Content:
- Pie in the sky
- Away from home
- The global warming fight has a challenge for India
Pie in the sky
Introduction: The Union government has introduced two Bills in the Lok Sabha to implement the idea of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, known as “One Nation, One Election.” This proposal has sparked significant debate regarding its feasibility and implications.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity, Election, Governance)
Practice Question : In the context of Simultaneous Elections highlight its impacts on Federalism and discuss its advantages and disadvantages.(250 Words )
- Parliamentary Debate: The Bills have been introduced in the Lok Sabha, with a division of votes showing 263 in favor and 198 against. The government lacks the two-thirds majority needed to pass the constitutional amendments required for simultaneous elections.
- House Panel Examination: A 39-member House panel will examine the two Bills. The Bills align with the recommendations of a committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, which proposed simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections as a first step, followed by municipal and panchayat polls within 100 days of the general election.
- Constitutional Amendments: The Constitution Amendment Bill seeks to add a provision for the timeline of simultaneous elections, potentially starting in 2034 unless earlier Lok Sabha terms are curtailed. If a State Assembly is dissolved before completing its term, fresh midterm elections will be held, but the new Assembly will not have a full five-year tenure.
- Election Commission’s Role: The Bill allows the Election Commission to defer or not hold Assembly elections in a particular State, ensuring the Assembly’s term coincides with the Lok Sabha elections.
Arguments Against Simultaneous Elections:
- Anti-Federal Provisions: The provisions are seen as anti-federal, potentially undermining the autonomy of State Assemblies.
- Cost-Cutting Rationale: Conducting multiple elections before the stipulated five-year period contradicts the cost-cutting rationale for simultaneous elections.
- Federalism and Governance: Federalism involves sharing power at different levels of governance, with elections allowing voters to address specific concerns at each level. Simultaneous elections could diminish the importance of each tier and align with centralizing tendencies.
Historical Context:
- Past Practices: Simultaneous elections were held in India from 1951 to 1967 but were disrupted due to premature dissolutions of State Assemblies and the Lok Sabha.
- International Perspective: Countries like South Africa hold simultaneous national and provincial elections, with municipal elections held separately.
Feasibility and Challenges:
- Legal and Constitutional Amendments: Implementing simultaneous elections requires significant constitutional amendments and legal frameworks.
- Political Opposition: The proposal faces strong opposition from various political parties, citing concerns over federalism and democratic accountability.
Conclusion:
Simultaneous elections provide simultaneous challenges and opportunities. Fate of the proposal depends on the examinations and debates in the parliament.
Away From home
Concerns: Indian Workers Exploited Overseas
- Labour Exploitation: The case of 16 Indian workers forced to work under inhumaneconditions in Libya underscores widespread exploitation.
- Coerced from the UAE to Libya to work in a cement factory.
- Struggles to obtain exit permits despite Indian mission support.
- Fatal Incidents: A fire at a labour camp in Kuwait in June claimed at least 40 Indian lives.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance )
Practice Question : Considering recent exploitation of Indian workers abroad suggest key measures to be taken to ensure their highest safety and wellbeing . What are the key steps to increase remittances from abroad. (250 Words )
- Lack of Citizenship: Most Indian workers in Gulf countries cannot acquire host-country citizenship, exacerbating their vulnerabilities.
- Economic Contribution vs. Personal Costs:
- Indian workers contributed $129 billion in remittances in 2024.
- Personal burdens:
- Recruitment fees, travel loans, and exploitative work conditions like the kafala system.
- Kafala system: A system in the Middle East that involves binding migrant workers to a specific employer throughout the period of their residence in a country
Government Actions and Limitations
- e-Migrate System:
- Introduced over a decade ago for workers in 18 Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) countries.
- Weak enforcement and evasion by international labour agents.
- Non-ECR Countries:
- No regulatory coverage for Indian workers in countries like Israel and Russia.
- Cases of worker deaths in conflict zones persist.
- Policy Gaps:
- India’s Emigration Act remains outdated.
- Inadequate monitoring of recruitment agents.
- Insufficient compensation guarantees from foreign employers.
Proposed Reforms
- Legal and Administrative Measures:
- Reform the Emigration Act to address new challenges.
- Strict monitoring and accountability of recruitment agents.
- Negotiate for higher worker protections and compensation guarantees with host countries.
- Economic Strategies:
- Foster equitable economic growth domestically to reduce dependency on overseas jobs.
- Strengthen support for returning workers to ensure sustainable reintegration.
- Diplomatic Engagement:
- Use platforms like Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan to highlight and address worker struggles.
- Focus on balancing diaspora success narratives with action on ground realities.
Conclusion: Bridging Aspirations and Realities
- The plight of Indian workers abroad starkly contrasts India’s economic and diplomatic ambitions.
- Humanitarian Support: Repatriation efforts are immediate but temporary solutions.
- Structural Reform: Sustainable strategies are essential to protect the dignity and rights of Indian workers abroad.
The Global Warming Fight Has A Challenge For India
Context :
- COP29 Outcomes: The climate conference in Azerbaijan showed stagnation in international climate negotiations.
- Global Warming Trend: Despite diplomatic setbacks, the planet continues to warm, requiring urgent emission reductions.
Relevance : GS 3 (Environment )
Practice Question : Discuss the challenges that India faces in balancing its development goals with its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.(150 Words )
Global Targets:
- Developed countries: Net-zero by 2050.
- China: Net-zero by 2060.
- India: Net-zero by 2070.
Challenges for India
- Pressure for Early Transition:
- EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), effective from 2026, requires carbon tax adjustments in exporting countries.
- Peaking Emissions: G-7 Summits pressuring major economies, including India and China, to peak emissions by 2025.
- Development vs. Climate Goals:
- India’s Development Imperative: Need for more electricity to replace fossil fuels; current consumption is one-third of the global average.
- Energy Needs: India must balance growing energy demands with the transition to cleaner sources.
Transition Timeline and Technological Hurdles
- Transition Timeframe:
- India faces limited time to decouple emissions from growth, with pressure to cap emissions soon.
- Technological Dependencies: Clean technologies (e.g., small modular reactors, hydrogen) will take more than a decade to become viable.
- Energy Growth Strategy:
- Rapid ramp–up of electricity generation is crucial before emissions peaking is enforced.
- China’s Role: China is actively expanding coal-based plants, adding 200 GW, which influences global emissions trends.
Electricity Demand and Transition
- Projected Demand for Electricity:
- The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) estimates a demand of 21,000 TWh by 2070 for India to achieve net-zero emissions.
- India’s current energy consumption (2020): 6,200 TWh, with 3,400 TWh projected by 2040.
- Comparisons with the pandemic year (2020) indicate that energy demand may be significantly underestimated.
Decoupling Growth and Energy
- Energy and Economic Growth:
- The West’s Experience: The West has struggled with decoupling growth from energy consumption.
- India’s Service Sector: Growth in sectors like digital economy and generative AI will increase energy demand, challenging the decoupling model.
- The need for clean, firm power sources such as nuclear energy is underscored by tech giants’ growing reliance on nuclear power.
Renewables vs. Nuclear Power
- Cost Analysis:
- Renewables (high option): Estimated cost of $15.5 trillion by 2070, with high storage and transmission costs.
- Nuclear Power (high option): Estimated cost of $11.2 trillion by 2070, offering lower cost and land use.
- Land Requirements:Renewables: Will require 412,033 sq.km, more than double India’s available surplus land.
- Nuclear: Requires 183,565 sq.km, a more manageable footprint.
Nuclear Power’s Role in India’s Energy Transition
- Current Nuclear Share: Nuclear contributes just 3% of India’s energy mix.
- International Developments:
- Over 20 countries, including the U.S., Japan, and France, have pledged to triple nuclear power by 2050.
- India needs to significantly increase its nuclear capacity to meet energy demands and reduce emissions.
- Government Support for Nuclear Expansion:
- Public-private partnerships and joint ventures with public sector units should be encouraged.
- Nuclear power must be classified as a green energy source to qualify for international climate financing.
Financial and Political Challenges
- Global Climate Financing:
- Developed countries pledged just $300 billion/year by 2035, far below the $1.3 trillion demand by developing nations.
- Multilateral Banks: Current financing structures need reform to accommodate developing countries’ needs.
- Energy Transition Costs:
- Green finance from private sources will depend on higher tariffs and the financial health of DISCOMs.
- Public Sensitization: Higher tariffs are needed to fund the transition, requiring political consensus on energy pricing.
Carbon Trading and Equity
- Carbon Trading Rules: COP29 finalized rules for carbon trading, which could benefit rich countries at the expense of poorer nations.
- India’s Claim to Carbon Space:
- As the EU and U.S. claim their share of the global carbon budget, India must establish its own claim by expanding energy generation capacity.
- Peaking Levels: India needs to plan its emissions trajectory carefully to avoid being left behind in the global carbon space race.
Conclusion: Balancing Growth with Climate Goals
- India’s Dual Challenge:
- Growth needs for energy must be balanced with the urgent need for clean energy transitions.
- India faces a longer, more complex transition compared to developed nations, requiring strategic investments in both renewable and nuclear power.
- Equitable Carbon Space: India must secure a fair share of the remaining carbon space to support future growth while transitioning to a cleaner energy mix.
