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Pb. Current Affairs

February 21, 2020

Topic: Arms and drugs business is going on rampantly in the garb of mining: report

News: -A report has been submitted by the Deputy Commissioner to Punjab chief secretary regarding the cross border smuggling in the border district of Ferozepur.

Arms and narcotics smuggling has found a new mode of operation now.
In the garb of mining in the Ferozepur area, the cross border smuggling of arms such as AK – 47 and drugs such as heroin is taking place.
The details have been shared with a division bench of the Punjab And Haryana High court.
The petitioner had moved the court against the state on account of illegal mining going on in a village in Ferozepur.
The mining is taking place in the violation of Punjab minor and major mineral rules,2013.

As per this:-

The riverbed digging could not be carried on beyond 3 metres of water level ( whichever is less).
Also, nowadays drones ( fitted with GPS ) are being used for smuggling drugs and other harmful things from across the border.
So, better surveillance and border management policies are required by the state government to deal with the menace.

(Source:- The Tribune)

Topic: Jail reforms.

News:- The government opts for CCTVs and live wire fencing in jails.

Jail reforms are often in news as lack of them leads to smuggling of drugs, phones, arms etc in jails.

The measures which have been okayed by the administration are:-

Installation of Artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV system in 9 central jails.
Putting up a video conferencing system in all jails.
Live wire fencing ( 220 – 440 volts) along the outer walls of the jails would also be done.
The filling up of 305 posts of warders, besides others, would also be done.
The legislation to establish Punjab prison Development board would also be coming up in the ongoing session.
The costs of presenting undertrials would also be cut through video conferencing.
These reforms are vital as the United Nations Declaration of the human rights asserts the idea of rights of prisoners.
The image of India and its flourishing democracy is also affected by issues in prisons.

(Source:- The Tribune)

Topic: Social welfare

News:-The state administration berated over lax attitude in acid attack case.

The supreme court in Laxmi case had directed that acid attack victims would be paid a compensation of rupees 1 lakh within 15 days of the occurrence or from bringing to the notice of the state government or union territory.
After that, the government would have to facilitate immediate medical attention and expenses.
The direction also said that Balance of ₹2 lakh would be paid as quickly as possible within 2 months thereafter to the victim.
So, the court directed that ₹3 lakh compensation should be awarded to the victim within 4 weeks of the passing of the order.
State Legal Services Authority would release it.