Bengal
With just a day left for the opening of the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair, the Boimela prangon in saltlake awaits to attract crowd from all across the globe. The usual winter afternoon calm is broken by the sound of hammering, and the smell of fresh paint as workers are determined to complete the preparations on time.
The Supreme Court on Monday (January 19, 2026) criticised the Election Commission for the “stress and strain” caused, through its ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, to the ordinary people of the State of West Bengal, where 1.36 crore people, almost 20% of the population, have received notices from the poll body to explain “logical discrepancies” in their names and family backgrounds
Ruling dispensation Trinamool Congress and principal Opposition outfit BJP are shouting of reaping political advantage before Assembly election even though dust is yet to settle on a Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at two offices of I-PAC in Kolkata recently. With chief minister and TMC supremo, Mamata Banerjee storming into the office of I-PAC, her party’s political consultant and emerging with a green file and a lap top stated to be containing TMC poll game plan, senior TMC leaders are claiming political advantage while her action is being looked upon as an instance of obstructing governmental investigation by the saffron camp.
Kolkata, India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has directly blamed the private utility CESC Ltd for the tragic death of seven people in Kolkata from electrocution. The victims died after touching exposed electrical wires that were submerged in floodwaters following heavy rain overnight.
It is autumn in Bengal now, and the unmistakable beat of Durga Puja. The fragrance of shiuli blooms wafts through the air, dhaak beats ring out in narrow streets, and artisans put the finishing touches to idols.
At least three persons died of electrocution in rain-hit areas of Kolkata. Very heavy overnight…
Fresh protests have been announced by the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj in Purulia district, West Bengal, fWor September 25, following violent clashes with police at Kotshila railway station. The Kurmi community has renewed its long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. This has led to significant disruptions with railway and road blockades across the state.
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again demonstrated her artistic talent by composing the lyrics for the theme song of the Tala Prattoy Durga Puja committee in Kolkata. The committee, which is marking its centenary year, was excited to have Banerjee create the song for their ‘Bij Angan’ (seeds in the courtyard) concept. The song was skillfully performed by State Minister Indranil Sen, who also unveiled the music video on Wednesday.
The government of West Bengal is facing pushback from various industrial firms, such as UltraTech Cement, Electrosteel Casting Limited, Grasim Industries, Nuvoco Vistas, and Dalmia Cement, over its choice to revoke industry incentives with retroactive effect. The Revocation of West Bengal Incentive Schemes and Obligations in the Nature of Grants and Incentives Bill, 2025, was approved by the Assembly in March and enacted on April 2, eliminating all incentives provided to industries since 1993. The purpose of the Act is to reallocate state finances towards social welfare programs for marginalized groups.
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