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New Indian Express
31-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
AAP MP criticises land pooling, deletes post
AAP MP from Anandpur Sahib Malvinder Singh Kang was the first party leader to speak up against the controversial land pooling policy as he took to social media and urged party leaders to 'earn the trust of farmers' on this policy. He later deleted the post. He had tweeted, 'The objections raised by farmers' unions on the Land Pooling Policy must, in my view, be heard with empathy and addressed through meaningful dialogue. In the last three years, our government has ensured uninterrupted agri-power, pushed canal water to every field, fast-tracked mandi reforms... crop diversification. On this too, trust must be earned—not assumed.' Former CM Channi's double delight Former Punjab Chief Minister and Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi was honoured with the prestigious 'Sansad Ratna' award for his outstanding performance in Parliament. Channi is the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Agriculture. The award recognises outstanding contributions to parliamentary work, including participation in debates, raising questions and involvement in legislative activities. These awards are instituted by the Prime Point Foundation and based on data-driven assessments of parliamentary performance. Channi, among the 17 MPs awarded, was recognised for his contribution to the legislature. 'Alsi pinni' served at Fauja's bhog ceremony At the bhog ceremony (last prayer) of legendary runner, the 114-year-old Fauja Singh, better known as the 'Turbaned Tornado', the family served special 'alsi pinnis' (flaxseed) prepared with jaggery – a secret behind the Fauja's fitness and long life – as a tribute to his memory. Singh had it for breakfast every day with glass of milk. Harvinder Singh, son of the late marathoner, said his father never missed his daily 'alsi pinni': 'Days before the pinnis were about to finish, he would remind my wife to start making a fresh batch. People were often surprised when we bought ingredients for pinnis during summers. But my father had them daily, regardless of the season.' Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
MP Ravi Kishan honoured with Sansad Ratna Award'25
Gorakhpur: BJP MP from Gorakhpur, Ravi Kishan , has been conferred with the prestigious Sansad Ratna Award 2025 for his outstanding contribution to parliamentary democracy. The award ceremony was held at the New Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi, where Union Minister Kiren Rijiju was the chief guest, and National Backward Classes Commission chairman Hansraj Ahir presided over the event, PRO Pawan Dubey informed on Saturday. Ravi Kishan was selected based on his impressive parliamentary performance, including active participation in debates, a high number of questions asked, and the introduction of private member bills. "This is not just my honour. It is the fragrance of Gorakhpur's sacred soil now spreading across Delhi," the MP said, dedicating the award to the people of Purvanchal. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and CM Yogi Adityanath for their inspiring leadership. He also thanked Prime Point Foundation and its founder K Srinivasan for instituting the awards.
New Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Opposition loses more than government when Parliament is disrupted: Kiren Rijiju
NEW DELHI: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that frequent disruptions in the House hurt the Opposition more, as they lose the crucial opportunity to hold the government accountable. The remarks came after the first week of the ongoing monsoon session was largely washed out due to repeated protests by Opposition MPs. Speaking at the Sansad Ratna Awards event organised by Prime Point Foundation, Rijiju recalled how bureaucrats sometimes express relief when Parliament is adjourned. "Let me tell you, officers are relieved when Parliament doesn't function because they escape the grilling. The government can be held accountable in Parliament. When the House runs, ministers face tough questions. When it adjourns within minutes, those questions don't even get raised. Opposition loses more than the government when Parliament is disrupted," he said. "Those who stall the House think they are damaging the government, but in truth, they are weakening their own role in a democracy," Rijiju added. Reinforcing the importance of parliamentary accountability, the minister said, "In any democracy, the government must answer to the people through Parliament. That is why allowing the House to run is essential for a functioning democracy." Reflecting on his journey in Parliament, Rijiju said he never considered Opposition MPs as adversaries. "We are all colleagues. Before 2014, most of my parliamentary career has been on the Opposition benches. Political rivalries may exist, but there is no enmity," he said.
Indian Express
26-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Frequent disruptions in Parliament harm Opposition more than government: Kiren Rijiju
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said that frequent disruptions in the House hurt the Opposition more, as they lose the crucial opportunity to hold the government accountable. The remarks came after the first week of the ongoing monsoon session was largely washed out due to repeated protests by Opposition MPs. Speaking at the Sansad Ratna Awards event organised by Prime Point Foundation, Rijiju recalled how bureaucrats sometimes express relief when Parliament is adjourned. 'Let me tell you, officers are relieved when Parliament doesn't function because they escape the grilling. The government can be held accountable in Parliament. When the House runs, ministers face tough questions. When it adjourns within minutes, those questions don't even get raised. Opposition loses more than the government when Parliament is disrupted,' he said. 'Those who stall the House think they are damaging the government, but in truth, they are weakening their own role in a democracy,' Rijiju added. Reinforcing the importance of parliamentary accountability, the minister said, 'In any democracy, the government must answer to the people through Parliament. That is why allowing the House to run is essential for a functioning democracy.' Reflecting on his journey in Parliament, Rijiju said he never considered Opposition MPs as adversaries. 'We are all colleagues. Before 2014, most of my parliamentary career has been on the Opposition benches. Political rivalries may exist, but there is no enmity,' he said. Drawing from a quote by Winston Churchill, Rijiju said, 'A new MP once asked Churchill about the people sitting across the aisle, and he said they were political opponents. But when asked about those sitting on his side, he said they were our political enemies. That is politics, but we are not enemies.' Rijiju also said there is undue burden on Indian legislators compared to their counterparts in developed countries. 'There, one MP represents approximately 66,000 people. Here, it is over 20 lakh. They are not asked to fix drains or get someone out of jail. But our MPs deal with personal grievances, infrastructure and law enforcement issues and are still expected to perform in the House,' he said. 'Despite all this, they are often criticised. Every elected MP deserves respect, it is not an easy job.' Recalling his own early experiences, Rijiju shared a humorous but telling anecdote. 'The first time I met Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, I had gone to request a room for MPs who smoke. He scolded me, saying, 'This is your first meeting with the Speaker and this is what you've come for?' I got a good scolding that day and learned I should approach such offices with more purpose.' He also reflected on how senior leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani set examples of decorum. 'Back then, we would think twice before speaking because stalwarts were listening. Now disruptions begin on day one. Maybe social media has changed the game.' Calling for more constructive media reporting, Rijiju said, 'Earlier, journalists would arrive at 9 am and cover parliamentary debates till night. Good speeches got coverage. Today, headlines go to who created the most ruckus. I remember Sharad Pawar once presented an excellent agriculture policy, but the next day not a single paper mentioned it. So now, MPs chase headlines because good work is neither reported nor recognised.' 'Negative news drives TRPs, not constructive action. It is a vicious cycle — both the MPs and the media are trapped in it,' he said. Rijiju congratulated all the recipients of this year's Sansad Ratna Awards, including Supriya Sule, Bhartruhari Mahtab, N K Premachandran, and Shrirang Appa Barne, who received special jury awards for consistent performance in the 16th, 17th, and the current Lok Sabha. 'Whenever any parliamentarian is recognised for good work, we should all celebrate together, cutting across party lines,' Rijiju said. National Commission for Backward Classes Chairperson Hansraj Gangaram Ahir took a swipe at the Opposition, saying, 'Those who claim to be followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar bring disrepute to the country by speaking against it abroad'.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Seventeen MPs, including Ravi Kishan, Supriya Sule, to receive Sansad Ratna Awards
Seventeen Members of Parliament, including Bhartruhari Mahtab and Ravi Kishan, and two Parliamentary Standing Committees, have been selected for the Sansad Ratna Award 2025. The awards, instituted by the Prime Point Foundation, are given to MPs for their contribution to Parliament. The awardees were selected by the Jury Committee, chaired by Hansraj Ahir, Chairman of the National Commission for Backwards Classes (NCBC). Mr. Mahtab, Supriya Sule (NCP-SP), N K Premachandran (RSP) and Shrirang Appa Barne will receive the awards for 'outstanding and consistent contribution to parliamentary democracy". These four MPs were top performers during the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha and continue doing so in their present tenure as well, a statement from the Prime Point Foundation said. The other awardees are Smita Wagh (BJP), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena UBT), Naresh Ganpat Mhaske (Shiv Sena), Varsha Gaikwad (Congress), Medha Kulkarni (BJP), Praveen Patel (BJP), Ravi Kishan (BJP), Nishikant Dubey (BJP), Bidyut Baran Mahato (BJP), P P Chaudhary (BJP), Madan Rathore (BJP), C.N. Annadurai (DMK) and Dilip Saikia (BJP). Two departmentally related standing committees — Finance and Agriculture — have also been chosen for their exceptional performance based on their reports presented to Parliament. The Standing Committee on Finance is chaired by Mr. Mahtab while the Standing Committee on Agriculture is chaired by Charanjit Singh Channi of the Congress.
