GS PAPER: II
Migrant quota cleared for J&K Assembly
Why in the news?
The Lok Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the former legislation seeking to reserve seats for “Kashmiri migrants, people displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir [PoK] and Scheduled Tribes” in the yet-to-be constituted 114-seat J&K Assembly.
About the bill :
- Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 modifies the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004, which governs reservations in jobs and admissions to professional institutions for members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and socially and educationally backward classes.
- The Bill replace the phrase “weak and under-privileged classes” with “other backward classes” as declared by the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
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- The Bill eliminates original definition of weak and under privileged.
- On the other hand, Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which facilitated the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
- This bill proposes to increase the total number of seats in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly from 107 to 114, of which seven would be reserved for scheduled caste members and nine seats for legislators from scheduled tribes.
- As per the J&K Reorganisaton Act, 24 seats of the Assembly will remain vacant until the occupation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir ceases. Therefore, the effective strength of the Assembly is 83, which the amendment seeks to increase as 90.
- Other features
The power of the lieutenant governor to nominate up to two members from the Kashmiri migrant community to the legislative assembly, with one nominee being a woman. Additionally, one member representing displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir may be nominated. - “Kashmiri Migrants”are defined as persons who migrated from the Kashmir Valley or any other part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir after November 1, 1989, and are registered with the Relief Commissioner.
GS PAPER – III
Encourage Bharatiya languages : NCERT
Why in the news?
- Recently in a reply to opposition question to replace the country’s name “India” with “Bharat” in school textbooks in Rajya sabha the Union Minister of Education said that NCERT does not differentiate between India and Bharat, and duly acknowledges the spirit as enshrined in the Constitution that recognises both.
- The Education minister said the country is collectively moving away from the colonial mindset and encourages the usage of the words in ‘Bharatiya Bhasha’ (Indian languages).
Article 1:
- “Article 1 of the Constitution of India states that ‘India’, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States’. India’s Constitution recognises both ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’ as the official names of the country which can be used interchangeably .
About NCERT :
- National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India. Established in 1961, it is a literary, scientific and charitable Society under the Societies Registration Act.
- Its headquarters are located at Sri Aurbindo Marg in Delhi.
Background :
- The Indian Ministry of Education established the NCERT on July 27, 1961, and the council began formal operation on September 1, 1961. It was formed through the merger of seven government organizations:
- the Central Institute of Education,
- the Central Bureau of Textbook Research,
- the Central Bureau of Educational and Vocational Guidance,
- the Directorate of Extension Programmes for Secondary Education,
- the National Institute of Basic Education,
- the National Fundamental Education Centre,
- and the National Institute of Audio-Visual Education.
It is separate from the National Council for Teacher Education.
GS PAPER – II
BBC : Indian origin media executive
Samir shah a British Indian has been named as a new media executive by U.K government to head British Broadcasting Corporation.
What is BBC?
- BBC or the British broadcasting corporations, is one of the most reversed broadcasters globally.
- It is the world’s leading public service broadcasting corporation, established by a Royal charter.
- It was founded on 18 October ,1992.
Who is Samir shah?
- A 71 year old Indian born who has worked in UK broadcasting for over 40 years.
- He is oxford university alumnus.
- He was honoured with a commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for services to television and heritage.
- He also owns Juniper TV.
Whom he is replacing?
Samir shah will replace Richard Sharp, who has been forced to resign after his failure to disclose that he had helped arrange a $8000000 loan to former U.K. prime minister Boris Johnson.
Controversy related to India:
- Controversy erupted when they released a documentary “The Modi question”.
- Later BBC office in India was raided by India tax agent.
SC Guidelines: Personal digital devices
Why in news?
Hearing for the petition filed by Foundation for media professionals in SC for the urgent need on guidelines on search, seizures of digital devices of journalists and establish the safeguards against unreasonable interference by law enforcement agencies.
What is the case?
- 300 devices seized from 90 Journalists.
- It was amounted to the violation of their right to privacy and it has risk of losing their life’s work when police carry off their computers and drives after raid.
- In Pegasus case the privacy became another concern.
Recent update:
- Justice kishan kaul questioned the consel representing the centre regarding the two year delay in this matter.
- Additional solicitor general SV Raju informed about committee and time require for formulating the guidelines.
- ASG afterwards assured the apex court that guidelines would be ready by the next week.