Author: Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) Several BJP legislators have afresh moved the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly to call for a special sitting for the tabling of the CAG Reports.

On Monday, the matter was mentioned before a bench led by Acting Chief Justice (ACJ) Vibhu Bakhru, which directed the plea to be listed in the ordinary course. As per a lawyer connected with the case, the matter is likely to be listed on Tuesday for a hearing.

The much-delayed CAG reports purportedly talk about the alleged lapses of the city government related to the now-withdrawn excise policy, anti-pollution drive and other matters of state finances that may cause embarrassment to the AAP-led government just before the Assembly polls.

The latest plea filed by BJP MLAs Vijender Gupta, Mohan Singh Bisht, Om Prakash Sharma, Ajay Kumar Mahawar, Abhay Verma, Anil Bajpai and Jitender Mahajan said that a special sitting of the Delhi Legislative Assembly was not called by the Speaker despite a statement made before the Delhi High Court in an earlier round of litigation.

“This is a clear violation of the statement/ undertaking given by the Senior Counsel on behalf of the GNCTD before this Hon’ble Court for which the petitioners reserve their rights to move contempt of court if advised,” it said.

Last week, the Delhi HC disposed of BJP legislators’ plea seeking direction to the city government to forward CAG reports to the Lt. Governor (L-G) after it was told that L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved the 14 CAG reports forwarded by Chief Minister Atishi.

It noted that CM Atishi, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, will forward within 2-3 days these approved reports to the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, who in turn, will promptly take a call on holding a special session for laying down the CAG reports.

The petition had said that the CAG is a “constitutional watchdog” created with the objective of providing independent and credible assurance to the public, the legislature and the executive that the public funds are being collected and used effectively and efficiently.

–IANS

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Patna/ Panchkula, Dec 23 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 71,000 appointment letters to newly appointed recruits across the country during the Rozgar Mela on Monday, recruits from Bihar’s Patna and Haryana’s Panchkula expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for offering them a chance to serve the nation.

Sheelu Kumari, a resident of Patna, Bihar, was among the recruits who received an appointment letter for the post of constable in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Sheelu speaking to IANS, reflecting on her journey saying, “I’ve been preparing for two years. Last year, I failed the physical test, but I learned from that failure, worked harder, and finally succeeded in 2024. I owe this success to my family, friends, and especially to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this incredible opportunity.”

Neha Kumari, also from Patna, was selected for the post of Assistant Branch Post Master (ABPM). She shared her joy and elation over getting employment just when the new year celebrations are about to begin.

“This appointment is the best New Year gift I could have asked for,” she said.

“I am truly grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will work with dedication and honesty, and I owe my success to my parents, especially my mother, who always inspired me.”

Recruits from Haryana’s Panchkula were equally joyous and jubilant on receiving their appointment letters.

Anjali, who received an appointment letter from the postal department, expressed her joy, saying, “I am overjoyed to receive the appointment letter. This is a new chapter in my life, and I thank the Prime Minister for this opportunity.”

Similarly, Abhinav, who was selected for ITBP, and Deeksha Sharma, who cleared the SBI exam for the post of Junior Associate, also thanked the Prime Minister for their appointments.

The Rozgar Mela, a significant initiative by the government, aims to fulfil Prime Minister Modi’s commitment to prioritising employment generation. By offering meaningful job opportunities, the initiative empowers youth to actively participate in nation-building and secure their future.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) The All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) for November this year declined to 5.35 per cent and 5.47 per cent respectively, compared to 7.37 per cent and 7.13 per cent in the same month last year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Monday.

The inflation for agricultural and rural labourers for November was also lower than the corresponding figures for October 2024 at 5.96 per cent for CPI-AL and 6.00 per cent for CPI-RL. This is the second consecutive month of slowing inflation as the figures for retail inflation in October were lower than September.

The easing of the inflation burden for both agricultural and rural labourers comes as a welcome relief for these vulnerable segments that are hit hardest by spiralling prices. It also leaves more money in their hands to buy a wider range of goods, leading to a better lifestyle.

The decline also comes in the backdrop of India’s retail price inflation based on the CPI index declining to 5.48 per cent in November as the increase in prices of food items eased during the month bringing relief to household budgets, figures released earlier this month showed.

The slowing inflation marks a reversal of the increasing trend in the previous two months when the inflation rate touched 6.21 per cent in October.

During November, a significant decline in inflation was observed in vegetables, pulses, sugar and confectionery, fruits, eggs, milk and products, spices, transport and communication subgroups, according to the official statement.

The easing in inflation is a welcome sign as it was the first time that the rate of retail inflation crossed the RBI’s upper limit of 6 per cent in October. The RBI is waiting for retail inflation to come down to 4 per cent on a durable basis before it can go in for an interest rate cut to propel growth.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its latest monetary policy slashed the cash reserve ratio (CRR) for banks by 0.5 per cent to make more funds available for lending to spur economic growth but kept the key policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent with an eye on inflation.

The CRR has been reduced from 4.5 per cent to 4 per cent which will infuse Rs 1.16 lakh crore into the banking system and bring down market interest rates.

The monetary policy decision maintains a delicate balance between controlling inflation and pushing up the growth rate in a slowing economy,

In his last monetary policy view, former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said, “India’s growth story is still intact. Inflation is on the declining path, but we cannot overlook the significant risks in the outlook. This risk cannot be underestimated.”

He was optimistic about the outlook for the economy, observing that “the balance between inflation and growth is well poised.”

–IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 23 (IANS) A day after Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP-led Centre of systematic conspiracy to assault the Election Commission’s integrity, the latter dismissed the charges as baseless and unwarranted.

Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, speaking to IANS, reflected on the amendments and changes in country’s electoral system during the past seven decades and stated that it was the Congress which was at the helm while varied reforms were initiated in the poll panel.

Mallikarjun Kharge, taking to X on Sunday and condemned Modi government’s move to limit public access to certain electronic election-related documents, including CCTV footage, webcasting, and video recordings of candidates. He called it a ‘calibrated erosion’ of the ECI’s integrity, labelling it as a frontal assault on India’s Constitution and democratic values. Kharge’s remarks follow a recent amendment by the Central government, which restricts public inspection of specific electronic records, ostensibly to prevent their misuse.

In a rebuttal, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi accused Kharge of hypocrisy, pointing to the Congress Party’s historical role in amending and altering the country’s election system, on multiple occasions.

Naqvi fired back, saying, “The Election Commission of India was established in 1950, and reforms in elections, both big and small, have primarily taken place under Congress rule. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems he now criticises were both introduced during Congress’s time.”

Naqvi further reminded Kharge of several key changes brought under Congress regime including tax exemptions on political party funding, foreign funding for parties, and relaxed election contest rules for those with criminal records.

He also praised the Modi government’s contributions to improving the election process, highlighting increased transparency and efficiency.

“Prime Minister Modi has worked to make elections more transparent and accessible to voters. Today, state funding of elections is up to 70 per cent, voter slips are distributed efficiently through government channels and the creation of voter ID cards has been completed for all citizens,” Naqvi added.

Naqvi also responded to recent events in Uttar Pradesh, where three Khalistani terrorists were killed in a police encounter in Pilibhit.

“Anyone who challenges the integrity and security of our nation will face a firm response. This encounter is a testament to the commitment of our security forces to safeguard the nation and its citizens,” he concluded.

–IANS

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