Bengal CM asks Ministers to counter disinformation by BJP on new OBC list

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kolkata, June 17 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked her Cabinet Ministers to launch a campaign in order to counter disinformation spread by the BJP over the new list of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the state prepared by the Trinamool Congress-led state government following a directive from the Supreme Court.

At a meeting of the state Cabinet on Monday, the Chief Minister directed her Cabinet Ministers to start a large outreach programme explaining to common people about the preparation of the new OBC list.

Last week, while addressing the ongoing Monsoon session of the Assembly, CM Banerjee claimed that religion has no connection with the fresh survey on determining the people to be included in the OBC category.

She also claimed that there were 49 castes in the OBC-A category, while there were 91 castes in the OBC-B category and 50 more castes will be included soon.

According to the Chief Minister, the survey was based on economic backwardness and not on the basis of religion.

However, the BJP’s IT Cell Chief and the party’s central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya reacted to Chief Minister Banerjee’s claims and quoted the state government’s data to prove that people from the Muslim community were given “undue” preference regarding inclusion in the OBC list in the fresh survey.

Earlier in May 2024, a division bench of the Calcutta High Court had cancelled all the OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010, which ideally meant that all such certificates issued during the current Trinamool Congress government in the state since 2011 stands void.

Following this order from the division bench of Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Rajasekhar Mantha, more than 5,00,000 OBC certificates issued during that period stood cancelled and could not be used for availing benefits of the reservation in jobs.

The West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court following the Calcutta High Court’s order, and in March this year, the apex court allowed the state government to conduct a fresh survey to identify the OBCs in the state.

However, since the beginning of the survey, the BJP has questioned the style and format of conducting the fresh survey by the Trinamool Congress-led state government.

Leader of the Opposition and BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari, has claimed that the state government’s fresh survey was being conducted in the same manner, which did not hold ground in the apex court and was scrapped by the Calcutta High Court.

The state Cabinet on Monday held a meeting in which also a proposal was passed for the creation of two vice-chairperson posts for the West Bengal Minorities’ Commission.

Last week, the West Bengal Minorities’ Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed in the Assembly, thus enabling the appointment of two vice-chairpersons for the commission as against the earlier sanctioned post of one.

–IANS

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Idukki, Dec 20 (IANS) With several Cooperative Banks in Kerala facing financial issues due to alleged manipulation, the body of a depositor was found hanging near the Kattapana Rural Development Cooperative Society on Friday morning.

In the suicide note, Babu blamed the Secretary and two staff members of the society for taking the extreme step.

Babu a, trader in Kattapana, had deposited Rs 25 lakh at the Society, and after his wife fell sick, he approached the organisation to withdraw the money.

With the “bank” going through difficult times, its officials told Babu that they would return his deposit in monthly instalments.

On Thursday, Babu approached the bank and returned disappointed after he failed to get money from the bank.

Babu’s wife is under treatment at a hospital and he wanted money for her medical needs but failed to get it and was humiliated by the officials at the bank.

After Babu went missing from his house on Friday morning, a search was launched for him.

During the search, Babu’s body was found hanging near the bank.

Notably, two years back, the local CPI-M leadership got control of the bank.

Hearing the news of the suicide of Babu, local Congress and BJP workers began a protest before the bank shouting slogans against the poor and “corrupt management” of the bank by the CPI-M.

The Congress party launched an agitation and demanded that the senior revenue officials in the district should come to get the inquest prepared, and unless they arrive, the body will not be allowed to be taken for the procedures.

Over the past two years, there has been a flood of complaints against numerous Cooperative Societies (banks) across the state.

The biggest scam of over Rs 100 crore surfaced at Thrissur at the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank.

The former Cooperative Minister and present CPI M legislator A. C. Moideen and former party legislator M. K. Kannan were all questioned a few times in relation to the scam that surfaced at the Karuvannur bank.

–IANS

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Karnataka’s red chilli farmers deserve same support as Andhra growers: CM Siddaramaiah to PM Modi

Bengaluru, March 11 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and requested urgent implementation of the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for red chillies in Karnataka.

He demanded that the red chilli farmers of Karnataka should get the same level of support that their counterparts are receiving in Andhra Pradesh.

CM Siddaramaiah further stated, “The Kalyana Karnataka region, one of the most backward and drought-prone areas in the country, is home to thousands of small and marginal farmers dependent on red chilli cultivation. The continued neglect of their plight will only deepen the economic distress and push many farmers into a debt crisis.

“It is, therefore, imperative that the Union Government extends the Price Deficiency Payment scheme under the Market Intervention Scheme to Karnataka, ensuring parity with Andhra Pradesh.”

Siddaramaiah stated, “I write to you with deep concern for the lakhs of red chilli farmers in Karnataka, particularly in the Kalyana Karnataka region, who are facing unprecedented crisis due to the drastic fall in the prices.”

The government of India has approved the PDP scheme under the MIS for Red Chillies (Guntur variety) at Rs 11,781 per quintal with coverage for up to 25 per cent of production.

While this is a welcome step, the distress faced by Karnataka’s red chilli farmers remains unaddressed, CM Siddaramaiah emphasised.

In Karnataka, the cost of production for Guntur variety of Red Chillies (rain fed) has been assessed at Rs 12,675 per quintal by the Karnataka Agricultural Price Commission.

However, farmers are forced to sell their produce at distress prices that go as low as Rs 8,300 per quintal in markets like Sindhanur. This not only results in massive financial losses but also threatens their very survival, the CM noted.

“Therefore, we request the Union Government to bear the full amount of the Price Deficiency Payment to ensure fair compensation for farmers. The red chilli farmers of Karnataka deserve the same level of support that their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh are receiving. A fair and just intervention by the Union Government at this crucial moment will not only provide immediate relief but will also reaffirm the Centre’s commitment to the welfare of farmers across the country, irrespective of the state they belong to,” CM Siddaramaiah stated.

“I hope that you will give this request the utmost priority and take necessary steps to extend and strengthen the Price Deficiency Payment Scheme under MIS for Karnataka’s farmers. I look forward to your urgent response and positive action in this regard,” the CM stated.

CM Siddaramaiah also requested Prime Minister Modi to increase MIP to Rs 13,500 per quintal from the current MIP of Rs 11,781.

“Expand coverage to at least 75 per cent of production which is necessary to provide meaningful relief,” he said and demanded that the Centre must bear the full burden of the PDP.

–IANS

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BJP celebrates victory in Chandigarh Mayoral election, eyes Delhi Assembly win

Chandigarh, Jan 30 (IANS) The atmosphere outside the Municipal Corporation office in Sector 17, Chandigarh, was electric as BJP workers celebrated their party’s triumph in the mayoral election, with Harpreet Kaur Babla emerging victorious with 19 votes. The win was met with joy and optimism, with BJP leaders confident that it signals a broader electoral victory for the party.

Chandigarh BJP President Jatinder Pal Malhotra expressed his elation, stating, “This victory is for every BJP worker and every citizen of Chandigarh. It’s a decisive win over the unholy alliance that was trying to portray themselves as the city’s leaders.

“This is a victory for the people. When corruption within the AAP-led administration was exposed, councillors realised the need for a change. They chose a BJP mayor to ensure the city’s progress and address issues like unpaid salaries and unallocated development funds. This victory paves the way for a brighter future — and a BJP win in Delhi Assembly elections as well.”

Sanjay Tandon, Member of the BJP National Council, echoed a sentiment, adding, “We are extremely happy with this win. This victory in the mayoral race confirms that we will also win in the Delhi Assembly polls.”

Meanwhile, Congress leaders expressed their disappointment over the loss, with Chandigarh Congress President Harmohinder Singh Lucky questioning the integrity of the process.

“Someone tried to play a game. It’s becoming clearer now,” Lucky said.

“While we are pleased with Jasbir Singh Bunty’s win as Senior Deputy Mayor, we are deeply saddened by the loss of the mayoral seat. We will assess the situation and find the ‘black sheep.’ Whoever played this game, we will expose them,” Lucky said.

In a closely contested election, the BJP won with 19 votes, defeating the AAP-Congress alliance, which garnered 17 votes. The contest saw BJP’s Harpreet Kaur Babla triumph over the AAP’s Prem Lata.

The Chandigarh mayoral election, held in the Assembly hall of the Municipal Corporation, was a high-stakes political battle. The Chandigarh Municipal Corporation comprises 35 members, including elected councillors and the Chandigarh MP, who has voting rights as an ex-officio member.

Before the election, the seat distribution stood as follows: AAP with 13 councillors, Congress with 6, BJP with 16, and 1 vote for the Chandigarh MP (Congress).

–IANS

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