Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday called for urgent reforms in the party as "extraordinary situations demand extraordinary action" and also launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of keeping the country in a state of permanent polarisation, "brutalising" minorities and "threatening" political opponents.Sending out a clear message to Congress ranks while launching the three-day brainstorming conclave, she said the party will have to change its style of functioning and urged them to keep the organisation above their personal ambitions and pay back their debt to the party as it had given a lot to everyone.She urged around 450 delegates to deliberate with an open mind but send out a single message of a strong organisation, resolve and unity."In one way this (Congress transformation) is the most fundamental issue. Our revival is only possible through collective efforts. Such collective efforts will not be deferred. This Shivir is the start of the journey," Gandhi said."The circumstances before our organisation are unprecedented. Extraordinary situations demand extraordinary action. I am fully alert to this. The organisation has to bring changes within itself, not just to stay alive but to move forward. We are in dire need of improvement and changing strategy," she also said.She stressed that the Congress's revival would only happen with grand collective efforts and those cannot be put off.Noting that this shivir in this journey is an important step, she noted, "We are not oblivious to the recent failures nor are we oblivious to the struggle we have to undertake to win. We are not unaware of the expectations of the people."The Congress president asserted that all have gathered to take a collective and individual resolve to bring the party in the same position it once had and play the role that people expected it to play in these "deteriorating circumstances".Taking on the government, she said, it has become "painfully clear" what Modi and his colleagues really mean by their frequently-used slogan 'maximum governance minimum government'."It means keeping the country in a state of permanent polarisation, compelling people to live in a constant state of fear and insecurity. It means viciously targeting, victimising and often brutalising of minorities who are an integral part of our society and equal citizens of our republic," she noted."It means using our society's age-old pluralities to divide us and subverting the carefully nurtured idea of unity and diversity. It means threatening and intimidating political opponents, maligning their reputation, jailing them on flimsy pretexts and misusing investigative agencies," Gandhi said.She said it means eroding the independence and professionalism of all institutions of democracy.<img src="https://im.rediff.com/news/2022/may/13sonia-shivir2.jpg?w=670&amp;h=900">Gandhi also accused the BJP-led government of "wholesale reinvention of history", constant denigration of its leaders, especially Jawaharlal Nehru and the systematic move to distort, deny and destroy their contributions, their achievements and their sacrifices."It means glorifying the killers of Mahatma Gandhi," the Congress chief said.She also accused the Centre of "blatant undermining" of the principles the Constitution and its pillars of justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and secularism.Gandhi alleged that the government was turning a blind eye to continued atrocities across the country on weaker sections, especially Dalits, Adivasis and women.She also charged that the Centre was using fear to make the bureaucracy, corporate India, sections of the civil society and the media fall in line.She said diversionary tactics were being used and questioned the "utter silence" on the part of the "ever so eloquent prime minister when the healing touch is most needed".Urging leaders to air their views frankly and openly during discussions at the three-day Chintan Shivir, she said, "I urge you to openly put forward your views, but only one message should go out and that is of a strong organisation, resolve and unity."She said the meet is also an occasion to deliberate on the many challenges ahead of us and bring organisational changes."It is both 'Chintan' about national issues and meaningful 'atma chintan' (self-introspection) about our party organisation," she said.The meet is being held at a time when the party is faced with a string of electoral defeats and is trying to strengthen itself by initiating organisational overhaul and deciding its strategy to make it future-ready for 2024 general and other state assembly elections.The three-day conclave also comes amid calls by a section for bringing organisational overhaul and elections at all levels.—PTI

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Friday called for urgent reforms in the party as "extraordinary situations demand extraordinary action" and also launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of keeping the country in a state of permanent polarisation, "brutalising" minorities and "threatening" political opponents.

Chintan Shivir: Sonia slams PM, says minorities being 'brutalised'

Udaipur:&nbsp;The Congress on Saturday hit out at the government over the ban on the export of wheat, saying it was an "anti-farmer" measure as it deprives farmers of reaping the benefit of higher export prices.According to an official notification, India has banned wheat exports with immediate effect as part of measures to control rising domestic prices.Asked about the government's move at a press conference on the second day of the Congress' ongoing 'Chintan Shivir' here, senior leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram said, "I presume that it is because the central government has failed to procure enough wheat. It is not that wheat production has come down, it is more or less the same. In fact, it may be marginally more."Chidambaram said that on Friday, a Chhattisgarh minister had told him that the government there had procured 97 lakh tonnes of paddy.If procurement had taken place, there would not have been any need to ban the export of wheat, he said."But let me add, banning the export of wheat is an anti-farmer measure. It deprives the farmer of reaping the benefits of higher export prices. It is an anti-farmer measure and I am not surprised, this government has never been very friendly to the farmer," Chidambaram said.The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification dated May 13, "The export policy of wheat is prohibited with immediate effect."However, the export shipments for which irrevocable letters of credit (LoC) have been issued on or before the date of this notification will be allowed, the DGFT said.—PTI

The Congress on Saturday hit out at the government over the ban on the export of wheat, saying it was an "anti-farmer" measure as it deprives farmers of reaping the benefit of higher export prices.

Cong slams wheat export ban, says move 'anti-farmer'

The Congress on Saturday hit out at the government over the ban on the export of wheat, saying it was an "anti-farmer" measure as it deprives farmers of reaping the benefit of higher export prices.



New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said the construction activity being carried out by the Odisha government at the famed Shree Jagannath temple in Puri is necessary in the larger public interest as it dismissed pleas opposing the work. A vacation bench of Justices B R Gavai and Hima Kohli rejected the PIL with costs, and said the state cannot be prevented from making necessary arrangements to provide basic facilities to lakhs of devotees visiting the temple. The top court said there is no merit in the contention raised by the appellants.The bench also took exception to the filing of frivolous PILs, and said most of such petitions are either publicity interest litigation or personal interest litigation."We are of the considered view that public interest litigation other than being in public interest is detrimental to public interest. In the recent past, it has been noticed that there has been mushrooming growth in PILs. Many such petitions are either publicity interest litigation or personal interest litigation. "We highly deprecate the practice of filing such frivolous PIL as it is nothing but abuse of the process of the law. They encroach upon valuable judicial time which could otherwise be utilised for considering genuine concerns. It is high time that such petitions are nipped in the bud so that development work is not stalled," the bench said.The top court said that a hue and cry was made that construction carried out is contrary to the inspection report carried out by ASI. However, the note of the director general of ASI clears the position."It can thus be seen that even if the appellant had genuine concern the same is already taken care by the high court in the impugned order. Inspite of that matter was mentioned for obtaining urgent orders before the vacation bench on Monday. Till the matter was not listed again a hue and cry was made as if heavens are going to fall if the matter is not heard. Activity undertaken is in sync with our earlier orders," the bench said.Earlier, senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, appearing for the petitioner, had said there's a clear embargo and there can be no construction in the prohibited area."They (state government) did not even take permission to construct in the regulated area," she had submitted.The state, she had said, got a no objection certificate from the National Monuments Authority (NMA) and went ahead. She said the NMA could not have granted a valid certificate and this is something only the director of archaeology in the Central or the state government can do.&nbsp;Advocate general for Odisha Ashok Kumar Parija had submitted that under The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, the authority is the NMA, and the competent authority has been notified to be the Odisha government's director culture."Construction does not mean repair or remake existing structures or clean the sewage, drains etc. This is how it is understood and DG ASI also understands the same way."Grant of permission was by director culture... the director culture of the government of Odisha is the competent authority. What was prohibited within 100 metres was construction. The concept plan of the state aims to provide amenities and beautify the temple," he had said.He added that 60,000 people visit the temple everyday and there is a need for more toilets."The amicus curiae in the case pointed out there was a necessity of more toilets and court had issued directions in that regard," he had added.The top court was hearing a plea filed by Ardhendu Kumar Das and others alleging illegal excavation and construction work by the Odisha government at the temple. According to the petition, state agencies have been working in gross violation of Section 20A of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.&nbsp;The plea alleged that the Odisha government is carrying out unauthorised construction work. This poses a serious threat to the structure of the ancient temple, it said.—PTI

The Supreme Court on Friday said the construction activity being carried out by the Odisha government at the famed Shree Jagannath temple in Puri is necessary in the larger public interest as it dismissed pleas opposing the work.

SC okays construction work at Puri Jagannath temple, slams litigants

The Supreme Court on Friday said the construction activity being carried out by the Odisha government at the famed Shree Jagannath temple in Puri is necessary in the larger public interest as it dismissed pleas opposing the work.



New Delhi: India on Monday hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its criticism of the country in the wake of the alleged derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by two Bharatiya Janata Party functionaries. External affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India categorically rejects the OIC Secretariat's "unwarranted and narrow-minded comments" and asserted that New Delhi accords the highest respect to all religions. "The offensive tweets and comments denigrating a religious personality were made by certain individuals. They do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India," Bagchi said. He said strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies.The BJP has already suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma while it expelled the party's Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks following widespread anger in several Gulf countries over their comments.Amid protests by Muslim groups over the remarks, the party had also issued a statement aimed at assuaging the concerns of minorities and distancing itself from these members, asserting that it respects all religions and strongly denounces the insult of any religious personality.Bagchi said, "It is regrettable that OIC Secretariat has yet again chosen to make motivated, misleading and mischievous comments. This only exposes its divisive agenda being pursued at the behest of vested interests".The MEA spokesperson was responding to media queries on the comments by the OIC."We would urge the OIC secretariat to stop pursuing its communal approach and show due respect to all faiths and religions," he said.The OIC had slammed India for the comments against the Prophet even urged the UN to take necessary measures to ensure that the rights of Muslims are protected.—PTI

India on Monday hit out at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation for its criticism of the country in the wake of the alleged derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammed by two Bharatiya Janata Party functionaries.

'Unwarranted, narrow-minded comments': India slams OIC

New Delhi: Criticising the increase in&nbsp;GST&nbsp;on scientific equipments, former finance minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said government believes that all the scientific knowledge that we need can be gathered by gazing at the sky and re-imagining our past."GST&nbsp;on scientific equipment needed by research institutions and universities raised from 5% to 12-18%. This unkind act is after reducing the budget allocation of the Ministry of&nbsp;Science&nbsp;by 3.9% from last year," he tweeted.The Opposition has hit out at the government for hike in&nbsp;GST&nbsp;rates on household items.Tax rates have been increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent on products such as printing, writing or drawing ink, knives with cutting blades, spoons, forks, paper knives, pencil sharpeners, and LED lamps.Five per cent GST will also be charged on hospital rooms above Rs 5,000 per day, although ICU beds have been exempted.Reacting to the development, the Congress said that these rate revisions are unwelcome at a time when inflation is putting pressure on the pockets of the common man.The GST Council, during a two-day meeting in June, had accepted recommendations for rate rationalisation made by sub-groups, resulting in tax changes effective from July 18.—IANS

Criticising the increase in GST on scientific equipments, former finance minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said government believes that all the scientific knowledge that we need can be gathered by gazing at the sky and re-imagining our past.

'Unkind act': Chidambaram slams govt for GST hike on scientific equipment

Amaravati:&nbsp;The BJP has slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for his statement that the Centre is yet to release funds to the state for the Relief and Rehabilitation package under Polavaram project.BJP’s state general secretary Vishnuvardhan Reddy on Thursday found fault with the chief minister’s remarks made during his visit to flood-hit areas on Wednesday.The BJP leader wanted to know why YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MPs were silent when the Centre told the Parliament that there were no funds due to be released to the state.Vishnuvardhan Reddy said the state government failed to construct houses for project oustees though the Centre provided funds for the same.Vishnuvardhan Reddy also recalled that YSRCP had promised to develop villages for the oustees and alleged that the state government failed to build even the houses.He said those components of the project which yield big revenues were awarded to contractors.The BJP leader also remarked that regional parties have become a curse for the states. He alleged that the vote bank politics was throwing the development of the state to the wind.The chief minister had said on Wednesday that his government is fighting with the Centre to get funds.He stated that he has written letters to Delhi and discussed the issue in every meeting with the higher officials.The chief minister stated this during a visit to flood-affected villages in Alluri Sitaramaraju and Eluru districts.During his visit to villages submerged by Polavaram in both the districts, the Chief Minister assured the villagers that the water in Polavaram Project will be stored at Full Reservoir Level (FRL) only after paying the compensation to each and every family and completing R&amp;R.He also stated that the R &amp; R package must be provided by the Centre, as it costs over Rs 20,000 crore, which is beyond the state government capacity.He, however, assured the project oustees that the State government will pay compensation to project oustees if the Central government fails to release the amount.The chief minister revealed that the Centre owes Rs 2,900 crore to the State for R&amp;R works. He said the water in the Polavaram will first be filled up to 41.15 meters, as the Central Water Commission won’t approve filling the dam to its full capacity initially due to safety measures.The dam will be fully filled only after three years and by then, everyone will be paid compensation, he said and added that the water will be stored in full capacity only after completing R&amp;R. —IANS

The BJP has slammed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy for his statement that the Centre is yet to release funds to the state for the Relief and Rehabilitation package under Polavaram project.

 BJP slams Andhra CM for statement on Polavaram

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that ration card holders are being forced to buy the national flag, and said it will be unfortunate if the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Independence becomes a burden on the poor.&nbsp;
'It is 'shameful' to extract the price of 'Tiranga', which lives is in the heart of every Indian, by snatching the poor's morsel of food,' he said in a tweet.&nbsp;
The Pilibhit MP posted a video purportedly showing some ration card holders complaining about being forced to pay Rs 20 to buy the flag.&nbsp;
'It will be unfortunate if the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Independence becomes a burden on the poor. Ration card holders are being forced to buy Tiranga or denied a share of grains they are entitled to,' he said.
The central government has urged people to hoist or display the national flag at their home during August 13-15 as part of 'Har Ghar Tiranga' programme.
The BJP has been running a campaign to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call a big success.
Varun Gandhi had been critical of the government over a host of issues. —PTI

Bharatiya Janata Party MP Varun Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that ration card holders are being forced to buy the national flag, and said it will be unfortunate if the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of Independence becomes a burden on the poor

Varun Gandhi slams govt for 'forcing poor to buy flags for food'

New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Sunday shared a letter on Twitter which, he said, initiated ‘Project Cheetah’ in 2009 and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a “pathological liar” for criticising previous governments of not making constructive efforts to reintroduce the big cat in India.
Prime Minister Modi on Saturday hit out at the previous governments, saying no constructive efforts were made to reintroduce cheetahs in India after they became extinct from the country seven decades ago. Modi had made the remarks after releasing three of the eight cheetahs flown in from Namibia into special enclosures in the Kuno National Park (KNP) in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
“This was the letter that launched Project Cheetah in 2009. Our PM is a pathological liar. I couldn’t lay my hands on this letter yesterday because of my preoccupation with the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” Ramesh tweeted.
Along with the tweet he shared the letter he, as then minister for Environment and Forests, had written to M K Ranjitsinh of the Wildlife Trust of India in 2009.
In the letter, Ramesh had asked Ranjitsinh to prepare a roadmap for the reintroduction of the Cheetah and include a detailed analysis of different potential sites.
There was no immediate reaction from the BJP on Ramesh’s remarks.
In his remarks on Saturday, Modi said, “It is unfortunate that we declared cheetahs extinct in 1952, but for decades no constructive efforts were made to reintroduce them in India. Now, with new strength and vigour, the country has embarked on the project of reviving the population of cheetahs during this ‘amrit kaal’.” The Congress had called Prime Minister Modi’s release of Cheetahs in a Madhya Pradesh national park a “tamasha,” orchestrated by him as another diversion from pressing national issues and the Bharat Jodo Yatra’. Ramesh had alleged the prime minister “hardly ever acknowledges continuity in governance” and the Cheetah project was the latest example of that. —PTI

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Sunday shared a letter on Twitter which, he said, initiated ‘Project Cheetah’ in 2009 and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a “pathological liar” for criticizing previous governments of not making constructive efforts to reintroduce the big cat in India.

Jairam Ramesh Slams Modi Over His Criticism Of Previous Govts On Cheetah Re-introduction

 Congress leader Jairam Ramesh Sunday shared a letter on Twitter which, he said, initiated ‘Project Cheetah’ in 2009 and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being a “pathological liar” for criticising previous governments of not making constructive efforts to reintroduce the big cat in India.

Bhopal: As the report of two Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh being booked for allegedly molesting a woman co-passenger while travelling on a train came to the fore, the ruling BJP on Friday slammed the grand old party for "remaining silent" on the issue.
Madhya Pradesh BJP president V.D. Sharma, speaking to media persons, said that the "condemnable act of two MLAs have shown the real face of the Congress".
Sharma also raised question on why the Congress remained silent on "this serious matter".
He alleged that Congress talks about women empowerment and safety and security of women, on the other side, their MLAs are misbehaving with women.
Sharma said that "the act of two Congress MLAs has exposed their real face".
"Their leader Priyanka Gandhi says Ladki Hun Lad Sakti Hun, now I want to ask Priyanka Gandhi as to what action she would take against her party's MLAs. I condemn this act and believe that the Congress leadership would take action against the two MLAs," Sharma said.
Sources told IANS that state Congress chief Kamal Nath has formed a panel of three senior party leaders to find out the truth of allegations made against the MLAs.
"Kamal Nath has asked both the MLAs to submit their reply against allegations made against them in written. A committee has also constituted to inquire the matter," said a source in Madhya Pradesh Congress.
Notably, MLA Siddarth Kushwaha, who was also Congress' mayoral candidate for Municipal Corporation of Satna district, comes from a political family. His father Sukhilal Kushwaha was a prominent OBC leader in Vidhya Pradesh and had defeated two former chief ministers - Arjun Singh (last tenure, February 14, 1988- January 23, 1989) and Virendra Kumar Saklecha (January 18,1978 to January 19, 1980).
Sukhilal Kushwaha, who was a former MP (Satna) from Samajwadi Party, had committed suicide in 2015. His 33-year-old son Siddharth Kushwaha, who shifted to Congress and won assembly elections fron Satna constituency in 2018.
Another Congress MLA, who has been accused of molesting woman co-passanger in train is Suneel Saraf. Saraf had won assembly elections in 2018 from Kotma assembly constituency.
Talking to IANS, MLA Kushwaha said, "I along with Sunil Saraf was coming to Bhopal. I boarded the train from Satna and after few minutes the same woman requested me to exchange her seat as she was carrying her little baby, so I did the same. We had our dinner and asked her as courtesy for dinner. I fail to understand why the woman has levelled such serious allegations against me and my colleague MLA."
Kushwaha further said that he didn't even switch on the light in the compartment so that no one gets disturb. "There was no further conversation with the woman took place after the exchange of berths. It was in Sagar when a police team arrived in our compartment, and we came to know about the complaint she made against us," Kushwaha added.
"How is it possible for anyone to indulge in such a criminal act when there are co-travellers, ticket-checking staff, coach attendants, government railway police personnel, etc," the MLA asserted.
The alleged incident was reported on the intervening night of Thursday-Friday when they were travelling in an AC coach of Rewanchal Express (Rewa to Bhopal).
The woman alleged that the MLAs were drunk, used abusive language and harassed her during the journey.
Railway police swung into action after woman's husband in a series of tweets, alerted railway police that his wife was travelling on a train from Rewa to Bhopal and two heavily drunk persons in the same compartment are misbehaving with his wife.
The FIR has been registered in Sagar government railway police station under section 354 of IPC, said a senior police official in Bhopal.&nbsp;&nbsp;
—IANS

As the report of two Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh being booked for allegedly molesting a woman co-passenger while travelling on a train came to the fore, the ruling BJP on Friday slammed the grand old party for "remaining silent" on the issue.

 Molestation charges against Cong MLAs: BJP slams party's silence, Kamal Nath initiates probe

As the report of two Congress MLAs from Madhya Pradesh being booked for allegedly molesting a woman co-passenger while travelling on a train came to the fore, the ruling BJP on Friday slammed the grand old party for "remaining silent" on the issue.


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Chintan Shivir: Sonia slams PM, says minorities being 'brutalised'

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Chintan Shivir: Sonia slams PM, says minorities being 'brutalised'

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