25 March 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. A Green Hybrid For Delhi

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 12)

A New Government’s Vision for a Greener Delhi

• With a newly elected government in place, Delhi is poised for transformative environmental reforms. 
• Among the most pressing concerns is air pollution, and policymakers are exploring multiple avenues for cleaner mobility solutions. 
• A vehicle-scrapping policy is already in the pipeline, but the next big step could be the introduction of ethanol-based flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs). 
• These cars, which can switch between petrol and ethanol, offer a viable alternative to traditional petrol and diesel-powered vehicles. 
• Given the alarming pollution levels in the capital, a shift toward FFVs could significantly improve air quality and enhance public health.

The Urgency of Pollution Control

• According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, Delhi is ranked as the third-most polluted city globally. 
• Vehicular emissions contribute a staggering 39% to the city’s pollution, making it imperative to adopt cleaner fuel alternatives. 
• Ethanol-powered FFVs can help curb pollution by reducing emissions of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and other harmful pollutants. 
• If implemented effectively, the transition to FFVs could be a game-changer for the region’s air quality and overall environmental sustainability.

Economic and Environmental Benefits of FFVs

• Delhi’s dependence on petrol-powered vehicles comes at a significant economic and environmental cost. 
• Studies suggest that air pollution results in a 1.06% to 5.8% loss of Delhi’s annual GDP. 
• With 15.23 million registered vehicles, a majority running on petrol, the carbon footprint is immense—petrol-powered cars emit 2.31 kg of CO₂ per litre of fuel. 
• By adopting E100 (100% ethanol) FFVs, carbon emissions can be slashed by up to 40%. 
• If even half of Delhi’s petrol fleet transitions to FFVs, the overall carbon emissions could see a 16.5% reduction, significantly improving air quality and economic savings.

Government Policies and Incentives

• The Central government has already launched the Ethanol Blending Programme, with the goal of achieving 20% ethanol-blended petrol (E20). 
• However, to ensure large-scale FFV adoption, Delhi’s administration must introduce financial incentives. 
• Lowering the GST on FFVs from 28% to 5%, similar to electric vehicles, could make these cars more attractive to consumers. 
• Additionally, waiving road tax and registration fees for FFVs could accelerate their acceptance in the market.

Delhi’s Strategic Advantage in Ethanol Supply

• India is rapidly increasing its ethanol production, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, both of which are close to Delhi. 
• This geographic advantage ensures a strong ethanol supply chain that can support widespread FFV adoption. 
• Additionally, the NCR region is home to major automotive manufacturers and research hubs, making it an ideal location for the development, testing, and rollout of FFVs. 
• With a well-established industrial ecosystem, Delhi NCR can become a leader in alternative fuel technologies.

Learning from Global Success Stories

• Brazil provides a successful case study for ethanol-based mobility. 
• The country turned to ethanol as an alternative fuel during the 1970s oil crisis but saw widespread adoption only after launching FFVs in the early 2000s. 
• Today, 80% of Brazil’s cars run on ethanol, proving that large-scale shifts are achievable with the right policies and incentives. 
• Delhi, with its history of bold environmental reforms—such as the introduction of CNG for public transport in the 1990s—can follow a similar path.

The Way Forward

• With rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns, urban consumers are actively seeking greener alternatives. 
• Policymakers must complement FFV introduction with public awareness campaigns and incentives for early adopters. 
• Furthermore, with the Supreme Court’s mandate for pollution control and Delhi’s vehicle-scrapping initiative, now is the perfect time to introduce ethanol-based FFVs. 
• If executed effectively, Delhi NCR can become a pioneer in ethanol mobility, setting an example for the rest of India.

2.Reimagining reservation

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 13)

Telangana’s Bold Affirmative Action Reforms

• Telangana’s recent decision to raise the OBC quota to 42% and sub-classify 59 Scheduled Castes (SCs) into three groups marks a significant shift in India’s reservation policy. 
• These measures aim to correct historical inequalities within marginalized communities but also navigate a complex legal and political landscape. 
• Their success depends not only on judicial approval and central government consent but also on the state’s ability to balance social justice with constitutional principles.

OBC Quota Expansion: Legal Challenges and Justifications

• Telangana’s decision to breach the 50% reservation cap, set by the Indra Sawhney verdict (1992) and reaffirmed in 2021 (Maratha reservation case), faces legal hurdles. 
• The state justifies this move based on a caste survey, claiming “extraordinary circumstances” to exceed the limit. 
• However, Bihar’s failed attempt at quota expansion highlights the risk of rejection if the methodology linking caste to backwardness is deemed flawed. 
• To withstand judicial scrutiny, Telangana must present strong socio-economic evidence, such as disparities in education, employment, and political representation, rather than relying solely on population statistics.

SC Sub-Classification: Stronger Constitutional Backing

• Unlike the OBC quota hike, the sub-classification of SCs has a firmer constitutional foundation. 
• The Supreme Court’s August 2024 ruling, overturning the E V Chinnaiah judgment (2004), allows states to redistribute reservation benefits within SC/ST groups. 
• If Telangana’s caste survey effectively demonstrates intra-group disparities, this policy could ensure a fairer distribution of benefits and face fewer legal obstacles. 
• This move seeks to address the unequal access to reservations among SC sub-castes, making it a socially transformative step with legal legitimacy.

Political Strategy: Electoral Gains and National Implications

• Telangana’s Congress government, led by CM Revanth Reddy, aims to consolidate OBC and SC voter blocs, which form over 70% of the electorate. 
• The move also aligns with Bihar’s electoral climate, where quota demands remain high after the High Court struck down the state’s 65% reservation law. 
• Nationally, Telangana’s policies serve as a blueprint for Congress, positioning it as the party of “empirical social justice”, contrasting with the BJP’s reluctance to release caste census data. 
• If successful, similar reforms may emerge in Congress-ruled states like Karnataka, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh, shaping the party’s strategy for the 2029 general elections.

The Burden of Proof: Data-Driven Policy or Legal Risk?

• The success or failure of Telangana’s case hinges on its caste survey. 
• To justify exceeding the 50% cap, the state must demonstrate unique and severe backwardness among OBCs, supported by concrete education, employment, and socio-economic indicators. 
• The Maratha quota case (2021) set a precedent where “historical disadvantage” alone was deemed insufficient without contemporary evidence of exclusion.
• Similarly, for SC sub-classification, the state must present disaggregated data proving that certain SC sub-castes remain disproportionately underrepresented in jobs and education. 
• Transparency in methodology—including sampling techniques and survey parameters—is crucial to avoid accusations of political bias or statistical manipulation, as seen in Bihar’s case.

Risks and Potential Roadblocks

Despite its boldness, Telangana’s reservation reforms face three key risks:

1. Legal Uncertainty – If the Supreme Court upholds the 50% cap, the OBC quota hike will be struck down.
2. Resistance from Dominant OBC/SC Subgroups – Some communities may oppose sub-classification, fearing reduced benefits. This could fragment the very vote blocs Congress seeks to consolidate.
3. BJP’s Counter-Narrative – The BJP may challenge the legality of the reforms, portraying them as “vote-bank politics” that compromise merit-based governance and national unity.

A Defining Moment in India’s Reservation Debate

• Telangana’s experiment represents a dynamic, data-driven approach to affirmative action. 
• If upheld, it could set a precedent for sub-categorization and force other states to adopt rigorous empirical evidence over populist measures. 
• However, a judicial strike-down would reignite debates on whether the 50% cap remains relevant in addressing India’s persistent inequalities.

Conclusion

• For now, Congress has scored a tactical political victory, portraying itself as a champion of marginalized communities. 
• However, the long-term impact depends on the judiciary’s stance and the state’s ability to convert legal success into meaningful social change. 
• Regardless of the outcome, Telangana has redefined India’s reservation discourse, pushing it into a more nuanced and evidence-based phase.

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