The cuts run deep
Summary:
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India has been making changes to over 300 films in various languages including English that were cleared for theatrical release over the past few months. The changes go beyond the guidelines on the CBFC website and span the government's concerns on diplomatic relations, police overreach, political balance, religion, and caste. In one instance, a reference to the Prime Minister in a film was changed to "Minister" or "the President." The context for many of these cuts is unclear, and almost none of the cuts have legal justification. Filmmaker Onir stated that the CBFC's censorship has expanded in recent years, but there are no tribunals for filmmakers to appeal cuts.
Centre drafting reply to SC ‘concerns’ on Adani stocks
Summary:
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to a Supreme Court inquiry regarding the recent Adani Group stock meltdown. The Supreme Court had expressed concerns about the volatility in the market and how to prevent it from happening again in the future. Sitharaman stated that Indian regulators are experts in their domains and are dealing with the matter. The Supreme Court is seeking a note from the Securities Exchange Board of India and may set up an expert panel. On another note, Sitharaman addressed criticism about the new personal income tax regime, saying it is meant to reduce the tax burden on the middle class and simplify direct taxation. She dismissed the notion that the government should induce households towards savings and emphasized the decision-making ability of householders.
Eye on Assembly polls, Karnataka CM set to table ‘please-all’ budget
Summary:
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is set to present the state budget on February 17th, with a focus on pleasing as many sections of society as possible. The budget is expected to be revenue surplus after two years of being in deficit, and the chief minister's office has stated that the state's resurgent economy will allow for a significant portion of funds to be allocated for welfare schemes. The Stree Samarthya Scheme, which promises direct monetary assistance to women, is expected to be a big-ticket budget announcement. Bommai has set the political tone for the budget, saying it is "for the voiceless," with a focus on farmers, the working class, the poor, and women. The chief minister will have to balance countering the opposition's welfare promises without crossing the BJP's own red lines.
Lone Indian missing in quake-hit Turkey found dead under rubble
Summary:
The Indian Embassy in Ankara has announced that the mortal remains of Vijay Kumar, an Indian national who was missing after the earthquake in Turkey on February 6, have been found and identified among the debris of a hotel in Malatya. Mr. Kumar, who was from Uttarakhand and employed with Oxyplants India Private Ltd. in Bengaluru, was on a business trip and staying in a hotel in Malatya. The Indian Embassy is making arrangements for the earliest possible transportation of his mortal remains to his family. The Indian team accounted for all other Indians in the earthquake-hit region and sent four planeloads of relief material and equipment under "Operation Dost" a day after the earthquake, and on Saturday sent its seventh flight carrying relief material to Turkey and Syria.
SC steps in for undertrial prisoners unable to furnish surety, bail bonds
Summary:
The Supreme Court of India has issued directions to release undertrial prisoners who have been granted bail but are unable to furnish sureties or bail bonds within seven days. The court has suggested temporary bail so that prisoners can find the required bonds and sureties. This order comes after a report by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) found that nearly 5,000 undertrial prisoners were still in jail despite having been granted bail, either due to multiple charges against them or because of poverty. The court has issued seven directions, including sending soft copies of bail orders to prison authorities, recording the date of bail in the e-prisons software, informing the District Legal Services Authorities if a prisoner is not released within seven days, and automatic mailing to the Secretary, DLSA, if a prisoner is not released. Courts can also grant temporary bail and relax bail conditions if necessary. The court has advised that in cases where bail bonds are not furnished within a month, the court may consider modifying or relaxing conditions.