• 12 Oct 2024

Rajasthan's Land Aggregation Law

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan has announced its plan to become the first state in India to introduce a land aggregation law aimed at assisting industries and benefiting farmers.

Key Points

• Land Aggregation Bill: Rajasthan is set to introduce a Bill in the State Assembly, which will establish a legal mechanism for land aggregation. The law is expected to facilitate industries and help farmers.
• Focus on Global Investment: The announcement comes ahead of the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ Global Investment Summit, scheduled for December 2024.
  • The state government has already signed over Rs.12.50 lakh crore worth of MoUs during roadshows in Mumbai and Delhi.
• Policy Details: The proposed legislation aims to aggregate private land from willing owners, develop it, and return 25% of the developed land to the original owners. This compensation can be used by landowners for personal use or to lease or sell for better returns.
• Farmer Partnership in Development: The policy ensures that farmers become partners in development, benefiting from both the developed land and the increased value of the remaining land, leading to higher income.
• Land Usage and Timeframe: Private land will be used for industrial parks, public infrastructure, and related development. The aggregated land must be utilized within five years, or it will revert to the Land Aggregation Authority.
• Land Aggregation Authority: A new "Land Aggregation and Development Authority" will be formed to manage the aggregation and development of land. An Appellate Authority will also be created to address grievances efficiently, avoiding court proceedings.
• Regional Benefits: Specific regions like Banswara, a tribal area bordering Gujarat, and areas along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and Expressway are expected to benefit significantly from this legislation.

Congo Fever Outbreak in Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan has reported a case of Congo fever, leading to the death of a 51-year-old woman in Jodhpur.

• The state government has issued guidelines to prevent further spread of the disease, and health teams are actively tracing symptomatic individuals.

Key Points

• Congo Fever: Congo fever, also known as Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), is a viral disease transmitted to humans primarily through tick bites or contact with infected animals.
  • It can also spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person.
• Symptoms: The onset is sudden and includes high fever, muscle ache, dizziness, neck pain, and photophobia.
  • Severe cases can lead to hemorrhaging, liver failure, and even death.
• Government Response: The state has directed hospitals to improve vigilance, isolate potential cases, and conduct awareness campaigns about the disease.

Classical Language Demand for Maithili

Why in News?

Recently, the Janata Dal (United) party in Bihar has formally demanded the Indian government grant classical language status to Maithili, following the inclusion of several other languages in this category.

Key Points

• Languages Recognized: The central government has recently granted classical language status to languages including Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese.
  • Previously, languages such as Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia were recognized as classical.
• Historical Context: Maithili has a literary history of around 1,300 years, and the state has demanded it to be classified as a classical language.
  • An expert committee constituted by the government had made 11 recommendations in August 2018, including the inclusion of Maithili in classical languages.
• Understanding Classical Languages:
  • The term "Indian classical languages," or "Semmozhi," refers to languages with a long history and a rich literary legacy. Eleven languages are recognized as classical languages in India.
  • The recognized classical languages include:
    • Tamil (2004)
    • Sanskrit (2005)
    • Telugu (2008)
    • Kannada (2008)
    • Malayalam (2013)
    • Odia (2014)
    • Marathi (2024)
    • Bengali (2024)
    • Pali (2024)
    • Prakrit (2024)
    • Assamese (2024)
  • Significance of Classical Language Status: According to a government resolution from 1^st November, 2004, classical languages hold significant importance, which includes:
    • Annual international awards for scholars of classical Indian languages.
    • Establishment of Centers of Excellence for Classical Language Studies.
    • The University Grants Commission will create professional chairs for distinguished scholars in classical languages, starting with central universities.
  • Criteria for Declaring a Language as Classical: As per the Ministry of Culture, the criteria for a language to be declared classical include:
    • Age of the Language: The language must have a documented history or early texts between 1,500 and 2,000 years old.
    • Cultural Value: It should possess ancient literature that its speakers regard as part of their cultural legacy.
    • Originality: The literary heritage must be original and not borrowed from other languages.
    • Discontinuity: There should be a clear distinction between the classical language and its modern forms, indicating a potential discontinuity in its development.

Other Provisions to Promote Language

• Eighth Schedule: To encourage the continued development, enhancement, and promotion of the language. 8^th Schedule consists of 22 languages:
  • Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili and Dogri.
• Article 344 (1) provides for the constitution of a Commission by the President on the expiration of five years from the commencement of the Constitution for the progressive use of Hindi .
• Article 351 provides that it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language
• Other Efforts to Promote Languages:
  • Project ASMITA: The project ASMITA aims to produce 22,000 books in Indian languages within five years.
  • New Education Policy (NEP): The NEP policy aims to turn Sanskrit universities into multi-disciplinary institutions.
  • Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL): This institute works to promote four classical languages: Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.