Sri Lanka to restrict fuel imports for one year amid worst economic crisis: Minister

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July 26, 2022

sri lanka, fuel, lanka, fuel in sri lanka — Representational Photo | Image: AFP

Sri Lanka will restrict fuel imports for the next 12 months as it is facing a severe shortage of foreign exchange, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has said while announcing a rationing system for the distribution of fuel across the crisis-hit island nation.

Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million people, is under the grip of unprecedented economic turmoil, leaving millions struggling to buy food, medicine, fuel, and other essentials.

The severe foreign exchange shortage has hampered the import of fuel and other essentials in the country reeling under the worst economic crisis in seven decades.

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Wijesekera said a QR system has been introduced as the daily fuel demand cannot be fulfilled.

“QR system was introduced since the daily fuel demand cannot be fulfilled. Due to Forex issues, Fuel imports have to be restricted in the next 12 months,” he said.

“Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has never distributed Fuel daily to Every single Fuel Station. Practically not possible even when stocks are unlimited,” he said.

With the government hard pressed to pay for fuel imports due to the severe forex crisis, it introduced a fuel pass scheme on Saturday where the issues would be rationed under a limited weekly quantity.

Since June 27 the government has stopped fuel supplies and restricted essential services.

In a series of tweets, the minister explained the implementation of the National Fuel Pass.

“The National Fuel License (QR) will be implemented from July 26 at several CEYPETCO and the Lankan Indian Oil Company (LIOC) petrol stations across the country. This system will be in effect until August 1 with the last digits of the number plate,” he said.

Filling stations not equipped or having technical difficulties will follow the last digit system and fuel quota allocation until the technical issues are rectified, he said, adding that 60 percent of the locations had already been equipped and tested and will be given priority in fuel distribution.

“All petrol station owners of CEYPETCO and LIOC are requested to adopt QR system immediately and distribution will be strictly enforced to fuel stations with the QR facilities by 1st of August. We request the public to register with National Fuel Pass and support the initiative,” he said.

“Options will be given to users to register multiple vehicles with their business registration by the end of the week and to Government institutes to register. Divisional secretaries will be given access to the platform to register generators, gardening equipment, and other equipment,” he said.

Wijesekera said the police department and divisional secretaries will be given access to register three-wheelers, allocating each three-wheeler to one specific fuel station.

“Other services such as Health, Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism, Industries and service providing sectors will be given access to the system to register their requirements and allocation of vehicles at fuel stations,” he said.

“From the 1st of August only the QR system quota will be in place and the last digit of the number plate system and other allocations will be invalid. National Youth Corp and National Youth Council members and volunteers will assist the program at fuel stations for the next 10 days,” the minister said.

In crisis-hit Sri Lanka, many incidents of violence have been reported at fuel queues and nearly 20 people have died of exhaustion after spending several days continuously in the fuel queues.

Since the beginning of this year, Sri Lanka relied on an Indian line of credit to fund fuel purchases.

Sri Lanka, which relied on an Indian credit line for fuel imports till February, has now exhausted the facility. The last fuel shipment under the Indian Credit Line arrived on June 16.

Sri Lanka’s fuel and energy sectors are the worst hit by the forex shortages triggered by the unprecedented economic crisis.

The government declared bankruptcy in mid-April by refusing to honor its international debt. The situation created a thriving black market where people paid to secure a place in the queue and fuel was sold 4 times higher than the legal retail price.

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was forced out of power last week due to his poor handling of the economy.

India is expecting the fastest growth in the economy and it would go up to USD 30 trillion in 3 decades

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal asserted that India should be aspiring for much faster and much deeper growth and the country is capable to take its economy to USD 30 trillion in three decades.

“Even at 8 percent growth in our GDP over the next 30 years, India may be well beyond USD 30 trillion economies. Women’s power will play an important role in this and there is always space for them on the high table,” Goyal said on Monday while addressing the FICCI event titled ‘Invest in Her: Women Entrepreneurship, Trade, and Commerce’.

Goyal added that the country will never be able to achieve inclusive growth unless women are given importance. “It is the empowerment is ultimately what is going to help all the women in our country. Unless we see more and more women coming into the workforce and see them as entrepreneurs, we can’t achieve our target,” he emphasized.

Goyal further stressed on more women’s representation in businesses as directors and owners based on merit and not just reservations.

“Unless we set ambitious goals, we are not going to achieve much. We should be aspiring for 50 percent of directors of companies to be women, not by reservation but by choice and sheer capabilities,” he added.

Speaking on women empowerment, the Minister stated that Prime Minister has been clear that unless we strengthen the women of India, we will never be able to look at inclusive growth.

“The government has decided to gift only handicrafts or handloom products Made in India in this 75th year of Independence. We must be able to create a market to support the women entrepreneurs,” he noted.

The Centre, he said, is working actively with different countries to finalize Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and talks with the United Kingdom (UK) are in the final stages which will give zero-duty access to various business sectors in the world market.

Speaking at the same event, Jayanti Dalmia, President, of FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) said that India is poised to benefit from equality where currently only 25 percent of the labour force is female.

The economic impact of achieving gender equality in India is estimated to be US 700 billion of added GDP by 2025, Jayanti added.

Indian cricket fraternity pays tribute to Kargil war heroes

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, members of the Indian cricket fraternity paid their tribute to the Indian soldiers.

The Indian Armed Forces defeated Pakistan on July 26, 1999. Since then, the day is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ to rekindle the pride and valour of the soldiers who took part in Operation Vijay.

The day marks the victory of Indian soldiers in recapturing the mountain heights that were occupied by the Pakistani Army on July 26, 1999, known as the Kargil War.

“Salute to our young brothers who gave martyrdom for the country The country will always be grateful to you! Kargil Vijay Diwas 23 years. Alive. Jai Hind,” tweeted former Indian spinner, Harbhajan Singh.

“This day marks 23 years of India’s victory in the Kargil War, we will forever be grateful for all the gallant efforts of the real and brave heroes who sacrificed themselves to protect our great nation. Jai Hind #KargilVijayDiwas,” tweeted former Indian batter, Suresh Raina.

“Paying my tributes to the courageous martyrs of the Kargil war who selflessly protected our motherland We will always be indebted to our armed forces. Jai Hind,” tweeted former Indian batter, Yuvraj Singh.

Meanwhile, cricketer turned politician Gautam Gambhir wrote, “Where it is difficult for us to even breathe, they won a WAR! Salute to the bravest of the brave! #KargilVijayDiwas.”

The Kargil War was fought between May 8, 1999, to July 26, 1999, against Pakistan intruders, who in the winters of 1998 transgressed into the Indian territory across the Line of Control and occupied fortified defences overlooking the NH 1A in Kargil’s Drass and Batalik Sectors of the Ladakh region with a nefarious aim of dominating all military and civil movements on the highway

Braving unprecedented hardships, overcoming the hazards of near impossible terrain and severe climatic conditions, brave gallant soldiers launched valiant attacks on wellfortified defended localities with relentless valour and enthusiasm, thus attaining an astounding victory.

CM Reddy tours flood-hit areas of Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

Amid the ongoing heavy rains across several regions in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday visited flood-affected areas in BR Ambedkar Konaseema District and interacted with flood victims.

The Chief Minister will be touring Pucchakayalavaripeta, Arigelavaripeta, Vudimudilanka, and Mekalapalem cities and he will oversee the relief measures after interacting with the victims.

CM Reddy will review the rescue operations with the officials of the Godavari Region after the tour. Earlier, CM Reddy held a review meeting with the officials on Godavari floods and relief measures on July 16.

The CM instructed that ration supplies and daily essentials to be distributed on war footing to all flood-affected families. The CM also directed officials to be vigilant and ensure no loss of life.

The Chief Minister took note of the situation during the meeting and enquired about water inflows to the Godavari, evacuation of people, and other relief measures taking place and cautioned them to stay on high alert.

He also advised using support teams like SDRF and NDRF in emergency situations. He ordered the authorities to take adequate measures in setting up relief camps and emphasized providing quality services.

Earlier on July 15, Reddy had also conducted an aerial survey in Godavari floodaffected areas after which he stated that the impact of floods is straight on the Lanka villages and also on the villages on the banks, these are the areas that needed to be focused on.

He directed officials to ensure all the villages are evacuated and shifted solutions so that there will not be a loss of life. He further directed the mapping of the villages.

He directed officials to ensure all the villages are evacuated and shifted solutions so that there will not be a loss of life. He further directed the mapping of the villages

“Together we will have to find the solutions. Five senior officers are being posted right away. The next 24 hours are going to be crucial.

All the Superintendant of Police and collectors should be on your toes and be on high alert,” said Reddy

Parts of Andhra Pradesh are hit by floods as water levels in the Godavari river are rising by the hour, threatening villages mostly in West Godavari and Konaseema districts.

Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district may witness heavy rainfall for 24 hours

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PTI

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July 26, 2022

Bhilwara district in Rajasthan witnessed extremely heavy rains in a 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, officials said.

Heavy to very heavy rains lashed several parts of Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Ajmer, Sawai Madhopur, Rajsamand, Dungarpur, Banswara, Kota, Sirohi, Jodhpur, Pali, Nagaur and Jalore districts.

Bhilwara recorded 21 cm rains, followed by Chittorgarh (18 cm), they said.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said due to the sudden rainfall, many areas in Jodhpur are facing waterlogging and he is in constant touch with the district collector.

“Directions have been issued to district administration to remain alert and prepared to handle any situation,” Gehlot said in a tweet.

A meteorological department official said at present, there is a circulation system over eastern Rajasthan, which will have its effect in the districts of Ajmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur divisions for the next 48 hours.

“There is a strong possibility of heavy rain at some places in the districts of these divisions on Tuesday as well,” Met centre director Radheyshyam Sharma said.

He said from July 28-29, there is a possibility of a gradual decrease in monsoon activities in some parts of the state.

In Chittorgarh, Bhainsrodgarh and Gangrar recorded 13 cm rainfall each, followed by Begun (12 cm) and Bhopalsagar (11 cm).

Uddhav Thackeray compared rebels to ‘Rotten Leaves’

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

uddhav 1 — Uddhav Thackeray compared rebels to ‘Rotten Leaves’ 8

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday compared rebel party leaders to “rotten leaves” of a tree and said let there be elections to make it clear whether people support him on the rebel faction.

In his first interview to Sena mouthpiece ‘Saamana’ after stepping down as the chief minister last month, Thackeray said it was a mistake that he trusted some of the party leaders too much.

Last month, the Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, which comprised the Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress, collapsed after Sena MLA Eknath Shinde and 39 other legislators rebelled against the party leadership.

Shinde was later sworn in as the chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis as his deputy.

“These rebels are like rotten leaves of a tree and should be shed. It is good for the tree as there will be new leaves,” Thackeray said.

Reacting to the claim of rebel leaders that they represent the real Shiv Sena, Thackeray said let there be elections and see whom people chose.

“The people we will either vote for us or support them. It will be clear once and for all,” the former CM said.

Asked who could be blamed for the rebellion, he said, “Looks like I put too much trust in some Sena workers and leaders. It is my mistake to have trusted them for such a long time.” “The BJP is not only trying to break the Shiv Sena but also trying to appropriate great leaders of other parties,” Thackeray alleged.

“The way they tried to appropriate Sardar Patel from the Congress, they are doing the same thing with my late father, Balasaheb Thackeray, who founded the Shiv Sena,” he claimed.

“Looks like these people are not trustworthy. They are basically causing an infighting among Sena workers,” he said.

Thackeray also said the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance was worth a try in politics.

“Had it been a wrong step according to people, they would have risen against our alliance. We had respect for each other in the Maha Vikas Aghadi,” the Sena chief said.

Reliance industries are expecting an increase in gas prices and wanted removal of ceiling prices

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PTI

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July 26, 2022

Reliance Industries Ltd expects prices of natural gas in India to rise again in October but wants government-dictated caps to go, in a bid to align domestic rates with global energy prices.

The conglomerate, controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, expects the price cap for its KG-D6 gas sales to rise over the current USD 9.92 per million British thermal units, Sanjay Roy, senior vice-president for exploration and production, said in an investor call following the announcement of the firm’s quarterly earnings on Friday.

After remaining a loss-making provision for several quarters, Reliance’s gas exploration business has begun reaping rewards of a global surge in energy prices that have already pushed the rates to a record high.

The government sets gas prices every six months based on international rates.

The price of gas from old or regulated fields was more than doubled to a record USD 6.1 per mmBtu from April 1, and that for difficult fields like those lying in deepsea to USD 9.92 per mmBtu.

Rates are due for a revision in October. It is anticipated that the price of gas from old fields of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will be hiked to about USD 9 per mmBtu and the cap for difficult fields will rise to double digits.

Reliance produced about 19 million standard cubic meters per day of gas from its newer fields in the eastern offshore KG-D6 block in the April-June quarter. KG-D6 block lies in deepsea and so gets a price equivalent to that for difficult fields.

“Price ceiling for KGD6 (R-Cluster/Sats) revised to USD 9.92 per mmBtu for H1FY23 (April-September 2022) which is expected to rise further for H2FY23 (October 2022 to March 2023),” Roy said.

But this rate remains disconnected with global prices.

“We do see that the domestic price ceiling remains disconnected, whether the prices are elevated or when prices fall. And you know we are continuing our advocacy for removal of ceiling prices. Overall, we expect higher gas price realizations in FY23 and in the quarters to come,” he said.

Reliance got a price of USD 22.48 per mmBtu for 0.7 mmscmd of gas it produces from coal seams (CBM) from blocks in Madhya Pradesh. There is no cap on CBM gas price.

Higher gas prices propelled an 80.5 percent rise in revenue from the business to Rs 3,625 crore during April-June and a 76 percent jump in EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) to Rs 2,737 crore.

Roy said the company is expecting the MJ field in the KG-D6 block to be on stream by the third quarter of this fiscal year, which will help take the output from the block to about 30 mmscmd.

“Overall, the outlook is, once the MJ field is commissioned, we should be progressively moving towards delivering more than a billion cubic feet per day (30 mmscmd) by FY24 (April 2023 to March 2024),” he said.

On the elevated global gas prices, he said the shift in European demand from Russian gas to LNG and some supply destruction are driving prices. Current prices of benchmark JKM are ruling at about USD 38 per mmBtu.

“So, prices continue to remain elevated and are expected to, given the challenges that are there today,” he said.

The Indian gas market outlook, he said, remains robust, with the availability of domestic gas being one of the reasons.

“Because domestic gas particularly like in KG-D6, where there is a price ceiling and that is much in demand as compared to the market prices that are currently prevailing at these times,” he said.

He further noted, “Now, in terms of price ceiling, as you all are aware and I mentioned earlier, the price must move up and we will see higher realizations. It is expected that, based on higher energy prices, this will go further up.”

Reliance and its partner bp plc of UK produce about 19 million standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) of gas from two sets of new fields in the deepsea block KG-D6.

Reliance-bp is currently producing about 20 percent of India’s total domestic production and MJ would help increase this to up to 30 percent.

Neeraj Chopra to miss Commonwealth Games 2022 due to injury

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will not be taking part in the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham due to an injury sustained during the finals of the World Athletics Championships in Oregon.

Rajeev Mehta, the Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) told ANI, “Neeraj Chopra will not take part in the Commonwealth Games 2022. He is not fit as he got injured in the finals of the World Athletic Championships. He informed us about this.”

The news of Chopra’s injury comes as a huge blow to India’s medal chances in javelin throw.

Chopra has delivered a lot of outstanding performances since he won Gold in Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Recently, he won a silver medal at World Athletics Championships in Oregon and ended the country’s 19-year-long wait for a medal at the world championships.

Neeraj recorded a distance of 88.13 metres in his fourth attempt in the men’s javelin throw final and secured the second position.

The first position was held by defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who recorded a distance of 90.54m.

Notably, On June 14, Chopra had set a new national record and finished with a silver medal with a throw of 89.30 metres at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, bettering his own previous national record of 88.07 meters which he had set in Patiala in March last year.

This was Chopra’s first outing in an International competition since his historic Gold medal-winning throw of 87.58 meters at the Tokyo Olympics on August 7, 2021.

On June 18, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist gave another sterling performance as he clinched gold in the 2022 Kuortane Games in Finland.

Neeraj threw 86.69 m to clinch the top prize in tricky and wet conditions. Later on June 30 in the Diamond League held in Stockholm, Neeraj threw 89.94 meters, while doing so he broke his own national record, which was made on June 14. He clinched a silver medal at the event.

Miseries for citizens in Pakistan continue as torrential rains batter

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

As Pakistan continues to batter heavy rains which have inundated cities and prompted flash floods across the country, 18 more were added to the list who became victims of the deluge that washed away bridges and submerged houses and markets.

As Monday spelt misery for the citizens of Karachi, five people lost their lives due to electrocution, while six persons drowned taking the death toll to 11 in Karachi on a single day, reported Dawn.

Hour-long power outages and inundation of residential areas due to incessant rain and subsequent accumulation of water protests against administration officials also erupted in several areas of Sindh which added to the plight of the people.

The downpours, which started early on Sunday continued to come down till 10 am with frequent breaks and by the end of the first half of the day the city had received up to 204-millimetre rain.

“The system is very much there. The latest data analysis suggests that the rain will continue for another two days. We may see moderate to heavy rains in Karachi and lower Sindh areas till late July 27,” said Sardar Sarfraz of the Met Office.

Due to the heavy downpour, Monday had already been declared a holiday for the citizens of Karachi and Hyderabad.

Though several key roads were cleared by the administration after hours-long efforts in the cities, life remained miserable in several low-lying areas, residential neighbourhoods, housing societies and commercial centres which remained flooded.

According to Dawn, rain-related incidents have wreaked havoc in several parts of Pakistan as a 20- year-old man was reported dead in village Baqar Nizamani of Tando Mohammad Khan district in Hyderabad recently whereas in Dadu and Khairpur Mirs, two persons were killed and 10 others were injured.

Moreover, in the coastal talukas of Ghorabari and Mirpur Sakro, hundreds of acres of agricultural land were submerged after a riverine stream started overflowing due to rain.

Due to continuing downpours, rainwater could not be drained out in Jamshoro, Kotri, Sann and Bhan Syedabad towns where low-lying areas were inundated whereas various parts of Shaheed Benazirabad district, including Nawabshah, Daur, Daulatpur, Bandhi, Sakrand and Kazi Ahmed towns, received heavy downpours on Monday.

The third spell of monsoon rains has been giving Balochistan tough times, washing away at least two bridges on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway – Landa Dora near Bela and Danda area of Uthal, and resulting in the death of four people in Khuzdar and Lasbela. Moreover, Punjab has received 150 per cent more rain so far as compared to the last monsoon, according to Provincial Disaster Management Authority Director General Faisal Farid.

However, he ruled out the possibility of flooding in the province, Dawn reported citing the Met Department In other parts of Punjab, at least 22 villages of Rajanpur and 13 in Mianwali districts were flooded due to rain in the mountainous areas of Sulaiman Range, the PDMA added.

Meanwhile, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, over 260 persons were rescued from the lowlying villages located along the River Kabul after the river overflowed and entered several localities late on Sunday and Monday. On the other hand, Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) also issued a low to medium flood alert for the districts of Haripur, Swabi and Nowshera districts in anticipation of the opening of the Tarbela Dam spillways.

Rainwater has accumulated on the main roads and streets and has caused a disruption in the flow of traffic, and the accumulated water has caused several vehicles and motorcycles to break down on the streets.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasted more rains in the coming days, saying the monsoon spell would remain active during the ongoing week.

The weather office has advised all concerned authorities to remain alert as heavy rainfall may generate urban flooding and waterlogging in several cities across the country, and may trigger landslides in northern areas of Pakistan.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has appealed to decrease GST to help people from high inflation

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ANI

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July 26, 2022

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday appealed to the central government to withdraw the increased goods and services tax (GST), stating that people want relief from high inflation. The Delhi Chief Minister said that the Central government has imposed GST on curd, lassi, wheat, rice, and other food items, adding that “the British used to do the same.”

“Nowadays, people are upset with inflation. They (Central Government) have imposed GST on curd, lassi, wheat, rice, and other food items.

The British used to do the same. In Delhi, we tried to give some relief to people from inflation,” said AAP national convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal while addressing a press conference virtually to the people of Himachal Pradesh on Monday.

“We provided medical treatment, water, and electricity for free in Delhi.

We are able to do all this as we have ended corruption. We have not increased any tax. I appeal to the Central Government to withdraw the increased GST. Make AAP government here in Himachal Pradesh and we, in return, will give you relief from inflation,” said Kejriwal.

Further, the AAP national convener said, “AAP is spreading all over the country and hence many problems will come. But you don’t have to worry. We want you to make an honest government in Himachal Pradesh. We should take our state and country forward.”

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Delhi BJP leaders and workers staged a demonstration near the AAP’s office here over the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the excise policy of the Arvind Kejriwal government.

The protesters reportedly assembled at the ITO area in the national capital and tried to march towards the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office at DDU Marg but were stopped by police.

Recently, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Friday recommended a CBI probe into the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 over alleged violations of rules and procedural lapses.

The LG has found “substantive indications” of “financial quid pro quo” at the “top political level” wherein the excise minister “took and got executed major decisions in violation of the statutory provisions” and notified the Excise Policy that had “huge financial implications”.