APSC Current Affairs: Assam Tribune Notes with MCQs and Answer Writing (23/04/2025)
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 (23-04-2025). These issues are key for both APSC Prelims and Mains preparation, offering insights into the APSC CCE Syllabus.
✨ Current Affairs Crash Course for the APSC Prelims 2025
🌿 Assam’s Afforestation Paradox: Rs 420 Cr Spent, Yet Forest Cover Shrinks
📘 GS Paper 3: Environment | Conservation | Governance Issues
📘 GS Paper 2: Government Schemes | Accountability | RTI & Citizen Participation
🔹 Introduction
Despite the expenditure of over ₹420 crore on afforestation efforts over the last decade, Assam continues to witness a steady decline in forest and tree cover. An RTI reply has revealed low survival rates, questionable monitoring, and ineffective plantation strategies under schemes like CAMPA and Forest & Biodiversity Conservation Projects, raising serious concerns over transparency, ecological planning, and environmental governance.
🔑 Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Period Analyzed | 2011–12 to 2023–24 |
| Funds Spent | ₹26,628 lakh under CAMPA; ₹156.71 crore under Forest & Biodiversity Conservation Projects |
| Land Coverage | ~15,869 ha under CAMPA; ~33,337 ha under APFBC |
| Claimed Survival Rate | 65–75%, often based on ocular estimation |
| Monitoring | Senior official inspections + Third-party evaluations |
| Reality Check | Forest cover fell by 83.92 sq km between 2021–23 (ISFR 2023) |
| Global Forest Watch Report | Assam lost 324,000 hectares of tree cover between 2001–2023 (↓12%) |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
CAMPA: Established under the Compensatory Afforestation Act, 2016; aims to offset forest loss due to non-forest land use
India State of Forest Report (ISFR): Biennial report by Forest Survey of India; Assam’s forest cover trend is negative
Assam Project on Forest & Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC): Supported by French Development Agency (AFD) for ecological restoration
Ocular Estimation: Visual approximation used to assess plantation success—considered a weak scientific metric
RTI Act, 2005: Enables citizens to demand governance transparency—used here to expose inefficiencies
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of Forest Cover in Assam
| Value | Explanation |
| Ecological Services | Forests regulate rainfall, groundwater, and air quality |
| Biodiversity | Assam is part of Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot |
| Livelihood | Tribal and rural communities depend on forest products |
| Disaster Mitigation | Forest loss increases flooding and erosion, especially in Brahmaputra valley |
B. Challenges in Afforestation Efforts
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Poor Survival Monitoring | Data relies on visual estimates, lacks satellite tracking or scientific validation |
| Fund Misutilization | Large budget spent but poor ecological returns raise questions about efficiency and leakage |
| Urban and Agricultural Expansion | Unregulated sprawl and tea garden expansion reduce forest buffer zones |
| Climate Incompatibility | Wrong species selection not suited to microclimates |
| Encroachment | Forest land encroached by settlements, especially in hill areas |
C. Policy and Institutional Gaps
Weak Implementation of Forest Policy (1988) – Need for updated, enforceable rules on afforestation
Fragmented Responsibility – Lack of coordination between Forest Dept., Revenue Dept., and Local Panchayats
Lack of Community Ownership – Top-down plantation schemes without people’s participation or incentives
Monitoring Deficit – Few drone or satellite audits, no public dashboard for CAMPA fund outcomes
D. Way Forward
Geo-Referenced Plantation Monitoring
Use GIS mapping, drones, and satellite imagery to monitor plantation survival
Third-Party Ecological Audits
Independent review teams to assess outcomes using scientific indicators, not just survival rate
Community Forest Management (CFM)
Engage local communities through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)
Outcome-Based Budgeting
Link CAMPA and project fund disbursement to verifiable ecological results
Public Transparency Tools
RTI-friendly, open data dashboards showing block-wise plantation efforts, cost, survival, and species diversity
🧩 Conclusion
Assam’s afforestation story reveals the gap between budgeted green ambitions and ground realities. Without scientific monitoring, local involvement, and accountability mechanisms, even hundreds of crores can fail to regrow a lost forest. A shift from tokenistic planting to ecosystem restoration is crucial for climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development in Assam.
🪖 Assam Rifles–NSCN(K) Clashes in Mon District: Security Dynamics at India–Myanmar Border
📘 GS Paper 3: Internal Security | Border Management | Insurgency in Northeast
📘 GS Paper 2: Federalism | Role of Paramilitary Forces | Centre–State Relations
🔹 Introduction
Fresh clashes between the Assam Rifles and NSCN (Khaplang-Yung Aung faction) in Nagaland’s Mon district highlight the persistent insurgent threat along the Indo-Myanmar border, despite ceasefire agreements and peace talks with other Naga groups. This underscores the need for a multi-pronged approach to border management, peacebuilding, and counter-insurgency in the Northeast.
🔑 Key Developments
| Feature | Details |
| Incident | Exchange of fire between Assam Rifles & NSCN(K-YA) near Chenmoho area |
| District | Mon, Nagaland — borders Myanmar |
| Casualties | No confirmed official casualties yet; local tension high |
| Significance | NSCN(K-YA) is outside the Naga peace framework; uses Myanmar camps for operations |
| Forces Involved | Assam Rifles – under Ministry of Home Affairs, frontline force in NE border security |
| Wider Context | Part of ongoing peace process with Naga factions like NSCN(IM), NNPGs — not including Khaplang-Yung Aung |
🧠 Prelims Pointers
Assam Rifles: India’s oldest paramilitary force (est. 1835); operates under MHA, but officered by Army
NSCN(K-YA): Split from NSCN(K) in 2018, led by Yung Aung, continues armed struggle
Free Movement Regime (FMR): Allows border tribes to travel 16 km across Indo–Myanmar border without visa
Chenmoho–Tiru Belt: Strategic border area in Mon district, known for insurgent movement
AFSPA in Nagaland: Still partially applicable; key legal tool in insurgency zones
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Security Significance of the Region
| Factor | Explanation |
| Porous Border | Myanmar border lacks fencing; allows easy movement of arms, drugs, insurgents |
| Myanmar Sanctuary | NSCN(K-YA) and ULFA(I) operate from Sagaing Region, outside Indian jurisdiction |
| Peace Process Gap | NSCN(K-YA) not part of ongoing Naga peace talks; rejects Indian constitution |
| Ethnic Complexities | Shared ethnicities across border complicate surveillance and operations |
| Opium & Arms Smuggling | Insurgent groups often fund themselves via narcotics & gun trade |
B. Challenges in Border Security
| Challenge | Details |
| Lack of Border Fencing | Terrain prevents fencing; only 10–15% of Indo–Myanmar border has physical barrier |
| FMR Misuse | Cultural corridor misused by insurgents and traffickers |
| Limited Local Intelligence | Insurgent groups often get local support or remain undetected |
| Cross-Border Diplomacy | Myanmar’s internal crisis post-coup weakens joint counter-insurgency operations |
| Overstretch of Forces | Assam Rifles faces deployment stress across Arunachal, Nagaland, and Manipur |
C. Government Measures
Ceasefire Agreements with NSCN(IM), NNPGs (but not NSCN-KYA)
Surrender & Rehabilitation Schemes for insurgents (skill training, monthly stipends)
Border Outpost Modernization: Improved tech, drone use, satellite monitoring in key stretches
India–Myanmar Military Talks (pre-2021) – stalled due to political instability in Myanmar
Operation Sunrise (India–Myanmar joint op): Targeted insurgent camps in 2019
D. Way Forward
Bilateral Pressure on Myanmar
Restart military cooperation for insurgent camp dismantling; pressure through regional blocs like BIMSTEC
FMR Recalibration
Retain tribal mobility but introduce biometric checks and alert protocols
Fence High-Risk Zones
Prioritize fencing in Mon, Tirap, and Longding districts with multi-sensor systems
Strengthen Assam Rifles Capacity
Recruit from local Naga youth; improve tech integration and rest rotations
Accelerate Peace Talks
Bring NSCN(K-YA) and other armed factions into dialogue with clear timelines and disarmament clauses
🧩 Conclusion
The recent Mon district clash is a stark reminder that the Northeast’s insurgency landscape is far from settled. A mix of firm security, sustained diplomacy, and inclusive peacebuilding is the only way to ensure that India’s borders in this volatile region are not just protected, but pacified.
🏥 Health Insurance Gaps in Assam: PM-JAY Coverage Remains Underutilized
📘 GS Paper 2: Health | Welfare Schemes | Issues in Implementation
📘 GS Paper 3: Human Development | Inclusive Growth | Public Policy
🔹 Introduction
Despite being enrolled under PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), lakhs of beneficiaries in Assam are either unaware or unable to access treatment under the scheme. Reports highlight implementation lapses, hospital reluctance, and lack of awareness, raising concerns over the effectiveness of India’s flagship universal health insurance programme in Assam.
🔑 Key Highlights
| Feature | Details |
| Scheme | Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY |
| Coverage | ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care |
| Target | Bottom 40% of population (based on SECC 2011) |
| Assam Status | Over 1 crore beneficiaries enrolled; low claim rates |
| Major Issues |
Empanelled hospitals denying treatment
Poor awareness among rural families
Delays in claim settlements
Weak grievance redressal
| Media Source | Ground reports from Guwahati, Barpeta, and Tezpur
🧠 Prelims Pointers
PM-JAY: Launched in 2018; world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme
NHA: National Health Authority – nodal agency under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
SECC: Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 used to identify beneficiaries
Empanelled Hospitals: Private/public hospitals that agree to cashless treatment under the scheme
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): Aims to create digital health IDs and records
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of PM-JAY in Assam
| Aspect | Explanation |
| Financial Risk Protection | Prevents medical bankruptcy among poor households |
| Health Equity | Bridges urban–rural and public–private health gaps |
| Incentivizes Private Sector | Enables access to private care for low-income groups |
| Public Health Outcomes | Can improve hospitalization coverage and early detection of chronic illnesses |
B. Implementation Challenges in Assam
| Challenge | Explanation |
| Hospital Denial | Some empanelled hospitals refuse PM-JAY patients citing “non-viable rates” |
| Low Rural Awareness | Many eligible families unaware of Ayushman card benefits |
| Digital Divide | Card generation and verification often fail in areas with poor connectivity |
| Grievance Redress Gaps | Patients struggle to contest denial or file complaints |
| Delayed Reimbursements | Private hospitals disincentivized due to slow claim settlements |
C. Systemic Issues in Health Governance
Lack of Convergence between PM-JAY and state health schemes (e.g., Atal Amrit Abhiyan in Assam)
No Accountability Incentives for district health officers to boost enrolment and utilization
Insufficient Monitoring by National/State Health Agencies
Underutilized Public Hospitals due to bureaucratic delays in empanelment
D. Way Forward
State-Led Outreach Campaigns
Train ASHAs and Gaonburhas to spread awareness about PM-JAY eligibility and processes
Improve Hospital Participation
Revise packages and speed up reimbursement to ensure private sector compliance
Health ID and ABDM Integration
Use digital platforms to ensure portability and real-time tracking of usage
Decentralized Grievance Redress
Set up block-level complaint desks with timeline-bound resolution
Audit and Dashboard Transparency
Make real-time claim data public to monitor success and lapses in each district
🧩 Conclusion
PM-JAY holds the potential to transform Assam’s healthcare landscape, but without local-level accountability, provider cooperation, and citizen awareness, the scheme risks becoming a paper promise. A people-centric, tech-enabled, and responsive implementation model is key to making universal healthcare truly accessible in Assam.
🏭 HPC Paper Mill Liquidation: A Case of Industrial Neglect in Northeast India
📘 GS Paper 3: Indian Economy | Industrial Policy | Employment
📘 GS Paper 2: Governance | Government Policies | Federal Issues
🔹 Introduction
After years of uncertainty, the Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) units in Cachar and Nagaon, once a major industrial employer in Assam, are being officially liquidated. Over 1,100 employees remain unpaid for years, raising critical questions on public sector management, regional neglect, and the challenges of industrial revival in Assam and the Northeast.
🔑 Key Developments
| Feature | Details |
| Corporation | Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd (HPC) – Central PSU under Ministry of Heavy Industries |
| Units Affected | Cachar Paper Mill (Panchgram), Nagaon Paper Mill (Jagiroad) |
| Employees Affected | 1,100+ workers, many retired/unpaid since closure |
| Status | Mills officially in liquidation after failing to find investors under NCLT process |
| Timeline | Mills non-functional since 2017–18 |
| Key Concerns |
Dues unpaid for 6+ years
Deaths reported due to financial stress
No concrete industrial revival in the area
| Public Demand | Compensation, revival packages, and new employment plans
🧠 Prelims Pointers
NCLT: National Company Law Tribunal — handles insolvency and liquidation of companies under IBC (2016)
PSU Disinvestment: Central policy to minimize presence in non-strategic sectors
Assam Industrial Policy: Offers subsidies for industries in backward and tribal areas
North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS, 2017): Central support for NE-based industries
HPC: Once a key employer in Assam’s industrial landscape; shutdown left a void in job ecosystem
📝 Mains Pointers
A. Significance of the Paper Mills to Assam
| Role | Explanation |
| Employment Engine | Provided direct and indirect jobs to thousands |
| Industrial Backbone | Symbol of industrialization in a largely agrarian economy |
| Rural Upliftment | Boosted surrounding economies in Panchgram and Jagiroad |
| Public Sector Model | Demonstrated feasibility of manufacturing in the Northeast |
B. Reasons Behind the Downfall
| Factor | Explanation |
| Poor Management | Delayed modernization, mismanagement of finances |
| Raw Material Challenges | Bamboo shortages and transport costs from remote areas |
| Policy Neglect | No revival plan despite early signs of stress; central support weakened post-2014 |
| Failed Privatisation | NCLT could not attract viable bidders due to accumulated liabilities |
| Labour Discontent | Long strikes, unpaid salaries, and union-government clashes |
C. Implications for Assam & the NE Economy
Loss of Industrial Confidence: Investors hesitant due to policy and legal delays
Worker Distress: Over a dozen workers died without receiving dues; families in deep financial crisis
Urban Migration: Youth leaving for jobs in metros; regional imbalance
Erosion of Trust in Public Sector: Raised questions on PSU accountability and labour rights
Gap in Regional Development: Northeast lags behind despite central schemes like Act East Policy
D. Way Forward
Immediate Worker Compensation
Fast-track dues disbursal via a special settlement package, using CSR or state-backed funds
Repurpose Mill Land
Set up Agro-Tech or Skill Development Hubs to utilize industrial land in eco-friendly ways
Targeted Investment Zones
Declare Industrial Rehabilitation Zones in Panchgram and Jagiroad with startup incentives
Central-State Coordination
Create a Northeast Industrial Taskforce under NITI Aayog or Ministry of Commerce
Public-Private Skill Bridge
Reskill affected workers and youth with support from NE-based private industries
🧩 Conclusion
The fall of HPC’s paper mills is a symbolic and structural failure — of public sector governance, regional planning, and industrial vision. Moving forward, Assam needs a people-centric, region-specific industrial policy that blends economic opportunity with social security and worker justice. Mere liquidation must not mean erasure.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
🌳 Topic 1: Afforestation Funding & Forest Cover Decline in Assam
Q1. With reference to afforestation in Assam, consider the following statements:
- Assam’s forest cover increased according to the ISFR 2023.
- CAMPA funds are intended to compensate for forest loss due to diversion of forest land for non-forest use.
- Ocular estimation is a scientifically robust method used to monitor survival rates of plantation sites.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 2 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1 and 3 only
✅ Answer: A
🧠 Explanation:
- Statement 1 is ❌ Incorrect – ISFR 2023 reported a decline of ~83.92 sq km in Assam’s forest cover.
- Statement 2 is ✅ Correct – CAMPA funds are used for compensatory afforestation under the Forest (Conservation) Act.
- Statement 3 is ❌ Incorrect – Ocular estimation is based on visual approximation, not a reliable scientific method.
Q2. What does the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) publish?
A. Wildlife census and tiger reserves ranking
B. Satellite-based data on forest and tree cover in India
C. Groundwater quality across states
D. Forest crime and encroachment rates
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) publishes ISFR every two years, which maps forest and tree cover using satellite data and field verification.
🪖 Topic 2: Assam Rifles–NSCN(K-YA) Clashes
Q3. The Assam Rifles operates under which of the following ministries?
A. Ministry of Defence
B. Ministry of Home Affairs
C. Ministry of Tribal Affairs
D. National Security Council Secretariat
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
The Assam Rifles is a paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, though its officers are drawn from the Indian Army.
Q4. With reference to the Indo–Myanmar border, what is the Free Movement Regime (FMR)?
A. Agreement allowing border trade without duties
B. Cultural pact enabling border residents to travel up to 16 km inside each other’s territory
C. Naga Peace Accord provision for traditional hunting rights
D. Refugee resettlement clause under UNHCR–India agreement
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
The FMR permits residents of border tribes to travel up to 16 km across the border without visa, promoting cultural and ethnic continuity across the Indo–Myanmar frontier.
🏥 Topic 3: Health Insurance Implementation Gaps in Assam (PM-JAY)
Q5. PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat) provides:
A. Free outpatient care up to ₹1 lakh per family
B. ₹5 lakh annual insurance per family for secondary and tertiary hospitalization
C. Health subsidy for women above 60
D. Compensation for families with catastrophic illness only
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
Under PM-JAY, every eligible family is covered for ₹5 lakh per year for hospitalization in secondary and tertiary care hospitals (both public and empanelled private).
Q6. Consider the following statements:
- PM-JAY is based on the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 to identify beneficiaries.
- Only public hospitals are empanelled under PM-JAY.
- The National Health Authority (NHA) oversees the scheme.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
- Statement 1: ✅ Correct – Beneficiaries are selected based on SECC 2011 data.
- Statement 2: ❌ Incorrect – Both public and private hospitals can be empanelled.
- Statement 3: ✅ Correct – NHA under MoHFW implements the scheme.
🏭 Topic 4: Liquidation of Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) Mills
Q7. The liquidation of HPC units in Assam is being handled under which of the following?
A. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
B. Assam Industrial Relations Act
C. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016
D. Sick Industrial Companies Act (SICA), 1985
✅ Answer: C
🧠 Explanation:
Hindustan Paper Corporation is undergoing liquidation through the NCLT process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
Q8. Which of the following are features of the North East Industrial Development Scheme (NEIDS), 2017?
- Capital investment subsidy for new units
- Employment-linked incentive
- Free land allocation by state governments
- Freight subsidy for raw material and finished goods
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. All of the above
✅ Answer: B
🧠 Explanation:
It does not mandate free land allocation by states (Statement 3 is ❌).
NEIDS 2017 includes:
Capital subsidy
Employment-based incentives
Freight reimbursement
APSC Mains Practice Question
📝 Mains Question (GS Paper 3 – Environment | GS Paper 2 – Governance)
Q.
“The failure of afforestation efforts in Assam despite high public spending exposes deep flaws in environmental governance.”
Critically analyze the reasons behind the declining forest cover in Assam despite afforestation programmes like CAMPA and APFBC. Suggest reforms to make afforestation ecologically and institutionally effective.
✅ Model Answer
🔹 Introduction
Assam has spent over ₹420 crore on afforestation projects under schemes like CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund) and the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC). Yet, between 2021 and 2023, Assam lost nearly 84 sq km of forest cover, indicating a gap between investment and impact.
🔹 Afforestation in Assam: Intent vs Outcome
| Indicator | Status |
| Funds Spent | ₹26,628 lakh (CAMPA); ₹156.71 crore (APFBC) |
| Area Covered | 15,869 ha (CAMPA); 33,337 ha (APFBC) |
| Claimed Survival | 65–75% (unverified, based on ocular estimation) |
| Actual Forest Cover | Declined by 83.92 sq km (ISFR 2023) |
| Global Watch | 12% tree cover loss since 2001 (Global Forest Watch, 2023) |
🔹 Reasons Behind Declining Forest Cover Despite Spending
A. Institutional Gaps
- Ocular Estimation of Survival: No GPS tagging or remote verification; visual methods are unreliable
- Poor Interdepartmental Coordination: Forest, revenue, and rural development departments often work in silos
- Corruption and Misutilization: Lack of audits and performance-linked fund allocation
- Neglect of Local Communities: Minimal participation from tribal/forest dwellers in planning and monitoring
B. Ecological Missteps
- Wrong Species Selection: Fast-growing exotics over native, biodiversity-supporting trees
- Climate Unsuitability: Planting done during unsuitable seasons; low soil-moisture compatibility
- Fragmented Approach: Focus on area planted rather than canopy quality or biodiversity recovery
C. External Pressures
- Encroachment: Urban expansion, settlements in forest fringes
- Floods & Erosion: Brahmaputra dynamics make many plantations vulnerable
- Illegal Logging & Poaching: Weak enforcement allows degradation of regenerating areas
🔹 Reforms and Way Forward
1. Scientific Monitoring & Evaluation
- Use GIS mapping, drones, and satellite imagery to track plantation survival
- Integrate CAMPA portals with public dashboards showing district-wise plantation health
2. Community-Based Forest Governance
- Empower Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) with funds and legal status
- Offer incentives to local communities for post-plantation care and protection
3. Ecological Afforestation Strategy
- Prioritize native species and mixed biodiversity corridors, not just carbon sinks
- Synchronize plantation cycles with monsoon and soil characteristics
4. Outcome-Based Budgeting
- Link funding to verified canopy growth and wildlife return metrics, not just hectares covered
- Include third-party ecological audits for transparency
5. Institutional Realignment
- Establish a State Forest Restoration Authority under Assam SAPCC
- Combine forest conservation with rural livelihood schemes (e.g., MGNREGA+Forest Works Model)
🔹 Conclusion
Afforestation is not merely about planting trees—it is about reviving ecosystems, empowering communities, and sustaining governance credibility. For Assam, reversing forest loss will require not just funds, but a science-driven, participatory, and accountable afforestation regime. Without that, the state risks turning its green budget into a green illusion.
✨ APSC Prelims Crash Course, 2025
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