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Nirmala Sitharaman’s ‘gud ko gobar’ jibe at UPA over inflation in Parliament

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took a jibe at the previous UPA government over inflation, saying they had a mastery on ‘gud ko gobar karna’.

In a scathing attack on the Congress, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday accused the UPA government, which was in power from 2004 to 2014, of economic mismanagement and said they have a mastery on “gud ko gobar karna” (to ruin a good thing).

Reading out from the government’s ‘White Paper’ on India’s economy in Parliament, Sitharaman said, “In 2004, when Prime Minister Vajpayee’s NDA government handed it over to you with inflation below 4 per cent, what did you do with it? Ill-targeted, reckless fiscal policy, ill-targeted subsidies, wasteful expenditure, all done for political gains.”

She added that the NDA government was often targeted for inflation but the UPA government was not better off.

The Finance Minister said targeting inflation was not merely trying to contain it but implementing supply-side measures as prices would increase due to a lack of it.

She added that under the NDA government, a group of ministers monitors the price of commodities, including vegetables and pulses, every week.

The ‘White Paper’ compares the performance of the Indian economy under the previous UPA government and the current BJP-led NDA government.

It was mentioned in the document that the UPA regime inherited a healthy economy in 2004 and left it in crisis when the current government took over in 2014.

The central government said in its white paper that the UPA government failed to drive growth after inheriting a healthy economy in 2004.

This Article was originally published on india today.

Also Read: Modi govt announces 5 Bharat Ratna awards in 2024, highest in a Single Year!

Modi govt announces 5 Bharat Ratna awards in 2024, highest in a Single Year!

PV Narasimha Rao, the first Congress PM outside the Nehru-Gandhi family, will be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna this year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday that former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, alongside agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, will be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.

This year’s five recipients surpass the four awarded in 1999, marking the highest number of Bharat Ratnas awarded in a single year. Praising Rao for his liberalisation policies that transformed the economy, Singh for his advocacy for farmers’ rights, and Swaminathan for his globally recognized contributions to agriculture, Modi commended their invaluable service to the nation.

Among the recipients, four will receive the honour posthumously, while Advani, aged 96, is the sole living recipient.

Also Read : Haldwani Communal Violence: 4 killed, over 100 injured. Schools shut, Internet Suspended | Latest updates!

Here is the list of Bharat Ratna awardees this year

1. Karpoori Thakur (Posthumous) (politician and former Bihar chief minister): Karpoori Thakur, a well-known socialist leader from Bihar and former chief minister of the state, will be posthumously honoured with India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna. Fondly referred to as ‘Jan Nayak’ (people’s leader), Thakur will become the 49th recipient of this prestigious award.

2. Lal Krishna Advani (politician and former deputy prime minister): Advani has held the position of president of the Bharatiya Janata Party for the longest duration since its establishment in 1980. Over the course of nearly three decades in parliament, he served as both the home minister and deputy Prime Minister under the leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee from 1999 to 2004. On February 3, PM Modi disclosed that Advani would be bestowed with India’s highest civilian honour.

3. Pamulaparthi Venkata Narasimha Rao (Posthumous) (former Prime Minister of India): In honouring Rao, who passed away in 2004, PM Modi expressed admiration for his multifaceted service to the nation as a revered scholar and statesman. Modi highlighted Rao’s notable contributions not only as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh but also as a Union minister and longstanding legislator in both the Parliament and the state assembly. Rao, a respected Telugu leader, served a full five-year term as prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and is widely lauded for his pivotal role in introducing economic reforms.

4. Chaudhary Charan Singh (Posthumous) (former Prime Minister of India): Singh, a prominent Jat leader hailing from western Uttar Pradesh, served as prime minister during 1979-80 and played a pivotal role in spearheading anti-Congress politics during an era when the party held dominant influence. Modi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to honour Singh with the Bharat Ratna, attributing it to his unparalleled contributions to the nation.

5. Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (Posthumous) (agriculture scientist): Modi expressed immense delight in his government’s decision to bestow the Bharat Ratna upon Swaminathan, acknowledging his significant contributions to agriculture and the welfare of farmers. Modi praised Swaminathan’s visionary guidance, which revolutionised Indian agriculture, ensuring both food security and prosperity for the nation. Modi emphasised his close relationship with Swaminathan, valuing his wisdom and contributions. The renowned agronomist passed away last year.

This article is sourced from Hindustantimes News!

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Haldwani Communal Violence: 4 killed, over 100 injured. Schools shut, Internet Suspended | Latest updates!

Communal tension gripped Haldwani on Thursday evening after violence broke out over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa

Haldwani communal violence

Communal tension gripped the Haldwani area of Nainital district on Thursday evening after violence broke out in Banbhoolpura over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa, officials familiar with the matter said. The district magistrate of the district has imposed a curfew in Banbhoolpura. A ‘shoot-at-sight’ order has also been issued against the rioters.

Nainital district magistrate Vandana (who goes by her first name) said three to four people have died and over 100 people, primarily police personnel, have been injured in the Banbhoolpura violence so far. Vandana said the curfew has been imposed in Haldwani to maintain law and order situation, while internet services have also been suspended in the city, adding that an order to keep schools in the area shut has also been issued.

Key updates on Haldwani communal violence:

  • Curfew was imposed in Haldwani after residents reportedly set vehicles on fire and hurled stones, injuring at least 100 people, over the demolition of an “illegally built” madrasa.
  • Police said most of the injured were hospitalised after the violence in the city’s Banbhoolpura area were police personnel and municipal workers involved in the demolition of a local madrasa.

  • Senior superintendent of police Prahlad Meena said a notice was served earlier on the madrasa constructed illegally on government land.
  • Nainital district magistrate Vandana said at the violence outside the Banbhoolpura police station, some people fired (it is being confirmed whether they were illegal or legal weapons). “In response, the police fired in the air. Three to four people were brought dead at hospitals who had sustained bullet injuries. The identification of the deceased is being done. We will have to wait to ascertain whether they have died in the police firing or firing by people among them,” the DM said.
  • Vandana claimed that the rioters tried to torch the Banbhoolpura police station. “At that time, our policemen were present at the police station. The police force, however, controlled them and didn’t allow them to enter the police station. The violence then spread to Gandhi Nagar area near Banbhoolpura,” she said.
  • The DM claimed that it appears the violence was “pre-planned and unprovoked” and “stones were stored beforehand at homes”. “The rioters even used petrol bombs,” she added.
  • According to the DM, the situation is now under control. The violence has been controlled in Banbhoolpura and wasn’t allowed to be spread to the main city. “Paramilitary forces have also been deployed in the area and more are on their way. Additional police force from the neighbouring districts has also been deployed in the city to maintain law and order,” she said.

CM Dhami calls meeting

In capital Dehradun, Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami summoned a meeting of senior officials. SSP Meena said the demolition was carried out in the presence of municipal commissioner Pankaj Upadhyay, city magistrate Richa Singh and SDM Paritosh Verma.

This article is sourced from Hindustantimes News!

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Watch: Protesting farmers cause a severe traffic gridlock on the Delhi-Noida border!

A severe traffic bottleneck developed on the Delhi-Noida border on Thursday morning as Uttar Pradesh farmers organized a protest march to the Parliament.

Delhi-Noida border

As farmers from Uttar Pradesh announced a protest march to the Parliament on Thursday morning, a massive traffic jam on the Delhi-Noida border arose amid the farmers’ protest. The farmers’ demands, in response to the land that has been acquired for city development over the last 4 decades, include increased land compensation and improved rehabilitation facilities for their families. The Noida Police had earlier released a warning to reduce gridlock on the routes.

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Following the announcement of the United Kisan Morcha’s march to Delhi, traffic police were notified. Farmers from hundreds of villages in Noida and Greater Noida have announced that they will march to Delhi in protest for their demands. The police diverted traffic on Thursday in response to the farmers’ call. If you are planning to travel on Thursday, please read the traffic police advisory before using Noida’s roads.

The route from Golchakkar Chowk Sector-15 to Sector-06 Chowki Chowk and from Sandeep Paper Mill Chowk to Harola Chowk will be completely closed to traffic, per the traffic police advisory.  Due to the protest, Golchakkar Chowk, Sector-15, Rajnigandha Chowk, Sector-06 Chowki Chowk, Jhundpura Chowk, Sector-8/10/11/12 Chowk, and Harola Chowk will all have traffic rerouted as needed.

This article is sourced from DNAindia!

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by Delhi Court on February 17 on ED’s complaint!

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Criticises PM Modi’s speech in Rajya Sabha, calls it ‘heap of lies’!

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of saying false things about the UPA government and claimed that his speech in the Rajya Sabha was only focused on criticising the Congress!

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that every speech of the Prime Minister is just a ‘heap of lies’ and warned that such anger is a harbinger of destruction, not development. 

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said, “Be it election platform or Parliament, every speech of the Prime Minister is just a ‘heap of lies’. He has become so engrossed in his lies, his applause, and his media that every question related to the public makes him angry. Anger is a guarantee of destruction, not development.”

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of saying false things about the UPA government and claimed that his speech in the Rajya Sabha was only focused on criticising the Congress. Speaking about PM Modi’s reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Rajya Sabha, Kharge on Wednesday said the Prime Minister did not talk about price rise, unemployment, and economic inequality.

Congress chief further said that NDA itself means No Data Available government. The Congress chief said during the 10 years of the UPA rule, the average GDP growth rate was 8.13 percent and asked why is it only 5.6 percent during the current government’s tenure.

He further mentioned that according to the World Bank, India became the third-largest economy in 2011. But PM Modi is not ready to accept this. 

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi hit out at the Congress for creating a north-south divide and ripped through the grand old party for allegedly working against the “interests of the nation.”

This article is sourced from Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by Delhi Court on February 17 on ED’s complaint!

Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by Delhi Court on February 17 on ED’s complaint!

The ED had on February 3 filed a fresh complaint case against Kejriwal for the non-compliance of its summons!

Arvind Kejriwal Summoned by Delhi Court

A Delhi court on Wednesday summoned Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on February 17 on a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him over the non-compliance of its summons in a money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped excise policy for the national capital.

“Cognisance of the complaint has been taken and summons is being issued to him to appear on February 17,” Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Divya Malhotra said.

The judge had reserved the order after the ED submitted that it had concluded its arguments in the matter.

The ED had on February 3 filed a fresh complaint case against Kejriwal for the non-compliance of its summons.

Kejriwal on Friday skipped the fifth summons issued to him by the ED. The agency had issued the summons to him on last Wednesday.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor had earlier written to the ED, describing the summonses as “illegal and politically motivated”. He had alleged that the summonses were aimed at preventing him from campaigning in elections.

This article is sourced from Hindustantimes News!

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Punjab: NRI’s body found in drain in Ludhiana

His body was found in a storm drain. The police suspect that he fell in the drain and died.

The deceased has been identified as Varinder Singh, 37, of Bulara village. He had returned to India from Australia with his wife and 9-year-old son after over nine years to attend a wedding.

An NRI was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Kulahad village in Malaud on Monday night.

His body was found in a storm drain. The police suspect that he fell in the drain and died.

The deceased has been identified as Varinder Singh, 37, of Bulara village. He had returned to India from Australia with his wife and 9-year-old son after over nine years to attend a wedding.

ASI Harjinder Singh, who is investigating the case, said the man had gone to Malaud to attend a wedding ceremony of one of his relatives, where he reportedly consumed liquor. He left the function for home, but did not return. Meanwhile, a passerby noticed a body in the drain and informed the police.

The ASI added that they rushed the man to hospital where the doctors declared him dead. The police inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC following the statement of the kin of the deceased.

This article is sourced from Hindustantimes News!

Also Read : Madhya Pradesh Fire Live Updates: Death toll rises to 11 in Harda fireworks factory blasts, 60 injured!

Madhya Pradesh Fire Live Updates: Death toll rises to 11 in Harda fireworks factory blasts, 60 injured!

Madhya Pradesh Fire Live Updates: Blast at a firecracker factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

Madhya Pradesh Fire Live Updates: The blast resulted in the destruction of 60 nearby houses, while more than three dozen commuters were affected.

Madhya Pradesh Fire

Madhya Pradesh Fire Live Updates: More than 10 people lost their lives and around 50 sustained injuries following an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in the Bairagarh locality of Harda district, Madhya Pradesh, on Tuesday morning.

The blast also destroyed sixty nearby houses, while more than three dozen commuters were affected by the explosion. Over 100 houses have been evacuated by the authorities due to continuous explosions at the factory. Additionally, a significant number of two-wheelers were engulfed in flames due to the explosion.

Madhya Pradesh’s Harda fire incident: What we know so far?

Madhya Pradesh Fire Live Updates!

• Death toll: 11 people killed, 60 injured in an explosion and subsequent fire at a firecrackers factory in Harda, Madhya Pradesh.

• Nature of explosion: Multiple blasts occurred, and videos on social media captured the fire with intermittent explosions.

• Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav spoke to officials, directed key officials, including minister Uday Pratap Singh, additional chief secretary Ajit Kesari, and director general home guard Arvind Kumar, to rush to Harda by helicopter.

• Firefighters and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team are present at the site.

This article is sourced from Hindustantimes News!

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Uniform Civil Code bill to be tabled in Uttarakhand Assembly today

The bill will be tabled during the ongoing four-day special session of the assembly, which began on Monday.

Uniform Civil Code bill

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government will table the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday.

The bill will be tabled during the ongoing four-day special session of the assembly, which began on Monday.

On Sunday, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the final draft of the UCC, which proposes uniform civil laws for all communities in the state.Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said on Monday that the Uniform Civil Code is in the consultation process and being reviewed by the Law Commission of India. 

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“This is not just the issue of the Centre; the makers of the Constitution had discussed this even when the Constitution was being made…Right now, this matter is under consideration with the Law Commission of India and is in the consultation process. The states can fix it or improve it, and the government of Goa has already worked on UCC. The Uttarakhand government has approved this in the cabinet and as soon as we get a report by the Law Commission, we will inform you…” said Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.

Earlier, a draft of the UCC was handed over to the Chief Minister by the five-member committee headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.The UCC will provide a legal framework for uniform marriage, divorce, land, property, and inheritance laws for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.

The passage of the UCC Bill will mark the fulfillment of a major promise made by the BJP to the people of the state in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly polls.In March 2022, the Dhami government decided to constitute a committee to prepare a draft for the UCC. 

This article is sourced from DNA India.

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Uttar Pradesh budget for FY 2024-25: List of major announcements!

Discover key announcements from Uttar Pradesh’s budget for FY 2024-25. Stay informed on major initiatives shaping the state’s economic landscape!

Here is a list of the major announcements made in the Uttar Pradesh budget for financial year 2024-25.

Uttar Pradesh budget 2024

Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Kumar Khanna presented the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 in the state assembly on Monday. Khanna said the total outlay of ₹7,36,437.71 crore for the next fiscal includes new schemes worth ₹24,863.57 crore.

Out of the total expenditure, ₹5,32,655.33 crore has been allocated for the revenue account and ₹2,03,782.38 crore for the capital account. For the next fiscal, the Uttar Pradesh government’s budget has estimated the total receipts at ₹7,21,233.82 crore, which includes revenue receipts estimated at ₹6,06,802.40 crore and capital receipts at ₹1,14,531.42 crore.

A deficit of ₹15,103.89 crore is estimated in the budget after deducting the total expenditure from the receipts of the consolidated fund.

“This is the state’s largest budget of over ₹7.36 lakh crores. Today, UP’s economy is the second biggest in the country. We adopted reforms and stopped revenue leakages to achieve this. UP is a revenue-surplus state now.This budget is also ‘Pink budget’- with a focus on ‘Matri Shakti’ and women-related schemes in the state,” chief minister Yogi Adityanath said.

Here is a list of the major announcements made in the Uttar Pradesh budget for financial year 2024-25

  • Under the Destitute Women Pension Scheme, the amount payable to the eligible beneficiaries has been increased from ₹500 per month to ₹1,000 per month.
  • The Chief Minister Khet Suraksha Yojna (Farm Security Scheme) is being started with a provision of ₹50 crore.
  • Under the Women Farmer Empowerment Project, the target is to provide technical support by forming 200 producer groups in the financial year 2024-2025.
  • The budget aims to achieve a target of a 5.1 per cent growth rate for the agriculture sector in the state.
  • Three schemes were announced to push the agriculture sector. One of the schemes, State Agricultural Development Scheme, will have a provision of ₹200 crore. ₹200 crore has been allocated for the World Bank-assisted UP Agris Scheme. With an allocation of ₹60 crore, the third scheme aims to install automatic weather station-automatic rain gauge in blocks and panchayats.
  • An outlay of ₹2,400 crore has been proposed for providing electricity at concessional rates for operating private tube wells of farmers.
  • ₹449.45 crore has been proposed for the implementation of PM Kusum Yojana.

Sourced from Hindustantimes News!

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