Kerala HC modifies its order of conditional arrest of cargo ship; reduces security amount
Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Thursday reduced the security amount to be paid by the owners of MSC ELSA III, which sank off the Kerala coast and caused severe pollution, for the release of its sister vessel MSC AKITETA II, to Rs 1,227.62 crore.
The High Court on July 7 had ordered the conditional arrest of MSC AKITETA till its owner -- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) -- deposits Rs 9,531 crore as security.
Justice M A Abdul Hakhim on Thursday reduced the amount to Rs 1,227.62 crore.
The High Court said that the state government can later seek an increase in the security amount "on obtaining further materials" to support such a hike.
It also said that the state government "has every right to seek the arrest of any other sister vessel of the sunken vessel in this suit itself to demand additional security on furnishing supporting materials for the increase".
The order came on a plea by the Kerala government claiming damages of Rs 9,531 crore in connection with the sinking of MSC ELSA III and the resultant environmental pollution.
The state government's claim was under three heads -- Rs 8,626.12 crore towards compensation for damage caused to the environment, coastline or related interests of the state, Rs 378.48 crore as cost of the steps taken to prevent, minimise or remove such damage and Rs 526.51 crore towards economic loss caused to fishermen pursuant to the sinking of the vessel.
The MSC ELSA III had capsized and sunk off the Kerala coast on May 25, allegedly releasing oil and cargo that harmed the marine environment, damaged the coastline and affected the livelihood of thousands of fishermen.
Kerala's Environment Department, which brought the case, had said that the sunken vessel had 643 cargo containers and that the damage caused was enormous.
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JD(S) wants changes in certain provisions in One Nation-One Election proposal
Bengaluru (PTI): The JD(S) has requested its ally BJP to make changes in certain provisions of the proposed 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill linked to the ONOE proposal, particularly the special powers proposed to be given to the ECI to recommend postponement of elections in any state.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee held discussions with political parties in Bengaluru on Saturday regarding the Constitution Amendment Bill connected to 'One Nation-One Election' and sought their suggestions and opinions.
The JD(S) said suitable amendments had been proposed to the provisions empowering the Election Commission of India to recommend to the President the deferment of state elections, while also seeking legal safeguards for the stability of coalition governments and protection for regional parties during simultaneous elections.
"With regard to the Bill, the JD(S) extended support to the Constitutional amendment with certain conditions and amendments, while suggesting safeguards to ensure that regional parties are not adversely affected by the aggressive election campaigns of national parties during simultaneous elections," the statement said.
The party stated that coalition governments have been formed and functioning at both the state and national levels for several decades in recent years, and "there is a need for legal protection to ensure their stability".
"Therefore, it also suggested incorporating legal safeguards for the stability of coalition governments in the proposed Constitutional amendment," the party, headed by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, said.
The proposed Constitutional amendment grants special powers to the ECI to recommend to the President the postponement of elections in any state. Suitable amendments to these special powers have been proposed, the party said.
"On the above stated subjects, suitable submissions were made to the JPC," the party said in a statement, which has been posted on its 'X' handle.
According to the statement, the JD(S) delegation was led by M Mallesh Babu and included former MP D Kupendra Reddy, former Assembly Deputy Speaker M Krishna Reddy, former minister Venkatrao Nadagouda, MLA T N Javarayi Gowda, former MLA K A Tippeswamy and party legal cell president A P Ranganath.
