February 2023 - Page 10 of 50 - Lokmarg

Northeast Punishing Cong For Its Sins: Modi In Nagaland

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attacked the previous Congress governments stating that they considered all states in the Northeast as ATMs and added that the entire region is now “punishing” the grand old party for its “sins”.

The Prime Minister also lauded the work done by the BJP government at the Centre and said that it has changed the political thinking for the northeast.
“I can sense huge support for the BJP and NDPP. There is so much support for the BJP-NDPP government in Nagaland because we are working tirelessly with a resolution of the development of the northeast. The Congress and its partners have been following the policy of taking votes and keep forgetting about doing anything for the welfare of the people. Congress leaders in Delhi have a habit of not looking at Nagaland. Congress and its allies never gave importance to stability and prosperity in the state. There was always political instability during the Congress rule,” PM Modi said while addressing a poll rally here.

“Congress always ruled the Nagaland government through remote control from Delhi. From Delhi to Dimapur, Congress indulged in familial politics. So, the entire northeast along with Nagaland is punishing Congress for its sins,” he added.

Quoting former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi about the distribution of government money for the public, the Prime Minister said that earlier the 15 paise which reached the public also did not make it to the Northeast region, while after the BJP government came to power at the Centre, every single rupee reaches the ground in the region.

“The NDA government has changed the political thinking in New Delhi for the northeast. Congress always considered the Northeast its ATM. The government money did not reach the people here, but the treasury of the corrupt parties. There was a former Prime Minister from Congress who used to say that when he sends Rs 1, only 15 paisa reaches the public. But this 15 paisa also did not reach earlier to the northeast,” he said.

“Today, the Central government is giving free ration to thousands of families in Nagaland. This is happening because we don’t consider the 8 states of the Northeast as ATMs as the Congress party did. For us, the 8 Northeast states are ‘Ashta Lakshmi’,” he added.

PM Modi said that the BJP has attacked corruption with the help of technology.

“It was unimaginable 10 years ago that the situation can change in the northeast. But the BJP has launched an attack on corruption with the power of technology. Today, every single rupee sent from Delhi is reaching your bank account,” he added.

During the Prime Minister’s address, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, Secretary General NDPP Abu Metha, BJP In-Charge Nagaland Nalin Kohli, BJP Candidates Tovihoto Ayemi, Jacob Zhimomi, NDPP candidates Zhaleo Rio, Hekani Jakhalu and Moatoshi Longkumer were present.

Nagaland will go to Assembly polls on February 27 and the votes will be counted on March 2 along with Tripura and Meghalaya. (ANI)

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Digital Payments Ecosystem Transformed Governance: Modi

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India’s digital payments ecosystem has radically transformed governance, financial inclusion and ease of living in the country.

With the aim to foster global economic cooperation, the first G20 Finance Minister and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting is being held in Bengaluru on Friday.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das jointly chaired the meeting.

In his opening remarks at the meeting via a video message, PM Modi said, “You represent the leadership of global finance and economy at a time when the world is facing serious economic difficulties. The Covid pandemic had delivered a once-a-century blow to the global economy. Many countries, especially developing economies are still coping with its aftereffects. We are also witnessing rising geopolitical tensions in different parts of the world.”

“We need to collectively work to strengthen multilateral development banks for many global challenges, like climate change,” PM Modi said during the meeting.

Prime Minister said Indian consumers and producers are optimistic and confident about the future.

“We hope that you will be able to transmit the same positive spirit to the global economy. I would urge that your discussion will focus on the most vulnerable citizens of the world. Only by creating an inclusive agenda can win back the confidence of the world,” he told the Finance Ministers and Central Bank governors.

The PM stressed that the role of technology is increasingly dominant in the world of finance. “However, some recent innovations in digital finance also pose a risk of destabilisation and misuse,” Prime Minister noted.

During the Covid pandemic, he said digital payments enabled contactless and seamless transactions.

“Over the past few years, we have created a highly secure, trusted and efficient public digital infrastructure. Our Digital payments ecosystem has radically transformed governance, financial inclusion and ease of living. India’s UPI ecosystem can be a template for many other countries. We would be happy to share our experiences with the world. G20 can be a medium for this,” PM Modi said.

He further said, “During our G20 presidency, we have created a new Fintech platform, which allows our global G20 guests to use India’s path-breaking digital payment platform UPI.”

PM Modi called for a collective effort in strengthening multilateral development banks for global challenges, like climate change and others.

“I hope that you will explore how the power of tech can be used for good while developing standards to regulate its possible risks. India’s own experience can be a model,” he added. (ANI)

India Saved Over 3.4 MN Lives During COVID Through Vaccination: Mandaviya

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday hailed India’s response to the COVID pandemic and said that the country was able to save over 3.4 million lives by undertaking the nationwide vaccination campaign at an unprecedented scale.

The Health Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership during the pandemic and said that he initiated a “preemptive response” much before COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020, by the WHO.
The remarks of the Minister came while delivering a keynote address virtually at Stanford ‘The India Dialog’ session on the Economic Impact of Vaccination & Related Matters on Friday.

“India was able to save more than 3.4 million lives by undertaking the nationwide vaccination campaign at an unprecedented scale. Under the PMGKAY, the government focused on ensuring that no one slept hungry and free food grains were distributed to 800 million people,” he said.

“The report “Healing the economy: Estimating the Economic Impact of India’s Vaccination and related measure” is Pertinent in culminating the massive efforts taken by India during Covid and how those efforts have led to an economic impact across the domains,” Mandaviya added.

He said that during the pandemic, India adopted a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approach, in a proactive, preemptive and graded manner thus adopting a holistic response strategy, for effective management of Covid-19.

The Minister noted that the government created an administrative structure by setting up 11 Empowered Groups to focus dedicatedly on various aspects of pandemic management like Drugs, Vaccination, Logistics, etc. as early as 29 March 2020.

“PM Modi with his early call for Voluntary Lockdown paved the way to include the community in this response which is our mainstay in fighting this invisible virus,” he said.

Talking about the rapid development of COVID infrastructure in the country, he said that the government ramped up testing infrastructure at an unprecedented scale for early detection of the virus with more than 917.8 million total tests conducted so far.

“We also set up a network of 52 labs for Genomic surveillance which has helped us to monitor the emerging variants of the virus. We prioritized scientific evidence-based vaccine development, vaccine production, just-in-time logistics including ensuring vaccine availability across the country,” he said.

The Minister also lauded the country’s vaccination drive calling it the world’s biggest, and said that over 2.2 billion doses have been administered so far.

“With a mission mode approach for vaccination, India launched the world’s biggest vaccination drive on 16th January 2021, and till now we have administered more than 2.2 billion doses with 97 per cent 1st dose coverage and 90 per cent 2nd dose coverage of eligible beneficiaries,” he said.

“The vaccination drive was supported by the relentless efforts of our vaccinators who traversed mountains, deserts, & difficult geographical terrain to reach individuals in far-flung areas,” Mandaviya added.

He also mentioned the indigenously developed CoWIN platform which is used to book the slot for the COVID vaccination and draw certificates after the administration of the vaccine jab.

“We also utilized the CoWIN vaccine management platform as its backbone which monitored the doses administered across the country & provided QR-code-based” vaccination certificates,” he said.

“Adopting a 360-degree response, numerous & timely financial packages were introduced which were crucial in mitigating the economic fallout,” the Minister added further detailing the government’s efforts.

He said that the government utilized multiple schemes with a collective outlay of USD 42.3 billion for the agriculture sector with an aim of minimizing the impact on the social sector.

“We also introduced relief packages worth USD 4.6 billion to enable healthcare infrastructure augmentation & states were financially empowered through allowing utilization of more than 50 per cent of funds from the State Disaster Relief Fund,” he said.

“While the prime focus of the campaign was always on saving lives, it also yielded a positive economic impact by preventing the loss of USD 18.3 billion. This resulted in a net benefit of USD 15.42 billion for the nation after taking into consideration the cost of the vaccination campaign,” the Minister added. (ANI)

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Bharatiya Janata Party National President JP Nadda

Nadda Calls Meeting Of BJP Leaders On Feb 26

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Aiming to discuss the upcoming Assembly elections, 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as well as the G20 preparations, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda has called a meeting of all the BJP leaders on February 26.

According to party sources, in the meeting of general secretaries, there will be a presentation about the position of the BJP in Tripura where elections have been held. Apart from this, the scope of BJP in Nagaland and Meghalaya will also be discussed, where voting is slated to be held on February 27. G20 is another important issue, that will be discussed in the meeting.
Notably, India is presiding over the G-20 in 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has instructed the party to ensure the maximum participation of common people in the G20 program. Under this, BJP is going to organise many programs regarding G-20.

BJP is going to organize various cultural programs including literary programs, webinars, seminars, etc. The party is trying to increase the participation of more and more people in this event and to promote the display of India’s art and culture.

In the meeting with the general secretaries, the party’s preparations for the Lok Sabha elections, upcoming elections in six states in 2023 will also be reviewed.

Other than that, the steps have taken by the party to strengthen BJP’s weak 160 seats will also be discussed in detail, the party sources said. (ANI)

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Pak Provides Safe Havens To Terrorists: India At UNGA

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

India on Thursday exercised it’s ‘Right of Reply’ at UNGA against Pakistan and advised Islamabad to look at its track record as a state that provides safe heavens to terrorists.

At the United Nations General Assembly Eleventh Emergency Special Session, Indian Counsellor Pratik Mathur said, “Pakistan has only to look at itself and its track record as a State that harbours and provides safe havens to terrorists and does so with impunity.”
He also advised the Pakistani delegation to refer to the numerous Right of Replies that India has exercised in the past.

Mathur said, “I am taking the floor to say that India chooses this time not to respond to Pakistan’s mischievous provocations. Our advice to the delegate of Pakistan is to refer to the numerous RoRs that we have exercised in the past.”

Calling out Pakistan’s uncalled-for provocation “regrettable”, Mathur also said that after two days of intense discussions, all the members present in the UN have agreed that the path of peace can be the only path to resolve conflict and discord.

India’s most wanted Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) deputy chief Abdul Rehman Makki was designated as “global terrorist” in January

India had made listings of Pak-based terrorists a top priority of its UNSC tenure during 2021-22. A total of five names — Abdul Rehman Makki (LeT), Abdul Rauf Asghar (JeM), Sajid Mir (LeT), Shahid Mahmood (LeT), and Talha Saeed (LeT) — were submitted by India for designation under 1267 in 2022.

Each of these five names was initially placed on technical hold by one member state (China) while all other 14 members of the Council agreed to their listing.

In 2020, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court convicted Makki on one count of terrorism financing and sentenced him to prison, acccording to the US State Department.

Earlier in this month, India’s Indus Commissioner issued a notice to Pakistani counterpart to notify a date for the commencement of interstate bilateral negotiations to rectify an ongoing material breach of the Indus Water treaty, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday.

He further said that India is not involved in the process of the arbitration court.

“We have issued rather our India’s Indus Commissioner issued a notice on January 25 for modification of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 to his Pakistani counterpart. This notice was issued with the intent to provide Pakistan an opportunity to enter into government-to-government negotiations, to rectify an ongoing material breach of the treaty. We have called upon Pakistan to notify a suitable date for the commencement of interstate bilateral negotiations under article XII (3) within 90 days,” Bagchi said in response to a question on India’s notice to Pakistan for amendments to the Indus water treaty.

“I am not aware of a response from Pakistan as of yet. I am not aware of any response or comment by the World Bank,” Bagchi said.

He added by saying that India is not participating or involved in the process in any way, in response to a media query on New Delhi’s position on the arbitration court.

India issued notice to Pakistan on January 25 for modification of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of September 1960 after Islamabad’s actions adversely impinged the provisions of the treaty, according to sources. (ANI)

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Hardeep Puri Reiterates India’s Position On Russia-Ukraine Conflict

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Thursday, reiterated India’s position in the Russia-Ukraine war and said, “this is not the time for war.”

Speaking to ANI, Puri quoted the European ambassador’s statement, “we don’t care where India buys energy from but think India can help in bringing resolution to what’s going on” and added, “India’s position is that this isn’t time for war.”
On the eve of one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in an interview with a different media organization, Ugo Astuto, the ambassador of the European Union, commented on India’s position in continuing with procurement of crude oil from Russia and also appreciates New Delhi’s overall stand on the Ukraine conflict.

The Union Minister also said that India will accelerate the green transition and will go down the bio-fuels way. “We’ve seen a news report that 38 per cent of additional sugar is going for ethanol production. We can see enthusiasm all around,” he added.

“There’s no country which has more potential for electric vehicles than India. Japanese and German manufacturers are bringing new electric vehicles, and there’s green hydrogen potential, CNG. India will go to be the laboratory case where we’ll find all these technologies,” Puri said.

Earlier, in November 2022 also, Puri reiterated that India is under no moral conflict to stop buying oil from Russia.

Responding to a question by CNN’s Becky Anderson who questioned Puri on whether India had “qualms” over purchasing so much from Russia, the minister said: “Absolutely none, there is no moral conflict, if somebody wants to take an ideological position…We don’t buy from X or Y, we buy whatever is available. I don’t do the buying, it’s the oil companies who do the buying.”

Puri defended India’s purchases stating that India only bought 0.2 per cent, not 2 per cent of Russian oil and it buys a quarter of what Europe buys in one afternoon.

Asked whether India is benefitting from discounted rates of Russia, Puri said, “Let me first try and correct your perspective, we ended the financial year 2022, the purchases of Russian oil were not 2 per cent, it was 0.2 per cent. Moreover, we still buy a quarter of what Europe buys in one afternoon. So, let’s be very clear about what the perspective is.”

Asked about India’s backup plan if the West decides to tighten the oil ban from Russia, Puri said “We have many backup plans, I don’t look at the way you are looking at it. We have healthy discussions going on with the US and Europe. We don’t feel any pressure, Modi’s government doesn’t feel the pressure. We are the fifth largest economy in the world, and we are the one country, which is making the transition. When you have an increase in the oil prices, they have consequences – one of them is – there will be inflation and recession, another is we will make the transition in green energy.” The union minister also cleared the air about Russia being the largest supplier of oil to India. (ANI)

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Harvey Sentenced To 16 Additional Years In Prison For Rape Case

By LokMarg 24th February 2023

Harvey Weinstein has been sentenced to 16 years on Thursday morning nearly two months after his Los Angeles trial concluded with a jury convicting him on three counts of rape and sexual assault.

Weinstein’s sentencing was held in downtown Los Angeles.
Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence in New York, after being convicted of rape and sexual assault in that jurisdiction in his 2020 criminal trial, reported Variety.

All three charges on which Weinstein were convicted were based on the counts relating to Jane Doe, a European model who testified she was raped by Weinstein at Mr. C Hotel after the L.A. Italia Film Festival in 2013, reported Variety.

Thursday’s sentencing signals that Weinstein, who will turn 71 years old next month, will spend the remainder of his life in prison, marking a downfall for the Oscar winner who reigned over Hollywood and was once one of the most powerful individuals in the entertainment industry.

His team, however, is still fighting for Weinstein’s life. In Los Angeles, his lawyers, Mark Werksman and Alan Jackson, filed a motion in January to request a new trial with a new jury, which the judge shot down on Thursday, ahead of the sentencing. In New York, the Court of Appeals, which is the highest court in the state, agreed to hear Weinstein’s appeal to possibly overturn his 2020 sex crimes conviction, reported Variety.

Weinstein has been accused by more than 100 women who have publicly come forward with allegations of sexual assault, abuse and harassment that have spanned decades. His monumental fall triggered by #MeToo in 2017, and the story of his survivors coming forward even inspired a major studio film, “She Said,” which was released in theatres last year.

Weinstein has consistently maintained his innocence, denying any accusations of rape or assault, and his legal team has repeatedly stated that their client has unfairly been painted as the poster boy of the #MeToo movement. (ANI)

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Democracy Under Threat: Kharge On Khera’s Arrest

By LokMarg 23rd February 2023

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at the BJP government for allegedly “harassing” Congress leader Pawan Khera and said that the Supreme Court order is a tight slap on the government’s face.

He further said that BJP is trying to eliminate freedom of speech adding that democracy is under threat.
“The BJP government tried to harass Pawan Khera. I am happy with SC’s order, it’s a tight slap on their face. I condemn this action by BJP. In Parliament also, we were stopped from raising issues. They are trying to eliminate freedom of speech. Democracy is under threat,” said Kharge.

The Congress chief alleged that BJP wants to stop the plenary session from happening but the people of Chhattisgarh along with the government here are working towards conducting this session.

“When Congress plenary session is happening in Chhattisgarh, our leaders are being raided by ED and I-T. They (BJP) want to stop this session from happening but the people of Chhattisgarh along with the government here are working towards conducting this session,” he added.

Kharge alleged that the Modi government has turned “India’s democracy into a ‘Hitlershahi'”.

“Notice is given if the opposition raises issues in Parliament. ED raids are conducted on our leaders of Chhattisgarh before the plenary session. Today the media chairman was forcibly taken off the plane and arrested. The Modi government has turned India’s democracy into a ‘Hitlershahi’. We strongly condemn this dictatorship,” Kharge tweeted in Hindi.

Khera was arrested by Assam Police on Thursday in Delhi.

The Dwarka court on Thursday granted interim bail to Congress leader Pawan Khera following the order passed by the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court said, “Till the next date of hearing, the petitioner will be released on interim bail by Dwarka court.”

SC directed the Dwarka court to grant interim relief to Pawan Khera.

Earlier today, Khera said that he is “ready to fight the long battle” soon after Assam Police arrested him in the national capital.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier today Pawan Khera was stopped from boarding a plane at Delhi airport after a request was received from the Assam Police to stop him,” Delhi Police said on Thursday.

Earlier, the Assam Police registered a case against the Congress leader in the Dima Hasao district.

The Congress leaders protested after Khera was stopped by Delhi Police from boarding the plane at the airport.

Delhi Police said that a request was received from Assam Police for assistance in the arrest of accused Pawan Khera in case FIR No. 19/2023, PS Dima Hasao, District Haflong, Assam.

“Based upon the same, requisite local assistance was provided and upon the requisition of Assam Police, accused Shri Pawan Khera was detained from Terminal 1 of IGI Airport and has been subsequently arrested by the IO concerned of Assam Police,” a Delhi Police official told ANI.

“Necessary legal action shall follow,” they added.

In a video shared on Congress’s Twitter handle, Pawan Khera said that he does not know why was he deboarded.

“I don’t know. I was told that your baggage has to be checked. I said I do not have any luggage except a handbag. When I came down, I was told that I cannot go, a DCP would come. We are waiting for the DCP for the last 20 minutes. I don’t know why I am being stopped,” he said. (ANI)

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Kerala Governor: Triple Talaq Is Not Even Mentioned In Quran

By LokMarg 23rd February 2023

Supporting the law against triple talaq, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Thursday lashed out at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for questioning the triple talaq law bought by the Modi government and said that triple talaq is mentioned nowhere, not even in Quran.

Kerala Governor’s reaction came days after the CM criticised the BJP-led government at the Centre over the Triple Talaq law, questioning why the practice of instant divorce among Muslims was “criminalised when divorces happen in all religions”.
Speaking to ANI, Khan said, “Whatever CM said is his own opinion. But Triple talaq is no more an issue, the law was implemented in 2019. Divorce rates have come down by more than 90 per cent. A lot of women and children’s future has become secure. If somebody has a problem with it what can I do.”

He further said that triple talaq is not even mentioned in the Quran.

“Divorce is everywhere, even among Muslims. But triple talaq is mentioned nowhere and there is no mention of triple talaq in the Quran. So when legislation was made about Triple Talaq, a provision was made for giving 40 lashes to the person. Since then it has been considered a criminal matter. But nowadays you cannot give 40 lashes, so there is a provision for jail,” he said.

CM Vijayan had questioned the law against triple talaq and said why triple talaq has been brought under the purview of the law only for Muslims and has been brought under the category of crime.

“While divorces take place in all religions, it is only the Triple Talaq that was criminalised (through the law). Why is it a criminal offence for Muslims alone? All other divorce cases are seen as civil matters in court. However, if it’s a case of divorce between a Muslin couple, then that person (husband) can be sent to jail (for pronouncing Triple Talaq to his spouse),” the Kerala CM had said.

On CM’s statement that the state government will not implement the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Kerala, Governor Khan called his remarks as Vijayan’s personal opinion

He also supported the CAA and said, “The statement given by the CM regarding the CAA that we will not allow it to be implemented in Kerala is his opinion. He is free to speak his opinions but nobody can stop the nation’s law from getting implemented.”

Vijayan had said that the CAA, a legislation brought by the Centre to facilitate grant of citizenship to minority Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and Parsis from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, would not be implemented in Kerala “at any cost”.

“The Centre used religion to decide citizenship through the Citizenship Amendment Act. We have already cleared our stand on it. We won’t implement it here at any cost,” Vijayan proclaimed. (ANI)

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It’s Ram Charan, Jr NTR vs Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt At Critics Choice Super Awards 2023

By LokMarg 23rd February 2023

Woah! SS Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’ shows no sign of slowing down. After bagging a nomination at the 95th Academy Awards, the film has now been nominated in the Critics Choice Super Awards in the Best Action Movie category, along with Top Gun: Maverick and Bullet Train.

Also, Ram Charan and Jr NTR are competing with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the Best Actor category.

The nominees were announced on Critics Choice Awards’ site on February 23. The winners will be announced on March 16.

Last month in January, the team RRR bagged an award under the Best Original Song category at Golden Globes Awards 2023.

Meanwhile, Ram Charan recently appeared on the Good Morning America show, where he opened up about RRR’s mega success.

“It (RRR) is about friendship, great brotherhood, camaraderie, and the relationship between these two characters. And I think it is one of the finest writings of my director Rajamouli, he is known as the Steven Spielberg of India,” he said.

On the show, Ram Charan also hinted that Rajamouli is up for directing an international project. The actor said, “Everybody calls him that, and I hope he’s going to make his way to the global cinema very soon, with the next film.” (ANI)

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