21 March 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

Indian Express Editorial Analysis

21-March-2024

1. A border runs through it

Topic: GS2 – International Relations – India and its neighbourhood This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of understanding the dynamics of India’s relations with neighboring countries, such as Myanmar.

 

Context:

The Union Home Ministry’s decision to suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar on February 8th has sparked significant controversy and debate. This move, implemented with immediate effect, marks a departure from a longstanding agreement between the two nations. Analyzing the decision reveals its implications on various fronts, including its domestic motivations, historical context, and regional repercussions.

Domestic Motivations: Addressing Ethnic Conflict and Immigration Concerns:

• The decision to suspend the FMR appears primarily motivated by domestic concerns, particularly the ethnic conflict in Manipur between the Meitei and Kuki-Jo communities.
• Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has linked this conflict to activities he attributes to “illegal immigrants” and arms traffickers crossing the border from Myanmar.
• Singh’s lobbying efforts, including advocating for the termination of the FMR and border fencing, gained traction with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s subsequent actions.
• By aligning with Singh’s claims, Shah aims to address perceived threats to domestic security and assert control over border regions.

Historical Context: Colonial Legacies and Ethnic Fragmentation:

• The decision to suspend the FMR overlooks the complex historical context of the India-Myanmar border, rooted in colonial legacies.
• The border delineation imposed by the British in the 19th century disrupted age-old ethnic and cultural ties, dividing communities with shared histories and identities.
• This historical injustice persists as a source of resentment among borderland populations, who reject artificial boundaries and assert their right to maintain connections across borders.
• The suspension of the FMR exacerbates tensions stemming from colonial-era border demarcations, further alienating affected communities.

Regional Repercussions: Disruption of Socio-Economic and Cultural Ties:

• The suspension of the FMR threatens to disrupt socio-economic and cultural ties between borderland communities on both sides.
• Since its inception, the FMR facilitated essential interactions, including matrimonial alliances, trade relations, and familial visits.
• The decision to suspend the FMR undermines these vital connections, potentially exacerbating existing tensions and fostering resentment among affected populations.
• The backlash against the decision, evident in unanimous resolutions passed by state assemblies in Mizoram and Nagaland, underscores the regional discontent and highlights the broader implications of the central government’s unilateral actions.

Civil Society and Political Responses: Voices of Opposition:

• The central government’s decision has elicited strong opposition from civil society and political groups across affected regions.
• Leaders in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur have condemned the suspension of the FMR, emphasizing its adverse effects on longstanding ties and regional stability.
• Calls for reconsideration and dialogue reflect broader concerns regarding the decision’s impact on regional peace and cooperation.
• The central government’s response to these voices will shape future dynamics in borderland regions and influence perceptions of governance and representation.

Conclusion:

• The suspension of the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar carries significant implications for domestic stability, historical legacies, regional cooperation, and cross-border relations.
• While ostensibly aimed at addressing security concerns and ethnic conflicts, the decision risks exacerbating tensions and undermining socio-economic and cultural ties.
• Given the diverse voices of opposition and the complex historical context, the central government would benefit from reconsidering its decision and engaging in inclusive dialogue to address underlying grievances and promote sustainable peace and cooperation in borderland regions.

What is the Free Movement Regime (FMR) on the India-Myanmar Border?

About: The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa. It was implemented in 2018 as part of the Indian government’s Act East policy. Rationale: The partition of the India-Myanmar border traces back to 1826 when British colonial rulers demarcated the boundary without considering the opinions of the local inhabitants. The demarcation has resulted in the division of people who share strong ethnic and familial bonds across the border. Significance: In addition to fostering people-to-people interactions, the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was envisioned to boost local trade and business activities. The area has a rich tradition of cross-border commerce facilitated by customs and border haats.

 

PYQ: Border management is a complex task due to difficult terrain and hostile relations with some countries. Elucidate the challenges and strategies for effective border management. (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2016)

Practice Question:  Discuss the implications of the Union Home Ministry’s decision to suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. Assess the potential consequences of this decision on India’s broader strategic interests and suggest measures for addressing the concerns raised by affected communities and states. (250 words/15 m)

2. An incentive to diversify

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Topic: GS3 – Agriculture – MSP This topic is relevant for both Prelims and Mains in the context of understanding the intricacies of agricultural policies, including MSP. The analysis provides insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with MSP implementation and its impact on farmers’ livelihoods.

 

Context:

More than one month has passed since Punjab’s farmers-initiated protests on February 13, 2024, primarily demanding a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on 23 crops. This analysis delves into the implications of the farmers’ demands and assesses whether ensuring MSP for all crops would incentivize them to reduce cultivation of water-intensive non-basmati rice.

Punjab’s Agricultural Profile:

• Punjab, with a net sown area of 82 percent of its total land, is a significant agricultural hub spanning 5 million hectares.
• The state witnesses high cropping intensity, with over 91 percent of the sown area dedicated to multiple crops.
• Despite recommendations to reduce rice cultivation for environmental and financial reasons, rice covers 40 percent of the gross cropped area (GCA), reflecting its continued dominance in Punjab’s agriculture.

Effectiveness of MSP in Driving Crop Diversification:

• While MSP is touted as a tool for promoting crop diversification, its effectiveness in Punjab’s context is questioned.
• Combining yield data with MSP rates reveals that paddy, often grown in combination with wheat, remains financially lucrative compared to other crops.
• Even with MSP assurance on all 23 crops, replacing paddy with alternative kharif crops would lead to revenue loss for farmers, thus providing little incentive for diversification.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Despite the profitability of rice-wheat combinations, other crop combinations, such as paddy with maize or mung as a third crop, demonstrate favorable returns.
• However, these alternatives face limitations in competing with the profitability of rice-wheat combinations.
• Additionally, by-products from various crops hold value for farmers but are not fully factored into the analysis due to data limitations.

Proposed Solutions:

• Focus on Crop Yield Enhancement: Prioritizing efforts to increase crop yields by 30-40 percent could make non-paddy crop combinations profitable, thereby incentivizing diversification.
• Gap Funding and Incentives: Offering gap funding or bonuses beyond MSP, including a water-saving premium, could bridge income gaps for farmers transitioning to alternative crops. State and central governments could jointly provide this support for a specified period.
• Promotion of Livestock Farming: Encouraging diversification beyond crop cultivation by promoting allied activities like poultry, inland fishing, and dairy farming could provide alternative livelihood options for farmers.
• Strategic MSP Boosts: Aligning future MSP hikes with a broader vision for agricultural production, prioritizing crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds, can enhance both nutritional security and climatic resilience.

Conclusion:

• While MSP serves as a crucial tool for ensuring farmers’ income security, its efficacy in driving crop diversification in Punjab remains limited.
• Addressing this challenge requires a multi-faceted approach, including efforts to enhance crop yields, provide financial incentives, promote allied activities, and strategically boost MSP for diverse crops.
• By implementing these strategies, Punjab and the nation can work towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

What is the Minimum Support Price (MSP)?

About: The MSP is a guaranteed price for their produce from the Government. MSP is a form of market intervention by the Government of India to insure agricultural producers against any sharp fall in farm prices.  MSP in India is a price floor set by the government to ensure that farmers receive a minimum price for their agricultural produce, thereby safeguarding their income and encouraging agricultural production Crops Under MSP: The government announces MSPs for 22 mandated crops and Fair and Remunerative Prices (FRP) for sugarcane. The mandated crops are 14 crops of the kharif season, 6 rabi crops and two other commercial crops. The list of crops is as follows: Cereals (7): Paddy, wheat, barley, jowar, bajra, maize and ragi Pulses (5): Gram, arhar/tur, moong, urad and lentil Oilseeds (8): Groundnut, rapeseed/mustard, toria, soyabean, sunflower seed, sesamum, safflower seed and nigerseed Raw Cotton Raw Jute Copra De-husked Coconut Sugarcane (FRP) Virginia flu-cured (VFC) Tobacco Presently, MSPs are notified for 23 crops, but procurement is done for wheat and paddy, which meets the requirements of the public distribution system.

 

PYQ: Consider the following statements: (2020) 1) In the case of all cereals, pulses and oil-seeds, the procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is unlimited in any State/UT of India. 2) In the case of cereals and pulses, the MSP is fixed in any State/UT at a level to which the market price will never rise. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Ans: D

Practice Question:  Discuss the implications of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy on crop diversification in Punjab’s agricultural landscape. Propose policy measures to address the barriers to crop diversification and promote sustainable agricultural practices in the region. (250 words/15 m)

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