Page 305 - Politics
Parliament session from June 17-July 26; budget on July 5
The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will be held from June 17 to July 26, with the regular budget to be presented on July 5, Union minister Prakash Javadekar said on Friday. The dates of the session were decided in the first cabinet meeting of the Narendra Modi government. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Javadekar said the first two days of the session will be devoted to swearing-in of the newly elected MPs while the Lok Sabha speaker will be elected on June 19. The President's address to the joint sitting of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will take place on June 20, he said. The economic survey will be tabled on July 4 followed by the presentation of the budget on the next day. The session will have a total of 30 sittings. It will be the first budget of the Modi government in its second term and will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The interim budget for the year 2019-20 was presented by then Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on February 1.
Congress wins 90 seats in Karnata Municipal Council elections
The results of 7 City Municipal Councils have been declared in Karnataka. Congress has emerged as a major gainer in these elections by bagging 90 seats won out of 217.The second-positioned party in the elections is BJP with 56 seats. JD(S) has won 38, BSP has won 2 while independents have won 25 seats and others have won 6 seats.
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra gets a three month extension
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra who was supposed to retire from service today after completion of two year-tenure got an extension of three months on Friday.Mitra was appointed as the Union Defence Secretary in May 201. He succeeded G. Mohan Kumar.He has served as an officer on special duty, in the rank of secretary, till Kumar's retirement and formally took charge on May 25 2017.Mitra is a 1982 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of West Bengal cadre.Before assuming the office of Union Defence Secretary, he was the Union Road Transport and Highways Secretary, and the Chief Secretary of West Bengal.He also served, on an acting basis, as the chairperson of the Defence Research and Development Organisation for a period of three months.
Defence secy Sanjay Mitra gets three-month extension
Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra was on Friday given a three-month extension in service, according to an order issued by the Personnel Ministry. Mitra, a 1982-batch IAS officer of the West Bengal cadre, took over as the defence secretary on May 24, 2017, for a two-year term. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension to Mitra up to August 23, 2019, the order said. Mitra was earlier secretary in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and had also been chief secretary of West Bengal. Rajnath Singh was Friday announced as the defence minister.
Car set ablaze, dog slaughtered in front of BJP leader's
A person drove a car, parked it in front of Arunachal BJP president Tapir Gaos private residence here Friday morning and set it on fire before slaughtering a street dog, the police said. As per a CCTV footage the incidents took place at Mowb-II here at around 6 am when the streets were empty, Capital superintendent of police Tumme Amo said. Police have launched an investigation to nab the culprit at the earliest he said. Gao has been elected from Arunachal East Parliamentary constituency in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The BJP state unit has condemned the incident and appealed to the administration to take stringent action against criminal "elements". It also asked the authorities to ensure exemplary punishment to them as per law. In a civilised society, there is no room for such elements and the authority should not let few criminals usurp the peace and tranquillity of the society.... The rule of law prevails and any breach of law and order should be dealt with iron ...
US-led coalition 'killed 1,300 civilians in Syria, Iraq'
The US-led coalition against the Islamic State (IS) group said on Friday that it has unintentionally killed more than 1,300 civilians in Iraq and Syria since 2014.
Tribal minister, ex-Jharkhand CM likely to head Indian archery
Former Jharkhand chief minister and newly-inducted minister in the Narendra Modi government, Arjun Munda, is likely to be elected unanimously as president of the de-recognised Archery Association of India. "I have completed the process (of filing nomination) and now look forward to the elections," Munda, who was entrusted with the tribal welfare ministry portfolio, told PTI from New Delhi on Friday. "There's a lot of potential in India in archery, especially in tribal areas. We will look to tap the talent and continue to produce good archers," the BJP MP from Khunti said. A three-time Jharkhand chief minister, the 51-year-old Munda is a hugely popular tribal leader who also runs an archery academy, which was instrumental in the rise of former world number one Deepika Kumari. "Previously I worked at a small place (Saraikela-Kharsawan) and produced acclaimed archer like Deepika Kumari. Now, I will look to take it forward. In a country of 1.3 billion, I'm sure there are enough talent to .
UN atomic agency: Iran in compliance with 2015 nuclear deal
The UN atomic watchdog said Friday Iran continues to stay within the limitations set by the nuclear deal reached in 2015 with major powers, though its stockpiles of low-enriched uranium and heavy water are growing. In a confidential quarterly report distributed to member states and seen by The Associated Press, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran has stayed within key limitations set in the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. The deal is meant to keep Tehran from building atomic weapons in exchange for economic incentives. It has been complicated by the unilateral withdrawal of the United States last year and Washington's increased sanctions, which has been taking a toll on the Iranian economy. That has left the other signatories Germany, Britain, France, Russia and China struggling to come up with enough incentives to keep Iran in the deal. Earlier this month, Iran announced that if a way couldn't be found within 60 days to shield it from US ...
UPPSC paper printing row: Priyanka slams UP govt
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday accused the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government of corruption in allotting contract for printing of UPPSC examination papers.She said that some officers of the commission have colluded, taken bribes and corrupted the examination system. She further accused the UP government of siding with the defaulters and corrupt and ignoring the interests of the youth."The contract of UPPSC paper printing has been allotted to a defaulter. Some officers of the commission have colluded together, taken bribes and corrupted the examination system. The UP government is siding with the defaulters and corrupt and ignoring the interests of the youth," she tweeted.The investigation conducted by Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has revealed that there was collusion between the examination controller and cheating syndicates.The Varanasi police had obtained sealed question papers from the printing press office of Kaushik Kumarkar in Kolkata. ...
Cabinet Ministers assume office, pledge to give their best
A number of ministers including Nirmala Sitharaman, who got the crucial finance portfolio, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Prakash Javadekar and Ramvilas Paswan took charge of their ministries a day after they were sworn-in.Most of the ministers said they would have to study the issues in their new portfolios before they could make comments while Goyal who has retained railways said reforms would be made in both passenger and cargo services.He also said, "This term means continuity with change. We will continue the work started under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Fresh ideas and fresh initiatives will be implemented."Goyal who was also been given commerce portfolio took charge of the ministry in the presence of Suresh Prabhu, who has been dropped in the the new government.Union Minister for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan, thanked Prime Minister Modi for reposing his faith in him again and said that he would work harder to ensure the ..
If some people have doubts, govt should do rethink on EVMs:
NCP MP Supriya Sule said Friday that if some people had doubts about Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), the government should reconsider their use. Sule retained the family pocket-borough of Baramati by defeating her BJP rival by over 1.5 lakh votes in the Lok Sabha election. But her party fared badly overall, winning only four seats in Maharashtra. "Even if I won by a big margin, I am firm on my opinion (about use of EVMs)," she said, speaking to reporters at Chaundhi in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. "We demand that if some people in the society have a different opinion, then government should reconsider the use of EVMs in elections," she said. "When EVMs are not being used anywhere else in the world, why are we insisting on it (using them)?" she asked. To a question about the meeting between her father, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi Thursday, Sule said it was a routine meeting. "Whenever Pawar saheb is in Delhi, Rahul-ji visits
Duterte wary over US-China trade war, wants it resolved soon
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte expressed deep concerns Friday about the escalating US-China trade war and its impact on the global economy, including that of his country. Duterte, who is visiting Japan for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, says a protracted dispute would shrink world trade and investment. He told reporters that the trade war is creating uncertainty and tension, adding, "There must be a resolution soon." Duterte also urged more foreign investment in the Philippines, claiming he has eradicated corruption and that investments are safe. "In my term, (our money) is safe... There is no corruption. I have killed all of them already," he said jokingly. The brash populist leader has campaigned against illegal drugs and corruption, while being accused of massive human rights violations because of the deaths of thousands of mostly poor suspects in his anti-drug war. Duterte, midway through the single six-year term Philippine presidents are allowed, solidified his grip .
SAD-BJP alliance: BJP eyes bigger share of seats in Punjab
Buoyed by its improved show in the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, the BJP is eyeing a bigger share of seats from its ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in parliamentary and assembly elections. The BJP won two of the three seats it contested in the state, matching the tally of the SAD, which contested from 10 Lok Sabha constituencies. As per the current seat-sharing formula, the BJP fields its candidates on three of the 13 parliamentary and 23 of 117 assembly seats. The rest are kept for the SAD. The BJP has become a pan-Punjab party. We are not limited to pockets. Our workers want more seats to contest," former state BJP chief Kamal Sharma said over the phone Friday. "Therefore, the terms of the alliance related to the seat sharing should be revised, he added. Sharma said the party is doing well even in parts of the country where it had no base earlier, suggesting that both allies should sit and discuss the issue. When asked if the BJP was flexing its muscles in view of the party's ...
Former diplomats hail Jaishankar's appointment as foreign minister
Former diplomats and international affairs experts hailed ex-foreign secretary S Jaishankar's appointment as the Minister of External Affairs, saying he is entering the political arena with a wealth of diplomatic experience. Vivek Katju, former secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, said Jaishankar has an "outstanding record" as a diplomat and he will prove to be "great assistance" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he formulates his policy. "He is a fine professional. Track records of India diplomats being good public men and good political personalities have been very good... Nonetheless, it is one thing to be professionally competent. But, when you enter a political arena, there is a new dimension. "Jaishankar would have to prove himself as a fine political figure. I think he will do that well," he said. Jaishankar, 64, took charge of the External Affairs ministry Friday, a rare instance of a career diplomat handling the key portfolio as minister. Considered an expert on ...
Syria rejects Arab summit statement on Iran intervention
Syria is rejecting the final statement of the Arab emergency summit held in Saudi Arabia, which criticises what it calls Iranian intervention into Syrian affairs. Syria says the statement is an unacceptable interference in the internal affairs of Syria. A Syrian Foreign Ministry statement said the Iranian presence is "legitimate because it came at the request of the Syrian government and contributed to support Syria's efforts in combating terrorism supported by some of the participants in this summit." The Syrian statement said the summit should instead condemn the involvement of other countries in Syrian affairs, "which lacked legitimacy and legality" and provided "unlimited support in various forms to terrorist groups and prolonging the crisis in Syria.
Parliament session to begin from June 17, budget in LS on July 5
The first session of the 17th Lok Sabha will be convened from June 17 to July 26 during which the Union Budget will be presented by the new government on July 5.Announcing this, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Election for Speaker will be held on June 19.He said first two days of the session will be earmarked for members to take oath. Followed by the speakers election next day.The President will make his customary address to parliament after elections on june 20 followed by discussion and present vote of thanks to the President.An interim budget with a vote on account was passed during the budget of the outgoing house in February-march.This was decided in the first meeting of the new Union Cabinet today chaired by Prime Minister Modi.
Modi pays tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel
Before assuming work on the first day of his second tenure as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by offering flowers to their small marble statues at his office on Friday.As he stepped into his office, Modi offered roses at the feet of the statutes before assuming the chair.Later, the PM signed the first file approving a major change in the 'Prime Minister's Scholarship Scheme' under the National Defence Fund before chairing the first Cabinet meeting of the new government.Riding on muscular nationalism and a strident anti-Congress plank spearheaded by Modi, the BJP on May 23 got an overwhelming majority in the Lok Sabha, crossing on its own the 300 seat mark while storming back to power for the second consecutive term.
More from Bengal will be inducted as Ministers: BJP leader
More MPs from West Bengal will be inducted in the Modi government on top of the two who were made Ministers on Thursday, state BJP chief Dilip Ghosh told MPs from his party on Friday.
Hardeep Puri takes pilot's seat amid turbulence in aviation sector
Hardeep Singh Puri, the new Civil Aviation Minister, took charge of office on Friday amid distress in the sector that recently saw grounding of a private airline and concerns over debt-laden Air India, which the government wants to sell off. After taking charge, Puri, a former Indian Foreign Service officer, held a meeting with senior officials who prepped him about the promises made in the sector and the challenges ahead. "I will meet you once I get to know about the sector," Puri, who has been given the rank of Minister of State (Independent Charge), told reporters. He succeeds Suresh Prabhu, who has been dropped from the Union council of ministers. In the first tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, Puri held the Housing and Urban Affairs portfolio, which he has retained this time as well. Puri, who lost the Lok Sabha polls from the Amritsar seat and is currently a Rajya Sabha lawmaker, has also been made a junior minister in the Commerce and Industry Ministry in ...
Modi 2.0 govt unlikely to unleash land reforms: EAC chairman
Bibek Debroy, the chairman of economic advisory council to the prime minister, Friday said Modi 2.0 government is unlikely to unleash land reforms, and will exclude industrial disputes in labour law changes. The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) did not reveal jobs data due to Model Code of Conduct and will come out with the data soon, now that the elections are over, he told PTI here. He explained land is a subject of the states and reforms cannot be done by the Centre, adding that requests from the Chief Ministers had made the Narendra Modi Government introduce a land ordinance in its first term. It can be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's impressive poll victory had led many analysts to expect reforms on land and labour, the crucial factors of production which can propel the economy. In the case of labour, the government will not touch the sensitive industrial relations side, which includes layoffs, retrenchment and closure, Debroy said. The focus of the newly sworn ...