• 07 Jan 2025

Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0

Why in News? 

Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated “Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0” aiming to provide women representatives from Panchayati Raj institutions across the country with insights into the Constitution and parliamentary procedures.  

• The event commemorates the 150^th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda. 

 Key Points 

• Aim: 
  • The initiative aims to empower these elected women representatives from Panchayati Raj institutions by enhancing their knowledge of constitutional provisions, parliamentary procedures, and governance, fostering effective leadership. 
  • The programme brings together 502 elected women representatives from Scheduled Tribes across 22 States and Union Territories, ensuring inclusivity and diversity. 
• Workshops and Sessions: 
  • The programme includes interactive workshops and sessions moderated by experts and Members of Parliament. 
  • It is organised by National Commission for Women (NCW) and Lok Sabha Secretariat, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 
• Guided Tours: 
  • Participants embarked on guided tours of the New Parliament House, Samvidhan Sadan, Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, and Rashtrapati Bhavan to gain a deeper understanding of India’s legislative processes and democratic institutions. 

 Birsa Munda 

 

• He was born on 15^th November 1875. He belonged to the Munda tribe. 
• He spearheaded an Indian tribal religious Millenarian movement during British rule in the late 19^th century across the tribal belt of modern-day Jharkhand and Bihar. 
• He led the Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan), and his birth anniversary is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas. 

First Instalment of Mainiya Samman Yojana

Why in News? 

During an event in Ranchi, Jharkhand Chief Minister transferred Rs 11,415.44 crore to 56.62 lakh women under the 'Mukhyamantri Mainiya Samman Yojana,' with each receiving Rs 2,500 through direct benefit transfer (DBT). 

 Key Points 

• Empowering Women Beneficiaries: 
  • Addressing a gathering of women from all 24 districts, the CM emphasized empowering women to achieve their dreams independently. 
  • The scheme's potential to enable women to provide better education, health facilities, and meet their day-to-day needs was highlighted. 
  • He encouraged women to use the funds to buy nutritious food, including meat and fish, to combat anemia. 
  • The money could also help women purchase gas cylinders, clothing for festivals, and school supplies for children, reducing reliance on government food grains. 

 Mukhyamantri Mainiya Samman Yojana 

• Launched in August 2024, it provides Rs 1,000 monthly to women aged 21-50 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 
• Ahead of Assembly polls, the financial assistance was increased to Rs 2,500 due to its popularity.

Security Personnel Killed in Bijapur

Why in News? 

Recently, an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Maoists killed eight security personnel and a civilian in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district. 

 Key Points 

• About the Incident: 
  • The incident occurred when a joint-operation party was returning from an anti-Naxal operation in the Abujhmad forests. 
  • The deceased included members of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Bastar Fighters, both specialised forces combating left-wing extremism in the Bastar region. 
• Government Response: 
  • The Union Home Minister expressed deep condolences, vowing to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026. 
  • Chhattisgarh Chief Minister condemned the act, attributing it to Naxalites' frustration with ongoing counter-insurgency operations. 

  

Improvised Explosive Device 

• An improvised explosive device (IED) is a homemade bomb designed to destroy or incapacitate targets, commonly used by criminals, terrorists, and insurgents in various forms. 
• IEDs can be delivered through multiple means, including vehicles, placement by individuals, or roadside concealment, and gained prominence during the Iraq War that began in 2003. 

Illegal Mining Operation in Haryana

Why in News? 

• Recently, the mining mafia allegedly injured Haryana State Enforcement Bureau officers during an inspection of an illegal mining operation in Ghata Shamshabad village, Nuh district. 

 Key Points 

• About the Incident: 
  • The State Enforcement Bureau team sustained injuries from the stone pelting and narrowly escaped. 
  • Police registered an First Information Report (FIR) against 22 unidentified individuals under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other laws. 
• Illegal Mining: 
  • About: 
    • Illegal mining is the extraction of minerals, ores, or other valuable resources from land or water bodies without the necessary permits, licenses, or regulatory approvals from government authorities. 
    • It can also involve the violation of environmental, labor, and safety standards. 
  • Issues: 
    • Environmental Degradation: 
      • It can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution and can result in the destruction of habitats for wildlife, which can have serious ecological consequences. 
    • Hazards: 
      • Illegal mining often involves the use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which can pose serious health risks to miners and nearby communities. 
    • Loss of Revenue: 
      • It can lead to a loss of revenue for governments as miners may not pay appropriate taxes and royalties. 
      • This can have significant economic impacts, particularly in countries where natural resources are a major source of revenue. 
    • Human Rights Violations: 
      • Illegal mining can also result in human rights violations, including forced labor, child labor, and exploitation of vulnerable populations. 

PM Invited to Attend National Games in Uttarakhand

Why in News? 

Recently, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister invited the Prime Minister to attend the National Games, which will be held in the state from 28^th January to 14^th February 2025. This is the first time Uttarakhand is hosting the event. 

 Key Points 

• Gifts Presented to the PM: 
  • The Chief Minister presented a shawl made by Malari artisans from Chamoli district and a replica of Narayan Ashram to the Prime Minister during their meeting. 
• About the Projects: 
  • Development Updates: 
    • He informed the Prime Minister about ongoing development projects in Uttarakhand. 
    • He highlighted the fast-paced progress on the first phase of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail line project. 
    • He also mentioned the completion of the survey for the Tanakpur-Bageshwar rail project. 
    • He updated the Prime Minister on the Jal Jeevan Mission's progress in Uttarakhand. 
      • He also proposed closing the old Rishikesh railway station and operating all trains from the new Yoga Nagari railway station. 
      • It was suggested that the land of the old station be repurposed for a new road system to improve traffic flow. 
  • Rishikesh as an Iconic City: 
    • The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for selecting Rishikesh as an iconic city for river rafting. 
    • He requested Centre’s support for the Haridwar-Rishikesh Ganga Corridor and Sharda Corridor project due to limited state resources. 
  • Geothermal Energy Project: 
    • He shared that an MoU is proposed with the Iceland Embassy for exploiting geothermal energy in Uttarakhand. 
    • He confirmed receiving the necessary no-objection letters from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and Ministry of External Affairs. 
    • He also requested technical and financial support for the project to help Uttarakhand contribute to the zero carbon emission goal by 2070. 
  • Road Transport Proposals: 
    • The Chief Minister sought clearance for various road transport proposals sent to the Ministry of Road Transport. These include: 
      • Rishikesh Bypass 
      • Haridwar Bypass (Package 2) 
      • Dehradun-Mussoorie Connectivity 
      • Dehradun Ring Road 
      • Champawat Bypass 
      • Lalkuan, Haldwani, and Kathgodam Bypass 
      • Manaskhand Project 

 National Games 

• Background:  
  • The Olympic movement, which garnered the attention of the nation in the 1920s, includes the National Games. The National Games in India were first envisioned as the Indian Olympic Games with the goal of promoting Olympic sports in the nation. 
    • The first edition of the Indian Olympic Games at Lahore in an undivided Punjab in 1924. 
    • The Indian Olympic Games were named as National Games beginning in 1940. This competition sets athletes from several Indian states with one another in a variety of sporting disciplines. 
• Objectives: 
  • They are held for the benefit of Indian athletes, sports organisations etc. 
  • They help in raising awareness among states/UT's about the necessity of developing internationally grade sports infrastructure. 
  • It attempts to attract a wide number of youths to participate in sports activities. 
  • It aims to inculcate sports culture in individuals from all walks of life and educate them on the value of sports in building a healthy society. 
• Jurisdiction:  
  • The duration and the regulations of the National Games are entirely within the jurisdiction of the Indian Olympic Association. 

Tigress Found Dead in MP's Reserve

Why in News? 

Recently, the carcass of a four year-old tigress in the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh's Seoni district. The officials suspect poaching to be the cause of death. 

 Key Points 

• Carcass Discovery: 
  • The carcass was found in the Kurai area of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR). 
  • The officials confirmed that the tigress died due to electrocution. 
• Poaching Investigation: 
  • A case has been registered, and authorities are working to arrest unidentified poachers involved in the incident. 
  • Initial investigations suggested that poachers attempted unsuccessfully to chop off the tigress's paws. 
  • Following a post-mortem, the carcass was disposed of according to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines. 

 Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) 

• PTR is the joint pride of both Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. 
• The Reserve is located in the southern reaches of the Satpura hills in the Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh, and continues in Nagpur district in Maharashtra as a separate Sanctuary. 
  • It was declared a National Park by the Government of Maharashtra in 1975 and the identity of a tiger reserve was granted to it in the year 1992. 
  • However, PTR Madhya Pradesh was granted the same status in 1992-1993. It is one of the major Protected Areas of Satpura-Maikal ranges of the Central Highlands. 
• It is among the sites notified as Important Bird Areas (IBA) of India. 
  • The IBA is a programme of Birdlife International which aims to identify, monitor and protect a global network of IBAs for conservation of the world’s birds and associated diversity.