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Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
On Labour Day, Mallikarjun Kharge highlights workers' 'struggle' under BJP-led government
NEW DELHI: Congress president on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings to workers on International Labour Day . He highlighted three issues to make the nation aware of "problems and struggles" of workers under the BJP-led government. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kharge posted on X, "Today is a very special day for me because today is Labour Day. The development of any country is impossible without workers. Heartiest wishes and congratulations to the millions of workers across the country on International Labour Day. I started my life advocating for the rights of workers. It is the power of Indian democracy that a son of a mill worker like me got the opportunity to handle the labour ministry in the central government. By dedicating themselves to nation building through hard work and struggle, our labourer brothers and sisters strengthen the foundation of the country with their own hands." The Rajya Sabha LoP then raised his three "key" concerns regarding labourers' struggles under the incumbent government. Kharge said, "First, MNREGA - which is the Congress' guarantee to employ the most vulnerable workers, has been continuously axed by the Modi government. The budget has been reduced. 7 crore workers were dropped from MNREGA. Daily wages were not increased. We demand that MNREGA workers should get Rs 400 per day and their working days should be increased from 100 to 150 days." He added, "Secondly, labour unions have opposed the government's Labour Code. In it, the government has increased the daily working hours and has given permission to fire up to 300 factory workers at one time. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now All internationally accepted provisions such as minimum wages, retirement benefits, social security, and 8 hours of work - the Labour Code has abolished all of them. Our demand from the government is that all these provisions should be restored after talking to the labour unions." He further stated, "Third, unemployment is the biggest problem in the country. Under the Modi government, the country's youth have been trapped in a labyrinth of paper leaks, recruitment exam rigging, corruption, and unemployment. The central government alone has are 10 lakh vacancies, from which 50% of SC, ST, OBC, and EWS youth can benefit. Additionally, those employed have not seen any increase in their income. By selling PSUs, the government has eliminated 5.1 lakh regular jobs, and there has been an increase of 91 per cent in contract/casual hiring in the central government posts." Kharge also praised Congress-led state governments for enacting laws to support gig workers and unorganised sector labourers, and accused the Modi government of failing to provide social security. "Big claims are being made only on paper. Today, we must once again resolve to fight and struggle for the rights of workers. The Congress will ensure 'labour justice so that the self-respect of the workers is protected," he assured.
India.com
25-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pahalgam terror attack LIVE updates: Pakistani defence minister says Kashmir attack a 'false flag operation'
Pahalgam Terror Attack LIVE Updates: 'France stands firmly with India in this hour of grief,' says Macron On Thursday, the government convened a meeting with leaders from all political parties to discuss the terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the tragic loss of 26 lives. Before the discussions began in New Delhi, everyone present stood in silence to honor the victims. After the meeting, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, expressed full support to the government for any steps it may take in response. On the government's side, key figures like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar were present. The opposition was represented by leaders such as Mallikarjun Kharge (Rajya Sabha LoP), Supriya Sule from NCP-SP, and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, among others. Meanwhile, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated as Pakistan reacted strongly to India's decision to halt the Indus Waters Treaty. Calling the move an 'act of war', Pakistan announced the closure of its airspace to Indian flights and warned that it may suspend all mutual agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement. In response, the Indian government declared that all visas granted to Pakistani citizens would be revoked starting April 27. However, medical visas will remain valid until April 29, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
