10 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. Govt., Kuki-Zo groups discuss SoO rules; will meet again next week

Source: The Hindu, Page 1 & 10, June 10, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3 – Internal Security; GS Paper 2 – Governance

Context

After a two-year gap, the Union Government held a dialogue with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups to review the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement and restore normalcy in Manipur.

Content: 

• The meeting aimed to address ethnic tensions between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities post-2023 violence.

• Key discussion points:

  • Violations of SoO ground rules.

  • Need to shift camps from Meitei-dominated areas.

  • Reopening National Highways 2 and 37 for free movement.

• SoO agreement, in force since 2008, is being reviewed for a long-term peace roadmap.

• Essential for restoring connectivity and governance in the violence-affected region.

Analysis:

• Highlights ethnic fault lines in Manipur and challenges in federal conflict resolution.

• Balancing tribal autonomy demands with territorial integrity is crucial.

• Signifies the centre’s reliance on negotiated peace rather than force.

Practice Question:

“Discuss the significance of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements in managing ethnic conflicts in Northeast India. What are the challenges in ensuring their effective implementation?”  (250 words / 15 marks)

2. India’s first e-waste recycling park to be built in Delhi: Sirsa

Source: Page 2, The Hindu, June 10, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 3 – Environment (Waste Management); GS Paper 2 – Governance (Urban Planning)

Context

Delhi is set to establish India’s first e-waste eco park in Holambi Kalan with an aim to promote circular economy and formalise e-waste recycling.

Content:

• Will be built over 11.4 acres under a PPP (DBFOT) model.

• Capacity: 51,000 tonnes of e-waste annually.

• Will process all 106 categories under the E-Waste Management Rules, 2022.

• Expected to generate ₹350 crore revenue and 1,000 green jobs.

• Features:

  • Zones for dismantling, refurbishing, plastic recovery.

  • Training centres to formalise informal sector workers.

Analysis:

• Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – especially SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

• Shows state-level innovation in tackling e-waste, India being one of the largest e-waste generators.

• Formalising informal sector addresses labour rights and occupational hazards.

Practice Question:

Evaluate the role of urban eco parks in managing electronic waste and promoting circular economy in Indian cities. (250 words / 15 marks)

3. A new water harvesting model promises to help Rajasthan’s farmers

Source: The Hindu, Page 4, June 10, 2025

Topic: GS Paper 1 – Geography (Water Resources); GS Paper 3 – Agriculture, Environment

Context

Kukas village in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has implemented a scientific farm pond model for rainwater harvesting to ensure year-round irrigation.

Content:

• 50 ponds constructed; 25 more planned.

• Each 10-foot-deep, plastic-lined pond is built on 5% of farmer’s land.

• Targets 10 crore litre monsoon runoff conservation.

• Enables cultivation of rabi and kharif crops in water-scarce regions.

• Promotes groundwater recharge, livestock, and agri-value chains.

Analysis:

• A climate-resilient model for semi-arid areas.

• Decentralised and community-driven solution to irrigation needs.

• Can be scaled under Jal Shakti Abhiyan and MGNREGA.

Practice Question:

“Examine the significance of decentralized rainwater harvesting models like farm ponds in achieving sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions of India.” (150 words / 10 marks)

Prelims Facts

1. India’s first e-waste recycling park to be built in Delhi: Sirsa

Source: Page 2, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 3: Environment (Waste Management), GS Paper 2: Governance (Urban Planning & PPP models)

Context

Delhi government announced India’s first dedicated e-waste eco park in Holambi Kalan to process electronic waste and integrate informal sector workers into the formal economy.

Analysis of the news:

• Project Features:

  • Location: Holambi Kalan, North Delhi

  • Area: 11.4 acres

  • Mode: DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer) under Public-Private Partnership

  • Capacity: 51,000 tonnes/year

  • Concession period: 15 years

• Benefits:

  • Expected revenue: ₹350 crore

  • Creation of over 1,000 ‘green jobs’

  • Integration of informal sector workers into formal waste management

  • Skilling and training facilities to upskill e-waste handlers

  • Dedicated zones for:

    • Dismantling

    • Refurbishing

    • Plastic recovery

    • Second-hand electronics market

• Significance:

  • Promotes circular economy principles

  • Aligns with E-Waste Management Rules, 2022

  • Helps reduce environmental hazards from unregulated e-waste recycling

2. Govt., Kuki-Zo groups discuss SoO rules; will meet again next week

Source: Page 10, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 3: Internal Security; GS Paper 2: Governance (Peace-building Mechanisms)

Context

Union Government resumed talks with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement framework to discuss peace, highway reopening, and camp relocations.

Analysis of the news:

• Background:

  • SoO agreement operational since 2008

  • Talks suspended post-May 2023 ethnic violence in Manipur

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Opening of NH-2 and NH-37 for free vehicle movement

  • Closure/relocation of Kuki-Zo camps near Meitei areas

  • Surrender of weapons by insurgents

  • Long-term roadmap for peace and normalcy

• Security Implications:

  • Enhances critical supply chains in Manipur

  • Addresses ethnic conflict between Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities

• Challenges:

  • Distrust among ethnic groups

  • Slow progress in ground rule enforcement

3. A new water harvesting model promises to help Rajasthan’s farmers

Source: Page 4, The Hindu

Topic: GS Paper 1: Geography (Water Resources); GS Paper 3: Agriculture, Environment (Sustainable Farming Practices)

Context

A model using plastic-lined farm ponds for rainwater harvesting has been implemented in Kukas village, Jaipur, to ensure irrigation sustainability in arid zones.

Analysis of the news:

• Implementation:

  • 50 ponds completed, 25 more underway

  • Constructed on 5% of each farmer’s land

  • Each pond: 10 feet deep with plastic lining

• Impact:

  • Targets 10 crore litre monsoon runoff conservation

  • Reduces dependence on overexploited groundwater (Jaipur draws 2.22x recharge)

  • Supports both kharif and rabi cropping

  • Revives livestock rearing and horticulture

• Developer:

  • Vipra Goyal (IIT Kharagpur alumnus), previously worked with NITI Aayog

• Scalability & Benefits:

  • Recharges groundwater

  • Provides year-round irrigation

  • Potential for agro-based industries, dairy, and food processing

Check more: 09 June 2025 : Daily Current Affairs