PAC Chairman seeks report on ‘Great Nicobar project from MHA
The project has faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition leaders over its potential impact on the island’s ecology. NEW DELHI: At a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday, committee chairman and Congress MP KC Venugopal sought a report from Home Secretary Govind Mohan on the controversial Great Nicobar Project, which has been consistently opposed by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, sources said. The project has also faced criticism from environmental groups and opposition leaders over its potential impact on the island’s ecology. Although the issue was not listed on the meeting agenda, Venugopal said he raised it suo motu, citing its significance and concerns over the project’s ecological impact. The intervention came during a briefing by officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on observations in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report on the establishment and functioning of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Institute of Medical Sciences (ANIIMS). According to sources, BJP MP Anurag Thakur objected when the chairman raised the Great Nicobar Project issue, arguing that it was not part of the committee’s agenda and that the proceedings should remain confined to scheduled business. Venugopal, however, said he was not seeking an immediate response from the Home Secretary. “While accepting that he is not prepared for this subject today, it is my duty to make the Home Secretary aware that the committee has taken cognisance of this matter and would like to receive a brief report later on the situation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with respect to the Great Nicobar Project,” sources quoted him as saying. Venugopal is learnt to have raised concerns over the felling of an estimated 1.5 crore trees and the displacement of tribal communities because of the project. “All this is being done to create commercial space for a few large private players. On one hand, the long-pending demand for the expansion of the naval base INS Baaz was put on hold. On the other hand, the Central government is hastily moving to commercialise the Andaman and Nicobar Islands,” he is learnt to have told the meeting. The Congress has consistently opposed the Great Nicobar Project, describing it as an ecological disaster. After his recent visit to the islands, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi challenged the government’s contention that the project is driven by strategic and defence considerations. Gandhi alleged that claims surrounding the proposed transshipment port were misleading and that the project was aimed at benefiting a single businessman through the development of hotels and casinos on ecologically sensitive land. Recently, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wrote to Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal raising concerns over the proposed international container transshipment port at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island. He sought clarification on the project’s ownership structure, competition safeguards and government funding support. During the meeting, sources said, Venugopal expressed concern over financial mismanagement and a 12-year delay in the construction of ANIIMS. The PAC chairman also expressed displeasure over the absence of the Chief Secretary of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration from the meeting. Speaking to reporters later, Venugopal said the official had been asked to explain his absence. According to sources, the MHA informed the committee that it serves only as the monitoring agency for the institute, which is administered by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Preetha Nair Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
After vote & seat thefts, BJP swallowing political parties, says Congress leader Meenakshi
She pointed out that the BJP government is the one which brought and strengthened the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) laws. BENGALURU: AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan, whose nomination to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh was rejected recently, came down heavily on the BJP alleging that the saffron party has graduated from “vote theft, seat theft to parties’ theft”. “It is not only vote chori and seat chori, but also moving towards party theft. A country is moving towards one party. That is why Rahul Gandhi has spoken about the fight (against BJP),” she told reporters at KPCC office in Bengaluru. She alleged that the BJP was poaching opposition MPs into the NDA fold to attain a two-third majority in the Lok Sabha to pass certain Bills like the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, to go ahead with delimitation of constituencies and increase the number of seats. “They worked to stop people from even contesting… they did that in local body elections, but now also in Rajya Sabha elections. And now, they are swallowing political parties one after another,” she said. “So, in a way, do they want to move towards a ‘One Nation, One Party’ system? Or do they want to make up the numbers-since their bill was previously rejected on the constitutional floor of the House and want to fulfil that shortfall? And that is why the conspiracy and plot they are hatching to finish off political parties one after another is right before us,” she said, adding that this was the BJP’s ‘chal, charitra aur chehra’ (conduct, character, and face). She said that the opposition parties are fully aware of the BJP’s designs and have to fight the battle in a powerful and robust manner. Meenakshi also defended that there is nothing wrong in Home Minister Priyank Kharge seeking information on the registration of RSS. She recalled that India’s first Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, had raised the same questions before the RSS. She pointed out that the BJP government is the one which brought and strengthened the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) laws. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP claims IAF tender for 36 Rafales exposes Pak propaganda, says ‘Rahul owes explanation’
NEW DELHI: BJP on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of echoing narratives that “mirrored Pakistan’s propaganda” during Operation Sindoor. The ruling party at the Centre also charged that Rahul chose to question the government instead of demanding proof from Islamabad over its claims about Rafale fighter jets. The fresh political salvo came after a recent Air Force (IAF) tender seeking a support package for all 36 Rafale fighter jets was cited by the BJP as evidence that Pakistan’s long-standing claim of having shot down multiple Rafales during the conflict does not hold up. Leading the charge, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya alleged that while Pakistan was pushing claims about downed Rafale jets, Rahul Gandhi chose to question the Union government rather than seek proof from Islamabad. “During Operation Sindoor, when India was confronting a grave national security challenge, Rahul Gandhi chose to amplify questions and narratives that mirrored Pakistan’s propaganda about Indian Rafale fighter jets,” Malviya said in a post on X. According to the BJP leader, Pakistan’s information ecosystem worked aggressively to promote the claim that Indian Rafales had been shot down. He alleged that Rahul’s remarks at the time ended up giving legitimacy to a narrative being advanced by a hostile neighbour. “Instead of demanding evidence from Pakistan, Rahul Gandhi sought answers from the Government of India, lending credibility to an adversarial claim at a sensitive moment,” Malviya said. The BJP leader pointed to the latest IAF tender as proof that Pakistan’s narrative had collapsed. “Today, an Indian Air Force tender seeking a support package for all 36 Rafale fighter aircraft has thoroughly undermined those claims. The facts are clear: the propaganda that Pakistan peddled, and which Rahul Gandhi helped amplify, has fallen apart,” he said. Malviya further argued that political disagreements should not come at the cost of national unity during military operations. He said there is “a time for political debate and a time for national solidarity”, adding that raising doubts about military actions without evidence could hurt the morale of the armed forces. He went on to claim that many Indians would view such conduct as “crossing a red line”, arguing that giving “oxygen to an adversary’s disinformation campaign during a national security operation” would be seen not just as irresponsible politics but as “a betrayal of the national interest”. “The Indian Air Force has answered with facts. Pakistan’s propaganda stands exposed. Those who amplified it owe the nation an explanation,” Malviya said. Why Rafale tender matters The row centres around an Air Headquarters Request for Proposal (RFP) issued in June, inviting bids for a five-month “bridge support” package covering all 36 Rafale fighter jets acquired from France. A “bridge support” package is a temporary arrangement designed to ensure uninterrupted maintenance, logistics and technical support until a longer-term contract is finalised. While such tenders are routine, the BJP has seized on this one because it covers the entire Rafale fleet. Pakistan had repeatedly claimed after Operation Sindoor that several Rafale jets were destroyed during the conflict. However, military officials had rejected those assertions, but Islamabad continued to push the narrative. Now, BJP leaders argue that the IAF’s support request for all 36 aircraft reinforces India’s position and exposes what they describe as Pakistan’s misinformation campaign. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Punjab CM Announces Rs 4,500 Financial Support To Dalit Women, Rs 3,000 For Other Categories
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the launch of the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, aimed at empowering women economically. Marking a historic step towards women’s economic empowerment, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the countdown for the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna has begun, with the first installment of three months’ Satkar Rashi set to be credited directly into the bank accounts of eligible women on July 1. Under the scheme, Dalit mothers and sisters will receive ₹4,500, while women from all other categories will get ₹3,000. During a Lok Milni programme after inaugurating various development works in Village Chanarthal Kalan of Fatehgarh Sahib constituency, CM Bhagwant Mann said the initiative reflects the AAP Government’s commitment to ensuring dignity, financial security, and social empowerment for women, adding that the assistance will continue uninterrupted as long as the AAP Government remains in Punjab. Addressing the Lok Milni in Fatehgarh Sahib, Mann stated, “After nine days, on July 1, women beneficiaries above the age of 18 years will receive notifications on their mobile phones informing them about the financial assistance being credited to their accounts. Women belonging to the general category will receive ₹1,000 per month while Scheduled Caste women will receive ₹1,500 per month.” “The money will be transferred directly into their bank accounts without any middlemen. Women who are already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible under the scheme. Nearly 97% women in Punjab are expected to benefit from this initiative and the Punjab Government has made a budgetary provision of ₹9,300 crore for it.” The Chief Minister stated, “This financial assistance may not make women rich, but it will certainly give them dignity, self-respect and confidence. Women deserve the highest respect because they are the source of life itself. The blessings of mothers and sisters help overcome every challenge in the world. Strengthening women’s financial autonomy is essential for improving household welfare, promoting gender equity and enhancing women’s participation in social and economic decision-making. When women become financially empowered, families prosper and society moves forward.” Speaking on another issue, CM Mann said, “The Punjab Government will not allow any genuine vote to be deleted during the ongoing SIR exercise by the Election Commission of India. I want to caution the people that the BJP may try to misuse the SIR process to delete valid votes, as has happened in other poll-bound states. However, we are fully vigilant and will not allow the nefarious designs of the saffron party to succeed. Every genuine voter in Punjab will be protected.” The Chief Minister said, “My predecessors never met the common people. They used to come out of their luxurious homes only after checking the temperature. On the other hand, I remain available to the people round the clock. Public service is not an occasional activity for me, it is my responsibility.” Taking a swipe at previous governments, the Chief Minister said, “These leaders built huge palaces by amassing enormous wealth through misuse of their official positions. The walls of those palatial residences were high and their gates remained closed to ordinary people. They remained inaccessible to the masses and ultimately the people showed them the door. When leaders stop listening to people, people eventually stop listening to those leaders.” “The people of Punjab have repeatedly rejected those who looted them turn by turn. These leaders fooled the people for a very long time, but Punjabis are now wise enough not to be swayed by their misleading propaganda. These arrogant politicians always took the people of Punjab for granted and ultimately paid the political price for it. Today, they are baffled because people are not responding to them. Their entire agenda revolves around the welfare of their own families rather than the welfare of the people,” said CM Mann. Continuing his attack on previous rulers, the Chief Minister said, “These leaders studied in convent schools in the hills and remained completely disconnected from ground realities. They were unaware about the money, properties and even the buses they owned. During their regimes, they exploited people by illegally seeking shares in successful ventures across the state. Such practices pushed Punjab backwards. These leaders ruined the state and their hands were drenched with the blood of Punjab’s youth.” Highlighting the progress achieved by the present government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab’s development has been put back on track. The Punjab Government is accelerating the pace of development with every passing day. We have filled a gap of nearly seventy years and are making concerted efforts to build a Rangla Punjab.” “The AAP Government is perhaps the first government in the country that is implementing the People’s Manifesto in its true spirit. Every genuine demand raised by the people is being translated into action. We do not make promises merely for elections. We fulfil them once entrusted with responsibility,” he added. Taking on the Akali Dal leadership, Mann said, “Sukhbir Singh Badal is not aware of the ground realities of Punjab because throughout his life he has lived in a secure environment surrounded by luxuries and opulence. He wants to attain political power in Punjab, but he is not even aware of the basic topography of the state.” “Leaving everything aside, the former Deputy Chief Minister cannot even differentiate between the basic crops grown in Punjab. He has very little understanding of the issues concerning ordinary people. Someone who does not understand Punjab cannot provide leadership to Punjab,” said Punjab Chief Minister. The Chief Minister further said, “The sins committed by these leaders are unpardonable. The people of Punjab can never forgive them for their long saga of misdeeds. Those memories remain fresh in the minds of the people even today.” “These are opportunist leaders who change their colours and their stance like a chameleon according to their convenience and political interests. They patronised gangsters in Punjab and infused drugs into the veins of the youth by shielding drug smugglers.
Soren, Rahul Gandhi now leaders of only 50 MLAs, not 56: JMM’s message to Left, RJD after cross-voting in RS polls
RANCHI: After the cross-voting, allegedly by RJD and CPI (ML) MLAs led to the INDIA alliance losing a crucial seat in the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Tuesday lashed out at its allies, saying Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi are not their leaders anymore. Coming down heavily on the Left and the RJD, JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said both Soren and Rahul Gandhi are the leaders of the 50 MPs who voted for the alliance candidate. In the recent RS elections in Jharkhand, BJP-backed independent candidate Parimal Nathwani retained his seat despite the JMM-led INDIA alliance having 56 MLAs in the 81-member Assembly. The BJP-led NDA has 24 MLAs, four short of the minimum of 28 first-preference votes required to get a berth in the Upper House. Meanwhile, three votes, two from BJP and one Congress were declared invalid. According to JMM, out of the total 81 MLAs, 50 voted for the Congress and JMM candidates in the elections. Of these, JMM candidate Baidyanath Ram secured a seat by winning 30 votes, while Congress candidate Pranav Jha received only 20 votes, losing to the BJP-backed candidate. “Therefore, Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi are the leaders of these 50 MLAs,” said Bhattacharya, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP National President Nitin Nabin are the leaders of the remaining 28 MLAs whose votes went to the BJP-backed candidate. Speaking to the media, the JMM General Secretary also noted that following his victory, BJP-backed candidate Nathwani had expressed his gratitude by specifically naming the three MLAs from the INDIA alliance who voted for him. JMM General Secretary also indicated –without explicitly naming them– that the ruling alliance MLAs who voted for Parimal Nathwani have been identified. He also talked about reviewing the Rajya Sabha election results very soon. Meanwhile, both the RJD and the CPI(ML) strongly rejected the allegations, stressing that their legislators sticked to the alliance plan and voted in favour of the Congress candidate. “As for speculations over Jharkhand Rajya Sabha voting, we can tell with full responsibility that our two MLAs voted for the Congress candidate as planned,” CPI (ML) General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said in a post on X. RJD MLA and Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav also rejected the charge, saying, “RJD is not treacherous like the Congress and maintains a distinct identity.” He asserted that all four RJD MLAs voted for the Congress candidate. RJD General Secretary Bhola Yadav echoed the criticism, saying that the Congress should introspect before blaming others. Story by Mukesh Ranjan Courtesy : MSN Note: This news is originally published on https:/msn.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Stop appeasing good friend Trump’: Congress says India should not sign trade pact against its interests
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said PM Modi must stop appeasing his good friend President Trump, who has claimed that he halted Operation Sindoor over a 100 times. With trade talks in focus during US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s India visit, the Congress on Tuesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must stop appeasing his “good friend” President Donald Trump. The Congress also said there is absolutely no need for India to be “bamboozled” into signing any trade pact, which at present is heavily against its interests. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Modi government must seek inspiration from Malaysia which has rebuffed its own trade deal with America following the US Supreme Court’s verdict. “The US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is in New Delhi today and tomorrow. On the request of PM Modi, while he was under pressure from Rahul Gandhi’s expose in Parliament of his cowardice in front of China, an India-US Joint statement on trade was issued on February 6, 2026,” Ramesh said on X. “The US promised to reduce tariffs on Indian exports from 25% to 18%. India promised to eliminate its tariffs or reduce them deeply on US agricultural commodities and industrial products and purchase up to USD 500 billion from the US over five years,” he said. Ramesh pointed out that on February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court of the US ruled that President Trump’s reciprocal tariff strategy was illegal. The very tariff concession that the US had offered India in the February 6, 2026, joint statement effectively disappeared overnight, he said. “Within hours of the US Supreme Court ruling the US imposed a temporary 10% tariff on all its trading partners including India. The legal basis for this expires on July 24, 2026. There is considerable uncertainty on what will happen thereafter,” Ramesh said. However, India along with about 60 other countries is under investigation by the US for unfair trade practices that supposedly violate US laws, he said, adding that final outcomes from this investigation are expected in the coming weeks. The US is clearly using this investigation as a threat to get India to formally sign the agreement as announced on February 6, 2026, he said. “Such an agreement is not a deal but a steal by the US. Indian farmers in different states that include J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra will be very adversely impacted. The US makes very little firm commitments whereas India commits to at least trebling its present levels of annual imports from the US,” Ramesh said. Despite having trade agreements with Japan and the EU, the US has threatened increased tariffs on them, he said. Even if a deal is signed, what and where is the guarantee that tariffs will not be unilaterally imposed or threatened to be imposed thereafter, Ramesh asked. “There is absolutely no need for India to be bamboozled into signing any trade agreement which as it stands now is heavily against India’s interests,” Ramesh said. “PM Modi must stop appeasing his good friend President Trump, who has claimed that he halted Operation Sindoor over a 100 times and is yet to be challenged by Mr Modi on that claim,” the Congress leader said. Greer is visiting India to take forward the discussions on the interim trade deal agreed to by Prime Minister Modi and President Trump in February. Trump and Modi met on the sidelines of the G-7 meeting in France last week where the US president said that India and the US were very close to finalising the trade agreement. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
AIMPLB to launch nationwide movement against social, political marginalisation of Muslims
The Executive Committee expressed grave concern over the “rapidly deteriorating situation in BJP-administered states, the country and the Muslim community.” The All India Muslim Personal Law Board on Monday said it would soon come out with a comprehensive document on the “deteriorating condition” of Muslims in the country and launch a nationwide movement against the social and political marginalisation of the community. The Board made the announcement a day after a meeting of its executive committee. Briefing reporters on the decisions and deliberations at the meeting, AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas said the Board reviewed in detail the current situation facing the country and the Muslim community, and took a number of important decisions. “These decisions relate in particular to the growing incidents of mob violence or lynching against Muslims in BJP-ruled states; demolition drives targeting Muslim homes and localities, against mosques and madrasas; bulldozer terrorism; attempts to make Vande Mataram compulsory in government functions and schools; implementation of uniform government-aided madrasas; developments concerning the Madhya Pradesh High Court Civil Code in various states; and the recent judgment regarding the Kamal Maula Mosque,” he said. The Executive Committee expressed grave concern over the “rapidly deteriorating situation in BJP-administered states, the country and the Muslim community”, he said. The committee stated that Muslims’ lives, property, honour and dignity, mosques, madrasas, graveyards, personal law, fundamental rights, and even their faith and beliefs are under continuous attack. “We are unhappy with all parties, including the Congress. None of them raises issues of Muslims strongly,” Ilyas said, when asked about Rahul Gandhi’s reported remarks that if the issue pertains to Muslims, the community be specifically mentioned and not a generalised reference to minorities be made. The Executive Committee decided that a comprehensive document would be prepared and published on the “deteriorating condition of the Muslim community, communal tensions and violations of fundamental rights, so as to awaken the conscience of the people,” he said. “With regard to the Kamal Maula Mosque case, the Executive Committee expressed deep concern over the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s judgment, stating that there were historical evidence, revenue records, and colonial-era official documents. The judgment is contrary to centuries-old Muslim tradition of worship at the site. Furthermore, it is also inconsistent with the spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991,” Ilyas said. The Executive Committee welcomed the Kamal Maula Mosque Committee’s challenge of the judgment in the Supreme Court, and resolved that the AIMPLB would extend every possible assistance to the Mosque Committee in their legal struggle, he said. The Executive Committee declared that attempts to make Vande Mataram compulsory are contrary to Article 25 of the Constitution of India, Ilyas said. The Board welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s interim order staying the government directive requiring the singing of Vande Mataram in madrasas, he said. The Executive Committee also expressed serious concern over the ongoing legislative efforts in BJP-ruled states in the name of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), Ilyas said. The meeting noted that after Uttarakhand and Gujarat, preparations are now underway to implement the UCC in Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra as well. The Board clarified that the Uniform Civil Code is not a mandatory constitutional command that courts are bound to enforce; rather, it is a non-binding guiding principle included among the Directive Principles of State Policy. The Executive Committee further resolved that, against the social and political marginalisation of Muslims, violation of constitutional norms, the promotion of hatred and hostility, the damage to communal harmony, attacks on life, property, honour and dignity of Muslims and the demolition of mosques and madrasas, the Board will launch a nationwide movement in partnership with justice-loving, democracy-loving, and peace-loving sections of society, Ilyas said. For this purpose, an Action Committee is being constituted, he said, adding that the movement may begin by July end. The Executive Committee meeting on Sunday was presided over by AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, and the proceedings were conducted by general secretary Maulana Fazlur Rahim Muiaddidi. Executive Committee members from across the country attended the meeting. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Jairam Ramesh seeks Centre’s clarity on private control, funding of Great Nicobar port
Congress leader questions ownership pattern, VGF support and risks flagged by PPPAC for the Galathea Bay transhipment project. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has sought clarifications from Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal over the proposed International Container Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar Island, raising questions over private participation, funding and environmental concerns. In a letter to Sonowal, Ramesh asked the ministry to share the timeline for inviting private participation for the project and the process for selecting the private co-owner and operator of the proposed port. He also sought clarity on the ownership structure of the project’s special purpose vehicle (SPV), pointing out that recommendations of the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) specify that a minimum of 55 per cent shareholding should be held by an Indian-owned and controlled entity. “I seek clarity on three specific points. Since the minimum private shareholding is to be 55%, does it mean that 100% private shareholding will be allowed, or is there a minimum shareholding by public entities as well?” Ramesh said in his letter. The Congress leader also questioned whether private ownership of ports would be diversified or whether a situation similar to the airport sector would be allowed. “Is private ownership of ports to be diversified, or will the airports-like situation be permitted, where only one private company has acquired the six airports sold off so far,” he asked. Ramesh further sought details on funding after the PPPAC rejected the ministry’s request for a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) grant. “Since the PPPAC has turned down the Ministry’s request for a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) grant, will the Ministry provide VGF/capital grant support from its own allocated budget?” he asked. The letter comes amid Ramesh’s repeated objections to the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project, which includes the transhipment port, a civilian-cum-naval airport, a township and a power plant. Calling himself among those concerned about the project’s ecological impact, Ramesh said the government was pushing ahead with the port despite acknowledging major risks. “You are aware that the PPPAC of the Ministry of Finance had met on March 17, 2026 and March 19, 2026 to consider the proposal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for the development of an international container transshipment port at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island,” Ramesh said. He cited the PPPAC’s record of discussions issued on April 2, which identified two major risks associated with the project — developing a large-scale greenfield port and attracting transhipment traffic away from established ports. “I take it that these competing well-established ports are Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang — It is extraordinary that even while recognizing these huge risks — quite apart from the certainty of ecological devastation that will be caused by its construction — the transshipment port is being pushed through,” Ramesh said. Ramesh has previously written to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, raising concerns over environmental clearances, tribal rights and defence-related aspects of the project. On Friday, he wrote to Yadav alleging that environmental impact assessments for different components of the project were “demonstrably inadequate” and questioned the transparency of the approval process. The Congress has repeatedly criticised the project, claiming the Galathea Bay port would cause large-scale ecological damage, including destruction of coral colonies. Ramesh has also raised concerns over the impact on tribal rights and has urged the government to ensure implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also attacked the project, alleging that the government’s stated reasons of defence and port development were not the real motivation behind it. Gandhi had earlier claimed the project was aimed at benefiting a private businessman by enabling the development of hotels and casinos on ecologically sensitive land. He also released a video after his visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and urged people to oppose the project through a public campaign. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul Gandhi attends Congress training camp in Chhattisgarh
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrived in Abhanpur on a day-long visit to attend a 10-day Congress training camp on Sunday. During his four-hour visit, Gandhi held a 40-minute meeting with senior party leaders before interacting directly with district and city unit presidents. On his way back to the airport, Gandhi stopped at a roadside tea stall where he was seen sharing biscuits with Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief Deepak Baij. Senior leaders including Sachin Pilot, Bhupesh Baghel, T S Singh Deo, and Charan Das Mahant accompanied him. While the ongoing training camp in Abhanpur was scheduled as a closed-door event, a large number of Congress workers gathered at the venue from across the state. The heavy rush led to brief chaos at the entrance. In the ensuing push and shove, Leader of Opposition in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Charan Das Mahant was left stranded outside the main gate for a period. Videos of the incident have since surfaced on social media. Gandhi departed for the airport following the conclusion of the interaction sessions. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Rahul meets 5 key Punjab netas ahead of call on party rejig
NEW DELHI: As Congress rethinks its organisational leadership in poll-bound Punjab, Rahul Gandhi Sunday met five key state functionaries ahead of a decision on a reshuffle. Leader of the opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, state chief Amarinder Raja Warring, ex-CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Randhawa and Vijay Inder Singla met Rahul at 10, Janpath. Sources said Rahul asked them to fight the polls collectively, a day after the party brass discussed a report of the Ajay Maken panel set up to look into the Punjab unit. Meenakshi Natarajan and Bhajan Lal Jatav were other members of the panel. The five state functionaries are said to have given their views on the nature of the team with which Congress should go to the polls. Rahul called the leaders individually and sought their opinions. Bajwa told reporters, “I put forward my viewpoint on what is best for the party, and I said whatever decision you (Rahul) take, we’ll stand by it. We’re committed soldiers of Congress.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights