March 2024 - Page 21 of 38 - Lokmarg

Brajwasi Will Help Us Cross 400 Seat Mark: Hema

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Mathura Lok Sabha Constituency, Hema Malini on Wednesday said that “Brajwasi” the people of the state stood with the ruling party and will help them cross the 400-seat mark in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to ANI at the Viksit Bharat-Modi’s Guarantee programme, the actor-turned-politician said, “The people of Mathura, “Brajwasi are with us, and they will 100 per cent help the BJP cross the 400-seat mark.”

She further spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat-Modi Guarantee programme and said, “This programme is an idea of PM Modi which allows people to give suggestions that can help in the development of the country. I want people to provide suggestions to me as well if they want to.”

When asked if she is satisfied with the work in her constituency, Hema Malini said, “I am happy but a lot of work has to be done, because when we first came here 10 years ago, a lot of work had not been done. It will take time. I am also working towards the progress of local artists. There is a world-class theatre here which will help in their development.”

The BJP MP also stated that she would be working towards railways, education of the girl child and many other such important issues.

Earlier this month, expressing her gratitude to the BJP’s high command for announcing her candidature for the third time from the Mathura Constituency, party MP Hema Malini said that she had done many things in her previous terms and wanted to do much bigger work so that Mathura’s level can be raised more.

Hema Malini defeated Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary from the Mathura seat in the 2014 general elections. She won again from this seat in the 2019 elections.

This is the third time that the BJP has given a ticket to Hema Malini. She has been contesting elections from the Mathura seat since 2014.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP-led National Democratic (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats.

The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

No More Hindrances To Assam’s Industrialization: Sarma

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Adding another chapter to the process of industrialization in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually laid the foundation stone for the Tata Group’s Rs 27,000 crore indigenous “Semiconductor Assembly & Test Facility” at Jagiroad in Morigaon district.

This apart, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stones for Tata-Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing’s “Semiconductor Fabrication Unit” at Dholera and that for the CG Power-Renesas outsourced assembly and test (OSAT) facility at Sanand, both in Gujarat.

The combined investment of the three semiconductor chip production/assembly facilities comes to around Rs 1,26,000 crore.

Speaking from the site of the upcoming facility at Jagiroad in Morigaon district, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the latter’s role in the establishment of the semiconductor assembly and test facility in the state by Tata Electronics.

“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the “geographical barrier” is no longer a hindrance in the process of industrializing Assam and the rest of the North-eastern States,” the Chief Minister stated.

Expressing his happiness over Assam being covered under the first phase of the “semiconductor technology revolution” in the country, the Chief Minister said it is a manifestation of the fact that under the current dispensation at the Centre, the Northeast of India is getting its due attention and the region cannot be termed a “neglected region” anymore.

“The people of Assam shall remain forever indebted to the Prime Minister for his role in the ushering of a new wave of development and progress in the state,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister exuded confidence that, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the nation will attain its rightful status of “Vishwa Guru” in the days to come.

The Chief Minister praised the Tata Group for coming forward with investments to the tune of Rs 27,000 crore and assured the multi-billion-dollar conglomerate of doing everything within the capacity of the Government of Assam to provide a conducive industrial environment.

He said the investment by Tata Group in Jagiroad will contribute greatly to the economic growth of the state and the country.

Referring to the foundation stone laid for the semiconductor unit at Jagiroad as an emotional moment for him, the Chief Minister said it has the potential to provide direct employment to as many as 15,000 youth of the state and provide indirect employment opportunities to equal number of job-seekers.

He praised the role of Bimal Bora and Pijush Hazarika, Ministers in the Assam Cabinet, for their tireless efforts in ensuring the idea of having a semiconductor assembly and test unit at Jagiroad turns into a reality.

He appealed to the people of Assam to shed the “culture” of strikes/andolans/hartals and embrace positivity and optimism so that Assam can attain its rightful position among the States of the Indian Union.

Union Minister of Communications and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Chairman of Tata Sons N Chandrasekaran joined through the video-conference mode.

Deputy Chairman of Assam Legislative Assembly Dr. Numal Momin, Ministers of Assam Cabinet Pijush Hazarika, Bimal Bora, Jogen Mohan, and Keshab Mahanta, along with a host of dignitaries were present at Jagiroad on the occasion. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Arunachal:BJP Releases List Of 60 Candidates, Pema To contest From Mukto

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Ahead of the Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls which are scheduled to be held alongside Lok Sabha polls this year, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday announced a list of 60 candidates.

The party has fielded Chief Minister Pema Khandu from his home constituency, Mukto, which is reserved for the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribes (ST) class. It is one of the three constituencies which fall under the Tawang district.

Of the 60 candidates, the party has retained most of its MLAs including–Tsering Lhamu, Phurpa Tsering, Kumsi Sidisow, Dongru Siongju, Biyuram Wahge, Techi Kaso, Tana Hali Tara, Taba Tedir, Balo Raja, Jikke Tako, Nakap Nalo, Nyato Rigia, Taniya Soki, Rode Bui, Nyamar Karbak, Kardo Nyigyor, Kento Jini, Talem Taboh, Pasang Dorjee Sona, Alo Libang, Ojing Tasing, Ninong Ering, Kaling Moyong, Lombo Tayeng, Mopi Mihu, Mutchu Mithi, Dasanglu Pul, Chowna Mein, Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Somlung Mossang, Kamlung Mosang, Tesam Pongte, Wangki Lowang, Chakat Aboh, Wanglin Lowangdong, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, Tanpho Wangnaw, and Honchun Ngandam.

The list was released following a meeting of the party’s Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting chaired by party president JP Nadda, on Monday.

The Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls will coincide with the Lok Sabha polls, which are slated to be held in April-May this year.

Earlier in the 2019 state assembly polls, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) bagged 57 out of the 60 legislative assembly seats.

Meanwhile, the party has also released its first list of 195 candidates for the coming Lok Sabha polls, fielding prominent faces including–Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekhar, and Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla.

Of the 195 candidates, 34 are ministers from the Center and States, while two are former chief ministers who are on the list.

In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a total of 303 seats, leaving the grand-old party behind at 52 seats. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Won’t Allow NRC, CAA To Take Place: Mamata

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that the Centre will not be allowed to carry out exercises of the National Register of Citizens and Citizenship Amendment Act in the state.

“It is only before elections. I have already said it 3-4 times. Our stand is very clear. It is only to show the people and trouble them. They have NRC at the back of their minds. We won’t allow both to take place (NRC and CAA),” Mamata Banerjee said.

On Monday evening, the Union Home Ministry notified rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

Earlier today, Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev informed that the State government will challenge the Centre’s Citizenship (Amendment) Act in the Supreme Court, adding that it will pray to the apex court to declare the act “anti-Constitutional”.

“Earlier, we had approached the Supreme Court, against the CAA. Our prayer was that it was against the basic structure of the Constitution. It is against the basic fundamental principles of the Constitution, and we pray to declare the CAA anti-Constitutional. Now we have decided to approach the Supreme Court again and we have a ligated advocate general to interact with our senior counsel in the Supreme Court and take proper action to approach the SC,” Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev told ANI.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Wednesday that helpline numbers will be launched soon to assist applicants for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019).

According to MHA, the applicants will be able to get information related to CAA-2019 by calling free of cost.

“Helpline numbers to assist applicants for Indian citizenship under CAA -2019 will be launched soon. Applicants will be able to get information related to CAA-2019 by calling free of cost from anywhere in India. The service will be available from 8 am to 8 pm,” MHA posted on X.

Citizenship (Amendment) Act aims to provide Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants – including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians – who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Tata To Start Semiconductor Chips Production From Gujarat, Assam Plants By 2026

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Tata Group hopes that the commercial production of semiconductors chips at the two plants – in Gujarat and Assam – whose foundation stones were laid on Wednesday, would start in 2026.

“We are accelerating the timeline. Typically, a fab takes four years, (but) our goal is to produce the chip in the calendar year 2026 – hopefully the later part of the year…We have a very aggressive timeline…(in) Assam (unit, it) will be done earlier, we may go commercial production in Assam even in late 2025 and early 2026,” said Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran, after the foundation stone laying ceremony, speaking to reporters.

The semiconductor manufacturing plants will also bring with it several job opportunities in Gujarat and Assam and will be a landmark in India’s Atmanirbhar efforts.

“We will create 50,000 jobs in this journey and this is just a beginning. Today our journey to build semiconductor has begun. For the first time India will have capabilities to solve the chips demand in India,” TATA Sons Chairman said.

In India’s endeavour to ramp up its semiconductor ecosystem, three new chip plants – two in Gujarat and one in Assam are being set up- in addition to the under construction chip plant at Sanand in Gujarat. Tata Group is setting up two of these three new plants.

As part of its Atmanirbhar and Make in India plan, the government launched production incentive (PLI) schemes in varied sectors, including electronics, to make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investments, enhance exports, integrate India into the global supply chain and reduce dependency on imports.

The semiconductor industry in India is still in a nascent stage, with various local and multinational companies intending to tap its vast potential.

The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was notified on December 21, 2021, with a total outlay of Rs. 76,000 crore.

Tata Electronics Private Limited (“TEPL”) will set up a semiconductor fab in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC), Taiwan, in Dholera, Gujarat. Investment in this fab will be Rs 91,000 crore. PSMC has 6 semiconductor foundries in Taiwan. The capacity of the Dholera unit will be 50,000 wafer starts per month (WSPM).

Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (“TSAT”) will set up a semiconductor unit in Morigaon, Assam. With a capacity of producing 48 million chips per day, this facility is being built at a cost of Rs 27,000 crore. Segments that will be covered are automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones.

These units will accelerate employment creation in downstream automotive, electronics manufacturing, telecom manufacturing, industrial manufacturing, and other semiconductor-consuming industries.

“Assam will see a lot of prosperity and a lot of jobs and it will change the face of that part of the world with this specific investment with regard to the capability…,” Chandrasekaran said.

Asked about expansion plans, Chandrasekaran said the focus now is on realising these two units.

“Once we have the production up and running, then we can talk about further expansion at this point in time. I think we should celebrate what we have set out to do fully recognizing that these are difficult projects and we are to keep our heads down and be realistic and ensure that we do a good job in producing the products that are appreciated and supported and meeting the demands of customers,” said the Tata Sons Chairman.

“It is definitely a pivotal moment. It is a very important day. Semiconductor is fundamentally required for anything digital. So, it is very important for India to become a semiconductor nation. I am very glad that Tata Group has been able to establish the first semiconductor fab also the first indigenous assembly unit in Assam,” he added.

During the main foundation laying ceremony, Chairman, TATA Sons, Natarajan Chandrasekaran said that semiconductors are a foundational industry for digital products just like steel is for physical infrastructure.

He noted that chip shortages during Covid realised the important of indigenous manufacturing to fill deficiency, for national security and galvanise indigenous innovation. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Renaming Of Eight Railway Stations In Mumbai

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday decided to rename eight Mumbai railway stations that bear names dating back to the British colonial era.

Following the approval, Curry Road will be renamed to Lalbaug, Sandhurst Road will now be known as Dongri, and Marine Lines will be rechristened as Mumbadevi. Cotton Green will be renamed to Kalachowki, Charni Road to Girgaon, Dockyard Road to Mazgaon, and King Circle to Tirthakar Parshivnath.

The cabinet has also decided to rename Mumbai Central Station as Nana Jagannath Shankarsheth Station for which a proposal has been sent to the Railways Ministry.

The Maharashtra Cabinet has also approved the purchase of 2.5 acres of land in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, to construct a Maharashtra Bhavan there. The budget proposal for the same was already in the state budget in the previous budget session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

The cabinet has also decided to rename Ahmednagar district as Ahilya Nagar.

Also, the cabinet has approved the construction of a sea link between Uttan (Bhayander) and Virar (Palghar).

“Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and members of the Cabinet were present in this Cabinet meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House,” Maharashtra Chief Minister’s office posted on X.

Earlier, in a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off 10 high-speed Vande Bharat trains, including a train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central, on Tuesday.

Thanking PM Modi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “Today, PM Modi flagged off 10 Vande Bharat trains. Out of the 10 trains, one was inaugurated in Maharashtra. In the state, nine stations will benefit from the ‘One station, one product’ initiative of the government. This will provide employment opportunities to the locals.”

“Earlier, Maharashtra got seven Vande Bharat trains. I thank the PM Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for this,” he said. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

India-Bhutan Signs MoU On General Supply Of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its nod for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the General Supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL), and related products from India to Bhutan, in a significant move aimed at fortifying the economic ties between India and Bhutan.

According to a press release, the memorandum, set to be inked between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan, seeks to enhance bilateral trade in the hydrocarbon sector, ensuring a secured and long-term supply of petroleum products to Bhutan.

The approval underscores India’s commitment to bolstering its commercial relations with Bhutan, regardless of gender, class, or income bias.

One of the primary objectives of the MoU is to foster mutually beneficial economic and commercial linkages between the two nations.

By facilitating the exchange of petroleum products, both India and Bhutan anticipate substantial gains in their respective economies.

Additionally, the MoU aligns with India’s vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), as exports play a pivotal role in realizing this goal.

The MoU will be a strategic fit as Energy Bridge in India’s Neighborhood First Policy.

The MoU is expected to provide a framework for cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector, promoting synergy between the energy industries of India and Bhutan.

It will facilitate smoother trade operations, ensuring a steady flow of petroleum products to Bhutan while enhancing India’s export portfolio. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Meera Chopra Is Now Married

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Actor Meera Chopra on Tuesday tied the knot with her beau Rakshit Kejriwal in the presence of family and friends today in Jaipur.

Hours after exchanging vows with Rakshit, who is a businessman, Meera took to social media and shared mesmerizing pictures from her D-Day.

In the pictures shared, Meera and Rakshit can be seen posing happily for the cameras. In one picture, we can see flower petals being showered on the newlyweds.

“Forever now in happiness, fights, laughter, tears and lifetime of memories. Har Janam Tere Sath.” She added the hashtag #Mera. Actor Barkha Sengupta wrote, Congratulations girl …. Wishing both of u love and happiness @meerachopra,” she captioned the post.

Meera’s post is flooded with congratulatory wishes.

“Wow…you look beautiful,” a social media user commented.

“Huge congratulations to you guys,” another Instagram user wrote.

Meera is actor Priyanka Chopra’s paternal cousin. Meanwhile, on the work front, she was last seen in the film ‘Safed’. She shared screen space with Barkha Bisht, Chhaya Kadam and Jameel Khan. She is best known for her role in Ajay Bahl’s Section 375. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Biden, Trump Clinch Presidential Nominations, Set For Another General Election Rematch

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, respectively, setting up a rematch with each other, according to CNN.

Trump clinched the Republican nomination for president on Wednesday morning, while, Biden secured the Democratic nomination earlier Tuesday night.

The voters cast ballots in presidential primaries in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Hawaii Republicans held caucuses, while voting wrapped up in the primary for Democrats Abroad, the official arm of the Democratic Party for Americans living overseas, reported CNN.

Moreover, Biden is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The shorter slate of elections followed last week’s Super Tuesday, when Biden and Trump dominated across the map, putting both on the cusp of winning a majority of the delegates needed to be crowned their parties’ presumptive nominees.

The long-anticipated rematch of Trump and Biden is expected to mirror the 2020 campaign, though Trump will run this time under the spectre of 91 felony charges related to allegations that he plotted to overturn his 2020 election defeat, CNN reported.

The charges included that he played a lead role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol; illegally took classified documents from the White House; and covered up hush money payments to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 election.

However, Trump has now achieved a record of accomplishments and missteps for voters to weigh.

Moreover, Biden is so far running a similar campaign to 2020, appealing to concerns over Trump’s authoritarian behaviour and a middling economy, according to CNN.

Notably, unlike Trump, the US president has never faced a serious, well-funded primary challenge, with Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, his lone rival in elected office, dropping out and endorsing Biden last week.

Biden’s main opposition has come more from general intraparty anxiety over his age and from progressives’ outrage over the administration’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It has also come under some scrutiny following the release of special counsel Robert Hur’s report, which concluded that Biden mishandled and improperly disclosed classified information after leaving the vice presidency.

However, no charges were filed with Hur, who testified Tuesday on Capitol Hill, stating that he did not believe that there was enough evidence to charge Biden with a crime, as reported by CNN.

On the Republican Party (GOP) side, Trump has long been seen as the prohibitive favourite despite competition from a collection of GOP challengers, including governors, senators, right-wing provocateurs and his own former vice president, Mike Pence.

The last to give in was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who left the Republican race last week after a string of Super Tuesday losses but did not endorse Trump on the way out.

Haley said the former president needed “to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him.”

Similar to Biden, Trump will need to win over sceptical portions of his base to match past levels of support.

However, the primaries in Georgia are expected to provide both candidates with a gut check ahead of their anticipated November rematch, reported CNN.

Reportedly, Biden has been on a post-State of the Union tour of swing states, beginning from Pennsylvania on Friday before Georgia and then in New Hampshire on Monday.

However, Trump is bound for Dayton, Ohio, this weekend, when he will host a rally for businessman Bernie Moreno, his endorsed candidate in the GOP primary to take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Reportedly, the Ohio election is among several seen as critical to Democratic hopes of holding the Senate. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

Who Will Employ Them?: Kejriwal Takes On Centre On CAA

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday joined his INDIA bloc partners to take on the centre over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Kejriwal termed the government decision as “very dangerous” and said that the government money which should be spent on the development of family and country will now be spent on allowing Pakistanis to settle in India.

“After ruling the country for 10 years and just before the elections, they have to talk about the Citizenship Amendment Act. If you had done some work in these 10 years, perhaps you would have asked for votes on your work instead of on CAA. It means that a large number of minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be brought to our country, and they will be employed and settled here. The youth of the country are not being given employment by the BJP government. Many people of India do not have houses but BJP wants to bring people from Pakistan and give them houses here,” he said.

The Delhi CM also questioned the government claiming that the influx of refugees could lead to a huge financial burden.

“There are approximately three crore minorities in these three countries. As soon as our doors open, huge crowds from these countries will come here. Even if 1.5 crore people come here, who will employ them? Where will they be settled? Why is BJP doing this?” CM Kejriwal said.

Further, he added that if the BJP wants to bring back anyone, then it should bring 11 lakh big industrialists and businessmen who have left India.

“In the last 10 years, more than 11 lakh big industrialists and businessmen have left India. These people used to run industries in India, do business and provide jobs and employment to lakhs of people. These people left India due to BJP’s wrong policy and atrocities. If BJP wants to bring them back, then it should bring these people back. If these people come to India, they will invest in India and our children will get employment,” he added.

Arvind Kejriwal urged the people to vote against the BJP if they do not agree to take back the law.

On March 11, the Union Home Ministry notified the rules of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

The CAA rules, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aim to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants–including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians–who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. (ANI)

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/