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Business Standard
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
India follows its defence and diplomatic strategy, says Pralhad Joshi
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday said that India, its defence, and diplomacy follow their strategy, and that the government, after discussions with the armed forces, reached an understanding with Pakistan to stop all firing and military action. However, before reaching this understanding, the Government decided that India would treat any future act of terror on its soil as an "act of war" and respond accordingly, he said. "India has its strength. Earlier, even after major terror attacks, our response was mild. But this time, on the very first day, our soldiers attacked about nine terror bases or launch pads in Pakistan. A large number of terrorists were killed. So, I don't want to respond to those criticising the ceasefire announcement," Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, said in response to a question. Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, Joshi said that ever since Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, terrorist activities, which earlier occurred across the country, have been restricted to the border areasand even there, the government is taking serious action. "India and its defence forces have strategies, including diplomacy and foreign affairs. After thorough discussions with the defence forces, the Government of India has made its decision. In the coming days, spokespersons from the External Affairs and Defence Ministries will share more details," he added. In response to a question about US President Donald Trump's claim of mediation, Joshi said that reports suggest that Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) spoke to his Indian counterpart regarding the ceasefire violation. For further information, the concerned Ministry will respond, he added. Noting that the Indian government had taken a strong stand even before announcing the ceasefire that any future act of terror would be treated as an "act of war", he said Pakistan should learn a lesson. Meanwhile, Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje, speaking in Bengaluru, hit out at Pakistan for violating the ceasefire. She said the time had come for the world to consider how to punish a country that has become a "haven" for terrorism. "Pakistan is exporting terrorists," she claimed. She noted that in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, India and its soldiers had destroyed nine terror bases in Pakistan and killed hundreds of terrorists, including the brother and family members of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar. Karandlaje added, "Fearing our retaliation, Pakistan ran to the US and other countries, pleading for a ceasefire." "But Pakistan, which is untrustworthy, once again tried to attack India last night after the ceasefire announcement. We, the people of India, stand firmly behind our armed forces, and it is every citizen's responsibility to support their families," she added. Karandlaje was speaking to reporters after participating in a "Walk for the Nation" march held in Bengaluru. She said people from all religions, castes, and political affiliations united in the march, showing their support for the armed forces. Stating that Pakistan continues to train terrorists despite its people lacking necessities, Karandlaje said the country has been troubling India for the past seventy-eight years by sending terrorists to kill innocent civilians and soldiers. "This must end. The people of India are with the Government. We are all standing in support of our soldiers," she said.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No need to worry about food stock
NEW DELHI: The country has adequate food stocks and essential commodities to face the war-like situation, Minister of Food and Public Distribution Prahlad Joshi confirmed on Friday, asking citizens not to believe false propaganda about any food crisis. 'I want to assure everyone that we currently have stocks many times higher than the normal requirement – whether it is rice, wheat, or pulses such as chana, tur, masoor, or moong. There is absolutely no shortage, and citizens are advised not to panic or rush to the markets to purchase food grains,' said Joshi. Joshi also posted it on the social media platform X, urging people not to heed any rumours claiming a shortage of food grains. 'Don't believe in propaganda messages regarding food stocks in the country,' he wrote. 'We have ample food stocks, far exceeding required norms. Don't pay heed to such messages. Traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities that trade Essential Commodities are directed to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Any person indulging in hoarding or stockpiling shall be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act,' he warned in his post.
Observer
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Residents stockpile food as conflict rattles India and Pakistan
Residents across Pakistan and India rushed to stockpile foods and other essential supplies, while families living near the border fled to safer areas, as armed clashes between the nuclear-armed nations escalated on Friday. India and Pakistan accused each other of launching new military attacks, using drones and artillery for the third day, in the worst fighting between the two countries in nearly three decades. The conflict erupted after India struck multiple locations in Pakistan on Wednesday that it said were "terrorist camps", in retaliation for a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Indian Kashmir last month. In the Indian state of Punjab, Amanpreet Dhillon, 26, said many families in his village — just 13 km (8.08 miles) from the border with Pakistan — have already sent women and children to safer areas. "I am also contemplating it... I'm afraid my village could be next," he said. In Indian-administered Kashmir's Uri district, residents said many fled overnight after several houses were struck by shelling, some taking shelter behind rocks or in bunkers. "We have never seen such intense shelling in our life. The majority of the people fled the town and other villages as soon as shelling started last night with some taking shelter in underground bunkers," said Bashir Ahmad, 45, in the town of Baramulla in Uri. "It was a nightmare for us." In the Pakistani city of Lahore, which lies near the border, residents were shaken on Thursday by drones that Pakistan said were launched by India and were shot down in the city, setting off sirens and leading the US consulate to tell its staff to shelter in place. Schools were closed on Friday and residents and shopkeepers said Lahoris were stocking up on food, gas cylinders for cooking and medicine, prompting authorities to issue a notice warning businesses not to artificially increase prices. "I have stocked grocery for a month: we got meat, flour, tea, oil lentils etc and also drew extra cash from bank," said Aroosha Rameez, 34, a Lahore resident. Muhammad Asif, 35, said his pharmacy had seen an influx of customers. "People in Lahore have started stocking medicines as well, which may lead to shortages of paracetamol, anti-allergies, antibiotics, blood pressure and diabetes medicines," he said. Food delivery app FoodPanda, popular in Pakistan, said it had seen a surge in grocery orders nationwide. Across the border, India's Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution minister warned against panic buying of food grains. "We currently have stocks many times higher than the normal requirement-whether it is rice, wheat, or pulses... There is absolutely no shortage," he said. Pankaj Seth, a resident of Amritsar in India's Punjab state, said people felt they had no choice: "We do not know if the markets will open tomorrow or not... I have children and grandchildren at home so I have to stock up." Some residents of border regions were also requesting relatives to bring them supplies as prices rose. "My aunt lives in Attari and has asked me to get some flour for her as supplies are getting expensive there," said Navneet Kaur, a nurse in Amritsar, 30 kilometres (19 miles) away, who was travelling to the town with a sack of flour. Residents of Kashmir near the line of control that divides the region faced a more stark and immediate threat. Residents said they were starting to leave their villages and spend the nights, when shelling and firing roars through the valleys, in bunkers. The prime minister's office in Pakistan-administered Kashmir said over 400 people had been evacuated by authorities in two areas near the line of control. "Ever since the attack (Indian strike) in Muzaffarabad, we have been living in our bunker, which we carved into a nearby rocky mountain," said Manzoor Ahmed, 43, a resident of Jura Bandi village in the Neelum Valley, where local police confirmed most people were spending the night in bunkers. — Reuters
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Foodgrain reserves full, says Union Minister Chouhan; Govt warns traders against hoarding
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Friday said that the country's foodgrain reserves are full. Reviewing the food stock situation as well as preparedness for ensuing kharif sowing season, Chouhan directed officials to be prepared to assist farmers in bordering states with sowing operations to ensure they do not face difficulties due to the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan. Chouhan said he would speak with chief ministers of border states/UTs like J&K and Punjab regarding requirements in case villages need evacuation. 'Our foodgrain reserves are full… The rice and wheat reserves are full, there is also a buffer stock of pulses, there is no shortage of anything,' Chouhan said. The food ministry said the current rice stock stands at 356.42 lakh tonnes against a buffer norm of 135 lakh tonnes. Similarly, wheat stock is 383.32 lakh tonnes against a buffer norm of 276 lakh tonnes. Meanwhile, the government warned traders and wholesalers against hoarding of essential food items. Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on X appealed to people not to believe in propaganda messages regarding food stock. 'Don't believe in propaganda messages regarding food stocks in the country. We have ample food stocks, far exceeding required norms. Don't pay heed to such messages. Traders, wholesalers, retailers or business entities which engage in trading of essential commodities are directed to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. Any person indulging in hoarding or stockpiling shall be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Essential Commodities Act,' Joshi wrote on X.
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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
CCPA issues notices over illegal walkie-talkie sales on e-commerce sites
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Friday issued 13 notices to several digital marketplaces for listing and selling walkie-talkies without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA), which it said violated the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The move comes amid rising tensions at the India–Pakistan border. 'Walkie-talkies are being sold on e-commerce platforms without mandatory and clear disclosures regarding the requirement of a wireless operating licence or compliance with applicable laws. The product listings for walkie-talkies do not specify whether the device requires a licence from the concerned authority for use,' the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution said in a statement on Friday evening. The e-commerce platforms include Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, Facebook, and Indiamart, among others, it added. 'The omission of details such as frequency range, licensing obligations under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Use of Low Power, Very Low Power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018, as well as the potential legal consequences of unauthorised use, misleads consumers into believing that the devices are freely operable by the general public,' the ministry stated.
