Indian Express Editorial Summary
Editorial Topic : Wayanad Story
GS-3 Mains Exam : Disaster management
Context
- Kerala faces frequent landslides, highest in India (2239/3782).
- Highlights Gadgil and Kasturirangan committee reports.
Gadgil Committee Recommendations
- Identified Wayanad as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).
- Classified ESAs into 3 categories based on fragility.
- Restrictions on construction, mining, quarrying, etc.
- No forest to non-forest or agricultural to non-agricultural land conversion in ESA-1.
- Sulthan Bathery, Vayittiri, Manantavadi in highest ESA category.
- Emphasized local community involvement and sustainable tourism.
Resistance to Recommendations
- Farmers protested against land-use restrictions.
- Political opposition to perceived imposition without consultation.
- Both reports criticized as “environmentally forward” and not “people-centric”.
- Government inaction due to public pressure.
Preparedness
- Years of action/inaction determine disaster outcome.
- Need for rebuilding and building better.
- Focus on prevention and safeguards.
Conclusion
- Environmental conservation requires bottom-up approach.
- People’s support and participation essential.
- Need for infrastructure, political will, and people-centric policies.
Indian Express Editorial Summary
Editorial Topic : Towards Dispute Irresolution
GS-2 Mains Exam : Polity
Introduction
- Government promotes mediation over arbitration for domestic procurement.
Drawbacks
- Increased litigation burden on courts.
- Negative impact on Ease of Doing Business, FDI, and legal system.
- Court delays and increased interference.
- Expensive appeals and prolonged dispute resolution.
- Frequent Supreme Court intervention.
2015 Amendments
- Aim to establish India as arbitration hub.
- Reduce court time.
Incorrect Perceptions
- Concern over quick dispute resolution.
- Criticism of arbitrator quality and corruption.
- Contradictory stance on arbitration hub and arbitrator quality.
Real Issue
- Unequal legal representation due to low legal fees.
- Arbitrations lost due to poor facts and representation, not corruption.
- Need for accreditation and training, not arbitration ban.
Ray of Hope
- Increased commercial court litigation.
- Development of robust jurisprudence in damages, indemnities, discovery, and trial principles.
- Expansion of damages law and increased indemnity use.
- Demand for skilled trial lawyers.
Conclusion
- Temporary setback for Indian arbitration.
- Potential long-term benefits for legal infrastructure and commercial law development.
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