CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT I971

Recently, the Allahabad High Court noted that the Supreme Court, not the High Court, is the only court to hear appeals of orders issued by the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) pursuant to the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.

Context:

• Orders issued under Section 14(1) of the Administrative Tribunals Act are appealable only to the Supreme Court, while orders issued under Section 17 of the Act are subject to jurisdiction retention by the High Courts under Article 226/227.

About CONTEMPT OF COURTS ACT I971

• An important law that defines and restricts the authority of courts to punish contempts of court is the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 in India.
• Additionally, it governs how they will handle contempt cases.
• According to the legislation, any behavior that biases, scandalizes or threatens to scandalize, or tampers with the legal system constitutes contempt of court.
• There is a distinction between criminal and civil contempt in the Act.
• Willful disregard for any court-issued judgment, decree, order, writ, or other process, as well as willful violation of a court-issued undertaking, are referred to as civil contempt.
• Any act that undermines the authority of the court, prejudices or meddles with judicial procedures, scandalizes or threatens to scandalize, or obstructs the administration of justice is considered criminal contempt.
• The Act guarantees freedom of expression while upholding the rule of law by protecting the lawful publication and dissemination of materials that are not deemed to be in contempt.
• It permits truthful and impartial reporting of court proceedings as well as reasonable criticism of court actions without amounting to contempt of court.
• High courts have the authority to try crimes committed outside of their purview and to punish contempt of lower courts.
• The Act describes the possible jail or fine associated with contempt of court.

SEA OF JAPAN

Recently, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea, commonly referred to as the Sea of Japan.

Context:

• Because these missile launches could have an impact on regional security, neighboring nations and the international community are keeping a careful eye on them.

About SEA OF JAPAN:

• The Japanese archipelago, Sakhalin, the Korean Peninsula, and the Russian Far East mainland are all situated next to the Sea of Japan, which is a marginal sea.
• The Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan are divided by the Japanese archipelago.

The Sea of Japan is bordered by the following countries:

• Japan: Contains the main islands of Honshū, Kyūshū, and Hokkaidō to the east and south.
• Russia: Sakhalin Island and the mainland are located to the north.
• North Korea is located across the sea to the west of Japan.
• South Korea: Situated to the west, the Korea Strait divides it from Japan.

Garo Hills

• Researchers from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have made significant progress by finding prehistoric fossils in Tolegre, South Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
• The fossils are thought to be related to the extinct taxa Rhodocetus or Amulocetus, which are thought to be the ancestors of contemporary whales.

About Garo Hills

• One of the hill ranges in northeastern India is the Garo-Khasi range, which includes the Garo Hills in Meghalaya.
• They are located in Meghalaya’s western region, with Bangladesh to their west and south.
• The Garo Hills have a rough, hilly topography with deep valleys, steep slopes, and thick woods.
• With an elevation of roughly 1,415 meters (4,642 ft) above sea level, the Nokrek is the tallest peak.
• The monsoon season, which typically lasts from June to September, brings substantial rainfall to the Garo Hills’ humid subtropical climate.
• This area is crossed by many rivers and streams, including as the Someshwari, Jinjiram, and Brahmaputra rivers.
• Along with its scenic waterfalls, the area is well-known for the Pelga Falls, which are close to Tura, the biggest town in the Garo Hills.
• Within is the Nokrek National Park, which is home to several endangered species, such as the Asian elephant and the red panda, and is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• One of the main ethnic groups in Meghalaya, the Garo tribe, resides mostly in the Garo Hills.

Consider the following pairs: 2013

1. Nokrek Bio-Sphere Reserve : Garo Hills
2. Logtak (Loktak) Lake : Barail Range
3. Namdapha National Park: Daphla Hills

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None

National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART): A New Vision for Agriculture Sector

The National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART), which is intended to be a federal organization tasked with developing policies and initiatives for the agriculture industry, is being considered for creation by the Center.

About NCART

• The NCART is a planned federal organization designed to lead and coordinate initiatives in India’s agriculture industry.
• Both the Center and the States would be represented.
• As part of its 100-day action plan for the incoming government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has offered the proposal for NCART.
• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council serves as its model.

NCART’s Terms of Reference:

• Policy Formulation: NCART is intended to serve as the main federal agency in charge of creating policies and initiatives that support rural and agricultural development.
• Coordination: Ensuring coordinated efforts across the different parties involved in the agriculture sector, including the federal government, state governments, and other pertinent bodies, is one of NCART’s main goals.
• Consultative Body: To guarantee a consultative approach in decision-making, NCART is anticipated to comprise representation from both the federal and state governments, similarly to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council.
• Legal standing: The GST Council is a constitutional body, but NCART’s precise legal standing is still up for debate.

#PlayTrue Campaign

With over 12,133 participants, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India just concluded its #PlayTrue Campaign.

The #PlayTrue Campaign: What Is It?

• NADA India launched the #PlayTrue Campaign with the goal of educating people about anti-doping and clean sports. It supports integrity and fair play in sports through initiatives including awareness seminars and quizzes, which is in line with the mission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
• Promoting honesty and fair play as well as opposing doping are fundamental components of sports ethics. It highlights how crucial it is to maintain anti-doping laws and a clean competition to guarantee fair play for all athletes.

Article 39(b) of the Constitution

• Regarding whether private properties fall within Article 39(b) of the Constitution as “material resources of the community,” the Supreme Court has postponed making a decision.

About the case:

• The case is based on petitions that challenge sections of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority Act. Among the petitions is one from the Property Owners’ Association, located in Mumbai. The verdict’s ramifications may alter how society welfare and individual rights are balanced in terms of property ownership and distribution.

About Article 39(b):

• While Article 31C gives the state the authority to seize such resources, Article 39(b) instructs the state to allocate material resources for the common welfare. Article 39(c) also attempts to avoid the concentration of wealth.