Content:
1. Let’s talk about ‘one candidate, multiple constituencies’
2. India’s firmer attempts at mineral diplomacy
3. Warding off Fire: Fire Safety in Hospitals
Let’s Talk About ‘One Candidate, Multiple Constituencies’
Background :
- Indian Constitution mandates elections every five years but allows Parliament to regulate elections through the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951.
- Earlier, candidates could contest from multiple constituencies; in 1996, the RP Act was amended to limit this to two constituencies.
Relevance: GS 2(Indian Polity )
Practice Question: Discuss the implications of the practice of “One candidate, multiple constituencies” (OCMC) in Indian elections. What are the challenges and advantages of this practice?(250 Words )
Challenges of OCMC
Cost Burden on Taxpayers
- By-elections due to seat vacancies cost the exchequer significantly (e.g., ₹130 crore for 10 by-elections in 2024).
- Political party spending, often from unaccounted sources, adds further strain.
Non-Level Playing Field
- By-elections favour ruling parties due to their resource mobilisation capabilities, disadvantaging the Opposition.
Repeated Financial Burden
- Defeated candidates must spend resources again during by-elections, increasing their financial strain.
Erosion of Democratic Principles
- Candidates hedge risks by contesting from multiple seats, prioritising personal interests over voters’ needs.
- Voter trust and turnout suffer when leaders vacate constituencies (e.g., Wayanad bypoll turnout dropped in 2024).
Promotion of Leader-Centric Politics
- Used as a strategy by leader- or family-centric parties to maintain dominance, diluting collective party ethos.
Violation of Voter Rights
- Argued to infringe on voters’ right to representation under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Advantages of OCMC
Safety Mechanism
- Reduces risk for leaders in tightly contested constituencies.
Leadership Continuity
- Ensures transition or retention of party leaders in case of constituency defeat (e.g., Mamata Banerjee in 2021, Pushkar Dhami in 2022).
International Perspective
- Pakistan & Bangladesh: No/limited restrictions on contesting multiple constituencies, with candidates required to relinquish extra seats.
- United Kingdom: Banned OCMC in 1983.
- Europe: Most democracies have eliminated the practice for clarity and accountability.
Recommendations for Reform
Ban OCMC
- Amend Section 33(7) of the RP Act, 1951, to prohibit multiple candidacies, as recommended by the ECI (2004) and Law Commission (2015).
Recover By-Election Costs
- Impose the full cost of by-elections on candidates vacating seats to discourage the practice.
Delay By-Elections
- Amend Section 151A of the RP Act to hold by-elections after one year, ensuring fair preparation and informed voting.
India’s Firmer Attempts At Mineral Diplomacy
Intro : Critical minerals are essential for modern technology, renewable energy systems, and defence applications, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
They are termed “critical” because they are vital for economic and national security but have vulnerable supply chains often concentrated in a few countries.
Relevance: GS 3(Minerals, Supply Chain)
Practice Question : Discuss the recent efforts made by India regarding minerals diplomacy and suggest measures to overcome existing challenges.” (15 marks, 250 words)
Importance of Critical Minerals
- Vital for India’s manufacturing and technology ambitions.
- Heavy dependence on imports, particularly from China, poses strategic risks.
Weaponisation of Resources
- Highlighted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as a growing threat.
Strategies in Mineral Diplomacy
Developing Bilateral Ties
- Focus on resource-rich nations like Australia, Argentina, the U.S., Russia, and Kazakhstan.
KABIL (Khanij Bidesh India Ltd.):
- Established in 2019 to ensure critical mineral supply.
- Signed MoUs with Australia (2022) and Argentina (2024) for lithium and cobalt exploration.
Private Sector Participation
- Example: Altmin Private Limited’s agreement with Bolivia’s YLB for Li-ion battery raw materials.
Central Asia Engagement
- Joint ventures like IREUK Titanium Limited with Kazakhstan.
- Proposal for an India-Central Asia Rare Earths Forum.
International Partnerships
- Engagement in Quad, IPEF, Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), and G-7 for critical mineral supply chains.
- Collaboration with the International Energy Agency to align with global best practices.
Challenges in Mineral Diplomacy
Lack of Private Sector Participation
- Absence of a clear roadmap and supply chain strategy.
Weak Diplomatic Capacity
- No dedicated mineral diplomacy division in the Ministry of External Affairs.
Need for Sustainable Partnerships
- Limited focus on trusted and long-term alliances, especially with Quad and EU nations.
Way Forward
Comprehensive Supply Chain Strategy
- Incorporate private sector roles aligned with national security and growth priorities.
Strengthen Diplomatic Efforts
- Create a mineral diplomacy division within MEA.
- Deploy mineral experts in key diplomatic missions.
Forge Sustainable Partnerships
- Prioritise collaborations with technologically advanced partners like the EU, South Korea, and Quad members.
Warding off Fire: Fire Safety in Hospitals
Context : Growing fire accidents within hospitals resulting in loss of lives.
Relevance: GS 3( Disaster Management)
Practice Question : There is a growing systematic failures in infrastructure and safety measures within hospitals as evident by recent fire accidents . Suggest measures to handle them .(250 Words )
Fire Incidents in Hospitals
- Recent incident: City Hospital, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, resulted in six deaths, including a child.
- Victims were trapped in a lift; suffocation due to smoke was the primary cause of death.
Previous incidents:
- November 2024: 10 newborns died in a fire at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Uttar Pradesh.
- May 2024: Seven newborns died at a private facility in East Delhi due to fire.
Neglect of Hospital Infrastructure
- Fireproofing of hospitals is low-priority across public and private sectors.
- Inadequate maintenance of hospital equipment and lack of robust fire safety measures.
Current Issues in Fire Safety
- Non-adherence to fire safety norms despite existing regulations.
- Poor awareness and training among hospital staff to handle emergencies.
- Lack of periodic renewal and genuine inspection of fire licenses.
Human Cost of Fire Negligence
- Vulnerable populations, such as patients, are most affected.
- Structural and operational flaws lead to preventable loss of lives.
Recommendations
Enforcement of Fire Safety Regulations
- Strict adherence to the National Building Code (NBC) and hospital-specific fire safety norms.
- Regular inspections and renewal of fire licenses by competent authorities.
Hospital Infrastructure Upgrades
- Installation of fireproof materials, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems.
- Functional and accessible escape routes in all hospitals.
Staff Training and Awareness
- Mandatory fire safety drills for hospital staff.
- Training to handle emergency situations, including evacuation protocols.
Accountability and Oversight
- Penalties for hospitals failing fire safety audits.
- Public listing of hospitals compliant with fire safety norms.