Top Stories of 30 January in a capsule

Government withdraws plan for orange passports amidst criticisms

The government has scrapped its plan to issue orange colored passports to those who have not passed their Class 10 examination. It has also decided not to discontinue printing the last page of the passport, which is used as a valid proof of address. Critics of the orange passport proposal had said that the move was discriminatory and was against the Right to Equality as it amounts to discrimination and segregation of persons solely on the basis of their education and economic status. Legal experts had also pointed out that although the plan was supposed to protect vulnerable laborers from exploitation abroad, it would instead increase the vulnerability of workers, who are often duped by middlemen who promise them jobs. Taking these criticisms into consideration the Ministry of External Affairs reversed its decision.

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SC, HC judges get 200% salary hike

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday gave approval to the bill to increase salaries of judges which was passed in the Winter Session of Parliament. The approval results in the Chief Justice of India drawing a monthly salary of Rs 2.80 lakh, up from the current Rs 1 lakh. Other judges of the Supreme Court and Chief Justices of High Courts will draw a monthly salary of ₹2.50 lakh, a jump from the current ₹90,000. The judges of the high courts, who get Rs 80,000 per month, will now get Rs 2.25 lakh per month, same as that of secretary-level officers in the central government. The move will benefit sitting as well as retired judges of the constitutional courts. The increase in the salary is in line with the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission for officers of all-India services and makes it on par with bureaucrats.

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Yashwant Sinha launches ‘Rashtra Manch’ against ruling party

Rebel senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha, joined by fellow party member Shatrughan Sinha on Tuesday launched a nation-wide political forum ‘Rashtra Manch’ that would start a movement against the policies of the Central government. Introducing the action group, in the Constitution Club of India, Sinha said ‘the group is for anybody who is concerned with the current situation in the country.’ “Farmers have been reduced to being beggars by the current government,” the Union Minister said questioning who is the Parliament representing at the Budget Session. He further said that the forum will not become a political party in future.

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India defeats Pakistan by 203 to reach World Cup finals

The Indian under 19 cricket team defeated Pakistan in the World Cup semi-finals by 203 runs, with Gill and Ishan Porel emerging as standout performers. Gill’s unbeaten 102, after India, batted first, and Porel’s five-for broke Pakistan’s back to register a berth in the ICC U-19 World Cup final to be played against Australia on 3rd February. The concerns whether multi-crore IPL deals will be a distraction proved to be unfounded as ‘Boys in Blue’ followed their guru Rahul Dravid’s instructions, that World Cup semi-finals is a once in a lifetime opportunity while auctions happen every year. Where Shubham Gill was selected by Kolkata Knight Riders, Ishan Korel remained unsold in the auction.

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Fuel prices continue to soar high expecting little relief

As prices of crude oil continue to fall down globally, rates of petrol and diesel are touching record highs every next day. As of Tuesday in Delhi, the price of petrol was Rs 72.92 per litre and diesel was Rs 64 per litre. Mumbai also boasted of high prices, with petrol being sold at Rs 80.79 per litre and diesel at Rs 68.15 per litre. However, in the last ten months, the central government has gained Rs 1,50,000 crore from tax on petroleum products, according to the data provided by Directorate General of Systems and Data Management. The government is unlikely to announce a rate cut as in the near future as any further rate cut will also deny the government to achieve its aim of maintaining the 3.2 percent loss to the state exchequer due to the excise duties.

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Delhi: 8 months old raped by 28-year-old cousin, in critical condition

In a shocking incident from Delhi, an 8-month-old baby was allegedly raped by her 28-year-old cousin and had to undergo three surgeries since Sunday evening. The child was assaulted at her home in Subhash Nagar, in the absence of her parents. The mother, came home to find the child in a pool of blood and the accused who stayed in the same building, missing. Tweeting about the incident, Delhi Women’s Commission Chief Swati Maliwal described the infant’s injuries as ‘horrific’ and urged PM Modi to take ‘severe actions against such crimes.’ The accused confessed to his crime and has been booked under POSCO and various sections of Indian Penal Code.


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SC-appointed panel deems HC judge guilty of corruption

A three-judge panel appointed by the Chief Justice of India has found Allahabad High Court judge SN Shukla guilty of corruption in the medical college admission scam, saying ‘he disgraced the values of judicial life.’ Following the inquiry committee’s recommendation to remove Judge Shukla’s, the CJI has asked him either ‘to submit his resignation or take voluntary retirement.’ Justice Shukla was allegedly accused of permitting a medical college to admit students despite the Supreme Court's orders barring any other court to do so. The decision of Justice Shukla’s removal now lies with the President, after both Houses of the Parliament vote on the same.

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Pro-Pakistani supporters started clashes: BJP MP on Kasganj violence

Uttar Pradesh BJP MP Vinay Katiyar sparked fresh controversy on Tuesday after he blamed ‘pro-Pakistani' supporters in the state for two-days of communal tension in Kasganj town. “In the past, all the communities have lived together in harmony. It is just that in recent times some miscreants have raised the flag of Pakistan in the area. These people need to be dealt with immediately,” Katiyar said, speaking to a media agency. He further, disagreed to accept that he made any controversial statement. Meanwhile, the Home Minister has asked for a report on the events that led to a death of 22-year-old.

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