Category Archives: West Bengal

Economy, International, Regional, West Bengal

Bitter brew over Nepal tea imports, Darjeeling industry ‘shocked’ at lack of proper testing

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 The latest bitterness against the government’s failure to check the quality of Nepal tea comes after 28 trucks carrying Nepal tea were reportedly allowed to enter India in April-end without food security checks from the Panitanki border near Siliguri

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 16.05.24 : The Darjeeling tea industry is bitter over the government’s alleged move to allow Nepal tea imports without properly testing the entire consignment.

Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) has alleged that it is “shocked that cheap and dubious Nepal tea is being allowed to be imported without FSSAI checks”.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body under the Union ministry of health and family welfare and regulates, among other things, the quality of food articles in India, including its imports.

“The FSSAI in its order dated 23.04.2024 has clearly mandated that all import teas need to be subjected to full and accurate testing as per stated FSSAI protocol… Cheap duty-free dumping of low quality and FSSAI non-compliant teas from Nepal have turned the Darjeeling tea industry into an ICU patient…,” said a DTA official.

The latest bitterness against the government’s failure to check the quality of Nepal tea comes after 28 trucks carrying Nepal tea were reportedly allowed to enter India in April-end without food security checks from the Panitanki border near Siliguri.

Sources said that these trucks were first stopped and the entire consignment of Nepal teas was tested, but vehicles were allowed inside India before the test reports came in.

Administrative sources admitted that the trucks were allowed to enter India with a directive from “higher authorities.”

“At the moment, the first five consignments of importers (for tea) are now being tested and this is valid for six months. Of course, random tests are also done,” said a source in the known of things.

The incident of the 28 trucks created a flutter in Nepal.

“The issue was taken up right to the Nepal Prime Minister’s office by Nepal tea growers. The matter was also raised with the Indian government,” said a source in Nepal.

The Darjeeling Tea industry wants the government to take stringent measures against the “dumping” of Nepal tea into India. Industry stakeholders have alleged that many unscrupulous dealers in India are either mixing or selling Nepal tea as Darjeeling tea.

The tea-growing districts of Nepal are contiguous to Darjeeling district.

Nepal exports around 16,000 tonnes of tea, around 90 per cent to India.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Health, National, Northeast, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Neonatal mortality rates worsen in multiple states in India, account for nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children

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Findings published in medical journal JAMA Network Open, underline an ‘immediate need’ for health authorities to focus on strategies to improve quality aspects of institutional deliveries
The neonatal intensive care unit of Rural Development Trust Hospital in Bathalapalli, Andhra Pradesh: File picture

G.S. Mudur, TT, New Delhi, 16.05.24 : Neonatal mortality rates have stagnated or worsened in multiple states in India in recent years and account for nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children under five years of age, researchers have said in a study.

Their study has found that nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children under five in India occurred within seven days after the child’s birth, both in 2016 and in 2021, alongside improvements in overall child mortality rates.
The findings, published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, underline an “immediate need” for health authorities to focus on strategies to improve quality aspects of institutional deliveries, the researchers have said.

India’s proportion of institutional deliveries — births in healthcare facilities — has more than doubled from around 40 per cent in 2005-06 to 83 per cent in 2019-21.

The new study led by S.V. Subramanian, professor of population health at Harvard University, has suggested that reductions in neonatal mortality have not kept pace with the rise in institutional deliveries.

Subramanian and his colleagues used three decades of datasets from the Union health ministry’s National Family Health Surveys — the latest in 2019-21 — to analyse child mortality patterns after seven days, 30 days, a year, and five years of birth.

They classified deaths within seven days as early neonatal mortality, deaths between 8 and 28 days as late neonatal mortality, and deaths between a month and a year as post-neonatal mortality.

India’s overall under-five child mortality has decreased to 42 per 1,000 live births in 2019-21 from 50 per 1,000 in 2015-16 and 75 per 1,000 in 2005-06. And most states have seen decreases in mortality rates across all the child age groups.

But between 2016 and 2021, early neonatal mortality increased in nine states or Union territories, late neonatal mortality either remained stagnant or increased in 13 states, and post neonatal mortality increased in 12 states, their study found.

Early neonatal mortality rose in Haryana, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar and Daman and Diu, late neonatal mortality rose or didn’t improve in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Andaman and Nicobar. Post-neonatal mortality rose in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar and Chandigarh.

“While India has made substantial progress over the years in reducing the risk of mortality among young children, age-specific interventions may be needed to address mortality in different age groups,” Subramanian told The Telegraph. Early neonatal mortality may require improvements in quality of care in healthcare institutions while post-neonatal mortality would need a focus on ensuring vaccination and food.

The researchers’ call for urgent measures to address neonatal mortality comes against a backdrop of long-standing concerns among paediatricians and public health experts about neonatal deaths hampering progress towards infant mortality targets.

India’s National Neonatology Forum had in 2003 highlighted the need for intensified efforts to protect babies during the first four weeks of life as part of efforts to reduce infant mortality rates.

The health ministry has helped establish a network of newborn care facilities, including newborn intensive care units, sick newborn care units, and newborn stabilisation units in public health facilities across the country.
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

Tea gardens struggle as weather wreaks havoc

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MP, 15 May 2024, Alipurduar: This year, tea production has been significantly impacted by extreme weather conditions. 

After thorough analysis, the tea plantation workers’ organisations are planning to approach the state government. 
Due to a lack of rain, tea production has suffered greatly in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, sparking widespread concern among various tea gardens. 
The Trinamool Cha Bagan Shramik Union (TCBSU) intends to approach Labor minister Malay Ghatak regarding this issue. 
The letter will detail the extent of production loss in over 300 tea gardens in North Bengal, providing an overview of the situation in these gardens, according to union leaders. 
Gangaprasad Sharma, a leader of TCBSU, stated: “This year, many tea gardens have experienced production losses of up to 90 per cent compared to last year. Naturally, we are deeply concerned. 
Additionally, it was decided in our organisational meeting that TCBSU will soon submit a memorandum on this matter at the Jalpaiguri PF office.” The tea industry attributes the decline to the lack of rainfall over the past four months, which has led to diseases and insect attacks in the plantations. 
Chinmoy Dhar, Chairman of the Tea Association of India, North Bengal, remarked: “Rainfall is now a blessing for us. 
This year has brought unprecedented weather extremes, posing significant challenges for the tea industry.” 
However, scattered rainfall has been observed in the tea gardens of North Bengal since Saturday. 
The Saraswatipur tea garden in Jalpaiguri district received a record amount of 6.5 inches of rain. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/tea-gardens-struggle-as-weather-wreaks-havoc-563939
Regional, West Bengal

Siliguri: Two dead, 26 hurt after pickup van turns turtle

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MP, 15 May 2024, Siliguri: A pickup van overturned on National Highway 31 near Goaltuli More in Phansidewa block under Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, resulting in two deaths and leaving 26 others injured. 

According to local sources, on Wednesday, several families from the Helagach area were en route to Bihar in a pickup van to attend a marriage ceremony. 
While attempting to overtake a truck, the pickup van lost control and overturned. 
Phansidewa Police Station responded promptly and dispatched the injured to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. 
Tragically, two of the injured passengers succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining are receiving medical treatment. 
A probe is underway with Phansidewa PS leading it. Following the accident, traffic was temporarily halted. 
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Dev and Mahakuma Parishad president, Arun Ghosh visited the medical college to oversee treatment facilities. Follow @mpostdigital @mpostdigital @mpostdigital @mpostdigital Team MP 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-retrieve-bengals-dues-within-3months-once-india-bloc-forms-govt-563965?infinitescroll=1
Economy, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

After a lull in April, tourists start returning to Darjeeling, Sikkim

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Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 15 May 2024, Siliguri: After a slump in tourism during the month of April, it is back on track again with a large number of tourists visiting Darjeeling and the neighbouring state of Sikkim. 

However, fewer tourists are visiting the Dooars area compared to the hills. Currently, hotels and homestays have 90 per cent occupancy in Darjeeling. 
The tourist footfall in Sikkim is also huge following the Teesta disaster caused by flash floods in River Teesta on October 4, 2023. 
The flash floods had wreaked havoc taking a toll mainly on road connectivity. “Very few tourists visited Sikkim in April this year as compared to last year. 
However, a large number of tourists are visiting Darjeeling this month. 90 per cent of occupancy is booked. We hope we will witness a tourist rush in the month of June also,” said Samrat Sanyal, the Secretary of Himalaya Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN). 
Every year, from April to June, a large number of tourists visit Darjeeling, Sikkim. However in April this year, hotels and homestays experienced around 50 to 60% occupancy. 
In some places, the percentage dipped to 45 per cent also.” Tourism stakeholders blamed it on the Lok Sabha election. 
They also blamed excessive price hikes on flight fares. “Fewer flights are operating from Bagdogra Airport. The fare has increased. Many tourists are avoiding visiting this region owing to this also,” Sanyal added. 
North Sikkim has been heavily affected by the October flash flood. Owing to disruption in road connectivity and the closure of National Highway 10 frequently for repairs have further contributed to the dip in tourists. 
Vehicles to Sikkim and Kalimpong to and fro Siliguri had been diverted through Lava and Gorubathan which is a longer route. 
Therefore, the vehicle fares also shot up. All these reasons added up to fewer tourists visiting Sikkim in April. 
However, this month onwards, with road connectivity restored and heat waves sweeping the plains, people have started visiting Sikkim. Almost 70 per cent occupancy has been recorded in different places in Sikkim, including Gangtok.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/after-a-lull-in-april-tourists-start-returning-to-darjeeling-sikkim-563948
National, Politics, West Bengal

BJP fields about 8 turncoats for LS elections in Bengal

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Pradip Chatterjee, MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: The BJP has nominated around eight turncoats out of the 42 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha candidates. Party’s leaders have justified their decisions, citing “winnability and political strategy” as paramount considerations. 

However, the nomination of turncoats has triggered protests and resentment against the BJP in certain regions. 
BJP had earlier also adopted a strategy of favouring turncoats over seasoned leaders in their candidate selections. 
BJP which had no robust organisation base in Bengal has increasingly been embracing the practice of endorsing turncoats, causing dissatisfaction among their loyal supporters. 
BJP MP from Barrackpore, Arjun Singh, who returned to the saffron camp after defecting to the TMC two years ago, was re-nominated from the same seat. 
Tapas Roy, a four-term MLA from TMC, joined the BJP due to disagreements over candidate selection and was nominated from Kolkata North. 
Silbhadra Dutta, a two-term TMC MLA who had switched to the BJP ahead of the 2021 assembly polls, was nominated from the Dum Dum Lok Sabha seat this time. 
Soumendu Adhikari, former TMC leader and chairman of TMC-led Kanthi municipality, is contesting from Kanthi on BJP’s ticket. He had switched sides after his elder brother Suvendu Adhikari joined the BJP. 
From the Howrah Lok Sabha seat, Rathin Chakraborty, a former TMC leader and ex-Mayor of Howrah, who joined the BJP ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, has been nominated. 
Soumitra Khan is contesting from Bishnupur Lok Sabha seat on BJP’s ticket. Khan had once been associated with Trinamool Congress. 
Nisith Pramanik who had once been a Trinamool Congress leader had switched to the BJP and became an MP from Cooch Behar. He is again contesting from the same seat on BJP’s ticket. 
Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress, in its roster of 42 candidates, has included four turncoats who are either elected representatives from other parties or joined the party in recent years. 
Among the notable turncoats fielded by the TMC are Biswajit Das, Mukutmani Adhikari, and Krishna Kalyani, contesting from Bongaon, Ranaghat and Raiganj Lok Sabha seats respectively. 
Another prominent candidate, Sujata Mondal from Bishnupur, is a former BJP leader and ex-wife of BJP MP Soumitra Khan. Mondal unsuccessfully contested the assembly polls on a TMC ticket in 2021. 
Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha, who won the Asansol seat in a bypoll on a TMC ticket in 2022, has been renominated from the same seat. 
Sinha, a former Union minister and two-term BJP MP from Patna Sahib, had defected from the BJP to join the Congress ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls before joining the TMC in 2022.

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/bjp-fields-about-8-turncoats-for-ls-elections-in-bengal-563959
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Scripting Sandeshkhali incident: BJP’s LS candidate Rekha Patra moves HC, seeks protection from coercive action

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: BJP candidate from Basirhat Lok Sabha seat Rekha Patra on Wednesday approached Calcutta High Court seeking protection from coercive action by the state police. 

On the same day, BJP leader Piyali Das approached the High Court against the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court’s order refusing her bail. The lawyer representing Patra reportedly stated that several false cases have been filed against her by the police. Patra also sought for security and protection from the Calcutta High Court. 
The case will be heard by Justice Jay Sengupta on Thursday. Meanwhile, it was learnt that Das surrendered in Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court on May 14. There were allegations against her of getting women in Sandeshkhali to sign on white papers. 
The court rejected the bail plea and sent her to seven days judicial custody. When questioned by the media, Das said that the allegations against her are false and that there is no evidence to support those allegations. 
The ruling Trinamool Congress recently shared a video of an alleged sting operation featuring BJP leader Gangadhar Koyal. In the purported video, the veracity of which could not be confirmed by news agency, a man resembling Koyal was seen claiming that allegations of sexual abuse in Sandeshkhali were “staged”. 
Koyal had approached the High Court seeking transfer of investigation to the CBI into an alleged sting video. He claimed in his petition that technology-aided videos mimicking his voice were being circulated in a bid to defame him. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/scripting-sandeshkhali-incident-bjps-ls-candidate-rekha-patra-moves-hc-seeks-protection-from-coercive-action-563961
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Mamata Bala’s daughter starts indefinite protest

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: The daughter of Trinamool Congress MP Mamata Bala Thakur, has started an indefinite protest against the BJP Bongaon candidate Santanu Thakur for allegedly not allowing them access to Boro Maa’s (Matua matriarch Binapani Devi) idol. 

On being asked the reason for this indefinite protest, Madhupartna Thakur told the media: “BJP’s Bongaon candidate Santanu Thakur drove us out of our home a month back using muscle power and locked it. This is our birthplace. We are not able to see Binapani Devi’s idol. The room where it is kept remains ill-maintained. We will not tolerate this and won’t stop our protest till we get justice.” 
On April 7, TMC claimed that Santanu Thakur had attacked its Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur. 
The feud broke out between the two factions over the control of a house where community matriarch Binapani Devi, popularly known as ‘Boroma’, lived till her death five years back. Santanu is the grandson of Binapani Devi, while Mamata Bala Thakur is her daughter-in-law. Thakurnagar is in North 24-Parganas district. 
According to the TMC, the incident happened on April 7 when Santanu Thakur along with his supporters allegedly tried by force to take control of the house where Mamata Bala presently resides. 
She had taken out a rally in North 24-Parganas’ Thakurnagar to protest the attack. She had said: “I have lodged a complaint at Gaighata Police Station as Shantanu Thakur and his associates tried to break in at my residence. 
They forcibly entered my residence”. TMC wrote on X: “Madhuparna Thakur, the daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Thakur, is leading an indefinite protest at the Thakurbari premises. 
After being forcefully evicted by Shantanu Thakur over a month ago, they are now denied access even to Boro Maa’s idol. 
The ancestral house is shrouded in darkness and dirt. This reprehensible act is yet another proof of the BJP’s Matua-Birodhi agenda!” 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/mamata-balas-daughter-starts-indefinite-protest-563963
National, Politics, West Bengal

‘Will retrieve Bengal’s dues within 3 months once INDIA bloc forms govt’

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Soumyadip Mullick, MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: Campaigning for his party candidates of Arambagh and Barrackpore seats, Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Wednesday said as soon as the BJP government at the Centre gets dislodged from power, his party will get back the dues of Rs 1.65 lakh crore owed to Bengal. Banerjee assured the gathering that the exit of the BJP government at the Centre is inevitable. 

He said BJP is anti-poor and anti-people and that is apparent from how the Centre has withheld dues owed to Bengal in relation to 100 days work under MGNREGA and PM Awas Yojana. He urged the people to give a “befitting” reply to the BJP in this Lok Sabha elections. 
Banerjee claimed that following the defeat of the BJP, “TMC will play a decisive role in the formation of a government at the Centre as part of the INDIA bloc”. “As soon as that happens, we will get back the dues for Bengal and will use it rightly for people’s welfare. We will get it back in three months from the time of the formation of the new Central government,” he promised. 
Abhishek also held a contrasting picture where he said that on one hand the BJP-led Centre is depriving people of their rightful dues and on the other TMC is spending on welfare schemes for people in Bengal. 
On the Sandeshkhali issue, he called the BJP “anti-national” and accused the party of allegedly insulting the women by paying them money to level false allegations of rape. He said that by doing this the BJP has also insulted Bengal. 
Banerjee maintained his position on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) as he claimed once again that if it is implemented the most affected will be the backward classes. 
He alleged that the BJP wants to change the Constitution to suppress the rights of minorities and backward classes. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-retrieve-bengals-dues-within-3months-once-india-bloc-forms-govt-563965
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

CBI starts collecting details of teachers who lost jobs

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MP, 13 May 2024, Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started collecting the details of the more than 25,000 school teachers who are accused in the alleged SSC recruitment scam. 

According to sources, 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff were dismissed from their jobs by Calcutta High Court and a CBI probe was ordered. However, the Supreme Court later imposed a stay on the order of dismissal but upheld the order of CBI probe. 
The Supreme Court directed that the investigation ordered by the Calcutta High Court as per clauses 7 and 8 in the operative directions shall continue but no coercive steps be taken. 
The CBI recently has taken the initiative and started gathering the details of the said teaching and non-teaching staff. 
According to sources, several such teachers and non-teaching staff have been summoned recently. The Central agency has reportedly started collecting documents from teachers and other staff. 
In some cases, the CBI has started collecting this information on its own initiative. The CBI is collecting the exam results, interview and physical test pass certificates, job offer letters, appointment letters, joining reports, salary statements etc. from schools. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cbi-starts-collecting-details-of-teachers-who-lost-jobs-563631
Crime, Politics, West Bengal

Court rejects BJP leader’s bail plea, sends her to 7-day jail custody

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Judicial custody for BJP worker accused of scripting fake rape complaints in Sandeshkhali
MP,14 May 2024, Kolkata: The Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court on Tuesday refused bail to BJP leader Mampi Das (aka Piyali) who has instead been sent to jail for seven days. It was learnt that Das surrendered in Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court on Tuesday. 
There were allegations against her of getting women in Sandeshkhali to sign on white papers. The court rejected the bail plea and sent her to seven days judicial custody. When questioned by the media, 
Das said that the allegations against her are false and that there is no evidence to support those allegations. She alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scared of losing her chair which has forced her to frame Das in such “false cases”. 
TMC had asked the Election Commission (EC) to direct the police to initiate criminal proceedings against the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma and other BJP leaders, including Piyali Das, for several alleged criminal offences, including criminal conspiracy and intimidation, committed against women in Sandeshkhali and electorates in general. 
The party claimed that such an act of obtaining a signature on blank paper through coercion to file a false rape complaint, “is not only an abuse of law and power, but also amounts to offences of forgery, cheating, fraud, criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy. 
The exploitation of women for political gain is a reprehensible tactic that undermines their rights and dignity. Such manipulation not only violates the rights of these women but also damages the integrity of democratic institutions”

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/court-rejects-bjp-leaders-bail-plea-sends-her-to-7-day-jail-custody-563774

Crime, National, Politics, West Bengal

Another sexual misconduct case against Guv: Cops submit report to Nabanna

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MP, 14 May 2024, Kolkata: Kolkata Police has reportedly sent a report to the Nabanna after conducting an enquiry on the allegations of sexual harassment of an Odishi dancer by the West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose. 

Sources said a few months ago a woman who is a professional dancer lodged a complaint against Bose alleging that last year she was sexually harassed by the Bengal Governor in Delhi. 
The woman reportedly claimed that last year she met the Governor who took her to Delhi to perform in a programme. A relative of Bose from Bengaluru had booked a room in a five-star hotel in Delhi for her. 
The complaint alleged that Bose sexually harassed her inside the hotel room. As no case can be registered against the Governor, Kolkata Police has started an enquiry into the matter which was reportedly led by a Deputy Commissioner ranked officer. 
After the enquiry was over, Kolkata Police submitted the report at the Nabanna in a sealed envelope. Kolkata Police presently is also conducting an enquiry based on a complaint of molestation against Bose which was filed by a contractual staff of the Raj Bhavan. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/another-sexual-misconduct-case-against-guv-cops-submit-report-to-nabanna-563777
Regional, West Bengal

2024-25 session: More options for Class XI students

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: Students who passed Class XI in 2024 or 2023 and who desire to study class XI afresh under newly-introduced semester system from the academic session 2024-2025 were given an option to do so by the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE). 

However, this option will only be available for the academic session 2024-25 keeping in mind the interest of the students so that they can benefit from the semester system, if they want. This option will not be available from next academic session and cannot be cited as precedence, the Council stressed. 
Apart from this, the students who were not successful or could not appear in class XI annual examination till the academic session 2023-24 will continue class XI academic curriculum with the newly introduced semester system from 2024-25. 
For all these cases, the students will have to register themselves afresh with the Council by surrendering the existing registration certificates and/or admit card considering the case to the Council through their Head of Institutions. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/2024-25-session-more-options-for-class-xi-students-563811?infinitescroll=1
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

‘SC directs Chancellor to complete V-C appointment process in 21 state univs’

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: State Higher Education minister Bratya Basu on Tuesday stated that the Chancellor/Governor C V Ananda Bose was directed by the Supreme Court to complete the vice-chancellor (V-C) appointment process in 21 state universities. The Chancellor on Monday appointed three more V-Cs in state universities — Rani Rashmoni Green University, Harichand Guruchand University and Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University. 

“The Hon’ble Supreme Court today directed the Chancellor to complete the process of appointment of all the 21 V-Cs of the state-aided universities as directed by the Hon’ble Court. A compliance report in this direction is to be filed on Friday. In fact the counsel for the Chancellor requested not to record the direction appointment of 21 vice-chancellors in the order. 
All attempts for stalling the process were foiled by the Hon’ble bench today,” Basu wrote on his social media ‘X’ feed.A case is going on with regards to appointment of interim vice-chancellors in state universities. 
A Special Leave Petition was filed by the state challenging the Calcutta High Court’s judgement which upheld the interim V-C appointments made by Chancellor in 13 universities. 
On Monday, Asutosh Ghosh was appointed as the V-C of Rani Rashmoni Green University in Tarakeswar. He was given the dual responsibility as V-C of Harichand Guruchand University as well. Ghosh was one of the state nominees. 
Another person, Kallol Paul was appointed as V-C of Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University in Jhargram. Also Read – Illegal liquor, contraband seized; three held In an earlier occasion, V-Cs were appointed for two other universities. Burdwan University professor Pabitra Chattopadhyay was appointed as the officiating V-C of Gour Banga University and Bhaskar Gupta was appointed as the officiating V-C at Jadavpur University. 
Bench of Justice Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan on Tuesday heard the Special Leave Petition filed by the state challenging the order passed by Calcutta High Court with regards to the interim V-C appointments made by Bose in 13 state universities. 
During an earlier hearing of the matter in March, Justice Kant observed: “We were expecting understanding and maturity from both sides since this is a question of educational institutions and the future careers of lakhs of students. 
Bengal has been a hub of quality education right from the time of Shantiniketan. We thought those standards, values and morals would be observed by both sides and they would help us solve this amicably.”
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/sc-directs-chancellor-to-complete-v-c-appointment-process-in-21-state-univs-563813
Crime, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Illegal liquor, contraband seized; three held

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EOI, Siliguri: The Excise Department seized a significant quantity of illegal liquor from a pickup van loaded with vegetables, leading to the arrest of one individual, identified as Dharmendra Kumar, a resident of Bihar. 

On Monday night, acting on a tip-off, officials of the Excise Department raided the Champasari area in Siliguri and recovered 138 cartons of foreign liquor hidden under sacks of vegetables. 
The estimated value of the liquor was Rs 31,05,000. The liquor was brought from Sikkim to be smuggled to Bihar. Meanwhile, Kharibari Police apprehended two individuals with 52 grams of brown sugar and 19 bottles of illegal cough syrup from the Panitanki overbridge in Kharibari on Monday night. 
The accused have been identified as Lalita Barman, a resident of Goursing Jote, and Bal Bahadur Tamang, a resident of Sikkim. Police sources revealed that the accused had traveled from Sikkim to Panitanki. All the suspects were produced at Siliguri Court on Tuesday

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/illegal-liquor-contraband-seized-three-held-563821
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Calcutta HC adjourns till Friday hear-ing of Sandeshkhali BJP leader’s peti-tion over ‘sting video’

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PTI, Kolkata, May 14, 2024 : The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday adjourned till Friday the hearing of a petition by BJP’s Sandeshkhali leader Gangadhar Koyal, seeking transfer of probe to CBI into an alleged sting video over accusations of sexual atrocities in the riverine area, on a prayer by the state.

    
Advocate General Kishore Dutta, appearing for the West Bengal government, prayed for adjournment of the hearing of the matter.
    
He stated before Justice Jay Sengupta that an application has been filed by a woman before the Supreme Court, seeking inclusion as an intervenor in a plea by the state challenging a high court order, which directed CBI investigation into allegations of sexual atrocities and land-grabbing in Sandeshkhali, and as such this matter before the court be granted a short adjournment.
    
Granting the prayer, Justice Sengupta directed that Koyal’s petition seeking transfer of investigation into the alleged sting video related to allegations of sexual atrocities in Sandeshkhali be taken up for hearing again on Friday.
    
The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal had recently shared a video of an alleged sting operation featuring Koyal.
    
In the purported video, the veracity of which could not be confirmed by PTI, a man resembling Koyal was seen claiming that allegations of sexual abuse in Sandeshkhali were “staged”.
    
The BJP leader had claimed in his petition that technology-aided videos mimicking his voice were being circulated in a bid to defame him.
    
Claiming that such purported videos were creating tension in Sandeshkhali and that he was apprehending a threat to his safety, Koyal also sought an order by the court for granting central force security to him.
    
The petitioner also stated that he has already met CBI officials over the alleged use of his fake voice.
    
The CBI is probing alleged sexual atrocities and land-grabbing cases in Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas on an earlier order of the Calcutta High Court.
    
The West Bengal government has moved an appeal before the Supreme Court, challenging the high court order.
   
The apex court posted the state’s plea for hearing in July, and made it clear that pendency of its petition will not be used as a ground for any purpose.
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Matuas to get citizenship, Mamatacan’t stop CAA implementation: Shah

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PTI, Bongaon (WB), May 14, 2024 : In a bid to address concerns of the Matuas over citizenship, Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured the community that its members would get citizenship under the CAA and accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading falsehood about it.

    
Addressing a rally in Bongaon, a stronghold of the Matua community, in North 24 Parganas district, Shah asserted that Banerjee can “never stop the implementation of the CAA in the state as it is a law by the central government”.
    
“No power in the world can stop my refugee brothers from becoming citizens of India. This is the promise of Modi Ji. Mamata Banerjee must remember that citizenship falls under the exclusive authority of the central government, not the state governments,” he said.
    
Shah accused Banerjee of “lying” and spreading “falsehood” about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
    
“Mamata Banerjee is lying that anyone who applies for citizenship under the CAA will face problems. I have come to assure the people of the Matua community that no one will face any trouble. You will get citizenship and will be able to live with respect in the country,” he said.
    
The minister also said, “I guarantee you that no one will face any inconvenience and difficulty. You will get both citizenship and respect in the country.”
    
The Matuas, originally from erstwhile East Pakistan, are a weaker section of Hindus who migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh, following religious persecution.
    
The Matua community’s initial jubilation over the implementation of CAA rules has been dampened as the All India Matua Mahasangha has advised its members to abstain from submitting citizenship applications due to lack of necessary documents proving their previous residential address in Bangladesh.
    
Shah, addressing a considerable Matua population in the Bongaon Lok Sabha seat, attacked Banerjee for opposing the CAA and “taking out rallies in support of infiltrators to appease her vote bank”.
    
“Why is she against refugees obtaining citizenship? She is supporting infiltration in Bengal but opposes Hindu refugees getting citizenship. She is taking out rallies against the CAA and supporting infiltrators,” he said.
    
Shah said that the BJP will win 270 of the 380 Lok Sabha segments where elections were held in the last four phases.
    
“Modi Ji has attained a majority with 270 seats, after the completion of voting in 380 seats of the first four phases. We will soon reach our target of 400 plus seats,” he said.
    
Banerjee had recently claimed that if the opposition bloc INDIA comes to power, of which the TMC is a part at the national level, it would repeal the CAA by bringing in a new law in Parliament.
    
The Centre, in March, implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, notifying the rules four years after the law was passed by Parliament to fast-track citizenship for undocumented non-Muslim migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan who came to India before December 31, 2014.
    
Hitting out at the TMC on the issue of graft, Shah said only the BJP can end the TMC’s “rule of corruption” in West Bengal.
    
“From ‘cut money’ culture to infiltration, from bomb blasts to Bhatija’s goons harassing people, from ‘Syndicate Raj’ to utter lawlessness, the situation of West Bengal is bad under the TMC rule. It’s only Narendra Modi Ji, who can save the state of West Bengal from this situation,” the BJP leader said.
    
“Those involved in the chit fund scam, teacher recruitment scam, municipal recruitment scam, ration scam, cow and coal smugglers should be prepared to go to jail. No one will be spared,” he said.
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Slamming TMC over various issues of corruption and scams, Shah said, “None of the corrupt people would be spared.”
    
Addressing another rally in Howrah district’s Uluberia, Shah alleged that Banerjee “changes names of centrally funded schemes and runs those as the West Bengal government’s initiatives.
   
“Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are Mamata Banerjee’s vote bank in Bengal,” Shah added.