Phase-II of Coastal Surveillance Network to be completed on time: Sitharaman
New Delhi, Sep 24 : The second phase of the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) - that was conceived to ensure attacks like Mumbai 26/11 does not happen in future - would be completed in a time-bound manner, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.
The first phase of the CSN, which provides near real-time surveillance around areas of high sensitivity along the coast line, has already been completed.
Inaugurating the 37th Coast Guard Commanders' Conference here, Sitharaman appreciated the consistent efforts of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in filling up the gaps in surveillance through CSN Phase-I, and assured "staunch commitment" of the Defence Ministry for the completion of Phase-II in a "time bound manner".
She called upon the ICG's top commanders to discuss ways and means to engage fishing communities to adopt technology driven instruments for further enhancing safety and security at sea.
The Defence Minister said the Indian Coast Guard regularly garners appreciation at international fora for its capabilities and relentless surveillance of India's vast maritime zones.
The ICG's capabilities are unmatched in the Indo-Pacific region, she said.
She also appreciated the role played by the ICG in saving the lives in times of adversity such as in the aftermath of cyclone Ockhi and during the recent Kerala floods.
Coast Guard Director General Rajendra Singh said the force remains ever-diligent in performing its duties of saving lives and property in distress at sea, protecting the marine environment and protecting India's maritime security interests.
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Sena (UBT)-MNS alliance announcement for civic polls likely next week
Mumbai (PTI): The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) are likely to announce next week their alliance for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Maharashtra, with seat-sharing for all the civic bodies, except Mumbai, almost complete, leaders of both the parties said.
Elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, including the all-important Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), will be held on January 15, and the counting of votes will take place the next day.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) and the MNS will forge an alliance for the polls in municipal corporations of Mumbai, Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Kalyan-Dombivli, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune and Nashik, among others.
The Sena (UBT) is headed by former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, while his once-estranged cousin Raj is the president of the MNS.
"Talks for all civic bodies, except Mumbai, are complete. The sticking point is about the seats that we are demanding in Marathi-dominated areas. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is not still not agreeing to it which has delayed the seat-sharing. But the talks have to be over soon since the date of filing nominations starts next week (December 23 to December 30)," an MNS leader said.
Talking to reporters, MNS leader and former MLA Nitin Sardesai said, "It is appropriate to say that the talks are in final stages but it is difficult to say when it will be officially announced. I can only say that all sides are putting efforts to complete the talks and they are working towards it."
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Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab met Raj Thackeray to discuss seat-sharing.
A Sena (UBT) leader said talks are in final stages and there is no hurdle in the seat-sharing agreement.
"The two brothers are expected to officially announce the alliance between the two parties on Monday in a public event or through a press conference that will set the tone for the civic body polls," he said.
Raj Thackeray quit the undivided Shiv Sena blaming Uddhav for his exit in 2005 and floated the MNS in 2006. They had been political rivals since then.
However, after the drubbing of their parties in the Maharashtra assembly polls in 2024 - the Sena (UBT) won 20 seats, while MNS drew a blank - both leaders decided to put behind their political acrimony and find a common ground for survival.
Over the past few months, the two cousins shared the stage or were spotted at public forums together multiple times for various reasons.
The cousins publicly ended their two-decade-long estrangement in July, where they addressed a joint rally. At the event, Uddhav said they have come together to stay together.
