Coast Guard seizes Rs 80 lakh worth sea cucumbers in TN
Chennai (PTI): The Indian Coast Guard on Monday seized an "illegal consignment" of sea cucumbers worth Rs 80 Lakh near Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.
According to an official release here, the Coast Guard action was based on intelligence input about the likely transshipment of contraband off the South Uchipuli seashore near Rameswaram.
"The Indian Coast Guard's nearby unit at Mandapam swiftly launched an anti-smuggling operation. The intelligence team of the ICGS Mandapam promptly diverted the Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) H-197 to conduct extensive surveillance in the area."
"During the operation, it sighted and recovered five drums containing sea cucumbers, weighing approximately 200 kg (wet weight). The estimated market value of the seized consignment is approximately Rs 80 lakh," the release said.
This successful interception underscores the Coast Guard's unwavering commitment to anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and preserving marine biodiversity, the release said, adding that the force remains vigilant and proactive in safeguarding marine ecology and protecting illegal exploitation.
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SP has ended contract with I-PAC due to fund constraints: Akhilesh Yadav
Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said his party has severed its association with the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) due to a lack of funds.
He dismissed speculations that the termination of contract was because of recent election results.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said the party had engaged I-PAC for a brief period ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections but could not continue the arrangement.
"Yes, we had an association. They worked with us for a few months, but we are not able to continue because we do not have that kind of funding," he said.
The I-PAC is a political consultancy firm known for managing major election campaigns across the country.
Election strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has also been associated with the organisation in the past and has worked with multiple parties, including the BJP and the Congress.
In a lighter vein, Yadav took a swipe at the ecosystem of political consultancies. "We thought that if we have to work with a 'winning agency', then there are several big companies."
He said that some people suggested conducting surveys, hiring another firm, keeping a social media company, and even engaging agencies for negative campaigning against other parties.
"There are one or two more companies whose names are not yet known. I can get those for you as well," Yadav said.
Yadav rejected the suggestion that the decision to end the deal was influenced by recent election outcomes in states such as West Bengal.
"There is no such thing. Do not ask questions based on baseless reports. That is not true," he said.
"This is not the reason for ending the agreement. We simply do not have enough funds. If you (the media) give us funds, we can hire another company," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said.
