Latest news with #Batth
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Kisan Ittehad blames smuggling for sugar price hike
Kisan Ittehad President Khalid Hussain Batth has alleged that speculative hoarding, large-scale smuggling, and institutional inaction are driving the recent surge in sugar prices. While addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday, Batth claimed that if the prime minister and the president intervened, the retail price of sugar could be brought down to Rs120 per kilogram within hours — without the need for duty- and tax-free imports. He asserted that sugar is currently being sold at around Rs200 per kilogram despite a production cost of no more than Rs120. "Sugar mills purchased sugarcane from farmers at rates ranging between Rs220 and Rs460 per maund. The price hike has no justification," he said. Batth demanded a transparent investigation into sugar mill owners to uncover who bought sugar, in what quantity, and at what price. He claimed that the current crisis has resulted in a financial scandal amounting to Rs114 billion, arising from speculation, smuggling, and now importation. In response to a question, Batth revealed that a court case related to sugar and wheat prices remains pending with no hearings held to date. He further alleged that political figures from major parties, including the PML-N, PPP, and PTI, own significant shares in sugar mills. He claimed that even the families of the prime minister and president are involved in the sugar industry. Batth accused the government of artificially inflating prices due to incompetence and warned that the planned import of 500,000 tons of duty-free sugar would result in substantial losses to the national exchequer. City traders oppose sugar import plan The Wholesale Grocers Association has vehemently opposed the government's decision to import 500,000 tons of sugar, calling instead for an immediate crackdown on hoarders and speculative sugar dealers who are driving up market prices artificially. Chairman of the association, Rauf Ibrahim, told The Express Tribune that dealers and the sugar speculation mafia currently hold stockpiles of approximately 2.6 million tons-enough to meet the country's needs for the next five months. "If swift action is taken against these dealers, wholesale sugar prices could drop to Rs150 per kilogram within just two days," Ibrahim claimed. In a related development, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued two new SROs-No. 1216 and 1217-reducing sales tax on white crystal sugar imports from 18% to 0.25%. Additional relief includes exemption from Value Added Tax and a reduced withholding tax rate of 0.25%. According to FBR, the final deadline for importing sugar under these provisions is September 30, 2025.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Derby County sign Weimann, Batth and O'Donnell
Andreas Weimann started his career with Aston Villa and has also played for Watford, Derby, Wolves, Bristol City, West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn [Rex Features] Derby County have re-signed forward Andreas Weimann and agreed one-year deals with centre-back Danny Batth and experienced goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell. Austria international Weimann, 33, has also agreed a 12-month contract to return to the club he spent three years with between 2015 and 2018, when he scored nine goals in 88 appearances. Advertisement Former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Sunderland and Norwich City defender Batth, 34, spent a decade at Molineux and was part of the side that won the League One title in 2013-14 to regain their place in the Championship following relegation the previous season. He also had loans with Colchester United, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough before a permanent switch to the Potters in January 2019. Three years later, he helped the Black Cats win promotion to the second tier with victory in the League One play-off final in May 2022. Batth spent the 2023-24 season with Norwich before joining Blackburn ahead of last season. Advertisement The move to the East Midlands reunites both Batth and Weimann with Rams boss John Eustace, who they played under at Ewood Park before he left to take over at Derby in February. O'Donnell, 35, has played more than 400 senior games for 14 different clubs in his career and moves to Pride Park on a free transfer after leaving Blackpool. He will provide back up for Rams keepers Widell Zetterstrom and Josh Vickers. Derby's triple signing takes the club's number of summer recruits so far to four following the arrival of Luton Town striker Carlton Morris.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
FORMER U'S: Experienced defender links up with Championship side
Done deal - ex-Colchester United defender Danny Batth, pictured in action for Stoke City, has signed a one-year deal with Derby County (Image: MIKE EGERTON/PA) FORMER Colchester United defender Danny Batth has swapped one Championship club for another after signing for Derby County. The 34-year-old, who played for the U's on loan from Wolves between July 2009 and August 2010, has signed a one-year deal at Pride Park Stadium. Advertisement Batth has joined the Rams as a free agent following the conclusion of his contract at Blackburn Rovers, where he made 41 appearances in all competitions last season. Batth told the Derby website: 'I just think it was a great opportunity for me to come and help the team, help the club. 'I've played against Derby over the years and I know what an occasion it is when you play at the stadium and the support the club gets. 'I just wanted to be part of that and it's a real project. 'The foundations were set last year and obviously the club are looking to move forward, so I want to be a big part of that.' Advertisement Tim Foley 'disappointed' after takeover talks end without agreement Batth signed for Colchester back in the summer of 2009, joining on a season-long loan from Wolves. At 18 years old, the centre-half was handed his professional debut by Aidy Boothroyd in the U's 2-0 win over Hartlepool United. He went on to make 18 appearances for the U's before returning to Wolves where he enjoyed a stellar career, playing more than 200 games at Molineux over a ten-year period. Robbie Cowling confirms that Colchester United takeover is off Since leaving Wolves in January 2019, Batth has played for Stoke City, Sunderland, Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Time of India
Illegal occupants on key Manesar link told to vacate in two days
Gurgaon: GMDA issued a strict two-day deadline to illegal occupants along the multi-utility corridor between Dwarka Expressway and Manesar, directing them to vacate encroached land or face enforcement action. On Thursday, a team of GMDA officials, including the team from the Enforcement Wing and Infra 1 division, inspected the stretch between Elan Miracle Mall and Dadi Sati Chowk. The visit comes after the project faced hurdles in the redevelopment of the 5.3 km road due to unauthorised structures obstructing the right of way (ROW). While the dense bituminous macadam (DBM) layer was already laid on the main carriageway, construction of the service roads on both sides remains stalled due to these encroachments. During the inspection, the team identified nearly 30 unauthorised encroachments, including nurseries, temporary carts, kiosks, and even some permanent structures. These were built by landowners in nearby areas, allegedly for commercial purposes. "Infrastructure work was being hampered by these illegal structures. We have given encroachers a 48-hour window to remove the structures voluntarily. Otherwise, an enforcement drive will be launched next week to clear the area," said DTP Batth, adding that the service roads to be developed on both sides of the corridor are essential for easing traffic and improving access between sectors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending Local Enterprise Accounting Software [Click Here] Accounting ERP Click Here Undo Also, the officials warned that no illegal occupation of public land meant for infrastructure projects will be allowed. "In the first phase, we are covering sector roads, dividing sectors 84-88 and 85-89. "In the second phase, we will move to the dividing roads of sectors 86/90, 87/91 and the multi-utility corridor," Batth stated that the GMDA has demarcated the land, and any structures within the ROW violate land-use norms. Once encroachments are cleared, the development of the service roads will proceed without further obstruction. The road upgradation project—covering sectors 84-88, 85-89, 86-90, and 87-91—was launched in Feb this year, two months after the contract was awarded in Dec 2024. Estimated to cost Rs 49.9 crore, the project includes strengthening the existing six-lane master road, developing service roads, constructing a cycle track, and building footpaths. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rs 1.5k-cr govt land cleared of scrap godowns & sheds in Gurgaon
Gurgaon: A govt land — valued at Rs 1,500 crore — in Sector 21 was cleared on Tuesday. The anti-encroachment drive saw demolition of 20 scrap godowns and 30 tin-set rooms and huts using bulldozers. Originally acquired by Haryana Urban Development Authority (now HSVP) in the late 1970s, this area was meant for developing a sector. The team cleared about 15 acres of Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP)-owned land till evening. An HSVP official said the enforcement will continue on Wednesday, with a total of around 22 acres set to be cleared in the coming days. The official said, "Any future attempts to encroach will lead to FIRs and strict legal action." The drive saw heavy police deployment from Sector 22 police station. The enforcement was carried out in the presence of district nodal officer RS Batth along with a team of HSVP officials. Duty magistrate and SDE Surendra Babbar was also present. Soon after the operation began around noon, it faced resistance from locals and land claimants. Heated arguments broke out at the site, but Batth intervened, urging them to vacate peacefully. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fortaleça sua mente com Neurolin — Promoção imperdível: 15% OFF + 2 frascos grátis Corpo & Ciência Notícias Undo Over the years, this vacant land had turned into an illegal waste dumping and processing spot. Residents said some of the landowners rented out their plots to small-scale waste management firms for around Rs 30,000-Rs 40,000 per month. Last year, a major fire broke out, which took the fire department six hours to douse the flames. Batth said no structures can be built on land under litigation and asked the encroachers to remove their belongings before Wednesday's enforcement drive. "We won't tolerate any encroachment on govt land. We will follow the law, offer time to vacate, but will not hesitate to take strict action if needed," Batth said. According to an HSVP official, two days prior to the operation, public announcements were made in the area warning occupants to vacate the land. The drive was carried out as per orders from HSVP estate officer-I Rakesh Saini. In 2013, Punjab and Haryana high court ruled that only vacant plots could be acquired by the state govt. Those on which construction was carried out could not be acquired unless the land was needed for setting up essential public utilities such as roads, water and electricity infrastructure, the HC said. Haryana govt subsequently appealed against this decision and the case is pending before Supreme Court.
