Lok Sabha passes Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Bill, 2021
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the NDPS (Amendment) Bill, 2021 seeks to amend the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act to correct a drafting error.
In 2014, the Act was amended and the clause number of the definition for such illicit activities was changed.
However, the section on penalty for financing these illicit activities was not amended and continued to refer to the earlier clause number of the definition. The Bill amends the section on penalty to change the reference to the new clause number. This amendment will be deemed to have been in effect from May 1, 2014 (i.e., when the 2014 amendments came into effect).
"WHEREAS the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 was amended by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Act, 2014 which, inter alia, introduced a new clause (viiia) in section 2 and renumbered existing clause (viiia) relating to definition of "illicit traffic" as clause (viiib) thereof, but due to oversight the reference of the said clause could not be corrected in section 27A of the said Act, which provides for punishment for financing "illicit traffic" and harbouring offenders."
Chairperson of Lokpal Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose inaugurates digital Platform for Management of Complaints
Chairperson, Lokpal of India, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose today inaugurated’ a digital Platform for Management of Complaints called ‘LokpalOnline’ here that can be accessed by all citizens of the country and complaints can be filed from anywhere, anytime at http://lokpalonline.gov.in.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose said corruption is a key element in underperformance of the economy and it undermines democracy and rule of law. He said, LokpalOnline is an end-to-end digital solution for the management of complaints against public servants filed under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. Justice Ghose said that the LokpalOnline is a web-based facility, which will quicken the disposal of complaints in an accountable, transparent and efficient manner with benefits to all stakeholders. He said, it facilitates handling of complaints during the complete lifecycle of the Complaint, right from its filing to the final disposal and this will bring more transparency and efficiency in the complaint handling mechanism.
In her address, Smt. Justice Abhilasha Kumari, Judicial Member, Lokpal said that the main aim of Lokpal is to free the country from the malady of corruption and to build a strong and corruption free India. She said, in March 2019, Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose was appointed as India’s first Lokpal and as a body, it is still growing and progressing. She said, total transparency, accountability, convenience and efficiency in functioning is the hallmark of Lokpal, for which the ultimate beneficiary is the common man. She said, steps would be taken to create awareness about the online Lokpal Complaint portal even in rural India, so that anyone can file a complaint sitting at home.
Important features of this digital platform are following:
Convenience to complainants for filing complaint online from anywhere anytime
Information to the complainant about action on complaint at every stage through e-mails and SMS
Facility to complainant to ascertain status of complaint at anytime
Identity of the complaint is kept confidential
The CVC, CBI and other inquiry agencies can upload their reports directly on ‘LokpalOnline’ platform.
Reminders to inquiry agencies through e-mails and SMS
Generation of analytical reports as per requirement
It may be recalled that Lokpal of India, has been established under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 to inquire and investigate allegations of corruption against public functionaries falling within the scope and ambit of this Act.
At present complaints sent by post, e-mail or delivered by hand are entertained by the Lokpal of India.
India launches Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System (SMAT) from Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast
India on Monday successfully launched Supersonic Missile Assisted Torpedo System (SMAT) from Abdul Kalam island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said. During the mission, the full range capability of the missile was successfully demonstrated. The system has been designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare capability far beyond the conventional range of the torpedo, the DRDO said.
This was a textbook launch, where the entire trajectory was monitored by the electro optic telemetry system, various range radars, including the down range instrumentation and down range ships. The missile carried a torpedo, parachute delivery system and release mechanisms, said the DRDO statement.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar launches National Helpline Against Atrocities on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar today launched a National Helpline Against Atrocities in New Delhi. The Helpline is now available round the clock on toll-free number 14566 across the country.
The service is available in Hindi, English, and regional language of the State and Union Territories. It will ensure proper implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It can be accessed by making a voice call either from a mobile or landline number of any Telecom Operator across the country. The Prevention of Atrocities Act was enacted with a prime objective view of preventing atrocities on members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The objective of the helpline is to build informed awareness about the provisions of the Law that are aimed at ending discrimination and providing protection to all.
Alejandro Simancas Marin appointed new Ambassador of Cuba to India
Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakashi Lekhi on Tuesday welcomed new Ambassador of Cuba to India, Alejandro Simancas Marin.
“Pleasure to meet the new Ambassador of Cuba to India Mr. Alejandro Simancas Marin,” twitter Meenakashi Lekhi.
“Welcomed him to India and extended best wishes for a successful tenure. Look forward to his valuable contribution to enhance India-Cuba relations,” she said. (ANI)
PM inaugurates the first phase of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi
The work on the 400-metre corridor, which connects the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the banks of Ganga river, started in 2019.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the first phase of the Kashi Vishwanath corridor in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi, his Parliamentary constituency, ANI reported.
The work on the 400-metre corridor, which connects the Kashi Vishwanath temple to the banks of Ganga river, started in 2019, according to The Hindu.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) collaborates with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for Green Hydrogen production
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has tied up with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to scale-up Alkaline Electrolyze technology for Green Hydrogen production. This is a first of its kind initiative to support India’s commitment to achieve renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Electrolyser plants are presently imported and the collaboration is to “scale-up Alkaline Electrolyser technology for Green Hydrogen production”.
India has set a target to reach net zero emissions by 2070 and towards that objective it is looking to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix to 50 per cent by 2030 from 38 percent currently. This is a first of its kind initiative to support the country’s commitment to achieve renewable energy targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.``
Retail inflation inches up to a 3-month high of 4.91% in November
Retail inflation inched up to a three-month high of 4.91 percent in November, mainly due to an uptick in food prices, according to government data released on Monday.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation, however, remained within the comfort zone of the Reserve Bank of India. The government has mandated the central bank to keep the inflation at four percent (+/- 2 percent).
The annual CPI inflation was 4.48 percent in October 2021 and 6.93 percent in November 2020. It had eased from 5.3 percent in August to 4.35 per cent in September and then moved up to 4.48 percent in October.
As per the data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), inflation in vegetables segment was negative on a yearly basis. However, it was on the higher side as compared to the previous month.
Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices (HMD) allowed to continue operations at Faridabad plant
Hindustan Syringes and Medical Devices (HMD) can continue its operations at its Faridabad plants.
The country’s largest manufacturer of syringes was among the 228 units that received voluntary closure notices from Haryana Pollution Control Board on Friday. HMD’s plants are powered by piped natural gas and use diesel generation (DG) sets for backup in case of power failure.
HMD, which produces 66 per cent of the syringes used in the country, has now received a clearance from the Commission for Air Quality Management to restart production following its plea.
However it is only a partial reprieve. The Commission in its order on Saturday said that all industries in Delhi NCR that are not powered by PNG or cleaner fuels shall be allowed to operate only upto eight hours a day from Monday to Friday and cannot run on weekends.
India is 4th most powerful country in Asia after US, Japan and China: Sydney-based Lowy Institute
India has emerged as the fourth most powerful country in Asia with its overall score declining by two points from 2020 in the Lowy Institute Asia Power Index. India fell short of the major power threshold in 2021 and is among eighteen countries in the region to trend downward in its overall score in 2021.
The institute noted that India exerts less influence in the region than expected due to its negative power gap score. India is ranked lower than Nepal and Sri Lanka in the power gap index published by the institute.
It performed best on the future resources measure, finishing only behind the US and China despite a diminished economic forecast for 2030 triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and the successive lockdowns. It finished fourth on the measures of economic capability, military capability, resilience and cultural influence.
"India is trending in opposite directions for its two weakest measures of power. On the one hand, it remains in 7th place in its defence networks, reflecting progress in its regional defence diplomacy — notably with the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which includes Australia, Japan and the United States," the institute said in a release, adding that on the other hand, India has slipped into 8th position for economic relationships, as it falls further behind in regional trade integration efforts.
India’s Harnaaz Sandhu crowned Miss Universe 2021 in Israel
Before Harnaaz Sandhu, only two Indians have won the title of Miss Universe - actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
India's Harnaaz Sandhu is the new Miss Universe, 21 years after Lara Dutta won the title in 2000.
Ms Sandhu represented India today at the 70th Miss Universe 2021, held in Eilat, Israel.
The 21-year-old from Punjab claimed the crown edging out Paraguay's Nadia Ferreira and South Africa's Lalela Mswane.
Ms Sandhu was presented the crown by Andrea Meza, former Miss Universe 2020 from Mexico.
Before the Chandigarh-based model, only two Indians have won the title of Miss Universe - actors Sushmita Sen in 1994 and Lara Dutta in 2000.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk named Time’s 2021 ‘Person of the Year’
Elon Musk, who is also the founder and CEO of the space exploration company SpaceX, recently passed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as the world’s wealthiest person .
Calling him a “clown, genius, edgelord, visionary, industrialist, showman," Time magazine has named Tesla CEO Elon Musk as its Person of the Year for 2021.
Mr. Musk, who is also the founder and CEO of space exploration company SpaceX, recently passed Amazon founder Jeff Bezos as the world’s wealthiest person as the rising price of Tesla pushed his net worth to around $300 billion. He owns about 17% of Tesla's stock, which sold for almost $1,000 each on Monday.
Dubai govt goes 100% paperless, world’s first: Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Dubai has become the world's first government to turn 100 per cent paperless, the Emirate's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has announced, pointing at savings of 1.3 billion Dirham (USD 350 million) and 14-million-man hours.
All internal, external transactions and procedures in the Government of Dubai are now 100 per cent digital and managed from a comprehensive digital government services platform.
"The achievement of this target marks the beginning of a new stage in Dubai's journey to digitise life in all its aspects a journey rooted in innovation, creativity, and a focus on the future," said Sheikh Hamdan in a statement on Saturday.
"This accomplishment also reinforces Dubai's status as a world-leading digital capital and its status as a role model in designing government operations and services that enhance customer happiness," he said.
The US, UK, Europe and Canada have expressed plans to digitise government operation on a larger scale, which encompass government procedures and citizen identifications. However, sceptics have argues its vulnerability to cyber attacks.
The Dubai Crown Prince said the government plans to implement advanced strategies to create and enhance digital life in Dubai over the next five decades.
