1. Disaster Risk Financing in Assam
GS Paper III – Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management
Introduction:
Assam faces recurring natural disasters, primarily floods and landslides, which pose significant financial and human risks. To address these, the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program (AIRBMP) has initiated a Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study to develop a strategy for disaster risk reduction and financial preparedness.
Key Points:
Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study:
- Focuses on building a comprehensive disaster risk profile for Assam.
- Develops a Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model to evaluate financial impacts of disasters.
Public Financial Management:
- Proposes improvements to fund disbursement systems for disaster response.
- Focuses on long-term financial preparedness for pre-disaster, disaster, and post-disaster phases.
Private Sector Involvement:
- Emphasizes collaboration with the private sector to share risks and improve disaster management capacity.
Prelims Focus:
- AIRBMP (Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program): Initiative for managing Assam’s rivers and disaster risks.
- Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study: Focused on financial preparedness for disasters like floods and landslides.
- Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model: A financial model to assess losses before, during, and after disasters.
- Public Financial Management: Strategies for handling disaster-related funds in the state.
- Disaster Preparedness in Assam: Current status and ongoing improvements.
Mains Focus:
- Fiscal risk in disaster-prone areas: Managing financial risks due to floods and landslides.
- Private Sector Collaboration: Public-private partnerships in financing disaster mitigation.
- Fund Disbursement System: Issues and improvements for timely financial aid.
- Long-term Disaster Preparedness: Use of the CAT Risk Model for strengthening disaster resilience.
- Institutional Framework: Role of AIRBMP and other agencies in disaster management.
Conclusion:
The Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study is essential for improving financial preparedness in Assam, a disaster-prone region. The state can benefit from stronger institutional frameworks and collaborations to manage disaster risks effectively.
2. Millet Harvest Festival – Ronghuan in Arunachal Pradesh
GS Paper I – Indian Heritage and Culture, Indian Society
Introduction:
The Ronghuan Festival, celebrated by the Nocte and Tutsa tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, marks the harvest of millet, a staple crop in the region. This year, the tribes celebrated the festival jointly, symbolizing cultural unity while promoting sustainable agriculture.
Key Points:
Cultural Importance:
- Ronghuan is an important festival for celebrating millet harvesting, central to the agricultural practices of the tribes.
- It includes rituals, dances, and communal feasts, symbolizing the close relationship between the tribes and their land.
Significance of Millet:
- Millet is a climate-resilient crop, crucial for food security in the region.
- The festival aligns with the government’s Millet Mission, promoting millet as a sustainable and nutritious crop.
Joint Celebration:
- The joint celebration by the Nocte and Tutsa tribes emphasizes social cohesion and cultural preservation.
Prelims Focus:
- Ronghuan Festival: A key tribal festival celebrating the millet harvest.
- Millet Cultivation: Its role in sustainable agriculture and food security.
- Cultural Unity: The significance of joint celebrations by the tribes.
Mains Focus:
- Cultural Preservation through Festivals: The role of festivals like Ronghuan in preserving tribal culture.
- Sustainable Agriculture: How millet farming can promote sustainable agricultural practices.
- Social Cohesion in Tribal Communities: The importance of joint celebrations in fostering unity among tribes.
- Government’s Role in Promoting Traditional Crops: How policies like the Millet Mission help preserve traditional agricultural practices.
Conclusion:
The Ronghuan Festival represents the blending of cultural traditions and sustainable agriculture. By promoting millet, the festival aligns with government efforts to ensure food security and encourage eco-friendly farming practices in the region.
3. Sualkuchi’s Recognition as a Best Tourism Village
GS Paper V – Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment of Assam
Introduction:
Sualkuchi, known as the “Manchester of Assam” due to its vibrant silk industry, was recognized as a Best Tourism Village 2024 in the craft category. This award highlights the role of craft-based tourism in promoting local culture and economic development in rural Assam.
Key Points:
Silk Weaving Industry:
- Sualkuchi is famous for producing Assam silk, particularly Muga silk.
- The silk industry plays a key role in promoting women’s empowerment and providing local employment.
Best Tourism Village Award:
- The award emphasizes the potential of craft-based tourism in preserving traditional crafts while driving economic growth.
- Tourism in Sualkuchi revolves around silk weaving, attracting tourists interested in handloom products and cultural heritage.
Sustainability in Tourism:
- The award underscores the importance of sustainable tourism practices that ensure economic growth without damaging the environment.
Prelims Focus:
- Sualkuchi: Its importance as a hub for Assam silk.
- Best Tourism Village Award: Acknowledging efforts in promoting sustainable tourism.
- Craft-based Tourism: Focus on preserving traditional silk weaving.
Mains Focus:
- Tourism as a Driver for Rural Development: How tourism can uplift rural economies like Sualkuchi.
- Cultural Preservation: Role of tourism in preserving Assam’s unique handloom traditions.
- Women’s Empowerment through Handloom: Economic benefits for women in silk weaving.
- Sustainable Tourism: Balancing tourism growth with the need to protect the environment.
Conclusion:
Sualkuchi’s recognition as a Best Tourism Village emphasizes the potential of craft-based tourism in promoting economic development and cultural preservation. The village’s handloom industry showcases how traditional crafts can create a thriving economy while promoting sustainable tourism.
4. Eviction Drive in Tribal Belt (Kochutoli)
GS Paper V – Governance, Polity, Social Justice related to Assam
Introduction:
An eviction drive in the South Kamrup Tribal Belt (Kochutoli) aimed to reclaim land from illegal settlers under the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act. The action, part of the government’s efforts to protect tribal land rights, has stirred both legal and social tensions in the region.
Key Points:
Eviction Drive:
- Over 1,200 bighas of land were reclaimed from illegal settlers.
- The action is based on protecting tribal land rights, as stipulated under the Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886.
Tribal Land Rights:
- Tribal land in Assam is protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- The eviction was aimed at preserving the land for indigenous communities and ensuring social justice.
Legal and Social Impact:
- Some evictions were halted due to a stay order from the Gauhati High Court.
- The eviction drive has created debates around the rights of settlers vs. the rights of indigenous communities.
Prelims Focus:
- Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886: Key provisions protecting tribal lands.
- Kochutoli Eviction: Specifics of the drive and its legal framework.
- Tribal Land Rights: Legal protections for tribal areas in Assam.
Mains Focus:
- Land Encroachment: Challenges of managing illegal settlements in tribal belts.
- Social Justice and Tribal Autonomy: The significance of protecting indigenous communities’ land rights.
- Judicial Intervention: Role of the judiciary in resolving land disputes, as seen in the Gauhati High Court’s stay order.
- Government’s Role: Efforts to enforce land protection laws and balance legal and humanitarian concerns.
Conclusion:
The eviction drive in the Kochutoli area highlights the ongoing challenge of managing land encroachments while safeguarding tribal land rights. Judicial and governmental interventions play a critical role in ensuring social justice for the affected communities.
5. Prosecution Sanction Against Rasik Mohan Chakma (Chakma Autonomous District Council)
GS Paper V – Governance, Polity, and Social Justice related to Assam
Introduction:
The Governor of Mizoram granted a prosecution sanction against Rasik Mohan Chakma, Chief Executive Member of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), for alleged misappropriation of funds. This case emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in governance, particularly in autonomous district councils.
Key Points:
- Misappropriation of Funds:
- Allegations of embezzlement during the construction of a drainage system at Kamalanagar-III.
- The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was invoked in this case, showcasing legal measures against corruption.
- Role of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs):
- ADCs, such as the CADC, have constitutional protection under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- These councils are empowered to manage local resources and ensure governance in tribal areas, especially in the Northeastern states.
- Legal Provisions:
- The prosecution was granted under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, highlighting the procedure for prosecuting government officials.
Prelims Focus:
- Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC): Governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: Legal framework against corruption in public offices.
- Prosecution Sanction: Process for granting sanction against a public official.
Mains Focus:
- Governance in Autonomous Councils: Transparency and accountability in CADC.
- Corruption in Public Offices: Legal and administrative measures against corruption.
- Challenges in Local Self-Governance: Issues related to fund management and resource distribution in autonomous councils.
Conclusion: The prosecution of Rasik Mohan Chakma underscores the need for transparent governance in autonomous councils. It also emphasizes the role of the legal system in holding public officials accountable for corruption.
APSC Prelims Practice Questions
Question 1:
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program (AIRBMP)?
- It focuses on financial preparedness for floods and landslides.
- It proposes a Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model to assess the financial impact of disasters.
- The program excludes long-term financial planning and only focuses on immediate disaster response.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
- The third statement is incorrect because the program includes long-term financial preparedness, not just immediate response.
Question 2:
Which of the following statements about the Ronghuan Festival is/are correct?
- The Ronghuan Festival celebrates the millet harvest in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It promotes sustainable agriculture through the cultivation of millet.
- The joint celebration of the festival by Nocte and Tutsa tribes emphasizes cultural unity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3
- All three statements are correct. The festival celebrates the millet harvest, promotes sustainable agriculture, and fosters cultural unity among tribes.
Question 3:
Which of the following correctly describes Sualkuchi?
- It is famous for its silk weaving industry, especially Muga silk.
- It has been recognized as a Best Tourism Village in the craft category.
- The silk industry in Sualkuchi primarily engages male workers, with limited involvement of women.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
- The third statement is incorrect as the silk industry in Sualkuchi plays a significant role in women’s empowerment and employment.
Question 4:
Which of the following statements about tribal land rights in Assam is/are correct?
- Tribal land in Assam is protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- The Assam Land and Revenue Regulation Act, 1886, ensures the protection of tribal lands.
- The eviction drive in Kochutoli was fully supported by the judiciary, with no legal interventions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
- The third statement is incorrect because some evictions were halted due to a stay order from the Gauhati High Court, indicating judicial intervention.
Question 5:
Consider the following statements regarding the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC):
- The CADC is governed under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, was invoked in a case involving the Chief Executive Member of the CADC.
- The Governor of Mizoram refused to grant a prosecution sanction against the Chief Executive Member.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Correct answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
The third statement is incorrect because the Governor of Mizoram granted the prosecution sanction, not refused it.
APSC Mains Practice Question
Question 1:
What is disaster risk financing, and how is it being implemented in Assam? Discuss the role of public-private partnerships and financial preparedness in disaster management. Also, mention the significance of the Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model in managing financial risks associated with natural disasters in the state. (Answer in 250 words)
Model Answer:
Introduction: Disaster risk financing (DRF) involves financial strategies to mitigate the economic impact of natural disasters. In Assam, a state prone to floods and landslides, DRF is critical for ensuring financial resilience and efficient disaster response.
Implementation in Assam:
- Multi-Hazard Risk Financing Study: Conducted under the Assam Integrated River Basin Management Program (AIRBMP), it focuses on developing a disaster risk profile.
- Catastrophic (CAT) Risk Model: A key tool used to assess potential financial impacts pre-, during, and post-disasters. It helps in risk assessment and financial preparedness.
- Public Financial Management: AIRBMP proposes reforms to improve fund disbursement for disaster response across all phases—pre-disaster, disaster, and post-disaster.
Role of Public-Private Partnerships:
- Risk Sharing: Private sector involvement aids in sharing risks through mechanisms like insurance and reinsurance.
- Capacity Building: Collaboration enhances the overall capacity to manage disaster risks by pooling resources, expertise, and financial tools.
Financial Preparedness:
- Long-term Planning: The CAT Risk Model aids in creating long-term strategies for minimizing fiscal risks, thereby ensuring a faster response during disasters.
- Public-Private Initiatives: These partnerships contribute to sustained resilience and financial stability during emergencies.
Conclusion: Assam’s focus on disaster risk financing, supported by the CAT Risk Model and public-private partnerships, strengthens the state’s financial preparedness for managing recurrent natural disasters. This comprehensive approach ensures long-term resilience and effective disaster response.
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