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The Hindu
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Former Trinamool MP Jawhar Sircar demands 'answers' for animals missing from Alipore Zoo
Former Trinamool Congress MP and former Culture Secretary to the Government of India Jawhar Sircar on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) raised questions over the 'sudden and gross decline' in the number of animals and birds in Kolkata's Alipore Zoological Garden, referring to irregularities in their inventory data as per annual reports published by the Central Zoo Authority. 'There is no doubt that the number of animals and birds at Alipore Zoo have declined remarkably. In 1996, the Alipore Zoo housed roughly 1,872 animals and birds. As of the opening stock data of 2024, there are only 351 creatures. This drastic decrease has no logic,' Mr. Sircar said at a public meeting called by the Kolkata-based NGO, Save Wild Animal and Zoo and Our Nature (SWAZON). He added that clerical or typographic error in data entry can account for roughly 1% irregularity. 'However, in this case, the discrepancy in inventory data is too large. Where did the animals go? If there are deaths, they need to submit autopsy reports,' Mr. Sircar said. According to the Annual Inventory of Animals in Indian Zoos reports of 2023-24, the total closing stock of all creatures at Alipore Zoo as of March 31, 2023, was 672. However, the opening stock as of the following day, April 1, 2024, was 351 — marking an apparent one day decrease of over 300 creatures. The closing stock as of March 31, 2025, according to the report, is 1084. Mr. Sircar added that the 2024-25 data have no records for big animals like lions, tigers, elephants, and giraffes, and demanded that the State government needs to 'provide answers to explain the fundamental problem behind this discrepancy for public interest.' 'There is either gross negligence or a large conspiracy at play here. The government does not own land; they are the protectors of a certain land. It is their duty to protect such properties,' Mr. Sircar said. It is worth noting that Mr. Sircar in September last year had resigned from his position of MP in the Upper House over the rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and allegations of corruption at the hospital. Alleged auction of Zoo land Meanwhile, former Director General of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and member of SWAZON Dipankar Sinha claimed on Wednesday that the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) issued a tender for the e-auction of a part of the Alipore Zoo land. On May 23, HIDCO floated a notice for e-auction inviting offers for the 'for allotment of 166.50 Katha (11137.50 SQ.M) land in premises no. 34A, Belvedere Road, Alipore under ward no 74 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) on freehold basis for Commercial use which shall inter alia includes an aquarium.' He alleged that 34A Belvedere Road belongs to the Alipore Zoo and houses the zoo's veterinary hospital and animal rescue centre. 'As we know the Alipore Zoo is located on two sides of the Alipore Road. On one side we have the aquarium, the veterinary hospital and rescue centre, and an auditorium. The land on which the veterinary hospital is located has been put up on auction. But KMC does not own that land, it is not the government's to sell,' Mr Sinha told The Hindu. He added that the veterinary hospital is critical for the welfare of the animals and criticised the proposal for its purported e-auction. Mr. Sinha further said that the alleged 'disappearance' of hundreds of creatures from the zoo coupled with the auction of a part of the zoo land signals a 'grave and dark future' for the city's ecosphere and raises concerns over whether the space is being deteriorated to a lower-tier zoological garden. 'One side of the zoo, of which the address is 2, Alipore Road, is a heritage property. The second part of the zoo, which is located on the opposite side of the same road, strangely has a different address — 34A Belvedere Road. It makes one wonder if there is a concerted effort to eventually sell off the latter entirely, on account of it not being on the same address as the heritage property,' SWAZON member Swarnali Chattopadhyay said. She also highlighted that according to the report on the Annual Inventory of Animals in Zoos, the inventory of animals and birds in Alipore Zoo has shown a gross and sudden decline in earlier years as well. 'If it is indeed a clerical error as zoo authorities claim, then why has the data not been corrected? And have the so-called missing animals been retrieved in consequent inventory reports? Questions remain on how such gross 'typographical errors' are being made year after year, and if there are larger forces at play,' Ms. Chattopadhyay said. Notably, SWAZON filed a Public Interest Litigation at the Calcutta High Court on July 1 alleging that 'attempted alienation of [zoo land] without obtaining prior consent from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), constitutes a direct violation of Section 38-H of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as well as Rules 10, 10.3(8), and 10.4(2) of the Recognition of Zoo Rules, 2009.'
Hindustan Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
AIFF seeks extension after project delay gets showcause notice from Bengal govt
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has asked All India Football Federation (AIFF) why the allotment of a 15-acre plot to build a national centre of excellence near Kolkata should not be cancelled. After seven years, the centre that was supposed to be fully commissioned in three years is far from completion, a state government agency has told AIFF. India's Sunil Chhetri trains at AIFF's national centre of excellence near Kolkata. (AIFF) '… Non-utilisation of government allotted land within the prescribed period constitutes a violation of the terms and conditions of allotment as mentioned in the Deed of Lease and attracts action including cancellation of allotment…,' a show cause notice on May 13 from West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HIDCO) said. A government of West Bengal undertaking, HIDCO gave AIFF seven days to reply in its letter signed by Subhas Sinha, general manager (commercial). AIFF wrote back acknowledging the delay but has sought 'a reasonable extension' after stating that several key components were operational and that over ₹33 crore has been spent on the project. This includes ₹16.66 crore from FIFA, ₹6.56 crore from Asian Football Confederation and over ₹10 crore by AIFF, the reply dated May 21 said. The AIFF letter also pointed out that two pitches, one grass and the other artificial, have been used for training sessions by different India and Bengal teams, clubs in I-League and Indian Super League and the East Bengal team that won the Indian Women's League. AIFF attributed the delay due to the disruption caused by Covid-19 and other events before September 2022 when Kalyan Chaubey took charge as federation president. FIFA suspending India from August 16 to August 27, 2022, the Supreme Court appointing a committee of administrators (CoA) in May to run the federation and mismanagement of the previous administration have been listed as causes for delay in AIFF's reply signed by deputy secretary-general M Satyanarayan. HT has seen both letters. CoA's appointment in May 2022 to run AIFF 'disrupted normal governance and delayed project-related decision-making processes,' the federation has said. Since AIFF's previous administration under president Praful Patel was removed by the Supreme Court on 'grounds of mismanagement and failure to implement governance measures,' the current administration 'inherited the same' and had to conduct a 'comprehensive internal review' and implement corrective measures, AIFF's letter said. The only reason cited for which none of the above was responsible was heavy rain between June to September every year. That left the plot 'unfit for bearing installations that are crucial for foundation work,' according to the letter. Football's popularity in Kolkata and attendance figures in under-17 men's World Cup led to the decision by the West Bengal government to allot the land parcel to AIFF. With over 12 lakh people at matches, the edition in 2017 became the most watched under-17 World Cup. Over 56,000 watched the final and Kolkata, which hosted 10 matches, had an average attendance of 54,212. FIFA president Gianni Infantino had come for the final and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said he would be treated as a state guest. Two days after the final on October 28, the state cabinet approved the decision to allot 15 acres. HIDCO's letter to AIFF said that possession was handed over on June 21, 2018. The land parcel was given on 'leasehold basis for 99 years at a token lease premium of Re 1 and a token annual lease rent of Re 1 for setting up a National Centre of Excellence in Football with a Football Stadium and Football Academy.' As per the lease agreement, AIFF had six months to start construction and three years from the date to finish the project, according to HIDCO's letter. '… It has been found in a recent inspection that no Football stadium has been constructed and it appears that the project is far from completion even after nearly seven years of delivery of possession,' the letter from HIDCO stated. Most of the major issues have been resolved, AIFF has replied adding that it has awarded a contract to build another grass pitch specifically for youth and women's teams. AIFF's letter also mentions a 36-bed accommodation block which will help the federation plan 'year-round residential training camps.' Around $700,000 has been sanctioned for the accommodation block by AFC and work will start soon, Satyanarayan said over the phone from New Delhi on Tuesday. The block and the pitch are expected to be completed by December, 2025, said Satyanarayan who is also in charge of the centre. 'We take our obligations seriously and reiterate our full commitment to honour the conditions of the lease deed and the Allotment Letter by way of which the Allotted Plot was assigned to us,' AIFF has said. Its letter requests that no 'coercive action' is taken that may hinder AIFF's continued use of the land for football activities. Sinha acknowledged receiving AIFF's reply and said it has been sent to higher-ups in the government. 'We have not been told of any action from the government as yet,' he said on Tuesday.
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Personally supervised, says Mamata ahead of Rath Yatra at Digha's Jagannath temple
Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday reviewed the arrangements for the first Rath Yatra at the new Jagannath temple in the beach town of Digha in East Midnapore district. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reviews the preparation on the eve of Rath Yatra at Digha Jagannath temple, in Purba Medinipur on Thursday. (ANI) 'I personally supervised everything at the Jagannath Dham in Digha and held an administrative meeting with senior officials so that no untoward incident takes place,' Banerjee said in a post on social media on Thursday. Banerjee, who arrived at Digha on Wednesday, also walked the one-kilometre stretch along which the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balaram and Devi Subhadra will be pulled by devotees. She was accompanied by at least four ministers and around 50 senior officials, including the state director general of police and the chief secretary. Built as a cultural centre by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), the Jagannath temple was closed for the last 15 days following customs observed at the Jagannath temple at Puri in Odisha. It was reopened on Thursday. HIDCO decorated the chariots as well. Illuminated premises of the Jagannath Temple on the eve of the annual 'Rath Yatra' festival, at Digha, in Purba Medinipur district, (PTI) 'The puja and other rituals will begin at 9.30 am. The Rath Yatra will start in the afternoon. Barricades will be set up on both sides of the route to avoid a stampede-like situation,' Banerjee told reporters as thousands of believers and tourists arrived ahead of the weekend event. 'At least 250 buses have carried people from Kolkata since Wednesday. The number of passengers to the town has increased manifold ever since the temple was inaugurated on April 30,' said Suman Maity, joint secretary of the Joint Council of Bus Union. 'Digha was always a popular weekend destination for tourists. The footfall has swelled by at least 40% since May. The Rath Yatra has broken all records. Hotels have run out of accommodation,' Ashok Chanda, secretary of the New Digha Hotel Owners' Association, said. Banerjee oversaw the consecration ceremony at the new temple on April 30 that led Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the Opposition in the assembly, to launch a four-day Hindu religious conference at East Midnapore's Contai town around the same time. Adhikari accused Banerjee of passing off a cultural centre as a temple and alleged that people were having fish and meat out there and walking around in shoes. Built at a cost of around ₹ 250 crore, the temple is a replica of the ancient temple of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Vishnu, at Puri, 350 km away. The Puri temple has been worshipped for centuries by Hindus as one of the Char Dhams (four abodes) of Lord Vishnu. The other three are at Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameswaram. 'The Digha temple is not a Dham. Mamata Banerjee is making fun of Hindus,' Adhikari said on Thursday. Bharatiya Janata Party leader Koustav Bagchi filed a public interest litigation (PIL) at the Calcutta high court in May, challenging the government's decision to appoint 100 civic volunteers for the temple. The chief minister sought to ignore the BJP's attacks on Thursday. 'I don't know religion. I know only people,' Mamata said.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Digha Jagannath Temple: How much it cost to build, who the priests are, and how big it is
Digha Jagannath Temple: The Digha Jagannath Temple has quickly become one of the most talked-about spiritual landmarks in West Bengal. Built as a near-replica of the famous Puri Jagannath Temple, this stunning structure was inaugurated on 30 April 2025 and has since attracted lakhs of devotees. Let's take a closer look at the cost of the temple, who the priests are, and what the size of this grand structure is. When Was the Digha Jagannath Temple Inaugurated? The temple was officially opened to the public on 30 April 2025, coinciding with the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. It was inaugurated by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had first announced this project back in December 2018. The temple is located in Digha, a popular beach town in the Purba Medinipur district, and is expected to be a major spiritual and tourist hub in the state. What Was the Cost of Building the Digha Jagannath Temple? The total cost of constructing the Digha Jagannath Temple was approximately Rs 2 billion (Rs 200 crore). The land, covering 20 acres, was provided by the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority. The temple construction was carried out by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO). The project began in May 2022 on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya and was completed in less than three years. Size and Architectural Style of Digha Jagannath Temple The size of the temple is massive. Standing tall at 65 metres (213 feet), the temple features a magnificent vimana (tower), similar to the one in Puri. It follows the Kalinga architectural style, with beautiful carvings and detailed designs. The temple is made using Banshi Hills sandstone from Rajasthan and features marble flooring imported from Vietnam, giving it both elegance and strength. The architectural design was done by Architecture Studio – Salient, based in Kolkata, with the aim of making it a close replica of the original Jagannath Temple in Odisha. Who Are the Priests of the Temple? The main priests of the Digha Jagannath Temple are led by Rajesh Dayitapati, one of the key sevayats (priests) from the Puri Jagannath Temple. The temple follows traditional rituals, including the prana pratishtha (spiritual installation) of the idols, which was done for both the neem-wood and stone idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. ISKCON devotees also participated in the rituals, and a special yajna was held to cleanse and purify the temple spiritually. Why Is This Temple So Popular? Since its opening, the Digha Jagannath Temple has seen a huge number of visitors—over 30 lakh devotees in just two months! The first Rath Yatra celebration at this temple will take place on 27 June 2025, and will be attended by expected over 2 lakh people, including around 50 international devotees from countries like Russia, China, and Ukraine, vice president and spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, Radharamn Das, said. The West Bengal government also started an initiative to deliver prasad (holy offering) from the temple to over 10 million homes across the state. Controversies Around the Temple Despite its popularity, the temple was not free from controversy. Concerns were raised when prasad, including 300 kg of khoa, was brought in refrigerated containers from Kolkata. The ingredients were first offered to the deities before distribution, but the act raised eyebrows among critics. Also, some questioned the decision to build a new temple when an older Jagannath Temple already existed along Digha's seashore, though environmental issues led to the shift in location. The Digha Jagannath Temple is not just a spiritual centre but also a symbol of cultural pride and architectural beauty. From its massive size, intricate design, high construction cost, to the involvement of renowned priests, every detail makes it a must-visit site in West Bengal. As the first Rath Yatra was celebrated with grandeur, this temple is set to become a key spiritual destination, attracting pilgrims from across India and the world. For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
News18
23-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
West Bengal Govt Distributes Jagannath Prasad, BJP Questions HIDCO's Role Over Fund Allocation
Last Updated: The West Bengal government is distributing prasad from the new Jagannathdham temple to over 10 million households. The BJP alleges misuse of HIDCO funds. Amid allegations that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government diverted funds through the state-owned HIDCO, the West Bengal administration has begun distributing 'prasad' from the newly inaugurated Jagannathdham temple in Digha to more than 10 million households across the state. The BJP leadership has alleged that public funds were routed through the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (HIDCO) for this initiative. 'At the gracious initiative of Smt. @MamataOfficial, the divine Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath from Digha is now reaching homes across Bengal. From today until 27th June, you can collect your sacred Prasad box from your nearest ration shop," the TMC posted on X. 'The mandate of the HIDCO is to construct buildings for the government. This is why we did not say anything when it constructed the temple. But how can it spend such an amount to distribute prasad to households?" asked Jagannath Chattopadhyay, West Bengal BJP general secretary. The BJP has hinted at legal action, saying it will go to court for the source of money spent on sweets, not religious misrepresentation. Chattopadhyay stated that the state government has already allocated Rs 32 crore to various district magistrates and the Kolkata municipal commissioner for procuring sweets like goja and peda. An additional Rs 10 crore is expected to be disbursed, taking the total to Rs 42 crore, which will be spent by HIDCO to distribute sweets as prasad to the people of the state. Vishwa Hindu Parishad's Vinod Bansal called it 'cultural misappropriation". The BJP also accused the state of politicising Hindu festivals. It said that the 'government is misusing public money for religious optics" and further demanded an investigation into HIDCO's role. According to the sources, the BJP may also write to the Election Commission, seeking an audit of the funds used. The authenticity of the prasad has also been questioned. BJP leaders alleged that the sweets are being made by minority-owned units. 'This is not traditional prasad, but commercially prepared sweets — misleading and disrespectful," the BJP said. CM Banerjee had directed that prasad from the temple be distributed to people across the state during its inauguration on April 30. The distribution is carried out through the public distribution system, which typically provides subsidised food grains. On certain occasions, TMC leaders have been seen delivering the prasad door to door. Each packet of prasad, which costs Rs 20, contains two sweets and a photograph of the temple along with the deities — Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. The temple, built over 20 acres of land, resembles the 12th-century famous Jagannath temple of Puri, and there has been a controversy over the use of the phrase 'Jagannath Dham".
