Death toll goes up to 29 in Tamil Nadu's hooch tragedy
Kallakurichi (PTI): Twenty nine people have died after consuming illicit 'packet arrack' in Kallakurichi, district collector M S Prasanth said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters here, the top district official said that 109 people are being treated in a number of hospitals and the status of those in a critical stage 'keeps changing' and it would be updated later.
State Minister (Highways) EV Velu said two women and one transgender were among the victims.
Prasanth further said sufficient medical professionals, including specialists from nearby government medical colleges have been deployed in the district to handle the situation, even as more number of ambulances with life-support have been stationed.
Briefing reporters here, senior Minister EV Velu said it should not be assumed as if 'illicit arrack sale' has happened only under the DMK rule and such incidents have been occuring during all the regimes.
"Every government (be it DMK or AIADMK governments) has taken tough action, this government has been taking stern action continuously."
Furthermore, he told reporters: "As far as the government is concerned there is no necessity for it to encourage illicit liquor peddlers and we are taking tough action."
"The government will not spare anyone," he said, adding two women and one transgender were among the victims.
"I don't like to justify the mistake, this incident must not have happened and since this has happened the chief minister has directed tough action."
Be it brewers of illicit arrack or those who sell it, the government has been taking stern action including under Goondas Act.
Velu and Health Minister Ma Subramanian are camping in Kallakurichi to render help to the affected people.
Actor-politician Vijay, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief blamed the negligence of the government for the incident and demanded that the state take 'tough' precautionary measures to prevent recurrence.
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Karnataka launches state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru
Bengaluru (PTI): In a significant boost to India’s rapidly expanding space economy, the Karnataka government on Friday launched the country’s first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology here, officials said.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s capabilities to translate space innovation into scalable commercial outcomes, they said.
The Centre, established by the Government of Karnataka through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society in collaboration with SIA (Satcom Industry Association India) -India, was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge, in the presence of senior officials and industry leaders, officials said.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Kharge said that Karnataka has consistently been at the forefront of India's technology and innovation journey. With the launch of this Centre of Excellence for Space Technology, we are extending that leadership into one of the most strategic sectors of the future.
"Our focus is not just on advancing research, but on creating an ecosystem where innovation can translate into real-world applications, economic growth, and high-quality jobs. This Centre will play a critical role in positioning Karnataka as a key driver of India's space economy," he said.
According to an official statement, the CoE SpaceTech Foundation has been established under a Memorandum of Agreement between KITS and SIA-India to drive research and innovation in space technologies, industry-aligned training, startup incubation and cross-sector applications, it said.
The Centre has also formalised strategic MoUs with multiple industry and academic partners to support research in space biotech and microgravity, enable collaboration, build talent pipelines, and provide startups with training and market access, it added.
