NH-66 project: Kerala minister Mohamed Riyas sparks row with ‘Kaalan' remark
Kozhikode: PWD Minister Mohamed Riyas said that even if public accounts committee (PAC) chairman KC Venugopal tries to act as the 'Kaalan' (lord of death) of NH-66 project, road development in Kerala will continue.
His comments sparked strong criticism from Congress leaders and Youth Congress workers marched to his house in protest.
Addressing the media, Riyas took a dig at Venugopal, saying one shouldn't treat the PAC chairman like a Supreme Court judge. "Even if Venugopal plays the role of 'Kaalan' in this project, the state govt will move forward and take all necessary steps to implement it," he said.
Riyas added that the NH project was stalled when Venugopal's party was in power from 2011 to 2016.
"They couldn't implement it then and now they're trying to block it. But they won't succeed," he added.
In Kochi, opposition leader VD Satheesan said PAC has the authority to investigate flaws in NH construction works and accused CPM leaders of opposing the probe because they fear Centre and BJP.
"There's massive corruption in the NH development works in Kerala, involving crores. Why is the state govt afraid of a PAC investigation? The same CPM that protested 'corruption' in the Palarivattom bridge project is now silent.
That's hypocrisy. CM Pinarayi Vijayan and minister Riyas met Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who acts as a bridge between CPM and BJP in Kerala. We want a CBI probe," he said, adding that National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had admitted it will take a year to repair the damaged Kooriyad stretch.
KPCC chief Sunny Joseph, who visited the damaged NH site in Kooriyad on Thursday, said Riyas was trying to justify the collapse and blame those who acted effectively.
"Riyas made big claims about monitoring and reviewing the highway work. Now, is he trying to protect the culprits?" he asked, echoing Satheesan's views.
He said the opposition in Kerala and at the national level is raising its voice to expose the issue. Venugopal, as PAC chairman, visited the NH sites and summoned top officials, including the NHAI chairman and transport secretary, for explanations. But the CM and PWD minister didn't even visit the sites, he said, adding that the govt is trying to cover up the problem and distract from its earlier claims about NH work.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
9 hours ago
- India Today
Will Yogi govt's Agniveer quota in police jobs boost BJP's nationalistic appeal?
Uttar Pradesh is now the first state to offer 20 per cent horizontal reservation to former Agniveers in police recruitment, a move the BJP government says fulfils its promise to reintegrate trained military youth into mainstream Yogi Adityanath cabinet earlier this week cleared the proposal, extending the reservation to posts such as police constable, PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) personnel, mounted constable and fireman. The government says this aims to provide career opportunities to former Agniveers while bolstering the state's security forces with well-trained and motivated finance minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stated that the primary objective was to ensure meaningful post-service employment for Agniveers who complete their four-year tenure under the military's Agnipath scheme. He said the reservation will be applicable across all categories (General, SC, ST and OBC) within their respective groups. For example, an Agniveer from SC category will get the benefit within the same category, and so also announced that former Agniveers applying for these posts will be eligible for a three-year age relaxation. The first batch of recruitments is expected to be initiated in 2026, coinciding with the return of the first batch of Agniveers. The Agnipath scheme, introduced by the central government in 2022, allows youth to serve in the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy as Agniveers for a period of four years. The scheme includes six months of training; upon completion, 25 per cent of Agniveers are inducted into regular service based on performance while the remaining 75 per cent are encouraged to pursue other career a welfare measure, the decision also appears to be a calculated step to reinforce political credibility, manage public sentiment and respond to national security narratives, particularly in the context of recent tensions with Pakistan. It could also be seen as the government fulfilling its promise, as chief minister Yogi Adityanath had assured priority for Agniveers in the state police and PAC at the launch of the Agnipath scheme in 2022. This decision fulfils that timing of the announcement, amidst rising border tensions and a surge in nationalist sentiment, is equally crucial. The Agnipath scheme, despite Opposition protests over its short-term nature and lack of guaranteed post-service opportunities, was positioned by the Centre as a patriotic initiative to rejuvenate the armed integrating trained Agniveers into the police, the UP government signals alignment with this nationalistic vision, a stance that resonates deeply with the BJP's core voter base. The move also helps tackle the longstanding challenge of unemployment among the youth. UP's 20 percent reservation, higher than other states like Haryana and Odisha (10 per cent), positions it as a leader in supporting the decision allows the BJP to seize control of the narrative around youth welfare and national service. Opposition parties, especially the Samajwadi Party (SP) and Congress, have consistently targeted the BJP on issues like job creation and the Agneepath scheme's perceived flaws. By rolling out one of the most extensive reservation benefits for Agniveers in the country, the UP government seeks to not only neutralise that criticism but set a benchmark, and that too just in time for the assembly elections in to India Today Magazine
India Gazette
11 hours ago
- India Gazette
People offer prayers at several places in Uttar Pradesh, celebrate Eid al-Adha
Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 7 (ANI): People offered namaz in several cities in Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Eid al-Adha on Saturday. The festival is celebrated peacefully in Ayodhya on Saturday, with people offering namaz. Ayodhya IG Range Praveen Kumar said, 'Namaz is peacefully being offered in all districts of the range... Police and administration are fully alert. We are ensuring necessary action and working in coordination with everyone...' Ayodhya DM Nikhil Tikaram Funde noted that the festival is being celebrated peacefully while appealing not to try to take the law into their hands. 'Namaz is being offered across the district, mainly in Eidgahs and mosques... There is information of any incident anywhere. The festival is being celebrated peacefully... I appeal to everyone to celebrate the festival like a festival and do not try to take the law into your hands,' the Ayodhya DM said. On Eid Al-Adha, Sambhal, SDM Vandana Mishra said, 'For Eid prayers, the entire Tehsil was divided into sectors and zones... Magistrates and the police force were deployed throughout the area. Additionally, our field staff are also engaged at the local level. Sanitation was assured, and the guidelines prohibiting animal sacrifices were discussed in the Peace Committee meeting, in which all the members agreed. The festival is being conducted in line with these measures... People can contact the control room if they experience any inconvenience or have any relevant information. If any such issue arises, legal action will be taken accordingly...' Meanwhile, Children hug each other as they celebrate after offering Eid al-Adha namaz in front of the Taj Mahal. People in Lucknow also celebrated the festival with all security arrangements. On security arrangements for Eid al-Adha in the city, DCP West Lucknow, Vishwajeet Srivastava, said, '... Adequate force has been deployed. We have been provided with five companies of PAC, and an additional 2 SP and 5 DSP-level officers have been sent from the Police Headquarters. Additional forces have been sent from the Commissionerate as well... The arrangements will be in place for three days, till the time sacrifice rituals continue... Adequate arrangements have been made so that people do not have to offer namaz on the streets, and they make it to the mosques...' Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The day is marked by prayers, charitable acts, and the ritual sacrifice of animals, with a message of sharing and empathy at its core. The festival was celebrated peacefully nationwide. On this occasion, people offer prayers at the 'Makkah masjid' in Hyderabad. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
16 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Lucknow police gears up for peaceful Bakrid celebrations
As the city gears up to celebrate Bakrid on Saturday, Lucknow Police have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure peaceful observance of the festival, with a clear focus on preventing the sacrifice of banned animals and maintaining communal harmony. Joint commissioner of police (law & order) Babloo Kumar said that strict measures are in place to stop the sacrifice of restricted animals. 'Nagar Nigam teams have been deployed across the city, especially in sensitive areas, to ensure no banned animals are sacrificed. Volunteers from the local community have also been engaged to assist and facilitate the celebrations,' he stated. To strengthen coordination and community outreach, Peace Committees have been constituted at every police station in Lucknow. 'Meetings have been held at the level of DCPs involving Peace Committee members. Their concerns have been addressed, and the police department is working in coordination with local leaders to maintain calm and cooperation,' Kumar added. Highlighting the scale of security arrangements, the JCP said that 14 companies of Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), one unit of Rapid Action Force (RAF), and large contingents of civil police have been deployed throughout the city. Sensitive areas like Aishbagh Eidgah, Teelewali Masjid, and Bada Imambada are under tight security cover, with barricading, RRF presence, and heavy patrolling. The western sector will have round-the-clock PAC deployment, and real-time surveillance will be carried out through CCTV cameras and drone monitoring. Police Response Vehicles (PRVs) are being actively routed for continuous patrolling. 'All officers are on high alert, and our goal is to ensure that the three-day Bakrid celebrations pass peacefully and with full religious dignity,' the JCP assured.
