India News

Irked ‘special invitee’ Mallikarjun Kharge won’t attend Modi’s Lokpal panel meet

Published

8 years ago

March 1, 2018

Irked ‘special invitee’ Mallikarjun Kharge won’t attend Modi’s Lokpal panel meet

Mallikarjun Kharge’s decision to skip Lokpal Selection Committee meet comes at a time when the Supreme Court has asked Modi govt to expedite Lokpal appointment

While the Supreme Court has pulled up the BJP-led central government for delaying the process of selecting a Lokpal and asked for an affidavit on the efforts made by it towards appointing the ombudsman, the Congress has decided to boycott the meeting of the Lokpal Selection Committee.

Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Congress party in the Lok Sabha, has communicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a letter that the Centre’s decision to invite him for the panel’s meeting scheduled on Thursday (March 1) as a special invitee was one that was to fulfil a “mere paper formality rather than seek any meaningful and constructive participation.” Kharge has informed the Prime Minister that he will not be attending the meeting as the “special invitee” status would not allow him to contribute to the discussion over the appointment of the anti-corruption watchdog.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge has said that a special invitee invitation is a concerted effort to exclude the voice of the opposition in Lokpal selection.

As per the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013, only the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha is a member of the Selection Committee and since Kharge does not have that status, he is not a part of the panel. Apart from the Prime Minister, Thursday’s high-powered meeting will be attended by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.

“A special invitee invitation is a concerted effort to exclude the independent voice of the opposition altogether from the selection process of the most important anti corruption watchdog,” Kharge said in his letter to the prime minister. He added that this negates the letter and spirit of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act, 2013.

Kharge said that if the government is serious about the appointment of the anti-corruption watchdog, it must bring an ordinance in the shape of an amendment bill, which he also sent along with his letter. He alleged that while the Government has brought out amendments in other Acts to replace the Leader of Opposition to leader of single largest party in opposition, it has not done so in the Lokpal Act.

“My mere presence as special invitee without rights of participation, recording of my opinion and voting would be a mere eyewash, ostensibly aimed at showcasing the participation of the opposition in the selection process,” Kharge said in his letter.

The meeting of the Lokpal Selection Committee was convened after the February 23 order of the Supreme Court which had ticked off the centre for the delay in appointing the ombudsman. The Centre had then told the apex court that the selection panel will be meeting on March 1 following which the government’s department of personnel and training was directed by the Supreme Court to file an affidavit by March 6 detailing the steps taken to ensure the appointment of the ombudsman.

Kharge has alleged that the conduct of the Modi government only seeks to diminish the spirit and objective of appointment of Lokpal. “May I say that such myopic actions belie the spirit of nation building, more so while constituting an institution like the Lokpal. A more apt and statesman like conduct is expected from the prime minister of the country,” he said in his letter.

“Let me also remind you (PM) that on December 18, 2014, a bill to amend the lokpal act, 2013 on similar lines was brought for substituting ‘leader of opposition’ with the ‘leader of the single largest party’. I understand that even the select committee of Parliament had put its seal of approval on the amending bill, yet the government has failed to introduce and pass it,” he said.

The Congress has alleged that the lokpal bill continues to “languish in the cold storage for want of appropriate intent, commitment and objectivity” on the part of the government.

The UPA government passed the lokpal act in 2013 and brought it into force on January 16, 2014 but the BJP government had chosen to not appoint a lokpal for nearly four years, he said.

“To anyone familiar with the BJP government’s record in not establishing and preserving the office of the lokayukta in Gujarat, this would not come as a surprise,” Kharge said.

He was referring to the long tussle that the state government, then led by Modi, had with the governor over the appointment of anti-corruption watchdog.

“In these circumstances, I must respectfully decline the invite as special invitee to uphold the inviolability of The Lokpal Act, 2013, as the current proceedings have reduced a sacred procedure to a political pretence,” he said.

After a delay of almost 50 years, Parliament in 2013 – during the tenure of the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA government – approved a law to create the watchdog to look into charges of corruption against senior public functionaries. However, after the Congress was reduced to just 44 seats in the Lok Sabha and failed to get one of its MPs nominated as the Leader of the Opposition as its strength did not constitute 10 per cent of the Lok Sabha’s total strength – the basic requirement for nominating a leader of opposition. In the absence of a Leader of Opposition, the Modi government did not constitute a Lokpal Selection Committee as the Lokpal Act requires the presence of LoP, Lok Sabha in the selection panel.

—With Agency inputs, India Legal Bureau

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Centre reassures farmers as India-US trade deal nears completion

The Centre has assured farmers that the upcoming India-US trade deal will not harm agriculture or dairy, while creating new export opportunities for India.

Published

10 hours ago

February 6, 2026

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As India and the United States move closer to finalising a major bilateral trade agreement, the Centre has sought to reassure farmers that their interests remain fully protected. Senior ministers on Wednesday said the proposed pact does not compromise sensitive sectors such as agriculture and dairy, while opening new avenues for Indian exports.

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan dismissed opposition allegations that the deal could adversely affect domestic farmers. Speaking to the media in New Delhi, he said the agreement poses no risk to staple food grains, millets, fruits or dairy products.

“Farmers’ interests are paramount and non-negotiable,” Chouhan said, asserting that the government has ensured no provision allows sudden or disruptive entry of foreign agricultural products into Indian markets. He added that safeguards for both small and large farmers remain firmly in place.

Chouhan underlined that key agricultural commodities continue to be protected and that existing measures shielding Indian farmers from unfair competition will remain unchanged. According to him, the agreement has been shaped under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with a clear focus on development and national interest.

Addressing concerns sparked by a recent social media post from a US official regarding greater access for American farm products, the Agriculture Minister said the matter had already been clarified in Parliament by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He reiterated that India has not opened its markets in a way that would put pressure on domestic producers.

At the same time, the government highlighted potential gains for Indian exports. Reduced tariffs under the agreement are expected to benefit sectors such as rice, spices and textiles. Chouhan pointed out that India already exports rice to multiple countries, including the US, with shipments valued at around Rs 63,000 crore. Increased textile exports, he added, would directly support cotton-growing farmers and allied industries.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also indicated that the trade agreement is now in its final stages. In a post on X following his visit to the United States, he described the negotiations as productive and said the deal would mark a new phase in bilateral relations. He noted progress in areas such as critical minerals, while signalling deeper engagement in defence, energy and strategic cooperation.

Officials view the agreement as part of a broader effort to strengthen India-US economic and strategic ties amid global uncertainty. While detailed provisions are yet to be made public, the Centre has reiterated that farmer welfare remains at the heart of the negotiations.

In an emotional appeal, Chouhan referred to farmers as the nation’s “Annadata” and said serving them was equivalent to worship. He assured that the government would continue to stand firmly with farmers as India charts a new course in its trade relationship with the United States.

India News

Punjab AAP leader Lucky Oberoi shot dead in daylight attack in Jalandhar

AAP leader Lucky Oberoi was killed in a daylight shooting in Punjab’s Jalandhar after attackers fired multiple bullets at him while he was inside his car.

Published

16 hours ago

February 6, 2026

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AAP leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead in a broad daylight attack in Punjab’s Jalandhar on Friday after unidentified assailants opened fire at him near a gurdwara in the city.

According to initial information, Oberoi was inside his car near the Gurdwara Sahib in the Model Town area when attackers arrived on a two-wheeler and fired multiple rounds at him. Five bullets reportedly hit him during the attack.

He was rushed to a private hospital immediately after the shooting, but doctors declared him dead due to the severity of his injuries.

Attack near gurdwara, police launch investigation

As per preliminary details, Oberoi was parking his vehicle outside the gurdwara when the attackers struck. The shooting triggered panic in the area, prompting an immediate response from the local police.

A police team reached the spot soon after receiving information and has launched an investigation into the incident. Efforts are underway to identify the attackers and determine the motive behind the killing.

Political reactions after killing

Following the incident, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, strongly criticised the state government, alleging a collapse of law and order in Punjab.

In a post on X, Bajwa said the daylight killing of an AAP leader outside a gurdwara reflected the deteriorating security situation in the state. He questioned the government’s ability to protect citizens, claiming that fear and gang violence were gripping Punjab under the current administration.

Background

Lucky Oberoi was associated with the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab. His wife had earlier contested municipal elections as an AAP candidate but did not win.

India News

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026: PM Modi to interact with students at 10 am today

PM Modi will address students across India at 10 am today as part of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, focusing on stress-free examinations and learning.

Published

16 hours ago

February 6, 2026

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with students from across the country on Friday at 10 am as part of the annual Pariksha Pe Charcha (PPC) programme. The 2026 edition continues the initiative’s focus on reducing exam-related stress and encouraging students to prioritise learning over pressure.

In a message shared on X, the Prime Minister invited students, parents and teachers to watch Pariksha Pe Charcha 2026, noting that this year’s discussions will cover topics related to examinations, the importance of staying stress-free and maintaining focus on learning. He described the programme as a platform he enjoys, as it allows him to engage directly with young minds from different parts of the country.

Aligned with NEP 2020 vision

The Pariksha Pe Charcha initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasises holistic development, mental well-being and a supportive learning environment. The programme seeks to transform how examinations are perceived by fostering confidence, positivity and celebrating the exam season as a learning festival rather than a source of anxiety.

According to an official release from the Ministry of Education, the Prime Minister has also shared his views on examinations and student well-being in his book Exam Warriors. Available in multiple languages as well as Braille, the book highlights the importance of self-belief and open conversations around stress so that children can enjoy a balanced and fulfilling childhood.

Student participation in pre-event activities

Conceptualised by the Prime Minister, Pariksha Pe Charcha introduces new and engaging elements every year. In the lead-up to the 2026 edition, several student-focused activities were organised across schools nationwide. These included the Swadeshi Sankalp Daud, a student-led run or walk promoting the spirit of self-reliance, along with quiz and writing competitions conducted at selected Kendriya Vidyalayas on Parakram Diwas.

The Ministry of Education stated that approximately 4.81 crore students participated in these pre-event activities, reflecting the scale and reach of the initiative.