Bengal must confront environmental challenge
The formation of a new government in West Bengal offers a historic opportunity not only for administrative reform but also for environmental renewal.
The formation of a new government in West Bengal offers a historic opportunity not only for administrative reform but also for environmental renewal.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is likely to inaugurate the month-long Shravani Mela at the historic Jalpesh temple, a revered shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, in Jalpaiguri on 20 July, according to highly placed sources.
He said Darjeeling would be developed as the state's first world-class tourism destination, while the second destination would be identified as part of the government's long-term tourism strategy.
With TMC divided into factions, numbers suggest that the three BJP candidates are almost certain to win the by-elections.
The Election Commission of India’s recent announcement of by-elections to three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal, which fell vacant following the resignations of Sukhendu Sekhar Ray, Sushmita Dev and Prakash Chik Baraik — the three Trinamool Congress MPs who stepped down after the party’s debacle in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections — has brought the focus back on the former MPs and the BJP’s plans for them.
In his letter, the BJP MP claimed that he had highlighted the significant loss of lives, damage to critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and the destruction of agricultural fields, homesteads, and livelihoods.
According to reports by NDRF and the district administration, deaths were reported from several locations -- Sarsaly, Jasbirgaon, Mirik Basti, Dhar Gaon (Mechi), Nagrakata and Mirik Lake area.
The Congress leader called on party leaders and workers to reach out to the distressed people and ensure all possible help. "Congress leaders and workers should reach out to the distressed people and ensure all possible help," he said.
The situation is dire, with two iron bridges collapsed, several roads damaged and flooded, and huge tracts of land inundated in the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar.
At least 13 people have died in landslides in the North Bengal hills, following continuous overnight rain, causing widespread severe disruptions, said officials on Sunday.
