Current Affairs - Bills and Acts

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) was established in 1964 under the Food Corporation Act. It functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution. FCI plays a crucial role in India's food security by conducting price support operations, distributing food grains through the Public Distribution System (PDS), and maintaining operational and buffer stocks. These efforts ensure the availability of food grains across the country, stabilizing prices and securing food supply during shortages.

The Income Tax Act of 1961, introduced in India, has been a significant piece of legislation governing income tax since April 1962. This act was a major reform following earlier tax laws, establishing a comprehensive and structured tax system. It replaced previous tax regulations and has undergone several amendments over time to address evolving fiscal needs. The act is crucial in India's tax administration, marking a major milestone in the evolution of tax policy and management in the country.

The central government has banned 156 cocktail drugs, many of which are commonly available at home. These banned drugs are used for various purposes, including hair growth, skin care, pain relief, and treating allergies. The ban affects fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), where multiple drugs are combined into a single pill. This list includes drugs that were already discontinued or had limited use. The ban was recommended by the expert committee appointed by the Centre after an examination by the apex panel of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). This decision was based on the finding that there is no therapeutic justification for these FDCs. The pharmaceutical industry is currently assessing the financial impact of this ban.

The Assam government will propose a bill for compulsory government registration of Muslim marriages and divorces, aiming to end underage marriages and protect tribal areas and cultural sites. The bill, to be tabled in the Autumn Session, seeks to end the Kazi's authority to register Muslim marriages and divorces and ensure government oversight of such registrations. It also includes provisions to protect religious, cultural, and historical structures, as well as expand the 'Orunodoi' poverty alleviation scheme, aiming to cover an additional 12.6 lakh households.

The Right to Education (RTE) Act was enacted in 2009 by the Indian Parliament to operationalize the 86th Constitutional Amendment, which introduced Article 21 A. This article ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 years. The RTE Act, which became effective on April 1, 2010, mandates that no fees be charged for education and sets out the duties of state governments and local authorities. It also establishes guidelines for teacher-student ratios and prohibits physical punishment and mental harassment in schools.