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GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - December 2019

Dec 2019

Dec 15, 2022

Rajya Sabha Members Pass Bill to Include Gonds in UP in Scheduled Tribes List

Cutting across party lines, Rajya Sabha members passed a bill for recognising the Gond community hailing from four districts of Uttar Pradesh as a Scheduled Tribe after excluding them from the Scheduled Castes list.
The four districts are Chandauli, Kushinagar, Sant Kabir Nagar and Sant Ravidas Nagar.
Some opposition members also demanded a similar review of more communities for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list and a caste-based census in the country during the debate on the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Bill was moved by Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda.
Lok Sabha already passed the bill which amends the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 and the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) (Uttar Pradesh) Order, 1967 to exclude the Gond community as a Scheduled Caste and amends the ST order to recognise it as a Scheduled Tribe in the four districts.

Dec 14, 2022

Kerala Assembly Passes Bill to Remove Governor as Chancellor of Universities

Despite a boycott by the opposition, the Kerala assembly passed the University Law (Amendment) Bill to replace the Governor as chancellor of all universities in the state and instead appoint top academicians to the post.
The Congress-led opposition boycotted the session after the Pinarayi Vijayan government turned down its suggestion to include retired judges of the High Court or Supreme Court in the selection panel of new VCs instead of state nominees.
Though the opposition supported the move to replace the Governor, it suspected that only Left-leaning academicians will be appointed as chancellors, affecting the autonomy of varsities.
The House witnessed a long discussion over the new Bill, with law minister P. Rajeev insisting that retired judges cannot be members of the selection panel and that the Speaker will be a better option. But the opposition rejected the suggestion and staged a walkout.
In the prevailing scenario, Governor Arif Mohammad Khan is unlikely to give his assent and may refer the Bill to the President. He already gave enough hints on this by saying that he cannot judge a legislation which is intended to question his constitutional obligations.

Dec 13, 2022

Bill to Promote Non-fossil Energy Sources, Carbon Credit Trading Passed

A bill seeking to mandate the use of non-fossil energy sources such as biomass, ethanol and green hydrogen was passed by Parliament.
The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was cleared in the Rajya Sabha by a voice vote. The Lok Sabha had passed the legislation in the previous session in August 2022.
The bill provides for penalties for violations by industrial units or vessels, and on manufacturers if a vehicle fails to comply with fuel consumption norms.
The amendments also seek to promote renewable energy and the development of a domestic carbon market to battle climate change.
The bill is also aimed at helping the country achieve its international commitments on climate change.
It aims to introduce new concepts such as carbon trading and mandate the use of non-fossil sources to ensure faster decarbonisation of the Indian economy and help achieve sustainable development goals in line with the Paris Agreement.

Dec 10, 2022

Rajasthan Govt. Implements New Rural Tourism Scheme

The Rajasthan government started a rural tourism scheme, offering concessions to prospective investors.
According to the policy, the state government will promote tourism units that showcase rural life, art, culture, and heritage.
Local people in rural areas are expected to get employment through this scheme, called Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme.
Various sops are being offered under it. There will be concession in stamp duty. In the beginning 25 per cent stamp duty will be payable, but after the start of the tourism unit and on submitting the certificate, the amount will be reimbursed.

Dec 08, 2022

Kerala Govt. Tables Bill to Remove Governor as Chancellor amid Controversies

The Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government tabled a Bill seeking removal of Governor as Chancellor amid controversies over appointments in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Apparently, the ongoing nine-day special session has been convened after an Ordinance on the same continues to be with Governor Arif Mohammed Khan with no action taken.
State Law Minister P. Rajeev piloted the Bill which was vehemently opposed by the Congress-led Opposition, especially Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan who said that the Bill does not mention the qualifications required for the Chancellor.

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