BUDGET SESSION

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday strongly criticised the expunging of certain remarks by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and alleged that “democracy was cremated” in Lok Sabha.

Gandhi had made these remarks while participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address in LS.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “With the expunging of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on PM linked Adani Maha Mega Scam, deMOcracy was cremated in the Lok Sabha. OM Shanti.”

The Congress on criticised Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla’s decision to expunge 18 remarks that party leader Rahul Gandhi made in the House during his speech that raised questions about links between PM Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani.

Saying that the LS speaker expunged the comments, Congress member Salman Anees Soz said, “They are having sleepless nights! On a more serious note, this is an unacceptable, antidemocratic step. The Modi-Adani affair is in the public domain”

All India Congress Committee secretary from Maharashtra Ashish Dua said: “When they don’t turn the mikes off, they expunge… The revelations by Rahul Gandhi gives them nightmares.”

In his remarks, Gandhi had alleged that the meteoric rise in Gautam Adani’s fortunes happened after the BJP came to power in 2014 and he rose from the 609th to the second spot in the global rich list.

TAMIL NADU: PIL

FILED IN SC AGAINST KARUNANIDHI

PEN STATUE

Tamil Nadu: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to construct 134 feet tall “Pen Monument” in honor of former Chief Minister and DMK supremo Karunanidhi at the Marina Beach.

The PIL filed by some residents of the State sought direction that the Tamil Nadu government and the Ministry of Environment be directed to cancel the decision to construct a ‘Pen’ statue inside the Marina beach and not damage the ecosystem, and marine life of Marina beach.

MODI GOVT BRINGING BACK ‘INDIRA GANDHI ERA’: OWAISI

New Delhi: AIMIM MP Asaduddin

Owaisi on Wednesday said the Narendra Modi government is bringing back the “Indira Gandhi era” as he referred to a tug of war over the process of appointment of judges and raised concerns over those holding constitutional posts commenting on the “basic structure” of the Constitution. Owaisi also accused the government of not doing enough for the minorities and raised concerns over the India-China border situation.

Union Min Joshi Demands Action Against Raga

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday demanded action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for the “objectionable and baseless allegations” he made in Lok Sabha a day before. Gandhi had launched a scathing attack on PM Modi, questioning his links to Adani. “The Congress leader has made some objectionable and baseless allegations. Those should be expunged, and action should be taken against him,” Joshi told Speaker Om Birla.

MHA TO PAY `4,500 EVERY MONTH TO HEADS OF VDGS

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Rajya Sabha that the ministry has decided to pay Rs 4,500 every month to the heads or the coordinators of the Village Defence Groups (VDGs) set up in the “more vulnerable areas of J&K” and Rs 4,000 to each member. Sharing details of terrorist-initiated incidents, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs said 228 incidents were reported in 2018, 153 in 2019, 126 in 2020, 129 in 2021 and 125 in 2022.

SURPRISED BJP TEACHING PARLIAMENTARY ETIQUETTE: MOITRA

New Delhi: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday refused to apologise for the remarks she made in the Lok Sabha during the Budget session. The remark, which was expunged from parliament records, had drawn the ire of members of the BJP, and sought her apology. Moitra said, “I’m quite surprised that the BJP is teaching us parliamentary etiquette.”

The TMC leader had made the remarks against one of the BJP MPs present in the House, amidst the address being delivered by TDP leader K Ram Mohan Naidu. “What makes me laugh is the BJP saying that how can I use such a word being a woman. Do I need to be a man to be able to give it back as good as it gets? So there’s patriarchy…,” added the TMC leader sharing that the Chairperson of the Lok Sabha session was “unable” to provide her protection when she demanded it “five times” upon allegedly being “heckled” by a Delhi representative.

5G SERVICES ACROSS 238 INDIAN CITIES: MIN IN PARL

New Delhi: 5G services are available across 238 Indian cities at the end of January 2023, Union minister of state for communications, Devusinh Chauhan informed Parliament on Wednesday. Telecom Service Providers started providing high-speed 5G services in the country from October 2022 onwards.

“The Government has established a road map to make 5G services available in different parts of the country through rollout obligations.

‘NEED A CENTRAL ACT TO REGULATE ONLINE GAMING’

New Delhi: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the that 9 States and UTs have passed laws on online gaming adding that there is a need for a central act to regulate it. The Union Minister said, “19 States and UTs have passed their own laws in this regard. 17 States have amended Public Gambling Act and introduced sections against online gambling within it. The central government is concerned about the impact of online gaming and gambling on society”.

BY ANI

New Delhi: There will be no traffic restrictions in Gurugram tomorrow when President Droupadi Murmu goes to an official event on the outskirts, the administration of the city in Haryana said today.

Earlier in the day, the police said traffic would be restricted on the Delhi-Jaipur highway for six hours.

President is going to Om Shanti Retreat Centre, off the Delhi-Jaipur highway, to attend a national convention for women. The Brahma Kumaris, a women-led spiritual organization, runs the 28-acre retreat about 40 km from the city centre in Gurugram. The Gurugram administration said they have made alternative arrangements for smooth traffic on the Delhi-Jaipur highway tomorrow. They said the highway is not shut for motorists. There could be minor stoppages at some points on the highway to ensure the President’s cavalcade passes securely.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose with State CM Mamata Banerjee and State Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee on the first day of the Budget Session of State Assembly, in Kolkata on Wednesday.

‘PEOPLE NOT GIVING YOU VOTE’: PRASAD SLAMS CONG

New Delhi: BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday hit back at Congress party and Leader Rahul Gandhi for his speech in Lok Sabha where he made certain allegations about PM Narendra Modi and his association with industrialist Gautam Adani. Prasad countered Rahul Gandhi over his speech and said, “We know you never do your homework but we expect some responsibilities from you. You should be attentive to what you are speaking,” he said.

“SHOULD CONTROL TONGUE”: HEMA ON TMC LEADER’S SPEECH

New Delhi: BJP MP Hema Malini today slammed Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra for using an ‘offensive’ word in Lok Sabha stating that the opposition should “control their tongue”. Mahua Moitra, on Tuesday, used ‘offensive word’ in Lok Sabha as TDP MP K Ram Mohan Naidu was addressing the House during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address. “They should control their tongue. They should not get over-excited and emotional. Each and every member of Parliament is a respectable person,” Hema Malini told reporters outside parliament today. Senior BJP leader Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi also demanded an apology to the TMC after its MP Mahua Moitra used an ‘offensive’ word on the floor of the House during the ongoing Budget Session of the Parliament.

In The Courtyard

MORBI BRIDGE COLLAPSE: BOSS OF RENOVATION FIRM TO JUDICIAL CUSTODY

Morbi: A court in Gujarat’s Morbi town sent Oreva Group Managing Director Jaysukh Patel, one of the accused in the Morbi bridge collapse case, to judicial custody after the end of his police remand. Patel, whose company was responsible for the maintenance of the bridge, surrendered before the court on January 31 after it issued an arrest warrant against him. He was later arrested by the police. On February 1, Patel was remanded to police custody in the case of collapse of the suspension bridge in October 2022 which claimed 135 lives.

DELHI MAYOR ELECTION: SC

NOTICE TO DELHI LT GOVERNOR New Delhi: The SC issued a notice seeking reply from the office of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor on a petition filed by the Aam Aadmi Party challenging the Delhi LG’s decision to permit nominated members to vote in the elections for mayor and deputy mayor in the Municipal Corporation. A bench issued notice to the office of the Lt Governor and others on a joint petition filed by AAP and its mayoral candidate Shelly Oberoi.

ARMED COPS MUST BE DEPLOYED TO STOP ILLEGAL MINING: COURT

Shillong: The Meghalaya HC said it is necessary to call in the central armed police forces (CAPF) to stop the illegal mining and transportation of coal in the state. The court said this while hearing a PIL. “The measures adopted by the state have fallen woefully short, it is necessary to call in the CAPF to monitor and stop the illegal activities pertaining to coal mining that continues in the state,” a Bench said.