Centre to release Rs 5 cr for Vikrant

The Centre has agreed to immediately release Rs 5 crore to Maharashtra government for its project aimed at preserving the country’s first aircraft carrier Vikrant as a naval museum.

A spokesperson said Defence Minister George Fernandes conveyed the Centre’s decision to Maharashtra CM Sushilkumar Shinde today. Shinde had drawn Fernandes’s attention to naval authorities’ view that there was a possibility of more damages to the carrier unless repairs were done before the monsoon.

Relief ship to Lanka

NEW DELHI: Indian Navy dispatched a ship to Sri Lanka on Monday to provide succour to nearly 20,000 persons trapped due to flash floods. The ship with relief material was sent on Colombo’s request. (ENS)

The Maharashtra government has already taken the initiative to convert the carrier into a naval museum.