18 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Lighten the pollution burden of thermal power States

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

Topic: GS3 – Environment –  Environmental pollution and degradation

Context

Thermal power-producing States bear pollution burdens while supplying electricity to consuming States. They lack compensation, creating environmental and economic disparities.

India’s Climate Commitments and Energy Sector Overview

• India, under the Paris Agreement, aims to reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% by 2030 and achieve 50% installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
• Despite these goals, thermal power still dominates India’s electricity sector and is expected to retain a 50% share under the new regime.
• The total installed electricity capacity in India is 4,56,757 MW, with contributions from:
  • Private sector: 53.4%
  • State sector: 23.7%
  • Central sector: 22.9%

Contribution of Thermal Power to India’s Electricity

• Thermal power capacity in India stands at 2,37,268.91 MW, distributed among:

• Coal accounts for 59.12% of India’s energy supply, with reserves of 378.21 billion tonnes, of which Odisha holds 94.52 billion tonnes.
• In 2022-23, 73.08% of electricity was generated from coal, oil, and natural gas.
• Thermal power is a major contributor to 20,794.36 kg of carbon emissions from electricity generation.

Producing States vs. Consuming States

• According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Maharashtra has the highest non-renewable electricity generation capacity (31,510.08 MW), followed by Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.
• Rajasthan leads in renewable electricity generation with 22,398.05 MW.
• States producing the most electricity do not necessarily consume most of it. For example:
  • Uttar Pradesh consumes only 40% of its NTPC-produced electricity.
  • Odisha consumes 38.43% of its NTPC-generated power.
  • Chhattisgarh uses only 29.92% of what it generates.
• Gujarat is the biggest consumer of NTPC-produced electricity (4,612 MW) despite generating only 17.7 MW itself.

Disproportionate Pollution Burden on Producing States

• States with the highest thermal power share include:
  • Tripura (96.96%), Bihar (95.57%), Chhattisgarh (94.35%), Jharkhand (92.69%), Delhi (87.96%), and West Bengal (87.72%).
• These States produce large amounts of electricity but do not consume all of it.

Electricity Trade Between States

• Chhattisgarh is the highest net seller (535.29 MW), followed by Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
• Gujarat is the largest importer of electricity (528.17 MW), followed by Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi.
• While some States benefit from buying electricity, others suffer from pollution caused by thermal power production.

Lack of Compensation for Producing States

• India’s laws do not provide compensation to States that generate electricity for others.
• Coal-rich States such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha produce maximum thermal electricity but have lower per capita electricity consumption.
• Electricity is a Concurrent subject under the Constitution, meaning both central and State governments can legislate on it.
• However, States cannot tax electricity generation, while consuming States benefit from taxes on electricity sales.

Potential Compensation Mechanisms

1. Taxing Thermal Power Generation
   1. Producing States could be allowed to levy a tax on electricity generation.
   1. Alternatively, the Union government could collect and distribute such a tax to producing States.
2. Compensation through the Finance Commission
   1. The Finance Commission has previously recommended environmental grants and devolution of funds.
   1. The upcoming Sixteenth Finance Commission should design a fiscal roadmap to support thermal power-producing States.

Conclusion

• By implementing these measures, electricity-producing States can be fairly compensated for the pollution burden they bear while supplying power to others.

PYQ: Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three megacities of the country but the air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2015)

Practice Question:  Discuss the environmental and fiscal challenges faced by thermal power-producing States in India. Suggest measures to ensure equitable compensation for pollution burdens. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. Georgia and the resurrection of the colour revolutions

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

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

Georgia’s ongoing political crisis reflects broader geopolitical struggles between Russia and the West.

Background of Colour Revolutions

• With the beginning of the 21st century, several post-Soviet States witnessed peaceful uprisings known as the “colour revolutions.”
• These movements aimed to replace pro-Moscow governments with pro-Western administrations under the banner of democratic reforms.
• Though largely non-violent, Russia perceived them as Western-backed strategies to weaken its influence.

Key Colour Revolutions

Rose Revolution (2003) – Georgia: Peaceful protests led to the resignation of the government, replacing it with a pro-Western leadership, but later faced governance failures and allegations of authoritarianism. Orange Revolution (2004) – Ukraine: Mass protests against electoral fraud resulted in a re-run of the presidential election, strengthening democratic aspirations but later contributing to political instability and geopolitical tensions with Russia. Tulip Revolution (2005) – Kyrgyzstan: Public protests over corruption and election fraud led to the ousting of the ruling government, but subsequent leadership changes failed to bring long-term stability, causing continued political unrest.

Russia’s Perspective on Colour Revolutions

• Russia viewed these movements as efforts to destabilize its influence in neighbouring States.
• The strategy aligned with Western policies of political subversion rather than direct confrontation.
• Russia and other nations, such as China, saw these revolutions as models for foreign interventions in regions like West Asia, Africa, and South Asia.

Failures of the Colour Revolutions

• Despite promises of democratic transformation, these revolutions often led to corruption and governance failures.
• The new governments were accused of serving Western interests rather than prioritizing domestic development.
• Public frustration and disillusionment grew as promised reforms failed to materialize.

Georgia’s Political Turmoil

• The Rose Revolution initially established a pro-Western government. However, corruption and authoritarianism soon became prevalent.
• A similar situation is unfolding again, with recent elections sparking protests over alleged electoral malpractices.
• The ruling party claims that Western-backed NGOs are influencing internal affairs, highlighting concerns of external interference.

Geopolitical Struggles in Georgia

• Georgia is strategically located between Europe and Asia, making it a focal point in global power struggles.
• Russia, despite setbacks from the Ukraine conflict, continues to assert its influence in the region.
• The U.S. faces challenges in engaging actively due to internal political changes and shifting global priorities.

Future of Colour Revolutions

• The effectiveness of soft power strategies like democracy promotion is declining.
• Georgia’s political situation reflects the broader challenges faced by post-Soviet States navigating global power conflicts.
• Whether the colour revolution model remains relevant depends on evolving international relations and the ability of these States to balance external pressures.

Practice Question:  What do you understand by Colour Revolutions? How have these movements influenced regional stability and global geopolitical dynamics? (150 Words /10 marks)