• 22 Apr 2025

Stubble Burning Crisis in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News? 

In April 2025, Madhya Pradesh emerged as the leading state in wheat stubble burning incidents. In response, the MP administration enforced strict measures such as the imposition of penalties on farmers for stubble burning. 

Key Points 

• Current Scenario in the State: 
  • According to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute’s (IARI) Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS) dashboard, 17,534 incidents of wheat stubble burning have been recorded in Madhya Pradesh so far in 2025. 
    • Indore alone witnessed 1,240 such incidents, with 770 farmers fined ₹16.7 lakh cumulatively. 
  • The state government, invoking Section 19(5) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, has banned stubble burning and authorised district administrations to take strict action. 
    • Section 19(5): If the State Government, after consulting the State Pollution Control Board, believes that burning any material (other than fuel) in an air pollution control area may cause or is likely to cause air pollution, it can issue a notification in the Official Gazette to prohibit the burning of that material in the specified area. 
• Penalties Imposed (Based on Landholding): 
  • Up to 2 acres: ₹2,500 per incident 
  • 2–5 acres: ₹5,000 per incident 
  • More than 5 acres: ₹15,000 per incident 
• Reasons for Rise in Stubble Burning: 
  • Push for Summer Moong Cultivation: 
    • Farmers have increasingly adopted summer moong in districts like Narmadapuram (previously Hoshangabad), Raisen, Vidisha, Dewas, Harda, and Sehore as a third crop after wheat and paddy. 
    • Since canal water is available until May, farmers can easily irrigate moong crops. However, they get very little time to clear the wheat stubble before sowing. Thus, burning the residue becomes the fastest and cheapest method to prepare fields. 
  • Inadequate Subsidy Support: 
    • Farmers in Madhya Pradesh receive only 40% subsidy on Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines. 
    • In contrast, Punjab offers up to 80% subsidy for cooperative societies and 50% for individual farmers. 
  • Delays and Policy Gaps: 
    • Delayed access to fertilisers and high costs of CRM machines mean many small and marginal farmers have no alternative but to burn residue. 
    • Farm leaders contend that many stubble fires are not always intentional and may be triggered by natural causes such as extreme heat, lightning strikes, or electrical faults.  
    • They argue that the government is unfairly penalising farmers without first ensuring the availability of viable alternatives for crop residue management. 
• State Response and Reforms: 
  • The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has directed local administrations to ensure machine availability and raise awareness about the harmful effects of burning. 
  • The recently approved Anna Data Mission aims to tackle structural issues like crop residue management, technology access, and alternative cropping models. 
• Alternatives to Stubble Burning: 
  • Use of Technology: The Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine, which can uproot the stubble and also sow seeds in the area cleared. The stubble can then be used as mulch for the field. 

Stubble Burning 

• About: 
  • Stubble burning is the practice of burning agricultural residues left in the field after harvesting, typically done in the winter months to clear the land for sowing the next crop.  
    • A common example of this practice is burning crop residues after paddy harvest to prepare the field for wheat sowing, which is typically done in October and November across North West India, primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. 
  • It is usually required in areas that use the combined harvesting method, which leaves crop residue behind. 
• Effects of Stubble Burning: 
  • Releases harmful gases like methane (CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile Organic compounds (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, forming toxic smog. 
  • Pollutants undergo transformations, forming smog that adversely affects human respiratory health. 
  • Destroys essential soil nutrients, reducing overall fertility. 
  • High temperature from burning leads to moisture loss and kills beneficial soil microbes. 

Extreme Weather Events in J&K

Why in News? 

The occurrence of cloudburst, flash flood, and landslide, in Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir caused deaths, damaged buildings, disrupted transport, and displaced many. This highlights the issue of increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the ecologically sensitive Himalayan region. 

  

Key Points 

Cloudburst 

• A cloudburst is a localised extreme rainfall event, defined as 10 cm or more rainfall within an hour over an area of approximately 10 km². 
• The phenomenon is common in hilly regions due to orographic lift—where warm air rises along mountain slopes, cools rapidly at higher altitudes, and releases accumulated moisture as sudden, intense rainfall. 
  • Cloudbursts are difficult to predict or monitor due to their localized and short-lived nature. 
• It can trigger flash floods and landslides by overwhelming natural and artificial drainage. 
• Cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh (2024) and Uttarakhand (2021) caused fatal floods, landslides, and extensive damage to infrastructure.   

 

Flash Floods 

• A flash flood occurs when sudden, intense rainfall leads to rapid runoff into rivers, streams, and drainage systems, especially in rocky terrains that have low water absorption capacity. 
• These floods are short-lived but violent, and can result in serious loss of life, unlike riverine floods that are slower but more damaging to property. 

Landslide 

• A landslide is the downward movement of soil, rocks, and debris due to gravity, often triggered by water infiltration. 
  • Excess rainfall reduces soil strength and friction, making it easier for slopes to fail. 
• Landslides in hilly areas block roads, destroy homes, and even cause secondary flooding by displacing water bodies. 
  • The 2021 Chamoli landslide, triggered by heavy rain and a glacier burst, led to widespread flooding and fatalities.  

  

Why Himalayan Regions Like Ramban Are Vulnerable? 

• The Himalayas are young fold mountains, tectonically active and prone to erosion, making the region naturally unstable. 
  • Roads, buildings, and dams are often built without adequate slope stabilization or environmental assessments, increasing the risk of disaster. 
• Loss of vegetation reduces soil cohesion, which increases the chances of landslides and slope failure. 
• The frequency of extreme weather events such as cloudbursts is rising due to changing climate patterns, leading to intense and erratic rainfall. 
  • Local populations often lack the training and resources to respond quickly and effectively during such disasters. 

Mitigation Measures 

• Enhance satellite-based monitoring and real-time forecasting tools to track localised extreme weather events. 
• Enforce eco-sensitive construction norms, especially in hilly and ecologically fragile districts like Ramban. 
• Integrate climate vulnerability assessments into district-level disaster management plans and planning processes. 
• Train local communities in evacuation protocols and first-response mechanisms to minimise casualties during extreme weather events. 

Waqf Amendment Act 2025 and Violence in West Bengal

Why in News? 

The Supreme Court of India addressed a plea seeking to invoke emergency powers under Article 355 to protect West Bengal from ongoing violence related to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.  

• The Court raised concerns over whether such a measure would encroach upon the Executive and Legislative domains, particularly in light of recent criticism that the judiciary has overstepped its authority. 

 Note:  

• Judicial overreach occurs when the judiciary exceeds its constitutional role by interfering with the functions of the legislative or executive branches of government.  
  • In simpler terms, it is when the judiciary steps beyond its authority and involves itself in areas meant for the executive or legislature.  

Read More: Judicial Activism, Restraint & Overreach 

Key Points  

• Background of the Issue: Communal violence erupted in several districts of West Bengal during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, leading to multiple deaths, displacement of residents, and damage to property. 

Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 

• About Waqf:  
  • It refers to an endowment made by a Muslim for charitable or religious purposes, such as building mosques, schools, hospitals, or other public institutions. It is inalienable, i.e., it cannot be sold, gifted, inherited or encumbered.  
• Key Provisions of the Act: 
  • Ending Arbitrary Property Claims: Section 40 of the original Waqf Act (1995) has been removed, preventing Waqf Boards from arbitrarily declaring properties as Waqf.  
    • Section 40 of the Waqf Act (1995) gives the Waqf Board the authority to decide whether a property is a Waqf property or not.  
  • Eligibility for Waqf Dedication: Only practicing Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to Waqf.  
    • Properties already registered with Waqf Boards will remain so unless disputed or identified as government land.  
  • Diverse Representation: The Waqf Boards will include two non-Muslim members for inclusivity, and among Muslim members, at least two must be women.   
    • Representation from Shia, Sunni, Bohra, Aghakhani, and OBC Muslim communities is also mandated.   
  • Waqf Tribunals: The Waqf tribunals consist of 3 members i.e., a district judge, a state government officer (joint secretary level), and an expert in Muslim law and jurisprudence. 
    • Aggrieved parties can appeal directly to the concerned High Court within 90 days of receiving the Waqf tribunal’s order. 

Read More: Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 

Article 355 of the Indian Constitution  

• The article states that it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. 
• It serves as the basis for invoking emergency-like powers and can lead to President’s Rule under Article 356 if constitutional machinery fails in a state. 
• However, Article 355 does not grant the judiciary the authority to compel the Union to act, as it is within the discretion of the Executive. 

PM Surya Ghar Yojana

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government will double the installation rate of solar rooftop plants under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana. 

Key Points 

• Current Status: 
  •  Over one lakh plants have already been installed across the state, with an installation rate of approximately 11,000 per month and 500 per day. 
• Target of the Government: 
  • The government aims to install 2.65 lakh plants in 2025-26, raising the monthly installation rate to 22,000.  
    • The overall target is to install 8 lakh solar rooftop plants by March 2027.  
  • To expedite the process, over 2,500 vendors have been empaneled, and approximately 1,800 vendors have been trained. 
• Multi-Level Planning: 
  • The target has been divided at the district, discom, municipal corporation and municipality level. 
  • The scheme has been linked to the Chief Minister's dashboard, enabling real-time monitoring and tracking of its progress. 
  • Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) is committed to ensuring that the scheme reaches every household. 
  •  Vendors are being enlisted by reaching out to the applicants.  
    • Additionally, their economic capacity is being strengthened through loans and credit guarantee schemes provided by banks. 
• Training & Support: 
  • The training work is being done in a phased manner with the cooperation of the National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, Ministry of Skill Development, Government of India and UPNEDA. 

PM Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana 

• About:  
  • This scheme was launched by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in February 2024. 
  • This is a central scheme to promote the adoption of solar rooftop systems by providing adequate financial subsidy and ensuring ease of installation. 
  • It aims to provide free electric power to one crore households in India who wish to install power units with rooftop solar panels.  
    • The households will be able to get 300 units of electricity free every month. 
• Implementing Agencies: The scheme will be implemented at two levels: 
  • National Level: Managed by National Programme Implementation Agency (NPIA). 
  • State Level: Managed by State Implementation Agencies (SIAs), which are the distribution utilities (DISCOMs) or electricity/energy departments of the respective states or UTs. 
• Subsidy Structure: The scheme provides subsidies to reduce the cost of solar rooftop system installation. The subsidy is limited to a maximum capacity of 3 kW. 
  • 60% subsidy for solar systems up to 2 kW capacity. 
  • 40% subsidy for solar systems between 2kW to 3kW capacity. 

MoU Signed Between NSE and UP Government

Why in News?

Recently, an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Uttar Pradesh Government and the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Key Points

• About the MoU: 
  • Its objective is to facilitate capital-raising opportunities for the state's 96 lakh Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
    • These MSMEs can now raise funds by launching Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) through the NSE Emerge platform.
  • NSE Emerge is a dedicated platform designed to connect MSMEs with the capital market, offering opportunities for public funding, increased brand visibility, and access to a broader investor base.
    • Under the agreement, NSE will assist the Uttar Pradesh Government in organizing seminars, road shows, workshops, knowledge sessions and MSME camps to enhance IPO awareness among MSMEs.
  • Through this initiative, MSME units will get access to public capital as well as the confidence of investors.
  • As of April, 2025, 612 companies have been listed on the NSE Emerge platform, raising capital of more than Rs 17, 003 crore and their total market capitalization is Rs 1, 76, 565 crore.
• Significance:
  • This initiative will boost industrial investment, employment generation and innovation in Uttar Pradesh.
  • MSME will be helped to compete at national and global level.
    • As part of the MSME Policy 2022, financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh is being offered to support MSMEs in getting listed on the stock exchange.

National Stock Exchange (NSE)

• National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) is India's largest financial marketplace.
• The National Stock Exchange, incorporated in 1992, has evolved into a sophisticated, electronic marketplace, ranking fourth in the world by equity trading volume (as of 2021).
• It was the first exchange in India to provide modern, fully automated electronic trading.
  • NSE is the largest private wide-area network in India.
• Nifty 50 is the flagship index of the NSE.
  • The index tracks the behaviour of a portfolio of blue chip companies, the largest and most liquid Indian securities.

Saint Dhanna Bhagat Jayanti

Why in News? 

The Chief Minister of Rajasthan participated in the birth anniversary celebrations held at the birthplace of Sant Dhanna Bhagat Ji, located in Nokha-Nadi, Phagi area of Jaipur district. 

Key Points 

• Dhanna Bhagat Ji: 

 

• He was a mystic poet born (born on 20^th April, 1415) and devotee of the Vaishnav tradition, whose hymns are collected in the Adi Granth. 
• He was a devotee of Krishna and chose a cave in the Aravalli hills for penance, where the Dhundheshwar Mahadev temple still stands today. 
• His temple and gurudwara continue to be centers of faith for devotees, where people from both Hindu and Sikh communities come with devotion. 
• He did not establish any separate sect, but his followers, who were primarily from caste-based communities, came to be known as Dhanvanshi Swamis.  
  • They are spread across various districts in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. 

• Key Highlights of the Celebration:   
  • On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced various religious, cultural, and social schemes of the state government, emphasizing that the teachings of the saint remain relevant in today's times. 
  • Saint Dhanna Bhagat Ji chose the path of devotion and conveyed the message of the importance of selfless service to humanity and the significance of karma. 
  • He opposed casteism and made significant contributions through his literature and teachings to eradicate the social evils prevalent in society. 
  • Dhanna Bhagat Ji is equally revered and respected by both the Hindu and Sikh communities. 
  • The Chief Minister described the saint as a symbol of social equality, spiritual awareness and simple living. 
• State Government Announcements and Initiatives: 
  • The state government has increased the offering amount at temples to ₹3,000 per month and raised the honorarium of priests to ₹7,500 per month. 
  • Works worth ₹101 crore have been approved for the upgradation of religious places and ₹60 crore for temples located outside the state under the Devasthan Department. 

Bihar’s First Vande Metro

Why in News? 

On 24th April, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service (also known as Vande Metro) of Bihar, which will be the second of its kind in India. 

• The PM will also launch the Amrit Bharat Train (connecting Saharsa to Mumbai) along with two other passenger trains, marking the second such service in Bihar. 

Key Points 

• About Vande Metro: 
  • This train will operate from Jayanagar to Patna, passing through Samastipur, Barauni, Mokama, and Bakhtiyarpur. 
    • The first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail was launched between Ahmedabad and Bhuj in September 2024. 
  • This train service will connect the north-central region of Bihar to the state capital Patna directly. 
  • The train is equipped with the 'Kavach' safety system. It features engines at both ends, reducing turnaround time.  
    • For the first time in open-line railways, the train includes a route map indicator that provides information about each station. 
• Features  
  • This is a modern, indigenous and semi high speed train of Indian Railways. 
  • It is designed for short- distance (100–350 km) intercity and suburban routes . 
  • This train is also known as "NaMo Bharat Rapid Rail". 
  • Its maximum speed is 130 km/h.?