Daily Current Affairs : 31-Jan-2020
Major Topics Covered :
ANTICIPATORY BAIL- SUPREME COURT
SCHEMES OF NORTH EASTERN COUNCIL
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE BILL, 2019
EXERCISE SAMPRITI-IX: INDO-BANGLADESH
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HOMOEOPATHY BILL, 2019
GLOBAL VIRUS EMERGENCY- WHO
NAGOBA JATARA- TELANGANA
THE MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020
ANTICIPATORY BAIL- SUPREME COURT
part of GS- 2 Polity and Govrnance
Why in news?
The Supreme Court ruled that no time limit could be fixed while granting anticipatory bail, and that it could continue till the end of trial.
Highlights:
A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra said the court could extend pre-arrest bail, with suitable conditions, under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
According to court, section 438 (anticipatory bail) of the Code of Criminal Procedure protects people from the ignominy of detention in jail for days on end and disgrace to their reputation.
Under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code there is a provision for a person to seek ‘Anticipatory Bail’.
This means that an individual can seek or request to get bail in anticipation or in expectation of being named or accused of having committed a non-bailable offence.
To get anticipatory bail the person seeking it, must approach the Court of Sessions or the High Court and citing section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code apply for it.
The bench, which also comprised Justices Indira Banerjee, Vineet Saran, MR Shah, and Ravindra Bhat, was hearing a matter regarding whether anticipatory bail should be limited to a particular period.
“Parliament has not thought it appropriate to curtail the rights of citizens. It will be dangerous to restrict such a power of arrest,” it said, reported Bar and Bench.
The bench was hearing a matter regarding whether anticipatory bail should be limited to a particular period.
According to court, the protection of anticipatory or pre-arrest bail cannot be limited to any time frame or “fixed period” as denial of bail amounts to deprivation of the fundamental right to personal liberty.
Source : Indian Express
SCHEMES OF NORTH EASTERN COUNCIL
Part of GS- North East
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the following: - Allocation of 30 percent of North Eastern Council’s (NEC’s) allocation for new projects- for focussed development of deprived areas.
Highlights:
Allocation of 30 percent of North Eastern Council’s (NEC’s) allocation for new projects under the existing “Schemes of North Eastern Council” for focussed development of deprived areas; deprived/neglected sections of society and emerging priority sectors in the North eastern States. The balance allocation shall be bifurcated in the existing two components (State component-60% and Central component-40%)
About NEC:
In 2018, the Government approved schemes of North Eastern Council (NEC) for 3 years i.e. 2017-18 to 2019-20.
The projects under the existing “Schemes of NEC” will accrue socio-economic benefits to the marginalized and vulnerable groups of people in backward and neglected areas of the North Eastern States. It will lead to faster decision making and quick implementation of the projects.
Revision of the NEC guidelines for simplification of appraisal and approval mechanism
Allowing projects under State component, upto 25% of each State’s normative allocation, for sectors not covered in the mandate of NEC, but which are considered important as per local felt needs as per the recommendations of the State Governments.
Source: PIB
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE BILL, 2019
Part of GS- Health
Why in news?
Cabinet approves Proposal for Official Amendments in the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019
Highlights:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for proposal of Official Amendments in the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2019 (NCIM) which is pending in the Rajya Sabha.
The Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.
The Bill provides for the establishment of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM). The NCISM will consist of 29 members, appointed by the central government.
Functions of the NCISM include:
(i) framing policies for regulating medical institutions and medical professionals of Indian System of Medicine and
(ii) ensuring coordination among the autonomous boards set up under the Bill.
The Bill sets up following autonomous boards under the supervision of the NCISM:
the Board of Ayurveda and the Board of Unani, Siddha, and Sowa-Rigpa,
the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Indian System of Medicine and
the Ethics and Medical Registration Board
The proposed legislation will ensure necessary regulatory reforms in the field of Indian System of Medicine education.
The proposed regulatory structure will enable transparency and accountability for protecting the interest of the general public.
The Commission will promote availability of affordable healthcare services in all parts of the country.
The central government will constitute an Advisory Council for Indian System of Medicine, which will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the NCISM.
There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to under-graduate education in each of the disciplines of the Indian System of Medicine in all medical institutions regulated by the Bill.
Source: PIB
EXERCISE SAMPRITI-IX: INDO-BANGLADESH
Part of GS- 2 IR
Why in news?
As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise SAMPRITI-IX is being conducted at UMROI, Meghalaya, India from 03 Feb to 16 Feb 2020.
Highlights:
Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the ninth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.
During the joint military exercise SAMPRITI-IX a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX) will be conducted.
For both the CPX and FTX, a scenario where both nations are working together in a Counter Terrorism environment will be simulated under the UN Charter.
Subsequently, joint tactical exercise will be conducted wherein the battle drills of both the armies will be practiced.
The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a Counter Terrorist Operation in a controlled and simulated environment.
In addition, to understand each other at tactical level, greater cultural understanding will be emphasized to strengthen military trust and cooperation between two nations.
Source: PIB
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR HOMOEOPATHY BILL, 2019
Part of GS- Health
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet has approved the amendments in the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2019 for amending the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973.
Highlights:
The Bill seeks to repeal the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973 and provide for a medical education system which ensures:
Availability of adequate and high quality homoeopathic medical professionals,
Adoption of the latest medical research by homoeopathic medical professionals,
Periodic assessment of medical institutions, and
An effective grievance redressal mechanism.
Key features of the Bill include:
Constitution of the National Commission for Homoeopathy:
The Bill sets up the National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH). The NCH will consist of 20 members, appointed by the central government.
A Search Committee will recommend names to the central government for the post of Chairperson, part time members, and presidents of the three autonomous boards set up under the NCH. These posts will have a maximum term of four years.
The Search Committee will consist of six members including the Cabinet Secretary and three experts nominated by the central government (of which two will have experience in the homoeopathic field).
Members of the NCH will include:
(i) the Chairperson, (ii) the President of the Homoeopathy Education Board, (iii) the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board for Homoeopathy, (iv) the Director General, National Institute of Homoeopathy, (v) Advisor or Joint Secretary in-charge of Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, and (vi) four members (part-time) to be elected by the registered homoeopathic medical practitioners from amongst themselves from the prescribed regional constituencies under the Bill.
Within three years of the passage of the Bill:
state governments will establish State Medical Councils for Homoeopathy at the state level
Functions of the National Commission for Homoeopathy:
Functions of the NCH include: (i) framing policies for regulating medical institutions and homoeopathic medical professionals, (ii) assessing the requirements of healthcare related human resources and infrastructure, (iii) ensuring compliance by the State Medical Councils of Homoeopathy of the regulations made under the Bill, and (iv) ensuring coordination among the autonomous boards set up under the Bill.
Autonomous boards:
The Bill sets up certain autonomous boards under the supervision of the NCH.
Advisory Council for Homoeopathy:
Under the Bill, the central government will constitute an Advisory Council for Homoeopathy. The Council will be the primary platform through which the states/union territories can put forth their views and concerns before the NCH. Further, the Council will advise the NCH on measures to determine and maintain minimum standards of medical education.
Entrance examinations:
There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to under-graduate homoeopathy education in all medical institutions regulated by the Bill.
Appeal on matters related to professional and ethical misconduct:
State Medical Councils will receive complaints relating to professional or ethical misconduct against a registered homoeopathic medical practitioner. If the medical practitioner is aggrieved of a decision of the State Medical Council, he may appeal to the Board of Ethics and Medical Registration for Homoeopathy.
The State Medical Councils and the Board of Ethics and Medical Registration for Homoeopathy have the power to take disciplinary action against the medical practitioner including imposing a monetary penalty.
If the medical practitioner is aggrieved of the decision of the Board, he can approach the NCH to appeal against the decision. Appeal of the decision of the NCH lies with the central government.
Source: PRS
GLOBAL VIRUS EMERGENCY- WHO
Part of GS- Health
Why in news?
The World Health Organization declared a global emergency over the new coronavirus, as China reported the death toll had climbed to 213 with nearly 10,000 infections.
Highlights:
The UN health agency based in Geneva had initially downplayed the threat posed by the disease, but revised its risk assessment after crisis talks.
The WHO’s Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus declared the outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC) after a closed-door meeting of its emergency panel in Geneva.
According to the report, it is only the sixth time that the WHO has declared a PHEIC since the International Health Regulations (IHR) mechanism was set up in 2005.
Criteria followed by WHO to declare PHEIC:
A public health emergency is defined as “an extraordinary event which is determined: to constitute a public health risk to other States through the international spread of disease; and to potentially require a coordinated international response”.
The responsibility of declaring an event as an emergency lies with the Director-General of the WHO.
In the past, WHO has declared public health emergencies for outbreaks including swine flu, polio and Ebola.
Implications of a PHEIC declaring a PHEIC may lead to restrictions on travel and trade for the host country, which in the case of the coronavirus is China.
Source: The Hindu
NAGOBA JATARA- TELANGANA
Part of GS- 1 A&C
Why in news?
Much thanks giving took place between the ordinary members of the clan and the elders who made it possible for the Nagoba jatara to be celebrated with customary gusto on 29th January, 2020.
Highlights:
The ceremony of Betal puja constituted the last of the rituals before the formal end of the annual jatara, which was spread over a month.
The Betal puja involved display of martial art, in this case sword wielding, by the Adivasi Raj Gond and Pardhans from the Mesram clan near the Govad.
The practised exercise has the ‘warrior’ jumping into the air wielding a thin bamboo stick like a sword.
According to elders, the Adivasis were familiar with martial arts, having been from the once ruling clans. The Mesram exited Keslapur village to proceed towards Shampur in Utnoor mandal for the Budumdev jatara.
Nagoba Jatara is a tribal festival held in Keslapur village, Inderavelly Mandal Adilabad district, It starts in pushya masam.
It is celebrated by Mesaram clan of Gond tribes for 10 days.
Tribal people from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh belonging to the Mesram clan offer prayers at the festival
The Gusadi Dance performance by dancers from the Gond tribe is a major special attraction of the event.
Source: The Hindu
THE MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2020
Part of GS- Health
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The Bill will be introduced in the ensuing session of the Parliament.
Highlights:
It is a step towards safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefitted by this.
Recently several petitions were received by the Courts seeking permission for aborting pregnancies at a gestational age beyond the present permissible limit on grounds of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women.
The proposed increase in gestational age will ensure dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and justice for women who need to terminate pregnancy.
Salient features of proposed amendments:
Proposing requirement for opinion of one provider for termination of pregnancy, up to 20 weeks of gestation and introducing the requirement of opinion of two providers for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include 'vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, Minors) etc.
Upper gestation limit not to apply in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by Medical Board.
The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board to be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act.
Name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised in any law for the time being in force.
Source: PIB