LIVE! Process to form MSP panel underway: Tomar

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Tue, 08 February 2022

Process to form MSP panel underway: Tomar

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23:39 Process to form MSP panel underway: Tomar

The government on Tuesday told Lok Sabha that the formation of a committee to make minimum support price (MSP) more effective is 'under process'.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar also said the government has no record about withdrawal of cases that were filed against farmers during the agitation across various states as well as about compensation paid to deceased farmers' families.

There were farmer protests at Delhi and a few other places against three controversial farm laws which were eventually withdrawn last year.

'As per the changing requirements of the country to change the cropping pattern, to make MSP more effective and transparent, and to encourage natural farming method of agriculture, the process of setting up a committee is under process,' Tomar said in a written reply.

When asked whether the government has any details regarding cases filed against farmers during the agitation that have been withdrawn in all states as assured and whether the government has any details of compensation paid to the families of farmers who died during the agitation, Tomar said the ministry 'has no record in the matter'.

On Friday, Tomar told Rajya Sabha that the government was committed to forming a panel on MSP and the Election Commission has said it can be done after the assembly polls are over.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 19, while announcing repeal of the three controversial farm laws that had triggered a massive farmer protest at Delhi borders, said the government will set up a committee to make MSP more effective and transparent as well as suggest ways to promote zero budget natural farming.

In reply to a separate query, Tomar on Tuesday said the budget allocation for agriculture ministry has increased nearly five-fold under the NDA government to Rs 1,32,513 crore for the next financial year.

"There is no proposal to introduce a separate budget for agriculture. However, Government of India provides top most priority to the sector which is the backbone of the Indian economy.

"This is reflected in the fact that budget allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is very substantial. It has increased from Rs 27,662.67 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1,32,513.62 crore in 2022-23, i.e. an absolute increase of 379 per cent," he said.

To another query, the minister said Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) introduced from Kharif 2016 season in the country is voluntary for States/UTs as well as farmers. The scheme is available for all States/UTs and all farmers for crops and areas notified by the state government concerned.

"Since inception of the scheme in 2016-17 till 2020-21, against premium of Rs 21,531 crore paid by farmers, claims of Rs 1,04,196 crore have been paid to 901 lakh farmer applications," he added.

On PM-KISAN scheme, the minister said the total number of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme transactions that have taken place since its launch till December 2021 is 91,22,94,503 and the number of failed transactions is around 1 per cent.

"The cumulative number of PM-KISAN transactions which has failed since 1st February 2019 till December, 2021 is 91,57,756 out of which 32,05,764 transactions have been successfully re-processed," he said.

Various reasons have been identified for the transactions failure under PM-KISAN scheme such as account closed/transferred, account inactive, account holder expired, inactive Aadhaar and technical glitches.

Under PM-KISAN scheme, which came into effect from December 2018, an income support of Rs 6,000 per annum, in 3 equal instalments, is provided to all eligible farmer families directly into their bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

The ministry has also commenced the work for creating Agristack for the entire country. This will serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focused solutions leveraging technologies to contribute effectively towards increasing the income of farmers and improve farm efficiency.

Farmers Database shall be useful for various activities like issuing soil health cards, dissemination of crop advisories to the farmers, precision farming, crop insurance, settlement of compensation claims and grant of agricultural subsidies, Tomar said.

At present, the work on Farmers Database is under process with the help of PM-KISAN data.

Under PM-KISAN 12,47,65,397 number of farmers have been registered in the country as on February 2. -- PTI

22:27 Arunachal avalanche: CM announces ex gratia

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of Army personnel who lost their lives due to an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh.

The chief minister also expressed grief over the demise of the soldiers.

'Chief Minister Pema Khandu has announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF), for the next of kin of 7 brave soldiers who lost their lives serving the Nation in an avalanche in the Kameng sector,' the CMO Arunachal tweeted.

Condoling the demise of the Army personnel, the chief minister prayed for strength to bereaved families on their tragic loss.

'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives of 7 brave Indian Army Jawans, who were trapped in an avalanche in Arunachal Pradesh. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families on their tragic loss. May God give them enough strength to bear the irreparable loss,' the chief minister tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind also condoled the demise of the soldiers.

The prime minister said their 'exemplary' services to the nation will never be forgotten.

President Kovind said that the soldiers laid down their lives in the service of the country and their 'selfless sacrifice' will be remembered.

Seven Army personnel, who were hit by an avalanche in a high-altitude area of Kameng sector in Arunachal Pradesh, were confirmed dead and their bodies were recovered from the avalanche site, the Army said on Tuesday.

The soldiers were stuck in an avalanche on February 6. -- ANI

21:43

Rupee Vs Dollar last week.

21:21 Denied ticket, UP MLA Surendra Singh quits BJP

Denied a ticket for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Bairia Surendra Singh on Tuesday resigned from the primary membership of the party.

He said he will now contest elections as an independent from Bairia, from where the BJP has fielded state minister Anand Swaroop Shukla, who won from Ballia Sadar seat in the 2017 Assembly elections.

"Today I have resigned from the primary membership of the BJP. The top leadership of the BJP has not respected my 'seva dharma' and 'sanskar'. I will now contest the elections on the strength of the people and will file my nomination papers on February 11," Singh told reporters at his residence in Ballia.

Taking a jibe at Shukla, who is the minister of state for parliamentary affairs, Singh said, "The BJP has sent the rejected person from Ballia Sadar to Bairia and the people of Bairia will not accept him."

Singh also claimed that the BJP will lose all the five assembly seats in the Ballia Lok Sabha constituency.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections will be held in seven phases between February 10 and March 7.

The counting of votes will be taken up on March 10. -- PTI

20:48 FCRA registration of 5,800 NGOs ceased: Govt

About 5,8000 NGOs, which did not submit their applications for renewal of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 (FCRA) registration, deemed to have ceased to exist according to law.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai also said in Lok Sabha that FCRA registration of a total of 1,811 NGOs have been cancelled during the last three years -- from 2019 to 2021.

'About 5,800 FCRA registered associations had not submitted their applications for renewal within stipulated time in accordance with the provisions of the FCRA.

'FCRA registration of these associations has thus been deemed to have ceased as per section 12 of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010,' he said in a written reply to a question.

Rai said in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has given certain relaxations to NGOs so that welfare programmes and Covid-related relief works are not affected.

The relaxations include extension till December 31, 2021 the validity of registration certificate of NGOs expiring between September 29, 2020 and December 31, 2021.

The validity was further extended with certain conditions up to March 31, 2022, while time period to file annual returns for year 2019-20 was extended by six month i.e. till June 30, 2021 among others, he said.

Rai also said that since November, 2021, the FCRA certificate of Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), New Delhi and Missionaries of Charity (MoC), Kolkata was renewed by way of revision. -- PTI

20:05 SC refuses bail to Azam Khan for poll campaign

The Supreme Court Tuesday turned down a plea filed by Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan seeking interim bail for campaigning in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls.

A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai, however, granted liberty to Khan to approach the concerned court and request for expeditious disposal of bail pleas.

"How can you file 32 petitions to seek bail? Don't bring politics in court," the bench said.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Khan, submitted that 87 FIRs have been filed against the leader and he has got bail in 84 cases.

"I am inside prison for nothing. Where do I go my lord? I am not bringing any politics into it," he said.

Sibal said the bail plea was not being taken up for the last 3-4 months despite repeated requests for hearing.

"I am at my wits end in this matter. 87 FIRs filed against me. I got bail in 84. We are here for an interim bail in four cases so that he can effectively contest the upcoming election," Sibal said.

The apex court said in its order, 'Kapil Sibal, senior counsel appearing for the petitioner, submitted that FIRs are registered just before elections and most of them relate to events that occurred long back. The applications filed for bail are being adjourned and the petitioner is suffering in jail due to FIRs registered on false and frivolous grounds.'

'The petitioner is at liberty to approach the concerned court and request for expeditious disposal of the bail applications. Needless to mention that the Court shall dispose of the bail applications expeditiously. The writ petition is dismissed,' the bench said.

The plea filed by Khan contended that the State has adopted all means available to purposefully delay the proceedings so as to ensure that he is incarcerated during the UP Assembly elections, starting from February 10.

Khan is presently lodged in Sitapur jail in connection with a number of cases, including that of land grabbing, lodged against him in Rampur. -- PTI

19:17 MP minister favours ban on hijab in schools

Amid a row over wearing hijab in educational institutions in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar on Tuesday said that since hijab is not part of the uniform it should be banned.

He also said that a 'dress code' will be implemented in schools in MP to ensure that a sense of equality prevails among students.

Parmar also alleged that 'systematic efforts' are being made to disturb the country's environment on the issue of wearing hijabs or headscarves.

"The School Education Department is working to implement a dress code in schools across MP to ensure that the sense of equality and discipline prevails among all students. This will be implemented from the next (academic) session," Parmar told reporters.

Replying to a query on protests being held in Karnataka for and against wearing hijabs, Parmar said, hijab is not part of the uniform, so I think it should be banned.

Asked if the wearing of hijab will be banned in educational institutions in Madhya Pradesh, the minister said, "If this (wearing of hijab) happens, then it (ban) will be brought in here also. We will take action accordingly."

He alleged that systematic efforts are being made in India to portray education in the wrong manner.

"As per Indian beliefs, traditions should be followed at homes. The prescribed dress code should be followed in schools. In a way, deliberate efforts are being made to disturb the environment in the country and in that state (Karnataka)," he said.

Protests for and against the hijab intensified at colleges in different parts of Karnataka after the state government last week issued an order making uniforms prescribed by it or management of private institutions mandatory for its students at schools and pre-university colleges across the state.

Reacting to Parmar's statement, Congress MLA from Bhopal (Central) Arif Masood said, 'daughters look good when their bodies are covered. I want my daughter to wear nice clothes in a way that doesn't expose her body. Parmar should also think like this about others' daughters'.

He said hijab never disturbed the educational atmosphere in the last 70 years.

"Let daughters live with respect and the minister (Parmar) should work on (improving) the quality of education. I will oppose this (if the wearing of hijab is banned). In every way, we will not allow it (ban) to happen in Madhya Pradesh," Masood added. -- PTI

The Puducherry government's Directorate of School Education has asked the head of a government school in Ariyankuppam in Puducherry to enquire into the incident of alleged objection by a teacher to a Muslim girl wearing hijab while attending classes.

A spokesperson of the Directorate told PTI on Tuesday that complaints were received from student outfits and other organisations to the teacher objecting to the student wearing hijab while attending the class.

We want to know what has actually happened and further course of action would be decided after receiving a report from the school, the spokesperson said.

The Students Federation of India's Puducherry president Swaminathan said the girl had been attending classes wearing hijab for the last three years.

Why is there objection now to the girl wearing hijab, Swaminathan asked.

He would present a memorandum to the chief minister on Wednesday seeking action against the teacher for objecting to the student.

Swaminathan said that there were also complaints that some schools in Veerampattinam, Embalam and Tirukanoor were encouraging 'drills' similar to the ones conducted in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh programmes.

We want a detailed probe into this also and prevent intrusion of saffronisation of institutions with the active encouragement of a section of officials, he said. -- PTI

The symbol of Chinar Corps

18:13 FB, Insta block handles of Army's Chinar Corps

Facebook and Instagram have blocked the handles of Chinar Corps, the Indian Army's strategically located formation in the Kashmir valley, for over a week now and have not responded to the official communication in this regard, officials said on Tuesday.

The pages on Facebook and Instagram were created to negate the lies and propaganda flowing from across the border and also to apprise people of the real situation in the Kashmir valley, an official said.

A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the matter had been taken up with the authorities concerned in Facebook, but so far there has been no response from their side. "A link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed," read the messages on both Facebook as well as Instagram pages of the Chinar Corps, a popular name of XV Corps of the Army in Kashmir.

There was no immediate response from Facebook and Instagram, which are a part of the same company. The two social media websites remove a page if it does not follow the rules and regulations laid by the company or if people report about it. PTI

18:09 Oppn dreams of vote division in UP: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday took a swipe at rival parties, saying they are daydreaming about the division of votes in western Uttar Pradesh but people of the region will defeat them again like in the past.

On a day the BJP released its manifesto for the UP Assembly polls, Modi said the party is known for fulfilling promises made in its manifestoes. Modi was addressing a virtual rally for Assembly constituencies in Rampur, Badaun and Sambhal districts.

The Assembly segments in western UP will go to polling in the first phase of the Assembly election on February 10. PTI

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17:34 Bodies of 7 Army men found in Arunachal avalanche

The bodies of seven Army personnel were found on Tuesday, two days since they went missing after their patrol was struck by an avalanche in the high-altitude region of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh, officials said.

The Army had launched a search and rescue operation on Sunday after the soldiers went missing.

"Bodies of all seven individuals have been recovered from the avalanche site. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, all seven have been confirmed deceased," said an official.

The official said the area located at an altitude of 14,500 feet had been witnessing inclement weather with heavy snowfall in the last few days. "The bodies of the soldiers are currently being transferred from the avalanche site to the nearest Army medical facility for further formalities," the official said. PTI

17:27 The top gainers today

Tata Steel topped the Sensex gainers' chart with a jump of 3.10 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv, Reliance Industries, Titan, Asian Paints and Axis Bank.

In contrast, PowerGrid, TCS, UltraTech Cement, Tech Mahindra, Kotak Bank, L&T and HDFC twins were among the losers, shedding as much as 1.66 per cent.

Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country presently and the current surge of COVID-19 cases in the country is showing a sustained declining trend since January 21, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

With the reporting of Omicron, a highly mutated variant of SARSCoV-2 virus and its classification as a Variant of Concern (VoC) by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Union Ministry of Health revised its 'Guidelines for international arrivals', Mandaviya said in a written reply.

"Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country presently. The current surge of COVID-19 cases in the country is showing a sustained declining trend since January 21, 2022," he said.

Following a risk based approach, provisions for mandatory pre-departure and post arrival RT-PCR testing on day 8th of arrival and a mandatory home quarantine for 7 days have been made in the present guidelines for all international travellers to India. The Ministry of Health continues to provide technical guidance for managing various aspects of COVID-19 including containment and surveillance, testing, clinical management protocols, post-COVID sequale, etc., the minister said.

The clinical management protocols have also been disseminated under the Ministry of Health's Center of Excellence initiative for all states in collaboration with AIIMS, Delhi and Indian Medical Association. Besides regular review meetings at the level of Union Health Minister with all relevant stakeholders including subject experts, review meetings with states and UTs through video conferencing have been conducted regularly to review preparedness and response measures to address COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

States and UTs have been advised to undertake several activities which include strict monitoring of International travellers in the community, contact tracing of positive individuals and follow up for 14 days, genome sequencing of positive samples through INSACOG Labs in a prompt manner, continued monitoring of areas where cluster of positive cases emerge and further strengthening of COVID-19 testing infrastructure. -- PTI

As protests for and against the 'hijab' intensified in different parts of Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday declared a holiday to high schools and colleges in the state for the next three days. Bommai has also appealed for peace.

"I appeal to all the students, teachers and management of schools and colleges as well as people of Karnataka to maintain peace and harmony. I have ordered closure of all high schools and colleges for next three days. All concerned are requested to cooperate," Bommai said in a tweet.

Tension had prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts of the state, during protests for and against hijab today, forcing the police and authorities to intervene.

This even as the Karnataka High Court is today hearing the petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college. PTI

The politics of hate.

Attacking the Congress ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said while the ruling party in the state presided over the massacre of Sikhs, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) always stood by the community.

Addressing a virtual 'Fateh rally' for the voters of Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana, Prime Minister said, "Congress massacred Sikhs but we punished the culprits of the genocide. Congress could not even keep Kartarpur in India, but we opened the road to the holy shrine. Some people will always be seen in opposition to Sikh tradition, but the BJP always stood by Sikh community."

"For some, power has only been a means of power, but for us, it has always been a medium of service to 'Guru Parampara and Punjabis'. Therefore, BJP and NDA can carry forward the tradition and legacy of Punjab with true intention. Working for Punjabiyat and Sikh traditions is an act of service and privilege for me," he stated.

This was Prime Minister's first virtual rally for voters of Punjab ahead of the Assembly polls. -- ANI

700 farmers died in the year-long protests over the Modi government's farm laws. Will Punjab remember this when it goes to vote? Stay with us as we cover the elections.

16:36 If Bengal can be BJP-mukt so can UP: Mamata

Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that like West Bengal Assembly polls Uttar Pradesh will see a one-on-one fight between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party with Akhilesh Yadav emerging victorious.

At a joint press conference with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, Banerjee tweaked the "khela hobe' campaign anthem of her party for last year's Assembly polls to 'Khela Hoga' (the game is on) and stressed that if "Bengal can do it (defeat BJP), so can Uttar Pradesh".

Banerjee, the West Bengal chief minister, who defeated the BJP in the high-octane assembly polls in her state last year, said, "If Yogi (Adityanath) Ji comes to power, he will eat you up politically as well as economically."

"He does not know anything and hence he is going (away). Let him go. A person, who wants to go should be allowed to go."

She egged on the people to defeat the BJP without paying heed to the caste equation. "I understand elections. I have been a seven-time MP and three-time chief minister. I also know India. This time, division of votes is not going to happen in Uttar Pradesh.

"The BJP had tried it very much in Bengal but it boiled down to one-on-one (contest between the TMC and BJP). Here also, it is going to be a head-on fight, and Akhilesh Ji is going to emerge victorious. The SP will win and it will be history," Banerjee said.

She also said that every caste is a "pride" for her and that her heart cries for the poor. The TMC has not fielded any candidate in Uttar Pradesh and is supporting Samajwadi Party in the high-octane battle in the politically crucial state.

During the West Bengal Assembly elections in 2021, the SP had extended its support to the Mamata Banerjee-led party Akhilesh Yadav shares a very cordial relationship with Mamata Banerjee and had even attended the grand opposition meeting hosted by the TMC supremo in January 2019. PTI

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16:17 Covid survivors risk heart diseases till a year

People who have had COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular complications within the first month to a year after infection, according to a study conducted in the US.

The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, found that such complications include disruptive heart rhythms, inflammation of the heart, blood clots, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure or even death.

The researchers noted that these problems occur even among previously healthy individuals and those who have had mild COVID-19 infections.

"What we are seeing is not good. COVID-19 can lead to serious cardiovascular complications and death," said senior study author Ziyad Al-Aly, an assistant professor at Washington University in the US.

"The heart does not regenerate or easily mend after heart damage. These are diseases that will affect people for a lifetime," Al-Aly said.

The researchers noted that COVID-19 infections have, thus far, contributed to 15 million new cases of heart disease worldwide.

"This is quite significant. For anyone who has had an infection, it is essential that heart health be an integral part of post-acute COVID care," Al-Aly said. Cardiovascular disease -- an umbrella term that refers to various heart conditions, thrombosis and stroke -- is the leading cause of death in the US and the world, the researchers said.

"For people who were clearly at risk for a heart condition before becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2, the findings suggest that COVID-19 may amplify the risk," said Al-Aly.

"But most remarkably, people who have never had any heart problems and were considered low risk are also developing heart problems after COVID-19," he added.

16:12 Sensex snaps 3-day losing run

Snapping a three-day losing run, the Indian equities markets benchmark Sensex closed 187 points higher in a volatile session on Tuesday.

The 30 stock S&P BSE Sensex closed at 57,808.58 points, which is 187.39 points or 0.33 per cent higher against its previous day's close at 57,621.19 points.

The markets witnessed volatile trading.

The benchmark Sensex opened in the positive at 57,799.67 points and surged to a high of 57,925.82 points. The index slipped to a low of 57,058.77 points in the intra-day.

The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange closed 53.15 points or 0.31 per cent higher at 17,266.75 points as against its previous day's close at 17,213.60 points. -- ANI

Whether it's a lockdown, Covid, communal tension, the ongoing hijab issue or the saffron issue, in Udupi, a restaurant owner never stops feeding hungry people.

Nazeer Ahmad, who runs a restaurant called Zaiton, cooks at least 4 kilos of extra rice every day in the afternoon and night to feed labourers, beggars, migrants and whoever is hungry.

Ahmad feeds the needy regardless of their caste and religion. He says, "Humanity comes first. Being a member of 11 brothers and sisters family, we faced such situations without food, that's the reason when I'm capable, I never stopped feeding needy people from last ten years."

Hatred for Muslims has been "normalised" in the country which "no longer celebrates its diversity", alleged National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Tuesday as protests for and against 'hijab' intensified at colleges in parts of Karnataka.

He was commenting on a video that has surfaced on social media showing some men sporting saffron scarves heckling a woman in 'hijab' and raising slogans at a college in Karnataka.

"How brave these men are and how macho they must feel while targeting a lone young lady! Hatred for Muslims has been completely mainstreamed and normalised in India today.

"We are no longer a nation that celebrates our diversity, we want to punish and exclude people for it," Abdullah said in a tweet tagging the video with it.

Tension prevailed at some educational institutions in Karnataka's Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts over the 'Hijab' issue, forcing the police and authorities to intervene.

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday is hearing the petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college.

The issue began in January at a government PU College in Udupi where six students who attended classes wearing headscarves were asked to leave the campus. The matter has now spread to different parts of the state, with Hindu youngsters, backed by right-wing outfits, responding by wearing saffron scarves. Students wearing saffron scarves are also being barred from classes.

Modi accused the Congress of spreading Covid via migrants

15:50 NDA = No Data Available govt: Chidambaram

The Congress MP P Chidambaram on Tuesday took a jibe at the Central government for not having official data on COVID deaths due to oxygen shortage.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi hurled a barb of 'tukde tukde gang' at the Congress, but the government has no data to substantiate the allegations against the Opposition party.

Chidambaram said that "the government had in the past admitted not having data when a question was asked about the members of tukde tukde gang; the Minister had at that time said that there was no data available.".

The senior Congress leader further said that the government has "no data available on 'tukde tukde gang', on oxygen shortage deaths, on bodies flowing in rivers, on migrants walking back to homes".

"It's 'No Data Available NDA government'," said Chidambaram in Rajya Sabha. Responding to Prime Minister's attack on Congress for imposing Emergency, Chidambaram hit back and said that had Congress not been around "this House would still have been under the Government of India Act 1919 the Council of Princes".

"Had Congress not been there, this House would still be under Government of India Act 1919 the Council of Princes and instead of us the bejewelled rulers would have been sitting and praising Queen Elizabeth II. Thank God for Congress that we have a Rajya Sabha and we speak here," said Chidambaram.

"What I liked about the Budget speech was it was shortest in years. Thank you madam finance minister," he added.

He further said that the minister in the Budget said 60 lakh jobs will be created in five years, that is about 12 lakh jobs a year. The annual addition to the labour force is 47.5 lakhs, he added.

"What would others do? Fry and sell pakoras," asked Chidambaram. "On disinvestment, the target was fixed as Rs 1,75,000 Cr, and I had cautioned that it will be mindless disinvestment. Grateful to the government for accepting our caution and collecting only Rs 78,000 Cr against the target," he said.

Earlier in a scathing attack on the grand old party, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that Congress's thinking has been hijacked by 'urban Naxals'.

India's External Affairs ministry on Hyundai Pakistan's social media post.

"Strong displeasure on unacceptable social media post by Hyundai Pakistan was conveyed to South Korean envoy. This matter concerned India's territorial integrity on which there could be no compromise. We expected Hyundai to take appropriate action to properly address these issues," the MEA said in a statement.

Earlier today, South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Company said it regretted the offense caused to Indians by "unauthorised Kashmir-related social media posts" by its distributor in Pakistan and said the action was against its global policy.

On Sunday Hyundai Motor India had faced backlash on social media, after a dealer of Hyundai in Pakistan posted a message supporting separatists in Kashmir, and #BoycottHyundai trended on Twitter in India with many people asking to stop buying the company's products in the country.

A twitter account of a Hyundai dealer in Pakistan with handle @hyundaiPakistanOfficial had posted a message supporting Kashmir Solidarity Day, supporting what it called as "struggle for freedom".

NCP leader Supriya Sule on Tuesday expressed surprise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's suggestion that Maharashtra encouraged spread of COVID-19 in other states, and wondered why he "harboured such hatred" for the state that had a lion's share in his election to the top executive post.

"I wonder what delight does the prime minister get in criticising Maharashtra repeatedly, shifting key projects out of the state and undermining the importance of Mumbai. It is unfortunate," Sule told reporters here. "Maharashtra has never bowed before the authority of Delhi and will never do so," the Lok Sabha member from Baramati said.

Sule said the claims made by the prime minister against Maharashtra during his reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address lacked any scientific basis. Modi had said, "What did Congress leaders do? They stood at railway stations in Mumbai and distributed free tickets to encourage them to leave Mumbai. They inspired people to leave so that the burden over Maharashtra could be lessened. You go to Uttar Pradesh, you go to Bihar. Go, spread Corona there. You committed this sin and created an atmosphere of chaos".

She said as the pandemic was unfolding in March 2020, Trinamool member Saugata Roy had approached the prime minister with a request to adjourn the session of Parliament.

"But, the prime minister ignored his request as these people were busy toppling the government in Madhya Pradesh," Sule charged.

On the suggestion that Maharashtra had aided spread of Covid in other states, Sule said it was the Centre that operated special trains to ferry migrant labourers to their respective homes.

"The then Railway Minister Piyush Goyal had talked about operating 125 special trains in March 2020, Devendra Fadnavis has thanked the Centre for operating special trains to ferry migrant labourers to Uttar Pradesh," she said. She said that BJP member Harish Dwivedi, who initiated the deabate in the Lok Sabha, also credited the Centre for running special trains. "Still the prime minister claims that Maharashtra sent back migrant labourers to other states," Sule said. -- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday slammed Congress for harassing Lata Mangeshkar's brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar, who was allegedly sacked from his services in the All India Radio (AIR).

"Lata Mangeshkar's family is from Goa. But what her family was subjected to should be told to the entire nation," said PM Modi in Rajya Sabha during his reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to the joint session of Parliament.

In his address, PM Modi said, "Lata Mangeshkar's younger brother, Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar Ji, a proud son of Goa, was fired from All India Radio (AIR). What was his fault? He had only presented a patriotic poem by Veer Savarkar on AIR once."

Slamming the opposition party further, PM Modi added, "Hridaynath ji had said in an interview that once he met Savarkar and told him about presenting his poem. Savarkar ji had responded, do you want to go to jail by reciting my poem?' But Hridaynath ji recited it and within eight days he was sacked from his services in the AIR. This is what their (Congress') concept of freedom of expression was."

Modi had paid rich tributes to the celebrated singer Lata Mangeshkar in his reply in the Lok Sabha on the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's address to the joint session of Parliament.

"Her voice mesmerized and inspired the country for such a long time," PM Modi said, adding that it filled the country with emotions.

He said her contribution has strengthened the cultural heritage and unity of the country. "She sang in 36 languages and this in itself is an inspiring example for the country's unity," PM said during the Lok Sabha session on Monday. -- ANI

As protests for and against the 'hijab' intensified at colleges in different parts of Karnataka, state's Home Minister Araga Jnanendra on Tuesday while appealing for peace said no one should give an opportunity to use the police force.

The Home Minister's warning came as tension prevailed at some educational institutions in Udupi, Shivamogga, Bagalkote and other parts, forcing the police and authorities to intervene.

The Karnataka High Court is today hearing the petitions filed by five girls studying in a Government Pre-university College in Udupi, questioning hijab restriction in college.

"You (students) are all educated, you have to think about your future. After two years of COVID-19, this year classes have been conducted in a good way. This is the time for you to prepare for your exams that are coming up in a couple of months," Jnanendra said.

Noting that religious forces behind such incidents have to be quelled and everyone should think about the country, the minister in a video statement said, "we should all stand together as brothers, as the children of this country. Uniform is a sign of equality. Educational institutions are not the place for practicing our religion or to showcase our costumes."

"Everyone should maintain peace. Don't give an opportunity to use the police force. I appeal to parents to guide their children and let's all work towards colleges functioning in a peaceful manner," he added. Protests erupted at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial College in Udupi today after a large group of students wearing saffron stoles and headgears raised slogans in the college campus as hijab clad Muslim girls were staging a protest demanding justice, forcing the police and college authorities to intervene.

Some colleges have declared holidays in the district. A minor stone petting incident has been reported near a college in Bagalkote and few students even tried to barge into the campus, whom police dispersed using a mild force.

14:15 Mumbai to lift Covid curbs by month end: BMC

Mumbai's civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has decided to ease curbs on outdoor activities and unlock the city by the end of this month.

"There is good news for Mumbaikars. Mumbai will be unlocked by the end of this month. We have made up our minds," Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar, told news agency ANI.

Pednekar, however, added a cautionary note and urged people not to let the guard down to prevent another spike in cases. "It is essential for the people to wear masks and observe social distancing," she said.

Rahul Gandhi with candidates in Goa

14:12 Goa Assembly polls: 26% candidates booked in criminal cases

At least 26 per cent of candidates contesting the Goa legislative Assembly elections have criminal cases registered against them and eight per cent have been booked for serious crimes, a report released by an election watchdog revealed on Tuesday.

The highest number of candidates with criminal cases are with the Congress, followed by the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and BJP, it was stated.

The details are part of a report released by the Goa Election Watch and Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Tuesday. Of the total 301 candidates contesting the polls, 26 per cent (77) have declared in their affidavits criminal cases pending against them in various courts, of which eight per cent are facing serious criminal offences, the report stated.

Launching a scathing attack on former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that to maintain his image at the international level, Goa had to remain under imperial rule for years.

In his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address in Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister said, " This year is the 60th anniversary of Goa's Liberation. The way Sardar Patel took initiative for Hyderabad and Junagadh, if lessons were taken from it, Goa would not have had to stay in slavery for 15 more years. Goa would have been liberated much earlier.

"The media reports from back then will tell you that the then Prime Minister (Jawaharlal Nehru) was concerned about his international image. That is why, he, Nehru thought that if Goa's foreign government was attacked, his image of a peace-loving global leader would have been harmed. So he let Goa suffer. When our fellow Indians, satyagrahis were being fired upon, he said that he will not send our Army," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the Pandit Nehru let Satyagrahis in Goa march to their deaths in 1955.

"Nehru ji on 15 August 1955 had said in his address from the Red Fort this and I quote: 'Have no doubts that we will take any secret steps for Goa. There is no force around Goa. Some people within India want to make noise and compel us to send forces there. We will not send a force, we will resolve it peacefully and everybody must understand that.' This statement was against the people of Goa," PM Modi said. -- ANI

13:41 PM's 'Namaste Trump' was super-spreader: NCP

A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the opposition of scaring migrant workers into fleeing to their native states from Mumbai during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Tuesday hit back claiming the PM's fixation with the 'Namaste Trump' event was responsible for the coronavirus spread in the country.

In February 2020, the then US President Donald Trump had visited India and also addressed a public gathering at a stadium in Ahmedabad as part of the 'Namaste Trump' event.

Modi said in the Lok Sabha on Monday that the Congress "crossed all limits" during the COVID-19 pandemic, and accused the party of instigating and scaring innocent labourers into fleeing to their native states from Mumbai.

Malik, who is also the NCP's chief spokesperson, on Tuesday said, "When the Maharashtra government was asking for a ban on international flights, your (PM Modi's) own health minister (Dr Harsh Vardhan at that time) was stressing that the coronavirus infection will not spread."

"Modi, in his fixation with the 'Namaste Trump' event, invited people from across the globe to India and it spread the coronavirus infection in all parts of the country, he claimed. Prime Minister Modi is responsible for the spread of the coronavirus in the country," Malik alleged.

The Congress currently shares power with the Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra.

"You (Modi) said that we paid for the tickets of migrants. It is true, but you organised the special trains and we paid for the tickets. We bore the cost of train tickets because you wanted to collect money from the migrant labourers and workers," Malik claimed.

After the nationwide lockdown in 2020, the Indian Railways ran Shramik Special trains for the migrant workers. When the migrant workers were walking to their native places, the Uttar Pradesh government had deployed buses for the first time to help the workers reach home.

The Bihar government had also done the same.

"When the lockdown was imposed, you asked people to clang thalis," the NCP leader pointed out.

He further said that Modi had announced the lockdown "without any consideration or thinking about consequences of the decision. "Crores of people suffered because of such a decision," he said.

The Maharashtra government provided food, water and even paid for their (migrant workers) tickets. "You did not provide the train service free of cost," Malik said. "We even operated special bus services for the migrant workers so that they could reach their native places. We were the ones who stood by the migrant workers," the minister said.

The BJP on Tuesday promised 10-year punishment and Rs 1 lakh fine for those indulging in 'love jihad' if it returns to power in Uttar Pradesh.

The announcement was made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the release of the election manifesto titled Lok Kapyan Sankalp Patra 2022' for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls.

The document was released barely a couple of days before the state goes to the first phase of polling on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Shah claimed, "The BJP has fulfilled more than 92 per cent of 212 'sankalps' (promises) made in its 2017 (poll) manifesto."

The saffron party also promised free electricity for irrigation to farmers in the next five years in the Lok Kalyan Sankalp Patra 2022. If cane payment is not made in 14 days to farmers, the sugar mills then have to pay the dues with interest, the manifesto said. It said one well-equipped government hospital will be built in every district of the state. In the next 5 years, the government will strengthen wheat and paddy purchase at MSP, BJP said.

To make the meritorious girl students self-reliant, under the Rani Laxmibai Yojana, free scooters will be given to them, it said.

Under the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Shashaktikaran Yojana, two crore tablets and smartphones will be given, said the manifesto. General Bipin Rawat Defence Industrial Corridor in Bundelkhand will be completed in a record time, it said. PTI

13:21 Congress in grip of urban Naxals: PM@Parl

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Parliament ends with a sustained attack on the Congress party and the Gandhis.

"When Congress was in power, they didn't allow country's development. Now when in Opposition, they are obstructing the development of the country. They are now objecting to 'Nation'. If the idea of 'Nation' is unconstitutional, then why is your party called Indian National Congress? Congress in a way is in grip of urban Naxals and they are controlling its thoughts and ideology.

"Had Congress not been there, there would've been no massacre of Sikhs; Punjab wouldn't have burnt in flames of terrorism for years, Kashmiri Pandits need not have left Kashmir. Had Congress not been there, there would've been no incident of daughters being thrown in 'tandoor.

"During the first wave of COVID19, you (Congress) gave free train tickets to migrant workers to leave Mumbai. At the same time, Delhi govt told migrant workers to leave the city and provided them buses. As a result, Covid spread rapidly in Punjab, UP and Uttarakhand."

12:50 India is Indira... Modi slams Congress in Parl

Narendra Modi continues his tirade against the Congress in Parliament. The PM is replying to the Motion of Thanks in the Rajya Sabha.

"It was said here, 'Congress na hoti, toh kya hota'. It's a result of the thinking, 'India is Indira, Indira is India.' I think 'Congress na hoti, toh kya hota' because Mahatma Gandhi wanted... He knew what'll happen if they continue to be and he wanted to disband them beforehand.

"Had Congress ceased to be, as per the wish of Mahatma Gandhi, democracy would've been free from dynasty. India would've walked on the path of national resolutions, instead of taking to foreign view. Had Congress not been there, then there would have been no blot of Emergency," Modi said.

12:47 Cong MPs walk out of Parliament

Congress MPs walk out of Rajya Sabha as Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the House. Mallikarjun Kharge says, "We've walked out of the PM Speech on Motion of Thanks because instead of speaking on President's Address he accused Congress."

BJP MP Varun Gandhi calls the appointment of Professor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, vice-chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University 'mediocre'.

Attaching a statement of the VC's press release, Gandhi said, This press release from the new JNU VC is an exhibition of illiteracy, littered with grammatical mistakes (would strive vs will strive; students friendly vs student-friendly; excellences vs excellence). Such mediocre appointments serve to damage our human capital & our youths future.

Varun Gandhi has not shied away from expressing views contradictory to the BJP's stance over the past year, in particular on the farmers' protests.

The appointment has already attracted considerable criticism.

Much of the criticism was directed at controversial tweets from a Twitter handle purportedly belonging to her (which was deleted by Monday evening). Now, a statement by Pandit on her new role is also being panned.

Pandit issued a press release on Monday expressing her gratitude on being appointed as JNU VC and highlighting her focus areas.

12:38 Some people believe India was born in 1947: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues his reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address in Rajya Sabha.

"It was said in the House that Congress laid India's foundation and BJP just hoisted a flag. It wasn't said like a joke in the House. It's result of serious thinking that's dangerous to nation - some people believe that India was born in 1947. Problems arise due to this thinking.

"Some people need self-introspection. When an all-party meeting over Corona was held & Govt was supposed to give detailed presentation, attempts were made to speak to some political parties to convince them to not attend it. They themselves did not come & boycotted the meeting.

"I would like to express my gratitude to Sharad Rao (Sharad Pawar). He said it's not a decision of UPA & he will speak to as many people as he can. He, along with TMC & other parties, attended the meeting...

"The crisis was on the entire humankind, still, you boycotted the meet. A few leaders of some political parties have shown immaturity in the last 2 years which has disappointed the nation. We have seen how games have been played due to political selfishness. Campaigns were done against Indian vaccines.

"Defence corridor is being set up in UP & Tamil Nadu. MoUs are being signed, people from the MSME sector is coming to defence sector. It's encouraging that people of the country have the ability and they are coming forward to make the country self-reliance in the sector."

12:08 BJP's UP manifesto: Free power for irrigation

The BJP has launched its manifesto ahead of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh Assembly election that begins on Thursday, with the promise of free electricity (for irrigation purposes) for all farmers and employment to at least one member of each family.

The manifesto, launched at an event headlined by Home Minister Amit Shah and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, also promised free LPG cylinders for women on the occasion of Holi and Diwali, free travel on public transport for women over 60, and free two-wheelers for female college students. Details awaited.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi replies to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in the Rajya Sabha today in the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament.

"COVID-19 is a pandemic, humankind had never seen such a crisis in the last 100 years. This crisis changes its forms and creates trouble for the people, the entire country and world are fighting against it," PM in Rajya Sabha.

"Citizens got vaccinated to protect each others. World praising India's fight against Covid," Modi said.

The debate on the motion of thanks to the President's Address in Rajya Sabha concluded on Monday.

With PM Modi's reply today, the total duration of debate will exceed 12 hours allocated by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

After Prime Minister's reply, the debate on the union budget for 2022-23 will begin for which 11 hours have been allotted.

2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blast case. A Gujarat court acquits 10 out of the 77 accused in the matter.

As many as 19 bombs rocked the city on July 26, 2008, claiming the lives of 56 people and injuring 200.

The case was notified twice earlier this month for pronouncement of judgment, but was adjourned.

There were 20 FIRs lodged in Ahmedabad for the bomb blasts. Fifteen FIRs were registered in Surat as bombs were recovered from various parts of the city a couple of days after the terror strike in Ahmedabad on July 26, 2008.

Indian Mujahideen (IM) had claimed responsibility for the bombings and termed the act reprisals for the 2002 riots.

The hardest part of being Muslim in India today must be that neither the State nor civil society gives you the benefit of the doubt.

The benefit of the doubt simply means choosing to believe people even when it's hard to know with certainty that they are telling the truth.

A Muslim citizen's default state is not a state of innocence, but a state of culpability. When a Muslim is in the news, the reportage that swirls around the newsworthy event, the arguments on social media, turn on the assumption that the controversy is related to perverse behaviour initiated by the Muslim/s in question.

Read Mukul Kesavan's column here.

The film is inspired by Inspired by Jigna Vora's biography

11:07 Hansal Mehta to helm drama series based on journalist's life

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta is set to collaborate with Netflix for the upcoming character drama series "Scoop", the streamer announced on Tuesday.

Inspired by Jigna Vora's biographical book "Behind The Bars In Byculla: My Days in Prison", "Scoop" is created by Mehta and Mrunmayee Lagoo Waikul, known for co-writing "Thappad".

The series recently started shooting, under the production company Matchbox Shots. According to Netflix, "Scoop" is a character drama that traces the journey of Jagruti Pathak, an ambitious crime journalist.

"Her world comes crashing down when she is charged for the heinous murder of a fellow journalist, Jaideb Sen and ends up in a prison cell with those she once reported on. The others charged include a notorious sharp shooter, a nefarious bookie and the infamous, Chhota Rajan! The truth is quietly buried as she waits out a trial," the official logline read.

Mehta, known for helming acclaimed projects like "Scam 1992", "Shahid" and "Aligarh", said when he read Vora's book, he was "compelled" to bring the story to life on screen. "We've already begun filming and I'm excited about this story being my first collaboration with Netflix. Great stories can only benefit from a service that can make it reach a wider set of audience, 'Scoop' is that kind of a story and with Netflix, we will be able to take it to audiences across the globe.

"With my co-creator Mrunmayee Lagoo and producers Matchbox Shots, I am seeking to delve deep into a tale of our mediatised times and the human cost of stories that we consume on a daily basis," the filmmaker said. Sanjay Routray, producer at Matchbox Shots, said when they first read the book, they knew that the "inspirational story of grit and courage" needed to be told on a wider medium.

"Netflix was the obvious choice for us because filming it as a series gives us the opportunity to nuance the characters and their emotions further. For a tale with such a gut-wrenching narrative, only a mastermind like Hansal Mehta would be able to do complete justice.

"He's a natural when it comes to bringing such hard-hitting, real-life stories to life. Honestly, our collaboration with Hansal and Netflix just aligned seamlessly, and it's the perfect combination for stellar storytelling," he added. -- PTI

Even as the Karnataka High Court is expected to hear on Tuesday the petition of a student of the government pre-university college in Udupi district seeking permission to wear hijab, two students of a private college at Kundapur, Mangaluru, have also approached it with the same plea.

The two students of Bhandarkar's arts and science college, in their petition, have named the college principal, Mangalore university registrar and Kundapur MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty as the defendants.

In the petition, the students allege that the college has restricted their entry with 'hijabs' (headscarf) in the college premises at the instance of the MLA. The petition has been filed by Suha Maulana and Aisha Aleefa, both pursuing BBA. The girls pointed out in their petition that there was no dispute on hijabs when they got admission to the college.

The principal introduced the restriction all of a sudden on February 3, saying they have a government order restricting hijabs inside classes.

When the parents of the girls met the principal and questioned the decision, the latter told them that the step has been taken as per the direction of the MLA, who is the president of the college development committee, the students said in the petition.

"All the concerned people (in the Udupi hijab row) should keep the peace & let children study. The matter will be presented in High Court today, let's wait for it," Karantaka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has said.

A Nepalese government report has accused China of encroaching into western Nepal along their shared border.

The report was commissioned in September last year after reports emerged that China has been trespassing in the district of Humla.

This committee was formed under the Home Ministry Joint Secretary to study the dispute over the Nepal-China border. The team studied border pillars, especially in the Limi valley, and initial findings confirmed that there were some serious border issues between Nepal and China.

Nepal's Hindu Civic Society, Rastriya Ekata Abhiyan on Monday handed over a memorandum to the UN, saying that China has encroached on their land in the Humla district and urged the international community to pay attention to Chinese land grabbing. Ekta Abhiyan chairperson Binay Yadav handed over the memorandum to UN Resident Coordinator Richard Howard in Kathmandu, Khabarhub reported.

The civic society organisation also urged the Nepali Congress-led government to take action as suggested by the committee formed under its initiation. -- ANI

The Central government on Tuesday said that more than 11.81 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses are still available with States and UTs.

According to the ministry of health and family welfare, "More than168.08crore(1,68,08,95,505) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Government of India (free of cost channel) and through direct state procurement category."

The ministry further added, "More than11.81Cr (11,81,50,461)balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered."

The vaccination drive has been ramped up through the availability of more vaccines, advanced visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them and streamlining the vaccine supply chain. -- ANI

10:33 India's Covid cases decline to 67,597 a day

India reported 67,597 new COVID-19 cases and 1,188 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday.

With this, the country's cumulative case tally reached 4,23,39,611, while the death toll has mounted to 5,02,874. The active cases further declined to 9,94,891, comprising 2.35 per cent of the total infections.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.02 per cent, while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 8.30 per cent, the ministry said.

A total of 1,80,456 patients were recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the pandemic is now at 4,08,40,658.

The COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 96.46 per cent. The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded as the country conducted 13,46,534 tests in the last 24 hours.

India has so far conducted 74,29,08,121 cumulative tests. With the administration of 55,78,297 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 170.21 crore (1,70,21,72,615) as per provisional reports till 7 am today.

The Congress announced that it will fight the upcoming local body elections in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in alliance with the DMK.

Elections will be held in all gram panchayats -- except Netaji Nagar and Hut Bay, panchayat samitis, zilla parishad, and the Port Blair Municipal Council on March 6.

DMK will contest in wards 1, 6, 9, 15 and 21 of the Port Blair Municipal Council, according to the seat-sharing arrangement between the two parties.

The two parties also signed an agreement on Monday in presence of Territorial Congress Committee president Rangalal Halder and DMK state organiser AL Kulandai.

"In the last Lok Sabha election, we worked together and won. The alliance with the DMK will ensure victory in the upcoming elections," Halder said.

The Congress has also formed an alliance with the Telugu Desam Party for the upcoming elections.

The TDP will contest from wards 2, 5 and 16 of Port Blair Municipal Council, as per the arrangement.

The last date for filing nominations is February 11, while scrutiny will take place on February 12 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination is February 14.

The votes will be counted on March 8. -- PTI

Actor-athlete Praveen Kumar Sobti, best known for playing Bheem in the TV series Mahabharat and for winning an Asian Games gold medal, died following a cardiac arrest late Monday evening. He was 74.

The actor breathed his last at his Ashok Vihar residence in New Delhi.

"He had a chronic chest infection problem. At night, when he started feeling uneasy, we called the doctor at home. He passed away between 10-10.30 PM following a cardiac arrest," a relative of Praveen told PTI.

Praveen represented the country across various athletic events in hammer and discus throw and even won four medals at the Asian Games, including two gold medals in 1966 and 1970.

He also won a silver medal in Hammer Throw during the 1966 Commonwealth Games.

The athlete gained further popularity after he began his acting career and featured as Bheem in BR Chopra's classic Mahabharat in 1988.

He is survived by wife, daughter, two younger brothers and a sister.

Former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot on Monday hit out at the central government, saying aggressive politics started in the country ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power.

He said democracy is such a platform where people of different ideologies and thinking speak their own words and the public decides who is right and who is wrong.

"But I do not think that violence, misbehavior, undemocratic language should be used by any person. It is a healthy tradition that we should oppose each other. Even if there are ideological differences, we should use civilized language and violence has no place in politics and should not be there," he told reporters.

On political appointments which are pending in Rajasthan, Pilot said everyone cannot be given a ministerial or other big post but their participation in the government can be ensured.

He said that in the recent two-three months, party president Sonia Gandhi, AICC has taken some steps in the right direction so he is confident that when the assembly elections are held in 2023, the Congress will again be able to form the government.

To a query regarding REET paper leak case, he said the government, the Congress, and AICC have taken it very seriously and some concrete action will also come out in it. -- PTI

09:30 Goa declares polling day as public holiday

Goa government on Monday declared February 14 as a Public Holiday in view of it being the Polling Day for the assembly elections in the state.

Goa government's notice read: "...Government of Goa hereby declares Monday, the 14th February 2022 (Magha 25, Saka 1943) as a "Public Holiday" being the "Polling Day" for the General Elections to the Goa legislative assembly, 2022, throughout the State of Goa."

The state government has also directed that the public holiday should be a paid holiday for all government/private establishments.

"The aforesaid holiday shall be a 'paid holiday," the notice further read. A total of 332 candidates are in the fray for the forthcoming assembly election in Goa this year.

The total nominations received for the Goa assembly polls this year was 587. Goa is scheduled to go to the Assembly polls on February 14.

The counting of votes will take place on March 10. -- ANI

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday said that the party ought to be flattered that a large part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in the Parliament was devoted to attacking Congress.

"His entire speech was an attack on the Congress party. It was a very political speech with a large portion devoted to attacking the Congress... I suppose we ought to be flattered that he sees us this way," he stated.

Replying to the debate in Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks to the President's Address, Modi on Monday slammed Congress over various issues, adding that the party has not shed its arrogance despite repetitive defeats.

Reacting to PM Modi's 'tukde tukde' remark for Congress, Tharoor alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party is the real 'tukde-tukde' gang that has divided Hindus-Muslims on the basis of religion, separated people on language lines, divided North-South India.

"I had said a few years ago that the real 'tukde-tukde' gang is BJP that has divided Hindus-Muslims on the basis of religion, separated people on language lines, divided North-South India...BJP is doing these divisions," he said.

PM Modi on Monday had said the Congress was banking on its "divide and rule" policy and had become the leader of "tukde tukde gang".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday in the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament.

The debate on the motion of thanks to the President's Address in Rajya Sabha concluded on Monday.

Forty members, including three women members, participated in the debate that lasted for 11 hours 25 minutes.

With PM Modi's reply today, the total duration of debate will exceed 12 hours allocated by the Business Advisory Committee.

After Prime Minister's reply, the debate on the union budget for 2022-23 will begin for which 11 hours have been allotted.

Earlier on Monday, the Prime Minister replied to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Lok Sabha.

PM Modi alleged that Congress was banking on its "divide and rule" policy and had become the leader of "tukde tukde gang".

Listing out the achievements of his government, PM said that India is poised to have 100 unicorns and some of them have the potential to be multi-national companies. The Prime Minister said that policies of government have spawned the growth of unicorns.

00:49 Actress Mahie Gill joins BJP in Punjab

Just days ahead of the Punjab Assembly polls, Dev D fame Mahie Gill and Punjabi movie actor Hobby Dhaliwal on Monday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in Chandigarh.

Apart from Dev D, Gill has worked in the movie, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster.

Gill said she wanted to do something for girls in Punjab and felt confident that she could do it with the BJP only.

"I have always felt that my home was calling me back and I wanted to serve it and I did not find any better party than the BJP," she said.

Hobby Dhaliwal said he was impressed by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Punjab.

Haryana CM Manohar Khattar welcomed the actors into the party fold and said a strong BJP wave is building up in Punjab and the party is set to form the government in the state.

The Haryana CM said that more and more people having exceptional achievements to their credit are joining the party in Punjab as they were fed up with other political parties.

Replying to a question on the Congress announcing Charanjit Singh Channi as its chief ministerial face, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said it will not make any difference.

He said it has only reinforced the public perception that corruption and the mafia system were not only acceptable in the Congress but also being rewarded.

"The only thing that has now been firmly established is that the Congress has become morally so bankrupt that it had to name someone as its CM candidate who was facing serious charges of corruption and promoting the sand mafia," he alleged.

The minister said several other prominent people from different walks of life will be joining the party in coming days.

"The BJP has caught the public imagination in Punjab and we are flooded by offers from people to join the party," he claimed.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Amarjit Singh Tikka, Sukhwinder Singh Bindra and Daaman Bajwa also joined the BJP.

While Tikka was the chairman of the Punjab Medium Industry Development Board, Bindra was the chairman of the Punjab Youth Development Board.

Daaman Bajwa is a youth leader from Sunam and was the national secretary of the Indian Youth Congress. -- PTI

IMAGE: Actress Mahie Gill joins the BJP in presence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat ahead of Punjab Assembly elections, at party headquarters, in Chandigarh on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo

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