India’s pulses imports in fiscal 2024 witnessed a remarkable surge, soaring by 84% year-on-year to their highest level in six years.
Lower production levels prompted India to permit duty-free imports of red lentils (Masoor) and yellow peas (Tur/Arhar), further driving the increase in imports.
Pulses Cultivation in India
Details
Seasons
Cultivated in both ‘Kharif’ and ‘Rabi’ seasons. ‘Rabi’ pulses contribute more than 60% of production.
Kharif Season Pulses:
Pigeon Peas (Arhar/Toor/Red Gram)
Green Beans (Moong Beans)
Black Matpe (Urad/Mah/Black Gram)
Black Eyed Peas (Lobia)
Chick Peas (Kabuli Chana)
Red Kidney Beans (Rajmash)
Rabi Season Pulses:
Bengal Gram (Desi Chick Pea/Desi Chana)
Lentils (Masoor)
White Peas (Matar)
Production (2023)
Approximately 27.5 million metric tonnes
Reported as 7.6 quintals per hectare
Area under Cultivation
Pulses account for around 20% of the area under food grains in India.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for Pulses, Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) Scheme
Research and Development
Conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in collaboration with State Agricultural Universities
Goal
Aim for self-sufficiency in pulse production by 2027
Pulses Import: Figures and Value
India imported a total of 4.65 million metric tons of pulses in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, marking the highest volume since fiscal 2018.
In terms of value, imports surged by 93% to reach $3.75 billion in the same period.
Pulses Production in India: Key Facts
India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world (as per FAO).
Pulses account for around 20% of the area under foodgrains and contribute around 7-10% of the total foodgrains production in the country (as per Vikaspedia).
Gram (Chana) is the most dominant pulse having a share of around 40 per cent in the total production followed by Tur/Arhar at 15 to 20 per cent and Urad and Moong at around 8-10 per cent each. (Reference)
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka are the top five pulses producing States. (Reference)
Global Impact of Higher Imports
The surge in imports by India, the world’s largest importer, producer, and consumer of protein-rich pulses, has been bolstering global prices.
It has also contributed to reducing stocks in exporting countries such as Canada, Australia, and Myanmar.
Significance of Pulses Consumption
Nutritional Value:
Pulses are considered to be ‘poor man’s protein’.
They contain 20-25% of protein by weight, with twice the protein available in wheat and thrice that present in rice.
WHO recommends 80gm/day of Pulses in the diet.
Environmental Sustainability:
Pulses have low carbon and water footprints, making them integral to sustainable farming.
Water footprints for producing one kilogram of meat are five times higher than that of pulses.
Pulses emit 0.5 kilogram in CO2 equivalent per kilogram, while meat produces 9.5 kilograms in CO2 equivalent.
PYQ:
[2019] Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years ?
(a) Spices
(b) Fresh fruits
(c) Pulses
(d) Vegetable oils
[2020] With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Supreme Court has issued a cautionary note to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) barring any physical excavation that could alter the character of the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula Complex.
About Bhojshala Complex
Details
Location
Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh.
Historical Background
Established by Raja Bhoj, the greatest ruler of the Parmar dynasty, as an educational institute.
Date of Establishment
11th century.
Transformation
Originally a Goddess Wagdevi (Saraswati temple), later converted into Kamal Maulana Mosque by Muslim rulers.
Architectural Features
Large open courtyard (Mahaāyata);
Verandah with decorated pillars (Sthāpanā);
Prayer hall with intricately carved ceilings (Shikharākāra).
Inscriptions
Two hymns depicting the Karmavatar of Vishnu (Avatār);
Sarpabandha pillar inscriptions with Sanskrit alphabet and grammatical rules (Vyākaraṇa).
Archaeological Significance
Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as an 11th-century monument under Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
Controversy over Bhojshala Complex
Religious Claims: Hindus regard the site as the temple of Goddess Wagdevi (Saraswati), while Muslims believe it to be the Kamal Maula mosque.
Usage Agreement: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) allows Hindus to pray on Tuesdays and Vasant Panchami, and Muslims to offer namaz on Fridays,
Recent Developments
Vasant Panchami Dispute: A recent order allowing Hindus to worship during Basant Panchami hours led to discontent among some Right-wing activists.
Demand for Extended Access: Hindu groups demand all-day access to the shrine on such occasions, leading to protests and petitions filed in the High Court.
Who was Raja Bhoj?
Details
Original name
Raja Bhoja (Mihir Bhoja)
Dynasty
Gurjara-Pratihara
Reign
836 – 885 AD
Rise to Prominence
Emerged as the paramount power in northern India, defeating rivals like the Palas and Rashtrakutas
Capital
Kannauj (Mahodaya)
Military Strength
Possessed India’s strongest cavalry, as noted by Arab traveller Sulaiman
Title
Assumed the title of “Adivaraha”; referred to as “King Baura” by Arab travellers
Religious Affiliation
Great follower of Vaishnavism
Acknowledgment of Supremacy
Acknowledged as supreme by various factions, including Arabs of Sindh, Chandalas, and Kalachuris
Notable Feats
Triumph over Pala king Devapala and Rashtrakuta king Amoghavarsha
Legacy
Renowned for his wisdom, military prowess, and patronage of Vaishnavism
Historical Significance
Marked the zenith of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, leaving a lasting impact on Indian history
PYQ:
[2021] With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:
It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
It is the only circular temple built in India.
I was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Mains PYQ Relevance: Q “The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (UPSC IAS/2022) Q Does the right to a clean environment entail legal regulation on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and judgments of the apex in this regard. (UPSC IAS/2015)
Prelims:
With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? (UPSC CSE 2020) 1. It is spread over two districts. 2. There is no human habitation inside the Park. 3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard. Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Note4Students:
Prelims: Recent Supreme Court judgments;
Mains: Environmental Governance;
Mentor comments: Mrs. Indira Gandhi once in herStockholm Conference speech which was derived from ‘Atharva Veda’ to outline the need for maintaining Ecological Balance, concluded “What of thee I dig out, let that quickly grow over. Let me not hit thy vitals or thy heart. ” On similar lines, the efforts made by the Supreme Court of India in the Constitutionalization of Environmental Problems can be very much attributed when it Constitutionalized the subject of Environmental Governance by adding Article 48(A) and 51-A (g) through the 42nd Constitutional Amendmentin 1976. Further, in the M C Mehta vs Union of India case (1985), the Supreme Court introduced the ‘Doctrine of Absolute Liability’ which undermines the hazardous industries liable for harming the ecological balance by their industrial activities. This time too (in April 2024), the Apex Court said the Rights to Life (Article 14) and Right to Equality (Article 21)cannot be fully realized without a clean, stable environment.
Let’s learn
—
Why in the News?
In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court of India recognized the existence of a fundamental right to be free from the adverse impacts of climate change (hereinafter ‘the right’). The judgment has garnered significant attention from environmentalists, mostly focusing only on its impacts on the protection of the Great Indian Bustard.
The Right
Great Indian Bustard Conservation vs. Renewable Energy Development: Rajasthan and Gujarat are home to the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, but also have significant potential for solar and wind power. A public interest litigation sought conservation of the bustard and a ban on further construction of solar and wind energy infrastructure due to the hazard posed by power lines to the bustards.
Supreme Court’s Initial Order: The Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the laying of overhead power lines in a large area, including priority and potential bustard conservation areas. It also ordered the undergrounding of existing power lines.
Government’s Challenge the order: The government challenged the order citing international climate commitments, stating the ban covered a larger area than necessary and undergrounding power lines was impractical. It attributed the bustard decline to factors like poaching and habitat destruction.
Supreme Court’s Modification: The Court modified the initial order, recalling the blanket prohibition on transmission lines and tasked a committee to assess the feasibility of undergrounding power lines and identifying conservation measures. The committee’s report is expected by July 2024.
Recognition of Right Against Climate Change: The Supreme Court recognized a right against the adverse impacts of climate change, rooted in Articles 14 (right to equality) and 21 (right to life) of the Indian Constitution, along with India’s climate change actions and scientific consensus.
Non-binding Recognition: The Court’s recognition of the right isn’t in the operative part of the judgment, hence not binding. Its influence on future climate action remains to be seen.
Just transition framework
Transition Framework: Conservationist Debadityo Sinha suggests adopting the just transition framework, aiming to make transitions to a low carbon economy more equitable and inclusive. This approach considers the interests of workers, vulnerable communities, and small and medium-sized enterprises affected by slow carbon transition projects like solar energy.
Advantages of the Just Transition Framework:
Precludes adversarial choices: It avoids pitting climate action against biodiversity protection, advocating for inclusive climate action sensitive to varied rights and interests.
Expanding the concept to include non-human interests.: If used in the final decision, this case could become a frontrunner in just transition litigation, contributing to expanding the concept to include non-human interests.
A ‘shared burden’
Shared Responsibility: The burden of articulating and enforcing the right falls not only on the state but also on activists, litigants, and academics. They contribute to the process of recognition, articulation, and enforcement of rights, indirectly or directly.
Inclusivity and Effectiveness: The focus is on making the right against climate change inclusive and effective, ensuring that it considers diverse perspectives and addresses the needs of all stakeholders, including marginalized communities and non-human interests.
Importance of Participation: Active participation from various stakeholders is crucial in shaping the content and implementation of the right against climate change, fostering collaboration between the judiciary, state, activists, litigants, and academics.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s recognition of a right against climate change underscores the need for inclusive climate action. Embracing the just transition framework and fostering shared responsibility and participation are crucial for effective implementation.
BACK2BASICS: About Great Indian Bustard (GIB):
The GIB is the State bird of Rajasthan. It is also considered India’s most critically endangered bird and is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. Its population of about 150 in Rajasthan accounts for 95% of its total world population. However, GIBs have been facing a threat to their survival because of intensive agricultural practices, the laying of power lines, and industrialization.
Organising grand events and celebrations in April to commemorate Babasaheb Ambedkar’s birth anniversary has become a national ritual now.
Ambedkar’s Vision for Dalit Political Power
Ambedkar envisioned the Dalit-Bahujan mass as the prime claimant of state power, aiming to form a greater social alliance with Adivasis, poor working classes, and agrarian laborers against exploitative orders.
Historical Significance of Dalit Political Movements
The mid-1990s saw the emergence of powerful Dalit political leadership, such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under Kanshi Ram and Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh, as well as leaders like Prakash Ambedkar and Ramdas Athawale in Maharashtra.
Limitation in Dalit politics today
Fragmentation in Dalit Political Legacy: Despite the unity seen in commemorations, there is a growing splintering in Ambedkar’s political legacies, resulting in Dalit political parties becoming passive and relegated forces.
Disintegration of Contemporary Ambedkarite Dalit Politics: Current Dalit politics lacks visionary leadership, a strong social base, and effective political strategies to emerge as a crucial player in democratic battles. It has disintegrated into segments.
Political Alliances and Vacillations: Dalit parties have sometimes formed alliances with parties like the BJP, despite Ambedkar’s ideologies being fundamentally opposed to Brahmanical and exploitative orders. This has led to criticism and accusations of abandoning core principles.
Way Forward
Building Stronger Intra-Dalit Unity: Encourage dialogue and collaboration among different Dalit political factions to foster a sense of unity and common purpose.
Investing in Leadership Development: Support initiatives aimed at nurturing visionary leadership within the Dalit community.
Strengthening Grassroots Mobilization: Focus on building a strong social base by actively engaging with Dalit communities at the grassroots level.
Mains PYQ
Q Debate the issue whether and how contemporary movements for assertion of Dalit identity work towards annihilation of caste.(UPSC IAS/2015)
Come summer, we are used to seeing heat alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for various parts of India. This year, these alerts began in February itself.
What is a heatwave?
According to the IMD, the definition of a heatwave depends on the physiography of regions.
The IMD will declare a heatwave if the maximum temperature recorded at a station is 40 degrees Celsius or more in the plains, 37 degrees Celsius or more in the coast, and 30 degrees Celsius or more in the hills.
Heat Action Plans (HAPs) to tackle heatwave
Aim: HAPs aim to increase preparedness and lower the adverse impacts of extreme heat by outlining strategies and measures to prepare for, address, and recover from heat waves.
The National Disaster Management Authority and IMD are reported to be working with 23 States to develop HAPs.
Issue with Database: There is no centralized database on HAPs, but at least 23 HAPs exist at the State and city level, with a few States, such as Odisha and Maharashtra, laying out district-level HAPs.
Key components of Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
Limitation
Challenges related to Determining Heatwaves: While a national threshold is currently used to determine heatwaves, determining them at smaller scales such as states, districts, and cities poses a challenge due to variations in local factors like the urban heat island effect, type of roofing, and proximity to water or green bodies, as well as humidity.
Inconsistent Methods and Vulnerability Assessments: The methods used for vulnerability assessments in HAPs are inconsistent because of the diverse physiography of regions
Addressing Vulnerable Populations: While HAPs prioritize protecting vulnerable populations, targeted interventions often fail to account for varying needs based on local socio-economic and demographic factors.
Resource Allocation and Financing: Implementation of HAPs varies depending on local government priorities and available capacities because at the local level Fund crunch.
Integration and Collaboration: HAPs are currently standalone plans with limited finance, highlighting the need for integration with broader action plans promoting urban resilience and climate adaptation to pool resources effectively.
Way Forward:
Determination at Local Scales: Invest in local monitoring systems that capture variations in temperature, humidity, and other relevant factors.
Standardizing Methods: Establish guidelines for conducting vulnerability assessments that account for diverse physiography and local context.
Tailoring Interventions: Conduct comprehensive community consultations to understand the unique needs of vulnerable populations in different localities.
Funding and Resources: Advocate for increased funding for HAPs at the national and local levels through budget allocations, grants, and public-private partnerships.
Integration and Collaboration: Establish inter-agency task forces or committees to coordinate HAPs with other relevant initiatives, such as urban planning, public health, and disaster management.
Mains PYQ
Q Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC IAS/2017)
The Union Environment Ministry has rolled out norms for the Green Credit Programme (GCP).
Guidelines and Modifications:
The Environment Ministry’s recent guidelines empower ‘States’ to determine afforestation density based on local conditions, acknowledging the variability in forest ecosystems.
Indigenous species are prioritized, and naturally occurring seedlings are retained to foster ecosystem resilience.
What is Green Credit Programme (GCP)?
The GCP as notified on October 13, 2023 by the government of India, is an innovative market-based mechanism.
It involves various stakeholders like- individuals, farmers, communities, private sector industries, and companies.
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), based in Dehradun, serves as the GCP Administrator, responsible for programme implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.
Initially, the GCP focuses on water conservation and afforestation.
What are Green Credits?
The green credit rules notified under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 defines ‘green credit’ as a single unit of an incentive provided for a specific activity that delivers a positive impact on the environment.
Each tree planted and evaluated by the ICFRE after two years could yield one ‘green credit,’ which can be utilized in two ways:
Compliance with forest laws necessitating recompense for forest land diversion.
The ICFRE, alongside experts, is developing the Green Credit Registry and trading platforms to facilitate the registration, buying, and selling of green credits.
To obtain green credits, individuals and entities must register their activities through the central government’s dedicated app/website (www.moefcc-gcp.in).
The administrator verifies activities through a designated agency, with self-verification for small projects. Once verified, the administrator issues a tradeable green credit certificate.
Activities under GCP
The GCP includes numerous activities, such as:
Description
Tree Plantation-based Green Credit
Promotes increasing the green cover through tree plantations and related activities.
Water-based Green Credit
Promotes water conservation, harvesting, and efficiency, including wastewater treatment and reuse.
Sustainable Agriculture-based Green Credit
Promotes natural and regenerative agricultural practices, land restoration, and soil health improvement.
Waste Management-based Green Credit
Promotes sustainable waste management practices, including collection, segregation, and treatment.
Air Pollution Reduction-based Green Credit
Promotes measures to reduce air pollution and other pollution abatement activities.
Mangrove Conservation and Restoration-based Green Credit
Promotes conservation and restoration of mangroves, critical ecosystems for coastal protection and biodiversity.
Ecomark-based Green Credit
Encourages manufacturers to obtain Ecomark labels for their goods and services, signifying environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Building and Infrastructure-based Green Credit
Promotes sustainable practices in building and infrastructure development, including energy efficiency, renewable energy use, and eco-friendly construction materials.
Future prospects
The programme is currently in a pilot phase, with ongoing deliberations on:
Quantifying the contributions of shrubs and grasses to green credits;
Equivalence between green and carbon credits;
Allocation of credits for compensatory afforestation.
PYQ:
[2011] Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct?
(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol
(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota
(c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission
(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Chennai’s main drinking water source Veeranam Lake dries up.
Its supply was halted due to the lack of inflow from the Mettur dam located across the Kaveri River.
About Veeranam Lake
Veeranarayanapuram Lake, commonly known as Veeranam Lake, serves as a crucial water source for Chennai city.
It is a manmade lake with 16-km long dam. It was about 20 km long and 7 km wide back then in 10th century.
It situated approximately 235 km away in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu.
The lake, located near Kattumannarkoil, has a storage capacity of around 1,465 million cubic feet (mcft) and plays a vital role in supplying water to Chennai.
Historical Significance of Veeranam Lake
Constructed during the 10th century by Rajaditya Chola, a ruler of the Greater Cholas.
It was originally named as Veeranarayana Mangalam Lake,
It was built with the efforts of Rajaditya Chola and his soldiers during their leisure time while camped at Thirumunaipadi for a war against Pallava kings.
Water Sources and Inflow
Veeranam Lake primarily receives water from the Kollidam River via the Vadavaru River.
The lake’s inflow is supplemented by water released from the Mettur dam through the Kollidam River and Lower Anicut, ensuring sufficient water availability during certain periods.
PYQ:
[2018] Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
The Forest Department has resumed Operation Jumbo to capture trouble-causing wild elephants and fix radio collars in Hassan division of Karnataka.
What is Operation Jumbo?
Operation Jumbo is a campaign launched by the Karnataka government to capture and radio-collar rogue wild elephants that frequently enter human habitations.
It is effective in five districts of the state, namely Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Ramanagara, and Bengaluru.
The objective of this operation is to manage elephant movement and mitigate conflicts through continuous tracking using GPS-equipped radio collars, which have a battery life of three years.
Implementation ofOperation Jumbo
The cost of capturing and radio-collaring each wild elephant is approximately Rs 22 lakh, with Rs 7 lakh spent on each radio collar imported from South Africa.
The operation involves a diverse team of 70-80 individuals, including forest officers, veterinarians, mahouts, and other support staff.
It includes tasks such as surveillance, tracking, darting wild animals from the back of trained elephants, and securing the rescued tusker.
Elephants in India
Details
Population Estimate
India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals,
Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).
Leading States
Karnataka holds the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Endangered.
CMS: Appendix I.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I,
CITES: Appendix I.
Conservation Initiatives
Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India.
Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021.
Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km.
PYQ:
[2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
The leader of an elephant group is a female.
The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
India has simplified the payment mechanism for traders importing pulsesfrom Myanmar, requiring them to use the Rupee/Kyat direct payment system through the Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA) through the Punjab National Bank.
International Transactions Settlement Mechanism:
[1] Vostro Accounts:
Named from the Latin word “vostro,” meaning “yours.”
Represents a domestic bank’s account held by a foreign bank in the local currency (e.g., INR in India).
Allows foreign banks to manage local currency transactions on behalf of their clients.
For example, a foreign bank holding an account in an Indian bank in Indian Rupees (INR) for facilitating transactions within India.
[2] Nostro Accounts:
Derived from the Latin word “nostro,” meaning “ours.”
Refers to a foreign bank’s account held by a domestic bank in the foreign currency (e.g., USD in the United States).
Enables domestic banks to handle foreign currency transactions for their clients.
For instance, an Indian bank holding an account in a U.S. bank in U.S. Dollars (USD) to facilitate international transactions in the U.S. currency.
[3] Loro Accounts:
From the Italian word “loro,” meaning “their.”
Represents an account held by one foreign bank in another foreign bank’s currency.
Facilitates interbank transactions between two foreign banks without converting currencies into a domestic currency.
For example, if a bank in India holds an account in a bank in the United States in USD (U.S. Dollars) to facilitate transactions between those two banks.
What is Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA)?
Information
Definition
Domestic banks hold INR accounts for foreign banks, promoting direct trade in rupees.
Reduces reliance on foreign currencies, mitigating economic shocks.
Aims to elevate INR’s global status and facilitates trade with sanctioned countries.
Framework Components
All exports and imports invoiced in INR.
Exchange Rate is Market-determined.
Final trade settlements takes place in INR.
Functioning
Indian banks open SRVA accounts for foreign banks.
INR used for import payments and export receipts.
Compliance
Enables advance payments for Indian exporters, complying with Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.
Correspondent bank should not from a country mentioned in the updated Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Public Statement on High Risk & Non-Co-operative jurisdictions
Purpose of the Arrangement
Reduces demand for foreign currencies, increasing INR use in trade.
Mitigates economic shocks by minimizing reliance on foreign exchange.
Aims to boost INR’s global acceptance and facilitates trade with sanctioned nations.
How are the SRVA different from the already existing Rupee Vostro Account?
The settlement of International trade through Indian Rupees (INR) is an additional arrangement to the existing system of settlement.
The Supreme Court has decided to hear petitions seeking 100% cross-verification of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with the vote count as per Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
What is the history of the Voting Process?
First two General Elections: In the Elections of 1952 and 1957, a separate box was placed for each candidate with their election symbol. Voters had to drop a blank ballot paper into the box of the candidate whom they wanted to vote for.
Third Election: In the third election, the ballot paper with names of candidates and their symbols was introduced with voters putting a stamp on the candidate of their choice.
Introduction of EVM in Lok Sabha Elections: In the 2004 general elections to the Lok Sabha, EVMs were used in all 543 constituencies.
Global Scenario:
Many Western democracies, including England, France, The Netherlands, and the United States, have opted to continue using paper ballots for their National or Federal Elections instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Some countries have discontinued the use of EVMs after trials over the past two decades. For example, Germany’s Supreme Court declared the use of EVMs in elections unconstitutional in 2009.
Significance of EVM:
Prevention of Booth Capturing: EVMs have significantly reduced the likelihood of booth capturing, a practice where unauthorized individuals seize control of polling booths to manipulate votes.
Elimination of Invalid Votes: EVMs have effectively eliminated invalid votes, which were a common issue with paper ballots.
Environmental Sustainability: With a large electorate size like India’s, which is close to one billion, the use of EVMs contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing the consumption of paper.
Administrative Convenience: EVMs provide administrative convenience for polling officers on the day of the poll. They simplify the voting process, making it easier for voters to cast their ballots and for officials to manage polling stations efficiently.
Limitations on using EVM:
Susceptibility to Hacking Allegations: Despite assurances from electoral authorities, doubts have been raised about the security of EVMs, with concerns that they may be vulnerable to hacking due to their electronic nature.
Limited Sample Size for VVPAT Verification: The current practice of verifying the EVM count with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips has a small sample size of only five per assembly constituency/segment.
Identification of Polling Behavior: The process of matching EVM counts with VVPAT slips at the booth level allows for the identification of polling behavior by various political parties. This information could potentially be used for profiling voters and intimidation, undermining the secrecy and fairness of the electoral process.
Way Forward:
Enhancing Transparency and Comprehensibility: In a transparent democracy, citizens should be able to understand and verify the election process without requiring specialized technical knowledge.
Scientific Sampling for EVM-VVPAT Matching: Rather than a 100% match, the sample for matching the EVM count with VVPAT slips should be determined scientifically, possibly by dividing each state into large regions as suggested by experts.
Error Resolution: In case any error is detected, the VVPAT slips for the concerned region should be fully counted, forming the basis for results. This would instill statistically significant confidence in the counting process.
Mains PYQ
Q In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India?
Q To enhance the quality of democracy in India the Election Commission of India has proposed electoral reforms in 2016. What are the suggested reforms and how far are they significant to make democracy successful?
