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Editorials/Opinions Analysis For UPSC 09 January 2025

  1. River interlinking, the fount of environmental disaster
  2. The Right to Food and Struggles with the Public Distribution System (PDS)
  3. Crippling and Scuttling the Right to Information (RTI) Act


Context:

  • On December 25, 2024, PM Modi laid the foundation for the Ken-Betwa River Link Project, aimed at resolving water scarcity in Bundelkhand (U.P. and M.P.).
  • The project includes a dam inside the Panna Tiger Reserve, raising concerns over biodiversity loss.
  • Cost of ₹45,000 crore was sanctioned despite Supreme Court committee objections.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance,Environment ,Geography)

Practice Question : Discuss the environmental challenges posed by the river interlinking project in India. Suggest sustainable alternatives for resolving water scarcity.(250 words)

Historical Evolution of River Interlinking

  • Concept Origin: Proposed by Sir Arthur Cotton (19th century) and refined by M. Visvesvaraya.
  • National Water Grid idea developed by K.L. Rao and Dinshaw Dastur in 1970-80s.
  • National Water Development Agency (NWDA) formed in 1982 to study the feasibility of 30 river links.

Objectives of River Interlinking Projects

  • Water transfer from surplus rivers (Ganga, Brahmaputra) to deficit regions in central and southern India.
  • Mitigation of floods and droughts.
  • Improved rural income and reduced water distress in agriculture.

Environmental Concerns

  • Ecological Costs:
    • Destruction of wetlands, forests, and biodiversity.
    • Deltaic ecosystems will be starved of silt and water, impacting land fertility and livelihoods.
  • Climate Change Impact:
    • Unpredictable rainfall patterns will worsen water distribution challenges.
    • Silt load reduction will degrade coastal and river ecosystems.

Case Studies of Failures

  • Indus Delta (Pakistan):
    • Once rich in biodiversity, impoverished after barrage construction by British and Pakistani governments.
  • Narmada River (India):
    • Downstream drying due to the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
  • Kissimmee River (Florida):
    • Channelisation project caused wetland destruction, requiring costly restoration.
  • Aral Sea (Soviet Union):
    • Rivers diverted for irrigation projects, turning the lake into a desert.

The Flawed Assumption of ‘Surplus’ Water

  • Rivers do not have “free” surplus water.
  • Floodwaters are essential for:
    • Silt deposition in deltas.
    • Groundwater recharge.
    • Biodiversity support.

India’s Real Water Crisis

  • Inadequate water management, corruption, and poor policies are the core reasons for the crisis.
  • Solutions include:
    • Watershed management involving local communities.
    • Drip irrigation systems (e.g., Israel) to save water and improve aquifer health.
    • Reuse of wastewater through innovative programmes.

Impact on Rivers and Religious Significance

  • Rivers hold religious and cultural significance in India.
  • Despite ‘Hindutva’ ideology that reveres rivers, excessive dam construction, pollution, and commercialisation have placed rivers at risk.
  • India’s political class must act to save rivers from environmental degradation.


Context : The Right to Food is a fundamental right under Article 21, and the PDS is the primary mechanism to ensure food security for vulnerable sections of society. However, systemic flaws in PDS implementation, especially for marginalized communities, highlight governance and administrative issues.

Relevance :GS2 (Welfare Schemes, Issues in Governance, Social Justice)

Practice Question : The Public Distribution System (PDS) is essential for ensuring food security in India.  However, its implementation faces several challenges. Discuss the key issues with PDS and suggest measures to improve its efficiency.(250 Words)

Issues with PDS in India

  • Exclusion of Vulnerable Groups
    • Many marginalized households, such as the Musahar community in Bihar, are excluded from PDS rolls.
    • Issues with ration cards, including biometric verification failures, have led to the disenfranchisement of beneficiaries.
  • Access Issues Post-COVID-19
    • The pandemic worsened the supply crisis in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
    • Marginalized communities continue to face disruptions in accessing ration supplies.
  • Biometric Verification Problems
    • Mandatory biometric authentication at Fair Price Shops (FPS) has caused many people to lose access to rations due to authentication failures.
    • This has led to the requirement for new ration cards, creating additional bureaucratic hurdles.
  • Corruption in PDS Distribution
    • Reports from beneficiaries indicate that FPS dealers release less grain than the entitlement (e.g., 4 kg/person instead of 5 kg).
    • Poor-quality rice, particularly ‘Usnarice, is distributed, while wheat is often unavailable.
  • Documentation Issues in Ration Card Applications
    • States like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh demand additional documents (e.g., caste certificates, income certificates), despite no legal basis in the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013.
    • This results in delays and denial of ration cards to eligible beneficiaries.
  • Market Exploitation and Middlemen
    • Middlemen exploit marginalized communities, charging exorbitant fees (₹3,000+) to process ration cards.
    • Cases of fraud are common, with middlemen disappearing after collecting fees.
  • Delays in Issuance of Ration Cards
    • As per the PDS Control Order of 2015, ration cards must be issued within 30 days of application. However, delays of 4 to 18 months are common.
    • This bureaucratic inefficiency affects the basic subsistence of the poorest.

Governance and Administrative Gaps

  • Disconnect Between Government and People
    • Focus on digitization (e-PDS) and ‘smart cities overlooks the needs of the most vulnerable populations.
    • There is a lack of empathy and accountability in public service delivery.
  • Bureaucratic Red Tape
    • Excessive documentation requirements and slow processes hinder the realization of the Right to Food.
    • The systemic failure to streamline processes reflects poor administrative governance.
  • Neglect of Fundamental Rights
    • The People’s Union of Civil Liberties vs Union of India (2001) case recognized the Right to Food as part of the Right to Life under Article 21.
    • Despite this, bureaucratic hurdles continue to obstruct the implementation of the right.

Solutions and Way Forward

  • Strengthen the NFSA Implementation
    • Ensure that all eligible beneficiaries, especially marginalized communities, are covered under PDS.
    • Simplify the documentation process and remove unnecessary barriers.
  • Address Biometric Failures
    • Provide alternatives to biometric authentication to ensure that no one is denied food due to technology failures.
    • Adopt offline authentication mechanisms for remote areas.
  • Curb Corruption in PDS
    • Implement stricter monitoring of Fair Price Shops to prevent corruption and under-delivery of food grains.
    • Establish grievance redressal mechanisms at the local level.
  • Digitization with Inclusion
    • Ensure that e-governance initiatives are inclusive and accessible to marginalized communities.
    • Provide digital literacy and support services to bridge the digital divide.
  • Community Involvement in Monitoring
    • Empower local communities to monitor PDS distribution and report discrepancies.
    • Strengthen civil society participation in welfare governance.


Context :The Right to Information Act, 2005, was a landmark legislation aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. However, governments have often tried to weaken the Act through amendments, delays, and administrative inefficiencies. The Supreme Court’s recent questioning of vacancies in Information Commissions highlights this issue.

Relevance :GS2( Governance, Transparency, Accountability)

Practice Question:The Right to Information (RTI) Act is a powerful tool for ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. However, the implementation of the Act faces several challenges. Discuss the key issues in the implementation of the RTI Act and suggest measures to improve its efficacy.(250 Words)

Issues with the Implementation of the RTI Act

  • Vacancies in Information Commissions
    • The Central Information Commission (CIC) currently has eight vacant posts of Information Commissioners.
    • 23,000 appeals are pending before the CIC, leading to significant delays.
    • Several State Information Commissions are nearly defunct due to a lack of members.
  • Dilution of Autonomy
    • The government amended the RTI Act, removing the fixed five-year tenure for Information Commissioners, thereby reducing the autonomy of the CIC.
    • The appointment process lacks transparency and often favors retired civil servants, rather than candidates from diverse professional backgrounds.
  • Lack of Proactive Appointments
    • Governments have failed to advertise vacancies in advance, leading to delays in filling up positions.
    • The 2019 Supreme Court verdict mandated proactive efforts to fill vacancies, but compliance has been poor.
  • Backlog and Denial of Information
    • Vacancies and delays have led to a backlog of appeals, discouraging citizens from seeking information.
    • Delays in appointments and the lack of accountability mechanisms reduce the efficacy of the RTI Act.

Government Tactics to Cripple the RTI Act

MethodImpact
Amending the RTI ActReduced autonomy and weakened the CIC
Delaying appointmentsIncreased backlog of appeals
Appointing retired civil servantsRestricted diversity in Information Commissions
Imposing bureaucratic hurdlesDiscouraged citizens from filing RTI requests

Supreme Court’s Intervention

  • Directives to the Centre
    • The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has been directed to provide a timeline for completing the selection process of Information Commissioners.
    • The search committee details and the list of applicants have been sought to ensure transparency in appointments.
  • Directives to States
    • States that have begun the appointment process must complete it within a specified timeframe.
    • The Court emphasized the need for proactive measures to avoid future vacancies.

Consequences of Weakening the RTI Act

  • Reduced Accountability: Delays in providing information shield government officials from scrutiny.
  • Public Disillusionment: Citizens lose trust in the system when they face delays and denials.
  • Weakened Democracy: The RTI Act is a critical tool for citizen empowerment and participatory democracy. Weakening it undermines these principles.

Solutions and Way Forward

  • Timely Appointments and Proactive Measures
    • Governments must comply with the 2019 Supreme Court judgment to advertise vacancies early and ensure timely appointments.
    • Ensure a fixed tenure for Information Commissioners to uphold the autonomy of Information Commissions.
  • Diversifying Appointments
    • Appoint candidates from various walks of life, such as journalists, lawyers, and social activists, instead of relying solely on retired civil servants.
    • This will enhance the credibility of Information Commissions.
  • Strengthening the CIC and State Commissions
    • Allocate adequate resources and staff to reduce the backlog of appeals.
    • Improve the efficiency of the appeal process by integrating technology for faster resolution.
  • Ensuring Transparency in the Appointment Process
    • Make the search committee process public and ensure citizen oversight to prevent favoritism in appointments.
    • Implement accountability mechanisms to monitor delays and compliance.

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