9 PM Current Affairs Brief – February 14, 2019

Rajya Sabha clears law removing leprosy as ground for divorce The Parliament has cleared the Personal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2018. The bill aims to remove leprosy- a chronic neuro-muscular disorder- as a ground for divorce. The bill seeks to amend (a) the Divorce Act, 1869, (b) the Dissolution of Muslim Marriage Act, 1939, (c) the… Continue reading Rajya Sabha clears law removing leprosy as ground for divorce

Meghalaya puts cap on weight of school bags The Meghalaya government has put a cap on the weight of schoolbags for all classes. It has also restricted schools from assigning homework to students of classes I and II, except in subjects recommended by CBSE, ICSE or the state board. Meghalaya government’s orders are in line… Continue reading Meghalaya puts cap on weight of school bags

Citizenship, triple talaq Bills lapse The Citizenship (amendment) Bill and The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2018 lapsed as they could not be passed in the Rajya Sabha since both the houses were adjourned sine die(house is dismissed for an indefinite period) The legislative procedure states that a Bill which is pending… Continue reading Citizenship, triple talaq Bills lapse

Rajasthan clears 5% quota for Gujjars The Rajasthan government has passed the Rajasthan Backward Classes (Reservation of Seats in Educational Institutes in the State and of Appointments and Posts in Services under the State) Amendment Bill, 2019. The bill comes in the backdrop of two similar bills passed in 2015 and 2017 which were struck… Continue reading Rajasthan clears 5% quota for Gujjars

Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans-fat hazard In a first, Kerala has formulated a draft action plan against trans-fat. Trans-fat are made by adding hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. It is used to increase the shelf life of foods. The WHO estimates that consumption of partially hydrogenated vegetable oils… Continue reading Kerala takes the lead in tackling trans-fat hazard

U.S. to discuss trade, e-com rules with India U.S. and Indian government officials will hold talks to resolve their differences over trade and investment. India and the United States have differences over a range of issues like a) India’s new rules on e-commerce that affected firms such as Amazon and Walmart b) Data localisation rules… Continue reading U.S. to discuss trade, e-com rules with India

Only 84% rural households have electricity in four States’ According to a private sector survey, only 84% of rural households have electricity connection in the four States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha and Rajasthan. This is in contrary to Saubhagya Scheme data. The government data claims that 100% household electrification has been achieved in Uttar… Continue reading Only 84% rural households have electricity in four States’

99.82% projects in forests got nod According to a response to a query in the Lok Sabha, National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has given forest clearance to 98% of projects that came for scrutiny since 2014. The NBWL has been constituted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972- an act to provide for the protection of… Continue reading 99.82% projects in forests got nod