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Enforcement Directorate Raids Bhilai Residence of Chaitanya Baghel In a significant development in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday, July 18 , conducted searches at the Bhilai residence of Chaitanya Baghel , son of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel . The raids were carried out in connection with alleged money laundering and irregularities linked to a multi-crore liquor scam in the state. According to ED sources, the operation was part of a broader probe to unearth the financial trail of illegal commissions and the alleged misuse of foreign and domestic funding routed through shell entities. Political Reactions: Bhupesh Baghel’s Office and Congress Respond Responding to the raid, Bhupesh Baghel’s office issued a statement on social media platform X, noting the timing of the action: “ED has arrived. Today is the last day of the Assembly session. The issue of trees being cut in Tamnar for Adani was supposed to be raise...

  Waqf Amendment Bill to be Introduced in Parliament Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the Waqf Amendment Bill will be tabled in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament following the submission of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) report . He reassured that the bill aims to align Waqf-related laws with constitutional principles and will not be implemented retrospectively . The bill is expected to address concerns regarding land ownership and Waqf property regulations , particularly in cases where prime properties were declared as Waqf land without legal recourse . Amit Shah cited the example of 123 prime properties in Delhi , including the Chandra Shekhar Azad Garden in Prayagraj , which was declared as Waqf land. Delimitation: BJP’s Assurance of No Injustice Responding to concerns about delimitation , Amit Shah stated that the BJP remains committed to ensuring fairness and justice during the process. He emphasized that delimitation will not result in any...

Governor in India: Powers, Functions, and Constitutional Provisions Who is a Governor? A Governor is the constitutional head of a state in India, functioning as the executive authority at the state level. The Governor represents the President of India and acts as a link between the state and the central government . Appointment and Tenure of the Governor 🔹 Article 153-162 of the Indian Constitution lays down the provisions related to the office of the Governor. 🔹 Appointed by the President of India under Article 155 . 🔹 Holds office for a term of 5 years , but serves at the pleasure of the President under Article 156 . 🔹 There is no fixed retirement age for a Governor. Powers and Functions of a Governor 1️⃣ Executive Powers (Article 154, 162, 166, 167) ✅ Head of the State Executive but acts on the aid and advice of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers . ✅ Appoints the Chief Minister , Ministers, Advocate General, and State Election Commissioner. ✅ Admi...

Supreme Court to Hear Petitions Against Election Commissioners’ Appointment Law Introduction: A Landmark Hearing on Electoral Independence The Supreme Court of India is set to hear multiple petitions on Wednesday, challenging the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023 . The primary contention is that this Act excludes the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the selection panel , raising concerns about the independence and neutrality of the Election Commission. Background: What Does the 2023 Act Change? The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023 has replaced the earlier selection process that involved a panel comprising: ✅ Prime Minister ✅ Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha ✅ Chief Justice of India (as mandated by the Supreme Court in March 2023) Under the new law, the CJI has been removed , and a Union Cabinet Minister (nominated by the Prime Ministe...

SC Issues Notice to Centre, Election Commission on Plea  Seeking to Declare Freebies as Bribes In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has issued notices to the Central Government and the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a petition seeking to declare pre-election promises of freebies as bribes  under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. This move brings renewed focus on the longstanding debate surrounding the practice of offering freebies by political parties in the run-up to elections. Petition Highlights Concerns Over Freebies The petition, filed by Shashank J Shreedhara , a Karnataka resident, urges the apex court to take action against political parties that promise freebies during election campaigns. The plea seeks a directive for the Election Commission to prohibit such practices, which the petitioner argues undermine the integrity of the electoral process by influencing voters with short-term personal benefits rather than focusing o...

Government to Introduce Waqf Amendment Bill in  Lok Sabha on Thursday The BJP-led government is set to introduce the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. This bill aims to amend the Waqf Act, 1995, addressing key issues related to State Waqf Boards, property registration, and encroachments. The introduction is accompanied by the withdrawal of two previous legislative measures: the Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill, 2014, and the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.  Withdrawal of Previous Bills Waqf Properties (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Bill, 2014 Originally introduced in February 2014 by the Congress-led UPA government, this bill aimed to address the issue of unauthorized occupants of waqf properties. The decision to withdraw it comes in light of the new amendment bill, which seeks to handle these concerns more effectively through updated provisions and administrative measures. Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923    The Mussalman Wak...

Hardeep Singh Puri to Introduce Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 in Rajya Sabha Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri is scheduled to introduce the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 in the Rajya Sabha today. This bill seeks to amend the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, which governs the regulation and development of oilfields in India. What is a Bill? A bill is a proposed piece of legislation presented for debate and approval in Parliament. It must pass through several stages of scrutiny and debate before it can become law. Once approved by both houses of Parliament and receives the President’s assent, it is enacted as a law. The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024 aims to update and amend provisions of the existing Act to address current needs and challenges in the oil and gas sector. From Bill to Act The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, originally e...

Opposition and BJP Spar Over Order Allowing Govt  Employees to Participate in RSS Activities A recent order issued by the Ministry of Personnel permitting government servants to participate in activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has sparked a heated exchange between the opposition parties and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP's Stance BJP leader Amit Malviya announced on Monday that the central government has withdrawn a 58-year-old "unconstitutional order" that had banned government employees from taking part in RSS activities. He referred to the original ban, implemented in 1966, which was imposed following a massive anti-cow-slaughter protest at the Parliament, mobilized by RSS-Jana Sangh. "The unconstitutional order issued 58 years ago, in 1966, imposing a ban on government employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been withdrawn by the Modi government. The original order shouldn't have been passed in t...

BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab Takes Oath as Pro-Tem Speaker Seven-time MP Bhartruhari Mahtab was sworn in as the pro-tem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha on Monday. The oath was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, marking the commencement of the 18th Lok Sabha's first session, which will begin with the oath-taking of the new MPs. Understanding the Role of a Pro-Tem Speaker A pro-tem Speaker, or temporary Speaker, is appointed for the initial meetings of the newly elected Lok Sabha, particularly to preside over the first sitting of the House, administer the oath to new members, and oversee the election of the new Speaker. This position is critical in ensuring that the newly elected House starts functioning smoothly. Constitutional Provision The role of the pro-tem Speaker is not explicitly defined in the Indian Constitution but is derived from parliamentary conventions and practices. Article 94 of the Indian Constitution deals with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker...

Delhi Excise Policy PMLA Case: Rs 100 Crore Bribe  Allegation and Bail Plea The controversy surrounding the Delhi Excise Policy continues to deepen as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposes the bail plea of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The ED has alleged a demand for a Rs 100 crore bribe, asserting the involvement of Kejriwal in money laundering activities. Bribe Demand and Money Laundering:    The ED has established that a significant amount of money, totaling Rs 100 crore, was demanded as a bribe. This money, according to the ED, was funneled through hawala transactions, with Chanpreet Singh identified as the individual who facilitated these transactions. The ED claims that a substantial amount of this money was given to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in cash and was used to fund a luxurious 7-star hotel stay for Kejriwal. Prosecution's Standpoint: Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, representing the ED, argued that the Central Bureau of Investigation (C...