Goa CM went 'overboard' in arresting Tejpal, but failed to catch scandalous ministers: AAP

March 30, 2014

Panaji, Mar 30: Aam Aadmi Party today accused Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar of going "overboard" in "chasing" Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal but failing to arrest ministers involved in illegal mining scam.

"You (Parrikar) have chased Tejpal enough. But you have yet to arrest ministers involved in mining scam," AAP leader and South Goa candidate Swati Kerkar said addressing a public meeting here.

Tejpal is in jail here for allegedly "raping" his woman colleague at ThinkFest here last year.

AAP national leader Manish Sisodia was present at the public meeting.

Kerkar, the only woman candidate in Goa, is in fray against Narendra Sawaikar of BJP and Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco of Congress.

Kerkar alleged that Parrikar had been "inactive" against a select few involved in illegal mining.

"People will teach you a lesson in 2017 (Legislative Assembly elections) and also in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls," Kerkar said.

Earlier, AAP local leader Satish Sonak questioned government's "inaction" in not arresting miners involved in illegal mining scam.

"The state government has been silent against mine owners and whatever action taken is only against small fish," he alleged.

Rampant irregularities in mining have been found in Goa which is the largest exporter of iron ore.

The state crime branch has arrested several traders and former director of mines and geology department Arvind Lolienkar in this connection.

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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