Rajya Sabha passes Bills seeking to modify SC/ST list in Odisha and Andhra
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Polity
Topic: Bills& Amendments.
Issue: Inclusion of tribes to the list
Context: The Rajya Sabha passed two Bills modifying the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes lists in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
The key aspects of the bill:
- The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, adds three ethnic groups to the ST list in Andhra Pradesh, while the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, adds four groups in Odisha.
- highlighted the government’s efforts to reach PVTGs in far-flung areas through schemes like Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.
- Consideration is being given to adding more communities to the list based on suggestions from members.
| Scheme in the News:
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) : · It focuses on 11 key interventions across 9 Ministries, including Tribal Affairs. · It aims to provide essential services like permanent housing, road connectivity, piped water supply, mobile medical units, and skill development centers. · Additionally, Ministries like Ayush and Skill Development will set up wellness centers and offer skill training in PVTG habitations. |
Source: Indian Express
Rajya Sabha passes Bill to amend Water Act, decriminalise minor pollution-linked crimes
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Polity
Topic: Bills & Amendments.
Context: The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 aims to amend the Act enacted under Article 252 of the Constitution.
Key highlights:
- It empowers the Central Government to exempt certain industrial plants from restrictions on new outlets and discharges.
- It allows for the nomination of State Pollution Control Board chairpersons and the issuance of guidelines for industry establishment consent.
- Penalty amounts will be credited to the Environmental Protection Fund established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Appeals against adjudicating officer orders can be made to the National Green Tribunal.
(For Mains)
| Article 252:
Empower Parliament to legislate on any matters with respect to which it lacks legislative power except as provided in articles 249 and 250. Article 249 and Article 250 empower Parliament to legislate on matter in State List in the national interest and if Proclamation of Emergency is in operation |
Institution in News (Prelims)
| National Green Tribunal:
· The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, of 2010. · The NGT is tasked with disposing of applications or appeals within six months of filing. · The NGT has jurisdiction over environmental protection, conservation of forests, and natural resource matters, operating with appellate powers. · It is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure but adheres to principles of natural justice. |
Source: Indian Express
Indigenous CAR-T cell therapy gets rolling: ‘first patient is cancer free
Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Science & Technology
Topic: Emerging Technologies.
Context: Dr. V K Gupta was declared cancer-free after CAR-T cell therapy and paid a lower price than the international cost.
Key Provisions:
- Developed collaboratively by ImmunoACT, IIT Bombay, and Tata Memorial Hospital, the therapy, called NexCAR19, has seen success in 3 out of 15 patients.
- NexCAR19 targets B-cell cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, genetically modifying a patient’s T-cells into potent cancer fighters, and providing targeted immunotherapy.
- The therapy, is approved by
Source: Indian Express
India to see an investment of $67 billion in the next five to six years in the energy sector: PM Modi
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Economy
Topic: Infrastructure.
Issue: India’s Energy Demands
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the second edition of India Energy Week (IEW) in Goa, emphasizing India’s commitment to developing environmentally friendly energy sources.
Key Highlights:
- India’s energy demand is expected to double by 2045.
- Efforts are underway to increase the share of domestic gas in the primary energy mix from 6% to 15%.
- India has made significant progress in biofuel production, with plans to achieve 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025.
- And install 5,000 compressed biogas plants nationwide.
Source: The Hindu
After five months of a pause due to the Israel-Gaza war, the government hopes to move on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: International Relations
Topic: India’s relations with other nations
Issue: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Context: The IMEC project aims to resume links after a pause due to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The key aspects:
- The project involves using Greek ports like Piraeus to connect India to Europe, bypassing routes like the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.
- The initiative, signed by eight parties including India, the U.S., and the EU, seeks to enhance trade connectivity.
- Including funding from the G-7-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
Prelims:
| IMEC:
1. MoU signed during G20 summit in New Delhi to establish India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). 2. Aims to counter China’s influence(BRI) in the region. 3. IMEC includes rail, ship-to-rail, and road transport routes. 4. Consists of two corridors: the east corridor (India to Gulf) and northern corridor (Gulf to Europe). 5. Expected to boost efficiency, lower costs, create jobs, and reduce emissions. 6. Geopolitically significant, potentially fostering normalization of relations between Israel and Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia. |
Source: The Hindu
Affluent sub-castes among backward classes may be excluded from the quota list, observes the Supreme Court
Syllabus: GS-I
Subject: Society and Social Justice
Topic: Welfare schemes, mechanisms, laws and institutions related to SCs.
Context: The Supreme Court’s Constitution Bench is examining whether affluent sub-castes within backward classes should be included in reservation policies.
Synopsis:
- Punjab’s 2006 reservation law, which gives preference to specific sub-castes within SCs, is under scrutiny.
- It argues that sub-classification improves equality by prioritizing the most marginalized groups.
- Supreme Court asked, why affluent sub-castes shouldn’t compete with the general category.
- It emphasizes the need to balance equality and affirmative action.
+1 Advantage (for Mains):
| In 2010, the State High Court struck down the provision in the E.V. Chinnaiah case, which held that only the President was empowered to categorize a group as SC under Article 341 of the Constitution. |
Article In News:
Article 341: It empowers the President of India to specify certain castes, races, or tribes as “Scheduled Castes” for the Constitution.
Source: The Hindu
Keep us out of your war, Manipur Naga body warns two warring communities
Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Internal Security
Topic: North-East regional issues
Issue: North East Regional Conflicts
Context: The United Naga Council (UNC) in Manipur warns Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities to keep Nagas out of their ethnic conflict.
Key Provisions:
- Nagas are increasingly victimized, facing attacks, molestation, arson, and kidnapping from both sides.
- Radical groups from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities are involved.
- UNC urges immediate cessation of attacks on Nagas and restraint from both sides.
| Communities Mentioned:
1. Meitei Community: Dominant in Manipur’s Imphal Valley, the central plain region of the state. known for vibrant cultural traditions and significant political influence. 2. Naga Community: Indigenous to Northeast India, including Manipur; known for distinct culture, tribal traditions, and struggle for self-determination. 3. Kuki-Zo Community: Prominent in Manipur’s hill areas; diverse cultural heritage, rich folklore, and history marked by movements for rights and recognition. |
Source: The Hindu
Daily Editorials
Law is not Enough.
Syllabus: GS-I
Subject: Society and Social Justice
Topic: Social Sector – Education
Issue: Paper Leakages in Public Exams
Context: The Lok Sabha passed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 in Parliament.
Malpractices in Public Examinations:
- Examination malpractices tarnish the credibility of the public recruitment system.
- To address the issue, some states have anti-cheating laws, but no effectiveness in their operation.
- The Bill is intended as a model draft for states to make their own laws on the subject.
Young population and Government Jobs:
- The young population seek government jobs.
- Regular salaries and social security benefits increase the appeal of these jobs.
- Working for the government is seen as a route of upward social mobility (increase in social status).
- The Economic Crisis in 2008 and Coivd-19 pandemic seem to push more youth towards a government job.
Elections in Pakistan: the view from New Delhi as Army appears set to install Nawaz in power again
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: International Relations
Topic: India and its neighborhood
Issue: India – Pakistan relations
Context: Elections in Pakistan
Pakistan’s Politics:
- The Pakistan army has a huge say in the politics of Pakistan.
- Nawaz Shariff: he is the Army’s preferred candidate.
- His policies with respect to India have been accommodative not overly hostile.
India’s Interests:
- Pakistan’s continuing support for terrorism is the key question.
- So far, Pakistan has adopted a ‘doctrine of indifference’ (no active cooperation) towards India’s concerns with terrorism.
- This elections could open new opportunity to improve the relation with Pakistan.