Category: India

  • Supreme Court: States Must Address Vacant Jail Staff Positions!

    Supreme Court: States Must Address Vacant Jail Staff Positions!

    In New Delhi, the Supreme Court has asked state governments to provide information on how many prison staff positions are currently empty. This is important because crowded jails can make life hard for prisoners, especially when there aren’t enough staff members to take care of them.

    A group of judges talked about this issue and asked all states and union territories to report how many jail jobs are open and what steps they are taking to fill these positions. They want this information in 12 weeks.

    Recent reports showed that, on average, about 30% of jail staff positions are vacant. For example, a report from 2018 showed there should be 77,216 prison staff, but there were 24,588 vacancies. By 2022, the number of vacancies grew to 27,603, even though the total number of available positions increased to 91,181.

    The judges noted that when jails are crowded but have too few staff members, it can create serious problems for both convicted criminals and those awaiting trial. They urged states to quickly fill these job openings to ensure better care for prisoners.

    A senior lawyer, Gaurav Agarwal, has been helping the court by gathering data about jail staff vacancies. He contacted several states like Kerala, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh for this information. So far, only Bihar has replied, saying that out of 9,349 approved positions, 4,573 are currently empty—nearly half!

    Agarwal also connected with an organization called the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to understand the situation better. They found that in one jail in Nagpur, 193 out of 437 approved positions are vacant, causing issues with prison discipline and rehabilitation programs.

    The judges acknowledged that while governments might struggle to fill every vacancy, it’s crucial for them to understand how many total positions there are and how many are still open across the country.

    Additionally, the Supreme Court reminded states to process the release of some prisoners who qualify under a law called Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Samhita (BNSS). This law allows first-time offenders to be released after serving a third of their maximum sentence.

    So far, only Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have shared information about their releases under this law. Uttar Pradesh has released about 61 prisoners, while Bihar released 28. Some states are still figuring out which of their prisoners qualify for release. In contrast, Tripura mentioned that they have no eligible undertrial prisoners.

  • India Extradites 23 Criminals in 5 Years: 178 Requests Made!

    India Extradites 23 Criminals in 5 Years: 178 Requests Made!

    In the last five years, India has brought back 23 criminals who were hiding in other countries. During this time, India asked 178 times for the return of people linked to serious crimes, including terrorism. Union Minister Nityanand Rai shared this information in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament.

    Rai explained that the Ministry of External Affairs, which handles these requests, is currently looking at 65 extradition requests from India to the United States. He emphasized the importance of bringing back criminals to face justice in India.

    To help in this effort, India has made strong diplomatic moves and signed agreements with 48 different countries to make it easier to extradite criminals. There are also informal arrangements with 12 more countries. The Indian government is committed to making more agreements with countries around the world to ensure that criminals cannot escape punishment.

  • RBI Chief Shaktikanta Das Steps Down: Inflation & Growth Challenge for New Governor

    RBI Chief Shaktikanta Das Steps Down: Inflation & Growth Challenge for New Governor

    Shaktikanta Das, the outgoing governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), mentioned that the main job for the RBI is to balance inflation and economic growth. He led the RBI during tough times like the pandemic and rising prices, which affected India’s economy. A career bureaucrat with extensive experience, Das was appointed governor in December 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    On December 9, the government selected revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the new governor, surprising many who expected Das to get another term. When Das started his role, tensions existed between the government and the RBI. However, Das improved how they worked together, making it easier for the two to communicate.

    Central banks like the RBI control prices mainly by changing interest rates. Sometimes, this can slow down economic growth. Governments often try to speed up economic growth, making the central bank’s job challenging. As former Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke observed, this balance is not easy.

    Das was careful about managing inflation. For 11 straight meetings, the RBI kept the interest rate unchanged at 6.5%, after raising it by 2.5% in the previous months. This concerned the government since higher interest rates can hurt economic growth. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal suggested that the RBI should lower interest rates to boost growth. He criticized the idea that food prices should influence interest rates. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman agreed, saying banks needed to make interest rates more affordable for businesses.

    Despite pressures to lower rates, Das was cautious, advising lenders to avoid risky behaviors. He noted that many factors affect growth, not just the interest rate. After the latest policy meeting, he emphasized the importance of making smart monetary policies based on current conditions.

    Das also played a crucial role in stabilizing the economy after the pandemic and improving relations between the government and the RBI. He remained dedicated to his duties even when he contracted Covid-19, working from home throughout his recovery.

    Sanjay Malhotra takes over during a challenging time, as economic growth has slowed to 5.4%, the slowest in seven quarters, and inflation has climbed above the RBI’s 6% limit for the first time in over a year. The new governor now faces the challenge of balancing inflation and growth.

  • Adani Group Leads India’s Wealth Creation: Fast Growth Explained

    Adani Group Leads India’s Wealth Creation: Fast Growth Explained

    Two companies from the Adani Group—Adani Green and Adani Enterprises—have become some of the fastest and most reliable ways to grow money among the top 100 companies in India over the past five years. This amazing success continues even after facing big challenges, like serious allegations involving Hindenburg and bribery.

    According to a study by Motilal Oswal, Adani Green is on the top as the quickest wealth creator, with prices growing at an impressive 118% each year from 2019 to 2024. Adani Enterprises and Adani Power are also in the top 10 for fast wealth growth.

    In 2019, there were 2,852 smaller companies, but by 2024, only Adani Green moved into the big leagues.

    Adani Green Energy is a leader in renewable energy in India, working on big solar and wind power projects. Other big wealth creators in the last five years include Dixon Technologies, Linde India, and Varun Beverages.

    If you had invested Rs 10 lakh in these top 10 wealth creators back in 2019, that money would have grown to Rs 1.75 crore by 2024, with a yearly growth rate of 77%. In comparison, the Nifty 50 index only grew by 14%.

    The great performance of Adani Green and other Adani companies has helped improve the overall returns in the utility sector, which is usually slow-growing. This sector is now the third-largest for wealth creation.

    The report mentions that nine out of ten fastest wealth creators saw their price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio increase a lot. In fact, five of them had P/E ratios over 100, which means people are willing to pay a high price for their profits. It’s a sign that money is chasing few stocks, so it’s important to be careful.

    In the study, Adani Enterprises was recognized as the best overall wealth creator. The study looked at three categories—biggest, fastest, and consistent wealth creators. When scores were tied, the annual price growth decided the winner. Adani Enterprises clearly took the top spot.

  • Opposition Moves to Remove VP Dhankhar: BJP’s Rijiju Responds”

    Opposition Moves to Remove VP Dhankhar: BJP’s Rijiju Responds”

    Recently, some political leaders have started a movement to remove Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar from his position. They believe he has not been doing his job well. In response, Kiren Rijiju, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), spoke up to defend Dhankhar.

    Rijiju explained that the Vice President is a respected leader who plays an important role in our country. He urged everyone to support Dhankhar and not let political disagreements create chaos.

    Rijiju also emphasized that the VP has been working hard and is dedicated to serving the nation. He believes that the move to remove Dhankhar is politically motivated and not in the best interest of India.

    The discussions around this issue are heated, and many people are watching closely to see what happens next. In politics, strong opinions and debates are common, but it’s essential to remember the importance of respectful conversation

  • Farmers to Resume March to Delhi: Key Updates and Demands Revealed

    Farmers to Resume March to Delhi: Key Updates and Demands Revealed

    Chandigarh, Punjab – Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced on Tuesday that protesting farmers will start their march to Delhi again on December 14. He explained that the government has not communicated with them, so they are moving forward. This decision was made during a meeting of farmer groups, Samyukta Kisan Morcha and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

    At a press conference near the Shambhu border protest site, Pandher said, “We want to prove that we are open to talks with the government.” They waited for a response, but nothing came. So, they have decided to send a group of 101 farmers to Delhi on December 14.

    Last Sunday, farmers stopped their march because some were hurt when security personnel used teargas to prevent them from crossing into Haryana.

    In another update, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal is on his 15th day of fasting and is becoming weaker. Abhimanyu Kohar, another leader, said Dallewal needs help walking, and doctors are watching his condition closely as he has lost over 11 kg and his health is at risk.

    In support of Dallewal, farmers at the Khanauri protest did not cook any meals on Tuesday. Pandher encouraged everyone to join the protests on December 13, marking ten months of their struggle at the Shambhu and Khanauri locations.

    Farmers have been at these borders since February 13 after being stopped from entering Delhi. They are asking for several things, including a legal guarantee for fair crop prices, debt relief, pensions for farmers and farm workers, no increase in electricity charges, cancelation of police cases, and justice for victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. They also want the 2013 Land Acquisition Act to be reinstated and compensation for families of farmers who died during earlier protests.

  • PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Rs 1,751 Crore Loans to Support Artisans

    PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Rs 1,751 Crore Loans to Support Artisans

    New Delhi: Banks have given out loans worth Rs 1,751 crore under the PM Vishwakarma scheme, as of October 31. Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, shared this news on Tuesday.

    In a written answer in the Rajya Sabha, he explained that the government is working hard to help borrowers, especially in villages, to make it easier for them to get loans. According to Chaudhary, more than 2.02 lakh accounts have already been opened under the PM Vishwakarma scheme, with a total loan amount of Rs 1,751.20 crore.

    The PM Vishwakarma scheme started on September 17, 2023, to help artisans and craftsmen who use their hands and tools for work. The people in these jobs are known as ‘Vishwakarmas’ and include blacksmiths, goldsmiths, potters, carpenters, and sculptors. The total budget for this scheme from 2023 to 2028 is Rs 13,000 crore.

  • Supreme Court Reviews Internet Shutdowns Amid Cheating Concerns

    Supreme Court Reviews Internet Shutdowns Amid Cheating Concerns

    New Delhi: The Indian government told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it has reached out to state officials to ensure they follow the rules about shutting down the internet. This decision comes after a court case involving Anuradha Bhasin. In that case, the Supreme Court decided that shutting down the internet without a clear reason is illegal, and any shutdown should be necessary and fair.

    On Tuesday, the court heard complaints that some states were shutting down the internet to stop cheating in exams. The government’s lawyer stated that they have sent letters to state leaders, reminding them of the Anuradha Bhasin decision and asking them to stick to these rules. They emphasized that internet shutdowns must only happen for valid reasons.

    Advocate Vrinda Grover, representing the person who filed the complaint, highlighted that there are other ways to prevent cheating and pointed out how internet shutdowns harm businesses in the digital world. She reminded the court that the Anuradha Bhasin ruling clearly outlines when internet shutdowns are legally allowed.

    The Centre’s lawyer mentioned that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would represent the government in this case. The court postponed the next hearing to January 29, giving both sides time to submit more documents and evidence before then. Previously, on September 9, 2022, the Supreme Court had asked the Ministry of Communications if there were any set procedures for dealing with complaints like the one raised by the petitioner.

  • Supreme Court Reviews Judge Yadav’s Controversial Speech at VHP Event

    Supreme Court Reviews Judge Yadav’s Controversial Speech at VHP Event

    The Supreme Court recently discussed a speech given by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a judge from the Allahabad High Court, at a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) event. The court is gathering more information about the situation. A video of Justice Yadav’s speech, where he suggested that laws should follow the majority, has gone viral online, causing many politicians to react strongly. In the video, he claimed, “This is Hindustan, and this country would function as per the wishes of the ‘bahusankhyak’,” which translates to the majority population.

    Justice Yadav also supported the idea of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) during his talk, explaining that it aims to create social harmony, gender equality, and secularism by having the same laws for everyone, regardless of their religion in personal matters like marriage and inheritance.

    Politicians from opposition parties, like Trinamool Congress’s Mahua Moitra and Asaduddin Owaisi, criticized the judge’s statements. The Samajwadi Party and the Uttar Pradesh wing of Congress urged Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna to look into the issue.

    Prashant Bhushan, a lawyer and leader of a non-government group called Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR), wrote a letter to the Chief Justice requesting an inquiry into Justice Yadav’s conduct. Bhushan argued that Yadav’s speech, which was seen as targeting the Muslim community, demonstrates judicial misconduct and injures the reputation of the judiciary.

    Bhushan pointed out that Justice Yadav made several controversial remarks, including one where he described how children from one religious community are taught values of kindness and tolerance, calling into question the fairness of his comments.

    The letter noted that the judge’s actions violate the “Restatement of Values of Judicial Life,” a guideline meant to uphold the integrity of judges. CJAR demanded that Justice Yadav stop all judicial work temporarily while an investigation is conducted, stating that a prompt institutional response is essential to regain public trust in the justice system.

    VHP chief Alok Kumar defended Justice Yadav against the criticism, saying that these events will continue to be organized.

  • New Bill on Boat and Port Safety Enters Lok Sabha, Faces Opposition

    New Bill on Boat and Port Safety Enters Lok Sabha, Faces Opposition

    New Delhi: A new bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. This bill aims to create a group that will manage and check the safety of boats and ports. Some opposition members, however, questioned if the government has the right to make this law.

    During the introduction of the Merchant Shipping Bill by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the opposing voices grew quieter for a moment. Manish Tewari from Congress argued that the government does not have the authority to make rules about merchant shipping, as it is not part of the main areas where the central government can make laws. Saugata Roy from the TMC also spoke against the bill, saying it will give more power to officials rather than helping to improve merchant shipping in India.

    After the opposition spoke, the discussion became heated again, with members shouting slogans. Sonowal defended the bill, stating that it is created according to the Constitution and has passed through checks by two departments in the Ministry of Law.