Conjugal Rights
Why in News: Recently, the High Court of Karnataka ordered the prison authorities to grant a 30-day parole to a convict so that he could fulfill his wife’s right to have a child.
Overview of Conjugal Rights: Conjugal rights encompass the mutual benefits and privileges shared between married individuals, such as companionship, support, comfort, sexual relations, affection, and joint property rights.
Applicability: These rights are recognized in personal laws addressing marriage, divorce, and related issues, as well as in criminal law, which may mandate the payment of maintenance and alimony to a spouse.
Recognition in Legal Framework:
- Section 9 of the Hindu Marriage Act: This section acknowledges the right to consortium, enabling a spouse to seek court intervention if the other spouse is deprived of companionship and the benefits associated with the marital relationship.
- Right of Consortium: Both spouses are entitled to this mutual right. If one spouse is denied the companionship and benefits associated with marriage, they have the right to invoke this provision.
Similar Provisions: Similar regulations exist under Muslim personal law and the Divorce Act of 1869, which governs Christian family law.
Overview of Conjugal Visits:
Definition: Conjugal visits in the context of prisons involve allowing a prisoner to spend private time with their spouse within the confines of the prison.
Recognition:
- International Recognition: The rights of prisoners are acknowledged internationally through instruments such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These documents guarantee prisoners the right to life, inherent dignity, and the preservation of family relations, including conjugal visits.
- National Perspective: Most prison Acts and Rules in various countries emphasize the importance of maintaining family and social ties for prisoners.
Importance:
- Psychological Health Benefits: Conjugal visits are believed to contribute positively to the psychological well-being of prisoners.
- Preservation of Marital Ties: They help in maintaining marital relationships despite imprisonment.
- Impact on Prison Environment: Advocates argue that allowing conjugal visits can potentially reduce rates of homosexuality and sexual aggression within prisons.
- Fundamental Right: Supporters assert that conjugal visits are a fundamental right of prisoners’ spouses.
UN Global Supply Chain Forum
Why in News: The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the government of Barbados have recently hosted the United Nations Global Supply Chain Forum 2024.
About the Global Supply Chain Forum:
- Platform: A venue for experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss and address global supply chain challenges.
- Objective: To develop sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and promoting ethical sourcing.
- Policy Recommendations: The forum provides guidance to governments and organizations on improving supply chain resilience and sustainability.
Global Supply Chain:
- Definition: An international network businesses use for producing and distributing goods and services.
- Components: Includes employees, necessary resources and information, and tools to comply with government regulations; excludes research and development or marketing teams.
Factors Contributing to Supply Chain Disruptions:
- Climate Change: Severe weather events are impacting transportation and logistics networks.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Political instability worldwide is creating trade uncertainty.
- COVID-19 Pandemic: Ongoing effects are causing disruptions in production, transportation, and labor markets.
Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh
Why in News: Recently, the leader of the Telugu Desam Party has called for the reinstatement of Special Category status for Andhra Pradesh.
About Special Category Status (SCS):
- About: Special Category Status (SCS) is a designation given by the central government to support states that face geographical and socio-economic challenges.
- Origin: The SCS mechanism was introduced in 1969 by the Fifth Finance Commission of India to assist certain states in overcoming historical economic or geographical disadvantages and foster rapid growth.
- Constitutionality: The Constitution of India does not include provisions for Special Category Status. Previously, the National Development Council of the Planning Commission granted this status to states for plan assistance.
- States with SCS: Jammu, Kashmir, Assam, and Nagaland were the first states to receive this designation in 1969. Since then, eleven states, including Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Uttarakhand, have also been granted this status. Telangana received it after its separation from Andhra Pradesh.
- Criteria: States considered for Special Category Status typically had difficult and hilly terrains, low population density, and/or a significant tribal population, strategic location along borders, economic and infrastructural backwardness, and non-viable state finances.
- Abolition: The 14th Finance Commission abolished most states’ Special Category Status, retaining it only for Northeastern states and three hill states.
Meropenem Drug
Why in News: The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) notes that the use of the drug Meropenem can result in adverse reactions.
About Meropenem Drug:
- Meropenem is a carbapenem antibiotic manufactured by Pfizer and marketed under various brand names in India.
- The drug’s packaging already includes a warning for acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP).
- Mechanism of Action: Meropenem infiltrates bacterial cells and disrupts the production of essential cell wall components, leading to cell death.
- Schedule H: Meropenem falls under Schedule H and H1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules of 1945, and it must be sold with a prescription from a doctor.
- Prescribed for Infections: It is commonly prescribed for pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), intra-abdominal infection, skin infection, meningitis, septicaemia, and gynecological infections, among others.