Rahul Gandhi Demands Accountability for Indore Water Tragedy
Rahul Gandhi urges government responsibility following tragic water-related deaths in Indore.
Photo by Andrea Tummons
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called on the government to take responsibility for the recent deaths in Indore due to contaminated water. Gandhi emphasized the need for accountability and immediate action to prevent such incidents in the future.
He criticized the lack of proper infrastructure and oversight that led to the tragedy, demanding a thorough investigation and compensation for the victims' families. The incident has sparked public outrage, with many echoing Gandhi's call for government accountability and improved public health measures.
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper 2: Governance, Public Health, Social Justice
GS Paper 3: Environment, Infrastructure
Potential question types: Analytical, evaluative, problem-solving
Visual Insights
Indore Water Contamination Incident
Map showing the location of Indore and highlighting the affected areas due to water contamination.
Loading interactive map...
More Information
Background
The issue of water contamination and public health crises in India has a long and complex history, rooted in inadequate infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and insufficient regulatory oversight. Historically, waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid were rampant, prompting the British colonial administration to initiate some of the earliest public health measures, primarily focused on sanitation in urban centers. Post-independence, successive governments launched various programs to improve water supply and sanitation, such as the National Water Supply and Sanitation Programme in 1954.
However, challenges persisted due to population growth, industrial pollution, and the decentralized nature of water governance, leading to recurring incidents of water contamination and related health crises. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments aimed to empower local bodies in managing water resources, but implementation has been uneven.
Latest Developments
In recent years, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024. This initiative represents a significant push towards addressing water quality issues at the grassroots level. However, concerns remain regarding the sustainability of water sources, the effectiveness of water quality monitoring, and the capacity of local bodies to manage water infrastructure.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also been increasingly active in addressing water pollution issues, holding state governments accountable for failing to comply with environmental regulations. Furthermore, technological advancements in water purification and monitoring are being explored to provide cost-effective solutions for ensuring safe drinking water. The future outlook involves a greater emphasis on integrated water resource management, community participation, and stringent enforcement of environmental norms.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): 1. It aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024. 2. The mission focuses exclusively on providing piped water supply. 3. The JJM is implemented and monitored solely by the central government. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is correct. JJM aims to provide safe drinking water to all rural households by 2024. Statement 2 is incorrect as JJM includes various methods for water supply. Statement 3 is incorrect as JJM is implemented in partnership with state governments.
2. Which of the following constitutional provisions directly addresses the responsibility of the state in ensuring public health and sanitation?
- A.Article 21
- B.Article 47
- C.Article 51A
- D.Article 243G
Show Answer
Answer: B
Article 47 of the Constitution directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.
3. Assertion (A): Incidents of water contamination often lead to public outrage and demands for government accountability. Reason (R): Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental right implicitly guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why water contamination leads to public outrage. Access to clean water is considered a part of the right to life under Article 21.