Tag: politics

The Government of India has announced the re-issue of two dated securities to raise a total of ₹36,000 crore through an auction to be conducted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on July 25, 2025. The first security is the 5.91% Government Security (GS) 2028, maturing on June 30, 2028, with a notified amount of ₹6,000 crore. The second is the 6.33% GS 2035, maturing on May 5, 2035, with a significantly higher notified amount of ₹30,000 crore. Additionally, the government has kept the option open to retain an extra subscription of up to ₹2,000 crore for each security, depending on investor response. These bonds are part of the government’s borrowing strategy to meet its financial needs, especially in situations of fiscal deficit—when its expenditure exceeds revenue. By issuing these securities, the government borrows from the public, banks, and institutions, promising to repay with interest after a fixed term. The funds raised help finance infrastructure projects, welfare schemes, subsidies, and other developmental expenses without immediate tax hikes. The auction will be conducted via the RBI’s electronic platform, e-Kuber, using the multiple price method. Results will be declared on the same day, and successful bidders must make payments by July 28, 2025. Primary Dealers may submit their bids for underwriting the Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) portion between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on the auction day. RBI also clarified that the minimum bid size is ₹10,000 and in multiples of ₹10,000 thereafter. These securities will be eligible for “When Issued” trading from July 22 to July 25, allowing pre-issuance trading. Investors, including retail participants using the RBI Retail Direct platform, can also access the non-competitive bidding facility. Moreover, the bonds will be eligible for repurchase (repo) transactions and are open to non-resident investors under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR). This strategic auction is part of the government’s ongoing effort to manage fiscal needs while offering safe investment instruments backed by sovereign guarantee.

उप राष्ट्रपति जगदीप धनखड़ ने सोमवार शाम अचानक अपने पद से इस्तीफा देकर देश की राजनीति को चौंका दिया है। स्वास्थ्य कारणों का हवाला देते हुए उन्होंने राष्ट्रपति द्रौपदी मुर्मू को अपना इस्तीफा सौंपा और कहा कि यह तत्काल प्रभाव से लागू होगा। उन्होंने अपने पत्र में लिखा, “चिकित्सकीय सलाह के अनुसार स्वास्थ्य को प्राथमिकता देने हेतु मैं भारत के उप राष्ट्रपति पद से तत्काल प्रभाव से इस्तीफा देता हूं।” धनखड़, जो अगस्त 2022 में उप राष्ट्रपति बने थे, का कार्यकाल 2027 तक था। उनके इस्तीफे की घोषणा संसद के मानसून सत्र के पहले दिन हुई, जब उन्होंने राज्यसभा में इलाहाबाद हाईकोर्ट के जज यशवंत वर्मा के खिलाफ विपक्ष द्वारा दिए गए महाभियोग नोटिस का उल्लेख किया। यह घटनाक्रम सत्तारूढ़ गठबंधन के लिए एक अप्रत्याशित झटका साबित हुआ। धनखड़ का कार्यकाल विपक्ष के साथ लगातार टकरावों के लिए जाना गया, विशेष रूप से राज्यसभा में उनके तीखे और विवादास्पद बयानों को लेकर कई बार सरकार भी असहज महसूस करती रही। अब जब एनडीए के पास लोकसभा और राज्यसभा में बहुमत है, तो उनके उत्तराधिकारी का चयन गठबंधन के लिए महत्वपूर्ण राजनीतिक फैसला होगा। पार्टी सूत्रों के अनुसार, भाजपा एक ऐसे अनुभवी और विवाद-मुक्त नेता को चुनने के पक्ष में है, जो संगठनात्मक रूप से मजबूत हो और संवैधानिक जिम्मेदारियों को निभाने में सक्षम हो। धनखड़ की तरह किसी राज्यपाल — संभवतः किसी मौजूदा या पूर्व राज्यपाल — या फिर केंद्र सरकार के किसी वरिष्ठ मंत्री या संगठन के अनुभवी नेता को इस पद के लिए चुना जा सकता है। राज्यसभा के उपसभापति हरिवंश, जो जनता दल (यूनाइटेड) के सांसद हैं और 2020 से इस पद पर हैं, को भी एक संभावित नाम के तौर पर देखा जा रहा है क्योंकि वे सरकार का विश्वास प्राप्त करते हैं। धनखड़ के पूर्ववर्ती एम. वेंकैया नायडू भी भाजपा के वरिष्ठ नेता रहे हैं और 2017 में उप राष्ट्रपति चुने जाने से पहले मोदी सरकार में केंद्रीय मंत्री थे। फिलहाल पार्टी के नेता मानते हैं कि यह फैसला कुछ ही दिनों में लिया जाएगा और एक “ठोस और सर्वमान्य” नाम पर सहमति बनेगी।

The government, led by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, sought the Opposition’s cooperation for the smooth conduct of the Monsoon session of Parliament. Rijiju emphasized that government-opposition coordination was essential for effective legislative proceedings. The all-party meeting saw heated exchanges, with the Opposition planning to raise several contentious issues: The meeting was chaired by Union Minister J.P. Nadda and attended by key leaders, including Congress’s Jairam Ramesh, NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule, DMK’s T R Baalu, and RPI(A) leader Ramdas Athawale. Rijiju assured that the government would respond “appropriately” to all issues raised during the session.

Despite the government’s appeals for cooperation, the first sitting of the Lok Sabha in the Monsoon Session was adjourned just 20 minutes after it began, as opposition MPs created an uproar demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s response to US President Donald Trump’s claim of mediating a peace deal between India and Pakistan under the alleged Operation Sindoor. The House began with tributes to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Air India AI-171 plane crash, but soon descended into chaos as opposition MPs raised slogans of “PM Modi jawab do” and stormed the well of the House. Speaker Om Birla appealed for order and assured members that discussions on the issue would be allowed after Question Hour, but protests continued. “The government wants to answer on every issue,” Birla said, before adjourning proceedings until noon. This turbulence followed Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s call for “government-opposition coordination” at an all-party meeting on Sunday. Rijiju had said the Centre would “respond appropriately” to any issue raised, including Trump’s comments. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi, addressing the media outside Parliament, described the Monsoon Session as a “Vijayotsav” and praised political parties for exposing Pakistan as a terror sponsor on global platforms. The Monsoon Session will run until August 21 and is expected to be stormy, with the INDIA bloc determined to push for discussions on: The opposition is firm that PM Modi must personally respond in Parliament.

In a swift move to attract aerospace investments, Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh has invited the aerospace industry to consider Andhra Pradesh as a viable alternative after the Karnataka government withdrew its controversial land acquisition plan for an aerospace park near Bengaluru. Lokesh took to social media platform X to extend the offer, highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s attractive aerospace policy, which includes “best-in-class incentives” and “over 8,000 acres of ready-to-use land.” Emphasising the strategic advantage of location, he noted that the available land is just outside Bengaluru, making it a convenient option for industries looking for proximity to India’s tech capital. The pitch came shortly after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the cancellation of the acquisition of 1,777 acres of fertile farmland in Devanahalli taluk, near the Kempegowda International Airport. The move came in response to persistent protests by local farmers who opposed the acquisition due to the land’s agricultural significance and its centrality to their livelihoods. “In keeping with our commitment to protect farmers’ interests and safeguard fertile agricultural land, the Government of Karnataka has decided to completely withdraw the land acquisition process,” Siddaramaiah posted on X. He explained that the decision followed extensive stakeholder consultations and a reassessment of the impact on the local farming community. Siddaramaiah assured that the government would now proceed only with willing sellers and offer enhanced compensation, including higher-than-guideline land rates and larger developed plots. Farmers who choose to retain their land for agriculture can do so without any restriction. The Karnataka government’s move underscores its focus on inclusive development, while Andhra Pradesh is seizing the moment to attract industries looking to relocate.

In a significant pre-election move, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that all households in the state will receive 125 units of electricity free of cost every month, starting August 1. The scheme is set to benefit 1.67 crore families, with the subsidy applicable from the July billing cycle. Kumar, eyeing a record 10th term, also unveiled a green energy push, promising solar power plants on rooftops or public land over the next three years, with a target of generating 10,000 megawatts of solar energy. Under the Kutir Jyoti Yojana, poor households will get solar systems free of cost, while others will receive government support. Last week, he also announced a 35% reservation for women in all state government jobs, applicable to permanent residents. The decision aims to bolster his appeal among women voters, who are expected to be a decisive force in the November Assembly elections. Additionally, Kumar pledged one crore jobs for youth and the establishment of a skills university named after former CM Karpoori Thakur within five years.