Daily Prelims Notes 17 February 2025

Daily Prelims Notes

17 February 2025

Table Of Contents

1. Suspected KNA cadres among 11 militants held in Manipur; police clear roadblocks, seize arms
2. Early Warnings for All: Bridging the Funding Gap for Global Climate Resilience
3. Strengthening Veterinary Services through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
4. How does a President’s rule function?

1. Suspected KNA cadres among 11 militants held in Manipur; police clear roadblocks, seize arms

Sub: Geo

Sec: Mapping India 

Context:

• In the past two days, security forces in Manipur have arrested 11 militants, including seven suspected members of the Kuki National Army (KNA), and seized arms and ammunition.
• These KNA cadres were apprehended in the Churachandpur district.

Background:

• The ethnic violence in Manipur, which erupted in May 2023, led to intense clashes between the majority Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribal groups in the surrounding hills.
• The violence was triggered by the Manipur High Court’s direction to the State to pursue a 10-year-old recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the non-tribal Meitei community.
• This violence resulted in more than 250 deaths and displaced thousands of people.
• Recently, President’s Rule was imposed in the state, and the State Assembly was placed under suspended animation, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.

Kuki National Army:

• The Kuki National Army (KNA) is an insurgent group primarily based in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur.
• It represents the Kuki ethnic community, a tribal group that has historically been involved in conflicts related to their political and territorial aspirations.
• The KNA’s demands typically include greater autonomy for the Kuki people, protection of their rights, and political recognition. The group is involved in armed resistance against both the Indian state and other ethnic groups in the region.
• The KNA is part of the broader Kuki National Organization (KNO), an umbrella organization of various Kuki insurgent groups that has sought autonomy for the Kuki people.

Agreement for peace:

• The KNA is a signatory of a Suspension of Operations (SoO) pact signed in 2008 among the United Peoples’ Front (UPF) and the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) – an umbrella of 24 insurgent groups, the Union Home Ministry and the Manipur government.
• This pact aimed to cease hostilities in exchange for peace talks and some degree of autonomy.
• However, the Manipur government withdrew from this agreement in March 2023.

About Kuki Tribe:

• The Kuki people are an ethnic group in the northeastern India, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• In Northeast India, they are present in all states except Arunachal Pradesh
• The Chin people of Myanmar and the Mizo people of Mizoram are kindred tribes of the Kukis. Collectively, they are termed the Zo people.

A Kuki homeland:

• The demand for a separate “Kukiland” dates back to the late 1980s, when the first and largest of the Kuki-Zomi insurgent groups, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), came into being.
• In 2012, Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) announced a movement for Kukiland.
• The territory of the proposed “Kukiland” include the Sadar Hills (which surround the Imphal valley on three sides), the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur district, Chandel, which has a mix of Kuki and Naga populations, and even parts of Naga-dominated Tamenglong and Ukhrul.

2. Early Warnings for All: Bridging the Funding Gap for Global Climate Resilience

Sub : IR

Sec: Int Org

Why in News

• The United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, aims to ensure global protection from hazardous weather, water, and climate-related disasters by 2027. However, funding for early warning systems remains unevenly distributed.

Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative:

• Launched by: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in 2022.
• Ensure protection from hazardous weather, water, and climate-related events through early warning systems (EWS) by 2027.
• Early warning systems are proven to be efficient and cost-effective in mitigating risks, saving lives, and ensuring sustainable development.
• Challenges: One-third of the global population, primarily in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), lacks access to adequate multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS).
• Four Pillars of the EW4All Initiative: The initiative is structured around four key pillars, each led by a specialized agency:
  • Disaster Risk Knowledge and Management (Led by UNDRR)
  • Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis, and Forecasting (Led by WMO)
  • Warning Dissemination and Communication (Led by ITU)
  • Preparedness and Response Capabilities (Led by IFRC)
• Alignment with Global Frameworks:
  • Paris Agreement: Supports climate adaptation and disaster preparedness.
  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: Focuses on Target G, ensuring availability and accessibility of multi-hazard early warning systems.
  • 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Contributes to poverty reduction, hunger alleviation, health improvement, water security, clean energy, climate action, and sustainable urban development.
  • The Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments, launched in 2024, seeks to address this issue by tracking and optimizing funding allocation.

Global Observatory for Early Warning System Investments:

• Launched in 2024, co-designed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
• Aims to track and optimize investments in EWS by analysing data from multilateral development banks and funding institutions.
• Ensures better resource allocation to vulnerable regions, especially LDCs and SIDS.
• Uneven Distribution of EWS Funding: 54% of national early warning investments are concentrated in just five countries: China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
• Only 25% of reported financing is in the form of grants (non-repayable).
• 75% consists of loans and credits, creating financial challenges for low-income nations.
• Total funding institutions involved: Nine, including World Bank, Green Climate Fund, and Asian Development Bank.

Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (MHEWS): Global Status Report (2024)

• Highest EWS coverage: Asia-Pacific region (67% of countries).
• Other regional coverage:
  • Europe & Central Asia: 60%
  • Arab States: 59%
  • Africa: 50%
  • Americas & Caribbean: 40%
• Significant improvements since 2015, but disparities persist in disaster-prone regions.

3. Strengthening Veterinary Services through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Sub : Sci

Sec: Health

Why in News

• The Union Animal Husbandry and Dairying Ministry has announced initiatives to strengthen veterinary services in India through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

Details:

• A three-day workshop, organized in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), focused on enhancing disease control programs, developing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-free zones, and improving veterinary infrastructure and workforce capacity.
• Focus Areas of the PPP Model:
• Vaccine platform development and veterinary workforce enhancement
• Expansion of institutional infrastructure and creation of FMD-free zones
• Strengthening of disease surveillance programs
• Establishment of NABL-accredited veterinary laboratories at the district level

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD):

• Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral ailment affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer.
• Characterized by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue, lips, and between the hooves.
• FMD can lead to severe economic losses in the livestock industry due to decreased productivity and trade restrictions.
• The disease is caused by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV), belonging to the Aphthovirus genus within the Picornaviridae family.
• There are seven serotypes of FMDV: O, A, C, SAT 1, SAT 2, SAT 3, and Asia 1, each with multiple subtypes.
• FMD spreads through direct contact with infected animals, as well as via contaminated feed, equipment, and clothing.
• Airborne transmission is also possible, especially in temperate zones.
• The virus can survive in the environment for extended periods, particularly in cool and moist conditions.
• Diagnostic methods include virus isolation, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and serological tests to detect antibodies.
• Vaccination: Regular immunization using vaccines matching the circulating serotype.

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH):

• The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly known as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), is an intergovernmental organization established in 1924.
• WOAH serves as the global authority on animal health, aiming to improve animal health and welfare worldwide.
• It is recognized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a reference body for international standards related to animal health and zoonoses.
• Collecting, analysing, and disseminating veterinary scientific information to inform policies and strategies.
• Providing support to member countries during animal health crises.
• Developing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products to prevent the spread of diseases.
• Promoting practices that ensure the safety of food of animal origin and the welfare of animals.
• Partnering with other international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), to address global health challenges.

4. How does a President’s rule function?

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

• On February 13, 2025, four days after Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation, the Union government announced President’s Rule in the State.
• A notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that President Droupadi Murmu was satisfied that “a situation has arisen in which the government of that State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”

Reasons for Imposition

• Ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023 has resulted in over 250 deaths and displaced more than 60,000 people.
• The crisis originated from the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, which the Kukis opposed due to concerns over job reservations and affirmative action.
• A political deadlock followed after the resignation of the Chief Minister on February 9, with the ruling party struggling to select a new leader.

Constitutional Provisions for Emergencies

• Part XVIII of the Indian Constitution provides for emergency provisions, influenced by the German Constitution.
• These provisions safeguard India’s sovereignty, unity, and security by allowing the Central government to assume temporary control in extraordinary situations.
• Three types of emergencies are provided:
  • National Emergency (Article 352)
  • State Emergency (Article 356) – President’s Rule
  • Financial Emergency (Article 360)

President’s Rule under Article 356

• Grounds for Imposition: When a State’s constitutional machinery fails due to non-performance or malperformance, the President can invoke Article 356.
• Procedure:
  • The President may issue a proclamation based on a Governor’s report or other sources, stating that the State government cannot function as per constitutional provisions.
  • All executive functions of the State are transferred to the Centre, while legislative powers shift to Parliament. However, High Court powers remain unaffected.
• Relation to Article 355 & Article 365:
  • Article 355 obligates the Union to protect States from external aggression and internal disturbance.
  • Article 365 allows the President to declare a constitutional emergency if a State disobeys Union directives.
• Duration and Parliamentary Approval
• Initial Duration: The proclamation must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months by a simple majority; otherwise, it ceases to operate.
• Extension: Once approved, it remains in effect for six months, extendable in six-month increments with parliamentary approval.
• Maximum Duration:
  • Beyond one year, an extension requires:
    • A National Emergency in force, or
    • Election Commission certifying that elections to the State Assembly cannot be conducted.
  • The total duration cannot exceed three years.
• Revocation: The President may revoke it at any time via a subsequent proclamation.

Difference Between President’s Rule and National Emergency

Instances of President’s Rule in India

• Historical Usage:
  • B.R. Ambedkar expected Article 356 to remain a “dead letter,” but it has been used 134 times across 29 States and Union Territories.
  • First imposed in Punjab in 1951.
• Frequent Impositions:
  • Manipur and Uttar Pradesh: Most frequent instances (10 times each before 2025). The latest imposition brings Manipur’s count to 11.
  • Longest Duration: Jammu & Kashmir (4,668 days, over 12 years), followed by Punjab (3,878 days, over 10 years) and Puducherry (2,739 days, over seven years).
  • Longest in Manipur: Two years and 157 days (1969–1972).

Supreme Court’s Stand on President’s Rule

• S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994):
  • The Supreme Court (SC) emphasized that Article 356 should be used as a last resort, as recommended by the Sarkaria Commission.
  • States are not “mere appendages” of the Centre.
  • President’s power under Article 356 is not absolute but conditional and subject to judicial review.
  • The President cannot dissolve a State Assembly without parliamentary approval.
  • The Centre must first issue a warning and seek an explanation from the State.
  • The invocation of President’s Rule must be due to a “constitutional breakdown” and not for political gains.