July 31, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Golden Temple Clash
Heat on Bhajan Lal
Amidst noisy protests from the Congress-I benches, the Opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha demanded the resignation of Haryana Chief Minister Bhajan Lal. The Janata Party leader in the House, M S Gurupadaswamy, speaking on behalf of Opposition leaders, provoked a loud chorus of protests when he demanded that Bhajan Lal resign to ensure that the inquiry ordered into the charges against him is fair.
New Haryana Capital
Top town planning experts from the world will be consulted for Haryana's new capital, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal told newsmen in Chandigarh. While announcing the setting up of a high-level site selection committee of senior officers, the Chief Minister gave the assurance that the state's new capital would be beautiful and better than the city of Chandigarh in all respects. The committee has been asked to submit a report within three months.
India Disowns Munna
The Festival of India authorities clarified that Munna, the dancing bear, was sent to Paris for the festival by the Indian Hotels Corporation — the Taj group. Although Munna, whose recent kidnapping received wide press coverage, attended the inaugural mela in Paris, it was not under the aegis of the Government of India. The Indian Hotels Corporation retained Munna's services after the event to 'amuse patrons' of their restaurant in Paris.
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NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Limit Exceeded: Congress After BJP Inducts 3 More Ministers In Chhattisgarh
Raipur: The political atmosphere in Chhattisgarh has heated up following the expansion of the Vishnudev Sai-led BJP cabinet. For the first time since the formation of the state, the council of ministers has 14 ministers -- including the Chief Minister -- with the induction of three new faces. The move, however, has drawn sharp criticism from Congress's former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, who questioned whether the Centre has given its approval for such an expansion. On Wednesday, Durg MLA Gajendra Yadav, Arang MLA Guru Khuswant Saheb, and Ambikapur MLA Rajesh Agarwal took oath as ministers. Their induction takes the total strength of the cabinet to 14, a departure from the traditional limit of 13. Political observers noted that the BJP has sought to woo OBC, Scheduled Caste and Vaishya voters by giving representation to these communities through the latest appointments. Bhupesh Baghel accused the BJP of making a "mockery" of constitutional provisions. "The rule clearly states that only 15 per cent of the MLAs can become ministers. When our government was in power, we had written to the Prime Minister requesting one additional minister, citing Chhattisgarh's vast geography, but the demand was rejected. Now the BJP has increased the cabinet size. Has the Government of India allowed this? Was there a gazette notification? If not, this expansion is unconstitutional," Mr Baghel said. He further alleged that the BJP was setting a "wrong tradition" by violating established norms. The BJP has defended the expansion with the same 15 per cent rule, saying with 90 members in the assembly, this translates to 14 ministers including the Chief Minister -- a model similar to that of Haryana. Each of the new ministers represents a strategic social group. Gajendra Yadav, son of former Prant Sanghchalak Bisaram Yadav, has been given the portfolios of School Education, Village Industry, and Law and Legislative Affairs. His inclusion is seen as an effort to consolidate the Yadav community vote. Guru Khuswant Saheb, a prominent Satnami leader and successor of Guru Baldas, will handle Skill Development, Technical Education, Employment and Scheduled Caste Development. His induction is expected to strengthen the BJP's hold on the influential Scheduled Caste vote bank. Rajesh Agarwal, who rose to prominence by defeating Congress veteran TS Singhdeo in Ambikapur, has been assigned Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs. His appointment marks a generational shift in the BJP's engagement with the business community. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai welcomed the expansion, saying with a clear division of responsibilities, the cabinet was ready to serve Chhattisgarh Mahtari with "new energy and full commitment". The ministers, he said, would work to fulfil the aspirations of the people and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India. Even as the BJP celebrates the balancing act in its cabinet composition, the legality of the expansion and Mr Baghel's pointed questions have set the stage for a political storm. With the Congress demanding clarity and the BJP asserting constitutional validity, the issue is expected to remain a flashpoint in state politics in the coming days.
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Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
GoM to propose GST exemption on health, life insurance for individuals
The group of ministers (GoM) on health and life insurance is set to propose exempting insurance premiums for individuals from goods and services tax (GST), Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, who is convener of the GoM, said on Wednesday. At present, 18 per cent is levied on health and life insurance premiums for individuals. 'The Centre's proposal is to exempt health and life insurance premiums for families and individuals. All members agreed with the proposal. However, some states have expressed concern over the Centre's proposal to exempt health and life insurance premiums from GST,' he said after a meeting of the GoM. He added the GoM would submit its report to the GST Council for approval. According to finance-ministry sources, the council is likely to meet in the third week of September. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who is member of the GoM, said every state wanted health and life-insurance premiums to be exempt from GST. 'Telangana is of the view that some mechanism should be worked out so that the benefit of lower rates goes to the people. The council will deliberate on the mechanism,' Vikramarka said, adding that the proposed changes were expected to lead to an overall revenue loss of nearly ₹9.7 billion per annum. Saurabh Agarwal, partner with EY, said exempting insurance from GST would not lead to the entire benefit going to the insured. 'Insurance companies won't be able to claim back the GST they pay on their own expenses, like commissions, office rent, and software. The final price reduction for consumers will only be the net amount after accounting for this new input tax cost. If the tax had been 'zero-rated' instead of 'exempt', companies could have claimed a refund for the GST paid on their inputs, and consumers would have seen a full reduction of the tax from their premiums,' Agarwal added. Addressing the three GoMs on compensation cess, health and life insurance, and rate rationalisation at Vigyan Bhawan, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said the Centre's proposals were part of a vision to usher in 'the next generation of GST reforms' in India's journey to becoming an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. 'The central government remains committed to building a broadbased consensus with the states to implement the next generation of GST reforms in the spirit of cooperative federalism,' Sitharaman added.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Congress questions move's legality, flags ‘infighting' in CG BJP
Raipur: The expansion of chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai's cabinet, which brought the strength of Chhattisgarh council of ministers to 14, has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition Congress, which questioned if the move goes against the 2003 law. Congress party leaders also said that the BJP sidelined and humiliated its senior legislators, while also questioning the legality of increasing the cabinet size. State Congress President Deepak Baij alleged that none of the three new ministers reflected the chief minister's own choice. "One has been appointed under influence and RSS pressure," he claimed. Former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, raised constitutional concerns over the expansion. He reminded that under the 2003 law, the size of the council of ministers cannot exceed 15 percent of the strength of the assembly, which for Chhattisgarh means only 13 ministers. "In 2018, when our government came to power, we had written to the Centre seeking approval for a 14-member cabinet, citing the state's large geography. Despite passing it in the assembly, the Centre never granted approval. So the question is, when did the Sai government get this permission? If no approval has been obtained, then the 14-member cabinet is unconstitutional," Baghel said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo After the implementation of a 15% capping on the total strength of assembly and adopting the "Haryana model" that has 14 ministers in a 90-member assembly, Chhattisgarh too decided to have 14 members in its cabinet. Senior MLA's Didn't Attend Oath Ceremony: Baij State Congress chief Baij accused the BJP of humiliating its veterans while elevating first-timers. "Senior MLAs like Dharamlal Kaushik and Ajay Chandrakar did not even attend the oath ceremony. It shows how they have been pushed into a 'Margdarshak Mandal.' Unlike our govt, where seniors were respected, the BJP has discarded its stalwarts. Infighting will only intensify," Baij said. Former CM Baghel also claimed that BJP seniors such as Lata Usendi, Vikram Usendi, Ajay Chandrakar, Rajesh Munat, and Union minister Renuka Singh had been sidelined. "All senior leaders have been dismissed in one stroke. If they still have any self-respect left, they must show some courage," Baghel added on the matter. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
