Public administration answers 2

2. PIL has undergone several changes since its inception in 1980s
PIL is one of the important innovations of indian judicial system. Justice bhagwati is considered as the father of PIL. PIL was initially meant to serve those who couldn’t get access to justice. PIL allowed a person or organisation to demand for justice for a certain section of public even if the person/organisation had no locus standi
Over a period of time, PIL has become an important tool for judicial activism. Innovation have enlarged the scope and impact of PIL. PILs have strengthened social movement. It has become an effective instrument for
a) Fighting corruption and
b) To move the files in government offices
However there is a need for the court to maintain restraint while dealing with PILs. The recent instances of court giving directions to executive and legislature on basis of PIL are uncalled for. Such actions amount to violation of the checks and balances provided in our constitution. This may lead to judicial adventurism and may further lead to judicial dictatorship.

Global oil reserves tapped in efforts to curb prices

1.   

·         Following the libyan crisis, libyan oil exports have been virtually halted

·         This ahs effected major importers of libyan oil like france, germany, italy and spain

·         To compensate for the loss. US and its allies whoa re members of international energy association have announced release of 60 mn barrels from their ememrgency oil reserves

·         Oil prices have already been falling down and this move will further bring down prices

·         US had setup a 720 mn barrel oil reserve following the 1973-74 oil crisis

·         OPEC has failed to respond to the crisis as its members didn’t agree to increase their outputs

·         Also oil exports from other countries like yemen has been ond ecline

·         Hence this move was taken to cool down the prices

International energy agency

1.       International energy agency

·         Formed in 1974 following the oil crisis

·         Has 28 members including US, couple of EU countries, japan, australia, newzealand

·         established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

·          The IEA was initially dedicated to responding to physical disruptions in the supply of oil, as well as serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors.

·         The Agency's mandate has broadened to focus on the "3Es" of sound energy policy: energy security, economic development, and environmental protection

Bangladesh: restoring secular constitution

·         Bangladesh became independent from 1971 to set up a secular state

·         But in 1975 its founding father was asssasinated and power was taken over by gen ziaur rahman

·         He brought abt amendments to

o   Allow politics based onr eligion

o   War criminals allowed in politics

·         In 1982 genrl ershad cam eto power and made bangla islamic state

·         Now hasina’s government is proposing move to make it a secular state

·         But it has chosen to retain provisions stating official religion is islam out of fear of loss of votes from the electorates

·         This keeps the door open for religious fanatics to convert bangladesh into a state like pakistan

Renewing ewaste

·         Framed by MoEF

·         Will come into effect form may 2012

·         Calls for creation of necesssary infra for collection, dismantling and recycling of e-waste

·         Focus on segregation of waste at sourcve and recovery of materials

·         Emphasis on extended producer responsibility

o   Ie producer is responsible for disposal fo product after end of its life

·         Steps required

o   Pollution contorl boards must be upgraded

o   The people involved in recycling in the informal sector need to be trained to upgrade their skills and occupational health