New Delhi, Sep 21,2023: The Rajya Sabha on Thursday unanimously passed the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023 providing reservation of one-third seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
The Lok Sabha had on Wednesday passed the landmark bill after extensive discussion during the ongoing special session of the Parliament.
Rajya Sabha members cutting across party lines supported the bill which is also called Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. As many as 72 members in the Upper House participated in the marathon discussion on the key bill.
The discussion followed by voting on the bill stretched past 11:30 PM. 214 members voted in favour while there was no vote against it.
The amendments moved by some of the opposition members were negated by the House.
Replying to the debate, Minister of Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal said no one should have any doubt about implementation of the women’s reservation bill. He noted that Constitutional provision requires Census and delimitation process to be completed before the bill is implemented.
As the Minister was replying to the bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked into the Rajya Sabha amid chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ by his party members.
While extending their ‘whole-hearted and unconditional’ support to the bill, members from opposition parties pitched for quota within quota for other backward classes (OBCs). They also urged the government to implement the bill immediately.
Clause 5 of the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023 states that reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be implemented after delimitation takes place and Census provides figures for the same.
Participating in the discussion on the bill, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said his party has extended unconditional support to the bill. But he remarked that the government should make sure that it does not turn into a ‘jumla’ (hollow promise).
“Tell us the date when you are going to implement the women’s reservation bill. Otherwise it will also be a jumla,” he quipped.
Kharge also demanded quota within quota for OBCs.
“We want to know from the government whether quota within quota would be provided to OBC women,” the LoP said.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023 notes that the legislation will enable greater participation of women as public representative in policy making.
“In order to enable greater participation of women as public representative in policy making at State and national level, it is decided to introduce a fresh legislation for Constitutional amendment to provide for, as nearly as may be, one-third of total seats in the House of the People (Lok Sabha), the legislative assembly of every state and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to be reserved for women,” it says.
During the discussion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the bill has been very thoughtfully crafted considering that the country is at a very critical stage of the development process.
She also said that unlike SCs and STs, there was no mention of electoral reservation in the Constitution for OBCs.
Many opposition members questioned the timing of the bill and said that there should not have been any condition or caveat attached to the document.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Vandana Chavan said the government can implement the bill in the 2024 election itself and there was no reason to delay it.
Reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies has been a long-pending demand. In the past, several attempts were made to push the legislation but failed. The last such attempt was made during the UPA-II government in 2010 when Rajya Sabha passed the Women’s reservation bill but it could not be passed in the Lok Sabha.
After passing the bill, Rajya Sabha was adjourned sine die.
Chennai, Sep 14,2023: Asserting that there was no scope for talks with Karnataka on the Cauvery river water dispute after it refused to release water as per the orders of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC), Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan said Supreme Court is the last resort for us.
Assuring the farmers of the Cauvery delta districts that the ruling DMK would make all efforts to ensure that they were not affected in any way after Karnataka’s refusal to release 5,000 cubic feet per second water to Tamil Nadu per day as per the directions of CWRC, Mr Duraimurgan said the case comes up before the Supreme Court on September 21. “We have to observe the formal response of the Karnataka government to the CWRC’s direction”, he told reporters here last night, reacting to Karnataka’s decision not to release water to the State taken at an all party meeting on Wednesday.
“The last resort for us is the Supreme Court where the matter will come up for hearing on September 21. By that time we will know the stand to be taken by Karnataka”, he said, while assuring that the Tamil Nadu government will definite secure relief for the farmers.
Despite Karnataka has all along been opposing every development (in favour of Tamil Nadu) in the dispute, the Minister said, “We have been safeguarding our rights.”
To a query on whether the Tamil Nadu Government will convene an all party meeting as desired some farmers associations in the wake of the one convened by the neighbouring state yesterday, Mr Duraimurugan it could be considered after the outcome of the hearing of the case in the Apex Court on Thursday next.
On whether any scope of talks with Karnataka to resolve the row, the Minister shot back saying Tamil Nadu went in for adjudication only because talks did not yielded any fruitful results.
He said as on September 12, the storage of four Karnataka reservoirs in the Cauvery basin is around 63.801 tmc ft. As the Met department has forecast rains in September for Karnataka, 10 tmc ft would become available.
Besides, in the month of October, the four reservoirs would receive at least 30 tmc ft of water, he added.
“The CWRC has ordered only 5,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) for 15 days (from September 13) which will be equivalent to 6.48 tmc ft. It is lower than the quantum suggested under the distress-sharing formula,”
Mr. Duraimurugan said.
Srinagar, Sep 8,2023: The polls for Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil (LAHDC-K) would be held on October 4, according to the latest notification issued by the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The administration also reserved the “plough” symbol for the National Conference(NC).
The announcement comes after the Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the August 5 notification of the election department for the Ladakh hill council polls and directed the issuance of a fresh notification within seven days for it.
The apex court had also rejected the appeal filed by the Union Territory of Ladakh against the Jammu and Kashmir High Court order allotting the “plough” symbol to the National Conference.
Ladakh Union Territory reserved the “plough” symbol for NC.
“In pursuance to the order of the Supreme Court dated September 6, 2023, in Civil Appeal No. 5707 of 2023 (SLP No. 18727 of 2023), the symbol “Plough” is hereby reserved for the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference Party for the ensuing elections to the 5th Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil,” reads a notification issued by the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The administration also announced new dates for the polls as per the SC orders.
In compliance with the SC judgement, the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh announced the polls for LAHDC-K would be held on October 4. The counting would be held on October 8.
The LAHDC-K polls will be the first such elections in Kargil since Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
Shimla , August 27,2023: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday said that a total of 47,390 volunteers were being provided training in disaster management by the state government.
While presiding over the 8th meeting of HP State Disaster Management Authority Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed taking proactive steps in order to minimize the loss of human life and property during the disasters.
During the meeting Chief Minister emphasized suitable measures and guidelines for the release of water from the dams during rainy seasons and it should be staggered so that minimum damage is caused in the downstream areas.
“CM Sukhu stressed the capacity-building measures and said that about 47,390 volunteers were being provided training in the State so that their services could be utilized in the disaster-hit areas,” an official statement said.
He further stated that the management of muck and construction of debris points should be identified.
“A proposal to set up five automatic weather systems in snow-bound areas of the State for better forecast of climate conditions. Moraine-dammed lakes formed due to the melting of glaciers were being monitored on a regular basis. Management of muck and construction debris points should be identified,” CM Sukhu said.
“In addition to disaster helplines 1077 and 1070, helpline 1100 should also be incorporated for seeking information regarding disasters so that affected people could be provided timely help during disasters. There was a need for strengthening the civil defence structure by providing training to young generations for quick response to combat disasters,” he added.
During the meeting, CM Sukhu also directed the authorities to conduct of a study on the increasing number of cloudburst incidents.
He said that the buildings of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools in the State would be made earthquake-resistant with ultra-modern facilities.
“Government departments should ensure safe construction practices in the State. Activities such as land-use-based planning, and retrofitting of critical infrastructure like schools, hospitals, lifeline buildings etc were essential,” he said.
New Delhi, Aug 24,2023: The 69th National Film Awards for the year 2021 announced on Thursday and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect bagged best Feature Films.
The Best Non-Feature Film has been bagged by Ek Tha Gaon directed by Srishti Lakhera.
The Kashmir Files has been awarded with Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, while RRR has bagged the Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Allu Arjun has won the award for Best Actor for his stellar performance in the movie Pushpa (The Rise Part I) while Alia Bhatt and Kriti Sanon have become joint winners of Best Actress Award for Gangubai Kathiawadi and Mimi respectively.
Pankaj Tripathi won Best Supporting Actor while Pallavi Joshi won Best Supporting Actress Award
Ahead of the announcement, the Chairperson and other Jury members called on the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur and presented him with the selections for the Awards.
The Minister thanked the Jury for diligently going through the entries and selecting the best for the awards.
During the interaction the Minister said, “It was a very tough competition between all the films in every category. My congratulations and best wishes are with the winners. Today India is the largest film maker in the world. We have the potential to become the content hub of the world. This is our time. Today our films are being recognised all over the world, be it BAFTA or the Oscars.”
The Jury comprised of eminent film makers and film personalities from across the Indian cine-world. The awards were announced by Ketan Mehta, Chairperson, Feature Films Jury, Vasanth S Sai, Chairperson, Non-feature Films Jury, Yatindra Mishra, Best Writing on Cinema Jury in presence of Neerja Sekhar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), August 23,2023: Former President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated Kerala’s first AI(Artificial intelligence) school at Santhigiri Vidyabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
The Al School is designed and moulded by one of the world’s most advanced educational platforms iLearning Engines (ILE) USA in collaboration with Vedhik eSchool, managed by a committee of veteran professionals including former Chief Secretaries, DGPs and Vice Chancellors, said the school authorities.
According to Vedhik eSchool authorities, AI School is an innovative learning method that ensures international standards and quality learning opportunities for students with the help of artificial intelligence technology. Through this, the same quality learning experience of school studies is available to the students through the school website even after school hours.
It also enables schools to achieve higher grades as the content and pedagogy are prepared in accordance with the National School Accreditation Standards based on the New National Education Policy (NEP 2020), they added.
The AI School facility is initially available to students studying in classes 8 to 12.
Multi-Teacher Revision Support, Multilevel Assessment, Aptitude Test, Psychometric Counseling, Career Mapping, Ability Enhancement, Memory Techniques, Communication-Writing Skills, Interview-Group Discussion Skills, Mathematical Skills, Behavioral Etiquette, English Language Proficiency, Development of Emotional-Mental Abilities Training etc will be provided through AI School.
According to Vedhik eSchool, intensive training is available on the platform to appear in competitive exams for higher services. Coaching for entrance exams such as JEE, NEET, MAT, CUET, CLAT, G-MAT, GRE and language tests like IELTS etc will also be provided. Guidance for higher studies and scholarships in top foreign universities will be an added advantage.
The organisers said that AI School will be providing the best quality educational services to students at very low fees. Digital content based on artificial intelligence will be made available to the students through the school website so that the schools do not incur any additional financial burden.
In this way, it is possible to make learning comprehensive, deep, enjoyable and effortless, fully supporting the efforts of teachers in schools. This curriculum will be a complete solution to the numerous challenges students and parents are facing related to studies, exams and competitive exams. Parents can assess their children’s academic performance effectively. It prepares even average students for high success, said Vedhik eSchool authorities.
Imphal, Aug 23,2023: Maniur Governor Anusuiya Uikey has summoned the fourth session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly at 11 AM on August 29.
K. Meghajit Singh, Secretary, Manipur Legislative Assembly said in a notice on Tuesday that, “In exercise of the power conferred by Clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India, I, Anusuiya Uikey, Governor of Manipur, hereby summon the 4th Session of the Twelfth Manipur Legislative Assembly to meet at 11.00 am on Tuesday, the 29th August, 2023 in Assembly Hall, Imphal”.