Connect with us

National News

Manohar Parrikar Resigns as Defence Minister, Swearing-in Likely to be on Tuesday

Published

on

Manohar Parrikar resigned as Defence Minister on Sunday and is set to form the government in Goa with support from Independents and non-Congress parties.

Parrikar met Governor Mridula Sinha in the evening.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Michael Lobo, who won from Calangute constituency, said BJP MLAs have passed a resolution seeking party chief Amit Shah’s nod to elect Parrikar as the state legislature party leader.

Sources in the BJP told CNN-News18 that it has received support from the three parties. With seven seats from these three parties, the BJP, which won 13 seats, has 20 seats in hand. It will need the support of one of the three Independent MLAs to reach the majority mark of 21 in the 40-seat Assembly. Independent MLA Govind Gawade, who was backed by the party during the election from Priol constituency, is expected to back the BJP. The Congress has 17 seats.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the NCP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party also want Parrikar back as Goa CM.

Outgoing CM Laxmikant Parsekar lost the election from Mandrem and had anyway not been projected as the CM face before elections. Party leaders had earlier indicated that Parrikar may return to Goa as the CM.

“The people want Parrikar to come back to Goa. Now it will depend on the Goa Forward Party and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. If they support us, we will form the government in the state,” BJP legislator Michael Lobo had told reporters outside party headquarters in Panaji earlier on Sunday.

Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has accused the BJP of indulging in horse-trading. “Go ahead if you (BJP) have the support of more than 21 (MLAs). We are ready to sit in Opposition, but its a coup against people’s mandate,” he said.

National News

Porn video played at Patna Railway Station on TV screens, officials take strict action

Published

on

A bizarre occurrence took place on Sunday morning about 9:30 am at the Patna train station in Bihar, when a porn film was broadcast on the station’s TV screens for three minutes. Disgruntled, pople reported the event to the GRP and the RPF.

After reporting the incident to the Government Railway Police and receiving no response, the Railway Protection Force contacted Dutta Communication, the agency responsible for running advertisements on the screens, and asked the agency to stop relaying the porn clip in front of people, including women and children.

The incident, which allegedly occurred on platform number 10, was captured on a passenger’s smartphone.

The railway authorities then filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dutta Communication, leading to the company’s disqualification from future contracts with the Railways. Moreover, the agency has been fined as a result of the unfortunate occurrence.

There were rumours that the railway company had cancelled its contract with the company responsible for airing adverts on the station’s TVs. The Railway Department, however, has said that they are launching their own investigation into the situation.

Continue Reading

National News

Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb’ Shiv Sainik has become the CM: Eknath Shinde

Published

on

Panaji: Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Friday said that not only his Assembly colleagues but Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb Thackrey’s Shiv Sainik has become Chief Minister of the State.

Supported by BJP, Shinde on Thursday took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra after enjoying support of breakway section of Shiv Sena MLAs and other Independents.

The chief minister after taking the oath in Mumbai came back to Goa during the midnight to meet his colleagues who had supported him to rebel against outgoing CM Uddhav Thackrey.

Talking to reporters at Goa Airport, Shinde said that Maharashtra could see this day because of his 40 plus 10, total 50 MLAs.

“My colleagues (MLAs) and entire Maharashtra is  happy that Balasaheb Thackrey’s Shiv Sainik has become the chief minister of the state,” he commented.

The chief minister said that the government will do the works that are expected from them by the people from Maharashtra.

Shinde said that his government will work to deliver justice to every section of the society.

“We will also take ahead vision of Balasaheb Thackrey,” he commented.

When asked about the cabinet expansion, Shinde said that the future strategy would be discussed in the meeting with the colleagues.

Shinde along with his supporting MLAs had arrived in Goa on Wednesday night. On Thursday afternoon, Shinde had left for Mumbai.

In a series of political developments that unfolded in Mumbai, Shinde was sworn-in as the chief minister even as BJP leader Devendra Fadanavis took oath as the Deputy Chief minister of Maharashtra.

His swearing-in was celebrated by Shiv Sena MLAs who continued to remain in a resort at Dona Paula in Goa.

After landing at Dabolim Airport, Shinde went to the resort, located 30 kms away from the Airport, where the MLAs supporting him were waiting to welcome him. (GoaNewsHub)

Continue Reading

National News

PM dedicates to the nationl electrified route network of KRCL

Published

on

Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated to the nation the electrified route network of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited in virtual mode from Bengaluru. Union minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, State Public Works Department Minister Nilesh Cabral and others were present for the function at Margao Railway station. The Prime Minister inaugurated the electrified route. A cargo train was the first one to run on the electrified route from Margao Railway Station. A senior KRCL official said that on the Southern end of KRCL jurisdiction, Railway Electrification of Mangalore- Shoranur section is completed. “On the Northern end, Railway Electrification of Panvel-Pen-Roha section, a short stretch of 75.86 KM, is also completed. Further, Railway Electrification of Hospet-Hubli-Vasco-da-Gama section of South Western Railway is under progress,” he said.

The official said that in such a scenario, Railway Electrification of KRCL portion of the route had become necessary for seamless train operations over the entire west coast connecting North, Central and Southern India on electric traction. He said that Konkan Railway passes through dense forest cover of Sahayadri hills along the Western Coastal Strip. “This region is endowed with rich natural beauty and mineral resources. Electrification of Konkan Railway route will not only prove to be a major step in conserving its rich natural heritage and flora and fauna of the region but also help in its economic development,” he added. The official said that the electrification project was taken up with a cost of Rs 1100 Cr on 20 per cent Equity and 80 per cent Debt. “The Equity portion of Rs 200 Cr was funded promptly by the shareholders of KRCL i.e Ministry of Railways, Govt. of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. The remaining amount of Rs 900 Cr was arranged through Long Term Rupee loan from a consortium of lenders consisting of State Bank of India and EXIM Bank,” he said.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending