The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Navy recently executed a successful maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal. The objective was to intercept and neutralise a hostile ballistic missile threat, allowing India membership into the prestigious group of countries with Naval Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities.
India’s Naval Ballistic Missile Defence Capabilities
Previously, the DRDO demonstrated a land-based BMD system designed to neutralise ballistic missile threats. With this recent achievement, India has displayed self-reliance in creating highly advanced network-centric anti-ballistic missile systems. This is an important milestone in India’s strategic defence capabilities. Furthermore, it underlines India’s dedication to bolstering national security with indigenous technologies.
National Generic Document Registration System
In different news, as reported by the Ministry of Rural Development’s Department of Land Resources (DoLR), approximately 28 States/Union Territories (UTs) in India have incorporated the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) for land records management. This permits eRegistration, or sharing data with the national NGDRS portal via User Interface/API. Moreover, around 26 States/UTs have embraced the Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhar. Selected States are utilising ULPIN on the SVAMITVA portal. The DoLR runs the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), fully funded by the Indian Government.
ITC Limited and Farmer Producer Companies
Major private Indian corporation ITC Limited has made notable strides in assisting the formation of 78 farmer-producer companies (FPCs). FPCs are farmer-owned and managed entities that pool and sell crops collectively, leading to better product prices. This cooperative structure also facilitates cost-saving on farming essentials, and the sharing of knowledge and techniques to refine farming methods. ITC, acting as a Cluster-Based Business Organisation (CBBO), provided significant support to these FPCs. The introduction of CBBOs in the Union Budget 2019-20 has seen FPCs skyrocket from approximately 5000 in 2018 to over 16,000 in 2023.
Challenges and Criticisms of CBBOs
While the number of FPCs has risen significantly, critics argue this surge has come at a price. FPCs established by large businesses acting as CBBOs often struggle with independent decision-making and remaining farmer-focused, which challenges their original mission. Critics believe that CBBOs may exploit FPCs for margins, potentially turning FPCs into a captive market for CBBO-produced or marketed goods. Farmers have voiced concerns over CBBOs’ intentions being more focused on obtaining cheap raw materials than assisting farmers.
The Doctrine of the Basic Structure at 50
2023 marks the half-century milestone for India’s Doctrine of the Basic Structure, a pivotal constitutional principle established in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973. The judgement stated that Parliament could amend the constitution provided it did not alter the basic structure or essential features. This doctrine is interpreted to protect several foundational principles like the supremacy of the constitution, the rule of law, and judicial independence. It plays a vital role in controlling political power, ensuring balanced judicial reviews and vesting final authority with the Supreme Court. This can be illustrated by the SR Bommai case, where the doctrine was used to uphold secularism.
