Calcutta HC set to pronounce its verdict today in KMC ward delimitation case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 6 (IANS) A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court will pronounce a crucial verdict on Friday in the case challenging the recent delimitation of wards in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), which is scheduled to go to the polls this year-end. The hearing in the matter was concluded at the Calcutta High Courts Division Bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Justice Arjun Roy on November 4. However, the Division Bench reserved judgment, barring the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) from announcing the schedule for the forthcoming KMC polls until the court pronounced the order. Now, on Friday, the Division Bench will pronounce judgment in the matter, and it will be clear whether polling for the formation of the new KMC board will happen by the year-end or not. Polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including KMC and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), is likely to take place in the last week of December, and results are expected to be announced in the first week of January next year. Before that, the delimitation of the wards in KMC had been announced, increasing the number of wards to 209 from 144. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India(Marxist) approached the Calcutta High Court, challenging the delimitation process. In the petition filed by CPI(M) leader and former party Councillor Dipu Das, she claimed that despite some serious objections to the new ward delimitation being raised and a proposal mooted for a 'spot visit' and a public hearing in the area to get the opinions of the citizens, no importance was given to those objections and proposals. The petitioner also claimed that several aspects, including the population and geographical location of the wards, were not properly considered in the delimitation exercise. She even claimed that this move was made to give benefits to a specific party. Initially, the matter was heard at the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya. However, instead of passing any specific order in the matter, Justice Bhattacharya directed all parties concerned to file affidavits in the matter. Thereafter, the petitioner approached the Division Bench of Justice Bhattacharya and Justice Roy, challenging the order of the single-judge bench. The petitioner contended that if the WBSEC were to announce the schedule of the KMC before a clear judgment in the matter, her petition would not have any relevance. The hearing on the matter in the Division Bench concluded on November 4, and at the end of the hearing, the Division Bench ruled that the WBSEC should not announce the schedule for the KMC polls till the court pronounced its verdict in the matter.
Will do something for Singur, West Bengal CM signals fresh industrial push
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that the government was in talks with Ashok Leyland for setting up a plant at Singur
The announcement of incentives marks a policy shift for West Bengal as the previous Trinamool Congress government had scrapped industrial incentive schemes and subsidies
A new sunrise: Bengal Inc welcomes incentives offered in states new industrial policy
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ED Busts Fake Tender Racket, Raids Locations In Tripura, Bengal, Maharashtra
The Enforcement Directorate conducted search and seizure operations at 13 locations across Tripura, West Bengal, and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket. The probe targets a suspended IAS officer and co-conspirators involved in a money-laundering investigation, with victims defrauded of over Rs 44 crore.
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West Bengal unveils new investment policy, offers up to 120% assistance
The policy offers enhanced incentives for priority-sector investments, but excludes an estimated 50,000 crore backlog of industrial incentives promised under previous regimes
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Why India Needs an Integrated Approach to Corporate Real Estate - And What Vestian Is Solving
JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investments worth 50,000 crore across power, steel, cement, ports and related sectors.
Industry bodies and captains welcomed the new policy, stating that it is pragmatic, forward-looking and investor-friendly
Congress suspends 200 office-bearers for skipping INDIA bloc's Delhi rally on SIR; BJP mocks
The Indian Youth Congress on Thursday suspended 202 office-bearers across seven states for failing to attend the INDIA blocs Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao rally held at Delhis Ramlila Maidan on November 1. According to sources, disciplinary action has been taken against office-bearers in Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
ED raids 13 locations across three states, including Tripura, over Rs 14.55-crore tender scam
Guwahati: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted search and seizure operations at 13 locations across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket that reportedly defrauded a Nagpur-based company of approximately Rs 14.55 crore. The searches were carried out on November 4 by the EDs Agartala Sub-Zonal Office under [] The post ED raids 13 locations across three states, including Tripura, over Rs 14.55-crore tender scam appeared first on NorthEast Now .
ED raids 13 premises in Tripura, Bengal and Maharashtra over alleged fake govt tender racket
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Agartala, Nov 5 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search and seizure operations at 13 premises across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket operated through a fictitious entity named the 'Directorate of Higher Education'. The central probe agency said on Thursday that the searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targeting individuals and entities allegedly linked to the racket. The searches were conducted by the ED's Agartala Sub-Zonal office on Wednesday, in connection with an ongoing money-laundering investigation arising from FIR registered at Capital Complex Police station in Agartala, the probe agency said in a statement. It said that the FIR was registered on the complaint of Nagpur based M/s S.K. Sales Corporation, against Abhishek Chandra, a Tripura cadre IAS officer, and co-conspirators, alleging that the firm was fraudulently induced to pay Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) of around Rs 14.55 crore between September 2024 and February 2025 against purported tenders of the of Tripura government in the mid-day meal and power sectors, which were never floated. The offences registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, relating to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, cheating by personation and forgery, are scheduled offences under the PMLA, 2002. Accordingly, the ED recorded an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) and initiated investigation under the PMLA, 2002. Investigation has revealed that Abhishek Chandra (presently under suspension) represented himself as the officer controlling tender processes in the Tripura government and introduced the complainant to one Utpal Kumar Chowdhury as the official responsible for processing payments. The EMDs were paid through demand drafts in favour of 'Directorate of Higher Education', which was, in fact, a proprietary concern of Utpal Kumar Chowdhury bearing a name deceptively similar to the genuine government department. Forged tender notices and work orders were allegedly used, and a joint venture with Krishna Chakraborty, represented by her husband Sudip Paul, was used to structure the collection of funds. Partial 'refunds' were made at critical junctures to sustain the confidence of the victim and induce further payments. The ED said that the funds credited into the fictitious entity's accounts were allegedly layered within days, and in some instances within 24 hours, through a network of shell entities, several of which are registered in the names of domestic staff and associates of Utpal Kumar Chowdhury. The proceeds of crime were allegedly utilised for acquisition of immovable properties, including flats in a housing project and a residential property in Mumbai's Shivaji Park in the names of family members of Abhishek Chandra, as well as for foreign travel and luxury goods. Funds were also allegedly routed through an alleged hawala conduit based in Kolkata. The ED is already investigating Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and others, arising out of five FIRs registered in West Bengal and Tripura, wherein the same fictitious entity and modus operandi were used to defraud multiple victims of an aggregate amount exceeding Rs 44 crore. In that case, provisional attachment orders on January 22, 2026 and July 31, 2026, have already been issued. The search proceedings were conducted in the residential premises of Abhishek Chandra and hawala operators and also in the office premises of several companies/entities connected to the money trail, the ED statement said. During the course of search proceedings, voluminous documentary evidences of hawala transactions, several high value property details and other evidences indicating suspicious control over corporate entities were found and seized. Digital devices and records belonging to various accused persons crucial to the current investigation were also seized. Further investigation is underway.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, announced an alternative route for land procurement for new and proposed industrial units, balancing the interests of the investors, landowners and other stakeholders soon after unveiling the new industrial policy for the state The Chief Minister said that the new land procurement route to be adopted by the state government led by him will be totally different from what was pursued either by the Left Front government or by the Trinamool Congress government. According to him, the principal operative part of the land procurement policy of the state government led by him will be direct land purchase from the landowners first by the state government and thus create a land bank in the state. Subsequently, the required land from that land bank will be handed over for the new and proposed industrial project, claimed the Chief Minister. The Left Front government followed the policy of forceful land acquisition from landowners for industrial projects, which we are strongly against. The Trinamool Congress played no role in land procurement for new industries, which acted as a negative factor for attracting big-ticket investments. We will not adopt any of these two policies, and instead the state government will directly purchase land from the landowners, he further claimed. He also said that besides the proposed land bank to be created from the land directly purchased from the landowners, the state government will also provide land for new industrial projects from the land available at the existing industrial parks in the state and from the clusters of erstwhile encroached land recovered by the state government. He said that already in the first six months of the new state government led by him, land had already been handed over to 33 business groups. We are well settled to meet the land requirement for new industrial units, the Chief Minister said. Industry and economic observers too feel that the policy of the state government directly purchasing the land from the landowners and subsequently handing over that land for new industrial units was the need of the hour. In a state like West Bengal where the land-holding pattern is extremely fragmented, attracting big ticket investment will never be possible without the state government playing a role in land procurement, said city-based economist Probir Mukherjee. He added that forceful land acquisition can be counterproductive, as it happened in the cases of Singur and Nandigram during the Left Front regime. The new land policy adopted by the state government will be ideal as it maintains a balance between the interests of investors, land-owners and other stakeholders, said Mukherjee.
Centre launches 9th tranche of e-auction for critical mineral blocks
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) The Union Mines Ministry on Thursday launched the ninth tranche of e-auction for critical and strategic mineral blocks, together with the third tranche of the auction for Grant of Exploration Licence (EL) blocks. The launch was officiated by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as Chief Guest. A total of 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks are being put up for auction in the ninth tranche. Five critical mineral blocks are located in Chhattisgarh, while Rajasthan, Telangana, and West Bengal account for three each. Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra each have two blocks, followed by Bihar and Andhra Pradesh with one each. The blocks contain critical minerals such as graphite, vanadium, gallium, titanium, tungsten, and scandium. These are used as critical elements in clean energy technologies, electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, fertilisers, defence, aerospace, electronics, and other strategic industries, thereby strengthening India's mineral security and supporting the country's energy transition, an official statement said. In the previous eight tranches, 100 unique critical and strategic mineral blocks were offered, of which 64 have been successfully auctioned. Alongside the ninth tranche, the Ministry of Mines also launched the third tranche of the auction of exploration licences. Exploration Licences, introduced through Section 10BA of the MMDR Act, enable private investment in the exploration of 29 critical and deep-seated minerals specified in the Seventh Schedule of the Act, opening up exploration to private industry even before mining begins. So far, 11 EL blocks have been successfully auctioned in two tranches. The government has notified the Mineral (Auction) Third Amendment Rules, 2026 on October 16, reducing the minimum number of Technically Qualified Bidders required for the second round from three to two for Part D minerals. The change, built into the tender documents for both tranches, addresses a key reason blocks have gone unsold. Letters of Intent will now be issued automatically through the Unified Mining Portal. These build on earlier reforms, including the Mineral (Auction) Second Amendment Rules, 2025 and Insurance Surety Bonds, aimed at improving ease of doing business and investor confidence. The sale of tender documents for both auction processes commenced on Thursday. The last date for purchase of the tender document is January 1, 2027 (by 5 p.m. IST), and the last date for submission of bids (Technical Bid and Initial Price Offer) is January 7, 2027. Critical Mineral Blocks (Composite Licence and Mining Lease) will be auctioned online through a transparent two-stage ascending forward auction, where the bidder quoting the highest percentage of revenue share wins. Exploration Licence Blocks will be auctioned online through a transparent two-stage descending reverse auction, where the bidder quoting the lowest percentage share of the revenue share of the future lessee wins. Details are available on the MSTC e-auction platform at: https://www.mstcecommerce.com/auctionhome/mlcln/
Bengal govt unveils new industrial policy; incentives for industrialists announced
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday unveiled the states new industrial policy and announced a host of incentives for attracting new investments in various schemes ranging from power tariff to employers contribution in Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and from stamp duty exemption to state government assistance in human resource development (HRD). As per the new industrial policy, electricity tariff exemption will be provided for new investments in both the manufacturing and services sector for up to five years. The state government will also provide financial assistance for rent on leased premises for setting up new units. In the micro-small-medium enterprises (MSMEs) segment, the state government will provide loans at affordable interest rates and also help in the implementation of new technologies. The financial assistance will be more in the case of new investment proposals in the industrially backward sub-divisions in the state. In case of mega projects, where 50 jobs will be created per acre, the state government will provide assistance in the construction of roads and ensuring water and electricity connections at the earliest. The state government also proposed stamp-duty exemptions on land for industrial projects and assistance in human resource development. The new industrial policy also proposes 100 per cent duty-free for educational institutions or hospitals run from the corporate social responsibility (CSR) corpus, provided the industry house concerned invests at least Rs 100 crore behind that education and medical project. The most attractive of the different incentive proposals was as regards to the state government assistance in employers contribution in EPF, with a focus on generating employment for people from the transgender community. In the MSMEs segment, the state government will bear the entire employers contribution to EPF for women and transgender employees for up to 10 years. In case of male employees in the MSME segment, the state government will bear 50 per cent of the employers contribution for the same period. In cases of units with more than 200 employees, the state government will bear 75 per cent of the employer's contribution for female and transgender employees and 50 per cent for male employees. In large units and mega projects with at least 200 employees in priority areas and at least 400 employees elsewhere, 50 per cent of the employers contribution in EPF will be borne by the state for up to five years. Employment will have to be created in the case of expansion of old industrial units. In case of investment in plant and machinery, the total assistance limit for general units will be 100 per cent. In thrust sector units, it will be 110 per cent, and in priority sectors, it will be 120 per cent. However, assistance will be provided gradually after the beginning of production. The new industrial policy has also fixed the deadlines for clearances for new industrial units. According to it, all applications should be made through a single-window portal, where the certificate of intent will be granted within 30 days, and the certificate of eligibility will be granted within 45 days from the beginning of production.
WBSSC Group C and D Result 2026 Out - Download Preliminary Interview List PDF
The West Bengal Central School Service Commission (WBSSC) has released the WBSSC Group C and D Result 2026 on 5 November 2026 for the 1st State Level Selection Test (Non-Teaching Staff), 2025. Separate preliminary interview lists have been published for Group C (Clerk) and Group D posts. Candidates who appeared in the written examinations held on 1 March 2026 for Group C and 8 March 2026 for Group D can check their names, roll numbers, marks and preliminary interview-list positions through the published result documents.
'Johnny Johnny..': Sambit Patra Uses Nursery Rhymes to Mock INDIA Bloc, dares Rahul to debate Mamata
BJP MP Sambit Patra has launched a sharp attack on the INDIA bloc, targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Patra mocked the opposition leaders with nursery-rhyme references, saying Johnny Johnny Yes Papa and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star as he questioned their political positions. He challenged Rahul Gandhi to debate with Banerjee over his earlier allegations of corruption against her, and also questioned whether the Congress and its INDIA bloc partners were united. Patra accused Rahul of avoiding parliamentary debate and criticised the oppositions campaign against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He also defended the ongoing SIR process and the removal of names from voter lists.
WBCS Prelims Result 2026 Out - Download Merit List and Cut Off PDF
The Public Service Commission, West Bengal (WBPSC), has released the WBCS Prelims Result 2026 on 5 November 2026 for the West Bengal Civil Service (Executive) etc. (Preliminary) Examination, 2024, conducted under Advertisement No. 08/2024. According to the official result notice, 3,842 candidates have provisionally qualified for the final written (Main) examination.
West Bengal investment policy puts jobs first, offers up to 120% assistance to industries
West Bengal has launched a new investment promotion policy aimed at encouraging industrial growth and job creation. The policy includes substantial incentives for businesses, especially those focused on employing women and transgender workers. It offers streamlined processes for approvals and payments, enhancing efficiency for investors. Priority areas will receive higher assistance levels and a framework for regular review every three years.
Comparing Total Cost of Ownership: Goa Villa vs. Apartment in a Metro City
JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investments worth 50,000 crore across power, steel, cement, ports and related sectors.
Rahul Gandhi has no data, only creates ruckus: BJP accuses Congress of spreading confusion over SIR
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Nov 5 (IANS) BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra on Thursday accused the Congress of creating confusion among people across the country over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and attempting to spread anarchy, saying that Rahul Gandhi has no data, and only creates ruckus. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru, Patra said the BJP was reaching out to young people, the media and the general public to explain how constitutional institutions such as the Election Commission function, while the Congress was pursuing a contrary approach. He said the BJP was holding discussions with different sections of society to explain the facts surrounding SIR and create awareness about the functioning of constitutional institutions. For a healthy democracy, the BJP is making efforts to reach out to everyone. Democracy must be protected, and people should understand the truth and how the country's constitutional institutions function, he said. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Patra said the Congress leader lacked information and statistics about developments in the country and was only interested in creating disturbances. Rahul Gandhi has no data, only creates ruckus. He does not know what is happening in the country, but goes to the streets and creates a commotion. At the same time, he wants to debate with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Patra said. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi did not remain seated in Parliament for even five or six minutes, frequently moving in and out of the House instead of participating in debates. Patra said he had personally observed the Congress leader's conduct and challenged him to engage in meaningful discussions. Patra further alleged that Rahul Gandhi should first hold discussions with leaders of his own INDIA bloc. Referring to the Congress leader's earlier statements about Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he questioned whether they were still on good terms with him. He recalled that Rahul Gandhi had described Kejriwal as his friend but had accused the AAP government in Punjab of corruption. He also referred to Rahul Gandhi's remarks about the Mamata Banerjee-led government in West Bengal before the Assembly elections, claiming that the Congress leader had predicted the BJP's victory by alleging corruption in the state government. Rahul Gandhi should clarify whether Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee are with him or not. His only job is to create disputes and anarchy, Patra said. Referring to Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi's reported statement that there were no objections to the SIR exercise in Karnataka, Patra said Rahul Gandhi should visit the state and discuss the issue with him. He said Jarkiholi had reportedly stated that while there were objections to SIR in other states, there was no such opposition in Karnataka. Patra also referred to the minister's statement that the names of deceased persons should be removed from electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi should come to Karnataka and hold discussions with Satish Jarkiholi, he suggested. Patra also criticised Rahul Gandhi over an alleged incident during a protest in Delhi, claiming that the Congress leader had pushed Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar away. He alleged that Shivakumar had been humiliated during the protest and had even shed tears over the treatment meted out to him. I am not from the Congress to speak on behalf of D.K. Shivakumar, but look at Rahul Gandhi's arrogance and that of the Gandhi family. Shivakumar should have held a press conference and explained how he was treated badly in Delhi, Patra said. Referring to the recent Legislative Council elections in Karnataka, Patra said the BJP had won despite ballot papers being used in the elections. He also referred to the controversy surrounding alleged bogus voting in the Western Graduates' Constituency election, in which a woman named Shilpa Badmannavar was accused of impersonating a Congress district president's wife and casting a vote. He demanded that Rahul Gandhi discuss these issues as well as the recent increases in bus fares and milk prices in Karnataka. Accusing the Congress of deliberately creating controversy over electoral rolls, Patra said its leaders were participating in protests and celebrating without providing evidence of alleged vote theft. If votes have been stolen, they should file complaints. What were their booth-level agents doing? he asked. He said the removal of names under the Absent, Shifted, Dead and Duplicate (ASDD) category during SIR was a normal exercise and alleged that Congress leaders wanted the names of deceased persons to remain on electoral rolls to facilitate bogus voting. Patra maintained that voters whose names had been wrongly omitted during SIR could apply to have them included again. Despite this provision, he alleged, the Congress continued to accuse the Election Commission of electoral manipulation. He claimed that nearly three crore voters had been issued notices during the SIR exercise, but many had failed to respond. He further alleged that illegal immigrants, including Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, had been included in electoral rolls. Accusing West Bengal's former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of facilitating Aadhaar cards for such people and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi of providing them ration cards, Patra alleged that the SIR exercise had affected the Congress's vote bank. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking steps to protect genuine Indian citizens, not to protect Bangladeshis, he said. Patra also criticised Neha Bora, whom he identified as the president of the All India Students' Association, over her alleged remarks that incidents of sexual assault by priests inside temples would take place in India as they had in Bangladesh. He alleged that she was now associated with Rahul Gandhi and had become a new face of the Congress. He accused both Rahul Gandhi and Bora of supporting illegal immigrants. Responding to allegations that the Election Commission had become a puppet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Patra rejected the charge and said the BJP was trying to explain the functioning of the constitutional body to the public. He said the Congress had already approached the Supreme Court challenging the SIR exercise, adding that it was the responsibility of political parties to defend constitutional institutions against political attacks. If a political party attempts to attack a constitutional institution, it is the responsibility of another political party to oppose it. The Election Commission is also a constitutional institution, he said. Referring to the Congress's allegation that 13 crore votes had been stolen across the country, Patra said the BJP had provided information to counter the charge. He maintained that electoral rolls were prepared after bringing the process to the notice of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of all political parties. Patra said the BJP opposed religious fundamentalism and described India as a secular country. Reacting to Bora's alleged remarks about developments in Bangladesh, he said the BJP would not remain silent but would approach the people peacefully through constitutional means. He challenged the Congress to submit evidence of alleged electoral fraud to the Election Commission or the Supreme Court if it had any. BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, state general secretary and MLA V. Sunil Kumar, state general secretary Preetham Gowda, chief spokesperson Ashwathnarayan and BJP Yuva Morcha state president and MLA Dheeraj Muniraju were present at the press conference.
NDA holds Save Democracy march in Darbhanga; Bhupender Yadav defends electoral roll revision
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 5 (IANS) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday organised a 'Loktantra Bachao, Arajakta Hatao' (Save Democracy, End Anarchy) march in Bihar's Darbhanga district, with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav defending the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls as essential for strengthening democracy. Addressing a gathering at the Polo Ground protest site in Laheriasarai, Yadav said the electoral roll revision exercise was neither new nor unprecedented in the country. He claimed that such exercises had been conducted eight times since 1950, making the current exercise the ninth. He described the revision as being in the national interest and important for ensuring the credibility of the country's democratic system. Recalling the Emergency, Yadav said NDA leaders had fought to protect democracy during that period and asserted that the alliance remained committed to safeguarding democratic values. He urged people to remain vigilant against any threat to democratic institutions. Highlighting the historical and cultural significance of the Mithila region, he said it was the land of Mother Janaki (Sita) and that Bihar had played a significant role in the development of democracy. He said a strong message in favour of democratic values should emerge from this historic land. Explaining the purpose of the electoral roll revision, Yadav said it was intended to remove the names of deceased persons and those who had shifted from their previous places of residence. It would also help eliminate duplicate entries where the same person's name appeared in electoral rolls at different locations. He alleged that those opposing the revision were indirectly supporting the inclusion of infiltrators in electoral rolls and undermining the interests of genuine Indian voters. The Union Minister maintained that no eligible voter's name could be arbitrarily deleted during the exercise, as political parties had their own Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to monitor the process. He claimed that during the previous election, political parties had deployed around 1.7 lakh BLAs, but only two objections were raised before the Supreme Court. He said the court subsequently examined the matter and upheld the validity of the process. Yadav further claimed that the Congress-led government had provided four documentary options for voter registration, while the present government had expanded the list to 11 documents. He said voters could submit any one of the prescribed documents to establish their eligibility and get their names included in the electoral rolls. Taking a political swipe at the Opposition, he alleged that the SIR exercise was being criticised mainly because of electoral defeats in Bihar and West Bengal. He pointed out that the process was not facing similar opposition in states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The march was attended by several prominent NDA leaders, including JD(U) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha, Bihar BJP President Sanjay Saraogi and Darbhanga MP Gopalji Thakur. A large number of workers from various NDA constituencies also participated in the march, raising slogans under the campaign's central message, 'Save Democracy, End Anarchy'.
Explosives Seized, Two Arrested In Birbhum STF Raid
West Bengal's Special Task Force (STF) conducted raids in Birbhum district, seizing a large quantity of explosives and illegal firearms. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the operation, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the materials, including potential links to criminal or terrorist activities.
Bengals shifting alliances expose limits of 'united opposition' politics
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) The latest signs of discord within the INDIA bloc in West Bengal have once again highlighted the enduring fragility of Opposition unity in a state where shifting political alignments have frequently been driven by electoral compulsions rather than ideological convergence. The debate resurfaced after senior Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reportedly refused to moderate his criticism of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, despite indications of improving ties among Opposition parties at the national level. Chowdhury, recalling what he described as years of political poaching and intimidation by the Trinamool Congress (TMC), maintained that his political experience left little room for reconciliation. The statement has once again exposed one of the deepest contradictions in West Bengal politics, a deeply fractured opposition where the three main constituents have been bitter rivals at one point or another. Yet, the states electoral history has witnessed ideological and political rivalry often yielding to political interests and electoral arithmetic. Parties that once fought bitter battles have joined hands when they thought appropriate. Before 1977, the Congress was the principal political force in West Bengal, with the occasional opposition alliance gaining power in between periods of Presidents Rule till it returned in 1972 for an uninterrupted five-year run. The rise of the Left Front, led by the CPI(M), culminated in its historic victory in 1977, beginning a rule that would last for about 34 years. During this period, Congress became the principal opposition, and the relationship between the two camps was marked by intense confrontation. Senior Congress leaders still complain of alleged atrocities, especially during the Emergency. But while rising through the ranks of the Congress, Mamata Banerjee increasingly became frustrated with what she perceived as the party's inability to effectively challenge the Left Front. In 1998, she broke away to form the Trinamool Congress. One of her principal allegations was that sections of the Congress leadership had developed a covert understanding with the CPI(M), allowing Left dominance to continue. Mamatas politics was built around uncompromising opposition to both the Left and, frequently, the Congress state leadership. The split redefined state politics, with the anti-Left vote, once largely going to the Congress, now had a new and more aggressive challenger. Initially, it was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that she embraced as a strategic partner. At a time when the BJP was a relatively minor force in Bengal, she described it as a natural ally in the struggle against communist rule. However, as political circumstances changed, she distanced herself from the BJP and gradually moved closer to the Congress; the common enemy remained the Left Front. By the late 2000s, the Congress and the TMC had entered into an electoral understanding that proved decisive, benefiting from public anger over Singur and Nandigram. Once in power, several Congress leaders and workers crossed over to the Trinamool, weakening the alma mater considerably. It is this period that Chowdhury referred to, accusing Mamata of breaking the Congresss organisational structure in the state. Even the communists made similar allegations, and political compulsions produced what was once unthinkable: the Congress and the Left joined hands. The partnership was built on shared weakness and a common objective to resist both the Trinamools dominance and the BJPs expansion. As the BJP behemoth spread East amidst a groundswell even in states controlled by regional satraps, the political equation in West Bengal changed once again, leading to Mamata spreading her arms to embrace her rivals. Some analysts attribute Chowdhurys Wednesday remarks to personal grievance, being replaced as West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) President soon after his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Chowdhurys leadership had been marked by a confrontational stance towards the Trinamool government, especially for Mamata, and his resignation was seen as a move to re-organise the Congress party. Subhankar Sarkar, the new WBPCC chief, was reportedly more inclusive and pliant in terms of the Congress seeking partners in challenging the BJP. Others point to tension between political memory being compromised at the altar of political necessity amidst shifting interests being shaped by changing electoral realities. The shifting sands of politics in West Bengal thus depict the fragility of a united Opposition in several chapters of the countrys political history.
Behrampore Elderly Couple Lose Rs 46 Lakh In Fake NIA Officer Digital Arrest Scam
Behrampore: An elderly couple in West Bengals Behrampore allegedly lost Rs 46 lakh after falling victim to a digital arrest scam involving a fraudster impersonating a senior National Investigation Agency (NIA) official. The victims, identified as 70-year-old Mukul Dutta and his wife Chanchala Dutta, were contacted by the fraudster on September 22. The caller allegedly []
Six years on, Bengal police arrest Abhishek Banerjee aide in 2020 Nadda convoy attack
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) The West Bengal Police arrested a youth Trinamool Congress leader in connection with the attack on the convoy of then Bharatiya Janata Party national president J.P. Nadda in South 24 Parganas district on December 10, 2020, the police said on Thursday. The arrested man, identified as Imran Hasan, was the Youth Trinamool Congress president of the Magrahat (Paschim) Assembly constituency. He is said to be a close aide of the Trinamool Congress (Mamata Banerjee faction) general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee. Hasan was arrested by personnel of Usti police station, under the Diamond Harbour Police District, from the Deula area on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, a district police official said. He will be produced before a district court later on Thursday. The prosecution is expected to seek his police custody for further interrogation. Apart from the attack on Naddas convoy, Hasan is facing allegations of threatening voters ahead of the 2021 and 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, torturing BJP leaders and workers in Magrahat (Paschim), and vandalising the houses of leaders and workers associated with the BJP, the official said. Hasan is the seventh person arrested in connection with the attack, which took place nearly six years ago. The police had earlier arrested six people: Tausif Ahmed Mollah alias Bachchu, Arif Hossain, Anisur Rahman, Sanjeev Mondal, Ripon Sheikh and Jahangir Khan. Investigators are examining whether more people were involved in the incident, the district police official said. Nadda, who was then the BJPs national president, had visited Diamond Harbour in December 2020 as part of the partys campaign ahead of the 2021 Assembly elections. The then West Bengal BJP president, Dilip Ghosh, was travelling in the same vehicle as Nadda. The convoy came under attack twice while proceeding towards Diamond Harbour, first near Sarisha and then at Falta. The BJP had alleged that Trinamool Congress activists were behind the attacks. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, whose vehicle was part of the convoy, was injured in the incident. The attack had triggered a political confrontation between the BJP and the ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP had accused the state government of failing to ensure security for its leaders, while the Trinamool Congress had rejected the allegations.
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JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investments worth 50,000 crore across power, steel, cement, ports and related sectors.
SC asks TMC leader Chattopadhyay to approach Calcutta HC over rebel MLAs' disqualification
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea filed by senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay seeking disqualification of 10 rebel party MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, under the anti-defection law, and asked him to approach the Calcutta High Court. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the appropriate remedy at this stage would be to approach the Calcutta High Court and granted liberty to the petitioner to file an appropriate petition before it. The apex court also requested the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to place the matter before a Division Bench for expeditious consideration. During the hearing, counsel appearing for Chattopadhyay submitted that the disqualification petitions had been filed on July 8 and that nearly five months had elapsed without a decision. The counsel argued that the issue was covered by the Supreme Court's earlier directions and sought an early hearing by a Division Bench of the High Court to avoid further rounds of intra-court appeals. Dictating the order, the CJI Kant-led Bench observed that the petitioner should take recourse to the Calcutta High Court and accordingly disposed of the petition at this stage, granting liberty to file an appropriate petition before the High Court. The writ petition, filed by veteran TMC legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, had sought directions for the disqualification of 10 rebel MLAs, including Ritabrata Banerjee and former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor Firhad Hakim, under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It had also sought directions against the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Rathindra Bose, for failing to decide the disqualification petitions within the timeframe indicated by the Supreme Court. This was the second time Chattopadhyay had approached the apex court over the issue. In September, he moved the Supreme Court seeking the disqualification of the 10 MLAs after the Speaker failed to take a decision on the petitions submitted by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction. On September 28, a Bench of CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana had disposed of the earlier petition, expressing the hope that the Speaker would decide the disqualification proceedings within three months. The apex court had observed that the three-month period was due to expire on October 8, and expressed confidence that the Speaker would take an appropriate decision within the stipulated timeframe. However, with no decision communicated on the disqualification petitions, Chattopadhyay approached the Supreme Court again. Apart from Ritabrata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim, the other MLAs against whom disqualification was sought include Sandipan Saha, Arup Roy, Seuli Saha, Akhruzzaman, Sabina Yeasmin, Rathin Ghosh, Biplab Mitra and Javed Ahmed Khan. The disqualification proceedings stem from an internal party dispute in the Trinamool Congress, with the Mamata Banerjee-led faction seeking action against the 10 legislators under the anti-defection provisions.
Bengal BJP plans to retain over 50 pc of old faces in Kolkata, Howrah civic polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party is planning to retain more than 50 per cent of its existing candidates for the upcoming Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporation elections, a senior party leader said on Thursday. Leaders and workers who joined the BJP before and after the 2021 Assembly elections and have established popularity in their respective areas will also be considered for candidature in the remaining seats, he said. However, the state leadership will have to obtain clearance from the party's central leadership before finalising the list of candidates. There is speculation that the civic elections in Kolkata and Howrah may be held in the third week of December. The election notification is expected after Kali Puja on November 8, prompting the BJP to complete its candidate selection process by November 15. The party has already received applications from aspiring candidates. State leaders are now visiting different mandals to seek feedback from grassroots workers on the prospective candidates. This exercise is expected to be completed by November 11. The feedback will subsequently be placed before the state committee. The party's core committee, along with the election committees for the Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporations, will then finalise the names. BJP central observer Sunil Bansal will also attend the meeting, the senior leader said. The BJP is exercising caution in candidate selection this time to avoid discontent within its organisational ranks. State president Samik Bhattacharya had earlier said that preference would be given to workers who had maintained a long association with the party and contributed to its organisational activities. He had made it clear that merely joining the BJP shortly before the elections would not guarantee a councillor's ticket. However, organisational seniority will not be the sole criterion. The party will also consider a candidate's acceptance among local residents, personal image, public outreach and prospects in the constituency, the leader said. The BJP is attaching considerable importance to the Kolkata and Howrah civic elections. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar has been entrusted with overseeing the Kolkata polls, with Raju Banerjee as co-in-charge. State Commerce and Industries Minister Tapas Roy is the convener, while MLA Ritesh Tiwari is the co-convener. The state leadership is working on the final selection process before forwarding its recommendations to Bansal, who is overseeing the municipal corporation elections. Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha, who is in charge of the Howrah civic polls, will also submit his proposed list of candidates to the party's central leadership for consideration.
West Bengal Police's Pet-Friendly Diwali Tweet Falls On Deaf Ears; Internet Reacts With Memes
Christian representatives meet West Bengal RSS leader over mob attacks on congregations and churches
Senior RSS functionary from West Bengal Jishnu Basu, the Saha Khetra Prachar Pramukh of South Bengal, said that dialogue will continue with the representatives of Christian organisations but there are genuine concerns about forced conversion
Bengals new industrial policy to be announced today, focus on ease of doing business
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will announce the state government's new industrial policy on Thursday, with a focus on 'ease of doing business' by removing unnecessary government regulations for investment proposals and ensuring quick approvals. At the same time, state secretariat insiders aware of the contents of the new industrial policy said there will be proposals to resurrect the states incentive policy for investors, which was done away with during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime, in a more structured and comprehensive manner. The draft industrial policy had been designed as per the policies adopted by industrially developed states, a state secretariat insider said. The state cabinet cleared the draft industrial policy on October 28. Now the final industrial policy will be announced on Thursday afternoon after an administrative review meeting at the state Secretariat 'Nabanna'. The new industrial policy has been drafted by a group of ministers, and industrialists, industry associations, and economic experts were also consulted. Since the state government wanted the new industrial policy to be more structured and comprehensive, making a balance between various factors like investors interest, employment generation possibilities and the interest of the other stakeholders like landowners whose land will be acquired for industrial projects, the deadline for announcing the same was postponed again and again, said sources in the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). Initially, it was announced that the new industrial policy would be announced on August 15 on the occasion of Independence Day. However, that did not happen, and the deadline was postponed repeatedly. Finally, on October 28, the draft industrial policy received the state cabinet nod, and it was announced that the policy would be formally announced on Thursday. As regards the proposed incentives to be announced for investors in the new industrial policy, state secretariat insiders said the focus would be on attracting investment to backward areas so that industrial projects developed there can be linked to socio-economic development in the area. The incentives can be in the form of waiver of electricity tariff for the initial years of project implementation and operations, state government bearing a certain percentage of interest on loans taken by the entrepreneur concerned, and reimbursement of the companys contribution in employees' provident fund, among others, a state government official said. After taking charge as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal in May this year, Suvendu Adhikari announced that a comprehensive new industrial policy will be formulated and announced within the current year to facilitate big-ticket investment in the state. Accordingly, a group of ministers was entrusted with the task of drawing up the new policy in June, Before the announcement of the new industrial policy, the Chief Minister had claimed that the policy had been prepared with a focus on creating an ideal investment ambience in the state, removing red-tapism in approvals, and ensuring massive employment generation.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) The cash worth Rs 1,02,79,000, which was recovered by the police from a party office of the Trinamool Congress at Sarisha under Diamond Harbour Police district in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, was actually planted by the police administration, alleged the party's general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. The Diamond Harbour Police had claimed that they got information about the huge cash at the Sarisha party office during the interrogation of Abhishek Banerjees aide, Sumit Roy, who is currently in police custody in relation to a multi-crore soil-theft case registered at Kalitala-Ashuti Police Station under the jurisdiction of the same police district. However, rubbishing the police's claims, Banerjee issued a social media post late Wednesday night claiming that the cash was planted deliberately at the said party office, which was allegedly vandalised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed goons six months back. The deliberate planting of fake and fabricated evidence at a property vandalised six months ago by BJP goons, which subsequently became a scene of crime under police investigation, is a brazen attempt to subvert justice, manipulate the investigation and misuse the machinery of law, claimed the Diamond Harbour MP in his social media post. In his social media post, Abhishek Banerjee cautioned that those responsible for this alleged conspiracy of planting the cash at the property will ultimately be held accountable. Let this be an unequivocal warning to those orchestrating this sinister conspiracy and those acting at their behest: You will be held personally accountable for every act of fabrication, manipulation and abuse of authority, said Banerjee. He also warned the police administration not to mistake political patronage, official position or the misuse of police powers for immunity from prosecution. The law will catch up with every individual involved, regardless of rank, position or political affiliation. Prepare yourselves to face the full force of the law. There will be no compromise, no retreat and no escape from legal accountability, Banerjee added. On Monday, although the Diamond Harbour Police District confirmed that the party office -- where the cash was recovered -- belonged to the Trinamool Congress, it did not clarify who was actually responsible for running the office. It is still unclear why this huge amount of cash was kept in the Trinamool Congress party office and where it came from. The police are trying to gather more information about the source of this money. However, the police's initial probe has found that it is related to the case of soil theft registered at Kalitala-Ashuti police station.
Bengal govt to include Syama Prasad Mookerjee in school curriculum, drop Singur chapter
West Bengal's government plans to introduce lessons on Syama Prasad Mookerjee in the school curriculum. The chapter discussing the Singur anti-land acquisition movement will be removed from Class 8 textbooks. Information and Communication Technology will also be added as a subject for students in Classes 5 to 8. The government is currently considering rescheduling upcoming Madhyamik and Higher Secondary examinations to avoid conflicts.
All revenue courts in J&K now computerised
Srinagar, Nov 04: Making a significant stride under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent completion with 882 Computerised/Online Revenue Courts, while the computerisation of Records of Rights (RoR) has reached 99.93 per cent. According to the DILRMP MIS 4.0 dashboard, the Physical Components Progress Report for Jammu and Kashmir revealed that digitisation of Mapsheets/FMBs/Tippans has reached 94.74 per cent, indicating substantial progress in the modernisation and digitisation of land records across the Union Territory. However, the report reveals that three important components MRR Completed (Out of Sanctioned), Survey/Resurvey Completed and Aadhaar Linked With RoR have recorded zero progress. The national comparison chart on Computerisation of Land Records (CLR) shows that several states and Union Territories have achieved 100 per cent completion of villages, while Jammu and Kashmir is placed at 70.54 per cent. The chart also shows Mizoram at 71.27 per cent, Nagaland at 62.54 per cent, Ladakh at 52.21 per cent and Delhi at 27.31 per cent. Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya have recorded zero percent completion. Among the states and Union Territories, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have achieved 100 per cent completion. Odisha has recorded 99.91 per cent, Karnataka 99.74 per cent, Chhattisgarh 99.36 per cent, Punjab 99.36 per cent, Jharkhand 96.36 per cent, Rajasthan 92.40 per cent, Telangana 83.25 per cent and Uttarakhand 71.27 per cent. The component-wise figures for Jammu and Kashmir indicate that while computerisation of revenue courts and digitisation of existing land records have reached advanced stages, survey and resurvey, completion of MRR and Aadhaar linking with Records of Rights remain pending. The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), a Central Sector Scheme funded 100 per cent by the central government, aims to modernise the country's land records system through computerisation of land records, digitisation of maps, survey and resurvey activities and integration of land-related information.
Eleven tribals arrested for seeking rehabilitation for a proposed land port project in West Bengal
Construction at the Land Ports Authority of India (LPAI) site in Gotabari, Torsa Tea Garden, had been going on for nearly five months and during the period, the locals maintained a peaceful, indefinite dharna beside the project site for over 100 days
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JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal met West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investments worth 50,000 crore across power, steel, cement, ports and related sectors.
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Bengal: SIT arrests second accused in UNESCO-tagged fake Durga Puja pass scam
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police on Wednesday night arrested a senior corporate official in connection with the multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass scam involving UNESCO-tagged festival tours. The arrested individual, identified as Dhrubojyoti Basu, is a top executive of Mass Art, the corporate entity through which the fraudulent passes were allegedly marketed and sold. Basu was named in the initial First Information Report (FIR) and had been absconding since last week following the arrest of former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen. Basus arrest marks the second major action by law enforcement in the ongoing probe, following the detention of Sen, a singer-turned-politician. According to police sources, while Mass Art was officially headed by Sens wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, the entity operated as the brainchild of the former minister and Basu. Investigators allege that the duo established a complex corruption network through the organisation to monetise unauthorised passes under the guise of UNESCO festival access. Madhuchhanda Sen has also been named in the FIR. However, she secured anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court and remains out of custody despite undergoing two rounds of interrogation. Authorities confirmed that the couple's daughter, Averi Sen, along with corporate entities linked to her, remain under active financial and administrative scrutiny. Indranil Sen, currently in police custody, is undergoing daily marathon interrogations by the SIT. Investigators have questioned nine other individuals in connection with the case, including Madhuchhanda Sen. Sen is scheduled to be produced before a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. Police officials stated that the SIT is actively gathering forensic and document-based evidence to counter potential bail applications during the upcoming court hearing. The case is being investigated through parallel probes by the Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). City police sleuths originally took Sen into custody outside the EDs Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata last week.
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NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts sensitised about Ex Sea Vigil 2026
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) As part of the biennial national-level coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil 2026, the Naval Officer-in-Charge (NOIC), West Bengal, conducted a sensitisation campaign and familiarisation visit for NCC cadets and Bharat Scouts at INS Netaji Subhas in Kolkata on Wednesday. The cadets were briefed on the core roles of the Indian Navy, Examination Services and War Watching Organisation (WWO); reinforcing youth engagement is a KRA of Sea Vigil 2026. The visit included operational exposure to Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) deployed for riverine patrolling across West Bengal waterways, alongside on-site handling and familiarisation with small arms used in maritime defence. The high-intensity coastal security exercise is scheduled to be held on November 18-19, 2026. This will be the fifth edition of the exercise. It was last held in November 2024. The nationwide exercise, spanning the entire 11,098 km coastline of India, had then involved six central ministries, 21 central and state agencies, and key stakeholders from across the maritime security apparatus. Even the Army and the Air Force had participated in the exercise. They are expected to do the same this year. Exercise Sea Vigil is as close to the real thing as it can get. Agencies entrusted with guarding vital assets are tested on their preparedness to tackle emergencies. During the 2024 edition, dud Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were planted within the Victoria Memorial campus in Kolkata and armed infiltrators had entered the port facility. A waterborne strike was also attempted on defence shipbuilders Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. Security agencies are divided between Red and Blue teams. While the Red teams are the attackers, vital assets have to be protected by the others. Exercise Sea Vigil is designed to bolster the security of Indias coastal assets, including ports, oil rigs, vulnerable areas (VAs), vulnerable points (VPs), and cable landing stations. The focus is on Indias expansive coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering 2.4 million square kilometres; the exercise engages all levels of government and security forces, keeping in mind emerging threats. The Indian Navy has been tasked as the lead agency for maritime security since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and Ex Sea Vigil serves as a vital step in ensuring coordination across central and state security agencies for effective coastal defence. In addition to military and security forces, the exercise actively involves local communities, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and fishermen to raise awareness about the importance of maritime security. This public engagement is key to creating a widespread sense of vigilance along Indias coastline. West Bengal is of particular importance for the security agencies, given the vast expanse of the Sundarbans - the world's largest mangrove forest and delta - that is difficult to monitor by security forces. Ex Sea Vigil validates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes adopted by various agencies and the coordination between them in areas like intelligence sharing while safeguarding the country's maritime boundaries.
JSW Group's Sajjan Jindal meets Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari to discuss investment plans
Sajjan Jindal's JSW Group had signed a historic agreement during the Left Front regime in 2007 to set up a mega integrated steel, power, and cement complex in West Midnapore's Salboni, which was around Rs 35,000 crore, it was the single largest private investment ever pledged to West Bengal at the time.
Kedartal avalanche claims lives of two sisters from Lucknow who shared passion for trekking
Toll touches four as two more bodies are found on the Kedartal trekking route; four trekkers, all friends from West Bengal, are still missing
NIA raids eight locations across three states in fake currency case
The searches were carried out at two locations in Aurangabad and three in Gaya district of Bihar, two locations in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, and one location in Malda district of West Bengal
NIA Raids 8 Sites in 3 States: Fake Note Case
Searches across Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal lead to the seizure of digital devices, documents and Bangladeshi currency.
NIA conducts raids at eight locations in Bihar, Jharkhand and Bengal in fake currency case
Digital Desk | Patna, Nov 4 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday conducted simultaneous searches at eight locations across Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a fake Indian currency notes (FICN) smuggling case involving counterfeit notes with a face value of Rs 2.48 lakh. The searches were carried out at two locations in Aurangabad and three in Gaya district of Bihar, two locations in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand and one location in Malda district of West Bengal. During the operations, NIA teams seized digital devices, incriminating documents, Bangladeshi currency and other materials suspected to be relevant to the investigation. The case relates to the recovery of fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 2,48,500 within the jurisdiction of Madanpur police station in Aurangabad district of Bihar. Following the recovery, a case was registered at the Madanpur Police Station on August 15 against four accused persons identified as Surendra Kumar, Vijay Yadav, Ranjan, and Pradeep Saw, alias Pradeep Kumar Saw. The NIA subsequently re-registered the case on October 18 and took over the investigation following an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. According to the agency, the investigation conducted so far has revealed that the accused were allegedly involved in the smuggling of fake Indian currency notes. The latest searches were conducted to gather further evidence and establish the wider network involved in the alleged counterfeit currency operation. The NIA is examining the seized digital devices, documents and other materials to identify possible links and determine the extent of the smuggling network. Further investigation into the case is underway. Earlier, on October 30, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against two accused persons in connection with the seizure of FICN worth Rs 50,150 in Madhubani district of Bihar. The charge sheet has been filed against Bharat Mahaseth and Shiv Kumar Raut alias Mehman under Sections 61(2), 179, 180 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The case relates to the seizure of 281 counterfeit currency notes with a total face value of Rs 50,150 from Duhabi Bazar in the Basopatti area of Madhubani on August 2.
Sunday PropTech acquires 89-room hotel in Kolkata, marks entry into city
Sunday PropTech Ltd marks a significant milestone with its inaugural acquisition of an 89-room hotel in Rajarhat. This venue will be included in its emerging mid-premium Clubhouse brand, bolstering its footprint in eastern India. Given its advantageous proximity to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, it appeals to business travelers. The company plans to revamp and reposition the hotel, while also identifying additional investment prospects in West Bengal.
Calcutta HC bars Bengal SEC from announcing KMC poll schedule till ward delimitation case verdict
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court said on Wednesday barred the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) for announcing the schedule for the forthcoming polls for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) till the time the court pronounces the judgment in the case, challenging the delimitation of wards in Kolkata civic body is announced. The polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including KMC and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), is likely to take place in the last week of December, and the results are expected to be announced in the first week of January next year. Before that the delimitation of the wards in KMC had been announced, increasing the number of wards to 209 from the previous figure of 144. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the delimitation process. In the petition filed by CPI-M leader and former party Councillor Dipu Das, she claimed that despite some serious objections to the new ward delimitation being raised and a proposal was mooted for a 'spot visit' and a public hearing in the area to get the opinions of the citizens, no importance was given to those objections and proposals. The petitioner also claimed that several aspects, including the population and geographical location of the wards, were not properly considered in the delimitation exercise. She even claimed that this move was made to give benefits to a specific party. Initially, the matter was heard at the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya. However, instead of passing any specific order in the matter, Justice Bhattacharya directed all parties concerned to file affidavits in the matter. Thereafter, the petitioner approached the division bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Justice Arjun Roy challenging the order of the single-judge bench. The petitioner contended that if the WBSEC would announce the schedule of the KMC before a clear judgment in the matter, her petition would not have any relevance. The matter came up for hearing at the division bench on Wednesday. At the end of the hearing, that division bench said that the WBSEC should not announce the schedule of the KMC polls till the court pronounced its verdict in the matter.
Gujarat: Bharat Parv draws over 25,000 visitors to Ekta Nagar in first three days
Digital Desk | Ekta Nagar, Nov 4 (IANS) More than 25,000 people visited 'Bharat Parv 2026' at Ekta Nagar, near the Statue of Unity, between November 1 and 3, as the 15-day event brings together the traditional crafts, regional cuisines and cultural performances of states and Union Territories from across the country. Organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism in association with Gujarat Tourism, the festival will continue until November 15, showcasing India's cultural diversity under the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. Tourism pavilions set up by various states and Union Territories are displaying popular destinations, traditional art forms, handicrafts and handloom products. The exhibits include Sambalpuri sarees, Pattachitra paintings, applique work and silver filigree from Odisha; Muga silk and Mekhela-Chadar from Assam; Madhubani paintings, Bhagalpur silk and Sikki grass craft from Bihar; and Chanderi and Maheshwari sarees and Gond art from Madhya Pradesh. Other highlights include Pashmina and Kani shawls from Jammu and Kashmir, Pochampally Ikat sarees from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat's Patola, Pithora art and Ajrakh printing. Bamboo crafts from Chhattisgarh and shell art products from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also on display. Artisans are conducting live demonstrations to familiarise visitors with traditional craft-making techniques. The pavilions also allow visitors to purchase handicrafts and handloom products directly from participating artisans and exhibitors. Food is another major attraction, with 25 stalls representing states including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Sikkim, Assam, Ladakh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat. The stalls offer regional specialities such as Litti Chokha and Thekua from Bihar, Dal Baati and Pyaz Kachori from Rajasthan, Gajak and Ratlam Sev from Madhya Pradesh, Jhalmuri and Patisapta Pitha from West Bengal, Veg Momo and Sel Roti from Sikkim, and Nadru Yakhni and Zafrani Kahwa from Kashmir. Studio Kitchens operated by IIHM Shimla and IIHM Gandhinagar are also holding daily live demonstrations of Indian cuisines, giving visitors an opportunity to watch the preparation of regional dishes and learn about the country's culinary traditions. The festival also features cultural performances every evening by artists from different states, presenting folk music, traditional dances and other regional art forms. Meanwhile, the Statue of Unity will remain open on Monday, November 9, in view of Bharat Parv and the Diwali vacation. However, the viewing gallery will remain closed on the day. The additional opening is intended to provide tourists and families with another opportunity to visit the monument during the holiday period. Bharat Parv 2026 will continue at Ekta Nagar until November 15, with tourism exhibitions, handicraft displays, food stalls, culinary demonstrations and cultural performances.
Bengal: Rs 1.40 crore recovered from Kharagpur station; one arrested
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) Rs 1.40 crore was recovered from Kharagpur station in West Midnapore district on Wednesday, an official said. The money was being brought from Tatanagar in Jharkhand to Howrah in West Bengal. Before it reached its destination, it was caught by the Government Railway Police (GRP). A passenger has also been arrested in connection with the incident. According to a Kharagpur GRP official, the incident took place in the morning. Rahul Soni was travelling from Tatanagar to Howrah by taking the Jan Shatabdi Express. When the train stopped at Kharagpur station, the GRP personnel on duty became suspicious after seeing his movements. He was standing on platform number seven in Kharagpur with one bag on his back and two bags in his hand. According to the official, Rahul tried to escape as the GRP personnel advanced towards him. However, he was finally caught. As the GRP personnel started questioning him, Rahul started giving incoherent answers. This further increased their suspicions. Finally, as soon as they started searching his bag, the GRP personnel on duty found bundles of Rs 500 notes in the bag. A total of 280 bundles of notes were recovered from him. Rahul could not give a satisfactory answer about where this huge amount of cash came from. Therefore, the Kharagpur GRP detained him and informed the Income Tax Department. Later, he was also formally arrested. Superintendent of Railway Police (Kharagpur) Jayanta Mukherjee said that the passenger is being interrogated to find out the source of this huge amount of money. According to the GRP official, the arrested person's house is in Howrah. During interrogation, he admitted that he was bringing the money from Tatanagar to Howrah. However, it is still not clear from whom in Tatanagar he was bringing the money and for what purpose. There are reports of such cash being recovered from the Howrah station premises from time to time. Many people are also caught for not being able to show the source of the cash. This time, more than one crore rupees in cash was recovered from Kharagpur station. Incidentally, shortly before this news came to light, Diamond Harbour Police had also recovered more than one crore rupees from a Trinamool Congress party office in Sarisha of South 24 Parganas district.
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