Paving the way for auction of iron ore and other mines, Parliament on Friday cleared the Mines and Minerals Bill after days of high drama, as some Opposition parties broke ranks from Congress and Left in Rajya Sabha to support this key reform measure of the government.States are likely to launch the auction process in June for allocation of mines, having iron ore and other minerals, following the passage of this Bill, which has incorporated amendments suggested by a parliamentary panel, would now replace an Ordinance promulgated in December last. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the new law would enable "computerised allocation" of the mines, while checking corruption and any discriminatory allocation systems, while Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said it would bring in a "revolutionary change" in the beleaguered sector. The estimated revenue proceeds could not be immediately ascertained for the auction, for which states have so far identified over 100 mines, … [Read more...] about Mines Bill passed, auction likely in June
Nda in rajya sabha
Stalin holds AIADMK responsible for passage of CAB
DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday alleged that the Citizen (Amendment) Bill (CAB) could have been prevented from becoming a law if the 11 members of the AIADMK had voted against it in the Rajya Sabha. “It has become a law because the AIADMK never showed any concern for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils [who have been left out of the legislation]. The party prostrated before its Delhi bosses,” Mr. Stalin said in a statement.He said the Bill was passed with 125 votes in its favour and 105 votes against its passage in the Rajya Sabha. “Had the AIADMK voted against it, the votes favouring the Bill would have been reduced to 114 and anti-votes would have been 116. But the AIADMK remained slaves and its members were not aware of the power of their votes,” he said. Mr. Stalin said the BJP government at the Centre in the last six months had been pursuing anti-Tamil policies and it was futile to expect any concern for Tamils … [Read more...] about Stalin holds AIADMK responsible for passage of CAB
PM Modi to kick off BJP’s Delhi assembly poll campaign with rally at Ramlila Maidan on Dec 22
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on December 22 launch the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Delhi assembly polls by addressing a rally at Ramlila Maidan, which will be attended by residents of unauthorised colonies, the party said on Saturday. Earlier this month, Parliament passed the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Unauthorised Colonies) Bill, 2019, to grant ownership rights to residents of Delhi's unauthorised colonies. It was passed in Lok Sabha on November 28, followed by Rajya Sabha on December 4. Looking to make a comeback in Delhi after over two decades, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is counting on voters living in unauthorised colonies to challenge the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the assembly polls early next year. Residents from all 1,731 unauthorised colonies in the national capital, who have been given ownership rights of their properties, will attend the "Dhanyawad Rally" (Gratitude Rally), Delhi BJP … [Read more...] about PM Modi to kick off BJP’s Delhi assembly poll campaign with rally at Ramlila Maidan on Dec 22
Reports of Jaitley’s deteriorating health false: Govt
The government on Sunday said reports on the deteriorating health of outgoing Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley are false and baseless, and advised the media to stay clear of rumour mongering. Amid speculation on the state of Jaitley's health, Government Spokesperson Sitanshu Kar took to Twitter to clear the air. 'Reports in a section of media regarding Union Minister Shri Arun Jaitley's health condition are false and baseless. Media is advised to stay clear of rumour mongering,' Kar tweeted. While Jaitley remained unreachable despite several attempts, his office said he is resting at home. Sources aware of his condition had on Friday stated that Jaitley is unlikely to be part of Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi's Cabinet due to his ill health, which may require him to travel to either the United Kingdom or the United States for treatment. Jaitley, 66, has become 'very weak', they had said. He was admitted to AIIMS last week to undergo tests and treatment for an undisclosed … [Read more...] about Reports of Jaitley’s deteriorating health false: Govt
6 months after wedding, Lalu’s son Tej Pratap files for divorce
Photograph: PTI Photo Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav on Friday filed a petition seeking divorce from his wife of six months citing incompatibility issues, his lawyer said. The separation has been sought invoking Section 13 A of the Hindu Marriage Act under which either spouse can unilaterally seek divorce, said lawyer Yashwant Kumar Sharma, who filed the petition on behalf of Tej Pratap at a civil court in Patna."I cannot give much details. I was only told by my client that he and his wife were not compatible and hence he wanted divorce," Sharma said. Tej Pratap, a sitting RJD MLA and a former Bihar minister, had tied the knot with Aishwarya Rai on May 12. The grand wedding ceremony for which Prasad, serving sentences in fodder scam cases, had flown in from Ranchi after obtaining parole from a court, was attended by political leaders from virtually all political parties including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan. While … [Read more...] about 6 months after wedding, Lalu’s son Tej Pratap files for divorce