NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

With the Lok Sabha elections in Uttarakhand drawing nearer, the state’s major political parties, Congress and BJP, are ramping up their campaign activities. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Amit Shah is slated to address a public gathering at Kotdwar, within the Garhwal parliamentary constituency this afternoon. BJP has fielded Anil Baluni for the Garhwal Lok Sabha seat against Ganesh Godiyal of Congress. The campaign machinery of Congress, BSP and Uttarakhand Kranti Dal is also operating at full throttle. Notably, on April 19th, a significant 83,37,914 eligible voters in the state will exercise their franchise, determining the electoral fate of 55 candidates vying for the five Lok Sabha seats.

Prime Minister and Senior BJP leader Narendra Modi on Monday (15th April 2024) said that he takes decisions for the wholesome development of the nation. Speaking in an interview with a news agency, Mr Modi spelt out his vision for a developed India by 2047. The Prime Minister said, when he say that he has big plans, no one should be scared. The Prime Minister revealed that work on the ambitious 2047 Viksit Bharat project has been ongoing for the last two years. Mr Modi said, the implementation of ‘One nation, One election’ is the commitment of his government. He said, the committee formed under chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to prepare the report on ‘One nation, One election’, received very positive and innovative suggestions. He said, the committee has also submitted its report. He said, the country will benefit a lot if the report is implemented. Refuting the opposition parties’ allegations of being targeted by the BJP government, Mr Modi said that the maximum number of cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate are against those persons and entities who have no connection with politics. He said, the honest person has nothing to fear about but those involved in corruption has fear of sin. Replying to a query on electoral bond, Mr Modi said, it was meant to fight the use of black money in election. He added that everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection on the scheme.

In a good news to farmers, the country is likely to receive above normal monsoon rainfall this year. Briefing media on Southwest Monsoon season rainfall forecast in New Delhi, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr M. Ravichandran said, the monsoon seasonal rainfall from June to September is likely to be 106 per cent of the long period average. He however said that in some areas of northwest, east and northeastern states, the rainfall is likely to be below normal. On the occasion, DG, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said that from 1st June to 30th September, the average of the total rainfall of the entire country will be 87 cm. He said, El Niño conditions are likely to weaken during the early part of the monsoon season. Dr Mohapatra said, La Nina conditions, associated with good Monsoon in India will develop between August to September. He added that the data from 1951 to 2023 shows that India experienced above-normal monsoon rainfall on nine occasions when La Nina followed El Nino event.

The Indian Army contingent departed on Monday (15th April 2024) to take part in the fifth edition of India-Uzbekistan joint military exercise DUSTLIK. The exercise will be conducted from 15th to 28th of this month at Termez in Uzbekistan. According to the Defence Ministry, the Indian Armed Forces contingent comprises 60 personnel while 100 personnel will participate from the Uzbekistan side. The exercise is aimed at fostering military cooperation and enhancing combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi urban terrain. Focus will be laid on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills during the DUSTLIK exercise. The exercise will enable the two sides to share their best practices and facilitate inter-operability. Exercise DUSTLIK is a yearly event conducted alternatively in India and Uzbekistan. Last edition was conducted at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand in February last year.

Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the third term of the Narendra Modi led government will be dedicated to a ‘Vikasit Bharat’. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Monday (15th April 2024) , Mr Goyal said that the NDA Government is proud that they could fulfill all promises that they had made to the public in 2014 and 2019 elections. Speaking about the achievements of NDA Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he highlighted Ram Mandir, Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), abrogation of Article 370, Triple Talaq, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, building of toilets and pucca houses among others

National Highways Authority of India, NHAI has organised a daylong National Workshop on Environment and Forest Clearance including Eco-friendly Mitigation Measures in New Delhi on Monday (15th April 2024) . The workshop aims to lay a solid foundation for expanding the country’s National Highway infrastructure using eco-friendly practices. It deliberated upon the issues related to project clearances and mitigation strategies to build environment friendly highways infrastructure across the country. Addressing the gathering at the event, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav reiterated NHAI’s commitment towards building sustainable infrastructure and highlighted initiatives such as Wildlife Corridors, Amrit Sarovar, Plantation Drives and usage of waste materials in constructing Green National Highways. Delivering the keynote address at the workshop, Director General of Forests Jitendra Kumar has underlined the need to expedite planning process by improving inter-departmental collaboration and building a solid roadmap towards adoption of green practices in Highways construction. Secretary of Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways Anurag Jain emphasised the need to improve detailed project reports and adopt a collaborative approach using PM Gati Shakti’s framework to efficiently develop sustainable infrastructure across the country. Several officials and stakeholders of NHAI, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways have attended the workshop.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has said that national progress can be achieved only by an experienced leader who can take bold measures, thinks big, has global understanding and respect and a record to deliver guarantees and meet the aspirations of the poor and youth. Addressing media persons in Bengaluru today, Dr. Jaishankar said that a strong majority government and a forward looking leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi can achieve national progress. Pointing out at the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza strip, tensions in Red Sea and Arabian sea and challenges in the Indo Pacific region, the Union Minister said that a leader who can take strong position like Mr. Modi will help India. He noted that India is today Vishwa Bandhu which accomplished the responsibility of G20 summit to the satisfaction of its members.

The Enforcement Agencies have made a record seizure of over four thousand 650 crore rupees before the first phase of polling for the 18th Lok Sabha elections commences on Friday. Election Commission has said, this marks a sharp increase over three thousand 475 crore rupees seized during the entire Lok Sabha election in 2019. The Commission said, 45 per cent of the seizures are of drugs and narcotics. It said, the seizures have been possible by comprehensive planning, scaled-up collaboration and unified deterrence action from agencies and proactive citizen participation. The Election Commission stated that one hundred crore rupees seizure was made each day since 1st March of this year. The commission said, the enhanced seizures reflect Election Commission’s unwavering commitment to monitor inducements and curb electoral malpractices for a level playing field, particularly in favour of smaller and less resourceful parties. The seizures are a critical part of Election Commission resolve to conduct the Lok Sabha elections free of inducements and electoral malpractices and to ensure a level playing field. The commission has also taken strict action against 106 government servants who have been found assisting politicians in campaigning, thereby violating the Code of Conduct and instructions.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today said that the new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and advanced analytics are improving tax governance and helping curb tax evasion. This enhances the trust of the taxpayer in the system, which in turn encourages greater tax compliance. Mr. Dhankar was addressing the valedictory session of Induction Training for 76 batch of Indian revenue service-IRS at National Academy of Direct Taxes – NADT in Nagpur today. Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais and Chairman of Central Board of Taxes-CBDT Nitin Gupta were present on this occasion. While highlighting the role of modern technology in the tax administration, the Vice President said, we have moved from a predominantly traditional, paper-based system to a modern, technology-driven ecosystem where information is readily accessible and processes are streamlined for the benefit of both authorities and taxpayers. The Faceless e-assessment system has already brought about a paradigm shift from territorial jurisdiction to dynamic jurisdiction. It has introduced anonymity in income tax assessment and appeals to ensure transparency and accountability. The 76 batch of IRS in the Income Tax Department comprises 58 officers out of which 24 officers are lady officers which comprises 41 per cent of the total batch strength. These officers undergo 16 months of rigorous training in the field of tax administration and transfer pricing along with on-the-job training in the various verticals of the Income Tax Department. The vice president on this occasion facilitated the officer trainees of the 76 batch for their meritorious performance in various subjects like governance laws, business laws, advance accounting and Rajbhasha. Office Trainee Sunita Meena won the award for best performance in this batch along with three gold medals for 3 gold medals for her meritorious performances in various subjects. These IRS Officers are recruited through the Civil Services Examination (CSE) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Congress today claimed that party’s wave is visible in the north-eastern states. Briefing the media in New Delhi today, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, protecting the diversity in the north eastern states is the biggest issue there. He alleged that diversity in the north-eastern states on the basis of religion, caste, language and province is under threat today.

BJP leader and Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur attended a meeting with business community in Siliguri today. He also met with representatives of sports organisations after reaching the city in West Bengal this morning. Later in the day, Mr. Thakur will address a public meeting at Garubathan in Kalimpong and after that he will participate in another public meeting at Milan More of Siliguri.

BJP leader and Union Minister Amit Shah will be campaigning for party candidate in Imphal today. Mr. Shah will be arriving Imphal this afternoon from Tripura on his one day visit to Manipur. He will address a public meeting held at Imphal in which Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, BJP Manipur State President and other leaders of the party will attend. BJP fielded Thounaojam Basantakumar as party candidate in Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency while decided to support Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate in Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency. The INC and like-minded parties are also campaigning for Congress candidate for Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in Manipur. The congress party held four public rallies yesterday in the State and announced that the Congress will bring solution to the ongoing ethnic crisis in the State.