PTI, Kolkata, Jun 11, 2024 : Senior TMC leader Saket Gokhale on Tuesday claimed that three BJP MPs from West Bengal are in touch with the party and the saffron party’s tally in Parliament would soon come down to 237.
The comments drew sharp reactions from the West Bengal BJP unit, which dubbed the claim as “baseless” and asserted that the state unit stands united.
The Trinamool Congress secured 29 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal.
The BJP, in contrast, faced a significant setback, dropping to 12 seats from the 18 it won in 2019.
“As of today, the numbers in the Lok Sabha are BJP: 240 INDIA: 237. Three BJP MPs in West Bengal are in touch with us and there will be a nice surprise soon. After that, BJP: 237 INDIA: 240.
“Modi’s creaky coalition is a temporary structure which isn’t going to last very long,” Gokhale, a Rajya Sabha MP, posted on X.
In the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls, the BJP with 240 seats fell short of a majority but the NDA secured the mandate with 293 seats. The Congress bagged 99 seats while the INDIA bloc got 234 seats. Following the polls, two Independents who won have also pledged support to the Congress, taking the INDIA bloc tally to 236.
Reacting to Gokhale’s claim, BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said the TMC is “daydreaming”.
“Since 2014, the TMC has been daydreaming of becoming the pivotal force in the union government but its hopes were dashed not once but thrice. The BJP and NDA stand united. No BJP MP from Bengal is in touch with the TMC,” he said.
SNS, 11 June 2024 : The state government will include boys and girls belonging to the general category, minorities and OBC in its Yogyashree scheme that provides free coaching to students sitting for engineering and medical courses.
The scheme was so long applicable to the SC and ST categories.
In 2024, those who had received training in Yogyashree scheme, got 23 ranks, including 13 IIT seats in JEE Advanced, 75 ranks in JEE (Main),. Seventy five students had cracked JEE (Main) and 432 cracked WBJEE and 110 ranks in NEET.
The state government has increased the number of centres to 50 and 2000 aspirants will receive the coaching. The coaching will be given from students studying in Class XI onwards.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee in her X handle wrote: “We are proud that our Yogyashree scheme which we started to provide free-of-cost training to SC/ST students of the state for admission in engineering and medical courses has been yielding increasingly greater and greater benefits for our SC/ST boys and girls. Now, we shall include the boys and girls of minority, OBC and general categories also in this scheme.”
She said this would benefit the students coming from economically-challenged backgrounds immensely.
She emphasised this scheme would bring out engineers and doctors in large numbers from the weaker section of the society.
“Let our boys and girls from the weaker sections be engineers and doctors in larger numbers. We shall now include students of Minority, OBC, and General categories in this scheme. Kudos to them!,” she further posted.
The state’s budget also revealed an enhancement in financial assistance under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme. General category households will now receive Rs 1,000, while SC/ST households are set to receive Rs 1,200.
Additionally, SC/ST women will been titled to Rs 1,200, and others will receive Rs 1,000 under the Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, effective from April 2024.
The West Bengal government on Tuesday said its ‘Yogyashree’ scheme for students will now include beneficiaries from the minority, OBC and general categories. The scheme was launched in January to provide free-of-cost training to SC and ST students of the state for engineering and medical courses.
“In consideration of the value of this critical training support to our disadvantaged boys and girls, we have increased the number of centres in the state now to 50, and number of our supported trainees to 2,000, and the training will be given from Class XI onwards for better preparation,” the Chief Minister said.
“Let our boys and girls from the weaker sections be engineers and doctors in larger numbers,” she added.
Bengal’s Chief Secy said that the government of West Bengal increased the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief by 4 percent in the state. The government notification was released on Tuesday
ANI, 11 June 2024 : The government of West Bengal increased the Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief by 4 percent in the state. The government notification was released on Tuesday.
The order comes into effect from April 1, 2024.
In a letter dated June 11, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of West Bengal Dr Manoj Pant said that Governor CV Ananda Bose was pleased to enhance of the rate of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief.
Dr Manoj Pant said, “The Governor has been pleased to decide that enhancement of rate of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief in respect of the employees and Pensioners / Family Pensioners respectively of the State Government and Government aided Educational Institutions, Statutory Bodies, Government Undertakings, Panchayats including Panchayat Karmee, Municipal Corporations / Municipalities, Local Bodies etc. and Daily Rate of Wages for the daily rated workers as was allowed vide in Finance Department Memorandum No.1090-F(P2) dated March 1, 2024 shall be effective from April 1 instead of May 1.
IANS, Kolkata, June 11, 2024 : West Bengal was the fourth highest recipient state in the latest instalment of tax devolution released in the last phase as per the figures released by the Union Finance Ministry on Tuesday.Of the total Rs 1,39,750 crore of the latest instalment released, West Bengal has got a share of Rs 10,513.46 crore, which is fourth highest after Uttar Pradesh Rs 25,069.88 crore, Bihar at 14.056.12 crore and Madhya Pradesh at Rs 10,970.44 crore.
As per the statement by the Union Finance Ministry, with the latest release, a total of Rs 2,79,500 crore had been devolved to the different states till June 10 for the current financial year of 2024-25.
Economic analysts believe that the fresh figures released for West Bengal immediately after the BJP-led NDA came to power at the Centre for the third consecutive term are expected to silence the ruling Trinamool Congress for some time about their constant allegations against the Union government of not releasing Central funds for the state under various heads, including tax devolution instalments.
In fact, in almost all the pre-election campaign rallies Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that despite collecting crores of rupees as tax from West Bengal, the Union government had been reluctant in releasing its due shares to the state government.
However, economic analysts point out that the state-wise release of tax devolution instalments in the last phase shows that the amount going to the kitty of West Bengal is much higher than the BJP-ruled states like Assam, Gujarat and Rajasthan among others.
In fact, at a meeting with the newly elected party MPs on June 8, CM Mamata Banerjee outlined the roadmap for Trinamool Congress on the floor of the 18th Lok Sabha, where she made it clear that one of the three key issues to be highlighted by the party in the coming days within the two Houses of Parliament will be non-release of Central funds to the state government under various heads.
PIB release state- It has been decided that apart from the regular release of the devolution amount for the month of June 2024, one additional instalment will be released. This release cumulatively amounts to Rs. 1,39,750 crore in the current month. This will enable State Governments to accelerate development and capital spending.
The Interim Budget 2024-25 has a provision of Rs. 12,19,783 crore towards devolution of taxes to States.
With this release, the total amount devolved (for FY 2024-25) to States till 10 June 2024 is Rs. 2,79,500 crore.
Among the ministers, six stand out for their particularly high asset declarations, each exceeding Rs 100 crore, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) said
PTI, New Delhi, 11.06.24: Seventy out of 71 or 99 per cent of the ministers in the new council of ministers are crorepatis with average assets among them amounting to Rs 107.94 crore, according to poll rights body ADR.
Among the ministers, six stand out for their particularly high asset declarations, each exceeding Rs 100 crore, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) said.
Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Development and Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications, tops the list with a staggering total asset declaration of Rs 5705.47 crore. His assets include Rs 5598.65 crore in movable assets and Rs 106.82 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Communications and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has declared total assets worth Rs 424.75 crore. His portfolio comprises Rs 62.57 crore in movable assets and Rs 362.17 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel H D Kumaraswamy from the Janata Dal (Secular) has total assets valued at R. 217.23 crore. His assets include Rs 102.24 crore in movable assets and Rs 115.00 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Railways, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw has declared assets totaling Rs 144.12 crore, which include Rs. 142.40 crore in movable assets and Rs 1.72 crore in immovable assets.
Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Planning and Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, has total assets amounting to Rs 121.54 crore. His assets comprise Rs 39.31 crore in movable assets and Rs 82.23 crore in immovable assets.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, another BJP minister from Mumbai North in Maharashtra, has declared assets worth Rs 110.95 crore. This includes Rs 89.87 crore in movable assets and Rs 21.09 crore in immovable assets.
About 99 per cent of the new ministers are crorepatis. Out of the 71 ministers analyzed, an overwhelming 70 have declared assets in the crorepati range, highlighting a significant concentration of wealth among the country’s political leadership.
The report, which provides a detailed financial overview of these ministers, indicates that the average assets among them amount to Rs 107.94 crore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with his 71 ministers, took oath on Sunday as the new coalition government was formed after two full tenures in which the BJP enjoyed a majority on its own.
Meghashree Poddar, EOI, 11 June 2024 : Social media has revolutionized communication, fostering connections across vast distances. Item powers individuals to express themselves, engage ing lobal conversations, and access information readily.
However, just like how avocado is often tasteless despite being so ridiculously healthy or how many good-looking people come with nasty characters, social media, too, does have a dark side. The constant barrage of notifications, messages, and online content can be incredibly distracting. Studies link excessive screen time to negative health outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and decreased self-esteem. Digital devices can also strain eyes, cause headaches, and disrupt sleep patterns, further impacting overall well-being.
Furthermore, the curated and often unrealistic portrayals on social media can distort students’ perceptions of reality and hinder their personal development. The constant stream of seemingly perfect lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and social comparison, impacting self-esteem and potentially contributing to body image issues.
Social media can create pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, leading to a disconnect from one’s authentic self. The infiltration of digital technology into classrooms also presents challenges. The allure of notifications and readily available online content can significantly diminish attention spans and hinder learning. Students accustomed to easily accessible information might struggle with critical thinking and thorough analysis, hindering their ability to develop deeper understanding and problem-solving skills.
This can lead to a reliance on quick online answers rather than in-depth exploration of complex topics.
Digital Detox: A call for balanced technology use:
1. Improved Focus and Attention: By disconnecting from distractions, students can regain control over their time and attention. This fosters amore mindful approach to learning, enabling them to dedicate focused time to studying and engaging in enriching activities that promote personal growth and well-being. Students can develop stronger time management skills and avoid the temptation to multitask, leading to more efficient learning.
2. Enhanced Well-being: A digital detox can reduce stress, anxiety, and improve sleep quality. This leads to increased energy levels, improved focus, and overall well-being. Students can experience a sense of calm and clarity that can benefit both academic and personal pursuits.
3. Stronger Relationships: Disconnecting from screens allows for stronger connections with friends and family through face-to-face interactions. It fosters communication, empathy, and deeper understanding. Students can learn valuable social skills that are essential for success in all aspects of life.
4. Boosted Confidence: Stepping away from the carefully curated world of social media can help students develop a more positive self-image and embrace their authentic selves, free from the pressure to conform to unrealistic online portrayals.
Students can focus on their own strengths and interests, fostering a sense of self-worth and confidence. Digital detox periods offer a valuable opportunity for students to cultivate stronger interpersonal relationships. Disconnecting from screens allows for quality time with friends and family, fostering face-to-face interactions and strengthening social skills.
Additionally, it allows for self-reflection and exploration of interests outside the digital realm. Students can rediscover the joy of real-world activities, engage in creative pursuits, or connect with nature. While the overuse of social media can be detrimental, this article isn’t about giving up technology. It’s about taking back control of our time, focus, and happiness.
A balanced regimen must include:
*Social Media Audit:Regularly evaluate online platforms. Identify and unfollow accounts that create negativity or encourage social comparison. Focus on following accounts that provide positive, inspiring, or educational content.
*Time Tracking: Utilize time-tracking apps or features within social media platforms to monitor daily usage. Analyze the data to identify peak us age times and areas for improvement. Set realistic goals for reducing screen time and track your progress.
*Digital-Free Zones: Designate specific times or areas as “digital-free,” such as during meals, before bed, or in specific study areas. Implement “no-phone” policies during family or social gatherings to enhance real-life interactions.
*Mindful Consumption: Be intentional about the content you engage with. Limit passive scrolling and set a purpose for each social media session. Seek out informative and inspiring content that promotes learning and personal growth.
*Notification Management: Turn off non-essential notifications to minimize distractions and maintain focus.
Consider scheduling specific times to check social media accounts, rather than constantly being bombarded with notifications.
*Digital Detox Periods: Plan regular breaks from social media, such as a weekend without access. Use this time to engage in offline activities, reconnect with nature, and reassess digital habits. Evaluate the impact on your mental and emotional state.
Consider incorporating mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, to further enhance well-being. Technology offers many benefits, but it’s essential to maintain a healthy balance. By implementing these strategies, students can reclaim control over their time, attention, and well-being. This fosters a more positive and productive learning experience, allowing them to thrive in both academic and personal spheres.
Students who are well-rested, focused, and connected to the real world are better equipped to succeed in their studies and build meaningful relationships.
PTI, 10 June 2024 : People affected by fresh incidents of violence in Manipur have started arriving in Assam’s Cachar district in search of safety, the local MLA said on Monday.
Security along the inter-state border has been tightened, a police officer said.
Two police outposts, a forest beat office and at least 70 houses were torched in Jiribam by suspected militants on Saturday, leading to fresh tension in the neighbouring state which has been witnessing ethnic violence since May last year.
Residents of the bordering areas claimed that about 600 people have taken shelter in various parts of Lakhipur in Cachar district, entering the state by crossing the Jiri river over the last four days.
They are taking shelter in villages at Jirighat and Lakhipur, though no government relief camp has been opened for them, they said.
“The people who have come from Manipur are being allowed to stay here safely. The local administration is taking all steps to ensure no spread of any violence here,” Lakhipur MLA Kaushik Rai told PTI.
Cachar Superintendent of Police Nomal Mahatto said that police and other security forces have been deployed in the border areas.
“There are no reports of any untoward incident in Cachar so far. Police patrolling in Jirighat on the border as well as along the national highway and nearby villages is being conducted,” he told PTI.
The SP added that the situation on the Assam side is completely under control and the police are keeping a strict vigil following the violence in Jiribam.
Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had so far remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in the northeastern state since May last year.
The MLA said that most of the people who have entered Cachar are Kukis and Hmars.
The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis began in May last year and led to the deaths of over 200 people, besides rendering thousands of people homeless.
PSikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Photo: IANS)
SNS | Gangtok | June 10, 2024 : Prem Singh Tamang, the president of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), was on Monday sworn in as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the second consecutive term.
This follows his party’s overwhelming victory in the recent assembly elections, where the SKM secured 31 out of 32 seats. The swearing-in ceremony, held at Paljor Stadium, was conducted by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya and witnessed by a large crowd.
Tamang, 56, who successfully led the SKM to this decisive win, was also elected unanimously as the leader of the legislature party during a meeting on June 2.
Alongside him, a council of ministers consisting of 12 members, including the Chief Minister, was also sworn in.
To ensure the security of the event, the state government ordered the closure of all educational institutions in and around Gangtok on Monday.
Additionally, a half-day holiday was declared for all government offices and public sector undertakings (PSUs) located in the vicinity.
“In view of the swearing-in ceremony of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Designate and the Council of Ministers Designate…the state government hereby declares, 10th June, 2024 as a half working day till 12 noon, for all government offices and PSUs located in and around Gangtok,” Chief Secretary V B Pathak announced in a circular issued by the Home Department.
Tamang’s leadership has been pivotal for the SKM. Under his guidance, the party not only triumphed in the assembly elections but also secured the lone Lok Sabha seat in Sikkim.
He contested and won from both the Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies, showcasing his strong political influence and popularity.
The SKM’s victory marks a significant shift in Sikkim’s political landscape, further diminishing the influence of the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which ruled the state for 25 consecutive years until 2019.
The SDF managed to win only one seat in the recent elections, highlighting the extent of SKM’s dominance.
Prem Singh Tamang has promised to continue working towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim.
His administration aims to address various issues facing the state, including improving infrastructure, healthcare, and education, while maintaining the cultural heritage and environmental sustainability of Sikkim.
Shivraj debuts as Agriculture Minister, Kumaraswamy gets steel, Portfolios of Sitharaman, Jaishankar, Gadkari remain unchanged
PTI, 10 June 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s top four ministers — Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nirmala Sitharaman and S Jaishankar — have retained their respective home, defence, finance and external affairs portfolios, according to an official statement.
Among the new entrants to the Union Cabinet, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has been given the agriculture and rural development portfolios, BJP president J P Nadda the health portfolio and former Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar the power portfolio.
Nitin Gadkari will continue as road transport minister, while Dharmendra Pradhan will retain his education portfolio.
Kiren Rijiju has been moved from the earth sciences ministry to the parliamentary affairs ministry, while Arjun Ram Meghwal will continue as law minister.
Sarbananda Sonowal has retained the shipping portfolio, according to the statement.
Modi and 71 ministers took oath of office and secrecy on Sunday at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the new agriculture and rural development minister, while BJP president J.P. Nadda has been given the health ministry.
Nadda had held the same portfolio in the Modi government’s first term before he took over as the BJP’s working president in 2019 and became the full-fledged party president in January 2020 after Amit Shah was appointed as the Union home minister.
The portfolios were announced after Modi held the first meeting of his new cabinet on Monday evening.
The meeting was held at the prime minister’s 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, residence a day after the swearing-in of the new NDA government. Modi and 71 ministers took oath of office and secrecy on Sunday at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Here is the complete list of cabinet ministers and their portfolios
Rajnath Singh – Minister of Defence.
Amit Shah – Minister of Home Affairs; and Minister of Cooperation
Nitin Gadkari – Minister of Road Transport and Highways
JP Nadda – Minister of Health and Family Welfare; and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Shivraj Singh Chouhan – Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; and Minister of Rural Development
Nirmala Sitharaman – Minister of Finance; and Minister of Corporate Affairs.
S. Jaishankar – Minister of External Affairs
Manohar Lal Khattar – Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Minister of Power.
H. D. Kumaraswamy – Minister of Heavy Industries; and Minister of Steel
Piyush Goyal – Minister of Commerce and Industry
Dharmendra Pradhan – Minister of Education
Jitan Ram Manjhi – Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Lalan Singh – Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Sarbananda Sonowal – Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Virendra Kumar – Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu – Minister of Civil Aviation
Pralhad Joshi – Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy
Jual Oram – Minister of Tribal Affairs
Giriraj Singh – Minister of Textiles
Ashwini Vaishnaw – Minister of Railways; Minister of Information and Broadcasting; and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia – Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region.
Bhupender Yadav – Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat – Minister of Culture; and Minister of Tourism
Annpurna Devi – Minister of Women and Child Development
Kiren Rijiju – Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of Minority Affairs
Hardeep Singh Puri – Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Mansukh Mandaviya – Minister of Labour and Employment; and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports
G. Kishan Reddy – Minister of Coal; and Minister of Mines
Chirag Paswan – Minister of Food Processing Industries
Historically, Kurseong was a small village in the kingdom of Sikkim. Its name is derived from the local word “Kurson-Rip”, meaning a small white orchid
An aerial view of Kuresong town: Picture by Passang Yolmo
Bireswar Banerjee, TT, Siliguri, 10.06.24 : The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will launch a 7km white orchid heritage walk to attract tourists to Kurseong.
Historically, Kurseong was a small village in the kingdom of Sikkim. Its name is derived from the local word “Kurson-Rip”, meaning a small white orchid.
Kurseong is now affectionately called the land of the white orchids and hence the name of the heritage walk.
“The road to Darjeeling that was built through Kurseong from Titliya is known as the Military Road and despite its current state of disrepair we plan to introduce ‘White Orchid Heritage Walk’ through these stretches to attract not just adventure sports enthusiasts but also send across a message to conserve nature,” said Dawa Gyalpo Sherpa, the chief coordinator, adventure tourism, GTA.
The trek will start from Dokan Dara and take hikers through patches where wild orchids are grown along with pine tree forest and Chinese bamboo forests in Kurseong.
Hikers can also experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the local people at Chitray busty.
“A visit to Kali Pokhari, a small sacred pond with historical and cultural importance, has also been included in the itinerary,” said a GTA official.
The daylong hike, which starts from 5,100 feet and ends at an altitude of 7,137 feet, is classified as a “moderate level” hike.
The hike is expected to start from the third week of June.
Sources said that the GTA is trying various initiatives to attract tourists to Kurseong which is largely overshadowed by Darjeeling.
Last week, the GTA tourism department introduced paragliding from Giddepahar to Rohini in the subdivision.
A source said they are also working out plans to introduce mountain biking from Darjeeling More (in Siliguri) to Tindharia and rock climbing at Kurseong.
Echoing the sentiment of the BJP allies in Darjeeling, Neeraj Zimba, Darjeeling MLA and secretary-general of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), said that it was now long overdue that a Gorkha community member be represented in the Union ministry
Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 10.06.24 : Discontentment brewed in Darjeeling hills and across the Gorkha diaspora in the country as no representative from the community found a place in Narendra Modi’s ministry announced on Sunday.
The BJP’s Raju Bista was re-elected as the Darjeeling MP in the just-concluded Lok Sabha polls.
Echoing the sentiment of the BJP allies in Darjeeling, Neeraj Zimba, Darjeeling MLA and secretary-general of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), said that it was now long overdue that a Gorkha community member be represented in the Union ministry.
“The Gorkhas have been voting for the BJP since 2009 despite the BJP not having fulfilled any of its promises to the community. Our representative should be included in the ministry without us even demanding it,” said Zimba, who successfully contested the Assembly polls on a BJP ticket twice.
In the past, the BJP had promised a tribal status to 11 Gorkha communities and a permanent political solution (PPS) for the region. Although the BJP did not define PPS, most in the hills perceive it as statehood.
Both the tribal and PPS promises remain unfulfilled.
“Our representation in the Union ministry is long overdue now. We cannot always be taken for granted. Our Darjeeling MP Raju Bista won with one of the highest margins in Bengal and a better margin than our Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Zimba.
In 2019, Bista won by a margin of over 4 lakh. This year, the margin was 1.78 lakh. Modi won his Varanasi seat by a 1.52 lakhs this time.
The demand for a ministry for a Gorkha representative has come up strongly this year as the community has been increasingly feeling betrayed by the BJP for failing to address the community’s concerns. The drop in victory margin of Bista this year is an indicator, said an observer.
Not just Zimba and BJP allies, but even other hill leaders not directly linked with the BJP have sought a ministerial berth for Darjeeling MP Raju Bista.
“The BJP owes a debt to Darjeeling…. It is only fair that Raju Bista be included in the ministry,” said Binay Tamang, a well-known face in Darjeeling politics.
In this Lok Sabha, the Gorkha community is also represented by Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MP Indra Hang Subba. The SKM is an NDA constituent.
However, the pitch is more for Bista, as Darjeeling is considered to be the epicentre for Indian Gorkhas in all aspects, from cultural to political.
In the previous Modi government, three BJP MPs from north Bengal were included in the cabinet as junior ministers — Nisith Pramanik, John Barla and Debasree Chaudhuri. None of them is an MP this time.Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
MP, 10 June 2024, Siliguri: Bhaktinagar Police arrested one more person accused in the vandalism incident at Ramakrishna Mission in Siliguri. Till now, 11 persons have been arrested in the case.
The accused has been identified as Sushanta Das (52), a resident of Milanmore area of Siliguri. He was arrested on Saturday night from Gandhi Maidan area in Siliguri.
The arrested person is a notorious land mafia against whom there have been several land grabbing cases.
On May 19 at around 3:30 am, Pradeep Roy, an infamous land grabber of the area along with 10 to 12 other miscreants, armed with firearms and other sharp weapons, entered the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and tried to take possession of it.
Threatening the monks with dire consequences, the man handled the monks and forced them out of the premises.
Police have already arrested the prime accused Pradeep Roy and 9 others. Further investigation is ongoing. The property has been restored to the Mission.
PTI, New Delhi, Jun 9, 2024 : The NIA has arrested a militant currently lodged in an Assam jail for his alleged involvement in the killing of four civilians in Manipur’s Bishnupur district earlier this year, the probe agency said in a statement on Sunday.
Lunminsei Kipgen alias Langinmang alias Mang alias Levi, a resident of Manipur, was arrested on Saturday by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from Central Jail, Lokhra, in Guwahati under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act, it said.
He is the first accused to be arrested for the gruesome killings on January 18, when armed assailants brutally murdered four civilians near the water treatment plant at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou, Bishnupur, the NIA statement said.
“The NIA on Saturday arrested one person, currently in Guwahati jail in another case, in connection with the killing of four civilians in Manipur’s Bishnupur district,” it added.
The assailants had opened indiscriminate fire from sophisticated weapons, leading to the civilians’ deaths, the probe agency said.
The NIA, which had registered a case on February 9, found during the investigation that Lunminsei Kipgen was actively involved in the attack, which was part of the ongoing ethnic unrest and violence in the northeastern state.
Previously a cadre of the Kuki militant outfit KNF(P), he joined another Kuki militant organisation — the United Kuki National Army — during the current spate of violence and participated in the killings, it added.
PTI, IMPHAL, JUNE 9, 2024 : The situation in Manipur’s Jiribam district remained “tense” but under control on Sunday, after suspected militants torched two police outposts and at least 70 houses in a fresh bout of violence in the state, police said.
Additional security forces have been deployed in the affected areas following the incident on Saturday, they said.
“The situation is tense but under control in the wake of violent disturbances that broke out in Jiribam district in which miscreants torched two police pickets, a forest beat office… and several houses belonging to both Meitei and Kuki communities, the Manipur Police said in a statement.
More than 70 houses were set on fire in Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages, a senior police officer said.
Police is also actively monitoring social media updates, which may incite communal feelings amongst the communities and requests general public to refrain from spreading unfounded/unverified information,” it said.
Violence broke out in Jiribam in the ethnic strife-torn state on Thursday evening, after suspected militants killed a 59-year-old man.
The person, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh, went missing after he had gone to his farm on June 6 and later, his body was found with wounds made by a sharp object, an official had said.
Meanwhile, an irate mob stopped a truck at Sorok Atingbi Khunou late on Saturday and reportedly torched essential commodities it was carrying, a police officer said.
A contingent of more than 70 state police commandos was airlifted from Imphal to Jiribam to assist security personnel in their operations against militants, he said.
Around 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, have been evacuated from peripheral areas of Jiribam on Friday, and moved to a newly set up relief camp at a multi-sports complex in the district, officials added.
The state government has also transferred Jiribam SP A Ghanashyam Sharma to the post of additional director of the Manipur Police Training College, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms.
The transfer order was issued hours after police outposts of Jiri Mukh and Choto Bekra, and the Goakhal forest beat office were set afire on Saturday morning, they said.
Reacting to the incidents of fresh violence, newly elected Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat, Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, urged the Manipur government to protect the lives and properties of the people of Jiribam.
Jiribam, which has a diverse ethnic composition of Meiteis, Muslims, Nagas, Kukis and non-Manipuris, had so far remained unaffected by the ethnic strife that has been raging in the northeastern state since May last year.
The ethnic conflict between Imphal valley-based Meiteis and hill-based Kukis has led to the deaths of over 200 people, and rendered thousands of people homeless.
PTI, Kolkata, Jun 9, 2024 : Shantanu Thakur, a second-time BJP MP from West Bengal’s Bangaon Lok Sabha constituency and a leading figure of the backward Matua community in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, was inducted into the Union cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Thakur has been a strong advocate of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) since 2019, asserting it would grant “legal citizenship” to members of the Matua community.
He sought to alleviate confusion among the Matuas regarding the submission of applications for citizenship under the CAA, weathering all opposition attacks from the TMC and other parties.
He further claimed that while Aadhaar cards do not grant constitutional citizenship upon the Matuas, the CAA would rectify this.
Thakur consistently highlighted the importance of the CAA, stating that no opposition leaders, including Mamata Banerjee, could safeguard the community in the event of an NRC exercise in the future.
The Matuas, originally from East Pakistan, are a marginalised Hindu community that migrated to India during the Partition and after the creation of Bangladesh due to religious persecution.
Thakur first became a member of the Lok Sabha from Bongaon constituency in 2019.
He had been at odds with family member and rival Matua community leader Mamatabala Thakur, who was elected from the seat in the 2015 byelections, but was defeated by Shantanu in 2019.
Shantanu Thakur, the second son of former West Bengal minister and TMC leader Manjul Krishna Thakur, entered politics in 2015 when he unsuccessfully contested the Bangaon Lok Sabha bypolls from the BJP, finishing third.
The 42-year-old was successful in his second attempt in 2019 and wrested the seat again in 2024.
Appointed as the MoS for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways by Modi in 2021, Thakur told reporters, “Since taking on this responsibility, I have done my best to harness the vast network of navigable waterways and worked towards developing and utilizing the infrastructure and true potential of the ports in the east, including Bengal.”
He added, “As a loyal worker of the party, I am ready to fulfill any responsibility entrusted to me to the best of my ability. I am thankful to the BJP and my leader Narendra Modi for everything. I will discharge my responsibilities to the best of my ability.”
Despite the BJP’s tally decreasing to 12 amid a poor performance by party stalwarts like former Union minister Nisith Pramanik and Dilip Ghosh, who were defeated by their TMC counterparts, Thakur retained his seat with a margin of 73,693 votes.
Despite strong campaigns by the TMC against Thakur, questioning his nationality, the president of the All India Matua Mahasangha received the majority’s backing in his constituency.
Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, J P Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S. Jaishankar and others sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi immediately after being sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi on Sunday. PTI
TT, New Delhi, 09.06.24 : H D Kumaraswamy, Jitan Ram Manjhi, Rajiv Ranjan lallan singh, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu take oath as ministers.
Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, JP Nadda, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Nirmala Sitharaman, S Jaishankar, Manohar Lal, Piyush Goyal, Dharmendra Pradhan, Sarbananda Sonowal, Virendra Kumar, Pralhad Joshi, Jual Oram, Giriraj Singh, Ashwini Vaishnaw sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu
Narendra Modi sworn in as Prime Minister for historic third term
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Rashtrapati Bhawan for oath-taking ceremony
“We are going to attend this ceremony because of our constitutional duty. It is my duty as I am the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha,” says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as he heads towards Rashtrapati Bhawan to attend the oath-taking ceremony of new government
Billionaire businessmen Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani arrive at Rashtrapati Bhawan to attend the swearing-in ceremony
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu arrives at Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the swearing-in ceremony
Bollywood celebrities Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Vikrant Massey, Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani arrive at Rashtrapati Bhawan
UP CM Yogi Adityanath, former MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajya Sabha MPs Nirmala Sitharaman, Ashwini Vaishnaw arrive at Rashtrapati Bhavan for the swearing-in ceremony, reports Indian Express
BJP leader Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said he will take oath as the Cabinet Minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and vowed to serve the nation with zeal and devotion. “I will take oath as Cabinet Minister around 7.30 pm on 9th June 2024,” Rijiju, the Earth Sciences Minister in the outgoing government, said in a post on X. Rijiju said that he had taken oath as Minister of State in 2014, Minister of State with Independent Charge in 2019 and as the Cabinet Minister in 2021.”Thank you Arunachal Pradesh, @narendramodi Ji, @BJP4India and people of India. I will serve the nation with greater zeal and devotion,” he said. Rijiju won the fourth term from Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat in the recent general elections
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, who lost the Lok Sabha elections from Ludhiana in Punjab, said Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi has chosen him for the council of ministers to ensure Punjab’s progress, according to media reports
Prior to the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with a group of NDA leaders, many of whom are likely to be appointed as ministers in the central government, reports PTI. During the meeting, prominent figures from the BJP and leaders of NDA coalition partners were seated in the front row as the Prime Minister addressed the gathering
Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi is set to take oath on Sunday for a third straight term, equalling the feat of first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, as the head of a coalition government after two full tenures in which the BJP enjoyed a majority on its own.
Hectic parleys involving BJP leadership and allies were on over the share of berths of different constituents of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the new government.
Senior BJP leaders such as Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh besides party president J P Nadda have been consulting the allies, including Telugu Desam Party’s N Chandrababu Naidu, JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar and Shiv Sena’s Eknath Shinde, to finalise their share of representation in the government.
There is a view that heavyweight portfolios like home, finance, defence and external affairs besides education and culture, two ministries with strong ideological hues, will be kept by the BJP, while its allies can get anywhere between five to eight cabinet berths.
While leaders like Shah and Singh are seen within the party as a certainty in the new Cabinet, former chief ministers who have won the Lok Sabha polls like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Basavaraj Bommai, Manohar Lal Khattar and Sarbananda Sonowal are strong contenders for joining the government.
Ram Mohan Naidu of the TDP, Lalan Singh, Sanjay Jha and Ram Nath Thakur of the JD(U), and Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) are among the allies who may be a part of the new government, sources said, adding that either Singh or Jha will be accommodated from the JD(U) quota.
Maharashtra, where the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP alliance has fared poorly, and Bihar, where the opposition has shown signs of revival, may be in the focus during the government-formation exercise.
Assembly polls are due in the western state in October, while polls will be held in Bihar next year.
Impending changes within the BJP’s organisation will also be on the mind of its brain trust in finalising the names of ministers from the party.
Nadda’s term was extended due to the Lok Sabha polls, and organisational imperatives will be an important consideration for the party as the poll results have sent signals that all may not be well within its vast machinery.
This opens the possibility of some seasoned hand being sent to the party and Nadda being given a berth in the government, the sources said.
The desertion by a section of voters, especially from the Scheduled Castes and other deprived sections of society, may also be a guiding factor in government formation even though Modi had made a point to increase their relative representation in his outgoing term.
Nehru is the only prime minister who held the post after three consecutive elections after independence.
The BJP is keen to send out a message of continuity and ward off any impression of political vulnerability following its surprising below-par show in the Lok Sabha polls as its seat tally fell to 240 from 303, considerably short of the majority mark of 272.
The government has announced that leaders of several neighbouring countries, including from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius, will be attending the swearing-in ceremony slated to take place at 7:15 PM on Sunday at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose a white kurta and churidar with a blue chequered jacket as he took oath for the consecutive third time on Sunday.
Modi paired his dress with black shoes for the swearing-in ceremony at the forecourts of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
When he took oath as the prime minister for the first time in 2014, Modi had worn a cream linen kurta-pyjama with a beige golden jacket. For his 2019 swearing-in ceremony, the prime minister had chosen a similar dress paired with a beige jacket.
Kurtas and bandhgala jackets are Modi’s popular choice on important occasions. He is also known for sporting flamboyant and colourful turbans during Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations.
Modi chose a multi-coloured “bandhani” print safa for his Republic Day look in January this year.
He is the second PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to be elected for a third consecutive term.
Along with Modi, senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari and Amit Shah also took oath as the cabinet ministers, while party president J P Nadda returned to the cabinet after five years, indicating the prime minister’s focus on continuity and experience in his third term.
PTI, June 9, 2024 : Actor-politician Kangana Ranaut on Saturday criticised people praising the CISF woman constable who allegedly slapped her, asking if they also justify “rape or murder”. Ranaut, in a video message on Thursday, said she was hit in the face and abused by the constable during a security check at the Chandigarh airport. “If you are aligned with the criminals strong emotional impulse to commit a crime violating all laws of the land.
“Remember if you are ok with breaking in to someone’s intimate zone, without their permission touching their bodies and assaulting them then deep down you are ok with rape or murder also because that’s also just penetration or stab only what big deal, you must look deeper in to your psychological criminal tendencies (sic),” the 37-year-old posted on X. In her video message, Ranaut said she was hit in the face and abused by a CISF constable, who appeared to be upset with the actor over her stance on the farmer protests, during security check at the Chandigarh airport.
The ugly fracas broke out two days after she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. Kulwinder Kaur, the accused CISF personnel, has been suspended and an investigation has been launched. The CISF, tasked with providing security at airports, has also ordered a court of inquiry into the incident.
In her latest post, Ranaut also advised people to “take up yoga and meditation or else life will become a bitter and burdensome experience”.
“Don’t carry so much grudge, hate and jealousy please , free yourself,” the actor added.
Earlier on Saturday, Ranaut found support from cinema veteran Shabana Azmi, who said security officials should not take law into their hands.
In a post on X, Azmi said though she has “no love lost” for Ranaut, she wouldn’t join people who are celebrating the “slap”. “I have no love lost for Kangana Ranaut. But I can’t find myself joining this chorus of celebrating ‘the slap’. If security personnel start taking law into their hands, none of us can be safe,” Azmi wrote.
Azmi’s husband, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar, has filed a defamation case against Ranaut over her remarks that he had threatened her. The case is still in court.
CISF cop to get gold ring engraved with Periyar’s image
COIMBATORE: Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) in Coimbatore is planning to send a gold ring engraved with Periyar’s image to CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur who slapped actor and newly elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport a few days ago.
TPDK general secretary Ku Ramakrishnan on Saturday said, “We are planning to send an eight gram gold ring on Monday to appreciate Kulwinder Kaur who stood up for the farmers. Her mother was among the farmers holding a sit-in protest against farm laws.”
“We will send the ring to Kulwinder Kaur’s home address. If the courier services won’t accept gold ring, we will send one of our members to her home, either by train or flight, to hand over the ring along with some books about Periyar,” he said.
CISF woman constable gets offer of legal assistance
CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur, who has been booked under IPC sections 323 (punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint) for allegedly slapping actor and BJP MP-elect Kangana Ranaut, has got legal assistance support.
According to Times of India, Kulwinder has received support from individuals and organisations, some of whom offered her monetary and legal help if she was arrested or dismissed from service.As per TOI, 82-year-old farm activist Mohinder Kaur, who had previously filed a defamation suit against Kangana for her remarks on the farm protest, has offered support to the suspended constable.
“Kangana has no of how to speak. Since she has been elected as an MP, she should be polite. She tried to brand Punjabis as extremists. She used derogatory words for us,” the octogenarian told the paper.
&w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "Manipur: Situation ‘tense’ but ‘under control’ in violence-hit Jiribam")
&w=1038&resize=1038,576&ssl=1 "Modi takes 3rd time oath as PM in white kurta, churidar with blue jacket")
