Khaira meets Rahul Gandhi with farmer leaders to oppose proposed India-US interim trade deal
Chandigarh: Senior Congress leader, MLA from Bholath and chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, met Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with leaders of various farmers’ organisations from across the country at the Parliament House complex in New Delhi. During the meeting, the farmer delegation expressed deep concern over the proposed India-US interim trade agreement, which they warned could severely threaten the livelihoods of Indian farmers and farm labourers by opening the doors for large-scale agricultural imports. The delegation highlighted the potential adverse impact on key crops, including corn, soybean, cotton, fruits and nuts, and cautioned that such a move could destabilise India’s agricultural economy and weaken the country’s food security. Gandhi assured the delegation of his full support and reiterated his firm commitment to stand with the farming community against any policy that harms their interests. He emphasised that any trade agreement that compromises farmers’ incomes or the nation’s food security was unacceptable and assured that the Congress party would strongly oppose such anti-farmer measures both inside and outside Parliament. Khaira, while briefing the media after the meeting, said there was a broad consensus on launching a nationwide movement to oppose the proposed trade deal and to safeguard the interests of farmers and agricultural workers across the country. He said the farming community viewed the agreement as a serious threat that could expose Indian agriculture to unfair competition from heavily subsidised foreign produce. Khaira further said that the All India Kisan Congress, in coordination with various farmer unions and like-minded organisations, will mobilise farmers across states to build a strong democratic movement to protect their livelihoods. Khaira urged the Union govt to immediately make the full details of the trade negotiations public and refrain from signing any agreement that compromises the economic security of Indian farmers. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Master at telling lies’: Rahul slams PM Modi over India-US trade deal, flags impact on farmers
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday escalated his attack on the finalised India-US trade deal, claiming that the agreement would harm India’s cotton farmers and textile exporters. In a post on X, Rahul alleged that the government has walked into a “trap” that leaves millions of families staring into an “abyss of unemployment.” “18% Tariff versus 0% – Let me explain how the Prime Minister, a master at telling lies, and his Cabinet are spreading confusion on this. And how they’re deceiving the country’s cotton farmers and textile exporters through the India-US trade deal.” Rahul said that after India’s garments were subjected to an 18% tariff in the US market, he raised in Parliament the issue of the special concession being given to Bangladesh. According to him, a minister responded, “If we want the same benefit, we’ll have to import cotton from the US.” — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) The LoP in Lok Sabha claimed that Bangladesh was being given a 0% tariff on garment exports to the US on the condition that it imports American cotton. Bangladesh is signalling that it might reduce or even stop importing cotton from India, he said. Questioning the policy, Gandhi said, “Is it really any kind of option – or a trap designed to corner us in a ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ situation? If we import American cotton, our own farmers will be ruined. If we don’t, our textile industry will fall behind and be destroyed.” Earlier as well, Rahul Gandhi had criticised the Centre over the agreement with Washington, alleging that the deal “betrays our food security and farmers,” and claiming that PM Modi opened India’s agricultural market because US President Donald Trump “has him by the throat.” The remarks come after Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday rejected Gandhi’s criticism and accused him of misleading farmers. In a video post on X, Goyal said, “Mr Rahul Gandhi has once again rolled out a stage-managed, most artificial and fake narrative. This time, he is shooting from the shoulders of a few Congress party activists, who are pretending to be farmer leaders – in a completely artificial, and baseless conversation.” Goyal said the government had fully protected farmers’ interests in the agreement and that he stood by that statement “on record and with full responsibility.” — PiyushGoyal (@PiyushGoyal) He added that the deal would benefit farmers, fishermen, youth, MSMEs, startups and artisans, and would not harm agricultural producers. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Kharge raises Odisha anganwadi boycott over Dalit cook in Parliament debate
Congress chief cites NCRB data on atrocities against SCs and seeks accountability, warns caste prejudice in public institutions harms equality and child welfare The Congress on Thursday raised in Parliament the alleged boycott of an anganwadi centre in Odisha’s Kendrapara district after a Dalit woman was appointed cook-cum-helper. Congress president and the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, said the incident in Ghadiamal village had brought to light caste-based prejudices among the majority community against the Scheduled Castes. Kharge demanded strong action and accountability in cases of caste-based discrimination. “Had the government taken timely actions in such incidents in the past, this incident would not have happened,” he said. Residents of the Odisha village have stopped sending their children to the anganwadi centre after the Dalit woman was appointed. During Zero Hour, Kharge said that in the 21st century when some people are talking about social reforms and Hindu unity, most families in an Odisha village have refused to have the food prepared by a cook in an anganwadi centre. Kharge said anganwadi centres lay the foundation for children’s cognitive development and such caste-based prejudice would affect their growth. “These incidents reflect caste-based discrimination in workplaces. Recently, many such incidents have come to our notice. Had timely action been taken in those cases, such an incident would not have happened,” Kharge said. He cited several incidents in recent years: a man urinating on a tribal in Madhya Pradesh, a Dalit employee in Gujarat committing suicide because of caste-based exploitation at the workplace, and the linking of an IPS officer’s suicide in Chandigarh to caste bias. “These incidents demonstrate that caste-based prejudices are not limited to social life alone. They get manifested in workplaces too. This affects the dignity, career progress and safety of weaker sections. Such behaviour is a clear violation of Articles 14, 15 and 17. I demand taking strong and time-bound actions. Accountability must be fixed in cases of such violations,” Kharge said. On February 10, minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale had in Parliament quoted data from the National Crime Records Bureau to say that the number of cases registered under crimes or atrocities against SCs during 2021, 2022 and 2023 was 50,900, 57,582 and 57,789, respectively. Courtesy : Telegraph India Note: This news is originally published on https:/telegraphindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Trump has PM Modi by the throat’: Rahul Gandhi reacts to motion against him by BJP’s Nishikant Dubey
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday doubled down on his attack at the central government over the India-US trade deal, saying the pact with America “betrays our food security and farmers” and that PM Modi has opened the Indian agriculture market as US President Donald Trump “has him by the throat.” Reacting to the ruling BJP’s privilege motion against him in the Lower House, the Rae Bareli MP said he spoke truth in Parliament and that he would be unfazed by the repercussions of it and reiterated his “PM Modi has sold the nation” remark. “Narendra Modi ji has sold the country, sold the farmers. File a case against me, abuse, do whatever you want to do, privilege motion if you want to file, file it, it doesn’t matter, I have spoken the truth in Parliament, if you don’t like the truth, that’s another matter, the country understands the truth, do whatever you want to do, I stand with farmers; Congress president Kharge ji and the entire Congress party, all our workers stand with farmers, we will not let this injustice happen,” Rahul Gandhi said in a video he posted on X. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) Earlier in the day, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said he had moved a substantive motion in the Lok Sabha against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of misleading the country with the helpof “anti-India forces.” The Congress scion said the Modi government’s decision to import American “corn, soybeans, and fruits” is just a beginning and that the Centre would “open the doors of the entire agriculture market for his friends, for people like Adani and Ambani, and for foreign powers.” “For years, foreign people have been trying to capture Hindustan’s agriculture market. Narendra Modi ji has opened the door for them; this is the truth. He also knows, I also know why he opened it…because Donald Trump has him by the throat. Corn, soybean and fruits — this is the beginning…Narendra Modi will open the doors of the entire agriculture market for his friends, for people like Adani and Ambani, and for foreign powers,” the ex-Congress president claimed. Labelling PM Modi “anti-farmer” and mentioning the repealed three farm laws, Rahul Gandhi compared the status of Indian farmers with those in America to highlight the dire contrast. “Earlier also he brought black laws, now he has opened the door for foreign powers. American farmers have large farms, thousands of acres of farms, fully mechanized and the government gives them subsidy. You know that our farmers have small farms, don’t get proper MSP and mechanization is just in name,” he said. His statement comes a day after his Lok Sabha speech in which he accused the Centre of “compromising national interests”. In his address, the Congress leader said the government had acknowledged a global shift marked by the end of a single superpower era, rising geopolitical conflicts, and the weaponisation of energy and finance. Despite this, he alleged, the government had allowed the United States to weaponise energy and financial systems in ways that affect India. He further alleged the deal has compromised security in all three critical things needed to run a modern country — data, food supply, and energy. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Patwari demands dismissal of three ministers before budget session
Bhopal: State Congress president Jitu Patwari on Thursday shot a letter to chief minister Mohan Yadav, demanding the dismissal of three ministers from the cabinet before the governor’s address in the state assembly scheduled for Monday. Patwari demanded the removal of minister for tribal welfare Vijay Shah for his offensive statements against lady army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, deputy chief minister Rajendra Shukla for the cough syrup tragedy which allegedly claimed the lives of 23 children, and Kailash Vijayvargiya for the water contamination deaths in Indore. “Madhya Pradesh is a democratically governed state, where every unit of governance is expected to adhere to democratic values, ethics, and constitutional norms. It is unfortunate that the actions of your govt appear to be contrary to public sentiment, fostering anarchy, arrogance, and authoritarian tendencies,” Patwari’s letter to the CM said. It further added that the state’s budget session begins on Feb 16, with the governor’s address scheduled for that day. “It is well known that this address will present more statistics than reality, while the state is grappling with a severe economic crisis and a mounting debt burden, to which your govt appears to be turning a blind eye,” the letter argued. “In this context, a serious and public-spirited issue needs to be brought to your attention. Ministers whose presence in the cabinet is now demanding answers regarding their usefulness,” Patwari’s letter claimed. “Serious allegations of insulting the nation’s daughters and the Indian Army: Vijay Shah; dozens of innocent children died due to poisonous syrup in Chhindwara: health minister Rajendra Shukla; and a minister who failed to provide clean drinking water to the people of his constituency: urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya,” the letter said. Patwari contended that it is extremely unfortunate and shameful that, despite the insult to the army, the deaths of innocent people, and administrative failures, such ministers remain in office. This raises serious questions about the govt’s morality, sensitivity, and accountability, the letter said. Patwari then demanded, “This time is also a test of your moral commitment, responsibility, and leadership abilities. You are expected to respect public sentiment by dismissing these ministers from the cabinet before the governor’s address in the budget session. Otherwise, it will send a clear message that your govt tacitly supports lies, immorality, and the insult to the nation’s daughters and the Indian Army.” While Patwari sent his letter, LOP Umang Singhar called a meeting with the CLP (Congress Legislative Party) on Monday evening to strategise on how to attack the BJP govt on the same three issues. It is expected that the budget session might be noisy, with the Congress preparing to tear into the Mohan Yadav govt on the issues of Bhagirathpura water contamination, Chhindwara cough syrup deaths of children, and Vijay Shah’s prosecution sanction still on hold. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cess and surcharge money spent to benefit states: FM Sitharaman
NEW DELHI: Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday rejected the criticism by states over cesses and surcharges, arguing that it was in line with the Constitutional provisions and the money collected through these levies was spent on schemes that benefited the states. . While responding to the discussion on the Budget in the Lok Sabha, FM said that states should distinguish between the gross tax revenue and the net proceeds that are legally shareable. “States can’t have it both ways. The states should check if the entire net proceeds which form the divisible pool, after removing cess and surcharge from gross tax revenue, is received by them,” she said. The minister said that the Centre was transferring 41% to the states, as was recommended by the Finance Commission. “The 16th Finance Commission analysed the state’s share transferred by the Centre to the states from 2018-19 to 2022-23, and concluded that in each of these years, the devolution made by the Centre exactly matches the recommendation of the Finance Commission. So, we are not the only ones claiming this… There is no scope for any doubt in this for the states,” the minister said. Sitharaman also criticised states such as West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee’s TMC was in power, arguing that they blamed the Centre for GST, but then imposed additional burden on consumers. “The state govt in West Bengal imposes road levies and charges taxes at the time of new vehicle registration. If there is so much concern about GST burdening citizens, then why impose additional state-level taxes? These could be waived for the people of Bengal, but instead, GST collections are criticised while state taxes continue to be levied,” she said while accusing Abhishek Banerjee of twisting facts on GST. She said govt is incentivising data centres in the country, in what was a rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi’s claims on Indian data. Further, she listed out measures on SEZs, customs reforms and support to MSMEs to counter Rahul’s concerns. “Leader of the Opposition expressed concerns over geopolitics, energy and weaponisation of finance. He said that the Budget acknowledges these challenges, but he didn’t read the Budget and the steps announced in it to address these challenges.” Courtesy :TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Revanth meets Kharge, exudes confidence of Cong win in civic polls
Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Wednesday met AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge in Delhi and expressed confidence that the Congress would win the ongoing municipal elections and continue its momentum in the upcoming polls to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and two other corporations in the core urban area. Revanth travelled to the national capital to meet top AICC leaders and Union ministers. Sources said the visit had a dual purpose. He had not met Kharge or Rahul Gandhi since his Davos and US tour and had been busy with municipal election campaign work. With a considerable gap since his last interaction, he wanted to brief the leadership on the current political situation in Telangana. A senior AICC leader told TOI that another key objective was to meet Union ministers and seek clarity on approvals and central funding for major state projects. The state govt is preparing to present its annual budget soon, and clarity on central assistance would help factor allocations accordingly. MPs Mallu Ravi and Anil Kumar Yadav accompanied the CM to Kharge’s residence. Revanth will meet Union ministers to seek support on issues including Hyderabad Metro Rail expansion, Musi rejuvenation, devolution of funds, fertilisers, irrigation projects, and disputes with Andhra Pradesh over river waters and railway lines. The CMO has sought appointments with railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, fertilisers minister JP Nadda, and power, housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar. He is likely to meet Rahul Gandhi in Parliament on Thursday. Sources said meetings with Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are also possible. A Congress MP said Revanth would brief Rahul on efforts to check the revival of BRS and contain the BJP’s rise, besides outlining plans for the upcoming civic polls. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
US chokehold on PM Modi, he has sold India: Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the govt Wednesday of “completely surrendering” India’s core data, food and energy interests in the trade deal, in a sharp attack in Lok Sabha on PM Modi who, he alleged, had caved in to pressure due to the leverage that country has over him. Participating in the discussion on the Budget, Gandhi began his speech with mention of the concept of grip and chokehold players are taught in martial arts to floor rivals and then used the metaphor to target Modi in the US’s handling of him. Gandhi’s condemnation of the interim pact as a sellout of national interest was the theme of his speech. ‘Farmers left to mercy of mechanised US farms’ Rahul said the data of 140 crore Indians is the country’s most valuable asset, while the nation needs to secure its energy and food interests in these turbulent times. The LoP’s controversial references to a convicted child sex offender in the US, two Indian businessmen and Bharat Mata as he sought to corner govt was met with resistance from treasury benches and were expunged from records. He alleged that minister Hardeep Puri had introduced an Indian businessman to the child sex offender, and the files released by the US govt mention their names. The Chair asked him not to level the allegations. Rahul Gandhi’s condemnation of the interim trade pact as a sellout of national interest was the theme of his speech, hitting the BJP-led NDA govt on a plank which it has practically owned since coming to power in 2014. He alleged, “The most valuable asset (data) of India has been handed over. Our farmers have been left to the mercy of mechanised American farms. Our textiles have been wiped out. Our energy security has been handed over. We cannot buy oil from who we want to buy it from. This is a wholesale surrender.” Unlike Modi’s and NSA Doval’s assertion that it is not an era of war, Rahul said the world is in fact “moving into an era of war and instability” amid intensifying geo-political conflicts. Dollar’s supremacy is being challenged and world is moving away from the era of one superpower, he said. While the budget recognises these challenges, including the weaponisation of energy and finance, it offers no future pathways, he said, before turning to the agreement to hit out at govt. He alleged the deal has compromised security in all three critical things needed to run a modern country: data, food supply and energy. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Bharat Bandh: Rahul Gandhi backs workers & farmers; takes ‘grip’ jibe at PM Modi
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday backed nationwide protests by workers and farmers demanding protection of their rights. He flagged concerns over labour reforms, trade policies, and potential changes to the rural jobs programme MGNREGA. “Workers fear that the four labour codes will weaken their rights. Farmers are apprehensive that the trade agreement will harm their livelihoods. And weakening or scrapping MGNREGA could snatch away the last lifeline of villages. When decisions affecting their future were taken, their voices were ignored,” he said through a post on X. “Will Modiji listen now? Or is the “grip” on him too strong? I stand firmly with the workers and farmers on their issues and their struggle,” Rahul added. An all-India general strike called by ten Central Trade Unions (CTUs) and backed by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) on Thursday is aimed at opposing a range of government policies, including the four labour codes, privatisation and contractualisation measures, the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025, changes to MGNREGA and the proposed Seed Bill. Large-scale participation from farmers, agricultural workers and industrial unions is expected at protest sites across the country, with power sector employees, PRTC staff and other worker organisations also set to join. In a statement, the SKM said the strike seeks the withdrawal of the four labour codes, the Electricity Bill 2025, the Seed Bill 2025 and the VB-G RAM G Act 2025, among other demands. It also called for the restoration of the old pension scheme and the implementation of minimum wages for all workers, including scheme workers. Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) working president Binoy Viswam expressed full support for the nationwide farmers’ strike, describing it as a movement to defend people’s basic rights. Apple farmers in Himachal Pradesh have also intensified preparations to join the nationwide farmers’ strike on February 12 and announced a march to Delhi, warning that recent import duty reductions under India-US and other free trade agreements could hurt the state’s apple-based economy. They expressed concern that cheaper imports could impact local growers, despite repeated assurances from union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal that the interests of Indian apple farmers will be safeguarded. While several trade unions and farmer organisations have decided to join the strike, the National Front of Indian Trade Unions (NFITU) said it would not participate, describing the protest as “politically motivated.” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Government confident it did better in battle of wits with opposition
NEW DELHI: Any hope of normalcy returning to LS was apparently dashed when opposition stepped up their offensive and submitted a notice for the removal of the Speaker. In a twist, it turned out to be the end of a week-long impasse, laying bare faultlines within the opposition as pragmatic voices wanting to be heard on key issues in the House prevailed over those favouring uncompromising rigidity and confrontation. LS functioned normally even though the govt did not agree to the conditions set by Congress: allowing LoP Rahul Gandhi to speak, rectification of the Speaker’s “baseless” claim that he had to request PM not to speak during the debate on motion of thanks to the President for her address in view of plans of Congress’ MPs to do something unprecedented, and a probe into why BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s mic was not switched off when he attacked Nehru-Gandhi family. The prevailing view within govt was that it had come out better in the battle of wits by not making any concession to the key Congress demand of allowing Rahul to speak first and revoking the suspension of eight MPs to defuse the crisis that had stalled proceedings. What helped the govt defuse the impasse was the keenness among some key regional BJP rivals for LS to function and allow discussion on regional concerns. Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where TMC and DMK are in office, are headed to polls, while political temperature is rising in UP, where Samajwadi Party is the main opposition party, with elections only a year away. While TMC made its differences clear by not signing the notice, MPs from different non-Congress oppn parties suggested many of them did not want the first half of the session to be consumed by the deadlock. Across the aisle, BJP’s allies stood firm with the govt, backing the Speaker and criticising the opposition for targeting a constitutional office. Taking high moral ground, Birla decided not to attend till the notice is disposed of, signalling the matter may be taken up later in the session. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights