Tag: Government of West Bengal

Bengal municipal recruitment scam: Govt withdraws second SLP challenging HC order

Kolkata (IANS). The West Bengal government on Monday filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking withdrawal of its second Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Municipal Corporation recruitment case, challenging the earlier order of a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court. And the central agency was directed to conduct the investigation.

This is the second time that the state government has withdrawn its SLP in the apex court in the matter.

The central inquiry into the matter was originally ordered by a single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay of the Calcutta High Court.

Challenging the decision, the state government first approached the Supreme Court.

However, the apex court referred the matter back to the Calcutta High Court. Following this, the state government approached a single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha of the Calcutta High Court, which upheld Justice Gangopadhyay’s order and directed the central agencies to continue their investigation in the matter.

Subsequently, the state government challenged Justice Sinha’s order before a division bench of the Calcutta High Court and also filed a parallel SLP in the Supreme Court in the matter.

However, a division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Satathi Chatterjee expressed displeasure over the state government keeping multiple court options open in the matter. Following a rebuke from the Calcutta High Court, the state government withdrew the first SLP in the matter.

On June 15, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising Justice Chakraborty and Justice Chatterjee had upheld the first single-judge bench’s order on the probe by a central agency into the municipalities recruitment case.

Thereafter, the state government filed a second SLP in the apex court against the order of the division bench of the Calcutta High Court.

The state government on Monday filed an application in the apex court to withdraw the second SLP in the matter.

July 3, 2023
Bengal Panchayat elections: Suvendu Adhikari filed a caveat in the Supreme Court

Kolkata (IANS) | Anticipating the West Bengal government and the State Election Commission to challenge the Calcutta High Court order on the deployment of 82,000 central armed forces personnel in the Supreme Court, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday filed a caveat in the apex court. Did. Although there has been no official indication from the state government or the state election commission to approach the Supreme Court, state commissioner Rajeev Sinha was busy discussing with legal experts in his office till late Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, a contempt of court petition against the State Election Commission is scheduled to be heard by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Thursday and a verdict is expected on the same day.

On Wednesday, ordering the deployment of a minimum of 82,000 central armed forces for the rural civic body elections, Calcutta High Court Chief Justice T.S. Sivaganam’s bench said the number given by the court was on the lines of the deployment of central forces personnel in the 2013 rural civic body polls ensured by the then State Election Commission, Meera Pandey.

The court has directed the State Election Commission to apply to the Union Home Ministry for 82,000 personnel within 24 hours. On Wednesday, the State Election Commission gave a requisition to the Union Home Ministry for deployment of only 22 companies or about 2,200 personnel of the Central Armed Forces.

On Wednesday, the Bench criticized the State Election Commission in unprecedented terms and also questioned the impartiality of the Commission.

Justice Sivaganam said, after so many developments, I am constrained to say that the impartiality of the State Election Commission remains in question. It is most unfortunate that a contempt of court petition has been filed against the State Election Commissioner. I request you to comply with the orders of the court.

He also advised State Election Commissioner Rajeev Sinha that if he is unable to bear the pressure of his post, he should leave his chair.

–IANS

June 22, 2023
Death toll from Bengal reaches 81 in Odisha train accident

Kolkata (IANS) | According to the West Bengal government, the death toll in the Odisha train tragedy has risen to 81 from the state. Describing the figure as 62, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday evening expressed apprehension that the number may increase if more bodies are identified.

He expressed doubt that the names of those traveling in unreserved coaches are not easily available with the Railway Department. That list has not yet reached the state government, he said. That’s why the death toll in Bengal may increase.

On Monday, the state government put the death toll at 81.

State government sources said that the maximum number of deaths have been reported from 31 South 24 Parganas district.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has announced the formation of a six-member committee whose members will visit the families of those killed in the train accident and hand over a compensation check of Rs 2,00,000 to each family on behalf of the party.

Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had announced that a compensation of Rs 2,00,000 to the family of each of the deceased would be over and above the Rs 5,00,000 announced by the state government.

Political tussle has already started in the state over the Railway Board’s recommendation for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Balasore train accident.

Rajya Sabha member of Trinamool Congress, Dr. Santanu Sen said, the credibility of central agencies like CBI has reduced a lot now. It is being used by the central government against the opposition parties. That’s why we have no faith in the CBI probe.

BJP state president in West Bengal and party’s Lok Sabha member Sukanta Majumdar said since sabotage is suspected to be behind the accident, there is a need to get the matter probed by a central agency.

–IANS

June 5, 2023