The Hindu Editorial Analysis : 25th January 2025

The Hindu Editorial Analysis

We understand the significance of reading The Hindu newspaper for enhancing reading skills, improving comprehension of passages, staying informed about current events, enhancing essay writing, and more, especially for banking aspirants who need to focus on editorials for vocabulary building. This article will delve into today’s editorial points along with practice questions and key vocabulary.

Jalgaon Train Tragedy Caused by Tea Vendor’s False Fire Alarm

• The police and Railways initiated a probe into the Jalgaon train accident on Wednesday, which resulted in 12 fatalities. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar attributed the incident to a “sheer rumour” about a fire spread by a tea seller on the Pushpak Express.
• Jalgaon Collector Ayush Prasad stated that the police were investigating the possibility of a criminal conspiracy, while railway officials were examining technical aspects such as the train’s speed, brakes, and the alleged fire source.
• Reports of sparks or smoke were dismissed, as the fire brigade’s foam team was not used during the rescue operation.
• The railway investigation team included senior officials from the Central Railway Zone, such as the Principal Chief Safety Officer and other key engineers and commissioners.
• The Railway Protection Force and the Government Railway Police also launched inquiries. Preliminary findings revealed that the train’s driver followed protocol by activating the flasher light and applying brakes.
• A curvature of nearly two degrees obstructed visibility, reducing the reaction time for applying brakes and making it difficult for people to see the approaching train.
• The accident occurred when passengers on the Pushpak Express, traveling from Lucknow to Mumbai, jumped off the train following an emergency chain-pulling incident caused by a rumour of fire.
• The death toll stands at 12, revised from an earlier count of 13 after a decapitated body was re-identified by family members.
• Of the 12 deceased, seven were from Nepal and five from Uttar Pradesh. Among the 10 injured, two sustained spine injuries. Eleven bodies have been identified, with nine handed over to their families.
• The panic reportedly began when a tea seller shouted about a fire in a coach, which two passengers from Uttar Pradesh overheard and conveyed to others, spreading confusion in the general coach and an adjoining one.
• Pawar confirmed the rumour led to chaos and expressed regret over the tragic loss of lives.

Bombay High Court States Loudspeakers Are Not Essential for Any Religion

• The Bombay High Court stated that the use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion.
• It directed law enforcement agencies to take immediate action against loudspeakers violating noise pollution norms and rules.
• The Division Bench of Justices A.S. Gadkari and S.C. Chandak emphasized that noise is a major health hazard.
• The court asserted that denying permission to use loudspeakers does not infringe on anyone’s rights.
• The State government was instructed to ensure religious institutions adopt mechanisms like calibrated sound systems with auto-decibel limits.
• The judgment came in response to a petition by two housing associations in Kurla, alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by mosque loudspeakers.
• The petitioners argued that loudspeakers for religious purposes, including azaan, disturbed peace and violated noise pollution laws.
• The court noted that Mumbai’s cosmopolitan nature demands public interest considerations over granting such permissions.
• It stated that denying permissions for loudspeakers does not violate Articles 19 or 25 of the Constitution.
• The court emphasized the State government’s duty to enforce laws and take necessary measures to ensure compliance.
• It criticized any defiance of the law and warned against law enforcers being passive or silent.
• The court urged police to act on noise pollution complaints without requiring complainants’ identification to prevent targeting or harassment.

States yet to utilize ₹70,744 crore allocated for workers’ welfare

• The Union Labour Ministry revealed in an RTI response that State welfare boards for construction workers have not utilized ₹70,744.16 crore from the cess collected for workers’ welfare.
• Since the implementation of the Building and Other Construction Workers Act in 2005, the boards collected ₹1,17,507.22 crore as cess but allocated only ₹67,669.92 crore for workers.
• The Act, passed in 1996, allows State Welfare Boards to levy a cess of 1-2% of construction costs from employers.
• Over 5.73 crore workers have registered with 36 State Welfare Boards as of September 30, 2024.
• There were complaints that governments failed to assist construction workers during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown exodus.
• Allegations of cess evasion by builders and employers emerged, with Maharashtra reporting ₹19,489.25 crore in cess for 19 years, implying potentially inaccurate construction cost estimates.
• The Labour Ministry lacked data on total construction project costs approved by local authorities, as requested in the RTI.
• Trade union leader Arka Rajpandit argued that States spent only a small fraction of the cess collected for workers’ welfare, with Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh leading in spending.
• Concerns were raised about the Code on Social Security diluting cess collection and reducing rates and interest, potentially weakening enforcement.
• The new Codes also change statutory entitlements, like free accommodation and drinking water, into discretionary facilities, removing workers’ guaranteed rights unless prescribed by the government.
• Kerala was highlighted as an exception where the Building and Other Construction Workers Act is being effectively implemented, unlike most other States.
• It was emphasized that stipulated benefits under the Act are being curtailed, leaving workers denied their rightful support and welfare.

Important questions

1. What was the role of the tea vendor in causing the panic on the Pushpak Express?
2. How did the curvature of the track contribute to the Jalgaon train accident?
3. What did the Bombay High Court emphasize about noise pollution in its judgment?
4. How did the Bombay High Court justify that denying permission for loudspeakers does not violate constitutional rights?
5. What is the total cess collected by State Welfare Boards under the Building and Other Construction Workers Act?

Important vocabulary

1. Tragedy: A devastating or catastrophic event causing great loss or suffering.
2. Conspiracy: A secret plan by a group to do something harmful or unlawful.
3. Curvature: The degree of curve or bend in a structure, such as a railway track.
4. Protocol: A set of rules or procedures to be followed in specific situations.
5. Hazard: A source of danger or risk.
6. Cosmopolitan: Characterized by a diverse and international population.
7. Cess: A tax or levy imposed for a specific purpose.
8. Exodus: A mass departure of people.
9. Evaded: Avoided or escaped from a duty or obligation.
10. Discretionary: Left to one’s own judgment or decision.

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