Women are playing crucial role in New India's growth cycle-PM

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday convened an all-party meeting in New Delhi to ensure smooth functioning of the House. Talking to reporters after the meeting,  Birla said, leaders of all parties have assured that they will cooperate in running the Parliament.  Birla said, he urged them to have a extensive discussion on President's Address and Budget. He asked everyone to raise important issues in the House.

-Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India has redefined its goals from seeing women in households to women in business. They are coming forward and immensely contributing in the textile sector, startup sector among others. Addressing the 30th Foundation Day programme of National Commission for Women NCW, on Monday through video conferencing, Modi said, today the role of women is changing and expanding. He said, the expansion of the role of the National Commission for Women is also the need of the hour. The Prime Minister said, women are playing a crucial role in New India's growth cycle. He said, in Mudra Yojana 70 per cent are women beneficiaries. He said, in over 60 thousand startups, 45 per cent of them have at least one women leader.The Prime Minister said, the definition of women empowerment is not limited to women in business but the beneficiaries of over nine crore women who have received LPG gas connection and freedom from pollution. He said, for the first time in a long time, the nation has seen an increase in sex ratio and school drop out rate under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.

-Manipur Governor La Ganesan handed over citations to four Commandant ranked officers of Assam Rifles Battalions recognising their role in safeguarding the border and curbing drug menace in the State. The citations were handed over to the Commandant of 16th AR, 20th AR, 24th AR and 25th AR Battalions stationed in Manipur. One Appreciation Letter was also given to Inspector General of Assam Rifles (South) Major General Alok Naresh at the Investiture Ceremony held today at Raj Bhawan Imphal.Governor La Ganesan said that Assam Rifles is taking a tremendous role in curbing drug menace in the State. He said, it is a matter of great satisfaction to know that the Assam Rifles under IG, AR (South) recovered drugs of approximately 1800 crore rupees. Ganesan said, Assam Rifles are popularly known as 'Sentinels of North East' and expressed his confidence that the para military force will leave no stone unturned to discharge their valuable responsibilities to uphold the dignity and sovereignty of our Nation.

-In Uttar Pradesh, a total of 586 candidates are left in fray for 55 seats across nine districts in the second phase of assembly polls to be held on 14th of February. Sixty two candidates withdrew their submissions at the end of the withdrawal of candidature for this phase yesterday. A total of 793 nominations were filed in the second phase, out of which 145 were rejected during the scrutiny of papers on 29th of January. The process of filing nominations for the third Phase of Assembly polls will end this evening. A total of 499 candidates have filed their nominations so far. Scrutiny will be held tomorrow and the last date of withdrawal of the candidature is 4th of February.The Third Phase of polling in Uttar Pradesh will be conducted on 20th of February in 59 Assembly Constituencies from 16 districts.Filing of nominations is underway for fourth Phase of assembly polls. A total of 152 nominations have been filed so far. The last date of filing nominations for this phase is 3rd of this month. Scrutiny will be held on 4th February and the last date of withdrawal of the candidature is 7th of February.

-Shiv Sena party has announced the names of its six candidates who will contest the upcoming assembly elections in Manipur. The list of six candidates including three ST and one SC seats was announced by Shiv Sena (North East) In-Charge Dilip Panicker on Monday. The Party State President has already announced some days before that around 15 party candidates will contest in the upcoming elections in Manipur. He said that the party national leaders have already approved the list of candidates forwarded by the State unit. The election notification for the first phase polls in Manipur will be issued tomorrow and different political parties are busy announcing their party candidates.