Congress leader Navjot Kaur suspended from party for ‘Rs 500 crore CM’ remark

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Chandigarh, Dec 8 (IANS) Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh’s namesake wife was on Monday suspended from the primary membership of the party for the “Rs 500 crore CM” remark.

His wife and Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu claimed that it “costs Rs 500 crore to become Punjab CM”.

She was placed under suspension by PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring. Her remark, made while asserting that her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu would return to active politics only if the Congress declared him its CM face, has triggered sharp political backlash.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday, Kaur said they “speak only for Punjab”, but lack the kind of money she alleges influences top political appointments. “We do not have Rs 500 crore to give to sit in the chief minister’s chair,” she said, adding no one had demanded money from them, but “the one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the CM”.

On former Punjab MLA Kaur’s statement, Congress leader Sukhjinder Randhawa said, “When she joined Congress from the BJP, she was later promoted to minister. First, she mentioned how much money was given to become the number two minister, next in line after the Chief Minister. After that, she was made PCC President, and again, how much money was given.”

Joining the issue, state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched a scathing attack on the Congress and the BJP leadership and challenged them to respond immediately to serious allegations of corruption levelled by Navjot Kaur and Sunil Jakhar, respectively.

Cheema told the media here: “I challenge the high command of the Congress and the high command of the BJP: Why are you silent? Are you silent because you are complicit in this corruption? I challenge the Congress and the BJP high commands to answer within 24 hours.”

Minister Cheema questioned the silence of both the high commands regarding leaders who have switched allegiance but whose past actions and statements expose deep-rooted corruption.

He recalled that the current Punjab BJP President, who was formerly the Punjab Congress President, served while two Chief Ministers — Amarinder Singh (allegedly became CM for Rs 500 crore, according to Navjot Kaur) and Charanjit Singh Channi (allegedly became CM following a Rs 350 crore deal, as claimed by Sunil Jakhar) were in power.

The Minister questioned why Jakhar remained silent while he was in the Congress, witnessing the selling of ministerial posts and Assembly seats, and only spoke up after joining the BJP. He also pointed out the case of Channi’s relative from whom nearly Rs 10 crore was recovered, a matter that is sub-judice.

–IANS

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Vatva Assembly MLA Babubhai Jadhav on Thursday visited the health centre to review ongoing services and interact with patients. He expressed satisfaction with the functioning of the centre and its role in making quality healthcare accessible to the rural population.

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supported by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, is playing a transformative role in healthcare delivery. Through the Ayushman Card, eligible citizens receive up to Rs 5 lakh annually for secondary and tertiary care treatments, completely free of cost.

Patients visiting the Kanbha PHC not only receive quality treatment but are also guided on how to avail of the Ayushman card benefits. The process of registration and verification is carried out at the centre itself, ensuring that even those from economically weaker sections can easily enrol.

“The doctor explained everything about the Ayushman Card and guided me through the process,” said Rekha Ben Nagar, a patient, told IANS.

“I received free treatment two months ago, and now I feel much better. I didn’t have to spend a single rupee.”

Another patient, Sunil, said: “I had severe pain in my legs and needed surgery. Thanks to the Ayushman Yojana, I underwent an operation here at no cost. I’m very thankful to Prime Minister Modi for launching such a helpful scheme.”

Medical Officer Dr Sangeet Ben Patni informed that over 100 patients attend the OPD every day.

“We have 13 dedicated staff members, including doctors, supervisors, health workers, and lab technicians. The centre is committed to fulfilling every healthcare need of our community. The patients are getting benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme,” she said.

The 108-emergency ambulance service is also proving to be a crucial component of the facility, offering prompt transport and emergency care in critical situations.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme, introduced under the National Health Policy 2017, is aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It adopts a holistic approach to healthcare through two major components — Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Launched on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, PM-JAY is the world’s largest health assurance scheme. It targets over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families, covering nearly 50 crore beneficiaries. The scheme is funded jointly by the Central and state Governments and is based on data from the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC).

–IANS

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MMRDA submits revised plan for Uttan-Virar Sea Link to be connected to Vadhavan Port and Samruddhi Mahamarg

Mumbai, June 26 (IANS) The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) on Thursday presented a revised and economically viable plan for the 55.12 km Uttan-Virar Sea Link (UVSL) project to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

During the review meeting, the Chief Minister directed that the proposed UVSL should be connected to the upcoming Vadhavan Port and the Samruddhi Mahamarg (Expressway), making it a crucial link connecting Mumbai to the ambitious Vadhavan Port project.

He reviewed the UVSL project in a meeting in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Sanjay Mukherjee, Additional Commissioner Ashwin Mudgal, and other senior officials.

The project will be directly connected to the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway through the Virar connector, significantly improving freight and passenger movement between the northern suburbs and the western coastal corridor.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the project will not only create economic opportunities but also strengthen India’s port-led development vision, said the government release.

“After detailed technical and engineering evaluations, MMRDA presented six cost variants ranging from Rs 87,427 crore to Rs 52,652 crore. CM Fadnavis and DCM Shinde selected the Rs 52,652 crore alternative as it was financially more viable, efficient, and environmentally friendly. The revised design has successfully brought down the cost from Rs 87,427.17 crore to Rs 52,652 crore,” said the government release.

Earlier plans included 4+4 lanes with emergency lanes. The revised plan includes 3+3 lanes for the main carriageway and 2+2 lanes for connectors, significantly reducing civil and structural costs. Budgeting was done keeping in mind inflation and the current road network, avoiding unnecessary costs. Narrower lane widths and optimised alignment reduced the Right of Way (RoW), thereby lowering land acquisition and rehabilitation expenses, said the release.

Earlier, double-pillar designs were replaced with single-pillar structures, making the construction more cost-effective and eco-friendly. Cuts in temporary expenses, consultant fees, and other initial costs helped bring down the total budget significantly.

According to MMRDA, the Uttan-Virar Sea Link will be a key component of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s future transport network, directly linking Mumbai’s northern suburbs with Vadhavan Port and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. It is expected to unlock significant new economic and connectivity potential across the region.

The Chief Minister also instructed the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the project’s implementation and called for fast-tracking the required approvals for the proposed alignment.

–IANS

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Complex fertiliser volume to grow 2-4 pc amid geopolitical issues: Report

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However, credit profiles of fertiliser manufacturers will remain stable because of steady profitability, expected additional subsidy allocation and its timely disbursement, the report from Crisil Ratings said.

Incremental subsidy allocation by the government, as seen in the past, will keep the working capital requirement of the complex fertiliser manufacturers steady and support their credit profiles, the report said.

Analysts indicated that rising raw material prices due to supply disruptions could increase subsidy requirements.

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Complex fertilisers account for a third of the overall domestic fertiliser consumption, of which the NPK grades comprise 55 per cent and DAP the rest.

In the previous year, DAP volumes decreased by approximately 12 per cent, while NPK increased by around 28 per cent, as domestic producers focused on NPK due to high imported DAP prices.

In the last fiscal year, geopolitical uncertainties, including export curbs by China, which accounts for a third of India’s imports, impacted DAP availability globally.

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Anand Kulkarni, Director, Crisil Ratings, said that DAP availability will be supported by additional special compensation for DAP imports by the government, alternative arrangements such as a long-term agreement with Saudi Arabia, and easing trade tensions with China.

Over the rest of this fiscal year, NPK demand is expected to normalise as the trend of DAP degrowth reverses with increased availability, he added.

–IANS

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