Is Bihar's voter rolls revision justified or politically motivated?
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Mint
20 minutes ago
- Mint
Siddaramaiah rejects BJP's Rahul Gandhi ‘humiliated' Karnataka CM claim: 'My primary work in Delhi was...'
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah refuted BJP leader Amit Malviya's allegation that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had 'humiliated' him by denying a meeting. Malviya earlier claimed that Gandhi 'humiliated' Siddaramaiah by denying an appointment the latter had sought. Siddaramaiah took to X late Friday to inform that his primary purpose in Delhi was to discuss Mysuru's Dasara Air Show with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. "My primary work in Delhi was to meet Defence Minister Shri @rajnathsingh to discuss the Air Show during Dasara in Mysuru. Shri @RahulGandhi has immense affection for the people of Karnataka," Siddaramaiah said in a post on X. 'He always remembers how Smt Indira Gandhi and Smt Sonia Gandhi were elected from Karnataka, and how the state has stood by the Congress at every critical juncture,' Siddaramaiah said. He added, 'The Gandhi Family, including Shri Rahul Gandhi, remain deeply indebted to the love showered by the people of Karnataka, and our AICC President Shri Mallikarjun @kharge is a proud Kannadiga.' The Chief Minister also accused the BJP of betraying Kannadigas by denying Central funds. "While Shri Rahul Gandhi remains committed to bringing positive, transformative change in Karnataka, the @BJP4India has betrayed Kannadigas by denying the funds we rightfully deserve. Even when Karnataka suffered devastating floods, the Prime Minister @narendramodi did not utter a word," he said. He also alleged that the BJP MPs from Karnataka do not have the spine to stand up to PM Modi for the rights of Kannadigas. "@BJP4KarnatakaMPs do not have the spine to stand up to Narendra Modi for the rights of Kannadigas. For Modi, Karnataka exists only during elections; for Congress, Karnataka's welfare is a daily commitment," he said. Earlier in a post on X, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Rahul Gandhi of humiliating Siddaramaiah by denying an appointment the latter had sought. "Humiliation in Delhi for Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah! He travelled all the way to the capital, only to be denied an appointment by Rahul Gandhi--and has now returned without even a meeting," Malviya said in the post. "This isn't the first time a Gandhi has insulted a senior leader from Karnataka. History remembers how Rajiv Gandhi unceremoniously sacked an ailing Veerendra Patil, triggering the Congress's downfall in the state. Now, a weakened Siddaramaiah is forced to hide behind the very man plotting against him--DK Shivakumar, who is eagerly waiting to take his chair. The Congress, and the Gandhis in particular, have always treated Kannadigas with disdain. This is just the latest example," he added. Siddaramaiah had dismissed speculation about a change in the state's leadership, asserting that there has been no discussion with the Congress high command about the change. "How many times do I tell you, it (speculations around Karnataka CM post) was not discussed at all? This issue was not discussed at all with the high command," Siddaramaiah said on Friday.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Shut outsourced Aadhaar centres: L-G to Delhi govt
Raising concern over Aadhaar cards being apparently issued to unauthorised foreign nationals in the Capital, Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena on Friday directed chief secretary Dharmendra to take 'urgent steps' to plug systemic loopholes and tighten regulatory oversight. Delhi LG VK Saxena. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo) The move follows inputs from central intelligence agencies indicating that illegal immigrants have been able to secure Aadhaar numbers – often through misrepresentation or forged documents – allowing them access to citizenship-linked documents, and government welfare schemes, among others, said a note by the LG secretariat. In it, Saxena instructed officials to shut down outsourced Aadhaar enrolment services and shift entirely to an in-house model 'within two months', in a bid to tighten accountability and reduce fraud. 'This has been brought to the attention of the LG that during the course of security review meetings, several instances have come to light where illegal immigrants managed to obtain Aadhaar cards on the basis of false documentation or misrepresentation. This has a cascading impact wherein such individuals are able to secure documents that establish nationality, i.e., passports and voter ID cards,' the note said. Officials in the LG's office further pointed out that with Aadhaar as the foundational identity document, illegally residing foreigners were also able to gain employment, open bank accounts, receive rations, and avail of housing and health schemes – placing additional pressure on local infrastructure and depriving rightful residents of benefits. To be sure, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which oversees the Aadhaar system, has maintained that Aadhaar is not a proof of citizenship. Further, under current rules, foreign nationals residing legally in India for more than 182 days a year are eligible for Aadhaar – which serves as a proof of residence. The problem, officials said, lies in enforcement and verification. 'The situation has become alarming, with recent reports pointing to organised syndicates facilitating such fraud. Apart from posing a threat to national security, it aggravates socio-economic tensions by depressing wages and increasing competition in the unorganised sector,' said a senior official in the LG secretariat. According to the LG's directive, the chief secretary must submit a comprehensive report on all Aadhaar enrolment centres in the city by July 15. The aim is to identify and shut down centres that may be complicit or negligent in vetting applicants' credentials. Registrars overseeing Aadhaar issuance in Delhi have also been instructed to transition out of the outsourced model and establish in-house Aadhaar services run by government personnel. 'The outsourced model has clearly failed to ensure accountability. Vendors are not adequately trained or incentivised to vet applicants properly. Many are focused on numbers, not legitimacy,' said a Delhi government official aware of the developments. The letter further directs that Aadhaar enrolment of foreign nationals be permitted only after rigorous verification of legal status and supporting documentation. Officials have been told to scrutinise every proof of residency and visa document submitted during enrolment. Officials cited above said that this directive comes at a time when the presence of illegal immigrants—particularly from Bangladesh, Myanmar (especially Rohingya), and some African nations —has become a recurring security and civic concern in the Capital. In recent years, Delhi Police and central agencies have routinely detained foreign nationals they suspect are staying in India illegally, often discovering that many were in possession of Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards. The problem, several officials said, is rooted in the breakdown of enforcement at the ground level. In March this year, the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) issued an advisory to all states and UTs, directing them to prevent Aadhaar cards from being issued to foreign nationals without valid long-term visas or residency permits. Supreme Court advocate Amarendra Choudhary said that tightening the formalities to enrol for an Aadhaar has both pros and cons. 'Certainly, it'll restrict the illegally staying foreigners from getting a proof to open bank accounts and PAN cards. But at the same time, it will create difficulties for bona fide Indian citizens due to many layers of verification. If Aadhaar was originally meant to serve only as a proof of identity, not as proof of citizenship, why is the government putting extra layer of security during updates? Is it different from unique identification numbers issued to Indians working abroad,' he asked.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Key bills to revive bullock cart race, setting up of 2 pvt varsities passed
Chandigarh: The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday passed several important Bills, including one that will lead to the setting up of two new private universities, besides clearing amendments related to labour welfare, commercial establishments and animal rights. The amendments to the state's animal welfare law paves the way for the return of the traditional bullock cart race at the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Thursday passed several important Bills, including one that will lead to the setting up of two new private universities, besides clearing amendments related to labour welfare, commercial establishments and animal rights. The amendments to the state's animal welfare law paves the way for the return of the traditional bullock cart race at the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics. The assembly passed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill that not only introduces stricter penalties for animal cruelty but also allows the resumption of traditional sports involving animals, subject to regulation. The amendment enables the revival of the bullock cart race during the annual Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, a celebrated sporting festival in Punjab that showcases rural strength and heritage. The bullock cart race had been discontinued following a Supreme Court ban amid animal welfare concerns. The amended law brings clarity by allowing such cultural sports under a regulated framework that ensures animal safety and ethical treatment, drawing parallels from similar permissions granted for traditional sports like Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann defended the move to revive the traditional bullock cart race, saying those who participate in such races treat their bullocks like family, nourishing them 'like their own sons', drawing a parallel with Tamil Nadu's Jallikattu, Mann argued that these cultural sports are rooted in tradition and deserve recognition. 'We have added strict conditions in the Bill — no cruelty or force will be allowed on animals during the races,' Mann said. He recited couplets of Punjabi poet Sant Ram Udasi to underscore the cultural significance of the move, saying the Bill is aimed at promoting the rural ethos of Punjab. 'This legislation isn't just for Kila Raipur, it will open the doors for such traditional races across the state,' Mann said. The House also approved the Rayat Bahra Professional University Bill and the CGC University Bill, allowing the establishment of the two new private universities. Rayat Bahra Professional University will come up in Hoshiarpur, and CGC University will be set up in Mohali. The Bills, introduced by state higher education minister Harjot Singh Bains, were earlier cleared by the cabinet. These institutions will promote private participation in higher education and focus on technical and professional courses under a regulated framework, ensuring compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms. Speaking on the issue, Sultanpur Lodhi Independent MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh said instead of promoting the private sector, government-run universities should be opened. He demanded a university to be set up at Jabbowal village, where a structure has already been built by the higher education department, in his constituency. Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond introduced the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Punjab Labour Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which were unanimously passed by the members of the Vidhan Sabha. Sond said these Bills will promote ease of doing business and reduce compliance burden on small enterprises. All establishments employing up to 20 workers will be exempted from all the provisions of the Act. However all such establishments will have to give information to the inspector within six months of coming into force of the act or start of business. To improve the overall earning of the employees. The overtime in a quarter is being increased from 50 hours to 144 hours. Accordingly the spread over the period of work in a day has been increased from 10 hours to 12 hours which includes an interval for rest. However, overtime at double the rate will have to be paid for hours beyond 9 hours a day and 48 hours a week. All bills were passed with a majority voice vote with Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan presiding over the session.
