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<ul><li>If India bans virtual private networks, it would join the league of China, North Korea, Russia and UAE in doing so.</li><li>Popular VPN services, like NordVPN, ExpressVPN and IPVanish, give users anonymity on the internet and allow them to access sites that are banned. In India, <keyword id="752657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vpns" source="Orion">VPNs</keyword> were a rage when the popular mobile game PUBG was banned last year.</li><li>These are also used by companies to allow secure access to the company’s servers and data by employees working remotely who may be using public or unsecured internet connections.</li><li>Check out the latest news and updates on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/" data-type="tilCustomLink">Business Insider</a>.</li></ul>The Parliamentary Standing Committee on <keyword id="365819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="home-affairs" source="Orion">Home Affairs</keyword> in India has urged the government to block virtual private networks (VPNs) in India. Just like Belarus, China, Iraq, North Korea, Oman, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates have. So who is it likely to affect? Popular VPN services, like NordVPN, ExpressVPN and IPVanish, give users anonymity on the internet and allow them to access sites that are banned. In India, VPNs were a rage when the popular mobile game PUBG was banned last year. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Popular VPN services in India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Free/Paid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Commonly used for… </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">NordVPN </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Paid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Speed and privacy </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">ExpressVPN </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Paid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fast speed and access to popular apps </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">TorGuard </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Paid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Torrenting </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IPVanish </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Paid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Multi-device support </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">CyberGhost </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Paid </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Access to multiple servers </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table> These are widely used to watch anything from Netflix content in other countries to the hidden websites on the dark web as well as pornographic websites like Pornhub, Xvideos, and Youporn, which are also banned in India. In fact, India is said to have the highest adoption rate of VPNs according to <a href="https://atlasvpn.com/vpn-adoption-index">data</a> from Atlas VPN. VPNs provide greater privacy than even a secured Wi-Fi hotspot. These are also used by companies to allow their employees working remotely to log in to the company network from anywhere and keep company data secure through the encrypted network. So will the ban on VPN hurt remote work? “We believe the ban is primarily not really for VPN tunnels of large companies and business entities but targeting VPN companies which help Indian citizens in bypassing the current internet bans implemented in India to conduct cybercrime activity. We also think the government would allow companies that comply with Indian data laws regulations,” Ashara said. Is it possible to ban VPN? Yes, it is possible to ban VPNs. “The government would release a mandate to Internet service providers to block commonly used VPN protocols and ports used by these VPN services. Additionally, less technical ISPs will still have loose ends in having an effective blanket ban of VPN services,” said Darshit Ashara, Associate VP of CloudSEK’s research team. “Given the current technological world that we reside in, a popular technique named "Deep Packet Inspection" can be implemented to get this done. Alongside IP address or Port blocking techniques can also be used. We have earlier noticed Reliance Jio using SNI-inspection based filtering to block websites,” Ashara added. Why is this ban on VPN being proposed? The committee in its report presented to Rajya Sabha, highlighted the dangers of VPNs that can “bypass cyber security walls and allow criminals to remain anonymous online”. Since VPNs encrypt your internet traffic it gives you the protection of your virtual identity. Your online activities are hidden from the websites you visit and from ISPs as well. But the main purpose of VPNs is to help prevent third parties from tracking your online activities and stealing data. In addition to working with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and internet service providers (ISPs) to identify and block VPNs, the committee suggested a coordination mechanism be developed with international agencies to ensure that the VPNs are blocked permanently. It also urged the government to improve the tracking and surveillance systems to keep a check on the use of VPN and the dark web as well. The dark web consists of hidden internet sites that can be accessed only by a specialised web browser. These websites are used to keep internet activity anonymous and private. Like VPNs, the dark web can be used for both legal and illegal purposes. Will the ban be foolproof? More than the process of blocking <keyword id="12006435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vpns-in-the-country" source="Orion">VPNs in the country</keyword>, the task of ensuring that the ban is in place would be more important, Ashara added. Similar to how individuals can find ways to bypass bans on apps like PUBG Mobile, the same could be followed for VPNs as well. “If not so sophisticated users are able to evade bans, here we are talking about someone(cybercriminal) who is technically strong or very least knowledgeable,” Ashara said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/twitter-is-finally-helping-users-safeguard-against-targeted-attacks-and-trolls/articleshow/85850482.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Twitter is finally helping users safeguard against targeted attacks and trolls</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/reddit-banned-an-anti-vaccine-anti-mask-community-after-135-of-its-biggest-forums-protested/articleshow/85852024.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Reddit banned an anti-vaccine, anti-mask community after 135 of its biggest forums protested</a>

Who should worry about the proposed VPN ban in India

The government is expected to propose amendments to the competition law after taking into consideration various suggestions of a Parliamentary panel, in the upcoming <keyword id="105431" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Budget-session" source="Orion">Budget session</keyword> of <keyword id="6354721" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword>, according to a senior official. Besides, discussions are going on with respect to amendments to the <keyword id="6354456" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code" source="Orion">Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code</keyword> (<keyword id="192838" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ibc" source="Orion">IBC</keyword>) as well as the Companies Act, 2013. The official also said that the corporate affairs ministry is examining a Parliamentary panel's suggestions for having a new digital competition law. The ministry is implementing the Competition Act, IBC and the Companies Act, and amendments to these laws are expected this year. A bill to amend the competition law was introduced in Parliament on August 5 last year and was later referred to the <keyword id="403206" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="parliamentary-standing-committee-on-finance" source="Orion">Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance</keyword>. The panel tabled its report on December 13 last year and the ministry will now be coming up with an amendment bill after taking into consideration various recommendations of the committee. The senior official said the bill to amend the competition law is expected in the <keyword id="6358021" type="General" weightage="70" keywordseo="budget" source="Orion">Budget</keyword> session of Parliament. The introduction of a 'Settlement and Commitment framework to reduce litigations' and incentivising parties in an ongoing cartel investigation in terms of lesser penalty to disclose information regarding other cartels were among the proposals in the bill that was introduced in August last year. In its report, the Parliamentary panel recommended various changes to the bill to amend the competition law, including bringing cartels under the scope of settlements as a "pragmatic recourse". The Budget session of Parliament will commence on January 31 with President <keyword id="2848422" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="droupadi-murmu" source="Orion">Droupadi Murmu</keyword>'s address to the joint sitting of <keyword id="6355187" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="lok-sabha" source="Orion">Lok Sabha</keyword> and <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword>. The session will have 27 sittings and will continue till April 6 with a month-long recess to examine the budget papers. The first part of the session will conclude on February 14 and after a break, reconvene on March 12. In another report on 'Anti-Competitive Practices by Big Tech Companies', the Parliamentary panel, on December 22, proposed a new digital competition law, ex-ante regulations and the creation of a category of systemically important digital intermediaries to curb anti-competitive practices in the digital market. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/i-belong-to-middle-class-understand-their-pressures-sitharaman-before-budget/articleshow/97031282.cms">I belong to middle class, understand their pressures: Sitharaman before Budget</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/over-5-4-lakh-housing-units-to-be-completed-across-top-7-cities-in-2023-anarock-report/articleshow/97029912.cms">Over 5.4 lakh housing units to be completed across top 7 cities in 2023: Anarock report</a>

Amendments to competition law likely in Budget session

Shimla, The <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword> government has decided to partially open <keyword id="37180" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="schools">schools</keyword> from next month by strictly following standard operating procedures in view of the coronavirus pandemic, an minister said on Friday. Classes 5 and 8-12 in schools in the plains that have summer vacations will open from February 1, while those in the hilly areas having longer winter vacations will start February 15, <keyword id="380681" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliamentary-Affairs">Parliamentary Affairs</keyword> Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said. Industrial training institutes, and polytechnic and engineering colleges will also open from February 1. The decision to reopen these <keyword id="51717" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Institutions">institutions</keyword> was taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Jairam Thakur after reviewing the current coronavirus situation in the state, Bhardwaj said. The management of these institutions will ensure strict use of face masks, social distancing and use of sanitisers in their premises, he added. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-s21-series-launched-in-india-price-specifications-and-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/80271404.cms">Samsung Galaxy S21 series launched in India – price, specifications, and everything you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/these-amazing-facts-about-the-indian-army-will-make-you-beam-with-pride/slidelist/80270052.cms">Army Day 2021: These amazing facts about the Indian Army will make you beam with pride</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/hcl-tech-clocks-in-nearly-27-jump-in-profit-crosses-the-10-billion-revenue-in-third-quarter-of-year-2020-21/articleshow/80278852.cms">HCL Tech clocks in nearly 27% jump in profit, crosses the $10 billion revenue milestone with one more quarter left</a>

Schools in Himachal Pradesh to partially reopen from February 1

<ul><li>The man who compared GST to a newly-wed daughter in law is a junior minister in Modi government's second term.</li><li>65-year old Meghwal started out as a bureaucrat in Indian Administrative Service.</li><li>He has won the Bikaner constituency for the BJP three times in a row.</li></ul> "We bring daughter-in law so that family grows and grows in right direction. Similarly, GST (goods and services tax) is a new bride for the country. We have brought this law so that country grow in a right direction," Meghwal said addressing a realty conference in August 2017. Today, he has been appointed as the minister for Parliamentary Affairs as well as Heavy Industries and Public Sector Enterprises. In the Narendra Modi government's first term, <keyword id="6721" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="babul-Supriyo">Babul Supriyo</keyword>, the member of Parliament from West Bengal, was in charge of Heavy Industries and Public Sector Enterprises. Babul Supriyo has now been given the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. Meghwal was BJP’s candidate for Bikaner, a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/lok-sabha-election-2019-second-phase-political-strategy-for-reserved-seats/articleshow/68925204.cms">reserved constituency</a>, for three elections in a row and he won each time. In 2019, Arjun Meghwal has secured nearly 60% of the votes, handily beating his Congress rival Madan Gopal Meghwal, his cousin, who got 36% of the votes. He the Minister of State (MoS) (junior minister) for water resources and the former MoS for Finance in the Narendra Modi government's first term from 2014 to 2019. In his role as MoS of Finance, Meghwal was tasked with <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/government-keeping-an-eye-on-gst-implementation-regularly-arjun-ram-meghwal/articleshow/60337154.cms">spearheading the rollout</a> of the Modi administration’s Goods and Services Tax in mid-2017 and helping resolve its various implementation problems. Meghwal started out as a bureaucrat in Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and entered politics in 2009. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/hardeep-singh-puri-new-minister-for-trade-civil-aviation-and-housing-in-modi-cabinet/articleshow/69586149.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India's former representative to UN is the country's new minister for trade, civil aviation and two of Modi's pet projects</a>

Arjun Ram Meghwal is India's new minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Heavy Industries, and Public Sector Companies

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A parliamentary committee is to question the chair of the House of Lords Appointment Commission.</li><li>The watchdog, which vets nominees, has had its advice overruled by <keyword id="11911533" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="boris-johnson" source="Orion">Boris Johnson</keyword>.</li></ul>The chair of the House of Lords appointments watchdog is due to be questioned by MPs following reports that Boris Johnson overruled its refusal to hand a peerage to <keyword id="13224744" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="evgeny-lebedev" source="Orion">Evgeny Lebedev</keyword>, the Russian-born oligarch and son of a former KGB agent.Conservative MP William Wragg, who chairs Parliament's <keyword id="13610317" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="public-administration-and-constitutional-affairs-committee" source="Orion">Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs committee</keyword>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Gabriel_Pogrund/status/1514163988564791297">told Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner</a>, that the committee will hold an evidence session on the watchdog soon after Parliament returns from its Easter recess.Lord Bew, the chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission, will be <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/event/13330/formal-meeting-oral-evidence-session/">questioned by MPs on April 20</a>.The evidence session may also cover the appointment of <keyword id="13610318" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="peter-cruddas" source="Orion">Peter Cruddas</keyword>, who had given the Conservative Party £3 million in donations, sources told Insider.<a href="https://twitter.com/AngelaRayner/status/1514169189010976770?s=20&amp;t=skSe0EMm-UlP466aCswpWw">Rayner described the session</a> as "very welcome news", saying there were "many unanswered questions about how the business partner &amp; son of an 'ex-KGB' agent was granted a seat in our Parliament."The evidence session follows reports, first seen in <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/boris-johnsons-russian-crony-evgeny-lebedev-got-peerage-after-spies-dropped-warning-3dp6sw29x">The Sunday Times,</a> that Johnson intervened to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/senior-tory-cant-believe-boris-johnson-made-lebedev-a-lord-2022-3?r=US&amp;IR=T">overrule security advice against handing Lebedev</a> a seat in the House of Lords.In December 2020, Cruddas was handed a peerage by Johnson despite the House of Lords Appointments Commission raising concerns over his probity. Days after joining the Lords, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/disgraced-tory-lord-backed-by-boris-johnson-gives-conservatives-500k-2021-6?r=US&amp;IR=T">he gave the Conservative Party £500,000</a>.

Lords appointments watchdog to be questioned after Boris Johnson overruled its advice on Russian oligarch Evgeny Lebedev and Tory donor Peter Cruddas

Stepping up his attack against parliamentary panel on information technology chairman <keyword id="42749" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shashi-Tharoor">Shashi Tharoor</keyword>, BJP MP and a member of the panel <keyword id="294500" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nishikant-Dubey">Nishikant Dubey</keyword> on Thursday wrote a letter to the Lok Sabha Speaker requesting him to remove the Congress leader from the post. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="77575358" title="The heat is on Mark Zuckerberg in India as Facebook and WhatsApp incur the ire of Modi's rivals" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> Citing the Lok Sabha rules, Dubey requested Speaker Om Birla to appoint any other member as the chairman of the committee in his place. Taking a dig at Tharoor, Dubey alleged,"speaking in 'Spencerian' English with a foreign accent does not give freedom to an individual to not only disregard our glorious parliamentary institutions/organs to meet his own political ambitions but also to abuse our constitution." Ever since Tharoor has become the panel head, "he is running the affairs of the committee in a thoroughly unprofessional manner and to serve his political agenda of spreading rumours and defaming my party," Dubey said in the letter. "..it would be highly improper for Dr. Shashi Tharoor to continue and regulate the proceedings of the committee. I, therefore, appeal to your good self to persuade Dr. Tharoor to proceed on leave and thereafter,... choose another member of the Committee to act as Chairperson," Dubey said in the letter. Dubey and Tharoor have filed breach of privilege notices against each other on Wednesday after a spat on social media over the Congress leader's remarks on summmoning the <keyword id="736869" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Facebook-India">Facebook India</keyword> executives over reports that the social media giant went soft on some BJP leaders who had made hate speeches ahead of the general elections last year. While Dubey said Tharoor was treating the committee as an extension of Congress party, the Congress leader had alleged that the BJP MP made "disparaging remarks" on social media over his decision to summon a panel meeting to discuss the alleged "misconduct" of Facebook. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/the-heat-is-on-mark-zuckerberg-in-india-as-facebook-and-whatsapp-incur-the-ire-of-modis-rivals/articleshow/77575358.cms">The heat is on Mark Zuckerberg in India as Facebook and WhatsApp incur the ire of Modi's rivals</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/facebook-is-hiring-senior-execs-for-its-digital-wallet-novi-and-its-partnership-with-jio/articleshow/77606649.cms">Facebook is hiring senior execs for its digital wallet Novi and its partnership with Jio</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/more-than-half-the-companies-in-india-have-faced-at-least-one-data-breach-since-going-remote/articleshow/77653222.cms">More than half the companies in India have faced at least one data breach since going remote</a>

Facebook row escalates as BJP leader asks for Shashi Tharoor's removal from Parliamentary Panel

Home Minister <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/topic/Rajnath-Singh/2">Rajnath Singh</a> has said that alleged <keyword id="4144957" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="hate-crimes-against-indians">hate crimes against Indians</keyword> in the US are not being taken lightly by India, and the government will make a statement on the matter in the parliament next week. 
 
At least two Indians have been killed in incidents of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/hillary-clinton-trump-must-step-up-speak-out-on-hate-crimes/articleshow/57382005.cms">hate crime</a> in the US in the recent past. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/trump-breaks-silence-condemns-killing-of-indian-techie-in-kansas-shooting/articleshow/57407125.cms">Trump breaks silence, condemns killing of Indian techie in Kansas shooting</a> 
 While opposition members have already raise the issue in the <keyword id="6355187" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lok-Sabha">Lok Sabha</keyword>, Singh said that the government is taking the issue seriously. 
 
Also read: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/NYPD-Hate-crimes-are-up-31-since-last-year/articleshow/55466298.cms">NYPD: Hate crimes are up 31% since last year</a> 
 <keyword id="122621" type="POSITION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parliamentary-Affairs-Minister">Parliamentary Affairs Minister</keyword> <keyword id="64483" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ananth-Kumar">Ananth Kumar</keyword> also said that the government was very much concerned about what’s happening with Indians in the US. 
 
(Image source: SouthLive)

Hate crimes against Indians not being taken lightly, says Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Dec 10 () A parliamentary panel has taken note of "multi-year pattern of high vacancies and lack of human resources" at various entities under the corporate affairs ministry and has called for addressing the issues at the structural level.
 The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) are among the institutions under the ministry that are well short of their respective sanctioned strength.
 In a report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the Standing Committee on Finance noted that the ministry's various regulatory entities are critically important for a smooth-functioning economy.
 The "multi-year pattern of high vacancies and lack of human resources should be addressed at a structural level so that these gaps are closed as soon as possible... They should be suitably equipped in terms of human capital and systems so that they can provide necessary support to the economy", the panel said.
 Out of the 195 sanctioned posts at the CCI, the panel said 123 positions have been filed and the rest are vacant. The ministry should in all urgency endeavour to fulfil the human resource requirements at the Commission in order to expedite the process of disposing of the huge backlog of cases, it added.
 As on September 30, the fair trade regulator received 1,037 cases related to anti-competitive conduct and that 162 cases were pending with the Commission, as per the report.
 Regarding SFIO, a white-collar crime probe agency, the committee noted that out of 133 sanctioned posts, only 66 posts are filled up by regular incumbents and 6 officers have been posted on a loan basis.
 The report said the ministry has informed that efforts are being made to improve the vacancy situation by expediting the selection process, incentivising posting of officials by special grant of 20 per cent of basic pay and engagement of technical consultants.
 "The committee are of the view that keeping in mind the large number of cases and the rising workload with greater complexity, the ministry should strengthen the workforce in SFIO and equip them with the requisite expertise and motivation to fulfil the mandate.
 "It also needs to be ensured that the cases referred/taken up are investigated thoroughly and in a professional manner with a view to improving their prosecution outcomes," the report said.
 Besides, the panel has called for expeditiously addressing the manpower requirements of the Investor Education and Protection Fund in order to meet the increasing number of claims filed as well as to fulfil its objective of spreading awareness among investors.
 The committee also noted that the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) are "seriously under-staffed and under-funded" as a result of which there is a massive pendency of critical cases.
 "This has rendered these important tribunals unable to work to their full potential and to meet the demands of laws like the IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) which are therefore being rendered ineffectual.
 "The Committee feel that in order to tackle the huge pendency of cases, more benches of NCLT with adequate manpower are required, for which the recruitment rules may be finalised at the earliest and that implementation of version 2 of e-courts should be expedited for faster resolution of cases," the report said.
 The observations are part of the committee's report on the ministry's Demands for Grants (2019-20). RAM HRS

Parliamentary panel flags staff shortage at SFIO, Competition Commission

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The UK <keyword id="244654" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Foreign-Affairs-Committee">Foreign Affairs Committee</keyword> called for a ban on <keyword id="3780560" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="hikvision">Hikvision</keyword>'s products being used in the UK.</li><li>In a letter recently made public, the company accused the committee of a "knee-jerk reaction."</li><li>The independent CCTV watchdog was passed the private letter and has published it.</li></ul>Hikvision, a Chinese camera manufacturer implicated in human-rights abuses against the Uyghur minority in China, has said a British Parliamentary committee's call for a UK ban on the company is a "knee-jerk reaction".The Foreign Affairs Committee published <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmfaff/198/19808.htm#_idTextAnchor049">a report on July 8</a> calling on the UK government to ban Hikvision equipment from the UK.It further asked the government to prohibit UK firms from conducting business with Hikvision and "any companies known to be associated with the Xinjiang atrocities through the sanctions regime".Xinjiang, a westerly region of China, is the home of the mostly-Muslim Uyghur people.Human-rights groups and governments have accused authorities there of waging a repressive campaign of imprisonment and re-education, said to involve the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/inside-chinese-camps-thought-detain-million-muslim-uighurs-n1062321">imprisonment of more than a million people</a>.The US government <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/world/asia/china-genocide-uighurs-explained.html">describes the situation there as a genocide</a>, and parliaments in the UK, Canada, and the Netherlands have said the same. Western governments have been moving to punish companies deemed to be helping China.Hikvision's cameras are used by councils across London and the UK, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-tech-china-idUSKBN2AI0QJ">Reuters reported</a>. The CCTV camera that caught former UK health secretary Matt Hancock having an affair in his office was manufactured by Hikvision, <a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/whitehall-security-storm-over-matt-hancock-cctv-footage-as-labour-demands-intelligence-agency-sweep-1074202">the UK's i newspaper reported</a>.In June, the Biden administration banned US investment in the firm. This followed an August 2020 ban on the US government buying goods or services from companies that use products from Hikvision.Following the committee's report, Hikvision wrote to unidentified "valued partners". In their letter, seen by Insider, the company says the committee's report "states cameras made by the Chinese firm Hikvision have been deployed throughout Xinjiang and provide the primary camera technology used in the internment camps.""This is unsubstantiated and not underpinned by evidence," Hikvision says.Hikvision have won Chinese government tenders to establish facial recognition cameras at the entrances of mosques and install surveillance systems in re-education camps, <a href="https://ipvm.com/reports/hik-mosques">according to the outlet IPVM, which covers the video-surveillance industry</a>.Hikvision also said the committee's recommendation of a ban is a "knee-jerk reaction." It said it was "entirely disproportionate, ill-measured, and reinforces the notion that this is motivated by political influences". This, the company says, is a "staggering leap for the Committee to make, and is not based on any concrete evidence".Hikvision cited a report by US law firm Arent Fox - paid for by the company - which appeared to acknowledge that Hikvision is working in Xinjiang, but with motives it characterized as pure.It concluded that Hikvision did not "[enter] into the five projects in Xinjiang with the intent to knowingly engage in human rights abuses or find that Hikvision knowingly or intentionally committed human rights abuses itself or that it acted in wilful disregard."The UK government is due to respond to the committee's report by September 8.Hikvision say before then it will "work with the Government to provide a well-rounded perspective to policy making and moving away from personal agendas".Hikvision's letter was published by the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, an independent watchdog linked to the Home Office, after one of Hikvision's "valued partners" passed the letter to the commissioner, Professor Fraser Sampson.Sampson has written to Hikvision about the letter. He asks the firm if they "accept that basic premise, namely that crimes are being committed against the Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region".Tom Tugendhat MP, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told Insider: "I'm pleased to see the Surveillance Camera Commissioner stand by the committee's recommendations. "Those who helped to build the security state in Xinjiang are complicit in terrible human rights abuses. "The UK should not be importing technology built on repression."A spokesperson for the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner told Insider the commissioner had not yet received a formal response to his letter. The spokesperson said: "He's had contact from Hikvision suggesting a meeting. That will be set up after a substantive response to the letter."Insider contacted Hikvision for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

A Chinese CCTV firm angrily denied being complicit in repressing Uyghur Muslims after MPs pushed for it to be banned in the UK

Several members in a parliamentary panel have pitched for quick implementation of the Centre's proposed move to double salary and allowances of MPs and insisted that report of any government-constituted committee on the matter must be channelled through it. 
 

	At a meeting of the Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament yesterday, a number of MPs favoured routing of report of any independent mechanism, being set up to review salary and allowances of MPs, through the panel, which draws its power from Parliament, sources said. 
 

	They said before the report is handed over to the government it should be vetted by the committee.
 

	The members also insisted their pay and perks should be equal to that of the Cabinet Secretary, they said. 
 

	The Centre had in September last proposed to constitute a three-member Emoluments Commission to determine salary and allowances of Members of Parliament and it was endorsed at the two-day All India Whips Conference on September 29 and 30.
 

	The proposal had come in the backdrop of a controversy over a parliamentary panel's recommendations in June last to double the pay and perks of lawmakers.
 The Joint Committee, headed by BJP MP <keyword id="43254" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Yogi-Adityanath">Yogi Adityanath</keyword>, in its meetings in May and July last year had opined that there was need for an independent system/mechanism for review of salary and allowances of MPs. The committee suggested that while considering enhancement of salary, parameters like <keyword id="22195" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation">inflation</keyword> and hike in the salary of government officials should be taken into consideration. The panel also asked the <keyword id="1352011" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliamentary-Affairs-Ministry">Parliamentary Affairs Ministry</keyword> to place before it the proposal. 

	The Ministry representatives yesterday told the panel that a cabinet note has been prepared for doubling salary and allowances of MPs.
 To this, the panel members asked them to place the note before the Union Cabinet soon for its early approval so the proposals become a reality in this <keyword id="6360189" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Budget">Union Budget</keyword>. The Budget session of Parliament begins on February 23 and the Union Budget will be presented on Feb 29. 

	An MP gets a salary of Rs 50,000 per month. In addition, Rs 2,000 per day is paid as daily allowance when an MP signs the register while attending Parliament sessions or House committee meetings. An MP is also entitled to Rs 45,000 constituency allowance every month -- Rs 15,000 for stationery and Rs 30,000 to employ secretarial assistance staff.
 

	In their sitting on October 20 last year, the committee decided to enhance the amount of Constituency Allowance from the present Rs 45,000 to Rs 75,000, which required an amendment in rules.
 

	MPs are also entitled for government accommodation, air travel and train travel facilities, besides three landline telephone connections and two mobile phones. They also get a loan of Rs 4 lakh to buy a vehicle.

Double MPs' salary, allowances soon: Parliamentary panel members to government

As parliament’s Winter Session will convene on November 26, the Prime Minister-led NDA government is confident of passage of crucial bills, including the <keyword id="387846" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST-Bill">GST bill</keyword>, which is pending in the Rajya Sabha. 
 India’s <keyword id="3148309" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliamentary-Affairs-Minister-Venkaiah-Naidu">Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu</keyword> expressed confidence about Opposition's support for the GST bill. Naidu said he was in touch with members of some Opposition parties and would consider their suggestions too. 
 
Meanwhile, Modi has also called for BJP's parliamentary party's executive committee to zero on the strategy. 
 
Apart from the crucial GST bill, the Modi government will also take up three ordinance-related bills, including Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015, dealing with cheque bounce cases, and the Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Bill. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

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