Morning Brief: SC Backs Proceedings On Camera; Kovind’s Clarion Call For A New India; Retail Inflation Surges

Good morning, dear reader! Here’s your morning news and views brief for today.

Supreme Court For Video Recording Of Proceedings: In a bid to boost transparency, the Supreme Court on Monday favoured the installation of CCTV cameras with audio recording of all court proceedings, including in its own complex along with those of the high courts and tribunals. The top court observed that the constitutional courts in other countries have audio and video recording, as it is not a matter of privacy of judges. A bench of justices Adarsh Kumar Goel and U U Lalit directed the Centre to submit a feasibility report on installation of CCTV cameras with audio recordings in courts and tribunals. “Constitutional courts in other countries have audio and video recording. It is not a matter of privacy of judges,” the bench said.

President Kovind’s Clarion Call For A New India: In his first address to the nation on the eve of the 71st Independence Day, President Ram Nath Kovind laid down the markers for a New India, one that would be compassionate towards the disadvantaged and would not discriminate on the basis of gender or religion, as he called for a people-government partnership. Kovind hailed the government’s demonetisation decision, people’s support in the battle against corruption and the roll out of goods and services tax. In his 30-minute speech, Kovind lauded the sacrifices made by countless freedom fighters as he specifically named Jawaharlal Nehru along with Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, Ashfaqullah Khan and B R Ambedkar, saying the generation that brought Independence was diverse.

Retail Inflation Surges To 2.36 Per Cent In July: Annual consumer price inflation picked up in India last month after easing for three straight months as a decline in food prices abated, but it remained well below the central bank’s target. The consumer price index, the main policy target for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), rose 2.36 per cent in July from a year earlier, data released by the ministry of statistics showed on Monday. Inflation was 1.46 per cent in June – the slowest pace since India started releasing retail inflation data in January 2012 based on combined data for rural and urban consumers. Analysts said rising inflation reduced the chances of another rate cut by the RBI, which has a central inflation target of 4 per cent.

India Trade War Looming, Says Chinese Media: India and China are facing a trade war after New Delhi imposed anti-dumping duties on 93 Chinese products amidst a military standoff in Doklam area, media reports said. An article in The Global Times urged Chinese firms to “reconsider the risks” of investing in India and warned New Delhi to be “prepared for the possible consequences for its ill-considered action.” The article said that China “could easily retaliate” with restrictions on Indian products, but added that it “doesn’t make much economic sense” for the country. According to the Indian Commerce Ministry, the trade deficit with China last year mounted to over $52 billion when the bilateral trade stood at $70 billion.

Six Soldiers Among 25 Feared Dead Following Uttarakhand Cloudburst: At least 25 people are feared dead in landslide triggered by flashfloods following a cloudburst at Mangti Nalla and Malpa in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. A Junior Commission Officer, five jawans and seven porters were reportedly killed when the cloudburst struck their camp at Mangti Nalla. Three injured soldiers were admitted to the Army Hospital, Dharchula. Due to damaged roads, the search and rescue teams struggled to reach the affected area. The cloudburst at Malpa reportedly killed 14 villagers. Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat said, “There is no clarity on the number of death suffered at Malpa.” His attempt to do an aerial survey of the affected area didn’t materialise due to low visibility and bad weather. The cloudburst struck the area at 2.40am, leading to landslides.

Hizbul Names Bin Qasim As New Commander: A day after the killing of its operational chief Yasin Itoo alias Mehmood Ghaznavi, Hizbul Mujahideen on Tuesday named Muhammad Bin Qasim as the new "field operational commander" of the outfit. The announcement was made after Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin headed a meeting of the outfit’s “command council” in Muzaffarabad (in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir). Ghaznavi along with his two associates were killed in a fierce gun battle in Awneera, Shopian in south Kashmir on Sunday morning. Police termed his killing as a major jolt to Hizbul and a major achievement for the security forces.

China Warns US Over ‘Trade War’: As US President Donald Trump launched an investigation into Chinese intellectual property practices, Beijing warned that nobody would win in a "trade war" with the Washington. Trump on Monday authorised an inquiry on whether to investigate China's alleged theft of intellectual property, the first direct action by the White House against a country Trump has painted as the US chief trade villain. The investigation could lead to sanctions against Beijing. Asked about the US move, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said any member of the World Trade Organisation must respect WTO rules. "Fighting a trade war has no future. There will be no winner and everybody will lose," Hua said. Trade war will hurt US firms first, China says.

UK Vows Support For India's Rise As Global Power: Britain will support India to fulfill its potential as a leading world power, a senior Indian-origin Cabinet Minister has said. “Britain will continue to stand with India and support it to fulfill its potential as a leading world power,” said Priti Patel, the 45-year-old Conservative Party member with her origins in Gujarat. Patel, secretary of state for international development in British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Cabinet, said the UK was ready for a great future with India as it leaves the European Union. “India has grown into the world’s largest democracy, engaging people across the country in great political debate and securing India’s place as a global leader in the 21st Century,” she said.

MUST READ OPINIONS AND COLUMNS

India, Pakistan And Bangladesh 70 years After The British Left: Although India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are now much wealthier, their masses still live in poverty, working in precarious jobs, in the midst of rampant inequality. Here is a comparison of the three countries on key social and economic parameters such as poverty, unemployment and child malnutrition.

The Logic Of India’s Response To China: India remains the last nation standing – a stumbling block in China’s drive for domination of the Indo-Pacific. For India, there is only one option regarding the Doklam standoff: standing up to China resolutely to protect its core interests.

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BJP’s Meteoric Rise Is Ringing Alarm Bells Even Among Its NDA Allies: Like the BJP’s political opposition, its NDA allies also fear being squeezed out of their bastions and losing their vote base.

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