Congress MP KC Venugopal on Monday demanded a discussion on the Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation embezzlement case in the Lok Sabha and for the House to direct the Centre to institute a high-level, independent inquiry under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

KC Venugopal moved an adjournment motion notice, alleging an "organised racket" operating within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.

He submitted, "There is an urgent need to discuss the shocking revelations of massive financial fraud, theft, and embezzlement of public donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Recent reports indicate a highly organised racket operating within the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, where bundles of cash and valuable jewellery donated by millions of devoted citizens have been systematically siphoned off."

(ANI)

Congress MP Manish Tewari on Monday gave notice to move a motion for adjournment of the House business in the Lok Sabha to discuss the need for a new Anti-Defection Law.

In his notice, Tewari proposed suspension of the listed business of the day to hold a discussion on framing the contours of a new law to prevent mass political defections.

He said the proposed law should address defections driven by opportunism and without genuine ideological or policy differences, while also ensuring space for honest and critical dissent within and outside Parliament and legislatures.

"I move that this House do suspend Question Hour, Zero Hour and all other listed business of the day to discuss the contours of a new Anti-Defection Law that proscribes Mass Political Defections driven by opportunism and bereft of any genuine ideological or policy differences while simultaneously providing space for honest and critical dissent both inside and outside Parliament and the legislatures," the notice reads.

The Tenth Schedule, also known as the anti-defection law, was added to the Constitution through the 52nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1985. It provides for the disqualification of lawmakers who switch parties or defect. The law applies to members of Parliament and state legislatures under Articles 102(2) and 191(2) of the Constitution.

(ANI)

The government will introduce a bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday aimed at broadening the mandate of the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), enabling the organisation to give loans and grants directly to co-operative societies or any entity engaged in the development of the sector.

The NCDC, a statutory organisation under the Ministry of Cooperation, was established in 1963 under the National Co-operative Development Corporation Act, 1962.

Its main functions include planning, promoting, and financing programs for the production, processing, marketing, storage, and export-import of agricultural produce, foodstuffs, and other notified commodities.

On Monday, the government will present the National Cooperative Development Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. According to the bill circulated to the Lok Sabha members, this amendment seeks to revise the principal Act.

(PTI)