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New Delhi, March 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Integrating the principles of circular economy and extended producer responsibility, the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 shall come into effect from April 1 with a specific focus on efficient waste segregation and management, the Lok Sabha was informed on Monday. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, mandate four-stream segregation of solid waste at source into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste and special care waste. The new rules prescribe clear definition of bulk waste generators who have a mandate to fulfil Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility, in order to ensure that the waste generated is collected, transported and processed in an environmentally sound manner, he said. The rules also operationalise the online tracking and monitoring of all stages of solid waste management through Centralised Online Portal including collection, transportation, processing and disposal, said Kirti Vardhan Singh. The rules prescribe specific roles and responsibilities for urban and rural local bodies, State/UT Governments and Central ministries. The rules prescribe an increase in the fuel substitution rate from current 5 per cent to 15 per cent over a six-year period for industrial units, including cement plants and waste-to-energy plants for use of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF), said the Minister of State. In order to facilitate faster allocation of land for solid waste processing and disposal facilities, graded criteria for development has been prescribed in the rules, he said. Kirti Vardhan Singh said the solid waste processing and disposal facilities have been mandated for online submission of reports. Waste processing facilities have also been subjected to audit under the rules, he said. The rules also mandate development and implementation of a time bound action plan for remediation of legacy waste and further strengthening of restrictions on landfilling of solid waste, he said. Special provisions for solid waste management in hilly areas and islands have also been included apart from the provision for levy of environmental compensation based on the 'polluter pays' principle, he said.
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 4 (ANI): BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Wednesday met Governor CP Radhakrishnan to stake claim to form the Mahayuti government. BJP's Central Observers for the state, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Vijay Rupani were also present at the meet. Also Read | Stock Market Today: Indian Stock Market Ends in Green, All Eyes on RBI's MPC Decision on Repo Rate. Fadnavis is scheduled to take oath as the Chief Minister on December 5 after being unanimously chosen as Leader of Maharashtra BJP Legislati ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday backed the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill, stating that party supremo Nitish Kumar has always supported simultaneous Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections. He added that the party had previously voiced its support for the bill and had approached the relevant committee. Jha remarked, "Our party welcomes this. We had approached this committee, and I was also part of the delegation. Nitish Kumar has always advocated for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. We conveyed to the committee that ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 13 (ANI): Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Friday slammed the 'One Nation, One Election' being passed by the Union Cabinet, calling it an "attack on federalism." "The Congress party has already cleared its stand as One Nation One Election is an attack on federalism and there should be a discussion on the election process in the parliament," he said. The 'One Nation One Election' bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Thursday paving the way for its introduction in Parliament. However, before its introduction in the Parliament, the bill initiated debate between the r ...Read More >
In this edition of Frontline Conversations, former Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare discusses how the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided direct cash transfers to 2.35 crore women, transformed both the economic landscape and political dynamics of the State. The programme, which distributed Rs.7,500 across five instalments to women earning less than Rs. 2.5 lakh annually, not only empowered women with financial independence but also proved to be a decisive factor in Mahayuti's electoral victory, marking a shift in Maharashtra's traditionally male-dominated political ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet has approved the 'One Nation, One Election' bill, to revive a concept that was once the norm in India's electoral history. The proposal aims to streamline elections across the country by holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. The idea of holding simultaneous elections is not new to India. In the early years after independence, elections for the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies were held together in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967. However, this practice was disrupted when several State Assemblies were dissolved prematurely in 1968 and 1969. ...Read More >
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet cleared the bill for the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal on Thursday (December 12). This development comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the NDA have been repeatedly advocating for this initiative asserting that it will "strengthen the democracy" by holding simultaneous elections in the country. "Elections are held at different places every few months and it hampers the developmental work and all of you know it. Therefore, it is must to have deep study and deliberation on 'One Nation, One Election'," the PM said. "Only one voters' list should be used f ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], December 12 (ANI): Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has demanded that the proposed 'One Nation, One Election' bill be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, asserting that the bill undermines democracy. "The bill will be presented in Parliament, and we want it to be referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which will hold discussions on it. The Indian National Congress's position was clarified last year by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sent a four-page letter to former President Ram Nath Kovind's committee on One Nation, One Election, stating that we oppose the b ...Read More >
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], December 13 (ANI): Karnataka Legislative Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday expressed support for the 'One Nation, One Election' and questioned the opposition's protests against the proposal. Narayanaswamy said that 'One Nation, One Election' will ease the government's financial burden and reduce election costs, urging everyone to support the initiative. Also Read | Telangana Handcuffing Controversy: Tribal Farmer Taken To Sangareddy Hospital in Handcuffs by Police, CM Revanth Reddy Orders Inquiry (Watch Video). Speaking to ANI, Chalavadi Narayanaswa ...Read More >
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai described the passing of Elangovan as "a huge loss". Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister E V K S Elangovan died due to age-related ailments at a private hospital here on Saturday, the hospital said. He was 75. The legislator from Erode East constituency has not been keeping well for over a month. He was admitted to a hospital here on November 11. "He passed away today despite the best efforts of the medical staff," the hospital said. TNCC preside ...Read More >
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Banerjee submitted a written apology and issued a verbal apology in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following his controversial remarks about Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla described the incident as unfortunate, emphasizing that no personal remarks should be made against fellow members. Speaker's Intervention As proceedings began, ruling alliance members raised concerns about Banerjee's remarks. Speaker Birla intervened, stating, "Whatever happened yesterday was unfortunate. No member should make personal remarks, parti ...Read More >
Guwahati (Assam) [India], December 13 (ANI): AIUDF MLA and Party General Secretary Dr Rafiqul Islam responded to the Union Cabinet's approval of the 'One Nation, One Election' and labelled the bill "very difficult and almost impossible" to implement effectively, questioning its sustainability given the country's vast and diverse political landscape. The AIUDF MLA claimed that the BJP lacks the majority to pass the bill in Parliament and suggested it might be referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Also Read | Atul Subhash Suicide Case: Wife Nikita Singhania Absconds, Karnataka Pol ...Read More >
Patna (Bihar) [India], December 15 (ANI): Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan (Lallan) Singh on Sunday accused the Congress of insulting the Constitution since Independence and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken about this in his address to the Lok Sabha. Speaking to mediapersons, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh said, "The Congress party has disrespected the Constitution since Independence and PM Modi showed them the mirror in Lok Sabha." On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of constantly disrespecting the Constitution. Responding to the two-day discussion in Lok Sabh ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 15: The 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, officially known as the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, will not be tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The Revised Business List of the Lower House for the day does not mention the Bill. The first list had scheduled the Bill for Monday. It mentioned, "... Arjun Ram Meghwal to move for leave to introduce a Bill further to amend the Constitution of India. Also to introduce the Bill." One Nation, One Election: Union Cabinet Approves Bills for Simultaneous Lok Sabha, State Assembly Elections, Say Source ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 5: Uttar Pradesh's Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh expressed confidence that Mahakumbh 2025 will play a pivotal role in showcasing India's rich cultural heritage and Sanatan traditions globally. Speaking on the progress of preparations, he told IANS, "The arrangements for Mahakumbh are progressing in full swing. We are committed to welcoming all devotees, irrespective of their origin -- whether from different states of India or other countries. We aim to host them with unmatched arrangements that combine magnificence, divinity, and cultural vibrancy." "This gran ...Read More >
New Delhi: Chaos erupted in political circles after Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the house on Friday that a bundle of cash was found on a seat allotted to senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi. "I hereby inform the members that during the routine anti-sabotage check of the chamber after the adjournment of the House yesterday. Apparently, a wad of currency notes was recovered by the security officials from seat number 222 which is presently allotted to Abhishek Manu Singhvi, elected from the state of Telangana..The matter was brought to my notice, and I made sure an in ...Read More >
The Sena UBT chief spokesperson was reacting to Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad's comment that West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee should be allowed to lead the INDIA bloc. Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Tuesday said that his party was open to discuss if someone outside of the Congress party should lead the Opposition INDIA bloc. Speaking in New Delhi Delhi, Raut said that all the constituents of the INDIA bloc are willing to have a discuss ...Read More >
During a discussion on road accidents in Lok Sabha, Mr Gadkari said, "I have no hesitation to admit that it (road accidents) has increased." Road accidents claim 1.78 lakh lives in the country, annually, said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. "When I go to attend international conferences where there is a discussion on road accidents, I try to hide my face," Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday, underlining he had set a target to reduce accidents by 50 per cent when he first took charge as the Road Trans ...Read More >
Guwahati, Dec 12: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the "One Nation, One Election" bill, a landmark proposal aimed at synchronising elections across the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, currently on a visit to Odisha, hailed the move as a significant step toward "minimising disruptions" to developmental work caused by frequent election cycles. Speaking to the press during a visit to Jagannath Temple in Puri, Sarma asserted the rationale behind the initiative, stating, "Recently, we held Lok Sabha elections, and now legislative elections are around the corner in Assam. ...Read More >
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], December 13 (ANI): Karnataka Legislative Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday expressed support for the 'One Nation, One Election' and questioned the opposition's protests against the proposal. Narayanaswamy said that 'One Nation, One Election' will ease the government's financial burden and reduce election costs, urging everyone to support the initiative. Speaking to ANI, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said, "Why are they (opposition) protesting (One Nation One Election)? Indira Gandhi was also doing the same. One Nation One Election will not put a burden on ...Read More >
Kolkata, Dec 12 (VOICE) BJP leader Rahul Sinha on Thursday accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of not genuinely wanting the INDIA bloc to succeed, amid ongoing speculations about her leadership aspirations within the Opposition alliance. Sinha's remarks came after Mamata Banerjee expressed her willingness to lead the INDIA bloc, receiving backing from some alliance leaders. Following this, Mamata thanked her 'supporters', stating that she is "indebted" to their faith in her and wishes for the alliance's success. Reacting to her statements, Sinha accused Mamata of harbouring pe ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 12 (PTI) The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved bills to implement 'One Nation, One Election', and the draft legislations are likely to be introduced in Parliament in the ongoing Winter session, sources said. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is keen on holding wider consultations on bills which are likely to be referred to a parliamentary committee. Sources said the government was also keen to consult the Speakers of various state legislative assemblies through the committee. Moving ahead with it ...Read More >
Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 13 (ANI): Samajwadi Party (SP) leader ST Hasan on Friday said that the 'One Nation, One Election' rule was not possible in the country with the various cultures and laws present. "The One Nation, One Election rule is not possible in our country. Our country has a lot of different cultures and religious laws. There is a huge conspiracy behind it... Indirectly, only the centre will rule. They are trying to change the Constitution. They are talking about a common civil court, saying One Nation One Constitution... tomorrow you'll say One Nation One Cult ...Read More >
CHENNAI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has issued a whip ordering its party MPs to attend the Lok Sabha sessions on December 13 and 14 (today and tomorrow), as some important legislative business is likely to be discussed, said a Daily Thanthi report. They have been asked to be present in the lower House ahead of the rare Constitution debate which is all set to take place in the Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14, and in the Rajya Sabha on December 16 and 17. The discussion is being held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of adoption of India's Constitution. The Bharatiya Janata Party (B ...Read More >
Nashik, Dec 17 (VOICE) Upset over his exclusion in the recent Cabinet expansion, senior NCP legislator and Samata Parishad founder, Chhagan Bhujbal on Tuesday slammed the party President and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar and Working President Praful Patel and asked whether he was a "toy in their hands."Bhujbal, who is sulking over not getting a ministerial berth decided to skip the ongoing Winter Session of the House and reached Nashik on Tuesday. He met a large number of supporters and declared that he would find out who had denied him the ministerial berth despite Chief Mini ...Read More >
Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Maharashtra's caretaker Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday visited a private hospital in Thane for a "check-up," two days before a new CM is sworn in at an open ground ceremony in south Mumbai. Even as it is not known yet who would take oath as chief minister at Azad Maidan on the evening of December 5, preparations are in full swing for the ceremony, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, about 2,000 VVIPs and some 40,000 supporters. Shinde, who had been staying at his private residence in Thane for the last few days, visited the hospital in the morning. "I ...Read More >
New Delhi, December 4 (IANS): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla put up an excellent leadership coupled with a commitment to uphold the traditions in the lower house of the Parliament. Sarma, who has been in the national capital for the last three days, paid a courtesy visit to Birla in his chamber in Lok Sabha. Taking to X, the Chief Minister wrote, "As Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Shri @ombirlakota ji has always displayed distinguished leadership and commitment to upholding parliamentary traditions. It was a pleasure meeting him in S ...Read More >
INDIA bloc MPs, donning black jackets with slogans like "Modi Adani Ek Hai", protested at Parliament demanding a joint probe into the Adani issue. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused PM Modi of evading discussion on the "Adani mega scam" while defending Adani's alleged corruption. Rahul Gandhi asserted that Modi won't investigate Adani as it would be like investigating himself.Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Thursday said the country's people want the "Adani mega scam" to be discussed in Parliame ...Read More >
NDIA bloc leaders, who submitted a notice of no-confidence motion against the Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday, blamed the chair for not allowing them to speak in the Rajya Sabha. The leaders held a joint press conference labelling several charges against the chairman. "His behaviour (RS chairman) has damaged the dignity of the country. He has brought such a situation in the history of parliamentary democracy that we had to bring this notice for the resolution (of no confidence ...Read More >
Bhopal: The Gita recitation programme by the Madhya Pradesh government has found a place in the Guinness World Records. "More than 7,200 'acharyas' and 'vatuks' collectively recited the third chapter 'Karma Yoga' on Wednesday, making a record," a statement issued by the government said. The event was parallely organised at Bhopal's Lal Parade Ground and Ujjain to mark the sacred occasion of Gita Jayanti. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the collective recitation of the Gita by thousands of Acharyas in Bhopal and Ujjain has been registered in the 'Guinness Book of World Records'. He con ...Read More >