Bihar Affairs
Genome sequencing of samples at IGIMS soon: Bihar health minister
State Health minister Mangal Pandey on Tuesday said in thelegislative councilthat the government was concerned about the Omicron variant of Covid-19 and all the RT-PCR laboratories have been put on alert. He said the state chief secretary and additional chief secretary of health department have inspected the IGIMS laboratories where genome sequencing will be done to identify different variants of Covid-19.
Pandey had earlier said in the House that 91% of the eligible Population in Bihar have been given the first dose of Covid-19 Vaccines and 80% of those whose date for the second dose had arrived have got themselves inoculated.
National and International Affairs
Committee Revisit Criteria Determining EWS
A committee has been appointed by the Centre to review the criteria for identifying EWS.
Highlights:
Following the explanation requirements to Article 15 of the Constitution, the Ministry of Social and Empowerment has constituted a three-member committee to evaluate the grounds for reservation for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category.
The committee has been given three weeks to conclude its task.
Former Finance Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey will lead the committee. Following The Supreme Court‘s involvement, the government announced the formation of a commission to review the EWS reservation criteria.
The Supreme Court is now considering petitions contesting the government’s July announcement of a 10% EWS quota in NEET admissions.
Dam Safety Bill
The Dam Safety Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha, which aims to inspect, survey, maintain and operate Dams in the country which are 100 years old.
Highlights
The bill establishes two national bodies- National Committee on Dam Safety and National Dam Safety Authority.
The National Committee on Dam Safety will develop policies and support regulations associated with dam safety.
The National Dam Safety Authority fulfils the policies enshrined by the National Committee and provides technical support to the State Dam Safety Organisations.
The bill will also constitute two state bodies- State Committee on Dam Safety and State Dam Safety Authority.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Bill
Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill was recently passed in the lok sabha which intends toregulate ART.
Highlights:
ART covers all methods that are used to get pregnant. The procedures shall incorporate handling oocytes (immature eggs) or sperms outside the body.
It shall also involve giving the embryo into the womans body.
The ART Services shall cover the following: Donation of sperm or oocytes, In Vitro Fertilisation – fertilising an egg and a sperm in the lab, Gestational Surrogacy – child carried by biological mother or surrogate mother.
The bill states that every ART bank or clinic should be listed under the National Registry of Banks and Clinics of India. The bill will authorise the National Registry.
The registry will act as a Database holding details of the hospitals and banks providing ART services.
National Pollution Control Day Is Observed On December 2
India marks the National Pollution Control Day on December 2 in remembrance of the people who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
Highlights:
The National Pollution Control Day is commemorated in India to make the citizens aware of laws in India that help contain pollution.
The day is observed on the following objectives.
To create awareness in developing Air Pollution.
To educate people on controlling and operating industrial disasters.
To make everyone aware of pollution control laws in the country.
To create awareness on ways to decrease the level of pollution.
To prevent industrial pollution that is affected by human carelessness.
The National Pollution Control Day, 2021 theme is to create awareness about the importance of pollution control and educate people on preventing pollution.
Gk bit : Laws of India To prevent and control pollution.
<a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Environment-impact-assessment”>Environment Impact Assessment, 2006
Maharashtra biodegradable garbage control ordinance, 2006
Batteries management and handling rules, 2001
Municipal solid Waste Management and handling rules, 2000
Noise Pollution regulation and control rules, 2000
Ozone-depleting substances regulation rules, 2000
Recycled plastics manufacture and usage rules, 1999
Biomedical waste management and handling rules, 1998
Chemical accidents emergency, preparedness, planning and response rules, 1996
National environment tribunal act, 1995
Manufacture, import, storage, export and storage of hazardous Microorganisms genetically engineered organisms or cells rules, 1989
Hazardous waste management and handling rules, 1989
Manufacture, import and storage of hazardous chemical rules, 1989
Environment protection act, 1986
Environment protection rules, 1986
Air prevention and control of pollution act, 1981
Water prevention and control of pollution act, 1977