MARCH 2021 Volume IV

ALL INDIA LEGAL FORUM

CREDITS:- • Patron-in-Chief: Aayush Akar • Editor-in-Chief: Shubhank Suman • Senior Manager: Vrinda Khanna, Nandini Mangla • Manager- Deepanshu Kaushik • Researchers: 1. Praveen Parihar 2. Tania Maria Joy 3. Santhosh Murugan 4. Yamini Mahawar 5. Aini Borah 6. Deepanshi Gupta 7. Fazila Fahim 8. Ishika Sharma 9. Padma Priya 10. Rishika Mahajan 11. Sneha Bachhawat 12. Uma Bharathi • Editors 1. Shubh Jaiswal

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IN THE ISSUE

LEGAL NEWS except in circumstances where his release will bring him in association with any Court sets aside Juvenile Justice Board order, grants Bail to Juvenile in Theft known criminal or expose him to moral, Case physical or psychological danger, or the release would defeat the ends of justice.

“There is no sufficient material on record to show that the appellant/child will come into the association with any known criminal as the full particulars of the criminal with whom the delinquent appellant is likely to

come into association with,” the special court said, adding that the JJB had erred in 22-3-2021 not releasing the juvenile on bail.

Special Court earlier this week The Court further said that the child in set aside the order of a Juvenile conflict with law would get the benefit of A Justice Board (JJB), which had Section 12 (1) of the Act, which contains denied bail to a 17-year-old boy on the the principles for bail. apprehension that he may come in contact The N M Joshi Marg police had booked with anti-social elements. four youngsters, including the teen, for

The Court granted bail to the minor, who allegedly robbing a shop early last year at had spent over 3 months in jail in a theft Phoenix mall in central Mumbai & stealing case, even as the adult co-accused in the an iPhone along with Rs 700. The teen was case were released on bail. apprehended on December 1, last year.

The special court said that the JJB had not The 17-year-old had told the JJB that the appreciated the provisions of the Juvenile allegations are false, as the shopkeeper had Justice (Care & Protection) Act while not been able to give any proof of the rejecting his bail application. iPhone being stolen.

It added that as per provisions of the Act, His mother had also submitted that she was every child is entitled to be released on bail ready to take his responsibility. The JJB had

2 rejected the 17 year old’s first bail plea in the amount already charged shall be January after an evaluation as per the Act. refunded, credited or adjusted.

It had said that the child should be The apex court refused to interfere with the continued to be kept at the observation Centre's and the Reserve Bank of India home for his own safety & prevent him (RBI's) decision to not extend the loan from coming in contact with anti-social moratorium beyond 31 August last year, elements saying it is a policy decision. A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan said that The JJB had also rejected his bail plea the top court cannot do judicial review of twice. The adult accused arrested in the the Centre's financial policy decision unless case, however, were granted bail with the it is malafide and arbitrary. court observing that the police had recovered the iPhone & the cash alleged to The apex court said it cannot interfere with have been stolen. the government's decision to fix priorities for relief during the pandemic which has SC rules no compound, penal interest to be charged during Loan Moratorium affected all across the country and the period, denies further extension government has been under severe financial constraints.

The bench said this in its verdict on a batch of pleas filed by various trade associations, including from real estate and power sectors, seeking extension of loan moratorium and other reliefs in view of the

pandemic.

23-3-2021 The RBI had on 27 March last year issued the circular which allowed lending n Tuesday, in a relief to institutions to grant a moratorium on borrowers, the Supreme Court payment of instalments of term loans O directed that no compound or falling due between 1 March, 2020 and 31 penal interest be charged during the six- May, 2020, due to the pandemic. Later, the month loan moratorium period announced moratorium was extended till 31 August last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic and last year. In its verdict, the top court said that from various steps taken by the

3 government, it cannot be said that the as to why waiver of interest was not even Centre and the RBI have not considered the contemplated and only payment of relief for the borrowers. instalments was deferred.

The bench said it cannot strike down a Giving an illustration, it had said that in policy decision merely at the behest of case of State Bank of India alone, waiver of petitioners on grounds that the other view is six months' interest would completely wipe possible and the other decision could be out over half of the bank's net worth which more beneficial. While refusing to go into has accumulated over nearly 65 years of its the financial policy decision taken by the existence. government, the bench said it is not open It had pointed out the sector-specific relief for the court to embark upon judicial review measures taken by the government for the of policy decision merely at the behest of small and mid-sized business/MSMEs petitioners. including from sectors such as restaurants It said that complete waiver of interest is not and hotels. The Centre has promulgated possible as it will have huge financial emergency credit-linked guarantee scheme implications. The apex court had reserved (ECLGS) of Rs 3 lakh crore providing its judgement on the batch of pleas on 17 additional credit at lower rate of interest, December last year. with 100 per cent government guarantee and no fresh collateral, it had said. The Centre had earlier submitted before the top court that if it were to consider waiving The scheme has been extended with higher interest on all the loans and advances to all financial limits to twenty seven COVID-19 categories of borrowers for the six-month impacted sectors including restaurant and moratorium period announced by RBI, then hotel sectors, it had said. On 27 November the amount foregone would be more than last year, the top court had asked the Centre Rs 6 lakh crore. to ensure that all steps be taken to implement its decision to forego interest on If the banks were to bear this burden, then eight specified categories of loans paid up it would necessarily wipe out a substantial to Rs 2 crore in view of the pandemic. and a major part of their net worth, rendering most of the lenders unviable and The eight categories of loans are MSME raising a very serious question mark over (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises), their very survival, it had said. The Education, Housing, Consumer durable, government had said this was a main reason

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Credit card, Automobile, Personal and been kept under check as no cash is Consumption. collected. Bonds can be purchased only through cheque or DD, he said. Supreme Court reserves Order on Electoral Bonds, but expresses concern Senior Lawyer Rakesh Dwivedi, who over their possible misuse represented the Election Commission, said that the EC it is not opposed to these bonds but raised concerns over its anonymity.

The plea has been filed by the Association For Democratic Reforms (ADR) seeking to stop fresh sale of electoral bonds from April 1 till the Supreme Court decides on their 24-3-2021 validity. n Wednesday, the Apex Court The NGO sought an urgent hearing stating reserved its order on a plea of a that the sale of fresh electoral bonds should non-governmental organisation O be stopped till the Supreme Court decides seeking a stay on the sale of fresh electoral the three pending pleas challenging the bonds ahead of state assembly elections in electoral bond scheme 2018 which grants West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam anonymity to donors of political parties. & the union territory of Puducherry. An electoral bond is an instrument in the However, the 3-Judge bench, headed by CJI nature of a promissory note or bearer bond SA Bobde, expressed concerns over the which can be purchased by any individual, possible misuse of these bonds & asked the company, firm or association of persons Centre to examine it. provided the person or body is a citizen of "If a political party gets ₹100 crore worth India or incorporated or established in bonds what is the control over the use of India. The bonds are issued specifically for these bonds for illegal activities or purposes the purpose of contributing of funds to outside political agenda?" the bench posed political parties. a question. In its PIL, the ADR had sought that the Attorney General KK Venugopal, amendments carried out to the Finance Act representing the Centre, said that after the be struck down. This lack of transparency electoral bonds scheme was launched in in the accounts of all political parties was 2018, black money in election funding has cited as the ground by ADR to oppose this

5 scheme. These donations enjoy 100% tax "Respondents are directed to maintain exemption as they need not be reported to status quo regarding the supply of water to the Income Tax department either, the Delhi", ordered the apex court bench. The petition added. bench also said that it would hear the case on Friday as there is "urgency" in the The electoral bond scheme was notified by matter. the Central Govt on Jan 2, 2018. Senior Lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Maintain status quo on Water supply to Delhi: SC directs Punjab, Haryana appearing for the DJB, contended before Govts & BBMB the Supreme Court that Delhi has 2 crores of urban population & curtailment of water supply will badly affect the people.

He further said that the canal repair works should not be done in March-April when the water demand is at its peak.

"We are saying that we do not have a problem when you do repair, but at least 25-3-2021 they can start repairing work in winter or n Thursday, the Apex Court monsoon but not in April. directed the Govts of Punjab and "It is a routine repair of two gates. We have O Haryana and Bhakra-Beas written six letters since February 2021, our Management Board (BKMB) to maintain senior officers went & visited the site. We the status quo on the water supply to Delhi have Lutyens Delhi but we have common till Friday after the Delhi Jal Board alleged men. This will cut down 25 per cent water that water supply could be reduced here by supply," Singhvi disputed in the court. 25% because of closing of canal gates for Advocate Gautam Narayan, who was also repair. appearing for DJB, told the Apex Court that A bench, headed by CJI SA Bobde, also 20% of Delhi drinking water would be issued notices to the Govts of Punjab, curtailed from Thursday because of repair Haryana and BBMB on DJB's plea against work on the canal. the curtailment of supply of water to Delhi. "We asked them not to carry out construction work now & postpone the

6 work till monsoon or at least they have to High Court dismissed plea against make available an alternate drinking water increasing Board Examination Fee for Class X, XII route, he added. 26-3-2021 Narayan said that "The Chief Secretary has written to Punjab and Haryana. The DJB CEO has inspected & work can happen during monsoon".

Senior Lawyer Shyam Divan, appearing for the Haryana Govt, said no decision has been made to cut off the water supply.

"We have not curtailed the water supply or n Friday, the High Court of reduced the water. Water supply as it was Delhi dismissed a plea against before. The water level is being increasing the examination fee maintained," Divan said. O for class X & XII Board examination for the The apex court was hearing an application Year 2021 & sought a permanent solution of the DJB seeking direction be issued to relating to the exam fee demanded from the Haryana and Punjab Govt to release the students appearing in the Board water to avert a potentially severe crisis in Examinations. the national capital. A Division Bench of Chief Justice DN Patel It has claimed that the Haryana and Punjab & Justice Jasmeet Singh while passing the government will reduce the supply of raw order said: "We see no reason to entertain water to Delhi, resulting in a shortage of & intend to give any direction for waiver of water supply in Delhi. the fee."

The application of DJB was filed in an The HC Bench also observed that the already pending plea of DJB seeking financial burden by virtue of waiver is directions for the Haryana government for tremendous. Every Govt has its budgetary ceasing the discharge of untreated effluents provisions. Under Article 226 jurisdiction, resulting in a rise of ammonia levels in river we cannot imbalance the budgetary water. provisions of the Govt.

The PIL was filed by a registered society, Parents Forum for Meaningful Education.

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"CBSE, for the year 2019-2020 arbitrarily eligibility of any child taking Board enhanced its examination fee for Class X & Examination for the year 2021 for class X Class XII Board examination by two folds & XII on account of non-payment of such as compared to the year 2017-2018 & fee. several folds as compared to the year 2014- The plea reads, "The children have a right 2015," the petitioner earlier said. to education guaranteed by the The PIL read: "Issue a writ in nature of Constitution. A fair examination is the Mandamus, certiorari, quo- warranto or culmination of that process. The such other appropriate writ order or Respondents cannot conduct their affairs in direction to the Respondents as deemed fit any manner as works prejudicial to the & just by this Court to direct R2 (Delhi interests of the students". government) to permanently sort out the The Govt of Delhi has not only failed to sort matter of payment of the fee for students in out the matter as promised last year but this its school for the Board Examination for year it has declined to meet the steep fee Class X & Class XII with other obligation thereby abandoning lakhs of Respondents 1 & 3 (CBSE, Delhi children in class X & XII in its schools, the government & Centre) to protect their plea said. eligibility to take the Board Examination conducted by R1 (CBSE) for the classes X "This has directly hit children hailing from & XII." economically poor sections who are from economically weak & deprived sections of The appeal also sought to establish an the society studying in the government & empowered committee to examine & aided schools in class X & Class XII under submit a report to this court for necessary R2 & are consequently imperilled & if not standards & standards for their rescued will get left abandoned which implementation relating to fixation of cannot be acceptable to any responsible norms of fee for Board Examination by state," the plea read. CBSE for the children studying in the schools run by the Govt in classes. The petitioner submitted that these can be achieved by respondents sorting out the It has also sought to issue necessary steep rise among themselves or any such or directions in matters of fee demanded from similar inter adjustment between children for the academic year 2020-2021 themselves since they are accountable & ensuring that no prejudice is caused to the bound by the same constitution.

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The petitioner claimed that this petition is section (2) of Section 33 of the said Act of preferred in the public interest for the sake 2013.” of relief of the lakh of students studying in Supreme Court Adjourns To August Plea class X & XII & eligible to take the Board Seeking Criminal Action Against Persons Examination for the academic year 2020- Employing Manual Scavengers. 2021 in the year 2021. A special leave petition has been field Chief Justice of India SA Bobde before the Supreme Court raising the issue inaugurates new Bombay High Court that whether an adolescent boy, who enters building at Goa into a relationship with a girl who is less The event was attended by Supreme Court than 18yrs. Of age can be punished for the and Bombay High Court judges, the Union offence of sexual assault under the POCSO Law Minister and Goa Chief Minister. act.

Has State Promoted Use Of Modern Supreme Court orders that there shall be Technology To Replace Manual full waiver of interest on interest in Loan Scavenging? Karnataka high court asks Moratorium case.

he Karnataka High Court has The Court held that any amount directed the state government to collected as compound interest shall be T file an affidavit disclosing adjusted to the next installment payable whether it has discharged its duty to instead of refunding it to the borrower. promote, use of modern technology, for Delhi Court upholds two-year sentence cleaning sewers. A division bench of Chief imposed on Somnath Bharti in AIIMS Justice Abhay Oka and Justice S Vishwajith assault case. The conviction was partly Shetty in its order dated March 16, said upheld by the appellate court. The order “The was passed by Special Judge (MPs/MLAs State Government will place on record Cases) Vikas Dhull in Bharti’s appeal whether it has discharged its duty as against his conviction and sentence. provided under sub-section (2) of Section Hybrid Hearings: Delhi High Court asks 33 of the said Act of 2013. The State Registrar General to assess infrastructure Government will also consider of issuance requirements for lower courts of notices to all the local authorities to take steps to comply with the obligation of sub- To facilitate hybrid hearings before lower courts, the Delhi High Court today asked its

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Registrar General to undertake an The notification issued on 26th March has assessment of their infrastructure stated that all Advocates who complete one requirements at the earliest and forward the year’s continuous training on or before 30th same to the Delhi government. April, 2021 will be Examiners, by 26th April, 2021. The application forms may be Supreme Court, after in-house inquiry, obtained from the office of the Secretary on rejects complaint by YS Jagan Mohan any working day during office hours. Reddy against Justice NV Ramana in Amaravati land scam CJI Bobde on Allahabad High Court Grants Bail To Tuesday recommended the name of Justice Woman Accused Of Forcefully Ramana to take over as his successor after Converting Religion of 19-Yr Old his retirement on April 23, 2021, while also The Allahabad High Court recently granted dismissing the complaint by Reddy against bail to a woman, accused of abducting a 19- the sitting judge. year-old girl and forcing her to convert her Supreme Court constitutes seven-member religion. The woman has been charged by expert committee to lay down guidelines on the UP Police under the Uttar Pradesh cutting trees for developmental projects. Prohibition of Unlawful Religious The order was passed by a Bench of Chief Conversion Ordinance, 2020. The Justice of India SA Bobde in view of provisions of the Ordinance, that have now climate change as a growing national and taken force as an Act, declare unlawful international concern and the contribution religious conversion as a cognizable and and value of trees to the environment. non-bailable offence.

Bombay High Court grants bail to Deepak National News Kochhar in ICICI Bank - Videocon money Trains halted, shops closed : How laundering case. The Bombay High Court Bharat Bandh called by Farmers is on Thursday granted bail to Deepak panning out Kochhar, husband of former Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank Chanda Kochhar in the alleged ICICI Bank- Videocon money laundering case.

Supreme Court To Conduct Advocate- on-Record Examination For Year 2021 From June 8th-11th

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harat bandh has been called by than 40,000 trade organisations across the the farmer’s union to mark the country. Four months of protest by the B Supreme Court asks govt. to clarify on 55 farmers on the boarders of Delhi. Bandh has Collegium recommendations for judicial been continued following roads, rails and postings Transport Services have taken a hit and restrictions have put in place at Ghazipur border and Tikri border. The court asked Attorney General K.K. The traffic movement at Venugopal to enquire with the Union NH24 has also been closed. The blockade Ministry of Law and Justice and make a will end at 6pm Today. Samyuktha Kisan statement on April 8 about their status.

Morcha (SKM) , a farmer’s union protesting against the three new contentious farm reforms laws brought by the Centre, has called for a Bharat Bandh on March 26

Despite the call for Bharat Bandh across the country by some farmer organisations, markets stayed open and business was going on as usual on Friday across the country, according to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). The farmers' he Supreme Court on Thursday protests have been continuing at the borders asked the government to clarify of the national capital against the Union T on the status of 55 farm laws since November 26, 2020. recommendations made by the Collegium

CAIT released a statement and said, for judicial appointments to various High "Bharat Bandh has had no impact on trade Courts six months to nearly a year-and-a- across the country. It has urged the farmers' half ago. organisations to leave their stubborn Forty-four of the pending recommendations attitude and talk to the Central government were made to fill vacancies in the Calcutta, about their problems and resolve them." Madhya Pradesh, Gauhati, Rajasthan and CAIT is the apex traders organisation Punjab High Courts. These representing eight crore traders and more recommendations have been pending with

11 the government for over seven months to a Justice Kaul, who was accompanying the year. Chief Justice and Justice Surya Kant, said the “thought process” of both the The remaining 10 names have been pending government and Collegium should be with the government despite their modulated. He said a time frame needed to reiteration by the Collegium. They include be fixed for both the Collegium and five for the Calcutta High Court pending Ministry to complete the appointment with the government for one year and seven process. months. The recommendations of four names made by the Collegium to the Delhi Senior advocate Vikas Singh, who is the High Court have been pending for seven president of the Supreme Court Bar months. Association, said there was a need to institutionalise a process for considering ‘Matter of grave concern’ advocates practising in the top courts to “This is a matter of grave concern... When judgeships in the High Courts. do you propose to take a decision?” a “There should be an institutional basis for Special Bench led by Chief Justice of India considering names from the Supreme Court Sharad A. Bobde asked Attorney General Bar, rather considering them on an ad hoc K.K. Venugopal, appearing for the basis. It should be done as a rule and not as government. an exception,” Mr. Singh said. The court asked Mr. Venugopal to enquire Chief Justice Bobde said the court was in with the Union Ministry of Law and Justice complete agreement with Mr. Singh’s and make a statement on April 8 about their sentiments. The CJI said the problem may status. The Bench handed over to Mr. be that “in some States the Bar Associations Venugopal a chart containing the details of call these advocates as outsiders”. the 55 recommendations. Mr. Singh said this was not the case and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said on the 10 Supreme Court advocates too should come recommendations, some of which date back within the zone of consideration of the to a year-and-a-half, that “neither have they Collegium for HC judgeships. been appointed nor have you (government) given us a response”. The Bench said it would take up this matter on April 8.

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The total sanctioned judicial strength in the Parliament proceedings: parliament 25 High Courts is 1,080. However, the passes bill for allied, Health care professional Bill. present working strength is 661 with 419 vacancies as on March 1.

The Supreme Court has been repeatedly conveying to the government its growing alarm at the judicial vacancies in High Courts.

It said in October that some of these High he parliament on March 24 Courts were functioning only with half their cleared the National commission sanctioned judicial strength. On an average, for allied and health care the courts suffered at least 40% judicial T professional Bill, 2021, which asserted to vacancies. setup a commission to regulate allied health The government has countered that the fault care sector to enhance training and lay with the Collegium and the High Court qualification. The Rajya Sabha passed the for delaying the process. Mr. Venugopal bill on March 16. said the government’s delay was largely Union health minister Harsha Vardan said because it thoroughly combed the that the mutual cooperation of parties in lok antecedents of the candidate, leaving no Sabha is aimed at fulfilment of demands room for error. The process, on an average, lasting since years by health caste sector. took at least 127 days. On the other hand, the judiciary took 119 days on an average “The paramedic and health care workers are merely to forward the file to the playing vital role in medical profession and government. they are equal to doctors, their role has to be paid some respect which is ultimate aim Mr. Venugopal referred to how the of Bill” he said. Collegium system was put to an end through the National Judicial Appointments Dr. Vardan remembered the role played by Commission to make the appointments paramedics and allied Health care workers, process transparent and participatory, only radiographers, dieticians, lab technicians to be thrust out by the Supreme Court. during covid-19 pandemic.

The bill aim to appoint a statutory body which works for welfare of aforesaid

13 workers in medical field. The chairman and Mr. Modi will participate in the centenary vice chairman will be selected for tenure of celebration for Sheikh Mujib upon his 2 years and they would be eligible for arrival in Dhaka where he will hold bilateral renomination for two more terms. discussions with Prime Minister Sheikh Commission represents state government, Hasina. The visit to Gopalganj is 12 seats will be set aside for them and state symbolically significant as it is the first level commission can also be setup as time that an Indian leader will pay tributes mentioned in the Bill. to Bangabandhu at his grave which was neglected during the military rule of the The policies here are coded by international 1980s in Bangladesh. yardstick and according to international labour code (ILO). Standing committee suggested 110 amendment in which 102 The mazar of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has were included. been developed by the Government of Modi to visit Mujib’s mausoleum during Bangladesh in the last two decades as a Bangladesh visit major destination for visitors to the country. The mausoleum contains the grave of 24-3-2021 Sheikh Mujib and his parents, Sheikh M to also visit Thakurbari at Lutfar Rahman and Saira Khatun. Sheikh Orakandi, the heartland of Matua Mujib was buried at his ancestral estate at P Hindus, who constitute a sizeable Tungipara near Dhaka after he was population in Bengal assassinated on August 15, 1975 in a In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Narendra military takeover.

Modi will visit the mazar or mausoleum of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Gopalganj will be in focus also for the visit Tungipara of Gopalganj district during his by Mr. Modi to the Thakurbari at Orakandi, March 26-27 visit to Bangladesh, sources the heartland of the Matua Hindus who told The Hindu on Wednesday. The two- constitute a sizeable population in both day visit will also include a major cultural Bangladesh and West Bengal where they show by Hindustani classical vocalist are expected to play an important role in the Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty and his nine- coming Assembly election. member musical troupe from Kolkata.

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Mr. Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart educationally” backward In order to Sheikh Hasina will attend a concert in the incorporate them in the reservation evening of March 26 where Mr. category. Chakraborty will perform live with his Tamilnadu and Karnataka agreed on the team. The classical singer will call on Mr. contention of Maharashtra which reflects Modi during his stay in Dhaka. Mr. 50% reservation in Indira Sawhney Chakraborty will hold a workshop for judgement was ‘cast in stone’. musicians and singers at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on March 28. Senior advocate Naphade and Tamilnadu state advocate, Yogesh kanna, contended Percentage of quota should be left to that judgement of Indira Sawhney must be states said Tamilnadu to Supreme court re looked.

The Maharashtra state reservation for SEBC act of 2018, which hiked from 12% to 13% quota reservation percentage across the 50% mark, was enacted as a wider view.

Since many years state such as Tamilnadu and Maharashtra have crossed the Rubicon and passed Laws for 60% of reservation. amilnadu government told to bench of Supreme court on Parliament proceedings | Lok Sabha passes Bill that seeks to clarify that Tuesday reservation should be T 'Govt.' in Delhi means 'L-G' left to the “subjective satisfaction” of the The Bill also makes it mandatory for the State. Delhi government to take the opinion of the L-G before any executive action. State urged Supreme court bench headed by J Ashok Bushan to let states to determine its socially and educationally backward classes and fix the percentage of reservation for them in the state jobs and educational institutions.

One more southern state, Karnataka also supported the contention of right to specify a particular community as “socially and

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Bill that seeks to make it clear the Modi government's feet for its that the "government" in Delhi withdrawal. means the "Lieutenant A Mr. Reddy said there has been cordial Governor" was passed by Lok Sabha on relations between the central and Delhi Monday amidst strong Opposition from the governments since 1996 and all differences Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party which were resolved through discussions. said that the legislation is "unconstitutional". However, since 2015, some issues have come up and cases were filed before the Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Delhi High Court, which also gave certain Reddy said the the Government of National rulings. Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 has become necessary as there Mr. Reddy said the court had also ruled that have been ambiguity in certain issues the L-G should be informed on executive related to the functioning of the Delhi issues of the city government. government and several cases were also He said when the GNCTD Act was enacted filed in courts. in 1991 by the then Congress government,

"Please do not say that it is a political Bill. Delhi has been made a UT with an It is being brought to end ambiguity in Assembly with "limited legislative certain issues as Delhi is a Union Territory. powers".

It will end certain confusion or technicality "We did not do that. It was a Congress and enhance the efficiency of the government which piloted the Act then," he administration," he said. said.

According to the Bill, the "government" in Mr. Reddy said the LG is an administrator Delhi means the "Lieutenant Governor". so he has the right to know the day-to-day

The Bill also makes it mandatory for the affairs. "We have not snatched any power Delhi government to take the opinion of the from the Delhi government nor we have L-G before any executive action. given any additional power to the LG," he said. Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party has opposed the Bill. Chief Minister Arvind He strongly objected to some Opposition Kejriwal had even urged the central members' reference that the "Modi government to take back the Bill and said government is dictatorial" and said the the AAP dispensation was ready to fall at NDA government has not done anything

16 wrong or new but just ended ambiguity and After ten days, a bench of khanwilkar and brought clarity on the Delhi government. s. ravindra bhat urged court in their judgement not to diminish asexual offence Participating in the debate, Congress which tends to minimize the survivor. member Manish Tewari said the Bill is "unconstitutional" as it encroached upon The judgement reflected that marriage or the powers of the city government. compromise between victim and accused shall not be made mandate by the court. The AAP member Bhagwant Mann also judgement was based on appeal against a strongly opposed the Bill and demanded its Madhya Pradesh high court order directing roll back. an alleged molester to allow his victim to tie Supreme Court asked to stop a rakhi on him. stereotyping women Justice Chandrachud, in a women officer’s case, said that “Women Indian Army Officers have brought proud to the nation. Discriminating them by their gender is an hurdle not only to their dignity but also to

the dignity to the Indian Army – Men and judgement by the supreme Women – who works at same mission”. court prohibiting the judges A from making gender GST fraud of over 5000 crore dug up, 40 stereotypical comments was came as a got arrested voice from apex court.

The judgement, pronounced on March 18, came days after the court ran into a G maelstrom of criticism after the chief justice of India (CJI), during a virtual hearing on March 1, reportedly asked am alleged rapist’s lawyer to enquire whether his client would , marry the survivor. CJI Bobde said that on March 8 he was

“completely misquoted” and court had highest respect on womanhood.

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ST officers have arrested one No rigid standard for acceptance or person in the national capital on rejection of dying declaration, says G Friday in connection with Supreme Court creating and operating fake firms and A view of the Supreme Court of India. fraudulently passing on input tax credit (ITC) worth Rs 94 crore.

GST officers have arrested one person in the national capital on Friday in connection with creating and operating fake firms and fraudulently passing on input tax credit (ITC) worth Rs 94 crore. As per the investigation, the multi- layered network was being operated by one Krishna Kumar. The petitioner’s lawyer had argued that "During the search of his residence, the accused were wrongly given the incriminating documents like ATM benefit of doubt by the high court that cards, signed cheques, bank documents, the deceased had committed suicide. stamps of these dummy firms including he Supreme Court has said that stamp of the transport company as there can be “no rigid standard or mentioned in the e-way bills of the fake T yardstick” for acceptance or firms and outer packets/cases of SIM rejection of dying declaration, which alone cards of mobile phones used for can form the basis for conviction if it has registration of firms were recovered," been made voluntarily and inspires officers said. confidence.

The apex court observed that if there are A case has been registered under relevant contradictions that create doubts about the sections of Indian penal code and CGST truthfulness and credibility of the dying Act,2017. CGST of Delhi zone arrested 40 declaration then the benefit of doubt shall who are linked in GST scam of over 5000 have to be given to the accused. crore in 2021. A bench comprising justices Navin Sinha and Krishna Murari stated this in its judgement while dismissing an appeal

18 challenging the August 2011 verdict of the The petitioner’s lawyer had argued that the Delhi High Court which upheld a trial court accused were wrongly given the benefit of order acquitting two persons accused of doubt by the high court that the deceased subjecting a woman to cruelty and had committed suicide. murdering her. The apex court noted that the accused had “A dying declaration is admissible in taken the defence that the deceased evidence under section 32 of the Indian suspected a promiscuous relationship Evidence Act, 1872. It alone can also form between them and was also frustrated by the basis for conviction if it has been made her inability to conceive and, therefore, voluntarily and inspires confidence,” the committed suicide by setting herself afire. top court said in its March 25 verdict. “In the facts and circumstances of the “If there are contradictions, variations, present case, considering that the creating doubts about its truthfulness, statements of the deceased have vacillated, affecting its veracity and credibility, or if there is no evidence about the fitness of the dying declaration is suspect, or the mind of the deceased to make the dying accused is able to create a doubt not only declaration including the presence of the with regard to the dying declaration but also doctor, the veracity and truthfulness of the with regard to the nature and manner of dying declaration remains suspect,” the death, the benefit of doubt shall have to be bench said. given to the accused,” it said. “It would not be safe to simply reject the The bench further said, “Therefore, much probable defence of suicide, to reverse the shall depend on the facts of a case. There acquittal and convict the respondents,” it can be no rigid standard or yardstick for said, adding, “The appeal is, therefore, acceptance or rejection of a dying dismissed”. declaration.” The plea in the apex court was POLITICAL NEWS filed by a man who had challenged the acquittal of his deceased sister’s husband BJP national president J P Nadda on and sister-in-law in a case lodged in 1991. Monday mocked the Congress, comparing it with an elephant having two sets of teeth The woman had suffered 95% burn injuries – "one to show off and another to chew". in her matrimonial home on September 17, Addressing an election rally at Tingkhong 1991, and succumbed in a hospital the next in Dibrugarh district, Nadda also accused day. the Congress of practising "politics of

19 opportunism" and said Assam will head into "darkness" if the opposition party is voted to power.

"The Congress' only aim is politics of opportunism.They are with the Muslim League and fighting against the CPI(M) in Kerala, but joined hands with it in West

Bengal and Assam…," Nadda said.

"Like a tusker, the Congress has two sets of 22-3-2021 teeth — one to show off and another to chew. It says something and always does India on Monday named Bangladesh’s the opposite… It is dividing the society," father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur the senior BJP leader said. Repeatedly Rahman, and Oman’s longtime ruler Sultan attacking the Congress, he said the Qaboos for the Gandhi Peace Prize, an opposition party "means darkness", while official statement by the government the BJP stands for development. said.This is the first time that the prestigious prize for 2019 and 2020 has "If you need darkness, then go with the been awarded posthumously. Congress. But if you need development, hold the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman Modi," Nadda said at the rally. The was the Middle East’s longest-ruling Congress has neglected Assam and the monarch, and known internationally for his northeast since Independence, and did diplomatic balancing in the volatile Persian nothing to develop the region, he alleged. Gulf. He often served as a facilitator of talks Sheikh Mujibur Rahman named for between adversaries, Iran and the U.S. He Gandhi Peace Prize after Modi makes an was a key to meeting India’s energy exception security needs in the Persian Gulf.

The award carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and an exquisite traditional handloom item. The decision to confer the award for 2020 on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman comes ahead of

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Bangladesh, his first foreign trip since the Parganas, Kolkata and Hooghly, districts outbreak of Covid-19. PM Modi will attend that together have 16 of Bengal’s 42 Lok the national day programme of Bangladesh Sabha seats. on March 26 as the guest of honour and participate in the commemoration of what PM Modi, who heads the jury for the New Delhi has described as “three epochal Gandhi Peace Prize, called Bangabandhu a events” – Mujib Borsho, the birth centenary champion of human rights and freedom, of Bangladesh’s father of the nation, Sheikh and is a hero to Indians as well. Mujibur Rahman, 50 years of diplomatic ties, and 50 years of Bangladesh’s war of An official statement said the prestigious liberation. award “recognizes the immense and unparalleled contribution of Bangabandhu PM Modi’s itinerary in Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in inspiring the includes visits to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s liberation of Bangladesh, bringing stability memorial in Tungipara, about 400 km from to a nation born out of strife, laying the Dhaka. Tungipara is the place of birth of foundation for the close and fraternal Mujibur Rahman. It is also also where the relations between India and Bangladesh, architect of the 1971 Bangladesh War of and promoting peace and non-violence in Independence lies buried inside a tomb the Indian subcontinent”. called the ‘Bangabandhu mausoleum’. PM Narendra Modi to address election PM Modi will also pay respect to Harichand meeting at Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu Thakur, the founder of a religious on March 30 reformation movement Matua Mahasangha Modi, who launched the party campaign at his shrine in Orakandi. On March 27, PM here on February25, is expected to arrive Modi is scheduled to visit the famous at the city airport at 10.20 AM and leave by Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira. helicopter for Dharapuram in Tirupur

district, the sources said. A large number of people from the Matua community migrated from Bangladesh to parts of Bengal and Assam over the last five decades to escape religious persecution. In Bengal, they are mostly concentrated in

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lection campaign in Assam is witnessing a war of words E between the national-level leaders of BJP and Congress. On Monday in different parts of the state, BJP president JP Nadda and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the grand old party took centrestage.

rime Minister Narendra Modi will Addressing a rally at Tingkhong in address an election meeting on Dibrugarh district, Nadda accused P March 30 at Dharapuram from Congress of practising “politics of where BJP State unit president L Murugan opportunism” and said Assam will head is contestingthe April 6 assembly elections, into “darkness” if the party is voted to party sources said on Tuesday. Modi, who power. “If you need darkness, then go with launched the party campaign here on Congress. But if you need development, February25, is expected to arrive at the city hold the hands of Prime Minister Narendra airport at 10.20 AM and leave by helicopter Modi,” Nadda said. He accused Congress for Dharapuram in Tirupur district, the of neglecting Assam and the Northeast sources said.After the meeting, the prime since Independence. minister will return to the city around 2.20 “Because of Congress’s double standards, PM and leave for Chennai. the wheels of development had totally Priyanka and Nadda spar over right to stopped. It attacked the civilisation of serve people of Assam Assam, sidelining the state’s culture. But, BJP brought development and protected Assam’s culture and language,” Nadda said. Attacking the Congress-AIUDF alliance, he said former CM Tarun Gogoi never allied with the Badruddin Ajmal-led party, but his son has now embraced the AIUDF.

Priyanka, on the other hand, alleged that 23 March 2021 BJP was functioning like a mafia and

running syndicates. The Congress general secretary said that the saffron party in the

22 state has two factions and both have nion Home Minister Amit Shah betrayed the people of Assam. on Wednesday assured strong “In the Assam government, there is a U action against those who Shakuni Mama-like leader and a allegedly harassed nuns belonging to a Dhritarashtra. Both of them and BJP have Kerala-based congregation during their betrayed the people of Assam. train journey via Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh. Dhritarashtra betrayed the six ethnic Noting that UP was ruled by BJP communities whom he had promised to get government, Shah, while addressing a poll included in the Scheduled Tribes list. And rally here, said, “I want to assure the people Shakuni Mama runs a government that of Kerala that the culprits behind this only cheats people.” She did not mention incident will be brought to justice at the who she was referring to. earliest”. The issue was raised before Shah by party’s Kanjirappally assembly “BJP has not been able to decide who will candidate for April 6 polls, K J Alphonse, be their chief ministerial candidate. They who is his former ministerial colleague in are not able to respect their own chief the union cabinet. Two nuns and two minister and spell out the name. If there is postulants were taken off an express train no stability and unity in the party, then how and detained for questioning by railway will it bring stability to Assam and assure police in UP’s Jhansi on March 19. The the people to give a stable government?” Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) claimed the Congress leader. had expressed concern over the matter. The Amit Shah assures action against culprits Congress and BJP took up the matter with in nuns harassment incident Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar

Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, respectively. Officials in Jhansi said the nuns were detained after local Bajrang Dal activists complained that two of the women were allegedly being taken forcibly for religious conversion. The police said there was no basis in the complaint and all four women later took the next train to their destination in Odisha.

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Bangladesh's Matua community set to temple at Ishwaripur under Shaymnagar welcome Modi upazila. This will be the first-ever visit by a foreign head of state to the temple. Prior to Modi's visit, Ishwaripur of Shyamnagar in Sathkhira, particularly the temple, has taken on a festive look.

Custodian of the temple, Jyoti Chattapaddhaya said necessary

preparations to welcome the Indian Premier 25-3-2021 and the delegates are at the final stage.

he Matua community of Bangladesh, The next day, he visit and pray at T a Scheduled Caste group with a the Matua community's Shri Shri presence in at least six parliamentary seats Harichand temple and the Hari temple of of West Bengal, is all set to welcome Indian Guruchand at the Orakandi Thakurbari Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this under Kashiani upazila, Gopalganj. week.

Matuas trace their ancestry to Bangladesh Modi is also scheduled to spend time with and large chunk of the community moved the family of Harichand Thakur, founder of into West Bengal following the Partition the Matua community who was born at and specially after the 2001-02 anti-Hindu Orakandi in 1812, said Padmanabha pogroms during the Khaleda Zia Thakur, president of the Bangladesh Matua government. Maha Mission.

While no official count is available, Also on Saturday, Modi will visit the community leaders put their population at 3 mausoleum of Bangabandhu crore, while a state minister of India said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in there were 1.75 crore Namasudra voters. Gopalganj. Security around Orakandi has been beefed After his arrival in Bangladesh on Friday, up. A helipad was being prepared in front Modi will also visit the Jashoreshwari Kali

24 of the Thakurbari. The public works department has erected a rest house besides the Hari temple.

Kashiani upazila parishad chairman Subrata Thakur, also a descendant of the Thakur family, said the Matua followers are eagerly awaiting the Indian Prime vaccination on priority in view of the Minister's visit. Supreme Court’s order staying the "The visit will further strengthen the proceedings. A bench of Justices Vipin relationship between the two neighbouring Sanghi and Rekha Palli adjourned sine-die countries," he said. the hearing in the PIL which was initiated by the high court on its own. The apex court Shahida Sultana, deputy commissioner at on Thursday had stayed proceedings in the Gopalganj, assured that all the necessary Delhi High Court on giving priority to the preparations have been taken to receive the legal fraternity for administering COVID- Indian Prime Minister. 19 vaccine and favoured transferring the suo motu case on the issue to itself for Modi is scheduled to visit Bangladesh from adjudication. The Centre has opposed Friday to Saturday to join the celebration of creating a separate class of lawyers and said Bangabandhu's birth centenary and the that though it is not opposed to the legal Golden Jubilee Bangladesh's independence. fraternity members but tomorrow

Delhi HC refuses to further hear plea for journalists and banking sector employees vaccinating judges, lawyers on priority may also come forward seeking priority in following SC stay vaccination. During the brief hearing, central government standing counsel Anil

Soni informed the high court that in the he Delhi High Court Friday seven district courts here, the facility of refused to further hear a PIL to COVID-19 vaccination for lawyers, who T declare all people associated with are eligible for it as per the policy, has the judicial functioning, including judges, started. Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute court staff and lawyers, as “frontline of India (SII), the country’s leading workers” to enable them to get COVID-19 COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, had told

25 the high court that adequate capacity of vaccines was available for the vaccination of judicial staff, advocates and judges as frontline workers. The PIL was initiated to examine the demand to declare all people associated with the judicial functioning, including judges, court staff and lawyers, as “frontline workers” so that they could receive COVID-19 vaccination on priority 26 March 2021 and without limitations of their age or engal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh, physical condition. As per the current shredded by political leaders policy, those above 60 years of age or over his shocking comment that between the age of 45 to 59 years with B Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should comorbidities are eligible for the wear Bermuda shorts if she wished to vaccination. The government has said that display her legs, remained defiant today. It rather than going by profession, the is inappropriate for a sari-clad woman to government is starting with vulnerability to show her legs, he told the media. COVID-19 infection. The high court had on March 4 asked the Centre to explain the "She (Mamata Banerjee) is our Chief rationale behind keeping strict control over Minister. We expect her to act class of persons who can be vaccinated appropriately, befitting Bengal's culture. A against COVID-19 currently as under the woman showing her legs in a saree is present system those above the age of 60 inappropriate. People are objecting. I found years or with comorbidities can receive it objectionable so I spoke," said the 56- vaccination. It had said the two institutes year-old amid the huge insider versus which have developed the vaccines outsider debate in the state, which pivots on COVISHIELD and COVAXIN – Serum the Bengal's culture. Institute of India and Bharat Biotech – have Ms Banerjee, who had sustained injuries in more capacity to provide the vaccines but it her leg while in Nandigram, has been seems that their full capacity is not being campaigning from a wheelchair, her leg in exploited. a cast. BJP's Dilip Ghosh Defiant On "Mamata Banerjee Should Wear Bermudas" Jibe

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The BJP had scoffed, saying the Trinamool Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also Congress chief, desperate to hold onto termed the BJP leader's comment power, was resorting to "drama" to scoop "unfortunate" and said, "Using this kind of up some sympathy votes. language shows the BJP's anti-women mentality and mental bankruptcy as they At a rally in Purulia yesterday, Dilip Ghosh are going to lose the West Bengal election." had said: "The plaster was cut and then a crepe bandage was put. And now she is The 'daughter of Bengal' taking on displaying her leg to everyone. She is India's PM dressed in a saree but one of her legs is exposed. I have never seen anyone drape a saree like that. If you want to display your legs, why a saree, wear a pair of Bermudas so everyone can have a good look."

His remarks drew massive censure from various quarters. Party MP Mohua Moitra, known for her 27 March 2021 outspoken remarks, was vehement. "BJP West Bengal President asks in public "You gave her an opportunity to work for meeting why Mamatadi is wearing a saree, 10 years. Now give us a chance," Mr Modi she should be wearing 'Bermuda' shorts to says. The woman in question is Mamata display her leg better. And these perverted Banerjee, the firebrand leader of Trinamool depraved monkeys think they are going to Congress (TMC), a regional party that has win Bengal?" read her tweet. been ruling the state for a decade.

"It now appears that the role of Now Mr Modi, a folksy orator, slips into @BJP4Bengal State President has been thickly accented Bengali, much of the merely reduced to that of venom-spitting. amusement of many in the crowd. He From scathing attacks towards the CM of launches into a broadside against Ms Bengal to violence towards AITC official Banerjee, who is better known in Bengal as workers - he has conveniently crossed all "didi" or elder sister, a moniker invented by limits. Shocking words, once again!" her supporters. tweeted Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar.

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"Didi, o Mamata didi. You say we are The feisty Ms Banerjee stormed to power in outsiders. But the land of Bengal doesn't 2011 after dislodging a Communist-led regard anyone as an outsider," says Mr government that ruled the state for 34 years. Modi. "Nobody is an outsider here." Since then she has ruled without a break, and her party currently holds 211 of 295 Ms Banerjee has framed the challenge from seats in the outgoing state assembly. The Mr Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya TMC is a loosely structured, and not a Janata Party (BJP) as one between the particularly disciplined party. It has no insiders (Bengalis) and the outsiders (the ideological underpinnings. Like most of largely Hindi-speaking BJP, which runs the India's regional parties, it relies on the cult federal government). of personality of a charismatic leader, whose supporters also call her the "fire The 66-year-old leader is tapping into, at goddess". once, nativist and federalist sentiments. The "othering" of a powerful federal party is During the last assembly election in 2016, grounded in India's contested politics of the BJP won a paltry three seats. In the federalism, says Dwaipayan Bhattacharya, parliamentary poll in 2019, it threw down a professor of political science at the gauntlet, picking up 18 of the state's 42 Jawaharlal Nehru University. Ms Banerjee parliamentary seats and 40% of the popular has also accused the Hindu nationalist party vote. Ms Banerjee's party won 22 seats, of trying to bring "narrow, discriminatory down a dozen seats from the 2014 ballot, and divisive politics in Bengal". and was badly bruised.

Rhetoric aside, the battle for West Bengal - "It was a wake up call for Ms Banerjee," where voting is staggered over eight phases says Rajat Ray, a political commentator. and four weeks - promises to be intense. "2021 is her existential battle". (The results of voting will not be announced A win for the BJP in West Bengal will be a until 2 May, along with four other states, major boost to the party. Although Mr Modi including neighbouring Assam.) It is also continues to be India's most popular leader, the most significant state election in India his party has been struggling to win state in recent years. elections. Also, a win for a Hindu nationalist party in a state where a third of West Bengal, a state of 92 million people, the voters are Muslims will be hugely has never been ruled by Mr Modi's party. symbolic. It will almost also extinguish any

28 hope that India's largely rag-tag opposition harbours to take on Mr Modi's well-oiled People also talk about violence against and richly funded party in 2024 general political rivals - and the arrogance of TMC elections. workers. Dhanpat Ram Agarwal, who heads the BJP's economic cell in the state, "This election is a war for Indian said the more crippling malaise was the democracy. If the BJP wins, Hindu "criminalisation of politics", where majoritarian politics will have finally opponents are "attacked and persecuted". arrived in Bengal, a veritable last bastion," says Prashant Kishore, a political strategist, Yet most people don't appear to hold who is helping Ms Banerjee's campaign. grudges against Ms Banerjee, who is perceived to be a personally clean and If Ms Banerjee wins, she is likely to emerge empathetic leader. Ten years of rule may as a national leader because she would have have ended the euphoria around her, but her defeated a powerful incumbent national larger-than-life image remains intact, and party. She is also likely to emerge as a public anger against her is muted. One consensus opposition leader in their fight commentator calls it the "paradox of anti- against the BJP. No other opposition leader incumbency". has been able to mount a successful Mr Kishore admits that "there is anger narrative against Mr Modi, and if she wins, against the local leadership, and the party". Ms Banerjee could be the answer, But, he says, Ms Banerjee is "holding on to according to Neelanjan Sircar, a senior her image as the girl next door, the didi". visiting fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in Delhi. It may not be easy. "Her image will help mitigate the anti- incumbency. She is not hated. And her Everywhere you travel in West Bengal, party has not imploded despite the BJP's people complain that they have to pay attempts." bribes to local TMC leaders and workers to Also in the past 18 months, Ms Banerjee access welfare schemes - one person said has tried to reclaim some lost ground. party workers even wait outside banks to demand a bribe from people withdrawing More than seven million people have welfare money transfers. The problem in reportedly called a helpline she set up to West Bengal, one commentator told me, record people's complaints. Nearly 30 was the "politicisation of the government". million people have availed of an initiative

29 called "government at the doorstep" since Despite the ailing Communists stitching up December to ease delivery of a dozen an alliance with a Muslim cleric and the welfare schemes. Public grievances over enfeebled Congress to swing votes away 10,000 community related schemes were from the main contestants, the battle for sorted out through a neighbourhood' West Bengal is singularly bipolar. To win programme, the government claims.. Rural the state, a party has to pick up 45% of the roads are being repaired on a war footing. popular votes in such a contest. Most believe it will be a closely fought A slew of welfare schemes - bicycles and election. Even "didi", the protective elder scholarships for students, cash transfers for sister, has been forced into a change of girl students to continue education and image. Kolkata's skyline is emblazoned health insurance - has ensured that Ms with billboards of Ms Banerjee's smiling Banerjee's populist appeal is unblemished. face, describing her as "Banglar meye" or She remains popular with women voters: daughter of Bengal. It's an appeal from a some 17% of her candidates in this election woman who says she is under siege from are women. outsiders. "It is about telling the voters that she needs In its bid to grow exponentially and take on your support in this crucial battle," says Mr Ms Banerjee, the BJP has poached freely Kishore. from its rivals in West Bengal. More than 45 of the 282 candidates it has put up in the BANKING AND FINANCE NEWS polls are defectors. Thirty four of them are from Ms Banerjee's party alone, mostly Heterogeneous Banking sector will disgruntled local leaders who have been established in India in a decade with four refused tickets. The BJP's organisation types of banks: shaktikanta das, remains creaky, and it lacks a compelling local leader to take on Ms Banerjee. Many say the party doesn't have a cohesive narrative, beyond the criticism of the TMC, and promises of a "golden Bengal". It is, they reckon, mostly drawing on support from voters angry with the TMC, including those belonging to a clutch of lower castes.

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he RBI expects “competition, DISINVESTMENT TARGET OF FY22 efficient and heterogeneous” ACHIEVABLE banking sector with distinct sets T sserting that the disinvestment of bank dominating the existing over the target of Rs 1.75 lakh crore for decade, it’s governor said on Thursday. 2021-22 was "imminently There will be large banking across the A achievable", Chief Economic Adviser K V country and World, mid size banks present Subramanian on Saturday said the proposed across economy, small finance banks/ RRB initial public offering (IPO) by LIC itself ‘s/ cooperatives to take care of small could garner Rs. 1 lakh crore for the borrowers and digital players, he said. government. He also said retail inflation “The RBI striving for more efficient, targeting by the Reserve Bank of India competitive and heterogeneous banking (RBI) has helped in bringing down the sector. The licencing for universal banks, volatility and level of inflation. SFBs and payments banks are some steps in The RBI's Monetary Policy Committee has this direction”, das said speaking at Times been mandated to maintain annual inflation Networks India economic conclave. He at 4 per cent until March 31, 2021, with an said now there are ten small finance banks upper tolerance of 6 per cent and lower limit and six payments banks which are of 2 per cent. operational. Speaking at a virtual conference by Jana Das also said a healthy banking is a policy Small Finance Bank, Subramanian said the priority, enhancing strength to a banking disinvestment target of Rs. 1.75 lakh crore system lies on building it’s capital base. for 2021-22 is actually a carryover of the “Bank and NFBC’s need to enhance skillset Rs. 2.10 lakh crore target set for the current to identify risks early, assess them, decrease fiscal ending March 31. the risks by precautions. They also increase During 2022-23, it could moderate to 6.5- stress testing framework severely but with 7 per cent and thereafter 7.5-8 per cent, reasonable scenarios” he said aided by the reform measures announced by the government recently, he added. Das also said upgrading IT infrastructure and customer service along wit GOVERNMENT BLOCKS 27 FRAUD cybersecurity measure need attention along LENDING APPS with Banks.

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ollowing the banning of Chinese including lending through online platforms app over 250 applications such as and mobile apps by RBI. social network, gaming, e- F Over 250 apps of Chinese Origin was commerce, news, business, photo and video banned across the categories such as Social editing, and more and our Indian Network, Gaming, E-commerce, News, government has now come down heavily on Business, Photo and video editing and lending or loan apps offering instant credit more. The Government of India has now over in the internet. striving for the growth of lending or loa The Ministry of Electronics and apps offering instant credit over the Information Technology had received a internet. request form the Ministry of Home affairs for blocking 27 loan lending apps under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000. And also moreover from December 2020 till January 20, 2021, Google had also removed around 100 money lending apps.

Because of the digital lending value had jumped from $300 billion to $150 billion The Ministry of Electronics and and likely grow to $350 billion. Among the Information Technology had received a leading players in the market include request from the Ministry of Home Affairs Capital Float, Zest Money, Indifi, KredX, for Blocking 27loan lending apps under the Bharat Pe, Ledingkart, Paisabazaar, and section 69A of Information technology Act, more apps are blocked. It was first step to 2000. found fraudulent applications. In December 2020, Hyderabad Police had Government Blocks 27 Frauds lending arrested 11 persons from the places like apps offering instant credit online Delhi, Gurgaon while the Cyberabad Police working group had constituted arrested six others in Hyderabad in instant by the Reserve Bank of India, mobile app loan Fraud. Google had also A for attainment of knowledge removed around 100 Money lending apps about all aspects of digital lending activities that are possibly not in compliance with the

32 applicable legal and Regulatory FE CFO Awards 2020:India UPI is Framework. better for transaction than Cryptocurrency: RBI appoints panel for new Universal Bank and SFB licences: US and Chinese digital economies had BI on Monday constituted a mainly surrounded by data Monopolies. committee headed by Former Cryptocurrency is a form of digital asset Deputy Governor Shymala R based on a network that is distributed across Gopinath for the valuation of several a large number of computer e. This application for Universal Banks and Small decentralized structure allows them to exist Finance Banks. outside the control of Government and The application given for Universal Banks Central authorities. “There were and Small Finance Banks were verified by acceptable(maintainable) in our Country as RBI, to check the eligibility of the a store of value and they are not exactly the applicants. Then after the committee will perfect ideal for transaction but instead to evaluate the application, RBI said. that were other alternative s too” said by

Universal Banks participated in Non Executive Chairman of Infosys many kinds of banking activities and is both Nandhan Nilekani at FE CFO Awards a commercial bank and an investment bank 2020. as well as providing other Financial FE CFO Awards: FE CFO Awards Service such as insurance . It is the system ceremony had conducted at 6 pm on in which Banks provide a wide variety of Tuesday. Union Minister for road comprehensive Financial services transport, highways, and MSME Nitin including retail, commercial and Gadkari will grace the occasion as the Investment Services. chief guest. The panel termed as Standing External Advisory Committee will have 5members . UPI does 2.3 Billion transaction a month Small Finance Banks are type of nick Banks and the architecture built by NPCI(National in India. Banks with Small Finance Bank Payment Corporation of India) is for 1 licence can provide basic banking Service Billion Transaction a day at almost Zero of acceptance of deposits and lending. Cost. So Bitcoin can never compete a Transactional Efficiency. The UPI architecture allows multiple stored value

33 accounts. UPI may not be decentralized but Fincare Small Finance Bank to bear can knows that it may works well at scale Covid-19 vaccine cost of all its employees even. Bitcoin is one such Cryptocurrency. s the nation gears up to get itself

PETROL, DIESEL UNDER GST NOT vaccinated for Covid-19 to end POSSIBLE IN NEXT 10 YEARS A this year-long battle with the virus, Fincare Small Finance Bank ring petrol and diesel comes announced that it will bear the cost of under the Goods and Services vaccination of all its employees. B Tax regime is not possible for the next 10 years, veteran Bharatiya Janata This announcement was made as an Party leader Sushil Kumar modi said on expression of gratitude by the Bank towards Wednesday. While speaking in the its employees, who showed up and stayed Parliament, Sushil Modi asked, up across the branches and administrative “Continuously the issue of putting petrol offices to keep the bank running during the and diesel in GST regime is being raked up. challenging times. The bank will cover the I have been associated with the GST for a cost of both doses to safeguard employee long time, I want to know from the House, health and safety amidst rising cases in that if petrol and diesel are put under the certain parts of the country. More than 8200 GST regime, who will compensate for the staff across the country are set to benefit loss of revenue of over Rs.2 lakh crores to from this initiative. states. Fincare Small Finance Bank commenced

And He said, “I want to tell this House that banking operations on 21 July 2017 under it is not possible to put petrol and diesel Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, under the GST in the next eight to 10 years 1949, after receiving the final license from as no state is ready to loss Rs.2 lakh crores the RBI in May 2017. As of 30 September revenue, be it the Congress or any other 2020, Fincare SFB serves over 26.5 lakh government,” he further mentioned. customers in 19 States/Union Territory, has total deposits of Rs. 5,200 crore, loan book The Petroleum products brought under the of ₹5,300 crore, and a workforce of over GST 28% tax collecting is accurate 8000. calculate percentage. But now 60% tax is being collected on petroleum products. This S. C rejects NBCCs Resolution Plan for would result in shortfall to the both the JIL: Centre and States.

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n Wednesday, S.C rejected fraudsters on the complaints received from NBCCs resolution plan for the nationalised banks in India. Bankrupt Jaypee Infratech and O It stated that the CBI has been receiving a directed the interim professional to footup number of complaints from various banks into fresh bids and let it within 45 days, alleged cheating, resubmission of fake complete the process of insolvency. The documents, diversion of funds, by different main object of the Court to current defaulting firms while obtaining credit resolution plan was that Rs. 750cr was facilities etc. deposited by Jaiprakash Association. And also the CBI added complaints Jaypee Infratech Ltd (JIL) for its receiving alleging that such firms have been shortcoming in fulfilling the parameters of turning defaulters, resulting in the loans IBC and remitted it back to the Committee becoming Non-Performing Assets causing of Creditors (Coc) for its nod. heavy losses to the public sector banks. The apex court held that NCLT had erred After that hearing the CBI registered a while approving the resolution plan, adding cases. The investigation is carried out and that a tribunal has limited jurisdiction under take them the culprits to faces the law and the IBC and can't interfere with commercial endeavour to salvage public money. aspects of resolution plans. The court ECONOMIC NEWS rejected individual objections while noting that homebuyers as a class had assented to he median age of the Indian NBCC's resolution plan. population- the age that divides the population into two equal 11 STATES IN BANK FRAUD CASES T halves was 28.4 in 2020. he Central Bureau of While this created the image of a “younger” Investigation (CBI) carried out population and a productive workforce, the nationwide searches at nearly 100 T grim side is their expectations of the state places they find fraud bank cases amount especially access to quality education, and over Rs. 3700 crores, the officials said. job opportunities. The search operation was spread across What is the topmost concern for young over 11 states and was related to 30 cases Indians? linked to bank frauds, they said. These In the Youth study 2016, when asked about searches are part of a special drive to book the biggest problem in India, one-fifth (19

35 percent) of the youth identified it as the interest rates. When rates are higher, topmost concern. After three years, in the borrowers have to pay more for the money NES Pre-poll 2019, an even higher they borrow, and banks are more selective proportion- 25% of young Indians reported in making loans. Because money is jobs as the most important issue while “tighter”—more expensive to borrow— voting in the Lok Sabha elections Elections. demand for goods and services will go This proportion was higher in the central down, and so will prices. In any case, that’s and northern parts of the country, mostly the theory. comprising Hindi speaking states, than in Fiscal policy relies on the government’s the south. The states of Delhi, Telangana, powers of spending and taxation. Both Haryana and Panjab stood out. taxation and government spending can be ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN used to reduce or increase the total supply MANAGING THHE ECONOMY: of money in the economy—the total n every country, the government takes amount, in other words, that businesses and steps to help the economy achieve the consumers have to spend. When the country I goals of growth, full employment, and is in a recession, the appropriate policy is to price stability. In the United States, the increase spending, reduce taxes, or both. government influences economic activity Such expansionary actions will put more through two approaches: monetary policy money in the hands of businesses and and fiscal policy. Through monetary policy, consumers, encouraging businesses to the government exerts its power to regulate expand and consumers to buy more goods the money supply and level of interest rates. and services. When the economy is Through fiscal policy, it uses its power to experiencing inflation, the opposite policy tax and to spend. is adopted: the government will decrease

Monetary policy is exercised by the Federal spending or increase taxes, or both. Reserve System (“the Fed”), which is Because such contractionary measures empowered to take various actions that reduce spending by businesses and decrease or increase the money supply and consumers, prices come down and inflation raise or lower short-term interest rates, eases. making it harder or easier to borrow money. The belief that governments should have a When the Fed believes that inflation is a large say in choosing the “right” rate of problem, it will use contractionary policy to growth has also led some writers to decrease the money supply and raise challenge the social and economic value of

36 economic growth in an advanced industrial exists for the sake of justifying production society. They attribute to growth such rather than production being carried out to undesirable side effects of industrialization satisfy consumer desires. These arguments as traffic congestion, the increasing are a powerful challenge to those who see pollution of air and water, the despoiling of growth as the most important economic the landscape, and a general decline in goal of a modern society. man’s ability to enjoy the “real” amenities Russian S-400 Missile US threat to of life. As has been seen, growth is really a sanction India; transformation whereby certain industries experience a rise in importance followed by an eventual decline as the market for their isiting US Secretary of State output becomes relatively saturated. Lloyd Austin has raised the Demand, relatively speaking, moves on to V issue of India’s planned other types of industries and products. All procurement of the S-400 Triumf air of this naturally implies a reallocation of defence system from Russia, and stressed resources over time. The faster these that- Allies and partners should avoid any resources move, other things being equal, kind of acquisitions that will trigger the more rapidly can growth and sanctions. The Modi government has, transformation proceed. The argument can however, firmly explained that the be recast in terms of this transformation. A country’s armed forces have a diversified slower rate of growth in per capita portfolio. consumption will slow down the rate of It has also told Washington that the process transfer of resources, but it may also result to acquire the Russian system began much in a more livable environment. The rate of before the US introduced the Countering growth of individual welfare, so measured America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions as to take into account non-consumable Act (CAATSA), which attracts sanctions amenities, may even be increased. Some against countries involved in trade with argue that in a growth-oriented society Moscow. Sources in know said Austin did wants are created faster than the industrial raise the issue of the S-400 during his machine can satisfy them, so that people are delegation-level talks with Defence more dissatisfied and insecure than they Minsiter Rajnath Singh. would be if growth were not given such a high value. It is held by some critics that, in modern industrial society, consumption

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Let’s know about “ LLOYD AUSTIN below $20 per barrel, have decided to STATEMENT” maintain lower production levels through Briefing accompanying American April despite crude oil prices recovering to journalists and a very select group of Indian pre-pandemic levels. Saudi Arabia alone media, Austin clarified that the question of has extended a 1 million barrel per day CAATSA or sanctions against Indian is not production cut through April contributing on the table as India has not taken delivery to elevated crude oil prices. of the system. He, however, did not Now we see India’s Situation; elaborate on what will happen when India India imports over 80% of its crude oil takes delivery of the system later this year. requirements. Prices of petrol and diesel Deal of S-400 between India and Russia reaching record high level across India with the price of petrol crossing Rs 100 per liter It was in 2016 that India and Russia had in some parts, hampered the economic signed an agreement on the TRIUMF recovery interceptor-based missile system, which can destroy at ranges of up to 400 km. S- ALTERNATES; 400 is known as Russia’s most advanced Oil Diplomacy – A reduction from Saudi long-range surface-to-air missile defence Arabia would likely lead to increased system. imports from other gulf countries and the United States. Saudi energy minister Prince India cuts Oil Imports from Saudi Abdulaziz bin Salman has said that India Arabia should use its strategic petroleum reserves.

ndia to cut crude oil imports from Rs. 6 lakh crore relief for central Saudi Arabia in response to sustained government SC order on loan production cuts by the moratorium I OPEC+countries amid rising crude oil he supreme Court today refused prices. to interfere with the government Backdrop T and the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) loan moratorium policy and declined OPEC+, a group of 23 major oil-producing to extend the six months loan moratorium countries that had cut crude oil production policy and declined to extend the six levels during the peak of the Covid- 19 months loan moratorium period. pandemic as the price of Brent crude fell to

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The apex court said that the waiver of exercise in futility, given that it barely helps complete interest in not possible as it affects at an individual loan level. depositors. Banks can finally start finally Issues with Aadhaar 3 crore ration start declaring their NPAs or bad loans. cards cancelled; Loans which have not been repaid for 90 ecently, SC highlighted that days or more. In an interim order on 3 sept. cancelling three crore ration 2020 , the Supreme Court had directed cards for not being linked with banks not to classify those loans which had R the Aadhaar database is very serious. It has not been classified as bad loans as of 31 been connected to reported starvation aug., and mad loans. deaths in some states. As Supreme Court said in its order: Interim Aadhaar has been in existence for more relief granted earlier not to declare the than a decade and recent data has estimated accounts of respective borrowers as NPA that nearly 90 percent of India’s projected stands vacated. Further, the court ruled that population has been assigned the Aadhaar the banks cannot charge interest on interest number. The Question of Aadhaar (compound interest) on the outstanding programme has been put to rest in 2018 by loans during the moratorium period of 1 SC by putting some reasonable restriction March to 31 August, 2020. on individual privacy to fulfill welfare Impact of this Supreme Court Order; requirements and dignity. The government will now have to KNOW ABOUT AADHAAR; compensate banks for not charging an Unique Identification Authority of India interest on interest on all loans during the UIDAI is mandated to assign a 12- digit moratorium period. As per rating agency unique identification UDI number to all the ICRA, the interest on interest for a period residents of India. UIDAI was initially set of six months is expected to be Rs. 13,500- up by the GOI in January 2009, as an 14,000 crore. Of this, waiver of interest on attached office under the aegis of the interest on loans of up to 2 crore expected planning Commission. UIDAI now is to have cost the government Rs 6,500 crore. statutory authority established by GOI While the government will end up spending under the jurisdiction of the minister of a lot of money in order to fund this Supreme Electronics and Information Technology, court decision, on the whole, it is an following the provisions of the Aadhaar Act 2016.

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Uttar Pradesh gets its 8th airport; Miyan and Khankahe Niyazia and Zari Nagari, among others. areilly becomes the eighth WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR airport to operate in Uttar GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS? B Pradesh after Lucknow, Varanasi, Agra, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Now we have three monetary policy Prayagraj and Hindon. functions, normal monetary policy, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep financial stability policy and macro- Singh Puri virtually flagged off the first prudential policy. The first concerns the flight from the newly upgraded Bareilly setting of interest rates. The second Airport to Delhi on 8 March 2021. The concerns the avoidance of financial risk. airport has been upgraded for commercial The third concerns the use of regulatory flight operations under UDAN-RCS. levers to manage the business cycle in lending and finance. Similar frameworks About Flight…. are busily being put in place across other The inaugural flight had an all-woman parts of the developed world. The crew. With this, Bareilly becomes the 56th assumption behind all this new airport to be successfully operationalized paraphernalia is that the recent Great under UDAN, the Ministry of Civil Recession was entirely the fault of the Aviation said in a tweet. Apart from financial system, and specifically the banks. enhancing the aerial connectivity of the Only on this basis would it make sense to region, the flight operations will have a interfere so actively in markets and watershed impact on trade, tourism and the consequent prices, since otherwise all one local economy. would need would be normal monetary policy and the usual eye on potential Reduced Time after this Airport; systemic dangers. Furthermore, since one The journey which took over 6 hours by would not need macro-prudential road and over 4 hours by train previously intervention, one would note that it is can now be completed within an hour. This highly distortionary of market processes, aerial connectivity will fulfill the and for this reason should not be used as it aspirations of the lakhs of pilgrims, visitors is actively damaging to the economy. One and tourists alike who visit Bareilly for the must hope that, in time, sense will prevail Nath Nagri, Ala Hazrat, Shah Sharafat and the monstrous new system put in place

40 will be somewhat unwound and reduced in Impact of Covid Lockdown and High scale. The Bank of England has published Food Inflation on Poor people’s Savings; its ambitious plans for research on these After the pandemic disrupted India’s areas; so maybe it will learn the error of economy and led to increased these ways from this new programmer. The unemployment and slashed wages, a first aspect is the building up of toxic sustained period of higher food inflation is derivatives on top of the subprime housing now pushing millions of families to cut market which meant that once the housing back on food expenditure, threatening a market went bust, the financial spell of nutritional poverty and malnutrition securitization and the derivatives that were among children. based on the housing market blew up As households dip into their savings leading to banks being unable to lend to because of either stagnating or no running each other and suffering losses.The next incomes, economists warn that India’s aspect is the fact that Americans and much gross household saving could decline, of the rest of the world were deeply in debt thereby denting future consumption and (personal, corporate and governmental) economic recovery. This could lead to a which was unsustainable. The point here is lowering of investor sentiment as India’s that if one lives beyond one’s means, consumer market would get narrower with sooner or later the debts come due and the constricted household savings, warned financial reckoning day would mean that economists. For instance, global investors one is either forced to pay up or go would be discouraged to put their money bankrupt. When this happens at the into a market where consumers have less individual level, it usually results in disposable cash to spend, thereby leading to foreclosure of homes, being declared reduced investments into new projects, bankrupt and hence unable to pay the credit which would dampen job creation. card bills etc. When this happens across the economy and involves corporates, banks, Tax on Fuel, fuels inflation the governments (local, regional and national), government’s policy of increasing taxes on and the net result is a credit crunch which in fuels was a big factor behind higher other words was the name given to the inflation, said economists, which would global economic crisis. have a negative bearing on millions of self- employed Indians and small businesses, who, along with tens of millions of informal

41 sector workers, have been the worst hit They have been in prison since their arrests from economic damage. in 2018 and face lengthy jail terms if found guilty. INTERNATIONAL NEWS The arrests have frayed relations between Michael Kovrig: China begins espionage the two countries and Ottawa has accused trial behind closed doors Beijing of "hostage diplomacy".

PROTESTERS SHOT DEAD

ecurity fources in Myanmar(BURMA) shot dead an S anti-coup prostester on sunday , as Australian government confirmed it is assisting two nationals who were detained Michael Kovrig (r) and Michael Spavor after trying to leave yangon. Situation of have been held since 2018 Protesters is worsening day by day . he trial of a second Canadian citizen accused of espionage in Myanmar has been in turmoil since soldiers T China has begun in Beijing. ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi last month, triggering a nationwide Michael Kovrig's case is being heard after prostests demanding a return to democracy. Michael Spavor went on trial for the same One man was killed on sunday in the central charges on Friday. city on monwya and at least 2 people were They were arrested two years ago, days injured in a clash with security forces at after Canada detained the daughter of the barricades, two witnesses said. "I had sawn founder of telecom giant Huawei on the the people carriying the man who was shot request of the US. dead", a local residance told AFP, adding the body was taken to a local hospital. Monday's trial is being held behind closed doors and no immediate verdict is expected. In Mandalay, by the afternoon barricades

Mr Kovrig is a former diplomat and has set on fire, gunfire in the streets and at least worked for the International Crisis Group 4 people injured , a doctor said in mandalay think tank while Michael Spavor was a Mandalay has been the scene of some of the businessman. worst violance from police and souldiers since the coup. The protests came a day

42 after monitering group confirmed the authorities of the SCO member states in killing of 4 protesters at the hand of security identifying and suppressing channels that fources around the country. finance terrorist activities Delegations of the competent authorities of India, India, Pak, China to hold joint anti- terror exercise as part of SCO Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan

and the RATS Executive Committee attended the meeting, Xinhua reported. RATS, headquartered in Tashkent, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against terrorism, separatism and ndia, China, Pakistan and other extremism.

members of the Shanghai Cooperation 10 people were killed in Colorado I Organization (SCO) will hold a joint supermarket during shooting on anti- terrorism exercise this year. The monday, including a police officer, and a decision to hold “Pabbi-Antiterror- 2021’ suspect was in police custody , authorities was announced during the 36th meeting of said. the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) held in Tashkent, The Joe Biden admnistration has urged Uzbekistan on March 18. At the meeting, a federal court to certify India's request representatives of the SCO member states to extradite Pakistani-origin Canadin also approved the draft program of Businessman Thawwur Rana , who is cooperation for 2022-2024 to counter- sought for his involvement in the 2008 terrorism, separatism and extremism. The Mumbai terror attack.

SCO is an economic and security bloc in Germany is extending its lockdown until which India and Pakistan were admitted as April 18 and calling on citizens to stay at full members in 2017. Its founding home for five days over the Easter members included China, Russia, holidays to try break a third wave of the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and COVID-19 pandemic, Germany Uzbekistan. Chancellor Angela Merkel said early on Decisions have been made to improve tuesday. cooperation between the competent Russia's relations with China were

43 currently at "the best in thier entire warnings of an "explosion" in hospital history ", Foreign Minister Sergei admissions. Lavrov said as he begane a key visit to China on monday.

Coronavirus: Germany imposes Easter lockdown to curb new surge

Why Germany is imposing toughest measures so far

"Essentially, we have a new virus," Chancellor Merkel said after marathon talks uch of Germany will be with the leaders of Germany's 16 states. The under strict lockdown over highly contagious UK (Kent) variant of M Easter coronavirus had become dominant in Germany, she explained, plunging the Germany has extended its lockdown for country into "a new pandemic". three weeks, imposing an almost complete halt over the Easter holiday in response to a It is much deadlier, much more infectious third wave of coronavirus infections. and infectious for much longer. Germany was in a race against time to roll out After talks with regional leaders, vaccinations against the coronavirus, she Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany added. was now in a "very serious" situation. Tuesday's lockdown extension to 18 April Restrictions will be even tougher from 1-5 marks a reversal from earlier this month, April, when most shops will be shut and when state leaders agreed to begin a gatherings will be limited. cautious reopening process. Meanwhile, France's president wants For five days over Easter from 1 April, vaccinations "morning, noon and night". Germans are being asked to stay at home Emmanuel Macron was responding to an and reduce contacts: increase in intensive care cases and

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• In-person religious services are India- Pakistan hold talks on water cancelled sharing after over 2 years • Big family gatherings are banned,

with no more than two households, or up to five people, allowed to meet • All shops are shut, apart from food shops on Saturday 3 April.

The infection rate has risen above 100 per 100,000 inhabitants in Germany. A further

7,485 infections have been reported in the past 24 hours, as well as 250 deaths. An ndia and Pakistan on Tuesday began "emergency brake" will halt further the Indus water meet in New Delhi reopenings in areas where infections exceed I after a gap of more than two years. 100 new cases per 100,000 people over a The annual dialogue which is held between seven-day period. Indus commissioners of the two countries under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty (IWT) Coronavirus infections have been surging was last held in August 2018. IWT is a in some parts of Europe in recent weeks as water-distribution treaty between India and countries scramble to vaccinate their Pakistan. A seven-member Pakistani populations despite delays in rolling out delegation led by the country’s Indus jabs. Commissioner Syed Muhammad Meher Ali Shah arrived to New Delhi on Monday for the annual meeting during which the Indus commissioners of the two countries will hold the annual dialogue on March 23-24. The Indian delegation will be led by PK Saxena who will be joined by his advisors from the Central Water Commission, the Central Electricity Authority and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

The meet also comes less than a month after How France is responding India and Pakistan agreed to “strict observation of all agreements,

45 understanding and ceasefire along the Line of Control and all other sections.”

The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) warrants the two commissioners to meet at least once a year, alternately in India and Pakistan.

However, the last year’s meeting scheduled S President Joe Biden called for to be held New Delhi in March was a nationwide ban on assault cancelled, a first since the Treaty came into weapons following a shooting at being, in view of the coronavirus pandemic. U a supermarket in Colorado that killed 10 Pakistan will raise objections to the people, including a police officer. He urged technical designs of India’s planned Pakal members of the House and Senate to Dul and Lower Kalnai hydroelectric plants. act. Biden also called on the Senate to pass The talks are the latest in both nations’ measures already passed by the House that tentative efforts to re-engage after a 2019 would close loopholes in laws requiring suicide bomb in Indian-administered background checks on the purchase of Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on guns. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Pakistan-based attackers and India’s move Tuesday held a hearing, the first of a series later that year to strip the disputed region of of planned hearings to discuss ways of its constitutional autonomy. Last month, reducing gun violence. India and Pakistan announced a rare Tighter gun control is overwhelmingly agreement to stop firing along the bitterly- popular with Americans -- but Republicans contested Kashmir border, which have long stood against what some view as Bloomberg said was also the result of UAE- any infringement on their right to bear brokered talks. The Indus River, one of the arms. This month the House of world’s largest, and its tributaries feed 80 Representatives passed two measures percent of Pakistan’s irrigated agriculture. aimed at enhancing background checks and At the water-sharing talks, both sides are closing a loophole related to a deadly 2015 expected to try and narrow differences over church shooting in Charleston, South the hydro-projects. Carolina. The bills address a popular US Prez calls for ban on assault weapon premise among American voters -- that after shooting in Colorado background checks be required for all US firearm sales, including those at gun shows.

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But they are unlikely to pass through the Israel election: Netanyahu falls short of Senate, which would require at least nine majority amid vote count Republicans to vote for them. The Colorado suspect, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, was in hospital after being shot in an exchange of fire with officers during the Monday afternoon attack on King Soopers supermarket in Boulder, 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of state capital The election has been widely seen as a referendum on Benjamin Netanyahu's Denver. He is charged with ten counts of leadership murder in the first degree and will be sraeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu could shortly transported to Boulder county jail. struggle to secure enough seats in The United States has the world's highest I parliament to stay in power, rate of civilian gun ownership, RAND Corp incomplete results from Tuesday's election research shows, and a gun fatality rate show. consistently higher than other rich nations. With almost 90% of votes counted, his There were more than 43,000 U.S. gun right-wing bloc is on course to win 59 seats deaths last year, according to the Gun - two short of the threshold. Violence Archive. Activists say executive actions that Biden could take right away In a surprise development, an Arab party include strengthening background checks, which is projected to get five seats could giving money to cities to fight gun violence, hold the balance of power. and regulating the market for "ghost guns" The final outcome will among other things - partially assembled guns that aren`t determine the course of Israel's relations subject to the same rules as most firearms. with the Palestinians. Dozens of shocking mass shootings in the The Arab party, Raam, has not declared United States over the past decade, whether it will support the efforts of Mr including an elementary school attack that Netanyahu - an unnatural ally - to form a killed 26, have failed to spur lawmakers governing coalition or those of the bloc of into action on gun control legislation, parties opposed to him remaining in office. thanks in large part to opposition from congressional Republicans and the National They are projected to win 56 seats, Rifle Association. according to the latest tally, and although

47 backing from Raam could give them a win six each; and the left-wing Meretz party majority, they are fragmented and unlikely and Raam five apiece. to be able to agree to work together. Who could tip the balance? If neither bloc succeeds, the country could The final election results are not due until face its fifth election since 2019. later this week, but it appears that both Mr What do the partial results show? Netanyahu and his rivals will require the support of Yamina and Raam to secure a Israel's electoral system, a form of majority. proportional representation, makes it almost impossible for a single party to win Raam split from the Joint List earlier this an election outright. year in part because its leader Mansour Abbas said he was open to working with Mr According to the Central Election Netanyahu to address the needs of Israel's Commission, the prime minister's right- Arab citizens, who make up about 20% of wing Likud party has won 24.2% of the the population. vote so far and the centrist Yesh Atid party of the main opposition leader, Yair Lapid, In an interview on Wednesday morning, Mr is second with 13.9%. Abbas said he would not rule out joining any coalition. Israeli media reported that the tallies would result in Likud getting 30 seats in the 120- "We are not in anyone's pocket. We are seat Knesset and Yesh Atid 17. prepared to engage with both sides," he told Israel's 103 FM radio station. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties Shas and United Torah Judaism were projected to get nine and seven seats respectively; the centrist Blue and White party of Defence Minister Benny Gantz eight; the centre-left Labour party and the nationalist Yamina and Yisrael Beitenu parties seven each.

The Joint List alliance of Arab parties, the Israeli Arabs make up about 20% of the New Hope party of Mr Netanyahu's former population Likud ally Gideon Saar and the far-right Mr Netanyahu would also need to partner Religious Zionism alliance are forecast to with Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, a

48 former protégé and defence minister with Yair Lapid leader Yesh Atid said his whom he has a difficult relationship. party and his supporters had a "good reason to be proud" Like Mr Abbas, Mr Bennett has not announced which side he will throw his Mr Lapid declared that he was "proud" of weight behind. Yesh Atid's "enormous" achievement.

"I will do only what is good for the State of "I have already begun this evening to hold Israel," he said after voting ended on talks with some of the leaders of the bloc Tuesday night. for change and will continue in the next few days," he said, adding that he would "do Yamina would await the final results before everything possible to establish a sane deciding, he added. government in the State of Israel". How have Mr Netanyahu and his rivals What were the key campaign issues? reacted? The election was widely seen as a After exit polls were released on Tuesday referendum on Mr Netanyahu's leadership. night, Mr Netanyahu claimed "a huge win to the right and Likud under my leadership" The 71-year-old prime minister has been in on social media. power continuously since 2009, having served an earlier three-year term in the late But in a later speech at Likud's election 1990s. headquarters, he only said that the party's projected total was "a great achievement" His campaign focused on Israel's world- and that the country needed a "stable leading Covid-19 vaccination programme government". and his diplomatic success in normalising ties with some Arab countries. "This is what the challenges we are facing require. And we must not drag the state of But his opponents from across the political Israel to a new election," he added. spectrum accused him of mishandling the pandemic and argued that he should not remain in office while standing trial on corruption charges. He denies any wrongdoing.

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After the previous three elections neither officials accused of human rights abuses in Mr Netanyahu nor his rivals were able to the north western region Xinjiang. form a stable governing coalition.

The current national unity government, which was the result of a power-sharing 5. Astra Zeneca said on Thursday its deal with Defence Minister Benny Gantz, COVID-19 vaccine was 76% effective at collapsed in December after just seven preventing symptomatic illeness, citin a months. new analysis of the up to date results for its major U.S. trials. 1. President Joe Biden is keen that U.S.

Congress should quickly fix America’s 6. North Korea missile launch tests Biden, broken immigration system, for which he alarms Japan ahead of Olympics has already sent a legislation, the White

House has said. 7. North Korea launched two suspected

ballistic missiles into the sea near Japan on 2. President Joe Biden has tapped vice- Thursday, underscoring steady progress in President Kamla Harris to lead the White its weapons programme and ramping up house effort to tackel the migration pressure on the new U.S. administration as challanges at the united states southern it reviews North Korea policy. The border and work with Central American Japanese government said one missile flew nations to adress root causes of the problem about 450km and landed outside the . Japanese exclusive economic zone. UN Security Council resolutions banned North Korea from testing ballistic missiles and if 3. Hours after a gunman opened fire in a the launch is confirmed it would represent a supermarket in Colorado, U.S. President new challenge to President Joe Biden's Joe Biden asked Congress to ban assault efforts to engage with Pyongyang. weapons and mandate stricter background checks those who are buying guns. 8. Japan lodged a formal protest through its

embassy in China and said the test 4. China’s ruling Communist Party is threatened peace and safety in the region, lashing out at H&M and other clothing and while South Korea's National Security footwear brands as it retaliates for the Council expressed deep concern. The western sancations imposed on Chinese

50 launches coincided with the start of the President Biden said this was an "un- Olympic torch relay in Japan on Thursday, American law to deny people the right to beginning a four-month countdown to the vote" Summer Games in Tokyo which were S President Joe Biden has delayed from 2020 due to the pandemic. likened a new voting law in the South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff earlier U state of Georgia to racist reported at least two “unidentified policies of the 20th Century US South, projectiles” were fired into the sea between calling it an "atrocity". the Korean peninsula and Japan from North Korea’s South Hamgyong Province on the The law adds restrictions to voting that Mr east coast. Biden said disproportionately targeted black Americans. 8. South Korean and US intelligence Republicans say they are streamlining agencies were analyzing the data of the voting procedures and trying to restore launch for additional information, the JCS confidence in the election system. said in a statement. South Korea’s The president called the law "Jim Crow in presidential Blue House will convene an the 21st Century" and "a blatant attack on emergency meeting of the national Security the Constitution". Council to discuss the launches. Japan’s coast guard warned ships against coming Jim Crow refers to the 19th and 20th close to any fallen objects and asked them Century laws that enforced racial to provide information to the coast guard. segregation in the South.

In last year's presidential election, Mr Biden Biden: Georgia voting restriction law is became the first Democratic candidate to 'atrocity' win Georgia since 1992 - and it was high turnout among black Americans that was believed to have tipped the state in his favour.

What did President Biden say?

In his statement, released on Friday, Mr

Biden said: "Recount after recount and court case after court case upheld the

51 integrity and outcome of a clearly free, fair, • Ban the practice of giving food or and secure democratic process. water to voters in line at polling stations "Instead of celebrating the rights of all • Give the state legislature more Georgians to vote or winning campaigns on power to take control of voting the merits of their ideas, Republicans in the operations if problems are reported state instead rushed through an un- American law to deny people the right to • Limit the number of "drop boxes" in vote." which people can place their absentee votes, meaning many will He added: "This law, like so many others have to travel further being pursued by Republicans in • Shorten the early-voting period for statehouses across the country is a blatant all runoff elections attack on the Constitution and good conscience."

He later added that the justice department was "taking a look" at the new Georgia laws.

What does the new law do?

The Election Integrity Act of 2021 passed Drop boxes are deployed so people can in both chambers of the state's Republican- place their absentee votes in them controlled legislature on Thursday. Why are the two sides clashing on this?

It makes Georgia the second state to pass Georgia is one of more than 40 states in laws that restrict ballot access in the which Republicans are pushing for a aftermath of the 2020 election. tightening of rules around voting, mainly The key elements of the legislation: targeting those who do not vote on the day at polling stations. • Ensure new ID requirements for requesting mail-in ballots, replacing Although there was no evidence of the current system which simply widespread fraud in the last presidential requires a signature election, many Republican voters have supported ex-President Donald Trump's unfounded allegations of voting irregularities. One survey last month

52 showed 67% of Republicans thought the election, which can never be allowed to presidential election was invalid. happen again. Too bad these changes could not have been done sooner!" Republicans say they are simply streamlining the voting and counting Mr Trump had repeatedly pressured procedures to ensure election integrity. Georgia's secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, in January, urging him to The Democrats say it is an attempt to target "find" votes. social and ethnic groups who are more likely to vote for them, reducing the surge Mr Raffensperger, who has staunchly in votes from those groups in the last defended the integrity of the state's votes, election. also backed the new laws.

On requiring new ID for mail-in ballots, "The cries of 'voter suppression' from those they say it will now be harder for working on the left ring as hollow as the class people - who may not have an ID - to continuously debunked claims of 'mass cast a ballot. voter fraud' in Georgia's 2020 election," he said. Republicans say giving food or water to voters in line is a method of soliciting votes. But influential Democrat Stacey Abrams, Voters, particularly in majority black parts who helped mobilise the black vote in of the state, have often had to wait in line Georgia, shared Mr Biden's view: for hours. "Suppression is the lazy man's way of winning an election. If you can't win Democrats say shortening the period for honestly, push people out of the game, run-off elections from nine weeks to four is change the rules." an attempt to suppress votes, after an energised voter base in Georgia sent two Democratic state lawmaker Park Cannon Democrats to the US Senate this year - was arrested and removed from the state giving the party effective control of the capitol for banging on Governor Brian upper chamber. Kemp's office door as he signed the bill.

Republicans say it will more fairly reflect "Georgia will take another step toward voters' beliefs at the time of the initial vote. ensuring our elections are secure, accessible and fair," Mr Kemp told Mr Trump issued a statement after the reporters while signing it. Georgia move, saying: "They learned from the travesty of the 2020 presidential What will happen in other states?

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Georgia has now joined Iowa in passing some form of overhaul to voting rules.

They probably won't be the last. There are currently 253 similar bills in 43 states, according to the left-leaning Brennan

Center for Justice think tank. That's because, while Democrats currently hold slim majorities in both chambers of the US Congress, Republicans dominate state legislatures.

Data from the National Conference of State

Legislatures shows Republicans have legislative control in 30 states and unified control - including the governorship - in 23 states, far more than Democrats.

Unified control means that what happened in Georgia - where a law quickly passes both chambers and gets signed by the governor - can easily be replicated.

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