Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change 

Revised GRAP to deal with adverse air quality scenario (NOV 7, 2022)

In a move to mitigate dust arising out of Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities sites and intensify actions to further ameliorate the overall air quality of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has mandated all C&D projects in the NCR to deploy adequate numbers of anti-smog guns, in proportion to the total area of construction for the project. 

The State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) of NCR and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have also been directed to ensure continuous and effective use of the anti-smog guns installed at different C&D sited in their respective districts.

PRESS RELEASE: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1874314

MINISTRY OF FINANCE 

Electoral Bond (Amendment) Scheme, 2022 (NOV 7, 2022)

 In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (3) of Section 31 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934), the Central Government hereby makes the following Scheme to amend the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018.

 In the Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018, in paragraph 8, after sub-paragraph (2), the following sub-paragraph shall be inserted, namely:- 

“(3) An additional period of fifteen days shall be specified by the Central Government in the year of general elections to the Legislative Assembly of States and Union territories with Legislature.”

GAZETTE NOTIFICATION : 240082.pdf (egazette.nic.in) 

SUPREME COURT 

Supreme Court upholds EWS quota: ‘Doesn’t violate the basic structure of Constitution' (NOV 7, 2022)

A five-bench Constitution bench of the Supreme Court delivered the judgement backing the EWS reservation by a 3:2 majority view.  

The Supreme Court heard as many as 40 petitions and most of those, including the lead one filed by 'Janhit Abhiyan' in 2019, challenged the validity of the Constitution Amendment (103rd) Act 2019.  The petitioners had questioned the validity of EWS quota saying it breaches the 50% cap for reservation in India.  

In the 1992 hearing of Indra Sawhney case, the Supreme Court had said reservation should not exceed 50%, barring certain extraordinary situations.

NEWS REPORT : Supreme Court upholds EWS quota: ‘Doesn’t violate basic structure of Constitution' - Hindustan Times

DELHI HC 

Centre opposes plea before Delhi High Court assailing provisions of surrogacy law (NOV 7, 2022)

The Centre has opposed a petition filed before the Delhi High Court assailing certain provisions of the surrogacy law, saying the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021, and the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, were enacted following due procedure, with an intention to restrict the commercialisation of embryos and new-born children.

The petitioners—Karan Balraj Mehta, an unmarried man, and Dr Pankhuri Chandra, a married woman and a mother of one—have challenged several provisions of the surrogacy law, including the exclusion of a single man and a married woman having a child from the benefit of surrogacy as a reproductive choice and the requirement of the exercise being an altruistic surrogacy only.

DETAILS: Centre opposes plea before Delhi High Court assailing provisions of surrogacy law : The Tribune India 

ECONOMY

Centre releases revenue deficit grant of over Rs 7000 crores to 14 states (NOV 7, 2022)

The Finance Commission has recommended a total PDRD grant of Rs. 86,201 crores to 14 States for the financial year 2022-23. The recommended grant is released by the Department of Expenditure to the recommended states in twelve equated monthly instalments.

The PDRD grants are provided to the states under Article 275 of the Constitution. The grants are released to the states as per the recommendations of the successive Finance Commissions to meet the gap in the Revenue Accounts of the States post-devolution. 

NEWS REPORT : Centre releases revenue deficit grant of over Rs 7000 crores to 14 states (msn.com) 

NEWS AT GLANCE 

  •  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar embarking on a two-day visit to Russia today.  
  • UN Climate Change Conference is underway in Egypt with the key aim of ensuring full implementation of the Paris Agreement.
  • India to participate in World Travel Market beginning today at London.

WORD OF THE DAY 

Pro rata is a Latin term used to describe a proportionate allocation. It essentially translates to "in proportion," which means a process where whatever is being allocated will be distributed in equal portions.

MARKET TODAY ( as on 7.11.2022)

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1 US Dollar = 81.86 Indian Rupee (Last updated · 7 November at 1:19 pm UTC)

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