Government Policy

Four ‘child friendly courts’ were inaugurated in West Bengal on Saturday to help juvenile victims and offenders. Justice Madan B. Lokur of the Supreme Court inaugurated the State’s first such court at Bankshall court here. He called for all-out efforts to give the affected children a good life. Source : …

The recently-released Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 has shown that the prevalence of diabetes has increased more rapidly in the less-developed States of the country. The report has also highlighted the need for policy and health system action commensurate with the disease burden in each State to ensure more …

Ministry, board to break impasse Seven months after the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the state broadcaster Prasar Bharati locked horns over DD Free Dish, there is hope that the Ministry and the board will soon reach a solution. DD Free Dish reaches 2.4 crore households, which get 80 TV …

Annual research, travel grants to go Citing “continued limitations posed by the budgetary provisions from the Department of Science and Technology (DST)” the New Delhi-based Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has decided to “dispense with” facilities given to researchers who had won the Young Scientist Award given by the Academy. …

The Narendra Modi government is suffering from the “big brother syndrome”, the Congress on Sunday said, criticising the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Bill, 2018, that allows law enforcement agencies to collect DNA samples and create “DNA profiles” and special data banks for forensic-criminal investigations. The Bill was introduced by …

Attorney-General K.K. Venugopal argued that SC/ST are a “homogeneous group and any action to regroup them based on economic or social advancement would not be apt”. Mr. Venugopal said rigorous modalities were prescribed for inclusion of communities in the list of SCs/STs. “For inclusion of communities in the list of …

Time period for hearings on claims and objections likely to be extended The Centre is mulling relaxed guidelines for migrant workers and labourers from other States who were not included in the final draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam that was published on July 30. As …

The Railways will stop free travel insurance for passengers from September 1, an official said on Saturday. Travellers, while booking tickets through the IRCTC website or mobile app, can opt for travel insurance or opt out. The order to charge for travel insurance will be generated in a few days.IANS …

Ministry may reconsider conducting NEET twice The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry may reconsider its decision to conduct medical entrance exam NEET twice a year, following recommendations from the Health Ministry. According to sources, the Health Ministry has raised concerns on conducting NEET twice a year.PTI Source :  https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/hrd-ministry-may-reconsider-conducting-neet-twice-a-year/article24661134.ece

Bill to remove leprosy as a ground for divorce The Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018 introduced in the Lok Sabha on Friday seeks to strike down leprosy as a ground for seeking divorce. The bill was introduced by Minister of State for Law Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/bill-in-ls-to-remove-leprosy-as-a-ground-for-divorce/article24661135.ece