India's political landscape is ablaze with activity! From the ongoing debates surrounding the new farm bills and their impact on rural India, to the upcoming state elections shaping the national narrative, the stakes couldn't be higher. Key political figures are maneuvering strategically, with alliances shifting and power dynamics constantly in flux. The opposition's challenge to the ruling party is intensifying, sparking vigorous debates on crucial policy matters including economic reforms and social justice initiatives. Parliamentary proceedings are filled with heated exchanges, reflecting the deep divisions within the nation. This evolving political climate directly impacts the lives of every Indian citizen, influencing everything from economic opportunities to social welfare programs. Stay informed about the latest developments in Indian politics, from crucial legislative decisions to grassroots movements, by exploring Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and breaking news updates. Understanding the intricacies of our political system is crucial; stay engaged, stay informed, and stay ahead.
New Delhi: Terming the Great Nicobar infrastructure project a "planned misadventure", Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday said it poses an existential danger to the island's indigenous tribal communities and is being insensitively pushed through, making a "mockery of all legal and deliberative processes".The collective conscience cannot, and must not, stay silent when the very survival of the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes is at stake, Sonia Gandhi said in an article published in 'The Hindu'.
Union minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at Sayeda Hameed, a former planning commission member under the Manmohan Singh government, for supporting Bangladeshis in India. After visiting some evicted sites in Assam on Sunday, Hameed had said: "Bangladeshis are also human beings; the earth is very big, even Bangladeshis can live here... Why should a human being be thrown out so mercilessly?" Reacting to this, Rijiju posted on X: "It is not about religion, but our land! If Assam becomes demographically v ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has refused to share information on the impact of a proposed mega infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost part of Indian territory, on primitive tribal groups and the relocation of villages from tiger reserves, citing parliamentary privilege and other legal exemptions. This PTI correspondent filed an RTI application on April 3 this year, requesting minutes of all commission meetings held since January 1, 2022; all communications exchanged with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs concerning the Great ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about a proposed mega infrastructure project on the island, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) member Asha Lakra has said. The project, titled Holistic Development of Great Nicobar, involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 square km of land. This includes around 130 square km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particular ...Read More >
Srinagar, Aug 3: The Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums on Sunday said that an ancient Shivling had been unearthed and safely housed in the SPS Museum Srinagar for public display. A statement of the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums issued here said that it was pleased to announce the discovery of an ancient Shivling carved from stone, measuring 137 cm in length and 160 cm in width, approximately dating back to the 10th Century CE, recovered during sand extraction by local labourers from the Jhelum River near the Army camp at Khanpora in Baramulla. The statement sa ...Read More >
"a prime example of economy and ecology complementing each other," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the project Congress on Sunday accused the government of "bulldozing" the Great Nicobar infrastructure project despite pending legal challenges and branded it an "ecological disaster". The party's general secretary and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh Ramesh has said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation has invited expressions of interest for "enumeratio ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Tribal communities in Great Nicobar are not opposed to development but lack sufficient information about a proposed mega infrastructure project on the island, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) member Asha Lakra has said. The project, titled Holistic Development of Great Nicobar, involves the construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a township and a power plant over more than 160 square km of land. This includes around 130 square km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particular ...Read More >
This includes around 130 square km of pristine forest inhabited by the Nicobarese, a Scheduled Tribe (ST), and the Shompens, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), whose population is estimated to be between 200 and 300. In a detailed letter to Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, the signatories said it was "disingenuous to label what is essentially a commercial project as a strategic one and invoke national security whenever questions on the project are raised". They cautioned that t ...Read More >
Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 13 (ANI): Human rights activist Rabinder Ghosh on Sunday sounded the alarm on the alleged ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh, claiming that the government inaction amounts to a serious threat to the minority community. Ghosh organization, Bangladesh Minority Watch, has provided aid to affected individuals, but he criticised the interim government for failing to protect them from Islamic fundamentalism. Our human rights organization, Bangladesh Minority Watch and Bangladesh Human Rights for Congress for Bangladesh Minorities, has intervened and pr ...Read More >
New Delhi: Industry leaders welcomed the recently announced GST reforms, which reduce the number of tax slabs, stating that it will make tax compliance easier while also directly benefiting consumers through lower prices. Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce Joint Secretary Navjot Alang Rubal said that the reduction of the number of slabs from four to two under the new GST structure is a highly positive step. According to Rubal, this reform will greatly benefit the middle and lower-income groups as the tax reductions on essential items of daily use will bring a noticeable drop in prices. He furthe ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], September 8 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday reposted Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi editorial on X on the Holistic Development of Great Nicobar project and termed it as a serious issue. Tharoor mentioned the importance of development and having a strategic base on the island, but stressed it can also be done in an ecological manner. This is a serious issue. Development is important and so is having a strategic base in the Islands, but they can be done without the ecological and human devastation that Smt Sonia Gandhi ji so eloquently outl ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Star Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar clinched the title with a leap of 7.75m at the Meeting Maia Cidade do Desporto in Maia, Portugal, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze-level meet. The Asian Games silver medallist registered his best effort in the second round on Saturday night. Sreeshankar opened with a 7.63m jump, followed it up with his winning leap of 7.75m in the second round, and then recorded a solid 7.69m. His third attempt was a foul, while his final two jumps were measured at 6.12m and 7.58m. Poland's Piotr Tarkowski matched Sreeshankar's 7.75 ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday slammed as "specious argument" Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks that the Great Nicobar Island Development Project will increase the country's maritime trade multiple times. Congress general secretary in-charge communications and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh asserted that the project's "devastating ecological and social impacts are beyond doubt". The opposition party's attack on the government came a day after over 70 scientists, environmentalists and former bureaucrats urged the government to reconsider the Great Nicobar Island project, claimi ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader and AICC General Secretary (Communication) Jairam Ramesh on Saturday questioned the Centre's claims that the proposed infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island would not displace local tribal communities, pointing to what he described as a "fundamental contradiction" in official statements. Citing a media report, Ramesh said the Andaman and Nicobar administration has drafted a "Comprehensive Tribal Welfare Plan" that includes provisions for the relocation of Nicobarese families likely to be affected by the project. He raised concerns over the need for su ...Read More >