AMN / NEW DELHI
Union Cabinet today approved amendments to the POCSO Act to make punishment more stringent for committing sexual crimes against children.
To discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent, Section-4, Section-5 and Section-6 are proposed to be amended to provide the option of stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault crime on a child.
The amendments are also proposed in section-9 to protect children from sexual offences in times of natural calamities and disasters.
The amendment is expected to discourage the trend of child sexual abuse by acting as a deterrent due to strong penal provisions incorporated in the Act. It may protect the interest of vulnerable children in times of distress and ensure their safety and dignity.
The amendment aims to establish clarity regarding the aspects of child abuse and punishment.
The government also approved the Gaganyaan Programme with a demonstration of Indian Human Spaceflight capability to low earth orbit for a mission duration ranging from one orbital period to a maximum of seven days.
A human-rated GSLV Mk-lll will be used to carry the orbital module which will have necessary provisions for sustaining a 3-member crew for the duration of the mission.
The total fund requirement for the Gaganyaan Programme is within 10,000 crore rupees and includes the cost of technology development, flight hardware realization and essential infrastructure elements.
Two unmanned flights and one manned flight will be undertaken as part of Gaganyaan Programme.
Cabinet has approved setting up of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2018 which seeks to replace the existing regulator Central Council for Indian Medicine with a new body to ensure transparency.
The draft bill provides for the constitution of a National Commission with four autonomous boards entrusted with conducting overall education of Ayurveda under the board of Ayurveda and Unani, Siddha and Sowarigpa under the board of Unani, Siddha and Sowarigpa.
It also proposes a common entrance exam and exit exam, which all graduates have to clear to get practising licenses.
Cabinet has also approved setting up of the National Commission for Homoeopathy Bill, 2018 which seeks to replace the existing regulator Central Council for Homoeopathy with a new body to ensure transparency.
The draft Bill provides for the construction of a National Commission with three autonomous boards entrusted with conducting overall education of homoeopathy by Homeopathy Education Board.
The government has also given its nod to Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2018. The proposed CRZ Notification will lead to enhanced activities in the coastal regions thereby promoting economic growth while also respecting the conservation principles of coastal regions.