The Prayas ePathshala

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04 January 2023

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

 No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains
1.     Border Road Organisation Prelims & Mains
2.     Fertiliser Subsidy Prelims & Mains
3.     Agnipath Scheme Prelims & Mains
4.     Sixth Schedule of Constitution Prelims & Mains

 1 – Border Road Organisation: GS III – Topic Internal Security

 Context:

  • Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, said on January 3 in Arunachal Pradesh that although though India has historically opposed war, “If it is imposed upon us, we would fight.” He was there to dedicate 28 infrastructure projects constructed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO). A total of 724 crore was spent on the construction of 22 bridges, three motorways, and three more projects in various States.

About BRO:

  • The BRO, which has been working under the Ministry of Defence’s command since 2015, constructs roads to connect difficult and inconvenient sites in the nation’s border regions.
  • The staff of this facility is made up of officers and soldiers from the Corps of Engineers, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Army Service Corps, Military Police, and army personnel on additional regimental employment.
  • The parent cadre of the Border Roads Organization consists of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and personnel of the Engineering Service.
  • Currently, the organisation runs operations in 21 states, 1 UT (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and neighbouring countries like Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
  • The BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometres of roads and about 12,200 metres of permanent bridges countrywide.

Significance of BRO:

  • The development of border regions and the preservation of security have both benefited greatly from the work of the Border Roads Organization. The relentless work of the BRO has played a significant role in the development of India’s North Eastern states. Even the most remote areas of the country have experienced socioeconomic development as a result of the BRO’s work on the infrastructure.
  • The BRO has worked in several other countries in addition to India, considerably contributing in the upkeep of cordial and diplomatic relations in other countries. The Delaram-Zaranj Highway in Afghanistan was started and successfully completed in 2008 by the highly qualified BRO guys. The Farkhor and Ayni air bases in Tajikistan were also updated and rebuilt by the BRO.
  • The BRO closely coordinates its operations with those of the Indian Army when a natural disaster occurs. The brave soldiers of the BRO were responsible for overseeing a large portion of the cleanup efforts after the tsunami that devastated Tamil Nadu in 2004, the flash floods in Ladakh in 2010, and even the floods that ravaged Jammu and Kashmir in 2014.

Reforms are necessary:

  • Despite reform efforts, the BRO is still a divided organisation with friction between BRO cadre officers and army commanders on deputation. The BRO cadre is opposed to the army being given many of the top leadership and managerial positions.

Source The  Hindu

2 – Fertiliser Subsidy: GS III – Topic Indian Agriculture

 Context:

  • India wants to slash spending on food and fertiliser subsidies to 3.7 trillion ($44.6 billion) in the fiscal year beginning in April, a 26% decrease from this year, in order to alleviate a budget deficit that ballooned during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Subsidies for food and fertiliser make up around one-eighth of India’s fiscal year 2019 budget, or 39.45 trillion rupees. However, reducing these subsidies could spark political upheaval in light of upcoming elections.
  • A fertiliser is a man-made or natural substance that comprises chemical elements like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) and encourages the growth and productivity of plants.
  • Urine, DAP, and muriate of potash are the three types of basic fertilisers used in India (MOP).
  • Details on fertiliser subsidies
  • The government gives fertiliser producers a subsidy so that farmers can buy fertilisers at a reduced cost from market prices.
  • The difference between the cost of manufacturing or import of a fertiliser and the actual amount paid by farmers is the subsidy element, which is borne by the government.
  • In India, urea is the fertiliser that is most frequently produced, imported, used, and physically regulated. Only agricultural-related subsidies are given to it.
  • The Center for Urea provides subsidies to fertiliser producers depending on the cost of production at each plant, and they are required to sell the fertiliser at the Maximum Retail Price determined by the government (MRP).
  • The MRP for urea is currently set at Rs 5,628 per tonne.
  • Subsidy for non-urea fertilisers: The companies decontrol or fix the MRPs of fertilisers without urea.
  • However, the government has lately implemented a control system for these fertilisers, especially in light of the increase in global costs that followed the Russia-Ukraine war.
  • All non-urea-based fertilisers are governed by the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme.
  • Examples of fertilisers without urea are DAP and MOP.
  • Businesses never sell DAP for more than Rs 27,000 per tonne.

Source The  Hindu

3 – Agnipath Scheme: GS II – Topic Government Schemes and Interventions

 Context:

  • With its young, high-tech, and ultra-modern mindset, Agnipath, according to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is a game-changing initiative for the Armed Forces that will act as a force multiplier in making the Indian military one of the best in the world.
  • The Defence Ministry, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and the three Services (Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force) signed and exchanged Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)/Agreements with various stakeholders at an event to facilitate the continued education of aggies while they are serving in the armed forces and the awarding of suitable skill certificates in accordance with their knowledge and experience.
  • Young individuals who are motivated and patriotic can join the military and serve for four years.
  • According to this idea, the young soldier joining will be referred to as Agniveer. Young people will be allowed to enlist in the military for a brief period of time.
  • Most of the 45,000 to 50,000 new recruits who will be made under the new plan will leave the military in just four years.
  • After four years, only 25% of the cohort will be rehired into their respective services, for a total of 15 years.

Qualifying criteria:

  • The only eligible personnel are those with lower officer positions (those who do not join the forces as commissioned officers).
  • In the army, commission officers hold the highest positions.
  • Only commissioned officers hold such rank in the Indian armed forces. They frequently participate in commissions run by the president and are required by law to protect the country.
  • Candidates must fall within the age range of 17.5 and 23.
  • Goals: By providing the “Josh” and “Jazba,” it seeks to give devoted and patriotic young people the opportunity to join the military.
  • As a result, it is anticipated that the average age of the Indian Armed Forces will drop by 4 to 5 years.
  • The plan projects that within six to seven years, the average age of the armed forces, which is currently 32 years old, will fall to 26 years old.
  • Benefits for Agnives
  • After completing their four years of service, the Agniveers would be given a one-time “Seva Nidhi” payment totaling Rs 11.71 lakhs, which will also include any interest that has accrued.
  • They would also receive a four-year, Rs 48 lakh life insurance policy.
  • The amount of the refund, which includes salary for any unused time, will surpass Rs 1 crore in the event of death.
  • After serving for four years, soldiers who leave the military will be given government support for rehabilitation. They will be given skill certificates and bridge courses.

What are the Related Problems?

  • The “Agnipath” system permits the recruitment of about 45,000 individuals into the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the first year with a four-year short-term contract. After the contract expires, 25% of them will remain in the military, while the other 75% will be discharged.
  • We won’t be able to pursue additional careers after our four years of duty, and we’ll lag behind our peers.
  • Having no pension benefit At the end of their four-year tenure, employees hired under the “Agnipath” scheme will receive a one-time lump sum payout of slightly more than Rs 11 lakh.
  • However, they do not get any pension benefits. Most people discover that in order to sustain themselves and their families, they must take on a second job.
  • The loss of veterans by the army may prevent training from being put to use.
  • The jawans joining the Army, Navy, and Air Force will receive technical training so they can support ongoing operations. But these people will go after four years, which can leave a void.

Source The  Hindu

4 – Sixth Schedule of Constitution: GS II – Topic Indian Constitution

 Context:

  • At least two members of the committee told The Hindu that the notification is ambiguous and does not address their demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which they say would “ensure protection of land and employment” for the people of Ladakh, a day after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established a powerful committee to “ensure protection of land and employment.”
  • The statement, according to one of the members who did not want to be named, did not live up to expectations and makes no mention of the Union Territory’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, which includes constitutional protections for tribal communities.

 About:

  • The Indian Constitution’s Sixth Schedule established Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, four northeastern states. These ADCs aim to safeguard and maintain tribal culture.
  • The idea that a tribe’s or an indigenous group’s identity is based on its link to the land served as the foundation for the development of ADCs. By maintaining their sovereignty over land and natural resources, which heavily influence the indigenous people’s way of life and culture, indigenous people’s culture and identity can be preserved.
  • However, as a result of this system, there is now more friction between various groups, such as tribal and non-tribal. Additionally, it impairs the state’s and the region’s ability to maintain social peace, stability, and economic growth.

 Special Status of Areas on the Sixth Schedule:

  • The initial intent of the Sixth Schedule was for the largely tribal (tribal population exceeding 90%) portions of undivided Assam, which were designated as “excluded territories” under the 1935 Government of India Act and were directly governed by the Governor.
  • To protect the rights of the tribal community in these states, the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution calls for the management of tribal lands in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
  • In accordance with Article 244(2) and Article 275(1) of the Constitution, this unique provision is offered.
  • The Sixth Schedule establishes autonomous district councils to oversee the administration of these territories (ADCs).
  • These councils have the authority to enact laws governing the subjects that fall under their purview, including land, forests, agriculture, inheritance, native customs and traditions of tribal peoples, etc. They also have the authority to levy land taxes and a few other types of taxation.
  • ADCs are akin to mini-states with distinct legislative, executive, and judicial roles as well as legislative, executive, and judicial powers and responsibilities.

Concerns with the sixth schedule:

  • Undermining of constitutional principles: The Sixth Schedule violates non-tribal residents’ fundamental rights, including the right to equality before the law (Article 14), the right against discrimination (Article 15), and the right to settle anywhere in India, by discriminating against them in a variety of ways (Article 19).
  • As a result, there have been numerous rioting incidents involving tribal and non-tribal people. As a result, many non-tribal people have left the northeastern states.
  • The fundamental rights to life and personal liberty guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution are still being mocked by many non-tribal people who continue to live in the shadow of violence.
  • Multiple Power Centers: Rather than implementing a true process of autonomy in the region, it has developed multiple power centres.
  • The District Councils and the State Legislatures frequently engage in conflict of interest litigation.
  • For instance, Meghalaya is still entirely subject to the sixth schedule despite the state’s establishment, which frequently leads to disputes with the local government.
  • Contravention of Act-East Policy The sixth schedule’s limitations obstruct the achievement of the Act East Policy, which depends on continuous communication and interchange among the Northeastern states.
  • Similar to this, Inner Line Permit (ILP) discourages tourists and investors, which impedes regional economic growth.

 Steps to Take:

  • While it is true that marginalised groups need special constitutional protections to ensure that historical injustices done to them are rectified and never perpetuated, this has denied justice to non-tribals who have lived in ADCs for generations but still found themselves on the margins.
  • In order to deal with this delicate subject, the government and other agencies must gain the trust of both tribal and non-tribal residents of the area and foster a sense of security and belonging among them.

Source The  Hindu

 

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