West Bengal

PM Modi Meets Women Alleging Sexual Assault by Sheikh Shahjahan in Sandeshkhali

March 6, 2024March 6, 2024 - by Chirag Goyal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met with women from Sandeshkhali who have accused Sheikh Shahjahan, a suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, of sexual assault. This meeting occurred following a public rally at Barasat in the North 24 Parganas district, where Sandeshkhali is located. Sources indicate that the women expressed their ordeal to PM Modi, who listened to them with empathy.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with female victims from Sandeshkhali. They shared their experiences, and PM patiently listened to them, offering support akin to a father figure. The victims were deeply emotional, finding solace in PM Modi’s understanding,” stated BJP sources.

Sandeshkhali has been embroiled in unrest since multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual assault against Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates.

Earlier today, PM Modi criticized the TMC government for allegedly shielding the accused in the Sandeshkhali case, describing it as a “matter of shame.” Addressing a women’s rally in Barasat, PM Modi reiterated BJP’s commitment to women’s empowerment and safety.

“Under TMC’s governance, the women of this region have suffered. The incidents in Sandeshkhali are deeply shameful, yet the TMC government seems indifferent to your plight. TMC prioritizes safeguarding perpetrators over addressing the concerns of the victims. Both the High Court and the Supreme Court have condemned their actions. TMC leaders have inflicted atrocities upon women from marginalized communities. The TMC government trusts its leaders more than it trusts the women of Bengal,” remarked the Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, Shahjahan was apprehended by the West Bengal Police on February 29 after evading authorities for over 50 days. Following his arrest, the TMC suspended Shahjahan from the party for six years.

India / Main Slide / News / Politics / West Bengal

PM Modi Renews Attack on Mamata Government: TMC Now Stands for ‘Tu, Main aur Corruption’

March 2, 2024 - by Chirag Goyal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), accusing them of creating an environment conducive to “crime and corruption” in West Bengal. Addressing a rally in Krishnagar on Saturday, PM Modi asserted that the TMC has now become synonymous with “atrocities” and “betrayal.” He alleged that the TMC’s primary focus lies not on the development of Bengal but on fostering corruption, nepotism, and betrayal. According to him, the TMC aims to perpetuate its political agenda and games by keeping the people of Bengal impoverished.

PM Modi’s address follows a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata on Friday, amid escalating tensions between the BJP and TMC, with Sandeshkhali emerging as a focal point of contention.

Sandeshkhali Incident and Political Strife;
The recent arrest of Shahjahan Sheikh, accused of “sexual assault and land grabbing” in Sandeshkhali, has exacerbated the ongoing political turmoil in the region.

PM Modi took a swipe at Mamata Banerjee over the Sandeshkhali incident, stating, “In Bengal, it’s the criminals who decide when they should be arrested, not the police.”

He commended the women of Sandeshkhali for their resilience in protesting against years of oppression and violence, which eventually compelled the ruling party to take notice. PM Modi also applauded the state leaders of his party in West Bengal for standing by these women in their protests.

Infrastructure Development Projects;
PM Modi unveiled a slew of development projects worth Rs 15,000 crore aimed at propelling West Bengal towards economic growth and job creation. These projects include the inauguration of the Farakka-Raiganj section of NH-12 and the Flue Gas Desulfurisation (FGD) system at Mejia Thermal Power Station. Additionally, the foundation stone for the Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station Phase II was laid during the ceremony.

Emphasizing West Bengal’s potential as the “eastern gate” of India, PM Modi pledged to initiate several projects to boost employment and economic growth in the state.

Rail Infrastructure Revitalization:
In a bid to enhance Bengal’s rail infrastructure, PM Modi inaugurated four rail projects worth over Rs 940 crore. He highlighted the government’s efforts to bridge the gap in railway infrastructure and expressed commitment to further investments in the sector.

Ambitious Goals for Lok Sabha Elections PM Modi set ambitious goals for the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, urging the people to ensure a victory on all 42 seats. He expressed confidence in the party’s prospects and rallied the crowd with the slogan ‘NDA sarkar, 400 paar’.

PM Modi’s Meeting with Mamata Banerjee:
PM Modi’s meeting with West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata focused on discussions related to governance and cooperation. Mamata raised concerns about the pending dues owed to the state by the Centre, emphasizing the need for resolution.

Main Slide / News / West Bengal

Ganga in West Bengal Deemed Unfit for Bathing Due to Untreated Sewage, NGT Issues Fine Warning

February 29, 2024February 29, 2024 - by Chirag Goyal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a stark warning to authorities in West Bengal following the revelation that the entire stretch of the Ganga River in the state is unsuitable for bathing due to elevated levels of faecal coliform bacteria. This alarming situation has been exacerbated by the discharge of a staggering 258.67 million litres per day of untreated sewage directly into the river, posing a severe health risk.

The NGT, entrusted with the mandate of environmental protection, uncovered this disturbing reality during a hearing focused on efforts to combat pollution in the Ganga River across various states. During the proceedings, the NGT scrutinized a report submitted by West Bengal in response to earlier directives aimed at addressing this pressing issue.

Expressing profound concern, Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Chairperson of the NGT bench, reviewed reports submitted by District Magistrates of several West Bengal districts, including North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Nadia, Malda, Hooghly, Purba Burdwan, Howrah, Purba Medinipur, and South 24 Parganas. These reports underscored a glaring deficiency in sewage treatment infrastructure across the state, with some districts, notably Purba Medinipur, lacking even a single Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).

In response to these findings, the NGT has cautioned West Bengal authorities of potential fines if they fail to demonstrate significant progress in addressing the issue of untreated sewage flowing into the Ganga.

The tribunal emphasized the urgent need for adequate sewage treatment facilities and expressed dismay over the absence of STPs in certain districts. It noted that the current situation, wherein 258.67 million litres per day of untreated sewage is discharged into the Ganga, is far from satisfactory.

The NGT’s warning underscores the gravity of the situation and serves as a call to action for swift and effective measures to combat pollution in the Ganga River in West Bengal.

NGT panel, consisting of judicial and expert members, acknowledged the absence of sewage treatment plants in certain districts and stressed the urgent need to address this critical situation. Additionally, the tribunal instructed District Magistrates (DMs) of nine districts, through which the river flows, to provide affidavits detailing deadlines for achieving 100% sewage treatment.

Moreover, the NGT mandated that DMs disclose the utilization of funds from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and the measures taken for floodplain demarcation in their respective districts.

Expressing dismay at the lack of progress, the NGT highlighted the elevated levels of faecal coliform in the Ganga, making the water unsuitable for bathing. The tribunal directed NMCG to conduct a performance audit of each district to evaluate pollution levels and waste management practices.

Failure to demonstrate significant progress may lead to the imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) by the tribunal. The NGT has instructed concerned DMs and NMCG to submit updated reports within eight weeks, with further proceedings scheduled for May 2.