Modi says govt focus is on 'maximum job creation', attacks Opposition

He accused the Congress party of delaying the development of the country for 70 years.

The government’s focus is to create jobs through reforms that strengthen the economy, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in a Parliament speech accusing his political rivals of years of indecision when they governed India.

"We have maintained the fiscal deficit; the macro economy is stable too. FDI and revenue collection under GST have been on the rise. Our vision is greater investment, better infrastructure, increased value addition and maximum job creation," he said in his reply to the President’s speech to Parliament last week.

"President highlighted vision for New India, his address comes at a time when we enter the third decade of the century. The NDA government's aim is speed and scale, determination and decisiveness, sensitivity and solutions," said Modi in Lok Sabha.

"Agricultural budget, which was earlier Rs 27,000 crore has now been increased by five times to about Rs 1.5 trillion.

Driven by politics, some states are not allowing farmers to benefit from PM-Kisan Scheme. I appeal to them, please let there be no politics in farmer welfare. We all have to work together for the prosperity of farmers of India," he said about his government’s signature farm scheme.

He accused the Congress party of delaying the development of the country for 70 years. "Had we continued with thinking of Opposition, Ram Janmabhoomi would continue to be a disputed issue. Had we continued with the same path of yours, Article 370 would not have been abrogated, triple talaq would not have ended. Had we continued with the Congress' path, we would have continued to wait for next-generation fighter planes and creation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)," Modi said.

Modi’s government last week presented its annual budget that proposed tax cuts for individuals and wider deficit targets, but analysts said it failed to provide specific steps to fix a struggling financial sector, improve infrastructure and create jobs.

If unemployment rises, youth may explode in anger, says Chidambaram

The sliding economy is an even greater threat to the country, the former finance minister said in a series of tweets.

BS : Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday attacked the Modi government over the state of the economy, saying if unemployment rises and incomes decline, there is a danger of youth and students "exploding in anger".

"The nation is engrossed with the anti-CAA, anti-NPR protests. Both present a clear and present danger," Chidambaram said.

The sliding economy is an even greater threat to the country, the former finance minister said in a series of tweets.

"If unemployment rises and incomes decline, there is the danger of youth and students exploding in anger," he said.

Chidambaram also attacked the government over the rising consumer price index (CPI) inflation.

Retail inflation jumped sharply to 7.35 per cent in December 2019, surpassing the RBI's comfort level, mainly due to high food prices, government data showed on Monday.

The retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 2.11 per cent in December 2018 and 5.54 per cent in November 2019.

"The circle of incompetent management is complete. Mr Narendra Modi's government started in July 2014 with CPI inflation at 7.39 per cent. In December 2019, it was 7.35 per cent," Chidambaram said.

"Food inflation stands at 14.12 per cent. Vegetable prices are up 60 per cent. Onion prices are over Rs 100 per kg. This is the 'achhe din' promised by the BJP," he said.

CGST collection missed budget estimate by 40% in April-Nov: Anurag Thakur

The actual CGST collection during April-November stood at Rs 3,28,365 crore while the budgeted estimate is of Rs 5,26,000 crore for these months.

The Central GST collection fell short of the budged estimate by nearly 40 per cent during the April-November period of 2019-20, according to the data presented in the Parliament.

The actual CGST collection during April-November stood at Rs 3,28,365 crore while the budgeted estimate is of Rs 5,26,000 crore for these months, Minister of State for Finance Anurag Singh Thakur said in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Anurag Thakur added that the data was, however, provisional.In 2018-19, the actual CGST collection stood at Rs 4,57,534 crore as against the provisional estimate of Rs 6,03,900 crore for the year.

For strengthening monitoring tools to prevent GST evasion, emphasis has been laid on system based analytical tools and system generated intelligence, he said.

"In this connection, the Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM) has been set up by the CBIC. Further, E- way bill squads have been activated for the purposes of random verification of the goods in transit," Thakur said.

The minister also informed the House that it has inserted a new CGST rule which puts restriction that the input tax credit (ITC) availed by a taxpayer shall not exceed 20 per cent of the eligible credit available in respect of invoices or debit notes.

The capping of ITC would lead to reduction in cases of fraudulent ITC availment as well as increase in payment of tax through cash thereby boosting GST collection, Thakur added.

Business Standard

Priyanka Gandhi to kick off campaign in UP on Feb 11 with four-day tour

This will be Priyanka's first visit after being appointed as a general secretary.

Congress General Secretary for Uttar Pradesh (UP)-East Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and General Secretary for UP-West Jyotiraditya Scindia will visit Lucknow on February 11 along with Congress President Rahul Gandhi.

The tour is expected to last for four days. This will be Priyanka's first visit after being appointed as the general secretary.

As per information, the leaders are expected to carry out a 12-kilometre long road show.

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal, on Thursday, informed that after the road show the leaders are expected to interact with the party workers at the Congress office in the city.

According to officials, the party office in the state has been revamped and preparations are on in full swing to welcome the newly-appointed general secretaries.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) is preparing to give Priyanka a grand welcome who will be on her first visit to the state and the UPCC headquarters after her appointment as general secretary.

Several rooms of the UPCC headquarters have been refurbished and a newly-built media hall will also be inaugurated by Priyanka.

During a meeting here on Thursday, she had said that she will eradicate divisive politics in the state and will work towards uniting people.

Moreover, Priyanka also assured people that she would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the party benefits in the state.

Business Standard

Congress gives suspension notice in RS to discuss Rafale deal, wants JPC probe

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been alleging corruption and favour to private industrialists in the Rafale purchase.

The Congress today gave a notice for suspension of business in the Rajya Sabha to discuss the alleged corruption in the purchase of 36 fighter jets from France under a government to government deal and demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into the issue.

Deputy Leader of Congress in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma moved a notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Council of States seeking suspension of all business of the House to discuss the Rafale purchase.

The notice read, This House expresses its serious concern over the irregularities and alleged corruption in the acquisition of Rafale jets.

The arbitrary decision has resulted in loss of technology transfer, manufacture of 108 fighter jets by HAL and massive loss to national exchequer. The scam be investigated by a JPC to fix accountability.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been alleging corruption and favour to private industrialists in the Rafale purchase and leading the demand for a JPC in the matter.

The issue of Rafale purchase was also discussed at a meeting of opposition parties held on Monday to chalk out a joint strategy to take on the BJP in 2019.

Rahul Gandhi had said after the meeting that "there was consensus in the opposition that the Rafale scam needs to be probed.

Business Standard

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee dies of cardiac arrest at 89

He was also suffering from a kidney-related ailment and was admitted to the clinic in a critical condition on August 7.

Former Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee died, aged 89, on Monday at a private hospital in Kolkata, following a cardiac arrest and prolonged illness, news agencies quoted nursing home sources.

"He died at 8.15 a.m.," Bellevue Clinic CEO Pradip Tondon told IANS.

Chatterjee was critical following the heart attack he suffered on Sunday. He was also suffering from a kidney-related ailment and was admitted to the clinic in a critical condition on August 7.

A 10-time Lok Sabha MP, Chatterjee was a central committee member of the CPI(M), which he had joined in 1968.

He was the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009.

The veteran leader was expelled from the CPI(M) in 2008 for refusing to resign as the Speaker after his party withdrew support to the UPA-I government.

Article Source BS

Rahul Gandhi hugs PM Modi, says 'this is what it means to be a Hindu'

PM Modi recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back.

He is known for his hugs, but this was one hug Prime Minister Narendra Modi was not expecting.

After a no-holds-barred and scathing criticism of Modi on several issues including Rafale jet deal today, Congress president Rahul Gandhi walked across the green-carpeted well of Lok Sabha to Modi and hugged him, a gesture which took the Treasury Bench members by surprise.

Gandhi's unexpected gesture, which quickly became a favoured video clip for television channels, came during a debate on no-confidence motion moved by the TDP against the Modi government. Gandhi's speech was frequently disrupted and prompting Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. When he resumed his speech, Gandhi continued his attack. Just before wrapping up, he strode over to Modi for the now-famous hug.

Modi initially looked nonplussed and did not stand up to hug him, but recovered quickly and called Gandhi back and patted him on the back. He also appeared to say a few words, which were inaudible. BJP MPs sitting behind Modi watched the brief interaction open-mouthed as the prime minister smiled at Gandhi as he walked back to his seat.

"This is what it means to be a Hindu," Gandhi said after coming back to his seat amid applause from his party members, including his mother Sonia Gandhi and other leaders present who heartily thumped their desks.

Sharply criticised for his reported remarks that "Congress is a Muslim party", Gandhi said, "Prime Minister Modi, BJP and ...have taught me what it means to be a Congress person, the meaning of being a real Indian, and what it means to be a real Hindu. For this, I thank them."

He also said his opponents may hate him, call him "Pappu" but he has no anger, hatred against the Prime Minister and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

This is likely the first time that an opposition leader has hugged the prime minister in the house, especially during a no-confidence motion. Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur stood up and took objection to Gandhi's hug.

Speaker Mahajan also gently reminded Gandhi that this was the country's legislature and not a place for such gestures.

Article Source BS

Rahul Gandhi rakes up Rafale in Parliament, says PM Modi lied to nation

The mention of the Rafale deal triggered noisy protests from the ruling party Mps.

No-Confidence Motion : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday said French President Emmanuel Macron had told him that there was no secrecy pact with India on the Rafale jet deal, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had lied to the nation about it.

"I personally met the French President and asked him if there was a secrecy pact with India. He told me that no such pact was signed between the two countries. He said he had no hesitation in saying this and that I can tell this to my country," Gandhi thundered in the Lok Sabha.

Gandhi said the price per plane during the UPA regime was Rs 520 crore (Rs 5.2 billion) but when Prime Minister Narendra Modi went to France and "with some magic" powers, the price per plane increased to Rs 1,600 crore (Rs 16 billion).

"Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is here. She said she would reveal the price. But after that, she said clearly she cannot because the French and Indian governments have a secrecy pact."

"The Prime Minister has lied to the country. Sitharaman under pressure from the Prime Minister has lied to the country. They must tell the nation. The Prime Minister and the Defence Minister must tell the nation."

The mention of the Rafale deal triggered noisy protests from the ruling party MPs.

Article Source BS

What is a no-confidence motion? Find out as BJP govt, Opposition square off

The stage is all set in the Lok Sabha for a clash between the ruling National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition.

The Lok Sabha will on Friday debate the no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi-led government, moved by N Chandrababu Naidu-led former ally, the Telegu Desam Party (TDP). Seven hours have been set aside for this debate, which will begin at 11 am.

On the first day of Parliament's monsoon session, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan accepted the TDP's no-confidence motion against the Centre over the Andhra Pradesh special status row.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) last faced a no-confidence motion under the leadership of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003. The Vajpayee-led government had defeated the motion with an overwhelming majority.

What is a no-confidence motion?

While Article 75 of the Indian Constitution specifies that the council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People, there is no mention of a no-confidence motion in the Constitution: All it means is that the majority of the Lok Sabha members must be with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet.

Article 118 of the Constitution permits each House of Parliament to make its own rules for conduct of business. Rule 198 of the Lok Sabha specifies the procedure for a motion of no-confidence. Any member might give a written notice before 10 am; the Speaker will read the motion of no-confidence in the House and ask all those favouring the motion be taken up to rise. If there are 50 MPs in favour, the Speaker could allot a date for discussing the motion – but this has to be within 10 days. However, this cannot be done in conditions of din or confusion in the House.

Did a govt ever lose a no-confidence motion in India?

The first National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government had lost such a motion in 1999.

What happens if both a motion for no-confidence and a motion for confidence are tabled?

In 1990, when V P Singh had tabled a motion of confidence and a member had given the notice for a no-confidence motion, the Speaker had given precedence to government business and taken the motion of confidence.

What happens if the prime minister loses a motion of confidence?

He has to resign, and the President has to identify another person who enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.

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Govt faces no-trust vote; BJP confident of punching holes in Oppn's efforts

The BJP has also upped the ante in its criticism of the Congress, and has succeeded in catching it on the wrong foot.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan surprised the Opposition on Wednesday, the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, when she not only accepted their notices for a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government but also announced that the debate and voting on the motion would be held as early as Friday.

During the Budget session in March, Mahajan had pointed to disruptions in the House for not taking up a discussion on the notices of no-confidence motion, drawing criticism from opposition parties.

According to sources, this change in the government’s strategy of being amenable to facing a no-confidence motion came at the suggestion of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Amit Shah.

If the Opposition believes it will use the debate to embarrass the government on a host of issues, the BJP brass thinks the Opposition has offered it a gilded opportunity, that too close to elections to three key north Indian states, and the Lok Sabha polls not far away.

The PM has already started addressing public rallies across the country. The BJP has also upped the ante in its criticism of the Congress, and has succeeded in catching it on the wrong foot by describing it a party for Muslims. Modi’s reply to the debate in the Lok Sabha on Friday, with his speech set to be telecast live, is expected to mark the launch of his campaign for the 2019 polls.

Unless the PM does the unthinkable by quitting and recommending the dissolution of the House, which will also pave the way for much speculated early Lok Sabha elections, there is little danger to his government. In the Lok Sabha, the BJP continues to command a majority of its own in the House.

Therefore, the no-confidence motion will be less about number-crunching and more about optics. The Opposition will try to embarrass the government on a host of issues – agrarian distress, atrocities on dalits, special status for Andhra Pradesh, increase in deposits of Indians in Swiss banks, lynching incidents, foreign policy, and economy.

The BJP and government strategists are confident the debate and subsequent voting on the motion will expose Opposition disunity, while the PM will punch holes in the Opposition’s efforts at building a narrative against the government on issues such as farm distress. On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs increased the minimum price sugar mills pay to sugarcane growers by Rs 20 a quintal.

The news of the Speaker accepting the notices for a no-confidence motion rattled the market on Wednesday morning. The benchmark BSE Sensex closed nearly 150 points in the red after hitting a new all-time high in the morning.

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