Page 399 - Social Issues
Atal Pension Yojana indefinitely extended, scope broadened
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday decided to indefinitely extend the Atal Pension Scheme, which lapsed in August, while doubling the accident insurance and relaxing the age criteria by five years to further incentivise the scheme.
Cong says upper castes have right to express dissatisfaction peacefully on SC/ST Act
The Congress Wednesday did not clarify whether it supported the proposed protest on Thursday by the upper caste community against the amendment to reverse the alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act, but said upper castes have the right to express their dissatisfaction peacefully. Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said there is a sense of restlessness among people and it was not limited to upper castes alone. He claimed all sections of the society were unhappy with the central government. "Today the question touches every major segment of Indian society - not just the upper caste community, but also our SC/ST brothers and sisters, the backwards and the poor," he said. The Congress spokesperson cited a "failed economic system, one of the most shocking levels of unemployment, a distorted and badly, madly applied GST, scams like Rafale..." to say that there is "anger, shock" among people. "I think an egotistic, dictatorial Modi sarkar has a lot to answer to every segment of society...," .
March in Noida tomorrow to protest SC/ST Act amendments
Multiple social groups representing people from the "unreserved" category in Gautam Buddh Nagar will take out a march on Thursday to protest the amendments in the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The groups said they are also opposed to the reservation system on grounds of caste and religion and batted for a quota system based on economic status. The participating groups included the Noida Lok Manch, the Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), the Brahman Samaj Seva Samiti, the Agarwal Mitra Mandal besides representatives of trade unions and resident welfare associations (RWAs). "We will be taking out a protest march tomorrow morning at 10 am from the Noida stadium and go to the district magistrate's office. We will handover a memorandum to the district magistrate, our member of parliament, raising our concerns," said Vipin Malhan, from the Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA). Some organisations have given a call for 'Bharat bandh' Thursday against the SC/ST Amendment Bill ...
Revoke draconian laws, release political prisoners: Rights activists
Claiming that the crackdown on rights activists was a result of the "fascist Modi governments desperation", activists on Wednesday demanded the immediate release of all political prisoners and the repeal of the "draconian" laws like the UAPA and the AFSPA.
Departments differ on funding of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana
Odisha government's two departments Wednesday differed on the funding pattern of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's flagship health scheme the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) launched in the state. The BSKY was launched in the state on August 15. While the Health and Family Welfare department claimed that the BSKY was fully state funded, Finance department revealed that centre too contributes to Odisha's universal healthcare coverage scheme. Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, T K Pandey in a press conference Wednesday after presentation of the supplementary budget, had informed that an amount of Rs 700 crore will be contributed by the Central government towards BSKY while Rs 1375 crore will be spent by the state government. Pandey informed that an amount of Rs 2075 crore per annum will be spent on implementation of BSKY in the state. Immediately after Pandey's press conference, Health and Family welfare department in a statement claimed that there is no ...
Cong in Telangana promises 2 lakh houses for poor every year
Alleging that the double bedroom housing scheme of the ruling TRS was a total failure, Congress in Telangana Wednesday announced a host of promises for various sections of the society, including construction of two lakh houses every year for the weaker sections. The party's announcement comes amid speculation about early assembly polls in Telangana., The promises pertained to housing for weaker sections, supply of fine rice through the public distribution system, free ration and power for SCs and STs, six domestic gas cylinders for below poverty line families, bicycles to girl students and funds for Gulf migrant workers, among others, a party release said. Telangana PCC president N Uttam Kumar Reddy, after a meeting with senior leaders, announced several promises which would be implemented if the Congress is voted to power in the next elections, the elease said. Reddy announced that the Congress would clear all pending bills of 'Indiramma Housing Scheme' once it comes to
SC verdict on validity of Section 377 likely on Thursday
The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce on Thursday its verdict on a batch of petitions challenging the Constitutional validity of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code that criminalises homosexuality.
Irdai ask insurers to provide 60-days grace period for health insurance premium
The insurance regulator Irdai Wednesday asked insurers to provide 60-days grace period for payment of health insurance premium in flood affected Kerala and parts of Karnataka. Heavy rains and subsequent floods have adversely affected life and property in Kerala and some districts of Karnataka. "General and Health Insurers are advised to grant 60 days grace period in respect of all health insurance policies due for renewal up to 30th September, 2018 in the State of Kerala and flood affected districts in the State of Karnataka," Irdai said in a circular. Irdai said insurers should comply with guidelines on standardisation in health insurance for the extended period so as to protect the continuity of benefits as specified therein. Further, in respect of deposits/premiums collected for issue of health insurance policies during August 2018, where such deposits/premiums collected could not be converted to policies within the stipulated time, insurers are allowed to convert such deposits ...
Bandh over SC/ST Act amendment: security tightened in MP
Security has been stepped up, school holiday declared in one district and petrol pumps across Madhya Pradesh will remain closed Thursday in view of 'Bharat Bandh' called by some groups against the amendment to the SC/ST Act. "We have decided to shut petrol pumps from 10 am to 2 pm tomorrow due to security reasons as some organizations have given a call for bandh," Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Owners Association president Ajay Singh told PTI. Police have tightened security across the state in view of ongoing protests against the amendment to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Makrand Deuskar said orders prohibiting gathering of people in large numbers have been imposed. "The administration in most of the districts have clamped prohibitive orders under CrPC section 144 in view of the bandh on September 6," he said. Thirty-four companies of the special armed force of police have been deployed in various ...
Union Min Athawale to move SC over usage of 'dalit' to refer to Scheduled Castes
The Republican Party of India, an ally of the BJP, will move the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court directive against the use of the word 'Dalit' by media, according to RPI leader and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale. Athawale told reporters on Wednesday that the word Dalit symbolises the struggle undertaken to give these communities their rights. "It isn't an insult," he said. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had earlier suggested that the media use the word Scheduled Castes (SC), in order to comply with he Bombay High Court's directions. "Republican Party of India will go to the Supreme Court against Bombay High Court (Nagpur bench) directive to the government to remove Dalit' word in media usage, the party leader said. Athawale, who is minister of state for social justice, said that while he does not object to the use of 'Scheduled Caste' in government affairs, the term 'Dalit' shouldn't be a "worrisome word" in common usage. "I have no objection to the use ..
Couple commits suicide in Kanpur station after eloping
A couple in a romantic relationship allegedly committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at the Kanpur railway station, police said Wednesday. The interfaith couple, Abid and Lalita, had eloped from Sikanderpur village on August 30, they said. According to SHO (Miranpur) Manoj Choudhry, the couple was found in a critical condition at the station on Tuesday and rushed to a hospital in Kanpur where they declared dead. The parents of the girl had lodged a complaint of abduction against Abid after the couple eloped, police said.
Kejriwal warns officers of strict action if 'lapses' found in mohalla clinic project
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has warned health department officials he would go to "any extent" to file criminal cases against them if they don't ensure proper services under the mohalla clinic project. The pet project of the Aam Aadmi Party dispensation is aimed at providing basic health services to underserved population in Delhi. There are 188 mohalla clinics. An official said Wednesday Kejriwal held a meeting with health department officials and doctors of mohalla clinics at Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday and told them his government would not tolerate lapses. "If needed, we are ready to take action. Don't force us to take strict action. If there is no availability of medicines, I will go to any extent to get criminal cases registered against concerned officials," Kejriwal told them. He warned the officers against "siting on" files. "I will file criminal cases if any lapse is found," Kejriwal warned. The AAP government has set a target of setting up 1,000 mohalla clinics ...
Plea to quash policy barring differently-abled: HC asks Haj committee CEO to appear before it
The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the CEO of Haj Committee of India to present himself before it on November 1 to clarify its stand on a PIL against the bar on differently-abled people from performing the annual pilgrimage. The court's direction came after no one appeared for the Haj Committee of India, despite a notice being served to HCoI on the petition filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal. A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao directed the secretary of Ministry of Minority Affairs to serve an additional notice to HCoI Chief Executive Officer M A Khan and observed that in case of non-appearance of the officer, action will be taken by the court. The court asked Khan to appear before it on November 1, the next date of hearing, to clarify the committee's stand on the issue. The petition filed by Bansal has sought quashing of provisions in the new Haj policy that bar differently-abled persons from undertaking the annual Haj pilgrimage. The court had sought ...
HC seeks appearance of Haj Committee's senior officer
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked a senior officer of Haj Committee to appear before it and respond on a plea seeking quashing of the guidelines issued for Haj from the year 2018 to 2022, as it debars persons with disabilities from applying for the Haj pilgrimage.
Kenyan police raid state-owned Chinese TV
Kenyan police on Wednesday raided the African headquarters of the China Global Television Network, briefly detaining several journalists as part of an ongoing crackdown against illegal immigrants, an employee told AFP. Cellphone footage of the raid seen by AFP showed armed plainclothed police bundling Chinese staff into vehicles while demanding that reporters of other nationalities produce their passports or accompany them to the police station. "They had automatic rifles, it was scary," said one foreign reporter at the state-owned television station on condition of anonymity. Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet confirmed the raid on the office in search of illegal immigrants. "All the foreigners who were arrested at CGTN have been released after their documents were confirmed to be okay," he told Capital FM radio station. CGTN, an international English-language television station, broadcasts across the globe, with major news centres in Nairobi and Washington. Kenya last month began ...
22-year old man falls victim to Blue Whale game ?
A 22-year old engineer has allegedly committed suicide near Panrutti in the district with the Blue Whale Challenge game suspected to be behind his death, police said Wednesday. Seshadri ended his life by hanging himself at his house Tuesday night when his family members were away, they said. Police said they seized various books on ghosts and a mobile phone using which he had played the game. Police said they suspect that the man, an employee of a private factory at Mettukuppam in neighbouring Puducherry, could have committed suicide under the influence of the game. Further investigations were on, they added. The online game demands players to complete tasks given by an anonymous controller over 50 days with the final challenge to commit suicide. The game allegedly led to a spate of suicides in India and other countries last year. However, the government informed Lok Sabha in January this year that there was no evidence of anyone committing suicide due to the Blue Whale ...
Yechury slams govt in farmers' rally
Scores of social activists, farmers and workers flocked the capital on Wednesday to take out a protest march against the Narendra Modi-led government with a slew of demands ranging from loan waiver, a minimum wage of Rs 18,000 a month and remunerative prices for farm produce as per the Swaminathan Committee recommendations.Venting anger against the centre for what they called the failure to provide aid to the poor farmers, Secretary General of the Communist Party of India, Sitaram Yechury said, "If the government again failed to take any required measure to provide support to the poor farmers, casual labourers across India, we will launch much bigger protest next week along with the other opposition political outfits.""It is very unfortunate that the people working in the agricultural sector which is the backbone of the Indian economy are reeling under poverty, " Yechury added while speaking to ANI.The Communist leader, without mentioning any name, accused that the government of ...
New industrial policy to deepen link with global supply chains: Prabhu
The soon-to-be released new industrial policy would help to link domestic industry with the global supply chain, Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu said on Wednesday.
Asian Para Games torch relay kicks off
The torch relay of the Asian Para Games commenced on Wednesday, starting from Solo city in Central Java province, for the sporting gala for Asian athletes with disabilities.
Automobile industry wants stable policy from govt
Automobile industry leaders Wednesday asked the government to provide clear and stable policy framework, saying it should not "become a crisis for the industry" whenever there is a regulatory change. Heads of Maruti Suzuki India, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors were of the opinion that having short, medium and and long-term policy road map will help automobile and component makers plan capacities and align capital investments accordingly. Speaking at the annual convention of Auto Component Manufacturers of India (ACMA), Mahindra & Mahindra Managing Director Pawan Goenka cited examples of BS-VI emission norms adoption and implementation of BS-IV across India to highlight how regulatory changes can impact the auto industry. "Regulatory environment will remain very aggressive. We have seen that already and it will not change. Whether it is safety or emission or even other things, and at times the change is expected within a time period that we in the industry do not consider .
