SAROD-Ports is Affordable Dispute Redressal Mechanism for all kind of disputes of maritime sector
It will become the pivotal mechanism of ummeed (hope), vishwas(trust) and nyaya (justice) in the Port sector of India: Shri Mandaviya
Posted On: 10 SEP 2020 3:13PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya today launched ‘SAROD-Ports’ (Society for Affordable Redressal of Disputes - Ports) through virtual ceremony today in New Delhi.
Speaking at the launching, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya termed SAROD-Ports as a game changer and added that it will become the pivotal mechanism of ummeed (hope), vishwas(trust) and nyaya (justice) in the Port sector of India. Shri Mandaviya also added that enforcement of concession agreements in the letter and spirit is on the utmost priority. SAROD-Ports will resolve the disputes in fair and just manner while saving huge amount of legal expenditure and time.
Dr Sanjiv Ranjan, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping said that all major Ports are shifting towards ‘Landlord Model’ in the days to come. Many concessioners will be working with the Major Ports. SAROD-Ports will inspire confidence in the private players and will ensure right kind of environment for our partners. It will promote ease of doing business in the maritime sector because of the fast, timely, cost effective and robust dispute resolution mechanism.
SAROD-Ports is established under Societies Registration Act, 1860 with the following objectives:
Affordable and timely resolution of disputes in fair manner
Enrichment of Dispute Resolution Mechanism with the panel of technical experts as arbitrators.
SAROD-Ports consists members from Indian Ports Association (IPA) and Indian Private Ports and Terminals Association (IPTTA).
SAROD-Ports will advise and assist in settlement of disputes through arbitrations in the maritime sector, including ports and shipping sector in Major Port Trusts, Non-major Ports, including private ports, jetties, terminals and harbours. It will also cover disputes between granting authority and Licensee/Concessionaire /Contractor and also disputes between Licensee/Concessionaire and their contractors arising out of and during the course of execution of various contracts.
‘SAROD-Ports’ is similar to provision available in Highway Sector in the form of SAROD-Roads constituted by NHAI.
Backgrounder:
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved amendments in the Model Concession Agreement (MCA) .In January,2018.The amendments in the MCA, envisaged constitution SAROD-PORTS as dispute resolution mechanism for PPP Projects in the Major Ports.
Educational Institutes where a minority student is studying should register themselves on National Scholarship Portal by September 30, 2020
Posted On: 10 SEP 2020 4:56PM by PIB Mumbai
New Delhi/Mumbai, 10 September 2020
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs is providing an opportunity to the students belonging to economically weaker sections of the six notified minority communities, that is, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, Parsis, Muslim and Christian, for availing scholarships for the year 2020-21. There are three schemes for availing scholarship: Pre-matric, Post-matric and Merit-cum-Means schemes.
The eligibility conditions for availing these scholarship schemes are:
The applicant should be a student of the notified minority communities
The applicant should be pursuing studies in India in a Government or recognized Private University/Institute/College/School
The course being pursued should be of minimum one-year duration
The applicant should have secured minimum 50% marks in the last annual Board/Class examination.
In order to avail this opportunity, the applicants are advised to apply online against any one of the scholarship schemes, on the website of the National Scholarship Portal at www.scholarships.gov.in. A link to the site is also available on the website of the Ministry (www.minorityaffairs.gov.in) and mobile app National Scholarships (NSP).
Gramin Dak Sevaks to lead Public Awareness Campaign on Postal Services
Scheme to be implemented nation-wide, based on Maharashtra experience: Sanjay Dhotre
Posted On: 10 SEP 2020 4:18PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 10 September 2020
The Department of Posts has launched a scheme called Five Star Villages, to ensure universal coverage of flagship postal schemes in rural areas of the country. The scheme seeks to bridge the gaps in public awareness and reach of postal products and services, especially in interior villages. All postal products and services will be made available and marketed and publicized at village level, under the Five Star Villages scheme.
Branch offices will function as one-stop shop to cater all post office - related needs of villagers. The schemes covered under the Five Star scheme include: i) Savings Bank accounts, Recurrent Deposit Accounts, NSC / KVP certificates, ii) Sukanya Samridhi Accounts/ PPF Accounts, iii) Funded Post Office Savings Account linked India Post Payments Bank Accounts, iv) Postal Life Insurance Policy/Rural Postal Life Insurance Policy and v) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana Account / Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana Account.
If a village attains universal coverage for four schemes from the above list, then that village gets four-star status; if a village completes three schemes, then that village get three-star status and so on.
Launching the scheme, the Union Minister of State for Communications, Shri Sanjay Dhotre said that the scheme is being launched on pilot basis in Maharashtra; based on the experience here, it will be implemented nation-wide. “Postman and Postal Department are a vital part of the ordinary citizen's life.
India Post has been serving the people in an extraordinary way in the difficult situation which has emerged due to COVID-19, by bringing them medicines and financial assistance. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi not only brought schemes, but has been ensuring their effective implementation as well. The Postal Department has been playing a major role in the implementation of Government schemes, leveraging the immense strength of its vast network. Postal schemes are known for providing highly secured deposits, they provide higher return of interest with low risk.”
The Minister said that the way to realize the goal of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat is through collaborative efforts such as this, wherein various schemes have been brought together under one umbrella, with the goal of providing financial inclusion.
The entire state of Maharashtra will be covered under the scheme. To begin with, two rural districts / areas for each region have been identified: Akola and Washim in Nagpur Region; Parbhani and Hingoli in Aurangabad Region; Solapur and Pandharpur in Pune Region; Kolhapur and Sangli in Goa Region; and Malegaon and Palghar in Navi Mumbai Region. A total of 50 villages in each district will be covered during the current financial year 2020-2021. Regional offices will identify the villages to be covered.
Scheme Implementation Team
The scheme will be implemented by a team of five Gramin Dak Sevaks who will be assigned a village for marketing of all products, savings and insurance schemes of the Department of Posts. This team will be headed by the Branch Post Master of the concerned Branch Office. Mail overseer will keep personal watch on progress of team on daily basis. The teams will be led and monitored by concerned Divisional Head, Assistant Superintendents Posts and Inspector Posts.
Campaign
The team of Gramin Dak Sevaks will conduct door-to-door awareness campaign on all schemes, covering all eligible villagers. Wide publicity will be given by displaying the information on notice board of Branch Office. Prominent places of targeted villages like Panchayat Offices, schools, village dispensaries, bus depots, markets will also be used for advertising and pamphlets will be distributed. Small melas will be organized, considering COVID-19 safety guidelines.
Training and Monitoring
Required training and infrastructure, covering all schemes, would be provided to all branch offices in identified villages. The scheme progress and target achievement will be closely monitored at Circle, Regional and Divisional levels. Monthly progress will be reviewed by the Chief Post Master General.
Context:
133rd Birth Anniversary observed on 10th September.
About Govind Ballabh Pant:
Pant was born on 10 September 1887 in what is now Uttarakhand, at Almora.
In Kashipur, he established an organisation called Prem Sabha that started working towards several reforms.
He also saved a school from shutting down due to non-payment of taxes to the British government.
Offices he held:
Before independence:
In December 1921, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, which he later renamed Uttar Pradesh.
He was elected as a candidate of the Swaraj Party from Nainital.
In the 1937 provincial elections held under the Government of India Act, 1935, Pant was appointed premier. He served the post till 1939, when all Congress ministers resigned after the British committed India to the Second World War of its own accord.
In the United Provinces election held in 1946, Pant was once again appointed the premier.
After independence:
First chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.
He served as India’s home minister from 1955 to 1961. It was during his tenure that states were reorganised on linguistic lines.
Key contributions:
During his tenure, he raised several important issues like the need to abolish the zamindari system and championed the cause of forest preservation.
He also worked to protect farmers from excessive rents levied by the British government.
He encouraged many cottage industries in the country and raised his voice against the coolie-beggar law, which forced porters to transport the heavy luggage of British officials without any payment.
Following Gandhi’s footsteps, Pant also organised a massive salt movement in the United Provinces. In May 1930, he was arrested and held at Dehradun jail.
He also protested against the Simon Commission.
Pant was always against a separate electorate for minorities, saying the step would further divide communities.
Awards and Honours:
In 1957, Pant was awarded India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
Context:
Congress has renewed its campaign seeking the Deputy Speaker’s position in the Lok Sabha.
The Lok Sabha has not had a Deputy Speaker for the last 15 months. Instead, a panel of MPs has been assisting the Speaker.
About Deputy Speaker:
Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
The constitutional office of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha is more symbolic of parliamentary democracy than some real authority.
There is no need to resign from their original party though as a Deputy Speaker, they have to remain impartial.
Roles and functions:
They act as the presiding officer in case of leave or absence caused by death or illness of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Election:
Usually, the Deputy Speaker is elected in the first meeting of the Lok Sabha after the General elections from amongst the members of the Lok Sabha.
It is by convention that position of Deputy Speaker is offered to opposition party in India.
Tenure and removal:
They hold office until either they cease to be a member of the Lok Sabha or they resign.
They can be removed from office by a resolution passed in the Lok Sabha by an effective majority of its members.
Context:
The Supreme Court had sought the amicus report on pending cases against legislators on the basis of a petition.
The report was recently filed by the apex court’s amicus curiae and senior advocate Vijay Hansaria.
Key findings:
There are a total 4,442 cases pending against legislators across the country. Of this, the number of cases against sitting Members of Parliament and members of State legislatures was 2,556.
The cases were pending in various special courts exclusively set up to try criminal cases registered against politicians.
The cases against the legislators include that of corruption, money laundering, damage to public property, defamation and cheating.
A large number of cases were for violation of Section 188 IPC for wilful disobedience and obstruction of orders promulgated by public servants.
There are 413 cases in respect of offences, which are punishable with imprisonment for life, out of which in 174 cases sitting MPs/ MLAs are accused.
A large number of cases were pending at the appearance stage and even non-bailable warrants (NBWs) issued by courts have not been executed.
Highest number of cases are pending in Uttar Pradesh.
What does the RPA say on this?
Currently, under the Representation of Peoples (RP) Act, lawmakers cannot contest elections only after their conviction in a criminal case.
Section 8 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951 disqualifies a person convicted with a sentence of two years or more from contesting elections. But those under trial continued to be eligible to contest elections.
Main reasons for Criminalization:
Corruption
Vote bank.
Lack of governance.
What is the way out?
Political parties should themselves refuse tickets to the tainted.
The RP Act should be amended to debar persons against whom cases of a heinous nature are pending from contesting elections.
Fast-track courtsshould decide the cases of tainted legislators quickly.
Bring greater transparency in campaign financing.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) should have the power to audit the financial accounts of political parties.
Context:
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a petition seeking “legal entity” status to the entire animal kingdom.
What’s the demand?
The demand is to give animals a “legal personality”. This means bestowing on animals, by judicial direction, the capacity to sue and be sued in courts of law.
This mainly stems from SC’s interpretation of the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, with the effect the word “life” includes “all forms of life, including animal life, which are necessary for human life.”
Why this demand?
While referring to recent reported incidents of cruelty on animals in the country, the plea has said that such incidents have enraged many and raised a question as to whether existing laws are sufficient enough to protect animals from possible abuse and cruelty.
It alleged the rights of animals exist only on paper due to their lack of implementation and enforcement.
Besides, the plea said that legal status has been accorded to animals in two recent verdicts rendered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Uttarakhand High Court.
What Next?
The Court has issued notices to the Centre and others seeking their replies on the petition.
What is a legal entity?
A legal entity means entity which acts like a natural person but only through a designated person, whose acts are processed within the ambit of law.
Previous Instances:
In 2018, a bench presided over by justice Sharma had accorded the status of “legal person or entity” to animals in Haryana.
In Uttarakhand high court, justice Sharma was part of a bench in 2017, which declared the Ganga and Yamuna as living entities, a verdict that was later stayed by the Supreme Court.
In 2018, Uttarakhand high court declared the entire animal kingdom, including birds and aquatic animals, as a legal entity.
In June 2019, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ruled that all animals, birds and aquatic life in Haryana would be accorded the status of legal persons or entities.
Why in News?
With the current Covid-19 situation, DAY-NRLM has designed an online training program to train all State Missions across the country on Village Poverty Reduction Plans (VPRP), in partnership with Kudumbashree (National Resource Organisation), National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad and Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
What are Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP)?
GPDP is conducted from 2nd October to 31st December, every year across the country, under the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC).
Local bodies, across the country are expected to prepare context specific, need based GPDP.
It brings together both the citizens and their elected representatives in the decentralized planning processes.
What are Village Poverty Reduction Plans (VPRP)?
PPC guidelines and the joint advisory issued by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Rural Development, has mandated Self Help Groups and their federations under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) to participate in the annual GPDP planning process and prepare the Village Poverty Reduction Plan (VPRP).
VPRP is a comprehensive demand plan which needs to be integrated with the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).
The VPRP is presented in the Gram Sabha meetings from Oct. to Dec. every year.
Demands under VPRP are categorized into five major components:
Social inclusion – plan for inclusion of vulnerable people/household into SHGs under NRLM
Entitlement – demand for various schemes such as MGNREGS, SBM, NSAP, PMAY, Ujjwala, Ration card etc.
Livelihoods – specific demand for enhancing livelihood through developing agriculture, animal husbandry, production and service enterprises and skilled training for placement etc.
Public Goods and Services – demand for necessary basic infrastructure, for renovation of the existing infrastructure and for better service delivery
Resource Development – demand for protection and development of natural resources like land, water, forest and other locally available resources
Social Development – plans prepared for addressing specific social development issues of a village under the low cost no cost component of GPDP.
InstaFact:
The Article 243G of the Constitution intended to empower the Gram Panchayats (GPs) by enabling the State Governments to devolve powers and authority in respect of all 29 Subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule for local planning and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice.
Key features of the scheme:
It is a scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector in the country.
20,050 crores has been sanctioned for its implementation during a period of 5 years from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25 in all States/Union Territories, as a part of AatmaNirbhar Bharat Package.
The scheme focuses on beneficiary-oriented activities in Marine, Inland fisheries and Aquaculture.
It seeks to adopt ‘Cluster or Area based approaches’.
Aims and targets of the scheme:
Enhance fish production by an additional 70 lakh tonne by 2024-25.
Increase fisheries export earnings to Rs.1,00,000 crore by 2024-25.
Double incomes of fishers and fish farmers.
Reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%.
Generate additional 55 lakhs direct and indirect gainful employment opportunities in fisheries sector and allied activities.
Uniqueness of the scheme:
While aiming to consolidate the achievements of Blue Revolution Scheme, PMMSY envisages many new interventions such as fishing vessel insurance, support for new/up-gradation of fishing vessels/boats, Bio-toilets, Aquaculture in saline/alkaline areas, Sagar Mitras, FFPOs/Cs, Nucleus Breeding Centres, Fisheries and Aquaculture start-ups, Incubators, etc.
Other initiatives announced at the launch of PMMSY scheme:
Establishment of Fish Brood Bank at Sitamarhi.
Aquatic Disease Referral Laboratory at Kishanganj.
One-unit fish feed mill at Madhepura and two units of ‘Fish on Wheels’ assisted at Patna under Blue Revolution.
Comprehensive Fish Production Technology Centre at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar.
Why in News?
PM recently inaugurated the following under Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
Semen Station with state of the art facilities in Purnea, Bihar.
IVF lab established at Animal Sciences University, Patna.
Sex sorted semen in artificial insemination by Baroni Milk Union in Begusarai district of Bihar.
What is Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
To conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds, government launched ‘Rashtriya Gokul Mission’ in 2014 under the National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBD).
What are the main objectives of the mission?
developmentt and conservation of indigenous breeds.
undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle breeds so as to improve the genetic makeup and increase the stock.
enhance milk production and productivity.
upgrade nondescript cattle using elite indigenous breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Rathi, Deoni, Tharparkar, Red Sindhi.
distribute disease free high genetic merit bulls for natural service.
How is the scheme implemented?
Implemented through the “State Implementing Agency (SIA viz Livestock Development Boards).
State Gauseva Ayogs will be given the mandate to sponsor proposals to the SIA’s (LDB’s) and monitor implementation of the sponsored proposal.
All Agencies having a role in indigenous cattle development will be the “Participating Agencies” like CFSPTI, CCBFs, ICAR, Universities, Colleges, NGO’s, Cooperative Societies and Gaushalas with best germplasm.
What are Gokul Grams?
Funds under the scheme will be allocated for the establishment of Integrated Indigenous Cattle Centres viz “Gokul Gram”.
Where they can be established? Gokul Grams will be established in: i) the native breeding tracts and ii) near metropolitan cities for housing the urban cattle.
Roles and responsibilities of Gokul Grams:
Act as Centres for development of Indigenous Breeds and a dependable source for supply of high genetic breeding stock to the farmers in the breeding tract.
They will be self sustaining and will generate economic resources from sale of A2 milk (A2 milkis cow’s milk that mostly lacks a form of β-casein proteins called A1 and instead has mostly the A2 form), organic manure, vermi-composting, urine distillates, and production of electricity from bio gas for in house consumption and sale of animal products.
They will also function as state of the art in situ training centre for Farmers, Breeders and MAITRI’s.
The Gokul Gram will maintain milch and unproductive animals in the ratio of 60:40 and will have the capacity to maintain about 1000 animals.
Nutritional requirements of the animals will be provided in the Gokul Gram through in house fodder production.
Metropolitan Gokul Gram will focus on genetic upgradation of urban cattle.