Table of Contents
Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 1 : The perfect cocktail of layered discrimination
Introduction
India stands at a critical juncture where the subject of delimitation—a process that recalibrates the allocation of parliamentary seats based on population—threatens to reshape the country’s federal structure. Historically, statesmen like Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee postponed delimitation, recognizing its potentially destabilizing effects. However, as we approach 2026, the matter can no longer be deferred. Key questions arise:
- Should we delay delimitation again?
- Should we allow it to happen?
- Or should we find a way to manage it without undermining the nation’s federal balance?
At the heart of these questions lies the future of Indian federalism: Will India remain a union of states, each with a voice, or will it morph into a centralised, ethno-linguistic majoritarian state? The answer to these questions will shape the nation for generations to come.
Understanding Federalism in India
The Federal Structure
India’s federalism is enshrined in its Constitution, making it an integral part of the nation’s basic structure—a structure that cannot be altered easily. States in India are not mere administrative units; they are federating entities with unique identities, many of which are based on ethno-linguistic homelands. These homelands have existed for centuries, long before the formation of the modern Indian Union. For example, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Bengal each have distinct historical identities tied to their languages and cultures. The Supreme Court of India has affirmed that these states are political units, not arbitrary creations.
India’s Unity in Diversity
The unity of India, forged in the anti-colonial struggle against British rule, persists through a delicate balance of power among these federating units. This balance ensures that no single region or community dominates others—a key aspect of the federal structure that has enabled India’s diverse peoples to coexist.
What is Delimitation?
Delimitation refers to the process of redrawing boundaries for parliamentary constituencies based on population changes. Article 82 of the Indian Constitution mandates this recalibration after every Census. However, the process was frozen in 1976 by the Indira Gandhi government to prevent states that had successfully controlled their populations from being penalized in terms of political representation.
This freeze was extended by the A.B. Vajpayee government in 2001, pushing the next delimitation to 2026. With the Narendra Modi government hinting at fresh delimitation ahead of the 2029 general elections, the issue is back in the spotlight.
The Demographic Divide and Its Implications
Fertility Rates and Population Growth
A key demographic factor driving concerns around delimitation is the Total Fertility Rate (TFR)—the average number of children a woman gives birth to during her reproductive years. In non-Hindi-speaking states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, the TFR is well below the replacement rate of 2.1, while states in the Hindi heartland, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, have significantly higher fertility rates.
If delimitation were to proceed based on the most recent Census data, it would drastically reduce the political representation of southern states and increase the number of seats allocated to the Hindi-speaking states. For example, the proportion of seats held by southern states in the Lok Sabha could fall from 25% to 17%, while the Hindi belt’s share would rise dramatically.
Economic Contributions and Fund Allocation
The disparity in political representation would be further compounded by economic imbalances. States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu contribute significantly more to the central exchequer than they receive in return, while states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh receive disproportionately large shares of central funds relative to their contributions. The decision to use the 2011 Census as the basis for fund distribution by the 16th Finance Commission could exacerbate this disparity, leaving more developed states with even less influence.
The Threat of Delimitation
Layered Discrimination
Delimitation, if carried out without careful consideration, could create a multi-layered form of discrimination:
- Non-Hindi states that have successfully implemented population control measures would lose political influence.
- These same states, which contribute the majority of India’s GDP, taxes, and resources, would have little say in how their contributions are utilized.
- States with higher populations but lower economic output would gain political control, leading to a scenario where the “unsuccessful” dictate policy for the “successful.”
Impact on Stakeholdership
The concept of Stakeholdership Index, which measures a state’s share of parliamentary seats relative to its population, highlights the imbalance that delimitation could create. States with high GDP and tax contributions but low population growth would see their stake reduced, while less economically developed states with higher population growth would gain control. This would skew Indian democracy in favor of the Hindi-speaking states, marginalizing others.
Possible Consequences
The potential consequences of delimitation are dire. Without equitable representation, non-Hindi-speaking states could become increasingly alienated from the political process. This could lead to a breakdown in the federal structure, with some regions feeling as though they are being treated as colonies of an imperial center—a situation reminiscent of the “No Taxation Without Representation” slogan of the American Revolution.
Navigating the Future: Possible Solutions
Given the complexities of delimitation, several solutions have been proposed to preserve India’s federal balance:
- Extend the Freeze: Continue the current policy and delay delimitation for another 25 years, passing the issue to future generations.
- Permanently Freeze Delimitation: Avoid the redistribution of seats entirely, maintaining the current allocation.
- Proceed with Delimitation but Redefine Federalism: Carry out delimitation but accompany it with a new federal compact. This would include abolishing the Concurrent List, granting states more autonomy over internal matters, and decentralizing power.
- Increase the Number of Seats per State: Maintain the existing seat proportions between states but increase the total number of seats to accommodate population growth without disenfranchising any region.
Conclusion
India is a unique federation, unlike mono-linguistic nations such as Thailand or ethno-linguistic majoritarian states like Russia or China. Its strength lies in its plurality—a tapestry of languages, cultures, and histories bound together in a single political entity. Delimitation, if not handled carefully, threatens to unravel this delicate balance. A thoughtful approach is required, one that respects both federalism and voting equality, ensuring that all states, regardless of language or population size, have a voice in the nation’s future.
Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 2 : The impact of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana in Jammu and Kashmir
Introduction
In India, about 681 million people still rely on traditional, solid fuels for cooking, according to the International Energy Agency. This heavy dependence on solid fuels poses significant health and environmental risks. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a flagship initiative by the Indian government, was launched to address this issue by providing subsidized LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) connections to underprivileged households, encouraging the use of clean cooking fuel. So far, the government has distributed over 10.3 crore LPG connections through this program.
Our focus here is on understanding the impact of PMUY in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where the adoption of clean fuel has grown, but challenges remain. This article presents insights from a field study conducted in the region, examining both the successes and ongoing obstacles to achieving full clean fuel adoption.
Study Overview and Methodology
Key Details of the Study
- Survey Scope: The study involved primary data collection from 820 households spread across 48 villages in two districts of Jammu and Kashmir—Kulgam and Rajouri. These areas are relatively underdeveloped and provide a clear view of how PMUY is functioning in rural, disadvantaged communities.
- Sampling Methodology: The study employed systematic random sampling, selecting 24 villages from each district. The number of villages per tehsil was determined based on population size, ensuring proportional representation.
- Economic Representation: The survey captured data from households across different economic strata, including:
- Above Poverty Line (APL)
- Below Poverty Line (BPL)
- Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households.
- Survey Respondents: The study focused on female household members responsible for cooking, ensuring that the insights were directly related to those most affected by fuel usage.
LPG Connection Adoption in J&K
Widespread LPG Adoption, but Traditional Methods Persist
- LPG Coverage: In the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir, 85.07% of households now have access to LPG, with 68% of these connections provided under the PMUY scheme. However, 4.41% of households, particularly in hilly areas like Rajouri, still lack access to LPG.
- Fuel Stacking: Despite the expansion of LPG connections, traditional cooking practices remain prevalent. 92% of households continue to use traditional chulhas (wood-fired stoves), and 85% engage in fuel stacking, where both LPG and solid fuels like firewood are used. This is partly due to cultural ties to traditional methods but also reflects the economic challenges of relying solely on LPG.
Regional LPG Usage Patterns
| Region | PMUY Beneficiaries (Avg. Cylinders Used) | Non-PMUY Consumers (Avg. Cylinders Used) |
|---|---|---|
| Kulgam | 3.54 | 3.21 |
| Rajouri | Lower adoption | Higher adoption |
- In Kulgam, PMUY beneficiaries reported higher LPG usage compared to non-beneficiaries. However, in Rajouri, non-PMUY consumers showed slightly higher adoption, pointing to regional variations in how the scheme is being embraced.
Health Benefits of PMUY in Jammu and Kashmir
One of the core goals of the PMUY initiative is to reduce the health risks associated with the use of solid fuels, particularly among women who spend significant time cooking indoors. The survey revealed encouraging health improvements, especially among the most vulnerable households.
Reduced Respiratory Issues
- Respiratory Health: Among BPL households, PMUY beneficiaries saw a significant reduction in respiratory problems. For example, the incidence of coughing dropped from 24% among non-PMUY BPL households to 21% among those using LPG provided through the scheme. The reduction was even more pronounced among AAY households, where coughing decreased from 13% to 10%.
The Role of Additional Appliances and Education
- Appliance Use and Health: Households equipped with additional cooking appliances, such as rice cookers, reported even better health outcomes. PMUY beneficiaries with rice cookers had lower instances of coughing (20%) compared to those without the appliances.
- Education and Health: Households where the primary cook had at least a secondary education experienced fewer health issues, with the incidence of chest infections dropping to 4% among BPL households.
Barriers to Exclusive LPG Usage
While PMUY has significantly increased access to LPG, several barriers still prevent households from relying exclusively on clean fuel.
1. Lack of Awareness
A major barrier is the lack of awareness about the health risks of using solid fuels and the benefits of LPG. In our survey:
- 47% of households were unaware of the health hazards associated with traditional cooking fuels.
- A significant 64% of households did not own a television, and 33% of female cooks did not have access to a mobile phone, limiting their exposure to awareness campaigns.
2. Financial Constraints
For many households, the cost of refilling LPG cylinders remains prohibitive:
- 85% of households continue to practice fuel stacking, using a mix of solid fuels and LPG due to the financial burden of LPG refills.
- Without additional financial support for refills, many households are unable to rely on LPG exclusively, undermining the goals of the PMUY scheme.
Way Forward: Addressing the Challenges
Increasing Awareness and Access to Modern Appliances
The survey highlights the importance of not only providing LPG connections but also increasing awareness and access to modern appliances:
| Awareness & Appliances | Higher LPG Usage (Avg. Cylinders) | Lower Firewood Consumption (Avg. Kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Aware of Health Benefits | 3.73 | 216 kg |
| Perceive No Taste Difference | 4.27 | Lower firewood usage |
| Households with Rice Cookers | 3.59 | Lower firewood usage |
- Health Awareness: Households that understood the health benefits of LPG used more cylinders on average and relied less on solid fuels.
- Perception of Taste: Those who did not perceive a difference in taste between food cooked with LPG and traditional fuels were more likely to use LPG exclusively.
- Modern Appliances: Access to modern appliances like rice cookers was associated with higher LPG usage, suggesting that technology can help ease the transition to clean fuels.
Conclusion
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has made significant strides in expanding access to clean cooking fuel in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly among economically disadvantaged households. However, challenges such as lack of awareness and financial constraints remain. To further promote clean fuel adoption and improve health outcomes, there is a need for:
- Targeted awareness campaigns that reach households without access to traditional media.
- Expanded financial support to make LPG refills more affordable.
- Increased access to modern appliances that facilitate exclusive LPG usage.