New Delhi, Jan 14: Reacting strongly to reports of the death of an Indian national in Russia, India on Tuesday reiterated its demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indians currently serving the Russian Army in the conflict zones.

“We have learnt of the unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army. Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Offering condolences to the family of the deceased, the senior diplomat stated that the Indian Embassy in Moscow is in touch with the families, and all possible assistance is being rendered.

“We are working with the Russian authorities for early transportation of the mortal remains to India. We have also sought the early discharge and repatriation to India of the injured person. The matter has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities in Moscow as well as with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi today. We have also reiterated our demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals,” he added.

The plight of Indians fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war is a key concern for New Delhi.

India has maintained that the recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian army in a conflict situation is not in consonance with the India-Russia diplomatic partnership, and has asked for the early release and return of all such Indian nationals.

Last year, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Moscow, Russia had decided to release and facilitate the return of all Indians fighting for the Russian army against Ukraine.

The breakthrough was achieved when PM Modi raised the matter at a private dinner hosted by Putin.

Over the last few years, over two dozen Indians were believed to have been forced into fighting the war against Ukraine after being tricked by agents into going to the country on the pretext of getting high-paying jobs.

Strong action has been initiated against agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises, the authorities had confirmed, last year.

“As a result of concerted efforts by Government, most of the Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces have been discharged and several have been repatriated to India. According to available information, currently only 19 Indian nationals remain in the Russian armed forces. Government has requested the Russian authorities concerned to provide an update on the whereabouts of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces and also ensure their safety, wellbeing and early discharge,” Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh told Parliament, last month.

Mumbai: Ahead of the BMC’s budget for the next year, Samajwadi Party’s (SP) MLA Rais Shaikh has demanded a white paper on civic body’s fixed deposits (FDs), including amount of FDs broken and current FDs, and on committed liabilities running into over Rs 2 lakh crores.

Shaikh, in his letter to BMC, said that the BMC’s financial liability has soared to over Rs 2 lakh crore, which is unprecedented in the history of the BMC. “The civic body has been dipping into its Fixed Deposits (FDs) to fund various projects. This has created a sense of fear among the Mumbaikars about the status of the civic coffers,” said Rais Shaikh, SP MLA.

Shaikh said that the BMC must present a white paper on its Fixed Deposits (FDs). “The white paper should include details of the total FDs as of March 31, 2024, and as of December 31, 2024. The BMC must also provide information on the number of FDs liquidated, along with the dates, amounts liquidated, and the purposes for which they were liquidated. The BMC should provide a statement of FDs for the entire current financial year,” demanded Shaikh.

“The BMC must fully disclose the committed liabilities, the amount in its fixed deposits, internal loans in the last two years, its plan to repay the liabilities, and overall financial management for the future,” added Shaikh.

He further said that the BMC, known for being the richest civic body in Asia, must come clean on the status of its liabilities to allay the fears among Mumbaikars. “If adequate measures are not taken right now, the BMC may be headed for a financial debt trap,” said Shaikh.

Days after Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena announced its decision to contest the BMC polls independently, NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that the “INDIA alliance is only focused on national-level elections.”

While speaking about the impending local polls, the former union minister said, “There has never been any discussion on state and local elections within the INDIA alliance. The INDIA alliance is solely for national-level elections. Regarding the upcoming municipal elections in Maharashtra, everyone will decide within 8-10 days, through a meeting, whether we will contest together or independently.”

Pawar’s statement comes days after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut announced on Saturday that his party would contest all local body elections independently.

“Uddhavji Thackeray has given us a clear indication. From Mumbai to Nagpur, we will contest local self-government elections on our own strength. Whatever happens, we want to see the outcome,” the Shiv Sena-UBT leader told the media.

Pawar also expressed his views on the Delhi Assembly elections, stating that, in his opinion, the INDIA alliance should support Arvind Kejriwal.

Pawar reportedly rubbished Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks that the BJP’s victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls ended the politics of betrayal and treachery.

“I was the chief minister in 1978. I am not aware about his whereabouts then,” Pawar told reporters in Mumbai. “When I was the chief minister, there were people like Uttamrao Patil from Jan Sangh in my ministry,” Pawar added.