POLITY

Opposition’s larger demography, LoP’s big responsibility

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The 2024 general election resulted in the largest Opposition presence in the Lok Sabha, with over 234 seats, highlighting the significance of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) role.
• The role of the LoP in India, influenced by the Westminster system, is crucial for maintaining democratic balance by scrutinizing government actions and policies.

Details

Key Points

• Acts and Regulations
  • Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977: Defines the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) as the leader of the largest party in opposition to the government recognized by the Speaker or Chairman.
  • Direction 121: Issued in the 1950s, states a party must have a minimum of 10% members in the House to be recognized as a party, which affects the recognition of the LoP.
• LoP in the Westminster System
  • In the British parliamentary tradition, the LoP is seen as the "Prime Minister-in-waiting" and leads a shadow cabinet that scrutinizes government policies and offers alternatives.
  • The shadow cabinet mirrors the positions of the actual cabinet members, allowing Opposition members to gain insights into government operations.
• Challenges
  • The Indian Parliament's Opposition is composed of multiple parties with divergent ideologies, making it challenging to maintain unity.
  • The LoP in the 18th Lok Sabha must unite the Opposition and effectively present their views and critiques of the government.
  • The role is full of challenges due to the lack of power compared to the ruling party, which can maintain alliances through power-sharing.
• Past Lessons
  • Historical practices in Indian Parliament, such as Nehru’s engagement during Question Hour and his encouragement of Opposition voices, demonstrate the importance of healthy parliamentary traditions.
  • Restoring and emulating these traditions can strengthen democracy and ensure effective governance.
  • Intolerance towards dissent was not part of the early parliamentary tradition in India, and learning from the past can guide current and future parliamentarians.

Sources:

The Hindu

POLITY

Ending defections

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The defection of an MLA in Telangana highlights ongoing issues with the Anti-Defection Law, emphasizing the need for reforms to strengthen democratic practices and ensure effective opposition.

Details

Key Points

• Defection and Anti-Defection Law
  • 10th Schedule (1985 Anti-Defection Law): Enacted to prevent political defections and ensure stability in elected governments.
  • Amendment (2003): Provides exceptions to disqualifications if two-thirds of a party merge with another party.
  • Current Issues: Defections often violate the law, and the power vested in the Speaker or Chairperson to decide on disqualifications, without a set time limit, has rendered the law ineffective.
• Specific Case: Telangana
  • MLA's Defection: A recent defection reduced the opposition's strength in the State Assembly.
  • Historical Context: Telangana has experienced mass defections since its inception in 2014, with the ruling party securing a majority through defections.
• Role of Speaker and Challenges
  • Speaker's Role: The Speaker has the authority to decide on members' disqualifications but often acts under the ruling party's influence.
  • Current Speaker: The Telangana Assembly Speaker is expected to uphold democratic principles but faces party pressures.
• Importance of a Strong Opposition
  • Democratic Practices: A strong opposition is crucial for participatory democracy, enhancing governance, and acting as a check on unilateral decisions by the ruling government.
• Need for Reform
  • Proposed Amendments: Suggest transferring the power to decide on disqualifications from the Speaker to an independent Election Commission.
  • Timelines: Implementing timelines for disqualification decisions to ensure timely and impartial resolutions.
• Broader Implications
  • Strengthening Democracy: Recent experiences underscore the dangers of brute majorities and highlight the need for stronger opposition at both state and central levels to maintain democratic balance.

Sources:

The Hindu

ECONOMY

MOODY'S WARNING

Source: Indian Express

Context

• India's persistent water crisis and increased vulnerability to climate change could impact its sovereign credit strength as the country aims to become the world's third-largest economy.
• Water security is critical for India's economic ambitions, with potential water supply drops threatening operations in key industries and leading to increased food prices and decreased real incomes.

Details

Key Points

• Water Crisis and Economic Impact
  • Sovereign Credit Strength: Persistent water shortages and climate change vulnerabilities could negatively affect India's credit ratings.
  • Economic Ambitions: Ensuring water security is essential for supporting India's growth and industrial operations.
• Industrial Vulnerability
  • Key Sectors: Coal-fired power generation and steel production are most vulnerable to water stress.
  • Operational Disruptions: Water shortages can disrupt farming and industrial activities, leading to economic instability.
• Per Capita Water Availability
  • Current and Future Projections: Government estimates suggest a decline in per capita water availability from 1,486 cubic meters to less than 1,400 cubic meters by 2030.
  • Critical Benchmark: The Ministry of Water Resources' benchmark for adequate water availability is 1,700 cubic meters.
• Groundwater and Water Management
  • Overutilization: India's focus on supply-side solutions has led to the overuse of groundwater.
  • Water Pricing: Current mechanisms do not reflect the critical state of the country's aquifers.
• Initiatives and Challenges
  • Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Launched for rainwater harvesting and water conservation but has seen limited implementation in metros.
  • Policy Gaps: State governments and municipal corporations lack effective incentives or penalties for water-efficient practices.
• Future Urbanization and Competition
  • Population Growth: India's urban population is expected to increase by over 270 million in the next 20 years, intensifying water competition.
  • Technological Solutions: Technologies like dry cooling and non-fresh water cooling can help reduce pressure on water resources.
• Need for Policy Innovation
  • Moody's Report: Highlights the need for innovative policies to ensure sustainable water use.
  • Water Audits: Industry conversations on water audits are at an early stage and need to be promoted.

Sources:

Indian Express