LOK SABHA PASSES BILL SEEKING TO LINK AADHAAR WITH VOTER ID AMID DIN

A Bill to link electoral roll data with Aadhaar ecosystem and bring other poll reforms was passed by Lok Sabha on Monday after a brief debate and amid demand by the opposition to refer it to a standing committee.

The Election Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021, piloted by Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, was passed by a voice vote with opposition members claiming that the move to link electoral roll with Aadhaar number would violate privacy and could even allow non-citizens to vote.

"So, if you are in a position where you are asking Aadhaar for voters, all you are getting is a document that reflects residence. It does not reflect any proof of citizenship. Therefore, you are potentially giving the right to vote to non-citizens," Congress member Shashi Tharoor said in Lok

The Bill was introduced after 12 noon and passed amid din by 15:10 pm.

Opposition members slammed the govt for rushing the bill through parliamentary process in a 'tearing hurry' and demanded that it be referred to a standing committee.

Responding to opposition concerns in Lok Sabha, the law minister said the Bill will help in weeding out multiple entries in the electoral rolls and ensure that a person is registered as a voter in one constituency and would eventually lead to clean elections.

On Aadhaar linkage, Rijiju said, "This is voluntary, not compulsory or mandatory." The Bill makes it clear that 'no application for inclusion of name in the electoral roll shall be denied and no entries in the electoral roll shall be deleted for inability of an individual to furnish or intimate Aadhaar number due to such sufficient cause as may be prescribed'.

Rejecting the demand for referring the Bill to a panel, Rijiju said various proposals which are part of the bill have already been suggested and recommended by the Standing Committee of Law and Personnel.

The minister further said that the Bill will cleanse the election system and eliminate multiple entries.

He said the govt wanted a full debate on the Bill but could not do so because of the uproar in the House.

DELIMITATION PANEL PROPOSES 6 ADDITIONAL ASSEMBLY SEATS FOR JAMMU, 1 FOR KASHMIR

The Delimitation Commission on Jammu and Kashmir yesterday met in New Delhi with its five associate members and shared with them the first draft on proposals for allocation of Assembly seats in the Jammu and Kashmir regions, besides making provisions for PoK.

The delimitation panel has proposed six additional assembly seats for the Jammu region and one for the Kashmir valley. These would take the total number of seats in the Jammu region to 43 and in the Kashmir region to 47. The 24 PoK seats would remain vacant.

The commission is headed by former Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Desai. Besides the five LS members from J&K as its associate members, the panel includes Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra as ex-officio member. Three Lok Sabha members of the NC, including party president and former CM Farooq Abdullah, attended the commission meeting for the first time. Two BJP MPs, including Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh, were also present.

Farooq Abdullah said he would brief the grouping as well as his party colleagues of the deliberations of the commission. “The meeting took place in a cordial manner and we all were explained the method adopted for coming to the conclusion,” Farooq said, adding that “I will discuss with my senior party leaders before sending the NC’s views to the commission.”

In a strong reaction, NC vice-president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted: “The commission appears to have allowed the political agenda of the BJP to dictate its recommendations rather than the data which should have been its only consideration. Contrary to the promised ‘scientific approach’, it’s a political approach…. The distribution is not justified by the data of the 2011 census.”

Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP, Altaf Bukhari’s Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party and Sajjad Lone’s People’s Conference, which is considered supportive towards the BJP, also protested strongly against the commission’s draft recommendations which could alter the electoral map of J&K.

17 QUESTIONS ON CHINA DISMISSED BY LOK SABHA CITING ‘NATIONAL SECURITY’, CONGRESS’ TEWARI SAYS

Congress MP Manish Tewari has claimed that the Lok Sabha had disallowed 17 of his questions on Chinese incursions in India and the govt’s handling of the same since 2020.

On a day when the Opposition was up in arms in Parliament over the hasty introduction and passing of the Election Laws (Amendment) Bill, Tewari, in a tweet posted Monday, said that all the questions he has posed since 2020 on the Sino-India border situation, were disallowed on “specious grounds of national security”.

“Snapshot of 17 questions on Sino-Indian border situation disallowed by Lok Sabha Secretariat on specious grounds of national security. There are many more. Not one substantive discussion on China since April 2020. Are we a democracy any longer? (sic),” read Tewari’s post, in which Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla as well as vice-president and chairman of Rajya Sabha M. Venkaiah Naidu were tagged.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST 21/Dec

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Monday 4,931

Active Cases 79,097 (-3,170)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 4,78,007 (48)

Total Vaccination: 138.35 Crores (+64,56,911)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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PAK PM SPARKS UPROAR IN AF OVER IS TERROR REMARK

Pakistan PM Imran Khan had claimed during his keynote address at the OIC meeting on Sunday that Daesh (Islamic State) has been threatening Pakistan from Afghanistan. “We have had attacks from the Afghan border, from IS, into Pakistan,” he had said. Khan had stated that due to years of corruption in Afghanistan, poverty was widespread in the landlocked country even before the collapse of the former govt there. He also spoke on the human rights issue, saying that it should be understood in the context of prevalent cultural values in the country. “We must understand… when we talk about human rights, every society is different. Every society’s idea of human rights and women’s rights are different,” Khan said. “Culture in Kabul was always different from rural areas, just like we see in Peshawar where it is completely different from the districts on the border with Afghanistan.”

His remarks on IS, graft and human rights drew a sharp response from former Afghan president Hamid Karzai and other Afghan nationals online. Karzai called Khan’s remarks “an attempt to sow discord among Afghans, and an insult to the Afghan people”. “Allegations that IS is active in Afghanistan, threatening Pakistan from Afghanistan, is clear propaganda and in fact the opposite is true. The threat of IS has been directed from Pakistan against Afghanistan from the very onset,” he tweeted.

In Kabul on Monday, the interim Afghan foreign minster said he believed Khan’s remarks were not an insult to Afghanistan. “Imran Khan criticised the former (Afghan) govts. I think officials of the former govts felt obligated to react, I don’t see (Khan’s remarks) as insulting,” Muttaqi said.

OMICRON SPREADING FASTER THAN DELTA, INFECTING VAXXED: WHO

The Omicron variant is spreading faster than the Delta variant and is causing infections in people already vaccinated or who have recovered from the Covid-19 disease, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday. “There is now consistent evidence that Omicron is spreading significantly faster than the Delta variant,” he said. “And it is more likely people vaccinated or recovered from Covid could be infected or re-infected.”

But the WHO team also offered some hope to a world facing the new wave that 2022 would be the year that the pandemic would end — with the development of second and third generation vaccines, further development of antimicrobial treatments and other innovations. “If we can keep virus transmission to minimum, then can bring pandemic to end,” Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergency expert said. Tedros, too, called for the world to pull together and make the difficult decisions needed to end the pandemic within the next year. “2022 must be the year we end the pandemic,” he said.

Omicron infections are multiplying rapidly across Europe and the US, doubling every two or three days in London and elsewhere and taking a heavy toll on financial markets. Britain has reported record levels of cases over the past week.

THE REST

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NAGALAND ADOPTS RESOLUTION DEMANDING REPEAL OF AFSPA

The Nagaland Assembly Monday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding the repeal of AFSPA, during a special session held in the aftermath of the botched security ambush that claimed 14 lives earlier this month.

Calls for repeal of AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Powers Act), which gives soldiers sweeping powers to arrest without warrants and even shoot to kill in certain situations, from Nagaland and other northeastern states have been growing louder ever since the killings in Oting in Nagaland’s Mon district. Massive protest rallies have been held in state capital Kohima, with the state Cabinet also recommended the law’s repeal.

Monday’s resolution, which was adopted by a voice vote, was moved by Chief Minister Rio, who said the “entire Naga society” had been calling for AFSPA to be repealed. He said: “This House must sound the desire of the people. The desire of the people is to repeal this undemocratic and draconian law.”

BIOMETRICS FAIL TO IDENTIFY AMRITSAR SACRILEGE SUSPECT

Two days after the alleged sacrilege attempt at the Golden Temple, the police are clueless about the identity of the deceased suspect. In a setback for the special investigation team probing the incident, the fingerprints of the deceased didn’t match with any biometric record on the Aadhaar database or the police record.

The police are now tracking the route taken by the suspect to reach the shrine by scanning CCTV footage from the ISBT, railway station and other places. Police Commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill confirmed that the deceased’s identity was still a mystery. He said it was difficult to track the suspect’s movement since multiple narrow lanes led to the shrine. “The biometric methodology failed to yield any result. We have appealed to the public to share any information they have about the man whose photograph has been circulated. The identity of the informer will not be revealed,” he said. Sources said the suspect, who was in his mid-twenties, seemed to be from outside Punjab, possibly from Uttar Pradesh, but there was no confirmation yet.

MAJORITY OF OMICRON CASES IN DELHI HAVE TRAVEL HISTORY TO UAE

Majority of people who have so far tested positive for the Omicron variant of Covid in Delhi have a travel history to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is learnt.

Delhi has recorded 24 Omicron cases so far. As per data shared by sources for 22 of the cases, 19 were international travellers while three contracted it after they came in contact with those who returned from abroad. Of the 19, 10 have a travel history to the UAE, four to the UK, two to South Africa, two to Tanzania, while one came from Zimbabwe.

Amid the increase in cases, especially of the Omicron variant, the Delhi govt has decided to conduct genome sequencing of all fresh cases. The tests are conducted at the National Centre of Disease Control, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, and Lok Nayak Hospital. Sources said these hospitals have conducted genome sequencing of about 320 samples, of which 11% were Omicron, 49% were Delta and 40% were ‘other’.

The capital Monday recorded 91 cases with a positivity rate of 0.20%. Data shows positivity rate, daily new cases, cumulative new cases, and bed occupancy are also seeing an uptick. As per data, on December 1, daily bed occupancy was 111, while it was 197 on Monday. Positivity rate has jumped from 0.07% to 0.20%.

The govt said 30,000 Covid beds are ready, with 100 beds per ward to be arranged as and when required on a two-week notice — taking the total bed capacity to over 64,000. Also, 6,800 ICUs will be ready soon.

CENTRE RAKES IN RS 3.72 LAKH CRORE, LOW BASIC EXCISE DUTY LIMITS STATES’ SHARE

Taxes collected by the Central govt on petrol went up nearly three times from Rs 9.48 per litre in 2014 to Rs 27.90 per litre in 2021; however, the states’ share in these tax collections rose from Rs 0.38 per litre to Rs 0.57 per litre during the same time period. This is based on data presented by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in reply to a question in Lok Sabha on Monday.

The Finance Ministry data also showed that the share of cesses and surcharges in gross tax collections went up more than four times over the last decade between 2011-12 and 2020-21. In 2020-21, the Centre collected Rs 4,09,481.16 crore as cesses and surcharges, up from Rs Rs 92,996.51 crore collected in 2011-12. These collections are not shared with states. “Cesses and surcharges are not included in the divisible pool as per Constitutional scheme for devolution of taxes,” Chaudhary said. As per recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission, the Centre shares 41 per cent of the tax receipts with states for award period 2021–26.

Several state finance ministers have argued recently that all or some portion of the cess and surcharges collected by the Central govt should form part of the divisible pool, which is shared with the states. The issue of cess and surcharge is currently not within the mandate of the Finance Commission, as these collections are not part of the divisible pool.

The govt will have to amend Article 269 and Article 270 of the Constitution to make these a part of the divisible pool. A cess is imposed on the base tax liability of a corporation or an individual taxpayer, for a specific purpose. Surcharge is a tax on tax that the Union govt can use for whichever purpose it deems fit.

Present total Excise duty on petrol is Rs. 27.90 per litre. This includes Basic Excise Duty, which is only Rs. 1.4 per litre,” Chaudhary said.

SENSEX NOSEDIVES 1,190 POINTS ON GLOBAL SELLOFF

Equity benchmark Sensex plunged 1,190 points or 2.90 per cent to end at 55,822 on Monday as concerns over the impact of surging Omicron cases across the world spooked investors, triggering an intense selloff in global equities. Similarly, the NSE Nifty tanked 371 points or 2.18 per cent to 16,614

Tata Steel was the top loser in the Sensex pack, sinking over 5 per cent, followed by SBI, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank and NTPC.

According to experts, exploding COVID-19 cases, sustained selling by foreign institutional investors and slowing growth momentum in the developed economies have spooked markets the world over.

SHOPKEEPER’S SON IN INDIA U-19, ONE OF MANY FROM SMALL TOWNS

A small general provisions store in Kotgaon, Ghaziabad, has been the centre of attention since Sunday evening, when Siddharth, son of the shopkeeper Shravan Yadav, was selected to represent the country. The top-order batsman is part of the India under-19 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, followed by the World Cup in January. The senior Yadav is elated, so are his customers.

Siddharth’s story is not dissimilar to that of several others from India’s smaller towns not traditionally known for producing cricketing talent. The presence in the team of players from across the country’s vast and diverse geography is a reminder of the spread of the game, and the reach of the BCCI. Among these stories are those of wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Bana from Hisar, pacer Vasu Vats from Saharanpur, and his new-ball partner Rajvardhan Hangargekar from Osmanabad.

Some in the squad have sporting families but the core of the team is formed by first-generation cricketers.

INDIA-SOUTH AFRICA SERIES TO BE PLAYED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Spectators will not be allowed into stadiums for South Africa's home series against India, despite regulations in the country allowing for a maximum of 2000 fully-vaccinated fans in sports venues. Cricket South Africa and the BCCI took a joint decision to hold the matches behind closed doors for the safety of players and the integrity of the bio-bubble.

"Regrettably, CSA wishes to inform the most ardent fans of cricket as well as all sports lovers that owing to the increasing Covid cases around the world, and the fourth wave locally, the two cricketing bodies have taken a joint decision to protect the players and the tour by NOT making tickets available for the India vs Proteas offerings," a CSA statement read.

ASHES: AUSTRALIA GO UP 2-0

Australia thrashed England by 275 runs in the day-night second Test to go 2-0 up in the five-match Ashes series on Monday.

England resumed the final day on a precarious 82/4, needing 386 more runs for an improbable win or to at least bat out the last three sessions to force a draw. They lost talismanic Ben Stokes in the first session and Chris Woakes fell after a fighting 44, which was the highest individual score in England's abject second innings batting display.

Jos Buttler, who had a wretched time behind the wicket, dropping several catches, then produced a spectacular rearguard, spread over 207 deliveries, for an uncharacteristically dogged 26 that kept alive England's faint hopes of saving the match. It was soon snuffed out when the batsman, retreating deep into the crease to work a Jhye Richardson delivery on the off-side, trod on his own stumps. While Buttler's obdurate batting took England's fight to the final session, the miracle they needed to save the match did not materialise.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne was adjudged man-of-the-match for his 103, the only century hit by a player from either side in the match.

Scores: Australia 473/9 (decl) and 230/9 (decl); England 236 & 192

INDICATORS

Sensex 55,822 (-1190), Nifty 16,614 (-371), Trading Value NSE (Rs.crores) 62,382

Nasdaq 14,981 (-189) Dow 34,932 (-433), S&P 4,568 (-53)

US$-Rs. 75.79 GBP-Rs. 100.16, Euro-Rs. 85.40, UAE Dhm-Rs.20.63, Can$-Rs. 58.64, Aus$- Rs. 53.89

GBP 0.75 /US$, Euro 0.88 /US$, Jap.Yen 113.53 /US$, Aus$ 1.40 /US$, Sing 1.36 /US$, Bang Taka 84.59 /US$, Can$ 1.29 /US$, Mal Ring 4.22 /US$,

Pak Re 178.00 /US$, Phil Peso 49.84 /US$, Russian Rouble 74.24 /US$, NZ$ 1.48 /US$, Thai Baht 33.51 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 27.09 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 47,036

Dollar Index 96.46 Brent Crude 72.02 BDI 2,371

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,790 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 4,864 / 4,764, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 65,700

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

We know what we are, but know not what we may be. - William Shakespeare

OFF TRACK

A man wanted a boat more than anything. His wife kept refusing, but he bought one anyway. "I'll tell you what," he told her. "In the spirit of compromise, why don't you name the boat?" 

Being a good sport, she accepted. When her husband went to the dock for his maiden voyage, this is the name he saw painted on the side: "For Sale."