GS PAPER II NEWS
Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between India and Poland
Why in News
- The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters between the Governments of the Republic of India and the Republic of Poland.
Key point
- It aims to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the two countries in the investigation and prosecution of crimes, including terrorism-related crimes, through mutual legal assistance.
Benifits
- The treaty aims to enhance the effectiveness of both countries in the investigation and prosecution of crime through cooperation and mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
- In the context of international crime and its links with terrorism, the proposed treaty will provide for the investigation and prosecution of crime, as well as the detection, prevention and confiscation of the aggravation of crime, its aids and funds for the financing of terrorist acts, etc.
- Provide a comprehensive legal framework for bilateral cooperation with Poland.
- After the signing and ratification of this Treaty, appropriate gazette notification shall be issued under the relevant provisions of the CrPC, 1973 to give effect to the provisions of the Treaty in India.
- The Gazette notification is available to the general public outside the sphere of public domain and this treaty will provide more awareness and transparency on mutual cooperation between India and Poland in relation to mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
- It will enhance India’s effectiveness in dealing with criminal activities involving Poland.
- Once it is operational, the treaty will help in getting input and better information about the modus operandi of organized criminals and terrorists.
- Simultaneously, they can also be used to improve policy decisions in the field of internal security.
GS PAPER II
Prime Minister’s Agriculture Irrigation Scheme
Why in News
-
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sanchay Yojana (PAKSY) for 2021-26 with a provision of Rs.93,068 crore.
Key point
-
- CCEA has sanctioned Rs 37,454 crore as central assistance to the states and Rs 20,434.56 crore for repayment of loan taken by the Government of India for irrigation development during PMKSY 2016-21.
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBB), Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) and land, water and other development components were also approved to be continued in 2021-26.
- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program is a flagship program of the Central Government. Its objective is to provide financial assistance to irrigation projects.
- The total additional irrigation potential under AIBP is to be raised to 13.88 lakh hectares during 2021-26.
- In addition to focussing on completion of 60 ongoing projects, including 30.23 lakh hectare command area development, additional projects may also be taken up.
- The norms for inclusion of projects in tribal areas and areas prone to drought prone areas have been relaxed.
- A provision of 90 percent central funding has been made for two national projects namely Renukaji Dam Project (Himachal Pradesh) and Lakhwar Multipurpose Project (Uttarakhand).
- Both the projects will initiate storage in the Yamuna basin, which will benefit six states in the upper reaches of the Yamuna basin. Along with this, water will be supplied to Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan and progress will be made in the direction of reclamation of Yamuna.
Objective
-
- Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP) aims to increase access to farms and expand cultivable land under assured irrigation.
- Minor irrigation and restoration-improvement-restoration of water sources under HKKP are components of PMKSY and aims to bring an additional 4.5 lakh hectares under irrigation.
- Considering the importance of rejuvenation of water sources, the Cabinet has approved funding for the revival of water sources in urban and rural areas.
- The criterion for their inclusion in the scheme has been expanded and the central assistance has been increased from 25 per cent to 60 per cent in respect of common areas.
- In addition, the groundwater component of HKKP has also been provisionally approved for 2021-22. Its target is to develop irrigation potential for 1.52 lakh hectares of land.
Watershed development component
-
- The watershed development component aims at developing rain-fed areas. For this, to encourage extension activities related to soil and water conservation, groundwater recharge, soil run-off and water conservation and management.
- The approved watershed development component of Land Resource Development envisages completion of sanctioned projects covering 49.5 lakh hectares of rainfed/infertile land to cover additional 2.5 lakh hectares of land, under protected irrigation during 2021-26.
- Special provision has been made for the development of Springshed in the programme.
Background:
-
- PMKSY was launched in 2015 and is a flagship scheme. Under this, central assistance is provided to the state governments for the specific activities mentioned here.
- It includes two major components of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation: the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program and Har Khet Ko Pani. The HKKP has four sub-components – Command Area Development (CAD), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI), Reclamation, Improvement and Restoration of Water Resources (RRR) and Ground Water Development. Apart from this, the part of land-water development is being implemented by land resource development.
- The second component of PMKSY, i.e. Per Drop More Crop is being implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
- GS PAPER III
‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’
-
Why in News
- In a significant announcement, the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, at its 16th session being held in Paris, France, from 13 to 18 December, has declared ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ as its ‘Intangible of Humanity’. It is included in the representative list of ‘Cultural Heritage’.
-
Key point
- The committee has appreciated the initiative of Durga Puja, through which marginalized groups, individuals as well as women get participation and protection.
- After the inclusion of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, India now has 14 Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in ICH’s prestigious UNESCO Representative List.
- In recent years, the ICHs that have been included include Kumbh Mela (in 2017), Yoga (in 2016). India is a signatory to the 2003 UNESCO Convention, which aims to protect intangible heritage along with traditions and living expression.
Durga Puja
-
- Durga Puja is not only a celebration of the feminine divinity, but also an exquisite expression of dance, music, crafts, rituals, practices, culinary traditions and cultural aspects.
- This festival brings people together across the boundaries of caste, creed and economic classes.
Intangible cultural Heritage
-
- Intangible cultural heritage means practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as tools, objects, artifacts and associated cultural sites, which are recognized by communities, groups, and in some cases individuals as a part of their cultural heritage. Huh.
- Furthermore, its importance lies not only in cultural expression, but also in the richness of knowledge and skills that are passed on from one generation to another.
GS PAPER III
‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’
Why in News
-
- In a significant announcement, the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, at its 16th session being held in Paris, France, from 13 to 18 December, has declared ‘Durga Puja in Kolkata’ as its ‘Intangible of Humanity’. It is included in the representative list of ‘Cultural Heritage’.
Key point
-
- The committee has appreciated the initiative of Durga Puja, through which marginalized groups, individuals as well as women get participation and protection.
- After the inclusion of Kolkata’s Durga Puja, India now has 14 Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in ICH’s prestigious UNESCO Representative List.
- In recent years, the ICHs that have been included include Kumbh Mela (in 2017), Yoga (in 2016). India is a signatory to the 2003 UNESCO Convention, which aims to protect intangible heritage along with traditions and living expression.
Durga Puja
-
- Durga Puja is not only a celebration of the feminine divinity, but also an exquisite expression of dance, music, crafts, rituals, practices, culinary traditions and cultural aspects.
- This festival brings people together across the boundaries of caste, creed and economic classes.
- intangible cultural Heritage
- Intangible cultural heritage means practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills – as well as tools, objects, artifacts and associated cultural sites, which are recognized by communities, groups, and in some cases individuals as a part of their cultural heritage. Huh.
- Furthermore, its importance lies not only in cultural expression, but also in the richness of knowledge and skills that are passed on from one generation to another.
GS PAPER III
Chief of Staff Committee
Why in News
-
- Army Chief General MM Naravane has recently taken over as the chairman of the ‘Chief of Staff Committee’.
Key point
-
- This post has been vacant after the death of CDS General Bipin Rawat. The government will soon start the process of appointment to this post.
- The post was vacant after the death of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat on 08 December 2021 in a helicopter crash of the Indian Air Force.
- Before the creation of the post of CDS, usually the senior-most of the chiefs of the three services were entrusted with the post of chairman of the ‘Chief of Staff Committee’.
- General Naravane being the senior most among the chiefs of the three services, he has been entrusted with the post of chairman of the committee.
- Before the creation of the post of CDS, usually the senior-most of the chiefs of the three services were entrusted with the post of chairman of the ‘Chief of Staff Committee’.
CDS
-
- The CDS is a four-star military officer, selected from amongst the officers of the Indian Armed Forces.
- The CDS is the chairman of the powerful Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) consisting of the three service chiefs.
- General Naravane
- General Naravane succeeded General Bipin Rawat on 31 December 2019, General Manoj Mukund Naravane took over as the 28th Army Chief.
- Bipin Rawat was then appointed as the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff.
- Prior to that, Naravane was serving as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff.
- General Naravane headed the Eastern Command of the Army before taking over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff in September 2019. This keeps an eye on the Indian border of about 4000 km long with China.