Communal incidents have come down under Congress rule: H R Bhardwaj

Bangalore, Jan 23: Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj, in his address to the joint legislature session on Wednesday, said the number of communal incidents had declined under the present Congress dispensation in the State.

Highlighting the government's achievements and suggesting certain measures it needs to take, the Governor said, “I am happy to report that there has been a decline in the number of communal incidents in the State.”

He said the government was also aware of the need to curb attempts being made by fundamental organisations to 'vitiate' communal harmony in different parts of the State.

Bhardwaj, however, added a word of caution by asking the government to monitor the social media, which is being used to spread communal strife. He said the government had already been taking 'prompt', 'effective and 'unbiased' administrative action to prevent any disruption in maintaining harmony.

On providing systematic steps to tackle corruption in Karnataka, Bhardwaj said the government had welcomed the Jan Lokpal Bill besides taking steps to adopt it in the State.

Industrial policy

The Governor said a new industrial policy would be formulated and implemented in April. It will ensure balanced and integrated industrialisation and create a million direct jobs in the manufacturing sector in the next five years.

A global investors' meet is planned during October.

On affordable housing, the Governor said the government would operationalise the strategy envisaged in the National Urban Housing and Habitat Policy 2007 to open the housing sector for public-private partnership (PPP) with developers by providing incentives and concessions.

He also stated that the infant mortality rate had come down in the State in the last year. While India's Under 5 mortality rate is 52 and Infant mortality rate is 42, Karnataka has been successful in bringing it down to 37 and 32, respectively, he said.

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PM Modi vows to strengthen India-Maldives ties, inks currency swap deal with President Muizzu

News Network

October 7,2024

New Delhi: Seeking to strengthen bilateral ties, India and the Maldives on Monday inked a currency swap agreement to the tune of $400 million, a move that would help the archipelago nation overcome foreign exchange reserve issues.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu also launched Rupay card in the Maldives, inaugurated the new runway at the Hanimadhoo International airport and agreed to further strengthen bilateral relations that had hit a rocky patch last year.

Muizzu, who is on a four-day state visit, held talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House here.

After the talks, India also handed over 700 social housing units to the Maldives built under the EXIM Bank’s buyer’s credit facilities.

"Today, we have inaugurated the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo Airport. Now, the Greater Male Connectivity Project will also be expedited. We will also support the development of a new commercial port in Thilafushi," Modi told reporters here with Muizzu by his side.

Modi said India and Maldives have decided to initiate discussion on the Free Trade Agreement to further strengthen economic ties.

The prime minister described Maldives as a "close friend" which had an important position in India's neighbourhood policy and SAGAR vision.

"India has always fulfilled the responsibilities of a neighbour. Today, we have taken up the vision of a comprehensive economic and maritime security partnership to give our mutual cooperation a strategic direction," Modi said.

Earlier, Muizzu was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Modi was also present on the occasion.

Muizzu was given a tri-services guard of honour before he drove down the Rajghat to offer his respects at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain since Muizzu, known for his pro-China leanings, took charge of the top office in November.

Muizzu won the presidential election last year on the 'India out' campaign and asked New Delhi to withdraw its military personnel posted in the archipelago nation by May this year.

The bilateral ties also hit a rocky patch when Maldivian ministers were critical of Modi. However, Muizzu has since toned down his anti-India stance and even sacked ministers who were critical of the Indian prime minister.

As the Maldives was grappling with a serious economic downturn, India has decided to extend vital budgetary support to the Maldives government with the rollover of a $50 million Treasury Bill for another year.

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