- CASTE BASED CENSUS ESSENTIAL FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES : CM
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- Population Census provides basic statistics on state of human resources, demography, culture and economic structure at local, regional and national level.
- The first synchronous census was taken under British rule in 1881, by W.C. Plowden, Census Commissioner of India.
CASTE CENSUS
- Caste was enumerated in British India Censuses (1881-1931).
- Post-Independence, the 1951 Census excluded caste enumeration except for SCs and STs, who continue to be counted.
- Census is a Union subject, the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 allows States and local bodies to gather necessary data, as seen in Karnataka (2015) and Bihar (2023).
OBC INCLUSION IN CENSUS
- Reservations for OBCs in education and public employment
- The Constitution permits reservations for OBCs in education and public employment (Articles 15(4) and 16(4)), similar to SCs and STs.
- No reservation in electoral constituencies for MPs and MLAs
- While OBCs lack reservations in MP and MLA constituencies, the 73rd and 74th amendments (1993) mandate reservations in panchayats and municipalities for SCs, STs, and OBCs (Articles 243D(6) and 243T(6))
2. STATE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES RS 2000 AS CYCLONE RELIEF
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT AND POLITY
STATE DISASTER RESPONSE FUND:
The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), constituted under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
It is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters.
CONTRIBUTION:
- The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% for special category States/UTs (NE States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir).
- Disaster (s) covered under SDRF: Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold waves.
- Local Disaster: A State Government may use up to 10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within the local context in the State and which are not included in the notified list of disasters of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Based on the 15th Finance Commission recommendations, the Central Government has allocated over one lakh 28 thousand crore rupees for SDRF for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26.
3. HYDROPONIC FARMING TAKES OFF ON TERRACES
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- Hydroponics is a viable alternative to traditional farming methods for soil less cultivation for enhancing productivity and water use efficiency.
- Hydroponics is a new concept in India and gaining popularity among entrepreneurs and innovative farmers, who are looking for sustainable and efficient ways to grow crops.
- At present, this technology is mostly confined to urban farming, rooftop gardening and commercial farming.
- Cocoponics” or the Soilless production of vegetables, using cocopeat as a substrate, which has been found to be comparatively more successful in many vegetable crops.
ADVANTAGES
- Soilless Growth
- Water Efficiency
- Precise Nutrient Control
- Space Efficiency
- Faster Growth
- Reduced Environmental Impact
4. REFLECTIONS ON BAKU’S NCQG OUTCOME
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
Host Country – Azerbaijan
Dates – November 11–22, 2024
Theme – Investing in a livable planet for all
Key Issues – Climate finance, mitigation goals, adaptation strategies, and stocktaking
OBJECTIVES OF COP 29
- Climate Finance: Establishing a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) to mobilize financial resources, particularly for supporting climate efforts in developing countries.
- Mitigation and Adaptation: Enhancing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while implementing strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
- Technology Transfer: Promoting the exchange of climate-friendly technologies to bolster global mitigation and adaptation initiatives.
- Global Stocktake: Evaluating collective progress toward the long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement.
INDIA’S KEY CONTRIBUTIONS AND COMMITMENTS:
- Net-Zero Target: India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, as part of the Paris Agreement. This commitment emphasizes the need to balance development priorities with sustainable practices.
- Renewable Energy Leadership: India is at the forefront of global renewable energy efforts, with a target of 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India demonstrates its proactive approach to clean energy.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): India has updated its NDCs, setting ambitious goals, including a 45% reduction in the carbon intensity of GDP by 2030 and sourcing 50% of its energy needs from renewable sources.
- Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): India advocates the LiFE initiative, promoting sustainable consumption patterns and environmentally responsible lifestyles on a global scale.
5. JUSTICE MANMOHAN APPOINTED JUDGE OF SUPREME COURT
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Collegium system is a system for the appointment and transfer of judges in the Supreme Court and High Court.
- It is not rooted in the Constitution. Instead, it has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court.
- Under the system, the Chief Justice of India (CJI), along with four senior-most Supreme Court judges, recommends the appointment and transfer of judges.
- A High Court Collegium, meanwhile, is led by the incumbent Chief Justice and the two seniormost judges of that court.
- The government can also raise objections and seek clarifications regarding the Collegium’s choices, but if the Collegium reiterates the same names, the government is bound to appoint them to the post.
CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Article 124 – Supreme Court judges should be appointed by the President after consultation with such judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court as the President may deem necessary. The CJI is to be consulted in all appointments except his or her own.
Article 217 – High Court judges should be appointed by the President after consultation with the CJI and the Governor of the state. The Chief Justice of the High Court concerned too should be consulted.
