Current Affaires 14 July 2023

Israel parliament approves bill that limits Supreme Court power

Yes, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, approved a bill on July 10, 2023 that would limit the Supreme Court's power to void decisions made by the government, ministers, and elected officials. The bill passed by a vote of 64-56, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right governing coalition overpowering the opposition.

The bill, which still needs to pass two more votes before it becomes law, would change the way the Supreme Court reviews the actions of the government. Currently, the Supreme Court can strike down government decisions that it deems to be unreasonable. The new bill would require the Supreme Court to give the government a chance to correct its decision before it can be struck down.

The bill has been met with widespread criticism from legal experts and human rights groups, who say it would weaken the Supreme Court's ability to protect the rights of citizens and check the power of the government. Supporters of the bill say it is necessary to prevent the Supreme Court from interfering in the democratic process.

The bill is part of a broader effort by Netanyahu to change the Israeli justice system. In recent years, Netanyahu has been criticized by the Supreme Court for his handling of corruption cases against him. He has also accused the court of being biased against his political allies.

The bill is likely to face legal challenges if it becomes law. However, if it is upheld, it would represent a significant change to the balance of power in Israel's political system.

Telangana High Court Declares Telangana Eunuchs Act 1919 Unconstitutional

The Telangana High Court while terming the Transgender Act as unconstitutional highlighted some of the reasons which are given below

The Telangana Eunuchs Act of 1919 was a colonial-era law that discriminated against transgender people and violated their human rights. The Telangana High Court declared it unconstitutional on July 6, 2023, after a public interest litigation filed by Vyjayanthi Vasanta Mogli, a transgender activist.

The court found that the Act infringed upon the rights of transgender individuals and undermined their equality, privacy, and dignity. The Act defined "eunuchs" as impotent males and required them to register with the authorities. It also allowed for their arrest without a warrant if they were found in female clothing or ornaments, or singing, dancing, or participating in public entertainment in public places.

The court said that the Act criminalized the entire transgender community and was based on outdated notions of gender identity and sexuality. It also noted that the Act contradicted the Supreme Court's judgment in NALSA v. Union of India (2014), which recognized the rights of transgender people as a third gender.

The court also directed the Telangana government to take steps to ensure the welfare and inclusion of transgender people in society. It ordered the government to provide reservations for transgender people in education and government employment, as well as pensions under the Aasara scheme.

The court's ruling is a landmark judgment for transgender rights in Telangana and India. It marks a significant step towards the recognition and protection of the dignity and identity of Transgender People.

UP govt approves two thermal power projects with NTPC

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved two thermal power projects, each of 800 MW, to be built at the cost of Rs 18,000 crore in Sonbhadra's Obra. The projects will be executed in partnership with NTPC, the central government-owned power generator. The projects will use ultra-supercritical technology, which offers high efficiency and reduced coal consumption. The projects aim to address the rising power demand and provide cheaper electricity to the people of the state.

The construction of the two thermal power projects is estimated to be completed in about 50 months for the first unit and 56 months for the second unit². The government has already allocated 500 acres of land for the projects, with the possibility of additional land allotment if required. The projects will be funded by 30% equity and 70% loan from financial institutions.

The two thermal power projects in Sonbhadra's Obra district will significantly enhance Uttar Pradesh's power generation capacity. With each plant having a capacity of 800 MW, the combined power generation capacity will increase by 1,600 MW. The implementation of these projects is expected to contribute approximately 25% to the current thermal power generation capacity of the state, which currently stands at about 7,000 MW.

The decision to establish power plants in Obra and Anpara regions as power hubs of the country stems from the aim to meet the growing energy demands in Uttar Pradesh. During the peak summer season, the power demand in the state reached a record high of 27,000 MW, emphasizing the need for increased power generation capacity². By developing these power projects, the state government seeks to ensure a stable and reliable power supply to meet the rising demands of industries, businesses, and households.