India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management
- Dignitaries from Australia, Bhutan, Guinea, Moldova, Zambia and representatives from International IDEA and IFES visited the campus and learnt about the various facilities provided by IIIDEM.
About IIIDEM
- In June 2011, the Election Commission of India(ECI), established the IIIDEM to advance its professional competence in election management, promote peoples participation, contribute to developing stronger democratic institutions and support the efforts of ECI in carrying out its mandate and functions.
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) will be establishing an independent campus of the IIIDEM at Sector-13, Dwarka, New Delhi.
- Once fully functional, IIIDEM would have 5 component wings, namely, (a) Training and Capacity Development Wing (b) Voter Education and Civic Participation Wing (c) Research, Innovation and Documentation Wing (d) International Projects and Technical Collaboration Wing (e) Services and Support Wing.
Rapid Detection Kits for Adulterants in Fresh Fish
- Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh today launched the Rapid Detection Kits for Adulterants in Fresh Fish.
- This kit is developed by Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), Kochi.
- Ammonia helps in preventing ice from melting and use of formaldehyde increases the shelf life of fish therefore many people in the fisheries sector are using these chemicals.
- The kit helps in detecting both the chemicals in the fish.
- Ingestion of ammonia and formaldehyde can lead to many health issues including abdominal pain, vomiting, unconsciousness, and sometimes even cause death.
- According to Indian and International regulations, the fresh fish and shellfish should be preserved only by means of ice and use of substances other than ice to maintain quality is a fraudulent practice.
Dynamic Facade Lighting System at Rashtrapati Bhawan:
- The Central Public Works Department, Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has this year installed the new Dynamic Façade lighting system at monumental heritage buildings of international importance i.e. Rashtrapati Bhawan, North Block & South Block.
- Earlier façade lighting was done through conventional lights i.e. GLS/Metal Helide/Sodium vapour whose light efficacy was very poor in comparison of present LED light fixtures.
- New lighting system has computerized control having unified power and data cable for easy installation and maintenance.
- It also has automation in selection of colour combination scheme using opti-bin technology, selection of timing, facility of dimming, switching on/off facility, individual/combined control of light fittings etc. through Ethernet based controller.
Meeting Of Committee to review protection of Civil Rights {PCR} Act, 1955 & SCs/ STs {PoA} Act, 1989
- Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment chaired the Twenty Fourth meeting of the Committee to review the Protection of Civil Rights {PCR} Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) {PoA} Act, 1989.
Details
- Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot expressed his deep concern on the growing cases of atrocities against SCs and STs in many States and asked them to contain it in an effective manner.
- He said that the establishment of exclusive Special Courts and specification of exclusive Special Public Prosecutors should be accorded high priority by all State governments.
- He emphasized on the regular conduct of meetings of State and District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committees to review the implementation of POA Act.
About PCR and POA acts
- Article 17 of the Constitution of India abolished ‘untouchability’, forbade its practice in any form and made enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability as an offence punishable in accordance with the law.
- Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) {PoA} Act, 1989, which falls within the provisions of Article 17 of the Constitution was enacted for preventing atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- It provides for Special Courts for the trial of such offences as well as relief and rehabilitation of the victims of atrocities.
- The PoA Act extends to the whole of India except Jammu & Kashmir, and responsibility for its implementation rests with State Governments.
- The PCR act prescribes punishment for the 1[preaching and practice of “Untouchability”] for the enforcement of any disability arising there form and for matters connected therewith.
IhsanDoğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize
- Dr Vinod Paul, Member, NITI Aayog has been awarded the prestigious IhsanDoğramacı Family Health Foundation Prize by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
- He is the first Indian to receive this global honour, which is conferred in recognition to his services in the field of family health.
- Dr Paul’s efforts brought the long-neglected issue of new-born health to the centre-stage of strategies for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through significant contributions to important documents used globally on family health.
- Dr Paul instrumental in establishing the Partnership for Maternal, New-born and Child Health in 2005-06.
- Dr Paul has played a key role in formulating national child health guidelines and programmes in the country.
IICA-IFC Collaboration Framework
- Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Cooperation Agreement covers two years duration.
- The programme to be pursued under the agreement is committed to strengthen the corporate affairs and Corporate Governance practices in India by enhancing the capabilities of key professionals engaged in the process.
- The focus of the programme will be to strengthen the institution of Independent Directors, Women Directors and other Corporate Governance Professionals.
- The programme also aims at supporting IICA and Ministry of Corporate Affairs in instituting a Corporate Governance Index for monitoring the improvements in compliance and governance practices of public as well as private sector yearly.
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