Kerala becomes third state to be declared open defecation free

  • Kerala is the third state in the country to be declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
  • Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh have already been declared ODF before Kerala.
  • With this Kerala is the first high density population state in the country to achieve Open Defecation Free status.
  • Open defecation has been associated with spreading diseases. So, curbing open defecation has been proven to lead to significant health benefits in terms of incidences of water-borne diseases, especially in children, and provide safety and dignity for all, especially women and senior citizens.

Act to curb Black money comes into effect

The Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 has come into effect from November 1, 2016

Benami transactions are defined as:

  • Owner is not aware of and denies knowledge of the ownership of the property
  • Person providing the consideration for the property is not traceable
  • Transactions made under fictitious name

Provisions of the act:

  • Initiating officer: S/he can initiate investigation against a person under the Act on the basis of suspicion.
  • Approving authority: S/he will approve the investigation initiated by the Initiating officer.
  • Adjudicating authority: S/he can declare a property as benami after a period on 90 days from the date of initiation of investigation. Such declaration can be made after verifying all documents and evidence.
  • Administrator: S/he will receive and handle the property.
  • All the three functions will be performed by Joint or Additional Commissioner of Income Tax,  Assistant/Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax and a Tax Recovery Officer, role of Approving authority, Initiating officer and Administrator respectively.  
  • For violation of the Act, punishment has been increased from  a three year imprisonment to seven years and a fine which is 25 per cent of the market value of the benami property.

CVC observes Vigilance Awareness Week across India

  • Vigilance Awareness Week is being observed across India from 31 October to November 4, 2016.
  • The theme for 2016 is  public participation in promoting integrity and eradicating corruption

Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

  • CVC was established in 1964 on the basis of recommendations made by K. Santhanam Committee 
  • CVC consist of one central vigilance commissioner and two other vigilance commissioners.
  • Commissioners can be removed only by order of President of India on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity after the Supreme Court, on a reference made to it by the President, has, on inquiry, reported that the Central Vigilance Commissioner or any Vigilance Commissioner, as the case may be, ought on such ground be removed.
  • Current CVC is K V Chowdary. Two vigilance commissioners are Tejinder Bhasin and Rajiv.

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