Lok Sabha passes two bills to extend the tenures of directors of CBI and ED up to a maximum of 5 years from the present 2 years
Lok Sabha has passed the Central Vigilance Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and the Delhi Special Police Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2021 for consideration and passage. Once enacted, the amendment law will replace the ordinances promulgated last month.
These Bills intend to provide enabling power to the government to extend the tenure of the Chiefs of Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) up to five years. While the CVC Amendment Bill is related to the ED Chief, the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act prescribes norms for the CBI Director. Earlier, both these officers used to be given a term of two years.
IMO (International Maritime Organization) Council awards Certificate of Commendation to Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Master along with crew members of tugboat Ocean Bliss for ‘exceptional bravery at sea’
In order to internationally recognise extraordinary seamanship skills and outstanding courage displayed by individuals at sea, International Maritime Organization (IMO) award for exceptional bravery at sea is conferred annually to individuals or groups who, at the risk to their own lives, perform acts of exceptional bravery in attempting to save life at sea or in attempting to prevent or mitigate damage to the marine environment.
This year, IMO council awarded Certificate of Commendation to Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Master along with crew members of tugboat Ocean Bliss for exceptional and courageous efforts towards rescue operation of M/T New Diamond, which caught fire and was drifting towards the coast, laden with inflammable cargo. The rescue team members of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and the master and crew of tugboat Ocean Bliss, carried out sustained and effective fire- fighting operations and skilfully towed the vessel away from the coast, thereby preventing loss of life at sea and averted a serious marine pollution incident.
MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) issues advisory for general public on rooftop solar scheme; no vendor authorized by the ministry for setting up rooftop solar plants
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy issued an advisory for the general public on rooftop solar scheme that no vendor has been authorized by the ministry for setting up rooftop solar plants. The ministry said, It has been brought to the notice that some rooftop solar companies or vendors are setting up rooftop solar plants by claiming that they are authorized vendors by the ministry. The ministry added, the scheme is being implemented in the state only by local Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOMs).
The ministry advised that residential consumers willing to set-up a rooftop solar plant under the scheme can apply online and get rooftop solar plants installed by listed vendors. The consumers need to pay only rates decided by DISCOMs. To generate solar power by installing solar panels on the roof of the houses, ministry is implementing the Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Scheme. Under this scheme, ministry is providing 40 per cent subsidy for the first 3 Kilo Watt and 20 per cent subsidy beyond 3 Kilo Watt and upto 10 Kilo Watt.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman virtually participates in G20 International Seminar hosted in Bali by Indonesia
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman participated virtually from New Delhi in the G20 International Seminar hosted in Bali by the G20 Presidency of Indonesia.
Speaking on the G20’s theme for the year, “Recover Together, Recover Stronger”, the Finance Minister stressed on the fact that for a strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive recovery of the global economy, it is imperative to ensure collective progress of all countries. Towards achieving this goal, she said that the critical role of multilateralism and collective action. Smt. Sitharaman also underlined the importance of Inclusion, Investment, Innovation and Institutions to support the path of global recovery.
The Finance Minister emphasised on the importance of ensuring affordable and equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics to bridge the divergences being witnessed in the global economic recovery. In this context, Smt. Sitharaman highlighted that so far India has administered over 1.25 billion doses of vaccines and supplied more than 72 million vaccine doses to over 90 countries, including by way of grant thereby reflecting India’s commitment to co-ordinated global action.
Finance Minister stressed on the importance of enhanced infrastructure investments for enabling a quick and stable return to the growth path.
Smt. Sitharaman also emphasised that green investments will play a key role in the rebuilding efforts of governments and called upon the G20 to deliberate on how climate finance and green technologies can be made available to developing countries so as to incentivize and accelerate their efforts towards green growth.
Power Ministry celebrating Energy Conservation Week from Dec 8 to 14
Ministry of Power is celebrating the Energy Conservation Week from 8th to 14th December 2021 under "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav". Celebration by BIreau of Energy Efficiency will include three major activities i.e. National Painting Competition for school children, National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) for Industries and establishments and National Energy Efficiency Innovation Awards (NEEIA) to recognize innovative energy efficiency technologies.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency has been organising National Level Painting Competitions on Energy Conservation for school children studying in 4th to 10th standard. This year, the themes for the competition are "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: Energy Efficient India" and "Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav: Cleaner Planet". State level painting competitions are being organised from 1st to 10th December 2021 in all 36 states and Union Territories of the country and it will culminate in a National Level Painting on December 12, 2021 in New Delhi. The winners of the national level competition will be rewarded on the occasion of National Energy Conservation Day, December 14, 2021.
NASA launches X-ray space telescope to unlock secrets of black hole
NASA on Thursday launched its new X-ray Mission to unlock the secrets of extreme cosmic objects.
The first space observatory of its kind, the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer, or IXPE, is built to study some of the most energetic objects in the universe -- the remnants of exploded stars, powerful particle jets spewing from feeding black holes, and much more.
China is world’s biggest captor of journalists: RSF (Reporters Without Borders) report
The journalists were detained for reporting and disseminating the content that the ruling Chinese Communist Party deemed “sensitive.” These journalists include both professional and non-professional media workers.
127 journalists currently in detention:
Reporters Without Borders informed in a report, at least 127 journalists (professional and non-professional) are currently detained by the regime, revealing the extent of the regime`s campaign of repression against the right to information
UK, Canada and Australia announce diplomatic boycott of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics after US
The United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have joined the US-led diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing over concerns about human rights in China.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that no UK government minister will attend the Winter Olympics. Britain will effectively impose a diplomatic boycott of next year's games in China
International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime observed on December 9
This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the UN's Genocide Convention, which establishes the duty of states to prevent crimes of genocide and punish those involved in the heinous crime.
he International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime is marked annually on 9 December. It is observed to raise awareness about genocide and the role of the United Nations' Genocide Convention in preventing it.
This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the Convention, which establishes the duty of governments and states to prevent crimes of genocide and punish those who who are involved in the heinous crime.
History
On 9 December, 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, also known as the Genocide Convention.
What is Genocide?
The Genocide Convention defines the term as " acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group" through measures such as causing physical and mental harm to them, killing members of an ethnic or racial group or inflicting conditions of life that will bring about their physical destruction.
Significance of this day
At the 2005 World Summit, member states agreed to protect their populations from war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing, as well as their incitement. The summit also agreed that the international community would assist members states in this measure as well as take action collectively in accordance with the UN Charter when member states fail to protect their populations from such crimes.
International Anti-Corruption Day observed on Dec 9; theme: ‘Your right, your role: say no to corruption’.
The International Anti-Corruption Day is observed to raise awareness and find newer ways to combat corruption. Society is largely affected by corruption and preventing it will help progress towards sustainable development goals and promote equity.
Date And History
The International Anti-Corruption Day is observed on December 9. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a convention against corruption on October 31, 2003. The same year, the UN General Assembly also designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day to prevent corruption and raise awareness about the convention.
Significance
Curbing corruption can help create jobs, achieve gender equality, and secure wider access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
