9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – July 13th, 2023
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GS PAPER - 2
Bibek Debroy writes: Why normative recommendations of finance commissions remain on paper
Contents
Source: The post is based on the article “Bibek Debroy writes: Why normative recommendations of finance commissions remain on paper” published in “The Indian Express ” on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2- Function and responsibility of various constitutional bodies & GS-3 -Government budgeting
News: The article talks about the work of India’s Finance Commissions, which give advice on how money should be moved between the national and state governments. The article says that this advice often doesn’t get followed because it’s too complicated or not a priority.
What is the Role of Finance Commissions?
Finance Commissions (FCs) in India are established under Article 280 of the Constitution. They primarily handle three responsibilities:
- Vertical devolution, which involves transferring funds from the Union to states.
- Horizontal distribution, which concerns distributing funds between states, based on specific formulas.
- Grant-in-aid, regulated under Article 275, provided to states in need of assistance.
What Was the Impact of the 13th and 15th Finance Commissions?
The 13th FC was set up in 2007 and made recommendations for the period 2010 to 2015. A focus of the 13th FC was on grants-in-aid, which are significant parts of FC transfers.
Two key areas for grant assistance highlighted by the 13th FC were justice delivery and the statistical system.
Despite optimistic expectations, the impact in these areas was disappointing. For instance, the FC hoped to dispose of a large number of pending court cases and enhance the justice delivery system with a funding of Rs 2,500 crore. However, the actual outcome was not as expected.
Similarly, the 15th FC made a number of reform suggestions for both Union and state levels, and performance-based grants. Yet, many of these recommendations, despite being comprehensive, were often ignored.
Why normative recommendations of finance commissions remain on paper?
Lack of compliance: Both the Union and state governments sometimes overlook or ignore the recommendations. They may not agree with them or have other priorities.
Complex reforms: Some of the suggested reforms can be complicated to implement. They require significant changes in government processes and policies.
Resource constraints: The governments, particularly at the state level, might face resource constraints. This can make it hard for them to put the recommendations into practice.
Policy prioritization: The governments often focus more on resource distribution. The recommended reforms may not align with their policy priorities.
Conditionalities: Some states object to the conditions attached to grants. They believe these restrictions limit their expenditure options.
Insufficient data: There can be a lack of necessary data to implement the recommendations. For instance, the 13th FC pointed out statistical gaps that hindered implementation.
Performance-Based Grants: The 15th FC proposed performance-based grants. However, this requires the establishment of clear and efficient performance metrics, which can be challenging.
What should be done?
For better results, the Finance Commission should make recommendations simpler and more practical. It should also work with governments to understand and overcome their challenges.
Governments should prioritize these recommendations, gather needed resources, adjust grant conditions, and fill data gaps.
Express View on SC order on ED chief: State’s strong arm
Source: The post is based on the article “Express View on SC order on ED chief: State’s strong arm” published in “The Indian Express ” on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2- Issues associated with the functioning of judiciary – Supreme Court
News: The Supreme Court has made a decision in the case of Sanjay Kumar Mishra. He is the chief of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court decided that two extensions to his term were not valid. Mishra must leave his job on July 31. This is four months earlier than planned.
What is the Supreme Court’s (SC) view in the Sanjay Kumar Mishra case?
The Supreme Court has shared its opinion on the matter of Enforcement Directorate (ED) chief Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the Court’s perspective:
Separating procedural and political elements: The Supreme Court was cautious in differentiating between the procedural and political aspects in the challenge to Mishra’s appointment. It was clear in its stance that while political motivations might be involved, the focus should be on the legal procedures followed or violated.
Unlawful extensions: The Court announced the two tenure extensions received by Mishra as invalid. They instructed him to step down from his position on July 31, much earlier than the end of his original term.
Parliament’s authority to modify laws: The Court upheld the power of Parliament to amend laws. It stated that Parliament has the right to modify laws to extend the tenure of positions like the ED and CBI chief.
Warning against arbitrary power use: The Court also emphasized the importance of not using this power arbitrarily. It suggested that, while Parliament has the authority to change the laws, it should not be done randomly or without good reason.
Specific criticism in Mishra’s case: The Court expressed disapproval of how this power was used in the specific case of Mishra. It found fault with the government for extending his tenure, despite a previous Court direction against it.
Rejection of opposition’s claims: The Supreme Court declined to consider the Opposition’s plea. The Opposition had accused the central government of using the agency for its own political gains, but the Court did not entertain this.
Expectations from the agency: Lastly, the Court placed the onus on the ED to demonstrate its fairness and transparency. It expects the agency to convince its critics about its impartial and honest operations.
Christophe Jaffrelot writes: What the Indo-French relationship needs
Source: The post is based on the article “Christophe Jaffrelot writes: What the Indo-French relationship needs” published in The Indian Express on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
News: This article discusses the strategic and security-focused relationship between India and France. The article highlights their cooperation in balancing China’s influence, conducting joint military operations, forging big defence contracts, and their partnership in nuclear energy. The article also emphasises the future possibilities of their collaboration, like the International Solar Alliance and involvement in regional networks and minilateral forums.
What is the significance of India and France relations?
Economic relations: In the fiscal year 2022-23, the bilateral trade between India and France was valued at $12.56 billion. Despite this figure, there is potential for growth. Both countries are focusing on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to bolster their economic ties.
Role in global politics: In the current shifting global political scenario, both India and France can serve as significant balancers. This highlights the importance of their alliance not just bilaterally, but also for global stability.
Strategic and defence significance: India and France share a strong strategic relationship, with France being India’s second-most important ally after the US. They are commemorating 25 years of this alliance. Notably, France opposed sanctions on India following its 1998 nuclear test. In terms of defence, France was India’s second-largest supplier from 2018 to 2022, accounting for 29% of India’s imports. During PM Modi’s visit, purchases of 26 Rafale jets and three Scorpene submarines are expected, which will strengthen India’s defence capabilities.
Geopolitical importance: The geopolitical landscape has brought India and France even closer. After being excluded from the Trans-Atlantic alliance’s AUKUS pact in 2021, France has expanded its engagement with countries like India. This relationship is particularly significant in the Indo-Pacific region, where both countries oppose China’s increasing dominance.
How nuclear and military cooperation between India and France helps in strengthening its relationship?
Nuclear Cooperation: Strengthening Strategic Ties
Providing crucial support: After the US imposed sanctions on India in 1974, France offered crucial support by supplying enriched uranium for the Tarapur nuclear plant. This helped maintain India’s nuclear energy capabilities.
Learning from experience: France, having developed its civil nuclear energy sector outside of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), provided valuable guidance for India, which was in a similar situation.
Against global sanctions: Unlike other countries such as the US and Japan, France did not impose sanctions on India following its nuclear test in 1998. This demonstrated solidarity and mutual understanding.
Military Cooperation: Building Trust and Sharing Resources
Sharing military facilities: In 2018, France and India agreed to share access to each other’s military facilities, an agreement that demonstrated a high level of trust and understanding between the two countries.
Joint military exercises: The ongoing “Varuna” joint naval exercises have helped strengthen operational cooperation and trust. These exercises include French and Indian naval units working together, which solidifies their military partnership.
Arms supply diversification: France has significantly contributed to India’s efforts to diversify its arms suppliers. The 2016 Rafale deal, where India bought 36 aircraft from France, is a noteworthy example of this cooperation.
What are the Future Possibilities for Indo-French Cooperation?
- India and France need to continue strengthening their strategic and defense partnership, which includes possible procurement of Rafale jets and Scorpene submarines by India.
2.Both countries could give more impetus to the International Solar Alliance to boost global solar energy use, highlighting their commitment to environmental sustainability.
3.They could create more minilateral groups in the Indo-Pacific region, broadening their cooperative network. To counterbalance the influence of China in the Indo-Pacific region, they should intensify their collaboration.
4.France’s participation in the Indian Ocean Commission, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, and the Indian Ocean Rim Association opens avenues for deeper collaboration with India in regional matters.
5.Reviving and strengthening trilateral forums like the France/India/Australia dialogue could enhance their collective regional influence.
6.New minilateral partnerships, like the one between France, India, and the UAE, could be further developed for broader regional cooperation.
- Economically, there’s a need to boost their bilateral trade, which stood at $12.56 billion in 2022-23. For this, both nations should expedite efforts to actualize an India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions
Contents
- 1 What were the important outcomes of the meeting?
- 2 What was the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in a case related to the South China Sea dispute to address conflicts with China?
- 3 What is the importance of the South China Sea?
- 4 What is the way forward to resolve the South China Sea conflict?
Source– The post is based on the article “Quiet diplomacy could ease South China Sea tensions” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral and regional groupings
Relevance: India and Philippines relationship
News-. The Foreign Ministers of India and the Philippines met at the fifth meeting of the Philippines-India Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, in New Delhi, on June 29.
What were the important outcomes of the meeting?
It was decided to open the resident defence attaché office in Manila; and increased cooperation between the Coast Guards of the two countries.
Both agreed for acquisition of naval assets by Manila under a concessional line of credit from Delhi; expansion of training and joint exercises on maritime security and disaster responses and commencing a maritime dialogue.
Most notable development was the agreement on regional and multilateral issues, particularly on the South China Sea.
While India restated its consistent stance of adhering to international law, including the United UNCLOS, it notably called for the respect of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea. This marks a departure from India’s previous position.
The arbitration process considered various aspects, including maritime rights, the status of specific marine features, historical rights, and the legality of certain Chinese actions in the South China Sea, which Manila deemed as unlawful.
According to UNCLOS Article 296I, the tribunal’s decision is considered “final and binding.” The PCA rejected China’s claim of historical rights in the South China Sea and the unanimous decision favoured the Philippines.
The tribunal also declared that any previous claims to resources within the “nine-dash line” were not grounded on a legal basis.
It concluded that China’s development and land reclamation activities had significantly altered the reefs, which violated its commitments under UNCLOS.
The tribunal further criticised China for causing irreversible damage to the marine environment and destroying evidence of the natural condition of features in the South China Sea.
The tribunal found China guilty of violating the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by interfering with fishing and petroleum exploration, constructing artificial islands, and failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from operating in the area.
The tribunal also determined that China had no legal basis to assert historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling under the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
What is the importance of the South China Sea?
The South China Sea holds significant importance as a crucial maritime passageway connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It plays a vital role in global geopolitics, economy, and strategic interests.
Maintaining free and stable maritime routes is essential for global trade and the world economy.
What is the way forward to resolve the South China Sea conflict?
Despite the ruling by the PCA, the actual situation on the ground remains unchanged, making it practically challenging to enforce the decision.
Recognizing that the South China Sea issue necessitates a political framework, dialogue becomes the key to resolving it.
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should pursue a political solution through “quiet diplomacy” since the prospects of resolving the matter purely through legal means are limited.
The responsibility of establishing a “political framework” and making progress towards a legally binding “code of conduct” primarily lies with ASEAN’s leaders. It is essential for ASEAN nations to foster greater understanding and unity among themselves.
Is it possible to have partial app bans?
Contents
Source– The post is based on the article “Is it possible to have partial app bans?” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Indian Polity
Relevance: Right to Internet
News- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sought inputs on having “selective” app bans instead of internet shutdowns
What is the history of Internet shutdowns in India?
Internet shutdowns are imposed in States and districts across India from time to time to maintain law and order.
It has a straining effect on access to education, work, banking, and information. As such, the government has sought to impose restrictions rather than complete shutdown.
In Jammu and Kashmir as well as in Manipur, authorities have gradually loosened long-term restrictions.
How would the TRAI move work?
The approach suggested by TRAI would require telecom operators and messaging app firms like WhatsApp to cooperate with each other and stop access to services during a shutdown.
What are the past efforts towards app regulation?
In 2015 and 2018, the TRAI had held consultations on regulating messaging apps.
Telecom operators argued in favour as messaging apps bypass stringent security and surveillance regulations.
However, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) and the TRAI rejected this argument. Later, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology amended the IT Rules, 2021 to trace the original sender of a forwarded message.
What about regulating or blocking VPNs?
The government has been showing concerns against Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) because of its encrypted nature.
VPN firms usually route data through servers located in another country, and change the IP addresses to evade detection and blocking.
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-in) published directions in 2022 requiring VPN firms to retain records of users from India led to shifting of servers located in India.
However, Internet rights activists say that blocking VPNs would be a damaging move for online privacy specially for journalists, whistle-blowers and activists as it protects them from surveillance and censorship.
Weakening autonomy – on ED’s tenure extension
Source– The post is based on the article “Weakening autonomy” published in “The Hindu” on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Indian Polity
Relevance: Institutional Autonomy
News – Supreme Court’s verdict in 2021 to allow multiple extensions of service to heads of investigative agencies is a setback.
What is the verdict all about?
The Supreme Court has supported changes made in 2021 that allow heads of investigative agencies to have multiple extensions of their service.
This decision is seen as a setback to protecting the independence of these agencies.
However, the court has also cancelled the two one-year extensions given to the Director of Enforcement, S.K. Mishra. As a result, Mr. Mishra has been asked to step down on July 31.
The court stated that although Parliament can change the basis for a judgement through legislation, it cannot nullify a court order.
Mr. Mishra was appointed for a two-year term in 2018, but in 2020, his appointment was retrospectively changed to a three-year term. Despite being past the retirement age, he received two annual extensions in 2021 and 2022.
The government ignored the court’s earlier suggestion that such extensions should only be granted in exceptional cases.
What are the impacts of judgements?
The Court’s endorsement of a tenure extension system will undermine their independence and against the rule of law.
The amendments violate fundamental rights as the government can instruct the Directors who can pick and choose what cases to investigate based on political instructions.
It also offends the rights of citizens to equal treatment and impartial investigation.
The misuse of government agencies against political opponents.
GS PAPER - 3
How the CPI basket conceals the inflation picture
Source: The post is based on an article “How the CPI basket conceals the inflation picture” published in The Hindu on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Growth & Development, Monetary Policy
Relevance: concerns associated with the calculation of CPI
News The article discusses the issues present in calculating the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
What are the issues present with the CPI basket?
Inclusion of Outdated Items: The CPI still monitors a wide range of items, including outdated technologies like torches, radios, tape recorders, CDs, DVDs, etc.
These items have minimal significance in the overall CPI calculation and no longer reflect our current consumption patterns.
Over-reliance on Food Inflation: The weightage of food in the CPI basket has decreased from 60.9 (in 1960) to 57.0 (in 1982) and to 46.2 (in 2001). This gradual decline indicates that as the economy/income grows, the proportion of income spent on food decreases. This trend is known as Engel’s Law.
However, India still has a significant weightage of food in the CPI. This over-reliance on food inflation distinguishes Indian inflation from many other developed countries where the food weight is much smaller.
This shift in the developed countries imply that as people’s income rises, they tend to allocate a larger proportion of their spending towards non-food items such as housing, education, healthcare, personal care, etc.
Excessive Weightage to Cereals: Cereals are assigned excessively high weight of 9.67 in the CPI basket. This raises two issues –
- as economies grow and societies evolve, people’s eating habits diversify. This includes moving towards a broader range of nutrient-rich options beyond cereals. This shift in food consumption patterns would have naturally occurred over the past decade, reducing the relative expenditure on cereals.
- the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana has significantly decreased cereal expenses for a large segment of the population, potentially modifying consumption patterns and further reducing the relative expenditure on cereals.
Despite these changes, cereals still have excessive weightage in the CPI basket.
However, even though current evolving pattern of consumptions are included in the CPI, challenges would still remain.
What are the challenges present with updating CPI?
Weights for CPI can only undergo a significant shift after data from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (CES) is available.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is currently conducting the CES, with the first round scheduled to conclude in July 2023 and the second round a year later in July 2024.
However, even when the CES results are published around December 2024, creating a new CPI based on this fresh data will take several more months.
Therefore, till then we will continue to rely on outdated parameters to assess inflation. This affects the accuracy of measuring the cost of living and economic well-being.
Moreover, the lack of the CES data has resulted in various issues such as – a) it has become difficult to determine the population under the poverty line accurately, and b) tracking inflation effectively.
What can be the way ahead?
It is crucial for the MoSPI to address these gaps promptly. Efficient data processing should be prioritized without compromise.
Needed: Alert systems for the growing threat of humid heat
Contents
Source: The post is based on an article “Needed: Alert systems for the growing threat of humid heat” published in Live Mint on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Disaster Management
Relevance: concerns over rising heat related deaths
News: June was the Earth’s hottest month ever recorded. This has raised concerns over rising heat and its implications.
What are the concerns over rising temperatures?
Due to the rising temperature, heat related deaths have increased. According to a 2021 paper in the Lancet, about 469,000 people worldwide died from overheating.
Why do people die from heat?
Heat can be deadly because our bodies are composed of cells protected by membranes that can melt under extreme temperatures. Moreover, despite being warm-blooded, our bodies need to maintain a core temperature of around 36.6° C.
Our bodies cool down by sending blood to the skin, where it releases heat into the air. However, this process becomes less effective when the air temperature reaches around 35° C, and sweating becomes necessary to cool off.
The evaporation of sweat cools us down. However, when humidity is too high, sweat fails to evaporate, causing sweat drips and preventing effective cooling.
Furthermore, with 100% humidity and an air temperature of 35° C, humans can begin to experience the effects of their own body heat, and individuals who are more vulnerable can suffer from heatstroke at lower temperatures.
Moreover, the elderly and individuals with heart conditions are at greater risk of heart attacks as the body’s cooling mechanisms can create cardiovascular stress if pushed too hard.
Further, once the core body temperature rises above 40° C, the situation becomes dangerous, and if it goes above 41° C, heatstroke can be fatal.
People can adapt to heat over time by spending a few days in a hot environment. However, prolonged exposure to extreme heat can overpower these adaptive responses.
Moreover, factors such as humidity, wind velocity and direct exposure to sunlight, a person’s level of exertion, body size and clothes determine the severity of heat.
Must Read: Heat strokes in India: Reasons and Impacts – Explained
Ollie Jay, a health researcher in Australia has developed a five-level ‘heat stress’ warning scale to notify people about the danger of heat.
This scale takes into account factors such as temperature, wind, sun exposure, and humidity to warn individuals when these conditions combine to create a deadly situation. Alerts could be sent to phones and sent out on television.
Adopting a science-based heat-risk scale can also inform workers about dangerous conditions and require employers to provide breaks for outdoor workers when their lives are at risk.
Jay further suggested that providing air conditioning for everyone is not a viable solution, as it contributes to heat generation in crowded cities, consumes significant energy, and emits carbon emissions.
Therefore, ACs should be established in common spaces like libraries and develop systems to transport vulnerable people to these locations during heatwaves.
What can be the way ahead?
Due to the rising global warming, city officials will need to adopt heat warning systems, establish public cooling centers, and enforce science-based regulations to prevent heat-related fatalities.
The China traps
Source– The post is based on the article “The China traps” published in the “Business Standard” on 13th July 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Economy
Relevance: Chinese growth story and lessons for India
News- There is some disconnect between how China’s position as an economic power is portrayed and its actual trajectory.
What is the current economic scenario in China?
The Chinese economy’s recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has been weak. Retail inflation had fallen monthly. The Chinese economy is facing deflation, driven by low demand and shrinking manufacturing output.
Over 20 percent of the mainland’s workers under the age of 24 in China were unemployed. This is a higher rate than in most comparable economies.
What are simultaneous and interlinked economic traps faced by the Chinese economy?
One of these is the deflationary trap, where the economy struggles with declining prices and a lack of consumer spending.
Another challenge is the investment trap. Policymakers have limited options to stimulate growth and employment. They are mainly relying on increasing public investment.
However, the returns on additional investment are diminishing, and the country already has a high level of public debt.
To address these challenges, it would require a significant structural shift in the economy, such as promoting private consumption over fixed investment. However, the Communist Party is hesitant to undertake such changes due to the political implications they may entail.
China also faces the hurdle known as the “middle-income trap,”. It occurs when a country reaches a certain level of income and development but struggles to progress further.
The mainland’s youth unemployment problem is a manifestation of this trap. Tech and start-up sector, which could have provided opportunities for young people, is not growing at the required pace.
What are lessons for India?
The current scenario is a result of deliberate decisions made by Beijing. It holds significant policy implications for New Delhi.
The decline of China’s tech sector due to a crackdown enforced by Party officials serves as a reminder of the risks associated with politically motivated and arbitrary regulations.
India must exert greater efforts to establish its regulatory framework as independent and impartial.
It is crucial for India’s economy not to become overly reliant on public investment decisions. Maintaining fiscal responsibility and actively working towards reducing debt should also remain key priorities for India.
Extreme rainfall events and urban floods: Explained, pointwise
Contents
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Introduction
Recently, heavy rainfall in parts of North India led to extensive flooding, impacting major cities such as Delhi, Gurugram, Patiala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Urban floods have now become a widespread occurrence across the nation, affecting numerous mega and metropolitan cities in India on an almost annual basis. While climate change and global warming are often cited as major causes of urban floods, several other factors also contribute to the problem.
What caused the recent episode of heavy rainfall?
Recent weather conditions which triggered heavy rains in Northwest India and the Himalayas were like those which caused 2013 Uttarakhand floods.
First, an active monsoon with strong winds in the lower atmosphere, brought moisture into the region from the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.
Second, a large-scale atmospheric forcing (a dynamic process that forces the air to rise) occurred. Outflows in the upper layers of the atmosphere moved eastward through mid-latitude troughs (Western Disturbance). These troughs can also direct the flow of moisture towards the Himalaya.
Third, deep convection was triggered by orographic uplift due to the steep terrain of the Himalaya.
Thus, an interaction between a western disturbance and active monsoon, combined with the topography of the Himalayas led to extremely heavy rainfall over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Haryana
Excess rainfall over Northwest India is also related with the warm Arabian Sea (warmed by about 1.5 degrees Celsius since January) which has infused excess moisture over North-Northwest India
Why are extreme rainfall events increasing?
A study on the 2013 floods in Uttarakhand identified the Himalayan region is conducive to formation of deep, intense convective clouds. Instances of such deep convection have increased over time mainly due to climate change. Warmer temperatures lead to increased evaporation, which leads to more moisture in the atmosphere. This extra moisture leads to heavy rainfall when weather systems interact with the steep topography of the region.
Human influence is causing the Arctic to warm and sea ice to shrink. There is increasing evidence that Arctic warming impacts monsoon climate through mid-latitude circulation. Observations and models suggest that due to Arctic warming, the frequency of occurrence of deep mid-latitude troughs is likely to increase.
Due to climate change, hilly areas and surroundings like the Himalayan foothills or the Western Ghats are more vulnerable to heavy rains and landslides. Because of global warming, there’s extra moisture in the atmosphere which is lifted orographically and comes down as heavy rains.
Changes in land use and land cover also appear to be reasons for the increase in extreme monsoon rainfall, especially its intensity.
The IPCC’s scenarios for climate change indicate that these trends will continue. Multi-day flood events are projected to increase faster than single-day events in the future.
What are the other causes of recurrent urban flooding?
Urban planning: According to a NITI Aayog report titled ‘Reforms in Urban Planning Capability in India’, 65% of the urban settlements do not have any master plan. As a result, there are fragmented interventions, disorderly constructions and urban sprawl, all of which can worsen problems like urban flooding.
Urban governance: On the governance front, municipal administrations have disregarded unauthorized construction. They also failed to prevent encroachments, particularly on water bodies and allowed construction in low-lying areas without adequate mitigation measures. Failure to stop indiscriminate disposal of solid waste and illegal dumping of construction debris also adds to the problem.
Encroachment of water bodies: Water bodies such as wetlands, marshes, lakes, riverbeds and their floodplains act as natural rainwater sinks and buffers against floods. Their encroachment due to rapid and unplanned urbanisation has limited their ability to perform this vital function.
Deforestation in the catchment area: The catchment regions of rivers and their tributaries have seen uncontrolled deforestation and degradation of vegetation. This has increased soil erosion and siltation which has increased the load of sediments in riverbeds and reduced their water-carrying capacity. The discharge of waste into the rivers has added to this problem.
Storm water drains: In many urban localities, there is absence of storm water drains. At places where a storm water drainage network exists, it was planned several decades ago and thus inadequate to handle increasing instances of extreme rainfall. For example, Delhi’s storm water drainage network can carry a maximum of 50 mm of rainfall in 24 hours but recently, the city recently saw rainfall of 153 mm in a day. Poor maintenance of existing storm water drains due to incompetent municipal administration leads to their clogging with mud and material which further compounds the problem.
What are the steps taken by the government?
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued the National Guidelines on Urban Flood Disaster Management. The guidelines are comprehensive and identify the institutional framework required for improving flood resilience through better flood disaster management.
A National Disaster Management Plan has been developed. The plan has a special section on urban flood disaster risk reduction.
A standard operating procedure (SOP) for urban flooding was also brought out by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The SOP identified the objectives, mitigation strategies for urban flooding, nodal agencies for early warning, city-level action plans including the establishment of the emergency operations center and other related measures including reporting formats.
Also, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has released the first dedicated stormwater drainage manual. The manual has taken inspiration from established international codes of practice and has been modified to suit the local conditions.
The government has also launched schemes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) and Smart Cities Mission for capacity building of urban local bodies.
What should be done?
Resilient design in urban planning: This should involve restoring traditional water bodies, revitalizing lakes, building artificial lakes, and developing green infrastructure such as rain gardens. These measures will enhance permeability, create open spaces, and effectively manage stormwater runoff. Rainwater harvesting in parks and open spaces will act as sponges and reduce flooding.
Comprehensive stormwater drainage master plan: Cities should have separate stormwater and sewage drains. Master plans should be developed for all urban settlements keeping in mind the city’s land use patterns and drainage infrastructure. Encroachment of stormwater drains should be stopped, and they should be solely used carrying excess rainwater.
Assess flood-carrying capacity of Indian cities and prepare urban flood risk database: This assessment would involve evaluating the ability of cities to manage flooding by examining the level of inundation during different intensities and durations of precipitation. This information would aid in fine-tuning forecasting models, allowing for timely issuance of early warnings and alerts based on specific regional thresholds.
Governance measures: There should be regulated real-estate growth with proper implementation of land use planning and zoning regulations. For example, areas prone to flash floods can be designated as non-residential or restricted areas.
Restoration of ecosystems: Ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, should be protected and restored so that they can act as a natural buffer, absorbing rainfall and reducing runoff.
NDMA guidelines: The recommendations made by the NDMA guidelines should be implemented.
Sources: Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times and Deccan Herald.
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