Page 22 - Jairam Ramesh

Biden's team says India has not allowed media questions after meet: Cong

The Congress on Friday alleged that US President Joe Biden's team has said that despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their bilateral meeting here. President Biden is in Delhi to attend the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10. "President Biden's team says despite multiple requests India has not allowed media to ask questions of him and Prime Minister Modi after their bilateral meeting," Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on X. "President Biden will now take questions in Vietnam on Sept 11th from the media accompanying him. Not surprising at all. This is how democracy is done Modi-style," Ramesh said. Soon after his arrival this evening, Biden held a bilateral meeting with PM Modi at his residence. Biden and many other dignitaries from across the world are in New Delhi for the G20 Summit. India currently holds the presidency of G20.

Unprecedented failure of Modi govt not to come out with Census: Congress

The Congress slammed the Narendra Modi government on Friday for its failure to conduct the decadal Census due in 2021 and said as many as 14 crore Indians would be excluded from their food entitlements because of this. In a statement, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh dubbed the Modi government as "inept and incompetent", and said not conducting the Census is an unprecedented failure in the history of the country. Ramesh said even other developing countries in the G20 bloc, such as Indonesia, Brazil and South Africa, have conducted their Census despite COVID-19. The Congress demanded that the BJP-led Centre stop denying 14 crore Indians their basic rights under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and increase the beneficiary quota until the Census is carried out. It also sought the conduct of an updated national caste census and said efforts to oppose a state-level caste census should stop. "The start of the 18th G20 summit with India's rotational preside

IIT-Mandi director Behera not fit to hold the position: Jairam Ramesh

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said IIT-Mandi Director Laxmidhar Behera is not fit to hold the position after he purportedly claimed that cloudbursts and landslides in Himachal Pradesh are happening because people eat meat. Sharing a news report on the statement made by Behera, Ramesh said on X that the longer he stays in office "more the damage he will do to the spirit of scientific temper". "The PM spoke of plastic surgery being known to our ancestors. He also told children climate has not changed, while we have. A senior Minister confused Newton and Einstein while another justified excluding Darwin from textbooks. "Now, this simply flabbergasting statement from the Director of a prestigious institution!!! He actually has shown he is not fit to hold the position. The longer he stays, more the damage he will do to the spirit of scientific temper," Ramesh posted. Science and spirituality is one thing, but science and crackpot theories that are put out by people in positi

Pralhad Joshi accuses Ramesh of twisting facts on constitutional provisions

Union minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday accused senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh of twisting facts about constitutional provisions and parliamentary procedures related to Parliament sessions. It is crucial to stop the spread of misinformation that scandalises Parliament and its procedures, the parliamentary affairs minister said in a rejoinder to Ramesh who had accused him of being "misleading" in his reply to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's letter to the prime minister. The Congress has been targeting the government for not disclosing the agenda of the five-day special session starting from September 18. Ramesh had claimed the agenda of every special session in the past was well known in advance and alleged that it was only the Modi government that "distorts" parliamentary conventions. Seeking to set the record straight, Joshi accused him of "falsely claiming" that the historic function in Parliament's Central Hall on June 30, 2017 for the GST roll out, was a Parliament ...

Bharat Jodo Yatra was opportunity to listen to Janta ki Chinta: Jairam

On the first anniversary of the launch of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress on Thursday said it was not a "Mann ki Baat" lecturing exercise for Rahul Gandhi but an opportunity to listen to "Janta ki Chinta" and it continues in different forms. Describing the yatra as a transformative event in Indian politics, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it focused on "rising economic inequalities, increasing social polarisation and deepening political authoritarianism". In a post on X, he said today marks the first anniversary of the launch of the historic Kanyakumari to Kashmir Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi. "It (yatra) was not a Mann ki Baat lecturing exercise for Rahul Gandhi but an opportunity to listen to Janta ki Chinta (concerns of the people)," Ramesh said. On this day in 2022, the Congress launched the yatra in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, the southern tip of the country. Ramesh said that "after paying tributes to his father at Sriperumbudur, he (Rahul Gandhi) .

What matters more is intent: Cong's Jairam Ramesh ahead of G20 summit

"The Modani saga reveal that six out of eight funds-that had links to Adani group and that were allegedly moving money and manipulating stock price on its behalf-have been shut down," he said

'President of Bharat': Congress slams Centre over President's dinner invite

The G20 dinner invites sent in the name of "President of Bharat" instead of "President of India" sparks controversy

Cong hails Aditya-L1, shares timeline to understand continuity in Isro saga

The Congress on Saturday hailed the launch of Aditya-L1 as a "stupendous achievement" for India, as it shared a timeline of the mission from its conceptualisation for understanding of the "continuity in the ISRO saga". The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday launched the country's ambitious solar mission Aditya L1, eyeing history again after its successful lunar expedition, Chandrayan-3, a few days ago. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Today's launch of Aditya-L1 is another stupendous achievement of ISRO and for India!" "While saluting ISRO once again, it is worthwhile recalling the recent timeline for Aditya-L1 to understand the continuity in the ISRO saga," he said. Ramesh stated that in 2006 scientists with the Astronomical Society of India and the Indian Academy of Sciences proposed the concept of a solar observatory with a single instrument. In March 2008, scientists shared the proposal with ISRO, he said. "December 2009: ISRO

Congress' Jairam Ramesh takes dig at PM's Rozgar Mela, terms it 'gimmick'

The Congress on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the alleged lack of employment opportunities, saying he is holding Rozgar Melas as he is feeling the "heat of an election year" and to save his image. Addressing a Rozgar Mela this morning, Modi distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to the youth, mostly in the security forces. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh termed the Rozgar Melas as the "biggest jumlas"(rhetoric) and said the prime minister has "failed" to fulfil his promise of creating two crore jobs per year. "After destroying the MSME sector with demonetisation, a badly designed GST and an ill-planned sudden lockdown. After betraying the hope of aspirational youth for more than 9 years, the Prime Minister is feeling the heat in an election year.To save his flailing image, he has come up with one of the biggest jumlas the PM Rozgar Mela," he said on X. Ramesh claimed that the "jobs are already sanctioned posts that have not been filled up for ye

Cong slams those unable to digest contribution of Nehru in setting up Isro

The Congress has hit out at those "unable to digest the contribution" of Jawaharlal Nehru that led to the setting up of ISRO and asserted that the India's first prime minister used to encourage the scientific approach. The Congress and the BJP have been engaged in a war of words over Nehru and other Congress prime ministers' contribution to India's space programme with the opposition party highlighting its leaders' efforts while the ruling party asserts that major strides have been made in this sector post 2014. In a post on X on Sunday, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said, "Nehru used to promote scientific approach. Those who are unable to digest his contribution in the setting up of ISRO should listen to his speech on the foundation day of TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research)." Ramesh also shared a video from Nehru's speech at the event. "Unlike the person who gave knowledge about the science of clouds providing a shield from radar, he (Nehru)

Isro's achievement reflects saga of continuity in fantastic way: Jairam

"Isro's achievement today reflects a saga of continuity in a truly fantastic way...Isro's accomplishments have always been anchored in self-reliance," Jairam Ramesh said

Modi govt focused on 'benefitting crony capitalists', alleges Congress

The Congress on Tuesday slammed the Centre over the "skyrocketing" prices of essential commodities, alleging the government's entire focus was only on "saving the image" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and "benefiting its crony capitalist friends". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said inflation is skyrocketing due to the "anti-people policies" of the Modi government. "The prices of all essential commodities including vegetables, flour, rice, pulses are increasing continuously. The 'thali' has become costlier by 28 per cent in one-and-a-half months," Ramesh said in a post on X and shared a media report which claimed that the price of the 'thali' has gone up by 28 per cent and daily kitchen expense by up to Rs 100. On one hand inflation is increasing, on the other hand farmers are not getting the right price for their produce, Ramesh claimed. "The promise of MSP has not been fulfilled till date. Farmers are forced to sell grains at low prices, but as soon as agricultural ...

Cong hails Ahmed Patel, recalls contribution to party on birth anniversary

Several Congress leaders paid tributes to Ahmed Patel on his birth anniversary on Monday, saying that for years he was the pillar of the party organisation with effective troubleshooting and crisis management skills. Patel, who had served as a Rajya Sabha MP, AICC treasurer and Sonia Gandhi's political secretary, died in November 2020. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "Ahmed Patel, who succumbed to COVID-19 almost 3 years back, would have been 74 today. For years he was a pillar of the Congress party organisation." "Totally self-effacing and low-profile, he had friends in all political parties. His personality lent itself to effective troubleshooting and crisis management in which his skills were acknowledged to be legendary and is still recalled. He was friend, philosopher and guide to a vast many," Ramesh said. Senior Congress leader Mukul Wasnik also paid tributes to Patel on his birth anniversary. "He was one of the most important pillars of the .

Delhi Police stopped people from attending 'We20 meeting': Jairam Ramesh

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Saturday claimed that the Delhi Police stopped people from attending a 'We20 meeting' organised by activists inside a building that belongs to the CPI(M). Ramesh said the meeting was perfectly peaceful with no street protests and while he managed to enter the venue at HKS Surjeet Bhavan at 10.30 am, it was difficult to get out. There was no immediate reaction from the Delhi Police. "It is extraordinary that Delhi Police is stopping people from attending the We20 meeting organised by activists representing We, The People, inside a building that belongs to the CPM," Ramesh said on X. "The meeting is perfectly peaceful. There are no street protests. I managed to enter at 10:30 am before Delhi Police started its operation but finding it difficult to exit now. This is New India Democracy," he said. Ramesh also tagged a post by an activist who claimed that the Delhi Police was trying to shut down the 'We 20' meeting and "preventing" Ramesh fro

Jairam Ramesh criticises Modi govt for hastily changing the Forest status

Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday took a swipe at the Centre after the Odisha government reportedly withdrew its controversial "deemed forest" order, saying that in its hurry to do away with 'deemed' forests, the Modi government has actually "doomed forests". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh shared on X a media report which said that the Odisha government has withdrawn a controversial order issued on August 11, which told district officials that 'deemed forests' as a category would cease to exist under the recently amended Forest Act. "After Parliament passed the dangerous amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 last week, which many, including me, had warned against, the Odisha government was quick to pass orders that 'deemed' forests would no longer be considered as forests," Ramesh said. "Now the Union Ministry says the state's order is withdrawn. Confusion galore. In its hurry to do away with 'deemed' forests, the Modi government has actually

Modi 'defaming' Nehruvian legacy: Cong slams memorial name change

With the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library officially renamed as the Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Society, the Congress on Wednesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had a single point agenda of "denying", "distorting", "defaming" and "destroying" the Nehruvian legacy. The opposition party asserted that despite the "relentless assault", Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy will live on for the world to see and he will continue to inspire generations to come. In a post on X, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "From today, an iconic institution gets a new name. The world renowned Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) becomes PMMLPrime Ministers' Memorial Museum and Library." "Mr. Modi possesses a huge bundle of fears, complexes and insecurities, especially when it comes to our first and longest serving Prime Minister. He has had a single point agenda of denying, distorting, defaming and destroying Nehru and the Nehruvian legacy," he said. "He (Modi) has erased

When will PM Modi act on Manipur crisis? Congress asks on Twitter

The Congress on Wednesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter when he would act on Manipur, even as it alleged there was a growing "mistrust" between the BJP governments in the state and the Centre. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said Manipur was facing a brakdown of constitutional machinery after the Manipur Police filed an FIR against Assam Rifles. "This is the FIR filed by Manipur Police against Assam Rifles. The accompanying shrill rhetoric from the Manipur CM and those who surround him makes it clear that there's growing mistrust between the BJP government in the State and the BJP government in the Centre? "Is this not breakdown of Constitutional machinery? Is this the double engine governance that Manipur voted for," Ramesh said on Twitter. "When will the Prime Minister act," he said in the post, which carried the details of the FIR filed against Assam Rifles. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi also said, "Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh is making serious ..

We are very serious about middle path solution: Jairam Ramesh on RS logjam

The Congress on Friday accused the Modi government of not being serious in finding a solution to the logjam in Rajya Sabha, saying the INDIA opposition bloc had offered a "middle path" solution and that a debate on Manipur under a mutually negotiated motion should have ideally taken place today or "very soon". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said parties of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) offered a "middle path" solution to the Modi government to enable the smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha. "We said let us have a mutually negotiated Motion on Manipur under Rule 167 and start a discussion on it. Modi government appeared to agree but indicated that the earliest that the discussion could take place was only on Friday, August 11th. This shows the government is not serious," he alleged in a tweet. "The discussion should ideally have taken place today for which INDIA parties were ready or very soon on Monday or Tuesday. We are very serious about

Cipla's impending 'takeover' by Blackstone should sadden all of us: Jairam

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Friday said Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla is an integral part of the country's political, economic and social history and its "impending takeover" by Blackstone should sadden everyone. The Congress general secretary shared a media report on Twitter which claimed that Blackstone, the world's largest private equity fund, is set to submit a non-binding bid as early as next week to acquire the entire 33.47 per cent promoter stake in Cipla. "It was painful to learn that Blackstone, the world's largest private equity fund, is negotiating to acquire the entire 33.47% promoter stake in Cipla, India's oldest pharmaceutical company," Ramesh, who is the chairman of Parliamentary standing committee on science and technology, environment and climate change, said. Cipla was established in 1935 by Khwaja Abdul Hamied, who was profoundly impacted by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. He also played an important

Govt, parties should be questioned for rubber-stamping forest bill: Ramesh

Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said questions should be asked of the government and parties that "rubber-stamped" the "insidious" Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, asserting that securing the rights of forest dwellers will be a long struggle. Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, after a brief debate, amid protests by opposition members and a walkout by them over the Manipur issue. The bill seeks to exempt land within 100 kilometres of the country's borders from the purview of conservation laws and permit setting up of zoos, safaris and eco-tourism facilities in forest areas. In a tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh noted that "many environmentalists who by no means are bhakts have criticised the Opposition for having boycotted the Rajya Sabha when the amendments to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which many have been agitating against, were being discussed yesterday". "Let me clarify: The