LOK SABHA SPEAKER ADMITS CONGRESS'S NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION AGAINST GOVT

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday admitted a motion of no confidence in the council of ministers moved by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi after more than 50 opposition MPs showed support to the motion by standing in their seats.

Gogoi had moved a notice of no-confidence against the govt on the Manipur issue as per rules before 10 am on Wednesday.

Birla while admitting the motion said he would discuss it with floor leaders, list it for debate and intimate the day and time of the debate to the House.

Under the rules, the Speaker has to list the motion for debate and voting within 10 days of admission.

Major opposition parties TMC, Left, NC, DMK, NCP and JDU supported the motion.

While the opposition strategy is to corner the NDA on the sensitive issue ahead of the 2024 general election, given the sheer strength of the BJP, allies and friendly parties in the Lok Sabha it is almost a certainty that the no-confidence motion moved will fail the numbers test. Opposition leaders, however, argue that they will win the battle of perception by cornering the govt on the critical issue during the debate.

PM Modi had faced a similar motion in 2018 which he won comfortably.

Yesterday’s no-confidence motion saw PM Modi’s February 2019 reply to the Motion of Thanks on the President's Address and prediction for 2023 going viral on social media. The clip posted by Union minister Jitendra Singh shows PM Modi telling opposition parties also to move a similar motion in 2023 as well. “I want to send you my good wishes that you prepare so much that you get a chance to bring a no-confidence again in 2023,” PM Modi had said ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. 

OUR 3RD TERM WILL SEE INDIA IN TOP 3 ECONOMIES, MY GUARANTEE: PM MODI

Hours after the Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against his govt in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday invoked a “third term” in office saying that India would be among the world’s top three economies then. “Yeh Modi ki guarantee hai (this is Modi’s guarantee),” he said.

Modi was speaking at the inauguration of the International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC), part of the 123-acre Pragati Maidan complex, developed as a national project at a cost of about Rs 2,700 crore. It will host the G20 summit in September.

“India’s development journey is unstoppable. You know, at the beginning of our first term, India was the tenth largest economy in the world. In the second term, India is the fifth largest economy in the world today. On the basis of this track record… I will assure the country that India’s name will be among the top three economies of the world in the third term.”

Indeed, data from the IMF shows that India is forecast to become the third-largest economy by 2027 as it is expected to overtake both Germany (currently fourth-largest) and Japan (currently third-largest).

“I also assure the country’s citizens that after 2024, in our third term, the country’s development journey will move at a faster pace,” he said to wide applause.

Taking a dig at the Opposition and his critics, Modi said people with “negative thinking” had opposed the construction of the new convention centre, like in the case of the redevelopment of Kartavya Path. “There is no dearth of people with negative thinking in the country,” he said. But, he added, the same people would end up giving a lecture at the redeveloped centre.

The Prime Minister said the IECC complex, India’s biggest convention and exhibition space, would also boost “conference tourism”. The complex can accommodate 7,000 people in its multi-purpose and plenary halls, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). It includes a 3,000-capacity amphitheatre and parking for 5,500 cars. The work at the site, which is owned by the India Trade Promotion Organisation, began in 2017.

ON VIJAY DIWAS, RAJNATH SINGH AT KARGIL WAR MEMORIAL

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India would not hesitate to cross the Line of Control (LOC) to safeguard own interests. He went on to blame the “lack of political will” for not having done it earlier.

The minister was at the Kargil War Memorial, Drass, Ladakh, to mark the 24th anniversary of Vijay Diwas.

Rajnath described ‘Operation Vijay’ – the name for the military operations on Kargil -- as an episode that displayed India’s grit and determination as it stood its ground in the face of adverse circumstances. “The victory was a launch pad that propelled the nation to achieve heights of success,” he added.

“Despite the adversary having tactical military advantage during the war, our forces displayed unmatched bravery and skill to push them back and reclaim our land,” the minister said. India, he said, had sent a message to Pakistan and the world that our military would not back down at any cost if the nation’s interests are harmed.

Earlier, the minister laid a wreath and paid homage to the soldiers who displayed unparalleled bravery during ‘Operation Vijay’.

MALLIKARJUN KHARGE TAKES A DIG AT AMIT SHAH OVER MANIPUR

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday attacked Union Home Minister Amit Shah and alleged that there was a world of difference between his words and his actions on the Manipur issue.

Kharge said this while replying to Shah's letter in which Shah sought cooperation from the Congress and all Opposition parties in Parliament to discuss the Manipur issue.

Kharge wrote that the day PM compared the Opposition alliance with terrorist organisations, the same day Home Minister wrote a letter seeking cooperation from the Opposition parties. Kharge wrote that difference between the government and the Opposition has always existed, but now, one can see differences within the government as well.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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RUSSIA IS PREPARING BLACK SEA ‘BLOCKADE’ OF UKRAINE: UK INTEL

New Western warnings that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is taking an increasingly aggressive posture in the waters off southern Ukraine are underscoring the rising tensions after Russia pulled out of a UN-brokered deal that allowed Ukraine to export tens of millions of tons of grain.

The British military intelligence agency said on Wednesday that the Russian naval fleet was preparing to enforce a blockade against Ukraine. The warning came after recent comments by US and UK officials that Russia could attack civilian ships in the Black Sea.

Nearly every night since the deal collapsed on July 17, Russia has bombarded Ukraine’s ports and grain infrastructure. It has warned that any vessel moving to and from Ukraine would be “at risk” and Kyiv, in response, has said it would expand its efforts to combat the Russians at sea.

Highlighting the fears of increased violence on the open sea, the Russian military said on Tuesday that it had thwarted an attack on one of its warships by Ukrainian forces using naval drones packed with explosives. According to the Russian ministry of defence, the Sergey Kotov patrol ship was targeted on Monday night southwest of Sevastopol.

US FED HIKES RATES TO HIGHEST LEVEL IN 16 YEARS AT 5.25%-5.5% CITING INFLATION

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point on Wednesday, citing still elevated inflation as a rationale for what is now the highest U.S. central bank policy rate in 16 years.

The rate hike, the Fed's 11th in its last 12 meetings, set the benchmark overnight interest rate in the 5.25%-5.50% range, and the accompanying policy statement left the door open to another increase.

As it stated in June, the Fed said it would watch incoming data and study the impact of its rate hikes on the economy "in determining the extent of additional policy firming that may be appropriate" to reach its 2% inflation target.

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DELHI BILL: ALL EYES ON RAJYA SABHA

The ruling NDA will have to lean on the support of Biju Janata Dal, YSR Congress Party, nominated members and Independents in the Rajya Sabha to ensure the passage of the bill to replace the Delhi Services Ordinance.

While there is no official word on when the bill, which was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, will be brought to Parliament, several parties have issued whips to their members to remain present in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The NDA is comfortably placed in the Lok Sabha. However, the two alliances—BJP-led NDA and Opposition’s INDIA bloc—are evenly poised in the Rajya Sabha though the ruling coalition has always managed to get the support of non-aligned parties to ensure passage of its legislative business in the Upper House.

The bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, but there was speculation that it could be brought to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The NDA has 101 members in the Rajya Sabha, while the 26-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) enjoys the support of 100 lawmakers. The non-aligned parties have 28 members, five members are in the nominated category and three independents.

Of the 28 non-aligned members, seven members of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi are expected to vote with the opposition bloc. The BJD and YSR Congress have nine members each and the ruling alliance will be hoping for their support for the crucial bill.

The BSP, JD(S) and TDP have one member each in the Upper House and which way they will vote will be eagerly watched.

Nominated members are usually favourably disposed towards the government.

"DON'T INTERFERE": MANIPUR CHIEF MINISTER AFTER MIZORAM COUNTERPART'S RALLY

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh asked his Mizoram counterpart Zoramthanga not to interfere in the internal matters of another state, a day after Zoramthanga participated in a rally to show solidarity with the Kuki tribe in ethnic violence-hit Manipur.

The Mizoram government is sheltering about 13,000 internally displaced Kuki-Zo tribe people who fled from Manipur ever since the clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3. The Mizo tribe has a strong connection with the Kuki-Zo tribe and Chin people of Myanmar.

Over 31,000 Chin refugees from Myanmar are also being sheltered in Mizoram. They fled Myanmar after fierce fighting between the Myanmar army and resistance groups and ethnic rebel groups there.

"Tension began when the state government started to act against drug cartels... The Manipur government is not against the Kuki community who are living in the state," Biren Singh said at an event to mark the Kargil Vijay Diwas.

He said the fight is between the government and elements "who want to disturb peaceful co-existence in the state". He termed as "barbaric" the way rally participants with Zoramthanga in Mizoram's capital Aizawl shouted abusive slogans against him.

He criticised the European Parliament, which without knowing the ground reality adopted a resolution on July 13 asking the Indian authorities to take measures to protect religious minorities, when the crisis in Manipur is not linked to religion.

GOVT REPS HOLDS TALKS WITH KUKI, MEITEI LEADERS

The Centre on Wednesday held talks with representatives of Kuki groups from Manipur in order to defuse the ongoing crisis in the state. Sources said Centre’s points man for the Northeast, former additional director with the Intelligence Bureau Akshay Mishra had a meeting with representatives of Kuki militant groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government.

A separate round of talks was also held with representatives of the Coordinating Committee for Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) with an IB official representing the Centre. COCOMI is a Meitei civil society organisation.

COCOMI had on Tuesday issued a statement that the government must not talk to SoO groups as they are “responsible for the ongoing violence in the state”.

While Kukis are adamant on a separate administration having lost all trust in the current Manipur government, the CM is rooting for status quo ante. At the moment, none of these solutions are workable. Granting separate administration to Kukis will rile up Meiteis given the current situation. Kukis will not accept the status quo ante. Only after the violence ebbs, perhaps, the two sides will be able to hear each other.

COAL SCAM: DELHI COURT SENTENCES SIX, INCLUDING EX-MP VIJAY DARDA

A Delhi court on Wednesday awarded a four-year prison term to ex-Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda, his son Devender Darda and businessman Manoj Kumar Jayaswal in a case related to irregularities in the allocation of a coal block in Chhattisgarh, saying they obtained the coal block by cheating the central government.

As Special Judge Sanjay Bansal pronounced the order on sentence, all three convicts were immediately taken into custody. They were, however, granted bail by the court to enable them to challenge their conviction and sentence before the high court.

The court also awarded three-year jail terms to ex-coal secretary HC Gupta and two former senior public servants KS Kropha and KC Samria in the case.

It imposed a fine of Rs 50 lakh on JLD Yavatmal Energy Pvt Ltd, which was convicted in the case and a fine of Rs 15 lakh each on the Dardas and Jayaswal. The other three convicts were directed to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 each.

This is the 13th conviction in the coal scam scandal which rocked the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government following a CAG report. The CAG initially estimated a massive loss of Rs 10.6 lakh crore to the exchequer, but its final report tabled in Parliament put the figure at 1.86 lakh crore. The CAG said instead of allocating the valuable natural resource in 194 coal blocks between 2004 and 2009 for captive use in a non-transparent way, the government should have gone for competitive bidding.

GYANVAPI MOSQUE SURVEY PUSHED BACK AS HIGH COURT SEEKS CLARIFICATIONS

The methodology of a scientific survey at Varanasi's Gyanvapi mosque has not satisfied the Allahabad High Court, which has asked the Archaeological Survey of India for more details.  The hearing will continue and the court made it clear that there can be no survey till Thursday evening, extending the Supreme Court-imposed freeze on survey.

On July 24, the top court had halted a "detailed scientific survey" by the ASI -- ordered earlier by a Varanasi court -- till 5 pm on Wednesday. The survey was meant to determine if the mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi was built upon a temple, as a Hindu group has contended.

During the hearing earlier today, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid, which manages the mosque, said the 1000-year-old structure might collapse if the ground below it is excavated.

The Hindu group has submitted that excavations might be needed at the last stage. "ASI will do radar mapping. Excavation will also be conducted if circumstances demand, that too in the last stage," its counsel had said.

"Either you videograph the survey or submit that there will be no damage to the mosque," the court had said, to which the Hindu group had agreed.

When the mosque committee said it does not trust the assurances, it brought a sharp retort from the court. "When you don't trust anyone, how will you trust our ruling?" the judges said.

UCC A ‘THREAT TO UNITY IN DIVERSITY’, SAY REPRESENTATIVES OF MINORITY GROUPS

The Centre’s thrust on a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a threat not only to fundamental rights and the concept of ‘unity in diversity’ but a bid to scrap reservation for SCs, STs and OBCs, read a joint statement issued Wednesday by representatives of various minority groups.

The joint statement was issued at a press conference held at the Press Club of India in New Delhi following a meeting of representatives of various minority groups to discuss the idea of a UCC. The meeting was attended by representatives of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), the Federation of Catholic Associations of Delhi archdiocese and Naba Kumar Sarania, the independent MP from Assam’s Kokrajhar, among others.

“The government has no business to interfere in the customary laws and religious practices of social groups, tribals, Dalits, and religious communities,” read the statement. It went on to allege that the central government intends to ‘scrap reservation in the garb of equality’.

Signatories to the joint statement said they will hold discussions with representatives of other communities on this issue.

US HIDING INFO ON ALIEN CRAFT: EX INTEL OFFICER IN CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

We are not alone -- and American authorities are covering up the evidence, a former US intelligence officer told a congressional committee on Wednesday. David Grusch testified that he "absolutely" believes the government is in possession of unidentified anomalous phenomenon, or UAPs -- which has replaced UFO in official parlance -- as well as remains of their operators.

"I was informed, in the course of my official duties, of a multi-decade UAP crash retrieval and reverse-engineering program," Grusch said. "I made the decision, based on the data I collected, to report this information to my superiors and multiple inspectors general, and in effect becoming a whistleblower," he said.

Pressed for details in the course of the hearing, Grusch repeatedly said he could not comment in a public setting because the information is classified.

He said the US government is hiding information on UAPs not only from the public but from Congress, and that he "personally interviewed" people with direct knowledge of non-human craft.

But the head of the Pentagon office set up to identify UAPs that pose a potential threat told lawmakers earlier this year it had not identified any signs of alien activity.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

In order to realize our true self we must be willing to live without being dependent upon the opinion of others. - Bruce Lee

OFF TRACK

Freddie ran into the kitchen crying and cradling something in his hands. "Mommy, my turtle is dead," Freddie told his mother as he held the turtle out to her.

His mother kissed him on the head, then said, "That's all right. We'll wrap him in tissue paper, put him in a little box, then have a nice burial ceremony in the back yard. After that, we'll go out for an ice cream soda, and then get you a new pet. I don't want you . . ." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the turtle move. "Freddie, your turtle is not dead after all."

"Oh," the boy said. "Can I kill it?