CM Mamata Banerjee recites 'Durga Path' at public rally in Bankura

Rajya Sabha passed National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Bill, 2020 to regulate and standardise education and practice on Tuesday (March 16). 

Apex child rights body NCPCR asked Netflix to remove 'objectionable' scenes involving children from its series 'Bombay Begums' on Tuesday (March 16). It has been given it time till Thursday to act upon issue. (PTI input) 

Denying any need of curfew or lockdown in the state, CM Jai Ram Thakur said, "There is no immediate requirement of curfew or lockdown in Himachal Pradesh." (PTI input)

Congress will contest on all seats during upcoming panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh, PTI quoted party's state president Ajay Kumar Lallu as saying. 

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan alleged BJP has put up Indian democracy for sale, while Congress has reduced itself to goods that are up for sale. (PTI input)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone call on Tuesday (March 16) with the Portuguese PM Antonio Costa. 

"The two leaders reviewed COVID-19 pandemic situation in the two countries. They noted the importance of quick and equitable distribution of vaccines for ending the pandemic," ANI quoted PMO as saying. 

"PM Modi briefed PM Costa on India’s vaccination drive, as well as the support extended by India to more than 70 countries so far. He assured that India would continue supporting the vaccination efforts of other countries to the best of its capacities," the statement further read. 

PM Modi and his counterpart also reviewed bilateral relations. "They also reviewed preparations for the first-ever India-EU Leaders’ Meeting, scheduled to take place under the Portuguese Presidency of the EU in Porto in May 2021."

Former Congress leader PC Chacko joins Nationalist Congress Party in the presence of party chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday (March 16). 

"Today, the need is the unity of the opposition. A united opposition should emerge as an alternative to the BJP. I don't see that initiative in the party which I was a member of earlier," he told reporters. 

There are no problems in Maha Vikas Aghadi. The Maharashtra government led by Uddhav Thackeray is working properly: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, in Delhi pic.twitter.com/FDoZoxmOJT

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2021

Kerala CM called me and told me that the Left is happy with PC Chacko joining the NCP: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar. (ANI input)

A 108-year old resident of Chennai, Gnana Venkataraman, her 83-year old son Venkataraman Hari and 54-year old grand-daughter Meera Hari received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccination at MGM Healthcare, Chennai on Tuesday (March 16). 

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal revealed that he has tested COVID-19 positive and said that his health is "fine". 

"I would like to inform everyone that I have tested Covid positive. My health is fine & as per protocol I have isolated myself. I request those who came in contact with me during the last few days to isolate themselves & get tested for Covid - 19."

I would like to inform everyone that I have tested Covid positive. My health is fine & as per protocol I have isolated myself. I request those who came in contact with me during the last few days to isolate themselves & get tested for Covid - 19.

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) March 16, 2021

Voting for by-polls to two parliamentary constituencies of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and 14 constituencies in other states to be held on 17th April: Election Commission of India.

Voting for by-polls to two parliamentary constituencies of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka and 14 constituencies in various States to be held on 17th April: Election Commission of India pic.twitter.com/CahOU7CLNI

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2021

Former Congress leader PC Chako to join NCP on Tuesday (March 16) in Delhi. (ANI)

All BJP MPs have been reportedly asked by the party to provide information on the total number of COVID-19 vaccination centers in their respective constituencies, the number of vaccination centers they have visited and in how many centers the help desk has been set up. 
 

Madhya Pradesh: Night curfew will be implemented in Bhopal and Indore from March 17 until further order. Whereas markets in 8 cities-Jabalpur, Gwalior, Ujjain, Ratlam, Burhanpur, Chhindwara, Betul, Khargone to shut at 10 pm, from March 17. There won't be curfew in these cities. (ANI input)

"Will HM run the country or decide who will get arrested or beaten up, or will he decide which agency will chase whom? Who is running Election Commission ? I hope it's not you, Amit Shah. We want free & fair election. He's intervening in day to day working of EC," CM Mamata Banerjee said at the party rally.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee recites 'Durga Path' during her public rally in Bankura.

There is a change. Before 2014, there was a generation in the country, who used to fear that their secularism will be at risk if they visit temple. But now, I see Mamata Didi is reciting 'Chandi Path' in the temple: UP CM & BJP leader Yogi Adityanath in Purulia, West Bengal.

Swapan Dasgupta tenders his resignation as a Rajya Sabha MP. His resignation has been sent to the Chairman of the House, it is yet to be accepted. BJP has fielded him as its candidate for Tarakeshwar seat in the upcoming West Bengal Elections 2021.

The government does not propose to make Sanskrit as link language and official language. As per Article 343, the official language of the Union is Hindi in Devanagri script: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Lok Sabha

India reports 24,492 new #COVID19 cases, 20,191 recoveries and 131 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the Union Health Ministry.

Total cases: 1,14,09,831
Total recoveries: 1,10,27,543  
Active cases: 2,23,432
Death toll: 1,58,856

Total vaccination: 3,29,47,432

The less Congress speaks of misuse, the better it is. You jailed JP Narayan, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani & others by misusing MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act). Congress has no right to speak on democracy:MoS MHA on Congress' Manish Tewari's question on Sedition Law

"You jailed so many people in 1980 under TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act). You jailed journalists, students, politicians under MISA," said Kishan Reddy at the Lok Sabha.

Congress releases its manifesto for the Tamil Nadu Elections 2021 at the party office in Chennai.

AAP MPs protest over Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that was tabled by Centre in Lok Sabha yesterday.

AAP MPs protest in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament over Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 that was tabled by Centre in Lok Sabha yesterday. pic.twitter.com/B6KIk1qDQQ

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2021

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran has given Adjournment Motion Notice in Lok Sabha, demanding discussion on rise in the prices of petrol, diesel and LPG.

In UN, Portugal supports the reform process and the inclusion of India as a permanent member of the Security Council: President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco addresses MPs

"India is the largest democracy in the world & at all levels, from local to national, is looking to be more inclusive with more women & young people. India respects the convictions, political & religious, of each person," Duarte Pacheco said.

Congress MP Shakti Sinh Gohil has given Zero Hour Notice in Rajya Sabha over the issue of "#COVID19 vaccines supply to foreign countries before completing the vaccination of citizens of the country."

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has given Zero Hour notice in Rajya Sabha over "strike and agitation of bank employees against proposed privatisation"

Inter-Parliamentary Union President, Duarte Pacheco addressing the MPs at Central Hall said, "We have a special relationship between our 2 countries. Portugal & India have over 500 years old relations, so we know each other so better that I may say that we aren't just friends, we're brothers."

"India is the world's largest working democracy & represents 130 cr citizens of the country. In last 74 yrs of independence, our democratic system has only strengthened. We are now celebrating 75 yrs of independence. This Central Hall is a witness to independence," said LS Speaker Om Birla.

The  RS Dy Chairman said, "You've (IPU president) assumed leadership of IPU in challenging times, particularly in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. After Spanish Flu, it has posed globally unprecedented challenges of a health emergency. It has severe impact on economies & societies across world."

"It has been a testing time for governments as well as Parliaments to deal with this extraordinary situation. Pandemic induced lockdown restricted physical interactions & forced all of us to adopt new & innovative ways of working to contain spread of this deadly virus," said the RS Dy Chairman in his address.

Bank employees continue their strike in Mumbai:

Maharashtra: Bank employees continue their strike on the second day following the call of the United Forum of Bank Union (UFBU). Visuals from Mumbai.

UFBU had called a two-day nationwide strike against the privatisation of Public Sector Banks and 'retrograde banking reforms'. pic.twitter.com/h1Wx1mjiGW

— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2021

Banks in Siliguri, West Bengal, remain shut on the second day, in the wake of the two-day nationwide strike.

President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco arrives at the Central Hall of Parliament. He will address the MPs shortly.

JP Nadda will hold a roadshow from Kumari Takiz cinema hall to the bus stand in Bishnupur of West Bengal's Bankura district at 11 am.