Laos to take tougher actions to address urgent issues

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Vientiane, Dec 13 (IANS) Laos’ National Assembly (NA)’s ninth legislature has closed its eighth ordinary session, with the government instructed to take tougher action to address public debt, high inflation, spiraling costs, and fluctuating currency exchange rates.

The session passed resolutions aimed at bolstering political stability, maintaining social order, fostering economic growth, and promoting inclusive development across ethnic communities, Lao national TV reported on Friday.

The meeting approved reports on the implementation of the 2024 economic-social development plan, state budget, monetary policy, and the 2025 action plan, Xinhua news agency reported.

The session urged the government to address inflation, stabilize exchange rates, and regulate commodity prices. It also called for increased state investment in cultural and social sectors, with an emphasis on workforce development, healthcare improvements, and expanded social security coverage.

To boost tourism and generate national income, the assembly emphasized the importance of upgrading infrastructure, including roads and facilities in key tourist destinations.

The Laos government anticipates that the gross domestic product (GDP) will grow by 4.6 per cent in 2024, surpassing the National Assembly’s approved target of 4.5 per cent.

This growth is expected to be driven by the services, transportation, and wholesale and retail sectors.

Last month, a training programme themed ‘Improvement of Connectivity and Promotion of Local Industry’ was held in Vientiane to strengthen connectivity and promote local industries.

The training course was designed to promote a deeper understanding of strategies that can be used to address critical challenges confronting the Lao economy, Lao Economic Daily.

Several topics were discussed during the training sessions, including the economic landscape of Laos before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, the evolution and progress of special economic zones, strategies for promoting foreign direct investment and enhancing connectivity, and advancing the development of local industries.

Additionally, participants focused on addressing macroeconomic challenges, including foreign reserves, inflation, and pressures on the exchange rate.

–IANS

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Sensex closes at 82,133 after 2,000 pts rally from day low

Mumbai, Dec 13 (IANS) The Indian stock market closed in the green on Friday, with sharp gains in heavyweights like Bharti Airtel, ITC, HUL, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

At Closing, Sensex was up 843.16 points or 1.04 per cent, at 82,133.12 and Nifty was up 219.89 points or 0.89 per cent, at 24,768.30.

During the session, BSE’s benchmark made an intra-day high of 82,213 after recovering from a low of 80,082.

According to the experts, “Currently, the market is anticipating a revival in consumer spending, driven by the festive season and year-end holidays, adding to the sentiments. Additionally, an expectation of an increase in the US spending is propelling the IT sector.”

Midcap and smallcap stocks underperformed compared to largcaps. Nifty midcap 100 index closed at 58,991, down 30 points or 0.05 per cent. and the Nifty smallcap 100 index closed at 19,407, down 59 points or 0.30 per cent.

In the Sensex pack, Bharti Airtel, ITC, Kotak Mahindra Bank, HUL, Titan Company, UltraTech Cement, HCL Tech, Power Grid, and Nestle were top gainers. Tata Steel, IndusInd Bank, JSW Steel, and Bajaj Finserv were the top losers.

Among the sectoral indices, Auto, IT, financial service, FMCG, energy and Infra were top contributors. PSU Bank, pharma, metal, realty and media were top laggards.

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst, LKP Securities said, “The equity market in India witnessed a roller-coaster session on the day of the Sensex weekly expiry. On the lower end, the Nifty found support around the neckline of the inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, completing a retest before rallying towards higher levels. Today’s low also coincides with the 38.2 per cent retracement level of the previous rally.”

“Going forward, the trend is likely to remain strong, with the potential to reach 25,000 and higher in the short term. On the lower end, support is placed at 24,550,” he added.

–IANS

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Manipur: Assam Rifles destroys 354 acres of illegal poppy farming in 2024

Imphal, Dec 14 (IANS) The Assam Rifles alone destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation this year, primarily in three Manipur districts — Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel.

A Defence spokesman said that through meticulously planned joint operations, the force successfully identified and destroyed 354 acres of illicit poppy cultivation, primarily in the districts of Ukhrul, Churachandpur, and Chandel.

The Assam Rifles continued its determination to fight against the menace of poppy cultivation along the India-Myanmar border, he said.

The spokesman said that by eliminating poppy fields and striking at the roots of narco-trade, Assam Rifles has reaffirmed its commitment towards ensuring stability and security in Manipur and beyond.

According to the defence official, the battle against poppy cultivation has been a consistent priority for the para-military force, as reflected in its sustained efforts over the years.

In 2020 the force identified a staggering 8057 acres of poppy fields, of which 1695 acres were destroyed. This trend of rigorous action continued in subsequent years with 5610 acres identified and 1976 acres destroyed in 2021.

The Assam Rifles intensified its operations in 2022 identifying 494 acres and destroying 715 acres, including previously undiscovered patches.

In 2023, 1735 acres were identified and 1488 acres were eradicated.

By 2024 the area of identified poppy fields had declined significantly, reflecting the success of the state and Central governments and security forces’ multi-pronged strategy, the spokesman pointed out.

Noting that the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, no single agency can effectively address this challenge alone, the spokesman said that collaborative operations have proven essential, with Assam Rifles actively coordinating with state and central agencies, including the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Manipur Police and other CAPFs deployed in the area.

The NCB, as the nodal agency for drug enforcement under the Ministry of Home Affairs, ensured synergy among all stakeholders during operations, especially during the opium harvesting seasons. Joint operations have focused on curbing cultivation, disrupting supply chains and dismantling the networks sustaining the illicit drug trade.

The security cover provided by the force has ensured the safe execution of destruction operations in vulnerable and conflict-prone areas.

Assam Rifles deftly incorporated advanced technology, such as drone surveillance in identifying poppy fields in inaccessible terrains.

An official statement said that these high-tech measures are complemented by actionable intelligence from local communities and inputs from civil society organisations (CSOs).

The Leveraging of Technology and Community Support has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of operations, ensuring a swift and targeted approach.

Additionally, the Force has also maintained a robust ground presence through Area Domination Patrols in traditional cultivation zones. This persistent vigilance has acted as a deterrent to the resurgence of illegal farming practices, the statement said.

Beyond destruction campaigns, Assam Rifles has also prioritised addressing the socio-economic factors driving poppy cultivation.

Under its “Drug-Free Manipur” initiative, the Force has conducted extensive awareness drives to educate communities about the perils of drug addiction and the risks associated with illegal farming.

Through regular interactions with villagers and local leaders, the force has actively promoted sustainable livelihood options, encouraging a shift toward legitimate and long-term economic activities.

Assam Rifles’ zero-tolerance policy against narcotics-related activities has led to legal actions against defaulters, including cultivators and financiers. These measures, combined with efforts to restrict cross-border narcotics trafficking, have disrupted the infrastructure supporting poppy cultivation.

–IANS

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Pakistan’s military court sends 25 civilians to jail for involvement in 2023 riots

Rawalpindi, Dec 21 (IANS) Military courts in Pakistan have begun punishing ‘culprits’ behind the May 9, 2023 attacks with as many as 25 civilians found to be involved in violence and riots in protests being sentenced to jail terms ranging between two to 10 years, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s military establishment, announced Saturday.

According to the ISPR, 25 civilians were convicted for their active participation in attacks on important military sites including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Pakistan Air Force Base in Mianwali and other important military installations spread across the country.

The protests were held against the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, also the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

ISPR, while assuring that convictions are being announced after fulfilment of proper legal procedures, maintained that the sentencing by Field General Court Martial is the first phase and more convictions would be announced in future after thorough review and investigation into evidence.

As per available details, at least 14 individuals have been sentenced to 10-year imprisonment, while remaining 11 persons have been handed shorter terms between two to nine years.

ISPR stated that last year’s May 9 riots were blatant acts of violence that shook Pakistan.

“These blatant acts of violence not only shocked the nation but also underscored [the] necessity of checking this unacceptable attempt of political terrorism to impose own perverted will through violence and coercion,” the statement added.

It noted that on December 13, 2024, a “seven-member constitutional bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed that the cases pending due to an earlier order of the Supreme Court be finalised and judgements in the cases of those accused found involved in these violent incidents be announced”.

The latest convictions come as a major setback to PTI and Imran Khan, who have claimed no involvement in the riots and instead accused the military establishment for using the incident to target PTI and its leadership besides having vested political interests.

Khan, who is serving jail terms in different cases of corruption, has been demanding a judicial inquiry into last year’s incident, claiming that he had nothing to do with the attacks on military installations. His party PTI has also raised questions on the trial of civilians in military courts, accusing the government and the military establishment for using the May 9 incident to crack down on Imran Khan, PTI and its leadership, leading to a complete ban from political gatherings, meetings or even public appearances.

On the other hand, the government and the military establishment claims that Imran Khan is the mastermind behind the planned, coordinated and targetted attacks on military installations.

–IANS

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