'Run Bulldozer Over Me': Mamata After Attack At Abhishek Banerjees House Ahead Of Kali Puja
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of disrupting traditional Kali Puja celebrations following an alleged attack on TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's residence in Kolkata. Abhishek alleged that BJP workers attacked his residence around 2 am on Saturday and questioned the Kolkata Police's response. Reacting to the incident, Mamata claimed that traditional puja permissions were revoked while new celebrations were allowed. She also questioned why a locality known for Kali Puja processions was being disturbed ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali. Mamata further alleged political hostility, linking it to the TMC's association with the INDIA alliance.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 7 (IANS) Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday threatened to approach the Supreme Court over clashes allegedly involving Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Mamata All India Trinamool Congress (MAITC) supporters outside the residence of her nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, in south Kolkata. She accused the BJP and the police of conspiring to create tension in the area. Mamata visited Abhisheks residence in Kalighat, close to her own home, and spoke to reporters. Abhishek is the Trinamool Congresss Lok Sabha member from Diamond Harbour. Mamata said she would pursue the matter at the highest judicial level if required, alleging that the police had failed to act during the incident. The two residences are located in the same south Kolkata neighbourhood. A group of lumpen elements backed by the BJP orchestrated the attack on Abhisheks house after 2 a.m. The police remained silent spectators, she alleged. She singled out Bolai Bag, officer-in-charge of Kalighat police station, which has jurisdiction over both residences. She cautioned the officer that his actions could trigger public anger. The former Chief Minister also accused the police of trying to disrupt the annual Kali Puja organised at her residence and prevent people from visiting her home for the festival. She alleged that restrictions and police deployment had created tension in the neighbourhood ahead of the celebrations. An atmosphere of unrest has been deliberately created in this area before the Kali Puja. The pujas of old clubs are being prevented. However, new pujas are starting overnight. The entrance to my house has been practically blocked, and new pujas have been organised. The police vehicles have deliberately been kept blocking the entrance to my house. The police have also issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, she said. Mamata claimed that surveillance had been stepped up to prevent people from gathering outside her residence. As a result, the police have intensified surveillance to ensure that no gathering takes place in front of my house. All this is done to prevent people from coming to my house on the occasion of the Kali Puja, she said. She accused the BJP of engineering the tension outside Abhisheks residence during the early hours of Saturday, and questioned the partys stated commitment to democracy. On one hand, they are organising Save Democracy, Eliminate Anarchy rallies in the state, and on the other hand, they are the ones who are trampling the democratic structure, she said. Mamata also criticised the state administration, referring indirectly to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. I am not blaming all from BJP. But the one who is leading the administration in West Bengal is behind all these, she alleged.
Mamata Banerjee alleged that the BJP disrupted a Kali Puja celebration in Kolkata's Kalighat area. She claimed that a gang attacked TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's house during the early hours. Concerns were raised about the breakdown of law and order in West Bengal related to these incidents. CCTV footage reportedly captured assailants attacking the premises and damaging property.
Mamata Banerjee accuses BJP of hooliganism, says
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hooliganism and alleged that a gang of thugs attacked a Kali Puja celebration in Kolkata's Kalighat area in the early hours of the day, following an alleged attack on the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Abhishek Banerjee. Police reached Abhishek Banerjee's residence after he alleged that his house was attacked around 2 am. Mamata Banerjee, reacting to the incident, questioned the alleged disruption of traditional puja celebrations in the locality ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali. Tomorrow is Kali Puja and Diwali. Last night, at 2:00 AM, an attack was carried out at Abhishek Banerjee
West Bengal elections not legally valid, says former CEC S.Y. Quraishi
Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi questions the legal validity of the West Bengal elections, flags alleged voter deletions during the SIR process and says Election Commission decisions must be taken by majority.
Fake Durga Puja pass case: Indranil Sen's daughter echoes mother, blames father for firm operations
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 7 (IANS)Former West Bengal Tourism Minister and former Minister of State for Information & Cultural Affairs Indranil Sen appears increasingly isolated within his own family in the multi-crore fake UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja pass scam, for which he was arrested last month. First, his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, who owns Mass Art, the entity through which the fake passes were allegedly sold, said during interrogation that the said entity was in her name only on paper and all administrative and operational decisions about the entity were taken by her husband. She also claimed that her role in Mass Art was just limited to signing on the dotted lines as instructed by her husband. Now, Sens daughter, Averi Sen, who was also questioned for several hours by investigating officers at Kolkata Police headquarters, Lalbazar in Central Kolkata, earlier this week, almost echoed her mother on this issue, confirmed a city police source. Averi was questioned about the huge sums of money transferred to two corporate entities in her name, ISCAPE and Myra. Like her mother, she also claimed that the two corporate entities were in her name just on paper and her role was limited to signing on the dotted lines as instructed by her father. The statements of Sens wife and mother corroborate the findings of the investigating officers that, in an attempt to keep himself in the fake pass case as well as other cases relating to tendering irregularities in both the state tourism and information & cultural affairs departments, Sen operated from behind in all these corporate entities, keeping his family members in the forefront. In fact, instead of using his own bank accounts, he used the accounts in the names of his family members or the corporate entities in their names for financial transactions, the city police insider said. Meanwhile, he added, Sen, who is in police custody now, had started passing the buck to Dhrubojytri Basu, a top official of Mass Art, who was arrested earlier this week. Sen will be produced before a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. On the other hand, Basu will be presented at the same court on November 13. Besides, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police, the fake puja pass case is also being probed by the ED.
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, on Saturday called on the armed forces to maintain the highest level of operational readiness, with a focus on domain awareness, cyber resilience and information integrity to counter emerging threats. Singh was speaking to Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel at Air Force Station Bagdogra in West Bengal on the eve [] The post Rajnath Singh tells forces to stay at peak readiness against cyber and information threats at Bagdogra air base appeared first on Tfipost.com .
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relations with local residents in sensitive border areas, saying the conduct of soldiers and their interaction with civilians shape the Armed Force's image and help weaken enemy plots. Addressing soldiers in Bagdogra, Singh said their behaviour, discipline and restraint were important in maintaining public trust in the armed forces. At the post where you serve, your conduct, your uniform, your language and your restraint shape the army's image in the minds of local people. The people of Bagdogra and the surrounding areas have great affection for the army. It is also your responsibility to preserve that affection. The more you connect with local people, the weaker the enemy's plots will become, he said. Bagdogra is located close to the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the 'Chicken's Neck', a narrow stretch of land in northern West Bengal that connects mainland India with the northeastern states....
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 7: What makes a destination memorable? It is often more than its landscapes or monuments. It is the food, the flavours, the traditions and the warmth of the people who welcome visitors. Recognising the importance of these experiences to tourism, the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), part of the Indismart Group, has entered into a three-year Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, through the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority.
Pay Commission: West Bengal's 7th panel will cover non-teaching staff of state-aided universities and education boards and examine their existing pay structure and service conditions. Here's all we know
Who has time to kill Abhishek Banerjee?: Dilip Ghosh dismisses claims of attack
West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh on Saturday mocked All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee over his claims of a late-night attack on his residence, questioning who has time to kill the TMC leader. Speaking to the reporters, Ghosh termed the allegations as an attempt to mislead people. This is the first time we
Calcutta High Court restrains KMC polls until challenge on delimitation decided
The West Bengal government, through a delimitation, has increased the number of wards of KMC from 144 to 209. The petitioner argued that the State government and its agencies have resorted to gerrymandering in order to secure partisan advantage to the ruling political party in West Bengal on the premise of previous electoral results.
West Bengal election is not legally valid:Former CEC S.Y. Quraishi
The former top poll official alsoreinstated thatthe Election Commission of Indiais supposed to makedecisions based on a majority
Coordinators in all 209 KMC wards after Nov 30: Suvendu
Participants from 11 countries attend SRFTI media training
In Salt Lake, road repairs enter lanes and bylanes inside blocks
In next 4 months, cops to spend Rs 2 crore on road markings
New Alipore locals band together to save strays
5 friends douse teen in petrol, set him on fire to create reel
Ashoke Sen delivers lecture at IACS, his 2nd in Kol after Oskar Klein Medal win
Green norms go up in smoke as illegal crackers flood markets
Extended Metro services on Kali Puja
From Dial 100 calls to locked terraces and rocket ban, condos tighten cracker curbs
ER lens on cracker transportation by trains, steps up vigil at stations
Drone, helicopter, lotus, elephant and peacock fireworks add sparkle to Bazi Bazaar
Police step up neighbourhood patrolling, announcements
Catch them young: Police take message of green fireworks to students at schools, apartments
Kolkata sees 22% rise in registered Kali Pujas
West Bengal may get 1 lakh crore investments in a few months: Suvendu Adhikari
Suvendu Adhikari said the BJP-led government would offer incentives starting May 9, but would be unable to clear the industrial incentives backlog of nearly Rs 50,000 crore owing to the state's debt burden of Rs 8 lakh crore. He promised to clear the backlog once West Bengal becomes a financially stronger state like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in the next two years.
3 BJP workers arrested for extortion and vandalism
Rare bird sightings raise hopes, birders warn Chhath could undo Sarobars ecological recovery
New Market hotel file: Charge sheet likely next wk, to focus blaze source, flammable interior decor
Eligible CAA applicants to get citizenship by December 31: West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced plans to expedite the citizenship application process under CAA by December 31. He highlighted that around 2.5 lakh applications remain pending due to previous government delays. Adhikari stated that training and administrative measures are being implemented to ensure timely application processing. Additionally, the state government will invest Rs 1,000 crore over two years to restore religious institutions.
Ex-Minister's Home Searched In Puja Pass Scam
Police conducted a search at the Kasba residence of former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen in connection with the alleged Durga Puja pass scam, days after his arrest. The investigation involves the unauthorised use of the UNESCO name and logo to sell VIP passes and preview show tickets, with Sen's wife and daughter also under scrutiny for their alleged roles and financial irregularities.
RPF seizes 6 kg of ganja worth 3 lakh at Thrissur railway station
19-year-old West Bengal native held; says he was promised 20,000 to deliver the consignment at Aluva
Dasgupta says there is enough land available at present in the State to take care of the initial demand for the next two to three years
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 6 (IANS) West Bengal Finance Department issued a notification announcing the state governments decision to bring all non-teaching employees in 25 state universities and all employees of three state education boards and councils under the 7th Pay Commission. The three education boards and councils whose employees will be brought under the 7th Pay Commission are West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) and the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education (WBBME). As per the notification issued by Prabhat Kumar Mishra, the Additional Chief Secretary to the State Finance Department, while the state government had constituted the 7th Pay Commission for State Government employees as well as certain other categories of employees and decided the terms of reference, the Governor, R.N. Ravi, had decided that the Commission will also examine the existing pay structure and conditions of service of the regular non-teaching employees in the state-aided universities and all employees in the three education boards and councils. The Commission will make necessary recommendations as early as possible, read the notification. However, the notification did not provide any information on the rate at which the salaries of the concerned education workers will increase. The notification had also not given any clarification on what the new salary structure will be, when it will be effective, and how the arrears will be settled. It is believed that a decision in this regard can be taken only after the commission's recommendations. After the new government took over, there have been expectations among the state government employees regarding the Pay Commission, dearness allowances at par with those of central government employees accrued on it. The Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, had also announced that the 7th Pay Commission would be formed to restructure the pay structure of the state government employees. After that announcement, the state government started the initial process of forming the 7th Pay Commission.
Karmabhoomi Express catches fire in Punjab, 4 coaches affected; 1,500 passengers escape unhurt
Patiala, Nov 6: More than 1,500 passengers had a narrow escape after a fire broke out in the Karmabhoomi Express near Sarai Banjara railway station in Punjab's Patiala district on Friday, engulfing three coaches and partially damaging a fourth, officials said. The train, travelling from Amritsar to West Bengal's New Jalpaiguri, was immediately brought to a halt after the fire was detected, and the affected coaches were detached from the rest of the train to prevent the blaze from spreading. No casualty or injury was reported. According to officials, the fire broke out on the Rajpura-Sirhind railway section when the train was passing near Sarai Banjara railway station. Eyewitnesses and local residents who rushed to the spot said thick smoke could be seen billowing into the sky as the coaches caught fire. The passengers rushed out of the affected coaches and managed to escape safely. Senior railway officials, who reached the spot, said the fire initially broke out in one coach but spread to other coaches due to strong winds. Initially, it was one coach, but as wind was blowing at speed (and as fire spread), a total of four coaches were affected, Ambala Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Vinod Kumar Bhatia told reporters. Three general coaches were primarily affected by the fire, while a fourth coach suffered minor damage, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Ambala Division of Northern Railways Yashanjit Singh said. The train was unreserved, Singh said, adding that alternate arrangements had been made to ensure passengers reached their destination safely by another train. Asked about the cause of the fire, Singh said, It is a matter of inquiry. Bhatia said both overhead equipment (OHE) lines were shut down after the fire was detected. The guard and loco pilot separated the affected coaches from the rest of the train to prevent the blaze from spreading. The guard also informed the control room, following which trains operating on other lines were regulated, he said. The cause of the fire will be investigated, officials said.
Urgent: SVMCM Scholarship Deadline Tonight! Complete Your Submission Before Colleges Close Portals
Facing an SVMCM scholarship deadline? Colleges are setting internal cut-offs for November 6, 2026. Complete your application and document uploads tonight to secure your West Bengal merit-cum-means financial aid.
Akhilesh Yadav says BJP will be forever defeated in UP, alleges electoral roll manipulation
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to manipulate electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and alleged that the ruling party was conspiring to deprive people of their right to vote. Claiming that the BJP would be defeated in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav alleged that similar practices were used in West Bengal, where voters' names were removed from electoral rolls and central security forces were deployed to influence the election. The Bharatiya Janata Party will be forever defeated in UP. People from various states, several political parties, and especially the Opposition, raised questions about the SIR process, but the Election Commission had no answers. Look at the recent election in Bengal, where the Bharatiya Janata Party manipulated the entire process in its favour by using SIR and deploying central forces, Yadav said, addressing a press conference. He further alleged that t...
Fire breaks out in train coach in Punjab, passengers escape unhurt
According to officials, the incident occurred in a general coach of a train headed from Amritsar to New Jalpaiguri in West Bengal
'For a social media reel': Kolkata teen blindfolded, doused in petrol and set on fire
Keralam Construction Sector Faces Uncertainty as Bengal Seeks Return of Migrant Workers
The uncertainty stems from an appeal by West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari asking workers to stay back, citing livelihood opportunities under the VB-G RAM G scheme, which guarantees 125 days of work and enables them to earn a livelihood while living with their families
Key takeaways from the West Bengal Investment Promotion Policy, 2026
The announcement of incentives marks a policy shift for West Bengal as the previous Trinamool Congress government had passed the Revocation of West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Obligations 2025
WBPSC IDO Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 247 Industrial Development Officer Posts
Public Service Commission, West Bengal (WBPSC) has released the Recruitment 2026 notification for 247 Industrial Development Officer posts. The online application process will be conducted from 06 November 2026 to 26 November 2026. Eligible candidates can apply through the official website, psc.wb.gov.in.
Dealer failed to provide papers for Hyundai i10; customer wins Rs 1.72 lakh
A consumer commission in West Bengal has directed a car dealer to provide necessary documents for vehicle registration. The complainant, Tanmay Maity, had purchased a Hyundai Grand i10 in 2018 but faced registration issues. Despite multiple requests, the dealer failed to submit essential documents to the Regional Transport Office. The commission has ordered that the dealer either provide the documents or refund the purchase amount with interest.
Govt launches 9th round of critical mineral auctions, 20 blocks across 8 states put up for bidding
The Ministry of Mines has launched the ninth tranche of the auction of critical and strategic mineral blocks, putting 20 blocks across eight states on offer, as the government steps up efforts to strengthen domestic mineral availability and encourage private sector participation. The latest auction follows eight previous tranches in which 100 unique critical and strategic mineral blocks were offered, of which 64 were successfully auctioned, recording a success rate of 64 per cent. The Ministry of Mines, in 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, a success rate of 64 per cent. The 20 blocks offered in the ninth tranche are spread across Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana and West Bengal. The minerals on offer include graphite, glauconite, vanadium, gallium, titanium, rare earth elements (REE), bauxite, alu...
18 arrested in Tripura over attack on BSF personnel near Bangladesh border
Digital Desk | Agartala, Nov 6 (IANS) The total number of people so far arrested in connection with the brutal attack on Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Tripuras Sepahijala district has risen to 18, including three women, following the arrest of eight more accused, police officials said on Friday. A senior police official said the fresh eight arrests were made from different parts of Sepahijala district on Thursday night and early Friday morning in connection with the November 2 incident at Ashabari village, under Kalamchaura police station, along the India-Bangladesh international border. An intensive search operation, launched immediately after the attack on BSF personnel on November 2, was still underway to apprehend the remaining accused, the official told IANS. All the 18 accused have been booked under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. The eight newly arrested persons would be produced before a local court in Sepahijala district at the earliest, the official said. The first 10 accused arrested in the case were earlier produced before a court. Following the courts orders, the male accused were remanded to police custody, while the women were sent to judicial custody. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Manik Saha, who had strongly condemned the attack and directed the authorities to take stringent action against those involved, chaired a high-level meeting with senior security officials on Thursday night to review the incident and the overall law and order situation. In a post on X, CM Saha said he chaired the meeting at the TIFT Conference Hall in Agartala in the presence of senior officials from the state administration, police, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Assam Rifles. He said the Ashabari incident was also reviewed, and the authorities were directed to ensure strict legal action against those involved, adopt zero tolerance towards cross-border smuggling and strengthen security measures to maintain peace and law and order. According to police, the incident occurred on November 2 when BSF personnel intercepted a group of alleged smugglers attempting to smuggle ganja (cannabis) across the India-Bangladesh border. Subsequently, the BSF personnel were reportedly surrounded and attacked by a mob of around 50 men and women, leaving three personnel, including a Company Commander, grievously injured. The attackers also allegedly snatched a pump-action gun (PAG) from one of the BSF personnel and damaged a BSF vehicle. One of the alleged attackers was also injured in the incident. There have been several instances of attacks on BSF and other security personnel by suspected cross-border smugglers in Tripura. On October 16, 2017, a vehicle allegedly driven by smugglers ran over Deepak Kumar Mandal, Deputy Commandant of the BSF's 145th Battalion, at Balerdepha in the smuggling-prone Sonamura subdivision of Sepahijala district. Mandal, a resident of West Bengal, succumbed to his injuries on October 20, 2017. In another incident, Tripura Police Sub-Inspector Durga Kumar Hrangkhawl was killed on duty on November 21, 2019, after a vehicle allegedly operated by cross-border smuggling mafias deliberately ran him over in the same district. These incidents underline the serious risks faced by security and law-enforcement personnel while tackling organised cross-border smuggling activities in the district. Tripura shares an 856-km-long international border with Bangladesh and is surrounded by the neighbouring country on three sides. The state's geographical location makes it particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling, illegal movement and other transnational crimes. Except for a few stretches, most parts of the international border have been fenced to prevent smuggling, illegal crossings and the movement of criminal and other inimical elements.
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
South suburban pockets supply most of Kolkatas noise demons
Lightweight gold, silver coins set up Dhanteras mood
Rabindra Sarobar regulars fear return of pre-2019 days
Kolkata Police enforce stricter fines on illegal firecracker sellers
SRFTI classes to stay suspended till Dec 11
3 coaching centre teachers thrash traffic cop, held
Drunk driver crashes SUV, injures two, damages Rajiv Gandhi statue
Korean water cannons guard Maidan Bazi Bazaar
Poush Mela to be held from Dec 23
Birth anniversary to celebrate visions of freedom fighter Bipin Chandra Pal
SEC pushes back publication of final voter roll for KMC poll
Presidency played role in Vande Matarams evolution from song to victory slogan
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.
Doctor shops for magnet, uses it to draw another out of 6-year-old girls airway
Body found in abandoned luxury car at Kasba garage
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
Bengal govt marks 275 B.Ed colleges as ineligible after failing to meet required criteria
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) Coming as a setback to B.Ed colleges that have mushroomed in the state in the last few years, the West Bengal government has marked as many as 275 such colleges as 'ineligible'. As a result, these B.Ed colleges will not be able to renew their accreditation for the academic year 2026-27. State Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay stated that after the new government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari came to power, he stood at Bikash Bhaban and said that education will not be allowed to be commoditised in any way and the quality of education must be maintained. He added that the Higher Education and Technical Education Department jointly conducted a rigorous inspection drive in B.Ed, ITI, Polytechnic and Pharma colleges. He said that in the first phase, 156 B.Ed colleges were allowed to admit students, adding that about 415 B.Ed colleges that could not meet the criteria were sent 21-day show-cause notices for infrastructure development. Out of them, 9 colleges did not respond, he said. After the second round of inspection, permission has been given to admit students in 237 B.Ed colleges for the academic year 2026-27. The remaining 205 colleges could not meet the quality standards, and due to this, a decision has been taken to stop the admission of students there. The Minister also said that admissions have been suspended in 14 out of 265 ITIs, 38 out of 134 pharma colleges and 1 out of 74 polytechnics. As a result, the future of the students in those colleges is in darkness. Swapan Mandal, General Secretary of the Bengali Teachers and Education Workers Association, said that if 275 B.Ed colleges are closed at once in the state, it will be a disaster in the education sector. He added that the future of the employees and students associated with so many colleges will become uncertain. There will also be a shortage of qualified teacher candidates. The government should immediately intervene in this matter and solve this problem, he said.
In festive season, Kalimpongs marigold growers struggle to find their market
Nothing to be built in Babars name, says Suvendu
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.
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.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday issued a strong note of caution against attempts at extortion or attempts to close industrial units through militant trade unionism and threatened instant arrests of the perpetrators in both such cases after the state government unveiled its new industrial policy. There is a dedicated helpline number for registering complaints on extortion. I am requesting the investors to register their complaints on that helpline number. I assure that action will be taken within 15 minutes from the time the complaint is registered and the perpetrators will be dealt with strictly as per legal provisions, said the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister also used a strong note of caution to stall operations in any industrial unit in the name of militant trade unionism. I will not allow any attempt at unnecessary cease-work at any industrial unit. Those who will try to do so will be put in jail. I will ensure that they will stay in jail for a long time. If there is any complaint against any management, there is a proper way to address that by approaching the labour commission, the Chief Minister said. He also launched a scathing attack against the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress over the annual Bengal Global Business Summit meant to be organised during the previous regime to attract investment in the state. Over Rs 650 crore was spent in organising eight such summits. The previous government claimed that memoranda of understanding worth Rs 16 lakh crore were signed in these eight summits. But ultimately nothing fructified. The previous government even showed infrastructure development projects as proposed investments, the Chief Minister said. He claimed that the previous regime neglected the generation of the states own tax revenue and claimed that the state exchequer suffered severe losses because of the patronage of corruption during the previous regime. However, things have started improving in the first six months of our new government. The state's revenue has increased according to the respective periods of the two financial years from April to September 2025 and from April to October 2026, he said. He added that although it is not possible to take any new initiative right now, the revenue collection has increased by Rs 4,000 crore compared to last year. Our goal is to increase the state's own tax revenue by stopping money laundering and extortion and create an environment for investment in industry, the Chief Minister added.
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.
BJP Dares Rahul to Debate INDIA Bloc, Karnataka Leaders on SIR, Not PM Modi
Patra said Gandhi should debate with AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Karnataka PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, instead of challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
