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Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Digitisation, encouraging first-term MPs to raise issues hallmark of Birla's 6 years as LS Speaker
New Delhi, Digitisation of parliamentary records, special legislative briefings and giving opportunities to first-term lawmakers to raise issues have been the hallmark of Om Birla's tenure as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the sixth straight year. Digitisation, encouraging first-term MPs to raise issues hallmark of Birla's 6 years as LS Speaker Birla, a three-term Lok Sabha member, was re-elected as the Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on June 26 last year and completed six years as the presiding officer of the lower house earlier this week. "The first year of the 18th Lok Sabha has marked 104 per cent productivity. The House sitting lasted well past midnight to approve key legislations," the Speaker told reporters in a recent interaction. He said the 18th Lok Sabha passed 24 bills, including the Waqf Bill, the Disaster Management Bill, and the Immigration and Foreigners Bill during the 372 hours of sittings of the lower House through the past one year. Birla was elected as the Lok Sabha Speaker for the first time on June 19, 2019. His second term as the Lok Sabha Speaker began on June 26 last year. Birla said it has been his priority to allow members to raise issues of urgent public importance in the House and a record of sorts was created on April 3 this year when 204 issues were raised in the Lok Sabha the maximum ever in a single day. He said digitisation of Parliamentary records has been another area of priority and the Lok Sabha secretariat was in the process of digitising video recordings of historic parliamentary debates of yesteryears running into more than 8,000 hours. "We have sourced these videos from Doordarshan archives as these date before Sansad TV came into existence," a senior official said. He said an AI-powered search system now allows users to find specific words or topics in videos instantly, even across multiple languages. The official said new technologies have simplified newly elected MPs' daily tasks, replacing the cumbersome process of filling 19 different forms with a unified onboarding app that saves time and reduces errors. The Parliament Digital Library has emerged as a crucial resource, offering the public digital access to vast parliamentary research and information, furthering transparency and democratic engagement. "This initiative not only puts the rich parliamentary knowledge hub in digital space for wider use but also strengthens our democratic legacy," Birla said. He also said AI-driven translation and localisation tools now automatically convert parliamentary documents into the country's constitutional languages. The indigenous AI tool "Sansad Bhashini" provides multilingual support for parliamentary work, breaking language barriers and promoting inclusivity as part of the Digital India mission, the Lok Sabha Speaker said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Modi at 11: PM increases vitality gap with opposition as new challenges loom
One year ago, when Narendra Modi began his record-equalling third term, the mood in BJP and the larger saffron fraternity was far from that of unalloyed celebration. Contrary to the near-total consensus that BJP would surpass its 2019 score of 303, the party's tally had dropped to a modest 240, forcing it to depend on the support of TDP and JD(U) to form the govt. Instantly, commentary was rife that the law of diminishing returns had finally caught up with the man who had defied the capriciousness of public sentiment as well as the headwinds and vicissitudes which had, quite predictably, marked his 10 years, not just to maintain but to improve his standing with the voter. True to himself, Modi struck a sunny note, focusing on the positive takeaways from the less-than-satisfactory outcome. But that was not enough to quell the doubts gnawing at supporters. Rivals, of course, were jubilant, not letting their third consecutive defeat come in the way of celebrations. But it did not take long for the pall of uncertainty to lift. BJP's victories in Maharashtra, Haryana and Delhi proved wrong those who had rushed to write the obituaries. It failed to form a govt in Jammu and Kashmir, but its performance in Jammu was yet another indication of its superiority over Congress in straight contests: something that the defeat in Jharkhand could not erase. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Windows Users Don't Forget To Do This Before Wednesday Read More Undo Several factors contributed to the outcomes. But Modi's continuing popularity was, unarguably, the common thread. Together, they also showed that the opposition, particularly, had drawn disproportionate conclusions from the setback in the Lok Sabha polls. Also, the gambits, for instance, the unsubstantiated charge about a conspiracy to abolish quotas or the consolidation of Muslims in favour of the opposition, may not necessarily be all-weather winners. Modi, keeping any disappointment over the dip in numbers to himself, had started his third innings on a brisk note, in any case. The electoral wins came as an impetus, countering the hope of opponents and the fear of supporters that his dependence on allies, both of whom were tough bargainers, would force him to govern with one hand tied behind his back. The enactment of the Waqf Bill is a prime example. Both TDP and JD(U) supported the legislation, dubbed communal by the opposition, which tried to bait them into breaking ranks with BJP by saying that the stands of N Chandrababu Naidu and Nitish Kumar would be a litmus test of their secular credentials. Changes in the waqf law affect powerful interests among Muslims far more directly than the abrogation of J&K's special status. Understandably, the lobbying against the move was more intense, often threatening to match the feverish heights last seen over the Shah Bano case and the Babri demolition. If Naidu and Nitish stayed firm, it was because of the simple calculation that Modi's enduring appeal would more than compensate for any loss of Muslim support they still had. There is no sign yet of the opposition closing the vitality gap that Modi has opened up. It is 11 years since he took over, but he has not stopped taking either initiatives or plotting counter-manoeuvres to disrupt opposition's plans. The decision on caste census is a classic example of Modi coming up with a move which the rival had not anticipated. With this single move, he undercut Rahul Gandhi's effort over the years to cast himself as a social justice warrior. That it came in the wake of Pahalgam only added to the audacity. Operation Sindoor only served to strengthen Brand Modi. India won this round decisively, with satellite images of the losses inflicted by the Indian Air Force deep inside Pakistan and the destruction of the hostile neighbour's strategic bases providing tell-tale evidence. No amount of scorekeeping of losses, both real and imaginary, and the embrace of US President Donald Trump's claim to have brokered the 'ceasefire' can take away from this. Looked at purely through the prism of politics, it has recharged the PM's 'jo kaha so kiya' persona and, given the performance of indigenous weapons systems, should put an end to the mocking of his 'Make-in-India' ambition. The military confrontation and its aftermath have seen justified criticism of the outlandish claims made by ultra-zealous individuals on social media and in a few newsrooms. But what has gone unnoticed is the readiness of society to back him to the hilt, regardless of what turn a conflict between two nuclear-armed adversaries might take. Starting with Uri in 2016 and through Balakot, Modi had single-handedly created a new national resolve, which speaks to the people's trust in him. The 'surrender' charge does not seem to bother the Prime Minister. Otherwise, he would not have accepted the invitation to attend the G-7 meeting in Canada, where Trump will loom large. The coming days will not be easy. In Bihar, he will have to strain hard to offset Nitish's incumbency. Global volatility, Trump's tariff war, the general uncertainty that he has generated, and the possibility that Pakistan's military-jihadi complex may try to avenge their humiliation: all these add up to a challenging task. The BJP organisation has not been in good shape for quite some time. A reorganisation has been delayed, putting him and his trusted associate Amit Shah under strain. But don't be surprised if he negotiates them well. He has a proven track record, dating back to 2002 when he took over as chief minister of Gujarat, as well as the crucial wherewithal in the form of a reservoir of goodwill.
Hans India
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Coalition govt flayed for failure to implement ‘Super Six' promises
Vijayawada: APCC president YS Sharmila Reddy on Wednesday lambasted the one-year rule of the TDP-led alliance, labeling it a 'Day of public deception' rather than a true reflection of the people's mandate. She asserted that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's administration has twisted the public's revolutionary verdict, which a year ago today brought the alliance to power to end 'Insane, corrupt, and anarchic rule.' Addressing the media, Sharmila accused the government of squandering a year under the guise of 'Reconstruction,' misleading the public with empty promises of 'Setting things right.' 'They put cauliflowers in our ears by saying they were putting things back on track,' she remarked, criticising the government's failure to deliver on its 'Super Six' guarantees. 'They sidelined development citing debt and neglected public welfare by claiming lack of funds,' she charged. Sharmila also pointed to the increased electricity bills, which she said pierced holes in people's pockets. The APCC chief highlighted the government's perceived inaction on key issues, stating, 'There is no accountability for the promises made during bifurcation. Special Category Status was not even requested.' She further criticised the government for remaining silent when the Central government led by the BJP reduced the height of the Polavaram project, calling it a betrayal. Referring to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Sharmila said, 'They promised to revive the Visakha Steel Plant but instead terminated the jobs of 4,000 workers.' She also accused the government of causing 'irreparable injustice' to Muslims by supporting the Waqf Bill. 'Today is not Public Verdict Day. It is 'Andhra Pradesh Public Deception Day,' Sharmila declared. She squarely placed the blame on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan, asserting, 'It is the day Modi, Babu, and Pawan deceived the people of the State in the name of trust.' Sharmila Reddy also took a jab at YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy. She criticised Jagan Mohan Reddy's actions, stating, 'While Chandrababu Naidu has been backstabbing the people for a year by not implementing the Super Six guarantees, showing false hopes of heaven, and telling fabricated stories instead of implementing schemes, Jagan, by not going to the Assembly to question public issues, not raising his voice on alliance promises, and demanding opposition status through house press meets, is also a backstabber.'
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Mehbooba Mufti calls for end to ‘spectre of war'; says ‘NC wants more war and bodies'
File photo: J&K's former CM and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti (Picture credit: PTI) SRINAGAR: With tension still running high between India and Pakistan, even as Operation Sindoor remains on pause, J&K's former CM and PDP president, Mehbooba Mufti , Saturday said the spectre of war must end so that people can plan their lives and revive the economy. She accused the NC leadership of war-mongering, and said it wanted 'more war and more dead bodies'. 'Jammu and Kashmir should be a bridge of understanding, friendship and cooperation, not a theatre for war,' Mehbooba said, addressing her party workers. She said her party was committed to peace and dialogue, and warned against the war rhetoric. It was the people of J&K who bore the brunt of war and violence, the PDP chief said, comparing the region to 'grass trampled under the feet of two fighting elephants'. 'PDP will continue to raise its voice for peace and channel the sentiments of the people,' she said. Mehbooba said the statements of the NC leadership, including party patriarch Farooq Abdullah's call for intensified military action against Pakistan, reflected a dangerous mindset. Criticising Abdullah for reportedly supporting assaults 'more brutal than the Balakot strike', she said: 'These leaders want more war and more dead bodies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nachhaltig wohnen: Luxuscontainerhäuser günstiger denn je Visionary Echo Tìm Ngay Undo It is only PDP that has consistently advocated for an end to hostilities and has spoken for the people's right to live a life of dignity.' The PDP President also expressed concern over the ongoing crackdown in the region. 'Our youths are being jailed, and the Public Safety Act is being misused. If such draconian measures were truly effective, incidents like Pahalgam would not have occurred. If the goal is to fight militancy, don't wage war against the poor people of JK, many of whom are languishing in jails outside the state. Their families cannot even afford to visit them.' Mehbooba said NC was constantly attempting to appease BJP at the cost of people's interests and their own mandate. Referring to Kiran Rijiju, she said: 'The minister who introduced the Waqf Bill was later welcomed and garlanded in Kashmir by the NC leadership. NC, despite having 50 MLAs, didn't even allow a resolution to be passed in the J&K Assembly against the Waqf amendment.'
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Nitish Kumar recalibrates caste math ahead of Bihar polls
(You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel With the Bihar assembly elections approaching, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is reshuffling key posts to fine-tune the caste equations crucial to his recent days, he appointed former JDU MP Gulam Rasool Balyawi as chairman of the Minority Commission - a move seen as outreach to Muslim voters displeased with the party's support for the Waqf Bill. Balyawi, a vocal critic of the bill, is joined by several other minority leaders on the appeal to other caste blocs, Kumar named BJP's Mahachandra Prasad as head of the Upper Caste Commission and JDU's Rajeev Ranjan as vice president. The post had been lying vacant for years. He also appointed BJP's Shailendra Kumar as chief of the Tribal Commission, again filling long-pending vacancies. These appointments signal Kumar's intent to consolidate social support across the board as elections near.
