CONGRESS TREADS CAREFULLY ON RAHUL GANDHI’S LONG MARCH

He will walk some 20-odd km every day with a select band of around 150 workers, sleep in makeshift containers, and interact with people from all walks of life. The arduous 3,570-km yatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir that Rahul Gandhi is set to embark on from September 7 is the longest such campaign in his nearly two-decade political career and the biggest mass contact programme his party has undertaken in decades.

However, the Congress is not just walking the talk, it also walking the tightrope on the yatra, traversing 12 states over 150 days: it does not want the march to be seen as yet another attempt at image makeover of the Gandhi family scion, often lampooned as a reluctant political heir; it is consciously playing down the fact that Rahul will lead the yatra; it has refused to make it clear whether he will lead it as the Congress president; and it wants to send a message that the yatra is not just any other party programme but meant to include all walks of life.

So, keen that civil society groups be part of the yatra, Congress managers have assured them that it will not be conducted under any party symbol or flag, to dissuade any misgivings they might have.

As part of this packaging of the yatra as a non-partisan event, its logo that was released by the Congress Tuesday bears neither the party name nor Rahul’s photograph.

However, the brochure released by the Congress was less ambiguous, saying the party is “playing a key role in organising the yatra and our senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi will actively participate in the yatra. The tagline is ‘mile kadam, jude watan (we walk as one country)’.

While the Congress had also appealed to like-minded political parties to be part of the yatra, so far there has been no positive response from them.

THREE AIR FORCE OFFICERS DISMISSED OVER ACCIDENTAL FIRING OF BRAHMOS MISSILE

The govt has terminated the services of three Indian Air Force (IAF) officers for lapses that led to the firing of a Brahmos missile from a base in Haryana in March this year, which landed in Pakistan near the town of Mian Channu.

A statement issued by the IAF said that deviation from Standard Operating Procedures led to the firing of the missile and these three officers have been held responsible for it. According to reports received, the three are of the ranks of Group Capt, Wing Commander, and Squadron Leader.

A Court of Inquiry into the incident had been held by the IAF and was presided upon by Air Vice Marshal RK Sinha.

The IAF statement said that a Brahmos missile was accidentally fired on March 9 2022 and that a Court of Inquiry (Col), set up to establish the facts of the case, including fixing responsibility for the incident, found that deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) by three officers led to the accidental firing of the missile.

NO TOLL PLAZAS, CAMERAS TO READ NUMBER PLATES, DEDUCT TOLL: GADKARI’S PLANS

The govt is moving ahead with a plan to remove toll plazas across India’s national highways and instead rely on automatic number plate reader cameras, which will read vehicle number plates and automatically deduct toll from the linked bank accounts of vehicle owners. A pilot of this scheme is underway and legal amendments to facilitate this transition are also being moved, Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said.

“In 2019, we made a rule that cars will come with company-fitted number plates. So, the vehicles that have come in the last four years have different number plates. Now, the plan is to remove toll plazas and put cameras, which will read these number plates and toll will be deducted from the account directly. We are also doing a pilot of this scheme. However, there is one problem — there is no provision under the law to penalise the vehicle owner who skips the toll plaza and does not pay. We need to bring that provision under the law. We may bring in a provision for cars which do not have these number plates to get them installed within a certain period of time. We will need to bring in a Bill for this,” Gadkari said.

While the use of FASTags has eased traffic at toll plazas across the country, congestion is still reported as there are toll gates that need to be crossed after authentication. Some of the issues with the FASTags, which were made mandatory from February 16, 2021, include: users with low balance entering the fee plaza lane, which eventually results in longer processing time; internet connectivity issues at remote fee plazas due to which the status of low-balance FASTag is not updated to active FASTag in time by the plaza servers; wear-and-tear of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader and tag; and improper affixation of FASTags by users.

Gadkari also said that the improvement of highway infrastructure between key cities has sharply shrunk travel time, with the result being that commuters are increasingly opting for road trips between these destinations instead of taking flights. He asserted that he is of the view that rules should not be rigid only on any particular technology on alternate automobile fuels, even as it is imperative that the transport sector find alternative technologies to replace petrol and diesel vehicles in order to reduce the crude import bill.

COVID DASHBOARD – INDIA

As of 0800 IST / Aug 23

from mohfw.gov.in ,

New Cases on Monday 8,586

Active Cases 96,506 (-1,142)

Total Deaths (Deaths Yesterday) 5,27,416 (48)

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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ABOUT EUROPE’S GREAT DROUGHT

European media has been full of dramatic pictures of drying, exposed riverbeds. Some of Europe’s biggest rivers — Rhine, Po, Loire, Danube — which are usually formidable waterways, are unable to support even mid-sized boats. As water levels have fallen, remains of sunken ships and ominously named hunger stones — rocks engraved by previous generations during earlier periods of extraordinary dryness — have come out of erstwhile depths.

The drought has been billed as the worst in 500 years. It is being said that never has a European summer been so dry since 1540, when a year-long drought killed tens of thousands of people. The dry spell this year follows a record-breaking heatwave that saw temperatures in many countries rise to historic highs.

The impact has been debilitating. Water transport has suffered badly, and is having cascading effects. Power production has been hit, leading to electricity shortages and a further increase in energy prices already pushed high by the war in Ukraine. Food is sharply more expensive in many countries, and drinking water is being rationed in some regions.

Earlier European droughts — such as those in 2003, 2010, and 2018 — too were compared to the 1540 event. Much like now, the 2018 drought was described as the “worst in 500 years”. But last week, a senior scientist at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre said this year could turn out to be worse than 2018, though data were still being analysed.

HC SUMMONS IMRAN FOR THREATENING JUDGE

The Islamabad high court issued on Tuesday a show-cause to former PM Imran Khan and summoned him to appear in person before it on August 31 in contempt proceedings for making threatening remarks against a woman judge who had approved police remand of his special assistant detained on sedition charges. Since his ouster from power this April, 17 police reports have been registered against Khan on allegations related to graft, terrorism, hate speeches, contempt of judiciary and incitement of public sentiments against state institutions, specifically the military, which he sarcastically dubbed “neutrals” in response to statements from top generals that they don’t interfere in politics.

The show-cause was issued by a three-member bench constituted on Monday, following the decision to initiate contempt proceedings against the PTI chairman.

THE REST

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BILKIS BANO CASE: SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR PLEA AGAINST CONVICTS' RELEASE

The Supreme Court yesterday agreed to consider listing a plea challenging the grant of remission to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. The top court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by CPM Politburo Member Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, and one other petitioner.

A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana took note of the submissions of senior advocates Kapil Sibal (appearing for Ms Ali) and Abhishek Singhvi (appearing for Ms Moitra), and lawyer Aparna Bhat against the grant of remission and consequent release of the convicts in the case.

"We are only challenging the remission and not the Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court order is fine, My Lords. We are challenging the principles on the basis of which remission was granted," Mr Sibal said.

All the eleven convicts sentenced to life imprisonment were freed after the Gujarat govt allowed their release under its remission policy on August 15 amid a massive outcry. Visuals of them being garlanded and offered sweets caused an uproar on social media.

BJP SUSPENDS TELANGANA MLA RAJA SINGH ARRESTED OVER PROPHET REMARK

A BJP MLA from Telangana, T Raja Singh, was suspended by the party and arrested by the state police on Tuesday for delivering remarks against the Prophet in a video posted on social media. Raja Singh, who is the BJP MLA from Goshamahal in Hyderabad, also faces expulsion from the party, which has issued him a show cause notice asking him to submit a written reply by Sept 2.

Raja Singh was taken into custody from his residence by a task force under the Hyderabad Police Commissioner and produced before the 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate court. However, the court rejected the police’s remand application, stating that they did not serve a notice under CrPC section 41A before arresting him.

The court ordered Raja Singh to be released on the condition that he would not leave the city and would seek permission from the police before stepping out of his home. The court said that he is not a flight risk since he is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly. Officials said they would pull down the video in question.

Raja Singh claimed that his remarks were part of a “comedy video” made in response to a show held in Hyderabad by stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui. Faruqui has faced multiple protests from pro-Hindutva groups after being in jail for a month in Indore last year on charges of hurting religious sentiments. He performed in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters, Raja Singh said: “I don’t understand on what basis the police registered the FIR because I did not take the name of any particular community. My video was aimed at Faruqui and I stand by my words, and I did not hurt anyone’s sentiments. This was the first part of the video, there will be a second video, too.”

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray on Tuesday supported suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her remarks against Prophet Mohammad. Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik had said the same thing earlier but no one asked him to apologise, Thackeray said while addressing a meeting of MNS functionaries. "Everybody asked Nupur Sharma to apologise. I supported her. What she said was earlier said by Zakir Naik. Nobody asked for an apology from him," he said.

UNION MINISTER AJAY MISHRA CALLS RAKESH TIKAIT ‘DO KAUDI KA AADMI’

Facing demand for his resignation over the alleged involvement of his son in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence, Union Minister Ajay Kumar Mishra said he is not answerable to people like Rakesh Tikait and called the farmer leader “do kaudi ka aadmi” or a second rate person. In a video apparently of a speech made to his supporters, Mishra dismissed allegations levelled against him.

“Suppose I am going to Lucknow in a car which is at a good speed, dogs bark on the road or chase the car. It’s their nature, I will not say anything about that as we do not have this nature. When things come to the fore, I will give answer to everyone. I am very confident because of your support,” Mishra, who is the Minister of State for Home, said.

On October 3 last year, eight people, including four farmers and a journalist, were killed in the violence at Tikunia village here during a farmer protest against the visit of UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya to Mishra’s village in Lakhimpur Kheri district.

In this case, Mishra’s son Ashish Mishra has been arrested as the main accused.

“People keep raising questions. There are also ‘bevakoof patrakaar’ (stupid journalists) who have no relationship with journalism and want to create confusion by such ‘ulti-seedhi baat’ (unfounded things),” Mishra said.

“I know Rakesh Tikait very well, he is a ‘do kaudi ka aadmi’ (second rate person). He fought election twice and lost the deposit. If this kind of a man opposes anyone, it is of no value and so I do not answer to such people as it is of no relevance,” Mishra said.

SC RULES BENAMI LAW CANNOT BE APPLIED RETROSPECTIVELY

The Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down a key provision of the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act of 1988, which prescribed a three-year jail term or a fine or both for those indulging in “benami” transactions, terming it “manifestly arbitrary”.

The verdict came on the appeal filed by the Centre challenging the December 12, 2019 verdict of the Calcutta High Court, which held that the 2016 Act did not have retrospective application. It had to decide if the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988, as amended by the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016, had a prospective effect.

The top court said the forfeiture provision under Section 5 of the 2016 Act — being punitive in nature — could only be applied prospectively and not retroactively. The 1988 Act was enacted to prohibit “benami” transactions and the right to recover property held to be “benami”.

MUSLIM GIRL CAN MARRY ON ATTAINING PUBERTY: HC

Under Muslim law, a girl who has attained the age of puberty can marry without the consent of her parents and has the right to reside with her husband even when she is a minor, the Delhi High Court ruled.

In such cases, when physical intercourse happens only after the wedlock, offences under the POCSO Act will not be attracted, Justice Jasmeet Singh said. The order came on a plea filed by a Muslim couple.

ASANSOL JUDGE GETS ‘THREAT’ LETTER: ‘RELEASE TMC LEADER OR FACE DRUGS CASE’

A CBI court judge in Asansol, who is hearing the cattle smuggling case, has allegedly received a letter threatening his family members with drug cases if he did not grant bail to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mondal.

Mondal was arrested by the CBI on August 11 in a cattle smuggling case. The Birbhum unit president of TMC had sought bail on August 20, citing poor health.

With the CBI opposing his bail plea, describing him as a “highly influential person”, judge Rajesh Chakraborty had extended Mondal’s CBI custody till August 24.

Notably, the judge allegedly received the threat letter on August 20. He has reportedly forwarded the letter to police and district administration for follow-up action. Chakraborty has also written to the district judge of Paschim Bardhaman, requesting him to take note of the “threat” and bring it to the notice of the registrar, Judicial Service, Appellate Side of the Calcutta High Court.

ADANI STEPS INTO NDTV WITH 29%, TO LAUNCH OPEN OFFER FOR 26% MORE

Gautam Adani-led Adani Group, a conglomerate with diverse business interests, Tuesday acquired 29.18 per cent stake in television channel NDTV Ltd, and said it will launch an open offer as required by the SEBI to buy another 26 per cent in the company.

NDTV said the acquisition was executed without any input from, conversation with, or consent of NDTV founders Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy. The two continue to hold 32.26 per cent in NDTV.

The Adani Group, which has been eyeing entry into the mainstream media space, had hired journalist Sanjay Pugalia last September to lead its media company, Adani Media Ventures. Pugalia was the president of Quint Digital Media, which operated BloombergQuint. “AMNL seeks to empower Indian citizens, consumers and those interested in India, with information and knowledge. With its leading position in news and its strong and diverse reach across genres and geographies, NDTV is the most suitable broadcast and digital platform to deliver on our vision. We look forward to strengthening NDTV’s leadership in news delivery,” Pugalia said in the statement.

Though the Roys hold more than the Adani Group in NDTV as of now, market experts said the business conglomerate holds an edge. Since September 2020, four shareholders who have interlinked directors, cumulatively own 7.11 per cent in NDTV.

LTS Investment Fund which owns 9.75 per cent in NDTV, also owns 1.69 per cent in Adani Enterprises and also in other group companies including Adani Power 1.09%, Adani Transmission 1.63% and Adani Total Gas (1.27%). If these two sets of investors sell their shares in the open offer, it would take Adani Group’s shareholding in NDTV to over 46 per cent.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him. - Victor Frankl

OFF TRACK

Mensa has members who have an IQ of 140 or higher. A few years ago, there was a Mensa Convention in San Francisco, and several members lunched at a local cafe. 

While dining, they discovered that their saltshaker contained pepper and their pepper shaker was full of salt. How could they swap the contents of the bottles without spilling, and using only the implements at hand? Clearly this was a job for Mensa! The group debated and presented ideas, and finally came up with a brilliant solution involving a napkin, a straw, and an empty saucer. They called the waitress over to dazzle her with their solution. 

"Ma'am," they said, "we couldn't help but notice that the pepper shaker contains salt and the salt shaker..." 

"Oh," the waitress interrupted. "Sorry about that." She unscrewed the caps of both bottles and switched them.