Byndoor MLA Sukumar Shetty visits Thumbay Medicity in Ajman
Ajman: BJP MLA from Byndoor, Sukumar Shetty visited Thumbay Medicity, the hub of state-of-the-art medical education, healthcare, and research, on 3rd December. He was welcomed at Thumbay Medicity by Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder President of Thumbay Group.
Touring the hospitals and the university, Mr. Sukumar Shetty commended Thumbay Medicity for the excellent facilities for healthcare and medical education, as he observed the various services at Thumbay Dental Hospital – the first private dental hospital in the country and the largest academic dental hospital in the Middle East region’s private sector, as well as Thumbay Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital – the biggest and most advanced hospital for physical therapy and rehabilitation. He appreciated Thumbay Group’s efforts in bringing the latest technology and innovation in healthcare and medical education to the region. He was quite impressed with 350-bedded Thumbay University Hospital – the largest private academic hospital in the region.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen said that Thumbay Medicity is envisioned as the healthcare and medical education hub of the region, to serve a floating population of 20,000. The 350- bed academic hospital – Thumbay University Hospital – the largest private academic hospital in the region, combined with the dental and rehabilitation hospitals make Thumbay Medicity a unique destination for specialized care. Thumbay Medicity is also a referral facility to which primary and secondary care hospitals and clinics refer to serious cases,” he explained.
The specialized hospitals of Thumbay Medicity are Academic Health Centers of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System (GMUAHS), which give them a unique advantage of having the expertise of doctors who are also academicians and researchers. GMUAHS has the distinction of being the first private academic health system in the region.
Thumbay Medicity is one of the biggest additions to the UAE’s healthcare sector, and the first such project in the private sector. Located in Ajman, Thumbay Medicity features the most modern technology and global expertise in teaching/training, healthcare delivery and research/innovation, attracting the best student and professional talent towards shaping the future of education, healthcare, and research. Thumbay Medicity also features an array of leisure and hospitality amenities such as Body & Soul Health Club and Spa, Thumbay Food Court, The Terrace Restaurant, Blends & Brews Coffee Shop etc., as well as the Thumbay Housing Project to accommodate 2500 staff and students. Thumbay Medicity has a total area of 1 million sq.ft. and a built-up area of 1.2 million sq.ft.
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Heated debate in Karnataka Legislative Council over continued ACC mining in Kalaburagi
Bengaluru (PTI): A heated exchange took place in the Karnataka Legislative Council on Tuesday over alleged non-payment of mining dues and the "unauthorised" continuation of quarry operations by the Adani Group’s ACC Limited, with ruling Congress and the opposition BJP members questioning the government’s handling of royalty recovery and permissions.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, Congress MLC K Shivakumar, speaking on behalf of his party MLC Arathi Krishna, alleged that substantial royalty dues remained unpaid even as operations continued.
Krishna wanted to know whether the Karnataka government was aware that the lease period granted to Adani Group’s ACC Ltd for mining in the Kannur Limestone Block at Wadi in Kalaburagi has expired.
“If it is true, what action has the government taken against the said company for allegedly carrying out unauthorised mining at the site without paying the total dues of Rs 850.21 crore towards royalty, rent or penalty payable to the state government?” she asked in the written question.
She claimed that despite the Law department having given a written opinion to the Mines department that the said company should not be permitted to undertake mining activities until it clears all pending dues payable to the government, no legal action has been initiated against ACC, and instead a letter has been written to the central government regarding renewal of the lease in favour of the company.
Krishna questioned the apparent disparity in enforcement between small quarry operators and large corporate entities.
“After the Adani Group took over quarrying, they had to pay Rs 837 crore as royalty. Till today, they have not paid the royalty. What prompted you to exempt them from this royalty?” asked Shivakumar, on behalf of Krishna.
“If there is any small quarry operator, if he does not pay royalty, you do not allow him... You just bring him and seize it.”
BJP MLC C T Ravi echoed similar concerns, questioning the legal and procedural basis for allowing participation in bidding and continuation of operations despite pending dues.
“Do your rules allow those with pending dues to participate? If such a provision exists, under which rule does it exist?” he asked, also seeking clarity on recommendations of the High-Level Committee, Law Department and concurrence of the Finance Department.
Responding to the allegations, Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy, replying on behalf of the Mines and Geology Minister S S Mallikarjun, maintained that no fresh licence had been granted and that the matter involved both an existing mining lease and a separate new application still under process.
He said the company had applied through the bidding route and was given time to complete formalities, which had since been done.
The minister explained that the issue of dues was pending before the court, which has allowed operations to continue subject to certain conditions.
“The old licence is continuing under court direction. It has not been stopped. We are following court direction,” he said, adding that part payment had been made and the balance would be decided through legal proceedings.
Ravi, however, pressed further, arguing that court orders did not prevent recovery of dues.
“The court has not said do not recover dues. What does your legal opinion say? Why have you not recovered?” he asked.
Shivakumar also raised concerns over declining non-tax revenue from mining, citing the state’s own budget observations.
“If Rs 800 crore to Rs 900 crore is allowed to let go like this, where will non-tax revenue come from?” he asked and sought to know why the government had not fully tapped the sector’s revenue potential.
The Minister reiterated that the due itself was under dispute, making immediate recovery difficult.
“How can we recover when the amount itself is not decided? Until recovery is possible, no further permission will be given,” he said, adding that consultations with the Law Department and Advocate General would be held to explore further action.
He also cited tender conditions, stating, “As per the tender notification dated October 5, 2020, a company must have paid all past dues to be considered a successful bidder.”
Unconvinced, Ravi demanded that the recovery of dues should follow.
