News for 'West Bengal Finance'

Minutes before poll date announcement, Mamata rolls out sops

Minutes before poll date announcement, Mamata rolls out sops

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

Political observers said the announcement assumes significance as the state prepares for the assembly elections, with political parties stepping up outreach to various community groups.

Opposition Accuses Government of Lacking Energy Security Policy Amidst Rising LPG Prices

Opposition Accuses Government of Lacking Energy Security Policy Amidst Rising LPG Prices

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

Opposition MPs in the Rajya Sabha criticised the Modi government's economic policies, citing the LPG crisis, lack of energy security, and concerns over the Economic Stabilisation Fund.

MCC has become 'Modi's Code of Campaigning': Cong's dig at EC

MCC has become 'Modi's Code of Campaigning': Cong's dig at EC

Rediff.com15 Mar 2026

The Congress party has accused the Modi government of abusing its power and distorting the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the upcoming assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal and Puducherry. The party alleges that the MCC has become 'Modi's Code of Campaigning' filled with defamation and lies.

Odisha Vigilance Apprehends Family Members in Rs 5.56 Crore Embezzlement Case

Odisha Vigilance Apprehends Family Members in Rs 5.56 Crore Embezzlement Case

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

Odisha vigilance officers arrested the parents of a previously arrested banker, along with another individual, for allegedly embezzling Rs 5.56 crore in government funds in the Jajpur district. The accused are Pradip Kumar Mohanty, his wife Gitarani Mohanty, and Bishnu Prasad Dash. The funds were fraudulently diverted over six years.

How Amit Mitra fixed Bengal's finances

How Amit Mitra fixed Bengal's finances

Rediff.com19 Mar 2014

Amit Mitra may have stopped talking about relaxing rules for foreign investment in India, but there is no dilution of his commitment to the cause of fiscal consolidation in West Bengal.

Enforcement Directorate Attaches 581 Crore Assets of Reliance Group Companies

Enforcement Directorate Attaches 581 Crore Assets of Reliance Group Companies

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth over 581 crore belonging to Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL), companies of Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani, as part of an ongoing investigation.

Amit Mitra likely to step down as Bengal finance minister

Amit Mitra likely to step down as Bengal finance minister

Rediff.com11 Jul 2021

Noted economist and senior Trinamool Congress leader Amit Mitra is likely to step down as the West Bengal finance minister and even retire from active politics due to ill health, party sources said on Sunday.

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Budget 2026: 7 new high-speed rail corridors announced

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Two dedicated freight corridors -- Eastern and Western -- are in operation covering several states and districts.

ED Intensifies Probe, Attaches 581 Crore in Reliance Group Assets

ED Intensifies Probe, Attaches 581 Crore in Reliance Group Assets

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached fresh assets worth over 581 crore belonging to Reliance Group companies, RHFL and RCFL, as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation.

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

World Bank flags how India failed to rein in debt in several states

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India's state-level fiscal rules have improved headline deficits, but the gains are fragile and uneven with major states still grappling with high debt levels, a World Bank report submitted to the 16th Finance Commission (FC) said. According to the report, despite nearly two decades of adoption of fiscal responsibility laws (FRLs), debt levels have not converged.

A tale of West Bengal's missing data

A tale of West Bengal's missing data

Rediff.com22 Dec 2011

In a central govt report, the state only has figures from 2001-02 to 2003-04. But nothing after that.

Bengal SIR redraws voter map with over 58 lakh deletions

Bengal SIR redraws voter map with over 58 lakh deletions

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

The Election Commission released the names of deleted voters in West Bengal ahead of the publication of the draft electoral rolls for the upcoming assembly elections.

Debt: West Bengal facing Greece-like tragedy

Debt: West Bengal facing Greece-like tragedy

Rediff.com4 May 2012

Experts say moratorium on interest not a solution, debt needs to be restructured; state must look for avenues to increase revenue and curtail expenditure.

West Bengal's huge debt: Centre plans rescue package

West Bengal's huge debt: Centre plans rescue package

Rediff.com1 Aug 2011

The Centre is working out a financial package for West Bengal to tide over the huge problems the new government has inherited from the Left Front administration, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday.

Will he be the change West Bengal seeks?

Will he be the change West Bengal seeks?

Rediff.com5 Apr 2011

Trinamool Congress candidate and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce And Industry secretary general Amit Mitra, pitted against Communist Party of India-Marxist candidate and West Bengal Finance minister Ashim Dasgupta, is confident that his party is heading for a victory at the forthcoming Assembly elections.

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Budget hollow, directionless; ignoring people's hardships: Opposition

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Congress party has strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it 'lacklustre' and 'disappointing,' claiming it fails to address the needs of farmers, unemployed youth, and other key sectors.

In West Bengal, culture pips welfare in fund allocation

In West Bengal, culture pips welfare in fund allocation

Rediff.com13 Apr 2012

Outlay for cultural activities increased, for social welfare schemes slashed

West Bengal FM to miss date with Chidambaram

West Bengal FM to miss date with Chidambaram

Rediff.com18 Sep 2012

Though no reason was officially cited for his absence, Trinamool Congress sources here said Mitra will attend a crucial parliamentary meeting of the party in Kolkata on Tuesday to discuss the Centre's decision to hike diesel price, restrict of subsidised cooking gas and allow FDI in retail and decide the future of the party's ties with the United Progressive Alliance.

Mamata in Singapore to attract investments to West Bengal

Mamata in Singapore to attract investments to West Bengal

Rediff.com18 Aug 2014

The Forum is organised by Singapore Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, with the partnership of state-trade agency IE Singapore, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

West Bengal: Debt-ridden state faces uphill task

West Bengal: Debt-ridden state faces uphill task

Rediff.com8 Jul 2016

The state is now under pressure to revise the salaries of its 800,000 employees, which would add to the strain of an already debt-laden state exchequer.

Sensex jumps 944 points on value-buying in oil, auto, banking stocks

Sensex jumps 944 points on value-buying in oil, auto, banking stocks

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

Bharat Electronics, Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, Larsen & Toubro, InterGlobe Aviation, ICICI Bank and UltraTech Cement were among the other major gainers. Axis Bank, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Trent and Titan were the laggards.

West Bengal: Flood situation improves

West Bengal: Flood situation improves

Rediff.com28 Oct 2005

West Bengal: Flood situation improves, alert still on

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

Budget 2026: What will Nirmala Sitharaman do?

Budget 2026: What will Nirmala Sitharaman do?

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's biggest challenge will be to find a new growth driver, particularly against the backdrop of a global economy ravaged by heightened uncertainty and fragmentation, financial markets on a precipice, and global commodity prices on a continued uptrend.

Pranab rules out division of West Bengal

Pranab rules out division of West Bengal

Rediff.com20 Jul 2009

Union Finance Minister and West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee president Pranab Mukheree on Sunday ruled out any further division of West Bengal.The minister said no problem could be solved by force and hoped that the GJM would call off its indefinite bandh in the Darjeeling Hills.

GoM nods govt's proposal of two-slab GST of 5, 18%

GoM nods govt's proposal of two-slab GST of 5, 18%

Rediff.com21 Aug 2025

The GoM of state ministers on GST rate rationalisation on Thursday accepted the Centre's proposal to move to a two-slab structure of 5 and 18 per cent. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and convenor of rate rationalisation GoM Samrat Choudhary said the six-member state ministerial panel has also accepted the proposal of removing the 12 and 28 per cent slabs.

Centre approves West Bengal anti-chit fund bill

Centre approves West Bengal anti-chit fund bill

Rediff.com16 Jun 2015

The bill will be discussed in the state Assembly on June 18.

Why West Bengal is lagging behind other states

Why West Bengal is lagging behind other states

Rediff.com24 Dec 2014

West Bengal was the second-most industrialised state in terms of value added and first in terms of number of factories and employment even in the mid-1960s. With a severe and long process of deindustrialisation, it lost its primacy.

West Bengal's debt burden rises 64% in six years

West Bengal's debt burden rises 64% in six years

Rediff.com26 Apr 2016

Notably, the present government has been vociferous about the high debt it inherited from the Left Front government

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Union Budget 2026: Sitharaman tries to cover all bases, leaves out markets

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Budget 2026 sticks to fiscal discipline, shuns populist measures despite five key state elections coming up, but ends up rattling stock markets with a higher transaction tax on derivatives trading.

Who is Satadru Dutta? The man behind Messi's India Tour

Who is Satadru Dutta? The man behind Messi's India Tour

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

Satadru Dutta's rise was swift and ambitious. But that journey took a dramatic nosedive on Saturday.

The story of West Bengal's dismal industrial performance

The story of West Bengal's dismal industrial performance

Rediff.com6 Jan 2016

A policy-related problem that urgently needs to be redressed is the 'miniaturisation' of projects.

Business in 2014: West Bengal faces plant closures, ponzi slur

Business in 2014: West Bengal faces plant closures, ponzi slur

Rediff.com17 Dec 2014

While the Trinamool government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, tried its best to attract investors, including from Singapore, not much headway could be made.

GST Cut: How Much Will States Lose?

GST Cut: How Much Will States Lose?

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Opposition-ruled states warn of steep annual losses; Centre assures higher consumption will offset revenue hit.

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

I am inclined to believe that the Venezuela adventure is not an indication of American strength, alas, but rather of American weakness, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

CAG to conduct pan-India audit on ease of doing biz for MSMEs

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has launched an integrated audit across 32 states and Union Territories to assess the ease of doing business for the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector.

EC cuts short campaign period in West Bengal

EC cuts short campaign period in West Bengal

Rediff.com15 May 2019

The EC also ordered the removal of Principal Secretary (Home) Atri Bhattacharya and Additional Director General, CID, Rajiv Kumar from their postings in West Bengal.

Mamata's TMC sweeps aside opposition in West Bengal

Mamata's TMC sweeps aside opposition in West Bengal

Rediff.com20 May 2016

The Trinamool Congress won 211 seats.

Pranab quits as Congress' West Bengal state chief

Pranab quits as Congress' West Bengal state chief

Rediff.com27 Jun 2010

Senior Congress leader and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee resigned as chief of party's West Bengal unit on Sunday citing "heavy government responsibilities", and Congress Legislature Party leader Manas Ranjan Bhunia was appointed to the post by Sonia Gandhi.

Govt to set up two ports in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal

Govt to set up two ports in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal

Rediff.com28 Feb 2013

At present there are 12 major ports in India.