UK set to expand COVID vaccine boosters amid omicron fears

The independent body advising the British government on the rollout of coronavirus vaccines is mulling whether to expand the booster program to younger age groups following the discovery of the new, potentially more dangerous omicron variant, with a decision widely expected later Monday. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has been asked by the British government to consider the merits of expanding the booster program to millions more people under the age of 40 and cutting the time period to a third jab. Prof. Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the JCVI, told the BBC that it was really important that we get the immunity levels in the population high in case the omicron variant is more transmissible or protection from the vaccines is reduced.

Nov 29, 2021 4:19 PM

Repealing of farm laws without discussion shows govt 'terrified': Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the repealing of the three farm laws without debate shows that the government is "terrified" of having a discussion and knows that it has done something wrong. After Parliament passed 'The Farm Laws Repeal Bill' to rescind the three contentious agri laws against which farmers have been protesting for over a year, Gandhi told reporters his party had predicted that the government will have to take back the farm laws as it knew that the "power of three-four crony capitalists cannot withstand the strength of farmers and labourers". He said the repeal of the laws is a success of farmers and also of the country. "What is unfortunate is how the bills have been repealed, without any discussion, without any conversation. We wanted to have a discussion about forces behind these bills because these bills do not just reflect the view of the prime minister, these bills reflect the forces behind the prime minister and that is what we wanted to discuss," Gandhi said. "We wanted to discuss MSP (issue), we wanted to discuss the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, we wanted to discuss the 700 farmers who died in this agitation and unfortunately that discussion has not been allowed," the former Congress chief said. It is a reflection of the fact that this government is "terrified" of having these discussions and "wants to hide". What is the point of Parliament if discussions are not allowed, he said.

Nov 29, 2021 3:32 PM

In LS, BJP members greet PM with 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'; Oppn shouts 'Jai Kisan'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday greeted by members of the BJP with thumping of desks and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' slogan as he entered the Lok Sabha chamber on the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament. Members for the Opposition raised the 'Jai Kisan' slogan. The prime minister reached the Lok Sabha minutes before the House met for the day. It is usual for BJP and its allies to greet the prime minister with slogans and thumping of benches when he enters the House on day one of the Parliament session. The Lok Sabha later passed the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021, amid din by Opposition members who were demanding a discussion on the draft legislation and farmers' issue.

Nov 29, 2021 3:14 PM

No proposal to recognise Bitcoin as a currency: FM Nirmala Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a reply to the Lok Sabha The government has no proposal to recognise Bitcoin as a currency. She also informed that the government does not collect data on…

Nov 29, 2021 2:53 PM

Protests would continue, says Deepender Singh Hooda

Deepender Singh Hooda, Congress MP Rajya Sabha said protests would continue in the Parliament over farmers situation, Lakhimpur Kheri and MSP. He said this after the farm bills were repealed in both the Rajya and Lok Sabha without discussion.

Nov 29, 2021 2:31 PM

Rajya Sabha adjourned for 30 minutes

Minutes after passing the Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 without discussion and amid a ruckus, the Rajya Sabha has been adjourned for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the Lok Sabha is adjourned till 11 am Tuesday.

Nov 29, 2021 2:23 PM

Three contentious farm laws were repealed by both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Monday, without discussion

Nov 29, 2021 2:21 PM

Farm laws repeal bill passes in the Rajya Sabha

Farm Laws Repeal Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha without a discussion after passage in Lok Sabha. The bill will now go to the President for assent. Meanwhile, check out how a bill becomes an act in India.

Nov 29, 2021 2:12 PM

Nirmala Sitharaman on the introduction of CBDCs

The introduction of a rupee-based digital currency can provide benefits like reduced dependency on cash, higher seigniorage due to lower transaction costs, and reduced settlement risk, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in the Lok Sabha Monday. She added the adoption can lead to a more robust, trusted, regulated, and legal tender-based payments option. (From ANI)

Nov 29, 2021 2:00 PM

RBI examining use cases for CBDC, says FinMin

RBI has been examining use cases and working out a phased implementation strategy for the introduction of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) with little or no disruption: Ministry of Finance in a written reply in Lok Sabha

Nov 29, 2021 1:57 PM

No proposal to recognise Bitcoin as a currency: FM Sitharaman

The government has no proposal to recognise Bitcoin as a currency in the country, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday. She also informed the House that the government does not collect data on Bitcoin transactions. Whether the government has any proposal to recognise Bitcoin as a currency in the country, the Finance Minister said "No, sir".

Nov 29, 2021 1:12 PM

Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned for 1 hour

Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Monday adjourned for an hour as a mark of respect to the passing away of sitting MP Oscar Fernandes. Soon after recently-elected MPs took the oath, Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu read out obituary references to the deaths of Fernandes as well as five other former members. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed, following which Naidu adjourned the proceedings for one hour. An agriculturalist and social worker, Fernandes, a four-term member of the Upper House and a former union minister, died on September 13 at the age of 88 years. "In the passing away of Shri Oscar Fernandes, the country has lost a multi-talented personality, lovable person, a dedicated social worker, and an able administrator and a distinguished parliamentarian," Naidu said reading out the obituary reference.

Nov 29, 2021 12:55 PM

Lok Sabha passes bill to repeal 3 contentious farm laws

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a bill to repeal the three contentious farm laws, against which farmers have been protesting for over a year, within minutes of introduction on Monday. Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar introduced The Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 shortly after noon on the first day of the Winter Session of Parliament. The opposition sought a debate on the bill and came to the well of the House raising slogans and banners. Speaker Om Birla said that he was ready for the debate provided there is order in the House. As the opposition continued the protests, the Speaker announced the passage of the bill after a voice vote. He then adjourned the House till 2 pm.

Nov 29, 2021 12:36 PM

Farm Laws Repeal Bill, 2021 passed in Lok Sabha

Nov 29, 2021 12:16 PM

Govt vs Opposition: 'When the PM has apologised, What more do you want,' govt asks

As per sources, the government is unwilling to have any discussion on the Farm Laws Repeal Bill in Parliament. "When the PM has apologised, what more do you want?" government representatives said.

Nov 29, 2021 11:51 AM

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