Morning Brief: Ajit Doval In China Next Week, IPL v/s Courts Continue, Modi to launch Online Agri-market

Good Morning, Dear Readers

Here’s what you need to know today.

Ajit Doval May Raise An Issue About China - Pakistan Economic Corridor. He is expected to do so during his strategic dialogue with China next week in Beijing. Apart from this $40bn project, Doval is also expected to raise concerns about China using its veto to stop a UN ban against Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist Masood Azhar.

Courts v/s IPL Continues In Maharashtra. Some 13 IPL matches may have to be shifted out of Maharashtra. The Bombay HC has, in response to PILs, ordered that all matches to be played in the state after April 30 must be shifted out of the drought affected state. Also, the court will nominate drought-affected villages to which BCCI has volunteered to supply 64 lakh litres of water. If you’re wondering why the courts are getting into what are essentially local and state administration duties please read this piece on judicial over-reach for more context.

Niti Aayog Will Expedite Disinvestment Process. The think-tank will soon file blueprints for disinvestment of PSUs. The government aims to pocket upwards of Rs 56,000 crores this financial year through disinvestment. “We have to move fast”, said the Chairman of Niti Aayog Dr Arvind Panagariya.

PM Modi Will Launch National Online Agri-market Platform Today. The platform will be rolled out to 200 mandis by September this year. The platform is part of a multi-pronged effort by the government to double farmers income by 2022. Easy access to online trading, price information and other facilities available through the agri-market platform are expected to provide better returns for the farmers.

In the states

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah In Trouble. He faces allegations of favouring his son, Dr Yathindra in tendered contracts for setting up CT and MRI scanning labs in a hospital.

Maharashtra Passes ‘Anti-Khap’ Bill. The bill seeks to crack down on caste and community panchayats indulging in illegal activities such as social boycotts of individuals.

Amit Shah Guns For Dravidian Parties. Accusing the Dravidian parties of failing Tamil Nadu, Amit Shah asked voters to give BJP a chance in the state. But the state is not likely to give the BJP alliance more than a handful of seats, if that, in the upcoming elections.

Other notables

India to add 8 new major ports to the 12 already functional: Nitin Gadkari. Wadhwan in Maharashtra, Sagar in Bengal and Colachel in Tamil Nadu have already been accounced. The locations of other ports have not been revealed. But the minister said the three ports named above will entail an investment of Rs 25,000 crores. Work on these ports will start this year. India has not built a new port since Kandla (built in 1950!).

Remains of WWII US Soldier Flown Back To US. The remains are from a B-24 bomber that crashed in Arunachal Pradesh sometime during the Second World War. US authorities will now attempt to use the remains to identify the veteran(s). US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter attended a small ceremony at the airport when the remains were being loaded onto a plane.

Op-eds You Shouldn’t MIss

The growing tribe of think tanks in India. The quality of output and influence in policymaking have been disappointing.

A firm handshake, not an embrace. By agreeing to sign the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA), India has sent out a clear signal that it has no inhibitions about being bound in strategic engagements with the U.S. This would qualitatively transform India’s relations with the U.S. A firm handshake with the U.S. is welcome, but it need not be an embrace, just yet.

What Dalits Want. Why is it that a leader from among Dalits is always seen only as a “Dalit leader”, which is not the case with other leaders? Hierarchical casteism is entrenched in the social psyche, and that is where the battle is.

Swarajya Special

SC’s Constitutional Coup: Ambedkar’s Finely Crafted Balance Of Power Is Gone. SC has over-read the constitution to give itself almost dictatorial powers, something the constitution never envisaged.

Not Just Smart Cities; India Needs Smart Temple Entrepreneurship Too. India’s old temples are overcrowded and simply don’t attract younger new followers due to dingy interiors and excessive pandering to the orthodox. New temples must be built to meet different faith needs, free from government control and allowing new traditions broadly rooted in Hinduism.

Here’s wishing you a great day ahead!

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