Indians go West, take up ‘residence by investment’
Summary:
The article reports that more than 2.25 lakh Indians renounced Indian citizenship in 2022, the highest since 2011, with high net-worth individuals (HNIs) moving to countries such as Canada, the US, Portugal, Australia, Malta, and Greece. The reasons behind this trend include better opportunities, healthcare, quality of life, education, and other factors. The article notes that India ranks fourth in the world in terms of privately-held wealth, with 3.47 lakh HNIs in India as of December 2021, and a surge in requests for residence-through-investment programs. The article further explains how these programs work and their qualifying requirements, including the U.S. EB-5 visa, Portugal Golden Visa, Australian Global Talent Independent Visa, Malta Permanent Residency Programme, and Greece Residence by Investment Programme. The article concludes that HNIs have broadened their definition of wealth, seeking better healthcare, open and flexible business environments, and access to better academic and professional opportunities, and alternative residency programs provide them with these options.
Work on the ₹100-crore revamp promised in Rozgar budget yet
to start, say market associations
Summary:
Traders in the Gandhi Nagar market, a wholesale market for readymade textiles in Delhi, are still waiting for the promised revamp almost a year after the Delhi government announced its plans to redevelop it. Traders have said that there has been no headway, and the last meeting between traders and the government took place in July. The government's plans to redevelop the wholesale market and five retail markets in the city, at a cost of INR100 crore, was announced in March 2022. The redevelopment of these markets is expected to create at least 1.5 lakh new job opportunities in the next five years. The plans have been delayed as the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has not issued a no objection certificate (NOC) to the Delhi government for the redevelopment works.
The curious case of the disqualification of a politician
Summary:
The suspension of a Kavaratti District Court verdict by the Kerala High Court in the case of the then-sitting Member of Parliament, Mohammed Faizal P.P., has raised questions about his disqualification as an MP following his conviction for attempted murder. There are concerns about whether a disqualification for conviction is final or can be revoked. The Representation of the People Act, 1951 states that a person who is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for two or more years shall be disqualified for a period of imprisonment and a further six years. A person who is sitting can appeal within three months from the date of conviction, and the disqualification will not be applicable until the appeal is decided.
Income tax ‘raids’ surge amid poor conviction rate
Summary:
The Income Tax Department in India has conducted a survey of the BBC's offices in Delhi and Mumbai, leading to concerns over press freedom. The survey was conducted soon after the release of a critical two-part documentary about Prime Minister Modi. This is not the first time that the department has targeted media houses after critical coverage. The number of surveys and search and seizure actions has increased in recent years, while conviction rates have declined. Compounding cases by paying a monetary fine has also increased, and the number of convictions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is low.
The SC on sealed cover jurisprudence
Summary:
The article discusses the use of "sealed cover" documents in Indian courts, which are confidential documents presented to the court that are not made available to the public or other parties involved in the case. The use of sealed covers has become controversial, with some arguing that they erode public confidence in the justice system and allow the government to present evidence without challenge. The Supreme Court has recently shown a greater reluctance to accept sealed covers, requiring the government to provide specific justifications for their use and limiting their use to only exceptional cases. The article concludes that the court's recent approach suggests a growing recognition of the need to balance the right to know with national security concerns.
Navy plans for another Vikrant-size carrier before Vikramaditya retires
Summary:
The Indian Navy plans to build another aircraft carrier of the size of INS Vikrant, which was recently commissioned. The Navy aims to have three aircraft carriers, with at least two operational at all times, and the plan is to have the third carrier ready before the current aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya retires. The proposed carrier will be powered by nuclear energy, which will provide longer endurance, and will have electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) that will enable the operation of modern fighter aircraft. The new carrier will be designed to accommodate the fifth-generation fighter jets that are being developed jointly by India and Russia.
RPF’s facial recognition system pilot on target in 96% of cases, says its chief
Summary:
Indian Railways is planning to install facial recognition systems at 200 stations to enhance security, according to Sanjay Chander, Director-General (DG) of the Railway Police Force (RPF). The facial recognition systems have been tested in a pilot project in Bengaluru, which involved 30 high-quality CCTV cameras and software technology, and has proven to be very robust, even with a person wearing a mask. The RPF is urging the Ministry of Women and Child Development to approve the use of the Nirbhaya Fund to finance the project. The facial recognition system will help the RPF in tracking “wanted” people and enhance their efforts to curb child and drug trafficking, a primary concern for the force.
Israeli air strike on Syrian capital kills 15 persons including two women
Summary:
An Israeli airstrike on Damascus on February 20th caused 15 deaths and extensive damage to a building located in a district with state security agencies, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Two women were among those killed in what was considered the deadliest Israeli attack in the Syrian capital since the civil war began. It is not clear who was the intended target of the attack, which left a hole in the street. Other missiles also hit a warehouse used by pro-regime Iranian and Hezbollah fighters. Syria’s Defence Ministry provided an initial death toll of five, including one soldier, and 15 civilians were wounded, some in critical condition.