Aadhaar data can be used for state schemes

Through an amendment to the Aadhaar Act, the Centre has allowed the use of the biometric ID by states for devolution of funds through their schemes. This week, the Rajya Sabha approved amendments to allow the voluntary use of Aadhaar for obtaining mobile phone SIM cards and opening bank accounts. Alongside this, the government also inserted a new clause allowing the use of Aadhaar data by states for implementation of their schemes. According to the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2019, a new Section 5A has also been inserted. “In Section 7 of the Act, after the words ‘the Consolidated Fund of India’, the words ‘or the Consolidated Fund of State’ shall be inserted,” it said. Section 7 pertains to targeted delivery of subsidies from the Consolidated Fund of India. With the addition, states can also use the database now.

Centre clears reforms to boost apprenticeship

A council under the skill and development ministry has cleared proposals like raising the engagement limit of apprentices to 15 per cent of the total strength of an establishment and rationalisation of stipend payable with a view to giving a boost to apprenticeship training. The Central Apprenticeship Council also passed a proposal to lower the size limit of an establishment with mandatory obligation to engage apprentices from 40 to 30. Under the rationalisation of the duration of apprenticeship training for optional trades, a decision was taken to amend the period of apprenticeship training from a minimum of six months to a maximum of 36. A decision was taken to define the minimum stipend rate for each category of apprentices with a provision of an annual increment along with a revision of the minimum base stipend on an annual/biennial basis as the need may be.

Third phase of rural roads project gets nod

To boost connectivity of villages, the Centre has approved the next phase of its rural roads programme. Phase 3 of the flagship Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) involves the consolidation of 1.25 lakh km of existing rural roads connecting villages to rural agricultural markets, higher secondary schools and hospitals. Plastic waste will also be used during work on these roads. Phase 3 will entail an estimated cost of Rs 80,250 crore, which would be shared in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and states. In case of eight north-eastern and three Himalayan states the ratio will be 90:10. PMGSY was launched in 2000 with an aim to provide all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitation of designated population size of more than 500 in plain areas and 250 in north-east, hill, tribal and desert areas.

Nod to set up unified river disputes tribunal

The Union Cabinet has given its nod to set up a single, permanent tribunal to adjudicate all inter-state river water disputes, subsuming existing nine, with an aim to resolve grievances of states in a speedy manner. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar lamented that it has taken anything from “17 to 27 years” to resolve disputes by these tribunals. Besides the new tribunal, the government has also proposed to float its benches by amending the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, to look into disputes as and when required. Unlike the tribunal, the benches will cease to exist once the disputes are resolved. As per an earlier Bill, a retired Supreme Court judge will head the tribunal. There will be benches formed as and when required. The tribunal will be mandated to deliver final award in two years.

Union Cabinet approves transgender Bill

The Union Cabinet has approved a Bill that provides a mechanism for social, economic and educational empowerment of transgenders by defining their identity and rights to prohibit discrimination against them. 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 the society, an official statement said. This will lead to inclusiveness and make them productive members of the society, it said. Passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019, which aims at empowering the community by defining and protecting their rights, is one of the priorities of the social justice and empowerment ministry in the first 100 days agenda of the Modi 2.0 government.

Kerala to set up NRK investment company

The Kerala government has decided to form a Non-Resident Keralites (NRK) investment company with 74 per cent stake to be held by expats. As much as 74 per cent of the capital will be raised by issuing shares to NRKs, while the government will have a 26 per cent stake in the NRK Investment and Holding Co Ltd, the main aim of which is to utilise NRI investments for implementing various projects. For this, a separate or a subsidiary company may be set up under the holding company. The formation of the company was among the major recommendations submitted by the standing committees of the Loka Kerala Sabha, an event hosted by the state government to bring Keralites living around the globe under one platform and utilising the NRK expertise for developing the state.

Bill removing cap on green cards passed

US lawmakers passed a Bill on July 10 aimed at lifting the 7 per cent country cap on issuing green cards, which would benefit thousands of highly-skilled Indian IT professionals. Passed by the US House of Representatives, the Bill - on being signed into law - would considerably reduce the agonising wait for professionals from countries like India seeking permanent work and residency permits in the US. Titled the Fairness of High-Skilled Immigrants Act, 2019 or HR 1044, the Bill was passed by the 435-member House by an overwhelming majority of 365-65 votes. As per the current system, out of the total number of family-based immigrant visas to be given by the US in a particular year, the people of a country can be given a maximum of 7 per cent of such visas. The new Bill seeks to increase this country limit to 15 per cent.

Hayabusa2 probe lands on asteroid again

Japan’s Hayabusa2 probe landed successfully on a distant asteroid for a final touchdown, hoping to collect samples that could shed light on the evolution of the solar system. “The touchdown is successful,” said Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) spokesman Takayuki Tomobe. JAXA officials said earlier that the probe appeared to have landed successfully, but confirmation came only after Hayabusa2 lifted back up from the asteroid and resumed communications with the control room. “All of us are relieved to see that the probe has resumed sending data from its antenna, which can send a large amount of data,” Tomobe said. The brief landing on July 11 is the second time Hayabusa2 has touched down on the desolate asteroid Ryugu, some 300 million km from Earth.