Minister Lokesh hails revamped ration distribution system
In a social media post on X, Lokesh congratulated the minister for initiating ration distribution through fair price shops (FPS) in a festive and organised manner, which he said aligned with public expectations. He said the shift from mobile dispensing units (MDUs) to shop-based distribution was a major success from day one.
'While an average of 11 lakh people received ration on the first day under the previous government, 18.87 lakh families received ration on Sunday alone,' Lokesh highlighted, emphasising that the new policy eliminates the uncertainty and inconvenience of waiting for mobile ration vehicles.
'This is a testament to the TDP-led NDA government's resolve to improve service delivery and dignity for the marginalised,' Lokesh added.
Lokesh challenges Jagan over URSA allegations
HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Monday issued an open challenge to YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, demanding proof for allegations that land in Visakhapatnam was sold to URSA Clusters for just `1 per acre.
In a post on X, Lokesh said he would resign from his ministerial post if the allegations are proven true. At the same time, he demanded that Jagan apologise to the State's youth if the claims are false.
Refuting the charges, Lokesh clarified that land was allotted at significantly higher rates — 3.5 acres in IT Park Hill-3 were sold at `1 crore per acre, while 56.36 acres in Kapuluppada were allocated at `50 lakh per acre.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
34 minutes ago
- NDTV
Rupee Opens Stronger Against US Dollar Despite Concerns Over Trump Tariffs
New Delhi: A day after the Donald Trump-led US administration increased the tariffs on Indian exports to 50 per cent, the rupee opened stronger against the US dollar in early trade. The rupee rose 3 paise to 87.69 against the US dollar in early trade. US President Donald Trump yesterday announced an extra 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports as a 'penalty' for New Delhi continuing to import Russian crude oil. Trump warned other countries that buy Russian oil of similar measures. After the total tariffs on Indian exports to the US rose to 50 per cent, the Ministry of External Affairs responded that the US targeting India over Russian oil imports is "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable". "We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people..." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India... for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the government said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Notification for Vice-Presidential poll issued, nomination process begins
The post of Vice President fell vacant on July 21 after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned unexpectedly, citing health reasons New Delhi The Election Commission on Thursday issued a notification for the election to the office of the Vice President, scheduled for September 9, officially kick-starting the nomination process. Key dates: Last date for filing nominations: August 21 Scrutiny of nomination papers: August 22 Last date for withdrawal of candidature: August 25 The post of Vice President fell vacant on July 21 after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned unexpectedly, citing health reasons. His tenure was otherwise set to continue until August 2027. According to constitutional provisions, in the case of a midterm election, the newly elected Vice President gets a full five-year term. How is the Vice President elected? As per Article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, including nominated members. Unlike the Presidential election, members of state legislative assemblies are not part of the voting process. The election is conducted using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote (STV), with voting held through a secret ballot. Under STV, MPs mark their preferences, and counting proceeds in rounds until a candidate secures the required quota. To contest, a candidate must be: A citizen of India At least 35 years old Eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha They must also not hold any office of profit under the Centre, state governments, or government-controlled bodies. Electoral arithmetic: NDA holds clear advantage The current effective strength of both Houses stands at 786, with one vacancy in the 543-member Lok Sabha (Basirhat, West Bengal) and five in the 245-member Rajya Sabha, four from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Punjab, vacated after AAP leader Sanjeev Arora was elected to the state assembly in a bypoll. To win, a candidate needs at least 394 votes, assuming full turnout. The NDA, led by the BJP, enjoys a clear edge with 293 members in the Lok Sabha and 129 in the Rajya Sabha, including support from nominated members. With a total backing of 422 MPs, the ruling alliance is comfortably placed to secure the vice presidential post. Dhankhar steps down mid-term Jagdeep Dhankhar, who took office in August 2022, resigned on July 21, the first day of the Monsoon Session, citing health reasons. He became the third Vice President to step down before completing the five-year term. In his resignation letter, he said: 'To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.' With his departure, the EC has now set in motion the electoral process to fill the vacancy.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Parliament Monsoon Session 2025 Live: Key bills on agenda as Houses resume today amid Opposition uproar over Bihar SIR
Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Mansukh Mandaviya, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Jyotiraditya Scindia and other MPs in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Parliament monsoon session live: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha resume proceedings on Thursday amid uproar from the Opposition INDIA bloc demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. However, the Union government has rejected the demand, citing the matter is sub judice before the Supreme More Union minister Kiren Rijiju said in the House on Wednesday, 'We all know that the matter of SIR is under the consideration of the Supreme Court. The matter raised by the opposition is clearly sub judice, so a discussion on this issue cannot be held in this House.' He invoked Rule 186 and Rule 352 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business to support the BJP-led government's stand. Rijiju further stated that the Election Commission of India, being an autonomous constitutional body, could not be subjected to House discussions on its functioning. A similar ruling had been given a day earlier in the Rajya Sabha by deputy chairman Harivansh Singh. The row over Bihar Special Intensive Revision (SIR) intensifies after the poll body released the draft voter roll data from Bihar's SIR exercise, excluding over 65 lakh voter enumeration forms. This triggered criticism from the Opposition, who accused the ECI of acting under pressure from the BJP-led central government. In an adjournment notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary, Congress MP Manickam Tagore alleged large-scale deletions and 'unjustified inclusions' in the draft rolls. The demand to debate the issue has led to frequent adjournments in both Houses of Parliament this session. Key bills and legislative business in Parliament today As per the Lok Sabha agenda, several important items are scheduled for discussion and passage today: 1. Manipur GST Ordinance: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present an explanatory statement justifying the urgency behind promulgating the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025. 2. Anti-doping law changes: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will move amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 for House approval. 3. Sports governance overhaul: Mandaviya will also introduce the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aimed at reforming the administration of sports bodies in India. 4. SC/ST reports: BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste will table the fourth report of the committee on SC/ST welfare, focusing on reservations in services and housing by the DDA. 5. Education and inclusion: TDP MP Daggumalla Prasada Rao will present a report assessing the role of universities and autonomous institutions like IITs, IIMs, and central universities in socio-economic development and reservation implementation. 6. Defence standing committee reports: BJP MPs Radha Mohan Singh and Virendra Singh will submit reports on the government's response to past recommendations concerning the Defence Ministry's budget for 2024-25. Marking a significant day on Wednesday, Parliament passed two maritime sector bills in one day—a first for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The Lok Sabha cleared the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024.
