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September-2018

Current AffairsCurrent AffairsSeptember-2018

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September-2018

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Index

EDITORIAL

1. CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE 1-4

ART & CULTURE, HERITAGE, SOCIETY, SOCIAL & NATIONAL ISSUES

2. First project North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom under Swadesh Darshan Scheme launched 5-6

3. Government relaxes terms in Bru deal 6-7

4. Pune gets first spot in Ease of Living Index 7-8

5. Cabinet approves continuation and revision of PMS-OBC 9-9

6. WCD to move bill to widen Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act scope 9-10

7. PENCIL online portal for effective enforcement of the Child Labour Act and NCLP Scheme 10-11

8. Delhi High Court decriminalises begging in the national capital 11-12

9. SC to constitute panel to look into issues in jails across country 13-13

10. NITI Aayog indentified 117 districts as Aspirational Districts for RUSA Scheme 14-15

11. Government launches the scheme – ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ 15-16

POLITY & GOVERNANCE, SOCIAL JUSTICE & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

12. Cabinet clears Bill to restore the provisions of SC/ST Act 17-18

13. Challenges Related to Simultaneous Elections 18-18

14. Ongoing issues related to Art 35A and Art 370 19-20

15. 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill to give OBC commission Constitution status 20-21

16. Parliament passes Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 21-22

17. Final Verdict of Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal Comes 22-23

18. Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Allow Proxy Voting for NRIs 23-25

19. New Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha 26-26

20. Uttarakhand high court appoints itself legal guardian of cows in state 27-28

September-2018


21. Disclosure of compliance under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act 28-29

22. West Bengal government removes income ceiling for ‘Kanyashree’ scheme 29-30

23. Cabinet approves amendments in instant triple talaq bill 30-31

24. Lok Sabha passes Bill to help India become arbitration hub 31-32

25. National Sports University Bill passed in Lok Sabha 33-34

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, INDIAN & THE WORLD AND

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

26. US gives India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 status 35-36

27. Australia recommences its adoption programme with India 36-37

28. India releases additional funds for Nepal’s Postal Highway 37-38

29. Caspian Sea deal signed by five coastal nations 38-39

30. Global Liveability Index 2018 39-40

31. India elected president of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development 40-41

INDIAN ECONOMY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

32. India Post Payments Bank to start operations soon with 650 branch 42-43

33. NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey 2016-17 43-44

34. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana achieves 5 Crore mark 45-46

35. Niryat Mitra mobile application for exporters and importers 46-47

36. IWAI sets out on large public outreach along Ganga for Jal Marg Vikas Project 47-48

37. President inaugurates ‘One District One Product’ Summit in UP 48-49

38. Cabinet extends PM Gram Sadak Yojana beyond 12th five-year plan 49-49

39. NITI Aayog discusses promotion of Zero Budget Natural Farming 50-51

ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY, DISASTER MANAGMENT, POLLUTION

40. Supreme Court’s Order on Nilgiris Elephant Corridor 52-53

41. Khangchendzonga is the 11th Biosphere Reserve added to UNESCO’s World Network 53-55

42. Kerala Floods: Man-Made Factors 55-56

September-2018


43. Environment management system PARIVESH launched 56-57

44. August 10: World Bio-fuel Day 57-58

45. Gadgil Panel Report and Kerala Floods 58-60

46. 12th August: World Elephant Day 61-61

47. India’s first genetic bank for wildlife conservation 61-62

48. India bans pet coke import for use as fuel 62-63

49. Government notifies rule for utilisation of Rs 66,000 cr Green Cover Fund 63-65

50. Odisha to showcase its biodiversity 65-67

Science and Technology, Defense, Health

51. MoU for India’s first Blockchain District signed 68-69

52. Govt panel calls for lifting ban on retailing oxytocin 69-70

53. Policy Framework for exploration and exploitation of Unconventional Hydrocarbons 70-71

54. Ballistic Missile Interceptor AAD successfully flight tested 71-71

55. India unveils geographical indication logo, tagline 72-73

56. Parker Solar Probe launches on historic journey to touch the sun 73-74

57. FSSAI unveils initiative to collect, convert used cooking oil into biofuels 74-75

58. Government approves 122 research projects under ‘IMPRINT-2’ scheme 75-76

59. Scrub typhus is key encephalitis cause in eastern U.P 76-77

60. World’s first-ever thermal battery plant unveiled in Andhra Pradesh 77-79

61. Rajasthan first State to implement biofuel policy 79-80

62. B Sesikeran Committee set up to look into draft labelling regulations 81-81

63. Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) project 82-83

64. Mental illness to be treated on par with physical ailment 83-85

65. U.S. tech giants plan to fight India’s data localisation plans 85-86

66. Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ successfully test fired at Pokhran range 87-87

67. Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana launched in Odisha 88-88

68. India to send manned space mission by 2022 89-89

11A/22, IInd floor, Bada Bazaar Marg, Near Bikaner

Sweets at Gol Chakkar, Old Rajender Nagar, New

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Email: [email protected] Visit us: www.eliteias.in

1

The Editorial

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

� Our Consitution guarantees justice and equality of opportunity to all its citizens. It also recognizes

that equal opportunity implies the competition between equals, and not "unequals".

� Taking cognizance of the inequality in our social structure, the makers of the Constitution

argued that weaker sections have to be dealt with on preferential footing by the state. A special

responsibility was, thus, placed upon the state to provide protection to the weaker sections of society.

Accordingly, the Constitution of India provided for protective discrimination under various

articles to accelerate the process of building an egalitarian social order.

� In the Preamble to the Constitution of India, first, third and fourth goals respectively mentioned

the security of all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political:

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

� Right to Equality

� Article 14. Equality before the law.

� Article 15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of

birth Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from imposing compulsory service for public

purposes, and in imposing such service the State shall not make any discrimination on grounds

only of religion, race, caste or class or any of them.

� Article 16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.

� Article 17. Abolition of Untouchability.

Article 24. Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.

� No child below the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or

engaged in any other hazardous employment.

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

Article 38. State to secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people–

(i) The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as

effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform

all the institutions of the national life.

(2) The State shall, in particular, strive to minimize the inequalities in income, and endeavour to

eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but

also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.

Article 39. Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State:

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The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing:

(a) That the citizens, men, and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood;

(b) That the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as

best to subserve the common good;

(c) that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and

means of production to the common detriment;

(d) that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women;

(e) that the health and strength of workers, men, and women, and the tender age of children are not

abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to

their age of strength;

(f) that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions

of freedom an dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and aginst

moral and material abandonment.

Article 39 A. Equal justice and free legal aid:

� The State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice, on a basis of equal

opportunity, and shall, in particular, provide free legal aid, by suitable legislation or schemes or

in any other way, to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by

reason of economic or other disabilities.

q PROVISIONS RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND THE OLD

� Article 41. Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases –

The State shall, within the limits of its economic capacity and development, Make effective

provision for securing the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of

unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement, and in other cases of undeserved want

q PROVISIONS RELATING TO SCHEDULED CASTES (SCs), SCHEDULED TRIBES

(STs) AND OTHER WEAKER SECTIONS

� Article 46. Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled

Tribes and other weaker sections:

� The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker

sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and

shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. Who comes under the

ambit of SCs and Sts. These are well defined under the article 366 (24) and 341 as under :

Article 366(24)

� (24) Scheduled Caste means such castes, races or tribes or parts of a groups within such castes,

races or tribes as are deemed under Article 341 to be Scheduled Castes for the purposes of this

Constitution;



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Article 341: Scheduled Castes

(1) The President may with respect to any State or Union territory, and where it is a State after

consulation with the Governor thereof, by public notification, specify the castes, races or tribes or

parts of or groups within castes, races or tribes which shall for the purposes of this Constitution be

deemed to be Scheduled Castes in relation to that State or Union territory, as the case may be (2)

Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Castes specified in a

notification issued under the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification

SAFEGUARDS FOR SCs AND STS:

SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS :

1. Article 17. It relates to the abolition of untouchbility being practiced in the society. The Parliament

also enacted the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled

Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 to tackle the problem of untouchbility being practiced

against Scheduled Castes.

2. Article 23. This prohibits human trafficking and beggar and other similar forms of forced labour

and providies that any contravention of this provision shall be a punishable offence. Although

this article is not specifically articulated for the SCs and STs because the majority of bonded

labour is from SCs so it holds significance for them.

3. Article 25 (2)(b). It provides that Hindu religious institutions of a public character shall be

opened to all classes and sections of Hindu.

ECONOMIC SAFEGUARDS:

Article 46: Economic Safeguards are as in article 46 above.

EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL SAFEGUARDS:

� Article 15(4) As mentioned above also under heading Fundamental Rights and subheading-

justice for equality, It empowers the State to make special provisions for the advancement of

any socially and educationally backward class of the citizens and for SCs. This article enabled

the State to reserve seats for SCs in educational institutions.

Article 335 Allows relaxation in qualifying marks for admission in educational institutes or

promotions for SCs/STs.

POLITICAL SAFEGUARDS

� Article 243 D. Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in

every Panchayat.

� Article 243T. Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in

every Municipality.

� Article 330. Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the

House of the People.

� Article 332. Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the

Legislative Assemblies of the States.

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Article 334. Reservation of seats and the special representation to cease after sixty years.

SERVICE SAFEGUARDS

� Article 16(4). This clause allows the state to reserve vacancies in public service for any backward

classes of the state that are not adequately represented in the public services.

� Article 16(4A). This allows the state to implement reservation in the matter of promotion for SCs

and STs.

� Article 16(4B). This allows the state to consider unfilled vacancies reserved for backward classes

as a separate class of vacancies not subject to a limit of 50 per cent reservation.

OTHER SAFEGUARDS

� Article 164. A point Special minister for tribal welfare in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, or Odisha.

Article 275. Allows special grant in aids to states for tribal welfare.

Article 338/338A/339. a National Commission of SCs and STs. Article 339 allows the central

govt. to direct states to implement and execute plans for the betterment of SC/STs.

Article 340. Allows the President to appoint a commission to investigate the condition of socially

and economically backward classes and table the report in Parliament.

Umbrella Schemes for Relief and Rehabilitation of Migrants and Repatriates

� The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister has given its approval for continuance of the 8

existing schemes of the Ministry of Home Affairs upto March 2020 for relief and rehabilitation

of migrants and repatriates under the Umbrella scheme "Relief and Rehabilitation of Migrants

and Repatriates". The financial implication for this purpose is Rs. 3183 crore for the period

2017–18 to 2019–20.

The schemes are as under :

i. Central Assistance for one-time settlement of displaced families from Park Occupied Jammu and

Kashmir (PoJK) and Chhamb settled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir. ii. Rehabilitation Package

and up-gradation of infrastructure of the Bangladeshi Enclaves and Cooch Behar District after

transfer of enclaves between India and Bangladesh under Land Boundary Agreement, iii. Relief

assistance to Sri Lankan refugees staying in camps in Tamil Nadu and Odisha. iv. Grant-in-Aid to

Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) for five years for administrative and social welfare

expenses of Tibetan settlements. v. Grant-in-Aid to Government of Tripura to Mizoram. vii.

Grant of enhanced relief of Rs. 5.00 lakh per deceased person, who died during 1984 Anti=Skih

Riots. viii. Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims/Family of Victims of Terrorist/

Communal/LWE Violence and Cross Border Firing and Mine/IED blasts on Indian Territory'.

� These schemes had been started by the govenment of India to enable the migrants and repatriates,

who have suffered on account of displacement, to earn a reasonable income and to facilitate their

inclusion in mainstream economic activities.

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Art and Culture, Society, Social and National Issues

q First project North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom under Swadesh

Darshan Scheme launched

Why in news?

� The first project under Swadesh Darshan Scheme ‘North East Circuit: Imphal and Khongjom’

was inaugurated in Manipur.

About ‘North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom’:

� Under this project, Union Tourism Ministry has carried out works such as restoration and

improvement of outer and inner moat of old Govindajee Temple and rejuvenation of sacred

ponds, reconstruction of old rampart, among others.

� The project covers two sites i.e. Kangla Fort and Khongjom in Manipur.

� Kangla Fort is one of the most important historic and archaeological site of Manipur located in

the heart of the Imphal city. It served as the seat of Manipur’s power till 1891. Kangla has a

special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Manipur.

� The old Govindajee Temple, outer and inner moat and other relics are perfect reflections of the

rich art and architectural heritage of Manipur.

About Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

� The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2014-15.

� Aim of the scheme is to develop theme based tourist circuits in the country on the principles of

high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergizing

efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and

enhance employment opportunities.

Key features

� The scheme is 100% centrally funded for the project components undertaken for public funding.

� To leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives

of Central Public Sector Undertakings and corporate sector.

� Funding of individual project will vary from state to state and will be finalised on the basis of

detailed project reports prepared by PMC (Programme Management Consultant).

� A National Steering Committee (NSC) will be constituted with Minister in charge of M/O

Tourism as Chairman, to steer the mission objectives and vision of the scheme.

� A Mission Directorate headed by the Member Secretary, NSC as a nodal officer will help in

identification of projects in consultation with the States/ UTs governments and other stake holders.

� PMC will be a national level consultant to be appointed by the Mission Directorate.

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Objective of Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

� Integrated development of Infrastructure in identified theme based circuits.

� Provide complete tourism experience with varied thematic circuits.

� Follow community-based development and pro-poor tourism approach.

� Creating awareness among the local communities about the importance of tourism for them interms of increase in sources of income, improved living standards and overall development ofthe area.

� Promote local arts, culture, handicrafts, cuisine, etc to generate livelihoods in the identified regions.

� Harness tourism potential for its direct and multiplier effects in employment generation andeconomic development.

What is a Tourist Circuit?

µ A Tourist Circuit is defined as a route on which at least three major tourist destinations arelocated such that none of these are in the same town, village or city. At the same time, it would beensured that they are not separated by a long distance. It should have well defined entry and exitpoints. A tourist who enters should get motivated to visit all the places identified in the circuit.

Source: PIB

Government relaxes terms in Bru deal

Why in news?

� The Union Home Ministry has agreed to relax conditions laid down in the ‘four-corner agreement’signed with Bru migrants for their repatriation from Tripura to Mizoram.

� The agreement was signed between Government of India, Governments of Mizoram and Tripuraand Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum (MBDPF) in July 2018.

Provisions of agreement

� Under the agreement, the central government will provide financial assistance for rehabilitationof Bru community members in Mizoram and address their issues of security, education, livelihood,etc. in consultation with the governments of Mizoram and Tripura.

� According to the agreement, the Mizoram government would ensure security for all repatriatedrefugees who were identified and verified as per the 1997 electoral rolls of Mizoram.

� These families who moved to Mizoram from Tripura will be given one-time financial assistanceof Rs 4 lakh to be kept as fixed deposit in name of head of family. This cash assistance will be tobe provided only after three years of uninterrupted stay in Mizoram.

� The agreement also provides for free ration for two years and a monthly assistance of Rs 5,000for each family.

� The agreement covers 5,407 Bru families (32876 persons) presently staying in temporary campsin Tripura to repatriate them to Mizoram before September 30, 2018.

� Moreover, house building assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh will be also disbursed to these families inthree installments.

� Identity documents such as ration cards and Aadhaar will be issued by Tripura government.



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Relaxed Provisions

� The relaxation in few terms of agreement comes after leaders of MBDPF who had signedagreement were forced to pull out of deal after signing it due to strong protests by Bru community inTripura against certain terms of the deal.

� The period of stay for cash assistance of Rs 4 lakh for Bru refugees will be relaxed from threeyears to two (or even one and half years). They can withdraw 90% of the Rs 4 lakh assistance asbank loan immediately after their return.

� Moreover, conditions in place for financial assistance may be also relaxed.

� The building assistance will be in single or two installments. On relocation, at least 50 refugeeswill be settled in each village.

About the Bru community:

� The Brus, also referred to as the Reangs, are spread across the northeastern states of Tripura,Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram.

Background:

� A bout of ethnic violence forced thousands of people from the Bru tribe to leave their homes inMizoram. As many as 32,876 people belonging to 5,407 families are living in the refugee campsin the Jampui Hills of Tripura.

� The displaced Bru people from Mizoram have been living in various camps in Tripura since1997. In 1997, the murder of a Mizo forest guard at the Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram’sMamit district allegedly by Bru militants led to a violent backlash against the community, forcingseveral thousand people to flee to neighbouring Tripura.

� The Bru militancy was a reactionary movement against Mizo nationalist groups who haddemanded in the mid-1990s that the Brus be left out of the state’s electoral rolls, contendingthat the tribe was not indigenous to Mizoram.

Source: The Hindu

Pune gets first spot in Ease of Living Index

Why in news?

qqqqq Pune ranked first on the Ease of Living Index launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban

Affairs (MoHUA).

About the index:

Objective:

� The index has been developed to allow city managers to get a grip on the city’s baseline andcompare its performance across key indicators.

� The index aims to help cities attain liveable city status, get them more investments and improvetourism.

� It also seeks to serve as knowledge base for taking policy decisions and for planning.

� It also marks shift to data driven approach to urbanisation and promote competitive spirit among cities.

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Focus areas:

� It covers 111 cities that are smart city contenders, capital cities and cities with population of 1

million plus.

Parameters:

µ It captures quality of life based on data collected from urban local bodies on four parameters,

which were further broken down into 15 categories. The four parameters include:

1. Institutional (governance)

2. Social (identity, education, health, security)

3. Economic (economy, employment)

4. Physical factors (waste water and solid waste management, pollution, housing/ inclusiveness,

mixed land use, power and water supply, transport, public open spaces)

Weightage:

µ Institutional and social parameters carry 25 points each, physical factors have weightage of 45

points and economic factors 5 points totalling to 100 mark scale on which cities were evaluated.

Highlights of the index:

Top five cities:

1. Pune

2. Navi Mumbai

3. Greater Mumbai

4. Tirupati

5. Chandigarh

Other cities:

� Among other major cities, Chennai holds 14th rank, Ahmedabad 23rd, Hyderabad 27th, and

Bengaluru 58th.

� Rampur in Uttar Pradesh has ranked the worst on the scale with Kohima and Patna on the bottom

two and three ranks while Varanasi stands at 33.

� Kolkata is excluded from the index as West Bengal Government had refused to participate in rankings.

Source: Indian Express, Economic Times



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Cabinet approves continuation and revision of PMS-OBC

Why in news?

µµµµµ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra

Modi has given its approval for continuation and revision of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme

of “Post Matric Scholarship for Other Backward Classes Students for studying in India” (PMS-

OBC) till 2020.

About PMS-OBC:

� PMS-OBC is flagship scheme of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, in operation

since 1998-99.

� It fully centrally sponsored scheme that aims to provide financial assistance to OBC students

studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.

� It enables approximately 40 lakh OBC students to pursue higher study after class X per year.

The revised PMS-OBC:

� The revised scheme will cover larger numbers of eligible and deserving poor OBC students

who will be able to pursue higher studies

� It will ensure effective implementation, achieve de-duplication and enhanced monitoring.

The revision in the PMS-OBC scheme to ensure effective implementation and better

monitoring of the schemes includes:

� Annual parental income will be increased from Rs. One Lakh to Rs. 1.5 lakh.

� 30% of the funds allocated earmarked for girl students and 5% for students with disabilities.

� Disbursement of scholarships through Aadhaar seeded bank accounts.

� Since the Scheme is funds-limited, central assistance shall be released according to the Notional

Allocation. The concept of Committed Liability shall not apply to States/UTs for releases.

Source: PIB

q WCD to move bill to widen Indecent Representation of Women

(Prohibition) Act scope

Why in news?

� Keeping in mind the recent technological advancement in the field of communications such as

social media platforms, over the top services etc.,

� The Women and Child Development Ministry (WCD) has decided to move a fresh bill to broaden

the scope of the Indecent Representation of the Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 to cover audio-

visual media and content in electronic form.

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About Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act (IRWA), 1986:

µ The Government of India has enacted the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act

(IRWA), 1986 to prohibit indecent representation of women through advertisements, publications,

writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner.

Need to broaden the scope of the bill:

� Since the enactment of the Act, technological revolution has resulted in the development of new

forms of communication, such as internet, multi-media messaging, cable television, over-the-top

(OTT) services and applications e.g. Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, Chat On, Snapchat, Instagram etc.

� Keeping in mind these technological advancements, it has been decided to widen the scope of the

law so as to cover such forms of media on one hand and to strengthen the existing safeguards to

prevent indecent representation of women through any media form on the other.

The reformulated Bill proposes following amendments in the parent Act:

� Amendment in definition of term advertisement to include digital form or electronic form or

hoardings, or through SMS, MMS etc.

� Amendment in definition of distribution to include publication, license or uploading using

computer resource, or communication device or in.

� Insertion of a new definition to define the term publish.

� Amendment in section 4 to include that No person shall publish or distribute or cause to be

published or cause to be distributed by any means any material which contains indecent

representation of women in any form.

� Penalty similar to that provided under the Information Technology Act, 2000

� Creation of a Centralised Authority under the aegis of National Commission of Women (NCW).

� This Authority will be headed by Member Secretary, NCW, having representatives from Advertising

Standards Council of India, Press Council of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

and one member having experience of working on women issues.

� This Centralised Authority will be authorized to receive complaints or grievances regarding any

programme or advertisement broadcasted or publication and investigate/ examine all matters

relating to the indecent representation of women.

Source: PIB

q PENCIL online portal for effective enforcement of the Child Labour Act and

NCLP Scheme

Why in news?

� As per Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government is following a multi-pronged strategy

for elimination of child labour.

� To ensure effective enforcement of the provisions of the Child Labour Act and smooth

implementation of the NCLP Scheme a separate online portal PENCIL (Platform for Effective

Enforcement for No Child Labour) has been launched in September 2017.



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What is PENCIL portal?

� The PENCIL portal is an electronic platform that aims at involving Centre, State, District,

Governments, civil society and general public in achieving the target of child labour free society.

� PENCIL portal has five components — Child Tracking System, Complaint Corner, State

Government, National Child Labour Project and Convergence.

Key facts:

� Each district will nominate District Nodal Officers (DNOs) who will receive the complaints.

� Within 48 hours of receiving complaints, DNOs will check genuineness of complaint and take

rescue measures in coordination with police, if complaint is genuine.

� So far, 7 states have appointed DNOs.

About National Child Labour Project (NCLP):

� NCLP is central sector scheme launched in 1988 for rehabilitation of child labour.

� Under it, special schools/rehabilitation centres for rehabilitation of child laborers are opened so

that they can be mainstreamed into formal schooling system.

� These centres also provide non-formal education, vocational training, supplementary nutrition

and stipend to children withdrawn from employment.

Revised NCPL:

� NCLP has been revised expanded and aligned to the new legislative provisions.

� The legislative changes have been accompanied by creation of additional institutional

mechanisms at the district, state and national level for identification and rescue, along with

revamping the rehabilitation scheme and a centralized database for case to case monitoring and

accountability.

Source: PIB

Delhi High Court decriminalises begging in the national capital

Why in news?

µ The Delhi High Court has ruled that begging will no longer be a criminal offence in the

national capital.

µ The court has struck down provisions of the 59-year-old Act– Bombay Prevention of Begging

Act-that criminalises begging.

Background:

� The act of begging in the national Capital was made a criminal offence after the Bombay

Prevention of Begging Act, 1959, was extended to Delhi by a Central government

amendment in 1960.

� The law prescribes a penalty of three years of detention in beggar homes in case of first conviction

for begging and the person can be ordered to be detained for 10 years in subsequent conviction.

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� At present, there is no central law on begging and destitution but most states have adopted

the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.

� In India, 20 States and two Union Territories have either enacted their own legislations or adopted

the legislations enacted by other States.

Key observations made by the court:

� Begging is not a choice but the compulsion for people who have no other means to survive.

People beg on the streets not because they wish to, but because they need to.

� Begging is a symptom of a disease, of the fact that the person has fallen through the socially

created net.

� There can be no cavil that the above are the basic and primary needs of every human being. It

remains a hard reality that the State has not been able to ensure even the bare essentials of the

right to life to all its citizens, even in Delhi.

� Begging was a direct result of the government’s failure. The government has the mandate to

provide social security for everyone, to ensure that all citizens have basic facilities, and the

presence of beggars is evidence that the state has not managed to provide these to all its citizens.

Arresting beggars:

� The Central government had in November last year said that begging should not be a crime if it

is done because of poverty. It, however, had sought to protect the provision in the law that allows

police to arrest a beggar without a warrant.

� The Centre had argued that it was necessary to detain a person in order to ascertain whether the

person was begging out of poverty or has been forced into begging.

� The Bench remarked that this explanation violated the rights of such persons accorded under

Article 21 of the Constitution of India. It said that the act of lodging and detaining beggars in

beggar homes was an exercise in “futility” and wastage of public funds.

Is the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 struck down?

� The court made it clear that the provisions of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959,

which do not directly or indirectly criminalise begging or relate to the offence of begging, are not

required to be struck down and are maintained.

� The court declared 25 different sections of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act as

“unconstitutional” and struck them down.

Source: Indian Express



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SC to constitute panel to look into issues in jails across country

Why in news?

q The Supreme Court said that it would constitute a committee under the chairmanship of its

retired judge to look into the problems in jails.

About the proposed committee:

� The apex court stated that besides a retired SC judge as its Chairperson, the committee for

prison reforms will comprise two or three officials from the Union Government.

� The committee’s duties will include looking into the problems of jails across the country including

overcrowding and women prisoners languishing in cells for years.

� After studying the problems, the committee would be required to suggest measures to deal with them.

Background:

� The apex court had expressed its displeasure that several states had not yet appointed the board

of visitors who regularly inspect prisons to ensure that they are being run in accordance with the rules.

� The current observance comes, as the court is hearing a matter relating to inhuman conditions

prevailing in 1,382 prisons across the country.

� The court had earlier taken strong exception to overcrowded jails across the country and said

prisoners also have human rights and cannot be kept in jail like ‘animals’.

� The apex court had also earlier passed a slew of directions over unnatural deaths in jails and on

prison reforms across India.

Problem of Overcrowding prisons:

� Overcrowding is one of the biggest problems faced by prison inmates.

� It results in poor hygiene and lack of sleep among other problems.

� More than 65% of the under trials spend three months to five years in jail before getting bail.

� A fourth of all the under trials have been under detention for more than a year.

Who manages prisons in state?

� As per the seventh schedule of the constitution, the management of prisons falls exclusively

under the domain of the state government.

� In every state, the prison administrative machinery works under the chief of prisons who is a

senior ranking IPS officer.

Source: Times of India

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q NITI Aayog indentified 117 districts as Aspirational Districts for RUSA Scheme

Why in news?

µ NITI Aayog has identified 117 districts as ‘Aspirational Districts’ for Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha

Abhiyan (RUSA).

Highlights

� These districts have been selected on the basis of the composite index which includes published

data of deprivation enumerated under Socio-Economic Caste Census, Health & Nutrition,

Education and Basic Infrastructure.

� Under the scheme, central assistance is provided for opening of new Model Degree Colleges

(MDCs) in these districts and in unserved & underserved districts in North Eastern and Himalayan States.

� The central support provided under the component of new MDCs is infrastructural in nature in

which funds are released for creation of Colleges with requisite infrastructure such as appropriate

number of class rooms, library, laboratory, faculty rooms, toilet blocks and other essential

requirements for technologically advanced facilities.

� Under this component, a commitment is given by the State Governments that all recurring

expenditure (including salaries) in respect of the MDC being established, will be borne by the

respective State Government. Additionally, under a separate component of RUSA viz., Faculty

Recruitment Support, central support is provided for creation of additional posts of Assistant

Professors.

What is RUSA?

µ Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), launched

in 2013 aims at providing strategic funding to eligible state higher educational institutions.

What are the objectives of RUSA?

� Improve the overall quality of state institutions by ensuring conformity to prescribed norms and

standards and adopt accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework.

� Usher transformative reforms in the state higher education system by creating a facilitating

institutional structure for planning and monitoring at the state level, promoting autonomy in

State Universities and improving governance in institutions.

� Ensure reforms in the affiliation, academic and examination systems.

� Ensure adequate availability of quality faculty in all higher educational institutions and ensure

capacity building at all levels of employment.

� Create an enabling atmosphere in the higher educational institutions to devote themselves to

research and innovations.

� Expand the institutional base by creating additional capacity in existing institutions and

establishing new institutions, in order to achieve enrolment targets.



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� Correct regional imbalances in access to higher education by setting up institutions in unserved &

underserved areas.

� Improve equity in higher education by providing adequate opportunities of higher education to

SC/STs and socially and educationally backward classes; promote inclusion of women,

minorities, and differently abled persons.

Funding process of the RUSA:

� The central funding (in the ratio of 60:40 for general category States, 90:10 for special category

states and 100% for union territories) would be norm based and outcome dependent.

� The funding would flow from the central ministry through the state governments/union territories

to the State Higher Education Councils before reaching the identified institutions.

� The funding to states would be made on the basis of critical appraisal of State Higher Education

Plans, which would describe each state’s strategy to address issues of equity, access and excellence

in higher education.

Source: PIB

Government launches the scheme – ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’

Why in news?

� Union Ministry of Culture has launched the new scheme namely ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’ with a total

outlay of Rs. 325.00 Crores for Financial Years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

� The new scheme will provide financial assistance on purchase of specific food items by Charitable

Religious Institutions (CRIs) for free distribution among people.

� Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Interstate

GST charged on raw food materials purchased by the religious institutions will be refunded.

About ‘Seva Bhoj Yojna’:

� The scheme seeks to reimburse the central government’s share of Central Goods and Services

Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) on purchase of raw items such as

ghee, edible oil, atta, maida, rava, flour, rice pulses, sugar and jaggery, which go into preparation

of food/prasad/langar/bhandara offered free of cost by religious institutions.

� The main objective of the scheme is to lessen the financial burden of such charitable religious

institutions, which provide free of cost without any discrimination to the general public and devotees.

Beneficiaries:

� The charitable religious institutions including temples, gurudwara, mosque, church, dharmik

ashram, dargah, monasteries, which fulfill the following criteria are eligible for the grant:

� The institutions that have been in existence for at least five years before applying for financial

assistance/grant.

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� The institutions that serve free food to at least 5000 people in a month.

� The institutions covered under Section 10 (23BBA) of the Income Tax Act or those registered as

Society under Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1860) or as a Public Trust under any law for the

time being in force of statuary religious bodies constituted under any Act or institutions registered

under Section 12AA of Income Tax Act.

Selection criteria:

� All eligible religious and charitable institutions first must register with Darpan portal of NITI

Aayog and get Unique ID generated by it.

� Thereafter, they shall enroll themselves in CSMS Portal on the Ministry of Culture’s website in

prescribed format. The applications will be examined by committee constituted for purpose.

� On basis of recommendation of committee, competent authority in Ministry of Culture will register

these institutions for reimbursing claim of CGST and Central Government share of IGST paid on

mentioned specific items.

Source: PIB




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Polity & Governance, Social Justice, Social Development

Cabinet clears Bill to restore the provisions of SC/ST Act

Why in news?

µ The Centre has decided to introduce a Bill to restore the original provisions of the Scheduled

Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which the Supreme Court

had struck down in a March ruling.

What is the issue?

� On March 20, the Supreme Court issued a slew of guidelines to protect people against arbitrary

arrests under the Act, directing that public servants could be arrested only with the written

permission of their appointing authority, while in the case of private employees, the Senior

Superintendent of Police concerned should allow it.

� The court ruled that a preliminary inquiry should be conducted before the FIR was registered to

check if the case fell within the ambit of the Act, and whether it was frivolous or motivated.

� The ruling was greeted by a storm of protest from Dalit groups, which said the order diluted the

law. However, the court refused to stay its ruling, leading to the demand from Dalit groups that

the government introduce an ordinance or an Amendment Bill to restore the provisions.

Three new clauses:

The Amendment Bill seeks to insert three new clauses after Section 18 of the original Act.

1. The first stipulates that for the purposes of the Act, “preliminary enquiry shall not be required

for registration of a First Information Report against any person.”

2. The second stipulates that the arrest of a person accused of having committed an offence under

the Act would not require any approval.

3. The third says that the provisions of Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure — which

deals with anticipatory bail — shall not apply to a case under this Act, “notwithstanding any

judgment or order of any Court.”

About Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act:

� The Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act is popularly known as POA,

the SC/ST Act, the Prevention of Atrocities Act, or simply the Atrocities Act.

� The SC/ST Act was enacted on September 9, 1989. The rules for the Act were notified on

March 31, 1995.

� The prime objective of the SC/ST Act is to deliver justice to marginalised through proactive

efforts, giving them a life of dignity, self-esteem and a life without fear, violence or suppression

from the dominant castes.

� The SC/ST Act lists 22 offences relating to various patterns or behaviours inflicting criminal

offences and breaking the self-respect and esteem of the scheduled castes and tribes community.

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� This includes denial of economic, democratic and social rights, discrimination, exploitation andabuse of the legal process.

� According to the SC/ST Act, the protection is provided from social disabilities such as denial ofaccess to certain places and to use customary passage, personal atrocities like forceful drinkingor eating of inedible food sexual exploitation, injury etc, and atrocities affecting properties,malicious prosecution, political disabilities and economic exploitation.

� For speedy trial, Section 14 of the SC/ST Act provides for a Court of Session to be a SpecialCourt to try offences under this Act in each district.

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB

Challenges Related to Simultaneous Elections

Why in news?

µ Organising simultaneous polls for “Lok sabha and state assemblies” is an ambitious task envisionedby the election commission.

Challenges in organising simultaneous elections

� The CEC recently ruled out the possibility of holding elections to the Lok Sabha this Decemberalong with polls to the Assemblies of four States.

� In addition to the constitutional amendment needed to extend or curtail assembly and parliamentaryterms, the process also is resource intensive.

� Simultaneous elections would need more number of “electronic voting machines” (EVMs) andvoter-verifiable paper audit (VVPAT) units.

� Moreover, ensuring the availability of VVPATs everywhere poses a logistical challenge, withdates for elections in 4 states approaching soon.

� Further, simultaneous elections will require the use of 24 lakh EVMs, but currently the electioncommission has only 12 lakh EVMs.

Varied opinions regarding simultaneous elections

� A wide political consensus, as well as legislative cooperation from various parties, is required forholding simultaneous elections.

� It is natural that parties that control legislatures constituted in recent months or years would resistany curtailment of their tenures.

� While those in the Opposition may prefer simultaneous polls if it means Assembly electionsbeing advanced.

� The crux of the argument in favour of the concept is that the country is perpetually in electionmode, resulting in lack of focus on governance.

� The second contention is that scattered polling results in extra expenditure, which can be effectivelyreduced through simultaneous polls.

� Hence, the ultimate question before India is whether altering legislative terms underminerepresentative democracy and federalism.

� Considering the immense challenges, it would be far more productive for political parties to

focus on basic electoral reforms to curb expenses.

Source: The Hindu



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Ongoing issues related to Art 35A and Art 370

What is the issue?

� The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the validity of Art 35A.

� The provisions need an understanding in the context of the solemn promises at the heart of the

Indian federation.

What is Art 35A?

� Art 35A was inserted as part of the amendments made through a 1954 presidential order, imposed

under Article 370.

� It empowers J&K to define a class of persons as constituting “permanent residents” of the State.

� Also, it allows the government to confer on these persons, special rights and privileges.

� These relate to matters of

i. public employment

ii. acquisition of immovable property in the State

iii. settlement in different parts of the State

iv. access to scholarships

v. other such aids that the State government might provide

µ It exempts such legislation from being annulled on the ground that they infringe on any of the

fundamental rights.

About the case

� The petition considers this immunity granted to J&K’s laws as discriminatory.

� It also claims that Art 35A could not have been introduced outside the ordinary amending

procedure prescribed under Article 368.

� It thus calls for declaring Art 35A unconstitutional.

� A three-judge Bench of the court intends to consider if Article 35A infringes the Constitution’s

basic structure.

� Based on this, it would decide if the case has to be referred to a larger bench for further

examination.

How are Art 35A and Art 370 justified?

� The law on the subject is well settled as previous Benches have already shown approval for the

1954 presidential order.

� Even otherwise, Art 35A is not amenable to a conventional basic structure challenge.

� This is because India’s Constitution establishes a form of asymmetric federalism.

� Clearly, some States enjoy greater autonomy over governance than others.

� This asymmetry is typified by Article 370.

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� In its original form, Article 370 accorded to J&K a set of special privileges.

� This includes an exemption from constitutional provisions governing other States.

� Also, under J&K’s Instrument of Accession, it restricted Parliament’s powers to legislate over

the State to three core subjects.

� These are defence, foreign affairs and communications.

� Parliament could legislate on other areas only through an express presidential order.

� This should be made with the prior concurrence of the State government.

� For subjects beyond the Instrument of Accession, the further sanction of the State’s Constituent

Assembly was also mandated.

� Finally, the Art 370 also granted the President the power to make orders declaring the provision

inoperative.

µ But, this authority could be exercised only on the prior recommendation of the State’s

Constituent Assembly.

� Even changes made to the Constitution under Article 368 will not mechanically apply to J&K.

� For such amendments to apply to the State, specific orders must be made under Article 370.

� This is only after securing the J&K government’s prior assent.

� Moreover, such amendments will also need to be ratified by the State’s Constituent Assembly.

� So evidently, Art 370 represents the only way of taking the Indian Constitution into J&K.

� Also, Article 370 is as much a part of the Constitution as Article 368, thereby to justify the

validity of Art 35A.

Source: The Hindu

q 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill to give OBC commission Constitution status

Why in news?

µ The Lok Sabha has passed the 123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill providing for a National

Commission for Backward Classes as a constitutional body.

Highlights of the Bill:

Constitutional status to NCBC:

µ The bill provides for the grant of constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward

Classes (NCBC) on par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and the National

Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

Powers of the President:

µ It states that the President may specify the socially and educationally backward classes in the

various states and union territories. He may do this in consultation with the Governor of the

concerned state.



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Functions:

µ The duties of the NCBC include investigating and monitoring how safeguards provided to the

backward classes under the Constitution and other laws are being implemented and probe specific

complaints regarding violation of rights.

Report:

µ The NCBC will be required to present annual reports to the President on working of the safeguards

for backward classes. These reports will be tabled in Parliament, and in the state legislative

assemblies of the concerned states.

Powers of a civil court:

µ Under the Constitution Amendment Bill, the NCBC will have the powers of a civil court while

investigating or inquiring into any complaints. These powers include: (i) summoning people

and examining them on oath, (ii) requiring production of any document or public record, and (iii)

receiving evidence.

Background:

µ The Supreme Court, in its final verdict in the Indira Sawhney (Mandal Commission) case, had

directed the establishment of the NCBC as a statutory body. Based on this, a law was passed in

1993 to set up the commission.

About National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC):

µ Set up in 1993, the NCBC was entrusted with examining requests for inclusion of any class of

citizens as a backward class in the lists and hear complaints of over-inclusion or under-inclusion

of any backward class in such lists and advice central government on the matter.

Source: The Hindu

Parliament passes Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018

Why in news?

� Indian Parliament passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 that proposes to enhance

punishment for rape of a child.

� The Bill replaces ordinance promulgated by President in April 2018 and amends Indian Penal

Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO)

Act and Indian Evidence Act.

Key provisions of the Bill:

� It provides for stringent punishment of jail term of minimum 20 years or life imprisonment or

death for rape of girl less than 12 years. It provides punishment with imprisonment for rest of

life or death sentence in case of gang rape of girl below 12 years.

� It increases minimum punishment from 10 years to 20 years for crime of rape of girl under 16

years, which can be extended to imprisonment for rest of life. It increases minimum punishment

for rape of women from rigorous imprisonment of 7 years to 10 years, which can be extended to

life imprisonment.

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� It provides for speedy investigation and trial, which must be completed in two months. It proposes

6 months’ time limit for disposal of appeals in rape cases. It provides dedicated manpower for

investigation of rape cases in time bound manner.

� It provides no provision for anticipatory bail for person accused of rape or gang rape of girl under

16 years. It has also been provided that court has to give notice of 15 days to Public Prosecutor

and representative of victim before deciding bail applications in case of rape of a girl under 16

years of age.

� It has provision for maintaining national database and profile of sexual offenders by National

Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). This data will be regularly shared with States/UTs for monitoring,

tracking and investigation including verification of antecedents by police.

Source: PIB, The Hindu

Final Verdict of Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal Comes

Why in news?

µµµµµ The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal which has been hearing the tussle over sharing of the

Mahadayi or Mandovi river between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra, has delivered its final verdict.

What’s the final verdict?

� The tribunal has allowed Karnataka access to 13.4 tmc of water for its consumptive use (5.4 tmc)

and power generation (8.02 tmc).

� The share of Goa was pegged at 24 tmc with the Tribunal allowing it for the state’s municipal

water needs, irrigation water requirements and industrial water demands.

� Maharashtra got the lowest share of 1.33 tmc for meeting its in-basin needs with respect to five projects.

� The tribunal also directed the Centre to set up the Mahadayi Water Management Authority to

implement its report and final decision.

What is the dispute?

� The Mahadayi (called Mandovi in Goa) originates in Karnataka and flows to Goa and

Maharashtra. The three states are locked in a protracted dispute over sharing its water for the

last 30 years. Attempts at negotiations among the states were initiated by the central government

way back in 1985.

� In order to divert 7.56 tmcft of water to the Malaprabha river basin, Karnataka government

proposed to build canals to link Kalasa and Banduri, the tributaries of Mahadayi.

� However, objecting the move, Goa government argued that if Karnataka implemented the Kalasa-

Banduri project, it would prove disastrous for the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats as the

proposed project was deep inside the forest.

� Karnataka had petitioned the tribunal seeking release of 7.56 tmcft of water for Kalasa-Banduri

Nala project.

� The tribunal, which gave its interim order after hearing arguments from both Karnataka and Goa,

had rejected the state’s plea citing various grounds including ecological damage that the project

may cause.



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Timelines:

� Kalasa-Banduri project planned in 1989; Goa raised objection to it.

� Goa filed a complaint seeking setting up of a tribunal in July 2002.

� The Ministry of Water Resources kept the clearance given to Karnataka in abeyance in September 2002.

� Goa moved the Supreme Court in 2006 seeking constitution of a tribunal, withdrawing approval

for any work in the basin.

� The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was set up in 2010.

About Mahadayi river:

� The Mahadayi River also known as Mandovi or Mhadei river, is described as the lifeline of the

Indian state of Goa.

� The river has a length of 77 km, 29 km in Karnataka and 52 km in Goa.

� It originatesfrom a cluster of 30 springs at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats in the Belgaum

district of Karnataka.

� The river has a 2,032 km2 catchment area in Karnataka and a 1,580 km2 catchment area in Goa.

� Mahadayi (Mandovi) is a water deficit basin and water diversion could impact the environment.

About Kalasa-Banduri Nala project

� The Kalasa-Banduri Nala is a canal project undertaken by the Government of Karnataka to

divert water from the Mahadayi river to the Malaprabha.

� The project aimed to improve drinking water supply to the Districts of Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag.

� It involves building across Kalasa and Banduri, two tributaries of the Mahadayi river to divert

7.56 TMC of water to the Malaprabha river, which supplies the drinking water needs of the said

3 districts, i.e., Dharwad, Belagavi and Gadag.

� The region is part of Karnataka’s arid area, which is second only to Rajasthan in water scarcity.

� The project has been delayed for over a decade during which the state has seen two of the worst

droughts in 40 years.

Source: The Hindu, Economic Times

Lok Sabha Passes Bill to Allow Proxy Voting for NRIs

Why in news?

� Lok Sabha has passed Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by voice vote to

extend the facility of ‘proxy voting’ to overseas Indians, on the lines of service voters.

� The Bill seeks to amend Representation of People Act (RPA), 1950 and Representation of People

Act (RPA), 1951 to allow for proxy voting and make certain provisions of these Acts gender-neutral.

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Highlights of the Bill:

� The Bill proposes to allow non-resident Indians (NRIs) to emerge as a decisive force in the

country’s electoral politics on their own terms.

� The amendment paves the way to remove an “unreasonable restriction” posed by Section 20A of

the Representation of the People Act, which requires overseas electors to be physically present in

their electoral constituencies to cast their votes.

� The Bill replaces the term ‘wife’ with ‘spouse’ in both Acts. It replaces wife with spouse of a

person holding service qualification to vote. It amends RPA, 1951 to permit overseas voter to

cast their vote in person or by proxy in constituency where elections are being conducted.

Reasons for passage of this bill:

� Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act provides for registration and inclusion of

overseas electors in the electoral rolls.

� Additionally, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 provide for overseas electors to register

themselves in the electoral rolls of their respective constituencies on the basis of self-attested

copies of their passport and valid visa, and exercise their franchise in person on production of the

original passport at the time of voting at the specified polling booth.

� Thus, the rules demand for the physical presence of overseas electors in their respective polling

stations in India on the day of polling. This causes hardship to the overseas electors.

� This amendment proposes facilitating an external mode of voting, that is, voting by proxy, whereby

such electors can exercise their franchise from their places of residence abroad.

Significance of this move:

� If the Bill is passed, overseas voters can appoint a proxy to cast their votes on their behalf,

subject to certain conditions to be laid down in the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. This would

considerably mitigate the difficulties presently faced by overseas electors in exercising their franchise.

� The government’s decision to allow NRIs to vote from overseas could emerge as a decisive force

in the country’s electoral politics as there are 114 countries that conduct such voting.

What is Section 20A of the Representation of the People Act?

� Section 20A lays down the special provisions for citizens of India residing outside India. They

are as follows:

Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, every citizen of India —

� whose name is not included in the electoral roll;

� who has not acquired the citizenship of any other country; and

� who is absenting from his place of ordinary residence in India owing to his employment, education

or otherwise outside India (whether temporarily or not), shall be entitled to have his name registered

in the electoral roll in the constituency in which his place of residence in India as mentioned in

his passport is located.



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What is voting by proxy?

� According to the provisions of ‘Representation of the People Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017

overseas Indians, who are entitled to vote in India, can appoint a proxy voter to cast their votes

on their behalf.

� Also, the overseas Indians would be allowed to use the option of proxy, which till now was only

available to service personnel.

Need for Proxy Voting:

� Currently, Indian voters residing abroad can only cast their votes in their respective constituencies

where they are registered.

� This regulation is seen as restrictive as only a few thousand Indians living overseas have registered

themselves as voters (maximum from Kerala).

� Of these, barely anyone has travelled to the country to exercise his or her franchise during the elections.

Arguments against proxy voting:

� The fundamental right to equality is the prime argument. How can we give special privilege of

distance voting to some people who have migrated abroad when there are many times more

domestic migrants who also seek to have a voting right at their homes? It is patently discriminatory.

� There are strict regulations including the model code for campaigning. Bribery and inducements

of voters are strictly kept in check. These are impossible to implement abroad.

� There can be no guarantee of NRI voters exercising their vote in a free and fair manner as there

can be no check on coercion or inducements by the employers and supervisors. Remember, a

majority of foreign migrants are poor workers often at the mercy of their employers who even

take their passports into custody.

� There is no guarantee that votes would not be sold to the so called proxy. Nor is it certain that the

proxy will vote as per the wishes of the main voter. Secrecy of vote of course goes out of the window.

Implications:

� According to rough estimates, there are about 1 crore Indians settled abroad, of which 60 lakh

may be within eligible voting age.

� By granting them proxy voting rights, NRIs will be able to exercise franchise during elections

and also need not to spend foreign currency to come to India during elections.

� This decision will also enable NRIS and overseas Indian to considerably sway in election results,

especially in states such as Punjab, Kerala and Gujarat where a number of expats hail from.

Source: The Hindu

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New Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

Why in news?

�� JDU’s Harivansh Narayan Singh was elected as the new deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

� The post of the deputy chairman was lying vacant since June 2018 following the retirement of PJ

Kurien, a Congress MP from Kerala.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman – presiding officers of Rajya Sabha

� The Presiding Officers of Rajya Sabha have the responsibility to conduct the proceedings of the House.

� The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

� Rajya Sabha also chooses from amongst its members, a Deputy Chairman.

� There is also a Panel of Vice-Chairmen in Rajya Sabha, the members of which are nominated by

the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. In the absence of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, a member

from the Panel of Vice-Chairmen presides over the proceedings of the House.

Election of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

� The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha is elected by the Rajya Sabha members from amongst themselves.

� Whenever the office of the Deputy Chairman falls vacant, the Rajya Sabha members would elect

another member to fill the vacancy.

Key facts about Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha:

� Deputy Chairman is not subordinate to the Chairman and he is directly responsible to the Rajya Sabha.

� To remain in office, the Deputy Chairman needs to remain a member of Rajya Sabha. He needs to

vacate the seat if he loses the Rajya Sabha membership for whatsoever reasons.

� He can resign from the office by giving in writing to the Vice-President.

� He can also be removed by a resolution by Rajya Sabha members passed by absolute majority

{majority of full membership of house}. When such resolution is under consideration, Deputy

Chairman cannot preside over a sitting of the House, but he may be present and participate in proceedings.

� The Deputy Chairman, like the Chairman, is also entitled to a regular salary and allowance. They

are fixed by Parliament and are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

Powers and functions of Deputy Chairman:

� The Deputy Chairman, like the Chairman, while presiding over the House, cannot vote in the

first instance; he can only exercise a casting vote in the case of a tie.

� When the Chairman presides over the House, the Deputy Chairman is like any other ordinary

member of the House.

� He can speak in the House, participate in its proceedings and vote on any question before the House.

Source: The Hindu, Wiki



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Uttarakhand high court appoints itself legal guardian of cows in state

Why in news?

�� Invoking the parens patriae doctrine, the Uttarakhand high court has appointed itself as the

legal guardian of cows in the state.

� The court did so for “the welfare of cows and other stray cattle in Uttarakhand.

� This is the first time in India that a court has had invoked the ‘parens patriae’ doctrine for cow protection.

What does this mean?

� The court can now act as the legal guardian of the cows in the state and keep a tab on all issues

related to cows especially its directions with regard to their protection.

� If there are any violations in laws and rules regarding cows, the court can take suo moto cognisance

and issue directions to the state.

What is parens patriae doctrine?

µ Parens patriae in Latin means ‘parent of the country’ and is a doctrine that grants the court

inherent power and authority to act as guardian for those who are unable to take care for

themselves.

Background:

� The judgment came as a response to a public interest litigation claiming that stray cattle were

being slaughtered and waste from a slaughter house was flowing into water bodies, posing a

health threat to the villagers.

� The court cited animal welfare law, national and international documents and Hindu religious

texts to say that animal welfare was part of “moral development of humanity”.

Key directions issued by the Court:

� All civic bodies in the state shall construct “gaushalas/gausadans” or shelters/homes for housing

cows and other stray cattle within one year.

� No commercial charges shall be levied for supplying the electricity and water connections to

gaushalas/shelters.

� The state government shall register cases against people who abandon cows and owners of

cattle found on the streets, roads and public places under the Indian Penal Code, Prevention of

Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and Uttarakhand Protection of Cow Progeny Act, 2007.

� The state government shall also set up a special squad to be headed by an officer not below the

rank of deputy superintendent of police in both the Kumaon and Garhwal regions with one

veterinary doctor to protect cows.

� The court banned slaughter of cows, bulls, bullocks, heifers or calves in the state and ruled that

no person shall sell beef or beef products in any form in Uttarakhand.

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Background

� On July 4, the Uttarakhand high court declared entire the animal kingdom a legal entity with the

rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.

� In 2017, the same court recognized the Ganga as a living entity and entitled to the same rights asother living entities. The Supreme Court subsequently overturned that order.

Source: The Hindu, Indian Express

qqqqq Disclosure of compliance under the Sexual Harassment of Women at

Workplace Act

Why in news?

µµµµµ Private companies will soon have to disclose their compliance with the Sexual Harassment of

Women at Workplace Act in their annual reports.

Key Facts

� It is a major step towards making the workplace safe for women in the private sector.

� The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has amended the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, to makeit part of the mandatory non-financial disclosures in annual reports of private companies under

Section 134 of the legislation wherein non-disclosure attracts penal provisions.

qqqqq About the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition

and Redressal) Act, 2013:

� The Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition andRedressal) Act, 2013, focuses on prevention of sexual harassment at workplace and provides a

redressal mechanism.

� The Act upholds women’s fundamental rights to equality, right to live with dignity and right topractice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business which includes a right to

a safe working environment, free from sexual harassment as provided under Article 19 (1) (g) of

the Indian Constitution.

� In order to further mainstream the issue and to help organizations to standardize their response

mechanisms, Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD), Government of India has

recently published a Handbook on the Act. The booklet has been sent to all Central GovernmentMinistries/Departments, State Governments and Business Chambers for use as ready reckoner.

� The Ministries/ Departments in Government of India have been advised by WCD Ministry to

ensure the compliance of the Act. Trade chambers have also been requested to ensure effectiveimplementation of the Act amongst their members in private sector entities.

� The above mentioned Act covers all women, irrespective of their age or employment status andprotect them against sexual harassment at all workplaces both in public and private sector, whether

organized or unorganized. The domestic workers are also included under the ambit of the Act.

� The Act defines “sexual harassment at the workplace” in a comprehensive manner and casts anobligation upon all the organizations (whether private or public sector) having 10 or more workers

to constitute Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) for receiving complaints of sexual harassment.



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� A complaint of sexual harassment can be filed within a time limit of 3 months which can be

extended in certain situations.

� Employers are required to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals

for sensitizing the employees about the legislation and display notices regarding the constitution

of Internal Committee and penal consequences of sexual harassment etc.

� Section 26(1) of the Act states that an employer will be liable to a fine of Rs 50,000 in case of

violation of his duties under the Act and in case of subsequent violation, the amount of fine will

be doubled together with penalty in the form of cancellation of his licence or withdrawal or

non-renewal of the registration required for carrying out his activity.

Source: Indian Express, PIB

West Bengal government removes income ceiling for ‘Kanyashree’ scheme

Why in news?

�� West Bengal Government has announced to remove annual family income ceiling in eligibility

criteria to be beneficiary under state’s UN award winning Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme.

� The state government would also be coming up with a “Kanyashree University” for girls soon.

What was the income ceiling for this scheme?

� Currently, girls who belong to families with annual family income not more than Rs 1.20 lakh

is entitled to get the benefits.

Background:

� In June 2017, the West Bengal Government’s Kanyashree Prakalpa was awarded the first prize

in United Nations Public Service Award for Asia Pacific.

About Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme:

� Kanyashree Prakalpa is a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in

schools and other educational and skill development institutions and preventing child marriage.

� The scheme is being implemented through 16000 institutes and schools.

Beneficiaries:

� All girl children within age of 13 to 19 in the state.

� Girls regularly attending institutions for education or vocational or sports training.

� Girls of Child Care Institutes registered under Juvenile Justice Act (JJ), 2000 within age of 18-

19 years.

About the United Nations Public Service Awards:

� The United Nations Public Service Awards is the most prestigious international recognition of

excellence in public service.

� It rewards the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions that lead to

a more effective and responsive public administration in countries worldwide.

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� The award highlights the pivotal role of public services in the implementation of the Sustainable

Development Goals.

� Through an annual competition, the UN Public Service Awards promotes the role, professionalism

and visibility of public service.

Source: The Hindu

Cabinet approves amendments in instant triple talaq bill

Why in news?

�� The Union Cabinet has approved a few amendments in the instant triple talaq bill.

� The amended triple talaq bill will be tabled in Rajya Sabha for its approval.

Background:

� In August 2017, the Supreme Court struck down triple talaq, calling the Islamic practice

unconstitutional.

� Later, the draft bill, officially called Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill

2017, was passed by the LoK Sabha in December 2017. The bill makes instant triple talaq a

criminal offence.

What is instant triple talaq?

� Among Muslims, marriage is treated as a social contract and the Muslim Sharia (Islamic Law)

provides the ways to terminate marriage in the form talaq.

� There are three forms of talaq (divorce) in Islam: Ahsan, Hasan and Talaq-e-Biddat (triple or

instant talaq).

� Ahsan and Hasan are revocable but Biddat is irrevocable. Biddat is considered sinful but is

permissible in Islamic law. It has been banned in more than 20 Muslim countries, including

Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Provisions of the original bill passed by the Lok Sabha:

� The bill says that “any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either

spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and illegal.”

� It makes instant triple talaq or talaq-e-biddat illegal and void, be it in any form- spoken form, in

writing or by electronic means such as email, SMS and WhatsApp or in any other manner whatsoever.

� It defines ‘talaq’ as ‘talaq-e-biddat’ pronounced by a Muslim man resulting in instant and

irrevocable divorce. Talaq-e-biddat refers to the practice under Muslim personal laws where

pronouncement of the word ‘talaq’ thrice in one sitting by a Muslim man to his wife results in an

instant and irrevocable divorce.

� It makes declaration of talaq a cognizable and non-bailable offence. A husband declaring talaq

can be imprisoned for up to three years along with a fine.

� Any offence committed under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 will be treated as cognisable

and non-bailable.



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� It envisages entitling divorcee Muslim women for maintenance. It gives power to wife, upon

whom talaq is pronounced, to approach a magistrate seeking subsistence allowance for herself

and her minor children.

� A married Muslim woman will be entitled to custody of her minor children in the event of

pronouncement of talaq by her husband, which will be determined by the Magistrate.

� The Bill will help in ensuring gender justice and gender equality of married Muslim women and

will help them in practicing their fundamental rights of non-discrimination and empowerment.

Amendments approved by the Cabinet:

� The amendment mandates that the magistrate can decide on releasing the husband on bail only

after hearing the wife. However, the offence remains non-bailable. The government has not

struck down the three year jail penalty for the husband or the provision that only empowers a

magistrate to release the accused on bail.

� Another amendment makes it clear that the police would lodge FIR only if approached by the

victim (wife), her blood relations or people who become her relatives by virtue of her marriage.

This would settle fears that even a neighbour can file FIR as is the cases in any cognizable offence.

This would check misuse.

� The third amendment makes the offence of instant triple talaq “compoundable”. Now, a magistrate

can use his powers to settle the dispute between a husband and his wife. Under a compoundable

offence, both parties have the liberty of withdrawing the case. However, the jail term for a

Muslim man who resorts to triple talaq remains three years and only a magistrate, and not a

local police officer, can release the accused on bail.

Source: The Hindu

Lok Sabha passes Bill to help India become arbitration hub

Why in news?

� The Lok Sabha has passed Arbitration and Conciliation (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to help

India become hub for domestic and global arbitration for settling commercial disputes.

� It will amend e Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 which contains provisions to deal with

domestic and international arbitration and defines law for conducting conciliation proceedings.

Highlights of the bill:

Arbitration Council of India (ACI):

� The Bill establishes ACI as an independent body for promotion of arbitration, mediation,

conciliation and other alternative dispute redressal mechanisms.

Functions of ACI:

� It will frame policies for grading arbitral institutions and accrediting arbitrators, make policies

for establishment, operation and maintenance of uniform professional standards for all alternate

dispute redressal matters and maintain depository of arbitral judgments (awards) made in India

and abroad.

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Composition of ACI:

� It will consist of Chairperson who is either Judge of Supreme Court or Judge of High Court or

Chief Justice of High Court or eminent person with expert knowledge in conduct of arbitration.

� Its other members will include eminent arbitration practitioner, academician with experience in

arbitration and government appointees.

Appointment of arbitrators:

� Under the 1996 Act, parties were free to appoint arbitrators. In case of disagreement on an

appointment, the parties could request the Supreme Court, or the concerned High Court, or any

person or institution designated by such Court, to appoint an arbitrator.

Appointment of arbitrators:

� The Bill allows Supreme Court and High Courts to designate arbitral institutions, which parties

can approach for appointment of arbitrators.

� For international commercial arbitration, appointments will be made by institution designated by

Supreme Court.

� The institution designated by concerned High Court will make appointments for domestic

arbitration appointments.

� In case there are no arbitral institutions available, then concerned High Court Chief Justice can

maintain panel of arbitrators to perform functions of arbitral institutions.

� The application for appointment of arbitrator is required to be disposed of within 30 days.

Relaxation of time limits:

� The Bill proposed to remove time restriction for international commercial arbitrations. Earlier

under the parent Act, arbitral tribunals were required to make their award within period of 12

months for all arbitration proceedings.

Completion of written submissions:

µ The Bill requires written claim and defence to claim in arbitration proceeding should be completed

within six months of appointment of arbitrators. Currently, there is no time limit to file written

submissions before an arbitral tribunal.

Confidentiality of proceedings:

� The Bill provides that all details of arbitration proceedings will be kept confidential except for

the details of the arbitral award in certain circumstances. Disclosure of the arbitral award will

only be made where it is necessary for implementing or enforcing the award.

Source: Indian Express



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National Sports University Bill passed in Lok Sabha

Why in news?

� Lok Sabha has passed National Sports University Bill, 2018 to set up the country’s first National

Sports University in Imphal, Manipur that will provide sports education, research and coaching.

� The Bill replaces National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 promulgated by President in May

2018 to protect interests of students who already have been enrolled in National Sports University.

Highlights of the National Sports University Bill, 2017:

� The Bill establishes a National Sports University located in Manipur.

� It will promote sports education in the areas of: (i) sports sciences, (ii) sports technology, (iii)

sports management, and (iv) sports coaching.

� It will function as a national training centre for select sports disciplines.

� It may also establish campuses and study centres in other parts of the country.

� The University will be empowered to grant degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Objectives:

The key objectives of the University are:

� research, development and dissemination of knowledge in physical education and sports sciences,

� strengthening physical education and sports training programmes,

� generating knowledge capabilities, skills and competence at various levels, and

� Training talented athletes to help them to evolve into international level athletes.

Authorities of the University:

µ The Bill provides for several authorities under the University. These include: Court, Executive

Council, Academic and Activity Council, Board of Sports Studies etc.

Role the central government:

� The central government will review and inspect the functioning of the University.

� The Executive Council may take action based on the inspection report. If it fails to take action

to the satisfaction of the central government, it will have to comply with the directions issued by

the central government.

� Further, the central government may annul any proceeding of the University which is not in line

with the Act.

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Funding:

� The University will be required to maintain a fund which will be credited with the funds that it

receives from the central government, state government, and fees and money received from any

other sources (grants and gifts).

� All funds of the University will be invested as decided by the Board on the recommendation of

the Finance Committee.

Significance of setting up this university:

� Setting up of National Sports University in Manipur will result in giving an opportunity for

youth of country in general and of North Eastern States in particular for pursuing courses such as

B.PEd, MPEd, Diploma / certificate courses in coaching, physiotherapy, fitness, sports

management, sports journalism, etc.

� This university is expected to bridge gap that exists in sports environment of country in various

areas such as sports science, sports technology, high performance training.

Source: The Hindu, PIB




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International Relations, India & the World and International Affairs

US gives India Strategic Trade Authorisation-1 status

Why in news?

µµµµµ The United States has recently designated India as Strategic Trade Authorization-1 (STA-1) country.

What is Strategic Trade Authorisation (STA)?

� STA allows for license exception with regards to exports from the US.

� This type of US government authorisation allows a certain item to be exported under defined

conditions without a transaction-specific license.

� Currently there are 36 countries on STA-1 list.

� India is only South Asian country to be on the list. Till recently, India was classified as an STA-

2 country along with seven others.

� Other Asian countries designated as STA-1 are Japan and South Korea.

Items eligible for export to STA-1 nations:

� Those under control for national security,

� chemical or biological weapons,

� nuclear non-proliferation,

� regional stability,

� crime control

� The categories also include electronics, lasers and sensors, information security, computers and

electronics, navigation, telecommunications, aerospace, etc.

How will this status benefit India?

� STA-1 provides India with greater supply chain efficiency, both for defence, and for other high-

tech products.

� The status eases export controls for high technology product sales to India, granting it the same

access as NATO allies — Australia, Japan and South Korea.

� India’s inclusion is beneficial mostly for the purposes of increasing the speed of sale of high-tech

defence and non-defence products that are otherwise subjected to strict controls and licensing.

� Now, India can get easy access to latest defence technologies, with the reduction of the number

of licenses needed for exports from the US.

� According to analysts, it is also a boost for the foundational Communications, Compatibility

and Security Agreement (COMCASA).

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Background:

� India and the United States share an interest in countering China’s expanding economic and

military weight and the United States has emerged as a top arms supplier to India, selling more

than $15 billion of weapons over the past decade as New Delhi modernizes its Soviet-era military.

� Looking at current exports from the US to India, 50% of those are eligible now under STA-1. This

can free up $2.1 billion in trade, make US exporters more competitive in the global marketplace,

and help provide India more advanced US technology.

Source: The Hindu

Australia recommences its adoption programme with India

Why in news?

µµµµµ The Government of Australia has decided to recommence the Adoption Programme with India,

as per Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption.

Significance:

µ The recommencement of the adoption programmes will now enable large number of prospective

adoptive parents including those of Indian origin settled in Australia in fulfilling their desire of

adopting a child from India.

Background:

µ The adoptions from India had earlier been put on hold by the Government of Australia eight years

ago, on the reported charges of trafficking of children for Inter-country adoption by some of the

recognized Indian placement agencies (the Adoption agencies mandated to place children in Inter-

country adoption at that point of time).

Steps taken by Indian government:

� The regulation of Inter-country adoptions has been made strict by the Government of India with

the enactment of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and notification of Adoption Regulations, 2017.

� The Ministry of Women & Child Development along with Central Adoption Resource Authority

(CARA) has been constantly monitoring the implementation of these laws.

What is the Hague Convention?

� The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Inter country

Adoption (Convention) is an international agreement to safeguard inter country adoptions.

� It protects children and their families against the risks of illegal, irregular, premature or ill-prepared

adoptions abroad.

� To do this, the Hague Convention puts (a) safeguards in place to make sure that all inter country

adoptions are in the best interests of the child and respects their human rights, (b) a system in

place of cooperation among countries to guarantee that these safeguards are respected, and to

prevent the abduction of, sale of, or traffic in children.

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