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You searched “Issues Related to SCs & STs”. Your tag search matches the following results:

Menace of Manual Scavenging

Why in News Recently, the centre has claimed that no deaths due to manual scavenging have been reported in the past five years. However,...

31 Jul 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Initiatives to Promote Tribal Culture

Why in News The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is administrating the schemes of “Support of Tribal Research Institute” and “Tribal...

31 Jul 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
India Inequality Report 2021: Oxfam

Why in News The report titled “India Inequality Report 2021: India’s Unequal Healthcare Story” released by Oxfam India shows that...

21 Jul 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Sankalp Se Siddhi: Mission Van Dhan

Why in News Recently, the Minister of Tribal Affairs reviewed various initiatives under ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi-Mission Vand Dhan’, by TRIFED...

15 Jul 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
‘Joint Communication’ for Tribal Communities

Why in News A joint communication was signed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change which is...

10 Jul 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
World Sickle Cell Disease Day 2021

Why in News To commemorate the World Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Day on 19th June, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) flagged off mobile vans under...

21 Jun 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Sustainably Developing Andaman & Nicobar

This article is based upon “Developing the sister islands of Indian Ocean” which was published in the Hindustan Times on 03/06/2021. It...

04 Jun 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
NGT Upholds Rights of Pastoralists in Banni Grasslands

Why in News The National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered all encroachments to be removed from Gujarat's Banni grasslands within six months. The...

25 May 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Initiative for Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft to support the digital...

19 May 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Spread of Covid Infection in Vulnerable Tribal Groups

Why in News Many members of eight different Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) got infected in the second wave of Covid-19 in...

15 May 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Online Grievance Management Portal: NCSC

Why in News The Government launched the “Online Grievance Management Portal of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)” on the...

15 Apr 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Anamaya: Tribal Health Collaborative

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has launched Tribal Health Collaborative (THC) 'Anamaya' through a video conference. In...

08 Apr 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Sankalp Se Siddhi: TRIFED

Why in News The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has launched...

06 Apr 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Article 244(A) of the Constitution

Why in News The demand for an autonomous state within Assam has been raised by some of the sections of the society in Assam under the provisions of...

02 Apr 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Reservation Quota Limit of States

Why in News Tamil Nadu told a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court that the percentage of reservation should be left to the “subjective...

24 Mar 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
The Big Picture: Reviewing 50% Cap of Reservation

Why in News Recently, a five-judge bench at the Supreme Court has decided to examine whether the 1992 verdict by a nine-judge bench capping quota...

18 Mar 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Challenges Faced by Nomadic Tribes

Why in News In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment stated that a Development and Welfare Board...

12 Mar 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve: Chhattisgarh

Why in News Thousands of tribals living in villages located in the core areas of Sitanadi Udanti Tiger Reserve are protesting and demanding the...

26 Feb 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
National Commission for Scheduled Castes

Why in News Recently, Vijay Sampla has been appointed as the chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC). Key...

25 Feb 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs
Falling Numbers of SC & ST Students in IITs

Why in News Recently, data collected from a series of Right to Information (RTI) applications pertaining to five older Indian Institutes of...

15 Feb 2021 Issues Related to SCs & STs

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		'article_id' => (int) 9033,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Menace of Manual Scavenging',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the centre has claimed that no deaths due to manual scavenging have been reported in the past five years.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, according to the <strong>National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan,</strong> 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020, and 26 so far in 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Safai Karmachari Andolan is <strong>a movement for elimination of manual scavenging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 21 of the Constitution</strong> guarantees <strong>&lsquo;Right to Life&rsquo; and that also with dignity.</strong> This right is available to<strong> both citizens and non-citizens.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Manual Scavenging:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Manual scavenging is defined as &ldquo;the removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for the Prevalence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indifferent Attitude:</strong> A number of independent surveys have talked about the continued reluctance on the part of state governments to admit that the practice prevails under their watch.</li>
<li><strong>Issues due to Outsourcing:</strong> Many times local bodies outsource sewer cleaning tasks to private contractors. However, many of them fly-by-night operators, do not maintain proper rolls of sanitation workers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In case after case of workers being asphyxiated to death, these contractors have denied any association with the deceased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Social Issue:</strong> The practice is <strong>driven by caste, class and income divides.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is linked to India&rsquo;s caste system where so-called lower castes are expected to perform this job.</li>
<li>In <strong>1993,</strong> India<strong> banned the employment of people as manual scavengers</strong> (The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993), however, the stigma and discrimination associated with it still linger on.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This makes it difficult for liberated manual scavengers to secure alternative livelihoods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-to-eliminate-manual-scavenging" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation (Amendment) Bill, 2020</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It proposes to completely mechanise sewer cleaning, introduce ways for &lsquo;on-site&rsquo; protection and provide compensation to manual scavengers in case of sewer deaths.</li>
<li>It will be an amendment to <strong>The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>still awaiting cabinet approval.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Superseding the 1993 Act, the 2013 Act goes beyond prohibitions on dry latrines, and outlaws all manual excrement cleaning of insanitary latrines, open drains, or pits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prevention of Atrocities Act:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 1989, the <strong>Prevention of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upholds-changes-to-sc-st-atrocities-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atrocities Act</a></strong> became an integrated guard for sanitation workers; more than <strong>90% people employed as manual scavengers belonged to the Scheduled Caste.</strong> This became an important landmark to free manual scavengers from designated traditional occupations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched by the <strong>Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-toilet-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> World Toilet Day</a> (19<sup>th</sup> November)</strong> in 2020.</li>
<li>The Government launched this &ldquo;challenge&rdquo; for<strong> all states to make sewer-cleaning mechanised by April 2021 &mdash;</strong> if any human needs to enter a sewer line in case of unavoidable emergency, proper gear and oxygen tanks, etc., are to be provided.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>&lsquo;Swachhta Abhiyan App&rsquo;:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It has been developed to <strong>identify and geotag the data of insanitary latrines and manual scavengers</strong> so that the insanitary latrines can be replaced with sanitary latrines and rehabilitate all the manual scavengers to provide dignity of life to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>SC Judgement:</strong> In 2014, a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong></a> order made it <strong>mandatory</strong> for the government to <strong>identify all those who died in sewage work</strong> since 1993 and provide <strong>Rs. 10 lakh each</strong> as compensation to their families.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Proper Identification:</strong> States need to accurately enumerate the workers engaged in cleaning toxic sludge.</li>
<li><strong>Empowering Local Administration:</strong> With <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/swachh-bharat-mission-urban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Swachh Bharat Mission</strong></a> identified as a top priority area by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission</strong> </a>and funds available for smart cities and urban development providing for a strong case to address the problem of manual scavenging.</li>
<li><strong>Social Sentisitation:</strong> To address the social sanction behind manual scavenging, it is required first to acknowledge and then understand how and why manual scavenging continues to be embedded in the caste system.</li>
<li><strong>Need For a Stringent Law:</strong> If a law creates a statutory obligation to provide sanitation services on the part of state agencies, it will create a situation in which the rights of these workers will not hang in the air.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-says-no-death-reported-due-to-manual-scavenging-activists-decry-govt-response/article35621742.ece/amp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9031,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Initiatives to Promote Tribal Culture',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> is administrating the <strong>schemes of &ldquo;Support of Tribal Research Institute&rdquo; and &ldquo;Tribal Festival, Research, Information and Mass Education&rdquo;</strong> under which various activities to promote tribal culture have been undertaken.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The schemes aim to ensure quality and uniformity in research works, evaluation studies, training, awareness generation among tribals, showcasing of rich tribal heritage including languages, habitats and cultivation and production practices.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Museum for Tribal Freedom Fighters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To acknowledge the heroic and patriotic deeds of tribal people, the Ministry has sanctioned setting up 10 Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Documentation of Indigenous Practices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribal healers and medicinal plants, Adivasi Languages, agriculture system, dances and paintings etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Repository:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To preserve and promote rich tribal cultural heritage and also to create awareness among others, a searchable digital repository has been developed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Funding for Tribal Festivals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry gives funding to<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> TRIFED</strong></a> (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) for organizing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadi-mahotsav" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Adi Mahotsav</strong></a> festivals at National level and state level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives Related to Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiative-for-digital-transformation-of-tribal-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools</a>:</strong> In the first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft, out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intensive training and 500 master trainers would be trained.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Development of PVTGs</a>:</strong> It covers<strong> 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)</strong> for their comprehensive socio-economic development.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-tribal-affairs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana</a>:</strong> It is a market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development program for forming clusters of tribal Self Help Groups (SHGs) and strengthening them into Tribal Producer Companies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>TRIFED</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>national-level apex organization</strong> functioning under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>TRIFED acts as a facilitator and service provider for tribes to sell their product.</li>
<li>TRIFED aims to empower tribal people with knowledge, tools and pool of information so that they can undertake their operations in a more systematic and scientific manner.</li>
<li>It organises <strong>Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs)</strong> to identify new artisans and new products at the sourcing level in States/Districts/Villages for expanding the tribal producers base.</li>
<li>It is also involved in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> MSP</strong> </a>for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> MFP</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sankalp-se-siddhi-mission-van-dhan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TRIFOOD</strong></a> Schemes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1740383" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8928,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Inequality Report 2021: Oxfam',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The report titled <strong>&ldquo;India Inequality Report 2021: India&rsquo;s Unequal Healthcare Story&rdquo;</strong> released by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/the-inequality-virus-report-oxfam-international" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Oxfam India</strong></a> shows that the socio-economic inequalities seep into the health sector and disproportionately affect health outcomes of<strong> marginalised communities</strong> due to the absence of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage#:~:text=UHC%20means%20that%20all%20individuals,treatment%2C%20rehabilitation%20and%20palliative%20care." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Universal Health Coverage (UHC).</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report suggested that the states which are attempting to reduce existing inequalities and with higher expenditure on health had lower confirmed cases of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides a comprehensive analysis of the health outcomes across different socioeconomic groups to gauge the level of health inequality that persists in the country.</li>
<li>The findings are primarily based on secondary analysis from rounds 3 and 4 of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-family-health-survey-5-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Family Health Survey</strong></a> and various rounds of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/restructuring-of-indian-statistical-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Sample Survey.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finding of the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Performance of Different Groups:</strong> The general category performs better than SCs and STs; Hindus perform better than Muslims; the rich perform better than the poor; men are better off than women; and the urban population is better off than the rural population on various health indicators.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Covid-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these inequalities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of States:</strong> The <strong>states that have for the past few years been reducing inequalities,</strong> such as inequalities to access to health between the general category and SC and ST populations, <strong>have less confirmed cases of Covid</strong> &ndash; such as Telangana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On the other hand, <strong>states that have had higher GDP expenditure on health,</strong> such as Assam, Bihar and Goa, have <strong>higher recovery rates of Covid cases.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kerala invested in infrastructure</strong> to create a multi-layered health system, designed to provide first-contact access for basic services at the community level and expanded primary healthcare coverage to achieve access to a range of preventive and curative services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rural-Urban Divide:</strong> It was highlighted during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, when rural areas witnessed a shortage of tests, oxygen and hospital beds.</li>
<li><strong>Doctor-person Ratio:</strong> The National Health Profile in 2017 recorded one government allopathic doctor for every 10,189 people and one state-run hospital for every 90,343 people.</li>
<li><strong>Hospital Beds:</strong> The investment in public health infrastructure is so little that the number of beds in the country has actually come down, from 9 beds per 10,000 persons in the 2010 Human Development Report, to only 5 beds per 10,000 persons today.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India also<strong> ranks the lowest in the number of hospital beds per thousand population among the BRICS nations</strong> at 0.5. It is lower than lesser developed countries such as Bangladesh (0.87), Chile (2.11) and Mexico (0.98).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women Literacy:</strong> While women&rsquo;s literacy has improved across social groups over the years, SC and ST women lag behind the general category by 18.6% and 27.9%, respectively. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There exists a gap of 55.1% between the top and bottom 20% of the population in 2015-16.</li>
<li>Though the female literacy rate among Muslims (64.3%) is lower than all religious groups, inequality has reduced over time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitation:</strong> As far as sanitation is concerned, 65.7% households have access to improved, non-shared sanitation facilities in the general category while SC households are 28.5% behind them and ST are 39.8% behind them. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While 93.4% of households in the top 20% have access to improved sanitation, only 6% have access in the bottom 20 % &mdash; a difference of 87.4%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Immunisation:</strong> The immunisation in ST households at 55.8% is still 6.2% below the national average, and Muslims have the lowest rate across all socio-religious groups at 55.4%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The rate of immunisation of girls continues to be below that of the male child.</li>
<li>More than 50% of children still do not receive food supplements in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Life Expectancy: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-profile-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Life expectancy</a></strong> based on wealth is 65.1 years for the bottom 20% of the households, while it is 72.7 years for the top 20%.</li>
<li><strong>Antenatal Care:</strong> Percentage of mothers who have received full antenatal care declined from 37% in 2005-06 to 21% in 2015-16. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The share of institutional deliveries in India has increased from 38.7% in 2005-06 to 78.9% in 2015-16.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Infant Mortality Rate:</strong> Overall improvement in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-profile-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Infant mortality rate (IMR)</strong></a> is not equal across social groups. Dalits, Adivasis and OBCs have higher IMR as compared to the general category.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IMR for Adivasis is 44.4 which is 40% more than the general category and 10% more than the national average.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recommendations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/right-to-health#:~:text=International%20Conventions%3A%20India%20is%20a,care%20and%20necessary%20social%20services." target="_blank" rel="noopener">right to health</a> should be enacted as a fundamental right</strong> that makes it obligatory for the government to ensure equal access to timely, acceptable, and affordable healthcare of appropriate quality and address the underlying determinants of health to close the gap in health outcomes between the rich and poor.</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccine-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free vaccine policy</a> should adopt an inclusive model</strong> to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their gender, caste, religion or location i.e. people living in hard-to-reach areas, gets the vaccine without any delay.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/health-and-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Increase health spending</a> to 2.5 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</strong> to ensure a more equitable health system in the country; ensure that union budgetary allocation in health for SCs and STs is proportionate to their population.</li>
<li>Regions with higher concentration of <strong>marginalised population should be identified</strong> and public health facilities should be established, equipped and made fully functional as per the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/public-health-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Widen the ambit of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">insurance schemes</a></strong> to include out-patient care. The major expenditures on health happen through out-patient costs as consultations, diagnostic tests, medicines, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Institutionalize a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reforming-centrally-sponsored-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">centrally-sponsored scheme</a></strong> that earmarks funds for the provision of free essential drugs and diagnostics at all public health facilities.</li>
<li><strong>Regulate the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/public-health-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">private health sector</a></strong> by ensuring that all state governments adopt and effectively implement Clinical Establishments Act or equivalent state legislation.</li>
<li><strong>Extend the price capping policy</strong> introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to include diagnostics and non-Covid treatment in order to prevent exorbitant charging by private hospitals and reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket health expenditure.</li>
<li><strong>Augment and strengthen human resources and infrastructure</strong> in the healthcare system by regularising services of women frontline health workers.</li>
<li><strong>Establishing contingency plans</strong> for scenarios such as the second wave of the pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>Inter-sectoral coordination</strong> for public health should be boosted to address issues of water and sanitation, literacy, etc. that contribute to health conditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To stabilise and equalise this inequality, universal health coverage should be supported strongly by the public sector.</li>
<li>Persistent underfunding of the public health system, especially primary health care and inadequate health infrastructure in India remain to be addressed by the government even after devastating second wave. Otherwise, health emergencies will only aggravate existing inequalities and work as a detriment for the poor and the marginalised.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/oxfam-report-highlights-sharp-inequalities-in-health-indicators/article35414046.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8872,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Sankalp Se Siddhi: Mission Van Dhan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Minister of Tribal Affairs</strong> reviewed various initiatives under<strong> &lsquo;Sankalp Se Siddhi-Mission Vand Dhan&rsquo;,</strong> by <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRIFED</a></strong> (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India).</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>TRIFED</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) came into existence in 1987.</li>
<li>It is <strong>a national-level apex organization</strong> functioning under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>ultimate objective</strong> of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products such as metal craft, tribal textiles, pottery, tribal paintings and pottery on which the tribals depends heavily for a major portion of their income.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About 'Sankalp se Siddhi':</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The &lsquo;Sankalp Se Siddhi&rsquo; initiative, <strong>also known as 'Mission Van Dhan',</strong> was <strong>introduced by the central government in 2021,</strong> in line with the Prime Minister's aim <strong>to establish a sustainable livelihood for India's tribal population.</strong></li>
<li>Through this mission, TRIFED<strong> aims to expand its operation through convergence of various schemes of different ministries</strong> and departments and launch various tribal development programmes in mission mode.</li>
<li>Through this mission, establishment of several <strong>Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), haat bazaars, mini TRIFOOD units, common facility centres, TRIFOOD parks, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-of-fund-for-regeneration-of-traditional-industries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SFRUTI (Scheme of Fund for regeneration of traditional industries)</a>&nbsp;</strong>clusters,<strong> tribes india retail store, e-commerce platform</strong> for trifood and tribes, <strong>India brands</strong> are being targeted.</li>
<li><strong>TRIFED has been implementing several noteworthy programmes</strong> for the empowerment of the tribals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over the past two years, the <strong>&lsquo;Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) &amp; Development of Value Chain for MFP&rsquo;</strong> has impacted the tribal ecosystem in a major way.</li>
<li>TRIFED has<strong> also injected Rs. 3000 crores into the tribal economy,</strong> even during such difficult times, aided by government push.</li>
<li>The <strong>Van Dhan tribal start-ups,</strong> a component of the same scheme, have emerged as a source of employment generation for tribal gatherers and forest dwellers and the home-bound tribal artisans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TRIFED is involved in following initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Van Dhan Vikas Yojana:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Van Dhan Scheme, <strong>a component of &lsquo;MSP for MFP&rsquo;,</strong> was launched in 2018.</li>
<li>An initiative<strong> targeting livelihood generation for tribal gatherers</strong> and transforming them into entrepreneurs.</li>
<li>The idea is <strong>to set-up tribal community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs)</strong> in predominantly forested tribal districts.</li>
<li>VDVKs are <strong>for providing skill upgradation and capacity building training to tribals</strong> and setting up of primary processing and value addition facilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>MSP for MFP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mechanism for Marketing of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce#:~:text=MFP%2Drich%20districts.-,Minor%20Forest%20Produce%20(MFP),live%20in%20or%20near%20forests." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minor Forest Produce (MFP)</strong></a> Through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price-for-crops#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20major%20demands,of%20the%20cost%20of%20production." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minimum Support Price (MSP)</strong></a> and Development of Value Chain for MFP <strong>provide MSP to gatherers of forest produce.</strong></li>
<li>The scheme <strong>acts as a measure of social safety for MFP gatherers</strong> who are primarily <strong>members of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ST (Scheduled Tribe)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The scheme formed a system to ensure fair monetary returns of the gatherers for their endeavour in collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation, etc.</li>
<li>MFP includes <strong>all non-timber forest produce</strong> of plant origin and includes bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, honey, lac, tusser etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tech For Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It<strong> aims to transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs</strong> by capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the <strong>Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY).</strong></li>
<li>The program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and <strong>empowering them to run their business with marketable products</strong> with quality certifications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TRIFOOD Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was launched in August 2020 and <strong>promotes value addition to MFP.</strong></li>
<li>TRIFOOD parks will produce processed foods from minor forest produce and also from the food gathered by the tribal people in that region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Village and Digital Connect Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To ensure that existing schemes and initiatives reach the tribals, TRIFED&rsquo;s regional officials across the country have been visiting identified villages with a significant tribal population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1735156" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8830,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '‘Joint Communication’ for Tribal Communities',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>joint communication</strong> was signed by the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> and the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change</strong> which is aimed at giving <strong>more power to the tribal communities</strong> in managing the forest resources.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Forest Resources</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Forests are not only home to trees and animals. They are also a vital source of resources. They give clean air, timber, fuel, wood, fruits, food, fodder, and more. These are known as forest resources upon which many depend for livelihood and survival.</li>
<li>Forests provide resources, which makes its conservation and protection further important. It is also because of these resources that forests are exploited.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives for forest conservation and preservation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-forest-act-1927" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Forest Act, 1927</a>, Forest Conservation Act, 1980, National Forest Policy, 1988, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Mission for Green India</a>, National Afforestation Program, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/wildlife-protection-act-wpa-1972" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Joint Communication:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It pertains to <strong>more effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006</strong> and for harnessing the potential for livelihood improvement of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-rights-act-2006-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs)</strong></a> and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs).</li>
<li>State forest departments <strong>will carry out verification of claims for forest rights, mapping of forest lands</strong> involved and provision of necessary evidence as required, authentication of records, joint field inspections, awareness generation etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The lack of recognition of forest rights has left tribal and forest dwelling communities across the country insecure of tenure and fear of eviction from their lands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>State forest departments are to undertake projects for <strong>value chain addition</strong> including <strong>capacity building</strong> of primary collectors, new harvesting methods, storage, processing and marketing of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/harvesting-season-covid-19-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>A nodal agency to be designated for <strong>specific non-timber forest products</strong> as supply chain platforms in collaboration with <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRIFED</a>, Ministry of Ayush, MFP (Minor Forest Produce) Federations, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Van Dhan Kendras</a></strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Forest Dwellers and MFP:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tribals and other forest dwellers can contribute significantly in efforts towards climate change through <strong>preservation of biodiversity, environmental conservation and enhancing forest cover.</strong></li>
<li>Forest dwellers are dependent on forests, not only for their livelihood but their traditions are also intertwined with forests.</li>
<li><strong>Non-Timber Forest Products or Minor Forest Produce (MFP):</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MFP includes all <strong>non-timber forest produce</strong> of plant origin and includes bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, honey, lac, tusser etc.</li>
<li>It provides both <strong>subsistence and cash income for people who live in or near forests.</strong></li>
<li>They<strong> also form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines</strong> and other consumption items and also provide cash income through sales.</li>
<li>NTFP are <strong>also known as MFP or Non-Wood Forest Produce (NWFP).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The NTFP can be further categorized into Medicinal And Aromatic Plants (MAP), oil seeds, fiber and floss, resins, edible plants, bamboo, reeds and grasses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives for Forest Dwellers:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government had enacted the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/forest-rights-act-2006" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006</strong></a>, commonly known as the Forest Rights Act and recognized the right to livelihood and occupation within the forest of these communities.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ekalavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY)</strong></a></li>
<li>Increasing the number of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Minor Forest Products (MFP)</strong></a> in the bracket of <strong>Minimum Support Price (MSP)</strong> from 10 to 86 in the last few years has supported tribes immensely in improving their incomes and livelihood prospects.</li>
<li>State tribal welfare departments along with forest departments are also to work out strategies to extend <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MGNREGA</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/day-nrlm-special-package-for-j-k-and-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)</strong></a> to forest dwellers as well as initiate <strong>skill development programs</strong> and give impetus to <strong>agro-forestry and horticulture projects.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-for-tribal-communities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Programme for Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe Representatives in Local Self Governments.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Forest Rights Act, 2006</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Act<strong> recognizes the forest rights in Forest land for Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD)</strong> who have been residing in such forests for generations.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Forest rights can also be <strong>claimed</strong> by any member or community who has for at <strong>least three generations (75 years) prior</strong> to the 13<sup>th</sup> day of December, 2005 primarily resided in forest land for bona fide livelihood needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>strengthens the conservation regime</strong> of the forests while <strong>ensuring livelihood and food security</strong> of the FDST and OTFD.</li>
<li><strong>The Gram Sabha</strong> is the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of <strong>Individual Forest Rights (IFR)</strong> or<strong> Community Forest Rights (CFR)</strong> or both that may be given to FDST and OTFD.</li>
<li>The Act identifies four<strong> types of rights:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Title rights:</strong> It gives FDST and OTFD the<strong> right to ownership to land</strong> farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares. Ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family and no new lands will be granted.</li>
<li><strong>Use rights:</strong> The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minor Forest Produce</a>,</strong> grazing areas etc.</li>
<li><strong>Relief and development rights:</strong> To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.</li>
<li><strong>Forest management rights:</strong> It includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/union-ministries-decide-to-give-more-powers-to-tribal-communities-in-managing-forest-resources-7390378/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8651,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Sickle Cell Disease Day 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>To commemorate the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-sickle-cell-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Day</strong></a> on <strong>19<sup>th</sup> June, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MOTA) flagged off mobile vans under the Unmukt project</strong> for strengthening screening and timely management of SCD in tribal districts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations General Assembly</a> (UNGA)</strong> adopted a resolution recognising SCD as a public health problem on <strong>22<sup>th</sup> December, 2008.</strong></li>
<li>The UNGA also recognised SCD as one of the first <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/genetic-disorders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">genetic diseases</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sickle Cell Disease:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>an inherited blood disease</strong> which is most common among people of African, Arabian and Indian origin.</li>
<li>It is a group of disorders that <strong>affects hemoglobin, the molecule in red blood cells that delivers oxygen</strong> to cells throughout the body.</li>
<li>People with this disease have atypical hemoglobin molecules called <strong>hemoglobin S, which can distort red blood cells into a sickle</strong>, or crescent shape. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>blocks blood flow and oxygen from reaching all parts of the body.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624262979_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624262979_pasted image 0.png" width="600" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can cause <strong>severe pain</strong>, referred to as sickle cell crises.</li>
<li>Over time, people with sickle cell disorders can experience <strong>damage to organs including the liver, kidney, lungs, heart and spleen.</strong> Death can also result from complications of the disorder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Treatment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Medication, blood transfusions and rarely a bone-marrow transplant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Related Data:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India alone is home to about <strong>1,50,000 patients with SCD and about 88% of Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) cases in Asia.</strong></li>
<li>The disease in India occurs predominantly in eastern <strong>Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, western Odisha</strong> and in pockets of the <strong>Nilgiri Hills in north Tamil Nadu and Kerala.</strong></li>
<li>The disease is <strong>prevalent among tribal communities</strong> (including children).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per MOTA, SCD is affecting more women and children and nearly <strong>20% of tribal children with SCD die before reaching the age of two</strong>, and <strong>30% children die before reaching adulthood.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Social Stigma </strong>and&nbsp;<strong>Prevalence among Tribal Population</strong> (where access to care for SCD is limited).</li>
<li><strong>School Drop Out:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Children with sickle cell disease often have to drop out from school.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Policy Issue:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The delayed implementation of the <strong>2018 draft policy on haemoglobinopathies.</strong></li>
<li>The policy aims to provide evidence-based treatment for patients and reduce the number of new-born children with sickle cell disease through initiatives such as the Sickle Cell Anaemia Control Program, screening and prenatal diagnosis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>SCD Support Corner</strong>, a portal to collect real time data and provide relevant information related to Sickle Cell. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will help in making a <strong>Central Repository of data.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An <strong>&lsquo;Action Research&rsquo; project</strong> under which <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-yoga" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yoga</a></strong> dependent lifestyle is promoted to reduce the complications in the patient suffering from this disease.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expanded Screening:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Certain states, such as Chhattisgarh and Gujarat, have <strong>expanded their screening programmes from hospital to school-based screenings.</strong></li>
<li>Extrapolating such screening efforts and implementation strategies to other states will help <strong>map the prevalence of the disease.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disability Certificate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Social Justice and empowerment has increased the validity of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/persons-with-disabilities-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disability</strong></a> certificates for SCD patients from <strong>1 year to 3 year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1728681" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8529,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Sustainably Developing Andaman & Nicobar',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based upon <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/developing-the-sister-islands-of-indian-ocean-101622720051095.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Developing the sister islands of Indian Ocean&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Hindustan Times on 03/06/2021. It talks about the significance of Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands, its sustainable development and how India&rsquo;s maritime partner France can assist in the developmental projects in the Archipelago.</p>
</div>
<p>The Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI), popularly known as <strong>&lsquo;Bay Islands&rsquo;,</strong> hold great significance for India from maritime as well as ecological point of view. ANI provides for nearly 30% of India&rsquo;s Exclusive Economic Zone.</p>
<p>ANI, besides being a home to a rich floral and faunal diversity, is also home to a number of tribal and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups</strong></a>, a few of which are on the verge of extinction.</p>
<p>In the immediate past, there have been quite a few projects proposed for these island groups for economic purposes as well as for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/militarising-andaman-and-nicobar-islands" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>militarising Andaman and Nicobar Islands.</strong></a></p>
<p>As much potential these islands can prove to have for making India a maritime power, this ecological significance can and must not be undermined. A balanced development plan is the ultimate solution.</p>
<h3>Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indigenous People of ANI:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indigenous-people-of-andaman-and-nicobar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands</strong> </a>are home to five PVTGs: <strong>Great Andamanese, Jarwas, Onges, Shompens and North Sentinelese.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Great Nicobarese</strong> are a Scheduled Tribe.</li>
<li>The population of Andaman and Nicobar Islands&rsquo; primitive tribes has rapidly declined over the years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of ANI:</strong> India's key maritime partners such as the US, Japan, Australia and France acknowledge and recognise the strategic location of the Andaman and Nicobar. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These islands not only provide Delhi with a <strong>key maritime space</strong> but also<strong> carry significant potential in shaping the strategic and military dynamics</strong> of the Indian Ocean region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Island Territories Similar to ANI:</strong> France&rsquo;s <strong>La Reunion</strong> island is similar to ANI and lies in the Southwest Indian Ocean near strategic waters. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Australia and the US too have similar island territories in the Indian Ocean with<strong> Cocos (Keeling) islands and Diego Garcia</strong> respectively. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, Diego Garcia&rsquo;s sovereignty is disputed by Mauritius, which has garnered support through a United Nations (UN) resolution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ANI and Reunion islands are part of a series of island territories under<strong> key maritime players in the Indian Ocean.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Recent Developmental Plans for ANI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Japan&rsquo;s Overseas Development Assistance :</strong> In March 2021, for the first time, Japan&rsquo;s government approved a grant aid of approximately ₹265 crore toward developmental projects in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/japan-to-fund-projects-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Japan&rsquo;s first Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)</strong></a> initiative toward the islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ANI as a Maritime and Startup Hub:</strong> In August, 2020 the Prime Minister had declared that the Andaman and Nicobar islands will be developed as a "<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/andaman-and-nicobar-islands-to-be-maritime-and-startup-hub" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>maritime and startup hub</strong></a>"<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>12 islands of the archipelago have been <strong>selected for high-impact projects</strong> with an <strong>emphasis on boosting trade of sea-based, organic and coconut-based products</strong> of the region</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NITI Aayog&rsquo;s Project for Great Nicobar:</strong> Great Nicobar is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands Archipelago. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-s-project-for-great-nicobar-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>proposal</strong> </a>includes an international container trans-shipment terminal, a greenfield international airport, a power plant and a township complex spread over 166 sq. km. (mainly pristine coastal systems and tropical forests).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NITI Aayog&rsquo;s Proposal for Little Andaman:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-s-proposal-for-little-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>plan</strong></a> involves building a new greenfield coastal city that will be developed as a free trade zone and will compete with Singapore and Hong Kong.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Faced by ANI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Connectivity:</strong> The island groups, specially the Little Andaman Island, have <strong>little connectivity with the Indian mainland</strong> and global cities.</li>
<li><strong>Geological Volatility:</strong> The island's groups lie in a <strong>seismically highly active zone.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2004 earthquake and accompanying<strong> tsunami devastated large parts of the island chain.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nicobar and Car Nicobar (northernmost Nicobar island) lost almost one-fifth of its population and close to 90% of its mangroves.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declining Population:</strong> The population of native communities like the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa and North Sentinelese has <strong>plummeted from 1,999 to 550 since 1901 to 2011.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Massive projects, epidemics and crippling health crises in the ecologically fragile Little Andaman Island have led to near-extinction of the Onge tribe.</li>
<li>The developmental project proposed by NITI Aayog for Little Andaman includes<strong> de-reserving 32% of the reserved forest</strong> and <strong>denotifying 31% of the tribal reserve</strong> thus rendering the habitations of the tribal groups at risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aspects of Blue Economy:</strong> The primary issues facing island nations in the Indian Ocean are related to the key aspects of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sustainable development, illegal fishing, disaster management, the climate crisis, renewable energy and issues of waste management impacts both tourism as well as ecosystems specific to islands.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development and Biodiversity:</strong> A slew of infrastructure projects have been proposed in ANI to give a major boost to tourism and business. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While this may transform the islands substantially, it would also cause loss of biodiversity and have a negative impact on the indigenous people.</li>
<li>The <strong>Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Committee,</strong> granted the clearance for the infrastructural projects on the condition that all large, medium, and small trees will be counted and geo-referenced and not felled. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO)</strong> is seeking an amendment to this clause so that trees may be felled if required</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Balanced Development:</strong> Militarising ANI and infrastructure and developmental projects will not doubt aid India&rsquo;s strategic and maritime capabilities, but such development should not come at the cost of the ruthless exploitation of Biodiversity hotspot i.e ANI.</li>
<li><strong>Sustainably Developing ANI:</strong> Given its economic, ecological &amp; environmental constraints and the laws to protect the indigenous tribes, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will have to be first <strong>developed sustainably in order to maximise its economic and military potential.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A sustainable island development framework is not only important for the ANI but will also be applicable and of interest to other island nations across the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sister Islands:</strong> Reunion is the <strong>most developed island territory</strong> among the above-mentioned four island territories, with a framework that supports both the island&rsquo;s economic needs as well as France&rsquo;s military priorities in the Indian Ocean. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Taking from the idea of &ldquo;sister cities&rdquo;, the framework of<strong> &ldquo;sister islands&rdquo;</strong> can be formed.</li>
<li>India and France should lead an effort, utilising their island territories of Andaman and Reunion in developing a concept of sister islands aimed at <strong>creating a foundation for a sustainable model for island development across the Indian Ocean.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Similar to sister cities, a sister island concept would allow India and France to co-develop a sustainable framework for island development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Development Plans in Indo-Pacific:</strong> If India is to invest in capacity building initiatives and maritime projects in the Indian Ocean, there is a need to research and create an island model for development. Such an approach also creates a new avenue for Indian-led initiatives in the Indo-Pacific.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As India and its partners compete for access and influence across the Indo-Pacific toward achieving common interests, there is a need to engage with and address regional concerns and challenges of strategically located island nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of IOC:</strong> Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) is the only island driven organisation in the Indian Ocean. It plays an important role in voicing the concerns and challenges of the islands of the western Indian Ocean. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France recently took over as the Chair of the IOC. India in 2020, formally joined the group as an Observer.</li>
<li>It provides an opportunity for both the countries to lead an island-focused development model.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India could also borrow lessons from France&rsquo;s island experiences in both the Indian Ocean as well as in the Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As India looks to maintain and strengthen its advantages in the Indian Ocean, it should look to leveraging its island territories and non-traditional security issues in offering solutions and addressing regional concerns and challenges. The Andaman and Reunion provide an excellent starting point to do so.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f2f0ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;Taking into account the significance that Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands have for India in various aspects, a balanced approach towards its ecological fragility and economic significance is the need of the hour. India&rsquo;s key maritime partners with similar interests can be approached for mutual assistance and benefits&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8442,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'NGT Upholds Rights of Pastoralists in Banni Grasslands',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt#:~:text=What%20is%20National%20Green%20Tribunal,forests%20and%20other%20natural%20resources." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT)</strong></a> ordered all encroachments to be removed from <strong>Gujarat's Banni grasslands</strong> within six months.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The court also said the<strong> Maldharis (Pastoralists)</strong> will continue to hold the <strong>right to conserve the community forests</strong> in the area, granted to them as per the provisions in <strong>Section 3 of Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Green Tribunal</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a specialised body set up under the <strong>National Green Tribunal Act (2010)</strong> for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.</li>
<li>NGT is <strong>mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months</strong> of filing the same.</li>
<li>The NGT has five places of sittings, <strong>New Delhi</strong> is the Principal place of sitting and <strong>Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata</strong> and <strong>Chennai</strong> are the<strong> other four.</strong></li>
<li>Being a<strong> statutory adjudicatory body</strong> like Courts, apart from original jurisdiction on filing of an application, NGT also has<strong> appellate jurisdiction</strong> to hear appeal as a <strong>Court (Tribunal).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Banni Grassland:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Banni is the <strong>largest grassland of Asia</strong> situated <strong>near the Great Rann of Kutch</strong> in<strong> Gujarat.</strong></li>
<li>It is spread <strong>over 2,618 kilometres</strong> and accounts for almost <strong>45% of the pastures</strong> in Gujarat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ecosystem and Vegetation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Two ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands,</strong> are mixed side by side in Banni.</li>
<li>Vegetation in Banni is sparse and highly dependent on rainfall.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Banni grasslands, traditionally, were managed following a system of rotational grazing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Banni is dominated by low-growing plants, forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt tolerant), as well as scattered tree cover and scrub.</li>
<li>The area is <strong>rich in flora and fauna,</strong> with 192 species of plants, 262 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reserve Forest:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 1955, the court <strong>notified that the grassland will be a reserve forest</strong> (the most restricted forests classified according to <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indian-forest-act-1927" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Forest Act 1927</strong></a>).</li>
<li>In 2019, the <strong>tribunal ordered</strong> to demarcate the boundaries of the Banni grassland and restricted non-forest activities.</li>
<li><a href="/printpdf/rhinos-to-be-re-introduced-in-uttarakhand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Institute of India (WII)</strong> </a>has identified this grassland reserve as <strong>one of the last remaining habitats of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/introduction-of-african-cheetah-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cheetah</a> in India</strong> and a possible reintroduction site for the species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621935493_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621935493_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Maldharis:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maldharis are<strong> a tribal herdsmen community inhabiting Banni.</strong></li>
<li>Originally nomads, they came to be known as Maldharis after settling in Junagarh (mainly Gir Forest).</li>
<li>The literal meaning of Maldhari <strong>is keeper (dhari)</strong> of the animal stock (mal).
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The livestock include <strong>sheep, goats, cows, buffalo, and camels.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gir-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gir Forest National Park</strong></a> is home to around 8,400 Maldharis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions of the Forest Rights Act 2006:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the provisions of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-rights-act-2006-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Act</strong></a>, <strong>forest dwellers cannot be displaced unless the rights settlement process</strong> has been completed.</li>
<li>Moreover, the Act has a special provision for setting <strong>up &lsquo;Critical Wildlife Habitats (CWH)&rsquo;,</strong> for the conservation of the species.</li>
<li>It strengthens the <strong>conservation regime</strong> of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the FDST (Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes) and OTFD (Other Traditional Forest Dwellers).</li>
<li>The Act identifies four <strong>types of rights:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Title rights:</strong> It gives FDST and OTFD the right to ownership to land farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares.</li>
<li><strong>Use rights:</strong> The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Minor Forest Produce</strong></a>, grazing areas etc.</li>
<li><strong>Relief and development rights:</strong> To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.</li>
<li><strong>Forest management rights:</strong> It includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/environment/ngt-upholds-rights-of-pastoralists-in-banni-grasslands-wants-encroachments-removed-77075" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8400,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Initiative for Digital Transformation of Tribal Schools',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MTA)</strong> inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with <strong>Microsoft</strong> to support the digital transformation of schools such as <strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)</strong> and<strong> Ashram Schools,</strong> among others under the Ministry.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is aimed at building an inclusive, skills-based economy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the MoU:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></a> curriculum will be made available to tribal students in both English and Hindi at all EMRS schools to skill educators and students in next-generation technologies.</li>
<li>In the<strong> first phase, 250 EMRS schools have been adopted by Microsoft,</strong> out of which 50 EMRS schools will be given intensive training and 500 master trainers would be trained in the first phase.</li>
<li><strong>Teachers across states in India will be trained in a phased manner</strong> for using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching.</li>
<li>The program will also offer opportunities for<strong> teachers to earn professional e-badges and e-certificates</strong> from the Microsoft Education Centre.</li>
<li>Students from schools under the Ministry will be mentored on projects that involve AI applications for <strong>societal good</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years.&amp;text=SDGs%20are%20not%20legally%20binding." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN&rsquo;s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This program will ensure that tribal students get a chance to <strong>change their future, their environment, their village, and overall community.</strong></li>
<li>The initiative will also enable the <strong>professional development of educators, enabling them to use technology in classrooms.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in the success of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital India Mission.</strong></a></li>
<li>It will be able to<strong> bridge the gap between the tribal students and others.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Educational Schemes for Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNF):</strong> RGNF was introduced in the year 2005-2006 with the objective to encourage the students belonging to the ST community to pursue higher education.</li>
<li><strong>Vocational Training Center in Tribal Areas:</strong> The aim of this scheme is to develop the skill of ST students depending on their qualification and present market trends.</li>
<li><strong>National Overseas Scholarship Scheme:</strong> It provides financial assistance to 20 students selected for pursuing higher studies abroad for PhD and postdoctoral studies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pre-matric-scholarship-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pre and Post Matric Scholarship Schemes.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Eklavya Model Residential Schools</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eklavya-model-residential-and-day-boarding-schools" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EMRS</strong> </a>started in the<strong> year 1997-98</strong> to impart quality education to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Schedule Tribes</strong></a> children in remote areas.</li>
<li>The schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of the students.</li>
<li>The <strong>objective</strong> of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high level education to ST students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population.</li>
<li>Each school has a capacity of <strong>480 students, catering to students from Class VI to XII.</strong></li>
<li>These are being set up by grants provided <strong>under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/post-devolution-revenue-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 275(1) of the Constitution</a>.</strong></li>
<li>These are <strong>funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>In order to give further impetus to EMRS, it has been decided that by <strong>the year 2022, every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons,</strong> will have an EMRS.</li>
<li>Eklavya schools are on <strong>par with Navodaya Vidyalaya</strong> and have special facilities for preserving local art and culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) scheme</strong> envisages setting up of one Navodaya Vidyalaya in each district of the country. It is under the <strong>Ministry of Education.</strong></li>
<li>These residential schools impart<strong> good quality modern education to rural talented children</strong> irrespective of their socio-economic background including ST children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Ashram Schools</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ashram schools are residential schools, in which <strong>free boarding and lodging along with other facilities and incentives are provided to the students.</strong></li>
<li>Apart from formal education, there is emphasis put upon <strong>physical activities, meditation, sight-seeing, play, sports, games, and other.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> provides construction costs and the<strong> State Government</strong> is responsible for running and overall maintenance of these Ashram schools including selection of medium of instruction.</li>
<li>So far, the Ministry has funded<strong> 1,205 Ashram Schools</strong> across the country for quality education of ST children.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719441" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8376,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Spread of Covid Infection in Vulnerable Tribal Groups',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Many members of eight different <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)</strong> </a>got infected in the second wave of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> in Odisha.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The infected PVTGs include the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/odisha-s-bonda-tribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bonda tribe</strong></a> of Malkangiri hills and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cooperative-labour-in-odisha-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dongaria Kondh</strong></a> tribe of Niyamgiri hills.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tribal Groups in Odisha:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the 2011 Census, Odisha&rsquo;s share of the <strong>country&rsquo;s total tribal population was 9%.</strong></li>
<li>The Tribals constitute 22.85% of the State's population.</li>
<li>In terms of numbers of its tribal population, Odisha occupies the third position in India.</li>
<li>Of the 62 tribal groups residing in Odisha, 13 are recognised as PVTGs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The 13 PVTGs in Odisha are:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/odisha-s-bonda-tribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bonda</strong></a>, Birhor, Chuktia Bhunjia, Didayi, Dungaria Kandha, Hill Kharia, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Lanjia Saora, Lodha, Mankirdia, Paudi Bhuyan and Saora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Tribal populations are found in the entire seven districts of Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Koraput, Malkangiri and Rayagada, and in parts of 6 other districts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Creation of Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs):</strong> In 1973, the <strong>Dhebar Commission</strong> created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, which are less developed among the tribal groups.</li>
<li>In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 1975, the Government of India initiated to identify the most vulnerable tribal groups as a separate category called PVTGs and declared 52 such groups. In 1993 an additional 23 groups were added to the category, making it a total of<strong> 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes.</strong></li>
<li>Among the <strong>75 listed PVTG&rsquo;s the highest number are found in Odisha.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Characteristics of PVTGs:</strong> The Government classifies PVTGs on their:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Relative physical isolation,</li>
<li>Stagnant or declining population,</li>
<li>Low levels of literacy,</li>
<li>Absence of written language,</li>
<li>Pre-agricultural stage of economy, such as hunting, food gathering, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/niti-aayog-report-on-shifting-cultivation#:~:text=The%20practice%2C%20also%20known%20as,the%20land%20for%20the%20agriculture." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>shifting cultivation</strong></a> and terrace cultivation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schemes for PVTGs:</strong> PVTGs are more vulnerable among the tribal groups. Due to this factor, more developed and assertive tribal groups take a major chunk of the tribal development funds because of which PVTGs need more funds directed for their development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has implemented the scheme of <strong>&ldquo;Development of PVTGs&rdquo;</strong> which covers 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) for their comprehensive socio-economic development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the scheme, State Governments submit <strong>Conservation-cum-Development (CCD)</strong> plans on the basis of their requirement.</li>
<li>100% grants-in-aid are made available to States as per the provisions of the scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/coronavirus-21-members-of-vulnerable-tribes-infected-in-odisha/article34559701.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8156,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Online Grievance Management Portal: NCSC',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Government launched the <strong>&ldquo;Online Grievance Management Portal of National Commission for Scheduled Castes (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-castes-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NCSC</a>)&rdquo;</strong> on the occasion of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dr-b-r-ambedkar-s-129th-birth-anniversary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>130<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The portal would make it easier for the SC population to register their complaints.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Online Portal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been <strong>designed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N)</strong>, a Centre of Excellence under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.</li>
<li>It will <strong>facilitate an end-to-end e-filing of complaints</strong> and grievances and <strong>their tracking.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is for <strong>submission of complaints about atrocities</strong> against citizens who belong to the Scheduled Castes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is &ldquo;intended to make the hearing processor" similar to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/e-courts-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s e-Courts project</strong></a> and allow grievance redressal for the country&rsquo;s scheduled caste population in a &ldquo;time bound manner".</li>
<li>It will <strong>supplement the physical submission of complaints</strong> and grievances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>NCSC is a constitutional body</strong> that works to <strong>safeguard the interests of the Scheduled Castes (SC)</strong> in India.</li>
<li><strong>Article 338 of the Constitution</strong> of India deals with this commission.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provided for a National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes with duties to investigate and monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them, to inquire into specific complaints and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development etc.</li>
<li>By the <strong>amendment in 2003</strong>, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by two separate Commissions <strong>from the year 2004</strong> which are: National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)</strong></a>-under <strong>Article 338-A.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions of the NCSC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Monitoring and investigating</strong> all issues concerning the safeguards provided <strong>for the SCs</strong> under the Constitution.</li>
<li><strong>Enquiring into complaints</strong> relating to <strong>the deprivation of the rights</strong> and <strong>safeguards of the SCs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Taking part in and advising</strong> the central or state governments with respect to the planning of <strong>socio-economic development of the SCs.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Regular reporting to the President</strong> of the country on the implementation of <strong>these safeguards.</strong></li>
<li>Any other function with respect to the welfare, protection, development and <strong>advancement of the SC community.</strong></li>
<li>The Commission is also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the <strong>Anglo-Indian Community</strong> as it does <strong>with respect to the SCs.</strong></li>
<li>Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the <strong>Other Backward Classes (OBCs).</strong> It was relieved from this responsibility by the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-commission-for-backward-classes-ncbc#:~:text=102nd%20Constitution%20Amendment%20Act,socially%20and%20educationally%20backward%20classes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <strong>102<sup>nd</sup> Amendment Act of 2018.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Constitutional and Legal Provisions For Upliftment of the Schedule Caste</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/important-articles-from-indian-constitution-compilation-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 15</a>(4)</strong> refers to the special provisions for their advancement.</li>
<li><strong>Article 16(4A)</strong> speaks of <strong>&ldquo;reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of SCs/STs</strong>, which are not adequately represented in the services under the State&rsquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Article 17</strong> abolishes Untouchability.</li>
<li><strong>Article 46</strong> requires the State <strong>&lsquo;to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections</strong> of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.</li>
<li><strong>Article 335</strong> provides that the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of <strong>appointments to services and posts</strong> in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.</li>
<li><strong>Article 330</strong> and <strong>Article 332</strong> of the Constitution respectively provide for <strong>reservation of seats in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People and in the legislative assemblies</strong> of the States.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Part IX</strong> relating to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/panchayati-raj-institutions-and-participative-democracy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Panchayats</strong></a> and <strong>Part IXA</strong> of the Constitution relating to the Municipalities, reservation for SC and ST in local bodies has been envisaged and provided.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-upholds-changes-to-sc-st-atrocities-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SC and the ST (Prevention of Atrocities) amendment Act, 2018.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID%3D1711868&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618486972066000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XyieJyQj3nMy-4cSogBay" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8103,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Anamaya: Tribal Health Collaborative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> has launched <strong>Tribal Health Collaborative (THC) 'Anamaya'</strong> through a video conference.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In 2018, an expert committee released a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-by-expert-committee-on-tribal-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>comprehensive report on tribal health</strong></a> in India which highlighted the issues and concerns of tribal health.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an initiative <strong>bringing together</strong> governments, philanthropists, national and international foundations, <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-governmental-organizations-ngos" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)</strong></a>/Community Based Organizations (CBOs) <strong>to end all preventable deaths among the tribal communities of India.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>converge efforts of various Government agencies and organisations</strong> to enhance the health and nutrition status of the tribal communities of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>build a sustainable, high-performing health ecosystem</strong> to address the key health challenges faced by the tribal population of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stakeholders:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a multi-stakeholder initiative of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs</strong> supported by <strong>Piramal Foundation</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indigenous-vaccine-pneumosil" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Piramal Foundation</strong> is the philanthropic arm of Piramal Group. The foundation undertakes projects under the four broad areas &ndash; <strong>healthcare, education, livelihood creation and youth empowerment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Operation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>begin its operations with 50 tribal</strong>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/aspirational-districts-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aspirational Districts</strong></a> (with more than 20% <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribe</strong></a> population) across 6 high tribal population states.</li>
<li>Over a <strong>10-year period</strong>, the work of the THC will be <strong>extended to 177 tribal Districts</strong> as recognised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives Related to the Tribal Communities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Programme for Capacity Building of Scheduled Tribe (ST) Representatives in Local Self Governments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is aimed at empowering tribal <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/panchayati-raj-institution-pri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI)</strong></a> representatives by enhancing their decision making capabilities at local government level.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>1000 Springs Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-for-tribal-communities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>1000 Springs Initiative</strong></a> aims at improving access to safe and adequate water for the tribal communities living in difficult and inaccessible parts of rural areas in the country.</li>
<li>The initiative will help in harnessing the potential of perennial springs&rsquo; water to address natural scarcity of water in tribal areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tribal Health Cell:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A &lsquo;Tribal Health Cell&rsquo; is being set up in the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>It will help central ministries and state governments to <strong>facilitate and strengthen primary health care</strong> systems and <strong>invest in tribal health research.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1710256#:~:text=The%20Collaborative%20is%20a%20multi,the%20tribal%20communities%20of%20India." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8085,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Sankalp Se Siddhi: TRIFED',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)</strong></a>, under the<strong> Ministry of Tribal Affairs,</strong> has launched <strong>&ldquo;Sankalp se Siddhi&rdquo; - Village and Digital Connect Drive.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>main aim</strong> of this drive is to<strong> activate the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in the villages.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Sankalp se Siddhi Drive:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The drive will entail 150 teams (10 in each region from TRIFED and State Implementation Agencies/Mentoring Agencies/Partners) visiting ten villages each. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Thus, 100 villages in each region and 1500 villages in the country will be covered.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The visiting teams will also<strong> identify locations and shortlist potential Van Dhan Vikas Kendras </strong>for clustering as <strong>TRIFOOD,</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-of-fund-for-regeneration-of-traditional-industries#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20MSME%20is,competitive%20and%20increase%20their%20income." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SFURTI</strong></a> units as larger enterprises. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/scheme-of-fund-for-regeneration-of-traditional-industries#:~:text=The%20Ministry%20of%20MSME%20is,competitive%20and%20increase%20their%20income." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)</strong></a> is a scheme of the <strong>Ministry of Micro, Small &amp; Medium Enterprises (MSME).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rs. 200 crore Sales during the next 12 months is targeted</strong> as a result of this initiative once the VDVKs are activated in these 1500 villages.</li>
<li>The teams will <strong>also identify tribal artisans and other groups</strong> and empanel them as suppliers so that they can have access to larger markets through the <strong>Tribes India network &ndash;</strong> both<strong> physical outlets and TribesIndia.com.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Involvements of the TRIFED:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Village and Digital Connect Initiative:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To <strong>ensure that existing schemes and initiatives reach the tribals,</strong> TRIFED&rsquo;s regional officials across the country have been visiting identified villages with a significant tribal population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schemes for Ensuring Fair Prices to Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Schemes such as <strong>Mechanism for Marketing of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/msp-hiked-for-minor-forest-produce#:~:text=MFP%2Drich%20districts.-,Minor%20Forest%20Produce%20(MFP),live%20in%20or%20near%20forests." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minor Forest Produce (MFP)</a> Through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/minimum-support-price-for-crops#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20major%20demands,of%20the%20cost%20of%20production." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minimum Support Price (MSP)</a></strong> and <strong>Development of Value Chain for MFP </strong>provide<strong> MSP to gatherers of forest produces.</strong></li>
<li>The schemes <strong>ensure sustainability of the resource base</strong> by addressing the problems that tribals face such as perishable nature of the produce, lack of holding capacity, lack of marketing infrastructure, exploitation by middlemen, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tech For Tribals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tech For Tribals program aims to<strong> transform 5 crore Tribal Entrepreneurs</strong> by capacity building and imparting entrepreneurship skills to tribal forest produce gatherers enrolled under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/van-dhan-internship-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is an initiative of the <strong>Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED.</strong> It was launched to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The program will ensure higher success rate of the Tribal Entrepreneurs by enabling and empowering them to run their business with marketable products with quality certifications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Van Dhan Vikas Kendras:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been provided by <strong>Van Dhan Vikas Yojana.</strong></li>
<li>Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVKs) are for providing <strong>skill upgradation and capacity building training</strong> to tribals and setting up of primary processing and value addition facilities.</li>
<li>Tribals are trained here and then provided with working capital to add value to the products, which they collect from the jungle.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TRIFOOD Scheme:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a <strong>joint initiative of the Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED</strong> and it promotes value addition to MFP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1709433" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8057,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Article 244(A) of the Constitution',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>demand for an autonomous state within Assam</strong> has been raised by some of the sections of the society in Assam under the provisions of<strong> Article 244A of the Constitution.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>1950s, a demand for a separate hill state</strong> arose around certain sections of the <strong>tribal population of undivided Assam.</strong></li>
<li>After prolonged agitations, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statehood-day-of-manipur-meghalaya-and-tripura#:~:text=On%20the%20Statehood%20Day%20of,(Reorganisation)%20Act%2C%201971." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Meghalaya gained statehood in 1972.</strong></a></li>
<li>The leaders of the <strong>Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills</strong> were also part of this movement. They were given the <strong>option to stay in Assam or join Meghalaya.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>stayed back</strong> as the centre promised them more powers, including<strong> Article 244 (A).</strong></li>
<li>In the 1980s, the demand for more power/autonomy took the form of a movement with a number of Karbi groups resorting to violence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It soon became<strong> an armed separatist insurgency</strong> demanding full statehood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 244A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 244(A) allows for creation of an &lsquo;autonomous state&rsquo;</strong> within Assam in certain tribal areas.</li>
<li>It also envisages<strong> creation of a local legislature or Council of Ministers or both</strong> to carry out local administration.</li>
<li>It was Inserted into the Constitution by the <strong>Twenty-second Constitution Amendment Act, 1969. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 244(A)</strong> accounts for <strong>more autonomous powers to tribal areas than the Sixth Schedule.</strong> Among these the most important power is the control over law and order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In Autonomous Councils under the Sixth Schedule, they do not have jurisdiction of law and order.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Sixth Schedule</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the<strong> administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram</strong> to safeguard the rights of the tribal population in these states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This special provision is provided under<strong> Article 244 (2) and Article 275 (1) of the Constitution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> Assam,</strong> the hill districts of <strong>Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong and West Karbi and the Bodo Territorial Region are under this provision.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Governor is empowered to increase or decrease the areas</strong> or change the names<strong> of the autonomous districts.</strong> While <strong>executive powers of the Union extend in Scheduled areas</strong> with respect to their administration in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-issue-in-ap" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fifth schedule</strong></a>, the <strong>sixth schedule areas remain within executive authority of the state.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Fifth Schedule</strong> of the Constitution deals with the<strong> administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes</strong> in any state <strong>except the four states</strong> of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The whole of the normal administrative machinery operating in a state do not extend to the scheduled areas.</li>
<li>At present,<strong> 10 States</strong> namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana have Fifth Schedule Area.</li>
<li>Tribal habitations in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu &amp; Kashmir have not been brought under the Fifth or Sixth Schedule.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply</strong> to autonomous districts and autonomous regions or apply with specified modifications and exceptions.</li>
<li>The Councils have also been endowed with wide <strong>civil and criminal judicial powers,</strong> for example establishing village courts etc. However, the jurisdiction of these councils is subject to the jurisdiction of the concerned High Court.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/article-244-a-its-relevance-for-assam-hill-tribes-and-the-politics-7252324/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8004,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Reservation Quota Limit of States',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Tamil Nadu told a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court that the percentage of reservation should be left to the <strong>&ldquo;subjective satisfaction&rdquo; of individual States.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Subjective satisfaction</strong> refers to the State&rsquo;s discretion to identify its socially and educationally backward classes and fix the percentage of reservation for them in State government jobs and educational admissions.</li>
<li>A nine-judge bench in the <strong>Indra Sawhney case (famously known as the Mandal Commission case)</strong> imposed the <strong>ceiling of 50% on total reservation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indra Sawhney &amp; Others vs Union of India, 1992:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Supreme Court while upholding the 27% quota for backward classes, struck down the government notification reserving 10% government jobs for economically backward classes among the higher castes.</li>
<li>SC in the same case also upheld the principle that the combined<strong> reservation beneficiaries should not exceed 50%</strong> of India&rsquo;s population.</li>
<li>The concept of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/creamy-layer-for-sc-s-st-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;creamy layer&rsquo;</strong> </a>also gained currency through this judgment and provision that reservation for backward classes should be confined to initial appointments only and not extend to promotions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Breach of the Limit by the States:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Notwithstanding the judgement passed by the Supreme Court, since<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-reviewing-50-cap-of-reservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indira Sawhney judgment 1992</strong></a>, many states have passed laws<strong> breaching the limit of 50%</strong> such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.</li>
<li>Tamil Nadu Reservation Act, 1993 provides 69% reservation in<strong> State government</strong> jobs and educational institutions.</li>
<li>In January 2000, the Governor of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh declared <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-review-sc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>100% reservation to Scheduled Tribes (ST)</strong></a> candidates in posts of school teachers in Scheduled Areas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it was ruled as unconstitutional by the apex court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/maratha-quota" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Maharashtra State Reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) Act of 2018</strong></a>, which provides 12% to 13% quota benefits for the Maratha community, takes the reservation percentage in the State across the 50% mark, was enacted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>States&rsquo; Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tamil Nadu and Karnataka agreed with Maharashtra that the 50% ceiling limit on reservation introduced in the <strong>Indira Sawhney judgment</strong> was <strong>not &ldquo;cast in stone</strong> (Permanently fixed or firmly established)&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The Indira Sawhney judgment <strong>required a re-look.</strong> The ground situation had changed a lot since that judgment in 1992.</li>
<li>Also, there is contention regarding the <strong>Constitution (One Hundred and Second Amendment) Act of 2018,</strong> which introduces the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-commission-for-backward-classes-ncbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Backward Classes</strong></a>, that it interferes with the authority of State Legislatures to provide benefit to the social and educationally backward communities (SEBCs) in their own jurisdiction.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, in an affidavit, the Ministry of Social justice and Empowerment has said <strong>the power to identify SEBCs lies with Parliament only with reference to the central list and states can have a separate list of SEBCs for reservation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Constitution and Reservation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>77<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1995:</strong> The Indra Sawhney verdict had held there would be reservation only in initial appointments and not promotions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, addition of the<strong> article 16(4A)</strong> to the Constitution, empowered the state to make provisions for reservation in matters of promotion to SC/ST employees, if the state feels they are not adequately represented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>81<sup>st</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000:</strong> It introduced Article 16(4B), which says unfilled SC/ST quota of a particular year, when carried forward to the next year, will be treated separately and not clubbed with the regular vacancies of that year.</li>
<li><strong>85<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001:</strong> It provided for the reservation in promotion can be applied with &lsquo;consequential seniority&rsquo; for the government servants belonging to the SCs and STs with retrospective effect from June 1995.</li>
<li><strong>103<sup>rd</sup> amendment to the Constitution (2019): <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/constitution-bench-for-ews-quota#:~:text=Key%20Points,and%20Article%2016%20(6)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">10% reservation for EWS (Economically Weaker Section)</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 335:</strong> It says that the claims of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration constituently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reviewing the 1992 Judgement:</strong> The Supreme Court should definitely review the 50% reservation quota limit need and issues arising out of that.</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining the Federal Structure:</strong> While deciding the reservation issue, it is also important to take into account whether the states providing reservations to different communities are maintaining the federal structure of the government or destroying it.</li>
<li><strong>Balancing the Reservation and Merit:</strong> While giving reservation to the communities, the efficiency of the administration has to be looked upon too.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reservation beyond the limit will lead to the ignorance of the merit, which will disturb the entire administration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/quota-percentage-should-be-left-to-states-tn-tells-sc/article34143947.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7958,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Reviewing 50% Cap of Reservation',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4jAznfPUufo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a five-judge bench at the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong> </a>has decided to examine whether the 1992 verdict by a nine-judge bench capping quota at 50% (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reservation-review-sc#:~:text=Indra%20Sawhney%20%26%20Others%20vs%20Union,classes%20among%20the%20higher%20castes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indra Sawhney case</strong></a>) needed to be revisited in view of subsequent constitutional amendments and changed social dynamics.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reservation for Marathas:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The court&rsquo;s observation came in a case where a <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/reservation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reservation</strong></a> for Marathas in Maharashtra caused a breach in the 50% ceiling.</li>
<li>The Maharashtra government decided to grant 16% reservation of total seats to the Marathas.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it was reduced by the Bombay High Court to 12% in govt jobs and 13% in educational institutions.</li>
<li>When the decision was challenged before the Supreme Court, it stayed the former&rsquo;s order.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Review of 1992 Judgement:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the Supreme Court's five-judge bench accepts that the judgment in the Indra Sawhney case should be modified, the case will have to be<strong> referred to an 11 or 13-judge bench.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Only a bench of larger composition can modify a previous judgment of the Supreme Court.</li>
<li>Besides, the extension of the creamy layer concept not just to OBC but also <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-castes-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Schedule Caste (SC)</strong> </a>and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Schedule Tribe (ST)</strong></a> is to be reviewed too.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Questions Raised by Supreme Court:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the purview of increasing reservations by the states, the bench has framed six questions and has issued notices about the same to all the states and UTs. It includes:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Whether the 1992 verdict needs to be referred to a larger bench in the light of subsequent constitutional amendments, judgements and changed social dynamics of the society.</li>
<li>Other five questions relate to the constitutional validity of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-commission-for-backward-classes-ncbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">102<sup>nd</sup> amendment</a> of the constitution.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Whether Article 342A of the Constitution abrogates states&rsquo; power to legislate or classify in respect of &ldquo;any backward class of citizens&rdquo; and thereby affects the federal policy/structure of the Constitution of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Constitution and Reservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>77<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 1995:</strong> The Indra Sawhney verdict had held there would be reservation only in initial appointments and not promotions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, addition of the<strong> article 16(4A)</strong> to the Constitution, empowered the state to make provisions for reservation in matters of promotion to SC/ST employees, if the state feels they are not adequately represented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>81<sup>st</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 2000:</strong> It introduced Article 16(4B), which says unfilled SC/ST quota of a particular year, when carried forward to the next year, will be treated separately and not clubbed with the regular vacancies of that year.</li>
<li><strong>85<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Act, 2001:</strong> It provided for the reservation in promotion can be applied with &lsquo;consequential seniority&rsquo; for the government servants belonging to the SCs and STs with retrospective effect from June 1995.</li>
<li><strong>102<sup>nd</sup>, 103<sup>rd</sup> and 104<sup>th</sup> Amendments:</strong> In the last couple of decades, there have been several amendments to the constitution like the <strong>102<sup>nd</sup> </strong>amendment, <strong>104<sup>th</sup></strong> amendment.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/constitution-bench-for-ews-quota#:~:text=Key%20Points,and%20Article%2016%20(6)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>10% reservation for EWS.</strong></a> was made by the <strong>103<sup>rd</sup></strong> amendment to the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 335:</strong> It says that the claims of SCs and STs shall be taken into consideration constituently with the maintenance of efficacy of the administration.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The 1992 Judgement and States&rsquo; Adherence</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indra Sawhney &amp; Others vs Union of India, 1992:</strong> The judgement on Indra Sawhney case was passed on 16 November, 1992.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was a<strong> nine-judge verdict</strong> which decisively laid down several landmark propositions such as 50% threshold in reservations.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It said, &rdquo;Reservation being an extreme form of protective measure should be confined to a minority of seats even though the constitution does not lay down any specific bar, the principle of balancing equality; reservation of any manner shall not exceed 50%&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The concept of<strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/creamy-layer-for-sc-s-st-s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;creamy layer&rsquo;</a> </strong>also gained importance through this judgment and provision that reservation for backward classes should be confined to initial appointments only and not extend to promotions.</li>
<li>Earlier, the reservation was meant to be only for SCs and STs. It was the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/30-years-of-mandal-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mandal Commission case</strong></a> that brought <strong>Other Backward Classes (OBCs)</strong> under reserved category.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adherence of the Limit by the States:</strong> Notwithstanding the judgement passed by the Supreme Court, since 1992, many states have passed laws breaching this limit of 50% such as Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Besides, Tamil Nadu, Haryana and Chhattisgarh, have also passed similar laws, causing them to exceed the 50% reservation mark.</li>
<li>The apex court has decided to look into Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s 69% quota law after deciding the Maratha quota case.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The 69% quota in the state pre-dates the Indra Sawhney judgement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In January 2000, the Governor of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh declared 100% reservation to Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates in posts of school teachers in Scheduled Areas. However, it was ruled as unconstitutional by the apex court.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>50% Reservation Not a Law:</strong> Although the limit of 50% is not set by any statute but it is laid down by the apex court and hence was binding to all the authorities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the judgement itself said that in <strong>exceptional circumstances,</strong> the percentage can be increased.</li>
<li>The issue that arises with the <strong>&lsquo;exceptional circumstance&rsquo;</strong> is that if it actually exists in a given case or not and if yes then by how much can the limit exceed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reviewing the 1992 Judgement:</strong> The Supreme Court shall go a step further and look into the Indra Sawhney case to clear the issues that have arised due to various judgements given by the high courts.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The reservation facility should be aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the marginalised in keeping with their standing in the caste-based census.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maintaining the Federal Structure:</strong> While deciding the reservation issue, it is also important to take into account whether the states providing reservations to different communities are maintaining the federal structure of the government or destroying it.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under Article 341 and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes#:~:text=342(1)%3A%20The%20President,to%20that%20State%20or%20Union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 342</strong></a>, declaring a particular community as Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) it is the power that vests in parliament.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balancing the Reservation and Merit:</strong> While giving reservation to the communities, the efficiency of the administration has to be looked upon too.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reservation beyond the limit will lead to the ignorance of the merit, which will disturb the entire administration.</li>
<li>The sole purpose of reservation is to address the issue of historical wrong done to the less-advantaged communities but the merit beyond a certain point must not be neglected too.</li>
</ul>
</li>
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		'article_id' => (int) 7912,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Challenges Faced by Nomadic Tribes',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-social-justice-and-empowerment#:~:text=The%20mandate%20of%20the%20Ministry,Nomadic%20Tribes%20(DNTs)%2C%20Economically" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment</strong></a> stated that a <strong>Development and Welfare Board for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNCs)</strong> was constituted for development and welfare of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/panel-for-denotified-semi-nomadic-nomadic-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities</a> in 2019.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The welfare board was constituted for a period of<strong> three years extendable upto 5 years.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenges Faced by Nomadic Tribes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are nearly 1,500 nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes and 198 denotified tribes, comprising 15 crore Indians, according to the <strong>Renke Commission, 2008.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These tribes remain<strong> socially and economically marginalised</strong> even now, <strong>depriving</strong> many of them of<strong> basic human rights.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The most pressing issue is of their<strong> identity. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Lack of Basic Infrastructure Facilities:</strong> Like drinking water, shelter, and sanitation facilities are not available to the communities. Healthcare and education facilities are also not available.</li>
<li><strong>Bad Treatment by Local Administration:</strong> Due to the stigma of Criminals bestowed upon them in the past, they are still treated criminals and tortured by the local administration and police.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Social Security Cover:</strong> Since they are on move frequently, they do not have a permanent settlement. As a result, they lack social security cover and are<strong> not issued <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/24-states-under-one-nation-one-ration-card" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ration Card</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aadhar-and-its-voluntary-use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aadhar Card</a></strong>, etc. and hence they are not getting benefits under the government welfare schemes.</li>
<li>The <strong>caste categorization is not very clear</strong> for these communities, in some states some of the communities are included under the SC category, in some other states they are included under OBCs. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, most of the groups from these communities do not have caste certificates and hence are not able to avail the benefits of government welfare programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>DWBDNCs Responsibilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>formulate and implement Welfare and Development programmes,</strong> as required, for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DNCs).</li>
<li>To <strong>identify the locations/areas</strong> where these communities are densely populated.</li>
<li>To<strong> assess and identify gaps</strong> in accessing existing programmes and entitlements and to collaborate with Ministries/implementing agencies to ensure that ongoing programmes meet the special requirements of DNCs.</li>
<li>To <strong>monitor and evaluate the progress of the schemes</strong> of the Government of India and the States/UTs with reference to DNCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schemes for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Dr. Ambedkar Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship for DNTs:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>Centrally Sponsored Scheme</strong> was launched in 2014-15 for the<strong> welfare of those DNT</strong> (Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes)<strong> students</strong> who are not covered under SC, ST or OBC.</li>
<li>The income ceiling for eligibility is Rs. 2.00 lakh per annum.</li>
<li>The scheme is implemented through State Governments/UT Administrations. The <strong>expenditure is shared</strong> between the <strong>Centre and the States</strong> in the ratio of <strong>75:25.</strong></li>
<li>The scheme of Pre-matric Scholarship for DNT students is helpful in spreading education amongst DNT children especially the girl child.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nanaji Deshmukh Scheme of Construction of Hostels for DNT Boys and Girls:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2014-15, is implemented through State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Universities.</li>
<li>The aim of the scheme is to provide <strong>hostel facilities to those DNT students;</strong> who are not covered under SC, ST or OBC; to enable them to pursue higher education.</li>
<li>The income ceiling for eligibility is Rs. 2.00 lakh per annum.</li>
<li>The Central Government provides a maximum of 500 seats per annum throughout the country.</li>
<li>The expenditure is shared between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 75:25.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Denotified tribes are those that were notified under the <strong>Criminal Tribes Acts</strong> enforced during British Rule, whereby entire <strong>populations were branded criminals by birth.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1952, the Act was repealed and the communities were de-notified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Nomadic tribes maintain constant geographical mobility</strong> while <strong>semi-nomads are those who are on the move but return to fixed habitations once a year,</strong> mainly for occupational reasons.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The distinction between nomadic and semi-nomadic do not involve distinguishable ethnic categories or social groups, it rather describes the degree of mobility practiced by them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1703752" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7783,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve: Chhattisgarh',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Thousands of<strong> tribals</strong> living in villages located in the <strong>core areas of Sitanadi Udanti Tiger Reserve</strong> are protesting and demanding the recognition of their <strong>Community Forest Resource rights.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights are given under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/forest-rights-act-2006-3#:~:text=Title%20rights%3A%20It%20gives%20FDST,a%20maximum%20of%204%20hectares.&amp;text=Relief%20and%20development%20rights%3A%20To,to%20restrictions%20for%20forest%20protection." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA).</strong></a></li>
<li>The <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-importance-of-tiger-conservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tiger reserves</strong></a> <strong>are constituted on a core/buffer strategy.</strong> The core areas have the legal status of a national park or a sanctuary, whereas the buffer or peripheral areas are a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple use area.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions of the Forest Rights Act (FRA):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 recognizes and vest the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in <strong>Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST)</strong> and <strong>Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD)</strong> who have been residing in such forests for generations.</li>
<li>It strengthens the conservation regime of the forests while ensuring livelihood and food security of the FDST and OTFD.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gram Sabha is the authority</strong> to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) or Community Forest Rights (CFR) or both that may be given to FDST and OTFD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Individual Rights:</strong> Encompasses Rights of Self-cultivation and Habitation.</li>
<li><strong>Community Rights:</strong> Such as Grazing, Fishing and access to Water bodies in forests, Habitat Rights for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)</strong></a>, right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource for sustainable use etc.</li>
<li><strong>Community Forest Resource Rights:</strong> These are rights of Adivasi and OTFDs over customary common forest land within the traditional or customary boundaries of the village or seasonal use of landscape in the case of pastoral communities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These <strong>can be recognised over any forest land</strong> including reserved forests, protected forests and protected areas such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dehing-patkai-wildlife-sanctuary-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sanctuaries and National Park.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Establishment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sitanadi-Udanti Tiger Reserve <strong>came into existence in the year 2008-09</strong>, are two separate reserves (Udanti &amp; Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuaries) combined together.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Location:</strong> It is located in the <strong>Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ecological Diversity:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It contains various types of <strong>forest crop</strong> mixed with <strong>Sal forest.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-buffalo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asiatic Wild Buffalo</strong></a> is the key endangered species found in the Core Area.</li>
<li>Apart from the tiger, other endangered and rare species are Indian Wolf, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-leopard-population" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leopard</a>,</strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nandankanan-zoological-park-odisha" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Sloth Bear</strong></a> and Mouse Deer.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rivers:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sitanadi River</strong> originates in the middle of Sitanadi Wildlife sanctuary.</li>
<li><strong>Udanti River</strong> flows from the west to east covering a major part of the Udanti Wildlife sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Tiger Reserves in Chhattisgarh:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Achanakmar Tiger Reserve.</strong></a></li>
<li>Indravati Tiger Reserve.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614325587_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1614325587_image2.png" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/chhattisgarhs-sitanadi-udanti-tiger-reserve-tribals-seek-forest-rights-officials-cite-core-area-rule-7203531/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7779,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Commission for Scheduled Castes',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Vijay Sampla</strong> has been appointed as the chairman of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reimagining-the-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC).</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NCSC is a <strong>constitutional body</strong> that works to<strong> safeguard the interests of the scheduled castes (SC)</strong> in India.</li>
<li><strong>Article 338</strong> of the constitution of India deals with this commission:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides for a <strong>National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes</strong> with duties to investigate and <strong>monitor all matters relating to safeguards provided for them,</strong> to inquire into specific complaints and to participate and advise on the planning process of their socio-economic development etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History and Origin:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Special Officer:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Initially, the constitution provided for the appointment of a<strong> Special Officer</strong> under Article 338.</li>
<li>The special officer was designated as the Commissioner for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>65<sup>th</sup> Amendment, 1990:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It replaced the one-member system with a multi-member <strong>National Commission for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).</strong></li>
<li>The Constitution (65<sup>th</sup> Amendment) Act 1990, amended Article 338 of the Constitution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>89<sup>th</sup> Amendment, 2003:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>By this amendment, the erstwhile National Commission for SC and ST was replaced by <strong>two separate Commissions</strong> from the year 2004 which were:<strong> National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC)</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)</strong></a>- under <strong>Article 338-A.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It consists of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chairperson.</li>
<li>Vice-chairperson.</li>
<li>Three other members.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>appointed by the President</strong> by warrant under his hand and seal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Monitoring and investigating all issues</strong> concerning the safeguards provided <strong>for the SCs</strong> under the constitution.</li>
<li><strong>Enquiring into complaints</strong> relating to the deprivation of the rights and safeguards of the SCs.</li>
<li>Taking part in and <strong>advising the central or state governments</strong> with respect to the planning of socio-economic development of the SCs.</li>
<li>Regular <strong>reporting to the President</strong> of the country on the implementation of these safeguards.</li>
<li><strong>Recommending steps</strong> to be taken to further the <strong>socio-economic development and other welfare activities</strong> of the SCs.</li>
<li>Any other function with respect to the welfare, protection, development and advancement of the SC community.</li>
<li>The Commission is also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the <strong>Anglo-Indian Community</strong> as it does with respect to the SCs.</li>
<li>Till 2018, the commission was also required to discharge similar functions with regard to the other backward classes (OBCs). It was relieved from this responsibility by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-commission-for-backward-classes-ncbc#:~:text=102nd%20Constitution%20Amendment%20Act,socially%20and%20educationally%20backward%20classes." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>102<sup>nd</sup> Amendment Act of 2018</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Other Constitutional Provisions For Upliftment of the Schedule Caste</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/important-articles-from-indian-constitution-compilation-part-i" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 15</strong></a><strong>(4)</strong> refers to the special provisions for their advancement.</li>
<li><strong>Article 16(4A)</strong> speaks of <strong>&ldquo;reservation in matters of promotion to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favour of SCs/STs,</strong> which are not adequately represented in the services under the State&rsquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Article 17</strong> abolishes Untouchability.</li>
<li><strong>Article 46</strong> requires the State <strong>&lsquo;to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections</strong> of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.</li>
<li><strong>Article 335</strong> provides that the claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the making of <strong>appointments to services and posts</strong> in connection with the affairs of the Union or of a State.</li>
<li><strong>Article 330</strong> and <strong>Article 332</strong> of the Constitution respectively provide for <strong>reservation of seats in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the House of the People and in the legislative assemblies</strong> of the States.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Part IX</strong> relating to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/panchayati-raj-institutions-and-participative-democracy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Panchayats</strong></a> and <strong>Part IXA</strong> of the Constitution relating to the Municipalities, reservation for SC and ST in local bodies has been envisaged and provided.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/national-commission-for-scheduled-castes-gets-chairman/article33928022.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7689,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Falling Numbers of SC & ST Students in IITs',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, data collected from a series of <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/right-to-information-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Right to Information (RTI)</strong> </a>applications pertaining to five older<strong> Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs),</strong> has indicated that the <strong>acceptance rate is skewed against students from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reimagining-the-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Caste (SC)</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scheduled Tribe (ST)</a>, and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-to-obc-sub-categorisation-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>SC and ST applicants are half as likely to get selected for a Ph.D. programme</strong> at IITs <strong>as aspirants from the General Category (GC)</strong> are.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Data from the RTI Applications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Acceptance Rate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It refers to the <strong>number of students selected for every 100 students who applied.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It stood at <strong>4%</strong> for students from<strong> General Category (GC).</strong></li>
<li>It falls to<strong> 2.7% for OBC</strong> students and further down to just <strong>2.16% for SCs and 2.2% for STs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This finding <strong>comes against the backdrop of the Education Ministry&rsquo;s data</strong> submitted to Parliament in 2020 showing the failure of the IITs to fill Ph.D. seats as per reservation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government&rsquo;s <strong>reservation</strong> policy <strong>mandates</strong> allocation of <strong>15% seats for students from the SCs, 7.5% from STs </strong>and<strong> 27% from OBCs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>IITs have often cited the lack of applicants from the marginalised communities</strong> for the situation. However, <strong>the RTI data reveals quite the opposite.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>percentage of GC students</strong> among those admitted was <strong>always higher</strong> than their percentage among those applied. However, the <strong>converse was true for SC, ST and OBC candidates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education Ministry's Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Of the total admissions made by all <strong>IITs</strong> from<strong> 2015 to 2019,</strong> only <strong>9.1%</strong> went to <strong>SC</strong> and <strong>2.1%</strong> to<strong> ST.</strong></li>
<li>Only<strong> 23.2%</strong> seats went to applicants from the <strong>OBCs.</strong> Remaining <strong>65.6%,</strong> or roughly two-thirds of all the seats, went to General Category applicants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613376254_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613376254_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="630" height="471" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons for Falling Rate:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Given by IITs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eligibility Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some institutions <strong>could not even fill all the seats in the general category</strong> since they<strong> did not get enough eligible candidates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Causes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Students of the required calibre <strong>tend to take up industry jobs rather than join for a PhD</strong> which has extra uncertainties and lower income levels during PhD and in some areas even post PhD.</li>
<li>It is possible that the <strong>family background and economic level</strong> may have an impact on such candidates applying for a PhD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Argument of 'Merit':</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been long-standing <strong>opposition among IIT administrators and faculty to reservations,</strong> which they see as a form of<strong> unjust government intervention</strong> in their meritocratic institutions.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recommendations-on-reservation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recent report</strong> </a>of an Education Ministry-constituted committee<strong> recommended the abolition of reservation in faculty recruitment.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The committee based its recommendations primarily on arguments <strong>claiming the need for IITs to maintain their academic excellence and the lack of candidates from the reserved categories</strong> who fulfil the qualification criteria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A More Systematic Problem:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The problem is also of practice and <strong>access to quality school education,</strong> leading to <strong>poor base.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of following the Reservation Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>An Example to Other Institutions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The IITs are and should continue to be institutions of national importance. But they <strong>also have social functions.</strong></li>
<li>They should set an example to other institutions by <strong>creating opportunities for and encourage the underprivileged communities to excel</strong> in research and innovation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bridging Inequalities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Affirmative action and caste-based reservation can <strong>help bridge inequalities in society,</strong> enable the underprivileged to have access to quality education, promote diversity, and, more importantly, remove obstacles to equality and correct the past wrongs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Policy intervention has to begin sooner, in the early school years, to attempt to equalise opportunities in education.</li>
<li>In addition, negative attitudes, perceptions and stereotypes about the ability of students belonging to the SC/ST groups are a major hurdle. Policy should recognise how such perceptions hold back individuals and groups, and seriously attempt to think of ways to alter these.</li>
<li>Diversity issues can also be addressed through outreach campaigns.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/phd-entry-in-iits-tougher-for-students-from-marginalised-communities/article33824475.ece?homepage=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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