News Analysis India

Tag: Mamata Banerjee

  • Mamata likely to officially announce 2 new districts on Tuesday

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to officially announce Sundarbans and Basirhat as two new districts of the state during an administrative meeting scheduled on November 29, a senior official said on Monday.

    The two districts are set to be carved out of South and North 24 Parganas districts, he said.

    “All the necessary work to create the two new districts has been completed. The CM is likely to announce the names tomorrow in Hingalganj during the administrative meeting,” the official told PTI.

    The CM will begin her three-day tour of the mangrove area of Sundarbans from Monday.

    The district of Sundarbans is likely to have around 13 blocks of South 24 Parganas while Basirhat may have six of North 24 Parganas, he said.

    Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, currently is spread over North and South 24 Parganas districts, while Basirhat is a sub-division of North 24 Parganas. West Bengal currently has 23 districts.

    The state had to bear a cost of at least Rs 200 crore to create each district, the official said.

    Banerjee will perform ‘Pratiki Puja’ (nature worship) at Hingalganj to protect inhabitants from elephant attacks, the official said.

    “I will perform ‘Prakriti Puja’ in Hingalganj. Of late, elephant attacks have increased as jumbos are straying out of forests in search of food,” she had on November 25 said in the assembly.

    She had also expressed concern over Sundarbans facing natural calamities such as cyclones and floods every year and said her government has submitted a master plan for the development of the area to the NITI Aayog.

    “We have submitted the master plan for Sundarbans to the NITI Aayog. Every year, there are cyclones and floods. If there is a master plan, the problem will be solved. I will ask the forest minister to look into the matter more seriously,” she added.

    On Wednesday, Banerjee is scheduled to visit Sajnekahli in South 24 Parganas.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to officially announce Sundarbans and Basirhat as two new districts of the state during an administrative meeting scheduled on November 29, a senior official said on Monday.

    The two districts are set to be carved out of South and North 24 Parganas districts, he said.

    “All the necessary work to create the two new districts has been completed. The CM is likely to announce the names tomorrow in Hingalganj during the administrative meeting,” the official told PTI.

    The CM will begin her three-day tour of the mangrove area of Sundarbans from Monday.

    The district of Sundarbans is likely to have around 13 blocks of South 24 Parganas while Basirhat may have six of North 24 Parganas, he said.

    Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, currently is spread over North and South 24 Parganas districts, while Basirhat is a sub-division of North 24 Parganas. West Bengal currently has 23 districts.

    The state had to bear a cost of at least Rs 200 crore to create each district, the official said.

    Banerjee will perform ‘Pratiki Puja’ (nature worship) at Hingalganj to protect inhabitants from elephant attacks, the official said.

    “I will perform ‘Prakriti Puja’ in Hingalganj. Of late, elephant attacks have increased as jumbos are straying out of forests in search of food,” she had on November 25 said in the assembly.

    She had also expressed concern over Sundarbans facing natural calamities such as cyclones and floods every year and said her government has submitted a master plan for the development of the area to the NITI Aayog.

    “We have submitted the master plan for Sundarbans to the NITI Aayog. Every year, there are cyclones and floods. If there is a master plan, the problem will be solved. I will ask the forest minister to look into the matter more seriously,” she added.

    On Wednesday, Banerjee is scheduled to visit Sajnekahli in South 24 Parganas.

  • West Bengal: Cabinet decides to allow trans people to apply for govt jobs under general category

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The West Bengal Cabinet on Friday decided to allow people from the transgender community to apply for government jobs under the general category, an official said.

    A bill in this regard will be introduced during the next budget session, he said.

    “This new law will be helpful for transgenders in getting jobs. It will be formulated in the next budget session,” the official said.

    Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the new rules will be worked out based on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

    Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, earlier on Friday, asked the social welfare department to formulate rules that will enable transgenders to have equal opportunities in all fields.

    KOLKATA: The West Bengal Cabinet on Friday decided to allow people from the transgender community to apply for government jobs under the general category, an official said.

    A bill in this regard will be introduced during the next budget session, he said.

    “This new law will be helpful for transgenders in getting jobs. It will be formulated in the next budget session,” the official said.

    Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said the new rules will be worked out based on the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019.

    Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, earlier on Friday, asked the social welfare department to formulate rules that will enable transgenders to have equal opportunities in all fields.

  • Bengal: Mamata meets Suvendu over tea at her Assembly chamber

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: In a first since last year’s state elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday held a “courtesy meeting” with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari at her chamber in the state Assembly, raising eyebrows in political circles.

    Later, during a discussion on ‘Constitution Day’ in the House, the CM said that she had adored him like a brother at one point.

    Adhikari and Banerjee had been at loggerheads since the end of 2020 when he switched over to the BJP from the TMC and defeated the TMC supremo in Nandigram in the Assembly polls.

    The meeting came close on the heels of Adhikari complaining that his name was not included in the invitation letter for the ‘Constitution Day’ programme in the Assembly.

    The BJP leader had also said that he would “boycott” the programme.

    The Nandigram MLA was seen entering Banerjee’s chamber accompanied by BJP leaders Manoj Tigga and Agnimitra Paul, shortly after the assembly session broke for recess in the afternoon.

    “I called Suvendu for tea,” Banerjee said after the meeting. Adhikari, talking to reporters, said, “It was just a courtesy call. Nothing else should be read into it. I did not have tea.”

    Reacting to the “courtesy meet”, Congress leader Kamurzzan Chowdhury claimed that the process of “Didi-Modi patch-up” is underway, with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”

    “The Centre released funds for Pradhan Mantri Gram Awas Yojana yesterday, and Mamata is scheduled to meet PM Modi on December 5. Today, the CM met Suvendu. All these point to the fact that the process for ‘Didi-Modi patch-up’ is underway,” he said.

    Echoing similar sentiments, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty told PTI that “it became clear from today’s meeting that there is an understanding between the TMC and the BJP.”

    KOLKATA: In a first since last year’s state elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday held a “courtesy meeting” with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari at her chamber in the state Assembly, raising eyebrows in political circles.

    Later, during a discussion on ‘Constitution Day’ in the House, the CM said that she had adored him like a brother at one point.

    Adhikari and Banerjee had been at loggerheads since the end of 2020 when he switched over to the BJP from the TMC and defeated the TMC supremo in Nandigram in the Assembly polls.

    The meeting came close on the heels of Adhikari complaining that his name was not included in the invitation letter for the ‘Constitution Day’ programme in the Assembly.

    The BJP leader had also said that he would “boycott” the programme.

    The Nandigram MLA was seen entering Banerjee’s chamber accompanied by BJP leaders Manoj Tigga and Agnimitra Paul, shortly after the assembly session broke for recess in the afternoon.

    “I called Suvendu for tea,” Banerjee said after the meeting. Adhikari, talking to reporters, said, “It was just a courtesy call. Nothing else should be read into it. I did not have tea.”

    Reacting to the “courtesy meet”, Congress leader Kamurzzan Chowdhury claimed that the process of “Didi-Modi patch-up” is underway, with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”

    “The Centre released funds for Pradhan Mantri Gram Awas Yojana yesterday, and Mamata is scheduled to meet PM Modi on December 5. Today, the CM met Suvendu. All these point to the fact that the process for ‘Didi-Modi patch-up’ is underway,” he said.

    Echoing similar sentiments, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty told PTI that “it became clear from today’s meeting that there is an understanding between the TMC and the BJP.”

  • Bengal: CM Mamata Banerjee dials new Governor, exchanges pleasantries

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called up C V Ananda Bose, the newly appointed governor of the state, and exchanged pleasantries with him, a senior official in the secretariat said on Saturday.

    Banerjee telephoned Bose on Friday evening and spoke with him for around 10 minutes and they exchanged pleasantries during the conversation, the official told PTI.

    Bose, a retired IAS officer, is yet to assume office as the new governor of West Bengal.

    He replaced Manipur Governor La Ganesan, who had been holding the additional charge of West Bengal since July after his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar was nominated as the vice presidential candidate by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

    Incidentally, the state government and Dhankhar were at loggerheads over several issues, including the law and order situation, since he assumed office in July 2019.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called up C V Ananda Bose, the newly appointed governor of the state, and exchanged pleasantries with him, a senior official in the secretariat said on Saturday.

    Banerjee telephoned Bose on Friday evening and spoke with him for around 10 minutes and they exchanged pleasantries during the conversation, the official told PTI.

    Bose, a retired IAS officer, is yet to assume office as the new governor of West Bengal.

    He replaced Manipur Governor La Ganesan, who had been holding the additional charge of West Bengal since July after his predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar was nominated as the vice presidential candidate by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

    Incidentally, the state government and Dhankhar were at loggerheads over several issues, including the law and order situation, since he assumed office in July 2019.

  • Mamata seeks PM’s intervention to deal Ganga-Padma river erosion in Bengal

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of the grave threat of river erosion along the river Ganga-Padma and sought his intervention to reconsider the decision of withdrawal of the extended jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage Project Authority (FBPA). The CM further urged him to take up bank protection schemes.

    “You are kindly aware that West Bengal is an extensively river-oriented state with the Ganga being a vital river in the state. It is true that the main objective of the construction of Farakka Barrage under the central government is to divert 40,000 cusecs of Ganga water to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system so that the navigability of Kolkata port is maintained,” Mamata wrote.

    “However, this has led to siltation on the river bed resulting in spilling, bank erosion and flooding in adjacent areas. This issue has been raised at the national level, not only by West Bengal but also by Bihar,” the letter added.

    The West Bengal Chief Minister raised the same issue in a letter to the PM in February this year.

    ALSO READ | Centre should do away with GST if it can’t clear our dues: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    Referring to the reply by the Centre to her earlier letter, Mamata said in her letter, “The Union Minister, in his letter, has indicated that FBPA has executed anti-erosion/river protection work to the tune of Rs 342 crore during the period from 2005 to 2009. However, it is noticed that the area is still suffering from severe erosion problems at several sites.”

    “As a result, it is clear that the anti-erosion efforts have been attempted piecemeal, with no holistic approach taken. I would, therefore, request you to kindly advise the concerned department to conduct a joint study supported by suitable model analysis, involving the FBPA and governments of West Bengal and Bihar under the aegis of the Ganga Flood Control Commission,” read the letter.  

    ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjee apologises for TMC minister’s remark on President Murmu

    The Bengal CM pointed out in her letter that the existing jurisdiction of anti-erosion work of the FBPA needs serious re-examination at the earliest. She alleged even in their original jurisdiction, the FBPA has not taken up any comprehensive anti-erosion activity but has executed piecemeal work only to show off.

    “Even during the period of extended jurisdiction, which remained valid from January 2005 to July 2017, the FBPA failed to plan and implement required anti-erosion works on the extended stretch of 120 km through the state government repeatedly urged,’’ she said in the letter.

    Mamata also alleged no central assistance was provided to address river erosion in the affected districts.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of the grave threat of river erosion along the river Ganga-Padma and sought his intervention to reconsider the decision of withdrawal of the extended jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage Project Authority (FBPA). The CM further urged him to take up bank protection schemes.

    “You are kindly aware that West Bengal is an extensively river-oriented state with the Ganga being a vital river in the state. It is true that the main objective of the construction of Farakka Barrage under the central government is to divert 40,000 cusecs of Ganga water to the Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system so that the navigability of Kolkata port is maintained,” Mamata wrote.

    “However, this has led to siltation on the river bed resulting in spilling, bank erosion and flooding in adjacent areas. This issue has been raised at the national level, not only by West Bengal but also by Bihar,” the letter added.

    The West Bengal Chief Minister raised the same issue in a letter to the PM in February this year.

    ALSO READ | Centre should do away with GST if it can’t clear our dues: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    Referring to the reply by the Centre to her earlier letter, Mamata said in her letter, “The Union Minister, in his letter, has indicated that FBPA has executed anti-erosion/river protection work to the tune of Rs 342 crore during the period from 2005 to 2009. However, it is noticed that the area is still suffering from severe erosion problems at several sites.”

    “As a result, it is clear that the anti-erosion efforts have been attempted piecemeal, with no holistic approach taken. I would, therefore, request you to kindly advise the concerned department to conduct a joint study supported by suitable model analysis, involving the FBPA and governments of West Bengal and Bihar under the aegis of the Ganga Flood Control Commission,” read the letter.  

    ALSO READ | Mamata Banerjee apologises for TMC minister’s remark on President Murmu

    The Bengal CM pointed out in her letter that the existing jurisdiction of anti-erosion work of the FBPA needs serious re-examination at the earliest. She alleged even in their original jurisdiction, the FBPA has not taken up any comprehensive anti-erosion activity but has executed piecemeal work only to show off.

    “Even during the period of extended jurisdiction, which remained valid from January 2005 to July 2017, the FBPA failed to plan and implement required anti-erosion works on the extended stretch of 120 km through the state government repeatedly urged,’’ she said in the letter.

    Mamata also alleged no central assistance was provided to address river erosion in the affected districts.

  • FIR against Suvendu for commenting on tribal minister

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA:  Amid row over a Trinamool Congress minister’s remark aimed at President Draupadi Murmu, a tribal minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet on Wednesday lodged an FIR with police against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accusing him of outraging her modesty and disrobing her dignity.

    The complaint was made after the TMC dug out a video clip in which Adhikari was heard talking about minister Birbaha Hansda.

    In her complaint, Birbaha alleged, “I am making this instant complaint against Adhikari, the Leader of The opposition, and other unknown persons for committing unlawful and illegal acts with the objective of outraging my modesty and disrobing me of my dignity.’’

    The FIR was lodged under the Schedule castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.In the video, Adhikari was harshly commenting on Birbaha saying, “These are kids to me. Like this Birbaha. I keep them under my footwear.’’

    KOLKATA:  Amid row over a Trinamool Congress minister’s remark aimed at President Draupadi Murmu, a tribal minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet on Wednesday lodged an FIR with police against Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accusing him of outraging her modesty and disrobing her dignity.

    The complaint was made after the TMC dug out a video clip in which Adhikari was heard talking about minister Birbaha Hansda.

    In her complaint, Birbaha alleged, “I am making this instant complaint against Adhikari, the Leader of 
    The opposition, and other unknown persons for committing unlawful and illegal acts with the objective of outraging my modesty and disrobing me of my dignity.’’

    The FIR was lodged under the Schedule castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
    In the video, Adhikari was harshly commenting on Birbaha saying, “These are kids to me. Like this Birbaha. I keep them under my footwear.’’

  • Tribals in West Bengal’s Khairasole face acute water crisis

    By ANI

    JHARGRAM (West Bengal): The tribals of a small village in an interior area of Jhargram district in West Bengal face an acute water crisis, but they said that there seems to be no solution in the near future.

    Tribals at Khairasole village have to walk more than 3 km to fetch water as their village does not have a single tubewell or pond.

    “Be it for drinking, or for other requirements, we are facing a problem in securing water. Even to quench our thirst, we have to think twice,” said tribal Babulal Mandi, while speaking exclusively to ANI.

    Another tribal villager alleged that during elections promises are made to them about a solution. “During the elections, several political parties pay us a visit and promise to sort out the water problem, but once elections are over, nobody bothers to care about their promises”, the villager alleged.

    The Jhargram district of West Bengal is surrounded by forests on all sides. Sourabhi Murmur, a tribal woman resident of the Khairasole village told ANI that the water crisis in the village is evident and this need to be sorted out. She said the problem is so grave that the villagers are unable to get enough water for cattle, upon which their livelihood depends.

    “We face the water problem on an everyday basis. We either have to buy water or travel for 3 kilometres to get water. And, it is not possible for my family to buy water every day,” said Sourabhi Murmur.

    Satya Mahato, a resident of the nearby Narayanpur village, said, “It is tough to go about our daily lives if water is not available, that too for the whole village”.

    Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee had assured the tribal villagers that the water problem will be sorted out by 2024 and the tribals are waiting. 

    JHARGRAM (West Bengal): The tribals of a small village in an interior area of Jhargram district in West Bengal face an acute water crisis, but they said that there seems to be no solution in the near future.

    Tribals at Khairasole village have to walk more than 3 km to fetch water as their village does not have a single tubewell or pond.

    “Be it for drinking, or for other requirements, we are facing a problem in securing water. Even to quench our thirst, we have to think twice,” said tribal Babulal Mandi, while speaking exclusively to ANI.

    Another tribal villager alleged that during elections promises are made to them about a solution. “During the elections, several political parties pay us a visit and promise to sort out the water problem, but once elections are over, nobody bothers to care about their promises”, the villager alleged.

    The Jhargram district of West Bengal is surrounded by forests on all sides. Sourabhi Murmur, a tribal woman resident of the Khairasole village told ANI that the water crisis in the village is evident and this need to be sorted out. She said the problem is so grave that the villagers are unable to get enough water for cattle, upon which their livelihood depends.

    “We face the water problem on an everyday basis. We either have to buy water or travel for 3 kilometres to get water. And, it is not possible for my family to buy water every day,” said Sourabhi Murmur.

    Satya Mahato, a resident of the nearby Narayanpur village, said, “It is tough to go about our daily lives if water is not available, that too for the whole village”.

    Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee had assured the tribal villagers that the water problem will be sorted out by 2024 and the tribals are waiting. 

  • Centre should do away with GST if it can’t clear our dues: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI

    JHARGRAM: Launching a tirade against the BJP-led Union government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the Centre should do away with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime if it is unable to clear the dues it owed to the state.

    Banerjee wondered if she would have to “beg” to get the dues cleared.

    Addressing a rally in the tribal-dominated Belpahari area of the Jhargram district, she said the BJP-led government must either make the payment or the party must step down from the seat of power.

    “They are not releasing funds under the MNREGA scheme. The BJP has to step down from power if it does not clear our dues. The Centre must scrap GST if it is can’t clear the state’s dues (‘Jodi amader bokeya na dey, tahole bondo kore dik GST’). They are not doing us any favour by giving us GST dues; it is people’s money that they have taken through GST,” she said at the birth anniversary programme of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

    Banerjee said that she had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised the matter.

    “We had agreed on implementing the GST; we thought the Centre would clear our dues. But now the Centre is taking away all money collected as GST but not giving us our dues. I had met the Prime Minister and requested him, but nothing moved forward. Are we supposed to beg for it? “Why should we pay GST if the Centre is not clearing our dues? If the Centre can’t give us the money, we can also stop paying GST. (Amrao tho bondho kore dite pari, keno GST tax debo?) The country is for the people, not for politicians. This is not BJP’s money,” she said.

    Listing out schemes, “under which funds have been withheld”, Banerjee said the Union government is constitutionally bound to pay the state for the 100-day work scheme.

    “I would like to tell the central government that releasing funds for the 100-day work scheme is a constitutional norm. The Centre must pay; it is not an obligation, but a compulsion as the law has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament,” she said.

    Hitting out at Bengal BJP leadership for asserting that it would ensure the Centre stopped fund flow to the state, Banerjee sought to know if that money was “personal property” of saffron party leaders.

    Later, interacting with the locals, Banerjee claimed that shortage of central funds was the primary reason for the piped water project under Jal Jeevan Mission to have come to a halt.

    “By 2024, all the houses were to get piped drinking water. But the Centre has stopped giving funds, which is why the project has come to a halt. Once they pay, we will start implementing it. We are fighting against the injustice meted out to us by the Centre,” she said.

    Meanwhile, reacting to Banerjee’s allegations, BJP leader Rahul Sinha said fund flow was stopped as the TMC government failed to submit utilisation certificates on the money spent under MNREGA.

    “Let the state government first submit the utilization certificate for the funds received earlier; only then it will start receiving funds again,” Sinha said.

    Earlier in the day, Banerjee had tweeted that Munda taught people the importance of respecting and protecting indigenous rights.

    “I pay my humble respects to ‘Dharti Aba’, brave revolutionary Birsa Munda on his Birth Anniversary. As a true son of the soil, he taught us the importance of respecting and protecting indigenous rights. May we continue to be steadfast on the path shown by him. Jai Johar!” she wrote.

    JHARGRAM: Launching a tirade against the BJP-led Union government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the Centre should do away with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime if it is unable to clear the dues it owed to the state.

    Banerjee wondered if she would have to “beg” to get the dues cleared.

    Addressing a rally in the tribal-dominated Belpahari area of the Jhargram district, she said the BJP-led government must either make the payment or the party must step down from the seat of power.

    “They are not releasing funds under the MNREGA scheme. The BJP has to step down from power if it does not clear our dues. The Centre must scrap GST if it is can’t clear the state’s dues (‘Jodi amader bokeya na dey, tahole bondo kore dik GST’). They are not doing us any favour by giving us GST dues; it is people’s money that they have taken through GST,” she said at the birth anniversary programme of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

    Banerjee said that she had also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised the matter.

    “We had agreed on implementing the GST; we thought the Centre would clear our dues. But now the Centre is taking away all money collected as GST but not giving us our dues. I had met the Prime Minister and requested him, but nothing moved forward. Are we supposed to beg for it? “Why should we pay GST if the Centre is not clearing our dues? If the Centre can’t give us the money, we can also stop paying GST. (Amrao tho bondho kore dite pari, keno GST tax debo?) The country is for the people, not for politicians. This is not BJP’s money,” she said.

    Listing out schemes, “under which funds have been withheld”, Banerjee said the Union government is constitutionally bound to pay the state for the 100-day work scheme.

    “I would like to tell the central government that releasing funds for the 100-day work scheme is a constitutional norm. The Centre must pay; it is not an obligation, but a compulsion as the law has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament,” she said.

    Hitting out at Bengal BJP leadership for asserting that it would ensure the Centre stopped fund flow to the state, Banerjee sought to know if that money was “personal property” of saffron party leaders.

    Later, interacting with the locals, Banerjee claimed that shortage of central funds was the primary reason for the piped water project under Jal Jeevan Mission to have come to a halt.

    “By 2024, all the houses were to get piped drinking water. But the Centre has stopped giving funds, which is why the project has come to a halt. Once they pay, we will start implementing it. We are fighting against the injustice meted out to us by the Centre,” she said.

    Meanwhile, reacting to Banerjee’s allegations, BJP leader Rahul Sinha said fund flow was stopped as the TMC government failed to submit utilisation certificates on the money spent under MNREGA.

    “Let the state government first submit the utilization certificate for the funds received earlier; only then it will start receiving funds again,” Sinha said.

    Earlier in the day, Banerjee had tweeted that Munda taught people the importance of respecting and protecting indigenous rights.

    “I pay my humble respects to ‘Dharti Aba’, brave revolutionary Birsa Munda on his Birth Anniversary. As a true son of the soil, he taught us the importance of respecting and protecting indigenous rights. May we continue to be steadfast on the path shown by him. Jai Johar!” she wrote.

  • ‘Natural to make mistakes, one just needs to rectify it’: Mamata on minister’s remark on President’s look

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said if someone commits a mistake, he or she is to rectify that. This comes three days after one of her cabinet ministers made remarks saying ‘how does President Draupadi Murmu look like?’

    “When we walk on the road, don’t we trip and fall? We need to rectify that,’’ she said while addressing the children on the occasion of Children’s Day at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

    Sources in the Trinamool Congress and political observers in the state found the Chief Minister actually referred to minister Akhil Giri’s remark on the President which drew condemnation from all political parties.

    On November 11, Giri was caught on camera commenting on the President’s look while hitting out at the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and the video went viral the next day drawing flak from all political parties.

    While taking on Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections, Giri dragged the President without naming her and said, ‘’He (Adhikari) says I am not good-looking. How beautiful he is! We don’t judge people by their looks. We respect the chair of your President. How does your Rashtrapati look?’’

    ALSO READ | Bengal minister faces criticism for making controversial remarks on President, later apologises

    Embarrassed by Giri’s act, the TMC issued a statement saying the party doesn’t endorse his remark.

    The TMC had voted against the President and Mamata softened her stance after NDA announced the name of the first tribal candidate in the presidential election.

    Mamata also mentioned about mistake without mentioning the ongoing probe into the alleged irregularities in recruitment in schools in which the former TMC minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    “While working, committing mistakes is not unnatural. If you work, you tend to make mistakes. But we will have to rectify ourselves,’’ said Mamata.

    The Chief Minister’s suggestion to ‘rectify’ is said to be aimed at the alleged recruitment scam that damaged the party’s image. “Our party’s embarrassment was clearly visible following Chatterjee’s arrest and recovery of a huge volume of cash and gold jewellery from one of his close aides. The TMC maintained distance by suspending Chatterjee from the party shortly after his arrest,’’ said a TMC leader.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said if someone commits a mistake, he or she is to rectify that. This comes three days after one of her cabinet ministers made remarks saying ‘how does President Draupadi Murmu look like?’

    “When we walk on the road, don’t we trip and fall? We need to rectify that,’’ she said while addressing the children on the occasion of Children’s Day at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

    Sources in the Trinamool Congress and political observers in the state found the Chief Minister actually referred to minister Akhil Giri’s remark on the President which drew condemnation from all political parties.

    On November 11, Giri was caught on camera commenting on the President’s look while hitting out at the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and the video went viral the next day drawing flak from all political parties.

    While taking on Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections, Giri dragged the President without naming her and said, ‘’He (Adhikari) says I am not good-looking. How beautiful he is! We don’t judge people by their looks. We respect the chair of your President. How does your Rashtrapati look?’’

    ALSO READ | Bengal minister faces criticism for making controversial remarks on President, later apologises

    Embarrassed by Giri’s act, the TMC issued a statement saying the party doesn’t endorse his remark.

    The TMC had voted against the President and Mamata softened her stance after NDA announced the name of the first tribal candidate in the presidential election.

    Mamata also mentioned about mistake without mentioning the ongoing probe into the alleged irregularities in recruitment in schools in which the former TMC minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    “While working, committing mistakes is not unnatural. If you work, you tend to make mistakes. But we will have to rectify ourselves,’’ said Mamata.

    The Chief Minister’s suggestion to ‘rectify’ is said to be aimed at the alleged recruitment scam that damaged the party’s image. “Our party’s embarrassment was clearly visible following Chatterjee’s arrest and recovery of a huge volume of cash and gold jewellery from one of his close aides. The TMC maintained distance by suspending Chatterjee from the party shortly after his arrest,’’ said a TMC leader.

  • Mamata Banerjee apologises for TMC minister’s remark on President Murmu

    By Express News Service

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday apologized on behalf of the prisons minister Akhil Giri’s controversial remark over the President’s look. 

    “Akhil should not have made such a comment. I condemn the utterances of my MLA. I personally have great regard for the President. We have cautioned him… I apologise on behalf of my party. My party already has apologised. I have great regards for the President,” said Banerjee.

    “We have cautioned Akhil. In future, if anyone of our party makes comment on a woman’s skin complexion, our party will take stern action against him,’’ said Mamata at Nabanna, the state secretariat.   

    Mamata’s apology came a day before her visit to Belpahari in Jhargram, a tribal-dominated region where the BJP made deep inroads in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

    West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri on Saturday drew widespread criticism for making controversial remarks on President Droupadi Murmu. After the video clip of his comments went viral, Giri apologised for making such a remark.

    The West Bengal Chief Minister also said if someone commits a mistake, he or she needs to rectify that. 

    “When we walk on the road, don’t we trip and fall? We need to rectify that,’’ she said while addressing the children on the occasion of Children’s Day at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

    Sources in the Trinamool Congress and political observers in the state found the Chief Minister actually referred to minister Akhil Giri’s remark on the President which drew condemnation from all political parties.

    On November 11, Giri was caught on camera commenting on the President’s look while hitting out at the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and the video went viral the next day drawing flak from all political parties.

    While taking on Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections, Giri dragged the President without naming her and said, “He (Adhikari) says I am not good-looking. How beautiful he is! We don’t judge people by their looks. We respect the chair of your President. How does your Rashtrapati look?’’

    ALSO READ | Bengal minister faces criticism for making controversial remarks on President, later apologises

    Embarrassed by Giri’s act, the TMC issued a statement saying the party doesn’t endorse his remark.

    The TMC had voted against the President and Mamata softened her stance after NDA announced the name of its nominee, the first tribal candidate in the presidential election.

    Mamata also mentioned about mistake without mentioning the ongoing probe into the alleged irregularities in recruitment in schools in which the former TMC minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    “While working, committing mistakes is not unnatural. If you work, you tend to make mistakes. But we will have to rectify ourselves,’’ said Mamata.

    The Chief Minister’s suggestion to ‘rectify’ is said to be aimed at the alleged recruitment scam that damaged the party’s image.

    “Our party’s embarrassment was clearly visible following Chatterjee’s arrest and recovery of a huge volume of cash and gold jewellery from one of his close aides. The TMC maintained distance by suspending Chatterjee from the party shortly after his arrest,’’ said a TMC leader.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday apologized on behalf of the prisons minister Akhil Giri’s controversial remark over the President’s look. 

    “Akhil should not have made such a comment. I condemn the utterances of my MLA. I personally have great regard for the President. We have cautioned him… I apologise on behalf of my party. My party already has apologised. I have great regards for the President,” said Banerjee.

    “We have cautioned Akhil. In future, if anyone of our party makes comment on a woman’s skin complexion, our party will take stern action against him,’’ said Mamata at Nabanna, the state secretariat.   

    Mamata’s apology came a day before her visit to Belpahari in Jhargram, a tribal-dominated region where the BJP made deep inroads in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

    West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri on Saturday drew widespread criticism for making controversial remarks on President Droupadi Murmu. After the video clip of his comments went viral, Giri apologised for making such a remark.

    The West Bengal Chief Minister also said if someone commits a mistake, he or she needs to rectify that. 

    “When we walk on the road, don’t we trip and fall? We need to rectify that,’’ she said while addressing the children on the occasion of Children’s Day at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata.

    Sources in the Trinamool Congress and political observers in the state found the Chief Minister actually referred to minister Akhil Giri’s remark on the President which drew condemnation from all political parties.

    On November 11, Giri was caught on camera commenting on the President’s look while hitting out at the Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and the video went viral the next day drawing flak from all political parties.

    While taking on Adhikari, who defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections, Giri dragged the President without naming her and said, “He (Adhikari) says I am not good-looking. How beautiful he is! We don’t judge people by their looks. We respect the chair of your President. How does your Rashtrapati look?’’

    ALSO READ | Bengal minister faces criticism for making controversial remarks on President, later apologises

    Embarrassed by Giri’s act, the TMC issued a statement saying the party doesn’t endorse his remark.

    The TMC had voted against the President and Mamata softened her stance after NDA announced the name of its nominee, the first tribal candidate in the presidential election.

    Mamata also mentioned about mistake without mentioning the ongoing probe into the alleged irregularities in recruitment in schools in which the former TMC minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

    “While working, committing mistakes is not unnatural. If you work, you tend to make mistakes. But we will have to rectify ourselves,’’ said Mamata.

    The Chief Minister’s suggestion to ‘rectify’ is said to be aimed at the alleged recruitment scam that damaged the party’s image.

    “Our party’s embarrassment was clearly visible following Chatterjee’s arrest and recovery of a huge volume of cash and gold jewellery from one of his close aides. The TMC maintained distance by suspending Chatterjee from the party shortly after his arrest,’’ said a TMC leader.