TMC crisis deepens: Minority cell leader resigns, blames ‘dictatorial’ Abhishek Banerjee
After losing power in Bengal and days after 58 rebel MLAs took control of its legislature party, the TMC is facing one of the biggest challenges in its history.
"LOSING" · 총 449건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 82,909건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.2(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,113건(5.0%)·중립 76,837건(92.7%)·부정 1,959건(2.4%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 14.7(중도 균형)입니다.
After losing power in Bengal and days after 58 rebel MLAs took control of its legislature party, the TMC is facing one of the biggest challenges in its history.
• Water, hydropower projects may get only Rs179bn in PSDP • Officials say at least Rs500bn is needed; warn low allocation may slow major dam, power projects • Ex-Wapda official fears Diamer-Bhasha, Dasu may miss timelines • Wapda says eight mega projects are under construction, expected to double hydel generation by 2030 THE country’s persistent failure to invest adequately in water storage and hydropower infrastructure has once again come into focus, as the government is expected to earmark only Rs179 billion under the proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 for a sector considered critical to the nation’s water, food and energy security. The proposed allocation has raised concerns over the pace of work on major ongoing hydropower projects, reservoirs and flood mitigation schemes at a time when the country is struggling with recurring floods, shrinking per capita water availability and high electricity costs. Officials and experts say accelerated investment in water infrastructure is essential for managing the impact of climate change and producing clean, reliable and low-cost electricity needed for sustainable economic growth. They argue that the country needs at least Rs500bn to speed up four major ongoing hydropower projects and start civil work on new water storage projects, especially in view of concerns over upstream water developments by India. “At a time when our country faces mounting water scarcity and growing need for affordable and clean energy, the water and power sectors appear to have received less attention in public investment priorities, with development allocations falling short of the resources required for the timely completion of critical ongoing projects and the launch of new water infrastructure schemes,” a senior official of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) said. The official, who requested anonymity, said the proposed allocation of Rs179bn would be insufficient for multibillion-dollar dams and hydropower projects already losing their required fast-track pace due to meagre funding of around Rs106bn under the PSDP 2025-26. “What will we do with this limited allocation for such major ongoing projects?” the official asked, adding that the government should place the water and power sector at the top of its budget priorities by allocating at least Rs500bn. “With just Rs179bn, we may not be able to start work on new dams, including the Chiniot Dam on the Chenab, which is currently at an advanced stage ahead of its launch,” the official said. Pakistan urgently needs additional reservoirs, hydropower projects and flood mitigation infrastructure to enhance water security, reduce the impact of floods and droughts, adapt to climate change and provide affordable electricity to consumers. The challenge has assumed greater significance amid growing concerns over upstream developments on the western rivers, particularly the Chenab, where Indian plans for additional water infrastructure have heightened calls for accelerating domestic investments in water storage and river management capacity. Analysts warn that delays in expanding the country’s water infrastructure could deepen existing water and energy challenges and limit Pakistan’s ability to respond effectively to emerging regional and climate-related pressures. Projects at risk At present, Wapda is executing several major water and hydropower projects, including Mohmand Dam, Tarbela 5th Extension, Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project and the K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The Mohmand Dam Project is being constructed on the Swat River. It is designed to store 1.29 million acre feet (MAF) of water, generate 800MW of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity and provide 300 million gallons per day of water to Peshawar for municipal use. The Tarbela 5th Extension project is also under construction, with work progressing on the intake structure, connecting tunnel, penstock, low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard. The project has an installed generation capacity of 1,530MW. The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing $390m and $300m, respectively, for its construction. After completion, Tarbela’s installed power generation capacity will increase from 4,888MW to 6,418MW. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is considered one of the most vital projects for Pakistan’s water, food and energy security. It is being constructed across the Indus River to store 8.1 MAF of water and generate 4,500MW of clean and affordable electricity. On completion, the project is expected to irrigate an additional 1.2m acres of land and contribute 18bn units of low-cost electricity to the national grid every year. The 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is also under way and planned to be completed in two stages. Wapda is currently constructing Stage-I, with an installed capacity of 2,160MW and annual generation of 12bn units of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity. The World Bank is providing financial assistance worth $1.57bn for Stage-I, which is expected to start electricity generation in December 2027. Work on the K-IV Project, or Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme Phase-I, is also in progress. These projects are scheduled to be completed in phases from 2026 to 2030, targeting a combined increase of 9.7 MAF in water storage and over 9,000MW in clean hydropower. However, funding availability and local coordination remain the primary factors determining whether these timelines can be met. Chenab storage concerns The need for new water storage projects is particularly urgent on the Chenab River, which is vital for Pakistan’s agriculture under the Indus Waters Treaty. “As far as new dam projects are concerned, the Chenab is very important because we have no dam to store its water,” another Wapda official said. The planned water reservoir projects on the Chenab include Chiniot, Shah Jeewna, Mid Ranjha and Wazirabad dams. However, officials say work on Chiniot Dam should begin immediately. The proposed Chiniot Dam site is located on the Chenab River about five kilometres from Chiniot city and around 100 metres upstream of the existing railway bridge. The project has a gross storage capacity of 0.9 MAF, including 0.85 MAF of live storage, and is also expected to generate 80MW of electricity. Inadequate allocations are expected to delay these projects and lead to further cost escalation. The Wapda official said Pakistan had last year asked India to refrain from any unilateral manipulation of river flows and fulfil its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty after fluctuations were observed in Chenab flows from Dec 9 to 18. According to the official, the river’s upstream control is handled by Indian authorities through various run-of-the-river hydropower projects. He said that sudden flushing of water from upstream structures without informing Pakistani authorities could sharply increase flows downstream in Pakistan, while holding water for days could massively reduce flows. Neelum-Jhelum delay Officials and experts also point to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project as an example of how delays in repair work, funding and accountability can deprive the country of vital hydropower generation. Although the project’s first unit was commissioned in 2018, the contractors reportedly failed to complete pending works, fulfil contractual obligations and supply spare parts needed for smooth operation. The Auditor General of Pakistan, in its performance audit report for 2022-23 submitted to parliament last year, raised questions about the quality and design of the project after a major collapse in the tailrace tunnel of the powerhouse a few years after construction. The 969MW project has remained shut since the collapse in the tailrace tunnel, while repair work has yet to be launched despite the passage of several years. “This project has been closed for the last three years due to delay in repair work at the affected portion. Until when will we continue holding inquiries and fixing responsibilities in the wake of this 969MW project?” asked Jawaid Latif, a former member (water) of Wapda. Talking to Dawn, Mr Latif said he was not against accountability, but the government should have provided funds to Wapda to launch repair work, including concrete lining of the tunnel, alongside conducting inquiries and fixing responsibility. “Had this been done earlier, hydel power generation from this vital project would have resumed well on time,” he said, adding that he had heard the repair project was currently passing through the award process. Mr Latif also criticised meagre PSDP allocations for the water and power sector, saying the government lacked an effective policy framework under which strategic projects were given priority with adequate funding and work on a war-footing basis. “I am not seeing Bhasha or Dasu Dam and other projects being completed on time, as the government seems to be giving less attention to the water and power sector despite knowing about water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India,” he said. He said water and power sector projects should be given top priority among projects of national interest, while the country should also keep a close watch on upstream activities by India. When contacted, a Wapda spokesperson said the authority had been playing a pivotal role in national development since its inception in 1958. In a statement, he said Wapda was committed to Pakistan’s water, food and energy security and was implementing its largest development portfolio, comprising eight mega projects in the water and hydropower sectors. These projects, he said, were destined to “revolutionise the economic landscape of Pakistan” by providing much-needed water and affordable hydel electricity for a green and bright Pakistan. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
Every time a new party comes to power, closing liquor shops becomes one of its standard promises. But shops are eventually opened in other locations. Is the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s decision to shut 717 liquor shops near educational institutions and places of worship going to be any different, people wonder
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council’s annual report for 2025, presented to the General Assembly on Friday, reaffirmed the continued relevance of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the Palestinian question, describing them as long-standing issues on the UNSC’s agenda with implications for regional and international peace and security. The report noted that more than 20 communications concerning the India-Pakistan question were brought before the UNSC during the reporting period and that the council held closed consultations on the issue in May 2025. It also documented the UNSC’s engagement with the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza, including the adoption of Resolution 2803 endorsing a Gaza peace plan. Pakistan, which coordinated and drafted the introduction to the report during its UNSC presidency in July 2025, welcomed the references to both disputes, saying they underscored the need for their resolution in accordance with UN resolutions and international law. Addressing the General Assembly debate, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, said the report highlighted the continued relevance of the Jammu and Kashmir and Palestinian disputes, which must be resolved in accordance with international legitimacy and UNSC resolutions. “This underscores that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, which has remained on the Council’s agenda for over seven decades, continues to engage its attention,” he said. Pakistan, India clash over references to Kashmir in Security Council’s report Ambassador Asim reiterated Pakistan’s position that durable peace in South Asia required a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in line with UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The annual report reviews the UNSC’s work from Jan to Dec 2025 and records its engagement with conflicts and crises across Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, South Asia, Europe and Latin America, as well as thematic issues such as the peaceful settlement of disputes. Highlighting Pakistan’s role in preparing the report, Ambassador Asim said Islamabad adopted an open, constructive and inclusive approach and secured early consensus on the introduction through consultations with Council members and the wider UN membership. He said the report showed that despite heightened geopolitical tensions, the Security Council remained actively engaged in addressing threats to international peace and security. He also highlighted the unanimous adoption of Resolution 2788, sponsored by Pakistan, which promoted the peaceful settlement of disputes and fuller utilisation of the UN Charter’s conflict-resolution mechanisms. Turning to Palestine, the ambassador said the continuing tragedy in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly Gaza, remained high on the Council’s agenda. He described Resolution 2803, endorsing the Gaza Peace Plan, as a significant step after repeated failures to halt the bloodshed and stressed the need for its full implementation. Pakistan also reiterated support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and for an independent, viable and contiguous State of Palestine. Separately, Pakistan joined UN member states in marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. The ambassador noted that Pakistan has contributed more than 237,000 peacekeepers to 48 UN missions over the past six decades, with more than 183 personnel losing their lives. The debate also witnessed a sharp exchange between Pakistan and India over references to Kashmir in the report. Exercising Pakistan’s right of reply, Counsellor Gul Qaiser Sarwani rejected India’s criticism and said the report itself recorded communications on the India-Pakistan question and the UNSC’s consultations in May 2025. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
• IRNA says ‘important message’ meant for Iran’s supreme leader • Interior minister receives instructions from PM before departure ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday stepped up efforts to break the impasse in the US-Iran dialogue, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arriving in Tehran carrying a message from Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir for Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Mr Naqvi was received by his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni. Pakistan’s newly appointed ambassador to Iran, Imran Ahmad Siddiqui, was also present. The visit comes at a delicate moment in the diplomatic process that Pakistan has been facilitating for months, as indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran have drifted into what diplomats describe as a fragile stalemate despite both sides continuing to publicly endorse diplomacy over renewed confrontation. Iran’s official news agency IRNA, quoting an informed source, reported that Mr Naqvi was carrying an “important message” from Field Marshal Munir for Mojtaba Khamenei. The source said the interior minister had held extensive consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials before leaving for Tehran. The source further claimed that PM Shehbaz had given special instructions to Mr Naqvi regarding the future course of the Iran-US talks. The Prime Minister’s Office, meanwhile, said in a statement that PM Shehbaz had met the interior minister in Lahore and discussed his visit to Tehran. According to the official statement, Mr Naqvi briefed the prime minister on his recent engagements on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The two also held consultations on the Tehran visit, while the prime minister provided guidance for the discussions. Mr Naqvi had also met Mr Momeni in Bishkek. Diplomatic sources said Mr Naqvi’s mission was part of Pakistan’s efforts to prevent the collapse of a ceasefire arrangement that Islamabad helped broker earlier this year and to create space for the resumption of meaningful negotiations between Washington and Tehran. The ceasefire, reached in April after weeks of intense fighting involving Iran, the United States and Israel, remains formally in place but has been repeatedly tested by military incidents in and around the Gulf region. Recent exchanges involving US strikes on Iranian military assets and Iranian retaliatory actions have further complicated efforts to move negotiations beyond crisis management towards a more comprehensive political understanding. At the centre of the deadlock are disagreements over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, its enrichment programme, the future of sanctions, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and regional security issues. While US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that negotiations remain active and that progress is being made towards a deal, Iranian officials have struck a far more cautious tone. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently said there had been no tangible progress in the talks and that Tehran was still reviewing proposals conveyed through intermediaries. Diplomatic sources familiar with the process said both sides remained far apart on key questions, particularly Washington’s demand for substantial restrictions on Iranian enrichment activities and Tehran’s insistence that its right to peaceful enrichment remains non-negotiable. Complicating matters further is the Lebanon question, which Iranian officials increasingly view as linked to the broader diplomatic track. Tehran has repeatedly argued that any durable arrangement must address developments across all theatres of confrontation, including Lebanon, while Washington has sought to treat the Lebanon-Israel track separately from the nuclear and sanctions negotiations. Against this backdrop, Mr Naqvi’s discussions in Tehran are expected to focus not only on the state of the US-Iran talks but also on regional issues that continue to affect prospects for a settlement. Besides talks with Interior Minister Momeni, the Pakistani minister is expected to meet Foreign Minister Araghchi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. Meetings with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Bagher Zolghadr are also expected, according to Iranian sources. The significance attached to the visit has fuelled speculation that Islamabad may be attempting to inject fresh momentum into a process that appeared to be losing traction after weeks of military incidents and diplomatic setbacks. Pakistan’s mediation role has drawn increasing international attention in recent months, with both Washington and Tehran publicly acknowledging Islamabad’s efforts and several European governments expressing support for the initiative. Lebanese army chief’s visit Meanwhile, in a related development that attracted attention in diplomatic circles, Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal left for Pakistan on Saturday on an official visit. The Lebanese Armed Forces announced that the visit was being undertaken at the invitation of General Haykal’s Pakistani counterpart, but did not disclose details of its agenda or duration. Officially, the trip is being described as part of ongoing military-to-military cooperation and discussions on training and institutional support. However, the timing of the visit has generated speculation because it coincides with Pakistan’s efforts to overcome obstacles in the US-Iran negotiations and follows renewed tensions in southern Lebanon. Lebanon has increasingly emerged as one of the factors complicating the broader diplomatic process. President Joseph Aoun has recently called for strengthening state authority and reducing the role of non-state armed groups, while Iranian officials have strongly rejected suggestions that Tehran uses Lebanon as leverage in its dealings with Washington. Iran has also linked progress in its discussions with the United States to developments on what it describes as other fronts of the conflict, including Lebanon. Western diplomats say the Lebanese armed forces are expected to play an important role in any future security arrangements in southern Lebanon and have therefore become an important part of regional stabilisation efforts. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
Launched by PM Modi in Panipat in 2015, the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign initially delivered strong results. Haryana’s Sex Ratio at Birth rose from 838 in 2010 to 923 by 2019, driven by strict raids on pre-natal testing centres, inter-State crackdowns, monthly video conference reviews, and fixed accountability. However, data for the first four months of 2026 show that the number of girl babies born has dipped below 900, sparking fears that the programme is losing focus and momentum, reports Ashok Kumar
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Suryakumar Yadav has graciously congratulated Shreyas Iyer on his appointment as India's new T20I captain for the upcoming Ireland and England series. Despite being replaced as captain and dropped from the squad after leading India to a T20 World Cup victory, Suryakumar expressed pride in his Mumbai teammate's achievement, highlighting the strong representation from Mumbai cricket.
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Every time a new party comes to power, closing liquor shops becomes one of its standard promises. But shops are eventually opened in other locations. Is the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government’s decision to shut 717 liquor shops near educational institutions and places of worship going to be any different, people wonder
Domestic cooking gas LPG prices have been increased by Rs 29 per 14.2-kg cylinder, according to PTI, citing sources. The price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi has risen from Rs 913 to Rs 942 with effect from June 7.The latest revision comes amid sustained volatility in international energy markets and follows a series of fuel price increases announced in recent weeks.LPG price todayMetroCurrent Price (Rs)New Price (Rs)Delhi913.00942.00Kolkata939.00968.00Mumbai912.50941.50Chennai928.50957.50LPG cylinder price rises to Rs 942 in DelhiThe increase takes the retail price of a standard 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi to Rs 942.As per the PTI report, industry sources said the revision was necessary as oil marketing companies continue to incur substantial losses on the sale of subsidised domestic cooking gas.The hike follows an earlier increase of Rs 60 per cylinder announced on March 7 after tensions and conflict in West Asia disrupted global energy supplies and pushed up international fuel prices.Why has the LPG price been increased?According to industry sources, the previous increase only partially compensated oil companies for the losses they were incurring on domestic LPG sales.Before the latest revision, state-run fuel retailers were estimated to be losing around Rs 703 on every domestic LPG cylinder sold.Global crude oil and fuel prices have remained elevated in recent months, increasing the financial burden on oil marketing companies.The latest increase is aimed at reducing a portion of those losses, although companies are reportedly still selling LPG below cost.Fuel price hikes extend beyond LPGThe LPG price revision comes as part of a broader trend of rising fuel prices across the country.Petrol and diesel prices have been increased by a cumulative Rs 7.50 per litre since mid-May, while compressed natural gas (CNG) rates have risen by around Rs 6 per kilogram.The increases reflect the impact of higher international energy prices on India's fuel market.Oil companies continue to face lossesDespite the recent price revisions, industry sources said state-owned oil marketing companies continue to absorb significant losses.Petrol is reportedly being sold at a loss of approximately Rs 11 per litre, while diesel sales are resulting in losses of around Rs 33.6 per litre.These figures highlight the pressure on fuel retailers as they attempt to balance commercial viability with concerns over inflation and consumer affordability.Government limits full pass-through of global energy costsThe government has so far avoided passing on the entire increase in global energy prices to consumers.Instead, a portion of the burden has been absorbed by state-owned fuel retailers to shield households and businesses from a sharper rise in fuel costs.However, with global crude oil prices and fuel markets continuing to fluctuate, industry observers say further adjustments may be required if international prices remain elevated for an extended period.Impact of LPG price hike on householdsThe latest increase is likely to affect household budgets, particularly for families that rely heavily on LPG for daily cooking needs.Cooking gas remains an essential household fuel across urban and rural India, and any rise in cylinder prices tends to have a direct impact on monthly expenses.Consumers will now pay Rs 942 for a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi, while prices in other cities may vary depending on local taxes and transportation costs.Global energy market remains key factorGeopolitical tensions, crude oil supply disruptions and fluctuations in global demand continue to influence energy prices worldwide.As a result, domestic fuel prices are expected to remain closely linked to international market trends in the coming months.Inputs from PTI
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