The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017

Why in news?

The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, commonly known as the OBC Bill, was passed in the Lok Sabha on August 2 and will now go to the Rajya Sabha for passage.

About bill

• The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Mr. Thaawarchand Gehlot on April 5, 2017.
• It seeks to grant the National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) constitutional status, at par with the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
• Currently, under the Constitution the NCSC has the power to look into complaints and welfare measures with regard to Scheduled Castes, backward classes and Anglo-Indians. The Bill seeks to remove the power of the NCSC to examine matters related to backward classes.
• The NCBC is a body set up under the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993. It has the power to examine complaints regarding inclusion or exclusion of groups within the list of backward classes, and advise the central government in this regard.
• The Bill seeks to establish the NCBC under the Constitution, and provide it the authority to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.
• This Bill was introduced alongside the National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 that seeks to repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
• It states that the President may specify the socially and educationally backward classes in the various states and union territories. He may do this in consultation with the Governor of the concerned state.  However, a law of Parliament will be required if the list of backward classes is to be amended.
• Composition and service conditions: the NCBC will comprise of five members appointed by the President. Their tenure and conditions of service will also be decided by the President through rules.
• Functions: The duties of the NCBC will include: (i) investigating and monitoring how safeguards provided to the backward classes under the Constitution and other laws are being implemented, (ii) inquiring into specific complaints regarding violation of rights, and (iii) advising and making recommendations on socio-economic development of such classes.  The central and state governments will be required to consult with the NCBC on all major policy matters affecting the socially and educationally backward classes.
• The NCBC will be required to present annual reports to the President on working of the safeguards for backward classes. These reports will be tabled in Parliament, and in the state legislative assemblies of the concerned states.
• Powers of a civil court: The NCBC will have the powers of a civil court while investigating or inquiring into any complaints.  These powers include: (i) summoning people and examining them on oath, (ii) requiring production of any document or public record, and (iii) receiving evidence.

Chandrayaan-2

 Why in news?

The launch of India’s second mission to the moon, Chandrayaan-2, may be delayed till January 2019.

Why delay?

• Earlier this year, the ISRO had launched GSAT-6A, a military communication satellite, but lost communication with it. Following this, the ISRO also recalled the launch of GSAT-11 from Kourou, French Guiana, for additional technical checks.
• Last September, the PSLV- C39 mission, carrying the IRNSS-1H navigation satellite, failed after the heat shield refused to open and release the satellite.
• The ISRO is treading a cautious path after these two setbacks as Chandrayaan-2 is one of the crucial launches for the space agency, particularly after Chandrayaan-1 and Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission).

About chandrayaan-2

• Chandrayaan-2 will be ISRO’s first time attempt to land a rover, on the Moon. The rover, costing nearly Rs. 800 crore , will be made to land near the yet-unexplored south pole of the moon.
• Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second lunar exploration mission after Chandrayaan-1. Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the mission is planned to be launched to the Moon by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III).
• It includes a lunar orbiter, lander and rover.
• On 12 November 2007, representatives of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and ISRO signed an agreement for the two agencies to work together on the Chandrayaan-2 project. ISRO would have the prime responsibility for the orbiter and rover, while Roscosmos was to provide the lander.

Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana

Why in news?

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched an ambitious scheme which promises to provide Rs. 54,100 from the birth of a girl child till she graduates.

About ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana’

• The ambitious ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana’ will be run by three departments — education, health and social welfare.
• Birth of a girl child her family would get Rs 2000. After preparation of her Aadhaar card, the family would get an additional amount of Rs 1000.
• If the family completes the whole range of immunisation within two years of a girl’s birth, it will get a sum of Rs 2000.
• After entry into class one in a school, a girl will get Rs 600 for purchase of uniform. Similarly, she will get Rs 700 for uniform in between class three to five and it will be scaled up to Rs 1000 when she reaches 6th to 8th standard and Rs 1500 in between 9th to 12th standard.
• On clearance of Intermediate, a sum of Rs 10,000 will be given to encourage her to pursue higher education. For this, only unmarried girls are eligible.
• After doing graduation, she will get Rs 25,000.
• This will be applicable to married as well unmarried women of a family having only two girls.

E-tattoos

Why in news?

Chinese scientists have developed skin-like electronic tattoos, that can be used to monitor health parameters such as blood pressure and body temperature in real time.

About E-tattoos

• The graphene-based electronic tattoo, developed by scientists from the Tsinghua University in China, can be easily transferred onto various surfaces such as the human skin, leaves and silk.
• Graphene, a super thin material with excellent flexibility and conductivity, is an ideal material for electronic skin.
• It could also be attached to masks and throats to measure body signals such as breathing, heartbeat and voice, according to the research published in the journal ACS Nano.

Swachhameva Jayate: In order to achieve the status of Open Defecation Free (ODF), Karnataka launched “Swachhameva Jayate” a rural cleanliness and sanitation campaign.This campaign will aim to boost the Swachh Survkekshan Grameen in all the districts with the help of school children.Since the inception of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the government of Karnataka has constructed a total of 22 lakh toilets in 29,736 villages. The state needs another five lakh toilets in its rural areas before October 2 to achieve ODF status.