News18 Afternoon Digest: Supreme Court rejects electoral bonds scheme and other headlines

In this afternoon’s digest, News18 brings you the latest updates on the Supreme Court’s rejection of the electoral bonds scheme (calling it “unconstitutional”), farmers’ protests in Delhi, Sanders Khali dispute and other headlines.

‘Unconstitutional’: SC rejects electoral bonds plan, says it violates right to information

The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down an electoral bonds scheme that allowed anonymous donations to political parties by purchasing electoral bonds from the State Bank of India (SBI), saying anonymous electoral bonds violated citizens’ right to information. Challenging the plan, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud delivered two separate but unanimous verdicts. read more

SBI to stop issuance of electoral bonds, poll panel to release data: Key observations from major Supreme Court ruling

In a major ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the electoral bonds scheme as “unconstitutional.” Five judges of the Supreme Court said the plan violated the constitutional right to information and freedom of speech and expression. The court asked issuing bank SBI to stop issuing electoral bonds and provide details of all donations under the scheme to the Election Commission of India. A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud also asked the poll body to release data on the rule by March 13, 2024. read more

Sources say PM Modi’s visit to Qatar is important besides releasing Indian Navy personnel

Senior government sources told News18 that apart from acknowledging Qatar’s cooperation in the release of eight imprisoned Indian Navy personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Doha is also important from an energy security perspective. Prime Minister Modi met Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha on Wednesday to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Modi arrived in Doha on Wednesday evening for an official visit to Qatar. This is the Prime Minister’s second visit to Qatar, the first being in June 2016. read more

Viral video of ‘Saraswati idol without saree’ triggers protests in Tripura colleges, authorities explain logic

Saraswati Puja celebrations at the Lichu Bagan administration near Tripura faced protests after a video of the Saraswati idol not wearing a sari went viral on social media. A group of supporters of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal on Wednesday allegedly barged into the Government Arts and Crafts College and forced the college authorities to drape the statue of Goddess Saraswati, the Press Trust of India news agency reported, citing eyewitnesses. Put on saree. Concerned about being seen as “vulgar”, ABVP members staged a protest that later attracted Bajrang Dal supporters, NDTV reported. Protesters said the statue was made by students of the college. read more

As Sandeshkhali Row rages, Trinamool MLA’s comments on women’s ‘body shape, complexion’ draw ire from BJP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee lashed out at Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Narayan Goswami for making comments about the physique and skin color of an indigenous woman from Sandeshkhali village in West Bengal, where the women have been agitating against the Trinamool for allegedly They committed atrocities against Congress (TMC) leader Shah Jahan Sheikh and his aides. TMC’s Narayan Goswami said in a recent interview: “Adivasis or tribal women of Sandeshkari can be identified by their physique and skin color. However, those in front of the camera It’s fair to accuse women of harassment. Can we infer that they are Aboriginal to the area?” read more

The Microsoft employee office has a nap room and a cafe with a variety of cuisines that will make you envious

Multinational companies like Meta and Microsoft are known for their luxurious office spaces and employee benefits. Recently, a group of Microsoft employees showed off their office space in Hyderabad by participating in the viral ‘of course’ trend. In the video, they show off various perks of the office, such as free vending machines, nap rooms, shuttle service, a constant supply of company merchandise, a cafeteria with a variety of cuisines, and more. Employees also noted how their jobs allow them to “work from anywhere” and help them maintain a work-life balance. The video has received over a hundred thousand likes so far. The video was recorded at Microsoft India Development Center, which is spread over 54 acres. read more