Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Begin by briefly introducing the problem or issue at hand, which is the water crisis in this case.
• Discuss the different options available and how you would respond to this situation.
• Summarize the key points and reiterate the significance of adopting a combination of short-term and long-term measures.

Introduction:

As the Chief Secretary of a state facing a severe water crisis due to prolonged drought, my primary responsibility would be to assess the available options and develop a comprehensive plan to address the crisis effectively.

Body:

Here are the different options available and how I would respond to this situation:

• Diverting funds from other development schemes:
  • This option would provide immediate relief to the affected areas, but it would also compromise the quality and progress of other important projects, such as education, health, infrastructure, etc.
  • This could also create resentment and dissatisfaction among the beneficiaries of those schemes, and affect the overall development.
  • Moreover, this option would not address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of sustainable water management and conservation practices.
  • I would not recommend this option, unless there is no other alternative.
• Borrowing from the central government or external agencies:
  • This option would also provide immediate relief to the affected areas, but it would also increase the debt burden of the state and affect its fiscal health.
  • This could also limit the state’s autonomy and flexibility in implementing its own policies and programs, as it would have to comply with the terms and conditions of the lenders.
  • Moreover, this option would also not address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of sustainable water management and conservation practices.
  • I would also not recommend this option, unless there is no other alternative.
• Implementing long-term solutions, such as building dams, canals, or pipelines:
  • This option would address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of sustainable water management and conservation practices.
  • This would also ensure the availability and accessibility of water for various purposes, such as agriculture, industry, domestic use, etc.
  • This would also improve the socio-economic conditions of the people and the state.
  • However, this option would require a lot of time, money, and resources, which the state does not have at the moment.
  • I would recommend this option, but only as a long-term goal, not as an immediate solution.
• Providing temporary relief by supplying water through tankers and trains:
  • This option would provide immediate relief to the affected areas, but it would also require a lot of coordination and logistics, as well as a huge amount of money.
  • This option would also depend on the availability and cooperation of other states and agencies, which may not be reliable or consistent.
  • Moreover, this option would also not address the root cause of the problem, which is the lack of sustainable water management and conservation practices.
  • I would recommend this option, but only as a short-term measure.

Conclusion:

I would suggest that the state should adopt a combination of short-term (providing temporary relief by supplying water through tankers and trains) and long-term measures (implementing sustainable water management practices, such as building dams, canals, or pipelines) to deal with the water crisis. To fund these measures, the state should seek the assistance of the central government and external agencies, but also try to mobilize its own resources and generate revenue through various means, such as taxes, fees, tariffs, etc. The state should also involve the participation of the people. The state should also create awareness about the importance of water conservation. By doing so, the state would be able to overcome the water crisis and ensure the well-being of the people.