Page 8 - Anurag Thakur

Our commitment to northeast much higher than Congress: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday said the central BJP's commitment towards the northeastern parts of the country was "much, much higher", and said efforts to restore normalcy in violence-hit Manipur were "unprecedented." While efforts to restore peace in Manipur were on, the opposition "should not put oil in the fire", the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting said. Interacting with a select group of journalists here, he also said people's opinion should not be divided in the name of language. "During the Congress regime, Manipur was known for bomb, bandh and blast. And who sowed the seeds of hatred or this kind of communal violence. It was Congress," he charged. "When Manipur was closed for months, 1000s of people were killed, petrol was Rs 1,000 a litre, LPG was not available for six months -- that was the situation during their (Congress) time. Not even the Prime Minister, not even the Home Minister replied ever. Neither they visited Mani

Around Rs 3.37 trn spent for development in NE states in past 9-yrs: Govt

The government has spent Rs 3.37 lakh crore for development works in northeastern states in the past nine years, Union Minister Anurag Thakur informed Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Replying to a question on sports infrastructure facilities in the Northeast, the minister highlighted the work done by the Modi government in the last nine years for the overall development of the region. In the last nine years, the road network in the Northeast has been expanded to around 16,000 km from 8,480 km to improve connectivity, the youth affairs and sports minister said in a written reply. He added that the number of airports have been doubled in the last nine years and rail connectivity is being improved. "Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has visited the Northeast 60 times in the last nine years," Thakur said, adding that this shows the commitment and seriousness of the government for the development of the region. Currently, Thakur, said 1,350 projects worth Rs 15,760 crore, across all departments

Why get elected to parl if you want to raise issues on streets: Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday accused the opposition of running away from a debate in Parliament on the ethnic violence in Manipur and wondered what was the use of getting elected if they wanted to raise issues on the streets. Thakur's remarks come against the backdrop of an impasse in Parliament since the Monsoon session began on July 20 over discussion on the Manipur situation with the opposition insisting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in the House. "If you have to raise issues on the streets, then what is the use of getting elected to the House," Thakur told reporters outside Parliament asserting that the government was ready for a debate on the situation in Manipur. Home Minister Amit Shah had said that he was ready for a debate in Parliament on the Manipur situation. "I would request the opposition to please come to the House, take part in the discussion. The government is ready to discuss whatever issue they want to raise. What is the compulsion

Join debate, share experiences from Manipur: Anurag Thakur to Opposition

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday urged the opposition MPs who returned from Manipur to join a discussion in Parliament on the ethnic violence in the northeastern state and share their experiences from the visit. The Union information and broadcasting minister accused the opposition members of running away from discussion in Parliament when the government had offered a debate on the ethnic violence in the state after the Monsoon session began on July 20. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already made a strong statement on the atrocities against women in Manipur, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh before the Parliament convened for the current session. "It is my appeal to the opposition members to tell the entire nation how Manipur used to burn for six months under Congress rule, hundreds of lives would be lost and yet no home minister or prime minister made any statement in Parliament," Thakur said. The opposition has been demanding a statement from the prime minis

Rural poll violence carried out as per Mamata's instructions: Anurag Thakur

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday alleged that violence in West Bengal during the recently concluded panchayat elections was carried out by TMC activists as per instructions of Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee. Thakur, who is in Kolkata to felicitate BJP's winning candidates in the rural polls, also claimed that over 57 people have been killed in clashes during the panchayat elections. He claimed that the BJP has doubled the number of seats in the rural polls as compared to the previous elections and the result is an indication that Banerjee's "days at the helm of things are numbered". "I would like to say that in the recently concluded panchayat polls, over 57 people have been killed. To fulfill Mamata Banerjee's wishes, people were killed. The entire law and order in West Bengal is in shambles. Mamata didi, your party leaders under your instruction restored to hooliganism (during this panchayat polls)," Thakur told reporters here. The

They never spoke up when Manipur burned: Anurag Thakur slams Opposition

This visit is just an eyewash. The Opposition alliance never spoke up when Manipur burned under previous governments, the BJP leader added

Rajya Sabha passes bill with stringent provisions to curb film piracy

Rajya Sabha on Thursday passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill which has provisions for up to three-year jail term and a fine of up to five per cent of the production cost of a film for persons making pirated copies of movies. The bill also has provisions to introduce three age-based certifications under the 'UA' category, namely 'UA 7+', 'UA 13+' and 'UA 16+', and to empower the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to sanction a film with a separate certificate for its exhibition on television or other media. "The film industry is facing a loss of Rs 20,000 crore annually because of piracy," Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said, responding to a brief debate on the bill in Rajya Sabha. The opposition staged a walkout over its demand for a discussion on the situation in ethnic strife-torn Manipur when the bill was taken up for discussion. Thakur said, "The bill has been brought to stop the loss of Rs 20,000 crore which occurs due to piracy. The ...

India land of storytellers, must become a global content hub: Anurag Thakur

India is the land of storytellers and should emerge as the content hub of the world, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Thursday as Rajya Sabha passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill aimed at curbing piracy and simplifying licensing procedures. The government is soon going to open institutes for the animation, visual effects, gaming and comics (AVGC) sector to provide skilled manpower to the fast-growing field, Thakur said while replying to a debate on the bill, which seeks to amend the Cinematograph Act of 1952. The bill was passed by a voice vote after a brief discussion. The opposition staged a walkout during the introduction of the bill over its demand for a discussion on the situation in ethnic strife-torn Manipur. The bill will now go to Lok Sabha for its nod. The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill-2023 aims to curb piracy to help the film industry and simplify licensing procedures. The government has proposed a maximum three-year jail term and

Objectionable scene: Thakur seeks explanation on CBFC nod for Oppenheimer

Taking serious note of an objectionable scene in Christopher Nolan-helmed "Oppenheimer", Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has sought an explanation from the Central Board of Film Certification and asked it to take corrective action. Thakur is understood to have asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to get the scene where Oppenheimer appears to indulge in a sexual intercourse while reading verses from the Bhagavad Gita deleted from the movie. He has also asked the Board to fix accountability on persons responsible for clearing the movie with the scene in question. Information Commissioner Uday Mahurkar had written an open letter to Nolan, terming the scene a "disturbing attack on Hinduism" and appealed to the film director to remove the scene worldwide. In the film, Oppenheimer -- played by Cillian Murphy -- is shown having intercourse with psychologist Jean Tatler (Florence Pugh) as she asks him to read a verse from what appears to be a Sanskrit bo

E-auction of 808 FM radio stations soon, says IB minister Anurag Thakur

The government will soon conduct an e-auction of 808 FM radio stations across 284 cities to further increase the footprint of radio communication, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said on Sunday. Addressing the Regional Community Radio Sammelan (North) here, Thakur said the government has also eased the processes for getting a license to operate radio stations, particularly community radio, by reducing the number of compliances. He said India currently has 388 FM radio stations in 113 cities across 26 states and five Union Territories. "Government is now planning a third batch of e-auction of 808 channels across 284 cities soon to further expand radio services," Thakur said.

Appeal to opposition to join debate in Parliament on Manipur: Anurag Thakur

As Parliament's Monsoon session remained deadlocked over ethnic violence in Manipur, Union minister Anurag Thakur on Sunday appealed to the opposition parties "with folded hands" to join the debate on the issue. Thakur also urged the opposition not to politicise the issue of atrocities against women in the northeastern state. The opposition parties have planned joint protests in Parliament on Monday on the situation in Manipur. They have been demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament before starting a discussion on the issue. The government has been insisting that Home Minister Amit Shah will speak on the issue and not the prime minister. "Atrocities against women are painful, no matter which state the victims belong to. It is the responsibility of the state to curb such incidents," the minister said. He said the government is keen on a discussion on the issue of atrocities on women, which are prevalent in states such as Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal an

Oppn running from debate as their leader no longer MP: Anurag Thakur

Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday hit out at the Congress-led opposition for "not allowing Parliament to function" and wondered whether it was because their leader was no longer a member of the Lok Sabha. In an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified as a Lok Sabha member in March, Thakur wondered whether it was the "desire" of some persons no longer members of the House to ensure that Parliament does not function. "Opposition is making excuses for not allowing the House to function. Some persons are no longer members of the House and it is their desire that the House should not function," said the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister outside Parliament. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament on March 24 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of ...

3 NSFs reported cases of sexual harassment in last 3 years: Anurag Thakur

The Sports Ministry on Thursday said the POSH Act, 2013 (Sexual Harassment at Workplace) is applicable to all National Sports Federations and in the last three years, only four NSFs have reported complaints of such nature. Sports Minister Anurag Thakur made the disclosure during a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. "Prohibition and Redressal) (POSH) Act, 2013 are applicable to all National Sports Federations (NSFs), as applicable to any entity defined in the Act. The NSFs are bound to take action in terms of the extant legal provisions in the cases of sexual harassment reported to them. "The Ministry has also issued instructions to all NSFs from time-to-time on the prevention of sexual harassment in sports," Thakur wrote in his reply during the question hour in Rajya Sabha. "Based on the information provided about complaints of sexual harassment during the last three years and the current year by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and all the presently recognised NSFs, fou

Best web series award added to Int'l Film Festival of India: Anurag Thakur

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur has announced the addition of a new award category to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) that will be presented to a show for its "artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess and overall impact". The Best Web Series Award will be given to an original web series on an OTT platform, originally shot and available in an Indian language, Thakur said on Twitter on Tuesday evening. "Delighted to announce the BEST WEB SERIES AWARD @IFFIGoa to be presented to an exceptional web series for its artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess and overall impact. "India is filled with exceptional talent; I encourage you to tell the story of a rising and aspirational New India - ready to lead the world, with a billion dreams and a billion untold stories," the Union minister tweeted. Thakur also said the award aims to "incentivise and create investment opportunities in India's OTT sector, encourage content

Centre doing its best to help calamity-hit states, says Anurag Thakur

The Centre is doing its best to help states, including Himachal Pradesh, that have been hit by natural calamities in their hour of crisis, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said on Saturday. The Union government has already released Rs 361 crore in two installments and more financial aid will be released shortly, he said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said Himachal Pradesh has suffered losses of about Rs 8,000 crore as heavy rain wreaked havoc in the hill state, triggering landslides and flash floods and damaging roads and other infrastructure. According to the state emergency response centre, the losses amounted to about Rs 4,000 crore till Friday night and Sukhu had sought an interim relief of Rs 2,000 crore from the Union Home Ministry. On Saturday, Thakur visited the Dharmapur assembly segment in Mandi district and various regions of Hamirpur district where he met victims of the recent flood. The sight was shocking and beyond expectation, Thakur, who holds the U

Anurag Thakur expresses concern over panchayat election violence in Bengal

The deteriorating law and order situation in Bengal, which has resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, has drew attention and raised worries throughout the country and abroad, he said

PM Modi, Thakur congratulate football team on SAFF Championship victory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian football team after their triumph in the SAFF Championship final against Kuwait.Indian team clinched the SAFF Championship title in a penalty shootout as the game ended in a scoreline of 4-4 at the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium on Tuesday."India crowned champions, yet again! The Blue Tigers reign supreme at the #SAFFChampionship2023! Congrats to our players. The Indian Team's remarkable journey, powered by the determination and tenacity of these athletes, will continue to inspire upcoming sportspersons," PM Modi tweeted.Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also took to his Twitter handle to congratulate the Indian team for their victory."We have done it again! Kudos to the #BlueTigers for holding their nerve in such a gripping encounter with Kuwait in the final & giving a scintillating performance to clinch the #SAFFChampionship for a record th time. India is thrilled on your victory, keep shining!" Thakur wrote in his ...

Rahul Gandhi's abroad programmes organised by 'anti-India forces': Thakur

Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's programmes abroad are organised by "anti-India forces" which run an agenda against the country. Gandhi and the Congress party should tell the nation as to why such elements are "associated" with them, the senior BJP leader told reporters here. There was no immediate reaction from the Congress. Thakur was interacting with reporters on the sidelines of the BJP's outreach campaign 'Sampark se Samarthan' to mark nine years of the Modi government. "Thinking of Congress gets evident when Rahul Gandhi visits abroad, and with whose support his programmes are organised. People whose names are associated with organisations who run an agenda against India. And, who fund them, who talk of breaking India, who funds those campaigns," the information and broadcasting minister alleged. Shaheen Bagh matter's funding was done, funding is done for "those who spew venom against India", Thakur claimed. And, Rahul Gan

Cabinet assent to set up National Research Foundation to boost R&D

The government on Wednesday approved a bill to set up the National Research Foundation, a new funding agency to bolster the country's research competence, Union minister Anurag Thakur said. He said the National Research Foundation Bill will be brought in Parliament and the Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008 will be repealed. At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal to introduce the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023, Thakur told reporters here. The NRF will be governed by a governing board consisting of 15 to 25 eminent researchers and professionals. The governing board will be headed by the prime minister, he noted.

Thakur inaugurates hockey astro turf ground at BSF headquarters

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday inaugurated a state-of-the-art astro turf for hockey at the BSF headquarters here. On the occasion, Thakur highlighted the government's commitment to promoting sports in India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An official release quoting Thakur said, "Sports are a catalyst for holistic development, and the government of India is fully committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and opportunities for our talented athletes. "This astro turf inauguration symbolises our dedication to promoting sports and nurturing the immense potential of our sporting community." Thakur said that the newly constructed stadium received all necessary approvals from the Hockey India, ensuring compliance with international standards. He also mentioned about the rich legacy of Punjab, which produced exceptional athletes and contributed significantly to India's sporting heritage. Further, he acknowledged the contributions of the Bord