25th, January, 2023

 

Topic: New appointment as the Chairman, State Child Rights Protection Commission

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Indian Polity

Punjab PCS Mains:

• Paper V – General Studies II (Indian Constitution & Polity, Governance and International Relations):Topic: Appointment to various Constitutional posts; Powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies

 

What is the news?

• In the presence of Social Security, Women and Child Development, Social Justice, Empowered and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, Mr. Kanwardeep Singh today assumed charge as the Chairman, State Child Rights Protection Commission at Forest Department, SAS Nagar.

About State Child Rights Protection Commission:

 

Which act provides for the constitution of State Child Rights Protection Commission?

• THE COMMISSIONS FOR PROTECTION OF CHILDRIGHTS ACT, 2005 : An Act to provide for the constitution of a National Commission and State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights and Children’s Courts for providing speedy trial of offences against children or of violation of child rights and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

 

• A State Child Rights Protection Commission (SCRPC) is a government body established in each state of India to protect and promote the rights of children as outlined in the country’s Child Rights Protection Act.
• It is a statutory body under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.
• These commissions are responsible for investigating and addressing complaints of child rights violations, including issues such as child labor, child abuse, and child trafficking. They also work to raise awareness of child rights issues and to promote the welfare and development of children in the state.
• The SCRPCs have the power to investigate complaints, conduct inquiries, and visit institutions where children are housed, such as orphanages and juvenile homes. They can also make recommendations to the state government for the protection of children’s rights and welfare.
• The commission is headed by a chairperson and comprises of members who are appointed by the state government. The commission is independent and has the power to function without any interference from the government. It is also a quasi-judicial body and has the power to order for compensation for the violation of child rights.

 

About PUNJAB STATE COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS:

• To protect the rights of children and pursuit the cases committed against the children in the State of Punjab, State Government has constituted the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights under section 17 of The Commissions for the Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 on dated 15.04.2011.
• As per the mandate of the Act, the Commission inquires into the crimes happening against children like kidnaping, murder, rape and child labor, etc. and also takes sou motto cognizance of cases published in the print and electronic media and recommends appropriate remedial measures and initiation of proceedings in such cases. Beside this, the Commission spreads child rights literacy among various stakeholders and general public to promote awareness through various means.

(Source: Punjab Government)

 

Topic: State Government enforces ban on Chinese String

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Everyday Science (Public health initiatives)

Punjab PCS Mains:

• Paper VII – General Studies IV (Science & Technology, Environment, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making):Topic: Situations in Civil Service – Problem-Solving and Decision-Making (Tackling situations of Major Accidents)

 

What is the news?

• Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, particularly the fast approaching Basant Panchmi festival, when customarily the people fly kites in large numbers, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered ban on the sale, storage and purchase of such kind of China Dori made of synthetic material or any other similar material which is being sold and used for kite flying purposes, which is dangerous to not only the human life but also to the birds and the seizure the same immediately.

Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said that:

• The above said orders have been given in accordance with the orders of the Hon’ble Punjab & Haryana High Court in CWP No. 487 of 2015 (O&M) dated 20 Jan 2015.
• Further, all the Deputy Commissioners in the State have been directed to inform the general public about the dangerous nature of the China Dori, so that they can educate their children not to use such kind of Dori for flying kites since the China Dori is a conductor of electricity, as this would have a great bearing on the safety of human life, particularly the birds.

(Source: Punjab Government)

 

Topic: Centre’s new directives on coal to increase power cost by 20% in Punjab.

 

Importance: Punjab PCS Prelims and Mains

 

Punjab PCS Prelims: Indian Economy

Punjab PCS Mains:

• Paper VI – General Studies III (Economy, Statistics and Security Issues):Topic: Issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment; sustainable development; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; Government Budgeting;

 

What is the news?

• Centre’s new directives on coal to increase power cost by 20% in Punjab.

What are the new directives?

• The recent Centre directive to “blend coal with imported coal by 6%” in light of the likely summer coal shortage, and the use of rail-sea-rail (RSR) mode for transporting coal from the Mahanadi and Talchar coalfields in Odisha to Punjab via Mundra in Gujarat, will increase the cost by 20%.

CM wrote a letter:

• Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sent a letter to the Center on December 8, 2022, requesting an exemption for lifting coal through the RSR mode and to supply 100% coal in “Direct Rail Mode.” The CM also asked for permission to supply Talwandi Sabo and Rajpura thermal plants with coal from the Pachhwara Central coal mine, free of any transfer restrictions of 50% and additional royalties.

 

Ex-Chief Engineer, PSPCL shared:

• A freight train takes four to five days (1,900 km) to reach the Talwandi Sabo thermal plant. Through the rail-sea-rail mode, coal will be supplied 1,700-1,800 km by train in addition to the sea route of 4,360 km and will take 25 days. It will escalate the cost.

 

Padamjit Singh, chief patron, All-India Power Engineers’ Federation (AIPEF), in a letter to Power Minister RK Singh said:

• The ministry had no logic to put an additional burden of transporting coal through the RSR mode. Punjab should be allowed to transport coal by rail route only, he said.
• “The coal demand will be on a higher side this summer due to the rise in mercury and increased demand from the industry. Punjab has not been able to maintain a mandatory coal stock of 24 days. The stock at Lehra Mohabbat and Ropar thermal plants is less than three days,” said VK Gupta, spokesperson, AIPEF.

 

Additional burden on exchequer:

• The state government would have to pay a larger subsidy bill in the next months as a result of the rise in input costs, adding to the exchequer’s burden.
• “An initial spike of about 20% is anticipated. According to a power industry expert, it would be passed on to customers under several headings.
• This fiscal year, the PSPCL has applied for two short-term loans totaling Rs. 1,500 crore.
• The state has informed PSPCL that it will provide a subsidy of Rs 15,845 crore this year. However, this fiscal year, the subsidy is probably going to exceed Rs 18,000 crore.

(News Source: The Tribune)