Special sessions, buddy systems in city schools for mental well-being of students
Knife attack: School suspends class 9 student for a week
Pre-puja cop crackdown on Gariahat parking
Bengal: Judicial panel probes former Trinamool Minister over loan from farm credit society
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) A judicial inquiry commission constituted by the West Bengal government to investigate alleged institutional corruption during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime has started an investigation against former West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty. The investigation relates to allegations that, despite not being a farmer, Chakraborty obtained a loan of Rs 85 lakh from an agricultural cooperative society in the state during the previous regime. It is also alleged that he facilitated another loan for one of his relatives from the same agricultural cooperative society by using his influence as a then state Cabinet minister and ruling party legislator. Chakraborty, a three-time Trinamool Congress legislator from the Jangipara Assembly constituency in Hooghly district between 2011 and 2026, was defeated in the Assembly elections earlier this year by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Prosenjit Bag by less than 1,000 votes. He is currently associated with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel but majority faction in Trinamool Congress. Trinamool Congress legislator Kunal Ghosh, from the Beliaghata Assembly constituency in Kolkata, first alleged the loan from the agricultural cooperative society. Kunal Ghosh is associated with the original but minority faction of Trinamool, led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. Kunal Ghosh alleged that although only farmers were eligible to receive loans from agricultural cooperative societies, Chakraborty secured a loan from the Singti Agricultural Cooperative Society by posing as a farmer, violating lending norms. He also questioned whether Chakraborty had been repaying the loan from the Singti Agricultural Cooperative Society. After Kunal Ghosh flagged the issue, society employees Swapan Patra and activist Ramesh Patra were arrested. The state government-appointed judicial panel has now begun investigating the matter. According to sources, the panel will soon collect relevant documents from the cooperative society. On July 14, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the formation of a judicial commission to investigate allegations of institutional corruption during the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government between 2011 and 2026. Former Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu (Retd) heads the commission. A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer is supervising the investigation. An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer is handling the commission's administrative work, while a West Bengal Revenue Service officer oversees its technical aspects.
Kolkata airport starts flyer feedback exercise
Mamata Banerjee named in ED statement over probe in money laundering case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and ex-Cabinet Minister Indranil Sen had been named by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday in relation to the central probe agency's investigation into a case of money laundering, other than that of Mass Art, which had been accused of selling Durga Puja Preview Show Passes in 2024 and 2025. Sen is already under the ED scanner in connection with the Mass Art case. In this particular case, where both Mamata Banerjee and Sen, a singer-turned-politician, had been named by the ED is in relation to the agency's investigation against Sen's proprietorship concern christened Octave Records. According to a statement issued by ED on Thursday evening, during Sen's tenure as the West Bengal Tourism Minister during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government, multiple tenders from both the state tourism as well as cultural departments of more than Rs 85 crore, were awarded to the entities owned by Dhrubajyoti Bose and Dipesh Roy, both of whom were close aides of Sen. These entities subsequently transferred large sums of money to entities controlled by relatives of Indranil Sen. Furthermore, massive cash withdrawals have been observed from the bank accounts of the entities that secured these tenders, the ED statement said. In the same statement, the ED claimed that a detailed investigation in the matter had revealed that cash of more than Rs 3.3 crore was deposited into the bank accounts of Sen and his proprietorship entity, Octave Records. Also, from the bank account of Octave Records, a sum of nearly Rs 30 lakh was transferred via banking channels to Mamata Banerjee, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, which Indranil Sen has claimed was paid in the form of royalty, the ED statement added. According to the central agency, during search and seizure proceedings, incriminating digital devices and documentary evidence were found and seized under appropriate provisions. Further investigation is under progress, the ED statement said. There was no reaction from the faction in Trinamool Congress, which is still loyal to Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Sen too had kept himself incommunicado and hence his reactions were also not available in the matter. As regards to the Mass Art case, ED officials on Tuesday conducted a marathon raid and search operation at the residence of Sen and his wife Madhuchhanda Sen at Kasba in South Kolkata. Sen was also questioned for about 10 hours at ED's Salt Lake office in the matter on Wednesday. The singer-turned-politician on Thursday had been served with a fresh notice asking him to be present at ED's Salt Lake office next week for another round of questioning in the matter.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) Former West Bengal Congress President and five-time previous Lok Sabha member, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Thursday gave an open call to the former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to directly come under the fold of the Congress leader but after leaving behind her aggage attached to the Trinamool Congress. Mamata Banerjee will take the right decision if she joins Congress directly with the existing MPs and MLAs who are still loyal to her. We will accept it. When she had already taken shelter under the leadership of Congress, which is like a banyan tree, she should join the party directly instead of carrying along a separate entity. She should do that just leaving behind the 'baggage' and the 'one' which is her biggest problem, Chowdhury told media persons. Although Chowdhury did not specify what he exactly meant while using the 'term' baggage, political observers say that this is a clear hint towards Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the party's Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member. The former State Congress President's call in the matter is significant on two counts, political observers say. The first factor is that Mamata Banerjee floated Trinamool Congress in 1998, breaking away from the Congress accusing the then state leadership of the country's oldest national party of not being serious in carrying forward movements against the then CPI-M-led Left Front government in West Bengal. Secondly, Chowdhury, throughout his political career had established his image as a dyed-in-the-wool 'anti-Mamata' personality. Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee attended the INDIA bloc meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday where she spoke to Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee also supported each other on various issues in the meeting following which Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's message on Thursday is perceived to be quite significant. There was no however no reaction either from Mamata Banerjee or any of the leaders from the faction led by her in the matter.
KMC to hold camps to bring govt services to citizens doorsteps
We Will Accept Her Leadership: Adhir Invites Mamata Banerjee To Rejoin Congress With TMC MLAs, MPs
A day after Mamata Banerjee attended the INDIA bloc meeting in Delhi, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury urged the TMC supremo to rejoin the Congress along with the partys remaining MLAs and MPs. Chowdhury said the Congress would accept Mamatas leadership in West Bengal, but suggested she leave behind her baggage, an apparent reference to her nephew and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. He also appealed to the Congress high command to facilitate a possible merger and urged Mamata to support the Congress candidate in the upcoming Rejinagar assembly bypoll as a friendly gesture. Mamata had earlier asserted that the INDIA bloc remained united and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The remarks come amid reported organisational challenges facing the TMC in West Bengal.
Indranil Sens firm sent nearly Rs 30 lakh to Mamata Benerjee, ED says; ex-minister claims royalty
Bengal GoM clears industrial policy to boost investment
Bengal plans annual TET, syllabus to fit 200-210 teaching days
Eight BJP supporters injured in North 24-Parganas bomb attack
Kolkata Cardiologists Urge Ayushman Bharat to Revise Pacemaker Rates
Snehasish Chakraborty faces probe over Rs 1 crore loan irregularities
Bengal govt plans major Mayapur development project
State eyes Rs 2,500cr investment to boost tourism infra
State transfers 1,177 acres to BSF for Bangla border fencing
HC extends interim protection to Mahua Moitra
Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of 'hooliganism' outside her Kolkata residence
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS) Trinamool Congress leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that goons linked to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engage in hooliganism outside her Kolkata residence while claiming police inaction in atrocities in the state. Addressing a press conference here, Banerjee said: Police officers are knocking on the doors of my party leaders, warning them to join the rival faction or go to jail...terrible atrocities are going on in Bengal. I am not allowed to move out of my house without court orders. More than 70 people have been murdered, more than 45 rapes have taken place, including of girl children and 'adivasis'...but police are not taking any cognisance, she added. Referring to attacks on the vehicles of her Trinamool faction leaders, the former CM asked: Have you ever heard leaders of the ruling party being attacked? Local police stations in Bengal have become BJP's block office and the headquarters of District officers have been converted to their 'Zilla office'. The police headquarters have become their state Committee office, she alleged. Further, Banerjee claimed that security has been withdrawn by the BJP government from her residence. Now they are lying that I am availing Z plus security. On the instructions of the present government, 200-300 hooligans are engaging in hooliganism in front of my house...even women are not safe, she alleged. People are unable to open their shops now. Kolkata used to be so lively; now there are no people on roads after 8 pm...hawkers are homeless, their livelihoods have been snatched. In fact, people linked to the BJP are even looting the donation boxes at temples, calling it their property, she alleged. MoreoverBanerjee claimed that during the Assembly polls in West Bengal, security personnel went door to door, threatened people against voting for the Trinamool Congress; CRPF personnel were also involved. War vehicles which are used in Kashmir, have been used by BJP leaders for campaigning. Is this a mockery of democracy? People cannot be treated like this, she asserted. Meanwhile, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, who was also present at the press conference, asked why the BJP is responding to the questions being raised at the ECI. Referring to the NCPI seeking Bharat Ratna for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, he retorted: If he can be given 'Bharat Ratna' for 'vote chori', then please reward him. Reiterating the former Chief Minister's allegations that the number of voter deletions is more than the winning margin in many constituencies in the state, Abhishek Banerjee said: We received many such reports where the serial numbers of EVMs control unit and balloting unit at the counting centre did not match with what was recorded in Form 17C. Further, he claimed that several MLAs and leaders of Mamata Banerjee's faction are still languishing in jails, as they didn't join the dishonest group.
ED summons Indranil Sen again in Durga Puja money laundering probe
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday issued a fresh notice to former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen for a second round of interrogation at the EDs Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata next week in connection with a money laundering case. The ED officials had already questioned Sen, a singer-turned-politician, on Wednesday for a marathon 10-hour session at the EDs Salt Lake office in connection with the same case. Earlier, on Tuesday, a team of ED officials conducted extensive raid and search operations at Sens residence in Kasba in south Kolkata in the same matter. On Tuesday, ED officials also conducted raids and search operations at nine other locations in Kolkata in the same matter, including the residences of Sens relatives and the residence of event manager Arijit Dasgupta. The assets, properties and bank accounts of Sen and his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, are also under the scanner of ED investigating officials in the matter. The main charge against Sen and his wife is the alleged sale of fake passes in the name of Durga Puja tours using the UNESCO tag. It is initially estimated that around Rs 60 crore was involved. The ED began its investigation based on a complaint lodged by Joydeep Mukherjee, an alleged victim of fraud, at Bowbazar Police Station in June. However, Sen has denied all the allegations since the beginning. UNESCO recognised Kolkatas Durga Puja in 2021. Thereafter, an organisation called Mass Art was formed, claiming to be UNESCOs official partner. The organisation started promoting Durga Puja, and the sale of passes for Durga Puja parikrama began. However, according to the allegations, those passes, sold at high prices, were fake. Sens wife, Madhuchhanda, was closely associated with the organisation. Entry passes, or tickets, were allegedly sold at high prices by illegally using the UNESCO name and logo in the name of preview shows or Durga Puja parikrama tours of Kolkatas Durga Pujas. According to the allegations, around Rs 60 crore was misappropriated. It is further learned that passes for about 24 Durga Puja preview shows in Kolkata were sold at high prices. In some cases, these passes ranged from Rs 1,749 to Rs 5,499. The entity reportedly claimed that UNESCO had selected those 24 puja pandals. However, sources familiar with the development have found no evidence to support that claim so far. It is alleged that funds were embezzled in the name of preview show passes. An initial investigation found that about 19,000 people registered to receive these passes in 2022, 34,000 in 2023, and 61,000 in 2024. Sources familiar with the development said the entity planned to organise preview shows for the forthcoming Durga Puja this month and had even issued an advertisement on its website for that purpose. However, those plans were cancelled immediately after the ED started its investigation into the matter.
West Bengal NEET UG Counselling 2026: Round 3 Seat Matrix Released, Check Details
West Bengal NEET UG 2026 Round 3 seat matrix has been released on October 1. Check schedule, choice filling and allotment details.
Kunal gives statement to police, no arrests yet in attack case
Times School Survey West Bengal 2026: Celebrating quality and shaping the future of education
33 injured as sleeper bus overturns on Srinagar-Jammu highway
Digital Desk | Jammu, Oct 1 (IANS) At least 33 passengers were injured as a West Bengal-registered sleeper bus travelling from Srinagar to Jammu overturned on the national highway in J&K's Ramban district on Thursday, officials said. The West Bengal-registered sleeper bus overturned inside a tunnel near Maroog on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH 44). The injured passengers were shifted to District Hospital Ramban with the assistance of police, State Disaster Response Force, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Army personnel and Civil Quick Response Team volunteers. Nine of the injured were referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu city for further treatment. Traffic officials said the West Bengal-registered sleeper bus had 55 passengers on board when the accident occurred. Following the accident, a single carriageway has been opened in the affected tunnel to facilitate movement of traffic, officials said. Senior officials are present at the spot and supervising the rescue and traffic management operations. Accidents on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway are primarily caused by a combination of treacherous geography, ongoing infrastructure modifications, and human error. This high-risk mountain highway serves as the vital lifeline connecting Kashmir to the rest of the country, but its unique vulnerabilities make it highly prone to recurring, fatal crashes. According to reports from the J&K Traffic Police Department and traffic experts, the primary causes of accidents on this highway include treacherous terrain and natural hazards. A major portion of the highway cuts through highly unstable, rocky mountains. The stretch from Ramban to Banihal is notably hazardous. Frequent landslides, shooting stones, and patches of sinking roadbed make the corridor highly volatile and unpredictable. Heavy rainfall and flash floods cause mudslides and water accumulation, leaving the tarmac slick and hazardous. Traffic experts frequently point to sub-optimal road design and engineering flaws on dangerous curves and drops. Ongoing road-widening projects have intentionally cut into slopes, destabilising parts of the mountainside, and creating blind spots, detours, and sudden bottlenecks.
Kolkata retail leasing doubles in Q3, high streets lead demand
Srinagar-Jammu highway accident: 33 injured after sleeper bus overturns
At least 33 passengers were injured after a West Bengal-registered sleeper bus carrying 55 people overturned inside a tunnel near Maroog in Ramban. Nine injured passengers were referred to GMC Jammu, while rescue teams and officials managed relief and traffic movement
Primary teacher recruitment to be completed soon: Bengal Education Minister
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) State School Education Minister Deepak Barman on Thursday said the stalled primary school teacher recruitment process would be completed soon. He made the remarks at a press conference at Bikash Bhaban. The Minister also said the next recruitment process would begin once the current process was completed. He said, The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) will be held every year like Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja and Saraswati Puja. The last Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for recruiting primary school teachers was held in 2022. That recruitment process has not yet been completed. Under pressure from several movements, the Trinamool Congress government published the recruitment notification for candidates who passed the TET in 2022 on September 25, 2025. However, even after a year, the recruitment process could not be started. After the notification was published in September 2025, interviews started on December 31. District-wise interviews began in phases from December last year to recruit 13,421 people. The first four rounds of interviews were conducted. Thereafter, on February 27, the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE) issued a notification, and interviews for Nadia, Purulia, Bankura, Alipurduar, South Dinajpur, Malda, West Burdwan and Birbhum districts started in the fifth to tenth phases. Meanwhile, interviews for Nadia district in the fifth phase ended on March 19. Although interviews for Purulia district in the sixth phase started on March 23, the Assembly election schedule had already been announced. As a result, questions arose over whether interviews could be conducted during that period. Subsequently, in April, the WBBPE said the Election Commission had written to the School Education Department on March 27 seeking information on the interview process for recruiting primary school teachers. That letter reached the board on March 30, and the board provided the details on the same day. It also explained that the interview process continued even after the election had been announced. However, the primary education board suspended the interview process on April 1. Thereafter, the Assembly elections were held, and a new government was formed. However, the interviews have not resumed yet, triggering fresh debate. When asked about the issue, the Minister said the primary recruitment process underway would be completed quickly and that the government would move on to the next recruitment exercise. Once this recruitment is completed, the TET will be held again based on the vacancies that are created. I have said many times, and I am saying again, TET will be held every year like Durga Puja, Lakshmi Puja and Saraswati Puja, he said. Meanwhile, the State Minister said mid-day meals should not be discontinued in any school in the state. A few days ago, reports emerged that mid-day meals had been stopped at a school in the Garia area on the outskirts of Kolkata. Allegations suggested the scheme had been halted due to a lack of funds. Thereafter, the administration intervened and immediately arranged mid-day meals through the district administration. However, several schools in the state still face allegations of various problems related to mid-day meals. Deepak Barman said, We have allocated the funds. The West Bengal government is giving great importance to the PM Poshan scheme.
Bengal Police reach Delhi to question woman posing as PMO official
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 1 (IANS) A special team of investigators from Howrah City Police, which comes under the West Bengal Police, reached Delhi on Thursday to question a woman who entered the state secretariat, Nabanna, in Mandirtala in Kolkata, posing as an official from the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). An insider from the state police said the officers first received information on Wednesday evening about the womans location in Delhi. Thereafter, Howrah City Police officers contacted their counterparts in Delhi Police and reached the national capital on Wednesday night. As per the latest information available, the woman is currently under detention by Delhi Police, and the investigating officers from Howrah City Police are interrogating her. The investigating officers are trying to ascertain the exact motive behind her entering the state secretariat while posing as a PMO official. The Howrah City Police officers are also trying to gather information on whether the woman was part of an organised gang, the state police officer said. The woman, identified as Akanksha Vidyarthi, visited the State Public Works Department (PWD), housed at Nabanna, on Wednesday after seeking a prior appointment. She allegedly posed as a PMO official and asked PWD officials questions about the department's functioning. However, a section of the PWD officials became suspicious of her identity. Sensing the officials suspicion, the woman quickly left the Nabanna premises, the state police officer said. After confirming that she had provided a false identity, the PWD filed a written complaint with Howrah City Police. By then, she had flown back to Delhi. The officer said Howrah City Police began an investigation and, after confirming her location in Delhi, a team reached the national capital on Wednesday night. He also said the investigating officers were not taking the matter lightly and suspected that some organised gang might be behind the woman.
Will Mamata Banerjee merge TMC with Congress?
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has publicly urged TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee to rejoin the Congress party with her remaining MLAs and MPs, offering to accept her leadership in West Bengal. This appeal comes as the TMC faces a significant organisational crisis following its defeat in the recent Assembly elections, with internal rebellions in both its legislative and parliamentary wings. While Chowdhury linked his call to Banerjee's involvement in the INDIA alliance, TMC MP Sougata Roy stated that the party would only consider a formal proposal from the Congress leadership.
Akhilesh Yadav keeps on changing PDA formula: O.P. Rajbhar on SP's Rajya Sabha nominations
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 1 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Minister and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President Om Prakash Rajbhar said on Thursday that Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Akhilesh Yadav was changing the framework for PDA (Pichhda, Dalits and Alpsankhyak) repeatedly. Rajbhar was referring to two candidates placed by the Samajwadi Party for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. Pichda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak (backward classes, Dalits, and minorities/Muslims) is a political acronym and social coalition floated by Akhilesh Yadav. Akhilesh Yadav keeps changing the PDA formula from time to time. Yesterday, he came up with the formula of a PDA family. 'P' now stands for 'Parivaar', Rajbhar said, referring to Ram Gopal Yadav. On Wednesday, SP leaders Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Parimal Nathwani filed their nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh. SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav and senior party leader Shivpal Yadav were present when the two candidates filed their nominations. Incidentally, Ram Gopal Yadav is the late Mulayam Singh Yadavs cousin and uncle to current Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav. 'D' stands for the 'Daulat', referring to Dhani Ram, who is affluent, Rajbhar said. Now, only 'A' remains, and he will bring in some criminal to represent it. The new PDA formula stands for 'Parivaar', 'Daulat' and 'Apradhi', he added. Coming heavily on Akhilesh Yadav and Samajwadi Party, Rajbhar said that Akhilesh Yadav has insulted the Muslim leaders of his party. To the Muslim leaders of his party -- Loaders not leaders of the Samajwadi Party -- Akhilesh ji has thrown a shoe at them, the SBSP Chief added. Taking a jibe at Akhilesh Yadav being indirectly connected to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Rajbhar claimed that the SP Chief has threatened his leaders that if they say anything they will be ousted from the party. If the father (Akhilesh Yadav) is a BJP's Rajya Sabha MP then the son (Akhilesh Yadav) will be too, the SBSP Chief told IANS. The SP had earlier announced Ram Gopal Yadav and Dhanraj Nathwani as its nominees for the Upper House from Uttar Pradesh. Their candidature comes ahead of the biennial elections for 10 Rajya Sabha seats in the state. Uttar Pradesh Minister Om Prakash Rajbhar criticised the SP's candidate selection and took a jibe at Akhilesh Yadav's PDA strategy. Earlier too, on social media, Rajbhar questioned whether the SP's proposed candidates would represent its PDA formula, referring to the party's emphasis on backward classes, Dalits and minorities. Akhilesh ji, I have heard that you are going to field three candidates for the Rajya Sabha. Tell me, will all three be from your PDA or not? Rajbhar said. He referred to Ram Gopal Yadav as the first candidate and questioned how the remaining positions would fit into the PDA framework. He also alleged that the SP's approach could involve promoting family members, wealthy individuals and people facing criminal allegations. Rajbhar said that members of backward classes, Dalit communities and Muslim communities would want clarity on the party's strategy for sending candidates to the Upper House. He also advised Akhilesh Yadav not to risk securing two Rajya Sabha seats by attempting to win a third. The Election Commission had announced on September 22 that elections for 11 Rajya Sabha seats -- 10 from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand -- would be held on October 16. The terms of the sitting members representing these seats are scheduled to end on November 25. The poll panel has also announced a bye-election for a Rajya Sabha seat in West Bengal. The upcoming elections will determine the new members for the seats falling vacant upon the completion of the current members' terms.
New liquor shops to keep 500-metre distance from schools, religious sites in West Bengal
West Bengal has tightened the norms for opening new retail liquor outlets, increasing the minimum distance from schools, colleges and religious institutions to 500 metres in municipal areas and 1 km in other locations. The earlier limit was 300 metres. The revised rule will apply only to new outlets, leaving existing liquor shops unaffected.
Raids 16 Locations In Assam, West Bengal Over Areca Nut Smuggling Case
Guwahati, Oct 1: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out extensive raids across Assam and West Bengal on Thursday as part of a money laundering probe linked to a syndicate accused of smuggling foreign-origin areca nut into India through the Myanmar border. Officials stated that the network allegedly imported Indonesian and Thai areca nut via... The post Raids 16 Locations In Assam, West Bengal Over Areca Nut Smuggling Case first appeared on Northeast Today .
Durga Puja 2026: Kolkata's Ultimate Pandal-Hopping, Food and Shopping Guide with inDrive
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 1: Durga Puja turns Kolkata into a city that never quite stops moving. From the first shopping trip for new clothes to the last plate of biryani after the final pandal on Dashami night, the festival is really one long, joyful itinerary and half the fun is figuring out where to go next. Here's a starter guide to celebrating Puja like a true Kolkatan this year: the pandals, the food, the shopping, the age-old North-versus-South debate, and a few tips on getting around without the stress.
Sleeper Bus Overturns on Jammu-Srinagar Highway, 25 Injured
SRINAGAR: Around 25 passengers sustained minor injuries after a West Bengal-registered sleeper bus overturned in the down tube near Maroog on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Ramban district on Thursday. Police said the injured passengers were shifted to District Hospital Ramban for treatment with the assistance of personnel from the police, State Disaster Response []
33 Tourists Injured As Sleeper Bus Turns Turtle On Jammu-Srinagar Highway
RAMBAN, Oct 1: At least 33 tourists from West Bengal were injured after a sleeper bus turned turtle on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district on Thursday. The ill-fated bus, bearing registration number WB39K-2929, was travelling from Srinagar to Jammu when the accident occurred. Soon after the mishap, local residents and police personnel launched [] The post 33 Tourists Injured As Sleeper Bus Turns Turtle On Jammu-Srinagar Highway appeared first on Northlines .
CJP's protest to last until Gyanesh Kumar resigns, says Abhijeet Dipke
The Cockroach Janta Party, led by Abhijeet Dipke, is initiating nationwide protests starting on October 2. The protests aim to pressure Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign from his position. Dipke has openly criticized the Election Commission's handling of electoral rolls and expressed discontent with the Supreme Court's previous decisions. He voiced concerns regarding the court's treatment of voters in West Bengal during elections.
West Bengals government has secured approval for a significant bridge project over the Teesta River, enhancing regional connectivity. West Bengal Approves 1,175.59 Crore Teesta River Bridge Project
Sonia Gandhi And Mamata Banerjee Share Light Moment At INDIA Bloc Meet
When the INDIA bloc leaders met on Wednesday to discuss action against Election Commission and its chief Gyanesh Kumar, a moment of bonhomie between Sonia Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee stood out.As the former West Bengal chief minister addressed the press conference, appealing to NGOs, students, youth, women, civil society and journalists to support the oppositions campaign, Sonia, siting besides her, could be seen all smiles and all support for Didi's aggressive assertions.
SC seeks response from West Bengal, others on TMC MP's plea alleging eviction from circuit house
The Supreme court directed the West Bengal governmnet and other to file responses to TMC MP Mahua Moitra's plea alleging that district administration officials in Nadia had evicted her from a circuit house even thought she was allotted a room at the state-owned property. The bench said that responses be filed within a week and the petitioner may file rejoinder within one week thereafter. The Krishnanagar MP had also threatened to move court over the alleged harassment.
Supreme Court declines to interfere with freezing of Trinamool Congress
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea filed by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) challenging the freezing of four of its bank accounts by the West Bengal Police following a complaint by a member of the partys rebel faction. A Bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale refrained from [] The post Supreme Court declines to interfere with freezing of Trinamool Congresss four bank accounts appeared first on India Legal .
West Bengal Allocates 1,200 Crore for Ghatal Master Plan to Tackle Recurring Floods in Medinipur
NIA Tracks Brainwashed Youth After Arrest of Four JMB Suspects in West Bengal
The NIA is monitoring youth in West Bengal after the arrest of four suspects linked to the JMB, accused of radicalizing individuals. NIA Tracks Brainwashed Youth After Arrest of Four JMB Suspects in West Bengal
Dilip Ghosh Critiques Oppositions Tactics Ahead of Upcoming Elections
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh accuses the opposition of creating distractions as elections approach, calling their coalition a picnic party. Dilip Ghosh Critiques Oppositions Tactics Ahead of Upcoming Elections
Teen slashes classmate in south Kolkata school, victim stable after surgery
SIR tribunal judges refuse to log into new portal with Aadhaar, flag tweak in docu norm
In El Nino year, Kol logs 28% surplus monsoon rain
25 objections to draft KMC reserved wards, hearing on Saturday
10 accounts get 2.4cr in 2 days, cops suspect laundering racket
Howrah Division: RPF Rescues Over 800 Kids In 8 Months
West Bengal appeal against Milan Pradhan will be dismissed, indicates Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is set to review the West Bengal government's plea challenging Milan Pradhan's interim bail during a session on Monday. This case revolves around six criminal proceedings linked to the violent protests in Nandigram back in 2007. Previously, the Calcutta High Court allowed Pradhan to secure bail for electoral purposes.
Pre-dawn attack on BJP mins CR Avenue office
JU Commission To Probe Recruitment Irregularities
Voter appeals pile up amid ERO vacancies, procedural confusion
NCPI wants Bharat Ratna for Gyanesh Kumar
Yellow jerseys, blue hearts: Fans face happy dilemma as Kol waits for Brazil showdown
Attendance marks to bring truant students back to classrooms: Calcutta University college principals
SIT Visits SRFTI, Collects CCTV Footage, Records Statements
Jadavpur University teachers urge guv to withdraw transfer policy
Calcutta High Court bars club from holding Durga Puja at residential building
Haridevpur Durga Puja back on track after meeting with BJP MLA
Special drive to enrol left-out voters
Parking on flyover, diversions: Puja traffic rejig in Behala zone
Newlywed found dead, hubby arrested
No VIP pass culture: New Durga Puja body set up with 780 clubs in city and abroad
PM Modi to inaugurate major Kolkata Durga Pujas from Eden Gardens on Mahalaya
Centre approves Rs 1,175 crore Teesta bridge project in Darjeeling
From Complaint to Justice: Seeking Rights Through Evidence and Institutions
Recent incidents involving allegations concerning Muslim officers in West Bengal, the transfer of IPS officer Bushra Bano, and the long-running land dispute of Asgar Ali Vohra have raised an important question: how should citizens pursue grievances and seek justice? Allegations Require Evidence TMC MP Mahua Moitra has alleged that senior Muslim IAS and IPS officers [] The post From Complaint to Justice: Seeking Rights Through Evidence and Institutions first appeared on .
West Bengal SIR tribunal Judge submits resignation letter, cites long commute
It is difficult to continue under such circumstances, Justice (Retd.) Indrajit Chatterjee, head of the SIR tribunal number 11 dealing with deletions of names from Murshidabad district, says he travels 70-80 km for three-four hours every day
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Puja pass scam: ED quizzes former minister Indranil for 10 hours
Bengal allocates Rs 1,200cr for Ghatal plan, Rs 1.8L aid for flood-hit families
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SC To Hear Moitras Circuit House Eviction Plea
The Supreme Court will hear TMC MP Mahua Moitras plea alleging she was evicted from a West Bengal circuit house despite having a room allotted.
Education-skills integration vital to professionalise jewellery industry: Experts
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 30 (IANS) Industry leaders on Wednesday stressed the need to integrate formal education with skill-based training to ensure the long-term growth of India's jewellery sector and preserve its rich tradition of craftsmanship. Speaking on the sidelines of an industry event here, experts said artisans remain the backbone of the jewellery industry, but attracting younger generations to the profession has become an increasing challenge. They argued that linking jewellery-making skills with recognised academic qualifications and certifications could make the sector more appealing to students and young professionals. Vinod Bamalwa, Director of Nemichand Bamalwa & Sons and Chairman of the National Expert Committee on Jewellery and Lifestyle at the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), said the industry is facing a shortage of young artisans as fewer people are choosing jewellery craftsmanship as a career. According to him, one of the key reasons is the lack of formal recognition of jewellery-making as a structured vocational education pathway. He said that integrating technical skills with degree and certification programmes could help elevate the profession's status and attract more talent to the sector. Bamalwa noted that efforts are underway to introduce jewellery manufacturing and related technical subjects to students at the school level, with industry participation playing a key role in designing and supporting such programmes. He said the industry has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the government to build a stronger talent pipeline. Subhankar Sen, Co-Chairman of the ICC National Expert Committee on Jewellery and Lifestyle and Managing Director and CEO of Senco Gold & Diamonds, said West Bengal has long been a hub of jewellery craftsmanship, with artisans from the state contributing significantly to jewellery centres across the country, including Mumbai, Surat and southern India. Sen pointed out that jewellery education extends far beyond the art of making ornaments and encompasses areas such as metallurgy, marketing, sales techniques and product management. Introducing such subjects at school and college levels, he said, could open up employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people. He emphasised that combining education with practical skill development is essential if the jewellery sector is to evolve into a more organised and professionally managed industry.
Nandigram bypoll: Suvendu predicts unimaginable victory margin
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Bengal: Humayun Kabir moves HRC against police action on party workers
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 30 (IANS) Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) Chairman and Nowda MLA Humayun Kabir on Wednesday approached the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (HRC) with a complaint that the police were illegally arresting his party leaders and workers. The police had not responded to the allegations at the time of filing this report. Humayun Kabir, along with several party workers and their families, appeared at the Human Rights Commission's office on Wednesday. He alleged that the police were harassing his party leaders and workers ahead of the by-election in Rejinagar in Murshidabad district. He mainly complained to the Human Rights Commission against the police of the Beldanga, Nowda and Shaktinagar police stations. In the words of the AJUP Chairman, My party workers and supporters are being harassed unilaterally. Their houses are being raided. He further said that not only his party, but also common people of Murshidabad had raised their voices against such police raids. We want the Human Rights Commission to take note of the matter and intervene, he added. The by-elections in the Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies will be held on October 6. Humayun Kabir alleged that the ruling party was trying to capture the Rejinagar seat by any means and was using various illegal methods to do so. Earlier, Humayun Kabir wrote a letter to the Election Commission, alleging police excesses and harassment of party workers. In his letter to the Commission, Humayun Kabir alleged that the Superintendent of Police of the Berhampore Police District was trying to influence the election directly. On September 24, Humayun Kabir staged a sit-in protest outside the Rejinagar police station, alleging that the police were arresting his party leaders and workers in a bid to stop them from campaigning for the by-election. Humayun Kabir had won the 2026 Assembly elections from both the Rejinagar and Nowda constituencies. He later relinquished the Rejinagar constituency. The by-election is being held there, in which he has fielded his son. Humayun Kabir alleged that his party was not being allowed to campaign and that the police were working for the ruling party in the state.
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Kumortuli Ghat: Crucial Restoration For Kolkata's Evergreen Potters' Lane
Durga Puja is not just the largest festival of West Bengal. It is also a citywide exhibition of art - through resplendent idols, spectacular pandals and dazzling display of lights - drawing millions of visitors.
West Bengal Government Takes Firm Stand Against Child Marriage and Early Motherhood
West Bengals government commits to zero tolerance on child marriage and early motherhood, addressing alarming statistics in the state. West Bengal Government Takes Firm Stand Against Child Marriage and Early Motherhood
IIBX plans to bring bullion to Bengals doorstep with Kolkata vault by Diwali
IIBX will open its own bullion vault in Kolkata by Diwali, enabling West Bengal jewellers to take local delivery instead of sourcing bullion from Chennai or GIFT City. The move is expected to cut logistics costs and delivery times, as the industry navigates high gold prices, falling volumes and export growth opportunities.
