News Highlights: Rahul Gandhi appointed as LoP in Lok Sabha in Lok Sabha

CBI investigators probing the NEET paper leak met with officials from the Shastri Nagar police station on Tuesday, where the initial case had been lodged early last month, sources said. The central agency team, including a DIG and a deputy SP rank officer, first discussed the case with Shastri Nagar police officials on Monday. The CBI investigators also met with senior officers of the Bihar Police during the day. The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which had been investigating the case before the CBI took over, announced on Tuesday that it has "concluded" its probe into the matter.

The central bank's primary role is to provide a stable financial ecosystem, which would support growth, said the central bank Governor.

He also said, "India is at the threshold of a major structural shift in its growth trajectory, moving towards 8 percent GDP growth in a sustained manner. The main drivers for this growth are various structural reforms which have been undertaken and several other policy initiatives undertaken. We are confident about 7.2 percent growth for the current year. Of course, there are risks to the upside and downside".

"Today, the health of banks and NBFCs are at their best in a long time. The GNPA ratio has come down", he further added.

The second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U) will soon be launched, with the allocation for the scheme expected to be included in the Union budget next month, officials announced on Tuesday.
An official from the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry stated that the modalities for PMAY-U 2.0 are currently being finalized, and the second phase is set to commence within a month.
In this phase, over one crore houses will be constructed in urban areas. The flagship scheme is being revamped to extend assistance to a larger number of urban families, enhancing its reach and impact.

The RBI Governor stated, "At 4 percent inflation, our economy will be far better placed, our financial system will be far better placed our growth drivers will be able to sustain themselves".
"High inflation make economy an uncompetitive, unfavorable destination for both domestic as well for foreign investment, and it has several other downside," also said Governor Das.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das stated, "India is at the threshold of a major structural shift in its growth trajectory, moving towards 8 percent GDP growth in a sustained manner. The main drivers for this growth are various structural reforms which have been undertaken and several other policy initiatives undertaken. We are confident about 7.2 percent growth for the current year. Of course, there are risks to the upside and downside".

With dengue cases on the rise in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed officials on Tuesday to prioritize the detection and treatment of the viral infection. In a meeting with Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and senior officers, the chief minister emphasised the importance of ensuring the availability of treatment, medicine, and platelets. According to the chief minister's office, there have been a total of 5,374 dengue cases and five deaths reported in the state as of yesterday.

In Maharashtra's Latur, a Zilla Parishad school teacher has been remanded in police custody until July 2 by a court today, in relation to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

Sanjay Jadhav, who was taken into custody for questioning the previous day, was presented before the chief judicial magistrate's court by the police.

Among the four individuals implicated in the case, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has already arrested Zilla Parishad school headmaster Jalil Khan Umar Khan Pathan. Sanjay Jadhav was detained after investigations revealed that a group of at least four individuals operated a racket to assist NEET students in passing the exam for a fee.

The Congress Party issued a three-line whip on Tuesday to its MPs, instructing them to be present in the Lok Sabha at 11 AM on Wednesday for the election of the Speaker's post. The whip, issued by Congress chief whip K Suresh, emphasised the importance of the issue to be addressed.

The monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh legislative assembly is scheduled to begin on July 22 and will include five sittings, an official announced on Tuesday. According to a notification issued by Dinesh Sharma, the secretary of the Chhattisgarh assembly, the third session of the sixth legislative assembly will commence on July 22 and conclude on July 26.

During this session, the assembly will focus on various matters related to financial and government affairs. This session is crucial for addressing pending legislative business and discussing important state issues.

Another FIR has been filed against former MP Prajwal Revanna on charges of sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation, police sources reported on Tuesday. Alongside him, three others, including former BJP MLA from Hassan, Preetham Gowda, have been named in the FIR for allegedly sharing images captured by Prajwal during the sexual harassment of the victim on a video call.
This marks the fourth case registered against Revanna. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has initiated the fresh case, which underscores the ongoing legal troubles and serious allegations faced by Prajwal and his associates. The involvement of former BJP MLA Preetham Gowda further adds to the complexity and high-profile nature of the case.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced today its disagreement with the Delhi High Court's order to stay the bail granted to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the trial court and confirmed its intention to challenge this order in the Supreme Court.
The trial court had granted bail to Kejriwal on June 20 in connection with the money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, setting his release on a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. However, the Delhi High Court stayed this order on the same day.

AAP National Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said that AAP does not agree with HC's judgement of llowing ED's plea to stay trial court's bail order for Arvind Kejriwal in Excise Policy case. She said, the alleged liquor scam is fake. No recovery has been made even from a single leader of AAP in this case...We disagree with the HC's judgement.Our legal team is looking into the matter.

Following the state's RO-ARO test and Constable Recruitment test paper leaks, the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is set to introduce the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations Ordinance 2024. The State Cabinet has given its approval to the idea. According to the ordinance, offenders might face a punishment of up to Rs 1 crore in addition to life in prison.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed Ambassador Meshal Mustafa Jasim Alshemali of Kuwait this afternoon and said they discussed bilateral relations, the interests of the Indian community and the welfare of Indian workers in Kuwait. He conveyed best wishes to the Kuwait Ambassador for a successful tenure.

Teachers Jalil Umarkhan Pathan and Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav, who are accused in Maharashtra NEET paper leak case, appeared in district court of Latur in Maharashtra. The Maharashtra ATS detained both lecturers in relation to the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.

Union Minister and BJP President JP Nadda spoke out against the 1975 Emergency at the "Dark Days of Democracy" event. At the event Nadda said, BJP is holding such events across the country, and in these events, we remember the days of Emergency to understand how important it is for a conscious democracy to remain alert from the evil mentality. We have celebrated the biggest festival of elections. India is the mother of democracy, and we must remember that Congress strangled such democracy

Bombay High Court has ordered the minor accused's bail in Pune Porsche accident case. The contested remand orders have been ruled unlawful by the court and are no longer in effect.

The Delhi High Court has granted the Enforcement Directorate's motion to revoke the trial court's bail decision for Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the money laundering case pertaining to the purported excise fraud. The panel of Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain has halted Kejriwal's bail order, which was given by the trial court on June 20.Following the ED's objection to the trial court's order, which has now been postponed until the final verdict, the bench had reserved its decision on June 21.The primary hearing, when the ED will challenge the trial court's decision to give Kejriwal regular bail in the case, is set for July.

The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police, which was in charge of the investigation before to the federal agency taking over, turned over all relevant evidence to the CBI on Monday about the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case.

--National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) takes suo motu cognizance of the reported death of more than 47 people after consuming spurious liquor in Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu

--The Commission observes States have exclusive power to regulate the production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating liquors

--Issues notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Government of Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report within one week

--The report to include the status of the FIR, action against the delinquent officers, treatment of the victims and the status of disbursement of compensation to the aggrieved families

Here's what former Union Minister Srikant Jena on NEET exam row.

"The NEET controversy has affected more than 25 lakh students across the country. The students are unable to know where they will go now. What is the escape route for the government? The government is totally in the dock. They couldn't manage this examination smoothly."

Former president of J-K High Court Bar Association Mian Qayoom arrested for alleged conspiracy in murder of advocate in 2020: Officials

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reached AIIMS Delhi and inquired about the well-being of Provincial Armed Constabulary jawan Kundan Singh Negi, daily wage worker Kailash Bhatt and driver Bhagwat Singh Bhoj, who were seriously injured in the forest fire accident at Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Almora.

CM Dhami talked to the Director of AIIMS regarding the treatment of the injured and also met the families of the injured. During this, the family members of the injured informed the Chief Minister that high-level treatment is being provided by the hospital administration. He directed the hospital administration to provide high-level treatment to the injured.

Karnataka Milk Federation increases the price of Nandini milk by Rs 2 per litre in Karnataka. 50 ml extra milk will be given in each packet as per the notification.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Spokesperson Anand Dubey reacted as BJP is observing 'Black Day' on 1975 Emergency anniversary. Here's what he said.

"BJP and the PM himself are setting narratives to defame the Congress. The PM came for an address yesterday, we thought he will wish the new MPs, but he only spoke about Congress. He talked Emergency. People elected him in 2024 for their welfare but he is going 50 years back. The PM, CM Yogi are deliberating setting such narrative. When their plan to change Constitution by getting 400 seats failed, then they are doing this as a damage control. Everyone knows that 1975 was unfortunate but we have come a long way since then. 'Ab pachtaye ka hot jab chidiya chug gayi khet'."

On Kallakurichi hooch tragedy issue, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami says, "CM MK Stalin should resign. The case should be handed over to the CBI for proper and honest investigation. Illicit liquor cannot be produced in Kalvarayan Hills without forest department officials. Forest department officials should also be investigated. We demand the resignation of the Chief Minister. We will not get the truth if CB-CID investigates the case. And even a one-man commission's investigation will be of no use. We have given a petition to the Governor demanding a CBI inquiry into the Kallakurichi illicit liquor tragedy."

- Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalin was granted bail on Tuesday by a city court for his 'eradicate Sanatana Dharma' remark.

- The DMK leader appeared before the 42nd Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate following a notice to him based on a petition by social activist Paramesh for his remark.

On NEET case, Advocate Uday Shankar Singh says, "There was going to be a hearing in the court... The hearing did not take place because the public prosecutor asked for a one-hour time and said that when he would submit the letter for the handover of the case to the CBI from EOU, then this case would be transferred to the CBI..."

“Our CM should take the responsibility and the concerned minister should resign. Then only the people will know that this is an acceptable government,” says DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth.

Former vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu says, "The Emergency has put a taint on the country's democracy. There should be a lesson in the textbooks for all the students about what was Emergency and how was it imposed?...Students should know Emergency was imposed and how lakhs of people were arrested..."

“We sent 11 fire tenders on the spot. It took us almost one hour to bring the fire under control. We couldn’t check the hospital’s fire system at that time. We will check that later. No casualties have been reported,” says Fire Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma on fire which broke out at Safdarjung Hospital, earlier today.

"Since the beginning, the INDIA alliance has been asking for a SIT probe by the Supreme Court to look for the truth and kingpin in this. The Education Minister gave a clean chit to NTA as soon as he joined . Now, he is changing his statements," says RJD leader Rishi Mishra.

"Everybody knows that 50 years of Emergency that happened in the Congress government under Indira Gandhi's administration has been completed. Time and again Rahul Gandhi talks about the Constitution and its provisions. How many times constitutional provisions have been violated by Congress?" says BJP leader Lanka Dinakar.

Samajwadi Party Chhatra Sabha workers staged a protest against the rigging in the NEET examination. They demonstrated an on-foot protest from the SP party office to the GPO.

BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa hit out at Congress during an event 'Black Day' by the BJP on the anniversary of 1975 Emergency.

Here's what he said. "Imposition of Emergency by Congress is like a blot to the country which will never be erased. Many were put in jail, 2,000 people were killed during 'Nasbandi'. The Black Day is indicative of their dictatorship. Gandhi family has the same mindset even now. AAP's Satyagrah is a fraud, the real Satyagrah was by Mahatma Gandhi."

SC asks Delhi HC to decide former AAP minister Satyendar Kumar Jain's bail plea in ED case on July 9

On NEET issue, National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) President Abhijat Sheth says, "The integrity of this examination was never in doubt as far as NEET PG is concerned. For the last seven years, we have conducted so far successfully... Because of the recent events, what has happened that there were lots of concerns about all these sorts of examinations from the student communities and in response to that, the government has decided to ensure once more to make sure that the sanctity of the examination the safety and security must be maintained. So they have decided to review the SOPs and protocols as soon as possible. We will declare the next due date in one next week..."

On advisory issued against social media messages, and fraudsters, warnings he said, "This was for the protection that's why we published the SOPs before the examination, this is all perception, social media is so vast these days that sometimes it gives the wrong message to the students and we wanted students should remain on the right path."

- Congress leader P Chidambaram said Tuesday the people of the country have voted for the 18th Lok Sabha in such a manner that no "divine ruler" can change the basic structure of the Constitution.

- In a post on 'X', he said the people have voted to curtail the ambitions of the BJP.

- "Hon'ble Prime Minister said that 'Emergency reminds us to protect the Constitution'. Very true," Chidambaram said.

- A London-bound Air India flight received a bomb threat on Tuesday but no explosives were found, an official here said.

- A man suspected of making the threatening call has been apprehended by authorities, a Cochin International Airport spokesperson said .

- Security personnel conducted extensive checks on the aircraft and found no danger, allowing the flight to proceed as planned, he said in a statement here.

A fire broke out at the Old Emergency Building in Safdarganj Hospital. 7 fire tenders were rushed to the site. No injuries/causality reported: Delhi Fire Services

Uttar Pradesh Dy CM Brajesh Pathak says, "This is a sad day. The Congress party declared an emergency in the country on June 25, 1975. The Congress will have to pay for this. Every Indian is observing a 'Black Day' today..."

"I completely agree with what PM Modi said. Emergency period is a black spot on democracy. Congress should apologise for imposing Emergency and inflicting wounds on many," says Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav on PM Modi's remark over Emergency.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra responds to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tweet reminding about Emergency of earlier Congress rule.

Here's what she said. "An undeclared emergency was going on in the last 10 years by suppressing voices of dissent, Constitution, people's voices, freedom of speech, judiciary. It was going on. But he is now facing the emergency. When he arrived yesterday, everybody showed him the Constitution and reminded him that he is not a 'Parmatma', people have grounded his feet. If he forgets the Constitution, he will not even get the 240 seats next time."

Plane thought to be carrying WikiLeaks' Julian Assange, on his way to enter a plea deal in US court, lands in Bangkok, reports AP

Union Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and appealed to hold the Speaker election unanimously. Rajnath Singh said the tradition of being elected unopposed should be maintained. The name has not been disclosed yet. Kharge will talk to the rest of the INDIA Alliance parties once the name is revealed. There is a high possibility of the Speaker being elected unopposed: Congress Sources

“We will raise this issue. Fraud has happened, the papers got leaked. This government has become the Indian Paper Leak team. They should show some sensitivity in this matter,” says AAP leader Sanjay Singh.

On Lok Sabha Speaker post, AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang says, "It is the responsibility of the Speaker to protect the voice of the opposition, so we believe that the Speaker should be from the INDIA bloc, otherwise, the Speaker should be from the NDA allies, not from the BJP..."

AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "Water Minister Atishi has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 5 days and her only demand was that the water belonging to Delhi should be given to it which would be enough for 28 lakh people... The agreement Haryana government is for 613 MGD water. After the election results, for more than 3 weeks, Delhi has received 100 MGD less water... She spoke to Haryana govt, LG Saxena and wrote to PM Modi, but she was not heard... If we don't get the water as per the quota, then how will we provide water?..."

- The India-US relationship has never been better, US envoy to India Eric Garcetti has said, asserting that ties between the two strategic partners are not just "addictive" but also "multiplicative".

- Garcetti made the remarks on Monday at an event on the sidelines of the SelectUSA Investment Summit, to which the largest delegation is from India.

- “This (India-US) is a relationship that isn't just additive. It's not just the US plus India. It's multiplicative. It's the United States times India,” Garcetti said at the meeting held in the suburbs of Washington. (PTI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah reaches Parliament.

The nominations for Lok Sabha Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take place today.

- On the 49th anniversary of Emergency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that its dark days are a reminder of how the Congress subverted basic freedoms and trampled over the Constitution which every Indian respects greatly.

- Hitting out at the main opposition party, he said in posts on X that those who imposed the Emergency have no right to profess their love for our Constitution.

- Modi said, "These are the same people who have imposed Article 356 on innumerable occasions, got a Bill to destroy press freedom, destroyed federalism and violated every aspect of the Constitution."

Here's what Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said on the Emergency imposed by the then-prime minister Indira Gandhi on June 25, 1975.

"A black chapter in the history of Parliamentary democracy took place 50 years ago on this date (June 25) when the then Congress government had strangled India's Constitution and conspired to finish the democracy completely."

The Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud appeals people to take advantage of special technology-driven Lok Adalat of the Supreme Court which is to be in place between July 29 and August 3. Here's what he said in a video message.

"From the 29th of July to 3rd of August, the Supreme Court is organising a special Lok Adalat. This is part of the series of activities that the SC is observing to commemorate the 75th year since the establishment of the SC. The Judges, people dedicated to the institution of justice are concerned about the large backlog of cases. The Lok Adalat represents an informal technology-based solution to resolve cases involving citizens to their satisfaction in purely voluntary consensual mode. On behalf of my colleagues, and the staff of SC, I appeal to all the citizens who have cases before SC, all lawyers, advocates on record to take advantage of the opportunity."

“She (Delhi Minister Atishi) was admitted to the hospital early morning today. Her blood sugar level was very low and she was drowsy. We had earlier advised her to get admitted to the hospital but she refused. Later, we found her blood sugar level to be dangerously low. Then, our doctors again advised her to get admitted. Right now, she is stable and our team is continuously monitoring her situation,” says LNJP MD Dr Suresh Kumar while giving update about Delhi Minister Atishi’s health who is on an indefinite fast over the issue of water crisis in the city.

18th Lok Sabha: Union Minister Rajnath Singh is speaking to opposition leaders in a bid to build consensus for the post of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Parliamentary Affairs Minister also reaching out to opposition leaders: Sources

Shops remain closed in Rajkot as part of a 'bandh' call given by the Congress to mark the completion of one month of the fire tragedy at the city's TRP Game Zone in which 27 persons, including children, were killed.

- The BJP on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress on the 49th anniversary of the Emergency, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah saying it is the biggest example of the opposition party's long history of killing democracy and harming it repeatedly.

- BJP president J P Nadda said on 'X' that those who claim to be the guardians of Indian democracy today had spared no efforts to suppress the voices raised in the defence of constitutional values.

- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the Emergency, imposed by the then-prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 before she lifted it in 1977 and called for elections, is a black chapter in Indian democracy which cannot be forgotten. (PTI)

On Delhi Minister Atishi's health, Suresh Kumar, Medical Director of LNJP Hospital says, "When Atishi was brought to the hospital, her blood sugar was low. She was drowsy and her sodium level was also low. She has been admitted to the Emergency ICU. She is currently on IV fluids. Her vital parameters are stable right now. Some blood tests have been done, the reports are awaited..."

Death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy rises to 59: Kallakurichi District Collectorate

Today, the Delhi High Court is scheduled to deliver its decision over a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate to stay the trial court's decision to give chief minister Arvind Kejriwal bail in the money laundering case associated with the excise policy "scam."

On the construction of the country's first 'Dedicated Test Railway Track', North Western Railway CPRO Captain Shashi Kiran says, "Indian Railway's first dedicated test track is being built in Rajasthan under the North Western Railways, near Jodhpur's Sambhar Station. It is a 64km dedicated test track. High-speed rolling stock would be tested at the speed of 220 kmph. It is being built in two phases at the cost of Rs. 820 crores. It would be complete by December 2025. The work for 27 km is complete... Not just the Indian Railways, but we would be able to test the rolling stocks of foreign countries also..."

Four people died after a fire broke out at a house in the Prem Nagar area. The fire broke out at around 3:30 AM. Two fire tenders reached the spot and controlled the fire. Four people inhaled smoke and were admitted to a hospital where doctors declared them dead: Delhi Fire Service

“It’s the fifth day of her (party leader Atishi) indefinite fast. She was admitted in emergency and is in the ICU currently. We request the Modi government to give the rightful water to Delhi,” says AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta while giving an update about Delhi Minister Atishi’s health.

Water supplied through tankers to residents in Jatav Chowk, Okhla Phase 2 amid water shortage in the national capital this summer.

Global Peace Ambassador Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar received by Iceland’s Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson in Reykjavík earlier today.

A bilateral meeting took place in Reykjavík where both discussed the importance of mental health as the basis for individual and societal welfare.

- Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has reportedly left the UK following a protracted court battle in which he agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges in exchange for his release from prison.

- The 52-year-old Assange was accused of plotting to acquire and reveal material related to national defence.

Rajya Sabha MP & BJD leader Subhasish Khuntia says, "... A commission should be set up to look into the NEET scam. The future of the student has been damaged. BJD stands with the students and will raise the NEET issue in the Parliament..."

Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj says, "Her blood sugar levels had been dropping from the night. When we submitted her blood sample, her sugar levels came out to be 46. When we checked her sugar levels from a portable machine, her sugar levels came out to be 36... Doctors are checking her vitals and only after that will they give suggestions..."

- Delhi Minister Atishi has been admitted to the hospital after her health condition deteriorated as she was on an indefinite hunger strike against the Haryana government for not releasing 100 million gallons per day (MGD) of water thus creating water crisis in the national capital.

- Atishi has been admitted to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital in the national capital in the early hours of Tuesday.