India-US kick off air exercise in Northeast Panagarh (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, India and the US began their bilateral air exercise ‘Cope India 23’ in the crucial Panagarh sector under the Eastern Command, home to XVII Corps, the India’s only mountain strike corps aimed at China.
- The exercise will see transport aircraft and fighters in action.
Cope India 23:
- The bilateral air exercise between the IAF and the United States Air Force (USAF), aims to enhance mutual understanding between the two air forces and share their best practices.
Phase I:
- The first phase of the exercise commenced from Air Force Station Arjan Singh (Panagarh) and will also cover air force stations at Kalaikunda and Agra.
- The current phase will focus on air mobility and will involve transport aircraft and special forces’ assets from both air forces.
- Both sides will field the C-130J and C-17 aircraft, with the USAF operating an MC-130J as well. The exercise also includes the presence of Japanese Air Self Defence Force aircrew, who will partake as observers.
Phase II:
- The second phase of the exercise would be held in Kalaikunda and will see the participation of the fighters. On the Indian side, the IAF will field the Rafale, Tejas and Su-30 MKI while the Americans are expected to bring in their F-15s, and two of their B-1 bombers.
Exercise Orion:
- India will also send its Rafale fighters to France in April 2023 to take part in their multilateral air exercise that will see the participation of the country’s NATO allies.
- Orion is an exercise that is being hosted by France, involving many of its NATO and other important allies.
- This would be the first time when Rafales will fly off to take part in an exercise.
Iniochos-23:
- After this, the IAF will send in its Su-30 MKI for Iniochos-23, which is being hosted by Greece. Also participating will be the US, France, Italy, Jordan and Saudi Arabia among others.
About XVII Corps:
- The 17 Mountain Strike Corps is Indian Army's only strike corps that is responsible for carrying out offensive operations against China in case of a war.
- Its headquarters are located at Panagarh in West Bengal under Eastern Command. It is also known as Brahmastra Corps.
- The corps mascot is the Snow leopard, signifying strength, resolve and bravery - traits associated with the predator, with which it shares its geographical habitat.
How have recent weather events affected wheat crop?
(GS Paper 1, Geography)
Why in news?
- The unusual rise in mercury in February 2023, followed by an untimely spell of widespread rain accompanied by gusty winds and hails during the month of March in parts of the India.
- The farmers in key wheat producing States Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and Gujarat are worried as they anticipate a drop in yield (productivity), output (production) and quality.
How will the rains affect wheat crop?
- According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), fairly widespread rains along with stormy winds between 40-50 kilometers per hour lashed several parts of the major wheat-growing States in the country during March, under the influence of consecutive western disturbances.
- Rain spells accompanied by winds are not considered to be a good sign for the crop’s health if they are close to the ripening and harvesting stage, especially if there are instances of water logging in the fields.
- Unfortunately, there have been instances of crop flattening in fields, besides water logging, which could be detrimental for the ready-to-harvest wheat crop.
- Wheat, a key rabi (winter) crop is sown between late October till December; it nears the ripening stage in the month of mid-March, and harvesting of the early sown varieties usually commences by the end of March itself.
How much output would be affected?
- Agriwatch, an agri-commodity research firm, in its latest report has stated that owing to the recent untimely rains, the country’s wheat production in the agriculture year 2022-23 is likely to be 102.9 MT which is less than the Union government’s estimate of 112 MT.
- The Centre, however, is optimistic that wheat production would be close to 112 MT on account of an increased acreage (area) of wheat and better yield this season, despite a slight production loss due to recent adverse weather conditions.
- As per the government, the average wheat acreage in 2023 (2022-23) has been 14,86,240 hectares more in comparison to the last five years (2017-2021) which stood at 30,382,010 hectares.
What are agri-experts saying?
- A sizable section of farmers assert that the inclement weather has adversely damaged the standing wheat crop.
- Moreover, if the country’s wheat production drops below the government estimate it could lead to a hike in prices of wheat and wheat-based products in the domestic market.
- Any decline in wheat production can also lead to a potential foodgrain security issue.
AAP national party now; Trinamool, CPI and NCP lose status
(GS Paper 2, Governance)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Election Commission recognised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as a national party, while revoking that status of the All India Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI).
- With the removal of the NCP, the CPI and the Trinamool, there are now only six national parties in the country: the BJP, the Congress, the National People’s Party (NPP), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the latest addition, the AAP.
Details:
- The AAP has the status of a national party as it secured nearly 13% of the vote share and five seats in the Gujarat Assembly polls earlier in 2023, making it a State party in four States; Delhi, Goa, Punjab and Gujarat.
- The NCP lost its status as a State party in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya; the CPI in West Bengal and Odisha; while the Trinamool was derecognised as a State party in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur.
Key Highlights:
- The Election Commission also revoked the state party status granted to RLD in Uttar Pradesh, BRS in Andhra Pradesh, PDA in Manipur, PMK in Puducherry, RSP in West Bengal and MPC in Mizoram.
- The Commission said that NCP and Trinamool Congress will be recognised as state parties in Nagaland and Meghalaya respectively based on their performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
- It also granted “recognised state political party” status to the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) in Nagaland, Voice of the People Party in Meghalaya, and the Tipra Motha in Tripura.
What is a National Party?
- A National Party would be one that has a presence ‘nationally’, as opposed to a regional party whose presence is restricted to only a particular state or region.
- National parties are usually India’s bigger parties, such as the Congress and BJP. However, some smaller parties are also recognised as national parties. A certain stature is sometimes associated with being a national party, but this does not necessarily translate into having a lot of national political clout.
- Some parties, despite being dominant in a major state; such as the DMK in Tamil Nadu, BJD in Odisha, YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh, RJD in Bihar, or TRS in Telangana and having a major say in national affairs, remain regional parties.
How is a National Party defined?
As per the ECI’s Political Parties and Election Symbols, 2019 handbook, a political party would be considered a national party if:
- it is ‘recognised’ in four or more states; or
- if its candidates polled at least 6% of total valid votes in any four or more states in the last Lok Sabha or Assembly elections and has at least four MPs in the last Lok Sabha polls; or
- if it has won at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three states.
To be recognised as a state party, a party needs:
- at least 6% vote-share in the last Assembly election and have at least 2 MLAs; or have 6% vote-share in the last Lok Sabha elections from that state and at least one MP from that state; or
- at least 3% of the total number of seats or three seats, whichever is more, in the last Assembly elections; or
- at least one MP for every 25 members or any fraction allotted to the state in the Lok Sabha; or
- have at least 8% of the total valid votes in the last Assembly election or Lok Sabha election from the state.
