- ENVIRONMENT
PROJECT TIGER WILL DISPLACE 5.5 LAKH TRIBALS
- Total Displacement: The report estimates that Project Tiger will displace at least 5.5 lakh (550,000) Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers.
- Historical Displacement Data: Before 2021, the number of people displaced from 50 tiger reserves was 2,54,794, averaging about 5,000 people per protected area.
- Recent Displacement Trends: Since 2021, the average number of people to be displaced from six tiger reserves is 48,333, representing a 967% increase in displacement over the pre-2021 period.
- Major Areas of Displacement: Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan: Approximately 1,60,000 people are expected to be displaced.
- Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh: Approximately 72,772 people are expected to be displaced.
- Ranipur Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh: Approximately 45,000 people are expected to be displaced.
- Human Rights Concerns: The report highlights instances of forced evictions and massive human rights violations associated with these displacement
- Recommendations: Inclusive Conservation Strategies:
- Develop conservation strategies that include the participation of local communities and respect their rights.
- Explore community-based conservation models that allow for coexistence between wildlife and human populations.
- Adequate Compensation and Rehabilitation: Ensure that displaced communities receive fair compensation and are provided with adequate rehabilitation and resettlement options.
- Implement measures to restore their livelihoods and ensure their socio-economic well-being.
- Monitoring and Accountability: Establish mechanisms to monitor and address human rights violations associated with conservation projects.
- Hold accountable those responsible for forced evictions and ensure justice for affected communities.
- Awareness and Advocacy: Raise awareness about the impact of conservation projects on local communities.
- Advocate for policies that balance conservation goals with human rights and social justice.
2. ECONOMY
CAN STATES TAX MINING ACTIVITIES
- Supreme Court Ruling (July 25, 2024): States can impose taxes on minerals in addition to the royalty levied by the Centre.
- The ruling upholds federalism, affirming State legislative power over mineral taxation within their territories.
- The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (1957 Act) does not constrain this power.
- Case Background: Originated from a dispute between India Cement Ltd and Tamil Nadu government.
- India Cement challenged the cess (additional tax) imposed by Tamil Nadu on royalties.
- Previous rulings: 1989: Supreme Court ruled in favor of India Cement, stating States could only collect royalties, not impose additional taxes.
- 2004: A five-judge Bench identified a typographical error in the 1989 ruling but couldn’t overrule it.
- 2011: Conflicting precedents led to the issue being referred to a nine-judge Bench
- Distinction Between Royalty and Tax: Royalty: Contractual consideration paid by the mining lessee to the lessor for the right to extract minerals.
- Tax: Imposition by a sovereign authority, determined by law, and used to fund public services.
- State Authority on Mining Activities: Entry 50 (State List): States can make laws regarding “taxes on mineral rights,” limited by Parliament’s laws on mineral development.
- Entry 54 (Union List): Centre regulates “mines and mineral development” in public interest.
- The court clarified that royalties are not taxes, thus States can levy taxes on mineral rights under Entry 50.
- Justice Nagarathna’s Dissent: Argued that royalties should be considered a tax for mineral development. Warned that allowing States to impose additional levies could hinder mineral development and create unhealthy competition among States.
- Future Implications: The court will decide on July 31 whether the ruling will be applied retroactively or prospectively.
- Retroactive application could financially benefit mineral-rich States like West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand
3. SOCIAL ISSUES
FIVE HELD DEMOLITIONS ON OVER STUDENTS DROWNING
- The tragic incident involving the drowning of three IAS aspirants in the basement of a coaching centre in Old Rajinder Nagar, Delhi, has raised significant concerns about urban infrastructure, regulatory oversight, and accountability. The incident occurred during heavy rainfall, leading to the arrest of multiple individuals and the sealing of several coaching centres.
- Key Issues: Infrastructure and Safety Violations: Basement Usage: The basement, intended for parking and storage, was being used as a coaching centre, violating safety norms.
- Encroachments and Drainage: Encroachments on drains and inadequate desilting contributed to waterlogging, exacerbating the flooding.
- Electrical Hazards: Reports of live wires hanging around and overcrowded reading rooms indicate severe safety lapses.
- Regulatory Oversight: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD): The MCD’s failure to enforce building codes and ensure proper drainage maintenance is evident.
- Clearance Certificates: The issuance of occupancy and clearance certificates without thorough inspections points to systemic negligence.
- Accountability and Legal Action: Arrests and Judicial Custody: Multiple arrests, including building owners and the SUV driver, highlight the immediate legal response.
- Disciplinary Actions: Termination and disciplinary actions against MCD engineers indicate attempts to address internal accountability.
- Government and Political Response: Compensation: The Delhi Lieutenant-Governor announced ₹10 lakh compensation for each victim’s family.
- Committee Formation: A Union Home Ministry committee has been constituted to investigate the incident and suggest policy changes.
- Political Blame Game: The incident has led to protests and blame exchanges between the BJP and AAP, reflecting the politicization of the tragedy.
- Public Outcry and Demands: Student Protests: Aspirants are demanding transparency in the investigation, better infrastructure, and accountability from authorities.
- Safety Concerns: The incident has highlighted broader concerns about the safety and living conditions of students in coaching hubs like Rajinder Nagar.
4. ECONOMY
RBI LCR TWEAK MAY HIT CREDIT GROWTH NIM
- Definition: The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) is a regulatory standard established by the Basel III framework.
- It requires banks to hold an adequate level of high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) that can be quickly converted into cash to meet their short-term obligations over a 30-day stress period.
- Purpose: The primary aim of the LCR is to ensure that financial institutions have sufficient liquidity to survive a period of significant financial stress, thereby promoting stability in the banking sector.
- High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA)
- Definition: High-Quality Liquid Assets (HQLA) are assets that can be easily and quickly converted into cash with minimal loss of value. These assets are crucial for banks to meet their short-term liquidity needs.
- Characteristics:
- Low Risk: HQLA are typically low-risk assets.
- Marketability: They can be sold in large quantities without significantly affecting their market price.
- Liquidity: They can be quickly converted into cash.
- Examples:
- Cash
- Central bank reserves
- Government securities (e.g., Treasury bonds)
- Certain corporate bonds and covered bonds
5. SCHEMES
IDEAS FORMED AT WOMEN’S SUMMIT TO BE MADE POLICIES – IN TAMIL NADU
- Revolving Fund for Self-Help Groups: Created a revolving fund to support lakhs of women through self-help groups during his tenure as Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration.
- Free Bus Travel Scheme: Provides free bus travel for women, enhancing their mobility and access to opportunities.
- Pudhumai Penn Scheme: Aimed at empowering women through various developmental initiatives.
- Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme: Ensures nutritious breakfast for school children, indirectly benefiting women by reducing their household burden.
- Thozhi Hostels: Establishment of hostels to provide safe and affordable accommodation for working women and students.
- Support for Women Entrepreneurs: Over 4,400 women-led start-ups registered in Tamil Nadu.
- Training provided to 23,431 women to become entrepreneurs.
- Loans amounting to ₹1,056 crore provided to 13,473 women entrepreneurs, with ₹366 crore given as subsidies.
ONE LINER
- Intelligence portal Agri – Pot to bring technologies to farmers faster – Agriculture Minister M.R.K.Panner Selvam
- Tamil Nadu is number one in the export of electronic products – Government Industry Guidance Institute
