Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh on Thursday assured the Rajya Sabha that safety remains the foremost priority in India’s atomic energy programme, dismissing concerns surrounding the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

Replying to questions during Question Hour, Singh said the nuclear sector operates strictly on the principle of “Safety First, Production Next.” He was responding to AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai, who flagged delays in the Kudankulam project due to safety-related apprehensions and raised queries about the distribution of electricity generated from the plant.

The minister clarified that power sharing is governed by a fixed formula under which 50 percent of the electricity is allocated to the host state, 35 percent to neighbouring states, and 15 percent to the national grid.

Addressing safety concerns, Singh said several apprehensions stem from “extraneous and political reasons” rather than technical or scientific facts. He emphasized that no mishap has occurred at the Kudankulam facility so far.

He also rejected claims that spent nuclear fuel from other reactors would be stored at Kudankulam, stating that such assertions are not based on scientific rationale.

The Delhi High Court on Thursday permitted AAP leader and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to withdraw his petition challenging the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to him in connection with the excise policy-linked money laundering case. The court dismissed the plea as withdrawn while keeping all legal questions open.

Appearing for Kejriwal, senior counsel told the bench that the petition would not be pursued further since the trial court had already acquitted him in cases related to his non-appearance before the ED. He added that constitutional issues would be raised at an appropriate stage if required.

A bench led by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia recorded the submission and passed the order allowing withdrawal of the petition.

Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, representing the ED, informed the court that the agency would challenge the trial court’s acquittal order in appeal.

On January 22, the trial court had acquitted Kejriwal in two cases filed over his failure to comply with ED summons, holding that the legality of service of summons could be questioned and that intentional disobedience was not established.

Kejriwal had approached the High Court after receiving multiple summons from the ED in 2024. He was later arrested and is currently on interim bail in the money laundering case. The Supreme Court has referred broader questions regarding the “need and necessity of arrest” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to a larger bench.

The ED alleges that the now-scrapped excise policy was framed to benefit certain accused persons and generate kickbacks for the Aam Aadmi Party. Kejriwal has denied the allegations and has also challenged certain PMLA provisions, claiming misuse of the law for political purposes.

Rajouri, J&K: Universal Delhi Public School (UDPS), located at Ward No. 4, Opposite ITI, Near Horticulture Office, Rajouri, is steadily emerging as a center of excellence in school education under the dynamic leadership of its Director & Chairperson, Ms. Pragati Sharma. With a strong commitment to academic excellence, moral values, and holistic development, the school aims to nurture confident, responsible, and future-ready citizens.

Since its inception, Universal Delhi Public School has focused on creating a learner-centric environment where education goes beyond textbooks. The institution emphasizes conceptual clarity, critical thinking, creativity, and character building, ensuring that students are well-prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Vision

The vision of Universal Delhi Public School is to become a leading educational institution that empowers students with knowledge, skills, and values to excel academically and socially. The school envisions shaping young minds into ethical leaders, innovative thinkers, and compassionate human beings who contribute positively to society and the nation.

Mission

The mission of the school is to provide high-quality, inclusive, and value-based education in a safe and nurturing environment. UDPS is committed to:

Delivering strong academic foundations through modern teaching methodologies.

Encouraging curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among students.

Promoting moral values, discipline, and social responsibility.

Supporting the overall physical, emotional, and intellectual growth of every child.

Speaking about the institution’s philosophy, Director & Chairperson Ms. Pragati Sharma emphasized that education must focus on both excellence and ethics. She believes that schools play a crucial role in shaping not only careers but also character, and Universal Delhi Public School is dedicated to fulfilling this responsibility with sincerity and innovation.

With experienced faculty, a student-friendly atmosphere, and a clear educational vision, Universal Delhi Public School continues to earn the trust of parents and the community in Rajouri.

For admissions and inquiries, the school can be contacted at 9596489793, 7006145008.

Universal Delhi Public School stands committed to shaping tomorrow’s leaders through quality education today.