Current Affairs Analysis – 24.April.2020

National Panchayati Raj Day

Context :

The National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on 24 April in India. The day is observed every year in the country. On this day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed village Panchayats across the country to mark the National Panchayati Raj Day.

Significance :

On this day, the Constitution of India recognized Panchayats as ‘Institutions of self-government’. It marks the passing of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 with effect from 24 April 1993. As per the amendment, the states are empowered to carry out steps to organize village panchayats. The states can provide them with the necessary powers and authority necessary to facilitate them to function as units of self-government.

What is Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 ?

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 came into force with effect from 24 April 1993. The Act vested “Constitutional status” on Panchayati Raj institutions.
The 73rd Amendment added the “Part IX” titled “The Panchayats” to the Constitution of India. It covers provisions from Article 243 to 243(O). Also, a new XI Schedule that covers 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats was added. It implemented Article 40 of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) which says that the State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority. It is necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.

History :

National Panchayati Raj Day was celebrated for the first time in 2010. The enactment of the 73rd Amendment Act helped in the decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. The act also led to the institutionalization of Panchayati Raj through the village, Intermediate and District level Panchayats.

source : the hindu

India’s First Mobile Testing Lab for COVID-19 detection

Context :

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches country’s First Mobile Testing Lab for COVID-19 detection, can process over 1000 samples per day.

Highlights :

Lab has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India in collaboration with ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Sanathnagar (Hyderabad) with due permission of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Govt. of Telangana.
DRDO and ESIC in setting up of this Bio-Safety Level 2 and Level 3 lab in a record time of 15 days which usually takes about six months time.

About “Mobile BSL-3 VRDL Lab”

COVID-19 testing centreat ESIC Medical & Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad will utilize this new innovative mobile diagnostic and research facility called “Mobile BSL-3 VRDL Lab”. It will be first of its kind facility in the country for Covid-19 and other related testing and research purposes.
The design of Mobile BSL-3 VRDL Lab has been developed by DRDO scientists whereas specification of the lab has been given by ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad. The project has been executed and constructed by three industry partners of DRDO.

ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad :

ESIC Medical Collage and hospital, Sanathnagar, Hyderabad is a 500 bedded hospital. In addition to that 150 beds are also available in the hospital for super-speciality treatment like oncology, nephrology, neuro surgery, cardiology, pediatric surgery etc. so that ESI beneficiaries get the best of treatment under one roof.

Source : pib

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace

Context :

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace is observed on 24th April.

The day aims to disseminate the advantages of multilateralism and diplomacy for peace through educational and public awareness-raising activities. To commemorate and promote the day, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) convenes a one-day high-level plenary meeting.

History-International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace :

UNGA officially proclaimed the observation of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace on 24 April. It passed a resolution A/RES/73/127 and designated the observation of the day.
The move by the UN aims to preserve values of multilateralism and international cooperation as it is fundamental to promote and support the three pillars of the UN namely Peace and Security, Development, and Human Rights. These values highlight the principles of the UN Charter and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also acknowledges the use of multilateral decision-making and diplomacy in achieving peaceful resolutions to conflicts among nations. The first official International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace was observed on 24 April 2019.
The world is facing the biggest international challenge since the Second World War- The COVID-19 pandemic. The UN urged its member countries across the world to draw the appropriate lessons about the vulnerabilities and inequalities and mobilize investments in education, health systems, social protection, and resilience.

Parliamentary Committee On Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019

Context :

Recently, the Parliamentary Committee on Labour submitted its report on the Industrial Relations Code, 2019.

The Industrial Relations Code 2019 (IR Code) is the third bill in a series of four being framed to amalgamate and rationalise more than 40 central laws governing labour affairs.
- Two other bills were : (a) Code on Wages, 2019 and (b) Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2019.

Key Points :

Payment of wages unjustifiable: The Committee in its report said that in case of natural calamities, payment of wages to the workers until the re-establishment of the industry may be unjustifiable.
- The idea behind the recommendations is that the industry should not be forced when the situation is beyond their control.
- The law has to be reasonable, in such cases it is for the government to step in and extend a helping hand for the industries.
- According to the Committee Covid-19 would be counted as natural calamity.
50% wages: The Industrial Code makes it incumbent upon the employer to pay 50% wages to the workers/employees who are laid off due to shortage of power, coal, raw material etc. for 45 days.
The Industrial Relations Code, 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha and referred to the Standing Committee on Labour in December, 2019.
- With the ongoing lockdown, the draft report was circulated to the members via email on April 15 and later the final adopted report was accepted by the Speaker.

Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2019 :

The Industrial Relations Code, 2019 was introduced in Lok Sabha. It seeks to replace three labour laws:
- The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
- The Trade Unions Act, 1926
- The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
Key features of the Bill
- Trade Unions:
  - Under the Code, seven or more members of a trade union can apply to register it.
  - Trade unions that have a membership of at least 10% of the workers or 100 workers, whichever is less, will be registered.
  - Further, the central or state government may recognise a trade union or a federation of trade unions as Central or State Trade Unions respectively.
- Negotiating Unions:
  - The Code provides for a negotiation union in an industrial establishment for negotiating with the employer.
  - If there is only one trade union in an industrial establishment, then the employer is required to recognise such trade union as the sole negotiating union of the workers.
  - In case of multiple trade unions, the trade union with the support of at least 75% of workers will be recognised as the negotiating union by the government.
- Lay-off and Retrenchment:
  - The Code defines lay-off as the inability of an employer, due to shortage of coal, power, or breakdown of machinery, from giving employment to a worker. It also provides for employers to terminate the services of a worker, i.e., retrenchment.
  - Employers of industrial establishments with at least 100 workers are required to take prior permission of the central or state government before lay-off, retrenchment or closure of an establishment.
  - The central or state government can modify this threshold number of workers by notification. Any person who contravenes this provision is punishable with a fine between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.
- Resolution of Industrial Disputes:
  - The central or state governments may appoint conciliation officers to mediate and promote settlement of industrial disputes.
  - These officers will investigate the dispute and hold conciliation proceedings to arrive at a fair and amicable settlement of the dispute.
  - If no settlement is arrived at, then any party to the dispute can make an application to an Industrial Tribunal set up under the Code.