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.
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.
A new Goods and Services Tax (GST) Tribunal will start operating next month in Kolkata. This will provide necessary support to the region’s tax system. An official announced on Tuesday that the tribunal will be located in Alipore and will have two separate benches.
The government of West Bengal has made a crucial move towards streamlining the process for issuing Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates. In a recent assembly of the West Bengal Scheduled Castes Advisory Council, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, it was resolved to ease the requirements for applicants who cannot provide their parents’ caste certificates. Presently, applicants must present the caste certificates of two blood relatives, but the government plans to amend this to just one blood relative’s certificate.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recorded statements from former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha member and Bengali actress Mimi Chakraborty as part of its investigation into an alleged illegal betting app, 1xBet. This probe falls under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
