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.

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

6:04 PM

Reforms in agriculture necessary for India's progress: PM Modi

The government respects "farmers' sentiments", but reforms in agriculture are necessary for the country’s progress, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, defending laws it enacted in September that have sparked protests by cultivators.

 

"Status quo cannot change things—the youth of the country cannot wait," he said in the Lok Sabha while replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s address to Parliament.

 

Demanding the repeal of three new farm laws that they say will hurt them to the benefit of large corporations and allow the government to discontinue buying food grains at a minimum support price (MSP), tens of thousands of farmers have been camped on the outskirts of Delhi since late 2020. READ ON...

6:00 PM

Important for India to differentiate between 'Andolanjeevis' and 'Andolankari': PM in Lok Sabha

It is important for the country to differentiate between 'Andolanjeevis' and 'Andolankari': PM in Lok Sabha

5:56 PM

Congress party is divided and confused: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

In a sharp dig at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said its Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha units move in opposite directions, and asserted that such a "divided" and "confused" party can neither do any good for itself nor can it think of any solutions for the country's problems. PM Modi's remarks came amid a walkout by members of the Congress in Lok Sabha, including former party chief Rahul Gandhi, when he was speaking on the three farm laws during his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President for his address, PTI reported.

 

"The condition of the Congress party, a very old party which ruled the country for about six decades, has now become such that its Rajya Sabha unit moves in one direction while the Lok Sabha unit moves in another direction," Modi said. Such a "divided" and "confused" party can neither do any good for itself nor can it think of any solution to the country's problems, Modi said.

 

"Nothing can be more unfortunate than this. The Congress is also there in Rajya Sabha, their senior leaders are there, they debate with a lot of enthusiasm and express their views. On the other hand, there is the other section of the Congress (in Lok Sabha).... Time will tell," the prime minister said.

5:55 PM

Big group of people believe in 'talking the right thing', but object to 'doing the right thing': PM Modi

There is a big group of people who believe in 'talking the right thing' but object to 'doing the right thing': PM Modi in Lok Sabha

5:50 PM

If India is able to serve humanity, it is also due to the role of the private sector: PM Modi

If India is able to serve humanity, it is also due to the role of the private sector: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha.

5:49 PM

Culture of abusing private sector not acceptable any longer: PM Modi

To use improper words against the private sector may have got votes for a few people in the past, but those times are gone. The culture of abusing the private sector is not acceptable any longer. We cannot keep insulting our youth like this: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha.

5:48 PM

Can't meet challenges of agriculture sector in 21st century with thinking of 18th century: PM Modi

Can't meet challenges of agriculture sector in 21st century with thinking of 18th century. We'll have to change it. Nobody wants farmers to stay stuck in cycle of poverty, that he doesn't get right to live. I believe he shouldn't be dependent on others. It's our responsibility: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

5:47 PM

We walked out because PM didn't discuss our concerns over farmers' death: Congress' Adhir Chowdhury

5:42 PM

PM Modi uses term "aandolan jeevi" (professional protesters) to describe critics supporting farmers' protests

"There is a group of who talk the right things but start protesting when it comes to doing the right things,” says PM Modi, as he again uses the term "aandolan jeevi" (professional protesters) to describe critics supporting farmers protests.

5:42 PM

Those who talk big on electoral reforms, oppose 'One Nation One Election': PM Modi

There are people who talk the right things. But this same section, when it comes to doing the right things, fail to convert words into action. Those who talk big on electoral reforms oppose 'One Nation One Election'. They speak of gender justice but oppose Triple Talaq: PM Modi

5:40 PM

Not allowing toll plazas to work, destroying telecom towers serve as a Sacred Protest? asks PM Modi

I consider the farmers' protest to be 'Pavitra'.  But, when Andolanjeevis hijack Pavitra Andolans, showcase photos of those jailed for serious offences, does it serve any purpose?  Not allowing toll plazas to work, destroying telecom towers- does it serve a Pavitra Andolan: PM Modi said in the Lok Sabha while replying to the motion of thanks on the President’s address to the Parliament.

5:36 PM

Need to bring investment, modernise agriculture to empower it: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

Investment that farming needs is not happening; we need to bring investment and modernise agriculture to empower it: PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha

5:35 PM

Public sector essential, but role of private sector also vital: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

Public sector is essential but at the same time, role of the private sector is also vital. Take any sector- telecom, pharma, we see the role of the private sector. If India is able to serve humanity, it is also due to the role of the private sector: PM Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha.

5:32 PM

Farm reforms needed for long, govt made an honest effort to do this: PM Modi

Farm reforms needed for long, govt made an honest effort to do this: PM Modi

5:29 PM

Govt, Parliament have great respect for farmers, says PM in Lok Sabha

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, PTI reported.

 

Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi again allayed apprehensions on the farm laws, saying neither any agriculture 'mandi' (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.

 

"This House, our government and we all respect farmers who are voicing their views on the farm bills. This is the reason why topmost ministers of the government are constantly talking to them. There is great respect for farmers.

 

"After the laws relating to agriculture were passed by Parliament, no 'mandi' has shut. Likewise, MSP has remained. Procurement on MSP has remained. These facts can't be ignored," he said.