Five former TMC ministers arrested under BJP rule, only one gets bail
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) Only one of the five former ministers of the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government arrested during the first six months of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime in West Bengal is currently out on bail. The cases concern alleged wrongdoing during the previous Trinamool Congress government's tenure. The arrests of former ministers began with former state Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose. Three other former ministers were subsequently arrested: Dilip Mondal, who served as Minister of State for Transport; Ujjal Biswas, the former Correctional Services Minister; and Udyana Guha, who held the North Bengal Development portfolio. The latest to join the list is Indranil Sen, former state Tourism Minister and Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs. The singer-turned-politician was arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to festival tours associated with the UNESCO-tagged celebration. Of the five former ministers, Biswas is the only one currently out on bail. Sen is in police custody, while the other three, along with Bose, are in judicial custody. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Bose in connection with the multi-crore cash-for-jobs case involving municipal recruitment in West Bengal. Mondal, Biswas and Guha were arrested by the West Bengal Police in cases involving allegations of corruption, extortion and political violence. Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police earlier this week. He is the only one among the five against whom the ED and the city police have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to tours organised around the UNESCO-tagged festival. The case against Sen has drawn particular attention in view of the ED's investigation, after the name of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee figured in the agency's findings. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming Banerjee in connection with a transaction involving Octave Records, a company owned by Sen. According to the agency, nearly Rs 30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the company's accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen, however, maintained that the payment was made towards royalty. Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the West Bengal government to examine alleged institutional corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress regime has initiated an inquiry involving Sen.
West Bengal steps up efforts to bring back tigress that strayed into Assam
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon is all set to visit the tigress in Assam and finalise the plan to tranquilise it and bring back to Bengals territory
West Bengal steps up efforts to bring back tigress that strayed into Assam
West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Oraon is all set to visit the tigress in Assam and finalise the plan to tranquilise it and bring back to Bengals territory
Howrah woman becomes bus conductor to fulfill late father's dream
At 59 years old, Dolly Rana has passionately launched a bus service in Howrah, West Bengal, all to fulfill her late father's dream of bus ownership. Amidst the pandemic and increasing competition, she embraced the role of conductor, showcasing her tenacity. With support from local transport authorities, she obtained a new route permit, driving her business forward. Her journey truly embodies resilience and the honoring of a cherished promise.
When a blunder led to a news scoop
It rarely happens that a reporter makes a big blunder, and the blunder leads him to the biggest news story of his career. Perhaps, it was fate. Exactly 42 years ago, Indira Gandhi was shot by two of her own security guards at her prime ministerial residence around 9:30 in the morning on October 31, 1984. The news spread like wildfire that she has been taken to AIIMS for treatment. This reporter quickly reached AIIMS riding the pillion of the scooter of his professional friend, Anil Tyagi. Acting smart, the duo decided not to go to the emergency ward from the main gate. Instead, they entered AIIMS from the side gate located on the Ring Road, and rode straight to the Directors bungalow. It was an act of sheer stupidity. Why would the Director be at home when the Prime Minister has been shot? That morning, unrelated to the shooting, a top-level routine meeting had already been held in AIIMS to appoint Dr. Sneh Bhargava as the new Director. When the journos reached the Directors bungalow, it was locked. This reporter and his friend felt like fools. They had no option but to turn the scooter around and exit the AIIMS campus and re-enter from the main gate leading to the emergency ward. After all, that was the place to get real news. But, fortunately, the reporters did not need to reach the right place. Fatefully, on the way towards the side gate, the reporters spotted a bunch of young doctors, with grave faces, talking animatedly with one another. Such a scene is almost surely bound to get noticed by a journalist. They were all standing at the gate of the doctors hostel. The reporters quietly parked the scooter and merged into the crowd. The fraternity conversation between the doctors turned out to be a scoop, on a platter, for the reporter duo. The doctors doing the talking were senior residents who were looking after the emergency ward when Indira Gandhi was brought in. They had examined her themselves. They were sharing the story with their colleagues. Indira Gandhi had been brought dead to the hospital. There was no pulse, no heartbeat, no sign of life. They had informed their seniors at lightning speed. Meanwhile crowds had begun to build up outside the emergency ward. The AIIMS administration took two quick decisions. One: They shifted Indira Gandhis body to an operation theatre on the sixth floor. Two: They persuaded all the senior residents present in the emergency ward to vacate their post and go back to their hostel. Free from duty, those doctors returned to the hostel and were sharing their once-in-a-lifetime experience with their fellows. After hearing out all the details, this journalist asked gently, doctor sahib, was Indira Gandhi clinically dead?. The doctors reply was categorical. Not just clinically, even otherwise she was dead. Suddenly, the doctor realised that he was interacting with two unknown faces. He wanted to know their identity. The reporters replied politely that they were just passing by, and had joined the group out of curiosity. Both the journos had got the final news from the horses mouth. Now they did not need to go to emergency ward for confirmation. So they parked the scooter behind the academic block, and entered AIIMS from the rear. There was no one there to stop them. Walking unhindered through the corridors of the academic block, the two reporters reached the backdoor of the emergency ward, and walked right into it. Before anyone could realise what was happening, suddenly the front door of the emergency ward opened, and Chandra Shekhar walked in. The reporters greeted him with folded hands. He caught hold of their hands and took them along with him right up to the sixth floor. This was where Indira Gandhis body was being embalmed because it had to be kept in state at Teen Murti Bhawan for people to have their last darshan. Embalming was proving to be a difficult task. The body was riddled with bullet wounds. A total of 36 bullets, fired at point blank range, had pierced through her frail frame. No human being could have survived such a lethal attack. The doctors walked Chandra Shekhar alone, a little further down the corridor, and whispered something into his ears. He nodded and, with a grim face, returned to leave. The three walked back through the emergency ward, and emerged outside from the front door. This was where a crowd of journalists and Congress workers had gathered, anxious for news. The AIIMS administration had deliberately misinformed everyone. The plan was to keep the news under wraps to enable Rajiv Gandhi to be smoothly sworn in as the next Prime Minister. The AIIMS administration had succeeded in withholding the vital information. The journalists waiting outside the emergency ward were under the impression that a wounded Indira Gandhi is being operated upon, to save her life. This reporters professional senior, Kumkum Chadha, pointed out towards a van parked some distance away, and it was believed that it had brought blood for the operation. When this reporter gave her the news that Indira Gandhi was dead, she did not believe it. Rajiv Gandhi returned from West Bengal to Delhi by 4 p.m. President Zail Singh returned from North Yemen to Delhi by 4:30 p.m. Around 6:30 pm, Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in at Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhawan. Meanwhile, BBC had broken the news by 1 p.m. IST. Major Indian newspapers had brought out special afternoon editions with screaming banner headlines announcing the news. Doordarshan had been obedient, as expected. It finally put out the news at 6 p.m.
The civic body polls are likely to be held in the next few weeks even as the fate of many voters lie in a limbo
Jkhand cop gives 410g liver to daughter
City docs ask for cap on insulin price
Primary scholarship exams held
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Durga Puja dhakis preserve Bengal's rich heritage
Watching mesmerised as the purohit at a friend's Durga Puja rhythmically waved the silver oil lamp with multiple wicks before the goddess, and then in succession, a silver camphor lamp, incense sticks, red cloth, conch shell, flowers and a silver-handled fly-whisk while incessantly ringing a bell with his other hand, I noticed that the dhak-drum beats changed subtly at every phase of the arati. For the first time I figured the dhaki (drummer) was doing a duet with the priest.A few days later, an old friend recounted that she was sitting in a puja pandal in the longish, quiet interregnum between the end of bhog (community lunch to partake of what was also offered to the Goddess) and the beginning of preparation for the evening arati, when the dhaki suddenly struck up a beat with his drum. The pandal was empty, with even the priest and helpers probably catching forty winks before the evening's prayers. So, who was this serenade for?Also Read: India lifted 496 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, says World BankFor Her, of course, the drummer told her with a smile. I have respectfully reminded her that it is time to awaken. I have also drummed out the message that evening arati will soon commence. He then proceeded to tell her that dhakis have many different beats, each for a specific aspect of the puja. To uninitiated ears, they may sound like just any set of percussive tunes, but their 'bols' (sounds) are like mantras, perfectly complementing the priest's incantations.Like most, if not all, Bengalis, my friend and I love the heart-thumping sound of West Bengal's traditional large dhak drums. They not only joyfully herald the advent of the Goddess long before she can actually be seen arriving at her maternal home, they also devotedly accompany every ritual of Her worship for four days and dolefully sound her inevitable retreat: the long journey back to her husband Shiva in the Himalayas. They are her faithful minstrels.Also Read: India to conduct population census from January 25 to February 28, 2027; March 1 set as reference dateTherefore, the men (and now also women) whose strong hands and arms provide the rhythmic vocabulary through skilled use of two bamboo canes, are very crucial to Durga Puja celebrations. Yet very few of the thousands who flock to the pandals to admire and seek Her blessings pay much attention to the dhakis and what their drums are actually saying. Few note the change in beat and cadence. For many, they are just background music, a kind of white noise.Women dhakis, of late, have got a lot of publicity in many Indian cities, with many puja committees specifically seeking them out - often to enhance their inclusive credentials. Not many go further and ask those women (and men) the significance of the beats they play when, and why. My perceptive friend is an exception. And the answers she got were eye-openers. Their's is a labour of love, time they take out annually from their life as farmers to play for Her.The semiotic language they serenade Her with has been passed down generations, and even the youngest dhakis are hopefully conversant with it too. It is not enough for them to simply know all the rhythmic beats; they must also remember what to play when and why. Before the advent of modern telecommunications made so many traditional ways of sending messages over long distances redundant, drums were the equivalent of the town crier if not the telegraph and radio too.Every aspect of religio-cultural events like Durga Puja has relevance, even if most of us scarcely notice most of them. The semiotic language of the dhakis and drums are one such. Their profession is seeing a revival so younger people are taking it up, but many other puja-associated arts and crafts are down to their last practitioners. Those who appreciate and understand these facets of intangible heritage are even fewer. It's never too late to listen, ask and learn....
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West Bengal to Establish Magic School and Museum to Preserve Magical Heritage
West Bengal plans to set up a magic school and museum to promote and preserve its rich magical heritage for future generations. West Bengal to Establish Magic School and Museum to Preserve Magical Heritage
Ahead of Diwali, govt plans single-window system for speedy Phanush licence in Kol
Bengal shifts 12,000 people to safety as glacial lake outburst hits Bhutan
PTI Kolkata/Guwahati West Bengal shifted 12,000 people living along the Sankosh in Alipurduar district to safety, while Assam closely monitored the situation in vulnerable areas of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts after the rivers water level rose following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in adjoining Bhutan, officials said. Water level in the Sankosh, which forms []
Police to seek govt financial help for Gaighata encounter victims family
After NHRC, state wing sends notice to Kolkata Police commissioner
Custom workout & nutrition modules to help manage frailty at home for seniors
Cop assaulted during helmet drive, 3 arrested
7-hour traffic block in Sealdah div to hit train ops
Beleghata-Sector V link to be ready by Dec end or early Jan: Metro GM
No forced union tie, no wage bias: Govt to Tolly
Fire on 24th floor of South City condo triggers panic
8pm-10pm window stays for bursting of crackers
No phones, smoke breaks: Workshop lays down rules for Kali Puja priests
Chorbagan lessons: Wider gates, no dimly lit pandals in Kali Puja
West Bengal govt to set up magic school and museum
Attack on West Bengal Participants at Bhusawal Station Ahead of National Unity Day
Participants from West Bengal attacked at Bhusawal Station while en route to National Unity Day celebrations, leaving several injured. Attack on West Bengal Participants at Bhusawal Station Ahead of National Unity Day
West Bengal Government to Provide Jobs to Families of Victims of Political Violence
The West Bengal government initiates a process to offer jobs to families of those killed in political violence over the past 25 years. West Bengal Government to Provide Jobs to Families of Victims of Political Violence
Bengal: Hawkers assault Rashtriya Ekta Diwas rally participants
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) People travelling from West Bengal to Vadodara in Gujarat to participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations were brutally assaulted by hawkers at the Bhusaval station in Maharashtra on Friday. The railway police at Bhusaval confirmed that a complaint has been lodged and several people have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway, an official said. We were in a group of 99 people from the Jhargram district in West Bengal, selected by the district administration to travel by a special train to Vadodara for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31. When the train stopped at the Bhusaval station, some of us decided to get out and stretch our legs as it had been a long journey, said Nirmalendu Mahato. He, along with his daughter, purchased some bananas from the platform. While Mahato remained outside, the girl went inside the compartment to keep the bananas near their luggage. Trouble started after she rejoined her father on the platform and Mahato started videographing the surroundings. We had heard a lot about Bhusaval and its bananas, so it was only natural for me to make a video. There were some hawkers around, but it was not my idea to focus on them. Suddenly, an elderly man approached me from behind and asked me harshly to stop making the video. I asked him the reason, when four others approached. Realising that they were out there to create trouble, I turned to send my daughter back into the compartment. This was when they pushed me from behind, Mahato said. His co-passengers noticed the incident and accosted the hawkers, resulting in a minor scuffle. The team from Jhargram, which comprises police and administrative officers from the district, then approached the elderly man who had started the whole thing. When he was asked why he started the whole ruckus, the man left. We believed that was the end of the matter. However, he returned in a few minutes with over 20 men and started assaulting us. At least a dozen members of our group received injuries to their faces, shoulders, backs, and other parts of the body. We somehow managed to get into the train and get in touch with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mahato said. The injured, including Mahato, received treatment at the next station, where a complaint was also registered by the railway police. After reaching Vadodara, they were taken to a hospital for medical examination. On the evening of October 30, senior police officers from Bhusaval reached Vadodara and spoke to us in detail. A DSP of West Bengal Police, who was part of our group, also provided details. We were told that seven of the miscreants have been identified and detained. More people will be booked as the investigation progresses, we were told, Mahato said. According to a senior police official, it was the handiwork of illegal hawkers against whom Central Railway has been taking steps for the last few months. Several hundred illegal hawkers have been identified and removed from stations in that area. However, they keep on returning to the stations on the sly. It seems that they were scared that their activities would get recorded when the video was being made and attacked the passengers, the official said. Whatever the reason, the incident has left a bad taste in the mouth for Mahato and the others, who had left home so happily, proud to be part of the national event, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Class 12-pass mafia: Ritabrata Banerjee hits back at Abhishek's warning to cops
Ritabrata Banerjee has responded strongly to Abhishek Banerjee's warning issued to West Bengal police officers. He accused Abhishek of arrogance and urged the state government to take action against him. Additionally, Ritabrata challenged Abhishek to visit a temple alone without security, disputing his claim of public support. Abhishek had recently expressed concerns about police targeting TMC workers and claimed to have a list of implicated officers.
Love Triangle Turns Deadly in Asansol: Two Arrested for Murder
A love affair leads to murder in Asansol, West Bengal, with two men arrested for the brutal killing of a married man. Love Triangle Turns Deadly in Asansol: Two Arrested for Murder
Bengal govt to set up magic school and museum on history of magic
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) A full-fledged magic school is going to be set up in the state to bring the magic art of West Bengal to the new generation, government officials said on Friday. In addition, a magic museum on the history of magic in Bengal will also be set up to preserve the long history of Bengali magic practice, rare equipment and the contributions of artists. Preparations for the implementation of this plan have begun under the initiative of the State Information and Cultural Affairs (I and CA) Department. The state government has formed an advisory committee to prepare the outline of this project. The country's eminent magician P.C. Sorcar (Junior) is the chief advisor of the committee. He has been joined by several other eminent people who have been associated with the magic art for a long time. Initial discussions have already started on how the school and museum plans will be implemented. The first formal meeting of the advisory committee was held at Nandan Auditorium in Kolkata on Friday. State Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Department (Independent Charge), Purnima Chakraborty, and Secretary of the Department Soumitra Mohan were present there. P.C. Sorcar (Junior), his wife Jayashree Sarkar and daughter magician Maneka Sarkar also joined the meeting. The meeting discussed the curriculum of the proposed magic school, the type of training, the infrastructure of the museum and the possible outline of the project implementation. The issue of establishing magic not only as stage entertainment, but also as an independent art and science-based practice also gained importance in the discussion. After the meeting, P.C. Sorcar (Junior) said that the history of Bengali magic is very rich and ancient and that tradition needs to be preserved in a scientific way. According to him, there is science, practice and special skills behind magic. If this initiative of the state government is implemented, the new generation will get the opportunity to choose magic as a profession. The school can also play an important role in creating interest in this art among the youth, he said. One of the goals of the proposed magic museum is to preserve the history of magic practice in Bengal. According to the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, there are plans to preserve the lives and work of prominent magicians of Bengal, the history of different stages of magic, rare equipment used, old clothes and ancient books. Through this, visitors and researchers will get the opportunity to learn about the evolution of the art of magic and the techniques used at different times. On the other hand, there is a plan to provide training to experienced magicians in the magic school. A specific curriculum may also be created for that training. In addition to teaching magic techniques, there are plans to provide lessons on stage presentation, sleight of hand, holding the audience's attention and the science behind magic. Purnima Chakraborty, Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Department, said that the aim of this initiative is to institutionalise the ancient arts of Bengal. According to Chakraborty, the state has always given importance to the practice of art and culture. If a magic school and museum are established, it will be possible to present this tradition to future generations in a more comprehensive manner, she said.
West Bengal Health Minister Calls a section of Junior Doctors Maoist
Wall defacement: SRFTI issues show-cause notices to six students
HC grants bail to accused in RG Kar corruption case
Dispose of pending references on govt schemes within 7 days, CS tells depts
Niti Aayog's Lahiri flags growth risks in case of further monetary policy tightening
In India, it's essential for policymakers to harmonize growth output with inflation expectations. Niti Aayogs Ashok Lahiri pointed out the importance of addressing inflation alongside job creation. He urged banks to play a pivotal role in linking enterprises with financial support and investment options. To capitalize on its natural resources, West Bengal must focus on industry attraction, while effective land acquisition and good infrastructure remain key for business development.
Bengal coordinates with Assam to bring back tigress that strayed into Raimona National Park
Manoj Oraon, West Bengal's Forest Minister, has revealed that the state is joining forces with Assam to recapture a tigress, which was initially released in Buxa Tiger Reserve to help bolster the local tiger numbers. After navigating across the Sankosh river, the tigress found its way into Raimona National Park.
The News Mill
ECs former spl observer denies knowledge of voter exclusion appeals
Cops to quiz all accused in Rs 100cr puja passes case
Staff Termination Row: JU forms inquiry panel on confidential note leak
Bengal govt approves employment scheme for families of poll violence victims
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) The West Bengal government has initiated administrative processes to provide state government jobs to family members of individuals who lost their lives in political and election-related violence in the state over the last 25 years, a government official confirmed on Friday. The policy decision, approved by the state cabinet, covers families of victims killed during Panchayat, Municipal, Assembly, and Lok Sabha election clashes across the past two and a half decades. Officials stated that the recruitment initiative will be executed without considering political affiliations, making family members of deceased supporters or workers from any political party eligible, provided they fulfil specified administrative criteria. To navigate legal complexities arising from historic incidents dating back up to 25 years, the state government conducted prior consultations with legal experts and secured formal concurrence from the Law Department before finalising the policy framework. Preparations for implementation are being led directly by district administrations. During a virtual conference held on Thursday, primarily convened to discuss census readiness, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal briefed District Magistrates across the state on the policy and instructed them to begin identifying eligible families and preparing preliminary documentation. Given the operational challenge of tracing beneficiaries and establishing cause-of-death links to past electoral violence, the administration will rely heavily on official police records, historical case files, and official death documentation to verify claims. The state government plans to issue a formal notification detailing specific eligibility criteria, including age limits, required educational qualifications, and designated job roles, alongside public media advertisements inviting formal applications. Submitted applications will undergo multi-tier verification by local police stations, district administrative authorities, and legal scrutinizers. Upon successful verification of claims, government employment will be formally extended to one designated member of the victim's family.
Leopard spotted in Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda Layout of West Bengaluru
West Bengal Chief Minister Hits Back at Abhishek Banerjee Over Police Warning
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari responds sharply to TMCs Abhishek Banerjees threats against police, suggesting he needs medical help. West Bengal Chief Minister Hits Back at Abhishek Banerjee Over Police Warning
For ex-SC judge Desai, roster remains full after retirement
Former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai has been appointed by the apex court as the sole mediator in the high-stakes Krishna-Godavari basin gas migration dispute involving Reliance Industries. This appointment comes as Justice Desai has also been a prominent figure in leading committees for drafting Uniform Civil Code (UCC) legislation across several Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.
Bengal shifts 12,000 people to safety, Assam monitors situation as GLOF hits adjoining Bhutan
West Bengal has taken precautionary measures by evacuating 12,000 residents from areas near the Sankosh River. This action follows a significant rise in water levels caused by a glacial lake outburst flood in Bhutan. Authorities in Assam are closely monitoring vulnerable regions for potential impacts from the flood. National and State Disaster Response Force teams are prepared for rescue operations if necessary.
Bengal: Two arrested for killing man over extramarital affair in Asansol
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) West Bengal Police on Friday arrested two accused for beating a man to death over an alleged extramarital affair. The deceased was identified as Ashok Kumar Singh alias Vicky. According to his family members, Vickys family lives in Delhi. The young man is married and has two minor children. Occasionally, he used to live in a quarter in the Hindustan Cables area in the Rupnarayanpur outpost area of Salanpur in Asansol. According to locals, there was unrest over Vicky's 'intimacy' with a married woman in the area. On Thursday evening, Vicky went to the house of a man named Montu Yadav. Some people claimed that Vicky was having an extramarital affair with Montu's wife. Montu left work and went home after getting the news that Vicky had gone to their house. After reaching home, there was an argument and a fight between the two. Allegedly, Montu locked Vicky in his house with some acquaintances and beat him severely. The victim's father claimed that his son was beaten up on a false charge and in a planned manner. That is why he lost his life, claimed the father. According to the police, Vicky was rescued by locals in a bloody state. He was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. As Vicky's physical condition started deteriorating, the doctors advised him to be shifted to Asansol District Hospital. However, the young man died on the way to the hospital. Based on the complaint lodged by Vicky's family, the police arrested two people on charges of murder. The names of the arrested are Surendra Yadav and Deepak Yadav. They are known to Montu. The police of Rupnarayanpur outpost have started searching for the remaining accused. The police produced the two arrested people in the Asansol court today and took them into custody. The woman with whom Vicky allegedly had a romantic relationship has also been detained by the police for the sake of investigation.
Thousands evacuated in Bengal after GLOF in Bhutan
A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan's Gasa region caused the Sankosh River in West Bengal's Alipurduar district to swell, leading to the evacuation of approximately 12,000 people to safer locations on Friday. Authorities are monitoring the situation, with NDRF and SDRF teams deployed, though no major damage or casualties have been reported so far. Rivers in Jalpaiguri district remained unaffected.
No firecrackers beyond stipulated hours during Kali Puja-Diwali in West Bengal: Environment Minister
The state government will deploy round-the-clock mobile teams to monitor violations and take measures to ensure public safety and protect the environment, Environment Minister Manoj Oraon said
West Bengal govt plans jobs for families of political violence victims over 25 years
The West Bengal government is planning to provide government jobs to one member of families who lost relatives to political violence over the past 25 years, according to sources in the state administration. The proposed move is aimed at extending support to families affected by political retaliation in the state.
Flood Alert in West Bengal Following Glacial Lake Burst in Bhutan
West Bengal prepares for potential flooding after a glacial lake in Bhutan bursts, impacting northern regions and raising safety concerns. Flood Alert in West Bengal Following Glacial Lake Burst in Bhutan
Sundarbans childcare workers honoured at National Awards
TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee has cautioned police officers against allegedly framing party workers in fabricated cases. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari responded by claiming Banerjee is incoherent due to a sodium-potassium imbalance. Adhikari also alleged that an aide of Banerjee has provided information against him. Banerjee demanded the arrest of members of a Durga Puja committee following a tragic stampede.
West Bengal, Assam on flood alert after glacial lake outburst in Bhutan (VIDEO)
Several districts in West Bengal, along with parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, were placed on flood alert on Friday, media reports said. The flood, triggered by a glacial lake burst at Sintaphu Lake in neighboring Bhutan, swept away ...
Assam on high flood alert after glacial lake bursts in Bhutan
Guwahati : A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan has triggered a high flood alert in Assam and West Bengal on Friday. Residents were asked to evacuate from vulnerable areas along the Sankosh river and its tributaries following which people were seen leaving their homes along with their cattle in Alipurduar district of West [] The post Assam on high flood alert after glacial lake bursts in Bhutan appeared first on NorthEast Now .
Kolkata Police Constable Exam Date 2026: Final Written Examination Scheduled for November 29
The West Bengal Police Recruitment Board (WBPRB) has released the schedule for the final written examination for Kolkata Police Constable and Lady Constable recruitment 2026. As per the board's notification, the examination will take place on November 29, 2026 (Sunday), between
ED Conducts Raids in West Bengal Over
The Enforcement Directorate has launched raids in Kolkata and surrounding areas linked to a 280 crore bank fraud involving a power project. ED Conducts Raids in West Bengal Over 280 Crore Bank Fraud Case
Misuse of insolvency proceedings: ED conducts raids in West Bengal
A total of eight premises have been raided in the State in the case involving Kohinoor Power, lender banks and some others, says officials
Flash Flood Warning Issued for West Bengal and Assam Following Glacial Lake Outburst in Bhutan
Authorities warn of potential flooding in West Bengal and Assam after a glacial lake burst in Bhutan, prompting precautionary measures. Flash Flood Warning Issued for West Bengal and Assam Following Glacial Lake Outburst in Bhutan
State authorities across Northern West Bengal and Assam were placed on high alert on Friday, October 30, 2026, following a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at the Shintaphu glacial lake in northwestern Bhutans Gasa district. The burst occurred below Wakila Mountain, sending a rapid surge of water into the upper reaches of the Punatsangchhu river [] The post Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Triggers High Alert in West Bengal and Assam; Jal Shakti Ministry Issues Sankosh River Warning appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Glacial Lake Outburst in Bhutan Triggers Flood Alert in Northern West Bengal
A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan has triggered a high flood alert in parts of northern West Bengal, prompting evacuations in areas along the Sankosh river and its tributaries amid fears of a sudden rise in water levels, officials
ED raids four places in Bengal in Rs 280 crore bank fraud case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate on Friday was conducting search operations at multiple locations in West Bengal, in a bank fraud case worth Rs 280 crore. It is alleged that money from a power plant in Jharkhand was laundered to Kolkata. ED had taken note of a chartered accountant in the Lake Town area in north Kolkata for allegedly opening shell companies and committing corruption worth crores of rupees. Besides Kolkata, the raid is also underway in Uttarpara in Hooghly district, Asansol in West Burdwan district and in Howrah. ED officials entered the house of Sudipto Ghosh, a resident of Shibtala Street in Uttarpara, this morning. The ED investigation team was accompanied by central forces personnel. Sudipto Ghosh is a chartered accountant by profession. The family is being questioned, and their house is being searched. Ghosh, however, has said that he has no connection with the corruption case. The investigators have taken permission for the probe, and he is cooperating with the central investigation agency. ED officials have also raided the house of Chartered Accountant (CA) Ashok Sarathi in the elite Avni Oxford (Phase 1) housing complex in Lake Town. A vigorous search operation and interrogation were being conducted there since morning under the strict guard of the central forces. According to sources in the investigating agency, the search is being conducted on charges of embezzlement and money laundering of money taken from the bank in the name of building a power project or power plant in Jharkhand. The name of the main private company under investigation is Kohinoor Power Private Limited (KPPL). The CA is accused of taking a loan from the bank on the pretext of setting up a 66 MW power plant in Jharkhand. The amount of this loan taken from the bank consortium was about Rs 280 crore. It has been alleged that the money taken in the name of building a power plant was not used for the project but was embezzled through a web of shell companies. The officials believe that chartered accountant Ashok Sarathi has a major role in this financial scam. Currently, in addition to questioning the chartered accountant inside the residence, the ED officials are searching for digital documents, bank accounts and various suspicious papers. It remains to be seen what other information comes to light at the end of the investigation. According to the ED, the investigation was initiated on the basis of the complaint filed by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) before the Ld. 2nd Special Court, Kolkata, in respect of the affairs of Kohinoor Power Private Limited (KPPL) and others. An investigation into the affairs of the company was ordered by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) pursuant to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) forwarding a list of companies in respect of which the Resolution Professional (RP) had filed applications before the NCLT concerning avoidance transactions.
Bhutan glacial flood triggers evacuations along Indias Sankosh River
State authorities in West Bengal have issued high-alert and evacuation warnings for residents living along the Sankosh River following a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in neighboring Bhutan
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Bhutan glacial lake outburst triggers flash flood alerts in Bengal, Assam
Digital Desk | Thimphu, Oct 30 (IANS) A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) at Shintaphu Lake in northwestern Bhutan has triggered flash flood warnings for parts of West Bengal and Assam, with authorities monitoring vulnerable areas along rivers flowing towards the two states. The incident occurred on Thursday evening in Bhutan's Gasa district, washing away infrastructure at Gasa Tshachu, a popular natural hot spring situated near the Mo Chhu River. No casualties have been reported, as the area had been evacuated before the floodwaters arrived. Shintaphu Lake, located at the source of the Mo Chhu River, is among Bhutan's 17 glacial lakes identified as potentially dangerous. Gasa Tshachu had previously suffered extensive damage from a flash flood on August 26, 2021, when the swollen Mo Chhu changed its course towards the hot spring. According to reports, the floodwaters have crossed Srigang in Kabesa Gewog, around eight kilometres from Punakha Dzong, raising concerns about downstream areas. Bhutan has alerted the administrations of West Bengal and Assam about the potential threat to districts bordering the Himalayan kingdom. Assam's Dhubri district and West Bengal's Darjeeling hills, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri have been identified as vulnerable areas. In West Bengal, the Cooch Behar administration has also alerted residents living along the banks of the Sankosh River. The river originates in northern Bhutan and forms part of the interconnected river system that carries water from the Himalayan region towards the Brahmaputra in Assam. Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious while assuring them that precautionary measures are being taken. Appealing for calm, Amit Kumar Shaw, Superintendent of Police of the Alipurduar Police District, said there was no reason for people to panic. Speaking to IANS, SP Shaw on Thursday said, People are slightly in panic, and my appeal to everyone is that there is no need to panic in any way. We are in alert mode, the administration is fully prompt, and all agencies are actively working, so there is no issue. We hope that within two to three hours, we will reach a resolution and address whatever trouble the public is facing. The flash flood has also damaged infrastructure in Bhutan. An official press release said a solar-powered irrigation lifting system installed earlier this year in the Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Chiwog area under Guma Gewog in Punakha had been partially damaged by the surge in the Mo Chhu River. A local leader said the irrigation system had stopped functioning, although officials have yet to determine the full extent of the damage. Meanwhile, flood-borne debris has covered a section of the Punakha-Gasa Highway in the Dzomlingthang area, potentially affecting road connectivity. A glacial lake outburst flood occurs when water accumulated in a lake formed by glacial retreat is suddenly released, often after the failure of a natural dam. Such events can be triggered by heavy rainfall, landslides, avalanches, earthquakes or rapid melting of a glacier. Rising temperatures associated with human-induced climate change are accelerating glacier retreat and increasing concerns over the stability of glacial lakes. Sudden releases of water can generate powerful flood surges, threatening downstream communities, infrastructure and agricultural land.
Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Triggers Flash Flood Alerts In West Bengal And Assam
Glacial Lake Outburst In Bhutan, Assam And West Bengal On High Alert For Flash Floods
The outburst at Sintaphu Lake in Bhutan's Mochu sub-basin reportedly released approximately 7.4 million cubic metres of water.
A major glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan's high-altitude region has triggered flood warning in several districts of Assam, West Bengal. The outburst was reported from the Sintaphu Lake on Thursday night, prompting a...
IMD Weather Forecast: Very Heavy Rain Alert for Sikkim, West Bengal and Bihar on October 30
New Delhi, October 30 : IMD Weather Forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several parts of eastern and northeastern India on Friday, October 30, with Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim among the regions expected to experience intense rainfall. The weather department has also forecast [] The post IMD Weather Forecast: Very Heavy Rain Alert for Sikkim, West Bengal and Bihar on October 30 appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .
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