India News At 12 PM @ June 9

1) President Pranab Mukherjee addresses the Joint Session of the Parliament. The President congraulated the Election Commission for conducting the most comprehensive polls in an efficient manner and also thanked the people for participating in this democratic process in large numbers. He revealed that the government is committed to ensure 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

Pranab Mukherjee also hailed the massive victory of the BJP in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls and said the focus of the new government will be on stability, good governance, economic progress, poverty alleviation, agriculture, education, healthcare, promotion of yoga, infrastructure, defence, coastal security, internal security, Maoist menace, environment, Railways, road network, highways, high-speed train network, investments, and reducing food inflation. He also talked about upliftment of tribals and development of minority community. “My government will work hard to fulfill the hopes and aspirations of 125 crore people in the country. Corruption will have no place in a resurgent India. We will end the rural-urban divide and provide water security to all,” he said.

“My government will set up online courses, virtual classrooms for all students. In additon, we will set up IITs and IIMs in every state. The AIIMS-like insitutes will be set up in every state,” he added. The government will ensure pucca houses and power to every family, he further said. “There will be no tolerance towards women-related crimes. We will formulate clear rules for Coal, Telecom and Minerals. Action will be taken against hoarders and black marketeers. FDI will be encouraged in those sectors that create jobs,” said President Pranab Mukherjee.

2) The Karachi Airport siege came to an end. Although 12 terrorists and 14 others, including 11 security personnel of Airport Staff, were killed in the gunbattle, some terrorists could be hiding in the area. The security personnel have launched a fresh operation to secure the area. The dead militants were ethnic Uzbeks.

3) Five bodies of the Hyderabad Engineering College students, were recovered from River Beas (Vyas). One faculty member, a tour operator and 19 students are still missing. The students were swept away by flash floods at a location between Mandi and Manali. All staff members at the Larrji Dam, have been suspended for negligence. Search operation is still on. Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani has expressed grief over the incident and headed for Mandi to take stock of the situation. According to the survivors, the dam waters were released without warning, leading to the tragedy.

4) First Session of the newly formed Telangana Assembly, begins today. Protem Speaker K Jana Reddy administered the oath of office and secrecy to CM K Chandrasekhar Rao and other members.