What’s in Today’s Article?

• Urban Development in India Latest News
• India Needs a Localised Approach to Urban Development
• Central Government’s Approach for Urban India
• Problems With the Top-Down Model
• Urbanisation Differs Across India
• Suggestions
• Significance of Localised Approach to Urban Development
• Conclusion
• Localised Urban Development in India FAQs 

Urban Development in India Latest News

• In the forthcoming decades, India is anticipated to boast the most significant urban population globally.

India Needs a Localised Approach to Urban Development

• India is going through rapid urbanisation. In the coming decades, it is expected to have the largest urban population in the world. 
• However, many of the plans that shape this urban future are designed far away from the realities of local communities.
• While ‘urban development’ is officially a State subject in India’s Constitution, the Central government plays a strong role in shaping urban policy through centrally sponsored schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), and AMRUT. 
• These missions have helped in many ways, but their top-down, one-size-fits-all approach often ignores the specific needs of different cities.

Central Government’s Approach for Urban India

• Since the 1990s, urbanisation in India has been guided by central schemes like the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and more recently, by five flagship urban missions including Smart Cities.
• The Centre’s approach focuses heavily on infrastructure and mobility, such as metro rail projects, which alone received around 30% of the Union Budget under the current government. 
• While these initiatives have helped some cities, they often leave little room for States or local bodies to adapt plans according to local needs.

Problems With the Top-Down Model

• Lack of flexibility: Cities are forced to follow centrally set rules and formats that might not suit their conditions.
• Mismatch of priorities: Some cities already have decent sanitation systems or social housing but still receive funds for these sectors instead of their actual needs like mobility or climate resilience.
• Wasted resources: Money sometimes remains unused or is spent on unnecessary infrastructure just to show “utilisation,” as seen in many Smart City projects.
• In short, this model leads to poor outcomes because it doesn’t let local voices and contexts guide urban development.

Urbanisation Differs Across India

• India is not urbanising in a uniform way.
  • In Kerala, cities blend into villages so closely that the Chief Minister once called the entire state “a single city.”
  • In Gujarat, cities like Ahmedabad have seen the rich move to the outskirts due to crowding in the core, while the poor get pushed further to the margins.
  • Migration patterns also vary, with many workers moving from northern states to southern ones, changing the local demographics.
• Each city has its own challenges and priorities, which cannot be solved by a standard, centralised solution.

Suggestions

• Experts suggest a new approach that gives more power and money directly to States and city governments.
• Financial devolution: At least 70% of the Union Budget meant for urban development should be sent directly to States and cities, either through State Finance Commissions or direct transfers.
• Locally decided plans: Cities should decide what they need most—be it housing, transport, water, or sanitation—based on scientific planning and public consultation.
• Focus on outcomes, not formats: Funds should not come with rigid rules but should allow flexibility for innovative local solutions.
• Avoid conditionalities: Commissions like the 15th Finance Commission have added conditions like increasing property taxes to get funds. This approach reduces local control.

Significance of Localised Approach to Urban Development

• Urban development should be localised because:
  • National institutions are often too far removed from everyday city issues.
  • City governments are closer to people and can respond faster to problems.
  • Local participation builds public trust and accountability, which is crucial for smooth governance.
• Unless India rethinks how it funds and manages its cities, urban challenges will grow worse. 
• A centralised approach cannot deal with the rising pressure on infrastructure, housing, jobs, and the environment.

Conclusion

• India’s cities are diverse, and their problems are complex. 
• Trying to solve them with uniform plans from New Delhi is both inefficient and ineffective. 
• It’s time to empower local governments, let cities decide their own priorities, and support them with flexible funding.
• This shift in thinking is necessary if India wants to build liveable, inclusive, and sustainable cities for the future.

Localised Urban Development in India FAQs 

Q1. Why is a localised approach important for Indian cities?

Ans. Because each city has unique needs that central schemes often overlook.

Q2. What is the problem with top-down urban planning?

Ans. It leaves little room for local solutions and often leads to wasted resources.

Q3. How much budget should go directly to States and cities?

Ans. Experts suggest at least 70% of urban development funds should be devolved.

Q4. Why do central schemes like PMAY and SBM not always work?

Ans. Because they apply the same solution to all cities, regardless of local conditions.

Q5. What is the role of city governments in urban planning?

Ans. They are closest to citizens and can design better solutions through local input.

Source: TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Heat Action Plans in India Latest News
• Heat Action Plan (HAP)
• Early Onset of Extreme Heat in India
• Rising Heatstroke Deaths in India
• Key Highlights of the Study
• Way Forward: Need for a Comprehensive National Heat Strategy
• Heat Action Plans in India FAQs

Heat Action Plans in India Latest News

• A new study has revealed that most Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in Indian cities fail to incorporate long-term strategies to combat extreme heat. Even cities with such strategies struggle with effective implementation. 
• The study, ‘Is India Ready for a Warming World? How Heat Resilience Measures Are Being Implemented for 11% of India’s Urban Population in Some of Its Most At-Risk Cities’, was carried out by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), a New Delhi-based research organisation. 
• It warns that inadequate planning could lead to more heat-related deaths due to intensifying heat waves.

Heat Action Plan (HAP)

• A Heat Action Plan (HAP) is an early warning and preparedness system designed to mitigate the impact of extreme heat. 
• It includes both immediate and long-term measures to enhance preparedness, improve information-sharing, and coordinate responses to protect vulnerable populations from heat-related health risks.

Key Recommendations of Heat Action Plans (HAPs)

• Immediate Measures
  • Use of forecasts and early warning systems to alert the public and authorities.
  • Public awareness campaigns on heatwave risks.
  • Establishment of heat shelters and cooling centres.
  • Provision of clean drinking water to prevent dehydration.
  • Ensuring hospitals are equipped with necessary supplies and trained healthcare workers to handle heat-related illnesses.
• Long-Term Strategies
  • Urban planning initiatives such as tree planting to reduce heat impact.
  • Use of heat-resistant building materials to counter the urban heat island effect.
  • Implementation of cool roofing technologies to lower indoor temperatures.
  • Strengthening coordination among government agencies, healthcare providers, community organisations, and emergency services for better heatwave preparedness.

Implementation of HAPs in India

• According to a July 2024 response in the Lok Sabha, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is implementing HAPs in 23 heatwave-prone states in collaboration with state governments.

Early Onset of Extreme Heat in India

• February saw record-breaking temperatures, with heatwaves officially reported in Goa and Maharashtra.
• Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra have already crossed 40°C.
• 31 States and Union Territories recorded night temperatures at least 1°C above normal, with 22 States/UTs experiencing 3°C to 5°C higher temperatures.

Rising Heatstroke Deaths in India

• Data from NDMA shows an increasing trend in heatstroke-related deaths between 2020 and 2022, with fatalities rising from 530 in 2020 to 730 in 2022. 
• However, in 2024, reported cases dropped to 269 suspected and 161 confirmed heatstroke deaths.
• Despite NDMA’s report, non-profit organisation HeatWatch reported 733 heatstroke deaths in 17 Indian states between March and June 2024, raising concerns over heatwave preparedness and data accuracy.

Key Highlights of the Study

• Researchers identified nine Indian cities with populations over 1 million that are expected to face the highest increases in dangerous heat index values. 
• The study was based on 88 interviews with officials from city, district, and state governments, as well as representatives from disaster management, health, city planning, and labour departments.

Key Findings of the Study

• Short-Term Measures in Place
  • All nine cities had emergency measures such as access to drinking water and adjusted work schedules to tackle immediate heat risks.
• Lack of Long-Term Strategies
  • The study found that essential long-term actions were either absent or poorly implemented.
  • These long-term actions include cooling solutions for vulnerable populations, insurance for lost work, fire management services for heat waves, and electricity grid upgrades.
• Misaligned Urban Planning Efforts
  • Efforts like increasing urban shade and green spaces lacked a targeted approach for populations most at risk from extreme heat.
• Health System-Focused Strategies
  • Most long-term measures focused on strengthening healthcare responses rather than preventing heat-related impacts in the first place.
• Institutional and Financial Constraints
  • The study highlighted that a lack of coordination between municipal, district, and state government departments was the biggest obstacle to effective long-term heat action planning. 
  • Additionally, inadequate funding was a significant barrier to implementing sustainable heat resilience strategies.

Way Forward: Need for a Comprehensive National Heat Strategy

• Adaptation strategies are gaining importance as global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions remain slow.
• Solutions like affordable cooling devices pose environmental risks due to ozone-depleting refrigerants.
• Sustainable alternatives such as green buildings, passive cooling, and green infrastructure must be integrated into urban planning.
• India must develop a national heat strategy and incorporate it into its National Adaptation Plan before COP30 in Brazil.

Heat Action Plans in India FAQs

Q1. What is a Heat Action Plan (HAP)?

Ans. A Heat Action Plan is a preparedness strategy to mitigate extreme heat effects through early warnings and urban cooling solutions.

Q2. Why do Indian cities lack long-term heat strategies?

Ans. Poor coordination, funding shortages, and misaligned urban planning hinder the implementation of sustainable heat resilience measures.

Q3. Which Indian cities face the highest heat risks?

Ans. Nine major cities with populations over 1 million are projected to experience the most dangerous heat index increases.

Q4. What immediate measures are included in HAPs?

Ans. Early warnings, public awareness, cooling centers, water provisions, and medical preparedness are key short-term actions.

Q5. What is the way forward for India’s heat resilience?

Ans. India must integrate green buildings, passive cooling, and a national heat strategy into its climate adaptation plans.

Source: IE | TH | TH

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Judiciary’s in-house inquiry Latest News
• Removal of a Judge in India
• In-House Procedure for Judicial Accountability
• Judiciary’s In-House Inquiry FAQs

Judiciary’s in-house inquiry Latest News

• Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna has initiated an unprecedented three-member in-house inquiry into Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma following allegations that bundles of cash were found at his residence after a fire on March 14. 
• The inquiry, distinct from the constitutional impeachment process, will be conducted by Chief Justices Sheel Nagu (Punjab & Haryana HC), G S Sandhawalia (Himachal Pradesh HC), and Justice Anu Sivaraman (Karnataka HC).

Removal of a Judge in India

• Constitutional Provision
  • The process for the removal of a Supreme Court judge is outlined in Article 124(4) of the Indian Constitution. 
  • Article 218 extends the same provisions to High Court judges.
• Grounds for Removal
  • A judge can only be removed on two grounds:
    • Proved misbehaviour
    • Incapacity
• Impeachment Process
  • The removal process requires an impeachment motion in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
  • At least two-thirds of members present and voting must approve it.
  • The number of votes in favour must exceed 50% of the total membership of each House.
• Final Approval
  • If Parliament approves the motion, the President issues an order for the judge’s removal.
  • If Parliament is dissolved or its term ends, the impeachment motion fails.

In-House Procedure for Judicial Accountability

• Origins of the In-House Procedure
  • Complaints against judges are not limited to Parliament. The CJI or a High Court CJ may also examine them.
  • The need for an internal mechanism arose in 1995, after financial impropriety allegations against Bombay HC CJ A M Bhattacharjee.
  • The SC, in C. Ravichandran Iyer v. Justice A.M. Bhattacharjee (1995), highlighted a gap between bad behaviour and impeachable misbehaviour under Article 124.
  • A five-member committee was formed to create an internal process for addressing judicial misconduct.
  • The committee submitted its report in October 1997, and the SC adopted it in December 1999.
• Revisions in 2014
  • In 2014, a sexual harassment complaint by a Madhya Pradesh judge led the SC to refine the in-house procedure in Additional District and Sessions Judge ‘X’ v. Registrar General High Court of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Justices J S Khehar and Arun Mishra outlined a seven-step process.
• Process for Handling Complaints
  • Receiving the Complaint
    • Complaints may be made to the CJI, a HC CJ, or the President of India.
    • The HC CJ or President forwards the complaint to the CJI.
    • The CJI may dismiss the complaint if it is deemed not serious.
  • Preliminary Inquiry
    • The CJI may seek a report from the HC CJ concerned.
    • If the HC CJ recommends a deeper probe, the CJI reviews the report and judge’s statement.
  • Formation of an Inquiry Committee
    • The CJI may form a three-member committee, including:
      • Two High Court Chief Justices
      • One High Court Judge
    • The committee follows natural justice principles and gives the judge an opportunity to explain.
  • Inquiry and Report Submission
    • The committee submits a report to the CJI, stating whether:
    • The allegations have merit.
    • The misconduct warrants removal proceedings.
  • Post-Inquiry Actions
    • If the misconduct is not serious, the CJI may advise the judge and place the report on record.
    • If the misconduct is serious, the CJI advises the judge to resign or retire.
    • If the judge refuses, the CJI directs the HC CJ to stop assigning judicial work.
    • If the judge still does not resign, the CJI informs the President and PM, recommending removal proceedings.
• Current Relevance
  • In Justice Yashwant Varma’s case, CJI Sanjiv Khanna has already directed Delhi HC CJ D K Upadhyaya to stop assigning him judicial work.

Judiciary’s In-House Inquiry FAQs

Q1. What is the judiciary’s in-house inquiry?

Ans. It is an internal process to examine judicial misconduct, separate from the constitutional impeachment procedure.

Q2. What are the grounds for a judge’s removal in India?

Ans. A judge can be removed only for proved misbehaviour or incapacity, as per Article 124(4).

Q3. How does the in-house inquiry process work?

Ans. It involves a three-member committee investigating allegations and recommending actions, including resignation or impeachment.

Q4. What happens if a judge refuses to resign?

Ans. The CJI may stop assigning them work and inform the President and PM to initiate removal proceedings.

Q5. How does impeachment of judges take place in India?

Ans. Parliament must approve it with a two-thirds majority in both houses, after which the President issues the removal order.

Source: IE

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Equalisation Levy Latest News
• Equalisation Levy - Meaning, Background and Recent Developments
• US Concerns and International Taxation
• Expert Opinion on EL Removal
• Other Key Amendments in the Finance Bill, 2025
• Conclusion
• Equalisation Levy FAQs

Equalisation Levy Latest News

• The government recently proposed the abolition of the 6% Equalisation Levy (EL) on online advertisements as part of the 59 amendments to the Finance Bill, 2025. 
• This move, seen as a response to international pressure, particularly from the United States, aims to prevent reciprocal tariffs set to be introduced by the US from April 2. 
• The amendments were introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary.

Equalisation Levy - Meaning, Background and Recent Developments

• Equalisation Levy (EL) is a direct tax levied on online transactions made to non-resident or consideration received by a non-resident for specific services. 
• This tax is not a part of the Income tax act of India but was introduced by the Finance Act 2016.
• Specified services:
  • Online advertisement.
  • Provide digital advertising space or any other facility for the purpose of online advertisement.
  • Any other service notified by the Central Government on this behalf.
• India had already removed a 2% EL on e-commerce transactions in 2024, but the 6% levy on online advertisements remained.
• The removal of the 6% EL is seen as a diplomatic measure to ease trade tensions with the US.

US Concerns and International Taxation

• The US had threatened reciprocal tariffs from April 2, 2025, if the digital tax was not abolished.
• The US has long argued that digital service taxes, including India’s EL, disproportionately impact American tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook.
• The removal of EL is a step towards addressing US concerns on unilateral taxation and fostering international tax cooperation.

Expert Opinion on EL Removal

• The removal of the 6% EL is an attempt to avoid further trade disputes with the US and adopt a more accommodative stance. 
  • However, it remains to be seen whether this, along with ongoing diplomatic efforts, will lead to a softening of the US stance.
• EL was always a temporary measure until a global taxation consensus was reached. 
  • India’s move to abolish it provides certainty to taxpayers and reassures partner nations regarding unilateral taxation concerns.
• India has also introduced the concept of Significant Economic Presence (SEP) in domestic laws to ensure fair taxation of foreign companies operating digitally within India.

Other Key Amendments in the Finance Bill, 2025

• Offshore fund investment reforms: The government has proposed amendments to ease offshore fund investments, making regulations less burdensome.
• Changes in tax assessment for undisclosed income:
  • Amendments redefine tax assessment for undisclosed income found during search and seizure operations.
  • The term ‘Total Income’ has been replaced with ‘Total Undisclosed Income’ to ensure that only hidden earnings face penalties, not disclosed income.
  • This clarification addresses concerns from taxpayers regarding undue penalties on declared earnings.
• New power to reconcile tax returns:
  • Amendment grants tax authorities the power to reconcile an individual’s tax return with their previous filings.
  • This aims to flag inconsistencies and improve compliance among taxpayers.

Conclusion

• The proposed amendments in the Finance Bill, 2025, particularly the abolition of the EL, signal India’s willingness to align with international taxation norms and ease trade tensions with the US. 
• Other tax assessment changes enhance clarity and fairness in income disclosure regulations, ensuring a more transparent and taxpayer-friendly system. 
• Experts view these amendments as largely clarificatory in nature, addressing taxpayer concerns and promoting business-friendly policies.

Equalisation Levy FAQs

Q1. What was the rationale behind the Indian government’s decision to abolish the Equalisation Levy on online advertisements in the Finance Bill, 2025?

Ans. The government aimed to adopt a more accommodative stance towards the United States, which had threatened reciprocal tariffs, and to align with global taxation norms.

Q2. How does the removal of the Equalisation Levy impact India's trade relations with the United States?

Ans. The abolition of the levy is expected to ease trade tensions and prevent retaliatory tariffs by the US, fostering better economic and diplomatic ties.

Q3. What are the key amendments introduced in the Finance Bill, 2025, apart from the removal of the Equalisation Levy?

Ans. The bill includes reforms to ease offshore fund investments, amendments to tax assessments under search and seizure provisions, etc.

Q4. What is the significance of replacing ‘Total Income’ with ‘Total Undisclosed Income’ in search and seizure tax assessments?

Ans. This change ensures that only undisclosed income is subjected to penalties, addressing concerns about harsh taxation on already declared earnings.

Q5. How does the concept of Significant Economic Presence (SEP) complement India’s taxation framework in the digital economy?

Ans. SEP aims to ensure fair taxation of foreign digital companies operating in India by establishing their economic footprint as a basis for taxation.

Source: TH | IE