Hollow protests by Congress, AAP harming traders, business: Delhi BJP chief

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Oct 3 (IANS) Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra said on Saturday that the Congress, Communist parties and the Aam Aadmi Party, which have been rejected by the people, are staging hollow protests against the Chief Election Commissioner and harming traders by disturbing law and order during the busy festive season.

Malhotra said these parties are vitiating the country’s political atmosphere and putting undue pressure on the police and administration, while also doing a disservice to traders by disrupting trade and commerce during the annual festival and business season that began across the country, including Delhi and Mumbai, from October 1.

The Delhi BJP chief said that with the Assembly elections scheduled to be held in early 2027, the AAP is already facing the prospect of losing power in Punjab, while the Congress is facing the prospect of a major defeat in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Punjab.

In such a situation, not only these two parties, but also the defeated and frustrated Communist, Samajwadi Party, RJD and Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee have come together and are now attempting to derail the country’s economy during the festive season, Malhotra said.

The BJP leader said that because of the protests by these opposition parties, the entire month of July was adversely affected from the perspective of business in the Capital.

Now, with the renewed opposition protests threatening to disrupt the upcoming three-month trade season, Delhi’s business organisations and traders are worried, said Malhotra.

Several organisations have contacted us and condemned these protests, which are being carried out of fear of political defeat, said Malhotra.

In another development, the Delhi BJP chief paid tributes to Kedar Nath Sahni, former Delhi Pradesh BJP President, former Chief Executive Councillor of Delhi, and former Governor of Goa and Sikkim, on his death anniversary.

Malhotra said that the life of senior Delhi BJP leader and former State President late Kedar Nath Sahni, from the days of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh to the Bharatiya Janata Party, remained a symbol of dedication to the organisation, discipline, honesty and inspiration for party workers.

After the establishment of the Bharatiya Janata Party in 1980, he played an important role in strengthening the organisation and establishing the core values of the party.

His punctuality, integrity in his working style and sincere commitment towards every responsibility entrusted to him will always be remembered. In public and organisational life, he set high standards of morality, simplicity and discipline, the Delhi BJP chief said.

Malhotra said that Kedar Nath Sahni made significant contributions towards safeguarding the interests and rehabilitation of Hindu families displaced from Jammu and Kashmir.

At the event organised at the Delhi BJP office, Pradeep Sahni, son of Kedar Nath Sahni, along with other family members, was also present, a statement said.

–IANS

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New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday launched the third edition of credit rating agency CareEdge Global’s flagship report, “Sovereign Ratings: A Fresh Perspective” at an event in London.

Speaking at the launch, Goyal said, “Such research-driven publications play an important role in enhancing understanding of sovereign risk dynamics and the evolving global economic landscape. It is important to have a dialogue on the sovereign risk assessment framework of rating agencies.”

The latest edition of the report presents a detailed analysis of 45 sovereign economies, collectively accounting for approximately 85 per cent of global GDP. Built on a rigorous five-pillar analytical framework, covering economic structure, fiscal strength, external position, monetary stability, and governance, the report offers a forward-looking, data-driven assessment of sovereign credit risk across both developed and emerging markets.

The report provides insights into global macroeconomic trends, fiscal dynamics, institutional strength, and external resilience, helping stakeholders navigate an increasingly complex and uncertain global economic landscape.

“The third edition of the Sovereign Ratings reflects CareEdge Global’s commitment to a rigorous, transparent, and forward-looking approach to sovereign risk assessment. By emphasising key growth enablers such as capital investment, infrastructure development, and the strength of domestic funding ecosystems, we aim to provide a nuanced and accurate assessment of sovereign risk. While our framework maintains global standards, it is also designed to capture the distinct opportunities and challenges that shape the economic trajectories of emerging markets,” said Mehul Pandya, Managing Director and Group CEO, CareEdge, at the event.

Revati Kasture, CEO, CareEdge Global, said, “The 2026 edition reflects CareEdge Global’s rapid evolution as a credible global ratings player, combining analytical independence, methodological transparency, and emerging-market insight. The report highlights key global themes, including fiscal consolidation challenges, external vulnerabilities, structural reforms, and growth resilience across economies.”

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‘Why are 3 out of every 5 women still not receiving help?’ Rahul Gandhi flags gaps in OSCs

New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday raised concerns over women’s safety and the functioning of One Stop Centres (OSCs), alleging that many women in distress are still unable to access timely support.

In a post on his WhatsApp channel, Gandhi wrote: “Women are knocking on doors for help, but the government has shut those doors.”

He further mentioned: “I asked in Parliament: when a woman escapes violence and reaches a One Stop Centre (OSC), why does she not receive help? Why does she find it locked? Why is there a shortage of staff? Why are complaints from across the country being ignored? What was the government’s response? Everything is ‘satisfactory’. If everything is ‘satisfactory’, then why are there so many reports highlighting problems in OSCs?”

“If safety is a priority, why are 3 out of every 5 women still not receiving help? And why is only 60 paise out of every Rs 100 of the Women and Child Development Ministry being spent on OSCs?” he asked.

The LoP further stated, “Safety is not a scheme; it is the basic responsibility of the government. Calling everything ‘satisfactory’ does not ensure safety; it shows that the Modi government is not listening to anyone.”

Gandhi’s remarks come in the context of a question he raised in the Lok Sabha on March 27, 2026, seeking details about the functioning of OSCs across the country. He had asked whether several centres were non-functional, not operating round the clock, or facing staff shortages.

He also sought data on the number of women seeking assistance, funds allocated and utilised, and vacancies in key positions such as administrators, counsellors, and medical staff.

Responding to the query, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur said that OSCs operate under the Mission Shakti scheme and are designed to provide “integrated and immediate assistance” to women affected by violence, including medical aid, legal support, temporary shelter, police assistance and psychosocial counselling.

The government stated that “since its inception on April 1, 2015, till December 31, 2025, more than 13.37 lakh women have been assisted” through OSCs across the country. It also clarified that “the overall implementation of the OSC scheme lies with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations”, while funds are released as per prescribed guidelines.

Highlighting monitoring mechanisms, the ministry said that “once a year, the Programme Approval Board (PAB) reviews the progress of activities under the scheme” and that officials conduct regular reviews through meetings, video conferencing, and field visits.

The government further noted that “third-party evaluations…through NITI Aayog in 2020 and 2025 found the scheme’s relevance, effectiveness and sustainability to be satisfactory.”

Despite these assurances, Gandhi maintained that continued reports of gaps in access and services suggest a disconnect between official claims and the situation on the ground.

–IANS

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CM Vijayan, Priyanka Gandhi criticise Centre for not supporting Wayanad rehabilitation

Wayanad (Kerala), March 27 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, participating in the foundation stone laying for the Wayanad Model Township at Kalpetta for victims of the devastating July 2024 landslide on Thursday, criticised the Centre for not providing any grant for the rehabilitation of the hapless people who lost everything.

Under the scheme, which envisages building 430 new homes and numerous other facilities for those who lost everything on July 30 last year, Vijayan also laid the foundation stone for the first model house.

“Central assistance was what we expected, but there is nothing as yet, and when is it going to come? Based on past experience, we do not know. What we received was a loan, and that too, very little. Against the backdrop of no central assistance, we went forward and we got the support from several quarters,” he said, adding that this is happening at a time when the state is passing through one of its worst financial crises.

“We sought a Rs 2,221 crore package and had huge expectations from the Centre, but nothing came. We also demanded this to be declared as a national calamity, but that also failed to materialise,” Vijayan said.

All the state received was a loan of Rs 529 crore, he said.

“This tragedy left not just Kerala but the whole world in tragedy. Eight months ago, this happened, and now we have started the rebuilding process. In all, 430 homes, each measuring 1,000 square feet, will be built. Besides all the facilities needed for a community living would also be there,” Vijayan said.

“This shows the strength of our state. People showed their unity and showed the impossible turn into a reality. How this became a reality, just one answer is there and it’s on account of the unity of our people and the empathy of our people with the state government in the forefront,” he said.

Priyanka Gandhi said whenever we think about what the local people went through in the landslide areas, “it is huge and just cannot be measured”.

“On one side, the destruction and on the other side, the greatness of the unity to fight the tragedy. It’s a solemn occasion today for all of us as it is an occasion to remember all those who are not with us,” she said.

“This township is the first to bring you all together, and the Chief Minister has said the work will be finished in a time-bound manner. Funds are required. We all wished that this would be declared a natural calamity and funds would be released. Despite all our efforts, there has been no central assistance even after (PM Narendra Modi) Modiji came… it has not been announced as yet. But all of us are united to help you, and all are standing with you. We will always be around you till your lives are rebuilt,” Gandhi said.

State Revenue Minister K. Rajan said that today is a historic day for all who faced the tragedy with grit and determination.

“All 298 people who were with us are not with us, and we can never bring them back. Barring that, we are now joining hands to rebuild the lives of people who lost everything. A township will encompass everything for those who lost everything. On the 63rd day after the tragedy, the Kerala government took over two estates, and if not for legal issues, by now half the homes would have been completed.”

Satheesan said the opposition never stood as a stumbling block to any efforts of the state government in drawing up the rehabilitation plan.

“We brought the shortcomings to the fore in the assembly as we were only concerned about people who were affected should be held together. We requested that the state government see that those who lost everything should live together. There was a delay in preparing the beneficiary list. Now we should see there should be no more delay,” he said.

“PM Modi came and saw and raised hopes of support, but nothing of it has come. This is condemnable and an action that has to be protested,” Satheesan said.

–IANS

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