My-Westbengal News

Probe on power cut in Eden Gardens

2008-04-21T21:59:00.001+05:30

A probe has been ordered on the Sunday's incident over the power supply which went off for almost 30 mts during the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkatta. There were also complaints of sufficient drinking water at the ground.

A 3 member committee had been appointed by the State Government to investigate on the lapses that took place during the match which was held at the prestigious ground.

The committee is expected to submit its report before the govt before the next match at the venue scheduled for April 29th. The Sports minister has also criticised the Cricket Association of Bengal for not taking proper measures to prevent such mismanagment during the event.
--MP

Bengal bandh disrupts normal life

2008-04-21T21:18:00.001+05:30

The Trinamool Congress and its alliance partner Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) had jointly called for a 12 hour shutdown in West Bengal on Monday to protest over the rising inflation levels.

Transport services including train services were hit by the bandh which affected normal life. Schools and colleges remain closed.

"We have called the shutdown as the State and the Central Governments have ignored public inconvenience caused by sharp rise in prices of essential commodities," said Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee justifying the protest.
--MP

Women in WB not safe: Mamta

2008-04-21T21:17:00.001+05:30

On the wake of recent sexual abuse on women in the state by political activists, Trinamul Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee alleged that the women in West Bengal are not safe and police have not taken any action against those who had committed the crimes.

Two women supporters of Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Samiti (BUPC) were gang raped allegedly by CPM supporters on Saturday in Nandigram.

"Two women supporters of the Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Committee (BUPC) were raped by CPI(M) cadre on Saturday and the police remained mute spectators taking no action against the culprits," alleged the leader.
--MP

WB JEE postponed

2008-04-20T21:23:00.001+05:30

The West Bengal Joint Entrance Examinations for admission to various professional courses in the state has been postponed indefinitely. The exams for the academic session 2008-2009 was delayed due to alleged malpractices including leakage of question papers.

The incident was thrown light when police found set of question papers for the medical entrance exam being sold out in Ghatal region of West Midnapur district of West Bengal.

The West Bengal Criminal Investigation Dept is probing on the matter trying to find out more detials on the leakage of question papers which were printed at a Kolkata based press.
--MP

WB aim for 1.86 lakh tonnes of wheat import

2008-04-16T20:52:00.000+05:30

West Bengal has come up with a huge tender for importing 180,000 tonnes of wheat from suppliers.

The WB government had issued the tender inviting offers from suppliers either domestic or international for import of 1.86 lakh tonnes of wheat to boost wheat stocks.

The government's move to buy more food grains is to keep up with the requirements and build its emergency food stock. This could even tackle the rise in food prices.

--MP

Train link to Dhaka resumes

2008-04-14T22:23:00.001+05:30

The train services connecting India and Bangladesh which was stopped for over decades had been resumed on Monday.

The historic event was marked on the Bengali New Year with India's foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee flagging off the Maitree Express from Kolkata with 65 passengers on board. Train services between the two countries were suspended after the 1965 war between India and Pakistan.

"It's a historic moment for India and Bangladesh," said Mukherjee at the occasion.
--MP

Swraj Paul meets Buddha

2008-04-09T20:47:00.001+05:30

UK based NRI and business tycoon Swraj Paul had visted the car project of Tata Motors at Singur.

Lord Paul who is heading a delegation of the United Kingdom branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associationalso held a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee on Tuesday.

"We discussed what we can do to help West Bengal, not only in trade and investment, but also in other areas like education and culture," said the industralist after his meet with the CM.
--MP

IIM-C hikes fee

2008-04-06T09:59:00.001+05:30

Following the footsteps of other IIMs, IIM-C too have decided to go for a fee hike in the next academic year.

Though the institute had announced an increased fee structure for the 2008 -2010 batch it was said that it would not implement it for the current year.

However the board has annouced a fresh decision on Saturday to go ahead with the fee hike owing to increased infrastructure. The fees will go up from Rs.400,000 to Rs.700,000 for the two-year course starting later this year.
--MP

Culling continues in State

2008-04-02T18:37:00.001+05:30

With bird flu hitting West Bengal again culling operations are still continuing in the affected districts of the State.

Malda district and parts of Murshidabad was reported to have affected by the virus in March.

With bird flu resurfacing Jalpaiguri district, authorities had set a target to cull around 40,000 birds in the district before April first week. Meanwhile no human cases are reported so far.
--MP

Bhushan Steel's package for land losers

2008-03-31T20:52:00.001+05:30

Bhushan Steel is acquiring mass land in West Bengal with plans to set up an integrated steel plant in the Salanpur industrial belt, near Asansol.

For the proposed steel plant of two million tonnes per annum (mtpa) capacity, the company requires about 2,500 acres acres of land.

And due to the mass investment the company is also proposing a special package for all those who are affected by the deal. And as per the package, the land losers will be given a percentage of free land along with the compensation.

--MP

Mithun acquires Kolkata Tigers of ICL

2008-03-27T10:56:00.001+05:30

Looks like more are more Bollywood celebrities chipping on to cricket these days. Bollywood's veteran star Mithun Chakraborty has bought the Indian Cricket League's (ICL) Kolkatta team.

If it was Sharukh who got IPL's Kolkatta franchise, now its Mithun who owns the same for ICL who is known as the Kolkata Tigers.

"I am an entertainer and Twenty20 is a fantastic form of entertainment. There is craze and good business in it. So I decided to try my luck," said the actor who did not reveal much on the deal.
--MP

Cricket forum against SRK

2008-03-26T22:06:00.001+05:30

Cricket Members Forum of Bengal is taking Sharukh to court in connection with the early issue of tickets for the upcoming IPL matches. Sharukh Khan is the franchise owner of Kolkota team, Kolkata Knight Riders.

The forum has even filed a case aginst the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and the actor for free distribution of tickets before issuing to the members.

"According to Rule-15 of CAB constitution all life members, associate members and affiliated members are supposed to get free tickets for all matches organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. We are 31,000 members and this match is not for any benevolent cause or charity. So, there is no reason why we will not get our free tickets," states an official of the Cricket Members Forum of Bengal.

--MP

Cong stages walkout

2008-03-24T23:14:00.001+05:30

On being disallowed by the Speaker to admit an adjournment motion against the state government, Congres party on Monday staged a walkout in the West Bengal Assembly.

The Congress members moved the motion pointing out the ruling Left government's inefficiency to utilise fully the central funds allocated for various projects.

However the Speaker did not allow to proceed futrther on reading the motion saying it was already been discussed. Objecting to the Speakers' decision the Cong members immediately left the House.

--MP

Ramadoss appeals CM not to smoke

2008-03-23T12:03:00.001+05:30

In a campaign against smoking, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss has appealed the West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to stop smoking in public.

"70 per cent of men in West Bengal people take to tobacco, including the chief minister," indicated Ramadoss. And when asked whether the minister had any advice for the CM, he said: "He is a senior person and I am a small individual.' But the minister added: 'As a leader he should set an example for others to follow.'

Though the West Bengal government has put a ban on smoking in public places including the state secretariat, Bhattacharjee continues to smoke in his office and the CM himself has admitted to this.
--MP

Bird flu in Malda

2008-03-21T22:57:00.001+05:30

West Bengal has been coping with the outbreak of bird flu disease for the past few months.

After Murshidabad district, now its Malda district of the State which has come under the attack of the deadly bird flu virus.

Over 800 birds are reportedly dead over the past week and culling operations are underway to overcome threats of the outbreak in the district.

On investigations of samples from dead birds collected from a farm in Malda's English Bazar Block have tested positive for avian flu.
--MP

Its Cong, CPI(M) Vs Mamata

2008-03-16T19:55:00.001+05:30

The Congress and CPI(M) officially announced the support for the candidature of Malihadabi,for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in West Bengal which is to be held on March 26th.

The 78-year-old Urdu scholar, Malihabadi has filed nominations as an independent. The Pradesh Congress chief Das Munshi called upon all political parties to support Malihabadi while CPI(M) too has backed the party's support for the the independent.

With elections scheduled for the 5 seats in RS, Malihabadi is contesting for the 5th seat. The Cong -CPI(M) tie up would mean a tough fight for the Trinamool Congress who has Dinesh Trivedi as its candidate.
--MP

Buddha blames it on Maoists

2008-03-14T10:45:00.001+05:30

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has blamed it on maoists for the increasing violence including that occured in Nandigram.

Warning on Maoists presence in the state, Buddha called upon the opposition parties to remain vigilant on the matter.

He also stated that the regions of West Bengal lying close to Jharkhand were of serious threat as Maiosts presence were more active in the nearby state. Arsa, Bandwan, Belpahari and Bagmundi are the most maoist stronghold areas of West Bengal and all are in border areas of Jharkand.

He also claimed that his government was taking all adequate steps to tackle the problem.

--MP

Khan's Kolkatta Knight Riders

2008-03-12T17:28:00.001+05:30

Bollywood 's King Khan who is also the owner of the Kolkatta franchise of the BCCI's IPL, has launched the Kolkatta team which is being named Knight Riders.

Sha Rukh along with his business partner, Juhi Chawla and team captain Sourav Ganguly were present on the launch of the team.

The catch line for the team would be 'All The Kings Men'while the theme music composed by Vishal-Shekhar starts with Korbo-lorbo-jitbo which means work, fight and win.

The team jersey is designed in black and gold which again has some significance as black stands for Godess Kali and team aims to win gold.

--MP

Culling starts in Murshidabad

2008-03-10T17:23:00.001+05:30

With fresh bird flu reported in the State, culling operations had begun at the affected areas of Murshidabad district.

Raghunathganj 11 and Muridabad-Jiyaganj blocks of the district were newly hit by the bird flu virus where fresh chicken deaths were reported.

The district administration had started culling operations in these areas and taken steps to monitor the situation and keep check of the outbreak. Ban on sale and use of poultry has also come into effect in the district till further orders.
--MP

Fresh bird flu cases in State

2008-03-09T15:15:00.001+05:30

A fresh outbreak of the deadly disease of bird flu has been confirmed in West bengal lately.

"We have received confirmation of bird flu (the deadly H5N1 strain) in two villages of Murshidabad district. The two villages are Nayamukundapur in Raghunathgunj Block II and Dohapara village in Murshidabad-Jiagunj block," informed Murshidabad district magistrate.

Samples were sent for investigation following the death of around 900 birds in the two villages over the past weeks. With the onset of fresh outbreak, culling of birds would start at the earliest, probably from Sunday evening or Monday morning.
-- MP

CM cautions of Maoists

2008-03-05T09:49:00.001+05:30

Amid fresh attacks striking Nandigram, West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharje has cautioned of Maoists presence in the State.

The CM who visited Nandigram on Tuesday following fresh attacks between CPI(M) and BUPC supporters indicated that the government had information that the Maoists were taking training in various parts West Bengal and nearby regions.

"Be careful of the Maoists. They are bound to create trouble. They have come to Nandigram in groups. They will make an attempt to return. We have information that they are taking training in Jharkhand and also in Jhargram and Ghatsila areas in West Bengal. They only kill people," he warned.

--MP

Fresh attack in Nandigram; bandh called

2008-03-03T10:37:00.001+05:30

A 24 hour bandh on Monday has been called out following attack on activists of Trinamool Congress-led Bhumi Uchhed Pratirodh Committee (BUPC).

BUPC claims that their supporters were allegedly attacked by members of CPI(M) who gun fired at the villagers in Keyakhali when they refused to take part in a CPI(M) meeting. 4 were injured in the violence while the condition of one among them is serious. The incident took place on Sunday morning at Keyakhali near Nandigram in East Midnapore district of West Bengal.

"The CPI(M) members have fired at our supporters without any provocation at Keyakhali locality and there will be a 24-hour bandh in Nandigram tomorrow," said Trinamool Congress MLA Sisir Adhikary.
--MP

Ghisingh to resign

2008-03-02T09:53:00.001+05:30

Subhas Ghising will step down as the caretaker administrator of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) in ten days time.

The GNLF chief had held talks with the West Bengal government over the imposition of the Sixth Schedule status on the Darjeeling Hills.

GNLF were asking for seperate state while the West Bengal Government has been resisting demands for a separate Gorkha state.

Following Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee holding talks over the issue, the indefenite stike in Darjeeling was withdrawn and Ghising has sought 10 days time to step down from his post as DGHC administrator.
--MP

WB focus on green fuel

2008-02-28T10:03:00.000+05:30

In an effort to promote pollution free environment, the West Bengal government is on the look out for enough supply of compressed natural gas(CNG) which can help power the vehicles on greener fuel.

The government is even negotioting with firms like Reliance Industries Ltd and HP for the supply of the fuel which can reduce pollution and create a healthy environment.

"Gas is very important for West Bengal since unless we get enough supply we cannot convert our vehicles to CNG. Talks with Mukhesh Ambani were very positive," said West Bengal's Industry Minister Nirupam Sen.

RIL has recently discovered new natural gas reserves in Krishna Godavari basin off the Andhra coast and hopes to connect it via a gas pipeline to West Bengal in three years time in order to supply enough CNG.
--MP

WB budget to be tabled on March 14

2008-02-26T10:43:00.001+05:30

This year's state budget will be tabled in the West Bengal Assembly on March 14th. Finance Minister Asim Dasgupta will present the budget during the budget session that will start on March 6th which is expected to be a stormy session.

With the Union budget heading on its way, the Finance Minister also expressed hope that the Center's budget would provide budgetary provisions for infrastructure development for states like West Bengal.

He also stressed on the need for public healthcare cover for the poor in rural and urban areas.
--MP