WOMEN’S RESERVATION BILL APPROVED IN RAJYA SABHA TOO

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeking to reserve 33% of seats in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women, was passed unanimously by Rajya Sabha yesterday, a day after it sailed through Lok Sabha.

The Bill secured 214 votes in its favour with none against it in the Upper House.

Both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were then adjourned sine die, ending the special session of Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who came to the Upper House before the voting process got underway at night, thanked all members for their support to the Bill. In a post on X, Modi said, “A defining moment in our nation’s democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians. I thank all the Rajya Sabha MPs who voted for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. Such unanimous support is indeed gladdening.”

Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjuna Kharge, had sought to know by which year the government would implement reservation for women and whether OBCs would be added to it.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman sought to address Opposition criticism of the government bringing the Bill after nine years, saying it had implemented several schemes for the socio-economic empowerment of women since 2014. She said the BJP had been consistent in its support of the Bill, and recalled Arun Jaitley’s passionate support for a similar Bill in the Upper House in 2010.

Addressing the question on why a special session was called for passage of the Bill, Sitharaman said the government wanted to start business in the new building with this important legislation, and thanked members across parties for their support.

On the question of why delimitation will have to wait until 2026, she said that the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, brought during the Emergency, had frozen the date until 2000, and it was again frozen until 2026 in 2002. She said that as per Article 82, seats have to be readjusted after each Census not just in Lok Sabha but within states too.

NO DISRESPECT SHOWN: DHANKHAR ON MURMU ABSENCE FROM NEW PARLIAMENT CEREMONY

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday clarified that no disrespect had been shown to President Droupadi Murmu, whose absence from the inauguration of the new Parliament building was highlighted by Congress MPs over the past two days, saying she was not supposed to be present at the event as per the Constitution.

“Please recall the first amendment of the Constitution. There was provision put in by the framers of the Constitution that the President will address every session of the House. The amendment was done to make it once a year. The President has to act in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.

Dhankhar was responding to remarks made by Congress leader K C Venugopal in Rajya Sabha during the debate over Women’s Reservation Bill. On Wednesday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had raised the issue in the Lok Sabha. “When this new Parliament building was being inaugurated, we all expected that the President and the Vice President would be there. It is an insult to us that our chairman was not there, our President was not there,” Venugopal said in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

At this, Dhankhar stopped Venugopal’s speech and said, “Let me make it clear that the Vice President and the President have been accorded the highest respect in the country. There has been no Constitutional transgression.”

He said, “The position of the President or the Vice President has to be kept at the level as expected. And that was done…You must do your homework… Read the Constitution, the role has been defined categorically. I can assure you that your Chairman will not allow anyone to denude his power. Get over this perception.”

INDIA SUSPENDS VISAS FOR CANADIANS, ASKS OTTAWA TO CUT MISSION STAFF

The government on Thursday pressed ahead with more retaliatory measures against Ottawa, including suspension of visas from its missions in Canada and asking the High Commission in New Delhi to reduce its staff so as to be commensurate with the Indian staff strength in Canada.

On Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s allegations against India over the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said “there was a degree of prejudice” in the charges made, and added that they were “politically motivated”. Stating that Canada did not share any specific information with India on the Nijjar case, the MEA official said, “Canada should worry about its growing reputation as a place and a safe haven for terrorists.”

He said New Delhi had provided specific information with Canada on anti-India activities carried out from Canadian soil. He added that New Delhi expects Canada to address concerns over terrorism and anti-India activities in that country.

The announcement of suspension of all categories of visas was announced in the morning, leading to consternation among a large number of relatives of Indo-Canadians. Bagchi, however, said the issue was not about travel to India but of incitement to violence and creation of an environment that makes the functioning of consulates difficult. He also said that it would be reviewed on a regular basis. Those who have valid visas for India or OCIs cards are free to travel, he clarified.

In an announcement made earlier, Canada said it was reducing the number of diplomats in India due to security concerns.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

======================

PAKISTAN TO HOLD GENERAL ELECTIONS IN LAST WEEK OF JANUARY 2024

Pakistan’s election commission on Thursday announced that the general elections in the country will take place in the last week of January 2024. In a statement, the electoral body said that it reviewed work on delimiting constituencies and the initial list for the delimitation of constituencies would be published on September 27.

It added that the final list would be issued on November 30 after hearing objections and suggestions regarding the list.

The commission said that polls will be held in the last week of January 2024.

The previous government just days before the end of its term announced that the elections could take place only after a new census was completed and new constituency boundaries were drawn. The move triggered fears that the polls meant to be held within 90 days may be delayed till next year as the delimitation process would take about four months to complete.

CHINA SEEKS TO SIGNAL NORMALCY AS ASIAN GAMES OPEN TOMORROW

On a damp, overcast day, the ‘Big Lotus’, or the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium, blooms bright. Its shape inspired by ancient silk texture and its weaving patterns, the 81,000-seater coliseum stands tall, despite being surrounded by Hangzhou’s gleaming skyscrapers, which are submerged in the low, dense clouds that also cover the picturesque Xihu, or West Lake.

Nothing about the place screams ‘Asian Games’. But that’s not to suggest a lack of buzz. If anything, it’s the calm confidence of a nation that’s a veteran of hosting big-ticket events.

When the postponed Asiad begins on Saturday in this mountain city in the east of China, it will be the fourth time that the country will be hosting an event of this scale in the last decade-and-a-half.

There is no suspense on how this will end. After 15 days of competition, China will top the medal tally, its gold count will likely be twice that of the country that finishes second. And India, with its biggest-ever contingent comprising over 650 athletes, will feature prominently in the top five.

Yet, the political and cultural significance of the Games isn’t lost. Marcus Chu, a professor in the Department of Political Science at Hong Kong’s Lingnan University, says China is “using the event to showcase that it is still competitive”. “Competitive” not on the sports field, but in an economic and geopolitical sense.

If the Beijing Olympics in 2008 was China’s coming-out party, the Hangzhou Asiad is seen as a platform to showcase the resumption of normal service post-Covid, and to reinforce that “China is still a very successful economy”, according to Chu.

THE REST

=========

IN MANIPUR, EFFORTS TO STORM SEVERAL POLICE STATIONS TO FREE 5 MEN

Protests in Manipur’s valley pressing for the release of five people, who had been arrested for allegedly possessing firearms and wearing camouflage uniforms, turned violent after a large number of women protesters surrounded various police stations on Thursday.

The situation got particularly heated at Singjamei police station in Imphal West where the officer in-charge’s residence was also vandalised. Police and security personnel responded with the use of teargas shells, leaving three civilians injured.

Typically, stakeholders in the Meitei society – from the biggest civil society organisation called COCOMI to the influential Meira Paibis or women vigilantes – have demanded the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from the state, but have not found themselves at odds with the police. This is among the first instances of Meitei civil society members directing their ire at the state police in the valley, which mostly comprises Metiei personnel since the Kukis who were part of the force had to flee when violence broke out in May.

DON’T GIVE SPACE TO PERSONS WITH TERROR LINKS, GOVT ADVISORY TO TV CHANNELS

In the wake of India-Canada diplomatic row over Khalistani extremism, the government has now issued an advisory to television channels to not offer a platform to persons against whom there are charges of terrorism or those belonging to proscribed organisations.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the advisory late Thursday evening. On Wednesday, a news channel (ABP News) aired a 20-minute interview with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who was designated a terrorist by India in 2020, and is facing 22 criminal cases, including three of sedition, in Punjab.

Pannun, the leader of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has issued threats to Canadian Hindus and asked them to leave Canada, saying they are working against the interest of the country.

During the discussion, the person had made several comments which are detrimental to the sovereignty/integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also have the potential of disturbing public order in the country, official sources said.

The ministry has categorically stated that the government upholds media freedom and respects its rights under the Constitution, but at the same time, the content telecast by TV channels must adhere to the provisions of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 including sub section (2) of Section 20.

INDIA AND PAKISTAN ATTEND CRUCIAL MEET IN VIENNA TO DISCUSS INDUS WATER ROW

Highlighting that India is committed to support the resolution of issues in accordance with the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that India attended a two-day meeting of the Neutral Expert proceedings in Vienna — aimed at the resolution of a dispute between New Delhi and Islamabad on the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

The ministry said in a statement, “A delegation from India, led by the secretary, Department of Water Resources, attended a meeting of the Neutral Expert proceedings in the Kishenganga and Ratle case at the permanent court of arbitration in Vienna on September 20 and 21. Senior advocate Harish Salve KC was present in the capacity of India’s lead counsel… Representatives of India and Pakistan were present at the meeting,” it said.

In July this year, a court of arbitration (CoA) had ruled that it has “competence” to consider matters over the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in Jammu and Kashmir — a construction that Pakistan has opposed strongly.

AADHAAR NOT MUST FOR ELECTORAL ROLLS: EC

Maintaining that Aadhaar number details are not mandatory for voter enrolment, the Election Commission has told the Supreme Court that it will make appropriate changes to clarify the position.

“The submission of the Aadhaar number is not mandatory under Rule 26-B of the Registration of Electors (Amendment) Rules, 2022, and hence the Election Commission is looking into issuing appropriate changes in the forms introduced for that purpose,” senior counsel Sukumar Pattjoshi told a Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud on behalf of the poll panel.

He, however, said nearly 66.23 crore Aadhaar numbers had already been uploaded in the process of finalising electoral rolls.

The Election Commission’s submission came in response to a petition filed by G Niranjan who had raised certain issues with regard to Form 6 and Form 6B of the ECI forms for registration in e-roll.

PUNJAB GANGSTER SUKHA DUNEKE KILLED IN INTER-GANG RIVALRY IN CANADA

Intelligence inputs from Canada indicate that Sukhdool Singh aka Sukha Duneke of Davinder Bambiha gang from Moga district has been killed in inter-gang rivalry on Wednesday night. He was killed in Winnipeg, Canada. This is similar to the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in inter-gang warfare in Surrey on June 19. The rivals pumped some 15 bullets into Nijjar.

According to information, Duneke fled to Canada from India on forged documents in 2017 and has seven criminal cases registered against him.

AMID TENSE RELATIONS, A LOOK AT CANADIAN INVESTMENTS IN INDIA

While Tim Hortons and McCain Foods might have the biggest brand recall when it comes to Canadian businesses in India, Canadian investments in the country go far beyond coffee chains and frozen snacks. Canadian pension funds, asset management companies, and financial services and insurance players are invested in key sectors of India’s economy, including financial services, financial technology, infrastructure, real estate, information technology and energy, among others.

According to the National Investment Promotion & Facilitation Agency, or Invest India, Canada is the 18th-largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative investment of $3.31 billion from 2020-21 to 2022-23. Canadian investments accounted for 0.5 per cent of the total FDI inflows into India. Services and infrastructure together accounted for close to 41 per cent of Canadian FDI into India.

On the trade front, bilateral trade in goods stood at $8.16 billion in 2022-23, with an almost even split between imports and exports. India’s exports to Canada for the year were $4.11 billion, while imports stood at $4.05 billion.

“More than 600 Canadian companies have a presence in India and over 1,000 Canadian companies are actively pursuing business in the Indian market,” Invest India said.

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has sizable investments in India across sectors including infrastructure and financial services. It holds stakes in Kotak Mahindra Bank, Indus Towers, Paytm, Zomato, Nykaa, and Delhivery. It also owns US-listed shares of Indian majors like Infosys, Wipro, and ICICI Bank. The CPPIB also has business partnerships with Piramal Enterprises, Shapoorji Pallonji group, and Larsen & Toubro. According to the Invest India website, the CPPIB recently hit $14.8 billion in investments into India.

RBI TIGHTENS NORMS FOR DEFAULTERS

The RBI on Thursday said lenders would have to examine all aspects relating to wilful default on accounts with outstanding dues of Rs 25 lakh or more and identify wilful defaulters within six months of a loan becoming a non-performing asset (NPA).

The regulator on Thursday released draft norms on wilful and large defaulters. It has allowed non-banking finance companies and cooperative banks to identify them.

For an account that is on the list of wilful defaulters and has been resolved either through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code or the RBI’s norms, resulting in a change in management and control of the entity or business enterprise, the name of such a defaulter should be removed from the list, the draft norms said.

If a wilful defaulter has entered into a settlement with the lender, the name of the defaulter should be removed from the list only when the borrower has paid the amount due. The name should not be removed for part-payment.

“The compromise settlement with the wilful defaulter shall be in terms of the board approved policy of the lender. Such policy shall include guidelines on staff accountability examination, reporting of the compromise/ settlement to the board, higher upfront payment if any, etc,” the norms said.  The compromise settlement shall be without prejudice to the continuation of the legal proceedings, including criminal proceedings, against the wilful defaulter.

INDIA VS AUSTRALIA ODI SERIES BEGINS TODAY

India will take on Australia in a three-match ODI series, starting from the first ODI at Mohali on Thursday. It will be India's final assignment before the ICC Cricket World Cup at home from October 5 onwards. "It is one of those series, where you have seen that some of our boys are not playing the first two games. We will rotate our pacers a bit. It will be nice for some other guys that they are given this opportunity to play three tough games before the World Cup," said Dravid in a pre-match press conference.

"I think with people like Rohit and Virat, from our perspective, it is important that they reach the first game of the World Cup with the physical and mental headspace they want to be in. With the amount of cricket they have played, they know how to prepare themselves for these big games. A lot of these decisions are discussed with them. We discuss with them how they would like to prepare leading up to big events. Based on these discussions, we come up with these mutual decisions," he added.

On the return of spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin to the ODI set-up after a year, Dravid clarified that the spinner was always in the plans.

INDICATORS

Sensex 66,230 (-571), Nifty 19,742 (-159)

Nasdaq 13,224 (-245) Dow 34,070 (-370), S&P 4,330 (-72)

US$-Rs. 83.10, GBP-Rs. 102.21, Euro-Rs. 88.50, UAE Dhm-Rs. 22.62, Can$-Rs. 61.60, Aus$- Rs. 53.29

GBP 0.81 /US$, Euro 0.93 /US$, Jap.Yen 147.90 /US$, Aus$ 1.55 /US$, Sing 1.36 /US$, Bang Taka 108.79 /US$, Can$ 1.34 /US$, Mal Ring 4.68 /US$, Pak Re 291.76 /US$, Phil Peso 56.85 /US$, Russian Rouble 95.96 /US$, NZ$ 1.68 /US$, Thai Baht 36.15 /US$, Ukraine Hryvnia 36.15 /US$

Bitcoin - USD 26,645, Dollar Index 105.13, Brent Crude 93.34, BDI 1569

Gold world Spot Price USD/aoz 1,923 India (Rs. per gm 24k/22k) 6,005 / 5,505, Silver (Rs. Per KG) 78,000

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I will not deny that it is profitable to contemplate from time to time in the mind, as in a picture, the idea of a larger and better world; lest the mind, becoming wonted to the little things of everyday life, grow narrow and settle down altogether to mean businesses. - Thomas Burnet

OFF TRACK

Lion to Lioness: Shaadi k pehle tera koi chakkar toh nahi tha ??

Lioness: Iss baat pe mujhe ek Sher yaad aa gaya..