CM Siddaramaiah extends support to multi-state opposition to delimitation
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has pledged support to Tamil Nadu’s multi-state coalition opposing the Union government’s proposed delimitation of Parliament seats.
Siddaramaiah expressed his backing during a meeting with Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Rajya Sabha MP M.M. Abdulla on Wednesday. He revealed that he had earlier spoken with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin over the phone to discuss the issue.
In a post on X, Siddaramaiah reaffirmed Karnataka’s stance, stating, “Karnataka will condemn without hesitation any move by the union government that hurts the interests of the state, weakens democracy and is against federalism.” He added: “Like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka also has the same opinion on this issue.”
The delegation invited Siddaramaiah to join the Joint Action Committee (JAC), which is being formed in collaboration with Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Odisha, and Punjab. The delegation also met Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
ತಮಿಳುನಾಡಿನ ಅರಣ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರಾದ ಡಾ.ಕೆ.ಪೊನ್ನುಮುಡಿ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ್ಯಸಭಾ ಸದಸ್ಯರಾದ ಮೊಹಮದ್ ಅಬ್ದುಲ್ಲಾ ಇಸ್ಮಾಯಿಲ್ ಅವರು ಇಂದು ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿಯಾಗಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಪ್ರಜಾಪ್ರಭುತ್ವ ವಿರೋಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ದಕ್ಷಿಣ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳ ವಿರೋಧಿ ನಿಲುವನ್ನು ವಿರೋಧಿಸಿ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ ಕುರಿತು ಚರ್ಚಿಸಿದರು.
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 12, 2025
ಸಚಿವರ ನಿಯೋಗದ ಭೇಟಿಗೂ ಮೊದಲು… pic.twitter.com/fg4DY4jufm
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Govt to set up Bureau of Port Security to boost port, vessel security
New Delhi (PTI): To beef up the security infrastructure of ports, the government will set up a statutory body -- the Bureau of Port Security -- that will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information of ports and vessels, officials said on Friday.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday convened a meeting for the constitution of the dedicated body, the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), which was attended by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, and the Minister of Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu, an official statement said.
Emphasising that there is a need to establish a country-wide robust port security framework, Shah directed that security measures should be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters.
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The meeting also noted that lessons learned from the maritime security framework shall be replicated in the aviation security domain, the statement said.
The new body, modelled on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), will be constituted as a statutory body under the new Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and will work under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), it said.
Headed by a senior IPS officer as its director general, the BoPS will be responsible for regulatory and oversight functions relating to the security of ships and port facilities.
"During the transition period of one year, the director general of shipping shall function as the director general of BoPS," the statement said.
"The BoPS will ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cybersecurity, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats," it said.
The government has designated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as a recognised security organisation (RSO), responsible for undertaking security assessments and preparation of security plans for port facilities.
The Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will train and build the capacities of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security.
"These agencies shall be certified and appropriate regulatory measures shall be introduced to ensure that only the licensed PSAs operate in this sector," the statement said.
