Context: Recently, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a series of petitions seeking to criminalise marital rape.

About Marital Rape:

• Marital rape or spousal rape is the act of sexual intercourse with one’s spouse without their consent. 
• The lack of consent is the primary defining factor and the act need not involve physical violence.
• Although marital rape is now widely seen as a form of sexual violence, historically, sexual intercourse within marriage was regarded as a spouse’s right.

History of the Marital rape law in India:

• The Domestic Violence Act, 2005 hints at marital rape by any form of sexual abuse in a live-in or marriage relationship. However, it only provides for civil remedies. 
• There is no way for marital rape victims in India to initiate criminal proceedings against their perpetrator.                                               

Why Criminalizing Marital rape in India is important?

• Estimates from the third (2005-06) and fourth (2015-16) rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) revealed that the prevalence percentage of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) against women ranges between 3% to 43% in different states of the country.
• The fifth round of the survey, held in 2019-20 and conducted in about 637,000 sample households in 707 districts of 28 states and eight union territories, suggests that 1 in 3 women in India aged 18-49 experience spousal violence, with at least 5%-6% of the women reporting sexual violence.

Law on Marital Rape:

Section 375 of IPC: 

• The section lists seven notions of consent that, if vitiated, would constitute the offence of rape by a man. 
• However, the provision contains a crucial exemption: Sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.
• The marital rape exception is premised on broadly two assumptions:
  • Consent in perpetuity: This is the assumption that once married, a woman gives her permanent consent, which she cannot retract. This concept in the colonial-era law is rooted in the idea that a woman is the ‘property’ of the man who marries her.
  • Expectation of sex: This is the assumption that a woman is duty-bound or is obligated to fulfill sexual responsibilities in a marriage, since the aim of marriage is procreation. And since the husband has a reasonable expectation of sex in a marriage, the provision implies that a woman cannot deny it.

How did the exception on marital rape find its way into the Indian Penal Code(IPC)?

• Indian Penal Code(IPC): 
  • The IPC was implemented in India during British colonial rule in 1860. 
  • Under the first version of the rules, the marital rape exception was applicable to women over ten years of age. In 1940, this age was raised to 15. 
  • In October 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife, the wife not being under eighteen years of age, is not rape.
• Doctrine of Coverture: It is an colonial-era convention that influenced the exceptional clause on marital rape.
  • According to the Doctrine of Coverture, a woman has no individual legal identity after marriage.

Views on Marital Rape by Different Institution:

Law Commission of India’s Stand: 

• The Law Commission of India, while making its 172nd Report on Review of Rape Laws, did not recommend criminalization of marital rape by amending the Exception to Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code.

Recommendations of J.S. Verma Committee:

• In 2013, the J.S. Verma Committee formed in the aftermath of the Nirbhaya gang-rape in Delhi, had recommended making marital rape a criminal offence.

Indian Judiciary:

• Kerala High Court: In 2021, Kerala High Court pronounced a judgment in which the court decided that even though marital rape isn’t recognised under the penal laws, it can act as a justifiable ground for divorce.
• Karnataka High Court :
  • The Karnataka High Court had earlier held that a husband was liable to be charged for rape under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) if he has forcible sex with his wife.
• Delhi High Court:
  • Delhi High Court Bench which delivered a split opinion, had favoured striking down the marital rape exception for being “unconstitutional”. 
  • However the Associate Judge on the High Court Bench, had rejected the plea to criminalise marital rape, noting that any change in the law should be carried out by the legislature since the issue required consideration of various aspects, including social, cultural and legal.
• Nimeshbhai Bharatbhai Desai vs State of Gujarat (2017) case: 
  • In this case, the Gujarat High Court elaborately dealt with the issue of marital rape. 
  • The Court stated that “making marital rape an offense will remove the destructive attitudes that promote the marital rape”. 
  • However, due to the non-recognition of marital rape as a crime, the Court held that the husband is liable only for outraging her modesty and unnatural sex.
• Independent Thought vs. Union of India (2017) case: 
  • In this case, the Supreme Court  has criminalized sexual intercourse with a minor wife aged between 15 and 18 years. 
  • But, the SC refused to delve into the question of marital rape of adult women while examining an exception to Section 375.

International Precedence:

• According to Amnesty International data, 77 out of 185 (42%) countries criminalise marital rape through legislation. 
• In other countries, it is either not mentioned or is explicitly excluded from rape laws, both of which can lead to sexual violence.
• Ten countries namely Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Lesotho, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Tanzania expressly allow marital rape of a woman or a girl by her husband.
• The first country to criminalise marital rape was the Soviet Union (1922) and the UK (1991) and the US (1993) were amongst the last Western nations to do so.

Way Forward:

• State intervention:  When the State has an interference in the realm of matrimonial relation as far as cases of dowry, cruelty, divorce etc. then it is certainly necessary that the State and Law should interfere in the matter of such heinous crime of rape. 
• Focus on Awareness Campaigns: Statutory reform accompanied by sensitization of the public (civilians, police, judges, medical personnel) on consent, medical care, and rehabilitation.
• Addressing the Assumption of Ownership: Eliminating the exemption of marital rape from criminal law to challenge the view of the wife as exclusive property of the husband.
• Legislation for Change: Advocating changes through legislative measures to criminalize marital rape and protect victims.
• SC’s Exceptional Powers under Article 142: Article 142 grants exceptional powers to SC. Under this, SC has the equivalent power of a lawmaker. So, in failure of Parliamentary legislation, the Courts can strike down the exception to Section 375.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context: 

• The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has taken a significant step in combating the drug menace by disposing of a massive 1,44,000 kilograms of illegal drugs.
• Usage of psychotropic substances: Apart from narcotics, India has been experiencing a significant rise in the use of psychotropic substances and medicinal preparations among addicts since late 1990. 

Factors Behind Drug Menace in India:

1. Geographical reasons:
   • Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle: India’s geographical location sandwiched between the two, makes it an ideal route for the transportation of heroin. It infiltrates the country through the international, land and maritime borders, with the western international border along Pakistan being a focal point.

• • Proximity to sea: India shares borders with several countries that are major drug producers and transit points, including Afghanistan and Myanmar. Its long and porous borders make it an attractive transit point for drug traffickers.
  • Drug trafficking through sea routes in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, estimated to account for around 70% of the total illegal drugs smuggled into India

       2. Technological reasons:

• • Digital tools and drones:Drugs are now being smuggled across these borders using new digital tools and drones.Also, drug gangs now use couriers, packages, and the mail to sneak drugs in and deliver them. 
  • Darkweb: The increased use of couriers or postal services is directly linked to increased Dark Web activity in India. Dark Web  is used to buy illicit substances which are often paid in crypto currency.

       3. Organized Crime:

• • Nexus between drug traffickers, organized criminal networks and terrorists: Terrorists exploit established trafficking routes, collaborating with well-entrenched criminal groups to infiltrate borders with arms and explosives, exacerbating security challenges.Money generated through drug trade has been used to fund various insurgent and terrorist movements.
  • For example,  1993 serial bomb blasts in Mumbai, Pathankot attack on 31st December 2015 highlight a close nexus between drug traffickers and anti-national elements.
  • Corruption: Drug traffickers are known to bribe law enforcement officials and other government officials to facilitate their operations. This has further enabled drug trafficking to thrive in India.

       4. Socioeconomic reasons:

• • Lack of education: Poor  aspirations of the youth, which are not fulfilled due to low quality of education imparted to the lower income groups in rural and urban government schools of the state, leave them disillusioned and susceptible to drugs.
  • Vicious cycle: The drug addicts from poor families, in order to meet the expenses of their daily dose, get entangled in drug-peddling,  the rising unemployment among youths have further led to disillusionment.

5. Smuggling of Synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals: India manufactures a lot of synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals which are smuggled out of the country. 

6. Poor Law enforcement: India’s law enforcement agencies are understaffed, lack specialised training and equipment, and are often unable to detect or interdict drug shipments.The agencies are more involved in dealing with peddlers and distributors and often fail to catch the drug mafia.

Challenges /Impact of drug abuse in India:

• Smuggling of weapons: The international borders of the country used by drug traffickers are used for smuggling in weapons as well as terrorists into the country. 
• Financing of terror activities: Illicit drug sales generate substantial funds that are often diverted to finance terrorist activities.
• Law and order issues:The wide availability of narcotics and drugs contributes to increased domestic demand, leading to dysfunctional behavior and creating law and order problems in society. 
• Economic impact : The substantial economic toll from drug abuse includes losses in production and resources diverted for caring and rehabilitating drug addicts.
• Undermining role of state: The trafficking nexus can subvert and corrupt state institutions, further undermining the political process, as they gain control over the illegal drug trade.
• Facilitation of organised crime: Drug trafficking facilitates other organised criminal enterprises such as human trafficking and narco terrorism, all of which use the same networks and routes to smuggle people, arms and contraband.
• Loss of demographic dividend: Increase in violence and crime is the direct impact of drug abuse. Addicts resort to crime to pay for their drugs. Substance abuse can lead to the removal of inhibitions and impair judgment, individual productivity and potential.
• Adverse social impact: A partner’s addiction may affect the entire family straining interpersonal relationships, stability, and lead to violence, child abuse, economic insecurity, deprivation of schooling, and the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Psychological impact:  Drug addiction not only affects the financial stability of individuals but also gives rise to conflicts within families, causing immense emotional distress for all its members.

Govt measures/Response to counter drug menace:The Ministry of Home Affairs is cracking down on drugs in three different ways:

• • Strengthening institutional structures,
  • Empowerment of all agencies related to control of narcotics and strengthening the coordination among them
  • Launching an awareness campaign.

Other measures are listed below-

1. Legislative: 
   • Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: It regulates the import, manufacture and distribution of drugs in India.The primary objective of the act is to ensure that the drugs and cosmetics sold in India are safe, effective and conform to state quality standards.
   • Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985: It prohibits a person from the production/manufacturing/cultivation, possession, sale, purchasing, transport, storage, and/or consumption of any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
   • Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988: Under the act, It is illegal for a person to produce/manufacture/cultivate, possess, sell, purchase, transport, store, and/or consume any narcotic drug or psychotropic substance.
2. Institutional measures:
   • Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): It is under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is responsible for coordination in illicit drug control as well as compiling the cases of drug trafficking in the country as reported to it by various agencies.

• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction has taken the following steps:
  • National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) for 2018-2025: It aims at reduction of adverse consequences of drug abuse through a multi-pronged strategy involving education, deaddiction and rehabilitation of affected individuals and their families.
  • Scheme for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse: Under this scheme, financial assistance is given to Voluntary Organizations and other eligible agencies for setting up/running Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts.

      3. Other preventive government measures:

• • Increased patrolling and surveillance: Intensive preventive and interdiction efforts along known drug routes and strict surveillance and enforcement at import and export points.
  • Training programmes: Training programmes are being conducted for various law enforcement officials to combat drug menace.
  • Empowering of border guarding agencies: Amongst border guarding agencies, Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Coast Guard have been empowered to take action under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
  • Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign:It was launched in 2020  in 272 identified districts.  It incorporates a comprehensive approach towards drug reduction including combining the supply curb by NCB, Outreach and Awareness and Demand Reduction effort by Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and treatment through Health Department.
  • Strengthening anti-narcotic units: Financial assistance has been provided to eligible States for strengthening their anti-narcotic units.
  • Narco Co-ordination Centre (NCORD): it has been constituted under Director General,Narcotics Control Bureau to provide a common platform for concerted actions by all the Drug law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.

       4. International efforts: 

• • The International Drug Control Conventions.
    • The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (1961): The Convention aims to combat drug abuse by coordinated international action. It seeks to limit the possession, use, trade, distribution, import, export, manufacture and production of drugs exclusively to medical and scientific purposes. It also combats drug trafficking through international cooperation to deter and discourage drug traffickers.
    • Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971: The Convention on Psychotropic Substances establishes an international control system for psychotropic substances. It responded to the diversification and expansion of the spectrum of drugs of abuse and introduced controls over a number of synthetic drugs according to their abuse potential on the one hand and their therapeutic value on the other.
    • United Nations Convention against illicit traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988: The Convention provides comprehensive measures against drug trafficking, including provisions against money laundering and the diversion of precursor chemicals. 
  • Cooperation with neighbours: In order to foster cooperation among neighbors, India is engaged in multiple bilateral and multilateral agreements to address the issue of preventing the illicit trafficking of drugs and chemicals.

Way Forward:

• Effective coordination among enforcement agencies: Promoting cooperation and collaboration between government departments in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking. For example, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, Border Security Force, the National Investigation Agency, etc. 
• Sharing of intelligence: There is an urgent need to develop a system for sharing of information which would help the enforcement agencies connect the distributors to the source of supply. 
• Focus on source of supply:. Enforcement agencies should focus mainly on tracking the network deeply and prosecuting producers and suppliers, rather than the current focus on distributors and peddlers.
• Special skills, dedicated units: There is a need to develop special skills within state police organisations dealing with drugs.
• Enhancement of punishment under Illegal Drug Control Act: Smugglers, suppliers and members of drug syndicates should be awarded enhanced punishments. 
• Creating awareness among citizens: Many times, students and young people may not be aware of the harmful effects of illicit drugs. Youth, especially, suffer from insecurity and depression and fall prey to drug peddlers. There is need to create awareness among the people.
• Establishment of de-addiction centres and camps: The government agencies can establish district wise de-addiction centres and camps to help the affected youth. Rehabilitation and post care counselling can save many lives.
• Comprehensive approach: Exploring comprehensive approaches to treatment, rehabilitation, and harm reduction.
• Role of civil society: It can play an important role in preventing narcotic drug abuse through: 
  • Awareness programmes for students in educational institutions, youth clubs and associations to make healthy choices in life and to stay away from drugs. 
  • Role models such as athletes or film actors can be roped in to inspire youth to adopt healthy habits.
  • Religious leaders will have a positive impact on moulding people’s behaviour
  • Monitoring by parents to keep their children away from bad company.  
  • A mechanism to obtain the consent of a doctor for the continuous purchase of any soft drug should be developed.
  • Social media campaigns to enhance awareness about the ill effects of narcotic substances. 

Conclusion:

• Illicit drug trafficking is a crime which affects not only an individual but has ramifications across societies. It has the potential to destroy an entire generation. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every section of society to help enforcement agencies of the government to root out this menace.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context: 

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is undertaking a transformative journey to convert desert landscapes into productive farmland through climate-smart agriculture.

About Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA):

• According to the World bank, Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an integrated approach to managing landscapes – cropland, livestock, forests and fisheries – that address the interlinked challenges of food security and climate change.
• Climate Smart Agriculture also known as Climate Resilient Agriculture. It is the development of agriculture under new realities of climate change.

Benefits of Climate Smart Agriculture:

• Resilience to Climate Change: Climate-smart agriculture practices build resilience in farming systems, enabling farmers to cope with the impacts of climate change, such as droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures.
• Increased Crop Yields: Efficient use of resources and adoption of climate-resilient crop varieties can lead to higher crop yields, contributing to improved livelihoods for farmers and increased income.
• Sustainable Resource Management: Climate-smart practices focus on sustainable management of natural resources, including water, soil, and biodiversity. This leads to reduced environmental degradation and conservation of ecosystem services.
• Improved Food Security: By optimizing resource use and enhancing agricultural productivity, climate-smart agriculture contributes to improved food security, ensuring a stable supply of food even under changing climatic conditions.
• Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Certain climate-smart agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and reduced tillage, can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, supporting climate change mitigation efforts.
• Social and Economic Benefits: Climate-smart agriculture promotes inclusivity and gender equity by empowering women farmers and vulnerable communities. It also enhances rural livelihoods by creating new income-generating opportunities and promoting sustainable rural development.
• Adoption of Innovative Technologies: Climate-smart agriculture drives innovation and the adoption of advanced technologies in farming, facilitating increased efficiency and productivity.

Image Source: FAO

Challenges of Climate Smart Agriculture:

• Uncertain Weather Patterns: Climate-smart agriculture faces challenges due to the unpredictability of weather patterns and climate change impacts. 
  • The Global Climate Risk Index 2020, released recently, puts India seventh in the list of countries worst hit by extreme events.
• Limited Access to Resources: Small and marginal farmers often face resource constraints, such as limited access to finance, technology, and knowledge about climate-smart practices. 
• Technological and Knowledge Gaps: Adopting climate-smart practices requires access to appropriate technologies and information. Many farmers lack awareness and technical know-how to implement such practices effectively.
• Institutional Barriers: Weak institutional support, inadequate policies, and governance issues can hinder the scaling up of climate-smart agriculture initiatives. 
• Financial Constraints: Climate-smart agricultural practices often require initial investments in new technologies and infrastructure. Lack of financial resources can hinder farmers’ ability to adopt these practices, especially in low-income regions.
• Adaptation and Local Context: Climate-smart agriculture practices need to be tailored to local contexts and agro-ecological zones. What works in one region may not be suitable for another, necessitating region-specific approaches and adaptations.

Way Ahead for Climate Smart Agriculture:

• Climatic Risk Assessment: Identifying specific climatic risks is crucial, as different farms face varying challenges. 
  • Tailored approaches are needed, considering factors like water shortages or frequent flooding.
• Access to Technologies: Ensuring access to climate-smart technologies is vital for small-scale farmers. Bridging the gender gap and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through better fertilizer use, water management, and livestock practices are essential.
• Enabling Policy Integration: Governments must design and implement policies that support CSA and incorporate it into national agricultural strategies and plans.
• Promoting Knowledge and Capacity Building: Encourage knowledge-sharing and build capabilities among farmers, extension workers, researchers, and policymakers through training programs and digital technology.
• Research and Development: Invest in R&D to understand climate change effects on agriculture and develop climate-resilient crop varieties, innovative cropping systems, and climate information services.
• Advancing Climate-Smart Livestock Production: Promote sustainable livestock management practices, such as improved feed efficiency, better waste management, and using climate-resilient cattle breeds.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context: India secured 80th rank on Henley Passport Index 2023.

About Henley Passport Index 2023:

• The Henley Passport Index is the ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. 
• Sample Size: It includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. 
• Developed By: It is brought out by Henley and Partners, which is an investment migration consultancy based in London.
• India’s Rank: India secures 80th rank on Henley Passport Index.
• Basis: The index gathers data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which manages inter-airline cooperation globally.
• Top 5 most Powerful Passports in the World:
  • Singapore
  • Germany, Italy and Spain
  • Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden
  • Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom
  • Belgium, Czech Republic, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context: 

Recently, the Minister of State for Steel & Rural Development highlighted the significance of the Steel Slag Road technology in achieving the  ‘Waste to Wealth’ mission.

About Steel Slag:

• Steel slag is a byproduct generated during the steelmaking process. It is a solid waste material that accumulates around steel plants in large quantities. 
• In India, approximately 19 million tonnes of steel slag is produced annually, and this amount is expected to increase to 60 million tonnes by 2030. For every tonne of steel produced, about 200 kg of steel slag is generated. 

Challenges:

• Environmental Pollution: Improper disposal of steel slag can result in environmental pollution, affecting water bodies, air quality, and land.
• Waste Management: With the increasing steel production, finding efficient and eco-friendly methods of disposing of the substantial amount of steel slag has become a challenge.
• Resource Underutilization: It contains valuable materials ( such as  titanium, nickel, vanadium, iron, aluminum, silica), which remains a resource that isn’t being used or recycled properly.

Steel Slag Road Technology:

• Development: The technology has been developed by the Central Road Research Institute under a research project in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel and four major steel manufacturing companies.
• Reuse: This technology facilitates the large-scale utilization of waste steel slag of steel plants and has proved very useful in effective disposal of about 19 million tonnes of steel slag generated in the country. 
• Example: 
  • The 1st road made with steel slag road interpretation technology in Surat, Gujarat.
  • Border Roads Organization has also constructed a steel slag road in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has also successfully used this technology in road construction on National Highway-66 (Mumbai-Goa).

Benefits:

• Waste to Wealth: The Steel Slag Road technology aims to convert the waste steel slag into a valuable resource by incorporating it into road construction.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: Utilizing steel slag in road construction reduces the burden on landfill sites and minimizes its impact on the environment, leading to better waste management.
• Economic Advantages:It can lead to less reliance on natural aggregates and help build more cost-effective infrastructure.
• Longer Road Lifespan: Roads constructed with steel slag technology have demonstrated longer lifespans compared to conventional roads, indicating enhanced durability and sustainability.
• Collaboration and Research: The successful implementation of this technology involves collaboration between government ministries, research institutes like CRRI and major steel manufacturing companies, fostering innovation and technological advancements in the infrastructure sector.

News Source: PIB

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Context: 

Recently, the Rajasthan government tabled the Rajasthan Minimum Guaranteed Income Bill, 2023, which effectively seeks to cover the entire adult population of the state with guaranteed wages.

About:

• Coverage:The bill covers three categories: right to minimum guaranteed income, right to guaranteed employment, and right to guaranteed social security pension.
• Guaranteed work: All families of the state get guaranteed employment of 125 days every year. 
• Pension for weaker section:  The aged, disabled, widows, and single women get a minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month.The pension will be increased at the rate of 15 percent each year.

Universal Basic Income:

• It  is a social welfare proposal in which all the beneficiaries regularly receive a guaranteed income in the form of an unconditional transfer payment. 
• This payment serves as a minimum income that individuals can rely on, providing them with the necessary material foundation to access basic goods and live a life of dignity.

Key characteristics of Universal Basic Income:

• Unconditional: UBI is provided to all individuals within a certain geographical area without any means test or work requirement. 
• Regular and Consistent: The payment is made on a regular basis, usually monthly or annually, and is intended to provide a stable and predictable income source.
• Universal Coverage: UBI is designed to benefit every citizen or resident within a specific region or country, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
• Individual Basis: UBI is typically provided on an individual basis, rather than as a household benefit. Each eligible person receives the payment separately.

News source: The Indian Express

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Context: Recently, the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy signed a MoU to revive ancient stitched shipbuilding methods.

About Stitched Shipbuilding Method (Tankai method)

• It is a 2000-year-old technique of shipbuilding, where ships are constructed by stitching wooden planks together rather than using nails, offering flexibility and durability, making them less susceptible to damage from shoals and sandbars. 
• Although the arrival of European ships led to a shift in  shipbuilding  techniques, the art of stitching ships  has survived in a few coastal regions of India, primarily for small local fishing boats.                                                                

About the Project

• Indian Navy will oversee the implementation and execution of the entire project.
• Indian Navy’s involvement will ensure seamless project management and adherence to the highest standards of safety and precision. 

Significance of Project:

• Reviving and Rejuvenation of Art: Project will ensure the preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.
• Promote Craftsmanship: Project aims to leverage the expertise of the remaining traditional shipwrights in India and showcase their exceptional craftsmanship. 
• Revive Ancient Trade Links with Indian Ocean littoral countries:  The project seeks to gain insights into the historical interactions across the Indian Ocean, which facilitated the flow of Indian culture, knowledge systems, traditions, technologies, and ideas, by sailing along ancient maritime routes using traditional navigational techniques.
• Cultural Pride: Project will instill a sense of pride in India’s rich maritime heritage among its citizens. 

News Source: The Hindu

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Context: 

Small States in India continue to rely heavily on the Union government for their revenue.States being discussed as small states are: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh and  Goa.

Highlights:

• High Reliance on Union Government: Share of Union transfers in the revenue receipts of all States combined hovers between 40% and 50%.

• • However, Union’s share in all the  other small States’ revenue receipts is more than 60% (2022-23 Budget Estimates) except in Goa.
• Limited capacity of small States to raise their own taxes: Distinctive characteristics of smaller states like border state, lack of industrial development and poor access to ports etc, restrict economic activity and consequently make it challenging to generate tax revenue. 
  • It results in a heavy dependence on the Union government, exposing the States as well as the Union Government to various vulnerabilities.

• States rely on the Union governments’ political goodwill. A sudden decline in Union transfers can adversely affect the States’ expenditures.
  • Increasing disagreements concerning resource sharing (for example, GST compensation) between the Union and the States. 
• Lack of Flexibility: High dependence on the Union might imply less fiscal freedom for the States. 
  • A significant portion of the funds transferred by the Union is tied to specific purposes, limiting the States’ flexibility. 
• Lack of Delivery: Lack of their own revenues can lead to weakened State capacity, affecting the delivery of social, economic, and general services. 
  • This situation becomes even more critical as many small States share international borders. 
  • The developmental concerns in these States can have implications for national security.

Way Forward

• Exploring New Avenues: States must prioritize identifying new sources of tax revenue or explore ways to leverage existing ones more effectively.
  • Ex: Manipur liquor prohibition policies have led to substantial revenue losses without significantly reducing the negative consequences of drinking. 
• Improve the tax administration in the States:  States can boost their collection of non-tax revenues by revising the existing charges and rates for various services and enhancing administrative revenue collection efficiency.
• States must consider revitalizing and corporatising loss making enterprises to improve their revenue performance. 
  • Some States such as Mizoram have closed down loss-making public sector enterprises, recognising that these entities are a liability.
  • It could lead to higher resource mobilisation and reduce the deviation of actual from budgeted tax revenues. 

News Source: The Hindu

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