LIVE: Govt respects sentiments of farmers but reforms needed, says Modi

PM Modi replied to the Motion of Thanks on the President's address. Stay tuned for latest LIVE news updates.

Latest News LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the central government and the Parliament have great respect for the farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills and that is why top most ministers have been talking to them.

In another news, the Chinese and Indian frontline troops at the south and north banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh started synchronised and organised disengagement from Wednesday, the Chinese Defence spokesman announced.

Earlier in the day, a Delhi court on Wednesday adjourned to February 17 the pronouncement of judgement in the criminal defamation case filed by former Union Minister and veteran journalist M J Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani for accusing him of sexual misconduct.

 

Stay tuned for the latest news of the day.

9:56 PM

7.5 magnitude earthquake in South Pacific, no Tsunami threat to Australia

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake has occurred near the Loyalty Islands. There is no Tsunami threat to Australia: Bureau of Meteorology, Australia.

8:44 PM

Culture of abusing private sector no longer acceptable: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stressed on the private sector's vital role in the economy and asserted that the culture of "abusing" it for votes is no longer acceptable. If the public sector is important, the role of the private sector is also vital, he said during his reply in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address.

 

Modi cited the examples of telecom and pharma sectors to note as to how the robust presence of private firms in these fields has helped people, with even the poor using smart phones, and mobile calls costing virtually nothing due to competitiveness.

 

If India is able to serve humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is also due to the role of the private sector, he said. READ ON...

8:43 PM

We're well on track to setting up 450 GW of renewable energy generating capacity by 2030: PM Modi

We're well on track to setting up 450 GW of renewable energy generating capacity by 2030: PM Modi

8:23 PM

CBI files two cases for alleged bank fraud of over Rs 220 crore

The CBI has registered two separate cases pertaining to alleged bank fraud of over Rs 224 crore and carried out searches at eight locations in NCR and Gujarat, officials said Wednesday.

 

The CBI booked Ahmedabad-based power line construction company Archon Engincon Ltd and its Directors for alleged fraud of over Rs 182 crore in the State Bank of India led consortium during 2014-17, they said.

 

"It was alleged that during the period from 2014-15 to 2016-17, the accused entered into conspiracy and after availing the said limits, the accused diverted the sanctioned facilities by falsifying books of accounts and issuing bogus invoices and bills and thereby causing loss of Rs 182.37 crore (approx) to SBI," CBI Spokesperson RC Joshi said.

8:16 PM

Chinese, Indian border troops start disengagement in Eastern Ladakh: China

The Chinese and Indian frontline troops at the south and north banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh started synchronised and organised disengagement from Wednesday, the Chinese Defence spokesman announced here.

 

There was no comment from the Indian side on the statement made by the Chinese defence ministry spokesperson Colonel Wu Qian, and carried by China's official media.

 

According to the consensus reached by the ninth round of the commander-level talks between China and India, the frontline units of the Chinese and Indian armed forces began organised disengagement from North and South bank of Pangong lake from February 10, Wu said in a brief press release. READ ON...

8:02 PM

Road to fighting climate change is through climate justice: PM Modi

Road to fighting climate change is through climate justice; at root of climate justice is principle of being large-hearted: PM Modi

8:01 PM

Environment changes, natural disasters impact poor the most: PM Modi at World Sustainable Development Summit

It's sad reality that environment changes and natural disasters impact poor the most: PM Modi at World Sustainable Development Summit

8:01 PM

Climate justice inspired by vision of trusteeship: PM Modi

Climate justice is inspired by vision of trusteeship; it also means giving developing countries enough space to grow: PM Narendra Modi

7:55 PM

PM Narendra Modi addressed the World Sustainable Development Summit

7:16 PM

Air quality 'very poor' in Ghaziabad, Noida, 'poor' in Gurgaon, Faridabad

The average air quality was recorded in the "very poor" category in Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida, while it was "poor" in Gurgaon and Faridabad, according to data released by a government agency on Wednesday. Pollutants PM2.5 and PM10 also remained in the air of the five immediate neighbours of Delhi, according to the air quality index (AQI) maintained by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

 

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

 

The average 24-hour AQI at 4 pm on Wednesday was 356 in Ghaziabad, 311 in Noida, 348 in Greater Noida, 294 in Faridabad and 247 in Gurgaon, according to the CPCB's Sameer mobile application.

6:36 PM

Congress will scrap farm laws if it comes to power: Priyanka Gandhi

Attacking the Centre over the new farm laws, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told a rally in western Uttar Pradesh that if voted to power her party would scrap them. At a kisan panchayat organised by the party in Saharanpur, the Congress general secretary accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders of insulting farmers who are protesting against the laws.

 

"The three laws are demonic. If voted to power, the Congress will scrap these laws," he said.

 

She said the party's fight will continue till the laws are scrapped. The rally is the first in a series of such farmers' meetings planned the party in western Uttar Pradesh, a year before the assembly elections in the state.

6:26 PM

Govt, Parliament have great respect for farmers; old system will continue: PM Modi

The government and Parliament have great respect for farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday, and made it clear that those who want to continue with the old agriculture marketing system can continue doing so.

 

Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi staunchly defended the three contentious farms laws and attacked the opposition for "misleading" farmers, saying those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a "well-planned strategy" as they are unable to digest that people can see the truth.

 

"Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won," he said, amidst protests by the opposition members.

 

During his over 90-minute address, the Prime Minister slammed the Congress as "divided and confused party" for its different stands in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the debate.

6:12 PM

New farm laws are 'optional, not compulsory': PM Modi in Parliament

Asserting that the central government honours the farmers and it is ready to accept their logical suggestions on the three contentious farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday declared that these laws are "optional and not compulsory". The Prime Minister made the announcement while speaking on the motion of thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha, IANS reported.

 

In the backdrop of the ongoing farmers' agitation on Delhi's borders for over two months, Modi said "rumours are being spread that these laws are against the farmers".

 

The Prime Minister said that these laws were passed in Parliament in view of reforms in the agriculture sector as it was the need of the hour. He asked "whether these three farm laws snatched the facilities of farmers which they were getting earlier?"

 

"There is no restriction on anyone. These laws do not create obstacles in the growth of farmers. These laws are optional, not compulsory. These acts neither stopped old 'Mandis' nor affected purchase of produce on Minimum Support Price (MSP)."

6:08 PM

PM Modi concludes his speech in Lok Sabha by appealing to protesting farmers to come to table to resume talks

PM Modi concludes his speech in Lok Sabha by appealing to protesting farmers to come to table to resume talks

6:07 PM

Lok Sabha passes motion to thank President for his address to both Houses of Parliament

Lok Sabha passes motion to thank President for his address to both Houses of Parliament