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Mamata alleges bid to register fake voters ahead of Assembly polls

February 14, 2025, 1:17 am

With one year to go for the Assembly elections in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday alleged that a “ghost political party” was trying to register at least 20,000 – 30,000 fake voters in every Assembly seat across the State ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls.

Banerjee did not name any particular political party but through her words, made it clear that she was targeting the BJP and the Election Commission. She said: “Babus have come to Bengal and are sitting here to register 20,000 – 30,000 fake voters in every Assembly seat. The Election Commission of India will conduct the polls by sending Central forces. Voters, who do not belong to Bengal, will come and cast their votes. We will foil your plans.”
She alleged that voters from Bihar were being registered in West Bengal through online registration. She alleged that goons were being brought from Bihar and being settled in West Bengal.

Banerjee, separately, targeted the BJP while referring to the results of the Delhi and Maharashtra Assembly polls. “BJP, how did the votes increase by 40 lakh in Maharashtra? What did you do in Delhi? One day the truth will come out. While some people solve mathematics problems earlier, others may take time,” she said.
Suvendu Adhikari, BJP legislator and Leader of the Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly, hit back saying: ““She (Banerjee) is the Chief Minister for 14 years. Does she even know what she is saying? Who are the registration officers of the electoral roll? The District Magistrates. We have identified 1.6 million duplicate voters. We will get their names deleted before the 2026 polls.”

He said that for the past one year, he had been raising his voice about this problem. “Everybody knows who is behind the influx of Muslims and Rohingyas into West Bengal.”
CPI(M) State Committee member Sujan Chakraborty said: “Everybody knows who is an expert in bringing over people from across the borders. That person is Mamata Banerjee. It is under her guidance that people are crossing the India-Bangladesh border. It is the Trinamool Congress leaders at the district level who are facilitating their registration and giving them all help to get Aadhaar cards, voter cards, ration cards. In every booth, there are at least 60 names of people who are untraceable, or are already dead. Thousands of such names are there in each and every Assembly constituency.”

Trinamool Student Wing Shows Black Flags To Bengal Governor

October 4, 2024, 4:11 am

Days after West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for information regarding the utilization of Rs 1.17 lakh crores of Central funds allocated to the State for the 2023-24 under various schemes, he was shown black flags by the members of Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP), the student wing of ruling Trinamool Congress, at the University of Calcutta here on Thursday.

The Governor’s letter was prompted by information that the State Government has failed to submit several Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the Assembly, thereby breaching its constitutional duty. Today, as soon as the Governor arrived at the university’s main campus on College Street to distribute certificates to new PhD holders, the TMCP members, besides waving black flags, shouted “go-back” slogans.

The TMCP members alleged the Governor, who is also the chancellor of the University of Calcutta, had “illegally” appointed a Vice-Chancellor to the university. They also accused the Governor of molesting a temporary Raj Bhavan staffer and demanded justice.
They also alleged that since the Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Governor is an acting vice-chancellor, the university’s annual convocation cannot be organised without a permanent Vice-Chancellor. The TMCP activists alleged that the Governor was indirectly organising a “camouflaged” convocation ceremony in the name of the distribution of PhD certificates, which was against the university’s “tradition”.

The protesters also alleged that barring some professors, who are extremely close confidants of the Governor-appointed acting vice-chancellor Santa Dutta, others were not allowed entry to that certificate distribution venue. Later, Dutta claimed that none of the protesters were university students. “The protesters were there to vitiate the academic ambience on the university campus. But they will not be successful in their attempts to malign the image of this iconic university,” she said.

The Raj Bhavan and the State Education Department have been at loggerheads for long over the issue of Vice-Chancellors’ appointments for different state universities in West Bengal. Several times in the past, the State Government and the ruling Trinamool Congress have accused the Governor of appointing interim Vice-Chancellors for different State universities completely bypassing the State Education Department. On the other hand, there had been claims from the office of the Governor that the appointment of interim vice-chancellors was necessary to restore the proper academic atmosphere at the state universities.

Raj Bhavan sources said that the relationship between the Governor and the Chief Minister had hit rock-bottom. The source further revealed that the Governor’s letter was prompted by information that the state government has failed to submit several Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the Assembly, thereby breaching its constitutional duty. “The West Bengal Government has been allotted Rs 1.17 lakh crore of Central funds in the financial year 2023-24. There are allegations of gross misuse of those funds. The fiscal situation of West Bengal is confronting multiple fiscal risks and public financial management issues,” the source said.

Mamata Accedes To A Few Demands Of Protesting Doctors

September 18, 2024, 12:23 am

The West Bengal government on Tuesday effected a reshuffle in the Health and Police departments as announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after her meeting with the agitating junior doctors late yesterday night.

The Chief Minister had met the junior doctors on Monday evening to break the deadlock after multiple failed attempts, and as per their demand, announced the changes in the police ranks and the Health Department. Senior IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma was made the new Commissioner of Kolkata Police, replacing Vineet Goyal, according to a notification issued by the Home Secretary this morning.

Since the discovery of the body of a 31-year-old junior doctor who was found raped and murdered on August 9, junior doctors across the State had blamed Vineet Goyal of leading efforts to destroy crucial evidence. The students have been on cease-work since August 10.
Goyal, a 1994 batch officer who was under fire over handling of the rape and murder of the doctor at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, was made the ADG and IGP of West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF).

The State Government also removed Kolkata Police’s DC (North) Abhishek Gupta who had been accused of offering hush money to the victim’s parents even as her body was lying in her house.

Abhishek Gupta was replaced by Dipak Sarkar from the Siliguri Police. Gupta was made Commanding Officer of Eastern Frontier Rifles 2nd Battalion. Police sources said that this was an insignificant posting that was like a “punishment posting”.

As decided in the meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence last night, the State Government also removed Director of Health Services (DHS) Debashis Halder and Director of Medical Education (DME) Kaustav Nayak. Both of them had signed the order for demolishing a room opposite the seminar room where the murdered doctor’s body was found, leading to allegations that both had tried to destroy evidence. One of the agitating junior doctors said had seen the Government Order and would announce the future course of their movement following a meeting among themselves.

Kolkata rape-murder case: Govt Invites Protesting Doctors for Talks, Denies Live Telecast

September 12, 2024, 4:44 pm

West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant has invited junior doctors protesting over the RG Kar hospital incident to a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, scheduled for 5 pm on Thursday. However, the state government has declined the doctors’ request for a live telecast of the meeting, offering instead to record it to ensure transparency.

In a letter addressed to the protesting doctors, Chief Secretary Pant stated, “The meeting shall not be live telecasted. However, the same can be recorded to maintain transparency. This will serve the purpose intended from your end while also maintaining the sanctity of the proceedings, ensuring that all discussions are accurately documented.” The letter also noted that the delegation size would be restricted to 15 to facilitate a smooth discussion.

The doctors had previously rejected Chief Minister Banerjee’s invitation for a closed-door meeting at the state secretariat, leading to ongoing protests. The chief minister had planned the meeting to review the state’s health facilities and improve safety, security, and patient services. The meeting was to include principals, directors, medical superintendents, vice principals of medical colleges, commissioners of police, district magistrates, and chief medical officers of health from all districts.

Meanwhile, junior doctors continued their protest at the Swasthya Bhawan in Salt Lake, Kolkata, demanding better working conditions and safety measures.

The West Bengal government remains committed to resolving the impasse and is hopeful for a positive response from the protesting doctors.

Kolkata Rape-Murder highlights Lack of Strict Implementation

August 28, 2024, 3:02 am

“Silence gendered violence is woven intricately into the Indian social group; it is only fair to implement social awareness campaigns to assist raise awareness at the grass-root level.” When a criminal offence is committed it is wrong against humanity at large. Every crime against an individual demonstrates the state’s failure to recognize, protect and fulfill its citizen’s human rights. Among one such crime is “Rape”. It is a deep-entrenched social blight. Rape is considered to be, one of the foremost flagitious crimes towards the individual and its individuality.

The brutal rape and murder of a Post-Graduate Trainee Doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College has once again highlighted issues surrounding violence against women, the role of the legal system, and societal attitudes. Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s repeated assertions that West Bengal is the safest state for women, this horrific crime exposes the administration’s blatant incompetence and disregard for women’s safety. Mamata Banerjee’s political rhetoric is meaningless when women in Kolkata continue to live in fear, exposed to violence and exploitation. The state’s safety measures are a cruel joke, fostering a culture of impunity where criminals walk free and victims suffer in silence. Enough with the empty promises—what Bengal needs is real action. The state government must overhaul its approach to women’s safety, from enforcing stringent law enforcement to providing a robust support system for victims.

This tragedy cannot become another statistic in India’s grim record of gender-based violence. The public demands justice, not just for this victim, but for a safer future for all women. The question remains: will the government act decisively, or will it continue to fail its people? The clock is ticking.

Crimes of this brutality—especially those involving rape—are not isolated incidents in India. In 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported an average of 90 rapes per day. However, authorities acknowledge that the actual number could be much higher, as many rapes go unreported due to societal taboos. Unofficial estimates suggest that over 100 rapes occur daily in India, with a staggering 80% of them classified as brutal. Despite the shocking frequency of such attacks, society and the state have failed to address the root causes effectively.

The 1973 case of Aruna Shanbaug was a grim precursor to today’s epidemic of violence against women. After being raped and left for dead by a ward boy, she remained in a coma for 43 years, lovingly cared for by her colleagues. Her assailant, however, served only seven years in jail. Aruna’s case remained in the media spotlight for decades, yet no sweeping reforms were made to improve the safety of female medical staff. Hospitals like RG Kar Medical College continue to lack basic security protocols, leaving women vulnerable to heinous acts of violence.

Despite the public outcry that followed Aruna’s case, and the more recent protests in Kolkata, most state-run hospitals have not implemented adequate safety measures. The issue of relying on “civic volunteers” instead of trained security personnel has long been a problem in government-run hospitals. These volunteers are often paid meager wages and supplement their income through unofficial means. Many have political affiliations, which give them a degree of immunity from disciplinary action.

Nirbhaya Case Led to Major Reforms
After the equally brutal rape and fatal assault of a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern (called Nirbhaya to conceal her name as mandated by law) that occurred on December 16, 2012, in New Delhi, there were calls for reform in existing laws to deal with such a heinous crime. It did lead to changes in the law but after twelve years, the conclusion remains that the law changed, but much remained the same. Following the Nirbhaya case, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government constituted a committee headed by Justice JS Verma, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to recommend amendments to the Criminal Law to ensure quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women.

The committee made some pathbreaking recommendations, some of them were accepted and some were rejected. Considering the committee’s recommendations ‘The Criminal Law (Amendment), Act 2013’ was enacted for effective deterrence against sexual offences. The major changes in the law dealing with sexual offences included expanding the ambit of rape by incorporating new offences such as stalking, acid attacks, and voyeurism into its definition. The mere threat of rape was recognized as a criminal act, subjecting the perpetrator to legal action.

Some of the major changes that the 2013 amendment brought were: Section 166A was inserted after the amendment to make the authorities, like public servants or hospital authorities, liable if they failed to discharge their duties against the victims of the crime.
The newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 which has replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in its section 199 says “Whoever, being a public servant fails to record any information given to him under sub-section (1) of section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 in relation to a cognizable offence punishable under section 64, section 65, section 66, section 67, section 68, section 70, section 71, section 74, section 76, section 77, section 79, section 124, section 143 or section 144 shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.”

Loopholes in Existing Legislation
The criminal justice system in India is plagued by delays, resulting in prolonged trials. Despite the establishment of fast-track courts post-Nirbhaya, the pace of justice remains sluggish. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), the conviction rate for rape cases in India is dismally low. This delay and uncertainty in delivering justice emboldens perpetrators and deters victims from coming forward Secondly, Laws are only as effective as their implementation. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, introduced several provisions to deter sexual violence, including the death penalty for repeat offenders. However, the enforcement of these laws is often inconsistent. Police apathy, lack of sensitivity, and corruption further hinder effective implementation. Thirdly, while legal provisions exist to protect and support victims of sexual violence, the actual support system is often lacking. Victims frequently face societal stigma, lack of proper medical and psychological support, and inadequate witness protection programs. This systemic failure discourages many from reporting crimes. Fourthly, deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes and victim-blaming culture continue to persist in Indian society. These attitudes not only perpetuate violence against women but also create an environment where victims are discouraged from seeking justice.

Proposals for Stringent Measures and Enhanced Safety
Strengthening Fast-Track Courts: Fast-track courts should be empowered and adequately staffed to ensure speedy trials and timely justice. Cases of sexual violence should be prioritized to deliver swift justice. Measures should be taken to improve the quality of investigation and evidence collection. Police training programs should emphasize forensic evidence collection, victim support, and sensitivity. Regular audits of police stations and judicial processes should be conducted to ensure compliance with laws. Non-compliance should result in stringent penalties for the responsible authorities. Establishing accountability mechanisms for law enforcement agencies to ensure they are fulfilling their duties in investigating and prosecuting sexual violence cases. The Government and Civic Society should establish a robust support system, including free legal aid, medical care, and psychological counselling for victims of sexual violence. The Government should create a Witness Protection Programs, where in strengthening witness protection programs will ensure the safety and security of victims and witnesses during the trial process. The Civic Society including the NGOs should create a nationwide education and awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes towards sexual violence and promote gender equality and encourage community involvement in supporting victims and creating safe environments for women through local initiatives and watchdog committees. The use of safety apps and 24/7 helplines for women in distress would help. These technologies should be integrated with law enforcement agencies for prompt response. Installing surveillance cameras in high-risk areas and ensuring adequate street lighting to deter potential offenders.

The writer is an Associate Professor in Seedling School of Law and Governance, Jaipur National University, Jaipur.

People Will Immerse Mamata into River Ganga: BJP minister amid Kolkata rape-murder protest

August 25, 2024, 9:23 pm

Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar has launched a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claiming that the people of the state will eventually “immerse her into the River Ganga” due to her government’s handling of the recent Kolkata rape and murder case.

In an interaction with ANI, Majumdar said, “The government is afraid of the student-led protests and is trying to suppress the people’s voice. However, the student community in West Bengal has awakened. The people of the state will uproot Mamata Banerjee from power and immerse her into the Ganga.”

The minister emphasized that the BJP would continue its agitation until justice is achieved for the victim. “Today marks the last day of this protest, but it is not the end of our movement. There will be more demonstrations in the future. I will announce the next phase of our program today at 4 PM. The BJP will remain on the streets until justice is served,” Majumdar added.

Earlier in the day, Majumdar and BJP supporters staged a protest at Shyambazar against the incident.

Meanwhile, Parimal Dey, a teacher from Alipurduar who was honored with the Banga Ratna award by Mamata Banerjee in 2019, has decided to return the award in protest. Dey told ANI, “I have decided to return the Banga Ratna award. Seeing the protests across Bengal and beyond, I felt compelled to do so. The way Mamata Banerjee is running the administration is unacceptable.”

Additionally, the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum held a demonstration in Tollygunge, demanding justice for the victim and accountability from the Kolkata administration.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also conducted raids at several locations linked to former RG Kar Medical College principal Dr. Sandip Ghosh and his relatives as part of its ongoing investigation into alleged corruption at the medical institution. The CBI initiated its probe following a Calcutta High Court directive.

The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is due on September 17.

The case involves the tragic death of a trainee doctor, who was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The Supreme Court has since ordered the security of the hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Mamata writes to PM Modi, seeks tougher anti-rape legislation

August 23, 2024, 3:16 am

Facing massive protests over brutal rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a tougher legislation against rape.
In her letter, which was shared by her chief adviser Alapan Bandyopadhyay, the Chief Minister said that it was “horrifying to see that almost 90 cases of rapes occurred daily throughout the country”.

“This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is a bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure,” she wrote according to her chief adviser Alapan Bandyopadhyay.

“Such serious and sensitive issues need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent Central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. Setting up of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation to ensure quick justice. Trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days.”

Earlier today, Trinamool Congress MP and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, Abhishek Banerjee said the country needs a strong law that mandates trials and convictions within 50 days, followed by the severest punishments.
In a tweet, he said that over the past 10 days, while the nation has been protesting against the RG Kar Medical College incident and demanding justice, 900 rapes had occurred across different parts of India.

“Sadly, a lasting solution still remains largely undiscussed. With 90 RAPES REPORTED DAILY, 4 EVERY HOUR AND 1 EVERY 15 MINUTES – the urgency for a decisive action is clear. We need strong laws that mandate TRIALS & CONVICTIONS WITHIN 50 days, followed by the severest punishments, not just empty promises. State Governments must act and urgently push the Union for a comprehensive anti-rape law that ensures swift and strict justice. Anything less is merely symbolic and tragically ineffective.”

“Credibility of Mamata Banerjee Govt is Zero”:CPI(M) Leader Brinda Karat

August 19, 2024, 4:02 pm

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat on Monday slammed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Medical College. Karat stated that the Mamata Banerjee government’s credibility is “zero” in handling the case.

“Mamata Banerjee is trying to protect herself and hide the role of the accused. TMC MPs are making misleading statements, behaving as though they are medical experts while avoiding discussing the actual case. This only proves that the credibility of her government is zero,” Karat said during an interaction with ANI.

Karat also commented on the summoning of TMC MP Sukhendu Shekar Ray by Kolkata Police, noting that Ray had attempted to play a sensitive role in the case but was swiftly summoned by the police.

On Sunday, Ray questioned the Kolkata Police’s investigation in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “CBI must act fairly. Custodial interrogation of the ex-principal and Police Commissioner is a must to know who and why floated the suicide story. Why was the hall wall demolished? Who patronized Sanjay Roy to be so powerful? Why was the sniffer dog brought in after 3 days? There are hundreds of such questions. Make them speak,” Ray wrote.

Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, also criticized the state government for failing to ensure women’s safety. “It’s a shame that the government admits there is no safety for women at night while simultaneously talking about women’s empowerment. Special Advisor Alapan Bandopadhyay even suggests that women should avoid night duty, implying they are unsafe even during the day,” Adhikari said.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose echoed similar concerns earlier on Monday, stating that the state has failed to protect its women. “Bengal is not safe for women. The current government has failed its women. Bengal needs to regain its past, where women were respected and safe. Today, women live in fear of ‘gundas’ created by an insensitive government,” Governor Bose remarked.

The controversy stems from the incident on August 9, when a postgraduate trainee doctor was allegedly raped and murdered while on duty at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The case has sparked nationwide protests and strikes by the medical community demanding swift justice and better protection for healthcare professionals.

Doctor’s rape-murder: Mamata sets Sunday deadline for police to solve case

August 12, 2024, 8:52 pm

Faced with intensifying protests and withdrawal of services by junior doctors at all Government hospitals following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor inside a Government hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her Government would ask the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the RG Kar hospital doctor murder probe if the Kolkata Police fail to solve the case by August 18.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association India (FORDA) announced a nationwide halt of elective services in hospitals beginning Monday.

“This decision is not taken lightly, but it is necessary to ensure that our voices are heard and the demands for justice and safety are met without further delay,” the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) said in a statement.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Meanwhile. met the family of the murdered doctor at their residence in North 24 Parganas district and said: “I want the police to arrest the culprits. There are some insiders. If the police can’t solve the case by Sunday, then we will give it to the CBI. We have nothing to be bothered about. However, the rate of success in CBI investigations is very poor.”

“Nurses were there, the hospital’s own security personnel were also there. I fail to understand how this happened. The victim’s parents told me somebody from inside was involved. The police will talk to everyone,” said Banerjee.

“Kolkata Police is the best police force in the world. The best officer has been entrusted with the investigation,” Banerjee added.

Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, who accompanied the Chief Minister, said they would question everyone who was present at the site of the crime.

“We will question all those who were near the place of occurrence of the crime. We have even given a helpline number in case someone wants to talk to us anonymously”, he said.

While trainee doctors at R G Kar and State-run hospitals across Bengal and many other States intensified their agitation demanding justice for the 31-year-old victim, Dr Sandip Ghosh, principal of R G Kar Hospital said he resigned from his position on Monday morning.

“He tendered his resignation saying his children are getting disturbed by the media reports. However, we told him that he would be transferred to another hospital,” said Banerjee.

Kolkata Police meanwhile, intensified its efforts to find out if Sanjay Roy, the prime suspect who is a civic volunteer attached to the Kolkata Police, committed the crime alone or whether he had an accomplice.

The security camera footage that led to Roy’s arrest indicated the crime took place within 30 minutes, the investigators said.

“The nature of the multiple injuries found on the victim’s upper body may prompt anyone to suspect that Roy was not alone. The fact that he had no noticeable injury on his body, something natural in such cases because victims fight back, leads to the suspicion that the sexual assault could have taken place after the murder,” a police official said on condition of anonymity.

The semi-nude body of a second-year student of the respiratory medicine department was found inside the seminar hall of the State-run hospital in Kolkata on Friday.

A preliminary autopsy report suggested that she was sexually assaulted and murdered. Police have registered a case of rape and murder, and a special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to probe the case.

The protests over the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor reverberated across the country with Resident Doctors Associations (RDA) expressing solidarity with their counterparts in Bengal and holding demonstrations.

The Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of RG Kar Medical College said they would call off the protests only after their demands were met.

“We have released a set of four demands – judicial probe, written apology from hospital authorities, compensation for the woman’s family, police must publish the progress of the probe regularly,” said a doctor of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors announced suspension of elective and non-emergency medical services by resident doctors from August 13.

At Rohtak, resident doctors along with interns said the outpatient department (OPDs) will not be operational for two hours on Monday.

The RDA of Safdarjung and Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) in New Delhi decided to shut down elective services including OPD, elective OTs, and ward duties indefinitely starting from Monday.

In Uttar Pradesh, the RDA has also decided to suspend non-essential medical services.

Security arrangements at the hospital were reviewed by the State Government while the State Health Department, headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, replaced the hospital principal and superintendent.

Two contractual security guards were also suspended, a Health Department official said on condition of anonymity.

Watch: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Slams Congress For ATP Issues and Fearmongering

August 1, 2024, 2:39 pm

During a heated parliamentary session on Thursday, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw responded to the opposition’s slogans of “Ashwini Vaishnaw hay hay” by asserting that they are not people who make reels but people who work hard. He pointed out that the average working and rest times of Loco pilots are governed by rules established in 2005, which were amended in 2016 to provide more facilities for Loco pilots.

Vaishnaw highlighted that all 558 running rooms were made air-conditioned and that more than 7,000 loco cabs were also air-conditioned to address issues of vibration and heat, contrasting it with the opposition’s time when none of these measures were in place.

Further speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw questioned why those who had been in power for 58 years had not managed to install Automatic Train Protection (ATP) even for one kilometer.

He pointed out that today, these same individuals dare to raise questions. Vaishnaw mentioned that when Mamata Banerjee was the railway minister and reported a decrease in accident numbers from 0.24 to 0.19, the House applauded. However, now that the accident rate has decreased further from 0.19 to 0.03, the same people are making accusations.

He questioned if the country would run in this manner. Vaishnaw also accused the Congress of spreading false information with the help of its social media troll army, suggesting they were trying to instill fear in the 2 crore people who travel by railways every day.

#WATCH | While speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "Those who are shouting here must be asked in their 58 years of being in power why they were not able to install Automatic Train Protection (ATP), even 1 km. Today, they dare to raise the… pic.twitter.com/1f66YxBspV

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024

While speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the current ratio of non-AC (sleep and general coaches) to AC coaches is two-thirds to one-third, a composition that has always existed. He noted the increasing demand for general coaches and mentioned that the production of approximately 2,500 general coaches would be completed soon. Vaishnaw assured that a standard composition of at least four general coaches in each mail and express train would be implemented shortly.

#WATCH | While speaking in Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "If we see the ratio of non-AC (sleep and general coaches) and AC coaches – two-thirds are non-AC and one-thirds are AC coaches, this composition of a train has always been there. The demand… pic.twitter.com/N8cDhjSXKF

— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2024

He thanked Prime Minister Modi for his leadership and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for tackling the issue of underinvestment in the railways through substantial budget funding. Vaishnaw also praised the commitment of the 12 lakh railway employees who operate over 20,000 trains each day.

“Wanted To Speak But My Mic…” Mamta Banerjee Walks Out Of NITI Aayog Meeting

July 27, 2024, 2:22 pm

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee walked out of NITI Aayog’s 9th Governing Council meeting in New Delhi on Saturday, July 27, after claiming that she was only given five minutes to speak. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saw Banerjee expressing frustration over being muted while others spoke for 10 to 20 minutes.

“…I said you (central government) should not discriminate against state governments. I wanted to speak but my mic was muted. I was allowed to speak only for five minutes. People before me spoke for 10-20 minutes,” Banerjee told reporters after leaving the meeting.

“I was the only one from the opposition who was participating but still, I was not allowed to speak. This is insulting…,” she added.

Several opposition-ruled states have announced their decision to boycott the meeting. Chief Ministers of three Congress-ruled states—Siddaramaiah of Karnataka, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu of Himachal Pradesh, and Revanth Reddy of Telangana—have stated they will not attend due to perceived bias in the Union Budget 2024. Additionally, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and the Aam Aadmi Party-led governments of Punjab and Delhi have also decided to skip the meeting.

Banerjee, who had initially participated in the meeting, had hoped to elevate their concerns on a unified platform.

The meeting aims to discuss strategies to make India a developed nation by 2047, focusing on enhancing participative governance and collaboration between the Centre and state governments to improve the quality of life in both rural and urban areas.

The NITI Aayog Governing Council, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, includes all state chief ministers, lieutenant governors of Union Territories, and several Union ministers. The meeting also addressed recommendations from the 3rd National Conference of Chief Secretaries held in December, which covered key themes such as drinking water, electricity, health, schooling, and land and property.

A vision document is being created to guide India towards becoming a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047, marking the 100th year of its independence. In 2023, NITI Aayog was tasked with consolidating 10 sectoral visions into a unified vision for Viksit Bharat @2047, encompassing economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance.

West Bengal Forms Panel to Review New Criminal Laws

July 18, 2024, 12:14 pm

West Bengal has become the third state, after Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, to set up a committee to amend three new criminal laws. Governor CV Ananda Bose has asked the Mamata Banerjee government to explain the objectives of this seven-member panel. The committee, established on Wednesday, is headed by a former judge of the Calcutta High Court and will review the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).

The panel is led by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Roy and includes state law minister Malay Ghatak, state finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, the state advocate general, senior standing counsel of West Bengal in the Supreme Court Sanjay Basu, the DGP of West Bengal, and the Kolkata Police Commissioner. This committee will present its findings within three months and may involve academic experts, senior advocates, research assistants, and other legal experts. Public consultation may also be conducted.

The Governor has requested a specific report on whether the West Bengal government responded to the Centre’s proposal on time. In June, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking to delay the implementation of the three criminal laws and seeking further discussions in Parliament. On December 25, 2023, the President of India approved the BNS, BSA, and BNSS, which came into effect on July 1 this year.

Breaking: Molestation Case; West Bengal Governor Bose Sues Mamata Banerjee for Defamation Over ‘Raj Bhavan Incidents’ Remark

June 29, 2024, 10:18 am

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose filed a defamation case against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday, June 28. This legal action followed Banerjee’s statement where she claimed that women had expressed fear about visiting Raj Bhavan due to the activities there. Banerjee’s remarks came in the wake of allegations of “molestation” made by a contractual employee against Governor Ananda Bose, prompting Kolkata Police to initiate an investigation.

Additionally, Governor Ananda Bose has initiated similar defamation cases against several Trinamool Congress (TMC) members who made statements of a similar nature.

This is a developing story. More information are being updated.

Mamata shoots off protest letter to PM on Teesta

June 25, 2024, 3:54 am

West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the Centre for not inviting her to be a part of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina. She raised strong objections to the talks on water sharing between the Centre and Bangladesh, while excluding West Bengal, a key stakeholder.

Highlighting the close relationship between Kolkata and Dhaka, Banerjee said: “Such unilateral deliberations and discussions without consultation and the opinion of the State Government are neither acceptable nor desirable.”

The West Bengal Chief Minister wrote: “No discussion on sharing of Teesta water and the Farakka Treaty should be taken up with Bangladesh without the involvement of the State Government. The interest of people in West Bengal is paramount which should not be compromised at any cost.”

In the recently held bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart, Sheikh Hasina, the two leaders discussed the conservation and management of the River Teesta and the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty.

Addressing the media after the meeting, PM Modi said that a technical team will soon visit Bangladesh to discuss “conservation and management of the Teesta River.”

India plans to construct a large reservoir and related infrastructure to manage and conserve Teesta’s water.

However, this proposal has met with staunch opposition from Mamata Banerjee, who has long resisted water-sharing agreements, citing the negative impacts of the Farakka barrage, including erosion, siltation, and flooding in West Bengal.

“People of West Bengal will be the worst sufferers due to the impact of such agreements. I came to understand that the Government of India is in the process of renewing the Indo-Bangladesh Farakka Treaty (1996) which is to expire in 2026. It is a Treaty which delineates the principles of sharing of water between Bangladesh and India and as you are aware it has huge implications for the people of West Bengal for maintaining their livelihood and that the water which is diverted at the Farakka Barrage helps in maintaining the navigability of the Kolkata port,” she said in the letter to Prime Minister Modi.

In her three-page letter, Mamata Banerjee wrote: “I would like to bring to your notice that river morphology has changed in the eastern part of India and Bangladesh over many years which deprived West Bengal and negatively impacted the water availability in the State.

There has been eastward migration of the Ganges (and Padma to Bangladesh) over the last 200 years disrupting their link with several rivers in West Bengal. For example, Jalangi and Mathabhanga rivers got disconnected from Padma and the fresh water inflow into the Sundarban has reduced.

“It is very pertinent to mention that the flow of silt into the Hooghly has also reduced over the years after the barrage was constructed. This has accentuated erosion by the rivers and the areas both in the upstream and downstream of the barrage have faced serious loss of “life and property including public infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, health centres, power lines in the past.

TMC MPs Visit Protesting Farmers And Pledge To Bring Their Demands To Parliament

June 10, 2024, 6:57 pm

A group of five MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) paid a visit to the farmers demonstrating at the Khanauri-Data Singh Wala border on Monday, a few days after the Parliamentary elections ended and as the protests at the Punjab-Haryana borders approached their fourth month.

The TMC delegation promised the farmers that their concerns would be discussed in the next parliamentary session and expressed solidarity with them in their demand for a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) based on C2+50%. The MPs expressed TMC chief Mamata Banerjee’s profound concern for the farmers’ situation, which has prompted them to stage ongoing protests. After hearing the farmers’ complaints, they pledged to press the national government to accede to their requests.

Rajya Sabha member Sagarika Ghose said, “We 5 MPs visited the Khanauri border to meet protesting farmers. Our leader Mamata spoke to the farm leaders via phone to assure them of our support. AITC will fight shoulder to shoulder with the Annadaata for their demands and justice to farmers.”

“Mamata Banerjee is very close to Kisan Andolan, she went on hunger strike for 26 days in 2006 to protest against land acquisition in Singur. We will raise the issues of the farmers in Parliament and at every available forum. We are always standing with India’s Annadatas,” she added.

The leader of the non-political Farmer Forum SKM, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, claimed that despite their nearly four-month-long protests at the Punjab-Haryana borders, the central government has disregarded their demand for a legal right to MSP in accordance with the recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission.

PM Modi peddling lies on Sandeshkhali, alleges Mamata

May 13, 2024, 3:47 am

Claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was continuing to “peddle lies” about Sandeshkhali, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday questioned why he was maintaining a stoic silence on the allegations of molestation against Governor CV Ananda Bose and not asking him to resign.

Addressing an election rally in North 24-Parganas’ Amdanga, which is a part of the Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency which Modi had visited earlier in the day, Banerjee said: “The Prime Minister should be ashamed that the BJP’s conspiracy about Sandeshkhali has become public”.

The Chief Minister’s comments were in reference to a purported viral video where a local BJP leader is seen claiming that more than 70 women were paid Rs 2,000 each to participate in protests against the Trinamool Congress strongman Shahjahan Sheikh, who faces accusations of sexual assault and land grab.

In another clip, the man resembling BJP’s Sandeshkhali mandal president Gangadhar Kayal states that the “staged protests were orchestrated by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who was behind the ‘whole conspiracy”.

Mamata Banerjee accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of remaining silent on the molestation allegations against West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and questioned the Prime Minister why he did not ask for his resignation.

Banerjee said the Centre’s inaction against the Governor, who is accused of molestation by a young Raj Bhavan staffer, showed the BJP’s “true anti-woman character”.

“The Prime Minister stayed the night in the Raj Bhavan. Why did he not ask the Governor to resign when he is facing such a serious charge from a young, innocent girl?” she asked.

Mamata Banerjee Injured After Falling Inside Helicopter

April 27, 2024, 2:56 pm

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee sustained an injury on Saturday while boarding a helicopter in Durgapur. Reports indicate that she was assisted by her security personnel and proceeded with her journey to Asansol. This incident occurred just a month after Banerjee suffered a significant injury to her forehead from a fall at her residence.

During the previous incident, a senior TMC leader explained, “She was walking in her drawing room when she suddenly slipped and fell down, and her head hit a glass showcase. This led to a deep cut on her forehead and profuse bleeding.”

In January, Banerjee narrowly escaped a car accident during her tour of East Burdwan. While near the Burdwan city, her convoy encountered a car reportedly speeding at 200 kmph. Despite her driver’s efforts to avoid the vehicle, Banerjee’s head hit the dashboard, resulting in swelling and a concussion.

‘Will not accept CAA, NRC, UCC’ says Mamata at Eid prayer

April 11, 2024, 12:11 pm

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made it clear on Thursday, April 11, that she stands firm against the implementation of the CAA, NRC, and Uniform Civil Code in the state.

Addressing a gathering during an Eid prayer, Mamata Banerjee reiterated West Bengal’s stance against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019, the National Register of Citizens, and the Uniform Civil Code. She cautioned the audience to remain vigilant against potential provocations during elections and urged them not to fall prey to any such schemes.

She warned that certain elements might attempt to instigate riots during elections and advised those attending the event to remain vigilant and not succumb to such tactics.

“We will not accept the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, National Register of Citizens, and Uniform Civil Code. If we stand together, no one can harm us,” Banerjee declared during her address at Red Road.

Emphasizing her party’s fight against the BJP, she stated, “We will make decisions regarding the INDIA bloc later. But in Bengal, please ensure that no votes go to any other party.”

Banerjee also criticized the BJP-led central government for allegedly employing central investigative agencies against opposition parties. Accompanying her at the Eid gathering was TMC national general secretary and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

Mamata Banerjee’s statement comes a day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s criticism of her, accusing her of “misleading” people on the CAA and enabling infiltrators for vote bank politics. Shah stressed that refugees should apply for citizenship without fear.

During an election rally in Balurghat, Bengal, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Amit Shah criticized the TMC government for allegedly shielding the culprits in the Bhupatinagar bomb blast case and for filing cases against NIA officials.

“Mamata didi is misleading people about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Why is she against refugees obtaining citizenship? I request refugees not to be afraid, please apply for citizenship, there will be absolutely no problem. No police case will be filed against you. Granting citizenship to refugees is our commitment,” Amit Shah addressed the rally.

WB Police summons two NIA officers in connection with investigation into Bhupatinagar attack

April 9, 2024, 2:06 pm

The West Bengal Police issued summons on Tuesday to two National Investigation Agency (NIA) officers regarding the recent attack on NIA personnel in Bhupatinagar, Purba Medinipur district. The summon notice requires both officers, one of whom filed the complaint and the other who was injured in the attack, to appear before the police as witnesses for the ongoing investigation. Additionally, the injured officer has been requested to bring his medical records and the allegedly attacked vehicle for forensic analysis.

Earlier, on April 6, a woman filed an FIR against the NIA personnel at Bhupatinagar police station, accusing them of forcibly entering her house, assaulting her husband, verbally abusing her, and physically attacking her when she intervened. The FIR also alleges the outrage of her modesty by the NIA and CRPF personnel. The FIR has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

In response to the attack on the NIA team, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticized the agency for not informing the state government beforehand and questioned the timing and necessity of the raid conducted at night. She accused the NIA of arresting people before elections to favor a particular political party. The NIA, however, denied any unlawful actions and stated that its actions were part of a lawful investigation into a bomb fabrication case in Naruabila village, Purba Medinipur district, initiated on the orders of the Calcutta High Court.

Kolkata businessman allegedly murdered by associate; two arrested

March 16, 2024, 11:20 am

As per Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, a businessman by the name of Bhavo Lakhani, hailing from Kolkata’s Ballygunge area in West Bengal, was reportedly murdered by his business associate at the latter’s residence in the Nimta area, situated on the northern outskirts of the city. Anirban Gupta and his associate Suman Das have been detained in connection with the crime.

Gupta allegedly borrowed Rs. 50 lakh from Lakhani for procuring medicines for Lakhani’s wholesale business. Subsequently, Gupta called Lakhani to his home on Monday, promising to repay the borrowed amount. Following a missing person report filed by Lakhani’s family, an investigation was launched.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Gupta enticed Lakhani to his residence on Monday and attacked him upon arrival, leading to Lakhani’s death. While the Detective Department suggests that Lakhani was fatally assaulted with cricket equipment discovered at Gupta’s residence, Commissioner Goyal mentioned that this aspect is still under investigation.

Following the murder, Lakhani’s body was hidden beneath a water tank on Gupta’s roof, enclosed within a brick chamber. Suman Das attempted to mislead investigators by answering Lakhani’s phone calls, claiming to have found the phone elsewhere in the city. However, both suspects confessed to their involvement during interrogation.

Additionally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the victim’s family to offer condolences. Expressing shock at the brutality of the incident, Banerjee pledged swift and decisive action from the police, even canceling a planned rally in Siliguri to address the situation promptly.