Question : Dicey' s view on administrative law have been overly criticized. Comment. (30 Marks/400 Words)
Model Answer :
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Dicey’s views on administrative law drew criticism on following grounds:
1. Dicey was of the view that French Droit Administration gave special protection to States and Officials, in their dealing with citizens, which is said to be an inference from composition of administrative courts. The cases with State or State Officials as party are tried by administrative courts consisting of state officials instead of judges. Dicey claimed that these courts were not as independent as civil courts and were biased towards state and state’s officials against citizens. However, the administrative courts had been born during French revolutionary era. Under the influence of theory of separation of powers, these courts evolved as an independent units and developed a jurisdiction meant for protection of liberty of citizens instead of menace to it.
2. Similarly, Dicey was not quite correct about rule of law in England. As Robson says, there was always a special body if law applicable to administrative authorities only, in England, that gave them special rights. Until the passing of Crowns Proceedings Act 1947, the crown was immune from liability in torts that too incomplete. Statutes like Limitation Act conferred on executives performance of positive duties by public authorities.
3. Dicey’s opinion that Constitution of England was a result of Citizen’s right was also not quite correct as Constitution was also not quite correct as Constitution was majorly found on customs, traditions and statutory enactments.
There is a system of administrative law in every country in the same way as there is a system of constitutional law. Where is public administration , there must be also administrative law. In some other countries legal study and analysis may not have advanced sufficiently far to differentiate it from the rest of prevailing law, but that scarcely be a ground for denying its existence. Administrative law as regulating the constitution, functions ,procedure and powers of administrative authorities is a universal phenomenon. It is part of the public law of the country and creates a pattern of relationships between the public authorities and the citizens which is different in many ways from the pattern of legal relationships between citizen and citizen. So critics of Dicey were not quite correct in their estimation and he does not deserve so much criticism. (Total Words- 375)
Model Answer :
@UPSC_18
@UPSC_2018
Dicey’s views on administrative law drew criticism on following grounds:
1. Dicey was of the view that French Droit Administration gave special protection to States and Officials, in their dealing with citizens, which is said to be an inference from composition of administrative courts. The cases with State or State Officials as party are tried by administrative courts consisting of state officials instead of judges. Dicey claimed that these courts were not as independent as civil courts and were biased towards state and state’s officials against citizens. However, the administrative courts had been born during French revolutionary era. Under the influence of theory of separation of powers, these courts evolved as an independent units and developed a jurisdiction meant for protection of liberty of citizens instead of menace to it.
2. Similarly, Dicey was not quite correct about rule of law in England. As Robson says, there was always a special body if law applicable to administrative authorities only, in England, that gave them special rights. Until the passing of Crowns Proceedings Act 1947, the crown was immune from liability in torts that too incomplete. Statutes like Limitation Act conferred on executives performance of positive duties by public authorities.
3. Dicey’s opinion that Constitution of England was a result of Citizen’s right was also not quite correct as Constitution was also not quite correct as Constitution was majorly found on customs, traditions and statutory enactments.
There is a system of administrative law in every country in the same way as there is a system of constitutional law. Where is public administration , there must be also administrative law. In some other countries legal study and analysis may not have advanced sufficiently far to differentiate it from the rest of prevailing law, but that scarcely be a ground for denying its existence. Administrative law as regulating the constitution, functions ,procedure and powers of administrative authorities is a universal phenomenon. It is part of the public law of the country and creates a pattern of relationships between the public authorities and the citizens which is different in many ways from the pattern of legal relationships between citizen and citizen. So critics of Dicey were not quite correct in their estimation and he does not deserve so much criticism. (Total Words- 375)
13th September 2017
Economic Times
Ø Telecom Commission rejects Jio's demands, favours relief for telcos
Ø 1 lakh directors of shell companies to be disqualified
Ø Infosys chooses North Carolina for second US hub
Ø NITI Aayog wants more push to digital signatures
Ø Cos to face action for releasing data with name: Prasad
Ø 70% people want scrapped Rs 1000 note back: Survey
Ø Rs 3K cr oil, gas reserves project gets govt nod
Business Standard
Ø Volkswagen has no plans to divide the group, says CEO
Ø Tax dept asks Docomo to pay Rs 2,500 cr on Tata Tele award
Ø I-T dept calls big corporate entities to pay advance taxes
Ø OPEC sees higher 2018 oil demand, trims output
Ø Jet Airways Q1 net doubles to Rs 53 cr on higher other income
Ø New company to hold telecom tower assets of BSNL gets Cabinet nod
Business Line
Ø NSE to extend deadline for filing annual returns to Oct 31
Ø India Inc’s investment overseas down 15% to $1.34 bn in August
Ø Banks need $65 bn more capital to meet Basel-III norms: Fitch
Ø Japanese premier to fast-track bilateral ties
Ø M&A deal value plunges by 46%, firms cautious after GST rollout
Ø L&T Construction wins orders worth Rs. 2,525 cr
Mint
Ø Bill to double tax-free gratuity to Rs20 lakh for government, private employees cleared
Ø India’s coal plants run at 3-year high a hydro, nuclear output falls
Ø Nepal demands window to exchange currency notes banned by India
Ø Tata Sons to raise stake in Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals
Ø Govt mulls Rs10 trillion public financing for infrastructure projects
Financial Express
Ø Sensex settles at 5-week high at over 32,000; all eyes on August inflation data
Ø CPI inflation rises to 3.36 per cent in August as food prices soar
Ø US lawmakers oppose 92 per cent cut in aid to Sri Lanka
Ø GMR Group eyeing airport projects in Asia and Eastern Europe
Ø DLF gets green nod for Rs 240 crore commercial project in Goa
Financial Chronicle
Ø Frequent changes in tax rates to impact investment: Hyundai
Ø HC seeks TRAI's response on Vodafone's appeal
Ø ITC to explore new areas as part of diversification
Ø UN approves new North Korea sanctions, stopping short of oil embargo.
Economic Times
Ø Telecom Commission rejects Jio's demands, favours relief for telcos
Ø 1 lakh directors of shell companies to be disqualified
Ø Infosys chooses North Carolina for second US hub
Ø NITI Aayog wants more push to digital signatures
Ø Cos to face action for releasing data with name: Prasad
Ø 70% people want scrapped Rs 1000 note back: Survey
Ø Rs 3K cr oil, gas reserves project gets govt nod
Business Standard
Ø Volkswagen has no plans to divide the group, says CEO
Ø Tax dept asks Docomo to pay Rs 2,500 cr on Tata Tele award
Ø I-T dept calls big corporate entities to pay advance taxes
Ø OPEC sees higher 2018 oil demand, trims output
Ø Jet Airways Q1 net doubles to Rs 53 cr on higher other income
Ø New company to hold telecom tower assets of BSNL gets Cabinet nod
Business Line
Ø NSE to extend deadline for filing annual returns to Oct 31
Ø India Inc’s investment overseas down 15% to $1.34 bn in August
Ø Banks need $65 bn more capital to meet Basel-III norms: Fitch
Ø Japanese premier to fast-track bilateral ties
Ø M&A deal value plunges by 46%, firms cautious after GST rollout
Ø L&T Construction wins orders worth Rs. 2,525 cr
Mint
Ø Bill to double tax-free gratuity to Rs20 lakh for government, private employees cleared
Ø India’s coal plants run at 3-year high a hydro, nuclear output falls
Ø Nepal demands window to exchange currency notes banned by India
Ø Tata Sons to raise stake in Tata Global Beverages, Tata Chemicals
Ø Govt mulls Rs10 trillion public financing for infrastructure projects
Financial Express
Ø Sensex settles at 5-week high at over 32,000; all eyes on August inflation data
Ø CPI inflation rises to 3.36 per cent in August as food prices soar
Ø US lawmakers oppose 92 per cent cut in aid to Sri Lanka
Ø GMR Group eyeing airport projects in Asia and Eastern Europe
Ø DLF gets green nod for Rs 240 crore commercial project in Goa
Financial Chronicle
Ø Frequent changes in tax rates to impact investment: Hyundai
Ø HC seeks TRAI's response on Vodafone's appeal
Ø ITC to explore new areas as part of diversification
Ø UN approves new North Korea sanctions, stopping short of oil embargo.
Examine the impact of Sovereign Gold bond scheme in the Indian economy ? Bring out the recent changes forwarded by the Govt to woo investers. Comment
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Model Answer:
Examine the impact of Sovereign Gold bond scheme in the Indian economy ? Bring out the recent changes forwarded by the Govt to woo investers.
The Bonds are issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Government of India. The bonds are distributed through banks and designated post offices. This should make subscribing to the bonds an easy affair.
SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity.
Benefit and Impact:
The quantity of gold for which the investor pays is protected, since he receives the ongoing market price at the time of redemption/ premature redemption. The SGB offers a superior alternative to holding gold in physical form. The risks and costs of storage are eliminated. Investors are assured of the market value of gold at the time of maturity and periodical interest. SGB is free from issues like making charges and purity in the case of gold in jewellery form. The bonds are held in the books of the RBI or in demat form eliminating risk of loss of scrip etc.
To help reduce India’s over dependence on gold imports.
Changing the habit of Indians from saving in physical form of gold to paper form with sovereign backing.
Recent changes:
Increase in the limit: to 4 kg from 0.5 kg for individuals HUF and 20 kg for trusts.
Flexibility: in the scheme to design and introduce variants to cater to a cross section of investors.
This was probably done to encourage high net worth individuals , rich farmers as well as Trusts to invest in these bonds.
@UPSC_18
@UPSC_2018
Model Answer:
Examine the impact of Sovereign Gold bond scheme in the Indian economy ? Bring out the recent changes forwarded by the Govt to woo investers.
The Bonds are issued by the Reserve Bank of India on behalf of the Government of India. The bonds are distributed through banks and designated post offices. This should make subscribing to the bonds an easy affair.
SGBs are government securities denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity.
Benefit and Impact:
The quantity of gold for which the investor pays is protected, since he receives the ongoing market price at the time of redemption/ premature redemption. The SGB offers a superior alternative to holding gold in physical form. The risks and costs of storage are eliminated. Investors are assured of the market value of gold at the time of maturity and periodical interest. SGB is free from issues like making charges and purity in the case of gold in jewellery form. The bonds are held in the books of the RBI or in demat form eliminating risk of loss of scrip etc.
To help reduce India’s over dependence on gold imports.
Changing the habit of Indians from saving in physical form of gold to paper form with sovereign backing.
Recent changes:
Increase in the limit: to 4 kg from 0.5 kg for individuals HUF and 20 kg for trusts.
Flexibility: in the scheme to design and introduce variants to cater to a cross section of investors.
This was probably done to encourage high net worth individuals , rich farmers as well as Trusts to invest in these bonds.
What are the Challenges to governance and administration? Comment
@UPSC_18
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Model Answer:
What are the Challenges to governance and administration?
Governance is the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a count affairs at all levels. It consists of the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations mid mediate t differences.
A series of political reforms have been enacted by Parliament by unanimous these include the electoral funding, reforms promoting transparency and fairness and creating t incentives to donors, disclosure of antecedents of candidates contesting for public office, and the 97 Constitutional Amendment limiting the size of the Council of Ministers to 15 per cent of the strength the Lower House and considerably strengthening anti-defection provisions. A new value-added tax regime has been introduced recently, which is seen as the most ambitious tax reform after Independent The path-breaking Right to Information Act has come into effect recently. This new law applies to union and state agencies, local governments and even societies and trusts which receive public fund This far-reaching law also provides for independent information commissioners, proactive disclosure and reporting mechanisms and has the potential to impact our governance process in a profound an positive way by empowering citizens.
These welcome initiatives indicate that our political system is willing to respond to the growing challenges of governance.
However, a lot more remains to be done. There is increasing lawlessness in several pockets of the country, and armed groups are resorting to violence with impunity for sectarian or ideological reason the state apparatus Is generally perceived to be largely inefficient, with most functionaries serving no useful purpose.
@UPSC_18
The bureaucracy is generally seen to be tardy, inefficient, and unresponsive. Corruption is all-pervasive, eating into the vitals of our system, undermining economic growth, distorting competition, and disproportionately hurting the poor and marginalized citizens. Criminalization of politics continues unchecked, with money and muscle power playing a large role in elections. In general, there is high degree of volatility in society on account of unfulfilled expectations and poor delivery. Abuse of authority at all levels in all organs of state has become the bane of our democracy. The perception that every political party and politician is corrupt needs to be seriously addressed, and restructuring the systems in all sectors - political, bureaucratic and judicial - is of paramount importance.
There is a need to restructure our political and governance institutions and rejuvenate our Republic. Otherwise, the growing cynicism and despair among large sections may shatter public confidence in democratic institutions.
@UPSC_18
@UPSC_2018
Model Answer:
What are the Challenges to governance and administration?
Governance is the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a count affairs at all levels. It consists of the mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations mid mediate t differences.
A series of political reforms have been enacted by Parliament by unanimous these include the electoral funding, reforms promoting transparency and fairness and creating t incentives to donors, disclosure of antecedents of candidates contesting for public office, and the 97 Constitutional Amendment limiting the size of the Council of Ministers to 15 per cent of the strength the Lower House and considerably strengthening anti-defection provisions. A new value-added tax regime has been introduced recently, which is seen as the most ambitious tax reform after Independent The path-breaking Right to Information Act has come into effect recently. This new law applies to union and state agencies, local governments and even societies and trusts which receive public fund This far-reaching law also provides for independent information commissioners, proactive disclosure and reporting mechanisms and has the potential to impact our governance process in a profound an positive way by empowering citizens.
These welcome initiatives indicate that our political system is willing to respond to the growing challenges of governance.
However, a lot more remains to be done. There is increasing lawlessness in several pockets of the country, and armed groups are resorting to violence with impunity for sectarian or ideological reason the state apparatus Is generally perceived to be largely inefficient, with most functionaries serving no useful purpose.
@UPSC_18
The bureaucracy is generally seen to be tardy, inefficient, and unresponsive. Corruption is all-pervasive, eating into the vitals of our system, undermining economic growth, distorting competition, and disproportionately hurting the poor and marginalized citizens. Criminalization of politics continues unchecked, with money and muscle power playing a large role in elections. In general, there is high degree of volatility in society on account of unfulfilled expectations and poor delivery. Abuse of authority at all levels in all organs of state has become the bane of our democracy. The perception that every political party and politician is corrupt needs to be seriously addressed, and restructuring the systems in all sectors - political, bureaucratic and judicial - is of paramount importance.
There is a need to restructure our political and governance institutions and rejuvenate our Republic. Otherwise, the growing cynicism and despair among large sections may shatter public confidence in democratic institutions.
'90-90-90’ target by UNAIDS tardy in Odisha
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A large number of HIV positive persons don’t know their infection status
Experiences in Ganjam, the most HIV-infection prone district in Odisha, have hinted that progress on the ‘90-90-90’ target set by the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has been tardy in the State.
As per the ‘90-90-90’ target, 90% of all HIV infected persons should get diagnosed and know their HIV positive status. Ninety per cent of these diagnosed HIV positive persons are to be provided regular Antiretroviral
Therapy (ART), and 90% of people taking ART should show signs of viral suppression, which reduces their scope of infection.
Only a small section of HIV-infection prone people have got themselves tested. It means that a large number of HIV-positive persons do not know their HIV infection status.
As per a study, at any time of the year over five lakh rural males of reproductive age from Ganjam stay away from their families as migrant labourers outside Odisha.
But the total number of persons tested in Ganjam in a year is around 90,000,
It means most migrant labourers, who have chances of bringing back HIV infection to their homes in Ganjam, do not get tested.
@UPSC_18
A large number of HIV positive persons don’t know their infection status
Experiences in Ganjam, the most HIV-infection prone district in Odisha, have hinted that progress on the ‘90-90-90’ target set by the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has been tardy in the State.
As per the ‘90-90-90’ target, 90% of all HIV infected persons should get diagnosed and know their HIV positive status. Ninety per cent of these diagnosed HIV positive persons are to be provided regular Antiretroviral
Therapy (ART), and 90% of people taking ART should show signs of viral suppression, which reduces their scope of infection.
Only a small section of HIV-infection prone people have got themselves tested. It means that a large number of HIV-positive persons do not know their HIV infection status.
As per a study, at any time of the year over five lakh rural males of reproductive age from Ganjam stay away from their families as migrant labourers outside Odisha.
But the total number of persons tested in Ganjam in a year is around 90,000,
It means most migrant labourers, who have chances of bringing back HIV infection to their homes in Ganjam, do not get tested.
Fight to prove Bhagat Singh’s innocence
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Pakistani lawyer files petition in Lahore High Court to set sentence aside
Eighty-six years after revolutionary Bhagat Singh was hanged for the murder of a British police officer, a Pakistani lawyer is fighting to prove the legendary Indian freedom fighter’s innocence in a Lahore court.
Advocate Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi filed a fresh petition in the Lahore High Court for the early hearing of his case to prove Singh’s innocence.
The Division Bench of the Lahore High Court had in February 2016 asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a larger Bench to hear the petition by Mr. Qureshi, who runs the Lahore-based Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation. But no action has been taken yet.
In the petition, Mr. Qureshi said Singh was a freedom fighter and fought for the freedom of undivided India.
His petition wants the court to set aside the sentence of Singh by exercising principles of review and order the government to honour him with a state award.
Singh was hanged by British rulers on March 23, 1931 at the age of 23 in Lahore, after being tried on charges of hatching a conspiracy against the colonial government. The case was filed against Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru for allegedly killing John P. Saunders.
In 2014, the Lahore police searched through records of the Anarkali police station on the court’s order and managed to find the First Information Report on Saunders’ killing in 1928.A copy of the FIR was provided to Qureshi on the court’s order.
Written in Urdu, the FIR was registered with the Anarkali police station on December 17, 1928 at 4.30 p.m. against two ‘unknown gunmen.’
The case was registered under Sections 302, 1201 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code. Singh’s name was not mentioned in the FIR, though he was eventually handed down the death sentence for the murder.
@UPSC_18
https://t.me/UPSC_2018
Pakistani lawyer files petition in Lahore High Court to set sentence aside
Eighty-six years after revolutionary Bhagat Singh was hanged for the murder of a British police officer, a Pakistani lawyer is fighting to prove the legendary Indian freedom fighter’s innocence in a Lahore court.
Advocate Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi filed a fresh petition in the Lahore High Court for the early hearing of his case to prove Singh’s innocence.
The Division Bench of the Lahore High Court had in February 2016 asked the Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a larger Bench to hear the petition by Mr. Qureshi, who runs the Lahore-based Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation. But no action has been taken yet.
In the petition, Mr. Qureshi said Singh was a freedom fighter and fought for the freedom of undivided India.
His petition wants the court to set aside the sentence of Singh by exercising principles of review and order the government to honour him with a state award.
Singh was hanged by British rulers on March 23, 1931 at the age of 23 in Lahore, after being tried on charges of hatching a conspiracy against the colonial government. The case was filed against Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru for allegedly killing John P. Saunders.
In 2014, the Lahore police searched through records of the Anarkali police station on the court’s order and managed to find the First Information Report on Saunders’ killing in 1928.A copy of the FIR was provided to Qureshi on the court’s order.
Written in Urdu, the FIR was registered with the Anarkali police station on December 17, 1928 at 4.30 p.m. against two ‘unknown gunmen.’
The case was registered under Sections 302, 1201 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code. Singh’s name was not mentioned in the FIR, though he was eventually handed down the death sentence for the murder.
Telegram
Dr. Ashok Sharma
Which country in the world has a different calendar?
It is quite an unknown that the whole world, except Ethiopia, has adopted Gregorian calendar. On the other hand, Ethiopia has accepted the Coptic calendar, which is quite different from the Gregorian calendar. The Coptic calendar has 13 months of which 12 months comprise of 30 days each, and a 13th month at the end of the year called the intercalary month usually has 5 days and 6 days in a leap year. The country of Ethiopia celebrates New Year on September 11th.
The relationship between Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars varies whenever the Gregorian calendar misses a leap year. The difference in year numbering is because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church disagrees with the Roman Catholic Church about when Christ was born. The calculation of time is also dissimilar in Ethiopia as hours are counted from down. So the next time, while on September 11th(today) you are engaged in your routine schedule, Ethiopia will be celebrating New Year!
Happy New Year Ethiopia.
It is quite an unknown that the whole world, except Ethiopia, has adopted Gregorian calendar. On the other hand, Ethiopia has accepted the Coptic calendar, which is quite different from the Gregorian calendar. The Coptic calendar has 13 months of which 12 months comprise of 30 days each, and a 13th month at the end of the year called the intercalary month usually has 5 days and 6 days in a leap year. The country of Ethiopia celebrates New Year on September 11th.
The relationship between Ethiopian and Gregorian calendars varies whenever the Gregorian calendar misses a leap year. The difference in year numbering is because the Ethiopian Orthodox Church disagrees with the Roman Catholic Church about when Christ was born. The calculation of time is also dissimilar in Ethiopia as hours are counted from down. So the next time, while on September 11th(today) you are engaged in your routine schedule, Ethiopia will be celebrating New Year!
Happy New Year Ethiopia.
Model Answer:
Supreme court recently ordered setting up of a committee to examine dowry cases. Explain the reason and also what are the issues arises with it?
Comment
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Dowry Act: First enacted in 1961, the law sought to protect women from being killed or tortured in their marital homes by greedy husbands and in-laws.
Thereafter, passionate advocacy by women’s rights activists resulted in the insertion of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, making the offence of dowry harassment cognisable and non-bailable
Supreme Court ordered the setting up of ‘family welfare committees’ in all districts under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Following are the reasons:
a) Section 498A (dowry harassment) of the IPC had come under much abuse.
b) Dowry complaints were being filed in the heat of the moment over trivial issues.
c) Advocates say that disgruntled women determined to destroy family values and drags innocent husbands and in-laws to jail for their own nefarious purpose.
@UPSC_18
Issues arises by the women protagonists:
a) the first attempt to dilute Section 498A came from a 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court which mandated a nine-point checklist before any arrests could be made under Section 498A.
b) Then followed the latest Supreme Court judgment which has almost irretrievably diluted 498A and rendered it nearly unreachable to victims. This judgment mandates a family welfare committee in every district to scrutinise dowry harassment cases.
c) It is not difficult to predict how such committees will operate in our male-dominated districts. The Supreme Court has also done away with the need for the accused to make a personal appearance in court in addition to other forms of relief.
d) The widespread misuse of this section by usurious moneylenders and financial institutions has never been publicly debated. The judiciary and civil society do not appear to ever discuss misuse or “abuse” of other laws and offences, although abuse of any law is possible, and does in fact happen. It is only when any law relating to the empowerment of women is enacted, that hysterical debate ensues about misuse of such a law and the sufferings of the accused.
Suggestion:
a) Proper examination: that how this act is effective in preventing dowry deaths and cruelity to women.
b) Substantial research is needed.
Supreme court recently ordered setting up of a committee to examine dowry cases. Explain the reason and also what are the issues arises with it?
Comment
@UPSC_2018
Dowry Act: First enacted in 1961, the law sought to protect women from being killed or tortured in their marital homes by greedy husbands and in-laws.
Thereafter, passionate advocacy by women’s rights activists resulted in the insertion of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, making the offence of dowry harassment cognisable and non-bailable
Supreme Court ordered the setting up of ‘family welfare committees’ in all districts under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
Following are the reasons:
a) Section 498A (dowry harassment) of the IPC had come under much abuse.
b) Dowry complaints were being filed in the heat of the moment over trivial issues.
c) Advocates say that disgruntled women determined to destroy family values and drags innocent husbands and in-laws to jail for their own nefarious purpose.
@UPSC_18
Issues arises by the women protagonists:
a) the first attempt to dilute Section 498A came from a 2014 judgment of the Supreme Court which mandated a nine-point checklist before any arrests could be made under Section 498A.
b) Then followed the latest Supreme Court judgment which has almost irretrievably diluted 498A and rendered it nearly unreachable to victims. This judgment mandates a family welfare committee in every district to scrutinise dowry harassment cases.
c) It is not difficult to predict how such committees will operate in our male-dominated districts. The Supreme Court has also done away with the need for the accused to make a personal appearance in court in addition to other forms of relief.
d) The widespread misuse of this section by usurious moneylenders and financial institutions has never been publicly debated. The judiciary and civil society do not appear to ever discuss misuse or “abuse” of other laws and offences, although abuse of any law is possible, and does in fact happen. It is only when any law relating to the empowerment of women is enacted, that hysterical debate ensues about misuse of such a law and the sufferings of the accused.
Suggestion:
a) Proper examination: that how this act is effective in preventing dowry deaths and cruelity to women.
b) Substantial research is needed.
LIST OF BRAND AMBASSADORS IN INDIA 2017
● Bindheswar Pathak : Swachh Rail Mission
● Dia Mirza : Swachh Saathi programme
● John Abraham : Arunachal Pradesh
● Lionel Messi : Tata Motors global
● M S Dhoni : Craig McDermott International Cricket Academy (Australia).
● M S Dhoni : Mobile handset maker Lava International
● Madhuri Dixit : INTEX.
● Madhuri Dixit : Mothers’ Absolute Affection.
● Narendra Modi : Incredible India
● Nawazuddin Siddiqui : UP’s ‘Samajwadi Kisan Beema Yojana’.
● P V Sindhu : CRPF
● P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik : Swachh Bharat Mission.
● Priyanka Chopra : Assam tourism
● R Ashwin : Equitas SFB
● Rahul Dravid : T20 World Cup for the blind
● Ranbir Kapoor : Renault India
● Ricky Ponting : Tasmania
● Sachin Tendulkar : Kerala’s anti-liquor campaign
● Sakshi Malik : Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign for Haryana.
● Salman Khan : BMC’s Open Defecation Free drive.
● Salman Khan :Yellow Diamond, snack maker
● Sonam Kapoor : Kalyan Jewellers
● Sunil Gavaskar : The First Group.
● Vidya Balan : UP’s Samajwadi Pension Yojna.
● Virat Kohli : BSF.
● Virat Kohli : Manyavar
● Virat Kohli : Punjab National Bank
● Virat Kohli : Valvoline.
● Bindheswar Pathak : Swachh Rail Mission
● Dia Mirza : Swachh Saathi programme
● John Abraham : Arunachal Pradesh
● Lionel Messi : Tata Motors global
● M S Dhoni : Craig McDermott International Cricket Academy (Australia).
● M S Dhoni : Mobile handset maker Lava International
● Madhuri Dixit : INTEX.
● Madhuri Dixit : Mothers’ Absolute Affection.
● Narendra Modi : Incredible India
● Nawazuddin Siddiqui : UP’s ‘Samajwadi Kisan Beema Yojana’.
● P V Sindhu : CRPF
● P V Sindhu and Sakshi Malik : Swachh Bharat Mission.
● Priyanka Chopra : Assam tourism
● R Ashwin : Equitas SFB
● Rahul Dravid : T20 World Cup for the blind
● Ranbir Kapoor : Renault India
● Ricky Ponting : Tasmania
● Sachin Tendulkar : Kerala’s anti-liquor campaign
● Sakshi Malik : Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign for Haryana.
● Salman Khan : BMC’s Open Defecation Free drive.
● Salman Khan :Yellow Diamond, snack maker
● Sonam Kapoor : Kalyan Jewellers
● Sunil Gavaskar : The First Group.
● Vidya Balan : UP’s Samajwadi Pension Yojna.
● Virat Kohli : BSF.
● Virat Kohli : Manyavar
● Virat Kohli : Punjab National Bank
● Virat Kohli : Valvoline.
Why Does Swiss Cheese Have Holes?
Swiss cheese, properly known as Emmentaler, gets its hole-y appearance and distinctive flavor thanks to the bacteria that turns milk into cheese. All cheeses contain bacteria (they’re responsible for producing lactic acid) which help them develop into a final edible product, yet not all those bacteria are the same.
To make Swiss cheese, the cultures of the bacteria S. thermophilus, Lactobacillus and P. shermani are mixed with cow’s milk. The bacteria helps produce curds, which are pressed and soaked in brine inside of cheese molds. The cheese is then stored at 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and left to ripen. It’s at this point when the bacteria really does its work. While it’s working, it releases lactic acid and one of those bacteria, a gassy one, consumes it.
That bacteria, more specifically P. shermani, releases carbon dioxide when it consumes the lactic acid and forms bubbles. The bubbles don’t just disappear, they form little air pockets, resulting in the holes of the Swiss cheese. The size of the holes can be controlled by cheese makers through the acidity, temperature and maturing time, which is why it’s possible to have a baby Swiss and regular Swiss option.
Swiss cheese, properly known as Emmentaler, gets its hole-y appearance and distinctive flavor thanks to the bacteria that turns milk into cheese. All cheeses contain bacteria (they’re responsible for producing lactic acid) which help them develop into a final edible product, yet not all those bacteria are the same.
To make Swiss cheese, the cultures of the bacteria S. thermophilus, Lactobacillus and P. shermani are mixed with cow’s milk. The bacteria helps produce curds, which are pressed and soaked in brine inside of cheese molds. The cheese is then stored at 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and left to ripen. It’s at this point when the bacteria really does its work. While it’s working, it releases lactic acid and one of those bacteria, a gassy one, consumes it.
That bacteria, more specifically P. shermani, releases carbon dioxide when it consumes the lactic acid and forms bubbles. The bubbles don’t just disappear, they form little air pockets, resulting in the holes of the Swiss cheese. The size of the holes can be controlled by cheese makers through the acidity, temperature and maturing time, which is why it’s possible to have a baby Swiss and regular Swiss option.
Why do Giraffe's have purple tongues?
The color of a giraffe's tongue is described as black, blue or purple with a pink base.
A giraffe's tongue hasmelanin (same pigment that turns your skin dark when you get suntanned). Their dark tongues have more melanin, which protects them from getting sunburned.
The color of a giraffe's tongue is described as black, blue or purple with a pink base.
A giraffe's tongue hasmelanin (same pigment that turns your skin dark when you get suntanned). Their dark tongues have more melanin, which protects them from getting sunburned.
Govt considering its own cryptocurrency
@UPSC_18
@UPSC_2017
The Central government is considering a proposal to introduce its cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin.
Sources close to the development said that the proposal was discussed by a committee of government officials, and the panel found the idea of setting up and running blockchain for financial services useful.
Whenever the decision is taken, the cryptocurrency will fall in the domain of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and some Acts such as the Currency Act might have to be amended. Hence, this will be a time-consuming process.
Sources also said the government might name its cryptocurrency “Lakshmi”.
Vaibhav Parikh, partner, Nishith Desai Associates, said: “I won't be surprised if the government comes up with its own cryptocurrency because banks are trying blockchain as a technology and to make blockchain work it would need some cryptocurrency. Since it doesn’t trust Bitcoin it may come up with their own currency."
Running a ledger-like blockchain cryptocurrency is required for settlement and the RBI and government officials have said that they are not comfortable with Bitcoin.
China, Russia, and Estonia are said to be considering having their own cryptocurrencies.
A few days ago RBI Executive Director Sudarshan Sen had talked about the central bank’s discomfort with Bitcoin, which has recently come under intense global regulatory scrutiny.
He had also hinted at the need for India’s own cryptocurrency.
@UPSC_18
@UPSC_2017
The Central government is considering a proposal to introduce its cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin.
Sources close to the development said that the proposal was discussed by a committee of government officials, and the panel found the idea of setting up and running blockchain for financial services useful.
Whenever the decision is taken, the cryptocurrency will fall in the domain of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and some Acts such as the Currency Act might have to be amended. Hence, this will be a time-consuming process.
Sources also said the government might name its cryptocurrency “Lakshmi”.
Vaibhav Parikh, partner, Nishith Desai Associates, said: “I won't be surprised if the government comes up with its own cryptocurrency because banks are trying blockchain as a technology and to make blockchain work it would need some cryptocurrency. Since it doesn’t trust Bitcoin it may come up with their own currency."
Running a ledger-like blockchain cryptocurrency is required for settlement and the RBI and government officials have said that they are not comfortable with Bitcoin.
China, Russia, and Estonia are said to be considering having their own cryptocurrencies.
A few days ago RBI Executive Director Sudarshan Sen had talked about the central bank’s discomfort with Bitcoin, which has recently come under intense global regulatory scrutiny.
He had also hinted at the need for India’s own cryptocurrency.
💥Karnataka, 1st Indian State to Approve e-vehicle Policy
💥 India Launches ‘Operation Insaniyat’ to Help Bangladesh
💥 Google to Launch Mobile Payment Service in India
💥 74th Venice Film Festival Awards 2017
✨List of Awards are as follows-
1. Golden Lion - Best Movie
The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro
2. Grand Jury Prize
Foxtrot, directed by Samuel Maoz
3. Silver Lion - Best Director
Xavier Legrand (for Jusqu’à la Garde)
4. Volpi Cup - Best Actress
Charlotte Rampling (for Hannah)
5. Volpi Cup - Best Actor
Kamel El Basha (for The Insult)
💥 Former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was elected as Chair of Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a four-year term.
💥 The International Day of Democracy is observed across the world on 15 September. The theme for the year 2017 is ‘Democracy and Conflict prevention’.
💥 Goa to Host 36th National Games
💥'Unstoppable: My Life So Far' authored by Maria Sharapova.
💥 India Launches ‘Operation Insaniyat’ to Help Bangladesh
💥 Google to Launch Mobile Payment Service in India
💥 74th Venice Film Festival Awards 2017
✨List of Awards are as follows-
1. Golden Lion - Best Movie
The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro
2. Grand Jury Prize
Foxtrot, directed by Samuel Maoz
3. Silver Lion - Best Director
Xavier Legrand (for Jusqu’à la Garde)
4. Volpi Cup - Best Actress
Charlotte Rampling (for Hannah)
5. Volpi Cup - Best Actor
Kamel El Basha (for The Insult)
💥 Former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was elected as Chair of Ethics Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a four-year term.
💥 The International Day of Democracy is observed across the world on 15 September. The theme for the year 2017 is ‘Democracy and Conflict prevention’.
💥 Goa to Host 36th National Games
💥'Unstoppable: My Life So Far' authored by Maria Sharapova.
Blue Whale game
@UPSC_2018
The Supreme Court asked the government to respond to a petition for an immediate direction to ban online game ‘Blue Whale Challenge, which is suspected to be behind the deaths or attempted suicides of teenagers and young adults hooked to it.
A Bench, led by the Chief Justice of India, issued notice to the government on a petition by advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin, representing another lawyer N.S. Ponnaiah, who wanted the government to take immediate steps to spread awareness about the dangers of playing the game and end its availability online. The court asked Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal to assist the court.
It is argued before the Bench that the government, till now, had not taken sufficient steps even as the number of cases of self-inflicted injuries and suicides were increasing.
The petition said the game had spread its tentacles across the cities and was enticing even school students to play.
The game goads young people into killing themselves. The blue whale on-line game encourages people to take part in increasingly dangerous harmful dares that finally culminate in instructions by the administrators to kill themselves.
@UPSC_2018
The Supreme Court asked the government to respond to a petition for an immediate direction to ban online game ‘Blue Whale Challenge, which is suspected to be behind the deaths or attempted suicides of teenagers and young adults hooked to it.
A Bench, led by the Chief Justice of India, issued notice to the government on a petition by advocate C.R. Jaya Sukin, representing another lawyer N.S. Ponnaiah, who wanted the government to take immediate steps to spread awareness about the dangers of playing the game and end its availability online. The court asked Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal to assist the court.
It is argued before the Bench that the government, till now, had not taken sufficient steps even as the number of cases of self-inflicted injuries and suicides were increasing.
The petition said the game had spread its tentacles across the cities and was enticing even school students to play.
The game goads young people into killing themselves. The blue whale on-line game encourages people to take part in increasingly dangerous harmful dares that finally culminate in instructions by the administrators to kill themselves.
Terror attack in London
@UPSC_18
Terror attack with IED during rush hour triggers mass panic at railway station
Britain faced its fifth terrorism incident in 2017 as an improvised explosive device triggered an explosion on a rush-hour tube train at Parsons Green in southwest London injuring at least 22 people and triggering mass panic at the station. Unconfirmed reports said 29 people were injured.
Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting of the emergency COBRA committee, as Britain’s terror threat remained at severe, meaning a terror attack was highly likely.
The Metropolitan police urged members of the public to remain calm and alert and for those who had images of the scene to upload them on a police website.
The explosion took place at around 8.20 in the morning when the device on the district line tube train, travelling from southwest London to Paddington went off, creating what witnesses on the train described as a “fireball.”
Images circulating on social media appeared to show a white bucket within a supermarket bag. One witness, who suffered burns on his scalp, spoke of others who were badly burnt, while others spoke of the panic that ensued after the incident as, after the doors were quickly opened, people attempted to exit the station through its single narrow stairwell.
Blast on the London Tube highlights the challenge facing large metropolitan centres
blast at London Tube that injured at least 22 people highlighted the challenge facing large metropolitan centres, amid a new wave of terror attacks, some of which appear to be carried out by lone agents, often using low-tech weapons such as vehicles, knives or home made devices.
The incident, fifth terror attack this year in Britain, is also likely to reignite the domestic debate regarding funding of emergency services in the country, amid austerity cutbacks to resources and constraints on pay — issues that were raised by the Labour Party following previous attacks.
This attack comes 12 years after 52 people were killed on terrorist bombings on London buses and tubes, and after the March attack on Westminster Bridge and outside the Houses of Parliament that killed five people.
Less than a month after the attack on the Ariana Grande Concert in Manchester in May, 11 people were killed in another attack around London Bridge station. In June, a man was killed outside the Finsbury Park Mosque in north London. Nineteen terrorist plots have been foiled in Britain since June 2013, while 379 people were arrested for terrorism related offences across the country in the twelve months to June.
@UPSC_18
Terror attack with IED during rush hour triggers mass panic at railway station
Britain faced its fifth terrorism incident in 2017 as an improvised explosive device triggered an explosion on a rush-hour tube train at Parsons Green in southwest London injuring at least 22 people and triggering mass panic at the station. Unconfirmed reports said 29 people were injured.
Prime Minister Theresa May chaired a meeting of the emergency COBRA committee, as Britain’s terror threat remained at severe, meaning a terror attack was highly likely.
The Metropolitan police urged members of the public to remain calm and alert and for those who had images of the scene to upload them on a police website.
The explosion took place at around 8.20 in the morning when the device on the district line tube train, travelling from southwest London to Paddington went off, creating what witnesses on the train described as a “fireball.”
Images circulating on social media appeared to show a white bucket within a supermarket bag. One witness, who suffered burns on his scalp, spoke of others who were badly burnt, while others spoke of the panic that ensued after the incident as, after the doors were quickly opened, people attempted to exit the station through its single narrow stairwell.
Blast on the London Tube highlights the challenge facing large metropolitan centres
blast at London Tube that injured at least 22 people highlighted the challenge facing large metropolitan centres, amid a new wave of terror attacks, some of which appear to be carried out by lone agents, often using low-tech weapons such as vehicles, knives or home made devices.
The incident, fifth terror attack this year in Britain, is also likely to reignite the domestic debate regarding funding of emergency services in the country, amid austerity cutbacks to resources and constraints on pay — issues that were raised by the Labour Party following previous attacks.
This attack comes 12 years after 52 people were killed on terrorist bombings on London buses and tubes, and after the March attack on Westminster Bridge and outside the Houses of Parliament that killed five people.
Less than a month after the attack on the Ariana Grande Concert in Manchester in May, 11 people were killed in another attack around London Bridge station. In June, a man was killed outside the Finsbury Park Mosque in north London. Nineteen terrorist plots have been foiled in Britain since June 2013, while 379 people were arrested for terrorism related offences across the country in the twelve months to June.
Golden throne assembled ahead of Dasara
@UPSC_2018
@UPSC_18
The throne is brought out only during Dasara and assembled in the Amba Vilas section for khas durbar
In the run-up to the Navaratri festival to be celebrated by members of the Wadiyar family, the golden throne which plays a significant part in their ceremonies, was assembled.
The throne, which is dismantled and placed in the strongroom under security throughout the year, is brought out only during Dasara and assembled in the Amba Vilas section for khas durbar.
It was out under the supervision of the priests and entailed the involvement of 15 persons from Gejjagalli, who are traditionally engaged for this task.
The throne comprises three parts, including the main seat, a staircase, and the golden umbrella.
There are various theories about the origin of the throne and as per one legend, it belonged to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame. It was brought from Hastinapura to Penugonda and was lost to posterity until it was retrieved in 1336 A.D. by Vidyaranya who was the royal preceptor to the founders of the Vijayanagar empire.
It was transferred to the Wadiyars who were the governors to the Vijayanagar rulers after the fall of the empire. But as per historical accounts, it was gifted to ChikkadevarajaWadiyar in 1700 A.D. by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The golden throne is open to the public only during the Dasara and is shifted to the strongroom after the completion of the festivities.
@UPSC_2018
@UPSC_18
The throne is brought out only during Dasara and assembled in the Amba Vilas section for khas durbar
In the run-up to the Navaratri festival to be celebrated by members of the Wadiyar family, the golden throne which plays a significant part in their ceremonies, was assembled.
The throne, which is dismantled and placed in the strongroom under security throughout the year, is brought out only during Dasara and assembled in the Amba Vilas section for khas durbar.
It was out under the supervision of the priests and entailed the involvement of 15 persons from Gejjagalli, who are traditionally engaged for this task.
The throne comprises three parts, including the main seat, a staircase, and the golden umbrella.
There are various theories about the origin of the throne and as per one legend, it belonged to the Pandavas of the Mahabharata fame. It was brought from Hastinapura to Penugonda and was lost to posterity until it was retrieved in 1336 A.D. by Vidyaranya who was the royal preceptor to the founders of the Vijayanagar empire.
It was transferred to the Wadiyars who were the governors to the Vijayanagar rulers after the fall of the empire. But as per historical accounts, it was gifted to ChikkadevarajaWadiyar in 1700 A.D. by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The golden throne is open to the public only during the Dasara and is shifted to the strongroom after the completion of the festivities.
What is Regulatory Sandbox in terms of economy? What are its Benefits?Comment
@UPSC_18
Model Answer:
@UPSC_2018
A regulatory sandbox is an experimental oversight mechanism for innovative products and services that do not fall into an existing regulatory regime or cut across traditional regulators’ domains. Such innovations are permitted to operate for a limited period of time at a limited scale to understand its efficacy and implications, so that the best alternatives for regulation can be evolved based on concerns that emerge.
The sandbox needs to be designed to adopt this unified consumer-centric lens through a single integrated sandbox, serving all four financial sector regulators… technology will always be ahead of regulation like RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA.
NITI AAYOG approach this mechanism because India’s financial sectors regulators hinders ideas in the financial technology sector.
Benefits of Sandbox:
Twin objectives of nurturing financial innovation and safeguarding consumer interests.
Graet way to unlock innovation for mass public adoption .
Will be a boost for Start Up .
Globally regulatory sandboxes have been introduces in the UK , Singapore, Australia UAE etc.
@UPSC_18
Model Answer:
@UPSC_2018
A regulatory sandbox is an experimental oversight mechanism for innovative products and services that do not fall into an existing regulatory regime or cut across traditional regulators’ domains. Such innovations are permitted to operate for a limited period of time at a limited scale to understand its efficacy and implications, so that the best alternatives for regulation can be evolved based on concerns that emerge.
The sandbox needs to be designed to adopt this unified consumer-centric lens through a single integrated sandbox, serving all four financial sector regulators… technology will always be ahead of regulation like RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA.
NITI AAYOG approach this mechanism because India’s financial sectors regulators hinders ideas in the financial technology sector.
Benefits of Sandbox:
Twin objectives of nurturing financial innovation and safeguarding consumer interests.
Graet way to unlock innovation for mass public adoption .
Will be a boost for Start Up .
Globally regulatory sandboxes have been introduces in the UK , Singapore, Australia UAE etc.