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New Delhi [India], July 24 (ANI): A <keyword id="4261957" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="general-discussion" source="Orion">general discussion</keyword> on the <keyword id="19908389" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget" source="keywords">Union Budget</keyword> and the budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the fiscal year 2024-25 will be held in the <keyword id="19895369" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rajya-Sabha" source="keywords">Rajya Sabha</keyword> later on Wednesday. <keyword id="19956758" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance-minister" source="keywords">Finance Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> presented both the Union Budget and the <keyword id="22525621" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-Kashmir-Budget" source="keywords">Jammu and Kashmir Budget</keyword> in the House on July 23. The discussion is crucial as both the budgets shape the financial direction of the country and the Union Territory, respectively. The Union Budget outlines the government's revenue and expenditure plans for the upcoming fiscal year, while the budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is a significant event considering the developmental needs. As per the list of businesses of the Rajya Sabha, the discussion on these two budgets will be convened later in the day. The discussion over these two budgets is expected to start in the second half of the day. According to the list of business of the Rajya Sabha, the ministers that are set to lay the papers on the table are Jayant Chaudhary for the Ministry of Education; Pankaj Chaudhary for the Ministry of Finance; Nityanand Rai for the Ministry of Home Affairs; and Sukanta Majumdar for the Ministry of Education. Besides, Rajya Sabha Secretary General PC Mody will lay on the table the Public Accounts Committee reports. This includes the 124th Report on Construction of Toilets in Schools by CPSEs; the 125th Report on Rejuvenation of the Ganga (Namami Gange); the 126th Report on Avoidable Payment due to Non-Charging of Service Tax/GST from the Passengers; and the 127th Report on Action Taken by the Government on the Observations and Recommendations of the Committee contained in their 46th Report (16th Lok Sabha) on Implementation of the Public-Private Partnership Project at Chhatrpati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, among others. The reports were presented to the Speaker on February 23 and April 29, 2024, and to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha, on February 28 and May 13, 2024, before the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha. The Speaker had ordered the printing, publication and circulation of the reports. As per the business list of the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju will move the motion for election to the committee on the welfare of other backward classes. Kiren Rijiju will also move the motion for nomination to the committee on the welfare of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The motion for nomination to the committee on public accounts will also be moved by Union Minister Rijiju in the House today. Moreover, Kiren Rijiju will move the motion for nomination to the committee on public undertakings. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024-25 on Tuesday during the Monsoon Session of <keyword id="19895397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliament" source="keywords">Parliament</keyword>. Nirmala Sitharaman became the first finance minister to present seven consecutive budget speeches, surpassing former prime minister Morarji Desai's record of six consecutive budgets as finance minister between 1959 and 1964. In her seventh budget, Nirmala Sitharaman outlined key priorities aimed at fostering economic growth and creating ample opportunities. These included productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment, and skilling and services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed the Union <keyword id="15478236" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget-2024" source="Orion">Budget 2024</keyword> presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. "This budget strengthens every section of society. It takes the country's poor, village and farmers on the path of prosperity," the prime minister said in a video message. The Prime Minister praised the budget, emphasising its potential for job generation by incentivizing the top 500 companies to recruit more youth and also induct interns. The PM said the budget would help India achieve its objective of becoming the third largest economy, besides laying a strong foundation for Viksit Bharat. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday also said the Union Budget 2024-25 is game-changing and will go down in history for coupling Bharat's economic growth with the torque of its youth power. He also lauded the government's decision to provide training and internship programmes to youth. The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, welcomed the Union Budget 2024 laid before Parliament on Tuesday. Calling the Union Budget 2024 a 'visionary document', Sonowal said, "The Union Budget, 2024 lays the roadmap for renewed and holistic growth towards Viksit Bharat. This visionary budget is aimed at empowering the 'Garib' (poor), 'Mahilayen' (women), 'Yuva' (youth), and Annadata' (farmers) so that the process of development reaches every citizen of the country." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Tuesday that Union Budget 2024 stands out for its unprecedented push towards employment generation and powering small businesses.

Rajya Sabha to hold general discussion on Union Budget, Jammu and Kashmir Budget today

New Delhi, India has probably seen its youngest millionaire in Ekagrah <keyword id="20076454" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rohan-murty" source="keywords">Rohan Murty</keyword> - the four-month-old grandson of Infosys founder N.R. <keyword id="19920910" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narayana-murthy" source="keywords">Narayana Murthy</keyword>. According to a regulatory filing, <keyword id="20482766" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narayana" source="keywords">Narayana</keyword> Murthy has gifted shares worth more than Rs 240 crore to his grandson. <keyword id="21000975" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ekagrah-murty" source="keywords">Ekagrah Murty</keyword> received 15 lakh shares, or 0.04 per cent stake, in Infosys. The 77-year-old Infosys founder gifted shares to his grandson in an off-market transaction. With this, Narayana Murthy's holding in the IT bellwether fell to 0.36 per cent, or more than 1.51 crore shares. At the price of Rs 1,620 per share on Monday, Ekagrah Murty received a whopping Rs 243 crore. Narayana Murthy and his wife and now <keyword id="19967755" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajya-sabha-mp" source="keywords">Rajya Sabha MP</keyword> <keyword id="20077886" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sudha-murty" source="keywords">Sudha Murty</keyword> became grandparents in November last year after their son Rohan Murty and wife Aparna Krishnan welcomed a baby boy. Engineer-turned-philanthropist and author Sudha Murty took oath as Rajya Sabha MP last week in the presence of her husband.

Born with a golden spoon: 4-month-old old Ekagrah Murty now owns ₹240 crore Infosys stock

New Delhi, More than 10 years after a Supreme Court judgement paved way for introduction of the <keyword id="20335981" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nota" source="keywords">NOTA</keyword> button on EVM for polls, the number of voters choosing it still remains low, with the experts dubbing it as a "toothless tiger" with no implications on the results. NOTA (None of the Above) was introduced in India through the Supreme Court's judgement in September 2013. The need to introduce NOTA was felt to discourage the parties from fielding tainted candidates. The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to make necessary provision in the ballot papers/EVMs so that the voters can decide not to vote for any of the candidates in the fray. Introduced in 2013, the NOTA option on electronic voting machines has its own symbol - a ballot paper with a black cross across it. After the Supreme Court order in September 2013, the Election Commission added the NOTA button on the EVMs as the last option on the voting panel. One ballot unit has 16 buttons. Before the apex court order, those not inclined to vote for any candidate had the option of filling what is popularly called form 49-O. But filling out the form at the polling station under Rule 49-O of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, compromised the secrecy of the voter. However, even as NOTA has secured over 1.29 crore votes in the state assembly elections and the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> elections combined in the last five years, the number of candidates with criminal records has increased in both the general and the assembly elections. According to a report by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the share of MPs with declared criminal cases against them has been increasing in the last decade. While 30 per cent elected MPs had criminal cases against them in 2009, which went up. Of the 543 winners analysed by the ADR in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, 162 (30 per cent) had declared criminal cases against them, with 76 (14 per cent) had serious criminal cases against them. In 2019, the share of MPs with criminal and serious criminal cases increased to 43 per cent and 29 per cent. "NOTA has made no difference as far as criminality is concerned, in fact the number of candidates with criminal cases has increased," Major General (Retd) Anil Verma, Head of ADR, told PTI. "The concept of NOTA was that some pressure would be on the parties not to field tainted candidates. It has not happened," he said. Overall in different state and general elections, votes polled on NOTA have been between .5 per cent to 1.5per cent, according to data compiled by the ADR. It secured around 1.06 per cent votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, and among states, highest was when it got 1.98 percent of the total votes in the 2018 Chhattisgarh Assembly polls. The lowest number of votes NOTA in the Lok Sabha was 100 votes in Lakshadweep, and among the state polls, it secured the lowest percentage of vote share - 0.46 percent in both the Delhi State Assembly Elections, 2020, and the Mizoram State Assembly Elections, 2018. "Unfortunately, it turned out to be a toothless tiger. It merely provided a platform to express dissent or one's anger for political parties to take note and nothing more," <keyword id="20887282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="maj-gen-verma" source="keywords">Maj Gen Verma</keyword> (Retd) said. He, however, pointed out that overall, the percentage of NOTA votes in seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribe has been slightly higher, which may indicate there are more grievances among these groups. "In the reserved constituencies, we have seen the percentage of NOTA votes are higher. Perhaps the tribals and SCs have more grievances so they go in larger numbers for NOTA," he said. Constituency wise, NOTA has secured as high as 27,500 votes in Maharashtra's Latur Rural constituency, a seat reserved for the SC community, over 13 per cent of the total votes. NOTA got the second spot, with Congress' Dhiraj Deshmukh winning with over 67 per cent of the total votes. In 'Red Alert Constituencies', the seats with three or more candidates with criminal cases contesting the elections, NOTA secured 26, 77,616 votes (26.77 lakhs) in the state assembly elections since 2018. It ranges from 1.63 per cent in Bihar in 217 red alert constituencies to 0.43 per cent in Delhi. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the highest number of NOTA votes (51,660) were polled in Bihar's Gopalganj, another reserved SC constituency, where it secured the third spot getting 5.03 per cent of the total votes. Axis India chairman <keyword id="20816878" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pradeep-gupta" source="keywords">Pradeep Gupta</keyword> said there is a requirement to give more teeth to the NOTA option. "I believe that candidates, who have lost against NOTA should not get a chance to contest again. That is what the logic is all about. Since there is no such rule, many voters think what is the point of choosing NOTA," Gupta told PTI. "In 2014, 1.08 pc voters chose NOTA, the percentage was 1.06 pc in 2019. It is a sizeable number but I believe it is more due to error and less due to intention," Gupta said. "But if a rule is brought in barring the rejected candidates from contesting again, I believe the number will go up like anything. The political parties understand the sensitivity of this and that is why I believe no one will favour such a law and hence NOTA is a toothless option," he added. Calls have also been made for scrapping NOTA. Former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel had last year sought scrapping NOTA, stating that in certain cases it polled more votes than winning margin. In 2018, the Supreme Court had ruled that NOTA option should not be given in the <keyword id="19895369" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="keywords">Rajya Sabha</keyword> elections.

None of the Above or NOTA toothless without right to reject, say experts

<keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword>'s finance minister Atishi presented the FY25 budget in the state assembly on Monday with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore, announcing the 'Mukhyamamantri Mahila <keyword id="20820458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="samman-yojana" source="keywords">Samman Yojana</keyword>' under which women aged 18 and above will get Rs 1,000 per month, and asserted the government is inspired by the ideals of <keyword id="20017410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-rajya" source="keywords">Ram Rajya</keyword>. In the budget tabled in the state assembly ahead of the general elections, she also announced that the Business Blasters scheme, which was till now being implemented in schools, will now be implemented in universities and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Last year, the government had allocated Rs 78,800 crore for the financial year 2023-24 and announced nine schemes as part of the G20 preparations. The Delhi government's budget size for 2022-23 was Rs 75,800 crore and Rs 69,000 crore in the preceding year. This was the first time that Atishi presented the budget after taking charge of the finance department last year. In her budget speech, she remembered Manish Sisodia, former education minister, and <keyword id="20115511" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="satyendar-jain" source="keywords">Satyendar Jain</keyword>, former health minister, for their roles in shaping the education and health models in the national capital. "This is a moment of pride that the Kejriwal government is presenting its tenth budget today. I am not just presenting the tenth budget but a picture of changing Delhi. Kejriwal came as a ray of hope. We are all inspired by Ram Rajya. We are working hard towards realising the dream of Ram Rajya," she said. She proposed an allocation of Rs 16,396 crore for the education sector and highlighted the achievements of the AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) government in the field. Under the education budget, Rs 100 crore has been allocated to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) for training teachers, and another Rs 150 crore has been proposed for the construction of new schools and classrooms. She proposed Rs 45 crore for the maintenance of existing classrooms and Rs 42 crore for Schools of Specialised Excellence in the 2024-25 fiscal. The minister announced an allocation of Rs 118 crore for sports education, Rs 1,212 crore for higher education and technical education and Rs 15 crore for "Business Blasters Senior". "The Kejriwal government will implement Business Blaster scheme in its universities and Industrial Training Institutes through Rs 15 crore allocation in budget," she added. The government announced a budget of Rs 8,685 crore for the health sector with Rs 6,215 crore being proposed for hospitals to maintain good facilities. "Under the Delhi government, there are 38 hospitals where treatment is provided free of cost to more than 81,000 OPD patients daily and 65,806 IPD patients monthly," she said. OPD stands for out-patient department, while in-patients department is referred as IPD. There are 530 Mohalla Clinics in Delhi currently, where every day, 64,000 people receive free medicines, tests, and treatment. So far, Mohalla Clinics have conducted more than seven crore OPD visits, she said. 'Farishtey Dilli Ke' scheme has saved the lives of 22,000 people, she shared. The minister announced a budget outlay of Rs 6,216 crore for various schemes under the Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department. The government announced an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore for the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman <keyword id="19955331" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yojana" source="keywords">Yojana</keyword>' for the welfare and empowerment of women from 2024-25. Under this scheme, woman above 18 years of age will get Rs 1,000 per month, she said. For a woman to become eligible under the scheme, she should be a Delhi voter, should not be availing benefits under any other government scheme and should not be an income taxpayer, she said. According to the final electoral roll of Delhi published in January this year, there are 67,30,371 female voters in the national capital. Atishi announced an allocation of Rs 664 crore for all nutrition-related schemes. In 2014-15, the budget for law and justice was Rs 760 crore, she said. "I am delighted to share that by 2024-25, it has increased by nearly four-fold to reach Rs 3,098 crore," she said. The minister announced that in 2024-25, the Delhi government will begin the construction of four court complexes in Rohini, Karkardooma, Shastri Park, and Rouse Avenue. "These will include courtrooms, lawyer chambers, libraries, and modern facilities, totalling 250 new courtrooms. The number of people receiving free legal services through the Delhi State Legal Services Authority was 33,000 in 2016. Last year, this figure increased nearly four-fold, reaching 1.25 lakh," she shared. The finance minister announced an allocation of Rs 902 crore for unauthorised colonies. Talking about the transport sector, she said that Delhi will have over 10,000 buses in its fleet, including 80 per cent electric buses. She announced Rs 7,195 crore for the Delhi Jal Board, Rs 510 crore for induction of electric buses in DTC and cluster buses fleet and Rs 500 crore for Delhi Metro. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-12-5g-with-dimensity-7050-chipset-to-launch-in-india-on-march-6/articleshow/108129873.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/realme-12-5g-with-dimensity-7050-chipset-to-launch-in-india-on-march-6/articleshow/108129873.cms" target="_blank">Realme 12+ 5G with Dimensity 7050 chipset to launch in India on March 6</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/xiaomi-14-to-launch-in-india-on-march-7-to-take-on-the-galaxy-s23-and-oneplus-12/articleshow/107841326.cms" target="_blank">Xiaomi 14 to launch in India on March 7, to take on the Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 12</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-march-2024/slidelist/108095936.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/upcoming-cars-launching-in-india-in-march-2024/slidelist/108095936.cms" target="_blank">Upcoming cars launching in India in March 2024</a>

Delhi govt presents FY25 budget with ₹76,000 crore outlay; to give ₹1,000 per month to every woman

Mumbai, Feb 23 (PTI) Former <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> Speaker Manohar <keyword id="19952829" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="joshi" source="keywords">Joshi</keyword> passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Friday, where he was admitted after suffering a cardiac arrest. Joshi (86) was admitted to <keyword id="20694838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hinduja-hospital" source="keywords">Hinduja Hospital</keyword> in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 21 and passed away early Friday, the private medical facility said. Joshi Sir, as he was popularly known, was the first chief minister of the undivided Shiv Sena and held the post during 1995-1999. He was admitted to the hospital in May last year after suffering a brain haemorrhage. He was also elected as a member of Parliament and was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power. Born on December 2, 1937 in coastal Konkan region of Maharashtra, Joshi obtained his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the prestigious Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) in Mumbai. His political career began with his involvement in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and he later became a member of the Shiv Sena. In the 1980s, Joshi emerged as a key leader within the Shiv Sena, and was known for his organisational skills. He was the Lok Sabha Speaker from 2002 to 2004 when the Vajpayee government was in power. The former Union minister was married to Anagha Joshi, who died in 2020 at the age of 75. He is survived by a son and two daughters. Joshi began his career as a teacher and entered politics in 1967. He was associated with the Shiv Sena for more than four decades. He was a municipal councilor in Mumbai during 1968-70 and Chairman, Standing Committee of the Mumbai municipal corporation in 1970. He was the Mayor of Mumbai during 1976-1977. He was then elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 1972. After serving three terms in the Legislative Council, Joshi was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in 1990 and was the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly during 1990-91. In the 1999 general elections, Joshi won from the Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha Constituency as a Shiv Sena candidate, and was later Union minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. Condoling Joshi's demise, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who was a member of the Maharashtra ministry when the former was the CM, said the state had lost a "cultured face" of politics. Joshi's family said his last rites will be performed at Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar area.

Former Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi passes away at 86

New Delhi, <keyword id="19955404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance" source="keywords">Finance</keyword> Minister Nirmala <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> on Tuesday said the inflation has come down within the tolerance band as a result of the steps taken by the government to check price rise, especially in perishable commodities. Replying to a question in the <keyword id="19895369" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="keywords">Rajya Sabha</keyword>, Sitharaman said Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is working with the government on de-humidification of onions through Gamma Rays to give it a longer shelf life. "The government is seized of the difficulties, which arise due to shortage of perishable goods, which are not grown in <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>. The committee sits and reviews periodically, and the efforts have shown on the ground that inflation is now within the tolerable band," she said. India's retail inflation has declined from an average of 6.8 per cent in April-December 2022 to 5.5 per cent in the corresponding period of 2023. The retail inflation is now stable and within the notified tolerance band of 2 per cent to 6 per cent. The minister said that in order to check the volatility in prices of onion, the government has progressively increased its buffer size from 1 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) in 2020-21 to 7 LMT in 2023-24. As of February 3, 2024, a total of 6.32 LMT of onion was procured, and 3.96 LMT of Grade-A onion was released through retail sales, e-Nam auction and bulk sales. "Currently, steps are being taken so that the preservation of very highly perishable commodities, like onion, can be improved," she said, adding lots of steps have been taken by the government, particularly for meeting the shortage in supply of perishable goods. Sitharaman said India has imported 8.79 lakh metric tonnes of <keyword id="20059821" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tur-dal" source="keywords">Tur Dal</keyword> and 15.14 lakh metric tonnes of Masoor Dal in calendar year 2023. Similarly, the country imported other dals and released them in the market. India has also brought the branded 'Bharat Dal' through which Chana Dal is made available at Rs 60/kg for one kg pack and Rs 55/kg for 30 kg packs. 2.97 lakh metric tonnes of Chana have been sold already as of January 30, 2024. 'Bharat Dal', which is coming at a concessional price, is available in all retail markets. "Since we don't grow enough pulses in the country and due to a shortfall in supply, prices of pulses normally keep fluctuating, for which, by analysing the crop estimates, we start tying up for imports," Sitharaman added. Retail inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), in December 2023, stood at 5.69 per cent.

Inflation within tolerance band; govt taking steps to check price rise: Sitharaman

New Delhi [India], February 1 (ANI): Ahead of the presentation of the interim budget 2024-2025, Union Finance Minister <keyword id="19916618" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirmala-sitharaman" source="keywords">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> arrived at the Ministry of Finance on Thursday. MoS finance Bhagwat Karad and Pankaj Chaudhary also accompanied her to the finance ministry. The Union Finance Minister will table the interim budget as the <keyword id="19895394" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="keywords">Lok Sabha</keyword> polls are due to be held this year. This will be her sixth Budget as the Finance Minister and last in the second term of the Modi government. The interim budget will take care of the financial needs of the intervening period until a government is formed after the Lok Sabha polls. A full budget will be presented by the new government. The Budget Session of Parliament commenced on Wednesday with President Droupadi Murmu addressing a joint sitting of Lok Sabha and <keyword id="19895369" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="keywords">Rajya Sabha</keyword>. <keyword id="19916494" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sitharaman" source="keywords">Sitharaman</keyword> equaled the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who as finance minister, presented five annual budgets and one interim budget between 1959 and 1964. In her address, the President said 2023 was a historic year for the country and among other steps, the country kept up the momentum of being the fastest-growing major economy. "The year 2023 was a historic year for <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword> when it grew the fastest among major economies despite the global crisis. India grew about 7.5 per cent for two consecutive quarters," she said. The last session before Lok Sabha polls, expected to be held in April-May this year, will have a total of eight sittings spread over 10 days. A day before the session was set to start, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, at an all-party meeting, said the budget session would mainly be devoted to the financial business relating to the interim union budget for 2024-25 and discussion on the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address. However, essential legislative and other business may also be taken up during this session. The all-party meeting was attended by 45 leaders from 30 political parties. In addition, he also informed that Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2023-24 in respect of the Union Government will be discussed. The presentation and discussion on the Interim Budget of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2024-25 along with Supplementary Demands for Grants of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for the financial year 2023-24 will also be taken up and voted. The Indian economy is projected to grow close to 7 per cent in the financial year 2024-25 which starts this April, said the Ministry of Finance in a review report. India's economy grew 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22. The Indian economy is expected to grow 7.3 per cent in the current financial year 2023-24, remaining the fastest-growing major economy. The last full Budget of Modi government 2.0 had proposed to increase capital expenditure outlay by 33 per cent to Rs 10 lakh crore in 2023-24, which would be 3.3 percent of the GDP. It was almost three times the outlay in 2019-20. (ANI)

Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Finance Ministry ahead of Budget 2024

New Delhi, Cutting across party lines, <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword> members on Thursday supported the bill to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the <keyword id="197797" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lower-house-of-parliament" source="Orion">Lower House of Parliament</keyword> and state assemblies, even as some opposition members termed it an election gimmick. During the debate in the <keyword id="122785" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="upper-house" source="Orion">Upper House</keyword> on the 128th Constitution Amendment Bill that seeks to reserve a third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, members also highlighted the need to accelerate the process instead of waiting for a fresh census and delimitation exercise. Taking part in the discussion, Elamaram Kareem of CPI(M), while supporting the bill, said the BJP had promised to bring the <keyword id="109340" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="womens-reservation-bill" source="Orion">women's reservation bill</keyword> in 2014 and in 2019 as well but did not take any action. He held the ruling party responsible for women's reservation losing nine years. This is an election gimmick by the BJP after losing elections in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, besides facing defeat in the civic polls in Delhi polls, he said. Citing violence against women in strife-torn Manipur and allegations of sexual harassment by women wrestlers, Kareem alleged the government cared little for women. Ram Nath Thakur of the JD(U) questioned the timing of bringing the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MP K Keshava Rao stressed the need to accelerate the process for women's reservation and said the 2011 Census could be taken as the benchmark. He urged immediate appointment of the delimitation commission. MDMK's Vaiko also echoed similar sentiments. Saroj Pandey of the BJP said it was unfortunate that questions have been raised on the timing and the intent of bringing the bill. As the country celebrates 'Amrit Kaal', this was the ideal moment for such a legislation, she said. Asom Gana Parishad MP Birendra Prasad Baishya noted that the women's reservation bill has come at a "proper time" after failed attempts in the past. JD(S) leader H D Devegowda also supported the bill and recollected steps taken by him for women's reservation while he was the chief minister of Karnataka and also the prime minister. Manoj Jha of the RJD said demanded that the women's reservation bill be referred to a select committee to consider extending similar benefits to Other Backward Classes. V Vijayasai Reddy (YSRCP) also supported the bill and said the reservation for women must also be extended to Rajya Sabha and state legislative councils. KC Venugopal of the <keyword id="1575" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="congress" source="Orion">Congress</keyword> sought immediate implementation of the legislation. He also sought reservation for the OBC women under the bill. Venugopal claimed the <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> government did not make any effort to bring the bill in the last nine years and it is due to the political calculations that the government has brought the legislation now. "Life-transforming legislations should come from the heart and not from the head," he said in the Upper House. Rajani Ashokrao Patil of the Congress and Mausam Noor of the <keyword id="26422" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tmc" source="Orion">TMC</keyword> also supported the bill. Sulata Deo of the BJD, Subhas Chandra Bose Pilli of the YSRCP, Ravichandra Vaddiraju of the BRS and K Ravindra Kumar of the TDP also participated in the discussion. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/motorola-edge-40-neo-launched-in-india-specs-features-and-price/articleshow/103832280.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/motorola-edge-40-neo-launched-in-india-specs-features-and-price/articleshow/103832280.cms" target="_blank">Motorola Edge 40 Neo with with vegan leather back hits the Indian market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/amazfit-cheetah-series-smartwatches-with-ai-powered-running-coach-launched-in-india/articleshow/103836676.cms">A smartwatch in India now offers an AI-powered running coach</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/mohammed-siraj-leads-icc-odi-rankings-kohli-rohit-sharma-and-other-top-ranked-players/slidelist/103828281.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/webstories/mohammed-siraj-leads-icc-odi-rankings-kohli-rohit-sharma-and-other-top-ranked-players/slidelist/103828281.cms" target="_blank">Siraj climbs to No. 1 in ODI ranking ahead of WC: Here are the other Indians in the top-10</a>

Cutting across party lines, Rajya Sabha MPs support women's reservation bill

<ul><li>Four bills including a bill to regulate the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner are part of the legislative business.</li><li>The list includes ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’.</li><li>The announcement of the <keyword id="470217" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="special-session" source="Orion">Special Session</keyword> came as a surprise in political circles</li></ul> Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> said on Monday that this <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword> session may be short in duration but is big on occasion, and is of "historic decisions". He urged all lawmakers to give maximum time to the special session of Parliament. "I urge all members to give maximum time to this special session of Parliament." "This Parliament session may be small in duration but is big on occasion, it is a session of historic developments," he added. In his remarks to the media ahead of the five-day session, Modi highlighted India's Chandrayaan-3 mission, the "unprecedented" success of its G20 presidency, the launch of 'PM Vishwakarma Mission' and inauguration of convention centre Yashobhoomi, asserting that many developments which have inspired the country and filled it with pride have taken place. There is an atmosphere of festivity and enthusiasm, and the country has been filled with renewed self-confidence, he said, asking parliamentarians to give maximum time to the short session. In an apparent reference to frequent protests by opposition members during previous sessions, often leading to disruptions of proceedings, Modi hoped everyone will shed shortcomings and carry the goodness as they move into the new building of Parliament on Ganesh Chaturthi on Tuesday. The Parliament session begins Monday and will end on Friday. On the Parliament's agenda On Sunday, the meeting of all the floor leaders of political parties in the Parliament was attended by various ministers including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is also Leader of the House in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword>, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister V Muraleedharan and 51 leaders from 34 parties. There is a photo session scheduled from 10.00 am to 10.45 am on September 19, 2023, followed by a function in the Central Hall starting at 11.00 am which will be graced by the Vice-President/Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, Speaker, <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword>, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Leader of Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha and the Members of both the Houses of Parliament. After the conclusion of the function in the Central Hall, both Houses will meet in their respective Chambers in the New Parliament House. The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. Bills that may come up Meanwhile, four bills including a bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session. Apart from the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on August 10, the list includes ‘The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023’ and ‘The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023’, already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Advocates Act, 1961, while the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Besides, ‘The Post Office Bill, 2023’ has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. (With text inputs from IANS, PTI and ANI)

PM Modi says Parliament's session may be short but 'big on occasion' — schedule and what's on the agenda

New Delhi [India], September 18 (ANI): The five-day special session of Parliament is all set to begin on Monday during which the parliamentary proceedings will shift from the old to the adjacent new state-of-the-art building on September 19. Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs <keyword id="221548" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pralhad-joshi" source="Orion">Pralhad Joshi</keyword> on Sunday stated that the Session will provide 5 sittings spread over a period of 5 days, besides informing that eight legislative items are likely to be taken up during this session. "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings" will also be discussed. On Sunday, Vice President <keyword id="7889551" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jagdeep-dhankhar" source="Orion">Jagdeep Dhankhar</keyword> hoisted the national flag atop "Gaja Dwar" of the new Parliament building. <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> Speaker Om Birla was also present on the occasion. The Special Session of the Parliament will be held from September 18 to 22. After weeks of no information about the agenda, the government last week announced an agenda that included bills to be taken up for consideration and a discussion on "Parliamentary journey of 75 years starting from Samvidhan Sabha - achievements, experiences, memories and learnings". Earlier, on Sunday, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Joshi requested all parties for active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament. The meeting of all the floor leaders of political parties in the Parliament was attended by various ministers including Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who is also Leader of the House in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword>, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister V Muraleedharan and 51 leaders from 34 parties. Joshi shared with leaders that there would be a photo session from 10.00 am to 10.45 am on September 19, 2023, followed by a function in the Central Hall starting at 11.00 am which will be graced by the Vice-President/Chairman, Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, Speaker, Lok Sabha, Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Leader of Largest Opposition Party in Lok Sabha and the Members of both the Houses of Parliament. After the conclusion of the function in the Central Hall, both Houses will meet in their respective Chambers in the New Parliament House. The announcement of the Special Session came as a surprise in political circles with the parties gearing up for assembly polls in five states later this year. Meanwhile, four bills including a bill to regulate the appointment, conditions of service, and term of office of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners are part of the legislative business of the government for the session. Apart from the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Bill, introduced in Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon session on August 10, the list includes 'The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023' and 'The Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023', already passed by Rajya Sabha on August 3. The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Advocates Act, 1961, while the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023 repeals the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Besides, 'The Post Office Bill, 2023' has also been listed in the Lok Sabha business. The bill was earlier introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2023 and it repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898. (ANI)

Special session of Parliament set to begin today

A parliamentary committee has recommended setting up population-based cancer registries in rural areas to help data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation. It has also suggested raising taxes on tobacco products citing that increasing their market price would make them less affordable. This will result in lower consumption and decrease the risk of tobacco-related diseases, including cancer, the panel said. The <keyword id="46535" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="Orion">health ministry</keyword> must pursue with the Department of Revenue to expedite the decision on raising taxes on tobacco products, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare said in its 147th report. It was presented in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword> on Friday. It said for better policy formulation on cancer treatment and uniform distribution of cancer care, there is an urgent need to have realistic information about the incidence and type of cancers across the country. The committee said that the health ministry should take appropriate steps to persuade state governments to participate in the formulation of the cancer atlas so that the entire Indian population is covered under Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs). This will help in data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation, it said. It suggested that PBCRs can be linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to record data of cancer patients to get real-time information on cancer-related illnesses. "The committee has taken note that currently PBCRs cover 16 per cent of the Indian population only. Therefore, it is quite necessary that the National Cancer Registry Programme cover the population of India extensively, in order to have a unified national database for scientific understanding of epidemiology of cancer," the report said. Stressing a robust screening mechanism for cancer, the committee suggested that one day in a month can be fixed for cancer screening. While appreciating the government's impetus on an institutional framework for cancer care and management and financial support for combating cancer, the committee said cancer must be dealt with separately instead of being a part of other lifestyle and non-communicable diseases. It recommended the demerger of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) from the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to have a better focus on screening, early diagnosis and management of cancer. In its report, the committee said that in all the leftover districts Non-Communicable Diseases (<keyword id="131571" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncd" source="Orion">NCD</keyword>) clinics should be set up at the earliest and more healthcare professionals be trained for screening of common cancer. The panel highlighted that adequate human resource in cancer centres is crucial for their complete operationalisation and recommended setting up subsidised or free accommodation for patients and their relatives near cancer hospitals. The National Health Authority (<keyword id="672062" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nha" source="Orion">NHA</keyword>) should consider including all types of cancer diagnostic tests under the Ayushman Bharat <keyword id="6524177" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pradhan-mantri" source="Orion">Pradhan Mantri</keyword> Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), it said. It appreciated that in compliance with the committee's recommendations, the NHA has approved the inclusion of diagnostic tests under the AB-PMJAY with respect to breast, cervical and oral cancer. The committee noted that the health ministry has set up the e-Sanjivini Ayushman Bharat-Health Wellness Centre (AB-HWC), where doctor-to-doctor telemedicine services can be delivered through the hub and spoke model. It recommended that this model should be strengthened so that the opinions of experts can be provided to cancer patients in isolated and backward areas. The ministry should instruct National Cancer Grid (<keyword id="1502308" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncg" source="Orion">NCG</keyword>) officials to explore group negotiation of commonly used high-value cancer drugs with pharmaceutical companies through a transparent central tendering platform to have substantial discounts on cancer drugs. Since the mandate of the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority is to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices, the committee reiterated that the pricing of cancer drugs should not be guided by profit as in the case of the other businesses. If it is not possible to reduce the profit margin of such drugs, the government may subsidise it, it said in its report. "The committee feels that the submission made by the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceutical, before the committee that over a period of about eight years or so the actual price increase in the drugs had been only between two to four per cent, does not mean that each manufacturer keeps the price of the drug below 10 per cent, as the mechanism permits them to make the hike up to 10 per cent," the report said. The committee said the government should rationalise the annual price hike limit of cancer drugs from 10 to five per cent in order to rescue poor cancer patients. It also suggested the ministry look at subsidising the healthcare cost for cancer patients and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity. The ministry should take the matter on board immediately and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity so that patients can get some relief from bearing the high cost of the service, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank">India puts curbs on laptop and tablet imports – here’s how it could impact you</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone market sees a declines in Q2; Vivo in the lead</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-recover-in-july-2023/articleshow/102347978.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales recover after spending June in the pitlane</a>

Parliamentary panel recommends setting up of population-based cancer registries in rural areas

New Delhi, The Congress on Wednesday gave a notice on moving a <keyword id="394128" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="no-confidence-motion" source="Orion">no-confidence motion</keyword> against the Narendra Modi-led central government in the <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> over the <keyword id="6359754" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="manipur" source="Orion">Manipur</keyword> issue.Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi will move the motion, party's whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore told PTI. Although the decision to move the no-confidence motion is that of the united opposition, Gogoi, who is an MP from Assam, will move the motion, he said. "The INDIA alliance is together and this is the idea of the INDIA alliance. Congress party's leader will be moving the motion. We feel that it is our duty to use this last weapon to break the arrogance of the government and make them speak on Manipur," Tagore asserted. He said the notice for the motion was submitted in the Speaker's office at 9.20 am on Wednesday. Meanwhile, BRS MP Nama Nageshwar Rao also submitted a notice to move a no-confidence motion against the Union Council of Ministers. The K Chandrashekar Rao-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is not a part of the INDIA alliance. The alliance of 26 opposition parties, INDIA, had decided to move the motion in order to make Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> speak in Parliament on the Manipur violence, senior leaders of the front said. The Congress earlier also issued a whip in the Lower House of Parliament for its members to be present in its parliamentary office by 10.30 am on Wednesday to "discuss some important issues". Although the no-confidence motion by opposition parties is bound to fail the numbers test, opposition parties argue that they will win the battle of perception by cornering the government on the Manipur issue during the debate. They contend that it is also a strategy to make the prime minister speak in Parliament on the crucial matter even as the government has been insisting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reply to the debate on the Manipur situation. Earlier in the day, the opposition parties met at the chamber of the Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out the future course of action.

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