India denies reports of requesting ADB, Italy to stop Pakistan funding
New Delhi: The Union Finance Ministry on Monday categorically denied media reports suggesting that India had urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Italian government to halt funding to Pakistan in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
Responding to a report published by ANI, the ministry clarified via a post on X (formerly Twitter), tagging the news agency’s article, stating: “It is clarified this news is incorrect and has no basis in fact.”
One of the ANI reports had claimed, citing unnamed sources, that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had urged her Italian counterpart, Giancarlo Giorgetti, to reconsider funding support to Pakistan during their bilateral meeting in Milan. A separate ANI report claimed a similar appeal was made by Sitharaman to ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa during their meeting on the sidelines of the 58th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors.
The Finance Ministry’s social media post included a screenshot of this second ANI article and dismissed both claims as unfounded.
Sitharaman is currently in Milan leading the Indian delegation to the annual ADB meeting.
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Centre must roll back LPG price hike, says Kerala CM
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday demanded that the Centre immediately roll back the recent steep hike in LPG prices, alleging that it has severely impacted common people and small businesses.
In a statement, Vijayan described the increase as "one of the most cruel" in the history of cooking gas price revisions, saying it has pushed ordinary households and entrepreneurs into distress.
He said the price of commercial LPG cylinders had been raised by Rs 993 in one go, crossing Rs 3,000, which would adversely affect the hotel and restaurant sector.
The hike in the price of 5-kg LPG cylinders by Rs 251.50 would hit migrant workers and small families who depend on them, he added.
The chief minister alleged that the hike came immediately after the conclusion of Assembly elections in states, placing an additional burden on common people, small-scale entrepreneurs and migrant labourers.
Pointing to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, Vijayan said the hospitality sector has already been facing a shortage of cooking gas for months and the latest price increase would be difficult to absorb.
The burden would ultimately be passed on to consumers, he said, warning that several small establishments, including those in Kerala, could be forced to shut down.
Accusing oil companies of prioritising profits over public welfare, he said such a trend of imposing additional financial burden on people cannot be accepted.
Vijayan also alleged that the Centre's policies favour corporate interests and called for a correction in approach.
He urged the Union government to withdraw the excessive hike without delay.
The price of commercial LPG was hiked by the steepest ever Rs 993 per 19-kg cylinder on May 1, marking the third straight monthly increase due to rising global energy prices linked to the West Asia conflict.
