Latest news with #OMC
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy shifted to Bengaluru central prison
Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy, once a dominant figure in the state's political and mining sectors, has been transferred to the Bengaluru Central Prison in Parappana Agrahara following his conviction in the high-profile Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case, reported The Times of India. Also Read - 'Kannada born from Tamil': Kamal Haasan's comment in Bengaluru event backfires, BJP demands apology According to the report, Reddy was brought to Bengaluru from Chanchalguda Central Prison in Telangana, where he had been lodged along with three other convicts since May 6, after a special CBI court in Hyderabad sentenced him to seven years in prison. The transfer was ordered so that he could be produced before the special court in connection with another related illegal mining case. This secondary case pertains to the illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri port in Karwar in 2010, which is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The agency has named around 10 individuals, including Reddy, as accused. With hearings scheduled for June 2 and later, the court directed officials to ensure Reddy is available for future proceedings by keeping him in judicial custody in Bengaluru. Also Read - Pro-Kannada groups warn boycott of Kamal Haasan film ahead of Thug Life release, demand apology The Hyderabad court that convicted Reddy also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on him and his three co-accused. The Obulapuram Mining Company, central to the scam, was slapped with a penalty of ₹1 lakh. Reddy, listed as Accused No. 2, was immediately taken into custody following the verdict. The case, which has dragged on for nearly 14 years, revealed large-scale manipulation of mining lease boundaries and unauthorized mining operations in the Bellary Reserve Forest, straddling the Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh border. Investigators estimate the scam led to a loss of around ₹884 crore to the public exchequer.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Drain desilting works underway in Ongole, Nellore
The Municipal Corporations of Nellore and Ongole have initiated works to clear blockages of drains to prevent rainwater stagnation and mosquito menace in the cities due the early monsoon arrival this year. The desilting works at major and minor drains are likely to complete in both the cities before the onset of rainy season. Ongole Municipal Corporation (OMC) had already initiated the desilting of drains two months ago. Recently, Ongole City Mayor had launched a special sanitation programme in five divisions of the city as per the instructions of MLA Damacharla Janardhana Rao. This special drive will be held for 5-6 days in each ward. Speaking to The Hindu, OMC Commissioner Dr. Koduru Venkateswara Rao said, 'Using heavy machinery, the desiltation works are currently underway at Pothuraju Canal near Sathyanarayanapuramu. Totally, we are spending ₹1.6 crore for desilting the drainages of 105 km distance. The works are expected to be completed by 5 June'. Similarly, Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) Public Health Department has undertaken a programme to desilt all the canals, which have been unpaved for a long time due to ramps, to make them suitable for irrigation. As part of this drive, the drainages across 20 divisions are being desilted to avoid waterlogging during the rainy season. 'The irrigation department is spending ₹1.72 crore for desilting the canals. Apart from that, the NMC has taken up the desilting of major drains with ₹5 crore, and minor drains with nearly about ₹2 crore in both Nellore Rural and City constituencies. The works will be completed by 15 July before commencement of rains,' NMC Commissioner Y.O. Nandan told The Hindu. Unlike other districts of Andhra Pradesh, the seasonal rainfall begins in Nellore due to North-East monsoon during the months of October–December. Presently, the district is receiving a spell of rains caused by early South-West monsoon. With its impact, a few streets in the city had to face sanitation problems which was swiftly monitored by the NMC.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
SC/ST LPG tanker owners bemoan ‘quota misuse', accuse general category owners of violating tender guidelines
Flagging 'misuse' of SC/ST reservation in bulk transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by bullet tanker trucks, the Southern Region SC/ST and MSE Tanker Owners Association has urged the oil marketing companies (OMCs) to take drastic measures to clean up the entire system before finalising and awarding fresh contracts. General category transporters operating in the existing contract change truck ownerships to SC category without permission from the contracted company, before publication of the fresh tender, violating contract conditions, thereby denying the opportunity for genuine SC/ST entrepreneurs to take part in the tender. 'Misuse and abuse of SC quota is taking place through connivance between certain OMC officials and high net worth individual transporters,' association president S. Ahilan alleged. Owners in general category brought the tanker trucks under SC/ST category before publication of 2025-30 tender. The misuse of SC/ST reservation was punishable under SC/ST Atrocities Act, Mr. Ahilan said, citing the contract terms: 'no change in the ownership of the tanker trucks owned by / attached to the transporter, as mentioned in the LOI/LOA/Work Order hereto and/or the arrangement on which the tank trucks are attached, take place during the pendency of the contract without obtaining prior written consent from the Corporation as given in clause no. 20 of this agreement.' Operating the trucks with changed ownership records without informing the company constitutes gross violation of the contract terms. Likewise, the practice of some transporters operating re-registered trucks with old registered numbers has also been left unchecked. A number of transporters in general category have misused ATS (Agreement to Sale) clause, which raises serious concerns about the integrity of the tender process and suggests a possible attempt to compromise accountability and good governance, to migrate to SC reserved category in large numbers. 'We urge the OMCs to maintain transparency, legality, and vigilance and seek a thorough investigation into the tender process and identify those responsible for the violations. Violators should be debarred, blacklisted and put on holiday listing for two years, and their security deposit should be forfeited as per contract terms. Also, OMC officials flouting transparency in the tender process, should be subjected to strict action, Mr. Ahilan emphasised. Only then the integrity of the tender process can be ensured, and the benefits of reservation quotas be rightfully availed by the intended beneficiaries. When contacted, president of Southern Region Bulk LPG Transport Owners Association K. Sundarrajan acknowledged that the malpractice was prevalent, and that the association has received an assurance from the OMC officials that remedial measures will be undertaken to restore full utility of quota to genuine SC/ST entrepreneurs.
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CEOs of refineries appreciate resolution of sales tax issue
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Pakistan's leading oil refineries called on Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, on Tuesday, to express their gratitude for the government's decisive action in resolving the long-standing sales tax issue affecting the refining and OMC sectors. The meeting underscored the government's firm commitment to ensuring energy security and facilitating refinery upgrade projects worth over USD 6 billion, which are critical to modernising Pakistan's refining infrastructure. The resolution of the sales tax issue marks a significant milestone in creating a conducive environment for investment and operational efficiency in the oil refining industry. The CEOs lauded the Petroleum minister's proactive approach and the PM's personal efforts/support in addressing key challenges faced by the sector. They reiterated their commitment to advancing refinery upgradation projects in line with the prime minister's vision for enhancing fuel quality, reducing emissions, and promoting clean energy solutions. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik emphasised that the government is fully dedicated to fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem. 'The steps to address the sales tax issue reflects our unwavering resolve to support the refining sector, which plays a pivotal role in Pakistan's energy security and economic growth. The refinery upgrades will not only enhance production efficiency but also align with our goal of transitioning toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources,' he stated. Furthermore, he highlighted that policy consistency is the corner stone for viability of any sector, fostering investor confidence. The refinery upgradation projects, once completed, will significantly improve fuel standards, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and contribute to environmental sustainability by producing Euro-V compliant fuels. This initiative is at heart of the government's broader strategy to strengthen the energy sector and ensure long-term economic stability through foreign investments. The delegation included Zahid Mir-CEO Pakistan Refinery Limited, Irtiza Qureshi - MD PARCO, Adil Khattak - CEO Attock Refinery Limited, Amir Abbasi - CEO Cynergico, and Asad Hasan - CEO National Refinery Limited. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
21-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
CEOs of refineries appreciate resolution of ST issue
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Pakistan's leading oil refineries called on Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, on Tuesday, to express their gratitude for the government's decisive action in resolving the long-standing sales tax issue affecting the refining and OMC sectors. The meeting underscored the government's firm commitment to ensuring energy security and facilitating refinery upgrade projects worth over USD 6 billion, which are critical to modernising Pakistan's refining infrastructure. The resolution of the sales tax issue marks a significant milestone in creating a conducive environment for investment and operational efficiency in the oil refining industry. The CEOs lauded the Petroleum minister's proactive approach and the PM's personal efforts/support in addressing key challenges faced by the sector. They reiterated their commitment to advancing refinery upgradation projects in line with the prime minister's vision for enhancing fuel quality, reducing emissions, and promoting clean energy solutions. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik emphasised that the government is fully dedicated to fostering a sustainable energy ecosystem. 'The steps to address the sales tax issue reflects our unwavering resolve to support the refining sector, which plays a pivotal role in Pakistan's energy security and economic growth. The refinery upgrades will not only enhance production efficiency but also align with our goal of transitioning toward cleaner and more sustainable energy sources,' he stated. Furthermore, he highlighted that policy consistency is the corner stone for viability of any sector, fostering investor confidence. The refinery upgradation projects, once completed, will significantly improve fuel standards, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and contribute to environmental sustainability by producing Euro-V compliant fuels. This initiative is at heart of the government's broader strategy to strengthen the energy sector and ensure long-term economic stability through foreign investments. The delegation included Zahid Mir-CEO Pakistan Refinery Limited, Irtiza Qureshi - MD PARCO, Adil Khattak - CEO Attock Refinery Limited, Amir Abbasi - CEO Cynergico, and Asad Hasan - CEO National Refinery Limited. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
