Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Quotas and Equity in India

 GS-2 Mains Exam : Polity

Revision Notes

Question : Discuss the constitutional and legal challenges associated with increasing the reservation cap beyond 50% in India. How does the Bihar government’s attempt to include the increased quota cap in the Ninth Schedule reflect these challenges?

Introduction

• Bihar government’s decision to increase reservation quota challenged in Patna High Court.
• This judgement has implications for similar demands across India.

The Bihar Case

• Nitish Kumar government raised reservation cap from 50% to 65% based on caste survey data showing 85% population belonged to reserved categories.
• Patna High Court struck down the hike, stating the government relied on population percentage, not representation in government jobs and education.
• This verdict aligns with the judiciary’s usual stance on the 50% quota ceiling.

The 50% Ceiling and Demands for More Reservation

• Supreme Court upheld the EWS quota (not subject to 50% cap) in 2022.
• The apex court is reviewing the quota ceiling itself.
• Political parties, especially Congress, advocate for raising the reservation limit.
• Bihar government seeks to include the increased quota cap in the Ninth Schedule to avoid legal challenges.
• Effective solutions require multifaceted strategies beyond simply extending reservations.

Bihar’s Development and Remaining Challenges

• Bihar has shown improvement in economic and social indicators in the last two decades.
• However, Bihar remains among the poorest states with low per capita income and high poverty rate (51%).
• The state also has a high fertility rate and outmigration for low-paying jobs.

Challenges for Bihar’s Administration

• Half of Bihar’s workforce is in agriculture, contributing less than 25% of the GDP.
• The key challenge is to reduce dependence on agriculture by attracting investments in other sectors.
• Bihar needs to improve education, address skill gaps, and bring down its fertility rate.
• The government should prioritize uplifting marginalized communities during development initiatives.

Conclusion

• The Patna High Court verdict should prompt discussions on broader approaches to tackle historical inequalities.
• Bihar’s development needs to focus on reducing poverty, increasing income, and improving education, especially for marginalized communities. Reservation alone cannot achieve complete equity.

 

 

 

Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Air Pollution: A Threat to Children’s Health

 GS-2 Mains Exam : Health

Revision Notes

State of Global Air (SoGA) Report 2024

• Collaborative report by HEI, IHME, and UNICEF.
• Analyzed data from nearly 200 countries.
• Aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions for public health and climate benefits.

Key Findings

• Air pollution is the second leading global risk factor for death.
• In 2021, it caused 8.1 million deaths, with 709,000 being children under five.
• India has the highest number of air pollution deaths among children under five (169,400).

India’s Challenges

• India’s air pollution problem is severe, especially during winters.
• Current solutions are mostly temporary measures like water sprinkling and odd-even schemes.
• Lack of policy focus on linking pollution to public health.

Impact on Children’s Health

• Children are more vulnerable to air pollution due to higher air intake per body weight.
• Exposure to pollution increases risks of asthma, respiratory infections, leukemia, and high blood pressure.

Reasons for Hope

• Global death rate from air pollution among children under five has decreased by 53% since 2000.
• This improvement is due to cleaner cooking fuels, better healthcare, and awareness campaigns.
• Stricter air quality policies and electric vehicles show positive impacts in other regions.

Challenges for India

• 42 out of 50 most polluted cities are in India.
• A 2022 study found low awareness about air pollution’s health risks even among municipal workers.

Conclusion

• SoGA Report highlights the severity of air pollution in India, especially for children.
• Policymakers need to prioritize public health by considering air pollution risks in all development plans.