Latest news with #Pujas
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Pick different venue next year,' says Calcutta High Court on TMC's July 21 rally
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday expressed displeasure over the upcoming July 21 Martyrs' Day rally organised by the Trinamool Congress, and said that from next year, the event should be shifted to an alternative venue. A petition filed before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh alleged the rally caused inconvenience to the public. While refusing to intervene this year, the judge said, 'At the last moment, I will not change the venue. But from next year, select another place like Sahid Minar, Brigade Parade Ground, or Salt Lake Stadium. Political parties have emotional attachment to such days, but stadiums should be used for such programs.' The petitioner had pointed out that the rally, to be held on a working Monday, would disrupt traffic and affect office-goers. Justice Ghosh remarked, 'For how many more days will people tolerate? Declare it a holiday. If such programs are held on working days, how will police manage traffic?' During the hearing, TMC counsel Biswaroop Bhattacharya argued the petition was politically motivated. 'This has been going on for 13 years,' he said. Advocate General Kishore Dutta submitted, 'They are alleging traffic jams. But traffic curbs happen during any major program, even when the Prime Minister or President visits, or during events at Brigade Parade Ground.' Dutta also questioned the timing of the plea: 'Why was the petition filed just seven days before the rally, when it happens every year? Hundreds to thousands come from the districts; even during Pujas, there are curbs.' Justice Ghosh, however, said, 'Can you (the state) say there will be no congestion? Let the Police Commissioner submit an affidavit that there will be no traffic disruption.' Petitioner Shamim Ahmed said, 'We are not asking for a ban. We are saying that Section 144 is imposed from KC Das to Victoria House. When other parties seek permission to hold events there, the state cites traffic disruption as a reason to deny it. Police have already issued notifications stating curbs across major streets.' Justice Ghosh said that July 21 cannot be observed by 'blocking roads, causing jams, and seizing buses'. A long hearing will be held to decide whether future rallies can be held in front of Victoria House. Until then, the court directed that both the police and ruling party must ensure no traffic jams occur. The Kolkata Police Commissioner has been asked to submit a bond stating this guarantee. Police notices already issued regarding the rally must be submitted to the court on Friday, Justice Ghosh said. The state will then argue the admissibility of the case. Since 2011, the rally has been held annually, typically in front of the Victoria House, to commemorate the 1993 police firing that killed 13 protestors from the then-Congress and Trinamool Congress.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengal plans post-Puja industrial conclave to boost investment & exports
1 2 Kolkata: To accelerate Bengal's industrialisation, state govt would host a business and industrial conclave after the Pujas, Amit Mitra, principal chief economic adviser to CM Mamata Banerjee , said on Tuesday. Mitra said the CM decided to host the conclave after taking stock of investment proposals — received since the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) in Feb — during a meeting at Nabanna during the day. The state's ex-finance minister, however, clarified that this conclave had nothing to do with BGBS and it would be held as usual. The dates are yet to be finalised, said Mitra. Experts said through this conclave, Bengal govt wanted to showcase its achievements in industrial growth ahead of the 2026 assembly elections and also send a message to investors. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata A state-level investment and synergy committee meet was held on Tuesday, during which the proposed conclave was discussed. While the focus would be on core sectors like steel, leather, apparel and hosiery, gems and jewellery, food and food processing, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, the conclave would also aim to boost cultural and historical tourism in Bengal. Bengal is going to have five new steel plants in Jangalmahal, which will bring in investments to the tune of Rs 32,000 crore, Mitra said. "Gems and jewellery is another sector we are focusing on, as Bengal has a high potential for growth in exports of gems and jewellery. In 2023-24, we exported to the tune of $1.8 billion, so we are going to set a higher export target," he added. With high demand at the IT hub, Mitra also stressed the importance of IT, ITes and semiconductor sectors. The food processing sector is set to get more attention, with export of shrimps touching $423 million in the 2023-24 financial year. The focus would also be on food, food products and milk, Mitra said. Bengal's leather industry exports touch $700 million annually, which is half of the country's exports, Mitra pointed out. Additionally, medical equipment and medicines worth $20.5 million were exported from the state in 2024, he added, explaining the need for attention to these sectors. CM to inaugurate leather & textile hub tomorrow CM Mamata Banerjee would inaugurate the leather and textile hub at Alipore on Thursday. Located opposite Alipore Jail Museum, the hub would be a major sales point for leather products and Bengal saris.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
West Bengal to host ‘Business and Industry' Conclave: Event likely later this year; things to know
The West Bengal government will host a 'Business and Industry Conclave' later this year, Amit Mitra, chief financial adviser to CM Mamata Banerjee , announced on Tuesday. The initiative is being viewed as a push to accelerate industrialisation in the state. Mitra said the conclave would be organised after the Puja festivities to give further momentum to West Bengal's industrial development. 'There will be a Business and Industry conclave after the Pujas. To take this conclave forward, the state-level investment and synergy committee has been tasked to prepare the roadmap for the conclave,' said Mitra, who is also the former finance minister of the state. He said that the decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Banerjee, which was also attended by chief secretary Manoj Pant and other senior officials. This year, Durga Puja will be celebrated in the last week of September, while Diwali falls in the third week of October. According to Mitra, the roadmap for the conclave will focus on factors such as growth potential, employment intensity, export prospects, the state's national advantage and revenue generation. He added that after the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS), a key development was the formation of the state-level investment and synergy committee to create a single-point interface for industrial proposals. 'The committee, chaired by the chief secretary, meets twice a month. In the last three months, it has cleared proposals to establish 3,165 projects,' Mitra said. These projects span a range of sectors, including real estate, information technology, food processing and tourism, according to a source in the state secretariat. While the total potential investment in these projects has not yet been revealed, Mitra said the figures are quite significant. He also confirmed that the Bengal Global Business Summit will continue as usual next year. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
