NATIONAL NEWS

1)Model Prisons Act 2023

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has prepared the ‘Model Prisons Act 2023’ that will replace a British-era law, (the Prisons Act of 1894), to overhaul the prison administration that will focus on the reformation and rehabilitation of inmates.

There are “several lacunae” in the old pre-Independence act, Prisons Act of 1894 and there was “conspicuous omission” of the correctional focus in the existing Act.

Salient feature of new act

• Provisions of punishment for prisoners and jail staff for use of prohibited items such as mobile phones in jails.

• Establishment and management of high security jails, open jail (open and semi-open).

• Provisions for protecting society from the criminal activities of hardened criminals and habitual offenders.

• Security assessment and segregation of prisoners, individual sentence planning; grievance redressal, prison development board, attitudinal change towards prisoners and provision of separate accommodation for women prisoners, transgender, etc.

2)Supreme Court Upholds Laws Allowing Jallikattu

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has upheld amendments made by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, to allow the traditional bull-taming sports of Jallikattu , Kambala (Karnataka) and bullock-cart racing.

The case involves a challenge to the Tamil Nadu amendment allowing jallikattu, based on the argument that it goes against the central law prohibiting cruelty to animals.

Court’s Judgement

The court decided that determining Jallikattu’s cultural heritage status is best left to the State’s legislative assembly and not a court of law.

STATE NEWS

Dotted Lands in Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, a significant issue regarding land ownership has emerged with the existence of “dotted lands.” These lands, named as such due to surveys conducted during the British era, have faced ownership disputes that have persisted over the years. The Andhra Pradesh government has taken up the task of addressing these disputes to provide clarity and benefits to the landowners, particularly farmers.

The state government’s decision to address the dotted land disputes is driven by multiple factors. Firstly, over 1 lakh applications have been received by the Chief Commissioner of Land Ceiling (CCLA) to resolve these disputes, emphasizing the need for resolution. Secondly, in urban areas, the illegal sale of dotted lands and unauthorized construction of houses lead to unassessed taxation. Furthermore, the government incurs losses in terms of stamp duty revenue due to the large-scale ownership disputes. Addressing these issues is part of the government’s comprehensive resurvey of lands under the YSR Jagananna Saswatha Bhu Hakku and Bhu Raksha scheme, aimed at providing permanent title deeds to farmers.

BANKING NEWS

RBI Announces Withdrawal of ₹2000 Banknotes from Circulation

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has made a significant decision to withdraw the ₹2000 denomination banknotes from circulation. Although these banknotes will no longer be issued, they will retain their status as legal tender. The move comes as the objective of introducing the ₹2000 banknotes has been fulfilled, and other denominations now adequately meet the currency requirements of the economy.

The withdrawal of ₹2000 banknotes aligns with the RBI’s “Clean Note Policy.” This policy aims to maintain the quality of currency in circulation and promote efficiency in the banking system. The RBI had previously undertaken a similar withdrawal of notes from circulation in 2013-2014.

While the RBI has initiated the withdrawal process, it emphasizes that the ₹2000 banknotes will remain legal tender. Individuals have until September 30, 2023, to exchange or deposit their ₹2000 banknotes in their bank accounts. After this date, banks may stop accepting ₹2000 banknotes for exchange, although they can still be deposited into bank accounts

SCHEME NEWS

Advance and EPCG Authorisation Scheme

The finance ministry has introduced an amnesty scheme aimed at offering relief to traders who have defaulted on their export obligations. This scheme provides an opportunity for traders to rectify past defaults and fulfill their export obligations by paying customs duty and interest.

The amnesty scheme holds significant importance for traders who have faced challenges in meeting their export obligations. It offers them an opportunity to rectify past defaults and fulfill their obligations by paying customs duty and interest within the specified timeframe. This enables traders to regain compliance and move forward with their export activities, fostering growth and stability in the trade sector.

IMPORTANT DAY

World Bee Day 2023 observed on 20th May

World Bee Day 2023 Date:  Every year on May 20, the world observes World Bee Day to increase awareness of the importance of bees in our ecosystem and their role in food production. Bees are crucial pollinators that help many plants grow and reproduce, which in turn helps plants provide food for humans and other animals. 

World Bee Day Theme 2023: “Bees for Sustainable Agriculture”

Previous current affairs :https://www.pmias.in/tnpsc-important-current-affairs-may19/

Source:https://www.dinamalar.com/