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With GST rate cuts and project-launch spree, Modi tries to woo poll-bound Gujarat again
Published
8 years agoon
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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Traders and cloth merchants across Gujarat had been protesting against the GST rollout and could have dented the BJP’s poll prospects later this year
Terming it an “early Diwali”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi looked to assuage dissent among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in poll-bound Gujarat by lauding the government’s move to revise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates as he addressed the public in Dwarka on Saturday.
Traders and cloth merchants, who carry substantial clout and influence in the Gujarat’s political landscape, had been protesting against the Modi government’s GST rollout for months as the high tax rates under the new unified tax regime had hit their business hard. It had largely been touted that the unrest among the trader lobby in Gujarat could have dented the BJP’s poll prospects in the state that goes to Assembly elections later this year.
The BJP has managed to stay in power in Gujarat since 1995 despite major political churning and signs of its citadel crumbling on more than one occasion – most notably after the 2002 post-Godhra pogrom. However, ever since Modi – who had managed to keep the BJP’s political fortunes in the state on an upswing even after the 2002 riots – moved to New Delhi as Prime Minister in May 2014, his party’s poll prospects have been uncertain. The state has, since May 2014, seen two chief ministers – Anandiben Patel and incumbent Vijay Rupani – and three major long-drawn anti-BJP agitations, first by the party’s loyal votebank – the Patel/Patidar community, then from Dalits and most recently by traders affected by the GST rollout.
It is thus difficult to believe that the change in GST rates meant primarily to curb dissent among owners of macro and small enterprises, and traders, cloth merchants and small retailers like Khakra (one of the most popular Gujarati snacks) manufacturing household industries came on the eve of Modi’s two-day visit to his home state ostensibly aimed at kick-starting his party’s poll campaign. Modi’s visit to Gujarat follows a three-day tour of the state’s Saurashtra region by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi earlier last week during which he hit out at the BJP government for its failure to create jobs and also over the GST rollout.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The change in GST rates that was announced on Friday night – a day after Modi’s ‘emergency meeting’ with BJP national president Amit Shah and finance minister Arun Jaitley – has expectedly given the Prime Minister and self-appointed flagbearer of Gujarati asmita an opportunity to flaunt his government and party’s sensitivity towards the concerns of the small and medium scale enterprises and traders.
Stating that he was happy with the reception to the changes in GST, Modi told the public gathering in Dwarka that his government had further simplified the unified tax system.
The stated objective of the public gathering was foundation stone laying ceremony for a four-lane cable stayed signature bridge between Okha and Beyt Dwarka to be built at a cost of Rs 962.42 crore. However, Modi did not miss to utilize the opportunity to harp about the change in GST rate cuts.
“Today, everywhere it is being said that Diwali has come 15 days ahead. I am happy… We had said that we will study GST implementation for three months and shall overcome any discrepancies. Our finance minister (Arun Jaitley) convinced everyone in GST council to bring changes,” Modi claimed.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRUl0JTIwd2FzJTIwbGlrZSUyMERpd2FsaSUyMHllc3RlcmRheSUyMHdoZW4lMjB3ZSUyMG1hZGUlMjBzb21lJTIwaW1wb3J0YW50JTIwY2hhbmdlcyUyMGluJTIwdGhlJTIwR29vZHMlMjBhbmQlMjBTZXJ2aWNlcyUyMFRheCUzQSUyMFBNJTIwaW4lMjBEd2Fya2ElMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdC5jbyUyRm1aUnJhZ1M4Y0klMjIlM0VwaWMudHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZtWlJyYWdTOGNJJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMEFOSSUyMCUyOCU0MEFOSSUyOSUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRkFOSSUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkxNjU1ODEzMzM4Nzk0MzkzNiUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFT2N0b2JlciUyMDclMkMlMjAyMDE3JTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRmJsb2NrcXVvdGUlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMiUyRiUyRnBsYXRmb3JtLnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGd2lkZ2V0cy5qcyUyMiUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRSUwQSUyMCUwQSUzQ2Jsb2NrcXVvdGUlMjBjbGFzcyUzRCUyMnR3aXR0ZXItdHdlZXQlMjIlMjBkYXRhLWxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUzRSUzQ3AlMjBsYW5nJTNEJTIyZW4lMjIlMjBkaXIlM0QlMjJsdHIlMjIlM0UlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZoYXNodGFnJTJGV0FUQ0glM0ZzcmMlM0RoYXNoJTI2YW1wJTNCcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0UlMjNXQVRDSCUzQyUyRmElM0UlMjBMaXZlJTIwZnJvbSUyMEd1amFyYXQlM0ElMjBQTSUyME1vZGklMjBhZGRyZXNzZXMlMjBhdCUyMGZvdW5kYXRpb24lMjBzdG9uZSUyMGxheWluZyUyMGNlcmVtb255JTIwb2YlMjBicmlkZ2UlMjBiZXR3ZWVuJTIwT2toYSUyMGFuZCUyMEJldCUyMER3YXIlRTIlODAlQTYlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdC5jbyUyRkZSa2JjZGN0dWglMjIlM0VodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnQuY28lMkZGUmtiY2RjdHVoJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMEFOSSUyMCUyOCU0MEFOSSUyOSUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRkFOSSUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjkxNjU1MjIwNzQ0ODY3NDMwNCUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFT2N0b2JlciUyMDclMkMlMjAyMDE3JTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRmJsb2NrcXVvdGUlM0UlMEElM0NzY3JpcHQlMjBhc3luYyUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMiUyRiUyRnBsYXRmb3JtLnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGd2lkZ2V0cy5qcyUyMiUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRQ==[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“When there is trust in the government and policies are made with best intentions, it is natural for people to support us. I thank people of this country for their support,” Modi asserted.
It is, however, a different matter that the Prime Minister’s tall claims of his government’s sensitivity towards the problems that the public was facing because of what economic experts Opposition leaders and BJP veterans like Yashwant Sinha termed as “hasty implementation of GST” also come at a time when the slowdown in India’s economy is being attributed in part to the new tax regime.
Modi also announced the setting up of India’s first and biggest marine police training institute at Mojap in Dwarka district. “I would like to give a gift to the people of Gujarat that will benefit the entire country. For security of coastal area, we are working to modernise marine police who look after coastal security till five km from shore. To help train policemen from across the country, a marine police training and research institute will be set up near Mojap,” he said.
Alluding to the rising criticism of his government’s economic agenda, Modi said that development would continue to be the driving force for his government.
“This generation may have suffered poverty but we would take development to such heights that future generations do not get to see poverty,” the PM said.
Through the course of his two-day visit, Modi is scheduled to address six public meetings at launches of various schemes and projects across three regions of his home state.
After Dwarka, Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 2,500-crore Rajkot International Airport on the outskirts of the biggest city in Saurashtra. He also addressed another public rally at the pilgrim town of Chotila in Surendranagar district.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Modi is also scheduled to dedicate a new building of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar to the nation at a function scheduled for Saturday evening.
On Sunday, Modi will visit his birthplace Vadnagar in North Gujarat to inaugurate a Rs 500-crore civil hospital and a medical college, apart from dedicating a re-developed lake and facelift of the Vadnagar railway station.
Modi will also lay the foundation stone of the Rs 1,200-crore Devi Ni Mori International Buddhist complex near Shamlaji in Aravalli district, also in North Gujarat, on Sunday.
Later, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the Rs 3,000-crore Bhadbhut barrage project over river Narmada, as well as a Rs 650-crore Dahej-Ghogha Ro-Ro ferry service near Bharuch in South Gujarat, before flying off to New Delhi from Vadodara.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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India News
Renaming MGNREGA removes core spirit of rural employment law, says Shashi Tharoor
Published
2 days agoon
December 19, 2025
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised the renaming of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), saying the move strips the rural employment programme of its core essence. His remarks came after Parliament cleared the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, also referred to as the VB-G RAM G Bill.
Speaking to media, Tharoor said the decision to remove Mahatma Gandhi’s name from the scheme “takes out the heart” of the rural employment programme that has been in place for years. He noted that the identity and philosophy associated with Mahatma Gandhi were central to the original law.
Tharoor also objected to the way the new name was framed, arguing that it unnecessarily combined multiple languages. He pointed out that the Constitution envisages the use of one language in legislation, while the Bill’s title mixes English and Hindi terms such as “Guarantee”, “Rozgar” and “Ajeevika”, along with the conjunction “and”.
‘Disrespect to both names’
The Congress leader said that inserting the word “Ram” while dropping Mahatma Gandhi’s name amounted to disrespecting both. Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, Tharoor said that for Gandhi, the concepts of Gram Swaraj and Ram Rajya were inseparable, and removing his name from a rural employment law went against that vision.
He added that the name of Lord Ram could be used in many contexts, but questioned the rationale behind excluding Mahatma Gandhi from a programme closely linked to his philosophy of village self-rule.
Protests over passage of the Bill
The VB-G RAM G Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 18 and cleared by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of December 19 amid protests from Opposition members. Several MPs opposed the manner in which the legislation was pushed through, with scenes of sloganeering and tearing of papers in the House.
Outside Parliament, members of the Trinamool Congress staged a sit-in protest near Samvidhan Sadan against the passage of the Bill. Congress also announced nationwide protests earlier this week, accusing the government of weakening rights-based welfare schemes.
Despite opposition criticism, the government has maintained that the new law will strengthen rural employment and livelihood security. The Bill raises the guaranteed employment from 100 days to 125 days per rural household and outlines a 60:40 cost-sharing formula between the Centre and states, with a higher central share for northeastern, Himalayan states and certain Union Territories.
India News
Rahul Gandhi attacks G RAM G bill, says move against villages and states
Rahul Gandhi has criticised the G RAM G bill cleared by Parliament, alleging it dilutes the rights-based structure of MGNREGA and centralises control over rural employment.
Published
2 days agoon
December 19, 2025
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp attack on the Modi government after Parliament cleared the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural) Bill, commonly referred to as the ‘G RAM G’ bill. He described the proposed law as “anti-state” and “anti-village”, arguing that it weakens the core spirit of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The new legislation, which is positioned as an updated version of MGNREGA, was passed amid protests by opposition parties and is expected to replace the existing scheme once it receives presidential assent.
‘Bulldozed without scrutiny’, says Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi criticised the manner in which the bill was cleared, saying it was pushed through Parliament without adequate debate or examination. He pointed out that the opposition’s demand to refer the bill to a standing committee was rejected.
According to him, any law that fundamentally alters the rural employment framework and affects crores of workers should undergo detailed scrutiny, expert consultation and public hearings before approval.
Claim of dilution of rights-based guarantee
Targeting the central government, the Congress leader said the proposed law dismantles the rights-based and demand-driven nature of MGNREGA and replaces it with a rationed system controlled from Delhi. He argued that this shift undermines the autonomy of states and villages.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the intent behind the move is to centralise power and weaken labour, particularly impacting rural communities such as Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis.
Defence of MGNREGA’s impact
Highlighting the role of MGNREGA, Gandhi said the scheme provided rural workers with bargaining power, reduced distress migration and improved wages and working conditions, while also contributing to rural infrastructure development.
He also recalled the role of MGNREGA during the Covid period, stating that it prevented crores of people from slipping into hunger and debt. According to him, any rationing of a jobs programme first affects women, landless workers and the poorest communities.
Opposition to name change and provisions
The Congress has also objected to the renaming of the scheme, accusing the government of attempting to erase the legacy associated with Mahatma Gandhi. Opposition MPs staged a dharna within the Parliament complex, questioning provisions of the bill that they claim dilute the “soul and spirit” of the original law enacted in 2005.
Under MGNREGA, the government guaranteed 100 days of work in rural areas along with an unemployment allowance if work was not provided. The ‘G RAM G’ bill proposes to raise the guaranteed workdays to 125, while retaining other provisions. However, critics have flagged concerns over employment being linked to pre-approved plans.
The bill was cleared after a midnight voice vote in the Rajya Sabha, following its passage in the Lok Sabha amid protests and walkouts. It will become law once approved by the President.
India News
AAP dominates Punjab zila parishad polls, leads in most panchayat samiti zones
AAP has won 201 out of 317 declared zila parishad zones in Punjab so far and is leading in a majority of panchayat samiti seats, with counting still underway.
Published
3 days agoon
December 18, 2025
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has recorded a strong performance in the Punjab zila parishad elections and is leading in the majority of panchayat samiti zones, as per results declared so far on Thursday. The counting process is still underway and complete results are awaited, officials said.
Polling for the rural local bodies was held on December 14 to elect representatives across 347 zones of 22 zila parishads and 2,838 zones of 153 panchayat samitis in the state.
AAP secures clear edge in zila parishads
According to the available results, outcomes have been declared for 317 zila parishad zones so far. Of these, the AAP has won 201 zones, placing it well ahead of other parties.
The Congress emerged second with victories in 60 zones, followed by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) with 39 zones. The BJP won four zones, the BSP secured three, while independents claimed 10 zones.
District-wise data shows that the AAP won 22 zones in Hoshiarpur, 19 each in Amritsar and Patiala, 17 each in Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur, and 15 zones in Sangrur. The Congress registered its best performances in Gurdaspur and Ludhiana with eight zones each, followed by Jalandhar with seven zones. The SAD performed strongly in Bathinda with 13 zones, while the BJP managed to win four zones in Pathankot.
AAP leads in panchayat samiti results
In the panchayat samiti elections, trends declared so far indicate that the AAP is leading in a majority of zones. However, officials clarified that counting is ongoing and the final picture will be clear only after all ballot papers are tallied.
Kejriwal, Mann reject opposition allegations
Reacting to the trends, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said the party’s performance reflected strong rural support for the Bhagwant Mann government’s work. Addressing the media in Mohali along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Kejriwal dismissed allegations of irregularities raised by opposition parties.
He said the elections were conducted in a fair and free manner and claimed that the results so far showed a clear wave in favour of the AAP in rural Punjab. Kejriwal stated that nearly 70 per cent of the zila parishad and panchayat samiti seats had gone in favour of the party.
Congress, SAD question poll conduct
The Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, however, accused the ruling party of misusing official machinery. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged that the AAP had “stolen” the rural mandate and claimed that the results did not reflect genuine public support.
Opposition parties had earlier also accused the AAP government of high-handedness during the polling process, allegations that the ruling party has strongly denied.
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