Page 23 - Modi Govt

Budget Watch: Why Ashok Gulati thinks Budget 2024 may have a populist tinge

In an exclusive interview, eminent agriculture economist Ashok Gulati talks about expectations for agriculture from Union Budget 2024 to be presented in July 2024

Focus on performance

New Lok Sabha must follow the basics

Education system handed over to mafia by Modi govt, alleges Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday attacked the Narendra Modi government over the alleged irregularities in national competitive exams, including the NEET-UG, alleging that it has handed over the entire education system to the "mafia" and the "corrupt". Her reaction came a day after the Union education ministry set up a panel to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) -- the body responsible for conducting the tests -- and recommend exam reforms. The Centre on Saturday also shunted out the agency's Director General Subodh Singh and handed over the probe into the irregularities in medical entrance exam NEET-UG to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said the NEET-UG question paper was "leaked" while the NEET-PG, UGC-NET and CSIR-NET exams were "cancelled". "This is the condition of some of the biggest examinations in the country today. Under the BJP's rule, the entire education system has been handed over to the

Centre anticipates Rs 70k crore GST cess surplus from 'sin' goods

The surprise surplus is attributed to impressive revenue generation from taxes on the so called "sin" goods like pan masala, cigarettes

'Reach office by 9:15 am or lose half-day leave': Centre warns employees

The Centre has issued a circular instructing employees nationwide to record their attendance using the Aadhaar-enabled biometric system

Modi 3.0, T&C apply

A changed reality for Modi govt in its 3rd innings is by no means rise of a new phenomenon. It's a return to old normal where even majorities had to routinely wrestle with storied million mutinies

Budget 2024 to have Rs 5 trillion allocation for tribal community: Minister

Union Budget 2024: In the interim budget announced on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had allocated Rs 1.3 trillion to Tribal Affairs Ministry

Modi govt cannot conduct exams without leaks, frauds, alleges Congress

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, the Congress on Thursday said every year he conducts a "grand tamasha" of what he calls 'Pareeksha pe Charcha' and yet his government cannot even conduct an examination without leaks and frauds. The opposition party also asked the prime minister if he would "leak pe speak". The Union Education Ministry late on Wednesday night ordered cancellation of UGC-NET following inputs of the exam's integrity being compromised. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said every year the PM conducts a "grand tamasha of what he calls 'Pareeksha pe Charcha'." "Yet, his government cannot even conduct an examination without leaks and frauds," he added. Ramesh said the NEET UG 2024 Examination faces very serious questions that even the Education Minister has been forced to acknowledge. The integrity of the National Testing Agency (NTA) is under severe doubt, he said. Now the UGC-NET conducted just the day bef

What is National Testing Agency, exam body slammed over UGC NET, NEET row?

UGC-NET exam row: The NTA is an autonomous body entrusted with conducting entrance examinations for admission and fellowship in higher educational institutions

Green agenda of Modi 3.0

With the elections wrapped up, there is now scope to dynamically balance multiple objectives in achieving net-zero by 2070

Modi government pledges 20 million new rural homes, boosts funding

One of the main criteria that will separate the new homes in rural India under PMAY-G from the ones that have been already constructed is the increased per-unit funding allocated for construction

Modi 3.0: Success rate of incumbents among the highest in decades

Nearly two-thirds of the running incumbents won in 2024

Have been given big responsibility, reached here with support: Suresh Gopi

Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday said he has been given a big responsibility and he got a new role as a member of Narendra Modi-led government due to the support of the people from all walks of life. Gopi, who returned to Kerala for the first time after becoming MoS for Tourism and Petroleum, visited the Thali Mahadeva temple in Kozhikode city this morning to pray. Later speaking to reporters, the actor -turned politician said he has a lot of connections with people and temples, and he has taken all that into account. "People from all walks of life supported me. I cannot cut all that away. I have taken up a responsibility. I have reached here with everyone's support," he said. Gopi said that it will be the people who will keep him close. As MoS Tourism of India, Gopi said he has a huge responsibility, and his duties would include identifying the prime spots in the country for tourist activities. For now, the PM has spoken to him only about Kerala, he added. Gopi also refu

Improving conditions

Govt must present a revised fiscal glide path

PM Modi takes charge for third time: Details of govt's first 100-day agenda

PM Modi was sworn into office on Sunday evening. While the new coalition govt is expected to recalibrate Modi's existing plan for his third term, here's the roadmap for its first 100-day agenda

Lack of Muslim representation in Modi govt undemocratic: Sudhakaran

KPCC chief K Sudhakaran on Tuesday criticised the lack of Muslim representation in the third government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and claimed that this was "extremely undemocratic". In a statement, the senior Congress leader said, "It was extremely undemocratic that the country's Muslim population was completely excluded when the third Modi government came to power, with not a single MP from the BJP being from that community." Criticising Modi, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president said representation for all is a common thing in a democratic system. Referring to Modi's controversial remarks during the LS poll campaign, the Lok Sabha member from Kannur alleged that he came to power by making hate speeches. Stating that today there is a strong opposition in the country, Sudhakaran further said that the INDIA Front and the Congress, which is leading it, will move forward by bringing together all people.

Modi govt to continue to balance development, environment protection: Min

The Modi government will continue to balance development with environmental protection and conservation, Bhupender Yadav said on Tuesday after taking over as Union Environment minister. Yadav's role as Environment minister will be crucial as India proposes to host the international climate talks (COP33) in 2028. If accepted, it would be the next major global conference in India after the G20 Summit last year. Listing the major achievements of the Modi-led government, which enters its third consecutive term, he said, "India met the quantitative and qualitative targets set under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) - the national climate plan to achieve Paris Agreement goals - nine years ahead of schedule." "Our achievements in emission reduction and the renewable energy sector are significant milestones of the Modi government over the past decade," Yadav told reporters. The minister, who also expressed satisfaction with the progress of the cheetah project, said Prime Minis

Modi 3.0: Higher than average share of first-time MPs in new government

TDP, SP among those with greater proportion of fresh faces than 2019

Meet Annapurna Devi, women and child development minister in Modi cabinet

Annapurna Devi, 55, succeeds BJP leader Smriti Irani, who was dropped from the new National Democratic Alliance government

Modi govt plans to stick to deficit target despite Lok Sabha poll setback

Rating agencies and analysts have said the government may step up welfare spending as well as support for states represented by partners in the National Democratic Alliance