General Awareness

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES - October 2023

Oct 2023

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.

Dec 15, 2023

Telangana Launches the Maha Lakshmi Scheme

The government of Telangana, under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, launched the 'Maha Lakshmi Scheme.' This initiative, announced by the Congress party in its Manifesto for Telangana, aims to provide free travel for women, girls, and transgender persons within the state. The scheme encompasses various guarantees to ensure accessible and affordable transportation for the targeted beneficiaries.
The 'Maha Lakshmi Scheme' primarily focuses on providing free travel for girls, women of all age groups, and transgender persons in state-run Palle Velugu and express buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) within the borders of Telangana State.

Karnataka Legislative Assembly Passes Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Advocates Bill, 2023

The Karnataka Legislative assembly passed the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Advocates Bill, 2023.
The Bill was introduced by Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil.
The bill provides that any person who commits an offense against a lawyer shall face imprisonment for a term ranging from six months to three years, or a fine of Rs. 1 lakh, or both.
It further provides that whenever an advocate is arrested by the Police in respect of a cognizable offence, the Police shall, within 24 hours of the arrest, notify the President or Secretary of the advocates' association of which the arrested advocate is a member.
The Bill states that every offense punishable under it shall be tried by a court not below the Court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class.

Dec 14, 2023

India Launches Forest Certification Scheme for Sustainable Management

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme. This voluntary national certification initiative aims to encourage sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India. The scheme encompasses forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of custody certification.
The Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, will serve as the scheme's operating agency, managing its overall implementation.

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