Ex-Union Minister K P Unnikrishnan dies at 89
Kozhikode (Kerala)(PTI): Former Union Minister K P Unnikrishnan, who was regarded as one of the prominent figures in Indian politics during the 1980s and 1990s, died in the early hours of Tuesday, his family said.
He was 89.
He died while undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital here, they said.
Having been elected to the Lok Sabha six consecutive times from Vadakara, he served as a Union Minister in the V P Singh Cabinet, holding the portfolios of Surface Transport and Communications during 1989–90.
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During his tenure as Minister, he oversaw the evacuation of Indians during the Gulf War.
Beginning his professional life as a journalist, Unnikrishnan was first elected to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara in 1971 as a Congress candidate.
He subsequently represented the constituency in the Lok Sabha in 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989 and 1991.
Between 1981 and 1984, he served as the leader of Congress (Secular) in Parliament, and from 1980 to 1982 he was a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
A close associate of V K Krishna Menon, Unnikrishnan was at one time a trusted confidant of Indira Gandhi.
However, he later left the Congress following political differences.
He was active in the Congress (U) and Congress (S) before returning to the Congress in 1995.
Born on September 20, 1936, he was educated at Madras Christian College in Chennai and completed his law degree from that city.
During this period, he was associated with the Socialist Party and later the Praja Socialist Party.
In the 1960s, he joined the Indian National Congress and became a member of the All India Congress Committee in 1962.
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Delhi Police busts LPG black marketing racket in Bawana, 75 cylinders seized; 1 held
New Delhi (PTI): Delhi Police has busted an LPG cylinder hoarding and black marketing racket in the Bawana area, an officer said on Friday.
A 50-year-old man, identified as Anil, has been arrested and 75 cylinders seized, he said.
The accused was apprehended following a tip-off about the illegal storage and transportation of LPG cylinders in the industrial area.
Acting on the input, a police team laid a picket near District Park in Bawana on Thursday evening. Around 4 pm, a pickup truck was intercepted and checked, leading to the recovery of 27 LPG cylinders, including both domestic and commercial units.
"When questioned, the accused failed to produce any valid documents, including a licence, permit, stock register or proof of ownership for the cylinders," the officer said.
During interrogation, Anil revealed that more cylinders were stored at nearby premises. Based on his disclosure, police raided two rooms and an iron shed near a factory in the area.
"A total of 48 additional cylinders were recovered, taking the overall seizure to 75. The cylinders were stored without safety measures or legal authorisation, posing a serious risk," the officer said.
Disruptions in maritime supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing US-Israel and Iran conflict have caused an LPG crisis in India.
