Efforts on to bring back 109 people from Karnataka stuck in West Asia: Min. Krishna Byre Gowda
Bengaluru (PTI): As many as 109 people from Karnataka are stranded in the war-ravaged West Asia, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's office said on Monday.
According to the statement, 100 are held up in Dubai (UAE), while nine are stuck in Bahrain.
Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the Karnataka government is making efforts to bring back those stranded in the Gulf.
Everyone has been asking whether special flights or any other arrangements will be made to bring people back to Karnataka.
He added that people are asking if rescue flights or special flights are being arranged for their return journey.
"We have taken up this matter with the central government and sought their intervention. The central government has informed us that, as air traffic is currently not allowed there and has been suspended, no flights can operate at present. However, as soon as air traffic is cleared — once the current suspension is lifted and flights are permitted to operate — the Central Government will make arrangements for return travel, either through special flights or through regular airline services," the Minister said.
According to Gowda, 109 people stuck in the Gulf region had called the helpline and shared their details.
"Yesterday, after the Chief Minister issued instructions in the morning, we further stepped up our efforts. From our Principal Secretary of Disaster Management to the Commissioner level, and through our State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), we have been actively working since Saturday night," he said.
The Minister said the government is in daily contact with the Government of India, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs, to reach our people who are stranded there.
He also noted that flights bound for Karnataka are unable to take off from there and are getting stranded at the airport midway.
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'I go to Parliament to create impact, not ruckus': Raghav Chadha rubbishes AAP's allegations
New Delhi (PTI): "I go to Parliament to create impact, not ruckus," said Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Saturday as he rejected allegations levelled against him by the Aam Aadmi Party, calling them "false" and part of a "coordinated campaign".
In a video, Chadha dismissed claims that he did not join opposition walkouts, terming the charge a "blatant lie".
He challenged his detractors to cite even a single instance where he failed to participate and said parliamentary proceedings are recorded through CCTV cameras.
Refuting another allegation that he refused to sign a motion related to the Chief Election Commissioner, Chadha said no party leader had asked him, either formally or informally, to sign it. He added that several other MPs from his party had also not signed the motion.
The MP said his focus in Parliament has been on raising public issues such as GST, income tax, air pollution in Delhi, water concerns in Punjab, public healthcare, education, railway passenger issues, menstrual health, unemployment and inflation.
Chadha said that he goes to Parliament to "create impact not ruckus" as it runs on taxpayers' money and it is his responsibility to highlight their concerns. "Every lie will be exposed," he said.
