http://www.congressmedia.net/rss2 Connect with Congress Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:53:15 GMT Copyright 2008, Indian National Congress en-us :Title: Wednesday, 10 Mar 2010 :Summary: Shri Manish Tewari said that the commitment of the Congress party to the cause of empowerment of women has been both historic and consistent. :Info: ======================================= Press Briefing Wednesday, 10th Mar 2010 ======================================= **Shri Manish Tewari addressed the media today.** Shri Manish Tewari said that the commitment of the Congress party to the cause of empowerment of women has been both historic and consistent. Commencing with the Hindu Succession Act in 1956 which was amended in 2005 to further strengthen the Property Rights of Women to the Dowry Prohibition Act in 1961 to the Maternity Benefit Act of 1961 again to the Equal Employment Opportunities Act of 1972 amended and strengthened in 1995, the Indecent Representation of Women Prohibition Act 1987, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in 2005, the 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution in 1993 which gave 33% reservation to women and institutions of local self government which was raised to 50% in 2008 and now the historic passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha yesterday, the effort all throughout these years has been to build a set of legal entitlements which would empower women in the true sense across the board. Shri Tewari said that he would like to thank all of you friends in the media who acknowledged the personal stamp of the Hon'ble Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi on the Women's Reservation Bill and we would also like to thank all those political parties who supported this historic endeavor yesterday. On the question whether the Congress party feels let down by Mamata Banerjee boycotting, Shri Tewari said that he would not like to characterize it in the language of a let down but as it was pointed out the Railway Minister was present in the Cabinet meeting in which this Bill was cleared. What are the circumstances which made her take the position that she did yesterday, I think an appropriate interlocution on that is in the process and I would not like to second guess it but I do hope that since she in addition to being among the tallest leaders in West Bengal is also a very respected leader across the country in the larger interest of women empowerment, she would reconsider her position and constructively support a cause which is both historic and revolutionary in various senses of world. On the question that Mamata Banerjee allegation against the Congress party about the absence of coordination in the voting, Shri Tewari said that he is not going to comment on the merits of whatever the Railway Minister has said but he would like to reiterate and underscore that there is a larger picture out here, things have to be seen in a larger perspective keeping the objective of women empowerment in mind and I do hope that the Railway Minister and TMC would reconsider their position and come out strongly and proactively in support of the Bill. On a question as to when this Bill is going to be tabled in the Lok Sabha, Shri Tewari said that is the decision which the Government has to take and he thinks Government would possibly consult amongst itself and depending upon the legislate of calendar, they would find a slot to then table it. On the further question of Mamata Banerjee allegation of hobnobbing with the Left and the BJP and she wants quota for minority within the sub quota, Shri Tewari said that there is no question of hobnobbing with anybody. The commitment of the UPA and the Congress party is under scored by the fact that in 2008 we brought the Bill to Rajya Sabha despite it being torn to shreds by the opponents and it went to the Standing Committee. In the Standing Committee it was unanimously cleared except for one note of dissent given by the Samajwadi Party, it came back to the House and the UPA Government then got it passed. Shri Tewari said that he does not think that in any way this could be construed as hobnobbing and further said that it is only consistent with our commitment to the cause of women empowerment and insofar as coordination is concerned Shri Tewari said that once the bill went to the Cabinet, it was obvious to every body who was participant in that meeting that the Bill would go to the House and the Bill was presented to the House. So, therefore once again reiterating that he does not want to comment on the merits of the statement, we do hope that the TMC would keep the larger picture in mind and proactively take their decision. Shri Tewari further said that the demand for quota within the quota is not new. It is something which has been repeatedly articulated ever since this Bill was first brought before the Parliament in 1996. There is a very clear constitutional position on that. So, therefore, he thinks it would be appropriate that this Bill should be passed in the form in which it has been scrutinized by the Standing Committee, referred to Rajya Sabha and passed in the Rajya Sabha. On the question whether the Congress party will take any action against one Minister who did not vote for the motion, Shri Tewari said that the question is not taking any action but the question is this country is at the threshold of making history, this is for the individual to decide whether to participate in that historic process or not. Shri Tewari hoped that the political workers / persons do not miss such opportunities. On a related question of the total percentage covered under this Bill, Shri Tewari said that this Bill provides for 1/3rd of the seats reserved for SC and STs to go to women from the same communities and then there is a larger reservation which is outside in the rest of the seats. Shri Tewari further added that if you look at the entirety, you would find that it is not going to violate 50% ceiling. On the question over the statement of the BJP party for the revocation of the suspension of the members from the Rajya Sabha and that the marshals should not be used in Lok Sabha, Shri Tewari said that the motion was taken up by the Government but the decision was of the Chair of the House. Shri Tewari further added that the Government will have to take a view on this. Insofar as the Congress party is concerned, we have made our stand clear that violence, anarchy in democratic institutions especially apex institutions undermine their credibility and this is no way to conduct a discourse. For one and a half day you saw a handful of people trying to subvert the will of majority and further said that is not democracy by any such stretch of imagination. **Tom Vadakkan** **Secretary, AICC** http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/10mar2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/10mar2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:52:07 GMT :Title: Monday, 08 Mar 2010 :Summary: Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that the Women's Reservation Bill is a subject where the only question is when and not if. It is an idea whose time has come and the inevitable cannot be postponed despite all the churlish attempts to the contrary. :Info: =================================== Press Briefing Monday, 8th Mar 2010 =================================== **Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.** Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that the Women's Reservation Bill is a subject where the only question is when and not if. It is an idea whose time has come and the inevitable cannot be postponed despite all the churlish attempts to the contrary. Something which would and should have made India, Indian womanhood and Indian democracy proud, is being turned by a bare handful of persons into the shame of democracy. The Congress party condemns it; the Congress party characterizes it as deplorable and denigratable. It is a clear reflection of the true approach and thinking of these handfuls of persons and that thinking which stands exposed that 'mansikta' brings shame on Indian democracy on the proud name of Indian parliament but we shall not give up, we shall and we will overcome each barrier and each bastion is surely falling, giving way and the few people who stand up to oppose this, realize the impact and the force of public opprobrium of public denigration. In particular, we condemn in the strongest possible words the shameful conduct of climbing on the dais and virtually attacking even the Chair. The Indian democracy is shamed by such incidents. Even the chair is not sacrosanct. But as I said such actions only expose the actors and they shall not be able to postpone the inevitable. To a question if the Congress party is doubtful of the passage of this Bill, Shri Singhvi said that obviously before cameras, he cannot give any guarantees or any absolute statements. We are after all functioning within the constraints of the democracy in the temple of democracy namely Parliament. Shri Singhvi said that there is very rarely if ever that in one day the House has met in full numbers and this applies to both the Houses after not one, not two, not three but four adjournments. After all that shows the true intent, the true grit, determination and the will to do something. So, as far as the intention, the desire and the determination are concerned, no one but no one can bear any doubt. As far as transforming it into reality is concerned, everyone understands the constraints of democracy, the fact that balances have to be struck where a constitutional amendment is involved on the issues and the need for discussion on voting so on and so forth. It is only a question of time and time is very short. On another related question as if there is any opposition in the form of sub quota or some reduced quota, Shri Singhvi said that we have been engaging them and as we speak, there is another engagement going on. The question is that counter proposal has to come from them. Their approach is not one of nitty-gritty or counter proposal as you are putting in. There is absolute 'no-go' and absolute obstructive attitude and absolute barrier to be created physically. So in a sense your question is hypothetical and completely speculative. On the question of the BJP's statement that there does not appear to be any road map, Shri Singhvi said that he would prefer not to comment on such issues for the simple reason that there are very rare occasions where there is broad spectrum degree of unanimity on the need for the Bill. Let us not say or do anything to dilute or affect that unity. Shri Singhvi further said that the road map is simple. Road maps sometimes complicate things if the road maps are complicated. The road map is, this bill has to be passed. Some way is being found, some way will be found. It is a question of time and the time is very short. **Tom Vadakkan** **Secretary, AICC** http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/08mar2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/08mar2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:42:20 GMT :Title: Wednesday, 03 Mar 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 03 Mar 2010. :Info: ======================================= Press Briefing Wednesday, 03rd Mar 2010 ======================================= .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/03mar2010-1.gif :width: 550 :height: 750 .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/03mar2010-2.gif :width: 550 :height: 750 .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/03mar2010-3.gif :width: 550 :height: 750 http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/03mar2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/03mar2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:14:08 GMT :Title: Thursday, 25 Feb 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 25 Feb 2010. :Info: ====================================== Press Briefing Thursday, 25th Feb 2010 ====================================== .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/25feb2010-1.gif .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/25feb2010-2.gif http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/25feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/25feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:16:08 GMT :Title: Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 24 Feb 2010. :Title: Wednesday, 24 Feb 2010 :Summary: Highlights of the Press Briefing held on 24 Feb 2010. :Info: ======================================= Press Briefing Wednesday, 24th Feb 2010 ======================================= .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/24Feb2010-1.gif :width: 650 :height: 750 .. image:: http://www.congressmedia.net/images/articles/24Feb2010-2.gif :width: 650 :height: 750 http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/24feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/24feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:00:30 GMT :Title: Monday, 22 Feb 2010 :Summary: Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that today is the first day of Parliament in this year and of the Parliament's longest session and the first day is the President's address which is the statement by the Government of the day of its various programmes, policies and intention and the Government of the day is a Congress Party led UPA Government and is, therefore, very much a declaration of the Congress Party and the UPA's programmes, policies and intentions. :Info: ==================================== Press Breifing Monday, 22nd Feb 2010 ==================================== **Shri Abhishek Singhvi addressed the media today.** Shri Abhishek Singhvi said that today is the first day of Parliament in this year and of the Parliament's longest session and the first day is the President's address which is the statement by the Government of the day of its various programmes, policies and intention and the Government of the day is a Congress Party led UPA Government and is, therefore, very much a declaration of the Congress Party and the UPA's programmes, policies and intentions. It is a declaration for the year and for the full 5 years of elected governance. It is a declaration which is intended and especially at the beginning of the first year of a new Government in a sense last year, the budget session was before the election. It is in that sense setting of the tone, the tenor, the direction. the content and the momentum and the pace for the year and for the term and for both Executive work and legislative programmes. It shows our firm unequivocal resolve to deal with each burning issue of the day candidly, transparently and openly. They include diverse issues. They include price rise, food inflation, as you may call, terror and security, inclusive governance but the basic object is to discuss and to invite criticism and discussion of those issues which will propel India on a path to irreversible growth and progress to meet our goals for 2020 and for 2050. Shri Singhvi said that I would like to submit on behalf of the Congress party that we are proud that our programme is unique. It is comprehensive and inclusive. You have before you the President?s address and its range is wide and all inclusive. We will deal with terror with the firmest of resolve and determination. That applies to external terror as well as international fermented terror or violence or other serious disturbance. Our resolve to beat the so-called economic crisis has already shown unprecedented results in comparison to other countries of the world. Our resolve to meet our commitments and promises is reflected in the Armed Forces Bill and the Tribunal and when you have all the statistics for NREGA, Electricity and Bharat Nirman, Housing and so on and so forth. The real point is that these are the programmes which are available for you to test us on, to examine us on and to question us on. These are not mere pious declarations but concrete specific statements with facts and figurers. It is the obligation of each Member of Parliament irrespective of political color and shade to strive to fulfill this agenda because ultimately this agenda is not political but for the people of India and it is our obligation and bounded duty to convert it into reality. If we fail, we not only fail ourselves, as India's Apex Parliament but we fail the people of India. On the question of price rise as contained in Para 7 of the President's address, Shri Singhvi said that the Government, through the President's address in Para 7 & 8 and Para 8 is the longer more detailed paragraph has laid down a complete set of resolves, determination, action and concrete measures. It is true and that is what is stated in Para 7 that when you have inclusive governance, you need to have Public Expenditure programmes of a massive and an unusual kind. It is also true that when you have massive Public Expenditure programme, you are bound to infuse monetary liquidity in the system. A certain amount of monetary liquidity leads to inflation but that is not the whole story. That is the beginning of the story and we are not deterred by the fact that in economics, we are not deterred that we will not do such inclusive programmes. The challenge is how to achieve these inclusive programmes and also how to maintain the deficit also to completely contain the food inflation and after that statement you find a substance in Para 8. On a further question that there was no mention of Naxalism in the President's address, Shri Singhvi said that you are not correct. There is a general address on all forms of violence, terrorism, domestic and external; in particular, apart from mentioning Pune, there was a mention that Left Wing extremism continues to indulge in senseless violence as in their recent attacks in West Bengal where a large number of innocent lives have been lost. These cowardly acts strengthen our resolve to challenge posed by such violence. Our Government has also given a call to Left Wing extremists to abjure violence and come for talks. On a further related question over the statement of Mamata Banerjee, Shri Singhvi said that it is a totally different question. You do not need to fish in troubled waters because the Government's decision is the decision announced by the Government of the day. Individual Ministers are entitled to their view and each view may be entitled to weight and respect but ultimately it becomes only a point of discussion. What emerges from the Cabinet as the final declaration is the policy of this Government. It is not the view, comment or opinion of any Minister. There could be different perceptions on this violence and indeed in a healthy democracy there ought to be and there are. Nobody is suggesting that clone like everybody is having the same view. We are very strongly telling you that the view of the Government is what comes out and that position remains unaltered as far as policy, implementation and policy declaration is concerned. You have a certain policy of dealing with naxal violence. It is the policy announced not only by the Home Ministers but others also. If anybody has a different view, it does not make any difference to that policy. In particular policy remains the same. We are going to be extremely firm, strong and determined but equally we are told that if you stop it as quickly as 72 hours, we are here to talk with you. That is the straight forward candid, unambiguous statement which holds the field and there is no reason for you to harper on individual statements. On another question of climate change, Shri Singhvi said that you should be aware that there is not an occasion for the Congress party to respond. That could be an individual view for a person concerned. We do not agree that there is any change in the basic Government policy. It stands declared. It has been declared even after Copenhagen on the floor of the Parliament and I prefer to believe and stand only by that and not by what I read in the press. On the question that there is no mention of Telengana in the President's address, Shri Singhvi said that on the contrary it is being shown in the priority list and it has gone on a path of commission. On the question of the statement of BJP that they will not allow discussion on any other issue unless price rise is discussed, Shri Singhvi said that whether and in what sequence there will be a discussion is something for the Government to announce and you will have that decision either through the Parliamentary Affairs Minister or the Government. We are fully ready for discussion on anything under the sun within the rules of the House. Is it not a sterile or a futile controversy to insist that before a discussion on the President's address which is traditionally and conventionally an established rule of the House, you should have an item out of sequence. It does not really matter because neither Parliament nor the MPs are going to run away. So whether it is one day before or one day later, let it not be an excuse for obstruction or delay for the walkouts, for disruptions for boycotts. **Tom Vadakkan** **Secretary, AICC** http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/22feb2010.rst http://www.congressmedia.net/articles/newsandmedia/pressbriefings/22feb2010.rst nomail@congressmedia.net (Indian National Congress) Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:54:54 GMT