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Date : 20.03.2020

TODAY’S IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS

UPSC-IAS|IPS|IFS (PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS)

(PRELIMS FOCUS)

OVID-19 Economic Response Task Force Part of: GS Prelims

In News:

To deal with the economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, „COVID-19 Economic

Response Task Force‟ will be created

It will be headed by Union Finance Minister.

The Task Force will consult stakeholders, take feedback, on the basis of which decisions will be taken to meet

the challenges.

Electricity Production Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Economy

In News:

As per the latest world energy statistics published by the IEA in 2019, India is the 3rd largest producer of

electricity in the world.

India also ranks 106th in terms of per capita consumption in 2017.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-based autonomous intergovernmental organization

established in the framework of the OECD in 1974

Abel Prize Part of: GS Prelims

In News:

Abel prize was established by the Norwegian government in 2002 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of

Neil Henrick‟s birth (Norwegian Mathematician)

The purpose is to award the Abel Prize for outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics.

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(MAINS FOCUS)

Giving Human Rights Commissions more teeth

Context: The Madras High Court is to decide on whether the recommendations made by such panels are binding

upon the state

A Brief Background

In 1993, the Indian Parliament enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act.

The purpose of the Act was to establish an institutional framework that could effectively protect, promote

and fulfil the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

Therefore, the Act created a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and also, Human Rights

Commissions at the levels of the various States.

These institutions can be considered as “fourth branch institutions” (similar to how other institutions like

ECI, CAG, CIC which perform vital functions of Constitution)

HRCs was established in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted for the promotion and protection of

human rights in Paris (October, 1991) and endorsed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20

December, 1993.

Functions and Powers of NHRC/SHRC

They are empowered to inquire into the violations of human rights committed by state authorities, either upon

petitions presented to them, or upon their own initiative.

While conducting these inquiries, the Commissions are granted identical powers to that of civil courts, such

as the examining witnesses, ordering for documents, receiving evidence, and so on.

Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act empowers the Human Rights Commission

to “recommend” to the concerned government

o to grant compensation to the victim

o to initiate prosecution against the erring state authorities,

o to grant interim relief, and to take various other steps.

Furthermore, Section 18 of the Human Rights Act also obligates the concerned government to “forward its

comments on the report, including the action taken or proposed to be taken thereon, to the Commission”,

within a period of one month.

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Indian Polity Topic: General Studies 2:

Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Criticism of NHRC/SHRCs

Politicisation of autonomous bodies

The Human Rights Commissions are toothless: The word “recommend” in Section 18 of the act has been

interpreted till now as only advisory in nature and not binding on the government. Thus, the government left

free to disobey or even disregard their findings.

If the state was left free to obey or disobey the findings of the Commission, then the constitutional role of

NHRC/SHRC would be effectively pointless (effectively, the state judging itself)

NHRC does not have any mechanism of investigation. In majority cases, it asks the concerned Central and

State Governments to investigate the cases of the violation of Human Rights

Inadequacy of funds hamper the working of these bodies.

A large number of grievances go unaddressed because NHRC cannot investigate the complaint registered

after one year of incident.

National Human Rights Commission powers related to violations of human rights by the armed forces have

been largely restricted.

A case for making the recommendations & reports of HRCs binding on government

In the past, courts have invoked constitutional purpose to determine the powers of various fourth branch

institutions in cases of ambiguity

The Supreme Court laid down detailed guidelines to ensure the independence of the Central Bureau of

Investigation

Various judgments have endorsed and strengthened the powers of the Election Commission to compulsorily

obtain relevant details of candidates, despite having no express power to do so.

Very recently, the Supreme Court held in the context of “opinions” rendered by the Foreigners

Tribunals, held that these “opinions” were binding.

The Human Rights Commission has the powers of a civil court, and proceedings before it are deemed to be

judicial proceedings.

This provides strong reasons for its findings to be treated — at the very least — as quasi-judicial, and

binding upon the state (unless challenged)

Conclusion

The requirement of state accountability in a democracy committed to a „culture of justification‟ — strongly

indicates that the Commission‟s recommendations should be binding upon the state

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TODAY’S IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS

TNPSC|SSC|RRB|BANK

International Day of Happiness is celebrated on 20 March

International Day of Happiness is celebrated on 20

March. The day aims to inspire and advance

the global happiness movement. The campaign

theme for the year 2020 is 'Happiness For All,

Together.' The campaign is a global celebration to

mark the United Nations International Day of

Happiness.

History:

International Happiness Day was founded and conceptualised by Jayme Illien, the

CEO of the United Nations New World Order project, in 2006.

In 2011, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution which recognized

happiness as a "fundamental human goal" International Happiness Day was

celebrated for the first time in 2013.

ISRO to launch 36 missions in the current fiscal year Union Minister of State (Independent Charge)

Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh,

announced that the Indian Space Research

Organization (ISRO) had planned 36 missions for

the fiscal year 2020-21. ISRO is to send up ten

earth observation satellites during 2020-21.

ISRO has focused on peaceful uses of Outer

Space. So far, Space Technology has been used

for the benefit of the country and society. It

provides solutions for developmental activities and address problems of the society at

large.

GoI fixes cap for the prices of Alcohols used in manufacturing hand sanitizers under EC Act Government has notified an Order under the Essential Commodities (EC) Act to declare price cap prevailing as on 5 March 2020 on the above alcohols up to 30 June 2019.

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Highlights: ♦ GoI also notified that the raw materials used in the manufacture of essential commodities also fall under the essential commodities under the EC Act. ♦ The move will empower the Central, States/UTs governments to regulate prices, production, sale, distribution, transport, movement, storage, information, etc. of alcohols used in manufacturing the hand sanitizer as a preventive measure to avoid infection from COVID-19. ♦ Central government has advised the manufacturers of deodorants to manufacturer alcohol-based hand sanitizer spray with ethyl alcohol as the main content on a mass scale at a very low cost and make it available in the market at the earliest.

MHRD develops School Health Programme to promote well being of students Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Human Resources

Development (MHRD), and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) have jointly developed a Comprehensive School Health Programme (SHP) under Ayushman Bharat. Aim: The program aims to foster the growth, development, and educational achievement of school-going children by promoting their health and wellbeing.

School Health Programme (SHP):

♦ Also, the Department of School & Literacy is to implement the Adolescence Education Programme (AEP) as part of the National Population Education Project (NPEP). The aim is to pursue the National Curriculum Framework, 2005. AEP is to make the learners aware of the concerns of adolescence, HIV/AIDS, and Substance (Drug) Abuse and to inculcate in them a positive attitude regarding these concerns.

India is third-largest producer of Electricity in the World The World Energy Statistics published by

the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2019

states that India is the 3rd largest producer of

electricity in the world. India ranked 106th in terms

of per capita consumption in 2017.

Highlights:

♦ As per the list, the reforms in the power

sector has grown continuously.

♦ The power sector reforms focus on the supply of 24×7 quality power to consumers,

higher standards of service, promotion of renewable energy sources, development of

hydropower, improving efficiency, especially in the distribution sector, etc.

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