THE HEADLINES:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses deep anguish that despite Government’s best efforts, Women’s Reservation bill could not be passed in Lok Sabha; Addressing the nation, Prime Minister accuses Congress and other opposition parties of stalling progress and empowerment of women.
- Centre approves creation of Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee of nearly 13 thousand crore rupees to facilitate continuous maritime insurance.
- Government grants 2 per cent hike in DA and DR for central govt employees and pensioners from January this year.
- Campaigning gears up for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
- New Delhi conveys deep concern to Tehran over shooting incident involving two Indian-flagged ships in Strait of Hormuz.
- In IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets; Another match underway between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep anguish that despite the Government’s best and most sincere efforts, Women’s Reservation bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha. He said, for this he sincerely apologises to all mothers and sisters. Addressing the nation tonight, the Prime Minister said interest of the nation is of prime importance for his government. Mr Modi said, when, for some people, their party becomes everything, then both women’s empowerment and national interest have to bear the consequences. He said, it was deeply painful to see that when this legislation in the interest of women was defeated, parties like Congress, DMK, SP, and TMC were applauding and by taking away women’s rights, they were thumping their desks. The Prime Minister termed their act as a blow to the dignity and self-respect of women.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment is the need of the hour and it was an effort to ensure balanced empowerment across all regions including north South, East and West. He said, the legislation aimed to strengthen the voice of every state in Parliament, whether big or small, by increasing representation proportionately but this sincere effort was crushed by Congress and its allies.
In his address, the Prime Minister said, those parties which opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan Amendment in Parliament yesterday, they are taking women’s power for granted. He said, the opposition will surely be punished for the sin they have committed by opposing women’s reservation.
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The Union Cabinet today gave approval for the creation of a domestic insurance pool, named Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool, with a sovereign guarantee of 12,980 crore rupees to facilitate continuous maritime insurance coverage. Briefing media in New Delhi after the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, the pool ensures that Indian trade continues to have access to affordable insurance for vessels carrying cargo from any international origin to Indian ports and vice-versa, even when transiting volatile maritime corridors. He said, the pool will cover all maritime risks like Hull and Machinery, Cargo, Protection and Indemnity, and War risk. A Governing Body constituted for this pool would oversee the formation and functioning of the pool.
The Cabinet also approved the release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from 1st January this year, representing an increase of two per cent over the existing rate of 58 per cent of the basic pay or pension, to compensate against price rise.
The Minister said the Cabinet has also given its approval for the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025 up to March 2028.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved two railway projects with total cost of 24,815 crore rupees. The Minister informed that these projects are the Ghaziabad-Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line and the Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)-Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line. He said they cover 15 districts across Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
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In Tamil Nadu, campaigning has geared up for the assembly elections as the single phase voting is to be held on 23rd of this month. Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today criticised opposition parties for not supporting the Women’s Reservation Bill, alleging that they failed to prioritise the welfare of women. Addressing a rally at Codissia in Coimbatore, Mr Modi said, the DMK-Congress alliance had focused on promoting family interests rather than empowering women from ordinary backgrounds to enter Parliament and State Assemblies. He also accused the DMK of spreading misinformation and said the state government was working for the interests of a single family.
Mr. Modi added that the Centre had provided financial assistance of 14 lakh crore rupees to the state over the past 11 years.
Senior leaders, including AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Union Minister L. Murugan and BJP state president K. Annamalai, were present at the rally.
DMK Chief and Chief Minister M.K.Stalin has been criticising both the BJP and the AIADMK over the delimitation bill. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi campaigning at Ponneri, recalled his bond with the State. He said that each State has a unique character and it cannot be compromised.
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Campaigning for the first phase of Assembly elections has intensified across West Bengal.
Senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party addressed rallies in different parts of the state. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari held a rally in Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district, while Dilip Ghosh addressed a gathering in Kharagpur. The BJP leaders targetted the ruling Trinamool Congress over alleged mismanagement and corruption. Party leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma campaigned in north Bengal. They alleged that an atmosphere of fear prevails in the state. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav addressed a rally in Kamarhati in North 24 Parganas district, alleging that West Bengal has lagged behind under the Trinamool Congress government.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed BJP would face defeat in the Assembly elections. She referred to yesterday’s defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill and criticised the BJP leadership. Another TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee held a roadshow in Farakka in Murshidabad. He accused the BJP of neglecting West Bengal.
Congress leader and Telangana Minister Mohammad Azharuddin addressed public meetings in Murshidabad and Malda districts. Left parties and other political groups have also intensified their campaign activities in the state.
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In the first phase of Assembly Elections in West Bengal, a total 152 assembly constituencies will go to the polls on the 23rd of this month. In our series on constituency profiles, today we take a look at the Baharampur Assembly Constituency in Murshidabad district of the state.
“The Baharampur assembly constituency in the Murshidabad district is currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party. The incumbent MLA is Subrata Maitra. Total 13 candidates including 4 independents are contesting from the Baharampur constituency. Bharatiya Janata Party fielded Subrata Maitra again in this seat and Trinamool Congress fielded Naru Gopal Mukherjee. CPIML Liberation candidate is Abul Kasem SK. Congress’s candidate is Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury. Total electors, in this assembly as on the last date of nomination are nearly two lakh forty one thousand.
In this Assembly election in West Bengal, the main fight is between BJP and Trinamool Congress but in Baharampur seat Congress’s candidate veteran congress leader and former MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is expected to give a tough fight. BJP is assuring voters of government jobs and direct benefit transfer, corruption free government. Trinamool Congress is campaigning to win the voters’ heart by assuring to continue existing state government schemes. Kalyan Laha, Akashvani News Kolkata.”
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In an unprecedented move, the Election Commission has announced that a ‘Lakshman Rekha’ (boundary line) will be drawn around every polling booth in West Bengal. Using white chalk, a 100‑meter perimeter will be marked, and only registered voters will be permitted to enter within this designated area. This system also introduces multi‑layered verification to strengthen security. Outside the Lakshman Rekha, a Booth Level Officer and a government official will conduct the first round of document checks.
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Government today approved the procurement of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh, along side Chana procurement operations in Andhra Pradesh, and also extended Tur (pigeon pea) procurement time frame in Karnataka. Approved by Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, these procurements guarantee that farmers receive fair and remunerative prices for their hard-earned produce.
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India has expressed deep concern at the shooting incident involving two Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz earlier today. Ministry of External Affairs called in Ambassador of Iran to India, Dr. Mohammad Fathali for a meeting with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri in New Delhi this evening. During the meeting Mr Misri conveyed India’s deep concern at shooting incident involving two Indian flagged ships. He noted the importance that India attached to the safety of merchant shipping and mariners.
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Iran has announced that the strait of Hormuz is effectively closed once again in response to a US blockade on Iranian shipping and ports. Iran’s joint military command today said that control of the Strait of Hormuz has returned to its previous state, under strict management and control of the armed forces.
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In IPL Cricket, Sunrisers Hyderabad have set a target of 195 runs for Chennai Super Kings at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. Put into bat, Sunrisers Hyderabad scored 194 for the loss of nine wickets in their stipulated 20 overs.
Earlier, in the first match of the day, Delhi Capitals defeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets in a league match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Chasing the target of 176 runs Delhi scored 179 runs losing six wickets with one ball to go.
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THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expresses deep anguish that despite Government’s best efforts, Women’s Reservation bill could not be passed in Lok Sabha; Addressing the nation, Prime Minister accuses Congress and other opposition parties of stalling progress and empowerment of women.
- Centre approves creation of Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee of nearly 13 thousand crore rupees to facilitate continuous maritime insurance.
- Government grants 2 per cent hike in DA and DR for central govt employees and pensioners from January this year.
- Campaigning gears up for assembly elections in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
- New Delhi conveys deep concern to Tehran over shooting incident involving two Indian-flagged ships in Strait of Hormuz.
- In IPL Cricket, Delhi Capitals beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets; Another match underway between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings.
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