News In Short – 03-09-2024

Government Constitutes 23rd Law Commission

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity

Context

• President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India, which will serve from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2027.

Law Commission of India

• Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body.
• It is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Legal Affairs. 

• It is constituted with definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law.
• The Commission makes recommendations to the Government in the form of Reports as per its terms of reference.
  • However these recommendations are not binding on the Government.

Origin

• Pre- independence: The first Law Commission was established during colonial rule in India by the East India Company under the Charter Act of 1833 and was presided over by Lord Macaulay. 
  • The First Law Commission drafted the Penal Code in 1837, the Limitation Law in 1842 and the Scheme of Pleading and Procedure in 1848.
  • After that, three more commissions were established in pre-independent India.
• Post-independence: The first law commission in independent India was established in 1955, with its chairman M.C.Setalvad.

Constitution of the 23nd Law Commission

• The Commission will consist of;
  • A full-time Chairperson;
  • four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary); 
  • Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex officio Member; 
  • Secretary, Legislative Department as ex officio Member; and not more than five part-time Members.

Source: BL

India’s Special China Problem

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• The External Affairs Minister has said that India has a special China problem above the world’s general China problem.

About

• The comments come days after diplomatic-level talks — the 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held in Beijing on the border situation.
  • The two sides agreed on “intensified contact through diplomatic and military channels”.
  • The expression “narrow down the differences” had been used for the first time in the bilateral talks on the border standoff and, in diplomatic parlance, indicates progress in the negotiations.
• The border standoff has been ongoing for more than five years now and two sides have each deployed around 50,000-60,000 troops along the LAC in eastern Ladakh.
  • Friction points such as Galwan Valley, north and south banks of Pangong Tso and the Gogra-Hot Springs area, have seen some resolution since the beginning of the standoff with the creation of buffer zones along the LAC.
  • The last formal disengagement along the LAC took place in 2022, when both sides pulled back troops to disengage from Patrolling Point-15 in the Gogra-Hot Springs area of eastern Ladakh.

Source: IE

eShram Portal

Syllabus: GS2/Government Policy and Intervention

Context

• Recently, eShram portal achieved over 30 crore registrations in the span of just 3 years after launch.

About the eShram Portal

• It was launched  by the Ministry of Labour & Employment on 26th August 2021.
• It is a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW) that primarily targets unorganised workers, including those in sectors like construction, agriculture, domestic work, and street vending.
• There are no income criteria for registering on e-Shram as an unorganised worker. However, the worker should not be an income tax payee.
• Workers will be provided with an e-SHRAM card which will have a 12 digit unique number.
  • Universal Account Number (UAN) is a 12 digit number uniquely assigned to each unorganised worker after registration on the e-Shram portal.
  • UAN is a permanent number i.e., once assigned, it will remain unchanged for any worker.
• The government envisions eShram as a comprehensive ‘One-Stop-Solution’. It means integrating various social security schemes into the portal, making it easier for workers to access benefits.
• Major schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), and more are being linked to eShram. It ensures that eligible workers don’t miss out on essential services.
• It focuses on integrating eShram with Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), allowing seamless registration and access to services across both platforms.

Source: PIB

Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024

Syllabus: GS2/ Governance

Context

• THe Union Minister of Women and Child Development launched the seventh edition of nationwide “Rashtriya Poshan Mah “at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

About Poshan Maah

• It is promoting community mobilization through people’s participation for addressing malnutrition amongst young children and women.
  • The initiative is ensuring health and nutrition for everyone.
• It will focus on the themes of Anaemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, Technology for better Governance, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.

Mission Poshan 2.0

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development through its Mission Poshan 2.0, is committed to fight malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers across the country”. 
• The Poshan Maah aims to intensify efforts to combat malnutrition and promote holistic well being across the nation.

Source: AIR

Measures for the LGBTQIA+ Community

Syllabus :GS 2/Social Justice 

In News

• The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is seeking inputs from stakeholders and the public to ensure inclusive and effective policies for the LGBTQIA+ community.

About LGBTQIA+ community

• The acronym ‘LGBTIQA+’ is a continuously evolving term that encompasses various identities within the community. 
• It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and others .

Initiatives 

• In 2018, the Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality by partially striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.
• Same-Sex Unions: In October 2023, the Supreme Court rejected the plea to legalize same-sex unions, leaving the status of such unions unrecognized.
  • Indian courts have acknowledged the right of same-sex couples to cohabit, but they do not have legal recognition for same-sex unions or marriages.
• Supreme Court Judgment: In 2023, the Supreme Court directed the formation of a committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to define and elucidate entitlements for the queer community.
• The sub-committee met to address discrimination and access to social welfare, healthcare, and public services.
  • Advisories were issued on prison visitation rights and law enforcement measures to protect the queer community.
• Ration Cards: The Department of Food and Public Distribution issued an advisory to treat partners in queer relationships as part of the same household for ration cards.
• Bank Accounts: The Department of Financial Services clarified that queer individuals can open joint bank accounts and nominate partners as beneficiaries.
• Healthcare: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued guidelines on healthcare rights, including awareness activities, prohibition of conversion therapy, sex reassignment surgery, and teleconsultation.
• Medical Interventions: Guidelines were framed for medical interventions for intersex children and the Ministry is working on mental health guidelines for the queer community.
• The “SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise” scheme was launched on February 12, 2022.
  • Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons: Focuses on the welfare and rehabilitation of transgender individuals.
• The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, section 13 provides that every educational institution funded or recognized by the appropriate Government shall provide inclusive education and opportunities for sports, recreation and leisure activities to transgender persons without discrimination on an equal basis with others.

Source:TH

AgriSURE Fund & Krishi Nivesh Portal 

Syllabus: GS 3/Economy 

In News

The Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister launched the AgriSURE Fund and Krishi Nivesh Portal in New Delhi.

• He also conferred  AIF Excellence Awards to the top-performing Banks and States under various categories in recognition and appreciation of their efforts. 

About 

• AgriSURE Fund: It aims to support start-ups and agripreneurs in the agriculture and allied sectors.
  • The fund will provide both equity and debt support.
  • The fund will support sector-specific, sector-agnostic, and debt AIFs.
  • It will also offer direct equity support to start-ups.
  • Focus: Investments will target high-risk, high-impact activities within the agriculture value chain.
  • The initiative aims to foster innovation and sustainability in India’s agricultural sector.
• Krishi Nivesh Portal:  It aims to boost agricultural investment in India.
  • The portal will serve as an integrated, centralized platform.
  • It aims to provide a one-stop solution for agri-investors.
  • The portal will help investors access various government schemes and benefits.

Do you know ? – Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme was launched in 2020. – Objective: Aims to create post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets. 1. Special campaigns are conducted to promote the AIF scheme.

Source:PIB

Operation Bhediya

Syllabus: GS3/Human-Animal Conflict

Context

• The Uttar Pradesh government has launched Operation Bhediya to capture a pack of wolves in Bahraich district.
  • The forest department has initiated an innovative effort of using colourful teddy dolls soaked in children’s urine as bait to capture them.

About

• The recently swelling Ghahghara river surfing jungles have disrupted their original habitat. 
• Year 1997 saw the biggest-ever wolf attack in UP that led to the deaths of 42 children in Jaunpur. 
• Indian wolves have been known to act as scavengers, preying on dead livestocks.
  • However, they are known to feed on livestock when natural prey is scarce. The animals also have a history of preying on children.
• The exact numbers of the Indian wolf are not known, though estimates suggest there are between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
  • IUCN Status: Least Concern
  • Wolf is categorised as Schedule-I under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

• Chief wildlife warden of a state has the authority to permit hunting of such animals becoming dangerous to human life or disabled or diseased beyond recovery, under Section 11 (1) (a) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Source: TH

Hayao Miyazaki won Magsaysay Award (2024)

Syllabus: Miscellaneous

Context

• Hayao Miyazaki, the acclaimed Japanese animator and co-founder of Studio Ghibli, has been honoured with the Ramon Magsaysay Award of 2024.

About the Ramon Magsaysay Award 

• It is Asia’s premier prize and highest honour which recognises greatness of spirit shown in selfless service to the peoples of Asia.
• It is often referred to as Asia’s Nobel Prize that recognises outstanding contributions to various fields, including environmental protection and peace.
• Awardees are annually selected by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) board of trustees
• It recognises and honours individuals and organisations in Asia, regardless of race, creed, gender, or nationality, who have achieved distinction and have helped others generously without aiming for public recognition.

Background – This award is presented in formal ceremonies in Manila, Philippines on August 31st, the birth anniversary of the much-esteemed Philippine President whose ideas inspired the Award’s creation in 1957. 1. Ramon Magsaysay was the Third President of the Philippines after World War II.  Indian in the list – Vinoba Bhave in 1958; Mother Teresa in 1962; Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay in 1966; Satyajit Ray in 1967; Mahasweta Devi in 1997; Arvind Kejriwal in 2006; Anshu Gupta of Goonj in 2015; Bezwada Wilson (human rights activist) in 2016; and Ravish Kumar (journalist) in 2019.

Source: IE