Current Affairs 17 February 2025

Content:

1. Confusion over Trains ‘Caused Stampede’
2. Over 29,500 Registered Drones in India, Most in National Capital
3. Will U.S.’s F-35 Stealth Fighter Jets Fit into IAF’s Future Plans?
4. AI-Enabled Cameras in Similipal Tiger Reserve Send Poaching Plummeting
5. How Does a President’s Rule Function?
6. Under Stress Again, Microfinance is in Need of Reforms
7. Sharavati Valley Project: Meeting Growing Power Demand vs. Keeping Forests Pristine

Confusion over trains ‘caused stampede’

• Incident Overview: A stampede occurred at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, resulting in 18 deaths and 15 injuries.

Relevance : GS 3(Disaster Management )

• Cause of Stampede: Confusion over two trains headed to Prayagraj (one express and one special train for Maha Kumbh pilgrims) triggered the stampede.

• Platform Overcrowding: Around 2,600 additional unreserved tickets were sold, leading to overcrowding on platforms. Platform 14 swelled with passengers awaiting the Prayagraj Express.

• Triggering Event: Announcement for the Subedaarganj Special for Kumbh pilgrims on Platform 12 caused confusion, as passengers mistakenly thought it was the Prayagraj Express, resulting in a sudden rush.

• Press at Foot Overbridge: The surge was most intense at the steps leading to the foot overbridge between platforms, where passengers were crushed.

• Investigations: Indian Railways and Delhi Police are conducting inquiries into the incident, with a focus on the flaws in the train announcement system.

• Railway Response: Special trains for Prayagraj will now depart from Platform 16 to avoid further confusion.

• Casualties: The victims include 4 children, 11 women, and 3 men.

• Injury Details: 15 people were injured, with 3 in serious condition.

• Railway Official Statement: Railways acknowledged the large number of devotees for the Maha Kumbh and assured the operation of additional special trains for passenger ease.

‘Over 29,500 registered drones in India, most in national capital’

• Total Drones Registered: Over 29,500 drones have been registered across India as per official data.

Relevance : GS 3(Technology )

• Top Regions with Registered Drones:
  • National Capital (Delhi): 4,882 drones, the highest number in the country.
  • Tamil Nadu: 4,588 drones, ranking second.
  • Maharashtra: 4,132 drones, third in the list.

• Government’s Role:
  • Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, shared the data and emphasized the government’s focus on promoting drone technology in various sectors.
  • Government Initiatives: The Centre has undertaken several initiatives to boost the adoption of drones, such as regulatory frameworks, drone policy reforms, and support for industries like agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and logistics.

• Drone Usage:
  • Sectoral Adoption: Drones are being increasingly used in surveillance, monitoring, agriculture (for crop spraying and mapping), urban planning, delivery services, and disaster management.

• Impact on Economy and Innovation:
  • Drones are seen as a driver of innovation, with a potential to contribute significantly to sectors like e-commerce, agriculture, and public safety.
  • Economic Growth: The drone industry is expected to expand, creating new business models and job opportunities.

• Regulatory Efforts:
  • The government has developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for drone operations to ensure safety and security.
  • Drone Rules 2021: These aim to make the airspace more accessible for drones while ensuring compliance with safety standards, particularly in crowded urban environments.

• Security Concerns:
  • The rising use of drones has sparked debates over security concerns, particularly in terms of surveillance and their potential use for nefarious purposes (e.g., smuggling, espionage).
  • The government has been working on addressing these issues through the development of anti-drone technologies.

• Future Outlook:
  • As drone technology evolves, it is likely that the regulatory framework will also adapt, offering more opportunities for innovation while managing potential risks effectively.
  • Increased drone usage in remote and underserved areas may enhance government services and infrastructure development.

Will U.S.’s F-35 stealth fighter jets fit into IAF’s future plans?

Event Overview:

• At the Aero India airshow in Bengaluru, both the U.S. F-35 and Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets were showcased.
• U.S. President Trump, alongside PM Modi, announced plans to increase U.S. military sales to India, including potential F-35 deliveries.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations ) , GS 3(Technology)

Current Status of F-35 Proposal:

• The official military procurement process has not yet started, according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
• India faces a significant gap in fighter jet induction and modernisation, prompting interest in the F-35.

F-35 Features:

• The F-35 is a versatile, tri-service, single-engine fighter with three variants: F-35A (Air Force), F-35B (Marine Corps), and F-35C (Navy and Marine Corps).
• Expected to remain in service until the 2080s.

Challenges for India:

• Integration with India’s existing military architecture, which includes diverse systems from India, Russia, France, and Israel.
• Despite a decade-long delay and a budget overshoot of $209 billion, the F-35 programme has delivered over 990 units worldwide.
• The F-35 is a single-seater, contrasting with the IAF’s preference for twin-seater jets, a factor that previously led to dropping the Russian FGFA co-development due to cost.

Indigenous Fighter Programmes:

• The LCA-Mk1A project, with 83 jets ordered and 97 more in the pipeline, faces delays due to developmental and engine issues.
• The LCA-Mk2, a larger and more capable aircraft, is set for its first flight in 2026.
• The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s own FGFA, is planned for induction by 2034-35.

Other Considerations:

• The MRFA tender, for acquiring 114 foreign jets, is still in progress.
• The introduction of F-35 may challenge India’s commitment to indigenous fighter development and could face obstacles due to strict U.S. regulations and oversight.

AI-enabled cameras in Similipal Tiger Reserve send poaching plummeting

Technology Overview:

• Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha uses AI-powered TrailGuard cameras to combat poaching.
• These cameras capture images when movement is detected and analyze objects (animals, humans, vehicles) using an onboard chip.
• Images are transmitted to authorities within 40 seconds for swift response.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment , Technology)

Impact on Poaching:

• In 10 months, 96 poachers arrested and over 86 country-made guns seized.
• December 2024 saw over 40 poacher arrests.
• Proactive house raids based on photo identification have been highly effective.

Operational Features:

• Cameras operate in low-power mode, switching to high-power when detecting movement.
• AI performs edge inference, classifying objects in images and autonomously sending alerts to a control room.
• Alerts are shared with field staff through WhatsApp groups and VHF radios for rapid response.

TrailGuard Camera Design:

• Developed by Nightjar Technologies, the cameras are compact, with separate units for battery and communication.
• Battery life lasts 6 months to 1 year, reducing maintenance visits.
• Cameras cost ₹50,000-53,000 per unit.

Community and Wildlife Concerns:

• Surveillance is affecting local tribal communities who traditionally rely on forest resources.
• The forest department is working with villagers to find safer ways for them to access the forest without being mistaken for poachers.

Broader Applications:

• TrailGuard cameras are deployed in 14+ sites across 5 states, including Kanha and Dudhwa Tiger Reserves.
• Technology has potential for broader wildlife monitoring and anti-poaching efforts.

Future Outlook:

• Continued reduction in poaching is expected with an 80% decrease as per current trends.
• The success of AI-based surveillance is paving the way for its wider adoption in wildlife protection.

How does a President’s rule function?

Context: On February 13, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh after political instability and ongoing violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023. The conflict has led to over 250 deaths and displaced 60,000+ people.

Relevance : GS 3(Polity , Internal Security)

Reason for Imposition: The resignation of the Chief Minister and a political crisis, compounded by the inability to form a new government, led to the President’s Rule under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 356: Allows imposition of President’s Rule (or State Emergency) if a state’s constitutional machinery fails.
• Article 355: The Union government must ensure that State governments operate as per the Constitution and safeguard against internal disturbances.
• Article 365: Allows declaration of Constitutional Emergency if a state fails to comply with Union directions.

Process and Approval:

• The proclamation must be laid before Parliament and needs approval within two months. It lasts for six months with the option of further extensions, up to three years, under specific conditions.
• The State’s executive functions are transferred to the Centre, and legislative functions to Parliament.

Comparison with National Emergency:

• A National Emergency is invoked for threats to India’s security, like war or armed rebellion (Article 352), and has no time limit, unlike a state emergency which can last up to three years.
• National Emergency requires a special majority in Parliament, while President’s Rule requires a simple majority.
• National Emergency can suspend fundamental rights (except Articles 20 and 21), whereas President’s Rule does not affect them.

Impact on Fundamental Rights:

• Under President’s Rule, citizens’ fundamental rights remain intact.
• National Emergency suspends fundamental rights under Article 19 and can allow the suspension of other rights.

Historical Use and Misuse:

• President’s Rule has been imposed 134 times across 29 states and UTs, often for political reasons, despite its constitutional aim to manage crises.
• Manipur has seen 11 instances of President’s Rule, the highest among states.

Judicial Review and Safeguards:

• The S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India (1994) case clarified that the imposition of President’s Rule is not absolute and can be reviewed by the judiciary.
• The Sarkaria Commission recommended that President’s Rule should be used only as a last resort.

Key Takeaways:

• President’s Rule is a constitutional measure to address state-level governance crises but has been subject to misuse for political purposes.
• The Supreme Court set guidelines to ensure that it is invoked only in genuine cases of constitutional breakdown and not for political gain.

Under stress again, microfinance is in need of reforms

Microfinance Growth and Evolution:

• The microfinance sector started in the mid-1990s with SHGs linked to banks and specialized microfinance institutions (MFIs) to provide credit to poor households.
• Currently serves 12-14 crore households with an outstanding loan of about ₹7 lakh crore.
• The sector recorded almost 50% growth in the last two years.

Relevance : GS 3(Economic Development )

Challenges Faced by Microfinance:

• In 2007, borrower stress in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka led to collection issues and over-leverage, affecting the sector’s stability.
• In 2010, Andhra Pradesh imposed restrictions on MFIs, severely impacting the sector. The Supreme Court overturned these restrictions in 2023.
• Other disruptions included demonetization (2016), GST implementation, and the IL&FS–DHFL financial crises.
• The COVID pandemic was the most significant challenge, but the sector showed resilience by adopting innovations in practices and policies.

Post-COVID Recovery and Regulatory Changes:

• Post-COVID, the sector experienced increased credit demand and a more favorable lending environment, supported by a new regulatory framework.
• Adoption of practices like credit bureaus for microfinance, fund transfers via bank accounts, and digital documentation helped stabilize the sector.

Current Stress and Household Liabilities:

• The sector faces stress due to pent-up credit demand and an increase in the number of players, leading to an oversupply of credit.
• The Reserve Bank of India’sregulatoryframework focuses on household income and liability assessments, but challenges exist due to:
  • Difficulty in assessing household income due to lack of documentary proof.
  • Delayed or incomplete data uploads affecting liability assessments.

Need for Data Reforms:

• Lack of accurate assessment of household income and liabilities must be addressed.
• Proposes amendments to credit bureau rules to include all institutional lenders, with more frequent data uploads (weekly or more).
• Suggests mandating Aadhaar as a common identification for KYC to streamline credit underwriting and avoid data duplication.

Conclusion:

• Reforms in data management, including real-time data uploads and uniform KYC processes, are crucial to improving credit assessment and stability in the microfinance sector.

Sharavati valley project: Meeting growing power demand vs. keeping forests pristine

Objective:

• Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. (KPCL) aims to utilize the Sharavati valley’s pumped storage potential to generate an additional 2,000 MW of power.
• The project intends to address increasing peak power demand, projected to reach 23,058 MW by 2031-32.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology )

Environmental Concerns:

• The project site lies in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, leading to protests from environmentalists.

• Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary Impact:
  • Habitat fragmentation and tree canopy destruction could threaten the endangered lion-tailed macaque population.

• Flora and Fauna Threats:
  • The region is home to diverse species such as leopards, wild dogs, pangolins, and sloth bears.

• Tree Cutting:
  • 16,041 trees identified for cutting, with opposition to any tree removal.
  • The Karnataka State Wildlife Board has demanded a reduction in tree felling (to 7,000–8,000 trees).

Project Plan and Implementation:

• Infrastructure:
  • The project will involve connecting Gerusoppa and Talakalale reservoirs through a 7-km tunnel.
  • Construction of a power station with 8 units, each 250 MW capacity.
  • Majority of construction will take place underground to minimize forest disruption.

• Land Requirement:
  • 142.764 hectares of land required, including 54.155 hectares of forest.

Energy and Cost Considerations:

• Estimated project cost: ₹8,644 crore, with a cost of ₹5.12 crore per MW.
• Energy produced via hydroelectric methods is cheaper than thermal, solar, or wind.
• However, critics argue that the energy consumed to pump water exceeds the energy generated, leading to a 24% energy loss.