BJP’s strength in Rajya Sabha reduced:
- The strength of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha has fallen to 86, and the strength of the National Democratic Alliance led by the party has fallen to 101.
- This is less than the 113 seats required for a party or coalition to have a majority in the Rajya Sabha.
- Thus, the NDA-led central government needs the support of 12 more members to pass the bill in the Rajya Sabha.
- The current strength of Rajya Sabha is 226 out of 245 seats.
- There are currently 19 seats vacant in the Rajya Sabha.
- Jammu and Kashmir, which was a state in 2019, has been divided into a Union Territory, and now there is no Legislative Assembly. As a result, 4 seats of Jammu and Kashmir in Rajya Sabha are vacant.
- The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament of India with a maximum of 250 members.
- Currently the Rajya Sabha has 245 members, out of which 12 members are appointed by the President of India.
- The President appoints those who excel in the fields of art, literature, science, sports, industry etc.
- Apart from these 12 members, the rest are elected by the members of the legislatures of the Indian states through proportional representation.
- The tenure of a Rajya Sabha member is six years.
- The term of office of two-thirds of the members of the Upper House expires every two years.
- The Vice President will be the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Rajya Sabha sessions are held consecutively unlike Lok Sabha sessions.
- The first session of the Rajya Sabha was inaugurated on May 13, 1952.
Guinness record for planting 11 lakh saplings in Indore in one day:
- On the occasion of World Environment Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘One Tree in the Name of Mother’ initiative to plant 140 crore saplings across the country on June 5.
- Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, Indore has planted around 12 lakh saplings in a single day and set a ‘Guinness’ world record.
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Women’s Entitlement Scheme:
- Kalaignar Women Entitlement Scheme (Kalaignar Magalir Urimai scheme) was launched in Tamil Nadu on September 15.
- Under this scheme, 1.16 crore womens are being given Rs 1,000 every month.
- The Government of Tamil Nadu launched this mega scheme to recognize the economic value of women’s work and to provide economic independence to women from poor families engaged in low-paid jobs such as agriculture and domestic work.
July 16: Important day
- The Hindu Widow Remarriage Act 1856 legalized the remarriage of Hindu widows on 16 July 1856.
- July 16: Observed as World Snake Day.
Important Facts:
- Vikram Misri takes charge as India’s new Foreign Secretary.
- A pottery inscribed with Tamil script was discovered in the Pandian fort at Kalayar temple, Sivagangai district.
- Spain beat England to win the Euro Cup football tournament held on the European continent.
- In the Copa America football tournament held in the South American continent, Argentina set a record by winning the title of champion for the 16th time.
- Spain has won the Euro Cup football series for the 4th time.