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Showing posts from December, 2024

After 40 Years, Toxic Waste at Union Carbide Factory in Bhopal to Be Disposed

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After 40 Years, Toxic Waste at Union Carbide Factory in  Bhopal to Be Disposed The Historic Step Towards Cleanup After four decades , the toxic waste materials at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, are finally set to be disposed of. This monumental action follows an order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court and represents a significant effort to mitigate the aftermath of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy , the world's worst industrial disaster . The process of packing toxic waste has commenced under stringent safety measures, with supervision by officials from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) . The Bhopal Gas Tragedy and the Principle of Absolute Liability On the night of December 2-3, 1984 , a massive leakage of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from Union Carbide's pesticide plant resulted in the death of thousands and left a trail of long-term health and environmental repercussions. In response to th...

Justice V Ramasubramanian Assumes Charge as Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission

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Justice V Ramasubramanian Assumes  Charge as Chairperson of  National Human Rights Commission The esteemed former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, Justice V Ramasubramanian , assumed charge as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on December 25, 2024. Alongside him, Justice (Dr.) Vidyut Ranjan Sarangi joined as a Member of the NHRC. Their appointments were confirmed by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu , on December 21, 2024. Inaugural Address: Upholding India’s Human Rights Legacy In his first address as Chairperson, Justice Ramasubramanian highlighted India’s ancient tradition of human rights , citing the Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar , who espoused the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity long before these concepts gained global recognition. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to promote and protect human rights effectively. A Distinguished Legal Career: Justice V Ramasubramanian Early L...

The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX): India’s Leap into Advanced Space Technology

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 The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX): India’s Leap into Advanced Space Technology Introduction The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is poised to make history with the launch of its latest mission, the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) . Scheduled for liftoff on December 30, 2024, at 10:00:15 PM IST , this mission aims to demonstrate and perfect the technology required for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of spacecraft. Using the PSLV-C60 rocket , SpaDeX is another significant milestone in India’s rapidly advancing space exploration capabilities. Mission Overview The SpaDeX mission is designed to test and validate critical technologies for autonomous orbital docking . The mission involves two small spacecraft: SDX01 (The Chaser): Tasked with approaching and docking with the other spacecraft. SDX02 (The Target): Designed to serve as a docking partner in a controlled low-Earth orbit. This experiment is vital for India’s ambitions in satellite servicing, human ...

Farmers’ Protest: Supreme Court Raises Concern Over Dallewal’s Health and Punjab Government's Role

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      Farmers’ Protest: Supreme Court Raises Concern Over          Dallewal’s Health and Punjab Government's Role The Supreme Court of India has raised significant concerns over the deteriorating health of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal , who has been on a fast-unto-death since November 26 at the Khanouri border. The court has taken a strong stance against both the resistance from certain farmer groups and the Punjab government's apparent inaction in addressing the situation. Who is Jagjit Singh Dallewal? Jagjit Singh Dallewal is the convener of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) . He began his fast-unto-death to press the Central government to accept the farmers' demands, which include a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops. Supreme Court’s Intervention The top court has repeatedly directed the Punjab government to ensure medical aid is provided to Dallewal, emphasizing that a person’s life must take preced...

Tax Deduction at Source (TDS): Understanding the System, Challenges, and a Call for Reform

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Tax Deduction at Source (TDS): Understanding the System, Challenges, and a Call for Reform Tax Deduction at Source (TDS) is a system under Indian tax laws where the payer deducts tax before making payments to the recipient. It ensures that the government collects taxes in advance, rather than waiting for individuals to pay their dues at the end of the year. While TDS helps in preventing tax evasion and ensuring regular revenue flow for the government, it has sparked debates due to its complexity and the burden it imposes on taxpayers. Recently, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a review of this system, claiming it violates fundamental rights and disproportionately affects smaller earners. What is TDS? Under TDS, tax is deducted at the time of making payments such as salaries, contractual fees, rents, commissions, and other taxable income. The deducted amount is then deposited with the government and adjusted against the recipient’s tot...

India’s Economic Wheel Didn’t Move Without a Push from Dr. Manmohan Singh

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India’s Economic Wheel Didn’t Move Without a Push from  Dr. Manmohan Singh Introduction India's remarkable economic transformation post-liberalization cannot be narrated without highlighting the contributions of Dr. Manmohan Singh. His impactful journey began long before he became the 13th Prime Minister, with his pivotal role in steering the country out of economic crises and laying the groundwork for sustained growth. Navigating the 1991 Economic Crisis Dr. Manmohan Singh rose to prominence as Finance Minister under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao during one of India’s most challenging periods—the 1991 balance of payments crisis. The country was on the brink of economic collapse, but Singh’s visionary policies helped avert disaster. Liberalization and Economic Reforms: Singh dismantled the License Raj, significantly reducing government control over industries and enabling private enterprises to thrive. Trade Reforms: Import tariffs were slashed, and the economy moved t...

Stage IV GRAP Revoked as Delhi's Air Quality Improves; Vigilance on Stage I-III Measures Intensified

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Stage IV GRAP Revoked as Delhi's Air Quality Improves; Vigilance on Stage I-III Measures Intensified Introduction In a significant relief for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced the revocation of Stage IV ('Severe+') measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to improved air quality. However, strict adherence to measures under Stages I, II, and III has been emphasized to prevent further deterioration. Improvement in Air Quality Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) showed notable improvement, reaching 369 ('Very Poor') on December 24, compared to a peak of 401 ('Severe') recorded on December 16. This positive change was attributed to favorable meteorological conditions, including improved wind speed, as forecasted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Measures Under Stage IV ('Severe+') The Stage IV mea...