TELANGANA MONTLHY ROUND UP

MAY 2024
BY
V.RAVIKANTH SHARMA
National Academy of Sciences, India and Telangana Academy of
Sciences are jointly organising the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of
‘Smiling Budha’ (First Successful Nuclear Test of India). Former Atomic
Energy Commission Chairman R. Chidambaram will deliver a lecture on
the occasion.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/watch-50-years-ago-
india-conducted-its-first-ever-nuclear-test/article68187908.ece
• On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran, code-named
Operation Smiling Buddha.

• Fifty years ago, India conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran, code-named
Operation Smiling Buddha.

• With this India had entered the league of nations with nuclear capabilities.
• India successfully conducted an underground test with plutonium device in 10-15
kiloton range.

• India said that it undertook this programme to develop its own technology for
peaceful use of nuclear energy and it had no intention of going in for nuclear
weapons.

• The groundwork for testing nuclear energy was laid even earlier by renowned
Indian scientists Homi J Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai.
• In 1954, the Department of Atomic Energy was founded, with Bhabha as director.
• With Smiling Buddha, India became the first nation to conduct a nuclear test
apart from the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
Telangana Congress Intellectual Cell is organising a conference on “Nehru’s
Democratic India” on the anniversary of first Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru and it will be attended by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and other
Ministers.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2024/Ma
y/28/tributes-paid-to-jawaharlal-nehru-on-60th-death-
anniversary

• Who was Jawaharlal Nehru?

• About:
– Birth: 14th November 1889 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
– Father’s Name: Motilal Nehru (a lawyer who held the
office of Indian National Congress as President two times.)
– Mother’s Name: Swarup Rani

• Brief Profile:
– Author, politician, social activist, and lawyer who rose to
prominence as the face of Indian national movement
against British rule of India.
• Education:

– Nehru received his education at home from English governesses and tutors until the age of 16.
– He attended Harrow, a prestigious English school, in 1905, where he spent two years.
– He spent three years at Trinity College in Cambridge where he earned a degree in natural science.
– He qualified as a barrister from the Inner Temple, London.

• Return:
– In 1912, when he returned to India, he immediately entered in to politics.

• Contribution in Indian Freedom Movement:Nehru participated in the Bankipore Congress as a delegate

in 1912.
• In 1916, he joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League.
– He became Secretary of the Home Rule League, Allahabad in 1919.
• When the Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920, he interacted with Mahatma Gandhi and joined
the national independence movement.
•
In 1921, he was detained on suspicion of engaging in anti-government activity.
• Nehru was appointed as General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in September 1923.
• Since 1927, he has twice served as the general secretary of the Congress
party.

• Nehru was lathi-charged in Lucknow in 1928 while leading a protest

against the Simon Commission.
• Nehru was elected as president of the Lahore Session of Indian National
Congress in 1929.
– Nehru advocated for India's complete independence in this session.

• In 1929-31, he drafted a resolution called Fundamental Rights and

Economic Policy, which outlined the congress's main goals and the
nation's future.

– The resolution was ratified by the Congress party during the Karachi Session in
1931, which was presided over by Saradar Vallabhai Patel.
• He participated in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and was put in jail.

• Nehru became a more prominent leader within the Congress and grew close to
Mahatma Gandhi.

• In 1936, he presided over the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress.

• Nehru was arrested for attempting to organize an individual satyagraha to oppose

India's forced participation in the war.

• He took part in the civil disobedience movement in 1940, for which he received a
four-year jail term.

• Nehru introduced the historic 'Quit India' movement at the All-India Congress
Committee session in Bombay in 1942.
• Nehru along with other leaders was arrested on August 8,
1942 and taken to Ahmednagar Fort.
• He was released in 1945 and went on to arrange legal
defence for officers and troops accused with disloyalty in
the Indian National Army (INA).
• He was chosen to serve as the president of Indian National
Congress fourth time in 1946.
• To recommend a strategy for the transfer of power,
the Cabinet Mission was dispatched to India in 1946.
– An interim government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime
Minister was formed.
• On August 15, 1947, India attained independence but also
suffered the pain of partition.
• First Prime Minister of India:
• A princely state must join in the constituent assembly, according to Nehru, who
also affirms that there would be no princely states in an independent India.

• He assigned Vallabhbai Patel to oversee the effective integration of the states.

• India became a sovereign democratic republic on January 26, 1950, when the new
Indian Constitution came into effect.

• In order to divide up states according to languages, Jawaharlal Nehru created

the states reorganization committee in 1953.

• In addition to promoting democratic socialism, he promoted

India's industrialization by carrying out the first five-year plans.
 – The Non-alignment movement (NAM) is regarded as his greatest geopolitical
accomplishment.

• India decided to not align with any superpower during the cold war era after World War II.

• His final term as prime minister was troubled by the Sino-Indian War, 1962.

– He promoted democratic socialism during his 17 years as prime minister, highlighting the
necessity for India to attain both democracy and socialism.

– His internal policies were founded on the four tenets of democracy, socialism, unification, and
secularism. He was able to incorporate these pillars into the construction of new independent
India.

• Books Written: The Discovery of India, Glimpses of World History, An

Autobiography, Letters from a Father to His Daughter.

• Death: 27th May 1964.

War of words reached new heights between the ruling Congress and the
opposition parties BJP annd BRS over paddy procurement in Telangana
and the government’s alleged decision to limit the bonus to only the
fine varieties.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/
2024/May/16/brs-congress-in-war-of-words-over-
paddy-procurement-in-telangana
• Decentalized Procurement Scheme (DCP)
• About DCP scheme
• Under the scheme, introduced in 1997-98, food grains are
procured and distributed by state governments.
• The states procure, store and issue foodgrains under
targeted public distribution system (TPDS) and other
welfare schemes of the Government of India.
• The amount spent by state governments on the purchase,
collection and distribution of food grains is reimbursed by
the Indian government under this scheme.
• The value of the surplus stock that is given to FCI is
adjusted in the states’ accounts.
• The scheme is not yet mandatory for states.
• Rice is purchased and distributed in Uttarakhand,
Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar,
Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andaman and Nicobar
and Tripura as part of the scheme.
• Wheat is purchased and distributed in Punjab, Madhya
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, West Bengal,
Bihar and Maharashtra.
• A majority of states exclusively buy wheat and paddy
through the DCP system.
• Punjab is the only state that pays for the grains
through arhtiyas (middlemen).
• The rest make payments electronically.
• Advantages
• The scheme can help strengthen the public
distribution system (PDS) by allowing states to
distribute their produce to locals.
• This allows people to buy food grains according
to their preferences.
• The scheme also reduces the PDS transportation
costs.
• The food grains that remain unutilised with the
state governments are procured by the Food
Corporation of India (FCI) for its central pool.
BJP Tamil Nadu chief Annamalai to participate in ‘Lets Vote campaign’
at the Keshav Memorial Institute of Technology (KMIT) today along with
BJP National Yuva Morcha president Tejaswi Surya.
 https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/tejasvi-surya-calls-for-unity-
among-hindus-892950

• Why are India's Youngest Voters Hesitant to Participate?

• Historical Trends:
– Less than 40% of voters between 18 and 19 have registered for the
2024 elections, raising concerns about youth engagement in the
electoral process.
• Lowest enrollment rates in Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh.

– Despite exposure to political voices via social media, many young

people seem hesitant to participate actively in voting, despite their
passion for social action and protests.

– Bihar reports only 9.3 lakh enrolled out of a potential 54 lakh (17%),
despite being known for its youthful population.

– Similar trends are observed in other states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,
and Maharashtra, where enrollment rates remain notably low.
• Lack of Political Education:
• Many young people feel that the education system does not
adequately prepare them to understand the political process and
its significance.
– Insufficient education on the importance of civic engagement and
voting.
• Lack of critical thinking skills and political awareness in school curriculum.
• Absence of Youth-Centric Agendas:

• Political parties often fail to advocate agendas that resonate with

the younger demographic, leading to a disconnection.

– Political parties may often overlook key issues that are of significant
concern to the younger demographic, such as job opportunities , and
affordable higher education.
• Inadequate Representation:

Despite forming a significant portion of the population, youth are often

underrepresented in political decision-making bodies.

– This lack of representation can lead to policies that do not adequately address
the needs and concerns of young people.

• Lack of Engagement:

Limited opportunities for meaningful participation in the political process.

– Disillusionment with top-down decision-making and governance structures.
• Social Pressures:
– Social pressures, including stereotypes and negative perceptions, can
discourage youth from engaging in politics.
– Instead of focusing on meaningful agendas, there's often an emphasis
on money and muscle power in politics.
– This can divert attention from genuine political activism and hinder
youth participation in bringing about meaningful change.
• Disconnect from Issues:
– Feeling disconnected from political issues that directly affect their
lives and communities.
– Perceived irrelevance of political decisions to their immediate
concerns and priorities.
• Technological Influence:
– Over Reliance on social media for information, leading to
misinformation and superficial engagement with political issues.
• How Voter Disinterest Puts Democracy at Risk?

• Disenfranchisement:

– Disenfranchisement refers to the deprivation of voting rights, often resulting

from legal barriers, thereby impeding citizens' ability to participate in the
democratic process.

• Many migrants face disenfranchisement due to their inability to travel to polling stations
where they are registered as voters, as required by law. While it is possible to register to
vote at a new location, doing so requires proof of a fixed address, which many of the
poor do not have.

– Social disenfranchisement during elections persists despite constitutional

guarantees (article 326) that hinder equitable participation in the electoral
process.
• Undermining Democratic Principles:
– Voter disinterest challenges the core principle of democracy, which thrives on
active citizen participation in the electoral process.
– When citizens disengage from voting, they relinquish their role in collective
decision-making, eroding the foundation of democratic governance.
• Perpetuating Exclusion:
– Disinterested voters allow a minority to dictate the course of governance,
leading to a cycle of exclusion for marginalised communities.
– Lack of voter participation perpetuates inequality and injustice, as the voices
of underrepresented groups go unheard in policymaking.
• Questioning Legitimacy:
– Low voter turnout raises questions about the legitimacy of electoral
outcomes, undermining public trust in the democratic process.
• When a significant portion of the population abstains from voting, the
mandate of elected representatives may be called into question, casting
doubt on the credibility of democratic institutions
Congress to continue its attack on th BJP over reservations as
intelligence reports say the issue has gone deep and down generated
positive response from the people.
 https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/a-congress-
narrative-that-challenges-bjps-hard-hindutva-stand-in-
telangana/article68145923.ece

• The age-old caste system of India is responsible for the

origination of the reservation system in the country.
• In simple terms, it is about facilitating access to seats
in the government jobs, educational institutions, and
even legislatures to certain sections of the population.
• These sections have faced historical injustice due to
their caste identity.
• As a quota based affirmative action, the reservation
can also be seen as positive discrimination.
• In India, it is governed by government policies backed
by the Indian Constitution.
• Historical Background
• William Hunter and Jyotirao Phule in 1882 originally conceived the
idea of caste-based reservation system.
• The reservation system that exists today, in its true sense, was
introduced in 1933 when British Prime-Minister Ramsay
Macdonald presented the ‘Communal Award’.
• The award made provision for separate electorates for Muslims,
Sikhs, Indian Christians, Anglo-Indians, Europeans and the Dalits.
• After long negotiations, Gandhi and Ambedkar signed the ‘Poona
Pact’, where it was decided that there would be a single Hindu
electorate with certain reservations in it.
• After independence, initially reservations were provided only for
SCs and STs.
• OBCs were included in the ambit of reservation in 1991 on the
recommendations of the Mandal Commission.
• Mandal Commission
• In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 340 of the Constitution, the
President appointed a backward class commission in December 1978 under the
chairmanship of B. P. Mandal.
• The commission was formed to determine the criteria for defining India’s “socially
and educationally backward classes” and to recommend steps to be taken for the
advancement of those classes.
• The Mandal Commission concluded that India’s population consisted of
approximately 52 percent OBCs, therefore 27% government jobs should be
reserved for them.
• The commission has developed eleven indicators of social, educational, and
economic backwardness.
• Apart from identifying backward classes among Hindus, the Commission has also
identified backward classes among non-Hindus (e.g., Muslims, Sikhs, Christians,
and Buddhists.
• It has generated an all-India other backward classes (OBC) list of 3,743 castes and a
more underprivileged “depressed backward classes” list of 2,108 castes.
• In the Indra Sawhney Case of 1992, the Supreme Court while upholding the 27
percent quota for backward classes,struck down the government notification
reserving 10% government jobs for economically backward classes among the
higher castes.
• Supreme Court in the same case also upheld the principle that the combined
reservation beneficiaries should not exceed 50 percent of India’s population.
• The concept of ‘creamy layer’ also gained currency through this judgment and
provision that reservation for backward classes should be confined to initial
appointments only and not extend to promotions.
• Recently, the Constitutional (103rd Amendment) Act of 2019 has provided 10%
reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for the “economically
backward” in the unreserved category.
• The Act amends Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution by adding clauses
empowering the government to provide reservation on the basis of economic
backwardness.
• This 10% economic reservation is over and above the 50% reservation cap.
• Constitutional Provisions Governing Reservation in India
• Part XVI deals with reservation of SC and ST in Central and State
legislatures.
• Article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution enabled the State and
Central Governments to reserve seats in government services for
the members of the SC and ST.
• The Constitution was amended by the Constitution
(77th Amendment) Act, 1995 and a new clause (4A) was inserted
in Article 16 to enable the government to provide reservation in
promotion.
• Later, clause (4A) was modified by the Constitution
(85th Amendment) Act, 2001 to provide consequential seniority to
SC and ST candidates promoted by giving reservation.
• Constitutional 81st Amendment Act, 2000 inserted Article 16 (4
B) which enables the state to fill the unfilled vacancies of a year
which are reserved for SCs/STs in the succeeding year,
thereby nullifying the ceiling of fifty percent reservation on total
number of vacancies of that year.
• Article 330 and 332 provides for specific representation through
reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Parliament and in the
State Legislative Assemblies respectively.
• Article 243D provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every
Panchayat.
• Article 233T provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every
Municipality.
• Article 335 of the constitution says that the claims of STs and STs
shall be taken into consideration constituently with the
maintenance of efficacy of the administration.
• Judicial Scrutiny of Reservation
• The State of Madras v. Smt.Champakam Dorairajan
(1951) case was the first major verdict of the Supreme
Court on the issue of Reservation.The case led to the
First amendment in the constitution.
• The Supreme Court in the case pointed out that while
in the case of employment under the State, Article
16(4) provides for reservations in favour of backward
class of citizens, no such provision was made in Article
15.
• Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s order in the case the
Parliament amended Article 15 by inserting Clause (4).
• In Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992) case the court
examined the scope and extent of Article 16(4).
• The Court has said that the creamy layer of OBCs should be
excluded from the list of beneficiaries of reservation, there
should not be reservation in promotions; and total reserved
quota should not exceed 50%.
• The Parliament responded by enacting 77th Constitutional
Amendment Act which introduced Article 16(4A).
• The article confers power on the state to reserve seats in
favour of SC and ST in promotions in Public Services if the
communities are not adequately represented in public
employment.
• he Supreme Court in M. Nagaraj v. Union Of India 2006 case while
upholding the constitutional validity of Art 16(4A) held that any
such reservation policy in order to be constitutionally valid shall
satisfy the following three constitutional requirements:

– The SC and ST community should be socially and educationally

backward.
– The SC and ST communities are not adequately represented in Public
employment.
– Such reservation policy shall not affect the overall efficiency in the
administration.
• In Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta case of 2018, Supreme
Court holds that reservation in promotions does not require the
state to collect quantifiable data on the backwardness of the
Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
• The Court held that creamy layer exclusion
extends to SC/STs and, hence the State cannot
grant reservations in promotion to SC/ST
individuals who belong to the creamy layer of
their community.
• In May 2019 the Supreme Court upheld
the Karnataka law that allows reservations in
promotions for SCs and STs with consequential
seniority.
• Why reservation needed?
• To correct the historical injustice faced by backward
castes in the country.
• To provide a level playing field for backward section as
they can not compete with those who have had the
access of resources and means for centuries.
• To ensure adequate representation of backward
classes in the services under the State.
• For advancement of backward classes.
• To ensure equality as basis of meritocracy i.e all people
must be brought to the same level before judging them
on the basis of merit.
• Argument Against Reservation

• Reservation in state services led to divisions and enmity among government employees, vitiating
the atmosphere at workplace.
• Eradication, not perpetuation of caste was the objective of the reservation policy but Caste Based
Reservation only perpetuate the notion of caste in society.
• Reservation was introduced to ensure that the historically underprivileged communities were given
equal access to resources but irrespective of the economic progress they continue to remain
socially disadvantaged.
• Reservation destroys self-respect, so much so that competition is no longer on to determine the
best but the most backward.
• Reservations are the biggest enemy of meritocracy which is the foundation of many progressive
countries.
• It has became a tool to meet narrow political ends through invoking class loyalties and primordial
identities.
• The dominant and elite class within the backward castes has appropriated the benefits of
reservation and the most marginalised within the backward castes have remained marginalised.
• Reservation has become the mechanism of exclusion rather than inclusion as many upper caste
poors are also facing discrimination and injustice which breeds frustration in the society.
• Reasons Behind Increasing Demands of Reservation
• Reservation is increasingly seen as a remedy for the adverse effects of ill-thought
out development policies.
• In developed states like Haryana, Gujarat and Maharashtra, in spite of their
economies being relatively better, three things have been worrying the people:

– Acute agrarian distress,

– Stagnation in employment growth and
– Distortions in the development trajectory.

• In this backdrop, for governments, it is easier to talk of reservation than to make

a course correction.
• Increasing reservation demands among upper castes also arising from the fear of
losing privilege and the inability to cope with change
• Upper castes have begun to feel disadvantaged especially in context
of government jobs as they don’t get similar advantages like backward classes.
• Way Forward

• Reservation is fair, as far as it provides appropriate positive discrimination for the

benefit of the downtrodden and economically backward Sections of the society.
• But when it tends to harm the society and ensures privileges to some at the cost of
others for narrow political ends, it should be done away with, as soon as possible.
• The communities excluded from reservations harbour animosity and
prejudice against the castes included in the reservation category.
• When more people aspire for backwardness rather than of forwardness, the
country itself stagnates.
• Meritocracy should not be polluted by injecting relaxation of entry barriers, rather
than it should be encouraged by offering financial aid to the underprivileged.
• A strong political will is indispensable to find an equilibrium between justice to the
backwards, equity for the forwards and efficiency for the entire system.
Stakes are high for all three major parties — Congress, Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) and the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) as the polling gets
underway in Telangana for the 17 Lok Sabha seats.
 https://thewire.in/politics/telangana-congress-bjp-likely-straight-fight-in-most-seats-as-brs-
hopes-to-revive-fortunes

• What is the Election Commission of India?

• About:
– The Election Commission of India (ECI)is an autonomous
constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State
election processes in India.
• It was established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950
(celebrated as National Voters' Day). The secretariat of the commission is in
New Delhi.
– The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha,
and State Legislative Assemblies in India, and the offices of
the President and Vice President in the country.
• It is not concerned with the elections to panchayats and municipalities in the
states. For this, the Constitution of India provides for a separate State Election
Commission.
•
• Constitutional Provisions:

– Part XV (Article 324-329): It deals with elections and establishes a commission

for these matters.
– Article 324: Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested
in an Election Commission.
– Article 325: No person to be ineligible for inclusion in, or to claim to be
included in a special, electoral roll-on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
– Article 326: Elections to the House of the People and to the Legislative
Assemblies of States to be based on adult suffrage.
– Article 327: Power of Parliament to make provision with respect to elections
to Legislatures.
– Article 328: Power of Legislature of a State to make provision with respect to
elections to such Legislature.
– Article 329: Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters.
•
• Structure of ECI:
– Originally the commission had only one election
commissioner but after the Election Commissioner
Amendment Act 1989, it was made a multi-member body.
– The Election Commission shall consist of the Chief Election
Commissioner (CEC) and such number of other election
commissioners, if any, as the President may from time-to-time
fix.
– Presently, it consists of the CEC and two Election
Commissioners (ECs).
• At the state level, the election commission is helped by the Chief
Electoral Officer.
•
• Appointment & Tenure of Commissioners:
– The President appoints CEC and Election
Commissioners as per the CEC and Other ECs
(Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of
Office) Act, 2023.
– They have a fixed tenure of six years, or up to the age
of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
– The salary and conditions of service of the CEC and
ECs will be equivalent to that of the Cabinet
Secretary.
• Under the 1991 Act, it was equivalent to the salary of
a Supreme Court Judge.
• Removal:
– They can resign anytime or can also be removed before the expiry of
their term.
– The CEC can be removed from office only through a process of
removal similar to that of a SC judge by Parliament, while ECs can only
be removed on the recommendation of the CEC.
• Limitations:
– The Constitution has not prescribed the qualifications (legal,
educational, administrative or judicial) of the members of the Election
Commission.
– The Constitution has not specified the term of the members of the
Election Commission.
– The Constitution has not debarred the retiring election commissioners
from any further appointment by the government.
• Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India Case, 2023
• A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court (SC) unanimously ruled
that the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the
Election Commissioners shall be made by the President on the
advice of a Committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader
of the Opposition of the Lok Sabha and Chief Justice of India (CJI).
– In case no leader of the Opposition is available, the leader of the
largest opposition Party in the Lok Sabha in terms of numerical
strength will be a part of such committee.
• The Parliament passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other
Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and
Term of Office) Act, 2023, in response to the directive of the
Supreme Court in the Anoop Baranwal v Union of India case,
2023.
State will rectify 17 black spots on Vijayawada NH, says
Komatireddy Venkat Reddy
 https://www.deccanchronicle.com/news/politics/state-will-
rectify-17-black-spots-on-vijayawada-nh-says-komatireddy-
venkat-reddy-894450
• Seventeen black spots have been identified on the
Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway that witnessed repeated
fatalities in road accidents and the state government will
take measures to prevent accidents, said roads and
buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy.
• The minister directed officials to set up signboards at these
accident-prone areas on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada
highway, warning drivers about the danger spots.
• He asked officials to take measures to prevent
overspeeding, widen the highway to six-lane road
wherever necessary, carry out improvement of junctions,
construction of VUPs (vehicle under passes), setting up of
service roads on either side of the highway.
• He asked officials to take steps to float RRR tenders by
July this year and ensure project completion by 2028.
• "The overall project is expected to be completed at a
cost of around Rs 30,000 crore," he said.
• The 340-km RRR project is aimed at reducing the
traffic flow in the city and promoting urban satellite
centres along the road.
• It will be encircling the state capital, Hyderabad, he
added.
• Thank You
• [email protected]