NEWS

The State Law Commission has received more than 7,000 suggestions on a rough draft of the Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill till Monday, the last day of submission. Officials on Tuesday said a report would be prepared after studying the proposals.

The draft bill aims to bring down the gross fertility rate in the state by limiting government benefits for couples with more than two children, and offering incentives to those who have a maximum of two children.

It was uploaded on the law panel’s website on July 9, inviting suggestions from the public till July 19. According to the draft, people with more than two children would be debarred from contesting local body polls, applying for government jobs, and receiving subsidies. It also seeks to prohibit promotions in government jobs for such people while offering incentives to those with two children.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday took suo motu cognizance of noise pollution caused by modified bikes, especially bullet bikes. Justice Abdul Moin made observations with reference to the silencers of two-wheelers, especially bullets and other new era two-wheelers, which speed through the streets of the state.

The judge stated that vehicle-riders have modified the noise mufflers or silencers of their bikes so much that a vehicle being driven hundreds of meters away can be heard. This causes immense discomfort to the old and ill, as well as young children and others who may require silence.

The court stated that since the authorities have not looked into the matter, it is for the court to take notice of noise pollution being caused by vehicles. Thus, the court took notice of the aforesaid noise pollution.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday told Rajya Sabha that India will be the first country to develop a DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine even as other manufactures are steadily ramping up production.

“It is a matter of great pride for us that our scientists will be the first to develop a DNA vaccine,” the minister said, referring to Zydus Cadila, which has applied for emergency use authorisation of its DNA vaccine.

Mandaviya said while Serum Institute of India has begun providing 11-12 crore doses of Covishield vaccine every month, Biological E is conducting third-phase trial of its vaccine, which is expected to come in the market by September-October with 7.5 crore doses.

The AIADMK on Tuesday hit out at the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu and accused it of practicing dynastic politics. AIADMK leader and former state minister D Jayakumar objected to ministers placing Chief Minister MK Stalin's son's portraits inside their offices.

He said he has no objection to DMK ministers placing MK Stalin's son's Udhayanidhi Stalin's portraits at their homes. However, using his portraits inside their office was unacceptable, Jayakumar said.

Udhayanidhi Stalin is a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.