The Waqf bill, after a smooth passage through Lok Sabha, breezed through the Rajya Sabha 24 hours later, after yet another marathon debate. On its way, it exposed a chink in the armour of the parties opposing the bill. The voting was 128 votes in favour of the bill and 95 against. The passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and… Continue reading "Watershed moment, says Modi as Rajya Sabha passes Waqf bill"
Opposition DMK members protested in the Lok Sabha on Thursday against the proposed delimitation of constituencies, prompting Speaker Om Birla to remind them of a rule governing the conduct of MPs in the House. Om Birla said attending the House proceedings wearing T-shirts with slogans written on those is not acceptable and against parliamentary rules and decorum. “House functions with… Continue reading "Speaker applies Rule 349 to disallow opposition members from wearing slogan T-shirts"
The Election Commission of India said that it is getting ready to link Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC), or voter IDs, with the Aadhaar numbers of those who have provided them voluntarily. The poll panel said it will soon initiate technical consultations regarding the exercise with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). While, as per Article 326 of the… Continue reading "Election Commission to begin linking Voter ID card with Aadhaar"
The 39-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) held its first meeting on the Bills related to ‘One Nation, One Election’ here on Wednesday where all the members expressed their views. The panel is mandated to review The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth) Amendment Bill, 2024 and The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aim to align elections at the national… Continue reading "JPC on ‘One Nation, One Election’ Bills holds its first meeting"
The Union Cabinet has cleared two bills required to implement the ‘one nation, one election’ proposal – which proposes simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections and, at a later stage, municipal polls too. These bills – which look to amend sections of the Constitution – will likely be introduced in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, sources added. The bills… Continue reading "Union Cabinet clears One Nation, One Election bill, likely to be tabled in Parliament next week"
Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra for the third time, marking his return to the top post after five years. The swearing-in ceremony at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan was a star-studded event, with several dignitaries from politics and the entertainment industry in attendance. Along with Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and Nationalist Congress Party… Continue reading "Fadnavis takes oath as Maharashtra CM in the presence of PM Modi"
The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the “One Nation One Subscription” — a new central government scheme to ensure countrywide access to scholarly research articles and journal publications. The Centre has allocated ₹6,000 crore for the scheme for a period of three years. Announcing the scheme on Monday, information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said: “For youths and students, one… Continue reading "‘One nation one subscription’ gets cabinet nod"
The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved two major railway infrastructure projects. The projects, valued at an estimated Rs 6,798 crore, are aimed at improving connectivity in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. These projects are expected to be completed within the next five years. In another key decision, the Cabinet also gave its nod for the establishment of a ₹1,000 crore Venture… Continue reading "Cabinet approves 2 rail projects covering Andhra, Telangana, Bihar with estimated cost of Rs 6,798 crore"
In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court on Thursday banned caste-based discrimination like division of manual labour, segregation of barracks and bias against prisoners of de-notified tribes and habitual offenders by holding as “unconstitutional” the jail manual rules of 10 states for fostering such biases. Observing that the “right to live with dignity extends even to the incarcerated”, a bench… Continue reading "‘Ban segregation of work based on caste’: Supreme Court"
Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh has been appointed as the next chief of the Indian Air Force, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari. Air Marshal Singh, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will take charge of the force on September 30. “The government has appointed Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, presently serving as… Continue reading "Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh appointed next IAF chief"