Here are the top reads of the evening.
1) BJP terms demonetization as 'sacred movement', says it will lead to cleaner GDP
BJP termed the aftermath of demonetization a "sacred movement" on Saturday, during which the masses accepted the temporary suffering with enthusiasm and asserted that black money has now been deposited in banks that will lead to high revenues and bigger and cleaner GDP.
The economic resolution passed at second and concluding day of the party's national executive also accused the opposition of trying to defame the government by destroying the country's positive environment and termed demonetization a "brave move aimed at the poor's welfare". "In this sacred movement across the country, the common people were taking upon themselves the temporary suffering of standing in queues with full enthusiasm and positive energy, but the opposition had become negative with destructive energy to defame the central government and trying to destroy the positive environment of the country," it said. Read more...
2) Budget session of Parliament to start on January 31
The Budget session of Parliament was on Saturday convened to start from January 31, a day before the Union Budget is likely to be presented. President Pranab Mukherjee has summoned the Rajya Sabha to meet on January 31, an official notification said.
A similar notification is also expected from the Lok Sabha secretariat. While the session will begin with the President's address to the joint sitting of the two Houses, the same day the pre-budget economic survey will be tabled. The practice of separate railway budget presentation is being scrapped from this year. The railway estimates will be part of the Union budget. Read more...
3) Indian-American Richard Verma to quit as US envoy before Trump takes charge
US Ambassador Richard Rahul Verma, a political appointee by Obama Administration and the first Indian-American to hold the post, is set to demit office before January 20 when Republican Donald Trump takes over as American President.
48-year-old Verma, who played a quiet but key role in deepening Indo-US ties, will quit before the President-elect assumes charge as his team said the envoys, who are political appointees, will not be given any "grace period" beyond Trump's inauguration day. Read more...
4) FIR filed against BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj for remarks on population control, Election Commission seeks reply
BJP leader Sakshi Maharaj has indirectly blamed Muslims for the population growth in the country, sparking a controversy barely four days after Supreme Court made it illegal to seek votes in the name of religion or caste.
As the comments by the MP from Unnao in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh drew strong condemnation today from opposition parties, the Election Commission sought a report from Meerut district administration while the BJP distanced itself from the outburst made at a 'sant sammelan' here yesterday. Read more...
5) WATCH: Kohli explains why Dhoni will always be his captain
When Dhoni announced that he is stepping down from the post of captain of Team India for limited over formats, the decision created ripples and reactions started pouring in. People, peers, friends, juniors were praising the Captain Cool in the best way they could phrase a sentence. Then came the most marvellous one of them all. From Virat Kohli.
Read more...
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