Current Affairs – September 28, 2024

{GS1 – IS – Issues} India’s Invisible Slum Crisis

Context (DTE): Lack of census data has compounded the problem, raising questions on the government’s “commitment” to ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’.

What is a Slum?

UN defines ‘slum’ as one or a set of people living in the same house in an urban area who lack one or more facilities, i.e., secure tenure, durable housing, sufficient living space, and access to improved water and sanitation facilities.
India’s slum-dwelling population increased from 27.9 million in 1981 to 65.5 million in 2011, accounting for about 17.37% of the total urban population in 2011 (Census 2011).

Characteristics of slum

High population density
Lack of access to basic services like clean water and sanitation
Poor living conditions and lack of security of tenure
Limited or no access to education and healthcare facilities
Poverty, high unemployment and informal economy
High incidence of deviant behaviour, i.e. crime, juvenile delinquency, drug usage, suicide, ill legitimacy and family maladjustments.

Factors for the growth of slums in India

Rapid pace of urbanisation: India is one of the fastest-urbanizing countries in the world. As per UN, India’s urban population is expected to nearly double from 461 million in 2018 to 877 million by 2050.
Poor housing planning: Lack of affordable, low-cost housing and poor planning by the government encourages the supply side of slums.
Migration from rural to urban areas in search of better work opportunities.
Social factor: Social backwardness forces people to live in congested areas away from main areas. E.g., one out of every 5 residents in slums belongs to the SC category.

Adverse impacts of slums

Health hazards: Overcrowding and poor sanitation in slums create ideal conditions for the spread of communicable diseases such as cholera, dengue, and tuberculosis.
Educational barriers: Children in slums face obstacles in accessing quality education. Limited schools and resources, coupled with need to contribute to family income, hinder their educational development.
Poverty and inequality are both causes and consequences of slum development. Slum residents often lack education and skills, leading to low-paying, unstable jobs, making it hard to escape the poverty cycle.
Environmental stress: Overcrowded and unsanitary conditions (improper waste disposal, inadequate sewage systems) contribute to environmental degradation and pollution.
Impacts urban planning: Slums, often made up of illegal structures, challenge city planners by straining urban infrastructure like transportation, sanitation, and utilities, impacting the city’s overall functionality.
Social isolation: Slum residents are socially isolated from others, partly by choice and partly by location.

Challenges in slum rehabilitation

Limited access to financial resources: Urban poor lack formal financial resources to help them purchase new homes or maintain a new life in a new housing unit. Therefore, most of the newly constructed housing units are not affordable.
Lack of land for housing: Excess control over land creates an artificial urban land shortage, leading to urban sprawl and corruption in land licensing. Further, non-marketable state-owned entities in the heart of cities limit the amount of available land for housing.
Regulatory constraints: Development projects in urban areas are subject to a long approval process from both state and central levels, which postpones tasks.
Vote bank politics: Politicians prioritize short-term electoral gains by making promises of welfare schemes to slum dwellers, often neglecting long-term urban planning and infrastructure development.
Political deprivation: Slum dwellers often lack political representation and are excluded from decision-making, limiting their ability to advocate for their rights and improve living conditions.

Lessons from Slums

Hotbeds of innovation: E.g. Residents in many slums use locally sourced materials for cost-effective, sustainable housing, offering insights into affordable solutions.
Promote social cohesion: Community-driven initiatives in slums, such as self-help, collective decision-making, and resource pooling, offer valuable lessons for urban planners in fostering inclusive communities and promoting social cohesion in formal urban projects.
Effective use of limited space: E.g. In Dharavi, small spaces are efficiently used for both residential and commercial purposes. This model can inspire high-density, mixed-use urban developments.
Effective urban planning: Slums are often self-organised, responsive to residents’ needs, and demonstrate unique development patterns and flexible space use that enhance resilience and sustainability.

Way forward

Undertake comprehensive, nationwide survey of slum households that goes beyond mere headcounts.
Understanding the nuanced realities of people living in slums by involving the slum communities in the process, not as subjects but as active participants in building an understanding of their lived reality.
Establishing a clear and comprehensive definition of a slum that accommodates regional variations while offering a consistent framework for intervention is essential.
Provision of clear, free title to the residents so that they enjoy the privileges of using property as a tangible asset.
Adopting a data-driven approach to slum rehabilitation as an investment rather than a burden.

{GS1 – MIH – Movements} 100 years of Self-Respect Movement (SRM)

Context (TH): 2024 marks the start of the hundredth year of the Self-Respect Movement.

The SRM founded in 1925 by E. V. Ramasamy (Periyar), was a continuation of the attempt to secularise and modernise the Tamizh society that began with the Dravidian Movement.
The movement being called ‘Suyamariyathai’ or Self-Respect symbolises that ‘Maanam’ or honour is a basic human instinct distinguishing humans from other animals.
Periyar identified the notion of self-respect with three other important concepts:
1. ‘Samathuvam’ (Equality)
2. ‘Suthanthiram’ (Freedom)
3. ‘Samadharmam’ (Communism)
The movement challenged the ideological hegemony of the Indian Independence struggle by demanding that equality between sexes and eradicating caste be put on an equal footing with national liberation.

September has been celebrated as ‘Dravidian Month’ to commemorate the Dravidian Movement.

Contribution

The Movement introduced and popularised self-respect marriages, which removed the necessity for Brahmin priests and religious rituals that were not conducted in Sanskrit.
- Self-respect marriages were enacted into law in 1967.
The movement advocated for women’s liberation from oppressive social norms by championing causes such as widow remarriage, the right to divorce, the right to property, and even abortion. It granted women autonomy, equality and dignity, symbolising a break from tradition.
It criticised ancient texts that degraded women and actively promoted contraception as a means of empowering women to control their bodies.
It was pivotal in its promotion of inter-caste marriages, which was seen as a push-back to the patriarchal forces controlling the choice of partner and marriage.

Critique

The Movement prioritised social reform over political independence. Though it was not opposed to independence, it warned of a replacement of British rulers with elite Hindu caste groups.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Need for Comprehensive Land Law Reform in India

Context (IE): Prioritising fundamental legal reforms and Digitisation is essential for enhancing agricultural productivity, infrastructure development, renewable energy expansion, and social equity in India.

Issues in India’s Land Governance Framework

Complex Legal Landscape: India has over 1,500 land-related laws, causing confusion and inefficiencies.
Unclear Land Titles: About 70% of land records are outdated or inaccurate, leading to disputes.
Land Fragmentation: Approximately 90% of farm households own less than 2 hectares, limiting agricultural productivity.
Inadequate Tenancy Laws: In Punjab, many states prohibit land leasing, restricting optimal land use.
Gender Disparities: Only 13% of landowners are women, highlighting inequalities in property rights.
Limited Judicial Oversight: Laws in the Ninth Schedule are exempt from judicial review, allowing arbitrary enforcement and undermining property rights.

Causes

Conflicting Laws and Regulations: Overlapped laws, such as inconsistencies between state and central regulations, can delay infrastructure projects.
Insecure Land Tenure: In rural areas, informal agreements often result in disputes, as seen in states like Uttar Pradesh, where land disputes are common.
Fragmentation of Land Holdings: Small landholdings limit agricultural efficiency, with 90% of farmers owning less than 2 hectares. This hinders economies of scale and impacts productivity and profitability.
Gender Discrimination: Women face significant barriers in land ownership, with only 13% of landowners being female. Cultural norms also prevent women from inheriting land, as seen in parts of Haryana.
Lack of Access to Credit: Unclear land titles and insecure tenure hinder farmers’ ability to secure loans. Administrative Inefficiencies: Bureaucratic delays and corruption complicate land transactions.

Limitations of Digitisation in Addressing Land Issues

Incomplete Data: Digitisation often relies on outdated or inaccurate records. For example, in many states, only 30-40% of land records are digitised, leaving significant gaps.
Legal Ambiguities: Digitised records do not resolve underlying legal disputes
Access and Digital Divide: Not all communities have equal access to digital platforms. In rural areas, internet connectivity can prevent farmers from accessing vital information.
Inadequate Training: Users often lack the necessary training to navigate digital systems.
Resistance to Change: Stakeholders may resist transitioning to digital systems due to fear of losing traditional practices.
Data Security Concerns: Digitisation raises concerns about data privacy and security. Data breaches can undermine trust, for example, reports of unauthorised access to land records.

Way Forward

Comprehensive Legal Reforms: Update land laws to streamline processes, as seen in Rajasthan’s single-window registration clearance system.
Strengthening Digital Infrastructure: Invest in digital platforms; Karnataka’s Land Records Management System allows farmers online access to land information.
Community Engagement and Training: Implement training programs for farmers, like those in Madhya Pradesh, to help them use digital land services effectively.
Gender-Sensitive Policies: Promote women’s land rights through initiatives like Landesa in Odisha, which has positively impacted rural livelihoods.
Public-private partnerships: These foster collaboration with private entities; the Mahindra Group’s partnership with the government has streamlined land record processes in regions in Maharashtra.

{GS2 – Governance – Issues} Temple Governance in India

Context (IE): The Tirupati laddoo issue has reignited discussions about govt control of temples.

History Temple Control in India

Ancient Patronage: Temples served as cultural and economic centres, often funded by kings and wealthy patrons who donated land and resources, establishing them as significant societal institutions.
Colonial Interference: The British colonial government viewed temples as sites of wealth and influence, enacting laws between 1810 and 1817 to gain oversight and control over their administration.
Religious Endowments Act of 1863: This act addressed corruption and misappropriation of temple funds by transferring management from local leaders to government-appointed committees.
Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act of 1925: Formalised government oversight of temples in southern India, allowing for extensive regulation and control over temple finances and administration.
Post-Independence Continuity: Independent India retained much of the legislative framework established during colonial rule, with various states enacting similar laws to maintain control over temples.
Social Integration Argument: It was argued that oversight was necessary to ensure inclusivity in temple access & management and promote social harmony among different castes and community groups.

Current Governance Structure of Hindu Temples

State Control: Many Hindu temples are managed by state governments, which have enacted laws to regulate temple administration and finances.
Dedicated Departments: States like Tamil Nadu have established specific departments, such as the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, to oversee temple operations.
Government-Appointed Boards: Temples are often governed by boards or trusts that include government representatives or officials, giving the state significant influence over decision-making.
Revenue Sharing: State governments typically share temple income from offerings and donations, using the funds for temple maintenance and various welfare activities.
Legal Framework: Temple governance is guided by laws rooted in colonial legislation, with provisions for oversight and regulation under the Concurrent List of the Constitution.

Demands for Community Management

Historical Resolutions: Hindu organisations have advocated for restoring temple control to local communities since 1959, emphasising grassroots governance.
Political Advocacy: Hindutva groups have increasingly called for legislative changes to free temples from government oversight, framing it as a restoration of cultural heritage.
Protests and Campaigns: Throughout the years, various protests led by religious leaders and local communities have highlighted grievances against government control and advocated for autonomy.
Recent Legislative Attempts: Some state governments have initiated or withdrawn laws to loosen state control over temples in response to public pressure.
Public Sentiment: Growing public sentiment against perceived government overreach in temple management has fueled calls for reforms, with many arguing for upholding religious freedoms.
Tirupati Controversy as a Catalyst: The recent controversy surrounding the Tirupati laddoo has intensified demands for temple autonomy. Hindutva organisations use it as a rallying point to argue that government control undermines religious significance and local traditions.

Judicial Viewpoint

Reluctant Intervention: Courts typically avoid interfering in temple management, upholding laws that permit state regulation.
Fundamental Rights: The SC acknowledges religious denominations’ fundamental right to manage their affairs, subject to reasonable state regulation.
Public Welfare Justification: Courts often justify state oversight by citing concerns about mismanagement and corruption, emphasising the need for regulation in the public interest.
Status Quo Maintenance: Recent rulings have supported existing government control, suggesting it helps temples serve broader societal needs.
Key Case Precedents: Cases like the Shirur Mutt case established that laws removing management rights from religious groups can violate Article 26 of the Constitution.

Read more > Karnataka Temple Bill.

{GS2 – IR – China} China Shock 2.0

Context (IE|IE): The China shock disrupted Western markets and adversely impacted Indian manufacturing and trade. It refers to the significant economic disruption that followed China’s entry into the WTO in 2001, leading to a surge of low-cost goods that overwhelmed global markets.

China Shock 2.0

It is the renewed surge in Chinese exports amid a domestic economic slowdown, which poses new challenges for global markets and industries.
This influx is expected to displace workers and exacerbate trade tensions, particularly affecting countries like India that rely heavily on Chinese goods.

Impact on Global Trade

Worker Displacement: Many industries worldwide face job losses as they struggle to compete with low-cost Chinese imports, reminiscent of the original China shock.
Market Volatility: The influx of Chinese products has caused price volatility, particularly in sectors like steel, where European prices have dropped significantly due to oversupply.
Challenges for Emerging Markets: The influx of Chinese goods pressures emerging economies, such as Vietnam and Thailand, impacting their trade balances and manufacturing sectors.

Impact on Indian Manufacturing and Trade

Increased Import Dependency: India’s imports from China surged from $10.87 billion in 2005-06 to over $100 billion in 2023-24, affecting local industries.
Job Losses: Cheaper Chinese products have led to job losses in textile sectors, where Indian manufacturers struggle to compete.
Challenges in Renewable Energy: India’s goal of 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030 is hindered by its reliance on China for 80% of solar components, which limits domestic growth.
Steel Industry Pressure: Rising Chinese steel imports have led local producers to call for anti-dumping duties to mitigate financial strain.
Electronics Vulnerability: India imports over $12 billion in electronic components from China, showing a limited reduction in dependency despite local manufacturing efforts.

Global Responses

Tariff Impositions: The U.S. has imposed steep tariffs on Chinese goods, including 100% on electric vehicles and 50% on solar cells to protect domestic industries.
Anti-Dumping Investigations: In 2024, India initiated over 30 anti-dumping investigations against Chinese imports to safeguard local businesses across various sectors.
Strengthened Trade Agreements: Countries seek deeper economic ties with alternative partners, like India’s efforts with Japan and Australia, to diversify supply chains.
Local Manufacturing Incentives: Governments offer tax breaks and subsidies to promote domestic production, such as India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
Import Quotas and Restrictions: Some nations are implementing import quotas on Chinese products to limit volumes that threaten local markets.

Supply Chain Resilience Initiatives: Companies are diversifying their supply chains to reduce reliance on China, adopting strategies like “China Plus One“ to alter global trade dynamics.

Future Implications

Focus on Diversification: To reduce reliance on China, countries will prioritise diversifying supply chains and shifting production to nations like Vietnam and India.
Resurgence of Domestic Manufacturing: Initiatives like the U.S. CHIPS Act aim to boost domestic semiconductor production, fostering local manufacturing capabilities.
Emergence of Regional Trade Blocs: Regional trade agreements, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Asia, will gain traction as countries enhance intra-regional trade.
Technological Investments: Increased investments in technology and automation will enhance productivity, with India investing in intelligent manufacturing solutions.
Shift in Consumer Preferences: A growing preference for locally sourced products will drive demand for domestic goods, as seen with “Made in America” trends.
Geopolitical Realignments: Trade policies will increasingly reflect geopolitical considerations, with the EU strengthening ties with Indo-Pacific nations to counter China’s influence.

{GS2 – IR – India-Russia} Emerging Russia-India Partnership

Context (IE): Russia’s pivot to Asia, driven by the Ukrainian crisis, marks a new chapter in its relations with India, although several hurdles remain in their bilateral engagement.

Russia’s Shift from Europe to Asia

Economic Diversification: Russia increased trade with Asia, with India’s imports exceeding $7.5 billion by mid-2024, following Western sanctions.
Energy Security: India became a major buyer of Russian oil, surpassing China as the top purchaser due to discounted prices.
Geopolitical Alliances: Russia is strengthening ties in regional forums like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to counter Western influence.
Military Collaboration: India procures advanced military systems from Russia, such as the S-400 despite external pressures.
Technological Cooperation: Joint ventures in technology and manufacturing are emerging, aligning with India’s “Make in India” initiative and Russia’s production goals.

India’s Significance

Major Oil Buyer: India has become a leading importer of Russian oil, benefiting from lower prices that help stabilise its domestic fuel market.
Trade Growth: Bilateral trade between India and Russia surged to over $7.5 billion by mid-2024, highlighting India’s growing importance as a trade partner.
Non-Involvement Stance: India’s neutral position on the Ukraine conflict provides Russia with a stable ally in a turbulent geopolitical environment.
Defense Partnerships: Continued defence procurement, such as the S-400 missile system, solidifies military ties and enhances India’s security capabilities.
Investment Opportunities: India’s focus on domestic manufacturing opens avenues for Russian investments in key sectors like technology, energy, and infrastructure.

Challenges Ahead

Limited Economic Complementarity: Both countries focus on self-sufficiency, with Russia promoting domestic industrial production and India emphasising local manufacturing, hindering balanced trade.
Sanctions Impact: Western sanctions on Russia complicate financial transactions and limit access to international markets, affecting trade dynamics with India.
Payment Mechanisms: The lack of a stable payment system hampers trade, making it difficult for businesses to engage effectively without reliable financial channels.
Investment Barriers: The absence of investment protection agreements and clear arbitration processes creates uncertainty for investors in both countries.
Logistical Challenges: Underdeveloped transport routes and insufficient logistics infrastructure complicate trade flows, limiting the efficiency of bilateral trade.
Quality Concerns: India’s exports to Russia often lack high-value engineering products, relying instead on lower-value items, which affects the overall trade quality.

Way Forward

Enhancing Payment Systems: Develop a robust bilateral payment mechanism to facilitate trade, reduce reliance on Western financial systems, and streamline transactions.
Bilateral Investment Agreements: Establish comprehensive investment protection agreements to build investor confidence and encourage cross-border investments in key sectors.
Logistics Infrastructure Development: Invest in improving transportation and logistics networks to enhance trade efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in supply chains.
Joint Ventures in Technology: Foster collaboration on technology projects and manufacturing initiatives, particularly in sectors like defence, energy, and information technology.
Quality Improvement Initiatives: Focus on increasing the quality and variety of exports, encouraging Indian companies to enhance their product offerings to meet Russian market demands.
Investment Frameworks: Create clearer regulations and frameworks for joint investments, ensuring protections for businesses from both nations to encourage greater participation.

{GS2 – IR – India-Russia} Indian Oil PSUs Struggle for Russian Dividends

Context (IE): Western sanctions make it harder for Indian oil corporations to repatriate income from Russian projects, disrupting global payments and investments.

Indian oil companies have collectively invested over $6 billion in various oil and gas projects in Russia like Sakhalin-1 project, Vankor project, Taas-Yuryakh project.

Challenges to Repatriation

Western Sanctions: Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, many Russian banks were excluded from the SWIFT financial system, severely limiting their ability to engage in international transactions.
Dividend Accumulation: The dividends accumulating in rubles at the Commercial Indo Bank (CIBL) in Moscow cannot be easily accessed or utilised due to these sanctions.
Legal and Jurisdictional Complexities: Investments are made through companies like Singapore, making it harder to use dividend money to buy Russian oil due to international legal rules.
Operational Constraints: The dividend money is reduced by expenses, and no new investments are planned, making it hard to use the funds in Russia.

Potential Solutions

Bilateral Negotiations: Government-to-government talks between India and Russia might help repatriate delayed dividends.
Utilization of Dividends for Local Payments: The stranded funds could be used to pay for Indian imports of Russian oil, especially for IOC (Indian Oil Corporation) and BPCL.
Investment in New Projects: Exploring new investment opportunities could provide a channel for utilising the accumulated dividends.
Exploring Alternative Payment Mechanisms: Developing alternative payment systems circumventing traditional banking channels. For example, using cryptocurrencies or barter arrangements enables trade without direct financial transactions.

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} Evaluating Delhi’s Winter Action Plan

Context (IE): Delhi’s Winter Action Plan for pollution lacks credibility, as past experiences show a need for authorities to adapt mid-season and abandon rigid strategies.

Issues

Delayed Implementation: The plan is often rolled out too late to make a significant impact, particularly regarding awareness campaigns and timely interventions.
Short-Term Focus: It prioritises immediate fixes rather than addressing the root causes of pollution with a long-term strategy.
Ineffective Coordination: Despite forming a task force, there are ongoing challenges with inter-departmental coordination and communication.
Limited Engagement on Stubble Burning: Efforts to collaborate with neighbouring states to mitigate stubble burning have been insufficient and reactive rather than proactive.
Weak Regulatory Framework: The Commission for Air Quality Management has not effectively mediated solutions. It often meets infrequently and acts more as a regulator than an active problem-solver.
Neglecting Local Hotspots: The plan fails to adequately address specific geographic areas that trap pollutants, missing an opportunity for targeted interventions.
Public Awareness Deficiencies: The lack of effective public engagement means residents are often uninformed or disengaged from pollution reduction efforts.

Way Forward

Year-Round Strategies: Adopt comprehensive plans like California’s Clean Air Act, which addresses pollution continuously and improves air quality.
Public Engagement: Implement awareness campaigns. For example, Singapore’s National Environment Agency fosters community involvement in sustainability.
Advanced Monitoring Technology: Use real-time data systems like London’s ULEZ to inform residents about air quality and enable informed decisions.
Interstate Collaboration: Promote cooperation such as the EU’s Air Quality Framework, sharing resources among neighbouring states to tackle transboundary pollution.
Localized Solutions: Implement targeted measures in high-pollution areas, such as increasing New York City green spaces and low-emission zones.
Sustainable Transportation: Encourage cycling and public transport.

{GS3 – Envi – Air Pollution} Shortcomings of ‘quick fixes’ to address air pollution

Context (IE): India must move beyond the illusion of short-term solutions. There is a need for a multi-decadal, multi-sectoral effort grounded in scientific thinking to address air pollution.

Causes of air pollution

Temperature inversion and low wind speeds during the post-monsoon and winter months prevent pollutants from rising and dispersing, resulting in pollutants getting trapped close to the surface, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic plain.
Other factors: Biomass burning for cooking, trash-burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial activity combine with episodic events such as farm stubble burning and festival firecrackers.

‘Quick fixes’ to address pollution and their shortcomings

Cloud seeding: Artificial manipulation of weather patterns could lead to droughts in areas which would have received rainfall due to the water diverted for precipitation. Accumulating chemicals (silver iodide) in soil and water could impact agriculture and ecosystems.
Smog towers: Their effectiveness is limited to the immediate vicinity. Further, the energy required to operate these towers can contribute to emissions, rendering them counterproductive.
Odd-even formula: It primarily focuses on car emissions, neglecting other major contributors to air pollution like industrial emissions, burning crop residue, and dust from construction sites.
Dust suppressants/Anti-smog guns: Suppressants can adhere to soil particles and be resuspended in the air. The volatile organic compounds can contribute to ozone formation, causing respiratory illnesses. Chemicals used (magnesium and chlorides) can adversely impact plant growth.

Dust suppressants are usually made from calcium or magnesium salts that absorb moisture from the air. When mixed with water and sprayed on roads, they can help keep dust down longer.

Way ahead

Coordination among various agencies: Effective collaboration between agencies responsible for transport, industry, agriculture, and urban planning is crucial to ensure that policies are aligned.
- E.g. addressing crop stubble-burning in rural areas requires cooperation between farmers, agricultural policymakers, and environmental regulators.
Institutional frameworks and investments in research: Solutions must be data-driven, informed by a clear understanding of pollution sources and health impacts, and adaptable to India’s diverse contexts.
Comprehensive air quality monitoring system: Integrating various technologies such as regulatory monitoring stations, satellite-based monitoring, and low-cost sensor networks can help track pollution trends, providing the data needed for targeted interventions to tackle both local and regional sources.
Moving beyond techno-centric solutions: The so-called quick fixes, like cloud seeding and smog towers, are designed more to demonstrate action than to deliver meaningful results. They often serve vested interests, offering lucrative contracts to private firms while failing to address the root causes of pollution.
Capacity building and critical thinking: Researchers, policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and diverse citizen groups must work together to ensure that decisions are in the public interest.