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The Print
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Digital India achievements: Scindia fires data salvo to counter Kharge on X
'Mr. @Kharge , let me offer a simple suggestion: try a basic web search for 'telecom scams in India.' What you'll find is a list featuring Congress/UPA-led crony capitalism at its best!' he said. Scindia suggested to Kharge to go check on the web for telecom scams in India which will show activities related to the UPA regime while the present regime is recognised with leadership in technology. New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unleashed a string of data, ranging from BSNL's consecutive profit after 18 years to connecting over 2 lakh gram panchayats with broadband, on social media platform X to counter claims of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on the Digital India programme. The minister said that at present when the world looks at India as a global leader in telecom, 5G, and satellite connectivity, it is the Modi government that made it possible, not by doing favours, but by doing reforms and 'undoing the mess of the Grand Old Party. 'The Congress' contribution to Digital India has been very clear which is to Scam India and leaving behind a legacy steeped in kleptocracy and institutionalised corruption,' Scindia said. Kharge had alleged that false claims have been made by the ruling government citing several instances, including coverage of villages aimed at under the Bharatnet project, abysmal performance of BSNL despite a financial package of over Rs 3 lakh crore, rise in cyber crimes, weakening of RTI by Data Protection Law in works. Countering Kharge's allegations, Scindia said that BharatNet is still ongoing and 2.12 lakh Gram Panchayats have already been connected compared to just 58 gram panchayats that were connected under the 10 years of the UPA regime. He said that when the UPA left office, BSNL was on critical life support — marred by the 2G scam, starved of investment, and systematically sabotaged. 'Today, thanks to targeted reforms and indigenous innovation under PM Modi's leadership, we revived Bharat's national telecom sovereignty. BSNL posted consecutive quarterly net profits, Rs 262 crore in the third quarter and Rs 280 crore in the fourth quarter of FY 2024–2025; first time after 2007 after 18 years!' the minister said. He said with operating profit growing to Rs 5,395 crore in FY2024-25, BSNL has deployed over 90,100 4G towers that are powered by Atmanirbhar Made-in-India technology. 'The Modi Government invested over Rs 3.2 lakh crore, not as a bailout, but to revive a critical national asset that your party nearly killed. Moreover, India has had the fastest rollout of 5G in the world, where we have connected 99 per cent districts and 82% of our population in 22 months! So, if someone says it's falling behind, perhaps their math, like their memory, is flawed,' Scindia said. The minister said through initiatives like Sanchar Saathi and ASTR, the Department of Telecom has taken strong action against cyber fraud — disconnecting over 3.5 crore numbers, blocking 4.22 crore fake SIMs, blocking 3.5 lakh mobile handsets and securing 34 lakh lost devices. Congress President alleged that as of June 26 2025, under the BharatNet project, a total of 6.55 lakh villages were supposed to be targeted for broadband connectivity but 4.53 lakh villages, about 65 per cent, are yet to be covered. 'The project's deadline has been revised at least 8 times in 11 years,' Kharge said. He said that when the private players are opting for 5G, BSNL has not yet completed its target of deploying 1 lakh 4G towers. 'Even after receiving three revival packages worth over Rs 3 lakh crore — Rs 69,000 crore in 2019, Rs 1.64 lakh crore in 2022, and Rs 89,047 crore in 2023, it still lags behind private players,' Kharge said. He said that BSNL's debt rose by 291.7 per cent from Rs 5,948 crore in March 2014 to Rs 23,297 crore in March 2024 and MTNL's debt increased by 136.2 per cent, from Rs 14,210 crore to Rs 33,568 crore over the same period. Congress President had alleged that 'RTI Act brought by the Congress party is being weakened by bringing a flawed Data Protection Law'. PTI PRS PRS MR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
NDTV
02-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Try Basic Web Search": Jyotiraditya Scindia Jabs Mallikarjun Kharge Over Digital India
New Delhi: Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia unleashed a string of data, ranging from BSNL's consecutive profit after 18 years to connecting over 2 lakh gram panchayats with broadband, on social media platform X to counter claims of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on the Digital India programme. Mr Scindia suggested Mr Kharge to go check on the web for telecom scams in India which will show activities related to the UPA regime while the present regime is recognised with leadership in technology. "Mr. @Kharge , let me offer a simple suggestion: try a basic web search for "telecom scams in India". What you'll find is a list featuring Congress/UPA-led crony capitalism at its best!" he said. The minister said that at present when the world looks at India as a global leader in telecom, 5G, and satellite connectivity, it is the PM Modi government that made it possible, not by doing favours, but by doing reforms and "undoing the mess of the Grand Old Party. "The Congress' contribution to Digital India has been very clear which is to Scam India and leaving behind a legacy steeped in kleptocracy and institutionalised corruption," Mr Scindia said. Mr Kharge had alleged that false claims have been made by the ruling government citing several instances, including coverage of villages aimed at under the Bharatnet project, abysmal performance of BSNL despite a financial package of over Rs 3 lakh crore, rise in cyber crimes, weakening of RTI by Data Protection Law in works. Countering Mr Kharge's allegations, Mr Scindia said that BharatNet is still ongoing and 2.12 lakh Gram Panchayats have already been connected compared to just 58 gram panchayats that were connected under the 10 years of the UPA regime. He said that when the UPA left office, BSNL was on critical life support - marred by the 2G scam, starved of investment, and systematically sabotaged. "Today, thanks to targeted reforms and indigenous innovation under PM Modi's leadership, we revived Bharat's national telecom sovereignty. BSNL posted consecutive quarterly net profits, Rs 262 crore in the third quarter and Rs 280 crore in the fourth quarter of FY 2024-2025; first time after 2007 after 18 years!" the minister said. He said with operating profit growing to Rs 5,395 crore in FY2024-25, BSNL has deployed over 90,100 4G towers that are powered by Atmanirbhar Made-in-India technology. "The Modi Government invested over Rs 3.2 lakh crore, not as a bailout, but to revive a critical national asset that your party nearly killed. Moreover, India has had the fastest rollout of 5G in the world, where we have connected 99 per cent districts and 82% of our population in 22 months! So, if someone says it's falling behind, perhaps their math, like their memory, is flawed," Mr Scindia said. The minister said through initiatives like Sanchar Saathi and ASTR, the Department of Telecom has taken strong action against cyber fraud - disconnecting over 3.5 crore numbers, blocking 4.22 crore fake SIMs, blocking 3.5 lakh mobile handsets and securing 34 lakh lost devices. Congress President alleged that as of June 26 2025, under the BharatNet project, a total of 6.55 lakh villages were supposed to be targeted for broadband connectivity but 4.53 lakh villages, about 65 per cent, are yet to be covered. "The project's deadline has been revised at least 8 times in 11 years," Mr Kharge said. He said that when the private players are opting for 5G, BSNL has not yet completed its target of deploying 1 lakh 4G towers. "Even after receiving three revival packages worth over Rs 3 lakh crore - Rs 69,000 crore in 2019, Rs 1.64 lakh crore in 2022, and Rs 89,047 crore in 2023, it still lags behind private players," Mr Kharge said. He said that BSNL's debt rose by 291.7 per cent from Rs 5,948 crore in March 2014 to Rs 23,297 crore in March 2024 and MTNL's debt increased by 136.2 per cent, from Rs 14,210 crore to Rs 33,568 crore over the same period. Congress President had alleged that "RTI Act brought by the Congress party is being weakened by bringing a flawed Data Protection Law".
News18
01-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Era Of Buffering Ended With Congress': Scindia Fires Data Salvo To Counter Kharge On Digital India
Last Updated: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Narendra Modi-led government on 'Digital India', saying it led to "lofty claims and unfulfilled promises" Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched a scathing attack against the Congress after party president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised the Narendra Modi-led government on its 10-year flagship initiative of 'Digital India'. Kharge, in a lengthy post on X, alleged that the central government's 'lofty claims of Digital India is marred by" unfulfilled promises and false claims, digital exclusion of the marginalised, as well as weakened privacy and transparency. Responding to this, Scindia took a swipe at Kharge saying 'Bharat's era of buffering ended with the Congress". 'Bharat's era of 'buffering' ended with the Congress. Under the Prime Minister, the nation shifted to 5G," he said in a post on X. The fine print of Modi Govt's lofty claims of 'Digital India' is marred by —1⃣Unfulfilled Promises & False Claims ????As of 26th June 2025, under the BharatNet project, a total of 6.55 lakh villages were supposed to be targeted for broadband connectivity. Out of these, 4.53… — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 1, 2025 'Thank you, Mr Kharge, for yet another opportunity to enlighten you. Each time you have questioned us in the past, we have responded with results. For years, while your party offered dial-up promises, we built and delivered a world class telecom network, UPI, Aadhaar, and BharatNet, on the ground, and at scale," he added. Scindia unleashed a string of data, ranging from BSNL's consecutive profit after 18 years to connecting over two lakh gram panchayats with broadband, on social media platform X to counter Kharge's claims. He suggested to the Congress president to go check on the web for telecom scams in India, which will show activities related to the UPA regime while the present regime is recognised with leadership in technology. 'Mr. @Kharge , let me offer a simple suggestion: try a basic web search for 'telecom scams in India." What you'll find is a list featuring Congress/UPA-led crony capitalism at its best!" he said. He further said at present when the world looks at India as a global leader in telecom, 5G, and satellite connectivity, it is the Modi government that made it possible, not by doing favours, but by doing reforms and 'undoing the mess of the Grand Old Party". 'The Congress' contribution to Digital India has been very clear which is to Scam India and leaving behind a legacy steeped in kleptocracy and institutionalised corruption," he added. WHAT DID KHARGE SAY? Kharge had alleged that false claims have been made by the Centre citing several instances, including coverage of villages aimed at under the Bharatnet project, abysmal performance of BSNL despite a financial package of over Rs 3 lakh crore, rise in cyber crimes, weakening of RTI by Data Protection Law in works. He alleged that as of June 26, 2025, under the BharatNet project, a total of 6.55 lakh villages were supposed to be targeted for broadband connectivity but 4.53 lakh villages, about 65 per cent, are yet to be covered. 'The project's deadline has been revised at least 8 times in 11 years," Kharge said in his post on X. He said when the private players are opting for 5G, BSNL has not yet completed its target of deploying 1 lakh 4G towers. 'Even after receiving three revival packages worth over Rs 3 lakh crore — Rs 69,000 crore in 2019, Rs 1.64 lakh crore in 2022, and Rs 89,047 crore in 2023, it still lags behind private players," he added. He also said BSNL's debt rose by 291.7 per cent from Rs 5,948 crore in March 2014 to Rs 23,297 crore in March 2024 and MTNL's debt increased by 136.2 per cent, from Rs 14,210 crore to Rs 33,568 crore over the same period. He had alleged that 'RTI Act brought by the Congress party is being weakened by bringing a flawed Data Protection Law".
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi has shown India's blood not meant to be shed: Amit Shah in Lucknow
India retaliated with surgical strike, air strike and razed the headquarters of terrorists to the ground whenever Pakistan tried to attack or carry out terror activities in the country during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government in the past 11 years, Union home minister Amit Shah said in Lucknow on Sunday. Addressing a public gathering, Shah said the prime minister has sent a strong message to Pakistan that India's blood is not meant to be shed, and whoever does dare (to do so) will be punished for it. He mentioned Operation Sindoor which targeted and destroyed terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir in May after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. Shah was in the Uttar Pradesh capital to attend the ceremony to hand over appointment letters to 60,244 newly selected police constables. He handed over appointment letters to 15 candidates during the event and congratulated all those selected. Shah attacked the Congress for not being able to curb terrorist attacks across the country during the UPA-led years before 2014. 'Terrorist attacks used to happen every day under Congress rule – Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Delhi, and don't even mention Kashmir. Pakistan received a strong retaliation when it tried to attack India thrice during PM Modi's rule. After the Uri attack, they faced a surgical strike. After Pulwama, they faced an air strike, and after Pahalgam, the headquarters of terrorists were razed to the ground with Operation Sindoor. PM Modi sent a message to the whole country that India's blood is not meant to be shed and whoever dares to do this will be punished,' Shah said during the programme. He also referred to the promise of eradicating Naxalism by March 31, 2026. Shah spoke about how, in 11 years of the Modi government, the spread of Naxalism has been reduced from over 11 states to just three districts. 'Don't forget my words that the country will be free from Naxalism by March 31, 2026,' he said. Operation Sindoor was a response by India to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April. The attack killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 with the Indian armed forces carrying out targeted strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh and its border areas, security forces have been carrying out multiple operations in which various Naxal leaders have been killed in the recent months. On May 21, an encounter in the forests of the Boter village resulted in the elimination of 27 Naxals. The two most high-profile cases in the recent months have been the neutralisation of CPI (Maoist) general secretary and politburo member Basavaraju alias Gaganna and also Central Committee member Gautam (alias Sudhakar) and Bhaskar. According to government data, there has been a 53% drop in the incidents of Naxal violence over the last 10 years between 2014 and 2024, compared to the decade before. Between 2004 and 2014, the data mentions, there were 16,463 incidents of Naxal violence. However, from 2014 to 2024, the number dropped to 7,744. As per the officials in the security establishment, the reduction in Naxal violence reflects 'the success of intensified counter-insurgency operations and strategic policies by security forces.' Besides chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the other notable persons present on the occasion were deputy CMs Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, UP BJP president Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, ministers Suresh Khanna, Swatantra Dev Singh, Surya Pratap Shahi, Baby Rani Maurya, Ashish Patel, Om Prakash Rajbhar, chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh, DGP Rajeev Krishna and principal secretary (Home) Sanjay Prasad, among others.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vijayendra says Siddaramaiah, DKS are directly responsible for stampede that killed 11 people
Holding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directly responsible for the death of 11 people in the stampede during RCB's victory celebrations in Bengaluru on June 4, BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra dared Mr. Siddaramaiah to an open debate on the tragic incident. Addressing a press conference at the party office here on Saturday, Mr. Vijayendra said that the Chief Minister is directly responsible for the stampede. Though police officials suggested postponing the celebrations, due to pressure from Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar the programme was organised the same day, Mr. Vijayendra said. He said that power struggle and competition between the two leaders [Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Shivakumar] to gain political mileage from RCB's victory resulted in the tragic incident that claimed 11 lives. Mr. Vijayendra dared Mr. Siddaramaiah for an open debate on the Bengaluru stampede incident and also on the Congress-led government's performance in the last two years in the State. Highlighting the achievements of BJP-led government at the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's contributions in the last 11 years in office, Mr. Vijayendra said that under Modi's leadership, India has surged economically and technologically. It has been feulled by a series of landmark reforms and innovative initiatives, while the then UPA-led government was marred by several high-profile corruption scandals worth ₹12 lakh crore. 'The then Congress-led UPA government at the Centre emerged as a synonym of corruption,' he said. In the last 11 years, Mr. Modi has laid a strong foundation for a corruption-free India. Mr. Vijayendra said that there is no allegation of corruption against any Minister in the BJP-led government at the Centre while bribery is rampant in the Congress-led government in Karnataka. Replying to a question, Mr. Vijayendra said that the State government has set up an anti-communal task force to suppress Hindu activists and BJP workers.
