HC grants temporary relief to Siddaramaiah
In a temporary relief to Chief Minister Siddharamiah ,the Karnataka High court on Monday passed an order of a special court in Bangalore to defer further proceedings on complaints related to the MUDA case till August 29 .
The special court is hearing corruption charges against CM Siddaramaiah . Earlier the governor on August 17 , had granted permission to investigate the corruption charges against Siddaramaiah in the MUDA case .
The court was hearing a petition filed by Mr Sidharamiayah against Governor’s order .
Mr Sidharamiayah questioned the legality of the order , as it differed from the state cabinet decision .
State cabinet has rejected an application seeking grant of sanction for investigation .
MUDA scam – CM Siddaramaiah has been alleged to transfer plots under Mysore Urban Development Authority ( MUDA ) , illegally to his wife .
Sexual abuse rampant in Malyalam film industry , says Hema committee report
The Kerala government has made the K Hema Committee report public , five years after it was submitted .
K Hemlata committee was formed in 2017 to investigate issues faced by women in Malayalam film industry .
Women face sexual harassment even from well known people in Malyalam Cinema industry . Witnesses had produced ‘ video and audio clips ‘ to prove sexual favours , the report says .
The report has revealed horrid tales of sexual exploitation , illegal bans , discrimination , drug and alcohol abuse , wage disparity and in some cases inhumane working conditions .
Some major Findings of the panel report is :
- The industry is the clutches of certain male producers , directors , and actors
- ‘ Casting couch ‘ is a reality ; even famous people in the industry ask for sexual favours in lieu of roles .
- Working conditions of Junior are very bad . They are ‘ treated ‘ worse than slaves ‘ , long working hours and not regular payment being among the issues with Junior artists .
Recommendation of the committee – The Hema committee notes that internal complaints committee ( ICC ) can be ineffective , as ICC can be threatened and coerced and compromised .
The committee recommended the government to enact an appropriate statute and constitute a tribunal to address all these problems .
Kerala government can give investigation orders in sexual harassment cases found from witnesses in the report .
Union govt rules out central law for doctors safety
The Union government has ruled out bringing a central Protection Act for uniform framework across the country for protecting healthcare workers .
Stating that almost all states have laws in place to ensure their safety .
The centre on Monday issued an order to increase security by 25 % in all hospitals of the Union government .
Deployment of marshals will also be increased depending on the need of the hospital .
26 states and UTs have passed legislation to protect healthcare service professionals .
Ties with Russia ,Ukraine stand on their own
India has “ substantive and independent “ relations with Russia and Ukraine “ that stand on their own “ , Tanmaya Lal , secretary ( West ) External Affairs Ministry said on Monday .
He announced the landmark visit of PM Narendra Modi to “ Poland “ and Ukraine later this week.
PM Modi will visit Poland on August 21 and 22 and Ukraine on August 23 . This will be the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Poland in 45 years and first to Ukraine in more than 30 years .
“ India has maintained a very clear and consistent position that diplomacy and dialogue can resolve this conflict between Russia and Ukraine ,and which can lead to enduring peace , so dialogue is absolutely essential . “
Mr Lal said .
The visit to Ukraine will also see to review agriculture z, economy , defence , pharmaceutical and people to people ties .
Yaks from China stray into eastern Ladakh
Nearly 40 Yaks from the Chinese side have ventured in the Demchok area of eastern Ladakh and are in control of villagers there .
There should be a proper mechanism to return , we also lost our Yaks to the Chinese side . Said one of the villagers .
Grazing rights in other territories in the border region for nomads has been an unresolved issue between the two countries .
Demchok is one of the mutually declared disputed regions in eastern Ladakh .
China set up tents on the Indian sides of Chording Nala before the 2020 stand off . China holds the territory as its own . While India refutes Chinese claims .
The talk is still going on to resolve this .
Changpa tribe is a nomadic tribe on the border of South eastern Ladakh which uses yaks and goats . The famous pashmina wool comes from the Changthangi goat which is hard by the same tribe .
Reforms panel mooted lateral entry only of specialists : Moily
UPSC will give advertisements for recruitment of 45 secretary , directors in various ministries of government of India .
Opposition has accused the government of using lateral entry to curb reservation for SC. STs and OBC s .
Leader of Opposition (LoP ) Rahul Gandhi accused the government of denying reservation through lateral entry system .
Former Union law minister M Veerappa Moily on Monday acknowledged that Second Administrative Reforms Committee chaired by him in 2005 recommended lateral entry into government services to perform specialised roles that were “ not easily available within “
traditional civil services . “
The centre has dismissed allegations by the opposition . Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that during Congress rule several persons from outside the government who favoured Congress were given key posts in government . He cited making Dr Manmohan Singh as Finance secretary and Montek Singh Ahluwalia was made Deputy chairman at planning commission .
He said that the current government has brought transparency in such recruitment by doing it through UPSC.
The lateral entry post will be for three years contract jobs extendable by two more years .
Lateral entry concept was developed under Second Administrative Reforms Commission under UPA rule .
NC manifesto promises restoration of J&K statehood , release of prisoners
The J&K National Conference ( NC ) manifesto released on Monday pledged to push for India Pakistan dialogue on Kashmir , introduce laws to protect Jobs and lands , seek release of political prisoners , and review the cases of employees terminated over the past five years .
On the occasion of release of Manifesto the Vice President of NC Omar Abdullah said that he would struggle to restore “ article 370 and 35A “ .
Elections in J&K will be held in three phases on September 18 , 25 and October 1 .
World
Hamas and Islamic Jihad claim bombings in Tel Aviv
Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups claimed responsibility for a bomb explosion in Israeli capital Tel Aviv .
The attack killed the man carrying the bomb and wounded the bystander .
Hamas said that they intended to launch more attacks on Israel .
Hexbollah said on Monday that two of its fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike .
It also claimed a strike in Northern Israel including with drones .
Russia captures major settlement in Donetsk
Russia on Monday said its troops captured a “ major “ settlement in Ukraine’s eastern region .
Russia’s defence ministry said that it had “ liberated “ the town Artemovo . The town is called Zalzine in Ukraine , and has a population of 5,000 . This is one of the largest areas captured by the Russian army in recent weeks .
Meanwhile , Ukraine on Monday ordered evacuation of families with children from Povrovsk .
Povrovsk has around 53000 civilians including 4000 children .
Russian forces have been inching closer toward this city for months .
Russia’s defence ministry said on Sunday , its forces have captured Svyrnvodivka , 15 km from Pokrovsk.
Chinese Philippines ship collide in South China sea
Chinese and Philippines coast guard ships collided at sea , damaging at least two vessels in an encounter early on Monday .
The collision occurred near Sabina shoal , a disputed atoll in Sparty islands where Vietnam and Taiwan also have overlapping claims .
Both China and Philippines sides accused each other of the collision .
Editorial
To abide or not
Corruption charges need credible probe , not actions tainted by Politics
The editorial is about the recent order of probe by the governor of Karnataka in the MUDA case .
CM Siddaramaiah has moved to the high Court .
His position is that the governor is bound by aid and advice of the state cabinet , while this order was passed against the state cabinet decision .
Some previous court judgements in such matters say that the governor can arrive at an independent conclusion if counsel demonstrates bias or fails to present relevant material .
Karnataka HC has for the time stayed governors order of inquiry .
The editorial says that looking at the current tussle between the office of governor and CM it will be hard to predict the right constitutional course .
But the matter seems in favour of the governor for now .
Good not Ugly
Film awards regained some prestige by sticking with good cinema
70 th National Film Award was declared earlier this week .
Best Feature Film , Best Screenplay , Best Editing award goes to Malayalam film Aattam .
The film Aattam is about a subtle chamber drama to analyse male behaviour after a woman raises of sexual harassment in a theater group .
Best Popular Film – Kantara .
Best Actor – Rishab Shetty ( For Kantara )
The film is about Bhootkola , a tribal ritualistic performance from coastal Karnataka .
Best Actress – Nithya Menon ( For Thiruchitrambalam )
South Indian Films have dominated Bollywood in the award . This is a reward for meaningful content from southern industries .
The award has regained its lost touch in the last few years to celebrate good cinema .
Text/ Context
A change in India’s power export rules
On August 14 , Reuters reported the introduction of an amendment in India’s power export rules .
The new rules allows Indian power exporaters to reroute their output to Indian grids if there is delay in payment from partner countries .
This has been seen as India’s approach to reduce risk related to the political situation in Bangladesh .
Godda project of Adani
Adani Power has a 25 year contract with the Bangladesh government to supply power .
Ultra Super Thermal Power Plant in Godda ( Jharkhand ) provides 1,496 MW to Bangladesh . The facility is owned by Adani Power , and it is the first project that provides all power generated to a neighbouring country .
The controversy related to this plant is that it uses imported coal from Australia to produce power for Bangladesh .
It has been alleged that the cost of electricity increases as import requires cost , Bangladesh has to pay relatively more because of this .
Bangladesh imports about 2,656 MW from India . This is about 10 % of the country’s requirements .
What inflamed far right riots in Britain ?
British rights recently started because of massive misinformation through social media .
Certain groups use social media to spread false news and narrative .
On July 29 , three girl children were stabbed . Rumours spread that those behind the attack were Muslims and illegal migrants .
White people targeted Mosques and hotels .
Migrants were misbehaved and attacked .
In reality the attacker behind the Southport attack was a British .
Social media played a big role in propagating misinformation that kept the conflict going for some time .
Illegal migration has been an issue in Europe and Britain. Rishi Sunak with its policy , stop the boats had tried to curb it .
How Banni Grassland in Kutch can be restored
Banni Grassland in Kutch is one of the largest tracts of grassland in India .
Its declining size due to anthropogenic activities have remained a concern .
Its size has declined from 3800 sq km to 2600 sq km in recent times .
Researchers are studying the suitability of restoration of Grassland , considering its ecological value .
Banni Grasslands hosts many endangered bird species like The Great Indian Bustard ,Bengal Florican that use it for breeding .
Government is also roping it as a site to host Cheetahs later .
