Social Justice

Remoulding the Global Plastics Treaty

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The article discusses the need for the Global Plastics Treaty to include and support informal waste pickers who significantly contribute to recycling and sustainability, emphasizing social justice and integration in plastic waste management policies.

Details

Key Points

• Global Plastic Waste and Recycling:
  • Global plastic waste production was 353 million tonnes in 2019, set to triple by 2060.
  • Only 9% of plastic waste was recycled in 2019, with 85% of recycling done by informal workers.
• Role of Informal Recycling Workers:
  • Informal workers significantly alleviate municipal waste management burdens and contribute to environmental sustainability.
  • They help reduce plastic content in landfills, preventing plastic leakage into the environment.
• Vulnerability and Exclusion of Informal Workers:
  • Informal workers face risks from waste management privatization, incineration projects, and exclusion from public policy.
  • They account for 80% of municipal solid waste recovery in many cities, crucial to waste management.
• Global Plastics Treaty and Just Transition:
  • The treaty aims to establish a legally binding agreement to reduce plastic pollution, with active participation from the International Alliance of Waste Pickers.
  • Emphasizes integrating informal waste pickers into policy discussions to protect their rights and promote sustainable practices.
• India's Role and Perspective:
  • India advocates for enhancing repair, reuse, refill, and recycling without completely eliminating plastics.
  • Emphasizes country-specific approaches and the importance of integrating informal waste pickers into new legal frameworks.

Sources:

The Hindu

Polity

The Centre is notional, the States the real entities

Source: The Hindu

Context

• The 2024 general election results indicate increased democratization and a stronger role for regional parties, emphasizing the need for cooperative federalism and addressing the contentious Centre-State relations to ensure balanced development across diverse Indian states.

Details

Key Points

• Strengthening Federalism:
  • Regional parties' success in the 2024 election is expected to bolster federalism by increasing their presence in both ruling and opposition benches.
  • Diverse states need greater autonomy to address their unique issues, emphasizing the importance of cooperative federalism for balanced development.
• Centre-State Relations:
  • Centre-State relations have been contentious, with opposition-ruled states complaining about inadequate resource transfers and stepmotherly treatment by the Centre.
  • The Supreme Court has urged for amicable resolution of Centre-State issues, highlighting the need for cooperative federalism initially promised in 2014.
• Financial Conflicts:
  • The Centre controls most financial resources, necessitating their devolution to states, leading to conflicts over resource allocation.
  • The Finance Commission's bias towards the Centre and perceived fiscal irresponsibility of states exacerbates these conflicts.
• Political and Economic Governance:
  • States face varied developmental stages and resource needs, with richer states resenting the proportional allocation of funds to poorer states.
  • Calls for a 'double engine ki sarkar' undermine state autonomy, emphasizing the need for even-handed treatment by the Centre to strengthen federalism.

Sources:

The Hindu

Economy

HAWKS HAVE IT

Source: Indian Express

 

Context

• The RBI has maintained the repo rate at 6.5% for the eighth consecutive time, prioritizing price stability amid global and domestic uncertainties while cautiously addressing inflation and promoting economic growth.

Details

Key Points

• RBI's Monetary Policy Decision:
  • The RBI maintained the repo rate at 6.5% for the eighth consecutive time to ensure price stability and control inflation.
  • The decision reflects a cautious approach, balancing inflation concerns with the goal of promoting economic growth.
• Inflation Concerns:
  • Despite a slight decrease in headline inflation, the RBI remains cautious due to the narrow range of decline, from 5.1% in February to 4.8% in April.
  • The RBI aims to cut rates only when convinced that inflation will sustainably stay at or around the 4% target, reflecting a focus on long-term stability.
• Economic Growth Outlook:
  • The RBI raised its GDP growth forecast for the current financial year from 7% to 7.2%, driven by resilience in domestic activity and optimistic business sentiments.
  • High-capacity utilization, healthy balance sheets, and government infrastructure spending are expected to support sustained economic growth.
• Global and Domestic Uncertainties:
  • The RBI's cautious stance is influenced by global geopolitical tensions and the rising incidence of adverse climate events affecting food prices.
  • The decision to maintain the status quo on interest rates is a strategic move to navigate both external and internal economic uncertainties

Sources:

Indian Express

Social Justice

A WOMAN'S PLACE

Source: Indian Express

Context

• Despite the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill promising 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, the number of women in the lower house has decreased, highlighting the need for women's leadership in politics.

Details

Key Points

• Women's Participation in Politics:
  • Despite efforts such as the Women's Reservation Bill, the number of women in the lower house of Parliament has decreased, emphasizing the need to break the male-dominated political mindset.
  • Women's increasing participation in voting has influenced electoral outcomes, prompting political parties to recognize the importance of the "woman vote" and introduce targeted welfare schemes.
• Need for Women Leaders and Decision-Makers:
  • Women's impact in politics cannot be limited to voters and beneficiaries; there is a need for national acceptance and embrace of women leaders and decision-makers.
  • Examples from countries like Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands highlight the effectiveness of quotas and affirmative action in promoting gender equality in politics.
• Role of Affirmative Actions and Quotas:
  • Countries with high female political representation employ various affirmative action measures, such as quotas and the "zipper system," to ensure gender parity in political leadership.
  • The Women's Reservation Bill in India is viewed as one milestone towards gender parity in politics, indicating the need for continued efforts beyond its enactment.

Sources:

Indian Express