Worker safety code Bill gets Cabinet approval 

News Important for: GS Paper -2 I Union and state and their responsibilities, Bills

Context

The Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 is ready to be introduced in parliament.

 

About the Bill

• The bill will merge 13 merge labour laws into one code on occupational safety, health and working conditions.
• The provision of the bill will be applicable to all the organisations having 10 or more workers under it.
• It will expected to influence 40 crore unorganised workers.
• It aims to merge 44 labour laws with the Code on Wages Bill, 2019.
• The code will be applicable to all trades, including IT establishments with 10 or more workers it will apply to mines and docks that employ even one worker.
• The code makes it mandatory for employers to provide free annual medical check-ups and issue appointment letters to all employees.
• The multiple committees under five labour Acts would be replaced by the National Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Board.
• The code also framed rules for women workers working night shifts.
• Women permitted to work beyond 7 p.m. and before 6 a.m. subject to the safety, holidays, working hours or any other condition as prescribed by appropriate government in respect of prescribed establishments only after taking their consent for night work

Source link:

 https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/worker-safety-code-bill-gets-cabinet-approval/article28364049.ece

Bengal port records country’s highest sea level rise in 50 years

News Important for: GS Paper -3 I Infrastructure: Ports, Climate Change

Context

According to Ministry of Earth Sciences the Diamond port of West Bengal has seen the highest sea level rise in 50 years.

 

 

Analysis

• The Studies found that sea level rise in the country has been estimated to be 1.3 mm/year along India’s coasts during the last 40-50 years.
• At Diamond Harbour the rise was almost five times higher at 5.16 mm per year.
• The mean sea level rise for Diamond Harbour was based on recordings over the period from 1948 to 2005.
• The sea level rise at Kandla port in Gujarat, Haldia in West Bengal, Port Blair also recorded significant rise in sea level.
• Sea level rise is due to Global warming and melting of glaciers.
• According to the IPCC report the global sea level was rising at a rate of 1.8 mm/ year.
• Storm surge, Tsunami, loss of coastal land to sea, high waves, and coastal floods are few of the dangerous consequences of rising sea level.
• The sea level rise is higher in Sunderbans due to mixing of fresh and saline waters.
• On all India average basis there has been a warming trend of 0.6 degrees Celsius.

Source link: 

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bengal-port-records-countrys-highest-sea-level-rise-in-50-years/article28364149.ece

Single tribunal to hear water disputes 

News Important for: GS Paper -2 I Governance, Interstate river water dispute 

Context

The union cabinet has approved the Interstate river water dispute (amendment) bill, 2019

About

• The bill help adjudicate disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
• The Bill seeks to amend the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to streamline the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes
• A key feature of the bill is the constitution of a single tribunal with different Benches, and the setting of strict timelines for adjudication.
• The standalone tribunal so envisaged will have a permanent establishment and permanent office space and infrastructure so as to fulfil the need to set up a separate Tribunal for each water dispute, a time consuming process.
• The Bill also proposes a Dispute Resolution Committee set up by the Central Government for amicably resolving inter-State water disputes within 18 months.
• Any dispute that cannot be settled by negotiations would be referred to the tribunal for its adjudication. The dispute so referred to the tribunal shall be assigned by the chairperson of the tribunal to a Bench of the tribunal for adjudication.
• The Bill can also affect the composition of the members of various tribunals, and has a provision to have a technical expert as the head of the tribunal. Currently all tribunals are staffed by members of the judiciary, nominated by the Chief Justice.