Hooghly (WB), Feb 22 (ANI): While speaking to ANI in Hooghly district on February 22, West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Dilip Ghosh said, "Trinamool Congress (TMC) is worried after Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) summoned Rujira Banerjee (Abhishek Banerjee's wife). It said 'We aren't afraid of rats'. It can't be that you do wrong and stand by it. If you haven't done anything wrong, go and answer." "CBI sending notice means something is wrong," he added.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia announced that the government is starting awareness campaigns at various 'labour chowks' for 1 month. "From about 10 lakh workers, over 2 lakh registered, rest unaware of the schemes," Sisodia added. This awareness campaign has been started to ensure that construction labours benefit from Delhi government's various labour welfare schemes.
Chandigarh, Feb 22 (ANI): On the rising COVID-19 cases from past 3-4 days, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that it is a matter of concern. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that he has instructed the healthcare workers to get vaccinated as they are on the frontline. "Don't want to lose any other health worker to COVID," he added. Punjab Health Minister further said that if cases rise anything is possible, therefore we have to take precautions from our end.
Port Louis (Mauritius), Feb 22 (ANI): Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth at India-Mauritius joint statement said the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) is far-reaching and should unleash new and expanded opportunities in trade, goods and services. "Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement is 1st of its kind, signed by India with an African country. It's far-reaching and should unleash new and expanded opportunities in trade, goods and services, investment, economic cooperation and technical assistance,"said Mauritius PM. He added, "As India seeks to step her vast and multilayered cooperation with African continent, for next edition of India-Africa forum Mauritius aspires to play greater role in these engagements as a gateway between India and Africa."
Wayanad (Kerala), Feb 22 (ANI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took out a tractor rally in Kerala's Wayanad. Rally was taken from Thrikkaipatta to Muttil on February 22. Several of his supporters followed him. Rahul Gandhi is MP from Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.
Kalpetta (Kerala) Wayanad (Kerala), Feb 22 (ANI): While addressing a gathering in his Lok Sabha constituency, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that when Narendra Modi became the PM, he ridiculed Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act saying it was an insult to Indians. "But the same man was forced during COVID to increase money given under MGNREGA and accepted that it played as a saviour", said Gandhi in Wayanad.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended webinar on Defence budget through video-conferencing on February 22. He said, "We have century-old experience when it comes to making arms and ammunition. During World War I and II, India supplied arms and ammunition. But post-independence, the situation got deteriorated, even for small arms we are relying on small countries. Today we are one of the largest defence importers and this is not something we should be proud of."
Kolkata, Feb 22 (ANI): The CBI sent notice to CM Mamata Banerjee's nephew and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee's wife and sister-in-law in coal scam case. On the notice, TMC MP Saugata Roy said, "BJP is left with no allies. Their only allies are CBI and ED. They are trying to use their allies to threaten, to pressurise the TMC. Whatever notice issued will be dealt with legally."
New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on implementation of Union Budget provisions in Defence Sector said that Ministry of Defence has set a target to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 in aerospace amd defence goods and services by the year 2024. "Ministry of Defence aims to achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 Cr (US dollar 25 Bn) including export of Rs 35,000 Crores (US dollar 5 Bn) in aerospace and defence goods and services by the year 2024," said Defence Minister.
The provision of an equalisation levy has rattled the Industry. Many businesses are planning to move court over the changes proposed in the Budget. In an exclusive interview with Business Standard’s Dilasha Seth, former CBDT member Akhilesh Ranjan, who was instrumental in the introduction of equalisation levy in 2016, explain in detail the objective of the levy and why it is needed. Watch the video.
New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): 1,11,16,854 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19 across India The country also reported 14,199 new COVID-19 cases and 9,695 discharges on Feb 22. With new infections, the COVID tally of the country stood at 1,10,05,850 while, active cases stand at 1,50,055. With 83 deaths in last 24 hours, death toll rose to 1,56,385.
Mumbai, Feb 22 (ANI): The youth wing of Shiv Sena, Yuva Sena put up banners stating 'Yahi hai acche din?' at various petrol pumps and roadside in Bandra West in Mumbai. Yuva Sena workers were also seen raising slogans against PM Modi-led central govt. It came after the fuel prices are increasing sky high.
Salem (Tamil Nadu), Feb 22 (ANI): While addressing a public gathering in a poll bound state Tamil Nadu, BJP Yuva Morcha president Tejasvi Surya on February 21 said that Bharatiya Janata Party respects and promotes all regional languages of India, therefore if Tamil has to survive Hindutva has to win. "The DMK tries to paint the BJP as anti-Tamil and as a Hindi party. BJP is the only party that respects and promotes all regional languages of India, if Tamil has to survive Hindutva has to win if Kanada has to win Hindutva has to win, therefore the BJP represents spirit of Tamil Nadu and the spirit of Tamil language," said Surya.
Salem (Tamil Nadu), Feb 22 (ANI): DMK represents a very bad, virulent ideology which is anti-Hindu therefore we must defeat DMK, said BJP Yuva Morcha president Tejasvi Surya on February 21 while addressing a public gathering in a poll bound state Tamil Nadu's Salem. "DMK represents a very bad, virulent ideology which is anti-Hindu. Every Tamil is proud Hindu. This is the sacred land that has highest number of temples in country, every inch of Tamil Nadu is sacred, but DMK is anti-Hindu, so we must defeat it," said Surya.
Kasaragod (Kerala), Feb 21 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath after flagging off Vijaya Yatra from Kasaragod said, "In 2009, a Kerala court said Love Jihad is part of a conspiracy to make Kerala an Islamic state, despite this, government is sleeping and doesn't care about the conspiracy against Kerala and the country."
Salem (Tamil Nadu), Feb 21 (ANI): "After 9 rounds of dialogue at military and diplomatic levels, a part has been resolved but Congress tries to malign BJP's image," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on India-China standoff. "I want to assure you that no one can occupy an inch of India's land till I'm alive," he said.
Dhemaji (Assam), Feb 21 (ANI): Amid protests, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the reasons behind rising fuel prices, which included reduced fuel production and manufacturing in International market and COVID-19. On the international market, Pradhan said reduced production is making the consumer countries suffer. "We have continuously been urging the OPEC and OPEC plus countries that it should not happen. We hope there will be a change," he added. He further added that both Centre and State governments have to collect tax for various development works. "Spending on development work will generate more jobs. Government has increased its investment and 34% more capital spending will be done in this budget. State governments will also increase spending. This is why we need this tax but there is also the need for balance. I believe Finance Minister can find a way," said Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Salem (Tamil Nadu), Feb 21 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the stock market is doing Jallikattu as the foreign investment is increasing day by day. "After COVID-19 pandemic the country going to write its next story and foreign investment also increasing day by day due to which stock market is also jumping, not only jumping but it's doing Jallikattu," he said.
Karnal (Haryana), Feb 21 (ANI): Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar reacted on rocketing fuel prices. Highlighting that Haryana Government's is charging less Value Added Tax (VAT) from the people, he said that fuel prices have increased 10-15 per cent in 4-5 years which is "not that high overall." "Our VAT is very less as compared to other states and it is not that high that we cut it," he said.
New Delhi, Feb 21 (ANI): BJP Vice President and former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh in a press conference on February 21 on the upcoming elections said that BJP will win the election in West Bengal and Assam. On the ongoing protest, Raman Singh said that farmers' "it is politically influenced and it is a conspiracy by Congress and Left parties to keep this agitation alive." "Farmers of the country are happy with the laws. The laws are being welcomed in different parts of the country," he added.