No objection if Viraat is bought by another firm from present owner: Centre
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday asked the Union government to decide on a private firm's request that decommissioned aircraft carrier Viraat be handed over to it so that the ship could be converted into a museum.
While the warship is awaiting dismantling at a ship scrapping yard at Alang in Gujarat, the Union government said it had no objection if the petitioner bought it from the bidder who purchased it for scrapping.
A division bench of Justices Nitin Jamdar and Milind Jadhav was hearing a petition filed by Mumbai-based Envitech Marine Consultants Pvt Ltd, seeking a direction to the Union Ministry of Defence to allow it to buy Viraat.
The company wanted to convert the ship into a maritime museum and multi-functional adventure centre, the plea said.
The HC said that the relief sought by the petitioner was a matter of policy.
"Even if INS Viraat is to be converted into a museum....necessary permissions are required to be obtained.
It would thus be appropriate that the Ministry of Defence takes a suitable decision," it said.
The petition said that Viraat was the oldest serving warship in the world when it was decommissioned.
"Such a carrier is being sold as scrap by the Union government instead of converting it into a maritime museum.
The petitioner has filed an application to the government in July seeking its No Objection to take possession of the carrier and convert it into a museum," it said.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh said the ship is 67 years old and was lying unused since 2015.
"The Union government had initially written to all state governments calling for proposals but there was no reply. The ship was occupying a lot of space and hence the government decided to sell it as scrap," Singh said.
Gujarat-based Shree Ram Group won the bid, he said, adding that the sale process was completed in September and the government has received the money.
"Hence the government is no more concerned with the ship as its owner is now the winning bidder," ASG Singh said.
But the petitioner company can approach Shree Ram Group and purchase the ship from it, the ASG said, adding that "we (government) do not have any objection".
The HC said that the concerned secretary of the Union government should decide on the petitioner's application.
"It would be desirable that the decision is taken early as if the ship is dismantled, an irretrievable situation may take place," the court said, disposing of the petition.
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26-year-old youth from Andhra dies by suicide in US
Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): A 26-year-old youth from this district has died allegedly by suicide in Chicago, US, recently, due to distress over debt, sources said on Saturday.
The family members of the deceased have requested that the identity of their relative be withheld, noting that his parents are senior citizens suffering from medical conditions.
Reacting to the incident, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh expressed condolences and assured assistance for the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.
"My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. I request Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu to ensure smooth and hassle-free transport of the mortal remains," Lokesh said in a post on X.
An NRI community member from the US posted on social media that one of their members from Kurnool on Optional Practical Training (OPT) passed away in Chicago a few days ago.
He said Telugu Association of North America (TANA) had completed all necessary documentation and formalities to send the mortal remains to India for final rites.
He further requested assistance in expediting the cargo pickup, currently scheduled for Sunday, seeking an earlier arrangement considering the urgency.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
