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JAIPUR CITY/001/2024-26 JOURNALISM OF COURAGE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024, JAIPUR, LATE CITY, 16 PAGES `6.00 WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM SINCE 1932 Modern farming, Prosperous farmers Guarantee G 3.5 fold increase in fertilizer subsidy in last 10 years; Increase from ₹ 71 thousand crore in 2014 to over ₹ 2.5 lakh crore now Hamara Sankalp Viksit Bharat Government of India cbc 22201/13/0272/2324 M Modi Sarkar ki Scan for more information SupremeCourtletsthesunlightin SECURING INTEGRITY OF POLLS NOT JUST EC DUTY, FALLS ON LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE, JUDICIARY TOO: 5-JUDGE BENCH Upholding citizen’s right to know, court strikes down electoral bonds scheme, secret funding of polls SC orders SBI to give details of bonds to EC, sets March 13 deadline NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 INAhistoricverdictbarelyweeks beforetheLokSabhapollsareset tobenotified,theSupremeCourt struck down Thursday the Narendra Modi government’s 2018 electoral bonds scheme of anonymous political funding. Highlighting that “the information about funding to a political party is essential for a voter to exercise their freedom to vote in an effective manner”, a fivejudge Constitution bench, headedbyChief Justiceof IndiaD Y Chandrachud, said that changes made in the laws to implement the scheme were unconstitutional. Holding the scheme “violative” of the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression and right to information,thecourtdidnotagreewith the Centre’s contention that it BUSINESS AS USUAL NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 REACTINGtotheSupremeCourt orderstrikingdowntheelectoral bonds scheme, the BJP said the Centre was only attempting to move towards greater transparency in political funding. “This decision was undertaken with the laudable objective of transparency in electoral NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 All eyes on SBI, EC as wait begins for names of donors CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 fundingandreducingcashinfluence...Thosewhogivedonations say it is good if some secrecy is maintained.This isn’t unnatural. If another government comes, it could go after them. So, if someone is honestly doing business, we thought let them do so,” BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said, addressing a press conference at the party headquarters. Off the record, party leaders said that while the Supreme CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 RITIKA CHOPRA NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 WILL THE names of electoral bond donors be known within a month from today? Officials in the Election Commission are confident that, following the specific order of the Supreme Court, that will be very much possible by March 13. “We haven’t yet had the opportunitytoreadtheorderinde- 6,566 tailbutit'sabundantlycleartous that SBI will have to share the names of those who purchased electoral bonds. So there's no doubt about it,” said an EC official who requested anonymity. What remains uncertain at thismomentiswhetherthedata shared by SBI will be presented inaformatthathelpsoneimmediately match the bond buyer to the political party that received the same bond. “Irrespective of CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 TOTAL VALUE OF ELECTORAL BONDS SOLD FROM 2017-18 TO 2022-23 Total Amount `11,450 cr BJPgot 57%funds 1,123 1,093 774 617 1,095 94 64 24 Others: BRS: 384, YSRCP: 382, TDP: 147, Shiv Sena: 101, JD(S): 49, SP: 14, SAD: 7, AIADMK: 6, RJD: 3, JMM: 1, MGP: 1, SDF: 1 Source: Supreme Court KANCHAN VASDEV IN HIS first meeting with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thaniafterthereleaseof eight Indian nationals earlier this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday “expressed deep appreciation” and thanked him for his support. ON THURSDAY, after Davinder Singh Bhangu Shekhupuria, 22, afarmerfromGhanaurinPatiala, underwent a surgery for the removal of a pellet in his eye, his doctors at the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector32,Chandigarh,confirmed CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 15 PM Narendra Modi with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. ANI CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Shekhupuria suffered pellet injury in his left eye. Express ‘Burden is off my shoulders now’: Father watching, Sarfaraz sizzles on Test debut PAGE 1 ANCHOR DEVENDRA PANDEY MUMBAI, FEBRUARY 15 SARFARAZ KHAN could not hold his tears back when the legendaryAnilKumblehandedhim his maiden Test cap, just before the start of the third Test between India and England in THE INDIAN ‘INFORMATION EXPRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024 AL PARTIES G OF POLITIC ABOUT FUNDIN POLL BONDS IS ESSENTIAL VERDICT SE OF THE CHOICE FOR ... EXERCI OF VOTING’ JUSTICE MANOJ SANJIV KHANNA GAVAI of law is an abuse JUSTICE B R a political party or a purpose. to donate to UD justification their choice cannot be a donor exercising wrong itself against any As it is a wrong,the or retaliation victimisation and corrected. IVKHANNA Retribution, be checked This has to —JUSTICESANJ and power. nds case in Electoral Bo Proportionality ment into the of state’s encroach privacy? protecting donor black money, the however, appliedcase s of curbing CJI Chandrachud, Since the nality” test. right — the nal to its objective “doubleproportio facets of two competing a fundamental ls proportio give effect to the donor. involves balancing — the right to informaBench to of with the rights rights of individua right to privacy proportion2017 seven-judge the in the of interference t argued fundamental toprivacy, the recognised best practice On the extent tionandtheright be enough. ruling, which w,thegovernmen .Justice Puttaswamy only operates voter’srighttokno test would not theproportionalitytest fundamentalright information or in ality righttoprivacyasa inhisconcurringopinion the right to Accordingtohim, directly tested against in the possessionoperKaul must that liament cannotinterright is SanjayKishan to be upheld ights,the that lists against information state. It cannot for when a A lawpassedbyPar state action of the by law; (ii) ra“balancing”ofr knowl- is of theConstitution stated the the The on notinthe stateaction,butfo rther.Essentially,thecourt in a the knowledge action is sanctioned ferewith Part-III fundamental rights. bearer Solicitor seekinginformati be necessary show:(i) The theperinterest-free or — which courtneedstogofu action must (iii) atefor possession of the state, out the inviolable THESE WERE nethematterfromthe state with Article19(1) The proposed free legitimate aim; which citizens from if edge or willhavetoexami only interferencefundamental right to society for a Mehta argued. instruments must be prorights and decide democratic the could purchase General Tushar issue of safeguards,Mehta extent that the spective of both astrestrictive”methodsto such interference then corporations ibleistothe on free guarantees the The extent of suchinterference; of India, and Finally, onthe order, all the details can hasadoptedthe“le Additionally, whether the needfor listed in Article the State Bank guaranTHAT the restrictions a court not speech—permiss parties to fund portionate to restrictions” investigation. said that on UNDERLINING toralbondsschemeare must be procedural realise bothrights.roportionateimpactonany test to decide “reasonable donate to political They were for a criminal at. flouted. The and (iv) There interference.” be furnished restriction speechbytheelecto its goal, a five-judge measurehasadisp also has to be looked abuse of such 19(2) are not election expenses.2017 Union areasonable tees against out that in the an action is Supreme Court, “proportional” test? oneof the tworights introduced test. opinion pointed asthe Bench of the India (CJI) DY whether argument? SC apply the proportionfinance minister Constitution The CJI in his of upheld the government’s the govern- How did hods, such applying the said that is the proportionality Budget by then“cleanse the system Chief Justice cSC ruling that in his disWhat was the downthe JusticeKhanna, to are lessintrusivemet opinion, bonds case, headed by In the 2018 nimouslystruck Arun Jaitley eme, toachievetheobje his separate be a legitimate there the country” black money In the electoral y Justice Chandrachud protecting funding in ality test in Chandrachud,una that curbing in cannot Aadhaar Act, of political to electoraltrustssch money and that theproportionalit black theelecment had argued nor anonymity arebothle“transparency donor anonymityheld that voters' right scheme. tive of curbing icialreviewof senting opinionsaid best practice judicial and bring about in India”. andprotectingdo the state. While tackling aim. He also in political dominant Essentially,thejud involved examining that involve for donor anonymity. anonymity , the state test is “the electoral funding scheme r gitimate aims fairly non-contentious resolving disputes know supersedes toral bonds state’s encroachis standard for extent of the tween tworightsclaimso black money was profunding. donor anonymity whether the be taken argued that of individuals eitheraconflictbe dalegitimategovernment itseeks party cannot rights to government — curbing right to life ment into the stateinterestsince betweenarightan is deemed necessary example, the law and order. achieve its objectives privacy. test donor the isalsoalegitimate portional to so that the interest.” The away to ensure formally laid down as and protecting arbitrary action, elyeven black money guard against The test was uishtherightentir test? How nterest.For statecannotexting proportionality of alegitimatestatei the state What is the inpursuance decide whether does the Court action is proportional? Was the extent ELECTORAL BONDS APURVA VISHWANATH 15 NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY that SC in 3 key laws Amendments restored status quo struck down, AJOY SINHA KARPURAM NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 Bonds Scheme, the Electoral ckdown ALONG WITH tonThursdaystru in theSupremeCour the government made to that e donations amendments amount. to, nor the specific sent a donation SC SAID: The court struck said that WHAT THE Justiceof India toSection 29C.It in ment.Chief “perclude anexception declare all donations to observed that do- downthisamend not apply to the requirement (CJI) D Y Chandrachud corporate contributions 20,000 would Bonds. excess of Rs ence of compamitting unlimited through Electoral nations received SC SAID: The court struck authorises unrestrainedinflu right WHAT THE ent,andobserved thatthe nies in the electoral process”. this violatedthe the contribudowntheamendm The courtheldthat to disclose and restored fair elections, meant to curb original requirement20,000did an effective to free and than Rs which is tions of more voters’ right to information original provision al financing. balancing tion in elect donors, as dona THE SUPREME Court decision striking down the contentious electoralbondschemeofthegovernment as unconstitutional has giventhebeleagueredopposition INDIAbloc—rivenbyinternaldissension — an unexpected and much-needed political talking point, and an opportunity to aggressivelyaddcorruptiontoitsarmoury in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. TheSupremeCourtorderhas askedtheStateBankofIndia(SBI), BY S Y QURAISHI AVITALVERDICT A landmark moment, affirms people’s right to know PAGE 8 E MISRA CJI D Y CHANDRACH JUSTICE reason for financial to conceal the teacher. PARDIWALA be allowed artist or a shouldnot JUSTICE J B worker, an andcompanies a daily wage madeby corporationspopulation: a student, contributions section of the NDRACHUD The huge political madeby another OFINDIADYCHA contributions —CHIEFJUSTICE NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 d RBI, EC raise Objections that Bonds Scheme on the Electoral What ECI said main objecCommission’s purchasing serious imThe Election personor entity of EBswouldhavea“ finaidentity of the will be known because tion wasthat of political the bearer bond pact on transparency parties”. In May Customer requirement,the of political Law SERVICE theKnow Your intervening persons/entince/funding Ministry of the wrote to the 15 to the would impact identities of 2017, the ECI not be known.“This of Money about the amendments Act, the ties will and Justice of the Prevention ationofthePeople the conceived, the principles 2002,”it stated. it was being I-T Act,theRepresent introduced by criticism Act Act AT THE time thattheinScheme faced Reserve Laundering of theopinion bonds — and Companies — the Electoral Bonds ent 2017. ■TheRBIwas electoral institutions Finance Act that“theAmendm of introducing from two key (RBI) and the Election be paidout Init,theECIstated had tention that anydonation contributions Bank of India India (ECI). While both electhat theelectoral — can be accomplished of which hasbeenmade”— party through of money money Commission by a political prevention and electronic of tax-paid reporting demand draft, is no special received is out of the ambit of ground. differing concerns, cribed by cheque, bond was a common payments. “There tionReportaspres bond in toral laundering 1 and digital a new bearer undertheContribu thePeopleAct,195 d for introducing orm of electoral ency esentationof EXPRESS NEWS NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY RBI’s objections PAGES 6, 11 ments on the grounds that the state could have used a method “less re● strictive”of fundamental rights. Essentially, the court did not CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 RAS- 2021 esa 750+ Selections Star achievers who realised their dreams of civil services with us 5 Ranks in TOP 10, 34 Ranks in TOP 50 & 69 Ranks in TOP 100 Students Kiran Pal RANK- 3 Class Student Vishwajeet Bharti Gupta Aakansha Dubey Ankur Vijay Ishwar Lal Gurjar Pooja Pareek RANK- 4 Class Student RANK- 5 Class Student RANK- 6 Interview Program Satya Narayan Shaheen Anjum Narendra Mohan Choudhary RANK- 10 Interview Program RANK- 12 Test Series Deepshikha Kalvi Karamveer Singh Taniya Paramjeet Singh RANK- 13 Class Student RANK- 15 Class Student Divya Soni Gaurav Sarswat RANK- 18 Test Series RANK- 19 Interview Program Rajat Neeraj Gupta Kaushalya Bishnoi RANK- 16 Class Student Divya Bishnoi BJP Cong TMC BJD DMK AAP NCP JD(U) Others SHUBHAJIT ROY NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 15 INSIDEAINED 13 E EXPL MANOJ C G DEMOCRACY’S GUARDIANANGEL Allfiguresin`crore PM thanks Qatar Emir for 3 farmers lost vision to release of 8 ex-Navy men pellets: Punjab minister CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 STRIKING down the electoral bonds scheme, the Supreme Court has raised the bar for the state to justify its encroachment of a fundamental right even when its action is perceived to furtheracompetingright.Itheld that the state has to prove that its measure is the “least restrictive”andthatthere are no other “equally effective” methods to achieve its stated goal. So this ruling sets a precedent: the court has struck down a set of legislative amend- The five-judge bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud (centre), including (from left) Justices J B Pardiwala, Sanjiv Khanna, B R Gavai and Manoj Misra, on Thursday. ANI was meant to bring about transparency and curb black money in political funding. In its two separate but unanimous verdicts spanning 232 pages,thecourtalsodirectedthe SBI, the authorised financial institution under the scheme, to submit by March 6 the details of THE EDITORIAL PAGE APURVA VISHWANATH BY UNNY Respect the court, says BJP, aim of the scheme was transparency LIZ MATHEW & VIKAS PATHAK SC draws new red line: burden is on state to be ‘least restrictive’ EXPLAINED ANANTHAKRISHNAN G Opp welcomes verdict, hopes to flag ‘quid pro quo’ as campaign point BALANCING COMPETING RIGHTS Sarfaraz Khan hugs his father Naushad after receiving his Test debut cap in Rajkot on Thursday. ANI Rajkot on Thursday. Beside him was his wife, who too was overcome with emotions. He ran towards his father Naushad, the most influential figure of his life, and hugged him. “I will cry the whole day when I play for my country,” he had once told The Indian Express. 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