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GOVT WILL TAKE STRICT ACTION AGAINST FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES: PM MODI
On the Rs 11,400 crore frauds at India’s second-biggest public sector lender Punjab National Bank, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on February 23, 2018 said that his government would take strict action against financial irregularities. He also appealed to those entrusted with the task of monitoring and vigilance to do their job with full diligence. “I wish to make it clear…that this government will take stringent action against financial irregularities…The system will not accept irregular accumulation of public money. This is the basic mantra of New Economy — New Rule,” Shri Modi said addressing the Global Business Summit.
—(The ECONOMIC TIMES, February 23, 2018)
WON’T TOLERATE CHALLENGE TO OUR UNITY: PM MODI TO CANADA
After an eventful and controversial week in India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on February 23, 2018. The two sides signed six agreements. However, the bonhomie of hugs between Trudeau and Modi, and pictures of the Canadian PM, wife and three children couldn’t overcome some frostiness between the two sides because of Trudeau and his party’s support to Khalistani groups in Canada. In his speech at the joint media conference after delegation-level talks, Modi didn’t mince words about the pro-Khalistan approach of his Canadian counterpart. Modi said those challenging India’s sovereignty, unity and integrity cannot be tolerated. The PM said there cannot be any place for those who misuse religion for political motives and promote separatism. India and Canada signed agreements to deepen cooperation in higher education, information communication technology and electronics, intellectual property rights, renewable energy, sports and science and technology.
—(The ECONOMIC TIMES, February 23, 2018)
POLLING FOR 59 RAJYA SABHA SEATS TO BE HELD ON 23RD MARCH
The Election Commission has announced that polls to 59 Rajya Sabha seats will be held on 23rd of next month. In a statement issued by the commission today said, the counting of votes will take place on the same evening and the notification will be issued on 5th of March. The term of the members representing these seats is going to expire in April- May this year. These seats include ten from UP, six each from Maharashtra and Bihar, five each from West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh, four each from Gujarat and Karnataka.
— (The HINDUSTAN TIMES, February 21, 2018)
Cabinet nod for REMOVAL OF COAL NATIONALISATION
The Cabinet nod for commercial coal mining in the private sector is path-breaking and welcome. Some 70% of power generation capacity nationally is fuelled by coal. And after long years of stodgy public sector monopoly, the coal sector here seems to have fallen way behind in terms of efficiency levels, mining practices and technology adoption, in comparison to global norms. It is also very much in our interest to rev up renewable sources of energy going forward, but in the foreseeable future, we need to step up productivity in coal output and proactively raise thermal efficiency in power generation. The lapsed Coal Regulatory Authority Bill, 2013, surely needs reactivation.
—(The ECONOMIC TIMES, February 21, 2018)
MODI’S VICTORY MARCH will CONTINUE IN KARNATAKA, AMIT SHAH TO PARTY WORKERS
BJP National president Shri Amit Shah on February 21, 2018 said there was public anger against the ruling Congress in Karnataka and asked party workers to make sure that the victory march of Narendra Modi enters the South through the state. “There is anger among people against Congress, and if we cannot convert it into votes it will be difficult to take forward the party. This is an opportunity. There is public anger against Siddaramaiah government. There is no better opportunity to convert this anger into votes,” Shri Amit Shah said. Addressing those in charge of BJP’s “Shakti Kendra” here, he said the BJP had been winning polls in several states and increasing its tally and “it is Karnataka’s turn now.” “Karnataka BJP workers have to make sure that this victory march of Narendra Modi enters southern India through the state,” said Shri Amit, who has been on a tour of Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts since Monday. “I have seen and fought all these elections closely,” he said.
— (THE HINDU, February 22, Feb)
(Compiled by Pankaj Anand)