• 10 Sep 2024

Joint Doctrine of Amphibious Operations

Why in News?

Recently, Chief of Defence Staff released the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations during the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) meeting.

Key Points

• The Doctrine serves as a key guide for Commanders in conducting Amphibious Operations in today’s complex military landscape.
  • Amphibious operations are military operations that involve a landing on a hostile shore by naval and landing forces.
• The amphibious capability enables the Armed Forces to conduct a wide range of operations in the Indian Ocean Region, both in times of war and peace.
  • These operations are a vital element of multi-domain warfare, exemplifying the cohesion and integration among the Armed Forces.
• The Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations is the second Joint Doctrine released this year after the Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace operations.
  • Cyberspace encompasses the global network of entities, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, that process, store, and transmit digital information and code, whether connected or independent.

What is Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

• Background: Its creation was recommended in 2001 by a Group of Ministers (GoM) that was tasked with studying the Kargil Review Committee (1999) report.
  • After the GoM recommendations, in preparation for the post of CDS, the government created the Integrated Defence Staff in 2002, which was to eventually serve as the CDS’s Secretariat.
  • In 2012, the Naresh Chandra Committee recommended the appointment of a Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee as a midway to eliminate apprehensions over the CDS.
  • Finally, the post of CDS was created in 2019 on the recommendations of a committee of defence experts headed by Lt General DB Shekatkar.
    • General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS in the country and was appointed on December 31, 2019.

Govind Ballabh Pant

Why in News?

On the 137^th birth anniversary of first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Govind Ballabh Pant is remembered as one of the country’s most prominent freedom fighters and an administrator who played a key role in shaping modern India.

Key Points

• Brief Profile:
  • Govind Ballabh Pant is remembered as one of the country’s most prominent freedom fighters and an administrator who played a key role in shaping modern India.
  • He was the Premier of United Provinces (1937 - 1939), First Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1946 -1954) and Union Home Minister (1955 - 1961) and was a recipient of the highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1957.
• Early Life:
  • Pant was born on 10th September 1887 in Uttarakhand, at Almora.
  • When he was 18 years old, he started serving as a volunteer at sessions of the Indian National Congress, looking up to Gopalkrishna Gokhale and Madan Mohan Malaviya as his idols.
  • In 1907, he decided to study law, after receiving his degree, he started to practise law in Almora in 1910 and eventually moved to Kashipur.
  • In Kashipur, he established an organisation called Prem Sabha, that started working towards several reforms and also saved a school from shutting down due to non-payment of taxes to the British government.
• Contribution in National Movement:
  • Govind Ballabh Pant joined the Congress in December 1921 and soon joined the non- cooperation movement.
  • In 1930, he was imprisoned for organizing a Salt March inspired by Gandhi's earlier actions.
  • He was elected to the Uttar Pradesh (then known as United Provinces) Legislative Assembly as the candidate of the Swarajist Party from Nainital.
    • He tried to bring in reforms to do away with the Zamindari system.
    • He also pleaded to the Government for lowering agricultural taxes on farmers.
    • He encouraged many cottage industries in the country and raised his voice against the coolie-beggar law, which forced porters to transport the heavy luggage of British officials without any payment.
    • Pant was always against a separate electorate for minorities, saying the step would further divide communities.
  • During the Second World War, Pant tried to conciliate between Gandhi's faction, which advocated supporting the British Crown in their war effort, and Subash Chandra Bose's faction, which advocated taking advantage of the situation to expel the British Raj by any means necessary.
  • In 1942 he was arrested again, this time for signing the Quit India resolution, and spent three years in Ahmednagar Fort along with other members of the Congress working committee until March 1945.
    • Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru pleaded successfully for Pant's release, on grounds of failing health.
• Post Independence
  • After independence, Govind Ballabh Pant became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He worked for the upliftment of the farmers and the eradication of untouchability.
  • After the death of Sardar Patel, Govind Ballabh Pant was made the Home Minister in the Union Government.
  • As a Home Minister, he championed the cause of Hindi as the national language or rashtrabhasha.

Ladli Behna Yojana

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav announced the 'second gift' under the Ladli Behna Yojana.

Key Points

• Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana launched across the state on 15th March, 2023, to promote women’s economic self-reliance, continuous improvement in the health and nutrition of women and their dependent children, and to strengthen their decisive role in the family.
• Currently, women receive Rs 1250 per month under this scheme.
• Women aged 21 to 60 years are benefiting from this scheme.
• The effective role of women in taking decisions at the family level will also be encouraged.
• The scheme is administered by the Department of Women and Child development.

Critically Endangered Elongated Tortoise spotted in Aravallis

Why in News?

Recently, a critically endangered elongated tortoise was spotted for the first time in the Aravallis.

Key Points

• Elongated tortoise: Characterized by a yellowish-brown or olive shell with distinct black blotches at the center of each scute, was found in Haryana's Damdama area.
  • During the breeding season, mature tortoises develop a pink ring around their nostrils and eyes.
• Habitat and Distribution:The elongated tortoise is found in Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests.
  • Its distribution spans Southeast Asia, from northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh in the west, through Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, north to Guangxi Province of China, and south to Peninsular Malaysia.
  • A disjunct population exists in the Chota Nagpur plateau in eastern India.
  • It also inhabits lowlands and foothills up to 1,000 meters above sea level.
  • The tortoise's presence in the Aravallis is an anomaly as it is usually found in the foothills of the Himalayas and wetter areas.
• Conservation Status:Elongated tortoises are critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, assessed in 2018.
  • The species is heavily exploited for food and traditional medicine, with opportunistic and deliberate hunting, and the use of dogs to locate tortoises.

Aravalis

• The Aravali Range extends from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan, 692 km in length and varies between 10 to 120 km in width.
  • The range acts as a natural green wall, with 80% located in Rajasthan and 20% in Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat.
• The aravali mountains are divided into two, main ranges – the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan, where their extension is about 560 km.
• It serves as an ecotone between the Thar Desert and the Gangetic Plain.
  • Ecotones are areas where two or more ecosystems, biological communities, or biotic regions meet.
• Gurusikhar (Rajasthan), the highest peak in the range, reaches an elevation of 1,722 meters.

Helicopter Service Tax for Religious Purposes Cut to 5%

Why in News?

Recently, at the 54^th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council Meeting, the Uttarakhand Finance Minister announced that helicopter services for pilgrims and tourists on a sharing basis will be taxed at 5%.

Key Points

• The 54th GST Council Meeting was chaired by the Union Finance Minister and attended by State Finance Ministers.
• Helicopter services for religious purposes, such as Kedarnath and Badrinath, have had their GST reduced from 18% to 5%.
• Current GST Rates:
  • Domestic Passenger Transportation: 5% GST with Input Tax Credit (ITC) only on input services (no ITC on goods).
  • International Charter Flights: Zero-rated, meaning no GST is applicable as it is treated as an export of services.
  • Non-Passenger Services: Generally 18% GST, similar to other non-passenger air services.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption. The GST is paid by consumers, but it is remitted to the government by the businesses selling the goods and services.
• Applicable On supply side: GST is applicable on ‘supply’ of goods or services as against the old concept on the manufacture of goods or on sale of goods or on provision of services.
• Destination based Taxation: GST is based on the principle of destination-based consumption taxation as against the present principle of origin-based taxation.
• Dual GST: It is a dual GST with the Centre and the States simultaneously levying tax on a common base. GST to be levied by the Centre is called Central GST (CGST) and that to be levied by the States is called State GST (SGST).
  • Import of goods or services would be treated as inter-state supplies and would be subject to Integrated Goods & Services Tax (IGST) in addition to the applicable customs duties.
• GST rates to be mutually decided: CGST, SGST & IGST are levied at rates to be mutually agreed upon by the Centre and the States. The rates are notified on the recommendation of the GST Council.

Muzaffarpur Hospital: No Patients

Why in News?

Recently, a government hospital built in 2015 in Chainpura Village, Muzaffarpur, remains unused and abandoned despite being intended for local healthcare services.

Key Points

• Hospital Status:The government hospital in Chainpura Village was built in 2015 but has never treated a patient.
  • The 30-bed facility was never inaugurated and remains deserted.
• Current Condition: The hospital is surrounded by tall grass, resembling a haunted house. It has become a hangout for antisocial elements, including gamblers, drunkards, and drug addicts.
• Construction Issues: The hospital was built on a different plot than originally planned, leading the Health Department to refuse possession. The facility, spread over six acres, remains abandoned.
• Status of Healthcare in Bihar:
  • Healthcare Infrastructure: Bihar has faced challenges in healthcare infrastructure, with several projects either incomplete or underutilized.
    • The state has 9,112 SCs (Sub-Centres), 1,702 PHCs (Primary Healthcare Centres), and 57 CHCs(Community Health centers), with an excess of 10.54% PHCs in urban areas. Under the Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs), 2,341 HWCs are operational. All District Hospitals (DHs) and Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) serve as functional FRUs (First Referral Units).
  • Healthcare Access: The state struggles with inadequate healthcare facilities, impacting access and quality of care for its residents.
    • Recent data shows that 642 out of 1,000 people used OPD services and 33 used IPD services from public health facilities. However, NSSO data (2017-18) indicates that only 18% of rural and 23% of urban OPD cases utilized public health facilities, though 70% of rural and 72% of urban IPD cases did, surpassing the national average.
• Challenges:
  • Inadequate Planning and Execution: Construction was carried out on an incorrect plot, leading to the abandonment of the project.
  • Vandalism and Neglect: Lack of maintenance has led to significant damage and misuse of the hospital premises.
  • Absence of Inauguration and Operation: The hospital was never inaugurated or made functional, leaving it as a wasted asset.
  • Impact on Local Community: Villagers are deprived of local medical services and must travel long distances for healthcare.
• Way Forward:
  • Immediate Repair and Operationalization: Urgently repair and renovate the hospital to make it functional. Ensure the building is secured and maintained.
  • Effective Management and Oversight: Implement strong oversight mechanisms to ensure that healthcare facilities are properly planned, constructed, and maintained.
  • Community Engagement: Engage local communities in the planning and operation of healthcare facilities to ensure they meet actual needs.
  • Review and Improve Healthcare Planning: Conduct a thorough review of existing healthcare projects and improve planning and execution processes to prevent similar issues in the future.