Page 10 - Parliament

No proposal to exempt MPLAD funds from GST: Govt to Parliamentary panel

MoSPI tells House panel no GST exemption is planned for MPLADS use, even as the panel seeks relief to improve fund utility and suggests increasing annual allocation

Parliamentary panel pitches for ESG oversight body to combat greenwashing

The corporate affairs ministry should set up an ESG oversight body to actively combat greenwashing activities and also put in place penal provisions for fraudulent ESG claims, according to a Parliamentary panel. Generally, greenwashing refers to claims by companies about any product or service having a climate-friendly impact. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles are part of the Companies Act, 2013. In its report tabled in Parliament on Monday, the Standing Committee on Finance mentioned the ministry's demurral against establishing a dedicated ESG oversight body, citing that the prevailing disclosure-based regime, underpinned by a company board's accountability and extant penal provisions, constitutes an adequate monitoring mechanism. Against this backdrop, the panel urged the ministry to "establish a dedicated ESG oversight body for actively combating greenwashing through specialised forensic expertise" as well as formulate sector-specific guidelines and extend .

Parl panel suggests regional fintech clusters on lines of GIFT City

The finance ministry stated that the reason for this strategy is that the mainland activities are not affected by the offshore activities

'We have proof': Rahul Gandhi alleges EC involved in 'vote chori' for BJP

Congress leader says officials aiding BJP will be held accountable; Opposition demands debate in Parliament over alleged voter manipulation ahead of Bihar polls

Trump announces 25% tariffs: PM, ministers in huddle; Oppn seeks response

Opposition parties said they would demand a statement from the government in Parliament on the impact of the US tariffs on India

ONOE may boost India's GDP by 1.5 percentage points, experts to Parl panel

Former finance commission of India chairman N K Singh and another expert on Wednesday made an economic case for simultaneous elections before a parliamentary committee, saying it can lead to a 1.5 percentage point rise in the real GDP growth, higher capital expenditure and more investment activity, sources said. In their joint presentation before the joint parliamentary committee, which is scrutinising the constitutional amendment bill for 'one nation one election' (ONOE), they quantified the rise in the GDP at Rs 4.5 lakh crore in terms of 2023-24 figures. However, they added that the fiscal deficit is also expected to rise by 1.3 percentage point due to higher post-election spending. Singh, a former MP and revenue secretary, and Prachi Mishra, economics professor, and head and director of Isaac Centre for Public Policy at Ashoka University, studied election cycles in India as it had simultaneous polls till 1967 before the schedules of Lok Sabha and assembly polls were split. The

Parl panel slams poor action on tribal women's health, child marriage data

A parliamentary panel has expressed dissatisfaction over the government's "lack of seriousness" to improve health facilities for tribal women, highlighting persistent challenges like inadequate data, poor implementation of malnutrition and anaemia reduction programmes, and slow progress in addressing child marriage. In its second report tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, the Committee on Empowerment of Women criticized the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for failing to take a proactive role in coordinating with other ministries to improve tribal health. The report reviews the government's response to recommendations made in a 2023 report on 'Health Facilities for Tribal Women'. The committee said it was concerned at the "lack of seriousness" in implementing tailor-made interventions for tribal women and children, especially regarding the generation and use of tribal-specific health data. Simply taking note of the committee's recommendations is not sufficient, the panel stated, urging th

Extension to bureaucrats post retirement in exceptional circumstances: Govt

The government on Wednesday said service extension to IAS, IPS and other officers after retirement is given in exceptional circumstances and in public interest. The assertion came in response to a query seeking the details of the number of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers who have been given an extension after their retirement during the last five years. "Extension of service after retirement is given in exceptional circumstances, in public interest to officers belonging to All India Services in accordance with provisions contained in All India Service (Death Cum Retirement Benefit) Rules, 1958/relevant rule," Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. The reply, however, did not specify the number of extensions granted in the last five years.

Govt scheme helps Indians save money on medicines: You can benefit, too

State-run Aushadhi Kendras have helped citizens to save around Rs 38,000 crore in 11 years, says government

INDIA bloc continues protest against Bihar's SIR, Congress leaders join in

Sonia Gandhi joined the protest, holding the large banner 'SIR-attack on Democracy,' and stood beside her daughter and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi

PM Modi denies foreign pressure to stop Operation Sindoor offensive

Coincidentally, the PM opened and ended his speech by saying that he has put forth "Bharat's perspective" on Operation Sindoor

Parliament Highlights: Op Sindoor showed India knows how to protect its sovereignty, says Rajnath

Parliament Monsoon Session Highlights: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to open discussion on Operation Sindoor in Rajya Sabha today. Follow live updates on the debate and proceedings here

3 terrorists killed in Op Mahadev linked to Pahalgam attack: Amit Shah

Speaking on Operation Mahadev on the floor of the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah said the killed terrorists have been identified as Suleiman, Afghan, and Jibran

Parliament Highlights: Retaliation by Army forced Pakistan to bow down, says Rajnath Singh

Monsoon Session Highlights: Top leaders from NDA and INDIA bloc to face off in Parliament over Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. Follow live updates on the debate and proceedings here

No losses to military assets in Operation Sindoor, says Rajnath Singh

He also rejected, as did External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the claims by United States (US) President Donald Trump that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan

Why wait until now to challenge inquiry, Supreme Court asks Justice Varma

SC questions Justice Yashwant Varma's timing in challenging an inquiry that found unaccounted cash at his residence and justified impeachment; next hearing on Wednesday

Surprised that PESA implementation not completed yet: Parliamentary panel

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj on Monday said it is surprised to note that even after almost 30 years of passing the PESA Act, its implementation has not been completed yet. In an action taken report tabled in Parliament on Monday, the committee, which is headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, said that many states still lack the necessary rules and important laws related to land, forests and minerals, which are not fully aligned with PESA. The committee in its report noted the steps taken by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for the effective implementation of the provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, commonly known as the PESA Act. "The committee is surprised to note that even after almost 30 years of passing the PESA Act, its implementation has not been completed yet. Many states still lack the necessary rules and important laws related to land, forests, and minerals which are not fully aligned wit

Pakistan 'admitted defeat' in Op Sindoor, Rajnath Singh tells Lok Sabha

In Lok Sabha, Rajnath Singh said over 100 terrorists were killed in PoK in a 22-minute strike; India stopped Pakistan's missile-drone attack and gave a strong reply by hitting key military sites

Lok Sabha adjourned till 1 pm amid Opposition protests on Bihar's SIR

The Lok Sabha was adjourned till 1 pm on Monday amid opposition protests on revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, delaying the start of the discussion on Operation Sindoor. Opposition members were in the well of the Lok Sabha, raising slogans on the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, when the House reconvened at noon for the discussion on Operation Sindoor. "There is something called commitment. Leaders of all parties had sought a discussion on Operation Sindoor and now you are in the well of the House raising other issues," Speaker Om Birla said while addressing opposition members. "If you want a discussion on Operation Sindoor, you will have to go back to your seats. You can't demand a discussion on any issue from the Well of the House. The House runs as per rules of procedure," Birla said. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and Nitin Gadkari among others were present in the House at the time. Defence Minister Singh is scheduled to initiate the special

Sonia, Kharge, Rahul, Akhilesh join Oppn leaders in protest against SIR

Several MPs of the INDIA bloc parties, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, protested in the Parliament House complex on Monday against the Election Commission's voter roll revision in Bihar, and demanded its rollback. Ahead of the day's proceedings in Parliament, top opposition MPs, including Sonia Gandhi, Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav, TMC's Derek O'Brien and Sagarika Ghose, DMK's Kanimozhi and A Raja, besides others, raised slogans and protested against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. There was a huge banner in front of them which read 'SIR- Attack on Democracy' as they lined up on and near the steps of the Makar Dwar of Parliament and staged a protest for the fifth consecutive day. With 'Stop SIR' placards in hand, several MPs of the opposition, including those of the .