Why Mandating The Aarogya Setu App Is Not The Solution To The Covid-19 Pandemic

The recent May 1, 2020 guidelines issued by order of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandates[1], among other things, the use of Aarogya Setu, a mobile application released in April this year by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MIETY) Government of India. It has been made mandatory for both public and private sector employees, and employers have a duty to ensure strict adherence to the guidelines. It is also mandatory for all persons living in containment zones...

Vizag Gas Tragedy: A Reflection Of Bhopal's Interminable Misery

Opening our eyes to the horrific images of unconscious people and people with breathing difficulties brought the big media houses to divert from the ideological debates taking place since a long while. The gas leak incident took place at the LG Polymer plant (the South Korean company LG Polymers makes polystyrene and expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances and has been in operation since 1961) at Gopalapatnam on...

Public International Law : Analysis In The Context Of Calls To Sue China Over COVID-19 Pandemic

Various leaders of nation States have blamed China for the start and spread of the COVID pandemic and have threatened to sue it. These arise from the anger at the loss of lives and economic disruption that the virus has caused and stem from a perception that China has been secretive and non-transparent in its disclosures to the global community about many aspects of this pandemic which has hampered global efforts to contain the virus and caused much destruction. Such an attempt to sue...

Gas Victims In A Pandemic

The news is that around 3 am this morning, poisonous styrene gas leaked from the LG Polymers Plant in Vishakapatnam killing scores of persons and impacting thousands. Many people were seen lying unconscious on the streets. Others complained of breathing difficulties, rashes on their bodies and sore eyes. Experts warn that groundwater in the area including borewells may get contaminated due to the gas leak. The Meghadrigedda reservoir that is said to supply water to the city is less than 2...

Life, Liberty & Liquor

The relaxation of lockdown norms has led to expectedly long lines outside liquor vends throughout the country. In order to cash-in on the demand, and perhaps in a bid to shorten the queues, state governments have put in hurried mechanisms to impose additional taxes on the sale of alcohol. Almost overnight, the price of liquor went up by 75% in Andhra Pradesh and by 70% in Delhi. The Punjab government is mulling a similar measure. Despite its unquestionable importance as a source of...

[Column] 'Fast Tracking Of Cases - State Has The Responsibility In Making Its Citizens Feel Safe': By Anjana Prakash, Senior Advocate

As I understand it, the Indian Penal Code classifies criminal offences broadly into two categories of serious and simple cases, based on the severity of the punishment prescribed for them. Offences such as murder, rape, dacoity tried by judicial officer of the rank of a District Judge are punishable with severe sentences and the rest, triable by a Magistrate prescribe lesser sentence. However, some of the so -called simple cases, have the same potentiality to disturb public order as...

Change Is The Only Constant

Who moved my Cheese? by Dr Spencer Johnson is an enlightening story of four characters who live in a 'Maze' and look for 'Cheese' to nourish and make them happy. 'Cheese' is a metaphor for what you want to have in life — whether it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, health, or spiritual peace of mind. And the 'Maze' is where you look for what you want — the organisation you work in, or the family or community you live in. In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected...

[Column] 'Constitutional Silences' : By Justice N. Anand Venkatesh

The dawn of yet another day found me as is usual, in my silent reverie. The mind, in a state of bombarding thoughts is akin to a troubled neighbourhood, where we tread with trepidation and caution ever seeking an easy way out, looking for passive empty moments. In the present times, there is no dearth of meandering virtual walkways leading the mind away from its neighbourhood accessed through gadgets and social networks. On the given morning, the neighbourhood was relatively...

Upholding Tribal Autonomy To Propagate India's Forest Wealth

Conservation of forests in states with high tribal density India's immense forest wealth is spread across different parts of its territory. Amongst them, regions with a high concentration of forest dependent tribal communities or Scheduled Tribes have been successful in maintaining this natural wealth. A report by Center for Policy Research, New Delhi, states that: "38% of the Forest Cover in India lies in the Scheduled Areas districts (123 districts of 640)…. almost 30%...

Migrant Workers Not Stranded Persons? The Illegal & Inhuman Effect Of MHA Clarification

The Home Secretary's clarification on 'stranded persons' is vitiated by apparent legal errors.

IRDAI – Motor Premium Adjustments– A Causality Of The Pandemic ?

As the Covid crisis rages across the globe, this would be the most appropriate time for the Country to evaluate the Insurance Regulator, INSURANCE REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF INDIA - IRDAIs role on how Insurance companies are regulated to honour their ever emphasised promises and assurances to deliver in times of dire need. It is also an opportunity to experience first-hand, the Regulators duties and powers in protecting policyholder's interest. "The Great Lockdown...

Coronavirus & Compassion

Dear Friends,With the spread of Covid-19, the world is passing through the worst ever health crisis we have ever witnessed. Continuous spread of Corona virus over 210 countries even the mightiest of the countries like USA, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Brazil and others are struggling to control this pandemic which has already resulted into more than two Lacs death in the world. This pandemic is stated to be unleashed from Wuhan City in China and the latter has exported this virus...