Tag: UPA

The $21 Million Voter Turnout Grant Controversy: Political War of Words and Real Impact

Manish Kumar

The Controversial Grant and Its Implications The recent announcement by the Elon Musk-led US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cancel a $21 million grant aimed at increasing voter turnout in India has ignited a fierce political debate. The grant, part of a broader initiative by the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS), was meant to enhance electoral participation in various countries, including India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. However, the revelation has sparked accusations of foreign interference, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeting the opposition Congress for…

2.12 Lakh Gram Panchayats Connected Through BharatNet: Scindia

Manish Kumar

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the BharatNet initiative has successfully connected 2.12 lakh gram panchayats across India, significantly enhancing rural digital infrastructure. The project, part of the Digital India mission, aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to remote villages, bridging the urban-rural digital divide. Scindia highlighted the government’s substantial infrastructure investment, stating that the Modi administration has allocated ₹11 lakh crore over the past year—five times more than the ₹2 lakh crore invested by the previous UPA government. This funding has accelerated development in railways, national highways, and telecommunications,…

Rahul Gandhi, Baijayant Panda, and Kangana Ranaut Assigned Key Roles in New Parliament Standing Committees

Manish Kumar

The Parliament’s department-related standing committees were constituted on Thursday, with several key appointments from across party lines. These committees, which play a critical role in overseeing the functioning of various ministries, act as “mini-Parliaments” and ensure accountability in governance. Major Appointments BJP National Vice-President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda has been named a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce. Meanwhile, BJP’s Bhartruhari Mahtab will head the crucial Committee on Finance. Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has been named a member…