Recently, it was in news that the delimitation of constituencies for the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies is to be carried out on the basis of the first Census after 2026.
What is delimitation?
Delimitation means the process of fixing the number of seats and boundaries of territorial constituencies in each State for the Lok Sabha and Legislative assemblies after each Census by the ‘Delimitation Commission’ that is set up under an act of Parliament.
This process also includes determining the seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) in these houses.
Such an exercise was carried out after the 1951, 1961 and 1971 Census. However, in 1976, the 42nd Amendment has frozen the delimitation process (as per the 1971 Census) in order to encourage population control measures.
It was extended by the 84th Amendment Act till 2026.
The boundaries of territorial constituencies were readjusted (without changing the number of seats) and seats for SC and ST were determined as per the 2001 Census.
Significance of Delimitation
Impartial Exercise: The Delimitation Commission being a quasi-judicial body, conducts its proceedings transparently, through public hearings and operates independently of the government and political parties.
Equal Representation: The main objective of delimitation is to provide equal representation to equal segments of a population. It takes into account the changes in population after each census.
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs: The delimitation commission demarcates the constituencies based on the changed population of STs and SCs and reserve it for them. It is important to have equal representation for equal sections of a population.
One vote-One Value: It guarantees every individual has an equal right to vote and every vote is equal in value which is indispensable in any democratic country.
Issues
Federal Political Structure: The distribution of parliamentary constituencies solely on the basis of population will make India overwhelmingly North India-centric, and South India will remain a permanent minority in parliament.
North India VS South India: The share of South states in the Indian population is decreasing as per the recent estimates, so this has raised concerns about the unequal representation of states in the Lok Sabha.
Small States vs Big States: The population explosion that has happened during the last five decades has been uneven. The increase in seats would be disadvantageous for smaller states and may lead to a feeling of disenchantment.
Disadvantageous for States that have controlled their population: It goes against the philosophy of freezing seats as per the 1971 Census with the States that have been better at controlling the population losing out on their political significance.
Disadvantageous for regional parties: The regional parties like TDP, DMK, AIADMK, BRS, YSRCP are bound to lose seats by having their presence in states which have better population control like Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
Way Forward
Cap on Parliamentary Seats: In a federation like the U.S., the number of seats in the House of Representatives has been capped at 435 since 1913. The seats among the States are redistributed after every Census through the ‘method of equal proportion’.Cambridge Compromise: It is based on a theoretically fair mechanism for allocating seats in the European Parliament among the member-states.Population control measure: the government may freeze the delimitation exercise for another 25 years or until population stabilisation has been attained by all states. Fixed the Parliamentary seats only: The number of MPs in Lok Sabha may be capped at the present number of 543 and The number of MLAs in each State may be increased in line with current population (without changing the number of Rajya Sabha seats) to address the democratic representational requirement.Strengthen local Bodies: The most important reform for strengthening democracy is to empower the local bodies of panchayats and municipalities who engage with the citizens on a day-to-day basis.
Humboldt's Enigma
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
Humboldt’s enigma is one of many puzzles of mountain biodiversity.
About Humboldt's Enigma
Explorers and naturalists have been finding the factors leading to biodiversity concentration for centuries.
One was Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) – a polymath who recorded observations on various natural phenomena across the fields known today as geography, geology, meteorology, and biology.
From his various studies, Humboldt suggested there was a relationship between temperature, altitude, and humidity on one hand and the occurrence patterns of species – or their biodiversity – on the other. His example of choice was the Chimborazo mountain in Ecuador, which has today become an important illustration of mountain diversity.
Two centuries later, a group of biogeographers – scientists who explore the relationship of diversity with geography – used modern tools to take another look at the drivers of biodiversity.
Based on their findings, they proposed their own version of the link between biodiversity and mountains and called it Humboldt’s enigma.
India Energy Week
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
The second edition of the India Energy Week will be held in Goa from February 6-9, 2024.
About India Energy Week
It is India’s largest and only all-encompassing energy exhibition and conference.
It aims to bringing together the entire energy value chain for catalyze India's energy transition goals.
It will have six dedicated country pavilions - Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, the UK and the USA.
A special Make in India Pavilion is also being organized to showcase innovative solutions which Indian MSMEs are spearheading in the energy sector.
Encouraging and fostering startups and integrating them into the energy value chain will be an important focus for India Energy Week 2024.
Vyommitra
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
ISRO to launch humanoid robot Vyommitra into space as part of Gaganyaan mission preparations.
About Vyommitra
According to Union minister of science & technology, the uncrewed "Vyommitra" Mission is scheduled for the third quarter of this year while a manned mission “Gaganyaan” is scheduled to be launched next year, that is 2025.
Vyommitra is a name derived from two Sanskrit words, namely, ‘Vyoma’ (meaning space) and ‘Mitra’ (meaning friend).
This female robot astronaut is equipped with the capability to monitor module parameters, issue alerts, and execute life support operations.
It can perform tasks such as operating six panels and responding to queries.
The 'Vyommitra' astronaut is designed in such a manner as to simulate human functions in the space environment and interact with the life support system.
India’s tax-to-GDP ratio to hit a record high
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
India's tax-to-GDP ratio is projected to reach a record high of 11.7% in 2024-25, according to the revenue secretary.
More about news
According to revenue secretary, India's tax-to-GDP ratio is expected to hit a record high of 11.7% of GDP in 2024-25, led by
This is primarily because of direct taxes increasing from 6.1% of GDP in 2022-23 to 6.6% this year and 6.7% next year, which is more equitable.
The government will continue to simplify and rationalise the tax regime to reduce disputes.
Litigation and intrusive means of enforcement.
Corporate and personal income tax rates have been reduced to encourage adoption of the new tax regime, which offers a higher tax-free income threshold.
Personal Income Tax collections have seen a 28% growth so far this year, with expectations of moderating to 20%-22% by March.
The tax-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio is a useful measure of a country's capacity to generate tax revenues with respect to the size of its economy. This metric gives an estimate of a country's ability to mobilise resources to fuel its development.
Guidelines On State Guarantees On Borrowings: RBI
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
A Working Group constituted by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has submitted a report with recommendations to address concerns related to guarantees extended by State governments.
More about news
The Working Group was constituted during the 32nd Conference of the State Finance Secretaries held in July 2022.
State governments are often required to sanction, and issue, on behalf of various state enterprises, cooperative institutions, urban local bodies, and other state-owned entities, guarantees in favour of their lenders which are generally commercial banks or other financial institutions.
There is a specific ceiling of 0.5 per cent of GDP for additional guarantees to be issued by the Central Government in a financial year as stipulated under the FRBM Act.
A guarantee is a type of contingent liability protecting the investor/ lender from the risk of default by a borrower. Guarantees are usually sought when the investors/lenders are unwilling to bear the risk of default.
The panel has also suggested that state governments may consider fixing a ceiling for incremental guarantees issued during a year at 5 per cent of Revenue Receipts or 0.5 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product, whichever is less.
Renewables 2023 report
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
The IEA's "Renewables 2023" report delves into the complexities of the renewable energy sector, balancing its progress with pressing challenges needing attention.
About Renewable 2023
Renewables 2023 is the IEA’s primary analysis on the sector, based on current policies and market developments.
It forecasts the deployment of renewable energy technologies in electricity, transport and heat to 2028 while also exploring key challenges to the industry and identifying barriers to faster growth.
Renewables 2023 provides detailed country-level analysis on the progress towards the global tripling target.
Renewables 2023 examines key developments for the sector including,
Policy trends driving deployment.
Solar PV manufacturing.
Competitiveness of renewable technologies.
Energy storage.
Renewable energy capacity for hydrogen production.
The prospects for renewable energy companies.
System integration and a special section on biogas and biomethane forecast.
Key schemes in budget
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
Central government boosts funding by 130% for key schemes in Interim Budget 2024.
Allocations to major schemes:
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA): Allocation hiked to Rs 86,000 crore for FY25 from Rs 60,000 in FY24, a 43.33 per cent increase.
Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY: Allocation hiked to Rs 7,500 crore for FY25 from Rs 7,200 crore in FY24, a 4.2 per cent increase.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI): Allocation hiked to Rs 6,200 crore for FY25 from Rs 4,645 crore in FY24, a 33.48 per cent increase.
Modified Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem: FY25 allocation hiked to Rs 6,903 crore from Rs 3,000 crore in FY24, a 130 per cent hike.
Solar power (GRID): FY25 budget estimate hiked to Rs 8,500 crore from Rs 4,970 crore in FY24, a 71 per cent increase.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: Allocation for FY25 hiked to Rs 600 crore from Rs 297 crore in FY24, an increase of 102 per cent increase.
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