Archives for September 2022

Parmesh S Jain

On 16 August,a Chinese naval vessel made a port call at Hambantota.The docking of this hi-tech ship in southern Sri Lanka has caused considerable apprehension in India.

Although the Chinese government insists the ship sailed in solely for refuelling,the Indian government is discomposed as they believe the vessel is part of a reconnaissance mission that will obtain intelligence on Indian maritime defence fleets.

After extensive consultation and dialogue with all relevant national regulatory bodies,Sri Lanka granted entry, provided security clearance,and issued a No Objection Letter.

However,the entry was contingent on their concession to keep the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS) accessible and running to monitor its position and activity within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Indian concerns mounted when the ship overstayed its docking period and departed on 22 August instead of the scheduled 19 August.

No personnel rotations or research activities were detected.

Hambantota Port occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean,being at the crossroads of international shipping routes to Europe,America, and South Asia.

Sri Lanka offered India the opportunity to construct this port, but India passed on it. Therefore, China seized the opportunity.

India has reservations about Yuan Wang’s stationing at Hambantota as its powerful naval technology includes satellite and ballistic missile trackers and a marine radar with a range of 750 km.From its location, it can observe Indian nuclear stations at Kalpakkam and Koodankulam as well as six Indian ports.

Aggravating the tension is the fact that this is the second time in the decade that Sri Lanka allowed Chinese seacraft into their ports. In 2014, Colombo Port accommodated a nuclear submarine and warship despite India’s objections.

Ranil Wickremesinghe,the President of Sri Lanka, initially prorogued the docking permission but eventually yielded to mounting criticism that suggested he was caving under pressure from India.

Sri Lanka is in a quandary as it needs to maintain a delicate balance in diplomatic relations between India and China now more than ever.

Given its current economic crisis —characterised by soaring inflation, food scarcity, debt distress, and high unemployment — the island nation is keeping itself afloat through investments and credit lines from its neighbours.

Sri Lanka’s decision on Yuan Wang 5 has more to do with consolidating its own stability and national interests than disregarding Indian maritime security concerns.

In a brittle economic situation, they cannot adjudicate disputes or address unresolved tensions between India and China.

As of August 2022,Sri Lanka is $51B in international debt, owing $6.5 billion to China.

They resorted to payment-in-kind in 2018,ceding Hambantota Port to Beijing,when they defaulted on their repayments to China.

As of July 2022, India intends to offer Sri Lanka $3.8 billion in humanitarian aid. Notably,foreign donations and loans are equally strategic and humanitarian.

Sri Lanka can only clear its debts if the new administration can implement policies and practices to revitalise the economy, thereby normalising tax and interest rates and restructuring its debt plan.

If a country cannot make good on its debts, its creditors cannot repossess sovereign assets.

However,to save face and avert further disgrace on the international stage, they can relinquish assets or control,as Sri Lanka did with Hambantota Port, leasing it for 99 years.

To expand and strengthen its power and maritime ambition in the Indian Ocean,China has invested in Sri Lanka’s politics,infrastructure,and economy.

In terms of political investments, they have the upper hand over India.China has provided monetary and military support during anti-LTTE campaigns.

Where infrastructure is concerned, China constructed Hambantota Port and undertook real estate development on the outskirts of Colombo.

On an economic front,China is keeping Sri Lanka’s head above water after unsuccessful bailout package negotiations with the IMF.

By managing 10% of Sri Lanka’s debt, China is keeping the island country from slipping into the murky waters of bankruptcy.

Indian companies are also combatting crises on Sri Lankan soil.Lanka Indian Oil Corporation is set to open and operate 50 new fuel stations across Sri Lanka to mitigate the fuel shortage.

Naturally,there is an unspoken rivalry between Indian and Chinese efforts in Sri Lanka.Given the complicated history of Indo-Chinese relations, both will strive to equal and surpass the other’s contributions in a geolocation of shared interest.

Harin Fernando,the Sri Lankan Minister of Tourism, hopes diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka will not curdle because of Sri Lanka’s admittance of Yuan Wang 5.

India has reservations because the ship could survey its naval assets in the Indian Ocean. Moreover, considering China’s stakes in Sri Lanka’s precarious economy,the possibility of establishing a Chinese military base is not too remote. India likely shares the American concern that the People’s Liberation Army is commanding the ship in an effort to accrue information on satellites and missiles.

India has been a member of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD) —along with the US, Japan, and Australia—since its inception in 2007.

This alliance aimed to forestall China’s attempted hegemony over the Indo-Pacific in general and the South China Sea in particular.

Inspired by the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP),they proposed orders and strategies for countries with interests in the Indo-Pacific to play fair,with the US formalising the document in 2019.

Further,India and China are UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) signatories.

Although the framework is legally binding, each country interprets the UNCLOS laws subjectively and according to its own geopolitical stakes and national interests.

As Sri Lanka’s government did not observe any suspicious activity or experience nonadherence from Yuan Wang 5’s crew in the EEZ, there was no breach of laws.

Suspicions and speculations, however compelling,cannot escalate into real security concerns without concrete proof.

However, India’s protests against Yuan Wang 5 may not be completely unreasonable and one-sided.

If Sri Lanka falls into a debt trap,interest/exchange rates and domestic stock prices will be affected, resulting in social and economic disruptions within the country.

As India is a major investor in Sri Lankan projects, business will suffer.

Maritime legal frameworks desperately require crisis management protocols to nurture international cooperation and respect,deescalate conflict,and avoid goading.

Parmesh S Jain

The west division police on Tuesday night conducted special drive to carry on surprise checks on the houses of rowdies and habitual offenders.

Senior officer told reporters,a team under the supervision of DCP, West division,Lakshman B Nimbargi,said that several teams have been formed to conduct checks on the 166 houses situated across the west division and questioned 100 rowdies.

As many as 32 rowdies who were out of view and nor appearing regularly at the station to mark their attendance,have been taken into custody and cases be booked against them.

The police during the search at the house of a rowdy,recovered a dagger and arrested him under arms act.

The accused identified as jibran @chaina @ Abdul Khader,having a total 15 cases pending against him was was in jail under Goonda act and was released few days back.

He will be booked under arm act and send back to the prison,a police officer,said.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,C H Pratap Reddy has appreciated Addl CP West, Sandeep Patil,DCP West,Laxman B Nimbargi ACPs,as,KC Giri, Kodandarama T,P Ravi,with around more than 150-200 cops of all ranks officers and staff were part of massive raid on Rowdy sheeter across West Division.

Parmesh S jain

The West Police of Chamarajpet police has cracked a one year old clueless missing case which turned into murder and arrested duo including a Rowdy sheeter.

The accused has been identified as,Lakshmi,38,and her associate,Narayan G a rowdy sheeter.

Senior officer told reporters,Based on the instruction given during a recent crime review meeting,the Chamarajapet police,cracked the murder case of 43-year-old woman which they had registered under missing complaint in July last year .

The police also arrested a 35-year-old rowdy-sheeter and his woman associate on Wednesday.

Senior officer told reporters,The victim,Chankdrakala was living alone and working at a gunyy bags stitching unit and staying in a rented house .

The accused Lakshmi,38,was also working in the same unit and noticed Chandrakala was alone and having some gold jewels,hatched a plan with Narayana G,to kill her and rob the valuables.

As per the plan Lakshmi offered to get Chandrakala to get herbal medicine from a quack she knew for her prolonged illness and took her to Halaguru along with Narayana  in the outskirts of Mandya district in July 27.

After reaching Mullaiana Katte in Halaguru police station limits the duo strangled Chandrakala from her veil and crushed her head with a boulder to conceal her identity.

The accused took her bag and checked to find no valuables.Lakshmi had told Chandrakala to wear her jewellery when coming to consult the quack and also lured her that they could arrange the prospective groom while returning.

However Chandrakala though agreed,she suspected something fishy about Lakshmi and left behind her gold chain,pair of bangles and gold ring at home.

After killing Chandrakala the accused was disappointed that they have not got the gold valuables and returned home with a mobile phone belonging to Chandrakala.

Lakshmi had removed the SIM of Chandrakala to replace with her own and started using it .

Few days later Halaguru police recovered the highly decomposed unidentified body and registered a case of murder and unable to probe due to lack of clues to proceed with the case.

Meanwhile,a distant relative of Chandrakala, noticed her missing under mysterious circumstances and filed a complaint with the Chamarajapet police . 

The police have registered a missing complaint and there was no progress in the case since then.

Recently,DCP Commissioner of Police (West Division ),Lakshman Nimbargi,during a crime review meeting asked the Chamarajapet police to follow up on the pending cases including the missing case of Chandrakala.

Based on his instruction,the police inspector, Yerriswamy and his crime team swung into action and began the probe the team recovered the Call record details and to their surprise found that the last call was made by one Lakshmi hours before she went missing. 

The police also found that the Chandrakala’s phone is being used with different SIM.On suspicion the police track down the mobile phone user and she turned out to be Lakshmi.

A detailed questioning led her to confess to the crime following which the police arrested Narayana G .

The duo have been charged with murder and the case has been transferred to Halaguru police station for further investigation.

Finally Bengaluru Police Commissioner,C H Pratap Reddy has appreciated Addl CP West, Sandeep Patil,DCP West,Laxman B Nimbargi,ACP KC Giri,PI Yerriswamy and his crime team who has done a excellent work and meticulous investigation and cracked clueless missing case which turned into murder and arrested duo a suitable reward will be given to whole team for their tireless efforts in cracking the case.

Parmesh S Jain

Suspecting her fidelity,a man killed his wife and surrendered before the police in KR.Puram on Tuesday evening

The deceased has been identified as Nancy Flora, 30,a homemaker,while the accused has been identified as John Supreet.

Senior officer,as,DCP, Whitefield,Girish S,with KR Puram police inspector and other staff visited the crime scene after inspecting the spot they said,The couple were married around 12 years ago and they have two children,a 10-year-old and a five-year-old.

They were living on the first floor of their own building in T.C. Palya,while Supreet’s parents stayed on the ground floor.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused suspected that his wife was having an affair and decided to kill her and attacked her with a machete around 6 p.m.

The children had returned from school and were with their grandparents when the incident took place.

On hearing the screams of Flora,the elderly couple climbed up to find her dead while Supreet was standing next to her.

Supreet left the house,while the elderly couple called the police.Before the police patrolling vehicle reached his house,Supreet went to KR. Puram police station and surrendered.

The accused confessed that his wife had been close to a person in the last few months.They had frequent fights over the same issue.

He has been arrested and further investigation is on he added.

Parmesh S Jain

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai today inaugurated Power Quality Factory established by Hitachi Energy in Thammashettyhalli of Doddaballapura taluk.

Claudio Facchin, CEO of Hitachi Energy and N Venu, Managing Director and CEO,India and South Asia,Hitachi Energy,Health Minister,Dr. K. Sudhakar and other dignitaries were present.

The co-operation between Karnataka government and Hitachi company will help in industrialisation, R&D and development of technology.

The unification of these two forces will ensure in the further improvement of state economy and creation of jobs,opined Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Power Quality Factory’ organised by Hitachi Energy India at Tammashettyhalli in Doddaballapur on Tuesday.

Bommai said Karnataka is in forefront of Renewable Energy but there are challenges in the storage of energy.The challenges will pave way for innovation,he added.

He said Ease of Doing Business,Ease of Living and Ease of Upbringing are strictly followed.The State is number one in attracting the Foreign Direct Investment and Innovation index.

Karnataka will be in forefront of giving solutions to the global challenges in the coming days in this regard,the Hitachi Company will be extending its full co-operation,he added

International repute research institutes

The CM said Bengaluru has around 400 international level research centres and the State was looking for a knowledge partner in the energy sector.And that role can be done by the Hitachi Company.

The agreements worth Rs.1,25,000 crore have been signed in the field of Renewable Energy,and impetus is being given in the production Hydrogen energy and Ammonia.

The Hitachi Company will play a vital role in helping the state of Karnataka to achieve Rs One trillion dollar economy.

One grid,One Nation

Bommai said a lot of reforms are made in power generation,distribution and transmission.The use of advanced technology is necessary in this field keeping in view the future of state and the country.

The management of powergrid must be good to ensure that the electricity reaches out to last man in the State.This is dependent on supplying power 24×7.

Hitherto,there was no grid link of supplying power from the excess power generating states to the power deficit states.

Now,thanks to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,the new concept of one grid,one nation has been implemented.This has enabled to supply electricity from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

He said Karnataka and the Hitachi Company have very good coordination.The company has its own quality products,designs and good service.

With this friendship,it uspossible to achieve excellence in trade, quality production and excellent service.

Like the Hitachi Company,the state of Karnataka too has a big legacy industrialisation.There are industrialists to give stress on technology.

A lot of impetus is being given on research and development of the basic sciences during pre and post independence period.

The research in this field resulted in the birth of IT sector.A lot of scientists and institutions are working for the development of basic sciences.

The Maharajas of Mysore gave a lot of promotion for industrialisation.Subsequently,the Government of India established the public sector undertakings like BHEL,HAL,HMT and others.

Since Karnataka is blessed with industry-friendly ecosystem a number of start-ups have come here,he added.

Parmesh S Jain

Jayanagara Government Hospital to receive Rs.5 crore grant for repair works

Patient registrations at all district hospitals in Karnataka are set to go online within a month, said Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday, August 22.

He further said that the same system will be implemented in taluk hospitals too shortly.

Speaking to media personnel after an inspection at the Jayanagar Government Hospital,he said that officials have been instructed to provide appointments online or through SMS to reduce crowding at the hospital.

This measure is being implemented to reduce long queues.

A system is being implemented where patients will be given information online or through SMS on which doctor to meet at what time.

There won’t be any need for patients to come to the hospital and wait.Any patient coming to district hospitals can take an appointment and pay online,he said.

Minister Sudhakar visited each ward of the hospital and gathered information about the quality of service in the hospital from patients.

Minister Sudhakar announced a grant of Rs.5 crore to the Jayanagar Government Hospital following a discussion with the officials for repair works.

Further,Minister Sudhakar told media persons that the officials have been instructed to take necessary measures to ensure that the Jayanagar Government Hospital qualifies to meet National Quality Standard (NQS).

Through this,we have to increase the quality of service.I will visit again in the future to check whether the target has been achieved,he added.

After the COVID-19 pandemic struck,a 51 bed ICU has been created here and to ensure proper functioning,the number of staff will be increased.

I have sent a proposal for appointments of permanent staff to the Finance Department.

Despite having 4 Orthopedic specialists,only 40 procedures are taking place in the hospital.This number needs to be increased to 100.

Also,a meeting will be held between various departments to bring about good coordination, he said.

Some complaints have been received in the maternity department and officials have been instructed to take corrective measures.

Incharges of each department have been given specific targets and have been instructed to ensure a level of quality that would encourage patients to visit the government hospital instead of private ones.

There was a complaint against a contract doctor who was taking bribes.

An investigation is underway and the officials have been instructed to remove that doctor from work even before the report is given.

Minister Sudhakar said that the Karnataka government has a mothers heart and he will visit other district hospitals to ensure quality healthcare.

Won’t spare hospitals until they refund the excess money they had charged COVID-19 patients

Some hospitals had charged COVID-19 patients and had again received money from the government.

Notices were given to the hospitals to refund the money to the patients.In the first such effort by the government,we were successfully able to ensure a total of Rs.1.58 crore has been returned to the patients till date.

The government will not rest until the last paisa that was collected this way is returned back.