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The allegations of the US Short seller Hindenburg against <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords">SEBI</keyword> Chairperson <keyword id="22743118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Madhabi-Buch" source="keywords">Madhabi Buch</keyword> and her husband have drawn sharp political reactions from the opposition parties. Reacting to the Hindenburg report, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Ghanshyam Tiwari on Sunday lashed out at the Modi government and said that the tenure of PM Modi will be known for 'Adani-waad'. "The whole world witnessed a different session with different ideologies but the term of PM Modi will be known as 'Adani-waad'. In this Adani-waad, they captured the whole economic system of India in such a way that Gautam Ad(<keyword id="19955648" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adani-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Adani Group" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Adani Group">Adani Group</keyword>) could benefit, it looks like this is the only motive of PM Modi," he said. Referring to the Hindenburg Report alleging SEBI chief Madhabi Buch and her husband's stakes in "both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal", Tiwari stated, "Hindenburg's report regarding the SEBI chief has triggered the integrity of the market regulator. Hindenburg alleged that SEBI is not investigating properly. Questions are being raised on the Adani Group continuously by the opposition. Anybody with a basic investigation can simply question how the Adani Group with different allegations of corruption, whether it is a coal scam or power, through the medium of offshoring, invested in the share markets. SEBI whose duty was to investigate and find out the criminals was deviating from the core issues." Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh alleged that the Modi government is steeped in corruption and is trying to save "their friend Adani". Taking it to a social media post on X, Sanjay Singh wrote, "The Hindenburg revelations were hinted at 3 days before Modi ended the Parliament session. Modi Government is steeped in corruption from head to toe. To save his friend Adani, Modi Ji got the investigation done by the same SEBI Chairman who had committed the scam in connivance with Adani. SC should reconsider its decision." <keyword id="19895371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Congress" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Congress" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Congress">Congress</keyword> MP Manish Tewari said that a JPC must be constituted to go into the entire Hindenburg saga. "There are certain revelations by the <keyword id="20016892" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hindenburg-Research" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hindenburg Research" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Hindenburg Research">Hindenburg Research</keyword> which have been put out in the public space. They require closer scrutiny...There seems to be some semblance of an alleged conflict of interest and so therefore under those circumstances there has been a demand in the public space for a while that the entire Hindenburg saga needs to be investigated properly by a <keyword id="21964200" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Joint-Parliamentary-Committee" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Joint Parliamentary Committee" meta.hostid="83" meta.entityid="Joint Parliamentary Committee">joint parliamentary committee</keyword>. It would be in the fitness of things if a joint parliamentary committee is constituted to go into all these issues at length," he said. Earlier in the day, shortly after US-based short seller Hindenburg Research on August 10 alleged that SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband had stakes in "both the obscure offshore entities used in the Adani money siphoning scandal," the SEBI Chairperson and her husband issued a joint statement rejecting the allegations. Madhabi Puri Buch and her husband accused Hindenburg Research, against whom SEBI has taken enforcement action, of character assassination. In the joint statement released to the media they said, "Our life and finances are an open book. All disclosures as required have already been furnished to SEBI over the years. We have no hesitation in disclosing any and all financial documents, including those that relate to the period when we were strictly private citizens, to any and every authority that may seek them. It is unfortunate that Hindenburg Research against whom SEBI has taken an Enforcement action and issued a show cause notice has chosen to attempt character assassination in response to the same." Earlier on Saturday, US short seller Hindenburg had alleged, "We had previously noted Adani's total confidence in continuing to operate without the risk of serious regulatory intervention, suggesting that this may be explained through Adani's relationship with SEBI Chairperson, Madhabi Buch." "What we hadn't realized: the current SEBI Chairperson and her husband, Dhaval Buch, had hidden stakes in the exact same obscure offshore Bermuda and Mauritius funds, found in the same complex nested structure, used by Vinod Adani," the report by the US hedge firm said. Hindenburg Research said it has made the new allegations based on documents provided by a whistleblower and investigations carried out by other entities. In January 2023, Hindenburg published a report accusing the Adani Group of financial irregularities, leading to a significant drop in the company's stock price. The group at the time had rubbished these claims. The Hindenburg report alleged stock manipulation and fraud by the conglomerate. The case is related to the allegations (part of a report by Hindenburg Research) that Adani had inflated its share prices. After these allegations were published, there was a sharp fall in the shares of various Adani group companies' stocks. In January 2024, the Supreme Court refused to transfer the probe into the allegations of stock price manipulation by the Adani group to an SIT and had directed market regulator SEBI to complete its probe into two pending cases within three months. Earlier this year, the SC also dismissed a plea seeking to review the verdict that had sought investigation by the market watchdog SEBI in the Adani-Hindenburg case.

Integrity of SEBI questioned, JPC probe into Hindenburg a must: INDIA bloc targets govt on Hindenburg allegations

<ul><li><keyword id="9875222" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="a-parliamentary-standing-committee" source="Orion">A Parliamentary Standing Committee</keyword> has taken note of the high air fares charged by some airline operators in the domestic sector.</li><li>The <keyword id="47865" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="committee" source="Orion">Committee</keyword> also pointed out the wrong information published by the private airlines on their websites, regarding the number of seats left in the flight and the prices of the tickets.</li></ul>New Delhi, A Parliamentary Standing Committee has taken note of the high air fares charged by some airline operators in the domestic sector, and held that they are misguiding the public and forcing passengers to pay more. The Committee also pointed out the wrong information published by the private airlines on their websites, regarding the number of seats left in the flight and the prices of the tickets. "The level of misinformation can be gauged from the fact that even after the last tickets have been sold, the same number of seats show on the website, as indicated before the tickets sale. This indicates that airline operators are misguiding the public and forcing passengers to pay more," the panel said in the Demand for Grants (2023-24) report of the <keyword id="58151" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="civil-aviation-ministry" source="Orion">Civil Aviation Ministry</keyword>. In view of the above, it recommended that the Ministry should formulate appropriate guidelines regarding rationalisation of fares and publishing the correct information on the website of the airlines. It also pointed out that 'Predatory Pricing' is being restored to by the domestic airlines sector. "A particular airline may sell its air tickets at such a low level, that other competitors cannot compete and are forced to exit the market. A company that does this will see initial losses, but eventually it benefits by driving competition out of the market and raising its prices again," said the report. The Committee desired to know whether aviation regulator, the <keyword id="6354787" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="dgca" source="Orion">DGCA</keyword> had at any point of time intervened to check the fares of air tickets. It also expressed concern at the fact that in the domestic sector, private airlines are charging different fares for the same sector, route and same direction of flights. This is specifically so for the northeastern region and hilly areas including Jammu &amp; Kashmir and Ladakh, where the prices of domestic sector tickets are, sometimes, even more than the international airline sector prices. The Committee took note of the fact that after the repeal of the Air Corporations Act, 1953, the airfare is market driven and depends on market fares, and is neither established nor regulated by the government. "It notes the DGCA's comments that the airfares were regulated for a fixed period during the Covid pandemic in compliance with <keyword id="1773277" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="aircraft-act" source="Orion">Aircraft Act</keyword>, 1934 and the regulation was withdrawn as the Covid pandemic abated and that airlines are free to fix reasonable tariffs under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, with regard to cost of operation, services, reasonable profit and generally prevailing tariff," said the report. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/how-is-gpt-4-different-from-chatgpt-and-what-makes-it-unique/articleshow/98688465.cms">How is GPT-4 different from ChatGPT, and what makes it unique?</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/googles-new-ai-features-for-docs-gmail-and-more-to-rival-microsofts-workspace-toolsheres-what-it-means/articleshow/98657324.cms">Google’s new AI features for Docs, Gmail, and more to rival Microsoft’s workspace tools—here’s what it means</a>

Airlines misguiding people, forcing passengers to pay more, says Parl Panel

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

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The House of Commons <keyword id="14020618" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="standards-committee" source="Orion">Standards Committee</keyword> has published a report proposing updates to MPs rules.</li><li>MPs who hold ministerial posts will have to declare gifts and hospitality given to them in a ministerial capacity to <keyword id="11893698" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="parliament" source="Orion">Parliament</keyword>.</li></ul>Campaigners have cautiously welcomed proposals from a Parliamentary committee to tighten rules for MPs on declaring freebies and bans on lobbying, while urging more action on second jobs and the necessity to uphold ethical standards in public life.The cross-party Standards Committee's recommendations, which must be approved by the House of Commons, include:<ul><li>The end of the exemption for MPs who are ministers, where if they were given a gift or received hospitality, they could argue it was in their ministerial capacity. As a result, they would not have to declare it to Parliament but it would be published on a slower time scale by the government. The new rule would require ministers to declare all gifts and hospitality to Parliament within 28 days.</li><li>An update to the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life to make them more specific to the work of MPs, including making explicit in the revised principles that MPs should "exemplify anti-discriminatory attitudes in their own behaviour".</li><li>A ban on MPs providing any form of parliamentary advice, consultancy, or strategy services, while also firming up rules banning MPs from lobbying the government on behalf of an outside interest who is rewarding the MP in some way.</li><li>Requiring MPs to provide the sleaze watchdog, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, with a copy of a contract for any outside work they have, on request.</li></ul>These reforms were broadly welcomed by think tanks and campaigners Insider spoke to ahead of the report's release.The change to the Nolan Principles was not met with universal support on the committee, however, with four of the non-elected lay members of the committee noting their dissent.Instead of just noting the requirement for MPs to exemplify "anti-discriminatory attitudes", the lay members say MPs should demonstrate "anti-racism, anti-misogynistic attitudes, inclusion and diversity".Dr Hannah White, deputy director at the Institute for Government, says the committee's proposal is an important first step in official Parliamentary recognition of a tailored version of the Nolan principles."It's welcome that the committee has stuck with its proposal to include specific reference to the importance of MPs exemplifying anti-discriminatory attitudes – in the face of government opposition to this change. However, in light of recent concerns about harassment and misogyny in Parliament it's notable that four of the Committee's lay members argued that it should have gone further and also required MPs to demonstrate anti-misogynistic attitudes," she told Insider."The Committee's repeated emphasis on the fact that the principles are not an investigable aspect of the code is accurate but may have the unfortunate effect of weakening MPs' perceptions of their importance. The proposal to change the rules on how ministers declare gifts is likely to cause friction with the government.But the committee sided with witnesses, including this reporter, who argued having one rule for backbench MPs and another for ministers did not make sense, with campaigners at Transparency International UK saying it was a "perverse situation".Rose Whiffen is a research officer at Transparency International UK. She welcomed the proposals in the report."It's heartening to see so many of our recommendations featured in the Committee's final report, which is the first review of the Commons rule book for years. Revising the rules on gifts and hospitality will improve transparency and end the current oddity whereby backbenchers are subject to stricter reporting requirements than ministers," she said. "To help restore confidence in the probity of our politicians, these much-needed changes to Parliament's rules should be introduced without delay."The question of an explicit ban or limitations on second jobs, however, remains unaddressed by the committee. While the report does introduce a ban on MPs from giving advice on Parliamentary proceedings, such as preparing witnesses for select committee appearances, it concludes it should be down to the electorate to decide if an MP's second job is acceptable.Tom Brake, a former Liberal Democrat MP, now runs the campaign group Unlock Democracy. He said while changes to the lobbying rules were welcome, the committee had missed an opportunity to take strong action on second jobs."Scrapping the arbitrary distinction between initiating and participating in proceedings, which provided cover for covert lobbying is welcome. Less welcome is the committee's unwillingness to tackle MPs second jobs", Brake told Insider. "Recognising people expect MPs to focus on their constituency roles, without willing the means to ensure that they do, is a cop out."The committee also concluded that it would keep the requirement for MPs to have to declare if any close family members are involved in lobbying. In the report, the committee cited this reporter's evidence as a reason they u-turned on their original proposal to scrap the requirement.

New rules on MPs freebies and lobbying crackdown welcomed amid calls for further restrictions on second jobs

A parliamentary committee has recommended setting up population-based cancer registries in rural areas to help data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation. It has also suggested raising taxes on tobacco products citing that increasing their market price would make them less affordable. This will result in lower consumption and decrease the risk of tobacco-related diseases, including cancer, the panel said. The <keyword id="46535" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="Orion">health ministry</keyword> must pursue with the Department of Revenue to expedite the decision on raising taxes on tobacco products, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare said in its 147th report. It was presented in <keyword id="48510" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rajya-sabha" source="Orion">Rajya Sabha</keyword> on Friday. It said for better policy formulation on cancer treatment and uniform distribution of cancer care, there is an urgent need to have realistic information about the incidence and type of cancers across the country. The committee said that the health ministry should take appropriate steps to persuade state governments to participate in the formulation of the cancer atlas so that the entire Indian population is covered under Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs). This will help in data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation, it said. It suggested that PBCRs can be linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to record data of cancer patients to get real-time information on cancer-related illnesses. "The committee has taken note that currently PBCRs cover 16 per cent of the Indian population only. Therefore, it is quite necessary that the National Cancer Registry Programme cover the population of India extensively, in order to have a unified national database for scientific understanding of epidemiology of cancer," the report said. Stressing a robust screening mechanism for cancer, the committee suggested that one day in a month can be fixed for cancer screening. While appreciating the government's impetus on an institutional framework for cancer care and management and financial support for combating cancer, the committee said cancer must be dealt with separately instead of being a part of other lifestyle and non-communicable diseases. It recommended the demerger of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) from the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) to have a better focus on screening, early diagnosis and management of cancer. In its report, the committee said that in all the leftover districts Non-Communicable Diseases (<keyword id="131571" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncd" source="Orion">NCD</keyword>) clinics should be set up at the earliest and more healthcare professionals be trained for screening of common cancer. The panel highlighted that adequate human resource in cancer centres is crucial for their complete operationalisation and recommended setting up subsidised or free accommodation for patients and their relatives near cancer hospitals. The National Health Authority (<keyword id="672062" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nha" source="Orion">NHA</keyword>) should consider including all types of cancer diagnostic tests under the Ayushman Bharat <keyword id="6524177" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pradhan-mantri" source="Orion">Pradhan Mantri</keyword> Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), it said. It appreciated that in compliance with the committee's recommendations, the NHA has approved the inclusion of diagnostic tests under the AB-PMJAY with respect to breast, cervical and oral cancer. The committee noted that the health ministry has set up the e-Sanjivini Ayushman Bharat-Health Wellness Centre (AB-HWC), where doctor-to-doctor telemedicine services can be delivered through the hub and spoke model. It recommended that this model should be strengthened so that the opinions of experts can be provided to cancer patients in isolated and backward areas. The ministry should instruct National Cancer Grid (<keyword id="1502308" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ncg" source="Orion">NCG</keyword>) officials to explore group negotiation of commonly used high-value cancer drugs with pharmaceutical companies through a transparent central tendering platform to have substantial discounts on cancer drugs. Since the mandate of the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority is to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices, the committee reiterated that the pricing of cancer drugs should not be guided by profit as in the case of the other businesses. If it is not possible to reduce the profit margin of such drugs, the government may subsidise it, it said in its report. "The committee feels that the submission made by the Secretary, Department of Pharmaceutical, before the committee that over a period of about eight years or so the actual price increase in the drugs had been only between two to four per cent, does not mean that each manufacturer keeps the price of the drug below 10 per cent, as the mechanism permits them to make the hike up to 10 per cent," the report said. The committee said the government should rationalise the annual price hike limit of cancer drugs from 10 to five per cent in order to rescue poor cancer patients. It also suggested the ministry look at subsidising the healthcare cost for cancer patients and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity. The ministry should take the matter on board immediately and declare radiotherapy service as an essential commodity so that patients can get some relief from bearing the high cost of the service, it said. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-puts-curbs-on-laptop-and-tablet-imports-heres-how-it-could-impact-you/articleshow/102430014.cms" target="_blank">India puts curbs on laptop and tablet imports – here’s how it could impact you</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-market-sees-a-declines-in-q2-vivo-in-the-lead/articleshow/102417485.cms" target="_blank">Indian smartphone market sees a declines in Q2; Vivo in the lead</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-recover-in-july-2023/articleshow/102347978.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales recover after spending June in the pitlane</a>

Parliamentary panel recommends setting up of population-based cancer registries in rural areas

Facing 'cash for query' allegations, <keyword id="26422" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tmc" source="Orion">TMC</keyword> MP <keyword id="326914" type="General" weightage="90" keywordseo="Mahua-Moitra" source="Orion">Mahua Moitra</keyword> has written to the Lok Sabha <keyword id="297598" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ethics-committee" source="Orion">Ethics Committee</keyword> that she will appear before it for the hearing on November 2-- the summoned date-- and has asked for permission to cross-examine the alleged 'bribe giver' <keyword id="291429" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="darshan-hiranandani" source="Orion">Darshan Hiranandani</keyword> the complainant, Advocate <keyword id="19343373" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="jai-dehadrai" source="Orion">Jai Dehadrai</keyword>. The TMC Lok Sabha MP on Wednesday made public her letter to the Ethics Committee Chairman and BJP MP Vinod Kumar Sonkar. Posting the two-page letter on her X handle, Moitra said, "Since the Since Ethics Committee deemed it fit to release my summons to the media I think it is important I too release my letter to the Committee before my "hearing" tomorrow." In her letter, Moitra alleged that Advocate Dehadrai had provided no documentary evidence to back his allegations in either his written complaint and neither could he provide any evidence in his oral hearing. "In keeping with the principles of natural justice I wish to exercise my right to cross-examine Dehadrai," she wrote in her letter to the Committee. "In light of the seriousness of the allegations, it is imperative that the alleged 'bribe-giver' Darshan Hiranandani, who has given a 'Suo-Motu' affidavit to the Committee with scant details and no documentary evidence whatsoever, be called to depose before the Committee and provide the said evidence in the form of a documented itemised inventory with amounts, date etc" she further wrote. "I wish to place on record that in keeping with the principles of natural Justice I wish to exercise my right to cross-examine Hiranandani," she added. Moitra had asked the Committee to answer in writing and place on record their decision to either allow or disallow such cross-examination. Moreover, the TMC MP also raised concerns over the 'double-standards' of the Ethics Committee and highlighted that the panel is adopting a different approach in the case of BJP MP Ramesh Biduri, who she says has a very serious complaint of hate speech. "In direct contrast, a very different approach has been adopted in the case of Shri Ramesh Biduri, MP, BJP who has a very serious complaint of hate speech (which was openly made on the floor of the House) pending against him in the Privileges and Ethics branch made by a Hon'ble member of this same Committee, Shri Danish Ali, MP. Biduri was summoned on October 10, 2023 to provide oral evidence and informed the Committee that he was away campaigning in Rajasthan and would not be attending. No further date of his hearing has been given so far. I wish to place on record that these double-standards reek of political motives and do little to enhance the credibility of the Privileges &amp; Ethics Branch," Moitra said in the letter. The TMC MP also questioned the jurisdiction of the committee in investigating alleged criminality. "There is also the question of whether the Ethics committee is the appropriate forum to examine alleged criminality. I wish to respectfully remind you that Parliamentary Committees do not have criminal jurisdiction and have no mandate to investigate alleged criminality.... This check was specifically created by our nation's founders to prevent even the slightest misuse of Committees by the government enjoying a brute majority in Parliament" the TMC MP wrote. Mahua Moitra is facing 'cash for query' allegations by Bharatiya Janata Party MP Nishikant Dubey, who alleged that Moitra had allegedly taken bribes from Dubai-based businessman Hiranandani to raise questions in Parliament to target the Adani Group. Dubey also wrote a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, titled "Re-emergence of nasty 'Cash for Query' in Parliament", seeking a probe into the matter. He also claimed that Advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai had provided him with proof of alleged bribes. The BJP MP and the complainant Dehadrai had appeared before the Lok Sabha Ethics Committee on October 26 to provide oral evidence. The Committee, hearing the matter, also asked Moitra to appear on October 31. Later, she requested a hearing date after November 5 citing pre-scheduled programmes but was denied an extension beyond November 2.

Mahua Moitra seeks permission to cross-examine alleged 'bribe giver'

<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

Amid a tussle between the <keyword id="6362177" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-government">Union government</keyword> and <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> over the new IT rules, members of a <keyword id="85516" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Parliamentary-panel">parliamentary panel</keyword> on Friday strongly objected to Twitter India officials' observations that they abide by their policy and categorically told them that the rule of land is supreme. According to sources, members of the Parliamentary Panel on <keyword id="6363148" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="information-technology">Information Technology</keyword> also asked Twitter why it should not be fined as it has been found "violating" rules of the country. Earlier this month, the Centre issued a notice to Twitter giving it one last chance to "immediately" comply with the new IT rules and warned that failure to adhere to the norms will lead to the platform losing exemption from liability under the IT Act. The Parliamentary <keyword id="6355940" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="standing-committee">Standing Committee</keyword> on Information and Technology, chaired by Congress leader <keyword id="42749" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shashi-Tharoor">Shashi Tharoor</keyword>, had last week summoned Twitter over issues related to misuse of the platform and protection of citizens' rights. Twitter India's public policy manager Shagufta Kamran and legal counsel Ayushi Kapoor deposed before the panel on Friday. Members of the panel asked some tough and searching questions to Twitter India officials but there answers lacked clarity and were ambiguous, sources said. They strongly objected to the observation of Twitter India officials that its policy is on par with the rule of land and categorically told them "rule of land is supreme, not your policy", sources said. Twitter and the Centre have been at loggerheads over several issues for the last few months. The microblogging site had faced backlash when it briefly removed the 'blue tick' verification badge from the personal account of Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and of several senior RSS functionaries, including its chief Mohan Bhagwat. Earlier, Delhi Police had sent a notice to Twitter, seeking an explanation of how it described an alleged "Congress toolkit" against the Central government as manipulated media. The police reportedly had also questioned Twitter India MD Manish Maheshwari on May 31 and visited the Twitter India offices in Delhi and Gurgaon on May 24 over the toolkit issue. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/low-skilled-it-jobs-in-india-are-definitely-at-risk-as-per-different-reports/articleshow/83633565.cms">Whether it's half a million or three million — 'low skilled' IT jobs in India are definitely at ris</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/el-salvadors-bitcoin-experiment-is-gaining-momentum-even-if-the-world-bank-doesnt-want-to-lend-its-support/slidelist/83634654.cms">Here’s how El Salvador’s Bitcoin experiment is playing out so far — the good, the bad and the ugly</a>

Rule of land supreme, not your policy: Parliamentary panel on information technology to Twitter

<ul><li>Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal Twitter account for his website was hacked early morning on Thursday.</li><li>The hacker behind the breach was asking users to donate Bitcoin to the PM's National Relief Fund.</li><li>The tweets have no been removed and Twitter is 'actively investigating' the issue. </li></ul>The Twitter handle of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal website was hacked on Thursday morning. And, just like with former US President Barack Obama, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and others who were hacked in July, the person behind the PM Modi's account was asking users to donate cryptocurrency — this time under the guise donating to the PM's <a href="https://pmnrf.gov.in/"><h3 style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 3px; padding-top: 4px; display: inline-block; line-height: 1.3;">National Relief Fund</h3></a>. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="76989235" title="Hackers took over dozens of high-profile Twitter accounts including those of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, and Apple and used them to post bitcoin scam links" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The tweets have now been removed from the social networking platform. <div type="image" title="modi tweet_edited" msid="77903050" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Screenshot of hacker&amp;#39;s tweets via PM Modi&amp;#39;s personal handle&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> A Twitter spokesperson <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/uk-twitter-cyber-india-modi-idINKBN25T3GN?taid=5f50488146b85b0001f9be14&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" data-type="tilCustomLink">has confirmed this incident</a>. Twitter said that the company is “aware of the activity” and have taken steps to secure the compromised account.

Facebook India head grilled by parliamentary committee for 3.5 hours

New Delhi, The Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology has issued summons to officials of <keyword id="6354576" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="facebook">Facebook</keyword> and <keyword id="6354616" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Twitter">Twitter</keyword> for January 21, to question them over misuse of the social media/online news platforms. The schedule of meeting on the Lok Sabha website read: "Evidence of representatives of <keyword id="3428254" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="ministry-of-electronics-and-information-technology">Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology</keyword> and to hear the views of the representatives of Facebook and Twitter on the subject safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space." Earlier, the committee had summoned Facebook's India head <keyword id="3056724" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ajit-Mohan">Ajit Mohan</keyword> over the issue of political bias on the <keyword id="6354632" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-media">social media</keyword> platform. The allegations of a Facebook bias towards the BJP were reported in The Wall Street Journal in August 2020 and had claimed that Ankhi Das, the platform's then India Policy Head had opposed the idea of removing hate posts by BJP leaders, warning that this could hamper their "commercial interests". Das has now quit Facebook.

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Who should worry about the proposed VPN ban in India

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