Mizoram Government Denies Allegations Of Shifting State Capital From Aizawl to Thenzawl
The Mizoram government on Monday denied the allegation that it has been trying to shift the state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl in Serchhip district.
In a statement, the Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) government also asserted that a "clerical error" in a letter sent by the Centre to the state administration led to the misunderstanding that the capital would be shifted to Thenzawl.
Thenzawl is a census town located about 93 km from Aizawl, and it falls under the Serchhip constituency from where Chief Minister Lalduhoma was elected consecutively in the 2018 and 2023 assembly polls.
Mizoram's main opposition party, the Mizo National Front (MNF), on August 1 charged the CM with "secretly" trying to shift the state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl and seeking funds from the Centre to execute the plan.
MNF general secretary Zodinpuia had said, "On April 24, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs sent letters to the Mizoram chief secretary and resident commissioner in Delhi under the subject 'shifting of state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl', asking them to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the matter.
The state Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation department in a statement clarified that there was a "clerical error" in the letter sent to the state government by the Centre, which was mistaken for shifting the state capital from Aizawl to Thenzawl.
The letter was about sanctioning a fund of Rs 10 crore by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for preparing the Detailed Project Report for the 'Thenzawl peace city' project, it said.
On April 4, Lalduhoma said that plans were afoot to develop Thenzawl and the surrounding areas as a 'peace city' to house about 10 lakh people.
Lalduhoma had said that he was optimistic about getting financial help from the Centre for the project, as he had earlier discussed the plan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The CM had also said he discussed the plan with the 16th Finance Commission, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs approved Rs 10 crore to develop a master plan for the project.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why Trump's tariff move isn't likely to shake India's oil ties with Russia
Donald Trump has made a lot of noise about India's oil trade with Russia, calling it profiteering and threatening to 'substantially raise' tariffs on Indian goods. But New Delhi isn't blinking. As reported by TOI, a senior Indian government official put it plainly, 'We will go solely by the interest of our consumers and opt for the best option price-wise. If Russian crude works out cheaper than what we can get from other sources, why should we penalise our consumers?' The Centre has so far not made any move to wean off Indian oil refiners from Russian crude, which comes at a steep discount compared to purchases from west Asia or US. It has not just helped keep domestic pump prices lower, but also benefited European countries, which have been major buyers of diesel and jet fuel from India, sources told TOI. The economic logic is straightforward. Russian oil has been cheaper than what's available from West Asia or the US. India's refiners are not just cutting costs—they're helping stabilise fuel prices at home. And here's the kicker: Europe benefits too, as Indian refiners export refined fuels like diesel and jet fuel, some of which reach European markets. Trump's pressure tactics and the political showmanship Trump's frustration is spilling over into tariff threats. His core accusation? 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine .' He followed that with, 'Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA.' No actual figures were given. But just last week, he'd already slapped a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and floated a possible jump to 100 per cent unless India stops buying Russian oil. Trump's new deadline is August 7. If Russia doesn't agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, he's hinted at secondary sanctions on countries that continue trading energy with Moscow. That includes India, China, and Brazil. But these threats are running into hard economic and political realities. Why Russian oil imports still makes sense for India After the West sanctioned Moscow in 2022, Russia started offering deep discounts on its oil. That's when India stepped in. It now buys around 1.7 million barrels a day of Russian crude, according to Bloomberg data. India isn't just stockpiling it. In the first half of this year, it exported 1.4 million barrels a day of refined fuels. About 40 per cent of that was diesel or gasoil, and 30 per cent was petrol and blending components. Refiners blend multiple sources of crude before producing fuels, so it's not always clear which exports came from Russian barrels. But the volume speaks for itself. And the trade hasn't slowed down. Over the weekend, at least four tankers delivered millions of barrels of Russian crude to Indian ports. India pushes back: No apologies, no shift in strategy India's Ministry of External Affairs had a sharp response. 'The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable,' it said. 'Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security.' It also pointed out that the US and EU themselves continue to trade with Russia, even when there's no national compulsion. India's position has been consistent. The decision to buy Russian oil was triggered when traditional suppliers diverted their barrels to Europe. It was the US, in fact, that nudged India to continue those purchases—albeit within the G7's price cap. Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told CNBC in July that the Russian crude trade helped global prices stay in check, saying India was advised by Washington to keep buying—'but within the price cap.' NSA Doval heads to Moscow National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is heading to Moscow this week. The visit is expected to offer clarity on how India plans to navigate what officials call a 'geo-economic trilemma': cheap energy, political pressure, and long-term security interests. India has not made any move to scale back Russian imports. If anything, officials are eyeing additional discounts in light of Trump's bluster. Even business circles in Delhi are calling out the former US president's rhetoric. A statement from trade research body GTRI summed it up, 'India's oil trade with Russia has taken place with full transparency and broad understanding with the US… Trump's decision to raise tariffs on India citing oil trade is not only unjustified—it ignores market realities, misrepresents trade data, and undermines a key strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific.' The BRICS factor and Dollar alternatives This isn't just about oil. Trump has also slammed India's involvement in BRICS and the bloc's discussions around alternatives to the US dollar. He's claimed India has the 'most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers' and is using tariffs as leverage to open up Indian markets to US agriculture and dairy—an area where India has refused to budge. One official noted that despite discussions, India would not allow imports of genetically modified American corn and soybean. Nor would it revise its stand on farm and dairy tariffs, which Trump has repeatedly criticised. India's energy alternatives, but only if needed If forced to diversify, India could boost imports from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US. In fact, last week saw India's largest refiner suddenly snap up several million barrels from the US and UAE—moves widely interpreted as precautionary, not strategic shifts. India had, during trade talks, shown interest in ramping up imports of American gas, fertiliser, and defence equipment to improve the trade balance. But there are limits. Modi has refused to open up sensitive sectors like dairy, even as the US pushes hard. Trump and Modi were once seen as political allies. That relationship has cooled. The current standoff is the latest in a string of Trump-led escalations over oil, trade barriers, and foreign policy. From threatening to block access to US markets over India-Pakistan tensions, to taking credit for peace deals India denies happened, Trump's combative posture has worn thin in Delhi. His latest push threatening penalties on anyone still paying for Russian oil reflects growing frustration with Putin's unwillingness to compromise. Trump's nuclear submarine move last week, reportedly in response to Dmitry Medvedev's rhetoric, only adds to the volatility. But India, for now, isn't shifting course. As one Indian official summed it up, 'We are guided by what's best for Indian consumers, not what's best for Washington politics.' And that might be the line that defines this whole saga.
Hans India
18 minutes ago
- Hans India
Venkatesh Naidu in spotlight as cash bundle videos go viral
Tirupati: Cherukuru Venkatesh Naidu, already known to the public as a key figure in the ongoing liquor scam probe, is once again in the spotlight after fresh videos and photographs surfaced on Sunday, revealing details of his luxurious lifestyle. Venkatesh, named as Accused No 34 (A-34) in the case, was earlier seen in a now-viral video counting currency bundles reportedly worth Rs 35 crore, suspected to be part of the liquor scam proceeds. The cash was seen stacked in large bundles, including Rs 2,000 denomination notes, and was discovered during the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry. In the latest development, visuals have emerged showing Venkatesh Naidu travelling in a private jet, mingling with film actors, and moving around in high-end cars. One video shows him arriving at an airport in a luxury vehicle and walking straight onto the runway to board a private aircraft. Upon landing, he was seen getting into a car fitted with a red beacon, which is typically reserved for VIP protocol, hinting at the level of influence and access he enjoyed. The videos have since gone viral on social media, with the public reacting sharply, asking, 'Is this how they enjoyed the liquor money looted from the people?' Earlier, SIT had uncovered a video during the investigation showing Naidu managing a cash stash at a safe house, allegedly acting as the in-charge of the location where the scam money was stored. In the video, he was seen counting the bundles and preparing them for distribution. The latest leak of his videos and photos further illustrates the extravagant lifestyle funded through alleged illegal proceeds. Surprisingly, it was learnt that the video was found in Venkatesh's mobile phone itself. SIT sources confirmed that Venkatesh Naidu is a close aide of YSRCP senior leader and former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy. The two are believed to share an inseparable political association. During the 2024 general elections, Chevireddy contested from the Ongole Lok Sabha constituency as YSRCP candidate, and Venkatesh Naidu filed a nomination as an independent from the same seat. Though his nomination was later rejected it was widely felt that he filed it as a dummy for Chevireddy. SIT has noted that Chevireddy remained in constant contact with Naidu throughout the process and was actively involved in directing the movement and delivery of scam-related funds. Investigators have concluded that Naidu played a crucial role in ensuring that the money was transported and handed over as per Chevireddy's instructions. Venkatesh was said to have born in Nandyal and educated in Hyderabad, while his background has drawn renewed attention. Despite his apparent access to vast sums of money, Naidu in his 2024 election affidavit declared an annual income of only Rs 4.95 lakh for the financial year 2022–23. He reported assets worth Rs 10.70 lakh, including bank balances and cash, and claimed he owned no immovable property. The sharp contrast between his declared financial status and the opulence seen in the videos has sparked widespread outrage online. The revelations have intensified public scrutiny of the liquor scam and its political connections, as well as raised further questions about how such levels of luxury and access were possible for someone with officially modest means. The SIT continues to examine the deeper network behind the scandal.
Hans India
18 minutes ago
- Hans India
SC to examine plea to repeal Bodh Gaya temple law
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to examine a plea for repealing the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949 and replacing it with a central law for the proper control, management and administration of Mahabodhi temple in Bihar. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bihar's Bodh Gaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the four holy areas related to the life of Lord Gautam Buddha. Bodh Gaya is a place where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. The plea, which has also challenged the validity of the 1949 Act, came up for hearing before a bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh. The petitioner's counsel said a plea with identical prayers was pending in the apex court. The bench issued notice to the Centre and others seeking their responses on the petition and tagged it for hearing along with the pending plea. The plea has sought to declare the 1949 Act as unconstitutional alleging it was 'inconsistent' with Article 13 of the Constitution. Article 13 relates to laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental petition has also sought a direction to the authorities concerned to remove encroachments made in the premises of the Bodh Gaya temple for the exclusive worship of Buddhists around the world in order to manage, control and administer the religious, faith, belief and worship in the interest of justice. On June 30, the apex court refused to entertain a separate plea challenging the vires of the 1949 Act and asked the petitioner to moved high court concerned. The 1949 Act relates to the better management of the temple.
