Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Tejpal charged with rape



Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal was on 17-Feb-2014 charged by Goa police with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague, 80 days after his arrest, and could face imprisonment of more than seven years if convicted.

Police filed a 2,684-page charge sheet against Tejpal, in jail since December 1, under sections354, 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 and 342 (wrongful restraint), 376 (rape), 376(2)(f) and 376 (2)(k) (taking advantage of official position and raping a woman in custody).

President's rule in Delhi



Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on 15-Feb-2014 recommended President's rule in the national capital after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gave his resignation. 


The assembly will be kept in suspended animation. 


Arvind Kejriwal resigned on 14-Feb-2014 after his party's efforts to introduce the Jan Lokpal bill aimed at curbing corruption in high places was stalled.

The Kejriwal government, which survived on outside support of the Congress, lasted 49 days.

Jung then wrote to assembly Speaker M.S. Dhir that the Jan Lokpal bill should not be tabled as he has not approved it.
 

 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned on 15-Feb-2014 night after suffering a defeat in the assembly on the Jan Lokpal Bill and  he recommended dissolution of the assembly and holding of fresh polls.


Arvind Kejriwal said that people will teach both   ongress and the BJP   a lesson in future as the BJP and Congress joined together to defeat the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Kerala lifts ban on quarries and sand mining

Kerala Government on 14-Feb-2014 decided to allow the functioning of quarries and sand mining in river beds subject to conditions prescribed by courts and guidelines of State Environment Committee.

Railway Budget : Passenger fares and freight rates untouched



Presenting the  Railway Budget, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge   announced the launch of 17 new premium trains, 39 express trains and ten passenger trains in the coming year and providing rail connectivity to Katra and Vaishnodevi in Jammu and Kashmir, and Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast.

Independent Rail Tariff Authority will be  set up to rationalise fares and there was a proposal to expand dynamic pricing of tickets in line with the airline industry.

Passenger fares and freight rates untouched.

Annual Rail Plan has been pegged at Rs 64,305 crore with a budgetary support of Rs 30,223 crore.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Strict Punishment and fine for spreading hatred against HIV/AIDS affected Persons




 According to a new bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha, Any person found guilty of spreading or propagating hatred against people living with HIV/AIDS will face strict punishment of imprisonment up to two years and a maximum fine of Rs one lakh.

The The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014 was tabled by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad .


The new bill introduced in the Rajya Sabha today seeks to protect rights of persons living with HIV/AIDS and end discrimination against them through stringent penal measures.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Bill, 2014, was tabled in the Upper House amid din by Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.

The bill provides for protection to those infected by HIV and AIDS from denial of employment and harassment of any kind, besides provision of medical treatment while ensuring confidentiality and privacy while providing HIV and AIDS related services.

The bill also provides protection to such persons from being subjected to an HIV test without their informed consent.

 It also provides for obligation of establishments to provide for safe working environment, safeguard the rights of people infected with HIV/AIDS, particularly women and children, and establish formal mechanisms for redressing grievances and inquiring into complaints.

The Bill seeks to put in place an obmudsman to deal with such complaints both at the state and central level.

India is estimated to have 2.39 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), the third highest after South Africa and Nigeria.