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.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 24, 2025, Kolkata : A growing controversy surrounding the Kolkata State Transport Corporation (CSTC) has surfaced, with multiple complaints alleging the non-payment of Provident Fund (PF) dues to retired employees. Reports indicate that re-employed staff, as well as retirees, have not received their rightful PF money, leading to numerous formal complaints. Shockingly, several thousand crores of rupees remain unpaid in the Provident Fund accounts of retired employees.

The issue has drawn the attention of the Calcutta High Court, which has now issued a rule against Trinamool Congress MLA and Chairman of the CSTC Employees Provident Fund Trust, Madan Mitra, along with others involved in the matter. Justice Arindam Mukherjee, who is presiding over the case, has ordered that Mitra, along with the state finance secretary and the CSTC Chief Managing Director, appear in person before the court on July 4.

The CSTC Employees Provident Fund Trust is intended to ensure that employees contribute a portion of their salary each month to their PF account, providing financial security for their retirement. However, complaints from retired employees of CSTC reveal that they have not received their PF payouts, despite having worked for years.

A case regarding this issue was first brought before the Calcutta High Court in July of last year, leading to an order for the release of the unpaid PF money. However, despite this ruling, the funds were not disbursed, resulting in a contempt of court case being filed in December. Since then, the matter has been heard multiple times, with the latest hearing held just yesterday.

During the proceedings, Justice Mukherjee questioned the delay in the payment of PF dues to retired employees, ultimately issuing the rule against Madan Mitra and other officials. The court’s intervention underscores the serious nature of the matter, which remains unresolved despite earlier judicial directives. The upcoming July 4 hearing will be critical in determining the next steps in this case, which continues to affect a large number of CSTC retirees who are still waiting for their overdue payments.

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 23, 2025, Kolkata :  The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has launched a decisive crackdown on rooftop restaurants and cafes across the city, citing serious safety concerns and violations of building regulations. This move follows the recent fire incident at Mechua Bazar and a subsequent directive from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging immediate action to prevent similar disasters. The KMC has taken the bold step of halting the mutation process for rooftop spaces and has issued a formal request to the Registration and Stamp Revenue Commissioner to stop the registration of any such establishments.

A list of 83 rooftop restaurants was compiled by the Kolkata Police and shared with the KMC to aid in their crackdown. This list includes well-known venues such as Blue & Beyond, Hoppipola, Whatsup Cafe, The Sky Story, Roots, The Golden Park, and several others scattered across different parts of the city. The KMC’s action targets not only new rooftop restaurants but also reviews the validity of existing permissions, with the potential for revocation if the buildings fail to comply with the regulations.

The crackdown follows the KMC’s announcement of a ban on granting fresh approvals for rooftop restaurants. Officials have stressed the importance of enforcing safety regulations, especially in light of the fire at Hotel Rituraj, which prompted a more stringent policy for all eateries in the city. The KMC’s Municipal Commissioner, Dhabal Jain, had previously sent a letter to the IG Registration Stamp Revenue, as well as the Commissioner and Directorate of Registration and Stamp Revenue, requesting a halt to all rooftop restaurant registrations.

According to a senior official from the KMC, notices have been sent to rooftop establishments urging them to dismantle any unauthorised structures or face legal action. These notices warn restaurant owners of severe consequences unless they comply with the order to remove illegal constructions. The move is in line with Rule 117(4) of the KMC Building Rules, 2009, which mandates that rooftop spaces remain unobstructed and accessible, particularly in the event of emergencies such as fires.

In addition to these directives, the KMC has emphasized the need for clear access to rooftops, which cannot be locked or obstructed, ensuring that emergency personnel can quickly reach the top floors if required. The municipal body also stressed that materials must not be stored in common areas, corridors, or near roof openings, reinforcing the principle of keeping these spaces safe and accessible for all building residents.

A circular issued on May 2 further highlights these regulations, providing detailed guidelines for the management of rooftop spaces and underscoring that such areas are to remain common to all residents of a multi-unit building. The circular also restricts the mutation or subdivision of rooftop areas, ensuring that they cannot be privately owned or designated for exclusive use.

On Friday, Kolkata’s Mayor Firhad Hakim made a significant announcement regarding the complete shutdown of all rooftop restaurants, bars, cafes, and lounges within the city. The move reflects the KMC’s firm stance on ensuring public safety and preventing future tragedies. Sources indicate that Borough VII, which includes busy areas like Park Street, Loudon Street, and Theatre Road, houses the largest concentration of rooftop restaurants, with an estimated 28-30 such establishments. Other areas along the EM Bypass and the Kasba-Garfa belt are also home to a significant number of rooftop eateries.

The KMC’s actions have drawn both support and criticism. While many city residents and officials have welcomed the crackdown as a necessary step to improve public safety, opposition leaders, particularly from the BJP, have questioned the blanket ban. Dr. Indranil Khan, a BJP spokesperson, argued that instead of banning rooftop restaurants entirely, authorities should focus on enforcing fire safety standards and ensuring compliance with building regulations. He called the ban “illogical” and stressed that proper safety protocols could prevent accidents without resorting to such drastic measures.

As the KMC continues to enforce its policies, the city’s vibrant rooftop dining scene faces a turbulent period, with many business owners scrambling to comply with the new rules or risk facing legal action. While the crackdown is focused on safety and regulation, the broader implications for Kolkata’s hospitality industry remain to be seen, especially in a city where rooftop venues have become increasingly popular in recent years.