News for 'speaker'

Mega 39-member Parl panel to examine simultaneous polls bills

Mega 39-member Parl panel to examine simultaneous polls bills

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

A 39-member parliamentary panel has been constituted to examine the two bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The panel, chaired by BJP leader Bhratruhari Mahtab, will include prominent members from various political parties, including the BJP, Congress, SP, TMC, and DMK. The panel is expected to submit its report to the Lok Sabha by the first day of the last week of the next session. The government has decided to increase the committee's strength to include more political parties, highlighting the significance of this proposal to reform the election process in India.

Hemant Soren expands cabinet, Cong finally joins govt

Hemant Soren expands cabinet, Cong finally joins govt

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren expanded his cabinet on Thursday, inducting 11 new ministers, including six first-timers and two women. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Raj Bhavan in Ranchi. The new ministers include six from the JMM and four from the Congress. One minister is from the RJD. The expansion comes after the JMM-led alliance won the recent assembly elections with a comfortable majority. The cabinet expansion is expected to give the government a fresh impetus to push its agenda and accelerate development in the state.

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Budget 2025: What farmers want from Sitharaman

Rediff.com7 Dec 2024

Farmer representatives and agricultural stakeholders urged the government to provide cheaper long-term credit, implement lower taxes, and double the PM-KISAN income support during a comprehensive pre-budget consultation with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday. The two-hour meeting saw a detailed discussion of proposals, aimed at addressing multiple challenges in the agricultural sector, with key demands focusing on financial relief, market reforms, and strategic investments.

Priyanka Gandhi likely to be part of simultaneous polls JPC

Priyanka Gandhi likely to be part of simultaneous polls JPC

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

The two 'One Nation One Election' (ONOE) bills, including one requiring an amendment in the Constitution, that lay down the mechanism to hold simultaneous elections were introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday after a fiery debate.

Game Changer Review: Ram Charan Saves The Train Wreck

Game Changer Review: Ram Charan Saves The Train Wreck

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

Game Changer is underwhelming in the sense that you see the potential being squandered away by timid filmmaking, observes Arjun Menon.

SEBI chief Buch skips PAC summons; BJP miffed at panel chair

SEBI chief Buch skips PAC summons; BJP miffed at panel chair

Rediff.com24 Oct 2024

Buch, under a cloud over allegations of conflict of interest levelled by United States-based short-seller Hindenburg, was asked to appear before the PAC, which is reviewing the performance of the market regulator.

Mahua Moitra writes to Speaker over Apple alerts

Mahua Moitra writes to Speaker over Apple alerts

Rediff.com1 Nov 2023

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla flagging alerts received by several opposition leaders about 'state-sponsored' attacks on their iPhones, and urged him to provide them protection to continue doing their duties.

High drama in Parl: 2 MPs in ICU; both file plaints against each other

High drama in Parl: 2 MPs in ICU; both file plaints against each other

Rediff.com19 Dec 2024

Ruling NDA and opposition INDIA bloc MPs clashed in Parliament on Thursday over Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, leading to jostling and an injury to BJP MP Pratap Sarangi. The opposition demanded Shah's resignation, while the BJP defended him.

Adhikari withdraws pleas against Bengal speaker order after SC censure

Adhikari withdraws pleas against Bengal speaker order after SC censure

Rediff.com24 Feb 2023

Vaidyanathan apologised to the court but added that the present plea was filed as another petition challenging a high court order dated April 11, 2022 is pending before the apex court.

'Unhappy' with chair, Opposition MPs may exit Waqf panel

'Unhappy' with chair, Opposition MPs may exit Waqf panel

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

Opposition MPs in the parliamentary committee scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill are scheduled to meet Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday to protest its chairperson Jagdambika Pal's alleged 'unilateral' decisions and attempts to 'bulldoze' proceedings, indicating that they may disassociate themselves from the panel.

Hathiram Chaudhary: A Hero For Our Times

Hathiram Chaudhary: A Hero For Our Times

Rediff.com31 Jan 2025

We do not whistle for Hathiram Chaudhary. And yet the bond we feel towards him is spontaneous, almost effortless. This is because he shares something of our too-ideal dreams, our wry acceptance of our limitations, our useful frustrations, and our pointless sprints, explains Sreehari Nair.

South Korean Prez Yoon Suk Yeol impeached by Parl

South Korean Prez Yoon Suk Yeol impeached by Parl

Rediff.com14 Dec 2024

If the court supports Yoon's removal, he would become the second president in South Korean history to be successfully impeached.

Assam assembly abolishes 2-hr break for Friday namaaz

Assam assembly abolishes 2-hr break for Friday namaaz

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

The Assam assembly will discontinue with the two-hour break provided on Fridays to facilitate Muslim legislators to offer 'namaaz', Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The rule will be implemented from the next session, an assembly official said.

His name will be written in...: Raut slams ex-CJI Chandrachud

His name will be written in...: Raut slams ex-CJI Chandrachud

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

Raut claimed that by not deciding on the disqualification petitions, Chandrachud kept doors and windows open for defections.

Oppn submits notice for moving no-trust motion against 'partisan' Veep

Oppn submits notice for moving no-trust motion against 'partisan' Veep

Rediff.com10 Dec 2024

Opposition parties on Tuesday submitted a notice to move a motion for removing Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for allegedly conducting the House in a partisan manner.

Will have to first verify which Sena is political party: Maha speaker

Will have to first verify which Sena is political party: Maha speaker

Rediff.com15 May 2023

Maharashtra legislative assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Monday said that after the Supreme Court's May 11 verdict, he will have to first recognise in the House which faction of the Shiv Sena is the political party before going ahead with any other decision.

Cannot assume speaker's role, SC tells Uddhav group in disqualification case

Cannot assume speaker's role, SC tells Uddhav group in disqualification case

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the suggestion of the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Shiv Sena to decide the disqualification proceedings pending against Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and MLAs belonging to his camp, saying it cannot assume the role of the speaker as doing so will have "serious ramifications".

No referring to members' caste, religion in Lok Sabha: Speaker

No referring to members' caste, religion in Lok Sabha: Speaker

Rediff.com12 Dec 2022

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday warned members against referring to anyone's caste and religion in the House after a Congress MP alleged that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made certain remarks about his proficiency in Hindi because he belonged to a lower caste.

Pritish Nandy: What An Editor!

Pritish Nandy: What An Editor!

Rediff.com10 Jan 2025

Hugely creative with a very evolved aesthetic sense, he made the Illustrated Weekly of India every young reporter's dream. Payal Singh Mohanka remembers Pritish Nandy who passed into the ages on January 8, 2025.

Oppn To Push For JPC On Adani Issue

Oppn To Push For JPC On Adani Issue

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

Floor leaders of the Opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance met on Monday ahead of the start of Parliament's winter session and decided to raise the issue of alleged corruption in the Adani Group and demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee on the matter.11111111111111111111111111

UN revises list, Modi not to address UNGA session

UN revises list, Modi not to address UNGA session

Rediff.com7 Sep 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not address the annual debate at the United Nations General Assembly session later this month, according to a revised provisional list of speakers issued by the UN.

Uproar in LS over TMC MP's remarks against Scindia

Uproar in LS over TMC MP's remarks against Scindia

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

"Mr Kalyan Banerjee rose in this House and said sorry. But I will say that we all come to this House with the spirit of contribution to the nation's development...but we also come with a sense of self respect.

Rahul seeks speaker's permission to respond to 'defamatory' claims

Rahul seeks speaker's permission to respond to 'defamatory' claims

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Gandhi invoked Rule 357 which allows for "personal explanations" and also cited the example of Bharatiya Janata Party MP and then minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who invoked the Rule to give an explanation regarding comments made by Jyotiraditya Scindia in relation to him in Parliament

MT Vasudevan Nair, Suzuki, ex-CJI Khehar Singh get Padma Vibhushan

MT Vasudevan Nair, Suzuki, ex-CJI Khehar Singh get Padma Vibhushan

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday approved 139 Padma awards including seven Padma Vibhushans, 19 Padma Bhushans and 113 Padma Shris.

Moral victory for Uddhav as SC rules governor, speaker's decisions wrong

Moral victory for Uddhav as SC rules governor, speaker's decisions wrong

Rediff.com11 May 2023

The Supreme Court on Thursday held the Maharashtra governor was not justified in calling upon then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray to prove his majority in the assembly on June 30 last year but refused to order the status quo ante, saying he did not face the floor test and resigned.

40 yrs later, toxic waste shifted from Bhopal's Union Carbide factory

40 yrs later, toxic waste shifted from Bhopal's Union Carbide factory

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

Forty years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, 377 tons of hazardous waste has been shifted from the defunct Union Carbide factory for its disposal, an official said.

Waqf bill among 16 to be passed in winter session

Waqf bill among 16 to be passed in winter session

Rediff.com21 Nov 2024

As Parliament gears up for a stormy start next week over the Adani issue, the government has listed 16 bills, including one to amend the waqf law and five new ones, for the winter session.

Why is there no deputy speaker in LS and some states, SC asks govt

Why is there no deputy speaker in LS and some states, SC asks govt

Rediff.com13 Feb 2023

The Supreme Court on Monday sought the Centre's response on a PIL that questioned the non-election of deputy speaker in Lok Sabha and several state assemblies, and observed that the issue is "very important".

Is INDIA bloc considering rotational Lok Sabha LoP post?

Is INDIA bloc considering rotational Lok Sabha LoP post?

Rediff.com11 Oct 2024

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said there are many leaders in the Opposition parties who are "capable" of handling the work of the Leader of Opposition but it is up to them to take a decision as it is their "internal matter".

'Defection is his hobby and profession': Raut's dig at Maha speaker

'Defection is his hobby and profession': Raut's dig at Maha speaker

Rediff.com17 May 2023

For the first time, a presiding officer was declaring in public what decision he will be taking, the Rajya Sabha member said.

Winter Session: Opposition presses for debate on Adani

Winter Session: Opposition presses for debate on Adani

Rediff.com24 Nov 2024

The opposition on Sunday asked the Centre to allow discussions in the Parliament on the United States prosecutors' bribery charges against the Adani Group even as Union minister Kiren Rijiju made it clear that the matters to be taken up in the two Houses will be decided by their authorised committees with the consent of the respective Chair.

RJD leader Awadh Chaudhary elected Bihar assembly speaker

RJD leader Awadh Chaudhary elected Bihar assembly speaker

Rediff.com26 Aug 2022

Veteran Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Awadh Bihari Chaudhary was on Friday unanimously elected as speaker of the Bihar legislative assembly.

Thackeray camp wanted speaker to usurp EC's powers, Shinde group tells SC

Thackeray camp wanted speaker to usurp EC's powers, Shinde group tells SC

Rediff.com14 Mar 2023

The ruling Eknath Shinde camp in Maharashtra told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that the rival side led by Uddhav Thackeray wanted the speaker of the state assembly to "usurp" the powers of the Election Commission when the ultimate test of majority in a democracy -- the floor test -- was ordered by the governor during the 2022 political crisis.

President Murmu to lead celebrations to mark 75 years of Constitution

President Murmu to lead celebrations to mark 75 years of Constitution

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

A special website has also been created to mark the year-long celebrations, Union Culture Secretary Arunish Chawla told reporters during a briefing at the National Media Centre in New Delhi.

New Thar ROXX Is A Visual Treat!

New Thar ROXX Is A Visual Treat!

Rediff.com27 Aug 2024

The Thar ROXX is much larger and taller than the 3-door brute off-roader, The Mahindra Thar which was launched four years back on August 15. Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com simply cannot stop raving about it.

Has Jaishankar Startled Piyush Goyal?

Has Jaishankar Startled Piyush Goyal?

Rediff.com16 Aug 2024

Glimpses of the At Home reception hosted by President Droupadi Murmu on Independence Day at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

LS speaker admits no-trust motion against Modi govt, to fix time for debate

LS speaker admits no-trust motion against Modi govt, to fix time for debate

Rediff.com26 Jul 2023

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday admitted a no-confidence motion moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi against the Narendra Modi government after a head count of over 50 MPs as required under the rules.

Fadnavis takes charge as CM, his first decision is...

Fadnavis takes charge as CM, his first decision is...

Rediff.com5 Dec 2024

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took charge of their new official responsibilities at the state secretariat 'Mantralaya' here after taking oath of office on Thursday evening.

Opposition demands debate on Constitution in both Houses

Opposition demands debate on Constitution in both Houses

Rediff.com26 Nov 2024

Opposition leaders on Tuesday demanded a debate on the Constitution in both Houses of Parliament, stressing it was needed in the light of the recent developments in the country.

Insult to Marathi people won't be tolerated, warns Maha govt

Insult to Marathi people won't be tolerated, warns Maha govt

Rediff.com20 Dec 2024

An alleged attack on a Marathi-speaking family by a government employee in Thane district sparked outrage in the Maharashtra Assembly, where the BJP-led government assured justice and condemned the incident. Opposition parties demanded immediate action against the accused, Akhilesh Shukla, and his wife, who have been arrested. The incident has raised concerns about discrimination against Marathi people and fueled tensions in the state.