JANUARY 2025
Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan – Promoting Battlefield and border Tourism
#MissionJAG
- An online destination (website & app) for tourists interested in battlefield and border tours, launched by Ministry of Defence & Tourism ministry
- Offers : virtual tours, historical narratives, travel assistance, collaborative infrastructure by Army & Civil authorities
- Areas covered : Doklam; Galwan valley; places along LoC & LAC
Regularizing of Nautor land
#Land Law #Constitutional Law
- C.Govt. has plans to regularize Nautor land in Ladakh
- Nautor land is the government owned wasteland which is eligible to be distributed to individuals for farming or other useful purposes.
- Why regularisation ?
– The regularization of nautor land gives the dwellers who have lived and worked on that land for several years the legal right to ownership.
– As a result, locals are able to keep their traditional ways of land use and safeguards their resources from outsider exploitation - This step will further strengthen Ladakh’s demand for entry into 6th Schedule of Constitution
LAW REVIVAL :
The Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1978
#Constitutional Law
- The state law in Arunachal which punished forcible religious conversion; mandated its reporting to concerned district authorities and remained dormant for nearly half a century due to lack of draft rules for implementation, is now being revived.
- Why were ‘rules’ not framed ?
– Regional opposition by Nagaland Legis. Assembly
– Religious opposition by Christian community
– Political reasons : Major Christian voter base in the state
(30.26% – 2011 census) - 2022 : PIL before Guwahati HC seeking framing of rules
2023 : SC gave 6 months to State to frame rules – leading to revival of dormant law
Army Day
#MissionJAG
- Celebrated annually on January 15 across India
- Why 15 Jan ? : To commemorate the assumption of command of the Indian Army by Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa, the first Indian to hold this position.
Armed Forces Veterans Day
#MissionJAG
- Celebrated annually on January 14 across India
- Instituted in 2017 by the Ministry of Defence
- Why 14 Jan ? : The date marks the retirement of Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa (first Chief of an independent Indian Army)
Nag Mk-2 : All set for deployment by the Indian Army
#MissionJAG
- Indigenously developed by : DRDO u/ India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)
- Specialty :
– Fire-and-forget
– Anti-tank guided missile
– Capable of defeating modern armored threats
– Ability to integrate with multiple carriers - Enhanced accuracy : State-of-the-art Imaging Infrared (IIR) seekers
Rat-hole mining in North East : Illegal mining & Environmental concerns
#Environmental Law
- Rat-hole mining : Mining by physically excavating a narrow tunnel that is 3-4 feet deep, making it extremely difficult for the mine worker to enter and exit the tunnel
- More prevalent in North-east region of India
- Legal stance : Banned by NGT (2014); Ban seconded by SC (2019)
- Why is it still being used ?
- Lack of modern mining techniques
- Lack of implementation of environmental orders passed by authorities
concerned - Opportunity to mine workers for enhanced remuneration
- Application of 6th Schedule of Constitution to N-E region : Enables
landowners to own minerals (in contrast to Public Trust Doctrine)
- Recent hazards : Assam (Dima Hasao district – 2025) Meghalaya (South Garo Hill district – 2012);
Draft rules for implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 released by MeitY
#Cyber Law
The main highlights of the draft rules are :
- Establishment of the Data Protection Board (DPB):
To address grievances, enforce compliance, and ensure accountability of data fiduciaries, with a focus on safeguarding personal data. - Data Fiduciary Obligations:
The Rules define the responsibilities of data fiduciaries, including obtaining informed consent, maintaining transparency in data processing, and adopting robust security measures. Organizations must provide clear information on data usage, purposes, and consent withdrawal procedures. - Implementation Framework:
The draft Rules provide a structured framework to enforce the DPDP Act, detailing the steps organizations must follow to comply with data protection regulations. - Exemptions and Special Provisions:
Exemptions for certain entities like startups, research organizations, and healthcare or educational institutions, allowing flexibility in compliance under specific circumstances, such as child safety or public health. Rules also empower the government to access personal data for national security or legal obligations.
