Rajasthan clears 5% quota for Gujjars

 

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context:

     ★ The Rajasthan Assembly on Wednesday unanimously passed a Bill giving 5% reservation in government jobs and education to Gujjars and four other nomadic communities.

     ★ Not just the 'Gujjar quota', the Assembly also gave its nod for 10% EWS (economically weaker section) quota approved by the Centre.

     ★ Thereby taking the total reservation in Rajasthan to 64%, by breaching the 50% cap set by the Supreme Court on three different occasions in the past.

Highlights of the Bill:

     ★ The government had introduced the Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019, in the Assembly for giving reservation to Gujjars and the other castes.

     ★ The bill seeks to increase the backward classes' reservation from the present 21 percent to 26 percent with five percent reservation to Gujjars, Banjaras, Gadia Lohars, Raikas and Gadaria.

     ★ The bill also provides for increasing the income limit for defining creamy layer in OBC from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh per annum.

     ★ The Rajasthan Government requesting the Centre to put the bill titled "Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019" in Schedule IX of the Constitution to avoid judicial scrutiny.

         

Acts under 9th Schedule Immune from Judicial Review?      ★ In Coelho case, popularly known as 9th schedule case, the nine judges' bench, headed by the then Chief Justice of India Y K Sabharwal, delivered a unanimous verdict on January 11, 2007, upholding the authority of the judiciary to review any law, which destroy or damage the basic structure as indicated in fundamental rights, even if they have been put in 9th schedule.      ★ The power to grant absolute immunity at will is not compatible with the basic structure doctrine and, therefore, after April 24, 1973 the laws included in the Ninth Schedule would not have absolute immunity. The validity of such laws can be challenged on the touchstone of basic structure

Background:

     ★ Past Gujjar agitations had compelled the state government to enact an Act in 2008 and 2015 to provide special reservation to the Gujjars, who earlier got reservation under the OBC category, by carving out a special category called as special backward class.

    ★ However, the high court quashed the Acts citing the 50% ceiling on reservation.

                                                                                                                             Source:- The Hindu

Foundation stone laid for Subarnarekha port in Odisha

GS PAPER - 03 ECONOMY - Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.

Context:

     ★ Chief minister Naveen Patnaik laid foundation stone for the Subarnarekha Port to come up near Chaumukh at Subarnarekha river mouth in Balasore district.

Subarnarekha Port:

     ★ The proposed port project is located close to the integrated test range site of the defence ministry at Chandipur near Balasore.

     ★ The Union ministry of environment and forests had accorded environment clearance to the proposed port project in 2012, but it hit a roadblock with the defence ministry raising objections. However, this hurdle is over with the defence ministry giving conditional clearance

     ★ The all-weather port on the Subarnarekha river mouth on the Bay of Bengal, with 12 berths, would have an initial capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum, which is to be raised to 55 MTPA in phases.

Significance of the Port:

     ★ The port could be a major boost for the maritime activities in the state.

     ★ Subarnarekha, one of the biggest port in eastern India, will serve industries in Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and trans-border countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and others in South East Asia

                                                                                                               Source:- The Hindu

Kerala takes the lead in the fight against trans fat

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context:

     ★ In a first, the Health Department has drawn up an action plan to generate public awareness on the harmful effects of trans fatty acids (TFA) in commercially available food items and to encourage the local food industry to meet the current statutory limits set for TFA.

Trans - Fat:

    ★ The draft is expected to be finalised and released shortly.

    ★ The initiative has been launched after the Health Department’s various studies suggest that an unhealthy diet with a high TFA content is a significant factor that pushes up metabolic syndrome and the burden of its associated complications.

Support for initiative:

     ★ Kerala’s initiative has been supported by Vital Strategies-a global public health organization, the nutrition wing of the World Bank, WHO, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

     ★ FSSAI- the regulatory body for food safety and quality in India-had launched “Heart Attack Rewind”, a mass media campaign. It calls for eliminating   industrially-produced trans-fat in the food supply. The FSSAI has set a target of less than 2% TFA content by 2022 in India.

     ★ In 2018, WHO had launched REPLACE- a comprehensive plan to eliminate industrially-produced trans-fat from the global food supply by 2023.

           

Trans Fat:      ★ Trans-fatty acids (TFAs) or Trans fats are the most harmful type of fats which can have much more adverse effects on our body than any other dietary constituent. These fats are largely produced artificially but a small amount also occurs naturally. Thus in our diet, these may be present as Artificial TFAs and/ or Natural TFAs.      ★ Artificial TFAs are formed when hydrogen is made to react with the oil to produce fats resembling pure ghee/butter.      ★ TFA containing oils can be preserved longer, they give the food the desired shape and texture and can easily substitute ‘Pure ghee’. These are comparatively far lower in cost and thus add to profit/saving.      ★ In our diet the major sources of artificial TFAs are the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVO)/vanaspati/ margarine while the natural TFAs are present in meats and dairy products, though in small amounts.      ★ TFAs pose a higher risk of heart disease than saturated fats. While saturated fats raise total cholesterol levels, TFAs not only raise total cholesterol levels but also reduce the good cholesterol (HDL), which helps to protect us against heart disease. Trans-fats consumption increases the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.      ★ It is also associated with a higher risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, infertility, certain types of cancers and can also lead to compromised fetal development causing harm to the yet to be born baby.

 

                                                                                                    Source:- The Hindu; Business Line

99.82% projects in forests got nod

GS PAPER - 03 Environment - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Context:

     ★ India’s apex National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) — charged with allowing forest land in Protected Areas to be diverted for industry — cleared 682 of the 687 projects (99.82%) that came up for scrutiny,

     ★ According to a response to a query in the Lok Sabha earlier this month. Only five projects were rejected since August 2014.

     ★ A wildlife expert, formerly associated with the NBWL, described it as a “clearance house.”

            

           

National Board for Wildlife:      ★ The NBWL is a “Statutory Organization” constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.      ★ Theoretically, the board is “advisory” in nature and advises the Central Government on framing policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country.      ★ It also reviews proposals for non-forestry use of forestland within National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, and issue or deny permissions. Functions:      ★ Primary function of the Board is to promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests.      ★ It has power to review all wildlife-related matters and approve projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.      ★ No alteration of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without approval of the NBWL. Composition:      ★ The NBWL, formally headed by the Prime Minister, adjudicates on industrial projects, road diversions or the like that could encroach into Protected Areas or eco-sensitive zones of forests.      ★ The environment ministry has delegated all powers of the NBWL to a compliant Standing Committee which regularly meets and clears projects in Protected Areas with due diligence.      ★ A smaller Standing Committee of the NBWL is charged with deliberating on the merits of projects that come to it for scrutiny.      ★ The committee comprises scientists and government officials and is chaired by Union Environment Minister.

 

                                                                                                                 Source:- The Hindu

‘Only 84% rural households have electricity in four States’

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

Context:

     ★ According to a private sector survey, only 84% of rural households have electricity connection in the four States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Rajasthan.

More about the news:

     ★ This is in contrary to Saubhagya Scheme data.

     ★ The government data claims that 100% household electrification has been achieved in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha; and 99.9% in Rajasthan.

     ★ The study has also found 16% of households use non-grid-electricity sources such as solar home systems, rechargeable batteries, mini-grid electricity, and diesel generators.

                                                                                                                           Source:- The Hindu

SC pulls up U.P. govt. for poor upkeep of Taj

GS PAPER - 03 ENVIRONMENT - Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Context:

     ★ The Supreme Court has pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for the poor upkeep of the Taj Mahal.

     ★A Bench led by Justice S.A. Bobde asked the State to file a fresh vision document in four weeks, detailing the manner in which the monument would be preserved and protected.

Issue:

     ★ Earlier, the court had said the protection of the Taj Mahal should not be restricted to the world heritage monument alone but everything around it that goes to protect the ivory-white mausoleum commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, in 1632.

     ★ The court had said that the Taj Mahal was only the “centre-piece”.

     ★ The forest cover, the river Yamuna and the grounds of the Taj Mahal should also be saved from pollution.

     ★ The Bench had said the Vision Document for Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ) should examine and end the proliferation of hazardous industries, foundries, seepage and emissions which are slowly but steadily destroying the Taj Mahal and the protective cover around it.  

     ★ In its 1996 judgment, the Supreme Court had noted that the Taj Mahal was not threatened by only traditional causes of decay, but also social and economic conditions. Industrial emissions, brick-kilns, vehicular traffic and generator-sets polluted air around TTZ.

     ★ The monument itself was slowly turning yellow from the collected grime.

                                                                                                                        Source:- The Hindu

e-AUSHADHI portal

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential

Context:

     ★ Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH, launched the e-AUSHADHI portal, for online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters.

e-AUSHADHI portal:

     ★ The new e-portal is an acronym for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy

     ★ e-AUSHADHI portal is intended for increased transparency, improved information management facility, improved data usability and increased accountability.

     ★ This portal will aid the licensing authority, manufactures and consumers.

     ★ Timelines will be fixed for processing of application through this portal with SMS and e-mail status updates at each step of the process.

     ★ It will also provide real time information of the licensed manufactures and their products, cancelled and spurious drugs, contact details of the concerned authority for specific grievances.

                                                                                                                                   Source:-PIB

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Finland on Cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space

GS PAPER - 02 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests

Context:

    ★ Union cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Finland on Cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space.

Impact:

     ★ The signed MoU provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.

     ★ Cooperation with the Government of Finland would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity.

Details:

     ★ The Memorandum of Understanding shall enable the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as,

              ★ Remote sensing of the earth

              ★ Satellite communication and satellite-based navigation

              ★ Space science and planetary exploration

              ★ Development, testing and operation of space objects and ground system

              ★ Launching of Finnish Space objects by Indian launch vehicles

              ★ Processing and use of space data

              ★ Developing innovative applications and solutions based on space technologies and use of artificial intelligence

              ★ Cooperation around emerging new Space opportunities and data ecosystems and sustainable used of outer space.

                                                                                                                                          Source:- PIB

Every drop matters [ Editorial / Opinion ]

GS PAPER - 02 GOVERNANCE - Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Context:

     ★ The regulatory framework must be reformed to ensure access to safe and sufficient blood

Issue:

     ★ A ready supply of safe blood in sufficient quantities is a vital component of modern health care.In 2015-16, India was 1.1 million units short of its blood requirements.

     ★ There were considerable regional disparities,  with 81 districts in the country not having a blood bank at all.

     ★ In April 2017, it was reported that blood banks in India had in the last five years discarded a total of 2.8 million units of expired, unused blood (more than 6 lakh litres).

Vigil after Collection:

     ★ To prevent transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), collected blood needs to be safe as well.

     ★ Due to practical constraints, tests are only conducted post-collection.

     ★ Thus blood donor selection relies on donors filling in health questionnaires truthfully.

     ★ The collected blood is tested for certain TTIs such as HIV and if the blood tests positive, it has to be discarded.

     ★ However, these tests are not foolproof as there is a window period after a person first becomes infected with a virus during which the infection may not be detectable.

     ★ This makes it crucial to minimise the risk in the first instance of collection. Collecting healthy blood will also result in less blood being discarded later.

     ★ Blood that is donated voluntarily and without remuneration is considered to be the safest. Unfortunately, professional donors (who accept remuneration) and replacement donation (which is not voluntary) are both common in India.

     ★ In the case of professional donors there is a higher chance of there being TTIs in their blood, as these donors may not provide full disclosure.

     ★ In the case of replacement donation, relatives of patients in need of blood are asked by hospitals to arrange for the same expeditiously. This blood is not used for the patient herself, but is intended as a replacement for the blood that is actually used. In this way, hospitals shift the burden of maintaining their blood bank stock to the patient and her family. Here again, there could be a higher chance of TTI’s because replacement donors, being under pressure, may be less truthful about diseases.

Regulations:

     ★ Blood is considered to be a ‘drug’ under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.

     ★ Therefore, just like any other manufacturer or storer of drugs, blood banks need to be licensed by the Drug Controller-General of India (DCGI).

     ★ For this, they need to meet a series of requirements with respect to the collection, storage, processing and distribution of blood, as specified under the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945.

     ★ Blood banks are inspected by drug inspectors who are expected to check not only the premises and equipment but also various quality and medical aspects such as processing and testing facilities.

     ★ Their findings lead to the issuance, suspension or cancellation of a licence.

Issues In Governance:

     ★ The regulatory framework which governs the blood transfusion infrastructure in India is scattered across different laws, policies, guidelines and authorities.

     ★ In 1996, the Supreme Court directed the government to establish the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) and State Blood Transfusion Councils (SBTCs).

     ★ The NBTC functions as the apex policy-formulating and expert body for blood transfusion services and includes representation from blood banks. However, it lacks statutory backing (unlike the DCGI), and as such, the standards and requirements recommended by it are only in the form of guidelines.

     ★ This gives rise to a peculiar situation — the expert blood transfusion body can only issue non-binding guidelines, whereas the general pharmaceutical regulator has the power to license blood banks.

     ★ This regulatory dissonance exacerbates the serious issues on the ground and results in poor coordination and monitoring.

Towards a Solution:

     ★ The present scenario under the DCGI is far from desirable, especially given how regulating blood involves distinct considerations when compared to most commercial drugs.

     ★ In order to ensure the involvement of technical experts who can complement the DCGI, the rules should be amended to involve the NBTC and SBTCs in the licensing process.

     ★ Given the wide range of responsibilities the DCGI has to handle, its licensing role with respect to blood banks can even be delegated to the NBTC under the rules.

     ★ This would go a long way towards ensuring that the regulatory scheme is up to date and accommodates medical and technological advances.

     ★ Despite a 2017 amendment to the rules which enabled transfer of blood between blood banks, the overall system is still not sufficiently integrated.

     ★ A collaborative regulator can, more effectively, take the lead in facilitating coordination, planning and management.

     ★ This may reduce the regional disparities in blood supply as well as ensure that the quality of blood does not vary between private, corporate, international, hospital-based, non-governmental organisations and government blood banks.

Way forward:

     ★ The aim of the National Blood Policy formulated by the government back in 2002 was to “ensure easily accessible and adequate supply of safe and quality blood”.

     ★ To achieve this goal, India should look to reforming its regulatory approach at the earliest.

                                                                                                                                Source:- The Hindu​

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