Cal HC directs WB govt to file affidavit over plea on making public its earnings from 'Biswa Bangla'

The Calcutta High Court today directed the West Bengal government to submit an affidavit stating its position on pleas for making public the earnings from its brand 'Biswa Bangla' and how the proceeds had been used.

Hearing two PILs seeking to know how and how much the state had gained from 'Biswa Bangla', a division bench comprising Chief Justice J Bhattacharya and Justice A Banerjee directed the government to submit an affidavit on its position within five weeks.

The two petitioners were allowed a further two weeks after that to file an affidavit in reply. The matter would be heard again by the division bench after eight weeks from today.

Appearing for the state, Advocate General Kishore Dutta said the petition was politically motivated and was not maintainable before the court.

Claiming the state government had spent a lot of money to get the brand name and logo of 'Biswa Bangla' from the trademark authorities, the petitioners prayed that the authorities make public the amount it had earned from the use of these and how the money had been spent.