Afternoon edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The INDIA bloc, an opposition alliance, held meetings in Delhi to discuss various issues, including concerns about the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. This also led to a call for an Odisha Bandh.
Key points
- Mamata Banerjee attended INDIA bloc meetings in Delhi, expressing concerns about the CEC and electoral roll revision.
- Opposition parties are demanding the dismissal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- Concerns were raised about alleged irregularities in the electoral process and electoral rolls.
- A joint protest and Odisha Bandh were called for October 8th by the INDIA bloc, highlighting issues like the MMDR Amendment Act, CEC's role, and flood relief.
Background & context
The INDIA bloc is a coalition of opposition parties aiming to contest the upcoming general elections together. The special intensive revision of electoral rolls is a routine process conducted by the Election Commission of India to update voter lists.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The INDIA bloc called for an Odisha Bandh on October 8th, 2026.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Government Policies and Interventions, Elections, Electoral Reforms, Role of Election Commission of India.
Why in news?
Activists are cautioning against renewed efforts to revive bauxite mining in Odisha's Niyamgiri hills, citing the rights of the Dongria Kondh tribe and past Supreme Court rulings.
Key points
- Renewed efforts by Vedanta Group chairman Anil Agarwal to revive bauxite mining in Niyamgiri hills.
- Activists, including the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), are opposing the move, emphasizing tribal rights.
- The Niyamgiri hills are home to the Dongria Kondh tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
- Past gram sabha decisions unanimously rejected the mining project, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.
- Concerns about environmental impact and the violation of tribal self-governance rights (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act - PESA).
Background & context
The Niyamgiri Hills are a significant bauxite reserve. A proposed mining project by Vedanta faced strong opposition from tribal communities and environmental activists, leading to a Supreme Court decision in 2013 that the final decision rested with the concerned gram sabhas. The Dongria Kondh tribe has historically protected the hills.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Dongria Kondh are a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) living in the Niyamgiri hills.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I: Social Issues, Tribal Communities, Geography; GS Paper II: Governance, Rights Issues, Environmental Governance.
Why in news?
Rajasthan has become the first state in northern India and sixth in the country to complete the digital identification of farmers, aiming to improve targeted delivery of services.
Key points
- Rajasthan achieved the target of issuing 90.19 lakh farmer identity cards.
- This initiative aims to facilitate targeted identification of eligible beneficiaries and improve service delivery.
- The digital identity will interconnect identity cards, land records, and crop registries.
- Benefits include improved access to agricultural credit, quality inputs, advisory services, and market linkages.
- It will strengthen schemes like crop insurance, micro-irrigation, and water conservation.
Background & context
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare promotes digital initiatives to enhance farmer welfare and streamline agricultural schemes. Digital land records and farmer databases are crucial for effective implementation of agricultural policies.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Rajasthan has completed the digital identification of farmers, issuing over 90 lakh identity cards.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper III: Agriculture, Economy, Government Policies and Interventions, Technology in Agriculture.