Muslim Women entitled to seek Alimony, says SC

Supreme Court Ruling on Maintenance for Divorced Muslim Women:

Background:

• The Supreme Court ruled that a divorced Muslim woman is entitled to seek maintenance from her husband under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
• The court emphasized that discrimination against Muslim women in alimony matters under secular laws is regressive and against gender justice and equality.

Key Takeaways:

1. Application of Section 125 of CrPC:
   • The court rejected the argument that Section 125 does not apply to Muslims due to their personal law.
   • The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, does not override secular law.
2. Legal Standing:
   • No disparity in receiving maintenance based on the law under which a woman is married or divorced.
   • Section 125 of CrPC applies to a divorced Muslim woman, irrespective of the law under which she is divorced.
3. Role of the 1986 Act:
   • Rights under the 1986 Act during the ‘iddat’ period are in addition to those under Section 125 of CrPC.

Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986:

1. Purpose:
   • Protect rights of divorced Muslim women.
   • Provide for matters connected with or incidental to their divorce.
2. Key Provisions:
   • Maintenance during Iddat: Reasonable and fair provision from husband during the iddat period.
   • Post-Iddat Maintenance: Maintenance from relatives or State Wakf Board if no relatives are available.
   • Mehr (Dower): Entitled to payment agreed at the time of marriage.
   • Return of Property: Entitled to properties given before or after marriage.
   • Rights of Children: Maintenance until children reach age two.
   • Application to Magistrate: Divorced woman or representative can apply for maintenance, mehr, and return of property.
3. Criticisms:
   • Limited Scope: Provisions limited to the iddat period, not ensuring long-term maintenance.
   • Dependence on Relatives: Post-iddat maintenance reliance on relatives may be impractical.
   • Role of Wakf Board: Effectiveness questioned due to administrative and financial constraints.
   • Right to Equality: Criticized for discriminatory practices limiting maintenance period compared to other communities.

Context and Historical Perspective:

1. Shah Bano Case (1985):
   • Affirmed Muslim women’s right to maintenance under Section 125 of CrPC.
2. Danial Latifi Case (2001):
   • Ensured the 1986 Act does not deprive Muslim women of rights under Section 125.
3. Rejection of Restrictions:
   • Rejected restrictive interpretations hindering gender justice.
   • Emphasized providing adequate maintenance to destitute Muslim women.
4. Continuation of Section 144:
   • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 retains older provision on alimony under Section 144.

Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC):

1. Purpose:
   • Provides maintenance for wives, children, and parents unable to maintain themselves.
2. Key Provisions:
   • Eligible Persons: Includes divorced wives, minor children, adult children with disabilities, and parents.
   • Conditions: Liable person has sufficient means but neglected or refused to maintain eligible person.
   • Order: Magistrate can order monthly allowance for maintenance.
   • Maximum Amount: Determined by Magistrate based on circumstances.
3. Significance:
   • Social Justice: Prevents vagrancy and destitution by ensuring dependents are provided for.
   • Secular Applicability: Applies to all religions, not specific to any religion.

Implications and Legal Precedent:

1. Equality under Law:
   • Reinforces that Muslim women have the same legal recourse as women of other faiths under Section 125 of CrPC.
2. Additional Remedies:
   • Affirmed that provisions like the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, do not exclude rights under Section 125.

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National Gopal Ratna Award, 2024

National Gopal Ratna Award (NGRA) 2024

Background:

• Awarded by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Conferred annually on National Milk Day, celebrated on 26th November.
• Initiative under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

Objective:

• Promote conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds.
• Enhance sustainability of the dairy sector in India.

Categories:

1. Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds.
2. Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/Milk Producer Company (MPC)/Dairy Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
3. Best Artificial Insemination Technician (AIT).

Special Aspects:

• Special Recognition for North Eastern Region (NER) States:
  • Encourages dairy development activities in NER.
• Nomination and Recognition:
  • Nominations submitted online through the National Award portal.

Award Details:

• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ranks in each category, and one Special Award for NER States.
• Cash Prizes:
  • Best Dairy Farmer and Best DCS/FPO/MPC categories:
    • 1st Rank: Rs. 5,00,000/-
    • 2nd Rank: Rs. 3,00,000/-
    • 3rd Rank: Rs. 2,00,000/-
    • Special Award for NER: Rs. 2,00,000/-
• Best AIT Category:
  • Certificate of merit and a memento, without any cash prize.

Why are dengue cases on the rise worldwide?    

Dengue: Global Situation and Influencing Factors

Global Situation of Dengue

• Epidemiological Burden:
  • In 2024, over 7.6 million dengue cases were reported globally.
  • 3.4 million confirmed cases with significant numbers of severe cases and deaths.
  • Dengue affects approximately half of the world’s population, with an estimated 100-400 million infections occurring annually.
• Geographical Distribution:
  • Dengue transmission occurs in 90 countries, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.
  • Endemic in more than 100 countries across WHO regions: Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and the Western Pacific.

Factors Fuelling Dengue Spread

• Urbanization:
  • Increased Population Density: Urban areas provide optimal conditions for the Aedes aegypti mosquito due to the availability of breeding sites like stagnant water in containers, tires, and urban infrastructure.
  • Expansion of Cities: Rapid urbanization leads to unplanned growth, inadequate waste management, and inadequate water supply, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
  • Human Movement: Facilitates increased human mobility, spreading the dengue virus through infected individuals traveling between urban centers.
• Climate Change:
  • Temperature and Rainfall Patterns: Warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns create favorable conditions for mosquito breeding and survival.
  • Shifts in Geographic Distribution: Changing climate allows Aedes mosquitoes to expand to new regions previously unaffected by dengue, including temperate climates.
  • Extreme Weather Events: Increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods provide breeding opportunities for mosquitoes and facilitate virus transmission.

Impact of Dengue

• Health Impact:
  • India accounts for an estimated 33 million clinically apparent dengue cases each year, contributing to a third of the global dengue burden.
• Economic Impact:
  • A cost analysis study in southern India estimated the direct medical costs per hospitalized dengue patient at around ₹20,000 in 2017-18.
  • Costs can soar to over ₹61,000 for complications requiring intensive care.
• Impact on Individuals:
  • Dengue can cause a wide spectrum of illness, from mild flu-like symptoms to severe complications like internal bleeding, organ impairment, and potentially death if not treated promptly.

Way Forward

• Enhance Urban Infrastructure:
  • Improve urban planning to include effective waste management, regular clearing of stagnant water sources, and sustainable water supply systems to reduce mosquito breeding grounds.
• Public Awareness Campaigns:
  • Launch comprehensive public awareness campaigns focusing on urban populations to promote community involvement in mosquito control measures and encourage responsible waste disposal practices.

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Future investments in India’s EV space 

Expansion of India’s EV Policy: Key Aspects and Implications

Why is the Government Considering Extending the EV Policy?

• Retrospective Effect:
  • To extend benefits to entities that have already invested in the EV sector, rewarding and encouraging early movers.
• Encouraging Global Players:
  • The policy aims to attract global players to localize production and invest in the domestic ecosystem.
• Inclusive Incentives:
  • Earlier, incentives were available only to entities setting up local facilities within three years of approval. The extension aims to make these incentives more inclusive.

India’s EV Policy Framework

• FAME Scheme:
  • FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles):
    • Two-wheelers: ₹15,000 per kWh, up to 40% of the vehicle cost.
    • Three-wheelers and Four-wheelers: ₹10,000 per kWh.
    • Electric Buses: ₹20,000 per kWh.
• Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP):
  • Gradual increase in import duties on EV components to incentivize domestic production.

Highlights of the New EV Policy 2024

• Reduced Customs Duty:
  • 15% on imported EVs with a minimum CIF value of $35,000.
• Import Cap:
  • A cap of 8,000 imported EVs per year.
• Investment Requirements:
  • Manufacturers must invest at least ₹4,150 crore (~$500 million) and achieve 25% domestic value addition within three years, escalating to 50% in five years.
• Duty Waiver Cap:
  • Capped at the investment made or ₹6,484 crore (equal to the PLI scheme incentive), whichever is lower.

Alignment with India’s Goals

• Domestic Value Addition:
  • Half of the value addition in manufacturing must be domestic within five years, boosting local manufacturing.
• Import Duty Reduction:
  • Reducing import duty from 70%-100% to 15% on EVs with a minimum CIF value of $35,000 to make the transition commercially viable.
• Strengthening the EV Ecosystem:
  • Encouraging local production and investment to strengthen the entire EV ecosystem.
• Global Leadership:
  • Positioning India as a leader in the global transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles by fostering a sustainable and technologically advanced manufacturing environment.

Impact on Competition and Costs

• Economies of Scale:
  • Higher production volumes lead to economies of scale, reducing per-unit costs of EVs.
• Healthy Competition:
  • Encourages innovation and efficiency among EV players, leading to lower production costs and consumer prices.
• Cost Reduction:
  • Localized manufacturing and higher production volumes significantly decrease production costs, making EVs more affordable.
• Comprehensive Ecosystem:
  • Developing a robust supply chain and after-sales service network enhances the viability and attractiveness of EVs in India.

Way Forward

• Support Local Manufacturers:
  • Provide incentives and support for domestic manufacturers to produce critical EV components like batteries, motors, and controllers, reducing dependency on imports and enhancing self-reliance.
• R&D Investment:
  • Increase investment in research and development to drive innovation in EV technology, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of advancements in the industry.

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