People participate in a demonstration against the government's pension reform plan in Paris, France, on March 7, 2023. (Photo by Glenn Gervot/Xinhua/IANS)
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally MPs in parliament, called the decision to push through the pension changes “a total failure for the government.”…reports Asian Lite News
Protesters have clashed with police again in central Paris over the French government’s pension reforms. Thousands of demonstrators lit fires and some threw firecrackers at police, who used tear gas to disperse them.
It is the second night of unrest since President Emmanuel Macron decided to push through the controversial reforms to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a vote, BBC reported.
No-confidence motions have been filed against his government in response.
The first was signed by independents and members of the left-wing Nupes coalition in parliament, while a second came from the far-right National Rally party.
Both are expected to be debated early next week, BBC reported.
Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally MPs in parliament, called the decision to push through the pension changes “a total failure for the government.”
Police made dozens of arrests during the unrest at Place de la Concorde, not far from the parliament building, BBC reported.
Protests also took place on Friday in other French cities – notably Bordeaux, Toulon and Strasbourg, BBC added.
“We won’t give up,” one demonstrator told AFP news agency. “There’s still hope that the reform can be revoked.”
Another told Reuters that pushing the legislation through without a vote was “a denial of democracy… a total denial of what has been happening in the streets for several weeks.”
The government has said the changes to pensions are essential to ensure the system is not overburdened and prevent it collapsing.
But many people, including union members, disagree and France has now seen more than two months of heated political debate and strikes over the issue.
Transport, public services and schools have all been affected, while a rolling walkout by waste collectors has seen thousands of tonnes of rubbish left on the streets of the capital, BBC reported.
Fuel deliveries have also been blocked and there are plans to stop production at a large refinery in Normandy in the coming days.
“Changing the government or prime minister will not put out this fire, only withdrawing the reform,” said the head of the moderate CFDT union, Laurent Berger.
People demonstrate against the government's pension reform plan in Paris, France, March 15, 2023.(Xinhua/Gao Jing/IANS)
The text had been debated the day before by a joint committee of seven senators and seven members of the National Assembly…reports Asian Lite News
Amid nationwide protests, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has activated an article of the country’s Constitution that allows the government to force passage of the controversial pension reform bill without a vote at the National Assembly.
“We cannot gamble on the future of our pensions, this reform is necessary,” Borne told the National Assembly late Thursday, where the government does not have an absolute majority.
“Because I am attached to our social model, and because I believe in parliamentary democracy, it is on your reform that I am ready to engage my responsibility,” Borne said.
According to Paragraph 3 of Article 49 (49.3) of the French Constitution, the Prime Minister may, after consulting with the Council of Ministers, impose the adoption of a bill by the National Assembly without a vote.
The only way for the National Assembly to veto this is to pass a no-confidence motion against the government. Just hours after Borne’s announcement, major unions in France called on working people in the country to participate in a 9th general mobilization on March 23.
Some 6,000 people demonstrated at Place de la Concorde (Concorde Square) in Paris against the use of Article 49.3 by the government, leading to clashes with security forces and arresting 38.
On Thursday morning, the French Senate adopted the definitive version of the pension reform bill, which will raise the retirement age by two years to 64 from 2027. A total of 193 French senators voted in favour of the bill, and 114 against.
The text had been debated the day before by a joint committee of seven senators and seven members of the National Assembly.
Borne laid out details of the pension reform plan in January, under which the legal retirement age would be progressively raised by three months a year from 62 to 64 by 2030, and a guaranteed minimum pension would be introduced.
Under the plan, as of 2027 at least 43 years of work would be required to be eligible for a full pension. In 2021, France’s expenditure on the pension system equaled 13.8 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
However, the country’s Pensions Advisory Council (COR) said that the share of pension expenditure would rise sharply from 14.2 per cent to 14.7 per cent between 2027 and 2032, due to a significant contraction in GDP.
In a report published by the COR in September 2022, the pension system watchdog said that from 2022 to 2032, the country’s pension system would be in deficit.
Responding to AAP member Sanjay Singh’s claim that the government brought this bill out of phobia..reports Asian Lite News
The Bill to reunify the three existing Municipal Corporations of Delhi into one, as earlier, got Parliament’s approval on Tuesday, with the Rajya Sabha’s assent to the legislation.
The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, passed by the Lok Sabha on March 31, unifies the civic bodies “with an aim to provide greater transparency, improved governance and more efficient delivery of civic service for the people of Delhi”.
Replying to the debate on this Bill, Home Minister Amit Shah rejected the Opposition’s claim that the Central government cannot bring this amendment and said that it was not against the federal structure as the National Capital Territory of Delhi is not a complete state.
He also said that he wanted to clarify that Delhi has a status different from a Union Territory and there are separate provisions under the Constitution.
Shah said the government had to bring this Bill because of the “step-motherly” treatment by the AAP government to the municipal corporations in Delhi and accused them of rejecting a number of proposals sent by the civic bodies in the past few years, which “severely affected” development.
“This Bill has been brought under the provision of Article 249 AA of the Constitution and if someone will go through it, all confusions will be cleared at once,” he said.
He also said that under the provisions of Section 249 AA(3B), the Parliament has the right to enact any law for the National Capital Territory Region and also has power under rule 249AA(3C) to negate or amend act passed by the Delhi Assembly.
Responding to AAP member Sanjay Singh’s claim that the government brought this bill out of phobia, he said that his BJP had won in Assembly elections in four states again where the AAP party forfeited their deposits in 349 seats in Uttar Pradesh and 68 seats in Uttarakhand.
He also said that the Fifth Finance Commission of Delhi had recommended giving Rs 40,541 crore to the three corporations, and the Delhi government agreed for Rs 21,000 crore but that too was not given, and as a result, all the three corporations have the liability of over 16,000 crore as of now.
Earlier, Sanjay Singh said that this Bill was not for the reunification of municipal corporations in Delhi but as “the BJP was scared of the AAP” while Trinamool Congress member Jawahar Sirkar said that a step like this would lead to delimitation, and that will take 18 months.
CPI-M’s John Brittas said: “If the government ruling the entire country rules over Delhi, it will neglect its duties as the national government and will do injustice to the people.”
BJD’s Prasanna Acharya, while supporting the Bill, said that the government should ensure that the municipal elections will not be deferred beyond six months.
Under Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, magistrate can direct those arrested or detained to give their biometrics. Those who refuse can be charged with obstructing a public servant.
The government on Monday introduced in Lok Sabha the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, which authorises the police to take “measurements” to tag those who have been convicted, arrested or detained — including impressions of fingerprints, palm prints and footprints; photos; iris and retina scans; analysis of physical and biological samples; and behavioural attributes, including signature and handwriting.
Initially listed in the name of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Bill was finally introduced by Union MoS for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra to protests by the Opposition, which described it as “draconian”.
Opposition MPs said the Bill went against Constitutional provisions, such as Article 20(3) related to self-incrimination and Article 21 on protection of life and liberty, and safeguards laid down by the Supreme Court.
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill 2022, to collect the biometric data with physical and biological samples of convicts, and those arrested or detained is anti-Constitutional. It’s an infringement of the privacy of individuals. https://t.co/FiaYFi7Zoa
The Bill seeks to widen the scope of the existing law — The Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920 — under which “measurements” of only “finger impressions” and “footprint impressions” are allowed. It also does away with the condition of an offence being punishable by at least one year or more of imprisonment for the “measurements” to be taken.
It only grants an exemption in the form of mandatory consent for “biological samples”, except in cases where the accused is arrested for sexual abuse of women and children or for an offence carrying a minimum punishment of seven years.
The Bill authorises officers in charge of police stations or those not below Head Constable rank to take the “measurements” — records of these measurements shall be retained for 75 years from the date of collection. The present law covers officers in charge of stations, those conducting an investigation, or others not below the rank of Sub-Inspector.
It says the term “measurements” include “finger-impressions, palm-print impressions, foot-print impressions, photographs, iris and retina scan, physical, biological samples and their analysis, behavioural attributes including signatures, handwriting or any other examination referred to in section 53 or section 53A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973”.
Leading the Opposition charge, Congress MP Manish Tewari said the Bill is in “derogation” of Article 20(3) and Article 21 of the Constitution, and is beyond the legislative “competence” of the House. “The words ‘biological samples and their analysis’ in clause 2 (i) (b) of the Bill could extend to narco analysis and brain mapping and when it is made coercive…it is clearly violative of Article 20 (3) of the Constitution of India,” Tewari said.
“Further, the implied use of force in clause 6(1) to take measurements violates the rights of prisoners laid down in a catena of Supreme Court judgements beginning with A K Gopalan 1950, Kharag Singh 1964, Charles Sobhraj 1978, Sheela Barse 1983, Pramod Kumar Saxena 2008,” he said. It is also in violation of Right to be Forgotten enshrined in Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution in terms of the Puttaswamy judgment, he said.
Tewari said the House must “very seriously” consider whether it is in the “legislative competence of the Treasury” to sponsor legislation that affects fundamental rights and whether the House should take up “such illegal legislation”. “That is my objection to the Bill,” he said.
His party colleague Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said he “vehemently” opposed the introduction of the Bill. “The present Bill…seeks to empower the police and court to take measurements of persons who are under trial or who are suspected to be involved in a case or there is a presumption against some person that he may, in future, do any illegal act,” he said.
RSP member N K Premachandran described the Bill as “draconian legislation” and in “total violation” of fundamental rights. “If I am arrested for picketing for protection of civil rights for any genuine demand, and if a FIR has been launched against me, then a DNA test can be taken. What is this? This is a violation of the basic right of an individual. What is the logic? What is the reason? What is the intention of the Bill?” Premachandran asked.
TMC MP Sougata Ray said: “This law, which allows for narco analysis, which allows for taking biological specimens and taking scans of iris, violates basic human rights and is against the principles of the Constitution.” He requested the Union Home Minister to come to the House and explain the provisions of the Bill.
Trying to allay apprehensions of the Opposition, MoS Mishra said the present law is 102 years old and only provides for taking fingerprints and footprints. “Many changes have taken place in the world in all these years. Technology has upgraded, scientific processes have increased and the trend of crimes committed by criminals have also increased. Therefore, there is a need to expand the scope of the present law,” he said.
When Mishra sought leave of the House to introduce the Bill, the Opposition demanded a division of votes, in which the 120 members voted in favour and 58 against.
The process started from the UPA regime with the digitisation of fingerprints for integration in the national database called Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS). The NDA government aims to integrate iris scans and facial recognition systems to the database.
The research also found that demand for semiconductors was as much as 17 per cent higher last year than it was in 2019…reports Asian Lite News
The US House leaders have unveiled a bill aimed at increasing Washington’s competitiveness with Beijing and supporting the US chip industry, including $52 billion to subsidize semiconductor manufacturing and research, it was reported.
The 2,900-page bill, called the “America Competes” act, would “supercharge” investment in chips and boost US manufacturing and research capacity, as well as advancing U.S. competitiveness and leadership, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The Senate passed the US Innovation and Competition Act last year, which includes $52 billion to increase U.S. semiconductor production and authorizes $190 billion to strengthen U.S. technology and research to compete with China, media reported.
Global chips shortage
Manufacturers have seen their stocks of semiconductors plunge amid the global chip shortage, the US Department of Commerce has warned, BBC reported.
A survey of more than 150 firms found supplies had fallen from an average of 40 days’ worth in 2019 to just five days in late 2021.
Sales of devices soared during the pandemic, leaving semiconductor makers struggling to keep up with demand, the report said.
The shortage has resulted in huge disruptions for major industries.
Millions of products – cars, washing machines, smartphones and more – rely on these chips, also known as semiconductors.
With sky-rocketing demand and full utilisation of existing manufacturing facilities, it’s clear the only solution to solve this crisis in the long-term is to rebuild our domestic manufacturing capabilities,” the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said in a statement.
The research also found that demand for semiconductors was as much as 17 per cent higher last year than it was in 2019.
Meanwhile, US House Democrats on Tuesday unveiled legislation aimed at increasing US competitiveness with China and spending $52 bn on semiconductor production and research, after the Senate approved funding in June, the report said.
President Joe Biden’s administration is pushing to persuade Congress to approve funding to help boost chip production in the US, as shortages of the key components have exacerbated supply chain bottlenecks.
Last week, Intel said it would invest $20 bn to build what could be the world’s biggest chip-making complex in Ohio.
In November, Samsung announced that it had chosen a site close to the US city of Taylor in Texas for its new $17 bn computer chip plant.
The plant is expected to be operational by the second half of 2024. It is the South Korean electronics giant’s biggest-ever US investment.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high esteem for the CBI and the ED, he said that these should work independently and in tandem…reports Asian Lite News.
The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed, by voice vote, the Bills extending the service tenure of Directors of the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate.
The Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Act, 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021, seek to amend the present laws to give one-year extension of the heads of both agencies, up to five years.
Responding to the long debate, Minister for Personnel and Training, Jitendra Singh said that there was a detailed discussion on these Bills.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s high esteem for the CBI and the ED, he said that these should work independently and in tandem.
Explaining the process of giving extension of one year each to the CBI Director, the Minister said that the same constitutional body consisting of the Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition/largest party in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India will take a decision on this.
“We have fixed the tenure of these posts as it was not prescribed in the past. Even during the previous governments, extensions were given for many times. Through this Bill, we have put a cap of five years,” he added.
Responding to questions why the Ordinances were promulgated just two weeks ahead of the Winter Session, he said that with the experience of the last session in which was washed out because of Opposition’s protests, the government was not sure whether the session would be working or not.
Earlier, initiating the discussion on the Bills, RSP member N.K. Premchandran said the Supreme Court has reiterated time and again that the government should avoid giving extension to the officials. The apex court also has made it clear the law making power lies with the Parliament, not with the President or Governor, he added.
Congress member Manish Tewari appealed to the government to approach the SC and ensure that the legality of the CBI is adjudicated.
BJP’s Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the long-term effects of the Bills are good, and urged the Opposition to support them.
Opposing the Bill, NCP’s Supriya Sule said: “All your (BJP’s) allies have cases against them. When they were your allies, there were no cases against them but the minute they left you, all the cases started. They have had raids, their colleagues have raids. Please stop this vindictive business.”
She also said that the Enforcement Directorate raided the residence of former Maharashtra minister Anil Deshmukh seven times and asked what was missed in the first six times. She also alleged that the agencies were questioning the family members of those involved in the case and questioned the reason behind it.
BJD’s Bhartruhari Mahtab questioned the move to bring an amendment bill regarding the tenures of the CBI and ED Directors, while Trinamool Congress’ Sougata Ray said that the present ED Director was to retire on November 17 and just three days before his retirement, the government brought the ordinance.
“The ED and CBI have been accused of catering to the political masters,” he said.
AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, while opposing the bill, said that fixed tenure cannot be on the whims and desires of the government and if the extension is given on good behaviour, it creates an inbuilt mechanism of control. Both the directors (CBI and ED) must be subordinate to the present government, he said.
CPI-M’s A. Arif, BSP’s Ritesh Pandey, Trinamool’s Kalyan Banerjee and Shiv Sena’s Vinayak Raut also spoke against the bills.
Besides, the Centre will also introduce the Deposit Insurance Bill, increase insurance cover to Rs 5 lakh…reports Asian Lite News.
The government is going to introduce 17 new Bills in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 19. With the much awaited Cabinet reshuffle finally done and dusted, it is time for governance again.
The bills include changes in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) replacing the Ordinance enabling prepackaged resolution schemes for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and allowing corporate debtors to propose a resolution plan for the stressed company.
Besides, the Centre will also introduce the Deposit Insurance Bill, increase insurance cover to Rs 5 lakh.
However, the much-awaited cryptocurrency Bill has been delayed and is not listed in the Lok Sabha Bulletin of the session.
The Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Currency Bill, 2021 (Crypto Bill), was earlier listed for the Budget Session but couldn’t be tabled as the session was truncated because of the second wave of Covid-19. However, sources said the government is yet to finalise the contours of the Bill and is still evaluating the framework.
Of the 17 new bills lined up for the session are amendments in Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Act, the Electricity Act and the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, apart from others.
According to the Lok Sabha bulletin, the amendment in the IBC is to replace the April Ordinance, which was promulgated to provide speedier, cost effective, semi-formal and less disruptive framework for insolvency resolution of corporate debtors in distress. The minimum threshold of default will be announced as part of the regulation. The prepackaged scheme has given a semi-formal structure to the pre-insolvency stage.
The objective of the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation Bill is to provide depositors easy and time-bound access to their hard-earned money and to further instill confidence about the safety of their money. This follows the Budget announcement of 2020, where the Centre approved an increase in cover from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
The crucial amendment to the LLP Act, 2008, will also be taken up. The government is planning to decriminalise 12 compoundable offences that deal with procedural and technical violations. This is to ensure ease of doing business for law abiding LLPs.
Another Bill on top of the agenda is the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2021.
The amendment will enable provisions for leasing of land and coal mining rights vested under the CBA Act to any company (including private sector companies) that has become successful bidder in the auction of coal blocks conducted under the MMDR Act or the CMSP Act.
Land acquired under the Act shall be utilised for coal mining operations and allied or ancillary activities and to make provisions for acquisition of lignite bearing areas under the CBA Act.
A demonstrator takes part in a protest against Asian hate in New York, the United States
The Senate approved the bill in a 94-1 vote and sent it to the House on Thursday, which will soon take up their version of the legislation…reports Asian Lite News
The US Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill combating surging hate crimes against Asian Americans during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Senate approved the bill in a 94-1 vote and sent it to the House on Thursday, which will soon take up their version of the legislation. The lone nay vote was cast by Missouri GOP senator Josh Hawley, Xinhua news agency reported.
“By passing this bill we say to the Asian American community that the government is paying attention to them, has heard their concerns and will respond to protect them,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat from New York, where anti-Asian violence has especially been running high.
People take part in a rally against anti-Asian hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Sponsored by Hawaii’s Democratic senator Mazie Hirono and New York’s Democratic congresswoman Grace Meng, the bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to designate an official to review coronavirus-related hate crimes. Hirono and Meng are both Asian Americans.
The bill also directs the DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance raising awareness of hate crimes amid the pandemic, and work with other agencies to establish an online platform for reporting those crimes.
Hirono said that the bill’s passage “sends a clear and unmistakable message of solidarity” to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
The bill gained momentum after six women of Asian descent were killed in mass shootings in the Atlanta area in March.
People take part in a rally against anti-Asian hate crimes in San Mateo, California, the United States, on Feb. 27, 2021. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)
Senators locked in a final deal on the bill late Wednesday night, allowing for several GOP-proposed amendments to get a vote. All of those changes would need 60 votes in favour in the now evenly-divided Senate, and it turned out none of them got added.
Susan Collins, GOP senator from Maine who managed to work with Hirono to change the language of the bill over the administration’s guidance, said that with the passage of the bill, “we can send an unmistakably strong signal that crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our country will not be tolerated.”
The bill received nod form lower house of parliament, the State Duma, a week ago. Putin is expected to sign it into law soon…reports Asian Lite News
Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, has passed a bill enabling incumbent President Vladimir Putin to run for two more terms starting 2024.
The bill was approved by the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, a week ago. Putin is expected to sign it into law soon, Xinhua news agency reported.
The draft law on elections was made in pursuance of constitutional amendments adopted in a nationwide referendum in July 2020.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
One of the 206 constitutional amendments stipulates that the limit of two presidential terms applies to the incumbent head of state, but without taking into account his previous terms.
In light of the amendment, the bill, cleared by the upper house on Wednesday, grants Putin the possibility of starting his presidency from scratch in 2024 and holding the office for two more terms until 2036.
The Bill, ensuring more constitutional powers to the Central government’s appointed Lt. Governor as against the Delhi Assembly, had been passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday…reports Asian Lite News.
The controversial Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, was passed by Parliament on Wednesday, with the Rajya Sabha clearing the provision amid pandemonium, in a major setback to Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The Bill, ensuring more constitutional powers to the Central government’s appointed Lt. Governor as against the Delhi Assembly, had been passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday.
Ensemble of Government buildings on Rajpath in New Delhi, India (Wikipedia)
Moments after the GNCTD (Amendment) Bill, 2021 got the Rajya Sabha’s approval, the Delhi Cabinet, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, took to social media to slam the move, alleging the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre was attempting to rule the national capital through the backdoor.
Kejriwal, in a tweet, said: “RS passes GNCTD amendment Bill. Sad day for Indian democracy. We will continue our struggle to restore power back to people. Whatever be the obstacles, we will continue doing good work. Work will neither stop nor slow down.”
आज का दिन लोकतंत्र के लिए काला दिन है।दिल्ली की जनता द्वारा चुनी हुई सरकार के अधिकारों को छीन कर एलजी के हाथ में सौंप दिया गया।विडंबना देखिए कि लोकतंत्र की हत्या के लिए संसद को चुना गया जो हमारे लोकतंत्र का मंदिर है।दिल्ली की जनता इस तानाशाही के खिलाफ लड़ेगी. #BJPFearsKejriwal
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tweeted in Hindi: “Aaj ka din loktantra ke liye kala din hai. Dilli ki janata dwara chuni huyi sarkar ke adhikaron ko chheen kar LG ke hanth me saunp diya gaya. Vidambna dekhiye ki loktantra ki hatya ke liye sansad ko chuna gaya jo hamare loktantra ka mandir hai. Dilli ki janata is tanashahi ke khilaf ladegi (Today is a black day for democracy. The rights of the elected government have been given to the Lt Governor. The sad part is that the Parliament, which is the temple of democracy, has been chosen to murder democracy. The people of Delhi will resist this dictatorial trends).”
The discussions on the new legislation — which gives greater powers to the Lt Governor — led to heated arguments in the upper House of Parliament a number of times on Wednesday.
Members of the Trinamool Congress, the AAP and the Congress, among many other opposition leaders, raised slogans against the legislation.
Due to the ruckus, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had to cut short her speech in her reply to the Finance Bill 2021.
Union Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman. (File Photo: IANS)
During the debate on the Bill, Trinamool member Derek O’Brien alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party members were constantly commenting on him and that this was against the rules of the House.
Accusing the Central government of arbitrariness, he said the Bill went against the spirit of the federal structure of the nation.
Reacting to O’Brien’s allegations, BJP President J.P. Nadda stood up and accused the Trinamool of double standards.
