Major Guidelines of Uttar Pradesh Government on Plastic Waste Management:

The Uttar Pradesh government, in alignment with the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, has laid down several guidelines to tackle plastic waste.

1. Ban on Single-Use Plastics (SUPs): Since July 2022, the state has enforced a ban on SUPs like straws, plastic cutlery, and plastic carry bags.
2. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers, importers, and brand owners are mandated to take responsibility for collecting plastic waste and ensure proper disposal through authorized channels.
3. Segregation and Recycling: The state promotes the segregation of waste at source, ensuring that plastic waste is separated for recycling.
4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Programs to educate the public on the harmful effects of plastic pollution and encourage alternatives such as cloth bags.

Recent Example: In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government launched an initiative to reduce plastic waste in the Kumbh Mela by distributing cloth bags and installing plastic waste collection units .

Major Problems and Challenges Associated with Groundwater Utilization in Uttar Pradesh:

1. Over-Exploitation: Excessive extraction of groundwater for agriculture, especially in regions like Bundelkhand and Western UP, has led to a sharp decline in water tables. The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has marked several districts as “critical” or “over-exploited” in terms of groundwater availability.
2. Groundwater Pollution: Industrial and agricultural activities have resulted in chemical contamination, including arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate pollution, affecting areas such as Ballia and Unnao.
3. Climate Change: Erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change have impacted the natural recharge of groundwater, especially in regions dependent on monsoons for replenishment.
4. Lack of Regulation: Despite policies, the lack of effective regulation on groundwater extraction has worsened the crisis. Many farmers rely on unregulated borewells for irrigation.

These challenges require sustainable management practices and stricter groundwater governance to ensure long-term availability.

Main Features of the Uttar Pradesh Millets Revival Programme:

1. Promotion of Nutritious Millets: The programme focuses on reviving the cultivation of nutritious millets such as bajra, jowar, and ragi, emphasizing their health benefits. In line with the UN-declared International Year of Millets 2023, Uttar Pradesh is promoting these crops to combat malnutrition.
2. Farmer Support and Incentives: The state government provides subsidies on seeds, financial assistance, and training programs to farmers to encourage millet cultivation. In 2023, the government introduced special schemes to boost production in areas like Bundelkhand.
3. Sustainable Farming Practices: The programme emphasizes drought-resistant and climate-resilient farming techniques, ensuring that millet crops can withstand harsh conditions, crucial for water-scarce regions.
4. Market Linkage and Processing: Efforts are being made to create market linkages for millet products and establish processing units to enhance value addition and increase farmer incomes.

This programme is key to promoting nutritional security, environmental sustainability, and farmer welfare in the state.

Major Benefits of the Poorvanchal Expressway Project:

1. Boost to Economic Growth: The 341 km long expressway connects Lucknow with eastern Uttar Pradesh, significantly enhancing trade and commerce. It has reduced travel time, fostering industrial development in regions like Azamgarh, Ghazipur, and Mau.
2. Improved Connectivity: It provides seamless connectivity between rural and urban areas and links with major highways such as the Delhi-Kolkata Highway. This enhances accessibility to ports and airports.
3. Employment Generation: The project has created direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly in construction and related sectors. For instance, thousands of jobs were generated during the expressway’s construction.
4. Strategic Importance: The expressway has defense significance as it can be used for emergency airstrips by the Indian Air Force.
5. Regional Development: It is expected to reduce migration from eastern UP by promoting local development, improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure in backward areas.

Inaugurated in 2021, this project is a game changer for Poorvanchal’s development.

Mahatma Gandhi and the Middle Path in Indian Politics

Concept of Middle Path: Mahatma Gandhi’s Middle Path approach in Indian politics emphasized a balance between extreme ideologies and practices. He advocated for a pragmatic and non-violent solution to social and political issues.

Non-Violence and Truth: Gandhi’s Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) was a middle path between violent revolution and passive acceptance. For instance, during the Salt March (1930), he sought to address colonial injustices through peaceful protest rather than armed struggle.

Economic and Social Balance: Gandhi promoted sustainable development and self-reliance with initiatives like Khadi, which aimed to balance economic progress with social equity.

Recent Examples: Gandhi’s approach reflects in modern India’s policies balancing development with social justice, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, which aims for cleanliness without disrupting traditional practices.

Gandhi’s middle path approach remains influential in achieving balance and harmony in complex socio-political landscapes.