, Additional Solicitor General (ASG), S.V. Raju, appearing for the CBI, had submitted that officials, advocates and witnesses were being openly threatened and intimidated, thereby obstructing the course of justice. He had also contended that no effective action appeared to have been taken by the state authorities despite the matter being brought to their notice. The CBI had relied on a 2021 report prepared by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which recommended that cases investigated by the Central agency be tried outside West Bengal. The FIRs in these cases were registered following an order of the Calcutta High Court directing a CBI probe into post-poll violence incidents involving allegations of murder and crimes against women. In a separate development in June last year, the Supreme Court, while cancelling the bail granted to several accused in a post-poll violence case, described the 2021 violence against BJP workers as a dastardly offence and said it was nothing short of a grave attack on the roots of democracy. The apex court further directed the West Bengal Home Secretary and the Director General of Police to ensure adequate protection for the complainant and material witnesses so that they could depose during the trial without fear or apprehension.
Bengal cabinet clears draft industrial policy, to be announced on Nov 5
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) West Bengal cabinet, at a meeting on Wednesday, cleared the draft industrial policy, saying that the policy will be announced on November 5 at an administration review meeting. Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had announced that a comprehensive new industrial policy would be formed within the current year to facilitate investment in the state. Accordingly, a group of ministers was entrusted with the task of forming the new industrial policy in the state in June this year. Finally, the draft policy had been prepared and cleared by the state cabinet in a meeting on Wednesday. The same will be announced on November 5. This new industrial policy will be a gift for the people of West Bengal before the forthcoming Kali Puja and Diwali festivals, said a member of the state cabinet. According to the state cabinet member, the new industrial policy had been prepared with the focus of creating an ideal investment ambience in the state, removing red-tapism in approvals and massive employment generation. Besides approving the draft industrial policy, the state cabinet at Wednesdays meeting also cleared some proposals related to development in sectors like farming and the allied rural economy. The state cabinet also cleared the proposal to change the name of the Krishak Bandhu scheme, which was adopted by the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, to that of Chief Minister Kisan Sanman Nidhi, under which one-time direct financial assistance will be transferred to the bank accounts of 48 lakh registered farmers. The state cabinet also reviewed the expenditure allocation to speed up the administrative infrastructure. The state finance department was directed to immediately release the next instalment of funds to different state government departments that have already spent 35 per cent of their annual budget allocation. Instructions were given to the police department to maintain public safety, peace and order during the festival days, focusing on the forthcoming Kali Puja and Diwali. Ministers have been assigned the responsibility of a specific district to keep a close eye on the situation in those districts during the festival days.
CBI withdraws 20 pleas from SC on Bengal post-poll violence
The CBI has withdrawn approximately 20 petitions from the Supreme Court that sought to transfer cases related to the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence outside the state. The agency cited changed circumstances for its decision, which comes after the state's CID initiated fresh inquiries and reopened cases concerning the violence.
Kolkata Film Festival Likely at Victoria Memorial, Rajinikanth May Attend
The festival, scheduled to be held from December 16 to 23, will be the first edition organised under the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal.
Cyclone Arnab: Heavy Rains Likely In Parts of Bengal Till Oct 31
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of West Bengal till October 31 under the influence of cyclone 'Arnab', which made landfall in the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday withdrew its petitions before the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of trials in cases arising from the violence that followed the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections to courts outside the State. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central agency, sought permission to withdraw the transfer petitions, [] The post CBI withdraws Supreme Court plea seeking transfer of 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence trials outside State appeared first on India Legal .
BJP's Hasirani Rath, Sakharov Sarkar take oath as MLAs in Bengal Assembly
Hasarani Rath and Sakharov Sarkar recently took their oaths as MLAs in the West Bengal Assembly in Kolkata. Their victories in the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls occurred after their predecessors vacated their seats. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari attended the swearing-in and highlighted the transparent live-streaming of the events. Adhikari expressed gratitude to voters and affirmed his commitment to fulfilling their promises.
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Oct 28 (IANS) Karnataka Minister, Priyank Kharge, on Wednesday said the state government was examining whether more locations in Bengaluru and other parts of the state could be denotified as designated protest sites as per requests by some activists, while ensuring that citizens right to demonstrate peacefully was not curtailed. Speaking to reporters, Kharge said the government had met activists who called for more locations to be denotified in Bengaluru. He implied that denotifying the sites will be done so that the rights of the citizens to protest are not curtailed. He said an affidavit had been filed in the High Court by all parties, including civil rights activists, and the government would examine the matter. We have met some activists who suggested that more locations in Bengaluru and across the state should be denotified. We are looking into the matter, he said. Kharge maintained that the government was not interested in restricting citizens rights but stressed the need to balance the right to protest with the rights of other people who might be affected by demonstrations. I would like to put on record that the government is not interested in curbing citizens rights. While ensuring that people can exercise their rights, we must also consider the rights of other citizens affected by protests. It is a fine balance, and we will work to maintain it, he said. The ministers comments on protest sites come against the backdrop of controversy over the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest location in New Delhi. Opposition leaders had criticised the move, arguing that changing the venue could not diminish public anger or the demand for demonstrations. Kharge had also previously criticised the Centre over the issue, accusing the Modi government of suppressing peaceful protests and alleging that it feared the Gen Z movement by denying protesters permission to demonstrate at the designated site. The minister also launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise favoured the ruling party at the Centre and could exclude the ones who oppose them. Kharge stated that nearly one crore people had been left out of the voter lists in the state and said the Karnataka government would examine the circumstances surrounding their exclusion. He alleged that the pre-printing of Form 7 by BJP workers, was introduced to keep certain sections of voters out of the electoral process. This SIR is a process that favours the BJP. It is very evident in West Bengal, it was very evident in Bihar, and even in Karnataka. Nearly one crore people have been left out, he said. Kharge alleged that the Form 7 issue in Chitapur pointed to a conspiracy to manipulate the electoral process. He claimed that 40 Form 7 applications submitted in the constituency were bogus and emphasised that the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), rather than private individuals, had filed a complaint. It is absolutely a conspiracy. In Chitapur, 40 Form 7s have been given, they are all bogus. The ERO has filed a complaint, not some individuals, he said. Citing another instance of alleged irregularities, Kharge referred to Aland in Karnataka and claimed that 5,994 of the 6,018 forms examined there were fake. He also referred to 22,000 chargesheets, though further details about the cases and the nature of the chargesheets were not immediately available. We have exposed vote theft in Aland. Out of 6,018 forms, 5,994 forms are fake and 22,000 chargesheets have been filed, he said. Kharge said the government would scrutinise the voter lists and investigate how the alleged exclusions and irregularities had occurred. He also argued that the process undermined the Oppositions ability to contest elections on a level playing field.
Vedanta's Anil Agarwal keen to invest in Bengal, to meet CM Suvendu Adhikari
Anil Agarwal, Founder and Chairman of Vedanta group, is eager to invest in West Bengal. He plans to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investment proposals. Agarwal believes in the potential of the state and acknowledges the presence of intellectual talent. He emphasized the importance of women empowerment and financial independence for women across the country.
Samserganj encounter: Inspector fired at accused to save his senior, say cops
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) Samiul Sheikh, the murder accused killed in a police encounter at Samserganj in Murshidabad district of West Bengal on Tuesday afternoon, targeted a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) ranking officer before he was killed in counter-firing by an Inspector ranking officer, insiders from the state police confirmed on Wednesday. State police insiders said that Sheikh, an accused in the murder of local BJP leader in Samserganj, was taken on Tuesday afternoon to the scene of the crime to recreate the sequence of events when he suddenly snatched the firearm of an escorting cop and also fired two rounds towards the police personnel. After both his targets missed, sources said, the accused specially targeted the DSP, leaving no other option for the Inspector to resort to counter-firing, killing Samiul Sheikh. It is learnt that Samiul Sheikh was hit on his head by a bullet, which ultimately led to his death. He was rushed to the local Jangipur Sub-divisional hospital where he was declared dead. This was the second encounter on Tuesday, the first being at Gaighata I North 24 Parganas district on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, when Prahlad Das, an accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl in his locality, was killed in a police encounter. In this case also, Das allegedly tried to escape after snatching the firearm of an escorting cop and also fired at the on-duty police personnel. Although some human rights activists' groups have condemned the twin encounters and described them as extra-judicial executions, top members of the West Bengal Cabinet including Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, justified the police actions in these two cases. The Chief Minister of the BJP government in the state had claimed that he had given a free hand to the police to tackle the twin social evils of crimes against women and narcotics trafficking. The state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister, Dilip Ghosh had claimed that at times cops have to do some unpleasant work for the sake of larger public interest. The state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister, Agnimitra Paul, has written a poem and posted the same on the wall of her social media handle, indirectly backing the Gaighata and Samserganj encounters.
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 27: Integrated communications agency Nico Digital partnered with Salt Lake Sanskritik Sansad for its Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations at Central Park, Salt Lake, managing
SIR Is A Process To Favour BJP: Priyank Kharge Alleges Conspiracy To Exclude Voters
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was aimed at favouring the BJP and keeping the opposition out of electoral contests, claiming that nearly one crore voters had been left out of the process. Kharge alleged that the exercise had raised concerns in West Bengal, Bihar and Karnataka, and said the state government would examine the exclusion of voters and the alleged bulk printing of Form 7 applications.
Cyclone Arnab weakens; Odisha, Bengal brace for impact
Cyclone Arnab, which made landfall as a very severe cyclonic storm along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast, has weakened and is now expected to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds to parts of West Bengal until October 31, while Odisha remains on high alert with over 30,000 residents evacuated.
Delay in delimitation work may push Bengal civic polls by a month
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 28 (IANS) The polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), is likely to be delayed by around a month due to pending delimitation-related ward-wise rearrangement of voters, sources in the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) have said. As per the initial schedule, polling for the seven civic bodies was expected to be held in the last week of November, with results slated for announcement in the first week of December. However, officials indicated that the voter rearrangement exercise linked to delimitation remains incomplete in quite a few wards. According to sources in the West Bengal State Election Commission, the ward-wise voter redistribution process is still pending in around 100 wards under the KMC area and is expected to take additional time to finish. As a result, conducting the elections before the third or fourth week of December may not be feasible. All attempts will be made to complete the process by the third week of December so that the counting process and declaration of results can be completed before the year-end. However, by any chance if the polling is conducted in the last week of December, the results will be declared before the first week of January next year, a WBSEC source said. A delay in elections to the KMC and HMC would also affect polling for five other municipalities scheduled to vote simultaneously: Haldia Municipality in East Midnapore district, Dhupguri Municipality in Jalpaiguri district, Bally Municipality in Howrah district, and Kalimpong and Kurseong municipalities in the hill districts of Kalimpong and Darjeeling. The issue was discussed at an all-party meeting convened by the WBSEC on Tuesday. Most opposition parties urged the Commission to conduct the elections using the voter lists that existed before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, alleging that many eligible voters were excluded during the revision process. According to sources, representatives of the Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, the CPI(M)-led Left Front, and the Congress expressed concern that a large number of voters had been dropped from the electoral rolls during the revision process. The representatives from three political outfits claimed that during the SIR exercise names of many eligible voters were deleted from the voters list, with the fates of many of them hanging at the end of the Appellate Tribunals. They contended that in such a situation it would be unfair for those voters if the polling for the urban civic bodies were conducted based on the post-SIR voters list
Second police encounter in 12 hours: Accused in BJP workers murder shot dead in West Bengal
On October 27 Prahlad Das, accused of raping and murdering a minor girl in North 24 Parganas was shot dead in an encounter; almost 12 hours later Samaul Sheikh, was shot dead in a gunfight with police in Murshidabad
India targets 5 million metric tonnes annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) India aims to develop 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of annual green hydrogen production capacity by 2030, an official factsheet said on Wednesday. This transition can reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen the countrys long-term energy security. The National Green Hydrogen Mission marks an important step towards building a cleaner, more self-reliant and globally competitive energy economy. The Mission is expected to reduce cumulative fossil fuel imports by approximately Rs 1 lakh crore by 2030. Beyond energy security, the Mission seeks to create new opportunities for industrial growth, investment and employment. It is expected to mobilise over Rs 8 lakh crore in investments and generate more than 6 lakh jobs across manufacturing, infrastructure, research, and project development. The production and use of the targeted green hydrogen quantum could also help avert nearly 50 MMT of carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to the factsheet. Moreover, six States have notified dedicated green hydrogen policies, complementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal are the States with notified dedicated policies. Four more states are finalising their dedicated green hydrogen policies. Haryana, Punjab, Bihar and Kerala are working on the draft policies. Seven States have integrated hydrogen into their existing industrial and renewable energy policy frameworks. These include Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Chhattisgarh. Moreover, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), directly or through the National Institute of Solar Energy, has signed MoUs, Letters of Intent or Joint Declarations of Intent. The partners are Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Uzbekistan. An MoU on renewable energy has been signed with the Netherlands. An IndiaUS Hydrogen Task Force has been formed under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership. Green hydrogen is a focus area of the IndiaUS New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP). The MNRE launched the Green Hydrogen Certification Scheme of India in April 2025. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) accredits agencies for monitoring, verification and certification. A dedicated portal went live in June 2026 for transparent certification and compliance. Credible certification will help Indian producers compete with confidence globally. Through these efforts, the government aims to accelerate industrial decarbonisation, strengthen domestic manufacturing and position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, use and exports. This will contribute to Indias broader vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
BJPs Newly Elected MLAs to Take Oath in West Bengal Today
Two BJP MLAs elected from Nandigram and Rezinagar will take their oaths today in West Bengals assembly. BJPs Newly Elected MLAs to Take Oath in West Bengal Today
On October 28, Indias weather forecast indicates a mix of conditions across several states. Heavy rains are likely in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha, driven by a cyclonic system. In contrast, the Delhi-NCR region could experience partly cloudy skies. Residents in these areas are advised to stay updated and heed safety guidelines as thunderstorms may develop.
After Behala naked mob justice, cops parade 3 accused semi-naked to reconstruct crime
In 1 day, Bengal sees 2 crime scene encounter deaths
Dropout, semester system priority for new HS council chief
500 kg waste collected in Elliot Park plogging drive
Trains & flights to avoid Arnab path, travel disruptions likely
Dim lights, improvisation queries for Chorbagan pandal theme artist
A month on, stir spills over to other campuses as SRFTI students launch nationwide protests
Rain hits Kolkata before cyclone Arnab makes landfall
