Important Legal News: May 2019

Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India.

• In petitions, challenging the Scheme, filed by the NGOs Common Cause and Association for Democratic Reforms(ADR) and CPI (M), the SC declined to stay the controversial Electoral Bonds Scheme observing that the question could not be determined on the basis of a short hearing.
• But the bench headed by the then Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi directed all parties to furnish by May 30 information as to the donations received by way of Electoral Bonds (including the identity of the donors, amounts received, details of payments, bank accounts etc) to the Election Commission in sealed covers. 

Satish Chandra Verma v. Union of India.

• The SC held the right to travel abrod as an important basic human right as it nourishes independent and self-determining creative character of the individual, not only by extending his freedoms of action, but also by extending the scope of his experience. 

General Studies: April 2019 PDF

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Important Cases 2019: B K Pavitra v. Union of India-II.

B K Pavitra v. Union of India-II. On the provision of Article 16(4-A) as the impugned legislation of Karnataka government provided for consequential seniority for SC/STs after promotion.

• Act was held to be in conformity with the judgments of M. Nagraj and Jarnail Singh v. Lakshmi Narain Gupta.
• On question of administrative efficiency as mentioned under Article 335 of the Constitution, following views were held by Chandrachud J. that:
• No inference can be drawn that reservation in favour of SC/STs has negatively impacted efficiency.
• Meritorious candidate is not one who is merely talented but one whose appointment fulfills constitutional goal of uplifting SCs and STs.
•  Administrative efficiency in the affairs of the Union and state must be defined in inclusive sense, where diverse segments of society find representation in public administration.

April-2019: Minor topics.

Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana.

• The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has launched it.
• Voluntary and contributory pension scheme for workers in the unorganised sector.
• Age-specific contribution by the beneficiary and the matching contribution by the Central Government.
• Eligibility: 
• The unorganised sector workers, with income of less than Rs 15,000 per month within age group of 18-40 years.
• Not covered under New Pension Scheme (NPS), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) scheme or Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
• Not an income tax payer.
• Minimum assured monthly pension of Rs 3000 after attaining the age of 60 years.
• LIC is the Pension Fund Manager.

Operation Digital Board (ODB).

• Human Resource Development Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar launched Operation Digital Board to leverage technology in order to boost quality education in the country.
• On the lines of Operation Blackboard of 1987. 

Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog.

• For conservation, protection and development of cattle population in the country including development and conservation of indigenous breeds.

Gross Domestic Knowledge Product (GDKP).

• The Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation in collaboration with Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). 
• Provides a fundamental measure of growth by including factors that involve the creation and accumulation of knowledge.

The e-AUSHADHI portal. 

• For online licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy drugs and related matters.

Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP).

• The flagship program of the Election Commission of India for voter education, voter awareness and voter literacy in India.

Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).

• U.S. trade program designed to promote economic growth in the developing world by providing preferential duty-free entry for up to 4,800 products from 129 designated beneficiary countries and territories.
• India is the largest beneficiary.

GSAT-31

• India’s communication satellite.
• Launched by Ariane 5 rocket from French Guyana (South America).
• Placed in Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km above the equator). 

Salt Satyagraha Memorial.

• Inaugurated at Dandi in Navsari district, Gujarat. 
• It was dedicated by the PM to the nation on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 71st death anniversary (30th January).

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission). 

• It targets to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anemia (among young children, women and adolescent girls) and reduce low birth weight.
• Swasth Bharat Preraks will be deployed one in each district for fast and efficient execution of the Abhiyaan across the country and act as catalyst for fast tracking the implementation of the Abhiyaan.