Page 2 - Budget Session

Indians received 72% of all H-1B visas issued from Oct 2022-Sept 2023: Govt

Indian nationals received 72.3 per cent of all H1B visas issued by the US for the period October 2022 to September 2023, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday citing the US Citizenship and Immigration Services data. The government also told the Upper House that there were 21,928 Indian students before the start of the conflict in Ukraine, but as on November 01, 2024, only 1,802 students were enrolled in various Ukrainian universities. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha said the government of India is "closely engaged with the US administration" and other stakeholders on all issues pertaining to the H1B visa programme through relevant bilateral dialogue mechanisms. The Ministry of External Affairs was asked whether it is in talks with the US government regarding the possible restrictions on the H1B visa programme, and if so, the details and steps taken in this regard. "Mobility of skilled Indian ..

Despite Kanishka bombing lessons, Canada gave space to extremists: Govt

Despite lessons learnt from the terrorist act of the 1985 Kanishka bombing, space has been provided by the Canadian government for "violent extremists and secessionists" to continue their activities in the name of charter freedoms, the government said on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said this in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha. The government was asked the current status of India's engagement with the Canadian government and other partners, regarding the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the 1985 Kanishka bombing and the details thereof. The AI-182 Kanishka bombing was planned and executed in Canada. The dastardly attack claimed the lives of 329 innocent people (largely of India-origin), including 24 Indian nationals, the minister said. In May 2006, the government of Canada appointed a Commission of Inquiry to examine the events surrounding the bombing; the subsequent investigation carried out by the relevant

Centre takes note of China's announcement of mega dam project: MoS

The Union government has "taken note" of China's announcement of a mega dam project on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) river in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Centre informed Parliament on Thursday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written response to a query in Rajya Sabha also said various issues relating to trans-border rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an "institutionalised Expert Level Mechanism," which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels. The ministry was asked whether China's decision to construct a hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra river, which flows into India and Bangladesh, has raised concerns about its potential impact on millions of people living downstream. "The Government of India has taken note of China's announcement of a mega dam project approved on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo (upper reaches of the Brahmaputra) River in the Tibet ..

Parliament Budget Session highlights: We're realising Ambedkar's dreams via Mudra scheme, says PM

Parliament Budget Session: Catch all the Parliament updates here

Congress model is mixture of lies, appeasement, nepotism: PM in Rajya Sabha

PM Modi, in Rajya Sabha, slams Congress for prioritising family over nation, criticises its appeasement politics, and highlights his government's focus on development and OBC rights

Uproar in LS over deportation of Indians from US, House adjourned till 2 pm

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid vociferous protests by opposition members on the issue of deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the United States. As soon as the House reassembled at 12 noon after the first adjournment of the day, the opposition members were on their feet trying to raise the issue. Congress members had submitted notices to move adjournment motions. Raising slogans against the government, opposition members trooped into the Well of the House. BJP member Dilip Saikia, who was in the Chair, adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm after laying of parliamentary papers on the table of the House. Earlier, the Lok Sabha was in turmoil when it convened for the day. Speaker Om Birla tried to pacify the agitating members by saying that the government has taken note of their concerns seriously. "The issue is serious. It is a matter of foreign policy. The government has taken it seriously. The foreign country also has its own rules and ...

Both Houses adjourned till noon after ruckus on deportation of Indians

Opposition MPs were continuously sloganeering and demanding to discuss the issue of deportation of Indian nationals

Gogoi moves adjournment motion in LS on deportations of Indians by US

In his notice, Gogoi said that reports have surfaced of these individuals being shackled and treated in a degrading manner during their deportation process

FinMin seeks proposals for 2nd supplementary demands for grants for FY25

The finance ministry has sought expenditure proposals for the second and final batch of supplementary demands for grants for FY25 from various ministries to be tabled in the ongoing Budget session. According to an office memorandum, ministries are required to submit their supplementary proposals by February 12. The cases that would be eligible to be incorporated under such demands include those where advances from the Contingency Fund have been granted. Besides, payments against court decree would be included as well as cases where the finance ministry has specifically advised to propose the supplementary demand in the ongoing Budget session, it said. The proposals for supplementary demand for grants may be projected within Revised Estimate 2024-25 ceiling after a thorough and objective assessment of additional requirement of funds, the memorandum dated February 3 said. "While processing proposals for supplementary grants, the grant controlling authority must invariably identify .

Neither UPA nor NDA solved unemployment issue, says Rahul Gandhi

Opposition leader in Lok Sabha calls President's address the 'same laundry list'

Some parties are like 'AAPda' for youth: PM Modi taunts AAP in Lok Sabha

PM Modi's remark comes a day before Delhi Assembly elections, where the BJP is the main challenger to the ruling AAP

India has robust system to tackle pandemics: Health min tells Rajya Sabha

India has a very robust system to deal with future pandemics and public health emergencies, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda asserted in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Replying to supplementary questions in the Rajya Sabha, Nadda highlighted the steps taken by the government in the last 10 years to strengthen India's health system, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. India has proven under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that we have got a very robust system to address the issue of any pandemic that comes, the minister said. Listing out India's capabilities, Nadda said the country has the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which oversees and keeps surveillance. "It is the apex body which takes care of the diseases and the pathogens, and the other emerging virus mutation, which takes place," he added. Under the NCDC, he said the country has an integrated disease surveillance programme, a platform for disease ...

Parl panel stresses on need for financial allocations to MEA: Report

Observing that India's "growing stature" on global arena requires consistent and predictable investments in diplomatic, economic and cultural engagements, a parliamentary panel has stressed on the need for consistent and predictable financial allocations to the MEA and recommend that key areas be protected from budgetary cuts. The panel in its report has also mentioned that India's budgetary allocation under the sub-head 'Aid to Bangladesh' came down from Rs 200 crore in BE 2023-24 to Rs 120 crore in BE 2024-25, and the MEA has said that the "downward trend" is due to the completion of large infrastructure projects and the ongoing "political and security situation" in that country. The 'Fourth Report of the Committee on External Affairs (2024-25) on Demands for Grants (2024-25) of the Ministry of External Affairs' was presented in Parliament on Monday. "Observing disparities between Budget Estimates (BEs) and Revised Estimates (REs) over the years, the Committee has been recommendin

Budget 2025-26: Govt may clarify transfer pricing changes in 3 months

Transfer pricing refers to the actual price charged in transactions between related entities within the same multinational firm

Rahul Gandhi, stock markets, rupee plunge, Trump's tariffs, Panama Canal & more

'Neither UPA nor NDA solved unemployment issue': Rahul Gandhi in Parliament

Rahul Gandhi also pointed out that despite rapid economic growth, both the UPA and NDA governments have struggled to provide concrete solutions to the country's unemployment problem

LS takes up 18 questions amid noisy opposition protests over Kumbh stampede

Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed prolonged noisy protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the recent stampede at Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj and a list of those deceased. When the House met for the first time after the President's address to the joint sitting and presentation of the 2025-26 budget, the opposition MPs led by the Congress were on their feet and demanded a discussion on the recent tragedy in Maha Kumbh. Soon the opposition members stormed the Well of the House resorting to noisy protests and sloganeering. Led by deputy leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, the opposition members also sought suspension of the Question Hour and demanded a discussion on the stampede. Opposition members were raising slogans such as "Sanatan virodhi sarkar istifa do (step down anti-sanatan government). Speaker Om Birla warned members against thumping tables as a mark of protest, saying people send their representatives to ask .

Parliament erupts over Maha Kumbh stampede, Opposition demands answers

Parliament on Monday witnessed uproarious scenes over the Maha Kumbh stampede as the Opposition demanded answers and accused the UP government of concealing the death toll

Budget session: JPC to present report on Waqf Bill amid Opposition dissent

Parliament Budget session: The JPC, led by Jagdambika Pal, will present its report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to Parliament on Monday, amid opposition concerns and dissent

Budget 2025 LIVE: FM bets on tax cuts to spur growth; Oppn calls it 'election package for Bihar'

Union budget 2025-26 Live Updates: Modi govt has made some big announcements including changes in the new tax regime with taxpayers not having to pay any income tax on earnings up to Rs 12 lpa