ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
86th Memorial Day of Kapplottiya Tamizhan, V.O.Chidambaranar
86th Memorial Day of Kapplottiya Tamizhan,V.O.Chidambaranar was observed in Chennai Port Authority on 18.11.2022. Hon'ble Minister
Thiru Ma.Subramanian, Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Thiru P.K. Sekarbabu, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Thiru S. Regupathy Minister for Law Thiru M.P.Saminathan, Minister for Information & Publicity, Chennai Mayor Priya Rajan, from Government of Tamil Nadu and, from Chennai Port Authority Shri Sunil Paliwal IAS, Chairperson, Shri S. Balaji Arunkumar IRTS, Deputy Chairperson, Shri S. Murali Krishnan IDAS, Chief Vigilance Officer, HODs and Officers/Staff of Chennai Port Authority paid floral tributes to the Portrait of V.O.Chidambaranar kept at Harbour Main Gate.
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Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
PROJECTS UNDERWAY UNDER AMRUT 2.0
To carry forward the objective of universal coverage of water supply from 500 cities to about 4,902 statutory towns, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban transformation  2.0 has been launched on 1st October, 2021. AMRUT 2.0 will focus on making the cities ‘self-reliant’ & ‘water secure’. Providing universal coverage of sewerage & septage management in 500 AMRUT cities is other major focus of AMRUT 2.0. Mission targets to provide 2.68 crore tap connections & 2.64 crore sewer connections to achieve the intended outcomes.
So far, 3,126 water supply projects worth ₹91,557 crore  & 501 sewerage / septage management projects worth ₹44,788 crore  have been approved by MoHUA under State Water Action Plans submitted by States/ Union Territories.
Through these projects, 3.46 crore new tap connections including connections to be serviced; 89 lakh new sewer connections including connections to be serviced are planned. 9,107 MLD water treatment capacity, 3,591 MLD sewage treatment capacity, 89,594 Km water distribution network to be laid/replaced, 16,010 Km of water transmission network to be laid/ replaced; 24,824 Km sewer network to be laid /replaced & 1,616 MLD of recycled/ reused capacity are planned to be developed. Achievement of planned outputs will result in better service delivery and ease of living of citizes.
Proposal for 1 MLD faecal sludge treatment plant at Brahmpuram is under State’s review, State is yet to submit the project to the Apex Committee of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for receipt of final approval.
The ranking framework for AMRUT 2.0 is being formulated to rank the progress in the cities.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Kaushal Kishore, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
MoS HRDShri Sanjay Dhotre inaugurates the exhibition on clean air technologies at IIT Delhi
The exhibition showcases clean air technologies developed by IIT Bombay, IIT Ropar, IIT  Dhanbad and IIT Delhi
The Government of India is making serious efforts to drastically reduce pollution levels in the country: Shri Dhotre
Union Minister of State for Human Resource DevelopmentShri Sanjay Dhotre inaugurated the exhibition organised by Centre of Excellence for Research on Clean Air technologies at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi today. The exhibition showcases clean air technologies developed by IIT Bombay, IIT Ropar, IIT  Dhanbadand IIT Delhi. IIT Delhi showcased the work it had carried out in the area of clean air through start-ups incubated at IIT Delhi namely Aerogram and Kriya Labs.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sanjay Dhotre emphasised that in an age of environmental concerns, the need is to accord highest priority to civic awareness regarding clean environment. He said that the government is entirely committed to the cause of fighting the rising air pollution levels in the country and is taking all possible measures to spread awareness on clean air issues and providing all possible support for the development and promotion of clean air technologies in the country.
He assured that the Government of India is making serious efforts to drastically reduce pollution levels in the country on a continuous basis and is determined to deal with this problem in its totality. He further said that it is important for every citizen and every organization to make concerted efforts by joining in the national effort to fight the rising air pollution in our country, be it through legislations, implementation of policy measures, enforcement of pollution laws, awareness campaigns and by leveraging the power of low cost indigenous clean air technologies developed by our research institutions such as the IITs. The Government of India is committed towards technology development, technology industrialization, global cooperation and investment in Research and Development. Shri Dhotre also highlighted the need for preventive steps before we are left with no choice other than finding solutions.
He emphasised that such exhibitions provided opportunities for showcasing the high calibre research being carried out at our institutions of national importance in critical areas such as Air Pollution and also provided excellent platforms for collaboration between various stakeholders in this important area so that the benefits could be reaped by the country as a whole.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Norway for undertaking non-intrusive Geological Surveys and Investigations
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Norway for undertaking non-intrusive Geological Surveys and Investigations. The MoU was signed on 6th September 2018.
Benefits:
The MoU entails collaboration between the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd.  and Norwegian Geotechnical Institute , Oslo for facilitating a mechanism to work on mutually agreed progressive and supportive activities for further development and improvement of road infrastructure projects in the country, particularly in the North Eastern Regions. The proposal is innovative in terms of extensive geological investigations for introduction of non-intrusive remote sensing techniques like Airborne Electromagnetic  Survey in conjunction with intrusive technique like Horizontal Directional Coring so as to mitigate the risks associated with geological surprises during construction. It is the most efficient and latest employed technology for geophysical investigation in some major countries of the world in challenging terrain. This non-intrusive method of Geophysical Survey is being used for the first time in India. The technology is provided by very few companies/organizations worldwide, the NGI being one of them.
The NGI, Oslo has expertise in Geotechnical Investigation and Geophysical Mapping and its being a premier Geotechnical organization primarily engaged in the R&D in Geotechnical Investigations can be of immense help in the construction of mega tunneling projects. It also has expertise in R&D of avalanche protection and slope protection works and other related fields and has knowledge to help save lives and reduce material and environmental damage from natural hazards. The MoU with NGI will enable preparation of Detailed Project Reports  in respect of several on-going projects for construction of strategic tunnels.
Ministry of Defence
Lt Gen B S Sahrawat takes over as DG, NCC
Lieutenant General B S Sahrawat took over the reins of National Cadet Corps as its Director General. The General Officer is a third generation army officer. He is alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was commissioned in December 1980 in 13th Battalion , the Kumaon Regiment.
The General Officer has done all professional courses to include the prestigious NDC Course. He holds a Masters degree in Management Studies from Osmania University, Hyderabad and M Phil from Madras University. He has recently completed his PhD in ‘Human Capital Management in Army’.
He has served in numerous Staff and Command appointments in various parts of the country and abroad, which includes the Military Observer in Iraq and Kuwait for a year. He has been awarded the Sena Medal during the floods of Kosi River in Bihar in 2008.
NAo/NM/DK/Rajib
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre sells 18.09 LMT wheat in 13 e-auctions under Open Market Sale Scheme 
As a part of Govt of India initiative for market intervention to control the retail price of wheat and atta, Food Corporation of India  is offering wheat under Open Market Sale Scheme  [OMSS] through weekly e-auction at the reserve price of Rs. 2125/- per qtl which is at par with the current MSP of wheat.
A quantity of 2.00 LMT wheat is being offered in each weekly auction across the country from more than 480 depots and during the year 2023-24, till 21.09.2023 total 13 e-auctions have been conducted wherein 18.09 LMT wheat has been sold under the scheme.
The weighted average selling price of wheat during August’23 was Rs. 2254.71/qtl which has come down to Rs. 2163.47/qtl in the e-auction dated 20.09.23. The downward trend in weighted average selling price of wheat suggests that the market prices of wheat have cooled down in the open market. In each weekly e-auction conducted, the quantity sold has not crossed 90% of the qty offered which shows that sufficient stocks of wheat are being offered across the country.
The successful implementation of the OMSS policy has ensured that the prices of wheat are kept under control in the open market and sufficient stock of wheat is available in the central pool for the continuation of OMSS policy for the remaining period of 2023-24.
Ministry of Defence
Inauguration of Online Examination Web Portal of Indian Air Force by Hon'ble RRM
Today morning Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Subhash Bhamre inaugurated the online examination web portal of Indian Air Force at Air HQ . Speaking on the occasion he congratulated the IAF for contributing towards the vision of 'Digital India' of the Prime Minister. He also congratulated IAF for developing the online examination system in collaboration with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing  thus also following the 'Make in India' and 'Design in India' philosophy of the Govt of India. Air Marshal SB Deo PVSM AVSM VM VSM ADC Vice Chief of the Air Staff along with other senior Air Force Officers were present during the inauguration.
IAF is the first amongst the three services to take up IT enabled Online Testing for induction in Officers and Airmen cadre. The proposal was approved in principle by Raksha Mantri on 24 Oct 16. In association with C-DAC, IAF is switching over to online testing wef January 2018 for which online registration will commence wef 15 Dec 17.
Selection system for Officers and Airmen cadre in the IAF has been continuously evolving and sustained efforts are in place to strengthen the testing system. Though the existing system is time tested and well proven, constraints of testing capacity and geographical reach were major limitations in according opportunity to all the deserving and eligible candidates from across the country especially to rural youth.
To improve upon the system and to make it more candidate friendly while enhancing organisational efficiency, a MoU was signed on 31 Oct 17 with C-DAC a Govt of India agency. The project will be implemented with effect from Jan 2018 for Air Force Common Admission Test  for Officer's cadre and Scheduled test for Airmen Recruitment  for Airmen cadre.
Earlier IAF had hundred plus centres pan India for Officer cadre exam and fourteen centres for Airmen selection exams. Certain states / UTs did not have any testing centre. Consequently, candidates had to spend considerable time and resources on travelling to the testing centres. In the new system, there would be about 760 examination centre's all over the country and the maximum distance a candidate would be required to travel now will be considerably less from the place of his/her residence. It will enable approximately four lakh candidates for Airmen selection and two lakh candidates for Officer's selection, to appear in the exam every six months.
Prime Minister's Office
PM appreciates ‘Nutri Garden Project’ in Lakshadweep
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has appreciated ‘Nutri Garden Project’ in Lakshadweep. Shri Modi said that this initiative has shown how enthusiastic the people of Lakshadweep are about learning and adopting new things.
The project was launched as a result of the development objective of self-reliant India in which vegetable seeds has been provided to 1000 farmers.
Moreover, 7000 chickens of indigenous breeds were distributed to the women of Lakshadweep families with income less than Rs.600 under the Backyard Poultry Scheme.
In response to the tweet thread by Governor of Lakshadweep, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“सराहनीय प्रयास, बेहतरीन परिणाम! इस पहल ने दिखाया है कि लक्षद्वीप के लोग नई चीजें सीखने और अपनाने को लेकर कितने उत्साहित रहते हैं।”
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Bhupender Yadav meets the German Delegation on exploring pathways to sustainable development
A bilateral meeting was held between the Indian delegation headed by Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the German Delegation headed by H.E. Mr. Ralph Brinkhaus for the German-Indian Parliamentary Group of the German Federal Parliament  in New Delhi today.
Shri Yadav said our conversation focused on exploring pathways to sustainable development, particularly focusing on circular economy, tackling single-use plastic, forest management and climate resilience.
In the meeting, the German delegation raised issues relating to impact of climate change on forests, trilateral cooperation in Africa on environment and climate, circular economy, alternatives for plastics, and how both countries may further explore bilateral cooperation in these areas.
Responding to the queries of the German delegation, Shri Yadav emphasised the importance of Mission LiFE launched by Prime Minister. He mentioned about the various steps taken by India for combatting plastic wastes, alternatives for plastics, conservation of endangered species and forests, forest surveys, agroforestry.
Shri Yadav acknowledged and appreciated the efforts made by Germany in the areas of technology, water, circular economy, forestry through bilateral cooperation.
On query of trilateral cooperation in Africa, the Union Environment Minister stated that Ministry of Power is already undertaking various projects in Africa. But, for any trilateral cooperation in Africa on environment and climate, Ministry of External Affairs has to be consulted first. As for India’s G-20, it will be guided by the motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, and the concerns of Global South also need to be addressed accordingly.
Concluding the meeting, both sides agreed that they have common interests in many areas, and may further explore strengthening bilateral cooperation in new areas of biodiversity, climate change, energy technology among others.
MJPS
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Ministry of Finance
DRI seizes huge quantity of Foreign Brand Cigarettes worth Rs 17 crores
In a major development, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  has seized a container load of Foreign Brand Cigarettes  valued at Rs 17 crores from Mundra Port on 11th October 2022.
Specific intelligence developed by officers of DRI Ahmedabad suggested that a smuggling syndicate is attempting to smuggle Foreign Brand Cigarettes to India through Mundra Sea port. Acting on the intelligence, the container was identified and tracked. On 11.10.2022 examination of container led to recovery of 850 cartons of Foreign Brand Cigarettes of "Manchester" brand. Each carton was packed with about 10 thousand cigarettes. Accordingly, total 85,50,000 foreign branded cigarette sticks worth Rs 17 crores were recovered and seized under the Customs Act. Further investigation is under progress.
This is the fourth major seizure of Cigarettes/E-Cigarettes by DRI Ahmedabad in this financial year. The total value of the seizures has exceeded Rs 100 crores. In April 2022, Foreign brand Cigarettes valued at Rs 17 crores were seized. Two seizures of E-Cigarettes valued at 68 crores were done in the month of September 2022. These seizures are part of DRI operations to combat smuggling of cigarettes into the country.
YP/GP/JD
સોશિયલ મીડિયા પર અમને ફોલો કરો : @PIBAhmedabad /pibahmedabad1964 /pibahmedabad pibahmedabad1964[at]gmail[dot]com
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Department of Atomic Energy
Consultation for Civil Nuclear Deal
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited  has been in discussions with M/s Westinghouse Electric Company , United States of America  to arrive at a viable project proposal for setting up nuclear power plants in India. The filing of bankruptcy by M/s WEC has been noted. This would be factored-in during further discussions to ensure protection of our interests while arriving at the project proposals.
This information was provided by the Union Minister of State  Development of North-Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage exceeds 219.56 Cr
Over 4.12 Cr 1st dose vaccines administered for age group 12-14 years
India's Active caseload currently stands at 23,193
1,334 new cases reported in the last 24 hours
Recovery Rate currently stands at 98.76%
Weekly Positivity Rate is presently at 0.95%
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 219.56 Cr  as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years was started on 16 March, 2022. So far, more than 4.12 Cr  adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from 10th April, 2022 onwards.
The break-up of the cumulative figure as per the provisional report till 7 am today include:
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Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
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HCWs
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|
1st Dose
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10415381
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|
2nd Dose
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10120495
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|
Precaution Dose
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|
7069264
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|
FLWs
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|
1st Dose
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18437131
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|
2nd Dose
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17720296
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Precaution Dose
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|
13745380
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|
Age Group 12-14 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
41235971
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|
2nd Dose
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|
32343380
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|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
62005842
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|
2nd Dose
|
|
53318014
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|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
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|
561407594
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|
2nd Dose
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|
516294884
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|
Precaution Dose
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|
100502060
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|
Age Group 45-59 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
204047787
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|
2nd Dose
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|
197070976
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|
Precaution Dose
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50688507
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Over 60 years
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|
1st Dose
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|
127680842
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|
2nd Dose
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123216598
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Precaution Dose
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48321405
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Precaution Dose
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22,03,26,616
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Total
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2,19,56,41,807
India’s Active Caseload currently stands at 23,193. Active cases now constitute 0.05% of the country's total Positive Cases.
Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.76%. 1,557 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients  is now at 4,40,91,906.
1,334 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.
The last 24 hours saw a total of 87,905 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 90.01 Cr  cumulative tests.
Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 0.95% and the Daily Positivity rate is reported to be 1.52%.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 215.47 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- 21,67,644 doses administered in last 24 hours
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 46,347
- Active cases stand at 0.1%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.71%
- 5,178 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,39,30,417
- 4,369 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 88.99 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,50,468 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCoron
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Bureau of Indian Standards  has made two Indian Standards pertaining to drinking water: Centre
Water Supply is a State subject and it is the responsibility of the State Government/Urban Local Bodies to plan, design, execute, operate and maintain the water supply systems
The Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today informed that the Bureau of Indian Standards  has made two Indian Standards pertaining to drinking water, namely, IS 10500:2012 on Drinking Water – Specification and IS 17482:2020 on Drinking Water Supply Management System - Requirements for Piped Drinking Water Supply.
BIS quality standards are not mandatory for civic agencies engaged in supplying drinking water to houses across the country.
Water Supply is a State subject and it is the responsibility of the State Government/Urban Local Bodies to plan, design, execute, operate and maintain the water supply systems.
Since August 2019, the Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission  - Har Ghar Jal to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality on a regular and long-term basis to every rural household by 2024. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guideline, IS 10500:2012 is to be adopted for ensuring safe drinking water supply and States/ UTs have been advised to carry out testing of drinking water sources once in a year for chemical and physical parameters and twice in a year for bacteriological parameters.
Ministry of Finance
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seizes smuggled cocaine worth over ₹502 crore
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence  through a statement issued today, 8th October 2022, has stated that it has seized cocaine worth over ₹502 crore which was being imported from South Africa.
Based on specific intelligence developed by DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit, a container carrying pears and green apples, being imported from South Africa, was intercepted at Nhava Sheva port on 6th Oct 2022. Upon examination, it was revealed that a large number of bricks made up of high-quality cocaine and weighing approximately 1 kg each, were concealed inside the boxes of green apples. Total 50 such bricks weighing 50.23 kg and valued at Rs 502 crore in illicit market were recovered during the examination.
This cocaine was getting imported in the name of same importer who was earlier arrested by DRI in a case in Vashi involving seizure of 198 kg meth and 9 Kg cocaine from a consignment of oranges originating from South Africa. This is one of the largest seizures of cocaine attempted to be smuggled through sea containers in recent past.
The importer has been arrested under the provisions of NDPS Act, 1985. This is a part of series of large drugs seizures made by DRI, Mumbai Zonal Unit ranging from 198 kg of methamphetamine and 9kg cocaine to 16 Kg heroine in last 10 days.
Source : DRI