News18 Daybreak I 10% Reservation For Economically Weaker Upper Castes and Other Stories You Need to Watch Out For

What to watch out for

India Bags Historic Win in Test Series Against Australia

The Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team became the first team from Asia to win a Test series in Australia. The win was 71-years in the waiting, after its 1947 win the in their maiden Test series against Australia. Since then, India has toured Australia 12 times but was finally able to bag a victory in the four-match series under Kohli’s captaincy. Cheteshwar Pujara was awarded the Man of the Match and Man of the Series for scoring the highest number of runs. India confirmed a 2-1 series win, falling short of the expected 3-1 lead due to continuous rains.

10% Reservation For Economically Backward Upper Castes To Be Introduced in Lok Sabha Today

The government will be presenting a bill to provide 10 percent reservation for economically backward upper caste in Lok Sabha today. According to sources, the 10% reservation will be over and above the existing 50% reservation cap imposed by the Constitution and an amendment is required to supersede the requirement. While the BJP has hailed the move as “historic”, the opposition parties have been calling it an “election gimmick”. The BJP has issued a whip to all its MPs making it compulsory for them to attend today’s session.

SC To Announce Verdict on Former CBI Chief Alok Verma’s Plea Today

The Supreme Court today will be deciding the fate of ousted CBI chief Alok Verma who had filed a petition opposing the government’s move to divest him of his powers. Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana were sent on leave last October following a feud between them after Verma accused Asthana of accepting bribes from a Hyderabad-based businessman. The former chief had also hinted at the possible involvement of the Prime Minister’s Officer in aiding Asthana in the case.

Nationwide Strike Against Centre’s Anti-Worker And Anti-Labour Policy Today

Ten trade unions have called for a nationwide protest on January 8 and 9, in opposition to the “anti-worker and the anti-labour policies” brought about by the BJP-led government. The organisations participating in today’s bandh are All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC) and All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU). Bank, insurance companies and the telecom company BSNL will also be partaking in the strike to highlight various issues. Farmers across the country will also be joining the ‘hartal’ for various demands including an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

Petition Against Vedanta’s Sterlite Plant To Be Heard In Apex Court Today

Six days after Tamil Nadu moved the Supreme Court against the National Green Tribunal verdict, which set aside the state government order to close Vedanta Ltd.’s Tuticorin plant, the apex court will be hearing the petition today. On May 22 last year, 13 people were killed and several injured after police opened fire at a crowd of demonstrators who had gathered to protest against the environmental pollution caused by the plant. The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had then moved to close down the Sterlite plant but the order was overridden by the National Green Tribunal.

WHAT YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

Assam Anti-Citizenship Bill Protestors Strip Naked Outside Parliament on Monday

On Monday, several organizations in Assam staged protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016. A few demonstrators gathered outside the Parliament and stripped naked. The protestors belonged to the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samitii who have been one of the prominent voices opposing the bill which purports to accord citizenship to all non-Muslim illegals migrants from the neighbouring states. Student groups will also be holding an 11-hour bandh today.

BJP in Troubled Waters Ahead Of 2019 Elections

After the RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha criticized the NDA, BJP’s ally Apna Dal slammed the Yoginath-led government in Uttar Pradesh. The Apna Dal President criticised the UP government for wanting the “backwards” to fight over reservations and alleged that they were avoiding a caste-based census. Patel was speaking at a key meeting at Apna Dal’s camp office. Meanwhile, Asom Gana Parishad, a key ally of the BJP in Assam also broke their alliance with the party over the issue of the Citizenship Amendment Bill.