1. 10% Quota for Poorer Sections Cleared, Likely to Reach Lok Sabha Today
The Narendra Modi-led government has cleared 10% reservation in college admissions and government jobs for so-called economically weaker sections (EWS), with the benefit likely to go to upper caste groups and once-dominant agrarian communities such as the Patidars, Jats, Gujjars and Marathas who have been lobbying for reservation.
As many as 190 million people could benefit from this.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
2. Govt Extends Rajya Sabha Session Till Wednesday for Passage of Reservation Bill
The government has extended the Winter session of the Rajya Sabha by a day till Wednesday to push the passage of the Constitutional amendment bill that will allow 10 percent reservation for ‘economically backward’ upper castes in government services and admission to higher educational institutions.
The move will require amending Article 16 of the Constitution to provide for reservation for economically weaker sections. The winter session of Parliament begun on 11 December and was to end on Tuesday.
(Source: The Indian Express)
3. Row Erupts as Citizenship Bill Gets Nod; AGP Withdraws Support to BJP in Assam
Protests erupted across Assam and ripples were felt in other north-eastern states as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government cleared changes to the Citizenship Act, a decision that also prompted one of its regional allies, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), to break ties.
The amendment proposes to give citizenship to people from neighbouring countries who are religious minorities there, letting those who have lived in India for a particular period of time be naturalised.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
4. SC Verdict on 8 January on Alok Verma’s Removal as CBI Director
A three-judge Supreme Court Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi, is on 8 January scheduled to pronounce judgment on a petition filed by exiled CBI Director Alok Verma against his “overnight” removal from the post.
The Bench, which also comprises Justices SK Kaul and KM Joseph, on 6 December 2018 reserved the order on Mr Verma’s petition and another filed by NGO Common Cause.
(Source: The Hindu)
5. ‘We Will Protect Her’: Thailand Halts Plan to Expel Saudi Teen Fleeing Family
Thailand said it won’t deport an 18-year-old Saudi woman who claims to be fleeing abuse from her family and is staying inside Bangkok’s main airport.
Rahaf Mohammed Al-Qunun, whose situation has gone viral via her Twitter feed, told Human Rights Watch that she arrived at the airport on 5 January from Kuwait, and that her passport was seized, preventing her from travelling to Australia. Thai officials earlier told her she would be forced to return on Monday to Kuwait to her father and brother.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
6. Tamil Nadu: EC Cancels Thiruvarur Assembly Bypoll Due to Cyclone Gaja
The Election Commission Monday cancelled the bypoll to Tamil Nadu’s Thiruvarur Assembly seat on account of the ongoing rehabilitation efforts due to Cyclone Gaja. The constituency fell vacant following the death of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK MLA M Karunanidhi in August 2018.
The poll panel had earlier announced that polling for the Thiruvarur constituency would be held 28 January with the counting of votes to be held on 31 January. The EC’s decision came after the state secretary chief wrote to the panel about the restoration efforts underway in the district after the heavy rains and that it would take three months “for life to return to normal in the district.”
(Source: The Indian Express)
7. Norway PM Says Will Mediate on Kashmir Issue Only If India, Pakistan Desire
Norway on Monday, 7 January said it is ready to mediate on the Kashmir issue only if such an intervention is desired by India and Pakistan though tensions between the South Asian countries could result in lower investments in key sectors such as health and education.
Over the years, Norway has played a key role in mediating in hot spots such as Palestine and Sri Lanka, and former Norwegian premier Kjell Magne Bondevik’s visit to Srinagar last November triggered speculation that Oslo could be eyeing a role in mediating in the Kashmir issue.
(Source: Hindustan Times)
8. Modi Govt Undermined HAL, Gifted Rafale to Anil Ambani: Rahul Gandhi
Stepping up his attack over the Rafale fighter jets deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Monday launched a fresh salvo against the BJP saying the government is “undermining” Hindustan Aeronautical Limited and pushing it to a financial crisis.
Addressing reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said, “The strategy of the government is to weaken HAL, to not give it money and destroy India’s strategic capability and give a gift to Anil Ambani.”
(Source: The Indian Express)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)