Latest news with #AmitPatkar
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Congress issues ultimatum over safety audit after cruise vessel fire
Panaji: Congress gave a 15-day ultimatum to the Captain of Ports (CoP) to conduct a safety audit of all the vessels licenced to operate in the state's waters. Citing the early morning fire aboard a drifting cruise boat, state Congress president Amit Patkar claimed that the CoP department is inviting a man-made disaster by shirking safety norms. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Patkar said that firefighting equipment remains absent on vessels that are currently operating in Goa's waterways, including on the river navigation department's ferries. 'We are giving the CoP and the shipping ministry 15 days to conduct a safety audit and structural audit for all the vessels that have got licences and put it in the public domain. Vessels that are not under IRS classification are actually supposed to be scrapped,' said Patkar. He said that if the audit report is not released within 15 days, Congress would hold a protest outside the department office and 'force out the information'. Congress has criticised the department's handling of the fire aboard the cruise vessel as well as an earlier fire onboard a ferry boat. 'The CoP tug should have a 30m range for the firefighting mechanism. But that tug could not fight a fire even on its own deck. This fire was a serious incident. Tomorrow, if another boat catches fire, how will they fight it in the middle of the river? Will they rely on firefighters on land to put out the fire?' said Patkar. He said that the vessels that do not meet the Indian registrar of shipping classification or any other international classification should be seized and scrapped.
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Goa is not lab for BJP's experiments, says Cong on Centre's suggestion about nuclear plant
Opposition parties have objected to the Centre's suggestion to set up a nuclear power plant in Goa, with Congress saying the coastal State is not "a laboratory for BJP's dangerous experiments". Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday (May 12, 2025) said that the Central Government has suggested that the States examine the feasibility of setting up nuclear power plants in their respective areas and send proposals. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Khattar said he had discussed the possibility of setting up a nuclear power plant in a review meeting of the Urban Development and Power sector in Goa. Goa is not a laboratory for @BJP4India 's dangerous experiments. I strongly condemn Shri @mlkhattar's absurd proposal of setting up a nuclear power plant in our peaceful, eco-sensitive state of Goa. The @BJP4Goa has already destroyed Goa's hills, forests, Agriculture & rivers —… — Amit Patkar (@amitspatkar) May 12, 2025 In a post on X, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Amit Patkar said, "Goa is not a laboratory for @BJP4India's dangerous experiments. I strongly condemn Shri @mlkhattar's absurd proposal of setting up a nuclear power plant in our peaceful, eco-sensitive state of Goa." He alleged that the BJP government had already destroyed Goa's hills, forests, agriculture and rivers, and it now wants to put people's lives at risk with a nuclear hazard. "We will resist this anti-Goa agenda with full force. Our land, livelihoods & environment are non-negotiable," Mr. Patkar wrote. The Aam Aadmi Party's state unit president, Amit Palekar, questioned the need for a nuclear plant in Goa when Kaiga in Karwar (Karnataka) has a facility. The Centre and State government are out to destroy Goa, he said. "@AAPGoa will fight tooth and nail if any such misadventure is attempted. Lakhs of square meters of Goan lands have been given to private universities etc., all with the interest of BJP functionaries, and now whatever is left of Goa is sought to be destroyed with such projects. Who has interest in this?" he wrote.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Opposition slams govt after Shirgao stampede
Margao: Opposition leaders across party lines launched a scathing attack on state govt on Saturday, holding it responsible for the stampede at the Shree Lairai Devi Jatra in Shirgao that claimed six lives and left several injured. The incident sparked intense criticism of the administration's alleged failure in managing the religious gathering. The opposition has also demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the stampede. State Congress president Amit Patkar, who visited the site, termed the tragedy 'entirely preventable'. After meeting temple committee members and govt officials, Patkar said, 'Lack of crowd control, power failures and zero public safety measures point to a complete collapse of administration. BJP govt cannot escape responsibility.' AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge accused state govt of evading responsibility. 'Govt's failure to provide basic facilities and maintain law and order led to this catastrophe,' he said. Leader of the opposition Yuri Alemao expressed deep sorrow over the incident while extending support to the bereaved families. GFP president Vijai Sardesai questioned the effectiveness of the security arrangements, pointing to the govt's earlier claims of deploying 1,000 police personnel and drone surveillance. 'Now that this incident occurred, where were those 1,000 police personnel?' Sardesai said. He said a compensation of Rs 1 crore should be given to each victim's family. Sardesai blamed the incident on 'complete administrative collapse' at the jatra, terming it 'a failure of law and order and health and emergency response'. AAP's Arvind Kejriwal also expressed grief over the tragedy. He said his 'thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones'.
