Kerala Affairs
Kerala: Panel to verify eco sensitive zones near sanctuaries
The government has set up an expert panel, headed by former chief of Calcutta high courtThottathil B Radhakrishnan, for the physical verification of eco-sensitive zones (ESZ) and other constructions that are present in ESZs around 23 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in state. The committee also includes additional chief secretaries of Environment and LSG departments, principal secretary of forests and wildlife department and former head of forests force James Varghese.
Kerala has already filed a Review Petition before the court on buffer zones. On July 27, the cabinet had decided to rectify its 2019 order and recommend the exclusion of human habitats around national parks and wildlife sanctuaries from the ambit of ESZ. It had given clearance to forest department to exclude such habitats, government and semi-government institutions that are lying close to 23 sanctuaries and national parks in state from the ambit of ESZ.
National and International Affairs
Guidelines for Mission Shakti Scheme
Ministry of Women and Child Development recently released guidelines for Mission Shakti scheme.
Mission Shakti Scheme was launched by Government of India.
It will be implemented for the period of 2021-22 to 2025-26.
It an integrated women Empowerment programme.
It will act as an umbrella scheme for security, safety, and empowerment of women.
Newly released guidelines will be applicable with effect from April 1, 2022.
Mission Shakti further seeks to turn women economically empowered so that they can exercise free choice on their minds and bodies in an Environment which is free from violence and threat. It will also decrease care burden on women and improve female labour force participation. Female labour force participation will be promoted through Skill development, financial Literacy, capacity building, etc.
Over 1 crore children sent 2047 vision postcards to PM
Children across the country have put eradication of POVERTY and Corruption as some of the goals for India at 100, in their responses to the Postcards to PM initiative of the Culture Ministry as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, according to sources.
The initiative was launched on December 1, 2021 and continued till December 31, with the goal of 75 lakh postcards from students to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The students from Class IV to XII were asked to write about their favourite freedom fighters and unsung heroes from their region and what they wanted India to be in 2047, when it completes 100 years of Independence.
The absence of a mandatory central government notification has put a question mark on the jurisdiction of the set up to secure a speedy settlement of marriage-related disputes in two states. To overcome the legal difficulty, the government is bringing abillto help validate the appointment of judicial officers and court staff in the family courts ofHimachal Pradesh and Nagalandwith retrospective effect, official sources said.
The Family Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is likely to be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, starting July 18.
Setting up family courts and their functioning fall within the domain of the state governments in consultation with the respective high courts.
TheFamily Courts Act, 1984 provides for the establishment of family courts by the state governments in consultation with the high courts to promote conciliation and secure a speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs.
The validity of the family courts in Himachal Pradesh was challenged in the state High Court last year, citing the absence of the central government notification.
Since there is no provision in the Family Courts Act to issue a central government notification with retrospective effect, the amendment bill was planned by the Union law ministry.
NHRC to draft action plan for mental institutions
The <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/national-human-rights-commission”>National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it intended to draft an action plan for the efficient functioning of mental institutions in the country.
The Commission also intends to formulate a long-term plan for the efficient working of the Mansik Arogyashala [mental Health institutions].
World Bank announces $530 million in new funding for Ukraine
The has announced $530 million in supplemental funding for Ukraine to enable it to “meet urgent needs created by Russia’s invasion.”
The support, in the form of a new loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, is being guaranteed by Britain to the tune of $500 million, with Denmark backing the remaining $30 million.
The bank said it had already mobilized almost $13 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine, $11 billion of which had already been disbursed.