- THE MISSING SPOTLIGHT ON URBAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT POLLS
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Constitutional Framework:
- The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) 1992 established Urban Local Governments (ULGs)
- ULGs are responsible for delivering civic services and ensuring quality of life
- India has over 4,800 ULGs covering nearly 40% of the population
- Cities contribute over 60% to India’s GDP
- Current Challenges:
- Elections are routinely delayed across thousands of ULGs
- Over 60% of ULGs face election delays according to CAG report
- State governments directly control ULGs, violating decentralization principles
- Only 4 out of 15 states have empowered State Election Commissions (SECs) to conduct ward delimitation
- One Nation One Election (ONOE) Context:
- Previous committees excluded ULG elections from simultaneous election proposals
- The High Level Committee (HLC) recommended synchronizing local body elections
- This presents an opportunity to address ULG election reforms
- Problems Identified:
- Delays in council formation after elections (average 11 months delay in Karnataka)
- Disempowered State Election Commissions
- Administrative control by state governments limiting elected councillors’ powers
- Lack of regular elections affecting democratic representation
2. LOK SABHA PASSES BILL TO AMEND THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2005
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- The amendment designates the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)and the State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs)as the primary bodies responsible for formulating disaster management plans at the national and state levels, respectively. This shifts the responsibility from the previously designated National and State Executive Committees.
- Expanded Functions of NDMA and SDMAs: The amendment broadens the roles of NDMA and SDMAs to include: Regular assessment of disaster risks, with an emphasis on emerging threats from extreme climate events.
- Provision of technical assistance to subordinate authorities.
- Development of guidelines to ensure minimum standards of relief.
- Creation and maintenance of comprehensive disaster databases detailing risk types, fund allocations, expenditures, and preparedness plans.
- State governments are empowered to establish Urban Disaster Management Authorities in state capitals and cities with municipal corporations.These authorities will be chaired by the Municipal Commissioner, with the District Collector serving as vice-chairperson, and will be tasked with preparing and implementing disaster management plans for their respective urban areas.
- The amendment authorizes state governments to constitute a State Disaster Response Force to ensure specialized and prompt responses to disaster situations within the state.
- The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the High-Level Committee (HLC), previously existing without statutory backing, are now accorded legal status. The NCMC will act as the central body for managing major disasters with national implications, while the HLC will oversee the provision of financial assistance to states during disasters
3. CAG REPORT FLAGS VIOLATIONS, LAPSES IN ENFORCEMENT OF T.N CRZ NOTIFICATION
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- The Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)refers to the areas along India’s coast that are subject to specific regulatory measures to prevent ecological damage and ensure sustainable development.
- For the purpose of protecting and conserving the coastal and marine environment, the Ministry of Environment issued the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 1991 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
- The CRZ Notification 1991 was superseded by CRZ Notification, 2011 and Island Protection Zone (IPZ) Notification, 2011 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- These regulations aim to manage coastal and island zone activities in a way that protects coastal ecosystems, minimises coastal erosion, and safeguards the livelihoods of coastal communities.
4. UNION CABINET GIVES APPROVAL FOR BILLS ON SIMULTANEOUS POLLS
SUBJECT: POLITY
- The Union Cabinet has approved two bills related to simultaneous elections (termed ‘One Nation, One Election’):
- A Constitutional amendment bill for simultaneous elections to Lok Sabha and Assemblies
- A bill to amend provisions regarding Union Territories’ Legislative Assemblies
- The amendment bill will need ratification from at least 50% of state legislatures
- A high-level committee headed by former President Ram Nath Kovind had recommended these changes
5. GUKESH IS YOUNGEST WORLD CHESS CHAMPION
SUBJECT: SPORTS
- Gukesh broke the 37-year-old record of Garry Kasparov, who became World Champion at 22.
- This was the first-ever World Championship match contested by two Asian players.
- Gukesh is the third Asian World Chess Champion after Viswanathan Anand (India) and Ding Liren (China).
- Qualified by winning the Candidates Tournament held in Toronto.
- Gukesh played the top board for India in the Chess Olympiad 2022, where he won individual gold
