General Awareness : National Events - February, 2014

(General Awareness For Bank's Exams) National Events

February - 2014

New MGNREGS wage rate

Addressing the 9th MGNREGA Divas, the Minister said MGNREGA wage rate has already been linked to Consumer Price Index and the yearly revision follows from it. Mr. Ramesh acknowledged that there is need for parity in the MGNREGA wage rate and the minimum wage in nearly 14 States including Bihar and Jharkhand, where the rural job wage is lower than minimum wage
Minister of State for Rural Development Pradeep Jain Aditya said that MGNREGA has brought about a revolution in rural India and stopped distress migration from rural to urban areas. He noted that this year more than 3 crore 80 lakh families have benefitted so far. While Mr. Jain acknowledged that fighting corruption in its implementation is a big challenge he asserted that it is the responsibility of the State governments.

50% quota for women

Making out a strong case to formulate a National Policy and Action Plan to end violence against women, a government-appointed panel has recommended 50 per cent reservation for women in all decision-making bodies and an overhaul of the criminal justice system to ensure justice for women.
Focussing on the need to bring about major changes in the criminal justice system, the report suggests initiatives ranging from a more gender sensitive enforcement machinery to greater awareness of different legislation and their inter-connectedness, along with accountability for securing women’s rights.

Illegal migrants to be identified using Aadhaar

Months after ordering that Aadhaar cards based on unique identification number could not be linked to social welfare schemes to deprive its benefits to those without the cards, the Supreme Court looked at the flip-side and said it could be a useful tool to identify illegal migrants.
Examining the benefits of Aadhaar cards from a national security aspect, a bench of Justices B S Chauhan, J Chelameswar and M Y Eqbal said, "As on date, illegal migration to India continues unabated. By collecting personal details for Aadhaar cards, at least there can be some basis to identify an illegal migrant."

Latest evidence in Union Carbide case

Plaintiffs in the case brought against the Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) for the 1984 poison gas disaster in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, released new evidence that was said to demonstrate the company’s “direct role in designing and building the pesticide plant” in question.
The Bhopal gas tragedy, considered India’s worst industrial disaster, occurred on December 2 1984 at the UCIL pesticide plant and in its wake, many thousands of people were injured from exposure to methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals and several thousands were killed.
Evidence was submitted to the court in January in Sahu II v. UCC, a federal class-action lawsuit filed by residents of Bhopal whose land and water remain contaminated by waste from the chemical plant.
This evidence demonstrates that Union Carbide was intimately involved in every aspect of designing and building the Bhopal plant, including the waste disposal systems.

Helpline for rail passengers

With increased instances of molestation on trains, the Indian Railways has decided to launch an all-India security helpline number for passengers
The railways has informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways, which enquired into the security of women passengers in suburban trains, that the process of launching the four-digit number 1322 at a cost of Rs. 4.7 crore is on.
Although it will be managed by a professional call centre, complaints will be monitored by a DIG and four inspectors. They will be transmitted to the zones concerned for action.
The report noted an increase in the incidents of molestation of women on suburban trains. The committee chairman, T.R. Baalu, said during the members’ visit to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal, Mumbai, women complained of unauthorized entry of male passengers in reserved compartments, molestation and harassment, and snatching of chains and handbags..

Telangana Bill cleared by the Cabinet

The Union Cabinet cleared the Bill for the creation of Telangana, paving the way for its introduction in Parliament on February 11 or 12.
The key demands of Seemandhra leaders that Hyderabad be made a Union Territory and Rayala Telangana be created were rejected, putting a question mark on the fate of the Bill in Parliament.
While the Bill as sent by the Andhra Pradesh Assembly would be commended to Parliament for consideration and passage, the government would move 32 official amendments, amplifying some administrative aspects on the bifurcation of the State..

Sanitation target achieved in Sikkim

Sikkim has become the only state in the country to achieve 100 per cent sanitation in rural and urban households, schools, sanitary complexes and Aanganwadi centres.
All 6,10,577 inhabitants in Sikkim have latrines with high sanitation and hygiene standards.
The Himalayan state has constructed 98,043 individual household latrines against the target of 87,014 till January, thus achieving 112.67 per cent target under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan scheme implemented by Union Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
The state has also sensitised people to adopt a holistic approach to improve sanitation and hygiene in a clean environment while accelerating its overall development.
According to a survey conducted in 20 gram panchayats by Planning Commission, 17 village councils of Sikkim were declared as ‘best performance panchayats’, which is highest in the country. Sikkim also topped the list among all states of the country in net performance indicators.

Disabilities rights Bill

The Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, tabled in the Rajya Sabha, has evoked sharp reactions from disabilities rights activists across the country
The government had tabled, in a hurry, an older version of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha as the amendments approved by the Cabinet late could not be incorporated in the draft.
The DRA and several other organizations said Section 110 of the Bill provided that its provisions shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of any other law in force, which effectively meant tha all laws which actively discriminated against persons with disabilities remained untouched. This violated the State’s obligation under the U.N. convention to take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish laws, regulations, customs and practices that constituted such discrimination.
In this Bill, the Right of Equality is curtailed under Section 3(3), which says the right against discrimination exists ‘unless it can be shown that the impugned act or omission is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.’”
The terms “proportionate means” and “legitimate aim,” it said, are highly subjective and can perpetuate discrimination.
Further, the statement said, the UNCRPD lays down specific obligations of the State while discussing multiple discrimination faced by women with disabilities. States are obliged to take measures to ensure that they enjoy fully and equally all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

‘Unity Run’

In their biggest show of strength after statehood was formally proposed for Telangana late last year, a huge number of supporters of unified Andhra Pradesh took to the streets across the south coastal districts in the
form of a ‘Run for Samaikyandhra’ and made it clear that they were prepared to take charge of the fight against bifurcation.
Jai Samaikyandhra’ slogans reverberated in all important towns from Eluru to Nellore while the run at Vijayawada drew a number of people.
Leaders of Congress, TDP and YSR Congress came together for the cause of a unified State as people turned the heat on them against the backdrop of the urgency with which Central government carried forward the process of bifurcation.

Telangana bill in Lok Sabha

The Telangana bill will now be introduced in Lok Sabha first instead of the Rajya Sabha with the government seeking a fresh recommendation from the President after the Upper House secretariat held it is a money bill
The Rajya Sabha secretariat is of the view that since the proposed Act would involve appropriation of money out of the consolidated fund, it is a money bill as defined in the Constitution and hence has to be first introduced in Lok Sabha.
Under Article 117(1) of the Constitution, a money bill cannot be introduced in Rajya Sabha.
The President on Monday gave his nod for bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh by approving the legislation
The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet, notwithstanding rejection by the State Assembly. Under this, Telangana will comprise 10 districts and the rest of Andhra Pradesh 13 districts
Hyderabad will remain the common capital for both the States for a period not exceeding 10 years.

Pepper spray incident in the Parliament

The use of pepper spray inside the Lok Sabha by a member recently has prised open the issue of security within Parliament House, the country’s most closely guarded building.
MPs and senior government officers are exempt from frisking or checking. Even their bags and cars are not thoroughly checked.
Security arrangements in Parliament House were beefed up in anticipation of trouble over the introduction of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013, which has held up proceedings for several sessions now.
Watch-and-ward staff and security personnel were on alert and extra fire extinguishers, ambulances and blankets were kept ready in case MPs took to extreme measures. But the surprise came in the form of a pepper spray that L. Rajagopal sneaked into the House.
The incident has prompted demands from some members for screening legislators.

President’s Rule in Delhi

The Union Cabinet has approved the imposition of President’s Rule in Delhi.·
It also accepted the recommendation of Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung for keeping the Assembly under suspended animation
The President’s Rule will come into effect with the promulgation of a notification.
In his report to the Centre, Mr. Jung did not favour dissolution of the 70-member Delhi Assembly as recommended by the Council of Ministers headed by Mr. Kejriwal who decided to quit after being defeated in the Assembly over introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill.
The LG’s move keeps the option open for any political party or a combination of parties to try and form a government in future.

Right to die with dignity

The Supreme Court reserved verdict on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking the “right to die with dignity” for terminally ill patients who are likely to go into a vegetative state.
In its petition, Common Cause, a non-governmental organisation, said that when a medical expert opined that a person with a terminal disease had reached the point of no return, the patient should be given the right to refuse life-support systems. A three-judge Bench, comprising Chief Justice P. Sathasivam, Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh, reserved verdict.
Opposing the petition, Additional Solicitor-General Siddharth Luthra said doctors would be going against the Hippocratic Oath if they removed life support. The 16th Law Commission was against the proposal as it was liable to be misused in India.

Disabilities rights Bill

The Rights of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2014, tabled in the Rajya Sabha, has evoked sharp reactions from disabilities rights activists across the country.
The government had tabled, in a hurry, an older version of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha as the amendments approved by the Cabinet late could not be incorporated in the draft.
The Chennai-based Disability Rights Alliance (DRA), a conglomerate of disability rights activists, says the Bill is “regressive and retrograde,” and does not adopt the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) in its true spirit.
The DRA and several other organizations said Section 110 of the Bill provided that its provisions shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of any other law in force, which effectively meant that all laws which actively discriminated against persons with disabilities remained untouched. This violated the State’s obligation under the U.N. convention to take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to modify or abolish laws, regulations, customs and practices that constituted such discrimination.
In this Bill, the Right of Equality is curtailed under Section 3(3), which says the right against discrimination exists ‘unless it can be shown that the impugned act or omission is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.’”
The terms “proportionate means” and “legitimate aim,” it said, are highly subjective and can perpetuate discrimination.
Further, the statement said, the UNCRPD lays down specific obligations of the State while discussing multiple discrimination faced by women with disabilities. States are obliged to take measures to ensure that they enjoy fully and equally all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Legalising euthanasia in India

The Supreme Court has referred the issue of legalising euthanasia in the country to a five-judge Constitution bench, saying there has been “inconsistent” opinion in its previous verdicts on withdrawing medical support to terminally ill patients.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said that it is extremely important to have a clear enunciation of law on this issue and referred the matter to a larger Constitution bench.
The court said that the Constitution bench will go into all aspects of the issue and take a final decision on framing guidelines.The Bench also comprising justices RanjanGogoi and S K Singh passed the order on a PIL to allow a terminally ill person not to continue with artificial medical support.
The Centre had vociferously opposed the plea terming it as “suicide” which could not be allowed in the country.
The PIL filed by NGO “Common Cause” had contended that when a medical expert opines that the person afflicted with terminal disease has reached a point of no return, then he should be given the right to refuse being put on life support system as otherwise it would only prolong his agony.
The petition was filed in 2008 when the apex court had issued notices to the Union Ministry of Health and Law and sought their response on the issue.

National Lok Adalat

Taking note of pendency of a large number of cases, the District Legal Services Authority is organising a National LokAdalat at Nagpur on April 12.
The mechanism of LokAdalats available for disposal and resolution of disputes will be used to clear pending cases at the earliest by sorting out suitable ones. The National LokAdalat will be conducted at all levels right from the Supreme Court, High Courts, it benches upto the Taluka Courts.
Various cases in the courts at various levels will be taken up for disposal at the National LokAdalat including criminal compoundable cases, negotiable instrument act Cases U/S 138, motor accident claim petitions, accident information report (AIR), state transport cases and matrimonial and family courts cases.

Ennore Port is now Kamarajar Port Ltd

The youngest, third major port in Tamil Nadu at Ennore has been renamed Kamarajar Port Ltd.
The decision, which came a few days ago in the form of Union Cabinet approval, was formalised with Union Shipping Minister unveiling a plaque at a function organised by the port in the city With this Tamil Nadu has an airport and seaport named after Kamarajar Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vasan said the ruling UPA government was carrying forward various schemes conceived by the legendary Congress leader and former chief minister Kamarajar. These include the significant allocations for employment, education and mid-day meal scheme.
The port, hitherto known as Ennore Port Ltd, is in the forefront of such facilities in the country and has the potential to become the first in terms of cargo handling. It has six cargo handling berths with a total capacity of 30 million tonne per annum.

150 workdays for tribals under MGNREGA

In a bid to woo tribals ahead of LokSabha polls, the government has raised the workdays under its flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) from 100 to 150 for tribals, a move that will benefit 14 lakh families. The Union Cabinet decision will come into effect from April this year.
Those tribals who have received land rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, will be eligible for additional 50 days of wage employment under the rural job scheme. The beneficiaries would be those who have completed 100 workdays in that particular financial year. They will be given a job card of a different colour to distinguish them from other MGNREGA workers.
Around 14 lakh individual and community titles have been distributed under FRA 2006. Of these around 8 lakh individual titles have been given in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.
The additional person days through MNREGA will allow the households to undertake additional work on their own land. This is one among the several initiatives taken by the Rural Development Ministry for the uplift of the tribals.

Exhumation of 1857 martyrs

While the Union and the State governments have failed to act, the management of a gurdwara in the border town of Ajnala in Amritsar district claimed to have exhumed the remains and other articles of at least 282 persons who were executed by the British authorities for participating in the 1857 mutiny.
They now await allocation of a suitable site by the State government to carry out cremation and build a memorial for the martyrs.

Tropex war drills

The Navy has successfully completed one of its largest war drills spread over Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal region and involving its frontline assets such as INS Chakra and 75 combat and surveillance aircraft.
The Navy’s major annual exercise Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) was concluded recently involving large scale naval manoeuvres in all three dimensions surface, air and underwater, across the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
The month-long exercise was aimed at assessing the operational readiness of naval units, validate the Navy’s war fighting doctrine and integrate newly included capabilities in its ‘Concept of Operations’.
Around 60 ships and submarines along with 75 aircraft took part in this exercise, which saw participation of units from Air Force and Coast Guard.
The exercise also saw the maiden participation by the newly acquired P 8I Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft and the nuclear submarine, Chakra.
The exercise also provided the Navy with an opportunity to validate its network centric warfare capabilities, with effective utilization of its recently launched satellite GSAT-7.