Public and Policy

26/07/2024

Pursuant to the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2018, the Central Government has been implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for setting up of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts since October, 2019 for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases pertaining to R**e and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in a time-bound manner.

The Scheme was initially implemented for one year, which was extended up to March, 2023. The Scheme has now been extended till 31.03.2026, at an outlay of Rs. 1952.23 cr. with Rs. 1207.24 cr. as Central Share to be incurred from Nirbhaya Fund. The funds are released on CSS pattern (60:40, 90:10) to cover the salaries of 1 Judicial Officer along with 7 support Staff and a Flexi Grant for meeting the day-to-day expenses.

As per the information received from the High Courts up to May, 2024, 755 FTSCs including 410 exclusive POCSO (e-POCSO) Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs across the country, which have disposed of over 2,53,000 cases. The State-wise details of number of functional Fast Track Special Courts along with the number of cases disposed of as on 31.05.2024 is placed at Annexure.

The establishment of Fast Track Special Courts demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Government towards women security, combating sexual and gender-based violence, reducing the backlog of pending cases related to R**e & POCSO Act, and providing enhanced access to justice for survivors of sexual crimes. With professional and experienced judges and support staff specialized in handling sensitive sexual offense cases, these courts ensure consistent and expert-guided legal proceedings offering victims of sexual offences swift resolution in mitigating the trauma and distress, and enabling them to move forward. Fast Track Special Courts have notably adopted the approach of setting up Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centers within the courts to facilitate the victims and to make the courts into Child-Friendly Courts for providing crucial support for a compassionate legal system.

24/07/2024

In the Regular Union Budget of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been allocated Rs 6,21,940.85 crore (approx. US $75 Billion), the highest among the Ministries. While maintaining the allocation made to MoD during interim budget, the Government has made an additional allocation to the tune of Rs 400 crore on innovation in defence through the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme.

Through this scheme, MoD is engaging with start-ups/MSMEs and innovators to develop Def-Tech solutions and supply the Indian military with innovative and indigenous technological solutions. A grant of upto 50% of Product Development Budget with enhanced limit (Max) of Rs 25 crore per applicant will be awarded as per extant iDEX guidelines.

The allocation to MoD for FY 2024-25 is higher by approx. Rs one lakh crore (18.43%) over the allocation for FY 2022-23 and 4.79% more than allocation of FY 2023-24. Out of this, a share of 27.66% goes to capital; 14.82% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness; 30.66% for Pay and Allowances; 22.70% for Defence Pensions, and 4.17% for civil organisations under MoD. The total allocation comes out as approx. 12.90% of Budgetary Estimate of Union of India.

The allocation is aimed to promote ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence technology & manufacturing and equipping the Armed Forces with modern weapons/platforms along with creation of job opportunities for the youth.

23/07/2024

Union Budget 2024: Announcing Tax Relief and Revised Tax Slabs in the New Tax Regime.

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23/07/2024

Building a : Our Finance Minister outlines 9 priorities of this Union Budget 2024 to generate ample opportunities for all. From agriculture to innovation, paving a brighter future✨
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22/07/2024

The Economic Survey 2023-24, presented by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, showcases significant knowledge and innovation-driven economic growth in India. The Survey highlights advancements in industrial R&D, with India improving its rank in the Global Innovation Index and leading in the domestic market scale indicator. The number of patents granted increased from 5,978 in 2014-15 to 1,03,057 in 2023-24, and registered designs rose from 7,147 to 30,672 during the same period.

The government plans to establish the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) with a budget of ₹50,000 crore for 2023-28 to provide strategic direction for scientific research in Indian industry.

India’s start-up ecosystem is thriving, with over 45% of start-ups emerging from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. DPIIT-recognized start-ups have grown from 300 in 2016 to over 1.25 lakh by March 2024, with more than 13,000 working in areas like AI, IoT, robotics, and nanotechnology. Start-ups filed over 12,000 patent applications from 2016 to March 2024. Additionally, 135 Alternative Investment Funds invested over ₹18,000 crore in start-ups by the end of FY24, and the Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry is uniting stakeholders in the ecosystem.

22/07/2024

U.S. President Joe Biden, on July 21, announced that he is ending his reelection campaign amid growing calls within his Democratic Party for his stepping down.

Mr. Biden, in a post on X, said he will remain as President until his term ends in January 2025 and will address the nation this week.

Within 30 minutes of his announcement, he endorsed his Vice-President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination, leaving no room for any doubt about the way forward for the Democrats.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Mr. Biden wrote.

20/07/2024

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government on July 19 announced a nationwide curfew across Bangladesh and ordered the deployment of military forces to maintain order following days of deadly clashes over the allocation of government jobs. The announcement was made by Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of the ruling Awami League party, and came after police and security officials fired on protesters and banned all gatherings in the capital.

19/07/2024

To deter National Highway users from deliberately not fixing FASTag on the windscreen of the vehicle, NHAI has issued guidelines to collect double user fee from such users entering the toll lane with non-affixed FASTag on front windshield from the inside. Deliberate non-affixation of FASTag on the windscreen leads to unnecessary delays at the toll plazas causing inconvenience to the fellow National Highway users.

Detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) has been issued to all User Fee Collection Agencies and Concessionaires to charge double user fee in case of non-affixation of FASTag on the front windshield. The information will also be prominently displayed at all User Fee plazas, informing highway users about the penalties for non-compliance of entering a toll lane without a fixed FASTag on front windshield.

In addition, CCTV footage with Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) at the fee plaza shall be recorded of the non-affixed FASTag cases. This will help in maintaining proper record regarding the fee charged and presence of the vehicle in the toll lane.

19/07/2024

Chhattisgarh-based Coal India subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines have secured the 2nd and 4th spot in the list of the world’s 10 largest coal mines released by WorldAtlas.com. Located in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh state, these two mines produce more 100 million tons of coal annually accounting for about 10% of India’s total coal production.

The Gevra opencast mine has an annual production capacity of 70 million tons and produced 59 million tons of coal in FY 23-24. The mine started operations in the year 1981 and it has enough coal reserves to meet the country’s energy requirements for the next 10 years.

Kusmunda OC mine produced more than 50 million tons of coal in FY 23-24, only the second mine in India after Gevra to achieve this feat.

30/06/2024

Emotions, Celebration and our Champs

26/04/2024

Join us for an insightful virtual live session organized by Public and Policy in association with Legal Desire, scheduled for 4th May’24, from 7 PM to 8 PM, followed by a Q&A session. The session will give an overview about the salients features of New Criminal Laws including:
Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill, 2023 (BSB)
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS)
Register your spot at www.legaldesire.com/ncl2024 (link in bio)

21/02/2024

The U.S.-India strategic partnership is founded on shared values including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system. Both have shared interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity. Swipe to Know More.
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🇺🇸🇮🇳

15/02/2024

The Supreme Court today struck down the electoral bonds scheme as unconstitutional while asserting that it is violative of the right to information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. Swipe to know here.

18/01/2024

The Growing Ties between India 🇮🇳 and France 🇫🇷

French President Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in January.

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13/12/2022

Salient features of The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 which provides a framework for regulating energy consumption and promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation.

03/08/2022

The Centre on Wednesday withdrew the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, in the Lok Sabha. The Bill was introduced in 2019 and had been referred to a joint parliamentary committee, which had proposed 81 amendments. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw moved a motion in the Lok Sabha to withdraw the Bill on Wednesday. The motion was passed with a voice-vote and the bill was withdrawn. Vaishnaw said that keeping in mind the amendments, a bill that fits into a 'comprehensive legal framework' would be presented later.

24/09/2020

Here's Summary of Monsoon Session of 2020

21/09/2020

8 Rajya Sabha MPs suspended over chaos on 2 farm bills

20/09/2020

Loksabha passes National University Bill, 2020
Here's a Summary of Bill

15/09/2020

Update: India has been elected as a member of the United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women (UNCSW), a body of the Economic and Social Council ( ), making the country a member of the for four years (from 2021 to 2025)

14/09/2020

Update: Shri Harivansh re-elected as Deputy Chairman of , To Know More in detail, Visit: www.publicandpolicy.com

14/09/2020

Harivansh, belonging to the Janata Dal (United), was re-elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on 14th September 2020. He was the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the post. Mr.Harivansh won against UPA Candidate Prof. Manoj Kumar Jha. Read full details here:

https://publicandpolicy.com/harivansh-re-elected-as-deputy-chairman-of-rajya-sabha/

Harivansh re-elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Home / News / Harivansh, belonging to the Janata Dal (United), was re-elected as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on 14th September 2020. He was the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the post. Mr.Harivansh won against UPA Ca...

14/09/2020

passed today 'The National Commission for Homeopathy Bill, 2019'. Here're the salient features of bill.

14/09/2020

Watch: PM's remarks at the start of Monsoon Session of Parliament
https://publicandpolicy.com/pms-remarks-at-the-start-of-monsoon-session-of-parliament/

PM’s remarks at the start of Monsoon Session of Parliament Home / News / नमस्‍कार साथियों, एक लंबे अंतराल के बाद आज आप सबके दर्शन हो रहे हैं। आप सब कुशल हैं ना? क...

29/08/2020

Here's Unlock 4 Guidelines Summary.
to resume operation in phased manner
and Colleges to remain close till 30th Sept, 2020
upto 100persons will be allowed with Masks, Sanitizers and proper care.
to extend till September end in Containment Zones.

23/08/2020

Today on Public and Policy TV
(Live Broadcast from 1PM) at www.youtube.com/publicandpolicytv

22/08/2020

Commission of India has released guidelines for conducting election/bye election during

21/08/2020

Salient features of National Recruitment Agency

16/08/2020

As part of 74th celebrations, iconic landmarks across the world resplendent in our national colours! 🇮🇳

29/07/2020

Salient Features of Unlock 3 Guidelines released by Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India