Articles Covered

1. India’s longest transportation tunnel opens in Jammu on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link
2. Explained: Maharashtra cabinet approves draft bill to extend 10% reservation to Marathas
3. WHO launches digital health platform agreed upon in India’s G20 presidency
4. At Milan-24, Navy offers its submarine rescue capability
5. ‘Small scale fishing should be exempted from WTO talks’
6. Art 142, why SC quashed Chandigarh mayor’s election, and why it matters
7. New railway line to connect Puri and Konark: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

India’s longest transportation tunnel opens in Jammu on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramula Rail Link

“Prime Minister Modi was present in Jammu and he virtually flagged off two electrified trains simultaneously — one from Srinagar to Sangaldan in the down direction and the other from Sangaldan to Srinagar in the up direction,” a railway official said.

New Terminal Building, Jammu Airport

Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a new terminal building at Jammu Airport.  To be spread over 40,000 sqm area, the new terminal building will be equipped with modern facilities catering to about 2000 passengers during peak hours. The new terminal building will be environment friendly and will be built such that it showcases local culture of the region. It will strengthen air connectivity, boost tourism and trade and accelerate economic growth of the region.

Rail Projects

1. Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation various rail projects in Jammu & Kashmir including the new rail line between Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan (48 Km) and the newly electrified Baramulla-Sringar-Banihal-Sangaldan section (185.66 Km). Prime Minister will also flag off the first Electric Train in the valley and also train service between Sangaldan station & Baramulla station.
2. The commissioning of the Banihal-Khari-Sumber-Sangaldan section is significant as it features the usage of Ballast Less Track (BLT) all along the route providing a better riding experience to the passengers. Also, India’s longest transportation tunnel T-50 (12.77 Km) lies in this portion between Khari-Sumber. The rail projects will improve connectivity, ensure environmental sustainability and boost the overall economic development of the region.

Explained: Maharashtra cabinet approves draft bill to extend 10% reservation to Marathas

Mahayuti govt approved bill granting 10% quota to Maratha community in govt jobs and education. The quota will increase reservations to 62%, facing legal challenge. OBC community fears dilution of its quota.

Maratha Reservation Demand

• The Marathas are a group of castes comprising peasants and landowners among others constituting nearly 33% of the state’s population.
• While most Marathas are Marathi-speaking, not all Marathi-speaking people belong to the Maratha community.
• Historically, they have been identified as a ‘warrior’ caste with large land holdings.
• However, over the years, due to factors such as land fragmentation, agrarian distress, unemployment and lack of educational opportunities, many Marathas have faced social and economic backwardness. The community still plays an important role in the rural economy.
• Therefore, they have been demanding reservation ingovernment jobs and educational institutions under the category of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC).

Status of the Maratha Reservation Demand:

• A 11-member commission headed by Retired Justice N G Gaikwad recommended Marathas should be given reservation under SEBC
• Maharashtra Assembly passed a Bill proposing 16% reservation for Maratha community.
• The Bombay High Court while upholding the reservation pointed out that instead of 16% it should be reduced to 12% in education and 13% in jobs.
• The SC stayed its implementation and referred the case to the CJI for a larger bench.
• Supreme Court struck down the Maratha reservation in 2021 citing the 50% cap on total reservations it had set in 1992.

1. The Maratha reservation of 12% and 13% (in education and jobs) had increased the overall reservation ceiling to 64% and 65%, respectively.
2. In theINDIRA SAWHNEY JUDGEMENT 1992, SC had categorically said 50% shall be the rule, only in certain exceptional and extraordinary situations for bringing far-flung and remote areas’ population into mainstream said 50% rule can be relaxed.
3. The Supreme Court said that there were no “exceptional circumstances” or an “extraordinary situation” in Maharashtra for the state government to breach the limit.
4. In addition, the court ruled that the state had no authority to accord socially and economically backward status to a community: only the president can tweak the central list of socially and backward classes, said the court. States can only make “suggestions”.
5. The Bench unanimouslyupheld the constitutional validity of the 102^nd CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT but differed on the question of whether it affected the power of states to identify SEBCs.
6. The Supreme Court highlighted that a separatereservation for the Maratha community violates ARTICLE-14, ARTICLE-21

• In November 2022, after the SC upheld the 10% quota for the EWS the state government said that until the issue of Maratha reservation is resolved, economically weaker members of the community can benefit from the EWS quota.
• The bill maintains the current OBC quota and raises Maharashtra’s total reservations to 62%, exceeding the Supreme Court’s 50% limit.
• The reservation has been extended based on a report submitted to the state government by the Maharashtra Backward Class Commission (MBCC) headed by chairman Justice (Retired) Sunil Shukre.
• Commissions Established For Providing Reservations to Maratha Community

Narayan Rane Panel Formed before the 2014 elections to address Maratha reservations. Recommended 16% reservation in government jobs and education for Marathas, not backed by a statutory commission. The ordinance based on its recommendations was stayed by the Bombay High Court in November 2014 and the stay was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Gaikwad Commission Established in 2017 under Justice (retd) MG Gaikwad after a survey of 43,629 families. Found a significant portion of Maratha families engaged in agriculture, with low levels of education and professional qualifications. Led to the Maharashtra Socially and Educationally Backward Class Act, 2018, offering 16% quota to Marathas, which was later adjusted by the Bombay HC to 12% in education and 13% in government jobs. The Supreme Court struck down the quota in May 2021, after noting that there was no valid ground to breach 50 per cent reservation while granting Maratha reservation.

Shukre Commission Set up in December 2023 with Justice (retd) Sunil B Shukre as chairperson. Surveyed over 1.58 crore families, highlighting the Marathas’ 28% state population share and their lack of advancement. Pointed out issues like extreme poverty, declining agricultural income, and land partitioning affecting Marathas. Noted the community’s underrepresentation in public services and called for separate reservation to improve their inclusion in government and developed sectors.

102^nd Amendment Act of 2018

1. It introduced Articles 338B and 342A in the Constitution.
2. Article 338B deals with the newly established National Commission for Backward Classes.
3. Article 342A empowers the President to specify the socially and educationally backward communities in a State.
4. It says that it is for the Parliament to include a community in the Central List for socially and backward classes for grant of reservation benefits.

WHO launches digital health platform agreed upon in India’s G20 presidency

At the launch of GIDH, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and India’s representative to the UN Arindam Bagchi addressed the gathering.

Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)

Achieving one of the three priority areas agreed upon during India’s G20 presidency in 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched the Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) virtually.

Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH)

• It is a WHO managed network aiming to amplify and align resources toward country-led digital health transformation through strengthened collaboration and knowledge exchange.
• It is a platform for sharing knowledge and digital products among countries.
• The initiative aims to achieve the following objectives through collaborative efforts:

1. Assess and prioritize the country’s needs for sustainable digital health transformation.
2. Increase the alignment of country-level digital health resources and unfunded priorities.
3. Support the accelerated achievement of the strategic objectives of the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025.
4. Build capacity and converge efforts to encourage local development, maintenance, and adaptation of digital health technologies to continuously changing needs.

The initiative will be a network of networks with four main components:

country needs tracker

1. country resource portal (a map of resources available in a country)
2. transformation toolbox that will share quality-assured digital tools
3. knowledge exchange.

GIDH will support countries in three ways: by listening to their needs, by aligning resources to avoid fragmentation and overlap, and by providing quality assured products.

Membership: Membership is open to all institutions engaged in digital health.

At Milan-24, Navy offers its submarine rescue capability

• A submarine rescue operation is undertaken when the vessel is reported missing or has sunk. The DSRV can help in locating the disabled submarine, rescue the trapped personnel or provide them emergency supplies.

The Indian Navy will deploy its aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant for Exercise Milan-2024 to be held in February.

Milan Exercise:

• It is a biennial multinational naval exercise that was first conducted in 1995 and has grown to be the biggest exercise held in India.

Milan Exercise 2024:

1. Location: Coast of Visakhapatnam, India.
2. Participating Nations:US, Japan, Australia, France, Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
3. It will feature large-force manoeuvres, advanced air defence operations,anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface drills.

Significance:

1. Expansion of the Navy’s Engagements:
2. It will underscore the Navy’s growing presence as a preferred security partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
3. Mission-based deployments and other operational engagements have steadily increased the Indian Navy’s presence and operational reach.

Background: –

Exercise Milan It is a biennial multilateral naval exercise that began in 1995. It has since significantly expanded in scope and scale to become the largest exercise held by India. It was started with the participation of only four countries, viz., Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand, in the 1995 edition, the exercise has since transitioned leaps and bounds in terms of the number of participants and complexity of exercises. Originally conceived in consonance with India’s ‘Look East Policy, MILAN expanded in ensuing years with the Government of India’s ‘Act East Policy’ and Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative to include participation from other Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs). The mid-planning conference of Milan-24 was held in October this year. The last edition of Milan, which is held off the coast of Visakhapatnam, saw participation from over 40 countries. SAGAR initiative It is an Indian foreign policy doctrine that was introduced in 2015. The aim of SAGAR is to enhance cooperation and mutual trust between India and its neighbouring countries, particularly in the Indian Ocean region. The SAGAR policy has several components, including ensuring maritime security and safety, promoting sustainable development and economic growth, and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between nations.

‘Small scale fishing should be exempted from WTO talks’

Commerce Ministry officials maintain that India will push against any form of curbs on its subsidies to poor fishermen at the WTO and also seek a moratorium on fishing subsidies from advanced countries including the US and EU during the upcoming inter-ministerial.

1. Ahead of the WTO’s inter-ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi later this month, the National Fishworkers Forum (NFF’s) has written to the commerce and industry ministry asking it to protect the interest of small fishermen by pushing World Trade Organization (WTO) to keep small scale fishing out of fisheries subsidies negotiations later this month.
2. Commerce Ministry officials maintain that India will push against any form of curbs on its subsidies to poor fishermen at the WTO and also seek a moratorium on fishing subsidies from advanced countries including the US and EU during the upcoming inter-ministerial.
3. “India is the only country where small-scale fishers fish in large numbers and we hardly have deep sea fishing. Over 70 per cent of the fishermen are below the poverty line and for us, fishing is a livelihood issue. Fishermen are not responsible for decline in fish. It is because of other factors like industrial pollution, global warming and coastal degradation which has affected the fishers,” Olencio Simoes, General-Secretary – National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) said at a press briefing.

Potential of Marine States in India’s Fisheries Sector

1. Improving Fishermen’s Income: The total fisheries potential of India has been estimated at 22.31 million metric tons, of this, the marine fisheries potential stands at an estimated 5.31 million metric tons, tapping this potential may help in doubling fishermen’s income by 2025.
2. Boosting Seafood Exports:As a sunrise sector, it has a big impact on the Indian economy.
3. Providing Employment Opportunities: Fisheries provides employment to more than 28 million people. Its growth and development could have huge further potential.
4. Ensuring Nutritional Security: Fish is ‘nature’s superfood’ and an important source of proteins, healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, vitamin D, and calcium.

Challenges Associated with India’s Fisheries Sector in the Marine States

• Marine Fisheries Management: It faces several challenges in monitoring, control, surveillance, and knowledge gaps regarding the sustainability of key fish stocks.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate cold chain facilities can lead to post-harvest losses, etc.
• Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events: Due to climate change issues, changes in the ocean temperature, and the current rate of marine biodiversity loss due to exploitative fishing practices.
• Conflicts between India and Neighboring Countries: For violations of national jurisdiction while pursuing fish as they lack navigational devices to forewarn them of trespassing their jurisdiction.
• Vulnerability to External Shocks: External factors such asnatural disasters or disease outbreaks can impact livelihoods.
• Deep Sea Trawling:It is infamous for catching huge numbers of fish as well as disrupting sea life, which also damages tourism.
• Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: A non-traditional security concern that includes food and economic security, as well as broader societal and political issues.
• Other Challenges: Waste management, exploitation of middlemen, the drudgery of fisherwomen engaged in the processing sector, certification and traceability, etc.

Government Initiatives For India’s Fisheries Sector:

1. Marine Fisheries Management:Fisheries are state subjects under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Fishing and fisheries beyond territorial waters are on the Union list.
2. International Support: The World Bankapproved USD 150 million in funding to support the recovery of India’s fisheries sector In 2020-21.
3. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Scheme (PMMSY):To address significant productivity and production gaps in the fisheries sector, infuse innovation and cutting-edge technology, etc.
4. National Fisheries Policy, 2020:To introduce a comprehensive and integrated ‘National Fisheries Policy, 2020’ by integrating the National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 (NPMF), the Draft National Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (NIFAP) and the Draft National Mariculture Policy (NMP) along with the Elements of Post Harvest.

Sagar Parikrama: It is a journey in the sea across the coastal belt demonstrating solidarity with all fish farmers and concerned stakeholders as a spirit of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Art 142, why SC quashed Chandigarh mayor’s election, and why it matters

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, while setting aside the result as “contrary to law” and declaring Kuldeep Kumar as the “validly elected candidate”, refused to quash the election process itself.

The Supreme Court invoked the powers of Article 142 of the constitution in overturning the results of controversial Chandigarh’s mayoral election.

1. Annual Mayoral electionshad been conducted for the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, consisting of 35 councillors.
2. Defacing Discovered: The returning officer was caught on security camera “defacing” eight ballot papers.

Chandigarh Mayoral polls

1. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the Chandigarh mayoral polls on January 30, securing a win over the Aam Aadmi Party-Congress alliance candidate.
2. The returning officer declared eight votes from the coalition partners as invalid, sparking allegations of ballot tampering.

Supreme Court Observation: The Supreme Court condemned the incident as “Mockery of Democracy” and ordered the ballots, records and security camera footage to be handed over to the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s Registrar-General, for producing it in the SC.

Key Highlights of SC Verdicts:

1. Upholding Electoral Democracy:The Supreme Court asserted its responsibility to do complete justice under Article 142 to ensure that the process of electoral democracy is not thwarted by subterfuges at all levels of the electoral process.
2. Review Over Re-election: Instead of ordering a new election, the Court reviewed the election results, identifying those issues occurred specifically during the counting and declaration stages.
3. Action Against Malpractice:A bench led by CJI took action against the Returning Officer for malpractice during the mayoral elections, issuing a show-cause notice under 340 (conduct affecting the administration of justice) for his conduct.
4. Concern Over Political Integrity: The Chief Justice expressed deep concern over political integrity, highlighting instances of “horse trading” among counsellors.

Article 142 of Constitution:

• Discretionary Powers:Article 142 of the Indian Constitution provides discretionary power to the Supreme Court. 
• It empowers the court to pass decrees or make orders necessary for doing complete justicein any cause or matter pending before it.

Babri Masjid Case

The article was used in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid land dispute case and was instrumental in the handover of the disputed land to a trust to be formed by the union government.

Manohar Lal Sharma v. Principal Secretary

The Supreme Court can deal with exceptional circumstances interfering with the larger interest of the public in order to fabricate trust in the rule of law.

Mayor: Mayor is elected by the Municipal Corporation or Council members and serves as the leader of an urban local body. S/he oversees essential services and infrastructure for city or town residents, while also acting as the ceremonial head of local government. The process of electing a city’s mayor and his/her tenure in office varies vastly across India. Bengaluru has an indirect election for the mayor with a tenure of one year while Mumbai has indirect elections for a 2.5-year tenure.

 

Expansion of the scope of Article 142 Prem Chand Garg Case (1962): Established those orders under Article 142 providing complete justice to the parties, must align with the Constitution and cannot contradict statutory laws. It also emphasised the need for consistency between fundamental rights and substantive legal provisions (parliamentary laws). Antulay Case (1988): A seven-judge bench reaffirmed the Prem Chand Garg ruling, upholding the principles set regarding the exercise of powers under Article 142. Union Carbide Corporation vs Union of India Case (1991): The Supreme Court expanded the understanding of Article 142, clarifying its wide scope and asserting that statutory limitations do not restrict its constitutional powers. The court emphasised that Article 142 operates on a distinct level, highlighting the supremacy of constitutional provisions over ordinary laws.

Significance of Article 142 Justice Restoration: Article 142 grants the Supreme Court unique and powerful authority to ensure complete justice for parties affected by legal injustices or irregularities in their cases. Uphold Citizen’s Rights: Article 142 protects the rights of the different sections of the population, especially the vulnerable section. Checks and Balances the Government Actions: The provision works as a system of checks and balances with the Government or Legislature. Fills the Legislative Vacuum: In cases of legal void as seen in 2002 Bhanwari Devi case, where there were no laws against workplace sexual harassment, the Supreme Court established the Vishaka guidelines to fill the legal gap and ensure justice. Addressing Executive Non-compliance: The executive’s non-compliance in Bihar during trials resulted in a high number of undertrials, leading to the SC’s intervention in the 1979 Hussainara Khatoon Case, pioneering Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India.

New railway line to connect Puri and Konark: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Union Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday announced a 32-km-long railway line between Puri and Konark connecting the Jagannath temple and the Sun temple, along with a Vistadome coach, as part of the Centre’s focus on organising spiritual, heritage and coastal tourism.

Jagannath Temple

Location: Jagannath Temple is situated on the Sacred Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal) in the Puri state of Odisha.

It is one of the 4 Dhams (Holiest of the holy places in Hinduism) i.e., Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar.

Deities: Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, sister Devi Subhadra, and elder brother Mahaprabhu Shri Balabhadra are being worshiped here. The deities are seated on the Bejeweled Pedestal (Ratna Simhassana).

Nabakalebara: It is a process whereby the image of Jagannath made of wood is ceremoniously replaced every twelve or nineteen years by an exact replica.

Built by: The Ganga Dynasty king Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to the 12th century in Kalinga style architecture, with a height of 65 meters on an elevated platform.

Sri Jagannath Festivals:  The most important festivals are the World-famous Rath Yatra & Bahuda Yatra along with other celebrations including Snana Yatra, Netrotsava, Sayan Ekadasi, Chitalagi Amabasya, Srikrushna Janma, Dussehra, etc.

Kalinga/Odisha Temple architecture

1. Style: The temples of Odisha constitute a distinct substyle within the Nagara architecture.
2. The main architectural features of Odisha temples are classified in three orders, i.e.,Rekhapida, Pidhadeul and  
3. The shikhara called rekhadeul or deul in Odisha, is vertical and it suddenly curves sharply inwardsat the top.
4. Deuls are preceded bymandapas called Jagamohana in Odisha. 
5. The exterior of the temples is lavishly carvedand their interiors are plain.
6. Ground plan:  The ground plan of the main temple was square. Panchratha (Five chariots)consists of two anurathas, two konakas and one ratha.
7. There was no use of pillars on the porch. Iron girders were used instead to support the roof.
8. The Temple stands in the center of an inner courtyard on an elevated stone platform that usually has boundary walls.
9. Notable Examples: Sun Temple of Konark, Jagannath temple at Puri, Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar, etc.

Konark Sun Temple:

• Location: It is located on the coastline of Odisha in Puri district.
• It was built by King Narasimha Deva Iof the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1244.
• It was given the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984 by UNESCO.

Features:

1. Also called the Surya Devalaya, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya.
2. It is a classic example of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.
3. The temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot high solar chariot, with 24 wheels and pulled by six horses, all carved from stone.
4. It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance.
5. The wheels of the temple are sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
6. Around the base of the temple, there are images of animals, foliage, warriors on horses and other interesting structures.
7. On the walls and roof of the temple, beautiful sensual figures are carved.
8. The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, is also known as’BLACK PAGODA’ due to its dark colour.
9. The temple remains a site of contemporary worship for Hindus, during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, around the month of February.