1. RSS Scores 9/20 in Modi’s Cabinet Reshuffle
Nine out of 20, or 45 percent of the ministers who have been inducted into Prime Mnister Narendra Modi’s cabinet or had their posts upgraded are members of the RSS.
Despite RSS’ insistence on its apolitical ideology and it’s distance from the BJP or the central government, BJP chief Amit Shah had visited the RSS headquarters in Delhi on Tuesday night before the formal announcement of the new cabinet was made.
According to The Telegraph, the new HRD minister, Prakash Javadekar, is a professed RSS “ swayamsevak” and an “active” participant in the Ram temple “agitation”.
Read the full story on The Telegraph.
2. Modi’s Cabinet Expansion is a “Vote-Garnering” Attempt Before UP Polls, Opposition Parties Say
The Congress and BSP have described Modi’s cabinet expansion as a “vote-garnering” attempt aimed at the states that will go for polls, The Hindu reported.
BSP chief Mayawati said the elevation of a few leaders from weaker sections would not help to “socially and economically uplift” the masses of these weaker communities.
The Samajwadi Party, on the other hand, called it a futile exercise, saying that the 71 MPs from BJP in Uttar Pradesh had credit to themselves.
Read the full story on The Hindu.
3. Crabbe Pulls Out, Only Three Remain in British Leadership Race
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Only three candidates remain to replace British Prime Minister David Cameron after Conservative leader Stephen Crabbe pulled out of the race, The Economic Times reported.
He exited the race while extending his full support for Theresa May after he received only 34 votes as compared of May’s 165 in the first ballot of Conservative lawmakers.
Read the full story on The Economic Times.
4. Kanhaiya and Umar Not Satisfied With Smriti Irani’s Transfer, Demand Sacking
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Smriti Irani has been replaced by Prakash Javadekar as the HRD Minister, but JNUSU President Kanhaiya and fellow student Umar Khalid, who were both jailed on charges of sedition, did not celebrate.
The Telegraph quoted Kanhaiya Kumar as saying:
Let alone punishment, this reshuffle doesn’t indicate that the government even realises its crime... Replacing Smriti Irani is merely an electoral adjustment to pacify enraged Dalit and young voters in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh and Punjab polls.
Member of ABVP and Joint Secretary of JNUSU, Saurabh Sharma was however jubilant over the fact that the former Pune University leader, Javadekar was appointed as the new HRD minister.
Read the full story on The Telegraph.
5. Bangladesh Police Admits to Killing One Dhaka Hostage
Bangladesh police admitted to killing one of the hostages at Dhaka’s Holey Artisan Bakery, mistaking, thinking he was one of the militants.
The hostage was the pizza chef of the restaurant.
This was the first time in Bangladesh such a thing had taken place. Nobody was prepared for it. They did not realise the gravity of the situation initially. Initial response was slow.HT Imam, Political Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
Read the full story on The Quint.
6. Government to Grant Citizenship to Hindu and Sikh Refugees in India Soon
The Indian government plans to grant citizenship to Hindu and Sikh migrants who have taken refuge in India from religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Afghanistan.
According to The Economic Times, the home ministry will try to seek the Union Cabinet’s approval ahead of the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament which starts from 18 July.
Read the full story on The Economic Times.
7. Water Tanker Scam Charge “Politically Motivated” But Arrest of Kejriwals’ Principal Secy is Not: Sheila Dikshit
Former Delhi Chief Sheila Dikshit said that the water scam case against her was “politically motivated” but in a contrary note, she also said that the arrest of Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal’s Principal Secretary was not politically motivated, The Times of India reported.
Dikshit added that she never received a complaint against Kumar during her tenure at the Delhi CM.
She also described AAP government’s decision to appoint as many as 21 parliamentary secretaries was devoid of “propriety”.
Read the full story on The Times of India.
8. Salman Khan’s Hit and Run Case May Not be Heard for Three Years
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to fast-track the hearing of Salman Khan’s hit-and-run case, The Times of India reported.
Although the state government pled for an early hearing, pointing out that the case was 15 years old, Justices JS Khehar and Arun Mishra said the case could not be given priority just because a high-profile personality was involved.
The appeal is unlikely to be heard within the next three years.
Read the full story on The Times of India.
9. Rs 32,835 Crore Project Grant to Revamp Old Government Colonies in Delhi
The Union cabinet chaired by PM Modi, approved a Rs 32,835 crore project to revamp several decrepit government colonies in the heart of south Delhi with swanky malls and high rise-apartments for babus, The Hindustan Times reported.
The government colonies are Sarojini Nagar, Nauroji Nagar, Netaji Nagar, Kasturba Nagar, Thygaraj Nagar, Sriniwaspuri and Mohammadpur.
The Union Urban Development Ministry, will not have to spend anything but the makeover will be done by the National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) – an autonomous body under the UD Ministry.
Keeping in view the gap in supply and demand for government houses in Delhi, the UP ministry piloted the project.
Read the full report on The Hindustan Times.
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