4,442 CASES PENDING AGAINST INDIA’S LEGISLATORS
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? A report submitted in the Supreme Court has said there are a total 4,442 cases pending against legislators across the country. The apex court had sought the amicus report on the basis of a petition highlighting the criminalisation of politics. Recently the Supreme Court had taken a timely decision […]
DIGITISING INDIA’S ELECTORAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction The Election Commission of India has been working with idea of further digitising the electoral infrastructure of the country and in furtherance of this the Election Commission had recently held an online conference in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency (“TNeGA”) and IIT Madras, through which they explored the possibility […]
SAROD-PORTS LAUNCHED
Focus: Prelims, GS-II Governance Why in news? Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) launched ‘SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes – Ports). SAROD-Ports SAROD-Ports is established under Societies Registration Act, 1860 with the following objectives: Affordable and timely resolution of disputes in fair manner Enrichment of Dispute Resolution Mechanism with the panel of […]
SC: ADHERE TO MINISTRY CIRCULAR ON CHAR DHAM
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Supreme Court ordered the Centre to adhere to a Union Road Ministry circular which had advised against building full-fledged roads cutting across the fragile Himalayan slopes, while implementing the Char Dham project for better connectivity to pilgrimage centres in Uttarakhand. The project had proposed the widening of single […]
VILLAGE POVERTY REDUCTION PLAN (VPRP)
Focus: GS-II Governance, Social Justice Introduction The Article 243G of the Constitution intended to empower the Gram Panchayats (GPs) by enabling the State Governments to devolve powers and authority in respect of all 29 Subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule for local planning and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice. The local […]
VIRTUAL HEARINGS UNDER EPF & MP ACT, 1952
Focus: GS-II Governance, GS-III Indian Economy Why in news? Minister of State for Labour & Employment (I/C) launched virtual hearing facility in quasi-judicial cases under EPF & MP Act, 1952 through Video conferencing by use of secure IT applications. The aim of integration of virtual hearing utilities with EPFO’s e-Court process on Compliance e-Proceedings Portal […]
ASSAM RIFLES: TUSSLE BETWEEN MOD AND MHA
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Delhi High Court has granted 12 weeks to the Union government to decide on whether to scrap or retain the dual control structure for Assam Rifles, which comes under both the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Observing that the matter has been […]
PARLIAMENT STIFLED, BUSINESS, AND A WORD OF ADVICE
Focus: GS-II Governance Introduction The upcoming monsoon session of Parliament is emblematic of the issues faced by legislatures during the novel coronavirus pandemic. Parliament will maintain physical distancing, has truncated the Zero Hour (in which members raise issues pertinent to their constituents and of wider public interest), and cancelled Question Hour (in which Ministers have […]
NEW GUIDELINES FOR STANDING COMMITTEES IN THE MAKING
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? Parliament is preparing new guidelines for its standing committees that may include a minimum 15 days’ notice and confirmation by one-third of the members before holding a panel meeting; nomination of members based on their qualifications, interests and occupations; and at least 50% attendance while collecting evidence and adopting […]
SUPREME COURT’S JUDGEMENT ON AGR DUES
Focus: GS-II Governance Why in news? The Supreme Court allowed telecom companies 10 years’ time to pay their adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues to the government. The government had proposed in court a 20-year “formula” for telcos to make staggered payments of the dues, however the Supreme Court considered that the period of 20 years […]