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Recently, Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained at the Delhi border as he led protesters to petition the Central government for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

Background

• The Abrogation of Article 370 in the year 2019 repealed the special status conferred to erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State and Ladakh was set up as a Union Territory without a legislature. 

Major Demands of Ladakh

• Demand for Statehood and Full Legislature for Ladakh: Residents of Ladakh, particularly from Leh district, are advocating for full statehood.
• Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule: 

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• • With over 97% of Ladakh’s population being tribal, there are strong grounds for seeking Sixth Schedule status.
  • Conservation of Resources: Utilising Sixth Schedule provisions to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecosystem from exploitation.
  • Political Representation: Ladakh’s current status as a Union Territory with limited legislative powers raises concerns about inadequate representation and control over local decision-making. 
    • The Sixth Schedule guarantees to address this concern.
• Separate Lok Sabha Seats: Activists are pushing for an increase in Lok Sabha seats from one to two, ensuring better representation for both Leh and Kargil districts since their separation into a Union Territory in 2019.
• Job Reservations for Locals:  Reservation aims to create more employment opportunities for Ladakhis, boosting the local economy and reducing dependence on outside resources.

Sixth Schedule of the Constitution

• The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution pertains to the administration of tribal areas in certain northeastern states, namely Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

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• • Assam: North Cachar Hills, Karbi Anglong, Bodoland Territorial Areas
  • Meghalaya: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Garo Hills
  • Tripura: Tripura Tribal Areas
  • Mizoram: Chakma District, Mara District, Lai District.
• Provisions of the Sixth Schedule
  • Article 244(2): Applies to tribal area administration in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
  • Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are established, comprising 30 members (majority elected).
    • ADCs have legislative powers over land use, social customs, and local governance.
    • ADCs manage local infrastructure, collect revenue, and can establish courts for disputes involving Scheduled Tribes.
  • Law-Making Powers: Councils can legislate on matters like land management, inheritance, and regulation of trade by non-tribal individuals, subject to the Governor’s assent.
  • Judicial Authority: Councils can establish Village and District Council Courts for disputes involving Scheduled Tribes, excluding serious offences punishable by death or long imprisonment.
  • Parliamentary Exemptions: Acts of Parliament or state legislatures do not apply to autonomous districts without modifications.
  • Governor’s Commission: The Governor can appoint a commission to address issues related to autonomous districts.

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Bihar is again flooded like every year in North Bihar.

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• It has affected 11.84  lakh people overall who are forced to leave their homes.
• Affected Areas
• • Flooded Districts: Over 9.9 lakh people from 16 districts in northern Bihar have been severely impacted, including West Champaran, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Darbhanga, and others.
  • Specific Incidents: Floodwaters have entered villages in Darbhanga after the Kosi river breached its embankment.

Status of Flood in Bihar

• Bihar is the most flood-prone state in India. 
• Approximately 76% of North Bihar’s population lives under the constant threat of severe floods.
• The state accounts for 16.5% of India’s total flood-affected area and 22.1% of its flood-affected population.

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Causes of Flooding in Bihar

• Geographical Factors
  • Location: Bihar is located downstream from Nepal, where major rivers like the Kosi and Gandak flow. 
    • These rivers carry a lot of sediment because of the young Himalayan mountains.
  • Siltation: Sediment builds up in the riverbeds, causing them to rise. When heavy rain occurs, this can lead to rivers overflowing.
  • River Networks: Bihar has many rivers that are fed by snow and rain, making it more vulnerable to different types of flooding.
    • North Bihar is at risk of flood from five primary rivers during the monsoon season:
      • Mahananda
      • Koshi
      • Bagmati
      • Burhi Gandak
      • Gandak
  • Low-Lying Terrain: Bihar’s flat land makes it especially prone to waterlogging, particularly during heavy rains.
• Permanent Waterlogging
  • Silted Rivers: The accumulation of silt in rivers makes it harder for water to drain away, contributing to waterlogging.
  • Encroachment on Drainage Channels: Building on or blocking drainage channels restricts the natural flow of water, worsening flooding.
  • Changes in River Courses: When rivers change their paths, they can create saucer-shaped depressions called Chaurs, which can hold water and lead to permanent waterlogging.

Categorisation of Floods 

• The Bihar Disaster Management Authority classifies floods into four categories:
  • Flash Floods: Quick onset (8-hour lead time), fast receding.
  • River Floods: 24-hour lead time, recedes over a week.
  • Drainage Congestion: Lasts the entire monsoon season, takes 3 months to recede.
  • Permanent Waterlogging: Long-term inundation due to silted rivers and drainage issues.

Impact of Floods

• Loss of Life and Property: Floods can result in loss of lives, displacement of people, and damage to infrastructure.
• Economic Impact: Floods can cause significant damage to crops, livestock, and livelihoods.
• Distress Migration: People may be forced to migrate to other regions due to the loss of their homes and livelihoods.

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Recommendations

• Integrated Flood Management: Implementing comprehensive flood management strategies that address both structural and non-structural aspects.
  • Structure solutions include systems such as  embankments, dams, etc.
  • Non structural solutions comprises policy, laws, risk mitigation strategies, etc. 
• Infrastructure Improvement: Strengthening embankments and other infrastructure to enhance resilience against floods.
• Early Warning Systems: Developing and improving early warning systems to provide timely alerts.
• Community-Based Disaster Management: Empowering local communities to participate in flood preparedness and response.
• Regional Cooperation: Strengthening cooperation with Nepal to manage shared river systems and reduce flood risks.
• Sustainable Land Use Planning: Implementing land use policies that minimize flood risks and promote sustainable development.
• Long-Term Solutions: Exploring long-term solutions such as constructing dams or reservoirs to regulate river flows.

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Brazil’s coast is experiencing rapid erosion as the Atlantic Ocean advances due to climate change.

•  In places like Atafona, the sea has risen by 13 cm over the past 30 years and could rise another 16 cm by 2050.

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About Coastal Erosion

• Broad Definition: Coastal erosion is the process by which coastlines are eroded or worn away due to natural forces, primarily wave action, currents, tides, and human activities such as Construction, dredging etc.
• Mechanical Process of Coastal Erosion: Coastal erosion primarily occurs through four main processes:
  • Corrasion: Strong waves hurl beach materials like pebbles against cliffs, gradually eroding them and creating wave-cut notches.
  • Abrasion: Waves carrying sand and larger fragments wear away the base of cliffs or headlands, producing a sandpaper-like effect, particularly during storms.
  • Hydraulic Action: When waves hit a cliff, they trap air in cracks. 
    • When the waves pull back, the trapped air bursts out forcefully, breaking off chunks of the cliff, especially since weathering has already weakened the rock.
  • Attrition: Waves cause rocks and pebbles to collide with each other, breaking them down into smaller pieces.

Causes of Coastal Erosion in Brazil

• Climate Change: Rising global temperatures are causing sea levels to rise, which leads to more frequent and severe coastal erosion.
• Silting of Rivers: Rivers like the Paraiba no longer carry enough sand to replenish beaches, exacerbating erosion.
• Human Activities: Uncontrolled urbanisation, deforestation, and the over-extraction of groundwater contribute to the destabilisation of coastal areas.
• Natural Factors: Stronger tides and the natural low incline of beaches in regions like the North and Northeast of Brazil make them more susceptible to erosion.

Broader Effects Across Brazil

• Shrinking Beaches: Ponta Negra, a popular beach resort, has lost 15 metres of sand in two decades, prompting costly sand replenishment efforts by the local government.
• Amazon River Ecosystem: Saltwater intrusion due to severe droughts is threatening biodiversity at the mouth of the Amazon.
  • The saltwater reaches 150 km upstream, killing freshwater fish and impacting local fisheries.
• Loss of Land: Coastal Erosion leads to the loss of beaches, dunes, and coastal wetlands, threatening homes and infrastructure near the shore. 
• Disruption of Ecosystem: It disrupts vital ecosystems, such as mangroves and salt marshes, and can negatively impact coastal tourism and fishing industries.

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Potential Solutions to safeguard Brazil’s Coast

• Need for Sustainable Development: Experts emphasise that urban planning must adapt to rising seas, advocating for natural ecosystems like mangroves and sandbanks to protect coastal areas from further damage.
• Beach Nourishment: Importing sand from other locations to replenish eroded beaches. This is already being done in places like Ponta Negra.
• Building SeaWalls and Groynes: Constructing barriers to protect the coast from waves and prevent further erosion.
  • Groynes are low wooden or concrete structures built to capture sediment and reduce wave energy.

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Recently, the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was launched in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district with an aim at achieving full saturation of basic facilities in tribal-majority areas and aspirational districts.

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• Initially named as PM-JUGA: The package, initially named PM Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM-JUGA), was approved by the Union Cabinet last month to implement existing schemes in 63,000 villages with a majority of Scheduled Tribe populations.
• Additional Initiatives: In addition, the PM also inaugurated several independent components of infrastructure projects under the PM-JANMAN package and also inaugurated 40 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country.

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Key Features of the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan Package

• It is a  Centrally Sponsored Scheme
• Total Outlay: ₹79,156 crore allocated for implementation over five years.
  • Central Share: ₹56,333 crore.
  • State Share: ₹22,823 crore.
• Aim: For improving the socio-economic condition of tribal communities, by adopting saturation coverage for tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts.
• Goals:  It includes 25 interventions to be implemented by 17 ministries, utilising funds from the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) over the next five years to achieve its goals.
  • The Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) is India’s strategy for tribal development, where the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and 41 other ministries dedicate a portion of their annual budgets to projects in education, health, agriculture, irrigation, roads, housing, electrification, employment, and skill development.
• Planned Interventions
  • Tourism Development: Up to ₹5 lakh for tribal families to convert homes into homestays.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: Training for rights-holders under the Forest Rights Act.
  • Housing: Construction of 20 lakh pucca homes for Scheduled Tribe families.
  • Infrastructure:
    • 25,000 km of roads connecting Scheduled Tribe-majority villages.
    • Piped water supply to every eligible village, focusing on 5,000 hamlets with less than 20 households.
    • Electrification for around 2.35 lakh households and public institutions.
  • Energy Access: Provision of 25 lakh LPG connections.
  • Digital Connectivity: Broadband access for 5,000 tribal villages under the BharatNet project.
  • Market Facilities: Establishment of 100 tribal multi-purpose marketing centres.
  • Mapping and Monitoring: The tribal villages covered under the mission would be mapped on PM Gati Shakti Portal.

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In the wake of several Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holders complaining about being reclassified as “foreigners”, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that there were no changes made to the OCI rules.

About Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

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• Definition: The Ministry of Home Affairs defines an OCI as a person who 
  • was a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950; or
  • Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950; or
  • Is a child or grandchild of such a person, among other eligibility criteria.
• Introduced: The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme was introduced in August 2005.
• Purpose: While tabling the legislation, it was stated that the Bill aimed to offer dual citizenship to the Indian diaspora.
• Benefits of an OCI Card
  • Visa and Stay: OCI cardholders receive a multiple-entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
  • Exemption from Registration: They are exempt from registering with local police authorities, regardless of their length of stay in India.
• Global Statistics (2023)
  • Total OCI Cardholders: Over 45 lakh registered OCI cardholders from 129 countries.
  • Top Countries: US, UK, Australia and Canada.
• Parity with NRIs
  • Initially: OCI card holders had general parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) regarding economic, financial, and educational fields, except in acquiring agricultural or plantation properties.
    • NRI’s: NRIs are Indian citizens who are permanent residents of foreign country.
• Restrictions on OCIs
  • Voting Rights: OCIs are not entitled to vote in Indian elections.
  • Political Office: They cannot become members of the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, or Parliament.
  • Constitutional Posts: OCIs are not eligible to hold constitutional positions such as President, Vice President, or Judge of the Supreme Court or High Courts.
  • Government Employment: They generally cannot hold employment in the Indian government.
• Ineligibility for OCI Card: 
  • Citizenship Restriction: Individuals are ineligible for OCI if their parents or grandparents have ever been citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh.
  • Foreign Spouse Eligibility: A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or an OCI can apply, provided the marriage has been registered and subsisted for at least two years.
  • Foreign Military Personnel: Both active and retired foreign military personnel are not eligible for an OCI card.
• Cancellation of OCI: The central government may cancel the registration of OCIs on certain grounds. 
  • If the OCI has registered through fraud, or
  • If, within five years of registration, the OCI has been sentenced to imprisonment for two years or more, or
  • If it becomes necessary in the interest of the sovereignty and security of India, or
  • If the OCI has violated the provisions of the Citizenship Act, 1955 or of any other law as notified by the central government.

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Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the construction of four Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)  plants in Assam.

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• These plants will be set up in Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia.

About Biogas

• It is a renewable fuel. 
• formed when animal or food waste is broken by the microorganism in the state of lack of oxygen. 
• Biogas is primarily made up of hydrocarbons which are flammable and can be used to generate heat and energy.
• Main Component: Methane is the primary gas in biogas ( around 45% – 75% by volume).

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About compressed Bio- Gas

• CBG is a renewable fuel made from organic waste materials like agricultural residue, animal dung, food waste, and municipal solid waste.

• The production process involves anaerobic digestion, where waste materials decompose without oxygen.
  • This process produces methane-rich biogas which is more than 90%. 
• Properties and Uses: CBG has properties similar to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and can be used as an eco-friendly fuel for vehicles, industries, and other commercial applications.

Benefits of CBG Plants

• Waste to Energy: Turns organic waste into clean energy which helps in waste management. 
• Impact of Environment: Reduces carbon emissions for better air quality and climate action.
• Job Growth: Creates local jobs for plant construction and operation.
• Eco-friendly: CBG is a sustainable alternative to conventional fuels, helping to reduce environmental pollution.
• Energy Independence: It decreases reliance on imported natural gas and crude oil, supporting energy security.

Challenges of CBG Plants

• High Costs: Setting up plants needs a lot of money, which can slow down growth.
• Technical Needs: Advanced technology and knowledge are needed for plants to work well.
• Waste Collection Problems: Collecting and transporting organic waste can be difficult, especially in remote places.
• Private Sector Issues: Working with private companies can be tricky in terms of coordination and management.
• Regulatory and Policy Framework for CBG : Well-defined and supportive policies are crucial for the growth of the Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) sector.
  • Inconsistent rules and a lack of standardization can slow down the development of the sector.
• Health Hazards: Unscientific waste disposal can lead to diseases like dengue and malaria.
  • Air pollution from burning biomass is linked to chronic diseases such as asthma, cancer, and heart disease.

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Government Initiative

• Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation initiative: It  was launched by The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) in 2018.
  • MoPNG associated with Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) and Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) for launching SATAT. . 
• Objective: The aim of this initiative was to set up plants for compressed biogas and to make biogas accessible for use as automotive fuel. 

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The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has recently mandated that food establishments display the names and addresses of their owners to enhance transparency and safety, reflecting a broader trend in India towards stricter food safety regulations. 

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• Himachal Pradesh Directives for Eateries: Following UP, Himachal Pradesh’s minister announced that eateries in the state must also display the owner’s ID, although this statement was later disowned by the government.
• Supreme Court Stay: On July 22, the Supreme Court stayed similar orders issued by the police in UP and Uttarakhand to eateries along the Kanwar Yatra Route to display names of the owner. 

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About Food Safety

• Food safety refers to the measures and practices that ensure food is safe for consumption and free from harmful contaminants, pathogens, and adulterants. 
• It encompasses all aspects of the food supply chain, including production, processing, distribution, and preparation.
• Key components of food safety include:
  • Hygiene Practices: Maintaining cleanliness during food handling and preparation to prevent contamination.
  • Proper Cooking and Storage: Ensuring that food is cooked to safe temperatures and stored appropriately to inhibit microbial growth.

• • Regulatory Standards: Adhering to local and international laws and guidelines, such as those set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and the Codex Alimentarius, to ensure food quality and safety.
  • Consumer Awareness: Educating consumers about safe food handling, preparation, and storage practices to protect their health.

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Key Legislation in India For Ensuring Food Safety: Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006

• About: The Act consolidates food laws in India and establishes the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to set science-based standards for food.
• Objectives of the FSSA:
  • Ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
  • Unify existing laws related to food safety.
  • Establish the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
  • Regulate the production, storage, sale, and import of food items.
• Scope: The Act covers all matters incidental or related to food safety and standards.
• The Act established FSSAI and the State Food Safety Authorities for each State.

Legal Framework for Selling Food in India

Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA), there are following provisions for selling food in India:

• Mandatory Registration and Licensing:
  • All food businesses must either register or obtain a licence from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
  • Small-scale operators (petty food manufacturers) must register, receiving a registration certificate and ID card, which must be displayed prominently at their premises.
  • Larger operators need to obtain a licence, which must also be displayed.
• Identity Display Requirement: The existing rules already require food establishments to display owners’ identities through their FSSAI-issued documents.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Under Section 63 of the FSSA, any operator carrying on a food business without a licence can be punished with up to six months in prison and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.

Power of States under Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA)

• State Authority to Make Rules:  Under Section 94(1) of FSSA, state governments can make rules, subject to the Central Government and Food Authority’s regulations.
  • States must publish proposed rules and obtain prior approval from the Food Authority.
• Scope of State Rule-Making: Under Section 94(2)(a), states can make rules on matters that come under “other functions of the Commissioner of Food Safety under clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 30”.
  • It enables the state government to create rules for any other necessary matters.
• Legislative Approval: Section 94(3) mandates that the rule must be submitted to the state legislature for approval as soon as possible.
• Role of the Commissioner of Food Safety: The Commissioner is appointed by the state government under Section 30, and is responsible for the efficient implementation of the FSSA and its rules.

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Concerns Regarding the State Government Directives Regarding Display Of Names:

• Concerns of Supreme Court: The Supreme Court raised concerns about the Uttar Pradesh Government’s directive to eateries during the Kanwar Yatra, emphasising that individuals cannot be forced to disclose their names. 
  • The Court temporarily halted the order, clarifying that eateries only need to display the names of the food items they serve.
• Concern Over Disclosure of Identities: There is a concern that directives from the Uttar Pradesh to mandatory display names in the Eateries will compel individuals to disclose their religious and caste identities. This could perpetuate social, communal divides and encourage prejudice.
• Violation of Constitutional Rights: The directives violated Article 15(1) of the Constitution, which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Economic Discrimination Claims: The orders can create conditions that promote the economic boycott of minorities, violating the right to practise any profession under Article 19(1)(g).
• Untouchability Concerns: These directives indirectly supported untouchability, which is abolished and forbidden under Article 17 of the Constitution.

Way forward

• Need to balance Public Health and Individual Rights: While state intervention is necessary to prevent foodborne diseases and ensure hygiene, such measures should not disproportionately infringe upon constitutional rights. 
• Alignment with Codex Alimentarius: Aligning India’s food safety regulations with Codex Alimentarius will enhance public health protection and facilitate international trade.
• Strengthening Regulations: Clarify roles and responsibilities between state governments and FSSAI to enhance the regulatory framework.
• Engaging Stakeholders: Involve food businesses, consumers, and public health experts to promote awareness and compliance with food safety standards.

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