Bengal Launches ‘Amar Para, Amar Samadhan’ Scheme to Deliver Grassroots Governance Ahead of 2026 Polls
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a new grassroots governance initiative titled ‘Amar Para, Amar Samadhan’ (Our Neighborhood, Our Solution), aimed at addressing hyper-local civic and administrative issues directly at the booth level. The announcement comes a day after Banerjee cited central deprivation statistics at a political rally, reinforcing her narrative of state resilience through welfare and outreach. Addressing a press conference at the state secretariat Nabanna, Banerjee said the programme is designed to make government services more accessible and responsive, particularly to rural and marginalized communities. “This is a small programme now, but it will expand. For the first time in the country, the government is reaching every booth to listen to people’s issues and solve them on the spot,” Banerjee said. The scheme will group three polling booths into one unit, with each unit hosting a single-day government camp. With approximately 80,000 booths across the state, the camps are set to begin on August 2 and will run over a period of two months, excluding a 15-day break during the Durga Puja festivities. At each camp, government officers will spend the day listening to local grievances and determining feasible solutions in real time. The process will be digitized via an online portal to ensure transparency and traceability. A budget of ₹10 lakh (approximately $12,000) has been allocated per booth, totaling over ₹8,000 crore (roughly $960 million) for the entire project. A task force led by the state chief secretary will oversee the implementation, with corresponding district-level teams ensuring local coordination. The scheme is seen as part of the Trinamool Congress’s broader outreach strategy ahead of the 2026 state assembly elections, positioning Banerjee’s administration as responsive and proactive in the face of alleged federal neglect.
Thousands of Companies Exit West Bengal Under TMC Rule, Claims BJP’s Amit Malviya
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and IT cell head Amit Malviya on Monday alleged that West Bengal has witnessed a sharp industrial decline under the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, pointing to the departure of 6,688 companies from the state over the past 14 years. In a detailed post on X (formerly Twitter), Malviya, who also serves as the BJP’s co-observer for the state, claimed that between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2025, these companies relocated their registered offices from West Bengal to other Indian states. He stated that 110 of the 6,688 companies were listed on the stock exchange at the time of their departure. According to Malviya, the data reflects the erosion of investor confidence and the decline of West Bengal’s status as a business destination, once regarded as a key industrial centre in eastern India. He said the exodus was particularly severe during the financial years 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18, when the state saw 869, 918, and 1,027 companies leave, respectively. Malviya noted that the bulk of the relocating companies moved to Maharashtra, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh, with significant numbers also shifting to Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Other destinations included Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, which also attracted hundreds of firms. Calling the migration a symptom of deeper economic issues, Malviya wrote, “This isn’t just a number—it represents lost jobs, economic decline, and shrinking investor confidence in West Bengal. It’s time to ask: Who is accountable for this economic migration?” The Trinamool Congress has not yet issued a response to the allegations. However, the ruling party has previously dismissed similar claims, maintaining that West Bengal continues to attract investment through initiatives such as the Bengal Global Business Summit and that changes in company registration often reflect corporate restructuring rather than economic failure. Let me know if you’d like a shortened version or want to add a TMC reaction when available.
Tragic accident at Hukumchand Jute Mill ; Separate heist case solved by Amherst Street Police
A tragic accident at the Hukumchand Jute Mill in Halisahar claimed the life of a worker on Tuesday morning. The deceased has been identified as M. Rustam Ali (52), a resident of Halisahar. According to local sources, Rustam Ali was engaged in his duties inside the jute store when the mishap occurred. He was reportedly distracted while operating a machine and accidentally got pulled into it. Though the machine stopped immediately, the damage had already been done. Fellow workers rushed him to the Kalyani ESI Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The incident cast a pall of gloom over the jute mill and the surrounding locality, with fellow workers expressing shock and outrage over the tragic loss. In a separate incident, Amherst Street Police cracked a gold heist case involving an elderly woman living alone. Acting on a tip-off, investigators tracked down and arrested the accused from South Barasat in Joynagar. The accused, identified as Mozammel Purkait, hails from Uttar Gangajal village under Mathurapur police station limits. Disguised as a hawker, Mozammel had been hiding at a relative’s house in the Jhautala area near South Barasat railway station. Upon receiving intelligence, Amherst Street Police informed their counterparts in Joynagar, and a joint team launched a raid, arresting the accused. During a subsequent search of the premises, police recovered gold ornaments including a chain and bangles worth Rs 3 lakh, looted from the residence of Suparna Ghosh, the elderly victim from Amherst Street. The accused was brought to Joynagar police station for further interrogation. Investigators are now probing the extent of his involvement in similar crimes and attempting to identify any accomplices in the gold theft racket.
West Bengal may call special Assembly session in August over ‘attacks’ on Bengali language, migrants
The West Bengal government is considering convening a special session of the state assembly in August to counter what it calls “systematic attacks” on the Bengali language and the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers in BJP-ruled states, a senior official from the assembly secretariat said. Sources from the state’s parliamentary affairs department said the special session, tentatively scheduled between 8 and 21 August, will table a resolution condemning the targeting of Bengali speakers—many of whom are labelled “Bangladeshi” for simply speaking the language. The session may also introduce four legislative bills currently under review with the state law department. While discussions have already taken place between the Trinamul Congress (TMC) legislative party and the parliamentary affairs department, no final decision has yet been taken, a TMC MLA said on condition of anonymity. The proposed session comes in the wake of strong statements by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee during the party’s annual 21 July rally. Both leaders vowed to confront the BJP on its alleged attempts to undermine the Bengali language and identity—both in Parliament and through state initiatives. “We will hit back,” Mamata Banerjee said, accusing the BJP of inciting cultural marginalisation in states where many Bengali-speaking workers reside. According to party insiders, the proposed session will also serve as a platform for the state to take an aggressive legislative stance against such incidents, complementing TMC’s protests planned at the national level. The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday in New Delhi, where TMC MPs are expected to raise the issue both inside the Houses and through a sit-in near the Gandhi statue on Parliament premises. This is not the first time the West Bengal Assembly has been convened for a special session. In August last year, it met to pass the “Aparajita Bill” in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a female medical intern at RG Kar Hospital. Meanwhile, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari of the BJP has dismissed Mamata Banerjee’s claims. “Who gave her the right to speak on behalf of the Bengali language?” he said on Tuesday, ahead of his departure to Delhi. Adhikari cited examples of prominent Bengali figures holding key positions under the Modi government, including late economist Bibek Debroy, current economic adviser Sanjeev Sanyal, and Haryana Governor Asim Ghosh, to reject allegations of bias. Tensions between the TMC and BJP are expected to intensify as Mamata Banerjee has called for weekly protests in support of the Bengali language and against the alleged marginalisation of Bengali-speaking communities in BJP-ruled regions, starting 27 July with the annual “Nanur Day” observance.
TMC to ‘Bowl Out’ Rivals from Martyrs’ Day Stage
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday rallied party workers with a combative call to “bowl out” political opponents in the 2026 Assembly elections, invoking cricketing metaphors and Bengali pride from the annual July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally, a major event on the Trinamool Congress calendar. “Hit them for a six. This time, we must bowl them out,” Banerjee declared from the stage at Dharmatala, energizing the gathering of thousands of party workers and supporters who had converged since early morning. Positioning herself as the captain leading from the front, Banerjee said, “I will take on ten people alone if I have to. I will not rest until we unseat the BJP from Delhi.” The TMC supremo’s address fused electoral strategy with emotional appeals, touching upon issues such as NRC, voter list revision, Bengali linguistic rights, and central deprivation. She set clear targets for the 2026 polls, signaling that the party would intensify its campaign to secure a larger majority. In a symbolic gesture, Banerjee handed over ₹2 lakh each to the families of two Bengal residents killed in the Poonch terror attack—Jhantu Ali Sheikh and Bitan Adhikari—demonstrating solidarity with martyred jawans. Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee criticized him for invoking “Jai Ma Durga” and “Jai Ma Kali” during his recent speech in Durgapur, calling it a superficial attempt to appeal to Bengali voters. “Reading two lines in Bengali from a teleprompter doesn’t make you Bengali. They have no understanding, no connection with our culture,” she said. Banerjee also condemned the Centre over the Citizenship Amendment Act and its implementation. “If this disastrous law is not withdrawn, we will gherao the Election Commission. We will not allow anyone to trample on Bengal or Bengalis,” she warned. On the issue of alleged harassment of Bengali speakers in BJP-ruled states, the Chief Minister targeted Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. “He can’t even manage Assam properly, and he’s meddling in Bengal. If needed, we’ll all go and see how many people he dares to put in detention camps,” Banerjee said, directing her party MP Sushmita Dev to lead resistance efforts. Banerjee also reflected on her own political journey and past struggles, recalling a near-fatal assault during a protest at Hazra. “My head was shattered. I survived only because I walk and exercise. I’ve been fighting ever since,” she said. With her fiery address, Mamata Banerjee made it clear that the road to 2026 has already begun—and the TMC, under her leadership, intends to play an aggressive innings.
Mamata Banerjee Calls for New Language Movement to Protect Bengali Identity
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday issued a sharp call to defend the Bengali language and identity, warning against what she described as “linguistic terror” in several BJP-ruled states. Speaking from the Martyrs’ Day rally stage in Kolkata, Banerjee hinted at launching a renewed language movement to safeguard Bengali speakers facing discrimination outside the state. “There’s a concerted attack on the Bengali language. People are being branded as Bangladeshis just for speaking Bengali in other parts of India,” Banerjee said. “Who has the right to decide what language someone speaks or what food someone eats? Everyone’s rights will be protected in Bengal.” Banerjee, who is also the chief of the Trinamool Congress, accused the BJP of targeting linguistic and cultural diversity and urged her party members to resist these trends through organised public action. Outlining a plan of resistance, she instructed her party’s MPs to lead peaceful demonstrations alongside civil society representatives at the Bhasha Shahid Udyan (Language Martyrs’ Memorial). She also proposed weekend rallies and meetings involving speakers of all languages to show solidarity. “When language becomes a tool of politics, we must not retreat even an inch,” Banerjee said, declaring her intent to preserve linguistic rights. “In Bengal, every language will be respected, but we will not allow anyone to trample on our mother tongue.” The Chief Minister’s speech came amid growing concern over Bengali-speaking individuals allegedly facing harassment in parts of northeastern India. Echoing the tone of an agitation reminiscent of the historic language movements in the subcontinent, Banerjee concluded with a promise: “We will continue to fight for the honour of Bengali and the rights of all languages.”
Abhishek Banerjee dares BJP to chant ‘joy Bangla’, launches 2026 poll challenge from martyrs’ day stage
Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamul Congress (TMC), launched a fierce attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from the July 21 Martyrs’ Day rally in Kolkata, throwing down the gauntlet for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. Paying homage to the 13 youth Congress workers killed in the police firing on this day in 1993, Banerjee knelt in reverence at the memorial before addressing a packed gathering in central Kolkata. The Diamond Harbour MP positioned the BJP—not the CPI(M) or the Congress—as TMC’s principal political adversary in the state. “In BJP-ruled states, Bengalis are being persecuted. Earlier they chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Now, under pressure, they are saying ‘Jai Ma Kali’ and ‘Jai Ma Durga’. After 2026, we’ll make them say ‘Joy Bangla’,” said Banerjee, without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His remark came in the wake of Modi invoking Hindu goddesses at a recent rally in Durgapur. Setting the tone for the 2026 elections, Banerjee declared, “In Bengal, BJP is our only enemy. We will send them to a democratic detention camp.” He accused the BJP of attempting to suppress West Bengal’s identity and culture through coercive tactics, including federal investigative agencies and electoral manipulation. “The BJP calls Bengali speakers Bangladeshis. It has been 15 days since the Assam Chief Minister made such a comment. What action has the Centre taken?” Banerjee asked, adding that Trinamool MPs would not hesitate to speak in Bengali in Parliament to assert linguistic pride. Banerjee alleged that the BJP, unable to win popular support in Bengal, was using the Election Commission, the CBI, and the ED to subvert the electoral process and target opposition leaders. “They have failed to write their name on Bengal’s soil, so now they conspire from behind the scenes,” he said. He closed with a call for BJP’s ouster from the state in the next polls. “I don’t make predictions lightly. But when I do, I mean it. The trash that remains must be swept into the Bay of Bengal. In 2021, I said ‘Khela Hobe’—this time, I say uproot the lotus,” he thundered. In a pointed challenge to the Centre, he concluded, “We will not sell our spine. Do your worst—we won’t be silenced.”
Joint Army Training to Boost Battle Readiness
India’s Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has begun intensive joint training with the Indian Army in a bid to enhance its preparedness against emerging hybrid and unconventional security threats, officials said on Monday. The move is part of a broader strategy to make the paramilitary force “battle ready” for defending critical infrastructure such as airports, nuclear plants, government buildings, and Parliament in the event of high-impact threats such as coordinated terrorist attacks, drone intrusions, or sabotage operations. For the first time, full batches of CISF personnel are undergoing training at Indian Army installations in the Kashmir Valley. Previously, access to such training was limited to a small number of personnel. The current modules include night operations, jungle warfare, close-quarter combat, and endurance-building exercises. “These joint drills will significantly enhance the operational effectiveness of our Quick Reaction Teams deployed at high-value installations,” a senior CISF officer told Reuters on condition of anonymity. “The emphasis is on speed, precision, and composure under high-pressure scenarios.” The trainees are drawn from CISF’s elite Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs), the first responders to any emergency across the force’s 369 units. Only personnel under the age of 35 who have passed the Battle Physical Efficiency Test (BPET), benchmarked to National Security Guard (NSG) standards, are being selected. All participants have already completed six months of in-house tactical training prior to joining the Army module. The Indian Army’s involvement marks a deeper civil-military collaboration aimed at bolstering internal security preparedness at a time of heightened concerns over non-traditional threats. CISF officials said the force plans to gradually extend the Army-led advanced training programme to more units, focusing first on those stationed at high-risk locations. “Our goal is to raise the entire force’s physical resilience, tactical skills, and psychological preparedness to deal with evolving threats,” the official added. CISF, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, plays a critical role in securing India’s key government and industrial assets, including over 60 airports, space centres, and strategic installations.
Adhir Chowdhury Writes to PM Modi Over Harassment of Bengali Migrant Workers
Member of the Congress Working Committee, Shri Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has written a strongly-worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing deep concern over the harassment, humiliation, and physical torture being faced by Bengali-speaking migrant workers in Odisha and Maharashtra. In his letter, Shri Chowdhury highlighted the alarming treatment of poor, bonafide Indian citizens who are being wrongfully targeted due to their linguistic identity, often mistaken for Bangladeshi nationals. Urging immediate intervention, he called upon the Prime Minister to direct the Ministries of Labour and Employment and Home Affairs to ensure protection of the fundamental rights and dignity of these inter-state migrant labourers. Shri Chowdhury is trying to leave no stone unturned in seeking justice for the affected workers, and has already written to the Hon’ble President of India and the Union Home Minister on this grave issue earlier. He stressed that the State must act decisively to prevent such large-scale abuse of innocent workers from West Bengal and uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Arabia’s ‘Sleeping Prince’ Dies After 20 Years in Coma
Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Khalid bin Talal Al Saud, widely known as the “Sleeping Prince,” passed away on Saturday at the age of 36, after spending two decades in a coma following a car accident as a teenager. The Global Imams Council confirmed the prince’s death in an official statement posted on social media, expressing condolences to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the royal family. “With deep sorrow and submission to the will of Allah, we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the royal family on the passing of Prince Al-Waleed,” the statement read. Prince Al-Waleed slipped into a coma at age 15 following a severe traffic accident while studying at a military college in the United Kingdom. He sustained critical brain injuries and internal bleeding. Despite years of treatment, including consultations from American and Spanish specialists, the prince never regained consciousness. He remained on life support for 20 years at the King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh. Occasionally, minor movements in his fingers gave rise to hope among family members and supporters, but his condition remained unchanged. His father, Prince Khalid bin Talal, had long refused to withdraw life support, insisting that only God could determine the moment of death. “With full faith in Allah’s destiny and deep sorrow, we mourn the loss of our beloved son, Prince Al-Waleed,” he said in a statement following the prince’s death. Funeral prayers for Prince Al-Waleed will be held on Sunday at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, followed by burial rites.
