17-February-2025-Daily-Current-Affairs

THE PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM IN CRISIS

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

The Panchayati Raj system, introduced through the 73rd Amendment in 1992, was designed to promote local self-governance in rural areas. However, administrative and financial constraints have weakened its effectiveness, necessitating urgent reforms.

Significance of the Panchayati Raj System

• Established a three-tier governance structure at the village, block, and district levels.
• Ensured democratic participation in rural development.
• Provided 50% reservation for women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in local bodies.

Achievements of the System

• Local elections remain highly competitive across states.
• Women’s representation in governance has improved, with nearly 14 lakh elected female representatives.
• State Finance Commissions allocate funds for rural development through gram panchayats.

Challenges Faced by the Panchayati Raj System

Limited Administrative Autonomy

• State governments have not fully transferred administrative control and staff to local bodies.
• Local governments receive restricted grants, limiting their decision-making power.
• Only a few states have delegated all 29 subjects mentioned in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.

Declining Financial Independence

• Central fund transfers to panchayats have increased over the years.
• However, untied grants, which allow local decision-making, have reduced significantly.
• Centralized control over funds has weakened panchayats’ financial autonomy.

Direct Benefit Transfers Reducing Panchayat Role

• Government welfare schemes are now delivered through direct cash transfers, bypassing panchayats.
• The JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) system has replaced local government involvement in beneficiary selection.
• Example: PM-KISAN scheme provides financial aid directly to farmers without panchayat involvement.

Urbanization Shifting Focus Away from Rural Governance

• The rural population has decreased from 75% in 1990 to about 60% today.
• With rapid urbanization, policy priorities have shifted toward cities and urban governance.
• This has led to neglect of rural development and decentralized decision-making.

Revitalizing the Panchayati Raj System

• Strengthening Local Decision-Making: Panchayats should be given greater independence in implementing development programs. Rural governance remains crucial, as 94 crore people still live in villages.
• Leveraging Technology for Participation: Digital platforms can enhance citizen engagement in local governance. A well-connected Panchayati Raj system can improve rural-urban coordination.
• Promoting Sustainable Development: Panchayats should lead water conservation and renewable energy initiatives. They can integrate scientific techniques with traditional practices for resource management.
• Enhancing Disaster Preparedness: Panchayats should take the lead in disaster mitigation and response planning. Integrating early warning systems can improve resilience against natural calamities.

Conclusion

The Panchayati Raj system needs urgent reforms to strengthen grassroots democracy. Ensuring financial and administrative empowerment will help rural governance play a crucial role in India’s development.

Practice Question:

1. Which of the following is NOT a function listed under the Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
2. Agriculture, including agricultural extension
3. Police and Public Order
4. Rural housing
5. Small-scale industries

Answer: B

CARBON CAPTURE: AN EXPENSIVE SOLUTION?

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS

Carbon capture technology helps in reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by trapping and storing it from industrial and natural sources. While it helps combat climate change, concerns remain over its high cost and long-term effectiveness.

What is Carbon Capture?

• Definition: A process that captures CO₂ from industrial emissions or the atmosphere to prevent it from contributing to global warming.
• Purpose: Aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions and slow climate change.

How Carbon Capture Works

• Capturing CO₂ – Extracted from power plants, factories, or directly from the air.
• Transportation – CO₂ is moved through pipelines or ships for storage or reuse.
• Storage or Utilization – Stored underground in rock formations or converted into useful materials.

Types of Carbon Capture

• Pre-combustion Capture: CO₂ is removed from fuels before burning.
• Post-combustion Capture: Captures CO₂ from exhaust gases after burning fuel.
• Direct Air Capture (DAC): Pulls CO₂ directly from the atmosphere.

Challenges of Carbon Capture

• High Costs: Setting up and running carbon capture systems is expensive.
• Energy-Intensive: The process itself consumes a lot of energy.
• Storage Risks: Long-term underground storage could have leakage risks.

Alternatives to Carbon Capture

• Renewable Energy: Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are cheaper and more sustainable.
• Energy Efficiency Measures: Reducing energy use can lower emissions without costly capture systems.

Conclusion

While carbon capture can reduce emissions, its high cost and technical challenges make it less viable compared to renewable energy solutions. Sustainable alternatives remain a more practical long-term approach to fighting climate change.

Practice Question

1. Consider the following statements regarding Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS):

1. CCS is a technology used to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources and store it underground.
2. The primary objective of CCS is to convert CO2 into a usable form of energy for industrial processes.
3. CCS technology can help in achieving negative emissions by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
4. Carbon capture can be achieved through natural methods such as afforestation, reforestation, and soil management.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1, 2, and 3 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 2 and 4 only
4. 1, 3, and 4 only

ANSWER: B

Explanation:

CCS involves capturing CO2 emissions, primarily from industrial sources like power plants, and storing them underground in geological formations to prevent their release into the atmosphere.

The main goal of CCS is not to convert CO2 into usable energy but to capture and store it underground to mitigate climate change by reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Converting CO2 into energy is not the focus of CCS.

While CCS can be used to capture CO2 before it reaches the atmosphere, it can also contribute to achieving negative emissions if it captures CO2 directly from the air (e.g., direct air capture), thus reducing the atmospheric CO2 concentration.

This statement describes natural carbon sequestration methods, not CCS, which is a technological approach. While afforestation and reforestation are valuable strategies to absorb CO2, they are not part of CCS, which specifically refers to the technological capture and underground storage of CO2.

THE SILENT CRISIS OF RAT-HOLE MINING

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: THE HINDU

Rat-hole mining, a dangerous and illegal practice, continues to claim lives despite bans and regulations. The recent Assam mining tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement and reforms.

Recent Mining Tragedy in Assam

• On January 6, 2024, a mine in Umrangso, Assam, flooded, trapping nine workers and killing at least four.
• The Guwahati High Court took suo motu cognizance of the incident on January 29.
• Such accidents are frequent in the northeastern states, with over 30 deaths reported in Meghalaya in the last five years.

Why Illegal Mining Persists

Historical Expansion

• Since the 1980s, rising coal demand from West Bengal and Bangladesh led to increased mining in Assam and Meghalaya.
• Despite environmental and safety risks, mining remains a lucrative industry.

Rat-Hole Mining Method

• Small, narrow tunnels are dug, barely big enough for workers to crawl through.
• Two types of rat-hole mining:
  • Side-cutting: Coal is extracted along hill slopes.
  • Box-cutting: Pits up to 400 feet deep are dug, and coal is mined horizontally.
• This method poses extreme safety hazards and environmental degradation.

Worker Exploitation

• Migrant laborers work in hazardous conditions due to financial constraints.
• Children are often trafficked into mines due to their small physique, making them vulnerable to abuse.
• Around 26,000 abandoned mines operate with up to 200 workers per shift, putting thousands at daily risk.

Legal and Regulatory Challenges

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) Ban: In 2014, the NGT banned rat-hole mining due to environmental damage and unsafe conditions. The Supreme Court upheld the ban in 2019 in a case related to Meghalaya.
• Weak Enforcement: Illegal mines continue to operate under the influence of powerful individuals, including politicians and bureaucrats. Activists and whistleblowers face threats, while authorities fail to act decisively.
• Legal Loopholes: Some states attempt to bypass the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 1957 under Schedule 6, Paragraph 12A(b) of the Constitution.
• Meghalaya tried to regulate coal mining independently but was not granted approval.
• Although Section 23C of the MMDR Act mandates states to prevent illegal mining, enforcement remains weak.

The Need for Stronger Measures

• Assam and Meghalaya have failed to curb illegal mining despite legal bans.
• If states remain ineffective, the central government should intervene, as it did in Karnataka’s Bellary region in 2011, where illegal mining led to a Supreme Court-imposed ban under Section 30 of the MMDR Act.

Strategies to End Illegal Mining

• Strengthening Laws: Rat-hole mining should be declared a criminal offense under the MMDR Act, with stricter penalties under Section 21. States must integrate the NGT ban into local laws under Section 23C.
• Providing Alternative Livelihoods: Encouraging eco-tourism and sustainable industries can reduce dependence on illegal mining.
• Technology-Based Monitoring: Satellite tracking can help identify illegal mining sites. The Mining Surveillance System by the Ministry of Mines can improve enforcement, as demonstrated in Karnataka.
• Community Participation: Strengthening the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and ensuring community involvement in mining decisions can enhance accountability.

Conclusion

Judicial action alone cannot stop illegal mining unless governments take strong enforcement measures. Failure to regulate mining violates Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life).

PRESIDENT’S RULE: FUNCTIONING AND IMPLICATIONS

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

President’s Rule is imposed when a state government fails to function as per the Constitution. Recently, it was implemented in Manipur due to ongoing violence and governance failure.

Constitutional Basis of President’s Rule

The Indian Constitution includes emergency provisions to ensure national security and stability.

Three types of emergencies:

• National Emergency (Article 352): Declared during war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
• State Emergency (Article 356): Known as President’s Rule, imposed when a state government fails to function constitutionally.
• Financial Emergency (Article 360): Declared in case of a severe financial crisis.

In Manipur, President’s Rule was imposed under Article 356 due to governance failure.

• Article 355 mandates the Union government to protect states from internal disturbances and external threats.

Process of Imposing President’s Rule

• The Governor sends a report to the President, recommending President’s Rule if the state government fails to function.
• The President can impose direct central rule, suspending the state’s executive powers.
• The State Assembly is either dissolved or kept in suspended animation while Parliament takes over legislative functions.

Duration and Approval Process

Parliamentary Approval:

• Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must approve the proclamation within two months.

Timeframe:

Initially imposed for six months but can be extended every six months.

Maximum duration is three years under these conditions:

• A National Emergency is in force.
• The Election Commission confirms that elections cannot be held.

Comparison: National Emergency vs. President’s Rule

Aspect	National Emergency (Article 352)	President’s Rule (Article 356)
Reason	War, external aggression, or armed rebellion	Failure of state government
Duration	Indefinite with parliamentary approval	Max. 3 years with conditions
Approval	Special majority in Parliament	Simple majority in Parliament
State Government	Continues to function	Dismissed or put under suspension
Assembly Status	Assembly remains	Assembly is suspended or dissolved
Fundamental Rights	Article 19 can be suspended	Fundamental rights remain unaffected

Impact on Governance

• No Suspension of Fundamental Rights: Unlike National Emergency, Article 19 (freedom of speech and expression) remains intact.
• State Administration Under the Centre: The Governor, with advisers, runs the state on behalf of the President. Financial decisions are taken by the President under Article 357.

Instances of President’s Rule in India

• 134 times imposed since 1950.
• First instance: Punjab (1951).
• Manipur: Experienced 11 times, with the longest spell lasting over two years (1969–1972).
• Jammu & Kashmir: Holds the record for longest cumulative President’s Rule (over 12 years) due to security concerns.

Judicial Review and Limitations

Initially, the Supreme Court did not intervene in President’s Rule cases.

1994 Landmark Judgment (S.R. Bommai Case):

• Article 356 should be the last option.
• The Centre must warn the state before imposing President’s Rule.
• Judicial Review is allowed to prevent misuse.
• The State Assembly cannot be dissolved immediately; Parliament must approve it first.
• The provision cannot be used for political gains.

Conclusion

President’s Rule is a constitutional mechanism to address governance failure but has often been misused. Judicial rulings have introduced safeguards to prevent arbitrary imposition. Manipur’s case highlights the importance of political stability and responsible governance.

Practice Question:

1. With reference to President’s Rule in India, consider the following statements:

1. President’s Rule is imposed under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution.
2. During President’s Rule, the State Assembly is always dissolved.
3. The proclamation of President’s Rule must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months.
4. President’s Rule can be extended beyond one year only under certain conditions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 and 4 only
3. 2, 3, and 4 only
4. 1, 3, and 4 only

Answer: B

Explanation:

• President’s Rule is imposed under Article 356, not Article 352 (which relates to National Emergency).
• The State Assembly may be dissolved or kept in suspended animation, depending on the situation.
• The proclamation must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months.
• President’s Rule can be extended beyond one year only if:
  • A National Emergency is in force in the state or country.
  • The Election Commission certifies that elections cannot be held.

F-35 STEALTH FIGHTER JETS AND THEIR FIT IN IAF’S FUTURE PLANS

TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: THE HINDU

The U.S. has proposed selling F-35 stealth fighter jets to India, raising questions about their compatibility with the Indian Air Force (IAF). While India seeks to modernize its fleet, the integration of the F-35 could impact indigenous fighter jet programs.

Impact on India’s Fighter Jet Programs

• The announcement of potential F-35 sales has sparked discussions about its role in the IAF.
• India has an ongoing gap in fighter jet modernization, but no formal procurement process for the F-35 has begun.
• Acquiring the F-35 could affect India’s self-reliance efforts in defense technology.

Challenges in Integrating the F-35

• The F-35 is a single-seat aircraft, whereas the IAF often prefers twin-seater fighters for operational flexibility.
• The F-35 program has faced long delays and budget overruns, making its procurement a complex decision.
• India’s defense forces operate a mix of aircraft from different countries, leading to potential interoperability issues.

India’s Indigenous Fighter Jet Programs

• LCA Tejas Mk1A: India’s locally developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has been delayed due to engine-related challenges.
• LCA Mk2: A more advanced version, expected to roll out by 2025, aims to enhance India’s air combat capabilities.
• Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA): India is developing its own stealth fighter, projected for deployment by 2034-35.
• Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA): India plans to acquire 114 foreign jets under a separate tender.
• The inclusion of the F-35 in the IAF fleet remains uncertain due to these domestic projects.

Key Features of the F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet

• A fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for multiple combat roles.
• Available in three variants:
  • F-35A: Standard takeoff and landing (for Air Force).
  • F-35B: Short takeoff and vertical landing (for Marines).
  • F-35C: Carrier-based operations (for Navy and Marines).
• Features advanced stealth capabilities, reducing radar detectability.
• Equipped with high-tech sensors and weapons for superior combat effectiveness.
• Over 990 F-35 jets have been delivered globally to the U.S. and allied nations.

Conclusion

While the F-35 is an advanced fighter jet, its integration into the IAF requires careful consideration. India must balance modernization with self-reliance, ensuring that indigenous fighter jet programs are not compromised.

A SUCCESS STORY LIKE AMUL: TRANSFORMING INDIA’S FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SECTOR

TOPIC: (GS3) AGRICULTURE: INDIAN EXPRESS

India’s fruits and vegetables (F&V) sector is growing rapidly but remains highly unorganized, leading to wastage and low farmer incomes. To address these challenges, structured value chains and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) are essential, similar to the success of the dairy sector.

Growth of India’s Fruits and Vegetables Sector

• The F&V sector is expanding faster than cereal crops and contributes nearly 30% to India’s total agricultural output.
• These crops are highly nutritious and have the potential to increase farmers’ earnings.
• Unlike cereals, the sector lacks strong policy support and infrastructure.
• The absence of organized value chains, cold storage facilities, and processing units leads to seasonal price fluctuations and post-harvest losses.
• NABCONS (2022) estimated that post-harvest losses are 8.1% for fruits and 7.3% for vegetables, leading to an annual economic loss of ₹1.53 trillion.
• Due to fragmented supply chains, farmers receive only about 30% of the final consumer price.

Lessons from India’s Dairy Revolution

• India’s dairy sector, under Verghese Kurien’s leadership, transformed the country from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer, reaching 239 million tonnes in 2023-24.
• Cooperatives like Amul ensured that dairy farmers earned 75-80% of the consumer price.
• Unlike milk, the F&V sector consists of multiple perishable commodities, each requiring specific storage and processing infrastructure.
• Seasonal variations and regional concentration of production make price stabilization difficult.
• The key to success lies in creating a structured system for aggregation, processing, and direct market linkages to reduce losses and improve farmer incomes.

Role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)

What is an FPO?

• Definition: A Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) is a collective group of farmers working together to improve market access and profitability.
• Supported by: The Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) promotes FPOs in India.
• Structure: Operates as a producer-owned entity, such as a cooperative society or producer company, allowing members to share profits.

How FPOs Can Help the F&V Sector

• FPOs can improve farmers’ bargaining power, reduce dependency on middlemen, and provide better price realization.
• A successful case is Sahyadri Farmer Producer Company Ltd (SFPCL) in Maharashtra’s Nashik district.
• Established in 2004 by Vilas Shinde, SFPCL expanded from 10 farmers to 26,500 registered farmers managing 31,000 acres by 2023-24.
• Its turnover surged from ₹13 crore in 2011-12 to ₹1,549 crore in 2023-24.
• Around 64.6% of its revenue comes from domestic sales, while 35.4% comes from exports, with grapes and tomatoes being key contributors.
• The success of SFPCL shows how organized FPOs can integrate small farmers into structured value chains, ensuring quality, traceability, and better market access.

Building Stronger Value Chains and Processing Infrastructure

• SFPCL’s Impact on the Market:
  • India’s leading grape exporter, with 90% of its grapes shipped to the EU and UAE.
  • Farmers under SFPCL receive about 55% of the Free on Board (FOB) price, significantly higher than traditional markets.
• Investment in Processing Infrastructure:
  • The company processes tomatoes into ketchup, puree, and sauce, reducing price volatility and ensuring stable farmer incomes.
  • Created over 6,000 jobs, with women making up 32% of the workforce.
• Significance of FPO-Led Aggregation:
  • Organized FPOs can transform the F&V sector through collective marketing, better storage facilities, and access to domestic and international markets.

Scaling Up: Policy Support and Future Roadmap

• The government aims to establish 10,000 FPOs, with 8,875 already registered by August 2024.
• Expanding FPOs like SFPCL could help replicate the dairy revolution in the F&V sector.

Key Policy Interventions Needed

• Strengthening FPOs: Institutional support, financial aid, better infrastructure, and digital integration via Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Blockchain technology can improve transparency and farmer profits.
• Revamping Government Schemes: Operation Greens (2018) aimed at stabilizing perishable prices lacked strong leadership and adequate funding (₹500 crore). A more comprehensive strategy is required for price stabilization and farmer support.
• Developing Commodity-Specific Value Chains: At least 10-20% of F&V produce should be processed to prevent distress sales and stabilize prices.

Towards a National Fruits and Vegetables Board

• To effectively transform the sector, India needs a National Fruits and Vegetables Board, similar to the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
• This body would:
  • Enhance market linkages.
  • Promote efficient value chains.
  • Encourage collaborations with retailers like SAFAL to improve price realization for farmers.
• The central question is: Can Vilas Shinde become the Verghese Kurien of India’s F&V sector?
• The Sahyadri model has already shown a successful approach; with proper scaling, policy backing, and leadership, India can ensure that F&V farmers receive 55-60% of the consumer price, leading to a major agricultural transformation.

Conclusion

India’s F&V sector has immense growth potential but suffers from inefficiencies, price volatility, and post-harvest losses. Learning from the dairy sector’s success and strengthening FPOs with structured value chains can help small farmers achieve better incomes and revolutionize Indian agriculture.

AI-ENABLED CAMERAS IN SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE HELP CURB POACHING

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

The Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha has faced a major poaching crisis. The introduction of AI-powered surveillance has significantly reduced poaching activities in the area.

AI-Based Surveillance in Similipal

• The TrailGuard AI system, equipped with advanced cameras, has been installed to monitor illegal activities.
• Around 100-150 AI-enabled cameras are deployed to detect human movement in the reserve.

How TrailGuard AI Functions

• The system operates in a low-power mode and activates fully when it detects movement.
• It can differentiate between animals, humans, and vehicles using AI technology.
• If a poaching threat is identified, it alerts forest officials within 30-40 seconds.
• A control room receives the alerts and informs authorities for immediate action.

Impact on Poaching Prevention

• In the last 10 months, authorities have arrested 96 poachers and seized 86 illegal firearms.

Challenges for Local Communities

• Indigenous tribes around Similipal depend on the forest for survival.
• The increased surveillance has discouraged villagers from collecting essentials like firewood.
• Authorities are exploring ways to allow safe forest access for locals while maintaining conservation efforts.

Future Uses of AI in Wildlife Protection

• The TrailGuard AI system is now active in 14 locations across 5 states.
• It is also helping monitor human-wildlife conflicts in Kanha and Dudhwa National Parks.
• Experts believe AI can play a major role in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching initiatives nationwide.

Similipal Tiger Reserve – Key Facts

• Location: Mayurbhanj district, Odisha.
• Area: 2,750 sq km, among India’s largest tiger reserves.
• Recognition: Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1994.
• Biodiversity: Home to Bengal tigers, elephants, gaurs, and melanistic tigers.
• Water Bodies: Perennial rivers like Budhabalanga and waterfalls like Barehipani and Joranda.

Conclusion

The use of AI-driven surveillance has proven highly effective in reducing poaching in Similipal. However, balancing conservation efforts with the needs of local communities remains a key challenge.

DECONGESTING THE JUDICIARY

TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN POLITY: THE HINDU

The Supreme Court, in K Vadivel v K Shanthi & Ors (2024), raised concerns over frivolous litigation causing judicial delays. The court emphasized the need for stricter measures, including financial penalties, to prevent unnecessary legal cases and ensure timely justice.

The Problem of Judicial Backlog

• India’s judicial system is overwhelmed with pending cases, causing prolonged delays in justice delivery.
• Statistics show that 74.9% of cases in high courts and 63.1% in lower courts have been pending for over a year.
• Delayed justice weakens public trust in the judiciary and affects litigants’ lives.
• Addressing the backlog requires a combined effort from courts, lawyers, litigants, and policymakers.

Causes of Delays in the Judiciary

• While an overburdened judiciary is a primary reason for delays, multiple stakeholders contribute to the issue.
• Government agencies, legal professionals, and litigants often misuse the legal process, further prolonging cases.
• The Supreme Court highlighted that frivolous cases and unnecessary interventions add to the problem.
• The K Vadivel v K Shanthi case, originating from a 2013 FIR, exemplifies how legal delays are often exacerbated by repeated procedural hurdles.

Impact of Frivolous Litigation

• Lawyers play a crucial role in preventing baseless cases from entering the legal system.
• The Supreme Court stressed that attorneys must avoid filing cases with exaggerated or misleading claims.
• Frivolous cases consume judicial resources, slowing down hearings for genuine legal disputes.
• Courts must impose hefty fines on those engaging in vexatious litigation to discourage misuse.
• Judges should also actively filter out meritless petitions at an early stage to prevent unnecessary delays.

Balancing Speedy Justice and Legal Fairness

• Speedy trials should not compromise legal scrutiny and procedural fairness.
• The judiciary must strike a balance between efficiency and due process.
• A systemic approach is necessary, where:
  • Judges ensure only legitimate cases proceed beyond initial hearings.
  • Lawyers uphold ethical standards by refraining from filing unnecessary petitions.
  • Litigants avoid unnecessary appeals and procedural delays.
  • Courts integrate technology and promote Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms for faster resolutions.

Global Approaches to Reducing Judicial Delays

Several countries have implemented effective measures to address legal delays:

• United States: Under 28 USC § 1927, lawyers engaging in unnecessary litigation face penalties.
• Ireland: The Court Proceedings (Delays) Act 2024 mandates timely case resolutions.
• Singapore & Hong Kong: Strict case management practices and mandatory ADR reduce case backlogs.

The Need for a Multi-Stakeholder Approach

The Supreme Court warned that prolonged delays could undermine the rule of law and public confidence in the judiciary. Solutions require cooperation from all stakeholders:

• Legislators should introduce legal reforms to streamline case disposal.
• Judges must implement stricter case management rules.
• Lawyers should encourage ADR and avoid unnecessary applications.
• Litigants must refrain from misusing legal remedies for personal gains.

Measures Taken to Reduce Case Pendency

• Virtual Courts: Online hearings improve access to justice and reduce delays.
• e-Courts Portal: A digital platform for managing cases efficiently.
• E-filing: Enables electronic case submissions, reducing paperwork and physical visits.
• Online Court Fee Payments: Simplifies financial transactions, reducing administrative burdens.
• Interoperable Criminal Justice System (ICJS): Ensures smooth data exchange between courts, police, jails, and forensic labs.
• Fast Track Courts: Set up to expedite hearings for urgent cases.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mechanisms like Lok Adalats and Online Dispute Resolution facilitate quicker settlements.

Conclusion

Judicial delays are not solely a court-related issue but a systemic challenge requiring broad reforms. The K Vadivel ruling serves as a reminder that all stakeholders must contribute to ensuring efficient justice. By curbing frivolous litigation, adopting international best practices, and leveraging technology, India can build a more responsive and efficient judicial system.