General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - June 2023

Jun 2023

Dec 21, 2023

Lok Sabha Passes Telecommunications Bill, 2023

The Lok Sabha passed the Telecommunications Bill, 2023 to replace the Indian Telegraph Act of 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act of 1950.
The bill aims to amend and consolidate the law relating to development, expansion and operation of telecommunication services and telecommunication networks, assignment of spectrum and connected matters.
The proposed Bill aims to overhaul the existing licensing regime for telecom networks, transitioning from the current system to an authorisation framework. Under the present arrangement, the telecom department issues over 100 types of licenses, registrations and permissions. The Bill aims to streamline this process by consolidating many of these into a single authorisation mechanism.
Moreover, the Bill empowers the government to reclaim spectrum that remains unused. It also introduces provisions for sharing, trading, and leasing of spectrum. Entities will now have the option to surrender unused spectrum although they won't receive compensation from the government for the same.

Dec 20, 2023

Parliament Passes National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Second (Amendment)...

Both Houses of Parliament passed The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The bill, which extends the National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act's validity from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2026, aims to provide continued protection from punitive action for various unauthorised developments in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. This includes slum dwellers, hawkers, unauthorised colonies, schools, religious and cultural institutions, and agricultural godowns.
The National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011, which was initially valid until December 31, 2014, has seen many extensions. The most recent amendment, passed in 2021, extended it until December 31, 2023, and now (2023) the Lok Sabha approval extends it further until December 31, 2026.

Dec 19, 2023

Parliament Passes Bill to Replace 125-Year-Old Indian Post Office Act

The Parliament passed a Bill that authorises post office employees to open or detain any item during transmission in the interest of national security or public safety.
The draft legislation also empowers the director general of postal services to make rules regarding fees for services.
It also prescribed immunity for post office employees from liability in providing services, but with conditions. These provisions are part of the Post Office Bill, 2023, and it seeks to repeal the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, and to consolidate and amend the law relating to the Post Office in India.
After Rajya Sabha passed the Bill earlier in December, the Lok Sabha gave the nod. Now, once the President gives her assent, it will become law.

Rajya Sabha Clears Bills to Extend Women's Reservation to J-K, Puducherry

The Rajya Sabha was adjourned after two Bills to introduce reservation for women in legislative assemblies of Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir were passed by voice vote in the House amid an uproar by the opposition over the Parliament security breach.
The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill were passed by the Lok Sabha earlier.
The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill were passed within nearly 20 minutes of being tabled by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

Dec 18, 2023

'Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana' Trained Youth not Eligible for Railway Jobs

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that over 26,000 candidates who have been skilled under the "Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana" till November 2023 will not have any preference for jobs in Indian Railways.
He said that the scheme was launched in September 2021 and 26,791 candidates have, so far, completed their training till November 2023.
He said that this programme is intended to enhance the skill of a person so that he/she can get a job or can start his/her start-up/entrepreneurship.
The Railway Minister added that the Indian Railways launched the 'Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana' to empower candidates in the age group of 18 to 35 years by providing them with entry-level skill training in various industry-relevant technical trades at various training locations.

Dec 16, 2023

New Bills to Replace Law on Customs, Excise, Age Limits of GSTAT Members

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced two Bills in Parliament to immediately give effect to Customs and excise duty changes announced in the Budget and raise the age limits for president and members of the goods and services tax appellate tribunals (GSTATs).
The Provisional Collection of Taxes Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace the pre-Independence era Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1931, is aimed at curbing speculative activities, following changes in Customs and excise duties in the Budget.
The other Bill — The Central Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2023 — seeks to raise the age limit for president and members of the GSTAT.
The Bill seeks to cap the age limit for president and members of the GST appellate tribunals at 70 years and 67 years, respectively. This is higher than the 67 years and 65 years, specified earlier.
The president and members of the GSTAT would be eligible for re-appointment for a period of two years subject to the age limit of 70 and 67, respectively, according to the amended Bill.
The Bill also gives one more option for qualification for a judicial member — he/she should be an advocate for 10 years with substantial experience in litigation, in matters relating to indirect taxes.

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