1. Rajasthan scraps two-child norm for local body, panchayat polls after three decades
The Rajasthan Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, approved the removal of the 30-year-old Two-Child Norm for candidates contesting local body (Panchayat and Urban) elections. This rule was originally introduced in 1995 under the leadership of Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
Key Legislative Changes
To implement this, the government will introduce:
- Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Amending Section 19 of the 1994 Act.
- Rajasthan Municipalities (Amendment) Bill, 2026: Amending Section 24 of the 2009 Act.
Rationales Provided by the Government
- Demographic Shift: The fertility rate in Rajasthan has dropped from 3.6 (1991-94) to 2.0 today. This brings the state below the replacement level fertility (2.1), making strict punitive control measures less relevant.
- Inclusivity & Democratic Rights: The norm was seen as "discriminatory," often disqualifying capable grassroots leaders. Scrapping it provides equal opportunity for all citizens to participate in local governance.
- Judicial Alignment: The Cabinet also approved removing "leprosy" as a disqualifying ground for candidates, adhering to Supreme Court directions to eliminate stigma against the disease.
Potential Prelims Question
Q. With reference to the qualifications for contesting local body elections in India, consider the following statements:
- The Constitution of India prescribes a mandatory two-child norm for any citizen to contest Panchayat elections.
- The power to determine disqualifications for members of Panchayats and Municipalities lies with the respective State Legislatures.
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in India has reached below the replacement level of 2.1 as per recent National Family Health Surveys (NFHS).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: B
2. The Bottled Water Crisis in India
The "convenience" of bottled water has transitioned into a "necessity" due to declining trust in municipal supplies. However, emerging research indicates that bottled water is not the "pure" alternative it is marketed to be, primarily due to Microplastics and Chemical Leaching.
Scientific & Health Dimensions
- Microplastics & Nanoplastics: Studies (like the one in Nagpur mentioned in the text) show concentrations ranging from 72 to 212 particles per litre.
- Nanoplastics: Particles smaller than microplastics (< 1 \mu m) are more dangerous as they can cross biological barriers (blood-brain barrier, placenta).
- Chemical Leaching: Additives like Antimony, Phthalates, and Plasticizers migrate into water, especially under India's high-temperature supply chains and UV exposure. * Cumulative Risk: Current standards often assess chemicals in isolation over short periods, failing to account for the "cocktail effect" of long-term exposure to multiple additives.
Regulatory Framework and Gaps
- The Shift: Packaged water in India is regulated by the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India).
- Key Policy Change: In late 2024/2025, mandatory BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification was removed to streamline licensing, and bottled water was reclassified as a "High-Risk Food Category."
- The Gap: Current FSSAI/BIS standards do not include testing for microplastics or specific limits on long-term exposure to plastic-derived chemicals.
- Enforcement Issues: A fragmented industry with thousands of small units operates with minimal oversight, often drawing from stressed groundwater reserves.
Environmental Impact
- Plastic Waste: Single-use bottles contribute millions of tonnes of waste annually.
- Ecological Loop: Plastic degrades into microplastics in landfills/oceans, which eventually re-enter the water cycle, contaminating the very sources used for bottled water.
Way Forward (Mains Perspective)
- Systemic Fix: Strengthen municipal water systems and public disclosure of water quality to reduce "forced" reliance on bottled water.
- Policy Update: Integrate mandatory microplastic testing in FSSAI standards.
- Alternative Infrastructure: Expand public water dispensing systems (Water ATMs) and refill stations.
Potential UPSC Prelims Question
Q. With reference to 'Microplastics' and 'Nanoplastics' recently in the news, consider the following statements:
- Microplastics are generally defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres in size.
- Unlike microplastics, nanoplastics are large enough to be captured by standard municipal water filtration systems.
- In India, the FSSAI currently mandates a maximum permissible limit for microplastic concentration in packaged drinking water.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Correct Answer: A
