High Profile Delegation from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Visits Thumbay Medicity
Ajman (Press Release): A high-profile delegation from Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran, headed by Dr. Alireza Zali, President of the institute visited Thumbay Medicity (Ajman) on May 25, 2023. The visit aimed at a providing a platform for meaningful engagement and laying the groundwork for long-term knowledge sharing collaborations that can benefit both the entities.
The delegation was received by Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President – Thumbay Group, Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President –Thumbay Healthcare and other senior dignitaries of the management. To begin with, the guests were provided a tour of the facilities, including Gulf Medical University University’s educational and research facilities, Thumbay Rehabilitation Hospital, Thumbay Dental Hospital and Thumbay University Hospital- to showcase the infrastructure, resources, and capabilities to the visiting delegation. It allowed the delegation to gain a firsthand understanding of the operations and the environment in which medication education and healthcare takes place. They were, furthermore, presented with a video outlining Thumbay Group’s activities in medical education, healthcare, research and other sectors, as well as an overview of the ongoing and upcoming expansion projects.
Thanking Thumbay Group’s leadership for the reception, Dr. Alireza Zali, President, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, said that the delegation was very impressed with the facilities at Thumbay Medicity, the quality of the academic curriculum imparted and the emphasis on innovation and the overall healthcare facilities at Thumbay Group. “What we saw when we walked around the Thumbay Medicity; the vision of the University, the direction that the group aspires to take is really impressive. We can see that Gulf Medical University has a very clear strategy of how to move ahead. This meeting can be considered as an auspicious one for us as we have signed a memorandum of understanding with Gulf Medical University to discuss new gateways for bilateral cooperation on common goals such as web based education, online education, exploring potential research collaborations, sharing expertise in medication education strategies, discussing policy frameworks, and further identifying areas of mutual interest for future cooperation,” he said.
The delegates also appreciated Gulf Medical University‘s efforts to establish a full-fledged Academic Health System; a first in the private sector in the region.
Thanking the delegates for their visit, Dr. Thumbay Moideen stated that Thumbay Group hopes to establish a strong relationship with healthcare institutions in Iran, to benefit from the country’s accomplishments in the field. Elaborating further, he said, “Thumbay Group has set out a three-year strategy to increase business by three folds, setting new benchmarks in healthcare and education, reinforcing its commitment to create a conducive environment for students and knowledge exchange. We are also glad to sign the MoU with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, as it strengthens our commitment to advancing medication education through global partnerships and the pursuit of knowledge sharing opportunities.”
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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.
