Senior Advocate Iqbal Chagla, a prominent figure in India’s legal community and a distinguished member of the Bombay Bar Association (BBA), passed away on Sunday, January 12, at the age of 86. The son of former Bombay High Court Chief Justice MC Chagla, Iqbal had been unwell. He was also the father of Justice Riyaz Chagla, a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court.

BBA President Nitin Thakker confirmed the news, stating, “Yes, Mr. Chagla is no longer with us. He was unwell. The last rites will be held on Monday at Worli Crematorium.”

Born in 1939, Iqbal Chagla earned an MA in History and Law from Cambridge University before being called to the Bombay Bar. He was bestowed with the title of Senior Advocate in the 1970s. From 1990 to 1999, he served as President of the BBA for three terms.

Chagla was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Bar Association of India and served on the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) in Delhi. Notably, he declined a direct offer for a judgeship on the Supreme Court, which would have positioned him to become Chief Justice of India (CJI) within a few years.

In the 1990s, during his presidency of the BBA, Chagla moved resolutions calling for the resignations of five judges from the Bombay High Court, some of whom resigned or were transferred. He notably introduced a resolution in 1995 demanding the resignation of Chief Justice AM Bhattacharjee, who faced significant scrutiny regarding his integrity. Under pressure from Chagla’s actions, Chief Justice Bhattacharjee ultimately resigned.

As one of the leading legal luminaries of the Bombay Bar, Chagla was highly sought after for his expertise in civil litigation and corporate law. With nearly 60 years of membership in the BBA, he represented clients in numerous high-profile cases and was recognized as a distinguished Senior Advocate at the Bombay High Court. His expertise extended to international arbitrations, where he provided counsel on proceedings in foreign courts.

The Congress on Sunday unveiled the “Yuva Udaan Yojana,” aimed at providing educated but unemployed youth in Delhi with a monthly financial assistance of ₹8,500 for one year, should they secure power in the national capital.

During the announcement, Congress leader Sachin Pilot, who is also the former deputy chief minister of Rajasthan, emphasized that beneficiaries must demonstrate their skills in a professional setting. “We will offer financial support to youth who can showcase their abilities at a company, factory, or organization. The financial aid will be disbursed through these organizations—this is not a scheme where individuals receive funds while remaining idle at home,” he stated.

Pilot further mentioned, “Our goal is to ensure individuals are placed in fields related to their training, thereby helping them to enhance their skillset.”

This announcement follows the Congress’s previous launch of the “Pyari Didi Yojana” on January 6, which promises ₹2,500 per month if they win the election in Delhi. Additionally, on January 8, the party introduced the “Jeevan Raksha Yojana,” offering free health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh.

The Congress on January 8 announced plans to introduce the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’, offering free health insurance up to Rs 25 lakh if they are elected in the upcoming Delhi elections on February 5.

Ashok Gehlot, former Chief Minister of Rajasthan and a senior party figure, expressed confidence in the Congress’s prospects of forming a government in the capital, describing the proposed initiative as a potential ‘game-changer’. “The landscape in Delhi has shifted. The Congress campaign is stronger this time, and I believe the results will reflect that. Our chances of forming the government in Delhi are steadily rising,” he stated.

He elaborated that the scheme aims to provide extensive health coverage for families, encompassing medical expenses related to critical illnesses, hospitalizations, and treatments. “The health insurance program in Rajasthan has seen great success, and we will replicate that in Delhi. Our benefits are universal, unlike the limitations seen in Ayushman Bharat,” he added.

Gehlot emphasized that the ‘Jeevan Raksha Yojana’ demonstrates the Congress party’s dedication to addressing the healthcare needs of Delhi’s residents. The campaign slogan “Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori” was prominently featured during the announcement, underscoring the party’s commitment to delivering essential services to all citizens.

The elections for the 70-member Delhi assembly are set for February 5, with vote counting scheduled for February 8. The Congress party has not held power in Delhi since December 2013 when it was defeated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

In the subsequent elections, AAP secured 67 and 62 seats in 2015 and 2020, respectively, while the Bharatiya Janata Party came in a distant second on both occasions. The Congress, however, has struggled significantly, failing to win any seats in the last two elections.

Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that a Passport Seva Kendra will be established in each of the 543 parliamentary constituencies across the country. This declaration was made on January 11, 2025, during the inauguration of a Passport Seva Kendra in Guna, Madhya Pradesh, the constituency he represents.

Additionally, Scindia revealed plans to open six new passport centers in Madhya Pradesh this year. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to set up a Passport Seva Kendra in every parliamentary constituency to enhance service accessibility. The Department of Posts, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, is dedicated to bringing this initiative to fruition,” he stated.

The Minister also highlighted that approximately 6,000 post offices have been opened nationwide. He emphasized the importance of reviving the tradition of handwritten letters, which he believes convey genuine emotions.

Scindia noted the technological advancements within post office services, explaining that residents of Guna previously had to travel to Bhopal and Gwalior to obtain passports, a situation that will be alleviated by the establishment of the Passport Seva Kendra.

In December last year, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was renewed for five years between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Department of Posts to ensure continuous access to passport services via the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs). The MoU was signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager of the Business Development Directorate on behalf of the Department of Posts, and Dr. KJ Srinivasa, Joint Secretary (PSP & CPO) from the Ministry of External Affairs. This agreement outlines a mutual commitment to efficiently manage and support the operations of POPSKs, guaranteeing that citizens receive top-tier passport services at their local post offices.

According to official sources, the Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs), launched in 2017, have significantly contributed to providing passport services to over 1.52 crore citizens, especially in rural and underserved regions, thus increasing accessibility. The total number of operational POPSKs has risen, now standing at 442 centers across the nation.

This renewed MoU aims to reinforce the collaboration between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Department of Posts, with the goal of improving service delivery, optimizing operations, and addressing the growing demand for passport-related services.

As part of this initiative, there are plans to expand the number of Passport Seva Kendras to 600 by 2028-29, ensuring enhanced accessibility and convenience for citizens. This expansion is expected to increase the annual customer base from 3.5 million to 10 million over the next five years.

This initiative demonstrates the collaborative efforts of both ministries to enhance the citizen experience through a seamless, accessible, and efficient passport issuance process, thereby strengthening India’s postal network and making passport services more reliable and readily available to all citizens.