State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 03 Jul 2025

Lucknow Becomes Zero Net Waste City

Why in News? 

Lucknow achieved a major milestone in urban waste management by launching a 700 MT fresh waste processing unit at the Shivri Plant. With this, the city now scientifically processes all 2,000 MT of daily waste, becoming a ‘zero net waste city.’

Key Points 

• Legacy Waste Remediation at Shivri: 
  • In 2022, the Shivri site faced a major challenge with 18.5 lakh MT of accumulated legacy waste. 
  • To tackle this, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) launched a Rs 106.18 crore remediation project, with Rs 96.53 crore funded under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-I). 
  • The project was awarded to Bhumi Green Energy, which began work in March 2024. 
• Circular Economy in Action: 
  • So far, 12.86 lakh MT of legacy waste has been processed into Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF), Bio-soil and Construction-grade debris. 
    • RDF comprises non-recyclable dry waste like plastics, paper, and textiles, has a high calorific value and can be used for power generation in waste-to-energy projects. 
  • The reclaimed 25-acre site is now being repurposed for Green zones, Composting pads and New waste infrastructure. 
• Waste-to-Energy Plant in Pipeline: 
  • A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared for a Build-Own-Operate Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plant. 
  • Till then, the existing Shivri facility, supported by National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), will serve as the city’s interim waste processing solution. 
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-I): 
  • It was launched on 2nd October 2014 by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.  
  • It was also divided into SBM-Gramin for rural areas and SBM-Urban for urban centers.  
  • Aim:  
    • It aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by constructing individual and community toilets and implementing waste management systems in schools and anganwadi toilets.  
    • An area can be notified or declared as ODF if at any point of the day, not even a single person is found defecating in the open. 
  • SBM Urban 2.0: 
    • It aims for "Garbage Free Cities" by establishing material recovery facilities, waste-to-energy plants, and recycling units, significantly boosting solid waste processing capacity by around 1.06 lakh tonnes per day (TPD) in urban areas. 

Operation Conviction

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a transformation in its law and order situation through a strict zero-tolerance policy, including Operation Conviction, which focuses on securing swift convictions and tackling serious crimes.

Key Points

• Operation Conviction & Impact: 
  • Launched in July 2023, Operation Conviction has emerged as a key strategy to ensure swift justice by focusing on fast-track prosecution, leading to significant improvements in conviction rates. 
    • In crimes against children, several received the death penalty under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and more than 600 were sentenced to life imprisonment. 
    • Significant convictions have been secured in cases involving top criminals and notorious mafias, underscoring the focus on organized crime. 
  • POCSO Act, 2012:  
    • About:  
      • The POCSO Act was enacted to address sexual exploitation and abuse of children, defining a child as anyone below 18 years.  
      • It was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1992).   
    • Key Features:  
      • The Act is gender-neutral, protecting both boys and girls from sexual abuse. It provides for interim compensation by Special Courts and immediate relief through the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for urgent needs.   
      • A support person is appointed to assist the child through legal proceedings. Section 23 ensures confidentiality by prohibiting disclosure of the victim’s identity in the media. 
  • Organised Crime: 
    • Organised crime is defined as illegal activities carried out by groups or networks working together, often involving violence, corruption, or related actions to gain financial or material benefits. 
    • Transnational organised crime (TOC) occurs when activities or groups operate in multiple countries. 
    • Different forms of organised crime include: 
      • Money Laundering, Drug Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Illicit Firearms Trafficking, Trafficking in Natural Resources, Fraudulent Medicines, Cybercrime and Identity Theft.