Indian Social Forum Saudi Arabia condemns police atrocities at University campuses
Indian Social Forum on Tuesday issued a press release condemning the police atrocities at the Jamia Millia, Aligarh Muslim University and Darul-Uloom campuses. The press statement asserted that the central government has been legislating and enacting laws that are disregarding the dignity of the constitution of the country and has been setting up wrong image of the country in front of the world.
“Indian Social Forum, Saudi national executive committee vehemently condemned the police atrocities at Jamila Millia, Aligarh Muslim University & Darul-Uloom campuses. Since the central govt. has been legislating and enacting laws disregarding the dignity tradition and due process of the constitution of the country, the whole world is witnessing a paradigm shift from the principles of secularism and democracy to an authoritarian rule by curtailing the freedom of expression and the right to protest peacefully and democratically” the press release stated.
The forum also added that the government was distracting itself from giving hopes and aspirations to the youth by creating employment and is involved in dividing the people of the country on religious line with legislatures like Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC)
“Rather than giving hopes and aspirations to the youth by creating employment opportunities and paving the way for development of country, the government of the country is dividing its people on religious grounds under the pretext of implementing the Citizenship Amendment Bill and National Register of Citizens” it added.
“The entire people of country are fed up with the hollow rhetoric of the govt. and are compelled to register their protest against this divisive law, CAB. But the police stormed the Jamia Millia University campuses instead of addressing the issue the prime minister has played a communal card and his party leaders spread fake news to defame the peaceful protestors, which is quite shameful and does not have any place in a democratic set up. The futile exercise of the govt. to suppress public opinion by force will only put the country to shame before the world and we request all, including political party leaders to strongly but peacefully oppose this unconstitutional act meant to divide the country on the basis of religion” the press statement further stated.
The press statement was released during a meeting that was chaired by Ashraf Morayur (President) and was attended by Abdul Ghani, EM Abdullah, Haris Mangalore, Basheer Karanthoor, Waseem Udupi, Ashraf Puthoor, Mujahid Pasha Bangalore.
Haris Mangalore welcomed the executive members and EM Abdulla proposed the vote of thanks at the meeting.
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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.
