NGT banned burning of plastic, rubber across the country
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned “unregulated open burning” of plastic, rubber or such other articles across the country. NGT directed all the municipal authorities to ‘set up, operationalise and coordinate the waste management systems within their limits
All the plastic waste/scrap dealers and/or recyclers including the members of the PVC and Plastic Waste Dealers Association, respondent herein, shall be bounded from carrying on their business of separatism of plastic waste and its eventual transfer to recyclers or disposal contrary to and without registration under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011.
The NGT’s judgment came on a plea alleging illegal burning of plastic, rubber and related waste in various villages in North and North West Delhi.
About National Green Tribunal
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT) is a federal legislation enacted by the Parliament of India, under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment. The tribunal itself is a special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.
India’s trade deficit with China nears record $30 b
As per the data released by the China’s General Administration of Customs, India’s trade deficit with China after 11 months of this year has reached a record $29.5 billion, exceeding 2012’s annual figure. Towards the end of 2013, India’s exports to China reached only $14.87 billion out of total bilateral trade of $59.24 billion.
The numbers underline the sharp decline in once-burgeoning trade, which reached $74 billion in 2011 when China became India’s biggest trading partner.
In 2012, India’s the trade deficit with China registered a 10% decline to reach 66.50 billion dollar, even as both the countries announced an ambitious 100 billion trade target to be achieved by 2015. The decline was partly the result of 20% slump in India’s exports, largely on account of iron ore mining bans by China and partly on account of global slowdown.
What is Trade deficit?
An economic measure of a negative balance of trade in which a country’s imports exceeds its exports. A trade deficit represents an outflow of domestic currency to foreign markets.
India’s Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade held in US on visa fraud charges
India’s Deputy Consul General Devyani Khobragade arrested in New York for an alleged case of visa fraud and making false statements in connection with the visa application for an Indian national employee who was domestic helper in her home. Later on, she released on a $250000 bond after she pleaded not guilty in a court.
The U.S. State Department clarified that Indian diplomat does not enjoy immunity from US laws. It is firm about its policies in support of the domestic workers. Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations(VCCR), the Indian Deputy Consul General enjoys immunity from the jurisdiction of US courts only with respect to acts performed in the exercise of consular functions.
Ms. Devyani is currently employed as the Deputy Consul General for Political, Economic, Commercial and Women’s Affairs at the Consulate General of India in New York.
Why was Ms. Devyani Khobragade arrested?
Indian diplomat Ms. Devyani was accused of paying her domestic assistant just a few dollars an hour and lying on a visa application. The minimum wage paid to the employee in USA is $4,500 a month, but she was paying only $530 a month.
What is the reaction of Indian Embassy over the arrest of Indian Diplomat?
The Indian embassy pointed to Article 41 (section 3) of VCCR (Personal Inviolability of Consular Officers) which clearly says that proceedings against a consular officer “shall be conducted with the respect due to him by reason of his official position”. The Indian Government has taken this issue forcefully with the US saying that the action by law authorities was in complete violation of this Article and least expected from a friendly country.
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963:
The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 is an international treaty that defines a framework for consular relations between independent countries. A consul normally operates out of an embassy in another country, and performs two functions:
protecting in the host country the interests of their countrymen, and
furthering the commercial and economic relations between the two countries.
While a consul is not a diplomat, they work out of the same premises, and under this treaty they are afforded most of the same privileges, including a variation of diplomatic immunity called consular immunity. The treaty has been ratified by 176 countries.
“Unbreakable”: The autobiography of Mary Kom unveiled
Mary Kom, the legendary boxer from North East wrote her autobiography titled “Unbreakable”. The book was inaugurated by Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan at Mumbai. Mary decided to pen down her life’s battles, so that she could inspire and motivate others to never loose hope and fight for their dream. The autobiography details her rise to the top from a modest background; the book beautifully brings out her long lasting spirit and is an inspirational story for everyone, especially for women.
About Mary Kom
Five-time World Boxing champion, and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships.
First Indian women boxer to qualify and win a bronze medal at the London Olympics in the flyweight (51 kg) category.
Won lots of awards like Padma Bhushan (2013), Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award (2009), Padma Shree (2006), Arjuna Award (2003), etc.
Appointed the International Boxing Association’s Ambassador for Women’s Boxing in 2009.
Indian Govt pulls up Army chief for accepting U.S. military honor ‘Legion of Merit’ without its permission
The Indian government pulled up the country’s Army chief General Bikram Singh for accepting a ‘Legion of Merit’ ,the sixth highest American military honor, without its approval. The Indian Defense Ministry questioned that the bestowment of the honor was not the part of General Singh’s itinerary during his visit to the U. S., then why he accepted the ‘Legion of Merit’, without prior clearance from the government.
General Bikram Singh is the fifth Indian armed forces officer, to have received the award after Field Marshal Kariappa and first Indian Chief of Army Staff Gen Rajendra Singhji.
What is Legion of Merit?
It is the sixth highest American U.S. Military award which is awarded to both US military personnel as well as to military and political figures of other nations for exceptionally meritorious conduct and services.
Note: As per the norms, any Indian defense forces official has to seek permission from the government to accept foreign honors.
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