What next for Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren amid disqualification buzz

• The case against him has its roots in a mining lease that he gave himself as a Minister for Mines in 2021. The BJP complained to the Governor on February 11, 2022, that this act was in violation of Section 9(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
• On August 25, the ECI wrote to the Governor that Mr. Soren could be disqualified under Section 9(A). The awarding of a mining lease to himself was a brazen act of self-service, misuse of office and breach of people’s trust.

Section 9A in The Representation of the People Act, 1951

• Section 9A in The Representation of the People Act, 1951 deals with Disqualification for Government contracts, etc.
• It says that "A person shall be disqualified if, and for so long as, there subsists a contract entered into by him in the course of his trade or business with the appropriate Government for the supply of goods to, or for the execution of any works undertaken by, that Government."

CBI records conviction rate of 67.56% in 2021

• The CBI registered 680 regular cases and 67 preliminary enquiries last year, while it had registered 589 regular cases and 87 preliminary enquiries in 2020.
• Last year, court judgments were received in 360 cases, which included 202 convictions, 82 acquittals and 15 of discharge from allegations. In 61 matters, cases were disposed of on other reasons. At the end of the year, a total of 10,232 cases were pending in various courts.
• In 2021, investigations were pending in 982 cases, whereas the figure stood at 1,117 the previous year. The probe was finalised in 798 regular cases and 86 preliminary inquiries last year.
• Of the total cases instituted last year, 457 pertained to various charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. They involved 549 public servants, of whom 221 were gazetted officers.
• As per the report, 102 cases were registered for demand of bribe by public servants for showing favour and 40 for possession of disproportionate assets. Of the 747 cases, — 133 were taken up on court directions and 37 on references from State governments and Union Territories.
• The CBI said that in 2021-end, 177 cases were pending for grant of sanction for prosecution under Prevention of Corruption Act.

World Bank panel mulls investigation into complaints against Vishnugadh hydropower project

• The 444-MW VPHEP is being built by the Tehri Hydropower Development Corporation (THDC), a partially State-owned enterprise. The project is primarily funded by the World Bank and was sanctioned in 2011. It is proposed to be completed in June 2023.
• About 40% of the funds for the $792 million project (₹64,000 crore approx.) has already been disbursed.
• Residents in their complaint have said muck dumping from the dam threatens the local Lakshmi Narayan Temple, which is deemed to be of historical and cultural importance by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

India, Tanzania to set up task force to prepare five-year ‘future road map’ on defence cooperation

• This was agreed at the bilateral meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Tanzanian Minister of Defence.
• Tanzania is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region.
• It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the south; Zambia to the southwest; and Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west.
• Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa''s highest mountain, is in northeastern Tanzania.
• Three of Africa''s Great Lakes are partly within Tanzania. To the north and west lie Lake Victoria, Africa''s largest lake, and Lake Tanganyika, the continent''s deepest lake, known for its unique species of fish. To the south lies Lake Malawi.

Achieving net zero emissions target can boost India’s GDP, says report

• This was stated by a report commissioned by the High-level Policy Commission on Getting Asia to Net Zero. This could create as many as 15 million new jobs by 2047.
• The Getting India to Net Zero report, as it is called, contains new research and modelling, and finds that policies to initiate the clean energy transition will be crucial in determining when India achieves net zero emissions and how much it could benefit from it.
• Positive economic impacts are driven in part by an improved trade balance amounting to $236 billion due to reduced demand for fossil fuels.
• Ending new coal as soon as possible by 2023 and transitioning from unabated coal power by 2040 would be particularly impactful to get India to net zero emissions sooner.
• By reaching net zero by 2050, India could boost annual GDP by as much as 7.3% ($470 billion), and create nearly 20 million additional jobs by 2032, compared with current policies.
• Net zero emissions by 2070 would require an economy-wide investment of $10.1 trillion from now; 2050 calls for $13.5 trillion, the research finds.

Army accelerates procurement of light tank ''Zorawar'' for LAC

• In addition to the light tank, the Army will induct niche technologies such as loitering munitions, anti-drone capabilities and next generation Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
• The recent experiences along the northern borders have shown that armour equipment profile is one of the most prominent factors in defining the operational capability of land forces.

Maharashtra''s first Divyang Park to come up in Nagpur soon

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has provided all possible support to establish the first “Divyang Park” of Maharashtra in Nagpur and the work towards this endeavor will be started soon.
• “Divyang Park” will have different kind of facilities for Divyangjans like sensory garden, textile Pathway touch and smell garden, skill training facility, rehabilitation facility, Sports & infotainment etc.