Rahul asks Modi to raise Doklam, CPEC with China
New Delhi, April 27: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the issues of Doklam and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying people of the country want to hear him talk on them.
Gandhi referred to Modi's televised speech during talks with Xi Jinping and tweeted that the Prime Minister looked tense.
He termed Modi's two-day visit for the informal summit meeting as 'No Agenda' China visit.
"Saw live TV feed of your 'No Agenda' China visit. You look tense! A quick reminder: 1. DOKLAM 2. China Pakistan Eco Corridor passes through POK. That's Indian territory. India wants to hear you talk about these crucial issues. You have our support," Gandhi said.
India has been opposed to CPEC, which will pass through Pakistan-administered Kashmir which is claimed by New Delhi.
Earlier, Congress spokesman Randeep Singh Surjewala attacked the Modi government and said it was incapable of sending a strong message to China.
In a series of tweets, Surjewala asked if Modi was going to confront China over the Doklam issue during his visit.
"As Modiji 'hugs' his friend Xi Jinping, will he remember his innate duty to protect India's strategic interests and question China on occupation of Doklam?
"India is facing increasingly aggressive China to intrude into the 'Chicken's Neck' - Siliguri Corridor - by building a new road through south of Doklam (Gateway to the North East), but why is Modi government clueless?" he asked.
"Does the Prime Minister accept the failure of his Cabinet Ministers to confront China on creation of 'full-fledged Chinese Military Complex' in Doklam right up to 10m from Indian Army post, during their visit on April 20-24 as an abdication of their duty to the Nation?"
Modi and Xi on Friday opened their two-day informal talks in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
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.
Difficult to supply commercial cylinders to hotels for about a week or 10 days: K'taka Minister
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Food and Civil Supplies Minister K H Muniyappa told the Legislative Council on Friday that supplying commercial cylinders to hotels or restaurants will be difficult for about a week or ten days because there is no stock.
Amid supply constraints caused by the West Asia conflict, he, however, said there are indications that the situation will improve in coming days.
"Today, I again held a meeting with oil companies, along with our department's secretary and commissioner. The commercial gas will be supplied for essential places like hospitals, hostels, residential schools. For now, there is a supply issue. By and large, the situation will improve and supplies will smoothen after one week," Muniyappa said.
He said commercial gas cylinder supplies will be ensured for essential services like hospitals and student hostels.
"It will be difficult to supply commercial cylinders to hotels for about a week or ten days as there is no stock. If there is stock, 20-25 per cent can be supplied. Companies have assured that whatever is there in stock will be supplied to essential services, and they are supplying," he said, adding that he has also asked the companies to ensure supplies to autos that run on LPG gas.
The minister was responding to questions raised by Congress MLCs Nagaraju Yadav and Ivan D'Souza during zero hour.
Asking hotels to be patient for a few days, the minister said, "I have suggested hotels use alternatives like electric stoves, among others, and prepare food only in the quantity required for a week or ten days. There are indications that the situation will improve in a week to ten days."
"Two vessels have come (from the Middle East). Ten to twelve more vessels are likely to come from that region. I'm not giving assurance, as they are yet to start from there. With two vessels on the way, there will be some improvement in the situation. Once others start from there, necessary arrangements can be made here for supplies," he said.
Instructions have been given to the deputy commissioners in the districts to take necessary action as per the Essential Commodities Act against those indulging in illegalities concerning gas supplies, such as black marketing, Muniyappa said.
There are complaints about gas cylinders being sold at double the rate, and the police commissioner and DGP have been asked to keep watch on this, and to ensure that there is no black marketing, he added.
_vb_33.jpeg)