Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022
The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022, implementation guidelines have been announced by the Home Affairs Ministry.
Key facts
- The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 repeals the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920, whose scope was limited to collecting finger impressions, footprint impressions and photographs of the convicted persons and certain categories of arrested and non-convicted persons based on the order from the Magistrate.
- The new law enables police and central investigating agencies to collect, store, analyse physical and biological samples like retina and iris scans of arrested individuals.
- The rules do not mention the procedure for convicted persons.
- Measurements of individuals detained under preventive detention laws should not be taken unless they are associated with a serious offence or ordered by a court.
- Measurements here include finger-impressions, palm-print, foot-print, photographs, iris and retina scan, physical, biological samples and their analysis, behavioural attributes including signatures, handwriting or any other examination. They are mentioned in Section 53 and Section 53A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1974.
- The rules allow the storing and preservation of the measurements in a secured and encrypted format as per the Standard Operating Procedure by the NCRB from “time to time”.
- Illegal access, distribution or sharing of data collected under the Act shall be punishable under the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
- The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) will direct the states on how to collect and store the measurements.
- It will give details on what equipment or devices to be used for taking measurements, provides specifications for digital and physical format of the measurement and the method of handling and storing measurements to make them compatible with the NCRB database.
About NCRB
- The National Crime Records Bureau comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is responsible for collecting and analysing crime data under the Indian Penal Code and Special and Local Laws. It acts as the repository of information on crime and criminals that enables investigators to link crimes to the right perpetrators.
National Conference of Environment Ministers
In a sense, Gujarat`s National Conference of Environment Ministers was started by Prime Minister Modi.
Key facts
- National Conference of Environment Ministers of all States is a two-day event held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on September 23 and 24 this year.
- The objective of this conference is to promote cooperative federalism through the promotion of synergized working of central and state governments on issues pertaining to the environment and climate change.
- The conference will include 6 thematic sessions with topics focusing on LiFE, Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts); PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances); Forestry Management; Prevention and Control of Pollution; Wildlife Management; Plastics and Waste Management.
What is LiFE?
- LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) was launched on June 5, 2022 on the occasion of World Environment Day to harness the power of individual and collective action to address the global climate crisis. It was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. This concept advocates for a mindful and deliberate utilization of resources as opposed to “mindful and wasteful consumption”. It aims to create a global movement towards the adoption of simple and specific climate-friendly behaviours in daily life. The LiFE seeks to make such daily actions an integral part of collective social norms and promote sustainable development of the overall global community. It will deploy behavioural techniques like nudges, social and behaviour change communication to achieve its goals.
What is PARIVESH?
- PARIVESH (Pro Active Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub) is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It provides single window clearance mechanism for those seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, State and district level authorities. It enables citizens to interact with scrutiny officers, generate online clearance letters, online mailers and alerts to state government officials in case of delays in the processing of applications.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan
- Guidelines for ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan- Ranking of Cities’ was released during the National Conference of Environment Ministers. The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranks 131 cities across India for the implementation of City Action Plans prepared as part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the reduction of air pollution up to 40 per cent by 2025-26. The cities are categorized into three groups based on population. The first group has cities with population more than 10 lakh, the second has population between 3 to 10 lakh and the third has population less than 3 lakh. The ranking is based on the annual self-assessment of the cities based on the framework provided in the government portal.
About National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
- The NCAP is a long-term strategy that aims to achieve 20-30% reduction in Particulate Matter Concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison of the concentration. Specific plans were created for each city. These plans include strengthening of monitoring network, reducing vehicular/industrial emissions, awareness creation etc. The implementation of these plans are regularly monitored by Committees at Central and State levels.
Yogi inaugurates Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya
On the occasion of the late singer`s 93rd birthday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the recently built Lata Mangeshkar Chowk in Ayodhya on Wednesday.
Sanatan Dharma, according to Yogi, implies paying respects to the person who dedicated their entire lives to preserving Indian music and culture. She has performed the most bhajans in honour of Lord Ram. She also wrote some of the best and most enduring patriotic songs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi served as the inspiration for this homage."
The Chief Minister said that Ayodhya was on its way to becoming one of the most beautiful cities of the world.
"The Ram temple is on its way to completion and people will not have to wait for long for it," he said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi paid tributes to iconic singer, saying the in Ayodhya named after her will be a fitting tribute to her.
"Remembering Lata Didi on her birth anniversary. There is so much that I recall... the innumerable interactions in which she would shower so much affection. I am glad that today, a Chowk in Ayodhya will be named after her. It is a fitting tribute to one of the greatest Indian icons."
Lata Mangeshkar`s nephew Adinath Mangeshkar represented the singer`s family at the inauguration ceremony.
Lata Chowk has a 40-foot veena, a musical instrument associated with Goddess Saraswati, weighing 14 tonnes that has been installed in Ayodhya as a tribute to legendary singer.
Ram Sutar, who designed the Veena, also attended the ceremony.
Union Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy was also be present at the event to which religious and political leaders had been invited.
Later, a cultural event was organized at the Ram Katha Park and an exhibition based on the life of the singer was also on display.
Lata Mangeshkar, born in 1929, died at a Mumbai hospital on February 6 this year. She won three National Awards for Best Female Playback Singer.