India not eyeing anyone's territory: PM
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India has no intention of exploiting any country's resources and is not eyeing anyone's territory, basing its relationships not on "profit or loss" but on humanity.
Addressing the first PIO Parliamentarians Conference here, he said India has always played a constructive role in the world arena
If any philosophy can counter extremism and radicalisation, it is Mahatma Gandhi's and India's philosophy of non-violence and 'satyagraha', he noted
"We neither have the intention of exploiting anyone's resources nor are we eyeing anyone's territory. Our focus has always been on capacity building and resource development," the prime minister said
The comments come in the wake of increasing border tensions in certain sectors of India's border with China
"India is that country which has always played a constructive role in the world arena. We have not weighed our policy towards any country on profit or loss basis, but have viewed it from the prism of human values."
India's model of development aid, he added, is not based on give and take, but depends on the needs and priorities of countries
"At a time when the world is divided by ideologies, India believes in the mantra of 'sabka saath, sabka vikas'," he said
When concerns over extremism and radicalisation in the world are increasing, India's message of inclusiveness can go out to the world, he told the parliamentarians
"If there is any philosophy to counter radicalisation and extremism, it is the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and the philosophy of Indian values," he said
India, with its rich values and traditions, has the power to lead and guide the world dealing with instability, Modi said
According to the prime minister, the 21st century is known as the Asian century and India has an important role to play in it
Persons of Indian origin can take pride in the country's increasing strength worldwide, he told the gathering
Modi also called on Indian origin lawmakers from across the world to be partners in India's development and act as catalysts in the country's economic growth
Over half the total investment into the country came in only the last three years with a record USD 16 billion of foreign direct investment (FDI) last year
All this has happened due to far-reaching policy changes ushered in by his government, with "reform and transform" being its guiding principle, the prime minister said
"India is changing, India is transforming. India has moved far ahead and Indian hopes are at the top and you will see the result of change in every sphere.
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.
Chhattisgarh Vedanta power plant blast: Death toll rises to 14; Cong demands judicial probe
_vb_95.jpeg)
Sakti (Chhattisgarh) (PTI): The death toll in a blast at the Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district has gone up to 14 with one more worker succumbing to injuries, police said on Wednesday.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday afternoon in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Ltd power plant located in Singhitarai village. The powerful blast left several workers with severe burn injuries.
According to officials, four workers died on the spot, while 10 others succumbed to injuries later.
One more worker died on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, taking the toll to 14, Sakti Superintendent of Police (SP) Prafull Thakur told PTI.
Of the 20 other workers injured in the incident, five were shifted to Raipur for advanced treatment, while 15 were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Raigarh district, he said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 for those injured. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident by the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division, assuring strict action against those found responsible.
Additionally, the district administration has ordered a separate magisterial probe, while the company has initiated its own internal investigation.
The CM directed officials to ensure free and proper medical treatment for all injured and emphasised that no negligence in their care would be tolerated.
Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno has appointed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dabhra to conduct the magisterial inquiry.
The SDM has been asked to submit a report within 30 days covering key aspects, including the cause of the accident, whether it was due to technical or human error, and details of safety inspections carried out at the plant.
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla on Wednesday alleged negligence on the plant management's part and accused the government of attempting to shield those responsible.
He also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh for the injured.
The construction of a 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power project (two units of 600 MW each) in Singhitarai, originally owned by Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd, started in 2009, but remained stalled between 2016 and 2022.
Vedanta acquired the plant in 2022, after which a 600 MW unit was completed and commissioned in August last year, while the second unit is still under construction.
_vb_90.jpeg)
_vb_23.jpeg)
_vb_48.jpeg)