5th February 2025 Newspaper Analysis PDF

Date-5th February 2025 Issue of deportation of declared foreigners "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble M23 rebels  A message Dear student, If you are pla...

Date-5th February 2025 Issue of deportation of declared foreigners "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble M23 rebels  A message Dear student, If you are planning to take any paid course from SPM IAS Academy,please read the following message first- 1. A coaching class can’t guarantee success.It’s your own hard You can download PDF work that matters the most. Coaching/mentors can ease the version of today’s process,a little bit, at the best. newspaper analysis by 2. Every coaching has its own methods.Likewise every student clicking the link given has his/her own requirements. If our methods have worked for in the comment some in the past, that doesn’t mean it will work for you as well section. and vice versa. 3. Make your own thorough assessment,investigation before joining us. We believe above ideas are obvious and you knew them already. Yet a formal communication gives us a clear conscience. Regards and Best Wishes SPM IAS Academy Contents Topics of the day GS Paper II Indian Polity-Issue of deportation of declared foreigners GS Paper III Indian Agriculture-"Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Indian Economy-Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble Prelims M23 rebels 1. Issue of deportation of declared foreigners Syllabus- GS Paper II-Indian Polity Prelims Source -The Indian Express(Pg 14) 1. Issue of deportation of declared foreigners How illegal foreign immigrants are identified? Foreigners Tribunals (FTs) These tribunals determine whether a person is a foreigner or an Indian citizen. Role of security agencies The BSF and state police monitor border areas and illegal crossings, especially along the Foreigner India-Bangladesh and India-Myanmar borders. Suspected Tribunal Intelligence agencies track suspected illegal foreigners or immigrants living in different parts of the country and D-Voters subject them to Foreigners Tribunals. D-Voters(a special concept applicable in Assam) ‘D’ voters are a category of voters in Assam whose citizenship is doubtful. This category was introduced in 1997 at the time EC was revising the state’s voter list. 1. Issue of deportation of declared foreigners Foreigner Tribunal The Foreigners Act of 1946 The Foreigners Act of 1946 defines a foreigner as a person who is not a citizen of the country. Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964 Using The Foreigners Act of 1946,Ministry of Home Affairs released Foreigners (Tribunals) Order 1964 for establishment of Foreigner Tribunal. What Foreigner Tribunals do? Decide whether an individual is foreigner or Indian citizen. Appeal against Foreigner Tribunal can be made in a High court. How Foreigner Tribunals are established? The power to establish FTs in states was previously solely available to the Center; however, after the 2019 amendment to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, states now have the same authority. 1. Issue of deportation of declared foreigners Foreigner Tribunal The Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964 applies to the whole of India, yet, FTs exist only in Assam as of now. Prosecution In other states, if an illegal Agency immigrant is found, he is brought Prosecution Agency before a local court and dealt with in accordance with the Foreigners Act, of 1946. Burden of Proof Section 9 the Foreigners’ Act, the burden of proof is reversed and placed on the individual to prove that she is not a ‘foreigner’. Due to this reversed burden of proof, an individual is expected to discharge Ordinary cases Foreigner Act a higher standard of proof. 1. Issue of deportation of declared foreigners Current case The Supreme Court criticized the Assam government for not initiating the deportation of 63 individuals declared as "foreigners" by Foreigners Tribunals. Many such declared foreigners are lodged in Assam’s Matia transit camp. The Supreme Court said Article 21 applies in this case also. Note- Article 21 of the Constitution of India provides that no person shall be deprived of their life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. Article 21 of the Constitution of India applies to all persons, citizens and non-citizens alike, including refugees and asylum seekers. 1. Issue of deportation of declared foreigners Issues associated with deportation Prelims Practice Question There are total 270 individuals lodged in the Matia Q1. Consider the following statements transit camp of Assam. regarding the application of Article 21 of 103 of them are Rohingyas from Myanmar. the Indian Constitution to foreigners: 133 individuals are suspected from Bangladesh,70 1. Article 21, which guarantees the have admitted to being Bangladeshi and have shared right to life and personal liberty, is addresses, while 63 have not. available to both citizens and Issues with respect to immigrants from non-citizens, including foreigners. a. Bangladesh- 2. Foreigners in India can claim Bangladesh refuses to accept them as Bangladeshi protection under Article 21, but citizens and thus refuses to take them back. their right to life and liberty can be b. Myanmar lawfully restricted under Myanmar doesn’t identify Rohingyas as their citizens. procedures established by law, This make Rohingyas technically ‘stateless’ people. including deportation. The process of deportation is a diplomatic issue and a Which of the above statements is/are central government matter. The role of the state correct? government is limited to referring matter to the Ministry of a. Only 1 External Affairs. b. Only 2 c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 2. "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Syllabus- GS Paper III-Indian Agriculture Prelims Source -The Indian Express(Pg 21) 2. "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Pulses production in India India is the largest producer as well as consumer of pulses in the world. About 25% of the pulses of the world are produced here. India is largest importer of pulses too. India imports about 14% of overall pulses worldwide. The major pulse producing areas are Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Rajasthan is the largest pulse producing state. India has consistently imported pulses of large value in last decade 2. "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Current news? In the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, the Indian government has introduced "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses". It is a six-year initiative with an initial allocation of ₹1,000 crore for the financial year 2025-26. Objective of the mission aims is to reduce dependence on pulse imports, which reached a record $5 billion in 2024. Focus Crops The mission emphasizes increasing the production of Tur (Pigeon Pea), Urad This initiative is part of a broader agricultural (Black Gram), and Masoor (Red development plan announced in budget that includes- Lentil). 1. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana 2. National Mission on High Yielding Seeds 3. Mission for Cotton Productivity 4. "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" 2. "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Challenges in Achieving Atma Nirbharta in Pulses Two front challenges- 1. Limited Productivity of Tur/Arhar (Pigeon Pea) Narmada Model in Pulse Production Traditional tur/arhar takes 250-270 days to mature, It is an initiative aimed at improving the with low yields (~20 quintals per hectare). productivity and self-sufficiency of New hybrid varieties have reduced maturity time to pulses, particularly tur (pigeon pea), in 150-180 days, but yields are still 15-16 quintals per India. hectare. It is being promoted in Maharashtra. 2. Policy Ambiguity Key Features of the Narmada Model a. Lower MSP a. Efficient Crop Planning The government wants farmers to expand pulse wider row spacing and intercropping cultivation instead of growing water-intensive crops techniques like sugarcane. b. Improved Seed Varieties However, tur/arhar prices are lower MSP than price c. Water Management and Irrigation guarantee on Sugarcane. rainwater harvesting and micro-irrigation b. Duty free import This has helped in increasing pulses Duty-free imports pulses like tur/arhar,Matar (peas), production. This model can be replicated in masoor (lentils), urad (black gram) discourages other areas as well. domestic production. 2. "Mission for Atma Nirbharta in Pulses" Hints UPSC 2020 Rabi pulses have accounted Q2. With reference to pulse production in India, consider for two-thirds and kharif the following sentences: pulses one-third of the total 1. Black gram can be cultivated as both Kharif and rabi annual production. crop. Kharif season 2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse pulses-Tur/arhar (pigeon pea), production. urad (black matpe) and 3. In the last three decades, while the production of moong (green gram) kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi Rabi crop-chana/gram/desi pulses has decreased. chickpea Which of the statement given above is/are correct? a. 1 only b. 2,3 only c. 2 only d. 1,2,3 all UPSC 2017 Q. Mention the advantages of the cultivation of pulses because of which the year 2016 was declared as the International Year of Pulses by the United Nations. 10 marks/150 words Hints Pulses are an essential source of nutrition for millions of people worldwide. The production of pulses surged by nearly 200 % since independence. In 2016, the United Nations declared it the International Year of Pulses to highlight their importance. Advantages of Pulses: 1. Soil health: Pulses are nitrogen-fixing crops, which means they help to enrich the soil with nitrogen. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can be harmful to the environment. 2. Water conservation: Pulses require less water than other crops, making them an ideal choice for areas with limited water resources. 3. Nutritional benefits: Pulses are a rich source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and They are low in fat and have no cholesterol, making them an excellent choice for a healthy diet. 4. Income generation: Pulses are a valuable cash crop for farmers, providing them with a source of income and helping to support local economies. 5. Climate change mitigation: The cultivation of pulses can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving soil health and reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. 6. Carbon emission: Pulses have been shown to increase yields while reducing carbon emissions. Conclusion: The cultivation of pulses has several advantages, including their high nutritional value, ability to improve soil health, and contribution to sustainable agriculture. But In India, pulse productivity is much lower than other pulse producing countries. India needs to import pulses to the tune of 2 M tonnes every year (Rs 3000 crores) to meet its domestic requirement. 3. Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble Syllabus- GS Paper III-Indian Economy Prelims Source -The Hindu(Pg 10) 3. Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble Tax cut announced in Union Budget 2025-26 Tax cut measures 1. Rebate increased from Rs 7 Lakh to Rs 12 Lakh In the Union Budget 2025-26, the government announced that individuals with an annual income of up to ₹12 lakh will not be required to pay any income tax. 2. Standard deduction increased fro Rs 50k to Rs 75K Salaried individuals are eligible for a standard deduction of ₹75,000 as per IT Act 1961. This effectively making the total tax-exempt income limit ₹12.75 lakh per annum for salaried class. 3. For Income beyond 12 Lakh Rs Tax free income limit has been increased from Rs 3 Lakhs to rs 4 Lakhs. 3. Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble Analysis of the Tax cut strategy Proponents argue- Lower taxes will allow more money in the hands of the people which will boost spending and economic activity. This may spur the virtuous cycle of the economy. Increased economic activity will overall lead to increased revenue generation for the government. As suggested by the Laffer curve sometimes reduction in the tax rates may boost the revenue. Increased revenue generation may help the Union Budget 2025-26 government in bringing down Fiscal deficit. The government has reduced the effective tax rate by 8%. Despite this, it expects direct tax collections to grow by 14%. 3. Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble Analysis of the Tax cut strategy Critics argue- If tax revenue does not increase as expected, the fiscal deficit may widen. Any shortfall in tax revenue will impact expenditure on welfare and development schemes. Lower spending could hurt economic growth rather than stimulate it. The government has cut down expenditures on welfare schemes hoping for the virtuous cycle to set in and reduce the need of welfare measures. 3. Tax cuts-are a one-way gamble Conclusion Prelims The article suggests that tax cuts are a Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the "one-way gamble", meaning they may Laffer Curve: not necessarily lead to higher 1. The Laffer Curve illustrates the relationship economic gains. between tax rates and government revenue, Without strong revenue growth, showing that beyond a certain point, higher tax expenditure cuts could hurt economic rates lead to lower revenue. and social development. 2. The curve suggests that there is always an optimal tax rate,which is same for every economy, at which government revenue is maximized without discouraging economic activity. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a. Only 1 b. Only 2 c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2 4. M23 rebels Syllabus- Prelims-Places in news Source-The Hindu(Pg 14) 4. M23 rebels Who are M23 rebels and why are they in news? The March 23 Movement (M23) is a rebel group operating in the eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Formed in 2012, M23 has been involved in various conflicts, primarily in the North and South Kivu provinces. Recent Development In late January 2025, M23, reportedly backed by Rwanda, seized control of Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. This offensive resulted in significant casualties and displacement. The recent conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis leading to death of more than 900 people. Answers of previous day questions Prelims Practice Question Prelims Practice Question Q2. Evaluate the following statements about the Q1. Evaluate the following statements SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for about the USAID (United States Agency Livelihood and Enterprise) Scheme: for International Development) 1. The SMILE scheme is an initiative of the Ministry Programme: of Social Justice and Empowerment, 1. USAID focuses on providing Government of India. humanitarian aid, economic 2. The scheme primarily focuses on the welfare development, and democracy and rehabilitation of transgender persons and promotion worldwide. beggars. 2. USAID exclusively funds 3. Under SMILE, financial assistance and skill government-led development development programs are provided to projects and does not collaborate marginalized communities for their with non-governmental socio-economic upliftment. organizations (NGOs). 4. The scheme is exclusively implemented in rural Which of the above statements is/are areas and does not cover urban regions. correct? How many of the above statements are correct? a. 1 only a. Only one b. 2 only b. Only two c. Both c. Only three d. None d. All four Answers of previous day questions Prelims Practice Question Q3. Evaluate the following statements regarding cotton fiber Prelims Practice Question classification: Q4. Which of the following statements about 1. Short staple cotton fibers are Fentanyl is correct? typically less than 1 inch in a. Fentanyl is a natural opioid derived directly length and are commonly used from the opium poppy plant. in low-cost products such as b. Fentanyl is used solely for recreational t-shirts and socks. purposes and has no medical applications. 2. Extra-long staple cotton fibers, c. Overdosing on fentanyl can be fatal, and it longer than 1.5 inches, are is a major contributor to the opioid crisis in primarily used in inexpensive the United States. everyday clothing. d. The United States has seen a decrease in Which of the above statements opioid-related deaths since 1999. is/are correct? a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both d. None