JPC examining 2 bills on ONOE gets extension till winter session
NEW DELHI: The joint parliamentary committee examining two bills to implement the system of simultaneously holding Lok Sabha and assembly elections was on Tuesday granted an extension till the first day of the last week of Parliament's winter session for presenting its report.
A motion to grant extension to the panel was passed by a voice vote in Lok Sabha, which witnessed frequent adjournments as opposition members continued their noisy protests against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The bills being examined are Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 that seeks to amend the Constitution to conduct elections to Lok Sabha and all state assemblies together; and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 that provides for holding elections to UT assemblies as part of the simultaneous elections. Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir are the three UTs in question.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
8 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' starts from Sasaram in Bihar
With Bihar gearing up for assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is all set to launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram in Rohtas district on Sunday, to highlight the championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through the special intensive revision (SIR). After landing at Sasaram, Rahul will visit Suara Aerodrome Ground near Sasaram, where he will address a public meeting and meet people from Tribal community. Later in the day, he will hold a roadshow at Dehri-on-Sone and start his 'Pad Yatra'. Show more Show less
Hans India
8 minutes ago
- Hans India
US-India Trade Talks Face Setback As American Delegation Postpones New Delhi Visit
The upcoming round of negotiations for the India-US bilateral trade agreement faces an uncertain timeline as the American delegation is expected to postpone its planned visit to New Delhi scheduled for later this month. According to an unnamed official speaking to PTI, the sixth round of discussions, originally set for August 25-29, will likely be rescheduled due to mounting trade tensions between the two nations. This development occurs against the backdrop of deteriorating trade relations, with Washington implementing punitive tariff measures on Indian exports. Since August 7, the United States has maintained a 25 percent duty on Indian goods, and an additional 25 percent penalty is scheduled to take effect from August 27. This second tariff serves as punishment for India's continued purchases of crude oil and military equipment from Russia, despite ongoing international sanctions. The combined impact of these tariffs will result in a substantial 50 percent duty on Indian exports entering the American market, creating significant challenges for Indian exporters and potentially disrupting established trade patterns. The timing of these measures coincides with America's sustained pressure on New Delhi to liberalize access to politically sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture and dairy markets. India has maintained a firm stance against such demands, categorically refusing to make concessions that could jeopardize the economic well-being of small-scale farmers and cattle rearers. The Indian government views these sectors as crucial for rural livelihoods and food security, making them non-negotiable areas in trade discussions. Despite the current diplomatic friction and trade disputes, commercial relationships between the two countries continue to demonstrate resilience and growth. Official commerce ministry statistics reveal that India's exports to the United States experienced robust growth of 21.64 percent, reaching USD 33.53 billion during the April-July 2025 period. Simultaneously, imports from America increased by 12.33 percent to USD 17.41 billion during the same timeframe. The United States has emerged as India's most significant trading partner during this period, with total bilateral trade volume reaching USD 12.56 billion. This figure underscores the substantial economic interdependence between the two nations, despite ongoing political and policy disagreements. Both governments have previously committed to completing the initial phase of the bilateral trade agreement by fall 2025, with ambitious long-term objectives of expanding bilateral trade from the current USD 191 billion to USD 500 billion by 2030. These targets reflect the enormous potential for economic cooperation between the world's largest democracy and its most powerful economy. Following President Donald Trump's announcement of additional tariffs on Indian exports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day address to advocate for increased domestic production and consumption of Indian-made products. The Prime Minister emphasized his government's unwavering commitment to protecting the interests of India's agricultural community. Modi declared his resolute opposition to any policies that could harm Indian farmers, fishermen, and cattle rearers, stating that his administration would serve as a protective barrier against detrimental foreign trade demands. He reinforced India's position of refusing to compromise on policies affecting these vulnerable economic sectors. Recent diplomatic developments may influence the trajectory of trade relations between the two countries. A significant meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place in Alaska over the weekend, raising speculation about potential improvements in Washington-Moscow relations that could indirectly benefit India. During discussions about the Ukraine conflict, Trump adopted a more measured approach toward sanctions, suggesting he might reconsider additional punitive measures in the coming weeks. His statement that immediate secondary sanctions were unnecessary and could be "devastating" for the targeted countries has generated hope that the additional 25 percent tariff on Indian goods might be reconsidered. The postponement of trade negotiations reflects the complex interplay of geopolitical considerations, domestic political pressures, and economic interests that characterize modern international trade relationships. Both nations must navigate these challenges while maintaining their strategic partnership and shared democratic values. The delay also highlights the difficulties inherent in negotiating comprehensive trade agreements between major economies with different development priorities and political constraints. As India continues to protect its agricultural sector and rural communities, and the United States pursues its own trade and foreign policy objectives, finding mutually acceptable solutions becomes increasingly challenging. The rescheduling of the American delegation's visit represents a temporary setback rather than a permanent breakdown in negotiations, with both countries likely to resume discussions once immediate tensions subside and diplomatic conditions become more favorable for productive dialogue.
New Indian Express
23 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi's 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' starts from Sasaram in Bihar
PATNA: With Bihar gearing up for assembly elections, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is all set to launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' from Sasaram in Rohtas district on Sunday, to highlight the championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through the special intensive revision (SIR). After landing at Sasaram, Rahul will visit Suara Aerodrome Ground near Sasaram, where he will address a public meeting and meet people from Tribal community. Later in the day, he will hold a roadshow at Dehri-on-Sone and start his 'Pad Yatra'. The 16-day Yatra, aimed at championing electoral reforms and exposing alleged in voter list through special intensive revision (SIR), will culminate in a grand rally in Patna on September 1. Leaders of INDIA bloc partners, including Tejashwi Prasad Yadav (RJD) and Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI-ML), are expected to join the yatra. The Yatra will cover districts, including Gaya, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, Munger, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, West Champaran, Saran, Bhojpur and Patna. On September 1, a mega Voter Adhikar Rally is scheduled to be held at Gandhi Maidan in the state capital, which will be attended by INDIA bloc leaders. Former Bihar Congress chief Alkhilesh Prasad Singh said that all necessary formalities like permission for landing of chopper and ground for public meeting have already been completed for the proposed 'Vote Adhikar Yatra'. Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member, said that the Yatra will build a tempo in favour of Opposition INDIA bloc ahead of assembly elections in Bihar scheduled to be held in October-November. The Opposition alleged that SIR launched by Election Commission led to deletion of names of 65 lakh electors in state. 'EC's special intensive revision is a deliberate design to tamper with votes, disproportionately affecting backward, Muslim communities and migrant workers,' said Bihar Congress president Rajesh Kumar. He further said that on August 18, Rahul will start pad yatra which will pass through Dev Road Amba in Kutumba assembly constituency, covering Aurangabad district. On Saturday, Rahul on X said, 'Sixteen days, 20-plus districts, 1,300-plus kilometres. We are coming among the people with voter rights yatra. This is the right to protect the most fundamental democratic right'-'one person, one vote'. Join us to save the Constitution.'
