SC declines to take up pleas against elevating lawyer
Summary:
The Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the appointment of advocate Victoria Gowri as an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court. The court stated that the appointment process is already robust and it would not be proper to interfere with it. The court also stated that they cannot go into the question of her suitability and cannot direct the Supreme Court Collegium to reconsider its recommendation. The court also stated that they cannot give a judicial direction at this stage, as the appointment of Gowri as a Permanent Judge is yet to be confirmed.
Quake deaths pass 6,000 as Turkey,Syria seek survivors
Summary:
An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck southeast Turkey and neighboring Syria, resulting in over 6,200 deaths and expected to rise. The destruction from the earthquake spread over a large area and relief efforts are struggling to reach devastated areas. More than 8,000 people have been rescued in Turkey alone, and over 380,000 people have taken refuge in shelters or hotels. Turkish President Erdogan declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces to manage the relief efforts, and 13 million of Turkey's 85 million people were affected. In Syria, the affected area is split between government-controlled territory and the country's last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces and is home to 4 million displaced people.
AAP, BJP hit the streets, blame each other for stalling mayoral polls
Summary:
Members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held protests outside each other's headquarters in Delhi over the adjournment of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi House. AAP accused the BJP of stalling the House proceedings and demanded immediate mayoral elections, while the BJP accused AAP of subverting constitutional norms inside the House. The MCD House has been adjourned three times in the last month due to heated exchanges between the two parties. On Monday, protests broke out when the BJP councillor and presiding officer, Satya Sharma, announced that the aldermen nominated by the Lieutenant-Governor would be allowed to vote in the mayoral elections. AAP has demanded that Sharma be tried for contempt of court for claiming to have a court order regarding voting in the elections. Delhi BJP accused AAP of hooliganism and subverting constitutional norms, while the leader of the opposition in the assembly accused AAP councillors of causing the stir in the House. Delhi is yet to get a Mayor two months after the civic poll results were declared.
Delhi HC: virginity test on accused is sexist and unconstitutional
Summary:
The Delhi High Court has ruled that conducting a virginity test on a woman accused of a crime is unconstitutional and violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. The ruling came as a response to a 14-year-old petition filed by Sister Sephy, who was convicted in the Sister Abhaya murder case and claimed that she was forced to undergo a virginity test by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2008. The court stated that such a test is sexist and violates human dignity. However, no action can be taken against the officials of the CBI as the guidelines declaring such tests unconstitutional were not present during that period.
EDITORIAL
Fiscal consolidation in the context of the Budget
Summary:
The article analyzes the Indian government's budget for 2023-24 and its impact on growth and stability. The government expenditure is budgeted to grow 7.5%, while the nominal GDP growth is estimated to decrease from 15.4% in 2022-23 to 10.5% in 2023-24. The increase in the Center's capital expenditure is budgeted at 37% while the increase in revenue expenditure is only 1.2%. This composition of expenditure is growth positive. State capital expenditure may increase due to central grants to the states. The private disposable income may increase following tax slab adjustments. The medium-term fiscal policy strategy statement does not indicate the year by which the government aims to reach the mandated debt-GDP target of 40%. The high level of the Center's debt-GDP ratio reduces the space for primary expenditure in the budget. For raising growth in the medium term, the augmentation of private investment relative to GDP needs to be ensured, but the central and state fiscal deficits together may amount to 9.4% of GDP in 2023-24, leaving only 1.1% for the private sector.
Neglecting the health sector has consequences
Summary:
The article argues that budgets are an indicator of the true intentions and vision of a government, based on how much the budget helps in providing equitable access to basic public goods for all citizens. The budget for health, education, and nutrition in India is stagnant, which is seen as disappointing. COVID-19 has highlighted the lack of financial risk protection, the poor state of the primary health system, and the absence of well-equipped district hospitals. The article calls for investment in public health and an improvement in the healthcare system to reduce vulnerability and protect citizens. The author suggests that political leadership backed by adequate funding is necessary to rebuild the public health system, promote education, and provide access to affordable health and nutrition.
What has the Union Budget allocated to minorities?
Summary:
The Union Budget for 2023-24 has resulted in a 38% reduction in funds for the Ministry of Minority Affairs. This funding cut is expected to have an impact on madrasas and general school education, higher research, and local development in areas with high minority populations. The worst affected scheme is the Education Scheme for Madrasas, which experienced a 93% cut in allocation, down to ₹10 crore from ₹160 crore in the previous year. The total allocation for minorities' education was reduced to ₹1,689 crore from ₹2,515 crore last year, with other schemes for research and scholarships also experiencing cuts. The Nai Udaan Scheme, which was meant to help minority students prepare for the Union Public Service Commission exams, has been grounded due to overlap with other similar government initiatives. Protests have arisen over the cuts, with many economically poor students pleading for affirmative action to continue.
Opposition targets govt. over Hindenburg report
Summary:
Opposition parties in the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament, questioned the government over the Hindenburg report on the Adani Group and why the conglomerate was being shielded from action. The ruling party defended itself by attacking the opposition on issues such as land acquisition and Adani Group's interests in non-BJP ruled states. Members of the DMK, Trinamool Congress, Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party and BJP spoke on the Motion of Thanks to the President. Some accused the Modi government of shielding corporations and questioned why the Enforcement Department had not initiated proceedings against Adani. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey countered the allegations by saying the Adani Group had mines in Australia when the Congress was in power and that Adani has good relations with several chief ministers, including those of West Bengal and Rajasthan.