LAW AND GOVERNANCE
Delhi Court Extends Judicial Custody for BRS Leader K Kavitha
In the ongoing saga of the alleged liquor policy scam, a Delhi court has decided to keep BRS leader K Kavitha behind bars until April 23. The decision came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sought an extension of her judicial custody. Kavitha, believed to be a central figure in the case, is accused of withholding crucial information. Despite the CBI’s push for a 14-day extension, her defense team cited a Supreme Court precedent to defend her rights. This development adds to Kavitha’s legal woes, having been previously arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. The ED has painted her as a key player in the alleged kickback scheme involving top Aam Aadmi Party figures.
Supreme Court Clarifies Easementary Rights by Necessity
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court underscored that a claimant of easementary rights couldn’t demand such rights by necessity if alternative access to the property exists. The bench, comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Prashant Kumar Mishra, emphasized that Section 13 of the Indian Easement Act dictates the acquisition of such rights, necessitated solely for enjoying the “Dominant Heritage.” The court elucidated the terms “Dominant Heritage” and “Servient Heritage,” delineating the beneficiary’s land from the one over which easement rights are sought. Justice Mithal’s judgment clarified that easementary rights arise only in the absence of alternative access routes to the Dominant Heritage. Hence, when alternative access options exist, the claim for easement by necessity is invalidated, as seen in the court’s denial of such rights in a recent case.
Kerala High Court Advocates for School Playground Guidelines
In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has mandated the state government to devise guidelines outlining the requisite playground space for different school categories and accompanying amenities. Justice PV Kunhikrishnan emphasized that education, including play and extracurricular activities, is a fundamental right of children. Failure to provide adequate playgrounds, as per Kerala Education Rules (KER), could lead to school closure, the court warned. The directive stemmed from a petition challenging the construction of a rainwater harvesting tank on a school ground. While the issue became moot, the court underscored the pivotal role of playgrounds in education, urging strict adherence to KER guidelines. It emphasized that within four months, specific playground guidelines must be established to ensure children’s holistic development beyond classroom learning.
Government Schemes
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (SUMAN) Scheme: Ensuring Maternal and Newborn Healthcare
(Ministry Of Health & Family Welfare)
The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (SUMAN) scheme, also known as the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Yojana, is a maternity benefit initiative launched by the Ministry of Union Health and Family Welfare. It aims to provide affordable and quality healthcare solutions to pregnant women and newborns across India.
Benefits:
- Zero-Expense Access: Pregnant women and newborns receive access to detection and management of complications during and after pregnancy without incurring any expenses.
- Quality Healthcare: Treatment is provided by qualified professionals at public health facilities, including zero-expense delivery and C-section facilities.
- Zero-Tolerance Policy: The scheme ensures zero-tolerance for denial of services to children and pregnant women, offers free transport, and promotes respectful care with privacy and breastfeeding support.
Eligibility:
- All pregnant women and newborns, irrespective of their economic status, are eligible to avail the benefits of the SUMAN scheme.
- Newborns aged 0 to 6 months old and lactating mothers up to 6 months from delivery are eligible for the scheme’s benefits.
SERB – POWER Research Grants: Empowering Women in Research
(Ministry Of Science And Technology)
The SERB – POWER Research Grants is a program category under the SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities For Women in Exploratory Research) Program, launched by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India. It aims to mitigate gender disparity in science and engineering research funding by providing structured efforts toward enhanced diversity in research opportunities for Indian women scientists.
Benefits:
- Encouragement: The program encourages emerging and eminent women researchers to undertake individual-centric and competitive research funding in frontier areas of science and engineering.
- Funding Support: Two levels of funding support are provided: Level I offers up to ₹60 lakhs for three years, and Level II offers up to ₹30 lakhs for three years. The grant covers equipment, manpower, consumables, travel, and contingency, with overheads provided to the implementing institution.
Eligibility:
- Indian Citizenship: Applicants (Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator(s)) must be Indian citizens.
- Academic/Research Position: Applicants must hold a regular academic/research position in a recognized institution in India.
- Institution Categories: Different categories based on institutions, such as IITs, IISERs, IISc, NITs, Central Universities, State Universities/Colleges, and Private Academic Institutions, are considered under different funding levels.
- Mandatory Female CO-PI: There is a mandatory requirement for a female Co-Principal Investigator from the same institute.
- Exclusions: Certain categories, such as male CO-PIs, PIs who have already received a POWER Grant, and specific fellowship holders, are not eligible to apply.
Source-
Read Also-DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (14 APRIL 2024)
