Latest news with #LoP
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mandi flash flood: Jai Ram Thakur meets PM Modi, seeks concessions in Forest Conservation Act, relief package to resettle displaced families
Himachal Pradesh Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jai Ram Thakur Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged for concessions under the Forest Conservation Act so that displaced families in Mandi, the worst-hit district in the recent flash floods, can be resettled safely on alternative land. The former chief minister also urged PM Modi to provide an area-specific relief package for rehabilitation and reconstruction, and sought to initiate a study to examine the root causes of recurring natural disasters in the state, in a bid to mitigate future losses. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also been urging the Centre to relax rules and regulations under the Forest Conservation Act to rehabilitate the displaced families on forest land. The 1980 Act aims to regulate and restrict the de-reservation and use of forest land for non-forest purposes. It mandates prior approval from the central government for any relaxation in the rule. During Monday's meeting, which lasted around an hour, Thakur, who represents the Seraj Assembly constituency in Mandi, briefed PM Modi on the overall devastation caused by recent natural disasters in various parts of Himachal Pradesh. He said the PM took detailed stock of the damage and assured full support for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. Thakur said he informed PM Modi that people had not only lost their homes but also their land, leaving them with nowhere to rebuild amid a disaster that caused losses exceeding Rs 1,200 crore across the state. Damages worth over Rs 1,000 crore were reported in Seraj constituency alone, he added. On the night of June 30, 42 lives were lost in Seraj, Karsog, and Nachan following flash floods triggered by the cloudburst in Mandi, with Seraj alone accounting for 29 deaths. Over 500 homes were completely washed away, while another 1,000 houses sustained major damages. Thakur added that heavy damage was also reported in Nachan, Karsog, and Dharampur, where Syathi village was completely razed.
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
West Bengal's 2002 SIR electoral roll appears on CEO site amidst speculations of fresh voter list revision
Amid speculations of a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted for West Bengal's electoral roll, the 2002 voters' list of some districts has been made available online on the website of the State's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). Reportedly, the last SIR of the voters' list in West Bengal was conducted in 2002. Bihar SIR row hearing LIVE: SC not to stop the publication of draft roll on August 1 This development assumes significance considering that in Bihar, the last SIR was conducted in 2003 and the electoral roll of that year has been kept as a reference point for the submission of identification documents for the SIR of 2025. 'The ease of availability of 2003 Electoral Rolls of Bihar, would hugely facilitate the ongoing SIR in Bihar as now nearly 60% of the total electorate, would not have to submit any documents,' a release on the Election Commission of India dated June 30 reads. Speculations around an SIR in West Bengal further intensified in political circles after Saturday (July 26, 2025), when a Presidency Division Level Training Programme was conducted at Kolkata's Nazrul Mancha for Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Supervisors and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of Howrah, Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas. In the training materials handed out to the participants, a passage on 'duties of BLO in SIR' mentioned carrying enumeration forms with printed details of existing electors, ID cards, and a stationery kit bag labelled Special Intensive Revision. 'Every BLO has to conduct one SIR in their lifetime. SIRs have been conducted many times in the past. It was carried out between 1952 and 2004. The training session held today does not indicate SIR,' the CEO, however, said to local presspersons on Saturday (July 26, 2025), adding that the ECI will notify if an SIR is to be conducted in the State. Meanwhile, on Monday (July 28, 2025), Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, at an administrative meeting at West Bengal's Birbhum district, asked district authorities to ensure 'no one is harassed and genuine voters are not removed in the name of voter list revision.' 'In case of voters' lists, please see to it that people do not get harassed. Genuine voters should not be harassed. And, if you receive any instructions, please inform the Chief Secretary, and if needed, me. You are taking random decisions without informing us… this has never happened,' the Chief Minister told district authorities at Gitanjali Auditorium in Birbhum's Bolpur. LoP alleges mass issuance of domicile certificates, voter registration forms Leader of Opposition (LoP) of West Bengal Legislative Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Monday (July 28, 2025) took to X sharing his letter to the Chief Election Commissioner of India about the alleged issuance and submission of thousands of voter registration forms and domicile certificates, allegedly in districts adjacent to the India-Bangladesh border such as North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Malda, Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur, and Coochbehar districts. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA alleged in his letter dated July 26, 2025, that these applications may involve Rohingya Muslims and illegal Bangladeshi immigrants, 'potentially supported by the directive to issue Domicile Certificates to facilitate their enrollment in voter lists.' 'The directive for the issuance of Domicile Certificates coincides with an alarming increase in the filing of form-6 applications for voter registration, particularly in these border districts, which is a clear cut attempt to dilute the prospective SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal, if held in West Bengal,' Mr. Adhikari wrote in the letter. He also urged the West Bengal CEO, District Election Officers (DEOs), and other authorities concerned not to consider or accept any Domicile Certificates issued on or after July 25, 2025, during the SIR of West Bengal's electoral rolls, if conducted by the ECI.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Should Tell Us…: Congress President Kharge On Jagdeep Dhankhars Resignation As Vice President
Congress President and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, on Sunday said he was unaware of the reason behind Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's sudden resignation. He added that the details of the resignation were a matter between Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ANI quoted Kharge as saying, "I don't know anything because he was always in favour of the government. He should tell us what happened, because he never allowed us to discuss issues related to farmers, the poor, and foreign policy issues." "When we raised issues related to the poor, atrocities on women and Dalits, and whenever we raised Hindu-Muslim issues, he never allowed us, even though we gave notices. What happened and why he resigned is between him and PM Modi. They must tell," the senior Congress leader added. Jgadeep Dhankhar's Resignation Earlier this week, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President of India 'to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice.' Dhankhar, who was also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu. 'To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution," the letter said. "I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure,' his resignation read. The resignation came after the conclusion of the first day of the Parliament's 2025 monsoon session.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Udit Raj compares Rahul Gandhi to Babasaheb Ambedkar
Congress leader Udit Raj on Saturday said that Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the "second Ambedkar" for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) if they listen to what he said during the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan. Raj compared Rahul Gandhi to Babasaheb Ambedkar and said that the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) must support the statements made by the LoP. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Leadership Product Management Project Management MBA Management Healthcare PGDM Finance Digital Marketing Data Science Cybersecurity Data Science Others Operations Management CXO Technology Design Thinking MCA healthcare Degree Artificial Intelligence Public Policy others Data Analytics Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Indore Executive Programme in Business Management Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK CEO Programme India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 22 Weeks Indian School of Business SEPO - ISB Venture Capital & Private Equity India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Accounting & Analysis Financial Instruments & Markets Corporate Finance & Valuation Investment Management & Banking Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode IIMK Professional Certificate in Financial Analysis and Financial Management Starts on Mar 30, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Weeks IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK EPIS Async India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Opportunities & Outlining Plans to use AI & ML Applying Data-Driven Business Innovation Best Practices Changing Culture to Integrate AI-Enabled Technologies Ethics, Privacy and Regulations in AI & ML Duration: 20 Weeks Indian School of Business ISB Leadership in AI Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Senior Management Programme Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML SLP India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 12 Months IIM Kozhikode Advanced Strategic Management Programme Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK-Women Leadership Programme INDIA Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Critical Thinking & Decision-Making Skills Power of Emerging Technologies Innovation and Drive Organizational Change Fostering a Culture of Innovation Duration: 9 Months MIT xPRO MIT Technology Leadership and Innovation Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 18 Weeks 109820388 Strategic Marketing for Leaders: Leveraging AI for Growth Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Strategic Thinking & Planning Competitive Advantage & Market Positioning Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making Change Management & Organizational Transformation Duration: 1 Year IIM Kozhikode IIMK Advanced Strategic Management Programme Starts on Mar 30, 2024 Get Details " Caste census in Telangana is an X-ray of society. Rahul Gandhi aims to replicate it nationwide. His views are visionary. If Dalits and backward classes come forward, our economy will boost. The inequality that prevails in society will be reduced. If OBC understands what Rahul Gandhi said, he will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them," Raj told ANI. "OBCs will have to think that history does not give opportunities for progress again and again. They should follow and support what Rahul Gandhi said in the Talkatora Stadium conference. If they do so, then Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them," Raj posted on X. On Friday, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake, and said he was determined to correct it. Live Events Speaking at the 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' of OBC at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, he said he failed to understand the issues of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community earlier, unlike those of Dalits, tribals, and women, where he claimed the Congress had done commendable work. "I think about my work, where I did well and where I fell short, and I see two to three things. Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill, and Niyamgiri struggle -- all these things I did well. As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work," he said. "One shortcoming remained in the Congress Party and my work, I didn't protect the OBC community the way I should have. The reason is that I didn't deeply understand the OBC issues at that time. Ten to fifteen years ago, I understood the difficulties faced by Dalits. Their issues are visible, they are easily understood, but the problems of OBCs remain hidden. If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct," he said, adding that in a way, it's good that it happened, because if I had conducted a caste-based census back then, it wouldn't have been like it is today. He added that Dalits, backwards classes, tribals, and minorities make up 90 per cent of the country's population, yet remain excluded from key decision-making processes, including the Union Budget. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday reiterated the party's demand for a nationwide caste-based census and the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations. He also launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi , accusing him of denying rights to backward communities and misleading the country. "I am happy that a large number of people have gathered here and they understand their rights. Conducting a caste-based census in the country and abolishing the 50 per cent reservation limit is our demand. Narendra Modi does not want to give reservations to those who are educationally backwards, but we stand with them," Kharge said. He stressed that the voice of the OBC community will only be heard when they are elected to power.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
‘Rahul Gandhi always understands things too late': Shivraj Singh Chouhan on OBC remarks row
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, stating that his recent apology regarding the caste census was merely a delayed realisation after years of the party undermining the welfare of Other Backwards Classes (OBCs). Chouhan's remarks came a day after LoP Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' organised for the OBC community, admitted that not conducting a caste census earlier was his mistake. LoP Rahul Gandhi had said, "I regret that if I had known more about your history and issues, I would have got the caste census conducted. That is my mistake and not that of Congress. I am going to correct that mistake now." Responding to the statement, Chouhan told reporters, "Rahul Gandhi always understands things too late. First, he apologised for the Emergency, then for the 1984 Sikh riots, and now to the OBC community. But what has Congress ever done for the OBCs?" "Let them answer who shelved the Mandal Commission report. Congress has consistently suppressed efforts for OBC welfare, and then issued apologies after the damage is done," he said. The Union Minister added, "He (Rahul Gandhi) even apologised over Rafale. And mark my words -- ten years from now, Rahul Gandhi will be apologising again for what he's doing today. Apology seems to be his destiny." On the occasion of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Chouhan also paid heartfelt tributes to the Indian Armed Forces, hailing their bravery and sacrifice during the 1999 Kargil conflict. "I bow to the bravery of our soldiers. Their courage deserves reverence. If we fail to honour these heroes, we diminish the very essence of heroism. I salute those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Kargil conflict," he said. Taking a dig at the Congress party, Chouhan said, "During the UPA regime, the Congress never commemorated Kargil Vijay Diwas. One of their MPs even remarked that the war was fought under an NDA government -- as if wars belong to governments, not nations. I ask them: Is any war ever the property of a political party, or is it a matter of national defence?" He went on to accuse Congress of undermining the success of Operation Sindoor. "Their mindset borders on anti-national. In opposing the Prime Minister, they have begun opposing the country itself. They echo Pakistan's narrative -- Pakistan even cites their statements as examples on global platforms. But we stand humbled before the valour of our armed forces," Chouhan said.
