picture-posted-of-rahul-gandhi-in-uttarakhand-reactions-flow

Picture posted of Rahul Gandhi in Uttarakhand, Reactions flow

New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): After much chaos was created on Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhis absence from the Parliament as Budget Session began, his picture of being present in Uttarakhand was posted by one of the party workers. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that only Congress can clarify about Gandhis presence in Uttarakhand. Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said that media keeps posting visuals of Rahul Gandhi unnecessarily and stir controversy. Congress leader Jagdish Sharma said that the party workers cannot tolerate rumors about Rahul Gandhis absence from the Parliament. He added that Gandhi will soon become the partys President. Feb 25, 2015
land-acquisition-bill-some-parties-are-misleading-people-govt-is-open-for-discussion-says-venkaia

Land Acquisition Bill: Some parties are misleading people, govt is open for discussion, says Venkaia

New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): After the opposition parties led by Congress walked out of the Parliament in protest of government's land acquisition bill, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that the BJP government is ready to discuss the matter with other political parties as they respect democracy and want to establish unanimous decision. However, he added that some parties are trying to mislead people on the issue. The government has not only been cornered by its rival parties but its political allies like the Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal have also termed the Government's controversial land bill "anti-farmer and against the interests of poor". Feb 25, 2015
shiv-sena-boycotts-nda-meeting-asks-govt-to-rework-on-land-acquisition-bill

Shiv Sena boycotts NDA meeting, asks govt to rework on land acquisition bill

New Delhi, Feb 25 (ANI): After the opposition parties led by congress walked out of the Parliament in protest of government’s land acquisition bill, BJP ally Shiv Sena skipped a meeting of NDA government over the issue. Both Shiv Sena and the Akali Dal have termed the Government's controversial land bill “anti-farmer and against the interests of poor”. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said that the party has always worked in the interest of the farmers and will ask the BJP to review certain points in the bill. Meanwhile, central government hinted at diluting some of the provisions of the new land acquisition ordinance after meeting with its allies and amid growing protest on Tuesday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who presided the meeting, assured the government would consult all the stakeholders before taking final decision. Feb 25, 2015
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Clean trains, reduced fares on India's wish list for Rail Budget 2015-16

Varanasi/ Kanpur/ Secunderabad, Feb 25 (ANI): People across Indian states have pinned their hopes on Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu to not to increase the fares and provide more facilities to the passengers in the rail budget 2015-16 that will be presented in the parliament on February 26. The upcoming Railway Budget by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is expected to restore the glory of railways as the sector is reeling under financial crunch. According to local reports, rail connectivity tops the expectation list, especially for remote regions of the northeast, and also the electrification of existing railway tracks. Last week, Modi flagged off the first express train in Arunachal Pradesh, which now connects its capital Itanagar with New Delhi. However, residents in Modi's constituency Varanasi expressed disappointment and said after nine months in power, the government should take steps to upgrade the railway facilities. Feb 25, 2015
bjp-to-hold-parliamentary-meet-over-land-acquisition-ordinance

BJP to hold parliamentary meet over Land Acquisition Ordinance

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will hold a parliamentary board meeting for the second time on Tuesday (February 24) over the land acquisition ordinance. The first meeting earlier in the day, before the parliament session began, was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of veteran BJP leader Lal Krishna Advani. Minister of State for parliamentary affairs, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, told media the leaders of BJP and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will meet in the evening to deliberate on the issues on how to make the land acquisition bill more effective for the farmers. Earlier in the day the government introduced in the lower house of the parliament the controversial Land Acquisition Amendment Bill 2015 amid vociferous protests by the opposition. The government said it will hold discussions one more time to bring all parties on board with its plan. Rudy also informed that at the first meeting the ministry of coal and petroleum and oil made their presentations on coal block allocations and direct cash transfer scheme. Feb 24, 2015
ordinances-cannot-bypass-parliament-jaitley-on-land-acquisition

Ordinances cannot bypass Parliament: Jaitley on Land Acquisition

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday said that Ordinances and laws cannot bypass the Parliament adding that the government was well within its rights to take the Ordinance route, amidst an uproar in the Rajya Sabha over the Land Acquisition Bill. Congress leader Anand Sharma, however, shot back saying Jaitley expected the Parliament to rubber stamp the Ordinances. The government is today introducing the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Parliament to replace the Land Acquisition Ordinance. The government had last year in December circulated the ordinance which had brought changes in the previous bill passed in 2013 by the UPA regime. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had termed the Land Acquisition Bill as 'anti-farmer' and added that his party will counter it tooth and nail by taking support from all the opposition parties. Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislators also staged a protest against the Land Acquisition Bill outside the Parliament. Feb 24, 2015
land-acquisition-ordinance-farmers-anna-hazare-protest-at-jantar-mantar

Land Acquisition Ordinance: Farmers, Anna Hazare protest at Jantar Mantar

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare on Tuesday continued his protest at Jantar Mantar against the ordinance on Land Acquisition Bill. Hazare began a two-day protest against Modi government's controversial Land Acquisition Ordinance on Monday, the day when Budget Session of the Parliament also commenced. Social activist Medha Patkar, CPI leader Atul Anjan, MDMK leader Vaiko also joined Hazare's protest. Several farmer unions from across the country are also protesting with Anna at Jantar Mantar against the government's land ordinance. Feb 24, 2015
opposition-parties-firm-on-protesting-against-govts-land-acquisition-bill-in-parliament

Opposition parties firm on protesting against govt's Land Acquisition Bill in Parliament

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Opposition parties on Tuesday remained firm on protesting against BJP government's Land Acquisition Bill in Parliament. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said that the party will make all efforts to retain the original act. NCP leader Tariq Anwar also said that the party will oppose it and also called the government 'anti farmer'. AAP leader Bhagwant Mann said that they will raise the issue in the Parliament and that the government will have to take away that bill. Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said that the amendments made by the government in the Bill are not acceptable and the same will be protested against. JD (U) leader KC Tyagi said that the ordinance has proved that the present government is of the corporates. CPI leader D Raja said that the left parties will protest against the bill both inside the Parliament and on the streets. Feb 24, 2015
tmc-mps-stage-protest-outside-parliament-against-land-acquisition-bill

TMC MPs stage protest outside Parliament against Land Acquisition Bill

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): TMC MPs on Tuesday staged protest outside Parliament against the BJP government's Land Acquisition Bill. The party leaders shouted slogans against the Land Acquisition Bill calling it 'anti-farmer'. Dressed in green attires, the TMC MPs demanded taking back the bill. Under pressure from all quarters the Narendra Modi government is all set to introduce the controversial Land Acquisition Amendment Bill 2015 to replace the contentious ordinance in Lok Sabha today. However, opposition parties are firm to protest against the same inside the Parliament too. This along with five other ordinances would expire on March 20, if not passed during this Budget Session. Feb 24, 2015
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Congress defends Rahul Gandhis break from politics

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): The Congress party defended party’s vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s leave of absence from parliament as a break to reflect and chart a course for the future of the party. He further said the leave has been granted for a few weeks after which Gandhi will return and resume his active participation in the affairs of the Congress party. Feb 24, 2015
land-ordinance-opposition-slams-modi-govt-bjp-defends-its-decision

Land Ordinance: Opposition slams Modi govt, BJP defends its decision

New Delhi/Palwal, Feb 23 (ANI): India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to have a tough time in the ongoing budget session of Parliament with political parties voicing their opposition to a land acquisition ordinance brought in by the Narendra Modi government. Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) member and chief of regional Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati, appreciated veteran social activist and anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare, for leading an agitation against the ordinance. Apart from BSP, another regional party, Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), also criticised the Modi government over the new ordinance. Countering the criticism, spokesperson of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sambit Patra, said that the new ordinance was more beneficial for farmers. Feb 23, 2015