The Delhi High Court’s recent decision to suspend the counting of votes for the DUSU elections over public property defacement underscores civic responsibility. The High Court recently halted and deferred the counting of votes for the Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) elections on the issue of public property defacement. Additionally, the court mandated that Delhi University recover costs incurred in repairing the public property from the candidates and reimburse the civic authorities including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, government departments, and Delhi Metro. This landmark decision has brought two grave issues to the fore, viz., citizens’ ignorant and irresponsible behaviour and the need for regulation by authorities in issues of national interest.
The world economies are working their way to a decarbonised Green Economy, which results in improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. India is envisioning to be a Global Leader @2047 and boasts of its G20 presidency which focussed on creating LiFE (Lifestyles for Environment) and sustainable practices. However, careless behaviour, such as littering, pollution, or illegal deforestation, can harm ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and contribute to environmental degradation. Such reckless acts question the credibility of the action plan and its implementation. Repairing and maintenance of public property require financial resources, often sourced from taxpayers. It causes an unnecessary burden on public funds, diverting money away from other vital areas such as education, healthcare, and social services.
The responsible use of public property is a fundamental aspect of maintaining a thriving, equitable, and sustainable society. It helps preserve resources for future generations, minimises economic burdens, fosters civic responsibility, promotes environmental sustainability, and ensures public safety and equality.
The modern structure of economics favours a laissez-faire economy or a non-interventionist market structure. However, ensuring a sensible regulatory mechanism that respects the fundamental role of free-market competition and can also keep a check on unfair civic practices, oversupply or wastage of resources, can provide vital public benefits. There are umpteen visible examples in the economy and society such as the infringement of public properties, illegal encroachments of roads, the almost disappearing footpaths, and unadministered vendors, distribution of freebies for attracting vote banks to name a few, which call for an ardent need for an effective control mechanism. The outnumbering E-rickshaws in the name of giving employment are a menace to the traffic system and road safety, requiring urgent action.
Another important aspect that needs policy action is the small packaging of products, often called “overpackaging” or “excessive packaging”. It often leads to increased waste, particularly in the form of non-recyclable materials. Manufacturing small packages requires more raw materials (plastic, paper, metals), resulting in a higher carbon footprint and increased consumption of finite resources.
Regulating packaging can contribute to a circular economy, where materials are reused or recycled effectively, minimising environmental harm. To quote the famous economist Say’s law of the market, “Supply creates its own demand”, it is for the authorities to introduce regulations, limiting the use of small packaging, especially for non-essential or high-waste products.
Policies could include taxes or restrictions on single-use plastics and encourage producers to switch to larger or reusable packaging, which is cost-effective. Most importantly, educating consumers on the benefits of choosing products with minimal or sustainable packaging can influence purchasing decisions and drive demand for environmentally friendly options. Creating a conducive society and economic structure includes judicious demand, supply, usage and a regulatory framework to ensure the same. It is imperative for all the stakeholders to act more responsibly and to minimise wastage in all forms.
(The author is assistant professor at Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce, University of Delhi; views are personal)
