KTR to depose before ACB today
Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao will on Monday appear before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which is probing the irregularities surrounding the Formula E Race that was hosted in Hyderabad when Rao was a minister. The agency issued summons to Rao asking him to appear for a fresh round of questioning at 10 am on Monday. The investigating agency had earlier summoned him for inquiry on May 28. However, Rao was on a foreign tour around that time.
The BRS leader had earlier attended the ACB and Enforcement Directorate (ED) inquiry on the Formula E Race case. KTR was grilled for seven hours on January 8.
The ACB is probing irregularities to the tune of Rs 55 crore. Apart from the BRS leader, IAS officer Arvind Kumar and former HMDA engineer BLN Reddy are the other accused in the scam.
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The Print
25 minutes ago
- The Print
Delayed again, why the ambitious Gorakhpur nuclear plant project in Haryana is yet to gather speed
Khattar told mediapersons Saturday that the 2,800-MW plant, comprising four 700-MW units, will be rolled out in two phases: 1,400 MW by 2031, and the remaining 1,400 MW by 2032. He attributed the delays to the sandy terrain and technical complexities, adding that nuclear power plants typically require 13 years to complete. This revised timeline marks a significant delay from the original target of 2020-21 and the more recent projection of 2028, highlighting the challenges plaguing this ambitious project. Gurugram: The completion of northern India and Haryana's first nuclear power plant, the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP), has been pushed back again, with Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announcing that the first two of its four 700 megawatt units will now commence operations only in 2031. The announcement came during a visit by Khattar and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to GHAVP, a flagship project of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, in Fatehabad district's Gorakhpur Saturday. 'Today in Fatehabad, Haryana, along with Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri @NayabSainiBJP, I reviewed the progress of North India's first nuclear power plant — the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP),' Khattar posted on X following a meeting with senior NPCIL officials and a tour of the site. 'This ambitious project will not only meet the long-term energy needs of Haryana and North India, but will also strengthen India's commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions,' he added, underscoring its alignment with India's net-zero emissions target by 2070. The project cost, initially estimated at Rs 23,502 crore in 2014, has now escalated to Rs 42,000 crore. Haryana will receive 50 percent of the generated electricity, with the central government taking the rest. Rs 80 crore is being allocated for development works in nearby villages. Also Read: Haryana govt cracks whip: 80 irrigation officials in soup over quality of concrete used in projects A project mired in challenges GHAVP, envisioned as a cornerstone of India's nuclear energy ambitions, has faced a litany of hurdles since its inception. As of May 2023, ground improvement work was 74 percent complete, with critical components, like end shields and steam generators already on site, according to a state government review that projected operations by June 2028. The latest delay pushes the timeline further, raising questions about the project's execution amidst India's pressing energy needs. Jivendra Kumar Jain, project director, and H.K. Nigotia, Chief Engineer (Civil) of the project, did not respond to ThePrint's phone calls. Parveen Jora, Fatehabad district BJP president, who accompanied Khattar and Saini on the inspection of the project site, told ThePrint Saturday that Khattar discussed in minute details the progress of the project and the challenges they were facing. 'The officers told Khattar that the civil work up to the plinth level is a major task, as it has to be given enough strength. However, the local soil, being sandy, posed challenges before the engineers. The officers also told Khattar that the civil work up to the plinth level is complete now, and the progress of the work will gather speed now,' said Jora. The concept of establishing a nuclear power plant in Gorakhpur village took shape in 1984, when the region fell under the Hisar district. Fatehabad emerged as a distinct district in July 1997, and Gorakhpur was deemed suitable for the project due to its low seismic activity and the feasibility of securing land through compensation. The central government gave its preliminary nod for the 2,800-MW nuclear facility in October 2009, prompting Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) to set up a project office in Hisar by April 2010. Acquiring land proved challenging. The government secured 1,313 acres from Gorakhpur and neighbouring Kajalheri villages, but faced strong resistance from local farmers. The 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan amplified these protests, drawing support from environmental activists and notable figures, like former Army Chief and Union Minister General (Retd) V. K. Singh—now the Governor of Mizoram—who raised concerns about safety and displacement. The agitation persisted until late 2012, when a compensation package of Rs 46 lakh per acre was offered, resolving the farmers' grievances. NPCIL purchased 186 acres in Badopal village in 2011 for a residential complex to house its staff and Central Industrial Security Force personnel. Local opposition, citing threats to the blackbuck habitat, forced NPCIL to scrap this plan in June 2018. Despite these obstacles, the project moved forward, with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laying the foundation stone on 13 January, 2014. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: In Haryana, cops, lawyers & khaps unite to steer youth away from drugs, gangs & 'donkey routes'
Indian Express
33 minutes ago
- Indian Express
C Raja Mohan writes: At G7 summit in Canada, PM Modi will assess a divided West
As one reflects on the ongoing G7 summit in Canada, it's easy to be distracted by the anti-India protests orchestrated by Khalistani groups or to be perturbed by US President Donald Trump's recurring assertions about mediating peace between India and Pakistan. But the summit has much bigger fish to fry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's participation comes at a time of profound geopolitical flux and mounting divisions within the G7 itself. Once a symbol of strategic unity among the world's leading democracies, the G7 now reflects deep internal contradictions — across trade, technology, climate, and regional security in Europe, Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. Though India's not a member, its regular presence at the summit affords Delhi a critical platform to advance national interests, elevate its diplomatic profile, and contribute to shaping a new multipolar order. For Modi, this is an opportunity to assess first-hand the new dynamics within the West and make the best of them to promote India's security and prosperity. Indian political and policy elites have long viewed the West as a monolith. But a longer historical perspective reveals that contestation among Western powers was a central theme, especially in the centuries preceding India's independence. As European powers built capitalist economies at home, they fiercely competed abroad for colonies, resources and markets. These inter-imperialist rivalries were key drivers of global politics. The emergence of the Soviet Union during the First World War complicated equations. Both sides of the Western divide sought Soviet support. Only in the aftermath of the war did the East-West dichotomy become the primary lens through which global politics was viewed. Despite Cold War unity against communism, intra-Western differences persisted — though largely tactical in nature. The collapse of the Soviet Union did not immediately disrupt Western coherence. A sense of triumphalism, anchored in the apparent victory of capitalism and liberal democracy, held the alliance together. But fault lines soon emerged. In the mid-1990s, France was already warning against the dangers of America's unrestrained 'hyperpower', a concern that resonated even among US Allies. Before Beijing, Moscow or even Delhi began advocating a multipolar world, it was Paris that championed the concept. France also reached out to India to help shape that order. While Delhi engaged with Russia and China in promoting multipolarity, it also drew closer to the West to build economic and technological capacity. This duality defined India's multi-alignment strategy. It is worth recalling that France and Germany openly opposed the US at the UN Security Council over the planned invasion of Iraq in 2003. Today, divisions over the Middle East run deeper. Europe is increasingly critical of Israeli policies, while the US remains staunchly supportive. The 2018 G7 summit in Canada, held during Trump's first term, was marked by tension after he imposed steel and aluminium tariffs on European allies. A now-iconic image captured Chancellor Angela Merkel and other leaders confronting a defiant Trump. He left early, later accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of dishonesty regarding summit discussions. While the Biden administration sought to restore Western unity, Trump's return to power signals a renewed shift toward American unilateralism. His focus is on promoting American interests, often at the expense of presumed collective Western goals. His MAGA coalition targets not only European economic policies but also their social norms. Trump's anti-woke campaign has morphed into a broader critique of European liberalism, and his support for far-right parties across Europe marks a new level of political intervention. The Trump administration has imposed sweeping tariffs, including a 10 per cent duty on nearly all G7 partners, with threats of further escalation — especially targeting Canada. These moves have provoked alarm among European leaders and the Canadian government, who see them as a direct challenge to the rules-based international trading system long championed by the G7. US-Canada ties have been especially strained. Trump's inflammatory comments—questioning Canadian sovereignty and making casual references to annexation—have deepened tensions. Prime Minister Mark Carney, presiding over his first summit, is working to rally fellow G7 leaders to counterbalance Washington's assertiveness, particularly on trade and defence. Russia's war in Ukraine is another major source of discord. While the G7 continues to back Ukraine and impose sanctions on Moscow, uncertainty over the depth of US commitment is growing. European leaders are anxious about Trump's unpredictability and the potential erosion of transatlantic solidarity. This anxiety is magnified by recent developments in the Middle East — especially following Israel's strike on Iran. The regional crisis has heightened summit urgency but also exposed divergent positions on oil, security, and diplomacy. Defence spending has become a new flashpoint. Trump's demand that G7 partners raise military budgets to 5 per cent of GDP — well above NATO's 2 per cent guideline — has met resistance. Most members cite domestic constraints and question the need for such an aggressive ramp-up. Disputes also linger over climate change and digital policy. Trump's scepticism about ambitious climate targets and global digital regulation frameworks has hampered consensus, despite European pressure for forward movement. Acknowledging these divisions, Carney has abandoned the tradition of a joint communiqué, opting instead for a summary note that reflects the absence of consensus. The 2025 summit thus serves as a powerful reminder of the difficulties facing multilateralism in an era of renewed nationalism. Against this backdrop, the Khalistani protests and Trump's occasional remarks about Kashmir pale into insignificance. Carney's invitation to Modi underscores India's growing importance as a partner for the G7. Modi would do well to ignore the distractions, work toward repairing ties with Canada, and re-engage with Trump. More importantly, he must assess the internal contradictions of the West, minimise their fallout for Indian interests, deepen bilateral partnerships with G7 members, and position India as a key stakeholder in shaping the global architecture that will inevitably emerge from the current turbulence. The writer is distinguished fellow at the Council on Strategic and Defence Research, New Delhi, and contributing editor on international affairs for The Indian Express
Hans India
35 minutes ago
- Hans India
Kerala Court Mandates Rs 6 Crore Security Deposit Before Releasing Vessel Linked To Sunken Ship
The Kerala High Court has issued a directive preventing port authorities from releasing a vessel associated with the sunken Liberian ship MSC Elsa 3 until a substantial financial guarantee of Rs 6 crore is provided. This judicial order emerged from legal proceedings initiated by six cashew importing companies who assert that their commercial shipments were aboard the ill-fated vessel when it went down off Kerala's coastline in late May. The court's decision establishes that the sister vessel can only be released upon presentation of verified proof that the required deposit has been secured. Legal proceedings in this matter are scheduled to resume at 1:45 PM today, when the shipping company is expected to demonstrate compliance with the deposit requirement, according to Advocate Joy Thattil, who represents the affected importers. The original incident involved MSC Elsa 3, a container vessel operating under Liberian flag registration, which sank in waters near Alappuzha district on May 25. The vessel was reportedly transporting dangerous and flammable materials at the time of the maritime disaster, raising significant environmental and safety concerns for the region. Kerala police authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against the ship's ownership, captain, and crew members, filing charges related to reckless navigation practices. The First Information Report, registered at Fort Kochi Coastal police station on June 11, includes multiple violations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, specifically addressing negligent navigation, improper handling of hazardous substances, and creating obstructions in public shipping lanes. The legal complaint, filed by Alappuzha district resident C Shamji, alleges that the vessel's operators demonstrated negligence in managing the ship, directly contributing to its sinking and subsequent environmental damage. The charges specifically highlight improper management of dangerous materials and the resulting impact on marine ecosystems and local fishing communities, with financial damages estimated in the hundreds of thousands of rupees. According to Ministry of Defence records, MSC Elsa 3 was carrying a substantial cargo load of 640 containers when it sank. Among these containers, 13 contained hazardous materials while 12 specifically held calcium carbide, a chemical compound known for its reactive properties. Additionally, the vessel was loaded with significant quantities of fuel, including 84.44 metric tonnes of diesel and 367.1 metric tonnes of furnace oil, amplifying environmental contamination concerns. The severity of the situation prompted the Kerala government to officially classify the MSC Elsa 3 wreckage as a state-specific disaster on May 29, acknowledging its far-reaching environmental, social, and economic implications. The vessel had capsized and sunk in Arabian Sea waters approximately 14.6 nautical miles from the Kerala shoreline. Since the maritime accident occurred, numerous containers from the sunken vessel have been discovered washing ashore at various coastal locations throughout Alappuzha, Kollam, and Ernakulam districts. This ongoing recovery of debris has created additional logistical and environmental challenges for local authorities. Government officials have expressed particular concern about the environmental ramifications of the incident, citing substantial risks including potential oil spills from the vessel's fuel reserves and the widespread distribution of hazardous cargo debris throughout the marine environment. These concerns have influenced the government's decision to treat the incident as a significant disaster requiring coordinated state-level response efforts.
