APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (21/10/2024)

For APSC CCE and other Assam Competitive examinations aspirants, staying updated with current affairs is vital. This blog covers most important topics from the Assam Tribune today (21-10-2024). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.

1. Pollutant-Specific Vermicomposting Solution by Assam Scientists

Relevant to: Environment (GS Paper-III), Science and Technology (GS Paper-III)

• Introduction:
  Scientists in Assam have developed an innovative pollutant-specific vermicomposting technique, offering a sustainable solution to soil pollution caused by industrial and domestic waste. This method uses earthworms to break down specific pollutants, transforming waste into nutrient-rich compost.
• Key Points:
  • The technique employs various species of earthworms to target heavy metals and other pollutants found in contaminated soil.
  • The resulting compost is rich in nutrients and can serve as an organic fertilizer, promoting sustainable agriculture.
  • This method contributes to soil decontamination and improves soil health, making it suitable for agricultural use.
  • The research was conducted at a laboratory in Guwahati and demonstrated promising results in pilot projects.
  • The solution has the potential to manage waste effectively in Assam’s tea gardens and urban areas, aligning with sustainable waste management practices.
• Prelims Pointers:
  • What is Vermicomposting?
    A biological process that uses earthworms to decompose organic matter into nutrient-rich compost.
  • Role of Earthworms in Soil Health:
    Earthworms enhance soil structure, aeration, and nutrient content, making them vital for organic farming.
  • Heavy Metal Pollution:
    Heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury can contaminate soil and water, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.
• Mains Pointers:
  • Importance:
    1. Soil Remediation: The technique helps detoxify polluted soils, restoring them for agricultural use.
    2. Sustainable Waste Management: It offers an eco-friendly way to convert waste into valuable biofertilizer, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
    3. Boosting Agricultural Productivity: The enriched compost enhances soil fertility, leading to improved crop yields.
    4. Support for Assam’s Tea Industry: The method can manage chemical run-offs in tea gardens, contributing to sustainable tea production.
    5. Economic Potential: The technique promotes local business opportunities in organic fertilizer production, creating a green economy.
  • Challenges:
    1. Scalability: Expanding the technique for large-scale application in industrial areas requires significant investment.
    2. Awareness and Training: Farmers and stakeholders need training on the benefits and processes of vermicomposting.
    3. Quality Control: Maintaining consistent quality of compost is essential to ensure its effectiveness.
    4. Initial Investment: Setting up vermicomposting units can be costly, especially for small farmers.
    5. Monitoring Residual Pollutants: Regular testing is needed to ensure that the compost is free from residual contaminants.
  • Way Ahead:
    1. Training Programs: Organizing workshops for farmers and industry workers to adopt vermicomposting.
    2. Government Incentives: Offering subsidies for setting up vermicomposting units to encourage widespread adoption.
    3. Research Collaboration: Collaborating with universities for continuous improvement and adaptation of the technique.
    4. Market Development: Establishing markets for organic compost can drive demand and adoption among farmers.
    5. Expanding Pilot Projects: Implementing pilot projects in other regions of Assam can demonstrate the technique’s effectiveness.
• Conclusion:
  The pollutant-specific vermicomposting solution developed by Assam’s scientists represents a significant advancement in addressing soil pollution. With proper support and wider adoption, it holds promise for improving soil health and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Assam.

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2. Mission Basundhara 3.0 Launched in Assam

Relevant to: Governance (GS Paper-II), Welfare Schemes (GS Paper-II)

• Introduction:
  The Assam Government launched the third phase of Mission Basundhara, a flagship initiative aimed at resolving land rights issues for indigenous communities. The scheme focuses on digitizing land records and providing land ownership rights, simplifying processes for marginalized groups.
• Key Points:
  • Mission Basundhara was first introduced on October 2, 2021, to address the land ownership concerns of Assam’s indigenous populations.
  • The third phase emphasizes the digitization of land records and extends land rights to priority groups such as SC, ST, Adivasis, Tea Tribes, and Gorkhas without requiring ancestral proof.
  • The initiative aims to strengthen the ‘Jati-Mati-Bheti’ concept, emphasizing the connection between community, land, and homeland.
  • More than 10 lakh applications were processed in the previous phases, reflecting the scheme’s reach and impact.
  • New facilities like ‘Digidoc’—a digital repository for land-related documents—have been introduced to streamline the process.
• Prelims Pointers:
  • What is Mission Basundhara?
    A land reform initiative by the Assam Government to digitize land records and grant land rights to indigenous communities.
  • Significance of ‘Jati-Mati-Bheti’:
    A phrase emphasizing the preservation of community identity, land, and cultural heritage in Assam.
  • What is ‘Digidoc’?
    A digital directory introduced under Mission Basundhara 3.0 for managing non-registrable and optional registrable documents.
• Mains Pointers:
  • Importance:
    1. Empowerment of Marginalized Communities: Provides secure land ownership, enhancing socio-economic stability.
    2. Digitization of Land Records: Reduces bureaucratic delays and increases transparency in land transactions.
    3. Preserving Cultural Identity: Reinforces efforts to maintain Assam’s cultural heritage through land ownership.
    4. Boosting Rural Economy: Secure land titles enable access to credit, leading to economic empowerment for rural families.
    5. Reduction in Legal Disputes: Digital land records minimize legal disputes over land ownership and transfer.
  • Challenges:
    1. Accessibility Issues: Ensuring that digitized services reach remote and underdeveloped regions is challenging.
    2. Resistance from Excluded Groups: Individuals not covered under the scheme may challenge its implementation.
    3. Data Accuracy: Ensuring that digitized records accurately reflect ground realities is critical.
    4. Resource Constraints: The process requires substantial investment in technology and training.
    5. Balancing Development Needs: Ensuring that land allocation aligns with infrastructure and development projects.
  • Way Ahead:
    1. Enhancing Digital Infrastructure: Investing in technology for seamless digitization and access to services.
    2. Awareness Campaigns: Educating communities about their rights under the scheme can ensure better participation.
    3. Efficient Grievance Redressal: Establishing mechanisms for resolving disputes and issues arising from land allocation.
    4. Collaboration with NGOs: Partnering with NGOs to reach underserved communities and ensure effective implementation.
    5. Periodic Review Mechanisms: Regular reviews of the scheme’s progress can help address implementation challenges.
• Conclusion:
  Mission Basundhara 3.0 represents a pivotal step towards ensuring land rights and digital governance in Assam. Effective implementation can empower indigenous communities, preserve cultural heritage, and promote economic development.

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3. Drugs Worth Rs. 6 Crore Seized by Assam Police

Relevant to: Internal Security (GS Paper-III), Law Enforcement & Narcotics Control (GS Paper-II)

• Introduction:
  In a major crackdown, Assam Police’s Special Task Force (STF) intercepted a consignment of heroin valued at Rs. 6 crore, demonstrating the state’s intensified efforts to combat drug trafficking. The operation reflects ongoing challenges and successes in the fight against the drug menace in Assam.
• Key Points:
  • The STF seized 637 grams of heroin packed in 49 soap boxes in Amingaon, Guwahati, and arrested two individuals.
  • The drugs were being smuggled from Manipur to lower Assam, indicating a well-established trafficking route.
  • The operation is part of the state’s broader anti-drug campaign, which has seen several similar successes in recent months.
  • Assam’s geographical location near the ‘Golden Triangle’ makes it vulnerable to drug trafficking.
  • The arrested individuals are being interrogated to identify broader networks involved in drug distribution.
• Prelims Pointers:
  • What is the Golden Triangle?
    A region overlapping Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, known for being a major drug-producing area.
  • Role of STF:
    The Special Task Force is a specialized unit within the police force that focuses on organized crime, including drug trafficking.
  • Impact of Drug Trafficking on Northeast India:
    The region’s proximity to international borders makes it a key transit point for drugs entering India.
• Mains Pointers:
  • Importance:
    1. Enhancing National Security: Seizing drugs disrupts the financial resources of criminal networks.
    2. Protecting Public Health: Reducing the availability of drugs helps prevent addiction among the youth.
    3. Strengthening Law Enforcement: Successful operations boost the morale and credibility of law enforcement agencies.
    4. Breaking Supply Chains: Arrests and interrogations help in mapping and dismantling larger drug networks.
    5. Regional Stability: Curbing drug trafficking contributes to stability and reduces violence in Northeast India.
  • Challenges:
    1. Cross-Border Smuggling: Proximity to porous international borders poses a significant challenge.
    2. High Demand for Narcotics: Growing demand for drugs in urban centers makes the market lucrative.
    3. Resource Constraints: Effective surveillance requires advanced technology and trained personnel.
    4. Complexity of Drug Networks: Organized crime groups use sophisticated methods to evade detection.
    5. Need for Rehabilitation: Arrests need to be supplemented with efforts to rehabilitate drug users.
  • Way Ahead:
    1. Enhanced Border Surveillance: Installing advanced surveillance systems along borders can curb inflow.
    2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating youth about the risks of drug abuse can help reduce demand.
    3. Inter-State Cooperation: Coordination with neighboring states can dismantle trafficking networks.
    4. Use of Technology: AI and data analytics can track and predict trafficking patterns.
    5. Support for Rehabilitation Programs: Strengthening rehabilitation centers can aid in reducing drug dependency.
• Conclusion:
  The recent drug seizure by Assam’s STF showcases the state’s determination to tackle drug trafficking. A comprehensive approach involving strict enforcement, regional cooperation, and rehabilitation is key to addressing this challenge.

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4. Vigilance Week Debate in Numaligarh: Promoting Integrity

Relevant to: Ethics, Integrity & Aptitude (GS Paper-IV)

Conclusion:
The Vigilance Week debate organized by NRL highlights the critical role of integrity in national progress. Building a culture of honesty and transparency through continuous efforts can strengthen governance and contribute to sustainable development.

Introduction:
As part of Vigilance Week, Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) organized a debate in Golaghat district, emphasizing the importance of integrity and transparency in governance. The event aimed to promote discussions on honesty and its role in national development, focusing on youth participation.

Key Points:

The debate topic was “The development of a country is impossible without honesty.”

Participants included students from various schools, highlighting the role of the younger generation in shaping ethical standards.

NRL’s initiative aligns with the broader goals of Vigilance Week, which promotes transparency and accountability.

The event underlined the role of public sector undertakings (PSUs) in setting benchmarks for ethical practices.

It emphasized the need for sustained efforts to combat corruption and enhance accountability in public life.

Prelims Pointers:

What is Vigilance Week?
An annual observance in India to raise awareness about integrity, transparency, and the fight against corruption.

Role of PSUs in Promoting Integrity:
Public Sector Undertakings like NRL play a key role in fostering transparency and ethical governance.

Importance of Integrity in Governance:
Integrity involves adherence to moral principles, essential for ensuring trust in public institutions.

Mains Pointers:

Importance:

Strengthening Governance: Promoting discussions on integrity helps build a strong foundation for good governance.

Encouraging Youth Participation: Events like these inspire the youth to adopt ethical values in their professional and personal lives.

Building Public Trust: Transparency in PSUs fosters greater public trust and accountability.

Combating Corruption: Vigilance activities help in identifying loopholes and preventing corrupt practices.

Encouraging Ethical Leadership: Highlighting integrity sets a precedent for leaders to follow in their decision-making processes.

Challenges:

Awareness Gap: Limited understanding of the significance of integrity among the general public.

Resistance to Change: Established practices in some institutions make it difficult to adopt transparency.

Short-Term Focus: Integrity awareness is often limited to observances like Vigilance Week.

Resource Limitations: Implementing extensive integrity awareness programs requires resources and investment.

Balancing Profit with Ethics: For PSUs, maintaining ethical standards while focusing on profitability can be challenging.

Way Ahead:

Continuous Awareness Initiatives: Extending integrity programs beyond Vigilance Week can have a lasting impact.

Integrating Ethics in Education: Including ethics as a subject in school curriculums can help instill values early on.

Recognition of Ethical Practices: Acknowledging ethical behavior can motivate others to adopt similar practices.

Strengthening Whistleblower Protections: Ensuring safety for those reporting unethical practices can encourage transparency.

Collaborations with NGOs: Partnering with NGOs can expand the reach of integrity campaigns.

APSC Prelims Practice Questions

Topic 1: Pollutant-Specific Vermicomposting Solution by Assam Scientists

1. With reference to the pollutant-specific vermicomposting technique developed in Assam, consider the following statements:
   1. It uses earthworms to break down organic waste and specific pollutants in soil.
   2. The compost produced from this technique can be used as an organic fertilizer.
   3. It was developed specifically for use in urban areas and tea gardens of Assam.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (c) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation:

1. Statement 1 is correct: The vermicomposting technique employs earthworms to decompose waste and target pollutants.
2. Statement 2 is correct: The compost generated is rich in nutrients and can be used as a biofertilizer.
3. Statement 3 is correct: The technique has potential applications in managing waste in urban areas and tea gardens, addressing local pollution challenges.

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Topic 2: Mission Basundhara 3.0 Launched in Assam

2. Consider the following statements about Mission Basundhara 3.0:
   1. It aims to digitize land records and provide land rights to priority groups such as SC, ST, and Adivasis in Assam.
   2. It includes a digital directory called ‘Digidoc’ for managing land-related documents.
   3. The scheme was launched as part of Assam’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

2. Statement 1 is correct: Mission Basundhara 3.0 focuses on providing land rights to various marginalized groups through digitized land records.
3. Statement 2 is correct: Digidoc is a digital repository introduced in this phase for managing non-registrable and optional registrable documents.
4. Statement 3 is incorrect: The scheme is aimed at addressing land ownership issues and digitization rather than being directly linked to SDGs.

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Topic 3: Drugs Worth Rs. 6 Crore Seized by Assam Police

3. Which of the following is a key challenge faced by Assam in tackling drug trafficking?

(a) Proximity to the Golden Triangle region
(b) High rates of urbanization leading to increased drug demand
(c) Lack of any specialized law enforcement unit
(d) Inconsistent legal framework for drug enforcement

Answer: (a) Proximity to the Golden Triangle region

Explanation:

3. Option (a) is correct: Assam’s location near the Golden Triangle (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand) makes it vulnerable to cross-border drug trafficking.
4. Option (b), while relevant to urban centers, is not the primary reason for trafficking issues in Assam.
5. Option (c) is incorrect because Assam has a Special Task Force (STF) that focuses on organized crime, including drug trafficking.
6. Option (d) is incorrect as India has a well-established legal framework for drug control under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

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Topic 4: Vigilance Week Debate in Numaligarh: Promoting Integrity

4. With reference to Vigilance Week, consider the following statements:
   1. Vigilance Week is observed in India to promote transparency and integrity in public services.
   2. Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) like NRL play a key role in conducting awareness activities during Vigilance Week.
   3. The focus of Vigilance Week is exclusively on the fight against financial corruption.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1, 2, and 3
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 3 is incorrect: Vigilance Week covers broader aspects of integrity and accountability, not just financial corruption

Statement 1 is correct: Vigilance Week is observed annually in India to raise awareness about integrity and the importance of transparency in public life.

Statement 2 is correct: PSUs like Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) actively engage in organizing debates and other events during this week.

APSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Discuss the role of innovative solutions like pollutant-specific vermicomposting in addressing environmental challenges, especially soil pollution, in Assam. What are the major challenges in scaling up such sustainable technologies? Suggest measures to ensure their successful implementation in the agricultural sector. (250 words)

Model Answer Outline:

Introduction:
Pollutant-specific vermicomposting developed by scientists in Assam offers an eco-friendly approach to managing soil pollution caused by industrial and domestic waste. By using earthworms to decompose pollutants, it provides a sustainable way to restore soil health and support agriculture.

Body:
Role of Pollutant-Specific Vermicomposting:

1. Soil Detoxification:
   • The technique targets heavy metals and other pollutants, converting contaminated soil into arable land.
   • It enhances soil fertility, making it suitable for agricultural activities.
2. Sustainable Waste Management:
   • Vermicomposting reduces the reliance on chemical fertilizers by producing nutrient-rich compost.
   • It provides a solution for managing waste in urban areas and tea gardens, aligning with sustainable development goals.
3. Boosting Agricultural Productivity:
   • The nutrient-rich compost improves crop yields and supports organic farming practices.
   • It contributes to the long-term health of the soil, preventing further degradation.

Challenges in Scaling Up:

1. High Initial Costs:
   • Setting up vermicomposting units requires investment in infrastructure, which may be difficult for small farmers.
2. Limited Awareness and Training:
   • Farmers need education and training to understand the benefits and adopt this technique effectively.
3. Scalability Issues:
   • Adapting the technique for large-scale applications in different regions poses challenges.
4. Quality Control:
   • Ensuring consistent quality of compost across various batches is crucial for maintaining its efficacy.
5. Monitoring Residual Contaminants:
   • Continuous testing is required to ensure the compost is free from any harmful residues.

Measures for Successful Implementation:

1. Government Incentives:
   • Providing subsidies and financial support to small farmers can encourage adoption.
2. Training and Awareness Programs:
   • Workshops and field demonstrations can help farmers understand the process and benefits of vermicomposting.
3. Public-Private Partnerships:
   • Collaborating with private enterprises can aid in the large-scale deployment of vermicomposting technology.
4. Pilot Projects in Key Areas:
   • Expanding pilot projects to other regions can demonstrate effectiveness and build confidence among farmers.
5. Developing Market Linkages:
   • Establishing markets for organic compost can increase demand and drive broader adoption.

Conclusion:
Pollutant-specific vermicomposting is a promising solution for addressing soil pollution in Assam. By providing financial support, training, and creating awareness, this innovative technique can be scaled up to benefit the agricultural sector, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

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