SC asks Centre to reply on plea for improving health of tribal population
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Centre and others to respond to a plea seeking measures to improve the health of the tribal population in the country.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih agreed to hear the matter and issued notices to the Centre and the National Commission For Scheduled Tribes seeking their responses on the plea.
The bench posted the plea filed by two petitioners including Dr Ashish Satav, president of NGO MAHAN Trust, for hearing after four weeks.
The petition, filed through advocate Ranu Purohit, said the NGO was providing free medical care and health services to the tribal communities in Melghat region of Maharashtra.
It said the trust had closely examined the health problems faced by tribal population and evolved a specific set of solutions to address them.
The plea sought implementation of measures including home based child care, community based management of severe malnutrition, mortality control program for economically productive age group and public private partnership in health sector.
"Implementation of many of these measures in Maharashtra was also made possible owing to intervention of the Bombay High Court, which issued directions on issues concerning tribal welfare schemes in multiple PILs and writ petitions...," the plea added.
From 2015 till 2023, said the plea, various meetings and exchanges took place between the trust and officials of the respondents authorities for improving the health status of tribal communities on a national level.
"The petitioner also submitted representations to the respondents for considering its recommendations in this regard (along the lines of measures implemented in Maharashtra). However, nothing further has materialised," it said.
Seeking directions, the petitioners sought the authorities to consider and suitably implement their recommendations for improving the health of the tribal population on a country-wide scale.
It said the recommendations proposed by Satav were implemented successfully in Melghat and tribal areas of Maharashtra and they might be implemented in principle on a pan-India basis for welfare for all tribal communities.
"The petitioners have repeatedly reached out to various government authorities for implementing the said recommendations but to no avail," the plea said.
While claiming non-utilisation of funds earmarked for the development of tribal areas, the plea alleged lack of coordination among government agencies in the implementation of welfare schemes resulted in an arbitrary and unequal distribution of benefits, violating the right to equality and the right to a dignified life.
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India, Vietnam elevate ties to enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership; set USD 25 bn
New Delhi (PTI): India and Vietnam on Wednesday elevated their ties to an enhanced comprehensive strategic partnership and set a USD 25 billion annual trade target by 2030 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vietnamese President To Lam held talks focusing on expanding bilateral ties in areas of trade, defence, and critical minerals in the face of increasing geopolitical upheavals.
Following the Modi-Lam meeting, the two sides signed as many as 13 agreements which will provide for deeper two ways engagements in a range of areas including digital payments, rare earth minerals, pharmaceuticals, education, banking and culture.
Modi and Lam also deliberated on the situation in the Indo-Pacific amid China's increasing assertiveness in the region, and agreed to continue to contribute to the rule-of-law, peace, stability, and prosperity.
It is understood that China's growing military muscle-flexing in the South China Sea also figured in the delegation-level talks between the two sides.
Elected as president earlier this month, Lam began his first state visit to India on Tuesday, leading a high-level delegation for a three-day trip.
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"A decade ago, Vietnam became India's first comprehensive strategic partner in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) . Since then, our relations have made rapid and comprehensive progress," Modi said in his media statement.
"Building on this strong foundation, today we are elevating our relations to the level of Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We will now advance our partnership to even higher goals," he said.
"Our cooperation will reach new levels in every area ' culture, connectivity, and capacity building, as well as security, sustainability, and supply chain resilience," Modi added.
He noted that the bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has doubled in the last decade to reach USD 16 billion and that the target now is to increase it to USD 25 billion by 2030.
Modi also cited a plethora of agreements signed between the two countries to emphasis that the economic engagement is expected to witness a significant upswing going forward.
"The MoU between our drug authorities will now increase access to Indian medicines in Vietnam. Exports of Indian agricultural, fisheries, and animal products to Vietnam are also set to become easier. Very soon, Vietnam will taste India's grapes and pomegranates," he said.
The two sides also agreed to update the India-ASEAN trade agreement by the end of this year.
"This will provide a new impetus to trade and investment between India and all ASEAN countries. New initiatives in critical minerals, rare earths, and energy cooperation will ensure the economic security and supply chain resilience of both countries," Modi said.
"To boost financial connectivity, we have today decided to enhance cooperation between our central banks. India's UPI and Vietnam's fast payment systems will soon be linked. Furthermore, we are strengthening state-to-state and city-to-city cooperation between the two countries," he noted.
Modi said India is grateful to Vietnam for its strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack and standing with India in its fight against terrorism.
"In this era of global turmoil and economic challenges, thanks to their talent, good governance, and economic reforms, India and Vietnam are emerging as the world's fastest-growing economies," he said.
"Now, through our enhanced strategic partnership, we will support each other's rapid growth. As the Buddha's teachings say, 'If you light a lamp for someone else, it also illuminates your own path'," Modi said.
He also described Vietnam a a key pillar of India's Act East Policy and Vision Ocean.
"In the Indo-Pacific region as well, we share a common outlook. Through our strengthening defence and security cooperation, we will continue to contribute to the rule-of-law, peace, stability, and prosperity," he said.
The prime minister said India will broaden its relations with ASEAN with Vietnam's cooperation.
In his remarks, Lam said both sides agreed to deepen political trust and elevate security cooperation.
Last year, the two sides inked a pact to set up a framework for submarine search, rescue and support mechanism. They also signed a letter of intent (LoI) to strengthen bilateral defence industry collaboration.
