Kolkata, May 19 () The Bar Council of West Bengal told the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday that about 22,000 applications for financial aid have been received from advocates owing to the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown and these were being processed. The state Bar Council needs to obtain permission from the Bar Council of India before starting disbursement of such financial aid to the advocates in distress, the court was informed in connection with a letter petition by a lawyer for directing the West Bengal Bar Council to disburse monetary assistance to financially distressed lawyers. A letter has been written by the Bar Council of West Bengal to the Bar Council of India seeking such permission, but no response has been received till date, a division bench comprising Chief Justice T B N Radhakrishnan and Justice Arijit Banerjee was told by lawyers representing the WB Bar Council. The petitioner claimed that with the functioning of the Calcutta High Court, the circuit benches at Jalpaiguri and Andaman and Nicobar Islands and subordinate courts suspended since the nationwide lockdown began, many lawyers are in distress and urged for direction to the WB Bar Council to provide financial aid to them. The courts are hearing only extremely urgent matters through video conferencing. Advocate Billwadal Bhattacharya submitted that huge amounts on account of lawyers fees for rendering professional services were outstanding and payable by the state government as well as the central government to the advocates who represent them. He submitted that if such dues of the lawyers are cleared, the same shall mitigate the hardship of the government advocates to a great extent. Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the state government, and Vipul Kundalia, the advocate representing the Centre, at the request of the division bench presided by the chief justice, assured the court that they will look into the matter and discuss the issue at the appropriate level. The matter will be taken up for hearing again on May 29. AMR SOM SOM

22,000 advocates file application for financial aid in Bengal amid lockdown

Kolkata, May 17 () The West Bengal government decided to carry on with the arrangements already in place after receiving no fresh advisory from the Union government on Sunday, when the lockdown 3.0 is ending, the state home department said.According to a tweet of the home department, a notification on the comprehensive plan regarding the continuation of the status quo in the state will be issued on Monday."No advisory yet received from GOI till today evening on lockdown update. Status quo with same arrangements to continue in WB until further notification. We will notify our comprehensive plan tomorrow afternoon," said the tweet.Till Saturday, West Bengal recorded 160 COVID-19 deaths with at least 2,576 confirmed cases. SCH NN ABHABH

No fresh lockdown advisory from Centre; Bengal to continue status quo: Home Department

Purulia (WB), Apr 17 () The West Bengalgovernment's policy to distribute free grains for the next sixmonths, amid the COVID-19-induced lockdown, has opened up acan of worms in Purulia district's Jhalda block, where peoplewere found to have mortgaged ration cards in lieu of money.District authorities, after getting to know about thematter, took prompt action and returned the cards to theirrightful owners, an official here said.Daily wagers in Sarjumatur area of Jhalda block-1, hadmortgaged ration cards to moneylenders in exchange of moneyranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 30,000, he said.This has been a tradition in the area. More than 20families were found to have deposited their cards with thelenders, the official added.Talking to , Jhalda BDO Rajkumar Biswas said, "Boththe moneylender and the daily wager who mortgaged his card areoffenders. This is illegal, how can someone mortgagegovernment property? As soon as we came to know about theissue, we recovered the cards and returned them to theirrightful owners so that they can collect rations."The lenders have given us in writing that they wouldnot be committing the same offence again, Biswas said.According to locals, the poor labourers in the state'smost backward region have no other option but to deposit theirration cards for money mostly for emergencies and sometimesto fund his or her daughter's wedding."We had no money for our daughters wedding so we hadto borrow Rs 10,000 from a money lender, who took our (he andhis wife) cards as guarantee. Last week, when officialsvisited our place to enquire about ration supply, we told themabout our condition, and the very next day they got us ourcards," said Gopal Kalindi, a labourer who went joblessfollowing the imposition of lockdown.Earlier, Kalindi said, he would pay back ininstalments but the lockdown, imposed in the wake of theCOVID-19 pandemic, has robbed him of his sources of income.The story is hardly different for several otherfamilies in the village, who on various occasions have takenmoney from lenders in lieu of their cards and entered into anever-ending vicious debt cycle.Guna Kuyiri, a local moneylender, said the practicewas prevalent in the area for decades."Not just me, several others in this locality areinto the money-lending business. The system is that when wegive loans, we keep the ration cards and use it to collectgrains. The food grains are then sold in open market to earninterest for the money we have lent. Once the principal amountis realised, we return the cards," Kuyri said.The West Bengal government, in an order issued lastmonth, had announced free ration for more than 7.5 crorepeople in Bengal till September. PNTRMS RMS

Mortgaged ration cards returned to daily wagers in Bengal village amid lockdown: Officials

<ul><li>The West Bengal Board Of Secondary Education declared the class 12 board exam results on July 17.</li><li>Once declared the students can access their result on official website wbbse.org or can go to wbresults.nic.in. </li><li>In West Bengal, around 10 lakh students appeared for the exams which ended on 22 February. </li></ul>The West Bengal Board Of Secondary Education declared the class 12 board exam results on July 17. Students can access their result on official website wbbse.org or can go to wbresults.nic.in. Here’s how to check your result — <ol><li>Go to wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in </li><li>Click on the link class 12 exam results 2020 </li><li>Enter your roll number of date of birth. </li><li>The mark sheet will appear. You can either download or print it for future reference. </li></ol>You can also check your results via SMS. Type WB12(roll number) and send it to 5676750 or 58888. Students can also 'WBCHSE Results 2020' app. Here’s how to do so — <ol><li>Download the app on your android mobile phone. </li><li>Enter the details like roll number, registration. </li><li>Fill the captcha code. </li><li>Click on Submit button. </li><li>The result will be displayed. </li></ol>In West Bengal, around 10 lakh students appeared for the exams which ended on 22 February. However, the results were delayed due to nationwide lockdown. Also, this year students will only get an online mark sheet. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/checkout-the-list-of-coronavirus-vaccines-under-human-trials-right-now-worldwide-/slidelist/76994365.cms">These are the coronavirus vaccines under human trials right now</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/intel-will-speed-up-mukesh-ambanis-5g-run-power-him-with-ai-and-possibly-a-jio-laptop/articleshow/76780290.cms">Intel will speed up Mukesh Ambani’s 5G run, power him with AI and possibly a Jio laptop⁠— all in return for massive amount of data</a>

West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020 for Class 12 declared

<ul><li>The West Bengal Board Of Secondary Education will declare the class 12 board exam results at 3.30pm on July 17. </li><li>Once declared the students can access their result on official website wbbse.org or can go to wbresults.nic.in. </li><li>In West Bengal, around 10 lakh students appeared for the exams which ended on 22 February. </li></ul>The West Bengal Board Of Secondary Education will declare the class 12 board exam results at 3.30pm on July 17.Once declared the students can access their result on official website wbbse.org or can go to wbresults.nic.in. Here’s how to check your result — <ol><li>Go to wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in </li><li>Click on the link class 12 exam results 2020 </li><li>Enter your roll number of date of birth. </li><li>The mark sheet will appear. You can either download or print it for future reference. </li></ol>You can also check your results via SMS. Type WB12(roll number) and send it to 5676750 or 58888. Students can also 'WBCHSE Results 2020' app. Here’s how to do so — <ol><li>Download the app on your android mobile phone. </li><li>Enter the details like roll number, registration. </li><li>Fill the captcha code. </li><li>Click on Submit button. </li><li>The result will be displayed. </li></ol>In West Bengal, around 10 lakh students appeared for the exams which ended on 22 February. However, the results were delayed due to nationwide lockdown. Also, this year students will only get an online mark sheet. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/cbse-board-may-declare-class-10-board-exam-results-in-48-hours/articleshow/76953008.cms">CBSE to declare class 10 board exam results on July 15</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/intel-will-speed-up-mukesh-ambanis-5g-run-power-him-with-ai-and-possibly-a-jio-laptop/articleshow/76780290.cms">Intel will speed up Mukesh Ambani’s 5G run, power him with AI and possibly a Jio laptop⁠— all in return for massive amount of data</a>

How to check West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020 for Class 12 —  to be declared today

CAL 3 AS-VIRUS-POSITIVEAnother COVID-19 positive case in Assam, count risesto 26Guwahati : A new COVID-19 positive case related toNizamuddin Tablighi Jamaat congregation was reported in Assamon Tuesday, taking the number to 26, Health Minister HimantaBiswa Sarma said.CAL 4 AS-VIRUS-MLA-ARRESTAssam MLA held for remarks calling COVID 19 hospitalsworse than detention centresGuwahati: An opposition MLA in Assam was arrested onTuesday for making "objectionable" remarks about the conditionof quarantine facilities and hospitals treating COVID 19patients, calling them worse than detention centres,police said.CAL 7 OD-VIRUS-DEATHOdisha reports first COVID-19 deathBhubaneswar: Odisha reported its first COVID-19fatality as a 72-year-old man infected with coronavirus died,officials said on Tuesday.CAL 8 WB-HC-VIRUS-CURSE'Be infected with coronavirus,' lawyer curses judgeafter unfavourable verdictKolkata: In an "abominable" act of misconduct afterfailing to get a favourable order, a lawyer cursed a CalcuttaHigh Court judge, swearing he be infected with coronavirus,provoking the judge to recommend contempt action against him.CES 5 OD-VIRUS-IBCOVID-19: IB office in Bhubaneswar sealed, employeesput under home quarantineBhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation(BMC) has sealed the office of the Intelligence Bureau (IB)here and put all its employees under home quarantine after itwas found that one of the staff of the central agency had comein contact with a COVID-19 patient, an official said onTuesday.CES 10 JH-VIRUS-SAMPLE-LD INNOVATIONCOVID-19: Mobile 'phone booth' sample collectioncentre introduced in J'khand Ranchi: In a bid to ensure safety of health workers,the West Singhbhum administration in Jharkhand has introducedan innovative portable unit for collecting samples fromsuspected coronavirus-infected persons, an official said.CES 14 OD-VIRUS-SEPARATE-HOSPITALSSeparate doctors, hospitals for COVID-19 patients,suspects: Odisha govtBhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday said ithas separated novel coronavirus patients from other sickpersons in the state-run medical facilities.CES 15 DEF-VIRUS-OFB-TENTSCOVID-19: Ordnance Factory Board comes up withisolation tentsKolkata: As the country is scrambling to increaseinfrastructure for isolation and quarantine facilities tocontain the spread of coronavirus, the Ordnance Factory Board(OFB) has come up with a two-bed tent with necessary medicalfacilities that can be set up in any place, an official saidhere on Tuesday.CES 16 NL-LOCKDOWN-EASTERLockdown: Nagaland not to celebrate Easter in churchesfor first time since statehoodKohima: Churches in Christian-majority Nagaland havedecided to forego Easter celebration, that falls on April 12during the ongoing lockdown, for the first time since theformation of the state in 1963. RG RG

Kolkata, Apr 7 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Eastern Region at 5 pm.

India's landslide victory through an unopposed inclusion into the <keyword id="138690" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="United-Nations-Security-Council">United Nations Security Council</keyword> (UNSC) as a non-permanent member has irked the Imran Khan-led government in Pakistan, as angry reactions have started coming out of Islamabad, threatening India of dire consequences in case of any misadventure committed along the <keyword id="44759" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Line-of-Control">Line of Control</keyword> (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB). Pakistan's Foreign Minister <keyword id="121648" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shah-Mahmood-Qureshi">Shah Mahmood Qureshi</keyword> has warned India against any misadventure, threatening of a telling retaliatory response. "Beware, beware, remember February 2019 and be ready for a quick retaliation while casting an evil eye on us," he said during his address to the Upper House (Senate) of Pakistan. Qureshi lashed out at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian External Affairs Minister S. <keyword id="236448" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jaishankar">Jaishankar</keyword>, asserting, "Pakistan can't be cowed down by the Indians." Qureshi also reiterated Islamabad's inclination towards Beijing in the recent deadly clashes in Ladakh between Indian and Chinese forces, stating that Indian soldiers were suffering casualties there. "There is a dramatic shift in the region. China has openly landed in the arena against India," he said. "Nepal, which was thought to be completely under India's influence, is now making claims on some disputed areas with India, while Sri Lanka and Bhutan also had their objections. Afghanistan also thinks India is impeding reconciliation process there," he added. Qureshi briefed the Senate stating that India is facing isolation and New Delhi is feeling the pressure. He also reiterated Islamabad's concerns over what they call a false-flag operation by New Delhi aimed at diverting attention of the global community from the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which has remained under lockdown for almost a year now. Qureshi's aggressive remarks came at a time when the Imran Khan-led government is facing serious criticism from its opposition parties for failing to raise the issue of Kashmir at the UN platform and giving India a walkover to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. While Pakistan voted against India's contention for the non-permanent membership, its vote didn't matter as a heavy majority voted in favour of New Delhi. "Though it was a secret balloting, Pakistan openly said that it had voted against India for last year's August 5 unconstitutional steps it took in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and for violating the UN Charter, UNSC resolutions and international norms," maintained Qureshi. Pakistan's anger over India's inclusion into the UNSC is understandable as its ongoing diplomatic campaign to attract support against the Modi government for its decision taken on August 5, 2019, abrogating Articles 370 and 35A, changing the special status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, in the United Nations has practically failed to yield results. Tensions at the Line of Control (LoC) have also intensified in the recent days as heavy exchanges of artillery firing have claimed lives of border security forces and civilians on both sides. Pakistan and India both have been lodging strong protests against the ceasefire violations, summoning senior diplomats of respective high commissions to record their protests. Tensions are expected to flare up in the coming days as August 5, 2020 inches closer, marking one year of the lockdown in Jammu and Kashmir, for which Islamabad is gearing up to stage protests, rallies and international conferences. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/experts-believe-that-the-india-china-border-dispute-is-unlikely-to-turn-into-another-war-like-the-one-in-1962/articleshow/76128454.cms">India and China are testing each other at the Ladakh border— but it won’t be another war like in 1962, according to experts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/foreign-policy/news/the-fear-of-china-has-put-the-global-spotlight-on-india-its-raked-up-three-comprehensive-strategic-partnerships-in-the-last-24-months/slidelist/76258833.cms">The fear of China has put the global spotlight on India ⁠⁠— its raked up three Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships in the last 24 months</a>

Pakistan warns India 'to be ready for quick retaliation' amid LoC tensions and UNSC membership

(Eds: Updating with more info) New Delhi, Apr 20 () The Union government has said the COVID-19 situation is "especially serious" in Mumbai, Pune, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata and a few other places in West Bengal, and warned that violation of lockdown measures risks the spread of the novel coronavirus further. Acting swiftly, the Union Home Ministry also announced that six inter-ministerial central teams (IMCTs) will visit these identified areas in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Rajasthan within the next three days to make on-the-spot assessment and recommend remedial measures in a report to the Centre. In identical orders issued to the four states on Sunday, the home ministry said there have been several incidents of violence against COVID-19 front-line healthcare professionals, complete violation of social distancing norms and movement of vehicles in urban areas. Reacting to the development, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the basis on which the Centre has proposed to deploy its teams was "unclear" and added "we would not be able to move ahead on this as without valid reasons this might not be consistent with the spirit of federalism".The home ministry said in some districts, a number of violations to the lockdown measures have been reported, posing a serious health hazard and risk for spread of COVID-19 which include attacks on frontline healthcare professionals, complete violations of social distancing norms outside banks, PDS shops and in market places, movement of private and commercial vehicles with passengers in urban areas and so on.These incidents, if they are allowed to occur without any restraining measures in hotspot districts or emerging hotspots, with large outbreaks or clusters, pose a serious health hazard, both for the population of these districts and for that living in other areas of the country, it said.After analysing the prevalence of such violations in major hotspot districts, it is clear to the central government that the situation is "especially serious" in Mumbai and Pune (Maharashtra), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kolkata, Howrah, East Medinipur, North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri ( West Bengal), the home ministry said.The death toll due to COVID-19 rose to 543 and the number of cases climbed to 17,265 in the country on Monday, according to the Union health ministry.There are 4,203 confirmed coronavirus cases in Maharashtra of which 223 people lost their lives, according to Union health ministry data.In Madhya Pradesh, out of the 1,407 cases, 70 people have succumbed to the disease.Rajasthan has reported 1,478 cases of which 14 people lost their lives. In West Bengal, there are 339 confirmed cases of which 12 people died due to the infection, according to health ministry data.After the government announced its decision, the West Bengal chief minister tweeted, "We welcome all constructive support &amp; suggestions, especially from the Central Govt in negating the #Covid19 crisis. However, the basis on which Centre is proposing to deploy IMCTs in select districts across India including few in WB under Disaster Mgmt Act 2005 is unclear." "I urge both Honb'le Prime Minister @NarendraModi Ji &amp; Home Minister @AmitShah Ji to share the criterion used for this. Until then I am afraid, we would not be able to move ahead on this as without valid reasons this might not be consistent with the spirit of federalism," she added. The orders, signed by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, in his capacity as the chairperson of the National Executive Committee under the Disaster Management Act, also said the six inter-ministerial central teams will visit these hotspot areas and make on-spot assessment of the COVID-19 situation in these places and issue necessary directions to the four states.The teams, comprising five members each, will be headed by an Additional Secretary-rank officer of the central government.The six teams will make on-the-spot assessment of the situation, issue necessary directions to the state authorities for redressal of the situation, and submit their report to the central government in larger interest of general public.The IMCTs will focus their assessment on the compliance and implementation of lockdown measures besides issues like the supply of essential commodities, social distancing, hospital facility and sample statistics in the district, safety of health professionals, availability of test kits, PPEs, masks and other safety equipment, and conditions of the relief camps for labour and poor people.The orders also made it clear that the Ministry of Civil Aviation will provide air transportation, to and fro, from New Delhi to their respective place of visit (nearest airport), as their deployment is for an essential purpose of ensuring compliance to the lockdown measures.The state governments will have to provide logistic support to the IMCT, for their accommodation, transportation, PPEs and extend all cooperation for their visits to local areas, production of documents and records as requested by the IMCTs. There have been several incidents of attacks on healthcare workers and police by some people in different parts of the country, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, leading to injuries to doctors, paramedics and police personnel.The lockdown was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24 in a bid to combat the coronavirus pandemic. It was further extended till May 3. ACB SKL SKL SMNSMN

MHA says COVID situation especially serious in Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur,Indore; deploys central teams

Faced with an unprecedented downturn, India needs to continue with critical reforms to reverse the sudden and steep impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on its economy, said <keyword id="255944" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-World-Bank">the World Bank</keyword> in its twice-a-year-regional update. The latest South Asia Economic Focus relaxed on Thursday forecasts a sharper than expected economic slump across the region, with regional growth expected to contract by 7.7 per cent in 2020, after topping 6 per cent annually in the past five years. India's economy, the region's largest, is expected to contract by 9.6 per cent in the fiscal year that started in March 2020. The country's growth is projected to rebound to 5.4 per cent in FY22, mostly reflecting base effects, assuming Covid-related restrictions are completely lifted by 2022. Weak activity, domestically and abroad, is also likely to depress both Indian imports and exports. "The response of the government of India to the <keyword id="8782118" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-Outbreak">Covid-19 outbreak</keyword> was swift and comprehensive. The government implemented a national lockdown to contain the health emergency. This was followed by a comprehensive policy package to mitigate the impact on the poorest through various social protection measures as well as liquidity and financial support for small and medium enterprises. The <keyword id="6354424" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-bank">World Bank</keyword> is partnering with the government to strengthen policies, institutions, and investments for building back better," said <keyword id="10072520" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="hartwig-schafer">Hartwig Schafer</keyword>, World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region Three-quarters of all workers in South Asia depend on informal employment. While the poor have faced rising food prices, the Covid-19 crisis has also affected informal workers in the middle of the income distribution who experienced sharp drops in earnings. Informal workers are not generally covered by social insurance and few have savings or access to finance. Recognizing these challenges, India is reworking its social protection architecture to protect its workers, particularly informal sector workers, hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Government is creating a safety net platform that caters to the diverse needs of both rural and urban population, is portable and ensures food, social insurance and cash support across state boundaries, the regional update of WB said. "India is undertaking far-reaching reforms in its safety nets programme. This will help the country to preserve its hard-won gains against poverty as nearly half of all households are vulnerable and the majority of the workforce lacks formal social security benefits. We are also encouraged by the recent amendments to India's social security laws that will help provide coverage to groups of people who were earlier left out from government-assisted programs," said Junaid Ahmad, World Bank Country Director in India. The pandemic has also brought to the forefront new economic opportunities where digital technologies can play an essential role, providing new growth levers for South Asian countries, including India. "Covid-19 will profoundly transform South Asia for years to come and leave lasting scars in its economies. But there is a silver lining toward resilient recovery: the pandemic could spur innovations that improve South Asia's future participation in global value chains, as its comparative advantage in tech services and niche tourism will likely be in higher demand as the global economy becomes more digital," said Hans Timmer, <keyword id="599298" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Bank-Chief-Economist">World Bank Chief Economist</keyword> for the South Asia Region. <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/iaf-displays-its-might-with-rafale-apache-tejas-and-others-during-the-annual-air-force-day-airshow/slidelist/78549506.cms">IN PICS: IAF displays its might with Rafale, Apache, Tejas, and others during the annual Air Force Day airshow</a>

You Searched For "WB lockdown" and got 9 results

22,000 advocates file application for financial aid in Bengal amid lockdown

PTI

No fresh lockdown advisory from Centre; Bengal to continue status quo: Home Department

PTI

Mortgaged ration cards returned to daily wagers in Bengal village amid lockdown: Officials

PTI

West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020 for Class 12 declared

BI India Bureau

How to check West Bengal Madhyamik Results 2020 for Class 12 — to be declared today

BI India Bureau

Kolkata, Apr 7 (PTI) Following are the top stories from the Eastern Region at 5 pm.

PTI

Pakistan warns India 'to be ready for quick retaliation' amid LoC tensions and UNSC membership

IANS

MHA says COVID situation especially serious in Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur,Indore; deploys central teams

PTI

India should continue critical reforms to reverse COVID-19 impact on economy, says World Bank

IANS