Piyush Goyal extends birthday greetings to PM Modi at Jain ‘Parna’ ceremony, lauds his visionary leadership

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Mumbai, Sep 17 (IANS) Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Thursday affirmed that India will continue its rapid growth and achieve unprecedented milestones in national development under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. ​

Speaking to a large gathering at a Parna ceremony — the ritualistic breaking of the Jain community fast — organised by the local Jain Sangathan in Borivali, Goyal took the opportunity to extend his heartfelt birthday greetings to Prime Minister Modi on Thursday.

​Addressing the gathering, Minister Goyal prayed for the Prime Minister’s long and healthy life, expressing confidence in the nation’s trajectory.

“Under his visionary leadership, he will take the country to new heights,” he said.

“We pray for a long life and good health for PM Modi so that he may continue to guide us toward a better future.”

​The event marked the culmination of the sacred ‘Paryushan Parva Ane Das Lakshana Parva’, during which members of the Jain community undertake strict spiritual penance, fasting, and reflection.

Minister Goyal commended the community for its deep-rooted spiritual discipline, adherence to traditions, and steadfast commitment to ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence).

​Highlighting the importance of such cultural and spiritual gatherings, the Minister commended the local organisers for fostering community-driven initiatives that help reinforce social cohesion and unity.

He praised the Jain community for their spiritual dedication, discipline, and commitment to the traditions of fasting and Ahimsa (non-violence) during Paryushan and the subsequent Parna ceremony.

The event marked the conclusion of the auspicious Paryushan Parva and Das Lakshana Parva, key fasts and rituals observed annually by the Jain community.

‘Parna’ signifies the breaking of the fast after days of strict penance and spiritual reflection.

The Union Minister praised the local organisations and organisers for hosting the event, emphasising the role of community-driven spiritual gatherings in strengthening social unity.

–IANS

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Bengal Assembly budget session to begin today amid crucial HC verdict on Ritabrata Banerjee’s LoP status

Kolkata, June 18 (ANS) The budget session of the West Bengal Assembly will start from Thursday amid the crucial verdict to be passed by a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on the petition challenging the decision of Speaker Rathindra Bose to accept expelled Trinamool Congress Legislator Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the new majority bloc of the party in the House and as the official Leader of Opposition (LoP) .

The budget session will begin with the speech of West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi.

Meanwhile, the crucial hearing at Calcutta High Court’s single-judge bench of Justice Krishna Rao challenging the decision of Speaker Bose to accept Ritabrata Banerjee as the leader of the new majority bloc of the party in the House and as the LoP was concluded on Wednesday, and the judge reserved the judgment in the matter for the day.

However, Justice Rao said on Wednesday that he would pronounce the verdict most likely in the second half of Thursday.

At the same time, during the hearing, he questioned why the demand to recognise the rival bloc led by Ritabrata Banerjee was accepted without giving the political leadership of the party a chance to present its views.

So, the beginning of the Assembly budget session and the judgement on this crucial day will likely coincide.

While the budget session of the House will begin on Thursday, the full budget for the ongoing financial year of 2026-27 will be presented by the new finance minister, Swapan Dasgupta, on June 22.

To recall, on February 5 this year, the previous West Bengal Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge), Chandrima Bhattacharya, presented the interim (vote-on-account) budget on the floor of the Assembly.

The full budget could not be presented due to the West Bengal Assembly elections, which were then due in April. The results were declared on May 4, following which the new government was sworn in.

Last week, after being allotted the portfolio of the state finance department, Dasgupta said his target is to increase the state’s own tax revenue without imposing an additional burden on people through an upward revision of the existing tax structure.

–IANS

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Racket refilling premium scotch bottles with cheap alcohol busted in Punjab

Chandigarh, Aug 31 (IANS) Punjab Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Sunday that the State Excise Department has conducted two major enforcement operations leading to the unearthing of a racked refilling premium scotch and whiskey bottles with low-quality and cheap alcohol and the seizure of a substantial consignment of illicit alcohol.

He added that the operations in the Ludhiana (East) range were executed based on specific intelligence inputs and under the supervision of Excise and Taxation Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, along with other senior departmental officers.

“Our teams acted with precision to not only seize illegal stock but also to expose a new modus operandi where criminals are endangering public health by refilling premium bottles with low-quality liquor. This is a clear case of fraud and a serious threat to consumer safety, and we will not tolerate it,” he said.

In the first raid, enforcement teams, in coordination with local police, dismantled a sophisticated racket operating in Ludhiana.

The accused were found refilling high-end imported liquor bottles brands, including Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker Gold Label, and Chivas Regal, with cheaper Indian Made Foreign Liquor and Punjab Medium Liquor, with the intent to deceive consumers and evade excise duties.

Two people, Amit Vij and Pankaj Saini, were apprehended at the spot.

The authorities recovered 106 empty bottles, 39 refilled bottles, various bottling accessories, and seized a vehicle.

An FIR has been registered at Police Station Division number 3 in Ludhiana and investigations are ongoing to trace the full extent of the network.

In another operation, excise officials intercepted Vikramjeet Singh in Samrala, who was found in possession of 60 bottles of illicit liquor labeled “For Sale in Chandigarh only”.

The consignment had been illegally smuggled into Punjab, prompting his arrest.

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914.

Minister Cheema said the Excise Department will continue its rigorous enforcement drives across the state to dismantle illegal supply chains and prevent the circulation of spurious and non-duty-paid alcohol.

He highlighted that regular raids, surprise inspections, and coordinated inter-state operations will persist against bootleggers and smugglers.

The Minister also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest excise or police authority, stressing that public cooperation is vital to eliminate the menace of illicit liquor from Punjab.

–IANS

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CM Rekha Gupta presents Rs 1 lakh crore Budget for Delhi, says ‘largest ever’

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the first budget of the newly elected BJP government in the capital on Tuesday.

Terming the Budget 2025-26 as historic, the Chief Minister announced Rs 1 lakh crore Budget, which is the largest budget in the history of the national capital.

Presenting the Budget in the Assembly, CM Rekha Gupta said, “This is a historic day as this is not just any Budget. The people of Delhi and the country are waiting to see how the government, which was elected by the public with a historic mandate, will present its first Budget.”

“This Budget is not just a presentation of government expenses but a Budget to bring turnaround in city’s fortunes and align it on the path of Viksit Delhi. This Budget is focused on making Delhi, a Sangam of glorious history and bright future,” she added.

CM Rekha Gupta said that the Budget is based on the principles of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay, as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ resolution.

Taking aim at the previous AAP-led Delhi government, the Chief minister said, “It is unfortunate that in the last 10 years, Delhi kept sliding back in every aspect of development,” citing the examples of unrepaired roads, drainage system, pollution etc.

“The previous government acted like a termite for the economy of Delhi,” she added, stating that Delhi Jal Board, DTC and many other government institutions were running into losses.

CM Rekha termed the situation as a challenge for the new government.

Earlier in morning, Chief Minister Gupta said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP is presenting the Delhi Budget after 27 years. “Just as Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, we are returning after 27 years,” she added.

–IANS

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