Political and Social Issues:

The fire at the AMRI Hospital in Dhakuria, which claimed at least 91 lives could have been brought under control much faster had the fire security system been in place and the fire alarms and sprinklers not been switched off.
“Fire alarms and sprinklers were switched off… This is because often there were fire alarms ringing in the hospital,” Kalyan Banerjee, the State Government's counsel
Mr. Banerjee said not a single fire alarm was working in the hospital at the time of the fire, even though alarms were set up in every room.
Mr. Banerjee also pointed that another accused had also accepted in the statement that the hospital had not allowed outsiders to enter the hospital, justifying the claims of locals that family members and locals were not allowed inside the hospital even thought it was on fire.
Mr. Banerjee said the hospital authorities did not inform the fire brigade nor was there any managerial staff present in the hospital on the night when the fire occurred.
He also alleged that all the exit points at the hospital were locked, portable fire extinguishers were not available and the staircase of the hospital was blocked with articles which prevented people from coming outside the hospital.

Following Friday's fire in Kolkata hospital, West Bengal is contemplating amending building rules to ensure safety in hospitals, schools and other public buildings
the municipalities had been asked to bring 100 per cent “new building plan” to ensure that private hospitals and nursing homes were using the basements only for car parking. If there was any violation, action would be initiated against them.
the authorities of the AMRI Hospital, Dhakuria had stored inflammable articles in the basement and the airconditioned duct was also made to pass from the basement which led to the tragedy.

Sovereign immunity has no space in the democratic scheme of things envisaged under the Indian Constitution, Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice H.L. Dattu, asserted
The Doctrine of Sovereign Immunity, which is founded on the principle that King can do no wrong, is outdated and obscure
the apex court had “demolished” the confusion over the “sovereign and non-sovereign powers” of the State.
What is imperative is the “manner of execution” of the powers without violating the Fundamental Rights like life, liberty, equality, etc., guaranteed under Art 21 of the Constitution.
“Political democracy would be meaningless unless accompanied by social and economic democracy,” he added.
Referring to the verdict in the Bhopal gas tragedy, he said it was in response to the “changing times” and it made clear that polluters were liable to pay compensation under Art 32(2) of the Constitution. Court had implicit power to grant compensation.
Both India and the United States recognise that people are the basis of sovereignty. “Now sovereignty is vested in the people to serve the people.”

Mr. Ram drew out the paradoxical situation before the media, where it had statutorily established a watchdog, the Press Council of India, without an adequate legal regulatory framework when private satellite television channels had attracted growing public complaints of being a law unto themselves.
Mr. Ram highlighted the various developments in the media scene across the worl
the arrival of Julian Assange's WikiLeaks, a completely new kind of digital technology enabling the “not-for-profit” player, had changed the rules of the game for newspapers and news media everywhere. It inspired other experiments or ventures to develop technologies, secure electronic drop boxes and platforms that encouraged and enabled whistle-blowing.
Meanwhile, the newspaper industry faced a double squeeze, where the print business subsidised digital journalism, which could not pay for itself, while the latter increased the pressure on newspaper circulation, readership and business as a whole.
However, with the internet enjoying a mere 8.40 per cent penetration in India as compared to 36.30 per cent in China, the media in the Asian region had major challenges and opportunities as compared to the developed countries.

Punjab will set up a warehousing facility to store 42 lakh tonnes of grains
Centre has permitted the State to go in for scientific storage of wheat
Tankers carrying kerosene have been given a distinct blue colour on the suggestion of oil companies, so any attempt to pilferage can be detected by the general public
In addition, each kerosene truck has been equipped with GPS-enabled devices that track its movement. Any deviation from sanctioned route can be tracked