• 12 Apr 2025

Birth Anniversary of Jyotiba Phule

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary and praised him as a true servant of humanity. 

 

Key Points 

• About Jyotiba Phule: 
  • He was born on 11^th April, 1827, and emerged as a pioneering social reformer who challenged Brahmanical orthodoxy, fought for the rights of Dalits and women, and laid the foundation for India’s social justice movements. 
• Social Reforms:  
  • Phule and his wife Savitribai opened India’s first girls’ school in 1848 and later started night schools (1855) for workers, farmers, and women in Pune. 
  • Phule opposed caste oppression, criticized Brahminical figures like Chiplunkar and Tilak, and supported the British to uplift the oppressed and women. 
  • Phule founded Satyashodhak Samaj (1873) to fight caste hierarchy and, in Gulamgiri, compared caste oppression to American slavery. 
    • "Deenbandhu," a Marathi weekly newspaper, was founded in 1877 and served as a platform for Satyashodhak Samaj 
  • Viewed it as an upper-caste effort to restore Brahmin rule. 
  • He advocated compulsory education for lower castes and economic upliftment to dismantle caste hierarchies.  
• Major Publications:  
  • Tritiya Ratna (1855), Powada: Chatrapati Shivajiraje Bhosle Yancha (1869), Gulamgiri (1873), Shetkarayacha Aasud (1881). 
  • Death: 28th November, 1890. His memorial is built in Phule Wada, Pune, Maharashtra. 

Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP)

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra government approved the allocation of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to rehabilitate ineligible slum dwellers. 

• Environmental concerns were raised as this violated the Internal Policy Guidelines (IPG) of 2012, which prohibited construction activities on salt pan land. 

 Key Points 

• About the Land: 
  • The Officials clarified that the sea has not reached these plots since the construction of the Eastern Express Highway. 
  • It was emphasized that the land is no longer designated as a flood buffer zone nor falls under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions. 
  • All necessary environmental clearances will be obtained before initiating construction activities. 
  • The land lies west of the expressway and is away from ecologically sensitive wetlands visited by flamingos. 
    • It was assured that the location poses no risk to wildlife or the surrounding ecosystem. 
  • The allocation of salt pan lands for affordable housing aligns with Mumbai’s Development Plan 2034. 
• Salt Pan Lands: 
  • About:  
    • Salt pans are low-lying tracts of land where seawater periodically flows in, leaving behind deposits of salt and minerals.   
    • This natural process plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of coastal ecosystems.  
  • Protection Status:  
    • Under the CRZ Notification of 2011, these ecologically sensitive areas are classified under CRZ-1B and restrict economic activities except salt extraction and natural gas exploration.  
  • Salt Pans in India:   
    • In Mumbai, a total of 5,378 acres have been designated as salt pan lands.   
    • On a national scale, around 60,000 acres of salt pan lands are identified, distributed across states like Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and Karnataka.   
      • Andhra Pradesh has the largest expanse (20,716 acres), followed by Tamil Nadu (17,095 acres) and Maharashtra (12,662 acres). 

Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 

 

• The CRZ was first notified in 1991 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) under the Environment Protection Act of 1986. The CRZ is categorized into five zones: CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III, CRZ-IV, and CRZ-V.  
  • CRZ-I are ecologically sensitive areas like mangroves, coral reefs, biosphere reserves etc.  
  • CRZ-II includes built-up areas – villages and towns that are already well established.  
  • CRZ-III are areas that are undisturbed and do not fall under either in Category I or II.  
• CRZ-IV is the aquatic area from low tide line up to territorial limits. 
• CRZ is an area near the coastline that's governed by rules to protect the environment and promote sustainable development. The CRZ includes:   
  • It is the land between the high tide line (HTL) and the low tide line (LTL).  
  • A 100-metre stretch along the banks of rivers, estuaries, backwaters, and creeks that are affected by tides.   
  • The river banks on either side of estuaries.

Brigade Commander-Level Flag Meeting in J&K

Why in News? 

To ease Line of Control (LoC) tensions, Indian and Pakistani brigadiers held a flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch, discussing ceasefire breaches, infiltration, and border management. 

 Key Points 

• Commitment to Ceasefire Agreement: 
  • During the meeting the Indian Army strongly urged Pakistani counterparts to honour the renewed ceasefire agreement signed on 25th February 2021. 
  • The message came in response to recent cross-border firing and an attempted intrusion by Pakistani troops in the Krishna Ghati sector on 1st April 2025. 
    • Indian soldiers successfully foiled the infiltration attempt, which triggered intense and intermittent ceasefire violations over the next two days. 
  • The Indian delegation raised serious concerns about the use of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and recent terrorist infiltration bids. 
• Concerns Over Border Stability: 
  • Despite the 2021 ceasefire pact significantly reducing cross-border violations, recent developments have raised concerns about deteriorating border stability. 
  • Both armies, however, reiterated the importance of dialogue and adherence to the ceasefire to avoid further escalation. 

 Line of Control 

 

• The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War. 
• It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries. 
• LoC is demarcated up to the Siachen Glacier (Point NJ9842)- the world's highest battlefield. 
• LoC is delineated on a map signed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement. 

Poverty Reduction Goals

Why in discussion? 

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has announced a plan to eradicate poverty in the state within three years. He stressed on providing housing, water and employment opportunities to all. 

Key Points 

• About Poverty: 
  • Poverty is a condition or state in which an individual or community lacks the financial resources and goods necessary for a minimum standard of living . Poverty means that the level of income from employment is so low that basic human needs cannot be met. 
  • According to the World Bank, poverty means a lack of well-being and involves many dimensions. It includes low income and the inability to obtain the basic goods and services needed to live with dignity.  
    • Poverty also includes low levels of health and education, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate physical security, lack of voice, and inadequate capacity and opportunity to improve one's life. 
  • In 2018, about 8% of the world's workers and their families lived on less than USD 1.90 per person per day (the international poverty line) . 
• Types of Poverty:  
  • Absolute poverty: a situation in which household income is below the level necessary to maintain basic living standards (food, shelter, housing). This situation makes it possible to make comparisons between different countries and over time. 
    • First introduced in 1990, the "one dollar a day" poverty line measured absolute poverty by the standards of the world's poorest countries. In October 2015, the World Bank set it at $1.90 a day. 
  • Relative poverty: It is defined from a social perspective, i.e. the standard of living compared to the economic standards of the surrounding population. It is therefore a measure of income inequality. 
  • Relative poverty is usually measured as the percentage of the population whose income is below a certain ratio of the average income. 
• Estimation of poverty in India 
  • Poverty in India is estimated by the NITI Aayog Task Force through the calculation of the poverty line based on data collected by the National Sample Survey Office under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI). 
  • The Alagh Committee (1979) determined the poverty line based on the minimum daily requirement of 2400 and 2100 calories for an adult in rural and urban areas respectively. 
  • Subsequently, various committees; Lakdawala Committee (1993), Tendulkar Committee (2009), Rangarajan Committee (2012) estimated poverty. 
  • According to the Rangarajan Committee report (2014), the poverty line is estimated as per capita monthly expenditure of Rs 1,407 in urban areas and Rs 972 in rural areas. 

ODOP 2.0 Policy

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government has prepared a ODOP (One District One Product) 2.0 policy for the financial year 2025-26.  

• This scheme will be linked to new dimensions like branding, packaging, marketing and quality improvement , so that its reach and effectiveness can increase even more. 

 Key Points 

• About the Scheme: 
  • The ODOP scheme will now be expanded into statewide self-employment , skill development , and entrepreneurship . 
    • Budget allocation has been made in various categories for the year 2025-26 , which will ensure effective implementation of the scheme. 
  • Separate plans have been prepared for financing , skill upgradation , and toolkit distribution . 
  • Successful entrepreneurs of the first phase will now be provided with a second loan facility to take their business to the next level. 
  • Every district will be given a target and the pending files will be renewed and sent to the banks in the year 2024-25 . 
    • Under the scheme, approval and distribution of 20% of the annual target will be ensured. 
  • Under ODOP 2.0, current schemes will be simplified and new projects will be approved. 
  • The CFC (Common Facility Center) projects under construction in Unnao, Bijnor and Gonda will be operated. 
  • Trainees will be selected through digital e-portal and will be linked to recognized training institutes . 
  • With the help of sectoral experts, efforts will be made to get ODOP products recognised at national and international platforms . 
• One District One Product (ODOP):  
  • This program has been implemented in  all the 75 districts of the state and has received appreciation not only at the national but also at the international level. 
  • This mission was launched by the Uttar Pradesh government in January 2018 . 

List of ODOP Products in Uttar Pradesh

Number	District	product
1.	Agra	Leather products and all handicraft products made from stone/marble
2.	Amroha	Musical Instruments (Dholak) and Readymade Garments
3.	bagpat	Home Furnishing
4.	Bareilly	Zari-Zardozi and Bamboo Products/Golden Industry
5.	Gorakhpur	Terracotta and Readymade Garments
6.	Lucknow	Chikankari and Zari Zardosi
7.	Mahoba	Gaura Stone
8.	mirzapur	Carpet and Metal Industry
9.	Siddharthnagar	Black salt rice
10.	Varanasi	banarasi silk saree

UP Police Portal Receives Scotch Award

Why in News? 

The Investigation, Prosecution and Conviction Portal developed by the Technical Services Unit of Uttar Pradesh Police has been awarded the Scotch Award . 

Key Points 

• About the Portal:  
  • This award has been given in the Police and Security category . 
  • The Investigation, Prosecution and Conviction Portal has been developed by the Technical Services Unit of Uttar Pradesh Police . 
  • This portal monitors the investigation process in cases related to mafia, POCSO, rape and other heinous crimes . 
  • Through this, the work of filing charge sheets on time and expediting the judicial process is done. 
  • So far, 85,000 people have been convicted through this portal and more than 40,000 five-year old cases have been settled. 
• Scotch Award:  
  • Established in the year 2003 by the Scotch Group , it is an independent civilian award given to individuals, projects and institutions that make significant contributions to the sustainable development of India . 
  • This award is given especially to recognize outstanding work in governance, finance, technology and social sectors . 

POCSO Act 

• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act came into force on November 14, 2012, as a result of India's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in the year 1992. 
• This special law aims to address the crimes of sexual exploitation and sexual assault of children , which are either not specifically defined or adequately punished. 
• The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years . The Act prescribes punishment according to the severity of the offence . 
• The Act was reviewed and amended in 2019 to provide for more stringent punishments, including the death penalty, in cases of sexual abuse of children, in order to prevent such crimes against children. 
• The Government of India has also notified  the POCSO Rules, 2020.
  

Ramdevra Great Indian Bustard Conservation Center

Why in News? 

For the first time, a chick has been born through artificial breeding at the Ramdevra Great Indian Bustard Conservation Centre located in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan . 

Key Points 

• About the chick : 
  • With this birth, the total number of Great Indian Bustards born through captive breeding has reached 51 . 
  • The chick was born through a natural mating process involving the female Jerry and the male Salkha . 
  • The programme is being run in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) , the state forest department , and the Abu Dhabi-based International Fund for Houbara Conservation . 
  • Ramdevra Conservation Centre , established in 2022 , is located near the Desert National Park , the natural habitat of the Great Indian Bustard. 
• Great Indian Bustard: 
  • The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is the state bird of Rajasthan and is considered the most critically endangered bird of India. 
  • It is considered a key grassland species, representing the grassland ecology. 
  • These are mostly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat. This species is found in small numbers in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh . 
  • Protection status: 
    • International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List: Critically Endangered 
    • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix-1 
    • Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix-I 
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule-1 

Desert National Park 

• It is located in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan . 
• Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan's state animal- Chinkara , state tree- Khejri and state flower- Rohida are found naturally in this park . 
• It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and a national park in 1992 .