LEGAL NEWS
Bhopal bans on begging
• Bhopal’s district collector recently enforced a ban on begging in public spaces, following a similar move by Indore. Both cities are acting under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
• Section 163 of the BNSS allows authorities to manage public nuisances and safety concerns, granting district magistrates power to issue orders restricting public behavior.
• Non-compliance with these orders can lead to penalties, including imprisonment and fines, as per Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
• The first anti-begging law in India, the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act (1959), aimed to eliminate beggars from public streets, targeting those seen as "incurably helpless."
• Many states have modelled their anti-begging laws on the 1959 Act, though there is no single national law regulating begging.
• The Act defines a beggar as someone who solicits alms, sells items, or appears destitute without visible means of support.
• In 2018 Delhi High Court ruled that the Bombay Act was arbitrary, emphasizing the right to dignity and questioning the criminalization of poverty.
• In 2019 Jammu and Kashmir High Court declared the Prevention of Beggary Act and related rules as unconstitutional.
• In 2021, the Supreme Court rejected a petition to remove beggars from public spaces, highlighting that begging is a socio-economic issue, not a criminal one.
• SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise), launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in 2022, aims to rehabilitate beggars by providing medical care, education, and skills training.
• By 2024, 970 individuals, including 352 children, have been rehabilitated under SMILE, contributing toward the goal of a “beggar-free” India by 2026.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Argentina to Exit WHO After US Withdrawal
• Argentina has announced its decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
• President Javier Milei directed Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein to initiate the withdrawal process.
• The decision stems from concerns over WHO’s handling of global health crises, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Milei criticized the WHO for lacking independence and being influenced by political agendas.
• He labeled the organization as harmful and ineffective in managing health-related issues.
• The United States remains the WHO’s largest contributor, providing approximately $950 million in 2024.
• Argentina’s annual contribution to WHO stands at around $8 million.
NATIONAL NEWS
National Commission for Safai Karamcharis tenure extended by three years
• The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis until March 31, 2028.
• Initially set to expire in March 2025, the commission’s tenure has been extended by three years.
• The extension will incur an estimated financial cost of ₹50.91 crore.
• The commission oversees the implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Their Rehabilitation Act, 2013 (MS Act 2013).
• It investigates violations of the act and advises central and state governments on its enforcement.
• The commission also takes suo-motu action in cases of non-implementation of schemes related to Safai Karamcharis.
• Established under the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis Act of 1993, the commission has been operational since 1994.
India achieves 100 GW solar energy capacity
• India has reached a historic milestone by surpassing 100 GW of installed solar power capacity.
• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy highlighted this as a step toward a cleaner, greener future.
• It aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.
• Over the past decade, India’s solar energy sector has witnessed remarkable growth.
• Solar initiatives, including solar panels, parks, and rooftop projects, have transformed the energy landscape.
• Solar capacity has surged by 3450%, rising from 2.82 GW in 2014 to 100 GW by 2025.
• As of January 2025, India’s total solar capacity stands at 100.33 GW, with 84.10 GW under development and 47.49 GW in the proposal stage.
SPORTS
Lovlina and Ankushita Win Gold at 38th National Games
• Lovlina Borgohain secured gold in the women’s 75kg boxing event at the 38th National Games.
• She claimed victory over Chandigarh’s Pranshu Rathore with a dominant 5-0 score.
• In the men’s 63.5kg category, Shiva Thapa settled for silver after a close loss to Vanshaj from the Services Sports Control Board.
• Ankushita Boro made history by winning her third consecutive gold, defeating Uttarakhand’s Kajal 5-0 in the 66kg welterweight division.
• Nivedita Kari from Uttarakhand triumphed over Haryana’s Kalpana with a 5-0 win in the women’s 50kg flyweight event.
• The 38th National Games started on January 28 and will conclude on February 14, 2025.
STATE NEWS
Odisha’s initiatives under : “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme
• The Odisha government has introduced multiple initiatives under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme.
• These efforts aim to tackle gender imbalance and improve the declining child sex ratio in the state.
• Various programs have been launched, including:-
✓ “Nirbhaya Kadhi” (Fearless Bud) and “Mo Gelha Jiya” (My Dear Daughter) in Ganjam.
✓ “Kalpana Avijan” in Dhenkanal.
✓ “Swarna Kalika” in Keonjhar.
✓ “Veerangana Yojana” in Deogarh.
• The initiatives focus on preventing child marriage and discouraging sex selection and female foeticide.
• They also promote higher education for girls and boost confidence through self-defence and martial arts training.
Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy 2025 approved by Madhya Pradesh government.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has approved the Drone Promotion and Utilisation Policy 2025 to strengthen the drone industry.
• The policy aims to boost drone manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance in the state.
• Entrepreneurs setting up drone-manufacturing units will receive up to 40% capital subsidy, with a maximum limit of ₹30 crore.
• Investments exceeding ₹50 crore will be eligible for customised incentives.
• The policy provides up to ₹2 crore for research and development along with stamp duty exemptions.
• It is expected to attract over ₹400 crore in investments in the coming years.
• The government will implement clear guidelines and faster approvals to streamline drone operations.
Himachal Pradesh will host North India’s first green hydrogen plant in Solan’s Dabhota.
• The foundation stone for North India's first green hydrogen plant has been laid in Himachal Pradesh.
• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone for the 1-MW project.
• The plant will be developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) in partnership with Oil India Limited.
• The project is set to cost ₹9.04 crore.
• By march 2026, Himachal Pradesh aims to become India’s first green energy state.
• The Dabhota Green Hydrogen Plant marks a key step in the state’s renewable energy transition.
• The state government has signed an MoU with Oil India Limited to advance solar, green hydrogen, geothermal energy, and compressed biogas projects.
DEFENCE
Fort William has been renamed as Vijay Durg.
• Fort William, which serves as the headquarters of the Indian Army's Eastern Command, has been renamed Vijay Durg.
• St George's Gate has also been renamed Shivaji Gate as part of the rebranding.
• Defence officials announced the name change in December 2024.
• Originally built by the British in 1781, Fort William in Kolkata was named after King William III.
• The fort, constructed in brick and mortar, has six gates: Chowringhee, Plassey, Calcutta, Water Gate, Treasury Gate, and St George Gate.
• The new name, Vijay Durg, is inspired by the historic Vijay Durg fort in Maharashtra, a naval base during Chhatrapati Shivaji's reign.
• The renaming reflects India’s growing recognition of its military heritage.
• After independence, the Indian Army took control of the fort, expanding and renovating it significantly.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE
32nd session of the Indian Art History Congress started in Noida
• The 32nd Indian Art History Congress began in Noida on February 8, 2025.
• Organized by the Indian Heritage Institute, a deemed university under the Ministry of Culture, the event runs from February 8 to 10.
• Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the three-day conference.
• The event serves as a platform to explore artistic and performative interpretations of Indian epics.
• It highlights the diversity of epic narratives through various artistic expressions.
• Discussions also focus on their historical influence and representation from ancient to modern times.
• This year’s theme, "Rendering of Indian Epics in Art and Culture," showcases different forms of epic-based artistic expressions.
• Its headquarters are located in Guwahati.
