Page 2 - Giriraj Singh

INDIA bloc on verge of collapse, Cong insulted Nitish Kumar: K C Tyagi

Janata Dal (United)'s political adviser and spokesperson K C Tyagi on Saturday made it all but clear that the grand alliance government in Bihar is on the verge of collapse and accused a section of the Congress leadership of repeatedly "insulting" Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. "The INDIA bloc is on the verge of collapse. The alliance of INDIA bloc parties is almost over in Punjab, West Bengal and Bihar," he told reporters. The goal and intentions with which Kumar, the JD(U) president, succeeded in bringing non-Congress parties with the Congress have come unstuck, Tyagi said, asserting that their leader was "misunderstood". Kumar never hankered after a position in the alliance but a section of the Congress leadership repeatedly insulted him, he said. Tyagi said he could not see as to how the INDIA bloc parties could fight the "all-powerful" BJP. The Bihar chief minister succeeded in bringing together several parties in Patna but the entire process became so limp that the INDIA bloc

BJP will form government in Bihar in 2025: Union Minister Giriraj Singh

The Union Minister also said that BJP has no role in the current political development between RJD and JD(U)

BJP central leadership monitoring situation in Bihar: Giriraj Singh

Amid speculations about the return of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal (United) to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Saturday said the BJP central leadership is "monitoring the political situation in Bihar". Talking to PTI on Saturday, Singh said "Our Central leaders will take decision accordingly". "Nitish Kumar is currently the Chief Minister of Bihar. Lalu Prasad's led RJD and Congress are the alliance partners of the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar. Our Central leadership is monitoring the situationOur Central leaders will take decisions accordingly", the Union Rural Development minister said. Senior BJP leader and former Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Friday said "politics is about probabilities". "In politics, doors can never be closed", he had said in response to journalists' queries about JD(U)'s return to the NDA. "Whatever the central leadership decides, we will abide by it", he had said. Echoing

Panchayats should develop sources of revenue: Union minister Giriraj Singh

Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday said panchayats should not depend on MGNREGA funds and have their own sources of revenue. Addressing representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions who came to Delhi to attend the Republic Day parade, the Union minister also emphasised the role of panchayats in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panchayats should become self-reliant and develop revenue models, Singh said. "Panchayats should not depend on NREGA funds. If a petrol pump opens on panchayat land, the state collects VAT. Can the panchayat not get a share out of it? If a factory is built on a panchayat's land, it should earn tax from it," he said, suggesting revenue models. He underlined that panchayats can play a huge role in achieving the SDGs and said that they should look at 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's participation) for meeting these targets. "When we talk of a 'shiksha yukt panchayat', I am told that there is a shortage of teachers... There should be .

Will penalise states not MGNREGA workers if not linked with ABPS: Minister

Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh Tuesday slammed the Congress for its criticism of making Aadhaar mandatory for payments under MGNREGA, and said "we will penalise states not workers" if they are not yet linked with the Aadhaar-Based Payment System (ABPS). A day after the ABPS was made mandatory for the rural employment guarantee scheme, Singh said several deadlines were given for linking. He also dismissed former rural development minister Jairam Ramesh's allegations that the union government is "weaponising technology", especially the Aadhaar against the poor. The ABPS has been made mandatory to ensure transparency, the minister said. According to data provided by the Rural Development Ministry, as on January 2 there are around 14.32 crore active workers under the MGNREGS of whom 14.08 crore (98.31 per cent) have been Aadhaar-seeded. Also, 12.54 crore workers (87.54 per cent of the total) have completed other steps and are currently eligible for Aadhaar-Based Payment ...

Giriraj Singh claims JD(U) to merge with RJD soon, Tejashwi denies

"He wants to put his words into someone else's mouth. How will he remain in the political spotlight, if not for such sensational claims?" Tejashwi said

Minister Giriraj Singh writes to Bihar CM, advocates ban on halal products

Union minister Giriraj Singh has written to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, saying halal business is a "treason" in a secular democracy like India and advocating a ban on production, storage, distribution and sale of food products with halal certification in Bihar like in Uttar Pradesh. In the letter to the Bihar CM, the BJP MP and Rural Development minister said, "Things which have no connection with Islam are being Islamised. Some institutions have become self-proclaimed in giving halal certificate and are giving halal certificate to companies manufacturing goods by paying huge sums of money". There is a need to impose a ban against the kind of 'jihad' going on in the name of halal products even in a big state like Bihar, he said. It has been learnt that halal trade of many food items and other essential items like edible oil, snacks, dry fruits, sweets, cosmetics, medicines and medical equipment is going on in Bihar, whereas for certification related to such items is only done by ..

Will issue funds to West Bengal if satisfied with transparency: Centre

The pending MGNREGA funds for West Bengal will be issued when the Centre is satisfied with the "transparency" in the implementation of the scheme, Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh said on Friday amid an ongoing tussle between the state and the Centre on the issue. At a press conference on the achievements of the Rural Development Ministry here, the minister was asked about the West Bengal government's allegation that funds for the rural development scheme have not been released to the state for almost two years. "Payments will be made to West Bengal when the Centre is satisfied over transparency in implementation of the scheme... Have we not given money to Bengal, we are giving them money under other schemes," Singh said. Top leaders of the Trinamool Congress held protests in the national capital on October 2 and 3, demanding that the Centre release the dues. The Centre has alleged that there is corruption in the implementation of the scheme in the Trinamool ...

Centre rejects discrimination claims in rural development schemes from WB

Ministry of Rural Development states that Rs 2 trillion was allocated to West Bengal in the last 9 years and the state has not cooperated with the Centre to implement schemes

Govt to promote cactus plantations in low-irrigation areas: Giriraj Singh

The government is looking at promoting cactus plantations in low-irrigation areas to rejuvenate degraded land, enhance livelihood as well as explore the scope of biofuel production, Union Minister Giriraj Singh has said. The minister for rural development also told PTI that a pilot project for planting spineless cactus is being implemented at present around the ISKCON cowshed in Rajasthan's Hingonia, where the biomass of cacti will be used to produce biogas at a nearby Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plant. India has around 30 per cent of its geographical area under the category of degraded land, according to government data. "We have been focusing on treating degraded land, and cactus is a plant that can grow with very little irrigation. It is also known for sinking carbon in the ground, and is an energy plant which can be used for producing methane...," he said. "We are, therefore, planning to introduce cactus plantations in such areas, a pilot project for which has been started (in ...

Need for greater coordination between gram, block, zila panchayats: Giriraj

Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Monday called for greater coordination between village, block and district panchayats, and called upon representatives from the local bodies to ensure that sustainable development goals are met. Virtually addressing a National Thematic Workshop on Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) in panchayats being held in Srinagar, Singh said the Meri Panchayat Mobile app" launched on Monday will help increase transparency in the work of panchayati raj institutions. Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Kapil Moreshwar Patil attended the event. Singh lauded Sinha for the panchayat polls being held in the Union territory, and said local governance institutions will play a major role in writing India's development story. "We want our panchayats to be technologically enabled. This app is a new beginning in this direction," the minister said. "The Modi government has a target to fulfil the .

Over 11.3 mn MGNREGA workers' bank accounts yet to be seeded with Aadhaar

Bank accounts of around 1.13 crore workers under the rural job scheme MGNREGA are yet to be seeded with their Aadhaar numbers, Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday. In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, the minister said wage payment to beneficiaries under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) may be made either using Aadhaar-based payment bridge systems or national automated clearing house depending upon the status of a beneficiary in the Aadhaar-based systems. He said that bank accounts of 1,13,86,599 workers, or 8.93 per cent of the total active workers, are yet to be seeded with their Aadhaar numbers. The minister said northeastern states are lagging behind in the process, with accounts of more than 42 per cent workers in Assam, around 23 per cent in Arunachal Pradesh, over 70 per cent in Meghalaya, and 37 per cent in Nagaland not being seeded with Aadhaar numbers. To a question on "whether it is also a f

Contribution of women important for achieving $5 trn economy goal: Giriraj

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday stressed on the importance of the contribution of women and rural households in achieving India's goal of having a USD 5-trillion economy and said that women members of self-help groups will transform the country in the future. Addressing an event here, the rural development minister said women members of self-help groups have seen saw a 19 per cent increase in their income and a 28 per cent rise in savings. He also stressed on reaching the goal of bringing 10 crore women under self-help groups by 2024. At present more than nine crore women are linked with these groups. "Women members of Self Help Groups will change India in the days to come," he said. The Rural Development Ministry recently launched a campaign to mobilise one crore women from eligible rural households to join Self-Help Groups promoted by the ministry's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The drive, which will continue till June 30, aim

Govt launches Sangathan se Samridhhi to mobilise 100 mn women into SHGs

The primary goal of the campaign is to mobilise disadvantaged rural communities unaware of the benefits of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission

Nitish Kumar should know PM post for 2024 not vacant: Giriraj Singh

Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Thursday took a swipe at Nitish Kumar a day after the Bihar chief minister met with Congress leaders Mallikarkun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi

TMC delegation holds talks with officials over MGNREGA fund dues

A delegation of Trinamool Congress MPs Wednesday held talks with Rural Development Ministry officials after being unable to meet Union Minister Giriraj Singh and raise the issue of pending MGNREGA funds for workers in West Bengal. The delegation, led by Lok Sabha MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay, included Lower House member and TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, Mohua Moitra and Dola Sen among others. "We will not let 17 lakh families of Bengal be deprived by the BJP. We will continue to raise our voices until MGNREGS funds are released. Without an assurance, we will not leave. We're not here for tea and snacks," Banerjee told reporters. Banerjee said that party leaders had spoken to the minister and were asked to meet him on Wednesday. "I was told that he went to Parliament today. We came here once it was adjourned. We will wait for 10-12 days and if they do not release the funds we will take to the streets," Banerjee said, adding that neither the minister nor the junior ...

India has potential to be world's skill capital: Rural Development Minister

India has potential to be the world's "skill capital", Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh said on Tuesday as his ministry signed an MoU with 19 "Captive Employers" for providing jobs to 31,067 rural youths under a government scheme. According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the government will give these employers the target to train and provide gainful employment to rural youths, with a minimum salary of 10,000 per month for the minimum period of six months. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said education should be focused on skill development, and skill development should be focused on providing employment... That is what we are trying to do," Singh said at an event to sign the MoU. "India has the potential to be the skill capital of the world. In this direction today for the first time an MoU is being signed between government and employers," Singh said. He also sought suggestions from the employers on implementing the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana ...

UM Giriraj Singh reviews progress of Model Gram Panchayat project

Union Rural Development Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday reviewed the progress of the project that aims to create 250 model gram panchayat clusters across India. Speaking on the occasion, Singh emphasised on a holistic development of the gram panchayats covered under 'Project for Creating 250 Model Gram Panchayat Clusters across India.' He stressed that Young Fellows working in remote areas should set an example with community participation to ensure that more children than ever receive quality education and students do not drop out of school, according to an official statement. Young Fellows may play a significant role in different thematic areas under Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) in Gram Panchayats, he said. The Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj also mentioned the importance of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). In another statement, the Rural Development ministry said it has been recognised for its software programme at the W

LS speaker must take action against Rahul for London remarks: Giriraj Singh

Union minister Giriraj Singh on Monday sought action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for his recent comments in London that microphones in the Indian Parliament are often silenced against the opposition. Singh alleged that Gandhi spoke like the "tukde-tukde gang" during his visit to the UK. "He has spoken so much in Parliament, but in London he said he is not allowed to speak, the mic is switched off. I think this is an attack on democracy and insult to Lok Sabha and the country," Singh told reporters outside Parliament House. Last week, Gandhi told British parliamentarians that functioning microphones in the Lok Sabha are often silenced against the Opposition. "Our mikes are not out of order, they are functioning, but you still can't switch them on. That's happened to me a number of times while I am speaking, the Congress leader said. Singh called Gandhi's remarks "utter lies". "The Lok Sabha speaker should take action against it. These state

Centre wants to make women members of SHGs lakhpati: Giriraj Singh

Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said the government has resolved to make members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) lakhpatis. He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day workshop of women and an exhibition at Shahapur in Thane district. More than 25,000 women attended the function. "There are 86,000 SHGs in India which include 9 crore women. In the last eight years, the government has disbursed Rs 6.26 lakh crore to these women. It is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make each and every member of SHGs a lakhpati. We are working in that direction. 'Lakhpati Didi' programme is being implemented in the country," he said. Singh said the income of women members of SHGs in Thane district will go up and the GDP of the district will improve.