LAW AND GOVERNANCE
Supreme Court Dismisses Election Petition Against AIUDF Leader Barbhuiya
The Supreme Court has dismissed an election petition challenging the 2021 Assam Assembly election of AIUDF leader Karim Uddin Barbhuiya. The petition was filed by former Assam BJP leader Aminul Haque Laskar, now a member of the Congress Party, alleging corrupt practices by Barbhuiya during the nomination process. The Court found the allegations vague and lacking in material facts, as required by the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The petition failed to provide concise statements of material facts supporting the allegations. Consequently, the Court upheld the election of Barbhuiya, who won the Sonai Legislative Assembly Constituency seat in 2021.
Delhi High Court Suspends Conviction of Ex-Minister Dilip Ray in Coal Scam Case
The Delhi High Court has suspended the conviction of former Union Minister Dilip Ray in a coal scam case, allowing him to contest the upcoming Odisha Assembly Elections. Ray was sentenced to a three-year jail term in the case related to irregularities in the allocation of a Jharkhand coal block. The Court noted that not suspending the conviction would have irreversible consequences for Ray, who has a political career spanning over 35 years. The order allows Ray to contest the elections in May and serve his constituency, pending the final outcome of his appeal.
Supreme Court Quashes Money Laundering Case Against Ex-IAS Officer and Son in Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam
The Supreme Court has quashed a money laundering case against former IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son Yash in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh. The Court ruled that since the complaint against them was based on an offence under the Income Tax Act, which is not a scheduled offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), there were no proceeds of crime. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was instructed not to take coercive measures against the duo in connection with the probe. The ED may lodge a fresh complaint based on additional material recovered during the investigation.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Scheme of Assistance for the Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse and for Social Defence Services
(Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
Objectives: Create awareness about the ill effects of alcoholism and substance abuse, provide community-based services for de-addiction, aftercare, and rehabilitation for addicts.
Intervention Areas:
- Projects in underserviced areas addressing urgent needs.
- Projects filling gaps in existing services.
- Integrated services projects.
- Projects mobilizing public opinion.
- Projects training workers in social welfare.
Admissible Items for Assistance:
- Construction or rent of buildings.
- Staff salaries and allowances.
- Equipment and furniture.
- Delivery-related charges.
- Stipends for trainees.
- Other necessary operational costs.
Norms of Financial Assistance:
- Up to 90% of approved cost.
- Remaining 10% covered by the organization.
- Government may cover 100% in new areas with substantial demand.
- Building grant limited to ₹10,00,000.
Eligibility Criteria for Organizations/Institutions:
- Registered under relevant laws.
- Non-profit-making.
- At least two years of experience or demonstrate competence.
- Properly constituted Managing Body.
- Not operated for individual or body profit.
Pre-Matric Scholarships to Children of Those Engaged in Occupations Involving Cleaning and Prone to Health Hazards
(Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
Objective: Provide financial assistance to children of specific occupations to pursue pre-matric education.
Rate of Scholarship:
- Day Scholars: ₹110 per month.
- Hostellers: ₹700 per month.
- Ad-Hoc Grant: ₹750 to day scholars, ₹1000 to hostellers.
Additional Provisions for Students with Disabilities:
- Reader Allowance for blind students.
- Transport Allowance for disabled students.
- Special Pay for hostel employees assisting disabled students.
- Escort Allowance for severely handicapped day scholar students.
- Extra Coaching Allowance for mentally retarded and mentally ill students.
Duration and Course of Studies:
- For day scholars: Class 1st to 10th.
- For hostellers: Class 3rd to 10th.
- Scholarship terminates at the end of Class 10th.
- Duration: Ten months in an academic year.
Mode of Disbursal: Payment through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) from State Governments/UT administrations’ accounts in banks.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Children/wards of Indian Nationals engaged in specific occupations.
- Students should not engage in employment during studies.
- Scholarship may be discontinued for various reasons, including violation of school discipline or scholarship terms.
- Migration between institutions not normally allowed during the academic year.
SOURCE-
