Power of ECI to Deregister Political Party

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Why in News?

Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) emphasized that star campaigners should set a good example and not disturb social harmony while enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

This has led to a debate about the ECI's power to address MCC violations, including whether it can deregister political parties.

What does the Derecognition of Political Parties Mean?

About Derecognition:

• Derecognition: Withdrawal of recognition by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
• Consequences: Parties become registered-unrecognised parties, can contest elections but lose recognized party privileges.
• ECI's Power: Can derecognize a party if it violates the Indian Constitution or the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

 Recognised Party:

• Registered Party: Known as a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP).
• Recognition Criteria: Based on winning a requisite number of seats or obtaining a required percentage of votes in general elections to Lok Sabha (LS) or State Assembly (SA), per the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
• Current Stats: Six national parties and sixty-one state parties recognized.

Privileges:

• Reserved symbol during elections.
• Forty-star campaigners.
• Free use of state-owned television and radio during polls since the 1998 Lok Sabha elections.

Grounds for Derecognition of a National Party:

Failure to Secure Votes:

• Less than 6% of total votes in general elections to LS or state legislative assembly.
• Fewer than 4 MPs elected in the last LS polls and no seat in LS from the same state.
• Seats Criteria**: Less than 2% of total LS seats from at least 3 states.

Votes Percentage: Less than 8% of total valid votes in a general election to LS from the state or to the State LA.

Non-Compliance:

• Failure to submit audited accounts on time.
• Failure to hold timely organizational elections.

What does the Deregistration of the Political Party Mean?

About Deregistration:

• Deregistration: Cancellation of a political party's registration.
• ECI's Limitation: The Election Commission of India (ECI) cannot deregister parties.
• Consequences: A deregistered party cannot contest elections.

Registered Parties:

Section 29A of the RP Act, 1951:

• Requirements: Political parties must submit their constitution to the ECI.
• Declaration: Must declare allegiance to the Constitution of India, socialism, secularism, democracy, and uphold India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

Legal Benefits for Registered Parties:

• Tax exemption for donations under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Common symbol for contesting general elections.
• Twenty ‘star campaigners’ during elections.
• Current Stats**: 2,790 active registered political parties in India.

Grounds for Deregistration:

Conditions:

• Registration obtained by fraud.
• Declared illegal by the Central Government.
• Refusal to comply with the Indian Constitution after revising internal constitution.

ECI's Power:

• RP Act does not authorize ECI to deregister for non-contesting of elections, non-holding of inner-party elections, or non-submission of required returns.
• Supreme Court Ruling (2002): ECI lacks power to deregister parties under the RP Act.

Need for Deregistration of Political Parties:

• Inactive Participation: Less than one-third of Registered Unrecognized Political Parties (RUPPs) participate in elections.
• Misuse Concerns: Possible misuse of tax exemptions and donations for money laundering.
• MCC Violations: Recognized parties often breach the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and ECI can only impose temporary campaign bans.
• MCC Prohibitions: Exploitation of caste and communal sentiments, voter bribery, and intimidation.
• Ensuring Integrity: Deregistration mechanisms can enhance electoral integrity and accountability by removing inactive entities.
• Strengthening Democracy: Prevents dilution of the electoral process by ensuring genuine participation and reducing inactive party proliferation.

Way Forward:

• ECI Recommendations (2016): Suggested amendments to empower ECI to deregister parties.
• Law Commission Report (2015): Recommended deregistration for parties not contesting elections for 10 consecutive years.
• Inactive Party Identification (2016): Effort to identify and discourage paper political parties.
• Regular Exercise: To weed out inactive parties regularly.
• National Electoral Fund: Proposed by former CEC T.S. Krishnamurthy to discourage inactive parties.
• Law Commission Report (170th): Recommended penalties for defaulting political parties and proposed ECI be given audit powers for greater transparency.

Naga Insurgency

Why in News?

• NIA Action: Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet in a Guwahati court.
• Accusation: NIA accuses the "China-Myanmar module" of NSCN-IM of supporting cadres of two banned Meitei outfits to infiltrate India.
• Allegations: NSCN-IM's actions were aimed at exploiting ethnic unrest in Manipur, destabilising the state, and waging war against the Indian government.

What is the Status of Conflicts in Nagaland and Manipur?

• Geographical Division: Manipur is divided into valley and hill districts, with the valley dominated by the Meitei community.
• Historical Context: The Kangleipak kingdom of Manipur faced raids from Naga tribes, leading to the British bringing Kuki-Zomi groups from Burma to protect the valley.
• Ethnic Tensions: Tensions between the hill communities (Naga & Kuki) and the Meiteis have existed since the kingdom era, escalating with movements for independence.

Recent Conflict Causes:

• Delimitation Issues: Disputes arose during the 2020 delimitation process over inaccurate census figures and underrepresentation of tribal groups.
• Influx of Migrants: The Myanmar coup triggered a refugee crisis in Manipur's Churachandpur district, raising concerns among Meitei leaders about increased migrant numbers.
• Violent Protests: Violence began with the eviction of a Kuki village, labeled as "illegal settlements" violating Article 371C, triggering protests.
• Militant Links: The recent NIA charge sheet indicates links between NSCN-IM and Imphal valley-based insurgent groups during the ethnic crisis.
• PLA Involvement: The People's Liberation Army (PLA), one of the banned Meitei insurgent groups, remains active and is involved in the recent conflict, advocating for Manipur's secession through armed struggle.

Way Forward

• Assessment of ST Status Criteria: Evaluate the criteria for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis based on recommendations from committees like the Lokur Committee (1965) and the Bhuria Commission (2002-2004).
• Border Surveillance: Increase surveillance along border regions to prevent infiltration of migrants from Myanmar, enhancing security measures.
• Enhanced Economic and Diplomatic Relations: Strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with neighbouring nations to promote regional stability and security.
• Preservation of Identity and Peace Negotiations: Preserve the identity of border region communities and engage in peace negotiations with insurgent groups to ensure stability and address grievances.
• Review of AFSPA and Confidence-Building Measures: Regularly review the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and implement confidence-building measures to mitigate tensions and build trust.
• Community Involvement in Decision-Making: Encourage local population involvement in decision-making processes to foster a sense of ownership and connection, promoting inclusivity and addressing community concerns.

World Bank Report on Global Water Crisis

Why in News?

The World Bank just released a new report called "Water for Shared Prosperity" at a big meeting about water in Bali, Indonesia. The report talks about how serious the world's water problem is and how it's affecting people and the economy all over the globe.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

Alarming Water Scarcity Statistics:

• Globally, many people lack safe drinking water and sanitation. As of 2022, 2.2 billion people don't have safe drinking water, and 3.5 billion lack safe sanitation.
• Eight out of ten people without these basic services live in rural areas.

Regional Disparities in Access to Water:

• Freshwater distribution is uneven. China and India, with 36% of the world's population, only have 11% of freshwater, while North America, with 5% of the population, has 52%.
• In Africa and Asia, some regions have plenty of water, but others, like the Sahel and Southeastern Africa, face water shortages.
• Low-income countries have seen a decline in access to safe drinking water since 2000, with an additional 197 million people lacking access.
• Marginalized groups, including women, rural communities, and ethnic minorities, face the greatest disparities.

Impact of Climate Change:

• Climate change makes water problems worse, causing more severe droughts and floods in developing countries.
• Over 800 million people are at risk of drought, and twice as many live in flood-prone areas.
• By 2100, meteorological drought is expected to affect 15% more land globally, rising to nearly 50% when considering temperature effects.

Human Capital and Economic Growth:

• Access to water and sanitation is vital for education and human development.
• Many jobs in low-income countries depend on water, but low rainfall can hurt economic growth.

Social Cohesion and Conflict:

• Proper water management builds trust and cooperation within communities, while mismanagement can lead to conflict.
• Good water management promotes peace and social unity by being fair and inclusive.

Recommended Interventions for Sustainable Water Management:

• We need to help the poorest communities cope with water risks.
• We must develop, manage, and share water resources better.
• Making sure everyone has fair access to water services is essential for reducing poverty and promoting prosperity for all.

What is the Extent of Water Scarcity in India?

India’s Water Crisis:

• The "Composite Water Management Index" report by NITI Aayog reveals India's severe water crisis, affecting nearly 600 million people with high to extreme water stress.
• About 8 million urban children under 14 are at risk due to poor water supply.
• India ranks 120th out of 122 countries in water quality, with nearly 70% of water contaminated.
• Despite having 18% of the global population, India only possesses 4% of the world's freshwater, creating significant strain on water resources.

Strained Water Availability:

• Groundwater levels are declining due to excessive extraction, with 20.52 million wells in India. Many areas face critical or over-exploited groundwater levels.
• Rivers and reservoirs dry up before the monsoon due to seasonal changes and unsustainable water usage, disrupting water access, especially in summer.

Threat to Agriculture and Food Security:

• Agriculture, a major water user, is threatened by water scarcity. The potential demand-supply gap by 2030 could lead to food shortages and price hikes.
• Water scarcity may cause a 50% decline in agricultural productivity by 2050, impacting food security and economic growth.

Impact of Climate Change:

• Erratic monsoon rainfall and rising evaporation rates worsen water scarcity.
• Glacial melt in the Himalayas disrupts natural water flow patterns, affecting major rivers like the Ganges and Indus.
• Southern India, including states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, faces severe water crises due to low reservoir levels caused by El Niño events and delayed monsoons.

Way Forward

Micro-Irrigation Techniques:

• Drip irrigation and sprinklers can help save water in farming by delivering it directly to plants, reducing wastage.

Rainwater Harvesting:

• Collecting rainwater in tanks and structures offers a sustainable water source for homes and communities, especially during dry seasons.

Desalination:

• Treating seawater for use can provide a reliable water source in coastal areas, but energy consumption needs to be managed.

Wastewater Treatment:

• Treating wastewater for irrigation or non-drinking purposes eases the strain on freshwater sources, promoting sustainability.

Nature-Based Solutions:

• Investing in restoring wetlands and natural water bodies helps purify water and replenish groundwater reserves.

Water ATMs:

• Water ATMs" provide clean water in underserved areas via prepaid cards, promoting responsible water use with a pay-per-use system.

Climate-Smart Agriculture:

• Using drought-resistant crops and other climate-resilient farming practices can mitigate water scarcity's impact on agriculture.

Public Awareness Campaigns:

• Educating people about water conservation and responsible water use habits is vital for long-term solutions.