1. A Climate Crisis Agenda Remains Urgent
Key Points:
- Critical Time for India’s Climate Action (Next Five Years):
- India’s reliance on coal is high (22% of electricity), but advances in renewable energy are significant.
- Urgent environmental issues include reducing heat stress, improving air quality, managing waste, and enhancing energy efficiency.
- Key Policy Actions:
- Comprehensive policies are needed to match energy demand with environmental actions.
- Businesses should take proactive roles in addressing climate change, seeing it as an opportunity rather than a threat.
- Mitigating Pollutants:
- India’s vulnerability to heat stress, worsened by CO2 emissions and pollutants like methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Methane and short-lived pollutants trap more heat than CO2 in the short term; their reduction can prevent immediate warming.
- International agreements like the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment are crucial to tackling these pollutants, with potential to avoid 0.5°C of global warming by 2050.
- Breaking Down Climate Challenges:
- Tailor-made climate strategies for both rich and poor countries are necessary.
- Integration into the Paris Agreement and adherence to accountability measures like the Montreal Protocol are critical for global climate goals.
- Long-Term Strategy for GHG Reduction:
- Reducing methane emissions through biogas projects and enhancing the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) can benefit both public health and the environment.
- Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) should be addressed separately to more effectively tackle climate challenges.
- Carbon Markets:
- Carbon markets can help incentivize GHG reductions and avoid further temperature rises.
- The creation of an India Carbon Market is targeted for 2026, aiming to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- This market could yield $35 trillion in climate-related savings by 2030.
- Missed Opportunity in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections:
- Despite the ongoing climate crisis, climate action was overlooked in election campaigns.
- Low voter turnout, high temperatures, and rising environmental issues highlight the growing disconnect between sustainability and daily life for the public.
- Policy Recommendations:
- Foster collaboration across sectors and a long-term, metric-based approach to reducing both CO2 and SLCPs.
- Incentives and carbon trading systems need to be developed for faster decarbonization, especially focusing on refrigerants like those under the Kigali Amendment.
Takeaways for UPSC:
- Importance of climate change policy in India’s long-term development and global environmental leadership.
- Relevance of international protocols like the Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol, and Kigali Amendment in reducing greenhouse gases.
- Need for faster decarbonization strategies through the adoption of carbon markets and corporate accountability.
Interlinkages between climate action and public health, economic growth, and energy policies, and their role in sustainable governance.
2. Nature of J&K Assembly
- J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019:
- Created two Union Territories (UTs): Jammu & Kashmir (with a Legislative Assembly) and Ladakh (without a Legislative Assembly).
- Abrogation of Article 370 ended the special status of J&K and altered its constitutional framework.
- New Structure of J&K Assembly:
- The new Assembly will function under the framework of a Union Territory, not a state.
- Article 239A (applicable to UTs) grants the Assembly power to legislate on matters listed under the State List and Concurrent List, excluding subjects reserved for the Union government.
- Role of the Lieutenant Governor (LG):
- The Lieutenant Governor (LG), appointed by the Centre, has a pivotal role, especially in financial matters.
- Any Bill with financial implications cannot be introduced in the Assembly without the LG’s recommendation.
- The LG’s discretionary powers include control over the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and other significant subjects.
- Powers of the J&K Assembly:
- The J&K Legislative Assembly has powers over matters in the State List and Concurrent List, with some restrictions.
- Under Section 32, the Assembly can make laws on matters listed in List II (State List), except for subjects like public order and police, which remain under the Centre’s jurisdiction.
- The Assembly cannot introduce or pass laws with financial obligations without the LG’s approval.
- Significant Legislative Changes:
- The Reorganisation Act significantly reduces the powers of the Assembly compared to the previous state Assembly.
- Section 53 outlines the powers of the LG, with the ability to override the Assembly’s decisions on certain matters.
- Key Areas Under LG’s Control:
- The LG has control over areas like All India Services, Anti-Corruption Bureau, public order, and police.
- These areas are of high significance as they deal with the internal security and administrative functioning of J&K.
- Centre’s Extended Powers:
- The Centre’s legislative power over J&K extends to subjects in the Union List (List I of the Seventh Schedule).
This central oversight emphasizes the Union Territory’s unique position compared to full-fledged states.
3. Post-1991, Southern States Emerged as Leaders
Key Points:
- Post-1991 Liberalization:
- Post-1991, India’s southern states saw significant growth in per capita income, emerging as leading performers.
- The southern states such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana improved their economic performance, leveraging economic reforms and industrialization.
- Economic Advisory Council’s Findings:
- The analysis by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) highlights the strong performance of southern and western states like Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- In contrast, northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have shown slower growth and economic regression in terms of per capita income.
- Western and Eastern States:
- Maharashtra and Gujarat exhibited robust growth, while Punjab initially had an advantage due to the Green Revolution but has since lagged.
- The eastern states, including West Bengal, have largely struggled, with West Bengal and Punjab showing significant declines in economic performance after initial strong starts.
- Regional Disparities:
- The southern states have surged ahead in terms of economic growth, whereas northern and eastern states have struggled to maintain competitiveness.
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are noted for their poor performance, and West Bengal also recorded declines despite its early lead in industrialization.
- Performance of Leading States:
- Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have consistently performed well, driven by sectors like technology, manufacturing, and services.
- Telangana also exhibited significant growth post-2000, showing consistent economic improvement.
- State GDP Shares:
- Chart 2 shows the share of states in national GDP, with Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat maintaining significant portions of India’s economic output.
- Maharashtra remains the largest contributor, followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
- Per Capita Income (Chart 1):
- Chart 1 highlights the relative per capita income of states compared to the national average, with southern and western states performing far above the national average.
States like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have had a sharp rise in per capita income compared to underperformers like Punjab and West Bengal.
