Page 27 - Modi Govt

Centre issues first set of citizenship certificates under CAA to 14 people

Citizenship process under CAA involves granting Indian nationality to persecuted migrants, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh

More governance and less of govt in Modi's third term: FM Sitharaman

FM Nirmala Sitharaman was addressing a session titled 'Viksit Bharat 2047 - Vision for Indian Financial Markets,' organised by the BSE stock exchange at the BSE International Convention in Mumbai

Outgoing PM has no agenda barring Hindu-Muslim politics, claims Cong

Hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Wednesday alleged that the "outgoing PM" has had no agenda barring Hindu-Muslim politics as 'Modi ki Guarantee' has "fallen flat" and '400 paar' given a "silent burial". The opposition party's attack came after Prime Minister Modi in an interview to News 18 said he won't be fit for public life if he starts playing the Hindu-Muslim card. Slamming the PM, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the nation knows very well that "the outgoing PM is a pathological liar". "But even by his own pathetic standards, Mr. Modi's latest claim that he does not do Hindu-Muslim politics shows the new depths he reaches daily in lying. Since April 19th 2024, it is a matter of public record that cannot be erased from our collective memory - even if Mr. Modi erases it from his own - that the outgoing PM has blatantly and brazenly used communal language, symbols, and allusions," Ramesh charged on X. "We have brought this to the attention

Govt working to help exporters deal with countervailing duty cases

The government is working on a verification system to help exporters deal with countervailing duty cases on domestic products over the RODTEP scheme, an official said. The exercise is important as countervailing or anti-subsidy duties were imposed on certain domestic units by the US and European Union (EU). The products which were investigated by these countries involved reimbursement of levies like electricity duty, VAT on fuel or APMC taxes under the Scheme for Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP). The scheme is a WTO (World Trade Organisation) compliant measure. The official explained that the duties have been imposed on certain units only and that too because they could not produce the right documents to the investigation authorities. The commerce ministry is helping Indian exporters to keep proper documentation to deal with these cases. "We will be giving guidance notes from DGTR (directorate general of trade remedies) to units so that whenever an ...

Modi govt decreased import duty on apples from 75% to 50%, says Congress

The Congress on Monday accused the Narendra Modi government of decreasing the import duty on apples from 75 per cent to 50 per cent contrary to the demands of the apple growers to enhance it to 100 per cent. Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Naresh Chauhan alleged that Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi made misleading statements regarding import duty on apples. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Lekhi had said that the import duty on apples has been increased to 50 per cent due to certain limitations of international trade agreements and had claimed that the trade agreements were signed when Congress leader Anand Sharma was the Commerce minister in the UPA government. Chauhan said that low import duty has led to the substantial losses to the apple growers, with cold store apples fetching Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 less price per box. The duty free apples are being imported from Afghanistan and Iran due to which the apple economy of the state is under threat, he ...

Unprecedented job creation recorded under Modi govt: Surjit Bhalla

Former India's executive director at IMF Surjit Bhalla on Sunday said that on an average basis, an unprecedented number of jobs are being created under the Narendra Modi government, with the number touching about 10 million over the last 7-8 years. Bhalla further said the least number of jobs were created during 2004-2013 (UPA government period), and it was then that the term 'jobless growth' came about. "The job creation by the Modi government has been the highest on record. "Never before in Indian history have so many jobs been created on an average basis. Something close to 10 million jobs over the last 7-8 years," he told PTI in a video interview. Bhalla, a former member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), asserted that the maximum number of jobs were created during the tenure of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Modi. He was responding to a recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report, which showed that in 2022, the share of unemployed youths in .

WB's industrial wealth threatened by Modi govt's capitalist policies: Cong

The Congress on Friday alleged that West Bengal's industrial wealth is threatened by the Modi government's "crony capitalist policies" and asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give a written guarantee that he will not sell public sector steel plants such as Durgapur to his "friends". Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed questions to the prime minister ahead of his Lok Sabha poll rallies in West Bengal. "Can the PM commit that he won't sell Durgapur Steel Plant to his friends? Why has the BJP failed to increase the MSP for paddy? Does the PM prioritise his PR over vaccines for India's children?" Ramesh said in his post on X. Elaborating on what he said were "jumla" details, Ramesh alleged that West Bengal's industrial wealth is threatened by the Modi government's crony capitalist policies. "Amidst SAIL's privatisation drive and the PM's attempt to sell steel plants in Salem, Vishakhapatnam, Bhadravathi, and Bastar, there is a fear that Durgapur Steel Plant will

Modi govt wants country without dalits, backward communities: WB CM Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday accused the Narendra Modi government of attempting to marginalise the SCs, STs, and OBCs. Speaking at a rally in support of TMC candidate Mahua Moitra at Tehatta in Nadia district, Banerjee criticised the BJP government's 'falsehoods' about citizenship benefits for marginalised communities, warning that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) could jeopardise the rights of SCs, STs, and OBCs. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is lying about the benefits of UCC that it will help everybody. Instead, if UCC is implemented, it will put at stake the existence of SCs, STs and OBCs. BJP will destroy the constitution. But rest assured, we will not let it happen," Banerjee said. The TMC chief said for the past 10 years, the BJP has been spreading lies about Matuas and other backward castes getting citizenship through the CAA, which is a ploy to take away one's already existing bona fide citizenship rights and deport them to concentration camps. The ..

Better PLI execution on cards if Modi returns to power, says report

The French banking group said the turnaround in the investment cycle that started from 2018-19 has further gained pace over the last two years after a Covid-led disruption in 2020 and 2021

Congress questions Modi govt on payment of MGNREGS wages in Karnataka

Attacking the Modi government over key issues in Karnataka, the Congress on Monday questioned the "delay" in the vital Bagalkote-Kudachi Railway line project and also asked when it is going to pay the state's MGNREGS workers their wages. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed questions to Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of his rally in Bagalkote in Karnataka. "Why has the Modi Government failed to deliver the Bagalkote-Kudachi Railway line? Why is the Modi Government holding up the Upper Bhadra and Mahadayi projects? When will the PM pay Karnataka's MGNREGA workers?" Ramesh said in a post on X. Elaborating on what he said were "jumla details", Ramesh said the Bagalkote-Kudachi line of the South-Western Railway has now been delayed by more than eight years. As of today, only 33 per cent, or 46 km of the 142 km line has been completed, he said. "Originally sanctioned in 2010-11 at an outlay of Rs 986 crore, the project has now seen its cost balloon to Rs 1,649 crore. ...

LS polls: PM Modi is afraid of invisible voters, says AICC chief Kharge

AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said as the first round of voting of the Lok Sabha polls was over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was afraid of invisible voters and that's why he is always criticising the Congress party. If the Congress is nothing, why is the Prime Minister bothered about the grand old party, Kharge asked at a press conference here. He said he had travelled to nearly 10-12 states and that the party was getting a very good response from voters there. "I hope the undercurrent, that I can say, is not visible but Modiji is afraid of these invisible voters, and that's why he is always criticising the Congress," Kharge said at the press conference. Accusing the Prime Minister of acting like a "petty politician," the AICC president also wanted him to read more about this country's history and learn how to keep the nation united.

Delhi BJP protests near Cong HQ, accuses Rahul of 'disintegrating' India

The Delhi BJP on Wednesday staged a protest near the Congress party headquarters here, claiming that Rahul Gandhi was indulging in politics to disintegrate India. The BJP also said that the Congress manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls was an "insult" to the culture of the country. Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the BJP including Prime Minister Narendra Modi have launched a frontal attack on the Congress alleging its manifesto smacks of appeasement and that if it came to power, it would redistribute people's wealth and also give reservations to Muslims from the quotas for SC, ST and OBC communities. Senior BJP leaders, including national general secretary Tarun Chugh, Delhi state president Virendra Sachdeva, and Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha president Richa Pandey, took part in the protest. Chugh said the manifesto of the Congress "conspired" to "snatch away" property and jewellery of women and give it to the minorities. He alleged the Congress manifesto was an "insult" to the culture of the ..

No force can stop caste census, 'deshbhakts' are scared of X-ray: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying those who call themselves 'deshbhakt' are scared of the 'X-ray' of caste census but "no force" can stop it. Addressing the 'Samajik Nyay Sammelan' here, Gandhi said he is not interested in caste but in 'nyay' (justice) and asserted that it is his life's mission to ensure justice for the 90 percent of the population against whom injustice has been done. "As soon as our government is formed, the first thing that would be done is a caste census," Gandhi said. He said the Congress manifesto talks about the X-ray and the income inequality created by Modi. Modi has transferred Rs 16 lakh crore to select business people and the Congress is going to return a small amount to the 90 per cent of the population, he said. "We have calculated...what we felt is justice and that help should be given, we put it down in the manifesto," he said of the party's guarantees mentioned in the ...

PM waived off loans worth Rs 16 trn of his billionaire friends, says Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of waiving off loans worth Rs 16 lakh crore of his billionaire friends, and said the country will never forgive him for this "crime". In a post in Hindi on X, he said this money could have been used to cure the pain of Indians but was spent on creating hype for the ilk of those like 'Adanis'. "Narendra Modi has waived off the loans of his billionaire friends amounting to Rs 1,60,00,00,00,00,000 i.e. 16 lakh crore rupees. With this much money: 16 crore youth could have got jobs of Rs 1 lakh per year, by giving Rs 1 lakh per year to 16 crore women, the lives of their families could have been changed. Countless suicides could have been prevented by waiving off the loans of 10 crore farmer families," he said. "The entire country could have been provided gas cylinders for just Rs 400 for 20 years. The entire expenses of the Indian Army could have been borne for 3 years. Education up to graduation could have be

Govt will continue to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday greeted people on the Panchayati Raj Day, asserting that his government will continue to work to strengthen local body institutions. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj observes April 24 as National Panchayati Raj Day, marking the enactment of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, which came into force on this day in 1993 and paved the way for empowering of local bodies. Modi said on X, "On Panchayati Raj Day, greetings to all those working at grassroots to transform rural India and ensure a better quality of life for the people. Our Government will continue to work to strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and give wings to people's dreams.

Naidu calls for strengthening anti-defection law, ending freebies in polls

Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday said the "frequent" party-hopping by political leaders was a "disturbing trend" and called for strengthening the anti-defection law. Speaking at a function at his residence here after receiving the Padma award, Naidu said announcing "freebies" during elections without listing out funds mobilisation is an unhealthy trend which should be discouraged and people should question the leaders and parties making such lofty promises. Naidu was awarded the Padma Vibhushan award on Monday evening by President Droupadi Murmu at a function at Rashtrapati Bhawan. "Defections are being encouraged. We should strengthen the anti-defection law," he asserted. "Now, the worry is that there is a fall in the standards in public life. In political parties, people often change their parties. The latest trend is people are in one party in the morning and join another party in the evening and then they criticise your leader and say things left and right. Som

Noida once 'centre of corruption', now known for its biz growth: Rajnath

Noida was once known as "centre of corruption" but it has now transformed into "centre of business" due to efforts of the double-engine government of the BJP, senior party leader Rajnath Singh said in Gautam Buddh Nagar on Tuesday. Criminals once dominated this region in western Uttar Pradesh, even forcing people to migrate but all that has now become a thing of the past, the defence minister also said as he slammed previous non-BJP governments in the state. Singh was speaking at an election rally at Bisaha village in Greater Noida while canvassing support for BJP's Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha candidate Mahesh Sharma ahead of the April 26 voting. "You people know very well about Noida. There was a time when Noida was the centre of corruption for the politicians of Uttar Pradesh. It was said for the officers, too, that if there is any biggest centre of corruption, it is Noida," he said. "But today I can say with pride that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ch

Congress wanted to extend reservation on basis of religion, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday charged that the Congress wanted to extend reservation on the basis of religion and give the right given to Dalits, backward and tribals to Muslims. As soon as the Congress formed the government at the Centre in 2004, one of its first tasks was to reduce the SC/ST reservation in Andhra Pradesh and give reservation to Muslims, he said while addressing an election rally in Tonk. "Modi is giving you a guarantee with an open heart that reservation for Dalits and backward tribals will neither end nor will it be allowed to be divided in the name of religion," he said. The prime minister asserted that he understands the Constitution. "Modi is dedicated to the Constitution. Modi is a person who worships Baba Saheb Ambedkar," he said.

LS polls: Not scared of expulsion from BJP, says ex-Deputy CM Eshwarappa

Former Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa on Tuesday said he is not scared of expulsion from the BJP as he reiterated his resolve to contest the Lok Sabha elections as an independent with full vigour. He said his expulsion was on the expected lines. BJP on Monday expelled Eshwarappa for six years for violating party discipline, and contesting Lok Sabha polls as an independent candidate. "Ignoring the party's directions, you are contesting as a rebel candidate from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, causing embarrassment to the party. This is violation of party discipline," state disciplinary committee president Lingaraj Patil said in the expulsion order. It said, "so, you have been relieved from all the responsibilities and have been expelled from the party for six years, with immediate effect." Eshwarappa has remained steadfast on his decision to contest, spurning efforts by party leaders to pacify him. The paty's decision to expel the former Leader of Opposition in the Legislati

Only INDIA bloc can deliver more inclusive economic growth, says Congress

Stepping up its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his 'redistribution of wealth' remark, the Congress on Tuesday said he will never tell people that more than 40 per cent of the wealth created in the country from 2012 to 2021 has gone to just one per cent of the population, and asserted that only an INDIA bloc government can deliver a vastly more inclusive economic growth. At a rally in Rajasthan on Sunday, Modi had said that if the Congress came to power, it would redistribute the wealth of people to "infiltrators" and those who have more children, and cited former PM Manmohan Singh's remark that the minority community had the first claim on the country's resources. The Congress has hit back at Prime Minister Modi over his remarks targeting the party, saying after facing "disappointment" in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, the PM has now resorted to "lies" and "hate speech" to divert people from the real issues. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said