Modi Govt

Rahul Gandhi hits out at govt over trade deficit touching all-time high

Slamming the Modi government, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said prioritising crony businesses over play-fair ones leads to weakened manufacturing sector, depreciating currency, record high trade deficits, high interest rates, falling consumption and soaring inflation. Tagging a media report which said that trade deficit and imports are at an all-time high, Gandhi hit out at the government. "What happens when a government prioritises crony businesses over play-fair businesses?" Gandhi said. "Result: Weakened manufacturing sector, depreciating currency, record high trade deficits, high interest rates, falling consumption and soaring inflation," he said in a post on X. After recording double-digit growth in October, India's exports in November contracted by 4.85 per cent year-on-year to USD 32.11 billion, while the trade deficit widened to an all-time high of USD 37.84 billion due to record surge in gold imports. According to the commerce ministry d

Will prove costly: AAP accuses Nadda of calling UP, Bihar people Rohingya

If you will call people of UP and Bihar as Rohingyas, who have been living here for 40-50 years if you want to remove their names from voter list, then would I not raise my voice? AAP MP Sanjay said

Delhi govt reluctant, farmers losing out on central schemes: Agri minister

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan on Tuesday criticised the Delhi government for not implementing several central schemes meant for farmers, calling it "extremely unfortunate" that farmers in the region were being deprived of crucial benefits. Responding to a query in the Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, Chauhan urged the Delhi government to prioritise the welfare of farmers and implement beneficial schemes, particularly in areas surrounding the national capital. "I request the Delhi government to implement farmer-centric schemes for the benefit of farmers as there is agricultural land and farming activity around Delhi," he added. "The Centre works in coordination with state governments to ensure its schemes reach farmers. It is extremely unfortunate that the Delhi government is not availing of the benefits of many schemes, which is ultimately affecting the farmers," Chauhan said. Referring to the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism for organic fertilisers, th

Concept of simultaneous polls not new to India, says govt in explainer

Ahead of the introduction of bills on holding simultaneous polls, the government Tuesday said the concept is not new to the country. Following the adoption of the Constitution, elections to the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies were conducted simultaneously from 1951 to 1967, it noted. The government said the first general elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies were held together in 1951-52, a practice that continued for three subsequent general elections in 1957, 1962, and 1967. "However, this cycle of synchronised elections was disrupted in 1968 and 1969 due to the premature dissolution of some State Legislative Assemblies," an official explainer said. The Fourth Lok Sabha was also dissolved prematurely in 1970, with fresh elections held in 1971. Unlike the first, second, and third Lok Sabha, which completed their full five-year terms, the fifth Lok Sabha's term was extended until 1977 under Article 352 because of the declaration of Emergency. Since then, only a few Lo

Vijay Vasanth moves adjournment motion to discuss 'unemployment crisis'

Vasanth cited the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report and said there has been no substantial improvement in employment between July 2023 and June 2024

PM Modi to launch projects worth over Rs 46,300 cr in Rajasthan today

As per the PMO, he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for at least 24 projects worth over Rs 46,300 crore during the 'Ek Varsh-Parinaam Utkarsh' event

Wayanad landslide: Union govt 'adding chilli' to wounds, says Kerala FM

Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal on Sunday criticised the union government for demanding payment for disaster relief and rescue operations conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) during Wayanad landslides. He described the move as "adding chilli to the wounds" of the state, already burdened by the aftermath of the disaster. Addressing reporters here, Balagopal accused the BJP-ruled Centre of "failing" to provide even the funds it had promised to the state for disaster relief. The Finance Minister alleged that this was akin to mocking the people of the state. "In addition to such an approach, a new bill has been introduced in the name of the Air Force," he said. "Really, this approach is like adding chilli to a serious wound," Balagopal added. He also questioned the stance of BJP leaders, including Union Minister Suresh Gopi and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan, on the issue affecting Kerala. Balagopal made these remarks in response to queries regarding a letter dated O

NCLAT sets aside EIH plea against NCLT order for Golden Jubilee Hotels sale

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has set aside hospitality major EIH Ltd's petition against an NCLT order approving the sale of Hyderabad-based Golden Jubilee Hotels. The appellate tribunal upheld the earlier decision of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), allowing the bid of a Singapore-based entity and said the business decision by the majority of the CoC (Committee of Creditors) "cannot be questioned or looked into". "This recent judgment leaves no doubt about reinforced faith in commercial wisdom of CoC and little scope of any judicial intervention," said a two-member bench of the NCLAT. Earlier, the Hyderabad Bench of NCLT had approved the bids of Singapore-based BREP Asia II Indian Holding Co II (NQ) PTE on February 7, 2020, which was challenged before NCLAT by EIH, a flagship company of The Oberoi Group. EIH, which was managing Golden Jubilee Hotels and has 16 per cent shareholding, contended that it could not be treated as a promoter and become ...

PM to chair concluding day National Conference of Chief Secretaries today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the concluding day of the fourth National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi on Sunday.According to an official release, the three-day Conference held from 13 to 15 December 2024 will emphasise the evolution and implementation of a common development agenda and blueprint for cohesive action in partnership with the states.It will be another key step towards further boosting the partnership between the Centre and the state governments, the release mentioned.It will lay the ground for collaborative action to harness India's demographic dividend by promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing skilling initiatives, and creating sustainable employment opportunities for both rural and urban populations.Based on the extensive deliberations between central Ministries/departments, NITI Aayog, States/UTs and domain experts, the fourth National Conference will focus on the theme 'Promoting Entrepreneurship, Employment & Skilling - Leveraging the ...

Ram Mandir workers honoured, hands of those behind Taj Mahal cut off: UP CM

He also mentioned that workers in the fine cloth industry in history also had their hands chopped off, destroying a whole tradition and legacy

Entire country BJP's family, but some put it at one family's feet: Rajnath

In a veiled attack at the Congress, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said while the BJP considers the entire country as its family, there are "some people" who have put it at the feet of the leaders of "one family" for its benefit. He exhorted people to understand the difference between the BJP and the Congress. The Defence Minister was addressing an event organised by RSS affiliate Sewa Bharti here to felicitate people for their service to society. "You must have noted that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses people, he repeatedly says 'mere parivaarjano' (my family members)," the minister said. "We consider the entire country our family, whereas there are some people who, for the benefit of one family, have put the entire country at the feet of their leaders," he said in a veiled reference to the Congress and Nehru-Gandhi family. "There is a need to understand this difference," he added. Singh said the Union government under the leadership of Modi is working f

India fastest growing economy under PM; Maha to be its backbone: Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said India has become the fastest-growing economy in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi which he said encompasses speed, transparency and inclusivity. Addressing the World Hindu Economic Forum here, Fadnavis said "Modi's Hindu growth rate model" will show a new direction to the world while it becomes the fastest-growing economy. Hindu rate of growth points to India's slow economic growth between the 1950s and 1980s. Maharashtra too aspires to be a part of this growth story and be a trillion dollar economy by 2028, he said. Besides pushing for infrastructure growth, Fadnavis said, the government is working in the field of green energy and water conservation in the state. He called technology inclusive and said it plays an important role in development. Fadnavis said PM Modi believes in sustainable development and has worked towards cultural and social progress apart from focussing on economics. He .

National assets being handed to select capitalists: Rahul slams Centre

Rahul Gandhi accused the government of being intent on privatizing even the profitable PSUs, alleging that national assets were being handed over to a 'select group of capitalists'

Modi govt believes in democratising technology: Vaishnaw in Lok Sabha

The government on Wednesday said it is "open to the idea" of bringing in a new law to regulate artificial intelligence but a "lot of consensus" is required for it. Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also said that the Modi government believes in "democratising technology" which was not the case during the Congress rule, remarks that triggered protests by opposition benches. Responding to a supplementary on whether the government plans to bring a law on regulating artificial intelligence, Vaishnaw also said that fake narratives is a major challenge faced by societies across the world today. He said accountability has to be established in the society and the legal framework has to change for which "lots of consensus" is required because as on the one hand there is freedom of speech and creating of a real, proper news network on the other. "There are things which need to be debated and if the House agrees and if there is a consensus in the society

Stop using PSBs as sources of funds for fraudulent friends: Rahul to govt

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the government of using public sector banks, the "lifelines of the masses", as an unlimited source of funds for their "fraudulent friends". Gandhi met a delegation from the All India Banking Officers Confederation. "The Modi government has turned these lifelines of the masses into private financiers for only the rich and powerful corporations," he said in a post on X. After meeting the members, he expressed distress at the state of public sector banks and its impact on common people. "Public Sector Banks are being forced to prioritise profit over people and are thus unable to serve the public effectively. With staff shortages and a toxic work environment, they are expected to reach unachievable targets without a level playing field," Gandhi said after hearing the members of the confederation. He alleged women employees are not given equal opportunity or advancement avenues and are forced to bear the brunt of th

Indian delegation meets Pope Francis, presents books on PM Modi's vision

Members of the Indian delegation had the honour of meeting Pope Francis at Vatican City, presenting two books, Modi@20BJP Spokesperson Anil K Antony posted on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "Very blessed to meet Holy Father Pope Francis at Vatican City as a part of the Indian delegation. Presented two books 'Modi@20 , dreams meet delivery' and 'Mann Ki Baat @100, igniting collecting goodness' to His Holiness during my interaction with him."Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governance and leadership, the books were offered as a gesture of cultural and diplomatic exchange during the interaction.The BlueKraft Digital Foundation, responsible for publishing the works, expressed pride in this significant moment. In a post on X, the foundation wrote, "A moment of immense pride for Bluekraft Digital Foundation as 'Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery' and 'Mann Ki Baat: Igniting Collective Change'--two seminal works reflecting the governance & leadership of PM Narendra Modi were ...

Haryana CM Saini accuses Oppn parties of doing politics in farmers' name

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said it is unfortunate that the Congress and the other opposition parties are doing politics in the name of farmers, even as he asked why some opposition-ruled states are not procuring all crops at MSP like Haryana. During an interaction with mediapersons here, Saini was asked if he would like to make any appeal to the protesting farmers from Punjab, who claim the authorities in Haryana are preventing them from marching to Delhi from the Shambhu border. "I am the son of a poor farmer. I know the problems farmers face... I have done farming myself. I want to thank the prime minister, who in the past 10 years took several steps to empower the farmers," Saini said. A large number of farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Besides legal guarantee of MSP for crops, their other demands include debt waiver and .

Big cos creating monopoly to drive small shopkeepers out: Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said "big companies are creating a monopoly" to drive small shopkeepers out of business and asserted that he is talking about strengthening such small businesses as they are holding the country's economy together. Gandhi posted a video on his social media handles on his recent visit to a 'kirana store' in Delhi's Bhogal to learn about the issues being faced by such small business owners. "There are about 1.3 crore grocery shops in the country. And about 15 to 20 crore families are directly or indirectly dependent on these shops. Recently, I visited one such shop in Bhogal, Delhi and talked to the shopkeepers, workers and some customers there," he said in the post accompanying the video. "The shop owners told me that they are under a lot of pressure since the arrival of quick commerce companies. Big companies are creating a monopoly so that small shopkeepers can be put out of business," the former Congress chief said. Goo

Nadda says Cong has links with George Soros; Oppn demands answers on Adani

As soon as the Rajya Sabha session reconvened at noon following an adjournment, Opposition leaders began raising slogans, sparking a massive uproar in the House

Real challenge in J&K is to manage complex web of public expectations: PDP

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said that governing Jammu and Kashmir requires a "delicate dance" with the Centre. "Governing J&K effectively requires a delicate dance with New Delhi, as acknowledged by the new government (in Jammu and Kashmir)," the PDP said in its monthly newsletter 'Speak Up' The party said its late patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed knew that for J-K's larger interest, unconventional paths must be explored, urging the BJP to adopt a more conciliatory approach akin to that of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. "So, even with BJP's limited local influence, strategic engagement is necessary to leverage what rightfully belongs to J&K. Recent arbitrary dismissals of two employees, even with a popular government in place, raise questions. For now, all eyes are on the new government," the party said. The PDP said in Jammu and Kashmir, winning an election might be the simplest part of the political journey. "The real challenge is managing the complex web of public .