India commences the worlds largest ever vaccination program to control FMD
Context : The union Government launched a new scheme National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD and Brucellosis with a financial outlay of Rs. 13,343.00 crore for five years (2019-20 to 2023-24) by vaccinating 100% cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig population for FMD and 100% bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age for brucellosis to prevent loss of Rs. 50,000 crores. This programme combined with providing unique PashuAadhar to 535 million animals
NATIONWIDE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION PROGRAMME (NAIP) :
Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme district for 600 districts in the country was recently launched by the Government in September is one of the most extensive such programs with 100% central assistance for undertaking breed improvement. T600 districts so that India achieves 70% AI coverage.Under NAIP, more than 11 lakhs AI done on 31.12.2019.
QUALITY MILK PROGRAMME :
DAHD launched Quality Milk Programme on 24.07.2019 with the objectives to achieve Global(Codex)standards for domestic consumption of milk and ensuring traceability & increasing share of milk and milk products in world exports. The program during 2019-20, approval has been granted for the strengthening of 231 dairy plants under the National Programme for Dairy Development scheme to equip them to detect adulterants in milk. The total cost of the project was Rs.271.64 crore. The amount of Rs.128.56 crore released to States as the first installment during 2019-20. Once implemented in June 2020, all the cooperative dairy plants of the country will be able to supply Quality Milk tested on all microbiological, chemical and physical parameters to their consumers.
Kerala becomes first state to pass anti-CAA resolution
Context : Kerala has become the first state in India to pass a resolution demanding rollback of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Why? – Kerala’s arguments :
The CAA act contradicts the basic values and principles of the Constitution.
It is against the “secular” outlook and fabric of the country and would lead to religion-based discrimination in granting citizenship.
Background :
The Parliament had passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 on December 11, 2019. The act had triggered widespread protests across India and created fear of discrimination based on religion.
Kerala has already put on hold all the activities in connection with the National Population Register (NPR) considering the anxiety among people that it relates to the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
What’s the issue now :
The Centre has clarified that the CAA act will not impact any Indian citizen including Muslims.
The clarification has failed to have any impact on the protests, with many states announcing that they will not implement the law.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019:
- It seeks to allow illegal migrants from certain minority communities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan eligible for Indian citizenshipby amending the Citizenship Act of 1955.
- It seeks to grant citizenship to people from minority communities —Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians —after 6 years of stay in India even if they do not possess any proper document. The current requirement is 12 years of stay.
- The Bill provides that the registration of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders may be cancelled if they violate any law.
National Infrastructure Pipeline
Context : Recently, the Government has released a report of the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline for 2019-2025.
National Infrastructure Pipeline :
- NIP will enable a forward outlook on infrastructure projects which will create jobs, improve ease of living, and provide equitable access to infrastructure for all, thereby making growth more inclusive.
- NIP includes economic and social infrastructure projects.
- During the fiscals 2020 to 2025, sectors such as Energy (24%), Roads (19%), Urban (16%), and Railways (13%) amount to around 70% of the projected capital expenditure in infrastructure in India.
- It has outlined plans to invest more than ₹102 lakh crore on infrastructure projects by 2024-25, with the Centre, States and the private sector to share the capital expenditure in a 39:39:22 formula.
SC Bats Against the Transfer of Community Resources
Context : Recently, the Supreme Court of India held that the Government has no right to transfer “invaluable” community resources like village water ponds to powerful people and industrialists for commercialisation of the property.
It is necessary to protect village commons for safeguarding the fundamental right guaranteed by Article 21 of our Constitution. These common areas like water ponds and wells are the lifeline of village communities and often sustain various chores and provide resources necessary for life.
Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty. No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law.
It is fundamental, non-derogable and is available to every person. Even the State cannot violate that right.
Key Points :
- The judgment came on a plea against the transfer of village ponds’ sites of Saini village in the National Capital Region to some private industrialists by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority.
- The National Green Tribunal (NGT) refused to intervene on the plea but the apex court ordered the authorities and the industrialists to remove all obstructions and restore the water bodies within three months.
- SC said the State can not deprive the villagers of their existing source of water and other community resources even after the promise of providing them with an alternative source. There is no guarantee that the adverse effect of destroying the existing water body would be offset and people would be compelled to travel miles to access the alternative site.
- Resources which are available for everyone’s use in a community, village or town are called community resources. For example- ponds, playgrounds, public parks etc.
202nd Anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon Battle
Context : The victory pillar (also known as Ransthamb) in Bhima-Koregaon village (Pune district of Maharashtra) is to celebrate the 202nd anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle of 1818 on January 1, 2020.
In 2018, incidents of violence were registered during the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Bhima-Koregaon battle.
Historical Background :
- A battle was fought in Bhima Koregaon between the Peshwa forces and the British on January 1, 1818.
- The British army, which comprised mainly of Dalit soldiers, fought the upper caste-dominated Peshwa army. The British troops defeated the Peshwa army.
- Peshwa Bajirao II had insulted the Mahar community and terminated them from the service of his army. This caused them to side with the English against the Peshwa’s numerically superior army.
- The defeat of Peshwa army was considered to be a victory against caste-based discrimination and oppression.
- It was one of the last battles of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, which ended the Peshwa domination.
- Babasaheb Ambedkar’s visit to the site on January 1, 1927, revitalised the memory of the battle for the Dalit community, making it a rallying point and an assertion of pride.