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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/03/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS - 02/03/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/03/2024

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  1. CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/03/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 02/03/2024

Unrestrained poaching plays big role in decline of Odisha’s leopards

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

Odisha has experienced a significant reduction in its leopard population, with a staggering one-fourth lost between 2018 and 2022.

  • This alarming trend is primarily attributed to poaching, as revealed by the ‘Status of Leopards India’ report released recently.

Key Highlights

  • Population Decline Overview:
    • The latest leopard census indicates a substantial decline in Odisha’s leopard population, estimating it at 568 individuals.
    • This represents a sharp drop from the previous countrywide estimate of 760 leopards, with a significant decrease of 25.26%.
    • The report underscores the severity of the situation, pointing out that the decline is notable despite increased leopard densities within tiger reserves.
  • Tiger Reserves’ Impact on Recovery:
    • While the overall leopard population has dwindled, the report highlights a positive trend in tiger reserves.
    • Leopard densities in these reserves have increased significantly, suggesting that major conservation efforts and recovery initiatives are concentrated within these protected areas.
  • Geographical Distribution and Protected Areas:
    • The report emphasizes that leopard occupancy is now exclusively reported within Protected Areas (PAs), including Similipal and Satkosia tiger reserves, as well as Hirakud and Kotagarh wildlife sanctuaries and their adjoining forest divisions.
    • This concentration within PAs suggests a crucial role in safeguarding the remaining leopard population.
    • Leopard presence has witnessed a decline in previously occupied regions, with Nayagarh and Ghumsur forest divisions notably absent from the current cycle of countrywide monitoring.
    • This shift in occupancy patterns raises concerns about the overall habitat health and the ability of leopards to sustain in their traditional ranges.
  • Common Threats:
    • The ‘Status of Leopards India’ report identifies several common threats contributing to the decline in leopard population in Odisha.
    • These include poaching of prey for bush meat, targeted poaching for tiger and leopard skins, as well as body parts.
    • Habitat loss due to mining and other human activities, along with road accidents, further exacerbate the challenges faced by the leopard population.
    • The report emphasizes the prevalence of poaching as the primary driver behind the disappearance of leopards in the state.
    • The high number of leopard skins seized by both the Odisha police and the State Forest and Environment department underscores the severity of this issue.
    • Between 2018 and 2023, a total of 59 leopard skins were seized, and the Special Task Force (STF) of the State Police recovered an additional 57 leopard skins between 2019 and 2024.
    • This stark data highlights the urgent need for anti-poaching measures and wildlife protection.
    • Wildlife experts express concern that in numerous cases, leopard skins might have reached their destinations unnoticed and unintercepted, pointing to potential gaps in the enforcement of anti-smuggling measures.
  • Call for Enhanced Conservation Efforts:
    • The census report suggests that effective patrolling, prey recovery, and habitat management outside tiger reserves are crucial, especially since a significant leopard population (55%) exists outside the protected area network.
    • The call for concerted efforts beyond reserves emphasizes the importance of safeguarding leopard habitats across diverse landscapes.
  • Critical Role of Forest Cover:
    • With Odisha boasting a forest cover of 52,156 sq. km, constituting 33.50% of the state’s total area, effective patrolling and law enforcement become critically important.
    • The substantial forest cover highlights the need for robust conservation measures to protect and sustain the diverse wildlife within these ecosystems.

About Protected Ares in Odisha

  • Odisha, a state in eastern India, is home to several tiger reserves and national parks.
  • Some of the prominent tiger reserves and national parks in Odisha include:
    • Simlipal National Park and Tiger Reserve:
      • Location: Mayurbhanj district, northern Odisha.
      • Significance: Simlipal is one of the largest and oldest national parks in India. It was designated as a tiger reserve in 1973 and later declared a national park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
      • Flora and Fauna: Simlipal is known for its rich biodiversity, including Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards, and various species of deer. The park is also home to diverse plant species.
    • Satkosia Tiger Reserve:
      • Location: Angul district, central Odisha.
      • Significance: Satkosia is known for being one of the few tiger reserves in the state. It is spread across the Mahanadi River and comprises two core areas.
      • Flora and Fauna: Apart from tigers, Satkosia is home to species like leopards, elephants, and various species of deer. The Satkosia Gorge is a prominent feature.
    • Bhitarkanika National Park:
      • Location: Kendrapara district, coastal Odisha.
      • Significance: Bhitarkanika is famous for its unique ecosystem, including mangrove forests and estuarine crocodiles.
      • Flora and Fauna: The park is home to saltwater crocodiles, various species of birds, and other wildlife.
    • Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary:
      • Location: Kendrapara district, coastal Odisha.
      • Significance: Gahirmatha is primarily a marine sanctuary known for being the largest nesting site of Olive Ridley sea turtles in the world.
    • Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary:
      • Location: Bargarh and Sambalpur districts, western Odisha.
      • Significance: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse flora and fauna.

Change and continuity in India’s Palestine policy

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

India has traditionally been a staunch supporter of the Palestine cause while also fostering relations with Israel.

  • Despite the flourishing ties with Israel over the past three decades, India has strived to maintain a delicate balance between its historical commitment to Palestine and its growing partnership with Israel.

Key Highlights

  • Shift in Balance:
    • Recent years have witnessed a questioning of India’s commitment to this balance, with indications of a tilt towards Israel in the evolving dynamics of West Asia.
    • Even as Arab nations display a willingness to prioritize bilateral ties with Israel over the Palestine question, India’s stance appears to be shifting.
    • Following the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Israel in a notable departure from India’s traditional stance.
    • Modi’s public statement, along with India’s abstention from a UN General Assembly vote for a humanitarian truce in Gaza, underscored this shift.
    • Modi’s personal rapport with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, cultivated since his landmark visit to Israel in 2017, plays a significant role.
  • UNGA Abstention and Explanation:
    • India’s decision to abstain from the UNGA vote, just three weeks after the Hamas attack, raised eyebrows.
    • The rationale provided by India cited the absence of explicit condemnation of the October 7 terror attack in the resolution, further indicating a departure from its traditional policy towards Palestine.
    • Collectively, these factors suggest a paradigm shift in India’s historical policy towards Palestine.
    • The alignment with Israel, coupled with diplomatic actions, signals a recalibration of India’s approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, reflecting the changing dynamics in the region.
  • Historical Evolution:
    • India’s approach to the Palestine issue has undergone a significant evolution over the years.
    • In 1947, India, alongside Pakistan and the Arab bloc, voted against the UN resolution to partition Palestine.
    • PrimeMinister Jawaharlal Nehru, drawing parallels with the horrors of India’s Partition, opposed the partition of Palestine.
    • However, India pragmatically recognized the state of Israel in 1950, refraining from establishing full diplomatic relations at that time.
    • Cold War Era and Support for Palestine:
      • Throughout the Cold War, India, as a proponent of Third World autonomy, remained a vocal supporter of the Palestine cause.
      • Despite establishing full diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992, India continued to publicly advocate for a negotiated solution leading to the creation of a sovereign, independent, viable, and united State of Palestine.
      • This included East Jerusalem as its capital and adherence to the 1967 borders.
    • Deepening Ties with Israel:
      • Post-1992, bilateral relations between India and Israel expanded significantly, with Israel becoming a major defense and technology partner for India.
      • Despite this deepening partnership, India maintained its public stance in support of a two-state solution with Palestine.
      • Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s position evolved further.
      • During his visit to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank in February 2018, Modi called for dialogue to address the crisis but refrained from commenting on the status of Jerusalem or borders.
      • This marked a departure from India’s previous emphasis on specific parameters for a Palestinian state.
    • Realpolitik in Current Policy:
      • The current shift in India’s policy reflects a pragmatic approach where realpolitik considerations take precedence over the moral dimensions of the Palestine issue.
      • While India does not explicitly support Israel’s claim over the entirety of Jerusalem, it avoids delving into contentious issues like the capital and borders.
      • This pragmatic stance allows India to maintain its partnership with Israel while publicly supporting the two-state solution for Palestine, albeit with a more nuanced and flexible approach.

About the Israel-Palestine conflict

  • Historical Background:
    • The conflict has its roots in the late 19th century when Zionist Jews sought to establish a homeland in Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire, and later under British control.
    • The Balfour Declaration in 1917 expressed British support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.
    • The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947 to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.
    • Israel declared independence in 1948, leading to a war between Arab states and Israel.
  • Arab-Israeli Wars:
    • The conflict has seen several wars, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War in 1967, and the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
    • These conflicts have resulted in changes to territorial boundaries and have fueled deep-seated animosities.
    • Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War.
    • The construction of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories has been a major point of contention.
  • Palestinian Nationalism:
    • The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) emerged as a key player advocating for Palestinian rights and statehood.
    • The Oslo Accords in the 1990s aimed at establishing a framework for peace but faced challenges in implementation.
  • Gaza Strip and West Bank:
    • The Gaza Strip and the West Bank have been focal points of conflict.
    • Israel withdrew its settlements from Gaza in 2005, but the territory has seen conflicts, including wars with Hamas, which governs Gaza.
    • The West Bank remains a contested area with ongoing Israeli military presence.
  • Jerusalem:
    • Jerusalem is a central and contentious issue.
    • Both Israelis and Palestinians consider it their capital.
    • The status of Jerusalem has been a major obstacle in peace negotiations.

India’s burgeoning death penalty crisis

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

India’s death row population reached its highest-ever numbers since 2004, with 561 prisoners awaiting execution by the end of 2023.

  • This concerning trend reflects an ongoing increase in the number of individuals sentenced to death.

Key Highlights

  • Supreme Court’s Unprecedented Acquittals:
    • In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court of India acquitted nearly 55% (six prisoners) of the death row cases it heard in 2023.
    • This significant shift must be considered in light of the Court’s initiative, started in September 2022, to convene a Constitution Bench aimed at reforming death penalty sentencing.
  • Challenges in Sentencing Reform:
    • Despite the Supreme Court’s efforts to reform death penalty sentencing, the data from Project 39A’s 2023 annual statistics reveal a continued failure to implement these reforms at the trial court level.
    • Trial courts imposed 86.96% of death sentences in 2023 without providing mandated information about the accused, as directed in the Manoj vs The State Of Madhya Pradesh case in May 2022.
    • High Courts displayed reluctance in confirming death sentences in 2023, with only one death sentence confirmed across all High Courts.
    • The Supreme Court did not confirm any of the 10 death sentences it decided.
    • This trend aligns with findings from the Death Penalty India Report (2016), indicating that a mere 4.9% of death sentences imposed by trial courts between 2000-15 were confirmed at the appellate level.
  • Court’s Historical Approach:
    • Over the years, the Supreme Court has often upheld convictions in death penalty cases but commuted the sentences to life imprisonment.
    • This historical pattern underscores a recurring practice where the Court refrains from confirming death sentences, opting instead for a more lenient punishment.
    • The high rate of acquittals amid a rising death row population prompts a reconsideration of the scope of death penalty reform.
    • The Court must evaluate whether reform efforts should extend beyond sentencing concerns, given the evident challenges and disparities in the application of the death penalty across different levels of the judicial system.
  • Dominance of Acquittals in 2023:
    • Acquittals have been emblematic of systemic breakdowns, including fabricated evidence, manipulated first information reports (FIRs), potential tampering of forensic evidence, and questionable recoveries of incriminating evidence by the police.
    • The prevalence of such issues underscores a broader crisis within the administration of death penalty cases in India.
    • The year 2023 stands out for the sheer dominance of acquittals in the Supreme Court’s decisions on death penalty cases.
    • This shift signals a critical escalation of systemic flaws and necessitates urgent attention to rectify the deficiencies plaguing the judicial process.
  • Court’s Limited Response:
    • While the Court has issued case-specific reprimands in acquittal decisions, it has yet to acknowledge the broader systemic problems inherent in the administration of the death penalty.
    • In contrast, when dealing with sentencing issues, the Court has demonstrated a greater willingness to recognize and address systemic concerns, as evident in its decision in September 2022 to refer crucial death penalty sentencing matters to a Constitution bench.
    • The growing number of acquittals by the Supreme Court underscores an urgent need for acknowledging the high likelihood of errors within the criminal justice system.
    • The Court must move beyond case-specific responses and address the systemic challenges that compromise the integrity and reliability of death penalty proceedings in India.
  • Living in Constant Distress:
    • Death row prisoners endure a perpetual state of distress, haunted by the constant fear of execution.
    • Within prisons, they face violence, ridicule, and humiliation, with policies segregating them from essential activities like work, education, and leisure, exacerbating their dehumanizing circumstances.
    • The psychological toll of the death row experience lingers long after acquittal or commutation.
  • Ever-Increasing Death Row Population:
    • Despite the profound distress faced by death row prisoners, the population continues to rise each year.
    • Trial courts’ unjustified and exaggerated use of the death penalty contributes to this alarming trend.
    • Project 39A’s report reveals a 15% decrease in the High Court case disposal rate, further deepening the crisis.
    • In a tragic case in September 2023, an individual in Yerwada jail died by suicide after spending six years on death row, with his case pending confirmation in the Bombay High Court since 2019.
    • This highlights the profound human cost of subjecting individuals to dehumanizing punishment using unreliable processes.
  • Supreme Court’s Role and Reconsideration:
    • While the Supreme Court’s move to convene a Constitution Bench is commendable, its effectiveness and relevance to the death penalty crisis are questioned.
    • Death penalty sentencing reforms initiated by the Supreme Court have failed to permeate trial courts, emphasizing the futility of such efforts.
    • Project 39A’s 2023 report reveals a dissonance between the narrow sentencing focus of the Court and the broader systemic crisis spanning the entire criminal process in death penalty cases, from police procedures to prison conditions.
  • Insufficient and Delayed Measures:
    • The Supreme Court’s current efforts may be perceived as insufficient and tardy in addressing the depth of the crisis.
    • The disconnection between the Court’s priorities and the pervasive issues across the criminal process suggests that the Court’s actions might be too limited and too late to bring about meaningful change.
    • A comprehensive and immediate reevaluation is imperative to address the humanitarian and systemic concerns surrounding the death penalty in India.

About the Project 39A

  • Project 39A is a litigation and research center affiliated with the National Law University, Delhi, focusing on issues related to the death penalty in India.
  • The project represents prisoners sentenced to death before appellate courts and conducts empirical research on various aspects of the criminal justice system, including legal aid, torture, forensics, mental health, and the death penalty.
  • The Death Penalty India Report (DPIR) launched by Project 39A aims to address the lack of empirical research on the death penalty in India.
  • It contains quantitative information about prisoners sentenced to death, their socio-economic backgrounds, legal representation, and narratives of their experiences from police custody to incarceration on death row.

With China out, Indian firm to build Sri Lanka power project

(General Studies- Paper II0

Source : The Hindu

Three years after India objected to a Chinese energy project in northern Sri Lanka, India is now set to implement its own hybrid power project in three islands off the Jaffna peninsula.

  • The Chinese project, initially approved by the Sri Lankan Cabinet, faced resistance from India due to its proximity to Tamil Nadu’s coast.
  • In response, India offered to implement a similar project with a grant, leading to the suspension of the Chinese project.

Key Highlights

  • New Hybrid Power Project:
    • The contract for the new project, named “Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems,” was signed on March 1 between the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority, the Government of Sri Lanka, and the Indian company U-Solar Clean Energy Solutions.
    • The initiative aims to address the energy needs of Delft or Neduntheevu, Nainativu, and Analaitivu islands off the Jaffna peninsula.
    • The hybrid project will integrate various energy sources, including solar, wind, battery, and standby diesel power, with U-SOLAR, a Bangalore-based company, winning the bid through a competitive process conducted by the Sri Lankan government.
  • Project Details and Execution:
    • The project is set to include 530 kW wind power, 1,700 kW solar power, 2,400 kWh battery power, and a 2,500 kW standby diesel power system.
    • The execution is facilitated by an $11-million grant from the Government of India, emphasizing India’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy initiatives in the region.
    • The project aims to optimize energy capacities and contribute to meeting the power needs of the islands.
  • India’s Growing Role in Sri Lanka’s Energy Sector:
    • This marks the third energy project in Sri Lanka’s north and east backed by India.
    • The National Thermal Power Corporation is leading a solar venture in Sampur, and the Adani Group is involved in renewable energy projects in Mannar and Pooneryn.
    • India’s involvement underscores its strategic interest in the region’s energy landscape and its commitment to fostering sustainable energy solutions.
  • Shift from Chinese to Indian Project:
    • The initiative represents a shift from the originally approved Chinese project, as India’s objection led to the suspension of the Sinosoar-Etechwin Joint Venture.
    • India’s offer of a grant, instead of a loan, prompted Sri Lanka to choose the Indian project, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in March 2022 during External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Sri Lanka.
  • In response to the suspension of its project in Sri Lanka, Sino Soar Hybrid Technology signed a deal to implement a similar project in the Maldives in December 2021.

About India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations

  • India and Sri Lanka have a long-standing bilateral relationship, with trade being a significant aspect of their cooperation.
  • India is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner, with bilateral merchandise trade reaching US$ 5.45 billion in 2021.
    • In 2020, bilateral trade stood at US$ 3.6 billion.
  • Sri Lanka’s exports to India have increased substantially since 2000, when the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ISFTA) came into force.
  • More than 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports to India use the ISFTA provisions, indicating their overall competitiveness in the Sri Lankan market.
  • India is also one of the largest contributors to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Sri Lanka.
    • According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the total FDI from India so far exceeds US$ 2.2 billion.
    • In 2021, India was the largest source of FDI, amounting to US$ 142 million.
  • The main investments from India in Sri Lanka continue to be in the areas of petroleum retail, tourism & hotels, manufacturing, real estate, telecommunications, and banking & financial services.
  • In addition to trade and investment, India and Sri Lanka have a robust development partnership that includes areas such as connectivity, transportation, housing, health, livelihood and rehabilitation, education, and industrial development.
  • The two countries have also initiated early resumption of talks on the Economic and Technology Co-operation Agreement to promote a high-standard trade deal that would facilitate deeper integration through supply chains and trade in services.

India to establish international alliance to protect big cats

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

The Union Environment Ministry of India has proposed the establishment of an International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), inspired by the International Solar Alliance.

  • The proposal has received approval from the Union Cabinet on February 29, reflecting India’s commitment to global leadership in big cat conservation.

Key Highlights

  • Objective and Coordination:
    • The IBCA aims to coordinate and lead initiatives for the conservation of ‘big cats’ globally.
    • The term includes species such as tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
    • India, having demonstrated leadership in tiger conservation, will play a central role in disseminating best practices and fostering international collaboration for the preservation of these iconic species.
  • Headquarters and Funding:
    • The IBCA will be headquartered in India, underscoring the nation’s commitment to the initiative.
    • India has already allocated ₹150 crore for a five-year period to support the alliance’s activities.
    • This funding will contribute to global efforts aimed at safeguarding big cat populations and their habitats.
  • Comparison to International Solar Alliance:
    • The IBCA draws inspiration from the International Solar Alliance, an India-led initiative promoting solar installations globally.
    • The success of the International Solar Alliance serves as a model for the potential impact and influence that the IBCA can exert on international big cat conservation efforts.
  • Global Significance and Diplomatic Role:
    • The establishment of the IBCA underscores India’s increasing role in global environmental diplomacy.
    • By spearheading initiatives like the IBCA, India positions itself as a key player in addressing shared conservation challenges and promoting sustainable practices on the global stage.
    • Recognizing the absence of an international body addressing the conservation challenges faced by ‘big cats’ across their habitats, the Union Environment Ministry of India plans to establish the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
    • The IBCA aims to bridge gaps in resource availability and the optimal use of conservation practices and processes in countries hosting these iconic species.
    • The IBCA will serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and collaboration on a global scale to address the challenges faced by big cats.
  • Membership and Global Participation:
    • Sixteen countries have already provided written consent to be part of the IBCA.
    • With 96 countries hosting ‘big cats,’ the alliance remains open to additional countries, conservation organizations, scientific entities, businesses, and corporations interested in supporting big cat conservation initiatives.
    • Members of the IBCA will benefit from a central repository for technical know-how and a dedicated corpus of funds.
    • The alliance aims to strengthen existing species-specific intergovernmental platforms, networks, and transnational initiatives focused on the conservation and protection of big cats.
  • Capacity Building and Local Engagement:
    • One of the key initiatives under the IBCA involves training frontline staff in member countries.
    • This training will focus on garnering local support for big cat conservation efforts, along with research and development in wildlife monitoring. Local communities residing near forests will be encouraged and trained in eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities, fostering a holistic approach to conservation.
  • India-Cambodia Collaboration:
    • An ongoing example of international collaboration is the memorandum between India and Cambodia to revive Cambodia’s extinct tiger population.
    • Indian forest officials have conducted visits to assess the suitability of Cambodian forests for sustaining a tiger population.
    • While there are discussions about sending a batch of tigers from India to Cambodia by the end of the year, concrete plans for the initiative are yet to be finalized.

Centre’s housing scheme for tribal groupsfacing hurdles due to lack of accurate data

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

The housing component of the PM Janjati Adivasi NyayMahaAbhiyaan (PM-JANMAN) is facing challenges, particularly in the data collection process, which has impacted the speed of implementation.

  • The scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2023, aims to expedite the construction of nearly 5 lakh houses for tribal communities.
  • Despite setting a target of sanctioning 2.5 lakh houses by February 15, only 1.59 lakh houses have been sanctioned more than two weeks past the deadline.

Key Highlights

  • Scheme Overview:
    • PM-JANMAN, a key initiative announced in the 2023 Union Budget, focuses on addressing the housing needs of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
    • Launched on November 15, 2023, with the goal of full-scale implementation by January 15, the scheme aims to provide housing benefits to marginalized tribal communities.
  • Data Collection Challenges:
    • The PM-JANMAN scheme has encountered challenges related to estimating the total population of the 75 tribes categorized under Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
    • The government relied on the PM Gati Shakti portal for these estimates, with varying figures reported over time.
    • In November, the estimate was 28 lakh, increasing to 36.5 lakh by mid-January, and further ballooning to 44.64 lakhs by the end of January.
    • The Gati Shakti app provided state governments with data on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), initiating a month-long survey from December 15.
    • State governments were instructed to present action plans to the Centre by January 15, with the goal of sanctioning houses from January 25 under the PM Janjati Adivasi NyayMahaAbhiyaan (PM-JANMAN) scheme.
    • To meet tight deadlines, several states, facing time constraints, initiated surveys with incomplete data, leading to discrepancies between the information held by the Tribal Affairs Ministry and state governments.
    • The reconciliation of the two databases is crucial before sanctioning houses.
  • State Concerns and Additional Beneficiaries:
    • Madhya Pradesh, in multiple communications to the union government, has expressed fears of excluding potential beneficiaries.
    • The state identified PVTGs in 24 districts, expanding from the initial 16, discovering an additional 50,000 eligible households.
    • Similar challenges have been highlighted by Tripura, emphasizing the dynamic nature of PVTG populations that regularly migrate in search of employment.
  • Dynamic Population and Eligibility:
    • Officials acknowledge the dynamic nature of PVTG populations, particularly susceptible to migration in pursuit of employment opportunities.
    • The challenge lies in ensuring accurate coverage of every eligible household, considering the vulnerable status of these groups.
  • Scheme Overview and Budget Allocation:
    • The PM-JANMAN scheme, with a total outlay of ₹24,104 crore over a three-year period, allocates nearly 80% of funds for the construction of houses and roads.
    • The ambitious scheme aims to address the housing needs of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, reflecting a substantial financial commitment.

About the PM Gati Shakti portal

  • The PM Gati Shakti portal is a significant initiative by the Indian government aimed at enhancing infrastructure development and multi-modal connectivity across the country.
  • Purpose:
    • The PM Gati Shakti portal serves as a centralized platform that integrates existing and planned initiatives of various Ministries and Departments.
    • It enables better coordination, data sharing, and planning for infrastructure projects in a comprehensive manner.
  • Features:
    • Comprehensiveness: The portal includes all initiatives of different Ministries and Departments, providing critical data for planning and execution.
    • Prioritization: It allows Departments to prioritize projects through cross-sectoral interactions.
    • Optimization: Helps in identifying critical gaps and selecting the most optimal routes for transportation of goods in terms of time and cost.
    • Synchronization: Aims to synchronize activities across departments and governance layers to avoid delays and improve coordination.
    • Analytical: Provides GIS-based spatial planning tools with over 200 layers for better visibility and monitoring of projects.
    • Dynamic Monitoring: Enables visualization, review, and monitoring of cross-sectoral projects through satellite imagery for regular updates on project progress.
  • Implementation:
    • The PM Gati Shakti portal brings together 16 Ministries, including Railways and Roadways, for integrated planning to enhance multi-modal connectivity.
    • It incorporates infrastructure schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, ports, UDAN, economic zones, industrial corridors, and more to improve connectivity and competitiveness of Indian businesses.