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Can Lok Sabha & Assembly Elections be held simultaneously? - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 10, 2016
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is perennially busy conducting elections to the State Legislative Assemblies or to the Lok Sabha. This frequent conduct of elections involves huge expenditure and use of various other resources. The Government has now initiated a dialogue on the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha & State Legislative Assemblies.
The Citizen Engagement Platform of the Government, MyGov has initiated a discussion on holding simultaneous elections to both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. This comes after both the President and the Prime Minister spoke in favour of holding simultaneous elections. The 79th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice was presented last year in both the houses of Parliament. The report dealt with the issue of ‘Feasibility of Holding Simultaneous Elections to the House of People (Lok Sabha) and State Legislative Assemblies’. The committee in its report felt that debate on this important issue should be initiated and an effort should be made for a national consensus to avoid frequent elections.
The Cycle of simultaneous elections got disrupted in late 1960s
The committee noted that the first general election to the Lok Sabha and all State Legislative Assemblies were held simultaneously in 1951-52. The practice continued in three subsequent General Elections held in the years 1957, 1962 and 1967. This cycle got disrupted with the dissolution of some Legislative Assemblies in 1968 and 1969. In 1970, the Lok Sabha was itself dissolved prematurely and fresh elections were held in 1971. Thus the 1, 2 and 3 Lok Sabha enjoyed full five year terms. The term of the 5 Lok Sabha was extended till 1977 under article 352 of the constitution (emergency).
The 8, 10, 14 and 15 Lok Sabha could complete their full five year terms while the 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13 Lok Sabha was dissolved prematurely. As a result of premature dissolutions and extension of terms of both the Lok Sabha and various State Legislative Assemblies, there have been separate elections to Lok Sabha and States Legislative Assemblies and the cycle of simultaneous elections has been disturbed in the last 48 years.
Need for Simultaneous Elections
The need for simultaneous election to Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies has been debated and felt for quite some time now. As elections have become a big budget affair and expensive, The Law Commission of India in its 170th  Report on Reform of Electoral Laws (1999) has suggested simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies for the sake of stability in governance.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee mentioned the following broad reasons for exploring simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha & State Assemblies.
Suggestions of the Election Commission of India (ECI)
The ECI on its part has suggested the following to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for the conduct of simultaneous elections.
The ECI has also pointed out to the standing committee, the several difficulties that might be encountered for conducting simultaneous elections. The primary issue is the large scale purchase of Electronic Voting Machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. For conducting simultaneous elections, the Commission expects that a total of rupees 9284.15 crores will be needed for procurement of EVMs and VVPATs. The machines would need to be replaced every fifteen years and storing these machines would increase the warehousing cost.
Submissions of Political Parties to the Standing Committee
Various political parties submitted their written response to the standing committee as summarized below.
Global Precedent
In South Africa, elections to national as well as provincial legislatures are held simultaneously for five years and municipal elections are held two years later. In Sweden election to national legislature and provincial legislature/county council and local bodies/municipal Assemblies are held on a fixed date i.e. second Sunday in September for four years (last was held on 14th September, 2014 and the forthcoming one is slated on 9th September, 2018).
The Standing Committee’s Recommendations
The standing committee made the following recommendations after going through the various suggestions that were put forward.
The committee feels that the report would open up debate on this important issue and to try and establish national consensus to avoid frequent elections. The committee also mentioned that holding simultaneous elections may not be feasible in 2016 or even in a decade, but a solution will be found to reduce the frequency of elections.

created: September 10, 2016


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Can a Mobile e-Wallet be used inside a Petrol Pump?
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 27, 2017
In October 2017 , the government had announced discounts on Petrol & Diesel if the payment is made through the BHIM app or by swiping a card at a petrol pump. But can mobile e-wallets be used inside a petrol pump? What do the rules say?
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MEITY) announced discount on Petrol & Diesel if one were to pay using the BHIM app or swipe a card for payment.
Pay less for buying petrol and diesel by making #digitalpayments. #DigitalIndia @rsprasad @KJAlphons pic.twitter.com/ZovUlgxzNZ
— STPI (@stpiindia) October 11, 2017
But can we use the mobile inside a petrol pump to make payments? What do the rules say? Do they demarcate an area where mobile phones cannot be used?
What are these rules?
The Petroleum Rules 2002 lay down norms & standards to protect the public from danger arising from the import, transport, storage, production, refining or blending of petroleum. Among other things, the rules also demarcate hazardous zones around a petroleum retail outlet, commonly known as the petrol pump. Rule 103 of the above mentioned rules define hazardous area as an area where
Further, rule 104 classifies the hazardous areas into 3 types.
What is the extent of these Zones?
The petroleum rules also define the extent of these zones
POS Units & Mobile e-wallets cannot be used within these zones
The Petroleum & Explosives safety organization had written to the government in December 2016 clarifying that there would be no objection for the use of POS units & mobile e-wallets beyond the hazardous areas. But they cannot be used within these hazardous areas. The letter also says that Zone 1 should be prominently marked in petrol pumps.
What can you do?
The next time you visit a petrol pump, check if Zone 1 is prominently marked. Take it up with the petrol pump operator and ensure the markings are made. Also check if POS units and mobile e-wallets are being used within the hazardous areas.

source: news-factly

created: November 27, 2017

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Sai Krishna Muthyanolla


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Canada has not erected posters asking Indians not to defecate openly; The viral photo is edited - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 20, 2024
A photo (here,  here) showing a billboard where a few men are seen defecating openly with text on the image that says ‘Beaches are not toilets’, is going viral on social media. The claim accompanying the photo states that the Canadian government is erecting these posters across various municipalities with higher Indian population, asking Indians not to defecate openly. We will fact-check this claim through this article.
Claim: The Canadian government erected posters across the country asking Indians not to defecate openly.
Fact: The viral photo is an an edited image. The original poster originates from Ghana, Africa. It is part of an anti-open defecation campaign. Hence, the claim made in the post is False.
To evaluate the truthfulness of this viral claim, we performed a reverse image search on the viral image. This search led us to the original version (archived page) of the billboard on the stock image website Shutterstock.
The caption of the photo revealed that it was taken in May 2018 in Accra, Ghana, Africa. The person depicted in this billboard completely differs from the man seen in the viral photo, and there is no Hindi text on the original billboard. We also searched the internet to check if the Canadian government has launched any such campaign, but could not find any relevant information to validate the claim. This makes it clear that the original billboard from Ghana has been edited to match the false claim.
Further research uncovered news reports (here and here) from 2018 providing context for this billboard placed in Ghana. According to a report (Archived page) by Graphic.com, the billboard is part of a ‘stop open defecation’ sanitation campaign sponsored by the Canadian government.
To sum up, the viral claim stating that the Canadian government erected posters requesting Indians not to defecate openly is False. The original billboard is from Ghana, Africa, and is part of an anti-open defecation sanitation campaign.


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Canadian MP’s tweet in support of farmers' protest is morphed and attributed to Kamala Harris - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 3, 2020
A post with an image of a purported tweet by US Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris about the ongoing farmer’s protest is being widely shared across social media platforms.  Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Kamala Harris tweet in support of ongoing Indian farmer’s protest.
Fact: There is no such tweet on Kamala Harris’s official Twitter handle. However, a Canadian MP Jack Harris tweeted the same text about the Indian farmers’ protest. Also, the time and date of this tweet coincide with that of the purported tweet by Kamala Harris. This proves that the Canadian MP’s tweet is digitally morphed so as to look like Kamala Harris’s tweet. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we ran a search for the tweet on Kamala Harris’s official Twitter account, we could not find any such tweet about Indian farmers’ protest on her timeline. Also, we could not find an archived version of any such tweet.
However, Google search with the text of the tweet as keywords led us to a tweet by a Canadian MP named Jack Harris which carried the exact same words as in the purported tweet by Kamala Harris. The date & time of the Canadian MP’s tweet is the same as the one in the screenshot. With this, we can conclude that the tweet of Canadian MP is digitally morphed so as to look like a tweet by Kamala Harris.
Also, there are no news articles or reports regarding Kamala Harris’s tweet about the Indian farmers’ protest.
In the light of the ongoing farmers protest opposing the new farm laws, posts like these are being widely shared on social media platforms with misleading claims.
To sum it up, Canadian MP’s tweet in support of farmers’ protest is morphed and falsely attributed to Kamala Harris.

created: December 3, 2020


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Cancellation of UK PM Boris Johnson’s R-Day visit to India is falsely linked to farmers’ protests - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 6, 2021
A post is being shared on social media with a claim that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has cancelled his visit to India due to the current farmers’ protests in the country. UK PM Boris Johnson was supposed to visit India as the Chief Guest of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations. Let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: UK PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his Republic Day visit to India due to the current farmers’ protests in the country.
Fact: UK PM Boris Johnson’s Republic Day visit to India has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 situation in the UK; not due to the current farmers’ protests in India. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched about Boris Johnson cancelling his visit to India, many news articles on the topic were found in the search results. Multiple news agencies have reported that UK PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his visit due to the current COVID-19 situation in the UK. Some of the news reports can be found here, here, and here.
The official Twitter handle of ‘High Commission of India – London’ has tweeted a link to a press release by PMO regarding a telephonic conversation between India PM Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson on Tuesday. In the press release, it can be read – ‘Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his thanks for India’s invitation for him as the Chief Guest of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, but regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed COVID-19 context prevailing in the UK.  He reiterated his keenness to visit India in the near future’. So, the visit was not cancelled due to the current farmers’ protests in India.
The tweets made by the UK government on their current COVID-19 situation can be seen here. UK PM Boris Johnson has also announced a nationwide lockdown.
THREAD 2/2 Coronavirus press conference slides (5 January 2021)
🔵 Number of people in hospital each day, up to 4 Jan
🔵 Number of deaths each day, by date of death, up to 30 Dechttps://t.co/4Jhg7X1Hv4 pic.twitter.com/gUPfja7T4M
To sum it up, the cancellation of UK PM Boris Johnson’s Republic Day visit to India due to the current COVID-19 situation in the UK has been falsely linked to farmers’ protests.

created: January 6, 2021


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What is the capacity of our Currency Printing Presses?
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 14, 2016
In terms of value, Rs 500 & Rs 1000 notes made up for more than 86% of the notes in circulation, which is more than 14 Trillion rupees (14 Lakh Crores). The printing capacity of the current printing presses in the country may not be sufficient to meet the demand for the new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes.
Following the demonetization of the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes by the government, there have been long queues in front of banks & ATMs to exchange and deposit the old notes. It might take quite some while for the supply of the new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 notes to match the demand.  But what is the capacity of our currency printing presses?
The process of Printing Currency
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) places indent for banknotes with various printing presses on the basis of an econometric model factoring in the real GDP growth prospects, rate of inflation and denomination-wise disposal rate of soiled notes. Four printing presses print and supply banknotes. These are at Dewas in Madhya Pradesh, Nasik in Maharashtra, Mysore in Karnataka, and Salboni in West Bengal.
The presses in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are owned by the Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India (SPMCIL), a wholly owned company of the Government of India. The presses in Karnataka and West Bengal are owned by the Bharatiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran Private Limited (BRBNMPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank. The new Bank Note Paper Mill India Private Limited (BNPMIPL) in Mysuru  is a joint Venture between BRBNMPL and SPMCIL, with a production capacity of 12,000 million tonnes. It has commenced commercial production in 2015-16 in a significant step towards the indigenization of production of new banknotes.
Coins are minted by the Government of India. The Reserve Bank is the agent of the Government for distribution, issue and handling of coins. Four mints are in operation: Mumbai in Maharashtra, Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
The RBI oversees the currency management in the country including supply & distribution. The RBI also ensures that the clean bank notes are in circulation by continuous supply of clean notes and timely withdrawal of soiled notes.
This is achieved through a wide network of more than 4000 currency chests  and more than 3700 coin depots. Currency chests are extended arms of the Reserve Bank Issue Departments and are responsible for meeting the currency requirements of their respective regions.
Rs 500 & Rs 1000 notes make up for 25% by volume & 86% by value
Of the various bank notes in circulation, Rs 10 notes have made up for more than 1/3 by volume for each of the last 5 years. From 33% by the end of 2011-12, the proportion of Rs 10 notes by volume reached 35.5% by the end of 2015-16. Rs 2 and Rs 5 notes made up for 13% of the notes by volume by the end of 2015-16.
The proportion of the Rs 100 note in circulation by volume has come down from 20.3% by the end of 2011-12 to 17.5% by the end of 2015-16. During the same period, the proportion of Rs 500 note by volume increased from 14.8% to 17.4%. The proportion of Rs 1000 note also increased from 5% by the end of 2011-12 to 7% by the end of 2015-16. By the end of 2015-16, Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes made up for a quarter of all the notes in circulation by volume, around 22 billion pieces.
In terms of value, Rs 500 & Rs 1000 notes made up for more than 86% of the notes in circulation, which is more than 14 Trillion rupees (14 lakh crore rupees).
21 billion bank notes were printed in 2015-16
The supply of bank notes increased from 17.5 billion pieces in 2011-12 to 21.2 billion pieces in 2015-16, an increase of around 20%. The supply of bank notes decreased by around 10% in 2015-16 compared to 2014-15.
The presses supplied around 6 billion pieces of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 in 2014-15 and 5 billion pieces in 2015-16. In 2016-17, the original indent for Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes was around 8 billion. If the entire printing capacity is pressed into action, then it might be possible to produce around 23 billion pieces a year (inclusive of all denominations). But with Rs 500 and Rs 1000 alone accounting for 22 billion notes in circulation, it might not be possible to meet the demand for new Rs 500 and Rs 2000 in the short term.

created: November 14, 2016


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Cardiovascular diseases account for close to a quarter of the deaths in India between 2010 & 2013
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 18, 2016
Cause of deaths is an important input for healthcare planning. The Census office recently released the cause of deaths in India between 2010 and 2013. According to this report, 23.3% of the deaths were because of cardiovascular diseases compared to 19.9% between 2004 and 2006.
The Census office recently released the cause of deaths in India between 2010 and 2013. The data is sourced from the Sample Registration System (SRS). As per these estimates, 23.3% of the deaths are caused by Cardiovascular diseases while 7.6% of the deaths are caused by Respiratory diseases. Cause for 12.4% of the deaths could not be accurately ascertained.
Sample Size of the Survey
The method of Verbal Autopsy (VA) was used to determine the underlying causes of death. The present report for the years 2010-2013 is based on 182827 deaths out of which 10.3% of the deaths were of those less than 1 year of age, 4% were of those between 1 and 14 years of age. 49.98% of the deaths were of those between 15 and 69 years and the rest above 70 years of age.
Proportion of deaths due to Cardiovascular diseases increase
A similar survey was done for deaths between 2004 and 2006. Compared to those years, the proportion of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases increased significantly from 19.9% to 23.3%. The Proportion of deaths due to respiratory diseases, digestive diseases, motor vehicle accidents and suicides marginally increased in the period between 2010-2013 compared to the period between 2004-2006. On the other hand, proportion of deaths due to tuberculosis and Diarrhoeal diseases saw a significant decline during the same period.
More people die younger in Rural India compared to Urban India
Close to 15.4% of the deaths in rural areas were in the age group of 0-14 while the corresponding percentage for urban was only 10.4%. In all the other age groups, the percentage of deaths in urban areas was more than the rural areas. This could very well be the result of poor basic health facilities in rural areas.
Women live longer compared to Men only when they cross 14 years
The data also reveals an interesting trend in proportion of deaths on the basis of gender.  A greater percentage of women (15.3%) die before they attain 14 years than men (13.5%). In all the other age groups except 70+, a greater percentage of men die than the percentage of women. 40.4% of the women die after they attain the age of 70 years while only 32.1% of the men die after 70 years.
(This is Part 1 of a two part series. Part 2 will look at the issue of suicides in Young People)
Featured image: Illustration using Lungs by Creative Stall, auto accident by Nikita Kozin, Stomach by Yazmin Alanis and dead body by Wojciech Zasina from the Noun Project

created: January 18, 2016


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Careers - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 24, 2024


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Cartoon Network is not getting shut down after merger with Warner Bros - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 21, 2022
A post is being shared on social media with a claim that says, ‘Cartoon Network TV Channel is being shut down after 30 years and will be merged with Warner Bros. to create digital content.’ Let’s verify this post through this article.
Claim: Cartoon Network TV channel is being shut down after 30 years and will be merged with Warner Bros.
Fact: Reportedly, Cartoon Network studios will be merging with its sister studio Warner Bros. Animation but is not getting shut down after the merger. Responding to the news about shutting down, Cartoon Network through a tweet clarified that they are not going anywhere, and will share more details soon. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Factly found various news reports on the internet about the merger between Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network studios. Collider reported that ‘The announcement was made on Tuesday, which was announced via a company-wide memo from chairman Channing Dungey and revealed to staff that Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) and Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) will be merged in order to consolidate their animation division, with Warner Bros. citing this move as a “strategic realignment” of the company.’ ‘While the two animation studios will become one, they will retain their labels.’ Collider wrote in its report. A few other news reports on this merger can be read here and here.
After this news became popular, RIP Cartoon Network posts were widely shared on the internet, which can be seen here and here.
In response to this, Cartoon Network has clarified through its official Twitter handle, stating, ‘‘Y’all, we’re not dead, we’re just turning 30 😂 To our fans: We’re not going anywhere. We have been and will always be your home for beloved, innovative cartoons. More to come soon! ’
When the internet says you're dead but you're sitting here like 👁👄👁
Before this, they even posted a sarcastic tweet about discovering its own death via. Twitter.
POV: When you find out about your death via Twitter  🤔⁉#oop #cartoonnetwork #Cartoonnetworkstudios #stillalive #30andthriving #gumball #theamazingworldofgumball #SaturdayVibes #SaturdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/GW61wca5Er
With all this evidence, it is pretty clear that the internet has misread the merger of Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation as the closure of Cartoon Network.
To sum up, Cartoon Network is not getting shut down after merging with Warner Bros. Animation.

created: October 21, 2022


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The Cash crunch in Telangana - Numbers from SBI tell the story
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 12, 2018
In the last few months, there have been widespread reports of cash crunch in some states like Telangana. ATMs have been running dry in most parts of the state. Data obtained from SBI provides the answer to the ground situation. Between September 2017 and January 2018, the average monthly supply of currency from the RBI to major currency chests of SBI in Telangana, has come down to 1/3rd of the of the average monthly supply of the preceding 10 months.
RBI again refuses to provide information while SBI provides some information
As has been the case since demonetization, the RBI refused to provide information citing an exemption clause in the RTI act.
SBI on the other provided partial information. Though SBI said it did not have data of day wise cash supply to its branches, it did provide data on supply of cash from RBI to major currency chests of SBI in Telangana including the one in Hyderabad.
Average monthly cash supply from RBI down to 1/3rd since September 2017
The data provided from SBI had information on the supply of cash including the denomination in which it was supplied. The data was grouped into the following categories for the analysis.
As is clear from the data, the supply of cash from RBI to major SBI chests has drastically fallen since September 2017. The average monthly supply in the five months between September 2017 and January 2018 is Rs 629 crore or one-third compared to the average monthly supply of Rs 1795 crore between November 2016 and August 2017. The average monthly supply in the five months between September 2017 and January 2018 is half of what it was during the pre demonetization period. The cash crunch in Telangana can be clearly attributed to this reduced supply since SBI branches account for more than 30% of all bank branches in Telangana.
Heavy supply of cash between June & August of 2017
The data reveals that there was heavy supply of cash from RBI to the major SBI currency chests in Telangana in the three months of June, July & August of 2017. In fact, an amount of Rs 5377 crore was supplied in July 2017, more than what was supplied in the immediate aftermath of demonetization in November 2016. After July 2017, there has been a consistent reduction in the amount of cash received leading to the current cash crunch in the state. What is also clear is that more low denomination notes (Rs 200, Rs 100 and other low currency) are being supplied in the last 5 months.
Supply of Rs 2000 notes almost dries up
The data clearly indicates that the supply of high value notes like Rs 2000 and Rs 500 has been reducing. This is more prominent in the case of Rs 2000. Not a single new Rs 2000 note was supplied by the RBI between April & November 2017. Even in the case of Rs 500, the supply was nil between October & December 2017.
What about cash supply across the country?
Though there is no readily available data to comment on the situation across the country, the government’s answer to a question in the Lok Sabha indicates that the RBI office in Hyderabad received the most currency among all RBI offices in the country between November 2016 and February 2018. If there is a crunch like situation in a state that received the most currency, then the situation elsewhere could be similar. The onus is on the RBI to be more transparent and proactively disclose in the public domain, the monthly supply of cash to various states.
Data Analysis by Rakesh Dubbudu


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CBI special court had given a clean chit to TTD trust board member J Sekar Reddy in 2016 Income Tax raids case - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 21, 2021
A post is being widely shared on social media claiming that IT officers had recently raided the house of one Mr. J Sekar Reddy, who is one of the 17 trustees of the Tirumala Temple. The post even claims that ₹106 crores cash, 127 kg gold biscuits, and diamonds worth 60 crores were seized by the IT officers. Let us fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: TTD Board member Sekar Reddy was raided by IT officers recently.
Fact: ₹100 crore cash and 120 kg gold were seized when the residences and offices owned by TTD Board member J Sekar Reddy were raided by the Income-tax officials in 2016. However, the case filed by the CBI against Sekar Reddy were dismissed by a special court in September 2020 on grounds of lack of evidence after CBI filed a closure report. The Andhra Pradesh government removed Sekar Reddy as a member of TTD when IT raids happened, and huge cash was seized. Sekar Reddy was back on the TTD Board when the cases were closed. Hence, the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When we searched on google about IT raids on Sekar Reddy, a 2016 article was found. The article published on 09 December 2016 states that ₹100 crore cash and 120 kg gold was seized by the Income-Tax officials from the residences and offices owned by TTD Board member J Sekar Reddy. After that, the CBI and the ED swooped in.
However, in September 2020, a special court for CBI cases in Chennai dismissed the case against Sekar Reddy and five others on grounds of lack of evidence. “In view of a stalemate in the investigation due to lack of evidence, CBI had submitted to the court that they have lack of evidence to prove the suspect to have committed the crime as is being alleged, following which the special court dismissed the case booked against TTD special invitee J Sekar Reddy and his associates.”
According to the Hindu article, in this sensational cash seizure case of 2016 CBI’s Anti-Corruption Bureau registered three FIRs. While the Madras High Court quashed two FIRs, the third has been closed by lack of evidence. “S. Jawahar, XIth additional special judge for CBI cases, allowed the CBI’s plea, seeking closure of the case due to lack of sufficient evidence.”
However, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) was registered in December 2016. The allegation was that Sekar Reddy diverted the amount during the demonetisation period and converted old notes to new currency notes. The lawyers from Sekar Reddy’s side petitioned the Madras High Court to quash the proceedings in the ED case (filed in Principal Sessions Court, Special Court for PMLA cases, Chennai). They argued that ‘the trial of the offences under the PMLA can never proceed when the FIR with regard to the schedule offence (the case CBI filed) was closed for want of evidence’. The High Court, from a reading of the provisions in the PMLA, stated, “the offence of money laundering is independent of the schedule offences.” And dismissed, in 2021, the petitions filed by Sekar Reddy’s lawyers.
Sekar Reddy appealed to the Supreme Court of India after the judgement in Madras High Court. Having heard the petition on 26 November 2021, the Supreme Court stayed the proceedings in the case until the next hearing.
The Andhra Pradesh government removed Sekar Reddy as a member of TTD when IT raids happened, and huge cash was seized. Sekar Reddy was back on the TTD Board when the CBI case was closed. However, he was not included in the new TTD board which was constituted in August 2021.
To sum it up, Income-tax officers raided TTD Board member Sekar Reddy’s house in 2016 but the case CBI filed against him was dismissed in 2020 due to lack of evidence.

created: December 21, 2021


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CCMB clarified that there is no data yet to conclude whether the new COVID-19 virus strain (Clade A3i) is less or more dangerous - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 5, 2020
A screenshot of an article published by the ‘Deccan Chronicle’ on 4 June 2020 with the title – ‘CCMB finds dangerous strain of Covid-19 in TS’ is being shared by multiple users on social media. The article claims that the new strain is considered to be the reason for widespread cases and deaths witnessed in four states such as Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Delhi. Let’s verify the claim made in the article.
CCMB finds a dangerous strain of COVID-19 in Telangana.
Fact: While it is true that CCMB has found a distinct cluster of virus population (Clade A3i), they have not mentioned anything about its efficacy. As the article went viral, the CCMB has clarified that there is no data yet to conclude whether the new virus population (Clade A3i) is less or more dangerous than the other virus population among Indians. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
When searched for more information on the issue, a tweet made by CCMB (Centre For Cellular and Molecular Biology) on the topic was found. In the tweet, it was mentioned that the genome analysis of SARS-CoV2 sequences showed a distinct cluster of virus population in India called ‘Clade A3i’. A link to a research article – ‘A distinct phylogenetic cluster of Indian SARS-CoV-2 isolates’, can be found in the tweet. The efficacy of the new virus population (Clade A3i) was neither mentioned in the tweet nor in the research article. As the media article went viral, the CCMB has clarified that there is no data yet to conclude whether the new virus population (Clade A3i) is less dangerous or more dangerous than the other virus population among Indians. They have also tweeted that ‘coming to sequences, the sequence analysis ‘predicts’ one of the mutations could possibly make the Clade A3ia weaker than Clade A2a. There is no data to validate it yet’. So, the discovery of the new virus population is true, but the ‘dangerous’ part is false.
Sorry clade A2a, and not A2 in the above tweet.
Coming to sequences, the sequence analysis 'predicts' one of the mutations could possibly make the Clade A3ia  weaker than Clade A2a. There is no data to validate it yet.
The infographic showing the proportion of the I/A3i clade in the genomes sequenced from different states of India can be found in the research article.
Also, when the screenshot of the newspaper article was posted on Twitter, CCMB has replied – ‘This report has an incorrect inference. We do not have any data to say that the virus is stronger. Please do not spread the wrong news’.
This report has an incorrect inference. We do not have any data to say that the virus is stronger. Please do not spread the wrong news.
To sum it up, CCMB clarified that there is no data yet to conclude whether the new COVID-19 virus strain (Clade A3i) is less or more dangerous.
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CCTV footage of a 2019 Hyderabad local train accident now shared as the one of Odisha rail accident - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 5, 2023
A video depicting two trains colliding head-on has been circulating on social media, claimed to be the CCTV footage of the Odisha triple train accident. Through this article, let’s fact-check this claim.
Claim: The viral video shows CCTV footage of the triple train accident that occurred in Balasore, Odisha.
Fact: The video is from 2019, which captured a train accident when an MMTS local train collided head-on with Hundri Inter-City Express in Hyderabad, Telangana. This has nothing to do with Odisha. Hence the claim made in the post is False.
Our investigation revealed that the video captures a different incident in Hyderabad. Here are the details of our findings:
Upon careful analysis of the video, one of the trains in the footage appears to resemble a local train rather than an express passenger train. Additionally, a user on social media also expressed the same observation.
To gather more information, we performed a keyword search on the internet, focusing on collisions involving local trains. Our search led us to multiple news reports from 2019 that discussed a similar incident involving two trains colliding on the same railway track in Hyderabad.
One report, published by NDTV featured the same CCTV footage as in the circulated video. According to the report, the collision occurred in Hyderabad in the year 2019 as the loco pilot of a local MMTS train ignored a red signal and started the train. This action resulted in two trains ending up on the same track and colliding head-on. Several other news reports corroborated this incident, which you can read here and here. A clearer version of this CCTV footage can be found here.
To sum up, it is evident that the circulating video does not depict the Coromandel Express tragedy in Balasore, Odisha, as claimed. Instead, it represents an unrelated train collision incident in Hyderabad in 2019.


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CCTV footage of a mobile snatcher stabbing an ASI in Delhi is shared with a false communal narrative - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 11, 2023
A video is being shared on social media claiming it to be the footage of a mobile snatcher named Anish Khan stabbing ASI Shambhu Dayal repeatedly with a knife on a street in Delhi. This post claims the accused in Shambhu Dayal’s attack as Anish Khan, a mobile snatcher belonging to the Muslim community. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: Video of a mobile snatcher belonging to the Muslim community stabbing ASI Shambu Dayal with a knife in Delhi.
Fact: The accused in ASI Shambu Dayal’s murder in Delhi is Anish Raj, not Anish Khan as alleged in the post. The FIR filed regarding this case had stated the accused as 24-year-old Anish, son of Prahlad Raj, residing in the Mayapuri area in West Delhi. The incident has nothing to do with the Muslim community. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched for this video using relevant keywords on the internet, a video with similar visuals was found published by ‘The Economic Times’ news YouTube channel. This news channel reported it as the CCTV footage showing the stabbing of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shambhu Dayal by a man nabbed for an alleged mobile phone theft in West Delhi’s Mayapuri.
Several news websites published articles reporting the details of this incident that took place on 04 January 2023. According to the reports, ASI Shambhu Dayal was stabbed multiple times by Anish Raj while trying to arrest the latter on an alleged mobile theft complaint filed by a woman. ASI Shambhu Dayal succumbed on 08 January 2023, while undergoing treatment at the BLK hospital in Delhi.
The FIR registered on ASI Shambu Dayal’s murder had stated the accused as 24-year-old Anish Raj, son of Prahlad Raj, and a resident of the Mayapuri area in New Delhi.
To sum it up, CCTV footage showing the stabbing of ASI Shambhu Dayal in Delhi is shared with a false communal narrative.

created: January 11, 2023


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CCTV footage of prison in Sri Lanka is being shared as ‘Muslims in Assam detention centres’ - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 6, 2020
A video is being widely shared on Facebook with the claim that it shows Muslims at a detention centre in Assam. Let’s analyze the authenticity of the claim.
Video shows Muslims at a detention centre in Assam.
Fact: The video is from CCTV footage of prison in Sri Lanka and isn’t related to India. Hence, the claim is FALSE.
When searched on Facebook with the text ‘Muslims in detention camp in Assam’, similar posts with the same video were found. But, the video in them had the watermark ‘Truthlanka.com’. So, when searched on Google with the text ‘brutal assault in a sri lanka detention centre’, the same video (shorter version) was found in the search result of ‘Asia Times’. From that article, it was found that ‘Angunakolapelessa’ (Sri Lanka) prison officials had treated the inmates badly by beating them with batons and forcing them to crawl forcibly. Further, a probe was ordered into the incident, after the CCTV footage was leaked. So, the video has nothing to do with India and the claim is false.
To conclude, the CCTV footage of prison in Sri Lanka is being shared as ‘Muslims in Assam detention centres’.
Did you watch our video on the 10 Most Ridiculous Fake News of the Year 2019?

created: January 6, 2020


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‘Censor Board’ reforms should start with greater transparency
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 14, 2017
The revamped website of the CBFC does not have any of the information directed to be disclosed by a CIC order in 2015. The reforms to the Censor Board should start with greater transparency.
The Censor Board or officially the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is not new to controversies. After Pahlaj Nihalani took over as the chairman of the CBFC, it has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Venkaiah Naidu, the minister for Information & Broadcasting had recently said that the recommendations of Shyam Benegal and Mudgal Committee were under consideration of the government and changes might be brought about in the certification process. He was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of  ‘Online Film Certification System’. While reforms are the need of the hour, they should start with greater transparency in the CBFC.
Allegations of favoritism
In 2015, an audit report had accused the CBFC of favoritism. The report had mentioned instances where a few films were certified in a matter of 2-3 days after application while some films took more than 100 days for certification, though the rules specify a maximum time limit of 68 days. Rumours are rife that certification process for movies with a big star cast is faster than for the ones without them. The report also mentioned that the secretary to the chairperson had issued certificates to two movies that were earlier rejected by the examining committee etc.
CIC Orders not followed
The Central Information Commission (CIC) had in March 2015 directed the CBFC to publish a laundry list of things on its portal. While hearing a complaint by Edara Gopi Chand, the CIC directed the CBFC that the following items should be proactively published on its portal in fulfillment of its obligation under Sec 4(1)(b)(xvii) of the RTI act.
The CIC gave a deadline of June 2015 to the CBFC. The CBFC had since then maintained that a new portal is under development and that all the requested information would be available on the revamped portal. A full 21 months after the CIC’s deadline elapsed, the CBFC had in March 2017 launched a revamped portal. In clear violation of the directions of the CIC and contrary to what was promised by the CBFC, none of the above information is found on the revamped CBFC portal except for the annual reports till 2014-15.
Online Certification is a step in the right direction, but clearly not enough
In March this year, the CBFC also launched the online film certification system called the ‘e-cinepramaan’.   Among other things, the status of application would be visible online in the dashboard of the producer and the CBFC official in the new system. In case of short films/trailers less than 10 minutes, they can also be submitted online. The new system also sends alerts to the relevant officials depending on the pendency of the application so that the time limits prescribed in the rules are followed.
While this system is a step in the right direction, this clearly is not enough. The revamped CBFC portal only displays the name of the movie, certificate type, certificate date and the certified length on the public search facility.It does not give details such as the date of application, list of cuts (part 2 of the certificate) etc. In fact, one of the directions in the CIC order was to proactively disclose the statutory register as per rule 39 of Cinematography (Certification) Rules 1983. Rule 39 mandates that certain basic information about each certified film be recorded in a register.Disclosing this register and other details will not only help the film makers, but also help the general public understand the working of the board, the kind of cuts being suggested, the time taken for certification of various types of films etc. Such measures for transparency alone can push the CBFC work efficiently for fear of public pressure. While reforms to the current laws are necessary, we should start the process with greater transparency in the working of the Censor Board as directed by the CIC.


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‘Censoring’ Government from Film Censorship - Factly
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 5, 2016
A comprehensive review of the outdated cinematograph law is the need of the hour. Appointing another new committee to suggest mere tweaking of rules and procedures is only an eye wash. If the government is genuinely reformist, it should transform the ‘ruling party-controlled’ Censor Board into a professional, autonomous and accountable body.
The constitution of the expert committee headed by Shyam Benegal has once again raised hopes about overhauling of the outdated film regulation regime in the country. But, these hopes were short-lived as one looks at the limited mandate given to the committee. After the much-hyped announcement about the setting up of Benegal Committee to ‘revamp’ film censorship, few days back, a casually-drafted, header-less, unsigned communiqué appeared on the websites of Ministry of I&B and NFDC which revealed the committee’s terms of reference:
One thing which was repeatedly emphasized in the one-page communiqué was that everything – from Committee’s recommendations to suggestions of film viewers – should be “within the ambit of existing Cinematograph Act, Rules and Guidelines”! This means the committee can, at best, suggest amendments to the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, so as to streamline the internal functioning of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and lay down some principles to give contemporary interpretation to the ‘film certification guidelines’.
The Mukul Mudgal Committee
In 2013, the Mukul Mudgal committee gave its 17-page report along with a draft Cinematograph Bill, 2013. Except few new suggestions such as introduction of 12+, 15+ ratings in place of ‘U/A’, pre-screening of lyrics, expanding the jurisdiction of appellate tribunal etc., there is nothing modern about Mudgal recommendations. The committee retained the regressive ‘govt.-controlled’ scheme of colonial era. It didn’t venture to rectify the fundamental defect in the present scheme, i.e., absolute lack of autonomy for CBFC and hegemony of central government on almost all aspects of film censorship i.e., appointing ‘their own men’ to man the Board and advisory panels, ‘revisional’ powers over the decisions of ‘statutory’ board, ‘notifying’ film certification guidelines etc. Surprisingly, there was no discussion at all on the way the committee sought to perpetuate the same old set-up, characterised by overwhelming State dominance and organised patronage. Seen in this backdrop, the narrow remit given to the Benegal committee is particularly appalling and reflects the insincere and ad hocist approach of government towards film censorship reform.
No debate on the fundamental flaw
Debates on film censorship in India had been sporadic and mostly forgotten by the end of the day. Often, they are centred around emotional statements by film celebrities or occasioned by some controversies e.g., ‘Viswaroopam’ episode in 2013 or the recent ‘national-level’ debate on pruning a kissing scene in the ‘U/A’-rated film, ‘Spectre’. A sustained and meaningful debate on the core issues affecting film censorship is conspicuous by its absence.
What is fundamentally wrong with Indian film censorship was painstakingly analysed by Khosla Committee, way back in 1969 itself. It recommended a clear cut remedy too, i.e., to make the film regulation board, ‘independent’ and ‘autonomous’. The Khosla report, which even won the accolades of Supreme Court, concluded thus: “…Here we may reiterate the most important defect, namely, the lack of responsibility which the present system entails…The rigidity of a code drawn up by a superior power, the inhibition and lack of flexibility…constant fear of interference…are features which not only destroy the efficiency of the board but arouse almost universal condemnation of its decisions. It is important, therefore, that state censorship should be exercised…by an independent body which has been given sufficient authority and a sufficient sense of responsibility to deal with the matter finally and irrevocably.” Given the reluctance of successive governments in parting with their control over a ‘cultural institution’ like Censor Board, it is hardly surprising that the Khosla recommendations were completely ignored and died their natural death. Interestingly, for an RTI query, the Ministry of I&B replied that it doesn’t have a copy of Khosla report!
In 2013, in the wake of controversy around certification of an adult comedy (‘Grand Masti’), Smt. Leela Samson, former chairperson, CBFC, in an e-mail to the then Minister, I&B aired her exasperation about the quality of ‘advisory panel’ members who actually certify films. The poignant words of Smt. Samson sum up the rot in the present system: “…the men and women who certify these films are…chosen, not by the CBFC – but by the Ministry every two years…There are no doubt, a few educated among them in every region, but 90% of them are uneducated and an embarrassment to us. They cannot read nor write, cannot sign their names on the forms, leave alone read the script of the film…When I mentioned this to the Hon’ble Minister, he said that they too were representative of this nation and no change could be implemented…the Ministry maintains its prerogative to appoint such members as they deem fit and watch as our Board time and again has taken the blame for insensitive certification…Perhaps it is time for the Ministry…to tell the nation and our Board why incompetent, insensitive and uneducated people are certifying our films.”
All this only mean that the present debate on film censorship needs an urgent course correction. The core agenda, both for government and film industry, should be to dwell upon how to ensure an arm’s-length relationship between the government and the Film regulation Board, how to make the Board ‘qualified’, ‘autonomous’ and ‘accountable’, both in functional and financial terms and how to put in place appropriate appellate mechanisms, both for the film makers and anyone aggrieved by the decisions of the Board.
The road towards film ‘Classification’
As discussed above, on one hand, there is zero discussion on removing the undesirable stranglehold of government on film censorship. On the other extreme, there is talk, including a reference by the Minister, I&B, about moving into the era of film ‘classification’ as opposed to film ‘censorship’, as practiced in countries like US, UK etc.
In most developed countries, the emphasis is on ‘classifying’ a film in a particular category based on age and media format (Cinema/TV/Home video etc.) rather than to ‘scissor out’ scenes that deemed ‘objectionable’. Even the film classification boards in these countries are not statutory but established by film industry as a voluntary, self-regulatory measure. Most importantly, they have evolved over a period of time and shaped by the political, social and cultural climate of each country. This ‘self-regulation’ or classification approach is, inter alia, premised on a highly aware audience and an effective parental guidance for children. This could work in those countries where almost entire population is literate, highly aware and the social fabric is largely uniform in terms of language, religion and culture. In contrast, whether India – where a large population is still illiterate, where the social and cultural milieu is highly diversified, religious and communal sentiments run high, especially on freedom of expression issues – is ready to embrace this ultra-liberal model of film classification is a question that calls for a deeper analysis.
In India, the cinema theatres are notorious for selling ‘A’ film tickets to even under-age children. Admittedly, there is no proper check on this nor this is a priority issue for anyone for various reasons. The level of parental guidance available for children in developed countries is no way comparable to what is presently possible in India. After these many decades, there is no awareness about film ratings even among educated audience. No one can make out anything from the obscure ‘censor certificate’ flashed for few seconds in English/Hindi before every film. Not many know what ‘U/A’ exactly means. While some know it means something like ‘parental guidance’, most don’t know for which age cohort of children it applies (below twelve years). Our Cinematograph Act even doesn’t ‘know’ that a thing called ‘television’ exists, not to speak of having separate ratings for films meant for television telecast or for playing as home video.
Thus, switchover to ‘classification’ regime can’t be effected overnight and should first be preceded by a well-orchestrated campaign through print and electronic media to educate lay audience about various categories of film ratings, especially in local languages, proper sensitization and regulation of theatres etc. Further, the ‘Censor Board’, which is often criticised for its lax and inward-looking bureaucratic approach has to come out of its shell. It should reach out to audience with a vibrant online presence via social media, user-friendly website, mobile app etc. so that film ratings are made easily accessible and popularized. It should also seek continuous feedback from audience on classification and other decisions of the Board. It is immensely important to note here that all this pro-activeness and confident approach is impossible without giving the film regulation body, the much-needed autonomy it deserves. Without conferring such independence and without undertaking aforesaid ‘audience-empowering’ measures, any talk about moving to the era of ‘classification’, expecting the Board to be ‘controversy-free’ sounds naive.
Time to question the Government
Even after 103 glorious years of Indian Cinema, if the government still wants to cling to the colonial and ‘government-controlled’ scheme of film censorship, it is really unfortunate. More painful is the silence and indifference of film industry, media and civil society in questioning government for perpetuating this glaring anomaly. If the film fraternity – which is almost always in a ‘Scrap-the-Censor Board’ mode – is genuinely concerned about modernizing the film censorship, they should raise their voice collectively and may even lobby for nothing short of a comprehensive review of cinematograph law and not settle for the proposed cosmetic changes in rules which is but another round of eye wash. Going a step further, the film industry itself can take lead and come out with a modern and workable draft film regulation bill by studying international best practices and assessing Indian realities.

created: February 5, 2016


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Government sets up a Central Victim Compensation Fund, with an initial corpus of Rs 200 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 20, 2015
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidelines for the Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF), aimed at encouraging the states to seriously implement the victim compensation schemes. These guidelines are a result of the directions of the Supreme Court in a PIL relating to acid attack victims.
After the infamous acid attack on her, Laxmi, a survivor filed a PIL in the Supreme Court in 2006 on various issues related to Acid Attack victims. The Supreme Court in its final order delivered in April this year, directed the State Governments to strictly follow the laid down procedure for granting compensation to the victims. It also directed the Union Government to fix the minimum compensation at Rs 3 lakh. Subsequent to this PIL, the Ministry of Home Affairs held consultations with various state governments & UTs and proposed setting up of a ‘Central Victim Compensation Fund’ (CVCF) that includes compensation to acid attack victims. The MHA has now issued detailed Guidelines of this scheme.
The CrPC Amendment in 2008
The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) was amended in 2008 and a new section 357A was introduced. The crux of the amendment was that the state governments come up with a compensation scheme for the victim or his dependents who have suffered loss or injury as a result of the crime and who require rehabilitation.
Following this amendment and the subsequent directions of the Supreme Court in the Acid Attack PIL, states have come up with a Victim Compensation scheme. There were wide variations from one state to another in the amount of compensation. The current central scheme is aimed at harmonizing the state schemes with a minimum fixed amount of compensation for victims of various crimes.
The CVCF Guidelines
The CVCF Guidelines mention three broad objectives namely
The CVCF is setup with an initial corpus of Rs 200 crore that would be sanctioned from the Nirbhaya fund. The fund also is open to contribution from public.
How can states access the funds from CVCF?
To encourage the states to effectively implement their victim compensation schemes, the central government has agreed to reimburse the amount of compensation paid by the state governments. But for the states to access funds from CVCF, the following must be done.
The following minimum amount of compensation is fixed by the MHA and states must also fix a similar minimum if they are to take the benefit of CVCF.
Who is eligible for award of Compensation?
State governments are authorized to come up with eligibility criteria and the process. Broadly, states have come up with the following eligibility criteria.
Some of the above criteria could vary from state to state.
The procedure for Grant of Compensation
The relevant state schemes also lay down the procedure to be followed for the grant of compensation
Will the CVCF help?
States might be more interested in implementing the victim compensation scheme, now that the union government will reimburse the compensation amount. This is expected to encourage states and also to harmonize differences in the quantum of compensation. For e.g., the Victim compensation scheme of Andhra Pradesh, notified in April 2015 fixed the compensation for a rape victim at Rs 2 lakh while the CVCF guidelines fixed the minimum compensation at Rs 3 lakh. Such differences are expected to be sorted out with CVCF. Only time will tell if states would actually make use of the scheme.

created: October 20, 2015


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Central Bank of India did not announce the closure of its 600 branches by the end of March 2023 - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 11, 2022
A post is being shared on social media claiming that the government-owned Central Bank of India is planning to close 600 of its branches by the end of March 2023. Let’s verify the claim made in the post.
Claim: The government-owned Central Bank of India is planning to shut down 600 of its branches by the end of March 2023.
Fact: The Central Bank of India through their official social media handles clarified that they did not make any decision to shut down a large number of branches during the fiscal year 2022-23. However, the bank emphasised in their press note that they would follow routine exercises like every bank to re-align/ shift/ merge/ close/ open branches on regular basis to achieve corporate business objectives. Hence, the claim made in the post is FALSE.
When we searched to check whether the state-owned Central Bank of India has made any such announcement of shutting down its branches by the end of March 2023, we found that the ‘Reuters’ news website has published an article reporting similar information on ’05 May 2022′. Reuters reported that the Central Bank of India is planning to shut down 13% of its branches by the end of March 2023 to improve its financial health.
Responding to the rumours spreading about the closure of their branches, the Central Bank of India has issued a clarification on all of its social media handles on 08 May 2022. Central Bank of India clarified that as of now they did not make any decision to shut down a large number of its branches during the fiscal year 2022-23.
 Public Information.#CentralToYouSince1911 pic.twitter.com/TGxtjOvyrl
However, the Central Bank of India emphasised that they would follow routine exercises like every bank to re-align/ shift/ merge/ close/ open branches on regular basis to achieve corporate business objectives. Reuters too had published an article reporting this clarification issued by the Central Bank of India.
To sum it up, the Central Bank of India did not announce the closure of its 600 branches by the end of March 2023.


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Central Excise Duty on Petrol & Diesel
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
October 4, 2017

created: October 4, 2017


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What did the Central Government Committee recommend about Taxi Aggregators like Ola & Uber?
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 26, 2016
The committee constituted by the Ministry of the Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to propose guidelines for taxi aggregators like Ola & Uber has submitted its report. The committee recommended that State Transport departments fix and minimum and maximum fare for taxis in the economy segment.
After Taxi-Aggregators like Ola & Uber ran into regulatory hurdles in multiple states, the Ministry of the Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Government of India constituted a committee to propose a Taxi policy guideline to promote urban mobility. The constitution of the committee also followed the directions of Delhi High Court. The committee has now submitted its report and the report has been accepted by MoRTH. The committee in its report proposed guidelines for various areas in the taxi segment. The report also proposed guidelines for aggregators like Ola & Uber.
The State Transport departments may allow Bike sharing
The committee recommended allowing two-wheeler taxi permits like in the four-wheeler segment. It recommended that existing private bikes may be allowed to register themselves as taxis. It has to be noted that Uber flagged off its ‘UberMoto’ services recently in Hyderabad.
Aggregators can aggregate all types of Vehicles
The recommendations state that the aggregators can aggregate all types of vehicles provided the vehicles comply with all the existing regulations. Aggregators can provide services for both intra-city and inter-city services. The committee also recommended that three-wheeler auto-rickshaws can also be brought under aggregation. It is also recommended that the state transport departments allow a service charge to be charged by the aggregators.
Aggregators have to comply with the following rules
The committee recommended that all taxi-aggregators obtain an appropriate license from the State Transport Department under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 before they start operations. All the aggregators should comply with the following rules.
Aggregator Software & Fare Calculation Algorithms should be validated by MEITY
The committee also recommended that the algorithms used for distance and fare calculation etc. should be checked and validated for accuracy. Quality of these software applications should be audited by from Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification(STQC) or any other agency authorised by Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MEITY), on a one-time basis.
STQC or other nominated agency of MEITY should validate the attributes used by cab aggregators to calculate the shortest path for any inaccuracy and this validation should be maintained. This is to ensure that the customers are not overcharged.
The committee also recommended that in the interest of security of personal data, the Aggregators should provide options to the consumers whether they want to share the data on their mobiles with the aggregators or not. Express consent of the consumers should be obtained to share the personal data and it should be ensured that all the data is protected by a firewall. However, if any such data is requisitioned by any enforcement agency then the aggregators would be bound to provide the same.
Maximum Tariff for Aggregator based taxis
The committee recommended that the taxis under aggregators should be categorized into the following two segments
The committee recommended that the tariffs of deluxe taxi segment should not be controlled and market dynamics should be allowed to determine the tariffs. But the State Transport Departments may regulate the fares of the taxis in the economy segment. The following rules may be used for fixing the tariff in the economy segment.
Alternatively, the committee also recommended that aggregators may be asked to provide the minimum fare that would be charged from the customers and the State Transport Department may fix a multiplier to cap the maximum fare.  While fixing the tariffs, the states may engage the services of transport economists and related experts who would be able to provide a scientific approach to determination of tariffs and permit charges.
NITI Aayog’s divergent views
It has to be noted that the Niti Aayog had expressed divergent views to the committee especially on the tariff front. The views of the Niti Aayog as expressed to the committee are
Niti Aayog felt that aggregators should be responsible for undertaking due diligence of the vehicles provided through their portal which can include
Featured Imaage:Central Government Committee recommendations about Taxi Aggregators

created: December 26, 2016


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Central government has not launched any new scheme for providing money to siblings ahead of Raksha Bandhan - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
August 22, 2023
A video is being widely shared on social media claiming that the Narendra Modi government is going to deposit money into the accounts of siblings on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. Further, the video explains about Uttar Pradesh government’s Divyang Pension Yojana and the eligibility criteria for the scheme. Let’s verify the claim made in the viral video.
Claim: The central government came up with a new scheme where money is deposited into the accounts of siblings as Raksha Bandhan’s gift.
Fact: Neither the central government nor any state government had made any such official announcement on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. However, the later part of the video rightly explains about Divyang pension yojana of the Uttar Pradesh government and its eligibility criteria. Hence, the post is partially true and is Misleading.
On a relevant keyword search to learn about the claim made in the video, we found that no such official announcement was made by the government. Subsequent research showed that no state government made such a declaration. Further keyword searches related to such news directed us to similar videos being shared by the same channel (here and here). Also, various news articles (here and here) debunked these claims shared by this channel.
The video further goes to explain the Divyang Pension scheme. The details shared in the video are found to be true.
The central government sponsors various pension schemes under National Social Assistance Programme that came into effect on 15 August 1995. The programme comprises Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), the Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and Annapurna scheme. Under IGNDPS, the pensioner who is 18 years and above with 80% of disability avails Rs. 300/- till 80 years of age after which the beneficiary will get Rs.500/- per month.
Over and above this amount, each state has its own pension scheme with different eligibility criteria and grants. Divyang Pension Yojana is one such initiative of the Uttar Pradesh state government under an integrated pension scheme called Divyang and leprosy pension to provide financial assistance every month to the disabled. The scheme was launched in 2016 according to which, the beneficiary should be at least 18 years of age and have 40% disability in order to avail of the grant of Rs. 1000/- per month.
To sum up, the Central government has not launched any new scheme for depositing money into the bank accounts of siblings ahead of Raksha Bandhan.


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Central government hasn’t issued any guidelines saying ration card would be cancelled if not used for three months - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
December 21, 2020
A post accompanying a clipping of a news article which says that according to the latest central government guidelines, ration card would be cancelled if not used for three months is being widely shared across social media platforms. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Central government has issued guidelines saying ration card would be cancelled if not used for three months.
Fact: Central government has not issued any such guidelines saying ration cards would be cancelled if not used for three months. PIB through a tweet also stated the same and rated the news as fake. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
Google search with relevant keywords led us to a tweet by PIB which fact-checked the claim’. According to this tweet, the central government has not issued any guidelines saying ration cards not used for three months will get cancelled. And their tweet has categorically rated the news as fake.
कुछ मीडिया रिपोर्ट्स में दावा किया जा रहा है कि केंद्र सरकार ने राज्य सरकारों को निर्देश जारी किए हैं कि तीन महीने तक राशन नहीं लिए जाने की स्थिति में राशन कार्ड रद्द किया जा सकता है। #PIBFactCheck:- यह दावा फर्जी है। केंद्र सरकार ने ऐसे कोई दिशा-निर्देश नहीं दिए हैं। pic.twitter.com/2ujrspote2
Further, the National Food Security Act, 2013 did not stipulate any guidelines for cancellation of ration cards. According to this act, state governments are entitled to prepare guidelines and to identify priority households. Accordingly, guidelines related to eligibility and exclusion issued by few states can be read here and here. The act also empowers the central government to make rules in consultation with states related to a few aspects of the act. Department of Food and Public Distribution which is the nodal agency for public distribution under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution prepares the rules on behalf of the central government under the NFSA. However, we could not find any notice on the department website saying ration card will be cancelled if not for three months.
In the light of the central government’s initiative of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’ system under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, posts like these are being circulated on social media platforms with misleading claims.
To sum it up, central government has not issued any guidelines saying ration card would be cancelled if not used for three months.

created: December 21, 2020


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Central Government hasn’t provided any additional assistance for the Hyderabad Floods so far - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
November 24, 2020
A social media post claiming that Rs. 10,000 flood relief given recently to the flood victims in Hyderabad by the State Government is actually financed from the Rs. 550 crores flood aid released by the Central Government. This article gives the low-down on disaster management funds and fact-checks the claim made in the post.
Claim: Rs. 10,000 flood relief given recently to the flood victims in Hyderabad by the State Government is actually financed from the Rs. 550 crores flood aid released by the Central Government.
Fact: The Central Government has released Rs. 448 crores as part of its share of SDRMF to Telangana. This is a statutory obligation upon the Central Government, and it releases funds to every state irrespective of a disaster. However, the 2 instalment of this fund is released to only a few states and Telangana is one among these few states. Apart from this, no additional assistance has been released to the state related to the recent floods. However, a central team has visited the flood-hit Hyderabad to assess the loss. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Government of India has enacted the Disaster Management Act in 2005 which envisaged the creation of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMA) headed by respective Chief Ministers in view of spearheading and implementing a holistic and integrated approach to disaster management in India.
State Disaster Response Fund:
Disaster Management Act entails the creation of a State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) under Section 48 (1)(a) which acts as the primary fund available at State governments disposal at the time of disasters. The Central government contributes 75% towards the SDRF for general category states and UTs and 90% for special category states/UTs which includes northeastern and Himalayan States.
The Finance Commission in its periodic reports make recommendations regarding the quantum of SDRF for each state. However the central government is not obliged to implement the recommendations. For example, the fourteenth finance commission has recommended that Union and State Governments contribute to the SDRF corpus in the ratio of 90:10 for all the states but this was not implemented as the Union Government decided to continue with the already existing 75:25 sharing pattern.
Generally, the Union Government would release the funds in two equal instalments and likewise, the state governments shall also transfer their contribution to the SDRF in two installments. The central government is obliged to release these funds to SDRFs irrespective of the occurrence of disasters. Also, the State Governments are entitled to use up to 10% of the funds available in SDRF to provide immediate relief to the victims during the time of local disasters which are not notified under the category of disasters by the Ministry of Home Affairs provided such disasters are notified by the State Governments.
15th Finance Commission Recommendations
Since the present disaster management system focuses too much on disaster response rather than risk mitigation, preparedness etc., the 15 Finance Commission has recommended to set up Mitigation funds at both National and State level in the form of National and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF & SDMF) as stipulated in the Disaster Management Act. Mitigation funds shall be used for risk aversion at the community level whereas the response funds shall be used for reconstruction and recovery. In order to achieve this, the commission has recommended that allocation of the funds shall be in the ratio of 80:20 for SDRF and SDMF. And within the 80% allocation of SDRF, 40% is allocated for Response & Relief, 30% for Recovery & Reconstruction and 10% for Preparedness & Capacity Building. Further, the commission has recommended an outlay of Rs. 28,983 crores for SDRMF for the year 2020-2021 out of which Centers share is Rs. 22,184 crores.
Release of Funds in the time of COVID-19
Central Government has notified COVID-19 as a disaster and permitted the State Governments to utilize the SDRF funds in dealing with the pandemic. And in the view of the pandemic, the central government has decided to extend the time period of existing guidelines recommended by the 14 Finance Commission for a period of one year. Further, these guidelines are subject to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission regarding the funding windows of SDRF and SDMF. Also, the Central Government has released its share of 1st instalment of Rs. 11,092 crores in advance out of which Telangana has received Rs. 224.50 crores. And as of 03 November 2020,  the Central Government has released the 2 instalment of its share in advance for few states and Telangana is one among these states and it received Rs. 449 crores.
In addition to these statutory transfers,  during the time of disasters of severe nature, SDRFs are supplemented through National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) provided there are no adequate funds with SDRF. Usually, a Inter Ministerial Central Team (ICTM) would visit the disaster affected state and assess the severity and magnitude of loss and submit its report to the Central Government based on which Centre would release additional funds through NDRF.
According to a press release dated 13 November 2020 by the Home Ministry, a High-Level Committee under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister has approved additional central assistance under NDRF to six states (West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, MP and Sikkim) which were affected by disasters earlier this year. Telangana did not feature among these states. It is possible that such additional assistance may be released to Telangana in the coming months.
Even back in 2019, when Bihar and Karnataka were affected with floods, the Centre has provided additional financial assistance of Rs. 1200 crores to Karnataka and the Central Government has approved for advance release of funds for Bihar. Similarly, additional assistance was given to West Bengal after an Inter-Ministerial Central Team assessed of loss caused due to the floods in 2017.
Recently, a five-member central team has visited Hyderabad on 22 October 2020 to assess the magnitude of loss occurred due to heavy rains and recent flash floods. Telangana government has projected an estimated loss of Rs. 9,400 crores due to the floods which wreaked havoc in the entire state. Out of the total loss projected by the Telangana Government, the loss estimated in GHMC was Rs. 567 crores. The central government will take a call regarding the release of additional assistance based on the report submitted by the Central team. As on date, no additional funds have been released.
In a nutshell, Contrary to the claim made in the post, the Central Government has released Rs. 449 crores to Telangana as part of its share of SDRMF which is a statutory obligation and is not related to the additional assistance for floods. As on date,  no additional assistance is provided by the Central Government to Telangana regarding the recent Hyderabad floods.

created: November 24, 2020


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Central Government revises Speed Limits on Expressways - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 26, 2018
The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has recently revised the speed limits for different classes of vehicles. The new speed limits for different classes of vehicles are categorized based on the type of road. The maximum speed limit for a 4-wheeler (car) would be 120 kmph on expressways.
Authority to prescribe the Maximum Speed
Section 112 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 (MV act) authorizes the Central Government to prescribe maximum speed at which each class or type of motor vehicle can be driven. It also empowers the State Governments to restrict the speed of any class of motor vehicle in certain circumstances. It has to be noted that the states can restrict the speed much below the prescribed maximum by the centre, but they cannot be over the maximum limit. These limits are modified regularly based on the condition of the roads, type of road infrastructure in the country etc. The current changes have been made keeping in mind the multiple expressways that have been built in various parts of the country.
120 kmph – The latest limit on Expressways for a Car
The government issued a notification in April 2018 to increase the speed limit of various classes of vehicles. On expressways, the maximum speed limit for a car or for a vehicle that carries less than 9 passengers is 120 kmph where as it is 100 kmph for vehicles that carry nine or more passengers. The limits for 4-lane roads with a divider is fixed at a maximum of 100 kmph for vehicles that carry less than nine passengers and 90 kmph for vehicles that carry nine or more passengers. The rules also specify that no penalty can be imposed or  violation is to be recorded if the detected speed is within 5% of the maximum speed limit.
These limits were last revised in the year 2014 when the maximum speed allowed for vehicles like cars was 100 kmph. The limits fixed in August 2014 did not prescribe limits based on the type of road. They only fixed a maximum speed for different classes of vehicles.
The Limit fixed by states could be lower than the limit fixed by the Centre
Sub-section 2 of section 112 of the MV act also empowers the state government to restrict limits to below the limits prescribed by the central government. Most often, the states prescribe speeds lower than the maximum limit. For instance, Kerala prescribed a maximum speed limit of 90 kmph on four lane roads, in 2014.
Similarly, Delhi also prescribed different set of speed limits.


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Central government retains 98.3% of Central Excise duty, whereas the remaining 1.7% is distributed among the states - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
July 26, 2021
A post accompanying a video of BJP’s Member of Parliament Jyotiraditya Scindia claiming that 64% of the taxes collected on petrol go to the state governments, whereas the center retains only 36 % is being widely shared across social media platforms. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made by the MP.
Claim: 64% of the taxes collected on petrol go to the state governments, whereas the center retains only 36 % – Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Fact: Central government levies excise duty of Rs. 32.9 on liter petrol. However, of the total central excise duty, Rs. 32.33 paise i.e. 98.27% is retained by the center and only 1.73% is distributed among all the states. Hence the claim made in the post is FALSE.
While addressing a session in Rajya Sabha on 24 March 2021, BJP’s MP Jyotiraditya Scindia stated that 64% of the taxes levied on petrol go to the states, whereas the central government retains only 36%. However, this is not true as explained below.
Tax breakup on Petrol:
The Central government levies excise duty on petrol in the form of Basic Excise Duty (BED), Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED), Additional Excise Duty (Road & Infrastructure) (AED), and the newly introduced Agriculture & Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC).
From the above table, we can infer that the sum Rs. 31.50, which is collected in the form of Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED), Additional Excise Duty (Road & Infrastructure) (AED), and Agriculture & Infrastructure Development Cess (AIDC) per liter petrol is completely retained by the center and reaches the central exchequer. The remaining amount Rs. 1.40, which is collected in the form of Basic Excise Duty is the only component that falls under the divisible pool, wherein the states get a share. Out of the total quantum of excise duty i.e. Rs 32.9, only 4.26% (Rs. 1.40, basic excise duty) is distributed among states as per a pre-determined formula recommended by the Finance Commission.
Devolution as per Finance Commission:
The 15th Finance Commission recommended that states get 41% out of the divisible pool of taxes that the central government collects, and the central government retains the remaining 59% (UTs get grants in aid out of this). This means the states receive 41% (i.e. Rs. 0.57) of the Rs. 1.40 Basic Excise Duty levied on petrol and the remaining 59% (i.e. Rs. 0.83) will be retained by the central exchequer.
From the above explanation, we can infer that the total quantum of tax which central government receives per liter petrol is Rs. 32.33 (Rs. 31.5 (cess & surcharge) + Rs. 0.83(center’s share of the divisible pool)). This is static and the same for every state. i.e for every liter sale of petrol in the country, the central government receives Rs. 32.33 as central excise duty.
In other words, of the total taxes levied by the Central Government on liter petrol (i.e. Rs 32.90 paise),  98.27% (i.e. Rs. 32.33 paise) is retained by the center and only 1.73% (i.e. Rs. 0.57) is distributed among all the states.
However, each state does not receive 41%, but receives their respective proportion out of the 41% as recommended by the Finance commission. For example, the 15th finance commission has recommended 2.13% as Telangana’s share in the divisible pool, which means Telangana government would receive 2.13% of Rs. 0.57, which amounts to Rs. 0.01 (one paisa) on liter petrol as their share of basic excise duty.
State Govt Tax:
Each state follows its own formula to levy a state tax on the sale of petrol and diesel in their respective states. For example, the Telangana government levies 35.20% VAT, whereas the Andhra Pradesh government levies 31% VAT + Rs.4 / ltr VAT + Rs.1 / ltr road development cess.
Telangana :
Each state follows its own formula to levy a state tax on the sale of petrol and diesel in their respective states. For example, the Telangana government levies 35.20% VAT, whereas the Andhra Pradesh government levies 31% VAT + Rs.4 / ltr VAT + Rs.1 / ltr road development cess.
According to the price buildup available on PPAC (Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell), Telangana state’s 35.20% VAT would amount to Rs. 26.77. In addition to this, the state government would receive its share from the divisible pool of central taxes. In this case, the state government receives Rs 0.01 paise as its share out of the basic excise duty as explained above (2.13% share Rs. 0.57).
Center & State’s share of taxes in Telangana :
The price of liter petrol at any HP petrol pump in Hyderabad on 24 July 2021 is Rs. 105.89 paise. Of this price, both central & states taxes amount to Rs. 59.67.
Out of the total quantum of taxes, Rs. 32.33 is retained by the central exchequer, whereas the state government is entitled to Rs 26.78 (Rs 26.77 state VAT + Rs 0.01 state share of basic excise duty) as explained above. For every liter sale of petrol in Telangana, the state government would receive 44.88% (Rs. 26.78) as their share, whereas the central share is 54.18% (Rs. 32.33) and the remaining 0.94% (Rs. 0.56, remaining after deduction of Telangana State share in Basic Excise Duty) is distributed among other States. This implies the central government receives a greater share of tax amount on petrol compared to the state.
To sum it up, the central government retains 98.3% of central excise duty, whereas the remaining 1.7% is distributed among the states.


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Central Government’s Tax Revenue increased by over 50 times in the last 30 years
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
September 19, 2017
Government of India’s tax revenue increased by more than 50 times between 1985-86 and 2016-17. From Rs 211.4 billion in tax revenue in 1985-86, the tax collection touched Rs 10888 billion in 2016-17.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently released the hand book of statistics on Indian Economy for 2016-17. As per the statistics, the Central Government’s tax revenue increased by over 50 times in a span of 30 years between 1985-86 and 2016-17. From Rs 211.4 billion in 1985-86, the tax revenue increased to Rs 10887.9 billion in 2016-17. During the same period, the non-tax revenue also increased by more than 48 times.
Tax Revenue touched One lakh crore in 1998-99
Total tax revenue of the Government of India includes both direct & indirect taxes. Direct taxes include personal income tax and corporation tax while indirect taxes comprise of Excise & Customs duties. During the 30-year period from 1985-86 to 2016-17, the tax revenue decreased compared to the previous year (negative growth) on two difference occasions, in 1993-94 and 2001-02. Greatest increase in the tax revenue was seen in 2006-07 when the tax revenue increased by close to 30%. The tax revenue increased by more than 20% only in nine (9) of the thirty years. In thirteen (12) of these years, it grew between 10% and 20%. The growth was less than 5% on four occasions.
The tax revenue crossed Rs 50000 crore in 1991-92 and one lakh crore in 1998-99. The tax revenue crossed 5 lakh crore in 2010-11 and 10 lakh crore in 2016-17.
Indirect Tax revenue was more than 4 times the Direct Tax revenue in 1985-86
In 1985-86, the indirect tax revenue was Rs 174 billion, more than 4 times that of the direct tax revenue of a mere Rs 37 billion. The share of indirect taxes in the total tax revenue was 83% compared to the 17% share of direct taxes in 1985-86. In a span of 30 years, the share of both has more or less become equal. In 2016-17, share of direct taxes was 48% in the total tax revenue compared to the 52% share of indirect taxes. The share of direct taxes in the total tax revenue crossed 30% for the first time in 1998-99 and crossed 40% for the first time in 2003-04. In fact, in the 8 years between 2007-08 and 2014-15, the share of direct taxes in the total tax revenue was more than the share of indirect taxes. In 2009-10, the share of direct taxes was close to 60%, the highest ever till date.  Starting again in 2015-16, the share of indirect taxes has overtaken the share of direct taxes.
Personal Income Tax collection crossed 1 lakh crore in 2010-11
In 1985-86, corporation tax accounted for more than 3/4th of the total direct tax revenue. It remained more or less the same till 1999-00. Starting 2000-01, the share of income tax in total direct tax collection has significantly increased. Since 2000-01, the share of income tax in the total direct tax collection has been more than 35% except in 2010-11. Personal Income tax collection crossed one lakh crore for the first time in 2010-11 while corporation tax crossed one lakh crore in 2006-07.
Featured Image: Central Government’s Tax Revenue

created: September 19, 2017


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Central Govt Debt crossed 100-trillion rupees mark
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
March 13, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a debilitating impact on the economy forcing governments to borrow more for continued spending on welfare schemes & building infrastructure. The outstanding central government debt crossed the Rs. 100 trillion mark for the first time by end of June 2020. Even the states have borrowed much more than what they did in 2019-20.
The outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic emerged as a key risk to human health causing significant human costs and economic turmoil. As per IMF’s World Economic Outlook (January 2021), global growth was expected to contract sharply by 3.5 percent in 2020, much worse than during the global financial crisis of 2008-09.
India imposed different phases of lock-down starting from 25 March 2020 and continued till May 2020 when restrictions on various activities were eased in a phased manner. Economic activities came to a standstill and severely halted the growth momentum. During the lockdown period, manufacturing and services activity came to a standstill resulting in supply disruption, a drop in domestic and external demand, a reduction in trade, lower tourism and business travel, and loss of consumer and investor confidence.
Global and domestic economic activity indicators registered a sharp decline during the period of lockdown, as highlighted in the following table provided in a Monthly Economic Report (May 2020) Finance Ministry’s Department of Economic Affairs.
Finance Ministry’s Monthly Report from May 2020 also highlights that expansionary fiscal policy was on course in 2020-21 to mitigate the adverse economic impact of COVID-19, with an increase in market borrowings by Central and State governments. As of 01 May 2020, while Centre raised 88% of its gross borrowings in the corresponding period last year, States raised more than 1.7 times, both on a gross and net basis.
A study by India Rating of 21 major Indian States for the month of April 2020 estimates a collective revenue loss of around Rs. 971 billion. The study calculates the likely revenue loss from seven major revenue sources for states i.e., state goods and services tax (SGST), state VAT (mainly petroleum products), state excise (mainly liquor), stamps and registration fees, tax on vehicle, tax, and duty on electricity and own non-tax revenue.
The nuances of government debt (borrowings and liabilities) are explained in detail in one of our earlier articles. Previously, we have also explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on market borrowings of state governments in the first half of 2020-21, State Development Loans (SDLs) in the first four months of 2020-21, and fiscal deficit targets.
Central Government Debt crossed 100-trillion mark during the pandemic.
The Debt Management Report, released quarterly by Department of Economic Affairs, gives an account of the public debt management and cash management operations of the Government of India during each quarter.
In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time, the outstanding debt of the central government crossed the Rs. 100-trillion mark at the end of June 2020. The Central Government Debt figure, including public debt, external debt, internal debt, other liabilities, are presented in the following graph. The last reported central debt figure is from the 3 quarter of 2020 i.e., September 2020, when the outstanding debt reached Rs. 107 trillion.
State debts exceeded their Budget Estimates by higher proportions in 2020-21 as compared to 2019-20.
To understand the impact of COVID-19 on the state’s debt figures, we look at the State Accounts Reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. We will look at the borrowings and other liabilities that constitute a state’s debt from 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Note: In order to compare the latest reported data, we take the State Accounts Reports from January 2021, which is available for only 21 states. Those 21 states are used for comparison the state debt figures for 2020-21 and 2019-20 to maintain consistency. Therefore, these figures do not represent all Indian states.
The State Accounts Report highlights the Budget Estimates (BE) and actuals numbers for the state’s debt under the heading ‘Borrowings & Other Liabilities (net)’, which denotes the fiscal deficit/surplus of the state in a given financial year. A glimpse of the comparison between BE and Actual Debt numbers for several states is present in the following graph.
For 2020-21, six states have registered a higher debt magnitude till January 2021 than their budget estimates for debt. In totality, the actual debt figures for these 21 states up until January 2021 are 73.64% of the respective budget estimates for 2020-21. For 2019-20, the actual debt figures for these 21 states up until January 2020 were only 63.4% of the 2019-20 estimates. In other words, these 21 states have already reached 3/4 of the debt estimates for 2020-21 by January 2021, which is 10% more than the corresponding numbers for 2019-20.
Even in terms of the absolute numbers, the actual debt figure for these 21 states for 2020-21 (up until January 2021) is almost 31% more than the actual debt figure for 2019-20 (up until January 2020).


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Chariot washed onto the shores of Srikakulam is gold coloured but not made of gold - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 12, 2022
A social media post accompanying a video of a chariot drifting aloft a sea shore is being widely circulated with the claim that a golden chariot washed onto a coast of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Through this article let’s fact-check the veracity of the claim made in the post.
Claim: A chariot made of gold washed onto the coast of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
Fact: It is true that a chariot washed onto the shores of Srikakulam due to high tides caused by cyclone Asani. However, the chariot is just gold coloured but not made of gold. Government officials have confirmed the same and they have also identified that it drifted from Myanmar, based on the language on the chariot. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
It is true that due to the high tides caused by cyclone Asani, a golden coloured chariot washed onto the shores of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Multiple news agencies have reported the news.
#WATCH | Andhra Pradesh: A mysterious gold-coloured chariot washed ashore at Sunnapalli Sea Harbour in Srikakulam y'day, as the sea remained turbulent due to #CycloneAsani
SI Naupada says, "It might've come from another country. We've informed Intelligence & higher officials." pic.twitter.com/XunW5cNy6O
However, the chariot is not made of gold but gold coloured. As per the news reports, government officials have confirmed that chariot is gold coloured but not made of gold. Further based on the language on the chariot, they have identified that it is from Myanmar.
Most likely, news reports stating golden-coloured chariot could have been misconstrued as a golden chariot. However, multiple Telugu news outlets have reported government officials confirming that the chariot is not made of gold but is just gold coloured.
To sum it up, chariot washed onto the shores of Srikakulam is gold coloured but not made of gold.


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Chetan Bhagat’s speech at Symbiosis is passed off as that of Ratan Tata’s - FACTLY
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
February 9, 2021
A post claiming to be that of Ratan Tata’s speech at Symbiosis, Pune is being widely shared across social media platforms. Through this article let’s fact-check the claim made in the post.
Claim: Ratan Tata’s speech delivered at Symbiosis, Pune.
Fact: This speech was actually delivered by Chetan Bhagat at Symbiosis, Pune back in 2008. Chetan Bhagat’s speech at Symbiosis is passed off as that of Ratan Tata. Hence the claim made in the post is MISLEADING.
Google search with relevant keywords led us to a 2012 blog that carried similar lines as in the post. As per the blog, these lines are excerpts from Chetan Bhagat’s speech at Symbiosis.
Taking a cue from the blog, further Google search with relevant keywords led us to Chetan Bhagat’s official website which shared Chetan Bhagat’s speech given at the orientation program for the new batch of MBA students at Symbiosis, Pune on 24 July 2008. This speech contains exactly the same lines shared in the post. From this, it is evident that excerpts from Chetan Bhagat’s speech at Symbiosis are passed off as Ratan Tata’s.
To sum it up, Chetan Bhagat’s speech at Symbiosis is passed off as of Ratan Tata’s.

created: February 9, 2021