12 April 2025 Current Affairs

Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition And The 26/11 Case Progress

Introduction:

Seventeen years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, India has taken a significant step forward in its pursuit of justice with the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States. Rana, a key accomplice in the attacks, will now stand trial in India. His prosecution is not only crucial to the case but also serves as a reminder of India’s long-standing efforts in counter-terror diplomacy.

Background of 26/11 Mumbai Attacks:

• On November 26, 2008, 10 armed terrorists from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) carried out coordinated attacks across Mumbai.
• Key targets included Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident, CST Station, Leopold Café, and Nariman House.
• The siege lasted for four days, killing 166 people and injuring 238, including foreign nationals.
• Only one terrorist, Ajmal Kasab, was captured alive, tried, and executed in 2012.

Key Details on Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition and Role:

• Tahawwur Rana is an American and Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, and a former doctor in the Pakistani military.
• He was extradited by the U.S. to India, where the NIA has taken custody for his involvement in 26/11.
• He had earlier been convicted in the U.S. for links with LeT and a Denmark plot, but acquitted in the 26/11 case.

Why Rana’s Trial is Significant:

1. Only the second suspect after Ajmal Kasab to face trial in person for 26/11.

2. A critical link to the conspiracy and to those who planned the attack from Pakistan.

3. Trial could help unearth his connections with Pakistan’s military and ISI.

4. He allegedly:

• Funded and facilitated travel for David Headley, his childhood friend and main plotter.
• Coordinated with Major Iqbal in Pakistan.
• Travelled to India days before the attack, possibly aiding in logistical planning.

India’s Counter-Terror Diplomacy Post-26/11:

• India gained global support after the attack killed 45 foreign nationals from various countries.
• U.S. shifted stance, aided in banning LeT and Hafiz Saeed at the UN.
• Despite China’s obstruction at the UNSC, India managed sanctions on 10 LeT leaders.
• Joined FATF in 2012; ensured Pakistan’s inclusion on the FATF grey list in two periods (2012-15, 2018-22).
• Global backing for surgical strikes (2016) and Balakot airstrikes (2019) reinforced India’s defense stance.
• No similar scale attacks have occurred in India post-26/11.

Initial Cooperation by Pakistan’s FIA:

1. Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) initially cooperated:

• Proved Kasab was Pakistani and trained by LeT.
• Tracked LeT’s Thatta camp and recovered explosives used in Mumbai.
• Identified the Karachi ops room directing the attacks.
• Traced the fishing trawler’s engine to its point of sale.
• However, trials of LeT operatives in Pakistan were later blocked or abandoned.

2. What Remains for Full Justice:

• Masterminds like Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi need trial or extradition.
• U.S. must clarify its plea deal with Headley, which prevented his extradition or capital punishment.
• Rana’s trial must highlight gaps in Pakistan’s prosecution and bring renewed global pressure.

3. Worldview Take:

• Rana’s extradition is a major victory for India, proving persistence in diplomatic and investigative efforts.
• It also emphasizes the need to hold masterminds accountable and further isolate Pakistan's terror networks.

PM-POSHAN Scheme – Centre to Pay 954 Cr. More.

The Government of India has increased the material cost under the PM-POSHAN (midday meal) scheme by 9.5% from May 1, 2025, to ensure better nutritional delivery amid rising prices. This revision will result in an additional ₹954 crore expenditure in FY 2025-26. The scheme benefits over 11.20 crore schoolchildren across government and aided schools in India.

Background of the PM-POSHAN Scheme:

1. Launch & Objective:

• PM-POSHAN is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, previously known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• It aims to provide hot cooked meals to students from balvatikas to Class 8.
• The goal is to improve nutrition and school participation among children.

2. Coverage & Reach:

• The scheme benefits around 11.20 crore students across 10.36 lakh government and aided schools.
• Meals are provided on all school days, promoting regular attendance.
• It targets children in both rural and urban areas.

3. Central Assistance:

• The Centre provides 100% of food grains, covering around 26 lakh Metric Tonnes annually.
• It also bears the full transportation cost and food grain subsidy (~₹9,000 crore/year).
• States/UTs may enhance the nutritional value by contributing over the minimum material cost.

Key Highlights of the April 2025 Update:

1. Material Cost Revised:

• Balvatika/Primary: ₹6.19 ➝ ₹6.78 per child per day
• Upper Primary: ₹9.29 ➝ ₹10.17 per child per day
• Costs are revised based on CPI–Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) inflation data from the Labour Bureau.

2. Prescribed Nutrition per Meal:

• Primary students: 20g pulses, 50g vegetables, 5g oil
• Upper primary students: 30g pulses, 75g vegetables, 7.5g oil
• States can add to these minimum norms using their own resources.

3. Total Per Meal Cost (Including All Components):

• Balvatika/Primary Classes: ₹12.13 per meal
• Upper Primary Classes: ₹17.62 per meal
• This includes material, grains, transportation, and overheads.

  Use of Salt Pan Land for Dharavi Redevelopment  

The Maharashtra government has approved the use of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) to house ineligible slum dwellers. While environmentalists have raised concerns, DRP officials claim the land is safe for development and was decommissioned over a decade ago. The project aligns with Mumbai’s Development Plan 2034 to enable large-scale affordable housing.

Key Highlights:

1. Land Allocation Details:

• 256 acres of decommissioned salt pan land approved for rehabilitation of ineligible slum dwellers under DRP.
• Land is located west of the Eastern Express Highway and is not under CRZ or flood buffer zones.
• DRP CEO S.V.R. Srinivas confirmed all environmental clearances will be obtained.

2. Environmental Assurances:

• Officials argue the sea hasn’t reached these plots since the highway was built.
• Land is away from ecologically sensitive flamingo wetlands.
• Construction will begin only after regulatory environmental approvals.

3. Development Plan 2034 Compliance:

• The use of salt pan land for affordable housing is consistent with Mumbai’s Development Plan 2034.
• CM Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that redevelopment of Mumbai is impossible without utilising such land.
• Past allocations include 55 acres in Wadala (Excise Dept.) and 15 acres in Kanjur (Metro Line 6).

4. Opposition Criticism & Clarification:

• Critics question why housing for the poor faces opposition when infrastructure gets quicker approvals.
• Officials clarified the land remains with the State, and the developer (NMDPL) only pays premiums.
• Mr. Srinivas stressed DRP is a “human transformation mission,” not just a housing project.

5. Project Intent & Execution:

• The DRP aims for a slum-free Mumbai by integrating both eligible and ineligible slum residents.
• Environmental compliance is a stated precondition for moving forward.
• The redevelopment is positioned as a socially transformative initiative, not merely real estate development.

  Democracy Report 2024: India’s Declining Democratic Health  

India, once hailed as the world’s largest democracy, has witnessed a sharp erosion in its democratic credentials. According to the latest report by the V-Dem Institute, India is now classified as “one of the worst autocratizers”. The report reflects a global trend of democratic backsliding, with 71% of the world's population living under autocracies.

Key Highlights:

1. India's Democratic Decline:

• Downgraded to an “electoral autocracy” in 2018, India’s democratic status has worsened further in 2023.
• India now accounts for half of the population living in autocratising countries.
• The level of liberal democracy for the average Indian is now at 1975 Emergency-era levels.

2. Global Autocratisation Trend:

• 42 countries are currently undergoing autocratisation, affecting 35% of the world’s population.
• Meanwhile, only 18 countries are democratising, covering just 5% of the global population.
• The global average democracy level has regressed to 1985 standards.

3. Key Democratic Erosions in India:

• India’s decline includes weakening of freedom of expression, media independence, and civil society rights.
• The BJP-led government is accused of using sedition, defamation, and anti-terror laws to silence dissent.
• There’s been suppression of minority rights, academic dissent, and intimidation of political opponents.

4. V-Dem Classification & Methodology:

• India is classified as an Electoral Autocracy, where elections exist but basic freedoms are compromised.
• In contrast, Liberal Democracies ensure free elections, judicial independence, civil liberties, and rule of law.
• The report is backed by data from 4,200 scholars across 180 countries.

5. India and the 2024 Elections:

• Among 60 nations voting in 2024, 31 are undergoing democratic decline.
• A third term for BJP could “further autocratise” India, warns the report.
• V-Dem calls 2024 a critical year for global democracy, with many elections happening in autocratising states.

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