LAW AND GOVERNANCE 

Delhi Government’s Affidavit Delayed, SC Seeks Reports on Prison Conditions

An Amicus Curiae informed the Supreme Court about the delay in the filing of an affidavit by the Delhi government, citing “practical difficulty” related to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s situation. The case, originating in 2013, focuses on prison conditions nationwide, with the court directing the formation of Committees to assess jail infrastructure in each district. Senior Advocate Gaurav Agarwal, the Amicus Curiae, mentioned the challenge faced by the Delhi government due to the Chief Minister’s circumstances. However, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati clarified the need for a final decision on the administrative side. The court also noted reports pending from 9 states/UTs and directed them to file within two weeks, including details on facility absence, recommendations, and proposed steps for improvement.

Delhi HC Denies Bail to Salim Malik in 2020 Riots Conspiracy Case

Salim Malik, also known as Munna, was denied bail by the Delhi High Court in a case related to the larger conspiracy during the 2020 North-East Delhi riots. The charges against him, including those under the UAPA, stem from alleged provocative speeches against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. Malik is accused of inciting protests against the Central Government, using religion as motivation. The court cited substantial prima facie evidence, including conspiracy to destroy CCTV cameras, delivering divisive speeches, and threats to national unity. While acknowledging the right to protest under Article 19(1), the court emphasized the need for peaceful demonstrations, highlighting Malik’s involvement in discussions on violent actions, including arson and vandalism.

SC to Decide on EVM-VVPAT Verification Petitions

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment today on petitions seeking complete verification of votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips. The bench, after reserving judgment on April 18, will announce the decision at 10:30 AM. During the hearings, the bench engaged with an Election Commission of India (ECI) official to understand EVMs’ security features, with the ECI asserting their tamper-proof nature. The petitioners, including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), stressed the need for voter confidence and argued for increased verification, despite reservations about manual counting expressed by the bench. Currently, the ECI verifies VVPAT slips from five polling booths per assembly segment, following a 2019 SC direction to increase verification from one to five booths per segment.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES 

VISVAS (Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ko Aarthik Sahayata) Scheme

(Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)

Objectives:

The VISVAS Scheme aims to provide interest subvention to OBC/SC Self Help Groups (SHGs) or individuals, facilitating a lower rate of interest for loans availed through Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), and similar financial institutions. This initiative intends to directly benefit eligible beneficiaries by reducing the burden of interest on loans.

Eligibility Criteria for OBCs:

1. Members of Backward Classes as notified by Central or State Governments.
2. OBC Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cardholders and OBC individuals facing three or more Deprivations as per SECC-2011.
3. OBC beneficiaries involved in Agricultural activities under PM KISAN.
4. SHGs registered with NRLM/NULM/NABARD with a credit history of more than two years.

Eligibility Criteria for SCs:

1. NSFDC recognized SHGs registered with NRLM/NULM/NABARD.
2. All castes notified in the State and/or Central Government lists of SCs.
3. AAY cardholders and individuals facing three or more Deprivations as per SECC-2011.
4. SC beneficiaries involved in Agricultural activities under PM KISAN.

Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Scheme

(Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)

Objectives:

PM-DAKSH aims to economically empower marginalized groups such as OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, SCs, Safai Karamcharis, and Waste Pickers through skill training. The scheme targets skilling approximately 2,71,000 individuals over five years (2021-2026), enhancing their employability for self-employment or wage employment.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. SCs, OBCs with an Annual Family Income below ₹3,00,000, EBCs with an Annual Family Income below ₹1,00,000, DNTs, Transgender (TG) Community, and Safai Karamcharis (including waste pickers) and their dependents aged 18-45.

Types of Skilling Programmes:

1. Up-Skilling / Re-Skilling: Training for rural artisans, sanitation workers, etc., on their practiced vocations with financial and digital literacy.
2. Short Term Training (Wage/Self-Employment): Focus on job roles aligned with NSQF/NOS for opportunities like tailoring, food processing, etc., along with financial literacy.
3. Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDP): For SC and OBC youth with an entrepreneurial mindset, covering business guidance, market survey, and business plan preparation.
4. Long Term Training (Wage/Self-Employment): Training in sectors with job market demand like healthcare, apparel technology, etc., for wage-placement.

Source- 

• India Today
• mySchemes 

Also Read- Daily Current Affair 23rd April 2024