Today in Politics: Union Cabinet to meet; SC to hear plea on ‘bulldozer justice’

The projects span across ten states and are strategically planned along six major corridors. These are Khurpia in Uttrakhand, Gaya in Bihar, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Dighi in Maharashtra, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh, Palakkad in Kerela, Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan, and Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.

The Cabinet also approved a proposal to conduct e-auctions for 730 Private FM channels in 234 new cities. The move aims to boost local content in the mother tongue and create new employment opportunities. Vaishnaw said the decision will take the FM radio to uncovered tier 2 and tier 3 cities. He said this project will focus on local talent.

Hema Commission report fallout: UDF to hold protest

The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) will hold a protest on Monday in front of the Kerala Secretariat, accusing the Left government of protecting culprits reportedly mentioned in the Justice K Hema Committee report.

The Opposition will also protest against the alleged protection given by the Pinarayi Vijayan government to those who had created and propagated the controversial “kafir” screenshot in Vadakara constituency during the time of the recent Lok Sabha polls.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, V D Satheesan, will also participate in the agitation in front of the Secretariat on September 2 morning, a statement from the party said on Sunday.

UDF Convenor M M Hassan, KPCC president K Sudhakaran, other prominent front leaders including P K Kunhalikutty, P J Joseph, C P John, Anoop Jacob and Sibu Baby John would take part in the protest, it added.

The Opposition has been accusing the state government of protecting “predators” and ignoring the revelations of victims in connection with the recently released Justice Hema Committee report which sheds light into the ill-treatment and exploitation of women in the film industry.

SC to hear plea on ‘bulldozer justice’

The Supreme Court on Monday will hear a plea seeking an end to “bulldozer justice” prevalent in several states.

A bench led by Justice B R Gavai will hear the plea filed by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind over the government’s permission to run bulldozers on the houses of the accused in criminal cases.

The petition cited recent incidents of running bulldozers in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan and alleged that minority communities were being targeted in “bulldozer action”.

The plea alleged that to run a cycle of oppression against the marginalised people in society, especially the minorities, and to intimidate them, the state governments were encouraging the running of bulldozers on their houses and properties.

The Supreme Court’s hearing comes weeks after officials in Udaipur demolished an illegally constructed house of a Class 10 student accused of stabbing a classmate, sparking minor clashes between locals and police.

SC may hear Punjab govt plea on Central funds

The Supreme Court on Monday may hear an interim plea of the Punjab government seeking release of over Rs 1,000 crore urgently from the Centre on account of alleged dues pertaining to the Rural Development Fund.

The state government has filed an interlocutory application (IA), in a pending lawsuit against the Centre, and has sought urgent release of over Rs 1,000 crore as an interim measure. The Bhagwant Mann government, in 2023, had moved the top court alleging non-release of the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and withholding a portion of the market fee by the Centre. It alleged that the Centre owed Punjab over Rs 4,200 crore.

President Murmu to begin 3-day Maharashtra visit

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Maharashtra for three days beginning Monday to attend a host of programs, according to an official statement.

She will grace the golden jubilee celebration of Shri Warana Women Co-operative Group at Warananagar, Kolhapur, on Monday, it said. On September 3, the President will address the 21st convocation of Symbiosis International (Deemed University) at Pune, said the statement issued by the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday. She will grace the centenary year function of the Maharashtra Legislative Council at Mumbai.

She will also address a gathering of beneficiaries of “Shasan Aplya Dari” and “Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna” of the Maharashtra government at Udgir, the statement added.

PM Modi to kick off BJP membership drive

The BJP’s three-phase membership drive will start on Monday evening with Prime Minister Narendra Modi renewing his membership before its senior leaders including central ministers, MPs, chief ministers and ministers fan out across the country.

Last week, BJP national general secretary Vinod Tawde said the party has a practice of enrolling fresh members every six years but the exercise was low-profile last time due to pandemic.

After the first phase ends on September 15, the BJP will analyse the patterns to look for regions and social groups which have been relatively underrepresented. This will be the focus of the second phase from October 1-15. From mid-October, the enrolment of active members will start, following which the elections of the mandal, zilla and state presidents will take place.

Stormy three-day Punjab Assembly session to begin

The three-day session of the Punjab Assembly, slated to begin on Monday, is likely to be anything but calm with the Opposition set to seek accountability from the AAP government on law and order and rising state debt.

Congress leader and MLA Aruna Chaudhary said her party would raise the issue of deteriorating law and order in the state. “Deteriorating law and order is one of the biggest issues. Everyday incidents related to snatching, theft and extortion are taking place in the state,” alleged the Dinanagar MLA.

– With PTI inputs