BENEVOLENT IAS ACADEMY
#25, Sri Nagar, Hope College, Peelamedu (PO), Coimbatore - 641004. Ph: +91422-4521607, Cell: +91-9787731607, 9787701067/9787701068. Web:www.benevolentacademy.com.E-Mail:[email protected]
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.
www.benevolentacademy.com
(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.
www.benevolentacademy.com
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
www.benevolentacademy.com
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.
www.benevolentacademy.com
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.
www.benevolentacademy.com
TNPSC – TAMIL(GROUP1,2,2A,4&VAO)
,
‘ ‟(Persons Studied in Tamil Medium – PSTM)
.
2010 , PSTM
20% இ .
:
PSTM , 2010 ,
.
இ .
,
.
இ
142 .
:
.
137 .
145
.
www.benevolentacademy.com
, 2019
.
.
2020 16
,2019ஐ
:
:
,
,
,
2020 17 “ ”
100 .
.
.
:
.
.
1971 1975
.
www.benevolentacademy.com
INST (Institute of Nano
Science and Technology –
)
„ ‟ .
‘ ’
.
,
.
:
.
இ
.
(Indian National Centre for
Ocean Information System – INCOIS)
.
, ,
.
:
NAVIC .
NAVIC
.
*** END ***
www.benevolentacademy.com
Top Related