Polity 

The water-sharing dispute between Punjab and Haryana - Indian Express

Amid escalating tensions with Haryana over water sharing, all parties in Punjab came together recently to reject the Bhakra Beas Management Boards’s (BBMB’s) decision to release an extra 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana.

Bhakra-Nangal Water Dispute 

• Current Crisis: Recently, Haryana demanded more water from Bhakra-Nangal, which the Punjab govt. refused, referring the matter to BBMP (Bhakra Beas Management Board).
• BBMP Decision: More members voted to release extra water to Haryana.
• Punjab's Stand: Punjab refused the BBMP decision "unprecedented" and is considering legal options.
• Legal Developments: 
  • Haryana plans to approach the Supreme Court for its water share.
  • Punjab asserts it won't allow any additional release, citing state interest.

Bhakra-Nangal Project

• Overview: Initiated in the 1910s, among India’s first post-Independence river valley projects.
• Comprises: Bhakra Dam (Himachal Pradesh) and Nangal Dam (Punjab) on the Satluj River.
• Management: Originally managed by undivided Punjab, later came under Bhakra Management Board post-1966 reorganisation.

Formation of BBMP

• Establishment: Established under Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
• Naming: Renamed Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMP) in 1976.
• Role: Took over management of Beas-Satluj Link (Pandoh Dam) and Pong Dam (Himachal Pradesh).
• Water Allocation: Allocates water annually to Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
• For the current year:
  • Punjab: 5.512 MAF
  • Haryana: 2.987 MAF
  • Rajasthan: 3.318 MAF

Way forward

• Provide Haryana water without altering fixed quotas.
• If Punjab gives extra now, it should be compensated later.
• State shares must remain sacrosanct.
   

Significant step-up in action taken under PMLA since 2014, says ED Director - The Hindu 

There has been a significant step-up in the Enforcement Directorate’s performance in the cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) from 2014 onwards. Of the 47 cases decided in court so far, it has achieved 93.6% conviction rate.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002

• Overview: Enacted in 2003 to combat money laundering and confiscate criminal proceeds.
• Money Laundering: Section 3 of the Act defines it as projecting illicit gains as legitimate assets.
• Objectives:
  • Prevent and control money laundering.
  • Attach and confiscate crime-linked assets.
  • Address related economic offences.
• Amendments: Major amendments in 2009 and 2012 enhanced enforcement powers.
• Scope: By 2024–25, 775 investigations and 333 prosecution complaints were filed under PMLA.

Enforcement Directorate (ED)

• About: Primary agency to investigate, attach property, and prosecute offenders.
• Role: Mandates KYC and record maintenance by financial entities.
• Institutional Framework:
  • Adjudicating Authority: Confirms attachment orders.
  • Appellate Tribunal: Hears appeals.
  • Special Courts: Conduct PMLA trials.

World Affairs 

The Hot Line of Control - Indian Express 

Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along several sectors at the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border for the eighth consecutive night on Thursday. The Indian Army has responded to each of these violations in a “calibrated and proportionate manner”.

Line of Control (LoC)

• About: A Ceasefire Line established after 1948–49 war via Karachi Agreement (1949).
• Naming: Simla Agreement (1972) renamed it Line of Control (LoC).
• Status: Not an international border, but a military control line without legal prejudice to claims.

• Extension: LoC extends ~740 km from Sangam (Kashmir) to Point NJ-9842 (Siachen).
• Role: In Jammu, India treats it as International Border (IB); Pakistan calls it Working Boundary due to its claim on Jammu.
• Military Nature: LoC is defended by the Indian Army and Pakistani Army, not paramilitary forces like at the international border.
• A heavily fortified zone: High troop presence on both sides.
• Change in extent: Seasonal factors like snow melt can shift actual positions.

Ceasefire Violations

• Last formal ceasefire in December 1971: Technically lapsed after first post-1972 firing.
• Nature: The ceasefire is upheld through mutual understandings, not a binding agreement.
• Impact: Infiltration, cross-border firing, and Border Action Team raids continue, especially since 1989 insurgency in Kashmir.
• Reasons: Include testing rival units, maintaining troop morale, military vendetta, or asserting moral ascendancy..

Control Mechanisms

• Management: Managed through flag meetings, hotlines between Directorates General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
• Not preventive: But they help control escalation after incidents.

U.S. notifies potential sale of maritime surveillance tech worth $131 million to India - The Hindu 

In an indication that the ambitious initiative of Quad grouping for the region — the Indo-Pacific maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) — is making progress, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a notification stating that U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of IPMDA and related equipment for an estimated cost of $131 million.

US Maritime Surveillance Tech Sale to India

• Overview: US approved $131 million maritime surveillance tech sale to India.
• Key Components:
  • SeaVision software and enhancements.
  • Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) for training.
  • Remote software & analytics support.
  • Program documentation and logistics.
• SeaVision Tool:
  • Used globally for vessel tracking and coastal surveillance.
  • Enhances maritime situational awareness.

Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA)

• Overview: Quad-led initiative launched at Tokyo Summit, May 2022.
• Aim: To monitor “dark shipping” (vessels disabling tracking) and strengthen maritime surveillance in the Indo-Pacific.
• Covers three strategic sub-regions:
  • Pacific Islands
  • Southeast Asia
  • Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Objectives: Enhance maritime domain awareness and increase transparency in sea lanes.
• Functions:
  • Provides real-time intelligence using satellite RF data.
  • Supports partner countries in monitoring EEZs and improving maritime security.

Economy 

PM Modi Hails Orange Economy As India’s Next Big Growth Wave - The Hindu 

At the WAVES Summit in Mumbai, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted India’s booming orange economy.

Orange Economy/ Creative economy

• Definition: It includes cultural and creative industries.
• Focus: On using creative assets to promote economic growth and development.
• Key Features:
  • Combines economic, cultural, and social dimensions.
  • Linked with technology, intellectual property, and tourism.
  • Involves knowledge-based activities at both macro and micro levels.
  • Driven by individual creativity, talent, and skill.
• Major Industries: Advertising, architecture, design, fashion, film, music, performing arts, publishing, software, TV/radio, games, and R&D.
• Origin: Popularised by Felipe Buitrago and Iván Duque from Colombia.
• Symbolisation: "Orange" symbolises creativity and cultural identity.
• Role of Orange Economy: As per UNESCO:
  • Contributes 3% to global GDP.
  • Generates 30 million jobs worldwide.

Environment 

After years of efforts in Jharkhand, Jaigir becomes 1st PTR village to be relocated - Indian Express 

A village named Jaigir located inside the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), became the first village to be entirely relocated outside the core area of a protected area recently.

Palamu Tiger Reserve

• Location: Situated in Latehar and Garhwa districts of Jharkhand, western Chotanagpur plateau. Part of Betla National Park.
• Total area: 1,014 sq.km (Core: 414 sq.km, Buffer: 600 sq.km).
• Terrain: Valleys, hills, and plains.
• Rivers: Drained by North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha rivers (Burha is perennial).

• Geology: Gneiss, with granite and limestone; rich in bauxite and coal.
• Role: Among the first 9 tiger reserves under Project Tiger.
• Significance: First in the world to conduct tiger census via pugmark method in 1932 (led by J.W. Nicholson).
• Flora: Dominant species include Sal and bamboo. Rich in medicinal plants.
• Western part: Dry deciduous, other areas: Moist mixed deciduous.
• Fauna: Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Leopard, Grey Wolf, Wild Dog, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Four-horned Antelope.