UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 20-07-2024

Bhil tribe

The Rajasthan tribal community has reiterated their demand for a new state called 'Bhil Pradesh'

• Bhil tribe – They are one of the largest indigenous tribal communities in India.
• Historical origin - They belong to the race of the pre-Aryans.
• The word "Bhil" is derived from the Dravidian word "Billu," meaning bow, reflecting their traditional skills in archery.
• Geographic distribution- They are predominantly found in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• Some population are also found in the north eastern parts of Tripura.
• Classification – They are classified as:

o Central or pure bills

o Eastern or Rajput Bhils

• Language- Bhili, a language that has many dialects and variations.
• Bhili is part of the Western Zone of the Indo-Aryan languages.
• In different regions, Bhils may also speak the local state languages such as Marathi, Gujarati, or Rajasthani.
• Economy- Traditionally, the Bhils are forest dwellers and their livelihood is closely linked with the forest.
• They practice agriculture, hunting, and gathering.
• Shifting cultivation is common among them.
•  Festivals- Baneshwar fair is their main festival.
• Kakad Bhairav – Also known as Bhilat Baba, a stone deity worshipped by the Bhils in Madhya Pradesh’s Bagh was recently proved to be a fossilized dinosaur egg.

Article 3 of the India constitutions states that the Parliament may by law form a new State by separation of a territory from any State or by uniting two or more States completely or in parts or by uniting any territory to a part of any State.

References

1. Indian Express | Bhils Tribe
2. Ecoindia | Bhil Tribe

South Eastern Coalfields Limited

According to WorldAtlas.com, Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines rank 2nd and 4th among the world’s 10 largest coal mines.

World Atlas is one of the largest publishing resources in geography and other topics it covers, including sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics, and travel.

• SECL – South Eastern Coalfields Limited is a Government of India undertaking.
• Body – It is a Public Sector Undertaking, a miniratna company.
• Parent body – Coal India Limited (CIL), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).
• Mission- To produce and market the planned quantity of coal and coal products efficiently and economically in an eco-friendly manner with due regard to safety, conservation and quality
• Location – It is spread across 2 states operating 65 mines.
  • Chhattisgarh – 39 mines
  • Madhya Pradesh – 26 mines
• Categorization – For effective administrative control and operation, coal mines at SECL has been divided into 3 groups
  • Central India coalfields (CIC)
  • Korba coalfields
  • Mand Raigarh Coalfields.
• Significance – It is the highest coal producing company of India.
• It is one of the leading energy suppliers in the country, by adopting the best practices and leading technology from mine to market.

References

1. PIB | Coal Mines

SECL | South Eastern Coalfields Limited

U-WIN

U-WIN portal is all set for pan-India launch by end of August that aims to maintain electronic records for the routine immunization. 

• U-WIN – Is a platform to maintain an electronic registry of routine immunizations of every vaccination event under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
• It is going to be the single source of information for immunization services and slated to become the world's largest immunization registry.

• Aim – It will ensure timely administration of vaccine doses by digitally recording every vaccination event under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
• Coverage – All pregnant women and children aged 0-5 years.
• Ministry – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Budget Union – Finance Minister has announced in the Interim Budget 2024-2025 along with Mission Indradhanush.
• National Health Mission (NHM) – India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is a part of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program under National Health Mission (NHM).
• Co-WIN – U-WIN is a replication of the Covid-19 vaccine management system Co-WIN.   
• e-certificate – The platform generates uniform QR-based digitally verifiable e-certificate similar to Covid vaccination certificate can be accessed anytime by the citizens.
• Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) – It facilitates the creation of ABHA IDs for comprehensive health record maintenance.
• Frontline workers – U-WIN supports the frontline workers to digitally record all vaccination events for children and pregnant women for complete, accurate and easy record maintenance.
• Frontline workers are employees who interact directly with customers or the public, and are often the first point of contact with clients.
• Challenges – There is no mechanism of individual tracking.
• Lack of awareness among beneficiaries especially in urban areas.
• Vaccines Covers under UIP –

Reference

Business Standard | U-WIN

Indian Express | U-WIN

Enemy Property

Indian government has begun auction properties belonging to erstwhile citizens of the country who now hold Pakistani and Chinese citizenship.

• Enemy Property – Is a property of the erstwhile citizens of India, who now hold the passports of Pakistan and china, the enemy countries of India.
• The ‘enemy properties’ is any property that belongs to and held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject, or an enemy firm.
• Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) – Is a department under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• The “enemy properties” are vested by the central government under the CEPI.
• The vested properties are further divide into moveable and immovable enemy properties.
• Regulation – The enemy properties are regulated by the Enemy Property Act, 1968.
• The Act enables the state to regulate and appropriate real estate belonging to erstwhile citizens of the country who now hold Pakistani and Chinese passports.

Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of enemy property, followed by West Bengal.

• Amendment – In 2017, Parliament passed two acts:
  • The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2017, which amended The Enemy Property Act, 1968 and
  • The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971.
• The amendment expanded the meaning of the term “enemy subject”, and “enemy firm” to include:
  • The legal heir and successor of an enemy, whether a citizen of India or a citizen of a country which is not an enemy and
  • The succeeding firm of an enemy firm, irrespective of the nationality of its members or partners.
• Even if the enemy or enemy subject or enemy firm ceases to be an enemy due to death, the enemy property vests with CEPI.
• Verdict of Kerala High Court – According to the case Kunji Koya vs. High Court of Kerala, the High Court underlined that “A person working in Pakistan, cannot be called as an enemy”.

Reference

1. The Hindu | Enemy Property                       
2. Times of India | Enemy Property
3. Indian Express | Enemy Property