This page contains "13th August 2018" current affairs analysis from different newspapers and magazines like The Hindu, Indian express, PIB and Yojna.
Quality and relevance are two key features considered while writing the content, all the topics are based on the pattern of previously asked questions in exams like UPSC CSE, IAS, State PCS, SSC, Banks PO and likewise competitive exams.
ISRO to launch its own TV channel
In a bid to honour visionary scientist and ISRO's first chief, Vikram Sarabhai and celebrate his centenary, ISRO (The Indian Space Research Organisation) is planning to start a year long celebration from August 2019.
Celebrating Vikram Sarabhai's centenary
A dedicated ISRO TV channel is also planned to be launched by the organization for showcasing space applications, developments and science issues. The channel will target youngsters and people in remote areas in their language.
The first Indian Moon landing spacecraft of Chandrayaan-2 mission planned for January 2019 is also renamed after the renowned cosmic ray scientist, "Vikram".
An initial outlay of 50 crore rupees is dedicated for the series of events planned for marking the 99th birthday of the legend, Vikram Sarabhai.
Upcoming Plans of ISRO
ISRO is also planing to allow public to watch satellite launches from the Sriharikota launch centre, by opening its space port to visitors just as NASA does.
Under student training program, selected students of classes 8 to 10 will be trained at ISRO for a month and taken to various laboratories and centres across the country
Six Startup incubation centres are already working in the country to tap the best brains, technology cells are also planned to be started for industry and academia to improve the existing linkages.
PARIVESH - A single window hub for Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ clearances
A Single-Window Integrated Environmental Management System, PARIVESH is launched by the government recently on World Biofuel Day. The initiative is encouraged by "Minimum Government and Maximum Governance" motto of "Digital India".
What is PARIVESH ?
PARIVESH (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub) automates the entire process of submitting the application and tracking the status of such proposals at each stage of processing.
By introducing PARIVESH, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has become more of a facilitator, than a regulator and is hoping to enhance Ease of Doing Business.
The platform is designed, developed and hosted by MOEFCC, while National Informatics Centre, (NIC), New Delhi has provided the technical support.
PARIVESH platform will make it possible to submit, monitor and manage proposals submitted by Project Proponents to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), using workflow based application, build upon web architecture.
Using PARIVESH the State Level Environmental Impact Assessment Authorities will be able to seek various types of clearances (Environment, Forest, Wildlife and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearances etc) from Central, State and district-level authorities.
What are PARIVESH functionalities ?
1) Single registration and single sign-in for all types of clearances including Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ based on based on first come, first served principle.
2) A single Window interface for the proponent to submit applications for getting all types of clearances, using a unique-ID per project.
3) Transparent performance and efficiency of the whole appraisal process by automatic highlighting of non-compliance by the system.
4) Provide Geo-tagged images of the site by inspecting officers even through the Mobile App
5) Geographic Information System (GIS) interface, to help the Appraisal Committee in analysing the proposal efficiently.
6) Automatic alerts via SMS and emails received by concerned parties to check the delays, if any.
Children sexual abuse in shelter homes
According to a survey submitted to the Union Social Justice Ministry, 1,575 children suffered sexual abuse before they were rescued and placed in child care institutions.
A national social audit of child care homes is being conducted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the audit will be completed by 2018.
According to Childline India Foundation a total of 3,68,267 children from Child Care Institutions (CCIs) are in need of care and protection.
Several sexually and physically abused children were were recently rescued from State government-funded homes in Bihar. The SC is monitoring the rehabilitation of the child victims.
Way Ahead
National social audit of child care homes will surely help in understanding and eradicating the children sexual abuse menace, but these audits and surveys should not be just about collecting statistics but an active evaluation of the conditions of the children in the homes.
These surveys should include interaction with children as well, to see if they are happy or unhappy. Audits should ensure the children are not only safe from sexual abuse but other issues like domestic work, labour, conflict and runaway problems.
Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is an act of parliament of India that seeks to provide protection to women from sexual harassment at their place of work.
The Act came into force from 9 December 2013 to supersede "Vishakha Guidelines" for prevention of sexual harassment introduced by the Supreme Court of India.
The act talks about the different ways in which someone can be sexually harassed and how they can complain against this kind of behaviour. The act only covers women who are sexually harassed in workplaces.
The act protects any women from sexual harassment in any workplace(government or private) and it is not necessary for the woman to be working at the workplace in which she is harassed.
The Act gives the victim a choice between dealing with the offender within the office or approaching a court.
Compliance of the act by Indian employers
The International Labour Organization has reported that very few Indian employers are compliant to the act. and hence the Ministry of Corporate Affairs amended the Companies (Accounts) Rules.
Companies (Accounts) Rule amendment makes it mandatory for all companies to provide a statement that the Company has constituted an Internal Complaints Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
Internal Complaints Committee is a panel meant to inquire into sexual harassment complaints filed by women employees.
Recommended books for UPSC/CSE IAS and State PSCs, click to purchase.