Current Affairs 15 November 2024
General Studies Paper II: Indian Polity
Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA)
Source: The Hindu
Why in the News?
The central Government of India reimposes AFSPA in six police station limits in Manipur
What happened?
On November 14, 2024, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in specific areas of Manipur, designating six police station jurisdictions across five districts as “disturbed areas” due to ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
The districts affected by the reimposed AFSPA include:
- Imphal West: Sekmai and Lamsang police station areas
- Imphal East: Lamlai police station area
- Jiribam: Jiribam police station area
- Bishnupur: Moirang police station area
- Kangpokpi: Leimakhong police station area
The purpose is to facilitate security operations and curb insurgent activities. AFSPA, which grants special powers to armed forces, was lifted in these areas in April 2022 amid improved security conditions. However, with the resurgence of violence, the MHA has reimposed it, with the new order effective until March 31, 2025.
A recent MHA notification indicates that despite previous security improvements, the current situation remains tense, with ethnic violence involving intermittent firing in key districts like Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Kangpokpi, and Jiribam. The Army and Assam Rifles will now conduct operations in these areas without waiting for civil authority intervention, addressing security issues stemming from jurisdictional challenges previously encountered in valley districts after AFSPA’s revocation.
This reinstatement follows a September 26 notification extending AFSPA across all ten hill districts of Manipur, with exemptions for certain areas in the valley. Notably, the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur between the Meitei community in the valley and the Kuki-Zo and Hmar tribes in the hills has resulted in significant violence, with more than 240 fatalities since May 2023 and recent escalations leading to additional casualties.
Approaching the AFSPA Act for the Civil Services Exam
GS PAPER II:
- Fundamental Rights—Examine AFSPA’s implications for fundamental rights like the Right to Life (Article 21) and the Right to Equality (Article 14).
- Basic Structure Doctrine – Consider how AFSPA challenges or aligns with the democratic framework and the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, particularly the principle of the rule of law and protection of individual rights.
GS PAPER III:
- Internal Security Challenges – Study AFSPA’s role in addressing internal security in insurgency-prone regions and its impact on maintaining public order.
- Role of External and Non-State Actors – Assess how AFSPA aids or hinders the state’s efforts to manage external and non-state actors’ influence in sensitive border areas.
- Development and Extremism – Analyze the relationship between AFSPA, socio-economic development, and extremism. Consider how the act affects development in the regions where it’s imposed and whether it exacerbates or mitigates extremism.
UPSC Mains Practice
Questions:
- Question: “Evaluate the need for AFSPA in disturbed areas. Discuss in the context of recent Supreme Court verdicts.”
Approach:- Introduce AFSPA’s purpose and key provisions.
- Reference recent Supreme Court verdicts, such as those questioning the prolonged imposition of AFSPA and mandating accountability in cases of alleged human rights violations.
- Analyze arguments for AFSPA’s necessity in maintaining security in conflict-prone areas while acknowledging concerns over its indefinite application and potential human rights violations.
- Conclude by suggesting a balanced approach, incorporating Supreme Court recommendations for periodic reviews and checks on misuse.
- Question: “The AFSPA has become an instrument of state oppression and has led to many cases of human rights violations. In light of this statement, critically examine whether a democratic state like India can afford to have such regressive laws.”
Approach:- Outline the criticisms of AFSPA, highlighting reports of human rights abuses and concerns about excessive force.
- Discuss how the act’s powers might conflict with democratic values like accountability, transparency, and the protection of civil liberties.
- Present arguments supporting AFSPA’s continued need in insurgency-affected areas but emphasize the importance of reforms to align it with democratic principles.
- Suggest possible reforms, such as incorporating civil oversight, time-bound reviews, and addressing grievances to mitigate its negative impacts while retaining its security benefits.
Read More about the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) here.
General Studies Paper III: Trade deficit
Source: The Hindu
Why in the news?
India’s merchandise exports grew 17.25% to $39.20 billion in October, with non-petroleum exports reaching a record $211.34 billion this fiscal year.
India’s Export Growth in October 2024: Key Highlights and Insights
India’s merchandise exports achieved a 17.25% increase in October 2024, reaching $39.20 billion, driven by robust non-petroleum exports, totaling a record $211.34 billion for the first seven months of the fiscal year. This growth is attributed to strategic policy measures and seasonal demand, as stated by Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal.
Key performance highlights include:
- Sectoral Growth: Engineering goods exports surged by over 39%, electronic goods by more than 35%, and organic and inorganic chemicals by over 27%. Labor-intensive sectors, like ready-made garments, grew by approximately 35%.
- Service Exports: In October, services exports rose by 21.3%, totaling an estimated $34.02 billion, bringing cumulative service exports to $215.98 billion from April to October, a 12.5% increase year-on-year.
- Overall Export Targets: With strong performance in goods and services, the government is optimistic about reaching a record $800 billion in total exports for the fiscal year, following the $776.68 billion milestone achieved in FY24.
Barthwal attributed this resilience to India’s focus on key export markets and sectors, supported by the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which has bolstered manufacturing. Strategic efforts in engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, and agriculture have particularly thrived, alongside targeted exports to 20 key nations.
Additionally, India’s trade relationship with the U.S. has strengthened, with U.S. imports from India rising from $9.7 billion in 2001 to $87.3 billion in 2023, indicating India’s growing role in the U.S. supply chain.
In October, India’s merchandise imports increased by 3.9% to $66.34 billion, slightly narrowing the trade deficit to $27.14 billion, down from $30.42 billion a year earlier.
Ashwani Kumar, president of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), described the growth amid global economic uncertainty as a promising revival, though he highlighted issues such as trade deficit and liquidity challenges, calling for the completion of key FTAs with the UK, Peru, Oman, and Sri Lanka to further enhance trade stability.
