Page 12 - Bharatiya Janata Party

RS bypolls: BJP nominee and former NCW chief Rekha Sharma wins unopposed

Former National Commission for Women chairperson and BJP leader Rekha Sharma was declared elected unopposed in the Rajya Sabha bypoll from Haryana after the deadline for withdrawal of nomination ended at 3 pm on Friday. Sharma had filed her nomination for the bypoll from Haryana here on Tuesday. She was the lone candidate in the fray. The BJP had on Monday announced Sharma's name for the December 20 Rajya Sabha bypolls. Accompanied by Haryana Minister Mahipal Dhanda and former Haryana Assembly Speaker Gian Chand Gupta, Sharma was given certificate by the Returning Officer after being declared elected unopposed. The opposition had not fielded a candidate for the bypolls. In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the BJP enjoys a majority having 48 members, the Congress has 37 seats, the INLD two while three are Independents. The Independents also support the Nayab Singh Saini government. The Rajya Sabha seat in Haryana fell vacant when Krishan Lal Panwar of the BJP had quit his seat foll

Govt consistently increased capex for infra development: MoS Finance

The Modi government has consistently increased its expenditure towards infrastructure building over the last 5 years and aims to achieve the Rs 11.11 lakh crore capex target set for the current fiscal, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said on Friday. The government's capital expenditure increased from over Rs 5 lakh crore in 2021-22 to Rs 11.11 lakh crore in 2024-25. "The focus of the Modi Government is on building infrastructure... India's road, air and rail connectivity has improved considerably over the last 10 years," Chaudhary told reporters here. He further said that keeping in mind the goal set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a developed nation by 2047, the government has been making budget allocations and will continue to do so in the upcoming Budget for 2025-26. As per Niti Aayog's 'Vision for Viksit Bharat @ 2047' document, India should strive to elevate itself to high-income status by its centenary of independence. India must aim to become a

Light regulations will enable innovative radio content: I-B Secretary Jaju

Government is committed to advancing digital radio technology and its integration into the media ecosystem in the country, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary Sanjay Jaju said on Wednesday. Speaking at a conference organised by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), in collaboration with the Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), Jaju said the government favoured light touch regulation which would enable innovative content creation in the country. "Light touch regulations will enable innovative content creation and deeper listener engagement, empowering India's creators. Radio derives its strength from localised content choice embracing diverse community interests and cultural preferences," he said. Jaju said technology adoption, even in far-flung areas must happen while developing an ecosystem to facilitate deployment of digital radio broadcasting in India. "As part of our efforts, we are set to roll out digital FM radio broadcasting

No Aadhaar card to persons who did not apply for NRC, says Assam govt

The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting in view of an infiltration attempt by citizens of trouble-hit Bangladesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said at a press conference here

Secure messaging apps big challenge to counter online radicalisation: Govt

The use of secured messaging applications like Signal, Telegram, Viber and the dark Web besides end-to-end encrypted WhatsApp by radical elements to connect with like-minded individuals is proving to be a "major challenge" for security agencies to counter online radicalisation, government said on Wednesday. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said as the extensive use of cyber technology is the main tool for propagating radical ideology, cyberspace is being monitored ceaselessly. The minister said at present, apart from state police, the NIA is investigating 67 cases relating to online radicalisation. In these cases, 325 accused have been arrested, 336 accused have been charge-sheeted and 63 accused have been convicted so far. "Cyber patrolling is done on a regular basis to identify and monitor such content and entities which are targeting gullible/depressed/ alienated youth," the minister said. He said websites and accounts .

Explained: What pushed INDIA bloc's no-confidence against Jagdeep Dhankhar?

The INDIA bloc has accused Rajya Sabha Chairperson Jagdeep Dhankhar of bias, citing his acceptance of BJP speeches linking Sonia Gandhi to George Soros while dismissing 11 opposition notices

Holding small Tricolour, red rose in hand, Oppn MPs urge govt to run House

Several opposition MPs on Wednesday greeted their BJP counterparts in Parliament premises with the tricolour in one hand and a red rose in the other, as they urged the ruling party to ensure that the House functions and all issues,including the Adani matter, is discussed. This is the latest in a series of unusual daily demonstrations led by the Congress over the Adani issue. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MPs from the Congress, DMK, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and the Left parties, among others, stood in front of the Makar Dwar steps with most of them carrying a small tricolour card and a red rose. The MPs said they want to present this to their BJP counterparts and urge them to ensure that the House functions and all issues ,including the Adani matter, is discussed. Many MPs also carried placards with slogans 'Don't let the country be sold'. This comes a day after MPs carried dark blue 'jholas' with caricatures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialis

Belagavi is and will be Karnataka's: Tejasvi Surya slams Aaditya Thackeray

Speaking to mediapersons, Surya stated that inflaming these kinds of passions is not good in the interest of both Maharashtra and Karnataka

Corrupt Congress govt brought Himachal on brink of bankruptcy: BJP

In a blistering attack against the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, senior BJP leader and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur Tuesday alleged that the "corrupt" Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu dispensation has brought the state on the "brink of bankruptcy". Addressing the BJP's "Akrosh Rally" here, a day ahead of an event to mark two years of the Congress dispensation in the state, Thakur said, "What is the Congress celebrating on completion of two years in power when it has no achievements to show?" He said the BJP is opposing the event which he termed "celebrations of getting ruined". Alleging the state government employees and pensioners were not getting their monthly emoluments, Thakur claimed outsourced workers were also awaiting their salaries for the past four months. "The people of the state have been burdened but crores of rupees are being spent on celebrations," he said. "The Congress government has lost the confidence of the people and failed to fulfil the poll guarante

Lalu Prasad's 'ogle women' remark about CM Nitish Kumar sparks outrage

BJP and JD(U) leaders have called RJD President Lalu Prasad's remark offensive and derogatory to women, as well as an insult to Bihar's dignity

Museum of corruption: Delhi BJP chief gives tour of Kejriwal's Sheesh Mahal

This is the reality of the black money hoarded by Arvind Kejriwal who calls himself a common man, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva added

Tejashwi Yadav accuses Bihar CM of 'misusing public funds' for propaganda

The RJD leader questioned the government's priorities, stating that billions of rupees are being spent on propaganda

PM Modi, state BJP chief condole death of former Karnataka CM SM Krishna

SM Krishna is fondly remembered for his tenure as Karnataka's Chief Minister, particularly for his focus on infrastructural development, PM Narendra Modi added

Opposition won't stop raising Gautam Adani indictment issue: Pawan Khera

Congress leader Pawan Khera claimed that the BJP was not talking about the Adani issue because it had 'everything to hide'

Rural literacy rate up by 10 percentage points in last 10 yrs: Govt in LS

The literacy rate in rural India recorded a jump of more than 10 percentage points in the past decade, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. It was also told that the literacy rate among women rose 14.50 percentage points during this period. The information was shared by Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary in response to a written question about government efforts, challenges and strategies in achieving 100 per cent rural literacy. According to the statistics shared by Chaudhary, rural India's literacy rate rose from 67.77 per cent in 2011 to 77.50 per cent in 2023-24 among individuals aged seven and above. Female literacy rose from 57.93 per cent to 70.40 per cent during this period. Male literacy improved from 77.15 per cent to 84.7 per cent. "In order to improve the literacy rate, including rural literacy among adults, the government of India has launched several centrally-sponsored schemes and programmes, such as the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Saakshar Bharat

Govt may bring 'One Nation One Election' Bill in ongoing winter session

The government is keen on holding wider consultations on bills it proposes to bring for implementing its 'one nation, one election' plan, sources said on Monday. Though the proposed legislation or set of legislations has not yet been approved by the Union Cabinet, the government may bring it as early as the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, they noted. The sources said once the bill or bills are introduced in Parliament, the government would like to refer the measures to a joint committee of the two Houses for wider consultations. The government is also keen to consult all the Speakers of various state legislative assemblies through committees. In September, sources had said that the government is likely to bring three bills, including two to amend the Constitution, to put in place its plan to hold simultaneous elections. Moving ahead with its one nation, one election' plan, the government in September accepted the recommendations of the high-level committee for holding ...

Over 13k people benefited from single-window camps under PM-UDAY in Delhi

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena reviewed the progress of single-window camps under PM-UDAY, under which 13,300 applicants from unauthorised colonies visited and availed of the facility, the Raj Niwas said on Monday. The Prime Minister-Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY) scheme aims to grant ownership rights to residents of 1,731 unauthorised colonies in the national capital. The scheme's primary objective is to provide legal recognition to residents' properties by conferring ownership rights. On Saxena's instructions, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is holding these camps every weekend from November 30 to December 29 at 10 processing centres in these unauthorised colonies. The Raj Niwas said in its statement that Saxena had asked the DDA to undertake the exercise on a mission mode. These camps witnessed 13,353 applicants visiting to get their properties regularised, it said. Most applicants got their applications cleared and approved on the spot. In so

SC asks Manipur govt to give details on arson, property encroachments

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Manipur government to submit a detailed sealed cover report on the number of properties that were fully or partially burnt, looted, or encroached upon during the ongoing ethnic violence in the state. The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar emphasised the need for the state to address the grievances of the displaced persons and take steps to restore their properties. It therefore asked the Manipur government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, to provide specific details such as buildings burnt or partially burnt, buildings looted, buildings trespassed or encroached upon. The report should also provide information about the owners and current occupants of these properties, along with the details of any legal actions taken against trespassers, the CJI said. "We also direct the state government to provide the following details: 1. Buildings burnt and partially burnt, 2. buildings which are looted; a

Who is George Soros, the man at the centre of political debate in India?

The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused Congress president Sonia Gandhi of links to an organisation funded by the George Soros Foundation, which supports the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation

Cong trashes BJP's 'Soros allegations', says govt only wants to save Adani

Dismissing the BJP's allegations of its leaders colluding with US investor George Soros, the Congress on Monday said the real conspiracy unravelling during the Parliament's Winter session is that the government would even put at stake India's ties with another country just to save Gautam Adani. The opposition party alleged that Gautam Adani has been extended 'M (Modi)' security and to breach that one would have to cross the "dead body" of democracy. "Since Parliament session began, we have been trying to raise issues but there is one issue the prime minister cannot tolerate and when that issue is raised, he loses self control. That one name is Adani. As soon as that name is taken, the PM gets rattled," Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said. "No one has the right to stake our ties with a nation for one person. Those countries that help that industrialist, even if they enter our borders, they are given a clean chit and those countries that get a probe done on