Parliament Passes Bills For OBC Quota

Centre To Table 7 New Bills In Upcoming Winter Session

The Central government is planning to table seven new Bills, including those for setting up a Central Tribal University in Telangana and providing women’s quota in Jammu and Kashmir and Puducherry Assemblies, during the upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament.

The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on December 4.

The government has listed 18 Bills, including the three proposed criminal justice laws that seek to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860, Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill 2023, introduced in the Lower House of Parliament on August 11, were referred to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha in consultation with the Speaker, Lok Sabha and intimation thereof was published in Bulletin-Part II, dated August 21, 2023.

The Report of the Committee was presented on November 10, 2023, to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and forwarded to the Speaker, Lok Sabha, the government said.

According to a bulletin issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the government will introduce, The Boilers Bill, 2023, The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023, The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023, The Central University (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Parliament.

Among others, the Bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is among the legislative business of the government for the upcoming session, which will conclude on December 22.

The Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, 2023 was introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on August 10.

This Bill also deals with the procedure for the transaction of business by the Election Commission. Besides, it proposes that the Election Commissioners will be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, and a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister will chair the panel.

The Bill, if it comes into effect, will negate the Supreme Court’s March 2023 judgement that held that the appointment of Election Commissioners will be done by the President on the advice of a panel comprising the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Justice of India. However, in its judgement, the apex court had held that the procedure underlined by it would hold till a law is enacted by Parliament.

Meanwhile, on behalf of the government, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has called an all-party meeting ahead of the session on December 2. (ANI)

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Grap Delhi

Delhi: GRAP-3 Lifted With Strict Implementation Of GRAP-1 And 2

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that Grap-3 has been lifted in the national capital but the government is trying to ensure that Grap-1 and 2 are strictly implemented.

“Due to the change in weather during the last two days, there has been a decline in pollution. Commission for Air Quality Management has lifted the restrictions of Grap-3. The ban on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles and the ban on construction demolition have been lifted. GRAP 3 is imposed when AQI is 400, but it continued despite low AQI because fluctuations were visible in AQI after Diwali. If the wind speed slows down, AQI may increase again, hence GRAP-1 and GRAP-2 should be strictly implemented. For this, directions are being given to all the departments again,” Gopal Rai said.

He further informed about the steps that the government will take in the meantime to curb the pollution in the city.

“The teams which were working at all the 13 hot spots, 60 mobile smog guns will continue to work there. Water sprinkling work will continue on the identified roads every day, through 215 mobile anti-smog vehicles. 591 teams were formed for monitoring at construction sites, they will continue their work. Now since construction work is going on, 14-point dust control measures will have to be followed otherwise they will be closed,” he said.

He also emphasized that 611 teams are working to stop incidents of biomass burning in Delhi.

“There is still a huge increase in PM 2.5 components. The stubble component has now become zero but the biomass burning component is increasing from neighbouring areas. We are taking every step so that the situation of implementing GRAP-3 does not arise again. Currently, the biggest cause of pollution is biomass burning. If there is open burning anywhere, people can complain on the Green Delhi app,” Gopal Rai said.

Meanwhile, The air quality index in the National Capital remains in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday morning.

As per the official data, in the Alipur area and Ashok Vihar, the air quality was recorded as ‘poor’ with AQI readings of 260 and 288, respectively, at 7 a.m. (ANI)

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Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

No One Can Stop CAA’s Implemention: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that nobody can prevent the Central Government from implementing the the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Addressing a mega public rally here, the BJP leader lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government accusing it of indulging in “appeasement politics” and urged people to vote to power the BJP government in the next assembly polls.

Shah in his address said that the CAA is the “country’s law” and the Narendra Modi-led Central government is going to implement it at any cost.

“Citizenship (Amendment) Act is the country’s law, no one can stop it and we will implement it,” Amit Shah said.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 aims to facilitate the grant of citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 was notified on December 12 and came into force on January 10 in 2020.

Citing political violence, corruption, and appeasement in the state, the union minister said that chief minister Mamata Banerjee has destroyed West Bengal.

“Mamata Didi came to power by removing the communists with the slogans of Sonar Bangla and Maa Mati Manush, but there was no change in Bengal. Even today infiltration, appeasement, political violence, and corruption are happening in Bengal. Communists ruled Bengal for 27 years, and Mamata Banerjee’s government was formed in the third term. Both of them together ruined Bengal. Mamata Banerjee has not been able to stop infiltration in Bengal. Voter cards and Aadhar cards are being distributed openly to infiltrators in the state and Mamata Banerjee is sitting silent,” Shah alleged.

The Union home minister further said that the people of the state will avenge the ‘political murder’ of the BJP leaders in the 2026 assembly polls.

“Bengal is gripped by infiltration, appeasement, political violence and corruption…In the entire country, election violence is highest in Bengal. 212 BJP workers killed in West Bengal, people will avenge these murders with their votes in 2026 assembly polls as BJP will form a government with two-third majority in 2026,” the minister added.

Shah also alleged that the ‘Trinamool syndicate’ does not allow vast sums of money sent by PM Modi to reach the poor of Bengal.

“Modi Ji sends lakhs of crores of rupees for ensuring welfare in Bengal, but the ‘syndicate raj’ in Bengal doesn’t allow the funds to reach the poor!” the BJP leader said.

Further, listing out the work done by the BJP government at the Centre, Shah said that West Bengal has been left behind from the development due to Mamata Banerjee.

“Modi ji has ended terrorism from the entire country. Modi ji abolished Article 370 for which Bengal’s son Shyamaprasad Mukherjee had sacrificed his life to remove it from Kashmir. Ended leftist extremism. India’s tricolor was sent to the moon through Chandrayaan 3. A new Parliament was built and Modi ji took the country’s economy from 11th to 5th…. But West Bengal has been left behind because of didi’s (Mamata Banerjee) politics of appeasement,” he said.

Shah also said that the people of the state want the BJP government in West Bengal.

“The people of Bengal are saying, ‘Didi, Aapka Samay Ab Samaapt Ho Chuka Hai’ (Didi, your time is up now!),” he said.

Shah also appealed to people to elect the BJP government in the next assembly elections.

“The people of West Bengal have blessed the BJP with around 2.30 crore votes and 77 seats…their enthusiasm states clearly that they have decided to bring the BJP Government in 2026! You should remember that in order to bring the BJP government to power here in 2026, you’ll have to lay its very foundation in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections…Give so many seats to BJP in 2024 Lok Sabha polls that Modi ji says I have become PM due to Bengal…” Shah said. (ANI)

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Stryker armoured fighting vehicle's air defence system version US

US Offers Air Defence Version Of Stryker Armoured Fighting Vehicles To India

The US government has offered the Stryker armoured fighting vehicle’s air defence system version which can be deployed in high altitude areas to take out enemy aircraft to the Indian military.

“The Americans have offered the Stryker armoured fighting vehicles equipped with air defence systems to the Indian military. They have offered to co-produce the vehicles with Indian entities,” defence officials told ANI.

During the 2+2 dialogue with India, the American side had pushed for the co-production of the Stryker armoured combat vehicle and was announced by their Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin as well.

This is not the first time that the US has made the push for the sale of Stryker systems to India and did that in the last few high-level meetings with Indian establishments.

India is considering the proposal made by the American establishment for the Stryker vehicles but has not taken any final decision about it, sources in the security establishment said.

The American proposal has come at a time when the Indian defence industry has made significant progress in the field of developing armoured combat vehicles including vehicles like the Wheeled Armoured Platform developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation in association with private industry.

India has also deployed some of these armoured platforms in the forward areas like the Ladakh sector to help troops respond quickly to emergency situations along the China border.

Indian private firms including Bharat Forge and Tata have also made systems and provided them to the defence forces for deployment in forward areas. (ANI)

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Women's Self Help Groups Drone

Cabinet Providing 15,000 Drones To Women Self Help Groups

Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a scheme under which the central government will provide drones to as many as 15,000 Women’s Self Help Groups over the next four years.

These drones will be provided during 2023-24 and 2025-2026. The SHGs would be able to provide those drones as rental services to farmers for agricultural uses.

The estimated capital outlay for the scheme is pegged at Rs 1,261 crore over the next four years.

A central government assistance, 80 per cent of the cost of the drone and accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of Rs 8 lakh would be provided, the director general of PIB posted on his X timeline after if was announced by the Union minister Anurag Thakur at a press conference.

“This scheme is important as part of PM Modi’s ‘lakhpati didi’ initiative. Drones play a key role in the services sector. There are about 10 crore women who are part of some Self Help Groups. Through this drone scheme, it has been ensured that they use technology in farming…drones will improve efficiency in spraying fertilisers and pesticides,” Union minister Anurag Thakur told media persons.

Also, a five-day mandatory drone pilot training and additional 10-day training for agriculture purposes of nutrient and pesticide application are to be provided to one member of SHGs.

Also, the Union cabinet today approved that the Central government will provide free grains to eligible citizens under the public distribution scheme for another five years.

The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was initially started during the start of the Covid pandemic, where ration card holders were entitled to receive an additional five kg grains (wheat or rice of individual’s choice). Also, Chana was also being provided as part of the additional food distribution programme.

The centre’s intention to extend the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was mentioned by Prime Minister Modi himself during his election rallies earlier this month.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched in April 2020 with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Initially, in 2020-21, the PMGKAY scheme was announced only for a period of three months (April- June 2020), however, it was extended until December 2022 in seven consecutive phases.

It benefitted 80 crore beneficiaries.

Earlier, the Central Government had decided to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of the National Food Security Act and had decided to provide foodgrains free of cost to the beneficiaries covered under NFSA, 2013, for a period of one year, beginning January 01, 2023. (ANI)

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The Department of Food and Public Distribution Paddy

Cabinet Approves Garib Kalyan Food Grain Programme For Another 5 Years

Union cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved that the central government will provide free grains to eligible citizens under the public distribution scheme for another five years.

The PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was initially started during the start of the Covid pandemic, where ration card holders were entitled to receive an additional five kg grains (wheat or rice of individual’s choice). Also, chana was also being provided as part of the additional food distribution programme.

The centre’s intention to extend the PM Garib Kalyan Yojana was mentioned by Prime Minister Modi himself during his election rallies earlier this month.

The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) was launched in April 2020 with the specific purpose of ameliorating the hardships faced by the poor and needy due to economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Initially, in 2020-21, the PMGKAY scheme was announced only for a period of three months (April- June 2020), however, it was extended until December 2022 in seven consecutive phases.

It benefitted 80 crore beneficiaries.

During an election rally in Durg on November 4, Chhattisgarh the Prime Minister had made the announcement of the decision to extend the free ration scheme.

“I have decided that the BJP government will extend the scheme of providing free ration to 80 crore poor people of the country for the next 5 years. Your affections and blessings give me the power to take such decisions, ” PM Modi had said. The Prime Minister had said that the money saved by the poor through the extension of scheme will help them meet other needs. He had said that guarantee by Modi means the promise will be fulfilled.

Earlier, the Central Government had decided to remove the financial burden of the poor beneficiaries and to ensure nationwide uniformity and effective implementation of NFSA, and had decided to provide foodgrains free of cost to the beneficiaries covered under NFSA, 2013, for a period of one year, beginning January 01, 2023. (ANI)

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Sonam Kapoor

Sonam Speaks On Need To Reuse, Repeat, Re-Wear

Actor Sonam Kapoor known for her sartorial choices and impeccable sense of styling has recently opened up on why people should be conscious about the need to reuse, repeat and rewear their clothes.

She said, “To me, having a product with longevity is luxury. Back in the day, my mother and grandmother would preserve expensive saris in a mal mal (muslin) cloth, masterji (tailor) would create made-to-measure outfits, juttis (shoes) would be created to fit our feet. I’m also doing the same.”

“So, you see, I grew up appreciating the value of personalization and the handmade. This to me is true luxury. I consciously buy items that are made by local artisans, are vintage, and even resold,” she added.

“I haven’t bought anything that I haven’t worn multiple times. For me, everything that I buy needs to be wearable for several years. I don’t believe in wearing it once and then returning it unless I’m borrowing an outfit for an event,” she further added.

On the work front, Sonam has two tent pole projects, one being ‘Battle for Bittora’. The details of other projects have been kept under wraps. (ANI)

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Israel Hamas

US Supports Extension In Israel-Hamas Conflict Pause: White House

The United States supports further extension in the operational pause between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of all the hostages in captivity, the White House said on Tuesday.

“We want to see all the hostages released. And so, if there can be extended pauses beyond these two-day extensions…we’re in favour of that. And we’re going to keep working on this, as I said, hour by hour with all our partners in the region,” White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said.

On being asked about the upcoming visit of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the Middle East, Kirby said that his fourth visit will primarily focus on reaffirming US support to Israel and facilitating humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

He further added that Blinken will meet with his Israeli counterparts and other counterparts in the region.

“It is about making sure that, number one, Israel knows that they continue to have the support of the United States, that they continue to get the tools, the capabilities, and the weapon systems that they need to continue to defend themselves against Hamas. Number two, it’s all about getting that humanitarian assistance in,” Kirby said.

He added, “And so, the President has directed the entire team all across the administration, certainly in the national security agencies, to continue to work that. And I think you’ll see that those will be the prime focuses of Secretary Blinken on his trip”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be making his fourth visit to Israel this week. He will also visit West Bank, Belgium, North Macedonia and UAE during his trip.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said that President Biden and the entire national security team are engaged in the situation in the Middle East regarding humanitarian aid, operational pause and the release of hostages.

He further informed that the first of three military flights, C-17s, landed in Egypt on Tuesday with humanitarian assistance: food, water, medicine, and supplies.

“Some 54,000 pounds on the first aircraft. We expect two more aircraft to come in coming days,” Kirby said.

He added, “Also, on the ground, another 200 trucks got in through Rafah, and another 200 joined 200 that are in the queue. So, now there are 400 trucks in the queue to get into Rafah”.

The White House spokesperson also thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his support in allowing humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.

“And we couldn’t do it without the help of President Sisi of Egypt, both in terms of the ground movement and this air movement now — this US military aircraft that we’re using. So, we thank him and — and his government greatly for that,” he said.

Regarding the hostage situation, he said that 12 individuals were released on Tuesday but it didn’t include any Americans.

“We are on the first day of this two-day extension of the deal. Another 12 individuals got out today: 10 Israelis, 2 from Thailand. No Americans, unfortunately, got out today. But we are hopeful. You know, tomorrow is another day. And we certainly hope that we can see some more Americans come out,” he further said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hamas released 12 more hostages, including two foreign nationals, on the first day of the extended truce between Israel and Hamas. Israel also released 30 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal. (ANI)

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Dhami Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre

Dhami Meets Workers At Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met the rescued workers on Wednesday during his visit to the Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre, where they are undergoing treatment a day after being evacuated successfully.

CM Dhami, who was accompanied during his visit by senior officials of the state government, interacted with each worker and inquired about their health.

CM Dhami, on Wednesday, expressed his happiness on the successful rescue of trapped 41 workers from the Uttarkashi tunnel and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself was being constantly updated of the mission and did not miss the updates even a single day.

“The mission was very challenging and all the people working in it have contributed. I thank everyone, especially our Prime Minister. I never heard that even for a single day the Prime Minister missed any update on the rescue mission. He took cognizance of even the minutest details of the rescue operation and extended his advice on how we could proceed further,” said Dhami.

“He (PM Modi) explained everything about how to motivate the experts who were fully engaged and because of his constant guidance, we made this difficult campaign successful,” Dhami added.

“The health condition of all workers is being monitored. All of them are doing well. The PM, like a parent, was concerned about the welfare of the workers. We are fortunate to have the PM’s leadership under which each person in the country is safe…We have given an amount to each worker as an award for the courage they have shown. As per the advice of doctors, all the workers will undergo health check-up at AIIMS Rishikesh” the Chief Minister further added.

The Uttarakhand Chief Minister also interacted with relatives of the workers rescued from the Silkyara tunnel, in Chinyalisaur.

Speaking about the successful rescue of his family member from the Silkyara tunnel, Vijay Rai from Uttar Pradesh said, “My nephew was trapped inside. It is really a good day. It’s a day of huge happiness. I would like to give credit for the successful rescue to the central government and the state government…”

CM Dhami announced that the Uttarakhand government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to each of the workers.

All 41 workers who were trapped inside Uttarakhand’s Silkyari tunnel since November 12 were evacuated safely on Tuesday evening.

On November 12, a section of the tunnel between 205 and 260 metres from the Silkyara side collapsed. Workers who were beyond the 260-metre mark were trapped, with their exit blocked. (ANI)

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Silkyara tunnel Uttarakhand

Rat Miner Team Celebrate Successful Rescue Of 41 Workers

When heavy machinery broke down in an effort to drill through the debris that had trapped 41 workers in the Silkyara tunnel, the rescuers resorted to rat-hole mining, a banned practice in the country.

Rat hole mining involves digging of very small tunnels, through which skilled workers enter and extract coal or debris.

Rat mining rescue team leader Vakeel Hasan while recounting his memories of the moment when the team of the miners saw the workers, said that it was like offering water to the person who is about to die with thirst.

“It was a very emotional feeling when we saw them and they saw us. It was like a person getting some water on a deserted land. It was like everyone accomplished their purposes. We fulfilled the commitment that we made… All the workers came out of the tunnel without a scratch…” Hasan said.

Rat-hole miners emerged as the heroes as they drilled with their hands to safely evacuate all workers on Tuesday.

Speaking about the process and technique of going into tight spaces to reach the trapped workers on Tuesday, Hasan said that the miners had installed a pipe to 18 meters.

“We installed a pipe till 18 meters… Munna and I are partners, and the other 10 are workers… actually, we had to dig for 15 meters but when we couldn’t reach the workers, we dug more three meters….In the pipe, we started the ‘chuha boring’ technique- this is the same way, a rat digs the soil. The way it pushes the soils behind it and then proceeds, this is the same technique,” Hasan added.

Munna, the partner of Vakeel Hasan said that the trapped workers were hugely relieved and showered them with love when they saw them for the first time.

“When four of my workers went inside the tunnel where the workers were trapped, the labourers asked them to call me and when I reached there, they asked me what I wanted. As soon as they saw me, they showered all their love to me and asked whether I wanted their lives, money, or the position of God. I said that I only need your love,” Munna said.

This rat-mining method has faced severe criticism due to its hazardous working conditions and numerous accidents leading to injuries and fatalities.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the practice in 2014 and retained the ban in 2015.

The 41 workers had been trapped since November 12 when the part of the tunnel they were helping to construct in Uttarakhand gave way, blocking their only exit with more than 60 meters of broken rock, concrete, and twisted metal.

Of the 41 men, eight are from Uttar Pradesh, 15 are from Jharkhand, two are from Uttarakhand, five are from Bihar, three are from West Bengal, five are from Odisha, two are from Assam, and one is from Himachal Pradesh.

The first workers were brought out following a series of agonizing setbacks, during which rescue efforts were halted when the heavy drill meant to break through the debris broke down, forcing workers to adopt riskier methods. (ANI)

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