National Dental Commission Bill, 2023 and the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023 CURRENT AFFAIRS
The Indian government has taken significant strides in the healthcare sector by introducing two crucial Bills in Parliament – the National Dental Commission Bill, 2023, and the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill, 2023. These Bills aim to bring about sweeping reforms in the dental and nursing professions, focusing on regulation, education, and practice.
Repealing Outdated Acts
Both Bills aim to repeal outdated Acts that have governed the dental and nursing professions for decades. The Dentists Act, 1948, and the Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947, will be replaced with new regulatory bodies, aligning with the changing dynamics of the healthcare landscape.
Autonomous Regulatory Bodies
In line with the National Medical Commission (NMC), the Bills propose the establishment of autonomous regulatory bodies for dentists and nurses. These bodies will consist of separate boards responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate education, an assessment and rating board, and an ethics and registration board. This segmentation will streamline the functioning of each profession and enhance their efficiency.
Creating Live National Registers
One of the significant provisions in both Bills is the creation of live national registers for medical professionals. These registers will maintain real-time data on the qualifications and credentials of dentists and nurses, automatically synchronizing with the state registers.
Purpose of the Exit Test
The National Dental Commission Bill aims to introduce an exit test for dentists, similar to the National Exit Test for MBBS graduates. This standardized test will assess the competency of dentists upon completion of their education, ensuring their proficiency in delivering quality healthcare services.
Defining the Scope of Practice
The National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Bill has a crucial objective of defining the scope of practice for nurses and midwives. This provision seeks to provide legal backing for specific procedures and medicines within different specialties. By doing so, the Bill aims to establish consistency and unity in the role of nurses across healthcare institutions.
ISRO to launch PSLV-C56 with six co-passenger satellites
ISRO to launch PSLV-C56 with six co-passenger satellite on 30th July at 6:30 AM from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
What’s in News?
Indian Space Research Organization has announced the launching of PSLV-C56 which will carry Singapore’s DS-SAR satellite with 6 co-passengers satellites on 30th July at 6:30 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
DS-SAR Satellite
DS-SAR satellite that weighs 3600 kg was developed by DSTA, representing the Singapore’s Government and ST Engineering. The satellite would be launched into a Near Equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degree inclination and 535 km altitude.
DA-SAR Satellite carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This allows the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather day and night coverage, and capable of imaging at 1m-resolution at full polarimetry.
Significance:
Once the DA-SAR satellite is deployed and operational, it will support the support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore.
ST Engineering will use the satellite for multi responsive imagery and geospatial services for their commercial customers.
Kargil Vijay Diwas 2023: Date, Significance and History
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated annually across the country on July 26th to pay tribute to the bravery and valor of the Indian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country during the Kargil War in 1999. The day commemorates the victory of Operation Vijay, which was a significant military victory over Pakistan during the Kargil War in 1999.
In 2023, India is celebrating its 24th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas. The day is also known as Kargil War or Kargil conflict. On this day in 1999, Indian soldiers fought against the Pakistani intruders who had crossed the Line of Control (LOC) into Indian territory. The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir where the Indian Army recaptured the famous ‘Tiger Hill’ and other important posts around under ‘Operation Vijay’ by evicting the Pakistani troops.
How is Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated?
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated all across the country. The Prime Minister of India is known to pay tribute to the martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti at the India Gate every year. There is a Kargil War memorial as well in Dras on the foothills of Tololing Hill. It was built by the Indian Army and honours the soldiers who lost their lives during the war. Interestingly, the gateway of the memorial has a poem named ‘Pushp Kii Abhilasha’ inscribed on it and the names of the martyrs are also inscribed on the Memorial Wall there.
TRAI’s Draft Telecommunication Consumers Education and Protection Fund (Sixth Amendment) Regulation, 2023
In India, the telecommunications sector is regulated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), an autonomous body responsible for safeguarding consumer interests, promoting fair competition, and fostering growth in the industry. One of Trai’s notable initiatives is the establishment of the Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund (TCEPF) in June 2007. The fund’s primary purpose is to support activities related to consumer education and protection in the telecommunications domain. Recently, Trai has proposed amendments to the TCEPF Regulations, aiming to enhance fund utilization and overall consumer protection.
Understanding the TCEPF Regulations
In June 2007, Trai introduced the TCEPF Regulations, which set the foundation for the Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund. The objective was clear – to establish a dedicated fund to conduct various initiatives focused on consumer education and protection within the telecommunications industry.
Proposed Amendments for Enhanced Efficiency
Recognizing the importance of continuous improvement, Trai has initiated the process of amending the existing TCEPF Regulations. These draft rules aim to address specific expenses incurred from the fund, such as preparation, maintenance, audit of accounts, and the participation of consumer group representatives in committee meetings. By explicitly outlining these provisions in the regulations, Trai seeks to enhance transparency and ensure that the fund’s resources are effectively utilized to benefit consumers.
Focusing on Consumer Education and Protection
Consumer education and protection lie at the heart of the TCEPF’s initiatives. Through this fund, Trai undertakes various outreach programs, seminars, and workshops to create awareness among consumers about their rights and responsibilities in the telecommunications domain. Additionally, the fund is used to develop educational and awareness materials, empowering consumers to make informed decisions and seek redressal in case of grievances.
Future Implications and Stakeholder Engagement
While Trai has proposed amendments to the TCEPF Regulations, the timeline for the amended regulations to come into force has not been specified. Nevertheless, the regulatory body is currently soliciting feedback from stakeholders regarding the draft Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund (Sixth Amendment) Regulations, 2023, until August 14th. This approach reflects Trai’s commitment to ensuring that the amended regulations align with the best interests of both consumers and industry stakeholders.
CUTCEF – Empowering Consumer Outreach
The Committee for Utilisation of Telecommunication Consumers Education & Protection Fund (CUTCEF) plays a pivotal role in handling the activities related to consumer outreach programs and seminars. This committee is responsible for implementing various initiatives and projects aimed at educating and protecting consumers in the telecommunications sector.
Chief Minister inaugurates Delhi’s first RO ‘water ATM’
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal unveiled Delhi’s first ‘water ATM’ aiming to offer water access in regions without piped supply and reducing reliance on water tankers. These water ATM machines will grant underprivileged sections of the city the same quality of RO(Reverse Osmosis) water that has traditionally been available to more affluent segments of society.
Delhi Government’s Ambitious Plan: 500 RO Plants with Water ATM Machines to Tackle Water Scarcity
The Delhi government aims to address the issue of inadequate piped water supply by installing 500 Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants with integrated “water ATM machines” in affected areas. This initiative, led by the Delhi Jal Board, seeks to provide free and safe access to clean drinking water for residents in such regions.
The placement of these 500 RO plants, each with a capacity of 30,000 liters, will be determined based on the availability of tubewells. The plants will be operated by appointed personnel on government-provided land, while the cost of ₹10 lakh per plant will be covered by the Delhi Jal Board.
(Delhi Jal Board)DJB’s RFID Cards for Free Water Access and Usage Charges
Beneficiaries will receive RFID (radio frequency identification) cards from the DJB, enabling them to access their daily free water quota. With an RFID card, one individual can obtain 20 liters of water daily at no cost. However, any usage beyond this limit will be subject to a charge of 8 paise per liter.
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