This article provides key insights into recent developments including Bihar’s intensive electoral roll revision, Delhi’s challenges with vehicle pollution, environmental concerns impacting a proposed airport in Odisha, India’s naval indigenization efforts, a brief history of US Independence Day, and NITI Aayog’s proposals for boosting chemical exports.
Bihar’s Special Electoral Roll Revision
The Election Commission has ordered a “Special Intensive Revision” of electoral rolls in Bihar, ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. This process requires residents, especially those not on the 2003 rolls, to provide specific documents to prove citizenship for voter inclusion.
This revision aims to update voter lists, but it has sparked concerns due to the tight deadline and the immense task. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are working to distribute new electoral forms, with a significant portion still pending despite the approaching deadline for draft roll publication.
Key Aspects of the Revision
- The Election Commission (ECI) has constitutional backing under Article 324(1) and statutory power under Section 21(3) of The Representation of the People Act, 1950, to conduct such revisions.
- Unlike a summary revision which amends existing rolls, an intensive revision prepares the electoral roll afresh.
- Voters aged 40 and younger, who were not 18 in 2003, must provide additional documents beyond parents’ 2003 electoral roll extracts.
- This special revision is expected to eventually cover all states and Union Territories.
Delhi’s Fuel Ban on Older Vehicles
The Delhi government has requested the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to pause the fuel ban on “end-of-life” vehicles, citing operational and infrastructural challenges. The ban, effective July 1, targets diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old.
This measure was implemented to curb severe air pollution in the Capital. Vehicles are identified using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras linked to the government’s Vahan portal.
Air Pollution Challenges
- Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, accounting for a significant percentage of PM2.5, nitrogen oxides (Nox), and non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs).
- Two-wheelers are identified as the largest source of PM2.5, PM10, sulphur dioxide, and carbon monoxide among vehicles.
- The CAQM, a statutory body established in 2021, is responsible for managing air quality in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
Puri Airport Project Deferred Over Environmental Concerns
The Environment Ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has delayed clearance for the proposed international airport in Puri, Odisha. Concerns include potential harm to Olive Ridley turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins, and migratory birds, along with the loss of 13,000 cyclone-protecting trees.
The FAC has asked the Odisha government to consult the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) for a precautionary approach. The project site is near the Olive Ridley nesting site at Balukhand wildlife sanctuary and Chilika Lake, a vital area for migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
Protecting Endangered Species and Ecosystems
- Olive Ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant sea turtles, famous for their mass nesting events called “arribadas.” Odisha’s coast hosts the largest mass nesting sites globally.
- The Central Asian Flyway is a major migration route used by millions of birds, with India serving as a critical stopover.
- The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is a statutory body recommending on forest land diversion for non-forestry use.
INS Tamal: A Milestone in Indigenous Defence
The recent commissioning of INS Tamal in Russia marks a significant step for the Indian Navy, likely being its last foreign-built warship. This highlights India’s progressive indigenization in warship building and design.
INS Tamal is the eighth Talwar-class frigate built by Russia for the Indian Navy. Future ships of this class, like Triput and Tavasya, are being constructed in India with Russian technology transfer, further boosting domestic defence manufacturing.
Key Features and India’s Defence Growth
- INS Tamal is a multirole frigate equipped with anti-aircraft missiles, advanced rotary cannons, and BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
- The majority of the Indian Navy’s warships are now indigenously built, with over 75% indigenous components.
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) plays a crucial role in clearing major defence capital acquisitions, promoting domestic procurement and enhancing operational preparedness.
Remembering US Independence Day
The United States celebrates its Independence Day on July 4, commemorating the formal signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This marked the official end of British rule over the thirteen colonies.
Growing frustration over British taxation without representation, spurred by acts like the Sugar Act and Tea Act, led to events like the Boston Tea Party and ultimately, the American War of Independence. Though the war concluded in 1783, the Declaration’s signing on July 4 solidified the nation’s break from colonial rule.
NITI Aayog’s Vision for Chemical Exports
NITI Aayog, India’s public policy think tank, has proposed measures to nearly double the country’s annual chemical exports to $44 billion by 2030. The proposals aim to address limited domestic demand and increase India’s share in global value chains.
Key recommendations include developing production clusters, improving port infrastructure, and introducing a sales-linked incentive scheme to boost local production and exports of critical and specialty chemicals. Revamping existing Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIRs) is also a part of this strategy.
These initiatives underscore India’s commitment to boosting its manufacturing sector and reducing reliance on imports, while enhancing its global trade presence.
