Here are 3 Back2Basics collections from today’s news items

B2B #1: From news- Minorities’ commission to seek constitutional status

National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

1. The Union Government set up the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992
2. Six religious communities, viz; Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains have been notified in Gazette of India as minority communities by the Union Government all over India
3. The NCM adheres to the United Nations Declaration of 18 December 1992 which states that “States shall protect the existence of the National or Ethnic, Cultural, Religious and Linguistic identity of minorities within their respective territories and encourage conditions for the promotion of that identity”
4. Constitution of India doesn’t define the word ‘Minority’ but has used the word minorities considering two attributes religion or language of a person
5. The Commission shall consist of

• a Chairperson,
• a Vice-Chairperson and
• Five Members to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity; provided that five members including the Chairperson shall be from amongst the minority communities

B2B #2: From news- CCEA approves restructured Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

1. The aim of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system across the country and address critical gaps that constrain its success
2. RGSA seeks to:

• Enhance capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and the Gram Sabhas;
• Enable democratic decision-making and accountability in Panchayats and promote people’s participation;
• Strengthen the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity building of Panchayats;
• Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act;
• Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of peoples participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat system;
• Create and strengthen democratic local self-government in areas where Panchayats do not exist;
  Strengthen the constitutionally mandated framework on which Panchayats are founded

B2B #3: From news- Health Ministry to roll out prog to combat hepatitis

Hepatitis

1. Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver tissue
2. Some people have no symptoms whereas others develop yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, poor appetite, vomiting, tiredness, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
3. Hepatitis may be temporary (acute) or long term (chronic) depending on whether it lasts for less than or more than six months
4. Acute hepatitis can sometimes resolve on its own, progress to chronic hepatitis, or rarely result in acute liver failure
5. Over time the chronic form may progress to scarring of the liver, liver failure, or liver cancer

As a part of revision for Prelims 2018, Here’s a Factoid to brush up your concepts

Name of the scheme : Swachhata Pakwada

Objectives : Mandates to State and City Governments to undertake extensive audit of toilets in urban areas under ‘Swachh Pakhwada’, to ensure that they are functional and fully used.

Salient Features : – As a part of behavioral change communication, hoardings and posters of ‘Asli Tarakki’ campaign, prioritizing construction of toilets over other needs like owning a scooter or a TV set, are to be prominently and widely displayed during the fortnight. – Google Toilet Locator to be launched for the benefit of the people of National Capital Region which helps in locating the nearest toilet for use.

Nodal Ministry : Ministry of Urban Development