Nov 30,2023:In a landmark development towards peace in the northeast region, the oldest militant group of Manipur, the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) on Wednesday signed a peace agreement with the central government.
Calling it a historic achievement, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on X, ”A historic milestone achieved!!! Modi govt’s relentless efforts to establish permanent peace in the Northeast have added a new chapter of fulfillment as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) signed a peace agreement, today in New Delhi.”
Shah called it a step towards all-inclusive development and a better future for the youth in the northeast region of the country.
He said the UNLF, the oldest Meitei armed group of Manipur, has agreed to renounce violence and join the mainstream.
He welcomed the UNLF for the democratic processes, extending best wishes in the journey on the path of peace and progress.
Lamjingba Khundongbam, representing UNLF talking to a news agency in New Delhi said, “We have signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India today….”
The representatives of the UNLF were in New Delhi for signing the ceasefire agreement with the government.
Earlier this month, the government had declared nine Meitiei extremist organisations as unlawful associations for a period of five years, which also included UNLF and its armed wing, the Manipur Peoples’ Army (MPA).
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on X, “The oldest armed group of Manipur has chosen the path of peace, renouncing violence to join the mainstream and embrace democracy. The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has signed a peace agreement in New Delhi, marking a significant milestone in our relentless pursuit of permanent peace in the Northeast. The unwavering support and vision of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji for a brighter and peaceful North-East has made this possible. May this collaborative effort contribute to a harmonious and prosperous future for Manipur and the entire region.”
Nov 29,2023: The Centre has decided to extend the Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKAY) to provide food grains free of cost to over 800 million Indians for five more years, Union minister Anurag Thakur announced on Wednesday.
At a cabinet briefing, Thakur said the extension will cost the exchequer Rs 11.8 trillion. The extension will be applicable from January 1, 2024. A decision in this regard was taken in the meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, the food ministry announced the extension of the PMGKAY scheme for one year starting January 1, 2023.
In December last year, the Centre decided to subsume the PMGKAY, launched in 2020 to provide additional food grains free of cost, with the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under the NFSA, up to 75 per cent of the rural and 50 per cent of the urban populations are covered under two categories — Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and priority households.
While AAY households, which constitute the poorest of the poor, are entitled to 35 kg of foodgrains per family per month, priority households get 5 kg per person per month.
“The Central Government fully bears the food subsidy for procuring, allocating, transporting and delivering the foodgrains to the designated depot in the States with the help of the two food subsidy schemes, namely, Food Subsidy to FCI and Food Subsidy to Decentralized Procurement (DCP) States,” the ministry had then said.
These two food subsidy schemes have been subsumed as PMGKAY for effective and uniform implementation of the NFSA and to strengthen the country’s food security network.
“Under this scheme, free foodgrains are being distributed through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) from January 1 2023. The additional cost of making food grains free of cost to the NFSA beneficiaries is being borne by the Government of India,” the statement said.
Shillong, Nov 24,2023: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home, Prestone Tynsong, has reiterated that the top leaders of the outlawed Hynñiewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) should take part in the next round of peace negotiations, even as he promised a safe passage to the two leaders who are in Bangladesh.
“This time we really wanted to reach the conclusion. Therefore, we requested (top HNLC leadership) to come, and we assure you that if you want to come, safe passage will be given,” Tyngsong said.
“If you (HNLC) feel that it is not safe within Meghalaya, we are ready to talk anywhere else, be it Kolkata or any other place. Both the central and state governments are open-minded and serious about the peace talks going forward,” he assured.
“My request to the top leaders of the HNLC is very clear – the door is still open, and we would request them to kindly come back for talks and we are ready to talk across the table,” Tynsong said.
In a joint statement, HNLC chairman Bobby Marwein and general secretary-cum-publicity secretary Sainkupar Nongtraw set conditions for the next round of negotiations.
“We have clearly stated that unless all pending cases against us are withdrawn or a framework agreement for a ceasefire is signed, the HNLC chairman or general secretary cannot participate in the discussions,” Marwein and Nongtraw had said.
However, Tyngsong reiterated that Marwein and Nongtraw need to come forward and participate in the next round of talks.
“I have seen the statement made by the HNLC recently, but my request again to the HNLC is like this, please come back for talks because until and unless we talk face-to-face about what you really want, we will not reach anywhere. We have been sincere enough, not less than three-four months; we have taken care of their cadres; we have taken care of them be it safety, and there was no such arrest also, why are you having that apprehension?” Tynsong asked.
New Delhi, Nov 9,2023: The Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha on Thursday recommended the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Motira from the house over the cash for query scandal, a source said.
The Lok Sabha ethics panel also adopted the report, on ‘cash-for-query’ allegations levelled against her by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey.
The committee also recommended an “intense, legal, institutional inquiry” by the government in a time-bound manner in view of the “highly objectionable, unethical, heinous and criminal conduct” by her.
After the meeting, the Chairman of the panel Vinod Kumar Sonkar said that the six members of the ethics committee supported the report, while 4 opposed it.
‘Six MPs supported the report and four people have submitted their dissent notes. There was voting. We will send a detailed report along with the recommendations to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Whatever action is to be taken now will be taken by Om Birla” he said.
Mahua Moitra faced the allegations of asking questions in the Lok Sabha to target Gautam Adani at the behest of businessman Darshan Hiranandani.
The TMC MP has denied charges of taking bribes but admitted to sharing her parliamentary log-in details with Hiranandani.
The opposition members had boycotted the first meeting of the panel accusing the Chairperson of asking indecent and unethical questions to the Trinamool MP.
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra has written a letter to Speaker Om Birla alleging “total breakdown of all due process and rules of the Lok Sabha” over the media having access to the Ethics Committee of Lok Sabha’s draft report.
There is clearly a total breakdown of all due process and rules of the Lok Sabha. Your inaction and lack of response to my previous complaints is also unfortunate,” she wrote in a letter.
New Delhi, Oct 23,2023: India’s macroeconomic outlook for the current financial year 2023-24 is bright and is solidly underpinned by strong domestic fundamentals, a Finance Ministry report has stated even as it noted the challenges arising from geo-political tensions.
The Monthly Economic Review for the month of September released on Monday highlighted the uncertainties arising from the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East and noted that crude oil prices may push higher depending on how situations develop going forward.
Further, the report noted that the relentless supply of US Treasuries and continued restrictive monetary policy in the US could cause financial conditions to be restrictive.
“Fraught geopolitical conditions can cause a general increase in global risk aversion. If these risks worsen and are sustained, they can affect economic activity in other countries, including India,” it said.
The report said that sluggish global demand is affecting India’s trade but this is projected to recover from the second half of the current fiscal (H2FY24). It noted that with a lower trade deficit and a comfortable forex reserve position, India’s external account looks robust.
The Finance Ministry report highlighted that strong private consumption demand has been a major driver of India’s economic growth in the recent period and additional growth drivers have also emerged.
“The first is the gradual strengthening of investment demand. Investment has hitherto been propelled mainly by the capital spending of the Union Government and the crowding-in it induced for private corporate investment. While this continues unabated, increasing demand for residential properties, supported by responsive housing loan financing, has given a fillip to construction activity and the property markets,” the report said.
As per the report, the second growth driver is the firming of industrial activity, substantiated by recent data and credible perception surveys.
“Improving corporate balance sheets and their fledgling investment activity, supported by a strong and emerging banking system and financial market, makes this outlook brighter,” it said.
Mentioning about the latest upward growth revision by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the report said that the development shows growing confidence of global analysts in India’s economic strength amidst global uncertainties and fresh geo-political challenges.
Hyderabad, Oct 17, 2023: In a resolute demonstration of upholding the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the 2023 Telangana State Legislative Assembly election, the Telangana police have confiscated an astonishing Rs 101 crores worth of assets, including cash, liquor, gold/silver, drugs, and freebies, within just eight days of MCC implementation.
According to a press release issued by the Police on Tuesday, the MCC came into effect on October 9, in preparation for the forthcoming Telangana Assembly Elections, which encompass 119 Assembly Constituencies and are scheduled for November 30.
With the initiation of the Model Code of Conduct, and in strict adherence to the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India, the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana led the police in establishing a comprehensive system that included (373) Flying Squads (FS), (374) Static Surveillance Teams (SST), (95) State Internal Border Check posts, and the deployment of mobile units consisting of local police.
This collective effort aimed to combat illicit transportation of money, such as cash and precious metals, liquor, freebies, and other prohibited items.
During this extensive enforcement operation, the police successfully seized the following items between October 9 and 17, spanning the entire Telangana State:
Ne cash of Rs 55,99,26,994, liquor worth of Rs 2,60,57,004, Ganja (1234 kgs), 0.3 Ltrs – Weed Oil, 0.13 MDMA, all worth Rs. 3,42,84,275, Gold (72.06 kgs) , Silver (429 kgs) and Diamond (42.25 carrot), all worth of Rs. 38,45,44,526, Other Freebies with an estimated worth of Rs. 70,04,500.
Total Seizure with an estimated worth of (Including Cash, Liquor, Precious metals, Drugs & Freebies) Rs. 101,18,17,299.
As many as 5529 licensed arms deposited, 3 un-licensed Arms seized, Explosives — 18 Gelatin sticks, five detonators & 6 cordtex wire bundles also seized during the period.
Total Bind over cases were 5252. 17,128 persons were bound over , 845 persons were bound down.
This remarkable enforcement effort showcases the commitment of the Telangana Police in ensuring fair and transparent elections in the state.
New Delhi, Oct 15,2023: Former chief Election Commissioner of India Manohar Singh Gill passed away on Sunday at a private hospital in South Delhi.
The Election Commission of India issued a statement expressing condolences on the demise of MS Gill who was 11th Chief Election Commissioner.
MS Gill was an officer of the 1958 batch of Indian Administrative Services Punjab cadre was CEC during the period from December 1996 to June 2001, Election Commission said in a statement.
During his tenure as CEC, ECI successfully conducted the General Elections and General Elections to Legislative Assemblies in more than 20 states, it said.
MS Gill was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2000 for his exceptional and distinguished services as a civil servant, it said.
Bhadohi (UP), Oct 13,2023: Even as the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) is yet to decide the seat sharing formula, Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) president Ajay Rai on Friday claimed Congress will contest all the 80 seats in the state on its own strength in the coming Lok Sabha elections.
On his way to Prayagraj from Varanasi, Rai said that Congress is preparing to contest the elections alone on all the 80 seats of the state. “With the strength of our energetic workers, we will get good results on every seat in the state. Whether the responsibility is small or big, we have fulfilled it, we are ready to face every challenge,” he said.
He said that Bhadohi district has always been a stronghold of Congress. “Many stalwarts have made the district famous in the entire country by winning elections from here,” he said.
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 5,2023: The Varanasi district court on Thursday granted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) four more weeks to submit its report on the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex.
The counsel of Hindu side Madan Mohan Yadav said that the court of District Judge Dr Ajay Krishna Vishvesha granted four more weeks time to the ASI to submit its scientific report on an application moved by the agency.
It may be noted that the ASI had on Wednesday moved an application in the district court seeking an extension of four more weeks to submit its report on the scientific survey of the Gyanvapi complex.
In its application, the ASI had prayed that due to debris present in the cellars (tehkhana) and dust accumulated there, it was taking time for the agency to conduct the survey and also due to intermittent rains the use of scientific instruments has become difficult.
The agency in its application had stated that the debris is being removed very carefully and systematically which is a slow process and is going to take some more time before the ground of the cellars and structural features of the existing structures are cleared for a survey as directed by the court.
The court said, “I agree with the learned counsel for ASI that because of rains, the survey work was badly affected.
I also here agree with the counsel for ASI that removal of debris and trash from the cellars takes considerable time because it is a slow process and the ASI ensures that no damage may be caused to the existing structure. Therefore, I am of the view that application is liable to be allowed.”
Chennai, Sep 25,2023: The widening cracks in the alliance in recent times that left it in tatters on Monday reached a point of no return, with the main Opposition AIADMK in Tamil Nadu ending its five-year honeymoon with the BJP by severing its ties with it and walking out of the NDA.
An unanimous resolution was adopted at an emergency meeting of the senior party functionaries, headquarters secretaries, MPs and MLAs,chaired by AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Edappadi K.Palaniswami, while strongly taking exception to critical remarks made by BJP State Unit President
K.Annamalai.
Reading out the one page resolution to the media after the meeting, senior leader and AIADMK Deputy General Secretary K.P.Munusamy said the State leadership of the BJP had been, for the last one year,
“deliberately, in a planned manner and with motive, defaming” icons of the party such as stalwarts C.N.Annadurai and Ms Jayalalithaa and “criticising” the policies of the party.