Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 28, 2025,  Hooghly : After being held captive by Pakistan for 22 days during a battle at Payalgaon in Kashmir, Indian Army jawan Purnam Sau, a native of Rishra, Hooghly, has safely returned to the country. His return has sparked a wave of relief and celebration in his hometown, where representatives from various political and social groups gathered to honour him.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 27, 2025, Kolkata :  A chilling scene unfolded in the busy office area of Beleghata this morning when a person was found dead under mysterious circumstances near the Sales Tax building. At around 10:20 AM, a loud noise startled the usual hustle and bustle of the area, prompting security guards to rush to the spot. What they discovered was nothing short of shocking – a man, floating in blood, his body bruised and lifeless, lying below the multi-storey building.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 27, 2025, Kolkata :  The Jagannath Temple in Digha, which has seen a significant surge in visitors since its inauguration, is at the center of a growing controversy. The temple’s success has raised concerns among the authorities of the Puri Jagannath Temple, who are now planning to take legal action to protect the exclusive use of sacred terms associated with the Lord Jagannath tradition. The Puri temple administration is preparing to apply for patents on several key phrases, including ‘Jagannath Dham’, ‘Maha Prasad’, ‘Nilachal Dham’, ‘Srikshetra’, ‘Purushottamdham’, and the temple’s logo.

Arvind Padhi, the chief administrator of the Puri Jagannath Temple, emphasized the significance of this legal move. “It is critical to protect the sanctity, heritage, and unique identity of the Jagannath temple,” Padhi said. “The application for patents is an essential step to prevent the indiscriminate use of sacred terms related to Lord Jagannath, which are of immense cultural and religious importance.”

This decision comes amid ongoing controversy over the use of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ at the newly constructed temple in Digha. The Digha temple, which is modeled after the famous Puri Srimandir, has faced criticism from various quarters, including Shankaracharya of Puri, who raised concerns about the appropriateness of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ being used for a temple outside of Puri. In response to the growing backlash, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who inaugurated the Digha temple last month, strongly defended the project.

During her comments, Banerjee dismissed the controversy as unnecessary, accusing the Odisha government of overreacting. “When Odisha faces a shortage of potatoes, Bengal helps. When a cyclone hits and damages infrastructure, Bengal sends engineers to assist. Most tourists visiting Puri are from Bengal. What is the problem if we build a Jagannath Dham in Digha?” she stated. The Chief Minister also criticized the violence surrounding the issue, remarking, “We all go to Puri without asking too many questions. Why should there be so much violence over this?”

In response, Odisha’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan expressed concerns about the sensitivity of religious matters, particularly with regard to the four main ‘dhams’ of India. Harichandan indicated that the Odisha government would formally request the West Bengal authorities to reconsider the use of the term ‘Jagannath Dham’ for the Digha temple.

As tensions continue to rise over the issue, both states appear to be digging in their heels, with no clear resolution in sight. The legal steps taken by the Puri temple authorities could be a pivotal development in determining the future use of these sacred names and terms, potentially setting a precedent for how sacred intellectual property is handled in the context of religious and cultural heritage.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 24, 2025, Kolkata : The Confederation of State Government Employees, West Bengal issued a formal letter to the West Bengal government, urging immediate action on the Supreme Court’s recent directive regarding the payment of dearness allowance (DA) to state government employees. The letter references a crucial order handed down by the Supreme Court on May 16, which mandates that the state government clear at least 25% of the outstanding DA dues to all employees. The Supreme Court’s order was issued in favor of a May 20, 2022, judgment by the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, which had ruled that the West Bengal government must address the DA arrears.

The state government had previously challenged the Calcutta High Court’s judgment by appealing to the Supreme Court, but the apex court upheld the lower court’s decision, reaffirming the need for the outstanding dues to be cleared. The Government Employees Council, in their letter, has attached a copy of the Supreme Court’s order and made a formal request for the state government to implement the directive within the next six weeks.

The council emphasized that this order, if promptly acted upon, could finally resolve the long-standing issue of DA arrears, providing much-needed relief to lakhs of government employees in the state. They believe that the implementation of this order will help end the prolonged wait for the employees and restore their financial stability.

The council’s demand highlights the importance of respecting judicial orders and calls for the government to act swiftly to ensure the payment of the outstanding dearness allowance, which has been a point of contention for a significant period.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 24, 2025, Kolkata: With the Tarakeswar Srabani Mela just around the corner, the Hooghly district administration has stepped up its preparations for the grand event, focusing on passenger safety and crowd control. A high-level administrative meeting was held today in Singur to discuss the necessary measures for the festival, which is set to begin in two months. The meeting was convened against the backdrop of recent safety concerns raised by the Kumbh Mela incident in Uttar Pradesh, where several fatalities occurred due to crowd-related accidents despite extensive safety protocols.

Officials acknowledged that last year, about 24 lakh devotees attended the Mela, and this year, the turnout is expected to be even higher. In response, the administration has introduced additional measures to ensure the safety and convenience of the devotees. Minister Becharam Manna, who was present at the meeting, emphasized the need to prevent any accidents similar to the Kumbh Mela tragedy. He assured that multiple proposals had been adopted to enhance safety, including the installation of 35 iron lock gates along the Baidyabati-Tarakeswar road, improved road lighting, and a significant increase in ambulance services.

To facilitate quick medical assistance, 25 ambulances, including Toto and bike ambulances, will be stationed at strategic points along the route. The Health Department will also deploy one ambulance per panchayat area, from Baidyabati to Tarakeswar, ensuring emergency services are easily accessible to all. Furthermore, the administration is working with the Telecom Department to improve mobile communication coverage across the Tarakeswar area. These measures are expected to improve coordination among emergency services and keep both pilgrims and authorities connected throughout the event.

In a bid to alleviate the transport burden, a request has been made to the Railway Department to run local trains overnight and to operate a special train service between Kamarkundu and Burdwan, ensuring that devotees can travel smoothly to and from the fair. The roads and ghats leading to the temple will be upgraded, including improvements to drainage systems and the services available at the Ganga ghats, which are critical for the event’s operations.

A guide map will also be launched online by the Hooghly District Administration prior to the start of the Mela. This map will provide vital information, including phone numbers for various services, and help attendees navigate the area with ease. Additionally, the district administration will allow organizations wishing to donate goods to apply online through the block office, streamlining the donation process and ensuring proper coordination.

The meeting, held in the Singur Panchayat Samiti meeting room, saw participation from key officials including Hooghly District Magistrate Mukta Arya, Hooghly District Rural Superintendent of Police Kamanshis Sen, and Singur MLA and State Minister Becharam Manna, along with representatives from the Railway Department, Fire Department, Tarakeswar Temple Authority, and various municipal and administrative bodies. The collaborative effort highlights the district’s commitment to ensuring a safe and organized Tarakeswar Srabani Mela, aiming to provide a hassle-free and spiritually enriching experience for millions of devotees.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews | May 24, 2025 | Kolkata : A significant chapter in India’s institutional heritage was celebrated today as the iconic Income Tax Office building at 3 Government Place (West), Kolkata, was illuminated in a ceremonial event that blended history with modern pride. This initiative reflects the Income Tax Department’s commitment to preserving its legacy while advancing in step with contemporary values.

The Income Tax Department of India, formally established with the enactment of the Income-tax Act in 1922, traces its origins back to 1860 when Sir James Wilson first introduced income tax in response to the financial aftermath of the Indian Mutiny of 1857. The 1922 Act laid the foundation for the Department’s systematic administration and continues to be acknowledged as a cornerstone in its institutional evolution.

The building at 3 Government Place (West), originally constructed between 1890 and 1891 as the Imperial Secretariat, has long been a landmark of administrative and architectural importance. Before the establishment of Aayakar Bhawan at Chowringhee, it served as the office for all senior functionaries of the Income Tax Department in Bengal, including the Commissioner of Income Tax. The structure, deeply rooted in colonial-era design, remains one of the oldest functioning Income Tax buildings in the country.

In a thoughtful and visually compelling initiative, the newly installed lighting now accentuates the grand architectural features of the heritage structure without any structural modifications. This aesthetic enhancement not only elevates the building’s nighttime visibility but also honors its cultural significance and institutional contributions.

Adding to the preservation efforts, a dedicated Heritage Archive was inaugurated on the rooftop of the building on September 23, 2024, by the Hon’ble Chairman of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). This archive aims to serve as a living repository of the Department’s historical records and milestones.

At the event, the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, West Bengal & Sikkim, Sri Niraj Kumar, IRS, remarked that the dual initiative of illumination and archiving is intended to inspire both present and future generations. He highlighted the importance of remembering and honoring the Department’s past as a means of instilling pride, belonging, and dedication among stakeholders and citizens alike.

Now illuminated against the Kolkata skyline, the historic building stands as a luminous symbol of resilience, transformation, and the continued relevance of public institutions in nation-building.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 24, 2025, Kolkata: Speculation is growing over a potential change in the governorship of West Bengal as reports indicate that the Centre is considering replacing the current Governor, CV Anand Bose, due to prolonged illness. Sources suggest that recently retired Supreme Court judge Justice Bela M Trivedi may be appointed to the position.

Justice Trivedi, a seasoned legal expert from Gujarat, took early retirement from the apex court. Her career spans several high-profile roles, including serving as the Secretary of the Law Department in Gujarat during the tenure of then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, later advancing to the Gujarat High Court and ultimately the Supreme Court.

Her retirement drew attention after the Supreme Court Bar Association initially declined to host a customary farewell, which was subsequently arranged under the directive of Chief Justice BR Gavai. Despite previous debates surrounding her judicial career, her name has now emerged as a probable successor to the current Bengal Governor.

The Centre’s reported move comes amid ongoing discussions regarding Governor Bose’s health and his complex relationship with the West Bengal administration. While the decision may be rooted in health concerns, its timing—less than a year before the 2026 state elections—has added political significance. If Justice Trivedi assumes office, the development is expected to have a notable impact on the state’s political and administrative landscape.