LAW AND GOVERNANCE
Delhi Court Dismisses Brij Bhushan’s Plea for Further Probe
A Delhi court dismissed BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s plea for further investigation in a sexual harassment case filed by six female wrestlers. The court will announce its decision on framing charges against Singh on May 7. Singh had requested additional probe into his presence at the Wrestling Federation of India office on September 7, 2022, citing call detail records. The Delhi Police opposed Singh’s plea, labeling it a delaying tactic. Singh was charged under Sections 354, 354A, 354D, and 506 of the IPC last year. The court had earlier granted him bail. The case highlights ongoing legal proceedings involving prominent individuals and underscores the complexities of investigating such cases.
Supreme Court Upholds Use of EVMs, Rejects Cross-Verification Plea
The Supreme Court rejected petitions seeking 100% cross-verification of electronic voting machines (EVMs) with Voter-Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips, affirming the reliability and user-friendliness of EVMs. The court emphasized that EVMs have withstood the test of time and have been embraced by voters, citing the absence of mismatches in previous tallies. The judgment highlighted the advantages of EVMs over paper ballots, including reduced invalid votes, logistical ease, and faster counting. The court praised the Election Commission’s efforts in conducting free and fair elections and cautioned against unwarranted skepticism towards the electoral process. The ruling reinforces the confidence in the electoral system’s integrity and efficiency.
Supreme Court Notice to Election Commission on NOTA Plea: A Step Towards Electoral Reform
In a significant move towards electoral reform, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Election Commission of India (EC) in response to a plea filed by renowned writer and motivational speaker Shiv Khera. The public interest litigation (PIL) seeks directions to nullify election results in constituencies where the “None Of The Above” (NOTA) option garners the maximum votes. Khera’s plea also advocates for imposing a five-year ban on candidates who receive fewer votes than NOTA. The petition underscores the importance of NOTA as a tool for voters to express dissatisfaction and pressure political parties to nominate better representatives. The Supreme Court’s intervention reflects a crucial step towards enhancing electoral transparency and accountability.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
Objectives:
The scheme aims to acknowledge the skills and contributions of individuals and institutions involved in empowering persons with disabilities. It seeks to highlight excellence in various aspects of disability empowerment, including education, rehabilitation services, and employment through annual national awards.
Eligibility:
Nominees eligible for the awards include individuals and institutions actively engaged in disability empowerment efforts. Both governmental and non-governmental entities are eligible, with separate categories for individual excellence and institutional contributions.
Criteria:
Individual award criteria include exceptional contributions to disability empowerment, provision of holistic rehabilitation services, and promotion of inclusive education. Institutional awards are based on factors such as successful placement of disabled individuals, low dropout rates, and commitment to inclusive hiring practices.
Disha-Early Intervention and School Readiness Scheme (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
Objectives:
The Disha scheme aims to provide early intervention and school readiness support to children aged 0-10 years with disabilities covered under the National Trust Act. Through Disha Centers, the scheme offers therapies, training, and family support, facilitating the holistic development of children with disabilities.
Eligibility:
Children eligible for enrollment in Disha Centers are those aged 0-10 years with disabilities falling under categories such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation, and Multiple Disabilities, as defined by the National Trust Act.
Criteria:
To enroll in a Disha Center, children must meet the age and disability criteria specified in the National Trust Act. Regular assessments and evaluations by experts are conducted to understand individual needs and monitor progress. The scheme also emphasizes counseling for parents or guardians on activities for daily living and ensures access to day-care facilities and transportation services as needed
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Read Also–DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (26 APRIL 2024)
