20, March 2019 20/03/2019 – Posted in: Press Information Bureau – Tags: , ,

Voluntary Code of Ethics for the 2019 General Election

(Election Commission)

 

WHAT

The Social Media Platforms and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), today presented a “Voluntary Code of Ethics for the General Election 2019” to Chief Election Commissioner.

 

CODE OF ETHICS

The ‘Code of Ethics” has been developed to ensure free, fair & ethical usage of Social Media Platforms to maintain the integrity of the electoral process for the General Elections 2019. The Code voluntarily agreed upon by the Participants comes into operation with immediate effect.

 

APPRECIATING STEP

  • The Participants need to follow in letter and spirit the commitments made in the Code of Ethics.
  • The Platforms have committed to process any violations reported under Section 126 of RP Act, 1951 within three hours as per Sinha Committee recommendations.


REPORTING MECHANISM

The Platforms have also agreed to create a high priority dedicated reporting mechanism for the ECI and appoint dedicated teams during the period of General Elections for taking expeditious action on any reported violations.

 

SINHA COMMISSION

The Election Commission (EC) has constituted 14 member committee headed by Umesh Sinha to suggest changes to Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RP Act) in view of social media expansion. Section 126 of RP Act, 1951 prohibits displaying any election matter by means of television or similar apparatus, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency. It does not include social and new media under its ambit.

Source: PIB

 

 

Cyclone ‘IDAI’

(Ministry of Defence)

 

WHAT

Cyclone ‘IDAI’ made landfall at Beira, Mozambique in early hours of 15 Mar 19 causing widespread damage and loss of human life in the Central and Northern provinces of the country.

The ships of First Training Squadron of Indian Navy (Sujata, Sarathi and Shardul) operating in the Southern Indian Ocean were diverted to Port Beira, Mozambique based on request received from the Government of Mozambique to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to the local population post the devastation caused by cyclone ‘IDAI’ which struck the coast of Mozambique on 15 Mar 19.

 

CYCLONE ‘IDAI’

Intense Tropical Cyclone Idai is regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere as a whole. The storm caused catastrophic damage in multiple nations.

 

RELIEF

  • The IN ships are likely to setup medical camps and provide food, water, blankets and other necessary relief items, as required by the local authorities.
  • The helicopter from IN Ship Shardul is operating from the local airport for reccee and SAR.
  • The boats, Landing Craft Assault and Gemini rubberised craft with divers would be used to render assistance for evacuation of marooned personnel.

Source: PIB

 

 

International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure-2019

(Ministry of Home Affairs)

 

WHAT

  • The two-day International Workshop on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (IWDRI) successfully concluded.
  • The Second workshop was organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), and in partnership with the Global Commission on Adaptation, United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.
  • Multilateral development banks, the United Nations, the private sector, academia, policy think tanks and other stakeholders participated in the workshop.

 

THREE MANTRAS FOR ACHIEVING SUSTAINABILITY IN DRI

  • The need to focus on the poor and the vulnerable.
  • To follow an inclusive approach of collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
  • To ensure proactive connectedness with other Global Processes in DRR.


HIGHLIGHTS OF WORKSHOP

  • Discuss and co-create the broad contours of the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) as well as a notional roll-out plan for the next three year.
  • Good practices of disaster risk management in key infrastructure sectors such as Transport, Energy, Telecom and Water.
  • Emerging technologies and nature-based innovation in the context of climate change and its impact on creation, operation and maintenance of infrastructure.
  • The need and practical issues concerning finance and insurance for infrastructure.

 

COALITION FOR DRI (CDRI)

The CDRI is envisaged as a knowledge exchange and capacity development partnership. India had announced the creation of a CDRI soon after the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction.

 

SENDAI FRAMEWORK 2015-2030

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), 2015-2030, is the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda, identifies investing in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for resilience and to build back better in reconstruction as priorities for action towards reducing disaster risk.

Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognizes disaster resilient infrastructure as a crucial driver of economic growth and development.

Source: PIB