Daily Prelims Notes 12 August 2023

Daily Prelims Notes

12 August 2023

Table Of Contents

1. FinCEN
2. India’s TB problem
3. In a warmer, wetter world, pests are multiplying faster and damaging crops severely
4. Less than 1% mitigation & adaptation funding went to world’s indigenous groups despite more commitment: Report
5. No safe harbour for Google on misuse of trademark: Delhi HC
6. Ruza, a traditional water harvesting system for the water-scarce mountains
7. NGT asks Odisha government to stop ‘illegal’ construction in and around Tampara Lake
8. Centre defends use of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in G20 logo as China objects
9. Luna25 will not affect Chandrayaan: Russian space agency
10. T.N. to move top court as Karnataka refuses to share Cauvery water
11. Revamp of Criminal Laws: Centre Introduces Bills to Replace IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act

1. FinCEN

Subject : Economy

Section: External Sector

Context:

• US set to unveil long-awaited crackdown on real estate money laundering

What is FinCEN:

• FinCEN stands for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.
• It is a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury responsible for combating financial crimes, including money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit financial activities.
• It was set up in 1990.
• FinCEN’s primary role is to collect, analyze, and disseminate financial intelligence to law enforcement agencies, regulators, and financial institutions to help combat financial crimes and protect the integrity of the financial system.
• FinCEN exercises regulatory functions primarily under the Currency and Financial Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended by Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 and other legislation, which legislative framework is commonly referred to as the “Bank Secrecy Act” (BSA).
• FinCEN serves as the FIU for the United States and is one of more than 100 FIUs making up the Egmont Group, an international entity focused on information sharing and cooperation among FIUs.

What is Suspicious Activity Report:

• It is a document that financial institutions and certain other businesses are required to file with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in the United States when they encounter transactions or activities that appear to be suspicious or potentially related to money laundering, terrorist financing, or other illegal or illicit activities.
• These documents are meant to red flag, within 30 days of the transaction’s occurrence of criminal funds or any form of dirty money; insider trading; potential money laundering; terror financing; any transaction that raises suspicion.
• These are used to detect crime but cannot be used as direct evidence to prove legal cases.

What is FIU:

• FIU stands for “Financial Intelligence Unit.“
• It is a specialized government agency or unit responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating financial intelligence related to suspicious and potentially illicit financial activities.
• The primary purpose of an FIU is to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

What is Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND):

• FIU-IND is an independent body reporting directly to the Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the Finance Minister.
• FIU-IND is a multi disciplinary body with a sanctioned strength of 75 personnel–from different organizations namely Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Department of Legal Affairs and Intelligence agencies.
• It was set by the Government of India on 18th November 2004.

2. India’s TB problem

Subject : Science and technology

Section: Health

What is Tuberculosis:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious airborne bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. .
• TB commonly affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other parts (extrapulmonary TB)
• Tuberculosis spreads from person to person through the air, when people who are infected with TB infection cough, sneeze or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air.

What is Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR-TB):

• In MDR-TB, the bacteria that cause TB develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs used to cure the disease.
• MDR-TB does not respond to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, the 2 most powerful anti-TB drugs.
• Treatment options for MDR-TB are limited and expensive.
• CBNAAT (Cartridges Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test) is used for early diagnosis of MDR-TB.

What is Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB):

• XDR-TB is a form of multidrug-resistant TB with additional resistance to more anti-TB drugs.
• People who are resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (amikacin, kanamycin, capreomycin) are said to have XDR-TB

Status of TB :

Recent Step By WHO On TB front:

• The WHO had released a Standard on Universal Access to Rapid TB Diagnostics, recommending the use of molecular diagnostics as the initial test as these are highly accurate, detect resistance to drugs, are cost-effective, and reduce treatment-related delay.
• In December 2022, WHO recommended the use of the BPaLM/BPaL regimen for DR-TB patients, which offers a much higher success rate of 89 percent and reduces the pill burden to only three to four pills a day and shortens the treatment duration.

What are measures taken by India to eradicate TB

• The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme(NTEP) – Aims to strategically reduce TB burden in India by It was previously known as Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP).
• The National Strategic Plan for TB Elimination – It was launched to achieve the target of ending TB by 2025 in a mission mode.It is a multi-pronged approach which aims to detect all TB patients with an emphasis on reaching TB patients seeking care from private providers and undiagnosed TB in high-risk populations
• Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana(Nutritional Support to TB) –  It helps to meet the nutritional requirements of TB patients, especially the underserved
• Patient Provider Support Agencies (PPSA) – To engage the private sector, Patient Provider Support Agencies (PPSA) have been rolled out across 250 districts through the domestic setup and JEET initiative
• Universal Drug Susceptibility Testing (UDST) – To ensure every diagnosed TB patient is tested to rule out drug resistance before or at the time of treatment initiation itself.
• Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan – To bring together all community stakeholders to support those on TB treatment and accelerate the country’s progress towards TB elimination.
• Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres – To decentralize comprehensive primary healthcare including TB care services at the grassroots level.
• Bedaquiline and Delamanid -Newer drugs like Bedaquiline and Delamanid have also been made available for management of DR-TB.

What are the global measures to eradicate TB:

• The WHO (World Health Organisation) has launched a joint initiative “ Treat. All. #EndTB” with the Global Fund and Stop TB Partnership.
• End TB Strategy by World Health Organization (WHO):It serves as a blueprint for countries to reduce TB incidence by 80%, TB deaths by 90%, and to eliminate catastrophic costs for TB-affected households by 2030.
• Sustainable Development Goal 3 – To end the TB epidemic by 2030.
• Moscow Declaration, 2017 to End TB.

3. In a warmer, wetter world, pests are multiplying faster and damaging crops severely

Subject : Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context:

• In April, tea planters from southern India sought urgent government intervention, saying that the tea mosquito bug is causing havoc in the most unlikely places.

Details:

• The United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI) has issued a press release that states the tea mosquito bug (species of Helopeltis) is affecting tea production in both low and high elevation plantations in northern and southern states.
• In a 2013 study the scientists write that in India, such warming is likely to result in pest attacks on staple crops such as cotton, wheat, barley, oats, rice, pulse crops, maize, sorghum, oilseed and vegetables, on which a majority of the population relies for daily nutrition.
• They have identified pests such as mealy bug, whitefly, tobacco caterpillar, cereal aphids and plant hoppers as the major threats to crops, along with leaf folders, Lepidopterous pod borers, spider mites and other kinds of aphids.
• The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 15 plant pests have spread and may expand further owing to climate change. The increase in agricultural pests due to climate change directly attacks FAO’s target of achieving 50 per cent food production by 2050 to feed an estimated population of 9.1 billion.

Tea mosquito bug:

• The bug, recognised as a serious pest of fruits and tea plantations across the world, is usually confined to low elevation areas.
• Now, it is spreading to plantations in high elevation areas.

Increasing presence of pests across India:

• Helopeltis theivora, the most predominant tea mosquito bug species in India, is spreading in an alarming form in tea plantations of Tamil Nadu’s Anaimalai and Valparai hills.
  • In Tamilnadu’s Valparai hills, the tea production has declined by 50%.
• Sikkim has recorded the first infestation of H theivora in red cherry pepper.
• H bradyi, which has so far been restricted to Peninsular India, was reported for the first time in the high altitude Tura region of Meghalaya.
• H antonii, which causes damage to cashew crops, is now being reported in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• Tidda (leafhoppers) and silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) are damaging the wheat, millets, mustard, vegetables and pulse crops in Rajasthan region.

New challenges:

• As these insects and pests are new to the farmers, so they have to face several new challenges like:
  • Usage of chemical pesticide instead of organic pest.
  • Since farmers are unable to identify the pests, they are unable to take remedial actions.
  • Shifting rainfall is causing the stay of pests longer than usual.
  • Changes in soil conditions.

Warming, a multiplier:

• Unlike humans who have a single generation of about 60 years, insects with shorter life cycles tend to adapt and mutate their DNA at a faster rate.
  • It is estimated that the insect’s generation may increase by one to five for every 2°C rise in temperature.
  • The insects will attain accelerated metabolic rates, leading to faster consumption of nutrients, and shorten the time of diapause—when insects display reduced food intake due to overwintering.
• The impact of warming will profoundly affect aphids—soft-bodied insects that suck into plant saps to deform leaves and flowers.
  • About 250 aphid species are recognised as crops pests for agriculture, as they can affect multiple crops of different plant families.
  • They are also known to transmit plant viruses.
  • Aphids are found across the world and have the ability to migrate up to 1,300 km, typically during spring and autumn seasons.
  • Since they are sensitive to changes in ambient temperatures, this will translate to changes in their lifecycle.

CO2 concentration:

• The increase in carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere will aggravate the abundance and behavior of herbivorous insects.
• Carbon dioxide emissions enable increase in photosynthesis, leading to higher accumulation of sugar and starches on leaves. This may favour insect attacks and their propagation.

Indian scenario:

• In India, which is home to 6.83 per cent of the world’s insect species, 1°C rise in temperature would enable them to expand in presence about 200 km northwards and 40 meters upward in terms of altitude.
• The areas that are not favorable at present due to low temperature may become conducive with rise in temperature.

4. Less than 1% mitigation & adaptation funding went to world’s indigenous groups despite more commitment: Report

Subject : Environment

Section: International conventions

In the news:

• A new report summarizing the first phase of implementation of the Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI), endorsed in January 2022, highlights that while there is mounting evidence on the potential of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in improving conservation, in total, donors have directed less than 1 per cent of climate change mitigation and adaptation funding to IPs and LCs.

Report findings:

• The report, which was launched on August 9, 2023 on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, said that if the world seeks to realize the rights and priorities of IPs and LCs, significant scaling is needed.
• While Indigenous Peoples own or manage an estimated 25 per cent of the world’s land surface, including 40 percent of terrestrial protected areas and 37 per cent of ecologically intact landscapes, recent assessments estimate that only 7 per cent of $1.7 billion in pledged funding is going directly to Indigenous groups.

Demand for representation:

• Indigenous Peoples’ groups from around the world, including India, called for representation on the Transitional Committee (TC) for the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund (LDF).
• The committee is composed of 24 members, 10 of whom are from developed countries and 14 from developing countries.

Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI):

• The ICI supports IP and LC-designed and -led activities that protect biodiversity and result in other global environmental benefits.
• Supervision and technical guidance are provided by Conservation International (CI) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), serving as joint GEF Implementing Agencies.
• Both organizations bring their decades of collective experience working with IPs and LCs, as well as their regional and global expertise, to the implementation of the GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative.
• A concept for the Inclusive Conservation Initiative was approved by the GEF Council in December 2019 and the project proposal was endorsed by the GEF in January 2022.
• Objective:
  • The goal is to enhance Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ (IPs and LCs) efforts to steward land, waters and natural resources to deliver global environmental benefits.

5. No safe harbour for Google on misuse of trademark: Delhi HC

Subject : Science and technology

Section: IPR

Context:

• The Delhi High Court Thursday ruled that Google’s use of trademarks as keywords under its Ads Programme may lead to infringement, making it ineligible for safe harbour status.

Details:

• This means Google will be legally bound if advertisers use another company’s trademark to improve their search ranking and that affects the trademark owner or confuses consumers. Besides, the ruling could affect Google’s advertising revenue.
• Being an intermediary, the tech giant enjoys legal immunity under Section 79 of the IT Act from actions of third-party companies on its platforms.
• However, the court said Google is the provider of the keywords and an active participant in the use of trademarks. It also selects the recipients of the information that were infringing links, and hence the safe harbor status will not be applicable.
• Case: Google LLC vs DRS Logistics case.

What is the Google Ads programme?

• Google runs an advertisement service (Ads Programme), under which sponsored links of advertisers are displayed along with the results of search queries. Under this, Google suggests keywords to its advertisers which can help them be featured higher on the search results page.
• Google lets its advertisers pay a higher amount and display their advertisements by using the logistics company trademark in the keywords.
• Such activities of Google constitute infringement of its registered trademarks.

Trademark:

• A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises.
• Trademarks are protected by Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
• In India, trademarks are governed by the Trade Marks Act 1999, which was amended in 2010.
• It legally differentiates a product or service from all others of its kind and recognizes the source company’s ownership of the brand.
• The Act guarantees protection for a trademark that is registered with the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks, also known as the trademark registry.
• A trademark is valid for 10 years, and can be renewed by the owner indefinitely every 10 years.
• It serves as a badge of origin exclusively identifying a particular business as a source of goods or services.

What Constitutes a Trademark Violation?

• Using a registered trademark without authorisation of the entity that owns the trademark is a violation or infringement of the trademark.
• Trademark infringement in India is defined under Section 29 of the Trademarks Act, 1999.
• There are several ways in which a trademark can be infringed such as Deceptive similarity, passing off (Say, a brand logo is misspelt in a way that’s not easy for the consumer to discern).
• In such cases, courts have to determine whether this can cause confusion for consumers between the two.
• In such cases, the infringing products need not be identical, but similarity in the nature, character and performance of the goods of the rival traders has to be established.
• For example, Cadila Healthcare Limited vs Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited.

There are two types of infringement – direct and indirect infringement.

• Direct Infringement
  • Unauthorized person – this means a person who is not the owner or the licensee of the registered trademark.
  • ‘Identical’ or ‘Deceptively similar ‘– the test for determining whether marks are identical or not is by determining whether there is a chance for a likelihood of confusion among the public. If the consumers are likely to get confused between the two marks, then there is an infringement.
  • Registered Trademark – You can only infringe a registered trademark. For an unregistered Trademark, the common law concept of passing off will apply.
  • Goods/ Services – In order to establish infringement even the goods/ services of the infringer must be identical with or similar to the goods that the registered Trademark represents.
• Indirect infringement
  • Indirect infringement is a common law principle that holds accountable not only the direct infringers but also the people who induce the direct infringers to commit the infringement.
  • Indirect infringement is also known as secondary liability has two categories: contributory infringement and vicarious liability.
  • A person will be liable for contributory infringement in two circumstances:
    • When a person knows of the infringement
    • When a person materially contributes or induces the direct infringer to commit the infringement.
  • A person will be vicariously liable under the following circumstances:
    • When the person has the ability to control the actions of the direct infringer.
    • When a person derives a financial benefit from the infringement.
    • When a person has knowledge of the infringement and contributes to it.

For details on Intellectual Property: https://optimizeias.com/intellectual-property/

6. Ruza, a traditional water harvesting system for the water-scarce mountains

Subject : Geography

Section: Physical geography

Context:

• Kikruma, a rainshadow village in Nagaland’s Phek district, practices Ruza, a traditional water harvesting system, to overcome water scarcity and achieve good harvests for nearly a century.

About Ruza- Water Harvesting System of Kirkima, Nagaland:

• The indigenous system of irrigation and agricultural practice in this region, called the Ruza system, more popularly known as Zabo, is a time-tested unique water management practice that has been yielding good harvests for nearly a century.
  • The Seidzu and Khuza rivers flow to the south and north of the village respectively.
  • Ruza, means ‘impounding water or run-off water pond or tank for irrigation’ in the Chokri dialect.
  • Zabo is a small pit dug within a paddy patch, ideally used for rearing fish. However, Ruza is a larger pond spreading to about 0.2 hectares, used for storing run-off water.
• Ruza involves impounding run-off water in ponds, using gravity-based irrigation. The water harvesting ponds are located at a higher elevation and are connected to the fields at the lower elevations through narrow drains.
• The Ruza system is a communal practice with the water shared among families and an integrated form of farming comprising forestry, horticulture, agriculture, fishery and animal husbandry.
• Adopting Ruza in other hilly terrains with limited rainfall could be a feasible and sustainable alternative in the agricultural sector, say experts.
• The Zabo or Ruza system is a sustainable integrated form of farming comprising forestry, horticulture, agriculture, fishery and animal husbandry with a well-founded soil and water conservation base.
• The main crop is paddy; about 17 varieties of both sticky and non-sticky rice are cultivated in wet terraces. The yield of paddy is about three to four tonnes per hectare.
• The indigenous and sustainable farming practice Ruza, in Kikruma has been recognised by the government as a potential ‘Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure’ (OECM).
  • An OECM is governed and managed to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem functions, similar to a Protected Area.

Rainfed agriculture in India:

• More than half of India’s net sown area – 55% of almost 140 million hectares – is primarily dependent on rainfall, according to the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) under the Ministry of Agriculture.
• Rainfed agriculture accounts for around 40% of the country’s total food grain production and supports two-thirds of livestock and 40% of the human population.
• Hence, it is a crucial contributor to the country’s economy and food security. The livelihoods of 80% of small and marginal farmers are linked to rain.

7. NGT asks Odisha government to stop ‘illegal’ construction in and around Tampara Lake

Subject : Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

• The National Green Tribunal, Eastern Zone, has directed the Odisha government not to go ahead with ‘illegal’ construction in and around Tampara Lake, a designated Ramasar site and one of the largest picturesque freshwater lakes of the State.

Tampara lake:

• Spread across 337.86 ha with a length of 5.8 km and a width of 670 metres in Ganjam district, Tampara Lake supports at least 60 species of birds, 46 species of fishes, at least 48 species of phytoplanktons, and more than seven species of terrestrial plants and macrophytes.
• There is a patch of forest with a width of 2 km that separates Bay of Bengal from the lake.
• The wetland is an important habitat for vulnerable species such as Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya ferina), and river tern (Sterna aurantia).
• Tampara is already placed in the Wetland Atlas prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2010.
• All Ramsar sites are protected under Wetland Conservation Rules 2017.
• The boundaries of the Ramsar Site (Tampara) correspond to the peak inundation area and the fringe hydrophytic vegetation bordering several parts of the shoreline. It is a violation of wetland conservation rules on part of the State government for coming up with concrete structure along the lake.

For further details on Wetland Atlas: https://optimizeias.com/national-decadal-wetlands-change-atlas/

For Wetland (conservation and Management) Rules 2017: https://optimizeias.com/wetlands-2/

8. Centre defends use of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in G20 logo as China objects

Subject : International Relations

Section: Groupings

Context:

The Ministry of External Affairs defends using the Sanskrit term Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in the G-20 logo, stating they employ the English version, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” in their summaries.

China’s Objection to G20 Theme: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

• China objects to India’s G20 theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” arguing it is not one of the six official languages recognized by the UN (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish).
• The compromise is reached by including only the English translation of the phrase in outcome documents.

Theme Meaning and Background

• “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” draws from the Maha Upanishad, an ancient Sanskrit text.
• English: “One Earth · One Family · One Future” 
• Theme emphasizes the intrinsic interconnectedness of all life forms on Earth, advocating for unity and shared responsibility.
• Reflects India’s cultural ethos of inclusivity, empathy, and harmonious coexistence.
• G20 Logo: Inspired by India’s national flag colors – saffron, white, green, and blue.
• Symbolism:
  • Lotus (India’s national flower) reflects growth amid challenges;
  • Earth signifies India’s pro-planet approach;

Introduction to G20 and India’s Presidency

• G20: Premier forum for global economic cooperation.
• India holds G20 Presidency from Dec 1, 2022, to Nov 30, 2023.
• Theme: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” – “One Earth · One Family · One Future”

Evolution and Significance of G20

• Founded in 1999 after Asian financial crisis.
• Upgraded to Heads of State level in 2008.
• Designated “premier forum for international economic cooperation” in 2009.

G20 Composition and Influence

• 19 countries + EU: Represents 80% GDP, 75% trade, 2/3 world population.
•  {G7: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy} + {Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, European Union (EU)}.

G20 Summit: Annual Meeting of Global Leaders

• Held annually under the leadership of rotating Presidency.
• G20 Troika comprising Indonesia, India (2023), and Brazil (2024)
• Consists of two tracks:
  • Finance Track led by Finance Ministers, and
  • Sherpa Track led by Sherpas of member countries.

India’s G20 Priorities: Addressing Global Challenges

• Green Development, Climate Finance & LiFE: Focus on climate change and sustainable lifestyle.
• Accelerated, Inclusive & Resilient Growth: MSMEs, labor rights, skills gap, and more.
• Accelerating Progress on SDGs: Commitment to 2030 Agenda.
• Technological Transformation & Digital Public Infrastructure: Human-centric approach to tech.
• Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century: Reforming global governance.
• Women-led Development: Empowering women for socio-economic growth.

9. Luna25 will not affect Chandrayaan: Russian space agency

Subject : Science and Technology

Section: Space technology

Context:

Russia’s Roscosmos launched Luna 25, stating that its moon landing wouldn’t affect India’s Chandrayaan-3, launched earlier, since they’re landing in different areas on the moon and there’s enough space for both missions.

Launch and Agencies:

• Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, launched Luna-25 from Vostochny spaceport on August 11, 2023.
• Chandrayaan-3 was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on July 14, 2023.

Mission Compatibility:

• Roscosmos stated that Luna-25’s moon landing would not hinder Chandrayaan-3’s mission due to different landing areas and sufficient space on the moon for both.
• Both landers are expected to reach the moon on August 23, 2023.

Luna-25 Landing Stages:

• Luna-25’s landing on the moon involves multiple stages:
  • Launch trajectory to the moon: 1 hour and 20 minutes.
  • Flight duration from Earth to the Moon: 5 days.
  • Lunar orbit stay: 5 to 7 days, based on landing area.
• Three landing areas selected for Luna-25:
  • north of Boguslavsky crater (main),
  • south of Manzinus crater (reserve), and
  • south of Pentland-A crater (reserve).

Chandrayaan-3 Landing:

• ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 is planned to land near the lunar south pole region on August 23.
• Six active lunar orbiters were reported by ISRO:
  • NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO)
  • Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (Danuri)(KPLO)
  • NASA’s Capstone
  • NASA’s THEMIS B & C
    • re-purposed under ARTEMIS as ARTEMIS P1 and ARTEMIS P2
  • Chandrayan-2 orbiter (CH2O)

• Defunct (but still orbiting)
  • Japanese spacecraft Ouna (Kaguya/SELENE mission in 2009)
  • Chandrayaan-1 (India, ISRO launched in 2008)
• China’s Yutu-2 rover (released by Chang’e 4) is the only operating rover, active on the lunar far side.

Russian-Indian Interaction:

• Roscosmos confirmed no direct interaction with ISRO regarding the Luna-25 project.
• Open to Indian participation in the International Scientific Lunar Station (ILRS) and considering Russian payloads on future Indian lunar missions.

International Scientific Lunar Station (ILRS):

• ILRS is a planned lunar base initiative led by Roscosmos and the Chinese space agency.

LUNA 25

• Luna-25 is Russia’s first lunar mission since 1976 under the Soviet Union.
• Notably, Luna-25’s mission is independent of the European Space Agency (ESA) due to ESA’s cooperation suspension with Roscosmos following Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Luna-25 Specifications:

• Luna-25 weighs 1.8 tons and carries 31 kilograms of scientific equipment.
• It’s designed to extract rock samples from up to 15 centimeters deep to test for water presence, potentially useful for future crewed lunar missions.

Luna-25’s goals:

• Soft landing on the Moon.
• Analyzing soil samples.
• Conducting long-term scientific research on the lunar surface.

Chandrayaan-3 Lunar Mission: Overview

Chandrayaan-3 Launch and Purpose:

• Launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on July 14, 2023.
• Aims to achieve a successful “soft” landing on the Moon, following the Chandrayaan-2 landing failure in 2019.
• Chandrayaan-3 seeks to become the fourth country, after the United States, Russia, and China, to successfully achieve a lunar landing.

Chandrayaan Missions’ Objectives:

• Chandrayaan-1 (2008): Aims included creating a three-dimensional atlas of the Moon’s near and far sides, and conducting chemical and mineralogical mapping.
• Chandrayaan-2 (2019): Carried an orbiter, lander named Vikram, and rover named Pragyaan for lunar exploration; experienced partial success due to the crash of the lander and rover.

Chandrayaan-3’s Goals:

• Demonstrates India’s technical prowess by successfully landing on the Moon’s surface.
• Lander and rover payloads are consistent with Chandrayaan-2.
• Lander payloads: Study lunar quakes, thermal properties of lunar surface, changes in plasma near the surface, and a passive experiment to measure Earth-moon distance accurately.
• Rover payloads: Analyze chemical and mineral composition of lunar soil and rocks.
• One payload on the lander is from NASA.
• Landing site near the lunar south pole, mirroring Chandrayaan-2.

History and Statistics of Lunar Missions

10. T.N. to move top court as Karnataka refuses to share Cauvery water

Subject : Polity

Section: Constitution

Context:

The Tamil Nadu government plans to take its case to the Supreme Court after Karnataka refused to share Cauvery water during a recent Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) meeting.

The initial decision to release 15,000 cusecs changed to 8,000 cusecs in the CWMA meeting.

The Cauvery Water Dispute

Background and Historical Agreements

• The dispute over Cauvery water stems from agreements made in 1892 and 1924 between the princely state of Mysore and the Madras presidency.
• The 1924 agreement was prompted by Madras’ objections to Mysore building the Krishnarajasagar dam; it allowed Madras to construct the Mettur dam.
• The agreement restricted the safe irrigable area using Cauvery waters for both states.

Changing Dynamics and Division of Waters

• The reorganization of states in 1956 altered the distribution of the Cauvery river.
• The dispute primarily revolves around the sharing of waters in the Cauvery Basin:
  • 75% allocated to Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry,
  • 23% to Karnataka,
  • Remaining share to Kerala.

Challenges Arising from Seasonal Nature

• Unlike rivers originating from permanent glaciers, the Cauvery river is dependent on monsoon rains and tributaries.
• Water flow varies significantly, leading to floods during heavy rains and drought during insufficient rain periods.
• This fluctuation triggers blame games between the states during water scarcity.

Post-Independence Tensions

• While pre-Independence disputes were resolved through arbitrations, tensions heightened after the 1956 state reorganization.
• Tamil Nadu protested Karnataka’s dam constructions, leading to escalated disputes.
• In 1974, Karnataka claimed the 1924 agreement discontinues water supply to Tamil Nadu after 50 years.

Conflicting Interests and Disagreements

• Tamil Nadu aimed to maintain the status quo of water sharing.
• Karnataka sought to utilize water based on its territory’s needs as the river originates within its borders.

Formation of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT)

• In 1986, a Tamil Nadu farmer’s association appealed for the formation of a tribunal.
• In 1990, the Supreme Court instructed negotiation between the states, which ultimately failed.
• The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was established in 1990 to adjudicate and allocate water shares.
• The participating states presented their demands to the tribunal: Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry, and Tamil Nadu.

CWDT Interim Award and Reactions

• In 1991, the CWDT’s interim award mandated Karnataka to ensure 205 Thousand Million Cubic feet (TMC) of water to Tamil Nadu.
• Karnataka witnessed violence and protests against the award, leading to the ordinance attempting to annul it.
• The Supreme Court upheld the award, and it was gazetted by the Indian government in 1991.
• In 1998, the Cauvery River Authority was established to monitor and implement the interim order.

Final Award by CWDT

• In 2007, after 16 years, the CWDT issued its final award.
• Based on water availability, the allocation was:
  • Tamil Nadu: 419 TMC (initial demand: 512 TMC),
  • Karnataka: 270 TMC (initial demand: 465 TMC),
  • Kerala: 30 TMC,
  • Pondicherry: 7 TMC.
• Karnataka to release 192 TMC to Tamil Nadu from its Billigundlu site, including 10 TMC for environmental purposes.
• Tamil Nadu to release 7 TMC to Pondicherry from its share.

Challenges and Reactions to Final Award

• While Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry supported the final award, Karnataka felt disadvantaged.
• Karnataka planned to file a revision petition within the stipulated 90 days for a review of the order.
• The issue of varying rainfall and its impact on water scarcity and distribution remains a challenge.

Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal

Constitutional Provisions:

• Entry 17 of the State List deals with water i.e., water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, embankments, water storage and hydropower.
• Entry 56 of the Union List empowers the Union Government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament to be expedient in the public interest.
• Article 262 of the Indian Constitution empowers the central government to set up adjudicatory tribunals for resolving disputes related to the use, distribution, and control of inter-state river waters.
  • Parliament may, by law, provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as mentioned above.
• The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, of 1956, provides a legal framework for the resolution of such disputes through the formation of tribunals.
• River Board Act, 1956: This empowered the GoI to establish Boards for Interstate Rivers and river valleys in consultation with State Governments. To date, no river board has been created.

Tribunals Formed So Far:

Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT):

• Formation Year: 1990
• Participating Parties: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry (Puducherry)
• The tribunal was established to resolve the long-standing water-sharing dispute among the Cauvery Basin states.

Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT):

• Formation Year: 1969
• Participating Parties: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh
• Constituted to address water-sharing conflicts related to the Krishna River.

Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal:

• Formation Year: 1986
• Participating Parties: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
• Established to resolve water distribution issues concerning the Ravi and Beas rivers.

Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT):

• Formation Year: 1969
• Participating Parties: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha
• Set up to resolve water-sharing disputes related to the Godavari River.

Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT):

• Formation Year: 1969
• Participating Parties: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan
• Constituted to address water distribution conflicts concerning the Narmada River.

Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal:

• Formation Year: 2010
• Participating Parties: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh
• Established to resolve water-sharing disputes over the Vansadhara River.

Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal:

• Formation Year: 2010
• Participating Parties: Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra
• Set up to address water distribution conflicts concerning the Mahadayi (Mandovi) River.

Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal (Reconstituted):

• Formation Year: 1987 (Reconstitution)
• Participating Parties: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
• Reconstituted to reassess water-sharing issues related to the Ravi and Beas rivers.

Mapping:

Cauvery River:

Origin: Talacauvery in the Western Ghats, Karnataka.

Flowing States: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry (Union Territory).

Tributaries:

• Left Bank: the Harangi, the Hemavati, the Shimsha, and the Arkavati.
• Right Bank: Lakshmantirtha, the Kabbani, the Suvarnavati, the Bhavani, the Noyil, and the Amaravati joins from the right.

11. Revamp of Criminal Laws: Centre Introduces Bills to Replace IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act

Subject : Polity

Section: Constitution

Context:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduced three Bills in the Lok Sabha to repeal the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Key Changes and Provisions:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah introduces three Bills to replace colonial-era laws:
  • Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.
  • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, replaces The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 (originally enacted in 1898).
  • Bharatiya Sakshya (BS) Bill, 2023, replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.

New provisions in Bills include:

• Mob lynching punishable by seven years imprisonment, life imprisonment, or death penalty.
• Speedy justice through video trials and e-filing of FIRs.
• Expanded definition of sedition, along with provisions against corruption, terrorism, and organized crime.
• Introduction of community service and solitary confinement as new forms of punishment.
• Trials are possible even in the absence of an accused.
• Expanded scope of offense against women related to sexual intercourse through “deceitful means.”

Key Objectives and Statements:

• Home Minister Amit Shah assures the laws will have an Indian spirit, emphasizing a change in the criminal justice system.
• Previous laws aimed at punishment, and new laws aim to provide justice and protect citizens’ rights.

Changes in Penal Code:

• Crimes against women and children are given priority.
• Provision on sedition repealed, but broader provisions on endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity are introduced.
• Sexual exploitation of women under false pretenses criminalized.
• Stringent punishment for gangrape and rape of minors.

Terrorism Definition and Punishment:

• Terrorism defined for the first time, including acts to threaten unity, integrity, and security of India.
• Property attachment provision for terrorists.
• Aims to overhaul criminal justice system to ensure justice within three years.

Consultations and Preparation Process

Government’s Efforts and Consultation:

• Consultations with Governors, Lieutenant-Governors, Chief Ministers, Chief Justice of India, High Courts, Bar Councils, law universities, MPs, IPS officers, and public.
• Committee under Vice Chancellor of National Law University, Delhi, set up to prepare new law.
• Union Home Minister conducted around 58 formal and 100 informal review meetings.

Historical Recommendations and Reform Initiatives:

• Previous recommendations by various committees and commissions for criminal justice reforms.
• Bezbaruah Committee, Viswanathan Committee, Malimath Committee, Madhav Menon Committee, and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs suggested reforms.
• In 2019, initiated the reform process, focusing on reviewing laws made during British rule.

Changes to Sedition Law:

• HM claims sedition repealed, but new provision introduced under different name.
• Proposed Sedition Law:
  • Section 150 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 covers offense.
  • Uses broader term “endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.”
  • The provision includes aiding through finance and acts of “subversive activities” or encouraging “separatist feelings.”
  • Punishment: Life imprisonment, up to 7 years, fine.
  • Expression of disapproval without incitement is exempt.
• Comparing with recommendation:
  • Broader than Law Commission’s proposal, Focuses on safeguarding, enhancing jail term.
• Current Sedition Law:
  • IPC Section 124A defines sedition.
  • Punishes acts causing hatred, disaffection toward government.
  • Punishment: Life imprisonment with fine, up to 3 years with fine.

Proposed Changes in CrPC: 

• Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 proposes significant alterations to Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Technological Advancements:

• Trials, appeals, depositions, including public servants and police, can be in electronic mode.
• Accused statements via video-conferencing.
• Summons, warrants, evidence in electronic

Electronic Communication:

• “Communication devices” included in summons for producing documents.
• People must provide devices with digital evidence on orders.

Handcuffs Usage:

• Handcuffs are permissible during arrest for various offenses.

Enhanced Safeguards:

• Section 41A becomes Section 35, with stricter
• Arrests for offenses punishable with less than three years or involving individuals aged above 60 require prior permission from an officer not below the Deputy SP rank.
• Preliminary inquiries will be conducted (cognizable cases) within 14 days for offenses attracting 3-7 years of imprisonment, ensuring prompt action.

Mercy Petitions Process:

• A framework for mercy petitions is established for death sentence cases.
• After the jail authorities’ disposal of the petition, convicts, legal heirs, or relatives have 30 days to submit a mercy petition to the Governor.
• If rejected, a mercy petition can be sent to the President within 60 days, with no further recourse to appeal in court.

Sanction to Prosecute:

• The government must make a decision regarding sanction to prosecute a public servant within 120 days of receiving a request.
• Failure to decide within the stipulated time will be considered as granting the sanction.
• Notably, no sanction is required for cases involving sexual offenses, trafficking, etc.

District Magistrate’s Powers:

• Section 144A of the CrPC gives the DM the power to prohibit the carrying of arms in any procession, mass drill or mass training, to preserve the public peace.

Samples without Arrest:

• Magistrates can order individuals to provide samples of signature, handwriting, voice, or finger impressions for investigation purposes without the necessity of arrest.

Police Detention Powers:

• Police can detain those resisting preventive action.

History of the Indian Penal Code

• The Indian Penal Code (IPC) traces its origins to the British colonial era in India, originating from British legislation during their rule in 1860.
• Prior to the IPC, Mohammedan law governed both Hindus and Muslims, before the East India Company’s drafting.
• The First Law Commission, led by Thomas Babington Macaulay, formulated the IPC under the Charter Act of 1833.
• Presented to the Governor-General of India Council in 1837, the Code underwent revisions.
• Completed in 1850, it reached the Legislative Council in 1856, but its implementation was delayed due to the 1857 Indian Rebellion.
• The Code was finally enacted on October 6, 1860, following thorough revision by Barnes Peacock, later the first Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court.
• Effective from January 1, 1862, it applied across British India.
• However, Princely states had their courts and systems, and the IPC didn’t automatically extend to them until the 1940s.
• 1971: The Law Commission proposed IPC revisions, resulting in several changes.
• September 6, 2018: Supreme Court decriminalized homosexuality (Section 377).
• September 27, 2018: Supreme Court bench unanimously abolished Section 497 (adultery).
• October 31, 2019: Jammu and Kashmir adopted the IPC through the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, replacing the state’s Ranbir Penal Code.