General Affairs
Three Terrorists, Soldier Killed In Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora Forest
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Three terrorists and an army soldier were killed in a gunfight today in an anti-militancy operation by the army in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district.
"Three terrorists have been killed in an operation by the army in Chandajan forest area," Ministry of Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.
"Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the slain terrorists whose exact identity is being ascertained," he said.
"One soldier was also killed in this operation which has now ended," he added.
Two soldiers were injured in this operation that began on Friday.
Three terrorists and an army soldier were killed in a gunfight today in an anti-militancy operation by the army in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora district."Three terrorists have been killed in an operation by the army in Chandajan forest area," Ministry of Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.
"Arms and ammunition have been recovered from the slain terrorists whose exact identity is being ascertained," he said.
"One soldier was also killed in this operation which has now ended," he added.
Two soldiers were injured in this operation that began on Friday.
Implementation Of Law Depends On Quality Of Legal Education: Dipak Misra
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The implementation of rule of law in a nation depends on the quality of legal education in a country, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said today.
Justice Misra, while delivering his inaugural speech at the 10th Law Teachers' Day award function in Delhi, said law schools are the hatcheries supplying legal professionals who act as sentinels for the implementation of rule of law.
He also said legal education is a science which inculcates in law students a sense of maturity and understanding of the society and moulds them to emerge as protectors of citizenry liberties.
The Chief Justice of India inaugurated the symposium on 'Role of legal education on nation building' in the event organised by Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training (MILAT) in Delhi.
"The implementation of rule of law in a nation depends on the quality of legal education in a country. Law schools are the hatcheries which supply quintessential legal professionals who act as sentinels for the implementation of rule of law and contribute tremendously towards the development of the nation."
"Legal education is a science which imparts to law students not only the knowledge of certain legal provisions but it also inculcates a sense of maturity and understanding of the society which shapes and moulds them to emerge as protectors of citizenry liberties," Justice Misra said.
He appreciated the functioning of National Law Universities and said the institution has turned out to be the most successful exercise for enhancing the quality of legal education in the country.
"The introduction of five year law course has made legal education quite coveted in India. It has become imperative for law schools to take in account the changes taking place across the world as well as the contemporary issues in the society."
"Law schools must focus on developing amongst its students critical reflectiveness of the social, moral and political outlooks embedded in law," Justice Misra said.
The Chief Justice of India said it was the duty of all stakeholders to enhance the legal education by registering the importance of law schools and lauded Professor NR Madhava Menon, saying he has been influenced by the octogenarian in a subconscious way and his passion towards the discipline of law should be inculcated by everyone.
Professor Menon said the law schools were a neglected lot.
He said even though there are 23 national law universities across the country and India need to do more for the legal education.
This year, the prestigious SILF-MILAT Prof NR Madhava Menon Best Law Teacher Award was bagged by Prof R Venkata Rao of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
Justice Misra, while delivering his inaugural speech at the 10th Law Teachers' Day award function in Delhi, said law schools are the hatcheries supplying legal professionals who act as sentinels for the implementation of rule of law.
He also said legal education is a science which inculcates in law students a sense of maturity and understanding of the society and moulds them to emerge as protectors of citizenry liberties.
The Chief Justice of India inaugurated the symposium on 'Role of legal education on nation building' in the event organised by Society of Indian Law Firms (SILF) and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy Training (MILAT) in Delhi.
"The implementation of rule of law in a nation depends on the quality of legal education in a country. Law schools are the hatcheries which supply quintessential legal professionals who act as sentinels for the implementation of rule of law and contribute tremendously towards the development of the nation."
"Legal education is a science which imparts to law students not only the knowledge of certain legal provisions but it also inculcates a sense of maturity and understanding of the society which shapes and moulds them to emerge as protectors of citizenry liberties," Justice Misra said.
He appreciated the functioning of National Law Universities and said the institution has turned out to be the most successful exercise for enhancing the quality of legal education in the country.
"The introduction of five year law course has made legal education quite coveted in India. It has become imperative for law schools to take in account the changes taking place across the world as well as the contemporary issues in the society."
"Law schools must focus on developing amongst its students critical reflectiveness of the social, moral and political outlooks embedded in law," Justice Misra said.
The Chief Justice of India said it was the duty of all stakeholders to enhance the legal education by registering the importance of law schools and lauded Professor NR Madhava Menon, saying he has been influenced by the octogenarian in a subconscious way and his passion towards the discipline of law should be inculcated by everyone.
Professor Menon said the law schools were a neglected lot.
He said even though there are 23 national law universities across the country and India need to do more for the legal education.
This year, the prestigious SILF-MILAT Prof NR Madhava Menon Best Law Teacher Award was bagged by Prof R Venkata Rao of the National Law School of India University, Bangalore.
Ranjan Gogoi To Be Next Chief Justice, Will Take Charge On Oct 3: Sources
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Justice Ranjan Gogoi, the second senior most judge in the Supreme Court, will take charge as the next Chief Justice of India on October 3, sources have told.
Chief Justice Dipak Misra will soon endorse Justice Gogoi's name as his successor, keeping with the tradition of naming the judge next in seniority as the chief justice, sources said.
Justice Gogoi, sources say, will be the Chief Justice till November 17, next year.
This comes after the Law Ministry a few days ago asked Chief Justice Dipak Misra to recommend his successor. It is convention for the law ministry to write to the Chief Justice asking for his recommendation on the man who will replace him.
If the recommendation is cleared by the centre, Justice Gogoi will be administered the oath of office by President Ram Nath Kovind.
Justice Ranjan Gogoi was among the four judges who, in January, criticised Chief Justice Misra in a rare press conference and accused him of misusing his role of assigning cases as the Supreme Court's Master of the Roster. He is currently hearing the Assam National Register of Citizens or NRC issue.
Justice Gogoi's name is likely to be made formal when Justice Misra replies to the Law Ministry letter. He retires on October 2 and has to name a successor at least one month before that.
October 2 being a national holiday, October 1 will be the last working day of Chief Justice Misra.
Justice Gogoi, who was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2012, is known to be a soft-spoken but tough judge.
Born in 1954, Justice Gogoi joined the Bar in 1978. He was subsequently appointed as Permanent Judge of Gauhati High Court on February 28, 2001. Later transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in September 2010, he went on to become the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court in February 2011. He was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court in April 2012.
Chief Justice Dipak Misra will soon endorse Justice Gogoi's name as his successor, keeping with the tradition of naming the judge next in seniority as the chief justice, sources said.
Justice Gogoi, sources say, will be the Chief Justice till November 17, next year.
This comes after the Law Ministry a few days ago asked Chief Justice Dipak Misra to recommend his successor. It is convention for the law ministry to write to the Chief Justice asking for his recommendation on the man who will replace him.
If the recommendation is cleared by the centre, Justice Gogoi will be administered the oath of office by President Ram Nath Kovind.
Justice Ranjan Gogoi was among the four judges who, in January, criticised Chief Justice Misra in a rare press conference and accused him of misusing his role of assigning cases as the Supreme Court's Master of the Roster. He is currently hearing the Assam National Register of Citizens or NRC issue.
Justice Gogoi's name is likely to be made formal when Justice Misra replies to the Law Ministry letter. He retires on October 2 and has to name a successor at least one month before that.
October 2 being a national holiday, October 1 will be the last working day of Chief Justice Misra.
Justice Gogoi, who was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2012, is known to be a soft-spoken but tough judge.
Born in 1954, Justice Gogoi joined the Bar in 1978. He was subsequently appointed as Permanent Judge of Gauhati High Court on February 28, 2001. Later transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court in September 2010, he went on to become the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court in February 2011. He was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court in April 2012.
India Post Payments Bank: 5 Things To Know
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch India Post Payments Bank or IPPB -- the largest payments bank in the country by network size on Saturday. The India Post Payments Bank will offer a range of products such as savings and current accounts, money transfer, direct benefit transfers, bill and utility payments, and enterprise and merchant payments. India Post Payments Bank offers three types of savings accounts - regular savings account, digital savings account and basic savings account. The annual interest rates on all three are fixed at 4 per cent.
5 Things To Know About India Post Payments Bank:
The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is a public sector company under the department of posts and ministry of communication with a 100 per cent equity of the government and governed by the Reserve Bank of India.
The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) will focus on providing banking and financial services to rural areas by linking all the 1.55 lakh post offices across the country to India Post Payments Bank by December 31.
In India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), regular savings account can be opened with zero balance.
Interest can be earned on the money kept in this account and the cash withdrawals allowed in this account are unlimited.
People can use India Post Payments Bank's products and services via multiple channels such as counter services, ATMs, mobile banking app, SMS and IVR (interactive voice response).
5 Things To Know About India Post Payments Bank:
The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) is a public sector company under the department of posts and ministry of communication with a 100 per cent equity of the government and governed by the Reserve Bank of India.
The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) will focus on providing banking and financial services to rural areas by linking all the 1.55 lakh post offices across the country to India Post Payments Bank by December 31.
In India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), regular savings account can be opened with zero balance.
Interest can be earned on the money kept in this account and the cash withdrawals allowed in this account are unlimited.
People can use India Post Payments Bank's products and services via multiple channels such as counter services, ATMs, mobile banking app, SMS and IVR (interactive voice response).
Smriti Irani Inaugurates 'Digital Village' In Rahul Gandhi's Amethi
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Union textiles minister Smriti Irani on Saturday inaugurated a 'digital village' in Amethi, the parliamentary constituency of Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Accompanied by district officials and BJP leaders, Ms Irani, who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, inaugurated the digital village at the common service centre of the Information and Technology ministry at Pindara Thakur village.
She is also scheduled to inaugurate the digital banking service under the 'Digital India' initiative in Amethi town after which she will return to the capital.
Under the digital village project, there would be 206 programmes available for the people. This includes a Wi-Fi Chaupal, LED bulb manufacturing, a unit to make sanitary pads and PM digital literacy initiative.
Under the digital banking service, people will be able to open bank accounts by the use of their thumb impression and the lengthy paper work and documentation would be done away with, an official said.
Ms Irani has been grooming her one-time constituency even after her defeat at the hands of the Gandhi scion and the BJP is likely to field her again in 2019 from Amethi.
The union minister has accused the Congress president of ignoring the constituency even though the people here have been standing with the Gandhi clan through many elections.
Accompanied by district officials and BJP leaders, Ms Irani, who unsuccessfully contested the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, inaugurated the digital village at the common service centre of the Information and Technology ministry at Pindara Thakur village.
She is also scheduled to inaugurate the digital banking service under the 'Digital India' initiative in Amethi town after which she will return to the capital.
Under the digital village project, there would be 206 programmes available for the people. This includes a Wi-Fi Chaupal, LED bulb manufacturing, a unit to make sanitary pads and PM digital literacy initiative.
Under the digital banking service, people will be able to open bank accounts by the use of their thumb impression and the lengthy paper work and documentation would be done away with, an official said.
Ms Irani has been grooming her one-time constituency even after her defeat at the hands of the Gandhi scion and the BJP is likely to field her again in 2019 from Amethi.
The union minister has accused the Congress president of ignoring the constituency even though the people here have been standing with the Gandhi clan through many elections.
Business Affairs
Kerala floods hit passenger vehicle sales in August
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Automobile majors Maruti Suzuki India and Hyundai Saturday reported fall in domestic passenger vehicle sales in August, with floods in Kerala affecting demand for automobiles, although homegrown firms Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra saw healthy growth.
Maruti Suzuki India said its domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales were down 2.8 per cent at 1,47,700 units last month as against 1,52,000 units in the year ago month.
While the company's sales of mini cars comprising Alto and WagonR were at 35,895 units as compared to 35,428 units in August last year, up 1.3 per cent, the compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, were down 3.6 per cent at 71,364 units as against 74,012 units in August last year.
Sales of utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, were down 16.2 per cent at 17,971 units in August as compared to 21,442 units in the year-ago month, MSI said.
Rival Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) also saw its domestic sales fall 2.8 per cent at 45,801 units in August as against 47,103 in August 2017.
Tata Motors, however, said its domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales were up 28 per cent to 18,420 units compared to 14,340 units last year.
"Due to heavy rains across the country and floods in Kerala, the consumer sentiment was muted," Tata Motors President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Mayank Pareek said.
M&M said its sales in the domestic market was at 45,373 units last month, up 15 per cent, as compared to 39,615 units in August 2017.
"The auto industry remained subdued in August with low sentiments due to some external factors," M&M President Automotive Sector Rajan Wadhera said.
Ford India also reported 3.40 per cent increase in domestic sales in August to 8,042 units as against 7,777 units in August last year. Similarly, Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) posted monthly domestic sales of 17,020 units in August 2018.
"There was an impact of Kerala floods and heavy rains in many parts of the country combined with GST related high base effect of August 2017," HCIL Senior Vice President and Director, Marketing and Sales Rajesh Goel said.
In the two-wheeler segment, TVS Motor Company reported 2 per cent increase in its domestic sales to 2,75,688 units in August from 2,70,544 units sold in the same month last year.
Maruti Suzuki India said its domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales were down 2.8 per cent at 1,47,700 units last month as against 1,52,000 units in the year ago month.
While the company's sales of mini cars comprising Alto and WagonR were at 35,895 units as compared to 35,428 units in August last year, up 1.3 per cent, the compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, were down 3.6 per cent at 71,364 units as against 74,012 units in August last year.
Sales of utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, were down 16.2 per cent at 17,971 units in August as compared to 21,442 units in the year-ago month, MSI said.
Rival Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) also saw its domestic sales fall 2.8 per cent at 45,801 units in August as against 47,103 in August 2017.
Tata Motors, however, said its domestic passenger vehicle (PV) sales were up 28 per cent to 18,420 units compared to 14,340 units last year.
"Due to heavy rains across the country and floods in Kerala, the consumer sentiment was muted," Tata Motors President, Passenger Vehicles Business Unit, Mayank Pareek said.
M&M said its sales in the domestic market was at 45,373 units last month, up 15 per cent, as compared to 39,615 units in August 2017.
"The auto industry remained subdued in August with low sentiments due to some external factors," M&M President Automotive Sector Rajan Wadhera said.
Ford India also reported 3.40 per cent increase in domestic sales in August to 8,042 units as against 7,777 units in August last year. Similarly, Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) posted monthly domestic sales of 17,020 units in August 2018.
"There was an impact of Kerala floods and heavy rains in many parts of the country combined with GST related high base effect of August 2017," HCIL Senior Vice President and Director, Marketing and Sales Rajesh Goel said.
In the two-wheeler segment, TVS Motor Company reported 2 per cent increase in its domestic sales to 2,75,688 units in August from 2,70,544 units sold in the same month last year.
GST mop-up falls to Rs 93,960 crore in August
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GST collections dropped to Rs 93,960 crore in August from Rs 96,483 crore in the previous month, the Finance Ministry said Saturday.
The total number of GSTR (goods and services tax returns) 3B filed for the month of July up to August 31, 2018, is 67 lakh. This is slightly higher than 66 lakh returns of the month of June filed up to July 31, 2018, the ministry said in a statement.
The revenues collected in August are slightly lower than July collection of Rs 96,483 crore, and June collection of Rs 95,610 crore.
Explaining reasons for the dip, the ministry said one of the main factors is probable postponement of sale of items for which tax rate was reduced by the GST Council in its meeting on July 21. The rate cut was effective July 27.
"Since it would have taken some time for the market to pass on the benefit of reduced taxes, consumers would have postponed their decision to buy expecting the benefit. The actual impact of reduction of rate of taxes would be observed only from next month onwards as the rate reduction would have got affected only in last few days of the month, the ministry said.
Also the last date of filing return of July, 2018, in Kerala was extended up to October 5, 2018, in view of the flood.
The total number of GSTR (goods and services tax returns) 3B filed for the month of July up to August 31, 2018, is 67 lakh. This is slightly higher than 66 lakh returns of the month of June filed up to July 31, 2018, the ministry said in a statement.
The revenues collected in August are slightly lower than July collection of Rs 96,483 crore, and June collection of Rs 95,610 crore.
Explaining reasons for the dip, the ministry said one of the main factors is probable postponement of sale of items for which tax rate was reduced by the GST Council in its meeting on July 21. The rate cut was effective July 27.
"Since it would have taken some time for the market to pass on the benefit of reduced taxes, consumers would have postponed their decision to buy expecting the benefit. The actual impact of reduction of rate of taxes would be observed only from next month onwards as the rate reduction would have got affected only in last few days of the month, the ministry said.
Also the last date of filing return of July, 2018, in Kerala was extended up to October 5, 2018, in view of the flood.
SBI hikes benchmark lending rate by 0.2 per cent, home and car loans set to get costlier
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The State Bank of India today increased its benchmark lending rates or MCLR by 0.2 per cent - a move that will make home, auto and other loans costlier. The new rates are effective today.
The country's largest lender has increased the lending rate by 20 basis points across all tenors up to three years.
With this, SBI's overnight and one-month tenors' Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) stands at 8.1 per cent as against 7.9 per cent.
The MCLR for a one-year tenor increased to 8.45 per cent from 8.25 per cent earlier. Most of the retail loans are benchmarked against one-year MCLR.
The MCLR for a three-year tenor increased to 8.65 per cent from 8.45 per cent.
The rate hike by the bank comes a month after the Reserve Bank of India hiked benchmark lending rate called repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 per cent.
RBI had last raised the repo rate on June 6 by 0.25 per cent to 6.25 per cent.
That increase was the first since January 28, 2014 when rates were hiked by a similar proportion to 8 per cent.
The country's largest lender has increased the lending rate by 20 basis points across all tenors up to three years.
With this, SBI's overnight and one-month tenors' Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) stands at 8.1 per cent as against 7.9 per cent.
The MCLR for a one-year tenor increased to 8.45 per cent from 8.25 per cent earlier. Most of the retail loans are benchmarked against one-year MCLR.
The MCLR for a three-year tenor increased to 8.65 per cent from 8.45 per cent.
The rate hike by the bank comes a month after the Reserve Bank of India hiked benchmark lending rate called repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 per cent.
RBI had last raised the repo rate on June 6 by 0.25 per cent to 6.25 per cent.
That increase was the first since January 28, 2014 when rates were hiked by a similar proportion to 8 per cent.
Researcher admits plot to steal GSK secrets to sell in China
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A cancer researcher pleaded guilty on Friday to conspiring to steal biopharmaceutical trade secrets from GlaxoSmithKline in what prosecutors said was a scheme that involved plans to set up companies in China to market them.Yu Xue entered a guilty plea in federal court on Friday to a single conspiracy count. The government dropped more than two dozen other pending counts against the researcher as part of the plea.
In court on Friday, Xue said she didn't understand that the material she was emailing to her private account then to others including portions of her own patent application for certain research was considered trade secrets. "A trade secret to me is not publicly available. The patents I sent to them is publicly available," she said, noting that she sent the preliminary application for a patent on her research.
Judge Joel Slomsky noted that prosecutors did not have to prove that she understood it was a trade secret, but that she knew she was sharing confidential materials. Slomsky said he believed federal prosecutors had met that burden of proof.
Prosecutors have described the 48-year-old US citizen as one of the top protein biochemists in the world. She had worked at GlaxoSmithKline's research facility in suburban Philadelphia for about a decade and had become a senior manager. She was fired shortly after charges were brought against her in early 2016.
Prosecutors had accused her of downloading and emailing confidential information including research on specific cancer drugs and working with four others, including two people in China, charged in connection with the scheme.
Another research scientist at GlaxoSmithKline, Tao Li, was also charged as part of the five. She has a change of plea hearing scheduled before the court in a few weeks, but it was unclear if she would be pleading to the same charge as Xue.
Slomsky set a sentencing hearing for December 18, but agreed to hold an evidentiary hearing prior to that date that will largely focus on the difference between prosecutors' and defense attorneys' arguments about how serious the crime was and how much potential financial damage was caused.
"There are vast differences between the parties as to the value and importance of the information stolen," Assistant US Attorney Robert Livermore said.
Federal prosecutors have had to drop charges or withdraw cases in several other high-profile trade secret cases in recent years, including that of Temple University professor Xiaoxing Xi, who was accused of stealing sensitive technology involving superconductivity in 2015.
Charges were dropped when investigators realized the information shared did not amount to trade secrets.
In court on Friday, Xue said she didn't understand that the material she was emailing to her private account then to others including portions of her own patent application for certain research was considered trade secrets. "A trade secret to me is not publicly available. The patents I sent to them is publicly available," she said, noting that she sent the preliminary application for a patent on her research.
Judge Joel Slomsky noted that prosecutors did not have to prove that she understood it was a trade secret, but that she knew she was sharing confidential materials. Slomsky said he believed federal prosecutors had met that burden of proof.
Prosecutors have described the 48-year-old US citizen as one of the top protein biochemists in the world. She had worked at GlaxoSmithKline's research facility in suburban Philadelphia for about a decade and had become a senior manager. She was fired shortly after charges were brought against her in early 2016.
Prosecutors had accused her of downloading and emailing confidential information including research on specific cancer drugs and working with four others, including two people in China, charged in connection with the scheme.
Another research scientist at GlaxoSmithKline, Tao Li, was also charged as part of the five. She has a change of plea hearing scheduled before the court in a few weeks, but it was unclear if she would be pleading to the same charge as Xue.
Slomsky set a sentencing hearing for December 18, but agreed to hold an evidentiary hearing prior to that date that will largely focus on the difference between prosecutors' and defense attorneys' arguments about how serious the crime was and how much potential financial damage was caused.
"There are vast differences between the parties as to the value and importance of the information stolen," Assistant US Attorney Robert Livermore said.
Federal prosecutors have had to drop charges or withdraw cases in several other high-profile trade secret cases in recent years, including that of Temple University professor Xiaoxing Xi, who was accused of stealing sensitive technology involving superconductivity in 2015.
Charges were dropped when investigators realized the information shared did not amount to trade secrets.
Maruti Suzuki sales dip 3.4 per cent to 1,58,189 units in August
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Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) on Saturday reported 3.4 per cent decline in total sales at 1,58,189 units in August. The company had sold 1,63,701 units in August last year.
In a statement, MSI said that the domestic sales were also down 2.8 per cent at 1,47,700 units last month as against 1,52,000 units in the year ago month.
Sales of mini cars comprising Alto and WagonR were at 35,895 units as compared to 35,428 units in August last year, up 1.3 per cent.
According to MSI, the sales of compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, were down 3.6 per cent at 71,364 units as against 74,012 units in August last year.
Mid-sized sedan Ciaz sold 7,002 units as compared to 6,457 units in the same month a year ago, a growth of 8.4 per cent.
Sales of utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, were down 16.2 per cent at 17,971 units in August as compared to 21,442 units in the year-ago month, MSI said in its statement.
Exports in August were down 10.4 per cent at 10,489 units over 11,701 units in the corresponding month last year, the company said.
In a statement, MSI said that the domestic sales were also down 2.8 per cent at 1,47,700 units last month as against 1,52,000 units in the year ago month.
Sales of mini cars comprising Alto and WagonR were at 35,895 units as compared to 35,428 units in August last year, up 1.3 per cent.
According to MSI, the sales of compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, were down 3.6 per cent at 71,364 units as against 74,012 units in August last year.
Mid-sized sedan Ciaz sold 7,002 units as compared to 6,457 units in the same month a year ago, a growth of 8.4 per cent.
Sales of utility vehicles, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, were down 16.2 per cent at 17,971 units in August as compared to 21,442 units in the year-ago month, MSI said in its statement.
Exports in August were down 10.4 per cent at 10,489 units over 11,701 units in the corresponding month last year, the company said.
General Awareness
Family Law Reform
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What to study?
For Prelims: Constitutional provisions related to Uniform Civil Code.
For Mains: Overview of the consultation paper, suggestions made, UCC- need, concerns, challenges and is it suitable for India?
Context: Law Commission has released a Consultation Paper on Family Law Reform. This consultation on family law reforms in India, discusses a range of provisions within all family laws, secular or personal, and suggests a number of changes to in the form of potential amendments and fresh enactments.
Highlights:
Reform family law: As general suggestions to reforming family law, the paper discusses the introduction of new grounds for ‘no fault’ divorce accompanied by corresponding changes to provisions on alimony and maintenance, rights of differently-abled individuals within marriage, the thirty-day period for registration of marriages under Special Marriage Act; uncertainty and inequality in age of consent for marriage, compulsory registration of marriage, bigamy upon conversion etc.
Under Hindu law the paper among other issues discusses problems with provisions like restitution of conjugal rights, and further suggests the inclusion of concepts such as ‘community of property’ of a married couple, abolition of coparcenary, rights of illegitimate children et al. There are further suggestions for addressing self-acquired property of a Hindu female.
Under Muslim law the paper discusses the reform in inheritance law through codification of Muslim law on inheritance, but ensuring that the codified law is gender just. The paper also discusses the rights of a widow, and the changes application to general laws such as introduction of community of (self-acquired) property after marriage, inclusion of irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a ground for divorce.
Under Parsi law there are suggestions relating to protecting married women’s right to inherit property even if they marry outside their community.
Adoption process: The paper also suggests the expansion of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, to make it into a robust secular law that can be accessed by individuals of all communities for adoption. There are suggestions for amending the guidelines for adoption and also a suggestion to alter the language of the Act to accommodate all gender identities. The paper discusses lacunae within custody and guardianship laws, statutory or customary, and suggests that the ‘best interest of the child’ has to remain the paramount consideration in deciding matters of custody regardless of any prevailing personal law in place.
Special attention to North- East: Although the sixth schedule provides exemptions and exemptions to states in the North East and tribal areas, it has suggested that efforts of women’s organisations in these areas be acknowledged and relied upon in this regard to suggest ways in which family law reform could be aided by the state even when direct intervention may not be possible. Since a number of these issues such as polygamy, nikah halala, settlement of a Parsi wife’s property for benefit of children, as well as the law on adultery among others is presently sub judice before the Supreme Court, they have been discussed in the paper.
Views on Uniform Civil Code:
The Law Commission feels that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.”
Why is UCC is not desirable at this point?
Secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country. Besides, cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation.
The term ‘secularism’ has meaning only if it assures the expression of any form of difference. This diversity, both religious and regional, should not get subsumed under the louder voice of the majority. At the same time, discriminatory practices within a religion should not hide behind the cloak of that faith to gain legitimacy.
What is needed now?
The way forward may not be UCC, but the codification of all personal laws so that prejudices and stereotypes in every one of them would come to light and can be tested on the anvil of fundamental rights of the Constitution. By codification of different personal laws, one can arrive at certain universal principles that prioritise equity rather than imposition of a Uniform Code, which would discourage many from using the law altogether, given that matters of marriage and divorce can also be settled extra-judicially.
Way ahead:
Difference does not always imply discrimination in a robust democracy. A unified nation does not necessarily need to have “uniformity.” Efforts have to be made to reconcile our diversity with universal and indisputable arguments on human rights.
What is uniform civil code?
Uniform civil Code is a proposal to have a generic set of governing laws for every citizen without taking into consideration the religion.
What the constitution says?
Article 44 of the Constitution says that there should be a Uniform Civil Code. According to this article, “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. Since the Directive Principles are only guidelines, it is not mandatory to use them.
What to study?
For Prelims: Constitutional provisions related to Uniform Civil Code.
For Mains: Overview of the consultation paper, suggestions made, UCC- need, concerns, challenges and is it suitable for India?
Context: Law Commission has released a Consultation Paper on Family Law Reform. This consultation on family law reforms in India, discusses a range of provisions within all family laws, secular or personal, and suggests a number of changes to in the form of potential amendments and fresh enactments.
Highlights:
Reform family law: As general suggestions to reforming family law, the paper discusses the introduction of new grounds for ‘no fault’ divorce accompanied by corresponding changes to provisions on alimony and maintenance, rights of differently-abled individuals within marriage, the thirty-day period for registration of marriages under Special Marriage Act; uncertainty and inequality in age of consent for marriage, compulsory registration of marriage, bigamy upon conversion etc.
Under Hindu law the paper among other issues discusses problems with provisions like restitution of conjugal rights, and further suggests the inclusion of concepts such as ‘community of property’ of a married couple, abolition of coparcenary, rights of illegitimate children et al. There are further suggestions for addressing self-acquired property of a Hindu female.
Under Muslim law the paper discusses the reform in inheritance law through codification of Muslim law on inheritance, but ensuring that the codified law is gender just. The paper also discusses the rights of a widow, and the changes application to general laws such as introduction of community of (self-acquired) property after marriage, inclusion of irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a ground for divorce.
Under Parsi law there are suggestions relating to protecting married women’s right to inherit property even if they marry outside their community.
Adoption process: The paper also suggests the expansion of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, to make it into a robust secular law that can be accessed by individuals of all communities for adoption. There are suggestions for amending the guidelines for adoption and also a suggestion to alter the language of the Act to accommodate all gender identities. The paper discusses lacunae within custody and guardianship laws, statutory or customary, and suggests that the ‘best interest of the child’ has to remain the paramount consideration in deciding matters of custody regardless of any prevailing personal law in place.
Special attention to North- East: Although the sixth schedule provides exemptions and exemptions to states in the North East and tribal areas, it has suggested that efforts of women’s organisations in these areas be acknowledged and relied upon in this regard to suggest ways in which family law reform could be aided by the state even when direct intervention may not be possible. Since a number of these issues such as polygamy, nikah halala, settlement of a Parsi wife’s property for benefit of children, as well as the law on adultery among others is presently sub judice before the Supreme Court, they have been discussed in the paper.
Views on Uniform Civil Code:
The Law Commission feels that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.”
Why is UCC is not desirable at this point?
Secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country. Besides, cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation.
The term ‘secularism’ has meaning only if it assures the expression of any form of difference. This diversity, both religious and regional, should not get subsumed under the louder voice of the majority. At the same time, discriminatory practices within a religion should not hide behind the cloak of that faith to gain legitimacy.
What is needed now?
The way forward may not be UCC, but the codification of all personal laws so that prejudices and stereotypes in every one of them would come to light and can be tested on the anvil of fundamental rights of the Constitution. By codification of different personal laws, one can arrive at certain universal principles that prioritise equity rather than imposition of a Uniform Code, which would discourage many from using the law altogether, given that matters of marriage and divorce can also be settled extra-judicially.
Way ahead:
Difference does not always imply discrimination in a robust democracy. A unified nation does not necessarily need to have “uniformity.” Efforts have to be made to reconcile our diversity with universal and indisputable arguments on human rights.
What is uniform civil code?
Uniform civil Code is a proposal to have a generic set of governing laws for every citizen without taking into consideration the religion.
What the constitution says?
Article 44 of the Constitution says that there should be a Uniform Civil Code. According to this article, “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. Since the Directive Principles are only guidelines, it is not mandatory to use them.
For Prelims: Constitutional provisions related to Uniform Civil Code.
For Mains: Overview of the consultation paper, suggestions made, UCC- need, concerns, challenges and is it suitable for India?
Context: Law Commission has released a Consultation Paper on Family Law Reform. This consultation on family law reforms in India, discusses a range of provisions within all family laws, secular or personal, and suggests a number of changes to in the form of potential amendments and fresh enactments.
Highlights:
Reform family law: As general suggestions to reforming family law, the paper discusses the introduction of new grounds for ‘no fault’ divorce accompanied by corresponding changes to provisions on alimony and maintenance, rights of differently-abled individuals within marriage, the thirty-day period for registration of marriages under Special Marriage Act; uncertainty and inequality in age of consent for marriage, compulsory registration of marriage, bigamy upon conversion etc.
Under Hindu law the paper among other issues discusses problems with provisions like restitution of conjugal rights, and further suggests the inclusion of concepts such as ‘community of property’ of a married couple, abolition of coparcenary, rights of illegitimate children et al. There are further suggestions for addressing self-acquired property of a Hindu female.
Under Muslim law the paper discusses the reform in inheritance law through codification of Muslim law on inheritance, but ensuring that the codified law is gender just. The paper also discusses the rights of a widow, and the changes application to general laws such as introduction of community of (self-acquired) property after marriage, inclusion of irretrievable breakdown of marriage as a ground for divorce.
Under Parsi law there are suggestions relating to protecting married women’s right to inherit property even if they marry outside their community.
Adoption process: The paper also suggests the expansion of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, to make it into a robust secular law that can be accessed by individuals of all communities for adoption. There are suggestions for amending the guidelines for adoption and also a suggestion to alter the language of the Act to accommodate all gender identities. The paper discusses lacunae within custody and guardianship laws, statutory or customary, and suggests that the ‘best interest of the child’ has to remain the paramount consideration in deciding matters of custody regardless of any prevailing personal law in place.
Special attention to North- East: Although the sixth schedule provides exemptions and exemptions to states in the North East and tribal areas, it has suggested that efforts of women’s organisations in these areas be acknowledged and relied upon in this regard to suggest ways in which family law reform could be aided by the state even when direct intervention may not be possible. Since a number of these issues such as polygamy, nikah halala, settlement of a Parsi wife’s property for benefit of children, as well as the law on adultery among others is presently sub judice before the Supreme Court, they have been discussed in the paper.
Views on Uniform Civil Code:
The Law Commission feels that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is “neither necessary nor desirable at this stage.”
Why is UCC is not desirable at this point?
Secularism cannot contradict the plurality prevalent in the country. Besides, cultural diversity cannot be compromised to the extent that our urge for uniformity itself becomes a reason for threat to the territorial integrity of the nation.
The term ‘secularism’ has meaning only if it assures the expression of any form of difference. This diversity, both religious and regional, should not get subsumed under the louder voice of the majority. At the same time, discriminatory practices within a religion should not hide behind the cloak of that faith to gain legitimacy.
What is needed now?
The way forward may not be UCC, but the codification of all personal laws so that prejudices and stereotypes in every one of them would come to light and can be tested on the anvil of fundamental rights of the Constitution. By codification of different personal laws, one can arrive at certain universal principles that prioritise equity rather than imposition of a Uniform Code, which would discourage many from using the law altogether, given that matters of marriage and divorce can also be settled extra-judicially.
Way ahead:
Difference does not always imply discrimination in a robust democracy. A unified nation does not necessarily need to have “uniformity.” Efforts have to be made to reconcile our diversity with universal and indisputable arguments on human rights.
What is uniform civil code?
Uniform civil Code is a proposal to have a generic set of governing laws for every citizen without taking into consideration the religion.
What the constitution says?
Article 44 of the Constitution says that there should be a Uniform Civil Code. According to this article, “The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India”. Since the Directive Principles are only guidelines, it is not mandatory to use them.
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