Veena visits Bindhu's kin, assures aid
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George reached Bindu's residence in Thalayolaparambu early on Sunday and spent time with her grieving family, including Bindhu's mother, husband, and children. Bindu had been staying at the hospital to care for her daughter, who was admitted as an inpatient, when she was trapped under the debris.
The minister assured the family that the govt would cover the full cost of their daughter's surgery, with further treatment decisions to be taken after a medical board meeting on Monday.
She added that the state would also consider the family's other demands, including compensation and a job for Bindu's son.
"As far as I'm concerned, this family's sorrow is my sorrow. I met her husband, mother, and other relatives and shared their grief. The govt will stand by them in every possible way," George said, adding that chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan would announce the relief measures after a state cabinet decision.
Bindu's husband, Visruthan, said that the family was hopeful about govt support and stated that the family is satisfied with the interventions made by the authorities. CPM state committee member K Anil Kumar, who accompanied the minister, also promised assistance for completing the family's house construction.
Meanwhile, Kottayam MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan demanded Rs 25 lakh in compensation for the family, a permanent job for Bindu's son and free treatment for her daughter.
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At a press conference, he said the hospital management committee hadn't met in two years. "Yet funds were spent. The public deserves an explanation," he said.
He also called for the immediate commissioning of 12 operation theatres, highlighting that only four are functional and two of those lack sterility. "Ward 26 is leaking, a new building caught fire in 2023 and safety regulations were ignored," he alleged.
UDF leader Ramesh Chennithala, who also visited Bindu's home, demanded a safety audit of all state govt hospital buildings. He criticized the health minister for fearing protests and avoiding a daylight visit to Bindu's residence. "People are unhappy with the health department's reckless actions," he stated. "There's no medicine or basic supplies, forcing doctors to treat poor patients only if they bring their own.
We have good doctors, but what can they do without medicines?"
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Business Standard
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- Business Standard
Modi govt plans to invest ₹5,000 cr to develop Northeast waterways: Sonowal
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday announced multiple initiatives by the government to boost the waterways and maritime sector in the region. "With an investment of Rs 5,000 crore earmarked, the Union Government has drawn up major initiatives in this regard," Sarbananda Sonowal said. He said that, over the past 11 years, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) has transformed India's maritime sector with record growth in cargo handling, capacity and coastal shipping. Major ports have nearly doubled their capacity, cruise tourism is rising with ambitious new terminals, and 50,000 youth from the Northeast will be trained for maritime jobs. "Key legislative and digital reforms, green shipping initiatives, and projects like the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project are strengthening regional connectivity and trade. India's ports are now globally competitive, with nine ranking in the World Bank's top 100, and Visakhapatnam Port reaching the top 20," Sonowal said. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati Sarbananda Sonowal said, "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have revitalised India's maritime sector as never before. From historic growth in port capacity and cargo handling to pioneering green shipping, cruise tourism and skill development for our youth -- these achievements reflect the Modi government's unwavering commitment to make India a global maritime powerhouse and drive inclusive development across every coastal and riverine region." At the press conference, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the government aims to train 50,000 youth from the region in maritime skills over the next decade, offering them assured employment opportunities in the growing sector. "The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati as well as the upcoming Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh aims to power this transformation. The CoE will be developed with an investment of Rs 200 crore. Both the centres are likely to produce 500 jobs annually," he said. Sonowal said, "PM Modi has always envisioned how Yuva Shakti can bring about real transformation in the country. Our vision is to train, enable and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills over the next decade, ensuring meaningful employment & growth. Our centres in Guwahati and Dibrugarh will be the backbone of this transformation." He said that the Ministry has undertaken projects worth Rs 1,000 crore in the Northeast's inland waterways sector over the past two years, with Rs 300 crore works completed and Rs 700 crore slated for completion by 2025. 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Responding to a query on the status of Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), Sarbananda Sonowal said that Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project is the result of India Myanmar Friendship Treaty. "This is a strategic initiative to enhance connectivity between India's Northeast and Myanmar -- is set to be fully operational by 2027. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Northeast stands at the heart of the Bharat's development agenda. Empowered by Modi ji's transformative 'Act East' policy, this once landlocked region is now poised for direct and shorter access to international sea routes. The swift execution of the Sittwe Port in Myanmar is a testament to this commitment. Once fully operational, the region will unlock new trade opportunities not just for Northeast India, but also for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar by connecting them with Southeast Asia. This milestone truly embodies Modi ji's guiding philosophy of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' -- collective effort for inclusive growth," he said. He said that from Paletwa in Myanmar to Zorinpui in Mizoram, the Sittwe port connects to Paletwa in Myanmar through an inland waterway and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram through a road component. "From Sittwe, Myanmar to Sarboom, Tripura, goods from Kolkata to Sittwe Port can be shipped to Teknaf Port, Bangladesh which is just 60 nautical miles of Sittwe. From Teknaf Port goods can be transported by road to Sabroom which is 300 km away. Sabroom has an Integrated customs border between Bangladesh and Tripura. Sittwe port and the Kaladan Project will immensely benefit Tripura by way of significant reduction in transportation time and logistics cost. Major cargo for export for Sittwe Port; i.e. exports from Myanmar include Rice, Timber, Fish and seafood, Petroleum products and Garments and textiles. The major cargo for import for Sittwe Port; i.e. imports by Myanmar, include construction materials such as cement, steel and bricks among others," Sonowal said. He further said that, other key initiatives include the deployment of 100 barges operated by a global major on NW2 & 16 by 2025, intended to significantly enhance cargo movement across Assam and neighbouring states. "To ensure round-the-year navigability, the ministry plans to deploy 10 amphibian and cutter section dredgers, backed by an investment of Rs 610 crore," he said. Sonowal also announced plans to develop 85 community jetties across the Northeast to improve local connectivity. Speaking on this, Sonowal said, "To unlock the true economic potential of the Brahmaputra and Barak rivers, we are investing Rs 610 crore to deploy 10 state-of-the-art dredgers, ensuring all-weather navigability. This will transform cargo movement, create new trade routes, and strengthen economic linkages across Assam and the entire Northeast. 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Hans India
an hour ago
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Hans India
an hour ago
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