Congress Highlights Five Opposition Successes in Monsoon Session Congress leader Jayaram Ramesh outlined five key outcomes of the recent monsoon session, emphasizing the opposition’s collective efforts to delay or block several government bills. He attributed these results to the unified stance of the opposition, which pressured the ruling party to abandon or postpone critical legislative proposals. Ramesh highlighted how the opposition’s coordination disrupted the government’s agenda, leading to the stalling of multiple bills. The first success was the One Nation-One Election bill, which the government aimed to push through during the session. However, Ramesh stated that the bill was postponed to the winter session, with the joint parliamentary committee’s report still pending. The second was the VBSA (Vidhan Sabha Secretariat Act) bill, linked to centralizing education governance. The committee tasked with reviewing this bill also delayed its report, leaving the proposal stalled. The third success involved the 130th constitutional amendment bill, which the government intended to advance. Ramesh referred to it as the "dismissal bill," claiming the government had finalized its report and completed clause-by-clause discussions. However, the bill was rescheduled for November, effectively delaying its passage. The fourth success was the FCRA (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act) amendment bill, which the home minister, Amit Shah, had prepared to introduce. Ramesh criticized the government’s inability to move it forward, drawing a parallel to U.S. vice presidential negotiations. Finally, the opposition’s efforts stalled the boundary bill, which aimed to address electoral seat distribution.#congress #jayaram_ramesh #one_nation_one_election #vidhan_sabha_secretariat_act #fcra_amendment
Congress Accuses India of Aligning with U.S. Over UPI Transaction Fees The Indian government's decision to impose fees on Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions has drawn criticism from the Congress party, which alleges that the move is influenced by U.S. pressure. Congress leader Jayaram Ramesh accused the government of aligning with American interests, citing concerns over the financial implications for ordinary citizens. He argued that the proposed changes to the Finance Act and other legislation would shift the burden of transaction fees onto the public, undermining the benefits of the UPI system. Ramesh highlighted that the proposed amendments to the Finance Act 2025 and the Reserve Bank of India Act would enable banks and service providers to charge fees for digital transactions. He warned that this would disproportionately affect common citizens, as they would now face costs for using UPI, which had previously been free. The Congress leader also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government for framing the move as a necessary step to sustain the UPI model, arguing that the Reserve Bank of India already provides sufficient funding to maintain the digital payment system. The government's rationale for the fee structure is rooted in the need to address financial sustainability. In the fiscal year 2025-26, the Reserve Bank of India transferred Rs 2.86 lakh crore in surplus funds to the government. Ramesh pointed out that only a small portion of this amount would be sufficient to support the digital payment infrastructure, suggesting that the fee policy is a response to external pressures. He further noted that U.S.#reserve_bank_of_india #prime_minister_narendra_moddi #congress_party #unified_payments_interface #jayaram_ramesh
BJP Commends Fuel Tax Cut Amid Global Oil Price Surge, Congress Criticizes Policy The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has praised the government’s decision to reduce excise duties on petrol and diesel amid rising global oil prices, calling it a gesture of sensitivity toward citizens. Spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted the move as a direct relief to 140 crore Indians, emphasizing that the reduction would ease the financial burden on households. He noted that while global crude prices have surged, the government’s intervention ensures affordability for the common man. Trivedi also criticized the Congress party for its past policies, citing instances where the party increased taxes on consumers during its rule. He argued that the current measure contrasts with the Congress’s history of imposing higher levies on fuel, which he claims disproportionately affected ordinary citizens. In response, the Congress party has accused the government of failing to deliver tangible benefits to the public. Party spokesperson Pavan Kheda pointed out that despite lower crude prices in 2014, fuel costs were significantly cheaper compared to today. He cited data showing that in May 2014, crude oil prices were $106.94 per barrel, while petrol and diesel prices in Delhi were Rs 71.71 and Rs 56.71 per liter, respectively. Kheda argued that the current tax cut would not translate to lower retail prices, as the government is prioritizing the interests of state-owned oil companies over consumers. The Congress also highlighted the growing dependence on oil imports, stating that crude oil import reliance has risen from 84% to 90%, while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) import dependence has increased from 46% to 62%.#bharatiya_janata_party #congress_party #sudhanshu_trivedi #pavan_kheda #jayaram_ramesh
