Vincent George, a Congress loyalist and secretary of Sonia Gandhi, once fired a writer because he published an article that Sonia Gandhi did not like. The writer was Kanchan Gupta, who is now a senior adviser in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India.
Kanchan Gupta was sacked because he wrote an article titled “Ram Rajya vs Rome Rajya” before the 1996 Lok Sabha elections. The article was published in The Pioneer newspaper.
Following a phone call from Vincent George (then Sonia Gandhi’s PA) to his Executive Editor at the time, Kanchan Gupta was compelled to resign from the Pioneer newspaper shortly after the piece was published. Vincent called up the then-executive editor of The Pioneer and expressed Sonia Gandhi’s displeasure with the piece, which resulted in Kanchan Gupta, the article’s author, being fired from his job.
In 2012, veteran journalist Kanchan Gupta took to Twitter to share the incident of how an article he wrote had seemingly riled up Sonia Gandhi, whose PA Vincent George had called up the Executive Editor of The Pioneer to convey his boss’ displeasure at the article, resulting in Gupta losing his job.
I wrote this piece; Vincent George called the then Executive Editor; much shit happened; I packed my bag and left. http://t.co/1t3c3POY
Much later, in 2018, Anand Ranganathan, a well-known author and a columnist, shared a video of Kanchan Gupta on Twitter where he spoke about the incident. The video dates back to August 2018 when Gupta shared this incident at the Pondy Literature Festival. Sharing the video, Anand Ranganathan wrote, “Sonia Gandhi’s secretary Vincent George given eviction notice for his Lutyens’ bungalow. He’s the same lackey who got @KanchanGupta sacked for writing an article Sonia didn’t like. Dada suffered years because of him. This is the true face of the Congress.”
Sonia Gandhi’s secretary Vincent George given eviction notice for his Lutyens’ bungalow. He’s the same lackey who got @KanchanGupta sacked for writing an article Sonia didn’t like. Dada suffered years because of him.
It should be noted that the Centre recently issued an eviction notice to the Congress party, directing them to evacuate the property in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri where Vincent George previously resided. Notably, even though George no longer lives at C-II/109 Chanakyapuri, the Congress party still owns the house. The property’s most recent rent was paid in 2013. Since then, the total unpaid rent has amounted to a stunning Rs 3.08 crore.
Vincent George: A deep-hearted Congress loyalist
Vincent George used to be Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s personal secretary. In November 1984, he was appointed as the youngest private secretary to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Party members and lobbyists referred to him as “King George” because of his reach to higher levels within and outside the party.
Following Rajiv Gandhi’s death in 1991, and Sonia Gandhi’s unwillingness to take over the party, George stayed at the 10 Janpath office, which had abruptly ceased to be the political epicentre. When Sonia Gandhi chose seclusion in the years that followed, George quickly withdrew himself from the tumultuous world of Congress politics.
A case was also filed against George by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2001, alleging that he amassed a vast fortune after 1990, including commercial and residential properties in affluent South Delhi, properties in Bangalore, Chennai, Kerala, and farm property bordering Delhi, as well as cash totalling over Rs 1.5 crore in bank accounts. The case was closed by CBI in 2013 citing insufficient evidence.
As per reports, the Indian high commission in Sri Lanka has denied rumors that India is deploying Indian military personnel in the country. Sri Lanka, plagued by an economic crisis, is seeing widespread protests in the country right now.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, a rumor started circulating online that India is going to send military personnel to Sri Lanka to help with the unrest.
#JUSTIN 🚨BIG BREAKING: India is launching a special military operation in Sri Lanka to “demilitarize” certain ports and airports and provide economic relief to the citizens of her neighbouring country.
Breaking : #India is launching a special military operation in #SriLanka to “demilitarize” certain ports and airports and provide economic relief to the citizens of her neighbouring country.
It’s time to mend the past mistakes of Gandhi Nehru family.
Unfortunately, the wise ones were too few and Indian High Commission in Colombo had to issue a clarification to explain that India is not sending any Military to Sri Lanka.
High Commission strongly denies blatantly false and completely baseless reports in a section of media that India is dispatching its soldiers to Sri Lanka: Indian Mission in Colombo statement pic.twitter.com/X0a2Apq3Vr
As Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi had decided to send Indian forces to Sri Lanka in the late 1980s as a peacekeeping force during Sri Lankan forces-LTTE conflict. It turned out to be a highly unpopular decision among the Sri Lankans. So much so that Rajiv Gandhi was even attacked by a Sri Lankan Navy man. Luckily Rajiv escaped that incident without any serious injury.
In a major blow to imprisoned Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan, the Uttar Pradesh Shia Central Waqf Board has seized several waqf properties from him and handed them over to Rampur’s royal family. The Samajwadi Party leader is currently lodged in Sitapur jail in Uttar Pradesh, in over 100 cases of theft, criminal intimidation, fraud and encroachment.
Shia Waqf Board chairman Ali Zaidi took to Twitter to share the news.
Zaidi told PTI on Saturday that following the formation of the SP government in the state in 2012, many waqf properties ‘encroached’ by then Waqf Minister Azam Khan was returned to the original owners after a thorough investigation.
He stated that this decision was taken during the board’s recent meeting that was held on March 31.
According to Zaidi, Khan illegally encroached on seven ‘alal aulad’ (succession-based) waqf properties of the royal family during his tenure, including the fortified mosque and an ‘imambara’ (imam’s house or court).
Azam Khan accomplished this by directing the then-chairman of the Shia Waqf Board, to appoint an outsider as caretaker of these properties. After that, despite a court order, Azam Khan demolished the Shaukat Ali Bazar built on these properties in May 2013.
He stated that following the reorganisation of the Shia Waqf Board in November of last year, an inquiry was conducted into complaints of encroachment of the royal family’s Waqf properties, based on which Waseem Khan was removed and Haider Ali Khan alias Hamza Miyan, the royal family’s grandson of Begum Noorbano, was appointed caretaker.
Yogi Govt takes control of SP leader’s Jauhar University land
It may be recalled that in 2017, reports had emerged confirming that SP leader Azam Khan had unlawfully transferred 3.5 acres of Waqf board property worth Rs 500 crores to his close friend Shahzeb Khan. Azam Khan then allegedly sold the property and as a result, made crores of rupees.
It may be recalled that in September 2021, the Uttar Pradesh government had also taken over the possession of most of the land where Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan’s Jauhar University was built. As per reports, the Rampur revenue officials arrived at the University and formally took possession of the entire land. Azam Khan’s Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar Trust, which had claimed the ownership of the land was also evicted.
As per reports, the Jauhar University Trust had obtained over 265 acres of land through various means. The state government in 2005 had permitted the minority organisation to obtain more than its initial 12.5 acres, following which, MP Azam Khan had reportedly forcibly taken away lands of local SC/ST farmers, making them sign bonds under threat.
Azam Khan is accused of terrorising people, stealing properties and occupying lands under SP rule
Tainted MP Azam Khan had wielded brute power during the tenure of the Samajwadi Party government in the state. He used to move around with a retinue of over 100 policemen and senior officers were found serving his household, doing menial jobs. An old Muslim institution in UP had alleged that the Azam Khan had stolen hundreds of valuable manuscripts and books from the library. Khan, using his power and hold, had even stolen lands, goats, and cattle from local farmers.
After CM Yogi Adityanath assumed office, his administration decided to bring an end to the reign of terror imposed by Azam Khan and his goons. Dozens of FIRs were registered and his illegal encroachments were demolished.
In sharp contrast to his pre-election promise of taking strict action against illegal sand miners, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann transferred SSP Dhruman H Nimbale within a week after he busted a gang of illegal sand miners and made one of the biggest cash seizures of Rs 1.53 crore. The reshuffle of officers was announced on 2nd April 2022 according to which the IPS officer Dhruman H Nimbale has been posted to Muktasar. He was serving as the SSP of Hoshiarpur till now.
In eight years of his service, SSP Dhruman H Nimbale has been transferred 18 times. His last two transfers before this one took place when there was a Congress government in Punjab. Coincidentally these transfers also had a background of his strict action against the sand mafias. Before Hoshiarpur, he was posted in Tarn Taran and Moga. During his tenure as the SSP of Tarn Taran, Moga and Hoshiarpur, SSP Dhruman H Nimbale had ordered more than 100 FIRs against the illegal sand mining.
Modus operandi of Sand Mafias and SSP Nimbale’s action against them
SSP Dhruman H Nimbale had a very short tenure of working at Tarn Taran. He was SSP of Tarn Taran for five months. During this time, he took action against illegal sand mining. Trucks used to quarry from Ferozepur to Tarn Taran. These truckers used government slips meant for one truck to get a passage for more than twenty trucks. This practice caused a substantial loss of revenue to the government. Sand Mining Department has made it mandatory to upload the slip immediately on the website. But these crooks were not following the rule. Slips issued as early as in the month of April, were being used in the month of July in some cases. SSP Dhruman H Nimbale exposed this malpractice and booked cases against the illegal sand miners. He was then transferred to Moga.
In Moga, mining activities on the riverbed was a common practice by illegal sand miners. According to the rules, no mining from riverbed is allowed during the monsoon period (1st June to 31st August). SSP Dhruman H Nimbale lodged 13 FIRs and seized machines worth Rs 4 crore for violation of the rules. After less than two months of his tenure at Moga, he was transferred to Hoshiarpur in October 2021.
In the recent assembly elections of Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party got the majority and formed a government in Punjab. After the change of government, between 25th March and 27th March, Nimabale took very strict action against illegal sand miners and employees of sand mining firms who impersonated government officials. He is transferred to Muktsar as SSP.
Aam Aadmi Party’s pre-election promises
During campaigning for the Punjab assembly polls, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal had said that the actual investigation in illegal sand mining case will begin when Bhagwant Mann becomes Punjab chief minister.
Channi Sahab did an investigation on himself, when Bhagwant Mann will become CM, he will do a fair investigation on sand mining. When his relative has confessed that all the money belongs to Channi, why is ED not arresting him?: Delhi CM and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/RGrC76N91a
But now when Bhagwant Mann has become the chief minister of Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party’s government transferred the IPS officer who cracked down on the illegal sand miners. Bhagwant Mann’s government in Punjab is taking such controversial steps with every coming day. It has not just transferred the officers but it also intends to transfer cities. The Punjab government recently moved a resolution in the assembly to immediately transfer Chandigarh to Punjab state. It is notable that Chandigarh is union territory and capital to both states Punjab and Haryana.
In Pakistan, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) busted a child pornography racket. The agency’s Cyber Crime Cell stated on Friday (April 1, 2022) that gang members used to sexually exploit children and earn money by selling their videos on the dark web. Five members of the gang, including a woman, have been apprehended, and the search for the remaining suspects is ongoing.
Some members of the gang have been identified as Arslan Arshad, Ammad Shahzad, Moazam, Talha, Qamar alias Doda, Abid Ali and a woman named Asma.
In its preliminary investigation, the FIA discovered that members of this gang sexually abused and videotaped at least ten children and then sold the video on the dark web, against which they got paid in dollars. These accused lived in a private housing society on the outskirts of Punjab’s capital Lahore, where they raped the children by luring them with money and other inducements and filmed the entire ordeal.
According to the FIA, the accused not only sexually exploited the victims by luring them, but they also continued to sexually exploit them and extort money by blackmailing them to leak the video on social media. In case any boy objected, the gang members threatened to make the video go viral.
The father of a victim, who is also the complainant in the case said that the two accused, Arslan Arshad and Ammad Shahzad, who live in a private housing society, formed a gang to persuade teenagers in the neighbourhood. They then sexually exploited them and recorded the act without their consent. The accused uploaded the videos on the internet to earn money.
According to the complainant, the gang had also trapped his son. On February 15, 2022, the accused took the victim to the upper portion of his house and sexually assaulted him while filming a video.
Later, Arsalan shared the video with his friend Abid through WhatsApp.
Following receipt of the complaint, the agency launched an investigation and arrested Abid Ali from Arifwala tehsil, district Pakpattan in Pakistan. Authorities stated that they recovered a large number of videos of child pornography from his phone, and the main accused, Arslan, could also be seen raping minors in the videos.
The accused admitted to FIA cyber wing officials that the gang members namely, Arslan, Ammad, Moazam, and Talha, enticed minor children by offering them money and valuable gifts and then videotaped them. “They later provide the video to a woman named Asma and her driver, Qamar alias Doda.”
The accused have been charged by the FIA Cyber Crime Cell Lahore under Sections 20, 21, and 22 of the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act (PECA) 2016 and Section 109 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
According to local media reports, FIA Cyber Crime Cell is also conducting raids to arrest the other accused persons.
Days after meeting the Indigenous leaders of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegations, Pope Francis tendered an apology on Friday (April 1) for the “cultural genocide of indigenous children committed by the Catholic Church in Canadian residential schools”.
In a tweet, the Head of the worldwide Catholic church said, “I feel shame for the role that a number of Catholics with educational responsibilities have had in the abuse and lack of respect for the identity, culture and spiritual values of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada. “
He claimed that the actions of the Church in the residential schools, meant for indigenous children, were against the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I feel shame for the role that a number of Catholics with educational responsibilities have had in the abuse and lack of respect for the identity, culture and spiritual values of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada. All these things are contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pope Francis further stated, “Listening to the voices of the brothers and sisters of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, I heard the suffering, hardship, discrimination and various forms of abuse experienced, particularly in the residential schools. I bear these stories with great sorrow in my heart.”
Listening to the voices of the brothers and sisters of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, I heard the suffering, hardship, discrimination and various forms of abuse experienced, particularly in the residential schools. I bear these stories with great sorrow in my heart.
“For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church, I ask for God’s forgiveness and I want to say to you with all my heart: I am very sorry. And I join my brothers, the Canadian bishops, in asking your pardon,” he said in a statement.
It must be mentioned that Pope Francis did not apologise and instead expressed sorrow after mass graves of indigenous children were initially unearthed from the compound of former residential schools in Canada in 2021.
On June 6 last year, he said, “I join the Canadian Bishops and the whole Catholic Church in Canada in expressing my closeness to the Canadian people, who have been traumatized by this shocking news. This sad discovery further heightens awareness of the pain and sufferings of the past.”
He emphasised, “We commend to the Lord the souls of all the children who have died in the Canadian residential schools, and we pray for the grief-stricken indigenous families and communities of Canada.”
Earlier, in April 2009, Pope Benedict had also expressed sorrow over the abuse of indigenous children in the Canadian residential school system. However, he refused to acknowledge the church’s involvement in the abuse. The recent move by Pope Francis marks a departure from the ‘shallow’ condemnation of his predecessors
The statement issued by Justin Trudeau
Following the Papal apology, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau applauded the survivors, for their continued advocacy in holding the Catholic Church accountable for its actions. Although Trudeau himself fought against compensation to indigenous children, he claimed that the apology was long due.
Trudeau remarked, “This week, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders, Survivors, and youth travelled to the Vatican to continue urging the Catholic Church for an apology, which was an immense display of bravery and determination. This apology would not have happened without the Survivors who told their truths directly to one of the institutions responsible and recounted and relived their painful memories.
“Canada’s history will forever be stained by the tragic reality of the residential school system, which forcibly separated at least 150,000 Indigenous children from their families and communities, often at great distances, where they were prohibited from practising their culture and traditions and speaking their languages. For Survivors, their families, and communities, the painful legacy of the residential school system lives with them every day,” he added.
This apology is an important step forward, as we must acknowledge the truth of our past in order to move towards righting historical wrongs. We now look forward to the Pope coming to Canada to deliver the apology in person.
“Today’s apology is a step forward in acknowledging the truth of our past. We cannot separate the legacy of the residential school system from the institutions that created, maintained, and operated it, including the Government of Canada and the Catholic Church,” he added.
“Today’s apology will resurface strong emotions of hurt and trauma for many. The government will continue to support Indigenous communities across the country with the funding and resources they need to continue to search for unmarked burial sites, uncover the truth of what happened at residential schools, and continue on their healing journey,” Trudeau further emphasised.
Indigenous children, mass graves, and the Church-backed residential school system
According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), a large number of indigenous children that attended residential schools never made it back to their home communities. Some children ran away while others died at the schools. These students are now called the “Missing Children”.
The Missing Children Project documents and deaths and burial sites of such children who died while attending the residential schools. So far, the project has identified over 4,100 children who died while attending a residential school.
On May 27 last year, Rosanne Casimir, Chief of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 confirmed that the remains of 215 children were found at the premises of Kamloops Indian Residential School.
The news that remains were found at the former Kamloops residential school breaks my heart – it is a painful reminder of that dark and shameful chapter of our country’s history. I am thinking about everyone affected by this distressing news. We are here for you. https://t.co/ZUfDRyAfET
In the official statement, Casimir said, “We had a knowing in our community that we were able to verify. To our knowledge, these missing children are undocumented deaths.” He further added that some of the students were as young as three years old when they died. “
About 751 graves were found in Saskatchewan on June 24, 2021. Two weeks later on July 12, the Penelakut tribe informed that it had discovered 160 unmarked graves in the Southern Gulf Islands in the British Columbia province of Canada.
The unmarked graves are a testimony of a painful past where the government and Christian churches inflicted atrocities against the native population. As anger and pain spread among the First Nation people, five churches built on Indigenous land were burnt down.
In a report published in 2015 after a six-year investigation into the now-defunct system, it was termed as “cultural genocide”. The report documented horrific details of abuse, rape, malnutrition and other atrocities suffered by the students who attended the school. As many as 150,000 were known to have attended the school system between the 1840s and 1990s.
India and Australia signed an economic cooperation and trade agreement on Saturday to ensure barrier free trade in several commodities between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan in a virtual ceremony, in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison.
According to Goyal, the agreement will almost double the trade between India and Australia in the next five years, from $27 billion to $45-50 billion. Under the agreement, Australia is offering zero duty access to India for about 96% of exports from the beginning. At present, most of these products attract 4%-5% customs duty in India. Several sectors in India, including textiles and apparel, agricultural and fish products, leather, footwear, furniture, sports goods, jewellery, machinery, electrical goods etc are expected to benefit from this agreement. Here is a brief analysis of how the agreement will be beneficial for Indian economy.
Current bilateral trade
At present Australia is the 17th largest trading partner of India, and India is Australia’s 9th largest trading partner. India-Australia bilateral trade for both merchandise and services was valued at US$ 27.5 billion in 2021. India’s merchandise exports to Australia grew 135% between 2019 and 2021. India’s exports primarily consist largely of finished products, and were valued at US$ 6.9 billion in 2021.
India’s merchandise imports from Australia were valued around US$ 15.1 billion in 2021, consisting largely of raw materials, minerals and intermediate goods. Three-fourths of India’s imports from Australia consist of coal.
While India has a surplus in trade in services with Australia, it has a deficit in merchandise trade, largely due to coal import.
Trade ( US $ Billion)
Goods
Services
Total
India’s Exports to Australia
6.9
3.6
10.5
India’s Imports from Australia
15.1
1.9
17.0
Total
22.0
5.5
27.5
Deficit(-)/Surplus(+)
-8.2
+1.7
-6.5
The Agreement
The India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA) is the first trade agreement with a developed nation India has signed after more than a decade. According to gove sources, this agreement will be a message for other developed countries agreements such as UK, Canada and EU, with whom India is currently negotiating for FTA. The Indo-Australia agreement is expected to increase bilateral trade from the existing US$ 27.5 billion to US$ 45 billion in 5 years. As a result of the agreement, market share of Indian goods and services in Australia will increase. India’s export is expected to increase from US$ 10.5 billion in 2021 to US$ 20 billion by 2026-27 and will cross US$ 35 billion by 2035.
As both India and Australia are large economies, these is scope for significant enhancement in bilateral trade if both have better access to the other’s markets. At present Indian exports to Australia attract 4-5% import duty, due to which India faces disadvantage compared to other countries having free trade agreements with the country, such as China, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan. The agreement will allow India exports to compete with these countries in Australia.
Moreover, the agreement will also open up the Australian market for products and services not currently exported to the country. Similarly, the IndAus ECTA will enable Indian businesses to procure materials from Australia, providing a good sourcing alternative. The agreement will specifically benefit the Indian pharma sector due to easing of Australian regulatory processes.
The India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement is expected to generate around ten lakh jobs in the next 5-7 years, because several labour-intensive sectors are going to benefit from it. On the other hand, it is also expected to enhance employment opportunities for Indians in Australia.
Apart from economic significance, the agreement will also have strategic importance, as India has entered into the trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) arrangement with Australia and Japan. It seeks to enhance the resilience of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific Region and develop dependable sources of supply and attract investment including diversification of supply sources and to increase competitiveness of sectors, identification of sectors for cooperation, explore other countries who could join in the initiative, capacity building, promotion of domestic manufacturing.
It also aims to attract FDI in the region and strengthen mutually complementary relationship among the participants. US, Australia, India and Japan also have formed Quad, to further enhance cooperation and develop partnership across several issues of common concerns.
Benefits to trade in goods
Indian exports to Australia primarily consist of consumer and manufactured goods. India will mainly benefit from tariff liberalisation by the Australia, along with fast-track approval for Pharma products. Australia is offering zero duty access to 100% tariff lines from India, and Zero duty on 96.4% value of Indian exports will be offered immediately. These means, for those items, Indian exports will have immediate market access at zero duty from the day the Agreement comes into force.
At present most of these items attract 4-5% import duty in Australia, which includes, most textiles and apparel, a few agricultural and fish products, leather, footwear, furniture and sport goods, jewelry, machinery, electrical goods, railway wagons, selected pharmaceutical products and medical devices, furniture etc. For 113 tariff items comprising 3.6% of exports, the duty will be brought down to zero in the next five years.
Moreover, as India imports largely imports raw materials and intermediates from Australia, many industries in India will get cheaper raw materials and make them competitive, in particular for sectors like steel, aluminium, fabric/ garments etc.
India is also offering concessions on tariff to Australia on import of goods, which are mainly raw materials and intermediates in the form of tariff elimination or tariff reduction, with or without a tariff-rate quota. India is immediately eliminating tariff on 40% of its tariff lines comprising of 85% of Australia’s exports in value terms to India. Tariff will be eliminated or reduced on 30.3% of its tariff lines 3/5/7/10 years, as per the agreement. Only a few agricultural products such as oranges, mandarins, almonds, pears and cotton among others have been allowed with limited quota.
India has kept many sensitive products in the exclusion category without offering any concession, comprising 29.8% of tariff lines. Some of these products are milk and other dairy products, chickpeas, walnut, pistachio nut, wheat, rice, bajra, apple, sunflowers seed oil, sugar, oil cake, gold, silver, platinum, jewellery, iron ore and most medical devices. This is a major gain for India in this Agreement
Sector Specific Benefits – Products
Pharmaceuticals
Market size of Pharma products in Australia is currently estimated at $12 Billion, and Indian exports are around $345 million, which means these is scope for significant growth in Indian exports.
Australia has agreed to Annex on Pharmaceutical products, giving benefits to Indian pharma exports. This includes fast track approval for patented, generic and biosimilar medicines using the Comparable Overseas Regulator pathway, and fast track quality assessment/inspections of manufacturing facilities.
This will benefit all Indian Pharmaceutical manufacturers / medicines which have EU/ Canada FDA approvals.
Textiles
The Australian market has good potential for exports of home textiles like bed & bath linen, toilet & kitchen linen, curtains, pillow covers, quilts & comforters, cotton bags; Readymade Garments; Carpets & Floorings etc. At present, Indian exports of around 70% textile products and 90% apparel products attract 5% duty in Australia. As a result, Indian exports face disadvantage compared to exports from other countries having FTA with Australia.
With the IndAus ECTA, this disadvantage will be eliminated, and India’s exports of textiles and apparels are expected to go up from US$ 392 million to US$ 1100 million in the next 3 years. Due to additional capacity creation and investment for this increased export, additional employment of 40,000 persons per year is expected to be created.
Moreover, many of the new manufacturing units are likely to be set up in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities & rural areas, creating an industrial eco system in these areas and generating employment
Engineering Products
India’s engineering export to Australia was US$ 801 million in 2020-21 which is likely to be US$ 1215 million 2021-22, thereby showing a growth of 51%. At present, most of Indian exports of engineering goods to Australia suffer from 5% customs tariff disadvantage. These products include flat and value-added iron and steel products, scientific and medical instruments, parts, transport equipment, non-electrical and electrical machinery etc.
With the elimination of tariffs under the agreement, it is expected that Engineering products exports may grow by around 15% per year, increasing by around 1.5 billion in 5 years to reach at 2.7 billion in 5 years.
Gems and Jewellery
Jewellery items also attract customs duty of 5% in Australia. With elimination this duty, there is likelihood of increase in Indian exports of jewellery to Australia. India’s Gems and Jewellery export to Australia was US$ 275 million in 2020-21, and it is likely to reach US$ 347 million 2021-22, showing a growth rate of 26%.
Leather & Footwear
Around 94% of India’s exports of leather products to Australia attract the duty of 5%. With the elimination of duty, Indian exports will show further growth and likely to reach US$ 100 million in next 2 years.
India’s Leather and Footwear exports to Australia was US$ 62.2 million in 2020-21 which is likely to be US$ 71.6 million 2021-22, thereby showing a growth of 15%.
Sector Specific Benefits – Services
Quota for chefs and yoga teachers
Australia has given an annual quota of 1800 for qualified, professional Indian traditional chefs and yoga teachers who can enter the country as Contractual Service Suppliers. Under this temporary entry, stay is permissible for a period up to 4 years with a possibility of further stay. Quota for chefs and Yoga teachers will facilitate movement of these professionals in Australia subject to meeting relevant eligibility conditions.
Post study work visa
Post study work visa will provide extended options to eligible Indian graduates, post graduates and STEM specialists for working in Australia. Australia has agreed to provide some opportunities for students to live, study and work in Australia temporarily after finishing their studies.
The benefits include, stays of up to 18 months after completion of diploma or trade qualifications, stays of up to 2 years upon completion of bachelor degree, stays of up to 3 years after completion of master degree, and stays of up to 4 years after completion of doctoral degrees.
Australia has acknowledged the important contribution made by Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) specialists, including Indian Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals. To enhance mobility in these fields, Australia will extend possible stays from two to three years for Indian students graduating in Australia with bachelor degrees in the STEM fields with First Class Honours, including ICT fields.
Both countries have agreed for mutual recognition of Professional Services and Other licensed/regulated Occupations under the agreement. These obligations include elements such as coverage of all licenses and regulated occupations, allow for temporary/project specific license where feasible and establish a mechanism of Working Group to pursue on obligations related to this.
This will pave the way for initiating dialogues on Mutual Recognition Agreements in Nursing, Architecture and other professional services between the professional bodies of India and Australia, which in turn will facilitate the movement of professionals in each other’s territory.
Work & Holiday visa
Work and Holiday visa with multiple entry has been offered by Australia to 1000 young Indians, in the age group of 18-30 years, for a period of one year. Under this, they can undertake study or training for up to four months (17 weeks) or undertake paid or unpaid employment for the entire duration of their stay in Australia, generally for up to six months with any one employer.
Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
The Government of Australia has agreed to amend Australian domestic taxation law to stop the taxation of offshore income of Indian firms providing technical services to Australia. This would resolve the issue that the Indian Government has raised about the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement between India and Australia for the avoidance of double taxation, and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
This was a long pending request of Indian IT industry. Once the relevant amendment is made, the Indian Tech Companies would no longer be required to pay taxes on offshore revenues in Australia, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the international market.
Technology & IT Services
Australia requires skilled tech staff, while India has a large tech resource pool. The Australian start-up environment requires specialized talent and India has the advantage of offering skilled personnel that can meet this requirement.
India/ Australia collaboration can develop niche skill sets, provide global digital solutions, further develop Fintech capabilities. Large Indian IT companies can increase their involvement in Australian Govt. projects.
India has several low-cost product-based Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings that can be offered to Australian SMEs. Australia can also serve as the ideal market for Indian start-ups to scale up before launch in USA.
Healthcare
Australians can access Indian secondary and tertiary care facilities at highly competitive rates, benefiting the Indian medical tourism sector. Apart from tertiary care, other procedures such as dental surgery, knee replacement, cataract, etc. can also be carried out economically in India.
Indian doctors can provide second opinions or expert consultation on medical through telemedicine, and India IT expertise can assist Australian healthcare providers with medical coding/ data analytics. Medical manufacturing partnerships between the two countries can leverage Australian medical technologies while providing low cost manufacturing solutions to their Australian counterparts.
Education
The agreement will help in increasing research collaboration between Indian and Australian universities. Under dual degree programs between India and Australia, students will be allowed to study in Australia for 2 years and in India for 2 years, subject to regulations discussed by both countries.
Overall gains
India Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement will create conducive environment to grow Indian services exports due to wide ranging commitments by Australia which will bring in certainty, predictability and transparency for the services exporters. It will enhance exports linked to movement of professionals, businesspersons, students due to strong temporary entry and stay commitments by Australia.
It will enable a more liberal, facilitative, transparent and competitive services regime in the two countries. Many sectors may attract new investments and industry will benefit from world class services in finance, logistics, business services, professional services, which will further enhance their competitiveness.
Access to best in class consumer services like health, education, tourism, hospitality and audio-visual services will enable greater consumer welfare for both the sides. It will strengthen further cooperation in the new service sectors of mutual interest.
Provisions to safeguard the interest of the domestic industry
With any free trade agreement, the question of the safeguard of the domestic industry remains, due to the concessions allowed for imports. The Indo-Australian agreement incorporates several provisions to protect the domestic industry and prevent any misuse of the agreement.
IndAus ECTA incorporates stringent rules of origin for goods, to prevent any routing of products of a third country. It will require a substantial processing in the territory of the Parties.
Product specific Rules of Origin (PSRs) have been agreed for 807 lines. Moreover, for a limited number of agricultural products being offered for import by India, the product should be grown in Australia or prepared from local inputs.
Further, grounds for denial of preferential tariff benefit, enabling temporary suspension of preferential treatment, time bound verification mechanism, specifying supporting information such as cost break up and profit/related elements to be made available at the time of verification, have been provided for.
Tight Value Addition norms of 35 % (under Build up formula) and 45% (under build down formula) have been fixed in the agreement. All these will help to ensure that only products /services from Australia will count for value addition, with no leakage of 3rd Country products. This is particularly relevant in view of Australia’s large number of FTAs.
For the first time, India has made a developed country like Australia to agree to the condition of “melt and pour” as Product Specific Rules for Steel products.
On Friday 1st April 2022, the Chhattisgarh High Court granted bail to Kalicharan Maharaj who was arrested on 30th December 2021 by Raipur Police for allegedly criticizing Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi during a speech at the ‘Dharm Sansad’ event in Chhattisgarh. A case of sedition was also registered against him. Now, he has been granted bail in this case after being asked to deposit a bond of Rs 1 lakh and two deposits of rupees 50 thousand each.
Kalicharan Maharaj allegedly used objectionable words against MK Gandhi during the Dharma Sansad in Raipur. He was arrested by Raipur police from Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh after registering a case against him under several sections. Sections invoked against Kalicharan Maharaj included section 505 (2) (making a statement that creates or promotes enmity, hatred, or ill-will between classes) and 294 (obscene acts) for allegedly using derogatory words against Mahatma Gandhi. Later, police added 124 A (sedition) and four other sections of the IPC in the case.
Kalicharan Maharaj’s lawyer argued, “The applicant has been falsely implicated in this case due to political rivalry. The offence under Section 124 A of the Indian Penal Code is prima facie not made out against the applicant. The decisive ingredients for establishing the offence are missing in the First Information Report, there is no suggestion that the applicant did anything against the government of Chhattisgarh, the Government of India, or any other Governments of States. The complaint filed against the applicant contains no averment that the applicant did anything against the governments.”
Kalicharan Maharaj’s lawyer cited the judgments given in such cases in the Supreme Court. He also said, “It is not a crime to make a public statement quoting what is written in the books. A charge sheet, in this case, has also been submitted to the court. In such a situation, bail is his right.”
The public prosecutor argued that the accused can disturb communal harmony if bail is granted to him. After hearing the arguments of both sides, the High Court granted bail with the condition of depositing a bond of Rs 1 lakh and two deposits of Rs 50,000 each.
The Dharm Sansad event where Kalicharan Maharaj delivered the controversial speech was held at Raipur in Chhattisgarh on 26th December 2021. In his speech, Kalicharan Maharaj had criticized Gandhi for India’s partition and hailed Nathuram Godse for killing Gandhi.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepali counterpart Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly flagged off the first passenger train service between the two neighbouring nations. The launch of the much-awaited 35-km long cross-border railway link is set to connect Jaynagar in Bihar with Kurtha in Nepal. The duo also launched the RuPay digital payment application for Nepal.
PM Modi at the launch on April 2 said that the beginning of the Jayanagar-Kurtha rail line will help India in fostering trade and cross-border connectivity initiatives in all respects. “The project will make a great contribution to the smooth, hassle-free exchange of people between the two countries”, he said. The duo also jointly launched the RuPay card in Nepal and added a new chapter of financial connectivity between the two countries.
PM Narendra Modi & Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly flag off the inaugural run of the cross-border passenger train services between Jaynagar (India) and Kurtha (Nepal). pic.twitter.com/WvsYvQgEKu
“We agreed on the subject of greater participation by Indian companies in Nepal’s hydropower development plans. It is a matter of happiness that Nepal is exporting its surplus power to India. It will contribute well to the economic progress of Nepal”, said PM Modi as the duo further jointly inaugurated the Solu Corridor 132 KV Power Transmission Line and Substation in Nepal built under Govt of India’s Line of Credit.
Delhi | PM Narendra Modi & Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba jointly inaugurate Solu Corridor 132 KV Power Transmission Line and Substation in Nepal built under Govt of India’s Line of Credit.
The leaders also held bilateral talks in Delhi and inked four important pacts to expand cooperation in the areas of railways and energy. Nepali PM Deuba is on a three-day visit to India, this being his first visit to the country after becoming the Prime Minister of Nepal. Deuba was scheduled to visit India earlier this year for the Vibrant Gujarat Conference but the event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Sher Bahadur Deuba lauded India’s management of COVID-19 and said Nepal received its first vaccine aid from New Delhi. “I admire the progress that India is making under the visionary leadership of PM Modi. We’ve seen India’s effective management battling Covid-19 and received first vaccine aid from India as well as medicines, medical equipment, and logistics to combat Covid,” Deuba said.
“As PM Modi mentioned, we had friendly talks and fruitful discussions on various aspects of India-Nepal relations. We shared our perspectives on further strengthening our friendly ties,” the Nepal PM added.
As PM Modi mentioned, we had friendly talks and fruitful discussions on various aspects of India-Nepal relations. We shared our perspectives on further strengthening our friendly ties: Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba issues a joint statement with PM Narendra Modi in Delhi pic.twitter.com/88gmMg5bMI
The Jaynagar Kurtha cross-border railway link, according to the reports, will be the first modern railway service in Nepal and will operate with five coaches. The Konkan Rail Corporation Limited has provided two sets of 1600 HP DEMU passenger rakes. The DEMU rakes which were handed over to Nepal in the year 2020 have 2AC coaches.
Further, the Jaynagar-Kurtha is a part of the 68.7 km Jaynagar-Bijalpura-Bardidas rail link. Jayanagar is 4 km from the India-Nepal border. The Government of India has spent nearly Rs 550 crore for the section up to Bijalpura which is 17 km from Kurtha.
It is important to note that Nepal shares a border with five Indian states- Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Nepal, being landlocked, heavily relies on India for the transportation of goods and services. PM Modi today stated that Nepal is an old friend of India and that relations between our people can’t be seen anywhere in the world.
Deuba ji is an old friend of India. As the PM, this is his fifth visit to India. He has played an important role in developing India-Nepal relations. The friendship between India & Nepal, relation b/w our people – such an example can’t be seen anywhere else in the world: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/MXFM5QH4Ux
Interestingly, Nepal also became a member of the International Solar Alliance. The two countries discussed various aspects of cooperation and also reviewed the progress of the ongoing projects. India reiterated its support for Nepal’s journey of peace, prosperity, and development.
A person from Hyderabad’s old city area was picked up by the cybercrime cell of the police after it was noticed that he was accessing some banned websites. The websites he accessed included the ISIS website.
Whether he accessed those websites intentionally or unintentionally couldn’t be confirmed at the moment. The questioning in the matter is going on to ascertain his intentions, the police officials said.
Telangana | A person from Hyderabad’s Old City was picked up by Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police after noticing that he was accessing banned websites including ISIS. Whether he has done it intentionally or not is yet to be ascertained, questioning is on: Police officials
This is not the first time that Hyderabad’s name has popped up alongside the dreaded terrorist organization ISIS. Earlier, in 2018, National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested 8 youths from Hyderabad for planning terror attacks on the instructions of ISIS.
The same year, NIA had arrested 2 others from Hyderabad in a separate case for planning terror attacks in the country and for their links to ISIS.
ISIS magazine asks Muslims to ‘take back Babri’, calls Hindus ‘filthy urine drinkers’ who learned civilised living from Muslims
Voice of Hind, the propaganda digital magazine of ISIS has released its new edition in which it has gone on to instigate Muslims to “Take back Babri from Hindus”. The cover of the January edition of the ISIS mouthpiece read: “If you are a Muslim then you must be a terrorist so terror(ise) them….”.
On a subsequent page, there is an image of Hindus with saffron flags atop a building with the caption: “O’ Muwahhid take back Babri Masjid from Hindus”. Muwahhid means a ‘good’ Muslim who believes in the oneness of Allah.
The ISIS magazine spoke in detail against the demolition of the Babri Masjid. It also spoke about the acquittals in the case and sought ‘a kind of punishment that coming generations of Hindus would remember’ It exhorted the Indian Muslims to wage violent jihad against the Indian government.
Referring to Hindus as “cow worshipping polytheists”, the new edition of the ISIS-backed magazine provoked Muslims by calling the demolition of the Babri Masjid one of the “most shameful and insidious attacks on the Muslims of India by a rabid mob of Hindu Mushrikeen”. Cow, because cows are considered holy in Hinduism.
