Parliament's monsoon session has seen little business since it started on Monday due to opposition members, including from the Congress, disrupting its proceedings over issues like fresh GST.
Tag: BJP
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No relief for Arunachal BJP MLA accused of raping pregnant woman as court rejects anticipatory bail plea
By PTI
ITANAGAR: A court in Arunachal Pradesh has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of BJP MLA Lokam Tassar, accused of raping a pregnant woman.
The sessions court at Yupia near Itanagar on Monday rejected the bail plea of the Koloriang MLA who is evading arrest.
Police have registered a case against Tassar for allegedly raping the woman on July 4 at his residence here.
Hearing the bail application, judge Gote Mega said, “Presence of petitioner and victim at the place of occurrence is prima facie found at this stage.
Whether or not, the alleged crime was committed on the relevant day is subject to rule of evidence which can’t be decided at this stage.”
“Nevertheless, having regard to the position and status of the petitioner, it is felt necessary that he should join ongoing criminal investigation by making himself available before the IO (investigating officer) of the case at the earliest occasion,” the court said.
The counsel of the woman said that the police can now arrest the MLA by giving intimation to the speaker of the assembly as no prosecution sanction is required.
Appearing on behalf of the MLA, advocate Khoda Tama submitted before the court that Tassar neither had committed rape nor had a consensual intercourse with the victim at any point of time.
He also pleaded with the court to grant Tassar bail as he was willing to cooperate in the investigation, as and when called for.
However, the judge concluded that the submission made by the counsel of the woman and the public prosecutor “holds reasons to be believed that granting of pre-arrest bail will not be proper”.
Meanwhile, police said they have intensified efforts to arrest the MLA.
Two of his homes at Naharlagun and Itanagar were raided but he could not be found, Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Kamdam Sikom said.
“We will arrest him as soon as he is found,” Sikom said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the BJP would take strict action against the MLA if the court finds the allegations against him true.
“The law will take its own course and no one is above the law,” Khandu added.
Tassar did not vote in the presidential election on Monday.
ITANAGAR: A court in Arunachal Pradesh has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of BJP MLA Lokam Tassar, accused of raping a pregnant woman.
The sessions court at Yupia near Itanagar on Monday rejected the bail plea of the Koloriang MLA who is evading arrest.
Police have registered a case against Tassar for allegedly raping the woman on July 4 at his residence here.
Hearing the bail application, judge Gote Mega said, “Presence of petitioner and victim at the place of occurrence is prima facie found at this stage.
Whether or not, the alleged crime was committed on the relevant day is subject to rule of evidence which can’t be decided at this stage.”
“Nevertheless, having regard to the position and status of the petitioner, it is felt necessary that he should join ongoing criminal investigation by making himself available before the IO (investigating officer) of the case at the earliest occasion,” the court said.
The counsel of the woman said that the police can now arrest the MLA by giving intimation to the speaker of the assembly as no prosecution sanction is required.
Appearing on behalf of the MLA, advocate Khoda Tama submitted before the court that Tassar neither had committed rape nor had a consensual intercourse with the victim at any point of time.
He also pleaded with the court to grant Tassar bail as he was willing to cooperate in the investigation, as and when called for.
However, the judge concluded that the submission made by the counsel of the woman and the public prosecutor “holds reasons to be believed that granting of pre-arrest bail will not be proper”.
Meanwhile, police said they have intensified efforts to arrest the MLA.
Two of his homes at Naharlagun and Itanagar were raided but he could not be found, Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Kamdam Sikom said.
“We will arrest him as soon as he is found,” Sikom said.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the BJP would take strict action against the MLA if the court finds the allegations against him true.
“The law will take its own course and no one is above the law,” Khandu added.
Tassar did not vote in the presidential election on Monday.
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SC set to hear pleas of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma, Varavara Rao
By PTI
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is scheduled to hear various cases including the petition of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking revival of her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet and plea for bail on medical grounds of P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala is likely to hear Sharma’s plea, who has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made against her on July 1 while refusing to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.
The top court is also slated to hear Rao’s plea for permanent medical bail.
He has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical.
A bench comprising Justice U U Lalit, S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia will take up the plea of the 83-year-old accused.
The plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner is also listed for hearing before the apex court on Tuesday.
A bench headed by Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna is likely to hear the matter.
The SC is also scheduled to take up pleas against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.
A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and A S Bopanna will hear the plea challenging the new recruitment scheme.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday is scheduled to hear various cases including the petition of former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma seeking revival of her plea for clubbing of FIRs lodged over her remarks on Prophet and plea for bail on medical grounds of P Varavara Rao in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and JB Pardiwala is likely to hear Sharma’s plea, who has also sought expunction of adverse remarks made against her on July 1 while refusing to entertain her plea for clubbing of the FIRs, saying she has been receiving death threats after the criticism, according to a lawyer associated with the case.
The top court is also slated to hear Rao’s plea for permanent medical bail.
He has challenged the Bombay High Court order rejecting his petition for permanent medical.
A bench comprising Justice U U Lalit, S R Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia will take up the plea of the 83-year-old accused.
The plea challenging the appointment of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana as Delhi Police Commissioner is also listed for hearing before the apex court on Tuesday.
A bench headed by Justices D Y Chandrachud and A S Bopanna is likely to hear the matter.
The SC is also scheduled to take up pleas against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.
A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and A S Bopanna will hear the plea challenging the new recruitment scheme.
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Presidential polls: Cross-voting fears in Maharashtra Congress, NCP
By PTI
MUMBAI: As lawmakers from Maharashtra gear up to vote on Monday to elect the country’s next president, there are concerns among the opposition parties over the possibility of cross-voting.
MLAs and MPs form the electoral college to elect the President of India.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress – the two main opposition parties in Maharashtra – have already held meetings with their legislators to ensure there is no any cross-voting in favour of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s candidate Droupadi Murmu.
The opposition is concerned as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday claimed that Murmu would get the support of 200 MLAs from the state.
“We will manage to get the votes of 200 MLAs for Droupadi Murmu. We want a very comfortable win for her,” he said.
Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition.
Notably, cross-voting was held during the Rajya Sabha elections and the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls last month.
All five candidates of the BJP had won the Legislative Council polls held for 10 seats, while with its own numbers the BJP could have won only four seats.
The Shiv Sena and the NCP won two seats each, while the Congress could only bag one seat.
There are some concerns in the NCP and Congress over guarding their votes.
“The Congress already faced an embarrassment in the Legislative Council election when one of its candidate lost against the BJP. We do not want it to happen again,” a senior Congress leader said.
The BJP currently has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly along with 40 MLAs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, besides 10 independents who support the BJP.
“Without cross-voting, Murmu cannot get the votes of 200 MLAs, as claimed by CM Shinde. If Murmu gets 200 votes, it will be a further setback for the Congress, NCP and the Shiv Sena,” a political analyst said.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena with 15 MLAs has announced support for Murmu.
The NCP and Congress have 53 and 44 MLAs, respectively.
Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, 23 MPs belong to the BJP, 18 to Shiv Sena, four to NCP, and one to Congress.
Of the rest two MPs, one belongs to the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and another is Independent.
Various political parties in the state are also taking extra efforts to ensure none of the votes cast by their MLAs and MPs turn invalid in the presidential election.
MUMBAI: As lawmakers from Maharashtra gear up to vote on Monday to elect the country’s next president, there are concerns among the opposition parties over the possibility of cross-voting.
MLAs and MPs form the electoral college to elect the President of India.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress – the two main opposition parties in Maharashtra – have already held meetings with their legislators to ensure there is no any cross-voting in favour of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance’s candidate Droupadi Murmu.
The opposition is concerned as Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday claimed that Murmu would get the support of 200 MLAs from the state.
“We will manage to get the votes of 200 MLAs for Droupadi Murmu. We want a very comfortable win for her,” he said.
Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition.
Notably, cross-voting was held during the Rajya Sabha elections and the Maharashtra Legislative Council polls last month.
All five candidates of the BJP had won the Legislative Council polls held for 10 seats, while with its own numbers the BJP could have won only four seats.
The Shiv Sena and the NCP won two seats each, while the Congress could only bag one seat.
There are some concerns in the NCP and Congress over guarding their votes.
“The Congress already faced an embarrassment in the Legislative Council election when one of its candidate lost against the BJP. We do not want it to happen again,” a senior Congress leader said.
The BJP currently has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly along with 40 MLAs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, besides 10 independents who support the BJP.
“Without cross-voting, Murmu cannot get the votes of 200 MLAs, as claimed by CM Shinde. If Murmu gets 200 votes, it will be a further setback for the Congress, NCP and the Shiv Sena,” a political analyst said.
The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena with 15 MLAs has announced support for Murmu.
The NCP and Congress have 53 and 44 MLAs, respectively.
Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, 23 MPs belong to the BJP, 18 to Shiv Sena, four to NCP, and one to Congress.
Of the rest two MPs, one belongs to the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and another is Independent.
Various political parties in the state are also taking extra efforts to ensure none of the votes cast by their MLAs and MPs turn invalid in the presidential election.
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Chirag in NDA meet on presidential poll preparation, says his presence due to support to Murmu
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan on Sunday attended a meeting of the BJP-led NDA on the presidential poll preparation, a significant development as he had kept away from the ruling alliance’s gatherings after walking out of the coalition during the 2020 Bihar assembly polls.
Paswan, however, told PTI that attending the meeting did not mean he was again a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The second-term Lok Sabha MP walked into the venue of the meeting along with several other MPs, mostly from the BJP, where a demonstration on the voting for the presidential poll was given on the eve of the election.
The Jamui MP, however, said later that his presence at the meeting was because of his support to the ruling alliance’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.
She also joined the MPs later.
Paswan said he was invited to attend the meeting.
“It does not mean that I am part of the NDA,” he told PTI.
Paswan had quit the NDA in Bihar due to his opposition to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), the biggest alliance member after the BJP.
He had then claimed that he remained a BJP ally at the national level and had quit the grouping in Bihar for state-specific reasons.
However, the JD(U)’s stiff resistance ensured that he did not attend NDA meetings.
The BJP’s invitation to him to attend a ruling alliance’s meeting ahead of Parliament’s budget session had invited a sharp reaction from Kumar’s party, leading to Paswan skipping it.
JD(U) MPs, including its president Lalan Singh, also attended the meeting held in the Parliament complex on Sunday.
Paswan’s relations with the BJP had also soured after his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras split the Lok Janshakti Party and was joined by all other party MPs.
The Paras faction was recognised as the real LJP in Lok Sabha, and he was sworn in as a minister in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Chirag Paswan had also taken swipes at the BJP following his eviction from a government bungalow, first allotted to his father and stalwart Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan.
NEW DELHI: Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan on Sunday attended a meeting of the BJP-led NDA on the presidential poll preparation, a significant development as he had kept away from the ruling alliance’s gatherings after walking out of the coalition during the 2020 Bihar assembly polls.
Paswan, however, told PTI that attending the meeting did not mean he was again a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
The second-term Lok Sabha MP walked into the venue of the meeting along with several other MPs, mostly from the BJP, where a demonstration on the voting for the presidential poll was given on the eve of the election.
The Jamui MP, however, said later that his presence at the meeting was because of his support to the ruling alliance’s presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu.
She also joined the MPs later.
Paswan said he was invited to attend the meeting.
“It does not mean that I am part of the NDA,” he told PTI.
Paswan had quit the NDA in Bihar due to his opposition to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United), the biggest alliance member after the BJP.
He had then claimed that he remained a BJP ally at the national level and had quit the grouping in Bihar for state-specific reasons.
However, the JD(U)’s stiff resistance ensured that he did not attend NDA meetings.
The BJP’s invitation to him to attend a ruling alliance’s meeting ahead of Parliament’s budget session had invited a sharp reaction from Kumar’s party, leading to Paswan skipping it.
JD(U) MPs, including its president Lalan Singh, also attended the meeting held in the Parliament complex on Sunday.
Paswan’s relations with the BJP had also soured after his uncle Pashupati Kumar Paras split the Lok Janshakti Party and was joined by all other party MPs.
The Paras faction was recognised as the real LJP in Lok Sabha, and he was sworn in as a minister in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Chirag Paswan had also taken swipes at the BJP following his eviction from a government bungalow, first allotted to his father and stalwart Dalit leader Ram Vilas Paswan.
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Presidential polls: Political parties in Maharashtra take precautions to ensure votes do not become invalid
By PTI
MUMBAI: Various political parties in Maharashtra are taking extra efforts to ensure none of the votes cast by their MLAs and MPs turn invalid in Monday’s presidential election.
MLAs and MPs form the electoral college to elect the President of India.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has fielded Droupadi Murmu for the Presidential election.
Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition.
A Maharashtra BJP leader said on Sunday that the party has taken extra efforts to educate each of its MLAs and MPs on voting for the Presidential polls to avoid their ballots getting invalidated for any lacunae.
The BJP had conducted mock voting sessions for the MLAs and MPs.
“In 2017 (Presidential election), of the total votes cast, 77 were invalidated at the national level. We do not know how many invalidated votes were from Maharashtra but we want to avoid any such embarrassment this time,” said the BJP leader.
The BJP has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly along with 40 MLAs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena besides ten independents who support the BJP.
The Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray with 15 MLAs has supported Murmu.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress have 53 and 44 MLAs, respectively.
Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, 23 MPs belong to the BJP, 18 to Shiv Sena, four to NCP, and one to Congress.
Of the rest two MPs, one belongs to the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and another is Independent.
The Congress and the NCP had organised meetings with their MLAs and MPs to ensure that they vote for the Opposition candidate Sinha and that cross-voting is avoided.
MUMBAI: Various political parties in Maharashtra are taking extra efforts to ensure none of the votes cast by their MLAs and MPs turn invalid in Monday’s presidential election.
MLAs and MPs form the electoral college to elect the President of India.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has fielded Droupadi Murmu for the Presidential election.
Former Union minister Yashwant Sinha is the candidate of the Opposition.
A Maharashtra BJP leader said on Sunday that the party has taken extra efforts to educate each of its MLAs and MPs on voting for the Presidential polls to avoid their ballots getting invalidated for any lacunae.
The BJP had conducted mock voting sessions for the MLAs and MPs.
“In 2017 (Presidential election), of the total votes cast, 77 were invalidated at the national level. We do not know how many invalidated votes were from Maharashtra but we want to avoid any such embarrassment this time,” said the BJP leader.
The BJP has 106 MLAs in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly along with 40 MLAs belonging to the Eknath Shinde faction of Shiv Sena besides ten independents who support the BJP.
The Shiv Sena faction led by Uddhav Thackeray with 15 MLAs has supported Murmu.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress have 53 and 44 MLAs, respectively.
Of the total 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, 23 MPs belong to the BJP, 18 to Shiv Sena, four to NCP, and one to Congress.
Of the rest two MPs, one belongs to the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and another is Independent.
The Congress and the NCP had organised meetings with their MLAs and MPs to ensure that they vote for the Opposition candidate Sinha and that cross-voting is avoided.
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Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar named NDA’s Vice Presidential candidate
By Online Desk
The BJP on Saturday named Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as its Vice-Presidential candidate. The decision was taken during the meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board earlier in the day.
The ruling NDA’s nominee has an upper hand in the election as it enjoys a majority in the electoral college.
Sources said the BJP will also reach out to various parties to seek a consensus over the choice of the candidate. However, the leaders of Opposition parties will meet on Sunday to discuss their own Vice- Presidential candidate.
The Congress has anointed Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, to reach out to all Opposition leaders to find a consensus candidate. The party has already made it clear that it is not fielding a candidate. With the numbers in favour of the ruling bloc, the contest will be a symbolic one.
The members of the BJP Parliamentary Board include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari and party president J P Nadda, among others.
polling to elect the next vice president will be held on August 6 and counting of votes will take place the same day, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.
The BJP-led NDA has a clear edge in the poll in which members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are eligible to vote.
ALSO READ | Dhankhar assures monks of steps as per law on Mahua Moitra’s Kali comment
The notification for the election will be issued on July 5, which will set in motion the nomination process. The last date for filing of nomination papers will be July 19.
The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on July 20 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 22. The term of incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10. The vice president is also the chairperson of Rajya Sabha.
The electoral college in the vice presidential election comprises a total of 788 members of both Houses of Parliament.
Since all the electors are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value of vote of each MP would be the same — one, the EC said.
The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot.
There is no concept of open voting in this election and showing the ballot to anyone under any circumstances in the case of presidential and vice-presidential elections is totally prohibited, the EC cautioned, adding that parties cannot issue whip to its MPs in the matter of voting.
A nomination paper of a candidate has to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and by at least other 20 electors as seconders.
An elector can subscribe to only one nomination paper of a candidate as either a proposer or a seconder. A candidate can file a maximum of four nomination papers. The security deposit for the election is Rs 15,000.
Unlike the presidential poll where voting takes place in multiple locations as elected MLAs, not nominated, also form part of the electoral college, in the vice presidential election, voting takes place in Parliament House.
The schedule for the vice presidential election was finalised at a meeting of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey.
The BJP on Saturday named Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar as its Vice-Presidential candidate. The decision was taken during the meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Board earlier in the day.
The ruling NDA’s nominee has an upper hand in the election as it enjoys a majority in the electoral college.
Sources said the BJP will also reach out to various parties to seek a consensus over the choice of the candidate. However, the leaders of Opposition parties will meet on Sunday to discuss their own Vice- Presidential candidate.
The Congress has anointed Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, to reach out to all Opposition leaders to find a consensus candidate. The party has already made it clear that it is not fielding a candidate. With the numbers in favour of the ruling bloc, the contest will be a symbolic one.
The members of the BJP Parliamentary Board include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari and party president J P Nadda, among others.
polling to elect the next vice president will be held on August 6 and counting of votes will take place the same day, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.
The BJP-led NDA has a clear edge in the poll in which members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members, are eligible to vote.
ALSO READ | Dhankhar assures monks of steps as per law on Mahua Moitra’s Kali comment
The notification for the election will be issued on July 5, which will set in motion the nomination process. The last date for filing of nomination papers will be July 19.
The scrutiny of nomination papers will be done on July 20 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is July 22. The term of incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu ends on August 10. The vice president is also the chairperson of Rajya Sabha.
The electoral college in the vice presidential election comprises a total of 788 members of both Houses of Parliament.
Since all the electors are members of both Houses of Parliament, the value of vote of each MP would be the same — one, the EC said.
The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote and the voting at such election is by secret ballot.
There is no concept of open voting in this election and showing the ballot to anyone under any circumstances in the case of presidential and vice-presidential elections is totally prohibited, the EC cautioned, adding that parties cannot issue whip to its MPs in the matter of voting.
A nomination paper of a candidate has to be subscribed by at least 20 electors as proposers and by at least other 20 electors as seconders.
An elector can subscribe to only one nomination paper of a candidate as either a proposer or a seconder. A candidate can file a maximum of four nomination papers. The security deposit for the election is Rs 15,000.
Unlike the presidential poll where voting takes place in multiple locations as elected MLAs, not nominated, also form part of the electoral college, in the vice presidential election, voting takes place in Parliament House.
The schedule for the vice presidential election was finalised at a meeting of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey.
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BJP worker moves Mumbai court over Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘uncharitable’ remarks on Droupadi Murmu
By PTI
MUMBAI: A man claiming to be a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker has moved a court in Mumbai against filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma alleging he had passed “uncharitable” remarks about National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.
The complaint seeking action against Varma for offences under sections 499 and 500 (defamation), 504 (intentionally insulting a person), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was filed by Subhas Rajora before the metropolitan magistrate court in suburban Bandra on July 14, the complainant’s lawyer D V Saroj said on Saturday.
The magistrate has adjourned the matter to October 11 for taking cognisance of the complaint, he added.
The complaint stated that Varma had made “derogatory” statements through his Twitter handle which outraged the respect of women on social media. His tweets are tantamount to disrespecting the scheduled caste (SC) people.
MUMBAI: A man claiming to be a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker has moved a court in Mumbai against filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma alleging he had passed “uncharitable” remarks about National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu.
The complaint seeking action against Varma for offences under sections 499 and 500 (defamation), 504 (intentionally insulting a person), and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was filed by Subhas Rajora before the metropolitan magistrate court in suburban Bandra on July 14, the complainant’s lawyer D V Saroj said on Saturday.
The magistrate has adjourned the matter to October 11 for taking cognisance of the complaint, he added.
The complaint stated that Varma had made “derogatory” statements through his Twitter handle which outraged the respect of women on social media. His tweets are tantamount to disrespecting the scheduled caste (SC) people.
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Around 51 lakh households to get zero electricity bill: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
By PTI
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said around 51 lakh households in the state will receive zero electricity bills and asserted that the promise of 300 units of free power has been implemented from July 1.
“I am going to share good news with Punjabis regarding electricity guarantee.. the promise of free electricity has come into effect from July 1.. the (electricity) bill for July-August will come in the first week of September.. The good news is that around 51 lakh households will get zero electricity bills – what we say, we do it,” Mann said in a tweet in Punjabi.
बिजली गारंटी से संबंधित एक अच्छी खबर पंजाबियों के साथ साझा कर रहा हूं … 1 जुलाई से मुफ्त बिजली का वादा लागू हो गया है..जुलाई-अगस्त का बिल सितंबर के पहले हफ्ते में आएगा… खुशखबरी है कि लगभग 51 लाख घरों का बिजली का बिल ज़ीरो आएगा…हम जो कहते हैं, वह करते हैं।
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) July 16, 2022
The AAP-led government had earlier announced that it will provide 300 units of free electricity to every household from July 1. Giving 300 units of free electricity was one of the major poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party during the Punjab assembly elections.ALSO READ | ‘Revadi culture’: PM Modi warns against garnering votes through freebies
Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised free electricity of up to 300 units per household in the state in June last year. Kejriwal had also promised waiver of pending electricity bills and round-the-clock power supply in the state.
In April, Mann had said if electricity consumption exceeds 600 units in two months, then a consumer will have to pay for the entire power usage. But scheduled castes, backward castes, below-poverty-line households and freedom fighters will be charged just for over and above 600 units, the chief minister had then clarified.
Punjab has a two-month billing cycle for power supply.
ALSO READ | Free education, healthcare not freebies, but efforts towards making India No 1: Arvind Kejriwal
When Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the state budget on June 27, he had said that providing 300 units of free power will put an additional burden of Rs 1,800 crore on the state exchequer.
In the state budget, a total power subsidy bill has been proposed at Rs 15,845 crore as against Rs 13,443 crore in 2021-22.
Punjab provides subsided power to various categories and out of which, the subsidy bill on account of free electricity to the farming sector alone is around Rs 7,000 crore.
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said around 51 lakh households in the state will receive zero electricity bills and asserted that the promise of 300 units of free power has been implemented from July 1.
“I am going to share good news with Punjabis regarding electricity guarantee.. the promise of free electricity has come into effect from July 1.. the (electricity) bill for July-August will come in the first week of September.. The good news is that around 51 lakh households will get zero electricity bills – what we say, we do it,” Mann said in a tweet in Punjabi.
बिजली गारंटी से संबंधित एक अच्छी खबर पंजाबियों के साथ साझा कर रहा हूं … 1 जुलाई से मुफ्त बिजली का वादा लागू हो गया है..जुलाई-अगस्त का बिल सितंबर के पहले हफ्ते में आएगा… खुशखबरी है कि लगभग 51 लाख घरों का बिजली का बिल ज़ीरो आएगा…
हम जो कहते हैं, वह करते हैं।
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) July 16, 2022
The AAP-led government had earlier announced that it will provide 300 units of free electricity to every household from July 1. Giving 300 units of free electricity was one of the major poll promises of the Aam Aadmi Party during the Punjab assembly elections.ALSO READ | ‘Revadi culture’: PM Modi warns against garnering votes through freebies
Party’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised free electricity of up to 300 units per household in the state in June last year. Kejriwal had also promised waiver of pending electricity bills and round-the-clock power supply in the state.
In April, Mann had said if electricity consumption exceeds 600 units in two months, then a consumer will have to pay for the entire power usage. But scheduled castes, backward castes, below-poverty-line households and freedom fighters will be charged just for over and above 600 units, the chief minister had then clarified.
Punjab has a two-month billing cycle for power supply.
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When Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the state budget on June 27, he had said that providing 300 units of free power will put an additional burden of Rs 1,800 crore on the state exchequer.
In the state budget, a total power subsidy bill has been proposed at Rs 15,845 crore as against Rs 13,443 crore in 2021-22.
Punjab provides subsided power to various categories and out of which, the subsidy bill on account of free electricity to the farming sector alone is around Rs 7,000 crore.
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India engages with former Nepal PM Prachanda under ‘Know BJP’ initiative
Express News Service
NEW DELHI: India engages with former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), who is on a three-day visit to Delhi under the ‘Know BJP’ initiative.
With elections in Nepal scheduled for the end of this year, and considering Prachanda’s popularity with the Nepalese masses, India would like his coalition with Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to continue, say sources.
“India-Nepal ties have improved with PM Deuba and it works in India’s favour to continue the association based on goodwill, diplomacy, trade and cultural ties. PM Modi’s visiting Lumbini, the subsequent handing over of the West Seti power project to India and a train linking Delhi to Janakpur in Nepal are proof of the association strengthening,” say sources.
Foreign policy experts point out that it would not be in India’s interest for Prachanda to support former Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli – as he favoured China.
Prachanda’s visit comes just two days after a senior leader of the Communist Party of China, Liu Jianchao, visited Nepal and also met PM Deuba.
“Prachanda is bargaining with both sides to become PM after elections. It is a known fact that whichever side Prachanda will be in Nepal will win a majority in the upcoming elections. So India would like him to support a coalition with Deuba,’’ say sources.
The present Nepalese government headed by PM Deuba is a five-party coalition alliance which has the support of Prachanda, Nepal Communist Socialist Madhav Nepal as well as Janata Samajwadi Party and Rastriya Janmorcha.
Meanwhile, Prachanda is likely to meet the top BJP brass and senior government officials, including BJP president J P Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Some sources even suggest that there is possibility of him meeting PM Modi as well.
“Comrade Prachanda received a warm welcome at the airport in Delhi and was received by Vijay Chauthaivale and Nepal’s ambassador to India Shankar Sharma,’’ tweeted Prachanda’s office after his arrival in Delhi.
It has been reported that the invitation sent out to Prachanda was under the BJP’s outreach initiative called ‘Know BJP’ and one of the objectives under this is to engage with leaders of other political parties and even leaders from foreign countries.
“I am excited to visit India. This is my goodwill visit,” Prachanda said before leaving for Delhi.
Prachanda also refuted rumours that his visit to Delhi had any connection with the Chinese delegation’s visit to Kathmandu.
NEW DELHI: India engages with former Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda), who is on a three-day visit to Delhi under the ‘Know BJP’ initiative.
With elections in Nepal scheduled for the end of this year, and considering Prachanda’s popularity with the Nepalese masses, India would like his coalition with Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba to continue, say sources.
“India-Nepal ties have improved with PM Deuba and it works in India’s favour to continue the association based on goodwill, diplomacy, trade and cultural ties. PM Modi’s visiting Lumbini, the subsequent handing over of the West Seti power project to India and a train linking Delhi to Janakpur in Nepal are proof of the association strengthening,” say sources.
Foreign policy experts point out that it would not be in India’s interest for Prachanda to support former Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli – as he favoured China.
Prachanda’s visit comes just two days after a senior leader of the Communist Party of China, Liu Jianchao, visited Nepal and also met PM Deuba.
“Prachanda is bargaining with both sides to become PM after elections. It is a known fact that whichever side Prachanda will be in Nepal will win a majority in the upcoming elections. So India would like him to support a coalition with Deuba,’’ say sources.
The present Nepalese government headed by PM Deuba is a five-party coalition alliance which has the support of Prachanda, Nepal Communist Socialist Madhav Nepal as well as Janata Samajwadi Party and Rastriya Janmorcha.
Meanwhile, Prachanda is likely to meet the top BJP brass and senior government officials, including BJP president J P Nadda, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Some sources even suggest that there is possibility of him meeting PM Modi as well.
“Comrade Prachanda received a warm welcome at the airport in Delhi and was received by Vijay Chauthaivale and Nepal’s ambassador to India Shankar Sharma,’’ tweeted Prachanda’s office after his arrival in Delhi.
It has been reported that the invitation sent out to Prachanda was under the BJP’s outreach initiative called ‘Know BJP’ and one of the objectives under this is to engage with leaders of other political parties and even leaders from foreign countries.
“I am excited to visit India. This is my goodwill visit,” Prachanda said before leaving for Delhi.
Prachanda also refuted rumours that his visit to Delhi had any connection with the Chinese delegation’s visit to Kathmandu.