Category Archives: States

Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accuses Narendra Modi govt of turning democracy into jail

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 The chief minister claimed that though the saffron party was repeatedly saying that the BJP-led NDA will get above 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, it will ‘lose’ the elections 

PTI, 04.05.24 : Claiming that the BJP has not been able to deliver on its promise of “acche din” (good days), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government was turning “democracy into a jail.” She claimed that though the saffron party was repeatedly saying that the BJP-led NDA will get above 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, it will “lose” the elections.


Addressing an election rally here in Ranaghat Lok Sabha constituency in Nadia district, the TMC supremo asked, “Where is the acche din promised by them (BJP)?” Banerjee claimed that the BJP is planning to make “one nation, one party, one government, one leader, and send all others to jail.” She alleged that the Modi-led government was turning “democracy into a jail.” Banerjee asked whether the BJP was a washing machine, alleging that anyone accused of illegalities becomes clean if they join the saffron party.

She accused the BJP of making false claims of providing various reliefs to the people from electricity to cooking gas or free ration.

“We have delivered on promises made by us, from Lakshmir bhandar to free healthcare under the Swasthya Sathi project,” she said.

The TMC boss claimed that those who are already citizens of India were being asked to make applications for getting it again under the CAA.

Ranaghat constituency has a significant Matua population, over whose citizenship issue the BJP and the TMC have been sparring for quite a long time.

“I cannot make false promises like (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi,” the chief minister said, asserting that she makes only those incentives which she can keep.

Banerjee accused the Centre of not giving West Bengal its financial dues on account of GST collection.
Crime, National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

 Charges against Guv: Police explore legal opinion

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Kolkata Police (KP) is exploring legal opinion from prominent lawyers and constitutional experts seeking to know about what steps should be taken against the governor C V Ananda Bose.


SNS | Kolkata | May 4, 2024  : Kolkata Police (KP) is exploring legal opinion from prominent lawyers and constitutional experts seeking to know about what steps should be taken against the governor C V Ananda Bose.

A temporary woman employee at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, lodged a molestation complaint against Mr Bose, the constitutional head in the state, with Hare Street police station alleging he ‘sexually assaulted her twice’. The incident has rocked the state prompting the ruling Trinamul Congress to come down heavily on Mr Bose amidst the ongoing seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in the state.

Mr Bose dismissed the allegation and said that he would not be cowed down by the “engineered narratives’.

On Thursday evening, soon after the complaint was lodged with police station, Indira Mukhopadhyay, deputy commissioner (DC) of police (central division), told media that they are in touch with lawyers and constitutional experts in the city seeking to know their opinions about the investigation process, particularly what should be legal steps when a constitutional head faces allegations of molestation.

Senior police officials held a meeting today at Lalbazar to discuss the issue, it has been learnt.

“No criminal cases can be framed against the President and Governors of states in our country. The complainant will land in deep trouble if the allegations brought against the Governor are not proved true,” said Tathagata Roy, former Governor of Tripura and Meghalaya.

Prominent lawyers in the city felt that no criminal procedures can be initiated against the President of India and Governors of states as per the Section 361 of the Constitution. But civil cases can be filed against Governors in connection property related disputes, they said.

“The Supreme Court in its verdict has clearly stated that any organized crime against women must be investigated with extreme importance. But in the case of the President of India and Governors, only complaints can be lodged against them. They can’t be arrested till they belong to the coveted posts,” one prominent lawyer said.

On Thursday night, Mr Bose through a statement banned the entry of the minister Chandrima Bhattacharya into the Raj Bhavan premises in Kolkata, Darjeeling and Barrackpore for making “defamation and anti-constitutional media statements” and also barred the police from conducting any investigation against him in the alleged molestation case.

In the statement, the Governor said, “Truth shall triumph. I refuse to be cowed down by engineered narratives. If anybody wants some election benefits by maligning me, God bless them. But they cannot stop my fight against corruption and violence in Bengal.”

Mr Bose left for Kochi to attend a pre-scheduled programme there after the Prime Minister left Raj Bhavan today.
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Calcutta HC told Chief Secretary not authorized to grant sanction for trial in SSC recruitment case

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 On Friday, the same bench was told that the chief secretary was not the appropriate authority to grant the sanction

Tapas Ghosh And Debraj Mitra, TT, Calcutta, 04.05.24 : A Calcutta High Court bench had rebuked Bengal’s chief secretary on multiple occasions for an alleged delay in greenlighting the trial against state government officials arrested for alleged irregularities in school recruitments.

On Friday, the same bench was told that the chief secretary was not the appropriate authority to grant the sanction.

The counsel representing one of the accused told the division bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth that the CBI, which is probing the case, should have instead approached the governor, who appointed his client.

“The investigating agency should have obtained permission from the governor. Both Subires Bhattacharyya and Kalyanmoy Ganguly were appointed by the governor,” said the lawyer appearing for Bhattacharyya, who was the chairman of the West Bengal School Service Commission from 2014 to 2018.

Ganguly, an accused in the case, was the president of the state secondary education board from 2021 to 2022.

The CBI had submitted before the division bench that it had applied for approval — for initiating the trial against Bhattacharyya and Ganguly — from the chief secretary two years ago, but the top bureaucrat of the state had yet to give his nod.

The bench had thrice issued orders to the incumbent chief secretary, B.P. Gopalika, asking him to state why he was not issuing approval for the trial.

The chief secretary had on April 24 filed an application in the high court praying for some more time to file an affidavit stating the reasons.

That prompted Justice Bagchi to say: “The CBI had applied for permission two years ago. Why is the state hesitant? Then, I have to believe that all the accused are so influential that they can influence the government as well.”

Justice Bagchi had given the government time till May 2 for obeying the court order. “Otherwise, the state will have to face the consequences,” the court had said.

On Friday, the submission from Bhattacharyya’s lawyer prompted Justice Bagchi to say: “Actually, the CBI does not have the idea from whom it should obtain the approval. This court unnecessarily criticised the state chief secretary.”

“If the agency seeks permission from the wrong authority, what would the court do,” he said.

The bench fixed the matter for hearing on May 7 and directed the additional solicitor general to be present in the court during the hearing.

Career / Jobs, Education, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

SSC pledges to differentiate between deserving and undeserving candidates amidst termination controversy

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We had submitted a list of the undeserving candidates to the division bench of Calcutta High Court: SSC

Subhankar Chowdhury, TT, Calcutta, 04.05.24 : 
School Service Commission, Salt Lake office.: File
The school service commission (SSC) chief on Friday said they would tell the Supreme Court that it was possible to make a distinction between the deserving and the undeserving candidates among the 25,000-odd teachers and other employees at government-aided schools whose services were terminated by Calcutta High Court.

“The commission will definitely stand by those who got their jobs through fair means. We will try to assure the Supreme Court, where a case is being heard, that it is possible to make a distinction between those who are deserving and those who are not from this list (of the 25,700 candidates),” SSC chairperson Siddhartha Majumdar told a news conference.

The briefing was convened hours after a section of the 25,700-odd teaching and non-teaching employees who stand to lose their jobs following a Calcutta High Court order on April 22 held a protest outside the SSC office in Salt Lake.

“We had submitted a list of the undeserving candidates to the division bench of Calcutta High Court. Similarly, we can hand over the list of the disputed candidates to the Supreme Court. The commission will definitely stand by those who are not guilty or those who cannot be identified as tainted. This is the stand of the commission,” Majumdar said

On April 25, Majumdar had said at a news conference that the commission had informed the high court through three affidavits that 5,300 teaching and non-teaching employees had got their jobs allegedly through unfair means.

The SSC chairman had made the comment while countering the court’s
statement that the commission did not cooperate in tracing the candidates who had got their jobs allegedly through unfair means.

On April 29, the Bengal government, SSC and the state secondary education board had submitted before the Supreme Court that the high court’s April 22 order scrapping the jobs of all 25,700 candidates who had been appointed based on their performance in the 2016 selection tests, because of possible irregularities in some appointments, violated the principles of natural justice.

Chief Justice Chandrachud then observed: “You have to demonstrate that… on the basis of material available, it is possible to segregate who all are validly and invalidly appointed; who are the beneficiaries of the frauds.”

The apex court will again hear the case on May 6.

The SSC chairperson on Friday said it was in this context that he said that they would try to assure the Supreme Court that it was possible to make a distinction between the deserving and the undeserving candidates.

“A section of those who stand to lose jobs following the Calcutta High Court order was staging a protest outside the SSC office. I told the media persons who came to the office that it was possible to make a distinction between those who are deserving and those who are not,” Majumdar told Metro later.

When this newspaper sought to know how the commission would make a distinction, an official said: “We could give the apex court a list of the candidates against whom there are no allegations so far.”

The counsel for the Bengal government had submitted in the Supreme Court on Monday that the high court judgment violated the Supreme Court ruling in the Inderpreet Singh Kahlon and Others vs State of Punjab in 2006, which said the entire selection process cannot be cancelled because of irregularities in some appointments.
National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

BJP and CPM together have eaten 26,000 jobs, PM’s help not needed: Mamata Banerjee

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The high court invalidated the appointments of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching employees at state-sponsored and aided schools because of irregularities in the State Level Selection Test, 2016
Mamata Banerjee addresses a rally at Memari in East Burdwan on Friday.: Munshi Muklesur Rahaman
Pranesh Sarkar, TT, Calcutta, 04.05.24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pledged that the BJP would stand by those teachers whose appointments had been cancelled by Calcutta High Court recently though they had landed jobs rightfully.

The high court invalidated the appointments of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching employees at state-sponsored and aided schools because of irregularities in the State Level Selection Test, 2016.

While promising to stand by those whose appointments were not tainted by charges of corruption, Modi said the BJP’s Bengal unit would set up a legal cell and a social media platform to assist them.

“The TMC extortionists cheated lakhs of youths in the recruitment of teachers…. You saw what kind of irregularities took place when it was found that machines got tired of counting bundles of currency notes. Many genuine teachers, who have proper documents, are also suffering because of the sin of others.… I have suggested that the Bengal BJP set up a legal cell and a social media platform to assist genuine teachers who lost their jobs,” Modi said during an election rally in Burdwan on Friday.

While addressing a rally in East Burdwan’s Raina later in the day, chief minister Mamata Banerjee tore into Modi and the BJP, holding them responsible for “eating 26,000 jobs”.

“Where were you Modi babu? You have eaten 26,000 jobs. Your party has eaten these jobs. Your party and the CPM have together eaten the jobs…. Your assistance is not required. The Bengal government has already engaged lawyers in the Supreme Court. The education department has also engaged lawyers. We would not let the youths lose their jobs,” said Mamata.

As a large number of teachers not tainted by chargesof corruption became the high court order’s collateral damage, Mamata held the Opposition, especially the BJP, responsible for the job losses.

The Prime Minister’s bid to address the concerns of genuine teachers who lost their jobs reflected the BJP’s unease with Mamata’s consistent effort to blame the saffron camp for the high court order.

“Elections have been held only in six Lok Sabha constituencies in Bengal so far and another 36 seats will go to the polls in the remaining five phases. Most of the affected teachers are residents of these 36 constituencies. So, the Prime Minister had to send a message particularly after the chief minister had vowed to stand by the teachers who lost jobs,” said a BJP leader.
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Bengal BJP to form legal cell for jobless teachers: PM Modi

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Agencies, 3 May 2024, Bardhaman (WB): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said he has asked the West Bengal BJP unit to create a separate legal cell to provide help to “genuine teachers and candidates” who have lost jobs due to the School Service Commission (SSC) scam. 

While addressing an election rally at Bardhaman-Durgapur, Modi said “Although he wants those involved in corruption by the TMC to be punished but doesn’t want the innocent to suffer.” “The corruption that the TMC has done in Bengal in school recruitment is shameful. 
Due to this scam, several genuine candidates have suffered. I have asked the Bengal BJP unit on behalf of the party to create a separate legal cell and social media platform to provide help to the genuine candidates and teachers,” he said. 
“BJP will support such honest candidates and will provide them legal help and will fight for them. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he said. 
Modi’s remarks came a week after the Calcutta High Court declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-20TMC16 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as “null and void,” ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. 
Around 26,000 people have lost jobs following the court order. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bengal-candidates-turn-to-light-meals-fluids-amid-sweltering-heat-562477?infinitescroll=1
Crime, Regional, West Bengal

Elephant attack claims a life: One died: four held with drugs

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Elephant attack claims a life 

MP, 3 May 2024, JALPAIGURI: A person was fatally attacked by an elephant in the Mahabari Basti area adjacent to Chalsa in the Meteli Block of Jalpaiguri on Thursday night. The incident occurred when a wild elephant emerged from the nearby Panjhora Forest and ventured into the Mahabari Basti area, ultimately targeting victim Mangri Oraon’s (50) house. Despite his attempts to flee, the elephant caught and fatally crushed him on the spot. Upon receiving the news, cops from Meteli Police Station and forest personnel from the Khunia Squad arrived and recovered the victim’s body. 


Youth found hanging from terrace
MP, 3 May 2024: Youth found hanging from terrace Siliguri: A youth was found hanging from the terrace of a residence in Shaktigarh area under Ward 31 of Siliguri Municipal Corporation on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Mithun Roy (19), from Haldibari. 
He was working in a bar and living at the apartment on rent with his fellow employees. His colleagues said that he was suffering from depression and the night before his body was found, he was arguing with someone on a phone call. 
A probe has begun. 

About four held with drugs 
MP, 3 May 2024, Siliguri: Three people were arrested with 205 grams of morphine on the Indo-Nepal border at Panitanki area on Thursday night by the SSB. Later the SSB jawans handed them over to Kharibari Police. 
They were produced at Siliguri Court on Friday. In another incident, a youth was arrested with 17 grams of brown sugar from Matigara on Friday. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/news-at-a-glance-562416?infinitescroll=1
Entertainment, Misc, Regional, West Bengal

About 5 newborn Royal Bengal Tiger cubs delight visitors

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Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 4 May 2024, Siliguri: The Bengal Safari Park authorities have introduced their newest members to visitors this summer vacation. After nearly two months, five newborn cubs of Royal Bengal Tigress Sheela were escorted out of the night shelter into the display area. 

The cubs made their debut in the ‘kraal’ (enclosure) this week, where visitors will be able to see them. However, they won’t be released for safari in open enclosures at the moment. It will take more time before they can roam freely in the safari area. 
Meanwhile, the two lions from Tripura are expected to be ready for safari in July. Vijay Kumar, Director of Bengal Safari Park, stated: “All five cubs, one male and four females, are healthy and in good spirits. 
Round-the-clock surveillance is ongoing but they are still too young to be released for the safari. They have been moved from the night shelters to ‘kraals’ or small enclosures for public viewing.” Recently, Sourav Chowdhury, 
Member Secretary of the West Bengal Zoo Authority, and Bhaskar J V, Chief Forest Officer (Wildlife), visited the park to inspect the condition of the new cubs and lions. The Member Secretary of the Zoo Authority expressed satisfaction with the cubs’ health condition. 
Sheela gave birth to five cubs at the Bengal Safari Park on March 6. With this, Sheela became a mother for the fourth time. Sheela gave birth to seven cubs earlier. 
This time, Sheela and Vivaan, the Royal Bengal Tiger couple, gave birth to five cubs. With this, the number of Royal Bengal Tigers at the Safari Park stood at 14. Out of which, six are male and eight are female. 
The park authorities are hopeful that these new cubs will attract more tourists to the park.
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/about-5-newborn-royal-bengal-tiger-cubs-delight-visitors-562417
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Veteran leader Luxman Pradhan passes away

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MP, 4 May 2024, Darjeeling: Luxman Pradhan, veteran politician of the Hills, owing allegiance to the All India Gorkha League (AIGL), passed away on Friday morning in Darjeeling. He was 78 years old. 

Though he was suffering from kidney ailment and blood sugar, the condition of his health was not all that bad. 
At around 5 am, he woke up and when he got out of bed he became senseless and then passed away, stated family sources. 
People from all walks of life paid tribute to the departed leader. Condolences poured in from different political camps. 
“I knew him as a Union leader, working relentlessly for the welfare of tea garden workers. He spent his life fighting for their rights. The death of Luxman Pradhan has left a vacuum in the trade union movement in the Hills,” stated Aniit Thapa, Chief Executive, GTA. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/veteran-leader-luxman-pradhan-passes-away-562420
Crime, Regional, West Bengal

2 held from Coochbehar in 2 separate fraud cases

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MP, 4 May 2024, Siliguri: Two people from Cooch Behar were arrested for allegedly duping money in two separate cases. Complaints for both the cases were lodged in 2023 at Panitanki Out Post. 

Police arrested both the accused at the same place in Cooch Behar on Thursday. In one case, Moumita Nag, a resident of Hakimpara area of Siliguri, met a 25-year-old youth named Devkant Dey on social media. 
A brother-sister relationship developed between the two. After gaining Moumita’s trust, Devkanth took money from her several times by promising her that he would double the money. He took about Rs 10 lakh from Moumita and absconded. 
On October 9, 2023, Moumita lodged a complaint. In the second case, another person named Sanat Talukdar from Cooch Behar was arrested by the police of Panitanki Outpost on charges of cheating a resident of Jalpaiguri on the pretext of providing a loan from the bank. 
Shyamal Sarkar, a resident of Jalpaiguri, took a loan of Rs 2 lakh from a bank in Siliguri last year. The accused, Sanat Talukder, was an employee of that bank. 
There, Shyamal gave Rs 1 lakh to Sanat to submit to the bank, but he deposited the money to his own bank account. Later, on September 22, 2023, Shyamal lodged a complaint. Both the accused were produced in Siliguri Court on Friday.
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/siliguri-2-held-in-2-separate-fraud-cases-562423
National, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

NH 10 closes down for repairs from 6 May for 3 days

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Amitava Banerjee, MP, 4 May 2024, Darjeeling: The District Magistrate, Kalimpong has issued an order restricting the movement of all types of vehicles from Rabi Jhora to Gail Khola, 29th Mile on the National Highway (NH) 10 from 6 am on May 6 to 6 am on May 9. 

Alternative routes and diversions have been specified in the order. This restriction has been clamped to allow repair work on the NH 10. 
Incidentally, the NH10 connects the state of Sikkim with the plains of Bengal and is a lifeline for the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The road was badly damaged owing to a flash flood on the Teesta on October 4, 2023. 
Since then the condition of NH 10 has been unstable with the need to close down stretches for vehicular traffic, for repairs. 
“We had received a request from the executive engineer, NH, Division 9, PW Roads on April 30, to restrict vehicular movement of all types of vehicles to carry out bituminous work on the 2.40 km stretch between Rabi Jhora to Gail Khola along NH 10,” stated Balasubramanian T, District Magistrate, Kalimpong. 
The notice states that only small vehicles will move from Rangpoo towards Siliguri via Munsong-17th Mile-Algarah- Lava-Gorubathan and then onto Siliguri and vice versa, round-the-clock. Small vehicles will move from Chitrey-Kalimpong town-Algarah-Lava-Gorubathan and Siliguri and vice-versa round-the-clock. Goods vehicles will move from Chitrey-Kalimpong town-Algarah-Lava-Gorubathan and to Siliguri and vice-versa from 9 pm to 6 am. 
Goods vehicle and small vehicles will move from Reshi-Pedong-Algarah-Lava- Gorubathan and to Siliguri and vice-versa round-the-clock. “Necessary restrictions at Rangpo checkpost, Chitrey and at the district border on the NH 10 stretch shall be imposed by the police for facilitating the route diversions,” added the DM. 
With temperatures soaring in the plains, there is a huge rush of tourists to Sikkim and Kalimpong, accessed through the NH 10. The diversions will result in longer travel time and will be heavy on the purse. 
“The NH 10 is highly fragile but tourism to Kalimpong and Sikkim is heavily dependent on it. We are digging up the area for a new train line, despite the fragile ecosystem. This will further affect the NH 10 and also the villages like Rambi along the road. 
The only consolation now is that nearly 70 per cent of construction work of the alternate highway 177A to Sikkim is complete. We hope that this highway is completed at the earliest,” stated Raj Basu, Convenor, Association for Conservation of Tourism (ACT). 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/nh-10-closes-down-for-repairs-562424?infinitescroll=1
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Applying for Chief Secy’s sanction: HC pulls up CBI

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MP, 4 May 2024, Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was pulled up by the Calcutta High Court for applying to the Chief Secretary for sanction to prosecute former ministers and public servants in recruitment scam cases instead of the Governor, who was the correct sanctioning authority. 

According to a news agency, the Division Bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth called for a report from CBI on whether the appropriate sanctioning authority has been approached and observed that the issue needs to be sorted at the earliest. 
On behalf of CBI, it was submitted that the sanction from the Chief Secretary was sought only for the prosecution of school department officials. 
The Court reportedly clarified that in the case of Kalyanmoy Ganguly and other former ministers, it needs to be sought from the Governor itself. The matter is scheduled to be heard on May 7. 
Mamata On April 23, the Court had warned that if the Chief Secretary failed to act on the Court’s directions then they would be constrained to initiate proceedings against him. 
In earlier two occasions as well, the Chief Secretary was asked to make his position clear. The Division Bench was hearing the bail applications of former minister Partha Chatterjee, Subires Bhattacharjee and Kalyanmoy Ganguly, amongst others. 
According to the counsel representing them, they have been in custody for about two years and the case could not progress due to the absence of sanction. 
 https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/applying-for-chief-secys-sanction-hc-pulls-up-cbi-562457
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Candidates who lost jobs stage protest outside SSC office

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MP, 4 May 2024, Kolkata: Candidates who lost their job following the verdict of Calcutta High Court in the 2016 recruitment staged a demonstration outside the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) office on Friday. 

The Commission chairman Siddharth Majumder met with 10 representatives from the protesters and explained the legal constraints pertaining to the matter. While expressing his sympathy towards legitimate candidates who allegedly lost their jobs in the case, he assured them that the commission will do everything possible within the legal framework to assist them. 
The Calcutta High Court had declared around 25,753 appointments–both teaching and non-teaching–granted in the selection process of 2016 as “null and void and cancelled.” It was challenged in the Supreme Court by the state government. 
According to a news agency, the state argued that the High Court instead of segregating the valid from invalid appointments has set the 2016 recruitment entirely. It was further pleaded that the special bench had relied upon oral arguments without the support of affidavits. 
It was stated that the result of this judgement will create a vacuum in the state unless the new selection process is completed. 
Hence, it will impact the students considering the upcoming new academic session. The Supreme Court recently stayed CBI probe with regard to the state government officials involved in approving supernumerary posts to accommodate illegal appointments and to take such persons into custodial interrogation if necessary. 
However, the apex court turned down the prayer for stay of High Court’s direction to cancel the appointments of 25,753 candidates, which includes both teaching and non-teaching staff who were appointed in 2016. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/candidates-who-lost-jobs-stage-protest-outside-ssc-office-562459
National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

EC to deploy over 400 companies in 3rd phase and about 596 in 4th

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Over 400 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces will be there on the day of phase III. 

MP, 4 May 2024, Kolkata: The Election Commission (EC) is all set to conduct phase III polls on May 7 amidst tight security when Malda South, Malda North, Murshidabad and Jangipur will go to polls. 

Over 400 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces will be there on the day of phase III. 
EC is going to deploy 64 companies of Central Forces in the Jangipur Lok Sabha constituency while in Malda around 144 companies will be deployed. There will be around 144 companies of Central forces for Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituency while 143 companies. 
In the fourth phase of elections, around 596 companies of central forces will be deployed by the EC. In the fifth phase, the state may see a deployment of around 750 companies of central forces. 
There will be additional deployment of forces for QRT and confidence-building exercise and on strong room duty. The decision comes in the wake of violence during the panchayat polls of 2023 in Domkal and other parts of Murshidabad, prompting the EC to analyse sensitive booths to finalize force deployment. 
EC is concerned for the Murshidabad district as it had past instances of violence. In Malda North, Khagen Murmu, a BJP leader is contesting the elections for his party. He is pitted against Prasun Banerjee from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Mostaque Alam from the Congress. 
Sreerupa Mitra Chowdhury is the BJP candidate in Malda South who is contesting against Shanawaz Ali Rehan of the TMC, while Isha Khan Choudhury represents Congress. 
In Murshidabad seat, the contest is between CPI(M’s) Mohammed Salim, Trinamool’s Abu Taher Khan, and BJP’s Gouri Shankar Ghosh. TMC’s Abu Taher Khan, the incumbent, aims for re-election. 
The Jangipur Lok Sabha seat has a significant legacy linked to the late President Pranab Mukherjee. Khallilur Rahman of TMC, the incumbent, faces competition from BJP’s Dhanahjay Ghosh and Congress’ Mortazza Hossain in a three-cornered fight. 
The EC on Friday issued directives to remove two officers-in-charge — one from Anandapur police station under Kolkata police and another from Diamond Harbour Police Station in South 24-Parganas. 
The EC also said that the two officers cannot be deployed in election duties. The office of the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has to submit names of three possible officers to fill up the two posts which will be vacant. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/ec-to-deploy-over-400-companies-in-3rd-phase-and-about-596-in-4th-562462
Crime, Politics, West Bengal

Trinamool Congress says ‘Governor maligned Bengal’; Raj Bhavan mulls legal action against Chandrima Bhattacharya

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On Thursday, Raj Bhavan banned the entry of Bhattacharya. On Friday, a statement from the Governor’s office read: “The Attorney General for India has been contacted for advice on further legal steps against the Minister for her defamatory and anti-constitutional media statements.” 

MP,4 May 2024, Kolkata: A day after Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and minister Chandrima Bhattacharya accused Governor C V Ananda Bose of turning the ‘Peace Room’ in Raj Bhavan into Peace Haven (a city-based mortuary) of women’s respect, the Governor’s office has informed it is consulting the Attorney General for legal action against Bhattacharya. 
On Thursday, Raj Bhavan banned the entry of Bhattacharya. On Friday, a statement from the Governor’s office read: “The Attorney General for India has been contacted for advice on further legal steps against the Minister for her defamatory and anti-constitutional media statements.” 
Bhattacharya said she cannot be intimidated and that Raj Bhavan has no right to ban her entry. She said she has a sound understanding of law and will take necessary action. TMC leader Shashi Panja said: “Governor is in arrogance mode and banned our Finance minister from entering Raj Bhavan. 
Did he ever think that we were willing to go there? After this allegation, are we ready to enter that place? Ask us first.” 
Since PM Modi was supposed to stay at Raj Bhavan on Thursday night, she questioned: “I want to know where did the PM stay last night? Why did he not utter a single word on the molestation allegations against the Governor? 
Raj Bhavan has also banned the entry of police into its premises “in the guise of conducting unauthorised, illegitimate, sham and motivated investigation to placate political bosses during elections”. 
DC Central, Kolkata Police, Indira Mukherjee told the media that a complaint was received at 5 pm at Raj Bhavan outpost on Thursday where a woman who is a Raj Bhavan staff alleged sexual harassment against the Governor. 
Mukherjee said the complaint was forwarded to Hare Street police station. “We have initiated an inquiry. Since this kind of complaint is a sensitive matter. We are consulting our law department and constitutional experts. 
It is part of our inquiry. We know when the incident happened but we will not share it now,” she said. Asked if she spoke to the officer on special duty (OSD) of the Governor, she said: “Our inquiry has not reached that level yet”. 
Meanwhile, Kolkata Police has constituted an eight-member Special Enquiry Team (SET) to conduct an enquiry about the alleged molestation. Cops on Friday reportedly went to Ran Bhavan and talked with some of the employees. 
The Governor, in a message said: “Dear members of the Raj Bhavan staff. I welcome all generous allegations and the frequent innuendos passed on me by a political force. I understand there is more in the offing. But one thing is clear. 
None of the absurd dramas is going to deter me from a determined effort to expose corruption and curb violence. Character assassination is the last resort of a failing malevolence. Those who engineer these filthy narratives have a totally moribund character…”
The complainant informed the Raj Bhavan OC on Thursday that she resides in the Raj Bhavan quarters and is a contractual staff there. She alleged that on April 19 the Governor asked her to meet him with a resume and on April 24, she met him in the afternoon. It is then that the Governor allegedly made a lewd proposal and even touched her. 
She alleged she somehow managed to avoid that. She also alleged she was again called on May 2 when she decided to go along with the supervisor but the Governor asked the supervisor to leave the conference room. He allegedly told the victim he will call her at night but when she refused, he misbehaved with her. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/trinamool-congress-says-governor-maligned-bengal-raj-bhavan-mulls-legal-action-against-chandrima-bhattacharya-562465
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

BJP attempting to intimidate IAS & IPS officers: Mamata

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Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 4 May 2024, Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP of attempting to intimidate IAS and IPS officers. “They (BJP) are so scared that they are calling IPS and IAS officers and threatening them to stand by the side of the BJP. 

The officers are asked to stay away from the Trinamool Congress. Do you think that this news will not reach us,” Banerjee slammed the BJP. She was addressing two election rallies in East Burdwan — Raina and Purbasthali. Banerjee also alleged that around 1,500 state police who were taken by the Election Commission for conducting polls in other states were not given postal ballots. 
“State police can be taken to other states but why they will not be given postal ballots? Why will the permission not be given? Either you (ECI) give them permission to cast their votes or else I will bring them back to the state. You can do whatever you wish to,” Banerjee hit out at the ECI. 
Banerjee also hit out at Modi for mocking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over contesting from two Lok Sabha seats, saying PM Modi and many others from the BJP have done the same in the past. 
“He (Modi) unnecessarily made a statement this morning. Although CPI(M), Congress and BJP are contesting as partners in Bengal, he referred to the Congress and asked why Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Rai Bareli. 
He (Rahul) has done what he wanted. He has every right. How does it concern you? You also fought from two seats in the past. Many in your party did it,” Banerjee trained her guns at the PM from an election rally in Burdwan. 
Incidentally, PM Modi held back-to-back election rallies in Bengal on Friday. Also Read – Trinamool ‘fact-checks’ PM Modi, counters his claims at Bengal rally “It seems he (Modi) has no work to do. 
A PM doesn’t even know what should be said, and what shouldn’t,” Banerjee said, referring to the barbs that PM Modi threw at Rahul Gandhi. PM Modi from a rally in Burdwan said that he had spoken about the Congress losing the elections in his Parliament speech. 
“When their senior leader quit her Lok Sabha seat and entered Parliament through Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan, it was evident they sensed defeat,” he said, a reference to Sonia Gandhi’s decision not to contest from the Gandhi family pocket borough Rae Bareli due to health reasons. 
On Friday, the Congress announced Rahul Gandhi will contest from the constituency. Reacting to Modi’s comment that BJP would open a legal cell for the help of genuine candidates who have been rendered jobless following High Court order, Banerjee said that Modi should not say anything about this as his party BJP in connivance with the CPI(M) snatched jobs of around 26,000 teaching and non-teaching staff. 
 https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bjp-attempting-to-intimidate-ias-ips-officers-mamata-562469
Misc, National, Regional, States

Problems related with speed breakers on Indian Roads

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Matar Singh, EOI, 4 May 2024 : Speed breakers on Indian roads have been a topic of much controversy and debate in recent years, as they pose several problems for both drivers and pedestrians alike. While speed breakers are installed with the intention of controlling vehicle speed and reducing accidents, they often end up causing more harm than good due to their design, placement, and maintenance issues. You can find small rumble type breakers , double speed bumps and even some where you will find humps of about 8 to 10 inch heights.

One of the main problems associated with speed breakers on Indian roads is that they are often poorly constructed and not properly maintained. Many speed breakers are haphazardly built using substandard materials, leading to uneven surfaces that can cause damage to vehicles and endanger the safety of drivers.

Additionally, the lack of regular maintenance and repair of speed breakers only exacerbates the problem, as they become more dangerous overtime. 
Another issue with speed breakers in India is their inconsistent design and placement. Speed breakers are often installed without considering factors such as visibility, traffic flow, and road conditions, leading to confusion and uncertainty among drivers. This lack of standardization in speed breaker design and placement can increase the risk of accidents and make navigating Indian roads even more challenging for motorists. In some states you can find speed breakers on state highways and national highways.

Furthermore, speed breakers can also have a negative impact on the environment and public health. The constant braking and acceleration required to navigate speed breakers can result in increased fuel consumption and emissions, contributing to air pollution and climate change. 
Additionally, the noise pollution caused by vehicles passing over speed breakers can disturb surrounding communities and have negative effects on the well-being of residents.
In addition, speed breakers in India are often used as a means of revenue generation by local authorities, leading to their indiscriminate placement and overuse. 
This practice not only undermines the intended purpose of speed breakers in promoting road safety but also reflects a lack of coordination and accountability within the transportation system. 
It is essential for policymakers to address this issue and ensure that speed breakers are installed and maintained in a responsible manner.
Moreover, speed breakers can also pose a threat to emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire trucks, which require smooth and uninterrupted access to reach their destinations quickly. The presence of speed breakers on Indian roads can hinder the response time of emergency services and potentially endanger the lives of those in need of urgent medical attention or rescue. 
Additionally, the proliferation of speed breakers on Indian roads can also have economic repercussions, as they can cause damage to vehicles and increase maintenance costs for drivers.
The repeated impact of vehicles passing over speed breakers can lead to wear and tear on suspension systems, tires, and other components, resulting in costly repairs and reduced vehicle lifespan. 
This added financial burden can be particularly challenging for low-income individuals and contributes to the overall economic strain on society.
In conclusion, the problems related to speed breakers on Indian roads are multifaceted and require a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address. 
The issues of poor construction, inconsistent design and placement, environmental impact, revenue-driven installation, obstruction of emergency services, and economic burden all underscore the urgent need for reform in the management of speed breakers. It is essential for policymakers, urban planners, and transportation authorities to work together to develop and implement sustainable solutions that prioritize road safety, efficiency, and the well-being of all road users in India.
This is my observations while travelling frequently by road from Durgapur to Tata, Purulia, Kolkata, Digha, Chandrakona Road, Bolpur, Tarapith, Dhanbad, Chittaranjan & Deoghar, nearby areas.
 (View s are the author’s own.)