Kolkata: The West Bengal government has proposed to change the name of State to “Bengal” in English and “Banga” or “Bangla” in Bengali. The state cabinet cleared the proposal – the first in a series of administrative and legislative steps that need to be taken before the name change can kick in – after an attempt in 2011 to rename the state “Paschimbanga” in both English and Bengali lost steam.
State education minister Partha Chatterjee said “The state cabinet today decided to send a proposal to Delhi to change the name of the state.
The cabinet has proposed that the name of the state should be Banga or Bangla in Bengali and Bengal in English. An all-party meeting will be held soon.”
Sources said a special session of the Assembly was expected to be convened in August to discuss the issue and send a resolution to the Centre. The Centre will prepare a bill, which will be sent back to the Assembly for its inputs. When the Assembly sends it back, the bill will be tabled in Parliament. Passed, it will be sent for presidential assent.