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Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
We have power to seek proof of citizenship: EC to SC
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has told the Supreme Court that it has the statutory and constitutional authority to seek proof of citizenship during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Defending its action in a counter-affidavit filed in the batch of petitions challenging the SIR process, the ECI rejected the argument that it was overstepping its jurisdiction by asking individuals to prove citizenship. It asserted that this obligation flows from Article 326 of the Constitution and Sections 16 and 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. 'ECI is vested with the power to scrutinize whether a proposed elector fulfils the criteria for being registered as a voter in the electoral roll, which includes an assessment of citizenship as per Article 326,' stated the affidavit filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar. The ECI added that its powers flow directly from Articles 324 and 326 read with Sections 16 and 19 of the RP Act, 1950. Highlighting Section 19, the Commission emphasised that citizenship is a key eligibility criterion for voter registration. It is thus obligated to verify this condition to ensure that no ineligible person is included and no eligible person excluded. The ECI rejected the contention that only the central government can adjudicate citizenship issues, clarifying that Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, vests exclusive jurisdiction with the Centre only for determining termination of citizenship upon voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship. 'Other aspects related to citizenship can be inquired into by other relevant authorities for their purposes, including the ECI,' it stated.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
13,212 freedom fighters still alive, getting pension: Govt to Parliament
New Delhi, A total of 13,212 freedom fighters are still alive and receiving pension from the government, Parliament was informed on Tuesday. 13,212 freedom fighters still alive, getting pension: Govt to Parliament There are also 9,778 widows of freedom fighters who receive pension under the Centre's Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana , Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. "There are 1,71,689 freedom fighters who received a central pension under the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Yojana till date. There are 13,212 pensioners who are still alive and receiving SSSY Samman pension. There are 9,778 widows who are still alive and are receiving SSSY Samman pension," he said. According to the data shared by Kumar, the Ministry of Home Affairs disbursed ₹599 crore under the scheme in 2024-25. Of the 13,212 freedom fighters still alive, the maximum of 3,017 are based in Telangana, followed by West Bengal , Maharashtra , Bihar and Tamil Nadu . Most of the 9,778 widows of freedom fighters are based in Telangana , followed by Maharashtra , West Bengal and Bihar . In effect since 1980, SSSY allows pensions to those who took part in about 40 events of the freedom struggle between 1857 and 1947. Kumar said the Indian Council of Historical Research in Delhi maintains the list of freedom fighters or martyrs of the country's freedom struggle under a project, entitled "Dictionary of Martyrs: Indian Freedom Struggle ". The eligibility criteria for receiving pension under the scheme is a person who suffered a minimum imprisonment of six months in mainland jails before independence. In case of women and SC-ST freedom fighters, the minimum period of actual imprisonment to be eligible to receive pension is three months. A person who remained underground for six months or more is also eligible. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Indian citizens lost over Rs 22,845 crore to online fraudsters in 2024: MHA in Lok Sabha
NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday officially confirmed that Indian citizens have lost more than Rs 22,845.73 crore in cyber fraud cases in 2024, which is a whopping jump of nearly 206 percent in comparison to the previous year's data. Responding to a written question in Lok Sabha Minister of State (MoS) for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar said that according to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS) operated by the I4C under the MHA, 'total amount of losses incurred by citizens due to cyber frauds in the entire country' in 2024 was Rs 22,845.73 crore as compared to Rs 7,465.18 crore in the previous year. Kumar said 36,37,288 incidents of online financial frauds were reported on NCRP and CFCFRMS in 2024 as compared to 24,42,978 in 2023. According to the data shared by the MoS, 10,29,026 cyber crimes were reported on NCRP in 2022 with a 127.44 percent increase over the previous year, 15,96,493 incidents were reported in 2023 showing 55.15 percent increment, and 22,68,346 cases were reported in 2024, reflecting a 42.08 percent increase. 'The CFCFRMS, under I4C, was launched in 2021 for immediate reporting of financial frauds and to stop siphoning off funds by the fraudsters,' the Minister said, adding that however, wealth amounting to Rs 5,489 crore has been saved in more than 17.82 lakh complaints reported on it so far.
United News of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
'We have power to seek proof of Citizenship during Bihar voter roll revision' : EC tells SC
New Delhi, Jul 22 (UNI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has told the Supreme Court that it has the statutory and constitutional authority to seek proof of citizenship during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Defending its action in a counter-affidavit filed in the batch of petitions challenging the SIR process, the ECI rejected the argument that it was overstepping its jurisdiction by asking individuals to prove citizenship. It asserted that this obligation flows from Article 326 of the Constitution and Sections 16 and 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. 'ECI is vested with the power to scrutinize whether a proposed elector fulfils the criteria for being registered as a voter in the electoral roll, which includes an assessment of citizenship as per Article 326,' stated the affidavit filed by Deputy Election Commissioner Sanjay Kumar. The ECI added that its powers flow directly from Articles 324 and 326 read with Sections 16 and 19 of the RP Act, 1950. Highlighting Section 19, the Commission emphasised that citizenship is a key eligibility criterion for voter registration. It is thus obligated to verify this condition to ensure that no ineligible person is included and no eligible person excluded. The ECI rejected the contention that only the central government can adjudicate citizenship issues, clarifying that Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, vests exclusive jurisdiction with the Centre only for determining termination of citizenship upon voluntary acquisition of foreign citizenship. 'Other aspects related to citizenship can be inquired into by other relevant authorities for their purposes, including the ECI,' it stated. The affidavit further said that proof of citizenship lies within the special knowledge of the individual claiming to be an Indian citizen, and it is incumbent upon them to provide such evidence. Refuting the petitioners' argument that seeking such proof reverses the burden of proof, the Commission pointed out that under the electoral registration framework, applicants must establish their eligibility while submitting Form 6 under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960. Regarding deletion of existing names from the electoral roll, the ECI clarified that such removal is done only after detailed inquiry and satisfaction of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) that a person is not qualified. 'Under the SIR exercise, the citizenship of an individual will not terminate on account of being held ineligible for registration in the electoral rolls,' the affidavit emphasised, adding that it is not adjudicating citizenship per se but merely ensuring that non-citizens do not get registered as voters. The matter is listed for hearing on July 28. During the last hearing on July 17, the Supreme Court had observed that determination of citizenship is the prerogative of the Union Government, not the ECI, and urged the Commission to consider Aadhaar, Voter ID and Ration cards in the Bihar SIR process. The ECI's counter affidavit was drawn by Advocates Eklavya Dwivedi, Sidhant Kumar, Prateek Kumar and Kumar Utsav. UNI SNG AAB
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Don't take Hindus for granted: Bandi Sanjay Kumar
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar accused the present and previous ruling parties of eyeing the 12% Muslim vote share while taking the Hindu community for granted. 'They think Hindus will remain divided. Every Hindu must now reflect on this,' he said, alleging that the ruling parties were denying Hindus the basic religious respect in temples like offering an 'aarti'. The Minister was addressing a large gathering at the Simhavahini temple at Lal Darwaza on Sunday, after completing a day-long temple yatra across key localities including Moosarambagh, Akbar Bagh, Saidabad, Kurmaguda, Madannapet, Rakshapuram, Gowlipura, Akkanna Madanna, and Haribowli. He said that only a BJP government would change this reality. 'We are the ones who pay taxes. We are the ones who pay bills. We are the ones who fill the government's treasury. Then why should we be in a pitiable condition, where we have to beg every year for funds for our temples and Bonalu?' 'If BJP comes to power in Telangana, Hindus will no longer have to 'beg' for funds for temples or festivals,' he said, and declared that a dedicated fund would be allocated for all Hindu festivals. Mr. Sanjay also said that Hindus who left Old City due to 'terrorist bombings and jihadi gangs', should return now without fear. 'Old City belongs to all, and it is the government's responsibility for protection to all'. He said that there was a visible change in the atmosphere around the Bhagyalakshmi temple near Charminar, that had become a symbol of Hindu resurgence in Hyderabad. 'There was a time when people feared wearing a bindi or holding a saffron flag near Charminar,' he claimed.
