Afternoon edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
The Election Commission of India's (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, particularly in Bihar, has raised concerns over a significant number of missing names and potential disenfranchisement of voters. The Supreme Court has directed the ECI to publish reasons for voter exclusion.
Key points
- Concerns raised over mass voter deletions during electoral roll revisions.
- Supreme Court mandated ECI to publish reasons for voter exclusion.
- Historical context of women being excluded from early electoral rolls highlights ongoing challenges in inclusivity.
- Voters need clear mechanisms to check exclusions and challenge errors.
Background & context
India's electoral system has continuously evolved to enhance inclusivity, enforceability, and accessibility. Early electoral rolls faced issues like excluding women based on their relationship to men, which the first CEC, Sukumar Sen, addressed.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Sukumar Sen, India's first Chief Election Commissioner, worked to ensure women were registered under their own names.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper I (Social Issues - Role of women), GS Paper II (Polity - Electoral reforms, ECI's role and challenges).
Why in news?
Following a stampede in Kolkata, the West Bengal government's decision to shift injured individuals to private hospitals has brought to light discussions about the perceived inadequacies and long-term improvement plans for the state's public healthcare system.
Key points
- West Bengal CM defended shifting stampede victims to private hospitals for better care.
- Acknowledged shortfalls in state-run hospital infrastructure.
- Improving public healthcare to match private sector standards is estimated to take at least two years.
- Decision aimed at preventing further loss of life, not a reflection of overall health department failure.
Background & context
Public healthcare systems in India often face challenges related to funding, infrastructure, and human resources, leading to a disparity in treatment quality compared to private facilities.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The Chief Minister stated it would take at least two years to elevate West Bengal's health system to par with the private sector.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper II (Governance - Health sector, Government policies and interventions).
Why in news?
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that thermal power plants must undergo annual audits to ensure compliance with fly ash utilization and disposal norms as per the 2021 Ash Utilisation Notification.
Key points
- Thermal power plants must conduct annual fly ash utilization audits.
- Union Environment Ministry's 2021 notification mandates 100% fly ash utilization with a minimum annual target of 80%.
- Non-compliance incurs an environmental compensation of ₹1,000 per tonne of unutilized ash.
- Audits are to be conducted by CPCB-authorized auditors and reports submitted by November 30 annually.
Background & context
Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion in thermal power plants, poses environmental challenges if not managed properly. The Ash Utilisation Notification aims to promote its use in applications like brick manufacturing and cement production.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Thermal power plants failing to meet fly ash utilization targets face environmental compensation of ₹1,000 per tonne of unutilized ash.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper III (Environment - Pollution and degradation, EIA, Environmental Impact Assessment).