TN: political parties to stand unison on Mekedatu issue

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday inaugurated four National Highway Projects and also laid foundation stone for 12 National Highway Projects in Imphal. The projects which were inaugurated consist of a new two-lane and strengthening of existing two lanes of National Highway 39 having total length of 121 Kilometres within the budget of Rs 1,244 crore. The Superstructure bridge constructed over river Makru on NH-37 at the cost of Rs 62 crore was also inaugurated by the Union Minister. The 12 projects of road up-gradation including four-laning on National Highway-39 for which foundation stones were laid have a total budget of Rs 2,842 crore.While addressing the ceremony, Gadkari said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has been giving special emphasis on the development of Northeastern States of India. The Union Government has been trying best to improve infrastructures of transport and communication as these two are of the key importance  for the growth of the nation which intimately reduces poverty and creates more employment. While lashing out at the State Government for delays in the completion of National Highways in Manipur due to various reasons, the Union Minister said that the problems will always be there. He appealed to the State Government and concerned officials to take the decisions promptly and complete the projects on time with no compromise in quality.The function was attended by the Minister of State for DoNER and the Ministry of Cooperation B. L. Verma, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

-Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, APEDA have signed an MoU with National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd, NAFED for strengthening export linkage of farmer cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organisation, FPOs. The key areas of cooperation include facilitating APEDA registered exporters getting assistance under all the government schemes implemented through NAFED. The MoU also envisages ensuring sustainability and growth of exports by Cooperatives by addressing issues such as technology, skill, quality products and market access. APEDA would facilitate exports by the Cooperatives, FPOs, partners and associates identified and promoted by NAFED. APEDA and NAFED will also facilitate participation of Farmers’ Cooperatives in global trade including B2B and B2C fairs to be organized in India and abroad. 

-Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Ashwatha Narayana has said that Higher Education institutions will open in the state only after the students and lecturers are vaccinated.Speaking to media persons in Hubballi on Monday, Dr. Narayana said that preparations are being made to open classrooms for physical classes but a decision will be taken on this only after complete vaccination.On precautions being taken for the Covid third wave, he said, health infrastructure is augmented to suit the needs of the third wave if it strikes in future. He informed that ICU beds have increased to 6000 across the state. Doctors, Nurses, para medical staff and Group D employees are being appointed. He added that 2000 Doctors will be selected soon. Reacting to a question on the need to control population growth, Dr. Narayana said that hard measures like two children policy has become necessary to suit national growth goals.

-In Tamilnadu, the all party meeting led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has unilaterally resolved to present a memorandum to the Union Government on the Mekedatu issue. The all party meeting passed three resolutions which reiterated to seek a legal remedy to prevent Karnataka from proceeding further to build the Mekedatu reservoir on Cauvery river. The resolution at the all party meeting stated that the political parties in the State will stand in unison on the Mekedatu  matter. The resolution also stated that Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court judgement in sharing water and also discuss before taking any construction activity like building a reservoir which would hamper water supply to Tamilnadu. Earlier speaking at the Meeting, the Chief Minister said that building a reservoir at Mekedatu which is set to store 67.16 TMC water capacity will certainly reduce water sharing for Tamilnadu.

-After 21 years, Punjab got the captaincy of Indian Hockey team in the Olympics. Manpreet Singh, DSP of Punjab Police will lead Indian Hockey Team as captain in Tokyo Olympics. He will also be the flag bearer of the Indian contingent. Sharing the details of players going to Tokyo Punjab Sports Minister, Rana Gurmit Sodhi said other athletes from Punjab, who qualified for men's Olympic hockey team includes Harmanpreet Singh, Rupinderpal Singh and  Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh and  Mandeep Singh.  He said that athlete Gurjit Kaur from Punjab is also part of Women's hockey team for Olympics. Asserting that our preparation for Olympics was at par with global standards Sodhi expressed hope that Punjab athletes would once again bring laurels for the country and the state in Olympics.