Content

1. DECLINE IN LEFT-WING EXTREMISM
2. ATMANIRBHAR OIL SEEDS ABHIYAN

DECLINE IN LEFT-WING EXTREMISM

• Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, once a major internal security threat, has seen a dramatic decline due to a comprehensive security-development strategy initiated under the 2015 National Policy and Action Plan.
• With coordinated efforts between the Centre and States, incidents of LWE violence have dropped by over 80%, and the number of affected districts has shrunk from 126 in 2013 to just 18 in 2025.

Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security)

Policy & Strategic Framework

• National Policy and Action Plan (2015): A multi-pronged strategy combining security, development, and safeguarding community rights.
• Constitutional Context: Law & order is a State subject (Seventh Schedule), but the Centre supplements State efforts significantly.
• Focus Areas:
  • Security reinforcement
  • Development interventions
  • Community engagement and entitlements

Security Measures

• Security Related Expenditure (SRE) Scheme (2014–2025):
  • Total funds released: ₹3,357 crore
  • To Jharkhand alone: ₹830.75 crore
  • Covers operational costs, ex-gratia payments, and rehabilitation of surrendered cadres.

• Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS):
  • Sanctioned Works: ₹1,740 crore
  • For Jharkhand: ₹439.45 crore
  • Covers strengthening of State Intelligence Branches, Special Forces, District Police, and 71 Fortified Police Stations (FPS).

• Security Outcomes:
  • LWE-related violence incidents: Reduced by 81% since 2010.
  • Civilian/Security force deaths: Declined by 85% till 2024.
  • LWE-affected districts: Down from 126 (2013) to 18 (2025).

Infrastructure Development

• Road Connectivity:
  • Sanctioned: 17,589 km (Jharkhand: 3,168 km)
  • Constructed: 14,902 km (Jharkhand: 2,925 km)
  • Implemented via Road Requirement Plan (RRP) and RCPLWEA.

• Telecom Connectivity:
  • Towers planned: 10,644 (Jharkhand: 1,755)
  • Towers commissioned: 8,640 (Jharkhand: 1,589)

Skill Development & Education

• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs):
  • Approved: 48 | Functional: 46
  • Jharkhand: 16 functional ITIs

• Skill Development Centres (SDCs):
  • Approved: 61 | Functional: 49
  • Jharkhand: 20 operational SDCs

• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS):
  • Sanctioned: 258 | Functional: 179
  • Jharkhand: 47 operational schools

Financial Inclusion

• Post Offices with Banking Services:
  • Total: 5,899 | Jharkhand: 1,240
• Bank Branches in LWE districts:
  • Total: 1,007 | Jharkhand: 349
• ATMs installed:
  • Total: 937 | Jharkhand: 352

Special Central Assistance (SCA)

• SCA Scheme since 2017:
  • Total funds released: ₹3,769 crore
  • To Jharkhand: ₹1,439.33 crore
  • Purpose: Bridge critical infrastructure gaps in Most LWE-Affected Districts.

Surrender & Rehabilitation Initiatives

• Central Support to State Policies:
  • Reimbursement of rehabilitation costs.
  • Grant for surrender:
    • ₹5 lakh for senior LWE cadre
    • ₹2.5 lakh for lower cadre
• Incentives for weapon surrender
• Vocational training support: ₹10,000/month for 3 years
• Jharkhand Data (Jan 2024 – Jul 15, 2025):
  • Violent incidents: 103
  • LWE cadres neutralized: 25
  • Arrested: 276
  • Surrendered: 32

Decline in Jharkhand

• Violent incidents:
  • 2009: 742 incidents
  • 2024: 69 incidents (92% decline)

• LWE-affected districts:
  • Reduced from 21 (2013) to just 2 (2025)
  • 7 districts categorized as “Legacy & Thrust” districts for ongoing attention

Impact and Conclusion

• Violence and geographic spread of LWE have sharply contracted, with a sustained decline in affected districts and incidents.
• Comprehensive state-building measures—security, connectivity, education, skill-building, and inclusion—have created an enabling environment for governance and growth.
• The Jharkhand model, with significant decline in violence and heavy developmental investments, serves as a case study for counterinsurgency-led development.
• The Centre–State collaborative framework has proved effective in neutralizing extremism while strengthening institutions and uplifting vulnerable populations.

ATMANIRBHAR OIL SEEDS ABHIYAN

Core Objective

• Achieve Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in edible oil production by increasing domestic oilseed production and processing efficiency.
• Targeting both primary oilseed crops and secondary sources (tree-borne oilseeds, rice bran, cottonseed, etc.).

Relevance : GS 3(Agriculture)

Targeted Oilseed Crops

• Primary crops (9): Groundnut, Soybean, Mustard, Sunflower, Sesame, Safflower, Niger, Linseed, Castor.
• Secondary sources: Cottonseed, Coconut, Rice Bran, Tree-Borne Oilseeds (TBOs).

Research & Innovation (ICAR Initiatives)

• 5 All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs): For location-specific high-yielding varieties.
• 2 Flagship Projects: Focused on hybrid development and gene editing for climate-resilient varieties.

➤ Outcomes (2014–2025):

• 432 High-Yielding Varieties (HYVs) released:
  • Rapeseed-Mustard: 104
  • Soybean: 95
  • Groundnut: 69
  • Linseed: 53
  • Sesame: 34
  • Safflower: 25
  • Sunflower: 24
  • Castor: 15
  • Niger: 13
• Focus on Varietal Replacement Rate (VRR) and Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) to promote new varieties.

Seed Supply Ecosystem

• Breeder Seed Production (2019–20 to 2023–24):
  • 1,53,704 quintals of breeder seed produced.
  • Supplied to public/private agencies for certified seed production.
• District-level Seed Hubs: Ensure availability of quality seeds to farmers.

Cluster-Based Approach

• 600+ Value Chain Clusters across India.
• Coverage: Over 10 lakh hectares annually.
• Managed by: FPOs, cooperatives, private Value Chain Partners (VCPs).

➤ Support Provided to Farmers:

• Free high-quality seeds.
• Training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs).
• Weather & pest advisory services.
• Post-harvest infrastructure for oil extraction and recovery.

Technology Transfer & Awareness

• Demonstration Types:
  • Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) – ICAR
  • Cluster Frontline Demonstrations (CFLDs) – KVKs
  • Block Demonstrations – State Agriculture Departments
• Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaigns:
  • Promoting healthy oil consumption patterns.

Insurance & Risk Management (PMFBY 2024–25)

• Extensive coverage of oilseed crops across 16 states/UTs under Kharif and Rabi seasons.
• Key crops insured: Mustard, Soybean, Groundnut, Sesame, Sunflower, Linseed, Niger, Safflower, Castor.
• Enables financial security for oilseed farmers.

Strategic Importance

• India imports over 60% of its edible oil needs (~14-15 million tonnes/year).
• Edible oil import bill in 2023–24: USD 20 billion+.
• NMEO-OS aims to reduce import dependence, ensure price stability, and promote nutritional security.

Challenges to Address

• Low productivity of oilseeds compared to global averages.
• Fragmented supply chains and poor oil recovery rates.
• Climate vulnerability impacting oilseed yield stability.
• Need for better infrastructure in processing and storage.

Way Forward

• Enhance private sector participation in seed production, processing.
• Invest in cold-pressed oil extraction and organic oilseed farming.
• Integrate oilseed promotion with nutrition-focused programs (like POSHAN Abhiyan).
• Link clusters with e-NAM and export markets for value realization.