
Today in Politics: Modi to begin 4-day tour of UK, Maldives; Kejriwal, Mann in Gujarat
Modi will first travel to the UK on a two-day trip and then will visit the Maldives primarily to grace the island nation's Independence Day celebrations as 'guest of honour', according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
In the first leg of his trip, Modi will visit the UK from July 23 to 24 to hold wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the MEA said on Sunday.
India and the UK are expected to formally sign the free trade deal during PM Modi's visit to London, people familiar with the matter said, adding the British side has completed the administrative process for inking of the pact.
It will be PM Modi's fourth visit to the UK. The MEA said he is also expected to call on King Charles III. 'During the visit, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties,' the MEA said in a statement.
Bhagwat to address BMS foundation day event
RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) will organise an event on Wednesday to mark 70 years of its foundation.
The event, to be attended by a large number of delegates, will be addressed by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, BMS president Hiranmay Pandya said on Monday.
'The BMS will mark 70 glorious years of its journey with a grand event on July 23…. Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will grace the occasion as the guest of honour,' Pandya told a press conference at Keshav Kunj, the RSS office here.
Pandya said the BMS will felicitate many of its senior activists and workers for their exemplary contributions.
'The dignitaries to be attending the event include the director of the International Labour Organisation (India), officials from the V V Giri National Labour Institute and the ministry of labour and employment, members of Parliament and senior leaders of other trade unions,' he said.
Kejriwal, Mann in Gujarat
Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be on a two-day Gujarat visit from Wednesday, the party said last week.
On Wednesday, the two leaders will take part in the party's 'Kisan-Pashupalak Mahapanchayat' gathering in support of farmers and cattle-breeders, and speak at a public meeting in support of jailed AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava, said the party's state unit chief Isudan Gadhvi.
Tipra Motha to meet EC
The Election Commission (EC) has invited a delegation of Tipra Motha for a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the concerns raised by the party about possible enrolment of illegal immigrants in Tripura's voter roll, TMP supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma said.
The meeting has been called following a request from the TMP, a constituent of the BJP-led coalition government in Tripura.
Debbarma in a social media post said, 'After we raised our concerns about possible enrolment of illegal immigrants in Tripura's voter roll and demanded a Bihar – like Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission of India has called us for a meeting on July 23 to discuss these issues,' Debbarma said in a Facebook post on Saturday.
– With PTI inputs
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Indian Express
15 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Opposition alleges Rs 70,000 crore scam as CAG flags accounting lapses in poll-bound Bihar
Just months ahead of the upcoming Assembly election in Bihar, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged massive accounting lapses in the state's finances. The CAG has reported that as of March 31, 2024, as many as 49,649 Utilisation Certificates (UCs) — documents that confirm that allocated resources were utilised for the intended purpose — amounting to Rs 70,877.61 crore, had not been submitted to the Accountant General (Accounts and Entitlements) of Bihar. The findings have come as fresh ammunition for the Opposition. Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav said in a social media post, 'Thanks to Modi-Nitish, a scam of Rs 70,000 crore has taken place in Bihar. The CAG has unearthed the theft. No work was seen, but the entire expenditure was made… Modi-Nitish made history by committing a Rs 70,000 crore scam. Just like the Srijan scam, now efforts to manage this from Delhi to Patna have intensified.' 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It observed that 59.95% of the total budgeted grants-in-aid of Rs 77,600.47 crore disbursed during 2023-24 were lumped under the category, 'Others', without clearly identifying the institutions or schemes to which the funds were released. The CAG noted that without proper institutional codes, 'the amounts outstanding against all institutions could not be worked out.' This, it said, is a gap that 'affected the transparency of accounts'. The CAG also flagged significant parking of funds under the Deposit of Local Funds. According to the CAG report, funds budgeted as grants to local bodies and municipal bodies were transferred there, but never spent. Over 2019-24, the balance in these accounts swelled to Rs 30,017.64 crore. 'This amount has been shown as Revenue or Capital Expenditure in the respective years but is lying unspent in the deposit head,' the report says. It observes that this practice overstates actual expenditure, and further mentions that the 'reason for transfer of funds for parking in Deposit of Local Fund Head of Account were awaited'. The CAG also noted that internal audit mechanisms in departments were either weak or non-functional, and several previous audit recommendations had not been acted upon. It observed that delays in submission of audit replies and lack of timely action 'defeated the very purpose of the audit'. The CAG said that the combination of the issues of missing UCs, unreconciled advances, off-book deposits and generic accounting entries 'indicate lack of internal controls in the administrative departments'.


India.com
15 minutes ago
- India.com
Explained: Why India Can't Withdraw From Asia Cup 2025 Fixture Against Pakistan – BCCI's Hands Tied
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News18
38 minutes ago
- News18
Rajnath Vs Rahul On Op Sindoor: 32-Hour Fiery Discussion Begins Today, Will PM Modi Join?
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