Content :

1. Two Bills on simultaneous elections rock Parliament.
2. Delhi remains India’s most polluted city for second day in a row.
3. The Constitution on minority rights.
4. Failing PDS beneficiaries in Odisha
5. MGNREGS wages do not match rising cost of living: House panel
6. Finance Minister asserts Q2 growth ‘blip’ is temporary
7. Temple bodies challenge HC directive on use of elephants.

---

Two Bills on Simultaneous Elections Rock Parliament

---

Background:
The idea of simultaneous elections, or “One Nation, One Election,” aims to synchronize the election cycles of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Relevance: GS 2 (Polity & Governance)

• Introduction of Bills: Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced two Bills in the Lok Sabha for implementing simultaneous elections.

• Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill: Passed after a 90-minute debate, with 263 members voting in favor and 198 against.

• Union Territories Amendment Bill: Proposes aligning elections in Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir with Lok Sabha polls.

• Opposition’s Stance: Opposition, led by Congress, criticised the Bills as “anti-federal” and undermining the Constitution’s basic structure.

• Government’s Assurance: Meghwal clarified that the Bills uphold federal principles, judicial review, and states’ powers.

• Next Steps: The Bills will be reviewed by a Joint Parliamentary Committee.

Important Provisions of Simultaneous Election Bill:

Constitutional Amendments:

• A new Article 82A (1-6) will be introduced to facilitate simultaneous elections.

• Amendments proposed to Articles 83 (Parliament term) and 172 (State Assembly term) to allow synchronisation.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) will manage elections under Article 82A(3).

Legislative Measures:

• The 129th Constitution Amendment Bill proposes to curtail or extend Assembly terms to align with Lok Sabha elections.

• Mid-term polls will elect Lok Sabha or Assemblies for the unexpired term of the dissolved House.

Exclusions:

• Municipal and local body elections are excluded at this stage, avoiding ratification by state legislatures.

Union Territories:

• The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill modifies Acts governing UTs to align their election schedules with the Lok Sabha.

Implications:

• Election Cycle: Full implementation expected by 2034.

• Continuity Issues: Mid-term elections for incomplete terms may raise questions on governance consistency.

• Challenges: Requires political consensus and significant logistical changes.

---

Delhi Remains India’s Most Polluted City for Second Day in a Row

---

Background: Severe winter air pollution in Delhi continues to impact public health.

Relevance: GS 3 (Pollution)

• Air Quality Index (AQI): Delhi’s AQI reached 433, categorising it as “severe.”

• Health Risks: PM2.5 levels were over 16 times the WHO permissible limit, endangering health.

• Forecast: Poor air quality is likely to persist due to reduced wind speed.

• Government Action: Hybrid learning reinstated in schools for Classes 10 and 12.

• Health Impact: CPCB cautioned that severe pollution affects even healthy individuals.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

• Launched by the Central Government in 2014 under the Swachh Bharat Campaign.

• Objective: Simplify the common understanding of air pollution.

Key Features

• Converts complex air quality data from various pollutants into a single index value, nomenclature, and colour code.

• Measures pollutants such as:PM10PM2.5Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)Ozone (O₃)Carbon Monoxide (CO)Other harmful pollutants.

• Based on the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Data Representation

• Uses a 24-hour average of pollutant levels.

• Provides a colour-coded system for easy public and governmental understanding.

Purpose

• Helps in understanding the air quality condition.

• Guides the government and public on actionable measures to address pollution based on severity.

Six Categories of AQI

• Good (0-50): Minimal impact on health.
  • Satisfactory (50-100): Minor breathing discomfort for sensitive individuals.
  • Moderately Polluted (100-200): Breathing discomfort for people with respiratory issues.
  • Poor (200-300): Breathing discomfort for most people with prolonged exposure.
  • Very Poor (300-400): Significant health impact, especially for sensitive groups.
  • Severe (400-500): Serious health impact, even on healthy individuals.

---

The Constitution on Minority Rights

---

Background: Commemorated on December 18, Minority Rights Day highlights the 1992 UN declaration on minority rights.

Relevance: GS 2 (Polity & Governance)

• Constituent Assembly Debate: Articles 25-30 were enacted to protect minority rights.

• Purpose: Ensures cultural preservation alongside individual rights.

• Judicial Interpretation: Recent rulings reaffirm minority rights as part of the Constitution’s basic structure.

• Defining Minority :The Constitution does not explicitly define ‘minority’. The Supreme Court has held that minorities should be defined at the state level, allowing groups like Hindus in Punjab and Kashmir to claim minority rights.

• Supreme Court Judgments :Recent judgments, including those on Aligarh Muslim University (2024) and St. Xavier’s College Society (1974), have reaffirmed that Article 30 ensures equality and non-discrimination. The right under Article 30 is part of the Constitution’s basic structure.

Provisions:

• Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion.
  • Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.
  • Article 27: Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
  • Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.
  • Article 29: Protection of culture, language, or script of minorities.
  • Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
  • Article 350A & B: Education in the mother tongue and a special officer for linguistic minorities.

• Defining Minority: Determined at the state level (e.g., Hindus in Punjab).

---

Failing PDS Beneficiaries in Odisha

---

Context: Three women in Odisha died after consuming toxic mango kernel gruel, highlighting PDS issues.

Relevance: GS 1 (Society, Poverty)

• PDS Delays: Digitization and e-KYC mandates caused delays in food distribution.

• Historical Context: Hunger deaths in marginalized Adivasi communities are recurrent.

• Impact on Women: High anemia rates (49%) due to poor nutrition.

• Accessibility Challenges: Remote areas lack proper PDS infrastructure.

• Policy Issues: Welfare schemes rely on universal mobile and Aadhaar access, often unfeasible in rural areas.

PDS Scheme overview :

• Purpose: To distribute food grains and other essential commodities at affordable prices to the poor.

• Operational Responsibility: Joint responsibility of the Central and State Governments.

• Central Government Role: Procurement, storage, transportation, and bulk allocation of food grains through the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• State Government Role: Allocation within the state, identification of eligible families, issue of ration cards, and supervision of Fair Price Shops (FPSs).

---

MGNREGA Wages Do Not Match Rising Cost of Living: House Panel

---

Context:
The House panel recommended revising wages under MGNREGS to reflect inflation.

Relevance: GS 2 (Governance)

Key Points:

• Inadequate Wages: Nominal wages fail to meet rising living costs, discouraging participation.

• Regional Disparity: Wages range from ₹234 in Nagaland to ₹374 in Haryana.

• Outdated Base Rates: Based on 2019 rates or ₹100 minimum, whichever is higher.

• Worker Concerns: Workers demand fair, timely wages to sustain the scheme’s objectives.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) – 2005

• MGNREGA is a law passed by the Indian government in 2005, ensuring the “right to work” for rural citizens.

• The Act guarantees a minimum of 100 days of unskilled manual work to an adult member of eligible rural households.

• Its primary objective is to provide employment to rural citizens and improve their economic conditions.

Provisions:

Eligibility Criteria:

• Citizen of India
  • Age: 18 years or older at the time of application
  • Rural Household
  • Willingness to do unskilled work

Guaranteed Employment:

• The Act guarantees 100 days of unskilled employment for rural citizens at the government-set minimum wage.

Unemployment Allowance:

• If work is not assigned within 15 days, the applicant is entitled to an unemployment allowance:
  • 1/4th of minimum wage for the first 30 days.
  • 50% of minimum wage for the subsequent period.

Social Audit:

• Mandated by Section 17, all works under MGNREGA are subject to a social audit to ensure transparency, community participation, and government accountability.

Preference of Employment Near Residence:

• Work is typically provided within a 5 km radius of the applicant’s village.
  • Travel allowances are provided for work beyond this distance.

Decentralized Planning:

• Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) play a major role in planning, executing, and monitoring MGNREGA works.

• Gram Sabhas have the authority to propose work and must complete at least 50% of the total work in their respective areas.

Working Conditions and Payments:

• Proper working conditions, medical facilities, and compensation are provided by implementing agencies.

• Payments are made on a weekly basis, with no delays of more than 15 days.

• Compensation for delays: If payment is delayed, complaints can be made and addressed within 7 days.

---

Finance Minister Asserts Q2 Growth ‘Blip’ is Temporary

---

Context:
India’s GDP growth slowed to 5.4% in Q2 2024-25, attributed to temporary factors.

Relevance: GS 3 (Economy)

• Temporary Nature: Sitharaman linked the slowdown to general elections and festival timing.
• Growth Context: India remains the fastest-growing major economy, averaging 8.3% growth over three years.

• Manufacturing Resilience: 50% of IIP sectors remain robust; capital expenditure rose by 6.4%.

• Inflation Control: Food inflation tackled via buffer stocks and subsidies.

• Festival Impact: Uneven consumer spending due to festival alignment.

---

Temple Bodies Challenge HC Directive on Use of Elephants

---

Background:
Kerala HC ruled that using elephants in festivals like Thrissur Pooram is not an “essential religious practice.”

Relevance: GS 2 (Polity & Governance)

• Cultural Significance: Elephant parades symbolize devotion and cultural heritage, central to Thrissur Pooram.

• Historical Continuity: The tradition spans over 200 years.

• Ethical Concerns: Critics highlight mistreatment and safety risks for elephants and the public.

• Legal Standards: Animal rights laws necessitate reevaluating traditional practices.

Conclusion:
Balancing cultural preservation with animal welfare and public safety is crucial. A compromise can uphold both traditions and ethical standards.