27 June 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Opposition’s larger demography, LoP’s big responsibility
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity |
| Context |
|
Historic Election Result and Importance of Leader of the Opposition
- The 2024 general election in India resulted in the largest Opposition in the history of the Lok Sabha.
- The Opposition secured over 234 seats, leading to renewed discussions on the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) role.
- The absence of an LoP in the 16th and 17th Lok Sabhas was due to a Speaker’s direction requiring 10% of House membership for party recognition (Direction 121).
Legislative Framework for Leader of the Opposition
- The Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977, defines the LoP as the leader of the largest opposition party recognized by the Speaker or Chairman.
- Two conditions for LoP recognition: the party must be the largest in opposition and recognized by the Speaker, requiring at least 10% of House membership.
- The 10th Schedule classifies all political entities as “parties,” making the term “group” irrelevant.
Recognition and Role of Leader of the Opposition
- The leader of the largest Opposition party in the 18th Lok Sabha is now recognized as the LoP.
- In the British parliamentary system, the LoP is seen as the Prime Minister-in-waiting, forming a shadow cabinet to scrutinise government policies and propose alternatives.
- The shadow cabinet mirrors the real cabinet, familiarising itself with government operations and providing critical oversight.
Challenges and Responsibilities
- The Indian Parliament’s LoP post is statutory but lacks defined functions.
- The LoP in a diverse Opposition faces the challenge of uniting multiple parties with different ideologies and programs.
- Unlike the ruling party, the Opposition lacks the power to attract and maintain alliances through power-sharing arrangements.
- The traditional role of the Opposition is to oppose, criticise, and seek to replace the government.
Significance of a Strong Opposition
- The past 10 years saw a weak Opposition in the Lok Sabha, unable to effectively challenge the government.
- The 2024 election’s outcome has created a more balanced House, with the Opposition now holding significant influence.
- The LoP must capture this new dynamic to present Opposition views effectively and unify the parties.
Functions and Traditions
- The LoP has the responsibility to highlight government failures truthfully and responsibly.
- In parliamentary tradition, the LoP is given priority in debates and interventions without prior notice.
- The LoP can demand the Prime Minister’s presence in the House for serious debates and is often directly informed of major policy initiatives by the Prime Minister.
Learning from the Past
- Indian democracy can be strengthened by following healthy traditions established in the past.
- Early parliamentary traditions included Prime Ministers attending Question Hour and engaging with Opposition leaders.
- Nehru’s practice of seeking more time for Opposition leaders and his openness to their criticism helped shape a constructive parliamentary environment.
Path Forward
- The current political class has the opportunity to restore normalcy and decorum in Parliament.
- The LoP’s main function is to remind the ruling party of the importance of a normalised parliamentary process.
- Emulating past traditions and fostering tolerance for dissent can enhance democratic practices and strengthen parliamentary democracy.
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Indian parliamentary system. How does the role of LoP contribute to the functioning of a healthy democracy? (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. Read the rocks to improve India’s geological literacy
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS1 – Geography – Distribution of Key natural resources |
| Context |
|
Introduction
- India boasts a diverse geological morphology, ranging from towering peaks to coastal plains.
- The country is home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and distinctive fossil assemblages that reveal its geological history.
- These geological features are part of India’s non-cultural heritage and provide educational opportunities for geological literacy.
- Despite their significance, geological conservation in India has not gained much traction.
Geo-heritage and Conservation
- Geological conservation aims to preserve the best examples of India’s geological features and events for future generations.
- Many fossil-bearing sites have been destroyed due to development and real estate growth, as well as destructive stone mining activities.
- Stone-mining operations cover over 10% of India’s total area, posing a significant threat to geological features.
- Geological sites provide evidence of Earth’s history and evolutionary processes.
Importance of Geo-heritage Sites
- Geo-heritage sites are educational spaces that help people understand geological processes and history.
- Examples include the Dhala meteoritic impact crater in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, and the Lonar crater in Buldhana district, Maharashtra.
- The Dhala crater is evidence of a celestial collision dating back 1.5 to 2.5 billion years.
- The Lonar crater, previously thought to be 50,000 years old, is now estimated to be around 576,000 years old.
Global Recognition and Conservation Efforts
- The importance of geological heritage was first recognized at a UNESCO-sponsored event in 1991 in Digne, France.
- The event led to the establishment of geo-parks, which commemorate unique geological features and landscapes.
- Geo-parks also serve as educational spaces to raise public awareness about geological importance.
- Countries like Canada, China, Spain, the United States, and the United Kingdom have developed geo-heritage sites as national parks.
- UNESCO has prepared guidelines for the development of geo-parks, and many countries have enacted legislation for their protection.
Lack of Legislation in India
- Despite being a signatory to UNESCO’s guidelines, India lacks legislation or policy for geo-heritage conservation.
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has notified 34 geological monuments but lacks regulatory powers for preservation.
- The Varkala cliff in Kerala, a geological heritage site, faced destruction due to unauthorised structures and administrative decisions.
- This example highlights the need for robust legislation to protect geological heritage sites in India.
Past Efforts and Current Needs
- In 2009, the Government of India attempted to constitute a National Commission for Heritage Sites through a Bill, but it was withdrawn.
- In 2022, the Ministry of Mines prepared a draft Bill for the preservation of geo-heritage sites, but no progress has been made.
- The draft Bill recognizes the lack of specific laws for the conservation of geo-heritage sites in India.
Recommendations
- Inventory Creation: Develop a comprehensive inventory of all potential geo-sites in India, in addition to the 34 sites identified by the GSI.
- Legislation: Frame geo-conservation legislation similar to the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
- National Authority: Establish a National Geo-Conservation Authority, akin to the National Biodiversity Authority, with independent observers.
- Ensure the new establishment does not lead to bureaucratic red tape or hinder the autonomy of researchers and private collectors.
Conclusion
- India’s diverse geological features are an important part of its heritage and provide valuable educational opportunities.
- Effective conservation measures are necessary to protect these sites from destruction and ensure they can be appreciated by future generations.
- Legislative action and the establishment of a dedicated authority are crucial steps towards achieving sustainable geo-conservation in India.
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of geo-heritage conservation in India and the challenges faced in its implementation. Propose measures to effectively preserve geological sites and features. (150 Words /10 marks) |
