(Current Affairs) National Events | May : 2017

National Events

Attorney-General to defend India in UNHRC

  • India will highlight its “impartial” justice system when it sends its top law officer, Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, to the Universal Periodic Review at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
  • Mr. Rohatgi will defend India’s case against allegations of violations in Jammu and Kashmir, torture, minority rights and recent strictures against NGOs.
  • Mr. Rohatgi said he would convey that the treatment of 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab and 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yaqub Memon proves the Indian legal system’s “impartial” standards.
  • “These are two people who committed crimes against the state. They orchestrated, and were directly involved in, the massacre of hundreds of innocents, both Indian and foreign, in the heart of our financial capital.
  • Yet, both were tried impartially by a court of law, provided legal aid, were given every opportunity to appeal till the last stage even as their petitions for clemency were entertained at the highest level,” Mr. Rohatgi told.
  • In the run-up to the hearings at the UNHRC, held once in five years for every country, reports from governmental and non-governmental agencies from other countries in the 47-member council, including from the U.S.
  • Congress and civil society groups, and international agencies, have been sought.
  • Sweden and Spain have asked for the government to explain its stand on homosexuality rights and the repeal of Article 377 that criminalises same-sex relationships.
  • The Attorney General, who will respond to the questions during a four-hour session in Geneva, said he would speak about constitutionally-mandated protections to minorities in India.

Turkey is keen on expanding defence industrial cooperation with India

  • Turkey is keen on expanding defence industrial cooperation with India and will offer its armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during the upcoming visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
  • Turkey’s support to Pakistan on Kashmir at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation was likely to continue.
  • Turkey said the areas of cooperation were aviation, space and ammunition, etc.
  • On Pakistan’s continued support to cross-border terrorism and Kashmir, he said the issue was for the two countries to discuss.

Strict law will increase tax compliance says FM

  • Union Finance Minister said the fear of consequences owing to strict and expeditious enforcement of law would ensure that as India evolved from a developing to a developed economy, it would be a highly tax compliant society.
  • Advocating use of technology for detecting evasion, Mr. Jaitley said the Enforcement Directorate should expeditiously use the penalising powers to deal with any non-compliance, particularly money laundering.
  • “Full compliance in taxation and currency laws has always been one of the features of developed states. If you go to the developed world, violations are rare.
  • Those who violate are strictly called upon and are answerable to the law and there are very strict penal consequences,” Mr. Jaitleysaid.
  • Mr. Jaitley said over the years, in India, non-compliance was never considered a moral wrong, it was rather considered smart.
  • “Non-compliance has hit the larger public and national interest,” he said, adding that compliance would help generate funds for development in various sectors.

Japan has selected former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar for top honour

  • The Japanese government has selected former Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar for the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun , in recognition of his achievements in bolstering India-Japan ties.
  • Indians who have in the past received the Decoration — conferred in recognition of distinguished accomplishments— include industrialist Ratan N. Tata.
  • Dr. Kumar served as the Special Envoy of former PM Manmohan Singh to Japan during the visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to India in December 2013, “and significantly contributed to the success of the visit.”

FICCI-India Sanitation Coalition prize to Aga khan foundation

  • The Aga Khan Foundation has bagged an award for implementing a development model that aims at improving access to water and sanitation for marginalised communities across urban and rural areas of the country.
  • The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) of the prestigious foundation received the FICCI-India Sanitation Coalition prize for the initiative that seeks to contribute towards building an open-defecation free India by 2019 under the ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission.
  • The initiative aims at improving access to water and sanitation for marginalised communities across urban and rural India, including helping 1,00,000 families and 538 schools, as well as building toilets in the States of Bihar,
  • Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
  • The integrated block-level sanitation model is being piloted in rural Bihar.

Supreme court offered to set the stage for J&K talks

  • Even as the Supreme Court offered to set the stage for peace talks between influential voices in Kashmir and the Centre to facilitate the return of normality to the Valley.
  • The government put its foot down, saying it will not break bread with secessionist forces and cannot brook the risk of withdrawing security forces from the sensitive border State.\
  • Appearing before a Bench led by CJI J.S. Khehar, Attorney-General Mukul said the government cannot negotiate with separatists. The Centre said it would “absolutely” not entertain any talks of azadi with these leaders.
  • Mr. Rohatgi read portions of submissions filed in court by petitioners, suggesting the route to peace in Kashmir would be for talks between India and Pakistan. He pointed to how the petitioners felt that even the accession of Jammu and Kashmir was “controversial.”
  • The court asked the stakeholders in Kashmir to “take two steps back” as a resolution can be initiated only if there are no stones and pellets fired on the streets of Kashmir.

Maharastra govt to set up panel for welfare of transgenders

  • The Maharashtra government will soon set up an executive committee under the ministry of Women and Child Welfare to activate functioning of Transgender Welfare Board, conceptualised in 2014.
  • The government will implement Central schemes for welfare of the transgenders through this committee, Women and Child Welfare Minister said.

Tiny particles in polluted air can lead to heart attack

  • Tiny particles in polluted air can travel from the lungs into our bloodstream and increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke, a new study warns.
  • Nanoparticles in air pollution have been associated with cardiovascular disease, which can lead to premature death. However, how particles inhaled into the lungs can affect blood vessels and the heart has remained a mystery.
  • Scientists have found that inhaled nanoparticles can travel from the lungs into the bloodstream, potentially explaining the link between air pollution and cardiovascular disease.
  • The World Health Organisation estimates that in 2012, about 72% of premature deaths related to outdoor air pollution were due to ischemic heart disease and strokes.
  • Pulmonary disease, respiratory infections and lung cancer were linked to the other 28%.

NITI Aayog says industry not doing enough to create jobs

  • Industry should take responsibility for the failure to create adequate jobs in India in recent years, NITI Aayog vice-chairman Arvind Panagariya said in a brusque response to a query about the Centre’s strategy for job creation.
  • Mr. Panagariya said: “I am sorry you are asking the wrong question. What is industry doing on this? Government makes policies. Why is it that no industrialist thinks of the 500 million workers in our abundant workforce at a relatively low wage level.”
  • “I understand you will naturally go for profits. But if jobs is a big issue, why doesn’t the industry act?” he said.

India Sri Lanka to dicuss various important issues

  • Sri Lankan Prime Minister is set to announce several MoUs on developing energy and infrastructure projects in Trincomalee and fast-tracking negotiations for an upgraded free trade agreement — the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA).
  • Mr. Wickremesinghe, whose visit is expected to confirm a number of agreements to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sri Lanka from May 12 to 14, will meet Mr. Modi, Sushma Swaraj, Rajnath Singh and Nitin Gadkari.
  • Indian Govt hoped to see the agreement on the Trinco Oil storage and the development of infrastructure — highways, power plants, a refinery and an SEZ — around the key port town of Trincomalee to be wrapped up.
  • Oil union workers in Colombo went on a strike against the planned MoU with India for 84 tanks in the Trincomalee upper oil tank farm, of which Sri Lanka is keen to retain at least 10 for use by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
  • The unions called off the strike that hit fuel supplies in the country on Monday, but claim they have an assurance that their concerns over leasing the tanks to India will be taken into consideration before any announcement is made.
  • Commerce Ministry said India had sent a team to Sri Lanka recently to make presentations on the benefits of widening the FTA and had formally asked the government for a list of perceived “non-tariff barriers” that businessmen were complaining about.

India assured Nepal of all possible help for elections

  • PM Modi assured his Nepali counterpart of “all possible help” in organising the three-phase election — covering covering local, provincial and central levels — that will begin in the Himalayan country on May 14.
  • The PM’s statement, which indicates a softening of official policy towards Nepal’s democratic process, came two days after Madhesi agitators agreed to participate in the elections.
  • The breakthrough was achieved after two days of consultations between the Madhesis and the government. This comes after Mr. Dahal received a financial package from Beijing.

No change in policy do deal with Naxals

  • The government has no plans to deploy the Army to tackle the Naxals, notwithstanding reverses being faced by paramilitary and police forces.
  • It is an internal security issue. There is no question of deploying the Army in the anti-Naxal operations said the govt.
  • Since the Naxal violence is considered a law and order problem, paramilitary and police forces will continue to deal with the Maoists, though there have been casualties among security forces.

India's longest bridge to come up over Brahmaputra river

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the country’s longest bridge over the Brahmaputra river in Assam on May 24.
  • Mr. Modi will visit Assam to inaugurate the Dhola-Sadiya bridge.

All central universities to get free wi-fi

  • The Centre has set the ball rolling to make Wi-Fi available for free at all Central universities by the end of July so that students can make better use of online resources to pursue academic work.
  • While some institutions already provide Wi-Fi, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has set deadlines for the remaining institutions to provide free access to their students.
  • Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Vishwavidyalaya, Wardha, and E.F.L University, Hyderabad, are supposed to provide the facility by April 30.
  • By June 1, Hyderabad University will get Wi-Fi, while Tezpur University and Assam University, Silchar, will get it by June 2 and 7.
  • Banaras Hindu University by July 8; and Kashmir Central University, Manipur University, Nagaland University, Central Universities at Karnataka, Kerala and Aligarh Muslim University by July 30.

Govt examining the list of 51 names recommended by Collegium

  • The Union Law Ministry is examining the list of 51 names recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium for appointment as judges in various High Courts, with 445 of the total 1,079 posts currently vacant.
  • As the draft Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) for appointments in the higher judiciary has not been finalised, the Collegium has sent more recommendations for further appointments as per the existing system.
  • Govt also said deliberations with the Supreme Court on finalising the MoP were under way despite indications that certain issues were yet to be worked out.
  • The Supreme Court Collegium is learnt to have handed over the finalised draft to the Law Ministry, as per which it will have the final say on any objection by the government to any proposed appointment on the ground of national security and public interest.
  • The government’s recommendation for setting up of secretariats in the Supreme Court and the 24 High Courts to assist collegiums in the Supreme Court and the High Courts in the selection of judges has also been accepted.
  • However, the suggestion for committees of retired or sitting judges to assist the collegiums in finding suitable candidates has not been accepted.
  • While the draft MoP is being discussed since January last year, the Allahabad HC tops the list with 76 vacancies.
  • The Punjab and Haryana High Court has 39 posts vacant, while 37 vacancies are there in the Calcutta HC, according to the latest government data.

States to be consulted on BC panel Bill

  • A select committee of the Rajya Sabha looking into a Bill according constitutional status to the Backward Classes Commission, a cause close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s heart, will be inviting all State governments.
  • In a meeting held, officials from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment briefed the members of the select committee, headed by BJP MP Bhupendra Yadav, on the Bill.

ISRO invited scientists to suggest studies for a potential orbiter mission to Venus

  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has invited scientists to suggest studies for a potential orbiter mission to Venus - somewhat similar to the one that landed in Mars in 2013.
  • ISRO plans to send a spacecraft that will initially go around Venus in an elliptical orbit before getting closer to the ‘Yellow Planet’.
  • It will carry instruments weighing 175 kg and using 500W of power. The scientific community has been told to suggest space-based studies by May 19.
  • A mission must be approved by ISRO's Advisory Committee on Space Sciences, then the Space Commission and later by the government.
  • Venus, the second planet from the Sun, comes closest to Earth roughly every 583 days, or about 19 months.
  • Venus, our closest planetary neighbour, is similar to Earth in many aspects. However, it takes only 225 days to revolve around the Sun. Secondly, the surface is very hot due to nearness to the Sun.
  • India's previous and second planetary outing, the record-setting Rs. 450-crore Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) of 2013, continues to impress. The orbiter is going round the Red Planet even as you read this — well beyond its planned life of six months.
  • An orbiter sent to the Moon in 2008 was delivering data until about three months before its estimated life span. A second Moon landing mission is planned in early 2018.

India is likely to get ‘normal’ monsoon rains according to Met Dept

  • India is likely to get ‘normal’ monsoon rains, according to the first official forecast of the season by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • Rains are likely to be 96% of the 50-year average of 89cm for the monsoon season of June to September. They are expected to fan out favourably and “help agriculture.”
  • There is, however, a significant element of uncertainty in this forecast. For one, there’s the looming threat of El Nino. Secondly, the IMD has adopted a new weather model this year, and it is still a work-in-progress.
  • The IMD’s estimate of 96% rains falls at the bottom edge of what it considers ‘normal’ monsoon rains.
  • Every number forecast by the IMD has a built-in 5% error margin. India saw drought years in 2014 and 2015. As for 2016, it received 3% less than the 89 cm average, despite an IMD forecast of ‘above normal’ rains.

Australian 457 visa scheme scrapped

  • The Centre said it was studying the implications of the Australian government’s decision to scrap a visa programme that benefited Indians, and warned that the move could have an impact on negotiations on the CECA.
  • Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced that he was scrapping the Australian “457” visa programme that allowed Australian companies to hire Indians in a number of skilled jobs.
  • He said he would in due course replace the programme with a more stringent system, making it difficult for companies to hire non-Australian citizens.

Task force framed on a road map for decriminalisation of politics

  • The Union government told the Supreme Court that it had constituted a task force to frame a road map for implementation of the Law Commission’s recommendations on decriminalisation of politics.
  • A Bench of Justices asked the Centre to file an affidavit during the day on a PIL petition seeking debarring of convicts for life from contesting polls and stopping them from entering the judiciary and the executive.
  • The Union Law and Justice Ministry, in its affidavit, told the court that the government was actively considering a law panel report titled “Electoral disqualifications”, and had appointed a team of senior officials to look into the issue.
  • The Law Ministry said that the disqualification period specified under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, is a policy decision which has been enacted by Parliament after due deliberations for curbing the entry of persons with criminal antecedents into the political arena.
  • On the issue of setting up of special courts for MPs or MLAs for disposal of criminal cases, the Ministry said such a prayer was “unwarranted” as long as cases are disposed of within a year.

Union Home Ministry said it would introduce less lethal “plastic bullets”

  • The Union Home Ministry said it would introduce less lethal “plastic bullets” to be used against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Centre said it was exploring options to initiate a dialogue in Kashmir, including with the separatists, but no one had came forward in the past and it had hit a dead end.
  • The government also said it was considering enhanced use of “bunkers” to protect security forces from stone throwers after the annual shift of the capital from Jammu to Srinagar in the next few days.
  • The government had managed to control the spiral of violence but the “atmosphere was vitiated” because of the April 9 byelections in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

Supreme Court wants appearance of secretaries on issue of police vacancies

  • The Supreme Court sought the personal appearance of Home Secretaries or authorised joint secretaries of six States together with a definite roadmap to fill up the long-pending vacancies in the States’ police forces.
  • The court found that Uttar Pradesh has 1.51 lakh vacancies, West Bengal with 37,325, Karnataka has 24,899, Jharkhand 26,303, Bihar 34,500 and Tamil Nadu has 19,803 posts vacant.
  • Tamil Nadu informed the apex court that advertisements have been put out for the vacancies. “Giving advertisements is the first step. You [Tamil Nadu] have taken the first step since 2013,” the Bench remarked.
  • The apex court was hearing the 2013 petition which claimed that law and order situation in the country was deteriorating due to a large number of vacancies in police services at all levels across States.

China is set to launch its first cargo spacecraft

  • China is set to launch its first cargo spacecraft between April 20 and 24.
  • The Tianzhou-1 has been transferred with a Long March – 7 Y2 carrier rocket from the testing centre to the launch zone in Wenchang, Hainan province.

Union Home Ministry said it would introduce less lethal “plastic bullets”

  • The Union Home Ministry said it would introduce less lethal “plastic bullets” to be used against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The Centre said it was exploring options to initiate a dialogue in Kashmir, including with the separatists, but no one had came forward in the past and it had hit a dead end.
  • The government also said it was considering enhanced use of “bunkers” to protect security forces from stone throwers after the annual shift of the capital from Jammu to Srinagar in the next few days.
  • The government had managed to control the spiral of violence but the “atmosphere was vitiated” because of the April 9 byelections in the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency.

Supreme Court wants appearance of secretaries on issue of police vacancies

  • The Supreme Court sought the personal appearance of Home Secretaries or authorised joint secretaries of six States together with a definite roadmap to fill up the long-pending vacancies in the States’ police forces.
  • The court found that Uttar Pradesh has 1.51 lakh vacancies, West Bengal with 37,325, Karnataka has 24,899, Jharkhand 26,303, Bihar 34,500 and Tamil Nadu has 19,803 posts vacant.
  • Tamil Nadu informed the apex court that advertisements have been put out for the vacancies. “Giving advertisements is the first step. You [Tamil Nadu] have taken the first step since 2013,” the Bench remarked.
  • The apex court was hearing the 2013 petition which claimed that law and order situation in the country was deteriorating due to a large number of vacancies in police services at all levels across States.

China is set to launch its first cargo spacecraft

  • China is set to launch its first cargo spacecraft between April 20 and 24.
  • The Tianzhou-1 has been transferred with a Long March – 7 Y2 carrier rocket from the testing centre to the launch zone in Wenchang, Hainan province.

DST will be leading a Rs. 2,000-crore initiative to encourage more girls and women

  • The Department of Science and Technology will be leading a Rs. 2,000-crore initiative to encourage more girls and women to take up careers in the domain of science and engineering, where they are under-represented.
  • A pilot programme covering 100,000 girls and women, from school-going children to those interested in research, will be launched later this year.
  • Studies have found that when compared to the U.S., European Union, and several Asian countries, India fared reasonably well when it comes to enrolment of women in science and engineering, which stood at around 35%.

But the proportion of women in the science and engineering workforce was an abysmal 12%.

  • The current initiative, ‘Vigyan Jyoti’, envisages 500 contractual faculty positions for five years in universities and research organisations, and special scholarships for school girls.
  • Alongside mentoring, there would be a concerted effort to expose them to more areas of science and engineering, present role-models to inspire them, and conduct counselling sessions for parents and teachers.
  • The proposal is a key part of a report, Vigyan 2030: Science and Technology as the Pivot for Jobs, Opportunities and National Transformation, submitted by the secretaries of all Central science departments. Presented to PM.

Lok Sabha cleared amendments to motor vehicles act

  • The Lok Sabha cleared amendments to the motor vehicles law that will substantially increase the penalty for traffic violations, allow learner’s driving licences to be issued online and penalise contractors for faulty road designs.
  • Driving without a licence may soon lead to a minimum fine of Rs. 5,000 as against Rs. 500 at present, according to the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill 2016.
  • Similarly, for over-speeding, the penalty may go up to Rs. 1,000-2,000 from Rs. 400. Not wearing seatbelts would result in a minimum penalty of Rs. 1,000 against Rs. 100 at present.
  • The traffic violation penalties will also increase 10% each year once the Bill becomes a law.
  • The proposed law will also allow citizens to apply or renew a driving licence from any road transport office in the State. At present, citizens can only apply at the closest RTO.
  • The Centre also plans to make submission of Aadhaar number mandatory for applying for a driving licence and vehicle registration by making an enabling provision in the Bill.

Lok Sabha paved way for constitutional status for Backward classes commission

  • The Lok Sabha cleared The Constitution 102nd Amendment Bill, that grants constitutional status to the Backward Classes Commission, now called the National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
  • The Bill also enjoins that any addition to the Central list of communities under the Other Backward Classes will have to be cleared through Parliament.
  • Govt said that the bill would ensure the rights of the Other Backward Classes, and give the National Commission for Backward Classes the constitutional safeguards enjoyed by the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

Agreements in the fields of energy and defence between India and Bangladesh

  • Stepping up cooperation in the fields of connectivity, energy and defence, India extended lines of credit worth $5 billion to Bangladesh, as the two countries exchanged 22 agreements.
  • However, despite the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister, the two sides were unable to make any progress on the contentious Teesta water sharing agreement that Ms. Banerjee has opposed.
  • “This (Teesta) is important for India, for Bangladesh and for India-Bangladesh relationship,” Mr. Modi said after the meeting. He added, “I firmly believe that it is only my government and Excellency Sheikh Hasina, your government, that can and will find an early solution to Teesta Water Sharing.”
  • Apart from the water issues, both sides agreed to work together on ways to advance issues like trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation.

CJI says parties should e kept accountable for unfulfilled promises

  • Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar said political parties should be held accountable for the routinely unfulfilled promises made in their election manifestos.
  • Manifestos had become a mere piece of paper owing to the short-term memory of citizens, but the political parties had to be made accountable for the unfulfilled promises, said Justice Khehar.
  • The CJI said the parties gave brazen excuses to justify non-fulfilment of the promises.

Kirti Chakra posthumously conferred on Lance Havildar Prem Bahadur

  • Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award, was posthumously conferred on Lance Havildar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar of Gorkha Rifles by President Pranab Mukherjee at the defence investiture ceremony.
  • The late Lance Havildar eliminated four terrorists during an operation in Jammu and Kashmir on June 16 last year.
  • Mr. Mukherjee also presented 13 Shaurya Chakras.

Govt clarified on deposits and withdrawal limits

  • The Rs. 2 lakh cap on cash transactions will not apply to deposits in and withdrawals from banks, the government clarified, adding that capital expenditure of more than Rs. 10,000 will not be eligible for depreciation allowance.
  • “that no person… shall receive two lakh rupees or more, (a) in aggregate from a person in a day; (b) in one transaction; or (c) in transactions relating to one event or occasion from a person, otherwise than by an account payee cheque or draft or through a bank account,” a statement said.

New guidelines for accreditation of 30 lakh NGOs handed over to SC

  • The Centre handed over to the Supreme Court the new guidelines framed for accreditation of nearly 30 lakh NGOs and voluntary organisations (VOs) in the country.
  • A Bench of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud was informed that the Ministry of Rural Development framed the accreditation guidelines to regulate “manner in which the VOs/NGOs, which are recipient of grants, would maintain their account.”
  • According to the guidelines, NITI Aayog has been appointed as the nodal agency for the purpose of registration and accreditation of VOs/NGOs seeking funding from the Government of India.
  • The Aayog has been also tasked with maintaining of database systems to manage and disseminate information relating to NGOs/VOs.
  • The existing portal at NITI Aayog (NGO-Darpan) shall be strengthened and aligned with accreditation-like functions which should also provide a snapshot of the NGO with regard to its ongoing and past work.

Six DU colleges made it to the list of top 10 educational institutions

  • Six Delhi University (DU) colleges made it to the list of top 10 educational institutions released under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
  • While Miranda House was ranked the best college in the country, SRCC, which has consistently done well in ranking surveys, came in third best and Lady Shri Ram College was adjudged the sixth best in the country.
  • While St. Stephen’s College and Hindu College did not even figure in the list, Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College on South Campus was ranked the fifth best college in the country, finishing above Lady Shri Ram College.

Centre has sought public opinion on proposed amendments to RTI Act

  • The Centre has sought public opinion on proposed amendments to the Right to Information Act, with respect to the powers of the Central Information Commission (CIC), filing of applications, complaints and appeals.
  • The suggestions have to be submitted to the Department of Personnel and Training by April 15.
  • An amendment proposes that an applicant can file complaints within 135 days of filing the application under the Act, and in case of delay a request for condonation will also have to be filed.
  • There is another provision empowering the CIC to convert a complaint into a second appeal.
  • Thus, as proposed, it can order the disclosure of information on a complaint. The Commission can also allow an amendment to the complaint during the hearing, if other remedies have been exhausted.
  • Also, as suggested, the CIC has been given the power to decide if an appeal or a complaint can be withdrawn on the applicant’s request. However, once the issue has been decided, the withdrawal will not be allowed.

Centre to bring law for proper maintenance of parents

  • The government is mulling bringing legislative changes to remove the monthly ceiling of Rs. 10,000 on the maintenance paid by children to parents and introduce a rating mechanism for organisations providing home care services to the elderly.
  • If the proposed amendments to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (MWPSC) Act come through, the maintenance amount to be decided by senior citizen tribunals for the neglected parents will depend on their need and the economic condition of their children.
  • At present, the maintenance for a parent or senior citizen that can be ordered by the tribunal as payable by the children or relative cannot be more than Rs. 10,000 a month.
  • The MWPSC Act makes it a legal obligation for children and heirs to provide maintenance to senior citizens and parents.
  • The Ministry also intends to put in place a uniform regulation and a rating mechanism for organisations providing home care services to senior citizens.

Grassoline — a biofuel derived from grass that could one day power aircraft

  • In the quest of more sustainable energy sources, scientists have developed ‘grassoline’ — a biofuel derived from grass that could one day power aircraft.
  • Researchers investigated methods that can disintegrate and treat grass until it can be used as a fuel. “Due to its vast abundance, grass is the perfect source of energy,” said Way Cern Khor from Ghent University in Belgium.
  • “Right now the amount of biofuel that can be made from grass is still limited to a few drops. The current process is very expensive, and engines should be adapted to this new kind of fuel,” researchers said.
  • “If we can keep working on optimising this process in cooperation with the business world, we can come down on the price. And maybe in a few years we can all fly on grass!” Khor said.

In a major crackdown, ED conducted searches on 300 shell companies

  • In a major crackdown, the Enforcement Directorate conducted searches on 300 shell companies across 16 States on suspicion of large-scale money laundering and foreign exchange violations.The premises of some professionals, the “brains” behind the operation of such companies, were also searched.
  • The searches were conducted at 110 locations in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad, among other places.
  • Some of the companies searched were allegedly involved in major money-laundering cases related to the former Maharashtra Deputy CM Chhagan Bhujbal, the Andhra Pradesh Opposition leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
  • Galaxy Impex, Snowcity & Co, B.K. Electro Tool products, Green International, Metal Tradus and Horizon Trading were the six firms searched.

Financial assistance of 3,000 crore from NDRF to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

  • The Central government will provide financial assistance of around Rs. 3,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka for drought and cyclone relief.
  • “Based on approval of the High Level Committee (HLC), the Central government has sanctioned Rs. 1,793 crore to Tamil Nadu and Rs. 1,782 crore to Karnataka for drought relief from NDRF,” the statement said.
  • SC ordered to declare children affected by HIV as a ‘disadvantaged group’
  • Supreme Court ordered State governments to consider issuing a notification under the Right to Education law, declaring children living with/affected by HIV as a ‘disadvantaged group’

It will allow them to get additional rights to help them gain free and compulsory education, a fundamental right under the Constitution.

  • A Bench of Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar and D.Y. Chandrachud gave States four weeks to issue the notification under Section 2 (d) of The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act of 2009.
  • Act mandates the State governments concerned to issue a notification that a child belongs to a disadvantaged group based on reasons ranging from caste, social, cultural, linguistic, geographical, gender, etc.
  • The Act makes education compulsory for children between six and 14 years of age.
  • The Bench ordered that those States which are “unwilling” to issue a notification under Section 2 (d) should file an affidavit “explaining why they consider it unnecessary” to inform that children living with HIV do not belong to a disadvantaged group.
  • The court however noted that at least 11 States have already issued the notification.
  • According to NACO estimates in 2012-2013, around 20.9 lakh people were living with HIV in 2011. Children less than 15 years of age account for seven percent (1.45 lakh) of all infections.

Scientists found an unusual approach of removing antibodies from the blood

  • Scientists have found that an unusual approach of removing antibodies from the blood stream could reduce chronic infections, an advance that may help humans in the fight against drug resistant superbugs.
  • Researchers from the University of Birmingham and Newcastle University in the U.K. identified two patients with bronchiectasis who suffered with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections that were resistant to many antibiotics.
  • Bronchiectasis is a disease that leads to permanent enlargement of the airways in the lung.
  • Symptoms are debilitating for patients, and typically include a chronic cough, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and chest pain. Bronchiectasis often affects patients beyond the age at which lung transplantation is possible.

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