Men remove a fallen electricity pole from a road after cyclone Amphan made its landfall in South 24 Parganas district on West Bengal on Thursday. (Reuters)
Protests have been raging on in several parts of the city, where the residents claimed that they have been going without power and water supply for the last five days.
Kolkata
Last Updated: May 26, 2021, 12:17 AM IST
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Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim on Monday said the state government is mounting pressure on private power utility CESC for increasing its pace of work to restore electricity at all corners of the city, which was left in shambles after Cyclone Amphan struck on May 20.
The private power utility, however, insisted that it has “completed 95 per cent of the work”, and electricity has been restored in most parts of Kolkata and its neighbourhood.
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Protests have been raging on in several parts of the city, where the residents claimed that they have been going without power and water supply for the last five days.
Hakim, who is also the state urban development minister, said the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) is doing its best to bring the city back on its foot by clearing roads and cleaning drains.
“The chief minister and the chief secretary are constantly mounting pressure on the CESC to expedite work. Enough is enough. I am requesting the CESC with folded hands to increase its manpower and finish the pending work,” he said.
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Noting that the CESC has given assurances that it would take measures to complete the remaining work in a day or two, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader said, “I hope the company lives up to its word.”
Asked about the allegations of incompetence and disorganisation levelled by former KMC mayor and CPI(M) leader Bikash Bhattacharya, he said the city has not experienced a storm this severe in a long time, and his predecessors have never handled a crisis of this magnitude.
“Never in the past, 5,500 trees fell in a matter of few hours. He (Bhattacharya) is talking about (cyclone) ‘Aila’. How many trees fell during ‘Aila’? The KMC, with its dedicated workforce, is working round the clock to remove the trunks and foliage and clear the roads. It has 500 electric saws and 200 trucks for cutting the felled trees and transporting the wreckage. What we need is more dumpers.
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“We are facing an unprecedented situation, but we are delivering…. Most of the major roads have been thrown open for vehicular movement,” Hakim said.
The minister urged his political opponents to refrain from “indulging in politics” at this hour of crisis.
“I will request all critics to stop bickering and come forward to help people. You will find enough chances to criticise me during election campaigns, but this is not the time,” he said.
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Underlining the fact that the city has lost a significant portion of its green cover, Hakim said a meeting would be held with forest officials on May 30 to discuss ways to make up for the loss.
“Many old trees, some over 100 years of age, were uprooted during this storm. We have to follow a systematic policy while planting trees in the future, but on the face of such high-velocity wind, you cannot prevent trees from falling,” he said.
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Bengaluru, April 16 (IANS) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep concern over the tension between Israel and Iran, highlighting the potential for a global crisis. Speaking at an event in Rajajinagar, he emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to tackle such issues.
Jaishankar, at an interactive session titled ‘Vishwa Bandhu Bharat’, stressed the impact of tensions between countries on global economy. He stated, “Such tensions will lead to an increase in oil prices, food prices, and inflation. The only panacea for all such global problems is the concept of ‘Vishwa Bandhu’.”
The minister also mentioned the challenges faced by an Indian ship caught in the turmoil in Iran with 17 Indian nationals on board. He assured efforts being made to ensure their safe return and highlighted the responsibility to evacuate about 18 lakh Indians in the region promptly.
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Addressing the broader geopolitical landscape, Jaishankar pointed out various global crises, including tension in Ukraine, ongoing war in Gaza, and disturbance in the Indian Pacific region. He called for mature leadership to address these challenges, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative approach over unilateral actions.India’s active role in global forums, like the G20 Presidency, has drawn attention to the issues faced by the Global South, he added.
In conclusion, Jaishankar reiterated the importance of diplomatic efforts and international cooperation to navigate through the current global challenges effectively. He emphasized India’s commitment to addressing such issues and playing a constructive role in shaping a peaceful global order.–IANS mka/arm
In Maharashtra, in the lead-up to the Lok Sabha elections, political defectors are making waves as parties from both MahaYuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi alliances are welcoming them with open arms. Several leaders who switched parties or returned have secured nominations for various constituencies.
Archana Patil, a former BJP leader and wife of legislator Rana Jagjit Singh Patil, joined NCP led by Ajit Pawar and is nominated from Dharashiv against her brother-in-law Omraje Nimbalkar of Shiv Sena-UBT.
Former Shiv Sena deputy leader Shivajirao Adhalrao joined NCP and will contest from Shirur against sitting MP Amol Kolhe after losing to him in 2019 elections. Adhalrao represented Shirur thrice before switching parties.
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Congress legislator Raju Parwe left his party to join Shiv Sena and is nominated from Ramtek, challenging the incumbent MP Shyamkumar Barve of Congress.
BJP leader Karan Pawar joined Shiv Sena-UBT and will contest from Jalgaon against BJP candidate Smita Wagh. Bajrang Sonawane deserted Ajit Pawar to join NCP-SP and is fielded from Beed against BJP’s Pankaja Munde.
NCP legislator Nilesh Lanke from Parner switched back to NCP-SP and will contest from Ahmednagar against BJP nominee Sujay Vikhe-Patil. BJP leader Dhairyasheel Mohite-Patil left his party to join NCP-SP and will contest from Madha against BJP nominee Ranjit Sinh Naik-Nimbalkar.
The Cybercrime Branch of the Ahmedabad Police has apprehended two individuals associated with a group that was involved in financial fraud. Ajay alias Ajju Babulal Verma (25) and Himanshu Harishbhai (18) were allegedly peddling an ayurvedic medicine, claiming it enhanced sexual power under the brand name ‘Ankush Aryuveda’. The duo targeted people nationwide by sending them fraudulent parcels of the medicine and then coerced them into making payments under threat of legal repercussions.
The scam orchestrated by the accused spanned over the last two months and duped 13 individuals of a substantial sum. Officials from the Cybercrime Branch disclosed that the fraudsters bolstered their scheme by sending fake notices, masquerading as the Gandhinagar Cyber Crime Department, demanding payments via digital wallets. The notices included threats of imprisonment or fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 if the victims did not comply.
Further investigations unveiled a case against the key suspect in Daman, hinting at a larger network of criminal operations. The Cybercrime Branch is actively pursuing the case to expose the full extent of the fraudulent activities orchestrated by the gang. It serves as a reminder for citizens to remain vigilant and cautious when dealing with unsolicited offers and products, especially those promising miraculous results.
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The authorities have urged anyone who may have fallen victim to a similar scam or has relevant information to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. The swift action taken by the Cybercrime Branch highlights their commitment to safeguarding citizens against fraudulent schemes and holding those responsible for financial crimes accountable for their actions.
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