What to Read in The Hindu Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: ​Rain and repeat

Context

Excess rain is no excuse for damage caused by neglect of sluices

Introduction

Heavy rains and floods in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana reveal how extreme weather interacts with governance and infrastructure. Consecutive years of excess precipitation, coupled with stressed reservoirs and weak urban planning, expose systemic shortcomings. While disaster management has saved lives, structural neglect and delayed reforms highlight the urgent need for resilient water and flood management strategies.

Changing Rainfall Patterns and Reservoir Stress

• Andhra Pradeshsaw 27% of annual rainfall in just two days (2024); Vizianagaram logged 46% excess with some areas up to 90%.
• Consecutive years of extreme precipitationindicate monsoon shifts.
• Reservoirslike Srisailam (94%) and Nagarjuna Sagar (96%) had little buffer capacity during peak rains.
• The crisis is driven by excess rainfallin short bursts when storage systems are nearly full.

Infrastructure and Policy Gaps

• Tributariesand drainage channels (e.g., Budameru) have caused major flooding in Vijayawada.
• Unrepaired gatesat Prakasam Barrage and collapsed floodbanks near Bhadrachalam worsened the situation.
• Urban floodingworsened by encroached stormwater channels, incomplete desilting, and concretised surfaces.
• Existing infrastructureis not maintained or upgraded, magnifying damage during extreme events.

Disaster Management and Future Preparedness

• Disaster management systemssaved lives but remain focused on relief over risk reduction.
• Large funds(e.g., ₹1 crore per district in Telangana) are allocated for immediate relief, while floodbanks and diversion works remain incomplete.
• Recurring floodsexpose delays in Budameru works and opaque relief fund usage.
• Solutions: real-time hydrological modelling, stronger urban drainage, protection of permeable land, and continuous maintenanceof flood infrastructure.
• Extraordinary rainsmay overwhelm systems, but using this as an excuse risks complacency over reform.

Conclusion

The recurring floods underline that extraordinary rains cannot be prevented but their impacts can be reduced. Real-time reservoir management, strengthened urban drainage, and continuous maintenance of floodbanks are essential. Both States must move beyond short-term relief to long-term resilience, ensuring policies are proactive rather than reactive, and infrastructure is prepared for a changing climate and unpredictable monsoons.

 

Editorial 2: India’s recent maritime reforms need course correction 

Context

While maritime reform is necessary, it should not undermine the federal structure or distort competitive fairness.

Introduction

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, passed by the Rajya Sabha on August 18, represents a significant milestone in India’s maritime legislative framework. Replacing the Ports Act of 1908, it forms part of a wider reform package alongside the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, and the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025—measures the government projects as essential to streamline maritime governance and align shipping regulations with global standards.

Progress but with pitfalls

• Aim to modernise maritime governance, addressing outdated and fragmented regulations.
• Alignment with global best practicesseen as vital for trade expansion, foreign investment, and enhancing India’s maritime standing.
• The Indian Ports Actis praised for promoting ease of business, sustainable port development, and regulatory coherence.
• However, its passage without parliamentary debateor standing committee review raises concerns about lack of consensus and scrutiny.

Federalism Concerns in the Ports Act, 2025

• Critics argue the Act centralises power, undermining States’ autonomy.
• The Maritime State Development Council, chaired by the Union Minister, directs States to follow central guidelines.
• Seen as federal subordinationrather than cooperative federalism.
• Coastal States lose fiscal autonomyand flexibility since State maritime boards cannot amend frameworks without central approval, despite bearing port management burdens.

Regulatory and Judicial Issues

• The Act grants vague, discretionary powers, creating heavy compliance burdensfor small operators.
• Dispute resolution flaws: Clause 17 bars civil courtsfrom hearing port-related disputes.
• Disputes must go to internal committeesrun by the same authorities being challenged.
• Lack of independent judicial reviewmay deter private investment and weaken trust in regulation.

The issue about ownership

• The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025aims to modernise registration, ownership, safety, environment, and liability rules, with some positives:
  • Broader vessel definitions(offshore drilling units, non-displacement crafts).
  • Stricter oversight of maritime training institutes.
  • Alignment of liability and insurance ruleswith international conventions.
• Loophole in ownership rules:
  • Earlier law (1958) required full Indian ownershipfor Indian-flagged vessels.
  • The new Act allows partial ownershipby Overseas Citizens of India and even foreign entities, with thresholds to be set later by government notification.
• Bareboat Charter-Cum-Demise (BBCD) registration:
  • Lets Indian operators lease foreign vesselswith an option to buy.
  • While globally common, it may strain India’s regulatory capacityto ensure actual transfers of ownership.
  • Without strict rules, foreign lessorscould retain control indefinitely.
• Additional concerns:
  • Mandatory registrationfor all vessels, regardless of size or propulsion, adds heavy bureaucratic burdenson small operators.
  • The Act gives the executive unchecked powerto dilute ownership safeguards, risking India becoming a flag-of-convenience state where foreign owners control Indian-flagged ships.

Endangering smaller players

• The Coastal Shipping Actis part of India’s maritime reform package and seeks to clarify cabotage rules, reserving coastal trade for Indian-flagged vessels.
• The Act gives the Director General of Shipping wide discretionto license foreign vessels on vague grounds like “national security” or “strategic alignment”, which could allow arbitrary use.
• Small operators, especially in the fishing industry, may face difficulties with mandatory voyage and cargo reportingbecause there is no clarity on how data will be used or protected.
• Opposition MPshave cautioned that the Act centralises power with the Union government, threatening local autonomy—a concern also linked to the National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan.

Conclusion

This is not to discount the need for a modernised legal framework—India indeed must update its maritime laws. However, reforms must not undermine the federal balance or distort fair competition. Clear ownership thresholds and licensing rules should be enshrined in legislation, not left to executive discretion. Currently, many provisions appear arbitrary—from dispute resolution without judicial independence to sidelining States in planning. Such measures may be a starting point, but without substantial amendments they risk enabling ease of business for a select few, while eroding the federal compact and compromising India’s long-term maritime security.