PIB 22nd July

Contents

1. Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 achieved criticality
2. Vriksharopan Abhiyan to be launched
3. Triple Talaq- Big Reform, Better Result

KAKRAPAR ATOMIC POWER PLANT-3 ACHIEVED CRITICALITY

Focus: GS-III Industry and Infrastructure, Science and Technology

Why in news?

Indigenously designed 700 MWe Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant-3 in Gujarat achieved criticality

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station

• Kakrapar Atomic Power Station is a nuclear power station in India, which lies in the proximity of the city of Vyara in the state of Gujarat.
• KAPS-1 went critical on 1992 and KAPS-2 went critical on 1995.
• The first two units at Kakrapar of 220 MWe (Megawatt electric) each were based on Canadian technology.
• The KAPS-3 unit, however, is Fully Indigenous.
• The third reactor at Kakrapar is the front runner in a series of 16 indigenous 700 MWe PHWRs which are under various stages of development.
• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has seven more reactors under construction which includes a fourth unit of 700 MWe at Kakrapar.

What does “Criticality” mean?

The normal operating condition of a reactor, in which nuclear fuel sustains a fission chain reaction. A reactor achieves criticality (and is said to be critical) when each fission event releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of reactions.

VRIKSHAROPAN ABHIYAN TO BE LAUNCHED

Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology

Why in news?

Union Home Minister will launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan in July 2020.

During the launch event, Union Home Minister will inaugurate and lay the Foundation stone of 6 Ecoparks/ Tourism sites.

Details

• Vriksharopan Abhiyan will be organized by Ministry of Coal involving all Coal/Lignite PSUs during which large scale plantation would be carried out in mines, colonies, offices and other suitable areas of Coal/Lignite PSUs and seedlings will be distributed in the nearby areas for promoting plantation by the society.
• The eco-parks/tourism sites would provide avenues for recreation, adventure, water sport, bird watching etc. for the people residing in nearby areas and may also be integrated to form part of tourism circuit.
• These sites are being planned to generate revenue for self-sustenance and create employment potential for local people.

Going Green Initiative

Going Green is the key thrust area of coal sector involving maximization of green cover through ecological reclamation of mined out areas and overburden dumps, plantation in and around mines and avenue plantation at suitable places.

TRIPLE TALAQ- BIG REFORM, BETTER RESULT

Focus: GS-II Social Justice

Why in news?

In August 2019, the Bill against Triple Talaq was made a Law.

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, 2019 was tabled in the parliament for gender equality and justice, proposing to make the practice of instant triple talaq a penal offence.

History of Triple Talaq and Legislation

• The case dates back to 2016 when the Supreme Court had sought assistance from the then Attorney General on pleas challenging the constitutional validity of “triple talaq”, “nikah halala” and “polygamy”, to assess whether Muslim women face gender discrimination in cases of divorce.
• The Supreme Court later announced the setting up of a five-judge constitutional bench to hear and deliberate on the challenges against the practice of ‘triple talaq, nikah halala’ and polygamy.
• In 2017, the Supreme Court set aside the decade-old practice of instant triple talaq saying it was violative of Article 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution.

Key provisions of the bill:

• The Bill makes all declaration of talaq, including in written or electronic form, to be void (i.e. not enforceable in law) and illegal.
• It defines talaq as talaq-e-biddat or any other similar form of talaq pronounced by a Muslim man resulting in instant and irrevocable divorce.
• Talaq-e-biddat refers to the practice under Muslim personal laws where pronouncement of the word ‘talaq’ thrice in one sitting by a Muslim man to his wife results in an instant and irrevocable divorce.
• The Bill makes declaration of talaq a cognizable offence, attracting up to three years’ imprisonment with a fine. 
• The bail may be granted only after hearing the woman (against whom talaq has been pronounced), and if the Magistrate is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for granting bail.
• The offence may be compounded by the Magistrate upon the request of the woman (against whom talaq has been declared).
• A Muslim woman against whom talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek subsistence allowance from her husband for herself and for her dependent children.  The amount of the allowance will be determined by the Magistrate.
• A Muslim woman against whom such talaq has been declared, is entitled to seek custody of her minor children. The manner of custody will be determined by the Magistrate.

Arguments favouring the bill:

• Bill is needed so that even Muslim women also get equality on par with other Muslim men.
• Triple talaq adversely impact rights of women to a life of dignity and is against constitutional principles such as gender equality, secularism, international laws etc.
• The penal measure acts as a “necessary deterrent”
• It significantly empowers Muslim women.
• The practice of triple talaq has continued despite the Supreme Court order terming it void.
• The practice is arbitrary and, therefore, unconstitutional
• The law is about justice and respect for women and is not about any religion or community
• It protects the rights of Muslim women against arbitrary divorce
• Instant triple talaq is viewed as sinful and improper by a large section of the community itself.
• The fine amount could be awarded as maintenance or subsistence.

Arguments opposing the bill:

• Since marriage is a civil contract, the procedures to be followed on its breakdown should also be of civil nature only.
• Invoke a secular law that already exists: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005.
• Civil redress mechanisms must ensure that Muslim women are able to negotiate for their rights both within and outside of the marriage
• The mutual divorce provision is missing in the proposed law and needs to be debated.
• Some representatives have given it a political and religious color.