UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 10-02-2025

Potash

Why in news?

Recently potash reserve has been discovered in the Punjab region which is significant to reduce India’s import dependence and bolster the domestic fertilizer industry.

• Potash – Refers to potassium-bearing minerals that are primarily used in fertilisers.
• N-P-K – Over 90% of potash is used as fertilizer and it is one of the three primary agricultural nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium or N-P-K).
• Indian Minerals Yearbook for 2021 – According to it, Potash can be used on all plants to boost plant health and nutrition as well as to increase crop yields.
• Different forms of it – While all potash fertilizers contain potassium there are a number of different forms in which it exists.
• Sulphate of Potash (SOP) – Among these forms is Sulphate of Potash (SOP), a premium potash fertilizer that is free of chloride (a compound considered harmful to plants).
• SOP is used primarily on high-value crops, usually leafy plants, fruits and vegetables.
• Muriate of Potash (MOP) – Contains some chloride. MOP is commonly used on carbohydrate-type crops, such as wheat.
• Potash reserves in India – Punjab is now the second state after Rajasthan to have significant potash reserves.
• The three mining blocks – With potash reserves are:
  • Kabarwala (Muktsar Sahib),
  • Sherewala and Ramsara (Fazilka)
  • Shergarh and Dalmir Khera (Fazilka)
• In Rajasthan – Potash deposits were mainly found in the north-western Nagaur-Ganganagar basin, including the Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts that border Fazilka and Muktsar.
• Auctioning rights & royalties – Although the central government has the auctioning rights for minerals, states receive royalties upon their extraction.

Reference

The indian express - Potash

President’s Rule

Why in news?

President rule is likely to be in Manipur, since Biren Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur has resigned from the post.

• The President’s Rule is crucial for maintaining the federal structure of the Indian polity and ensuring that governance remains stable even in crises.
• Article 355 – Imposes a duty on the centre to ensure that the government of every state is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
• Articles 355 to 357 in Part XVIII – Along with Article 365 in Part XIX of the Indian Constitution, pertain to the President’s Rule.
• Grounds of imposition – Article 356 empowers the President to issue a proclamation if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
• Article 365 says that whenever a state fails to comply with or to give effect to any direction from the centre, the president rule can be imposed.
• Parliamentary approval – A proclamation imposing president’s rule must be approved by both the houses of parliament within two months from the date of its issue.
• However, if the proclamation of President’s rule is issued at a time when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved or the dissolution of the Lok Sabha takes place during the period of two months without approving the proclamation.
  • Then the proclamation survives until 30 days from the first sitting of the Lok Sabha after its reconstitution, provided that the Rajya Sabha approves it in the meantime.
• Scope of judicial review – 44th Amendment Act of 1978 implying that the satisfaction of the President is not beyond judicial review.

Reference

The Indian express - President’s Rule

Autonomous District Council

Why in news?

The elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council are scheduled for February 21.

• The Autonomous District Council – Have real power to make laws, possibility on the various legislative subjects, receiving grants-in-aid from the Consolidated Fund of India.
• The mandate towards devolution, de-concentration and divestment determines the protection of their customs, better economic development and most importantly ethnic security.
• Sixth schedule – Of the Constitution includes 10 autonomous district councils in 4 states. These are:
  • Assam – Bodoland Territorial Council, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and Dima Hasao Autonomous District Council.
  • Meghalaya – Garo Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council and Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
  • Tripura – Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council.
  • Mizoram – Chakma Autonomous District Council, Lai Autonomous District Council, Mara Autonomous District Council.
• Major Issues – Granting special provisions to certain minority tribal groups have led to further demands by other groups for such provisions under the 6^th schedule.
  • This has created disparity among the people and resulted in the rise of conflict between various groups.
• In terms of financial autonomy, the members across the ADCs in North Eastern states share the same view that the ADCs are at the mercy of the state governments.
• There exists a huge gap between the approved budget and the funds received from the State Government which has had a direct impact on the development of these tribal communities.
• They are also dependent upon state governments for decisions regarding undertaking of developmental activities in their region.

Reference

The Hindu - Autonomous District Council

Disturbed Areas Act, 1986

Why in news?

Under the provisions of the Disturbed Areas Act, Surat property sealed over sale to Muslim woman recently.

• The Disturbed Areas Act was enacted in the year 1986 and replaced with a new Act in 1991.
• Act’s full name – The Gujarat Prohibition of Transfer of Immovable Property and Provision for Protection of Tenants from Eviction from Premises in Disturbed Areas Act.
• Riot-prone areas – It empowers the government to declare riot-prone areas as ‘disturbed’.
• Collectors Consent – Property sale or transfer in areas where the Act has been imposed requires additional permission from the collector’s office affirming free consent.
• Distress sales – The motive of the Act was to prevent distress sales. It was also to prevent house owners of one community from selling to another in case of social distress.
• Areas are covered under the Act – Several areas in the districts of Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Anand, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Panchmahals and others remain under the purview of the Act, with newer areas being added.
• The Gujarat government last month extended the application of the Act in existing areas of Anand district for another five years.
• Amendments in 2020 – Gave more power to Collector, government.
• In 2020, the Gujarat government amended certain sections of the Act, giving the Collector more powers.
• Under the Disturbed Areas Act, the district Collector notifies a particular area of a city or town as ‘disturbed’.
  • After this, the transfer of immovable property in those areas requires express permission of the Collector.
• The amendments raised the imprisonment for violation from six months to between three and five years.

References

1. Indian express - Disturbed Areas Act, 1986
2. The Print - Disturbed Areas Act, 1986