Sources in the state Health Department said that in Kolkata, SSKM Hospital, Calcutta Medical College and RG Kar and National Medical College have been supplied with the first batch of vaccines.

Addressing his first news conference as a BJP leader, Chatterjee said, "A lot of people say that they cannot get in touch with me over the phone. Later, I noticed that my phone was under surveillance. I was forced to change my phone number."

Some local residents alleged that there was a delay in fire tenders reaching the spot. They blocked the road and also allegedly attacked some police vehicles, sources said.

Paying tributes to Vivekananda, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “His message of peace and universal brotherhood is of utmost relevance today and inspires all of us to strive hard in safeguarding these ideals in our beloved nation." TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee also visited the ancestral house of Swamiji.

Sources said the first dose in the state would be administered at the SSKM Hospital here on January 16, followed by the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute. Ten thousand SSKM hospital staff, including doctors, nurses and Group-D employees, would be vaccinated in phases.

The development has come two weeks after 15 TMC councillors of Contai Municipality, led by former administrator of the civic board and younger brother of Suvendu Adhikari left the party to join the saffron camp ahead of the West Bengal elections.

"He must first give answers to what was his connection with the chit fund company I-core. He is clearly seen in this photograph attending a function with owners of this chit fund company. He had endorsed the firm," said TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh.

“West Bengal, which is the birthplace of Swami Vivekananda, has no place for hate politics imported from Gujarat. The people of Bengal and the land of Vivekananda, which is his birthplace, will reject the hate politics practised by the saffron party," said TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee.

Sources in the police said the scuffle occurred when the demonstrators, who gathered at the protest site under the banner of Teachers Unity Muktamancha to demand an increase in their salaries, attempted to march towards state secretariat Nabanna in Howrah around 1.30 pm.

At the public meeting, Former Kolkata mayor and state minister Sovan Chatterjee targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of forcing him to lie when he was in the ruling party.

State minister Bratya Basu claimed that the BJP talking about Vivekananda was ironic since it “does not believe in his teachings”. The Opposition party’s vision does not match Vivekananda’s ideals, he added.

On Saturday, Nadda collected rice from the houses of five farmers - Nitai Mandal, Panchkari Mandal, Sanat Mandal, Uttam Mandal and Mathura Mandal. They are residents of Musthuli village in East Burdwan district.

The chief minister claimed that India was staring at a food crisis because of the BJP’s “adamant” approach towards three new farm laws that thousands of farmers camped on the Delhi border are protesting. Banerjee demanded the immediate repeal of the laws.

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also requested the Centre to include transport workers in the category of frontline workers. The CM announced on Sunday that the state government was taking steps to arrange the vaccine for free for the entire population of the state.

Titled “Soumitra Chatterjee — The Journey of a Legend”, the exhibition opened for the public on January 10 and will continue till January 15.

Health Minister and senior TMC leader Chandrima Bhattacharya said the BJP was “insensitive” to farmers pointing out to the agitations near Delhi and highlighted the welfare initiatives undertaken by Chief Minister Mamata Banejee in the agricultural sector.

State education and parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee on Friday said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would also be discussed at the special session.

Led by Adhir Chowdhury, a rally was taken out by Congress workers and supporters from state Congress headquarters to Esplanade to demand return of money to the duped beneficiaries of multiple chit fund scams.

“Sad to learn about the demise of Prof Chitra Ghosh, a respected scholar and niece of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. She dedicated her life to academics and contributed in the fields of social work and human rights, especially women empowerment,” tweeted President Ram Nath Kovind.

Sources said investigators would use their comments to corroborate the statement of Mridha’s ex-girlfriend Priyanka Chowdhury.

Addressing party workers in East Midnapore's Nandigram, BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said each farmer of the state would get Rs 18,000 in arrears if the BJP is voted to power in the state after the upcoming Assembly polls.

“The Visva-Bharati executive council.... decided that disciplinary proceedings is to be initiated following applicable rules against Prof Sudipta Bhattacharya and also decided to place him under suspension with immediate effect...,” read the notice.

According to sources, the first batch of the “Covishield” Covid vaccine is likely to land in Kolkata from the Serum Institute of India in Pune by Saturday. Special vehicles equipped to store the vaccine at the required temperature will be used to transport it to cold storage facilities.

The local police said the ticket counter at the Mela ground was overcrowded as popular Nepali rapper Ashish Rana alias Lahure was scheduled to perform at the show. The ground can accommodate 20,000 people.