Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of TotalEnergies, is set to be questioned by France’s finance committee next month after the company reported massive profits linked to the West Asia war. Lawmakers are pushing back against so-called war-time windfalls, with TotalEnergies among firms facing calls for a windfall tax. The hearing is scheduled for June 17.
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora has urged moving parliamentary committee and PSU review meetings to secure virtual platforms, saying it could save the government about ₹100 crore annually. The proposal echoes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s austerity push, arguing that online sessions would trim expenses while also reducing carbon emissions without disrupting committee work.
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Samajwadi Party MP Ajendra Singh Lodhi sparked a major political uproar after making derogatory, abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi on camera. BJP leaders, including national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, alleged a pattern of personal attacks and described the comments as an insult to the Constitution, saying the remarks are so offensive they can’t be broadcast without violating norms.
Congress leader Karti P Chidambaram has demanded that the government convene Parliament and brief lawmakers on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “seven appeals” aimed at boosting self-reliance during global uncertainty. He also raised concerns about “PMO directives,” asking for clarity on the rollout—where citizens were urged to work from home, cut fuel use, and buy local products.
Congress has demanded an urgent parliamentary discussion after China acknowledged providing technical support to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The party alleges the Modi government’s China policy is being driven the wrong way, pointing to loosened trade curbs and rising industrial dependence. The demand follows a Chinese state broadcaster interview confirming engineer involvement with Pakistan’s air force.
DMK has asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla for separate seating arrangements for its MPs, moving them away from their current seats alongside Congress. The request signals rising friction within the INDIA bloc in Parliament, with reports suggesting it is retaliation for Congress backing rival parties in Tamil Nadu.
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The Supreme Court, led by a two-judge bench, criticized Parliament for failing to enact a law on appointing the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners even after a 2023 court direction. The bench described the delay as the “tyranny of the elected,” highlighting how electoral governance rules remain unsettled due to legislative non-action.
The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to increase the Supreme Court’s judge strength from 34 to 38, including the Chief Justice of India. A bill will now be introduced in Parliament to formalize the change. The government says the step will boost the apex court’s capacity to handle pending cases and reduce pressure on the judiciary.
Congress says serious issues surrounding the Great Nicobar project must be debated in Parliament, citing alleged ecological damage, violations of tribal rights, lack of transparency, and security concerns. The party claims the government’s recent press note is damage control after Rahul Gandhi’s visit, intensifying pressure on officials to address the allegations publicly.
Parliamentary panels have flagged a recurring problem: central ministries repeatedly fail to spend allocated funds, forcing large surrenders. The reports point to weak budgeting and forecasting, with major cuts at the revised estimates stage in areas like Defence, Petroleum and Housing, alongside persistently low utilization rates. Committees warn this cycle undermines planning and delivery of public priorities.
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AAP MP Sanjay Singh has written to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General seeking urgent clarification over alleged unauthorized changes to the party’s position in official parliamentary records. Singh claims AAP’s status in Rajya Sabha documents and publications was altered without prior intimation or approval from party leadership. The letter calls the matter for immediate review and correction.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan says new seed and pesticide laws are nearing completion and will be brought in the next Parliament session. The rules target fake farm inputs with stricter penalties while shifting planning towards region-specific agriculture. The government also links the move to food security, higher farm incomes, better nutrition, improved access to quality seeds and credit, and preparation for possible water shortages.
The Modi government suffered a rare parliamentary defeat as the women’s quota constitutional amendment failed to win the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. After the setback, the Delimitation Bill and Union Territories Laws Bill were withdrawn. The 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam still stands, but its rollout now hinges on future census and delimitation decisions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharply criticized Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party for defeating a bill meant to fast-track women’s reservation. He said the legislation would still be implemented eventually, and argued that parties opposing it would pay politically at the ballot box, particularly with women voters. The remarks signal a renewed push for the quota ahead of elections.
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Congress MP K. C. Venugopal has moved a breach-of-privilege notice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging Modi made aspersions on opposition MPs in an April 18 address. The claim centers on Modi criticising lawmakers who voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, potentially escalating tensions in Parliament.
India is preparing to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies. The proposal targets the mismatch between women’s strong voter turnout and their limited representation in elected bodies. The government is reportedly reviewing options to expedite rollout, potentially tying it to the 2029 elections.
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