GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court is set to conduct the next hearing on multiple petitions filed by and on behalf of workers of the Manjolai estate in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu.

What's Happening at Manjolai Estate?

• Manjolai Estate is situated within the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
• Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Limited (BBTC) operated Manjolai Estate since 1929 on a 99-year lease.
• In May 2024, BBTC announced cessation of operations, due to state notification of the land as 'forest' in 2018 and impending lease expiry in 2028.
• Caught in the crossfire between the BBTC’s decision and the State government’s claim are the workers at the estate. Hundreds of workers, mainly Dalits and landless, accepted a voluntary retirement scheme, vacating their homes.
• Madras High Court Intervention: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court heard the petitions and ordered the status quo. The petitions had asked the Court to direct State authorities to cancel the voluntary retirement applications submitted by the tea plantation workers, provide free house-site patta, houses, 4 ha of land, other monetary relief, jobs for family members, and implement the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, or FRA, 2006 — or to have the Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation Limited, a State government undertaking take over the plantation.

Relationship of the Estate to the Tiger Reserve:

• Establishment: In 1988, the Tamil Nadu government formed the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) under Project Tiger for administrative and management purposes.
• Legal Status: KMTR gained legal status in 2007 when 89,500 hectares were declared a critical tiger habitat under the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA) 1972. An additional 70,654.20 hectares were designated as a buffer area in 2012. This brought KMTR's total area to 1.60 lakh hectares, which includes the Manjolai estate.
• Forest Rights: The WLPA mandates that residents' forest rights must be recognized upon the notification of a tiger reserve. Residents can only be relocated if they agree to it voluntarily.

How Did the Workers' Issue Arise?

• Forest Rights and Eviction: Inside the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), the Forest Rights Act (FRA) specifies which forest rights must be recognized, including possession of land up to 4 hectares for housing and farming, community rights (except hunting), and rights to forest resources.
• Legal Obligations: The Tamil Nadu government is required to recognize forest rights of KMTR residents and obtain their consent before any relocation. The government must also provide a resettlement package for displaced individuals and communities, with their consent.
• Disregard of Laws: Tamil Nadu's notification of KMTR ignored provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA) and FRA, leading to the current dispute.

Options for the State:

• Legal Rights: Forest lands leased to BBTC fall under FRA jurisdiction. Non-tribal workers living in the area for 75 years, dependent on these lands, can claim rights as 'Other Traditional Forest Dwellers'.
• Eviction Protection: Individuals whose claims are rejected cannot be evicted, as per a Supreme Court order.
• Alternative Settlement: The state can allocate a portion of Manjolai estate for settlement of workers, with approvals from the Union Ministry of Environment and Central Empowered Committee. They may also avoid paying net present value or conduct compensatory afforestation for landless beneficiaries.
• Legal Challenge: Some parts of Manjolai estate, forest lands before October 25, 1980, and converted before December 12, 1996, are not governed by Forest Conservation Act 1980. A Supreme Court challenge on this matter is pending, with current exemptions.

Key-issues

• Legal Complexity: The dispute involves intricate legal interpretations of forest laws, lease agreements, and worker rights under multiple national and state legislations.
• Social Impact: The decision to cease operations at Manjolai has significant socio-economic implications for the affected workers, particularly Dalits and landless individuals, highlighting issues of livelihood and resettlement.
• Environmental Concerns: The overlap of forest conservation objectives with socio-economic rights underscores the challenge of balancing conservation goals with community welfare in protected areas.
• Judicial Role: The Madras High Court's intervention reflects the judiciary's crucial role in adjudicating disputes involving environmental conservation, forest rights, and corporate operations within protected areas.

The dispute over Manjolai estate highlights the complex interplay between conservation efforts, legal rights of local communities, and economic interests. The legal proceedings seek to address the rights and resettlement needs of affected workers within the framework of environmental conservation laws and forest governance.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) urged the State Designated Agencies (SDAs) of all southern States, particularly the proactive ones like Andhra Pradesh (A.P.), to intensify their focus on energy efficiency and Mission LiFE in order to realise the immense potential for attracting global investments in key sectors such as industry, urban development, agriculture and building. 

What is Mission LiFE?

• LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) is a public movement to mobilize individuals to become 'Pro-Planet People'.
• LiFE was introduced in 2021—as a mass movement for “mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of mindless and destructive consumption” to protect and preserve the environment.
• It aims to nudge individuals and communities to practice a lifestyle that is synchronous with nature and does not harm it.
• LiFE builds upon India’s environment-friendly culture and traditional practices:
  • Water harvesting techniques: Step wells of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the underground tanks (tankaa) of Tamil Nadu, the check dams (johads) of Rajasthan and the Zabo system of Nagaland that deposit the water in pond-like structures on terraced hillsides.
  • Clayware: Commonly used for cooking and serving purposes.
  • Adaptive architectural forms that minimise electricity consumption and hand-washing and sun-drying of clothes
  • Dietary preference for plant-based foods and millets
• LiFE and SDG: The SDGs focused on
• • Sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11)
  • Responsible production and consumption (SDG 12)
  • Climate change (SDG 13)
  • Life on land (SDG 15)
  • Life under water (SDG 14)

Need of Energy Efficiency in India

• Energy efficiency is a low-cost option for meeting the growing energy demands.
• India's energy needs might increase by 2-2.5 times by 2047 as the country progresses towards becoming a developed nation.
• About 84 per cent of Indian energy is produced using fossil fuels, and current technologies to achieve Net Zero are not yet commercially viable.
• The potential of energy efficiency and demand electrification from clean sources to reduce CO2 emissions by 51 per cent by 2047 compared to the baseline.

Significance for Amaravati

• Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh’s new capital city and a future growth hub, holds particular importance in this endeavor.
• As the State progresses towards global benchmarks, integrating energy efficiency measures and Mission LiFE principles becomes essential.
• This effort seeks to establish eco-friendly standards, draw international investments, and elevate the State’s global visibility while enhancing living standards for its residents.

• Mission LiFE Introduction: Introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in 2021, Mission LiFE promotes sustainable consumption and a circular economy. The Ministry of Power is actively advocating for this mission to reshape India’s environmental narrative.
• Andhra Pradesh’s Potential: Andhra Pradesh is identified as having substantial potential to attract significant investments in energy efficiency. This initiative is expected to spur economic growth, create employment opportunities, and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.

Scientists have found a surprising source of oxygen in the deep ocean, where sunlight can’t reach and photosynthesis doesn’t work. This new oxygen source is linked to polymetallic nodules, which are lumps of metal found on the ocean floor. These nodules might be producing oxygen in a way never seen before, called "dark oxygen."

Key-highlights of the Discovery:

• The discovery was made in a part of the ocean called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone.
  • This area is off the west coast of Mexico and is known for having a high concentration of polymetallic nodules.
  • The Clarion-Clipperton Zone is larger than India and holds a lot of valuable metals like manganese, copper, and nickel.
• Scientists noticed that oxygen levels in the water increased, which was unusual because it should have decreased as small animals consumed it.

What Might Be Causing the Oxygen Production?

• Polymetallic Nodules: These nodules have a small electrical charge on their surface. This charge might be splitting water molecules (which are made of hydrogen and oxygen) and releasing oxygen.
• Voltage: The nodules create a voltage of up to 0.95 volts, but splitting water molecules needs at least 1.5 volts. Scientists think that if many nodules are close together, they might generate enough voltage to split water molecules and release oxygen.

Significance of the discovery

• New Ecosystems: The discovery of "dark oxygen" suggests there may be unique ecosystems in the deep ocean that depend on this oxygen source.
• Deep-Sea Mining: Many countries, including India, are interested in mining these nodules for their valuable metals. However, this mining could damage the ecosystems that depend on "dark oxygen."
• Environmental Concerns: Mining can harm deep-sea life, and the long-term impacts are still unknown. Studies have shown that past mining activities have had lasting effects on marine environments.

The Indian government's fiscal policy has traditionally aimed to limit the fiscal deficit (difference between what the government spends and what it earns) to a specific percentage of GDP. However, in a recent budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a shift in focus from a fixed fiscal deficit target to managing the ratio of government debt to GDP.

What Is Changing in Fiscal Policy?

• Current System: Traditionally, the Indian government set a target for the fiscal deficit as a percentage of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). For instance, the target for 2024-25 is 4.5% of GDP.
• Future Change: From 2026-27, the government will focus on reducing the ratio of government debt to GDP, rather than strictly aiming for a specific fiscal deficit percentage. This means that instead of just lowering the fiscal deficit, the priority will be to ensure that the overall debt compared to the size of the economy is decreasing.
• Reason for Change:
  • Criticism of Old Target: The 3% fiscal deficit target, which many consider a standard, doesn't have a solid scientific basis. It originally came from the 1992 Maastricht Treaty in Europe. The new approach will still reduce the deficit but will emphasize managing debt more effectively.

How Will These Changes Affect?

• Over time, the focus on reducing debt relative to GDP should help in managing the country's overall economic health, but specific targets for fiscal deficit might not be strictly followed.
• The new approach aims to ensure that while the fiscal deficit might not meet a specific percentage, the overall debt-to-GDP ratio is on a declining path. This shift is intended to make fiscal policy more flexible and responsive to economic conditions.

Four civil services aspirants (numbers not confirmed) tragically lost their lives at a coaching center in central Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar area due to the absence of drainage systems and safety measures. The center had also violated norms by using the basement for commercial activities, contributing to this unfortunate incident.

Not the first time

Several recent incidents highlight significant safety failures in educational institutes and hostels across India. These tragedies, involving fires and structural deficiencies, underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety measures to protect students.

What factors are responsible?

• Common Issues: Lack of fire exits, poor ventilation, inadequate fire safety equipment (alarms, hydrants, smoke detectors).
• Regulatory Failures: Despite safety regulations in place, enforcement remains lax, contributing to recurring incidents.
• Safety Negligence and Urban Challenges: The tragedy has brought to light deep-rooted issues plaguing urban areas across India. The incident underscores a systemic failure in ensuring safety standards and highlights broader concerns such as corruption, illegal urbanization, overcrowding, and the pursuit of financial gain at the expense of public safety.
• Illegal Urbanization and Safety Violations: Rapid and unplanned urbanization has led to the illegal conversion of residential spaces into commercial ventures like coaching centers, often without adherence to building codes and safety norms. Basements, meant for utilities or parking, are frequently used for profit-making activities despite lacking proper ventilation, fire exits, or adequate safety measures.
• Poor-implementation: The absence of uniform safety legislation and the NBC being a “recommendatory document,“ its provisions are frequently ignored at the local level. 

Accountability in Such Incidents

• Responsibility of Educational Institutes: Educational institutes, including coaching centers and hostels, bear primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of their students. This includes:
  • Infrastructure: Providing adequate fire exits, proper ventilation, and fire safety equipment such as alarms, hydrants, and smoke detectors.
  • Compliance: Strict adherence to safety norms and regulations prescribed by local authorities.
  • Emergency Preparedness: Conducting regular safety audits and ensuring staff and students are trained in emergency procedures.
• State's Responsibility: State authorities play a crucial role in ensuring safety standards are enforced and maintained:
  • Regulation: Implementing and enforcing stringent safety regulations applicable to educational institutes.
  • Inspections: Conducting regular inspections to assess compliance with safety standards.
  • Legal Oversight: Taking prompt legal action against institutes found negligent in adhering to safety norms.

What measures are required?

• Safety Compliance: Coaching institutes must ensure all safety measures are in place as per regulatory requirements.
• Transparency: There is need to provide clear information to students and parents about safety protocols and emergency procedures.
• Calls for Action: There is urgent need for rigorous safety audits, strict adherence to safety norms, and swift legal actions against negligent institutions.
• Student Safety: Government must ensure robust safety infrastructure is crucial to prevent further tragedies and protect students pursuing education away from home.

Conclusion 

These incidents serve as stark reminders of the critical need to prioritize student safety in educational settings. Authorities must implement stringent measures and ensure compliance with safety regulations to prevent such avoidable disasters in the future.

India and Saudi Arabia recently convened the first meeting of the 'India-Saudi Arabia High Level Task Force' on investments, conducted virtually.

About the High Level Task Force:

• The High-Level Task Force is a special body to facilitate bilateral investments following the decision taken by PM Narendra Modi and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud during the latter's state visit to India in September 2023.
• Comprises senior officials from both countries, including the CEO of Niti Aayog, Secretaries for Economic Affairs, Commerce, MEA, DPIIT, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Power from India.

The 21st edition of Exercise Khaan Quest, a multinational peacekeeping exercise, has commenced in Mongolia. This exercise involves around 430 participants from 23 countries, including nations like Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Türkiye, the United States, the United Kingdom, and India.

About Exercise Khaan Quest:

• Khaan Quest is a multinational peacekeeping exercise hosted by Mongolia annually.
• Initially a bilateral event between the USA and Mongolian Armed Forces starting in 2003, Exercise Khaan Quest has since 2006 evolved into a Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise.
• It includes military forces from various countries, aimed at enhancing their peacekeeping capabilities and fostering collaboration.
• Objectives: The exercise aims to prepare armed forces for peacekeeping missions in multinational environments, focusing on interoperability, military readiness under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, and joint tactical drills.
• Focus Areas: Activities include physical fitness training, joint planning exercises, and tactical drills such as establishing checkpoints, cordon and search operations, patrolling, civilian evacuation from hostile areas, counter improvised explosive device drills, combat first aid, and casualty evacuation.
• Outcomes: Exercise Khaan Quest facilitates the sharing of best practices in joint operations among participating countries, enhancing inter-operability, camaraderie, and mutual understanding among soldiers.
• Indian Participation: This year, the Indian Army contingent consists of 40 personnel primarily from the MADRAS REGIMENT, along with other Arms and Services. Notably, the contingent includes one Woman Officer and two Women Soldiers.

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed new governors for six states and shifted incumbents in three states.

About Governor

• The state executive comprises the Governor and the Council of Ministers, with the Chief Minister as its head. The Governor exercises executive functions with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, except where the Constitution requires independent exercise of discretion.
• Appointment (Article 155): The Governor of a state is appointed by the President of India through a formal warrant under their hand and seal.
• Tenure (Article 156): The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President, with a normal term of five years. The President can withdraw pleasure at any time, leading to the Governor's resignation.
• Qualifications for Governor:
  • Citizenship and Age (Articles 157 and 158): The Governor must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old.
  • Restrictions: They should not be a member of Parliament or any state legislature, and must not hold any other office of profit.
• Role and Powers of the Governor:
• Constitutional Role (Article 154): The Governor is the head of the state executive but acts as a non-political figure.
• Relationship between Governor and State Government: Advisory Role (Article 163): They are advised by the Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister as its head, except when discretion is required by the Constitution. Governor must act on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the state.
• Powers: The Governor has significant powers such as
  • giving assent to bills passed by the state legislature
  • deciding on the time for proving majority in the Assembly
  • determining which party gets first chance in a hung Assembly scenario

Friction in Governor-State Government Relations:

• Political Dynamics: Over the years, Governors have been accused of favoring the central government's interests, particularly when it differs from the state government's.
• Friction: Disputes often arise when Governors perceived as political appointees interfere in state matters or act against the state government's wishes.
• Issues: There's no provision for impeaching Governors, and their allegiance to the central government can sometimes create prolonged disputes with state administrations.
• Controversies: Instances of Governors being accused of partisan conduct have led to bitter exchanges between state governments and Raj Bhavans.

India has successfully avoided the inclusion of Aquilaria malaccensis (agarwood) in the Review of Significant Trade (RST) by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Key Highlights

• Export Quota: To manage and regulate the trade of agarwood while ensuring its sustainable use and preventing over-exploitation, CITES notified a new export quota for agarwood from India has been set, starting from April 2024. The quota is:
  • 1,51,080 kg/year for agarwood chips and powder/sawdust.
  • 7,050 kg/year for agarwood oil.
• Benefit to Farmers: The development is expected to benefit farmers in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura, where agarwood is widely cultivated by providing a legal way to trade their agarwood products and potentially increase their income.

About Agarwood

• Agarwood is a valuable aromatic resin produced by the Aquilaria malaccensis tree when infected by certain fungi. Natural infections typically occur in older trees, but can be induced artificially in younger plants.
• Aquilaria malaccensis is extensively cultivated in Northeast India, with around 13.99 crores (139.89 million) plants.
• Uses: Agarwood is valued for its use in incense, perfumes, medicine, air fresheners, and has properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, analgesic, and antioxidant.
• Aquilaria malaccensis was first listed in Appendix II (regulated but not banned from trade) of CITES in 1995, following a proposal by India.

There has been a significant shift in India's approach towards homeless persons living with mental illness (HPMI), emphasizing community integration over traditional institutional care.

Changing Paradigms in Mental Health Care

• Societal norms historically viewed HPMI as refuge seekers, leading to their involuntary relocation to mental hospitals and shelter homes.
• Modern perspectives challenge these norms, advocating for community-based care models that respect individual agency and social inclusion.
• This paradigm shift aims to provide HPMI with a sense of belonging and support within local communities rather than isolating them in institutional settings.

Innovative Collaborative Efforts

• Collaborations between government bodies like the National Health Mission and civil society organizations have pioneered new approaches.
• Initiatives such as Emergency Care and Recovery Centres (ECRCs) within district hospitals aim to offer decentralized and immediate care.
• Programs like Housing First and Tarasha prioritize stable housing and community support, aiming to restore agency and social integration for HPMI.

Policy Reforms and Future Directions

• Recent policy reforms highlight the need for comprehensive support systems beyond traditional shelter and treatment.
• Efforts include financial empowerment through disability allowances and vocational training to integrate HPMI into economic and social spheres.
• However, bureaucratic barriers such as Aadhar and banking access remain challenges to achieving full financial inclusion, necessitating further policy adjustments.

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the evolution of India's approach towards homeless persons living with mental illness (HPMI), focusing on the shift from institutional care to community-based models. What are the challenges and opportunities associated with this transition?

The recent controversy surrounding Puja Khedkar, who allegedly misrepresented her disability and caste to gain benefits, has sparked a debate on reservations for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India. This issue gained prominence following comments by a former NITI Aayog CEO suggesting a review of reservations for PwDs, specifically concerning mental disabilities.

Deep-rooted Ableism and Societal Attitudes

• Reflection of Ableism: Statements questioning PwD reservations by prominent figures reveal deep-seated societal biases and limited understanding of disability challenges.
• Barriers to Participation: PwDs encounter multiple obstacles such as inaccessible infrastructure, biased educational systems, and employment discrimination.
• Purpose of Reservations: Reservation policies aim to provide equitable opportunities to PwDs, countering systemic disadvantages and promoting inclusion.

Challenges in Employment and Education

• Employment Statistics: Only 23.8% of PwDs were employed according to the 76th National Sample Survey, highlighting disparities compared to the national labor force participation rate.
• Case Studies: Instances like Kartik Kansal's struggles despite clearing UPSC exams and Ira Singhal's legal battle for rightful posting underscore systemic barriers faced by PwDs.
• Intellectual Engagement: Intellectuals and policymakers often overlook structural issues in education and employment sectors while critiquing reservation policies.

Systemic Issues in Disability Certification

• Flaws in Certification: India's disability certification system relies on outdated percentage-based assessments, which do not align with international standards.
• Accessibility Challenges: Lack of specialist evaluators and unrealistic assessment guidelines at district levels contribute to inconsistent disability certifications.
• Invisible Disabilities: Persons with hidden disabilities often face rejection due to subjective assessments and outdated evaluation scales.

Mains Question:

Q. Critically analyze the controversies surrounding reservations for persons with disabilities (PwDs) in India. Discuss the systemic challenges in disability certification and the societal attitudes reflected in recent debates. What reforms are necessary to ensure equitable opportunities for PwDs without compromising the integrity of reservation policies?

The Union Budget for 2024-25 has sparked discussions due to its acknowledgment of global economic uncertainties and inflationary pressures, setting the stage for economic resilience amidst challenges.

Fiscal Challenges and Priorities

• Macro Risks Highlighted: The budget addresses rising global economic uncertainty and inflation as primary risks affecting India's economic stability.
• Resilience in Growth: Despite these challenges, India aims to maintain resilient economic growth, necessitating a stable macroeconomic environment.
• Debt and Expenditure Dynamics: A significant portion of the budget increase is allocated to interest payments, highlighting the challenge of balancing debt reduction with social and developmental spending.

Debt Management and Fiscal Consolidation

• Debt-to-GDP Ratio: India targets a debt-to-GDP ratio of 56%, down from its peak during the COVID-19 pandemic, while emphasizing the need for fiscal consolidation.
• Interest Burden: High interest payments remain a concern, constraining non-interest expenditure and development investments.
• Framework for Fiscal Consolidation: Amendments to the FRBM Act advocate for a structured debt reduction path despite current economic uncertainties and inflationary pressures.

State Reforms and Fiscal Autonomy

• State-Centric Reforms: The budget introduces state-level reforms in areas like land, labour, and capital, aiming for next-generation reforms.
• Challenges in Implementation: Reforms such as stamp duty rationalization face complexities due to diverse state property market dynamics and revenue needs.
• Union-State Coordination: Effective implementation hinges on collaborative efforts and maintaining state fiscal autonomy post-GST era.

Mains Question:

Q. Discuss the fiscal challenges highlighted in the Union Budget 2024-25, particularly in managing debt amidst global economic uncertainties and inflation. How can India achieve fiscal consolidation while balancing the imperative of social spending? Evaluate the role of state-level reforms in enhancing economic governance and fiscal autonomy in post-GST India.