Topic 1: Citizenship Amendment Act

What is Citizenship?

It defines the relationship between the nation and the people who constitute the nation. It also confers certain rights to these people who form citizens of the country.

It majorly includes:

• Rights such as protection by the state
• Right to vote
• Right to hold certain public offices

It also demands fulfilment of certain duties/obligations owed by the individual to the state.

 

What’s the criteria for citizenship in India?

 

The Constitution of India provides for single citizenship for the whole of India.

Under Article 11 of the Indian Constitution, Parliament has the power to regulate the right of citizenship by law. Accordingly, the parliament had passed the Citizenship act of 1955 to provide for the acquisition and determination of Indian Citizenship.

 

What is Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) 2019?

It seeks to grant citizenship to a class of migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi or Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.

 

• It exempts the members of the six communities from any criminal case under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Passport Act, 1920.

 

• These two Acts specify punishment for entering the country illegally and staying here on expired visas and permits.

 

• It does not include refugees from other countries, including Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

 

Who is eligible?

The CAA 2019 applies to those who were forced or compelled to seek shelter in India due to persecution on the ground of religion. It aims to protect such people from proceedings of illegal migration.

• The cut-off date for citizenship is December 31, 2014, which means the applicant should have entered India on or before that date.

Does CAA act 2019 applies to North Eastern Regions of India?

 

The Act adds that the provisions on citizenship for illegal migrants will not apply to the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, as included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

 

• These tribal areas include Karbi Anglong (in Assam), Garo Hills (in Meghalaya), Chakma District (in Mizoram), and Tripura Tribal Areas District.

 

• It will also not apply to the areas under the Inner Line Permit under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

 

Why North East is objecting to CAA?

 

The citizenship debate in the Northeast is much more complex compared to rest of India, where its seen as anti-muslim as they have been excluded from the provisions of CAA 2019.

 

• The anti-CAA protest had caused unrest in the Northeast primarily because local organisations feared the law would create a demographic imbalance as it did in case of Tripura.
• In Tripura the indigenous communities have become minority in span of 30 years due to massive influx of Hindus from Bangladesh.

 

Topic 2: National Green Hydrogen Mission

 

Why in News?

 India’s commitment of Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement.

What’s the objective of Green Hydrogen?

The intent of the mission is to incentivise the commercial production of green hydrogen and make India a net exporter of the fuel. The mission has laid out a target to develop green hydrogen production capacity of at least 5 MMT (Million Metric Tonne) per annum.This is alongside adding renewable energy capacity of about 125 GW (gigawatt) in the country.

This will entail the following:

1. Decarbonisation of the industrial
2. Mobility and energy sectors
3. Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock
4. Developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities
5. Creating employment opportunities
6. Developing new technologies such as efficient fuel cells

 

How will this mission be beneficial in terms of economy and environment?

 

• By 2030 this mission is expected to bring investments worth ₹8 trillion and create over six lakh jobs.
• Moreover, about 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are expected to be averted by 2030.
• As per its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, India has committed to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030, from 2005 levels.