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Type: States

Many questions regarding developments in specific states are asked in both prelims and mains. These Newscards correspond to such developments.

  • Beyond MSP: Farmers need income, not price support

    Why in the News

    Madhya Pradesh has raised its guaranteed procurement of summer moong at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from 25% to 60% of estimated yield, after farmers demanded the state’s declared MSP be honoured in practice, not left on paper. The concession exposes the deeper conflict between expanding price-support procurement, which is fiscally unsustainable for any state, and shifting toward direct income support that does not distort what farmers choose to grow.

    What is driving Madhya Pradesh’s decision to raise the procurement threshold?

    1. Price gap: Moong is wholesaling in mandis at about Rs 7,000 a quintal, well below the MSP of Rs 8,768 a quintal.
    2. Prior cap: The state had earlier guaranteed MSP procurement only for up to 1.2 quintals of yield per acre, since raised to 3 quintals.
    3. Unequal benefit: Farmers harvesting 6 to 8 quintals an acre, twice the state’s assessed average yield, still stand to lose the most on the extra output sold below MSP.
    4. Broader demand: The demand for MSP as a guaranteed entitlement is no longer confined to Punjab and Haryana’s wheat and rice growers. It now extends to pulses and oilseed farmers in states like Madhya Pradesh.

    Why is expanded physical procurement not a sustainable solution?

    1. Fiscal capacity: No state government, including Madhya Pradesh, has the resources to procure and stock all the moong or soyabean farmers bring for MSP sale.
    2. Existing surplus problem: Even in wheat and rice, where government agencies already hold stocks beyond the requirements of the public distribution system and welfare schemes, continued procurement adds to storage costs without matching need.
    3. Best available alternative still costly: Paying only the price difference between MSP and the market rate, rather than physically procuring the crop, is a cheaper alternative but still not a long-term sustainable solution.

    What alternative does the case for reform point to?

    1. Minimum Income Support (MIP): A per-acre direct cash transfer, described as Minimum Income Support (MIP), would guarantee farmers income without requiring the state to procure or store any crop.
    2. Market-aligned incentive: Once assured of an MIP, farmers would have the freedom to grow crops the market actually wants, rather than crops guaranteed a price floor.
    3. Complementary measures: Crop insurance and greater public investment in agricultural research and rural infrastructure are identified as the support structures that should accompany an MIP.
    4. Policy stance: Agricultural policy should complement markets rather than displace or distort them, an approach both MSP-based procurement and open-ended input subsidies have failed to deliver.

    What are the challenges to a Minimum Income Support (MIP) approach

    1. Land record dependence: A per-acre transfer requires accurate, updated land records, which many tenant farmers and sharecroppers lack access to.
    2. Moral hazard risk: A flat per-acre payment could be gamed through short-term land leasing arrangements designed solely to capture the transfer.
    3. State fiscal capacity still tested: An MIP still requires sustained budgetary commitment from state or central governments. Its affordability has not been demonstrated at the scale MSP procurement currently operates.
    4. Loss of price floor: Removing procurement-based price support exposes farmers fully to market price volatility, without the safety net an assured MSP purchase currently provides.
    5. Political resistance: Farmer groups that have organised around MSP as an entitlement may resist a transition away from procurement guarantees they have fought to expand.

    Conclusion

    Madhya Pradesh’s expanded moong procurement buys short-term calm but adds to a fiscal burden no state can sustain at scale. The alternative on the table, a per-acre Minimum Income Support transfer paired with crop insurance and rural investment, would let farmers respond to market signals instead of price guarantees, though its own implementation challenges remain unresolved.

    Back2Basics

    1. Minimum Support Price (MSP): A price floor announced by the central government for select crops, based on recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
    2. Coverage: MSP currently covers 22 crops, but assured physical procurement at scale is concentrated overwhelmingly in wheat and rice through the Food Corporation of India (FCI) and state procurement agencies.
    3. Pulses and oilseeds: Procurement of pulses and oilseeds like moong at MSP has historically been far more limited than for cereals, leaving a wider gap between announced MSP and actual market realisation for these crops.

    Committee/Report

    1. Ashok Dalwai Committee (Doubling Farmers’ Income): Shift focus from price support to income enhancement through diversification, value addition and market reforms.
    2. Shanta Kumar Committee (2015): Recommended restricting MSP procurement and replacing it with Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) where feasible.

    Economic Survey

    1. Economic Survey 2016-17: Advocated replacing input subsidies with direct income transfers for better efficiency and lower market distortions.

    International Examples

    1. United States: Income support through Farm Bill programmes (Price Loss Coverage and crop insurance) rather than open-ended government procurement.
    2. European Union: Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) provides direct income payments largely decoupled from production, reducing production distortions.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2018] What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?

    Linkage: The PYQ tests the role of MSP in ensuring remunerative prices and improving farmers’ incomes. The article examines the limitations of MSP-based procurement and the case for Minimum Income Support (MIP) as an alternative.

  • Cauvery Water Regulation Committee directs Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs a day to Tamil Nadu

    Why in the news?

    The Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) has directed Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu amid drought conditions. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has urged the Prime Minister to review the Centre’s stand on the proposed Mekedatu Dam project, further intensifying the inter-state water dispute.

    Key Highlights

    • CWRC directive: Karnataka has been directed to release 3,500 cusecs per day for 15 days to Tamil Nadu.
    • Reason: The order was issued due to drought conditions and the need to ensure downstream water availability.
    • Parallel dispute: Tamil Nadu has sought a review of the Centre’s position on the Mekedatu Dam project proposed by Karnataka.
    • Possible appeal: Karnataka may challenge the CWRC’s direction before the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).

    About the Cauvery River

    • Originates at Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri Hills, Karnataka.
    • Flows through Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, with a small catchment in Kerala.
    • Empties into the Bay of Bengal.
    • Total length is about 805 km.
    • Left-bank: Harangi, Hemavathi, Shimsha, Arkavathi.
    • Right-bank: Kabini, Bhavani, Noyyal and Amaravathi.

    Cauvery Water Management Mechanism

    Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)

    • Constituted in 2018 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
    • Implements the Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment on Cauvery water sharing.
    • Supervises reservoir operations and ensures implementation of water-sharing arrangements.

    Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC)

    • Functions under the CWMA.
    • Monitors reservoir levels, rainfall and inflows.
    • Recommends monthly water releases among basin States.

    What is the Mekedatu Project?

    • Proposed by Karnataka on the Cauvery River near Mekedatu.
    • Intended to provide drinking water to Bengaluru and generate hydroelectric power.
    • Tamil Nadu opposes the project, arguing that it could affect downstream water availability and violate the Supreme Court’s allocation.

    Constitutional and Legal Provisions

    • Article 262: Empowers Parliament to legislate on inter-State river water disputes.
    • Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: Provides for adjudication of river water disputes through tribunals.
    • Supreme Court Judgment (2018): Modified the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and directed the establishment of the CWMA.

    “[2013, GS2, 10 marks] Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.”

    [2020] Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin?

    1.Nagarhole National Park
    2.Papikonda National Park
    3.Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
    4.Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    a) 1 and 2 only
    b) 3 and 4 only
    c) 1, 3 and 4 only
    d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • West Bengal strips panchayat pradhans of registration and cheque signing powers, reopening the devolution debate

    Why in the News

    West Bengal Government has stripped elected panchayat pradhans of birth and death registration powers and cheque signing authority, transferring them to bureaucrats. The state cites the need to curb corruption after the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, but the move raises questions about devolution of powers to elected local bodies.

    Why does shifting these powers to bureaucrats raise a devolution question?

    1. Constitutional mandate: The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 envisages panchayats as institutions of local self-government with functional autonomy, not merely implementing agencies for state bureaucrats.
    2. Elected versus appointed authority: Registration and cheque signing powers are everyday functions through which an elected pradhan exercises visible authority over local administration, and removing them shifts real power to an appointed official.
    3. Corruption justification: The stated reason, curbing corruption, does not explain why oversight rather than outright transfer of power was not chosen as the remedy.
    4. Precedent risk: A state government’s ability to strip elected local body powers by executive order, without a corresponding law reform process, sets a precedent other states could follow.

    Conclusion

    The central idea is that a corruption justification is being used to recentralise powers that the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 assigned to elected local government. Whether West Bengal reverses this transfer, or other states adopt the same approach, will determine if devolution in India remains a one way commitment or a reversible administrative choice.

    Back2Basics

    Devolution of powers under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992: Functional Devolution (The 3 Fs [Functions, Funds, and Functionaries] and Eleventh Schedule)

    1. 29 Subjects: Article 243-G empowers state legislatures to devolve responsibilities to Panchayats for economic development and social justice across 29 areas listed in the Eleventh Schedule (such as agriculture, drinking water, health and sanitation, and primary education).
    2. The “3 Fs” Challenge: Real devolution relies on transferring Functions (the tasks), Funds (the money), and Functionaries (the administrative staff).
    3. State Discretion: Because local government is a state subject, actual transfer of these powers depends entirely on individual state laws rather than automatic constitutional enforcement.

    Institutional and Financial Framework

    1. Three-Tier System: Established a uniform structure of Panchayats at the village (Gram Panchayat), intermediate (Block/Taluk Panchayat), and district (Zilla Panchayat) levels.
    2. Gram Sabha: Positioned as the foundational base comprising all registered voters in a village area to ensure direct local oversight and social audit.
    3. State Finance Commission (SFC): Mandated the creation of an SFC every five years to recommend tax assignments, tolls, fees, and grants-in-aid to improve local fiscal autonomy.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] ‘The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.’ Comment.”

    Linkage: The PYQ tests the extent of functional and financial devolution to local bodies. The article highlights the rollback of Panchayat powers, reflecting weak implementation of the 73rd Amendment.

  • Madhya Pradesh farmers march to Bhopal demanding 100% moong procurement at MSP

    Why in News?

    Around 2,000 Madhya Pradesh farmers under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha marched to Bhopal demanding 100% moong procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP), against the current 25% cap under the central Price Support Scheme, along with fixes to fertiliser distribution.

    Key Highlights

    1. Scale: Around 2,000 farmers marched to Bhopal.
    2. Organiser: March organised under the Samyukt Kisan Morcha banner.
    3. Demand: 100% moong procurement at MSP, against the current 25% cap.
    4. Scheme cited: Current cap operates under the central Price Support Scheme.
    5. Additional demand: Fixes to fertiliser distribution.

    What is the Price Support Scheme (PSS)?

    1. A component of the PM-AASHA (Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan).
    2. Implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
    3. Provides physical procurement of notified pulses, oilseeds and copra at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) when market prices fall below MSP.
    4. Procurement is undertaken by Central Nodal Agencies in coordination with State governments.

    What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?

    1. MSP is the minimum price at which the government purchases crops from farmers to protect them from sharp price declines.
    2. Recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) and announced by the Central Government.
    3. MSP is currently announced for 23 crops.

    “[2018, GS3, 10 marks] What do you mean by Minimum Support Price (MSP)? How will MSP rescue the farmers from the low-income trap?”

    [2020] Consider the following statements:

    1.In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India.
    2.In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    a) 1 only
    b) 2 only
    c) Both 1 and 2
    d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • The story behind Himachal Pradesh’s traditional Raulane Festival

    Why In The News?

    Bright, colourful, and captivating photos of the Raulane festival from Himachal Pradesh have recently gone viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion about the festival’s unique rituals and the rich cultural heritage of this centuries-old tradition.

    About Raulane Festival:

    • Location & Timing: The Raulane festival is celebrated in Kalpa, located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh, during winter or early spring.
    • Ancient Origins: The festival is believed to be around 5,000 years old, making it one of the region’s oldest surviving traditions.
    • Celestial Beings (Saunis): This ancient festival honours celestial fairies called Saunis, described as radiant and gentle beings.
    • Belief & Protection: Locals believe that the Saunis protect villagers during harsh winters by offering warmth, guidance, and spiritual support.
    • Symbolic Marriage Ritual: During the festival, two men symbolically “marry” and act as vessels for the Saunis, representing the divine couple – the Raula (groom) and the Raulane (bride).
    • Traditional Attire: The chosen men are dressed in heavy woollen robes, adorned with ornaments and distinctive face masks.
    • Ritual Dance: They perform a slow, meditative dance at the Nagin Narayan Temple, where the entire community participates and celebrates.
    • Cultural Significance: The Raulane festival helps preserve ancient Himalayan culture and traditions, bringing villagers together to honour their divine protectors.
    [UPSC 2018] Consider the following pairs:

    Tradition State
    1. Chapchar Kut festival — Mizoram
    2. Khongjom Parba ballad — Manipur
    3. Thong-To dance — Sikkim

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

    Options:

    (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2* (c) 3 only (d) 2 and 3

     

  • Renaming of Madras State as Tamil Nadu

    Tamil Nadu Governor’s remarks suggesting changing the name of the state to ‘Tamizhagam’ has triggered a controversy.

    What is the news?

    • Several political parties, including the TN CM, condemned the speech and recalled the struggle to rename the Madras State to Tamil Nadu.
    • It was on January 14, 1969, that the Madras State was officially renamed Tamil Nadu, under the then Chief Minister CN Annadurai.

    A short history of Tamil Nadu

    • Social activist E V Ramasamy, fondly known as ‘Periyar’ (1879-1973), had started the Self-Respect Movement in 1925 to “redeem the identity and self-respect” of Tamils.
    • He envisaged an independent Dravida homeland of Dravida Nadu (In Tamil, Nadu means country), comprising Tamil, and Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada speakers.
    • He launched a political party called the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK).
    • Periyar also opposed the imposition of Hindi and emphasized the need for a cultural identity of the Tamil nation.

    How Madras State became Tamil Nadu?

    • Formerly called Madras Province, it had been renamed Madras State on January 26, 1950.
    • The name Madras State did not become Tamil Nadu overnight.
    • Congress party worker ‘Thiyagi’ Sankaralingam was behind the first demand to change the name, in the 1950s, and made repeated representations.
    • In 1953, several Tamil scholars including Ma. Po. Sivagnanam raised the demand in the Madras Legislative Council.
    • In 1956, Congress leader K P Sankaralinganar began an indefinite fast. One of his demands was the renaming of the state to Tamil Nadu.
    • It is noted that Sankaralinganar fasted for 76 days, which resulted in his death on October 13, 1956. Sankaralinganar’s death further spurred on the fight for renaming the state.

    Reception in Parliament

    • Around the same time, Member of Parliament and Communist leader from West Bengal, Bhupesh Gupta, moved a Bill in Parliament for renaming Madras State as Tamil Nadu.
    • At that time, CN Annadurai, who was a Rajya Sabha member, supported the move.
    • Speaking in favour of the Bill, Annadurai argued that a capital city (Madras) cannot become the name of a state and he also cited that the name Tamil Nadu had been used in ancient literature.

    When it finally happened?

    • Cut to six years later, on July 18, 1967, CM Annadurai prepared a resolution in the State Assembly.
    • During the debate, Opposition Leader P G Karuthiraman said, “Madras is a name in world history; Tamil Nadu will take time to reach the same heights”.
    • So, he suggested that the name ought to be ‘Tamil Nadu-Madras State’.
    • But, after consensus, Tamil Nadu was accepted as the name and a resolution passed unanimously.

     

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  • All Sikkimese women must be allowed to get IT relief: SC

    The Supreme Court in a judgment, held that exclusion of Sikkimese women who marry non-Sikkimese men after April 1, 2008 from exemptions under the Income Tax Act is unconstitutional and amounts to gender discrimination.

    What is the news?

    • The top court’s verdict came on appeal filed by the Association of Old Settlers of Sikkim and others seeking striking down of Section 10(26AAA) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
    • More particularly, the definition of “Sikkimese” in Section 10 (26AAA) to the extent it excludes Indians who have settled in Sikkim prior to the merger of Sikkim with India on April 26, 1975.

    The story of Sikkim

    • Sikkim witnessed 333 years monarchical rule of Namgyal dynasty under whose reign there many invasions, foreign interference, accession and annexation.
    • On 28th March, 1861 Sikkim became a formal protectorate of the British Government and on 16th May, 1975 it became the 22nd state of the Indian Union.
    • In erstwhile Himalayan Kingdom of Sikkim, no legal rights were conferred to Sikkimese women.
    • However, after Sikkim’s merger with India such Regulations relating to Sikkim citizenship have become futile and non-operational.

    How women rights in Sikkim are different from that of mainstream India?

    The status of rights conferred to Sikkimese women is different from that of women in India. Certain conditionality were imposed upon their property or inheritance right such as the following:

    1. Immovable property inherited, gifted or purchased by women married to non-locals cannot be transferred and registered in their names.
    2. Immovable property of a Sikkimese woman cannot be transferred or registered to her legal heirs if her husband is non-Sikkimese.
    3. Mandatory requirement for Sikkimese women to submit an “unmarried certificate in all government procedures”.
    4. Identity of women is to be based on the identity of not one, but two men. A Sikkimese woman will be considered Sikkimese only if both, her father and husband are also Sikkimese

    Issues with such regulations

    • Unconstitutional: The discrimination is based on gender, which is wholly violative of Articles 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution.
    • Gendered bias: It is to be noted that there is no disqualification for a Sikkim man, who marries a non-Sikkimese after April 1, 2008.
    • Associating identity to marriage: A woman is not a chattel and has an identity of her own, and the mere factum of being married ought not to take away that identity,” Justice Shah wrote.
    • No legal basis: Sikkim has become a part of India and all Sikkim Subjects and all Sikkimese domiciled in the territory of Sikkim have become Indian citizens.

    Note: Article 14 relates to equality before law, while Article 15 forbids discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and Article 21 provides for right to life and personal liberty.

    Way ahead

    • Legal reforms: The centre shall make an amendment to Explanation to Section 10 (26AAA) of IT Act, 1961, so as to suitably include a clause to extend the exemption from payment of income tax to all Indian citizens domiciled in Sikkim on or before April 26, 1975.
    • Ensure parity: The reason for such a direction is to save the explanation from unconstitutionality and to ensure parity in the facts and circumstances of the case.

     

     

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  • What are Foreigners’ Tribunals?

    The Guwahati High Court has asked the Centre and the Assam government to collectively decide whether or not the ministerial staff for 200 additional Foreigners’ Tribunals (FT) would be appointed.

    Do you know?

    The Guwahati High Court has largest jurisdiction in terms of states, with its area covering the states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram.

    What is Foreigners Tribunal?

    • The foreigners tribunals are quasi-judicial bodies, unique to Assam, to determine if a person staying illegally is a “foreigner” or not.
    • With Assam’s NRC as the backdrop, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has laid out specific guidelines to detect, detain and deport foreign nationals staying illegally across the country.
    • The MHA has amended the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, and has empowered district magistrates in all States and UTs to set up tribunals to decide whether a person staying illegally in India is a foreigner or not.
    • Earlier, such powers to constitute tribunals vested with the Centre only.

    Why need such tribunals?

    • In other parts, once a ‘foreigner’ has been apprehended by the police for staying illegally, he or she is produced before the local court under the Passport Act, 1920, or the Foreigners Act, 1946.
    • The punishment ranges from imprisonment of three months to eight years.
    • Once the accused have completed the sentence, the court orders their deportation, and they are moved to detention centres till the country of origin accepts them.

    What was the last amendment?

    • The 1964 order on Constitution of Tribunals said: “The Central Government may by order, refer the question as to whether a person is not a foreigner within meaning of the Foreigners Act, 1946 to a Tribunal to be constituted for the purpose.
    • The amended order issued says – “for words Central Government may,’ the words ‘the Central Government or the State Government or the UT administration or the District Collector or the District Magistrate may’ shall be substituted.”

    Impact of the Amendment

    • The amended Foreigners (Tribunal) Order, 2019 also empowers individuals to approach the Tribunals.
    • Earlier only the State administration could move the Tribunal against a suspect, but with the final NRC about to be published and to give adequate opportunity to those not included, this has been done.
    • If a person doesn’t find his or her name in the final list, they could move the Tribunal.
    • The amended order also allows District Magistrates to refer individuals who haven’t filed claims against their exclusion from NRC to the Tribunals to decide if they are foreigners or not.
    • Opportunity will also be given to those who haven’t filed claims by referring their cases to the Tribunals.
    • Fresh summons will be issued to them to prove their citizenship.

     

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  • How Sikkim became a part of India?

    It was on May 16, 1975 that Sikkim became 22nd state of the Union of India.

    Why in news?

    • While in many modern narratives, the tale of the former kingdom under the Namgyal dynasty acquiring Indian statehood begins in decades close to the 1970s.
    • The real story, according to experts, can only be understood by tracing the events back to 1640s when Namgyal rule was first established.

    Sikkim’s accession into India: A complete timeline

    (1) Attacks during Namgyal Rule

    • Beginning with Phuntsog Namgyal, the first chogyal (monarch), the Namgyal dynasty ruled Sikkim until 1975.
    • At one point, the kingdom of Sikkim included the Chumbi valley (part of China now) and Darjeeling.
    • In the early 1700s, the region saw a series of conflicts between Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, which resulted in a shrinking of Sikkim’s territorial boundaries.

    (2) Under East India Company

    • When the British arrived, their expansion plans in the Indian subcontinent included controlling the Himalayan states.
    • The kingdom of Nepal, meanwhile, continued with its attempts to expand its territory.
    • This resulted in the Anglo-Nepalese war (November, 1814 to March, 1816), also known as the Gorkha war, which was fought between the Gorkhali army and the East India Company.
    • Both sides had ambitious expansion plans for the strategically important mountainous north of the Indian subcontinent.
    • In 1814, Sikkim allied with the East India Company in the latter’s campaign against Nepal.
    • The Company won and restored to Sikkim some of the territories that Nepal had wrested from it in 1780.

    (3) Administrative control of British

    • A turning point in the history of Sikkim involves with the appointment of John Claude White as Political Officer of Sikkim.
    • Sikkim by then was a British Protectorate under the Treaty of Tumlong signed in March, 1861.
    • As with most of the Indian subcontinent that the British had under their administrative control, the kingdom of Sikkim, although a protectorate, had little choice in the administration of its own kingdom.
    • The Namgyal monarch could not criticise decisions made by the British, but the ruler did complain about this influx of Nepali migrants into the kingdom.

    (4) Scenario after 1947

    • Three years after India’s Independence in 1947, Sikkim became a protectorate of India.
    • In 1950, a treaty was signed between the then Sikkim monarch Tashi Namgyal and India’s then Political Officer in Sikkim, Harishwar Dayal.
    • A clause in the treaty read: “Sikkim shall continue to be a Protectorate of India and, subject to the provisions of this Treaty, shall enjoy autonomy in regard to its internal affairs.”

    (5) Chinese invasion of Tibet

    • China’s invasion of Tibet in 1949 and Nepal’s attacks on Sikkim throughout the kingdom’s history were cited as reasons why the kingdom needed the support and protection of a powerful ally.
    • Further, the talk of persecution of Tibetans after China’s arrival at the scene generated fear of the possibility of Sikkim suffering a similar fate.

    (6) Dalai Lama’s Arrival

    • In March 1959, the 14th Dalai Lama escaped from Tibet.
    • After the Dalai Lama reached Indian borders, he and his entourage settled at the Tawang monastery in Arunachal Pradesh.
    • A month later, he travelled to Mussoorie, where he met then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to discuss the future of the Tibetan refugees who had travelled with him.
    • The repercussions of India’s decision to welcome and give refuge to the Dalai Lama sent a message to some in Sikkim that unlike China, aligning with India would guarantee their protection and security.
    • This was the perspective of the ruling elite in Sikkim.

    (7) Public discontent against monarchy

    • The period between the 1950s and the 1970s marked growing discontent in Sikkim.
    • Primarily, there was anger against the monarchy because of growing inequality and feudal control.
    • Anti-monarchy protests grew in 1973, following which the royal palace was surrounded by thousands of protesters.
    • Indian troops arrived after the monarch was left with no choice but to ask New Delhi to send assistance.
    • Finally, a tripartite agreement was signed in the same year between the chogyal, the Indian government, and three major political parties, so that major political reforms could be introduced.

    (8) Attempts for constitutional development

    • A year later, in 1974, elections were held, where the Sikkim State Congress led by Kazi Lhendup Dorji won, defeating pro-independence parties.
    • That year, a new constitution was adopted, which restricted the role of the monarch to a titular post, which Palden Thondup Namgyal bitterly resented.
    • In the same year, India upgraded Sikkim’s status from protectorate to “associated state”, allotting to it one seat each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
    • Opposed to the move, the monarch attempted to bring international attention to it soon after.

    (9) Finally accession into India

    • A referendum was held in 1975 where an overwhelming majority voted in favour of abolishing the monarchy and joining India.
    • A total 59,637 voted in favour of abolishing the monarchy and joining India, with only 1,496 voting against.
    • Sikkim’s new parliament, led by Kazi Lhendup Dorjee, proposed a bill for Sikkim to become an Indian state, which was accepted by the Indian government.

     

    Also try this PYQ:

    Q.The latitudes that pass through Sikkim also pass through:

    (a) Rajasthan

    (b) Punjab

    (c) Himachal Pradesh

    (d) Jammu & Kashmir

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”pbi6jukf5c” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Paray Shikshalaya Initiative

    The West Bengal government has launched ‘Paray Shikshalaya’ Initiative.

    Paray Shikshalaya

    • It is an open-air classroom in the neighborhood programme – for students from class 1 to 7.
    • The aim of this initiative is to encourage students who dropped out of schools during the Covid-19 pandemic to continue their education.

    Why was this initiative launched?

    • In view of the rising demand for physical classes, the state government reopened schools.
    • Classroom teaching could not be called on due to fear of spikes in covid cases.
    • Hence, students are being called in batches.

    Where were these classes held?

    • Schools which do not have open-air spaces conducted the classes in neighbourhood parks and grounds.
    • Local councilors and MLAs helped set up infrastructure in such parks like putting up makeshift shades and chairs, besides making mid-day meal arrangements for the students.
    • Schools which have open-air spaces held the classes there.
    • Benches were set up for students and blackboards were placed to provide a real classroom experience.

     

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