logo
Opposition, petitioners call SC order a big step forward

Opposition, petitioners call SC order a big step forward

Time of India10-07-2025
Opposition parties and petitioners have termed the
Supreme Court
's order on the
Bihar Special Intensive Revision
(SIR) exercise a "significant advantage," saying it puts the onus on the
Election Commission
(EC) to include Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card among accepted documents for
voter verification
.
"The Honourable Supreme Court has clearly suggested that three documents-Aadhaar, EC voter ID and ration cards-be considered by the EC in the enumeration process. These were alleged by us to have been excluded across Bihar. This is a significant advance," said senior advocate and
Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi
, who is representing eight
political parties
, Mahua Moitra, and PUCL in the matter.
Singhvi said all other contentions remain open and the EC has time to file its reply till the end of July. The court will hear the matter again on July 28.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
He further argued that the EC had, for the first time, reversed the presumption of eligibility for existing voters by putting all electors enrolled after 2003 in a "state of suspended animation" until they proved their status. He also pointed out that the EC was demanding birth certificates, including those of parents, as proof-something the petitioners contended was outside the EC's jurisdiction.
"These and other substantive points will be considered by the court after pleadings are completed. It is an ongoing, sub judice exercise," he added.
Live Events
RJD MP Manoj Jha, also a petitioner, told ET that the order "has shown a path of inclusion."
"Prima facie, the SC believes Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card must be part of the accepted documents. There was widespread fear of exclusion, and the court has pointed to a way forward," he said.
Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), another petitioner in the case, echoed similar sentiments. ADR founding member Jagdeep Chhokar said, "We didn't get all that we expected, but it could have been worse. The court has suggested the inclusion of Aadhaar, EPIC, and ration card. We will watch the EC's response. If these are not included, the hearing is on July 28."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

He chose to threaten constitutional body: EC on Rahul's Karnataka claims
He chose to threaten constitutional body: EC on Rahul's Karnataka claims

News18

time24 minutes ago

  • News18

He chose to threaten constitutional body: EC on Rahul's Karnataka claims

Agency: Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 19:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) The Election Commission on Thursday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's claim that it allowed cheating in a Karnataka constituency and said that besides making 'baseless allegations", the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha chose to 'threaten" a constitutional body. Gandhi said the Congress has 'concrete 100 per cent proof" that the Election Commission (EC) allowed cheating in a constituency in Karnataka and warned the poll panel that it will not get away with this 'because we are going to come for you". Responding to Gandhi's statement, the EC said that as far as the Karnataka elections are concerned, it is 'highly unfortunate" that rather than filling an election petition as per Section 80 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, or if filed, awaiting the verdict of the high court, he not only made 'baseless allegations" but has also 'chosen to threaten" the EC, a constitutional body. Gandhi alleged that the EC is not functioning as the Election Commission of India, and is 'not doing its job". Asked about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav's reported remarks that the option of boycotting the Bihar assembly polls was open, Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament House premises that his party has 'concrete 100 per cent proof" of the EC allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. Swipe Left For Next Video View all 'Not 90 per cent, when we decide to show it to you, it is a 100 per cent proof," the former Congress president said. 'We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency this is the drama that is taking place … I want to send a message to the Election Commission — if you think you are going to get away with this, if your officers think they are going to get away with this, you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with this because we are going to come for you," Gandhi said. PTI NAB DIV DIV (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments News agency-feeds He chose to threaten constitutional body: EC on Rahuls Karnataka claims Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Plea in Supreme Court seeks political parties to comply with POSH law
Plea in Supreme Court seeks political parties to comply with POSH law

The Hindu

time24 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

Plea in Supreme Court seeks political parties to comply with POSH law

A petition filed in the Supreme Court has sought a direction to political parties to comply with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. The plea argues that political parties are covered by the ambit of the 2013 Act, therefore, bound to follow the procedures outlined in it. It said in 2024 the petitioner, Yogamaya MG, an advocate, filed a similar plea in the top court, which granted her the liberty to move the competent authority. The petitioner sent a representation to the Election Commission of India but has received no response till date, the plea added. Safe environment for women political workers Before the top court now, she sought directions to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment for women in political parties and holding political parties accountable to prevent and address sexual harassment. With Centre and political parties, including BJP and Congress added as respondents, the plea sought a direction to constitute a grievance redressal mechanism to tackle the menace of sexual harassment in line with the apex court's directions in the landmark Vishaka verdict and the 2013 Act. "This writ petition challenges the exclusion of female political workers from the ambit of protection under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act)," the plea filed through advocate Sriram P said. Vulnerability of women grassroot workers Despite the Act's progressive intent, the plea said, women political workers particularly at the grassroots remain vulnerable to sexual exploitation during campaigns and party work, with no effective legal remedy under the existing legislative framework. "Citing studies by UN Women (2013) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2016), which highlight widespread psychological and sexual harassment of women in political spaces, the petition underscores the urgent need for inclusion and protection of such workers under POSH," the plea said. The petitioner argued absence of rationale or intelligible differentia to exclude women in politics from protection available to women in other professions. Political party workers fit the definition of "employees" under the Act and the petition seeks to establish a clear framework for preventing and addressing sexual harassment within political parties, the petitioner said. The plea also sought a direction to political parties to constitute an internal complaints committee to address complaints of sexual harassment in adherence of the mandate of the 2013 Act.

Swiss firm's pollution rankings misleading: Govt tells Parliament
Swiss firm's pollution rankings misleading: Govt tells Parliament

Business Standard

time24 minutes ago

  • Business Standard

Swiss firm's pollution rankings misleading: Govt tells Parliament

Kirti Vardhan Singh said that such sensors are not approved for regulatory use and can produce data with a significant degree of error or uncertainty Press Trust of India New Delhi The government on Thursday questioned the credibility of a global report that ranked India among the world's most polluted countries, saying the rankings could be "misleading" due to limitations in data sources and methodology. Replying to an unstarred question by Congress MP Pramod Tiwari in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said the IQAir report published in March 2024 ranks countries based on average PM2.5 concentrations. "However, it must be noted that only 38 per cent of the data sources used in the report are from government agencies. The remaining 62 per cent are from other agencies and include data generated using low-cost sensors," Singh said in his written reply. He said that such sensors are not approved for regulatory use and can produce data with a significant degree of error or uncertainty. "The data from a variety of monitors and sources, especially low-cost sensors, may have inaccuracies. Moreover, the report uses population-weighted averages based on data from urban monitoring stations, which may not represent the true national average," the minister said. "In view of these limitations and uncertainties in the data, the ranking of cities and countries may not portray the true picture and could be misleading," Singh added. Responding to another part of the question on whether air pollution is causing deaths and impacting people's health across the country, the minister said there is no conclusive data available to establish a direct correlation between air pollution and deaths. "Air pollution is one of many contributing factors that can affect respiratory ailments and related diseases," Singh said. "Health is determined by several variables, including food habits, occupational exposure, socio-economic conditions, medical history, immunity, heredity and environmental factors." He added that while air pollution is certainly a concern, isolating it as the sole cause of mortality is not scientifically accurate. Tiwari also asked whether a substantial portion of the Environmental Protection Charge (EPC) and Environmental Compensation (EC) funds remained unutilised. The minister confirmed that large amounts of these funds were yet to be spent, partly due to judicial directions. "As of now, a total of Rs 620.6 crore has been accrued in the Environmental Compensation account, including Rs 99.51 crore in bank interest. Out of this, Rs 80.82 crore has been utilised and Rs 138.38 crore has been committed to 24 sanctioned projects and ongoing activities," Singh informed the House. He said the remaining balance of Rs 401.4 crore includes Rs 284.18 crore held in sub-judice accounts, including Rs 184.18 crore maintained in 23 specific-purpose accounts and Rs 100 crore kept in fixed deposit, as per the direction of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). At present, Rs 117.22 crore is available for utilisation, but the disbursement of EC funds has been halted following an NGT order dated January 21, 2025. The EPC fund was created following a Supreme Court order dated August 12, 2016, which imposed a 1 per cent charge on diesel vehicles with engines of 2000 cc and above registered in Delhi-NCR. "As on June 18, 2025, the EPC fund account had Rs 527.91 crore. Of this, Rs 173 crore has already been disbursed and Rs 222.83 crore has been allocated for sanctioned projects and activities," Singh said. "Of the remaining Rs 132.08 crore, Rs 54 crore has been earmarked as performance grants for the financial year 2025-26 to support 19 NCR cities. This leaves a balance of Rs 78.08 crore available for utilisation." Asked whether the government's air pollution control efforts have focused disproportionately on road dust rather than industrial, vehicular or biomass emissions, the minister defended the approach. "The government has adopted a multi-sectoral strategy through the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), launched in 2019. It targets all major sources of air pollution, including industries, vehicles, open burning of waste, road dust and construction and demolition activities," he said. Singh said the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has identified 130 million-plus or non-attainment cities -- cities that have exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for five consecutive years -- and prepared city-specific clean air action plans for all of them. "These plans target local air pollution sources including soil and road dust, vehicles, domestic fuel use, municipal solid waste burning, construction material and industries. They include both short-term actions and medium-to-long-term strategies, coordinated with concerned local agencies," the minister said. Singh cited source apportionment studies conducted in various cities under NCAP, which revealed that road dust and construction activities contribute 40 to 50 per cent of PM10 concentrations in many urban areas. "Accordingly, cities have prioritised road improvement, traffic decongestion, junction redesign and greening of open spaces," he said. The minister also said that efforts to curb stubble burning, a major contributor to seasonal air pollution in north India, are underway. "CPCB has issued guidelines for providing financial support to set up paddy straw-based pelletisation and torrefaction plants. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed thermal power plants within 300 km of Delhi to co-fire 5 to 10 per cent biomass with coal. Similar directions apply to captive power plants in industrial units located in NCR," Singh said. Further, he said that performance-based grants are being released to urban local bodies in the 130 identified cities under NCAP through both the Central Sector Scheme 'Control of Pollution' and the 15th Finance Commission's air quality grants. "As on July 20, 2025, a total of Rs 13,036.52 crore has been released to these cities since 2019-20 for implementing various pollution control measures. Of this, Rs 9,209.44 crore has already been utilised by the urban local bodies," the minister added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store