Page 9 - Home Ministry

HM Amit Shah, Naidu hold second round of talks over TDP-BJP alliance

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu held second round of talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda on Saturday as the two parties worked to seal their alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Lok Sabha and assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Andhra Pradesh. Rebel YSR Congress Party MP K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju said the alliance will soon be officially announced and said the coming together of the BJP, TDP, and Jana Sena Party is essential to rid the state of the "devil" ruling it -- a swipe at Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy-led party. Naidu, a former Andhra Pradesh chief minister, and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan had met Shah and Nadda on Thursday too. Senior TDP leader and Rajya Sabha MP K Ravindra Kumar had on Friday said that the BJP, the Jana Sena, and his party have decided in principle to work together for upcoming polls and the modalities are being worked out.

Amit Shah to visit Bihar today, address public meeting of BJP's OBC morcha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be in Bihar on Saturday to inaugurate the memorial of a veteran BJP leader and address a public meeting of the party's OBC Morcha. According to state BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma, upon arrival here, Shah will go to the Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI) on the outskirts of Patna. "A park named after late Kailashpati Mishra has been developed on two acres of land donated by ATARI. The home minister will inaugurate the park and unveil a statue of the late leader," said the BJP spokesman. Mishra was a senior leader of the Jana Sangh who served as a minister in the Bihar government headed by Karpoori Thakur, and later, became the BJP's first state president. After the function, Shah will leave for Paliganj where he will address a public meeting to be organised by the BJP OBC Morcha. The party's OBC Morcha president K Laxman said the programme at Paliganj is part of the "10,000 samajik sammelans" that the organisation will

Amit Shah holds late-night meeting with Maha CM, Dy CM on LS seat-sharing

Deliberation on seat-sharing formula within the alliance in Maharashtra was made, sources said

LS elections: Days before it announces polls, EC to meet top MHA officials

Days before it announces schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, the top brass of the Election Commission has called senior Home ministry officials to review security preparedness for the democratic exercise. Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla will meet Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and fellow Election Commissioner Arun Goel on Friday to discuss deployment of central forces in states, sources said. The meeting also comes days before the Commission's Jammu and Kashmir visit to review poll preparedness. The EC has sought 3.4 lakh Central Armed Police Force personnel for Lok Sabha and four assembly polls. With nearly 97 crore voters, the EC would set up approximately 12.5 lakh polling stations across India.

Inflation had double-digit growth in Cong regime, now it is below 5%: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said their government contained the inflation below 5 per cent while it had reached double-digit growth during the Congress-led UPA regime. Before 2014, the Indian economy was fragile, inflation was high and fiscal deficit was beyond control, Shah said at the India Global Forum's annual investment summit NXT10 in Mumbai. Today, India has emerged as a policy-driven state, he said. "We are approaching elections with our government's performance of last 10 years and roadmap of next 25 years," the Union minister said ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a visionary PM, Shah said that by 2047, when the country celebrates its centenary of independence, Bharat will be completely developed, atmanirbhar (self-reliant) and among the top three economies in the world. "Bharat is a self-confident and self-reliant country, which has transformed itself from a dormant to a dynamic government, from regressive to .

MeitY amends IT rules: Surveillance data to be deleted within 6 months

Previously, the power to delete surveillance records rested solely with the security agency responsible for the surveillance

Farmers promise peaceful protest, Centre says must continue discussions

Farmers protest latest news: Centre has estimated that nearly 14,000 people have gathered along the Punjab-Haryana border with 1,200 tractor-trolleys, 300 cars, 10 mini-buses as well as small vehicles

Farmers' protest: Internet ban extended in parts of Punjab till Feb 24

The suspension of internet services has been extended in certain areas of some Punjab districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, till February 24 on the orders of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Earlier, the internet services were suspended from February 12 till 16 in view of the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march. According to the ministry's February 16 order, internet services will remain suspended in areas falling under Shambhu, Julkan, Passian, Patran, Shatrana, Samana, Ghanaur, Devigarh and Balbhera police stations in Patiala; Lalru police station in Mohali; Sangat police station in Bathinda; Killianwali police station in Muktsar; Sardulgarh and Boha police stations in Mansa; and Khanauri, Moonak, Lehra, Sunam and Chajli police stations in Sangrur; and areas under Fatehgarh Sahib police station. The Centre used its special powers under the Telegraph Act of 1885 to suspend internet services in these areas of Punjab. "In exercise of the power conferred by section 7

People will bless BJP with 370 seats as it abrogated Article 370: HM Shah

The BJP will get 370 seats and the NDA more than 400 in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and form the government for a third consecutive term under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said here on Saturday. Shah asserted that there is no suspense over the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls and even the Congress and other opposition parties have realised that they will again have to sit in the opposition benches. "We have abrogated Article 370 (of the Constitution, which gave a special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir). So we believe that the people of the country will bless the BJP with 370 seats and the NDA with over 400 seats," Shah said at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2024. Asked about the possibility of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), headed by Jayant Choudhary, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and some other regional parties joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the home minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ...

NIA carries out raids to dismantle terror, radicalisation infra in J-K

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids here on Saturday as part of its crackdown against elements allegedly involved in terror funding and radicalisation of youngsters, officials said. The raids are underway at different places, including Gujjar Nagar and Shaheedi Chowk in Jammu city, they added. The officials said a private school and premises linked to three of its functionaries, including the house of the chairman, were raided by the NIA sleuths. Further details are awaited, the officials said.

HM Shah should oversee law & order situation in Maha, says Sena (UBT) MP

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Friday sought urgent intervention by Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the law and order situation in Maharashtra in the wake of the murder of a party leader in Mumbai. In a letter to Shah, Chaturvedi referred to the murder of local Sena (UBT) leader Abhishek Ghosalkar on Thursday, and an incident earlier this month in neighbouring Thane district where a BJP MLA opened fire inside a police station. "I implore you to urgently intervene in the deteriorating law and order situation in Maharashtra before irreparable harm is inflicted upon its residents," the Rajya Sabha member said in the letter. The once-vibrant city of Mumbai, renowned for trade and commerce, is now marred by escalating crime, violence and gunfire, Chaturvedi said. The rampant use of firearms to intimidate innocent civilians and public representatives has plunged the state into a perpetual state of fear and insecurity, she added. Former corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar ..

HM Shah expresses gratitude to PM for conferring Bharat Ratna to ex-PMs

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring Bharat Ratna to former PM PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh

Highlights of the day: Budget session to be extended by a day till Feb 10

Updates: From CM Dhami tabling the UCC Bill in the Uttarakhand assembly to the devastating wildfires in Chile, catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Law enforcement agencies shouldn't consider borders as hindrance: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said crimes and criminals do not respect geographical borders and hence, different law enforcement agencies should not consider any border as hindrance and rather consider them as meeting points for solving crimes. Addressing the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) - Commonwealth Attorneys and Solicitors General Conference (CASGC) here, Shah also said when the three recently enacted criminal justice laws will be implemented, one can get justice up to the level of high court within three years of registration of an FIR. He said this conference is taking place at a time when geographical borders have no sense when it comes to commerce and crime. The home minister said there are cross-border challenges for justice delivery, trade, commerce, communication and for trade and crime, there is no border. "The crimes and criminals did not respect geographical borders. Therefore, the law enforcement agencies should not consider geographical

Budget 2024: Rs 928 cr allocated to CBI, down by Rs 40.4 cr from last yr

The Centre has allocated Rs 928.46 crore to the Central Bureau of Investigation in the Union Budget 2024-25 announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, a snip of over Rs 40.4 crore from FY 2024. The agency had received Rs 946.51 crore to manage its affairs in the Budget Estimates for 2023-24, which was later increased to Rs 968.86 crore in the Revised Estimates. The government has allocated Rs 928.46 crore to the agency for 2024-25, the interim Budget presented by Sitharaman on Thursday said. "The provision is for establishment-related expenditure of the Central Bureau of Investigation which is entrusted with investigation and prosecution in corruption cases against public servants, private persons, firms and other cases of serious crimes," it said. The document said the allocation also includes provision for various projects such as modernisation of training centres of the CBI, establishment of technical and forensic support units, comprehensive modernisation and

Union home ministry extends Z+ security to Kerala guv Arif Mohammed Khan

The Union Home Ministry has extended Z+ security cover to Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, the Raj Bhavan said here on Saturday. The Z+ security cover of CRPF personnel has been extended to Khan and Raj Bhavan, his office said in a post on 'X'. "Union Home Ministry has informed Kerala Raj Bhavan that Z+ Security cover of CRPF is being extended to Hon'ble Governor and Kerala Raj Bhavan," the post said. The move comes after high drama played out in the Kollam district of Kerala today when Khan, facing SFI's black flag protest, got off his car, took on the agitating Left student wing members, sat on the roadside and hit out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. A visibly angry Khan accused CM Vijayan of "promoting lawlessness in the state." The dramatic scenes were witnessed at Nilamel in Kollam, located about 40 km from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. After sitting there for over two hours, Khan left the place only after the police showed him a copy of the FIR registered aga

With LS polls nearing, Amit Shah to hold key meetings in T'gana on Jan 28

The BJP's preparations in Telangana for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections will begin with Union Home Minister Amit Shah attending three key meetings at Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Mahabubnagar on Sunday. Shah would attend the election management committee meeting of Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha constituency at 1.30 PM, followed by a polling booth committee meeting of Karimnagar at 4 PM and a convention of professionals of Secunderabad constituency at 6 PM in Hyderabad, BJP sources said on Saturday. The Mahabubnagar event would be a closed-door event, they said. Shah, who had visited the state on December 28, 2023, had set a target for the party to win at least 10 seats and secure a 35 per cent vote share in Telangana in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP had won Secunderabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad and Adilabad constituencies out of the total 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana in the 2019 polls. In the recent Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, the BJP won eight out of the total 1

No stone pelting in J&K in 2023, 66% decline in terror attacks: Shah

Jammu and Kashmir did not witness a single incident of stone pelting in 2023 while there was a 66 per cent decline in terrorist incidents and an 81 per cent drop in civilian killings since the scrapping of Article 370, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Thursday. Launching an e-bus service in Jammu through video conferencing from New Delhi, Shah also said the Modi government is cracking down on terror financing, sealing and freezing assets of terrorists and has also outlawed several terrorist organisations. "There were 2,654 incidents of organised stone pelting in 2010, which has come down to zero in 2023. There were 132 incidents of organised strikes in 2010 but not a single incident took place in 2023," he said. Shah said 112 civilians died in stone pelting in 2010 but not a single civilian died in 2023. In 2010, the number of civilians injured in stone pelting was 6,235 but no one was injured in such an incident last year. He said due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra

Naxals will be eliminated in next three years: Home minister Amit Shah

Naxalism will be eliminated from the country within the next three years, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Sunday and directed to expedite development activities in remote areas affected by the ultras. Reviewing the Naxal situation in Chhattisgarh, Shah also directed the security forces to financially choke the ultras. According to sources, the home minister said coordinated action by the security forces will eliminate the Naxals from the country within the next three years. He also directed the officials to prepare a blueprint to end Naxalism. Supporters of Naxalism have to be identified and completely choked financially, Shah added. The home minister said all kinds of help will be ensured to the security forces and agencies operating in Chhattisgarh. The security forces have to bring the plan to the ground and end Naxalism completely, he told the meeting. Shah also stressed the need for expediting development in Naxal-affected areas. All welfare schemes of the central and

PACS operating Jan Aushadi Kendras; poor getting affordable medicines: Shah

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Monday said about 241 Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) have opened Jan Aushadi Kendras across the country that will ensure rural poor and farmers too avail the benefit of generic medicines at affordable rates. So far, the government's Jan Aushadi Kendras were largely opened in cities benefiting the urban poor. Now this benefit is being extended to the rural poor, he said addressing an event here. Shah, who also gave away the Jan Aushadi Kendra 'store code' certificates to five eligible PACS, said PACS could expand their business activities to open Jan Aushadi Kendras due to changes brought in their byelaws. "In the last six months, 4,470 applications from PACS were received. Out of these, in-principle approval has been given to 2,373 PACS. Around 241 of them have started operating Jan Aushadi Kendras," Shah said. With these outlets being opened in rural areas, people can now buy generic medicines at affordable rates. For instance, cance