Latest news with #K.C.Venugopal
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Relief for democracy', says Congress on Supreme Court's suggestion on voter list revision in Bihar
The Congress on Thursday (July 10, 2025) said the Supreme Court's suggestion that the Election Commission (EC) should allow Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards and ration cards in the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar has come as a "relief for democracy" and is a "significant advance" in the case. Congress general secretary (organisation), K.C. Venugopal pointed out that the apex court will hear the case again later this month, while expressing hope that the EC will go with the court's suggestion. "Basically, it is a relief for democracy. The case is again fixed for the 28th of this month," Mr. Venugopal told reporters, when asked about the Supreme Court's suggestion. He said the court asking the EC to allow Aadhaar cards, ration cards and voter ID cards for the identification of voters during the special exercise was in itself a big thing. "That itself is the biggest thing coming from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has given its view through that to ensure that Aadhaar cards, ration cards and election ID cards should be part of a verification process in a democratic set up. I think the EC will go with that suggestion of the Supreme Court. Let us wait for that," the Congress leader said. Senior spokesperson of the party Abhishek Singhvi, who is the lead counsel in the Supreme Court for eight political parties as also for Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra and the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in the matter, said he would not elaborate on the merits of the case as it was sub-judice. "Suffice it to say that after extensive arguments, the Supreme Court has clearly suggested that three documents, namely Aadhaar, voter ID and ration cards, be also considered by the EC in the process of enumeration. Hitherto they were alleged by us to be excluded all over Bihar. "This is a significant advance. All other merits remain open and time for reply and rejoinder has been given till the end of July," he said. On the main issue, Mr. Singhvi said their contentions were significant and would be considered by the court on a later date. "Those contentions include the important point that for the first time, the presumption of eligibility and valid voter registration has been reversed by the EC by putting all electors already existing on the rolls after 2003 in a state of suspended animation, unless they prove the validity of their status," he noted. The Congress leader said furthermore, it was argued in the court that the status was to be proved principally by a recourse to the birth certificates either of the person concerned or of any or both parents. "It was also argued that on citizenship issues and determination thereof, the EC had no jurisdiction. These and other substantive points will be considered by the court on the next date of hearing after the pleadings are complete. It is an ongoing sub-judice exercise," Mr. Singhvi said. The apex court on Thursday (July 10, 2025) allowed the EC to continue with its SIR of the electoral rolls in Bihar, calling it a "constitutional mandate". A Bench of Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Joymalya Bagchi, however, questioned the timing of the move, besides offering its prima facie view that Aadhaar cards, voter ID cards and ration cards could be considered during the exercise.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Won't allow ‘sinister exercise' of poll roll revision in Bihar, says Congress
Alleging that the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Bihar is a 'sinister exercise,' the Congress on Friday (July 4, 2025) said it would not 'let this go through'. 'This government specialises in giving people hell. The SIR is a sinister exercise to deprive lakhs of voters of their franchise. The unnecessary haste, and their absolute refusal to address genuine concerns raised by the Opposition, point to there being a clear effort to destroy the electoral system in Bihar,' Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal said in a X post. His post was accompanied by a news report, stating that several registered voters were unable to furnish additional documents that the Election Commission (EC) officials have asked for the SIR. 'We will not let this go through. They must halt this ridiculous exercise immediately,' Mr. Venugopal added. The INDIA bloc has already met the EC to express its reservation against the SIR of Bihar electoral rolls ahead of the Assembly polls. Editorial | Careful curation: On Bihar's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls The party is now exploring legal option, including that of moving the Supreme Court to halt the exercise. The INDIA bloc's argument is that the electoral revision could weed out 20% of State's population, who migrate for work outside Bihar.
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Govt. hospitals turning into killing centres: Venugopal
Launching a scathing attack on the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, MP, has said that government hospitals in the State have turned into ' killing centres' owing to an acute shortage of medicines, surgical equipment, and staff. Speaking at a dharna organised by the Kannur District Congress Committee here, he alleged that the Health sector was crumbling due to the government's apathy and financial mismanagement. 'Government hospitals, the lifeline of the common man, are being systematically demolished to benefit the private lobby,' Mr. Venugopal said. He cited the example of Dr. Harris Hasan, who publicly disclosed delays in surgeries at a government medical college hospital because of a shortage of equipment. 'Many other doctors share his view but fear government reprisal,' he said, accusing the Chief Minister of silencing critics. He attributed the crisis to the government's 'financial mismanagement' and said that it owed nearly ₹1,000 crore to pharmaceutical companies and had racked up arrears across schemes like Karunya. 'Is this the so-called Kerala model?' he asked, accusing the Finance Minister of hiding true figures and slashing the Health budget. Highlighting reports of corruption and malpractice, including the PPE kit scam during COVID-19, Mr. Venugopal said that even life-saving drugs were unavailable. Doctors are forced to ask patients to buy basic tools for treatment, he added. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph echoed Mr. Venugopal's views, saying that the Health Minister, who blamed the system without fixing it, had no right to stay in office. He said the Health Minister had initially rejected Dr. Hasan's claims, but later backtracked due to public outrage. 'Doctors are forced to protest even on Doctor's Day. That's how bad things have become,' he said, announcing a UDF-appointed Commission to study the crisis and hold a medical conclave.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
K.C. Venugopal slams RSS, Union Ministers over call to drop ‘secular' and ‘socialist' from Preamble
All India Congress Committee general secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP, has slammed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Union Ministers for suggesting the removal of the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Preamble of the Constitution. Speaking to media persons in Alappuzha on Saturday, Mr. Venugopal said the RSS-BJP agenda to amend the Constitution would not be allowed to succeed. 'There is a conspiracy. After all, the BJP came to power by creating confusion and doubt among the people. Union Ministers have said that secularism and socialism are unnecessary. This amounts to a violation of the Constitution,' he said. The Congress leader said the RSS was evoking memories of the Emergency to push for Constitutional amendments. 'Even the word socialism seems to scare them. The claim that the RSS stands for the Hindu community is false. We will not allow secularism and socialism to be removed. We will resist any such move, including in Parliament,' Mr. Venugopal said. RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has suggested removing the words 'secular' and 'socialist' from the Preamble. Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jitendra Singh later threw their weight behind the idea. Earlier, inaugurating the Youth Congress training camp in Alappuzha, he called for strengthening the organisation from the grassroots. 'Good leadership is not enough. The foundation should be strong. We need to strengthen the foundation of the organisation to move forward,' Mr. Venugopal said.
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
K.C. Venugopal calls for climate-responsive approach in NH construction
A Climate-responsive design should be incorporated into national highway construction and a high-level team with technical expertise should review the ongoing works, K.C. Venugopal, MP, has said. Speaking at a meeting of the Alappuzha District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee to review the progress of Central government-sponsored schemes at the Collectorate conference hall on Saturday, Mr. Venugopal said that proper soil testing should be conducted for national highway construction in the district. He directed the National Highways Authority of India to install proper drainage system, adequate lighting and proper signboards to reduce accidents. 'Immediate steps should be taken to address waterlogging along the roadside. Measures should also be taken to expedite the strengthening of parallel roads to the Aroor–Thuravoor stretch of National Highway 66,' the Alappuzha MP said. He said the Aroor-Thuravoor stretch was experiencing traffic blocks lasting up to four hours. 'Authorities should not continue to test the public's patience. The project should proceed only after ensuring safety and taking into account the difficulties faced by daily commuters and residents living along the highway,' the MP said. Mr. Venugopal directed officials to initiate steps to resolve drinking issues in the district. He reviewed the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission. Delays in providing new connections under the scheme are unacceptable, he said. The MP stressed the need to ensure the safety of food served in schools and anganwadis. 'Counselling facilities should be made available to students in all schools. For this, a dedicated room must be set up, and confidentiality should be maintained,' he said. The meeting observed that Alappuzha has made significant progress in implementing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Around ₹440 crore is disbursed annually as wages through the scheme in the district. 'There is no other scheme as effective in addressing unemployment. Its benefits should be fully utilised,' Mr. Venugopal said. The meeting discussed 68 schemes being implemented by 26 Central government departments. District Collector Alex Varghese, Alappuzha municipal chairperson K.K. Jayamma and others attended the meeting.
