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LIVE: Women's Reservation Bill cleared in key cabinet meeting, says report

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PM Modi addresses media on the first day of the special session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist Lav)

A bill to ensure reservation of 33 per cent seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies was cleared by the Union cabinet this evening, sources have told NDTV. The government, however, is yet to announce it and skipped the customary briefing after the cabinet meet. The meeting had spiked interest in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comment earlier today that "historic decisions" will be taken in this special session. A series of key meetings were also held ahead of it -- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi met Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP chief JP Nadda was also present at the meeting. There was speculation that the cabinet may clear anything from reservation for women or Other Backward Classes, "One Nation One Election" and even a change of name of the country.

The Ministry of Finance on Monday approved welfare measures for LIC agents and employees. These include increase in gratuity limit, eligibility for renewal commission, term insurance cover and a uniform rate of family pension for LIC agents and employees.

Expressing confidence about the party faring well in the upcoming assembly polls in five states, some Congress leaders on Sunday called for delaying the seat-sharing talks with INDIA bloc partners for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections till November so as to do it from a position of strength, said PTI citing sources. The call from a section of leaders, particularly those from states where the Congress is directly in contest with some INDIA bloc partners, came while the top party leadership pitched for strengthening the Congress as well as the opposition bloc.

Several opposition leaders on Sunday criticised the bill on the appointment and service conditions of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners at an all-party meeting as "anti-Constitution" and "anti-democratic", said PTI citing sources. The official sources said there is a rethink in the government on whether to take up the bill for discussion and passage in the five-day session, beginning Monday.

The United Nations has amended the previous death toll from Libya floods, stating that at least 3,958 people have died instead of 11,300 as was earlier reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), CNN reported. According to the revised report updated on Sunday morning from the OCHA, the UN has now pegged the toll at 3,958, citing the World Health Organization (WHO). As per the updated report, over 9000 people are still missing, according to CNN.

11:18 PM

CRPF foils pistol-borne terrorist attack in Khanyar, Srinagar

"There was an attempted attack by pistol born terrorist on BP vehicle of CRPF in khanyar area which was repelled by alert personnel. The terrorist was chased away by personnel, who showed wise restraint due to potential collateral damage. No injury to life or property reported," Srinagar Police said on X.

10:13 PM

Militant fires on CRPF vehicle in Srinagar, none injured

A militant opened fire Monday on a moving security forces' vehicle in the Khanyar area of the city but no one was injured, officials said, as per PTI report.

The lone militant fired from his pistol on the CRPF vehicle at the Khwaja Bazaar chowk around 7.00 pm, the officials said.

He fled from the spot after firing, they said, adding there was no death or injury in the incident.

5:09 PM

Concerns that global growth is likely to slow in 2024 after outperforming expectations in 2023: RBI Bulletin

Looming concern is that global growth is likely to slow in 2024 after outperforming expectations in 2023 so far, according to RBI bulletin.

5:07 PM

SC tells Maha speaker to set timeline for pleas for disqualification of Shiv Sena MLAs of Shinde faction

Supreme Court on Monday asked the Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly to list before him for hearing the disqualification petitions against 56 MLAs including Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde within a week and set down a time schedule to decide disqualification pleas.

5:03 PM

Gujarat: Machhannala dam in Dahod overflows due to heavy rains

3:37 PM

PM Modi, Amit Shah meet key ministers ahead of Cabinet meet today

A key meeting of the Union Cabinet has been called this evening at 6:30 pm on the first day of the Parliament's five-day special session, sources said, though the agenda is not known yet. Key meetings are being held in the Parliament ahead of the cabinet meeting. Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi met Home Minister Amit Shah. BJP chief JP Nadda was also present in the meeting. Goyal and Joshi are scheduled to meet PM Modi now.

A list of eight bills which will be taken up for discussion in the special session was given to the opposition by the government in an all-party meeting on Sunday. The controversial bill for the appointment of election officers, which was previously believed to be part of the agenda, was dropped amid protests by the opposition.

3:37 PM

PM Modi, Amit Shah meet key ministers ahead of Cabinet meet today

2:40 PM

SC issues notice to CBI on bail plea of TMC leader Anubrata Mondal

SC issues notice to CBI on bail plea of TMC leader Anubrata Mondal in connection with alleged cattle smuggling case

2:22 PM

Let us resolve to make India corruption-free, developed nation: Goyal

As the Rajya Sabha on Monday started a discussion on Parliament's 75-year journey, Leader of the House and Union Minister Piyush Goyal called for making India a corruption-free and developed nation.

When the House assembled for the five-day session, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lauded the prime minister's vision for the successful G20 Summit.

He also announced that the House will discuss 'Parliamentary Journey of 75 Years Starting from Samvidhan Sabha -Achievements, Experiences, Memories, and Learnings'.

2:16 PM

RS Chairman reconstitutes panel of vice-chairpersons with 50% women MPs

Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday announced that the panel of vice-chairpersons has been reconstituted with 50 per cent of women parliamentarians and that the percentage may go higher in future.

The eight-member panel will now have four women members, including Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Kanta Kardam, Sumitra Balmik and Geeta alias Chandraprabha; and Biju Janata Dal's Mamata Mohanta.

Dhankhar made the announcement in the Upper House on the first day of the Special Session of the Parliament.

"The House members are informed that the panel of vice-chairpersons has been reconstituted with effect from September 13, 2023. Honourable members will be happy to note that 50% of the vice chairpersons happen to be women," said Dhankhar.

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