Juan Manuel Santos gets another term as President of Colombia
Juan Manuel Santos has secured another term as the President of Colombiaas he has won the recently held presidential poll. His victory symbolizes peoples support to his 18-month-old peace negotiations to end country’s longest-running conflict with the left-wing FARC rebel group.
The violent conflict which has been running for several decades has inflicted huge damage to Colombia. It involved armed groups, drug cartels and glaring violations of human rights, although since 2002, the country has made some progress towards improving security.
Colombia: An Overview
Geographically, Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America and one of the most populous nations in this continent. The country has sizeable oil reserves and is a major producer of gold, silver, emeralds, platinum and coal.
Since the 1960s, the country has been ailing from an asymmetric low-intensity armed conflict between the united group of liberal and left-wing guerillas or FARC group and anti-communist Colombian government which has the military and financial backing of the US. Both the paramilitary and the rebel group have been accused of engaging in drug trafficking and terrorism and violations of human rights. The conflict intensified in the 1990s, but since 2000 the conflict has decreased considerably. The peace talks between the government and the FARC began in 2012. Right-wing groups are surrendering under a peace initiative. CurrentPresident Santos maintains his predecessor’s tough stance against the FARC.
Economically, despite growth in recent years, millions dwell in poverty. The country has also inked a Free Trade Agreement with the US. Colombia is a big recipient of US assistance and is a steadfast ally of Washington.
Juan Manuel Santos has secured another term as the President of Colombiaas he has won the recently held presidential poll. His victory symbolizes peoples support to his 18-month-old peace negotiations to end country’s longest-running conflict with the left-wing FARC rebel group.
The violent conflict which has been running for several decades has inflicted huge damage to Colombia. It involved armed groups, drug cartels and glaring violations of human rights, although since 2002, the country has made some progress towards improving security.
Colombia: An Overview
Geographically, Colombia is the fourth largest country in South America and one of the most populous nations in this continent. The country has sizeable oil reserves and is a major producer of gold, silver, emeralds, platinum and coal.
Since the 1960s, the country has been ailing from an asymmetric low-intensity armed conflict between the united group of liberal and left-wing guerillas or FARC group and anti-communist Colombian government which has the military and financial backing of the US. Both the paramilitary and the rebel group have been accused of engaging in drug trafficking and terrorism and violations of human rights. The conflict intensified in the 1990s, but since 2000 the conflict has decreased considerably. The peace talks between the government and the FARC began in 2012. Right-wing groups are surrendering under a peace initiative. CurrentPresident Santos maintains his predecessor’s tough stance against the FARC.
Economically, despite growth in recent years, millions dwell in poverty. The country has also inked a Free Trade Agreement with the US. Colombia is a big recipient of US assistance and is a steadfast ally of Washington.
NTPC seeks revocation of ban on Lata Tapovan Hydro Power Project
NTPC has filed a plea seeking continuation of work on its Lata Tapovan Hydro Power Project in Uttarakhand that was put on hold following the Supreme Court’s May 7 order. The apex court has issued notice to the government in this regard.
The court had ordered a halt to 24 projects that were proposed within 100 km of eco-sensitive zone from Gangotri. It had also directed the Union Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests (MoEF) and the Uttarakhand government not to grant any environmental or forest approvals for any hydroelectric project in the hill state.
The court had asked the MoEF to form an expert panel to carry out a detailed study whether hydroelectric power projects both existing and under construction have contributed to the environmental degradation in Uttarakhand, if so, to what extent. The expert committee was also directed to examine whether these projects had contributed to the natural disaster that had hit the state in June 2013.
As per the plea submitted by the NTPC, the expert panel constituted by the ministry deviates from the directions issued by the court, which had said it would have the representatives of the Uttarakhand government, Wildlife Institute of India, Central Electricity Authority, Central Water Commission and other expert bodies to undertake the detailed study as directed by it.
NTPC also said that due to delay it is losing time and the costs of the projects are also escalating.
NTPC has filed a plea seeking continuation of work on its Lata Tapovan Hydro Power Project in Uttarakhand that was put on hold following the Supreme Court’s May 7 order. The apex court has issued notice to the government in this regard.
The court had ordered a halt to 24 projects that were proposed within 100 km of eco-sensitive zone from Gangotri. It had also directed the Union Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests (MoEF) and the Uttarakhand government not to grant any environmental or forest approvals for any hydroelectric project in the hill state.
The court had asked the MoEF to form an expert panel to carry out a detailed study whether hydroelectric power projects both existing and under construction have contributed to the environmental degradation in Uttarakhand, if so, to what extent. The expert committee was also directed to examine whether these projects had contributed to the natural disaster that had hit the state in June 2013.
As per the plea submitted by the NTPC, the expert panel constituted by the ministry deviates from the directions issued by the court, which had said it would have the representatives of the Uttarakhand government, Wildlife Institute of India, Central Electricity Authority, Central Water Commission and other expert bodies to undertake the detailed study as directed by it.
NTPC also said that due to delay it is losing time and the costs of the projects are also escalating.
Maharashtra legislation to ban dance bars across the state
In a bid to impose a ban on dance bars across state, the Maharashtraassembly passed a law which amends Maharashtra Police Act which banned performance of bar dancers in all hotels, bars and restaurants. In 2005, while banning dance bars, the government had denounced the bars as dens of immorality. It claimed they debauched the young and were meeting places for criminals.
In 2006, a ruling by the the Bombay high court held the ban as violation of the constitutional right to earn a living and held it against public interest. Before the ban, there were around 400 dance bars in Mumbai which employed over 65,000 women and 40,000 men, with the dancers earning up to Rs 25,000 per month. Post-ban, the loss to government and industry was estimated at over Rs 3,000 crore. On July 16, 2013, the Supreme Court upheld Bombay HC decision to scrap the ban in the state.
As per the newly amended Maharashtra Police Act, All dance performances in bars and restaurants across all types of hospitality industry are banned. Any violation of this code would attract the imprisonment of minimum 3 months to maximum 5 years and minimum 1 lakh to 5 lakh fine besides cancellation of the hotel permit. Now, all dance bars’ licenses stand cancelled and will be withdrawn within 30 days. Earlier, such ban was imposed on all hotels, bars and restaurants below 3-star category. Now, the ban is applicable to even the starred hotels — from 3 to 5-star. This step has been made to avoid the discrimination between the ordinary dance bars and dance bars in starred hotels which Supreme Court had objected to.
The law imposes a complete ban on dance bars and dance performances at 5-star hotels. However, family parties in pubs and discotheques, and orchestras are not within the purview of this ban.
In a bid to impose a ban on dance bars across state, the Maharashtraassembly passed a law which amends Maharashtra Police Act which banned performance of bar dancers in all hotels, bars and restaurants. In 2005, while banning dance bars, the government had denounced the bars as dens of immorality. It claimed they debauched the young and were meeting places for criminals.
In 2006, a ruling by the the Bombay high court held the ban as violation of the constitutional right to earn a living and held it against public interest. Before the ban, there were around 400 dance bars in Mumbai which employed over 65,000 women and 40,000 men, with the dancers earning up to Rs 25,000 per month. Post-ban, the loss to government and industry was estimated at over Rs 3,000 crore. On July 16, 2013, the Supreme Court upheld Bombay HC decision to scrap the ban in the state.
As per the newly amended Maharashtra Police Act, All dance performances in bars and restaurants across all types of hospitality industry are banned. Any violation of this code would attract the imprisonment of minimum 3 months to maximum 5 years and minimum 1 lakh to 5 lakh fine besides cancellation of the hotel permit. Now, all dance bars’ licenses stand cancelled and will be withdrawn within 30 days. Earlier, such ban was imposed on all hotels, bars and restaurants below 3-star category. Now, the ban is applicable to even the starred hotels — from 3 to 5-star. This step has been made to avoid the discrimination between the ordinary dance bars and dance bars in starred hotels which Supreme Court had objected to.
The law imposes a complete ban on dance bars and dance performances at 5-star hotels. However, family parties in pubs and discotheques, and orchestras are not within the purview of this ban.
DLF is India’s first realty company to get ISO 9001: 2008 certification
Realty behemoth DLF has become India’s first real estate firm to get ISO 9001:2008 quality certification for development of housing and commercial projects.
DLF Home Developers Ltd, an arm of DLF, has received ISO 9001:2008 certification after meeting the rigorous standards set by British Standard Institute (BSI), a recognized business standards company.
DLF Home Developers is the first realty firm in the country to receive this internationally recognized Quality Management system (QMS) accreditation.
The certification DLF has achieved the certification which focused ‘The Development of Commercial and Residential Complexes’ after undergoing rigorous assessment for its adherence to delivery schedules of both residential and commercial projects, customer satisfaction and quality of construction.
With the implementation of QMS, DLF ensures highest level of process and quality control in execution of its projects. QMS has very meticulously documented procedures addressing highest level of specifications to be achieved during various stages of development. The QMS rules help enhance systems, improve areas of weakness and cut down process in-efficiencies. This system ensures conformity to all applicable legal and regulatory requisites. It gives an extra stress on health, safety and environment at the work place during the course of construction.
Realty behemoth DLF has become India’s first real estate firm to get ISO 9001:2008 quality certification for development of housing and commercial projects.
DLF Home Developers Ltd, an arm of DLF, has received ISO 9001:2008 certification after meeting the rigorous standards set by British Standard Institute (BSI), a recognized business standards company.
DLF Home Developers is the first realty firm in the country to receive this internationally recognized Quality Management system (QMS) accreditation.
The certification DLF has achieved the certification which focused ‘The Development of Commercial and Residential Complexes’ after undergoing rigorous assessment for its adherence to delivery schedules of both residential and commercial projects, customer satisfaction and quality of construction.
With the implementation of QMS, DLF ensures highest level of process and quality control in execution of its projects. QMS has very meticulously documented procedures addressing highest level of specifications to be achieved during various stages of development. The QMS rules help enhance systems, improve areas of weakness and cut down process in-efficiencies. This system ensures conformity to all applicable legal and regulatory requisites. It gives an extra stress on health, safety and environment at the work place during the course of construction.
Russia turns off gas supply to Ukraine after talks fail
The tension between Russia and Ukraine has further intensified with Russia cutting off the gas supply to Ukraine. Both countries blamed the other for the failure of talks in Kiev.
The gas issue is one more dispute between the two countries, besides the annexation of Crimea peninsula by Russia. Kiev has accused Moscow of inciting unrest in the eastern region of the country.
The CEO of Russia’s state gas company, Gazprom, alleged that the Ukrainians were trying to “blackmail” Russia into giving them a lower price and had failed to repay a huge debt accrued over recent years.
As per Ukraine’s PM, the gas talks were part of a “general Russian plan to destroy Ukraine”.
The relationship between Russia and Ukraine are under severe strain since Moscow annexed Crimea in February 2014. The move to stop gas supply will impact the Europe as about 15% of the EU’s gas supply is Russian gas piped through Ukraine.
Although, Russia will continue to supply gas to Europe but Gazprom has warned there were substantial risks for gas transportation to the EU via Ukraine.
The tension between Russia and Ukraine has further intensified with Russia cutting off the gas supply to Ukraine. Both countries blamed the other for the failure of talks in Kiev.
The gas issue is one more dispute between the two countries, besides the annexation of Crimea peninsula by Russia. Kiev has accused Moscow of inciting unrest in the eastern region of the country.
The CEO of Russia’s state gas company, Gazprom, alleged that the Ukrainians were trying to “blackmail” Russia into giving them a lower price and had failed to repay a huge debt accrued over recent years.
As per Ukraine’s PM, the gas talks were part of a “general Russian plan to destroy Ukraine”.
The relationship between Russia and Ukraine are under severe strain since Moscow annexed Crimea in February 2014. The move to stop gas supply will impact the Europe as about 15% of the EU’s gas supply is Russian gas piped through Ukraine.
Although, Russia will continue to supply gas to Europe but Gazprom has warned there were substantial risks for gas transportation to the EU via Ukraine.
“Gauravi”- India’s first One-Stop Crisis Centre opens in Bhopal
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has launched ‘Gauravi’- India’s first One-Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) at J. P. Hospital in Bhopal. The centre will help women who are victims of violence by enabling them to register an FIR, medical treatment, psychological counseling and legal help—all under one roof. The single-window centre was inaugurated by Bollywood actor Aamir Khan.
‘Gauravi’ will provide help and assistance to survivors and victims of dowry harassment, domestic violence and other atrocities on women.
The OSCC will extend legal advice, medical and police assistance to the victims. This facility can be availed either by calling on its helpline number or visiting the centre. It will also provide assistance in filing FIRs, providing security, rehabilitation of the victim and forensic support.
The MP government has also asked the Centre to provide Rs 80 crore under‘Nirbhaya Fund’ to establish similar centres in the remaining parts of the state.
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