Pakistan Parliament Passes Bill Criminalising Torture, Custodial Deaths
Pakistan's parliament passed a bill criminalising torture and preventing custodial killings by police or other government officials.
The Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Bill, 2021 was adopted by the Senate, the upper house of bicameral parliament. It was moved by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman and Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari supported it.
It states that any public servant involved in torture would face up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 2 million. If a public servant, whose duty it is to prevent torture, either intentionally or negligently fails to prevent it, he/she will face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs. 1 million, it adds.
Cabinet Approves MoU Between India and Denmark for Cooperation in Health and Medicine
The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ministries of health of India and the Kingdom of Denmark for cooperation in the field of health and medicine, an official statement said.
The bilateral MoU will encourage cooperation between the Ministry of Health of India and the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Denmark through joint initiatives and technology development in the health sector. It will strengthen bilateral ties between India and Denmark, it said.
At a time when the aviation sector is going through an all-time low owing to the pandemic, the Adani Group has formally taken over the management of the Mumbai International Airport from the controls of the GVK Group.
With the addition of Mumbai airport, Adani Airport Holdings will now have control over 33% of India's air cargo traffic.
Adani Group will have 74% stake in Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, post the stake purchase transaction, with 50.5% being bought from GVK Group and 23.5% from minority partners including Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), and Bidvest Group.
RBI Cancels Licence of Dr Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar Urban Co-op Bank, Latur
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cancelled the licence of Dr Shivajirao Patil Nilangekar Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd, Nilanga, Latur, as it does not have adequate capital and earning prospects.
Also, the Maharashtra-based bank with its current financial position would be unable to pay its depositors in full, the central bank said while announcing cancellation of its licence.
RBI Extends Implementation Timeline of ATM Cassette Swap
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has extended the timeline for implementation of cassette swap in all ATMs till March 31, 2022.
This comes in the wake of the Indian Banks' Association making a representation on behalf of various banks, expressing difficulties in meeting the March 31, 2021 timeline.
Punjab Waives off of Rs 590 cr of Loans of Labourers, Landless Farmers
The Punjab government announced waiver of Rs 590 crore worth of loans under the farm debt waiver scheme for labourers and the landless farming community.
The cheques would be issued at a state-level function on August 20, 2021.
The Punjab government will pay off loans to the tune of Rs 520 crore of 2,85,325 members of the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS), thus ensuring a relief of Rs 20,000 per member, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on July 15, 2021 on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day 2021 and 6th anniversary of Skill India Mission.
In his address, Prime Minister highlighted "Skill development of youth of new generation is a national need and a huge foundation for self-reliant India".
According to PM, under Skill India Mission, 1.25 crore youth have been trained till date.
Ministry of Civil Aviation releases Draft Drone Rules, 2021
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has released reorganized – The Drone Rules, 2021 for public consultation. Built on a premise of trust, self-certification and non-intrusive monitoring, The Drone Rules, 2021 will replace the UAS Rules 2021 (released on 12th March 2021). The last date for receipt of public comments is 5th August 2021.
Key takeaways from the Draft Drone Rules, 2021 include that there will be minimal human interface on the digital sky platform and most permissions will be self-generated. Safety features like 'No Permission – No Take-off' (NPNT), real-time tracking beacon, geo-fencing etc. to be notified in future.
Import of drones and drone components will be regulated by Directorate General of Foreign Trade. All drone training and testing to be carried out by an authorised drone school. Directorate General of Civil Aviation will prescribe training requirements, oversee drone schools and provide pilot licences online. Standard operating procedures (SOP) and training procedure manuals (TPM) will be prescribed by DGCA on the digital sky platform for self-monitoring by users.
Government Approves Continuation of AYUSH Mission as Centrally-sponsored Scheme
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Ayush Mission as a 'Centrally-sponsored scheme' for another five years till 2026. A release issued by the Union government noted that the scheme would continue from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2026, with a financial implication of Rs. 4,607.30 crore to be spent during the period.
Giving details, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said the scheme involved the expansion of the Ayush sector to promote the holistic health of Indians.
He said under the scheme, old and traditional medicinal systems would be promoted, and Ayush wellness centres, medical colleges, hospitals and dispensaries set up and upgraded. He said the Cabinet also approved a change of nomenclature and mandate of the North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine (NEIFM) as the North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Folk Medicine Research (NEIAFMR).
Cabinet Okays Scheme to Promote India-owned Ships with Subsidy Support
The Union Cabinetapproved a scheme for promotion of flagging of merchant ships in India by providing subsidy support to domestic shipping companies in global tenders floated by Ministries.
As per the scheme, a subsidy of Rs 1,624 crore over five years to domestic shipping companies will be given in global tenders floated by Ministries and central public sector enterprises.
The move has brought in an opportune time to invest in Indian flagged vessels, said industry experts.
The policy was announced in February as part of the fiscal 2022 Union Budget.
Cabinet Extends RoSCTL Scheme for Textile Exporters till March 2024
The union cabinet on Wednesday extended the Rebate of State and Central Levies and Taxes (RoSCTL) scheme till March 2024, a move aimed at helping the textile exporters.
"Continuation of RoSCTL for apparel/garments and made-ups is expected to make these products globally competitive by rebating all embedded taxes/levies which are currently not being rebated under any other mechanism. It will ensure a stable and predictable policy regime and provide a level playing field to Indian textiles exporters. Further, it will promote startups and entrepreneurs to export and ensure creation of lakhs of jobs," an official statement said.
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