State PCS

• 07 Feb 2024

Haryana CID Signs MoA for Enhancing Cyber Crime Probe Skills

Why in News?

Haryana’s crime investigation department (CID) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), a Union ministry of electronics and information technology organisation, signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to enhance the skills of law enforcement personnel in cyber-crime investigation through comprehensive capacity building programmes.

Key Points

• The programme will encompass training in cyber forensic analysis, cyber threat intelligence, and social intelligence methods.
• Under the MoA, Haryana CID will collaborate with C-DAC to strengthen its cyber forensic capacity building and research initiatives.
• On the other hand, C-DAC will develop solutions for social media and cybercrime, offer paid training programs, and provide support for research efforts.
• The collaboration is a significant step towards strengthening the capabilities of law enforcement agencies in combating cybercrime.

Criminal Investigation Department (CID)

• Established in 1902 by the British Government, CID is an investigation and intelligence department of state police. On the other hand, CBI is an agency of the Central Government.
• CID is looking into murder, assault, riot or any cases as directed by respective High Courts.

Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

• C-DAC is the premier Research & Development organisation of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas.
• India's first supercomputer PARAM 8000 was indigenously built (in 1991) by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing.
• It was established in 1988.

Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014

Why in News?

According to Haryana Right to Service Commission (HRTSC) chief commissioner, the Auto Appeal System (AAS) introduced under the Right to Service Act, 2014 is a game changer in ensuring transparency and accountability in service delivery to citizens.

Key Points

• The HRTSC, reviewed the findings of an exhaustive study “Comparative evaluation of implementation of Haryana Right to Service Act 2014” conducted by Chandigarh-based Institute for Development and Communication (IDC).
• The IDC study shows that Haryana has emerged as a leading state by providing a robust grievances redressal forum. The effective implementation of the auto appeal mechanism by HRTSC and imposing a fine on the defaulting officer is ensuring hassle-free services to citizens.
• To ensure timely and transparent delivery of public services, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the AAS on September 1, 2021.
  • Before AAS was launched, there was a provision for the manual filing of appeals, in the event of a delay in service delivery. However, it was cumbersome, leading to citizens not coming ahead to file appeals.
• Now if a person’s work is not done on time and that work comes under the purview of the Right to Service Act, then under the AAS, the application goes to the appellate authority.
  • Even then if no work is done, then the application moves to the higher authority. Still, if work is not done at both these levels, then the application goes to the commission automatically.
• The key findings of the study pointed out that among the beneficiaries 73% received the service as requested and 46% of beneficiaries were satisfied with the overall application process.
• The findings also highlighted that the AAS has made the appeal system paperless and reduced legal burden and out-of-pocket costs earlier incurred by the citizens.

Haryana Right to Service Act, 2014

• It was enacted with the sole objective of providing an effective framework for time bound delivery of services being provided by various government departments under the State of Haryana in order to promote transparency and accountability.
• The act has empowered people to seek maximum advantage of services in a hassle free, transparent and time-bound manner through an effective service delivery mechanism.
• The services delivered within the prescribed time limits and without any hassle will enhance credibility of the government functioning. This will also fulfill the maximum expectations of the people with regard to rendering of services by the Government.

Visually Impaired Girl Honoured with 'Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar'

Why in News?

Garima, a visually impaired girl of Mahendergarh district was given the 'Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar' by President Droupadi Murmu in the social service category in New Delhi.

• She was honoured for her gallant initiative of "Sakshar Pathshala" in which over 1000 students were connected for education by her.

Key Points

• The award was presented to 19 youngsters from throughout the country. These children participate in the national Republic Day Parade on January 26^th.
• Garima through her "Sakshar Pathshala" encourages and inspires the slum people and children the importance of education in one's life and how it leads the path to progress.
  • Education is a fundamental right and a vital component of a child's life as it even allows them to contribute to the progress of the country.

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

• Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is given to children between the age of 5 to 18 years who have shown outstanding performance in categories such as bravery, culture, environment, art, science and technology, social service and sports.
  • Total 19 children were selected for the year 2024, out of which 4 were in the social service category.

Lucknow To Get 1500-Acre Aerocity

Why in News?

Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Khanna announced that Lucknow is all set to get its aerocity. Much like Aerocities in Hyderabad and Delhi, it will be the new destination of choice for corporate leaders who have their businesses anywhere across the state.

Key Points

• The Lucknow-Kanpur Expressway, which is located close to the aerocity is also getting widened and the 104-km long outer ring road is also close to the proposed location of Aerocity.
  • The name 'Aerocity' is based on the fact that they are usually situated close to airports.
• It has been reported that the Hinduja group is all set to establish its Electric Vehicles (EV) plant at the site where the Scooters India plant existed earlier in Sarojini Nagar.
• The upcoming Noida International Airport at Jewar in Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh will also have an Aerocity spread over 172 acres.

Rajasthan Government Plans Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

Why in News?

• Rajasthan cabinet minister Kanhiya Lal Choudhary informed the state assembly that the government would soon introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.

Key Points

• The proposed UCC Bill aims to establish uniform laws pertaining to marriage, divorce and inheritance of property. It seeks to curb practices like polygamy and divorce through religious means.
• On the lines of Uttarakhand, the Rajasthan UCC Bill will exempt the tribal community, as they've raised serious objections, terming their customs and practices uncompromisable.

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

• The Uniform Civil Code is mentioned in Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• These principles are not legally enforceable but are meant to guide the state in making policies.
  • It has been supported by some as a way to promote national integration and gender justice, but opposed by others as a threat to religious freedom and diversity.
• The only state in India that has a UCC is Goa, which retained its common family law known as the Goa Civil Code after it was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961.
  • Recently, Uttarakhand has also introduced the UCC bill in the state assembly.
• The rest of India follows different personal laws based on their religious or community identity.

Coal Mines Expansion in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the environment ministry has accorded an “in-principle” approval for expansion and opening of a number of mines in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Meghalaya and exploratory drilling in Assam’s wildlife rich Doyang reserved forest.

Key Points

• Three of the mines are in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district. These are Gevra mine, Kusmunda mine, and Dipka Opencast coal mine.
• In Chhattisgarh, FAC recommended “in-principle” approval:
  • for the additional diversion of 94.293 hectares of forest for expansion of Gevra mine.
  • to expansion of Kusmunda mine for diversion of an additional 43.942 ha of forest land.
    • Kusmunda opencast mine flows adjacent to a Hasdeo tributary which makes it a particularly vulnerable area.
  • to South Eastern Coalfield Limited (SECL) Dipka Opencast coal mine for diversion of additional 0.093 ha of forest land in Korba’s Katghora forest.
• FAC has recommended that Chhattisgarh government ensure treatment of the catchment area and directed SECL to follow the rules imposed by the Water resource department for conservation of the Hasdeo river.

Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)

• It is a statutory body which was constituted by the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
• It comes under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• It considers questions on the diversion of forest land for non-forest uses such as mining, industrial projects, townships and advises the government on the issue of granting forest clearances. However, its role is advisory.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL)

• SECL is the highest coal producing company of India. The coal mines of SECL are spread across two states namely Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
• It operates 65 coal mines, of which 39 coal mines lie in Chhattisgarh State, while the rest 26 coal mines are situated in Madhya Pradesh. Out of these 65 coal mines, 46 mines are worked by underground method of mining while rest 19 mines are Opencast mines.

Hasdeo River

• The Hasdeo river is a tributary of the Mahanadi river which originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal.
• The Hasdeo forests are also the catchment area for the Hasdeo Bango Dam built across the Hasdeo river which irrigates six lakh acres of land, crucial to a State with paddy as its main crop.
• Besides, the forests are ecologically sensitive due to the rich biodiversity they offer and due to the presence of a large migratory corridor for elephants.