The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : Reforming State Election Commissions

 GS-2 Mains Exam : Polity

Revision Notes

Context

• Importance of Empowering SECs: Strengthening the State Election Commissions (SECs) is crucial to ensuring free and fair elections at the grassroots level.

Introduction

• ECI’s Credibility: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has built a strong reputation for conducting timely and fair elections to Parliament and State legislatures.
• Need for Focus on SECs: However, 34 SECs across India require significant attention and reforms to match the ECI’s standards.

Systemic Disempowerment of SECs

• Constitutional Mandate: SECs were established by Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution, introduced through the 73rd and 74th amendments in 1993.
• Powers of SECs: SECs are responsible for the superintendence, direction, and control of electoral roll preparation and the conduct of elections to panchayats and urban local governments (ULGs).
• Challenges Faced: SECs are increasingly disempowered, often finding themselves in litigation against their State governments.

Current Issues Pertaining to SECs

• Delayed Elections: The Karnataka SEC filed a contempt petition against the Karnataka government for delaying panchayat elections by over three and a half years, violating High Court commitments.
• Litigation: SECs, including those in Andhra Pradesh, have faced challenges due to state actions that hinder local elections. The Supreme Court struck down an ordinance in Andhra Pradesh that delayed panchayat elections.

Performance Audits Findings

• CAG Audit: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found that 70% of urban local governments (1,560 out of 2,240) across 18 States lacked an elected council at the time of the audit.
• Impact of Disempowerment: The CAG’s Karnataka report highlighted that delays in local elections are often due to the disempowerment of SECs, undermining local governance and public trust.
• ASICS 2023 Survey: Janaagraha’s Annual Survey of India’s City Systems (ASICS) 2023 revealed that only 11 out of 34 States and Union Territories have empowered SECs to conduct ward delimitation, covering only 35% of India’s population as per the 2011 Census.

The Need for Free and Fair Local Elections

• Importance of Timely Elections: Regular and fair elections to local governments are essential for grassroots democracy and effective service delivery in both urban and rural areas.
• Constitutional Mandate: Elections must be conducted before the five-year term of elected local governments expires, a requirement as sacrosanct as elections to the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas.
• Empowering SECs: SECs should be granted full authority over local government elections, in line with the ECI, as emphasized by the Supreme Court in Kishan Singh Tomar vs Municipal Corporation of Ahmedabad (2006).

Electoral Reforms to Strengthen the Third Tier

• Transparency and Independence: SECs should be brought on par with the ECI in terms of transparency and independence in their constitution and appointment processes.
• Reforming the Selection Committee: A three-member SEC, appointed by a committee comprising the Chief Minister, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, and the Chief Justice of the High Court, could replace the current state government-appointed SEC.
• Mandating Fixed Intervals for Delimitation: Ward boundary delimitation and seat reservations should be mandated at fixed intervals (e.g., once every 10 years) to prevent election delays.
• Empowering SECs in Delimitation: SECs should be vested with powers for ward delimitation and reservation of seats in local governments.
• Reserving Mayoral Positions: SECs should be empowered to reserve positions of mayors, presidents, and vice-presidents of local governments, at fixed intervals, to ensure timely elections.
• Addressing Malpractices: SECs should oversee the election of mayors, presidents, and standing committees to address malpractices by presiding officers appointed by State governments, as seen in the 2024 Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Council election.

Conclusion

• Challenges and the Need for Reform: SECs face significant challenges that hinder the democratic process at the local level, unlike the ECI’s established credibility. Systemic disempowerment and delays in local elections undermine democracy and governance.
• Strengthening SECs: Reforms are essential to bring SECs on par with the ECI, ensuring transparent and independent appointments and empowering them with the necessary authority.
• Further Inclusion: The 73rd Amendment Act should be revisited for more inclusive dialogue and discussion to enhance the role and power of SECs in sustaining democracy and effective governance at the grassroots level.

 

 

 

The Hindu Newspaper Analysis

Editorial Topic : Biotech Enigma

 GS-3 Mains Exam : Science and Technology

Revision Notes

Context

• Biotechnology Initiatives: The recent Cabinet approval of BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) aims to boost manufacturing in the biotechnology sector, though the budget specifics remain unclear.

Significance and Scope of Indian Biotechnology Department

• Departmental Achievements: Since 1986, the Biotechnology Department has made significant strides in vaccine development, diagnostics, and biologicals, earning India the reputation of a ‘vaccine factory.’
• Global Potential: The biotechnology sector has vast potential, with billion-dollar industries based on high-value microbes, gene-modification technologies, bio-plastics, bio-materials, and high-precision medical devices.
• Lagging Behind in IT Revolution: Despite India’s expertise and human resources, only a few Indian biotech firms have achieved global recognition. A major issue is the lack of local manufacturers supplying Indian labs and startups with the necessary ingredients and devices.
• Dependence on Imports: The BioE3 policy seeks to address India’s reliance on imports, which hampers international competitiveness.
• Funding Requirements: Although funding has increased in the last four years, further efforts are needed, particularly in establishing public-private partnerships to bolster biotechnology manufacturing.
• Focus Areas of BioE3: The initiative targets six key verticals:
  • Bio-based chemicals and enzymes
  • Functional foods and smart proteins
  • Precision biotherapeutics
  • Climate-resilient agriculture
  • Carbon capture
  • Futuristic marine and space research
• Shift from Fossil Fuels: As the era of fossil-fuel industrialization wanes, the future will rely more on natural resources for food and consumer products.
• Environmental Concerns: The initiative addresses global issues like non-biodegradable waste and carbon emissions.

Way Forward

• Future Industries: Must be based on environmentally friendly products, achievable through advanced biotechnology.
• Establishment of Bio-Hubs: Setting up bio-foundries and bio-artificial intelligence hubs will create avenues for biotechnologists to collaborate and innovate.

Conclusion

• Challenges in Manufacturing: India’s manufacturing sector faces chronic issues that require long-term capital investment, beyond just biotechnology-specific concerns.
• Collaborative Effort: The BioE3 policy must be a collaborative initiative between the Centre and States, focusing on providing financial and infrastructural support over the long term.
• Long-Term Vision: A patient, long-term approach to building the necessary infrastructure is essential for boosting confidence in the biotech sector and ensuring sustainable growth.