Rights of MPs if Arrested
Why in News: In the recent Lok Sabha elections, the success of two candidates currently serving prison sentences for terror charges has sparked concerns about their capability to take oath and serve as legislators.
Can Jailed Leaders Function as MPs?
- Disqualification: Section 8(3) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 (RPA) disqualifies MPs if convicted of an offense and sentenced to imprisonment for at least two years.
- Oath-Taking: Despite being in prison, jailed leaders retain the constitutional right to take the oath as Members of Parliament.
- Attendance: Jailed leaders can seek temporary bail or custody to attend the oath-taking ceremony and perform other necessary functions as MPs.
Rights of MPs if Arrested
- Permission Required: Jailed leaders can take the oath as MPs but must obtain permission from authorities to be escorted to Parliament for the ceremony.
- Notification: After taking the oath, they must inform the Speaker in writing about their inability to attend House proceedings.
- House Committee: The Speaker will refer their requests to the House Committee on Absence of Members, which will recommend action on their absence.
- Immediate Disqualification: If convicted and sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison, they will immediately lose their seats in the Lok Sabha.
Four-Horned Antelope
Why in News: A rare four-horned antelope has been spotted for the first time in the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (formerly Nauradehi Sanctuary) located in Sagar district.
About Four-Horned Antelope
- Common Name: Four-Horned Antelope (Chousingha)
- Scientific Name: Tetracerus quadricornis
- Size: Smallest antelope found in Asia
Distribution:
- Endemic Regions: India and Nepal
- Range in India: From the foothills of the Himalayas to the Deccan Plateau
Habitat:
- Preferred Environment: Open, dry, deciduous forests in hilly terrain
- Specific Locations: Areas with significant grass cover or heavy undergrowth, close to water bodies
Features:
- Physical Appearance: Yellowish-brown to reddish coat, slender body, small legs, short tail
- Distinctive Trait: Four horns (only males have horns; one pair between the ears, the other on the forehead)
- Behavior: Diurnal and solitary, occasionally in loose groups of three to four
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Key Facts about Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
Location:
- Districts Covered: Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur in Madhya Pradesh
- Area: 2,339 square kilometers
- Significance: Seventh tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh
Components:
- Includes: Areas within Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary and Durgavati Wildlife Sanctuary
- Green Corridor: Linking Panna Tiger Reserve with Durgavati for natural tiger movement
Rivers:
- Basins: Narmada and Yamuna River basins
Historical Site:
- Fort: Singorgarh Fort is located within the reserve
Vegetation:
- Type: Dry deciduous
- Flora: Teak, Saja, Dhaora, Ber, Amla
Fauna:
- Species Present: Tiger, leopard, wolf, jackal, Indian fox, striped hyena, Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambhar, Black Buck, Barking deer, Common Langur, Rhesus Macaque
Ghataprabha River
Why in News: Recently, locals rescued nine people after a tractor overturned and fell into the Ghataprabha River.
About Ghataprabha River
- Tributary: Part of the Krishna River system
- Location: Flows through Karnataka
Course:
- Origin: Western Ghats at 884 meters elevation
- Length: 283 kilometers eastward to merge with the Krishna River
- Notable Feature: Debouches 53 meters at Gokak Falls in Belgaum District, Karnataka
Basin:
- Size: 8,829 square kilometers
- Stretch: Covers areas in Karnataka and Maharashtra
- Main Tributaries: Hiranyakeshi River and Markandeya River
Key Facts about Krishna River
- Location: South-central India
- Origin: Western Maharashtra, near Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats
Significance:
- Ranking: Fourth largest river in India by water inflows and river basin (after Ganga, Godavari, and Brahmaputra)
Course:
- Flow Through: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh
- Endpoint: Empties into the Bay of Bengal at Hamsaladeevi, Andhra Pradesh
Basin:
- Area: Covers about 258,948 square kilometers, nearly 8% of India’s total geographical area
- Main Tributary: Tungabhadra River (formed by Tunga and Bhadra Rivers originating in the Western Ghats)
- Other Tributaries: Koyna River, Bhima River, Kundali River, Malaprabha River, Ghataprabha River, Yerla River, Warana River, Dindi River, Musi River, and Dudhganga River