Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a Constitution Bench led by the Chief Justice of India is hearing a series of petitions challenging the constitutionality of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

• The Constitution Bench clarifies its focus is limited to examining the validity of Section 6A and not the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC).

What is Section 6A of the Citizenship Act of 1955?

• Background:
  • Section 6A was enacted as part of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 1985, following the Assam Accord of 1985.
    • The Assam Accord was a tripartite agreement between the Central Government, the State Government of Assam, and the leaders of the Assam Movement, which sought to end the influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
  • The Assam Accord, signed in 1985, introduced Section 6A into the Citizenship Act, of 1955, exclusively for Assam.
    • This provision addresses the issue of large-scale migration preceding the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Notably, it mandates the detection and deportation of foreigners who entered Assam after March 25, 1971, marking the creation of Bangladesh.
    • The introduction of Section 6A reflects the specific historical and demographic challenges faced by Assam during this critical period.
• Provisions and implications:
  • Section 6A created a special provision for Assam by which persons of Indian origin who came from Bangladesh before 1^st January 1966, were deemed to be citizens of India as of that date.
  • Persons of Indian origin who came to Assam between 1^st January 1966, and 25^th March 1971, and who were detected to be foreigners, were required to register themselves and were granted citizenship after 10 years of residence, subject to certain conditions.
  • Persons who entered Assam after 25th March, 1971, were to be detected and deported in accordance with the law.
• Challenges:
  • Constitutional Validity:
    • Article 6:
      • The petitioners argue that Section 6A is in violation of Article 6 of the Constitution.
      • Article 6 of the Indian Constitution deals with the citizenship of people who migrated from Pakistan to India during the partition.
        • The article states that anyone who migrated to India before 19^th July 1949, would automatically become an Indian citizen if either of their parents or grandparents was born in India.
      • This raises concerns about the legal and constitutional validity of the provision.
    • Article 14:
      • Critics argue that Section 6A may violate Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to equality.
        • The provision is perceived as discriminatory as it singles out Assam for specific citizenship criteria.
      • The provision is applicable only to Assam, and this selective application raises concerns about equal treatment and fairness compared to other states facing similar issues of migration.
  • Demographic Impact:
    • Section 6A's citizenship grant is criticized by some petitioners for allegedly contributing to an influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into Assam.
    • Concerns focus on the unintended consequence of encouraging illegal migration and the resultant impact on the state's demographic composition.
    • The petitioners argue that the conferring of citizenship on the migrant population in Assam, as facilitated by Section 6A, amounts to "cementing an illegality."
      • They claim that the provision has had a multiplier effect by recognizing these individuals as citizens, leading to continued influx.
  • Cultural Impact:
    • Petitioners argue that the benefits given to cross-border migrants between 1966 and 1971 led to a radical demographic change affecting the cultural identity of Assam.

World Soil Day 2023

Source: HT

Why in News?

Every year, the United Nations celebrates 5^th December as World Soil Day.

• In August 2023, a study by US and Australian researchers in Scientific Reports explored the connection between soil micronutrient levels and the nutritional well-being of individuals in India.

What is World Soil Day (WSD)?

• WSD is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of the late King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej for his lifelong commitment to raising awareness of the importance of sustainable soil management and rehabilitation for food security, poverty alleviation and more.
• WSD was recommended by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) in 2002.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has supported the formal establishment of WSD as a global awareness-raising platform under the leadership of the Kingdom of Thailand within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership.
• 5th December 2014 was designated as the first official WSD by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• Theme 2023: Soil and Water, a Source of Life.

What is the Link between Soil Micronutrients and the Nutritional Status of Individuals as per the Study?

• Soil Composition and Micronutrient Absorption:
  • Soil composition directly influences the levels of essential micronutrients like zinc and iron in crops. Plants absorb these nutrients from the soil, and their availability in the soil affects the micronutrient content in food.
• Impact on Human Health:
  • Low soil zinc levels have been linked to higher rates of stunting and underweight conditions in children. Zinc plays a vital role in growth and immune system function.
  • Soil iron availability correlates with the prevalence of anemia. Iron is crucial for hemoglobin production, necessary for oxygen transport in the body.
  • In regions where soil lacks adequate zinc, iron, and other essential micronutrients, there's a higher likelihood of micronutrient deficiencies in the population consuming crops grown in such soil.
• Solutions Suggested:
  • Application of zinc to crops on zinc-deficient soils increases yields of rice, wheat, maize, and oats by over 75% more than application of only nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertiliser.
  • Zinc-enriched fertilisers can enhance soil zinc for three to four years after application, which means that it could be an effective long-term intervention, requiring less short-term maintenance than other solutions.

What is the Status of Nutrient Deficiency in India Soil?

• India’s soil has been facing widespread deficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus for a long time. Potassium deficiency became more prevalent in the 1990s, and sulphur deficiency emerged as a major problem in the 2000s.
• An analysis of 0.2 million soil samples from 28 states by scientists associated with All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Micro- and Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements in Soils and Plants (AICRP-MSPE) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research shows:
  • Zinc Deficiency: Approximately 36.5% of India's soil is deficient in zinc.
  • Iron Deficiency: About 12.8% of the country's soil is deficient in iron.
  • Other Micronutrients: Apart from zinc and iron deficiencies, the research indicates deficiencies in other micronutrients as well:
    • Boron deficiency is found in 23.4% of soils.
    • Copper deficiency is observed in 4.20% of soils.
    • Manganese deficiency affects 7.10% of soils.

What can be Done to Shift Towards Soil-Centric Agriculture for Sustainability?

• Conservation Agriculture and Efficient Farming Techniques:
  • Implement conservation agriculture techniques like no-till, residue mulch, and crop rotations to restore soil nutrients and health.
  • Discourage traditional fertiliser broadcasting in favor of seed-cum-fertiliser drill machines to enhance water use efficiency.
• Embracing Diversity and Innovation:
  • Encourage cover crops, mulching, agroforestry, and smart soil solutions like Bhoomitra and Krishi-RASTAA.
  • Promote practices that enhance sequestration, diversify crops, eliminate residue burning, and adopt precision farming with technology and AI.
• Restoration and Reclamation Methods:
  • Advocate for carbon farming, reclaim saline/alkaline soils, and regulate micronutrient use while minimizing chemical inputs.
  • Utilize mechanization for efficient fertilizer placement and integrate organic manures for improved soil health.

Conclusion

By promoting sustainable land management, biodiversity, and educational outreach, World Soil Day underscores the critical role of soil in Earth's sustenance. It calls for concerted efforts to preserve and restore soil health, ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.

Primary Agricultural Credit Societies

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Cooperation has introduced Model Bye laws aimed at revitalizing Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

• The Model Byelaws refer to a set of guidelines or regulations formulated by the Ministry of Cooperation to govern the functioning and operations of PACS at the grassroots level.

What is the Purpose of these Bye-Laws?

• These Byelaws are designed to outline the structure, activities, and functioning of PACS, aiming to enhance their economic viability and expand their role in rural areas.
• The Model Byelaws will enable PACS to diversify their business activities by undertaking more than 25 business activities, including dairy, fishery, floriculture, setting up godowns, procurement of foodgrains, fertilizers, seeds, short-term & long-term credit, custom hiring centers, Fair Price Shops (FPS), community irrigation, Business Correspondent activities, etc.
• Provisions have been made to make the membership of PACS more inclusive and broad-based, giving adequate representation to women and Scheduled Castes/Schedules Tribes.

What are Primary Agricultural Credit Societies?

• About:
  • PACS are village level cooperative credit societies that serve as the last link in a three-tier cooperative credit structure headed by the State Cooperative Banks (SCB) at the state level.
    • Credit from the SCBs is transferred to the District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs), which operate at the district level. The DCCBs work with PACS, which deal directly with farmers.
  • PACSs provide short-term, and medium-term agricultural loans to the farmers for the various agricultural and farming activities.
  • The first PACS was formed in 1904.

• Status:
  • According to a December 2022 report by the Reserve Bank of India, there were 1.02 lakh PACS in the country. However, only 47,297 of them made a profit by the end of March 2021.
• Significance of PACS:
  • PACS provide small farmers with access to credit, which they can use to purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs for their farms. This helps them to improve their production and increase their income.
  • PACS are often located in rural areas, which makes it convenient for farmers to access their services.
  • PACS have the capacity to extend credit with minimal paperwork within a short time.

What are the Issues with the PACS?

• Inadequate Coverage:
  • Though geographically active PACS cover about 90% of 5.8 Lakh villages, there are parts of the country, especially in the north-east, where this coverage is very low.
  • Further, the rural population covered as members is only 50% of all the rural households.
• Inadequate Resources:
  • The resources of the PACS are much too inadequate in relation to the short-and medium-term credit needs of the rural economy.
  • The bulk of even these inadequate funds come from higher financing agencies and not through owned funds of societies or deposit mobilization by them.
• Overdues and NPAs:
  • Large over-dues have become a big problem for the PACS.
    • As per the RBI report, PACS had reported lending worth Rs 1,43,044 crore and NPAs of Rs 72,550 crore. Maharashtra has 20,897 PACS of which 11,326 are in losses
  • They curb the circulation of loanable funds, reduce the borrowing as well as lending power of societies, and give them the bad image that the societies of defaulting debtors are willful.

Way Forward

• These more than a century-old institutions deserve another policy push and can occupy a prominent space in the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat as well as Vocal for Local of the Government of India, as they have the potential to be the building blocks of an Atmanirbhar village economy.
• PACS have played a crucial role in the rural financial sector and have the potential to play an even greater role in the future. To achieve this, PACS must be made more efficient, financially sustainable, and accessible to farmers.
• At the same time, the regulatory framework must be strengthened to ensure that PACS are effectively governed and able to serve the needs of farmers.

Protests Over National Medical Commission Logo

Source: IE

Why in News?

The National Medical Commission (NMC) has recently changed its logo, which has sparked a controversy among the medical fraternity.

• The new logo features a colourful image of Dhanvantri, an avatar of Lord Vishnu who is considered the god of Ayurveda in Hindu mythology.
• The new logo also replaces the word ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’, and does not include the national emblem.

Why are the Doctors Protesting Against the NMC logo?

• NMC officials justify Dhanvantri's presence in the logo as a representation of India's rich cultural and mythological heritage in the field of medicine.
• The Indian Medical Association (IMA) contends that the revised logo may promote a specific religion and ideology, prompting the IMA to express reservations about religious symbolism in the visual identity of a vital medical institution.
  • IMA argues that the logo of any national institution ought to capture the aspirations of all our citizens in an equal manner and by remaining neutral in all respects thereby eliminating any possibility of any part or section of the society feeling aggrieved in any manner.
• The logo change is also seen as disrespect to the constitution, as it undermines the secular and democratic values of the country.
• The logo change is also seen as a contradiction to the scientific and evidence-based nature of the modern medical system, as it promotes a mythical and unproven system of Ayurveda.

What is National Medical Commission (NMC)?

• NMC is the apex regulatory body for medical education and practice in India.
• NMC was established in 2020 by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, replacing the Medical Council of India (MCI).
• NMC consists of four autonomous boards: the Under-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Post-Graduate Medical Education Board, the Medical Assessment and Rating Board, and the Ethics and Medical Registration Board.
• NMC also has a Medical Advisory Council, which advises the commission on matters related to medical education and practice.
• NMC is responsible for conducting and overseeing major screening tests, such as NEET-UG, NEET-PG, and FMGE.
• NMC also regulates the standards and quality of medical education and training, the registration and ethics of medical practitioners, and the assessment and rating of medical institutions.
• NMC has also achieved the prestigious World Federation for Medical Education(WFME) recognition, which means that the medical degrees awarded by the NMC are recognized globally.
  • The WFME was founded in 1972 by the World Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and other organizations.

91st Interpol General Assembly

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian delegation, led by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and National Investigation Agency (NIA), urged member countries to deny safe havens to crime, criminals, and the proceeds of crime at the 91^st Interpol General Assembly held in Vienna, Austria.

• Criminals and fugitives wanted by Indian agencies have been successfully returned through increased leveraging of Interpol channels and enhanced relationships with international law enforcement agencies.

What are the Key Highlights of the 91st Interpol General Assembly?

• During the 91^st Interpol General Assembly, resolutions were passed to strengthen the collaborative response to disrupt financial crime and corruption, combat online child sexual exploitation, and promote diversity within Interpol itself.
• The delegation engaged in discussions with law enforcement agencies from various countries on coordinated strategies to combat organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, online radicalization, and cyber-enabled financial crimes.
• They also advocated for real-time prevention of these crimes.
• The delegation supported the adoption of Interpol's Vision 2030 and the establishment of the Interpol Future Council.

What is CBI?

• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the premier investigating police agency in India.
  • It provides assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission and Lokpal.
• It functions under the superintendence of the Department of Personnel, Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India.
• It is also the nodal police agency in India which coordinates investigations on behalf of Interpol Member countries.

Six Exoplanets Found Orbiting Around HD 110067

Source: TH

Why in News?

A recent study published in Nature has unveiled the discovery of six exoplanets orbiting a nearby bright star, HD 110067, located in the Coma Berenices constellation.

• These planets referred to as ‘sub-Neptunes’, were detected and characterized by using data from two space telescopes: National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and European Space Agency’s(ESA) CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS).

What are the Key Facts about Sub-Neptunes?

• The six exoplanets in the HD 110067 system are classified as 'sub-Neptunes.’
  • Planets with radii between that of the Earth and Neptune are referred to as ‘sub-Neptunes’.
  • Calculations of their masses and densities indicate the presence of relatively low-density atmospheres, potentially rich in hydrogen.
• All six planets are in resonant orbits, in which the planets exert regular forces on each other as they orbit.
  • This feature suggests that the system remains practically unchanged since its birth, at least four billion years ago.
• The planets are named HD 110067 b, c, d, e, f, and g, in order of increasing distance from the star.

What is an Exoplanet?

• Exoplanets are planets that orbit other stars and are beyond our solar system.
  • The first confirmation of detection of exoplanets occurred in 1992.
• According to NASA, to date, more than 5,000 exoplanets have been discovered.

Dr. B R Ambedkar Death Anniversary

The death anniversary of Dr. B R Ambedkar is commemorated every year on 6^th December through the observance of Mahaparinirvan Diwas to recall his exemplary service to our nation.

• Parinirvana, regarded as one of the major principles as well as goals of Buddhism, is a Sanskrit term which means release or freedom after death.
  • As per the Buddhist text Mahaparinibbana Sutta, the death of Lord Buddha at the age of 80 is considered as the original Mahaparinirvan.

Read More: 65th Mahaparinirvan Diwas

Kiwi Bird

Recently, two Kiwi hatchlings were found three miles west of Wellington in Makara (New Zealand) a suburb where kiwis had disappeared for over a century due to urban dangers.

• New Zealand’s Capital Kiwi Project is a community-led initiative that aims to restore a large-scale wild kiwi population.
• About:
  • The Kiwi is a flightless bird endemic to New Zealand.
  • This is known for its eccentric traits such as being nocturnal, flightless, and having mouse-like whiskers and dinosaur-like legs.
• Features:
  • Kiwi eggs are one of the largest in proportion to body size (up to 20% of the female's weight) of any order of bird in the world.
  • Unique adaptations of kiwi, such as short and stout legs and using their nostrils at the end of their long beak to detect prey before they see it.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Status: Vulnerable
• Distribution: Kiwi is especially found in the Australian Continent.

Armed Forces Flag Day

The Prime Minister of India has paid tribute to the nation’s brave soldiers on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day (7^th December 2023).

• Armed Forces Flag Day India is a day dedicated to honouring the soldiers and veterans of India’s armed forces.
  • It has been observed annually in India on 7^th December since 1949.
• On this day, the nation pays tribute to martyrs in the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and other defence forces who lost their precious lives while serving the country.
• On this day, people buy flags and items, supporting the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).
  • The funds aid families of armed forces personnel, honouring those who sacrificed for the nation, and the ex-servicemen.

Read more: Indian Army, Navy, Air Force

Adopt A Heritage program 2.0.

Recently, the Ministry of Culture has shed light on the Adopt A Heritage program 2.0.

• The programme is a revamped version of the earlier scheme (Adopt a Heritage Scheme) launched in 2017 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and clearly defines the amenities sought for different monuments as per the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (AMASR), 1958.
• The program aims to involve various private-public stakeholders in the maintenance, development, and operation of heritage sites, thus ensuring their sustainable upkeep while also enhancing the visitor experience.
• Under the program, corporate entities will assume responsibility for selected monuments as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Read more: Adopt a Heritage 2.0