TALKS INCONCLUSIVE, PUNJAB FARMERS TO SET OUT FOR DELHI TODAY

Two years after they forced the Centre to repeal three farm laws before ending their year-long protest at Delhi’s borders, Punjab farmer unions announced late Monday night that farmers would set out for the Capital at 10 am Tuesday to press their demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops.

The decision to march to Delhi – ‘Dilli Chalo’ – was taken after marathon talks in Chandigarh remained inconclusive, the farmer unions said.

Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) convenor Jagjit Singh Dallewal and Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee coordinator Sarwan Singh Pandher were among those present at the meeting with Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal, Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda and officials.

Ahead of the talks, police in Haryana and Delhi barricaded roads leading to the Capital and deployed personnel to stop the march.

Emerging from the meeting, Dallewal said, “No decision was taken at the meeting. Our protest will continue and we will move towards Delhi at 10 am tomorrow.” “There was no new proposal. There were only old proposals. We did not want any confrontation this time. We wanted discussion on every point. But the government is not straight. It just wants to waste our time. They asked for more time. We told the government to take the decision today itself. But nothing was forthcoming,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Munda told reporters that they came personally to find a solution to the issue. “We came here as a representative of the Government of India. There were some issues on which we reached a consensus. There were some issues that needed a permanent resolution. We said there should be a committee.” “Still, we believe any issue can be sorted with dialogue. We hope we will be able to find a solution to this issue. We will keep protecting the rights of the farmers. We are hopeful that the farmers organisations will continue with the dialogue and we will work together to find a resolution in the coming days. We still invite them for a dialogue,” Munda said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who had earlier mediated the meeting between the Centre and farmers organisations, was not part of the talks Monday – he was in Ayodhya along with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The CM, sources said, had instead deputed State Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal.

EASY WIN FOR NITISH GOVT IN TRUST VOTE

Three RJD MLAs crossed over to the NDA while five absent JD(U) MLAs turned up with just a few minutes to go for voting, helping Chief Minister Nitish Kumar win the trust vote easily on Monday with 129 votes in its favour. There was no vote against, as the Opposition walked out before the voting.

In the House of 243, simple majority is 122. Before the vote, the NDA claimed it had 128 MLAs with it (BJP: 78; JD-U: 45; HAM-S: 4; and Independent: 1), and the Mahagathbandhan cited the support of 114 (RJD: 79; Congress: 19; CPI ML-Liberation: 12; CPI: 2; CPI-M: 2).

The three RJD legislators who changed sides, however, may face disqualification proceedings.

In a speech that sought to make up for the lack of numbers, Tejashwi Yadav led the attack from the Opposition side. He said the fact that the ruling alliance had to make three RJD MLAs “cross over” to the NDA to prove its majority was a “moral victory” for the party.

In his rebuttal, Nitish, among other things, accused the RJD of doing “too much Hindu-Muslim politics”.

In veiled barbs against Nitish, Tejashwi said: “I congratulate Nitish Kumar for taking oath as CM for a record ninth time, including three times in his current ongoing term. But I want to know what your constraints were… You said, ‘Yahan man nahin lag raha tha (You were not comfortable with us)’. But were we with you to just do a song and dance for you?”

Drawing on the Ramayana, Tejashwi added that he still saw Nitish as his Dashrath (or father figure), and it was on the JD(U) chief to identify his Kaikeyi (the one misleading him). Continuing in the same vein, he added: “I am not taking exile as Dashrath gave to Lord Ram, but I am going to the people.”

Nitish, who listened attentively to his former deputy, accused RJD leaders of corruption. “Lakhon-laakh kamaa rahe the (They were minting lakhs of rupees). I will institute a probe into it,” he said.

NOW ASHOK CHAVAN QUITS CONGRESS

As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, the challenges before the Congress and the INDIA bloc are mounting. The latest setback came Monday, with senior Maharashtra leader Ashok Chavan leaving the party – coming on the heels of the JD(U) and RLD walking out of the INDIA coalition, the Trinamool Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announcing that they would go it alone in West Bengal and Punjab; and seat-sharing talks in Delhi coming under severe strain.

Chavan has become the ninth former chief minister of the Congress to leave the party in the past 10 years, joining the ranks of Amarinder Singh (Punjab), Ghulam Nabi Azad (Jammu and Kashmir), Vijay Bahuguna (Uttarakhand), the late Ajit Jogi (Chhattisgarh), S M Krishna (Karnataka), Narayan Rane (Maharashtra) and Giridhar Gamang (Odisha). (Gamang returned to the party recently.)

Chavan’s resignation had been coming for a while, as he was known to be sulking. What many in the Congress expressed surprise over was the lack of efforts on the part of the high command to placate him.

On Monday, as Chavan exited the party, the Congress chose to lay the blame on his and the BJP’s doors, suggesting that the cases against him were the motivating factor.

Chavan’s exit came days after two other Congress leaders from Maharashtra – Baba Siddique and Milind Deora – quit, and the apprehension is that the BJP is succeeding in conveying the perception of an INDIA bloc in tatters and a Congress that is isolated.

In what is seen as a conscious strategy, the BJP has toned down its attack against the INDIA bloc, which it once dubbed ‘Ghamandiya (arrogant)’ and ‘INDI’ alliance, and is focusing on the Congress.

RAHUL GANDHI WRITES TO PM OVER MGNREGS FUNDS

Wading into the political tussle that is brewing between the BJP-led Centre and the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal over payment of MGNREGS wages, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to facilitate release of funds to clear pending wages.

Rahul’s letter comes days after Banerjee announced that the Trinamool Congress would contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state alone and not as part of the INDIA bloc. Rahul’s letter in a way justifies Banerjee’s charge that the Centre was not releasing funds for payment of pending wages to MGNREGS workers. That the BJP government is discriminating against opposition-ruled states is a charge often made by the Congress too.

Earlier this month, Banerjee had staged a dharna in Kolkata against the BJP-led Centre over the alleged non-payment of dues to the state under various welfare schemes. She then announced that her government would pay 21 lakh MGNREGS workers.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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NO CLARITY YET ON NEXT PAK PM

Pakistan’s key political players have not finalised the name of the country’s new PM even as consultations between them have been on for four days following the controversial national and provincial elections, considered the most rigged in Pakistan’s history.

The names of former three time PM Nawaz Sharif (74), his brother, ex-PM Shehbaz Sharif (72), and former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari (35) have so far surfaced. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf followers, however, want to see their jailed party chief, Imran Khan, back in office, a wish that may not get fulfilled in the given situation.

To form a govt at the centre, one likely scenario can be that PML-N allies with PPP and some smaller parties. The two parties have a working relationship since they jointly governed the country for 18 months after ousting Imran Khan’s govt in April 2022. To win the PM’s slot, PML-N, reports suggest, has offered the slots of president, NA speaker and Senate chairman to PPP. PPP seems to be taking its time while considering its options, besides demanding the job of PM for Bilawal.

Meanwhile, unsuccessful PTI candidates have filled the courts with claims of vote-rigging. PTI backers have also held demonstrations outside election commission offices across the nation.

Reports also suggest that the top leaders of PML-N and PPP have discussed a new power-sharing formula for dividing the five-year tenure between them.

TRUMP OUTBURST ON NATO MAY PUSH EUROPE TO CONSIDER ITS N-ARSENAL

Long before Donald Trump threatened over the weekend that he was willing to let Russia “do whatever the hell they want” against Nato allies that do not contribute sufficiently to collective defence, European leaders were quietly discussing how they might prepare for a world in which America removes itself as the centerpiece of the 75-year-old alliance.

Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, which comprises Europe’s heads of govt and defines their common policies, wrote that “reckless statements” like Trump’s “serve only Putin’s interest.” He wrote that they make more urgent Europe’s nascent efforts to “develop its strategic autonomy and invest in its defence.” And in Berlin, Norbert Rottgen, a member of the German parliament’s foreign affairs committee, wrote on X, “Everyone should watch this video of #Trump to understand that Europe may soon have no choice but to defend itself.”

At its core, the argument underway in Europe goes to the question of whether members of the alliance can be assured that the US nuclear umbrella — the ultimate deterrent against Russian invasion — will continue to cover the 31 Nato members. Britain and France have their own small nuclear arsenals. If, over the next year, Nato’s European members came to doubt that the US would remain committed to Article V of the Nato treaty, which declares that an attack on one constitutes an attack on all, it would almost inevitably revive the debate about who else in Europe needed their own nuclear weapons — starting with Germany.

THE REST

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PUNJAB FARMERS SAY BARRICADES NO BIG DEAL

Close to the Shambu Barrier, where the Haryana government has been setting up barriers for the last 5 days, many farmers from border villages of Punjab are moving just to oversee the barricading. When asked why he had come, a frail-looking Randhir Singh of Sanjarpur village in the Rajpura constituency of Patiala district said, “Just to see what all equipment is needed tomorrow to remove these barricades. Our boys can drive combines, heavy machines, tractors, so we will manage. It is not an issue at all.”

Another farmer expressed concern, stating, “They themselves are creating a wall with us as if we are terrorists and not even part of this country. So what message are they sending to farmers? As of now, only a few unions are part of this protest, but if the situation worsens, all farmers will join hands like before.

In addition to the massive deployment of security personnel and crowd control measures at Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, the Delhi Police on Monday imposed a month-long ban on public meetings, along with the entry of tractors and trolleys and anything “capable of being used as weapons or tools of violence” in the city for a month in response to the proposed agitation.

…..AND THEIR DEMANDS

The headline demand in the farmers’ 12-point agenda is for a law to guarantee minimum support price (MSP) for all crops, and the determination of crop prices in accordance with the Dr M S Swaminathan Commission’s report. The other demands are:

Full debt waiver for farmers and labourers;

Implementation of the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, with provisions for written consent from farmers before acquisition, and compensation at four times the collector rate;

Punishment for the perpetrators of the October 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri killings;

India should withdraw from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and freeze all free trade agreements;

Pensions for farmers and farm labourers;

Compensation for farmers who died during the Delhi protest, including a job for one family member;

Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 should be scrapped;

200 (instead of 100) days’ employment under MGNREGA per year, daily wage of Rs 700, and scheme should be linked with farming;

Strict penalties and fines on companies producing fake seeds, pesticides, fertilisers; improvements in seed quality;

National commission for spices such as chili and turmeric;

Ensure rights of indigenous peoples over water, forests, and land.

TN GOVERNOR RAVI REFUSES TO READ FULL CUSTOMARY ADDRESS

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Monday refused to read out the complete text of the customary address to the state Assembly, claiming it had “misleading facts”, and lambasted the ruling DMK over the National Anthem issue, remarks that were “expunged” in yet another showdown between the Raj Bhavan and the state government.

The expunged remarks were Ravi’s personal comments and only the approved text would be in the records, Speaker M Appavu said. The Governor also walked out of the House before the National Anthem was played. Ravi reading out from such a text would be a “Constitutional travesty”, the Raj Bhavan later said, explaining the sequence of events.

Governor RN Ravi wanted the National Anthem to be played before and after the address while the government maintained it was not in line with the House tradition and rules.

The draft address received on February 9 had numerous passages with misleading claims, maintains Raj Bhavan.

This was the Governor's inaugural address for the year to the House.

The Raj Bhavan charged Appavu with launching a tirade on Ravi and insisted he walked out to uphold the dignity of the office of the Governor.

SMRITI IRANI SLAMS MAMATA BANERJEE GOVT ON SANDESHKHALI

Union Minister Smriti Irani yesterday slammed the Mamata Banerjee government over the allegations of women in south Bengal's Sandeshkhali, declaring that "young Hindu married women" are being targetted by Trinamool Congress goons. The state has been in the eye of a political storm over the allegations of women, who have accused a local Trinamool leader of systematic sexual exploitation. The man in question, Zilla Parishad member Sheikh Shajahan -- also accused of land grabbing -- is on the run. He is also wanted by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged PDS scam.

Sandeshkhali, an island in Sundarbans close to the Bangladesh border, has been placed under Prohibitory Orders banning large gatherings.

"Young Hindu married women are being deliberately targetted," Ms Irani alleged, reading out what she said were the women's version of events as told to the local media.

The Trinamool responded sharply. Senior party leader and Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya told reporters, "We condemn every rape but what about Bilkis Bano's case? Why hasn't she said anything? Does rape have colour? Can you add colour and say this has been done because of division in religion? She actually wants to provoke people there and create unrest. That is what BJP and CPM are doing there. They have been caught red handed and therefore they were arrested yesterday."

Over the last days, a large number of women in Sandeshkhali, armed with sticks and brooms, have been holding protests, alleging that Sheikh Shajahan and his "gang" have captured swathes of land by force, and are sexually exploiting them.

Governor CV Ananda Bose later visited Sandeshkhali after which, he described the situation as "ghastly”.

Welcoming his visit, Mamata Banerjee told reporters that people responsible for the violence "have been arrested".

NOW, PAY VIA UPI IN SRI LANKA, MAURITIUS

PM Narendra Modi, along with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth, inaugurated the launch of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in both the countries. They also virtually witnessed the launch of RuPay card services in Mauritius.

PM Modi said this was a special day for the three friendly nations and proof of the three government’s commitment towards the development and wellbeing of their people.

He hoped that fintech connectivity will further strengthen cross-border transactions and connections. Jugnauth said the co-branded RuPay card would be designated as a domestic card in Mauritius and would greatly facilitate the citizens of both countries.

“I am confident that Indian tourists will give priority to destinations with UPI,” he added. Nepal, Bhutan, Singapore and the UAE have already enrolled for the RuPay card which is being launched in Mauritius.

NO REVIEW OF ACTION ON PAYTM PAYMENTS BANK: RBI GOVERNOR

Reserve Bankof India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Monday firmly dismissed any possibility of a review of the central bank’s action against Paytm Payments Bank. He stated that the decision was taken after a comprehensive assessment of the firm’s operations.

“If you are expecting a review of the decision, let me very clearly say: There is no review of the decision. FAQ (frequently asked questions) which we are proposing to issue will target the issues faced by customers like the FASTAG users, the wallet users, and the account holders. A review of the decision is not on the table. Don’t expect a review in the FAQ (to be issued this week),” said Das, while interacting with the media after a meeting of the central board of directors of the RBI. 

On January 31, the RBI announced its decision to shut down most of Paytm Payments Bank’s operations, including deposits, fund transfers, and its popular digital wallets, effective from March 1, 2024, because of “persistent non-compliances and continued material supervisory concerns”.

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Bitcoin - USD 50,176, Dollar Index 104.08, Brent Crude 82.03, BDI 1572

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 2020 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 6,294 / 5,769, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 75,500

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away. - Philip K. Dick

OFF TRACK

This year I entered the Mumbai 10k run. The race started and immediately I was the last of the runners. It was embarrassing.

The guy who was in front of me, second to last, was making fun of me. He said, "Hey buddy, how does it feel to be last?"

I replied: "You really want to know?" Then I dropped out of the race.