Karnataka Minister NS Boseraju charges Centre with delay in establishing AIIMS in Raichur
Raichur (Karnataka), Oct 29: Karnataka Minor Irrigation, Science, and Technology Minister NS Boseraju on Tuesday questioned the central government's alleged delay in establishing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here.
He claimed that despite multiple appeals and a "continuous satyagraha," the central government has not responded to the longstanding demand.
"The Karnataka government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, is unwavering in its commitment to bring AIIMS to Raichur. We have worked tirelessly, submitting numerous requests," Boseraju said in a statement.
According to him, Siddaramaiah has sent repeated letters to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and a dedicated team of AIIMS 'Horata Samiti' members, local MP G Kumara Naik, and district representatives had also met with the Union Health Minister in Delhi, advocating for Raichur’s case.
ALSO READ: K'taka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao urges organisations to prioritise mental health of employees
Additionally, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue in Delhi, strengthening the state’s stance on establishing AIIMS in Raichur.
"Yet, despite these efforts, the central government has shown little interest towards addressing the urgent need in Kalyana Karnataka (region). The Raichur District AIIMS 'Horata Samiti' (a committee fighting for the cause) has now completed 900 days of indefinite strike, with a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising the region’s collective appeal," he said.
The Minister urged the central government to immediately approve AIIMS for Raichur.
"The central government must immediately approve AIIMS for Raichur, a district that has aspired and waited patiently. Our struggle remains peaceful, but we are steadfast and committed – we will persist in this fight until AIIMS is sanctioned for Raichur," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Never entered into pact to operate airport in Kenya: Adani group
New Delhi, Nov 23: Billionaire Gautam Adani's group on Saturday clarified on reports of Kenya cancelling more than USD 2.5 billion in deals after US indictment on bribery charges, saying it had not entered into any binding agreement to operate Kenya's main airport.
On the pact it had signed last month to build and operate key electricity transmission lines in Kenya for 30 years, the group said the project did not fall within the ambit of Sebi's disclosure regulations, thereby not warranting any disclosure on its cancellation.
The group was responding to notices sent by stock exchanges to confirm reports of Kenyan President William Ruto ordering the cancellation of a procurement process that had been expected to award control of the country's main airport after the conglomerate's founder was indicted in the United States.
Adani Enterprises Ltd, the flagship firm of billionaire Gautam Adani's group which houses its airport business, in a filing said it had in August this year incorporated a step-down subsidiary in Kenya to upgrade, modernise, and manage airports.
"While the company was in discussion with the relevant authority for the said project, till date neither the company nor its subsidiaries (i) have been awarded any airport project in Kenya, or (ii) entered into any binding or definitive agreement in connection with any airport in Kenya," the firm said.
It did not confirm or deny reports of Kenya cancelling the airport deal.
Adani Energy Solutions Ltd, the firm that operates power transmission lines, in a separate filing said on October 9 it was awarded the project to construct transmission lines in Kenya. Thereafter, it had incorporated a step-down subsidiary in Kenya.
"We submit that the project does not fall within the ambit of item 4 of Para B, Part A, Schedule III of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, as amended (Sebi Listing Regulations) which requires intimation to be made for any awarding, bagging/ receiving, amendment or termination of awarded/bagged orders/contracts other than in the ordinary course of business," it said refusing to confirm or deny the cancellation.
It went on to state that the award of the project was in the ordinary course of business of the company and its subsidiaries as they are engaged in the business of transmission and distribution of energy (among other things).
"Consequently, any cancellation of such Project will also not fall within the ambit of item 4 of Para B, Part A, Schedule III of the Sebi Listing Regulations," it added.
Under the proposed airport deal worth nearly USD 2 billion, the conglomerate was to add a second runway at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and upgrade the passenger terminal. It was also to operate it on a 30-year lease.
Kenya's President in his state of the nation address on Thursday also stated that he was cancelling a separate 30-year, USD 736-million public-private partnership that an Adani Group firm signed with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum last month to construct power transmission lines.
That followed US authorities indicting group Founder and Chairman Gautam Adani and seven others for allegedly agreeing to pay USD 265 million to Indian officials to win lucrative solar power supply contracts.
The Adani Group denied the allegations as baseless and said it would seek "all possible legal recourse".
The tender to operate Kenya's main airport was put on hold following local protests.
Adani Energy Solutions Ltd had last month signed a project agreement with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (Ketraco) for developing three transmission lines and two substations.
