Centre to Develop India's Road Network At Par With US By 2024: Gadkari in RS
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Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have been adjourned till 11am on 21 March.
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said in Rajya Sabha that the government was planning to develop India's road infrastructure at par with that of the United States (US) by end-2024.
Meanwhile, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi addressed the Lok Sabha during Zero Hour on Wednesday, 16 March, as the second phase of Parliament's Budget Session entered its third day, saying that 'social media is being used to hack our democracy.'
"Thank you for allowing me to take up issue of paramount importance - rising danger of social media being abused to hack our democracy. Global companies like Facebook and Twitter are used increasingly to shape political narratives by leaders, parties and their proxies," Gandhi stated.
On Tuesday, making a statement on evacuations of Indians from Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that 90 flights have operated to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine, out of which 76 were civilian flights and 14 were IAF flights.
The second leg of the Budget Session began on Monday, after a month's recess
The second leg will consist of nineteen sittings that are set to conclude by 8 April
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had made a statement on the 'inadvertent firing' of the unarmed Indian supersonic missile that had entered Pakistan's territory on 9 March in the Rajya Sabha and said a high-level probe had been ordered over the matter
Meanwhile, Jaishankar said that 22,500 Indians had been evacuated from the war-torn Ukraine so far in what was the "most challenging evacuation exercise amid an ongoing conflict"
Both Houses Adjourned Till 11 am on 21 March
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha have been adjourned till 11am on 21 March.
RS Discussing Demands for Grants in Tribal Affairs Ministry
Rajya Sabha is holding a discussion on Demands for Grants in the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
"The constitutional order of the tribal society should be protected, the government is committed to it. There should be complete development of the tribal areas, this is our priority," Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda said.
Lok Sabha Passes Demands For Grants Under Control of Ministry of Railways
Lok Sabha on Wednesday, 16 March passed the Demands for Grants under the control of the Ministry of Railways for 2022-23.
LS Adjourned For Holi on 17 March
Speaker Om Birla greeted MPs in Lok Sabha on the eve of Holi.
He also said that the session of the House will be adjourned on 17 March due to the festival.
'16 Chinese Nationals Received Indian Citizenship Over Last 15 Years'
Union Minister Nityanand Rai said on Wednesday that 16 Chinese nationals had been granted Indian citizenship in the last 15 years.
He added that 10 applications of Chinese nationals for citizenship were pending.
Centre to Develop India's Road Network At Par With US: Gadkari
Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said in Rajya Sabha that the government was planning to develop India's road infrastructure at par with that of the United States (US) by end-2024.
OCI, PIO Cardholders to Get Multiple-Entry Lifelong Visas: MoS Home
As per a notification dated 4 March 2021, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders (being deemed OCI cardholders) are entitled to multiple-entry lifelong visas while visiting India, says Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
'Govt Cognisant of Articles Published on Tek Fog App'
Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra, speaking about a controversial article on the Tek Fog app, said "The government has noted the news article, published in a news portal about an App 'Tek Fog', in regard to its alleged use in manipulating social media platforms. The App has not been found on any prominent App Stores."
The Congress on Monday had raised the media report, which claimed that a Reliance-funded firm promoted the BJP's campaigns on Facebook.
'45,314 Drug Trafficking Cases Registered in Last 1 Yr': Nityanand Rai
"45,314 cases registered for drug trafficking in the country during last one year & 61,882 persons arrested along with 99.36% of Indians arrested & 0.64% foreign nationals arrested for drug trafficking in the country during the last one year," MoS Home Nityanand Rai informs Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha Adjourned Till 2 PM
Rajya Sabha has been adjourned till 2 pm.
'Social Media Being Abused to Hack Our Democracy': Sonia Gandhi in LS
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi addressed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, 16 March, as the second phase of Parliament's Budget Session entered its third day, saying that 'social media is being used to hack our democracy.'
"Thank you for allowing me to take up issue of paramount importance - rising danger of social media being abused to hack our democracy. Global companies like FB and Twitter are used increasingly to shape political narratives by leaders, parties and their proxies," Gandhi stated.
She added, "It has repeatedly come to public notice that global social media companies aren't providing a level playing field to all parties...Blatant manner in which social harmony is being disturbed by FB with the connivance of ruling establishment is dangerous for our democracy."
"Young and old minds are being filled with hate through emotionally charged disinformation & proxy advertising companies like FB are aware of it & are profiting from it. Report shows a growing nexus between big corporations, rulign establishment & global social media giants like FB," she added.
"I urge government to put an end to systematic influence and interference of FB & other social media giants in electoral politics of the world's largest democracy. This is beyond parties & politics. We need to protect our democracy & social harmony regardless of who's in power."
Parliament To Resume Budget Session at 11 am
The second phase of the Parliament's Budget Session will be commencing at 11 am today. The session had begun on Monday, 14 March.
'Govt Ready to Discuss Ukraine Issue'
The central government on Tuesday, 15 March, said in Lok Sabha that it was ready to hold discussions on the issue in Ukraine.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal said the decision was taken in the Business Advisory Committee of the House.
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