SC puts government of deadline to overhaul NEET UG
The Supreme Court (SC ) on Friday pronounced its judgement over NEET UG irregularities .
The top court pulled NTA in lapses in conducting the exam . A three judge bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud also recommended reforms that needed to be applied in conducting the test .
The court cited NTA awarding full marks on two different currency answers , which later was rectified on the recommendation of IIT Delhi team . The court also pointed that how NTA allotted grace marks to 1563 students and later went for a retest .
“ A body such as NTA which is entrusted with immense responsibility in relation to highly important competitive exams can not , take an incorrect decision ,and amend it at a later stage … flip flops are anathema to fairness . “
The court directed the Radhakrishnan committee to submit its report to the Radhakrishnan committee by September 30 . The ministry has to take a decision on the committee’s recommendation within a month thereafter and implement the plan of action .
Here is the recommendations by SC :
- Data Protection measures , periodic audit , surprise inspection of test centres , grievance redressal mechanism , foolproof logistics
- Standard Operating procedure detailed and specific timelines for registration of candidates , changes to preferred cities , sealing of OMR sheets after handling them for invigilator
- Comprehensive CCTV surveillance of test centres , including real time monitoring
- Rigorous checks and balances at every stage from setting of a question papers to declaration of result
- Review of allotment of question papers
Searches continue amid fading hope in Wayanad
Joint team of Army , NDRF , coast guard ,and volunteers continued their search and rescue operation on the fourth day in the landslide devastated Chooralmala , Mudakkkai and Attamalla localities of Waynad for survivors , as search and rescue operation entered the fourth phase .
Friday’s search yielded more than 14 bodies , The government officials put the death toll at 210 . Over 134 body parts were also retrieved .
Cong moves privilege motion over Shah’s speech on Wayanad
Citing The Hindu report Congress has moved a Privilege motion in Rajya Sabha against Home minister Amit Shah on “misleading the house “ over early warning system .
Congress chief whip Jairam Ramesh has written to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankad to start privilege proceedings on HM Amit Shah.
HM Amit Shah had said that first advanced warning was sent to Kerala on June 23 , and subsequent warning was issued on July 24 , 25 and July 26 .
The Hindu in its report published on August 2 , said that the Indian Meteorological Department ( IMD ) issued an orange alert for July 25 and yellow “ watch “ alert on July 23 , 24 , 26 and 27 .
A yellow alert does not specifically call for action .
A Privilege motion is issued on breach of parliamentary privilege .
False and misleading reports put in house can lead to breach of parliamentary privilege .
A MP can be reprimanded , suspended or expelled from the house as punishment .
Centre reissued draft notification on ex sensitive areas of western ghats
The Union government has reissued for the sixth time a draft notification classifying parts of western ghats in six states as Ecologically sensitive Areas ( ESAs ) .
This will impose restrictions on mining , quarrying and large infrastructure development in these areas .
Despite six iterations the nomination is yet to become law as all six states – Gujrat, Maharashtra , Goa , Karnataka , Kerala , and Tamilnadu have objected to specific places that have been included in ESA .
Madhav Gadgjl committee had recommended the entire western ghats as Ecologically Sensitive . Later the K Kasturirangan committee halved the area recommended by Gadgil committee .
Still states had their concerns . A separate committee was then formed to address these concerns . The committee has not submitted its report yet .
Governor should be a bridge between centre and state : PM
Two day Governor’s conference was inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Draupadi Murmu . The event was addressed by PM MOdi and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhad as well .
PM Modi said that Governors can play an effective bridge between centre and states . Their role will be even vital for upliftment of tribal areas .
President Draupadi Murmu in her addresses urged governors to contribute to the reform process as chancellor of universities .
Indians in Israel told to ‘ avoid unnecessary travel , stay vigilant ‘
India on Friday issued a travel advisory for Indians living in Israel , asking them to avoid “ unnecessary travel “ and to stay vigilant in light of the “ prevailing security situation “ .
The advisory follows the killing of Israeli Haineyeh in Tehran on Wednesday .
There are about 18,000 Indians living in Israel
Quid pro quo via poll bonds are assumptions for now
The Supreme Court ( SC ) on Friday refused to set up a special Investigation Team ( SIT ) headed by former SC judges to probe the allegations of “ quid pro quo “ among political parties , public servants ,companies and law enforcement agencies revealed through data on poll bonds .
The three judge bench headed by DY Chadrachud termed these allegations as “ sheer “ assumptions .
India selects two crew members for Axiom 5 mission of ISS
The Indian astronaut designate Group captain Sudhanshu Sukla and Group captain Prashanth Balkrishnan Nair have been shortlisted to go to train to the US to train for Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station ( ISS ) .
Captain Shukla will be the prime mission pilot and Group captain Nair will be the backup .
The India-US joint statement during PM Modi’s visit to the US in 2023 had envisioned a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the ISS .
ISRO entered a Human Space flight agreement with NASA – identified service provider Axiom space Inc , for the upcoming Axiom 4 mission .
“ During the mission , the Gaganyatri will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities . The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA “ ISRO said in a statement .
Cabinet approves 8 high speed road corridor projects
The Union cabinet on Friday approved eight high speed road corridor projects totalling 936 km at a cost of ₹50,000 crore .
Four lane ring road
The project includes 68 km four lane ring road around Ayodhya , 214 km high speed corridor between Thatad and Ahmedabad , 121 km. road surrounding Guwahati , A national high speed corridor to connect Agra with Gwalior .
World
Slain Hamas chief buried in Qatar amid vows of revenge
Hamas chief Israeli Haneiyh was led to rest in Qatar . Thousands participated in his burial in Lusail ,North of Doha .
Khaled Mehsheel , Haneyh’s predecessor, spoke at the ceremony saying that the death of Haniyeh will only make Palestinians more determined to continue its fight for free Palestine .
Hamas called for a “ day of furious rage “ .
US citizen land in Texas after huge prisoner swap with Russia
After one of the biggest prisoner swaps between US , western countries and Russia the detainees landed in their respective countries .
26 prisoners were swapped .
The swap was mediated by Turkey .
Among those returning were Wall Street Journal reporter Greshkovich , who was held by Russia over spying charges last year .
Kamala Harris secured democratic nomination for US presidential poll
US vice president Kamala Harris effectively secured the Democratic Party ‘s nomination for presidential election on Friday .
Ms Harris was the lone candidate in the ballot in voting by 4,000 party convention delegates .
She will be officially crowned at the Chicago convention later this month .
Editorial
Weakest first
Allowing sub quotas to least advanced among SCs deepen social justice
The Supreme Court in its recent judgement allowed states to make quota within quota for reservation of Scheduled Castes ( SC ) and STs .
The seven judge bench gave approval to states to make quota within SC quota with 6:1 majority .
In earlier cases such as EV Chinammah vs AP , the Supreme Court bench had struck down the Andhra Pradesh government classifying SC communities in different quota groups .
SC has cited that under Article 341 , Parliament alone can make law over SC list and states were barred from this .
The current judgement was based on the fact that SC communities are not homogenous groups .
The judges with 4:3 majority also asked states to consider ‘ creamy layer ‘ grouping among SC categories which can be excluded from SC quota .
