PIB Summary- 20th January, 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Railway Protection Force apprehends 586 bangladeshi and 318 rohingya to prevent illegal migration, since 2021

Context

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has intensified efforts to address illegal migration through Indian railways, apprehending 916 individuals (586 Bangladeshis and 318 Rohingya) since 2021, in collaboration with other security agencies.

Important Developments

• June–July 2024: 88 Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants apprehended under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
• Migrants confessed to illegal entry and plans to travel to destinations like Kolkata.

Preferred Transit Routes:

• Assam as a Transit Region: Due to its proximity to the Bangladesh border.
• Railways: Used extensively to facilitate movement to other parts of India, complicating detection.

Collaborative Security Measures:
RPF’s Role: Intensified patrolling and surveillance of railway networks.

Collaboration:

• Agencies Involved: Border Security Force (BSF), local police, and intelligence units.
• Outcome: Improved operational efficiency in identifying and detaining illegal migrants.

Legal Challenges:

• RPF lacks direct prosecutorial powers.
• Detained individuals are handed over to police and other authorized agencies for further legal action.

Broader Context and Concerns
Geopolitical Factors:

• Bangladesh and Myanmar: Political instability, socio-religious issues, and economic challenges driving migration.
• Increased Refugee Influx: Individuals seeking refuge, employment, or shelter deep within India.

National Security Concerns:

• Infiltration Risks: Illegal migration poses a threat to internal security.
• Railways as a Vulnerable Network: Facilitates long-distance movement of unauthorized individuals.

Exploitation Risks:
Migrants are highly vulnerable to exploitation:

• Human Trafficking: For bonded labor, domestic work, prostitution, and organ harvesting.
• Lack of Documentation: Further complicates legal recourse and identification.

Way Forward
Enhanced Monitoring:

• Increase surveillance using advanced technologies such as AI-powered identification systems and CCTV networks.
• Deploy additional RPF personnel in vulnerable railway zones, especially in Northeast India.

Inter-Agency Coordination:

• Strengthen coordination mechanisms between RPF, BSF, state police, and intelligence agencies.
• Conduct regular joint training and drills to improve response time and effectiveness.

Legal and Policy Framework:

• Empower RPF with limited prosecutorial powers for quick action.
• Develop a centralized database to track apprehended migrants and share intelligence among agencies.

Empowering Rural India with Legal Land Ownership

Background : SVAMITVA Scheme

Launch: Initiated on National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24, 2020) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Objective: Economic transformation of rural India by providing property owners in village Abadi areas with a “Record of Rights.”

Technology Utilization: Advanced drone and GIS technology for accurate land demarcation.

Outcomes:

Property monetization.

Access to bank loans.

Minimized property disputes.

Facilitated comprehensive village-level planning.

Recent Milestone

• On January 18, 2025, 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards were e-distributed across 50,000+ villages in 10 states and 2 UTs.
• Participation included Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh and virtual interaction with beneficiaries nationwide.

Need for SVAMITVA

• Absence of legal property records for Abadi areas.
• Lack of access to institutional credit and financial assistance.
• Prolonged disputes over land ownership.

Solution: Modern survey and mapping techniques for precise property documentation.

Achievements of the SVAMITVA Scheme
States/UTs Onboarded: 31 States/UTs.

Village Coverage:

• 3,46,187 villages notified.
• Drone flying completed in 3,17,715 villages (92% progress).
• Maps handed over for 1,53,726 villages.
• Over 2.25 crore property cards issued.

State Achievements:

• Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh: 100% drone surveys.
• Haryana and Uttarakhand: 100% drone surveys and property card preparation.
• Maharashtra and Gujarat: Over 98% drone survey completion.

Economic Significance:

• Surveyed rural Abadi land: 67,000 sq. km.
• Estimated value: ₹132 lakh crore.

Digital Integration:

• Real-time progress tracking through a centralized dashboard.
• Property cards accessible via the DigiLocker app.

Technological Innovations:

• Use of survey-grade drones and CORS network for high-resolution maps.

International Outreach

• March 2025: International Workshop on Land Governance in India with participation from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
• May 2025: Participation in World Bank Land Governance Conference in Washington to promote the SVAMITVA model.

Conclusion
The SVAMITVA Scheme is a transformative initiative addressing longstanding issues in rural land ownership. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and ensuring inclusivity, the scheme:

• Resolves disputes.
• Drives economic progress.
• Promotes self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
• Improves governance and rural planning.