Page 92 - Lok Sabha

LS to discuss Interim Budget; FM Sitharaman to move Finance Bill 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to move The Finance Bill, 2024 for its consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday

SBI issues electoral bonds worth Rs 16,518 cr in 30 tranches since 2018

State Bank of India (SBI) has issued Electoral Bonds worth Rs 16,518 crore in 30 tranches since the inception of the scheme in 2018, Parliament was informed on Monday. The objective of the Electoral Bond Scheme is to ensure clean tax-paid money is coming into the system of political funding through proper banking channels, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply in Lok Sabha. "The total value of Electoral Bonds purchased (Phase-I to Phase-XXX) from State Bank of India is about Rs 16,518 crore. No GST or any other taxes/cess are charged from the purchaser on the purchase of Electoral Bonds," he said. Sharing details, Chaudhary said, the commission paid to SBI by the Government of India for issuance and redemption of Electoral Bonds from Phase I to Phase XXV is about Rs 8.57 crore while the amount paid by the government to Security Printing & Minting Corporation of India Ltd (SPMCIL) till date is about Rs 1.90 crore. With regard to Rs 5,000 crore ...

344 antiquities returned to India since 2014: Govt tells Parliament

A total of 344 antiquities have been returned to India from other countries since 2014, the government informed the Parliament on Monday. Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in Lok Sabha. Only one antiquity had been returned to India during 2004-13, according to the data shared by him in his response. A total of 115 antiquities were returned to India in 2023, and 344 antiquities have been returned since 2014, he said. On a query regarding smuggled antiquities, he replied that 314 antiquities have been repatriated during the last five years, and he also shared the country-wise data. From the US, 262 such items were repatriated in the last five years, 15 from the UK, 35 antiquities were returned from Australia and one from Italy in the same period. The issue of repatriation was attempted to be addressed in the Culture Working Group event during the G20 Summit. The subjects was "Re(ad)dress: Return of Treasures", he added. Reddy, in .

Budget session highlights: PM predicts at least 370 seats for BJP in LS

Parliament Budget Session 2024 Live Updates: Catch all the latest developments here

GST officials detect 14,597 tax evasion cases in Apr-Dec: Govt informs LS

GST officers are using data analytic and artificial intelligence tools like Business Intelligence and Fraud Analytics to identify risky taxpayers suspected of passing or availing fake input tax credits, Parliament was informed on Monday. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said a total of 14,597 cases of Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion have been registered by central tax officers during April-December 2023. A maximum number of such cases was registered in Maharashtra (2,716), followed by Gujarat (2,589), Haryana (1,123) and West Bengal (1,098). "Various data analytic and artificial intelligence tools such as NETRA (Networking Exploration Tools for Revenue Augmentation), BIFA (Business Intelligence and Fraud Analytics) & ADVAIT (Advanced Analytics in Indirect Taxation) are being used to identify risky taxpayers, suspected of passing or availing fake input tax credit, including in the State of Andhra Pradesh," Chaudhary said. GST .

Bill to provide OBC quota in J&K local bodies introduced in Lok Sabha

The Centre on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes in local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, there is no provision for reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in panchayats and municipalities in the Union territory. The aim of the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 is to uphold principles of fairness and inclusivity in local governance, thereby addressing long-standing disparities and ensuring justice for OBC citizens. "With this,...justice will be ensured to the citizens of Other Backward Classes of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time after 75 years of independence," according to the statement of objects and reasons of the bill. The bill says that in future all local body polls will be conducted by a State Election Commission consisting of a State Election Commissioner, instead of the Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir. The bill says the State Election Commissioner shall

Govt says 27 new sites identified for development under PRASHAD scheme

Twenty-seven new sites have been identified for development under the Centre's PRASHAD scheme, the government informed Parliament on Monday. Union Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. He said 57 destinations have also been identified for development under the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme. The Union Ministry of Tourism launched the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) and the Swadesh Darshan schemes in 2014-15 for developing infrastructure at tourist destinations, including religious sites. The primary objective of the PRASHAD scheme is to develop tourism infrastructure at pilgrimage and heritage sites, ensuring a more enriching experience for pilgrims and heritage enthusiasts. The Swadesh Darshan scheme aimed to develop theme-based tourist circuits, Reddy said. The ministry has now revamped Swadesh Darshan as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible

Several monuments, archaeological sites under encroachment: Govt tells LS

A number of old monuments and archaeological sites in the country are "under encroachment", the government informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. Union Minister of Culture G Kishan Reddy said this in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha. He was asked about the centrally protected monuments and whether any study has been done to assess their present conditions. There are 3,697 ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains which have been declared of national importance, Reddy said. "Inspection of monuments and sites is taken up by the Archeological Survey of India's officials/officers from time to time to assess their condition," he said. In his response, he also shared the state-wise numbers of sites which are under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). To a query on whether several ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains are under encroachment, he said, "A number of monuments and sites are under encroachment". "In case of encroachment, complaints a

Budget Session: Bill to tackle exam malpractices introduced in Lok Sabha

A bill which seeks to deal sternly with malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations, with provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine up to Rs 1 crore was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 was introduced by Union minister Jitendra Singh. Students will not be a target of the proposed law. It will act against organised gangs, mafia elements and those indulging in malpractices and will not even spare government officials found in collusion with them. The move comes against the backdrop of cancellation of a series of competitive tests such as the teacher recruitment exam in Rajasthan, Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-D posts in Haryana, recruitment exam for junior clerks in Gujarat and constable recruitment examination in Bihar following question paper leaks. The bill also proposes a high-level national technical committee on public examinations that will make recommendations to ma

Govt seeks LS approval for net additional spending of Rs 78,673 cr in FY25

The government on Monday sought Lok Sabha's approval for a net additional spending of Rs 78,673 crore in the current financial year. The second batch of supplementary demands for grants for 2023-24 fiscal was tabled in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The supplementary demands for grants includes a gross additional spending of over Rs 2 lakh crore, which would be matched by savings of over Rs 1.21 lakh crore. The proposal involves net cash outgo aggregating to Rs 78,672.92 crore, said the document tabled in the Lok Sabha.

PM to reply on 'Motion of Thanks' in LS today; BJP MPs asked to be present

President Droupadi Murmu had addressed the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on January 31, the first day of the Budget Session

Eastbound and determined: Will BJP's West Bengal blitz hit the mark?

Hoisting the sails of resurgence, BJP's flotilla charts a course for redemption with sights set on 35 seats in West Bengal

Bill for NFIR almost ready; may be introduced in next session: DEA secy

Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth has said that a draft Bill for setting up a National Financial Information Registry (NFIR) is almost ready and it may be introduced in the July session. The objective is to build a public infrastructure for credit-related information and the right information can be made available by the NFIR to lending agencies. A National Financial Information Registry will serve as the central repository of financial and ancillary information. This will facilitate efficient flow of credit, promote financial inclusion, and foster financial stability. "Stakeholder consultations on the draft bill are over now and it is almost ready. We will shortly take it to the Cabinet for its approval but introduction in this session will not be possible," Seth told PTI in an interview. However, he said, the Bill may be introduced in the July session. The July session would be the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha after the general elections in the next couple of months. .

Cohesive organisational strategy key to victory in Lok Sabha polls: Nadda

BJP president J P Nadda on Sunday underlined the importance of a cohesive organisational strategy to ensure the party's victory in all four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh. Addressing a state-level organisational meeting here, he emphasised the need for meticulous planning and execution of various campaigns in the run-up to the elections, due in April-May. He provided detailed guidelines on campaigns to connect with senior party workers, new voters and beneficiaries of various government schemes, according to a statement issued here. He underlined that a cohesive organisational strategy was important to ensure the party's victory in all four Lok Sabha seats in the state. Himachal Pradesh BJP president Rajeev Bindal said the meeting also discussed the "gaon chalo" mass outreach programme. The BJP also launched a campaign to expand its membership base, and welcomed retired official Jagdish Chand Sharma into the party fold. The meeting was attended by Leader of Opposition in the

If BJP can rig mayoral polls, imagine what it can do in LS polls: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday attacked the BJP, saying if it can "rig" the Chandigarh mayoral polls, it could go to any extent in assembly and Lok Sabha elections. He was addressing Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers at a protest at the party's office here. The demonstration was planned in front of the BJP headquarters, a few hundred metres away on the DDU Marg, but AAP members could not reach there because of heavy police deployment and barricading. The world's biggest party was caught on camera "stealing" votes in the Chandigarh mayoral polls, Kejriwal said. The elections to the posts of mayor, senior deputy mayor and deputy mayor were held on Tuesday and the BJP won all defeating the Congress-AAP alliance "In the last few years, we had heard that BJP rigs polls. They tamper with EVMs, get names of voters deleted from voter lists, but never was any evidence found. They were caught red-handed in Chandigarh stealing votes," he alleged. "If they can indulge

SP, Cong reach final agreement in UP for LS polls, says Ram Gopal Yadav

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav on Friday said the Congress and the Akhilesh Yadav-led party have finalised their seat-sharing agreement in Uttar Pradesh. SP will declare more candidates soon for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Asked whether the Congress can go with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in UP, Yadav said the two parties have already reached an agreement. "We have declared 16 seats. We will declare more seats in a couple of days. So on and so forth. The Congress and the SP have reached a final agreement in Uttar Pradesh," Yadav said. SP leader Dimple Yadav, meanwhile, said there should not be any further delay in deciding candidates for the Lok Sabha polls, and stressed that the upcoming polls will be about "saving the Constitution". "This is an important election. It is an election to save the Constitution. There should not be any further delay," she said. "Election is fought at the grassroots level. If candidates are decided in time they will get time to put up

Interim Budget 2024 highlights: Capex from govt will continue, says FM

Union Budget 2024 LIVE updates: FM Sitharaman in her Interim Budget speech stated the Centre is working towards making India 'viksit' by 2047. Catch the latest updates here

Viksit Bharat: Centre to provide Rs 75,000 cr interest-free loan to states

The Union government will provide Rs 75,000 crore as interest-free loan for 50 years to support reforms by states for realising the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'. The government has set a vision to make India a developed nation by 2047. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made the proposal in this regard in her Budget speech in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. Many growth and development enabling reforms are needed in states for realizing the vision of 'Viksit Bharat', she said. "A provision of seventy-five thousand crore rupees as fifty-year interest-free loan is proposed this year to support those milestone-linked reforms by the state governments," the minister said. According to the Budget documents, total resources being transferred to the states, including the devolution of states' share, grants/loans and releases under centrally sponsored schemes in 2024-25 (Budget Estimates), stand at Rs 22,22,264 crore. This is an increase of Rs 4,13,848 crore over actuals of fiscal year ...

Expect our govt will be blessed again by people with resounding mandate: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday expressed hope that the BJP-led government will be blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate in the forthcoming general elections. The elections to the Lok Sabha will be held in the next few months. "Based on stupendous work, we expect our government will be blessed again by the people with a resounding mandate," she said. She also said India overcame challenges of Covid-19, created foundations for self-reliant India. India was facing enormous challenges when the Modi government took office in 2014, and it overcame those in right earnest, Sitharaman said.

Congress-TMC talks 'on hold', Mamata reiterates vow to fight alone

The Trinamool supremo without naming any party or leader said that there were some who appeared only during elections like Cuckoos in spring