CHHATTISGARH CABINET PAVES WAY FOR 32% TRIBAL QUOTA IN EDUCATION

Why in News?

• In a move aimed at allaying the concerns of tribals in Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh ahead of elections, the State Cabinet decided that the admission process in educational institutions would be completed under the “existing” system of 58% reservation [12% for SCs, 32% for STs and 14% for OBCs or the 12-32-14 roster] instead of the [pre-March 2012] 16-20-14 (50%) roster.

Chhattisgarh Cabinet Decision

• The latest decision by the Cabinet on the sensitive and complex issue of reservation – that has witnessed several politico-legal twists and turns in the past one decade – relies on a Supreme Court interim order and a formal legal opinion tendered by the Advocate General.
• As per the interim Supreme Court order, Cabinet has decided to conduct the admission process in the educational institutions of the state under the pre-existing reservation system.

Supreme Court’s order and reservation fiasco

• The apex court in its order allowed 58% quota to continue in jobs and promotions in the State subject to the final outcome of an SLP filed by the government challenging the September 2022 Chhattisgarh High Court decision striking down two legislations increasing the quota. However, the status of admissions in educational institutions remained unclear.
• Later, a government circular said that entrance examinations should be conducted without mentioning reservation provision in the advertisements, and quota would be provided as per the reservation provision applicable in the State at the time of the admission, adding to the confusion.
• As the admissions process began, at least one government institution, Raipur’s Hidayatullah National Law University, admitted the students in early July under the 16-20-14 roster. Alleging that this allowed for only 17 ST students to be admitted in place of 27, rights groups held protests against the lack of clarity and tribal rights being trampled upon.

GS PAPER – II

INDIAN-MADE SYRUP FOUND CONTAMINATED IN IRAQ

Why in News?

• In a medical product alert issued by the WHO: “COLD OUT syrup (Paracetamol and Chlorpheniramine Maleate) identified in the Republic of Iraq and reported to the WHO by a third-party sample was found contaminated.”

About the News

• One batch of COLD OUT — paracetamol and chlorpheniramine combination syrups used to treat symptoms of the common cold and allergy — manufactured by Fourrts India for Dabilife Pharma Private Limited has been reported to the World Health Organization (by a third party) as substandard or contaminated.
• A sample of the COLD OUT Syrup was obtained from one location in Iraq and submitted for laboratory analysis. The sample was found to contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol (0.25%) and ethylene glycol (2.1%) as contaminants. The acceptable safety limit for both ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol is no more than 0.10%.
• The manufacturer and the marketer have not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of the product. The substandard batch of the product referenced in this alert is unsafe and its use may result in serious injury or death.

GS PAPER – II

UAE TO DITHER ON $2-BN INDIA FOOD-PARKS PROPOSAL

Why in News?

• The UAE, which promised $2-billion investments in food parks in India at the four-nation I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) Summit held in July 2022, is yet to deliver on its commitment more than a year later as it continues to raise policy concerns.

UAE’S Apprehensions

• At the summit, attended by PM Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden, among others, the UAE said it would invest $2 billion to develop integrated food parks across India as part of an initiative to enhance food security in West and South Asia.
• However, the UAE has been raising concerns about India’s Essential Commodities Act as three of the identified crops — onions, rice, bananas — are covered under the Act.
• As export curbs can be imposed on such items if there are fears of a domestic shortage, the UAE’s concerns are that the uncertainty could hurt the prospects of the proposal. Queries were also raised by the UAE on India’s taxation policies related to food parks.
• India has already communicated it is ready to work around the problem stemming from the ECA. There have been several meetings between the two sides to sort out concerns such as those related to the Essential Commodities Act.