Current Affair 1:

Himachal Pradesh HC: Maternity leave is a fundamental right

 

In State of HP vs. Sita Devi, the Himachal Pradesh High Court held that maternity leave is intended to achieve social justice for women, motherhood, and childhood, both require special attention, and maternity leave is a fundamental right of every woman, irrespective of her employment status, and its denial is a violation of Articles 29 and 39D of the Indian Constitution.

Article 29 related to the Protection of the interests of minorities and Article 39 relates to the certain principles of policy to be followed by the state.

The court reminded that India is a signatory to the various international covenants and treaties including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights,1948. India also ratified the “Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women” (CEDAW) and “ILO: Maternity Protection Convention 2000.”

The apex court further held that a just social order can be achieved only when inequalities are obliterated, and everyone is provided with what is legally entitled. It held that becoming a mother is the most natural phenomenon in the life of a woman and employers need to be considerate and sympathetic to them for performing duties while carrying the child in their womb.

Further, in State of H.P vs. Sudesh Kumari, the division bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court held that the claim of maternity benefit is grounded on social justice and fair play. No discrimination is permitted, and any such discrimination is violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Indian Constitution.

Current Affair 2:

Understanding recent amendments to RPwD Rules, 2017

 

On 5th June, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment notified the amendment to the Right of Persons with Disabilities Rules 2017 (“RPwD Rules”) in the official gazette.

This amendment substituted the 2016 Harmonised Guidelines and Space Standards for Barrier-Free Built Environment for Persons with Disability and Elderly Persons (“Harmonised Guidelines 2016”) with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs latest revised Harmonised guideline called “Harmonised Guidelines and Standards for Universal Accessibility in India – 2021”.

Whi gave power to formulate rules?

Section 40 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 mandates the Central Government, in consultation with the Chief Commissioner, to formulate rules for persons with disabilities laying down the standards of accessibility inter alia for the physical environment.

The preparation of these guidelines involved relentless efforts by a dedicated team from IIT Roorkee along with the National Institute of Urban Affairs guided by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

What is Harmonised Guidelines for Universal Accessibility?

These guidelines are a comprehensive document dealing with a different facet of inaccessibility. These guidelines also widened the scope of accommodation by changing the mandate from “barrier-free” to “Universal design”.

What is universal Design?

Thus, the guidelines expanded the infrastructure’s inclusiveness by providing accessibility to a broader population whose movements are hampered by any characteristics, not just persons with disabilities.

Guided by the Model of holistic approach to Universal Accessibility, following are the key objectives of these guidelines:

Current Affair 3:

Disposal of Minerals (excavated under public work) under MMDR Act 1957

 

This news has been taken from Ministry of Mines site:

Now read.

Section 3(d) of the Act defines mining operations.

Mineral winning means any digging, tailing or bore-hole.

Now,

Now read this:

1. State Government shall at all times have the right of pre-emption of the minerals so obtained (the purchase of or right to purchase property in advance of or in preference to others.)
2. The State Government may dispose the minerals so obtained through auction.
3. Entities procuring mineral in the auction should be registered with Indian Bureau of Mines.

Current Affair 4:

Patches of snow in Utah's mountains have turned pink.

 

According to experts, this natural phenomenon occurs normally across all mountainous locations in the world. One may feel that the colour of snow is actually changing, however, the colorful hue is a result of the green algae bloom which thrives in cold, snowy environments.

The species of algae which is making Utah's snow colorful is called Chlamydomonas nivalis.

Chlamydomonas nivalis, the scientific name for watermelon snow, occurs when a bacteria called psychrophilic begins to grow in cold environments. Algae is the source of the bacteria and that's what turns patches of snow a pink or red hue.

Because the albedo, or reflective surface, of the snow is decreased when this happens, the snow may melt quicker, speeding up the melting rate of glaciers.

Studies have found that similar forms of bacteria, called Chlamydomonaceae, have contributed to the acceleration of melting snow on glaciers in other parts of the world.

 

 

 

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