2 July 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. New metal oxide nanocomposite can be used for sustainable photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2030073 )

Analysis of the news:

• Developed at IASST, NiTF is a novel metal oxide nanocomposite aimed at sustainable environmental cleanup.
• Key catalysts like TiO2, ZnO, and WO3 leverage light to degrade pollutants into harmless compounds.
• Factors influencing efficiency include metal oxide type, crystal structure, light conditions, pH, and catalyst concentration.
• Fuller’s earth enhances TiO2 adsorption in the dark, enhancing its cost-effectiveness as an environmental photocatalyst.
• Published in Elsevier’s Inorganic Chemistry Communications, this nanocomposite holds promise for catalysis, sensors, energy storage, optoelectronics, coatings, and renewable energy production via water splitting.

2. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah holds a press conference in New Delhi on three new criminal laws, calls the laws victim-centric and justice-oriented

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2030088 )

Analysis of the news:

Here are the key improvements about the three new laws introduced as highlighted by the Union Home Minister of India:

1. Focus on Justice and Victim Rights:
   • These laws prioritise justice over punishment, aiming for speedy trials and protecting victims’ rights.
   • A new chapter specifically addresses crimes against women and children, with 35 sections and 13 provisions dedicated to enhancing sensitivity and legal provisions in such cases.
   • Mob lynching has been defined and carries severe penalties, addressing a previously unregulated crime.
2. Technological Integration and Modernization:
   • The laws incorporate advanced technology, including provisions for digital FIRs, charge sheets, and records.
   • Computerization of 99.9% of police stations and a move towards e-records were initiated in 2019, setting the foundation for digital law enforcement.
   • Forensic investigation is made mandatory for offences punishable by seven years or more, with efforts to increase the conviction rate to 90%.
3. Legal Reforms and Legislative Modernization:
   • Outdated colonial-era laws, including the sedition law, have been abolished, reflecting contemporary legal needs.
   • New provisions address anti-national activities, ensuring severe penalties for actions threatening India’s unity and integrity.
   • The legislation is available in all eight scheduled languages, promoting accessibility and inclusivity in legal proceedings nationwide.
4. Implementation and Training:
   • Over 23,000 master trainers have been trained to educate 22.5 lakh policemen on these new laws.
   • Judicial officials and public prosecutors have also undergone extensive training to ensure effective implementation and application of the laws.
5. Parliamentary Process and Public Discourse:
   • The laws underwent rigorous discussion in Parliament, with detailed deliberations lasting over nine hours in the Lok Sabha and over six hours in the Rajya Sabha.
   • Despite claims of exclusion, expelled members of Parliament had the opportunity to participate in these discussions.

These laws represent a comprehensive overhaul of India’s criminal justice system, emphasising modernization, victim protection, and efficient judicial processes aligned with contemporary technological advancements.