Yeh dil maange more: Let India reverse the history!

Post nullification of Articles 370 and 355 A and the positive response from the people of Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh in particular and the people of the country in general coupled with overwhelming support from the comity of nations all over, including the UNSC, the hopes have been held high for the reunification of India as it was before Independence.

The dissenting voices not withstanding from disgruntled elements whose bread and butter lies in fractured India and whose loyalty rests with Pakistan, have been humbled effectively by the authorities.

The goings on in the newly created two Union Territories have been much smoother than expected. The international community all over the world, in one voice, has welcomed the bold decision of the Indian Parliament.

It is noteworthy that the paper tigers such as Tukde Tukde gang, criminals supporting Afzal Guru and Burhan Vani and the local agents of ISI have been exposed, crushed and finished once and for all.

Their supporters wearing the masks of intelligentsia, politicians, well-wishers and representatives of minorities too, have crest-fallen. Practically, there is no one in the whole country to shed a tear for such elements.

Indeed, the nation has come of age. Of late, there has been a realisation among the new generation of Indians that the partition of the country was done under coercion and threat of violence.

The Mohammed Ali Jinnah gang of Islamic fanatics fully supported by the waning British rule had indulged in arm-twisting and large-scale bloodshed and snatched away forcibly much against the wishes of the people, a sizeable piece of land which is known as Pakistan.

This new entity was obviously carved out of religious fanaticism and utmost hate for the Hindus. Unfortunately, the subsequent governments after creation of this hate State failed to deliver results and pampered the fanatic elements of Pakistan and also within India to the core. But now the days have changed.

The government of new dispensation is committed to set right the wrong in proper perspective. Scrapping Articles 370 and 35A is only the first step towards integration of the country.

In fact, it is high time that the historic blunder committed by the leaders of Independence is rectified now at the earliest. Unless and until the land of terrorism, called Pakistan is effectively and totally crushed, the word will have always the threat of terrorist attacks looming large on its face.

3-year jail for illegal buildings proposed

To put an end to rampant illegal constructions in Telangana State, the new Municipal Bill- 2019 proposes either imprisonment up to three years for anyone raising unauthorised buildings or a penalty of 25 per cent of the total value of the land/building fixed by the registration department.

The move, welcomed by all parties, comes at a time when authorities are struggling to cope with the problem of rising illegal constructions across the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) area. Out of 22 lakh buildings in Hyderabad, at least 50 per cent has some buildings plan deviation and 10% are illegal structures altogether, it is learnt.

The bill also aims at curbing corruption in the town planning department and allows prospective building owners to apply online for buildings permission through self-certification.

Stringent action, including imprisonment and hefty fines, would be levied if anyone provides wrong information. The whistle-blowers also will have a role. They will be encouraged to bring to the notice of District Collector and municipal authorities the unauthorised constructions.

The proposed bill says that the identify or informers would be kept confidential and the informant would also get a reward. However, the details of incentives are not given in the bill.

Babri verdict by April 18 next year

The Supreme Court has directed the special CBI court in Lucknow to deliver the verdict in the trial against senior BJP members L K Advani, M M Joshi, Uma Bharati and others in the Babri masjid demolition case within nine months.

A bench of justices R. F Nariman and Surya Kant asked district and sessions judge Surendra Kumar Yadav, who was asked by the SC in April 2017 to complete the trial within two years, to wrap up hearings in six months and deliver the verdict within nine months, which means the judge will have to pass the judgement by April 18 next year.

CJI admits his failure to streamline system

Unhappy with the daily long queue of lawyers seeking early listing of cases, Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi recently said despite many steps taken by him to streamline listing of cases so that advocates don't have to stand in queue to seek listing of their cases something is fundamentally wrong, "I have not been able to change the system despite best efforts," he admitted.

The judges' strength in SC is 32, including the CJI, and it has a pendency of 59,000 cases, of which roughly amount to 1,300 per judge. When they sit in two-judge benches, the pendency for the benches increases to 2,600 cases.

The situation is far worse in High Courts and lower courts.

Apart from paucity of judges what is more intriguing is the rampant corruption prevailing in the judiciary. There are instances when even the court slips granted by the higher courts are not honoured by the subordinate staff. Indeed, this rot needs to be cleansed at the earliest.

Delayed execution against rights: HC

In September 2012 the Bombay High Court had confirmed the death sentence and the Supreme Court in May 2015 upheld the capital punishment. The Maharashtra Governor rejected the mercy petitions of condemned prisoners.

On April 10, 2019, a Pune sessions court had issued warrants setting the date of execution as June 24. "The delay in execution of death penalty in the present matter is undue, inordinate and unreasonable," said the bench.

"Delay by any arm of the State would be against their fundamental rights. Extra or additional punishment resulting from avoidable delay cannot be legalised because it is on account of undue time taken by Constitutional machinery in all circumstances and contingencies," said the judges.

The court cited procedural delays and said that in the digital age, when communication had advanced to emails, the State was still relying on old methods like express mails.

Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill passed by RS

Rajya Sabha in the last session has unanimously passed the banning of unregulated deposit Scheme Bill, 2019, which is meant to check proliferation of Ponzi schemes and protect investments made by the poor.

Earlier, Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on July 24. The bill seeks to provide a mechanism to ban unregulated deposit schemes, other than deposits taken in the course of business. It also seeks to ensure that no hardship is caused to genuine business, or to individuals borrowing.

Revamped Consumer Protection Bill passed

The revamped Consumer Protection Bill has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament.

The new law provides, inter alia, jail term for adulteration and misleading advertisements by companies, celebrities endorsing, misleading advertisements etc; They will face the risk of paying fine of up to Rs 10 lakh for first offence.

They can be banned for one year from endorsing any product or service. Subsequent offences will attract fine up to Rs 50 lakh and ban up to three years.