News Analysis India

Tag: PM Narendra Modi

  • Lakhimpur Kheri violence: Cong slams PM Modi for not removing Union minister despite son’s arrest

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday said the “brutal” mowing down of farmers in Lakhimpur Kheri was a manifestation of the government’s continuing “arrogance” and slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not removing the Union minister whose son has been arrested in connection with the incident.

    The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the party’s highest decision-making body, in a resolution alleged that the last seven years have witnessed a “diabolical design” to attack the livelihood of ‘annadatas’ and landless farm labourers.

    Referring to the October 3 Lakhimpur Kheri violence in which eight people died, four of them farmers allegedly knocked down by a vehicle carrying BJP workers, the CWC said that “the brutal mowing down of farmers is a manifestation of the continuing arrogance”.

    “This incident was preceded by the Union minister (of state) for home affairs, himself an accused in a case of murder in which the high court has reserved judgment for 43 months, publicly threatening the farmers with dire consequences, while flaunting his own dubious antecedents,” the Congress said.

    Despite his son having been accused and arrested under relentless public pressure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi “shamelessly” refuses to remove Ajay Mishra as Union minister of state for home affairs, it said.

    On October 3, after the four farmers were knocked down, infuriated people then allegedly lynched some people in the vehicles.

    The other dead included two BJP workers and their driver.

    In the incident, a journalist was also killed.

    Farmers claimed that Union Minister Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra was in one of the vehicles, an allegation denied by him and his father who say they can produce evidence to prove he was at an event at that time.

    Ashish Mishra ‘Monu’ was arrested in the case on October 9 after 12 hours of questioning, and a court has accepted his police custody from October 12 to October 15.

    In its resolution, the Congress said it is committed to the repeal of the three farm laws and ensuring a just and fair minimum support price mechanism for India’s farmers as well as justice for landless farm labourers.

    “We reiterate our continued resolve to fight this battle alongside farmers and farm labourers to defeat the Modi government’s deliberate attack on India’s ‘annadatas’,” the CWC said.

    The party alleged that the “attack” on farmers began with a sinister design to deny the land acquisition compensation guaranteed by the Congress led-UPA through an Act of Parliament.

    This was followed by a refusal to provide any form of relief from agricultural indebtedness, a dilution of the norms for crop compensation and the framing of a convoluted crop insurance scheme which singularly benefitted select insurance companies instead of the suffering farmers, the resolution said.

    Agriculture was subjected to unjustifiable levels of taxation by imposing Goods and Services Tax (GST) on fertiliser (five per cent), pesticides (18 per cent) and tractors and agricultural equipment (12 per cent-18 per cent), it said.

    Meanwhile, fertilizer, seed and pesticide prices skyrocketed, the resolution pointed out.

    This was compounded by astronomical increase in diesel prices that are touching an unprecedented Rs 100 per litre and have even surpassed the Rs 100 per litre mark in several cities across the country, the resolution said.

    All these retrograde and outright anti-farmer measures, including excessive taxation by the Modi government, have placed an additional burden of Rs. 20,000-25,000 per hectare on agriculture, it claimed.

    “The plight of India’s farmers can be gauged from the NSSO report, which highlights that the average income per day of the small and marginal farmer is a pittance of Rs 26.67/ day. And the average debt is Rs 72,000 per farmer. The average income per day is way below even the minimum daily wage for labour,” the resolution stated.

    For over ten and a half months, lakhs of farmers have been protesting peacefully on Delhi’s borders, blocked by spikes and boulders on the national highway from advancing further, it said.

    The CWC also noted the “courage and consistency” with which Rahul Gandhi has fought for the cause of farmers and the “resilience” of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in fighting the onslaught on farmers in Uttar Pradesh.

    In another resolution on the political situation in the country, the CWC said the tragic incident at Lakhimpur Kheri is a clear example of official support to the attempt to suppress the voice of the farmers.

    The refusal of the prime minister to condemn the brutal murder of the farmers and to sack the minister of state for home affairs have shocked the conscience of the country, it said.

  • BJP leader Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu writes to PM Modi for caste-based census

    By ANI

    HYDERABAD: Demand for caste-based census started to rise within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the party’s former Rajya Sabha MP wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, urging him to conduct the census.

    BJP leader Ananda Bhaskar Rapolu said, “I seek your expeditious attention on making Indian society, much more transparent and create a pragmatic environment for welfare delivery by according Caste Based Census.”

    According to him, the Caste-based Census will help to have real-time correct data, which will be helpful for the public policy planners. He wrote, “You have gained permanence in achievements for the times to come, by several historic corrections for national integration and territorial inclusion. This will establish your commitments for inclusiveness – Sab ka Saath, Sab ka Vikas, Sab ka Vishwas.”

    He also blamed the previous UPA government for the half-baked census. The former BJP MP said, “The failure of rulers of 2011 though initiated but half-baked, as they themselves admitted their erring, rubbed on the wrong side of OBCs and results are history.”

    Stating that to announce the Caste-based Census as his birthday gift to the Indian society, Rapolu said, “Your nod will create history and ensure correction and transparency.” 

  • Prime Minister inaugurates renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh memorial

    By PTI

    AMRITSAR: Stressing that it is a country’s duty to protect its history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that events of the past “teach us and give us direction to move forward”, as he dedicated to the nation the renovated complex of Jallianwala Bagh memorial.

    Modi, who inaugurated the complex virtually, paid homage to the Jallianwala Bagh martyrs.

    “The global developments remind us of the importance of self-reliance and self-confidence. At a time when we are celebrating Amrut Mahotsav, we should strengthen our nation’s foundation and take pride in it,” the prime minister said.

    “Today, if any Indian is in trouble anywhere in the world, then India stands up to help him with all its might. Be it the Corona period or the crisis of Afghanistan, the world has experienced it continuously. Hundreds of people from Afghanistan are being brought to India under Operation Devi Shakti,” the prime minister said.

    He said the dedication of the renovated complex in the country’s 75th year of freedom is a matter of inspiration for all.

    “It is the duty of every country to protect its history. Events of past teach us and give direction to move forward,” he said.

    Horrors like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Partition speak of the sacrifices made for India’s freedom and should not be forgotten as they inspire to keep the country above all, the prime minister said.

    “It is not right for any country to ignore such horrors of its past,” he said, noting August 14 is now being observed as Partition Horrors Remembrance Day.

    “This place will inspire future generations about the journey of our Independence movement, the sacrifices and countless struggles of our ancestors. What should be our duty towards our nation and how we should keep the country above all in everything we do, the inspiration for this will come from this place,” the PM said.

    Quoting Gurbani, the prime minister said happiness emanates from empathy and service.

    For the all-round progress of Punjab and the country, a combined effort is needed, he said, adding “virasat (heritage) and vikaas (development) must coexist”.

    A wreath-laying ceremony was held and a two-minute silence was observed in the memory of martyrs of the Jallianwala massacre.

    Museum galleries have been developed at the memorial and the event showcased multiple development initiatives taken by the government to upgrade the complex.

    A sound and light show has been set up to display the events of April 13, 1919.

    Four museum galleries have been created through adaptive reuse of redundant and underutilised buildings.

    They showcase the historical value of events that unfolded in Punjab during that period, with the fusion of audio-visual technology, including projection mapping and 3D representation, as well as art and sculptural installations.

    Over 1,000 people were killed and hundreds wounded on April 13, 1919 when British troops fired indiscriminately on an unarmed gathering of thousands who had assembled in Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab amid nationwide protests against the Rowlatt Act which had extended wartime repressive measures.

  • India administers over 1 crore Covid vaccine doses, highest in a day

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India administered more than one crore COVID-19 vaccine doses on Friday, the highest ever in a day, the Union Health Ministry said.

    According to the CoWIN portal, the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the country has crossed 62,17,06,882 doses.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed those behind the vaccination drive and also praised people getting inoculated.

    Record vaccination numbers today!Crossing 1 crore is a momentous feat. Kudos to those getting vaccinated and those making the vaccination drive a success.
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 27, 2021
    “Record vaccination numbers today! Crossing 1 crore is a momentous feat. Kudos to those getting vaccinated and those making the vaccination drive a success,” he tweeted.

    Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, in a tweet, said, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas. This is the same effort by which the country has crossed the figure of more than 1 crore vaccines in one day. This is the result of tireless work of health workers and PM Narendra Modi.”

    According to the CoWIN portal, 1,00,64,032 jabs were administered on Friday.

    On August 17, over 88 lakh doses of the vaccine were administered across the country.

    A total of 30,85,06,160 people in the age group of 18-44 years have received vaccine doses while 23,98,99,849 beneficiaries in the age group of over 45 years have received jabs, according to the health ministry.

    The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, the ministry said.

  • Rs 19,500 crore transferred to over 9.75 crore farmers under PM-KISAN scheme

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday virtually transferred about Rs 19,500 crore to over 9.75 crore beneficiaries farmers under the government’s PM-KISAN scheme.

    With this, the government has so far transferred nine installments amounting around Rs 1.57 lakh crore to farmer families under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme.

    After the release of the amount, the Prime Minister interacted with beneficiaries of this scheme from across the country.

    An annual financial benefit of Rs 6,000 is provided to eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal four-monthly installments of Rs 2,000 each, under the PM-KISAN scheme.

    The scheme was announced in February 2019 in the Budget.

    The first installment was for December 2018-March 2019 period.

    The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

    Addressing the virtual event in the presence of the Prime Minister, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said that before the ninth installment, the central government had disbursed about Rs 1.37 lakh crore to around 11 crore beneficiaries under the scheme.

    The government has linked 2.28 crore PM-KISAN beneficiaries with Kisan Credit Card scheme, under which they have been able to avail loan up to 2.32 lakh crore so far.

    He also said the farmers have worked hard despite challenges of COVID-19 and ensured bumper production last year.

    Better output is expected in the coming days due to continued farmers’ efforts.

    Expressing concern over shortage of edible oils and pulses, Tomar said the government is focusing on boosting the domestic production through several schemes so that the country’s dependence on imports Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary and Shobha Karandlaje, as well as Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Aggarwal were among state ministers and officials present in the event.

  • CM Mamata protests move to place ‘anti-people’ Electricity Bill in Parliament in letter to PM Modi

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Protesting the Centre’s move to place the “anti-people” Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2020 in Parliament, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday shot a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to refrain from proceeding with the legislation.

    She requested the PM “to ensure that a broad-based and transparent dialogue on the subject is opened up at the earliest”.

    “I write this letter to re-lodge my protest against the Union Government’s fresh move to place the much-criticised Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, in Parliament.

    “It was proposed to be moved last year, but many of us had underlined the anti-people aspects of the draft legislation, and at least I had detailed out all the salient pitfalls of the Bill in a letter to you on June 12, 2020,” she wrote.

    Banerjee had written to Modi on June 12 last year, expressing outrage over the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2020, which, she, said, was an attempt by the Centre to “destroy” the country’s federal structure.

    She claimed that the bill aims to make the entire state electricity grid an appendage of the National Grid.

    “I am stunned to hear that the Bill is coming back without any consideration for our reservations, and in fact with some graver anti-people features this time,” she added.

  • Narrowly missed medal but women’s hockey team reflects spirit of new India: PM Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Hailing the Indian women’s hockey team’s performance at the Olympics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it narrowly missed a medal but it reflects the spirit of new India, “where we give our best and scale new frontiers”.

    The history-making Indian women’s hockey team’s dream of securing its maiden Olympic medal remained unfulfilled as it lost 3-4 to Great Britain in a hard-fought bronze play-off match at the ongoing Games in Tokyo on Friday.

    “We narrowly missed a medal in Women’s Hockey but this team reflects the spirit of New India — where we give our best and scale new frontiers,” Modi tweeted after the match.

    “More importantly, their success at #Tokyo2020 will motivate young daughters of India to take up Hockey and excel in it. Proud of this team,” he said.

    Modi said people will always remember the great performance of our women’s hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics.

    “They gave their best throughout.

    Each and every member of the team is blessed with remarkable courage, skill and resilience.

    India is proud of this outstanding team,” the prime minister said.

    The team had already created history and surpassed all expectations by entering the semifinals of the Games for the first time.

    But the maiden Olympic medal remained out of bounds as world no. 4 Great Britain, who were gold-winners in the 2016 Rio Games, came out on top in the pulsating encounter.

    The heartbreak came a day after the Indian men’s team ended a 41-year-old medal drought by clinching a bronze with a 5-4 win over Germany.

     

  • PM Modi chairs meeting of NDA floor leaders ahead of Monsoon session

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of NDA floor leaders on Sunday, a day ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament.

    Besides Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president J P Nadda were present in the meeting.

    Leaders of several NDA constituent parties were in attendance.

    These included Apna Dal leader Anupriya Patel, JD(U) leader Ram Nath Thakur, AIADMK leader A Navaneethakrishnan, RPI leader Ramdas Athawale and LJP leader Pashupati Paras among others.

    The meeting was called to finalise the floor strategy for the session.

    The Monsoon session of Parliament is scheduled to continue till August 13.