Saubhadra Chatterji

Goa elections: Miffed Congress hesitant to accept TMC’s offer of poll pact

TMC’s offer for a poll pact in the Goa assembly elections has found little favour with the Congress.

A Congress strategist claimed that party president Sonia Gandhi was ‘extremely upset’ to see TMC poaching Congress lawmakers and making anti-Congress statements. The party is hesitant to accept TMC’s offer of poll pact ahead of assembly elections in Goa. (File)

Updated on Jan 18, 2022 01:23 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

Rajya Sabha polls another focus point for Cong in 2022

Among the 75 Upper House seats going to biennial polls during 2022, there are 7 seats from Punjab, 11 from Uttar Pradesh and one from Uttarakhand. These polls would be crucial for the party to improve its tally in Parliament.

Jammu: Congress supporters during a public rally at Khour village near Jammu, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (PTI Photo)(PTI12_26_2021_000054B) (PTI)

Updated on Jan 17, 2022 01:47 AM IST

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Budget Session of Parliament to begin on Jan 31; Union budget on Feb 1

Officials said they were exploring options such as a staggered timetables for Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and seating arrangements that take care of social distancing during the session

The Budget Session will coincide with elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Uttarakhand. (REUTERS)

Published on Jan 14, 2022 01:13 PM IST

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75% rise in Parliament Covid-19 cases over 3 days; 718 test positive

While most officials testing positive are asymptomatic, authorities are concerned about the prevalence of the infection ahead of the crucial budget session, scheduled to start on January 31.

Parliament House during Covid-19 induced weekend curfew in New Delhi on January 9. (PTI)

Updated on Jan 13, 2022 04:51 AM IST

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Parliament gears up for session amid Covid spike

The budget session is perhaps the most important sitting of Parliament, and also its longest. The Union Budget is presented at the beginning of the session.

New Delhi: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla interacts with officials during his visit to Parliament to review preparations for the Budget Session, which is scheduled to begin in February, amid rising cases of COVID-19, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. (PTI Photo)(PTI01_11_2022_000065B) (PTI)

Updated on Jan 12, 2022 12:08 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Home vaccinations for teens, third dose beneficiaries soon: Centre

Doorstep vaccination against Covid for adolescents and those eligible for precautionary or third doses is expected to start soon as the government seeks to further push its vaccination campaign on a mission mode, officials said.

Senior citizens wait at the observation room after taking a 'precautionary dose' of Covid-19 vaccine at Kanaklata Civil Hospital in Tezpur on Monday. (ANI)

Published on Jan 11, 2022 12:15 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

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Congress to explore TMC tie-up in Goa

The two parties have fought elections together in the past but recent exchanges have been marked by bitterness.

Kolkata: Luizinho Faleiro, former chief minister of Goa and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha candidate, files his nomination, at West Bengal Legislative Assembly, in Kolkata, Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (PTI Photo)(PTI11_15_2021_000140A) (PTI)

Published on Jan 10, 2022 11:50 PM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Weeks ahead of Budget, nearly 400 Parliament staffers test Covid positive

With less than three weeks left for the Budget session, nearly 400 staffers at Parliament have tested positive for Covid-19.

More than 400 Parliament staff have tested positive for the Covid-19, weeks ahead of the Union Budget session. (PTI)

Published on Jan 09, 2022 11:37 PM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Focus on Covid testing, genome sequencing to fight evolving virus: PM Modi

PM Modi emphasized on “continuous scientific research in testing, vaccines and pharmacological interventions including genome sequencing” to tackle the evolving virus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs a meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in the country, through video conference, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)

Published on Jan 09, 2022 11:37 PM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Smaller states fare better at providing MGNREGS jobs

While just 28.7% of the total enrolled MGNREGS workers found work in Bihar, 93% of those in Mizoram have benefitted, according to the government data.

Published on Jan 08, 2022 12:10 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Venkaiah Naidu seeks report on attendance at House panel meetings

Lawmakers were entitled to a special allowance amounting to 25% of the cost of their air travel to attend meetings before it was done away with in 2018.

A recent photo of Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu at an event in New Delhi. (PTI)

Published on Dec 31, 2021 01:24 PM IST

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Rajya Sabha adviser to devise road map for reform of House processes

PPK Ramacharyulu, now adviser in the Rajya Sabha secretariat, will prepare a road map for reforms in the functioning of its officials.

Published on Dec 30, 2021 11:58 PM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

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Centre, state’s measures will help BJP return to power in UP, says Anurag Thakur

The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh has improved vastly during Yogi Adityanath’s tenure, said the Union minister.

Union minister Anurag Thakur said that the improved law and order situation, the Centre’s social welfare measures and developmental works carried out by the state will help the BJP return to power in the UP elections.

Updated on Dec 30, 2021 04:30 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Varanasi

We’ll be world’s content subcontinent: Thakur

Addressing the closing ceremony of the inaugural Kashi film festival, Anurag Thakur said that PM Modi and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath have transformed the state.

Prominent film personalities inaugurated the Kashi film festival (PIB)

Published on Dec 29, 2021 03:25 AM IST

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Kashi film festival begins with tinge of UP poll campaign

Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan and the state’s tourism, culture and religious affairs minister, Neelkanth Tiwari, who is also the MLA from Varanasi (south), spoke at the event about the achievements of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Ravi Kishan, the first speaker at the inauguration ceremony, hailed the Adityanath government for a range of achievements, from several state new highways to schemes ensuring ration for all. (ANI)

Updated on Dec 28, 2021 04:32 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, Varanasi

Birla, Naidu discuss attendance of MPs in Parliament panel meets

Birla assured the members that this proposal would be discussed in Rules Committee and General Purpose Committee for approval, another leader said.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at Central Hall of Parliament. (PTI file)

Updated on Dec 24, 2021 04:40 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Deeksha Bhardwaj, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

12 Rajya Sabha MPs suspended to manufacture majority: Opposition

The opposition alleged that the government had suspended 12 MPs to “manufacture” a majority in the House for quick passage of legislations.

Opposition leaders along with suspended MPs read the Preamble to the Constitution of India and recite the national anthem, in front of Mahatma Gandhi statue, at Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday. (PTI)

Updated on Dec 23, 2021 04:38 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

Parliament: Stormy winter session ends

The stormy session, which kicked off with the repeal of three contentious agriculture laws, witnessed a bitter face-off between treasury and opposition benches in both chambers.

The stormy session, which kicked off with the repeal of three contentious agriculture laws, witnessed a bitter face-off between treasury and opposition benches in both chambers.

Updated on Dec 23, 2021 03:11 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

4 bills sent to Parliament panels, winter session set to end today

The winter session of Parliament that started on November 29, is set to end on Wednesday after completing the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Upper House, said people aware of developments.

The Narendra Modi government referred four out of six contentious bills to parliamentary panels, stalled one but passed another quickly in the politically-charged winter session that saw major protests. (PTI)

Updated on Dec 22, 2021 03:41 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

Oppn skips govt meet on House logjam over MPs’ suspension, Centre hits back

With just three days left in the winter session and the government’s belated attempt falling through,the Rajya Sabha’s productivity is set to suffer yet again.

Opposition MPs hold a meeting to decide whether to attend a meeting called by the government on suspension of 12 MPs, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI)

Updated on Dec 21, 2021 04:44 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

‘Ploy to divide us’: Opposition’s RSVP to govt on invite over Parliament impasse

Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi had invited leaders of the Congress, Shiv Sena, TMC, Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M), and CPI for a meeting to resolve the crisis

Opposition parties met at 9.45am on Monday at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge’s office to decide on the government’s invitation to five paeties and decided to turn down the invite.

Updated on Dec 20, 2021 11:35 AM IST

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Opposition raises concerns over parts of two bills, wants detailed review

The legislations are pertaining to increasing the minimum age of marriage from 18 to 21 years for women and amendments to the Biological diversity bill.

Proceedings of Rajya Sabha adjourned amid uproar in the House by Opposition MPs during the Winter Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on December 17. (ANI)

Updated on Dec 20, 2021 04:50 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

Govt invites four Opposition parties to discuss suspensions of 12 RS MPs today

Leader of Opposition in the Upper House, Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday evening wrote a letter to parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi while terming the decision to invite just four parties as “unfair and unfortunate”

Suspended Rajya Sabha MPs during a protest demanding for revocation of their suspension, at Parliament House, in New Delhi on December 17. (PTI)

Updated on Dec 20, 2021 05:04 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

Unfortunate and unfair, says Kharge after Centre calls 4 parties for meeting

The proposed meeting will be held on Monday at 10 am at Rajya Sabha leader Piyush Goyal’s office. But the Opposition parties are meeting at 9.45 am to take a final call on attending the meeting.

Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi on Sunday evening and called the decision to invite just four parties as unfair. (PTI PHOTO.)

Updated on Dec 19, 2021 10:13 PM IST

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Protests over MPs’ suspension: Opposition sees little hope of resolution

On Friday, Naidu called a senior Congress leader and asked him to try to find a solution to the ongoing impasse

Suspended Rajya Sabha MPs during a protest at Parliament House, in New Delhi, on Friday. (PTI)

Updated on Dec 18, 2021 02:26 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, New Delhi

Naidu calls up Opposition leader in a bid to end impasse over MPs’ suspension

The telephonic conversation, which lasted a few minutes, is seen as a significant step towards restoring order in the Rajya Sabha with just six days left for the winter session of Parliament to wrap up

Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu conducts proceedings at the Parliament in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI)

Published on Dec 17, 2021 10:31 AM IST

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Opposition meet with Naidu on MPs’ suspension ends on stormy note

A meeting of Opposition leaders with Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday to resolve the impasse over suspension of 12 lawmakers turned into a stormy debate.

Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu met opposition leaders over the suspension of MPs, on Wednesday. (PTI)

Updated on Dec 16, 2021 05:53 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Opposition leaders meet Venkaiah Naidu over suspension of 12 MPs

Wednesday’s meeting saw a united Opposition, including leaders from the Congress, the NCP, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Shiv Sena, approaching Naidu to resolve the issue

Rajya Sabha chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu conducts proceedings in the House during the winter session of Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)

Updated on Dec 15, 2021 07:28 PM IST

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Verify caste certificates while hiring: Parliament panel

The panel’s suggestions came following Akhil Bharatiya Adivasi Vikas Parishad’s claims that both ministries and public offices have withheld pension benefits for as many as 136 SC, STs.

Ministries and public enterprises must end the practice of verifying caste certificates at the end of one’s career to enable smooth disbursal of pension benefits, a House panel has suggested. (AP)

Updated on Dec 15, 2021 01:01 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Opposition leaders may urge Naidu to break impasse after Sonia meet

According to people familiar with the developments, the leaders may also point out to Naidu how his predecessor, Hamid Ansari, often took the lead to end such logjams during his tenure.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and other opposition parties’ members stage a protest demanding revocation of the suspension of 12 Rajya Sabha MPs, at Parliament premises in New Delhi, on Tuesday. (PTI)

Updated on Dec 15, 2021 04:54 AM IST

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BySaubhadra Chatterji, Hindustan Times, New Delhi