New Delhi - Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur delivered a keynote address at the national conference of FICCI, focusing on India's economic development and industrial growth. Thakur expressed gratitude to taxpayers for their contribution to the nation's progress, emphasizing that their honest contributions enable the government to efficiently allocate funds for public welfare.

The Minister highlighted the government's efforts to streamline financial disbursements, ensuring that allocated funds reach the intended beneficiaries directly. He cited the success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a testament to the government's commitment to delivering on its promises. Initially met with skepticism, UPI has now become a ubiquitous digital payment platform, with 46% of global digital payments being made in India.

Thakur underscored the government's achievements in uplifting the underprivileged, noting the provision of 40 million houses, 100 million toilets, and over 100 million LPG cylinders. Additionally, more than 130 million tap water connections have been installed, benefiting millions of households. He highlighted that over 600 million people are beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, while over 800 million receive free food.

The Minister also highlighted the government's focus on infrastructure development, citing significant increases in national highway construction, airport numbers, and the establishment of institutions like AIIMS and IITs. He noted that India has now emerged as one of the top five economies globally, reflecting the success of these initiatives in driving economic growth and prosperity.

New Delhi, June 2 (IANS) Amid ongoing protests by the country's top wrestlers, who are seeking action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brijbhushan Sharan Singh on allegations of sexual misconduct, the Union Information and Broadcasting and Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur on Friday said that justice will be done as police will soon file a charge sheet and the governing body now has no authority in managing daily affairs of the sport.

Speaking at an economic conclave here, Thakur said that the case was registered and a committee was formed to investigate the matter.

The minister added that the WFI is not involved in any of its routine business as the day-to-day affairs are being looked after by a committee of administrators formed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

The charge sheet will be filed soon and the wrestlers will get justice, he said.

"Justice will be delivered in due time. There should be speedy justice in any crime committed against women," the minister added.

Thakur said that he had met the protesting wrestlers in January to hear their grievances and formed a committee to probe the matter.

"We also added members recommended by wrestlers and a probe was conducted which was handed over to the Delhi Police," he said.

"We have listened to the wrestlers at all the steps and done everything they have asked us to do..." Thakur added.

People should wait for the police investigation to be completed and a charge sheet is filed, the minister said.

"The wrestlers have been protesting for 38 days and we never had any issue with that as we want them to get justice. We don't want to take any side and should wait for the truth," Thakur said further.

On the question of morality, as the WFI chief belongs to the ruling BJP, the minister said, "The investigation is on, let that get over. We don't want to take any side and we are doing everything to ensure wrestlers get justice but that will only happen when the probe is complete. Let's wait till then."

Lucknow, May 5 (IANS) Union Minister Anurag Thakur said on Friday that all the demands of wrestlers had been fulfilled and they should now allow the investigation to be completed.

Speaking to reporters here, Thakur said, "A demand was there to form a committee and it was constituted, FIR has been registered by Delhi Police, the Supreme Court also gave its verdict. The Delhi Police are conducting a fair investigation.

"I request the players that their demands are being fulfilled and they should allow the investigation to be completed."

Earlier in Delhi, wrestler Vinesh Phogat had slammed Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur for not taking any action and "suppressing" the matter by forming a committee.

"We ended our protest after talking to Union Sports Minister (Anurag Thakur), and all the athletes had told him about the sexual harassment. He tried to suppress the matter by forming a committee and no action was taken that time," she had said.

Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia and star wrestlers like Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik on Friday said that they will continue their protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh until he is sent behind bars.