Social issues world Habitat Day

UN Convention Against Torture

• 
  United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) is an international treaty, under the review of the United Nations, that aims to prevent torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment in member countries.
  
• 
  This treaty came into force on June 26, 1987.
  
• 
  As per the terms of this treaty, signatory countries are required to take effective measures to prevent torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.
  
• 
  The treaty also forbids signatory countries to transport people to any other country where they may be tortured.
  

1. 
   Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
   

• 
  Central and state governments across India observe31st October as RashtriyaEktaDiwas.
  
• 
  The decision to observe the special day was taken by the current government in 2014.
  
• 
  The occasion provides an opportunity to reaffirm the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand the actual and potential threats to the unity, integrity, and security of our country.
  
• 
  The day is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of SardarVallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India.
  
• 
  Sardar Patel, the first Home Minister of India, is credited with the integration of more than 500 princely states into India between 1947-49 after independence Act (1947).
  

1. 
   Railways May Tweak Flexi Fare System In Premium Trains
   

• 
  The railway minister has announced that the dynamic pricing is likely to be revised so that passengers don’t have to bear extra burden.
  
• 
  In this regard, Railway Board is considering proposal of selling half the seats (i.e. 50% seats) from existing 10% seats without any surge pricing.
  
• 
  The revised flexi-fare system aims to be passenger-friendly in such way that half of passengers who book early can get advantage of relatively cheaper fare.
  
• 
  The Railways attempted to lower the fares of the train byallowing passengers to opt out, at the time of booking, of the meals served on board.
  
• 
  The flexi fare system was introducedin September 2016. The flexi-fare system generated additional revenue of ₹551 crore between September 2016 and June 2017 compared with the collections during the corresponding period in 2015-16
  
• 
  While railways revenue increased, it lost several passengers as berths remained vacant.
  
• 
  This system has also took a hit when several private airlines and government-run Air India offered passengers cheaper tickets.