Budget 2018-19

  Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the home minister make a statement on the matter The  Nagaland firing incident  in which 14 civilians were killed during an anti-insurgency operation by security forces was raised in Rajya Sabha Monday morning as Leader of Opposition and Congress MP Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the home minister make a statement on the matter. There has been a very serious and most tragic development in which six innocent civilians were killed on December 4 by security forces in Mon district of Nagaland mistaking them for militants, Kharge said in the morning session, expressing concerns over the incident. This horrific oversight led to clashes resulting in reported death of eight more civilians and one security person, the senior  Congress leader  said. “Sir, the matter is very serious and horrendous. We demand a statement by the Minister of Home Affairs on it in the House today only. It is a serious matter, I re...

  Superstar Rajinikanth, chosen for the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Centre for the year 2020, said that Monday will be “an important occasion for him” when he will receive the prestigious honour Superstar Rajinikanth, chosen for the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Centre for the year 2020, said that Monday will be “an important occasion for him” when he will receive the prestigious honour. The day will also be important for him as his daughter Soundarya Vishagan will launch a voice-based social media platform, saying it will be a “useful app” for the people. “Tomorrow is an important occasion for me with two special landmarks. One,  Dadasaheb Phalke Award  being conferred upon me by the Government of India because of the love and support of the people,” Rajinikanth, who left for Delhi on Sunday, said in a statement here. The day will be equally important to him because Soundarya, who by “her independent efforts has pioneered the making of a very useful app for p...

  The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure over delay in appointments in the Districts and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure over delay in appointments in the Districts and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, saying if the government does not want the tribunals then it should abolish the Act. A bench comprising Justices S K Kaul and M M Sundresh said it is unfortunate that the top court is being called upon to examine and fill up vacancies in tribunals. “If the government does not want the tribunals then abolish the Act. We are stretching our jurisdictions to see the vacancies are filled in. It is unfortunate that the judiciary is called upon to look into this issue.This is not a very happy situation,” the bench said. The top court was hearing a suo motu case on inaction of the governments in appointing president and members/staff of Districts and State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission and inadequ...

  Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister   Sachin Pilot   will reach Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh by road via the Ghazipur border on Wednesday, party sources said here. Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot will reach Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh by road via the Ghazipur border on Wednesday, party sources said here. He will land at the Delhi airport and head to Sitapur from there, they added. He also has plans to go to Lakhimpur Kheri, where four farmers were killed in violence that erupted during a protest on Sunday, the sources said. AICC general secretary  Priyanka Gandhi Vadra  has been in detention in Sitapur since Monday. “Pilot is leaving Jaipur shortly,” the party sources said…

  Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday stated that the Centre has sanctioned 17.3 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and over 8.8 lakh beneficiaries have been given houses so far Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday stated that the Centre has sanctioned 17.3 lakh houses under the  Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana  and over 8.8 lakh beneficiaries have been given houses so far. Speaking at ‘Azadi@75 – New Urban India: Transforming Urban Landscape’ Conference-cum-Expo, the Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs said: “Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has sanctioned 17.3 lakh houses. 8.8 lakhs beneficiaries have been given houses so far. More will be given today by the Prime Minister.” “From 2004 to 2014, Rs 1.57 crore was invested in the urban development under central schemes. In the last 6 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister  Narendra Modi , the investment in urban development has been increased to seven-folds. Today Rs 11.83 crore ha...

  US Vice President Kamala Harris said that there were terror groups working in the country and asked Islamabad to take action so that it does not impact on America and India’s security US Vice President  Kamala Harris , during her maiden meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has “suo moto” referred to Pakistan’s role in terrorism, saying that there were terror groups working in the country and asked Islamabad to take action so that it does not impact on America and India’s security. Prime Minister Modi held the meeting with Vice President Harris at the White House on Thursday during which they decided to further cement the Indo-US strategic partnership and discussed global issues of common interest, including threats to democracy, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific. When the issue of terrorism came up, the Vice President suo moto referred Pakistan’s role in that regard (of terrorism), Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told reporters when asked if the issue of Pakist...

  Agriculture is India’s real strength, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday, adding the government intends to diversify it into the energy and power sector Agriculture is India’s real strength, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways  Nitin Gadkari  on Wednesday, adding the government intends to diversify it into the energy and power sector. “India’s fuel energy security can be well supported by Agriculture as it provides opportunities for concepts such as waste to wealth and waste to energy and ultimately leading to the benefit of all,” said Gadkari while virtually addressing Bio-Energy Summit 2021 ‘Farm-2-Fuel: Sustainable Bioenergy Solutions for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The Minister said these targets will be achieved through a five-phased strategy which includes adopting biofuels and renewables, implementing energy efficiency norms, improving refinery processes, increasing domestic production and achieving demand sub...

  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commended Indian Diaspora for distinguishing itself across the world as he received a warm welcome from the community on his arrival here. Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  has commended Indian Diaspora for distinguishing itself across the world as he received a warm welcome from the community on his arrival here. He was greeted by groups of Indian Americans at the airport soon after his plane landed here Wednesday and later at the hotel where he had an interaction with the members of the community. Grateful to the Indian community in Washington DC for the warm welcome. Our diaspora is our strength, Modi said in a tweet along with a set of pictures of his interaction with the Indian American CEOs. It is commendable how the Indian diaspora has distinguished itself across the world, Modi said. One of the signature events of the Prime Minister’s overseas visit has been his meetings with the diaspora community in large gatherings. However, due ...

  Prime Minister   Narendra Modi  will launch the Customized Crash Course programme for COVID-19 frontline workers on Friday at 11 AM via video conferencing Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the  Customized Crash Course programme  for COVID-19 frontline workers on Friday at 11 AM via video conferencing. According to the Prime Minister’s office, the launch will commence the programme in 111 training centres spread over 26 states. The launch will be followed by the Prime Minister’s address. Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mahendra Nath Pandey will also be present on the occasion. The programme aims to skill and upskill over one lakh COVID warriors across the country. The training will be imparted to COVID warriors in six customised job roles namely Home Care Support, Basic Care Support, Advanced Care Support, Emergency Care Support, Sample Collection Support, and Medical Equipment Support. The programme has been designed as a specia...

  Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday blamed the recent surge in global crude oil prices for the fuel price hike in India. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday blamed the recent surge in global crude oil prices for the fuel price hike in India. Noting that petrol and diesel have become costlier in recent times, Pradhan said it is up to the GST Council to decide whether the fuel should be brought under the Goods and Services Tax, which, many believe, would substantially bring down the prices. “The prices of petroleum products have gone up. The main reason is that the price of crude oil has gone over USD 70 (per barrel) in the international market. This negatively impacts consumers here, as India imports 80 per cent of its oil requirement,” he said. The minister was responding to a query raised by reporters about the recent  fuel price hike . He was in Gandhinagar to witness the signing of an MoU between the Guja...

  Following Trinamool Congress’ thumping win in assembly elections in West Bengal, Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday said arrogance, might, money power lost in the WB assembly polls Following Trinamool Congress’ thumping win in assembly elections in West Bengal, Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Monday said “arrogance, might, money power and using Jai Shri Ram for politics” lost the polls in the state. Sibal also hailed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is all set to continue her third term in West Bengal. “In West Bengal, who lost – arrogance, might, money power, using Jai Shri Ram for politics, a divisive agenda and the Election Commission. She ( Mamata Benerjee ) stood up to them and won,” the Congress leader said in a tweet. As per the latest trends of the Election Commission, TMC has won 209 seats and is leading in four. About 47.94 per cent of the total voted were in the TMC’s favour. It received about 38.1 per cent of the total. Bharatiya Janata Party, on the other hand, h...

  India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu held an interaction with members of the business community on the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in the country India’s Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu held an interaction with members of the business community on the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country. The virtual meeting was hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. During the talks, Sandhu appraised the business community of the items that India is trying to identify and source, including oxygen concentrators, cylinders, ventilators and oxygen generation plants and  COVID-19 -related drugs like remdesivir and tocilizumab. “Appreciated the Chamber for coordinating the swift response and resource mobilization by the US business community in support of India to meet the Covid challenge,” Sandhu said in a tweet.

  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked all Ayush practitioners to join the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked all Ayush practitioners to join the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In a virtual interaction with Ayush practitioners, late on Thursday evening, Yogi Adityanath said that they should provide treatment to Covid patients. Ayush doctors have been asked to coordinate with local administration and the Integrated Command and Control Centre to create awareness and offer treatment. “There are currently 2.52 lakh people in home isolation and doctors of Ayush, homeopathy and Unani should be given access to them to give them consultation. The Ayush department should distribute kadha in every home,” the Chief Minister said. He further said that a team comprising Ayush, Homeopathy and Unani doctors should be set up in each district and this team should give advice on health to people. They should also be link...

  Health ministry says a new dispensation will be provided to cover the “corona warriors”. The Union Health Ministry on Monday announced that all claims of “COVID warriors” under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package will be settled till April 24 after which a fresh insurance policy for them will become effective. In a tweet, the ministry said that a new dispensation will be provided to cover the “corona warriors”. For this, the ministry is in talks with the New India Assurance, it said. “Two hundred and eight seven claims have been paid by the insurance company so far. The scheme has played a crucial psychological role in boosting the morale of the health workers fighting COVID-19,” the ministry said in a statement. “ The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package  (PMGKP) insurance policy claims of COVID warriors will continue to be settled till 24th April, 2021, thereafter a fresh insurance policy for COVID warriors will become effective,” it said. The PMGKP was announced on Mar...

  Senior IPS officer Hemant Nagrale, who was on Wednesday appointed as the new police commissioner of Mumbai, had played an important role during the 26/11 attacks Senior IPS officer Hemant Nagrale, who was on Wednesday appointed as the new police commissioner of Mumbai, had played an important role during the  26/11 attacks  as he had recovered a bag containing RDX in south Mumbai, which he had shifted to a safer place. Nagrale was on deputation as director of vigilance at the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) at that time and used to reside at the police quarters in Colaba area, which was targeted by the terrorists. “During the terror attacks, Nagrale stepped out of his residence on his own in order to help. When he reached the area of Hotel Taj, which had been attacked by the terrorists, he found a bag containing RDX lying nearby. He immediately took it to a safer place and thereby saved several lives,” a police official said. The 1987-bat...

  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the coronavirus crisis is yet to be over and the laid down protocol should be followed to prevent it. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said the coronavirus crisis is yet to be over and the laid down protocol should be followed to prevent it. A UP government spokesperson said Adityanath, while reviewing the COVID-19 management and steps towards preventing its infection, said, “The corona crisis is yet to be over. Hence it should be ensured that every precaution is taken and the laid down protocol is adhered to.” He directed all the district magistrates to hold meetings at the integrated command and control centres and COVID hospitals in the mornings and evenings. Directions were also issued for operation of the COVID help desk. Adityanath also said the vaccination drive should be accelerated and the public should be made aware of its benefits…

  National General Secretary of BJP Kailash Vijayvargiya said that that law was targeted at inter-religion marriages with the intention or conspiracy to convert religion Slamming Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel for his statement on the love jihad law, National General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday said that that law was targeted at inter-religion marriages with the intention or conspiracy to convert religion. “We need to understand the definition of it ( love jihad ). The law is being made against the conspiracy behind the inter-religion marriages. Love is Sanatan and effortless; it does not see religion or a caste. But if someone loves and marries another person with a plan or intention to convert their religion, this law is from them,” said the BJP leader at a press conference in Indore. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday had slammed the BJP-led states and said that whether inter-...

  Ashok Gehlot has written to Prime Minister urging him to direct Finance Ministry for early approval of loan for the long-pending Rajiv Gandhi lift canal phase III project Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to direct the Finance Ministry for early approval of loan for the long-pending Rajiv Gandhi lift canal phase III project, an official statement said. The Rajasthan government has started efforts to get early loans for the project for the supply of clean drinking water to five cities and 2,104 villages in the western region of the state. Gehlot also urged the prime minister to direct Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to get a loan of Rs 1163.2 crore approved soon, it said. In the letter, he wrote that the  Rajiv Gandhi lift canal project  needs to be executed quickly for the supply of clean drinking water in the cities of Jodhpur, Phalodi, Bilara, Pipar City and Samdari in the desert region and 2,...

  India has dealt with the ‘worst crisis’ in decades along its border with China with ‘firmness and maturity’ India has dealt with the “worst crisis” in decades along its border with China with “firmness and maturity” despite facing the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday. In an address at a leading think-tank in Paris, Shringla mentioned two recent terrorist incidents in France, one of which he said had its origins in Pakistan, noting that the civilised world needs to act with firmness to address the threat of terrorism. Shringla said India and France face similar non-traditional security threats in the form of radicalism and terrorism, and the fight today is not against specific communities or individuals but against a “radical politico-religious ideology”. Delving into major geo-strategic issues, he said the immediate challenges have not been able to distract India from broader strategic goals, especially in the Indo-P...

  Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan will today formally launch the much-awaited trial run of HCNG buses Buses running on hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas (HCNG) are going to hit the streets of national capital from Tuesday. Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan will today formally launch the much-awaited trial run of these buses. He will also inaugurate a compact reformer plant set up by Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) at Rajghat bus depot-I of Delhi Transport Corporation. In this podcast, Business Standard’s Jyoti Mukul will talk about how different is this new fuel, HCNG.