NEWS

New Delhi: The Opposition wants to conduct discussions on key issues such as the farmers’ issues, fuel price hike and alleged Covid mismanagement amid the second wave, sources said after the meeting at the Rajya Sabha Chairman’s residence of all party floor leaders. Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu had called a meeting of floor leaders of different political parties on Saturday, to discuss ways to ensure smooth functioning of the Upper House during the session.

Parliamentary affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi is said to have informed the members that there were a total of 31 bills that were listed for passage in the upcoming monsoon session. He also told the leaders that the various issues concerning the Opposition would be discussed by the government, which was ready for debate on all issues on the condition that they refrain from agitation or holding the house ransom with constant disruptions.

With the Opposition gearing up to question the government in the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning Monday on a range of issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic situation, delay in vaccination programme and price rise, the treasury benches on Friday started an outreach exercise.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met former defence ministers Sharad Pawar and A K Antony to brief them on the India-China border situation. Singh has provided Pawar and Antony with details about India's military preparedness in the region, sources said. The meeting was also attended by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat and Army Chief Gen M M Naravane.

Piyush Goyal, the newly-appointed leader of Rajya Sabha, met Pawar and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

New Delhi: Adoctor in Agra who had gone missing mysteriously disappeared while on his way to the office has been found in Rajasthan’s Dholpur. Umakant had left home for his nursing home but never reached his destination. Police said he was kidnapped after falling into a honey trap. He was rescued after a joint operation of Rajasthan and Agra police. Two people, including a woman, have been arrested.

Umakant, a resident of the Itimad-ud-Daula area of Agra, had left his home for his nursing home around 7 pm on July 13. His wife had lodged a missing complaint after he did not come back home from the nursing home that night. An FIR was registered at Itimad-ud-Daula police station.

The Republic Day parade next year will be held on the refurbished Rajpath as the redevelopment work of the Central Vista Avenue, stretching from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, is expected to be completed by this November, officials said on Friday. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who reviewed the status of ongoing construction works, said citizens will get an avenue that they will be proud of.

"Reviewed the status of ongoing construction works of Central Vista Avenue project with the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, officials of ministry and CPWD, contractor and architect Bimal Patel. The progress so far is satisfactory and on schedule. Citizens will get an avenue they will be proud of," he tweeted.