[Mission 2024] INSIGHTS DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS + PIB SUMMARY 13 December 2023

GS Paper 2

 Syllabus: Constitution/ Federal features

Source: TH

 Context: The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, unanimously (5-0) upheld the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A in Jammu and Kashmir.

Background of the issue: 

Jammu and Kashmir was governed by Article 370, which exempted the state from certain provisions of the Indian Constitution. Introduced in 1949, it allowed Jammu and Kashmir to draft its own constitution and limited the legislative powers of the Indian Parliament in the state. Article 35A, stemming from Article 370, granted the Jammu & Kashmir legislature the power to define the state’s permanent residents and their special rights. This unique provision differed from the constitutional guarantees in place for other states in India.

The President had the authority to amend Article 370 through executive action. The special status was altered on August 5, 2019, through a Presidential Order, modifying Article 370 and reshaping the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the Indian Union.

Key Changes Brought Out by the Order of 2019 (Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019):

• Reorganization into Union Territories: The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 divided the state into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Jammu & Kashmir will have an Assembly, while Ladakh will be a UT without a legislature.
• Political Representation: The UT of Jammu and Kashmir will have legislative powers except on subjects related to “public order” and “police.”
• Changes in Governance: Jammu and Kashmir will have a Lieutenant Governor instead of a Governor.
• Citizenship: Citizens of Jammu and Kashmir will no longer have dual citizenship. Article 35A, originating from Article 370, stands null and void
• Fundamental Rights: The Fundamental Rights of the Indian Constitution will apply to the citizens of the new Union Territory.
• All Indian laws apply: All laws passed by Parliament, including the Right to Information Act and the Right to Education Act, financial emergency (Article 360), IPC will be applicable.
• Abolishment of Special Status: Jammu & Kashmir no longer has a separate constitution, flag, or anthem.

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What did the recent SC judgment say?

Impact of the SC judgment:

• Greater integration: The SC clarified that the region did not possess sovereignty. This will reduce the impetus to secessionism in J&K
• Political empowerment: Voting rights given to West Pakistan Refugees
• Inclusion: Reservation of seats for Kashmiri pandits and displaced people from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• Economic impetus: People as well as investors outside J&K can now purchase land in Union Territory etc
• Reconciliation: SC’s recommendation of the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address human rights violations, will help the residents find out about their missing/killed loved ones.

Signs of Peace in J&K Post Article 370 Abrogation:

To know more about the Impact of Article 370 abrogation (with data): Click Here

Negative changes in the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir: Click here

Conclusion:

As a guiding principle for reconciliation, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of Kashmiriyat, Insaniyat, and Jamhooriyat, reflecting the inclusive culture, humanitarian values, and democratic principles, should serve as a cornerstone for fostering unity and stability in the region. Simultaneously, the ongoing plan to achieve ‘zero-terror incidents’ by 2026, initiated in 2020, needs sustained effort for success.

Insta Links

• Constitutional Challenge to the 2019 Abrogation of Article 370
• Impact of Article 370 abrogation

Mains Links

The banning of ‘Jamaat-e-islaami’ in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize the influence of OGWs. (UPSC 2019)

To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “Temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss The future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity. (UPSC 2016)

Prelims Links:

Content for Mains Enrichment

Source: TOI

Context: In December 1983, India established its first permanent base in Antarctica, Dakshin Gangotri, during the Project Gangotri mission.

Led by Harsh Gupta, the expedition faced challenges, including a helicopter accident. Despite setbacks, the team, comprising defence personnel and scientists, achieved the goal of setting up the permanent base within 60 days. The base, equipped with laboratories, living quarters, and recreational facilities, marked India’s year-round presence in Antarctica. The mission showcased India’s commitment to scientific exploration and the challenges overcome to establish a permanent foothold in the icy continent.

Usage: The story reflects values of determination, resilience, and commitment to scientific exploration.

Other initiatives

• Dakshin Gangotri (abandoned in 1990)
• Maitri (operational since 1988)
• Bharati (operational since 2012)
• National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa-an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (it manages India’s Antarctic program)
• India is a party to the Antarctic Treaty, which seeks it shall be used for peaceful purposes only.
• Indian Antarctic Act, 2022, provides measures for protecting the Antarctic environment and associated ecosystems etc.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: NITI Aayog released the first Delta Ranking of the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), with Tiriyani Block in Telangana securing the top position and Kaushambi Block in Uttar Pradesh ranked second.

What is the Aspirational Block Programme (ABP)?

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Moneycontrol

 Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is in the process of setting up a cloud facility for the financial sector in India, aiming to bolster the security, integrity, and privacy of financial sector data.

• The facility will be similar to an Aadhaar or NPCI-like setup for domestic financial data and reporting
• Initially operated by the RBI’s subsidiary, Indian Financial Technology & Allied Services (IFTAS), the cloud facility will later transition to a separate entity owned by financial sector participants.

Other measures taken by RBI:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has introduced the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme to encourage sustainable forest management and agroforestry practices in India.

What is sustainable forest management and agroforestry?

Sustainable Forest management involves the responsible and balanced use of forest resources to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Agroforestry is a land-use system that integrates trees or shrubs with crops or livestock on the same piece of land. It combines agricultural and forestry practices to achieve environmental, economic, and social benefits.

What is the Scheme about?

This national certification scheme comprises three types of certifications:

1. Forest management certification
2. Tree Outside Forest Management Certification
3. Chain of custody certification (to trace forest products)

Aim: It aims to provide market incentives for entities, including state forest departments, farmers, and wood-based industries, adhering to responsible forest and agroforestry practices.

The Forest Management certification is based on the Indian Forest Management Standard, and a new Trees Outside Forests Standard has been introduced.

Applicability: IFWCS is applicable across the country, both in forest areas and TOF plantations on government, private, agroforestry and other lands. Certification is applicable for both timber and non-timber forest produce.

Nodal Agency: The scheme will be overseen by the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council (advisory), involving various stakeholders, and managed by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (overall management of the scheme)

Working: Independent audits will be conducted by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India to assess compliance with the scheme’s standards. Complying agencies will be given a third-party certification of compliance. Complying individuals/agencies can then avail of available incentives based on their certification.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: CMS

 Context: The “Climate Change & Migratory Species: A Review of Impacts, Conservation Actions, indicators and Ecosystem Services” report has been released by the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)

The key message of the report:

Migratory species play a crucial role in ecosystems, offering essential services that mitigate climate change impacts and enhance resilience to climatic hazards. Examples include whales aiding nutrient transfer and storing carbon, and antelopes reducing wildfire risks through grazing. Climate change poses severe threats to migratory species, impacting their habitats, migration patterns, and reproductive success

Key recommendations: 

• Global Conservation:
  • Reduce Land Change: Minimize land change for biodiversity and CO2.
  • Protective Networks: Create linked protected areas for migratory species.
  • Advocate for Benefits: Promote climate advantages of species conservation.
• CMS Specific Actions:
  • Evaluate Ecosystem Functions: Assess and share species’ ecosystem roles.
  • Adaptation Proposals: Suggest measures for species adaptation.
  • Indicators Development: Create climate impact indicators.
• Research and Monitoring:
  • Identify Vulnerable Species: Recognize negatively impacted species.
  • Prioritize Route Changes: Highlight species changing migration routes.
  • Ecosystem Service Research: Study species’ services in climate change.
  • Human Adaptation Impact: Investigate human adaptation effects on species.

About CMS: 

The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (enforced since 1983; HQ: Bonn (Germany), also known as the Bonn Convention, is an environmental treaty of the United Nations (UNEP provides support) that provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory animals and their habitats. It has 133 members including India. It consists of two appendices: Appendix I (migratory species that are in danger of extinction) and Appendix II (Migratory species that will benefit from conservation)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: PIB

 Context: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) – Madras has developed the ‘AMRIT’ technology for removing arsenic and metal ions from water

What is AMRIT Technology?

It has been developed by IIT-Madras, and focuses on removing arsenic and metal ions from water to address water quality issues. Using nano-scale iron oxy-hydroxide, it selectively eliminates arsenic when water passes through it. This technology is suitable for both domestic and community-level water purification, aligning with the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission.

• The ‘Standing Committee’ of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has recommended AMRIT for consideration in addressing water and sanitation challenges.

What is Arsenic?

Arsenic is a chemical element (symbol: As) that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust. Arsenic can be found in various forms, including inorganic and organic compounds. Inorganic arsenic is often considered toxic and can pose serious health risks to humans when present in drinking water, leading to issues like arsenic poisoning.

What is Jal Jivan Mission?

The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide safe and sufficient drinking water through individual household tap connections to all rural households in India by 2024. It targets supplying 55 litres of water per person per day through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. The mission also covers urban areas, ensuring universal water supply through functional taps in all statutory towns.

Progress shows an increase from about 17% to approximately 71% of rural households with tap water connections by December 2023. Additionally, all 378 arsenic-affected habitations awaiting tap water supply have received safe drinking water through Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs).

Mapping

Source: DTE

 Context: Union Earth Sciences Minister reported an increased number of earthquakes in 2023, attributing it to the activation of the Almora Fault in Western Nepal.

However, experts dispute this claim, asserting that tectonic collisions, not the Almora Fault, cause earthquakes in the Himalayan region.

What is the Almora Fault?

It is a geological fault located in Western Nepal and extends to the Uttarakhand region in India. It lies on the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) in the Himalayan fault zone. There are two thrusts in Kumaon, Uttarakhand: One is the South Almora Thrust and the other is the North Almora Thrust.

MBT (Main Boundary Thrust): It is a significant fault in the Himalayas, marking the boundary between the Lesser Himalayas and the Sub-Himalayas.