Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi -- two efficient, energetic leaders of Congress

As Congress President, Sonia Gandhi proved herself as an able, progressive leader with a modern vision. Sonia Gandhi, who is also a Member of Parliament from Raebareli, always gave priority to ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor in our country. Her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also follows the same ideology.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi -- two efficient, energetic leaders of Congress

As Congress President, Sonia Gandhi proved herself as an able, progressive leader with a modern vision. Sonia Gandhi, who is also a Member of Parliament from Raebareli, always gave priority to ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor in our country. Her son and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also follows the same ideology.

For Sonia Gandhi Development means welfare and upliftment for the poor

As Congress President, Sonia Gandhi proved herself as an able, progressive leader with a modern vision. Sonia Gandhi, who is also a Member of Parliament from Raebareli, always gave priority to ensure the welfare and upliftment of the poor in our country. As MP she has done a lot of development works for Raebareli.

Sonia Gandhi -- committed for the welfare of aam aadmi

Welfare and upliftment of poor has always been the mission of Sonia Gandhi, the Congress President and UPA Chairperson. It was Sonia Gandhi, who is the guiding force behind many welfare schemes of Congress-led UPA Government at the centre like MNREGA, Food Security Bill etc.

Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi attend Arun Nehru’s cremation

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi attended Arun Nehru’s cremation at New delhi’s Lodhi road crematorium. Priyanka’s son lit the pyre.

Sonia Gandhi highlights the need for unity among democratic forces in Nepal

Congress President and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi has stressed the need for unity among Nepal's democratic forces. Sonia Gandhi conveyed visiting Nepali former prime minister and senior leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) Madhav Kumar Nepal that her party and UPA favoured consolidation of democratic rights in Nepal with the drafting of the constitution and an early end to the ongoing political transition there.

Madhav Nepal, who is on a five-day visit to India, met Sonia Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence in New Delhi Thursday. At a time when Nepal whose instability has a direct impact on India is bracing for the second constituent assembly elections to be held Nov 19, the Indian establishment has invited senior Nepali political leaders to gauge whether elections can take place. Nepal's 33 opposition parties, led by the CPN-Maoist, had Sunday urged the international community not to support the government's bid to hold the elections. The parties criticised the increasing foreign intervention in the internal affairs of Nepal.

Two former prime ministers of Nepal -- Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress and Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal -- have already visited New Delhi and met senior Indian leaders and officials.
Extending support to Nepal's political as well as electoral process, Sonia Gandhi also made clear that India had nothing to do with Nepal's internal affairs and it was up to the Nepali leadership to decide and act to carve their own fate and future.

Bhattarai quoted Sonia Gandhi as saying: "Those forces who have agreed to join the election process and to transform Nepal economically and are committed to drafting a new constitution should come together. The decision taken by the democratic forces, including those supporting elections and ending the transition, will be welcomed by India."

In his meeting with Sonia Gandhi, Nepal appraised her about the latest political situation and the political parties' decision to go for election. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and on the Nepali side, he highlighted the negative consequences of climate change and offered to work together at various policy levels to cope with the problem.

Nepal also stressed on regular bilateral political-level visits and interactions between the two nations to understand each other better, strengthen relations and deepen political and cultural ties, said Bhattarai.

Former Union minister Arun Nehru cremated, Priyanka Gandhi’s son lit the pyre

New Delhi: Arun Nehru, former union minister, was cremated at Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi on Friday. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s son Raihan, lit the pyre. Several personalities including Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress Vice President and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Robert Vadra and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah were present.

Arun Nehru, a cousin of Rajiv Gandhi during whose Prime Ministership in the 1980's he was a powerful political figure, died last night after protracted illness. He was 69.

Setting aside their differences which led to Nehru leaving the Congress party and joining V P Singh to form the Jan Morcha in 1987 after having served as Minister of State for internal security in Rajiv's cabinet, Sonia Gandhi, her son Rahul and daughter Priyanka attended the funeral.

Other dignitaries present at the crematorium included Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, BJP leaders L K Advani and Arun Jaitley and Union Ministers Sachin Pilot, Anand Sharma and Farooq Abdullah. Arun Nehru is survived by his wife Subhadra and two daughters.

Lucknow-born Nehru was a three-time Lok Sabha member and had a successful career in the corporate world before joining politics in the early 1980s.

Sonia Gandhi - main inspiration behind UPA's welfare policies

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have left a deep imprint on Indian history. As UPA Chairperson she has changed the lives of the poor in the country, positively. It was due to her initiative, consistent intervention and pro-poor ideology that Congress-led UPA Government at the centre implemented four major policies — the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Information Act (RTI), the Right to Education Act (RTE) and, finally, the most important one, the Food Security Ordinance (FSO) and by these progressive polices Indian democracy has become seriously transformative.

Sonia Gandhi -- guiding force behind UPA's welfare policies

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have left a deep imprint on Indian history. As UPA Chairperson she has changed the lives of the poor in the country, positively. It was due to her initiative, consistent intervention and pro-poor ideology that Congress-led UPA Government at the centre implemented major welfare policies.

Sonia Gandhi -- Perfect mass leader always committed to serve the poor

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have left a deep imprint on Indian history. As UPA Chairperson she has changed the lives of the poor in the country, positively. It was due to her initiative, consistent intervention and pro-poor ideology that Congress-led UPA Government at the centre implemented major welfare policies.

Sonia Gandhi conveys her best wishes for a speedy recovery to Nelson Mandela

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday felicitated anti-apartheid and former South African premier hero Nelson Mandela on his 95th birthday. She said that Mandela would always remain an inspiration for all those who believe in the values of human rights. In her message, the UPA Chairperson also noted "we all have been concerned about your health in recent times.  “Our people join the people of South Africa and rest of the world in conveying our best wishes for your speedy recovery” said Sonia Gandhi in her message. “Your life has been a message of struggle and sacrifice,” she added.

Sonia Gandhi wished him good health, peace and happiness. "Your life has been a message of struggle and sacrifice. Your humility, spirit of forgiveness and compassion has touched all those, who have the privilege of knowing you," noted the Congress President.

Sonia Gandhi hailed the Mandela  as a "courageous fighter" and a "symbol of indomitable spirit". "Today when the world is confronted with a crisis of leadership with moral force, you stand out as a symbol of indomitable spirit. We pray and wish that the world continues to benefit from your wisdom and reassuring presence," said the Congress President.Sonia Gandhi also recalled the fond memories of her own meetings with Mandela and said that she would always cherish them.

 Mandela was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Mandela has been hospitalised four times since December.
Mandela, who is revered for leading the fight against white minority rule in the African country and then preaching reconciliation despite being imprisoned for 27 years, turned 95. He served as the country's first black president from 1994 to 1999.

Sonia Gandhi’s progressive vision bringing in positive changes in the lives of the poor

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have left a deep imprint on Indian history. As UPA Chairperson she has changed the lives of the poor in the country, positively. It was due to her initiative, consistent intervention and pro-poor ideology that Congress-led UPA Government at the centre implemented four major polices — the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the Right to Information Act (RTI), the Right to Education Act (RTE) and, finally, the most important one, the Food Security Ordinance (FSO) and by these progressive polices Indian democracy has become seriously transformative.

MGNREGA has helped the poor in the villages sustain themselves with an assured wage that goes straight into their bank accounts. This has had multiple effects on the villagers’ attitude and life style. For the first time in the history, villagers are getting wages without any humiliating engagement with landlords or the rural rich. Second, they now have established connectivity with the banking system, which was not a common thing for them. One can see the impact of this flag ship scheme on the health of the rural poor. They look better fed and better dressed than they did five years ago.

The Right to Information Act is another revolutionary step and has exposed various corruption cases across the country. For an average Indian politician, corruption is routine and systemic but for Sonia Gandhi it is very serious and she believed that graft is like a cancer and we should tackle it effectively. And her consistent efforts helped to make this important policy a reality.

Every child’s right to education was another urgent matter of importancde for Sonia Gandhi. With her initiative, Congress-led central government brought in  the Right to Education Act (RTE) which gave a fresh ray of hope among those who could never think of being able to afford decent education for their children.
Sonia Gandhi did her contribution in the field of education also. It was at her initiative, the Centre decided to establish 6,000 model schools with world-class facilities in every backward samithi/mandal. This programme, if effectively used by the states, is going to play a critical role in transforming education.

Most important of all is the Right to Food Ordinance. No one can forget the role played by the Congress President for making Food Security a reality. “No one in the country should live in hunger. That is why the Congress-led Central government is bring the Food Security Bill”, had said Sonia Gandhi on several occasions. For the average Indian politician, many poor in our country go to bed starving.  But it is unfortunate that several political parties — particularly the main Opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)— are shamelessly attacking Sonia Gandhi for formalising this law as an ordinance.

Whether Congress will retain power after 2014 polls or not, these admirable measures taken by the Centre, under the effective guidance of Sonia Gandhi, will ever be remembered by the poor people in our country and remain in the log book of Indian history. Generation after generation, they will remember that it was Sonia Gandhi who recognised their role in food production and gave them the right to food, apart from ensuring several other rights like jobs, education.

Food Security Bill - Sonia Gandhi's gift for the common man

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had said on several occasions, We (Congress) want no one in our country sleeps in hunger" and now it has become a reality. The Union cabinet has given itsa nod for a Food Security ordinance. The people of Raebareli showered praises on Sonia Gandhi and Congress-led Central govt for bringing in such a land mark scheme for the benefit of the poor in the country.

Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi -- the energetic Congress leaders

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been leading her party very effectively and under her guidance Congress-led UPA government at the centre implemented various welfare policies for the benefit of the poor in the country. Her daughter and Star Congress campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also another energetic leader who strike chords with the people very easily.

Food Security Bill - a wonderful gift from Sonia Gandhi for the common man

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi had said on several occasions, We (Congress) want no one in our country sleeps in hunger" and now it has become a reality. The Union cabinet has given itsa nod for a Food Security ordinance. The people of Raebareli showered praises on Sonia Gandhi and Congress-led Central govt for bringing in such a land mark scheme for the benefit of the poor in the country.

Food Security scheme will help the poor; implement it fast; urges Sonia Gandhi to party CMs

NEW DELHI: UPA Chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi held a meeting with the Congress Chief Ministers and state party chiefs on Saturday to discuss about the fast implementation of the Food Security scheme. She asked Congress leaders to roll out the welfare scheme in letter and spirit which the party sees as a game changer in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Sonia Gandhi has been putting her consistent efforts to make the food security programme a reality. She told the Congress CMs that food scheme must be implemented as soon as possible as it helps the poor, women and children. Further it was a promise in the election manifesto of the Congress party during 2009 general polls.

The Congress President held discussions with Congress chief ministers on how to implement the food scheme seeking to provide cheap food-grains to 82 crore people, for which an ordinance was promulgated last week.  The meeting was held at a time when the party is preparing for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.  Congress is hopeful that people would give it another mandate as the Centre has implemented various land mark welfare schemes like MNREGA, direct benefits transfer and Food Security.

Delhi, where assembly polls are due by year-end, will be the first state to launch the scheme on August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Besides Congress CMs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party vice president Rahul Gandhi, food minister K V Thomas, AICC general secretaries and Core Group members were present in the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the scheme is implemented in the best possible manner with Congress-ruled states becoming role models in implementation of the food security measure.

Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme and the Food Security Act are being considered as major legislations by the Congress led UPA-II government at the centre as was the farmers' loan waiver scheme and MNREGA announced in UPA-I.  The loan waiver and MNREGA schemes were credited among other things for return of UPA to power in 2009.

Charismatic leaders -- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been leading her party very effectively and under her guidance Congress-led UPA government at the centre implemented various welfare policies for the benefit of the poor in the country. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and star Congress campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are also playing their parts well in propagating the good works done by the Centre.

Sonia Gandhi -- always committed for the welfare of common man

Welfare and upliftment of the poor- has been the motto of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. It was mainly because of her consistent efforts, the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre implemented several landmark polices like RTI, MNREGA and now the Food Security scheme. The Congress President had said on several occasions, "No one in our country should sleep in hunger" and now her dream has become a reality by the Food Security ordinance.

Food Security: Sonia Gandhi to meet Congress CMS, PCC chiefs

New Delhi: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will convene a meeting of Congress Chief Ministers and other senior party leaders to discuss and finalise the strategy to implement the food security scheme, which is her dream project, to provide subsidised food to nearly two-thirds of the population.

Sonia Gandhi will hold the meeting on Saturday at her 10, Janpath residence to discuss quick implementation of the scheme intended to benefit millions. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will also be present at the meeting. The party machinery in different states has been asked to give adequate information to the masses regarding the food security programme and expose the anti-poor stance of the Opposition.

Congress party is giving top billing to the food security programme and hopes that schemes such as MGNREGA, RTI, RTE and farmers' loan waiver too, will definitely strengthen their chances for yet another electoral victory.
“Sonia Gandhi has decided to convene a meeting of all our party chief ministers and party functionaries to hold a brain-storming session on the implementation of the right to food that has been launched with the promulgation of the ordinance on the food bill,” said a Congress leader.

 The meeting, which will include top cabinet ministers, Congress chief ministers, AICC general secretaries and state Congress chiefs, will firm up a political strategy for the party's government and organisational wings at the Centre and in the states to jointly mobilise a nationwide campaign to highlight the scheme and mount pressure on the opposition to cooperate with the government to pass the food bill in the monsoon session of Parliament, expected in August. The conclave will be addressed by Sonia Gandhi and her son and Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and senior Congress cabinet ministers at the Centre.

The Congress has 14 CMs. The party is also sharing power with National Conference in J&K and will soon join a JMMled government in Jharkhand. Apart from party leaders of Congress-ruled states, party leaders in opposition-ruled states will also be called to the conclave. The gathering will also firm up an action plan to take on the opposition, especially the BJP, which has come out strongly against the cabinet's decision to opt for the ordinance route on the food bill. The Congress leadership thinks the party should mobile a campaign that should not only spread the benefits of the food scheme, but also highlight the fact that it was one of the key promised in the Congress manifesto for the 2009 polls.

Charismatic leaders -- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been leading her party very effectively and under her guidance Congress-led UPA government at the centre implemented various welfare policies for the benefit of the poor in the country. Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and star Congress campaigner Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are also playing their parts well in propagating the good works done by the Centre.

Sonia Gandhi visits Bodh Gaya blasts site alongwith Shinde

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the blasts site at Bodh Gaya alongwith Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday. Both Shinde and Sonia Gandhi reached the revered Mahabodhi Temple - the holy Buddhist shrine - which was targeted by a series of explosions on Sunday and enquired details about the blasts and the progress made so far by the agencies probing the case. Shinde, who is accompanied by top officials of his ministry, also met officials of investigating agencies during his visit. Shinde also had a brief interaction with the media in the presence of Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi went to the sites where 10 bombs exploded early Sunday alongwioth the Home Minister and other Congress leaders. The Bodh Gaya temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is where the Buddha, who was born in neighbouring Nepal, attained enlightenment about 2,500 years ago.

Whenever any tragedy occurs in the country, Sonia Gandhi used to be first person to reach the place and meet the victims and take stock of the situation. She had visited the state of Uttarakhand where lots of people were affected by the flash floods and so many lives lost. She also had visited a hospital in Kashmir during her visit to the state to meet the injured soldiers in the recent militant attack in Srinagar. 

In the wee hours on Sunday, a series of synchronised blasts took place in the different parts of the temple. Two monks were injured in the incident. Forensic experts and local investigators later found three unexploded bombs from the blasts sites, one even placed 20 feet high on a Buddha statue.

Sonia Gandhi -- always committed for the welfare of common man

Welfare and upliftment of the poor- has been the motto of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. It was mainly because of her consistent efforts, the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre implemented several landmark polices like RTI, MNREGA and now the Food Security scheme. The Congress President had said on several occasions, "No one in our country should sleep in hunger" and now her dream has become a reality by the Food Security ordinance.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K): UPA govt believes in inclusive growth

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "UPA Government at the centre believes in inclusive growth. We also take measures for welfare and upliftment of the people at far-flung areas who are deprived off basic facilities. This was the vision for 'Bharat Nirman' of late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, who had drafted a road-map for the modern India. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi followed his foot- steps. The UPA Government at centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh also has been following this vision of development" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K) lists out UPA Govt's rural welfare policies

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "During the past few years, the central government has extended support to the Jammu Kashmir government to build roads, highways, tunnels, bridges and railway lines. Efforts have also been made to ensure connectivity in the distant areas. The Mughal road connecting Kashmiri Ghati to Rajouri, the tunnel and the highway between Kashmir and Ladak are some of the examples. We also want proper roads in all the villages here so that there will not be any problem for commuting in all seasons and I am confident that the central government will ensure timely completion of all such rural road projects undertaken in the state" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K): People of Kashmir are fed up with violence

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. "The National Conference (NC)-Congress coalition government in the state has initiated several development processes to transform the state. The people also have started appreciating these efforts. The turn-out in the recently held Panchayat elections in the state undoubtedly prove that, the people of the state are fed up with the violence and they want to live in peace and harmony. The youth here want good education, better job opportunities and a bright career. Similarly, the Kashmiri women want to be self-reliant and they look for positive changes in their living standards. The UPA Government has therefore launched schemes like HIMAYAT and UMEED. Several other initiatives are also being implemented" said Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi at Banihal (J&K) assures full support for Kashmir's development

The Banihal-Quazigund railway section, providing all-weather surface link to Kashmir valley, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in Jammu and Kashmir. " I believe that all local bodies should be given more autonomy and financial support and its elections should be held in time. I don't deny that there were some issues in the state regarding this but I am sure that with due consultations, discussions and meetings we can find solutions to every problem" said the Congress President. " The people of Kashmir have the potential and talent to surge ahead and to build a bright future. We need to continue our efforts for better development based on secularism and inclusiveness. We will stand by the people of Kashmir and will together work to ensure their good future" said Sonia Gandhi.

Food Security Bill - Gift from Sonia Gandhi to the poor in the country

"No one in our country should starve" that has been the dream of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and now Union Cabinet has given its nod for a Food Security ordinance. "This is a great step by the Centre and I congratulate Sonia Gandhi for such a good scheme. Poor will get nutritious food at cheaper rates" feels Komal, a local resident of Raebareli, the Parliament constituency of Sonia Gandhi.

Sonia Gandhi, Shinde during a press conference at Bodh Gaya

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinder talking to media after visiting the blasts-site at Mahabodhi temple, Bodh Gaya in Bihar alongwith Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Both Shinde and sonia Gandhi condemned the attack at the sacred place. Shinde informed that the NIA has taken over the probe into the serial explosions after Bihar Government's request for the same.

Bodh Gaya blasts: Sonia Gandhi, Sushil Kumar Shinde visit Mahabodhi temple complex

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the blasts site at Bodh Gaya alongwith Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday. Both Shinde and Sonia Gandhi reached the revered Mahabodhi Temple - the holy Buddhist shrine - which was targeted by a series of explosions on Sunday and enquired details about the blasts and the progress made so far by the agencies probing the case. Shinde, who is accompanied by top officials of his ministry, will also meet officials of investigating agencies during his visit to Bodh Gaya.

Sonia Gandhi terms Bodh Gaya blasts as cowardly act

New Delhi: Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi condemned the serial blasts at Mahabodhi temple in Bihar and termed it as a cowardly act. The Congress President also expressed hope that the guilty will be brought to book at the earliest. Sonia Gandhi said the attack on the sanctum sanctorum of peace was unfortunate.

"Congress President Sonia Gandhi has condemned the attack at Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya. Terming the incident as cowardly, she said that an attack on the sanctum sanctorum of peace was unfortunate to say the least. She expressed hope that the guilty will be brought to book at the earliest," the AICC release said.
Congress General Secretary and communication department in-charge Ajay Maken earlier said, "We condemn this horrific incident in Bodh Gaya. I urge the state government and other agencies to bring the guilty to justice as soon as possible. We also wish speedy recovery to all the injured."

Terror struck one of the holiest Buddhist shrines, the Mahabodhi Temple, and other places in Bihar's pilgrimage town of Bodh Gaya early today, with suspected Indian Mujahideen operatives simultaneously triggering nine low intensity bombs leaving two monks injured.

A five-member NIA team comprising a DIG and two SPs has reached there by a special plane from New Delhi and began their probe at the temple complex.

Cabinet nod for Sonia Gandhi’s dream project - Food Security

“We want no one in our country sleeps in hunger and that is why we want to bring in a Food Security Bill” said Sonia Gandhi on several occasions. She has been expressing her desire to make this land mark legislation a reality. This has been the dream of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi too. But the opposition has been trying to create hindrances in its passage and finally, the Centre had to take the ordinance route in this regard.

The consistent efforts of Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have finally reaped benefits. She has been pushing the Congress-led UPA Government at the centre to put the food security bill on fast track as the Congress had promised a ‘right to food’ in its 2009 election manifesto. With Sonia Gandhi insisting that the Food Security Bill be implemented at the earliest, the UPA cabinet has now given its nod for a Food Security ordinance at Wednesday’s meeting of the Union Cabinet meeting. The Food Security programme when implemented will be the biggest in the world with the government spending estimated at Rs 125,000 crore annually on supply of about 62 million tonnes of rice, wheat and coarse cereals to 67% of the population.

The Cabinet had deferred its proposal to promulgate an ordinance on the Food Security Bill last month and instead decided to hold consultations with allies and Opposition parties for their support for the proposed legislation. Home Minister and Lok Sabha leader Sushil Kumar Shinde, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath and Food Minister K V Thomas were asked to conduct the consultations. There was also a proposal to convene a special session of Parliament for the passage of this bill. Sonia Gandhi wanted the bill to be passed as soon as possible so that its benefits can reach the people.

The ordinance cleared will provide 5kg of foodgrain per person per month to 67% of the country’s population at a subsidised price of Rs.1 to Rs.3 per kg. The poorest of poor households that fall under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana programme will continue to get 35kg of foodgrain per household per month. And states and union territories will continue to receive at least as much grain as they currently do from the centre.

Proper implementation of the Food Security Bill (FSB) will lower spending on foodgrains by below poverty line (BPL) households, and free up resources for spending on other goods and services, in particular health, education, and nutritious food.

Here are some of the highlights of this bill:

• Up to three-quarters of people in the rural areas and up to half of the urban population would get five kilograms of grains per month at subsidized prices (3 rupees per kilo for rice, 2 rupees per kilo for wheat and 1 rupee per kilo for coarse grains).

• The poorest households would continue to receive 35 kilograms of grains per month under the “Antyodaya Anna Yojana” at subsidized prices.

• Pregnant women and lactating mothers would receive a maternity benefit of at least 6,000 rupees.

• Children aged six months to 14 years would get take-home ration or hot cooked food.

• The central government also would provide money to states and union territories if it runs low on grain.

•The central government also would provide “assistance” towards the cost of intra-state transportation, handling of grains.

•The oldest adult woman in each house would be considered the head of that household for issue of ration card.

Sonia Gandhi wants fast implementation of food security bill

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has expressed her commitment for an effective food security law on several occasions for the benefit of the poor. 'Congress led UPA government wants no one in our country sleeps in hunger and so wants to implement food security bill at the earliest ' had said Sonia Gandhi.

Jharkhand: Sonia Gandhi holds discussions with senior Congress leaders on govt formation

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday held discussions with senior party leaders regarding an alliance with JMM for the next Lok Sabha polls and formation of a coalition government in Jharkhand.

Defence Minister Antony, who chairs the sub-group on alliances for the next general elections, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary in-charge of Jharkhand B K Hariprasad, AICC General Secretary Shakeel Ahmed, Jharkhand Congress chief Sukhdeo Bhagat and CLP leader Rajendra Singh met Sonia Gandhi to apprise her of the progress of the talks with JMM so far.

Earlier, Bhagat, Singh and senior state Congress leader Sarfaraz Ahmed met RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Singh said he was 100 per cent sure that the RJD would back the new government in Jharkhand.

The Congress party has agreed to have a JMM Chief Minister in the state which in lieu has consented to give a lion's share of the 14 Lok Sabha seats to the Congress. Shibu Soren's son Hemant Soren, who is tipped to be the next chief minister, held a meeting with RJD chief Lalu Prasad last night to seek his support for the coalition government.

Hours before his meeting with Prasad, Soren had a long discussion with Antony, the Congress President's political secretary Ahmed Patel where further steps in connection with government formation were learnt to have been discussed.

President's Rule was imposed in Jharkhand on January 18 following the resignation of Chief Minister Arjun Munda. In the 82-member Assembly, BJP and JMM have 18 MLAs each. The Congress has a total of 13 members, Jharkhand Vikas Morcha(P) 11 and RJD 5. CPI-ML(L), Marxist Coordination Party, Jharkhand Party (Ekka), Jharkhand Janadhikar Manch and Jai Bharat Samta Party have one member each besides an independent.

Sonia Gandhi, PM flag-off Banihar-Quazigund rail line in Kashmir

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson and Congress President Sonia Gandhi jointly flagged off the first service through Banhial-Quazigund railway line in Kashmir. The new rail line provide the people with all-weather rail link in the Valley.

Sonia Gandhi recalls legendary Kashmiri poet Mahjoor's contribution

Srinagar : Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday stressed how Kashmiri poet Ghulam Ahmad Mahjoor had delivered his message of brotherhood in the common's man language. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also lauded Mahjoor by saying that the revolutionary poet should have been honoured many years ago.

Speaking at the occasion of releasing a commemorative postage stamp in the poet's honour, Sonia Gandhi said that Mahjoor was a great example of the country's great tradition and a social reformer of his times. "Mahjoor's contribution has been significant and it is because of his great contribution that he is known as the poet of Kashmir” said Sonia Gandhi.” He had progressive ideas and through his verses he delivered a message of universal brotherhood” added the Congress President.

"He had the capacity to deliver his message in a language the common man understood well and for this reason, Rabindra Nath Tagore had called him the 'Wordsworth of Kashmir'," further said Sonia Gandhi.
The Prime Minister said Kashmir was known as the heaven on Earth not just because of its geographical beauty, but by "great spiritual personalities" who furthered "universal values those glorify human virtues". "I will briefly mention just two great personalities of Kashmir - Lalla Arifa or Lallashwari and Sheikh Nuruddin Wali, who are the champions of the soul of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat.

Department of Posts is bringing out the stamp on Mehjoor, a poet of great excellence and doyen of secularism. This is the second occasion that a postage stamp on Kashmir is being released. In 2006, the then President A P J Abdul Kalam released a postage stamp on J-K High Court on its 150th anniversary at the same venue. Samuel said the stamp is of Rs 5 denomination, and will be available at Srinagar GPO after the its formal release. First Day Cover and information brochure will also be released on the occasion. Release of the postage stamp on Mehjoor is a historic event for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.