logo
MK Stalin renews call to retrieve Katchatheevu island, slams Centre's inaction

MK Stalin renews call to retrieve Katchatheevu island, slams Centre's inaction

India Todaya day ago
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday reiterated that the Tamil Nadu government is actively pursuing the retrieval of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka. He said he has repeatedly urged the Prime Minister to address the issue in the interest of Tamil Nadu's fishermen.Speaking at a public event in Mayiladuthurai, Stalin said: 'Our government is taking all necessary steps towards retrieval of Katchatheevu. Whenever I meet the Prime Minister, I reiterate the need to retrieve Katchatheevu to bring about a permanent solution to the fishermen issue. We have in fact passed a resolution in the Assembly for the same.' He added that the State continues to urge the Union government to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen who remain in Sri Lankan prisons along with their boats.advertisementTaking aim at the BJP-led Centre, Stalin said: 'The Union BJP government, which does not bother about Tamil Nadu and our fishermen, is only politicising the Katchatheevu matter.' He noted that treaties with foreign countries fall under the purview of the Union government and questioned the BJP's inaction over the past decade.
'What has the BJP government at the Centre done in the last ten years to retrieve Katchatheevu? Have they at least stopped the arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities? No,' the Chief Minister said.Stalin also referred to recent remarks made by the Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister, who claimed that Tamil Nadu fishermen were trespassing into Sri Lankan waters and asserted Sri Lanka's ownership over Katchatheevu. 'Our External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has not so far given rebuttal to this,' Stalin added.He appealed to the Prime Minister to directly intervene and bring about a resolution. 'Our state government and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will continue its fight for this,' he said.- Ends
IN THIS STORY#Tamil Nadu
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

BJP, NCP (SP) workers clash a day after altercation between Gopichand Padalkar, Jitendra Awhad
BJP, NCP (SP) workers clash a day after altercation between Gopichand Padalkar, Jitendra Awhad

Indian Express

time14 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

BJP, NCP (SP) workers clash a day after altercation between Gopichand Padalkar, Jitendra Awhad

A day after an altercation broke out between BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Jitendra Awhad outside the Legislature campus, workers of both the parties engaged in a physical duel at the staircase of the legislative building. On Thursday evening, a physical altercation broke out as workers from both the parties came face-to-face at the staircase of the legislative building. The incident has its roots in the altercation between Padalkar and Awhad on Wednesday evening at the parking area of the legislative building, where both allegedly abused each other. Maharashtra assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has sought a detailed report on the incident, after Awhad informed the Assembly about the threats he had received and claimed that the workers had come to target him. 'They were here to target me. But since I had gone out after my speech in the assembly, they found my workers and beat them,' he said. Narverkar directed that he will ensure safety of every MLA and a detailed report should be submitted to him. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident. 'The Speaker and the Chairman should take a serious note of it. I have requested them to take a strict action. This does not reflect the culture of the legislature,' he said. Former Chief Minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded strict action against the goons. 'Those are not political workers, but goons. Is this what we have reduced to?' asked Thackeray. Speaking to reporters after meeting Fadnavis, Awhad said, 'What's the use of becoming an MLA if they are not safe within the campus of the Legislature? If an accused under MCOCA can come to the legislative building, then it is important that authorities take serious note of it.' Padalkar was called by state revenue minister and BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule after the NCP-SP delegation of Awhad and senior MLA Jayant Patil held a meeting with CM Fadnavis. 'The incident is unfortunate. I apologise to the Speaker and Chairman. I will speak to the media only after I have discussed the matter with the party leadership,' said Padalkar.

Row over Delhi CM's phone allowance cap: Kejriwal, Sisodia bought high-end devices during AAP's rule, says minister
Row over Delhi CM's phone allowance cap: Kejriwal, Sisodia bought high-end devices during AAP's rule, says minister

Indian Express

time14 minutes ago

  • Indian Express

Row over Delhi CM's phone allowance cap: Kejriwal, Sisodia bought high-end devices during AAP's rule, says minister

The political row over the revised phone reimbursement cap for the Delhi Chief Minister and Cabinet escalated, with the BJP accusing former AAP ministers of purchasing expensive phones, exceeding the allotted amount, during their tenure. This came after AAP Delhi convenor and former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had attacked the BJP government, saying that it is ignoring the promises made to women during the Assembly elections and giving importance to purchasing expensive gadgets. On July 9, the General Administration Department in Delhi revised the ceiling for purchase of mobile handsets — for the chief minister, the upper limit is Rs 1.50 lakh, while it is Rs 1.25 lakh for the ministers — after 12 years. On Thursday, senior BJP leader and Power Minister Ashish Sood shared phone bills and receipts of mobile phones purchased by former CM Arvind Kejriwal, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, and other ministers — amounting to lakhs and exceeding the allocated reimbursement limits. Waving some documents, Sood said that as per the 2013 order, the cap for purchasing a phone set for the CM was Rs 50,000 while it was Rs 45,000 for the ministers. He alleged that the then chief ministers Kejriwal, Atishi and ministers Sisodia, Bharadwaj and others violated the rules and purchased high-end mobile phones beyond the permitted limit. He also accused the previous AAP regime of pushing government officials to cover the cost of the mobile phones. Addressing a press conference, Sood said, 'A few days ago, the AAP made a comment questioning the current government over the revision of phone reimbursement cap and asked vikas kiska ho raha?… We are replying to this because it is a question about an institution… These days, mobile phones are not a luxury… All of us work (on our) phones… The CM and ministers receive a lot of complaints through WhatsApp and e-mail…' Taking a dig at the AAP, he claimed, 'I feel that even Atishi and Bharadwaj are tired of their leaders Kejriwal and Sisodia, that is why they are highlighting these issues — so that we can expose their reality before the public.' According to an official document, between 2015 and 2022, Kejriwal bought the iPhone 6s Plus and 7 Plus, and iPhone 12 and 13 Pro Max worth a total of Rs 4,53,800. Sisodia purchased phones worth Rs 5.23 lakh between 2017 and 2022. 'All these exceeded the Rs 50,000 and Rs 45,000 limits… Kejriwal's office even sought post-facto approval for the excessive expenditure, stating in internal notes that the amount spent is on the higher side…,' alleged Sood. He also accused Atishi of buying phones worth lakhs. The minister alleged that Atishi split the bill into two payments — one for Rs 45,000 and the second for Rs 89,000 — to 'avoid scrutiny'. 'Bharadwaj bought an iPhone for Rs 61,000 in 2023 but was reimbursed only Rs 45,000. He assumed his bill would also be passed like those of senior leaders — but that didn't happen,' Sood alleged. On Tuesday, Bharadwaj had alleged, 'The BJP had promised Rs 2,500 per month to lakhs of women starting March 8. Yet not a single rupee has been disbursed. When it comes to buying Rs 1.5 lakh-worth phones and sanctioning unlimited bills for themselves, the BJP acts without delay. But when it comes to women, they hide behind committees.' The phone reimbursement cap has been revised after 12 years, officials had said, adding that the last revision took place in 2013. Earlier, the ceiling was set at around Rs 50,000. 'Though the previous cap was set at Rs 50,000, the CM and ministers in the previous AAP regime have bought expensive iPhones which went above the allocated allowance, touching more than Rs 1 lakh. Viewing the current market price and value of phone sets, the department decided to revise the amount,' a senior officer had said on Tuesday.

War of words in Maha Assembly between Aditya Thackeray, Shinde camp ministers
War of words in Maha Assembly between Aditya Thackeray, Shinde camp ministers

Hans India

time16 minutes ago

  • Hans India

War of words in Maha Assembly between Aditya Thackeray, Shinde camp ministers

Mumbai: A verbal duel took place in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday between Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena camp ministers and SS-UBT legislator Aditya Thackeray. Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar expressed his displeasure over the gesture and language used by Shiv Sena-UBT legislators Aditya Thackeray and Bhaskar Jadhav in the House. 'If an irregularity has happened in the past, it should happen again. I told Bhaskar Jadhav in clear words that the right to 'right to reply' belongs to the member who initiated the discussion. No matter how many accusations you make against me, I will not allow irregularity to happen in this House," said Assembly Speaker Narwekar expressing strong displeasure. After Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde replied to the opposition's motion for discussion under Rule 293, SS-UBT legislator Bhaskar Jadhav sought permission from the Speaker to ask some questions again (right to reply). However, the Speaker refused permission, saying that Thackeray had initiated the discussion, and that he was no longer in the House, so he would not give this opportunity to anyone else. After being denied permission, Jadhav became aggressive and started making gestures towards the Speaker and speaking loudly. Jadhav's action made Shinde camp ministers and MLAs jump into the Well. Amid all the chaos, Aaditya Thackeray entered the House gesturing towards Shinde Sena ministers that led to pandemonium in the house. Shinde Sena ministers were also engaged in making gestures towards Thackeray and speaking loudly, while Uddhav Sena MLAs also became aggressive. In this chaos, the proceedings of the Assembly were adjourned for 10 minutes. After the proceedings resumed, Minister Shambhuraj Desai demanded Jadhav's suspension. Jadhav made derogatory statements about the Speaker. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that everyone should respect the dignity of the House, questioning whether Bhaskar Jadhav's move to make gestures and his style of speaking was appropriate.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store