Friday, 20 December 2019
Thursday, 5 December 2019
Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
The policy of liberalisation that was embarked by Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao in the 1990s helped the Indian Telecom sector to grow rapidly. The government gradually allowed the entry of the private sectors into telecom equipment manufacturing, value added services, radio paging and cellular mobile services. In 1994, the government formed the National Telecom Policy (NTP) which helped to attract Foreign Direct Investments
(FDI) and domestic investments. The entry of private and international
players resulted in need of independent regulatory body. As a result,
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established on 20 February 1997 by an act of parliament called "Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act 1997".
The mission of TRAI
was to create and nurture an environment which will enable quick growth
of the telecommunication sector in the country. One of the major
objective of TRAI is to provide a transparent policy environment. TRAI
has regularly issued orders and directions on various subjects like
tariff, interconnections, Direct To Home (DTH) services and mobile number portability.
In 2000, the Vajpayee government constituted the Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) through an amendment of the 1997 act,
through an ordinance. The primary objective of TDSAT's establishment
was to release TRAI from adjudicatory and dispute settlement functions
in order to strengthen the regulatory framework. Any dispute involving
parties like licensor, licensee, service provider and consumers are
resolved by TDSAT. Moreover, any direction, order or decision of TRAI
can be challenged by appealing in TDSAT.
The TDSAT consists of a Chairperson and two Members.
Know about TRAI
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India. It consists of a Chairperson and not more than two full-time members and not more than two part-time members.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was established on 20 February
1997 by an Act of Parliament to regulate telecom services and tariffs in
India. Earlier regulation of telecom services and tariffs was overseen
by the Central Government.
The current Chairman of TRAI is Ram Sewak Sharma.
The current Chairman of TRAI is Ram Sewak Sharma.
TRAI's mission is to create and nurture conditions for growth of
telecommunications in India to enable the country to have a leading role
in the emerging global information society.
One of its main objectives is to provide a fair and transparent
environment that promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair
competition in the market. TRAI regularly issues orders and directions
on various subjects such as tariffs, interconnections, quality of service, Direct To Home (DTH) services and mobile number portability .
Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal
Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal
What is the BJP’s political gain or loss from the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 ?
The shaky part for the BJP lies in managing its electorate as it
endorses both a pro-citizenship law and one against it. The Bill has
found support in Assam’s Barak valley which has a high concentration of
Bengali-speaking Hindus.
The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a signatory to the 1985 Accord and a
supporter of the NRC, had left the alliance with the BJP after the Bill
was passed in the Lok Sabha. In Manipur, where the BJP is in power,
chief minister N Biren Singh, too, has expressed the state’s concerns.
In Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the National
People’s Party (NPP), the BJP’s partners in the state, have opposed the
Bill. The Nagaland government too has expressed its reservations over
the CAB.
The BJP would be hoping the Citizenship (Amendment) will help it in other states, like among the Bengali Hindus in West Bengal.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019
What is Citizenship Act 1955 ?
Along with the Constitution of India, the Citizenship Act, 1955, is the exhaustive law relating to citizenship
in India. The conferment of a person, as a citizen of India, is
governed by Articles 5 to 11 (Part II) of the Constitution of India. ...
It is a punishable offence if the person fails to surrender the
passport.
The
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for according Indian
citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis
from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence
in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they
do not possess any document.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for according Indian citizenship
to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis from
Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence in
India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they do
not possess any document.
The
Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019 provides for according Indian
citizenship to Hindus, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis
from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan after seven years of residence
in India instead of 12 years, which is the norm currently, even if they
do not possess any document.
There
has been strong opposition to the bill in Assam and other
Northeastern states.
Student organisations, political parties and socio-cultural bodies have been protesting on the grounds that it seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who have come into India up to December 31, 2014, thereby increasing the deadline from 1971 as per the Assam Accord.
Also, according to the Assam Accord, all illegal immigrants who have come after 1971, irrespective of their religion, have to be deported and this bill violates that.
Two BJP chief ministers of the Northeast -- Arunachal Pradesh's Pema Khandu and Manipur's N Biren Dingh -- have also voiced their opposition to the contentious Bill.
In February 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the bill is an "atonement of the wrong that was done during India's Partition. India will safeguard all who had been victims of the Partition".
Why is the Bill facing criticism?
Student organisations, political parties and socio-cultural bodies have been protesting on the grounds that it seeks to grant nationality to non-Muslims who have come into India up to December 31, 2014, thereby increasing the deadline from 1971 as per the Assam Accord.
Also, according to the Assam Accord, all illegal immigrants who have come after 1971, irrespective of their religion, have to be deported and this bill violates that.
Two BJP chief ministers of the Northeast -- Arunachal Pradesh's Pema Khandu and Manipur's N Biren Dingh -- have also voiced their opposition to the contentious Bill.
In February 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the bill is an "atonement of the wrong that was done during India's Partition. India will safeguard all who had been victims of the Partition".
This proposed legislation has received considerable flak due to the perceived threat to minorities. While the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam did not distinguish illegal immigrants on the basis of religion, critics say the Bill is designed to exclude Muslims and favour Hindus.
According to detractors, the Bill also goes against Article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees the right to equality. The bill seeks to give citizenship on the basis of religion.
Article 14 of the
Indian constitution of India provides that the state shall not deny to
any person Equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws
in the Territory of India.
What happens if bill passed ?
If the Bill is passed, persons belonging to these communities would not
be jailed or deported under the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920
and the Foreigners Act of 1946. It sets December 31, 2014, as the
cut-off date after which any person moving to India from these neighboring countries will be considered for citizenship.
What is the BJP’s political gain or loss from the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 ?
What is the BJP’s political gain or loss from the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019 ?
Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Big boost to rural road connectivity
In a boost to rural road connectivity, the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its approval for the launch of Pradhan
Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-lll (PMGSY-III). It involves the consolidation
of through routes and major rural links connecting habitations to
Gramin Agricultural Markets, higher secondary schools and hospitals.
Under PMGSY-III, it is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 km roads in
states.
Background
The PMGSY-III was announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
during her Budget 2019-20 speech. On August 9, 2018, the CCEA approved
the continuation of PMGSY-I and II beyond the 12th Five Year Plan and
covering of balance eligible habitations under PMGSY-I by March 2019,
PMGSY-II, and habitations under identified LWE blocks by March 2020.
PMGSY-I
The PMGSY was launched in December 2000 with an objective to provide
single all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations
of designated population size (500+ in plain areas and 250+ in
North-East, hill, tribal and desert areas as per Census 2001) for
overall socio-economic development of the areas. As much as 97 per cent
of the eligible and feasible habitations have already been connected by
all-weather roads.
The primary objective of the PMGSY is to provide connectivity, by way
of an all-weather road to the eligible unconnected hHabitations in
rural areas, in such a way that all such habitations with a population
of 1,000 persons and above are covered in three years (2000-03) and all
such habitations with a population of 500 persons and above by the end
of the 10th Five Year Plan (2007).
In respect of the hill states (North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh,
Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand) and desert areas (as identified in the
Desert Development Programme) as well as the Tribal (Schedule V) areas,
the objective would be to connect habitations with a population of 250
persons and above.
The PMGSY will permit the upgradation of existing roads in those
districts where all the eligible habitations of the designated
population size have been provided all-weather road connectivity.
However, it must be noted that upgradation is not central to the
programme and cannot exceed 20 per cent of the state’s allocation as
long as eligible unconnected habitations in the state still exist.
Cabinet approves transgender persons Bill
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to introduce The
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. It will be
introduced in the ongoing Parliament session. The Bill provides a
mechanism for the social, economic and educational empowerment of
transgenders.
Impact
The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate
the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalised section
and bring them into the mainstream of society. This will lead to
inclusiveness and will make transgender persons productive members of
the society.
Background
* The transgender community is among one of the most marginalised
because they don’t fit into the stereotypical gender categories.
Consequently, they face problems ranging from social exclusion to
discrimination, lack of education facilities, unemployment, lack of
medical facilities and so on. The Bill shall empower the transgender
community socially, educationally and economically.
* According to the new definition, a transgender person is somebody
“whose gender does not match the gender assigned to that person at birth
and includes trans-men or trans-women, persons with intersex
variations, gender-queers, and persons having socio-cultural identities
such as kinnar, hijras, aravani and jogta”.
What does the Bill guarantee?
* The Bill aims to stop discrimination against a transgender person
in various sectors such as education, employment and health care. It
also directs the central and state governments to provide welfare
schemes for them.
* Moving the Bill, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar
Chand Gehlot said that it was a long-standing demand to bring a
legislation to protect the rights of transgender persons and their
welfare. He added that the Bill is aimed at bringing the community into
the mainstream of the society.
Who is a transgender person?
* As per international standards, ‘transgender’ is an umbrella term
that includes persons whose sense of gender does not match with the
gender assigned to them at birth. For example, a person born as a man
may identify with the opposite gender, i.e., as a woman. In addition to
this sense of mismatch, the definition provided under the Bill also
lists further criteria to be defined as a transgender person. These
include being (i) ‘neither wholly male nor female’, or (ii) ‘a
combination of male or female’, or (iii) ‘neither male nor female’.
* The Supreme Court, the expert committee of the social justice and
welfare ministry and the recent standing committee report all define
‘transgender persons’ based on the mismatch only. Therefore, the
definition provided under the Bill does not clarify if simply proving a
mismatch is enough (as is the norm internationally) or whether the
additional listed criteria ought to be fulfilled as well.
Short Takes / POCSO Act
Punishment for sexual crimes against kids
In a bid to protect children from sexual abuse, the Union Cabinet has
approved amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
(POCSO) Act, 2012. It will make punishment more stringent, including
death penalty, for committing sexual crimes against children. The
amendments also provide for levy of fines and imprisonment to curb child
pornography.
Impact
* The amendment is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual
abuse by acting as a deterrent due to strong penal provisions
incorporated in the Act.
* It intends to protect the interests of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensures their safety and dignity.
* The amendment is aimed at establishing clarity regarding the aspects of child abuse and punishment thereof.
Background
The POCSO Act, 2012, was enacted to protect children from offences of
sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography with due regard for
safeguarding the interest and well-being of children. The Act is gender
neutral.
POCSO Act
In order to effectively address the heinous crimes of sexual abuse
and sexual exploitation of children through less ambiguous and more
stringent legal provisions, the women and child development ministry
championed the introduction of the Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Salient features
* The Act defines a child as any person below 18 years of age, and
regards the best interests and well-being of the child as being of
paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical,
emotional, intellectual and social development of the child.
* It defines different forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative
and non-penetrative assault, as well as sexual harassment and
pornography, and deems a sexual assault to be “aggravated” under certain
circumstances, such as when the abused child is mentally ill or when
the abuse is committed by a person in a position of trust or authority
vis-Ã -vis the child, like a family member, police officer, teacher or
doctor.
* People who traffic children for sexual purposes are also punishable
under the provisions relating to abetment in the Act. The Act
prescribes stringent punishment graded as per the gravity of the
offence, with a maximum term of rigorous imprisonment for life, and a
fine.
Know about Rurban Mission
Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar
has urged the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) to draw
inspiration from Mukherji’s life and bring in development based on his
vision of reducing the rural-urban divide.
Tomar said that migration from rural to urban areas would reduce if
we provide employment, education and basic amenities in these clusters.
He laid emphasis on skill development linked with market linkage, and
insisted on developing theme-based clusters, which would encourage
entrepreneurial skills and buying power of the clusters.
What are Rurban clusters?
Large parts of India’s rural areas are not standalone settlements,
but part of a cluster of settlements, which are relatively proximate to
each other. These clusters typically illustrate potential for growth,
have economic drivers and derive locational and competitive advantages,
making a case for concerted policy directives for such clusters. Once
developed, these clusters can be classified as ‘Rurban’. Taking
cognisance of this, the Union government proposed the Shyama Prasad
Mukherji Rurban Mission for developing such rural areas by provisioning
of economic, social and physical infrastructure facilities.
Rurban areas refer to a cluster of 15-20 villages having about 30-40
lakh population. A Rurban cluster would be a cluster of geographically
contiguous villages with a population of about 25,000 to 50,000 in plain
and coastal areas and with a population of 5,000 to 15,000 in desert,
hilly or tribal areas.
* SPMRM was launched on February 21, 2016, with an outlay of Rs 5,142 crore.
* The mission has an objective for comprehensive development of 300
clusters, out of which Integrated Cluster Action Plans for 279 clusters
have been approved.
* The total investment in these 279 clusters is estimated at Rs
26,258 crore, of which Rs 5,150 crore has already been spent. The SPMRM
will provide an additional funding support of up to 30 per cent of the
project cost per cluster as critical gap funding as central share to
enable the development of such clusters.
* State governments identify the clusters in accordance with the
framework for implementation prepared by the Ministry of Rural
Development.
* Basic amenities in a cluster typically comprise of provision of
24x7 water supply to all households, waste management facilities,
provision of village roads, adequate street lights and public transport
facilities using green technologies.
* Economic amenities in a cluster comprise various thematic areas in
the sectors of agri services and processing, tourism and skill
development to promote small- and medium-scale enterprises.
How is SPMRM linked to PURA?
A predecessor to SPMRM was the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural
Areas (PURA). Announced in 2003, it aimed at providing urban amenities
and livelihood opportunities in rural areas to bridge the rural-urban
divide, thereby reducing migration from rural to urban areas.
PURA was championed by the then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
PURA was for holistic and accelerated development of compact areas
around a potential growth centre in a panchayat (or group of panchayats)
through public-private partnership by providing livelihood
opportunities and urban amenities to improve the quality of life in
rural areas. It included…
* Simultaneous delivery of different schemes
* Deployment of funds for operations and maintenance of assets along with capital investment for creation of assets
* Synergy in operations of schemes - leading to optimal use of resources
* Standards for service delivery in rural areas at par to those set for urban areas
Govt unveils rural sanitation strategy
A document on 10-year Rural
Sanitation Strategy, with a focus on increasing access to solid and
liquid waste management, was unveiled by the department of drinking
water and sanitation (DDWS), ministry of jal shakti, on September 28.
It also focuses on sustaining the behavioural change regarding
sanitation, which has been achieved under the Swachh Bharat Mission
(Grameen).
Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the
10-year Rural Sanitation Strategy is a framework to sustain the efforts
of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).
Department of drinking water and sanitation secretary Parameswaran
Iyer said the document will be sent to the Union Cabinet for its
approval.
ODF Plus plan
Since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) in 2014, more
than 10 crore toilets have been built in rural areas, while over 5.9
lakh villages, 699 districts and 35 states and Union territories have
declared themselves Open Defecation Free (ODF).
According to the document, the strategy also speaks about potential
collaborations with development partners, civil society and
inter-government partnerships, and also highlights innovative models for
sanitation financing.
ODF Plus envisages that everyone uses a toilet and every village has access to solid and liquid waste management.
This ODF Plus plan has been prepared by the DDWS in consultation with
state governments and other stakeholders, and it lays down a framework
to guide local governments, policymakers, implementers and other
relevant stakeholders in their planning for ODF Plus, Iyer said.
He said the 10-year strategy focuses on the need for states and Union
territories to continue their efforts to sustain the gains of the
mission through capacity strengthening, information, education and
communication, organic waste management, plastic waste management, grey
water management and black water management.
Swachh Bharat Mission
To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage
and to put focus on sanitation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2014.
The mission aims to achieve a Swachh Bharat by 2019, as a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.
In rural India, this would mean improving the levels of cleanliness
through solid and liquid waste management activities and making villages
ODF, clean and sanitised.
Mission objectives
* To bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in
rural areas by promoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open
defecation.
* To accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas to achieve the vision of Swachh Bharat by October 2.
* To motivate communities to adopt sustainable sanitation practices
and facilities through awareness creation and health education.
* To encourage cost-effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe and sustainable sanitation.
* To develop community managed sanitation systems focusing on
scientific solid and liquid waste management systems for overall
cleanliness in rural areas.
* To create significant positive impact on gender and promote social
inclusion by improving sanitation, especially in marginalised
communities.
Friday, 11 October 2019
68% of kids’ deaths due to malnutrition
Malnutrition deaths among Indian
children aged under five have dropped by two-thirds between 1990 and
2017, but it still remains the underlying risk factor for 68 per cent of
child deaths, according to a study published in The Lancet Child and
Adolescent Health on September 18.
The first comprehensive estimates of disease burden due to child and
maternal malnutrition and the trends of its indicators in every state
from 1990 have been published by the India State-Level Disease Burden
Initiative.
The findings show malnutrition is still the leading risk factor for
disease burden in persons of all ages considered together contributing
17 per cent of the total DALYs (disability adjusted life years).
The DALY rate attributable to malnutrition in children varies
seven-fold between the states and is highest in Rajasthan, Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar and Assam, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Odisha, Nagaland and Tripura, the study noted.
Among the malnutrition indicators, low birth weight is the largest
contributor to child deaths in India, followed by child growth failure,
which includes stunting, underweight and wasting, the study stated.
Low birthweight a serious issue
According to the study, the prevalence of low birth weight was 21 per
cent in India in 2017, ranging from 9 per cent in Mizoram to 24 per
cent in Uttar Pradesh.
Low birthweight was the largest contributor to child malnutrition
DALYs in India, its slow decline should be addressed as a priority, the
report said.
South Asia, with India as its largest component, is estimated to have
the highest prevalence of low birthweight for any region in the world.
A major issue with tracking low birthweight is the poor quality of
birthweight data in many low-income and middle-income countries,
including India.
Low birthweight adversely affects not only child health, but also increases the risk of chronic diseases later in life.
Weight at birth is an intergenerational issue dependent on an
interplay of various factors, including maternal undernutrition,
intrauterine growth, gestation at birth, birth spacing and order, and
maternal age.
The higher proportion of underweight women in the reproductive age
group in India compared with sub-Saharan Africa has been suggested to
contribute to a higher prevalence of low birthweight in India, even
though sub-Saharan Africa is poorer.
Chronic energy deficiency in women of reproductive age is a
manifestation of long-standing malnutrition reported to be common in
India, which increases the risk of preterm births and infants with low
birthweight.
Improving the nutritional status of girls in general and that of
women in the preconception period and during pregnancy and provision of
quality antenatal care, including the treatment of pregnancy
complications, would positively affect low birthweight and extend the
benefits to the next generation.
Aligned with the Global Every Newborn Action Plan, the India Newborn
Action Plan launched in 2014 aims to reduce low birthweight through
improved preconception and antenatal care, adolescent-specific health
services, nutritional counselling, and micronutrient supplementation.
Other major issues
The prevalence of child stunting was 39 per cent in India in 2017,
the study stated. This ranged from 21 per cent in Goa to 49 per cent in
Uttar Pradesh. Its annual rate of reduction was 2.6 per cent in India
between 1990 and 2017.
Stunting, an indicator of chronic undernutrition, caused by a variety
of social, environmental and economic risk factors, is unsurprisingly
highest in the less developed states.
The prevalence of child underweight was 33 per cent in India in 2017,
ranging from 16 per cent in Manipur to 42 per cent in Jharkhand. Its
annual rate of reduction was 3.2 per cent between 1990 and 2017.
According to the study, the prevalence of child anaemia was 60 per
cent in India in 2017, ranging from 21 per cent in Mizoram to 74 per
cent in Haryana.
The high burden of anaemia in children and women, with only a modest
decline since 1990, is a major public health issue in India.
Anaemia increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes and mortality
during and after child birth and leads to poor cognitive and physical
development and mortality in children. Interventions to improve the
nutrition of girls, including reduction of the prevalence of anaemia,
starting at a young age, are needed for better pregnancy-related and
early child health outcomes and for a beneficial long-term effect on
future generations.
India launched the National Iron Plus Initiative in 2013 to
comprehensively address anaemia burden across the life cycle, through
age-specific interventions with iron and folic acid supplementation and
deworming.
The findings in the report indicate that, if the trends up to 2017
continue, the National Nutrition Mission 2022 and the WHO and UNICEF
2030 targets will not be achieved in most states of India, except for
low birthweight and stunting in a few states and exclusive breastfeeding
in several.
How can India tackle malnutrition issues?
Substantial improvements across the malnutrition indicators in the
states of India would require an integrated nutrition policy to
effectively address the broader determinants of undernutrition across
the life cycle.
These improvements include providing clean drinking water, reducing
rates of open defecation, improving women’s status, enhancing
agricultural productivity and food security, promoting
nutrition-sensitive agriculture, coupled with harmonisation of efforts
across ministries and sectors, political will and good governance, and
strategic investments in a multisectoral approach.
The government launched a revamped National Nutrition Mission with a
budget to comprehensively address the challenge of persistent
undernutrition. The goal of this mission is to systematically synergise a
variety of nutrition-related activities of various government
ministries and stakeholders in order to strengthen many maternal and
child health initiatives across the life cycle. This includes the
supplementary nutrition component of Integrated Child Development
Scheme, Maternity Benefit Programme, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, dietary
diversification to improve iron and folic acid intake, engaging the
private sector in food fortification efforts, and placing emphasis on
the broader social determinants of nutrition.
This renewed focus on a multisectoral approach to address
malnutrition is encouraging, and the targets set by the mission could
motivate the states to accelerate progress. Additionally, several
ongoing initiatives under the ministry of women and child development to
reduce gender inequality and empower women can also contribute to
improvements in malnutrition.
The major ongoing sanitation improvement drive in India under the
Swachh Bharat Mission is also expected to contribute to the reduction in
malnutrition.
The India State-Level Disease Burden Initiative is a joint initiative
of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of
India and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in collaboration
with the health ministry along with stakeholders associated with more
than 100 Indian institutions, involving many leading health scientists
and policymakers from India.
Thursday, 10 October 2019
‘Large tobacco warning more effective’
In India, the number of deaths
caused by tobacco is expected to reach 1.5 million by 2020, up from 1.3
million in 2017. Measures taken to reduce tobacco consumption include
the use of large pictorial warnings on tobacco packets. But the tobacco
industry has been opposing a move to increase the size of such warnings,
raising doubts about their efficacy.
Now, a study has shown that large health warnings on tobacco packets
can be greatly effective in conveying tobacco’s ill-effects.
Key findings
* Researchers studied perceptions of both adolescents and adults on
the effects of larger graphic health warnings covering 85 per cent of
the packets against those covering 40 per cent of the area currently
being used.
* The study included 2,121 participants. Of them, 62 per cent were
urban residents and 72 per cent had never used tobacco. Half of the
participants were from lower socioeconomic category and 46 per cent
belonged to the middle socioeconomic category.
* The participants were shown four different types of packets -
conventional packs, dummy packs with conventional background but with
warnings in 40 per cent of the area, dummy packs with conventional
background but new warnings in 85 per cent of the area and dummy packs
with plain background and new warnings in 85 per cent of the area.
* It was found that packs with 85 per cent graphical warnings were
perceived to be more effective in increasing noticeability of the
warnings and conveying the intended health message. These warnings were
also effective in preventing non-users from initiating tobacco use, and
motivating users to quit.
* The study also highlighted the need for plain packaging instead of
commercial packaging of tobacco, in line with the experience elsewhere.
Background
* Cigarette packets sold in India are required to carry graphical and
textual health warnings. The warning must cover at least 85 per cent of
the surface of the pack, of which 60 per cent must be pictorial and the
remaining 25 per cent contains textual warnings in English, Hindi or
any other Indian language.
* In 2003, India ratified the WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control, which includes a recommendation for large, clear health
warnings on tobacco packs. However, there was a delay in implementing
graphic warning labels.
* The Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products (Packaging and Labelling)
Rules, 2008, requiring graphic health warnings came into force on May
31, 2008. Under the law, all tobacco products were required to display
graphic pictures, such as diseased lungs, and the text in English,
covering at least 40 per cent of the front of the pack, and retailers
must display the cigarette packs in such a way that the pictures on pack
are clearly visible.
* On October 15, 2014, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan announced that
only 15 per cent of the surface of a pack of cigarettes could contain
branding, and that the rest must be used for graphic and text health
warnings. The health ministry amended the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco
Products (Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2008, to enforce the changes
effective from April 1, 2015.
* However, the decision to increase the pictorial warnings on tobacco
packets was put on hold following the recommendations of a
parliamentary committee, which reportedly did not speak to health
experts, but only spoke to tobacco lobby representatives. On April 5,
2016, the health ministry ordered government agencies to enforce this
new rule.
* Following the intervention by the parliamentary committee, NGO
Health of Millions filed a petition at the Supreme Court, which asked
the government to stop the sale of loose cigarettes and publish bigger
health warnings on tobacco packs.
Why are stricter laws necessary ?
* Nearly 1 million tobacco-related deaths take place in India every
year, and in 2011, the total health expenditure burden from all diseases
due to tobacco use amounted to more than Rs 1 lakh crore, which is 12
per cent more than the combined state and central government expenditure
on health in 2011-12.
* The revenue earned through tobacco excise duty during the same
period was a paltry 17 per cent of the health burden of tobacco.
* Also, 12 per cent of children in the 13-15 age group consume
tobacco. Similarly, in the case of adults, the percentage is 35 per
cent.
A child has right to affection of both parents: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court said family courts should grant visitation rights
in such a manner that a child is not deprived of the love and care of
either parent.
A Bench led by Justice Deepak Gupta said the
interest of the child should be kept foremost in custody battles between
separated parents. “A child has the right to affection of both his
parents,” Justice Gupta noted in a two-page order.
The order is based on a plea by a man for custody of his child, who is with the wife.
The court declined to interfere with the family court’s order granting the custody of the child to the mother.
The Bench, however, gave the man liberty to approach the family court for enhancement of his visitation rights.
“We
direct the family court to ensure that visitation rights are fixed in
such a manner that the child gets to know and love his father. A child
has a right to the affection of both his parents and the family court
shall ensure that visitation rights are granted in such a manner,”
Justice Gupta wrote.
He said the family court should also make suitable arrangements during vacations, keeping the interest of the child foremost.
On
July 22, the Supreme Court had, in a different case, agreed to examine
provisions in family laws which allow exclusive custody of children to just one parent after, probably, an ugly marital separation.
The
petition filed by Sulochana Rani has sought a reform in the family laws
and raised several concerns regarding why children cannot enjoy the
benefits of shared parenting. The custody and guardianship of a child
with just one separated parent, while giving the other mere visitation
rights over the child, is a violation of the fundamental right of a
child to enjoy the love and care of both parents.
" The legal provisions which currently exist as per various personal
laws are in the nature of entrusting the custody of children exclusively
to one of the parents in case of separation. The statutes create a
strong presumption in favour of exclusive custody. This presumption
severely affects the fundamental rights of the spouse who has been
denied the custody rights and the fundamental rights of the child who
will be deprived of care and love of both parents. This scheme of
statutes requires reformation,” Ms. Rani had contended in her petition.
Credit : The Hindu Legal Correspondent
Nationalist and freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the man who turned the private, household Ganesh Chathurthi celebration into the present day carnival. Here is all you need to know about it.
Ganesh Chaturthi
is one of the most resplendent festivals celebrated in India, mainly in
Maharashtra. Over time, the festival is celebrated with the same
fervour in many parts of south India and Gujarat. Bal Gangadhar Tilak,
nationalist and 'The Father of Indian Unrest' as described by the
British, was the man behind turning a private, household Ganesh
Chaturthi celebration to a gala event.
HISTORY OF GANESH CHATURTHI
The
ten-day long Hindu festival is celebrated to honour the younger son of
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the elephant-headed God, Ganesha's
birthday. While some historians are of the opinion that the earliest
instances of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations can be traced back to the
times when Satavahana, Rashtrakuta and Chalukya dynasties ruled, that is
from 271 BC to 1190 AD, historical records suggest that Ganesh
Chaturthi celebrations were initiated by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, to
promote culture and nationalism. It was continued during the rule of
Peshwas, for whom, Lord Ganesh was a family deity. Maybe that is why the
makers of Bollywood movie Bajirao Mastani had this track included.
However, it remained a family affair till 1892.
HOW THINGS TURNED AROUND IN 1857
The
year is famous for the Indian Rebellion of 1857 which is also referred
to as the Sepoy Mutiny, India's First War of Independence, Revolt of
1857 among many other names. It was a rebellion that posed serious
threat to the rule of the East India Company. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was
one of the prominent leaders of the Great Rebellion.The leader saw the
need to unite Indians more and realised nothing can bond people more
than a common idol, equally worshipped by all.
advertisement
GANESH CHATURTHI CELEBRATIONS RELOADED
Tilak
noticed that Lord Ganesh was considered "the God for everyman", that
Ganesh was worshipped by the members belonging to the upper castes and
lower castes alike, leaders and followers alike. He popularised Ganesh
Chaturthi as a national festival 'to bridge the gap between the Brahmins
and the non-Brahmins.'
In
1893, Tilak organised Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function.
It was him who put large hoarding with images of Lord Ganesh in
pavilions and the man behind the tradition of immersion of huge Ganesh
statues on the tenth day of the festival. The festival served as a
meeting place for common people of all castes and communities at a time
when public social, political gatherings were banned by the British.
#Photos courtest: #Reuters
#Credits : #India Today
Wednesday, 9 October 2019
Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO)
Petroleum And Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) is a department formed by Government of India
under Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under
Ministry of Commerce and Industry,to administer Explosives Act
1884,Explosive Substance Act, Petroleum Act 1934, Inflammable substance
Act 1952 and Environment Protection Act 1986 to control import,
export, transport, storage and usage of explosive materials,flammable
materials, pressure vessels, cryogenic vessels, design and installation
of all necessary and relevant infrastructure etc. PESO is a regulatory
authority with autonomous status.
The Department is headed by Chief
Controller of Explosives and is headquartered at Nagpur in the State of Maharashtra in India. The authority framed various rules like Petroleum Rules 2002, Explosive Rules 2008, Gas Cylinder Rules 2002, Static & Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) 2016, Ammonium Nitrate Rules, Calcium Carbide Rules 1987, Cinematographic Films Rules, 1948 etc.
It was established during the British India in 1890s as Department of Explosives
and later expanded to various other activities. PESO is known for one
of the most efficient departments in India. The officers are selected by
the UPSC into Indian Petroleum and Explosives Safety Service (IPESS), a central civil services cadre.
Tuesday, 8 October 2019
Clean India-2 to focus on plastic ban
Ridding the country of single-use
plastic by 2022 will be Clean India (Swachh Bharat) Part 2, Environment
Minister Prakash Javadekar said and added that the government will
conduct a mega public outreach programme in the next three years to
achieve the target.
The government’s next big priority after achieving the aim of
building 100 million toilets as part of the Clean India programme is to
phase out single-use plastic, he said.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had
called for an end to single-use plastic to protect the environment.
Since then, the Centre as well as various state governments have
announced measures to curb its use.
“Like establishing 100 million toilets was the first part of Clean
India programme, now plastic waste management becomes the Clean India
Part 2,” Javadekar said.He said the government is focusing on instilling behavioural changes
among people to shun plastic and various ministries and government
bodies are working towards it. He also referred to the BJP giving out
cotton bags with the slogan ‘Plastic Nahi, Kapda Sahi’.
Javadekar said 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day
in India. Of this, 10,000 tonnes of plastic waste does not get
collected.
Asked about the response of corporates, including manufacturers of
plastics, Javadekar said their response has been impressive and they are
coming forward with alternatives.
“Every ministry has taken action. It is a people’s movement and
simultaneously producers of plastic can also think of alternatives and
we are improving the plastic waste management system. All strategies
working together will make India plastic waste free country,” he said.
Some measures taken by the govt
* The environment secretary said all government offices must
completely ban all types of plastic carry bags, thermocol disposable
cutlery and discourage the use of artificial banners, flags, flowers,
water bottles, plastic folders and the like.
* The environment ministry has already directed more than 500
national parks, zoos and wildlife sanctuaries across the country to
become free of single-use plastic.
* Tourism Minister Prahlad Patel announced that single-use plastics
will not be allowed on the premises of historical monuments or within
100 metres of them.
* Indian Railways has urged all its vendors and staff to use reusable
bags to reduce plastic footprint. The Railway Board has asked
authorities to expedite the installation of plastic water bottle
crushing machines at major stations. The board has also asked Indian
Railways Catering and Tourism Development Corporation to implement the
return of plastic drinking bottles as part of the Extended Producer
Responsibility.
CREDITS# Manorama.
CREDITS# Manorama.
How sedition law affects free speech ?
The case was registered after a chief judicial magistrate in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur passed an order on a plea by a lawyer alleging that the celebrities had tarnished the image of the country through their open letter.
What is sedition?
The offence of sedition is provided under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
It states: Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added.
Sedition is punishable with life imprisonment and also an additional fine if the ruling dispensation thinks a person is inciting hatred against the establishment.
Sedition during pre-Independence era
Section 124A of the IPC was extensively used to curb political dissent in India. In 1891, Jogendra Chandra Bose was charged with sedition for criticising the Age of Consent Bill and the negative economic impact of British colonialism.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was accused of sedition for publishing an article in newspaper Kesari invoking the example of the Maratha warrior Shivaji to incite the overthrow of British rule.
Mahatma Gandhi was jailed under the charges of sedition. Gandhi was arrested by the British police for writing articles in his weekly journal Young India.
Law Commission seeks omission of section
The issue of revisiting ‘sedition’ has been taken up by the Law Commission in its reports. The Commission, in its 39th Report (1968) titled ‘The Punishment of Imprisonment for Life under the Indian Penal Code’ recommended that there are certain extremely anomalous situations where certain offences have been made punishable with severe punishment.
The 267th Report of the Commission on Hate Speech (2017) distinguished between sedition and hate speech, providing that the offence of hate speech affects the state indirectly by disturbing public tranquillity, while sedition is directly an offence against the state.
The report adds, that to qualify as sedition, the impugned expression must threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India and the security of the state.
Attempts to amend the law
In 2011, a private member Bill titled the Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by CPI leader D. Raja. The Bill proposed that Section 124A IPC should be omitted. It was reasoned that the British government used this law to oppress the view, speech and criticism against the British rule. But the law is still being used in independent India, despite having specialised laws to deal with the internal and external threats to destabilise the nation. Thus, to check the misuse of the section and to promote the freedom of speech and expression, the section should be omitted.
In 2015, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor proposed an amendment that only those actions / words that directly result in the use of violence or incitement to violence should be termed seditious.
Sedition in other countries
The global trend has largely been against sedition and in favour of free speech.
The UK abolished sedition laws in 2009 citing that the country did not want to be quoted as an example of using such draconian laws.
Despite the conflicting views and the attempts by courts to narrow the scope of sedition, it survives as an offence in the US, though it is very narrowly construed and can even be said to have fallen into disuse.
The recommendation of Australian Law Reform Commission was implemented in the National Security Legislation Amendment Act 2010 wherein the term ‘sedition’ was removed and replaced with references to ‘urging violence offences’.
Freedom of speech vs sedition
Free speech is one of the most significant principles of democracy. The purpose of this freedom is to allow an individual to attain self-fulfilment, assist in the discovery of truth, strengthen the capacity of a person to take decisions and facilitate a balance between stability and social change.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, in its Preamble and Article 19 declared freedom of speech as a basic fundamental right.
Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of speech and expression to all citizens.
However, this freedom is subjected to certain restrictions namely, interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.
The relevance of Section 124A in an independent and democratic nation is the subject of continuous debate. Those opposing it see this provision as a relic of colonial legacy and thereby unsuited in a democracy. There is an apprehension that this provision might be misused by the government to suppress dissent.
It is argued that amid growing concerns of national security, this Section provides a reasonable restriction on utterances that are inimical to the security and integrity of the nation.
Balancing freedom of expression with collective national interest is one of the key ingredients of this law. Though it is argued that this law is a colonial vestige, Indian courts have upheld its constitutionality.
In its consultation paper in 2018, the Law Commission said: “Berating the country or a particular aspect of it cannot and should not be treated as sedition. If the country is not open to positive criticism, there lies little difference between the pre- and post-independence eras. Right to criticise one’s own history and the right to offend are protected under free speech.”
“While it is essential to protect national integrity, it should not be misused as a tool to curb free speech. Dissent and criticism are essential ingredients of a robust public debate on policy issues as part of a vibrant democracy. Therefore, every restriction on free speech and expression must be carefully scrutinised to avoid unwarranted restrictions.”
Credits: #Manorama Year Book
Know about SC ST Atrocities Act ?
What is atrocity rule?
The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to prevent atrocities against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. The Act is popularly known as the SC/ST Act, POA, the Prevention of Atrocities Act, or simply the Atrocities Act.
What is the punishment for SC ST Atrocities Act?
According to this section If a public servant, who is not a member of the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, deliberately neglects his duties, which he should perform under the Act, he is liable for punishment with imprisonment up to six months. Section 5 provides enhanced punishment for subsequent conviction.
What are legal remedies if someone files a false case of SC ST Atrocities Act against you?
Is SC ST act bailable?
The offences under this Act are cognizable and non-bailable. ... Section 16 of the Act
also provides for community fine in case of offences committed against
SCs & STs by a community or the inhabitants of an area.
Supreme Court’s order on anti-atrocities law is a caution against entering legislative domain
After last year’s amendments aimed at nullifying the effect of a Supreme Court judgment that was seen as diluting the law against atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the apex court’s decision recalling the earlier verdict may not appear very significant. However, the latest order by a three-judge Bench on the Centre’s petition seeking a review is more than a mere academic exercise. Its sound reasoning and sympathetic reconsideration have fortified the legislative measure to restore the law on atrocities committed on Dalits as originally conceived by Parliament. The March 2018 decision laid down three new rules as safeguards against the Act’s possible misuse: that the bar on anticipatory bail under Section 18 need not prevent courts from granting advance bail; that a person can be arrested only if the “appointing authority” (in the case of a public servant) or the SP (in the case of others) approves such arrest; and that there should be a preliminary enquiry into all complaints. It caused an uproar among Dalits, and a nation-wide protest in August last year turned violent in some places. There was political clamour for Parliament’s intervention to restore the anti-atrocities law to its original rigour. That the Bench declined to stay its own order when a review was sought spurred the government into action.
Credits : #THE HINDU
Thursday, 26 September 2019
RBI curbs on PMC Bank trigger panic # Manorama
The Reserve Bank of India’s move to
take charge of one of the country’s top five co-operative banks on
September 24 has left thousands of depositors in the lurch and sparked
renewed concerns about the health of India’s troubled banking sector.
Depositors of the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank were informed they can withdraw only a sum of Rs 1,000 from their bank account over the next six months, while the bank itself has been put under the direction of the central bank and barred from renewing, or granting any loans, or making fresh investments without the RBI’s approval.
The sudden move caused PMC Bank depositors to panic and led to protests and long queues outside the bank’s branches. It has 137 branches spread across seven states.
Thousands of depositors stood outside branches demanding answers about their life’s savings.
India has more than 1,500 small urban co-operative banks that typically service small local communities in certain districts or states.
More than two dozen of these co-operative banks are now under RBI administration, but PMC Bank - with deposits of Rs 11,617 crore as of March 31 - is by far the largest to be hit by such RBI measures.
Its plight has also raised fresh fears about the broader Indian banking sector that has been rocked by a multi-crore fraud at a state-run lender, the collapse of a major infrastructure lender, bad loan issues at state-run banks and a liquidity squeeze that has hit shadow lenders.
PMC Bank itself sought to calm depositors and managing director Joy Thomas, in a text message to customers, attempted to reassure them that the bank’s issues would be resolved within six months.
“We have ample assets to cover all our liabilities towards the depositors. All my loans are backed by adequate securities. It is just a question of time,” Thomas said.
Still, depositors remained unconvinced and bank employees were despondent.
“Our staff has worked hard to win the confidence of clients over the years. After this incident, it will be very difficult to revive that confidence,” said Sonia Malik, a branch manager at a PMC Bank outlet in New Delhi, adding employees are worried about their jobs.
Depositors of the Punjab and Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank were informed they can withdraw only a sum of Rs 1,000 from their bank account over the next six months, while the bank itself has been put under the direction of the central bank and barred from renewing, or granting any loans, or making fresh investments without the RBI’s approval.
The sudden move caused PMC Bank depositors to panic and led to protests and long queues outside the bank’s branches. It has 137 branches spread across seven states.
Thousands of depositors stood outside branches demanding answers about their life’s savings.
India has more than 1,500 small urban co-operative banks that typically service small local communities in certain districts or states.
More than two dozen of these co-operative banks are now under RBI administration, but PMC Bank - with deposits of Rs 11,617 crore as of March 31 - is by far the largest to be hit by such RBI measures.
Its plight has also raised fresh fears about the broader Indian banking sector that has been rocked by a multi-crore fraud at a state-run lender, the collapse of a major infrastructure lender, bad loan issues at state-run banks and a liquidity squeeze that has hit shadow lenders.
PMC Bank itself sought to calm depositors and managing director Joy Thomas, in a text message to customers, attempted to reassure them that the bank’s issues would be resolved within six months.
“We have ample assets to cover all our liabilities towards the depositors. All my loans are backed by adequate securities. It is just a question of time,” Thomas said.
Still, depositors remained unconvinced and bank employees were despondent.
“Our staff has worked hard to win the confidence of clients over the years. After this incident, it will be very difficult to revive that confidence,” said Sonia Malik, a branch manager at a PMC Bank outlet in New Delhi, adding employees are worried about their jobs.
Sunday, 15 September 2019
New traffic rules and fines list applicable in India
Special |
Offence |
New challan/ penalty |
#FOLLOW RULES RESPECT is one of the solution to get RID of fines and penalties. Respect pedestrians to cross the road by stopping before zebra crossing. Respect other lives by giving a way to Ambulances and Fire services. Respect co riders by not doing rash driving . Save your family by wearing helmet and seat belt. |
General |
₹500 |
Rules of road regulation violation |
₹500 |
|
Disobedience of orders of authorities |
₹2,000 |
|
Unauthorized use of vehicles without licence |
₹5,000 |
|
Driving without licence |
₹5,000 |
|
Driving despite disqualification |
₹10,000 |
|
Oversize vehicles |
₹5,000 |
|
Over-speeding |
₹1,000 |
|
Dangerous driving |
Up to ₹5,000 |
|
Drink driving |
₹10,000 |
|
Speeding/Racing |
₹5,000 |
|
Vehicle without permit |
Up to ₹10,000 |
|
Aggregators (violations of licencing conditions) |
₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh |
|
Overloading |
₹20,000 and ₹2,000 per extra tonne |
|
Overloading of passengers |
₹1,000 per extra passenger |
|
Seat belt |
₹1,000 |
|
Overloading of two wheelers |
₹2,000 and disqualification of licence for 3 months |
|
Helmets |
₹1,000 and disqualification of licence for 3 months |
|
Not providing way for emergency vehicles |
₹10,000 |
|
Driving without insurance |
₹2,000 |
|
Offences by juveniles |
Guardian/owner shall be deemed to be guilty. ₹25,000 with
3 years imprisonment. Juvenile will be tried under JJ Act.
Registration of vehicle will be cancelled. |
|
Power of officers to impound documents |
Suspension of driving licenses |
|
Offences committed by enforcing authorities |
Twice the penalty under the relevant section |
YOU ARE UNDER
SURVEILLANCE.
NO CHANCE OF ESCAPE NOW.
SOURCE : TIMESNOW
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