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Time of India
25-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The West Bengal government, corporates and UNICEF to work together for the development of children
KOLKATA: In a corporate roundtable titled 'Matching Grants to Needs', organised by UNICEF in collaboration with West Bengal government, members of industry chambers — ASSOCHAM, BCCI, Bharat Chambers, FICCI, MCCI and Eastern Region of CII — along with officials of state government and UNICEF expressed their desire to invest in children to secure their futures and the environment they live in using expertise of the UN body working for the children, the funds allocated for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the industrial houses and facilitation of the state government. The state government has a CSR council and launched a 'CSR Portal' to help corporates invest their CSR funds into various development projects that the West Bengal government identifies across the state. "A portfolio of the projects based on the needs of the children which the corporates can take up to utilise their CSR funds, has been put up in the CSR Portal. This is an attempt to help match the needs of the society with your CSR funds," state minister of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare and Industries, Commerce and Enterprises Shashi Panja told leaders of corporate bodies. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata She also said that corporates always looked for innovative solutions and UNICEF works globally on issues of children. "As a result, this tripartite initiative is going to deliver on the children's issues," she said, adding that the initiative prioritises the needs and the corporates to find a project that interests them. The joint work would explore avenues for CSR investments in child health, child nutrition, adolescent and youths, climate resilient systems focusing on communities vulnerable to natural disasters, education, skill development and social protection of marginalised groups of children. Panja expressed hope that the collaborative work would facilitate the CSR investments of corporates and expertise of UNICEF to reach the sustainable development goals. Citing that UNICEF has been working with the Government of India for more than 75 years, UNICEF India representative Cynthia McCaffrey said the dialogue created hopes and ambitions for advancing the well-being of children and families. "We are stronger together - bringing knowledge, expertise and the drive to increase capacity and convene professionals and civil society organisations to enable support to meet the needs of communities," she told the chamber members. Earlier, she made a presentation of UNICEF's work for children to the representatives of the corporate bodies and recounted her experience of visiting an Anganwadi centre, a health and wellness centre, a government hospital, Kanyashree Club, centre for children with disabilities and school children during her visit to the state. On Tuesday, she met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and thanked her for taking up various social development schemes that helped children grow and empower themselves. The corporate body representatives shared with the Minister and UNICEF officials the various social development schemes they have taken up in the state. They promised to go back to their members and discuss the opportunities that this tripartite initiative offers. "UNICEF being a partner of West Bengal government, we hope that this dialogue will help to transform our expertise which corporate's can use to plan their investments for the development of children," UNICEF West Bengal chief Monjur Hossain told the gathering. State government officials urged the leaders of the industries to get their companies registered with the 'CSR Portal'. "Projects worth Rs 450 crore have already been put up in the portal and 37 industrial houses have registered with it. The portal offers projects that suit the interests of the corporates," Sanghamitra Ghosh, principal secretary of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare said at the programme.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Karnataka Bank says customers have no reason to worry about deposits
Mini Tejaswi Karnataka Bank, a Mangaluru-based private sector lender, on Wednesday said that it was not in any kind of financial difficulty and that, in fact, it was on a path of constant growth since its inception in February 1924, and its customers have no reason to worry about their deposits with the bank. Bank's Chairman Pradeep Kumar Panja told The Hindu, 'The bank is sound, strong and financially stable. No customer has to worry about the safety of their deposits. Their money is absolutely safe. We are not in any kind of financial difficulty, and, in fact, we are constantly growing since our beginning, which is unique in the financial sector.'' Refuting all allegations heard in the market in the last couple of days, especially after the exits of the bank's CEO and MD Srikrishnan Hari Hara Sarma and ED Sekar Rao, Mr. Panja said contrary to some 'baseless and false' claims, Karnataka Bank has been probably the only bank in the country that has been profitable right from the beginning and the last 101 years of its existence. 'Our capital adequacy ratio is 13% against the apex bank's stipulation of 11.5%. And our liquidity is also strong,' he said. Responding to a query on whether the top-level exits triggered negative reactions, Mr. Panja said both exits were for personal reasons. However, a bank source admitted that although these executives cited personal reasons, their resignations also followed ongoing differences with the board on various issues. When asked if the bank had seen any frantic withdrawal of deposits, he said, 'Some people in the last two to three days have withdrawn some deposits, but the deposits the bank received in these days were much more than these withdrawals. So, there is no trust issue or fear in the minds of customers and there is no need for any concern.' Mr. Panja further said that Karnataka Bank is a private sector lender, but 100% of its ownership is with shareholders. 'People own the bank and therefore it can't get sold or bought that easily.' According to him, the bank has already sought RBI's approval to appoint an interim CEO and MD and also constituted a search committee to look for a permanent CEO and MD.
New Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Law & Order: Deputy Commissioner bans Muharram in parts of Karnataka's Ballari
BALLARI: Ballari Deputy Commissioner Prashanth Kumar Mishra has issued an official order, banning Muharram observance at some villages in different taluks of Ballari district from June 30 to July 7. This is to maintain law and order in these villages that had witnessed tension over the last few years, he stated. After receiving reports that communal harmony could be disturbed again, the district administration invoked Section 35 (A), (B), (D), (E) of the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 to impose the restrictions. The order specifies that public gatherings, processions and assembling of effigies (Panja) are strictly prohibited in these areas during the ban. In the Gandhinagar police limits of Ballari, restrictions are in place at Mahanandikottu. K Sooguru, Mudenur, Hirehal, Nadang, Bandral, Deshanur, K Belagal and Albanur in Siruguppa taluk are covered under the ban. Tekkalakote, Halekote, Upparahosalli, Udegola, and Araliganur under the Tekkalakote police limits are the other areas where public Muharram observation has been banned. Sirigeri, Kooriganur, Taluru, and Karuru in Sirigeri police limits and Gonal village in Kampli too face the ban. The Section 35(A) of the Karnataka Police Act prohibits carrying weapons like swords, daggers, spears, clubs, guns, knives, batons or any objects that could cause injury. Additionally, display of offensive or disrespectful images of individuals, public speeches, slogans, music, use of loudspeakers or demonstrations that may breach public decency or morality are not allowed. If the order is violated, the prohibited items will be confiscated and legal action taken against violators, the DC warned.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
College crime reignites political debate, protests
Kolkata: Yet another rape, 10 months after the rape-murder of a PGT doctor at RG Kar, reignited a war of words between Trinamool and opposition parties on Friday. "This is not just a crime, it is a glaring proof of Trinamool student organisation netas tarnishing sanctity of educational institutions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A college campus, a sacred place where students come to acquire knowledge, witnessing such brutality is shameful for our society. Trinamool student netas have repeatedly misused their power to create an atmosphere of fear in educational institutes," said 's Suvendu Adhikari. CPM's Sujan Chakraborty, while leading a rally outside Kasba police station, took a dig at main accused Manojit Mishra's association with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. He said, "Illegal unions must be shut down. Student union polls need to be organised." SFI, AIDSO, and SUCI also took out rallies outside the college and Kasba PS. A group of demonstrators even scaled the law college gate and tore posters of CM Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee on the campus. Meanwhile, outside Kasba PS, Left supporters clashed with cops, forcing deployment of RAF. There was massive traffic jam on Rasbehari connector from afternoon till evening because of the protests. A commuter stuck in traffic near Bijan Setu said, "We were on our way to hospital and are now stuck." Trinamool functionaries termed the incident "heinous" and said they were "pained". They also lauded cop effort for arresting the culprits within 12 hours of the incident being reported. "We are standing with the survivor. There are no words to condemn such a heinous crime, but we want to tell her that those who committed this barbarity were arrested immediately. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now We want her to get justice. The culprits will receive the strictest punishment," said minister Sashi Panja. Education minister Bratya Basu said, "Directorate of Public Instruction has asked the vice principal to convene GB meeting and find out lapses, if any, and take steps to ensure safety. Cops have already arrested the accused." Panja asked why Aparajita Bill that got passed in the assembly was yet to be approved by the Centre. " Instead of resorting to theatrics on streets, BJP should express support for the Bill. Ask the President to pass it. A woman's body is not your political battlefield," Panja said.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Condemn gangrape of student in Kolkata college, but incident should not be politicised: TMC
The ruling Trinamool Congress on Friday (June 27, 2025) condemned the alleged gangrape of a student at a law college in Kolkata and said the incident should not be politicised. Addressing a press conference, West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said the state government stands firmly with the student and her family. 'This incident is extremely painful. Kolkata Police has already initiated action, and all information related to the probe is available to the public,' Ms. Panja said. 'Instead of making the victim a battleground for politics, her pain must be understood, she must be respected, and justice must be ensured – swiftly and unconditionally,' she added. 'The law college student was allegedly raped inside the institution on June 25 by an alumnus, while two senior students reportedly assisted the prime accused,' a police officer said. All three accused were arrested and produced in court, which remanded them in police custody for four days. Social media handles of the prime accused revealed that he is a former president of the college's Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad unit, and the organisational secretary of the south Kolkata wing of the TMC's student body. Ms. Panja asserted that West Bengal is the only state to have demanded the passage of the 'Aparajita Bill', which seeks stringent punishment for sexual offenders. 'We want this bill to become law. It will send a strong message and act as a deterrent,' she said. Without naming anyone, Ms. Panja took a swipe at the opposition, alleging, 'Some glorify or garland the accused. But we do not distribute sweets or protect such people. The Mamata Banerjee-led government neither shields perpetrators nor compromises on women's dignity.' The TMC also said the Centre's 'indifference' towards the 'Aparajita Bill' was 'deeply unfortunate'. 'Despite repeated pleas, the BJP-led Government at the Centre has done nothing to implement it,' Ms. Panja said. The bill, tabled after the R.G. Kar hospital incident, aims to modify and introduce fresh provisions in the law related to rape and sexual offences. Earlier, in a post on X, the party said, 'The state administration, under Hon'ble Chief Minister Smt @MamataOfficial, is committed to providing every possible form of support and assistance to the victim during this distressing time. Justice will be served.'
