Reunification of MCD: Cabinet Approves Bill for Merging of Civic Bodies in Delhi
In March 2022, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to The Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022, which aims to merge the Capital's three municipal corporations — South, North and East — ten years after the trifurcation of the civic body. The MCD was trifurcated in 2012 when the Congress government of Sheila Dikshit controlled Delhi. It was done to decentralise governance. But the North and East civic bodies came under financial strain and there was unequal division of resources between these and the cash-rich South MCD.
Haryana Assembly Passes Anti-conversion Bill
The Haryana Assembly passed a Bill against religious conversion through force, undue influence or allurement. The Bill, which was introduced on March 4, was passed amid huge protests by the opposition in the assembly. Similar Bills in the recent past were passed in the BJP-ruled state, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
According to the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, if conversion is done by allurement, use of force, fraudulent means or coercion, then there is a provision for imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of not less than Rs. 1 lakh.
As per the Bill, whoever converts or attempts to convert a minor, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than four years, which may extend to 10 years and liable to fine not less than Rs. 3 lakh.
Mar 23, 2022
Union Cabinet Approves Continuation of National AIDS and STD Control Programme
The Union Cabinet approved continuation of National AIDS and STD Control Programme, a Central sector scheme fully funded by the Government of India from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2026 with an outlay of Rs. 15,471.94 crore by approving phase-V of the programme.
The Phase-IV (Extension) of National AIDS and STD Control Programme concluded on March 31, 2021.
Mar 20, 2022
Union Minister Jitendra Singh Unveils Arctic Policy
Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh unveiled India's Arctic policy that seeks to deepen the partnership with the resource-rich region. Titled "India and the Arctic: Building a partnership for sustainable development", it lays down six pillars — strengthening scientific research, climate and environmental protection, economic and human development, transportation and connectivity, governance and international cooperation, and national capacity building in the Arctic region.
Mar 19, 2022
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinate Debt (CGSSD) Extended up to 31.03.2023
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinate Debt (CGSSD) was extended up to 31.03.2023. Government announced creation of 'Distressed Assets Fund- - Subordinate Debt for Stressed MSMEs' on 13th May, 2020, under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package.Accordingly, a scheme viz. 'Credit Guarantee Scheme for Subordinate Debt' was approved by the Government on 1st June, 2020 and the scheme was launched on 24th June, 2020 to provide credit facility through lending institutions to the promoters of stressed MSMEs viz. SMA-2 and NPA accounts who are eligible for restructuring as per RBI guidelines on the books of the Lending institutions.
Initially the scheme was upto 31.03.2021.In order to keep the avenues of assistance to stressed MSME Units open, the Government had earlier extended this scheme upto 31.03.2022.Now, on the basis of the requests received from the stakeholders of the scheme, the Government has decided to further extend this scheme till 31.03.2023.
Mar 18, 2022
Government Clears Bill Allowing Use of Tech to Keep Criminals' Info
The government cleared a Bill to provide legislative backing for the use of latest technology in maintaining records of convicts and of those who are arrested for different types of crimes.
As per reports, a decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The draft law "Identification of Prisoners Bill" seeks to replace the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, which would be repealed.