The revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 marks a departure from the Court's previous stance on federalism. Additionally, this move is expected to provide a political advantage to the ruling BJP party. The Court's conclusion that Parliament can perform any legislative or other act during a state of President's Rule represents a significant blow to federal principles.
Question is not about pro-incumbency in Madhya Pradesh but, instead, how a government does win a large number of seats with a not-so-good-looking governance track record. Why did issues of mis-governance not matter? Or, how were they made not to matter? This displacement of focus on social development contributes handsomely to ‘electoral autocracy’.
A great amount of last minute mobilisation.” - MAGIC : A political rally with splendid pomp and show and big promises in last minute does decent effective mobilisation.
With climate change threatening global food productivity, Odisha’s efforts in climate-proofing its agricultural system have resulted in a unique development model.
Disasters are projected to increase to 560 per year, that is 1.5 per day; hunger and malnutrition are expected to grow by 20% if the climate change impact goes unchecked, and food productivity is expected to decline by 21% due to global warming.
There are two notable aspects:
a majority of farmers are small/marginal, and productivity has increased despite stable crop area.
The average rice yield, which is Odisha’s main crop, has tripled in two decades.
The focus is on small and marginal farmers and increasing their income. This has directly contributed to strengthening their food security and creating resilient livelihoods.
Scientific crop management practices have increased non-paddy crop cultivation, while paddy cultivation has decreased in Odisha. The state is vulnerable to climate change, and an approach towards climate resilience is being developed from the bottom up. Crop planning is done at the district level considering the agro-climatic zone, and farmers are adopting climate-resilient cultivation practices. These include integrated farming, zero-input-based natural farming, non-paddy crops, better water management, water-saving devices, e-pest surveillance, and large-scale farm mechanization with women-friendly drudgery-reducing farm implements. Training farmers in crop-specific techniques, including integrated nutrient and pest management, has boosted food grains production.
The consistent improvement of the agricultural sector has made Odisha a surplus State for paddy production.
The partnership between the United Nations World Food Programme and the Government of Odisha has also been decently instrumental.
