Pro-Khalistan protesters shout slogans outside the Indian High Commission in London on July 8, 2023. | Photo Credit: AFP
The pro-Khalistan protest in London was subdued
A pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian High Commission in London was relatively subdued and died down without incident on Saturday. The duration of Saturday’s demonstration was less than the scheduled duration of about 3-3.5 hours. Only a few gathered in the rain to attend the protest (The Hindu an estimated 35-40 attended at one point ), in contrast to protests in the same location earlier this year.
No clarity in Karnataka Budget on reimbursements to RTCs and Escom for Shakti, Gruha Jyoti scheme
In a Budget that is eagerly awaited not only for the inauguration of a new State government, but also for the curiosity about the implementation of the five guarantees of the Congress, it appears that there is no clarity on how to restore the respective corporations and companies for the welfare schemes.
Future, women-only courts for alternative dispute resolution
The Center is launching a unique initiative of setting up women-only courts at the village level as an alternative dispute resolution forum for issues such as domestic violence, property rights and opposing the patriarchal system. The scheme will be launched on a pilot basis in 50 villages each in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir from August and will be extended to other parts of the country in the next six months.
The US has sent its top human rights official to Delhi and Dhaka
At the end of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the US, the Biden administration’s top official on human rights issues is visiting India and Bangladesh for talks with several senior government officials, and civil activists society. The official will also meet Tibetan Buddhist leader the Dalai Lama, in a visit full of messaging for the region.
Rahul Gandhi defamation case | The Gujarat High Court is mum on society’s interest in avoiding expensive elections
The Gujarat High Court refused to stay Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in a criminal defamation case while upholding the cause of “political purity”, but the judgment did not directly deal with the question of “interest of society” involved in avoiding an expensive and complicated election in a parliamentary constituency, as some previous judgments have done.
Center adding more services to Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers
India’s five-year-old Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWCs) programme, which has grown to more than 1.60 lakhs centers and registered a footfall of over 178.87 crore (as of June end), is undergoing its biggest expansion . of services, confirmed sources in the Health Ministry.
Deliberation on increasing number of usage, percentage of permanent usage through Agnipath scheme
With the first batch of Agniveers joining the units and being deployed on the ground, there are deliberations going on to increase the intake size per batch from around 46,000 and the recruitment to the permanent cadre from 25% to 50%. This comes as the services, especially the Army, are looking to fill the personnel shortage that has accumulated over the past three years.
The Center pulled up West Bengal for allegedly diverting funds at midday for elections
In a strongly worded letter, the Union government has sought an explanation from the West Bengal government regarding the transfer of PM POSHAN (midday meal scheme) funds for the State elections. The letter dated July 7, a copy of which was accessed by The Hindu, states, “The bare fund transfer analysis suggests that the funds earmarked for noon under PM POSHAN are being used for other purposes. Documents made available on WhatsApp by State officials suggest that a dormant bank account was used for transferring funds for State elections. It can be agreed that this is contrary to the principles of financial management because separate bank accounts will be used for separate purposes.”
Jain monk killed; the body was cut up and thrown into a dead borewell
The search for the missing Jain monk in Belagavi district ended on Saturday with the shocking revelation of his murder and recovery of his body parts from an open dead borewell in a field at Katakabavi in Raibag taluk of the district. As the situation is tense, Belagavi Superintendent of Police Sanjiv Patil and other senior officials are camping in Katakabavi and Hirekodi villages and additional police forces have been deployed there.
Aditi Swami became the U-18 compound world champion
Rising archer Aditi Swami defeated USA’s Leann Drake to become the Under-18 women’s world champion in Limerick on July 8. Before breaking the Under-18 compound women’s qualifying record at the World Cup last month, Aditi carried the momentum at the ongoing Youth World Championships to defeat Leann 142-136 in the final.
Duleep Trophy 2023 | The South Zone exits the North Zone at the extreme end
Tamil Nadu’s R Sai Kishore produced a superb all-round show as South Zone beat North Zone by two wickets in a delayed but thrilling final day of the Duleep Trophy semifinal in Bengaluru on July 8 . In the final, South will take on the defending West Zone champion in a repeat of the 2022 title clash.
