1. Cabinet Approves 100 Percent FDI in Single Brand Retail, 49% FDI in Air India
The Indian Cabinet, on 10 January, approved 100 percent foreign direct investment in single-brand retail through the automatic route. Earlier, foreign retailers looking to invest more than 49 percent required the government’s nod. Read the full story here.
India allowed 49 percent foreign direct investment in Air India as the government looks to sell part of its stake in the debt-ridden state-run carrier that’s staying afloat on a government bailout. India allows foreign airlines to hold up to 49 percent stake in Indian carriers with the exception of Air India. That restriction has now been lifted by the cabinet, according to a government press statement. A substantial ownership and effective control of Air India will remain with Indian nationals, it said. Read more about Air India FDI policy here.
2. 'Virtual ID' Launched by Aadhaar as RBI Study Calls Data an Easy Prey
In a bid to address privacy concerns, the UIDAI, on 10 January, introduced a new concept of 'Virtual ID'. Aadhaar-card holders can generate the ID using the UIDAI website and submit it for various purposes, including SIM verification, instead of sharing the actual 12-digit biometric ID.
This will give the users the option of not sharing their Aadhaar number at the time of authentication.
The move comes the same day a new study published by an arm of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concluded that the benefits of Aadhaar are unclear and the impact of direct benefit transfers it will be used to deliver to the poor is not studied enough. The paper, ‘Biometric and Its Impact in India’, was a part of Staff Papers series published in its October 2017 edition.
3. #TalkingStalking: Shashi Tharoor Joins The Fight Against Stalking
The Quint has been running a campaign named Talking Stalking for the last few months, encouraging survivors of stalking to come forward and tell their stories. After hearing story after story of horrific incidents, we decided to try and do something which could actually make a difference.
We drafted a detailed proposal with senior advocate Kamini Jaiswal, arguing why our criminal laws need to be amended to change the designation of stalking to non-bailable. This change of designation should help ensure stalking is taken more seriously and that stalkers are subjected to judicial scrutiny before being allowed out on bail, to minimise the risk of further attacks on survivors.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has also joined us in this fight. Watch his full interview here.
4. Here’s the Best of the Worst of Hrithik Roshan
From playing a differently abled charcter in Koi... Mil gaya and a quadriplegic in Guzaarish, to portraying a terrorist in his very second release Fiza, the Greek god of Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan has never stopped experimenting with his roles and looks.
Having said that, sometimes... just sometimes, Duggu does go a little overboard. Even if we try and try really hard, we can’t forget Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon and his Yaadein refuse to leave us too. Let’s take a look at some of the films where this blue-eyed boy of Bollywood could have managed with a little “less” of the acting chops. Watch the video and let us know if you agree. Watch the full video here.
5. Top Stories in Brief
(A) Do Kendriya Vidyalaya Prayers Promote Hinduism? SC Issues Notice
In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the matter that says prayers in Kendriya Vidyalaya across the country promote Hinduism, as reported by Zee News.
The Supreme Court has sent a notice to the Centre seeking its response on the matter. The PIL was filed by an advocate whose children studied in Kendriya Vidyala schools. The litigation says that the prayers promote Hinduism and that this should not be allowed in government-run schools.
(B) Plea Seeks SIT Probe Into Rationalist Kalburgi’s Murder
Slain author and rationalist MM Kalburgi's wife approached the Supreme Court on 10 January seeking a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the murder of her husband in 2015.
The apex court sought the response of probe agencies NIA and CBI and the governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka within six weeks on her allegation that no substantial investigation has been carried out so far in the murder case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud took note of the petition filed by Uma Devi Kalburgi, wife of the slain author, and issued notices to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the two state governments. Read the full story here.
(C) Amit Shah Vows to Uproot Congress From Karnataka in 2018 Polls
While Congress and BJP once again lock horns, this time in Karnataka. Amit Shah addressed the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Parivartana Yatre in Chitradurga on 10 January, a day after he met party workers from North and South Karnataka. The BJP chief’s visit marks the official launch of the saffron party’s push to wrest control of the state from the Congress in the assembly polls for 224 constituencies – expected to be held in April-May. Read the full story here.
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