Fearing action against daughter, CM Vijayan has lost his balance: Congress

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Thiruvananthapuram, April 10 (IANS) A day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan burst out at the media for focussing on his daughter Veena Vijayan currently under the radar of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) over allegations of her (now defunct) IT firm receiving monthly gratification from Kochi-based Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) for mining sanctions, top Congress leaders on Thursday took pot shots at him for losing his cool.

State Congress President and Kannur MP K. Sudhakaran slammed Vijayan for his outbursts against the media.

“It’s understandable why Vijayan is now behaving as if his bearings have gone is because he knows the game is over as his daughter is now entangled in knots through the charge sheet filed by the SFIO and also with two other national agencies reaching her doorstep,” he said.

“The first narrative of Vijayan was that his daughter was not heard by the probe agencies. But now with the probe agency taking statements from both parties (Veena and CMRL), he is not saying this now. Now he says all the taxes have been paid by his daughter’s firm for services given to the CMRL. He is rattled as he knows things do not augur well,” Sudhakaran said.

Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said there is no reason for Vijayan to lose his cool and turn his ire towards the media.

“This cannot be seen as a case which has political overtones, as the national agencies have gone forward based on documents. Instead of haunting the media, he should deal with the case legally, as things are very grave in the case against his daughter,” he said.

At his media interaction on Wednesday, Vijayan, facing a flurry of questions from the media over the case against his daughter, said: “All this is happening because it’s me. Our party has also said the same. So if you have any other questions other than this, I will answer. This case is being highlighted as she is my daughter.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the ED officials reached the court in Kochi, where the SFIO has filed its charge sheet in the case against Veena Vijayan for a copy of it, clearly implying the ED will also probe the case as it involves alleged money laundering.

–IANS

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The toll-free number (14416) was launched in 2022 to counter the rising mental health issues in the country.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Jadhav stated that 53 Tele MANAS cells have been set up in 36 states. It provides 24×7 mental health services in up to 20 languages.

As of February 3, “36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells. Tele-MANAS services are available in 20 languages based on language opted by States. More than 18,13,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number,” Jadhav said.

Tele MANAS cells were launched under the National Tele Mental Health Programme (NTMHP) — functioning as the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme.

The government has been allocating “Rs. 120.98 crore, Rs. 133.73 crore and Rs. 90.00 crore for NTMHP for the year 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 respectively,” the MoS said.

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A dedicated Tele-MANAS Cell has also been established at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune to extend tele-mental health assistance and support to all Armed Forces service personnel and their dependents.

To address mental health problems right from the grassroots level, the government has added mental health services to the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

It has “upgraded more than 1.73 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs,” Jadhav said.

Meanwhile, the government on Friday also informed of 8.59 crore hospital admissions worth Rs 1.19 lakh crore authorised under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) till January.

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UCC roll-out: BJP welcomes move, JD(U) leader raises concerns; Opposition fumes

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Uttarakhand has taken a historic step by becoming the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), igniting a fierce political divide.

While the BJP and Shiv Sena have lauded the state’s decision, calling it a progressive move for national unity, opposition parties, including Congress, RJD and a JD(U) leader have raised strong objections, asserting that the move undermines the country’s rich cultural diversity and threatens societal harmony.

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami not only announced the implementation of the UCC but also launched an online portal for citizens to register marriages, divorce, inheritance claims, live-in relationships, and their dissolution, all under the newly introduced law. The state also released a set of rules to guide the implementation of the law, marking a significant step in the country’s legal landscape.

BJP leaders were quick to praise Uttarakhand’s move. Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao described the state’s action as courageous and noted that Uttarakhand’s experience could serve as a model for the rest of the nation.

“Uttarakhand has long considered UCC, and now it’s been implemented. This step should encourage further nationwide discussions,” he said.

Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij also congratulated Uttarakhand, stating, “This is a monumental administrative step. There should be one law for one country, and Uttarakhand has set the stage for the rest of the nation. It is time to move beyond outdated systems.”

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also lauded Uttarakhand for addressing the needs of tribal communities in its UCC framework. “The way the government has thought about tribal people is commendable. Their inclusion in these legal reforms is a positive step,” Nirupam remarked.

However, the Opposition has been vocal in its criticism.

JD(U) leader Khalid Anwar argued that the UCC is incompatible with India’s multi-cultural society.

“This move is an attack on diversity. India is a land of many traditions, and a uniform law could erode these rich cultures. Our party has always opposed the UCC, believing it could harm the fabric of our society,” Anwar stated.

Congress leader TS Singh Deo expressed concerns over the exclusion of certain communities, particularly the tribal community, from the UCC.

“The law should reflect the sentiments and customs of all communities. If we are truly seeking a uniform civil code, it must include every section of society without exception. This cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach,” he said.

RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui warned that implementing the UCC without broader consensus could weaken the Constitution and destabilise India’s secular and democratic foundations.

“Our country is based on the principles of equality and unity. The Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens. The UCC risks undermining these principles, and such a move, even if implemented in one state, could have far-reaching consequences,” Siddiqui said passionately.

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“The Northeast is not just a part of India but it is the heart of India. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every citizen feels included and valued. The SEIL initiative, launched in 1966, has built bridges across regions by allowing students to experience the diversity of our great nation first-hand,” he said.

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Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the region, Kumaraswamy recalled how the ‘Look East Policy’ was transformed into the ‘Act East Policy’ to boost economic growth, infrastructure, and connectivity.

“Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always recognised the Northeast’s significance. He calls these states ‘Ashtalakshmi,’ acknowledging their immense potential and placing special focus on their progress,” he said.

He further elaborated on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in the region, stating, “From strengthening borders to enhancing connectivity and providing economic opportunities, the central government has worked tirelessly to integrate the Northeast into India’s growth story.”

Kumaraswamy also paid tribute to his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, for his historic contributions to the Northeast.

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