PIB Summary- 8th May, 2022 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Reforms in police forces

Context
The Vice President called for a renewed thrust to implement reforms in the police forces.

What is the Need for Police reforms?

• A healthy socio-cultural environment in society requires effective policing. Economic progress is dependent on a safe and secure environment. As a result, police reform is critical for India’s socioeconomic well-being.
• The police force today was perceived to be increasingly politicised with significant erosion in values and practices. Instead of being seen as a people-friendly force, it was seen as being elitist and power-friendly.
• Much of our police system’s imperfections can be traced back to its colonial roots. The British laid the foundations for the structure in 1861. 
• The other issues with the Police force include:
  (i) filling up the huge number of vacancies in police departments.
  (ii) strengthening the police infrastructure in tune with the requirements of modern age policing. 

Prakash Singh case 2006:
The Supreme Court of India delivered its landmark judgement in the famous Prakash Singh case, mandating country-wide police reform and issuing seven crucial directives to immediately start the implementation process.

Recommendations:  

• The government should focus on strengthening the police force at the local level, as they are often the first responders.
• To effectively combat 21st-century crimes such as cybercrime and economic offences, which require special investigative expertise, our police officers’ skills must be upgraded.
• To emphasise the importance of policing in maintaining society’s peace and order, the government should prioritise the increased use of technology in police operations.

Example:
A classic example of rule of law-oriented policing was provided recently by the Norwegian police. Norwegian police imposed a heavy and exemplary fine on its own prime minister for organising a party on her 60th birthday in violation of Covid-19 regulations.

SMART Policing: 

• The Prime Minister of India calls for making the police a SMART force—standing for a force which is Strict and Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and Accountable, Reliable and Responsive, Tech-savvy and Trained.
• Smart Policing represents a strategic approach that brings more “science” into police operations by leveraging innovative applications of analysis, technology, and evidence-based practices.

Decriminalisation of Legal Metrology Act, 2009

Context
The Department of Consumer Affairs is organising a one-day ‘National Workshop on Legal Metrology Act, 2009’ with the purpose to take deliberations from all stakeholders on the issue of decriminalisation of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

What is the Legal Metrology Act, 2009?

• Legal Metrology Act, 2009 establish and enforce standards of weights and measures, regulate trade and commerce in weights, measures and other goods.
• In its present form, the law prescribes imprisonment, in addition to fine, for second or subsequent offence.

Challenges posed by the current Legislation

• The current version of the Act encompasses both criminal and civil measures for dealing with malpractices. 
• Non-compounding of offences has the most serious criminal consequences.
• It raises the standard of proof for proving the crime, thus allowing wrongdoers to flee.
• The Act directly affects ease of doing business in India, which has been evidenced by the oscillations in its definition of the meaning of ‘person(s) in charge of the business’ which makes the board of directors or even nominated directors criminally liable for most of the offences under the Act.

Decriminalisation of Legal Metrology Act, 2009

• The Decriminalisation of Legal Metrology Act, 2009 is being considered for ease of doing business by removing unnecessary interference.
• Additionally, the objective is to ensure that the consumer is not short shifted by way of use of non-standard weights & measures and incorrect disclosure without increasing the burden on businesses and hindering economic growth.  
• The benefits of decriminalisation of the Act could be two-fold.
  (i) One, it could uplift the sentiments of the business community which generally believes that imprisonment is a grave punishment not commensurate with the level of the wrong-doing.
  (ii) Secondly, it could majorly help in the de-clogging of courts.

Key issues for consideration of decriminalisation of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 are: 

• Decrease the burden on businesses and inspire confidence amongst the investors;
• Focus on economic growth and protection of consumer interest; 
• Mens rea (malafide/ criminal intent) plays an important role in the imposition of criminal liability 
• Habitual offenders for repetition of non-compliance.

Webinar on “Challenges in Thalassemia 2022”

Context
On the occasion of World Thalassemia Day, the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs addressed the webinar  “Challenges in Thalassemia 2022”. 

About Thalassemia:

• Thalassemia is a hereditary condition that affects the blood which leads to an abnormal form of haemoglobin.
• Haemoglobin is an important protein molecule present in RBC that carries oxygen. This disorder leads to the destruction of RBC which leads to anaemia.
• Types of Thalassemia: The main forms of thalassemia are called thalassemia alpha and thalassemia beta.
• Causes of Thalassemia: It develops when there is some abnormality in any one of the genes that are involved in the production of haemoglobin and this defect is inherited from the parents.