Page 9 - Modi Govt

Central agencies being used to subdue political opponents, says CPI(M) MP

Central investigative agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are being used to subdue political opponents of the Centre, not just in Kerala but across India, CPI(M) MP K Radhakrishnan alleged on Friday. Radhakrishnan made the allegation while responding to reporters' queries on an ED notice received by him to appear before the agency in connection with the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam case. The MP said that the notice does not mention the Karuvannur case and instead it asks him to produce details of his assets, including bank accounts and land records. "I have sent a letter stating that I cannot appear before the agency now due to the ongoing Parliament session. I will appear before it after the session is over," he said. Radhakrishnan, the MP from Alathur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, said that he was ready to face any investigation. "They are looking for assets that I have earned. Let them investigate and find out," he said. The ED has summoned Radhakrishnan for

India, EU to resume FTA talks from March 10 amid Trump tariff concerns

India and the 27-nation European Union (EU) bloc will start the tenth round of negotiations for a proposed free trade agreement from Monday in Brussels amid Trump tariff threats, according to an official. The talks are expected to focus on resolving remaining issues so that the agreement can be finalised by the end of this year. During the recent visit of EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, the two sides have discussed ways to accelerate efforts towards a balanced and mutually beneficial trade pact. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month agreed to conclude the ambitious India-EU free trade deal by this year amid fears of the Trump administration's threat of higher tariffs. "The two sides are scheduled to hold the tenth round of negotiations for the FTA from March 10-14 in Brussels," the official said. In June 2022, India and the 27-nation EU bloc resumed the negotiations after a gap of over eight .

RG Kar case: Mother of murdered doctor seeks meeting with PM for justice

Mother of the RG Kar hospital medic who was raped and murdered on Saturday said she and her husband would like to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek justice for their daughter. Speaking on International Women's Day, the bereaved mother also raised a question over the safety and security of women in West Bengal. "I would like to meet the PM and appeal to him to intervene in the matter and look into our appeal for justice for our deceased doctor," she said. The 31-year-old junior doctor was raped-killed at the state-run hospital in Kolkata on August 9 last year, triggering national outrage. "Our daughter had dreamt big, and we never thought that she would have to die such a death. It's been seven months since she left us, but where is justice? We do not even have the death certificate," she claimed. "If a woman doctor is unsafe at her workplace, then where is the security?" she questioned. Reacting to the mother's wish to meet the PM, BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said, "There is a

India should halt all talks with US, engage like other nations: GTRI

India should withdraw from all negotiations with the US and prepare to engage with the Trump administration in the same way as countries like China and Canada are doing, economic think tank GTRI said on Saturday. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) Founder, Ajay Srivastava said the US is exerting heavy pressure on India to accept trade demands that largely favour American interests. US President Donald Trump and his officials have criticized India mostly by using incorrect data, he said. "Trump is insulting India publicly using wrong data. No balanced outcome is possible in such circumstances. India should withdraw from all negotiations and prepare to deal with them like other countries are doing," Srivastava said. Against US tariffs, China and Canada have announced retaliatory measures. On Friday, Trump claimed that India had agreed to cut tariffs on American imports after his administration "exposed" what he called unfair trade practices. "This is patently incorrect and

India has signaled readiness to make deeper tariff cuts, says Donald Trump

Preserving India's access to the US market is a priority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he seeks to shield his country from reciprocal duties Trump has indicated will take effect next month

PM Modi interacts with 'Lakhpati Didis' in Gujarat on Intl Women's Day

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil accompanied the Prime Minister during the occasion on International Women's Day

'Unfortunate to reduce tariffs on US under Trump's pressure': Manish Tewari

Tiwari criticised the NDA-led government, saying that India has a history and a tradition of never buckling under any pressure and suggested that government should've accepted reciprocal tariffs

PM Modi inaugurates free benefit distribution under PMGKAY scheme

As a symbolic gesture of the PMGKAY benefits, the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and other dignitaries distributed grain kits to the beneficiaries

India, Ireland to form Joint Economic Commission to boost ties: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Irish counterpart, Simon Harris and said both the countries have agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission to "increase trade, investment, and technology linkages."The EAM shared the details through a post on X on Friday."A warm and open meeting with Tanaiste & FM @SimonHarrisTD of Ireland this morning in Dublin. We discussed our bilateral cooperation, including a new Action Plan to reinvigorate ties. Agreed to set up a Joint Economic Commission to increase our trade, investment and technology linkages. Exchanged views on the recent developments in our respective regions and globally, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific. Also spoke about India-EU cooperation and multilateralism," the EAM saidTowards the conclusion of the Irish leg of his visit, Jaishankar paid tribute to Rabindranath Tagore's bust statue at St Stephen's Park in Dublin.He wrote on X, "Paid tributes to Gurudev Rabindranath ...

PM focused on 'tareef' not tariffs, must stand up to US threats: Ramesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only interested in 'tareef' and not concerned with tariffs, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Friday and wondered where is the PM's "56 inch chest" in dealing with US threats on the the reciprocal tariff issue. In an interview with PTI, Ramesh said the Congress will raise the issue of US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff threats during the upcoming second half of the Budget session and called for a bipartisan collective resolve to deal with the threats. The Congress leader also alleged that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been speaking like an American envoy and a spokesperson for that country. "Our prime minister wants to hear only 'tareef (praise)', he is not concerned about tariffs. 'Tareef kum, aur tariff pe baat kijiye (talk about the tariffs issue and less about your praise)," Ramesh said. He said Trump is redoing the entire rules of international trade and asserted that the US President's whole idea of ...

PM to visit Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on Mar 7-8

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Gujarat on March 7-8 to inaugurate multiple development projects as well as participate in a Lakhpati Didi programme on International Women's Day. He will travel to Silvassa in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on Friday and inaugurate the NAMO Hospital (Phase I) around 2 pm, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Friday. Around 2:45 pm, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects for the union territory worth over Rs 2,580 crore at Silvassa. Thereafter, he will travel to Gujarat and launch the Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign around 5 pm, according to the statement. On Saturday, he will travel to Navsari and interact with Lakhpati Didis around 11:30 am. This will be followed by a public function that will witness the launch of various schemes. The NAMO Hospital (Phase I) in Silvassa will be a 450-bed facility that will

Only unemployment, inflation manufactured in bulk under Modi govt: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday took a dig at the Centre over its handling of the economy, saying only "economic failure, unemployment, inflation and lies" were "manufactured" in bulk under the Narendra Modi government. The former Congress president called for the removal of "unjust" taxes, eliminating monopoly, opening the doors of banks and giving rights to the talented. "If anything has been 'manufactured' in bulk under the Modi government, it is economic failure, unemployment, inflation and lies!" Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on Facebook. "Remove unjust taxes, eliminate monopoly, open the doors of banks, give rights to talent Only then will the building of the economy, employment and a strong India begin!" he said. The Congress has been attacking the government over its handling of the economy, claiming the issues of rising prices, decreasing private investment, and stagnating wages were hitting the common people hard. Flagging the issues of low consumption expenditu

'Vocal for local' making India emerge as factory of world: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Saturday that his "vocal for local" campaign is bearing fruits as Indian products are going global and making their presence felt across the world. Speaking at the NXT conclave where the 'NewsX World' channel was launched, Modi said the world used to look at India as its back office for decades but the country is now emerging as the factory of the world. Now, India is not the workforce but a "world force", the prime minister added. Modi said the country is manufacturing semiconductors and aircraft carriers and its superfoods like 'makhana' and millets, Ayush products and yoga are being embraced across the world. India has also become a major automobile producer and its defence export is rising, he said. Modi said India should be presented as it is, without any colour. It does not need any make-up, he said, adding that real stories from the country should reach the world. The prime minister said the BJP-led NDA government's re-election for

Farmers' protest: SC to hear petitions related to the case after March 19

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing over the farmers' protest observing two rounds of talks took place between the Centre and the agitating farmers, who have raised several demands, including the legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh said a third round of talks was scheduled on March 19. The bench therefore posted the matter, including petitions seeking contempt action against Punjab government officials over providing medical aid to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, post March 19. Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh said two ministers of the state had participated in the meeting. The bench appreciated the work of the apex court-appointed high-powered committee for providing a platform to the agitating farmers to raise grievances and took on record its interim report. The bench, which has kept the report with itself for time being, fixed an honorarium for chairman of the committee Justice (retd)

Glorifying Godse: Cong slams govt over NIT professor's appointment as dean

Slamming the Modi government over the appointment of an NIT-Calicut professor who is accused of praising Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as a Dean, the Congress said this was part of its mindset to "appropriate Gandhi, glorify Godse". In an order issued by the Director of the National Institute of Technology-Calicut (NIT), Dr Shaija A has been appointed as the Dean of the Planning and Development Department, with effect from March 7. A police case is pending against her for allegedly praising Nathuram Godse on Mahatma Gandhi's Martyr's Day. In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "A Professor in Kerala who publicly says she is proud of Godse for saving India is made a Dean in NIT-Calicut by the Modi government. He added that a former judge of the Calcutta High Court "could not choose between Mahatma Gandhi and Nathuram Godse" and he is now a BJP MP. "This is all part of the Modi mindset - Appropriate Gandhi, Glorify Godse,"

Govt has 'snatched' scholarships of SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities: Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday alleged that the government has "snatched" the scholarships of the youth of SC, ST, OBC and minority communities, and claimed that its slogan of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" mocks the aspirations of the weaker sections. Kharge asked how will jobs for the youth be increased until the students of weaker sections of the country get opportunities and their skills are encouraged. "Narendra Modi ji, Your government has snatched the scholarships of the youth of SC, ST, OBC and Minority categories in the country," Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. These shameful government statistics show that the Modi government has not only drastically reduced the beneficiaries in all scholarships, but has also spent 25 per cent less funds on an average year after year, he said sharing data of "declining" scholarships for SC, ST, OBC and minority students. "Until the students of the weaker sections of the country get opportunities, their skills are not ..

CAG reports must be tabled in Parliament: Cong's Pawan Khera slams govt

On the issue of foreign funding, Khera pointed out that the Indian government had received Rs 825 crore from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year

Amid opposition, govt to revise draft bill to amend Advocates Act

Amid opposition to its various provisions from bar bodies, the government on Saturday said it will revise the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill as it ended the public consultations on it that started earlier this month. The Department of Legal Affairs in the Union law ministry floated the draft bill on February 13 for public consultations. The government plans to amend the Advocates Act, 1961. The draft bill, which faced criticism, proposed sweeping changes in the definitions of a "legal practitioner and a "law graduate". According to the draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a law graduate is a person who has obtained a bachelor's degree after completing a course of three or five years or such other duration as prescribed by any centre of legal education or university established by law or a college affiliated to any university and recognised by the Bar Council of India. In a statement, the law ministry said the bill was put in the public domain, demonstrating the government's .

NEP row: Dharmendra Pradhan urges CM Stalin to rise above differences

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday attacked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin over the ongoing row on the implementation of NEP and accused him of "spinning progressive reforms into threats to sustain political narratives". In a letter to Stalin, Pradhan said the Tamil Nadu CM should rise above political differences and think about the interests of young learners who will benefit from the new National Education Policy. The education minister was responding to the letter Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. In his letter, Stalin said linking the two centrally sponsored initiatives -- Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and PM SHRI Schools -- with the National Education Policy (NEP) was fundamentally unacceptable. In his letter to the Tamil Nadu CM, Pradhan said, "The letter sent to PM is a complete negation of the spirit of cooperative federalism promoted by Modi government. Hence, it is inappropriate for the state to view NEP 2020 with a myopic ..

Confident of Indian economy thriving in coming decades: Qatar's Amir

Highlighting the importance of renewable energy cooperation, the Amir underscored its role in shaping future strategies between the two nations