Current Affairs - National

Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a new Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Rajarhat, Kolkata. The advanced facility, built at a cost of ₹88 crore, is designed to serve not only the state of West Bengal but also several neighbouring regions such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, Sikkim, Assam, and other northeastern states. This laboratory is expected to significantly strengthen forensic infrastructure in eastern India, aiding in quicker and more accurate criminal investigations across a broad geographic area. The choice of Kolkata highlights its strategic location for regional accessibility and operational efficiency.

TCG CREST (The Chatterjee Group Centres for Research and Education in Science and Technology) is located in Kolkata and has been granted 'Deemed to be University' status by the Ministry of Education. This development marks a significant milestone in India’s higher education sector, as TCG CREST becomes one of the first research-driven private universities in the country. Its focus on advanced research and innovation is expected to equip students with skills relevant to the ever-changing demands of the modern job market, especially in science and technology domains. The establishment in Kolkata positions the city as an emerging hub for academic excellence.

Article 93 of the Indian Constitution mandates the election of the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha, emphasizing that it must happen “as soon as” the House meets. This provision reflects the urgency and importance of the position in ensuring the continuity of parliamentary functioning. The Deputy Speaker is not merely a stand-in but plays a critical role in presiding over debates, maintaining order, and ensuring democratic processes, especially when the Speaker is unavailable. The prolonged vacancy in this post, as seen in recent years, has raised serious constitutional and democratic concerns, highlighting a deviation from established traditions and weakening of institutional checks.

The launch of the first cherry cargo train from Katra to Mumbai marks a transformative development in Kashmir’s agricultural logistics. With cherries being a highly perishable crop, timely and affordable transportation is crucial. Earlier, only large growers could afford the high costs of air cargo, excluding many small-scale farmers from lucrative markets. This new train service, covering the journey in just over 30 hours in refrigerated vans, provides an economical and efficient solution. Transporting 24 tonnes of cherries in one trip, opens up major market access for growers during the May–June harvest season, promoting agricultural growth and income stability in the region.

Operation Chakra-V is a specific initiative by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) aimed at targeting sophisticated cybercrime syndicates involved in transnational tech support scams, digital arrests, and various financial frauds. This operation led to the arrest of six members of a cybercrime syndicate, highlighting the active efforts by Indian authorities to combat cybercrime through coordinated measures including Operation Chakra-V, along with supporting institutions like the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), CERT-In, and Cyber Swachhta Kendra.