16 December 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Let’s talk about ‘one candidate, multiple constituencies’

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

The practice of one candidate contesting from multiple constituencies (OCMC) in elections, though legally permissible, leads to financial burdens, frequent by-elections, and voter dissatisfaction. This undermines democratic principles while favoring leader-centric politics. Debates around banning OCMC focus on electoral reforms for accountability and transparency in India’s parliamentary democracy.

Background of One Candidate, Multiple Constituencies (OCMC)

• The Constitution of India mandates regular elections every five years for Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha, with the Election Commission (ECI) regulating the conduct of elections.
• Until 1996, there was no limit on the number of constituencies a candidate could contest, leading to frequent by-elections when candidates vacated seats.
• In 1996, the Representation of the People Act, 1951, was amended to limit candidates to contesting from a maximum of two constituencies. Despite this, the practice persists.

Challenges Posed by OCMC

1. Financial Burden

• Frequent by-elections increase costs for taxpayers. For instance, the 2014 general elections cost ₹3,870 crore, which rose to ₹6,931 crore in 2024, adjusted for inflation.
• By-elections due to candidates vacating seats after winning can cost around ₹130 crore if 10 candidates vacate seats.
• Massive expenditure by political parties, estimated at ₹1,35,000 crore for the 2024 elections, largely funded by unaccounted money, undermines financial transparency.

2. Electoral Imbalance

• By-elections tend to favour ruling parties due to resource mobilization and patronage, creating a non-level playing field.
• This trend weakens opposition parties and disrupts democratic balance.

3. Disproportionate Financial Pressure

• By-elections impose additional financial burdens on already defeated candidates and their parties, forcing them to reinvest resources.

4. Undermining Democratic Principles

• Contesting from multiple constituencies prioritizes a leader’s interests over public welfare, serving as a safety net for candidates rather than addressing people’s needs.
• It reflects the dominance of leader-centric or family-based political parties.

5. Voter Confusion and Discontent

• Vacating constituencies after elections leads to voter dissatisfaction, as seen in Wayanad, Kerala, where voter turnout dropped from 72.92% in the general election to 64.24% in the bypoll.
• This practice may violate Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution by disregarding the voters’ choice of representation.

Advantages of OCMC

• Provides a safety net for candidates in competitive constituencies.
• Ensures continuity for leader-centric political parties if their leader loses an election, as seen with Mamata Banerjee in 2021 and Pushkar Singh Dhami in 2022.

International Practices

Pakistan: Allows candidates to contest unlimited constituencies; they must vacate all but one. In 2018, a former Prime Minister contested five seats. Bangladesh: Earlier allowed contesting up to five constituencies; now limits it to three since 2008. United Kingdom: Banned OCMC since 1983 to ensure accountability. European Democracies: Most have phased out OCMC to promote clear representation and reduce electoral complexities.

Recommendations for Reform

1. Ban OCMC

• Amend Section 33(7) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to prohibit candidates from contesting multiple constituencies.
• The ECI (2004) and the Law Commission (2015) have both recommended this.

2. Impose Cost Recovery

• Candidates vacating a seat could be required to bear the full cost of by-elections, as proposed by the ECI in 2004.

3. Delay By-Elections

• Amend Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to allow by-elections after one year of vacancy, enabling informed voter decisions and fair electoral preparation.

Conclusion

• OCMC contributes to inefficiency and voter dissatisfaction, contradicting democratic principles of accountability.
• While significant reforms require political consensus, enforcing “one candidate, one constituency” aligns with the democratic ideal of “one person, one vote” and strengthens electoral integrity.

Practice Question:  Discuss the implications of one candidate contesting from multiple constituencies on India’s democracy and electoral process. Suggest reforms to address the challenges associated with this practice. (250 Words /15 marks)

2. India’s firmer attempts at mineral diplomacy

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations, GS3 – Indian Economy

Context

India’s dependency on imports, especially from China, for critical minerals crucial to manufacturing and technological growth raises strategic concerns. To address this, India is pursuing mineral diplomacy by forming joint ventures and engaging with multilateral initiatives. Strengthening partnerships and enhancing private sector involvement remain vital to achieving mineral security.

India’s Critical Minerals Challenge

• Importance of Critical Minerals
  • India’s manufacturing and technological ambitions depend heavily on critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and titanium.
  • India is a major importer of these minerals, relying primarily on China, raising strategic concerns.
  • Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the “weaponisation” of resources by nations like China, urging India to address its mineral security challenges.
• Steps Towards Mineral Diplomacy
  • India is adopting a two-pillar strategy:
    • Developing bilateral ties with resource-rich countries.
    • Establishing partnerships with intergovernmental organizations to secure mineral supply chains.

Establishing Joint Ventures

• Role of Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL)
  • Established in 2019, KABIL ensures a consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals.
  • It secures agreements via government-to-government, government-to-business, and business-to-business routes.

Key Partnerships and Investments

Australia: In March 2022, KABIL signed an MoU for a critical mineral investment partnership, identifying two lithium and three cobalt projects. Argentina: In January 2024, India signed a $24 million pact for lithium exploration across five brine blocks. Bolivia and Chile: KABIL is facilitating the purchase of assets for lithium supply. Kazakhstan: India and Kazakhstan formed a joint venture, IREUK Titanium Limited, to produce titanium slag in India.

• Private Sector Involvement
  • Altmin Private Limited signed an agreement with Bolivia’s national company YLB to secure lithium-ion battery supply chains.

Cooperative Engagements

• Multilateral and Minilateral Cooperation
  • India is engaging with global initiatives such as the Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), and the G-7 to strengthen mineral security.
  • These engagements focus on best practices, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
• Key International Partnerships
  • India’s Ministry of Mines signed an MoU with the International Energy Agency to streamline policies and align investment strategies with global standards.

Missing Pieces in India’s Mineral Diplomacy

• Challenges Identified
  • Lack of private sector participation due to the absence of a clear supply chain strategy.
  • Weak diplomatic capacity to handle mineral-specific negotiations.
  • Insufficient focus on building sustainable, long-term partnerships.
• Proposed Solutions
  • Formulate a supply chain strategy aligned with India’s growth prospects and security priorities.
  • Establish a dedicated mineral diplomacy division within the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • Forge strategic partnerships with key nations, particularly the EU, South Korea, and Quad members.

Conclusion

• Addressing these challenges will strengthen India’s mineral diplomacy and align it with its domestic critical mineral initiatives.
• This approach is vital to reducing India’s strategic vulnerabilities and ensuring sustainable mineral security.

Practice Question:  Discuss the significance of critical minerals in India’s economic and strategic ambitions. Analyze the challenges in securing mineral supplies and suggest measures to strengthen India’s mineral security through international partnerships and domestic initiatives. (250 Words /15 marks)

3. The digital frontier of inequality

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice

Context

India’s rapid digital transformation has empowered millions but also exposed women to tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). Initiatives like ‘Ab Koi Bahana Nahi’ and legal frameworks aim to ensure safer digital spaces for women and girls.

 

Digital Transformation and Growth

• India has made significant strides in its digital transformation, with 1.18 billion mobile connections, 700 million Internet users, and 600 million smartphones.
• Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana have expanded financial inclusion, with women holding 55.6% of the accounts.
• Digital connectivity through Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-mobile linkages facilitates direct benefits and cashless transactions, especially in rural areas.

Gender-Based Violence in the Digital Space

• Despite progress, India faces a rise in tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), threatening the empowerment of women.
• Forms of TFGBV include cyberstalking, trolling, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, impersonation, voyeurism, and grooming.
• Women in public-facing roles, such as journalists and politicians, are frequent targets of online harassment.
• Rural women, though increasingly online, often lack digital literacy and awareness of their rights, leaving them vulnerable to online abuse.

Key Initiatives to Address TFGBV

• Legal protections, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2024, provide frameworks to address digital violence.
• Platforms such as the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal enable anonymous reporting of digital crimes.
• Awareness campaigns like the Information Security Education and Awareness Programme and Digital Shakti help women navigate online spaces safely.
• India’s participation in international agreements, including the 67th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, highlights its commitment to countering TFGBV.

Challenges and the Way Forward

• Achieving safe digital environments requires stricter enforcement of laws, swifter justice for survivors, and accountability from social media platforms.
• Expanding digital literacy, especially in rural areas, is essential. Safe online practices should be integrated into school curriculums and community workshops.
• Campaigns that challenge societal norms and engage men and boys as allies can promote respectful digital spaces.

Leveraging Technology and Support Systems

• Collaboration with India’s tech industry is crucial to enhance safety features and introduce AI-driven solutions for detecting and removing abusive content.
• Survivor support systems need to offer accessible counselling, legal aid, and rehabilitation services. Helplines like TechSakhi must be scaled to provide timely assistance.

A Collective Responsibility

• As part of the global ‘16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence’ campaign, the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the ‘Ab Koi Bahana Nahi’ initiative.
• Ensuring women’s safety online is a moral obligation and a critical factor for India’s progress. Stakeholders, including governments, tech companies, civil society, and international organisations, must work together to combat TFGBV effectively.

PYQ: Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are the requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2016)

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges posed by tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) in India’s digital era. Evaluate the measures taken by the government and suggest strategies to create safer and inclusive online spaces for women. (250 Words /15 marks)