July 2019 Daily News Current Affairs

1. Keeping in view 15th August 2022 timeline for realization of Gaganyaan human space programme, it is prudent to avail technical cooperation from International space agencies, with demonstrated technical capabilities in specific areas. 
2. Earlier, ISRO Technical Liaison Units are established at at Washington(USA) and Paris (France), to liaise with various Government and space agencies in USA and Europe, respectively.

1. It will boost confidence of investors and shall provide a positive signal to foreign investors about India's commitment to adhere to international practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
2. To encourage international commercial arbitration in India and to evolve a comprehensive ecosystem of arbitration, Government is establishing New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) as a statutory body.
3. Commercial Courts Act 2015, has been further amended and legislative exercise to further amend Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, is underway. These will encourage settlement of commercial disputes, domestic and international, in India through ADR Mechanism of Arbitration, Conciliation and Mediation.
4. UN General Assembly adopted UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation ("the Convention") in December 2018. It was authorized that Convention will open for signature at a signing ceremony to be held on 7th August 2019 in Singapore and will be known as the "Singapore Convention on Mediation" (the Convention).
5. Convention provides a uniform and efficient framework for the enforcement of international settlement agreements.

Per Kg Subsidy rates (in Rs) - 

1. It allows trusts to establish units in Special Economic Zone (SEZs). It replaces Special Economic Zone (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 promulgated March 2019 and amends SEZ Act 2005.
2. It amends definition of “person” under Section 2(v) of SEZ Act 2005 to include ‘trusts’. Apart from trusts, it also includes any entity that central government may notify from time to time in definition of ‘person’. As per act, proposal for establishment of SEZ be made by any “person”.

1. It will replace The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 by amendments in Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act 2004 and bringing persons residing in the areas adjoining International Border within the ambit of reservation at par with persons living in areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALoC).

1. It amends Homoeopathy Central Council Act 1973 and replaces the Homoeopathy Central Council (Amendment) Ordinance 2019 that was promulgated in March 2019.  It sets up Central Council of Homoeopathy which regulates homoeopathic education and practice.

1. It provide for reservation of posts in appointments by direct recruitment of persons belonging to SC/ST and Educationally Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections to teachers’ cadre in Central Educational Institutions. It aims at   implementing 200-point reservation system instead of 13-point roster system for concerned recruitment.

1. It amends Central Universities Act 2009, which establishes universities for teaching and research in various states. Bill provides for establishment of two central universities in Andhra Pradesh to be known as the Central University of Andhra Pradesh and the Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh.

1. It amends Indian Medical Council Act 1956 and replaces Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Second Ordinance 2019 which was promulgated in February 2019. 
2. It sets up Medical Council of India (MCI) which regulates medical education and practice. 
3. 1956 Act provides for supersession of MCI and its reconstitution within a period of three years from the date of its supersession. In interim period, Act requires government to constitute a Board of Governors, to exercise powers of MCI.  The Bill amends the Act to reduce time period for supersession of the MCI from 3 years to 2 years.
   
4. Act provides for Board of Governors to consist of up to seven members including persons of eminence in medical education, appointed by government. Bill amends this provision to increase strength of Board from 7 to 12 members.

1. It amends Dentists Act 1948, which regulates profession of dentistry and constitutes Dental Council of India, State Dental Councils and Joint State Dental Councils.  
   
2. Register of dentists is maintained under Act in Part A and Part B.  Persons with recognised dental qualifications are registered in Part A and persons not possessing such qualifications are in Part B.  Part B persons are those who have practicing as dentists for at least 5 years.  
3. Under the Act, composition of mentioned Councils includes representation from dentists registered in Part B.  The Bill seeks to remove mandatory requirement of representation of dentists registered in Part B in these Councils.

1. Bill amends Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, which provides for a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State Human Rights Commissions (SHRC), as well as Human Rights Courts.
   
2. Under the Act, chairperson of NHRC is a person who has been a Chief Justice of Supreme Court. Bill amends this to provide that a person who has been a Judge of Supreme Court. 
   
3. Act provides for two persons having knowledge of human rights to be appointed as members of the NHRC. Bill amends this to allow three members to be appointed, of which at least one will be a woman. 
4. the Act, the chairperson of a SHRC is a person who has been a Chief Justice of a High Court.  The Bill amends this to provide that a person who has been a Judge of a High Court will be chairperson of a SHRC.  
   
5. Act states that chairperson and members of the NHRC and SHRC will hold office for five years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.  Bill reduces the term of office to three years or till the age of seventy years, whichever is earlier.   
   
6. Bill provides that government may confer on a SHRC human rights functions being discharged by Union Territories.  Functions relating to human rights in case of Delhi will be dealt with by NHRC.

1. Bill additionally allows ‘offline verification’ of an individual’s identity, without authentication, through modes specified by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) by regulations. During offline verification, agency must obtain consent of individual, inform them of alternatives to sharing information, and not collect Aadhaar number / biometric information.
   
2. It allows voluntary linking of the 12-digit identification number as part of know your customer (KYC) guidelines to open bank accounts or get a mobile connection.
3. Entities using Aadhaar - Under the Act, usage of Aadhaar number for establishing identity of an individual, is permitted.  Bill removes this provision and makes the permission subject to several UIDAI regulations.
   
4. Aadhaar number of children - Bill specifies that at the time of enrolling a child to obtain an Aadhaar number, enrolling agency shall seek consent of his parent or guardian. After attaining 18 years age, child may apply for cancellation of its Aadhaar.
   
5. Disclosure of information in certain cases - Under the Act, restrictions on confidentiality of Aadhaar information do not apply in case disclosure is pursuant to an order of a District Court (or above).  Bill amends this to allow such disclosure only for orders by High Courts (or above).  Bill amends rule to allow such disclosure on directions of officers not below the rank of a Secretary (Joint Secretary earlier).
   
6. UIDAI Fund - Under the Act, fees and revenue collected by UIDAI will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.  Bill removes this provision, and creates Unique Identification Authority of India Fund.
7. Complaints - Under the Act, courts can take cognizance of an offence only if UIDAI registers a complaint.  Bill amends this to allow individual to register complaints in certain cases, including impersonation or disclosure of their identity.  
   
8. Bill defines Aadhaar ecosystem to include enrolling agencies, requesting agencies, and offline verification-seeking entities.
   
9. Penalties - Under the Bill, UIDAI may initiate a complaint against an entity in Aadhaar ecosystem for failure to comply with Act or UIDAI directions, and furnish information required by UIDAI.  Adjudicating Officers appointed by UIDAI may impose penalties up to 1 crore rupees on such entities. 

1. It amends Right to Information Act 2005.
2. Under the Act, Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) and Information Commissioners (ICs) are appointed for term of five years. Bill states that central government will notify term of office for the CIC and ICs.
   
3. Bill seeks to amend provisions related to salaries, allowances, and other terms and conditions of service of the central and state CIC and ICs, stating thet these will be determined by the central government.
   
4. Act states that at the time of the appointment of the CIC and ICs (at the central and state level), if they are receiving pension or any other retirement benefits for previous government service, their salaries will be reduced by an amount equal to the pension.  Bill removes these provisions.

1. Bill seeks to provide for establishment of a 7 Member NDIAC to conduct arbitration, mediation, and conciliation proceedings.  It declares NDIAC as an institution of national importance.
   
2. International Centre for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ICADR) is a registered society to promote resolution of disputes through alternative dispute resolution methods (such as arbitration and mediation). Bill seeks to transfer existing ICADR to central government
3. Members of NDIAC will hold office for three years and will be eligible for re-appointment. retirement age for Chairperson is 70 years and other members is 67 years.
4. NDIAC will establish a Chamber of Arbitration which will maintain a permanent panel of arbitrators.  NDIAC may also establish an Arbitration Academy for training arbitrators and conducting research in area of alternative dispute resolution. 

1. It amends National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act 2008 and provides for a national-level agency to investigate and prosecute offences listed in a schedule (scheduled offences).
2. Scheduled offences are are to be investigated and prosecuted by NIA.  These offences under Acts such as Atomic Energy Act 1962 and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967. 
3. Bill seeks to allow NIA to investigate the following offences, in addition - human trafficking, offences related to counterfeit currency or bank notes, manufacture or sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism, and offences under Explosive Substances Act 1908.       
4. Bill states that in addition, officers of NIA will have the power to investigate scheduled offences committed outside India, subject to international treaties and domestic laws of other countries
5. Act allows the central government to constitute Special Courts for the trial of scheduled offences.  Bill amends this to state that central government may designate Sessions Courts as Special Courts for trial of scheduled offences.

1. It amends Companies Act, 2013. 
   
2. Act contains 81 compoundable offences punishable with fine or fine or imprisonment, or both. Bill re-categorizes 16 of these offences as civil defaults, where adjudicating officers may now levy penalties instead.
   
3. Under the Act, if companies which have to provide for Corporate Social Responsibility, do not fully spent funds, they must disclose reasons for non-spending. Under the Bill, any unspent annual CSR funds must be transferred to one of funds under Schedule 7 of Act (e.g., PM Relief Fund) within six months of financial year.
   
   1. However, if CSR funds are committed to certain ongoing projects, then unspent funds will have to be transferred to an Unspent CSR Account within 30 days of end of the financial year, and spent within three years.
   2. Any violation may attract fine between Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,00,000 and every defaulting officer may be punished with imprisonment of up to three years and / or fine 50,000 and 25,00,000. 
      
4. Under the Act, the National Financial Reporting Authority can debar a member / firm from practising as a Chartered Accountant for a period between six months to 10 years, for misconduct.
   1. Bill amends punishment to provide for debarment from appointment as an auditor / internal auditor of a company, or performing a company’s valuation, for period between six months to 10 years.
      
5. Bill states that a company may not commence business, unless it files a declaration within 180 days of incorporation, confirming that every subscriber to Memorandum of the company has paid for shares taken by him, and files a verification of its registered address with RoC within 30 days of incorporation.
   
6. Act requires companies to register charges on their property within 30 days of creation of charge, extendable upto 300 days with permission of RoC.  Bill changes deadline to 60 days (extendable by 60 days). 
   
7. Under the Act, change in period of financial year for a company associated with a foreign company, has to be approved by National Company Law Tribunal. Bill transfers these powers to central government. 
   
8. Under the Act, a regional director can settle offences with a penalty of up to five lakh rupees.  Bill increases this ceiling to Rs 25 lakh. 
   
9. Under the Act, central government or certain shareholders can apply to NCLT for relief against mismanagement of the affairs of company. 
   1. Bill states that in such a complaint, government may also make a case against an officer on ground that he is not fit to hold office, for reasons such as fraud / negligence.  If NCLT passes an order against officer, he will not be eligible to hold office in any company for five years. 
      
10. If a person holds beneficial interest of at least 25% shares in a company or exercises significant influence or control over the company, he is required to make a declaration of his interest.

1. It provides for a mechanism to ban unregulated deposit schemes and protect interests of depositors. It also seeks to amend three laws - Reserve Bank of India Act 1934, Securities and Exchange Board of India Act 1992 and Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act 2002.
2. Bill bans unregulated deposit schemes.  A deposit-taking scheme is defined as unregulated if it is taken for a business purpose and is not registered with the regulators listed in the Bill. 
   
3. Bill provides for the appointment of one or more government officers, not below rank of Secretary to state / central government, as Competent Authority.  Police officers receiving information about offences under Bill will report to Competent Authority. 
4. Police officers (not below rank of an officer-in-charge of a police station) may seize any property believed to be connected with an offence under Bill, with or without a warrant.   Competent Authority will have powers similar to those vested in a civil court.
5. Bill provides for the constitution of one or more Designated Courts in specified areas. 
   
6. After provisional attachment of deposit taker’s assets, Competent Authority will approach Designated within 30 days (extendable to 60 days). to make provisional attachment absolute and ask for permission to sell assets.
7. Designated Court shall will seek to complete process within 180 days of being approached by Competent Authority.
   
8. Bill provides for central government to designate an authority to create an online central database for information on deposit takers. 
9. Bill defines three types of offences, and penalties related to them -
   1. Running (advertising, promoting, operating or accepting money for) unregulated deposit schemes.
   2. Fraudulently defaulting on regulated deposit schemes
   3. Wrongfully inducing depositors to invest in unregulated deposit schemes by willingly falsifying facts. 
   4. Penalties -
      1. Accepting unregulated deposits will be punishable with imprisonment between 2 - 7 years, along with fine ranging from 3 - 10 lakh rupees. 
      2. Defaulting in repayment of unregulated deposits will be punishable with imprisonment between 3 - 10 years, and a fine ranging from 5 lakh rupees to twice the amount collected from depositors.
      3. Repeated offenders will be punishable with imprisonment between 5 - 10, along with a fine ranging from Rs 10 lakh to five crore rupees.

1. It replaces an Ordinance promulgated on February 21, 2019.  
   
2. Bill makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be void and illegal.  It defines talaq as talaq-e-biddat or any other similar form of talaq pronounced by a Muslim man resulting in instant and irrevocable divorce.  
   1. Talaq-e-biddat refers to practice under Muslim personal laws where pronouncement of word ‘talaq’ thrice in one sitting by a Muslim man to his wife results in an instant and irrevocable divorce. 
      
3. Bill makes declaration of talaq a cognizable offence, attracting up to three years’ imprisonment with a fine.
   1. Cognizable offence is one for which a police officer may arrest an accused person without warrant.
4. Bill provides that the Magistrate may grant bail to accused.  Bail may be granted only after hearing woman, and if Magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for granting bail.
   
5. Offence may be compounded by Magistrate upon request of woman. 
   1. Compounding refers to the procedure where the two sides agree to stop legal proceedings, and settle dispute.  
      
6. Affected woman is entitled to seek subsistence allowance from her husband for herself and for her dependent children, with amount to be determined by Magistrate.
   
7. Affected Muslim woman is entitled to seek custody of her minor children. Manner of custody will be determined by Magistrate.

1. It amends Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016., which provides a time-bound process for resolving insolvency in companies and among individuals.
   1. Under the Code, a creditor may file an application before National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for initiating insolvency resolution process. NCLT must find existence of default within 14 days.  A Committee of Creditors (CoC) consisting of financial creditors will then be constituted for taking decisions regarding insolvency resolution.  CoC may either decide to restructure debtor’s debt by preparing a resolution plan or liquidate debtor’s assets.
      
   2. CoC must complete a resolution process within 180 days, extendable by 90 days if the extension is approved by NCLT.   
   3. If resolution plan is rejected by CoC, debtor will go into liquidation. Code places financial creditors ahead of operational creditors.  In a 2018 Amendment, home-buyers who paid advances to a developer were to be considered as financial creditors.   
      
2. Bill addresses three issues -
   1. Strengthens provisions related to time-limits. 
   2. Specifies minimum payouts to operational creditors in any resolution plan. 
   3. Specifies manner in which representative of a group of financial creditors (such as home-buyers) should vote.  
      
3. Resolution plan -
   1. Code provides that resolution plan must ensure that operational creditors receive an amount which should not be lesser than amount they would receive in case of liquidation.  Bill amends this to provide that amounts to be paid to operational creditor should be higher of -
      1. Amounts receivable under liquidation, and
      2. Amount receivable under a resolution plan, if such amounts were distributed under same order of priority (as for liquidation).
         1. E.g, if default were for Rs 1,000 crore and resolution recovered 800 crores, operational creditor must at least get an amount which they would have received if Rs 800 crore have been obtained through liquidation proceeds.
      3. Bill states that this provision would also apply to insolvency processes.
         
4. As per Code, NCLT must determine b existence of default within 14 days of receiving a resolution application.  Bill states that in case NCLT does not find existence of default and has not passed an order within 14 days, it must record reasons in writing. 
   
5. Code states that insolvency resolution process must be completed within 180 days, extendable by a period of up to 90 days.  Bill adds that resolution process must be completed within 330 days, including extension and time taken in legal proceedings.  On the enactment of Bill, if any case is pending for over 330 days, Bill states it must be resolved within 90 days.
   
6. Code specifies that, in cases when debt is owed to a class of creditors beyond a specified number, financial creditors will be represented on committee of creditors by an authorised representative, who will vote on behalf of creditors.

1. It amends Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012, which seeks to protect children from offences such as sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography.
2. The Bill enhances jail term / fine for variosu types of sexual crimes against children.
3. Act penalises storage of pornographic material for commercial purposes with a punishment of up to three years, or a fine, or both.  Bill amends this to provide that the punishment can be imprisonment between three to five years, or a fine, or both.

1. It seeks to repeal Indian Medical Council Act 1956 and provide for a reformed medical education system.
   
2. Bill sets up National Medical Commission (NMC).  Within three years of the passage of the Bill, state governments will establish State Medical Councils at state level.  NMC will consist of 25 members, appointed by central government. 
   NMC will look after Functions related to medical education and profession across nation.
   
3. Central government will constitute a Medical Advisory Council, as primary platform through which states/UTs can put forth their views and concerns before NMC.
4. Bill sets up autonomous boards under the supervision of NMC. 
   1. Under-Graduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) and the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board (PGMEB).
   2. Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) - Will have the power to levy monetary penalties on medical institutions which fail to maintain the minimum standards as laid down by the UGMEB and PGMEB. 
   3. Ethics and Medical Registration Board - Will maintain a National Register of all licensed medical practitioners, and regulate professional conduct. 
5. NMC may grant a limited license to certain mid-level practitioners connected with the modern medical profession to practice medicine. These practitioners may prescribe specified medicines in primary and preventive healthcare.
6. There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to under-graduate and post-graduate super-speciality medical education in all medical institutions regulated under the Bill. 
7. Bill proposes a common final year undergraduate examination called the National Exit Test for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for practice.

1. It seeks to amend Motor Vehicles Act 1988, to provide for road safety.  
2. Government will develop a scheme for cashless treatment of road accident victims during golden hour.  Bill defines golden hour as time period of up to one hour following a traumatic injury, during which the likelihood of preventing death through prompt medical care is highest.  Bill increases minimum compensation for hit and run cases.
   
3. Bill requires government to constitute a Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, to provide compulsory insurance cover to all road users in India, to be utilised for related causes. 
   
4. Bill defines a good samaritan as a person who renders emergency medical or non-medical assistance to a victim at the scene of an accident.  Such a person will not be liable for any civil or criminal action for any injury to or death of an accident victim. 
   
5. Bill allows government to order for recall of motor vehicles if a defect in vehicle may cause damage to environment / driver / other road users.
   
6. Government may develop a National Transportation Policy, in consultation with state governments. 
   
7. Bill provides for a National Road Safety Board to be created by central government. It will advise central and state governments on all aspects of road safety and traffic management.
   
8. Bill increases penalties for several offences under the Act. 
   1. Maximum penalty for driving under influence of alcohol or drugs has been increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000.  If a vehicle manufacturer fails to comply with motor vehicle standards, penalty will be a fine of up to Rs 100 crore, or imprisonment of up to one year.  government may increase fines mentioned under Act every year by up to 10%. 
      

1. It amends Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
2. Bill additionally empowers government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds such as terrortist organizations.  
   
3. Bill adds Provisions related to that if investigation is conducted by an officer of National Investigation Agency (NIA), approval of Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of such property.  
   
4. Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act.  The Schedule lists nine treaties.  Bill adds another treaty to the list - International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

1. It amends Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956, which provides for adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys. 
   
2. Under the Bill, when a state puts in a request regarding any water dispute, central government will set up a Disputes Resolution Committee (DRC), to resolve the dispute. DRC will comprise of a Chairperson, and experts with at least 15 years of experience in relevant sectors.
   1. DRC will seek to resolve dispute through negotiations, within one year (extendable by six months). If dispute cannot be settled by DRC, central government will refer it to Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal, within 3 months from receipt of report from DRC. 
      
   2. Central government will set up an Inter-State River Water Disputes Tribunal, for adjudication of water disputes. All existing Tribunals will be dissolved, and pending disputes will be transferred to new Tribunal.  Tribunal will consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, three judicial members, and three expert members. 
3. Under the Act, Tribunal must give its decision within three years, which may be extended by two years.  Under the Bill, the proposed Tribunal must give its decision on the dispute within two years, which may be extended by another year.
   
4. Under the Act, decision of Tribunal must be published by central government in official gazette, with same force as that of an order of Supreme Court.  Bill removes requirement of such publication. 
5. Bill adds that decision of Tribunal will be final and binding on parties involved in dispute.  Bill makes it mandatory for central government to make a scheme to give effect to decision of Tribunal.  
   
6. Under the Act, central government maintains a data bank and information system at national level for each river basin.  Bill provides that central government will authorise an agency to maintain such data bank.

1. It subsumes relevant provisions of Minimum Wages Act, 1948, The Payment of Wages Act, 1936, The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 and The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. After enactment of Code on Wages, all these four Acts will get repealed.
2. The Code on Wage universalizes provisions of minimum wages and timely payment of wages to all employees irrespective of the sector and wage ceiling.
3. At present, the provisions of both Minimum Wages Act and Payment of Wages Act apply on workers below a particular wage ceiling working in Scheduled Employments only. This would ensure "Right to Sustenance" for every worker and intends to increase the legislative protection of minimum wage from existing about 40% to 100% workforce.
4. At present, many of the states have multiple minimum wages. Through Code on Wages, the methodology to fix the minimum wages has been simplified and rationalised by doing away with type of employment as one of the criteria for fixation of minimum wage.

1. Bill repeals 68 laws that have been listed in the First Schedule of the Bill.  These include Beedi Workers Welfare Fund Act 1976 and Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2001.
   
2. Bill makes minor amendments to two Acts which relate to substitution of certain words. The two Acts are Income Tax Act 1961, and India Institutes of Management Act 2017.

1. It replaces Consumer Protection Act 1986. 
2. Six consumer rights have been defined in the Bill -
   1. To be protected against marketing of goods and services which are hazardous to life and property
   2. To be informed of the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods or services
   3. To be assured of access to a variety of goods or services at competitive prices
   4. To seek redressal against unfair or restrictive trade practices.
3. Government will set up a Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to protect and enforce rights of consumers.  CCPA will regulate matters related to violation of consumer rights, unfair trade practices, and misleading advertisements. 
4. CCPA may impose a penalty on a manufacturer or an endorser of up to Rs 10 lakh and imprisonment for up to two years for amisleading advertisement. In subsequent offence, fine may extend to Rs 50 lakh and imprisonment of up to five years.
   
5. Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (CDRCs) will be set up at the district, state, and national levels. 
6. District CDRC will entertain complaints where value of goods and services does not exceed Rs one crore.  State CDRC will entertain complaints when the value is more than Rs one crore but does not exceed Rs 10 crore.  Complaints with value of goods and services over Rs 10 crore will be entertained by the National CDRC.
   

1. It amends Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act 2008, which established Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA).  AERA regulates tariffs and other charges for aeronautical services provided at civilian airports with annual traffic above 15 lakh passengers. 
   
2. Act defines a major airport as one with annual passenger traffic over 15 lakh, or any other airports as notified by the central government.  Bill increases the threshold of annual passenger traffic for major airports to over 35 lakh.  
3. Bill adds several clauses related to determining tariff, tariff structures, or development fees.

1. It seeks to amend National Institute of Design Act 2014, which declares National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad as an institution of national importance.
2. Bill seeks to declare four National Institutes of Design in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Haryana as institutions of national importance. Currently, these are registered as Societies under the Societies Registration Act 1860 and do not have the power to grant degrees or diplomas.

1. It amends Jallianwala Bagh National Memorial Act 1951, which provides for erection of a National Memorial in memory of those killed / wounded on April 13, 1919, in Jallianwala Bagh.  It also creates a Trust to manage the Memorial.
   
2. Under Act, Trustees of Memorial include PM as Chairperson, President of Indian National Congress, Minister in-charge of Culture, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Governor of Punjab, Chief Minister of Punjab, and 3 eminent persons nominated by government.  Bill removes President of Indian National Congress as a Trustee. 
3. Act provides that three trustees nominated by government will be trustees for a period of five years and will be eligible for renomination. Bill allows government to terminate term of a nominated trustee before expiry of period of his term without assigning any reason.

1. Bill defines surrogacy as a practice where a woman gives birth to a child for an intending couple with intention to hand over the child after birth to intending couple.
2. Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy, but allows altruistic surrogacy.  Altruistic surrogacy involves no monetary compensation to the surrogate mother other than the medical expenses and insurance coverage during pregnancy.
3. Intending couple should have a ‘certificate of essentiality’ and a ‘certificate of eligibility’ issued by the appropriate authority.
   Certificate of essentiality will be issued upon fulfilment of given conditions related to proven infertility and other terms.
   
4. To obtain a certificate of eligibility from appropriate authority, surrogate mother has to be - a close relative of the intending couple, a married woman having a child of her own, 25 to 35 years old, a surrogate only once in her lifetime and possess a certificate of medical and psychological fitness for surrogacy.
   
5. Central and state governments shall appoint one or more appropriate authorities within 90 days of the Bill becoming an Act. 
6. To act as Surrogacy clinics, Clinics must apply for registration within a period of 60 days from the date of appointment of the appropriate authority.
   
7. Central and the state governments shall constitute National Surrogacy Board (NSB) and State Surrogacy Boards (SSB), respectively. 
8. Offences under Bill include undertaking or advertising commercial surrogacy, exploiting surrogate mother, abandoning a surrogate child, selling or importing human embryo or gametes for surrogacy.  Penalty is imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine up to 10 lakh rupees.

1. Bill prohibits discrimination against a transgender person, including denial of service or unfair treatment.
   
2. Every transgender person shall have a right to reside and be included in his household.
3. No government or private entity can discriminate against a transgender person in employment matters, including recruitment, and promotion.
4. Educational institutions shall provide inclusive education, sports and recreational facilities for transgender persons, without discrimination.
   
5. A transgender person may make an application to the District Magistrate for a certificate of identity, indicating the gender as ‘transgender’. 
6. Government will take measures to ensure full inclusion of transgender persons in society.
7. Bill recognizes several offences against transgender persons. Penalties for these offences vary between six months and two years, and a fine.
   
8. National Council for Transgender persons (NCT) will be formed with Union Minister for Social Justice as (Chairperson) and other designated members.

1. It provides for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams across country.
2. Bill applies to all specified dams in the country.  These are dams with height over 15 metres, height between 10 metres to 15 metres and subject to certain additional design and structural conditions.
   
3. National Committee on Dam Safety will be constituted and will be chaired by the Chairperson, Central Water Commission.  All other members will be nominated by central government.
   
   1. Functions of Committee include formulating policies and regulations regarding dam safety standards and prevention of dam failures, and analysing causes of major dam failures and suggesting changes in dam safety practices.
      
4. National Dam Safety Authority will be headed by an officer not below rank of an Additional Secretary. Functions include
   1. Implementing the policies formulated by the National Committee on Dam Safety.
   2. Resolving issues between State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs), or between a SDSO and any dam owner in that state
   3. Specifying regulations for inspection and investigation of dams
   4. Providing accreditation to agencies working on construction, design, and alteration of dams.
      
5. State governments will establish State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs).  All specified dams situated in a state will fall under the jurisdiction of that state’s SDSO.  In certain cases National Dam Safety Authority will act as the SDSO.  These include cases where a dam extends over multiple states or is owned by a central public sector undertaking. SDSOs will
   1. Keep perpetual surveillance, inspect, and monitor operation and maintenance of dams
   2. Keep a database of all dams and recommend safety measures to owners of dams.
      
6. Bill provides for constitution of State Committees on Dam Safety by state governments. Functions of Committee include -
   1. Reviewing work of SDSO
   2. Ordering dam safety investigations
   3. Recommend dam safety measures and reviewing progress on such measures
   4. Assess potential impact on upstream and downstream states. 
7. Owners of specified dams are required to provide a dam safety unit in each dam.
8. Bill provides for two types of offences -
   1. Obstructing a person in discharge of his functions under the Bill and
   2. Refusing to comply with directions issued under the Bill.  
   3. Offenders will be punishable with imprisonment of up to one year, or a fine, or both.

1. CCEA also approved to provide a premium of Rs. 2.75 per qtl for every 0.1% increase above 10% in the recovery.

1. Amendment provides that 15th FC shall also examine whether a separate mechanism for funding of defence and internal security ought to be set up and if so how such a mechanism could be operationalized.

1. The project shall generate 2880MW (12x240MW) power to produce 11223MU of energy in a 90% dependable year. This is largest ever Hydro Electric Projects to be constructed in India. The dam is 278 metres high and will be highest dam in India once completed.
2. Project is located on river Dibang, in Lower Dibang Valley District of Arunachal Pradesh. Government of Arunachal Pradesh will get 12% free power from project. 1% free power will be given in Local Area Development Fund (LADF).

• The Factories Act, 1948;
• The Mines Act, 1952; The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986;
• The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996;
• The Plantations Labour Act, 1951;
• The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970;
• The Inter-State Migrant workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979;
• The Working Journalist and other Newspaper Employees (Conditions of Service and Misc. Provision) Act, 1955;
• The Working Journalist (Fixation of rates of wages) Act, 1958;
• The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961;
• Sales Promotion Employees (Condition of Service) Act, 1976;
• The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966; and
• The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981. After the enactment of the Code, all these Acts being subsumed in the Code will be repealed.

1. It will end stagnation, improve career progression of officers and keep up their motivational level.

1. This would facilitate easy and faster movement to and from Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals.
2. It will entail anestimated cost of INR 80250 crores, to be shared in ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States, for which it is 90:10.
3. Project period is 2019-20 to 2024-25.
4. Under PMGSY, 599090 Km road length has been constructed since its inception in Dec 2000.

1. Soyabean - 311
2. Sunflower - 262
3. Sesamum - 236
4. Tur dal - 125
5. Urad dal - 100
6. Jowar - 120
7. Ragi - 253
8. Cotton (medium staple) and cotton (long staple) - 105 and 100 respectively