Junior Digest

New Delhi, Aug 23,2022: The remission order of releasing convicts in Bilkis Bano case has been challenged before the Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Advocate Aparna Bhat sought urgent listing of the case on Wednesday and the CJI NV Ramana agreed to look into the matter.
On asking if they were granted remission by virtue of a Supreme Court order by the CJI, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that the apex court gave a discretion to the government to consider it. “The bench was of Justice Ajay Rastogi. We are challenging the remission, not the order of SC”, Live Law quoted Sibal as saying.

Last week, the 11 convicts walked out of the Godhra sub-jail after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy.

July 23,2022:Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday arrested West Bengal minister Partha Chatterjee in connection with its investigation into the teacher recruitment scam, an official of the agency said. Chatterjee, who was the state education minister when the scam took place, was arrested after around 26 hours of grilling in connection with the probe.

Chatterjee, who is currently the industry minister, was taken to the ED’s office at CGO Complex in Salt Lake area.
“He was not cooperating with our officers who were questioning him since Friday morning. He will be produced before a court during the day,” the ED official told PTI.

ED has also detained Arpita Mukherjee, a close aide of Chatterjee, after Rs 21 crore in cash was seized from her property, he added.

July 21,2022:NDA’s candidate Draupadi Murmu on Thursday has won the presidential election defeating opposition’s Yashwant Sinha. With this Murmu has become the first tribal person to be the president of India.

Murmu has crossed the 50% mark of total valid votes at the end of the third round of counting and is likely to take oath on July 25 as incumbent President Ram Nath Kovind’s tenure ends on July 24.

Aug 05,2022:The Reserve Bank on Friday raised the key interest rate by 50 basis points, the third straight increase since May in an effort to cool stubbornly high inflation and defend the rupee.

The repurchase rate was raised by 50 basis points to lift the interest rate to the pre-pandemic level. The 5.40 per cent repo rate was last seen in August 2019.

Announcing the rate hike, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das did not offer any indication of a change in the stance or a possible pause in the next policy due in late September.

The Reserve Bank of India’s six-member rate-setting panel voted unanimously on the rate hike decision while sticking to its resolve to withdraw the accommodative stance.

It, however, retained GDP growth projection at 7.2 per cent for the current fiscal ending March 31, 2023, and kept the inflation outlook for the year unchanged at 6.7 per cent.

“Inflationary pressures are broad-based and core inflation remains elevated. Inflation is projected to remain above the upper tolerance level of 6 per cent through the first three quarters of 2022-23, entailing the risk of destablishing inflation expectations and triggering second-round effects,” he said.

The RBI targets inflation at 2-6 per cent.

On the rupee depreciating against the US dollar, he said at a 4.7 per cent decline, the rupee fared much better than several reserve currencies as well as many of its EME and Asian peers.

“The depreciation of the Indian rupee is more on account of the appreciation of the US dollar rather than weakness in macroeconomic fundamentals of the Indian economy. Market interventions by the RBI have helped in containing volatility and ensuring the orderly movement of the rupee,” he said.

Aug 09,2022:On his last day as Rajya Sabha Chairman, M Venkaiah Naidu said his last piece of advice to MPs was to not only maintain the dignity of Parliament but to also ensure that democratic principles are upheld and maintained.

A champion of the mother tongue and Indian languages, Naidu said he started the process to ensure all speeches and proceedings of Parliament be made available in all languages as a matter of process.

“The entire world is watching India…. Keeping that in mind, I appeal to members of Rajya Sabha, and to those going to come to this House in future, to maintain decency, dignity and decorum so that the image and respect of the House is maintained and people will be receptive to show us, to hear us, and also to follow our advice,” he said. “This is my advice to all of you.”
He said, “…try to do your bit while committing yourself to your ideological line, but see to it that democratic principles and standards set by our great people are followed.”

Aug 07,2022:National Democratic Alliance candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar was elected as the 14th vice president of India as he defeated the Opposition’s candidate Margaret Alva.
Dhankhar, who is the former West Bengal governor, secured 528 votes against Alva’s 182. His victory margin was the highest since 1997. The former Bengal governor secured 72.8 percent of the of the 725 valid votes cast.
The record is held by KR Narayanan, who leads the list for having the highest victory margin by securing 700 of the 701 votes cast in 1992. Dhankhar’s performance in this election outshined Naidu’s 2017 performance by 2 percent.

Dhankhar, 71, will take oath as the vice president on August 11, a day after incumbent M Venkaiah Naidu’s tenure ends. He will be the second vice president from Rajasthan after Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who held the office between 2002 and 2007.

The electoral college comprises 788 members, but due to eight vacancies in Rajya Sabha, the actual strength was 780. The returning officer of the vice presidential election said of the total 780 electors, 725 cast their ballots but 15 votes were found to be invalid.

The Trinamool Congress had abstained from voting claiming it was not consulted while naming Alva as the opposition pick. However, two of its MPs — Sisir Kumar Adhikari and Dibyendu Adhikari — broke ranks and cast their ballots. The party has 36 MPs, including 23 in Lok Sabha.

Aug 7,2022:ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Sunday informed the space agency’s maiden Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) suffered “data loss” at the terminal stage, although three stages “performed and separated,” and said the space agency was analysing the data to ascertain the status of the vehicle and the satellites.

SSLV-D1/EOS 02 was carrying an earth observation satellite and a student satellite.
ISRO’s maiden small satellite launch vehicle (SSLV), carrying earth observation satellite EOS-02 and co-passenger students satellite AzaadiSAT lifted off from this spaceport on Sunday. The SSLV-D1/EOS-02 mission by the Indian space agency is aimed at garnering a larger pie in the small launch vehicles market, as ite can place the satellites into Low Earth Orbit.
The SSLV can put payloads (mini, micro or nanosatellites) weighing upto 500 kg into the 500 km planar orbit, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.
SSLV’s all stages performed as expected, but suffered data loss at terminal phase of the mission, said ISRO Chief Somanath.

Faridabad,Aug 24,2022: With an aim to boost the availability of modern medical infrastructure in the National Capital Region (NCR) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Amrita Hospital in Faridabad, Haryana.
Managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, the super-speciality hospital will be equipped with 2600 beds.
The hospital, which is being constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs. 6000 crores, will provide state-of-the-art healthcare facilities to the people of Faridabad and the entire NCR region.

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala and others were present here.

NEW DELHI,July 27,2022: The Central government has sanctioned the arms procurement proposals worth over Rs 28,000 crore, including swarm drones, bullet-proof jackets and close-quarter battle carbines. The proposals were cleared on July 26 by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

These proposals will help strengthen the overall combat prowess of the armed forces along the northern and western borders. “The Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals of the armed forces amounting to Rs 28,732 crore were sanctioned by the Defence Acquisition Council,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Aug 01,2022:Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday presided over the valedictory session of the two-day joint national executive meeting of different BJP Morchas in Patna.

Addressing the meeting, Shah said, “BJP-JDU will contest elections together in 2024, Narendra Modi will be BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.” For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the discussion of prime ministerial candidates is always a hot topic. Often there is speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s retirement from politics and the coronation of new faces.
Union Minister and former BJP president Amit Shah uncovered the mystery by declaring Narendra Modi as the prime ministerial candidate of the BJP in 2024.

While addressing the concluding ceremony of the BJP’s United Front National Working Committee meeting held in Patna, where Home Minister Amit Shah once again declared Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister in 2024, the party’s alliance with JDU in Bihar was also discussed.

July 19,2022:Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 19 clarified the GST Council has exempted from Goods and Service Tax (GST), all food items including wheat, pulses, rice, maize, when sold loose, and not pre-packed or pre-labelled.

“They will not attract any GST. The decision is of the @GST_Council and no one member,” she pointed out.
The Finance Minister explained the process of decision making on the GST rate changes for pre-packed and pre-labelled, unbranded food items in 14 tweets.

“Recently, the GST Council in its 47th meeting recommended to reconsider the approach for imposition of GST on specified food items like pulses, cereals, flour, etc. There have been a lot of misconceptions about this that have been spread,” she noted.

New Delhi,July 23,2022:A Bill to create an ‘Indian Antarctic Act’, laws which will govern Indian research stations and area under it in Antarctica, was passed in Lok Sabha on Friday.

The Indian Antarctica Bill 2022 was introduced by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh in the House in the previous session, which was opposed by MPs at the time as they pointed out that it framed laws for international citizens as well.

The Bill was taken up for consideration and passing in Lok Sabha post lunch and was taken up even as Opposition leaders raised slogans and protested against hike in GST rates on some food items.

“The main intention is that the land in Antarctica cannot be used for military or any other wrong purposes… to ensure demilitarisation and that there are no military activities there,” Singh informed the Lok Sabha as he moved the BIll for passing.

“It will also ensure that no illegal activities can be done on that land… Like no one should be able to explode a nuclear bomb there… It is to ensure that only research activities are undertaken,” he said.

The Minister also explained that Indian laws will be applicable on the land that is under India’s control.

A brief debate on the Bill was held after which it was passed through voice vote. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day after that.

The Bill aims to give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

The Act will apply to citizens of India, citizens of any other country, and company, corporate or firm established or registered under any law framed by India and any vessels or aircraft registered in India or outside, as well as Indian vessels hired by another party.

The areas covered under the Act include the continent of Antarctica including its ice-shelves, all islands south of 60 degree South latitude, including their ice-shelves, all areas of continental shelf and all sea and air space south of 60 degree South Latitude.

The provides that no person will be allowed to stay in Antarctica or enter or remain at the Indian station in Antarctica without a permit.

It also bans introducing any non-native animal or plant species, or micro-organism in Antarctica. It also lays down laws for entering protected areas, waste disposal, discharge in sea, and provides a mechanism for giving permits to remove biological specimens.

It also provides for creating a fund which will be called “Antarctic Fund” to collect the fee for permits and the fund will be applied towards the welfare of Antarctica research work.

July 29,2022:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the new National Educational Policy ensures greater freedom for the youth to take decisions on the basis of changing situations.

Prime Minister gave examples of freedom and flexibility provided to youth by the National Education Policy and scrapping of 25,000 compliances for ease of business. “Removal of angel tax, removal of retrospective tax, and reduction of corporate tax – are encouraging investments and industry. The reforms in drones, space and geospatial sectors are opening up new avenues”, he said.

The Prime Minister recalled the words of Swami Vivekananda in what was known as Madras 125 years ago about the possibilities for the youth of India. The Prime Minister remarked that “the whole world is looking at India’s youth with hope. Because you are the growth engines of the country and India is the world’s growth engine. It is a great honour and great responsibility.”

New Delhi,July 17,2022: The NDA on Saturday announced West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar as its candidate for vice presidential election 2022.
PM Modi extended his support to Dhankar saying he has ‘excellent knowledge’ of the Constitution and is also well-versed with legislative affairs.

Notably, Jagdeep Dhankhar has often been in the news for his prickly relationship with Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party the Trinamool Congress.

To select the Vice Presidential candidate, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day chaired the meeting, which was attended by Union Ministers Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and BJP National General Secretary BL Santosh, among others.

Aug 17,2022:External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Indians cannot afford to pay high prices for oil and hence, the country has continued its crude oil deals with Russia.
“We have been very open and honest about our interests. I have a country with a per capita income of USD 2000. These are not people who can afford higher energy prices. It’s my moral duty to ensure the best deal”, Jaishankar said.
In April, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken urged India not to buy additional Russian oil. He said, “When it comes to oil purchases, sanctions, et cetera, I just note that there are carve-outs for energy purchases. Of course, we’re encouraging countries not to purchase additional energy supplies from Russia. Every country is differently situated and has different needs and requirements. But we’re looking at allies and partners not to increase their purchases of Russian energy.”
In response, Jaishankar said that India’s total purchase for the month would be less than what Europe buys in an afternoon.

Aug 12,2022:Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination convict S. Nalini has approached the Supreme Court seeking premature release from life imprisonment.

The Madras High Court had, in June, dismissed writ petitions filed by S. Nalini and R.P. Ravichandran, the life convicts in former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to release them forthwith without waiting further for the Governor’s nod to a September 9, 2018, Cabinet recommendation.

The High Court had held that the Governor’s signature was sine qua non under Article 161 of the Constitution. The court had also observed that it could not exercise extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to pass an order similar to the one that released A.G. Perarivalan, another convict in the assassination case, on May 18.

Perarivalan had served over 30 years in prison.

July 25,2022:Droupadi Murmu took oath as the 15th President of India. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Parliament’s Central Hall in Delhi.

Addressing the House after taking oath as the President of India, Droupadi Murmu said, “My election to the post is not only my own achievement, but that of every poor of the country. My election is a reflection of confidence of the crores of Indians.”

Murmu is the first tribal and second woman to hold the India’s highest constitutional post. The oath of office was administered to her by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana.

Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in Raj Ghat on Monday morning, ahead of her swearing in ceremony.

July 26,2022:Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that there was no proposal under consideration of the Centre regarding the creation of a new state in the country. In a written reply to a question by Congress(I) MP Adoor Prakash, the minister said proposals or requests from various fora are received by the government regarding the creation of new states.

“However, presently there is no proposal under consideration with the government for the creation of any new state,” he added. Nityanand also informed the House that Left-Wing terrorism in the country was declining. He added that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) was providing training to security personnel of state security agencies as well as Public Sector Undertakings.

Aug 11,2022:President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday appointed Justice Uday Umesh Lalit as the 49th Chief Justice of India. He will take over on August 27, said the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Justice Lalit was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in August 2014. He will be the second CJI to be directly elevated to the top court from the Bar, after Justice S.M. Sikri, who served as the 13 th CJI in 1971.

Justice Lalit was enrolled as an advocate by the Bar Council of Maharashtra and Goa in June, 1983. He practised in the High Court of Bombay till December, 1985 before moving to Delhi in January, 1986.

He was on the panel of lawyers for the Union of India during the period when Soli J. Sorabjee was the Attorney General. From 1992 till 2002 he practised as Advocate on Record and was designated as a senior advocate by the Supreme Court in April 2004.

Justice Lalit was also appointed Amicus Curiae in many important issues, including Forest matters, Vehicular Pollution, Pollution of Yamuna etc. He was appointed as Special Public Prosecutor for CBI under the orders of the Supreme Court to conduct trial in all 2G matters.

He has also served as a member of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee for two terms.

Patna (Bihar),Aug 10,2022: Amid Bihar’s political crisis, Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar is all set to take oath as Bihar’s chief minister again. After having announced a new “Grand Alliance” which includes Tejashwi Yadav’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and other Opposition parties, Nitish will take oath on Wednesday afternoon. Interestingly, this will be the eighth time that Nitish Kumar will take oath as the Bihar CM.
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s son Tejashwi Yadav is also likely to take an oath as Deputy Chief Minister. Seven parties including 164 MLAs along with independent MLAs will be there in our Mahagathbandhan, says Nitish Kumar at a joint presser with RJD`s Tejashwi Yadav after meeting Bihar Governor.

Kumar ended his alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP) National Democratic Alliance and rejoined hands with RJD on a day of rapidly changing political developments in Bihar. According to a tweet by Kumar’s new alliance partner RJD, the swearing-in ceremony will be held at 2 pm at Raj Bhavan.

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