THE HEADLINES :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasises, Women’s Reservation in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies is Nari Shakti’s right; Urges the opposition parties not to give historic legislation a political colour.
- Home Minister Amit Shah assures no region will lose seats; Southern States to gain 66 Lok Sabha seats after delimitation.
- In the first phase of Census 2027, field operations for Houselisting and Housing Census began today across several states and Union Territories.
- India and Austria sign key agreements, including an MoU on food safety and letters of intent on defence cooperation and counter-terrorism.
- French President Emmanuel Macron call Prime Minister Modi to discuss West Asia situation.
- Heatwave conditions to prevail in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, North Interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema for next two days.
- In IPL Cricket, hosts Mumbai Indians take on Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that fifty per cent of the country’s population should be made a part of decision-making process. He said, Nari Shakti is playing an instrumental role in the development of the country, and this is the need of the hour to give them due representation in the policy-making.
Mr Modi made the remarks in the Lok Sabha today during the discussion on three key bills related to the Constitutional Amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The three bills are Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.
The Prime Minister stated that no one should operate under the arrogant illusion that they are magnanimously giving something to the women of India, as it is their right. He emphasized that the entire political establishment is collectively guilty of withholding this right for decades, making this bill a necessary act of atonement.
The Prime Minister appealed to the opposition parties not to give this historic legislation a political colour, as it will be beneficial for all and for the democracy of the country.
The Prime Minister said that women’s participation in country’s parliamentary democracy is not just about numbers, but a commitment to democratic values. He said, out of around six thousand 700 block Panchayats, nearly two thousand 700 Panchayats are led by women. Mr Modi said that country which is progressing today has a significant contribution from women and this must be acknowledged.
The Prime Minister asserted that no injustice will be done to any state while implementing this law.
In a brief intervention during the discussion, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected the apprehensions of the opposition regarding reduction in number of Lok Sabha seats in southern states after delimitation exercise. Mr Shah clarified that the proposed framework ensures that no region will lose seats in absolute terms, and that southern states will see a rise in representation.
Participating in the discussion, Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav said, his party supports women’s reservation. He, however questioned, why such an important bill is being brought in a hasty manner adding that it should be introduced only after the completion of the latest census drive. Thanking the Prime Minister for bringing the bill, Telugu Desam Party leader Dr Byreddy Shabari said, women today are ready to lead the nation from the grassroots to the national level.
Earlier today, Law Minister Arjun Meghwal introduced the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha. Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill.
Mr Meghwal termed the day as historic saying the government is working to give political justice to women. He said, the results of current Census exercise are not expected to be available before the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028. Therefore, the 2011 Census will be used for the readjustment or division of territorial constituencies and for the allocation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Initiating the discussion, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said his party is in favour of women’s reservation, but it should be simplified and not linked with delimitation.
Participating in the debate, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the Centre’s decision to link the implementation of the women’s reservation law to a future delimitation exercise. She alleged that the government wants to take away the rights of OBCs by not conducting the caste census and sticking to 2011 census figures. BJP MPs, Tejasvi Surya and Bansuri Swaraj, Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT), Pratima Mandal of AITC also spoke on the bill as also MPs from RJD, IUML, CPI, Aam Aadmi Party, Janasena Party, JMM. The discussion is underway. We have more from our correspondent:
“A three-day special sitting of extended Budget Session of Parliament commenced from today with the introduction of three legislations in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The objectives of these bills are to operationalise one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the legislative assemblies through delimitation exercise based on the latest published census. In 2023, the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act known as the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was enacted. Under this legislation, one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies were reserved for women. With Anand Kumar, Bhupendra Singh, Akashvani News, Delhi.”
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The field operations for the Houselisting and Housing Census (HLO) in the first phase of Census 2027 have commenced across multiple States and Union Territories today. The exercise will be carried out over a 30-day period till the 15th of next month, during which trained Enumerators will undertake house-to-house visits for data collection.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with Austrian Chancellor Dr. Christian Stocker in New Delhi today. During the meeting, India and Austria exchanged several agreements and documents including an MOU on Food Safety, a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Cooperation in Military Matters, and an LOI on Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism. Addressing the Joint Press Briefing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India and Austria have been reliable partners in infrastructure, innovation and sustainability.
Austrian Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker termed his visit to India as a milestone for Austria-India relations.
Dr. Christian Stocker also called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that during their conversation they discussed the West Asia situation and agreed on the need to urgently restore safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. He added that they also reaffirmed to continue close cooperation to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond.
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In the first phase of West Bengal Elections, a total of 152 Assembly Constituencies will go to polls on 23rd April. Today we take a look into the Falakata assembly constituency in Alipurduar district.
“Falakata seat is under the BJP at present. The incumbent MLA is Dipak Barman of BJP. Total 8 candidates including 2 independents are in the fray in this election. Dipak Barman has been fielded by the BJP again while Trinamool Congress’s candidate is Subash Chandra Roy. The CPIM candidate is Kamal Kishor Roy. Congress fielded Akshoy Kumar Barman. The main contending parties are Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party. In the election campaigns BJP is focusing on the welfare of the tea garden workers of north Bengal. On the other hand Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee stressed on continuing the existing welfare schemes and blamed the BJP for creation of division in Bengal. Kalyan Laha, Akashvani News, Kolkata.”
Meanwhile, with only six days left for the first phase of Assembly elections in West Bengal, campaigning has heated up in the state. Our Kolkata Correspondent Kalyan Laha reports, today, leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari addressed a public meeting in Purulia district. State BJP president Shamik Bhattacharya joined public rallies in Purulia and Bankura. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned in north Bengal today.
On the other hand, Trinamool Congress chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee campaigned in districts of north Bengal and Abhishek Bandopadhyay joined a road show in Bankura district.
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In Tamil Nadu, all the parties are tirelessly campaigning all over the State. A report:
“Unmindful of the rising level of temperatures, leaders are on a whirlwind tour to capture the attention of the voters towards their party candidates. Out on the streets unmindful of the simmering heat, they walk the extra mile to meet the people and assure them of their promises. Through the help of the You tube live youngsters look forward to an opportunity to have a glimpse of their leaders. The frenzy can also be seen in the comments. Social media war rooms swing to action every now and then to constantly have an impact for their respective parties. With just five more days for campaigning to end, its a festival atmosphere in Tamilnadu. Joy, Akashvani News, Chennai.”
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International Monetary Fund (IMF) Chief Kristalina Georgieva has said that India’s economy is expected to remain resilient even as global growth slows amid war-driven disruptions. Speaking at a press briefing during the IMF Spring Meetings, Ms Georgieva said, country’s strong fundamentals are helping it outperform most economies.
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India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions over Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, North Interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema for the next two days. The Weather Agency has also issued orange colour warning for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh for tomorrow. Similar conditions are expected tomorrow over Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Odisha and North Eastern parts of India.
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In IPL Cricket, Hosts Mumbai Indians were 186 for 5 in 19.1 overs against Punjab Kings in a league match at Wankhede Stadium when reports last came in. Earlier, Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and opted to bowl.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :-
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasises, Women’s Reservation in Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies is Nari Shakti’s right; Urges the opposition parties not to give historic legislation a political colour.
- Home Minister Amit Shah assures no region will lose seats; Southern States to gain 66 Lok Sabha seats after delimitation.
- In the first phase of Census 2027, field operations for Houselisting and Housing Census began today across several states and Union Territories.
- India and Austria sign key agreements, including an MoU on food safety and letters of intent on defence cooperation and counter-terrorism.
- French President Emmanuel Macron call Prime Minister Modi to discuss West Asia situation.
- Heatwave conditions to prevail in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, North Interior Karnataka and Rayalaseema for next two days.
- In IPL Cricket, hosts Mumbai Indians take on Punjab Kings at Wankhede Stadium.
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