Govt writes to Centre to expedite renaming of state

The state government has written to the Centre urging to expedite the process required to change the name of the state as passed in the Assembly on August 29, 2016.

It may be recalled that the West Bengal Legislative Assembly had passed the resolution of renaming the state as "Bangla" in Bengali and "Bengal" in English in the special session that was held on August 29.

On the same day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had spoken to the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the phone soon after the resolution was passed. She had requested Singh to take necessary steps so that it can be taken up to the Parliament in the next session so that the Bangla becomes the new name of the state at the earliest.

A few days ago, the Chief Minister had expressed her concern over the delay in getting the Centre's nod. She had said that the state government will be pursuing the matter with the Centre soon.

Sources in the state secretariat said that accordingly, a letter has been sent to the Centre requesting it to do the necessary as early as possible.

Stating the day to be an auspicious one, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that it was a historical day as the decision of the House in passing the resolution to change the name of the state will immensely benefit lakhs of students and people from all walks of life in coming days.

The people across the state and the student community had accepted Bangla to be the new name. Since Bangladesh is our neighbouring country, the state's name in Bengali would be Bangla and Bengal in English to avoid the confusion in international arena.