ILO: MGNREGA AS SOCIAL PROTECTION CAN MITIGATE COVID CRISIS
Why in news? The rural employment programme MGNREGA came in for praise from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in its analysis of social protection coverage in developing countries, which was released on 14th May. Details of what ILO said Even as the ILO pointed to “devastating gaps in social protection coverage in developing countries”, which were […]
GOVERNMENT TO AMEND ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT
Why in news? The Centre will amend the Essential Commodities Act to provide for notifying stock limits for a retailer or wholesaler only if retail prices increase abnormally — by 100% in case of perishable items like onion, potato and tomato and 50% in the case of non-perishable essential commodities. The Centre will shortly bring […]
SAMARTH UNDER NMEICT SCHEME
Why in news? The Department of Higher Education, M/o Human Resource Development has developed an e-Governance platform, SAMARTH (Enterprises Resource Planning) ERP, under National Mission of Education in Information and Communication Technology Scheme (NMEICT). Details ERP, SAMARTH, is an Open Standard Open Source Architecture, Secure, Scalable and Evolutionary Process Automation Engine for Universities and Higher […]
ATAL PENSION YOJANA (APY) COMPLETES 5 YEARS
Why in news? The flagship social security scheme of Government of India ‘Atal Pension Yojana’ (APY) has completed five years of successful implementation. Atal Pension Yojana (APY) APY was launched on 9th May 2015 with an objective of delivering old age income security, particularly to the workers in the unorganised sector. APY envisages Government providing […]
SHRAMIK SPECIAL TRAINS
Why in news? Subsequent to the Ministry of Home Affairs order regarding movement of migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places by special trains, Indian Railways had decided to operate “Shramik Special” trains. About “Shramik Special” Trains “Shramik Special” trains started running from May 1 (Labour Day). These special trains will run from point […]
INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY COMPLETED 100 YEARS
Why in news? Indian Red Cross Society completed 100 years of existence. Indian Red Cross Society: Established in 1920 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act and incorporated under Parliament Act XV of 1920. President of India is designated the President of the Indian Red Cross Society and Union Health Minister is the Chairman of the Society. The […]
WHAT IS THE ‘ONE NATION, ONE RATION CARD’ SYSTEM?
Why in news? Finance Minister on 14th May 2020 announced the national rollout of a ‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ system in all states and Union Territories by March 2021. As of now, about 20 states have come on board to implement the inter-state ration card portability. Why do we need a ‘One Nation, One Ration […]
PLAYING OUT LIVE, A NARRATIVE OF DISCRIMINATION
Key insights into migration The government gave a tentative estimate of there being 10 crore migrant workers in India but admitted to many being largely undocumented and unregistered as workers. The last National Sample Survey Office migration survey, which was published more than 20 years ago, showed that between 1992-93 to 2007–08, the proportion of migrant households […]
EQUAL FREEDOM AND FORCED LABOUR
Introduction Quote B.R. Ambedkar therefore argued that fundamental rights must also “eliminate the possibility of the more powerful having the power to impose arbitrary restraints on the less powerful by withdrawing from the control he has over the economic life of the people”. Labour rights The 1931 Karachi Declaration and Bill of Rights expressly placed labour […]
WHAT LABOUR LAW CHANGES MEAN?
What are Indian labour laws? In India there are over 200 state laws and close to 50 central laws, yet there is no set definition of “labour laws” in the country. Broadly speaking, they can be divided into four categories – Factories Act are to ensure safety measures on factory premises, and promote health and […]