LEGAL NEWS
Supreme Court’s Directions on Regulating Harmful Online Content
• The Supreme Court asked the Centre to frame strong and workable guidelines to curb abusive, obscene, and harmful content circulating on digital platforms.
• It observed that current self-regulation models are insufficient, and recommended setting up an independent regulator to oversee online content.
• The bench noted that harmful material is often removed only after it goes viral, stressing the need for early detection and preventive mechanisms.
• While affirming Article 19(1)(a), the Court underlined that reasonable limits under Article 19(2) must protect decency, morality, and public order.
• The judges cautioned that vague expressions such as “anti-national attitudes” can lead to misuse unless defined clearly through established legal standards.
• For protecting minors, the Court suggested robust age-verification tools, potentially Aadhaar-linked, since basic disclaimers fail to block access effectively.
• The bench urged the government to bring a strict law penalising ridicule or abuse of persons with disabilities, similar in intent to the SC/ST Atrocities Act.
• Existing regulatory framework—IT Act 2000, IT Rules 2021, DPDP Act 2023, and laws like IRWA and POCSO—was referenced as the baseline for content oversight.
• Recalling the Shreya Singhal judgment, the Court reiterated that intermediaries must take down content only on court orders or government directives, while upholding powers under Section 69A for blocking harmful material.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
60th DGP–IGP Conference in Raipur
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah opened the three-day national DGP/IGP meet in Raipur, calling it a crucial platform for addressing internal security issues.
• He noted that security agencies have strengthened their fight against extremism, radicalisation, and drug trafficking.
• The conference, organised by the Intelligence Bureau, focuses on sharper intelligence gathering and coordinated action.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is participating in the sessions scheduled for November 29–30.
• Shah highlighted major progress against Naxalism, citing the creation of 586 fortified police stations in the last seven years.
• The number of Naxal-hit districts has drastically reduced from 126 in 2014 to just 11 now.
• He stressed the need for a comprehensive crackdown on narcotics and organised crime through stronger inter-agency cooperation.
India’s Tea Sector: Key Highlights from National Conference
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that India now holds the position of the world’s second-largest tea exporter.
• The country’s annual tea output is around 255 million tonnes, reflecting its strong global presence.
• He shared these insights while speaking at the National Conference on Safe Tea Production in New Delhi on 28 November.
• The government has introduced a ₹1,000 crore support package along with tools like the Chai Sahyog app for tea-industry workers.
• Strengthening testing infrastructure is a priority to help the sector contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The Minister stressed the need to develop globally competitive tea varieties to maintain high-quality standards.
• Small growers were encouraged to adopt sustainable and modern farming methods for better skills and productivity.
• He also highlighted the importance of value addition, stronger marketing, and research-driven innovation to create premium tea products.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Tex-RAMPS Scheme Approved to Strengthen India’s Textile Sector
• The Centre has cleared the Tex-RAMPS initiative, aimed at driving research, innovation, and competitiveness in the textile industry.
• With an allocation of ₹305 crore, the scheme will run from 2025–26 to 2030–31, aligning with the upcoming Finance Commission cycle.
• It will function as a fully funded Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Textiles.
• The programme focuses on advancing smart textiles, sustainable materials, and new-age textile technologies.
• Modernised data systems, including the Integrated Textiles Statistical System, will help support real-time analytics and policy decisions.
• Training programmes, workshops, and sectoral events will boost state-level planning and spread technical knowledge.
• Support for incubators, innovation challenges, and academia-industry partnerships aims to encourage start-ups, job creation, and stronger global competitiveness.
MISCELLANEOUS
India’s First Advance Estimates for Kharif Crop Production (2025–26)
• The government has projected total Kharif foodgrain output at 173.33 million tonnes for the current financial year.
• Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan released the first advance production estimates for major Kharif crops.
• Rice output is expected to cross 124 million tonnes, marking an increase of 1.73 million tonnes over last year’s Kharif harvest.
• Coarse cereals production for the season is estimated at 41.41 million tonnes.
• Kharif pulses production has been pegged at 7.41 million tonnes overall.
• Within pulses, production of tur (3.60 MT), urad (1.20 MT), and moong (1.72 MT) shows stable output trends.
• Sugarcane and cotton production are estimated at 475 million tonnes and over 29 million tonnes, respectively, indicating strong performance in commercial crops.
