LAW AND GOVERNANCE
Maharashtra Government Grants Special Benefits to Family of Army Major
The Maharashtra government has decided to provide special benefits to the family of Army Major Anuj Sood, who was martyred in Jammu and Kashmir in 2020. Initially denied, the government will now offer Rs 1 crore, with Rs 60 lakh allocated to the widow and Rs 40 lakh to Major Sood’s father, along with a monthly payment of Rs 9,000 to the widow. This decision comes following a Bombay High Court directive to treat Major Sood’s case as special, acknowledging his sacrifice and extending financial aid to his family.
Supreme Court Upholds Acquittal in Cheque Dishonor Case
The Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of an accused in a 16-year-old cheque dishonor case, as the complainant failed to prove the existence of a legally enforceable debt. The bench observed that the accused successfully rebutted the presumption against her by presenting a plausible defense. The court clarified that its interference under Article 136 of the Constitution is warranted only when the impugned findings are perverse or based on no evidence, which wasn’t the case here. The Special Leave Petition was consequently dismissed.
Supreme Court Issues Notice to NCDRC Members Over Non-Bailable Warrants
The Supreme Court has issued notice to two members of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) for issuing non-bailable warrants against company directors, despite a previous interim order of the Supreme Court. The court noted that the NCDRC’s actions contradicted its interim order prohibiting coercive steps against the directors. The Presiding Member and Member of the NCDRC have been asked to explain their actions within one week. The Court also stayed the operation of the NCDRC’s orders and scheduled the next hearing for April 24.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) Scheme
(Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution)
Objectives:
- Enable portability of ration cards nationwide for internal migrants.
- Provide real-time information via the ‘MERA RATION’ mobile app.
- Digitize ration cards to benefit 81 crore beneficiaries.
Benefits:
- Facilitates seamless access to PDS benefits from any Fair Price Shop.
- Ensures food security for migrant workers and their families.
- Improves identification of fake/duplicate ration cards.
Eligibility:
- All ration cardholders under NFSA, 2013 with Aadhaar Card numbers seeded.
Scheme for Safai Karamchari and Manual Scavengers
(Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment)
Objectives:
- Provide term loans for procurement of sanitation-related vehicles.
- Offer capital subsidy based on unit cost.
- Promote income-generating schemes in sanitation activities.
Benefits:
- Capital subsidy up to 50% of unit cost, depending on unit cost range.
- Maximum loan unit cost of Rs. 50.00 lakhs at 4% interest rate.
- Rebates for women beneficiaries and timely repayment.
Eligibility:
- Safai Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers, and their dependents.
- Registered co-operative societies, legally constituted associations/firms, and eligible individuals/entities.
SOURCE-
Read Also–DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS(17 APRIL 2024)
