21 September 2024, The Hindu
Bombay HC strikes down Centre’s amended IT rules
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GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
- The Bombay High Court on Friday struck down the amended Information Technology Rules, 2023, which empowered the Centre to set up a fact check unit (FCU) to identify fake, false and misleading information about the government and its establishments on social media.
- The “tie-breaker” judge, Justice Atul Sharachchandra Chandurkar, delivered the verdict on Friday after a Division Bench of Justices Gautam Patel and Neela Gokhale delivered a split verdict on January 31, 2024.
Tirupati laddu row snowballs as Centre orders investigation
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Prelims: Centre-state relations
- The alleged presence of animal fat in the ghee used for preparing the sacred laddu prasadam at the famous Lord Venkateswara temple in Tirupati has snowballed into a major controversy with the Centre on Friday calling for an investigation and seeking a report from the Andhra Pradesh government.
- Addressing a press conference, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda said he had sought a full report on the issue of animal fat — beef tallow and fish oil in ghee — being used in preparation of laddus served at the Tirupati temple. The government would examine the matter and take suitable action. The Minister said he had spoken to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the issue.
‘Don’t wait for winter, instal anti-smog guns on Delhi high-rises’
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GS 3: Environmental pollution and degradation
- As part of measures to combat air pollution in Delhi, Lieutenant-Governor V.K. Saxena on Friday directed authorities to install anti-smog guns on high-rise buildings above seven storeys and also explore the possibility of placing them on foot overbridges, Raj Niwas officials said.
- The L-G held a meeting with officials from various government departments and the chairman of Commission for Air Quality Management as well as the Municipal Commissioner to review the air pollution situation in the national capital, and highlighted both long-term and immediate concerns. Mr. Saxena directed the Public Works Department and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to investigate the issue in a comprehensive manner and initiate remedial measures at the earliest without waiting for the air quality to plummet before initiating preparations for winter.
Kutch villages grapple with grief, seek accessible health care after ‘mysterious fever’ claims 19 lives
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GS 2: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health
- Since the 1980s when the village had a population of one, Bharavandh, named after its first lone inhabitant, has not been this quiet, say its residents. Now, the only sound is that of a distant wail from inside a reed hut, where a group of women huddle around Sona Bai, 30, who lost two sons and her husband to fever in a span of four days.
- The fever, which claimed 19 lives in less than two weeks in six villages of Gujarat’s expansive Kutch district, which is close to the Pakistan border, was deemed “mysterious” by the State’s Health Department when it was reported in the first week of September. Six were children, aged between five and 16; and 17 of the total deaths took place between September 3 and 9.
Trucks stranded as Bengal seals Jharkhand border for three days
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GS 2: Issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure
- Hundreds of trucks are stuck on both sides of the West Bengal-Jharkhand border after the Trinamool Congress government sealed the border on Thursday evening over release of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) water. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had blamed the Central government-owned entity for flooding in around 11 districts of West Bengal.
- Multiple cross-border check posts have been closed for three days in Paschim Medinipur, Purulia and Paschim Bardhaman, districts sharing most of the inter-State border.
The stakes in Sri Lanka’s ninth Presidential election
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GS 2: India and its neighborhood- relations
- Sri Lanka’s ninth Presidential election, which is slated for September 21, is being held under strange circumstances for more than one reason.
- The country is going to the polls two years after the country witnessed a tumultuous political revolt preceded by an acute economic crisis. Even in 1953, the rising cost of living, drove the then Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake to step down, after the Left’s massive hartal. But his successor, John Kotelawala, assumed office under much less painful conditions than what Ranil Wickremesinghe faced in July 2022 when Mr. Wickremesinghe became President.
SC asks govt. to explain delay in the appointment of judges
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GS 2: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities (Judges)
- The Supreme Court on Friday (September 20, 2024) asked the government to explain its reasons for sitting on names reiterated by the apex court Collegium for months or even years together, reminding the Centre that it cannot treat the Collegium like a mere “search committee” whose recommendations can be ignored or accepted at the Union’s discretion.
- A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked Attorney General R. Venkataramani, appearing for the government, to place on record, within a week, a tabulated chart of every pending name reiterated by the Collegium, why they were still pending and at what level they were stuck in the government machinery.
Lay down arms or face action, Home Minister tells Naxals
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GS 3: Challenges to internal security
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (September 20, 2024) appealed to Naxals to give up violence or face an all-out operation.
- Mr. Shah, who made the remarks while interacting with 55 victims of Left Wing Extremism (LWE) from Chhattisgarh, said the Union Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Chhattisgarh government for PM Awas Yojana, toilets and electrification of homes. He said a new rehabilitation policy for LWE victims will be unveiled in three months.
Blockchain, smart materials, among innovative projects mooted in PM solar scheme
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GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
- As part of the ₹75,000-crore PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a ₹500-crore sub-component for “Innovative Projects”, according to a draft notification from the Ministry.
- Under this programme, companies and individuals can submit proposals, which will be perused by a committee, to execute novel ideas connected to rooftop solar installations.
Food price volatility still a contingent risk: RBI officials
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Prelims: India Economy
- Food price volatility remains a contingent risk though Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation came in below the Reserve Bank’s target for the second consecutive month in August, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) officials led by Deputy Governor Michael D. Patra said in the September edition of the RBI Bulletin released on Friday.
- “Food inflation (y-o-y) firmed to 5.3% in August from 5.1% in July as a negative momentum of 30 bps [basis points] was more than offset by an unfavourable base effect of 52 bps,” they wrote in an article on ‘State of the Economy’.
Govt. may extend IT products’ import rule
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GS 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
- The government is expected to extend the existing import management system for imports of certain IT hardware products including laptops and tablets for three months, an official source said. The deadline for review of the system is September 30.
- The official said that these imports stood at $8.4 billion in 2023-24 against the authorisation of about $9.5 billion. Most of these imports were coming from China.
Sri Lanka to choose next President in crucial polls
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GS 2: India and its neighborhood- relations
- Over 17 million Sri Lankans will have a chance to elect their next President on Saturday (September 21, 2024) in a crucial election, the first to be held after the island nation’s economy crashed in 2022.
- A good turnout is expected, in line with Sri Lanka’s record of high voter participation in every national election. The last presidential poll in 2019 saw a voter turnout of 83.72 %.
