Data recap: India-Canada row, women’s bill, Maggi pack
Plain Facts publishes a compilation of data-based insights, complete with easy-to-read charts, to help you delve deeper into the stories reported by Mint in the week gone by. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of a role in the murder of a Canada-based Khalistani leader earlier this year. The Sensex snapped an 11-day winning streak amid a weakness in global markets, with crude oil prices nearing $100 a barrel.
The relations between New Delhi and Ottawa hit a new low after Trudeau’s accusation, which India refuted strongly, calling it absurd. Both countries have expelled a diplomat each, and India on Thursday suspended the issue of visas to citizens of Canada "till further notice". The souring of ties in recent months has centred around India’s allegations of pro-Khalistan activities in Canada, and the latter’s repeated assertion that it values freedom of expression.
India has a vast diaspora in the world’s second largest country: Indians are the biggest immigrant group there. In a special session this week, the Parliament, with near-unanimity, passed a bill to reserve one-third seats in the Lok Sabha and in state Assemblies for women. The long-pending bill could give a much-needed boost to women’s role in the country’s electoral politics.
Women’s representation in the Lok Sabha has increased gradually over the years, but India hasn’t quite kept pace with the progress in the rest of the world, a Mint analysis showed. The Lok Sabha currently has 82, or 15.2%, women members. ₹13,000 crore: The amount allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma scheme launched by the Centre this week, under which artisans and craftsmen in 18 kinds of trades can get collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh at 5%
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