Page 821 - Social Issues

WB SC Advisory Council holds first meeting

The Scheduled Caste Advisory Council of West Bengal held its first meeting here today under West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and decided to meet every six months, officials said. Besides Banerjee, Chief Secretary Malay Dey, West Bengal Backward Classes Welfare Minister Churamani Mahata were were among those present at the meeting. The state cabinet had decided in October to set up the council to look into the development of people belonging to the scheduled castes in the state. The council will look into the development of the social, educational, economical and cultural matters of the scheduled castes in the state and function on the lines of the existing tribal advisory council, the officials said. Out of the total 295 assembly seats in Bengal there are 66 reserved for scheduled caste candidates.

NHRC notice to Odisha Govt. over farmers'suicide

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that 12 farmers committed suicide in 50 days in Odisha's Bargarh District.Expressing serious concern over the suicides, the NHRC issued a notice to the state chief secretary, called for a detailed report within four weeks, including steps taken for relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.The commission also observed that there have been suicides by farmers and farm labourers across the country and called upon the Centre and state governments to take effective steps to prevent grief stricken farmers from taking the extreme step.

UP Assembly passes UPCOC Bill, Oppn dubs it 'black law'

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly today passed the stringent UPCOC bill, aimed at curbing organised crime and terror, by voice vote after the agitated Opposition staged a walkout alleging that it was a "draconian" legislation. A united Opposition expressed apprehension that the Uttar Pradesh Control of Organised Crimes (UPCOC) Bill, 2017, could be misused against political adversaries and the press and demanded that it be sent to the select committee of the House for scrutiny. The bill was tabled by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to enact a law on the lines of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). It also entailed stern punishment for those trying to dislodge the government forcibly or violently. Opposition members were of the view that there was no need for such a legislation as there were sufficient provisions in the IPC and the CrPC and called it a "black law". The bill is likely to be taken up tomorrow in the Legislative Council where the ruling BJP does

Triple Talaq Bill to be tabled in parliament next week: Ananth Kumar

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar on Thursday said that the government will be tabling a bill on triple talaq in parliament next week.Talking to media, Kumar said 'The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill 2017' will be tabled in parliament next week and the draft of the bill has been circulated.After the Supreme Court declared the practice of instant divorce 'void, illegal and unconstitutional', the Narendra Modi Cabinet on December 15 approved the bill that makes instant triple talaq illegal.Earlier in the day, it was assumed that the government was likely to table the bill on Friday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued a whip to all its MPs to attend the parliament session.Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will table the bill in the Lok Sabha.The draft bill says that "any pronouncement of talaq by a person upon his wife, by words, either spoken or written or in electronic form or in any other manner whatsoever, shall be void and ..

CBI to probe Rohini ashram sexual assault case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the case of alleged sexual assault of women and minor girls in the residential facility of an ashram cum meditation centre in Rohini area of Delhi.The high court transferred the case to probe agency in view of its serious nature.A court-appointed committee informed the court that they recovered around 40 mobile phones, 12 memory cards and a few letters, all of which have been sealed now.The court was hearing a plea filed by an NGO, Foundation of Social Empowerment, alleging that the girls living in the premises of the educational institution were not allowed to leave the area or meet their respective families.Taking note of this, the high court had asked the police, Delhi government and Delhi Commission for Women, to visit the place and assess the situation.Family of one of the victims had alleged that they have not been allowed to meet her since 2015.An alleged victim had stated in the court ...

India commits $25 million to develop Rakhine State

India and Myanmar have signed an MoU with New Delhi pledging $25 million to develop Rakhine State, from where thousands of Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh following a military crackdown, it was announced on Thursday.

Twitter bots can be hazardous to health: study

Fake social media accounts or bots can not only sway political discourse, but may also harm your health by promoting advice not supported by scientific research, a study warns. Social bots are automated accounts that use artificial intelligence to influence discussions and promote specific ideas or products. Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) in the US focused on how these bots promoted the notion that using electronic cigarettes helps people stop smoking, a conclusion not definitively supported by research. They likened social bots to the "vaccinations cause autism" movement, an idea that has been debunked many times but still sticks. "We now have measles outbreaks in Southern California because people shared personal stories about how vaccinations reportedly caused their child to have autism," said Jon- Patrick Allem, a research scientist at USC. "Social bots may not have the star power of Jenny McCarthy, but what they lack in fame, they make .

Two boys crushed to death on NH-5

Two boys were crushed to death on National Highway-5 at Suthang under Khantapada police station today when a speeding truck run over them, police said. The victims were identified as Amulya Dash (18) and Rakesh Dash (20), workers at a gas distribution agency here. The truck crushed them when they were standing by the roadside, police said. Both of them died on the spot. The truck is yet to be traced.

Twitter bots can be injurious to your health

Already notorious for swaying political discourse, fake social media accounts may be even more dangerous. Researchers have found that the bots on social media platforms like Twitter often engage in offering health advice which are not backed by science.

Sonowal asks govt staff to set work culture example

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today exhorted the state government employees to set an example of efficient work culture before the young generation and contribute towards the resurgence of the state's economy. "If Assam has to become one of the top states in the country and develop its socio-economic condition, then government employees must set an example of work culture for the young generation and they will come forward to participate in the nation building process through hard work and dedication," Sonowal said while laying the foundation stone of Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad's (SAKP) office headquarter here today. The chief minister acknowledged the support of the employees in the campaign against corruption and hoped they would continue with it. Only with the help of its employees the state government can achieve the goals of a corruption-free, pollution-free, illegal immigrants-free and terrorism-free Assam, he added. Referring to the Global ...

85% of young Chinese pressurised by family to marry

Over 85 per cent of young Chinese were pressurised by older family members into getting married, a survey revealed on Thursday.

China urges others to avoid 'complicating' Myanmar dispute

China urged other governments today to "constructively help" Myanmar and Bangladesh resolve the fate of Rohingya Muslims "instead of complicating the issue" after Myanmar blocked a visit by UN human rights official. Events in Rakhine state, where more than 630,000 Rohingya fled a military crackdown, are an internal affair for Myanmar that "contains complicated historical, national and religious factors," said a foreign ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying. "We think the international community should constructively help Myanmar and Bangladesh to solve the issue instead of complicating the issue," said Hua at a regular briefing. The UN official, Yanghee Lee, said yesterday that Myanmar's government barred her from the country. She said officials told her that was in response to her criticism of official restrictions on her movement when she visited in July. Myanmar and Bangladesh agreed last month that some Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh could start returning on about ...

Photograph on social media leads woman to suicide, 3 booked

Three persons have been booked after a 20-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide following the appearance of her photograph, with one of the three, on various social media platforms, police said. Police said that the woman had allegedly committed suicide by hanging two days ago in Maharajpur locality after which Raja Valmik (22), Munni Raikwar (35) and Sonu Raikwar (40) were booked for abetment yesterday night. Arya said that the woman's family had been ostracised by her community panchayat on the behest of Munni and Sonu after her photograph with Raja Valmik became public. "We have booked Raja Valmik (22), Munni Raikwar (35) and Sonu Raikwar (40) last night for inciting the woman to hang herself," Kotwali police station official Naval Arya said. He said that a search was on for the three persons.

1,344 farmers commit suicide in C'garh in 2.5 years

As many as 1,344 farmers committed suicide in Chhattisgarhduring the last two-and-a- half years, the state government said today. In a written reply tabled in the Chhattisgarh Assembly, state Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra said, "A total of 14,705 suicide cases have been registered between 2015-16 financial year and October 30 this year. Of them, 1,344 were farmers and 13,361 others." He was replying to a question raised by Congress MLA Amarjeet Bhagat. Among the total cases, 13 people committed suicide due to financial crisis while 19 took the extreme step because of the debt burden, the minister said. The state government provided compensation to the tune of Rs 16,35,924 to kin of the 25 deceased, he said. As per the minister's reply, 224 farmers committed suicide in Surajpur district during the period followed by Balodabazar (210), Balod (165), Mahasamund (134), Bilaspur (85), Balrampur (70), Mungeli (77) and Gariaband (65). Besides, in Surguja 63 farmers ended their ...

ONGC organises Para Games for specially-abled employees

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has become one of the first corporates to provide a platform that promotes participation of specially abled employees in various sports and showcases their talents.Between December 19 and 21, it organised the ONGC Para Games. Speaking on the occasion, Shashi Shanker, Chairman and Managing Director, said, "ONGC is committed to ensure social inclusiveness and providing equal opportunities in employment for the specially abled, in line with the Government of India's mandate, for which various measures are being put in place."He revealed that ONGC currently employs 282 persons with disabilities and more are likely to join the organisation.The event witnessed the participation of 120 employees, including 100 men and 20 women with disabilities from 16 work centers from across the country.This first ONGC Para Games is majorly focused on athletics, badminton and table tennis. The participants belong to different categories of disabilities, namely, VH

Triple Talaq bill to be tabled in Parliament tomorrow

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Thursday said that the bill on Triple Talaq will be tabled in the Parliament on Friday.Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had on December 15 said that the Cabinet approved a proposal to introduce the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, to make instant triple talaq void and illegal.The Supreme Court, in August, by a majority of 3:2, had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional".Once the law is made to make triple talaq an offense, the victims will have the option of approaching the police and the legal system for the redressal of their grievances and for action to be taken against the husband.

Centre likely to table bill on triple talaq today

The Central Government is likely to introduce a bill on triple talaq in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had, on December 15, said that the Cabinet approved a proposal to introduce the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2017, to make instant triple talaq void and illegal.The Supreme Court, in August, by a majority of 3:2, had ruled that the practice of divorce through triple talaq among Muslims is "void", "illegal" and "unconstitutional".Once the law is made to make triple talaq an offence, the victims will have the option of approaching the police and the legal system for the redressal of their grievances and for action to be taken against the husband.

26-year-old US woman gives birth from embryo frozen in 1992

A baby spent 24 years as a frozen embryo before being born last month

Tax reforms a scam, rewards corporate America: Democrats

Democratic leaders and Indian- American lawmakers have labelled the tax bill passed by the US Congress as "tax scam", as it robs future of the children, ransacks the middle class and rewards one per cent of corporate America. The entire Democratic party voted against the tax reform bill. The passage of the bill by the Senate and House of Representatives is considered to be the first major legislative victory for President Donald Trump, after coming to power. "The GOP tax scam robs from our children's future and ransacks the middle class in order to reward the top one per cent and corporate America," Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said reflecting the sentiments of her party members. Trump's Republican Party enjoys majority in both the chambers of the US Congress House of Representative and the Senate. "Now we know they're popping champagne down Pennsylvania Avenue," Pelosi said referring to the celebrations inside the White House. "There are only two places where ...

US slaps 5 Russians with sanctions over human rights

The United States today imposed sanctions on five Russians, including the leader of Chechnya, under a US human rights law that has been a major irritant between Washington and Moscow. The five Russians were targeted under the Magnitsky Act, passed by Congress in 2012 in response to the death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky. He died in prison after exposing a tax fraud scheme involving Russian officials, and the law named after him allows the US to target violators of human rights. All told, the US has targeted 49 Russians under that law. The latest additions include Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Chechnya, a predominantly Muslim republic in southern Russia. The Treasury Department said Kadyrov oversaw "disappearances and extrajudicial killings" and that he's believed to have ordered the killing of one of his political rivals. The rival had accused Kadyrov of personally carrying out torture. The Treasury Department also said it was targeting a Chechen law enforcement ...