Cervical Cancer
Why in News?
January marked Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer. Despite being the second most common cancer in India, accessibility to the vaccine remains limited due to cost and misconceptions. Organizations like FOGSI and IAP are working to educate physicians and parents about the benefits of vaccination and regular screening to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer
- Develops in a woman's cervix.
- Second most common cancer among women.
- Caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
- HPV is transmitted through sexual contact.
Vaccines
- Quadrivalent vaccine: Gardasil
- Bivalent vaccine: Cervarix
- India’s first quadrivalent HPV vaccine: Cervavac (created by Serum Institute of India)
WHO Steps
- 90-70-90 Triple Pillar Intervention
- 90% of girls must be fully vaccinated.
- 70% of women must be screened.
- 90% of women with cervical pre-cancer and cancer must receive treatment and care.
Challenges
- Limited awareness and accessibility to screening.
- Stigma surrounding reproductive health.
- Lack of trained healthcare professionals.
- High cost of screening tests.
Prelims Practice Question
Consider the following statement with respect to Cervical cancer:
a) Hormonal imbalance is the primary risk factor associated with cervical cancer development.
b) Cervical cancer is more prevalent among women who have never undergone childbirth.
c) WHO prioritizes HPV vaccination for females aged 9 to 13 years as a primary prevention strategy against cervical cancer.
How many statements are correct:
a) One only
b) Two only
c) Three only
d) All the above
National Green Tribunal
Why in News?
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has raised concerns over the discharge of untreated wastewater into the Ganga river in Varanasi, amounting to 128 million litres per day. The issue was brought before the NGT due to its impact on the river's water quality and its significance to religious sentiments.
National Green Tribunal
- Statutory body - established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
- Specialized body - deals with environmental disputes.
- Jurisdiction - Environmental protection, conservation of forest & natural resources. Not bound to act as per the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- Guided by the principles of natural justice.
- Principal bench - New Delhi.
- Benches - Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata & Chennai.
Composition of NGT
- A Chairperson + Judicial & Expert Members.
- Chairperson - appointed by the GoI in consultation with CJI.
- Judicial & Expert Members - appointed by the GoI based on Selection Committee’s recommendation.
- Member's strength - Minimum 10 & Maximum 20.
- Tenure - 5 years. Not eligible for reappointment.
Functions of the body
- Jurisdiction over all civil cases involving substantial questions relating to the environment.
- Deals with cases related to the protection and conservation of the environment & forests.
- Disposal of cases - within 6 months.
- Orders for relief & compensation to the persons or damaged property.
- Handling of environmental disputes that involve multi-disciplinary issues.
- NGT deals with civil cases under 7 laws related to the environment:
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
- Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
- Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- Order of NGT - equivalent to a civil court’s order.
- NGT Act 2010 - punishment & penalty for non-compliance:
- Imprisonment - up to 3 years.
- Fine - up to 10 crore rupees.
- Appeal against the order of the NGT goes to the Supreme Court. Condition - appeal should be filed within 90 days of the NGT’s order.
Practice Question – Prelims
Consider the following statements about the National Green Tribunal (NGT):
1. It is a constitutional body established under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
2. It deals with cases related to any violations under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
3. The NGT is not bound by the procedure under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
How many of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Parliamentary privileges
Why in News?
The Supreme Court ruled that legislators accepting bribes to vote or speak in Parliament are not protected by immunity. Chief Justice Chandrachud stated that bribery is a criminal offense regardless of subsequent actions in the House, aiming to combat corruption in Indian democracy.
Practice Question – Mains GS – II
“It is necessary to codify the parliamentary privileges, considering concerns about their misuse and potential infringement upon individual fundamental rights” - Analyse.
Introduction
- Article 105 and 194 provide special rights, immunities, & exemptions to the two Houses of Parliament, committees & members.
- Objective is to ensure the freedom and independence of the legislature.
- No law has been enacted to codify it.
Need for Codification of Privileges
Privileges are:
- Vague & interpreted for the benefit of the ruling party.
- Act as a shield to protect legislators from persecution for corruption, bribery, etc.
- Provides scope for increased misuse.
- Antithetical to various constitutional principles such as equality.
- Lack transparency and undermine public trust in the legislative process.
Learning from Global Experience
- British Parliament removed the tradition of treating criticism as infringement of parliamentary privileges.
- Australia codified the privileges.
Way Forward
- National commission for review of working of constitution led by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah.
- Defining & limiting privileges to ensure independent functioning of legislatures.
- K Anandan Nambiar case 1951: Supreme Court ruled that MPs could claim no special status higher than that of an ordinary citizen.
- Supreme Court's stance on lawmakers not being immune from prosecution for taking bribes.
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