14 January 2016 – Daily Current Affairs

Sugar Cess Bill (Amendment bill) approved by President Pranab Mukherjee

The amended Sugar Cess Bill 2015 was approved by residing President Pranab Mukherjee on 8 ^th January 2015. As per the amended bill, impost for ceiling will be increased to Rupees 200 per quintal from the current 25 Rupees. This will largely help cash-starved mills and ailing sugarcane growers.

Originally, Lok Sabha has passed the bill on December 15th, 2015. However, the consideration phase on 23rd December 2015 in Rajya Sabha was largely opposed by the opposition parties. The bill has been declared as a money bill and became an official law after approval of President Mukherjee.

PMFBY (pradhan mantri fasal bima yojana) approved by Union Cabinet for farming sector development

With the objective of boosting the current agricultural scenario of India, on 13 ^th January 2016 a new insurance scheme for crops was launched. The scheme, termed as PMF (Pradhan Mantri Fasal) Bima Yojana was approved by Union Cabinet Chairman and current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. With a unique theme ‘One Nation’, this scheme aims to correct all shortcomings as well as weaknesses of the previous schemes. Also, it will filter out the best features of each scheme and incorporate them to the new scheme for faster development and boosting of the farming sector.

Now fast track courts will be established for witchcraft- related attacks in Jharkhand

With the objective of speedy trial and closure of witchcraft related cases, the government of Jharkhand decided to establish fast-track courts in Jharkhand on 13 ^th January 2016. According to official statement released, courts will be established in Chaibasa, Khunti, Ranchi,Simdega and Palamau. This decision was finalised during the cabinet meeting chaired by current Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Raghubar Das. The decision was based on reports suggesting an increase in witchcraft-related issues and attacks in many areas across Jharkhand. As per these reports, almost 40-50 women are being killed every year after being accused of witchcraft.

Arvind Panagariya chaired committee formed by Union Government for monitoring of India’s first Bullet-train project

On 11th January 2016, a high-level committee consisting of five-membered team was formed with the objective of monitoring of India’s first project on bullet train. The project ‘Mumbai-Ahmedabad High- Speed Corridor’s will be chaired by Arvind Panagaria who is current Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog. The committee’s mandate is looking after the overall technical and operational issues, financial outlay and components related to the project, which is worth rupees 9,000 Crore. Another objective behind the committee’s formation was overviewing the strategic importance of the project and its effect on the bilateral relation between India and Japan.

Draft Bill for Transgender Person’s Rights released by Union Government

With the objective of establishing reservation benefits for the transgender community, Union government released a draft bill during January’s second week. This draft bill was formulated by the Social Justice and Empowerment. As per this draft, any transgender who is not falling under Scheduled Tribes or Scheduled Caste category can be categorised under the Backward Class. Their reservation entitlement under this bill shall be same as that of the OBC category. Other benefits such as educational waiver, accommodation facilities etc. shall also be entitled to the transgender committee as per this bill.