Page 381 - Social Issues
Over 37 lakh women benefited under PM's maternity scheme: Ministry
More than 37 lakh women have been benefited across the country under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maternity scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, said Ministry of Women and Child Development on Friday.
10 states accounted for over 10 per cent of PMTCT of HIV cases in India in 2017: Report
Ten states in India, including Maharashtra, West Bengal and Gujarat, accounted for over three-fourth of the total Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV cases in the country in 2017, the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said Friday. India is estimated to have had around 22,677 HIV-positive women who gave birth in 2017 and needed treatment for PMTCT of HIV, a report issued by NACO said. The PMTCT need was highest in Maharashtra, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. "Together, these 10 states contribute almost three fourth of the total PMTCT need in the country," said the report, adding that elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is one of the critical targets. Current estimations show that the rate of elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is within striking distance of the target -- 95 per cent coverage by 2020 -- in many states/UTs, with a national ...
UNHCR calls for mechanism to share out migrant burden
Outgoing UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi on Friday appealed for the creation of a clear mechanism for European states to share out the burden of migrants rescued at sea rather than work on a case by case basis. Those arriving "must be shared around Europe. There must be a foreseeable mechanism. We cannot deal on a boat by boat basis," the UN refugee chief told a news conference after two days of talks with authorities in his native Italy. Italy has closed its ports to NGOs rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean and has been increasingly reluctant to take in those brought to shore in its own vessels, making reception conditional on those brought to shore being offloaded to other EU states. "We are not talking about incredible figures -- if Libya can deal with a million refugees then Europe can manage a few tens of thousands," Grandi said. He added that between 80 and 90 per cent of the estimated 68 million refugees globally according to UNHCR figures were "in poor countries or have
21.40 lakh people living with HIV in 2017, over two-fifth of them women
India had an estimated 21.40 lakh people living with HIV in 2017, with slightly more than two-fifth of them being women, the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) said on Friday. It said the annual new HIV infection cases have declined by more than 60 per cent since 2000, but the rate of decline between 2010 and 2017 have been 27 per cent, far behind the pace needed to reach the 2020 target of 75 per cent reduction in new cases of infection. Around 87,580 new HIV infections and 69,110 AIDS-related deaths occurred last year, the HIV Estimations 2017 report stated. "The results of the 2017 round of HIV Estimates confirm the national declining trend in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths corroborating India's success story in curbing the epidemic," the report stated, but stressed that there is "no place for complacency" as new HIV infections are "stable to rising" in some locations. "Between 2010 and 2017, new infections have declined only by 27 per cent. While this is better .
City-based NGO looks to raise funds for old age home
City-based NGO Wishes and Blessings is looking to raise funds to set up an old age home for men, according to an official. A charity event, where vendors exhibited jewellery, apparel and home decor, among other times, was organised here Thursday. "We are raising funds for the running cost of our old age home Man ka Tilak and also to set up a new old age home for men," Wishes and Blessings Founder Geetanjali Chopra said. The NGO is also working on initiatives to spread messages against instances of abuse of elderly people. Wishes and Blessings, a 12-member group, has organised charity events earlier also to raise money for various activities.
Science should become a movement: Harsh Vardhan
Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said the Central government is looking to turn the scientific progress in the country into a movement.
Delhi Cong warns to launch 'Jail Bharo' agitation against 'illegal sealing' of household industries
The Delhi Congress Friday warned to launch a 'Jail Bharo' agitation and start impromptu gherao of BJP and AAP leaders to protest against the "illegal sealing" of non-polluting household industries in the city. In a rally organised under the 'Nyay Yudh' campaign at Karol Bagh here, Congress Delhi unit chief Ajay Maken said he was "ready to go to jail" to get relief and justice for the people hit by the "illegal sealing" and "loot" in the name of conversion charge. Holding the central and the AAP governments responsible for the sealing, Maken claimed that they did not present relevant facts before the Supreme Court to stop the sealing drive. He said people should come out on the streets to protest against the conversion charges being "illegally" collected by the municipal corproations. "The Congress is solidly behind over 50 lakh people on the issue of illegal collection of conversion charges, which should be stopped," Maken said. The party passed a resolution, saying that a 'Jail ...
More than 21 lakh people living with HIV in India, Maharashtra tops: Report
Maharashtra has the highest number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in India which is around 3.30 lakh, contributing 15 per cent of total immunodeficiency virus-affected people in the country which is 21.40 lakh, according to the latest data by Health and Family Welfare Ministry.
Nikah halala petitioner seeks protection from SC after acid attack, hearing on Sep 17
The Supreme Court Friday agreed to hear on September 17 a plea filed by a petitioner in nikah halala and triple talaq case, seeking protection after facing acid attack yesterday at Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwikar and D Y Chandrachud considered the plea of Shabnam Rani, who was attacked allegedly by her brother-in-law and has been hospitalised. She has also sought better health care. The top court directed Additional Advocate General of State of Uttar Pradesh, Aishwarya Bhati, to take instructions in the matter. "Let this matter be listed on Monday, September 17, 2018. Let a copy of this application be served on Additional Advocate General of State of Uttar Pradesh Aishwarya Bhati who shall take instructions in the matter. Registry is directed to reflect the name of Ms. Aishwarya Bhati in the Cause List. Be it clarified, only interlocutory application shall be taken up and not the main matter," the bench said. The court ...
District disability rehabilitation centres to be strengthened nationwide: Thawar Chand Gehlot
Union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot Friday said persons with disabilities are an integral part of society and district disability rehabilitation centres (DDRCs) will be strengthened nationwide to bring them into the mainstream. The minister for social justice and empowerment said this while delivering the inaugural address at the 'National Conference on District Disability Rehabilitation Centre (DDRCs)' organised by the disability division of his ministry. Gehlot said DDRCs provide comprehensive services to persons with disabilities and facilitate creation of infrastructure and capacity building at the district level for awareness generation, rehabilitation and training of rehabilitation professionals. He claimed his ministry has got worldwide recognition in the field of rehabilitation of disabled persons over the past four-and-half-years and has six records in the Guinness Book of World Records to its credit. The minister said that Universal Identity Cards for persons with ...
Meghalaya govt working for inclusion of Khasi, Garo languages
The Meghalaya government will move an official resolution to get Khasi and Garo languages, spoken by the dominant tribals in the state, included in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution. Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said they are making an earnest efforts in this regard. We are working on it. I hope we will be able to bring it in the assembly, he told PTI. The Meghalaya Language Act, 2005, recognises Khasi and Garo as the states associate official languages. Earlier in the week, assembly speaker Donkupar Roy had told the Khasi authors that he strongly advocated the inclusion of Khasi in the Schedule. In Meghalaya and neighbouring Assam, over 14.3 lakh people speaks Khasi, according to Census 2011. This included 10.3 lakh who declared Khasi as their mother tongue, and the rest declared Pnar/Synteng, War and Lyngngam as their mother tongue. At present, Khasi is one among the 99 non-scheduled languages in Part B of the Schedule as mentioned in the Census report of ...
AIIMS seeks dismissal of acid attack survivor's plea challenging notification for nurse job
AIIMS informed the Delhi High Court Friday that reservation under the disability category for the post of nurse was meant for persons with one leg, and sought dismissal of a plea by an acid attack survivor that she be considered for the job. The hospital, in an affidavit filed in the court, sought dismissal of the woman's plea against a June 13 notification of AIIMS on recruitment of staff nurses, saying it has acted in due conformity with the rules or notification of the government. It said the central government had issued a notification on July 29, 2013 identifying the post of nursing officer/nurse and categorising it for persons with disability (PWD) with one leg only. "No new guidelines for identified post has been made by the government under the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016," it said. Advocate Govind Jee, appearing for the 30-year-old woman petitioner, argued that 'acid attack' has been added as a 'specified disability' with effect from April 19, 2017, the date .
NSF demands ILP be brought under ILP purview
The Naga Students Federation (NSF) took out a public rally Friday demanding that Dimapur district be brought under Inner Line Permit (ILP) to check influx of illegal migrants. The Inner Line Permit is required by non-Nagas to visit Nagaland and Dimapur is the only district in the state which is not under the purview of ILP. "ILP was not properly implemented and the influx of illegal immigrants was posing as a big threat to the indigenous people. Absence of ILP made Dimapur a safe haven for illegal immigrants," NSF president Kesosul Christopher Ltu said. He also alleged that some middlemen are collecting ILPs for people of questionable identity for a few hundred rupees. "The future of Nagas cannot be sold off. Those found playing the role of middleman would be dealt with severely," he said.
SC verdict on Section 377 to help make truly pluralistic society: Senior lawyer
The Supreme Court's judgement that decriminalised homosexuality would help in making a truly pluralistic society and in the long run promote equality, senior advocate Anand Grover said Friday. The Supreme Court in its landmark judgement last week unanimously struck down part of the Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that criminalised gay sex, saying it violated the constitutional right to equality and dignity. In a discussion on the recent judgement, Grover said many people gave up fighting for their rights after gay sex was criminalised in 2013 but the recent judgement has empowered them again. "The Supreme Court's judgement that decriminalised gay sex would help in bringing a truly pluralistic society and in long term it would help in bringing equality," he said. Noor Enayet, an LGBT rights activist, said the judgement was a relief. "Section 377 criminalised my existence and striking it empowered me, I am not a criminal anymore," she said. "The 2013 judgement helped in ...
SC issues slew of directions to end centuries old stigma attached to leprosy patients
In a bid to remove centuries old stigma attached to leprosy patients, the Supreme Court Friday directed the Centre to consider framing separate rules for issuing them disability certificates so that they can avail of reservation and various other welfare benefits. The apex court said that acceptability of leprosy patients in the society would go a long way in reducing the stigma attached to the disease and passed a slew of directions to the Centre and the state governments for launching massive awareness programmes. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud said due attention must be paid to ensure that leprosy affected persons are issued Below Poverty Line cards so they can avail of benefits under Antyodaya Anna Yojana and other similar schemes which would enable them to secure their right to food. The top court said: "The Union and the State Governments must pro-actively plan and formulate a comprehensive community based ...
Husband of panchayat head shot dead in Bihar
The husband of a village panchayat head was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Friday in Bihar's Gopalganj district, police said.
EU, African countries meet to discuss migration strategies
Several interior ministers of European Union countries, among them France, Spain and Italy, were meeting representatives from African countries on Friday with the aim of fomenting cooperation on migration.
No Greek pensions deal yet as creditors end first post-bailout review
ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's international creditors seemed likely on Friday to withhold instant approval for its plan to put mandated pension cuts on hold next year, as they wrapped up their first post-bailout inspection of the country's finances.
Nikah halala petitioner seeks protection from SC after acid attack
The Supreme Court Friday agreed to hear on September 17 a plea filed by a petitioner in nikah halala and triple talaq case, seeking protection after facing acid attack yesterday at Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh. A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwikar and D Y Chandrachud considered the plea of Shabnam Rani, who was attacked allegedly by her brother-in-law and has been hospitalised. She has also sought better health care. The court asked advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, counsel for Rani, to submit a copy of the petition to the Centre and the Uttar Pradesh government. Numerous petitions have been filed in the apex court challenging the prevalent practices of nikah halala and polygamy among Muslims saying it was violative of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution. While polygamy allows a Muslim man to have four wives, 'nikah halala' deals with the process in which a Muslim woman, who wants to re-marry her husband after divorce, has to first marry ...
SC to hear plea of acid attack victim who refused triple talaq
The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Uttar Pradesh government on a plea by a victim of an acid attack in Bulandshahr city a day earlier for refusing to accept a triple talaq.
