17 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The panchayati raj movement is in distress

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

Introduction

• The 73rd Amendment, passed in 1992, established the Panchayati Raj system to bring democracy to the grassroots level.
• It introduced a three-tier system of governance at the village, block, and district levels, with 50% reservation for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes.
• Despite initial success, the momentum for decentralization has slowed, and major shifts in society and technology are challenging the relevance of panchayats.

Achievements of the Panchayati Raj System

• Panchayati Raj elections are keenly contested across India.
• Women’s leadership has significantly increased, with nearly 14 lakh elected women representatives.
• State Finance Commissions recommend funds for local governments, enabling the implementation of social sector programs through gram panchayats.

Challenges Affecting the Panchayati Raj System

1. Administrative Decentralization Has Stalled

• State governments need to transfer staff and administrative control to local governments for effective functioning.
• Untied grants that allow local decision-making must increase to enhance autonomy.
• A 2022 report by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj showed that less than 20% of States have fully devolved all 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.

2. Declining Fiscal Autonomy

• Direct transfers to panchayats increased from ₹1.45 lakh crore (2010-15) to ₹2.36 lakh crore (2021-26).
• However, untied grants fell from 85% to 60%, reducing the autonomy of local governments.
• The central government’s tied grants have increased, giving it more control over panchayat functions.

3. Shift in Welfare Distribution Mechanisms

• Political parties now rely on direct cash transfers instead of local governance structures.
• The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) platform delivers benefits directly, bypassing gram panchayats in beneficiary selection and grievance redressal.
• Example: PM-KISAN scheme, which provides ₹6,000 annually to farmers, does not involve panchayats in fund distribution.

4. Impact of Rapid Urbanization

• In 1990, nearly 75% of India’s population lived in rural areas, but this has now declined to around 60%.
• With growing urbanization, policy focus has shifted towards cities and municipal reforms rather than rural governance.

Reviving the Panchayati Raj System

1. Strengthening Local Governance

• Panchayats should not be reduced to mere implementation agencies for centrally sponsored schemes.
• 94 crore people still live in villages, and 45% of the population depends on agriculture, making rural governance crucial.

2. Leveraging Technology for Better Engagement

• Advancements in digital technology can increase citizen participation in local planning and accountability.
• A networked Panchayati Raj system can bridge the rural-urban divide by supporting internal migration and migrant families.

3. Focus on Sustainable Development

• Panchayats can play a major role in water conservation and renewable energy generation at the local level.
• They can reclaim common property resources by combining scientific knowledge, traditional wisdom, and public funding.

4. Disaster Risk Management

• Panchayats can lead community-based disaster preparedness, integrating early warning systems and disaster-resilient infrastructure.

Conclusion

• To revive local governance, a new vision for Panchayati Raj is needed.
• Rural India remains vital to the nation’s development, and strengthening panchayats is essential for inclusive growth. 

2. The silent crisis of rat-hole mining

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

Recent Mining Tragedy in Assam

• The Guwahati High Court took suo motu cognisance of the tragedy on January 29.
• Weak law enforcement allows illegal mining to persist, with influential individuals operating mines without regulation.

Labour Exploitation:

• Migrant workers, trapped in cycles of debt, work in hazardous conditions.
• Children are trafficked into these mines due to their small size, making them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
• Around 26,000 abandoned mine openings exist, each employing up to 200 workers in shifts, putting thousands at daily risk.

Legal and Regulatory Issues

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) Ban:
  • On April 17, 2014, the NGT banned rat-hole mining due to environmental damage and unsafe working conditions.
  • The Supreme Court upheld this ban in the 2019 case involving Meghalaya.
• Weak Law Enforcement:
  • Many illegal mines operate under the influence of powerful individuals, including bureaucrats and coal mafias.
  • Whistleblowers and activists face threats while authorities fail to take strict action.
• Regulatory Loopholes:
  • Some states seek exemptions under Schedule 6, Paragraph 12A(b) of the Constitution to regulate coal mining on their own terms.
  • Meghalaya attempted to bypass the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) by passing a resolution, but it remains unapproved.
  • Under Section 23C of the MMDR Act, states must prevent illegal mining, yet enforcement remains weak.

Need for Stronger Action

• Failure of Assam and Meghalaya: Despite the NGT ban and Supreme Court directives, illegal mining continues due to weak state enforcement.
• Centre’s Role: If states fail to act, the Union government must intervene, as seen in Karnataka’s Bellary region in 2011, where large-scale illegal mining led to a Supreme Court-imposed ban under Section 30 of the MMDR Act.

A Multi-Faceted Approach to End Illegal Mining

1. Stronger Legal Action:
   • Rat-hole mining should be criminalized under the MMDR Act with stricter penalties under Section 21.
   • States should incorporate the NGT ban into local regulations under Section 23C of the Act.
2. Alternative Livelihoods:
   • Promoting eco-tourism and other sustainable industries can help reduce reliance on illegal mining.
3. Use of Technology:
   • Satellite-based monitoring can track mining activities and prevent illegal operations.
   • The Mining Surveillance System by the Ministry of Mines can help improve enforcement, as seen in Karnataka.
4. Community Participation:
   • Strengthening the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and ensuring local community consent for mining projects can promote inclusivity.

Conclusion

• Judicial interventions alone cannot stop illegal mining unless governments take proactive measures.
• The failure to enforce mining regulations is a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life).
• Without immediate reforms, preventable tragedies will continue to occur, putting thousands of workers at risk.