Fresh trouble for BJP in Goa as ally GFP talks about 'working on Plan B for political stability'

Agencies
February 6, 2019

Panaji, Feb 6: In a fresh trouble for the Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government in Goa, its ally Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Wednesday said that they are committed to ensure political stability in the state and are working on a 'Plan B' to achieve this.

Talking to PTI, GFP President and Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai said that his party will aim for stability in the state irrespective of the fact which party forms the new government in Goa.

"We are 100 per cent ready with Plan-B. Goa will not have stability if it is not done. Does Goa need a stable government or not? Why do people elect us? For stability or to have a tottering government, which may fall any day?" Sardesai was quoted as saying by news agency.

The GFP supremo made the remark - which is set to create political ripples in state - while addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat.

It may be recalled that few days ago senior Goa Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and Deputy Speaker in the Assembly Michael Lobo said that Parrikar's exit as Chief Minister of Goa would plunge the state into a political crisis.

Another BJP ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), has already announced its plans to contest upcoming two Assembly by-elections against the saffron party.

Sardesai said even Parrikar does not know answers to the political crisis gripping the state. It is to be noted that Parrikar is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS in New Delhi.

"I have put this question to the Chief Minister. I feel even he does not understand it. He is in the dark. It is high time, people who lead the state should have answers to pertinent questions being put up by the people," Sardesai said.

The 40-member Goa Assembly has 14 MLAs each from BJP and Congress. Three MLAs each of the GFP and the MGP are supporting the BJP. One Independent MLA withdrew support to the coalition government in September last year.

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Agencies
May 10,2020

New Delhi, May 10: A medium-intensity earthquake of 3.4 magnitude hit Delhi on Sunday.

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), the quake occurred at 1.45pm at a depth of five kilometres.

There were no immediate reports of loss of life or property.

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News Network
May 21,2020

United Nations, May 21: At least 19 million children in parts of Bangladesh and India are at "imminent risk" from flash flooding and heavy rain as Cyclone Amphan makes landfall and the state of West Bengal is expected to take a direct hit from the powerful storm, the UN's children agency has warned.

The extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan made a landfall at Digha in West Bengal and Bangladesh on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction. At least three persons were killed in India and seven in Bangladesh.

The UNICEF said that at least 19 million children in parts of Bangladesh and India are at “imminent risk from flash flooding, storm surges and heavy rain as Cyclone Amphan makes landfall.”

West Bengal, “home to more than 50 million people, including over 16 million children, is expected to take a direct hit from the powerful storm,” the UN agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

The UNICEF said it is also very concerned that the COVID-19 could deepen the humanitarian consequences of Cyclone Amphan in both the countries. Evacuees who have moved to crowded temporary shelters would be especially vulnerable to the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19, as well as other infections.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely,” said UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia Jean Gough.

“The safety of children and their families in the areas that will be impacted is a priority and it is good to see that the authorities have planned their urgent response factoring in the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.”

Across the region, the UNICEF is “working closely with the governments of Bangladesh and India and stands ready to support humanitarian operations to reach children and families affected by Cyclone Amphan.”

Based on the storm’s current trajectory, Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh – now sheltering over 850,000 Rohingya refugees – is likely to experience high winds and heavy rains which may cause damage to homes and shelters in the refugee camps and Bangladeshi communities. This population is already highly vulnerable and cases of COVID-19 have recently been confirmed in the camps and host communities.

The UNICEF said it is working with the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Cox’s Bazar, the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, and humanitarian partners to help ensure Bangladeshi and Rohingya children and families remain protected.

These efforts include raising awareness among Rohingya and Bangladeshi communities on cyclone preparedness and prepositioning emergency life-saving water, sanitation, hygiene and medical supplies to meet immediate humanitarian needs.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing that UN teams on the ground continue to work with the Government of Bangladesh to prepare and support those in need in the wake of the cyclone.

“Given the current pandemic, this support includes distributing personal protective equipment, disinfectants and other materials to evacuation shelters. To reduce the person-to-person contact during the delivery of aid, e-cash distributions will be used,” he said adding that the UN along with its partners is mobilising more than 1,700 mobile health teams and preparing for emergency food deliveries.

“The Super Cyclone is taking a westerly trajectory towards India, but nearly 8 million people in Bangladesh remain at risk,” he said adding that the Bangladesh government has evacuated more than 2 million people in high-risk areas. 

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News Network
July 1,2020

Mumbai, Jul 1: Mumbai police on Wednesday imposed section 144 of CrPC prohibiting the movement of people in public places and gatherings, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, an official said.

The prohibitory order, issued by a senior police official, says restrictions on the movement of residents for non- essential work will remain in force till July 15.

The order prohibits "presence or movement of one or more persons in public places or gathering of any sort", the official said.

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