Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Rajya Sabha passed the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020. The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in March 2020.

• The Bill seeks to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971.

Key Points

• Provisions:
  
  • Termination due to Failure of Contraceptive Method or Device:
    
    • Under the Act, a pregnancy may be terminated up to 20 weeks by a married woman in the case of failure of contraceptive method or device. The Bill allows unmarried women to also terminate a pregnancy for this reason.
  • Opinion Needed for Termination of Pregnancy:
    
    • Opinion of one registered medical practitioner (instead of two or more) for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation .
      
      • Gestation is the foetal development period from the time of conception until birth.
    • Opinion of two registered medical practitioners for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
    • Opinion of the State-level medical board is essential for a pregnancy to be terminated after 24 weeks in case of substantial foetal abnormalities.
  • Medical Boards:
    
    • Every state government is required to constitute a Medical Board.
    • These Medical Boards will consist of the following members: (i) a gynaecologist, (ii) a paediatrician, (iii) a radiologist or sonologist, and (iv) any other number of members, as may be notified by the state government.
  • Upper Gestation Limit for Special Categories:
    
    • It enhances the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, minors) etc.
  • Confidentiality:
    
    • The “name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed”, except to a person authorised in any law that is currently in force.

Note

• Before 1971, abortion was criminalized under Section 312 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, describing it as intentionally 'causing miscarriage'.

• Benefits:
  
  • Termination in Case of Anomaly:
    
    • A number of foetus abnormalities are detected after the 20^th week, often turning a wanted pregnancy into an unwanted one.
  • Helps Special Category Women:
    
    • The law will help the rape victims, ill and under-age women to terminate the unwanted pregnancy lawfully.
  • Beneficial for Unmarried Women:
    • The Bill also applies to unmarried women and therefore, relaxes one of the regressive clauses of the 1971 Act, i.e., single women couldn’t cite contraceptive failure as a reason for seeking an abortion.
    • Allowing unmarried women to medically terminate pregnancies and a provision to protect the privacy of the person seeking an abortion will bestow reproductive rights to the women.
• Challenges:
  
  • Viability of the Foetus:
    
    • A key aspect of the legality governing abortions has always been the ‘viability’ of the foetus.
      
      • Viability implies the period from which a foetus is capable of living outside the womb.
      • As technology improves, with infrastructure up-gradation, and with skilful professionals driving medical care, this ‘viability’ naturally improves.
      • Currently, viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.
      • Thus, late termination of pregnancy may get in conflict with the viability of the foetus.
  • Preference for a Male Child:
    
    • The preference for a male child keeps sex determination centres in business in spite of their illegal status. There are concerns that a more liberal abortion law can aggravate this state-of-affairs.
  • Change of Choice:
    
    • The current Bill does not consider factors such as personal choice, a sudden change in circumstances (due to separation from or death of a partner), and domestic violence.
  • Medical Boards:
    
    • The present healthcare budgetary allocation makes setting up a board across the country, both financially and practically impossible.
    • Access to the board by pregnant women in remote areas of the state is a matter of concern.
    • No time limit set to respond to the requests.
    • The board will subject women to multiple examinations before allowing her to terminate her pregnancy. This is a violation of right to privacy and right to live with dignity.

Way Forward

• Though Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is a step in the right direction, the government needs to ensure that all norms and standardised protocols in clinical practice to facilitate abortions are followed in health care institutions across the country.
• Along with that, the question of abortion needs to be decided on the basis of human rights, the principles of solid science, and in step with advancements in technology.

Source:TH

MMDR Amendment Bill, 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Coal and Mines Minister introduced the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha.

• The Bill seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 which regulates the mining sector in India.

Key Points

• Proposed Changes:
  
  • Removal of restriction on end-use of minerals:
    
    • The Act empowers the central government to reserve any mine (other than coal, lignite, and atomic minerals) to be leased through an auction for a particular end-use (such as iron ore mine for a steel plant). Such mines are known as captive mines.
    • The Bill provides that no mine will be reserved for particular end-use.
  • Sale of minerals by captive mines:
    
    • The Bill provides that captive mines (other than atomic minerals) may sell up to 50% of their annual mineral production in the open market after meeting their own needs.
      
      • The central government may increase this threshold through a notification.
      • The lessee will have to pay additional charges for minerals sold in the open market.
  • Auction by the central government in certain cases:
    
    • The Bill empowers the central government to specify a time period for completion of the auction process in consultation with the state government.
    • If the state government is unable to complete the auction process within this period, the auctions may be conducted by the central government.
  • Transfer of statutory clearances:
    
    • It provides that transferred statutory clearances will be valid throughout the lease period of the new lessee.
      
      • Currently the new lessee has to apply for fresh clearances within two years of the transfer from the previous lessee.
  • Allocation of mines with expired leases:
    
    • The Bill adds that mines whose lease has expired, may be allocated to a government company in certain cases.
    • This will be applicable if the auction process for granting a new lease has not been completed, or the new lease has been terminated within a year of the auction.
    • The state government may grant a lease for such a mine to a government company for a period of up to 10 years or until the selection of a new lessee, whichever is earlier.
  • Extension of leases to government companies:
    
    • The Act provides that the period of mining leases granted to government companies will be prescribed by the central government and may be extended on payment of additional amounts prescribed in the Bill.
  • Conditions for lapse of mining lease:
    
    • If the lessee is not able to start mining operations within two years of the grant of a lease.
    • If the lessee has discontinued mining operations for a period of two years.
      
      • The lease will not lapse at the end of this period if a concession is provided by the state government upon an application by the lessee.
      • The Bill adds that the threshold period for lapse of the lease may be extended by the state government only once and up to one year.
  • Non-exclusive reconnaissance permit:
    
    • The Act provides for a non-exclusive reconnaissance permit (for minerals other than coal, lignite, and atomic minerals).
      
      • Reconnaissance means preliminary prospecting of a mineral through certain surveys. The Bill removes the provision for this permit.
• Significance:
  
  • Transparency:
    
    • It would lead to greater transparency in the auction process as there is a perception that state governments may in some cases prefer some bidders, and try to delay or cancel mining rights if their preferred bidders do not win mining rights.
  • Maximization of Output:
    
    • Increased flexibility would allow miners to maximise output from captive mines as they would be able to sell output in excess of their own requirements.
  • Ease of Doing Business:
    
    • It will provide ease of doing business, simplification of procedure and benefit all the parties in areas where minerals are located.
    • It will also speed up the process of implementation of projects.
  • Efficient Energy Market:
    
    • It will create an efficient energy market and bring in more competition as well as reduce coal imports.
  • Access to High-End Technology:
    
    • It would also help India gain access to high-end technology for underground mining used by miners across the globe.

Source: IE

Damages Recovery Bill

Why in News

Recently, the Government of Haryana has passed the Haraya Recovery of Damages to Property During Disturbance to Public Order Bill, 2021.

• It can be noted that earlier Uttar Pradesh Government too had passed a similar bill named "Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damages to Public and Private Property Act, 2020.

Key Points

• About the Bill:
  
  • Recovery of Damages: The Bill provides for recovery of damages to properties caused by persons during disturbances to public order by an assembly, lawful or unlawful, including riots and violent disorder.
  • Compensation to Victims: It also ensures compensation to the victims.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: The recovery will not only be made from those who indulge in violence but also from those who lead the protest, the organizers, those involved in its planning and provide encouragement and the participants.
  • Establishes a Claim Tribunal: The provision for the constitution of Claims Tribunal to determine the liability, to assess the damages caused and to award compensation.
  • Attachment of Property: The power to attach property or bank account of any person against whom an award has been passed by the Claims Tribunal to pay compensation.
  • Appeal against Tribunal: Any person aggrieved by the award passed by the Claims Tribunal may file an appeal before the High Court of Punjab and Haryana.
    
    • No civil court shall have the jurisdiction to entertain any question relating to the claim for the compensation
• Government’s Stand:
  
  • Responsibility of Government: It is the responsibility of the state government to protect the property of the state, whether it is private or government.
  • Balance between Rights and Responsibility: In a democracy everyone has the right to speak and protest peacefully, but no one has the right to damage property.
  • Deterrence: There should be a legal framework to cause deterrence in the minds of the perpetrators of violence as also the organisers, instigators etc.
• Criticism:
  
  • Against SC Guidelines: Composition of Claim Tribunal may violate SC judgement.
    
    • The SC, in 2019 struck down the Finance Act of 2017 which altered the appointments to 19 key judicial tribunals for not being in conformity with the principles delineated by the Supreme Court.
  • Against Fundamental Rights: Violates the fundamental rights enshrined in Article 19 and Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • Vague and Unclear: The Supreme Court had only issued broad guidelines and many aspects like identifying offenders, executing a plan to recover losses, and penalties for non-compliance remains unclear.

Legal Provisions in India

• India has no central legislation governing recovery of damages. At present, action against rioters is limited to the toothless Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, which prescribes a jail term and fine for convicts but has no provision for recovery for damages.
  
  • Despite a law against the destruction of property, incidents of rioting, vandalism, and arson have been common during protests across the country.
• In 2007, the Supreme Court (SC) took suo motu cognizance of the issue and set up two Committees headed by Justice K T Thomas and senior advocate Fali Nariman to suggest changes to the law.
• In 2009, the Supreme Court issued guidelines based on the recommendations of the two expert Committees.
• Like the law, the guidelines too, have had a limited impact. In Koshy Jacob vs Union Of India, 2017 the court reiterated that the law needed to be updated.
• Right to Protests vs Recovery of Damages:
  
  • Fundamental Rights vs. Order:
    
    • While agitators point to their fundamental right to protest, the plight of the people affected by agitations and their right to continue with normal activity often get ignored.
  • Indian Scenario:
    
    • India’s history of public protests derives its legitimacy from Mahatma Gandhi’s path of civil disobedience and nonviolent protests, which were an integral part of our freedom struggle.
    • This legacy continued and intensified over the year and the acceptance of bandhs, and hartals became part of people’s lives in many parts of the country.
    • In fact agitations and disruptions are so steeped into our culture that we often make a virtue of it.
  • Global Example:
    
    • The United States has state-wise laws with heightened penalties for protesters who block traffic and authorises law enforcement agencies to recover costs from protesters who damage or obstruct “critical infrastructure”.
  • Suggestions:
    
    • Every organiser of a protest must make a clear declaration ensuring his followers will not damage public property and if they do, must be held financially liable.
    • Facial recognition technology and the databases can help the police nail down vandals in a manner that can stand court scrutiny.
    • With the increased deployment of surveillance cameras, protest organisers and frontline leaders could be monitored, subject to privacy laws.

Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984

• It punishes anyone “who commits mischief by doing any act in respect of any public property” with a jail term of up to five years and a fine or both. Provisions of this law can be coupled with those under the Indian Penal Code.
• Under this Act, public property includes “any building, installation or other property used in connection with the production, distribution or supply of water, light, power or energy; any oil installation; any sewage works; any mine or factory; any means of public transportation or of telecommunications, or any building, installation or other property used in connection therewith”.

Thomas Committee

• The Thomas Committee recommended reversing the burden of proof against protesters. The court should have the power to draw a presumption that the accused is guilty of destroying public property, and it would then be open to the accused to rebut such presumption.
  
  • Such a reversal of the burden of proof is applicable in cases of sexual violence, among others.
  • Generally, the law presumes that the accused is innocent until the prosecution proves its case.
• The court accepted the suggestion.

Nariman Committee

• The recommendations of this committee dealt with extracting damages for destruction.
• The court accepted them and ruled that the rioters should be made strictly liable and compensation must be collected for the damage done.
• Apart from this, the Supreme Court directed High Courts to order suo motu action and to set up a machinery to investigate the damage caused and award compensation wherever mass destruction to the property takes place due to protests.

Source-TH

Vehicle Scrapping Policy

Why in News

Recently, the Union Road and Transport Minister announced the Vehicle Scrapping Policy in the Lok Sabha.

• It was first announced in the Union Budget for 2021-22.
• The policy is estimated to cover 51 lakh Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) that are above 20 years of age and another 34 lakh LMVs above 15 years of age.
• India will also implement a Global Positioning System (GPS)-based toll collection system and do away with all toll booths within a year.

Key Points

• Aim:
  
  • Reducing the population of old and defective vehicles, bringing down vehicular air pollutants, improving road and vehicular safety.
• Provisions:
  
  • Fitness Test:
    
    • Old vehicles will have to pass a fitness test before re-registration and as per the policy government commercial vehicles more than 15 years old and private vehicles which are over 20 years old will be scrapped.
    • Old vehicles will be tested at the Automated Fitness Center and the fitness test of the vehicles will be conducted according to international standards.
      
      • Emission test, braking system, safety components will be tested and the vehicles which fail in the fitness test will be scraped.
      • The Ministry has also issued rules for registration procedure for scrapping facilities, their powers, and scrapping procedure to be followed.
  • Road Tax Rebate:
    
    • The state governments may be advised to offer a road-tax rebate of up to 25% for personal vehicles and up to 15% for commercial vehicles to provide incentive to owners of old vehicles to scrap old and unfit vehicles
  • Vehicle Discount:
    
    • Vehicle manufacturers will also give a discount of 5% to people who will produce the 'Scrapping Certificate' and registration fees will be waived off on the purchase of a new vehicle.
  • Disincentive:
    
    • As a disincentive, increased re-registration fees would be applicable for vehicles 15 years or older from the initial date registration.
• Significance:
  
  • Creation of Scrap yards:
    
    • It will lead to creation for more scrap yards in the country and effective recovery of waste from old vehicles.
  • Employment:
    
    • In the new fitness centers, 35 thousand people will get employment and an investment of Rs 10,000 crores will be pumped in.
  • Improved Revenue:
    
    • This will boost sales of heavy and medium commercial vehicles that had been in the contraction zone as a result of economic slowdown triggered by the bankruptcy of IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services) and Covid-19 pandemic.
    • The government treasury is expected to get around Rs 30,000 to 40,000 crores of money through Goods and Services Tax (GST) from this policy.
  • Reduction in Prices:
    
    • Prices of auto components would fall substantially with the recycling of metal and plastic parts.
    • As scrapped materials will get cheaper the production cost of the vehicle manufacturers will also reduce.
  • Reduce Pollution:
    
    • It will help improve fuel efficiency and reduce pollution.
      
      • As older vehicles pollute the environment 10 to 12 times more, and estimated that 17 lakh medium and heavy commercial vehicles are more than 15 years old.
• Other Initiatives to Curb Vehicular Pollution:
  
  • Go Electric Campaign
  • FAME India Scheme Phase II.
  • Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2020 for Delhi.
  • Hydrogen Fuel Cell Based Bus and Car Project.
  • National Electric Mobility Mission 2020.

Source:IE

Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project

Why in News

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan has demanded the national project status for the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP).

• The main advantage of a project which has received national project status is that 90% of the funding for the project will be given by the central government.
• The estimated cost of the ERCP is around Rs. 40,000 crore.

Key Points

• Background:
  
  • According to the state Water Resources Department, Rajasthan, the largest state of India with a geographical area of 342.52 lakh hectares which amount to 10.4% of the entire country, holds only 1.16% of India’s surface water and 1.72% of groundwater.
  • Among the state’s water bodies, only the Chambal river basin has surplus water but this water cannot be tapped directly because the area around the Kota barrage is designated as a crocodile sanctuary.
  • Through the help of diversion structures, interbasin water transfers, linking channels and construction of pumping main feeder channels, the ERCP aims to create a network of water channels which will cover 23.67 % area of Rajasthan along with 41.13 % population of the state.
• About the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project:
  
  • It aims to harvest surplus water available during rainy season in rivers in Southern Rajasthan such as Chambal and its tributaries, including Kunnu, Parvati, Kalisindh, and use this water in south-eastern districts of the state, where there is scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation.
  • ERCP is planned to meet drinking and industrial water needs of the southern and south eastern Rajasthan, for humans and Livestock till the year 2051.
  • It proposes to provide drinking water to 13 districts of Rajasthan and provide irrigation water for 2.8 lakh hectares of land through 26 different large and medium projects.
    
    • 13 districts: Jhalawar, Baran, Kota, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Ajmer, Tonk, Jaipur, Karauli, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa and Dholpur.
• Benefits:
  
  • A significant area of land will get irrigation facilities.
  • It intends to improve the ground water table in the rural areas of the state.
    
    • Positively influencing the socio-economic conditions of the people.
  • It adds special emphasis on the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and envisages that sustainable water sources will enhance and help industries grow in these areas.
    
    • Resulting in investment and revenue.

Chambal River

• It is one of the most pollution-free rivers of India.
• It originates at the Singar Chouri peak in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh). From there, it flows in the North direction in Madhya Pradesh for a length of about 346 km and then follows a north-easterly direction for a length of 225 km through Rajasthan.
• It enters U.P. and flows for about 32 km before joining the Yamuna River in Etawah District.
• It is a rainfed river and its basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and the Aravallis. The Chambal and its tributaries drain the Malwa region of northwestern Madhya Pradesh.
• The Hadauti plateau in Rajasthan occurs in the upper catchment of the Chambal River to the southeast of the Mewar Plains.
• Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, Parbati, etc.
• Main Power Projects/ Dam: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam, and Kota Barrage.
• The National Chambal Sanctuary is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Source IE

Stop TB Partnership Board

Why in News

Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, has been appointed Chairman of the Stop TB Partnership Board.

• He will serve a three year term, commencing July 2021, as the Chair of the Board of Stop TB Partnership.

Key Points

• About the Stop TB Partnership Board:
  • It was established in 2001 and is mandated to eliminate Tuberculosis as a public health problem.
  • The organization was conceived following the meeting of the First Session of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Tuberculosis Epidemic held in London in March 1998.
  • In its inaugural year itself, the Stop TB Partnership through the Amsterdam Declaration gave a call for collaborative action from ministerial delegations from 20 countries that bear the highest burden of TB.
  • In 2019, it launched the updated Global Plan to End TB 2018-2022.
  • The Kochon Prize is awarded annually by Stop TB Partnership to individuals and/or organizations that have made a significant contribution to combating TB.
    • The Kochon Prize, which is endowed by the Kochon Foundation, a non-profit foundation registered in the Republic of Korea, consists of a USD 65,000 award.
  • Its secretariat is based at Geneva, Switzerland.
• High TB Burden Countries:
  • In 2019, the 30 high TB burden countries accounted for 87% of new TB cases.
  • Eight countries account for two thirds of the total, with India leading the count, followed by Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and South Africa (Global Tuberculosis Report: WHO)
• Scenario in India:
  • With an estimated 2.64 million TB patients, India has the largest burden of TB globally in terms of absolute numbers.
  • Recently, the “Step Up for TB 2020” report by the Stop TB Partnership and Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has highlighted India’s conservative approach regarding the new medicines for Drug Resistant TB, putting lives of patients including children in danger.
• Steps Taken by India:
  • India has committed to eliminating TB in the country by 2025.
    • Five years ahead of the global deadline of 2030.
  • National Strategy Plan for TB Elimination 2017-2025:
    • The requirements for moving towards TB elimination in India have been arranged in four strategic areas of Detect, Treat, Prevent & Build.
    • There is also across all four areas, an overarching theme of the Private Sector. Another overarching theme is that of Key Populations.
  • TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign, Nikshay Poshan Yojana, etc.
• Global Efforts:
  • The End TB Strategy of WHO.
  • World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed on 24^th March to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB.

Tuberculosis

• Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most often affect the lungs.
• Transmission: TB is spread from person to person through the air. When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
• Symptoms: Cough with sputum and blood at times, chest pains, weakness, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
• Treatment: TB is treatable and curable disease. It is treated with a standard 6 month course of 4 antimicrobial drugs that are provided with information, supervision and support to the patient by a health worker or trained volunteer.
• Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) is a form of TB caused by bacteria that do not respond to isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful, first-line anti-TB drugs. MDR-TB is treatable and curable by using second-line drugs.
• Extensively drug resistant TB (XDR TB) is a rare type of MDR TB that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin).

Source: PIB

Anangpal II: Tomar Dynasty

Why in News

Recently, a seminar highlighted the legacy of the long-forgotten Tomar king - Anangpal II.

Key Points

• About Anangpal II:
  
  • Anangpal II, popularly known as Anangpal Tomar, belonged to the Tomar dynasty.
  • He was the founder of Dhillika Puri, which eventually became Delhi.
    
    • Evidence about the early history of Delhi is inscribed on the iron pillar of Masjid Quwaatul Islam, adjacent to Qutub Minar.
  • Multiple inscriptions and coins suggest Anangpal Tomar was the ruler of present-day Delhi and Haryana in between the 8^th-12^th centuries.
    
    • He had built the city from ruins and under his supervision, Anang Tal Baoli and Lal Kot were constructed.
  • Anangpal Tomar II was succeeded by his grandson Prithviraj Chauhan.
    
    • Delhi Sultanate was established in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat in the Battle of Tarain (present-day Haryana) by the Ghurid forces.
• About Tomar Dynasty:
  
  • Tomara dynasty is one of the minor early medieval ruling houses of northern India.
  • Puranic evidence (writings of the Puranas) gives its early location in the Himalayan region. According to bardic tradition, the dynasty was one of the 36 Rajput tribes.
  • The history of the family spans the period between the reign of Anangpal, who founded the city of Delhi in the 11^th century CE, and the incorporation of Delhi within the Chauhan (Chahamana) kingdom in 1164.
  • Although Delhi subsequently became decisively a part of the Chauhan kingdom, numismatic and comparatively late literary evidence indicates that Tomara kings such as Anangapala and Madanapala continued to rule as feudatories, presumably until the final conquest of Delhi by the Muslims in 1192–93.

Source: IE