Maha Kumbh stampede: PIL filed in SC accusing UP government of lapses and administrative failure
New Delhi: A day after a stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj left 30 dead and at least 60 injured, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of "lapses, negligence, and complete administrative failure," highlighting that it is the common people, especially the poor, who bear the brunt of such incidents.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed by lawyer Vishal Tiwari in the apex court, sought directions to all state governments to ensure the safety and security of people traveling to the Kumbh from their respective states, as reported by The New Indian Express on Thursday.
The PIL stated that directions should be issued to all the respondent states to work collectively for the safe and secure visit of devotees to the Maha Kumbh. It called for the establishment of proper facilitation centers at Prayagraj to provide essential safety information and guidelines to visitors from each state. The centers should also be equipped to assist in case of an emergency.
Tiwari also emphasised that VIP movements should not disrupt or compromise the safety of devotees, urging that maximum space be provided for the entry and exit of devotees at the Maha Kumbh, TNIE stated.
“All state governments, in coordination with the Uttar Pradesh government, should deploy small medical teams at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, including doctors and nurses, to ensure there is no shortage of medical staff during emergencies,” his PIL stated.
Accusing the Uttar Pradesh government of mismanaging the Maha Kumbh, Tiwari stated that such incidents keep happening repeatedly, with no lessons learned from previous events.
He alleged that whenever such incidents occur, it is the common and poor people who bear the brunt. He further pointed out that separate arrangements are made for VIPs attending events, and even general traffic is halted to accommodate the movement of officials, politicians, or VIPs.
The PIL also sought the Uttar Pradesh government to submit a status report on the stampede that occurred on January 29 and called for legal action against those responsible for negligence, including authorities and officials.
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Trump says EU has until July 4 to approve last year's trade deal or it will face higher tariffs
Washington (AP): President Donald Trump has said in a social media post that goods from the European Union would face higher tariff rates if the 27-member bloc fails to approve last year's trade framework by July 4.
The announcement on Thursday appeared to be a deadline extension after the president said last Friday that EU autos would face a higher 25 per cent tariff starting this week. Trump made the updated announcement after what he described as a "great call" with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Still, the US president was displeased that the European Parliament had yet to finalize the trade arrangement reached last year, which was further complicated in February by the US Supreme Court ruling that Trump lacked the legal authority to declare an economic emergency to impose the initial tariffs used to pressure the EU into talks.
"A promise was made that the EU would deliver their side of the Deal and, as per Agreement, cut their Tariffs to ZERO!" Trump posted. "I agreed to give her until our Country's 250th Birthday or, unfortunately, their Tariffs would immediately jump to much higher levels."
It was unclear from the post whether Trump was implying that the tariff rates would jump on all EU goods or the increase would only apply to autos.
His latest statement indicates he might be backing away from his earlier threat on EU autos by giving the European Parliament several more weeks to approve the agreement.
Under the original terms of the framework, the US would charge a 15 per cent tax on most goods imported from the EU.
But since the Supreme Court ruling, the administration has levied a 10 per cent tariff while investigating trade imbalances and national security issues, aiming to put in new tariffs to make up for lost revenues.
