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23rd Law Commission of India

The 23rd Law Commission has been constituted for a three-year term by the government and its chairperson and members will be chosen from among active Supreme Court and high court judges.

The panel offers the government legal advice on complicated matters. The government starts the process of selecting its head and members as soon as it is created.

According to a law ministry directive released late Monday the 22nd Law Commission’s term concluded on August 31 and the new panel took effect on September 1.

Despite the fact that the 21st and 22nd law commissions’ constitutions which were announced in September 2015 and February 2020 respectively, called for the appointment of sitting SC and HC judges as chairpersons and members, the body has recently been led by retired top court judges or former chief justices of high courts.

The 22nd Law Commission’s mandate came to an end on August 31st, with its major report on the unified civil code (UCC) still pending. The commission had been operating without a chairwoman for several months.

The law panel’s report on simultaneous elections is complete and is waiting to be submitted to the law ministry.

It was noticed by those familiar with the process that in the event of a chairperson’s absence the report cannot be submitted.

A few months ago Justice (retd) Ritu Raj Awasthi who presided over the 22nd law panel was added to the Lokpal anti-corruption body.

A report on ‘one nation one election’ was submitted in March by a high-level group led by the former president Ram Nath Kovind.

Last year the 22nd commission initiated fresh consultations on the UCC.

₹18,036 Crore Mumbai-Indore Rail Line Project Approved by Cabinet

A significant railway project to construct a new 309-kilometer train line linking Mumbai and Indore has received approval from the Union Cabinet. The project is anticipated to be finished by the 2028–2029 fiscal year at an estimated cost of ₹18,036 crore.

Objectives of the Project

By establishing the most direct and effective route possible the primary objective of this new rail line is to enhance traffic between the two significant cities of Mumbai and Indore.  Additionally the rail line will connect areas in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh that currently have limited or no railway access.

Key Features

New Stations: The project will include the construction of 30 new railway stations along the route. Accessibility will be enhanced by these stations, especially in the Barwani district which is seen as an “aspirational” district in need of additional development.

Village Connectivity: By giving roughly 30 lakh (3 million) people better access to transportation the rail line will directly help about 1,000 villages.

Economic Impact

The new rail line is expected to make the transportation of various goods smoother and more efficient. This covers iron ore, steel, cement, fertilisers, and agricultural goods.  The improved transportation is likely to increase annual freight traffic by approximately 26 million metric tons which will boost economic activities in the region.

Additionally, the Pithampur Auto Cluster, an industrial region home to numerous small and medium-sized businesses in addition to huge corporations, will be directly connected to the rail line. This connection will make it easier for these businesses to transport their products, further supporting economic growth.

Agricultural Significance

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh’s millet-producing districts and Maharashtra’s onion-producing districts will benefit greatly from the new rail connection. It will provide faster and more effective delivery of these crops by streamlining their distribution to markets in both the north and south of India.

Tourism Enhancement

The rail line is also expected to boost tourism in the Ujjain-Indore region. This involves drawing more people to significant religious locations such as the highly esteemed Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in India.

The PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which is focused on enhancing connectivity across all forms of transportation including roads, trains, and ports, includes this railway project. The plan aims to create a seamless network for the movement of people, goods, and services across the country ensuring that development is well-integrated and efficient.

What is the ‘Nambike Nakshe’ Scheme?

D.K. Shivakumar, the deputy chief minister of Bengaluru has unveiled a new program named “Nambike Nakshe” to streamline and expedite the building approvals process. This program is intended to assist landowners in obtaining approval for structures up to 4,000 square feet located in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP)-managed areas.

Scheme Overview

Property owners can obtain temporary (provisional) clearance for their building plans from licensed architects or engineers under the “Nambike Nakshe” program. This is a big change because it means that owners can start planning their buildings without having to go through many different approval steps right at the beginning.

Target Audience

Those who own land in regions created by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Karnataka Housing Board are particularly benefited by the initiative. The size of many of these plots is approximately 50 by 80 feet which is perfectly within the parameters of this system.

Provisional Approval Process

Property owners can apply for provisional clearance under this new program allowing them to begin development. After receiving this provisional approval they need to upload the plan online for final approval by the BBMP. This makes the whole process quicker and more straightforward.

The main goal of this initiative is to cut down on the bureaucratic obstacles that property owners usually face. Building plan approvals are being issued more quickly and easily by the government thanks to the allowance of direct approvals from certified professionals such as engineers or architects.

Ensuring Compliance

BBMP engineers will still inspect the construction to ensure that the buildings fulfil all necessary standards and rules even though the approval procedure is being made simpler.

The ‘Nambike Nakshe’ scheme is currently being tested in two zones within BBMP. If it performs well the entire city will probably be covered by it. Property owners may encounter fewer obstacles as a result which would facilitate and expedite the beginning of building projects.

About the Nambike Nakshe Scheme

In Karnataka the “Nambike Nakshe” program was first introduced in 2020. Its purpose was to digitise land records so that people could more easily obtain information about their land. Better land management and the resolution of land conflicts are further benefits of the program.  By making land information available online the initiative is helping to improve urban planning and rural development in the state.

Navratna Status Granted to NHPC, SJVN, and RailTel PSUs

The Indian government has bestowed upon three prominent public sector enterprises NHPC, SJVN, and RailTel, the esteemed “Navratna” designation. This makes them the 18th, 19th and 20th companies to earn this special title. For many businesses, achieving this status is a major accomplishment because it offers them greater autonomy and authority to decide how to proceed and grow their business.

Eligibility Criteria

To be awarded Navratna status a company must meet specific criteria:

Miniratna-I Status: The business must now hold Miniratna-I status a lesser designation granted to prosperous public sector businesses.

Excellent Performance: For at least three of the previous five years the company’s performance evaluation (MoU rating) had to have been rated as “Excellent” or “Very Good.”

Robust Financial Outcomes: The organisation must achieve a minimum of 60 points in six crucial financial metrics including earnings per share, net profit, and net worth.

Investment Autonomy

Navratna status has given NHPC, SJVN, and RailTel greater flexibility in their investment choices:

Investment Autonomy: These companies can now invest up to ₹1,000 crore or 15% of their net worth in a single project without needing approval from the government. They can also invest up to 30% of their net worth in a year if it does not exceed the ₹1,000 crore limit.

Expanded Operational Capabilities: The Navratna status also allows these companies to set up subsidiaries abroad from joint ventures and restructure their organisations to improve efficiency and performance.

Overview of the Companies

Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited or SJVN is a Miniratna that oversees 75 energy projects totaling 56,802 MW including hydroelectric, solar, and wind power. SJVN became a Miniratna in 2008.

NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation): Established in 1975 NHPC is one of India’s leading hydropower companies with an installed capacity of 7,144.2 MW. The business plans to focus on large projects in northeastern regions like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in order to boost its capacity to 23,000 MW by 2032 and 50,000 MW by 2047.

RailTel: In 2000 RailTel offered broadband services and communications infrastructure in India. The corporation is one of the biggest providers of communication infrastructure in the nation overseeing networks of over 55,000 kilometres of optical fibre running alongside railroad tracks.  RailTel also offers Wi-Fi services at railway stations and supports various government initiatives like Smart Cities and e-governance.

The shares of these companies have gained interest due to the announcement of Navratna’s status. However despite this positive news the shares of SJVN, NHPC, and RailTel have recently experienced significant declines with SJVN and NHPC shares down 18% and RailTel shares down by 21% from their all-time highs.

For the Varuna Exercise, an Indian Navy P8i aircraft lands in France

An Indian Navy P8i Poseidon has touched down at Air Base 125 Istres-Le Tube in France for the first time. This is a noteworthy development related to India’s involvement in the bilateral naval exercise “Varuna” which is set to occur in the Mediterranean Sea between September 2 and September 4, 2024.

Objective of Exercise Varuna

The main goal of Exercise Varuna is to conduct advanced tactical drills that help the Indian and French navies work better together. These drills include a variety of complex maritime manoeuvres designed to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two naval forces.

Historical Significance

Because it is the first time an Indian Navy aircraft has operated from a French airbase in 63 years the P8i Poseidon’s landing in France is historic. The last time this happened was when the Indian Navy’s Alize aircraft operated from Hyeres Airbase. The long-standing and robust naval alliance between France and India is emphasised by this event.

The P8i Poseidon Aircraft

The P8i Poseidon is a specialised aircraft designed for maritime patrol and reconnaissance missions. It is based on the Boeing 737-800 aeroplane and was developed by Boeing Defence. The P8i Poseidon was first deployed by the Indian Navy in 2013 and has already logged over 35,000 hours of flight time. It is essential for search and rescue operations battling against submarines monitoring the oceans and patrolling coastal areas.

Indian Navy’s Participation

To participate in the Varuna drill, the Indian Navy’s cruiser INS Tabar has also landed at Toulon, France, in addition to the P8i Poseidon. This indicates the French and Indian fleets’ significant involvement and collaboration.

History of Exercise Varuna

1993 saw the start of Exercise Varuna which was formally dubbed “Varuna” in 2001. Over the years it has become an important part of the strategic relationship between India and France. Numerous naval assets including guided missile frigates, tankers , maritime patrol planes and helicopters from both nations are usually involved in the drill. Through these cooperative exercises the fleets may exchange best practices and enhance their operational exchanges improving their readiness to collaborate in real-world scenarios.

eShram Portal Registers 30 Crore Unorganised Workers

The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) recently highlighted the success of the eShram portal which has registered over 30 crore unorganized workers since it was launched three years ago. This is a significant accomplishment as it demonstrates the development of a digital infrastructure to assist India’s unorganized labor force.

Purpose of the eShram Portal

The eShram portal is meant to be a “one-stop solution” for unorganized workers. This implies that it makes it simpler for individuals to obtain the benefits to which they are legally entitled by giving them access to many social security programs in one location.

Government Initiatives

During the budget address for 2024–25, the government said that it intends to enhance the eShram portal by integrating it with other digital platforms. As a result the gateway will serve as an even more valuable hub for unorganized laborers.

Integration with Social Security Schemes

The Ministry of Labour & Employment is working to connect important social security schemes to the eShram portal. These schemes include:

• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): A life insurance scheme.
• An accident insurance program is called PMSBY or Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
• Bharat Ayushman Health insurance program: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
• The Pradhan Mantri Street sellers Atmanirbhar Nidhi (PM-SANNidhi) program offers street sellers financial assistance.
• A program that ensures jobs in rural regions is known as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• A program called Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin (PMAY-G) is designed to build homes in rural regions.
• Ration Card Scheme: A scheme that provides subsidised food grains to eligible families.

Benefits for Unorganised Workers

By connecting these schemes to the eShram portal unorganised workers will find it easier to access essential services and benefits. This integration will help ensure that these workers can secure their rights and improve their welfare more effectively. The portal’s purpose is to improve their lives by giving them quicker access to crucial information and assistance.

AgriSURE Fund Empowers Startups Supporting Indian Farmers

The AgriSURE Scheme a significant program intended to assist rural and agricultural start-ups, has been introduced by the Indian government. This program is necessary to support India’s agriculture industry which is critical to the nation’s economy.

What is the AgriSURE Fund?

The AgriSURE Fund also known as the Agri Fund for Start-ups & Rural Enterprises is a special fund of ₹750 crore. Funds from the Indian government, banks, insurance providers NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) and private investors are combined. This fund seeks to provide financial assistance for agricultural projects that are high-impact and risky with the ultimate objective of advancing farming via innovative ideas and technologies.

What are the Key Goals of the AgriSURE Fund?

The AgriSURE Fund’s primary goal is to assist farmers by bringing in cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions. The government wants to:

1. Lower the costs of farming.
2. Make sure farmers receive just compensation for their harvests.
3. Encourage growing a variety of crops.
4. Protect farmers from losing crops due to unforeseen events.
5. What are the AgriSURE Greenathon Awards?
6. Along with the launch of the AgriSURE Fund the government introduced the AgriSURE Greenathon Awards. These awards recognise start-ups that are solving important challenges in the agricultural value chain. The top three start-ups—Greensapio, Krushikanti, and Ambronics—out of 2000 applicants received prizes for their innovative ideas.

About the AgriSURE Fund

The AgriSURE Fund which started in 2016, focuses on providing financial support and encouraging innovation in agriculture. It provides funding to agri-tech firms particularly those based in underdeveloped nations. The fund emphasises climate resilience promoting sustainable practices like precision farming. It also provides mentoring to aspiring business owners and collaborates with local governments to increase food security. The fund’s projects often include eco-friendly farming practices showing its commitment to protecting the environment while boosting agricultural productivity.