Page 125 - Congress

Valmiki scam: Is it 'Nyay' to siphon of SC/ST money, asks FM Sitharaman

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lashed out at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asking him whether it was Nyay' (justice) to siphon off money belonging to the tribal Valmiki community. Referring to the Rs 187 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Corporation including the illegal transfer of Rs 88 crore, Sitharaman accused Siddaramaiah of concealing facts and trying to pass the blame on to the central government because bank officials of a nationalised bank were involved. On Siddaramaiah's charge that the union finance minister should be held accountable because banks were involved, Sitharaman said, He can say that because he is used to talking like this That's so irresponsive. You have your minister resigned. You have your people saying that the money has been siphoned into private accounts. The minister said that action has already been taken as a first step against the conniving bank officials and further action will be taken against them. "No protectio

Cong slams govt for double standards in giving funds to flood-hit states

The Congress Sunday accused the central government of practising "double standards" in allocating funds to flood-afflicted states, alleging that it was exacting "revenge" on the people of Himachal Pradesh for not voting for the BJP in the assembly elections. Congress general secretary (In-charge, Communications) Jairam Ramesh said, "Yesterday, the self-anointed non-biological Prime Minister said that Viksit Bharat depends on Viksit states. Wow, such a profundity. If only he put the taxpayer's money where his mouth is!" "After the disastrous floods of 2023, the government of Himachal Pradesh repeatedly demanded that the Union government declare the floods a national calamity'? a plea which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman repeatedly rejected," Ramesh said in a post on X. "Now, in her Budget Speech, when allocating funds for irrigation and flood mitigation, the Finance Minister has provided a vivid illustration of the double standards at work in the non-biological PM's Government,"

Did Manipur CM Singh invite PM Modi to his state amid clashes, asks Cong

The Congress Sunday said the people of Manipur are asking whether Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who attended two meetings chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here the day before, also met him one-on-one to discuss the situation in the violence-hit state and invite him there. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the Manipur chief minister attends the NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi on Saturday presided over by "the self-anointed non-biological PM". "Then the Manipur CM attends a meeting of BJP CMs and Deputy CMs presided over by the same deity," he said. "The simple question that the people of Manipur are asking is this: Did Shri N. Biren Singh meet with Shri Narendra Modi separately one-on-one and discuss the situation in Manipur, which started burning on the night of May 3rd 2023?" he said. Did Biren Singh invite Modi to visit Manipur, either before or after his trip to Ukraine, Ramesh asked. Manipur plunged into violence between the Meitei a

BJP-ruled states driven by 'antyoday', committed to welfare of citizens: HM

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said BJP-ruled states are driven by the principle of "antyoday" and are committed to the welfare of every citizen. He said this after attending a conference of chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of BJP-ruled states here. "Attended the meeting of the chief ministers and deputy chief ministers of the BJP-ruled states chaired by PM Shri @narendramodi Ji in New Delhi today. The BJP-ruled states, under the leadership of Modi Ji, are driven by the principle of Antyoday and are committed to the welfare of every citizen," Shah wrote on 'X'. During the conference, the prime minister discussed with the chief ministers and deputy chief ministers a host of issues, with focus on ensuring that benefits of numerous welfare schemes fully cover the targeted beneficiaries. Modi, sources said, noted the efforts of the BJP-run governments to help different sections of society, especially the poor. "Our party is working tirelessly to further good ...

Treatment of West Bengal CM at NITI Aayog meet unacceptable: Cong

The Congress on Saturday said the treatment meted out to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a NITI Aayog meeting here was "unacceptable". The opposition party's scathing criticism of the government think tank came after Banerjee walked out of the 9th Governing Council meeting of the NITI Aayog, claiming she was unfairly stopped midway through her speech. The government rejected Banerjee's charges, saying the time allotted to her for speaking at the meeting was over. The Congress alleged the Niti Aayog has functioned as a "drumbeater" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was chairing the meeting, since it was set up 10 years ago. The meeting was boycotted by Congress party chief ministers over alleged discrimination against non-NDA-ruled states in the Union Budget. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "Since it was established ten years ago, NITI Aayog has been an attached office of the PMO and has functioned as a drumbeater for the ...

News updates: Police file chargesheet in Porsche crash case, teen's parents among 7 named

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Cong MP introduces private member's resolution in LS on regulating airfare

Congress MP Shafi Parambil on Friday moved a private member's resolution in the Lok Sabha on appropriate measures to regulate airfare. The MP from Vadakara in Kerala said most migrant workers in the Gulf region were unskilled or semi-skilled with limited income and the unscrupulous increase in airfare during vacation seasons dragged them into a huge debt trap. The resolution came a day after Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu promised to conduct an inquiry into allegations of abrupt fare hikes when MPs tried to book tickets on Air Vistara, following complaints by MPs and a nudge by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. "During the Question Hour yesterday (Thursday), this House, though for a few minutes, discussed the exorbitant prices and exploitation faced by our expatriates. Our brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, other members of families who are struggling to make ends meet are being unfairly treated and being burdened," Parambil said. "This House has debated t

News updates: DU hikes fees for all first-year students in UG, PG and PhD programmes

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Parliament updates: There's undeclared emergency in country, says Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi

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Rahul Gandhi meets farmers, vows to push for MSP legal guarantee

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have also decided to renew their 'Delhi Chalo' march demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP)

Two parallel inaugurations for one bridge: CPI(M), Cong tussle over credit

The opening of the Adoor Kadavu bridge in Kerala's Kannur district has sparked a political struggle between the ruling CPI(M) and Congress, with both parties gearing up for the inauguration

Congress govt in Telangana presents Rs 2.91 tn Budget; major announcements

The government spent Rs 34,579 crore on various schemes from December until now, said Telangana finance minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka

Defamation case: Why Rahul Gandhi will appear in UP court despite bail

Rahul Gandhi is set to appear before the MP-MLA court in Sultanpur on July 26 for a defamation case filed by BJP leader Vijay Mishra over alleged remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Announce T'gana-like loan waiver for Maharashtra farmers: MPCC chief Patole

Patole pointed out that this year, farmers in the state have faced drought in some areas and excessive rains in others

News updates: RBI revises domestic money transfer framework

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Congress CMs to boycott NITI Aayog meet over 'discriminatory' 2024 Budget

Union Budget 2024: Siddaramaiah (Karnataka), Revanth Reddy (Telangana), Sukhvinder Sukhu (Himachal Pradesh) will boycott the NITI Aayog meeting on July 27

Cong calls Budget copy of its manifesto but also criticising: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said contradiction and confusion were "trademarks" of the Congress as it called the Union Budget a copy of its election manifesto but also criticised it. He said the Budget would usher in a new wave of development in Assam and the Northeast. "Congress calls our budget - a copy of their manifesto, yet they criticize it. Contradiction and confusion are Congress's trademarks," he said in a post on X. "With enhanced budgetary outlays and key sectoral schemes along with dedicated assistance for combating floods, the budget will be a game-changer for the state," he added. Sarma thanked the Centre for allocating Rs 1,000 crore for the welfare of the tea garden community under the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana. "My gratitude to the Government led by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji for this unique scheme that will greatly benefit our brothers and sisters, who form the backbone of Assam's tea industry," he said.

Naidu taken for right royal ride: Congress on Budget allocation to Andhra

The Congress on Tuesday took a swipe at TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, saying he quit the NDA in 2018 due to the Centre's failure to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh and six years later when the government is reliant on his MPs, all he has managed to get is a "special financial support" for Amaravati. The government on Tuesday announced a series of measures for Andhra Pradesh, including arranging Rs 15,000 crore this fiscal and in future years for the development of the capital city of the state. Presenting Union Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will also facilitate special financial support for the development of the capital city. Reacting to the development, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "In 2018, Chandrababu Naidu garu quit the NDA because of the non-biological PM's failure to grant Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status. "Six years after the drama, at a time when the Government is ..

Congress criticises Union Budget, says it completely ignores Jharkhand

"Jharkhand suffers from the Centre's apathy because it is ruled by a non-BJP government.'' Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur said

Rahul flags 'hollow' Budget promises; demands ignored, say regional parties

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav wondered whether the Budget had anything for UP.