Kolkata: Director Siddhant Das rams car into market, 1 dead, 8 injured
Kolkata: A film and television director, Siddhant Das, was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly rammed his car into a crowded market in Kolkata’s Thakurpukur area while under the influence of alcohol, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to eight others.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. when Das, 35, was reportedly driving from Bakrahat towards Gariahat. Witnesses said he lost control of the vehicle, broke through a barricaded stretch cordoned off for road construction, and drove straight into the market area, hitting hawkers and pedestrians. The car came to a halt after crashing into a parked scooter.
Local residents pulled Das out of the vehicle and thrashed him before police arrived at the scene. He was arrested along with a woman accompanying him in the front seat. Another woman in the backseat managed to flee. Police recovered four bottles of alcohol from the vehicle.
The deceased has been identified as Aminur Rahman, 63, a vegetable vendor. He sustained critical injuries and succumbed at a nearby hospital. Another injured person, 68-year-old Joydeb Majumdar, is said to be in a critical condition. Seven others were given first-aid and discharged the same day.
Several carts and two-wheelers were also damaged in the crash. Police have launched an investigation and are on the lookout for the absconding woman.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
