Cabinet approved the 22nd Law Commission for 3 years
Context :
Union Cabinet approved the Twenty-second Law Commission of India for a period of three years. The law commission will provide a recommendation on different aspects of law, to the government, which are entrusted to the Commission for its study and recommendations, as per its terms of reference.
Members of the Commission :
The 22nd Law Commission will consist of:
♦ a full-time Chairperson
♦ four full-time Members (including Member-Secretary)
♦ Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs as ex-officio Member
♦ Secretary, Legislative Department as ex officio Member
♦ part-time Members (not more than five)
Roles of Law Commission :
- The Law Commission can undertake research in law and review of existing laws in India for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations.
- It will undertake research and studies for bringing reforms in the justice delivery systems for elimination of delay in procedures, speedy disposal of cases, reduction in the cost of litigation, etc.
- It will take all such measures as may be necessary to harness law and the legal process in the service of the poor.
- The commission will revise the Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and remove anomalies, ambiguities, and inequities.
Law Commission of India :
The Law Commission of India was constituted by the Government of India in 1955. The non-statutory body is reconstituted every three years. The tenure of the twenty-first Law Commission of India ended on 31 August 2018. Law Commission has made a significant contribution towards the progressive development and codification of Law of the country. It has submitted 277 reports so far.
World Day of Social Justice
Context :
World Day of Social Justice is observed on 20 February. It is observed every year to encourage people to look at how social justice affects poverty eradication.
Theme :
The theme for the year 2020 is “Closing the Inequalities Gap to Achieve Social Justice”. The theme focuses to uphold the principles of social justice by promoting gender equality, or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants.
Background :
On 10 June 2008, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization. It is one of the major principles and policies adopted by the International Labour Conference. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognized that to achieve and maintain peace and security, social development and social justice are crucial.
In March 1995, the World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Many governments reached a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development. The world leaders focused on the goal of achieving full employment and support for social integration. On 26 November 2007, UNGA declared the observation of the World Day of Social Justice on 20 February every year. The World Day of Social Justice was first observed in 2009.
Cabinet approved 2020 Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill
Context :
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Assisted Reproductive Technology Regulation Bill 2020 on 19 February 2020. The move comes after the introduction of the Surrogacy Regulation Bill 2020 in Parliament and the approval of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill 2020.
Aim :
The bill was aimed at the welfare of women in the Country. These legislative measures are a step to protect women’s reproductive rights.
Provisions of the Bill :
- After the Bill is approved by Parliament, a National Board will be constituted.
- The board will create a code of conduct that should be observed by people who work at clinics. It will also set the minimum standards of physical infrastructure, laboratory and diagnostic equipment.
- The States and Union Territories (UT) will also constitute State Boards and State Authorities. The State boards will follow the plans and policies that are introduced by the National Board for clinics and Banks in the State.
- As per the Bill, the National Registry and Registration Authority will maintain a Central database and assist the National Board in its functioning.
- Severe punishment will be given to people who practise sex selection, sale of human embryos, running agencies or organizations for such unlawful practices.
- The Bill will also regulate the Assisted Reproductive Technology services in the country. This will ensure infertile couples’ ethical practices in Assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Background :
India has one of the highest growths in the ART centers and the number of ART cycles performed every year. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), including In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), is a way for a multitude of persons suffering from infertility. It has caused legal, ethical and social issues in the country. Standardization of protocols and reporting is very inadequate. To regulation of the ART services are needed mainly to protect the affected Women and the Children from exploitation.
Permanent Commission for Women
Context :
The Supreme Court has brought women officers in 10 streams of the Army on a par with their male counterparts in all respects, setting aside longstanding objections of the government. The court ordered the government to implement its judgment in three months.
Court’s observations :
- The Supreme Court rejected arguments against greater role for women officers, saying these violated equality under law.
- The biological argument was also rejected as disturbing.
- The court has rejected government’s arguments, saying they are based on sex stereotypes premised on assumptions about socially ascribed roles of gender which discriminate against women.
- It has also said that it only shows the need “to emphasise the need for change in mindsets to bring about true equality in the Army”.
Background :
The case was first filed in the Delhi High Court by women officers in 2003, and had received a favourable order in 2010. But the order was never implemented, and was challenged in the Supreme Court by the government.
Women in Army: Background of the case :
The induction of women officers in the Army started in 1992. They were commissioned for a period of five years in certain chosen streams such as Army Education Corps, Corps of Signals, Intelligence Corps, and Corps of Engineers. Recruits under the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) had a shorter pre-commission training period than their male counterparts who were commissioned under the Short Service Commission (SSC) scheme.
- In 2006, the WSES scheme was replaced with the SSC scheme, which was extended to women officers. They were commissioned for a period of 10 years, extendable up to 14 years. Serving WSES officers were given the option to move to the new SSC scheme, or to continue under the erstwhile WSES. They were to be however, restricted to roles in streams specified earlier — which excluded combat arms such as infantry and armoured corps.
What was the main issue now?
While male SSC officers could opt for permanent commission at the end of 10 years of service, this option was not available to women officers. They were, thus, kept out of any command appointment, and could not qualify for government pension, which starts only after 20 years of service as an officer.
Why the government was against this?
- Motherhood, childcare, psychological limitations have a bearing on the employment of women officers in the Army.
- Family separation, career prospects of spouses, education of children, prolonged absence due to pregnancy, motherhood were a greater challenge for women to meet the exigencies of service.
- Physical limitations: Soldiers will be asked to work in difficult terrains, isolated posts and adverse climate conditions. Officers have to lead from the front. They should be in prime physical condition to undertake combat tasks. The Govt. said women were not fit to serve in ground combat roles.
- Behavioural and Psychological Challenges: Army units were a “unique all-male environment”. The presence of women officers would require “moderated behaviour”. The male troop predominantly comes from a rural background and may not be in a position to accept commands from a female leader.
But, why they should be granted permanent commission?
- Past records: A quick look at the past records reveals, all the arguments put forth against giving women more responsibility have been answered by the armed forces by giving women greater responsibility in uniform — the IAF has allowed women to become fighter pilots, and the Army has sent them to tough UN peacekeeping missions globally.
- Women officers are already commanding platoons, companies and second in command successfully, with male soldiers accepting orders from them as part of a professional force.
- Now they are being excluded from commanding a unit, only on the basis that they are women. This argument doesn’t hold water.
- A professional force does not discriminate on the basis of gender, it works because of training, norms and culture. Denying women the posts will be an “extremely retrograde step” and “will inflict irreparable injury” to their dignity.
Order and its implications:
- It means that women officers will be eligible to tenant all the command appointments, at par with male officers, which would open avenues for further promotions to higher ranks for them.
- It also means that in junior ranks and career courses, women officers would be attending the same training courses and tenanting critical appointments, which are necessary for higher promotions.
- The implications of the judgment will have to be borne by the human resources management department of the Army, which will need to change policy in order to comply.
Pakistan to remain FATF’s ‘Grey List’
In news :
- The International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommended that Pakistan be retained on the ‘Grey List’.
- Pakistan was placed on the grey list by the FATF last year for failing to curb anti-terror financing
Why :
Due to it’s failure to completely implement the 27-point action plan to check terror financing
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) :
- Inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7.
- Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.
- Generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas
- to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures
- Combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.