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■ e-SANTA : • It is an electronic portal that will act as a platform for connecting aquafarmers and the buyers. • The term e-SANTA was coined for the web portal, meaning Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers’ Trade in Aquaculture. • e-SANTA is expected to raise income, lifestyle, self-reliance, quality levels, traceability, and provide new options for the Indian aqua farmers. • This is an initiative by the National Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (NaCSA), which is an extension arm of Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Ministry of Commerce & Industry Govt. of India. • It is a completely paperless and end-to-end electronic trade platform between Farmers and exporters. • The platform provides a detailed specification of each product listing and it is backed by an end to end electronic payment system with NaCSA as an ESCROW agent. • Through the portal, the farmers will have the freedom to list their products and quote their prices while the exporters will have the freedom to list their requirements and also to choose the products based on their requirements such as desired size, location, harvest dates etc. • Any farmer or exporter who is already registered with Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) can register under e-SANTA. • The Platform is available in many languages, which will help the local population. □ Significance of e-SANTA : • It is a Digital Bridge to end the market divide and will act as an alternative marketing tool between farmers & buyers by eliminating middlemen. • e-SANTA will raise income, lifestyle, self-reliance, quality levels, traceability, and provide new options for aqua farmers by Reducing risk, Awareness of products & markets, Increase in Income, Shielding against wrong practice, Ease of processes. • e-SANTA can become a tool to advertise collectively the kind of products the buyers, fishermen & fish producing organisations are harvesting. • It will revolutionize traditional aquafarming by providing cashless, contactless and paperless electronic trade platform between farmers and exporters. • This platform will also act as a display of products and organisations selling and buying aqua farmed products which can be beneficial for both National and International purposes.

■ Sedition law : • Sedition is a crime under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). • Section 124A IPC defines sedition as an offence committed when "any person by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the government established by law in India". □ Historical background : • Sedition laws were enacted in 17th century England when lawmakers believed that only good opinions of the government should survive, as bad opinions were detrimental to the government and monarchy. • The law was originally drafted in 1837 by Thomas Macaulay, the British historian-politician, but was inexplicably omitted when the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was enacted in 1860. • Section 124A was inserted in 1870 by an amendment introduced by Sir James Stephen. • British used Sedition law to convict and sentence freedom fighters. It was first used to prosecute Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1897. • It was one of the many draconian laws enacted to stifle any voices of dissent at that time. □ Punishment for the Offence of Sedition : • Sedition is a non-bailable offence. Punishment under the Section 124A ranges from imprisonment up to three years to a life term, to which fine may be added. • A person charged under this law is barred from a government job. • They have to live without their passport and must produce themselves in the court at all times as and when required. □ Previous judgment on Section 124A : • In Kedar Nath Vs State of Bihar (1962) case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of sedition and noted it as being a reasonable restriction on free speech provided in Article 19(2) of the Constitution. • It made clear that a citizen has the right to say or write whatever he/she likes about the government, or its measures, by way of criticism or comments, as long as she does not incite people to violence against the government established by law or with the intention of creating public disorder. □ Problems associated with sedition law : • Section 124A is a relic of colonial legacy and unsuited in a democracy. It is a constraint on the legitimate exercise of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression. • Section 124A is being misused as a tool to curb free speech. • Dissent and criticism of the government are essential ingredients of robust public debate in a vibrant democracy. They should not be constructed as sedition. Right to question, criticize and change rulers is very fundamental to the idea of democracy.

■ Ministry of Cooperation : • Recently, a separate "Ministry of Cooperation" has been created by the Central Government for realizing the vision of "Sahkar se Samriddhi" (Prosperity through Cooperation) and to give a new push to the cooperative movement. • What is Cooperative? - Cooperatives are a business or organization that is owned and run by all the people who work for it. • According to International Labour Organisation (ILO), A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. • The Government of India enacted the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Act in 2002 and National Policy for Cooperatives was also formulated in 2002 to provide support for promotion and development of cooperatives as autonomous, independent and democratic organizations so that they can play their due role in the socio-economic development of the country. □ Roles/Functions of the Ministry of Cooperation : • It provides a separate administrative, legal and policy framework for strengthening the cooperative movement in the country. • It helps to deepen cooperatives as a “true people-based movement reaching up to the grassroots”. • It helps to streamline the processes for "Ease of doing Business" for cooperatives and enable development of multi-state cooperatives (MSCS). □ Constitutional Provisions Related to Cooperatives : • The Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011 added a new Part IXB right after Part IXA (Municipals) regarding the cooperatives working in India. • The word “cooperatives” was added after “unions and associations” in Article 19(1)(c) under Part III of the Constitution. This enables all the citizens to form cooperatives by giving it the status of fundamental right of citizens. • A new Article 43B was added in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) regarding the “promotion of cooperative societies”. • Cooperative societies come under State list.

■ Anti defection law : • The anti-defection law aims to maintain a stable government by ensuring that the legislators do not switch sides. • The anti-defection law was enacted to ensure that a party member does not violate the mandate of the party and in case he does so, he will lose his membership of the House. • The Anti-Defection Law aims to prevent legislators from switching political parties for any personal motive. • The law applies to both Parliament and state assemblies. • The Tenth Schedule, popularly known as the Anti-Defection Act, was included in the Constitution via the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 and sets the provisions for disqualification of elected members on the grounds of defection to another political party. • Article 75 (1) (B) - Anti defection law. □ Grounds for disqualification : 1) If an elected member voluntarily gives up his membership of a political party. 2) If he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by his political party or anyone authorised to do so, without obtaining prior permission. 3) If any independently elected member joins any political party. 4) If any nominated member joins any party, 6 months after he becomes a member of the legislature. □ Deciding Authority : • Any question regarding disqualification arising out of defection is to be decided by the Presiding officers (Chairman (or) the Speaker of such House), and his/her decision is final. • In Kihoto Hollohan case (1993), the Supreme Court said that the presiding officer should function as a tribunal. Hence, his/her decision is subjected to judicial review. • However, there may not be any judicial intervention until the Presiding Officer gives his order. • There is no time limit for the Presiding Officers to decide on a plea for disqualification. □ Exceptions : • If two-thirds of the legislators of a political party decide to merge into another party, they don't face disqualification. • As per the 1985 Act, a 'defection' by one-third of the elected members of a political party was considered a 'merger'. But the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, changed this and now at least two-thirds of the members of a party have to be in favour of a merger.

■ Adjournment motion : • Adjournment motion is introduced only in the Lok Sabha to draw the attention of the House to a definite matter of urgent public importance. • It involves an element of censure against the government, therefore Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of this device. □ Essential Conditions : There are few conditions of adjournment motion in Lok Sabha as follows : • It should be introduced on a matter of definite and urgent public importance. • Be restricted to a specific matter of recent occurrence. • It needs the support of 50 members to be admitted. • The discussion on adjournment motion needs to last at least 2.5 hours. • It should not cover more than one matter and be restricted to that matter only. • The subject matter should not be the same which is already being discussed in the same session. • Not raise a question of privilege. • Not revive discussion on a matter that has been discussed in the same session. • Not deal with any matter that is under adjudication of court. • Not raise any question that can be raised on a distinct motion. □ Calling Attention Vs Adjournment Motion : • Since Rajya Sabha is not permitted to make use of adjournment motion, there is a similar tool in Rajya Sabha which is called “Calling Attention”. • The notable difference between the two is that while adjournment motion has an element of censure against the government, Calling attention has no such element.

■ Kamarajar : • Veteran INC leader and freedom fighter K Kamaraj was born at Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu on 15th July 1903. • He joined in the Indian National Congress in 1919. • He participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1920, Nagpur Flag Satyagraha in 1923, Quit India Movement in 1942 and other important events. • His Political Guru is S.Sathyamoorthy. • He participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha (1924) and Susindram Temple Entry Movement. • He became a member of the Madras Provincial Congress Committee in 1925. • He participated in the Sword Satyagraha (1927). • Sword Satyagraha - The British banned Indians carrying arms like dagger, spear, etc. This was opposed vehemently by Indians, consequently the "Sword Satyagragha" movement was started. • He was imprisoned for two years in 1930 for participating in the Salt Satyagraha at Vedaranyam led by C Rajagopalachari and released according to Gandhi-Irwin Pact which was signed in March 05, 1931. • When India got independence he went to S. Satyamoorthi's house and hoisted the National Flag. • He says, “One should not accept any post to which one could not do full justice.” • In 1954, he became the Chief Minister of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu). His administration was considered good and efficient. • He served as Chief Minister for nine years consecutively from 1954 to 1963. • On December 27, 1956 Tamil was declared as the official language for the state of Tamil Nadu (released on January 23, 1957 in Gazette). • Periyar called Kamarajar as “Pachai Tamizhan” (The True Tamizhan). • Due to his contribution towards education, his birth anniversary (July 15) is celebrated as Educational Development Day. • He is called as Kalvi Thanthai (Father of Education), Perumthalaivar (Great leader), Karmaveerar, Kalvi Kan Thiranthavar, Karuppu Gandhi. • Kamaraj died on 2nd October 1975 aged 72 in Chennai. • He was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1976. □ Achievements : • He introduced the brilliant concept of mid-day meals in schools to provide free meals to school children hailing from economically backward families. • His government is credited with increasing the number of schools in Tamil Nadu. • In the final phase of British period, the literacy rate of Tamil Nadu is 7% which had been improved to 37% in Kamarajar's rule. • He introduced the uniform system to school children to eradicated imbalance between students in schools. He gave free uniforms to poor children. • Kamaraj development programs in Tamil Nadu are aimed at creating socialism. Henceforth, he fondly called as “Democratic Socialist Architect” by people. □ K-Plan : • After Chinese war in 1962, the Prime Minister Nehru realized that Congress Party became weakened and met Kamaraj at Hyderabad and formulated K-Plan to retrieve congress from shock. • According to this plan, the senior leader of Congress Party should resign from the Minister ship and work for their party. • Kamaraj resigned from Chief Minister post in October 02, 1963 as per K-Plan.

🦠 Zika Virus : • Zika virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in monkeys. It was later identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. • It is caused by a virus transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes (AM), mainly Aedes aegypti. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. • Zika virus is also transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and organ transplantation. • Symptoms are generally mild and include fever, rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise or headache. Most people with Zika virus infection do not develop symptoms. • Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause infants to be born with microcephaly (smaller than normal head size) and other congenital malformations, known as congenital Zika syndrome. • Zika Virus was declared as Public Health Emergency by World Health Organisation. • There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.

📰 News : Ring well with design unearthed at Keeladi site. • Every season of excavation at Keeladi archaeological site has unearthed ring wells, an indicator of the advanced water conservation technology that existed more than 2,000 years ago. • Terracotta ring well has thumb impressions carved on a band. • The ring well was traced at a depth of 126 cm in one of the eight pits dug for the seventh phase of excavation. • The Keeladi ring wells also testify the science behind the structures. Each ring is designed with a locking system and they sit tightly one on top of the other, to prevent sand from getting in, considering Keeladi’s proximity to Vaigai river and the sandy terrain of the region, said Mr. Ramesh. He said that it can be presumed that the ring wells helped the settlers to store water for the drought months. □ About Keeladi : • Keeladi is an urban civilisation of Sangam Era which is located in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. • It is located on the banks of river Vaigai. • This civilisation has been described by Tamil poets belonging to the Sangam period. • Previously it was believed that the Keeladi artefacts belonged to the 3rd century BC. But the carbon dating test confirmed the date of the Tamil-Brahmi script is dated to the year 580 BC. • The results suggest that the second urbanization (the first being the Indus Valley Civilization) of Vaigai plains happened in Tamil Nadu during the 6th century BC. • Pottery specimens from Keeladi confirmed that the water containers and cooking vessels were shaped out of locally available raw materials. • Skeletal fragments of Cow/Ox & Buffalo, Sheep & Goat, Nilgai & Blackbuck, Wild boar, and Peacock suggest that the society in Keeladi had used animals predominantly for agricultural purposes. □ About Sangam age : • Generally, the Age of Sangam is considered between 3rd century BCE and 3rd century CE. • Three Sangams (Academy of Tamil poets) in ancient Tamil Nadu popularly called Muchchangam. • Three dynasties ruled during the Sangam Age – the Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. • These Sangams flourished under the royal patronage of the Pandyas. • The First Sangam held at Madurai, attended by gods and legendary sages. No literary work of this Sangam is available. • The Second Sangam was held at Kapadapuram, only Tolkappiyam survives from this. • The Third Sangam at Madurai was founded by Mudathirumaran. A few of these Tamil literary works have survived and are a useful sources to reconstruct the history of the Sangam period.

■ Megalithic full-length sword unearthed : • The excavations at Mayiladumparai in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu have yielded a full-length iron sword broken at places. • It was discovered in a megalithic cist burial monument in which the dead were buried with their belongings • The Archaeological Survey of India had previously found a full-length sword, but not in Tamil Nadu. • Minster of Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu said "We have unearthed swords in the past at many places. But they are small. This is the first time the Department of Archaeology has unearthed a full-length sword with a handle in Tamil Nadu. The length is 60 cm". • Mayiladumparai is one of the seven sites where the Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology has launched excavations following permission from the Central Advisory Board for Archaeology in January.

■ Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) : • UAPA was passed in 1967. It aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. • Unlawful activity refers to any action taken by an individual or association intended to disrupt the territorial integrity and sovereignty of India. • The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so. • The cases under the UAPA are investigated by the State police and the National Investigation Agency(NIA). • It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments. • Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. • It is applicable even if the crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India. • Under the act, getting bail is rare. Section 43D(5) makes grant of bail virtually impossible under UAPA. • The investigating agency has up to 180 days to file a charge sheet. This duration can be extended further after information to the court. • The act was amended in 2004. It added “terrorist act” to the list of offences, to ban organisations for terrorist activities. • The 2019 amendment empowers the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists on certain grounds.

■ Vellore mutiny, 1806 : • It was the first major mutiny by the Indian sepoys in the East India Company. • It erupted on 10th July 1806 in Vellore, present-day Tamil Nadu, and lasted only for a day, but it was brutal and shook the British East India Company. □ Causes of Vellore Mutiny : • In 1805, General Sir John Craddock, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the Madras Army, ordered a change in the army’s uniform that hurt the sentiments of both Hindu as well as Muslim soldiers. • Hindus were prohibited from putting religious marks on their forehead and Muslims were forced to trim their moustaches and beards. • It appeared to the sepoys that they were going to be "Christianized" which sparked a feeling of rebellion • General Agnew introduced a new turban called Agnew Turban. The Turban resembled the European hat. It bore different colours affixed by a bodge with the symbol of the cross on it. This naturally angered the soldiers. • Those who protested were punished with whipping and sent out of the army. • Most of the Sepoys were from the Palayams after the death of their great leaders like Pulithevan, Kattabomman and Marudhu Pandiyar. It left deep scar in the hearts of the rebels. • Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore was defeated and killed by the British in the Battle of Seringapatam in 1799. After his death, his wives, children and servants were confined to the city of Vellore. People were angry about the disrespect shown by the British to the erstwhile ruler’s sons. An attack was planned. □ Attack : • The mutiny started during midnight and by dawn, the fort had been captured by them. • They raised the flag of the Mysore Sultanate over the fort. They also declared Tipu Sultan’s son Fateh Hyder as the king. • But a British officer who had escaped the fort alerted the British force present at Arcot. • The British started fighting back. Lead by Sir Rollo Gillespie, a team of soldiers approached the fort. They blew open its doors and shot dead 100 Indian soldiers who were still inside. A total of around 350 Indian sepoys were killed in the counter-attack. □ Causes of the failure of the mutiny : • There was no proper leadership. • The revolt was not well organized. • The sepoys could not get support and supplies on time from the native rules. □ Results of Vellore mutiny : • John Craddock and other senior British officers responsible for the new dress regulations were recalled to Britain. • Tipu Sultan’s family was shifted to Calcutta. • The new dress regulations were abolished. • Flogging for Indian soldiers was abolished.

■ Mekedatu Project : • The Rs. 9,000 crore project aims to store and supply water for drinking purposes for the Bengaluru city. Around 400 megawatts (MW) of power is also proposed to be generated through the project. • It was first approved by the Karnataka state government in 2017. • It received approval from the erstwhile Ministry of Water Resources for the detailed project report and is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). • The approval from MoEFCC is crucial because 63% of the forest area of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary will be submerged. • In 2018, Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court (SC) against the project even if Karnataka had held that it would not affect the flow of water to Tamil Nadu. • In June 2020, during the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s meeting, Tamil Nadu reiterated its opposition to the project. □ Reasons for Opposition by Tamil Nadu : • Tamil Nadu is opposed to any project being proposed in the upper riparian unless it was approved by the SC. • Karnataka has no right to construct any reservoir on an inter-state river without the consent of the lower riparian state i.e. Tamil Nadu in this case. • From 1974, Karnataka started diverting water into its four newly made reservoirs, without the consent of Tamil Nadu resulting in a dispute. • To resolve the matter, the CWDT was established in 1990. The project is against the final order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in which the SC held that no state can claim exclusive ownership or assert rights to deprive other states of the waters of inter-state rivers. □ River Cauvery (Kaveri) : • It is known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil also known as Ganga of the south, and it is the fourth largest river of southern India. • The Cauvery River rises at Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri range situated in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. • The Cauvery basin extends over states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry. • At Hogennekkal Falls, it takes a Southerly direction and enters the Mettur Reservoir. • On the Cauvery branch lies the “Grand Anicut”(Kallanai) said to have been constructed by a Chola King in 1st Century A.D. • Below the Grand Anicut, the Cauvery branch splits into two, Cauvery and Vennar.These branches divide and sub-divide into small branches and form a network all over the delta. • Major Left Bank Tributaries : Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha and Arkavati. • Major Right Bank Tributaries : Kabini, Bhavani, Lakshmanthirtha, Noyyal, Suvarnavati and Amaravati.

New Cabinet Ministers

□ Types of revolutions in various sectors in India.