MIDDAY NEWS

1400 HRS.

15 January, 2014

THE HEADLINES: 

• Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on law intern's plea for a permanent mechanism in judicial bodies to address complaints on sexual harassment at workplace; Former Judge Justice Swatanter Kumar facing sexual assault allegation moves Delhi High Court ; Seeks damages besides restraining the media from publicising the case. 

• India and Sri Lanka agree to the release of fishermen on reciprocal basis. 

• Wholesale Inflation declines to a five month low of 6.16 per cent in December.

• Sensex gains over 140 points in afternoon  trade; Rupee weakens 5 paise to 61.57 against the dollar.

• Top seed Serena Williams and defending champion Novak Djokovic advance to the 3rd Round.

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The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre on the plea of a former intern seeking the setting up of a permanent mechanism in judicial bodies to address complains of sexual harassment at workplace. The apex court has made it clear that it is not expressing any opinion on the allegations made by the intern against Justice Swantanter Kumar. It has raised question on why the intern has come up with the allegations so late. The Court has appointed senior advocates Fali S Nariman and K K Venugopal as amicus curiae to assist it in the case.

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Former Supreme Court Judge and the National Green Tribunal Chairperson Swatanter Kumar today moved the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain the media from reporting the alleged sexual assault case of a former woman law intern. Justice Kumar has also sought a whopping five crore rupees as damages from two English news channels and a leading English daily for defaming him in the case.

A battery of senior lawyers, including Maninder Singh and N K Kaul, mentioned the civil suit before Justice G S Sistani this morning and sought an urgent hearing of the petition. Justice Sistani, who is the in-charge Judge of civil suits filed in the High Court, ordered a hearing of the petition today itself. According to the intern, the alleged harassment took place in May 2012 when Justice  Swatanter Kumar was a sitting judge of the apex court.

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The Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI, will soon set-up a specialized unit to handle cases related to sports fraud, fixing and illegal betting. CBI Director Ranjit Sinha announced this at the FIFA-Interpol national workshop in New Delhi today. He said, the lack of a legal framework is the main hurdle in probing cases related to sports fraud. Mr Sinha said, the unit will act as a repository of intelligence and data related to corruption in sports. The CBI chief said, the premier agency has taken due notice of growing menace of corruption in sports in general and the challenges in football and other sports in particular.   

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Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Vinod Kumar Binny today criticized the Delhi government for the way it is functioning. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, he said, AAP government  is drifting from the core issues and there are a lot of differences between the promises it has made and how they are going to be delivered. Mr. Binny said that he will divulge more details in a news conference tomorrow. However, he made it clear  that he will not leave AAP as this party does not belong to any individual. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asked Binny why didn't he speak in yesterday's party meeting if he had something to say on certain issues.  Mr. Kejriwal said, Binny was pressing for Lok Sabha ticket after failing to get a Ministerial berth in the new government.    

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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today admitted that the State Professional Examination Board, PEB has made about one thousand forged appointments. Replying to a debate on the Governor’s address in the legislative assembly, he said that the PEB recruited about one lakh 47 thousand people since 2007. Out of these, around one thousand were wrong recruitments.  Rejecting the demand of a CBI inquiry in the Pre Medical Test forgery case, Mr. Chouhan said that the Special Task Force acted promptly in the case. Unsatisfied with the reply of Chief Minister, the main opposition Congress staged a walkout from the House.

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, CCEA, has given its approval for the four laning of the Jharpokharia-Baripada-Baleshwar section of NH-5 in Odisha.  The four laning will be done under the National Highways Development Project phase IV on Build, Operate and Transfer pattern. The 80.6 km road construction is estimated to incur an expenditure of about 761 crore rupees.

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The UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi has called for the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in society, so that they can lead respectful lives. Addressing a two-day national festival of persons with disabilities - Samarth 2014 - in New Delhi today, Mrs Gandhi stressed the need for boosting self-confidence of such people since childhood.

Persons with disabilities act 1995, is being amended to bring it in consonance with United Nations convention.  The Cabinet has given its approval recently and I hope that the amended Bill will be brought in the upcoming session of Parliament.

Mrs Gandhi also advocated for creating an environment that provides equal opportunities to person with disabilities. Our Correspondent reports, Samarth is aimed at showcasing the abilities and potential of persons with disabilities and create awareness about their rights and entitlements.

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India and Sri Lanka today discussed the issues related to their fishermen at a meeting between the External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senarathna in New Delhi.  The meeting followed the beginning of process by the two countries to release fishermen detained in each other's jails. The process of release and repatriation of Indian fishermen is under progress and is being undertaken as a continuing initiative. In a press release, Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry reiterated that the two countries have agreed to the release of fishermen on a reciprocal basis after their External Affairs Ministers held conversation over the telephone. Our Correspondent reports, the visiting Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister will meet the Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar in the evening to exchange views on strengthening cooperation in the fisheries sector.

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The South Korean President Park Geun-hye is arriving in New Delhi on an official visit to India this evening. She will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues tomorrow. The two countries are expected to sign some agreements after the talks. The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet the President, Vice-President,  External Affairs Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha during her four-day stay in the country. 

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Wholesale inflation declined to a five-month low of 6.16 per cent in December 2013, from 7.52 per cent in November. Inflation in food articles dropped to 13.68 per cent in December, from 19.93 per cent in November, according to the Wholesale Price Index data released today. Vegetables were costlier by 57.33 per cent, although inflation in onion prices eased to 39.56 per cent in December, from 190.34 per cent in November. Inflation in manufactured products, such as sugar and edible oils, was flat, at 2.64 per cent. Earlier this week, data had showed that retail inflation fell to a three-month low of 9.87 per cent in December.

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Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said, that the country's foodgrain production this year is expected to surpass the previous record of 259.29 million tonnes. Addressing the 85th annual general meeting of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Mr Pawar said, the government is also hopeful of achieving the pulse production target of 19 million tonnes during the current crop year. Mr Pawar said, the target would be achieved with the help of Accelerated Pulse Production Programme being implemented in 16 states. The Minister said that total production of rice in seven states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam is also estimated to be more than 50 per cent of the national production.

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Remaining firm in afternoon trade, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange stood 147 points, or 0.7 percent in positive territory, at 21,180 a short while ago. Earlier in the morning, the Sensex had gained 123 points, or 0.6 percent, to 21,156, on buying by funds and retail investors, amid firm Asian Bourses. Shares of state-owned, Coal India were in demand after the company announced an interim dividend of 29 rupees per share. 

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The rupee trimmed its initial losses against the dollar but was still quoted down 5 paise to 61.57 in late morning deals on demand for the American currency from banks and importers on the back of a higher greenback overseas. The rupee resumed lower at 61.65 per dollar as against the last closing level of 61.52 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market and dropped further to 61.71. The Indian currency had gained 38 paise to close at a one-month high of 61 rupees 52 paise on Monday.

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The World Bank has forecast that India's economy will grow by just over 6 per cent in 2014-15, and further improve to 6.6 per cent in 2015-16, and 7.1 per cent in 2016-17. It said the growth will be led by recovery in global demand and an increase in domestic investment. The World Bank said, in its Global Economic Prospects report, released today, that global GDP growth may firm up to 3.2 per cent in 2014, from 2.4 per cent in 2013, and stabilize at 3.4 per cent in 2015, and 3.5 per cent in 2016. According to the report, the global economy is projected to strengthen with growth picking up in developing countries and high-income economies appearing to be finally turning the corner five years after the global financial crisis. In China, growth is estimated to stay flat, at 7.7 per cent in 2014, and slow to 7.5 per cent for the next two years.

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The 66th Army Day is being celebrated today. In Delhi, the Chief of the Army Staff, General Bikram Singh took salute at the Army parade ground in Delhi Cantt. General Singh gave away gallantry awards to 65 Army personnel for their immense contribution to the security of the country. In his message, the Army Chief emphasized on continuously improving combat skills of the Force and keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. 

Some important projects are going to be completed, such as modernisation of night vision, mechanised forces and Artillery surveillance.  Our efforts are on to modernise the Air Defence and to increase the capacity  to protect an individual soldier.

General Singh called for renewing the resolve towards synergy and jointmanship with the Air Force and Navy.

I am proud to say that we will live up to the expectations of our country. I want to assure the country that the army is fully prepared to face all challenges in maintaining India's national unity, internal security and the values of our Nation.

The President and Prime Minister have also extended their felicitations to the soldiers on the day.

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In the Australian Open Tennis, Defending Champion Novak Djokovic of Serbia advanced to the third round of Men's Singles in Melbourne  today. He defeated Leonardo Mayer of Argentina 6-0, 6-4, 6-4. It is his 26th consecutive match win.  Seventh-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych beat Kenny De Schepper of France 6-1, 6-3 to enter third round of Men's Singles. Top seed American Serena Williams defeated Russian Vesna Dolonc 6-1, 6-2 to enter third round of Women's Singles.

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