The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the following proposals:
Approval to The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2019
Approval was given to the proposal to introduce the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2019. It will provide for the social, economic and educational empowerment of transgenders.
Key Points:
i. It will benefit the transgender persons, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against the marginalized section and bring them into the mainstream of society which will lead to inclusiveness and make the transgender persons productive members of the society.
ii. Transgenders face problems ranging from social exclusion to discrimination, lack of education facilities, unemployment, lack of medical facilities and many more.
Approval to Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019
Approval was given for the introduction of the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 which would enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario.
Key Points:
i. It will enhance the safety and healthy working conditions to all workforce of the country.
ii. It was drafted after amalgamation, simplification and rationalisation of the relevant provisions of the following 13 Central Labour Acts:
- 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
- The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981
Approval to The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019
Approval was given for the introduction of Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019. It will help to solve the disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers and river valley thereof.
Key Points:
i. The new Bill will amend the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
ii. If any water dispute arises on the inter-state rivers, and any request is received under the Act from any State Government and if the Central government is of the opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central Government will constitute a Water Disputes Tribunal for the settlement of water disputes.
Approval to Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019
Approval was given for the introduction of Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Bill, 2019. It will replace the Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Ordinance, 2019 promulgated on February 21, 2019.
Key Points:
i. It will help to tackle the menace of illicit deposit taking activities in the country.
ii. Lok Sabha had considered the banning of Unregulated Deposit Scheme Bill, 2018 on February 13, 2019 and after discussion it was passed through the proposed official amendment, as the banning of Unregulated Deposit Scheme Bill, 2019.
Approval to Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-lll
Approval was given for the introduction of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-lll (PMGSY-III). It is proposed to consolidate 1,25,000 Km road length in the States and will also include Routes and Major Rural Links which connect habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools and Hospitals. It will be implemented for the period from 2019-20 to 2024-25. PMGSY-III scheme was announced in the Budget Speech for the year 2018-19.
Key Points:
- The estimated cost of the project is Rs 80,250 crore (Central Share-Rs. 53,800 crore, State Share- Rs 26,450 crore).
- The funds would be shared in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and State for all States except for 8 North Eastern and 3 Himalayan States (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand) for which it is 90:10.
- The States will be asked to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) before launching of PMGSY-III for providing adequate funds for maintenance of roads constructed under PMGSY post 5-year construction maintenance period.
- As of April, 2019, a total of 5,99,090 Km road length were constructed under the scheme since inception (inclusive of PMGSY-I, PMGSY-II and RCPLWEA- Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Area Scheme.
About PMGSY:
It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme introduced in 2000 by the then-prime minister of India Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee to provide good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages.
Approval to Amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012
Approval was given for the amendment in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012. It will make punishment more stringent for committing sexual crimes against children including death penalty and levy of fines and imprisonment to curb child pornography.
i. The Act will protect the interests of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensures their safety and dignity.
About POCSO Act, 2012:
The POCSO Act, 2012 was enacted to Protect the Children from Offences of Sexual Assault, Sexual harassment and pornography with due regard for safeguarding the interest and well-being of children. The Act defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age, and regards the best interests and welfare of the child as a matter of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the child. The act is gender neutral.
Approval to Grant of Organized Group ‘A’ Status to Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF) Service
Approval was given for the Grant of Organised Group ‘A’ status to Indian Railway Protection Force (RPF) and consequential benefits of Non-Functional Financial Upgradation (NFFU) with effect from 01-01-2006 and Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) at 30% of Senior Duty Post (SDP) with effect from 06.06.2000, as per Department of Personnel and Training guidelines dated 24.04.2009 and 06.06.2000 respectively and subsequent instructions thereon.
- It will end stagnation, improve career progression of the officers and keep up their motivational level.
- Background: High Court of Delhi in its order dated 4-12-2012 had directed Railways to grant Group ‘A’ Service status to RPF. It was also upheld by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 5-2-2019. Accordingly, Railway Board had proposed for grant of Organised Group ‘A’ Service status to RPF.
About Union Cabinet:
The Union Council of Ministers exercises executive authority in India. It consists of senior ministers called cabinet ministers, junior ministers called ministers of state and, rarely, deputy ministers. It is led by the Prime Minister.