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The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
Complaints lodged with Collector over alleged disappearance of earthmover
The Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi and the Vazhathuruthy Residents' Association have lodged separate complaints with the District Collector, alleging irresponsibility on the part of Revenue officials over the disappearance of an earthmover that was under the custody of the Revenue department and its subsequent recovery. The earthmover in question had been confiscated in November 2024 in connection with the alleged destruction of mangroves in the Kottooli wetlands and an attempt to construct a road. For over a month, it could not be moved from the site as one of its tyres had got stuck in the mud. It was later shifted to a nearby plot, where it was to be detained until further notice. However, the earthmover reportedly disappeared on the night of May 16. It was found behind an auditorium near Sarovaram Bio Park three days later. Officials from the Vengeri village office inspected the earthmover and instructed its owners to present it at the office by Wednesday (May 21, 2025). Meanwhile, the Sarovaram Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi alleged that Revenue officials showed no concern for the property they had confiscated. 'They [the officials] shifted the blame, claiming it was the responsibility of the police to look after the earthmover. However, the Nadakkavu police said they had not received any such intimation from the Revenue department,' said P.M. Jeejabai, secretary of the Vazhathuruthy Residents' Association. The Samithi questioned the need to repair a vehicle that was not meant to be used any time soon, as it had been legally confiscated. Tension has been brewing at Vazhathuruthy over the past few months between residents and alleged encroachers of the wetland over attempts to clear mangroves and fill parts of the Kottooli wetlands, a proposed Ramsar site. So far, three earthmovers have been confiscated by the Revenue department for activities that violated the Kerala Paddy and Wetland Protection Act.
The Print
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Modi government revamps NSA Board, new members with unique skill sets added for fresh impetus
The new appointees include former Western Air Commander Air Marshal P.M. Sinha, who retired in December 2024. The government has appointed six new members to the 15-member board, with a majority from the defence and security establishments. New Delhi: The Narendra Modi government has appointed former R&AW and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) chief Alok Joshi as the National Security Advisory Board (NSA Board) chairman. He is an experienced fighter pilot, category 'A' qualified flying instructor, fighter striker leader, instrument rating instructor and examiner, with more than 4,500 hours of flying experience. He also comes with rich experience in planning air operations. He has been air assistant to the chief of air staff and assistant chief of air staff operations (offensive) at Air Headquarters. He also served as the Director General of Air Operations at Air Headquarters. The other military officer appointed to NSA Board is Rear Admiral Monty Khanna, a submariner who formerly served as an assistant military adviser at the National Security Council Secretariat, headed by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval. His appointment to the NSA Board comes as the government focuses on the submarine-building programme, with a larger goal within the security establishment to increase deterrence and punitive strike capability of underwater ships, too, rather than just of the surface ships. Another new member is former Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General A.K. Singh, who commanded the South Command of the Indian Army till his retirement in June 2024. Two other new members ARE from the world of intelligence—a 1990-batch, UP-cadre IPS officer, who formerly served as the Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau, and Manmohan Singh, a 1988-batch Bihar-cadre IPS with a rich experience from the Punjab issue. IFS B. Venkatesh Varma, who served as envoy to Russia, is the sixth new appointee. Sources said the government has ensured that new appointees recently retired from their departments where they held key positions and took part in the overall decision-making process in their respective spheres. 'There is a reason why the NSA Board tenure is for two years, which is extendable. These new appointments have now been made to give the 15-member board a fresh impetus,' a source said, adding that the revamped NSA Board will be meeting for the first time Thursday. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Ultra & Alpine Quest—technologies that keep Pakistani terrorists, especially LeT, going in J&K
