CENTRE FILES REVIEW PLEA AGAINST RELEASE OF SIX CONVICTS IN RAJIV GANDHI MURDER CASE

The union govt on Thursday moved the Supreme Court seeking a review of its order for premature release of six convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.

The Centre said the order granting remission to the convicts, who had been found guilty of conspiracy in the assassination of the former prime minister, was passed without affording it adequate opportunity for hearing despite it being a necessary party to the case.

On November 11, the top court had ordered the premature release of six convicts, including Nalini Sriharan, who had hosted the assassin, noting the Tamil Nadu govt had recommended remission of their sentence.

In its review plea, the central govt said certain facts were in its possession but could not be placed before the court to enable it to arrive at a correct judgment and to do complete justice in the "peculiar and shocking" facts and circumstances.

It said four out of the six convicts granted remission are Sri Lankans. "Granting remission to terrorists of foreign nation, who had been duly convicted in accordance with the law of land for gruesome offence of assassinating the former prime minister of the country, is a matter which has international ramifications and therefore falls squarely within the sovereign powers of the Union of India," the review petition said.

It said, "In such a sensitive matter the assistance of Union of India was of paramount importance as the matter has huge repercussions on the public order, peace, tranquillity and criminal justice system of the country."

RELAUNCHING OLD PENSION SCHEME POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FISCAL RISKS FOR STATES, SAYS CAG

Amid debate over old pension scheme, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday highlighted “risk factors” that impact states’ finances, and said that the RBI and the 15th Finance Commission have taken note of the “potential sources of fiscal risks” for states, which include “relaunching of old pension scheme in some states”.

Murmu’s remarks assume significance in view of ongoing debate on the old pension scheme. Congress-ruled two states— Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh — have already decided to implement the OPS, while the party has promised to restore it in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Aam Aadmi Party has said that it would do so in Punjab. Jharkhand, too, decided to revert to the old pension scheme.

The old pension scheme was discontinued by the then NDA govt in 2003. Former NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya has described as “immoral” poll promises such as reviving OPS, which will result in financial burden for govts.

INDIA PART OF MEETING ON KABUL: ‘MILITARY FACILITIES OF OTHERS IN COUNTRY UNACCEPTABLE’

India has signed off on a joint statement following a meeting of the Moscow Format on Afghanistan, which terms as “unacceptable” the military infrastructure facilities built by other nations in that country. While Russia and Pakistan perceive this line to be a reference to the US, Delhi’s view is that it is about Pakistan’s military presence there.

“It was stressed that the placement of military infrastructure facilities of third countries in Afghanistan and in adjacent states is unacceptable,” said the joint statement, which has also been signed off by Pakistan and was issued after the meeting hosted by Russia in Moscow on November 16.

Apart from Russia, India and Pakistan, the meeting was attended by China, Iran, the Central Asian neighbours of Afghanistan and several invitees.

The joint statement said the participants were also “convinced” that “forces responsible for the 20-year military presence” in Afghanistan should take on the “main financial burden” for the post-conflict reconstruction of its economy without intervention in its internal affairs.

RAHUL GANDHI BRINGS UP SAVARKAR, BJP HITS BACK, UDDHAV DISAGREES WITH RAHUL

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi has invited sharp reactions from the BJP when he quoted an old letter, saying late Hindu Mahasabha president Vinayak Damodar Savarkar “begged to remain an obedient servant of the British”.

“Have you seen this letter which Savarkar wrote to the British? This is a very important document for me. I will read the last line, where Savarkar says ‘I beg to remain, Sir; your most obedient servant, VD Savarkar.’ I have not written this. Savarkar wrote this. He helped the British a lot,” he told the media in Maharashtra’s Akola while showing the letter.

Moments after Gandhi’s attack on Savarkar, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya termed India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as a “coward”.

“Jawaharlal Nehru, the man Congress venerates, was rescued (in September 1923) by his father just because he couldn’t endure hardships in Nabha jail for even two weeks. His father, Motilal Nehru, wrote an apology to the British to secure his release. Nehru was a coward. So look within,” Malviya said.

Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said his party has immense respect for V D Savarkar and he does not approve of Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the late Hindutva ideologue. He also asked why the BJP-led Union govt has not yet conferred the Bharat Ratna award on Savarkar.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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CLIMATE TALKS DEADLOCKED OVER LOSS AND DAMAGE FINANCE, INDIAN PROPOSAL ALSO IN TROUBLE

The climate change conference remained deadlocked on Thursday night over a proposal to create a new financial facility to fund countries damaged by climate disasters. The two-week annual conference is scheduled to come to an end Friday evening, but every previous edition has gone into extra time, extending as far as Sunday morning on a couple of occasions.

An Indian proposal to call for a phase-down of all fossil fuels had also run into trouble because of reservations from China and some other developing countries.

But the main fight was happening over the setting up of a new facility for loss and damage finance, the subject that has attracted the maximum attention at this meeting. The developed countries, led by the US, want loss and damage to flow through existing financial instruments, and do not support the creation of a new infrastructure. EU’s climate chief Frans Timmermans had argued on Wednesday that using existing instruments would ensure an immediate flow of funds for loss and damage, while creating a new facility could take years.

On Thursday, the G-77 and China group, the largest negotiating block at the climate conference comprising over 100 developing countries, insisted on its demand for a separate dedicated finance facility, and said it would be the key to success at this meeting. Pakistan, the current chair of the G77 plus China group, said all that the developing countries were asking for was a political statement of intent to create the new facility.

UK IN RECESSION, RAISES TAXES

Britain is now in recession and headed towards further shrinkage, the country’s finance minister revealed on Thursday as he tabled his much-anticipated emergency Budget with tax rises impacting millions. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt tabled the Autumn Statement in the House of Commons, cheered on by British PM Rishi Sunak, to lay out govt’s plans to get the economy back on track following the shockwaves of a rolled back mini-Budget of predecessor Liz Truss in September.

"There is a global energy crisis, a global inflation crisis and a global economic crisis. With this plan for stability, growth and public services, we will face into the storm." -- Jeremy Hunt

The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecast, published alongside the new Budget, pointed to higher energy prices driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict as largely to blame for the downturn, with economic growth not expected until 2024. “There is a global energy crisis, a global inflation crisis and a global economic crisis. But today with this plan for stability, growth and public services, we will face into the storm. We do so today with British resilience and British compassion. Because of the difficult decisions we take in our plan, we strengthen our public finances, bring down inflation and protect jobs,” Hunt said.

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BJP GLOATS AS MAKEN PULLS OUT AMIDST CONGRESS INFIGHTING IN RAJASTHAN

The resignation of Congress leader Ajay Maken as the AICC general secretary in charge of Rajasthan has highlighted the deep-rooted fissures within the Congress in the state, which has been locked in a tussle between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former Deputy CM Sachin Pilot for the past four years. It has also triggered a feeling of schadenfreude in the state BJP.

Congress leaders loyal to Pilot said Maken’s resignation was “a big blow for the Congress” while those in the Gehlot camp refused to comment on the matter.

The BJP welcomed the news of Maken’s resignation since his letter to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge became public on Wednesday, commending the central Congress leader for doing the “right thing”.

“When two bulls are fighting, what can the innocent man trapped in the middle do? I welcome this decision of Ajay Maken ji. The infighting is so big that he couldn’t have mediated between the two (Gehlot and Pilot) and instead would have got crushed himself. That’s why he stepped aside in time,” BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Lal Meena told reporters.

2024 TO BE MY LAST ELECTION, SAYS CHANDRABABU NAIDU, UNLESS...

The 2024 elections would be his last if people did not elect the TDP to power, its chief N Chandrababu Naidu has said.

In an emotion-filled tone at a roadshow in Kurnool district late on Wednesday night, the former Chief Minister recalled his vow not to step into the Assembly till the TDP returned to power. "If I have to go (back) to the assembly, if I have to stay in politics and if justice is to be done to Andhra Pradesh, unless you ensure our victory in the next election, that could well be my last election," Naidu said.

"Will you bless me? Do you trust me," he asked the people, who responded rapturously.

SUPREME COURT AGREES TO LIST PETITION AGAINST COLLEGIUM SYSTEM

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to consider listing “in due course” a PIL urging it to reconsider the Collegium system of judicial appointments to the Supreme Court and the high courts.

The PIL – which came close on the heels of Law Minister Kiren Rijiju criticising the Collegium system under which judges appoint judges – was mentioned by advocate Mathews J Nedumpara before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud for urgent listing.

Amid criticism of the Collegium system, former CJI UU Lalit had on Sunday defended it, saying it’s here to stay. “According to me, it (Collegium system) is perfect the way it stands today... it has proved to have worked effectively,” Justice Lalit, who demitted office as the 49th CJI on November 8, said.

The Centre meanwhile opposed in the SC pleas seeking a collegium-type system to appoint CEC and ECs. Any attempt to do this would amount to constitutional amendment, the Centre said

The SC sought to know why Parliament had not been able to come up with any law dealing with the appointment of CEC and ECs.

LAWYERS PROTEST GUJARAT HC JUSTICE’S TRANSFER

A decision by the Supreme Court collegium to transfer Justice Nikhil S. Kariel from Gujarat to Patna High Court ran into turbulence Thursday, with lawyers calling it a “death knell of an independent judiciary” and “victimisation of an honest judge”.

“We are here to mourn the death of the independent judiciary because of the transfer of Justice Kariel,” they told Gujarat HC Chief Justice Aravind Kumar. The advocates had assembled in the court of the chief justice around noon to voice their protest against Justice Kariel’s transfer.

“In such an unprecedented situation, it has been unanimously decided by the members of the Bar that there shall be protest and strong opposition against such steps and the members of the Bar will protest indefinitely till the issue is resolved by the honourable CJI and the collegium,” read the resolution passed by Gujarat High Court Advocates Association.

NO PRESSURE TO CLEAR COVAXIN: GOVT

The Health Ministry on Thursday dismissed media reports that claimed the hastening of regulatory approvals for Covaxin under political pressure.

“These reports are misleading and fallacious,” a ministry statement said. It said scientific approach and prescribed norms were adhered to while approving Covid vaccines for emergency use authorisation.

“There have been media reports claiming that Bharat Biotech, manufacturer of the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, “had to skip certain processes” and “speed” up clinical trials due to political pressure. The reports further claim that there were several irregularities in the three phases of the clinical trials conducted for the vaccine. These media reports are completely misleading, fallacious and ill-informed,” the ministry said.

14% CONVICTION IN POCSO; IN A FOURTH OF CASES, ACCUSED KNOWN TO VICTIMS, SAYS STUDY

Ten years after the enactment of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, an analysis by an independent think-tank of cases under this legislation in eCourts across the country has found that 43.44 per cent of trials end in acquittals and only 14.03 per cent lead to convictions.

Besides, in 22.9 per cent of the 138 judgments analysed in detail by the initiative, the accused were known to the victims — they were family members in 3.7 per cent of the cases. In these cases, 18 per cent involved a “prior romantic relationship” while the relationship between the victim and accused was not identified in 44 per cent.

The analysis, titled “A Decade of Pocso’’, was carried out by the Justice, Access and Lowering Delays in India (JALDI) Initiative at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy, in collaboration with the Data Evidence for Justice Reform (DE JURE) program at the World Bank.

It studied 230,730 cases from eCourts in 486 districts spanning 28 states and Union Territories for the period 2012 to 2021.

ELON MUSK'S 'HARDCORE' ULTIMATUM SPARKS WAVE OF RESIGNATIONS AT TWITTER

In a new setback to Elon Musk's Twitter, hundreds of employees resigned on Thursday ahead of the deadline for the new owner's "ultimatum" to commit to a "hardcore" work environment.

Salute emojis and farewell messages flooded the company's internal chat groups as employees including engineers announced their exit a day after Musk issued his ultimatum. As a large number of employees decided to leave, Twitter closed its offices till Monday to avoid confusion over which people still have access to the company property.

"Entire teams representing critical infrastructure are voluntarily departing the company, leaving the company at serious risk of being able to recover. We are skilled professionals with lots of options, so Elon has given us no reasons to stay and many to leave," an engineer said.

Musk had issued his now notorious ultimatum a day before the resignations rolled in on Thursday. In a companywide email, the new owner asked employees to brace for long hours at "high intensity" adding that for Twitter to succeed "we will need to be extremely hardcore."

The staff were supposed to complete the online form by the end of the day on Thursday or leave and accept three months severance.

NEW-LOOK INDIA EYE A FRESH START IN NEW ZEALAND

India will aim to shed their archaic playing style for good with a 'young and fearless' bunch in the three-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting in Wellington today.

After the T20 World Cup debacle in the UAE last year, India did adopt an aggressive batting approach but by the time the next edition came knocking, the top-order was found wanting and failed to take the attack to the opposition in this edition of the mega-event in Australia recently.

With the next T20 global event two years away, India have enough time to identify and groom the players for an attack-at-all costs approach displayed by England.

Hardik Pandya, who could lead the team in the next T20 World Cup, will be captaining the side in Rohit Sharma's absence.

Stand-in head coach VVS Laxman has indicated that the management will be keen to add only T20 specialists to meet the requirement of the modern game. Though the focus has shifted to ODIs ahead of the World Cup next year, India would like to make most of the T20 games in New Zealand and the nine more they play before the 50-over mega event.

Though Virat Kohli was in sublime touch Down Under, the lack of "intent" from Rohit and K L Rahul in the powerplay was criticised heavily. There is a strong possibility that all three will not play the shortest format till the 2024 edition, and therefore, India need to plan for the future.

Though India are fielding a second-string team in New Zealand, the squad members still have a decent amount of international experience.

Indian: Hardik Pandya (captain), Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.

India will play 3 T20is(on 18th, 20th & 22nd Nov) followed by 3 ODIs (25th, 27th & 30th Nov)

Shikhar Dhawan will be in charge for the ODIs.

WHY DO YOU NEED SO MANY BREAKS? SHASTRI ASKS DRAVID & CO.

The entire coaching staff, including head coach Rahul Dravid, has also been given a break after the T20 World Cup.

However, Shastri is not in favour of coaches taking breaks. "I don’t believe in breaks. Because, I want to understand my teams and player and then be in control of the team.”

"What do you need that many breaks for? You get 2-3 months of break during the IPL that's enough to rest. I feel coach should be hands on."

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Wasmund, Bonnie Jean

OFF TRACK

HUSBAND SENT AN SMS TO WIFE:

Thanks for making my life wonderful and being a part of my life. What ever I am is only because of u, u r my angel thanks for coming in my life and making it worth living. You're Great.

SHE REPLIED : Pee li na ? Ab chup chap ghar aa jao..DARO MAT..KUCHH NAHI BOLUNGI..! !

Husband: Thank you. Darwaza kholo fir.. bahar hi khada Hoon.