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Saudi Arabia's $500 Billion Megacity Dream Clashes With Reality

Saudi Arabia plans to build Neom, a futuristic megacity in the middle of the desert. But residents resisting evictions and a historic collapse in oil prices have raised new questions about the project.




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River basin studies: A half-hearted attempt


Impact assessment studies to understand the consequences of large dam projects have been de-linked from the actual implementation of the projects, thus diluting their value, writes Shripad Dharmadhikary.




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Rape laws have changed, but what about the judiciary?


Laws addressing sexual violence may have changed in India, but with judicial response mired in scepticism and age-old attitudes towards rape survivors, there is little hope for justice. In conversation with Pamela Philipose, noted lawyer Vrinda Grover exposes the contradictions in the legal system.




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Where history and prejudice collide


While the old town is chaotic and crowded, on the other side the roads are wide and well maintained. There appears to be a complete disconnect between the two halves of Mirzapur, writes Kalpana Sharma.




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To audit or not to audit


Has the CAG overstepped its mandate by auditing the capital’s three power distributors at the behest of the ruling Delhi government? While the recent High Court ruling seems to indicate that, Himanshu Upadhyaya argues why the draft audit report must not be rejected.




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CAG audits of PSUs must stay


By framing the debate as one of protecting the 'autonomy' of PSUs from 'microcontrol by government', some pink papers are trying to confuse readers into thinking that CAG audit is a governmental intervention, which it is not. The CAG's role is constitutionally enshrined for ensuring accountability of PSUs, writes Himanshu Upadhyaya.




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Re-engineering the Comptroller and Auditor General


Public audit of an organisation or individual by a statutory authority is proven to give teeth to enforcement. Why then has India's CAG failed to instill fear in the various government departments and enterprises it monitors? A new book by B P Mathur tackles this and more, says Himanshu Upadhyaya.




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Nothing to audit


Inadequate training, shortfall in personnel, weak monitoring systems and unconvincing responses from the government to the CAG.s objections regarding the same reveal the flaws in implementation of the NREGS scheme in Uttar Pradesh. Himanshu Upadhyaya reports.




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When a finance minister lectured auditors


Media reports following the two-day Accountants’ General conference have focused largely on the observations and advice on CAG audits by the Finance Minister and the PAC chairman. Himanshu Upadhyaya wonders if such a meet cannot be evolved into a more citizen-focused and constructive exercise.




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Making public audits count


A report published by Centre for Budget and Governance Accountability (CBGA) on the institution of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), its auditing and reporting process falls short in many aspects, writes Himanshu Upadhyaya.




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How deep does our prejudice run?


Several recent media reports as well as scholarly literature point to a deep-seated communal bias in certain sections of Indian society. Firdaus Ahmed looks closely at the military and its mutations to explore if it can remain insulated from similar prejudicial leanings.




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Urban Water: Judicial recipes falling short


Reviewing recent High Court and Supreme Court rulings, Videh Upadhyay comments on judicial recipes for protecting urban water bodies




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Legislature and Judiciary: The balance


Pradeep K Baisakh traces the changes in the balance of power between our courts and lawmakers.




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How the latest changes to our Constitution will impact the judiciary


A quick summary of the recently passed Constitution (121st Amendment) Bill 2014 from PRS Legislative Research outlines the broad changes that it will bring about in the judicial structure of the country.




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What good is an auditor without information?


A recent letter written by the CAG Shashikant Sharma to the finance minister, seeking access to required information through RTI, exposes once more the lacunae in the powers of the Supreme Audit Institution. Himanshu Upadhyaya analyses the debate around the issue.




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The role of data in judicial reform


It is commonplace to cite the number of cases pending in Indian courts as evidence of a judicial crisis and suggest reforms based on the same. Aparna Chandra highlights why the numbers themselves need to be questioned and understood better for effective reform.




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Judicial delays: Understanding the system before fixing it


On 18 March, at a discussion organised by Daksh India, Nick Robinson from the Harvard Law School explored in detail the phenomenon of judicial delays, sharing insights from his work in both India and the US. Pavan Kulkarni summarises the points raised.




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Social audit of jobs programme in UP


A unique strength of the NREGS is that citizens have the right to oversee its implementation, by direct scrutiny of its records. Sandeep Pandey provides daily updates on the progress of the social audit of the scheme in UP's Unnao district.




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A weak look at judicial reforms


A trickle-down approach that sees justice through the lens of economic growth is the basis for many of its arguments, omissions and conclusions. As a result, it is of use mainly to practitioners of the law, who encounter some of the issues raised in detailed ways. Bikram Jeet Batra reviews Judicial Reforms in India: Issues and Aspects.




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Including the excluded


The intimacy and inclusiveness provided by community media needs to be embraced, and will be a valuable asset in serving the disabled, who are often at the margins of public attention, says Ashish Sen.




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Barefoot auditors ensure health for tribal mothers


In the tribal villages of Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, committed social workers are improving the health and lives of mothers and children by spreading awareness about their special needs. Dilnaz Boga brings you their stories.




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Women in the audience


Sometimes, simply showing up is half the battle won. In caste panchayats in Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra, women activists are finding that attending them regularly is the best way for women to find justice in these community hearings. Aparna Pallavi reports.




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A new twist to social audits


The district administration in Bihar's Araria district collaborates with a local people's organisation to conduct a social audit of the national employment guarantee scheme. Ashish Ranjan and Purushottam Kumar report.




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UK studies find greater virus risk for ethnic minorities




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Saudi Arabia coronavirus cases exceed 35,000




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This Bizarre Studio Apartment in Australia Comes with a Toilet within Kitchen Space

The washroom, which comes with a toilet and shower, is within the kitchen, with just a glass partition between the two areas.




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RBI Writes off Nearly Rs 69,000 Cr Loans, Including Those of Top Defaulters Mehul Choksi & Vijay Mallya

Absconding dimantaire Choksi's company Gitanjali Gems tops the list of these defaulters with a whopping amount of Rs 5,492 crore, according to the list.




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Saudi Arabia Says Investment Plans in India 'On Track' Even as Aramco's Net Profit Falls 21%

On being asked about the effect of the decline in Aramco’s profits on its plans to invest in India, Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to India reiterated that investment plans were on track.




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Saudi, US Firms Eye Stakes in Reliance's Jio, Deals Could Get Completed This Month: Report

The deal could be completed as soon as this month, though no agreement has been finalised and plans may change.




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SAI Makes Services, Excluding Food, Inside its Stadiums Free for IOA and NSFs

SAI has made electricity, water, housekeeping, hostel free for IOA and NSFs and the organisers will now have to make only food and beverages arrangement for an event.




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Dance Deewane Kickstarts Season 3 With Online Auditions

Madhuri Dixit, who is among the judges of the show, recently recorded a special promo asking contestants to upload their dancing videos.




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Not Running After Fame, The Story Should Be Engaging For The Audience, Says Rahul Bose

Actor Rahul Bose says his criteria of choosing projects have remained constant; one where the content does not glorify with hatred.




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Uri Maker Aditya Dhar Says, 'My Intention Is Always To Cater To Large Audience'

Aditya Dhar considers his film Uri: The Surgical Strike blockbuster show among the masses as a validation of its quality.




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Vishal Aditya Singh On His Initial Struggle In The Industry: Did Not Have Money To Go For Auditions

TV actor Vishal Aditya Singh, who became a household name after his stint in Bigg Boss 13, opened about his initial struggle days and facing rejections.




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NASA Picks Three Contracts Including Elon Musk's SpaceX to Build New Lunar Landers

The lunar landers will carry the astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon’s surface and back again.




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VMC not to confirm deaths until declared by audit panel




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South Korean K-League Kicks Off With New Audience, Safety Measures

K-League is the first competition of any standing to come back to life, watched by sport-starved fans in a swathe of foreign countries.




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SC's Judicial Activism Unparalleled in Judicial History, Says Attorney General Venugopal

Venugopal said through judicial activism the "Supreme Court has done a tremendous amount of good. It has practically tried to wipe away every tears of the underprivileged, disadvantaged and illiterate sections of society.




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SC Asks Centre to Explore Giving Further Priority to Pregnant Women in Evacuation From Saudi Arabia

Senior advocate Indira Jaising, appearing for the petitioners, told the bench that pregnancy of these medical professionals is at an advance stage and they need a further priority in the priority already given to pregnant women.




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Saad Audio Clip Asking Tablighi Jamaat to Not Follow Social Distancing was Doctored, Police Probe Suggests

Saad Kandhalvi and six others were charged with flouting of lockdown orders and booked under the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897 and the Indian Penal Code on March 31.




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Bihar Dispatches 28 Ambulances to AES-affected Districts Including 8 to Muzaffarpur

East Champaran, West Champaran got five each, Sitamarhi four while Samastipur, Gopalganj and Siwan districts got two ambulances each, an official release said.




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Twitter India Blocking Me With Very Prejudiced Intentions, Claims Anantkumar Hegde

The MP from Uttara Kannada has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the 'Digital colonisation' by a a corporate entity.




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‘Anti-India’ Twitter Blocked My Account With Prejudiced Intentions: BJP’s Anantkumar Hegde

The MP from Uttara Kannada has also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the 'Digital colonisation' by a a corporate entity.




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BJP Files Petition for Deployment of Paramilitary Forces in WB, Wants Death Audit Committee to be Shut

The West Bengal BJP’s legal cell convenor said the Mamata Banerjee-led government has failed to tackle the coronavirus crisis in the state.




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Priyanka Gandhi Seeks Govt Audit of PM CARES Fund, Bats for Transparency of Public Money

Gandhi said when the public is anguished and there is scarcity of food, water and cash, "the authorities are taking Rs 100 from everyone for the PM CARES Fund and thus it would be appropriate to have an audit of the same".




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Soundarya Rajinikanth's Hand Luggage & Vishagan Vangamudi's Passport Stolen at Heathrow Airport

Calling the experience shocking and traumatic, the daughter of superstar Rajinikanth put up a post on Twitter narrating the ordeal.




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Telugu Actor-Screenwriter Gollapudi Maruti Rao Dies at 80, Condolences Pour in

Born in 1939, Gollapudi Maruti Rao had worked in over 230 films. He is known for writing the scripts for some of the famous films, which includes Doctor Chakravarthy, Tharangini, Samsaram Chadharangam, Kallu among others.




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Saudi Arabia Forms Police Unit to Enforce Coronavirus Curbs on Social Gatherings: Report

The kingdom had previously said such gatherings were prohibited and said on Thursday that those breaching the rules would be punished by law.




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US-based Rights Group Says Saudi Arabia is Holding a Senior Prince Incommunicado Since March

The US-based rights group, citing a source with ties to the royal family, said Prince Faisal bin Abdullah, a son of late monarch King Abdullah, was detained by security forces on March 27 while self-isolating due to the coronavirus pandemic at a family compound northeast of the capital Riyadh.




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COVID-19 Effect: Roadies Revolution Auditions Go Virtual

The auditions for the 17th season of the popular adventure reality show MTV Roadies Revolution will be held live on social media for the first time ever, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown.