Assam Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill, 2024

 The Assam government recently tabled the Assam Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Bill, 2024, similar to the proposed central law. This legislation is a follow-up to the Assam Public Examination (Measures for Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance issued by the Assam Cabinet in October 2023.

The draft legislation aims to curb cheating and malpractices during exams in the state through strict penalties.

Purpose of the Bill

The primary objective of the bill is to provide effective measures to prevent and curb offences related to leakage of question papers and use of unfair means in public examinations for recruitment to any state government post. This includes posts in autonomous bodies, authorities, boards, and corporations.

Definition of “Unfair Means”

The bill defines “unfair means” as cheating by using unauthorized help in a public examination, leaking or attempting to leak a question paper, procuring or attempting to procure a question paper in an unauthorized manner, selling or solving a paper in an unauthorized manner, and directly or indirectly assisting an examinee in an unauthorized manner. It also includes conducting an examination or printing a question paper or blank answer scripts somewhere other than designated areas.

Key Features

Special Courts

The bill proposes that the state government, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Guwahati High Court, can designate and notify special courts not below the rank of an Additional District and Sessions Judge.

10-Year Jail Term

The bill introduces a provision for a 10-year prison sentence for offenses like leaking question papers or helping candidates use unfair means. This aims to act as a strong deterrent against exam malpractices.

₹10 Lakh Penalty

The draft law also stipulates a hefty fine of ₹10 lakh for those involved in distributing question papers without authorization or enabling cheating. The financial penalty further discourages such activities.

More provisions

The bill further proposes that an examinee convicted under this law will be barred from writing any public exam for two years. In cases involving organized crime, the court can order the attachment of the offender’s property to recover any wrongful gains. If an institution or Limited Liability Partnership is found guilty of an offence under the law, it will be required to pay all the costs of the examination and will be banned permanently.

Ban on Possessing Questions Illegitimately

The proposed law clearly prohibits candidates from possessing question papers without proper permission. This plugs a key loophole enabling cheating.

Deterring Various Malpractices

Beyond leaking questions, the legislation addresses other common malpractices during exams like copying and external assistance to candidates. Stringent actions against all such activities will help reinforce exam integrity.

Significance

In the past five years, Assam has witnessed two major recruitment scandals. The first occurred in 2020, when a recruitment exam for 597 sub-inspector posts had to be cancelled due to a paper leak. Senior and retired IPS officers were among those arrested. The second scandal emerged in 2021, over two years after the exams had been conducted, when the government announced the cancellation of the 2019 exams for various posts in the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited due to widespread irregularities.

The bill signifies the Assam government’s firm commitment to eradicate cheating and unfair means in exams. It aims to overhaul the examination system and selection processes. However, effective on-ground enforcement and speedy trials will be key to the success of this law. Administrative and judicial delays could blunt its impact. Supporting awareness drives should accompany strict policing.

Opposition Suggestions

Opposition parties have argued for measures like housing exam centers in CCTV surveillance networks. This could complement laws enhancing surveillance and identifying violations.

What are Obelisks?

 

Recently, researchers at Stanford University discovered a new virus-like entity called obelisks. These obelisks have been found in large numbers within the human mouth and gut.

What are Obelisks?

Obelisks are microscopic entities that contain one or two genes and self-organise into a rod-like shape. They are circular bits of genetic material that have been found hiding inside the human body. While the exact species that host these elements are unknown, it is believed that bacteria or fungi could be probable hosts. The obelisks likely rely on these microbial host cells for replication.

Obelisks vs Viruses and Viroids

The obelisks are distinct from viruses and viroids, two other types of microbiological entities. Viruses cannot replicate without a host and are on the edge of what constitutes life. On the other hand, viroid are tiny scraps of genetic material that cannot make proteins and don’t have a protective shell to encase their genome.

The newly discovered obelisks fall somewhere between viruses and viroids. They have a circular single-stranded RNA genome and no protein coat, like viroids. But, like viruses, their genomes contain genes predicted to code for proteins. All obelisks described so far encode a single major protein known as obulin, and many encode a second, smaller obulin. The function of these obulins is still unknown, as they bear no evolutionary resemblance to any other protein.

Distribution and Prevalence of Obelisks

The Stanford team found almost 30,000 distinct obelisk types by analysing existing datasets taken from the human gut and mouth, as well as other sources. These obelisk genomes have been previously overlooked due to their dissimilarity to anything described before. The researchers found them in datasets spanning the globe and in diverse niches. They were detected in around 7% of microbiome datasets from the human gut and 50% of datasets from the mouth.

Potential Hosts for Obelisks

Obelisks likely rely on microbial host cells, including those that live inside humans, for replication. While the exact species that harbour these elements are unknown, bacteria or fungi are probable hosts. The researchers provided strong evidence that a common bacterial component of dental plaque, Streptococcus sanguinis, plays host to a specific obelisk type.

Obelisks: Friend or Foe?

As of now, the evolutionary and ecological significance of obelisks is unknown. It is not yet confirm whether they are parasitic and harm host cells, or they might be beneficial. Hosts may have evolved defence mechanisms against obelisks or actively recruit them for some advantage. If obelisks change or upset the human microbiome, they could have implications for human health and may even have therapeutic potential.

Economic & Political Weekly: Table of Contents

 

Vol. 59, Issue No. 5, 03 Feb, 2024

Editorials

ICJ Ruling and Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza

Comment

What Explains the Turnaround in Bihar?

From 25 Years Ago

From 25 Years Ago-French Jesuit Scientists in India:Historical Astronomy in the Discourse on India, 1670-1770

From 50 Years Ago

From 50 Years Ago: Indonesia: Counter-Productive Growth

Alternative Standpoint

How X Is Undermining Journalistic Practice in India

Kabir Upmanyu, Sneha Gore Mehendale

Commentary

The Marching Millions - An Obloquy for Indian Sociology

Manish Thakur

Hysterectomy as a ‘Magic Bullet’ for Gynaecological Morbidities - Commercialisation of Health

Manjari Sinha, Mathew George

M Kunhaman (1949–2023) - A Radical Academic Who Saw Things Others Could Not

Abhilash Thadathil

Book Reviews

Shaping Indian Polity

Ratnakar Tripathy

Adivasi Representation and Resistance in Chhotanagpur

Sarbeswar Sahoo

Insight

Demystifying GST Council Meetings Deliberations - Crucial Perspectives

Aslam P S, Libison K B

Special Articles

Evaluation of Household Awareness and Utilisation of Jammu and Kashmir Food Entitlement Scheme

Khurshid Ahmad Rather

Linkage of Multidimensional Poverty and Per Capita Income - A District-level Analysis in Uttar Pradesh

Rashmi Shukla

Did the COVID-19 Lockdown Reverse the Nutritional Gains in Children? - Evidence from Rural India

Payal Seth, Soumya Gupta, Prabhu Pingali

Notes

Promotion of Traditional Weaving Craft of Mau Region - A Critical Report

Amir Hussain, Sameena, Syed Taheer, Akbar Ali Khan

Current Statistics

Current Statistics

Letters

Revitalising Legal Accountability

Raj Kumar Yadav

Achieving Accurate Poverty Estimates

Shivani Giri

Ageism and the Rights of Older People

Sumanta Banerjee

Engage Articles

Scope for Reformative Dispute Resolution in India: Abolition of The Intellectual Property Appellate Board to Arbitration of Intellectual Property Disputes

Lahama Mazumdar

Game-changer

 The promise of AI is not merely about job displacement and creation but as a potential game- changer in public services.

In the unfolding narrative of technological evolution, the tantalising promise of artificial intelligence (AI) is casting its glow on the emerging world, heralding prospects of unprecedented growth and human capital development. This transformation, however, is not with- out its sceptics, echoing concerns that the benefits of AI may disproportionately favour the already privileged, particularly in the Western world. Yet, beneath the surf- ace, there lies a profound potential for AI to act as a cata- lyst for positive change in developing nations. The narra- tive begins with the acknowledgment that technology has, historically, been a double-edged sword. AI emerges as a unique player in this unfolding drama. Unlike earlier waves of technology, AI’s reach extends faster and more broadly. The key lies in the ubiquity of smartphones in the developing world, acting as gateways to a techno- logical revolution. The promise of AI is not merely about job displacement and creation but as a potential game- changer in public services. Education and healthcare, perennial challenges in developing economies, stand to gain substantially. The sheer scale of challenges, such as overcrowded classrooms in India or a scarcity of doctors in Africa, demands innovative solutions. AI, when harne- ssed strategically, can empower teachers, aid healthcare workers, and bridge the gap in resources. What makes this prospect all the more exciting is the participatory role that developing countries can assume. No longer passive recipients, they have the opportunity to shape AI to suit their unique needs. Localised applications, like speech-recognition software aiding illiterate farmers or chat-bots assisting students with homework in Kenya, showcase the adaptability and potential of AI to address specific challenges. Crucially, the narrative underscores that AI need not succumb to the winner-takes-all dyna- mics that defined earlier technological revolutions. Un- like the dominance of social media and internet-search giants, the flexibility of AI allows for diverse approaches to prosper. Developers in India, for instance, are fine- tuning Western models with local data, avoiding heavy capital costs. As we navigate this transformative landsca- pe, it becomes evident that each country is poised to mould AI according to its unique requirements. China’s tech prowess and deep-pocketed internet giants posi- tion it as a frontrunner, while India’s vibrant start-up sce- ne and government support signal innovation on the horizon. Even countries in the Gulf, traditionally reliant on oil, are strategically embracing AI to diversify their economies. Yet, amid the optimism, cautionary notes are sounded. Challenges such as expensive computing pow- er, the need for local data, and potential misuse of the technology loom on the horizon. Connectivity, governan- ce, and regulation are identified as linchpins for AI’s suc- cessful integration, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The path forward requires strategic investments to overcome challenges, ensuring AI’s benefits permeate across bor- ders. As uncertainties persist, the certainty remains that AI’s multifaceted capabilities will continue to improve, presenting developing countries with a remarkable op- portunity and the power to seize it.

Source: The Statesman, 3/02/24

Why PETA wants to ban two age-old Assamese traditions

 

People for Ethical Treatment of Animals have mounted a legal challenge against the practises of buffalo and bulbul fighting in the Gauhati High Court. What are these traditions? Why were they discontinued? Now that they are back, why does PETA want to ban them?

he Assam government’s attempt to revive traditional practices of buffalo and bulbul (songbird) fighting during Magh Bihu has come up against a legal challenge by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in the Gauhati High Court, which admitted petitions by PETA India seeking a ban on both.

What is this tradition all about? Why were the fights disccontinued? What is behind the Assam government’s move to revive the tradition? And what is PETA’s challenge?

An age-old tradition

These fights are part of the folk culture associated with the Assamese winter harvest festival of Magh Bihu, which takes place in January, at the same time as harvest festivals in other parts of the country such as Makar Sankranti, Pongal and Lohri.

Buffalo fights are held in different parts of Assam during Magh Bihu, with Ahatguri in Nagaon district being the biggest centre. There, the fights been conducted for many decades by the Ahatguri Anchalik Moh-jooj aru Bhogali Utsav Udjapan Samiti, drawing huge crowds. Bulbul fights, on the other hand, are an attraction at the Hayagriv Madhab Mandir in Hajo, around 30 km from Gauhati. Participants rear birds for around two weeks before Bihu, before they are made to fight until one emerges stronger.“While the buffalo fights are folk culture and tradition, this is tied to religion. Before starting, we light saki (lamps) in Lord Vishnu’s name and lay xorai (offering trays)… The practice is very old, we cannot really say when it started. But it was held with great pomp by the Ahom rulers,” Shiba Prasad Sarma,

Discontinued after SC ruling

The fights had been stopped on the heels of the Supreme Court’s 2014 judgement, which forbid the use of bulls as performing animals in jallikattu events and bullock-cart races in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or anywhere else in the country.

The Court also directed the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) to ensure that “the person-incharge or care of the animal shall not incite any animal to fight against a human being or another animal.” In January 2015, the AWBI wrote to the Assam government seeking an end to animal and bird fights during Bihu celebrations, following which the government directed district administrations to prevent them. doloi (administrator) of the temple

This was not without resistance. Buffalo fights continued to be held in some quarters in defiance of the prohibition, and the management of the Hayagriv Madhab Temple challenged the order in the Gauhati High Court.

After SC clears path, Assam govt releases SOP to conduct fights

The Supreme Court May last year overruled its 2014 judgement, upholding amendments made by Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka governments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 to allow jallikattu, kambala and bullock cart racing. Subsequently, in December, the Assam Cabinet gave a go-ahead for the framing of SOPs for the conduct of buffalo and bulbul fights without “deliberate torture or cruelty” to the animals.

The SOPs which were subsequently released specified that the fights will only be permitted in places where they have been “traditionally conducted” for the last 25 years, and that moh juj (buffalo fights) will only be allowed between January 15 and January 25. The moh juj guidelines prohibit human inflicted injuries, and ban the use of intoxicating or performance enhancing drugs, as well as sharp instruments to instigate the animals. The bulbul fight SOPs require the organisers to ensure that the birds are released in the open “in perfect condition” at the end of the game. The SOPs state that any organization violating the stipulations will face a ban for the next five years.

With the release of these guidelines, the activities were held again during Magh Bihu this year, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma himself attended the events in Ahatguri and Hajo, and spoke of their revival as an effort to “preserve Assam’s timeless Bihu traditions.”

PETA’s challenge

PETA India has now filed two linked petitions before the Gauhati High Court seeking the prohibition of both activities, as well an interim stay preventing any such fights from taking place during the course of the proceedings.

In these petitions, they state that they investigated the events in both Ahatguri and Hajo this year. The claimed that in Ahatguri,  in order to instigate buffalos to fight, owners slapped, pushed and shoved them; jabbed and struck them with wooden sticks; and pulled them roughly by nose ropes. They stated that many buffalos had injuries on their bodies from the fights, and that the fights lasted util one of the two buffalos “broke away and fled”.

With regards to the event in Hajo, they stated that the bulbuls “were illegally captured and incited, against their natural instincts to fight over food.”

On Thursday (February 1), the court heard an interlocutory application by the petitioners stating that a buffalo fight event was scheduled to be held in Nagaon district on February 4, which would be outside the stipulated period specified in the government’s guidelines.

The Court observed that organising a buffalo fight beyond January 25 is prima facie in violation of the government’s notification. It stated that the petitioners should inform the relevant district administration of the particulars of the event, following which the latter should take the necessary stops to prevent the event, in line with the SOPs.

Written by Sukrita Barua

Source: Indian Express, 4/02/24

Quote of the Day January 30, 2024

 

“It is not work that kills men; it is worry.”
Henry Ward Beecher

“काम वह वस्तु नहीं है जिससे किसी व्यक्ति की पराजय होती है, वास्तव में वह वस्तु चिंता है।”
हेनरी वार्ड बीचर

International Postgraduate Merit Scholarship 2024

 The University of Sheffield , UK is  delighted to offer 125 International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarships in 2024.

 

Each scholarship is a competitive award worth £5,000 towards the original tuition fee for a postgraduate taught programme starting in September 2024. The scholarships are available to all new international students who meet the eligibility criteria.

You must hold an offer to study at the University of Sheffield.

Key dates.

• Scholarship applications will open in late Autumn 2023.
• The deadline for scholarship applications is 1.00pm (UK time) on Monday 13 May 2024.
• Scholarship results will be announced on Monday 10 June 2024.
• If you are offered the scholarship, we’ll ask that you confirm acceptance of your scholarship and your offer by a fixed date.

 

Eligibility criteria

Your programme must commence at the University of Sheffield in autumn 2024.

• Distance learning courses are ineligible for a merit scholarship.
• You must receive an offer for a course studied in full at the University of Sheffield. Masters programmes split between the University of Sheffield and a partner institution are not eligible to apply for a scholarship.
• All Crossways courses and Erasmus Mundus courses are ineligible for a merit scholarship.
• For tuition fee purposes you must be self-funded and required to pay the overseas tuition fee.
• You must not be a sponsored student.

 

For further terms and conditions please visit  —https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/international/fees-and-funding/scholarships/postgraduate/international-merit-postgraduate-scholarship