APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (03/07/2025)
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 (03-07-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
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🐄 Alleged Corruption in the Garukhuti Project: An Emerging Governance Challenge
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Government Schemes | Transparency & Accountability
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam-Specific Issues | Land, Agriculture & Rural Development
🔹 Introduction
Launched with the vision of agricultural transformation and land reclamation in Assam, the Garukhuti Multipurpose Agricultural Project is now under the scanner for alleged irregularities in procurement and distribution of Gir cows, raising serious questions on governance, transparency, and public fund utilization.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Description |
| Project Objective | Rehabilitate encroached land in Sipajhar, promote agri-livelihood |
| Launch Date | 2021, under MLA Padma Hazarika |
| Controversy | Alleged irregularities in cow procurement and use of Jal Jeevan Mission funds |
| Stakeholders Involved | Assam Government, NDDB, local farmers, RTI activists, opposition parties |
| Current Demand | CBI probe and judicial inquiry by APCC & CPI(M) citing large-scale corruption |
⚙️ Scheme-Linked Issues and Context
Initial Plan: To procure 15,000 Gir cows, promote organic dairy farming.
Discrepancies: Conflicting RTI replies on actual number of cows procured, distributed, and deceased.
Procurement Gaps: No clear tendering, cows allegedly given to ministers/MLAs bypassing due process.
Alleged Financial Impropriety: Huge income rise of Minister’s family farm flagged by CPI(M).
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Gir Cow Origin: Indigenous breed from Gujarat, known for high milk yield and adaptability.
NDDB: National Dairy Development Board – autonomous body for dairy sector development.
CBI Mandate: Central Bureau of Investigation handles major corruption and economic offences.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC): A parliamentary body auditing public expenditure.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of the Project
Revival of agricultural activities in encroached areas (e.g., Sipajhar).
Scope to enhance dairy self-sufficiency in Assam.
Employment potential for landless and displaced communities.
B. Challenges & Criticisms
| Challenge | Description |
| Governance Deficit | Lack of transparency in procurement, distribution, and record-keeping. |
| Political Interference | Alleged use of project for political patronage. |
| Animal Welfare Issues | Reports of death of 56 cows due to lack of care/infrastructure. |
| Fiscal Mismanagement | Unexplained surge in income of associated private farms. |
C. Government Initiatives
RTI disclosures initiated post media scrutiny.
CM’s assurance of internal probe.
Previous announcements on land-use policy and dairy mission in Assam.
D. Way Forward
| Reform Area | Action Needed |
| Audit & Inquiry | Independent forensic and judicial audits, possibly CBI involvement. |
| Scheme Rationalization | Objective-based planning, clear eligibility, and monitoring criteria. |
| Digital Procurement | e-tendering for livestock and agricultural assets. |
| Public Engagement | Community monitoring, periodic social audits, public dashboards. |
🧩 Conclusion
The Garukhuti controversy reflects how well-intentioned rural schemes can be derailed by poor implementation and opaque governance. Only through transparency, accountability, and active civil society oversight can Assam truly achieve agrarian revitalization.
🧭 India-Myanmar Border: Controversy Over ‘Unconstitutional’ Buffer Zones in Manipur
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Federalism | Internal Security
📘 GS Paper 3: Security Challenges | Role of Armed Forces | Border Management
📘 APSC GS Paper 5: Assam & Northeast – Law & Order, Centre-State Relations
🔹 Introduction
The recent enforcement of a buffer zone by central security forces in Manipur, without formal constitutional backing, has raised concerns over federalism, civilian access, and security protocol. MP Bimol Akoijam’s criticism highlights tensions between civil authority and military operations in disturbed areas.
🔑 Key Points
| Aspect | Description |
| Issue | MP denied access to a constituency market (Phougakchou-Ikhai) allegedly designated as buffer zone |
| Statement | Termed the buffer zone “unconstitutional and imaginary” |
| Conflict Area | Bishnupur district, under continued ethnic tension between Meiteis and Kukis |
| Concerns Raised | Civilian movement curtailed, democratic representatives denied entry, militarisation deepening divides |
| Context | Prolonged violence in Manipur since 2023 due to ethnic clashes, leading to AFSPA’s selective implementation |
⚙️ Legal & Constitutional Angle
AFSPA 1958: Still applicable in parts of Manipur, gives armed forces sweeping powers
Article 19(1)(d): Guarantees freedom of movement to citizens
Federalism Debate: Role of elected MPs vs military authority in conflict zones
Buffer Zone Legality: No formal gazette or law defining such internal “no-go” zones
🧠 Prelims Pointers
AFSPA: Armed Forces Special Powers Act, empowers forces to arrest without warrant in disturbed areas
Phougakchou-Ikhai: Site of previous standoffs between Meitei protestors and security forces
Article 355: Centre can protect state against internal disturbances
Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA): Often invoked in border insurgency regions
Security Forces Involved: Assam Rifles, CRPF, Indian Army
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Civilian Access
Uninterrupted access by MPs ensures democratic oversight
Trust in government can erode when elected leaders are blocked
Transparency in conflict zones boosts institutional legitimacy
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Impact |
| Unclear Mandates | Buffer zones lack legal clarity and invite criticism |
| Human Rights Concerns | Movement restrictions on civilians, even for daily needs |
| Security vs Governance | Army dominance may sideline civil institutions |
| Ethnic Fragmentation | Buffer zones reinforce psychological and social divides |
C. Government and Institutional Response
State yet to formally comment on buffer zone legality
MP demands CAG-level inquiry into ground operations
NHRC earlier issued notices over human rights violations in Manipur
D. Way Forward
| Reform | Measure |
| 🧾 Legal Codification | Clearly define the scope and validity of internal buffer zones |
| 🔄 Civil-Military Coordination | Regular updates to civil authorities by operational commands |
| 🗳️ Democratic Oversight | Ensure elected reps are not obstructed during constituency visits |
| 🤝 Community Dialogue | Set up ethnic reconciliation boards across conflict-ridden areas |
🧩 Conclusion
Manipur’s crisis must be addressed with a balanced mix of security enforcement and democratic rights protection. Arbitrary buffer zones without legal clarity undermine federal values and public trust.
🛡️ Assam Police’s Crackdown on Drug Trafficking: Evaluating Law Enforcement and Public Health Nexus
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Law & Order | Role of State Agencies
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Organized Crime | Narcotics Control
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam-Specific Issues | Drug Menace | Youth & Social Justice
🔹 Introduction
Assam Police’s relentless drive against drug trafficking has registered over 12,791 NDPS cases and led to more than 20,000 arrests since 2021. This highlights the magnitude of the drug crisis in Assam and the evolving nature of its enforcement strategy.
🔑 Key Data Highlights
(As per the latest NDPS summary: 10 May 2021 to 24 June 2025)
| Metric | Figure |
| NDPS Cases Registered | 12,791 |
| Persons Arrested | 20,469 |
| Total Cash Seized | ₹7.2 crore |
| Cultivation Destroyed | Opium: 767.5 bighas; Cannabis: 51+ bighas |
| Vehicles Seized | 1,975 |
| Fatalities | 5 killed, 27 injured (police involved) |
🚨 Nature of Drug Menace in Assam
Transit State: Assam lies along the drug trafficking routes from Myanmar (Golden Triangle) to mainland India.
Popular Drugs: Heroin, yaba tablets, brown sugar, and synthetic narcotics.
Youth Vulnerability: High usage among adolescents and college students, particularly in border districts.
Interstate Link: Supply chains traced to Manipur, Nagaland, and international networks.
🧠 Prelims Pointers
NDPS Act, 1985: Provides for stringent punishment for drug production and trafficking.
Golden Triangle: Illicit drug-producing region overlapping Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): India’s central law enforcement and intelligence agency on drugs.
Assam Police Nodal Units: Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and CID surveillance.
UNODC: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – monitors global drug trends.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Importance of Crackdown
Disrupts trafficking routes
Sends strong deterrence message
Restores public confidence in law enforcement
Saves a generation from addiction-driven crime
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Cross-Border Smuggling | porous borders with Myanmar and Nagaland |
| Synthetic Drugs | easy online access, hard to detect |
| Rehabilitation Deficit | inadequate government-run de-addiction centres |
| Legal Backlogs | NDPS trials delayed, leading to overcrowded jails |
C. Govt Initiatives
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA): Awareness campaign across districts
Hotspot Mapping by Assam Police for rapid strike operations
Coordination with NE states and central agencies like NCB
Seizure-based incentive structures to reward effective action
D. Way Forward
| Reform Area | Recommendation |
| 🎯 Preventive Education | Anti-drug curriculum in schools & colleges |
| 🧠 Mental Health Focus | Psychological counselling in rehabilitation |
| 📊 Integrated Intelligence | AI-driven surveillance and predictive mapping |
| 🤝 Community Policing | Engage civil society and local panchayats |
🧩 Conclusion
Assam’s drug menace is as much a public health issue as it is a law and order concern. Sustained police action, when paired with community engagement and rehabilitative focus, can pave the way for a drug-free and youth-empowered future for the state.
💸 Crackdown on Fake GST Registrations in Assam: Strengthening Fiscal Discipline
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Transparency & Accountability | E-Governance
📘 GS Paper 3: Indian Economy | Tax Reforms | Black Money & Financial Crimes
📘 GS Paper 5 (APSC): Assam-Specific Governance Challenges | Taxation
🔹 Introduction
In a sweeping operation, Assam GST authorities unearthed fake input tax credit (ITC) claims amounting to ₹1,400 crore and cancelled 352 bogus GST registrations, highlighting systemic loopholes in tax compliance and digital fraud.
🔑 Key Details
| Parameter | Information |
| 🧾 Total Fake ITC Detected | ₹1,400 crore |
| 🛑 GST Registrations Cancelled | 352 |
| 💸 Fake Credit Transferred to Other States | ₹1,200 crore |
| 👥 Entities Involved | Ghost firms created solely to siphon ITC |
| 📅 Operation Timeline | Statewide crackdown since June 2025 |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
GST ITC (Input Tax Credit): Mechanism under GST that allows deduction of taxes paid on inputs from output liability.
Section 16 of CGST Act: Governs eligibility and conditions for claiming ITC.
GSTN: Goods and Services Tax Network – manages digital infrastructure of India’s indirect tax system.
E-way Bill: Digital document required for movement of goods under GST – key to tracking logistics fraud.
GSTR-3B: Monthly summary return form used by businesses to declare GST liability.
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Crackdown
Restores taxpayer confidence and revenue integrity
Sends deterrent message to fraudulent traders and shell companies
Reinforces Assam’s fiscal credibility amidst rising central transfers
B. Challenges
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Digital Paper Firms | Easy to set up with Aadhaar & PAN misuse |
| Cross-Border ITC Transfer | Difficult to trace due to layered supplier chains |
| Resource Gaps | GST intelligence units in states lack tech capacity |
| Trial Delays | Low conviction rates for white-collar tax frauds |
C. Govt Measures & Reforms
AI-Based Analytics: Risk profiling to flag suspicious invoices
GST Council Updates: Proposed biometric verification of new registrants
State GST Cells: 24×7 control rooms for invoice verification
GST Appellate Tribunals: Being set up across NE for timely dispute resolution
D. Way Forward
| Reform Domain | Recommendations |
| 🧠 Awareness Drives | Educate small traders on compliance and penalties |
| 🧾 Digital Forensics | Invest in cyber-forensics to trace invoice frauds |
| 🔄 Real-Time Matching | Automated input-output invoice reconciliation |
| 🔍 Audit Culture | Surprise field verification of registrants and transporters |
🧩 Conclusion
The GST fraud crackdown in Assam exposes the double-edged nature of digitized taxation—while enabling ease of doing business, it also demands vigilant oversight. A synergy of technology, legal action, and institutional accountability is vital to build a robust tax ecosystem.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
✅ Topic 1: Garukhuti Multipurpose Agricultural Project Controversy
1. The Garukhuti Project in Assam was primarily launched to:
A. Promote industrial dairy production
B. Rehabilitate encroached land for agriculture and dairy farming ✅
C. Encourage bamboo cultivation
D. Develop border tourism
🧠 Explanation:
The Garukhuti Project, launched in 2021, was aimed at reclaiming encroached government land and promoting organic agriculture and Gir cow-based dairy economy in Sipajhar.
2. The Gir cow, a key component of the Garukhuti Project, is native to:
A. Rajasthan
B. Karnataka
C. Gujarat ✅
D. Assam
🧠 Explanation:
Gir cows are a renowned Indian breed from Gujarat, valued for high milk yield and heat tolerance.
✅ Topic 2: Buffer Zone Controversy in Manipur
3. Which article of the Constitution ensures freedom of movement throughout the territory of India?
A. Article 14
B. Article 19(1)(d) ✅
C. Article 21
D. Article 370
🧠 Explanation:
Article 19(1)(d) guarantees the right “to move freely throughout the territory of India” – central to the controversy in Manipur.
4. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) can be imposed under:
A. Article 32
B. Article 355 ✅
C. Article 360
D. Article 246
🧠 Explanation:
Article 355 obliges the Union to protect states from internal disturbances – the legal basis for AFSPA-type interventions.
✅ Topic 3: Drug Trafficking Crackdown in Assam
5. The NDPS Act, 1985 deals with:
A. Water pollution
B. Forest conservation
C. Regulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances ✅
D. Protection of wildlife habitats
🧠 Explanation:
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 governs drug control and trafficking laws in India.
6. Assam lies close to which global drug-producing region?
A. Golden Crescent
B. Golden Triangle ✅
C. Opium Belt
D. Coca Corridor
🧠 Explanation:
Assam is close to the Golden Triangle—a notorious narcotics hub encompassing Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
✅ Topic 4: Fake GST Registration Crackdown in Assam
7. What is Input Tax Credit (ITC) under GST?
A. A tax paid directly by the consumer
B. A refund provided for exports
C. A mechanism to claim credit for taxes paid on inputs ✅
D. A subsidy for registered MSMEs
🧠 Explanation:
ITC allows a business to reduce its GST liability by claiming credit for taxes already paid on purchases or inputs.
8. The Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) is responsible for:
A. Issuing GST policy
B. Legal interpretation of GST laws
C. Managing the IT backbone of the GST system ✅
D. Monitoring retail prices
🧠 Explanation:
GSTN provides the digital infrastructure for GST filings, returns, registration, and invoice matching.
✅ Topic 5: Assam Police’s Anti-Drug Drive
9. Which of the following is NOT an objective of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan?
A. Awareness about drug abuse
B. Crackdown on wildlife trafficking ✅
C. Capacity building of youth
D. Rehabilitation of addicts
🧠 Explanation:
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan targets drug awareness and de-addiction, not wildlife trafficking.
10. Which central agency coordinates drug law enforcement in India?
A. CBI
B. Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) ✅
C. Enforcement Directorate (ED)
D. Intelligence Bureau (IB)
🧠 Explanation:
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the nodal agency for tackling drug trafficking under NDPS Act.
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Question:
“The increasing crackdown on drug trafficking in Assam reveals both effective law enforcement and deeper structural challenges. Critically examine the causes, implications, and holistic solutions to the rising drug menace in Northeast India.”
📘 Model Answer
Introduction
Assam has become a focal point in India’s war against drugs, with over 20,000 arrests and nearly ₹7 crore worth of narcotics seized since 2021. While these actions reflect a determined state response, the persistence of the problem reveals deeper systemic issues rooted in geography, governance, and social factors.
Causes Behind the Drug Menace in Assam
| Cause | Explanation |
| 🌏 Geographical Vulnerability | Proximity to the Golden Triangle via porous Myanmar-Manipur border enables transit trafficking. |
| 🚛 Weak Border Management | Difficult terrain and limited surveillance infrastructure. |
| 👥 Youth Alienation | Unemployment, peer pressure, and breakdown of community structures drive substance abuse. |
| 📱 Dark Web & Social Media | Online platforms aid distribution and communication in drug networks. |
Implications
A. Security Impacts
- Rise in organized crime and smuggling cartels.
- Weapon-drug linkages threaten internal peace, especially in border districts.
B. Public Health Impacts
- Rising cases of addiction, HIV (via injectable drugs), and mental health disorders among youth.
- Overburdened and under-equipped rehabilitation centres.
C. Socio-Economic Impacts
- Productivity loss, family breakdown, and increase in petty crimes.
- Strain on Assam’s law enforcement and healthcare budgets.
Government Response
| Initiative | Description |
| 🚔 Assam Police Crackdown | Over 12,000 NDPS cases since May 2021; destruction of opium and cannabis plantations. |
| 🧠 Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan | Awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and panchayats. |
| 🔗 Coordination with NCB | Joint task forces and intel sharing with central agencies. |
| 🏥 De-addiction Centres | Limited but growing number of facilities in medical colleges and urban centres. |
Challenges in Enforcement
- ⚖️ Low conviction rate under NDPS due to procedural delays.
- 👮♂️ Insufficient training of local police in narcotics investigation.
- 🧪 Lack of forensic labs for speedy sample testing.
- 🌐 Inter-state coordination gaps, especially with Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Way Forward
| Area | Recommendation |
| 📲 Tech Surveillance | AI-based predictive policing; facial recognition at border points. |
| 🎓 School Intervention | Anti-drug curriculum and early intervention programs. |
| 🧾 Fast-track NDPS Courts | Prioritize drug cases for swift justice. |
| 👥 Community Policing | Involve local leaders, ex-addicts, and youth clubs in awareness & rehab. |
| 🛂 Border Control Upgrade | Smart fencing, drone patrolling, and integrated border checkposts. |
Conclusion
The drug crisis in Assam is a multidimensional challenge requiring more than just seizures and arrests. It demands a shift toward prevention, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. A people-centric approach, backed by smart governance and interstate cooperation, is key to making Assam drug-free.
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