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No budget in recent memory has-been presented at a time when the economy is in such dire straits: unemployment is so bad that there are job riots in Bihar and UP; wealth and income inequalities are among the worst in the world; millions more have been pushed into poverty because of the pandemic and the lockdown; and inflation is accelerating even in the midst of massive unemployment. There is an urgent need for a strategy that promotes economic revival, while providing relief to the poor, and contributing to an abatement of inflation. The 2022-23 union budget should have spelt out such a strategy, but, far from doing so, it does not even show cognizance of the problem. The Economic Survey presented to parliament the previous day had shown great complacency; the budget carries it forward.

The Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speech in Lok Sabha on February 2 during the debate on President’s address, stands out as a major policy programme which has all the points for emerging as a common minimum programme for the political parties who are interested in fighting BJP unitedly in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Rahul has put forward his points with clarity which have commonality of views with both the regional non-BJP parties and the Left.

The new year 2022 is looking bright for Andrés Manuel LópezObrador and his party, MORENA. Despite a two-year pandemic that has taken its toll on other world leaders, his popularity rating remains high. After months of scuffles with the opposition, the recall election he promised to hold at the halfway point of his presidency is finally set for April 10; save some form of epic, unforeseen calamity, he will win in a rout. The year began with significant increases to the universal senior pension and the minimum wage. And as for MORENA, it is poised to win as many as five of the six governorships up for grabs in 2022.

Pune: Rohan Bopanna and Ramkumar Ramanathan had to battle it out before moving into the doubles semi-finals of the Tata Open Maharashtra at the Balewadi Stadium on Thursday.

Pune: Indian challenge in the singles event of Tata Open Maharashtra came to an end as Yuki Bhambri suffered a 6-3, 6-2 loss against Stefano Travaglia in the singles second round contest. at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Thursday.

Pune: Sweden’s Elias Ymer sent top-seed Aslan Karatsev (Russia) packing out of the tournament beating him in straight sets to storm into the quarter-finals of the Tata Open Maharashtra at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Thursday.

Campaigning in Colombia began on January 15 for congressional elections on March 13, and for first-round voting for a new president on May 29. Gustavo Petro, leader of the progressive Humane Colombia movement, will likely be the Historical Pact coalition’s presidential candidate.

Chennai: KY Ahamed clocked 01 minute, 54.353 seconds to take pole position in the premier Pro-Stock 165cc Open category as the fifth and final round of the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship commenced at the MMRT, here on Thursday.

“... Though the Israeli government’s oversight was meant to prevent the powerful spyware from being used in repressive ways, Pegasus has been sold to Poland, Hungary and India, despite those countries’ questionable records on human rights...” wrote Ronen Bergman and Mark Mazzetti of the New York Times (NYT) in the process of exposing the two billion dollar defence package Indian government finalised to acquire cyber weapon Pegasus from Israel in 2017.

The whole exercise appeared to be a farce as it was claimed to be budget vision for 100 years of independence. In 2015 also the budget presentation was claimed to be for 25 years.