February 2024 - Page 29 of 36 - Lokmarg

Australian Senator Varun Takes Oath On Bhagavad Gita

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

Barrister Varun Ghosh on Tuesday became the first ever India-born member of the Australian Parliament to take oath on Bhagavad Gita.

Varun Ghosh from Western Australia has been appointed as the newest Senator after the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council chose him to represent the Australian state in the Senate of the Federal Parliament.

Welcoming Varun Ghosh, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said, “Wonderful to have you on the Labor Senate team.”

“Welcome to Varun Ghosh, our newest Senator from Western Australia. Senator Ghosh is the first ever Australian Senator sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita. I have often said, when you’re the first at something, you’ve got to make sure you’re not the last,” the Minister posted on X.

She added, “I know Senator Ghosh will be a strong voice for his community and for West Australians.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also wished Varun Ghosh.

“Welcome Varun Ghosh, our newest Senator from Western Australia. Fantastic to have you on the team,” he posted on X.

Taking to X, the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia said, “The Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council have chosen Senator Varun Ghosh to represent Western Australia in the Senate of the Federal Parliament.”

Varun Ghosh is a lawyer from Perth. He received degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Western Australia and was a Commonwealth Scholar in Law at the University of Cambridge. He previously worked as a finance attorney in New York and as a consultant for the World Bank in Washington, DC.

The political journey of Varun Ghosh began when he joined Australia’s Labor Party in Perth. He was just 17 when his parents moved from India in the 1980s.

“I have had the privilege of a good education and believe strongly that high-quality education and training should be available to everyone,” Varun Ghosh said in a statement.

For the past few years, Ghosh has worked as a barrister, dealing with legal matters in Western Australia and internationally with the World Bank.

In the 2019 federal election, Ghosh was placed fifth on the Australian Labor Party’s Senate ticket in Western Australia but was not elected.

Born in 1985, Ghosh moved to Perth in 1997 and attended Christ Church Grammar School.

He has been actively involved in public service, reflecting his commitment to high-quality education.

Before his current role, Ghosh worked as a finance attorney in New York and as a consultant for the World Bank in Washington, DC.

He returned to Australia in 2015, working with King & Wood Mallesons, dealing with legal matters for banks, resource companies, and construction companies. (ANI)

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Alia Boards As Executive Producer On Crime Drama ‘Poacher’

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

Actor Alia Bhatt has come on board as the executive producer for the crime series ‘Poacher’.

Excited to be associated with the project, Alia in a statement said, “Being part of this incredibly significant project is an honor, for both me and the entire team at Eternal Sunshine Productions. The impact of Poacher was deeply personal, and Richie’s portrayal of the urgent issue of wildlife crime resonated strongly with me and the team.”

She added, “The storytelling genuinely moved me, especially knowing it’s based on true events, that sheds light on brutal crimes occurring in our forests. I am confident that Poacher will serve as an eye-opener, delivering a powerful message to be more compassionate and considerate towards all living beings. It’s a call to embrace coexistence and I am genuinely thrilled to be collaborating with Richie, QC and Prime Video and to contribute to this narrative.”

Alia debuted as a producer with the 2022 Netflix India film Darlings.

‘Poacher’ is created by Richie Mehta, who is best known for making ‘Delhi Crime’ series.

‘Poacher’ stars Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in lead roles. It is an investigative crime series based on true events and it explores the issue of ivory poaching in India.

‘Poacher’ is executive produced by QC Entertainment’s Edward H. Hamm Jr., Raymond Mansfield and Sean McKittrick, in association with Suitable Pictures, Poor Man’s Productions and Eternal Sunshine Productions. The series will be out on Prime Video on February 23. (ANI)

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Aamir Auditioned For Ravi Kishan’s Role ‘Laapataa Ladies’

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

Filmmaker Kiran Rao, who is set to come out with her new directorial ‘Laapataa Ladies’, revealed how Aamir Khan was keen on enacting the role essayed by Ravi Kishan and had even auditioned for it.

Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Kiran Rao opened up about the casting process for her film, saying, “Aamir loved the character and auditioned for it as well. But I felt that since he is a star, there would be more expectations from the character if he were to essay that role. Aamir was bringing a star baggage to the character. So, we wanted someone so fit for the role that you cannot make out what he does next. Ravi Kishan is amazing, I felt that there could not be a better ‘Manohar’ than him.”

“In a way, Aamir (Aamir Khan) helped a lot because he supported the idea of having fresh actors so that the viewers are pleasantly surprised and find some new things in the character and what Ravi Kishan brings to it. When you see stars, you understand that this is a hero and that is a villain. However, we had to keep the suspense till the end.”

Also opening up on how the idea around her next film came about and was taken forward, Kiran said, “Aamir was a judge at a screenwriting competition in 2018. He liked the story as soon as he read it. When he narrated it to me in one line, I felt that I had to make (a film on it) it after a little bit of rewriting.”

‘Laapataa Ladies’ is a story set in 2001 in rural India about two young brides who get separated during a train journey and what happens when Kishan, a police officer, takes it upon himself to probe the missing case.

The film received a standing ovation during a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film also stars Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastav, and Nitanshi Goel in key roles.

‘Laapataa Ladies’ is produced by the team, which collaborated for such hits as ‘Delhi Belly’, ‘Dangal’, and ‘Peepli Live’.

Presented by Jio Studios, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande.

The film has been produced under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with the scripting by Biplab Goswami.

Sneha Desai wrote the screenplay and dialogue while Divyanidhi Sharma jotted down the additional lines.

‘Laapataa Ladies’ will hit the theatres on March 1. (ANI)

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Deepika, Ranveer Singh from Belgium Shopping Video Goes Viral

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

Power couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone never miss the chance to impress their fans with couple goals. Whether supporting each other through thick and thin or going on shopping sprees on vacation they often grabbed attention with their adorable moments.

Recently, a video of the couple from their Belgium trip went viral across social media platforms.

In the video, Deepika can be seen walking inside a clothing store with a bunch of clothes hanging on her arm while Ranveer can be seen walking behind her.

Ranveer and Deepika walked hand-in-hand after stepping out of the mall.

Ranveer and Deepika were in Belgium in November last year for their fifth wedding anniversary.

It is believed that the video is from that vacation.

Ranveer-Deepika tied the knot on November 14, 2018, at Italy’s Lake Como after dating for six long years and the duo never fails to shower love on each other on social media.

They first met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s romantic drama film ‘Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela’ and later also starred in ‘Bajirao Mastani’ and ‘Padmaavat’.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika is currently basking in the success of Siddharth Anand’s aerial action thriller film ‘Fighter’.

The film also stars Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor, Karan Singh Grover and Akshay Oberoi in the lead roles.

‘Fighter’ was released in theatres on January 25.

Apart from that, she also has a sci-fi action thriller film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ opposite Prabhas.

Ranveer, on the other hand, will be next seen in director Farhan Akhtar’s directorial film ‘Don 3’.

Deepika and Ranveer will be seen in ‘Singham Again’. (ANI)

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Oppn Leaders Oppose ‘One Nation, One Election’ In Meet With Panel Head Kovind

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

The chairman of the High-Level Committee (HLC) on One Nation One Election and former President, Ram Nath Kovind, on Tuesday met and interacted with representatives of Trinamool Congress leaders Sudip Bandyopadhyay and Kalyan Banerjee who put forth their opinions on the subject.

The panel chief also met Communist Party of India (Marxist) secretary general Sitaram Yechury and former Rajya Sabha MP Nilotpal Basu and others as part of consultations with political parties. The leaders presented their views on holding simultaneous elections in the country.

Meanwhile, from the Samajwadi Party, KK Srivastava and Dr Harish Chander Yadav attended the meeting, articulating the party’s position with regard to holding simultaneous Elections.

Representatives of these parties also handed over their suggestions in writing to the committee.

Speaking to media persons after calling on the committee’s chairman, TMC leader and MP Kalyan Banerjee said, “Today we appeared before the committee headed by our former President. We opposed the idea of ‘One Nation, One Election’. We are of the view that there is a hidden agenda to replace the time-honoured parliamentary democracy in India towards a dictatorship or a presidential form of government in future. Our constitutional provisions cannot and should not be interfered with.”

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the high-level committee on ‘One Nation, One Election’, saying that she did not agree with the idea of holding simultaneous elections as the Constitution does not provide for the same.

“Does the Indian Constitution follow the concept of ‘One Nation, One Government? I am afraid it does not. Our Constitution conceives of the Indian nation in a federal manner. Therefore, the Indian nation has been given a Union government and several State governments. If the framers of the Indian Constitution did not mention the concept of ‘One Nation, One Government, how have you arrived at the concept of ‘One Nation, One Election’?” the TMC Supremo stated in her letter to the panel.

After meeting with the High-Level Committee, Yechury told reporters on Tuesday, “We totally disagree with terms of reference of this committee because it is presumed that ‘One Nation, One election’ is possible and all that remains to be decided is how to implement it. In our opinion this presumption itself is wrong. ‘One Nation, One Election’ runs contrary to the spirit of our Constitution. It is anti-democratic and anti-federalism. When a govt loses its majority on the floor of the House, then its continuation is completely undemocratic.”

“India is a vast country with myriad diversities and only a federal set-up can sustain political democracy. Having elections in states at different times is one aspect of the federal system. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is totally opposed to any artificial attempt to bring about simultaneous elections which can only be done by trampling upon the existing Constitutional scheme of parliamentary democracy,” the CPI(M) stated recently.

Samajwadi Party representatives KK Srivastava and Dr Harish Chander Yadav also handed over the written submissions to the committee, stating that ‘One Country, One Election’ may lead to major gains for national parties while state-level parties are likely to suffer losses. They also voiced fears that it may further aggravate the differences between national and state parties.

According to the Samajwadi Party, there will be many constitutional, structural and political challenges in implementing the ‘One Nation, One Election’ law, as, to extend the tenure of any Legislative Assembly or Lok Sabha by even a day, the Constitution will have to be amended or President’s rule will have to be imposed. Also raising questions on constitutional safeguards or arrangements will be ensured in states where governments are dissolved mid-term, the SP leaders also questioned how a consensus will be reached to increase or decrease the tenure of the legislative assembly.

Earlier, on January 27, Ram Nath Kovind held consultations with Justice UU Lalit, former Chief Justice of India and Justice Sanjib Banerjee, former Chief Justice of Madras High Court and Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India, who gave their considered opinions on the subject.

Continuing his deliberations with political parties, Kovind also held interactions with Deepak ‘Pandurang’ Dhavalikar, president, of Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party, Goa. The party offered its strong support to the idea of ‘One Nation One Election’, inter alia, arguing that it will strengthen grassroots democracy.

Recently, the committee had also met a delegation of Lok Jan Shakti Party, comprising members including Pashupati Kumar Paras, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, President Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), Prince Raj (Member of Parliament, Samastipur, Lok Sabha), Sanjay Sarraf, Spokesperson, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), and Ramji Singh, General Secretary, Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP).

The committee had also held consultations with eminent jurists Justice Dilip Bhosale, former Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court, and Justice Rajendra Menon, former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, who articulated their views on the subject.

Initiating discussions with financial and economic experts, Kovind also held interactions with Ajay Singh, president of ASSOCHAM, and chairman and managing director of Spicejet Airlines, who was also accompanied by the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretary-General of ASSOCHAM. Ajay Singh put forth his views in detail on the economic advantages of holding simultaneous elections for the nation.

The High-Level Committee, earlier, initiated a consultative process under the chairmanship of the former President.

The panel recently also sought public opinion on ‘One Nation, One Election’. A public notice in the matter read, “Notice for inviting suggestions from members of the general public for making appropriate changes in the existing legal administrative framework to enable simultaneous elections in the country.” (ANI)

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NIA Chargesheets 4 Bangladeshis,1 Rohingya Among 24 In Assam Human Trafficking

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted 24 operatives of international human trafficking syndicates involved in the trafficking of Bangladeshis and Rohingyas of Myanmar origin into the country with forged Indian identity documents for carrying out anti-national activities.

The chargesheeted accused include four Bangladesh nationals and one Rohingya of Myanmar origin.

The chargesheet was filed on Monday, before the NIA Special Court, Assam (Guwahati) under various provisions of IPC, Foreigners Act and Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 read with Rule Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950.

A total of 29 persons were initially arrested by the NIA in massive raids conducted across 39 locations in Tripura, Assam, Jammu Kashmir and West Bengal in coordination with the State police agencies.

A large number of incriminating documents, forged Indian identity documents, bank documents and digital devices were seized during the raids.

Subsequently, based on investigational leads, four more accused were apprehended from Tripura, taking the total number to 33.

The case was initially registered by Assam Police under the Passport Act 1967 against some anti-social elements, following credible inputs that the organised human trafficking syndicates were involved in trafficking Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas of Myanmar origin into India with forged documents for carrying out anti-India activities. The NIA subsequently took over the case and re-registered it.

Investigations by the NIA revealed that international human trafficking syndicates were active along the India-Bangladesh international border in Tripura, Assam, West Bengal and other areas. These syndicates were regularly trafficking Rohingyas and Bangladeshis, and preparing forged Indian identity documents to settle them in various parts of the country.

The network also had linkages with facilitators and traffickers operating in other parts of the country and across the border, as part of a larger network engaged in human trafficking activities through the India-Bangladesh border.

Investigations further revealed that the syndicates on both sides of the border conspired and offered inducements to obtain the consent of the trafficked individuals. The accused would prepare forged Indian identity documents, and also arrange bookings, shelters, transportation and their further travel to the hinterland, as per the investigational findings.

The traffickers exploited the victims and arranged their employment in various unorganised sectors on meagre earnings and settled them in different parts of the country.

The trafficked girls and women were exploited in various other forms by practising fraud and deception, with some Rohingya women also being sold to older men for marriage.

As per the investigations, Indian ID documents were obtained by Bangladeshi nationals in connivance with local bodies on fake or forged supporting documents and certificates furnished by local officials.(ANI)

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UCC Bill Uttarakhand: Registration Of Live-In Relationships Mandatory For Couples Within 1 Month

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday tabled the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill in the Uttarakhand Assembly after which the House was adjourned.

The Bill contains the laws relating to marriage, divorce, succession, live-in relationships, and related matters.

Among the many proposals, the Uniform Civil Code Bill makes it compulsory for live-in relationships to be registered under the law.

Once the proposed UCC Bill is in place, “live-in relationships” will have to get registered under the law within 1 month from the “date of entering into the relationship”. To live in a live-in relationship, adults will have to obtain consent from their parents.

The Bill also imposes a complete ban on child marriage and introduces a uniform process for divorce. The Code provides equal rights to women of all religions in their ancestral property.

As per the UCC Bill, the age for marriage will be 18 for women and 21 for men in all communities. Marriage registration is mandatory in all religions and marriages without registration will be invalid.

No divorce petition will be allowed to be filed for one year of marriage.

Highlighting the ceremonies for marriage, the proposed UCC Bill noted that marriage may be solemnized or contracted between a man and a woman in accordance with the religious beliefs, practices, customary rites and ceremonies including but not limited to “Saptapadt”, “Ashirvad”, “Nikah”, “Holy Union”, “Anand Karaj” under the Anand Marriage Act 1909 as well as under, but not limited to, The Special Marriage Act, 1954 and Arya Marriage Validation Act, 1937.

However, nothing contained in the proposed UCC Bill will be applied to the members of any Scheduled Tribes within the meaning of clause (25) of Article 366 read with Article 342 of the Constitution of India and the persons and group of persons whose customary rights are protected under Part XXI of the Constitution of India.

Meanwhile, CM Dhami said that after the UCC Bill is passed, Uttarakhand will become a strong pillar of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “One India, Best India”.

“With full responsibility, our government, taking all sections of the society along, has presented the Uniform Civil Code Bill in the Assembly. That historic moment is near for Devbhoomi when Uttarakhand will become a strong pillar of PM Modi ji’s vision of One India, Best India,” Dhami posted on X.

The passage of the UCC Bill will mark the fulfilment of a major promise made by the BJP to the people of the state in the run-up to the 2022 Assembly polls.

In March 2022, the Dhami government decided to constitute a committee to prepare a draft for the UCC. (ANI)

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Prices Of Perishable Items Within Tolerance Band: Sitharaman

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said prices of perishable items have come down and are well within the tolerance band.

To a query raised by AIADMK’s M Thambi Durai on the rise in retail inflation, during the Question Hour in Rajya Sabha today, she detailed the interventions made by her government to keep in check the price rise.

“The prices have started coming down and are well within the tolerance band. Lots of steps have been taken by the government, particularly for meeting the shortage in supply of perishables,” Sitharaman said.

Retail inflation in India, though, is in the RBI’s 2-6 per cent comfort level but is above the ideal 4 per cent scenario. In December, the retail inflation was 5.69 per cent.

India does not grow enough pulses to meet its annual demand, and much of it is met through imports.

“We don’t grow enough of pulses in this country. So pulse prices are (high) normally due to a shortfall in supply. in anticipation, depending upon the crop estimates, we tie up for imports,” the finance minister said.

India imports tur dal from Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania, Sudan, and Malawi, and to a lesser extent from Kenya, and Nigeria.

Sitharaman apprised the Upper House that importers have shipped in about 8.79 lakh tonne tur dal in 2023. For Masur, the imports were at 15.14 LMT in the last calendar year.

As part of the government’s initiative to give respite to its citizens, subsidized chana is available at Rs 60 per kg for a 1 kg pack, and at Rs 55 per kg for a 30 kg pack.

Till January 2024, about 2.97 lakh tonnes of chana have been sold at subsidized rates.

“This Bharat Dal that is coming out at a concessional price is available on ONDC, Blinkit, Jio Mart, and all other big retail outlets. Such steps are also being for tomatoes and others as well,” Sitharaman said.

Onion, another perishable, is also being offloaded in the market at a subsidized rate of Rs 25. Faced with rising onion prices, the central government has been releasing the staple vegetable from its buffer stock.

Buffer stock is maintained to meet any exigencies and for price stabilisation if rates go up significantly during the lean supply season.

Export restrictions were also imposed on the staple vegetable.

“We have curtailed their exports so that their prices can be kept within a reasonable limit,” Sitharaman said.

India has prohibited the export of onions till March 2024. The export of onions will be, however, allowed on the basis of permission granted by the central government to other countries based on the request made by the countries. (ANI)

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Sanjay Singh Allowed To Visit Parliament Again To Take Oath

By LokMarg 6th February 2024

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Tuesday permitted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh for the second time to go to Parliament in police custody and take oath as a Rajya Sabha MP. The court has allowed Singh to go to Parliament on February 8 or February 9.

Special Judge MK Nagpal while allowing Sanjay Singh’s application stated that on February 3, 2024, this court had directed the jail authorities to take the accused to Rajya Sabha under judicial custody for administration of oath as a member.

However, it has been submitted that though he was taken to the Rajya Sabha the oath could not be administered to him due to certain reasons and hence he is directed to be taken again to the Rajya Sabha on February 8 and February 9, 2024, said the Court.

The court further directed that the applicant shall be taken to Rajyasabha from judicial custody and under appropriate security for administration of oath on either of the above dates on which he may be required to visit for the above purpose. In this regard, the Jail superintendent is being directed to communicate with the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

The Court has allowed Singh’s Lawyer to visit Tihar Jail to meet Sanjay Singh to take his signatures on relevant documents.

Advocates Rajat Bharadwaj and Mohd Irshad appeared for Singh in the matter and Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Kumar Matta appeared for the Enforcement Directorate.

It was submitted by the counsels for Singh that certain documents are required to be signed by the accused and these have to be submitted in the concerned office of Rajya Sabha so that the applicant can be called for administration of oath and the date will then be finalised by said office only.

On February 5, 2024, Sanjay Singh was not sworn in as Rajya Sabha MP as Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar refused to allow him to take the oath and stated that proceedings of the Upper House are regulated by the listed business which is notified in the bulletin. Oath taking of Sanjay Singh wasn’t listed in the business of the House and no communication from Rajya Sabha on this matter ever came for consideration.

Singh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

Last week, the Delhi High Court kept the order reserved on a regular bail plea moved by Singh in Delhi’s Excise policy case. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on October 4, 2023, in the case.

In its reply filed by ED in the bail matter, the probe agency has opposed the bail petition of Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh and alleged that he was involved in creating a special purpose vehicle to launder the proceeds of crime that would have been generated from the business arising out the policy changes as conspired by him and his co-conspirators.

Sanjay Singh was then involved in acquiring, possessing, concealing, dissipating and using proceeds of crime generated from the Delhi Liquor Scam pertaining to the policy period of 2021-22, said ED. (ANI)

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Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code Bill: Know Key Features