MP: Administration starts demolition of illegal constructions of "stone pelters"
Khargone (MP), Apr 11: The district administration on Monday started demolition of at least 50 "illegal" structures of people accused of pelting stones at a Ram Navami procession in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone city, while the state government said damage caused to public and private properties during the violence will be recovered from rioters.
A curfew was clamped in Khargone city on Sunday and more than 80 people have been arrested after stones hurled at a Ram Navami procession triggered large-scale arson, officials said and added that the situation here was under control.
The government has a zero tolerance policy for rioting. So far, 84 persons have been arrested and 50 illegal constructions of these accused have been identified. The demolition of these illegal constructions has already started, Indore Divisional Commissioner Pawan Sharma told reporters in Khargone.
The illegal structures which are being demolished include homes and shops.
Action has also been taken against four state government employees for spreading rumours over the communal violence in the city, he said.
Of the four, three were daily wage employees, whose services were terminated, while the fourth staffer was suspended, the IAS officer said.
Sharma said damage caused to public and private properties during the violence will be recovered from rioters. Inspector General (IG) Rakesh Gupta, who is camping in Khargone along with Sharma, said the law and order situation in the city was under control and action against anti-social elements was continuing.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said damage caused to public and private properties will be recovered from rioters as he vowed strict action against the miscreants.
"The rioters have been identified and they will not be spared. Strict action will be taken against them. There is no place for rioters in Madhya Pradesh," the CM said.
"We have passed the Damage to Public and Private Property Recovery Act. We are constituting a claims tribunal under the Act and after assessing the loss, its recovery will be done from rioters," Chouhan said in a statement.
Speaking about the violence earlier in the day, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said houses from where stones were hurled at the procession will be turned into rubble.
Some people who are hurt by the outcome of the recently-held Assembly elections in five states are now instigating violence, the minister claimed.
They want to disturb peace in the state and the country. Even from these (Assembly poll) results, such people have not understood what the country wants, Mishra said.
#MadhyaPradesh: #Khargone administration has decided to demolish the properties of stone pelters during the #RamNavami procession. Police have taken the matter under control. 84 accused have been arrested. Curfew has been imposed in Khargone: Pawan Sharma, DC, Indore. (ANI) pic.twitter.com/CVPpVPThfz
— TOI Bhopal (@TOIBhopalNews) April 11, 2022
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.
TN seeks duty-free cotton imports to support textile sector: CM Vijay writes to PM
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to remove the import duty on cotton.
In his first letter to Modi after taking over as chief minister of the state, he said Tamil Nadu is the country’s largest textile and apparel exporting state.
Lakhs of people are dependent on this sector for both direct and indirect employment, especially women from rural and semi-urban backgrounds, Vijay pointed out.
Stating that the industry is facing a severe crisis due to an increase in cotton prices and consequently yarn prices, he said, “I understand this is caused primarily due to a shortage in cotton production and increased trading activity in the country.”
Pointing out that the price of cotton has increased from Rs 54,700 to Rs 67,700 per candy—an increase of 25 per cent over the last two months—while yarn prices have increased from Rs 301 to Rs 330 per kg, he said, “In this situation, the continued supply of raw material can be ensured only through imports.”
However, there is an import duty of 11 per cent on cotton, he said, adding that in such a situation, permitting duty-free cotton imports will help the industry meet increasing export commitments and remain globally competitive.
Vijay said that after agriculture, the textile and apparel sector is one of the largest employment-generating sectors.
“There is a significant responsibility on the government to safeguard the employment of lakhs of people and ensure the sustainability of the textile value chain," he said.
“Hence, I request your intervention to remove the import duty on cotton from the existing 11 per cent to 0 per cent to ensure the availability of raw material. This measure will enable the textile and apparel industry to remain globally competitive, enhance exports, and protect jobs,” he added.
