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  • Doubling Farmers’ Income: An Assessment

    Doubling

    Central Idea

    • Recently, Prime Minister shared his dream of doubling farmers’ incomes in the year when India completes 75 years of Independence and enters Amrit Kaal. Now that we have entered Amrit Kaal, it is a good time to revisit that dream and see if it has been fulfilled, and if not, how best it can be done. It was a noble dream because unless the incomes of farmers go up, we cannot have sustained high growth of overall GDP.

    What is Doubling Farmers Income scheme?

    • Doubling farmers’ income is a target set by the government of India in February 2016 to be achieved by 2022-23.
    • To promote farmers’ welfare, reduce agrarian distress and bring parity between income of farmers and those working in non-agricultural professions.
    • Doubling Farmers Income can directly have a positive effect on the future of agriculture.

    Doubling

    Doubling Farmers Income: A Noble Vision

    • Improved Farm Machinery and Advanced Technologies: If the income earned by the farmer is doubled, they will have access to better farm machinery and advanced technologies, leading to increased productivity, better quality of seeds, and improved farming techniques.
    • Increased Agricultural Productivity: Doubling farmers’ income means increasing agricultural productivity, which is essential for meeting the growing demand for food in the country.
    • Improved Quality of Crops: Increasing the income of farmers will not only increase agricultural production but also improve the quality of crops, which is crucial for ensuring food security and meeting quality standards for exports.
    • Growth of Indian Economy: Doubling farmers’ income will contribute to the growth of the Indian economy by increasing rural demand for goods and services, creating employment opportunities, and boosting overall economic growth.
    • Reduced Incidents of Farmer Suicides: Financial stress is one of the leading causes of farmer suicides in India. Doubling farmers’ income will provide them with financial security, which will reduce the incidents of farmer suicides and improve their overall well-being.

    Government efforts in this direction

    • Fertilizer subsidy: Fertilizer subsidy budget crosses Rs 2 lakh crore. Even when global prices of urea crossed $1,000/metric tonne, the Indian price of urea remained flat at around $70/tonne. This is perhaps the lowest price in the world.
    • PM-Kisan: The government has allocated Rs 60,000 crore to its flagship PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana for the financial year 2023-24.
    • PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana: Further, many small and marginal farmers also get free ration of at least 5 kg/person/month through the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
    • Subsidies and crop insurance: There are also subsidies for crop insurance, credit and irrigation (drip). States also dole out power subsidies in abundance, especially on irrigation. Even farm machinery for custom hiring centres is being subsidised by many states.

    Evaluation: Impact of all these policies on farmers’ incomes and on environment

    • Impact of Input Subsidies and Output Trade Policies on Farmers’ Income: While Input subsidies help raise farmers’ incomes by reducing the cost of inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. Output trade and marketing policies adopted by the government, such as the ban on exports of wheat or the 20% export tax on rice, can suppress farmers’ incomes.
    • Pro-Consumer Approach: The current policy approach is pro-consumer rather than pro-farmer, which is a fundamental problem with our policy framework.
    • Environmental Damage Caused by Subsidized Inputs and Uncontrolled Procurement Policies: The excessive subsidization of inputs like fertilizers and power, coupled with uncontrolled procurement of paddy and wheat in certain states, is causing severe environmental damage. There is a growing need to rationalize these policies.

    Doubling

    Way ahead

    • It is crucial to assess the net impact of input subsidies and output trade policies on farmers’ income to understand where they stand.
    • Realign the support policies keeping in mind environmental outcomes.
    • Millets, pulses, oilseeds, and much of horticulture could perhaps be given carbon credits to incentivise their cultivation. They consume less water and fertilisers. We need to make subsidies/support crop-neutral.
    • It is crucial to adopt policies that are pro-farmer and promote their interests, support income growth, and enhance overall economic growth.
    • Agriculture today needs innovations in technologies, products, institutions and policies for more diversified high-value agriculture that is also planet friendly.

    Notes for Good marks

    Agriculture: Crucial sector of the Indian Economy

    • Employment: Agriculture engages the largest share of the workforce (45.5 per cent in 2021-22 as per PLFS). Agriculture provides direct employment to around 50% of the Indian population, and it indirectly supports the livelihoods of millions more in allied industries such as agro-processing, transportation, and marketing.
    • Food and nutritional security: Agriculture is essential for meeting the food requirements of the country. India is one of the largest producers of rice, wheat, and other cereals, and it is also a significant producer of fruits, vegetables, and spices.
    • Contribution to GDP: Agriculture is a significant contributor to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for around 17% of the country’s total GDP.
    • Foreign exchange earnings: India is a leading exporter of agricultural products such as Basmati rice, spices, tea, and cotton. The export of these products earns valuable foreign exchange for the country.
    • Rural development: Agriculture plays a vital role in the development of rural areas by providing employment and income opportunities, promoting entrepreneurship, and improving the standard of living in these areas.
    • Environmental sustainability: Agriculture is closely linked to the environment, and sustainable agricultural practices can help conserve natural resources, reduce carbon emissions, and promote ecological balance.

    Doubling

    Conclusion

    • On the question of doubling farmers’ income, we must realize it is going to take time. It can be done by increasing productivity through better seeds and better irrigation. It will have to be combined with unhindered access to the markets for their produce. Further, diversifying to high-value crops, and even putting solar panels on farmers’ fields as a third crop will be needed. It is only with such a concerted and sustained effort we can double farmers’ incomes.

    Mains Question

    Q. What do you understand by Doubling famers income? Enumerate the efforts taken by the government and what needs to be done to achieve the target?

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  • UPSC Current Affairs program to ensure a Top 50 rank| Samachar Manthan new batches launched for UPSC 2023 and 2024

    UPSC Current Affairs program to ensure a Top 50 rank| Samachar Manthan new batches launched for UPSC 2023 and 2024

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    Are you tired of drowning in a sea of relevant and not-so-relevant news articles while preparing for the UPSC exam? Not knowing where to focus your attention and always struggling to find a way to sift through the endless news and make sense of what’s really important for the UPSC exam?

    Well, it’s time to say goodbye to the confusion, unawareness, and ignorance surrounding current affairs. Say hello to Samachar Manthan, a program that will help you build a solid command of your newspaper reading and current affairs analyzing skills.

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  • Agriculture: India Needs Green Revolution 2.0

    Green Revolution

    Central Idea

    • The statement made by the then viceroy, George Curzon in the early 20th century, that the Indian economy, particularly agriculture, is a gamble on the monsoon, may need to be rephrased in modern times. More than the monsoon, it is temperatures that are emerging as a greater source of uncertainty for farmers. Today, what India needs is Green Revolution 2.0.

    The fact today: Rising Temperatures Threaten Winter-Spring Harvest in India

    • Irrigation Prevents Winter-Spring Drought: The country now produces more foodgrains during the winter-spring season than in the post-monsoon season shows how irrigation has helped to prevent drought.
    • Rising Temperatures Threaten Winter-Spring Harvest: However, the rising temperatures in February and March pose a threat to the winter-spring harvest, which was previously considered safe from rainfall-related problems.
    • Shorter Winters, Earlier Summers Increase Crop Risks: Although thunderstorms and hail have always been a risk for winter-spring crops, they are now overshadowed by the risks from shorter winters and earlier summers.

    Heat Waves and wheat yield at present

    • Surge in temperature last year: The impact of temperature surge was seen in March 2022, when the wheat crop had just entered its final grain formation and filling stage. The heat stress led to early grain ripening and reduced yields.
    • Record-high temperatures in February this year: In February of this year, the maximum temperatures recorded were the highest ever seen. This is attributed to the absence of active western disturbances that bring rain and snowfall over the Himalayas, whose cooling effect percolates into the plains.
    • Rising Temperatures in Wheat-Growing Areas: Currently, minimum and maximum temperatures in most wheat-growing areas are ruling 3-5 degrees Celsius above normal. The next couple of weeks or more are going to be crucial. As long as the maximum remains within 35 degrees, there should be no danger of March 2022 repeating itself.

    Green Revolution

    Green Revolution in India

    • In India, the Green Revolution was mainly led by M.S. Swaminathan.
    • In 1961, M.S. Swaminathan invited Norman who suggested a revolution like what has happened in Mexico, Japan, etc in Indian agriculture.
    • Green Revolution was introduced with the Intensive Agriculture District Program (IADP) on an experimental basis in 7 districtin India.
    • In 1965-66 the HYV program was started which is the starting point of the Green Revolution in India.
    • The Green Revolution, spreading over the period from 1967-68 to 1977-78, changed India’s status from a food-deficient country to one of the world’s leading agricultural nations.
    • The Green Revolution resulted in a great increase in production of food grains (especially wheat and rice) due to the introduction into developing countries of new, high-yielding variety seeds, beginning in the mid-20th century.

    Green Revolution

    Why India Need another Green Revolution?

    • Climate change and food insecurity: Climate change poses a significant risk to Indian agriculture. The changing weather patterns, extreme temperatures, and rainfall variations are causing unpredictability in crop production, leading to food insecurity and farmer distress.
    • Declining Soil Fertility: Soil degradation and depletion of nutrients have affected the productivity of the land. It is necessary to develop crops that require less water and fertilizers and are disease-resistant.
    • For example: The development of genetically modified (GM) cotton has led to higher yields, less pesticide use, and improved soil health.
    • Price volatility: In addition to climate change, Indian farmers are also struggling with price volatility, as seen in the recent crash of onion and potato prices. This dual risk of climate and prices requires urgent attention from policymakers, farmers, and scientists to develop resilient crop varieties and effective crop planning and management.
    • Sustainable crop varieties: The need of the hour is to develop crop varieties that can withstand extreme temperature and rainfall variations while yielding more with less water and nutrients.
    • For instance: The use of precision agriculture techniques can help farmers manage their crops efficiently and minimize losses due to climate and price fluctuations.
    • Coordinated efforts: Improving market intelligence and access to markets is also crucial to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce. This will require a coordinated effort from both the government and private sector to create efficient supply chains and distribution networks.
    • Success of the First Green revolution: The success of the first Green Revolution in India was built on scientific research, policy support, and effective implementation. Similarly, addressing the current challenges facing Indian agriculture will require a comprehensive approach that involves research, policy, and implementation at all levels of government and society.

    Prelims Shot: All you need to know about “Wheat”

    • Climate: It is a crop of temperate climate. It can be grown in the drier areas with the help of irrigation.
    • Temperature: 15°-20°C
    • Rainfall: 25-75 cms.
    • Soil: Well drained loamy and clayey soils are ideal.
    • Cultivation: On about 14% of the total arable area of the country.
    • Two important wheat producing zones in the country: The Ganga-Satluj plains in the north-west and the black soil region in the Deccan.
    • In north India: wheat is sown in October –November and harvested in March – April.
    • In south India: It is sown in September-October and harvested in December – January.
    • Uttar Pradesh (highest producer), Punjab (highest yield per hectare), Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Uttarakhand.
    • Important varieties: Sonalika, Kalyan, Sona, Sabarmati, Lerma, Roso, Heera, Shera, Sonara-64.
    • “Wheat takes lesser time in ripening in south India than that in the north because of hotter climatic conditions in the south.”

    Green Revolution

    Conclusion

    • India needs a new agricultural transformation to overcome the challenges it faces. Green Revolution 2.0 can help develop crops that are climate-resilient, require less water and fertilizers, and are disease-resistant. By investing in research and development of new technologies, India can achieve a more sustainable and profitable agriculture sector. Farmers must know what to plant, how to manage their crop at various stages under different stress scenarios, and when to sell. Agriculture for today and tomorrow cannot be the same as it was yesterday.

    Mains Question

    Q. Indian agriculture is under stress due to rising temperatures and climate change. In this light discuss why India need green revolution 2.0?

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  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Judgements and Important Provisions/Articles/Schedules of the Indian Constitution

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 1 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 04 PM  – Daily Mini Tests

    Telegram LIVE with Sukanya ma’am – 06 PM  – Current Affairs Session

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    6th Mar 2023

    Important Judgements of Indian constitution 

    Case

    Relevance

    A.K. Gopalan Case (1950)

    SC contented that there was no violation of Fundamental Rights enshrined in Articles 13, 19, 21 and 22 under the provisions of the Preventive Detention Act, if the detention was as per the procedure established by law. Here, the SC took a narrow view of Article 21.

    Shankari Prasad Case (1951)

    This case dealt with the amendability of Fundamental Rights (the First Amendment’s validity was challenged). The SC contended that the Parliament’s power to amend under Article 368 also includes the power to amend the Fundamental Rights guaranteed in Part III of the Constitution.

    Berubari Union case (1960)

    This case was regarding the Parliament’s power to transfer the territory of Berubai to Pakistan. The Supreme Court examined Article 3 in detail. 9th Amendment Act was passed to enforce the agreement.

    Golaknath case (1967)

    SC contented that Fundamental Rights are not amenable to the Parliamentary restriction as stated in Article 13. Also stated that Article 368 gives the procedure to amend the Constitution but does not confer on Parliament the power to amend the Constitution.

    Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)

    This judgement defined the basic structure of the Constitution. The SC held that although no part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, was beyond the Parliament’s amending power, the “basic structure of the Constitution could not be abrogated even by a constitutional amendment.” 

    Maneka Gandhi case (1978)

    The SC held that right to go abroad is included in the Right to Personal Liberty. The SC also ruled that the mere existence of an enabling law was not enough to restrain personal liberty. 

    Indra Sawhney and Union of India (1992)

    SC examined the scope and extent of Article 16(4), and upheld the constitutional validity of 27% reservation for the OBCs with certain conditions (like creamy layer exclusion, no reservation in promotion, total reserved quota should not exceed 50%, etc.)

    Minerva Mills case (1980)

    The judgement struck down 2 changes made to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act 1976, declaring them to be violative of the basic structure. 

    Shah Bano Begum case (1985)

    Milestone case for Muslim women’s fight for rights. The SC upheld the right to alimony for a Muslim woman and said that the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 is applicable to all citizens irrespective of their religion. 

    S. R. Bommai case (1994)

    In this judgement, the SC tried to curb the blatant misuse of Article 356 (regarding the imposition of President’s Rule on states).

    Vishaka and State of Rajasthan (1997)

    This case dealt with sexual harassment at the workplace. 

    Lily Thomas v Union of India (2000)

    Here, the SC held that the second marriage of a Hindu man without divorcing the first wife, even if the man had converted to Islam, is void unless the first marriage had been dissolved according to the Hindu Marriage Act.

    I.R Coelho and State of Tamil Nadu 2007

    This judgement held that if a law is included in the 9th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, it can still be examined and confronted in court.

    Aruna Shanbaug Case (2011)

    The SC ruled that individuals had a right to die with dignity, allowing passive euthanasia with guidelines. 

    NOTA judgement (2013)

    This judgement introduced the NOTA (None-Of-The-Above) option for Indian voters.

    Triple Talaq Judgement (2016)

    The SC outlawed the backward practice of instant ‘triple talaq’, which permitted Muslim men to unilaterally end their marriages by uttering the word “talaq” three times without making any provision for maintenance or alimony. 

    Right To Privacy (2017)

    The SC declared the right to privacy as a Fundamental Right protected under the Indian Constitution. 
     
     
     

    Important Provisions/Articles/Schedules of the Indian Constitution

    Parts of the Indian Constitution

    Subject Covered

    Articles in Indian Constitution
    Part I Union and its Territories Article 1-4
    Part II Citizenship Article 5-11
    Part III Fundamental Rights Article 12-35
    Part IV Directive Principles Article 36-51
    Part IV A Fundamental Duties Article 51A
    Part V The Union Article 52-151
    Part VI The States Article 152-237
    Part VII Note: 7th Amendment Act, 1956 repealed Part 7 –
    Part VIII The Union Territories Article 239-242
    Part IX The Panchayats Article 243-243O
    Part IX A The Municipalities Article 243P-243ZG
    Part IX B Co-operative Societies Article 243ZH-243ZT
    Part X Scheduled and Tribal Areas Article 244-244A
    Part XI Relation between Union & States Article 245-263
    Part XII Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits Article 264-300A
    Part XIII Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territory of India Article 301-307
    Part XIV Services under the Union and States Article 308-323
    Part XIV A Tribunals Article 323A-323B
    Part XV Elections Article 324-329A
    Part XVI Special Provisions relating to certain classes Article 330-342
    Part XVII Official Languages Article 343-351
    Part XVIII Emergency Provisions Article 352-360
    Part XIX Miscellaneous Article 361-367
    Part XX Amendment of the Constitution Article 368
    Part XXI Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions Article 369-392
    Part XXII Short title, Commencement, and Authoritative Text in
    Hindi and Repeals    		 Article 393-39

    Part 1: Article 1 – Article 4

    • Article 1 –Name of the union and its territories
    • Article 2 –Acceptance and creation of the new state
    • Article 3 – New state creation, as well as changes to the names, boundaries, and territories of existing states

    Part 2: Article 5 – Article 11

    • Article 5 –Citizenship at the time the Constitution first came into effect
    • Article 6 –An individual’s citizenship rights after coming to India from Pakistan
    • Article 10 –Maintenance of citizenship rights
    • Article 11 –The right to citizenship will be governed by law by Parliament.

    Part 3: Article 12 – Article 35

    • Article 12 –The state’s definition
    • Article 13 –Laws that violate or interfere with fundamental rights

    The Indian Constitution originally outlined seven fundamental rights, but only six remain. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 repealed the Right to Property under Article 31. Part XII of the Constitution was amended to create the legal right under Article 300-A.

    • Right to Equality: Article 14 to Article 18
    • Right to Freedom: Article 19 to Article 22
    • Right to Exploitation: Article 23 to Article 24
    • Right to Freedom of Religion: Article 25 to Article 28
    • Cultural and Educational Rights: Article 29 to Article 30
    • Right to Constitutional Remedies: Article 32

    Part 4: Directive Principal of States Policy: Article 36 – 51

    • Article 36 – Definition
    • Article 37 – Application of DPSP
    • Article 39A – Free legal representation and equal justice
    • Article 40 – Forming a village panchayat
    • Article 41 – Right to employment, education, and, in some circumstances, public support
    • Article 43 – Living Wages, etc. for Workers
    • Article 43A – Participation of workers in the management of industries
    • Article 44 – Uniform civil code ( applicable in Goa only)
    • Article 45 – Provision for free and compulsory education for children
    • Article 46 – Promotion of educational and economic interest of scheduled castes, ST, and OBC
    • Article 47 – Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health
    • Article 48 – Deals with agriculture and animal husbandry
    • Article 49 – Protection of monuments, places and objects of natural importance
    • Article 50 – Separation of judiciary from the executive
    • Article 51 – Promotion of international peace and security

    Part 5: Union: Article 52 – 151

    • Article 52 –The President of India
    • Article 53 –Executive Power of the union
    • Article 54 –Election of President
    • Article 61 –Procedure for Impeachment of the President
    • Article 63 –The Vice Presidents of India
    • Article 64 –The Vice-President to be ex-officio chairman the council of States
    • Article 66 –Election of Vice-president
    • Article 72 –Pardoning powers of President
    • Article 74 –Council of ministers to aid and advise President
    • Article 76 –Attorney General of India
    • Article 79 –Constitution of Parliament
    • Article 80 –Composition of Rajya Sabha
    • Article 81 –Composition of Lok Sabha
    • Article 83 –Duration of Houses of Parliament
    • Article 93 –The speakers and Deputy speakers of the house of the people
    • Article 105 –Powers, Privileges, etc. of the House of Parliament
    • Article 109 –Special procedure in respects of money bills
    • Article 110 –Definition of “Money Bills”
    • Article 112 –Annual Financial Budget
    • Article 114 –Appropriation Bills
    • Article 123 –Powers of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of parliament
    • Article 124 – Establishment of Supreme Court
    • Article 125 – Salaries of Judges
    • Article 126 –Appointment of acting Chief justice
    • Article 127 –Appointment of ad-hoc judges
    • Article 128 –Attendance of retired judge at sitting of the Supreme Court
    • Article 129 –Supreme Court to be a court of Record
    • Article 130 –Seat of the Supreme Court
    • Article 136 –Special leaves for an appeal to the Supreme Court
    • Article 137 –Review of judgment or orders by the Supreme Court
    • Article 141 –Decision of the Supreme Court binding on all the courts
    • Article 148 –Comptroller and Auditor-General of India
    • Article 149 –Duties and Powers of CAG

    Part 6: States: Article 152 – 237

    • Article 153 –Governors of State
    • Article 154 – Executive Powers of Governor
    • Article 161 –Pardoning powers of the Governor
    • Article 165 –Advocate-General of the State
    • Article 213 –Power of Governor to promulgate ordinances
    • Article 214 – High Courts for states
    • Article 215 –High Courts to be a court of record
    • Article 226 –Power of High Courts to issue certain writs
    • Article 233 –Appointment of District judges
    • Article 235 –Control over Subordinate Courts
    Part Detail
    Part 7 Repealed: Article 238
    Part 8 Union Territories: Article 239 – 242
    Part 9 Panchayats: Article 243 – 243O 

    • Article 243A – Gram Sabha
    • Article 243B – Constitution of Panchayats
    Part 9A Municipalities: Article 243P – 243ZG
    Part 9B Co-operative Societies: Article 243ZH – 243ZT
    Part 10 Scheduled and Tribal Areas: Article 244
    Part 11 Center- State Relations: Article 245 – 263

    Part 12: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits: Article 264 – 300A

    • Article 266 – Consolidated Fund and Public Accounts Fund
    • Article 267 –Contingency Fund of India
    • Article 280 –Finance Commission
    • Article 300-A –Right to property

    Part 13: Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territories of India: Article 301 – 307

    • Article 301 – Freedom to trade, commerce, and intercourse.
    • Article 302 –Power of Parliament to impose restrictions on trade, commerce, and intercourse.

    Part 14: Services Under Center and State: Article 308 – 323

    • Article 312 –All- India-Service.
    • Article 315 –Public service commission’s for the union and for the states
    • Article 320 –Functions of Public Service Commission.

    Part 14A: Tribunals: Article 323A – 323B

    • Article 323A –Administrative Tribunals

    Part 15: Elections: Article 324 – 329

    • Article 324 –Superintendence, direction and control of Elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
    • Article 325 –No person to be ineligible for inclusion in or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
    • Article 326 –Elections to the house of the people and to the legislative assemblies of states to be on the basis of adult suffrage.

    Part 16: Special Provisions to SC, ST, OBC, Minorities etc: Article 330 – 342

    • Article 338 –National Commission for the SC, & ST.
    • Article 340 –Appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.

    Part 17: Official Language: Article 343 – 351

    • Article 343 –Official languages of the Union.
    • Article 345 –Official languages or languages of states.
    • Article 348 –Languages to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts.
    • Article 351 –Directive for development of the Hindi languages.

    Part 18: Emergency: Article 352 – 360

    • Article 352 –Proclamation of emergency (National Emergency).
    • Article 356 –State Emergency (President’s Rule)
    • Article 360 –Financial Emergency

    Part 19: Miscellaneous: Article 361 – 367

    • Article 361-Protection of President and Governors

    Part 20: Amendment of Constitution: Article 368

    • Article 368 –Powers of Parliaments to amend the constitution

    Part 21:  Special, Transitional and Temporary Provisions: Article 369 – 392

    • Article 370 –Special provision of J&K.
    • Article 371A –Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland
    • Article 371-J –Special Status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region

    Part 22: Short Text, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals: Article 392 – 395

    • Article 393 – Short title – This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India.

    Important Schedules of the Indian Constitution 

    Schedules

    Articles of Indian Constitution
    First Schedule Article 1 and Article 4
    Second Schedule Articles: 59, 65, 75, 97, 125, 148, 158, 164, 186, 221
    Third Schedule Articles: 75, 84, 99, 124,146, 173, 188, 219
    Fourth Schedule Article 4 and Article 80
    Fifth Schedule Article 244
    Sixth Schedule Article 244 and Article 275
    Seventh Schedule Article 246
    Eighth Schedule Article 344 and Article 351
    Ninth Schedule Article 31-B
    Tenth Schedule Article 102 and Article 191
    Eleventh Schedule Article 243-G
    Twelfth Schedule Article 243-W

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  • Lankan Fishermen Oppose Proposal to License Indian Fishermen

    fish

    Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen fiercely oppose the government’s plan to issue licenses to Indian fishermen to enter Sri Lankan waters, terming the move a “serious setback” to their nearly 15-year-long struggle.

    Recent development

    • The Sri Lankan government has proposed issuing fishing licenses to Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters.
    • The proposal has been met with fierce opposition from Northern Province fishermen who view it as a threat to their livelihoods and an infringement on their fishing rights.
    • Indian fishermen have been accused of using illegal fishing methods and damaging the marine ecosystem, which has further fueled tensions between the two groups.
    • The conflict over fishing rights has led to violence and arrests on both sides.

    Issues for Sri Lanka

    • Proliferation of Trawlers: The overuse of mechanized trawlers in Palk Bay is damaging the marine ecosystem in SL waters.
    • Breach of sovereignty: There were many favorable reasons too for Indian fishermen as their access to Sri Lankan waters was easier at the time of Sri Lankan civil war.
    • Porous borders: Maritime boundaries were never tightly guarded as a result, Indian trawlers continue to routinely enter Lankan waters for fishing.
    • End of Civil War: Everything changed in 2009 with the end of civil war. Arrests and attacks increased on Indian fishermen as they continued entering Lankan waters because of depletion of marine resources on the Indian side.

    Fishermen’s concern:

    (1) Depletion of fisheries

    • There is a depletion of fisheries on the Indian side, so Indian fishermen cross into Sri Lankan waters thus denying the livelihood of their counterparts.
    • They deliberately cross the territorial waters even at the risk of getting arrested or shot dead by the Sri Lankan Navy.
    • Sri Lankan fishermen across Palk Bay are concerned over similar depletion on their side (where there is a ban for trawlers) because of poaching by Indian fishermen.

     (2) Rights over Katchatheevu Island

    • Tamil fishermen have been entering Sri Lankan waters nearby Katchatheevu island, where they had been fishing for centuries.
    • In 1974, the island was ceded to Sri Lanka after an agreement was signed by Indira Gandhi between the two countries without consulting the Tamil Nadu government.
    • The agreement allows Indian fishermen “access to Katchatheevu for rest, for drying of nests and for the annual St Anthony’s festival” but it did not ensure the traditional fishing rights.

    (3) Hefty fines

    • After some respite in the last couple of years, Sri Lanka introduced tougher laws banning bottom-trawling and put heavy fines for trespassing foreign vessels.
    • SL has increased the fine on Indian vessels found fishing in Sri Lankan waters to a minimum of LKR 6 million (about ₹25 lakh) and a maximum of LKR 175 million (about ₹17.5 Crore).
    • Quiet often, the fishermen are shot dead by SL marines.

    Fishermen issue in TN politics

    • It has been often a sensitive political issue in Tamil Nadu in the past one decade.
    • In a defiant speech in 1991, late CM Jayalalitha had called on the people of Tamil Nadu to retrieve the Katchatheevu Island.

    Way forward

    • Leasing: Two courses of action exist: (1) get back the island of Katchatheevu on “lease in perpetuity” or (2) permit licensed Indian fishermen to fish within a designated area of Sri Lankan waters and vice versa.
    • Licensing: The second course of action would persuade Colombo to permit licensed Indian fishermen to fish in Sri Lankan waters for five nautical miles from the IMBL.
    • Reconsidering old agreements: The 2003 proposal for licensed fishing can be revisited.
    • Looping in fishermen themselves: Arranging frequent meetings between fishing communities of both countries could be systematized so as to develop a friendlier atmosphere mid-seas during fishing.

    Conclusion

    • The underlying issues of the fisheries dispute need to be addressed so that bilateral relations do not reach a crisis point.
    • Immediate actions should be taken to begin the phase-out of trawling and identify other fishing practices.
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  • Explained: Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty

    bbnj

    For the first time, United Nations members have agreed for an early conclusion of the International Legally Binding Instrument of BBNJ under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    Background

    • The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was established in 1994 before marine biodiversity became a well-established concept
    • An updated framework to protect marine life in the high seas had been in discussions for over 20 years.
    • BBNJ is an agreement that aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ).
    • ABNJ refers to the high seas, which are not governed by any country but are still important for global biodiversity.

    What is the BBNJ treaty?

    • The BBNJ Treaty also called the Treaty of the High Seas, is an international agreement that aims to preserve and sustainably use the marine biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction.
    • This includes the high seas, which are outside of countries’ exclusive economic zones and makeup nearly half of the Earth’s surface.
    • These areas are currently poorly regulated and only 1% of them are protected.
    • The High Ambition Coalition on BBNJ was launched in February 2022 to negotiate and achieve a comprehensive and ambitious outcome.

    Key areas of agreement

    The negotiations focus on elements agreed upon such as the-

    1. Conservation and sustainable use of marine genetic resources,
    2. Area-based management tools like marine protected areas,
    3. Environmental impact assessments, and
    4. Capacity-building and technology transfer

    Consensus reached

    • A new body will be created to manage the conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas
    • The treaty establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial activities in the oceans
    • Several marine species, including dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and many fish, make long annual migrations, crossing national borders and the high seas

    What is the significance of this treaty?

    • Beyond jurisdiction coverage: BBNJ refers to the areas beyond the jurisdiction of any single country, such as the high seas, the deep sea floor, and the international seabed area. These areas are critical for the health of the ocean, the well-being of coastal people, and the overall sustainability of the planet.
    • Covers entire oceans: BBNJ comprises 95% of the ocean and provides invaluable ecological, economic, social, cultural, scientific, and food-security benefits to humanity.
    • Hard-arrived consensus: BBNJ is governed by a patchwork of international agreements, conventions, and bodies, but there is no single comprehensive framework that regulates activities in these areas.

    Various threats

    • BBNJ, despite its resilience in the past, is currently at risk due to several emerging dangers such as pollution, overexploitation, and the observable consequences of climate change.
    • In the future, the escalating need for marine resources, whether for food, minerals, or biotechnology, may intensify these issues.
    • For example, deep-sea mining, where valuable metals are extracted from the ocean floor, is becoming more prevalent despite the fact that little is known about the biodiversity in these areas.

    Why protect deep seas?

    • The deep seafloors, believed to be the harshest habitat, are also facing the extinction process.
    • A recent study assessed 184 species of Molluscs in the deep sea and found that 62% are listed as threatened: 39 are critically endangered, 32 are endangered and 43 are vulnerable.
    • Yet, the International Seabed Authority, a Jamaica-based intergovernmental body, is allowing deep-sea mining contracts.

    Way forward

    Ans. Create legally binding instrument

    • To address these threats, there is a need for a legally binding instrument for BBNJ.
    • The instrument would provide a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ and would address gaps in the current international legal regime.
    • The legally binding instrument would establish a mechanism for the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ, including measures to protect biodiversity, manage human activities, and ensure the equitable sharing of benefits.
    • It would also provide for capacity-building and technology transfer to support the implementation of these measures.
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  • What are ‘Bio-Computers’ and what can they tell us about the human brain?

    bio-computer

    Central idea: Johns Hopkins University scientists have proposed creation of Bio-Computers’ using a new area of research called “organoid intelligence”.

    Background

    • JHU scientists will harness the processing power of the brain and help understand the biological basis of human cognition, learning, and neurological disorders.
    • Traditional methods of studying the human brain involve using rat brains, which are structurally and functionally different from human brains.

    Building brain organoids in the lab

    • Scientists are building 3D cultures of brain tissue in the lab, called brain organoids, using human stem cells.
    • Brain organoids capture many structural and functional features of a developing human brain and are being used to study human brain development and test drugs.
    • However, brain organoids developed in the lab lack sensory inputs and blood circulation, which limits their growth and sophistication.

    Transplanting brain organoids

    • Scientists have transplanted human brain organoid cultures into rat brains, where they formed connections with the rat brain and were functionally active.
    • However, human brain organoids are still nested in the rat-brain microenvironment, which limits their relevance to humans.

    What is the new “bio-computer”?

    • The JHU researchers’ scheme combines brain organoids with modern computing methods to create “bio-computers”.
    • Brain organoids will be grown inside flexible structures affixed with multiple electrodes to record the firing patterns of neurons and deliver electrical stimuli.
    • Machine-learning techniques will be used to analyze the response patterns of neurons and their effect on human behavior or biology.

    Opportunities for “bio-computers”

    • Brain organoids can be developed using stem cells from individuals with neurodegenerative diseases or cognitive disorders to reveal the biological basis of human cognition, learning, and memory.
    • “Bio-computers” could help decode the pathology of and develop drugs for neurodevelopmental and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and microcephaly.

    Challenges for bio-computers

    • Brain organoids have a diameter of less than 1 mm and have fewer than 100,000 cells on average, limiting their computing capacity.
    • Researchers will have to develop microfluidic systems to transport oxygen and nutrients and remove waste products.
    • The hybrid systems will generate large amounts of data that will need to be stored and analyzed using “Big Data” infrastructure and advanced analytical techniques.
    • An ethics team is proposed to identify, discuss, and analyze ethical issues as they arise in the course of this work.

    Conclusion

    • Biocomputers will harness the processing power of the brain and help understand the biological basis of human cognition, learning, and various neurological disorders.
    • Scaling up brain organoids and developing microfluidic systems and analytical techniques are the key challenges.
    • Ethical issues arising from the development of biocomputers will be analyzed by an ethics team.

     

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  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: Urban Planning

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: Urban Planning

    Context

    • Prime Minister has said that well-planned cities are going to be the need of the hour in the fast-paced environment of India in the 21st century. 
    • He emphasized that the development of new cities and the modernization of services in the existing ones are the two main aspects of urban development.

    What do you mean by Urban Planning?

    • Urban planning is the process of designing and managing the physical and social development of cities, towns, and other urban areas.
    • It involves a range of activities, including land use planning, transportation planning, environmental planning, and community development.
    • Urban planners work to create livable and sustainable communities by balancing the needs of different stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and government agencies.
    Urban planning in India: A quick recap

    The first Municipal Corporation was set up in the former Presidency Town of Madras in 1688.
    It was followed by similar corporations in the then Bombay and Calcutta in 1726.
    Lord Mayo’s resolution of 1870 laid out a roadmap for these bodies in India.
    The ‘Magna Carta’ of local self-government is considered to be Lord Ripon’s resolution of 1882. In 1907, a royal commission, chaired by Hobhouse, was established to focus on decentralization.
    The Government of India Act of 1919 assigned the subject of local self-government to an Indian minister.
    The Cantonments Act was passed by the central legislature in 1924.
    Local self-government was declared a provincial subject under the Government of India Act of 1935.

    Features of Urban Planning

    • Land use planning: This involves the allocation of land for various uses, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational.
    • Transportation planning: Planning for efficient and sustainable transportation systems, including roads, public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways.
    • Housing planning: Ensuring the availability of adequate and affordable housing for all residents.
    • Economic planning: Supporting economic development and growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and providing business opportunities.
    • Infrastructure planning: Developing and maintaining infrastructure, such as water supply, sanitation, and waste management systems.
    • Community engagement: Involving the community in the planning process to ensure that their needs and priorities are reflected in the final plan.
    • Zoning: Regulating the use of land and the placement of buildings to ensure compatibility with neighboring uses and adequate provision of open space.
    • Urban design: Creating an attractive and functional built environment through thoughtful design of public spaces, buildings, and streetscapes.
    • Environmental planning: Incorporating environmental considerations, such as the preservation of natural resources, reducing pollution, and promoting sustainable practices.

    Urban Planning Mechanism in India

    India’s local governance system underwent a transformation in 1992 with constitutional reforms through the 73rd and 74th Amendments.

    • 12th schedule: Urban planning, regulation of land use, and planning for economic and social development are the first three subjects listed in the 12th schedule.
    • 74th Amendment: It empowers elected municipalities with the task of preparing and implementing plans and schemes for economic development and social justice, along with subjects listed under the 12th Schedule.
    • Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC): The 74th Amendment mandates the creation of a MPC for metropolitan cities with over 1 million population, with at least two-thirds of its members to be elected local representatives, to prepare a development plan for the metropolitan area incorporating local bodies’ plans.
    • Creation of master plans: These agencies prepare “master plans” that regulate land use and development across the city every 10-20 years, such as the Delhi Development Authority or the Bangalore Development Authority.
    • District Development Authorities: State government-controlled DAs are primarily responsible for urban planning in most of India’s major cities, instead of municipal government or MPC.

    Why is it a daunting task in India?

    • Rapid urbanization: India has been witnessing rapid urbanization, with a significant population shift from rural areas to cities. This has led to unplanned and haphazard urbanization, resulting in inadequate infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, and overcrowding in cities.
    • Cost of urban planning: The cost of urban planning can be substantial, especially if the plan involves the construction of new infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public transport systems, and housing. The cost can also vary depending on the level of development, infrastructure, and services required in the city.
    • Poor infrastructure: Many Indian cities lack proper infrastructure such as roads, public transport, water supply, and sewage systems. This leads to traffic congestion, pollution, and health hazards.
    • Lack of open spaces: Many urban areas in India lack open spaces such as parks, playgrounds, and public spaces. This can impact the physical and mental well-being of residents, especially children and the elderly.
    • Inadequate housing: The demand for affordable housing in Indian cities far exceeds the supply. This has led to the proliferation of slums and informal settlements, where living conditions are often substandard.
    • Corruption: Corruption in urban planning is a significant issue in India. It leads to the allocation of resources based on political and personal considerations rather than objective criteria, resulting in inefficient use of resources and poor urban planning outcomes.
    • Lack of citizen participation: Citizens’ participation in urban planning is minimal in India. Most planning decisions are made by bureaucrats and politicians, with little input from citizens. This can lead to decisions that do not reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.

    Major challenges plaguing Urban Centres

    • Lack of Efficient Transport: Overcrowded roads, pollution, and increased travelling time due to the dependency on private vehicles in cities, which also contributes to climate change.
    • Slums and Squatter Settlements: High cost of living in cities leads to the growth of slums as safe havens for migrants, with 35.2% of the total urban population living in slums in India, and Dharavi in Mumbai being the largest slum in Asia.
    • Degradation of Environmental Quality: Congestion of people in limited spaces results in reduced air quality, contaminated water, destruction of forests and agricultural land for construction, and wastes being channelized to rivers, leading to garbage mountains outside cities.
    • Sewerage Problems: Inefficient sewage facilities due to unplanned and haphazard growth of cities, with almost 78% of the sewage generated in India remaining untreated and disposed of in rivers, lakes, or sea.
    • Urban Heat Island: Dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces in urban areas lead to increased energy costs, air pollution, and heat-related illness and mortality.
    • Urban Flooding: Encroachment on lakes, wetlands, and rivers due to new developments in low-lying areas, ineffective natural drainage systems, and lack of solid waste management leading to flooding and waterlogging.
    • Ineffective Functioning of ULBs: Imbalance between the powers, responsibilities, and funds assigned to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) outlined by the Constitution, resulting in their ineffective functioning due to the lack of time-bound audits and revenue dependence on the Centre and State.

    Major schemes for urban planning and development

    The GOI has launched several schemes related to urban planning to address the issues faced by Indian cities. Some of the major schemes are:

    • Smart Cities Mission: Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to develop 100 smart cities across India by leveraging technology and infrastructure. The mission focuses on sustainable development, citizen participation, and the use of technology to improve urban services.
    • Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to improve basic urban infrastructure such as water supply, sewage, and transportation in cities with a population of over 100,000. The scheme focuses on improving the quality of life of citizens.
    • Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Launched in 2014, this scheme aims to achieve a clean India by promoting sanitation and hygiene. The scheme focuses on improving waste management, constructing toilets, and promoting behavioural change.
    • Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to provide affordable housing to urban poor and homeless. The scheme provides financial assistance to construct houses and promotes the use of eco-friendly and sustainable building materials.
    • Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY): Launched in 2015, this scheme aims to preserve and revitalize the heritage cities in India. The scheme focuses on improving tourism infrastructure, promoting heritage tourism, and preserving cultural heritage.

    Way forward

    To move forward with urban planning in a sustainable and cost-effective manner, the following steps can be taken:

    • Adopt a participatory approach: Citizens’ participation is essential for effective urban planning. Cities should involve citizens, community groups, and stakeholders in the planning process, from the early stages to implementation and evaluation.
    • Prioritize sustainable development: Urban planning should prioritize sustainability, including reducing carbon emissions, improving public transportation, promoting renewable energy, and preserving natural resources.
    • Promote public-private partnerships: Public-private partnerships can provide resources and expertise to urban planning projects. They can also help to mobilize private investment in infrastructure and services.
    • Use technology to improve planning and implementation: Urban planners can use technology to improve the accuracy and speed of planning and implementation. For example, geographic information systems (GIS) can help with mapping, data analysis, and visualization.
    • Address corruption: Corruption in urban planning can lead to inefficient use of resources and poor outcomes. Cities should prioritize transparency and accountability in planning processes to reduce corruption.
    • Prioritize housing: Affordable housing is essential for the well-being of citizens. Cities should prioritize the provision of affordable housing, and this can be achieved through innovative financing models, such as social housing and rent control.
    • Emphasize the importance of green spaces: Green spaces such as parks, public spaces, and playgrounds are essential for the physical and mental well-being of citizens. Cities should prioritize the preservation and creation of green spaces.

    Conclusion

    • By adopting these steps, urban planning can be carried out in a sustainable, cost-effective, and citizen-centric manner.
    • This will help address the challenges faced by cities and create livable, vibrant, and sustainable urban environments for citizens.

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  • SWAMIH investment fund and its affordable housing push

    swami

    The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Investment Fund I has raised Rs 15,530 crore so far.

    What is the SWAMIH investment fund?

    • The SWAMIH Investment Fund I is a social impact fund specifically formed for completing stressed and stalled residential projects.
    • The Fund is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance and is managed by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., a State Bank Group company.
    • The Fund is considered as the lender of last resort for distressed projects.

    Who are eligible for this fund?

    It considers-

    • First-time developers,
    • Established developers with troubled projects,
    • Developers with a poor track record of stalled projects,
    • Customer complaints and NPA accounts, and even
    • Projects where there are litigation issues.

    Significance of the funds

    • The Fund’s presence in a project often acts as a catalyst for better collections and sales primarily in projects that were delayed for years.
    • According to the Finance Ministry, SWAMIH Fund has one of the largest domestic real estate private equity teams focused only on funding and monitoring the completion of stressed housing projects.

    How many projects so far have been financed by the Fund?

    • SWAMIH has so far provided final approval to about 130 projects with sanctions worth over Rs 12,000 crore.
    • The Fund has completed 20,557 homes and aims to complete over 81,000 homes in the next three years across 30 tier 1 and 2 cities.
    • The Fund has been able to complete construction in 26 projects and generate returns for its investors.
    • It has also played a critical role in the growth of many ancillary industries in real estate and infrastructure sector having successfully unlocked liquidity of more than Rs. 35,000 crore.
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  • One Nation, One Challan Initiative

    challan

    The Gujarat Govt. informed High Court that it’s setting up virtual traffic courts under ‘One Nation One Challan’ initiative while hearing a PIL on the matter.

    What is the One Nation, One Challan initiative?

    • One Nation, One Challan is an initiative of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
    • It aims to bring all related agencies, such as the traffic police and the Regional Transport Office (RTO), on one platform, to enable seamless collection of challans as well as data transfer.
    • The integrated system uses the CCTV network to detect traffic violations and retrieve the registration number of the offending vehicle from applications like VAHAN and SARATHI.
    • An e-Challan is then generated with the relevant penalty amount, and sent to the mobile number linked with the vehicle.

    What did the Gujarat govt inform?

    • In Gujarat, the initiative is operational in three commissionerate areas of Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Surat since January this year and implementation at Vadodara is underway.

    How does the integration help?

    • Prior to the integration, details of vehicle ownership from a different state could not be accessed through the CCTV network for penalization.
    • Integration of all states’ RTO data and traffic police data with the support of NIC servers allows access to vehicle registration and related data for violators from different states.
    • Challans will be sent directly to the mobile number registered with the vehicle.
    • NIC is set to launch its own application for e-Challan delivery.

    How do virtual traffic courts work?

    • Virtual courts are aimed at eliminating the presence of litigants in the court.
    • An accused can search their case on the virtual court’s website. Upon successful payment of the fine, the case will be shown as disposed of.
    • For now, one court is in the process of being designated as a virtual court for the whole of Gujarat.

     

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