Latest news with #Rizvi
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
SHC stays reversion of BPS 18 officer to 30-year-old post
After serving for over three decades for Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, a BPS-18 officer was reverted to the BPS-7 grade on which he was appointed in 1995. However, the Sindh High Court on Thursday stayed the government's order serving major penalty on Muhammad Shakeel Baig. The reversion to the 'lowest post' was preceded by an inquiry conducted by the Planning and Development Department on directions of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) which was probing alleged irregularity in Baig's first appointment in LUMHS as BPS-7 Lab Assistant post 1994. On May 23, 2025, Baig was served the office order of returning him to BPS-7 Lab Assistant post as if his career path resembled a snakes and ladders game. He was promoted to BPS-18 on October 19, 2020. During the hearing on Thursday advocate Soulat Rizvi, the petitioner's counsel, briefed the court about all the stages from Baig's appointment to subsequent promotions. "The terms like out of cadre, out of turn promotion, illegal absorption or deputation don't apply to my client's case," he contended. The lawyer maintained that his client is not an exception in the university as several other employees who were also appointed on the same post of the Lab Assistant have climbed their career ladder to the BPS-17 posts. Rizvi argued that the petitioner is being singled out as 18 such staff which made it from the lower to the officer grade posts are still working in LUMHS. He also pointed out names of the officials who continue to work on their posts in blatant violation of the Supreme Court's order concerning the change of cadre. According to the lawyer, his client's demotion to BPS-7 has been carried out on the order of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah which, he pleaded, is unlawful. He said the CM under the law can only appoint the vice chancellor, registrar, controller exams and director finance of LUMHS. Rizvi raised a question asking if the LUMHS Ordinance, 2001, gave powers to the CM to overrule decisions of the syndicate and selection boards. He also asked if the NAB can conduct an inquiry about promotion of a university's employee. He maintained that the impugned inquiry did not even offer a chance of hearing his client and that he was not even issued a show cause notice.
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
Bizarre! Batter No. 11 Gets Bowled With Two Runs Left To Score In County Game
Glamorgan's 2nd XI clinched a thrilling one-run victory over Warwickshire in the County Second XI Championship, with Mohammed Rizvi's 5/88 sealing the win. In a bizarre flow of events, a No. 11 batter of Warwickshire's 2nd XI was bowled out with just two runs needed, as Glamorgan bagged a thrilling one-run victory in the County Second XI Championship on Monday, a video of which has now gone viral on social media. Chasing 514 in the fourth innings, Warwickshire's innings was led by Arjun Singh Nahal's unbeaten hundred from No. 6. England U19 star Hamza Shaikh, Vaansh Lalit Jani and Oliver George Dandy played their part as well with commendable half-centuries. The chasing side was then derailed by a brilliant spell from Glamorgan leg-spinner Mohammed Rizvi, pushing the game to a thriller. Warwickshire, with one wicket remaining, required only two runs to complete a massive chase as Rizvi bowled his 29th over of the innings. Off the last delivery, No. 11 batter, Dhaka-born Arafat Bhuiyan tried a hoick across the line but was beaten in flight, and was bowled. Rizvi finished with a brilliant 5/88, as Nahal's unbeaten 125 off 203 deliveries went in vain. For Glamorgan, their two hundred-scorers were wicketkeeper-batter Alex Horton and the Zimbabwe-born Eddie Byrom. After losing their first game in the Second XI Championship, the victory over Warwickshire helped Glamorgan open their account in Group 3, moving to third, behind unbeaten leaders Durham and Middlesex. Warwickshire have lost two successive games and sit sixth, in the bottom position in the group. First Published: June 27, 2025, 17:52 IST
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Govt to decide subsidy scheme for rare earth magnet production in 15-20 days: Kumaraswamy
New Delhi: The government will take a decision on rolling out a scheme to subsidise domestic production of rare earth magnets in 15-20 days, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. Stakeholder consultations are underway to determine the quantum of subsidy to be offered under the scheme. If the total incentives involved cross Rs 1,000 crore, the scheme will be sent to the Union Cabinet for approval, Secretary in the Heavy Industries Ministry Kamran Rizvi said. "One Hyderabad-based company... they are showing interest. They have promised that they will deliver 500 tonnes by this year-end, December. We have (had) discussions with the Mines Minister. Our Secretary and our ministry are working on, ultimately, a decision (will be taken) I think within 15-20 days," Kumaraswamy, the Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, told reporters here. China's recent restrictions on exports of key metals caused widespread disruption in the manufacturing of automobiles and semiconductor chips in a host of countries, including India. The secretary said the actual production of rare earth magnets will take about two years, and the government, along with the industry, is looking at alternative sources of procurement in the interim period, including Japan and Vietnam. "So you are aware that rare earth is available in Japan, in Vietnam, and efforts are going on to take from there," Rizvi said. Rare earth magnets include neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB). It is used for high-performance automotive applications such as traction motors in electric vehicles (two-wheelers and passenger vehicles) and power steering motors (in passenger vehicles) in both electric vehicles and internal combustion engine vehicles. The subsidy will facilitate investment for establishing processing facilities for companies to convert rare earth oxides into magnets. Indian Rare Earth Magnets Ltd, a PSU under the Ministry of Atomic Energy, is the sole repository of rare earths in India. They have enough rare earths to make 1,500 tonnes of magnets, officials said. Secretary in the heavy industries ministry Kamran Rizvi said whether or not the scheme will go to the Union Cabinet for approval depends on the quantum of incentives to be offered. "It depends on the level of incentives. If it is less than Rs 1,000 crore, (heavy industries) minister and finance minister can do it. If it goes beyond Rs 1,000 crore, it has to go to the Cabinet. "We do not know the quantum of subsidy required yet, stakeholder consultations are on, as the minister pointed out, so varied responses have come. Somebody wants 50 per cent, somebody wants 20 per cent, so it will be subject to a competitive bid, then we will know the quantum of support required," Rizvi added. Officials said 30 automotive firms have sought authorisation from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to import rare earth magnets from China a fortnight ago, so that production is not impacted negatively due to the shortage. PTI
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
India in talks with Japan, Vietnam on rare earth imports: Kumaraswamy
India is currently in talks with Japan and Vietnam to import rare earths in response to China's recent import restrictions. Additionally, the country plans to introduce an incentive scheme for processing rare earth oxides into magnets, which is expected to take two years. A decision on this scheme will be made in 15 to 20 days, Union Minister of Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy said. China curbs exports of key materials Following escalating tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump, Beijing enacted export restrictions on seven heavy and medium rare earth elements and magnets on 4 April. These elements—samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—are crucial for defence, energy, and automotive technologies. Chinese companies must now secure defence licences to export these materials. 'We have had discussions with the mines ministry, and they are working on this issue. We expect to make a final decision within the next 15 to 20 days,' Kumaraswamy told reporters at the launch of the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) portal on Tuesday. Business Standard earlier reported that the government was considering developing 3,000 to 5,000 incentive schemes and looking at alternative sourcing to mitigate risks from China's supply. India may also negotiate with China for motors and sub-assemblies if export norms on magnets are not relaxed. Stakeholder consultations are ongoing, and the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has received varied proposals, with some firms requesting support levels of 50 per cent and others seeking 20 per cent. 'This will be subject to a competitive bidding process, which will help us determine the required level of support,' said Kamran Rizvi, secretary, MHI. Domestic processing could take two years The required support is significant, Rizvi said, as global rare earth oxide and magnet prices on the Shanghai Stock Exchange show only about 5 per cent difference. China's monopoly has kept magnet prices exceptionally low. 'The level of incentive we require aims to assist companies in the investment needed to transition from oxide to magnet production. The necessary government support must be quantified to ensure magnets produced in India are globally competitive,' Rizvi explained. Processing rare earth oxides into magnets may take at least two years. Midwest to supply 500 tonnes by year-end When asked if Cabinet approval would be necessary, Rizvi said it depends on the size of the incentive. 'If the amount is less than ₹1,000 crore, our minister and the finance minister can approve it. Should it exceed ₹1,000 crore, Cabinet approval will be required. We are still assessing the required subsidy amount.' Meanwhile, Midwest has expressed interest in processing rare earths and has committed to delivering 500 tonnes by the end of December this year, the minister confirmed. Business Standard had also reported that Hyderabad-based Midwest Advanced Materials expressed interest in mining and processing rare earths with technology transferred from the Non-Ferrous Materials Technology Development Centre. India's rare earth ecosystem and capacity Currently, Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), a company under the Department of Atomic Energy, is the sole holder of rare earth materials in the country. It has sufficient resources to produce 1,500 tonnes of magnets annually. Industry adapting to avoid production disruption On possible production impacts starting in July, Kumaraswamy said companies are taking steps to minimise disruption. 'While there was an understanding that some disruption might occur, recent developments suggest improvement. No reports indicate a halt in production. Fully assembled components can still be imported, and companies are actively working on solutions.' 'We are discussing motors and their components. We may need to explore options if the disruptions persist long-term,' he added. Separately, India is reaching out to countries including the US, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Vietnam—along with their embassies—to attract investment from global automotive firms for electric vehicle manufacturing. A four-month application window will be given under the SPMEPCI scheme. As of now, Tesla has not expressed interest in participating. 'Ultimately, we will know which global automakers come on board by 21 October,' Rizvi said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
India to finalise rare earth magnet subsidy scheme within 20 days: Kumaraswamy
The Government of India is expected to finalise a scheme to subsidise domestic production of rare earth magnets within the next 15 to 20 days, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. The announcement comes amid continuing disruptions in the global supply of rare earth materials, which are essential for several automotive and semiconductor applications, reported PTI. "One Hyderabad-based company... they are showing interest. They have promised that they will deliver 500 tonnes by this year-end, December," the minister stated, adding that discussions with the Mines Minister and further consultations within the ministry are ongoing. Decision on incentive size to determine cabinet route According to Kamran Rizvi, Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries, stakeholder consultations are currently underway to determine the quantum of subsidy. If the incentive exceeds ₹1,000 crore, the proposal will be sent to the Union Cabinet for approval. "If it is less than ₹1,000 crore, the minister and finance minister can do it. If it goes beyond ₹1,000 crore, it has to go to the Cabinet," Rizvi explained. He further added that while production of rare earth magnets in India will take around two years to materialise, the government is exploring short-term procurement options from Japan and Vietnam. 'Efforts are going on to take from there,' Rizvi noted. The scheme is aimed at encouraging investment in facilities that can convert rare earth oxides into magnets. These magnets, such as neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB), are used in electric vehicle traction motors, power steering systems, and other automotive components. Officials also confirmed that Indian Rare Earths Ltd , under the Department of Atomic Energy, has enough reserves to support production of up to 1,500 tonnes of rare earth magnets. Industry stakeholders and import concerns Rizvi stated that the exact amount of subsidy support will likely be determined through a competitive bidding process. 'Stakeholder consultations are on, as the minister pointed out, so varied responses have come. Somebody wants 50 per cent, somebody wants 20 per cent.' Meanwhile, in response to ongoing supply concerns, about 30 automotive firms have recently sought permission from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to import rare earth magnets from China. The move to formulate this scheme follows recent Chinese restrictions on exports of key metals, which have impacted manufacturing supply chains across multiple countries, including India.
