GS 2 – 10% Quota for All Marathas.
Context: Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde approved a 10% quota for the Maratha community in education and jobs, facing criticism from activists and opposition, who call it a pre-election move.
More About The News:
- The legislation was passed unanimously during a special session, demonstrating the government’s commitment to fulfilling its promise within three months.
- The Bill, like a 2018 Act, maintains the existing OBC quota without any disturbance, resulting in a total reservation of 62% in Maharashtra. This surpasses the 50% limit imposed by the Supreme Court.
- In 2021, the Supreme Court struck down Maharashtra’s law granting reservation to Marathas, citing violation of the 50% reservation cap.
Positives:
- Tackling economic challenges: Supporters claim that some groups in higher castes experience financial difficulties and fewer opportunities, justifying positive measures.
- Encouraging social integration: Reservations might boost the presence of these communities in government jobs and educational institutions, fostering inclusivity.
Negatives:
- Original Purpose Weakened: Broadening reservations beyond historically disadvantaged groups could dilute the policy’s initial focus on rectifying historical injustices.
- Lessened Opportunities for Current Beneficiaries: The expansion of reservations may lead to heightened competition, potentially disadvantaging groups that already benefit from existing quotas.
- Meritocracy Concerns: Critics contend that caste-based reservations might compromise merit-based selection processes.
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GS 2 – Simultaneous Polls
Context: BJP is advocating simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies with a common voter list to avoid governance disruptions and economic stagnation during frequent Model Code of Conduct imposition.
More About the News:
- High-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, is examining the feasibility of the “one nation, one election” concept.
- Current election cycles disrupt governance, pointing to instances of short-term populist decisions and economic stagnation during the imposition of the Model Code.
What are Simultaneous Elections?
- Simultaneous Elections Concept: Refers to the idea of conducting Lok Sabha (parliamentary) and State legislative assembly elections concurrently.
- Objective: Aim to decrease the frequency of elections and reduce associated costs.
- Election Commission’s Recommendation (1983): The Election Commission, in its annual report of 1983, suggested evolving a system for holding simultaneous elections.
- Law Commission’s Stand (170th Report- 1999): The Law Commission, in its 170th Report in 1999, advocated returning to the past practice of holding Lok Sabha and all Vidhan Sabha elections simultaneously.
- Parliamentary Standing Committee’s Support (79th Report- 2015): The 79th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee in 2015 favored the idea of simultaneous elections.
- NITI Aayog’s Backing (2017): A NITI Aayog paper in 2017 reiterated support for the concept of simultaneous elections.
History of Simultaneous Elections:
- India conducted simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967.
- However, maintaining this schedule became challenging, and elections to the Lok Sabha and State legislative assemblies have not been synchronized since then.
Advantages of Simultaneous Elections:
- Cost Reduction: Simultaneous elections will decrease the substantial expenses incurred in conducting separate elections every year.
- Avoiding Prolonged Model Code of Conduct (MCC): Frequent elections result in prolonged periods of Model Code of Conduct imposition, impacting normal governance. Simultaneous elections help overcome this issue.
- Stability in Public Life: Simultaneous elections prevent disruption of normal public life caused by frequent elections for a set period.
- Optimizing Manpower: Simultaneous elections will release essential manpower typically deployed for extended periods on election duties.
- Fixed Terms: The terms of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha will start and end on specific dates.
- Increased Governance Focus: Simultaneous elections shift the focus from constant election mode to enhanced governance.
- Consistent Administrative Focus: This system ensures that the administrative machinery remains consistently focused on developmental efforts for the nation.
- Reduced Service Disruption: Simultaneous elections contribute to reducing the disruption of essential services, thereby minimizing policy paralysis.
Disadvantages of Simultaneous Elections:
- Federalism Impact: Simultaneous elections undermine the fundamental principle of federalism in our Constitutional structure.
- Logistical Challenges: Coordinating schedules, resources, and other logistics poses significant challenges for both states and the central government.
- Regional Variations: Synchronizing elections may not adequately address regional variations.
- Financial Implications: Conducting elections is costly and demands substantial resources, including manpower.
- Dissolution Concerns: Premature dissolution due to a vote of no-confidence is an issue.
- Practical Difficulties for Election Commission: Holding simultaneous elections for the entire country presents practical difficulties for the Election Commission.
- Absolute Majority Question: If the ruling party has an absolute majority in all 29 states, the need for new elections becomes a question.
- Disadvantage for Regional Parties: Simultaneous elections may favor the dominant national party or the incumbent at the Centre, disadvantaging regional parties.
GS 2 – Supreme Court Upholds Comprehensive Forest Definition
Context: The Supreme Court has instructed governments to follow the detailed definition of a forest outlined in its 1996 judgment in the T N Godavarman case until a complete record of all types of forests nationwide is compiled.
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- The Supreme Court has restated that the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) should apply to all land parcels identified as forests in government records or those that resemble the dictionary definition of forests.
- This interpretation is consistent with the Court’s earlier decision and Parliament’s purpose in passing the FCA in 1980.
- Even though the government justified the 2023 amendments, legal experts argue that the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) had already been expanded by the 1996 judgment.
- The later amendments aimed to provide clarity rather than make significant changes to the law.
- However, there were worries about possible exclusions of certain forest areas from the FCA’s coverage, leading to legal challenges from retired Indian Forest Service officers and NGOs.
Challenges to the Amendments and Court’s Response:
- People who filed a petition challenged the 2023 amendments.
- They claimed that while waiting for a complete forest record, areas once deemed as forests under the 1996 judgment might now be used for non-forest activities without needing clearance under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA).
- In reply, the Supreme Court instructed following its 1996 definition until the comprehensive forest record is finalized.
The Future Course of Action:
- States and Union Territories need to provide complete forest records by March 31, and the Ministry has to publish this data by April 15.
- The Supreme Court will address the issue for final resolution in July, stressing the need to balance development requirements with environmental conservation.
GS 3 – Private Investment in The Nuclear Power Sector:
Context: India plans to attract $26 billion in private investments for its nuclear energy sector, this move aims to increase non-carbon electricity generation, targeting 50% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
More About the News:
- This is the first time New Delhi is seeking private investment in nuclear power, aiming to achieve 50% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
- Talks with five private firms, including Reliance Industries, Tata Power, Adani Power, and Vedanta Ltd., are ongoing for investments of around ₹440 billion ($5.3 billion) each.
- The government aims to add 11,000 MW of new nuclear power generation capacity by 2040.
- The state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) currently operates the country’s nuclear power plants.
- Private companies will invest in nuclear plants, acquire land, and water, and handle construction, but NPCIL retains rights for building, running, and fuel management.
- Private firms are expected to earn revenue from electricity sales, while NPCIL will operate the projects for a fee.
Need for Nuclear Energy in India:
- Rising Energy Needs: With fast economic growth, there’s a need for more electricity to meet the increasing demand.
- Addressing Climate Change: Nuclear power provides a low-carbon, constant source of electricity, playing a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Enhancing Energy Security: Diversifying energy sources and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels improves energy security.
