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Showing posts from December, 2011

Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI)

It will consist of three full-time and two part-time members. It will have three divisions, each headed by a Chief Regulatory Officer. It will be supported by a Risk Assessment Unit an Enforcement Unit a Monitoring Office a Product Ruling Committee an Environmental Appraisal Panel Scientific Advisory Panels an Inter-ministerial Governing Board, a Biotechnology Advisory Council State Biotechnology Regulatory Advisory Committees

Landmarks in the Constitutional Development of India

Regulating Act, 1773 It was the first attempt by the British Parliament to regulate the affairs of the East India Company Governor of Bengal became Governor General for all British territories in India Governor General had a Council of 4 members to assist him in administration Bombay and Madras Presidencies were subordinated to Bengal Presidency Supreme Court was set up at Calcutta having jurisdiction over British subjects Amending Act, 1781 Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court was defined Governor-General-in-Council was made the final court of appeal from provincial court. Pitt's India Act, 1784 East India Company's Court of Directors (consisting of 24 members) was left with the responsibilities of only commercial affairs of the company Board of Control consisting of 6 Parliamentary Commissioners was constituted to control civil, military and revenue affairs of East India Company in India. Court of Directors had to comply with the orders and directio...

First Amendment Act, 1951

Empowered the state to make special provision for advancement of socially and economically backward classes Provided for the saving of laws providing for acquisition of the State, etc. Added ninth schedule to protect the land reform and other laws included in it and judicial review Added three more ground of restrictions on freedom of speech and expression viz., public order, friendly relations with foreign states and incitement to an offence. Also made the restriction reasonable and justiciable in nature Provided that state trading and nationalization of any trade or business by state is not to be invalid on the ground of violation of the right to trade or business

The legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan

His work has had a fundamental role in the development of 20th century mathematics and his final writings are serving as an inspiration for the mathematics of this century On a height he stood that looked towards greater heights. Our early approaches to the Infinite Are sunrise splendours on a marvellous verge While lingers yet unseen the glorious sun. What now we see is a shadow of what must come. Sri Aurobindo, Savitri, 1.4 The story of Srinivasa Ramanujan is a 20th century “rags to mathematical riches” story. In his short life, Ramanujan had a wealth of ideas that have transformed and reshaped 20th century mathematics. These ideas continue to shape mathematics of the 21st century. This article seeks to give a panoramic view of his essential contributions. Born on December 22, 1887 in the town of Erode in Tamil Nadu, Ramanujan was largely self-taught and emerged from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential mathematicians of the 20th c...

Food Security Commission

State Food Security Commission Every State Government shall constitute a State Food Security Commission for the purpose of  monitoring and review of implementation of this Act.  The State Commission shall consist of -  a Chairperson,   five other Members, and  a Member Secretary:  Provided that there shall be at least two women, whether Chairperson, Member or Member Secretary. Provided further that there shall be one person belonging to the Scheduled Castes and one person belonging to the Scheduled Tribes, whether Chairperson, Member or Member Secretary.   The Chairperson, other Members and Member Secretary  shall be appointed from amongst persons The State Commission shall undertake the following functions, namely:  monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Act, in relation to the State;   either suo motu or on receipt of complaint inquire into violations of entitlements provided ...

National Food Security Bill, 2011

Coverage under Targeted Public Distribution System Rural : Upto 75% of the total population, with at least 46% population belonging to priority households Urban : Upto 50% of the total population, with at least 28% population belonging to priority households Provision for Food Security Right to receive foodgrains at subsidized prices by person belonging to priority household  and general households under the Targeted Public Distribution System Every person belonging to priority households shall be entitled to receive every month  from State Government, under the Targeted Public Distribution System, such quantity of  foodgrains as under. Priority Household: Seven kilograms of foodgrains per person per month  not exceeding Rs. 3, 2 or 1 per kg for rice/wheat/coarse grains General Household: Three kilograms of foodgrains per person per month not exceeding 50 per cent. of the minimum support price for wheat and coarse grains, and derived minimum s...

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is Government of India's flagship programme for achievement of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time bound manner, as mandated by 86th amendment to the Constitution of India making free and compulsory Education to the Children of 6-14 years age group, a Fundamental Right. SSA is being implemented in partnership with State Governments to cover the entire country and address the needs of 192 million children in 1.1 million habitations. The programme seeks to open new schools in those habitations which do not have schooling facilities and strengthen existing school infrastructure through provision of additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grants. Existing schools with inadequate teacher strength are provided with additional teachers, while the capacity of existing teachers is being strengthened by extensive training, grants for developing teaching-learning materials and strengtheni...

Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS)

The Integrated Child Development Services Programme aims at providing services to pre-school children in an integrated manner so as to ensure proper growth and development of children in rural, tribal and slum areas. ICDS is a centrally sponsored scheme. Launched on 2nd October 1975 in 33 Community Development Blocks, ICDS today represents one of the world’s largest programmes for early childhood development. ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children – India’s response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality, on the other. It is an inter-sectoral programme which seeks to directly reach out to children, below six years, especially from vulnerable and remote areas and give them a head-start by providing an integrated programme of early childhood education, health and nutrition. No programme on Early Childhood Care and Education can succeed...

Aadhaar : Key Features

The National Identification Authority of India (NIAI) will issue identification number (called "Aadhaar" number) to residents of India and any other category of people that may be specified. The NIAI shall have a chairperson and two part-time members. Aadhaar Numbers Every resident of India (regardless of citizenship) shall be entitled to obtain an Aadhaar number after furnishing demographic and biometric information. Demographic information shall include items such as name, age, gender and address. Biometric information shall include some biological attributes of the individual. Collection of information pertaining to race, religion, caste, language, income or health is specifically prohibited. The Aadhaar number shall be issued after the information provided by the person is verified. It shall serve as proof of identity, subject to authentication. However, it should not be construed as proof of citizenship or domicile. The Aadhaar number holder may be required t...

Context of Aadhaar

At present, the central and state governments in India issue different identity for specific purposes. These documents may be issued to individuals (passport, Election Card, PAN card, driving license), or to households (ration card, Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojna card). In April 2000, a Group of Ministers was set to review the national security system and to consider recommendations of Kargil Review Committee. The report on "Reforming the National Security System", submitted in 2001, recommended that a multi-purpose National Identity Card (MNIC) should be issued, starting from the border districts. The purpose was to prepare a National Register of Indian Citizens.  In 2003, the Citizenship Act, 1955 was amended to allow the central government to compulsorily register every citizen and issue them with identity cards.  In March 2006, another project called "Unique ID for Below Poverty Line families" was approved by the Department of Information Technology.  ...