Parliament Updates: Budget neither farmer-friendly nor growth-oriented, says Congress MP; LS adjourned till 4 pm

MEA should make sincere efforts to enhance global cooperation on maritime piracy: Parl panel

The Ministry of External Affairs should make sincere efforts to enhance international cooperation on maritime piracy and ensure the welfare of Indian seafarers captured by pirates, a parliamentary panel said on Thursday. The parliamentary standing committee on external affairs made the assertion while approving the ‘Anti-Maritime Piracy Bill 2019’, subject to the inclusion of its 18 recommendations and suggestions in the paragraphs of the current Bill or through other appropriate methods like Rules or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

The government should now make all possible efforts for an earlier enactment of an anti-piracy legislation so that India becomes a part of an international endeavour to combat piracy and may provide for a sound legal basis for prosecuting and punishing persons committing acts of piracy, the panel said in its report presented in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

PTI

Indore MP seeks special grant for city

BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh’s Indore Shankar Lalwani sought a special grant from the Centre for India’s cleanest city. Kanakmal Katara, BJP MP Rajasthan’s Banswara thanks Union ministers for bringing a girl who was afflicted by coronavirus by air ambulance from Kyrgstan to Ghatola. He puts forth demands for funds for bridges and road development in his region.

Budget is not farmer-friendly or growth-oriented, says Anto Antony

Congress’ Anto Antony says the Budget is not farmer- friendly, or growth-oriented and ignores youth. Economy is in recession he says. The economy was sick before the pandemic and will be after the pandemic he says. Manmohan Singh brought in the MGNREGA and 273 crore job days were generated, he claims. The NDA government cut the allocation to MGNREGA, he claims. Speaking about the effects of the pandemic, he says “Millions of migrants lost their jobs and my constituency has the highest number of migrants and the budget has nothing for them.”  He also speaks about the unemployment crisis in the country and says women are worst affected by it.

Opposing the Budget proposal,he terms the Budget as anti-farmer and says it has nothing for the farmers. No amount to write off farmers loans and no moratorium on farmers loans has been included in the Budget, he claims. The UPA government has engaged in crony capitalism, he alleges.

Ramulu Pothuganthi highlights need for medical college in Nagarkurnool constituency

TRS MP from Nagarkurnool Ramulu Pothuganthi requests for a eklavya model school and at least three Kendriya Vidyalayas in his constituency. “There is an urgent need to set up a medical college in my constituency,” he says.

BJP’s Ajay Bhatt praises the Budget as one meant for the upliftment of the common man. He speaks about the disaster in Chamoli district and says the two power projects have been destroyed. He praises Prime Minister and Centre’s prompt response to the disaster. He alleges that during the 2013 Uttarkahand floods, the party in power at the Centre didn’t enquire after the state. He proposes formation of a committe to study glaciers. He says there’s a need for a highspeed train from Delhi to Haldwani.

Budget failed to give push to women’s empowerment, says Anubhav Mohanty

BJD’a Anubhav Mohanty praises all the correct steps in the Budget. Ground water level in Kendrapara is continuously falling. Budget fails to give push to women empowerment , he says. Investments are required in Odisha in railways and national highways, he says but claims " we have had lowest allocation in railways and no railways in six districts." “How are we at fault if general elections are not there in Odisha next year,” he asks. Odisha is the most distater prone country, he says. The high frequency of natural disasters in the state has had an impact on its growth, he says. Odisha has received very little support from the Centre in various areas such as tele-density, railways and highways , he claims.

The govt’s claims of having implemented Swamithanathan report are untrue he claims and demands implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s report in toto after negotiations with agitating farmers.

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‘Budget was disappointing’, says RLP’s Hanuman Beniwal

The RLP, former ally of the BJP, criticised the Centre over the Union Budget 2021 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. RLP MP Hanuman Beniwal said, “This Budget came after unprecedented disruptions. Everyone was looking at this Budget. But the Budget was disappointing. The farmers, youth got nothing in return.

He also slammed the government over the ongoing farmers’ protests and appealed to the Centre to withdraw the contentious laws.“The prime minister perhaps wants to withdraw the farm bills but does not know how to do it. These people (protesters) are the people who gave 120 seats to the BJP-NDA in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Don’t think these people will tire out. I appeal to the government to take back the laws. People have expectations from the prime minister,” he said.

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Nineteen ground staff of Air India succumbed to COVID-19 and other complications, says Centre

A total of 1,995 personnel of Air India have tested positive for coronavirus till 1 February and its 19 ground staff have “succumbed due to COVID-19 and other complications”, said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday.

“A total of 1995 personnel of Air India, including the crew deployed on Vande Bharat Mission tested positive for COVID-19 till 2 February, 2021, out of which 583 personnel were hospitalized,” Puri said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. “There have been no fatalities among the crew. However, 19 ground staff succumbed due to COVID -19 and other complications,” he added.

Dausa MP hails Budget

BJP’s Jaskaur Meena praises the presentation of the Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. She says the budget is courageous and will lay the foundation for the new decade. It will take every citizen of the country towards self reliance and progress, she says. The MP from Rajasthan’s Dausa demands for a sainik school in her area.

Budget looks like an election manifesto, alleges DMK’s DM Kathir Anand

DMK’s DM Kathir Anand tears into the government, saying the budget looks like an election manifesto or a five year plan. This government remains a publicity mongering government. An illusionary lollipop has been given to people of Tamil Nadu with eye on polls, he alleged. Theres nothing about labour and creation of employment in the Budget, he alleges. The budget doesn’t mention the three farm laws nad the allocation for the PM Kisan and PM Fasal Bima Yojana has come down too, he claims.

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Lok Sabha proceedings extended till midnight

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Budget focused on poll-bound states: Opposition in LS

Opposition leaders on Thursday said in Lok Sabha that the Budget was focused on poll-bound states. National Conference MP Hasnain Masoodi said the Budget did not have any infrastructure projects for Jammu and Kashmir.

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Smriti Irani hits out at Rahul Gandhi

Smriti Irani also said that Rahul Gandhi spoke about farmers and levelled allegations against the government. “I was surprised because he never gets involved in the discussion of the system in the region from where he was an MP even though he expresses concerns about the mandi system in that region,” she adds.

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Budget is to make India self-reliant, says Smriti Irani

“It is not acceptable for this gentleman (Rahul Gandhi) to discuss Budget in this House. Budget is to make India self-reliant, to connect India. Those who supported slogans calling for fragmentation of India can never support Budget dedicated to India,” Union Minister Smriti Irani said in Lok Sabha.

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2,072 Indians died of coronavirus infection abroad: Centre

A total of 2,072 Indians died due to the coronavirus in various countries with the highest death toll of 906 being reported in Saudi Arabia followed by 375 in the United Arab Emirates, the government said on Thursday, reports PTI.

Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said 369 Indians died of coronavirus infection in Kuwait while 166 deaths were reported from Oman.

An estimated 8.5 million Indians live and work in the Gulf region. Hundreds of thousands of them returned to India following the pandemic.

According to the details provided by Muraleedharan, 34 Indians died in Qatar, 48 in Bahrain and 23 each in Sudan and Nigeria.

He said 15 Indians died in Italy, seven in France, nine in Nepal, six in Iran and seven Indians succumbed to the virus in Iraq.

Replying to a separate question, Muraleedharan said India’s policy on Taiwan is clear and consistent.

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Centre seeks Parliament nod for additional gross expenditure of Rs 6.28 lakh cr

The government on Thursday sought Parliament’s approval for gross additional expenditure of Rs 6.28 lakh crore for 2020-21 as part of the second and final batch of supplementary demands for grants, reports PTI.

The proposals involve net cash outgo of Rs 4.13 lakh crore while the remaining amount will be matched by savings of ministries or enhanced receipts.

The approval of Parliament is sought to authorise the gross additional expenditure of Rs 6,28,379.99 crore, according to the document placed in Lok Sabha by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

“Of this, the proposals involving net cash outgo aggregate to Rs 4,12,653.48 crore and gross additional expenditure, matched by savings of the Ministries/ Departments or by enhanced receipts/ recoveries aggregates to Rs 2,15,725 crore,” it said.

The government has sought Rs 3,04,557.83 crore for the Department of Food and Public Distribution, including for food subsidy, subsidy to sugar mills, and extending soft loans to sugar mills.

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PM called farmers’ protest sacred after facing flak for ‘andolanjivi’ remark: Farmer leader

Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal on Thursday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the farmers’ agitation against the new agri laws “sacred” after facing flak for his ‘andolanjivi’ remark, reports PTI.

Prime Minister Modi in Lok Sabha on Wednesday had asserted that he holds the farmers’ agitation “sacred” and had made a fresh appeal to them to resume talks with the Centre. Two days earlier, during his speech in Rajya Sabha, Modi had sought to make a distinction between ‘andolankari’ (agitators) and ‘andolanjivi’, a barb for people who jump from one protest to another.

The ‘andolanjivi’ remark was criticised by opposition parties, including the Congress, and the farmer unions protesting against the laws at various Delhi border points since last November.

The “black” farm laws will destroy the farming community, Rajewal, who is the president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), said while addressing a well-attended ‘Kisan Mahapanchayat’ at Jagraon in Ludhiana, a first such in Punjab.

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Budget didn’t focus on rural education enough, says CPI MP in Lok Sabha

CPI’s M Selvaraj while speaking about the Union Budget on Thursday said that the government has not focused on rural education in the recent budget. Healso called the Centre’s formula of calculating MSP ‘an eyewash’ and claimed that MSMEs had closed down during COVID lockdown

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J&K MP Hasnain Masoodi applauds Union budget

Lok Sabha member Hasnain Masoodi from J&K’s Anantnag applauded the Union budget. He also mentioned a few issues he has with the budget, saying there is no specific budget for J&K. He also talked about the effects of revocation of Article 370 in the state, reports India Today.

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NCP Supriya Sule seeks clarification in defence budget

Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule seeks clarification on the state government’s role in defence Budget, reports The Hindu.

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No provision in farm laws to shut mandis: Anurag Thakur

In a sharp attack on Rahul Gandhi, MoS Finance Anurag Thakur said that there is no provision in the farm laws which says that mandis will be closed. “This shows the depth of their knowledge and reading. They don’t have the basic information and they are shooting their gun from farmers’ shoulders,” Anurag Thakur said in Lok Sabha.

Questioning Congress on why it did not implement MSP during the UPA era, Anurag Thakur said that the Modi government linked 1000 Mandis last year with E-NAM

“This year again, we are connecting 1000 Mandis with E-NAM. We have disbursed 1.14 lakh crore till now under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna,” he said.

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Budget shows hope to build new India, Atmanirbhar Bharat: Anurag Thakur

“This Budget shows a hope — a hope to build new India, a hope for stronger India, a hope to build Aatmanirbhar Bharat. I would like to thank the Finance Minister because this is going to set the path to make India an economic & manufacturing powerhouse,” said MoS Finance Anurag Thakur.

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Anurag Thakur hails BJP-led govt for uplifting lives of poor in Union Budget

BJP MP and Union Minister Anurag Thakur hails the Narendra Modi government for uplifting the lives of the poor in the country.

“It’s an optimistic budget and it will set the path for india to be an economic and manufacturing powerhouse. Some will oppose according to their views. Some raised slogans of gareebi hatao, five generations have ruled but poverty did not go. But the son of a poor man lifted many out of poverty. Some people only make electoral promises and not deliver,” he said.

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BJP’s Anurag Thakur criticises Rahul Gandhi’s speech on farm laws

BJP MP and Union Minister Anurag Thakur speaks in the Lok Sabha, and criticises Rahul Gandhi’s speech on the farm laws. 

Anurag Thakur (MoS Finance) said, “I can understand that Honourable member may not have prepared his speech on the budget.  He wasn’t here for other speeches. Some people remain very little both inside the House and indeed the country.”

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Uproar in House over Rahul Gandhi’s address

The Congress leader continues his criticism of the three new farm laws as BJP leaders in the Lok Sabha oppose his comments. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urges the House to maintain order

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Not farmers agitation but of India: Rahul Gandhi

It’s not a farmers’ agitation but of the country, farmers only showing the way, the government will have to repeal laws, said Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

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Will talk only about farm laws, not budget: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha said that his speech is only focused on farm laws in protest against Speaker’s decision to not allow separate debate on the issue.

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Second farm law allows corporates to increase hoarding, says Rahul Gandhi

“Second law says that big corporates can store as much produce as they want. This will end the Essential Commodities Act, and to increase hoarding. The third law’s content is when a farmer goes before a big corporate house to get a fair price for his crop, he will be prevented from approaching the courts.” Rahul Gandhi said in Lok Sabha

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Centre follows ‘hum do, hamare do’ policy: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi said that the current BJP government follows a “Hum do hamare do” policy to criticise the intent behind the new farm laws.

‘हम दो, हमारे दो’ की सरकार!

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 11, 2021

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Contend of first farm law is to destroy mandis, alleges Rahul Gandhi in LS

“The content of the first law is that one can have unlimited purchase of foodgrains, fruits & vegetables anywhere in the country. If the purchase is unlimited anywhere in the country, then who would go to Mandis? The content of the first law is to finish the mandis,” says Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha.

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Rahul Gandhi begins speaking in LS over farm laws

Rahul Gandhi now begins to speak in the Lok Sabha. A few parliamentarians can be heard opposing to Gandhi speaking about farm laws during a debate on the Budget.

Yesterday while addressing the House, PM said that the Opposition is talking about the agitation but not about the content and intent of Farm Laws. I thought I should make him happy today and speak on the content and intent of the laws: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/P0WeB0W5G1

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2021

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India has not conceded to anything: Rajanth Singh

“I want to assure this House that in these talks we have not conceded anything. The House should also know that there are still some outstanding issues with regard to deployment and patrolling at some other points along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

“These will be focus of further discussions with the Chinese side. We’ve agreed that both sides should achieve complete disengagement at the earliest and abide fully by the bilateral agreements and protocols. By now, the Chinese side is also fully aware of our resolve,” he added.

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India has not accepted China’s ‘unjustified claims’ on Indian territory: Rajnath Singh

Briefing the Lok Sabha on Ladakh situation, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that India has never accepted China’s unjustified claims on Indian territory and has always communicated to China that peace and tranquillity between the two nations can only be maintained by mutual efforts.

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Rajnath Singh begins briefing LS on India-China face-off

India and China have reached an agreement for disengagement in the Pangong Lake area to cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner and it will substantially restore the situation to what it was before the stand-off last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says in the Lok Sabha.

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BJP MP asks Centre to appeal against SC order on road project

BJP MP Tirath Singh Rawat asks Gadkari if the government will appeal against the Supreme Court order on the Char Dham road widening project.

“It is a ₹12,000 crores project, with 53 packages, 13 packages under construction out of which 5 go through eco-sensitive zones,” Gadkari says in response, according to The Hindu. “That matter has come before the SC, and a committee was set up where the chairman was on one side, and 21 members on another. The SC then reduced the breadth of the road.”

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Question Hour on-going in Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha proceedings started at 4 pm. The Question House in ongoing with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari answering queries from MPs on road, transport development works.

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No peace and tranquillity if there’s no status quo ante at LAC: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said there will be no peace and tranquillity if there is no status quo ante at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. He also asked why the government is insulting the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.

The former Congress chief’s remarks came soon after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement in the Rajya Sabha, saying India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake in eastern Ladakh that mandates both sides to cease forward deployment of troops in a “phased, coordinated and verifiable” manner.

No status quo ante = No peace & tranquility.

Why is GOI insulting the sacrifice of our jawans & letting go of our territory?

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 11, 2021

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Congress MP gives Adjournment Notice in LS over Bhima Koregaon case

Congress MP K Suresh gives an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha over the alleged tampering of digital evidence in Bhima Koregaon case, ANI reports.

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Rajnath Singh to make statement in LS on Ladakh situation

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make another statement on ‘Present Situation in Eastern Ladakh’ in Lok Sabha at 5.00 pm today as per reports.

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Seven IAS officers arrested for corruption in past 3 years, says Centre

Seven officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) were arrested in the last three years, Parliament was informed on Thursday. In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, “As per information received from 27 state governments/Union Territories, seven officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service have been arrested for corruption during the last three years.”

According to information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, one Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving under the Uttar Pradesh government was found involved in a criminal case during the period from September 2020 till date, Singh said.

“The said IPS officer has been placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him by the state government,” he added.

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Over 2.47 lakh calls on helpline from April-June 2020: WCD

Over 2.47 lakh phone calls were registered on the women’s helpline from April to June 2020, when the country was under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Women and Child Development Ministry said on Thursday.

In a written response to a question in Rajya Sabha, Women and Child Development minister Smriti Irani said the scheme of ‘Universalisation of Women Helpline (WHL)’ through toll free number 181 is operational in 33 states and Union Territories.

“As per the information received from states/UTs, during the period between April 2020 to June 2020, over 2.47 lakh calls were registered in WHLs,” she said. The helpline aims to provide emergency and non-emergency referral and information service to women affected by violence and in distress.

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Rajya Sabha adjourned for the day

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Budget benefited women and children: MoS Finance

MoS Finance Thakur said he encourages debate and discussion on the Budget. MoS Finance said that the poor population have benefited the most from the policies of BJP-led government and claimed that the Budget has received positive reviews from all states. “Modi government has brought a historic number of people out of the poverty line. The Budget has also benefited women and children”, he added.

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SP leader demands repeal of farm laws, guarantee on MSP in RS

 SP leader Vishambhar Prasad Nishad on Thursday demanded a repeal of three contentious farm laws and pitched for a new law to make minimum support price (MSP) mandatory for the procurement of agriculture produce.

Farmers are protesting against the three new farm laws for more than two months at Delhi’s borders, demanding a repeal of these legislations. They are also pressing the government for making MSP mandatory.

Participating in a debate on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Nishad said, “The farm bills were drafted on the directions of corporates. When the farmers do not want these bills, why are these being imposed on them? I demand that the farm laws should be taken back and a new law to guarantee MSP should be brought.”

He pointed out that there is no special package in the budget for the farmers of the parched Bundelkhand region.

Nishad also drew the attention of the House towards incidents of farmer suicide due to crop loss and debt and demanded that all crops be covered under insurance.

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SAD MP urges Centre to repeal ‘black laws’ or legalise MSP

Shiromani Akali Dal MP Naresh Gujral urged the Centre to legalise MSP or to repeal ‘black laws’ and pledged support to farmers. “Why not legalise MSP by putting it in the law. The day you do that, the farmers will return to their homes. I must tell the government’s spokespersons stop defaming the farmers. And force will be of no use against the farmers. The farmers will go home only when they can say ,’fateh, fateh, fateh’ (victory, victory, victory).” he said.

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340 non-performing officers prematurely retired between July 2014 and 2020: Centre

A total of 340 non-performing officers were prematurely retired by the government in the past six years, Parliament was informed on Thursday, reports PTI.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, “As per the information/data provided by different ministries/ departments/cadre controlling authorities, provisions of FR 56(J)/similar rules have been invoked against 171 Group A central government officers, including All India Services officers, and 169 Group B officers of different ministries/departments during the period from July 2014 to December 2020.”

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588 cases pending investigation by CBI for over a year: Centre tells RS

As many as 588 regular cases (RCs) were pending investigation for over a year by the CBI as on December 31, 2020, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

“As on 31.12.2019, CBI had 711 number of regular cases pending investigation for over a year; whereas, the figure of such cases as on 31.12.2020 was 588,” Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

There were six such cases against political persons in 2020, according to the reply.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probes complex and voluminous cases against public servants, firms, banks, private persons, which at times pertain to very old transactions or incidents, the minister said.

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Centre making ’empty promises’ in name of Atmanirbhari Bharat: TMC MP

Sukhendu Shekhar Roy of TMC, asked the Centre on what basis the government had made the claim that the economy will grow by 14 percent. “The government is making empty promises in the name of Atmanirbhar Bharat.” he said

“The government believed that MSME sectors will restart their business after lending from banks. But the loans taken by MSME sectors are at an all-time low” he said.

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7 IAS officers arrested for corruption in past 3 years: Centre

Seven officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) were arrested in the last three years, Parliament was informed on Thursday.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said, “As per information received from 27 state governments/Union Territories, 7 officers belonging to Indian Administrative Service have been arrested for corruption during the last three years.”

According to information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs, one Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving under the Uttar Pradesh government was found involved in a criminal case during the period from September 2020 till date, Singh said.

“The said IPS officer has been placed under suspension and disciplinary proceedings have also been initiated against him by the state government,” he added.

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Farm laws brought in after govt realised can’t fulfil promise of doubling farm incomes

“You claimed that you will double the farmers’ income in five years, now you have extended the deadline to 2022. One year is left. When you realised that you can’t even do it in the next year, you brought in these three farm laws so that you can convert agriculture into playground for corporates and shirk off all responsibility to uplift the sector,” Trinamool Congress party’s Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said in Rajya Sabha.

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1,374 vacant posts in CBI: Govt

As many as 1,374 posts were vacant in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as on 31 December, 2020, Parliament was informed on Thursday. Of the sanctioned strength of 7,273 posts, 5,899 were filled, according to a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh.

Of the 5,000 posts of executive ranks, 4,171 were filled. There was an actual strength of 284 and 66 against the sanctioned strength of 370 and 162 for the legal and ministerial ranks respectively, the reply said.

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Budget prepared for the rich, by the rich, of the rich, says Chidambaram

“The government was in denial about slowdown in economy. They believed wrongly that the problem in Indian economy is cyclical and not structural. But the numbers were dropping even before the pandemic struck. Two years of slowdown is a reality before coronavirus,’ he said.

‘There is no demand in the bulk of India. Even in advanced states like Tamil Nadu, imagine how it will be in backward states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha,” Chidambaram asked. 

“You have ignored the bulk of India. Who is this budget for?’ ‘The Budget has nothing for the poor. It is for the rich, by the rich, of the rich.” he said.

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P Chidambaram says incompetent management will undo growth achieved in 3 to 4 years

Former finance minister P Chidambaram said that the borrowing will only be used to fill the huge craters in our economy. “Mark my words, the growth projections will fall short by the end of 2021.”

He said, “The finance minister had objected to my use of the word incompetent while describing this government’s policies.”

“But I repeat myself, for I have no milder word available to describe this situation. The incompetent economic management will push us back to the numbers we had in 2017.”

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Bring Climate change to centerstage: Vandana Chavan

Vandana Chavan, NCP, said that this budget is the first document that sets the road map for the post-pandemic recovery of India, despite that it has failed to take into account the dreadful impact of neglecting climate and environment. 

She said that there has been no mention of the impending danger of climate change, adding that the increasing polution in Indian cities has a massive economic impact too. Quoting figures from a Lancet study, she said the economic cost of premature deaths due to pollution is more than four times the Budgetary allocation for healthcare in the past year.

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Acknowledge your failures, address inequality: Manoj Jha’s advice to FM

Jha spoke at length about the dangers of inequality pervading in the Indian society. He said that the current Budget, instead of eroding that gap, is further perpetuating the social divide. 

“You claim you want to listen to criticism but have earplugs on. The Budget he claims is directed for a few special people, not the common man. He points to the Articles 38 and 39 of Constitution, and asks what the Budget will do for the people of India? Let it be an aam (common man’s) Budget, not a khaas (special) budget,” he says. “Don’t manufacture the numbers – acknowledge the worrisome numbers,” he said.

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Union financial document transformed from aam budget to khaas budget: Manoj Jha

RJD’s Rajya Sabha member Manoj Jha expressed concern over the transformative change in the tone and tenor of Union Budgets of late. He claimed that earlier the Budgets used to be “aam Budget” (common man’s budget) but it has now become a “khaas Budget”. He also asserted that this trend has been developing since pre-NDA years as well.

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Ravi Shankar Prasad slams social media companies for ‘double standards’

Earlier in the day, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said action will be taken against social media companies if they are misused.

“We have flagged Twitter, and is in dialogue with them. Why is it that when police has to act in US Capitol Hill they stand in support, but when a similar action is taken at Red Fort, they oppose it? Freedom of speech is there, but with reasonable restrictions. Why double standards?” he said.

“I have a message for social media platforms — freedom is important, but showing revenge sex video, street fights, porn videos, family issues on social media? Revisit unbridled exposure of double-standards of your own guidelines,” he added

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Venkaiah Naidu rejects Opposition’s request for clarity on India-China border dispute

When Rajya Sabha members ask for an opportunity to seek clarification on defence minister’s statement on India-China standoff situation, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu denies their request saying “this is a matter of national unity and security.”

“Discussions have been going on for the past 48 hours, and you want to create controversy? It is not good,” he said.

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India will move to Finger 3 at northern bank of Pangong Tso to restore status quo: Rajnath

Providing details about the disengagement process initiated at the southern and northern banks of Pangong Tso, the Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh said that senior commanders from both sides will meet within 48 hours after disengagement from Pangong.

“India will move to Finger 3 at DS Post on north bank and China will move east side,” the defence minister added. 

“Similar arrangements will be made at the south bank. Status quo will be restored,” he said.

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No unilateral attempt must be made to change the status quo along LAC: Rajnath Singh

“Last year, I informed that China has amassed troops and armaments. India gave a befitting reply. We are occupying strategic heights, even in heavy snow, troops are protecting our borders. We have an edge in these areas,” said Rajnath Singh on standoff walong LAC.

“In dialogue with China we told them – LAC should be respected, no unilateral move to change the status quo, all decisions to be implemented by both side

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India did not accept China’s unjustified demands: Rajnath Singh

“In Arunachal Pradesh border, China claims 90,000 sq km of Indian land. India has not accepted this unjustified demands,” says the Defence Minister.

“We have maintained that bilateral relations can prosper only if there are efforts from both sides. Peace and tranquility at border affects bilateral relations with China, so China and India’s relations have been affected by these events,” said Singh.

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Indian, Chinese troops will remove forward deployments in phased manner: Rajnath Singh

In first official admission, Rajnath Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that Beijing and New Delhi have started the disengagement process at the southern and northern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake.

“After this agreement, India and China will remove forward deployments in a phased and a coordinated manner,” the defence minister said.

This comes a day after China announced that both sides have begun “synchronised and organised disengagement” in the area.

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India committed to maintaining peaceful situation along LAC: Rajnath Singh

Since September last year, India and China have used both diplomatic and military channels to de-escalate tensions along the LAC, Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.

The defence minister added that India is committed to maintaining a peaceful situation along the Line of Control. “India has always emphasised on maintaining bilateral ties,” said Singh.

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Discussion on lapsed Judicial Accountability Bill

Speaking on the lapsed Judicial Accountability Bill, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said: “While we are having this discussion, a reminder that the Bill was brought in by UPA govt, and there were some reservations about it. We are in dialogue with the judiciary. The architecture of law needs a clarification from the judiciary.”

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Army chief General MM Naravane reaches Parliament

Army Chief General MM Naravane arrives at the Parliament.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to make a statement on ‘present situation in Eastern Ladakh’ in Rajya Sabha at 10:30 am today. pic.twitter.com/E4ftM6DKM9

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2021

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Rajnath Singh arrives at Parliament

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will make a suo motu statement in the Rajya Sabha on the standoff along LAC. This comes a day after China announced that Beijing and New Delhi have started “synchronised and organised disengagement” at the southern and northern bank of the Pangong Tso.

#WATCH | Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at the Parliament.

He will make a statement on ‘present situation in Eastern Ladakh’ in Rajya Sabha at 10:30 am today. pic.twitter.com/hyXn9iyD0w

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2021

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Provide Rs 25 lakh compensation to kin of Uttarakhand flood victims: Sanjay Singh

AAP leader Sanjay Singh urged the Centre to provide a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to next of kin of those killed in the Uttarakhand disaster. He also asked for an update on efforts by NDRF to rescue people from Tapovan tunnel.

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Issue of Sahariya community in Madhya Pradesh raised

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh asked that the Sahariya community in Madhya Pradesh be included in the Extreme Backward Category. “As of now, they get benefits only in Chambal and Gwalior divisions,” he said.

He demanded that benefit be provided in other parts of the state as well. 

Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot responds to this, and says that the Centre has not received any such proposal from the State government.

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BJP MP gives zero hour notice over Maharashtra govt’s probe on Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Bhagwat Karad has given zero hour notice in the Rajya Sabha, expressing “concern over investigation ordered by the Maharashtra government against Sachin Tendulkar and Lata Mangeshkar”, reported ANI.

The Maharashtra government on Monday said that it will investigate tweets by Indian celebrities in response to criticism of the government’s handling of the farmers’ protest by foreign personalities. The inquiry was ordered after leaders of the Maharashtra unit of Congress sought probe into whether the celebrities were under pressure from the BJP to tweet in support of the government.

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Parliament passes Bill to provide greater autonomy to 12 major ports

Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill that seeks to provide greater autonomy in decision-making to 12 major ports in the country and professionalise their governance by setting up boards.

The Major Ports Authority Bill, 2020 was passed through ballot votes with 84 in favour and 44 against it in the Rajya Sabha.

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Rajnath Singh to address RS on situation along LAC

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will speak at 10.30 am in Rajya Sabha and at 5.30 pm in the Lok Sabha. He is expected to make a statement regarding the present situation in Eastern Ladakh.

The Chinese media on Wednesday said Indian and Chinese troops along the border in Ladakh have initiated the process of disengagement.