PIB Summary - 2nd May, 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Three new initiatives by ECI

Election Commission of India: Three Key Reforms for Voter Services

• The Election Commission of India has introduced three important reforms to improve voter services and ensure electoral transparency.
• These reforms include real-time death data integration, redesigned Voter Information Slips, and standardized ID cards for Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

1. Electronic Access to Death Registration Data

• Objective: To enhance the accuracy of electoral rolls by promptly removing deceased voters.
• Mechanism: The Election Commission of India (ECI) will electronically obtain death registration data from the Registrar General of India.
• Legal Backing:
  • Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960
  • Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (amended in 2023)
• Impact:
  • Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will receive real-time death data.
  • Booth Level Officers (BLOs) can proactively verify on the ground without the need for Form 7 submissions.

2. Voter Information Slips (VIS) – Enhanced Design

• Objective: To improve voter convenience and clarity regarding polling information.
• Changes Made:
  • Prominent display of serial number and part number on the slip.
  • Larger font size for easier readability.
• Impact:
  • Voters can easily locate their polling stations.
  • Improves efficiency for polling officials on election day.

3. Standard Photo Identity Cards for Booth Level Officers (BLOs)

• Objective: To enhance transparency and trust in the voter verification process. 
• Directive: All BLOs, appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, will be issued official photo ID cards. 
• Impact:
  •  BLOs will be easily recognizable during field visits. 
  •  Citizens will feel more confident interacting with BLOs during house-to-house verifications. 

NHRC, India calls for preventive measures by 11 States to protect the lives of vulnerable people from heat waves in this summer

Context & Current Development

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed 11 heatwave-prone states to implement preemptive and preventive measures to address the increasing mortality risk due to climate-related extremes, as highlighted by NCRB data showing 3,798 deaths from heat and sun strokes between 2018 and 2022.
• This directive is relevant to GS 3 (Disaster Management) and is a response to the alarming rise in deaths caused by extreme heat, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Roots & Institutional Frameworks

• Constitutional Mandate: Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and dignity, which includes protection from extreme weather conditions.
• NDMA Guidelines (2016): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued guidelines for heat action plans, early warning systems, and protocols for treating heat-related illnesses to mitigate the impact of heatwaves.
• State SOPs: Many states, such as Maharashtra and Odisha, have developed Heat Action Plans (HAPs) as part of their standard operating procedures (SOPs) to address heat-related risks. However, the implementation of these plans varies significantly across states.
• Vulnerability Mapping: There has been a historical neglect in mapping vulnerable groups, including the homeless, outdoor laborers, elderly, children, and slum dwellers, in climate-resilience frameworks. These groups are at higher risk during extreme weather events and require targeted interventions.

Core Concerns Raised by NHRC

• Shelter and Relief Infrastructure: The NHRC highlighted the inadequate shelter and relief infrastructure for economically weaker sections during heatwaves.
• Working Hours: There is a lack of modification in working hours for manual outdoor workers, which increases their vulnerability to heat-related illnesses.
• Hydration and Cooling Support: The dissemination of essential items such as oral rehydration solution (ORS), fans, hydration support, and public cooling spaces is insufficient.
• Public Healthcare Preparedness: Public healthcare systems are not adequately prepared to handle heatstroke cases, which poses a significant risk to affected individuals.

Targeted States

The NHRC's directive targets 11 states that frequently experience intense summer heatwaves, categorized as follows:

• Northern Belt: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
• Central & Eastern India: Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha
• Deccan & Western India: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan

NHRC Recommendations (as per NDMA guidelines)

The NHRC has made several recommendations to the targeted states in line with the NDMA guidelines. These include:

• Immediate Preemptive Measures: Activate cool shelters in schools, anganwadis, and community halls with basic ventilation and water facilities.
• Distribution of Essential Items: Provide ORS, cool roof materials, fans, and other hydration support, particularly in slum colonies and labor camps.
• Alteration of Working Hours: Encourage early morning or late evening shifts for outdoor workers, along with shaded rest areas to reduce heat exposure.
• Medical Preparedness: Train staff at Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) in the treatment of heat-related illnesses and establish standard treatment protocols.

Implications & Required Actions

1. Public Health & Urban Governance

• Integrate urban health planning with climate risk mapping to ensure preparedness for heatwaves.
• Include heatwave preparedness in the Smart Cities Mission and mandates for urban local bodies to enhance resilience.

2. Labor Rights & Social Protection

• Recognize heatwaves as an occupational hazard under Labour Codes to protect workers' rights.
• Mandate provisions for compensatory breaks, rest shelters, and hydration zones at work sites to safeguard outdoor workers.

3. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

• Mainstream Heat Action Plans (HAPs) as a core component of State Disaster Management Plans (SDMPs) to ensure systematic implementation.
• States should submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs) to the NHRC based on existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to monitor progress.

4. Welfare for Vulnerable Groups

• Include homeless individuals and the elderly in pre-summer relief planning to ensure they receive necessary support during heatwaves.
• Deploy community workers, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to monitor and respond to heat-related issues at the grassroots level.

5. Climate Resilience Policy

• Incorporate urban heat island mitigation strategies, such as cool roofs, green spaces, and reflective surfaces, into climate resilience policies.
• Fund these initiatives through State Climate Action Plans and Climate Resilience Financing Tools to ensure sustainable implementation.