Brief Summary
This session of the Daily Hindu News Analysis covers six articles, including four major analyses and two smaller pieces for prelims. The discussion spans topics from the Punjab-Haryana water dispute and urban fires to shifts in the global order, parliamentary oversight, and recent events like the scaling of Mount Makalu and the WAVES Declaration. The session aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these topics, encouraging viewers to support the initiative and join the Telegram channel for session PDFs.
- Punjab-Haryana water dispute escalates due to rigid positions from both states.
- Urban fires are preventable disasters caused by negligence and poor enforcement of safety regulations.
- The global order is undergoing a profound shift, urging India to adopt strategic policies.
- Parliamentary oversight is critical for executive accountability but is currently declining.
- ITBP team successfully scaled Mount Makalu.
- WAVES declaration highlights the potential and risks of the AV industry, especially regarding AI and misinformation.
Introduction
The session begins with a welcome to Unacademy IAS English, a platform for civil service aspirants. The presenter outlines the day's agenda, which includes a detailed analysis of four significant articles and two smaller articles relevant for preliminary examinations from The Hindu newspaper. Viewers are encouraged to support the initiative through likes, comments, and subscriptions. The presenter also shares information about how to access the PDF of the session via a Telegram channel and announces a limited-time offer for Unacademy's online classroom program for those preparing for the 2026 and 2027 exams, using the code "IAS English" for a discount.
Punjab - Haryana Water Dispute
The Punjab-Haryana water sharing dispute has intensified, with both states adopting firm stances and convening all-party meetings, indicating a potential escalation into a significant political conflict. The core of the dispute lies in Haryana's demand for a larger share of water, particularly during the summer months, citing critical drinking water shortages. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) ordered Punjab to release an additional 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, a decision Punjab has opposed, threatening to take the matter to the Supreme Court to protect its interests. Understanding the geography and history of water projects on the Beas and Sutlej rivers is crucial to grasping the dispute. These rivers are part of the eastern rivers of the Indus basin, relevant due to India-Pakistan tensions and the Indus Water Treaty of 1960. The treaty allocated the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej) primarily to India, while the western rivers were allocated to Pakistan. India has mega projects on these rivers, such as the Bhakra Nangal project, initiated post-independence to manage water flow for irrigation and other needs in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and parts of Delhi NCR. The Bhakra Dam is in Himachal Pradesh on the Sutlej, while the Nangal Dam is downstream in Punjab.
Post-independence, Punjab was a large state that included present-day Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The state was later divided based on the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission, leading to the creation of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The Bhakra Nangal project was then brought under the management of the Bhakra Management Board, established in 1966 through the Punjab Reorganisation Act, to ensure fair water distribution. The issue is also linked to the Khalistan movement, with some radical elements criticising the triurcation of Punjab and the distribution of water resources. The Bhakra Management Board was later restructured into the BBMB, which manages water distribution from the Bhakra Nangal project and other projects on the Beas River. Haryana's demand for additional water due to summer shortages has been refused by Punjab, leading to the current standoff. The Punjab government alleges political conspiracy by the ruling BJP, while both governments have adopted rigid positions and called for all-party meetings, escalating the dispute. Security has been increased at project sites to prevent unrest. Punjab claims Haryana has received its allocated share, even exceeding it, while Haryana argues Punjab has received a disproportionately larger share over the past two decades.
To resolve interstate water disputes, India has constitutional and legal provisions. Under Schedule 7 of the Constitution, water supply and irrigation are state subjects, while regulation and development of interstate river valleys fall under the Union List. Article 262 of the Constitution deals specifically with interstate water disputes, allowing Parliament to legislate on adjudication. The Interstate River Disputes Act of 1956 provides for the establishment of water dispute tribunals to deliver final awards on water sharing. Amendments in 2002 mandated the setup of a tribunal within one year of a dispute arising and a final award within three years, subject to judicial review.
Urban fires
The discussion shifts to urban fires, prompted by a recent deadly fire in a Kolkata hotel located in a crowded area, where 14 people lost their lives. The presenter stresses that such incidents are not isolated but recurring events, particularly during the summer, affecting various buildings across Indian cities. These urban fires are classified as man-made disasters, entirely preventable through better enforcement of safety regulations and building codes. The West Bengal Chief Minister's view of the Kolkata tragedy as unavoidable is contested, with the presenter arguing that negligence and poor enforcement are the primary causes.
Scientific understanding reveals that most deaths and injuries in building fires result from smoke inhalation (asphyxiation) rather than flames or heat. Proper building design, adherence to fire safety norms, adequate exits, better ventilation, fire retardant materials, and accessible emergency services are crucial for managing and preventing these disasters. Key measures include strict enforcement of building codes and fire safety norms, which are often flouted due to corruption at the local level involving officials and builders. Basic measures such as alternate fire exits and the use of fire retardant materials are essential. Retrofitting old buildings with fire retardant materials is also possible. Fire safety systems, including smoke detectors and automatic water dispensers, should be installed in commercial and residential buildings. Buildings should also ensure access for fire brigades, even in congested areas, and emergency services should be equipped with appropriate equipment and technologies.
A profound shift in the global order
The discussion moves to an article discussing a significant shift in the global order, with the writer suggesting the world is at an inflection point. India needs to prepare for this shift by adopting strategic policies to protect its interests. The writer compares the current situation to the discovery of the sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498, which marked a turning point leading to European colonialism. Similarly, the reshaping of global value chains by the US and China requires India to adopt strategic thinking to avoid past mistakes.
The post-colonial world saw the establishment of a rules-based international order, primarily benefiting the Western powers who created and controlled multilateral mechanisms like the UN and WTO to suit their interests. China is now challenging this order, which presents both opportunities and challenges for India. While the dominance of the US and Europe is problematic, China's aggression and expansionism are also concerning. Groups like BRICS are gaining popularity as countries seek alternatives to the Western-dominated order. The UN is becoming ineffective due to politicisation by the P5 countries, and the WTO is under threat as the US seeks to dismantle it. The US and China are reshaping the global economic and political order to suit their interests, potentially harming India's future prospects.
India should be cautious about global economic trends, recognising that the US and Europe are stagnating while Asia, particularly the Indo-Pacific, is becoming the dominant region. The future for India lies in markets like ASEAN and Africa, requiring a rebalancing of foreign and trade policies. India should avoid ideological conflicts and focus on pragmatic decisions that serve its economic and national interests. This includes supporting China, working with ASEAN and Africa, and displaying leadership in the technology domain. China's technological dominance is a key factor in its rise as a global power, and India needs to invest in human capital, innovation, and intellectual property. India should focus on generating intellectual property rather than obsessing over GDP growth, tapping into its human capital and providing the right education and skills to its youth.
Strengthening parliamentary oversight
The discussion shifts to parliamentary oversight, a crucial aspect of Indian polity. India adopted a parliamentary form of democracy, with the executive collectively responsible to the legislature. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar strongly defended this model as best suited for India, allowing elected representatives to hold the government accountable. Periodic accountability occurs through elections every five years, but day-to-day accountability is maintained by MPs who question the government, push motions, and bring up critical issues.
Parliamentary oversight is declining due to disruptions and chaos in the parliament, reducing government accountability. MPs have various oversight tools, such as question hour, zero hour, and no-confidence motions, but sufficient time is not allocated, and disruptions occur. The government sometimes curtails the role of the opposition. Parliamentary committees, including standing committees and department-related standing committees, play a vital role in ensuring executive accountability. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) monitors government expenditure, and department-related committees scrutinise ministries and policies. However, these committees are temporary, lack continuity, and do not have enough backend support. Technology can play a bigger role in improving parliamentary accountability by introducing data analytics and AI tools to assist MPs in research and information gathering.
Mt. Makalu
The discussion briefly covers the news that a team of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) soldiers has scaled Mount Makalu, the fifth highest peak in the world, located on the Nepal-Tibet border. The ITBP is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) specialising in high-altitude deployment and mountain warfare, responsible for guarding the India-China border.
WAVES Declaration
The session concludes with a discussion on the WAVES (World Audiovisual Entertainment Summit) Declaration. The WAVES summit, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, aims to promote India as a hub of audiovisual entertainment and a creator-led "orange economy." The global media dialogue hosted at the summit resulted in the WAVES Declaration, where participating countries identified the potential of the AV industry and discussed the risks of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation spread through social media platforms, particularly via AI tools. The declaration prioritises addressing these risks while creating opportunities for creators to collaborate and produce authentic content, fostering cross-country collaborations and encouraging startups and the IT tech industry to create new opportunities in the audiovisual entertainment sector.
