New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lambasted the Opposition MPs for staging a walkout while Prime Minister Narendra Modi was speaking on the Motion of Thanks to President’s address, while terming the incident as a ‘dangerous precedent’.

Prior to leaving the House, the Opposition MPs resorted to loud sloganeering and raised chants like ‘LoP ko bolne do’ (Let LoP speak). Jagdeep Dhankhar didn’t allow the Congress President and the Leader of the House Mallikarjun Kharge to intervene while PM Modi spoke. This led to more shriller protests from the Opposition benches and then a walkout.

As the Opposition MPs left the Upper House proceedings in the middle, the RS chairman accused them of having ‘disrespected’ the House and ‘challenging and outraging the spirit’ of the Constitution.

Condemning the Opposition’s walkout, Dhankhar said, “They showed their back to the Constitution of India, they didn’t insult me or you, they insulted the oath of Constitution that they took. There can be no bigger insult to the Constitution of India than this.”

“They have challenged the Constitution. They have outraged the spirit of the Constitution; they have disregarded the oath they have undertaken. The Constitution is not something to hold in your hands, it is the book to way of life. I hope that they will self-introspect and walk the path of duty,” he stated further chastising them for the ‘reckless’ conduct.

RS chairman said that the LoP was given adequate time to speak without any interruption but the attempt to disrupt House proceedings by chanting slogans was uncalled for and an ‘irresponsible’ conduct.

Meanwhile, LoP Mallikarjun Kharge speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, said that they were ‘forced’ to take this step as the Prime Minister was speaking lies and their protests went unheard by the Chairman.

“We walked out because PM Modi said some wrong things while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to President’s address. It is his habit to lie and say things that are beyond truth,” Kharge said.

–IANS

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Ranchi, July 3 (IANS) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) chief Hemant Soren, who is out on bail in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, is likely to become the Chief Minister again.

There are reports that incumbent Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren will resign from the post and pave the way for Hemant Soren.

In a meeting of the JMM-led coalition’s legislators and leaders being held at Hemant Soren’s residence here, Champai Soren offered to quit the chief minister’s post and proposed Hemant Soren’s name which was agreed to by the legislators.

Congress Jharkhand in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur and prominent leaders of all the three parties of the JMM-led alliance are attending the meeting, underway since noon.

The political scenario in the state changed on June 28 when Hemant Soren secured bail from the Jharkhand High Court in the case.

It was also decided in the meeting that the coalition will be led by Hemant Soren in the Assembly polls.

Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31. Soon after his arrest, he had named Champai Soren as his successor.

When Hemant Soren went to the Raj Bhavan to resign, Champai Soren who accompanied the JMM chief staked claim to form the government.

–IANS

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Mumbai, July 3 (IANS) Taking serious note of the inadequate water supply in Mumbai, Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday announced to convene a meeting with the concerned Minister, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner, and the hydraulic engineer on Friday to discuss the issue.

The Speaker’s announcement came after BJP legislator Ashish Shelar raised the issue of the increasing number of complaints of low pressure and inadequate water supply in Mumbai, and the hardships caused to the Mumbaikars.

Shelar claimed in his submission that despite the assurance of 24-hour water supply, Mumbaikars are not getting water for even two hours.

A pilot project of 24-hour water supply was implemented in the Bandra West Assembly constituency which was a complete failure, leading to dissatisfaction among the residents who are not getting water for even an hour, Shelar claimed.

He added that a similar situation prevails in other parts of the city.

Shelar found support from several members of the House who demanded that Mumbaikars should get adequate water.

The Speaker’s move comes at a time when rain deficit has also put constraints on water supply in Mumbai.

The BMC has said that the 10 per cent cut in water supply in Mumbai announced in May will continue considering the low rainfall and low water level in the reservoirs.

Mumbai gets water from Tansa, Bhatsa, Modak Sagar, Tulsi, Vihar, Upper Vaitarna, and Middle Vaitarna lakes. The water level has dipped to 5 per cent compared to 15.4 per cent in 2023 and 11.76 per cent in 2022.

–IANS

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Bhopal, July 3 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Jagdeesh Devda, who is also the Finance Minister of the state, presented the annual budget report amid din by the Opposition in the House on Wednesday.

Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar repeatedly urged Congress MLAs to maintain silence and help in the smooth functioning of the House.

However, the Opposition members kept shouting slogans and accusing the government of corruption.

“You are being watched by the people of Madhya Pradesh. I would urge you to sit in your place and let the Finance Minister read the budget. You will have ample opportunity to express your opinion about the budget,” the Speaker was heard repeatedly saying in the House.

The Speaker further stated that in the last two days, the Opposition was given ample time to debate on the nursing colleges’ irregularities issue.

“A debate on the nursing colleges issue was conducted on the Opposition’s request and a healthy discussion was held yesterday. Now, the Opposition should co-operate in running the House,” Tomar added.

However, the Congress legislators, led by Leader of Opposition (LoP), Umang Singhar continued to create disturbance.

Meanwhile, Devda kept reading the budget report amid the din.

He highlighted the welfare schemes run by the state and Centre in Madhya Pradesh.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, July 3 (IANS) A couple who got a photoshoot done of their infant child dressed in jail uniform with jailed Kannada superstar Darshan’s prisoner number written on it have landed in trouble with the state child rights body taking suo moto cognizance of the matter and directing the police to track them down.

The photo of the baby in a white dress, and the image of handcuffs with the jailed actor Darshan’s prisoner number had gone viral on social media in Karnataka, raising concerns. The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took suo moto cognizance of the matter and registered a case. The commission has also asked the state police to locate the parents.

Shashidhar Kosambe, member of the Commission, stated on Wednesday that the photo shoot of the baby in this manner is condemnable and hence cognizance was taken of the matter. Those who got the photo shoot done will be found and legal action would be initiated against them.

He stated that this is also a clear violation of the Juvenile Justice Act. Action would be initiated under all provisions of the law, he added.

Meanwhile, Darshan’s prisoner number ‘6106’ has gone viral on social media with fans of the actor getting it tattooed and vehicles sporting number ‘6106’. The film chamber has also been approached for registration of titles like ‘Khaidi no 6106’. The authorities have expressed concern about these developments.

Darshan, his ‘partner’ Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on charges of murdering Renukaswamy (33), a resident of Chitradurga.

The probe revealed that Renukaswamy, a big fan of Darshan, had sent derogatory messages to Pavithra Gowda on social media. The victim was allegedly kidnapped, brought to Bengaluru, kept in a shed, and tortured to death. Darshan is presently in judicial custody till July 4.

–IANS

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