Parliament Cannot Question PM Cares Fund
The Prime Minister’s Office has said that questions about the PM Cares Fund cannot be asked in Parliament. This means that elected members of the Lok Sabha are not allowed to raise queries about how the fund is run or how the money is used.
Indian Media’s Focus on Epstein’s Sex Crimes Misses the Larger Issue
The Indian media has responded to the Epstein email by focusing on his status as a sex crimes convict, framing the issue largely in moral terms. But this misses the real concern raised by the wealthy American financier’s claim that India’s Prime Minister followed his advice in visiting Israel to strengthen ties with the United States. Suppose, for a moment, Epstein had never been convicted of any crime. Would the assertion still trouble us?
What the Epstein Files Say About India, and Why the Opposition Wants Answers
The U.S. government recently released files related to Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy American financier who cultivated relationships with heads of government, senior politicians, intelligence linked figures and influential academics across countries. The data includes a 2017 email that claims India’s Prime Minister followed Epstein’s advice in visiting Israel to strengthen ties with the United States.
Why Voter Turnout Data Matters in Democracy
The Supreme Court, on May 24, refused to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to publish Form 17C data – polling station-wise voter turnout – on its website within 48 hours of the conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections. The ECI’s refusal is raising significant concerns among citizens and stakeholders in the electoral process. To understand why this issue is critical, it’s essential to grasp the role of Form 17C and the implications of not making this data publicly available.
Supreme Court Questions ECI on Delay in Releasing Voter Turnout Data
The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to explain the delay in releasing authenticated voter turnout data for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, raising concerns about transparency. The court’s intervention follows a petition detailing discrepancies and significant spikes in voter turnout percentages, which have fuelled public suspicion about the authenticity of the polling data and potential tampering of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The Election Commission Hasn’t Held a Press Conference
The Election Commission (EC) has been reluctant to hold press conferences following the completion of voting in three phases across the nation, point out various journalist bodies, saying the absence of such conferences deprives the citizens of India, one of the largest democracies globally, of essential information regarding voting day proceedings.
State Bank of India’s Challenge in Revealing Political Donations
The State Bank of India (SBI) has requested the Supreme Court to extend the deadline to June 30 for providing details of electoral bonds. The request comes after the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a fund-raising scheme that allowed political donors to remain anonymous, demanding SBI to disclose the donor details. SBI claims that matching bond buyers with beneficiary political parties is a time-consuming process. Is this claim believable?
Public Remains Excluded from Political Funding Data
Following the Supreme Court’s declaration of the electoral bond scheme as unconstitutional, the central government has instituted a new mechanism for the comprehensive collection of data on all political donations, according to a media report. This system will enable the central government to gain insights into the financial landscapes of opposition parties while maintaining the confidentiality of this data from the public eye.
The Murky Waters of Government Transparency
Central and state government entities have significant partnerships with global technology giants like Microsoft and Google, involving sensitive health data and public funds. However, when Right to Information (RTI) queries sought details on these contracts, the government’s response was less than transparent, according to a media report. It raises questions over how our personal data is handled and the fairness of the digital market.
Is Outsourcing Governance to Consulting Firms a Good Idea?
An investigation by The Indian Express has unveiled a narrative that seems more akin to corporate boardrooms than government departments. Using the Right to Information Act, the report reveals that over five years, 16 government ministries disbursed 5 billion rupees to five multinational consulting firms.