Articles covered:

1. Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023 conferred.
2. Andhra Pradesh bags four Swachh Survekshan-2023 national awards.
3. The laws around remission policy.
4. Indian Navy set to host multinational naval exercise MILAN from Feb 19.
5. Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana.
6. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has released funds under the Jagananna Thodu scheme for the eighth instalment in the state.

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023 conferred:

• Indore and Surat were adjudged the ‘cleanest cities’ in the country while Navi Mumbai retained the third position in the Central government’s annual cleanliness survey, the results of which were announced Thursday.
• In the ‘best-performing states’ category in ‘Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023’, Maharashtra bagged the top spot, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
• The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• 13 awardees received felicitations under categories of Clean Cities, Cleanest Cantonment, SafaiMitra Suraksha, Ganga Towns and Best Performing State were given away.
• This year the cleanest city award showcased joint winners. Port city Surat bagged the top honours, alongside Indore, who had conquered the top spot alone for 6 consecutive years.
• In the category of cities with a population of less than 1 lakh, Saswad, Patan and Lonavala secured the top three spots.
• Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was adjudged the Cleanest Cantonment Board.
• Varanasi and Prayagraj won the top two awards amongst the Cleanest Ganga Towns.
• Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh won the top three awards for Best Performing State.
• Chandigarh walked away with the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher.
• The President of India launched the Swachh Survekshan 2023 dashboard.
• Speaking at the event, the President said, “When everyone contributes to and participates in Swachh Survekshan, it’s an important step forward. Praising the States and ULBs for their performance in Swachh Survekshan, she said, “The theme for the year 2023 “Waste to Wealth” is an important topic to ponder upon.
• Theme of Cleanliness Survey 2024: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andhra Pradesh has achieved significant success in the Swachh Survekshan awards: 

• The state has won four national awards and one state-level award in the Swachh Survekshan-2023, making it the number one clean city in South India.
• Guntur received the second rank at the national level, followed by Greater Visakhapatnam at the fourth rank, Vijayawada at the sixth rank, and Tirupati at the eighth rank in terms of cleanliness
• Minister Adimulapu Suresh mentioned that the Clean AP (CLAP) program has been successful, resolving the issues faced by sanitation workers and enabling them to return to work.
• Tirupati Municipal Corporation has received the ‘Safai Mitra Suraksha Sheher’ award for following the best sanitation labour practices at the national level in 2022.

The laws around remission policy:

What are clemency powers?

• Article 72 and 161 of the Constitution provide powers to the President and Governor respectively to grant pardon, commutation, remission, respite or reprieve to a convict.
• These are sovereign powers vested in the heads of the Union and State executive to be exercised on the advice of the council of ministers.
• Apart from this, the appropriate State government under Section 432 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 (CrPC) may remit the whole or part of the punishment to which a convict has been sentenced.
• In case of life imprisonment convicts, this remission can be done only after a period of 14 years in jail as per Section 433A of the CrPC.

What is the background to the remission in this case?

The heinous crimes for which the 11 persons were convicted were committed in Gujarat in March 2002. However, considering the need for fair trial, these cases were shifted to Maharashtra by the Supreme Court in 2004. A CBI trial court in Mumbai sentenced the convicts to life imprisonment in 2008.

One of the convicts, Radheshyam Shah, moved the Supreme Court in 2022 seeking directions to the Gujarat government to consider his remission application under the State’s ‘Remission policy’ of 1992. The argument was that this was the policy in force at the time of the commission of offence (2002) and at the time of sentencing (2008). The Supreme Court in an order in May 2022, directed the Gujarat government to consider Shah’s application for premature release under the 1992 policy. The Godhra Jail Advisory Committee (JAC) headed by the District Magistrate unanimously recommended the remission of sentence for the 11 convicts and they were freed in August 2022.

• The Supreme Court in Laxman Naskar versus Union of India (2000) had laid down five grounds on which remission is to be considered. The first of these is whether the offence is an individual act of crime that does not affect society. It would be preposterous to surmise that such a heinous crime does not impact the conscience of a civilised society.
• The Supreme Court in Sangeet versus State of Haryana (2012) had held that a convict serving life imprisonment does not have a right to be prematurely released on completion of 14 years in jail and that remission should be considered only on a case-by-case basis. In light of this judgement, the Union Home Ministry had issued an advisory in February 2013 prescribing that remission should not be granted in a ‘wholesale manner’.
• The Gujarat government had revised its ‘Remission policy’ in 2014 in line with this advisory and had explicitly barred remission for those convicted of rape and murder. However, the instant remission was granted based on the policy of 1992 (that had no such exclusions) as it was in force at the time of conviction.

What did the Supreme Court rule?

• The Supreme Court in its order categorically held that the Gujarat government is not the appropriate government to consider the remission petition.
• It held that the May 2022 order of the Supreme Court, that asked the Gujarat government to consider the remission petitions, was obtained through fraud and suppression of facts before the court. Hence, it held the May 2022 order of the Supreme Court to be a nullity.
• It further ordered the surrender of all the 11 persons before jail authorities within two weeks.
• It held that the appropriate government for considering the remission petitions in the instant case is Maharashtra and it may consider their petitions in accordance with law and the guidelines laid down by the Court.
• This order has reinforced the faith in our judicial system and ‘rule of law’ by setting aside a blatantly perverse order that shook the conscience of society at large and women in particular.
• It is expected that the Maharashtra government would follow the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in the Laxman Naskar case under which such crimes that affect the society at large deserve no mercy.

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY):

• Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhuyday Yojana (PM- AJAY) is a merged scheme of 03 Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan ( SCA to SCSP) and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana(BJRCY).
• It has been implemented since 2021-22 with an aim to reduce poverty of the SC communities by generation of additional employment opportunities through Skill development, income generating schemes and other initiatives and to improve socio-economic developmental indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure and requisite services in the SC dominated villages.
• Broadly, the Scheme has following three components:
  • Development of SC dominated villages into an “AdarshGram”.
  • ‘Grants-in-aid’ for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs that may include creation of infrastructure in SC dominated villages including those elected under Adarsh Gram component, construction of Hostels/Residential schools, Comprehensive Livelihood Projects which may include components such as Skill development, related infrastructure development, financial assistance towards loans taken by beneficiaries for acquisition/creation of assets required for livelihood generation etc.
  • Construction of Hostels in higher educational institutions which are top-ranked as per the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) of Government of India and are funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments either fully or partially. Similarly, construction of hostels in schools which are either fully or partially funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments and recommended by the Ministry of Education

Indian Navy set to host multinational naval exercise MILAN from Feb 19:

• In a move to strengthen maritime cooperation and security in the Indian Ocean region, the Indian Navy is gearing up for the 24th edition of the multinational exercise MILAN, set to take place in Visakhapatnam from February 19 to 27.
• The MILAN exercise, initiated in 1995 as part of India’s ‘Look East policy,’ has evolved into a biennial showcase of naval prowess and international collaboration.
• Following the success of the 11th edition held in Visakhapatnam in February-March 2022, organised under the Eastern Naval Command with the theme ‘Camaraderie-Cohesion-Collaboration,’ the upcoming edition marks a continuation of this tradition.
• Traditionally held under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command until its 10th edition, Visakhapatnam has now been chosen as the preferred venue for future MILAN exercises.
• The exercise consists of two integral phases: the ‘Harbour phase’ and the ‘Sea phase.’
• The ‘Harbour phase’ aims to facilitate cultural exchange among participating nations, fostering a spirit of unity and understanding. Nations share their rich maritime traditions during this phase, enhancing diplomatic ties and laying the groundwork for collaboration.
• In contrast, the ‘Sea phase’ will witness the involvement of ships, maritime patrol aircraft, and submarines from friendly foreign countries. This phase is designed to showcase the naval capabilities of the participating nations, highlighting their dedication to ensuring maritime security in the region.
• MILAN 24 underscores India’s commitment to nurturing partnerships, exchanging ideas, and collectively enhancing maritime security.
• As a pivotal event on the international naval calendar, MILAN serves as a platform for nations to build relationships and exhibit their maritime power.
• With the participation of nations dedicated to the principles of cooperation and security, MILAN 24 is poised to make a significant contribution to the stability and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.

The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has released funds under the Jagananna Thodu scheme for the eighth instalment in the state: 

• A total of 3,95,000 people will receive interest-free loans of Rs. 10 thousand and above, with the government bearing the entire interest burden.
• CM Jagan stated that his government is known for its humanity, and it has provided interest-free loans worth Rs. 417.94 crore to 3.95 lakh small traders in the state. He highlighted the progress made in four and a half years, with small traders benefiting four times from this scheme. He also emphasised the significant number of women beneficiaries, stating that about 87 percent of the beneficiaries are women, which showcases women empowerment.
• CM Jagan mentioned that the Jagananna Thodu scheme has benefited up to 79.174 percent of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and minorities, indicating social empowerment.

Jagananna Thodu:

Description of the Scheme:

This scheme is provided by the Government to provide loan assistance to street vendors at zero interest up to Rs. 10,000 / – per person.

Functionary Responsible for Scheme Delivery:

Welfare & Education & Assistant -Village/ Ward Welfare & Development Secretary – Ward

Eligibility Criteria:

The beneficiary must meet the following criteria to become eligible for financial assistance under this scheme:

S No	Criteria	Conditions
1	Total Family Income	Total family Income should be less than Rs.120,000/- per annum in Rural areas and RS.144,000/- per annum in Urban areas.
2	Total Family Land holding	Total land holding of the family should be less than 3.00 Ac. of Wet (or) 10 Ac. of Dry land (or) 10 Acres of land put together for this purpose.
3	Type of establishment	Should not be having a shop (built up) which is greater than 5X5 Sqft.
4	Age & Gender	Above 18 Years Male or Female
5	Eligible sellers	Chiruvyaparulu engaged in vending on footpath, selling vegetables in pushcarts, and tiffin and food items on the roadside and pavements traditional handicrafts like: ●      lace work ●      kalamkari work ●      Etikoppaka toys ●      Kondapalli toys ●      leather puppets ●      potters ●      Bobbili Veena ●      Brass Craft articles