GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

The Allahabad high court has rejected a petition seeking the removal of the Shahi Idgah in Mathura viewing Places of Worship act, but the threat to it and other Muslim shrines elsewhere, including Varanasi, remains real.

Historical Context of the Places of Worship Act

• Act's Emergence: Response to communal tensions, Rath Yatra, and Babri Masjid land acquisition. 1947 cutoff secures religious sites' status.
• Debates in Parliament: Act prioritizes preserving religious diversity and secularism.
• Upadhyay's Challenge: After citing 1947 cutoff raises concerns about protecting religious sites' integrity and preventing conversions.

Judicial Interpretation

• Judicial Historical Role: Courts decide historical matters, as seen in Gyan Vapi case, relying on ASI reports, excluding non-ASI opinions.
• Complex Multicultural Narratives: India's diverse history complicates understanding of religious sites. Gyan Vapi's history illustrates intricate layers of patronage.
• Religious Desecration Dynamics: Multiple religions partook in temple desecration. Acknowledging this counters one-sided narratives of "barbaric invasions”.

The Adivasi Perspective

• Adivasi Protection: Adivasis constitutionally safeguarded but vulnerable, struggle to preserve their sacred spaces. The Act aids in reclamation and protection.
• Mutual Accords for Harmony: Act allows pre-enactment mutual accords, fostering amicable resolutions. Sikh-Muslim collaboration in Punjab showcases communal harmony.
• Secularism and Legal Duty: Upholding the Act is a constitutional commitment. It affirms India's secular values, prioritizing religious diversity and coexistence.

Context:

As per International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) predictions on economic growth, India’s economic momentum in present scenario emphasizing factors like credit growth, formalization, and their impact occurs on sustained growth prospects.

Economic Momentum and Optimism

• GDP Growth Forecasts: IMF upgraded India's 2023-24 GDP growth forecast to 3%, while RBI maintained it at 6.5%. The author's projection is even more optimistic at 6.7%, citing positive indicators.
• Reasons for Optimism: The optimism includes favorable monsoon patterns, continued capital expenditure, robust new company registrations, and sustained credit growth.
• Credit Growth: Credit growth, particularly among those with no prior credit history, is seen as a driver of economic momentum. The data on household debt and the formalization of the economy are reassuring.

Changing Credit Dynamics

• Credit and GDP Relationship: The author discusses the changing dynamics of credit-to-GDP growth, emphasizing that in 2023-24, it may be around 7 times, and indicating robust fund flow to the economy.
• The New Normal: The new normal in the banking sector, characterized by increasing credit-to-GDP ratios, is expected to drive sustained growth.
• Outlook for Sustained Growth: The sustained healthy credit growth is anticipated to support economic momentum across the country.

Challenges

• Concerns about Credit Portfolio: The jump in the outstanding credit card and unsecured portfolios, assert that the concerns are manageable.
• Programs for Inclusion: Government programs, like PM SVANidhi and Jan Dhan Yojana, are seen as crucial for facilitating access to credit for underserved households.
• Key Takeaway: The evolving credit landscape in India is promoting economic growth, challenging previous credit-GDP relationships.

Context:

Despite an understanding of the fragility of the IHR, there is scant acknowledgement of its need for a different set of environmental standards and clearances.

Reevaluating Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

• Environmental Impact of Development Models: Recent disasters like Teesta dam breach and Himachal floods underscore the need for robust Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
• Evolution of EIA in India: Started in 1976-77, extended to projects needing Public Investment Board approval. 1994 EIA notification made Environmental Clearance (EC) mandatory.
• Decentralization in 2006 and Controversial 2020 Draft: 2006 notification decentralized EC processes, granting powers to state governments. Draft 2020 version faced criticism for perceived industry bias.

Mountains in the EIA Framework

• Unique Vulnerabilities of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR): IHR's ecological significance, seismic activity, and climate sensitivity warrant specialized environmental assessments in EIA processes.
• Lack of Independent National Oversight: Supreme Court's 2011 recommendation for a regulator remains unimplemented, compromising impartial project evaluation and possibly favoring proponents.
• Inadequate Consideration of Cumulative Impacts: EIA often reacts to proposals, neglecting holistic evaluation of cumulative effects, highlighting the need for comprehensive reform.

Suggestion

• EIA: Form over Substance: EIA process often becomes a superficial formality, lacking substantive evaluation, potentially diminishing its efficacy in environmental protection.
• Special Regions Overlooked: Regions like the IHR, with unique ecological needs, are not adequately addressed, underscoring the need for tailored assessments.
• Exploring Alternatives for Holistic Policy: Policymakers should consider tools like strategic environmental assessment for comprehensive policy-making, ensuring long-term environmental sustainability.