Odisha policemen to go on strike from Friday
Cuttack: A confederation of Odisha police personnel Wednesday said its members would go on strike from Friday after its talks with the state government over demands on salary and others failed on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Odisha Police Havildar, Constable and Sepoy Confederation said its members would boycott their respective duties from Friday.
Members of the largest police body in the state will perform duties wearing black badges from Thursday morning and by the evening, they will return their arms and ammunition, the statement said.
The confederation has been demanding that policemen's 13th month's salary be on a par with their regular monthly salary. The members of the state police force get a portion of their regular salary for an additional month as they work on holidays throughout the year.
It was also learnt that other police bodies, the Odisha Police Association and the Odisha Police Service Association, would also extend moral support to the Confederation.
Reactions from senior police officials or the state government were not immediately available.
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Karnataka MLCs question limestone mining nod to Adani Group despite legal objections
Bengaluru: Members of the Karnataka Legislative Council from both the treasury and opposition benches raised objections to the Mines and Geology Department’s decision to permit limestone mining by ACC Cement Limited, owned by the Adani Group, despite reservations expressed by the Law Department.
BJP MLC and former minister C T Ravi and Congress MLC K Shivakumar, speaking on behalf of party colleague Arati Krishna, said the department had overlooked the Law Department’s opinion in the matter, as reported by Deccan Herald.
Ravi told the House, on Tuesday that the Law Department had recommended initiating criminal proceedings against the company for allegedly failing to pay royalty amounting to Rs 850 crore to the government. “The Mines and Geology Department has not only failed to initiate action but has also renewed the company’s licence,” he said.
Both Ravi and Shivakumar sought clarity from the Mines and Geology Minister and urged the government to place on record the views of the Finance Department and the Advocate General regarding the issue.
Raising political questions over corporate links, Ravi asked what connection existed between “Ambani, Adani and the party that is always criticising them.”
Responding on behalf of Mines and Geology Minister S S Mallikarjun, Agriculture Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy assured the House that action would be taken in accordance with the law.
He said the company had approached the court and, in compliance with judicial directions, the government permitted it to continue mining operations under its existing licence. “However, no new licence has been issued,” he clarified.
Addressing concerns over the recovery of pending royalty dues despite court orders, Chaluvarayaswamy said, “Adani is not a God here, and we have no connection with him. Royalty will be recovered as per the law.”
