Articles Covered:

1. BHARAT RATNA TO KARPOORI THAKUR
2. MEITEI COMMUNITY:
3. BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE
4. Minority Educational Institutions (MEI))
5. KUNO PALPUR NATIONAL PARK
6. ASHTAMUDI LAKE
7. KUNO PALPUR NATIONAL PARK
8. VELIGONDA PROJECT
9. SEIL THERMAL POWER UNIT LINE LINKED TO AP STATE GRID
10. INDIAN TOY INDUSTRY WITNESSES 52% DECLINE IN IMPORTS AND 239% RISE IN EXPORTS IN FY 2022-23 IN COMPARISON TO FY 2014-15.

BHARAT RATNA TO KARPOORI THAKUR:

Karpoori Thakur, a prominent Gandhian socialist leader and former Bihar chief minister will be awarded the ‘Bharat Ratna’   (   49^th Karpoori Thakur (Posthumous- 17^th ) (politician and former Bihar chief minister) – 2024posthumously. He served as chief minister from December 1970 to June 1971 and from December 1977 to April 1979. 

BHARAT RATNA AWARD:

• TheBharat Ratna award is the highest civilian award in India which was instituted in the year 1954. The Bharat Ratna award is awarded to people for their exceptional public service and performance of the highest order in any field of human activity like literature science and art.
• Any person in any occupation sex or position is eligible for the Bharat Ratna award. In a year, a maximum of 3 people is awarded the Bharat Ratna award. The Bharat Ratna award is presented by the President of India. This award is also awarded posthumously, till now 16 people are awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.

Bharat Ratna Award Winners:

In a year only Ratna three Bharat awards are awarded. According to the constitution, the Bharat Ratna cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name. The recipient of the award is facilitated with a sanad or certificate signed by the president and a medal.

The medal is in the form of a peepal leaf which is 5.8 cm long, 4.7 cm wide, and 3.1 mm thick. It is a bronze medal and in the middle of the medal, the image of the sun is embossed which is 1.6 cm in diameter. On the other side of the medal state emblem and the Moto of the country are written in Devnagri script.

First Recipient of Bharat Ratna Awards: – The first Bharat Ratna award was awarded to politician C.Rajagopalachari, philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and scientist C.V RAMAN in the year 1954.

Bharat Ratna Award Winner 2024:   Karpoori Thakur, a renowned socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, is set to be posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. The announcement of this prestigious honor coincides with the eve of his 100th birth anniversary.

MEITEI COMMUNITY:

• The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people, are the predominant ethnic group of Manipur State.
• They speak the Meitei language (officially called Manipuri), one of the 22 official languages of India and the sole official language of Manipur State.

Distribution:

1. The Meiteis primarily settled in the Imphal Valley region in modern-day Manipur, though a sizable population has settled in the other Indian states of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
2. There is also a notable presence of Meitei in the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Bangladesh.
3. The Meitei ethnic group represents about 53% of Manipur’s population.

• Clans: They are divided into clans, the members of which do not intermarry.
• Economy: Rice cultivation on irrigated fields is the basis of their economy.
• Religion: A majority follow Hinduism, while more than 8% are Muslims.

BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE:

The doctrine of Basic Structure was propounded by the Indian Judiciary on 24th April 1973 in the Keshavananda Bharati case to put a limitation on the amending powers of the Parliament so that the ‘Basic Structure of the Constitution’ cannot be amended in the exercise of its ‘constituent power’ under Article 368 of the Indian constitution. 

1. It is a judicial creation whereby certain features of the CONSTITUTION OF INDIA are beyond the limits of amending powers of parliament of the constitution.
2. The word “Basic Structure” is not mentioned in the constitution but was recognized for the first time in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973.

Genesis of the Doctrine of Basic Structure:

• The Supreme Court, since independence, has time and again reformed and revised its stance on parliament’s power to amend the constitution.
• The evolution of the Basic Structure doctrine can be traced from the issue of the right to property and the first constitutional amendment act of 1951.

EVOLUTION- SUPREME COURT OF INDIA- JUDGEMENTS: Shankari Prasad vs. Union of India (1951): The Supreme Court held that the Parliament, under Article 368, has the power to amend any part of the constitution, including fundamental duties. Sajjan Singh vs. State of Rajasthan (1965): The Supreme Court agreed with its judgment in the Shankari Prasad case 1951 and held that under Article 368, Parliament could amend any part of the constitution. However, the concurring opinion by Justice Hidyatullah and Justice Mudholkar raised doubts over the unrestricted power of the Parliament to amend the Constitution and limit the fundamental rights of citizens. Golak Nath vs. State of Punjab Case (1967): In the Golaknath case (1967), the Supreme Court overturned Shankari Prasad judgment and ruled that Article 368 only lays down the procedure to amend the constitution and does not give absolute powers to the parliament to amend any part of the constitution. 24th Constitution Amendment Act (1971): To surpass the Golaknath judgment constraints, the government enacted the 24th amendment act, which introduced a provision to Article 368 of the Constitution, which stated that the Parliament has the power to take away any of the fundamental rights. It also made it obligatory for the president to give his assent on all the Constitution Amendment bills sent to him. Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (1973): The Supreme Court, in this case, upheld the validity of the 24th Constitution Amendment Act by reviewing its decision in the Golaknath case. However, the Supreme Court held that the Parliament has the power to amend any provision of the constitution, but in doing so, the Basic Structure of the constitution is to be maintained. The Court propounded what has come to be known as the “Basic Structure of the Constitution”. Thus, this landmark judgment meant that every provision of the Constitution could be amended, but these amendments can be subjected to judicial review to ascertain that the Basic Structure of the Constitution remains intact. 42nd Amendment Act (1976): The government in 1976 enacted the 42nd Amendment Act that declared no limitation to the constituent power of Parliament under article 368. The amendment, also called the “Mini-constitution” for introducing wide-ranging constitutional changes, barred the courts from questioning constitutional amendments. Minerva Mills vs. Union of India (1980): In this case, the Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the 42nd CAA and ruled that the Parliament cannot take away the power of ‘judicial review’ as it is a part of the ‘Basic Structure’. Waman Rao vs. Union of India (1981): Also known as the ‘Doctrine of Prospective Overruling’, the court decided that all the laws placed under Ninth Schedule before the Kesavananda judgment cannot be called into question for violating Fundamental Rights. However, the laws post the judgment can be raised before a court of law. The Supreme Court again reiterated the Basic Structure doctrine in this case. Indra Sawhney & Others vs. Union of India (1992): Also known as the Mandal case, the Supreme Court declared the Rule of Law as a Basic Structure of the constitution. Kihoto Hollohan Case (1993): Popularly known as the Defection case, the Supreme Court added Free and fair elections, Sovereign, Democratic and Republican structure to the Basic Structure of the Constitution. S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994): The Supreme Court declared federalism Secularism, and Democracy as the Basic Structure of the Constitution.

Features of the constitution constitute the Basic Structure: The components of the Basic Structure provided in the constitution have been recognized by the judiciary in various cases to date. Some of these components are: Supremacy of the Constitution Sovereign, democratic and republican nature of the Indian Polity Secular character of the Constitution Separation of powers between the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary Federal character of the Constitution Unity and integrity of the nation Welfare state (socio-economic justice) Judicial review Freedom and dignity of the individual Parliamentary system The rule of law Harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles Principle of equality Free and fair elections Independence of Judiciary Limited power of Parliament to amend the Constitution Principles (or essence) underlying fundamental rights Powers of the Supreme Court under Articles 32, 136, 141 and 142. Powers of the High Courts under Articles 226 and 227.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BASIC STRUCTURE DOCTRINE:

1. Promotes Constitutional Ideals: Basic Structure Seeks to preserve constitutional principles and Basic ideals envisioned by the founding fathers.
2. Maintains Supremacy of the Constitution:The doctrine has helped to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution and has prevented its destruction by a temporary majority in Parliament.
3. Separation of powers -Basic Structure strengthens our democracy by delineating a true separation of power where the Judiciary is independent of the other two organs.

• Granville Austinargues that with Basic Structure Doctrine, a balance has been reached between the responsibilities of Parliament and the Supreme Court for protecting the seamless web of the Indian Constitution.

1. Protects Fundamental Rights:Basic Structure protects the fundamental rights of the citizens against arbitrariness and authoritarianism of the legislature.
2. Constitution as a living document: Being dynamic in nature, it is more progressive and open to changes in time, making the constitution a living document

Minority Educational Institutions (MEI)):

Article 30 of the Indian Constitution upholds the right of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.  The protection under Article 30 is confined only to minorities (religious or linguistic) and does not extend to any section of citizens (as under Article 29).

Supreme Court has refused to entertain a petition questioning the exclusion of madrasas and Vedic schools (Minority Educational Institutions (MEI)) from the ambit of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009.

• The exclusion of these institutions was specifically inserted into the 2009 Act by an amendment of August 2012.
• Earlier,A REPORT BY NCPCR showed the disproportionate number of minority institutions or dominance of non-minority category in Minority institutions.

Article 29:

• It provides that any section of the citizens residing in any part of India having a distinct language, script or culture of its own,shall have the right to conserve the same.
• It grantsprotection to both religious minorities as well as linguistic minorities.
• However, the SC held that the scope of this article is not necessarily restricted to minorities only, as use of the word‘section of citizens’ in the Article includes minorities as well as the majority.

Legal Provisions regarding MEI and RTE:

• Right to Education under Article 21A:It describes modalities of the importance of free and compulsory education for children aged between 6-14 yearsin India under Article 21 (A) of the Constitution of India (86^th Amendment).
• The Act mandates25% reservation for disadvantaged sectionsof the society where disadvantaged groups include:

1. SCs and STs
2. Socially Backward Class
3. Differently abled

Article 29 and 30 of Indian Constitution contain provisions securing rights of MINORITIES and minority-run institutions.

• Minority institutions have the fundamental right under Article 30 of the Constitution to establish and administer their educational institutions according to their choice.

In this context, RTE was amended to add in Sections 1(4) and 1(5) of the Act.

1. Section 1(5)of the RTE Act states, “Nothing contained in this Act shall apply to madrasas, Vedic pathshalas and educational institutions primarily imparting religious instruction.
2. Section 1(4)of the RTE states that “Subject to the provisions of Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, the provisions of this Act shall apply to conferment of rights on children to free and compulsory education.

ASHTAMUDI LAKE:

• It is located in the Kollam District of the Indian state of Kerala.
• It is the most visited backwater lake in the state.
• It possesses a unique wetland ecosystem and a large palm-shaped (also described as octopus-shaped) water body, second only in size to the Vembanad estuary ecosystem of the state.
• Ashtamudi means ‘eight braids’ in the local Malayalam language.
• The name is indicative of the lake’s topography with its multiple branches.
• The lake is also called the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala and is well known for its houseboat and backwater resorts.
• Ashtamudi Wetland was included in the list of wetlands of international importance, as defined by the Ramsar Convention for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands.
• In 2014, the Clam Governing Council of Ashtamudi lake became the first Marine Stewardship Council certified fishery in India for their sustainable clam fishing.

KUNO PALPUR NATIONAL PARK:

3 Cubs Born to Namibian Cheetah ‘Jwala’ At Kuno National Park, earlier 3 cheers at Kuno: Cheetah Asha gives birth to triplets, wanderer Oban is father,1 died.

1. Location: Kuno National Park lies in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh in Central India near the Vindhyan Hills.
2. With an area of 748 sq. km, the park is located within the larger Kuno Wildlife Division.
3. Initially established as a wildlife sanctuary, it was only in 2018 that the government changed its status into a national park.
4. Named after the Kuno River (One of the main tributaries of the Chambal River) that cuts across it, Kuno is primarily a grassland region.
5. Flora and Fauna: The protected area of the forest is home to the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox and dhole, along with more than 120 bird species
6. Kuno National Park was selected under ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’.

Project Cheetah:

1. World’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project.
2. Project Cheetah was approved by the Supreme Court of India in January 2020 as a pilot programme to reintroduce the species to India.
3. Close to 50 cheetahs will be introduced into the wild over the next five years.

VELIGONDA PROJECT:

• Breakthrough achieved in 2nd tunnel of two-tunnel Veligonda project, marking its completion With this, the construction works of two tunnels have been completed with only minor works to be finished.
• The MEIL used two Tunnel Boring Machines to complete the construction of both tunnels.
• The Water Resources Department of the Andhra Pradesh Government has taken up the excavation of two tunnels from Kothur near Dornala in the Prakasam district to Kollam Vagu in the upper reaches of the Srisailam project in the Nallamala forest area.
• Engineers designed to dig the first tunnel in seven diameters and the second tunnel in 9 diameters. The length of each tunnel is 18.82 kilometers which would be able to move 3,000 cusecs of water from the first tunnel and 8,500 cusecs of water from the second tunnel.

Asia’s longest conveyor used In the Veligonda tunnel project:

• a 39-meter Asia’s longest conveyor belt has been used. It is used to take out stones and mud that come out during the excavation of the tunnels.
• The works were completed without any auditing in these tunnels. Auditing is done during the construction of the tunnel. It is a passage through which a hole is made from the surface of the tunnel to move machinery, goods, and workers in case of an emergency.

Due to the non-availability of this auditing passage, MEIL had to face several problems in this project. It had to transport cement, sand, iron materials, and machinery required for the construction from Sangameshwara in Kurnool district to Kollam Vagu area through River Krishna by two barges that could carry a weight of 125 and 800 tonnes. from there the material was taken to the Veligonda project construction area.

SEIL THERMAL POWER UNIT LINE LINKED TO AP  STATE GRID

APTransco has taken a major step by connecting the SembCorp Energy India ltd (SEIL) thermal power plant evacuation line directly to the AP State Grid.

• According to an official release, as part of the long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), the power distribution companies (Discoms) of the State are purchasing power for the energy needs of the State from SEIL thermal power plant. Until now, electricity was being supplied from this plant through the transmission line of Power Grid.
• The plant located in Nellore district, supplies around 5,475 million units to AP Discoms and the Discoms are paying 72 paise per unit for using the power grid transmission line as ISTS charges.
• The transmission line work undertaken by APTransco under the guidance of the State government has paved the way for huge savings of more than Rs 365 crore per year directly to the Discoms, and indirectly to electricity consumers in the State.

INDIAN TOY INDUSTRY WITNESSES 52% DECLINE IN IMPORTS AND 239% RISE IN EXPORTS IN FY 2022-23 IN COMPARISON TO FY 2014-15

Govt. efforts for the toy industry led to doubling of manufacturing units, reduction in imported inputs from 33% to 12% and increase in gross sales value by a CAGR of 10%

• The Indian Toy industry witnessed remarkable growth in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15, with the decline in imports by 52%, rise in exports by 239% and development of overall quality of the Toys available in the domestic market. These observations have been noted in a Case Study on “Success Story of Made in India Toys” has been conducted by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow at the behest of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Recently, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow at the behest of   DPIIT under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, has conducted a Case Study on “Success Story of Made in India Toys”, highlighting a significant rise in Toy Exports in in FY 2022-23 in comparison to FY 2014-15.

Status of Indian Toy Industry as per the Study:

Significant Growth Trends:

1. The Indian toy industry exhibited remarkable growth between FY 2014-15and FY 2022-23, marked by a substantial decline in imports by 52% and a significant rise in exports by 239%.
2. This growth indicates a shift towards self-sufficiency and global competitiveness.

Quality Improvement: There’s been an overall enhancement in the quality of toys available in the domestic market. This emphasizes the importance of meeting international standards and ensuring consumer satisfaction and safety.

Growth Drivers:

1. Enhanced Manufacturing Ecosystem: Government efforts havefacilitated the creation of a more conducive manufacturing ecosystem. Doubling the number of manufacturing units in six years, reducing dependence on imported inputs from 33% to 12%, increasing in gross sales value by a CAGR of 10% and improving labor productivity are noteworthy achievements.
2. Global Integration and Export Focus: India’s emergence as a top exporting nation in the toy industry indicates successful integration into the global toy value chain.Zero-duty market access in key countries like the UAE and Australia has contributed to this growth trajectory.

Government Initiatives to Foster the Growth in the Toy Industry:

1. National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT):A comprehensive plan comprising 21 specific action points, coordinated by DPIIT and implemented by multiple Central Ministries/Departments. This plan addresses various aspects like design, quality control, promotion of indigenous toy clusters, etc.
2. Increase in Basic Customs Duty (BCD):A substantial increase in BCD on toys (from 20% to 60% in February 2020, and subsequently to 70% in March 2023) aimsto protect the domestic toy industry from cheaper imports and encourage local manufacturing.
3. Mandated Sample Testing:The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT),under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry mandated sample testing for each import consignment to prevent the import of substandard toys, ensuring better quality control.
4. Quality Control Order (QCO) for Toys:Issued in 2020, this order emphasizes quality standards for toys,effective from January 2021, to enhance the overall quality of toys manufactured and sold in the country.
5. Provisions for Toy Manufacturers:Special provisions by BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) have been made, including granting licenses to small units without testing facilities for a specified period, facilitating compliance with quality standards.
6. BIS Standard Marks:Over 1200 licenses have been granted to domestic manufacturersand over 30 to foreign manufacturers, ensuring adherence to quality standards through BIS marks.
7. Cluster-based Approach:Supporting the domestic toy industry through schemes like SFURTI by the Ministry of MSME and providing support for designing and tooling to various toy clusters by the Ministry of Textiles.
8. Promotional Initiatives: Events like The Indian Toy Fair 2021and TOYCATHON aim to promote indigenous toys, encourage innovation, and create a platform for showcasing and ideation in the toy industry.