Karnataka BJP united, state govt doing good job under CM Yediyurappa: Arun Singh
Bengaluru, Jun 16: BJP's national general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh on Wednesday said the party's state unit was united and the government here was doing a good job under Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa's leadership.
Singh, who began his three-day visit to the state, amid speculation in some quarters about replacing Yediyurappa, did not wish to make any direct statement on the leadership change stating that he has already spoken on the issue.
"All our party workers, Minister and legislators are united, there are no differences of any kind," Singh said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here on his arrival in the city, he asked party legislators not to make any media statements and speak to the leadership individually if they have any concerns.
"Work in your constituency, work for your people and take the party work forward," Singh told legislators, as he asserted that good work was going on under Yediyurappa's leadership.
To a question on leadership change, he maintained that "I have said what have to say on this, several times, there is no use of asking it again and again."
Singh had recently ruled out replacing the Chief Minister, while asserting that Yediyurappa will continue in the top post.
Speculation has been rife for some time now that a section of the ruling BJP is trying to push for unseating Yediyurappa.
As part of his three-day visit, Singh will be holding a meeting with all the Ministers this evening, and during the next two days he will have one-on-one meetings with legislators and Ministers who want to meet him, and finally on Friday he will take part in the state BJP core committee meeting, party sources said.
Singh lauded the state government, Chief Minister and Minsters, stating that they have worked day and night during th COVID pandemic and have served the people.
He said his priority during the visit will be to focus purely on party's political developments, organizational work and how to carry it forward.
"We will review the work that has happened as part of the 'Seva Hi Sangathan' (Service is organisation) programme under which our workers during COVID, without caring for their lives, have done 11 kinds of seva (service) at the ground level, and see how we can take it forward," Singh said.
Also work on tree plantation drive that the party will take up, programme against the use of single-use plastic, preparation for International Yoga day, and other future activities of the party will be reviewed, he said.
Slamming the opposition, the BJP leader alleged that the Congress was only involved in levelling allegations and took a dig at the JD(S), saying it was in quarantine during the pandemic.
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Rajnath Singh chairs IGoM meet, urges constant vigil over West Asia crisis
New Delhi (PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday emphasised the need for round-the-clock monitoring of the West Asia conflict and called for a calibrated response to deal with any eventuality to ensure that national interests remain protected.
Singh made the comments while chairing a high-level meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set-up to monitor the situation in West Asia.
The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal, Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister J P Nadda, Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi and Minister of Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.
In view of the "uncertain situation", the defence minister underlined the importance of round-the-clock monitoring of the situation and the need to respond in a calibrated manner to deal with any eventuality, an official readout said.
He stressed on the need to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of the country face the minimum effect of the conflict, it said.
It was the second meeting of the IGoM after it was set up last month.
The IGoM was apprised of the measures being taken by the government in the wake of the ongoing West Asia conflict, Singh said on social media.
"We also deliberated upon the next steps to be taken by the government to mitigate any adverse impact arising due to the ongoing conflict," he said.
The defence ministry said in the readout said, "In the meeting, the seven empowered groups of secretaries briefed the IGoM on the steps being taken to tackle the situation."
"The IGoM was apprised about measures undertaken by the Ministry of Finance to address concerns arising due to global trade disruptions and provide relief and support to the industry, especially manufacturing, and bolster investor confidence," it said.
It listed measures including notification issued on Wednesday on full customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products till June 30.
The ministry also mentioned announcement of a special one-time relief measure for eligible units in SEZs to sell manufactured goods in Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) at concessional customs duty rates to be effective from April 1 to March 31.
It also noted another notification issued by the Department of Revenue clarifying that the provisions of GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) will not be invoked in respect of investments made prior to April 1, 2017.
"These measures will reduce cost pressures on downstream sectors including textiles, packaging and pharmaceuticals, facilitate supply stability in the country and provide requisite clarity for investors contemplating investments in India," the readout said.
Defence Minister Singh appreciated the government's decision to impose a 25 per cent cap on the monthly increase in aviation turbine fuel prices for domestic operations, with effect from April 1.
This step will help protect the people from sudden increase in fares, he said.
The government has accorded highest priority to domestic LPG supply, with refinery production enhanced to fully meet consumption requirements, according to the readout.
"The IGoM was informed that there have been no reports of dry-out at LPG distributorships, and delivery of domestic LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders continues as per the normal schedule. The temporary supply concerns arose due to instances of hoarding and black marketing, which triggered panic buying in certain areas," it said.
The ministers were informed that strict enforcement action is being undertaken, with raids being carried out across multiple states and Union territories to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG, the ministry said in the readout.
Action has also been taken against some LPG distributors who engaged in malpractices, it said.
"To support migrant labour and low-consumption households, the government is ensuring adequate availability of 5 kg free trade LPG cylinders, and since March 23, over 4.3 lakh such cylinders have been sold. Special focus is being given to states where demand is higher," it said.
The IGoM was apprised that industrial requirements dependent on commercial LPG are being met, with over 80 per cent of pre-crisis supply levels being maintained to ensure continuity of operations.
"Special meetings have been held with ministries and stakeholders of different industries to understand their demand and meet their needs. Oil PSUs are ensuring continued supply of Auto LPG across the country," the readout noted.
"However, some supply constraints are being faced by private operators due to their procurement challenges, which is why lines are being observed at PSU auto LPG pumps. Wherever the autos are dual feed and can use petrol, they are being encouraged to use petrol," it said.
