Paper on Death Penalty
The Law Commission has issued a public consultation paper on capital punishment with a detailed questionnaire open to the public to send in their views on the issue. The move comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court commuting the death sentence of 19 persons after their mercy pleas were rejected since January this year. In one of the cases, the apex court referred to the conundrum and observed that "perhaps the Law Commission of India can resolve the issue by examining whether death penalty is a deterrent punishment or is retributive justice or serves an incapitative goal".
Besides inviting the views of the public, the commission said it was also planning to collect data related to the death penalty from various trial courts, high courts and the apex court. It will also engage law schools to conduct research on the issue.
Death Penalty in India:
The Indian Supreme Court has allowed the death penalty to be carried out in only 4 instances since 1995. However the number of people executed in India since independence in 1947 is a matter of dispute; official government statistics claim that only 52 people had been executed since independence.
In December 2007, India voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. In November 2012, India again upheld its stance on capital punishment by voting against the UN General Assembly draft resolution seeking to ban death penalty
The Supreme Court of India ruled in 1983 that the death penalty should be imposed only in "the rarest of rare cases." While stating that honour killings fall within the "rarest of the rare" category, Supreme Court has recommended the death penalty be extended to those found guilty of committing "honour killings", which deserve to be a capital crime. The Supreme Court also recommended death sentences to be imposed on police officials who commit police brutality in the form of encounter killings. In an appeal filed by Vikram Singh and another person, facing the death sentence, the constitutional validity of Section 364A of the Indian Penal Code has been questioned
The Law Commission has issued a public consultation paper on capital punishment with a detailed questionnaire open to the public to send in their views on the issue. The move comes close on the heels of the Supreme Court commuting the death sentence of 19 persons after their mercy pleas were rejected since January this year. In one of the cases, the apex court referred to the conundrum and observed that "perhaps the Law Commission of India can resolve the issue by examining whether death penalty is a deterrent punishment or is retributive justice or serves an incapitative goal".
Besides inviting the views of the public, the commission said it was also planning to collect data related to the death penalty from various trial courts, high courts and the apex court. It will also engage law schools to conduct research on the issue.
Death Penalty in India:
The Indian Supreme Court has allowed the death penalty to be carried out in only 4 instances since 1995. However the number of people executed in India since independence in 1947 is a matter of dispute; official government statistics claim that only 52 people had been executed since independence.
In December 2007, India voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. In November 2012, India again upheld its stance on capital punishment by voting against the UN General Assembly draft resolution seeking to ban death penalty
The Supreme Court of India ruled in 1983 that the death penalty should be imposed only in "the rarest of rare cases." While stating that honour killings fall within the "rarest of the rare" category, Supreme Court has recommended the death penalty be extended to those found guilty of committing "honour killings", which deserve to be a capital crime. The Supreme Court also recommended death sentences to be imposed on police officials who commit police brutality in the form of encounter killings. In an appeal filed by Vikram Singh and another person, facing the death sentence, the constitutional validity of Section 364A of the Indian Penal Code has been questioned
Nagpur gets India's first ethanol-run bus
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched Country’s first ethanol r un bus on pilot basis in Nagpur. During launching he said that the country imports petrol, diesel and gas worth over Rs 6 lakh crore every year. India can reduce the imports by at least Rs 2 lakh crore by using alternative fuels. Ethanol-run bus project is the first initiative in this direction.
Four states-- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu -- will be the major beneficiaries from the project as they produce ethanol in large quantities, Gadkari said.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched Country’s first ethanol r un bus on pilot basis in Nagpur. During launching he said that the country imports petrol, diesel and gas worth over Rs 6 lakh crore every year. India can reduce the imports by at least Rs 2 lakh crore by using alternative fuels. Ethanol-run bus project is the first initiative in this direction.
Four states-- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu -- will be the major beneficiaries from the project as they produce ethanol in large quantities, Gadkari said.
IIEST inaugurated
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) of the country at Shibpur, Howrah, and West Bengal on 24th August
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, formerly known as Bengal Engineering and Science University, was established in 1856. It is the second oldest institution for engineering education in India.
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the first Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST) of the country at Shibpur, Howrah, and West Bengal on 24th August
Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, formerly known as Bengal Engineering and Science University, was established in 1856. It is the second oldest institution for engineering education in India.
Andhra seeks Rs 15,718-crore central aid for
24X7 power supply
The Andhra Pradesh government has urged the Centre to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 15,718 crore to support its round-the-clock Power For All (PFA) Programme. The PFA initiative requires a total expenditure of Rs 54,332 crore during the next five years up to 2018-19. The state government is contemplating meeting the balance amount by taking financial assistance from PFC, Rural Electrification Corporation and various banks.
Coal allocations illegal: SC
In a major verdict, the Supreme Court on 25th August declared illegal all coal block allocations between 1993 and 2010, saying these were done in an unfair, arbitrary and non-transparent manner without following any objective criteria. A special bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, however said further hearing was required to determine whether there is a need for cancelling around 200 coal block allocations.
The apex court held that 36 screening committees breached guidelines and that the coal block allocations were made without following any objective criteria.
The bench, also comprising Justice MB Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph, fixed September 1 for further hearing to decide what action can be taken against the illegal coal blocks allocations, most of which were made by the Manmohan Singh government.
Regarding 12 Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) for which coal blocks were allocated through competitive bidding, the SC said the companies involved can extract coal from these blocks only for the power projects these were meant for, and not for other commercial purposes. This was done in view of allegations that in some cases the government had allowed diversion of coal from UMPP to other end uses. The petitions were based on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report that the exchequer suffered a loss of Rs. 1.64 lakh crore due to the arbitrary allocations of coal blocks.
The coal blocks allocated to private companies between 2004 to March 2010 are situated in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
The top court has been monitoring the CBI probe into the scam and additional sessions judge Bharat Parashar at Patiala House Court has been appointed as a special judge to exclusively deal with cases arising out of it.
The Andhra Pradesh government has urged the Centre to provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 15,718 crore to support its round-the-clock Power For All (PFA) Programme. The PFA initiative requires a total expenditure of Rs 54,332 crore during the next five years up to 2018-19. The state government is contemplating meeting the balance amount by taking financial assistance from PFC, Rural Electrification Corporation and various banks.
Coal allocations illegal: SC
In a major verdict, the Supreme Court on 25th August declared illegal all coal block allocations between 1993 and 2010, saying these were done in an unfair, arbitrary and non-transparent manner without following any objective criteria. A special bench headed by the Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, however said further hearing was required to determine whether there is a need for cancelling around 200 coal block allocations.
The apex court held that 36 screening committees breached guidelines and that the coal block allocations were made without following any objective criteria.
The bench, also comprising Justice MB Lokur and Justice Kurian Joseph, fixed September 1 for further hearing to decide what action can be taken against the illegal coal blocks allocations, most of which were made by the Manmohan Singh government.
Regarding 12 Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) for which coal blocks were allocated through competitive bidding, the SC said the companies involved can extract coal from these blocks only for the power projects these were meant for, and not for other commercial purposes. This was done in view of allegations that in some cases the government had allowed diversion of coal from UMPP to other end uses. The petitions were based on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report that the exchequer suffered a loss of Rs. 1.64 lakh crore due to the arbitrary allocations of coal blocks.
The coal blocks allocated to private companies between 2004 to March 2010 are situated in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.
The top court has been monitoring the CBI probe into the scam and additional sessions judge Bharat Parashar at Patiala House Court has been appointed as a special judge to exclusively deal with cases arising out of it.
Education programme launched
To improve quality of schools in the country, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani on 26th August launched ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ programme which focuses on early reading, writing and comprehension and early grade mathematics. At the inauguration of Conference of State Education Secretaries held here, Irani requested States to roll out this programme in their respective States so that children in early grades acquire proficiency in writing, reading and comprehension.
To improve quality of schools in the country, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani on 26th August launched ‘Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat’ programme which focuses on early reading, writing and comprehension and early grade mathematics. At the inauguration of Conference of State Education Secretaries held here, Irani requested States to roll out this programme in their respective States so that children in early grades acquire proficiency in writing, reading and comprehension.
Government to spend Rs.20,000 cr for Mobile
Connectivity in Villages
The government will spend Rs 20,000 crore to provide mobile connectivity in 55,000 villages, which are still untouched by wireless telephony, in the next five years, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg said on 26th August. Garg added that according to various estimates, the number of villages that do not have mobile coverage range between 42,000 to 55,000.
The amount of Rs 20,000 crore will come through the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Garg added. Under the Digital India programme, the government will initially spend Rs 69,524 crore on various IT and telecom projects. It has identified broadband and mobile networks as the key growth pillars under Digital India.
The government will spend Rs 20,000 crore to provide mobile connectivity in 55,000 villages, which are still untouched by wireless telephony, in the next five years, Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg said on 26th August. Garg added that according to various estimates, the number of villages that do not have mobile coverage range between 42,000 to 55,000.
The amount of Rs 20,000 crore will come through the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Garg added. Under the Digital India programme, the government will initially spend Rs 69,524 crore on various IT and telecom projects. It has identified broadband and mobile networks as the key growth pillars under Digital India.
Panel to identify outdated laws
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a committee to identify laws that need to be repealed in an attempt to eliminate outdated legislation from the statute books. The committee has to submit its report in three months.
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that outdated laws would be scrapped soon. In the just-concluded session of the Lok Sabha, Prasad tabled a repeal Bill that covered 36 outdated laws. The Bill is awaiting passage.
The panel, to be chaired by secretary in the PMO R. Ramanujam and comprising former secretary, legislative department, V K Bhasin, will examine all Acts recommended for repeal by the Committee on Review of Administrative Laws appointed in 1998 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has created a committee to identify laws that need to be repealed in an attempt to eliminate outdated legislation from the statute books. The committee has to submit its report in three months.
Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that outdated laws would be scrapped soon. In the just-concluded session of the Lok Sabha, Prasad tabled a repeal Bill that covered 36 outdated laws. The Bill is awaiting passage.
The panel, to be chaired by secretary in the PMO R. Ramanujam and comprising former secretary, legislative department, V K Bhasin, will examine all Acts recommended for repeal by the Committee on Review of Administrative Laws appointed in 1998 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
NSSO survey on agricultural sector employment
According to National Sample Survey Office the conditions of employment for workers in India’s non-formal sector had deteriorated over the years. In a survey it found that more people came out of social security benefits and fewer laborers had a written job contract or provision for paid leave. These are the findings of the 68th round of the NSSO survey, informal sector and conditions of employment in India, during July 2011 to June 2012.
The other points of report are…
According to National Sample Survey Office the conditions of employment for workers in India’s non-formal sector had deteriorated over the years. In a survey it found that more people came out of social security benefits and fewer laborers had a written job contract or provision for paid leave. These are the findings of the 68th round of the NSSO survey, informal sector and conditions of employment in India, during July 2011 to June 2012.
The other points of report are…
68.8 per cent of workers across India in
2011-12 neither had a written job contract nor were eligible for paid leave,
compared to 63 per cent in 2004-05.
The report covered workers in the
non-agriculture and agriculture sectors (excluding growing of crops, plant
propagation and combined production of crops and animals (termed AGEGC).
In 2011-12, 79 per cent of the workers in these
sectors had no written job contract, up from 74 per cent in 2004-05.
The proportion of casual laborers without a
written job contract remained almost at the same level (95 per cent) but had
increased for salaried employees.
In 2011-12, 65 per cent of employees getting a
regular salary had no job contract in hand, compared to 59 per cent in 2004-05.
The data showed 72 per cent of workers in the
non-agriculture and AGEGC sector in 2011-12 had no social security benefits,
such as provident fund, pension, gratuity or health care, against 71 per cent
in 2004-05.
The gap between the average salary of a worker
in the informal sector and the all-sector average shrunk between 2004-05 and
2011-12.
The average daily earning by a worker in the
informal sector stood at Rs 195 a day in 2011-12, about 40 per cent less than
the Rs 322 all-sector average. In 2004-05, the differential was 46 per cent.
The share of temporary workers in the AGEGC and
non-agriculture sectors declined from 45 per cent in 2004-05 to 42 per cent in
2011-12.
Between 2004-05 and 2011-12, the proportion of
temporary employees reduced among casual labourers and among regular wage
employees. Temporary workers are defined as those who are not likely to
continue in the same employment.
Government clears defense deals worth Rs 17,000
cr
The Union government has cleared acquisitions and renewals worth Rs 17,000 crore on 29th August. The apex Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) favored manufacturing in India, even when clearing the procurement of foreign equipment. A long-running tender for buying 197 light utility helicopters (LuH) from the global market has been scrapped, and re-issued in the "Buy & Make (Indian)" category. This requires Indian companies to build the LuH in India, in collaboration, if necessary, with foreign partners.
The emphasis on indigenization is evident also in the decision to overhaul and refit six of the navy's 13 submarines. The so-called Medium Refit and Life Certificate (MRLC) programme is a two-year process that involves stripping down the submarine, repairing its hull extensively, and replacing worn parts.
The Rs 4,800 crore sanction clears the overhaul of four Russian-origin, Kilo-class, and two German-origin HDW submarines. Of the Kilo-class vessels, two will be refitted in Russia, and the other two in Mumbai naval dockyard. Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai, will overhaul both HDW submarines.
The Union government has cleared acquisitions and renewals worth Rs 17,000 crore on 29th August. The apex Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) favored manufacturing in India, even when clearing the procurement of foreign equipment. A long-running tender for buying 197 light utility helicopters (LuH) from the global market has been scrapped, and re-issued in the "Buy & Make (Indian)" category. This requires Indian companies to build the LuH in India, in collaboration, if necessary, with foreign partners.
The emphasis on indigenization is evident also in the decision to overhaul and refit six of the navy's 13 submarines. The so-called Medium Refit and Life Certificate (MRLC) programme is a two-year process that involves stripping down the submarine, repairing its hull extensively, and replacing worn parts.
The Rs 4,800 crore sanction clears the overhaul of four Russian-origin, Kilo-class, and two German-origin HDW submarines. Of the Kilo-class vessels, two will be refitted in Russia, and the other two in Mumbai naval dockyard. Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai, will overhaul both HDW submarines.
First Natural World Heritage Center coming up
at Wild Life Institute of India
To conserve natural heritage sites in Asia and the Pacific region, the foundation stone of the world’s first Natural World Heritage Centre was laid at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in Dehradun on 30th August.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Category 2 centre on ‘Natural World Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region,’ would be established with the objective of achieving a more balanced representation of properties from Asia and the Pacific on the World Heritage List, and raising awareness towards protection and conservation of the natural world heritage.
The centre at WII was the result of the Central government’s ‘Request for Action’ submitted to UNESCO in the year 2012 for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Natural World Heritage for Asia and the Pacific region at WII. The proposal was approved by UNESCO in November, 2013.
UNESCO
To conserve natural heritage sites in Asia and the Pacific region, the foundation stone of the world’s first Natural World Heritage Centre was laid at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in Dehradun on 30th August.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Category 2 centre on ‘Natural World Heritage Management and Training for Asia and the Pacific Region,’ would be established with the objective of achieving a more balanced representation of properties from Asia and the Pacific on the World Heritage List, and raising awareness towards protection and conservation of the natural world heritage.
The centre at WII was the result of the Central government’s ‘Request for Action’ submitted to UNESCO in the year 2012 for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence on Natural World Heritage for Asia and the Pacific region at WII. The proposal was approved by UNESCO in November, 2013.
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN)
UNESCO has 195 member states and nine associate
members
It founded on 4th November 1946, head quarters
is at Paris, France
Sivaramakrishnan committee on capital of Andhra
Pradesh
The Sivaramakrishnan Committee on the capital for Andhra Pradesh, suggested that the distribution of capital functions and other institutions to three sub-regions, instead of one region. The regions are Vizag region in North Andhra; Rayalaseema Arc comprising Kurnool, Anantapur, Tirupati, Kadapa and Chittoor and Kalahasti-Nadikudi Spine, the land along the proposed Kalahasti- Nadikudi railway line which, the committee feels, may emerge as development region. The 188-page report submitted to Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 29th August
The Sivaramakrishnan Committee on the capital for Andhra Pradesh, suggested that the distribution of capital functions and other institutions to three sub-regions, instead of one region. The regions are Vizag region in North Andhra; Rayalaseema Arc comprising Kurnool, Anantapur, Tirupati, Kadapa and Chittoor and Kalahasti-Nadikudi Spine, the land along the proposed Kalahasti- Nadikudi railway line which, the committee feels, may emerge as development region. The 188-page report submitted to Union Ministry of Home Affairs on 29th August
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