Government Approved Amendment in Benami Transactions Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2015
• The Union Cabinet introduced amendments to the Benami Transactions Prohibition (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in Parliament on July 20, 2016.
• The amendments aim to strengthen the Bill in terms of legal and administrative procedure so as to overcome the practical difficulties which may arise in the implementation of the provisions of the Bill when it becomes an Act.
• The legislation is also intended to effectively prohibit benami transactions and consequently prevent circumvention of law through unfair practices. It empowers the government to confiscate benami property by following due procedure. It therefore promotes equity across all citizens.
• However, those who declare their benami properties under income declaration scheme will get immunity under the Benami Act.
Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016 Approved
• The Union Cabinet approved the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016 on July 20, 2016.
• The Bill will benefit a large number of transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalised section and bring them into the mainstream of society. It will lead to greater inclusivcness and will make the trans-gender persons productive members of the society.
•Transgendef community is among one of the most marginalised communities in the country because they don’t fit into the stereotypical categories of gender of ‘men’ or ‘women’.
• Consequently, they face problems ranging from social exclusion to discrimination, lack of education facilities, unemployment, lack of medical facilities and so on.
• The Bill will make all the stakeholders responsive and accountable for upholding the principles underlying the Bill.
Supreme Court Accepted Lodha Committee Recommendations for Structural Reforms in BCCI
• The Supreme Court on July 18, 2016 accepted the major recommendations of the Lodha Committee on reforms to the BCCI.
• It accepted the recommendation that there should be a players association in the BCCI and the funding of players’ association accepted while leaving it to the Board to decide the extent of funding.
• The Bench accepted the recommendation that one person should hold one post in cricket-administration to avoid any conflict of interest and scrapping of all other administrative committees in the BCCI after the CAG nominee comes in.
• The Court, however, left it to Parliament to decide whether the functioning of the BCCI can be brought under RTI as recommended by the Lodha panel and whether to legalise betting in cricket or not.
• It left it to the Board to decide whether there is need for any change in the existing agreement relating to broadcasting rights and whether a franchise member should be in the Board to avoid any conflict of interest.
See Also – National Current Affairs
‘Lifeline Express’ Completed 25 Years
• Lifeline Express, the world’s first hospital-train to provide medical aid and relief to far-flung and inaccessible areas, completed 25 years of operation on July 16, 2016.
• It started with a simple idea : take the hospital to the people, especially the people of rural India, who remain poorly serviced by healthcare facilities.
• It was developed in collaboration with the Indian Railways and Health Ministry and has been funded by Impact UK, international charitable sources, Indtan corporate houses and individuals. It started on July 16, 1991.
Parliament Cleared Bill to Set-up Regional Centre for Biotechnology
• The Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016 was introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, passed by Parliament on July 18, 2016.
• The Bill States that the objectives of the Regional Centre will include.
(i) Disseminating knowledge by providing teaching and research facilities in biotechnology and related fields.
(ii) Facilitating transfer of technology and knowledge in the SAARC region and generally Asia.
(iii) Creating a hub of biotechnology expertise.
(iv) Promoting cooperation at the international level.
• The Board will be the apex body of the Regional Centre responsible for:
(i) Approving the annual plan and budget of the institute.
(ii) Reviewing its policies and programmes.
(iii) Approving organisational structure.
(iv) Carrying out the projects relevant to the institute.
(v) Expanding fund raising capabilities, etc.
• The Board will have seven members :
(i) The Secretary with the Department of Biotechnology as Chairperson.
(ii) Three scientists nominated by the Central government (not below the rank of Joint Secretary or equivalent rank).
(iii) three representatives of UNESCO.
