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MANUJJINDAL,AIR53GS2notes,GSMarks111
MarksinGS:4491
MANUJJINDAL,AIR53
CSE2016
FullGS2Notes(exceptIR)
MarksinGS2:111
TotalGSMarks:449
MANUJJINDAL,AIR53GS2notes,GSMarks111
MarksinGS:4492
TableofContents
ImportantPointsyoumustkeepinmindwhilestudyingGS2:..........................7Writingtechniques:...................................................................................................................7
Syllabus.................................................................................................................................7
MUSTSUPREMECOURTCASESFORMAINS:.............................................................9IMPORTANTExamplesforGS2[MUSTFORREVISION]:...................................12
CONSTITUTIONOFINDIA.............................................................................................18
FEDERALISM.....................................................................................................................18EarlyYears.................................................................................................................................18Variousfederalfeatures:......................................................................................................19Unitaryfeatures:......................................................................................................................19Cooperativefederalism:........................................................................................................19GST[issuessuchasfederalism,GSTcounciletc.].........................................................22FederalismandGST:...............................................................................................................23
POLITICALPARTIESUNDERRTI................................................................................24FirstPastthePostSysteminIndia.ProsandCons..............................................25
RemovalofGovernor.....................................................................................................26
ElectoralReforms...........................................................................................................28
Criminalizationofpolitics:MoneyPoweralso→ criminalization................29WhyisJudicialindependencecentraltodemocracy?.................................................30
PoliticalInstitutionsinIndia......................................................................................31IncreasingTribunalisationinIndia..................................................................................31
WomeninLocalGovernance:.....................................................................................33
RelevanceofRajyaSabha.............................................................................................33
President’sRule..............................................................................................................34PanchayatiRaj[alsothenewGramSwarajyaMission].....................................35
PESAanditschallenges................................................................................................35TheForestRightsAct(2006)andthePanchayats(ExtensiontoScheduledAreas)Act(1996)...........................................................................................................36
SeparationofPowers....................................................................................................37DisputeRedressalMechanismsandInstitutions..........................................................38
JudicialReviewinIndia................................................................................................40BIT[BilateralInvestmentTreaty].....................................................................................42
NationalConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission—importance,recentissues,organization.......................................................................................................43
ModelCodeofConduct..................................................................................................43RailBudgetScrapping...................................................................................................44
Censorship........................................................................................................................45RoadSafetyinIndia.......................................................................................................46
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DefamationasCriminaloffense—SupremeCourtdeclaresittoremainso................................................................................................................................................48PublicOfficialsandtheValidityofSection199(2)ofCr.PCupheld.......................50
Sedition(IPCSection124A)........................................................................................51
DomesticViolence..........................................................................................................52BondedLabour................................................................................................................53
TribalJusticeSystem.....................................................................................................55IndianJudiciaryIssues..................................................................................................56CriminalJusticeSystem.........................................................................................................58AlternativeDisputeResolution..........................................................................................59JudicialAppointmentsIssue[NJACandfinalizationofMoP]....................................61RecordingEachVoteinParliament...................................................................................62
NewFrameworkforGrantsbyCentretotheStates............................................63
ElectoralReformsinIndia...........................................................................................64ElectionsofLegislativeAssemblies..........................................................................64
LandReforms[IMP].......................................................................................................65CapitalPunishment........................................................................................................66
OROP...................................................................................................................................67
FamilyLawReforms......................................................................................................68ImpactofSelfHelpGroupsonfinancialinclusioninIndia...............................69BankSakhiProgram...............................................................................................................69
MinorityInstitutionsinaSecularCountry.............................................................70LGBT....................................................................................................................................72
RuleBasedGovernance--need..................................................................................73
SupremeCourtOrderonAFSPA--applicabilityofthelawandimmunitiesaccordedtothearmedforcespersonnel................................................................73
AFSPA..................................................................................................................................75DisabledCitizens--SupremeCourt..........................................................................75
HigherEducationFinanceAgency[HEFA]..............................................................76TechnicalEducationQualityImprovementProgramme...........................................76
ChildLabour.....................................................................................................................77ChildLabour+............................................................................................................................78
AADHARANDHEALTHCARE......................................................................................78UniversalBasicIncome(UBI)..............................................................................................79
BharatBillPaymentsSystem(BBPS).......................................................................80
VoterEducationinIndia..............................................................................................81JuvenileJusticeAct,2015[passed]....................................................................................82
NationalWomenPolicy................................................................................................83
Euthanasia.........................................................................................................................84
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Educationrequirementsneededforstandinginelections:.............................85
PressureGroups..............................................................................................................87Alternatedisputeredressalmechanism.................................................................87
PublicInterestLitigations...........................................................................................88UniformCivilCode..........................................................................................................89
OrdinanceMakingPower............................................................................................89
AERBandNuclearSecurityStructureinIndia......................................................89RTI................................................................................................................................................89AadharandRighttoPrivacy................................................................................................90LegislativeCouncils--abolishorallow?..........................................................................90HumanRightsInstitutionsinIndia...................................................................................91ViolationsofMCC;ShoulditbepartofRPA?..................................................................91InquiryintoCivilServants:...................................................................................................92CivilServices—PostingOfficersindiscriminately—BlurreddivisionofResponsibility-CaseofPunishmentPosting..................................................................94Monsoon.....................................................................................................................................96WomenSafetyinIndia...........................................................................................................96PCPNDT.......................................................................................................................................97WhistleblowingencouragedbyCompaniesAct2013.................................................99ForestRightsAct,2006andpeople’sabilitytoprotecttheirlandandforestrights............................................................................................................................................99StreetDogMenace.................................................................................................................101BudgetinginIndia--Constitutionalprovisions..........................................................102WomeninSportsneeded.Why?.......................................................................................103
CONSTITUTIONofINDIA............................................................................................104HistoricalOverviewoftheConstitution........................................................................104SelfHelpGroups:....................................................................................................................111GovernmentNGOinterface:...............................................................................................112Charities....................................................................................................................................119CSR(CorporateSocialResponsibility)...........................................................................119Self-RegulatoryAuthorities................................................................................................120Socialcapital—SHGsandCooperatives—aGandhiideaofself-reliance........122Cooperatives,SocietiesandWaqfs..................................................................................123FinancialInclusion................................................................................................................123GovernanceIssues.................................................................................................................125e-Shakti[SHGs].......................................................................................................................132Citizen’sCharter.....................................................................................................................133SevottamModel(MonitoringandImplementationofCitizenCharters)............133ProtectionofWhistleblowersandWhistleblowersAct2014................................135Corruption................................................................................................................................136Poverty......................................................................................................................................137Hunger:......................................................................................................................................138SOCIALSECTOR:.....................................................................................................................139Health........................................................................................................................................142FoodSafety:.............................................................................................................................144EarlyChildhoodDevelopment:.........................................................................................144Education:................................................................................................................................145NationalSkillDevelopmentMission...............................................................................148SocialAudit..............................................................................................................................152RightsBasedapproachtosocialpolicy..........................................................................153
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India’slagsbehindasaDigitalEconomy--“NetworkReadiness”.........................154RightsofMinoritiesinIndia..............................................................................................155MediaandEntertainmentIndustryReforms...............................................................158ShyamaPrasadMukherjeeRurbanMission.................................................................160SANSADADARSHGRAMYOJANA(SAGY).......................................................................160ACCESSIBLEINDIACAMPAIGN[SugamyaBharatAbhiyan].....................................161NationalSocialSecurityAuthority...................................................................................162EDUCATIONPOLICY..............................................................................................................163NewEducationPolicyinIndia--TSRReport...............................................................164NewDraftNationalEducationPolicy..............................................................................165WOMEN.....................................................................................................................................166NationalWomenPolicy.......................................................................................................167MEDIA........................................................................................................................................167NewTextileSectorPolicy....................................................................................................168HEALTH.....................................................................................................................................169NewNationalMentalHealthPolicy.................................................................................169MentalHealthcareBill,2016.............................................................................................170DrugPolicy...............................................................................................................................171NationalCapitalGoodsPolicy2015................................................................................172PrimaryHealthcareasaFundamentalRight[UNIVERSALHEALTHCAREPolicyinIndia].....................................................................................................................................173HumanTrafficking................................................................................................................176UNODC'sResponsetoHumanTrafficking.....................................................................177BenamiTransactionsProhibitionBill--amendmentsin2015.............................177DraftTraffickingofPersonsBill,2016...........................................................................178NationalWaterFrameworkBill........................................................................................181NationalWaterCommissionProposal...........................................................................181MentalHealthcareBill,2016.............................................................................................183ModelShopsandEstablishmentsBill.............................................................................184MaternityBenefitBill...........................................................................................................185TransgenderPersons(ProtectionofRights)Bill........................................................186InsolvencyandBankruptcyCode.....................................................................................188ArtificialReproductiveTechnologies--socialrealitiesinIndia(228thLawcommissionreport)..............................................................................................................190DraftNationalSportsDevelopmentBill,2013............................................................191
AmendmentstoChildLabourLaw[passed]........................................................192HIVandAIDS(PreventionandControl)Bill2014--amendments..............193
NEETIssue--commonentrancetest......................................................................194
RajyaSabha--domicileofcandidatestandingforRSseat.............................195ShortageofJudges.................................................................................................................196MetropolitanCities--problems........................................................................................197
ElderlyHealth,HousingandWelfare.....................................................................199Euthanasia.......................................................................................................................200
DefamationasCriminaloffense—SupremeCourtdeclaresittoremainso..............................................................................................................................................201
Censorship......................................................................................................................203
Sedition(IPCSection124A)......................................................................................205OfficeofProfit................................................................................................................206
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NationalCourtofAppeal.....................................................................................................207JudicialActivismInIndia:..........................................................................................209RiverWaterDispute--Cauvery...............................................................................209
ContemptofCourtandFreedomofSpeech..........................................................213DISE--DistrictInformationSystemforEducation.....................................................213
LeprosyinIndia............................................................................................................214JudicialReformsinElections.............................................................................................215Article311................................................................................................................................215
ConstitutionalExpertsonvariousissues.............................................................215JudicialActivism....................................................................................................................215SelfGovernanceandPRIs...................................................................................................215Federalismquotes.................................................................................................................215SwarajandSu-raj...................................................................................................................216RighttoSpeechandExpression........................................................................................216UniversalAdultFranchise:.................................................................................................216QuotesonConstitution,Parliament,FreedomsandRights,Polityetc................217
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ImportantPointsyoumustkeepinmindwhilestudyingGS2:
1. UsesyllabusastheguidetostudyforGS2.Donotstudytopicsoutsidesyllabusexceptforyourowninterest.Dothetheoreticalaswellascurrentaffairs(dynamic)portionofeachtopicinsyllabusandmakeexamples(youcanusemynotesforexamplesonmanytopicsalso).
2. Pleasenotethatmynotesarenotasubstituteforanytraditionalsources.TheycanbeusedassupplementonlyandImadethemforpersonalpreparationduringUPSCexam.a. Alsopleasetakecareasthesenotesareorganizedthroughmy
preparationof2yearsonanongoingbasis,somightmaynotbeperfect.J
Writingtechniques:1) Useaplentyofexampletosupportyourargument/pointintheanswers.
Donotuseexamplesaspointinthemselves,butusethemtosupportwhatyouarepresenting.
2) Drawdiagramswhereverpossible.Alsotrytouseflowchartstorepresentpictoriallywhatyouarewriting.
3) Presentboththeoreticalandwelldynamicaspectoftheparticulartopicyouareaddressing.
4) Answereachpartofthequestionaskedseparately.5) Break-downlongquestionsintomultiplepartsandthentacklethese
partsseparately.
SyllabusGeneralStudies-II:250Marks(Governance,Constitution,Polity,SocialJusticeandInternationalrelations)UsesyllabusastheguidetostudyforGS2.Donotstudytopicsoutsidesyllabusexceptforyourowninterest.Dothetheoreticalaswellascurrentaffairs(dynamic)portionofeachtopicinsyllabusandmakeexaples(youcanusemynotesforexamplesonmanytopicsalso)
1. IndianConstitution-historicalunderpinnings,evolution,features,amendments,significantprovisionsandbasicstructure.
2. FunctionsandresponsibilitiesoftheUnionandtheStates,issuesandchallengespertainingtothefederalstructure,devolutionofpowersandfinancesuptolocallevelsandchallengestherein.
3. Separationofpowersbetweenvariousorgansdisputeredressalmechanismsandinstitutions.
4. ComparisonoftheIndianconstitutionalschemewiththatofothercountries
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5. ParliamentandStateLegislatures-structure,functioning,conductofbusiness,powers&privilegesandissuesarisingoutofthese.
6. Structure,organizationandfunctioningoftheExecutiveandtheJudiciaryMinistriesandDepartmentsoftheGovernment;pressuregroupsandformal/informalassociationsandtheirroleinthePolity.
7. SalientfeaturesoftheRepresentationofPeople'sAct.8. AppointmenttovariousConstitutionalposts,powers,functionsand
responsibilitiesofvariousConstitutionalBodies.9. Statutory,regulatoryandvariousquasi-judicialbodies10. Governmentpoliciesandinterventionsfordevelopmentinvarious
sectorsandissuesarisingoutoftheirdesignandimplementation.11. Developmentprocessesandthedevelopmentindustrytheroleof
NGOs,SHGs,variousgroupsandassociations,donors,charities,institutionalandotherstakeholders
12. WelfareschemesforvulnerablesectionsofthepopulationbytheCentreandStatesandtheperformanceoftheseschemes;mechanisms,laws,institutionsandbodiesconstitutedfortheprotectionandbettermentofthesevulnerablesections
13. IssuesrelatingtodevelopmentandmanagementofSocialSector/ServicesrelatingtoHealth,Education,HumanResources.
14. Issuesrelatingtopovertyandhunger.15. Importantaspectsofgovernance,transparencyandaccountability,e-
governance-applications,models,successes,limitations,andpotential;citizenscharters,transparency&accountabilityandinstitutionalandothermeasures.
16. Roleofcivilservicesinademocracy.17. Indiaanditsneighbourhood-relations.18. Bilateral,regionalandglobalgroupingsandagreementsinvolving
Indiaand/oraffectingIndia'sinterests19. Effectofpoliciesandpoliticsofdevelopedanddevelopingcountries
onIndia'sinterests,Indiandiaspora.20. ImportantInternationalinstitutions,agenciesandfora,their
structure,mandate
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MUSTSUPREMECOURTCASESFORMAINS:
1. NJACheldunconstitutionalbySupremeCourtAdvocatesonRecordAssociationvUnionofIndia
2. NationalLegalServicesAuthority(NLSA)vUnionofIndia:TRANSGENDERSupremecourtrecognizestransgenderpersonsasthirdgenderinIndiaandorderedgovernmenttotreatthemasminoritiesandextendreservations.
3. BPSinghalvUnionofIndia:SupremeCourtruledvariousdirectionsthatshouldguidetheremovalofGovernors.(2010)
4. S.R.Bommaiv.UnionofIndia,1994—FEDERALISMISABASICFEATUREANDRulesforimposingArticle356.Majorimplicationtostate-centerrelationsasSCclearlycurtailedthepowersofArticle356bydetailinghowandinwhatcircumstancescanPresident’sRulebeimposed.
5. KedarNathvStateofBihar1962:Section124AofIPC(sedition)isvalidhowever,strongcriticismofthegovernmentcannotbetermedunderthis.Unlesscriticismcausespublicdisorderordisturbanceofpublicpeace,itcannotbetermedassedition.a. NGOCommonCauseinvolvedinthis
6. LChandraKumarcase:TribunalizationofJudiciary7. HarbansSinghJalalcase—OpinedonlegalizingMCC,butsuggested
againstit.8. ShreyaSinghalvUnionofIndia:Section66AofITAct
unconstitutionala. Section66Awasarbitrary,excessiveanddisproportionately
invadestherightoffreespeechandupsetsthebalancebetweensuchrightandthereasonablerestrictionsthatmaybeimposedonsuchright.
9. GlivecDrugbyNovartisnotprovidedpatentprotectionbySupremeCourtruling(NovartisvUnionofIndia)
10. DCWadhwaCase1987a. SupremeCourtpointedoutthatbetween1967-81,theGovernorof
Biharpromulgated256ordinanceswiththesametext.b. Courtruledthatsuchrepromulgationofordinanceswouldamount
toviolationoftheconstitutionandisliabletobestruckdown11. NazFoundationCase:In2009,Section377wasdeclared
unconstitutional,butagainin2013thisjudgmentwasoverturned.12. OmPrakashvDilBaharCase(2006):SupremeCourtdeclaredthata
rapeaccusedcouldbeconvictedonthesoleevidenceofthevictiminspiteofmedicalevidencenotprovingrape.
13. GolakNathCasevStateofPunjab,1967—FundamentalRightsareinalienableandcannotbecurtailedbytheParliament
14. KesavanandBhartiCase—BasicStructureDoctrine15. ManekaGandhiCase—Establishedthatfundamentalrightsand
otherlawscanbesubjecttojudicialreviewunderassumptionsofnaturallawand“dueprocessoflaw”,notmerelybyprocedureestablishedbylaw[JUDICIALREVIEW]
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a. TheSupremeCourtinthiscasereiteratedthepropositionthatthefundamentalrightsundertheconstitutionofIndiaarenotmutuallyexclusivebutareinterrelated.AccordingtoJusticeK.Iyer,‘afundamentalrightisnotanislandinitself’.Theexpression“personalliberty”inArticle21wasinterpretedbroadlytoengulfavarietyofrightswithinitself.Thecourtfurtherobservedthatthefundamentalrightsshouldbeinterpretedinsuchamannersoastoexpanditsreachandambitratherthantoconcentrateitsmeaningandcontentbyjudicialconstruction.Article21providesthatnopersonshallbedeprivedofhislifeorpersonallibertyexceptinaccordancewithprocedureestablishedbylawbutthatdoesnotmeanthatameresemblanceofprocedureprovidedbylawwillsatisfytheArticle,theprocedureshouldbejust,fairandreasonable.TheprinciplesofnaturaljusticeareimplicitinArticle21andhencethestatutorylawmustnotcondemnanyoneunheard.Areasonableopportunityofdefenseorhearingshouldbegiventothepersonbeforeaffectinghim,andintheabsenceofwhichthelawwillbeanarbitraryone.
16. MinervaMillsCase—strengthenedtheBasicStructureDoctrine17. VishakaCase—Everycaseofsexualharassmentisaviolationof
fundamentalrights.“FoundationlaidforenablingaprotectedandsecurefemaleworkforceinIndia”
18. R.RajagopalCase—“TheRighttobeLeftAlone”ispartofpersonallibertyandrighttoprivacysubsistedevenifamatterbecomescaseofpublicrecord;RighttoPrivacy
19. ShahBanowonthealimonyright(1985).AllIndiaMuslimPersonalLawBoardwasformedin1973
20. MCMehtavUnionofIndia,1986—PILfiledbyMCMehtain1986thatenlargedtheconceptofArticle21andArticle32toincluderighttohealthyenvironmentandpollutionfreeenvironment.
21. IndraSawhneyvUOI,1992—SupremeCourtheldthatcastecouldbeafactorforidentifyingbackwardclasses.
22. LilyThomasCase,2013a. Disqualifiedconvictedmembersofparliamentorlegislatures
(withpunishment>2years),frommembershipofthehousewithimmediateeffect.
b. Earlier,astaycouldbetakenagainstsuchorder,anduntiltheconvictexhaustsallthepossiblemeasures,membershipcouldberetained.
c. AccordingtotheAssociationofDemocraticReforms,asmanyas72sittingMPsfacecriminalchargesandcouldbedisqualifiedifconvictedforovertwoyears.Ifthatisthecase,onecanhopethatthedreamof“CleanPolitics”mightnotbethatfar-fetched,afterall?
23. ShatrughanSinghCasea. Commutedthesentenceof15deathrowconvictsonthebasisof
fundamentalrighttolife.24. RepresentationofthePeople(Amendment)Act2002
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a. Thejudgementofathree-memberBenchorderedcandidatescontestingelectionstodeclaretheirassetsandallcriminalcasespendingagainstthematthetimeoffilingofnominations.
25. NOTA—2013a. Righttoanegativevote
i. “Negativevotingwillleadtosystemicchangeinpollsandpoliticalpartieswillbeforcedtoprojectcleancandidates.Iftherighttovoteisastatutoryright,thentherighttorejectcandidateisafundamentalrightofspeechandexpressionunderConstitution”—SupremeCourt
26. CheaperCancerDrugjudgmentin2013a. NovartisAGforcancerdrugGlivecfiledcaseinSCb. “Wecertainlydonotwishthelawofpatentinthiscountryto
developonthelineswheretheremaybeavastgapbetweenthecoverageandthedisclosureunderthepatent;wherethescopeofthepatentisdeterminednotontheintrinsicworthoftheinventionbutbytheartfuldraftingofitsclaimsbyskilfullawyers,andwherepatentsaretradedasacommoditynotforproductionandmarketingofthepatentedproductsbuttosearchforsomeonewhomaybesuedforinfringementofthepatent,”
c. Aone-monthdoseofGliveccostsaroundRs1.2lakh,whilegenericdrugs,manufacturedbyIndiancompanies,costsRs8,000.ApatentwouldhavegivenNovratisa20-yearmonopolyonthedrug,meaningthatitwouldhavebeenimpossiblefortheaverageIndiantofindanaffordablecancerdruginthatperiod.
27. BachanSinghCasea. Rarestofraredoctrineforpronouncingcapitalpunishmentb. Ignoredinrealapplication
28. UddarGaganCase:[LandAcquisitioninHaryana]a. SCcancelledtheallocationoflandbyHUDAtoprivatebuilders.b. SChasdeclaredlandasa“scarcenaturalresource”which
shouldbeacquiredfromthepooronlyforacompellingpublicpurpose.(caseoflandacquisitioninHaryana)
29. SupremeCourtonRegulationofPrivateEducationinStatesa. b. Educationisnotabusinessbuta‘noble’activity”
i. Itisnotasimpleactivitybutaimedatempoweringpeopleofthecountry.
ii. SChassaidthatstatehasauthoritytoregulateadmissionsandfixingoffeesofprivateunaidededucationalinstitution.
iii. Stateshavepowertoregulateadmissionandfixingoffeesisareasonablerestrictionsforlargerpublicinterest.
iv. Courtjudgedthateducationinstitutioncanneverbecomeabusiness.
v. TheyhadarightunderArticle19(1)(g)“topracticeanyprofession,ortocarryonanyoccupation,tradeorbusiness”.SCintheirearlierjudgmenthasrecognizedrighttoadministereducationalinstitutionasan'occupation'undertheConstitution.
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IMPORTANTExamplesforGS2[MUSTFORREVISION]:1. SHGs:
a. KudumbshreeinKerelab. Andhra
2. NGOs:a. SwayamSikshanPrayogbaggedUNClimateAwardfor2016→
trainswomentobecomecleanenergyentrepreneursacrossMaharashtraandBihar.
b. AkshayaPatraforMidDayMealScheme.c. FordFoundationforcarryingout“foreignactivities”againstindian
developmentaleffortsd. Greenpeaceonenvironmentalactivism
3. Media:a. MediachannelsownedbylargeconglomerateCEOs
4. PreventionofAtrocitiesAct(POAA)a. Demandstorepealitb. Exampleofmisuse:ArrestofAshishNandyonremarksmade
duringadebateoncorruptioninJaipurFilmFestival.c. Curbsfreespeechunderarticle19assaidby“HumanRights
Watch”initsreportStiflingDissent:TheCriminalisationofDissentinIndia
i. Whilethelegislationitselfhasbeendefended,onesectionoftheActthatprovidesforaprovisionripeformisuse.Thissectionpenalisesanyonewho“intentionallyinsultsorintimidateswithintenttohumiliateamemberofaScheduledCasteoraScheduledTribeinanyplacewithinpublicview.”
ii. Italsoincludeslawslikesection124A(theseditionlaw),andsection295A(hurtingofreligioussentiments)
iii. Solution:BringitinlinewithInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsarticle20byallowingforrestrictionofspeechonlywhenitconstitutesincitementtodiscrimination,hostility,orviolence.”
iv. AccordingtoNCRBdata,2014witnesseda19.4%increaseincrimesagainstSCsoverthepreviousyear,withatotalof40,300casesregisteredundertheSC/STPreventionAct
5. Institutions6. ParisPrinciplesRelatingtoStatusofNationalInstitutions(1993)--for
allinstitutionrelatedquestionscanbeused.7. 3Is--Institutions,InternationalizationandInnovation8. Society--OldAge,Women,Children,Disabled,BondedLabour9. OLDAGE:
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a. “MadridActionPlanonBarrierFreeSociety”--oldagepeople10. TRANGENDERS:
a. 6lakhinIndiaaspercensus2011b. NALSACaserecentlyandalsoRightsofTransgendersPersonsBillc. ConstitutionalRights:RighttoLifewithDignityArticle21,Rightto
Equalityinmattersofpublicemploymentetc.11. UNDERTRIALS:
a. Indiahasover2.78lakhundertrialsb. 2/3rdoftotalincarceratedpeopleinjailsareundertrials
12. DISABLED:a. UNCRPD--UnitedNationsConventionontheRightsofPeoplewith
Disability--Indiasignatory→Article35ofUNCRPDb. 2.68croredisabledpeopleinIndiaaspercensus2011c. Peoplewithmentalhealthissueshaverighttoseeklegalhelp
opinion,libertyandtoinformedconsent.d. Italsoindicatesthatbanofforcefultreatmentinsuchcasesis
required.e. Indiasignedtheconventionin2007andneedstopasstheMental
HealthBilltoenactthisratification.f. ARTICLE41oftheIndianconstitutionsaysthatstateshallmake
efforts(DPSP)toprovidingjustenvironmentforthedevelopmentofdisabled.
g. TheconstitutionalsoprovidesforRightstoEquality,justice,freedomanddignitytoallwithoutdiscrimination.
h. ThePersonswithDisabilitiesAct1995i. NationalPolicyin2006
13. BLIND:a. MarrakeshTreaty→Indiafirstcountrytosign
14. “BooksforBlind” Treaty→ Indiaasatrailblazera. WHOestimatesthereare285millionpeoplewithvisual
impairments.b. WorldBlindUnionestimatesthatchildrenwhoareblindhaveless
than10%chanceofgoingtoschool.c. SUGAMYAPUSTAKALAYA--librarylaunched→2lakhvolumes.d. IndiangovernmenthasalsoengagedwithNGOssuchas“DAISY
ForumofIndia”e. “ACCESSIBLEINDIA”campaignorSUGAMYABHARATABHIYAN-
-nationalflagshipcampaignforuniversalaccessforpeoplewithdisabilities.
f. INCHEONStrategyto“MaketheRightsReal”fordisabledpeople
g. “ACCESSIBLEBOOKCONSORTIUM”[ABC]byWorldIntellectualPropertiesOrganization→freeservice
h. SwavlambamHealthcareScheme→Healthcareinsuranceforthedisabled.Comprehensivecoverforthebeneficiaryandtheirfamilies.
i. MajorDPSingh,wholostaleginkargilbutbecameIndia’sfirst“blade”marathonrunner
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15. ORGANTRANSPLANTATIONa. NationalInformaticsCenter(NIC)isdevelopinganationaltissue
andorgandonorsregistryplatformb. NationalOrganandTissueTransplantOrganisation(NOTTO)is
workingwithmanystakeholders→NOTTOwebsitehasapartlyworkinglistofdonors.
c. Policyongrantingoutofturnrequestsfororgansinhospitalstobedeveloped.→exampleinMumbaiamanwhowasbraindead,hiskidneywastransplantedtohisbrotherwhowasondialysiswhichhelpedhimjump162spotsaheadofhim.ThiswasapprovedovernightbyMinistryofHealth.
d. SurveillanceofOrgantransplante. Post-transplantsurvivalratesurveillancef. Academicresearchg. Anationaltaskforceneededforimplementationofregistry.
16. HUMANRIGHTS:a. GENEVACONVENTION→Article54oftheconventionprohibits
targetingcivilianpopulationduringconflictsinanyway.b. CHILDLABOUR:
i. AsperNSSO,in2011therewere49.8lakhchildlabourersinIndia.UNICEFsaysthisfigureisashighas3.3crores.
ii. Recently,thenewProhibitionofChildLabourActhasbeenpassedamidcontroversies
iii. Article21AandArticle45promisetoprovidefreeandcompulsoryeducationtoallchildrenbetweentheagesof6and14.
iv. NationalPolicyonChildLabourof1987v. TheyalsocontravenetheInternationalLabourOrganisation’s(ILO)MinimumAgeConventionandUNICEF’sConventionontheRightsoftheChild,towhichIndiaisasignatory.
c. WOMEN:i. WomenSafetyii. SAFETIPIN--anappthatgathersinformationtomarkand
ratevariouspublicspacesonmapsassafeorunsafe.Thisanalysisisbasedonvariousparameterssuchasligthing,presenceofpoliceinthearea,generalpresenceofpeople,CCTVsetc.
d. Parliamentandlocalgovernmenti. AsperInternationalCenterforResearchonWomen[ICRW]:
ii. 12%oftheParliamentiswomen,10%ofRajyaSabhaandonly7%ofthestatelegislatures
iii. MaternityBenefitsiv. Governmenthasextendedpaidmaternityleavefrom12
weeksto26weeksforwomenbyMinistryofWomenandChildWelfare.
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v. ThiswillputIndiaintheleagueofEasternEuropeanandNordiccountrieswhichhavethelongestpaidmaternityleaveforwomenintheworld.
17. Yoga:“ByproclaimingJune21asInternationalYogaday,theGeneralassemblyhasrecognizedtheholisticbenefitsofthistimelesspracticeanditsinherentcompatibilitywiththeprinciplesandvaluesoftheUnitedNations”--BanKiMoo
18. RoadAccidentsinIndiaandGoodSamaritana. UnionRoadTransportandHighwayMinistrysaidthat1.46lakh
peoplelosttheirlivesinroadaccidentsinIndiain2015.b. Thisissecondhighestnumberintheworld.c. LawCommissionofIndiaobservesthat50%ofthosekilledinroad
accidentscouldhavebeensavedhadtimelyassistancebeenrenderedtothem
d. AWorldHealthOrganisationreportclaimsthat“skilledandempoweredbystandersplayacrucialroleinsavinglives”and“inordertoenablebystanderstocomeforwardandhelpinjuredpersons,asupportivelegalandethicalenvironmentisneeded”
e. BrasiliaDeclarationonRoadSafety,Indiaiscommittedtoreducethenumberofroadaccidentsandfatalitiesby50percentby2020
f. SupremeCourtguidelinestoprotectGoodSamaritans[SaveLIFEFoundationPIL]
i. JudgeK.S.RadhakrishnanCommitteemaderecommendations
ii. SettingupofStateRoadSafetyCouncilsiii. Evolvingaprotocolfortheidentificationandremovalof“
blackspots”iv. Monitoringtogaugetheeffectivenessoftheactiontakenv. Strengtheningofenforcementrelatingtodrunkendriving,
over-speeding,redlightjumping,andhelmetandseatbeltlaws.
19. SocialSecurityLawsinIndia:• MaternityBenefitAct• EmployeesInsuranceact• EmployeesPFact• Workmencompensationact• MGNREGAAct• RTE• RighttoFoodAct
20. GeneticModifiedSeedsa. MoEFCCreleasedan“AssessmentofFoodandEnvironmental
Safety”onGMmustard[DMH--11orDharaMustardHybrid]forpubliccomments.
b. AlsoputoutbyGEACc. CouldbecomefirstGMfoodcropofIndia
21. Pollutiona. WorldBankStudyonAirPollutionb. Costs8.5%ofIndia’sGDP
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c. Airpollutionkillsmorepeoplethantobacco,alcoholordruguseorunsafesexinmostcountries.At10.1%oftotaldeathsglobally,airpollutionrankedfourthamongtheleadingfatalhealthrisksaftermetabolicrisks,dietaryrisksandtobaccosmoke.
d. Numberofdeathsduetoairpollutionisalsohigherforchildrenandolderpeople.
e. Thereportrecognizesthatlackofadequateinformationanddatamightbehamperingtheglobalbattleagainstairpollution.
i. Itcallsforusingsatellite-leveldataalongwithground-basedinformationtogetaholisticpictureoftheextentofairpollutioninagivenregion,whilefocusingontheimportanceofinformationatsub-nationallevelsandbeyondbigcities.
22. SLUMSa. Atotalof33,350SlumsexistinIndiaasperNSSOreportwith8.8
millionhouseholdslivinginthemb. Slumsarepartofurbanenvironmentandtheyareidentifiedbythe
presenceoffeaturesoflivingconditionsthatareundesirableviz.overcrowding,lackofhygieneandsanitation,inadequacyofdrinkingwater,andpoorconstruction,etc.[NSSO]
c. Schemes:i. PradhanMantriAwasYojanaii. HousingforAll--SLUMREHABILITATIONPOLICYiii. Privateplayerswillbeinvolvedinthis
23. ENVIRONMENTa. ParisClimateDeal
i. USandChinacombinedaccountfor38%ofworld’sgreenhousegasemissions.
ii. UShadnotratifiedtheKyotoprotocolbecausemostdevelopingcountrieshaddeclinedtocommittobindingreductionsinfossilfuelemissions.
iii. However,thishasbeensolvedatUNFCCCinParisbyagreeingforvoluntarybutVERIFIABLEemissionsreductionsgoalsforallpartieswithintheframeworkofCBDRs[commonbutdifferentiatedresponsibilties]
24. Manufacturinga. MSMEscontributeto37%ofIndia’sGDP.Total51millionMSMEs
inIndiaemploying117millionpeopleasperMinistryofMSMEannualreport.
25. Amendmentsa. 99thAmendment–NJACb. 100thAmendment--IndiaBangladeshEnclaves[firstschedule
amended]c. 101stAmendment--GSTBill
26. PRIsa. DevolutionIndex--TISS--says21/24statesconsidered--only
50%devolutionofFFFhastakenplace.27. IndiacompletesNuclearTriad
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a. INSArihanthasbeeninductedintotheNavy→itisaShipSubmersibleBallisticNuclear(SSBN)
b. SinceIndiahas“Nofirstusepolicy”→itisveryimportanttohavea“SecondStrikeCapability”
c. WillhaveK-15Sagarikamissiles 28. Employment
a. UnemploymentRate:2015-2016:[LabourBureau]i. Unemploymentroseto5%→Highestinthelast5yearsii. Women’sunemploymentratewasashighas8.7%→
highestinthelast5yearsiii. Numberofjobscreatedin2004-2009periodwas67million
jobs,howeverin2009-2014wasonly13millionjobsiv. Despite7.1%GDPgrowth,theemploymentrateistoohigh→Joblessgrowth
v. Self-employmentandgovernmentemploymentisalsodecliningandContractualJobsareonarise
vi. Indiaadds1millionyouth/workerstotheworkforceeverymonth.
vii. Unemployability:NASSCOMSurvey--Only10%graduatesemployableinIndia
29. Healtha. RSOC(RapidSurveyonChildren)→MalnutritioninIndiahas
decreased,Stuntinghasdecreasedb. MalnutritioninIndiahasdecreasedfrom48%in2004-05to39%
in2014c. Stuntinghasdecreasedfrom42%in2004-05to30%in2014d. InstitutionalDeliveriesincreasedto79%from39%(2004)e. VaccinationCoverageincreasedfrom38%in2004-05to84%f. OpenDefecationdecreasedfrom55%to46%g. Increaseinbreastfeedingaswell
30. MedicalTourisma. AsperCII,medicaltourismis$3billionindustryinIndib. CommercialSurrogacyis$2.3billionindustry;3000fertility
centers.c. “AssistedReproductiveTechnologies”(ART)
31. DRUGpricing:--twotierpricingsystemrecommendedbyNobelprizewinnerVentakaramanRamakrishnan
32. Educationa. NSSOreportoninequalityineducation
i. HigherEducationFinancingAgencytobeset-upwithinitialcapitalbaseof1000Croresforprovidingfundsforvarioushighereducationinstitutionstodevelopinfra.Thiswillbeasdebtandcanberepaidbackovertimefromrevenuesfromfees.
33. E-Governancea. NeGP2.0ise-Kranti(2ndversionofNeGP)b. e-Krantialsoenvisagese-Sangam→convergenceofvariouse-
technologiesacrossvariousdepartments
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c. MOOCsd. Cloudcomputinge. e-Health,e-Justice,Education,e-certificationetc.f. B2B,B2G,B2C,G2B,G2G
CONSTITUTIONOFINDIA• Aimedatchangingthesocial,political,economicandpsychologicalstate
ofIndia.• Decisionsinconstituentassembly:
o Consensus,AccommodationandbytheartArtofselectionandmodification
• Buildingtheconstitution:o 1922YoungIndiaGandhitalkedaboutself-determinationo 1928firstdraftofadocumentbyNehru,“NehruReport”o 1938HaripurasessionofCongress,declarationofdemandfora
constituentassemblyo 1940Augustoffer--firsttimeagreedtodevisingofconstitution
fortheIndianso 1942Crippsoffer--firsttimeagreedtodevisingofconstitutionfor
theIndiansbytheIndians
FEDERALISMArticle1oftheIndianconstitutionsays,India,thatisBharat,isaUnionofStates.ThefactthatIndianconstitutionhasdeclaredIndianpolityasa“unitary”oneinsteadofafederaloneraisesquestionsabouttheexactnatureofourconstitution.Onthecontrary,theSupremecourthasdeclaredinitsjudgmentthatIndianconstitutionisafederalone.ThisisduetovariousfeaturesthatmakeIndianconstitutionafederalstructureratherthanaunitaryone.
EarlyYearsDr.BRAmbedkarhadclearlyarguedintheConstitutionalAmendmentdebatesthattheunionhasbeendeliberatelyusedbecauseIndiawasnotcreatedbytheagreementofdifferentstates.Infact,theUnionwasindestructiblebutthestateswerenot.However,Federalismwaspromotedinearlyyearsoftheindependencebysettingup:
• NationalDevelopmentCouncilwassetupin1952• NationalIntegrationCouncilwassimilarlysetupin1962
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• Annualconferenceswereheldbetweenthecentreandstatechiefministersonfinance,labour,foodandotherfunctionalareas.
Variousfederalfeatures:1. Writtenconstitution2. RajyaSabha3. DistributionofpowerbetweentheCenterandtheStatesbythe7th
scheduleoftheconstitution.4. IndependentJudiciary5. DualsystemofgovernmentswithgovernmentattheCentreand
governmentattheStatelevelaswell6. SupremacyoftheConstitution
Unitaryfeatures:1. ResiduarypowersliewiththeCentreandnottheStatesasintheUS2. OverwhelmingtaxationpowersoftheCentre3. SingleCitizenship4. IntegratedjudiciarywithSupremecourtattheapexlevel5. PositionofGovernorvis-a-vistheStateexecutive6. EmergencypowersofthecenterunderArticle356,352,and3657. AllIndiaServices
Hence,itcanbeseenthatIndianpolityisfederalwithpeculiarunitaryfeatures.
Cooperativefederalism:Indianfederalismcanbemoreaccuratelydescribedas“cooperative”federalism.IthasallthefeaturesofafederalstructureasdescribedaboveandgivesamplepowertotheStatestoruntheirgovernment,imposetaxesanddecidevariouspoliciesondevelopment.Inthismatter,thecentralgovernmentassiststhestatesincarryingouttheseplansthroughgrants,andalsoensuresintegrityofthenationismaintained.Morerecently,cooperativefederalismhasbecomeevenmorerelevantasPlanningCommissionhasbeenscrappedandNITIAayoghasbeenestablished.Doyouthinkpartisanfederalismisactingasimpedimenttocooperativefederalism?ExaminehowtheSupremeCourtcanendpartisanfederalisminIndia.
• FederalismisapartoftheBasicStructureandstrengtheningoffederalismiskeytoensuringgoodgovernanceinthecountry.Thepresentgovernmenthaslaidemphasisoncooperativeandcompetitivefederalismandseeksstate’ssupportinmanyofitskeyinitiativessuchasMakeinIndia,SwachhBharatAbhiyanetc.
• Howeverthebaneofpartisanfederalismstillimpactsthepolityofthecountry.
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Followingarethemanifestationofpartisanfederalism,whichconflicts,withtheideaofcooperativefederalism:
1. Appointmentofgovernors–Thepostofgovernorhasbecomeakeytoolbywhichthecentrelikestohavesomesemblanceofcontroloverstatepolity,astheappointmentofgovernorhappensthroughthecentre.Thepresentgovernmentpostcomingtopowerappointedmanynewgovernorsreplacingtheoldonesinlinewithwhathasbeenhappeningsofar.DespiteSCguidelinesonremovalofgovernor(BPSinghalvsUoI)andonofficeofgovernor(HargobindkaurvsRaghukul),theissuepersists
2. ApplicationofPresidentRule–SCinSRBommaicasehadsaidthatPresidentRuleshouldbeameasureoflastresort.HoweverthepoliticaldevelopmentsinArunachalPradeshandUttarakhanddefythatdirective.TheSupremeCourthadtostepintoreinstatetheCongressledgovernmentpostapplicationofPresident'sRule.
3. UseofGovernor’sOffice:TheofficeofgovernorisstillusedtoreservebillsofstategovernedbyOppositionpartyforPresident'sapproval.Intheabsenceofobjectiveguidelinesonwhatbillsshouldbereserved,theproblempersists.Caseinpointisthecentre’stusslewithDelhigovernmentoverbillslikethedelhigovtbillonParliamentarySecretary
HowevertheCentrehasalsotakenstepstostrengthentherubricofFederalisminthecountry:
1. Thepassageof101stCABillbyaneffectiveprocessofconsultationwithstategovernmentandaddressingtheirconcernsthroughtheEmpoweredGroupofFinanceMinistersisashiningexampleofCooperativeFederalism
2. Theimplementationofthereportof14thFinanceCommissionacceptinggreaterdevolutionoftaxestothestatealsoshowsstrengtheningofFiscalFederalism
3. Despiteasinglepartygovernmentatthecentre,compulsionofcoalitionpoliticsatstatelevelensuresthattheconcernsofstatesaretakenonboard
TheSupremeCourtthoughcanacttoensurethattheisolatedcasesofPartisanFederalismbydirectingcentretogiveeffecttoitsverdictinSRBommaicasewithrespecttoimpositionofPresident'sRule,appointmentofgovernorinBPSinghalcaseetc.Inter-StateCouncilbecomingirrelevantduetoNITIAayog?Shouldtheybemerged?
• ISCenvisionedunderArticle263oftheconstitution,butonlyoperationalsince1990[onrecommendationsofSarkariacommissionandFirstAdministrativeReformsCommission-FirstARC]
• Inter-StateCouncil(ISC)—wassetupin1990followingtheinitialrecommendationoftheFirstAdministrativeReformsCommission(1969),
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whichwasendorsedbytheSarkariaCommissiononcentre-staterelations(1988).
• ISC’smandateistoinvestigateanddiscussmattersinwhichstatesandtheUnionhaveacommoninterestandtomakerecommendationsonsuchmattersparticularlywithrespecttocoordinationofpolicyandimplementation.
o Ithasmetonly11timesin26yearsofitsestablishment.• RecentlyISCwasrevivedwithtopicsdiscussed:
o DirectbenefittransfersusingAadhaaro Educationo Internalsecurity.ItalsodiscussedthePunchhiCommissionreport
(whichinterestinglyintroducedthetermcooperativefederalism)oncentre-staterelations.
Thisbodywassetupasaninstrumentforcooperation,coordinationandevolutionofcommonpolicies.
• Problems:o Underutilized:onlymet11timesinthelast26years.o NationalDevelopmentCouncil(NDC)whichwasestablishedto
discussplanningissueswithstatessidelinedtheISC.o TheISChasnotbeengivenallpowersenvisagedbyconstitution
andcannotinvestigateallinter-stateissuesasenvisagedbytheconstitution
• Solution:o TheISCneedstobegivenallthepowerscontemplatedinthe
Constitution.ClauseAofArticle263,whichgavethecouncilthepowertoinvestigateissuesofinter-stateconflict,wasdroppedinthepresidentialordinanceestablishingtheISC.Itshouldprovidegreateropportunitiestocivilsocietyinstitutionsandthecorporatesectortomaketheirrepresentations.
o Mergethetwo:TheISCandNITIAayogshouldbemergedintooneconstitutionalforumtoimprovetheinstitutionalparticipationofstategovernmentsininter-governmentalaffairs.
o ItwillenhancetheinstitutionalstatusoftheNITIAayogbybeingattachedtoaconstitutionalbodyi.e.theISC.
o Further,tomaketheISCatrulyfederalratherthanacentralbody,itssecretariatshouldbeshiftedfromtheUnionHomeMinistrytotheRajyaSabhasecretariatsothatitwouldbeunderthedirectionofaneutralfederalfunctionary
o TheISCshouldbefurtherstrengthenedtobecomethecriticalforumfornotmerelyadministrativebutalsopoliticalandlegislativegiveandtakebetweenthecentreandstates.Itshouldfunctioninsuchamannerthatitreflectstheequalstatusofstatesandthecentre.Itshouldmeetonceayear.EventhoughtheISC’smandateisverybroad,itsaspirationhasgenerallybeenlimitedtodiscussingaffirmativeaction,welfaresubjectsandadministrativeefficiencyandcoordination.
o WhileIndianeedsasmanyforumsasitcangettoimproveimplementationefficiency(givenamassiveimplementation
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deficit),theISCshouldnotbeoneofthem.Alongwithanotherconstitutionallysanctionedentity—theFinanceCommission(FC)—theISCshouldbethebodythatputsthe“federation”backinthedefinitionoftheIndiannation.Together,theFCandtheISCshouldoperationalizeagainPartXIandXIIoftheConstitutionthatensureappropriatefinancialdevolutionandpoliticaldecentralization.India’struepotentialwillbeachievedonlywhenboththecentreandthestatesarestrong.
GST[issuessuchasfederalism,GSTcounciletc.]GSTushersinanewtaxregimeinIndiawhichwillintroduceonesingletaxforallindirecttaxtransactionsacrossthecountry.VariousbenefitsofGSTare:
1. ItwillhelpthecountryachievetheobjectivesoffreetradeandcommercethroughouttheterritoryaslaidinArticle301oftheconstitution.
2. ItwilllowertheburdenofindirecttaxationonIndianpeople.Indirecttaxeshavegrownrapidlyandareregressiveinnatureastheytaxrichandpooratthesamerate.IntroductionofGSTwilllowertheeffectiverateandtherebyhelppoormanagetheirexpensesbetter.
3. GSTwillsimplifytaxationfilingandpaymentbyMSMEs,therebyenhancingthetaxbaseofthegovernment.Thisshouldincreasetaxcollectionsforthegovernment.
4. GSTwillunifytaxratesacrossthecountryonmanufacturing,therebypromotingmanufacturinginstateswheretheyarenotpresentduetotaxdifferenceswithotherstates.ThiswillenableMakeinIndia.
5. Itisexpectedtoboosttheeconomicgrowthby0.5%-1%6. GSTwillhelpIndianproductscompeteinternationallyastaxationrate
willreduceonvalue-addedproducts.7. GSTwillreducecollectioncostsforthegovernmentaswellasfiling
costsforcorporates,therebyincreasingefficiencyoftaxcollection.Problems:
• ItwillimpingeonfinancialindependenceoftheStates,therebyhurtingthespiritofCooperativefederalisminthecountry.ThishasbeenaddressedbyprovidingequalvotingrightstoStatesintheGSTCouncil.
• However,questionsremainoverhowitwillaffecttheabilityofstatestoaddressregionaldevelopmentalproblems.
• Also,thecentrehasvetopowerintheGSTcouncil,therebyraisingconcernsoverstates’abilitytofurthertheirinterestseffectively.
• ItwillleadtolargelossofrevenueforStategovernment.ThishasbeenresolvedbycompensatingtheStatesforanylossinrevenuebytheCentre.
• Itsimplementationifdonepoorlycouldleadtoaneconomicdownturnintheeconomy.
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FederalismandGST:• InConstituentAssemblydebates,Dr.BRAmbedkarvigorouslydefended
therightoftheStatestotaxtheirresidents.Hesaidthiswouldenablestatestoexercisethemandatefordevelopmentandgrowthgiventoitsrepresentativesbythepeople.
ImpactonStates:
1. Stateswillnotbeabletolevyspecialtaxestohelpreliefandrehabilitationofpeopleduringnaturaldisasters,therebyexposingthemtoadverseoutcomesaftersuchdisasters.
2. StateswillnotbeabletofinancelocalschemesrelatedtoanysocialoreconomicissuessuchasSwacchbharatandthesewillbepurelyplannedandfinancedbyCentreonly.
3. Smallscale/Tribalindustriesmightbedestroyed:Stateswillnotbeabletoprotecttheirownlocalindustriesrunbytribals,minoritiesandothergroupswithtraditionalproductsfrommanufacturedproductsinotherstates.Thiscoulddestroytheirsmallscaleindustries.
4. VetopowerofCentreinGSTCouncilcanbeusedtosidelineissuesimportantfortheStates.
ProblemswithGST:
1. Federalism:DoesGSTenhancefederalism?Ifwelookatlargecountrypeers,theUSdoesnothaveacentralizedGST.Infact,manystatesintheUShavethepowertoimposeincometaxinadditiontostate-levelsalestax.IntheEuropeanUnion(EU),eachmember-state(country)hasretainedfiscalautonomy.TheMaastrichtTreatyonlyforcedmemberstoremainwithinthelimitoffiscaldeficitof3%ofgrossdomesticproduct(GDP).EventhisceilingwasbreachedearlyonbyEU’stwobiggestmembers,FranceandGermany.AfterthesovereigndebtcrisisstartingwithGreece,andafterBrexit,allbetsareoff.Thefiscalrebellionmayspread.ChinadoeshaveanationalGST,butspendingandresourceraisingautonomygiventoprovinces(states)isimmense.Indeed,thegovernors’performanceispurelylinkedtocapexandGDPgrowth,andtheyenjoydefactofiscalautonomy.IncomparisontotheUS,EUorChina,theGSTinIndiawillgreatlycurtailthefiscalautonomyofstates.Itisunlikelythatwewillhaveincometaxpowersbestowedonstategovernments.
2. Progressivity:TheGSTisanindirecttax.Thepoorbearadisproportionateburdenofindirecttaxes.Indiahasaverylowdirecttax-to-GDPratio.TheratioofdirecttoindirecttaxesinIndiais35:65.Thisisexactlytheobverseofmostofthedevelopedworld.Incometaxrateshavesteadilyreduced,whereasservicetaxrateshavegoneupfrom5%inthemid-1990sto15%now.SwachhBharatandKrishiKalyancessesarerecentexamplesofnewindirecttaxes.Lessthan5%Indiansfileincometaxreturns,butalmostallIndianspayindirecttaxinoneformoranother.AstartingGSTrateof18%(aspercurrentdiscussion)willhurtthepoormorethantherich.EarlydiscussionwasaroundaGSTrateof12%or13%,whichhasnowdriftedto18%.At20%orhigher,wemightaswellnothaveaGST.
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3. LegislativecaponGST:Excisedutiesonpetrolanddieselwereraisedalmostadozentimesinthepastone-and-a-halfyears.Theseareindirecttaxes.Didwepausetowonder,howisitthattheexcisedutyhikesdidnotrequireparliamentaryapproval?That’sbecausethefrequenttaxhikeswereexecutiveaction,empoweredbyemergency“warpowersact”.IfGSTcanbetweakedupwardjustbytheexecutive,itwillbecomemoreandmoreregressive,worseningincomeinequality.Hencealegislativecap(viathebill,notnecessarilyintheConstitution)isneededtopreventfuturemisuse.Bearinmindthattaxbuoyancy(andelasticity)ofatweakfrom18%to19%ismuchhigher,andhenceeasierthanwideningthedirecttaxnet.Weneedtocurbthistemptationtoincreasetaxesthroughalegislativerestraint,i.e.acapontheGSTrate
4. Councilgovernance:GSTdisputeswillbethrashedoutintheGSTcouncil.Smallandlargestateswillhaveequalvotingpowers.Isthisfair?LargeproducingstateslikeMaharashtraalreadyfearlossesinexcessofRs.14,000croreinthefirstyearitself.Itisaskingforlargerreimbursement.Othervotingstatesmay“gangup”againstMaharashtraandvetosuchaproposal.Whatifalargerstatewantstoimposeahigher“sintax”orgiveabiggersubsidyatthelowerendoftheGSTslab,sincetheycanaffordit?Willthecurrentgovernanceframeworkprovidesuchaleeway?
5. Taxdisputes:Thepowerofthesalestaxcommissioneratthestatelevelenablesspeedyresolutionofdisputes.Buttheexciseframeworkusestheprocessofappealsandtribunals,involvinginterminabledelays.Thisdistinctioniscalledthe“revision”versus“review”approach.WilltheGSTleantheexciseway,orsalestaxway?Willwesoonhaveamountainofdisputesandlongjudicialdelays?
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POLITICALPARTIESUNDERRTIWhyneeded?
1. Politicalpartiesareinstitutionsofpublicimportanceastheyconsistofleaderswhoareelectedbythepeople.Thisrequirescompletetransparencyandaccountabilityofpoliticalparties.
2. Moneypowerisbecomingasignificantroadblockinachievingtruepotentialofourdemocracy.Hence,fundingofpoliticalpartiesmustbemadepublicunderRTI.
3. Itwillraisetheconfidenceofpeopleforthepoliticalleadershipandhelpintheirimagemakeoveraswell.
Whyopposed?
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1. TheUniongovernmentrecentlytoldtheSupremeCourtthatpoliticalpartiesmustnotbebroughtunderRTIorRighttoInformationActastheyarenotpublicauthorities.
2. Opaquenatureoffundinggiventopoliticalparties.3. Itcouldleadtoexposureofstrategicandtacticalinformationheldby
politicalpartiesforelectionsandotherpoliticalwork.Centre’sarguments:
1. PoliticalpartiesarenotpublicauthoritiesastheyarenotsetupundertheConstitutionoranylawenactedbyParliament–theycan’tbetreatedasaninstitutionorestablishment.
2. IfpoliticalpartiescomeundertheRTIitwillaffecttheirsmoothinternalfunctioning.
3. PoliticalrivalswillstartusingRTItoolwithmaliciousintent.4. TherearealreadyprovisionsintheIncomeTaxAct,1961,and
RepresentationofthePeopleAct,1951,whichdemandnecessarytransparencyregardingfinancialaspectsofpoliticalparties.Thesemechanismsensuretransparencyinfinancialdealingsofparties.
5. InformationaboutapoliticalbodyisalreadyinthepublicdomainonthewebsiteoftheElectionCommission.
6. ItwillcurbthecompleteindependenceandautonomyofpoliticalpartiesastheywillcomeunderpublicscannerthroughRTI.
7. 255thLawCommissionreporthasalsotriedtohighlighttheproblemsthatademocracyhastofacebecauseofunregulatedfundinginelections.
Background:
1. ApetitionbytheNGOhadsaidthatpoliticalpartiesshouldbedeclared“publicauthorities”tobringthemundertheRTIAct.
2. Thepetitionhadalsourgedthecourttoaskpoliticalpartiestodeclarealldonations,includingthosebelowRs.20,000.
3. TheSupremeCourthadissuednoticetosixnationalparties,includingtheBJPandtheCongress,askingthemwhytheycan’tcomecleanandexplaintheirhesitationtodisclosecompletedetailsoftheirincome,expenditure,donations,funding,includingdonordetails,tothepublicundertheRTIAct.
TheCentralInformationCommission(CIC)hadinJune2013deemednationalpartiestobe‘publicauthorities’undertheRTIAct,towhomtheprovisionsoftheActwouldnowapply.
FirstPastthePostSysteminIndia.ProsandCons.Pros:
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1. Simpleandunderstandablebythemasses.Largesectionofuneducatedmassesmaynotbeabletounderstandorimplementtheproportionalrepresentationsystem.
2. TheprincipalcriticismlevelledagainsttheFPTPsystemisthatitleadstotheexclusionofsmallorregionalpartiesfromtheParliament.A20-30%voteinfavourofamajoritariancandidatecanleadtohisorherwin.
3. Forexample,theIndianNationalCongresswononlyabout49.10%ofthetotalvoteshareinthe1984GeneralElectionstotheLokSabha,buthadasweepingmajorityof405outof515seatsintheHouse.
4. Thisalsomeansthatslightchangesinthevotesharecausedramaticchangesinthenumberofparliamentaryseatswon,causingtheIndianelectoratetobecharacterisedasonethatdecisivelyswingsinonedirectionortheother.
5. Providesforstabilityinthegovernment.TheSupremeCourtinRCPoudyalv.UnionofIndia156hadcategorisedtheFPTPsystemaspossessing‘themeritofpreponderanceofdecisivenessoverrepresentativeness’.TheFPTPsystempresentstheadvantageofproducingamajoritygovernmentatageneralelectionbybeingdecisive,simpleandfamiliartotheelectorate
6. Cons:7. Lowerstability.Becausepartiesaregrantedseatsinaccordancewith
theirvoteshare,numerouspartiesgetseatsinthelegislatureintheproportionalrepresentationsystem,withoutanypartygainingamajority.Thisdetractsfromthestabilityofthesystem.
8. Difficulttounderstand.9. Resultscouldbecontroversialasitinvolveselectionofmultiple
candidatesfromsameconstituency.10. Couldleadtoinstability.11. Encouragesvotingalongthelinesofethnicity,religion,casteetc.
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RemovalofGovernorTheChiefJusticeK.G.Balakrishnan,in2010emphasizedthatnoGovernorcanberemovedonbasisofbeing"outofsyncwithpoliciesandideologiesofUnionGovt.atcentre”.Thisdecisionalsostatesthatgovernorscanberemoved,buttheremustbe"compelling"reasonsfordoingso.Principleofnaturaljusticemustbefollowed,Governormustbegivenachancetoexplainhisposition.
• B.P.Singhalv.UnionofIndia→Removalofgovernorcannotbeonunreasonablegrounds.
• TheSarkariaCommissiononCentre-Staterelationssuggested:• thataGovernorshouldbesomeoneeminentinsomewalkoflife,• one“nottoointimatelyconnectedwiththelocalpoliticsoftheState,”and
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• shouldnotbeone“whohastakentoogreatapartinpoliticsgenerally,andparticularlyintherecentpast.”ItsuggestedthatapoliticianfromtherulingpartyattheCentreshouldnotbeappointedGovernorofaStaterunbyanotherparty.
PunchhiCommissionhasalsoemphasizedthataproperprocedureofremovalandappointmentofGovernorshouldbelaiddownintheconstitutionitself.Removethe“PleasureDoctrine”.WhatdoestheConstitutionsay?
• AsperArticle155andArticle156oftheConstitution,aGovernorisappointedonpleasureofthepresident.
• TheSupremeCourt’sinterpretation• B.P.Singhalv.UnionofIndia.Inthiscase,thenewlyelectedcentral
governmenthadremovedtheGovernorsofUttarPradesh,Gujarat,HaryanaandGoainJuly,2004afterthe14thLokSabhaelection.Whentheseremovalswerechallenged,theSupremeCourtheld:
• ThePresident,ineffectthecentralgovernment,hasthepowertoremoveaGovernoratanytimewithoutgivinghimorheranyreason,andwithoutgrantinganopportunitytobeheard.
• However,thispowercannotbeexercisedinanarbitrary,capriciousorunreasonablemanner.ThepowerofremovingGovernorsshouldonlybeexercisedinrareandexceptionalcircumstancesforvalidandcompellingreasons.
• ThemerereasonthataGovernorisatvariancewiththepoliciesandideologiesofthecentralgovernment,orthatthecentralgovernmenthaslostconfidenceinhimorher,isnotsufficienttoremoveaGovernor.Thus,achangeincentralgovernmentcannotbeagroundforremovalofGovernors,ortoappointmorefavourablepersonstothispost.
• AdecisiontoremoveaGovernorcanbechallengedinacourtoflaw.Insuchcases,firstthepetitionerwillhavetomakeaprimafaciecaseofarbitrarinessorbadfaithonpartofthecentralgovernment.Ifaprimafaciecaseisestablished,thecourtcanrequirethecentralgovernmenttoproducethematerialsonthebasisofwhichthedecisionwasmadeinordertoverifythepresenceofcompellingreasons.
Insummary,thismeansthatthecentralgovernmentenjoysthepowertoremoveGovernorsofthedifferentstates,aslongasitdoesnotactarbitrarily,withoutreason,orinbadfaith.RecommendationsofVariousCommissionsThreeimportantcommissionshaveexaminedthisissue.
• TheSarkariaCommission(1988)recommendedthatGovernorsmustnotberemovedbeforecompletionoftheirfiveyeartenure,exceptinrareandcompellingcircumstances.ThiswasmeanttoprovideGovernorswithameasureofsecurityoftenure,sothattheycouldcarryouttheirdutieswithoutfearorfavour.Ifsuchrareandcompellingcircumstancesdidexist,theCommissionsaidthattheprocedureofremovalmustallowtheGovernorsanopportunitytoexplaintheirconduct,andthecentralgovernmentmustgivefairconsiderationtosuchexplanation.Itwas
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furtherrecommendedthatGovernorsshouldbeinformedofthegroundsoftheirremoval
• TheVenkatachaliahCommission(2002)similarlyrecommendedthatordinarilyGovernorsshouldbeallowedtocompletetheirfiveyearterm.Iftheyhavetoberemovedbeforecompletionoftheirterm,thecentralgovernmentshoulddosoonlyafterconsultationwiththeChiefMinister
• ThePunchhiCommission(2010)suggestedthatthephrase“duringthepleasureofthePresident”shouldbedeletedfromtheConstitution,becauseaGovernorshouldnotberemovedatthewillofthecentralgovernment;insteadheorsheshouldberemovedonlybyaresolutionofthestatelegislature.
ElectoralReformsAttemptstodiluteprovisionstofavourlegislators:
• LillyThomasCase--amendmenttoRPAbyParliamenttoannultheLillyThomasVerdict.[lillythomascase→immediatedisqualificationforlegislatorswhoareconvictedofacrimewithpunishmentofmorethan2yearsinjail]
• DilutionofOfficeofProfitClausehasalsobeenobservedinmultiplecaseswherepersonsholdingimportantpoliticalpositionandofficeofprofitsimultaneouslyareexemptedfromdisqualificationbypassingalawthatspecificallyprotectsthemfromdisqualification.
• Article102(1)(a)ofConstitutionsaysthatapersonholdingOfficeofProfitwillbedisqualifiedunlessexplicitlyexemptedbyalawmadebyParliamentorStateLegislature.
• RecentlytheDelhiLegislaturepassedalaw,subsequentlydisallowedbyPresident,thatsaidthatParliamentarySecretariesdonotholdOfficeofProfit.
ConstitutionalProvisions:Article327and328oftheConstitutionconfersthepoweronparliamentandstatelegislature(wherelawsmadebyParliamentarenotthereorinadequate)respectivelytomakerules/regulationsforelectiontoParliament/StateLegislature.UndertheConstitution,Article102and191providesforgroundsofdisqualificationofMPandMLArespectively.Thesegroundsare
o Mentalunsoundnesso Beinganundischargedinsolvento Citizenshipunderdoubto Ifhe/sheholdsanofficeofprofito Parliamentcanmakeadditionallawsfordisqualificationwhichit
hasdonethroughRepresentationofPeople’sAct,1951• Ifpersonisconvictedforanoffencefor2yearsormore,thepersonwill
bedisqualifiedforthetermofsentenceplus6years.
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• Iffoundguiltyofcorruptpractices• Dismissedforcorruption• Disqualifiedforacontractenteredintowithgovernmentrelatedmatters• Apersonremainsdisqualifiedaslongashemanagingagent,manageror
secretaryofanygovernmentcompanyorcorporation• Iffailstolodgeexpenseaccountsofelections
SupremeCourt
• TheSCinLilyThomascase2013,reversingoneofitsownjudgmentof2005whereitaccepteddifferentialtreatmentoflegislatorsandcandidates,invalidatedSection8(4)onthegroundsthat:
• DifferentialtreatmentoflegislatorsandcandidatesviolatestheRighttoEqualityasenvisagedunderArticle14
• InAssociationforDemocraticReforms,2002case,theSupremeCourtmadeitmandatoryforcandidatestoprovideacomprehensivelistofinformationatthetimeoffilingnomination.InRameshDalalv/sUoI2005case,theSupremeCourtheldthatanypersonfacingcriminalchargeatthetimeoffilingnominationshallnotbeallowedtocontestelection.
• In2015,SupremeCourtheldthatevenafteraReturningOfficerhasdeclaredtheresult,theelectioncanbenullifiedifcandidatehasnotdisclosedcriminalrecords
• TheCourthasalsotriedtomaketheelectionprocessmoretransparentandfairbyupholdingNOTAinPUCLvsUoI2013case,directedallcourtstofasttrackthejudicialprocessincasesinvolvingconvictedlegislatorsinPILFoundationv/sUoIcase2014
Criminalizationofpolitics:MoneyPoweralso→ criminalizationCriminalizationofpoliticsisahugeissuethatneedstoberesolvedandanyefforttodilutethealreadyexistingmeasuresofdisqualificationismetwithhugepublicoutcrysignifyingthestrengthofourdemocracy.TheElectionCommissionisalsoconcernedwiththeissueandhastakenthefollowingsteps/suggestedmeasurestodealwiththisissue.Ithassuggestedfollowingreforms:
• IntroductionofTwoBallotElectoralSystemtoreplacethecurrentFPTPsystem
• RighttoRejectforvoters• Suggestedthatallpeoplewhohavebeenconvictedbyanenquiry
committeeshallnotbeallowedtocontestelectionstillacquittedinacourtoflaw
• Peopleconvictedforseriousoffence(>5years)shallnotbeallowedtocontestelectionsifchargesareframedbyajudicialmagistrate
• IncreasingthedurationofconvictionunderArticle125(4)ofRPA1951forprovidingwronginformation,from6monthsto2yearsforthedisqualificationprovisionunderRPA1951totakeeffect
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• In1998,ECIdirectedallROstopayheedtothe1997judgmentofSC.________________________________________
WhyisJudicialindependencecentraltodemocracy?Judiciarycentraltodemocracy
• Protectorandguardian:Judiciaryistheprotectoroftheconstitutionandguardianoffundamentalrightsofcitizens.
o Itisthefirstlineofdefenceforaggrievedcitizens.Citizenscanappealtothejudiciaryincaseofviolationoftheirfundamentalrightsandanyillegalactionsagainstthem.
• JudicialReview:JudiciaryensuresthatlegislationspassedbytheParliamentdonotinfringeuponthebasicstructureoftheconstitutionandagainstitsoverallprinciples.
• Writs:Judiciaryensuresthattheexecutiveandpublicofficescarryouttheirdutiestothecitizensasenvisaged.
• CheckandBalances:JudiciarykeepsacheckonthearbitraryexerciseofpowerbyexecutiveandlegislatureandthusanindependentjudiciaryiscriticaltostabilityofdemocracyinIndia.
TheCollegiumsystemhasbeencriticizedbecause:
• Collegiumisanextraconstitutionalauthority.Ambedkarheldthatafinebalanceistobemaintainedbetweenthetwoorgansofthegovernment.Appointmentofanjudgesshouldbeanintegrated,participatoryprocess,whichisnotthecasewithcollegiumsystem
• Thecollegiumsystemhasbeenheldasnontransparentandhasbeencalledanislandofinsularity
• Postsinhigherjudiciaryremainedvacant.30%ofHCjudgesseatwasempty
• Deepdivisionswereobservedwithinthecollegiumssystem• Thesystemofextendingfavoursbecauseoflackoftransparencyand
accountabilityledtodeclineinthequalityofjusticedispensation.Itpromoteddynastiesinjudiciary,oftencalled“UncleJudges”syndrome.
ProblemswithNJAC:
• ThejudiciarywasunderrepresentedinNJACwithonly3outof6members.
• PresenceofLawMinisterinthebodyraisedthequestionoffairnessasUoIisthlargestlitigantbeforethejudiciary
• Politicizationofjudiciaryashadhappenedpriorandpostemergencywasavalidthreat
• Thecourtwhilequashing99thCAAasunconstitutionalheldthat• Judiciarycannotbecaughtina"webofindebtedness"towardsthe
governmento Independenceofjudiciaryisequivalenttojudicialprimacyand
processofappointmentofjudgescannotbesharedwithpoliticalexecutive
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o OrganicdevelopmentofcivilsocietyinIndiahasnotyethappened.Thustheburdenfallsonjudiciarytosafeguardtherightsofthecitizenandforthisjudiciaryneedstobekeptcompletelyinsulatedfromtheotherorgansifgovernment
o Benchheldthatthetendencyofexecutivehasbeentoindulgeinfavoritism.Preservingtheprimacyofjudiciaryisasafewayofprotectingitfromturningintoacaseofspoilssystem
• Benchadmittedthatallisnotwellwithcollegiumandhighlightedthatthesystemrequiresaglasnostandaperstroika.
ThusaMemorandumofProcedureneedstobedevelopedwhichistransparent,mentionstheeligibilitycriteria,establishessecretariat,providesforacomplaintredressalmechanism.WecanalsoimbibethebestpracticesfromothercountriessuchasUKJudicialAppointmentCommissionwhichprovidesfordetailedprocedure,involvementofpeople,providesforanexamandinterviewsystemforjudicialappointments.________________________________________
PoliticalInstitutionsinIndiaImportanceofpoliticalinstitutionsforeconomicgrowthwithspecialreferencetoIndia.
1. LokSabha2. RajyaSabha3. Judiciary
TheHousespassvariouslegislationsthathaveadirectimpactoneconomicgrowth.Forexample:(1)LandAcquisitionBill(2)GST(3)BankruptcyCode(4)ForestRightsAct(5)Debtissuancebythegovernment(6)RatificationofFDInormsthataffecteconomyaswellJudiciary:(1)Ensuresthatlawsareadheredtowithitsenforcementpowers(2)Enablesstabilityinthecountry(3)Redressesdisputes,conflictsandeconomicjusticerelatedquestionsfortribals,consumers,andsoon.
IncreasingTribunalisationinIndia.Thetribunalswereestablishedwiththeobjectofprovidingaspeedy,cheapanddecentraliseddeterminationofdisputesarisingoutofthevariouswelfarelegislations.
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Anotherimportantreasonforthenewdevelopmentwasthatwhilethecourtswereaccustomedtodealingwithcasesprimarilyaccordingtolaw,theexigenciesofmodernadministrationrequirestheadjudicationofdisputesnotnecessarilyonthebasisoftechnicalquestionsoflaw,butalsoafterconsideringthepolicyintentionsandthepublicinterest.Besides,tribunalswerealsoseenasbodiesmannedbyexpertswhocouldprofessionallyandfairlydealwiththeissueswhichthoughchallengeableincourtsoflaw,yetrequiredtechnicalexpertise.TheRailwayClaimsTribunal,CESTATITAT,LabourTribunals,theCompaniesTribunal,variousCompensationTribunals,RevenueCourtsofvariousStates,etc.,canbecitedasexamplesofsuchtribunals.However,increasingtribunalisationwhichreferstotheperceptionofusurpingofcertainjudicialpowersfromcourtsbytribunal,arisesfromtheoverinterpretationofArticle50ofIndianconstitutionwhichdealswithseparationofjudiciaryfromexecutive.ItpointsoutthatStateshalltakestepstoseparatethejudiciaryfromtheexecutiveinthepublicservicesoftheState.SomeinstancesofTribunalisation:
• ThefirsttribunalwassetupinIndia25yearsagototaketheloadoffhighcourts.Atlastcount,thereare93specialisedtribunalsinIndia,thelatestonebeing,61-memberCompaniesAppellateTribunal.
• TheCourtinChandraKumarvsUOICase(1997)suggestedthatthetribunalsshouldenjoythesameconstitutionalprotectionsastheCourts(HCandSC).Thismeantthatwhenthejurisdictionisbeingtransferredfromacourttoatribunal,themembersofthistribunalshouldholdarank,statusandcapacitywhichisasclosetothoseofthejudgesinacourtaspossible.
• FindingretiredjudgesandcompetentcandidateswithqualificationssetoutbyParliament,tobemembersofquasi-judicialtribunalshasbeenadifficulttask.
• Tribunalsareunderthedirectadministrativecontrolofministrieswithinthegovernmentwhichadministertheirdaytodayfunctioningandappointmentsandhencearelikelytobeinfluencedbythegovernment'sopinion,thusinterferingwiththejusticedelivery.
TherecentSupremeCourtjudgmentwhichstruckdowntheNationalTaxTribunals(NTT)alsoclearlyspeltouttheparameterstotesttheconstitutionalityoftribunals.Recently,theDepartmentofLegalAffairsintheLawMinistryhadrecentlyproposedtheideafor“possibilityofmergingthefunctionsoftribunalswith
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someothertribunals”toavoid“overlapping/identicalfunctions”beingdischargedbythem.However,notalltribunalsareinsulatedtomainstreamjudiciarylikeRentControlTribunals,MotorVehiclesTribunals,LabourTribunalsetcarepartofthejudiciaryandareworkingbetterthantheindependenttribunals.Thus,despitesomanyconcerns,tribunalshavebeenpivotalandeffectiveinaddressingdisputesinpast.
WomeninLocalGovernance:Whilethe73rdand74thconstitutionalamendmentsprovidedforrepresentationtowomeninlocalgovernance,muchworkremainstobedonetoensuretheirtrueparticipation,giventheirpresentsocio-economicconditions.Comment.→MEENABEHEN,firstwomansarpanchfromavillageinGujaratbuiltroadtoenableaccessibilityforwomenduringpregnancy.
• PracticeofSarpanchpatisideliningwomenintheirpoliticalleadershiproles.
• Womenhavetoperformdomestictasksdespitetheiractivelifeinpanchayatsandlocalleadershipwhichputsadditionalburdenonthem.
• Womenfacepatriarchalattitudeofconsideringtheirsuggestionsandideasasinferiortothoseofmen.
• Effectivedevolutionissounevenandinadequatethatoftentimes,eventheablestwomenarecrippledforwantoftherightfulallocationoffunctions,financesandfunctionarieswithoutwhicheffectivePRisrenderedimpossible.
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RelevanceofRajyaSabhaEqualityofSeatsinRajyaSabha
• Need:o Firstly,statesthatneedurgentdevelopmentaleffortand
institutionalreformsfromthecentrehavetheleastvoiceduetotheirsmallproportioninRS.Forexample,NorthEasternStatesareregularlyatthebackbenchofmuchworkintheRajyaSabha.
• NineStatesinIndiahavejustonemembereachintheRajyaSabha.• JusttenpopulousStatesoccupynearly70%ofthetotalelected
membershipoftheUpperHouse.
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• SomesmallerStateshaveexpressedresentmentattheirinabilitytomaketheirvoicefeltattheCentre.
o ThenumberofseatsintheLokSabhaanywayisdirectlylinkedtothepopulationandthereisnoneedtoduplicatetheprinciple.
o LargestateswithmanyRajyaSabhaseatscanuseittopoliticallyinfluencetheoutcomeofmanyimportantbillsfortheirownvestedinterests.
o DebatesinRShavebecomeonesidedinfavouroflargestates.o Equalityofseatswilltrulyallowustomeetthegoalsof
cooperativefederalism.• Drawbacks:
o Thiscouldalsoleadtoasituationwheresmallerstatescouldblockreformevenifit’sforbenefitofthelargerpopulationsinbigstates.
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President’sRuleArticle356oftheconstitutionenablesCentretoimposePresident’sruleinStatesduetofailureofconstitutionalmachineryinthestates.ThismatterwashotlydebatedintheConstituentAssemblydebatesasmanymembersfeltthatthiscouldleadtoinstabilityintheIndianfederalsystemandcauseirreparableharmtothefunctioningofStategovernments.Unfortunately,IndiasawanuncheckedandarbitraryuseofthispowerbytheCentreinthe1960s,70sand80sasanygovernmentchangeintheStateledtodeclarationofPresident’sRulebytheCentre.Eventually,itwastheSupremeCourtinSRBommaiCasein1993thatlaiddownguidelinesunderwhichitcouldbeimposed.NeedofPresident’sRule:
o Indiaisayoungpolitywithdiversityoflanguages,ethnicities,religionsandregionalpractices.Unityofthenationisofsupremeimportanceandhence,thisprovisionallowscentretocheckanyusurpationofpowerorunconstitutionalactionsbytheStates.
o ItcanbeusedinordertoensurethatconstitutionalmachineryisworkingaspertheprovisionsoftheconstitutioninStates.
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PanchayatiRaj[alsothenewGramSwarajyaMission]Gandhiji’svisionofmakingeveryvillageaRepublicwastranslatedintoreality.WiththepassageoftheConstitution(73rdAmendment)Actin1992,PanchayatiRajinstitutionsweregivenconstitutionalstatus,andathree-tierPanchayatiRajsystemwasformedtoensurepeople’sparticipationinruraldevelopment.With496Panchayatsatdistrictlevel,5,905atblockleveland2,30,762atvillagelevel,Indiaistodayworld’slargestfunctioningdemocracy.However,PRIsfaceahostofchallenges:
1. UnscientificdistributionofFunctions2. Incompatiblerelationsbetweenthethreetiers3. Inadequatefinances4. Lackofcordialrelationsbetweenofficialsandpeople5. Lackofconceptualclarity6. UndemocraticcompositionofPRIs7. Politicalandcastefactionalism8. ProblemsfacedbyPESAinscheduledareas
PESAanditschallengesPanchayatiExtensiontoScheduledAreaswasenvisionedtoenablelocalself-governanceinvarioustribalscheduledareas.However,thisactfacesmanychallengesbothatinstitutionalandgroundlevel:
o State’sReluctancetoImplementandAdoptPESA:Whileall9stateshavenotifiedtheact,thereareambiguitiesintheirownrulesframedaboutit.Thisishinderingitsquickadoptionintheirscheduledareas.
o Administrativeandbureaucraticreluctanceo Powerstrugglebetweentribalcommunitiesandbureaucracyo Transferoffund,functionsandfunctionariestothelowerlevel
governmenthasnottakenplaceafterdevolvingstatutorypowerstotheGramSabhaandPanchayats.
o Clearruleshavenotbeenlaidoutwithrespecttomanagementofminorforestproductsandland,therebymakingitmoreambiguoustoimplementPESA.Thisisimpactingtraditionalandenvironmentalrightsoftribals.
o Tribalsintheseareasalreadyhavesettledcustomstoaddresstheirgovernanceproblems.Insomecases,theyarenotveryopentoadoptinganewpanchayatisystem.
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o FinancialautonomyismerelyonpaperandGovernor’smandatoryreportarenotprepared.
PESAisamostpowerfullegislationwhichcanplayaninstrumentalroleinrecognizingtherightsofthetribalpopulationinScheduledareasovernaturalresourcesthustransformingtheirqualityoflife.Itisalmosttruethatduetolackofpoliticalwill,theirrightshavebeendisregardedstrategically.ThoughcentralgovernmenthastakenseveralmeasurestoimplementtheActinletterandspirit,lackofinitiativefromconcernedstategovernmentisquiteevident.Centralgovernmentshouldtakeappropriateactiontoeliminatetheloopholesinthecentrallegislationimmediatelyfollowedbyastrongdirectionfrompoliticalgovernmenttoabidebytheconstitutionalmandate.StategovernmentshouldfollowtheguidelineissuedbythecentralgovernmenttoincorporatechangesinthestateActsproposedbystatelevelstudyreports,takeappropriatemeasurestoamendstatelawswhichareinconflictwiththeprovisionsofPESA,takeinitiativestoenhancethecapacityofgovernmentmachineryandstakeholderswhoplayvitalroleinactualimplementationoftheActatthegroundlevel.CivilSocietyOrganizationswhohavebeenfightingproactivelyfortheissuehastoplaystrategicroleinbuildingawarenessamongthestakeholdersateachlevelandorganizingthepoliticallydividedtribalcommunities.So,amulti-prongedstrategytoaddresstheissuefromdifferentaspectistheneedofthehour.
TheForestRightsAct(2006)andthePanchayats(ExtensiontoScheduledAreas)Act(1996)Theyhaveestablishedaframeworkforlocalself-governanceindemarcated(or“scheduled”)areas,yettheirfullimplementationisfraughtwithmanychallenges.Indigenoustribesconstituteabout8%ofIndia’spopulationandForestRightsActandPESAbothgoalongwayinensuringconstitutionalprotectionandempoweringthesepeople.VirginiusXaxacommitteehaspaintedableakpictureofthestatusoftribals.ForestRightsActrecognizetherightoftribalcommunitiesovertradinginforestproduce.TheproblemsinimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheActareasfollows:
o MinistryofEnvironmentandForestshadchangedthelawtothrowopenupto40%ofthecountry’sforeststoprivatesectormanagement.Allowingtheprivatesectortousetheselandsformonoculturecouldhavearuinousimpactontheecosystem.Intheseareasthetribalcommunitieshavecontroloveronly10-15%oftheforestland
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o InMaharashtra,thecontroloverforestresourceshasbeenappropriatedbytheforestdepartmentgrantingthemcontroloverlucrativetraderunningincroresofrupeesovertenduleavesandbamboo.
o absenceoflandrecord,lowliteracy,corruptionandcollusionbetweeneliteandofficerderailtheprocess
o Slowimplementation(MPonly23%landyetdistributedafter10years)cumbersomeprocessaddstowoes
o StateoverrideFRAclauseunderdevelopmentpretextwithoutadequatecompensationandrehabilitation
Amendmentofstatelawsinaccordancewithtwolaws.EmpoweringGramsabha(financially,training,providinginformation).Recruitingmoreofficersfromthecommunity.Governorreportshouldbepreparedontime.Fasttrackcourttosolvelandgrabbingissue.ParticipationofcivilsocietyandactivistjudiciaryfurtheraddteethtothetwinlawswhichepitomizerealswarajasenvisionedbyGandhiji.________________________________________
SeparationofPowersThethreeorgansofthegovernmentwhichweknowastheexecutive,thejudiciaryandlegislaturerepresentthepeopleandtheirwillinourcountryandareresponsibleforthesmoothrunningofademocraticgovernmentinoursociety.Thelegislatureisthelaw-makingbody,theexecutiveisresponsiblefortheenforcementofallsuchlawsandthejudiciarydealswiththecasesthatarisefromabreachoflaw.Thustheyareallinterlinkedorgansofthegovernmentandtheirrolesandfunctionstendtooverlapwitheachother,asitisn’tpossibletoseparatethethreefromeachothercompletely.Thishasbeenthecausefornotonlyseriouspoliticaldebateinourcountrybuthasraisedmanyphilosophicalandjurisprudentialdebatesamonglegalscholarsandthelawfraternity.Whetherthereshouldbeacompleteseparationofpowersorawellco-ordinatedsystemofdistributionofpowersthusbecomesthefocalpointofcontemplation.Features:
o DirectivePrincipleofStatePolicies:Article50requiresStatetokeepthejudiciaryandexecutiveseparate
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o Judiciaryisindependentanditsjudgments,conductofjudgesandmatterscannotbediscussedintheParliamentbythelegislature
o Powerofjudicialreviewo Powerofimpeachmentofthejudgesisagainacheckonthejudicial
powerso Powers,privilegesandimmunitiestomembersofparliamento Immunitiesfromjudicialscrutinyinthefunctioningofthehouseso PowerofthelegislaturetoimpeachthePresident,theexecutivehead.
Notstrictseparationofpowers:
• Executiveispartofthelegislatureitselfo Itisresponsibletothelegislature
• WestminstertypeofparliamentarygovernmentrequiresclosecoordinationofIndianexecutiveandthelegislature
• ThePresidenthastoactasperthedirectivesofthecouncilofministersaspertheArticle74
SupremeCourtKesavanandBharatiCaseisanimportantcaseinthisregardasitsaysthatwhiletheparliamenthasthepowertoamendtheconstitutionunderArticle368,itcannotchangethe“basicfeatures”oftheconstitution.Thesebasicfeaturesentaillimitonamendingpowerofthelegislatureintermsofseparationofpowersaswell.InIndiraGandhiv.RajNarain,theSCupheldthatadjudicationisajudicialfunctionandcannotbeexercisedbytheparliamentevenunderamendingpower.
DisputeRedressalMechanismsandInstitutions• LegalServicesAuthoritiesAct,1987
o NationalLegalServicesAuthority(NALSA)• Freelegalservicestoweakersections
o ToorganizeLokAdalatso StateLegalAuthoritieshavebeensetupundertheacttoprovide
legalservicestoweakersectionsandconstituteLokAdalatso TheseareheadedbyrespectiveHCChiefJusticeso Atdistrictlevel,DistrictLegalServicesAuthorityhasbeensetup
aswell.Chairedbyrespectivedistrictjudges.Taluklevelalsoo Relevantarticlesare:Article39-A,14,and22(1)o PersonscoveredunderNALSAforlegalaid:o SC/STo Womanorchildo Victimoftraffickingorbegaro Mentallyillordisabledperson
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o Victimofmassdisaster,genocide,violence(ethnic),casteatrocity,drought,earthquake,industrialdisaster
o Anindustrialworkmano InCustodyorinJuvenilehomeo Pychriatic(Mentalhealthact)o AnnualIncome<Rs.1lakho Servicescanbeavailedfrom:o SupremeCourtLegalServicesCommitteeo StateLegalServicesAuthorityo HighCourtLegalServicesCommitteeo DistrictlegalServicesauthority
• LokAdalats:o LokAdalatsarestatutoryforumforconciliatorysettlementoflegal
disputes.o Diputespendinginanycourtoflaworatpre-litigationstagecan
besettledhere.o Ithasbeengivenstatusofacivilcourtandalsomarriagedisputes,
landdisputes,partition/propertydisputes,labourdisputesandalso“compoundablecriminal”cases.
o FirstheldinGujaratin1982.o Itsawardsareenforceable,binding,andfinalasnoappeallies
beforeanycourtagainstthem.o HeldbyDistrictauthority,Stateauthority,Highcourtlegalservices
committee,SupremeCourtLegalservicescommittee,Taluklegalservicescommittee.
o Presidedoverbyretiredjudges,socialactivists,ormembersofthelegalprofession.
o PermanentandContinuousLokAdalatsarebeingestablishedinalltheDistrictsinthecountry.
• NALSAhasbeenprovidingandshallcontinuetoprovidefundstoStateLegalServicesAuthoritiesfortheimplementationoftheLegalAidSchemesandProgrammesbuttheinfrastructurehastobeprovidedbytheStateGovts.
• SeparatePermanentandContinuousLokAdalatsinGovt.Departmentsareaimedatamicablysettlingpendingcasesaswellasthemattersatpre-litigativestagebetweenGovt.DepartmentsandgeneralpublicsothattheinflowoflitigationtoregularCourtsisreduced.
• InsomanyGovt.bodiestheseLokAdalatshavebecomefunctional.InDelhiPermanentLokAdalatshavebeenestablishedinDelhiVidyutBoard,DelhiDevelopmentAuthority,MunicipalCorpn.OfDelhi,MTNLandGeneralInsuranceCorpn.
• TheseLokAdalatsarebecomingpopularday-by-dayanditisexpectedthatverysoonalargenumberofdisputesbetweenpublicandstatutoryauthoritieswouldstartgettingsettledatpre-litigativestageitselfsavingthepartiesfromunnecessaryexpenseandlitigationalinconvenience.
GramNyaylayas
o EstablishedbyGramNyaylayasAct2008
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o EachGNisacourtofjudicialmagistrateofthefirstclassanditspresidingofficer(Nyayadhikari)isappointedbytheStategovernmentinconsultationwithHighcourt.
o EstablishedforEVERYpanchayatattheintermediateleveloragroupofcontiguouspanchayatsattheintermediatelevel
o Thejudgesarestrictlyjudicialofficers.o TheyalldrawthesamesalaryandderivethesamepowersasFirstclass
magistratesworkingunderHighcourts.o Itisamobilecourtandexercisespowersofbothcriminalandcivilcourts
aswell.
JudicialReviewinIndiaThepowerofjudicialreviewhasbeenmodeledonthelinesofAmericanconstitutioninIndia.ParliamentisnotsupremeinIndia,buttheconstitutionis.Hence,theSupremecourthasthepowertopreservetheconstitutionthroughthepowerofjudicialreview.ThepowertodeclareanylawvoidisprovidedexplicitlybyArticle13oftheconstitution.Additionally,article32alsoenablesthisprovisionbydeclaringSupremeCourtastheprotectoroftheconstitution.TheSupremecourtofIndiahasdeclaredjudicialreviewasoneofthebasicfeaturesoftheIndianconstitution.ThiswasdeclaredsobytheManekaGandhivUnionofIndiain1978whenthecourtruledthatanyfundamentalrightsandlawsoftheParliamentaresubjecttojudicialreviewbytheSupremeCourt.Whyjudicialreviewisimportant?Firstly,judicialreviewenablesacitizentoseekremediesfromthecourtincaseheorshehasbeenwrongedbyanyunjustlegislation.
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Secondly,judicialreviewprovidesacheckandbalancetothepowersoftheParliamenttolegislateindiscriminately.ThisissupportedbytheManekaGandhirulinginwhichtheSupremeCourthasclearlyopinedthatalawcannotonlybeprocedurallyfairbutitmustalsobenaturallyfair.Thirdly,judicialreviewensuresthatthemostpertinentsocial,environmental,economic,politicalandethicalissuesarenotignoredbythelegislatureanddulyandfairlyaddresses.Lastly,ithelpspreservetheconstitutionandtheidealsofequality,libertyandfraternity.Problems:
1. Judicialreviewprovidesalmostuncheckedpowertothejudiciarytostrikedownanythingitpleases.Thiscancreatepowerstrugglebetweenjudiciaryandtheexecutive.
2. Judicialreviewcanincreasetheinstancesofcourtcases,therebyburdeningjudiciary.
3. Judicialreviewcanalsobemisusedtostrikedowndesirablelaws.Center-StateInvestmentAgreement[CSIA]–federalismFeatures:
1. Anenterprise-baseddefinitionofinvestment2. Non-discriminatorytreatment3. Protectionagainstexpropriation4. AnInvestorStateDisputeSettlement(ISDS)provisionrequiring
investorstoexhaustlocalremediesbeforecommencinginternationalarbitration,andlimitingthepoweroftribunalstoawardingofmonetarycompensation.
5. TheCentrewillnotmakeitmandatoryforstatestosigntheseagreementsbutifanydon’t,Centerwillinformcounter-parties(othernations)andthatforeigncompaniesshouldkeepthatinmindbeforeinvesting
Benefits:
1. EffectiveimplementationofInternationalBilateralInvestmentTreaty[BIT]
2. EnhanceEaseofDoingBusiness3. StatesthatsignthisagreementarelikelytoseegreaterFDIinterestas
theywillbeseenasfriendlierinvestmentdestinations4. Investmentwillgrowasstateswillberequiredtosticktotheir
commitments5. EnhancestheCooperativeFederalismbyinvolvingstates
Problems:
• Challengeswithrespecttoupholdingsuchagreementininternationalcourtsincaseofdisputes
• QuestionsraisedonagreementsforWorldTradeOrganizationsPactsandotherspactstoberequiredsimilartreatmentaswell
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• CouldaffectCooperativefederalismastheStategovernmentswillnotliketheshiftingoftheblameforviolationofaBITfromNewDelhitoStatecapitals.
o Also,theStategovernmentswillalsonotliketheCentreinformingIndia’sBITpartnercountrythataparticularStategovernmenthasnotsignedtheagreementandthus,byimplication,isnotasafedestinationforforeigninvestment.
BIT[BilateralInvestmentTreaty]Agreemententeredbytwocountriesregardingpromotionandprotectionofinvestmentsmadebyinvestorsofthesetwocountriesineachothers’territories.NEET--NationalLevel,CommonTest
• Relevanceofanationallevelcommontestthatcoversallinstitutions--governmentandprivate,aidedandunaidedandrunbyminorities
• SupremeCourthasnotedthatanadmissionprocessshouldmeettripletest:
o FAIR,TRANSPARENTANDNON-EXPLOITATIVE• Itcurbsthecommercializationofmedicalprofession• Itmayalsoprovideanationalpoolofeligiblestudentsfromwhich
governmentandotherinstitutionscouldchoosestudentsintheorderofmeritonthebasisoftheirreservationschemeoranyotherextantpolicy.
• Problems:• However,thecourtscannotbeimpervioustotheotherside.Aspirants
belongtodifferentStates,speakdifferentlanguagesandcomefromdiversesocio-economicbackgrounds.
• Anycommonsystemthatisintroducedmustbepracticalandfeasible.Itshouldnotbehastilythrustonunwillingorunpreparedsectionsofsocietywithoutduedeliberation.
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NationalConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission—importance,recentissues,organizationPost1991libéralisation,theIndiansocietyhaswitnessedadramaticriseinconsumerorientedproducts.Thishasledtoincreasingdisputesbetweenconsumerandselleraswell.Forexample,increasinghomepurchaseinurbancentershaveledtoriseindisputesbetweenbuildersandflatowners.Inthiscontext,NationalConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission[NCDRC]hasbecomeanincreasinglyimportantinstitutiontoresolvetheseconsumerredressals,empowerthemandhelptheeconomyfunctioninasmoothmanner.NCDRCempowersthecustomersinfollowingways:
• Threetierstructurehelpsinquickandfairresolutionofdisputesatdistrict,stateandnationallevel.
• Quasi-Judicialnatureofthecommissionhelpsinbothinvestigation,judgmentaswellascreatingrulestoempowerconsumers.
• Ensuresthatrightsofconsumersareprotected,andbettertradepracticesarepromoted.
GovernmenthaspassedtheConsumerProtectionAct,1986tooverseethecommission.Ithasalsotakenvariouseffortssuchas“GrahakJago”campaigntospreadawarenessamongconsumers.Recommendations:
• Partnershipwithindustryassociationstopromotebettersellerbehaviourwithbuyers.
• SinglewindowOnlineportaltoregistercomplaintsandgetresolution.• CoordinationwithregulatorybodiessuchasFSSAItobringconsumer
interestmattersunderoneforum.________________________________________
ModelCodeofConductIndianelectionsarenotjustaprocessofelectingourrepresentatives,butalsoasacredritualofdemocracyandanation-widecelebration.However,electionshavealsopresentedchallengesduetomisuseofgovernmentresourcesbyrulingparties,moneypower,musclepower,andsoon.Inthisrespect,theElectionCommissionhaslaiddownasetofmoral,ethicalandpracticalsetofguidelines(knownasMCC)tobefollowedbyallpoliticalparties.ThebenefitsofMCCare:
• Provideslevelplayingfieldbetweenpoliticalpartiesnotinpowerandpoliticalpartiesinpower.
• Ensuresthatpartyinpowerdoesnotmisusepublicassetssuchascars,funds,officials,mediaetc.toitsownbenefitduringelections.
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• Helpsinreducingcontroversiesduringelectionssothatpeople’sfocusremainsoncoreissuessuchaspoverty,education,infrastructureetc.
Shortcomings:Itisnotlegallyenforceable,andisonlyamoralagreementbetweenparties.Hence,itcanbeeasilyviolatedwithoutconsequences.Recommendations:AfurthersteptomakesomeoftheprovisionsofMCClegallyenforceable.Forexample,inFranceandUSA,itismandatoryforpoliticalpartiestonotuseanypublicfundsorresources,otherwisetheyfacedisqualificationfromelections.Despiteitsshortcomings,MCCremainsanimportanttoolandaboveallitisanethicalbenchmarkthatpromotesthevisionofourconstitutionanddemocracy.________________________________________
RailBudgetScrappingIndianrailwaysisnotjustameansoftransportationbutalsoathreadthatconnectstheentirenationthroughexchangeofideas,people,culture,art,andgoods.ItplaysacriticalroleinIndianeconomy,polityandsociety.Unfortunately,railwayshasfacedmanyfinancialandinfrastructuralchallengesinthelasttwodecades.OnemajorreformrecommendedbytheBibekRoyCommittee(andrecentlyacceptedbythegovernment)isaboutscrappingofrailbudgetaltogether.Variousmeritsofthisstepareasfollows:
• Railwaybudgethasbeenameansofpromotingpopulistmeasuressuchasannouncingnewtrainsinconstituenciesofrespectiverailwayministersandsoon.
• Ithasnotfocusedonaddressingstructuralrequirementsofrailways.Scrappingitwilldemocratizerailwaysandpromoteamoreagileandefficientrailways.
• Scrappingitpromotesthevisionof“maximumgovernance”• Ithaslostitsefficacysince1924,whenitwasalargeportionof
governmentexpenses.Today,itissmallerthaneventhedefencebudget.Demerits:
• Mereeconomicfixesarenotenoughforrailways.Focusneedstobeonleadership,management,culturalchangesinorganizationetc.
• Sincerailwaybudgetismergedwithgeneralbudget,itfurthercouldtakeawayattentionfromreformsinrailways.
WayforwardThefutureofrailwaysliesindevelopingitsmanpowerthroughcapacitydevelopment,introducingmorefreightlinestodecongesttherailwaytrafficand
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alsoprovidingbetteramenitiesandattractivefarestopeople.Thiscanbeachievedthroughincrementalreforms(assuggestedbyEconomicSurvey2014).________________________________________
CensorshipIndiaishometomultitudeofviews,literature,andathrivingnewsmediaandmovieindustry.IssueregardingtheroleofCentralBoardofFilmCertificationandcensorshiphasemergedrecently.Itencapsulatesissuesregardingbothconstitutionalrightsaswellascreativityrightsofindividualsinthenation.Thisemergenceofissueon“excessive”censorshipbyCBFCowesitsorigintochangingsocietalvalues.Thenewgenerationhasadifferentsetofvalueswithrespecttomarriage,relationships,opennessinpublicandsoon.Forexample,thecuttingofdrugscenesfromthemovieUdtaPunjabhasbeenconsideredagainstFreedomofSpeechandExpressionasperArticle19bymany.Ontheotherhand,manyconsideritasgovernment’sdutytoblockanyspeechthatisagainsttheoverallwelfareofthesociety.MeritsofCensorship:
1. Variousdestabilizingforcescanbecontrolledandpreventedincreatingchaosinsociety.
2. Ensuresthatsensitivematerialaboutreligionisnotusedtocreateviolence.
Demeritsofcensorship:
1. Stiflesfreespeechandexpression2. Takesawaytherightfromindividualstojudgeopinionsonbasisof
theirownfaculties3. Impactscreativityandinnovationinsociety
Clearly,theabovedemeritsofcensorshipoutweighitsmeritsandsuggestthatcensorshipshouldbeminimizedaltogether.Forexample,thebanningofTaslimaNasreen’sbookinBangladeshhaseffectivelysuppressedthevoiceofwomen’srightsinthecountry.Similarly,manyIndianartistshavecomplainedoffacingharassmentduringfilmcertificationprocedures,therebydiscouragingthem.WayForward
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1. AsrecommendedbytheShyamBenegalCommitteeonfilmcertificationthemandateofCBFCshouldbeto“certify”filmsandnotcensororcutthem.
2. CBFCshouldsimplyrecommendcertificationssuchas“adult”,“suitableforall”etc.andonlyrecommendextremecasestohigherlevelcommittees.
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RoadSafetyinIndiaIndiaisaroadsafetydisasterofinhumanproportions.AnofficialreportreleasedbyUnionRoadTransportandHighwayMinistrysaidthat1.46lakhpeoplelosttheirlivesinroadaccidentsinIndiain2015.Thisissecondhighestnumberintheworld.Theroadtransportsectorplaysamajorroleintheeconomyofthecountryandbears75percentofthetotalloadofpassengerandfreighttransportation.Itsshareinthecountry’sGDPiscloseto4.5percent.Hence,immediateneedforroadsafetyrulesisthere.GoMRecommendations
1. RecommendedformationofaNationalRoadSafetyandTrafficManagementBoardwhichwilladvicethegovernmentonroadsafetystandardsandguidelines.
2. Engineeringdefectsinroadsshouldbeaddressed.3. NeedtostrengthentheruraltransportsystemforwhichCentrewill
rolloutascheme.4. TheCentralgovernmentwouldprovide50percentfunding(restfrom
states)tointroducenewtransportvehiclesinluxuryandsemi-luxurycategories.
5. Toimprovetransportutilities,exemptingSTU(statetransportundertaking)busesfromtaxesandderegulatingtheluxurysegmenttoshiftpeoplefrompersonaltopublictransport.
6. Toaddresstheissuesofhillstatesseparately.7. Italsosoughttoraiseaccidentinsurancecoveralongwithcoveringof
propertylossintheinsurance.8. Toimprovemechanismforhelpingaccidentvictimsandtraumacare
facilitiesbylaunchingacomprehensivescheme.9. Toliberaliseintra-citytaxipermitsandotherautomobileaggregation
policieslikeimprovingparkingfacilitiesforthetaxisincludingotherpublictransportvehicles.
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10. Stepstopromotelow-costlastmileconnectivitysolutionsandabarrier-freemovementofthefreighttransportacrossthestates.
SignificanceofRoadSafetyAsasignatorytoBrasiliaDeclarationonroadsafety,Indiaiscommittedtoreducethenumberofroadaccidentsandfatalitiesby50percentby2020GoodSamaritanGuidelinesinSaveLIFEFoundationPIL
• TheGoodSamaritanwillbetreatedrespectfullyandwithoutanydiscriminationonthegroundsofgender,religion,nationalityandcaste.
• Anyindividual,exceptaneyewitness,whocallsthepolicetoinformthemofanaccidentalinjuryordeathneednotrevealhisorherpersonaldetailssuchasfullname,addressorphonenumber.
• ThepolicewillnotcompeltheGoodSamaritantodisclosehisorhername,identity,addressandothersuchdetailsinthepolicerecordformorlogregister.
• ThepolicewillnotforceanyGoodSamaritaninprocuringinformationoranythingelse.
• ThepolicewillallowtheGoodSamaritantoleaveafterhavingprovidedtheinformationavailabletohimorher,andnofurtherquestionswillbeaskedofhimorherifheorshedoesnotdesiretobeawitness.
EvenwhenGoodSamaritansagreetobecomewitnesses,theguidelinesaccordthemprotectionandcomfort.Theyensurethat:
• IfaGoodSamaritanchoosestobeawitness,shewillbeexaminedwithutmostcareandrespect.
• TheexaminationwillbeconductedatatimeandplaceoftheGoodSamaritan’sconvenienceandtheinvestigationofficerwillbedressedinplainclothes.
• IftheGoodSamaritanisrequiredbytheinvestigationofficertovisitthepolicestation,thereasonsfortherequirementshallberecordedbytheofficerinwriting.
• Inapolicestation,theGoodSamaritanwillbeexaminedinasingleexaminationinareasonableandtime-boundmanner,withoutcausinganyunduedelay.
• IfaGoodSamaritandeclareshimselftobeaneyewitness,shewillbeallowedtogiveherevidenceintheformofanaffidavit.
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DefamationasCriminaloffense—SupremeCourtdeclaresittoremainso.
• “Imaynotagreewithwhatyouhavetosay,butIwilldefendtodeathyourrighttosayit”—EvelynBeatrice
• Freespeechandexpressionformstheveryfoundationofanyliberal,progressivedemocracy.TheprovisionofArticle19(1)intheconstitutionhighlightsthewisdomandforesightofourconstitutionmakersinregardstotheconcernoffreespeech.However,thepresenceofadraconianprovisionofIPC(section499)hasledtomuchuneasinessinthesocietyregardingabilitytospeak,dissentanddisagreewithoutfearofcriminalcharges.
• TherecentSupremecourtjudgmentthatupheldthecriminalnatureofdefamationopenspandora’sboxinthisdebate.
o ThecourthasupheldtheSections499/500and199(2)oftheIPC.o Whyimportant?
§ FreedomofSpeechandExpression:Thestatusofdefamationasacriminaloffenseaspersection499and500oftheIPCleadstosuppressionoffreedomofspeechandexpressionguaranteedbyArticle19oftheconstitution.
§ SpeechandExpressionaretheveryfundamentalsofaliberaldemocracyandwithoutthese,rightscannotbeachievedinwhole.
§ Self-Censorshipisalsoaregressiveoutcomeofthesesectionsasindividualsareafraidofpursuingfreespeechwithoutfearofcriminalprosecution.
§ MisusedbyLargecorporatesandpowerfulindividuals§ Duetohighlegalcostsandcomplexlegalmechanisms
involved,itisfrequentlyusedbypowerfulindividualsandorganizationstostifledissent,disagreementandsometimesevenopenreportingagainstthem.
§ HistoricalBurden
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• Section499and500ofLordMacaulay’sIndianPenalCodeof1860,therefore,continuetostandinIndia.—prescribe2years’punishmentincaseofdefamation.
o OutlawedElsewhere:Noothermoderndemocracyprescribesdefamationasacriminaloffenseanymore.
o AlreadyoutlawedinmostoftheprogressivedemocraciesintheWest,aswellascountrieslikeSriLanka.
o JudicialPronouncement:§ Supremecourtupholdsdefamationascriminaloffence§ Thecourtsaidthat“mutualrespectisthefulcrumof
fraternitythatassuresdignity.Itdoesnotmeanthattherecannotbedissent”
§ Article21:Thecourtsaidthat“RighttoReputation”isalsoaconstituentofArticle21.
§ FreeSpeechnotabsolute:SupremeCourthassaidthatfreespeechcannotbeusedbymediatoinjureanindividual’sreputation.Itnotedthatfreespeechisa“highlyvaluedandcherishedright”
§ Ithassaidthatwhilefreepressisheartandsoulofpoliticalintercourseandisapubliceducator,anindividual’sreputationispreciousandcannotbemalignedbythemedia.RoleofMediaasa“PublicEducator”:Itcalledformediatoactlikea“publiceducator”andmakeformalandnon-formaleducationpossibleatalargescale,particularlyinadevelopingcountrylikeIndia.
§ Hence,pressmustobserve“reasonablerestrictions”andplayitsroleof“advancingpublicinterestbypublishingfactsandopinionswithoutwhichademocraticelectoratecannotmakeresponsiblejudgements”
§ Thecourtprovidedtwodifferentstrokesontheissueoffreespeech.
o Inthefirst,itregardsthe“freedomofspeechandexpressionasthefirstconditionofliberty”.
o While,intheother,itreinsthislibertybycautioningthatfreespeechis“notanabsolutevalueunderourconstitution”
o Italsosaysthatvoiceofdissentordisagreementhastoberegardedandrespectedandnottobescuttledas“unpalatablecriticism”.
o Theadvocatesofmakingfreespeechabsolutebyremovingcriminalaspectofdefamationarguedthatthismakesfreespeechdifficultandsuppressesiteffectivelyduetothethreatofprosecution.Itsaidthatcriminaldefamationhasachillingeffectonpress.
o TheSupremeCourtalsocalleddefamationasa“crimeagainstthesociety,andnotjustanindividual”
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PublicOfficialsandtheValidityofSection199(2)ofCr.PCupheld§ Section199(2)allowspublicservantstofileacomplaintinsessionscourt
throughapublicprosecutorforallegeddefamatorycommentsontheirofficialsact.
§ TheSupremeCourtupheldthissectionbycallingthepublicservantsasa“differentclass”onadifferentfooting.
§ Thecourtrejectedtheargumentthatitcreatesaseparateclassandrejectedthatdifferentialtreatmentisgrantedtotheservants.
§ Courtnotedthatpublicfunctionsstandonadifferentfooting.Theprovisiongivesthemprotectionfortheirofficialactsandtherecannotbedefamatoryattacksonthemfordischargeoftheirpublicdutiesandfunctions.Inthatsense,thepublicservantconstituteadifferentclass.
§ Recommendations:o TheSupremecourtcouldhaveconsideredsomechangesthat
balancedthecriminalaspectofdefamationwiththerighttoreputationofanindividual.
o LegislativerouteisopentochangethesectionsandbringmeaningfulprovisionsintheIPCregardingsections499and500aswell.
o CivilSocietymustcreatemoreawarenessabouttheissuethroughvariousmediachannelssuchasTV,newspapers,conferences,andhighlighttheregressivenatureofthissectiontoallstakeholdersincludingthejudiciary,legislature,policeandthesocietyasawhole.
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Sedition(IPCSection124A)GandhijidescribedseditionastheprinceofIndianpenalcode.Itwasusedfreelyagainstourfreedomfightersinattempttomuzzletheiranti-colonialwritings,speechesandvoices.Nofundamentalrightinourconstitutionisabsolute.FreedomofspeechandexpressionguaranteedbyArticle19(1)(a)canbereasonablyrestrictedonthegroundsspecifiedinArticle19(2).Itisnotablethatduringconstituentassemblydebates,ourfoundingfathersdeleted“sedition”aspermissiblegroundofrestrictionunderArticle19(2)onfreedomofspeech.However,itremainsasacriminaloffenceunderIPCsection124Aandprovidesforinteraliasentenceoflifeimprisonmentandfineuponconviction.InKedarnathv.StateofBihar,theSupremecourtopinedthatvigorouswordsinwritingandverystrongcriticismofmeasuresofgovernmentoractsofpublicofficialswouldbeoutsidethescopeofSection124A.RecentinvokementsofSeditionlaw:AmnestyInternationalandDivyaSpandana(Pakistanisnohell)StringentfineswhoinvokeSection124Acasuallyforanysmallcase,includingonlawyers.Needforseditionlaw:
§ Oursisstillanevolvingdemocracywithmultitudesofethnic,linguisticandcommunalproblemsfacedregularlybyus.Inthissense,seditionisnecessarytocurtailspeechesthatcanleadtopublicviolenceanddisorder.
Caseagainstseditionlaw:
1. Iteffectivelysilencesmanyauthorsandthinkerstopresenthonestcritiquesaboutthegovernment.
2. Itinsulatesgovernmentfromhealthydiscussion,criticismandfeedbackfromthecitizens.
3. Itcreatesfearamongpeopleonpresentingtheirview.4. Itrenderstheconstitutionrightofspeechandexpressionpowerless.
(Article19)5. ItraisesquestionsonmoraldutiesoftheStatetoprotectcitizens
insteadofsilencingthem.
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6. ItisagainstIndia’scommitmenttoenhancinghumanrights(whichincludesfreedomofspeechandexpression)ininternationalforumssuchastheUNHumanRightsCommission.
DomesticViolenceNationalFamilyandHealthSurveyhasestimatedthatthereisa33%chanceofwomeninagegroup15-49offacingdomesticviolenceofsomesort.Thisisaworryingfigure,andstepsneedtobetakenurgentlytoensurewelfareandsecurityofwomenintheirownhomes.Stepsbygovernment:TheParliamenthasenactedseverallawstoprotectthewomenfromdomesticviolenceatthehandsofhusbandorhisrelatives.
1. TheDowryProhibitionAct,19612. In1983,itintroduceds.498-AintheIPC3. DomesticViolenceAct,2005Issue
Thesehavebeenhailedaslandmarklegislationgivingvoicetothesilentsufferers.Misuse:
§ Invariouscasesrelativesofhusbandarewronglyimplicatedwhothenhavetoundergotherigoursofthecriminaljusticesystem.
§ Thus,thereisademandforamendingtheselaws.Recently,theissuewasraisedintheRajyaSabha.
§ ThissidesaysthatLowconvictionratesareareasonthatamendmentisneeded;asperNCRBoutof426casesregisteredundertheDVActin2014only13wereconvicted.
§ Thelowrateofconvictiondoesn’trevealtheextentofmisuseorabuseofthelawasotherfactorslikecompromise,lackofevidenceetc.alsoplayaroleinnon-conviction.
§ Therealcausesofmisuse,asidentifiedbyLawCommissioninits243rdreport,are
o Firstly,themechanicalandcasualmannerinwhichpoliceexercisestheirrighttoarrest-powerofarrestisatooltopreventanyfurtherharmtothevictim.
§ However,thismustbeusedsparinglyasitresultsinirreversibleharmtoreputationwhichbleaksthechancesofconciliationlateron.
o Secondly,approachtowardsaddressingmatrimonialdisputes–theseareinherentlydifferentfromothercriminalcasesduetothescopeaswellasneedforconciliationbetweentheparties.
§ RecommendationsasperLawCommissionreport:o ThepolicemustfollowtheguidelinesofarrestasgivenbySCinDK
BasuvsStateofWestBengal.o Thenecessityofarresthastobeproperlyestablished.
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o Amechanismofdisputesettlementlikeconciliationandmediationmustbemandatorilyinitiatedbeforemakinganyarrest,unlessthefactsdiscloseanaggravatedformofcruelty.
o Optionofcompoundingofoffenceshouldbeavailabletoparties.o Needtoinculcatesensitivityamongalltheactorsinmatrimonial
litigation-police,lawyersandjudiciary.
BondedLabourBondedlabour,alsoknownasBandhuaMazdoori,hasbeenalongstandingprobleminIndia.Underthissystem,personsareforcedtopledgetheirlabourservicesasasecurityforrepaymentofdebtorotherobligations.Duetoheavynatureofdebt,thesepersonseffectivelybecomethe“property”ofthemoneylendersorpersonsofinfluence.BondedLabourSystemisasocialevilandexistsinIndiadespiteconstitutionalprovisionsforitstotaleradication.Useofbondedlabourfor:
1. Providingcheapdomesticlabourforrichhouseholdsinruralandurbanareas.
2. Usingcheapbondedlabourtoworkinfactoriesproducingcheapgoodsforinternationalmarkets.Hence,bondedlabourevenbecomespartofworldwidesupplychain.
3. BondedlabourisalsoameanstoattainsocietalpowerinruralareasbyownershipoflargenumbersofBandhualabourbylargeZamindarsandpeopleofinfluence.
4. CastedynamicsTheInternationalLabourOrganizationhaspointedoutvariousobstaclesinthepathofremovingbondedlabourinIndia.Theseare:
§ LargenumbersofbondedlaboursareDalitsinIndia.Hencecasterigidityandrulesplayasignificantroleinperpetratingbondedlabour.
§ Dalitsfaceothersocialproblemslikeboycott,rape,arson,robberyetc.iftheyresistagainstbondedlabour.
§ Extremepovertyalsoforcesbondedlabouronpoorpeople.§ DirectorIndirectinvolvementofprivatecompaniesaretheyusebonded
labourstoproducegoodsatcheaprates.ActionbyGovernment,NGOsandotherorganisation:
§ TheBLS(A)Act,1976wasenactedtocompletelyoutlawthispractice.§ BandhuaMuktiMorchahasworkedcloselywithinternationaland
nationalorganizationstoeradicatebondedlabourinIndia.
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§ HumanRightsWatchhaslaunchedvariousprogramsinIndiatoeradicatebondedlabourinthesilkindustry.
§ InternationalLabourOrganizationandUNhavepassedlegislationsagainstbondedlabour.
§ RehabilitationSchemeof1978hasbeenabletofree2.82lakhBondedLabourersin18Statesacross172districtsinthecountryduringthepast38years.
RehabilitationSchemeforBondedLabour
1. MakingbondedlabourrehabilitationaCentralSponsoredScheme2. TheSchemeproposestoincreasethebudgetprovisionfromRs5
crorestoaboutRs47croresperannum.3. Now,themostdeprivedandmarginalisedlikethedisabled,female
andchildrenrescuedfromtrafficking,sexualexploitationandtransgenderwillgethigherfunds.
4. Addressnewformsofbondagesuchasorganizedbeggingrings,forcedprostitutionandchildlabourforwhichfemales,disabledandtransgenderareexploited.
Bondedlabourarepersonswhohave“pledged”theirlabourandservicesassecurityforrepaymentofdebt,orotherobligation.Manytimes,thechildrenofbondedlabourareforcedintothebondedlabourshipiftheyarenotabletorepaytheirdebt.
§ Thisisinformallyknownas“bandhaulabour”.§ Alsoreferredtoasdebtbondageordebtslavery.§ InstitutionalandLegislativeFramework:§ TheBondedLabourSystem(Abolition)Actprovidesavigilance
committeeatdistrictandsub-divisionallevelsineachstateandUnionterritoryforidentification,release,andrehabilitation.
§ Schemes:o Bondedlabourschemethataimstoraisefinancialassistanceto
bondedlabourfromRs.20,000toRs.1lakheach.o CSS.o Otherpoints:KailashSatyarthi’sBachpanBachaoAndolan
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TribalJusticeSystemIndiaishometoavibrantcommunityofapprox.104milliontribals.Thesecommunitieshavedevelopedtheirownsystemofsocialhierarchies,variouspersonalcustomsandtriballawsthatgovernthem.TheIndianConstitutionpermitsnortheasternstatestosetupcustomaryvillagecouncilsorcourtstoresolvedisputesbetweentwopartiesbelongingtoaScheduledTribe.Thistribaljusticesysteminvolvestheinterpretationofuncodifiedcustomarylawsbythevillagechiefs,assistedbyeldersofavillage.However,questionshavebeenraisedoverconflictofsuchsystemwiththecommonlawsystemprovidedbytheconstitutionaswell.Inthiscontext,StandingCommitteeonPersonnel,PublicGrievances,LawandJusticesubmitteditsreportonthe‘Synergybetweentribaljusticesystemandtheregularjusticesystemofthecountry’SalientobservationsandrecommendationsoftheCommitteeinclude:
§ TheCommitteehasnotedthatmosttribalcommunitiespreferredthetribaljusticesystembecauseof:(i)theirfamiliaritywithcustomarylaws;(ii)itsminimalprocedureandcosteffectiveness;and(iii)timelydeliveryofjustice.
§ However,therewerecertainchallenges:o Everytribewithinastatehaditsowncustomarypracticesof
disputeresolutiono Mostofthejudicialdecisionswerenotwrittendown,andgavethe
tribalchiefwidediscretion.o Asaresult,punishmentsforthesamecrimevaryfrompersonto
person.§ Statutoryrecognitiontotribalcourts:
o TheCommitteerecommendedthatParliamentenactalawtosetupatribaljusticecourtsystem.
§ Stateswouldbepermittedtomodifythelawaspertheirrequirements.Thiswouldgivethetribalcourtsinstitutionalframework,inrelationtoappointmentofpersonnel,salaryandbenefits,etc.
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§ Further,thiswouldenablethemtocodifytheircustoms,writejudgmentsandorders,andfollowlawsandprecedents.
§ Tofacilitatethis,specialfundsmaybeallocatedtostatejudicialacademiesandvillagemobilecourts.
§ Separatehighcourtsfornortheasternstates:o Initsearlierreport,in2008,theCommitteehadrecommended
thatseparatehighcourtsbeestablishedinthenortheasternstates.
o TheCommitteereiteratedthisrecommendation,asthesehighcourtscouldplayaroleinthecodificationoftriballaws.
o Thejudgementsofthehighcourtswillbetreatedasprecedent,anditsinterpretationsofcustomarylawcouldbedocumented.TheCommitteealsorecommendedthatindependentjudicialacademiesbeestablishedineverystate.
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IndianJudiciaryIssuesProblemsFaced:
1. Appointments:a. Thecountryhasajudicialstrengthofamere18,000,asagainstthe
requirementofabout50,000judges.b. Atpresent,434vacanciesofHighCourtjudgesremainedunfilled.c. Thesubordinatejudiciaryhas4580vacanciesacrossthecountry.
2. AdministrativeInefficiency:a. InadequacyofstaffattachedtoHighCourts.b. Thereare60,260casespendingbeforetheSupremeCourt.c. AllHighCourtsinIndia,asawhole,haveanincredible38.68lakhs
ofcasesawaitingdisposal.d. Thebacklogofallcourtsincludingthelowercourtsisestimatedto
bearound3crores.3. FinancialAutonomy:
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a. Planningandbudgetaryexercisesbeingundertakenwithoutconsultingthejudiciary.
4. Transparency:DespitethedecisionoftheCentralInformationCommission(CIC),JudiciaryhaskeptitselfoutofpreviewofRTI.
5. Technology:Theprojectofelectronicconversionofallfiles,judgmentsetc.isstillpendingandhappeningataveryslowpace.
StepsTaken:
1. TheenactmentofCommercialCourtsAct,2015fordedicatedcommercialcourtsatdistrictandHighCourtlevel,andalsolayingdownthetimelimitsfordisposalofcommercialdisputes/appeals.
2. AmendmentstoArbitrationandConciliationAct,1996andtheNegotiableInstrumentsAct,1881toensurequickandcosteffectivesettlementofcommercialdisputestoarbitration.
3. ToimprovethequalityofLegalEducationinIndia,settingupofLawyers‘AcademyinKochiisastepinrightdirection.
Reformsneeded:
• JusticeisanintegralpartofourConstitution.Toachievethisobjective,weneedtocontinuouslyimproveourlegalandjudicialframeworksothattimelyandcosteffectivejusticeismadeavailableatthedoorstepstoourpeople.
• E-Courts• DebtTribunals• Insolvencycourts• Commericalcourts• SettingupofFastTrackCourts,AdditionalCourtsandFamilyCourts.• IncreasingtheICTcapabilitiesofthecourts.• SettingupofAlternativedisputeresolutioncentressuchasLokAdalats
shouldbeencouraged.• Uniformmethodologytocollectjudicialdataandstreamliningofcourt
processes.• Toboosttheconfidenceofthepeopleinjudiciary,judiciaryshouldreveal
informationlikethenumberofpendingorreservedjudgmentsbybringingitselfunderambitofRTI.
• SimplificationofLaws:GovernmentshouldworktoremoveoldanddysfunctionalelementsinlegislationbyamendingIndianpenalcode,civilprocedurescodeandIndianevidenceAct.
• RulesshouldbechangedtoprovideauniformretirementageforjudgesoftheSupremeCourtandtheHighCourts.
• Topreventcorruption,cooloffperiodshouldbeintroducedforjudgesbeforetakingupanynewgovernmentassignment.
• AssuggestedbytheLawCommission,inits245threport,a‘rateofdisposal’methodshouldbeadoptedinwhichthenumberofjudgesrequiredateachleveltodisposeofaparticularnumberofcasescouldbecomputedbasedonanalysis.
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CriminalJusticeSystemChallengesofCurrentCriminalJusticeSysteminIndia
1. Becauseofdelayanduncertaintiesinvolved,itdoesnotdetercriminals.
2. Punishmentsforthoseconvictedareineffective.3. Widediscretiontopoliceandprosecutionmakessystemvulnerableto
corruptionandmanipulation.4. Ignorestherealvictim,leadingthemtoresorttoextralegalmethod
seekingjustice.5. Heavyeconomicburdenonthestatewithoutthereturns.6. Systemisoverburdenedwithnearly30millioncriminalcasespending
andwith10millionbeingaddedeveryyear.StrategyforReform:TheCommitteeontheReformsofCriminalJusticeSysteminIndia(2003)suggestsathree-foldstrategy.
1. First,proceduralandsubstantivelawneedsachangebasedonchangesinsocietyandeconomywiththeguidingprinciplesbeingdecriminalizationanddiversion.a. Asuggestionunderthiscouldbedividingthepenalcodeintofour
differentcodes:SocialOffencesCode,CorrectionalOffencesCode,EconomicOffencesCodeandIndianPenalCode.
b. TheSocialCodeincludesmattersofcivilnaturethatcanbesettledwithoutpoliceinterventionandprisontermsthroughadministrativeprocesses.
c. TheCorrectionalCodeincludesoffencepunishableuptothreeyearsimprisonmentwherepleabargainingcanbeliberallyinvoked.
d. EconomicCodeincludespropertyoffences,whichaffectfinancialstabilityofthecountrydealtwiththroughcombinationofcriminalandadministrativestrategies.
e. IndianPenalCodewillincludeonlymajorcrimeswarrantingtenyearsimprisonmentormoreordeath.
2. Secondistheinstitutionalreformofpoliceprocesses.a. Thisincludesinvestigation,professionalization,rationalizationof
courtsystemsthroughtechnologyandlimitingappealprocedurestotheminimum.
3. Thirdisgivingabiggerandmoreresponsibleroletothevictiminthewholeprocedure.a. Itinvolvesrestoringtheconfidenceofthevictiminthesystem.b. Thiswouldincludeconferringrightsonthevictimlike,
participatinginproceedings,righttoengageanadvocate,trackprogressofcase,toassistcourtinpursuitoftruthetc.
c. Righttoseekcompensationforinjuriessufferedirrespectiveofthefateofproceedings.
d. Followingarestorativemeanswhichenjoyscommunitysupport,victimsatisfactionandoffenderacknowledgementofobligations.
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AlternativeDisputeResolutionAlternativedisputeredressalmechanismincludesdisputeresolutionprocessesandtechniquesthatactasameansfordisagreeingpartiestocometoanagreementwithoutlitigation.FollowingarethetoolsofADR:Arbitration:Arbitrationisaprocessinwhichaneutralthirdpartyrenderadecisionbasedonthemeritsofthecase.Mediation:Theprocessofmediationaimstofacilitatethedevelopmentofaconsensualsolutionbythedisputingparties.Mediationisoverseenbyanon-partisanthirdparty.Conciliation:Thisisaprocessbywhichresolutionofdisputesisachievedbycompromiseorvoluntaryagreement.Incontrasttoarbitration,theconciliatordoesnotrenderabindingaward.Indianjudicialsystemischaracterizedbyrampantdelayinthedispositionofthecasesduetoinadequatenumberofcourtsandjudgesinthecountry.Highcostoflitigationandcomplexlegalprocedurealienatesthepooranduneducatedfromthejudicialsystem.BasedonGandhianprinciplesLokAdalatisIndiancontributiontotheworldjurisprudenceofADR.LokAdalatsareasteptowardsfulfillingthedirectivesunderArticle39Aforequaljusticeandfreelegalaid.AdvantagesoftheLokAdalats:
1. TheLokAdalatscanensurespeedyjusticeastheycanbeconductedatsuitableplacesandinlocallanguages.
2. LokAdalatistheonlyinstitutionalizedmechanismofdisputeresolutioninwhichpartiesdonothavetobearanyexpensesandfeepaidinaregularcourtisrefundedifthecaseissettledinLokAdalat.
3. InLokAdalats,disputesarenotonlysettledbutalsothecordialrelationsbetweenthepartiesareretainedasdisputesareresolvedamicably.
4. DisputescanbedirectlybroughtbeforetheLokAdalatsandnoappealsliesagainsttheorderoftheLokAdalatsandthusithelpstoalleviatetheburdenofarrearsofcases.
TheintroductionofLokAdalatssucceededinprovidingasupplementaryforumtothevictimsforsatisfactorysettlementoftheirdisputes.ThismechanismshouldbetakenfulladvantageofandmorenumberofLokAdalatsneedstobeorganizedtoachieve“accesstojusticeforall”.
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JudicialAppointmentsIssue[NJACandfinalizationofMoP]AconstanttusslehasemergedbetweentheExecutiveandtheJudiciaryovertheprovisionsofappointmentofHighCourtandSupremeCourtjudges.Lastyear,theNJACwasdeclaredunconstitutionalbyaSupremeCourtbenchandthisyeartheMoPthatwillleadtocreatingaclearcriteriaforappointmentofjudgeshasnotbeenfinalizedyet.Thishasledto475highcourtjudgeappointmentsvacant,anunprecedentednumber.Thisisdamagingthedeliveryofjusticeforthecommonmanandposesathreattothejusticesysteminthecountry.Therealissueboilsdowntowhichbranchhasthefinalsayintheappointmentofjudges.AspertheJudgesCasesof1993and1998,thecollegiumsystemwasdevisedwhichvestedcompletepowerinthejudiciary’shandtoappointHCandSCjudges.
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Thishasbeencriticizedbyvarioussectionsofleadingtolackoftransparency,accountabilityandcorruptioninthejudicialappointments.Additionally,theopaquenessoftheprocessraisesconcernsovertheintegrityofthejudicialappointments.TheNJACwasaimedatcreatinganupdatedsystemofappointmentofjudgesbyinvolvingbothexecutiveandthejudiciary.However,itwasheldunconstitutionalduetothefactthatjudiciarywouldloseitsultimatepowertotheExecutivebranch.Then,thejudiciarytookuponitselftoreformtheMoPtobringtransparencyandaccountabilityintheappointmentprocess.However,thisprocesshasbecomeprolongedtusslebecausetheexecutivehasintroducedaclausethatitcanrejectappointmentsofjudgesonbasisof“nationalsecurityorpublicinterest”.ThisagainputsthefinalityofappointmentsinExecutive’shands,whichisnotacceptedbythejudiciary.
RecordingEachVoteinParliamentMostbillsinLokSabhaandRajyaSabha(andevenStateAssemblies)arepassedby“voicevote”.Hence,itisdifficulttoknowhowhaseachMPvotedforacertainbillintheParliament.Thishasmanyrepercussionsonthedemocraticprocess:
1. LeadstolackofaccountabilityoftheMPstotheirconstituentsastheirvotesareneverrevealedtothegeneralpublic.
2. ItalsoleadstolackofdeliberationanddiscussiononthebillsMPswiththeirownconstituentsastheywillmostlikelyneverknowthevotingbehaviouroftheMP.
3. VoicevotesdonotpromoteindividualresearchandstudybyMPsontakingstandonvariouslegislations,therebydilutingtheprocessoflawmaking.
4. Inpresenceofanti-defectionlaw,voicevotefurtherdecreasesthedeliberative,dissentinganddiscussionbasedroleofMPsintheParliament.
Prosofvoicevote:
1. BillsarepassedquicklywhichhelpsinincreasingefficiencyoftheParliamentanddealingwiththebacklog.
2. Anti-defectionlawalreadyrequiresMPstovoteasperpartylinesandhencethereisnoneedtorecordtheirvotesindividuallyforallbills.
Proposedreforms:
1. Recordedvotingofallbillsbemademandatory.Thisisalsoknownas“Division”.Thisisalreadypracticedselectivelyinconstitutionalamendmentbillsandcanbemademandatoryforallbills.
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a. Only19billsinlast5yearshaveseenthisoutoftotal179.
NewFrameworkforGrantsbyCentretotheStatesThreenewprovisionsregardingthisinBudget2016-17
1. RationalizationofCentrallySponsoredSchemesa. NITIAayoghasrecommendedthatfocusoftheCSSshouldbeon
theschemesthatcomprisetheNationalDevelopmentAgendab. Itfurtherrecommendedthattheschemesbedividedinto“Core”
and“Optional”schemesandamongsttheCoreSchemesthoseforsocialprotectionandinclusionshouldbecalled“CoreoftheCore”.
c. ThesubgroupfurtherrecommendedthattheinvestmentlevelsintheCoreSchemesshouldbemaintainedsoastoensurethattheoptimumsizeoftheprogrammedoesnotshrink.
d. NewFrameworkforGrantsinBudget2016-17:i. Theexistingfundingpatternofschemesdefinedas'coreofthecore'havebeenretained.
ii. Thefundingpatternof'core'schemes,whichalsoformpartoftheNationalDevelopmentagenda,willbeshared60:40betweentheCentreandtheStates(90:10forthe8NorthEasternStatesand3Himalayanstates).
• CoreoftheCore:MNREGA,NSAP,SCandSTschemes,OBCschemesandminorityschemesalso
• Core:18schemes:RKVY,GreenRevolution,KrishiUnnatiYojana,SwacchBharat,WhiteRevolutionschemes,MPLADS,NationalHealthMission
• TheotheroptionalschemeswillbeoptionalfortheStateGovernmentsandtheirfundsharingpatternwillbe50:50betweentheCentreandtheStates(80:20forthe8NorthEasternStatesand3HimalyanStates).
• ExamplesofsuchschemesareBorderAreaDevelopmentProgramme,NationalRiverConservationPlan,ShyamaPrasadMukherjeeRURBANMissionetc.InUnionBudget2016–17thetotalnumberofCSShasbeenbroughtdownto28.
• Outcomebasedmonitoringofvariousprogramstobeimplemented• Doingawaywiththeplanandnon-planexpendituredistinctioninthe
budgetafterthecompletionoftheTwelfthFiveYearPlan________________________________________
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ElectoralReformsinIndia1. LillyThomasCase[done]2. NOTAandVVPAT[done]3. ModelCodeofConduct[done]4. CurbMoneyPowerthroughsection58BinRPA[recommendedby
Electioncommission]5. ElectionstoLegislativeAssembliestobeheldatthesametime
[recommendedbyaParliamentarycommittee]6. StateFundingofPoliticalParties[recommended]7. NeedtoprovideaccesstovotingtoNRIs,internalmigrantsand
servicepersonnel
ElectionsofLegislativeAssembliesRecently,PrimeMinisterhassuggestedthatelectionstothenationalandstatelegislatures,panchayatsandurbanlocalbodiesshouldbeheldsimultaneously.Need:
1. Largeamountofmoneyisspentonvariouselectionseveryyear.2. Wholeadministrativemachinerygetsengagedinelectionworkwhich
affectstheproductivityofothergovernmentservices.3. Frequentelectionsbringtoastandstillnormalfunctioningofthe
governmentcannotannounceanynewschemes,makeanynewappointments,transfersorpostingswithoutECapprovalduringthisperiod.
4. However,frequentelectionsenhanceaccountabilitybecauseitforcesthepoliticianstomeetthemasses.
Concerns:
1. Localandnationalissueswillgetmixupandwilldistortpriorities.2. Invoters’mindsnationalissuesmightovertakestateandlocalissues
orviceversa.3. Passinganoconfidencemotiontoconducttheelectionbeforeexpiry
ofthetermwillbeunconstitutional(Article83(2)-Itisstate’sprerogativetodecidewhentocallforelections).
4. Itisalsoagainstthefederalfeatureoftheconstitution.5. Noteasytoimplement:ManytimesaGovernmentisdissolved
prematurely,soinlongrunhavingamismatchinelectionsininevitable.Fore.g.ConsideroneoldscenariowhentheLokSabhagetsdissolvedinjust13days,in1998.
ParliamentaryPanelRecommendations:
1. Dissolvestateassemblieswhohavearemaininglife2. HoldelectionstohalfofthestatelegislaturesatthetimeofLokSabha
electionsandfortherestatthemid-termperiodoftheLokSabha.ThisissimilartotheAmericanmid-termelections.
WayForward:
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1. SimultaneouselectionstoPanchayats,assemblyandLokSabhaaredesirablehowevertheyarenotfeasible.
2. Tomaketheelectionprocessmoretransparent,costeffective,peacefulandquickweshouldconsidersomeeasilyimplementablesolutionssuchas:Tocuttheroleofmoneypowerinelections,puttingacaponpoliticalpartyexpenditureandstatefundingofpoliticalparties.
3. Alsobanonallprivate,especiallycorporatefundsshouldbeconsidered.
4. Reducethedurationoftheelectionprocessbyhalfbyconductingtheelectionsinoneday.
LandReforms[IMP]LandDigitizationandinterlinkedbenefits.
1. Lackoflandrecordsdigitizationhasledtofarmersunabletoaccessbanksforcredit.Duetothese,theyhavetoborrowmoneyfromlocalmoneylendersatveryhighrates.
2. Also,farmersdon’tregistertheirlandwhichleadstoownershiptitleproblemsinlandacqusitionbygovernment.
3. Whyfarmersdon’tgetlandregistered:a. Duetohighstampduties.Theyareashighas14.5%inUPand6-
7%inMaharashtra.b. Telanganahaslaunchedaninitiativewherefarmerswhoselands
arenotregisteredcandosowithina3weekwindow.Theycanevenproducetheirinformalpurchaseagreementsknownas“sadabainama”toregistertheland.
4. DigitallandrecordscouldbeintegratedwithAadharandJanDhanaswell.Forthis,LandIdentificationNumbers(LIN)shouldbeintroduced.
5. ThisevenhelpsintaggingLINwiththenearestweatherstation.Ifthereisbadweatherforecast,theweatherstationcoulduseLINtointimatefarmersbySMSorelectronicmessagetherebywarningthembeforehand.
6. Similarly,anyfarminsurancecouldbepaiddirectlyonbasisofLIN.7. Croploanscouldbeprocessed.8. LandtenancycouldalsobehandledwithLINandtargeting
agriculturalsubsidies.9. Landaggregationwillalsobefacilitated.
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CapitalPunishmentCapitalPunishmenthasbeenatthecenterofhumanrightsdebate.Ithasbeenpracticedsincethedawnofcivilizationintheworldtopunishthosechargedwithheinouscrimessuchasmurderetc.InIndia,capitalpunishmentwasofficiallyrecognizedandcodifiedbytheBritishduringcolonialperiod.Post-independence,ithasbeenawarded,butwithhighcaution.EventheSupremeCourthasdeclaredthe“RarestoftheRare”doctrineintheBachanSinghcasewhengivingcapitalpunishmenttoacriminal.ALawCommissionReportonthesubjecthasprovidedmanyargumentsforandagainstcapitalpunishment.Theyareasfollows:ArgumentsforCapitalPunishment:
1. Detersextremecrimes.2. Keepsthesocietytogetherbyproducingafearofthelaw.3. Putsacriminaltojusticeintheeyesofthevictim’sfamily,whichis
importantfortheirpsychologicalbeing.4. Itisamusttocounternewproblemssuchasterrorism.5. Itistooexpensiveforajusticesystemtokeepaseriouscriminal
underbars.ArgumentsAgainst:
1. Againstthemodernprinciplesofliberalismandhumanism2. Theprimaryaimofthejusticesystemisreformandnotpunishment.
Capitalpunishmentdoesnotgiveanychanceforthecriminaltoreformhimself.
3. Itispracticedininhumanewayssuchashangingandpoisoningandevenstoningtodeathinmanysocieties,whichisregressive.
4. Itdoesnothaveaplaceinademocraticandforwardlookingsocietyofours.
HumanrightsgroupAmnestyInternationalhaspublishedanewreportonnumberofdeathpenaltyexecutionsacrosstheworld.Atleast1,634peoplewereexecutedlastyear,anincreaseofmorethan50%on2014.
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OROPItiscontendedthattheimplementationofOne-Rank-One-Pension(OROP)forthearmedforceswouldcreateaseverestrainongovernmentfinances.ExplaintheprinciplesunderlyingtheOROPandargumentsthathavebeencitedinitssupportaswellasopposition.OROPmeansthateverysoldierwhoretiresinthesamerankgetsthesamepension,irrespectiveofhisdateofretirement.Asofnow,soldierswhoretiredmorerecentlyreceivemorepensionthanthosewhodidearlierbecausepensionsaredependentonthelastsalarydrawn—andsuccessivepaycommissionshavehikedsalaries.Problems:
1. Aspergovernmentestimates,additionalRs.8,400CrorewillberequiredtoimplementOROPwhichwillcertainlyputseverestrainongovernmentfinances.
2. Further,itisboundtoincreaseeveryyearandwitheverysuccessivepaycommission–aconstantescalationoftheimplicitpensiondebtonthegovernment.
3. Moreover,asmilitarypersonnelretireatayoungeragecomparedtotheirciviliancounterparts,defencepensionsarepaidforamuchlongerperiod.
1. Otherproblems:1. DefinitionofOROP:TherearetoomanydefinitionsofOROP,the
governmentneedtocomeupwithformulawhichisacceptableforall.2. Lackofrecords:theDefenceMinistrytoldtheKoshiyariCommittee
thatrecordsgoingbackfurtherthan25yearswerenolongeravailable3. ServiceDuration:peoplewhoretireinthesamerankoftenearn
differentpensionsbecausetheymayhaveservedforlongerperiodsinthatrank.Equatingtheirpensionswillunlikelytowithstandalegalchallenge.
4. CivilianPensioners:ThegovernmentalsoseemsworriedthatOROPcouldleadtoasimilardemandfromcivilianpensioners.Theycoulddemandforrevertingtotheoldfixedpensionregimefrompresentcontributorypensionsystem.
Inspiteoftheseargumentswhichareholdinggovernmentbackinitsimplementation,theOROPisademandsupportedbyallpoliticalparties.TheargumentsinfavourofOROPare:
1. Compensationforearlyretirement:Sincesoldiersretiresearly,theyaredeniedtheopportunitytoearnmoreincrementsandpromotions,aswellasthebenefitsofferedbymorerecentpaycommissions,whichsignificantlyaffectstheirpensions.OROPcanaddressallofthis.
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2. NationalObligation:Defenceforcespersonnelgiveuptheirbestyearstotheserviceofthenationandsociety,sufferinghardshipsofmilitarylife—and,attheendoftheirservice,facelimitedopportunitiesforre-employment
3. ShareinGDP:Thoughtheamountofdefencepensionhasriseninrecentyears,theirshareinGDPhasdeclinedconsiderably.
Thus,itisnotmereafinancialmatterbutalsoanemotionalmatterforveteransandsoldiers.Anationcannotallowitssoldierstofeelthatitdoesnotcareforthem.OROPisessentiallyanobligationoftheIndiannationtowardsitssoldiers.
FamilyLawReformsIndiasocietyishighlycomplexduetodiversityofreligions,castesandsub-castes,genderrelatedissues,andduetocomingofmodernidealsofequality,libertyandfraternitysinceindependence.Inthisrespect,variouscommunities(religiousandcaste)followdifferentcustomaryfamilylawsthatoftencollideagainstconstitutionalandlegalrightsofindividuals.Recentlygovernment-appointedhigh-levelpanelgavesuggestionsrelatedtofamilyreformsPanelwasformedforthereviewofwomenandfamilylawswithrespecttomarriage,divorce,custody,inheritanceandsuccession.SuggestionsbythePanel:
1. AmendingtheIPConadultery(Section497)-Currentlyitcanbeonlyusedbythehusbandagainstthepersonwhohassexualrelationswithhiswife.
2. Removingthegenderdiscriminationinherentinlawsthatstipulatealowerlegalageofmarriageforagirl.
3. Banontripletalaqandpolygamy.4. RighttomaintenanceforMuslimwomenintheirpersonallawaswell
asforwomeninlive-inrelationshipsandunmarrieddependentdaughters.
5. Introducingaseparatelegislationfordealingwith“honourkillings”.6. AmendmentofSpecialMarriagesAct–30daypublicnoticesunderthe
Actshouldbedoneawaytoprotectcouplemarryingagainstthewishesoftheirparents.
7. Theterm‘cruelty’alsoneedstobere-definedsincepersonallawsrecognizecrueltyasagroundfordivorce.
Whyisreformrequired:
1. ToimplementUniformCivilCodeinIndiaasenvisionedinArticleof44ofconstitution.
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2. Toremovetheimplicitgenderbiasesinthepersonallawsofvariousreligions.
3. TocreatepeacefulconditionsforpeopletomarryaccordingtotheirchoiceandpreventthemfromsocietalpressurelikefromKhaps.
4. WillhelpinimprovingtheconditionofwomenandtheirempowermentinpatriarchalsocietyofIndia
________________________________________
ImpactofSelfHelpGroupsonfinancialinclusioninIndia• Thereareover7.8millionSHGsinIndiawithover780millionmembers.• ImpactofSHGs:
o EnablemembersoftheSHGstogetincludedintheBankingSysteminIndia,therebyprovidingthemaccesstobankaccountservices,insurance,andabilitytotransfermoney.
o Reduceddependenceonmoneylenders.o Womenareempoweredastheygetfinancialcontroloftheirlives.
Thishelpsthefamilyoverallaschildrengetstableaccesstoeducation,nutritionandbetterlookingafterbyanempoweredmother.
o VulnerablesectionsofSCsandSTsarebenefitted.o Helpmemberstoborrowandlendmoneytomakethemfinancially
empowered.Withlendingmoneytheycanearnastableinterestreturnandbyborrowingtheycanstartnewlivelihoodsortakecareofeducationfortheirchildren.
o Ithelpsmemberstounderstandthebenefitsofsavingandinvestingmoney,therebymakingthemfinanciallysavvy.
o Collectiveplanningforadditionalincome.o Platformtodiscusstheirproblems,financialandnon-financialand
makebetterdecisions.• NABARDhasshownthatSHGsenable58%ofthehouseholdscovered
underSHGsreportedanincreaseinassets
BankSakhiProgramTheyaremembersofRGMVPpromotedSHGfederationmembers.EachSakhiisallocatedoneGramPanchayatcovering4-5villages.
1. Ensurepromptandefficientservicetobeprovidedtothecustomers2. Ensuresafecustodyofcashandequipmentwhichareattheir
disposal.3. BANKSAKHI-CSPshallnotchargeanyfeeorcommissionorany
chargesfromthecustomers4. Maintainconfidentialitywithregardtocustomerinformationanddo
notshareanycustomerinformationwithanythirdpartyexceptBARTRONICSandBank
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TheBusinessCorrespondent(BC)modelformsthecornerstoneofIndia'sfinancialinclusionstrategytoensuredeliveryofbankingservicesacrossthelengthandbreadthofthecountry.AnimportantmilestoneofhavingabankagentoraCSP(CustomerServicePoint)inallvillageswithapopulationofmorethan2,000hasbeenachieved.Butdespitetheremarkableprogressintermsofgeographicaloutreach,significantchallengesremain.CSPandclientdormancy(especiallyintheruralareas)arehigh.NABARD’sSHG-banklinkageprogram(SBLP)hassupportedtheformationofSHGnetworkswithextensivegeographicalcoverageandclientoutreach.ConvergenceofBCbasedfinancialinclusioninitiativeswithSHGnetworksmayholdsomeanswerstothecurrentchallengesinfinancialinclusion.ApilotprojectwasthereforeenvisagedtoexplorethepotentialofSHGmembersfunctioningasBusinessCorrespondentstoofferbankingservicesatthedoorstepofthevillageresidentsparticularlywomenandpoorhouseholds,withbackingfromtheSHGsupportinginstitutions.GIZNABARDjointcollaboration;RFIP(RuralFinancialInstitutionsprogram)supportsthepilotprogramwiththesoleobjectivetounderstandthefeasibility,coexistenceandmutualfitofSHGnetworkswithintheBCecosystem.TheGrameenBankofAryavart(GBA)incooperationwiththeGIZ-NABARDRuralFinancialInstitutionsProgramme(RFIP)hasidentifiedawell-functioningSHGecosystemthatisbeingnurturedandpromotedbyRajivGandhiMahilaVikasPariyojana(RGMVP)forthispilotproject.BankSakhis–selectedSHGmemberswhohavebeenactingasalinkbetweentheSHGsandthebank–havebeentrainedandequippedtocarryoutthefunctionofCSPs.Handholding/supportaswellasqualitycontrolandsupervisioncapabilitieshavebeenbuiltupattheleveloftheblocklevelSHGfederation,withsupportfromtheRGMVP.
MinorityInstitutionsinaSecularCountryMinoritycommunitiesarecommunitiesthatarepresentinsmallpopulationinthecountrybuthavedistinctivecultural,linguistic,religiousidentities.Forexample,theNationalCommissionforMinoritieshasidentifiedmuslims,jains,buddhistsandothersuchcommunitiesasminoritiesinIndia.Whytheyshouldbeallowed?
1. Constitutionalprovisions:a. Art30(1)providesforsettingupofminorityinstitutionsandArt
30(2)providesfornon-discriminationofStateinprovidingaid.2. SupremeCourtruling:
a. SCinTMAPaiFoundationCasehasnotedthatinstitutionssuchasAMUhavebeeninvolvedwithcommendableworkinSocial
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sciencesandimpartingeducationtoMuslimyouthwhichcanbeconsideredascharitablework.
3. Preservationofminoritybeliefs,languages,literature,architectureandarts,traditionsandculture
4. Promotionofeducationamongminorities,especiallywomen5. Promotionofsecularethics
EventheSacharCommitteereporthasencouragedstate’sparticipationinensuringthatminorityinstitutionsarewell-funded.RighttoEducation--SupremeCourt’sexemptionofminorityinstitutionsfromsomeprovisions.Whichareuniversallyapplicableandwhichareconflicting?Kerelahighcourthasrecentlyruledthat“nodetentionpolicy”envisagedundertheRTEActshouldbeapplicabletominorityrunschoolsaswell.ThereasoningisthatthispolicyisconsistentwithRighttolifeunderarticle21asitisin“bestinterest”ofthechild.[SobhaGeorgeCase].KeytakeawayfromthisjudgmentisthatsomeprovisionsofRTEhaveauniversalappealandcannotbedeniedastheirdirectlyfulfillfundamentalrights.ThisrunscontradictorytoPramatijudgmentoftheSupremeCourt.Inthis,theSChasruledthatminorityinstitutionsareexemptfromfollowingRTEguidelines.
• Pramatijudgmentisflawedbecause:o RTEActhassomeuniversalprovisionsoninfrastructuralnorms,
pupil-teacherratioetc.whichareabsolutelynecessaryforgoodeducationofchildrenandcannotbeexemptforevenminorityinstitutions.
ProvisionsofRTEwhichareUniversallyApplicable
1. Article29(2):agovernment-aidedminorityschoolcannotdiscriminateagainststudentsongroundsofreligion,race,caste,languageinthemattersoftheiradmission
2. Article21A:intheIndianconstitutionmakingEducationafundamentalRight
ConflictingProvisions:1. CulturalTrustv.UnionofIndia(2014)&Pramatijudgment:SChad
exemptedminorityschoolsfromthepurviewoftheRTEAct2. No-detentionpolicy(NDP):obligationnotintheActbutunderArticle
21oftheIndianConstitutionandinthe“bestinterest”ofthechildandcouldindependentlybeconsideredafundamentalright
3. Rightsofminorities:RTEconflictArticle30withthespecificcontextsoftherightsofminoritiestoestablishandadministereducationalinstitutionsoftheirchoice.Butitisnotabsoluteandnotmisadministration.SoRTEcanbeenforcedforitsbenefit.
Recentconflictingjudgments-SobhaGeorgeandPramatijudgmentsneedsa‘constitutionally-permissiblebalance’betweenrighttoeducationandminorityrightsrequiresaninterpretationthatmakesthemmutuallyreinforcingratherthanirreconcilable.
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PramatijudgmenthasexcludedsomeoftheRTEprovisionsfromapplicationtoMinorityschools.
LGBT• InJuly2009,theDelhiHighCourt,recognisingtheinherentinjusticein
Section377’soperation,renderedamomentousverdict,andfoundthatthelaw,inpersecutingacommunitypurelybasedonthesexualorientationofitsmembers,waspatentlyopposedtotheConstitution’sessentialpromises.
• However,justoverfouryearslater,inSureshKumarKoushalv.NazFoundation,theSupremeCourtreversedthisfinding.
• Section377,atitscore,isanintentiontoenforceadecreeagainstactionsthatareprofessedtobebeyondthewarrantsofsociety’smoralcompass.
• Only,thatinthecaseofcriminalisinghomosexuality,itistheoutlawingoftheactthatisimmoral,andnottheactitself.
• AstheAmericanphilosopherMarthaNussbaumhasargued,theSupremeCourt’sverdictinKoushalshowsusthatthereisanalmostpathologicalemotionofdisgustattheheartofanyperceivedrationaleforcriminalisinghomosexuality,whensuchactscausenoactualharmtoanypersonwhatsoever.
• Itisundeniablethatasociety’smoraljudgmentmustplaysomeroleindeterminingtheextentofitscriminallaws.However,“aconscientiouslegislatorwhoistoldamoralconsensusexists,”asthelegalphilosopherRonaldDworkinoncewrote,“musttestthecredentialsofthatconsensus.”
• Thecommunity’smoralstandardsthuscannotbearbitrarilygleanednorcanitbeaproductsimplyofinexplicablerevulsionanddisgust.
• InthecaseofSection377,anyreasonableanalysiswouldshowusthattoregardhomosexualactivityassomehowimmoralviolatestheinnatenaturalautonomythateverypersonhasoverhisorherrespectivesexuality.
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RuleBasedGovernance--needItisatypeofgovernanceinwhichdecisionsandpoliciesareguidedbyasetofprotocolsandproceduresinsteadofarbitraryexecutivepower.Impactoflackofrulebasedgovernanceandalsotheresultofitspresence:
1. Cronyinterestsarecreatedandpoliticalprocessismanipulatedtoservetheseinterests.a. Withmoneypowerincreasinglydrivingthepoliticalprocessthat,
inturn,createsaviciouscycleofmoneyandpoliticalsuccesstothosepanderingtoorbackedbycronycapitalists.
2. Politicalconnectionsdeterminesuccess.a. Thisphenomenon,alsowrittenaboutbyReserveBankofIndia
governorRaghuramRajanbeforetakingoffice,shutsout‘un-connected’entrepreneursfromopportunitiesandparticipatingintheeconomy.
b. This,inturn,hasstructuralimplicationsonissuessuchasinnovation,competitionandefficiency—allimportantelementsforasuccessful,sustainableeconomicmodelforacountrylikeIndia.
c. Inaremarkableexampleofhowthoughtful,transparentpoliciescanliftupcountries,Estonia,whichwaseconomicallycrippledduetotheSovietannexationfromthe1940sto1991,lifteditselfuptobecomeacountrywiththehighestnumberofstart-upspercapita.Thiswasdonethroughahostofmarketreformssincethemid-1990s—includingfreetradeandprivatization—designedtoremoveredtapeandsimplifytheprocessofstartingabusinessand,mostimportantly,followingwelllaid-outprocesses.
3. Rule-basedgovernancecreatestransparencyinitsfunctioningandimprovesthetrustbetweencitizens/investorsandgovernment.
4. Arule-basedeconomycreatesaframeworkthatboostsefficiency,competitionandopportunityforallinvestors.
5. Italsohastheeffectofreducingtheimpactofmoneyandcronyismonpoliticsanddemocracy.
SupremeCourtOrderonAFSPA--applicabilityofthelawandimmunitiesaccordedtothearmedforcespersonnel
1. War:First,itisextremelysignificantthatthecourtdoesnotagreewiththeargumentthatalawandordersituation,orsustaineddisturbanceinanyarea,givesrisetoasituationof“war”.a. Itcategoricallystatesthatanymilitaryinterventionunderthe
proclamationthataparticularareais“disturbed”mustbetosupplementandhelprestorecivilauthority,andnottosupplantthesamecompletelybymilitaryadministration.
b. Withintheterritoryofthecountry,aconstitutionalgovernmentanditsauthoritymustalwaysbethenorm,andanydeviationfromthesamecannotbeunlimited,eitherinscopeortime.
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c. ItisespeciallynoticedbythecourtthatManipur,withtheexceptionoftheImphalMunicipalArea,hasbeenconstantlynotifiedasadisturbedareasince1958.ThisfactsignifiesbestthatmilitarydeploymentundertheguiseoftheDisturbedAreasActandimmunityundertheAFSPAoftenbecomesointertwinedwithnotionsoforderthattheybecomepermanentfeaturesofgovernancethemselves,andnotthemeanstoanend.
2. ExcessiveUseofForcea. Inallthecasesofkillingslookedintobythecourt,theshootingsby
militaryforceswerenotgenuineandtheuseofforcehadbeenexcessive.
b. Indeed,thisisthemaincruxoftheargumentagainsttheAFSPA,thatitencouragesadisregardforlegalprocessessuchasarrestanddetentioninfavouroftheuseofbruteforceandextrajudicialexecutions.
3. TreatmentofIndianCitizens:a. TheSupremeCourtinthepresentcasehasreiteratedthat
thereisadifferenceinthemannerinwhichapersonwhoviolatesanorderinforceinadisturbedareashouldbetreatedascomparedtoanenemycombatantbelongingtoahostilecountry.
b. ThefactthatanIndiancitizen,inadisturbedarea,isviolatingaprohibitoryorder,doesnotgiverisetoanautomaticrightforthesecurityforcestotreathimwithforceortoassumethatheconstitutesanenemyinthatsituation.
c. Thecourtlooksatthemethodsofpracticeprescribedbythearmyitselfandstatesthattheuseofforceandespeciallyexcessiveandretaliatoryforceoncitizensisunjustified.
4. EnquiryNeededincaseofactionsunderAFSPA:a. Finally,thecourtalsoholdsthatinsuchcases,wheretheuseof
forceisexcessiveortheencounteritselfnotgenuine,thereisnothingwhichprecludesacriminalinvestigationandinquiryunderordinarycriminallaw.
b. BoththeArmyAct,andtheCodeofCriminalProcedure(CrPC),allowforaninquirytobeconductedbeforeajudicialmagistrateforcrimescommittedbythepersonneloftheforcewhileonduty.
c. Theorder,whichwillbeoneinaseriesoforderstocome,asmorecasesbeinginvestigatedreachtheirconclusions,hasshoneamuchneededlightonthedarkunderbellyoftheoperationoftheAFSPAinseveralpartsofthecountryandtheeffectsithashadongovernanceandcivilliberties.Itisawelcomestepinextendingtheruleoflawandfundamentalrightstoanareawheretherehasbeenmuchneedforitfordecades.
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AFSPA• TheArmedForcesSpecialPowersAct,1958comesintoplaywhenthe
governmentdeclaresaparticularpartofNEorJ&Kasa“disturbedarea”• TheprolongedhungerstrikeofIromSharmilainManipur.• ArgumentsAgainsttheAFSPA
a. AgainstArticle3(RighttoLife)oftheUNDeclarationonHumanRightsandalsoagainstUnitedNationsConventiononHumanRights→Indiaisasignatory
b. DraconianLawinourprogressivesociety:c. AFSPAhasbeenquestionedlargelybecauseofnumerous
humanrightsviolationsduetoitsdraconianprovisions.d. Section6oftheactsaysthatagovernmentofficercannotbe
prosecutedunlessprevioussanctionfromgovernmentissought.
e. Italsoenablesthearmedforcestofireuponoruseforceagainstanypersonactingagainstthelaw.
• ArgumentsinFavour:o Nationalsecurityindisturbedareas:o AreasofJ&KandNorthEastarehighlydisturbedandharbor
terrorist,criminalandsecessionistgroupsthatimpactthesecurityofthatregionandrestofIndia.
• EffectiveoperationofArmedforcesonlypossiblewithprovisionsoftheact.
o GovernmentSteps§ Thegovernmenthasmadeclearthatsecurityforcesmust
fireonlyaftertheyareclearlyconvincedofweaponsorexplosivesinhandsoftheotherparty.
§ Suggestions§ BPJeevanReddyCommittee:Recommendedthe
amendmentoftheAFSPAsection6
DisabledCitizens--SupremeCourtSCrecentjudgmentalongwithstrictimplementationguidelineswouldhaveeffectonempowermentofdisabledbutneedexaminehowandwhatwayitwouldaffecttheirconditionSCDirectives:
a. 3percentgovernmentjobsfordisabled:Employmentisakeyfactorinbecomingself-dependentandhelpthemovercomingmarginalization
b. Noapplicabilityof50%cap:wouldenablestategovernmenttohaveflexibilityinplanningquotaaccordingly
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c. GroupAandGroupBinclusioninreservation:GovernmentcreatedadistinctionbetweenpostsanddisableddoesnotentrytoGroupAbutnowonwardtogetentryviadirectrecruitmentandpromotionandSCconsidereditillegalandinconsistent”withthePersonswithDisabilitiesActof1995
Challengestoovercome:
1. Socialbarriers:disabledpeopleareoutofjobnotbecausetheirdisabilityratheritissocialandpracticalbarriersthatpreventthemfromjoiningtheworkforcesomerelyincreasing3%reservationmaynotonlyhelp
2. IdentifyingrightPost:AlthoughSChasdirectedtoidentifypostbutrecentcaseshavebeenseenselectedJr.engineeringcandidatesdoingworkofsweeper
3. FailureofCentreandstates:Theyhavefailedtoprovidereservationtotheblindandlowvisionpersonsinpast.Enforcingguidelinesmaynothaveimpactduetoslowactionoflawsproceedings
4. Dignityatwork:Evenselectedcandidatemayfacediscriminationandworkplacesrulesandlawcreationholdsignificance
HigherEducationFinanceAgency[HEFA]1. TheHigherEducationFinanceAgencywillraiseRs.20,000crorefrom
marketfloatationofbondsandfromloansfordevelopmentofinfrastructureinCentraleducationinstitutions.
2. ItwillbeaSPVandwillworkfromastaterunbank.3. ThismoneywillbelenttoHighereducationalinstitutionstodevelop
infrastructureandwillneedtobereturnedwithinteresttothelender.4. Hence,itcouldleadtomarket-linkedfeesinvarioushighereducation
institutionsthatusesuchfunding.5. CSRFunds:HEFAwouldalsomobilizecorporatesocialresponsibility
fundsfromcorporateentities,whichwouldinturnbereleasedforpromotingresearchandinnovationintheseinstitutionsonagrantbasis.
TechnicalEducationQualityImprovementProgrammeTheCabinetCommitteeonEconomicAffairsalsoapprovedthethirdphaseoftheTechnicalEducationQualityImprovementProgramme—ajointeffortbetweenthecentralgovernmentandtheWorldBankforimprovingthequalityofeducationinengineeringcolleges.ThetotalprojectoutlayforthiswillbeRs3,600crore.
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ChildLabour• Kailashsatyarthi,founderofbachpanbachaoandolan,wasawardednobel• ChildLabourperpetuatesilliteracy,unemployment,poverty,population
growthandothersocio-economicproblemsinthecountry.• Sincetheinceptionofbachpanbachaoandolan,ithasrescuedmorethan
84000children• Indiahasthehighestnumberofchildlabourersintheworld.• AsperNSSO,in2011therewere49.8lakhchildlabourersinIndia• In1973,Internationallabourorganization(ILO)passedtheILO
convention138thatprohibitschildrenunder14tobeemployed.• In1999,Convention182bannedchildlabour,childslavery,child
traffickingandinvolvementofchildreninhazardouswork.Indiahasstillnotratifiedthesetwoconventions.Atotalofonly7countrieshavenotratifiedtheconvention.
• Thechildlabour(prohibitionandregulation)act(CLPRact),1986prohibitedemploymentofchildrenunder14inhazardousconditions.
• Thisweaklawleftalmost90%ofchildlabouroutofitsperview.• In2012,CLPRamendmentbillwasintroduced,whichmakesanyformof
labourunder14illegal(exceptfamilyenterprise)oprohibitshazardousworkforchildrenbetween15-18ohigherpunishments.
• GovernmentofIndianeedstotakeinspirationfromprogramsinothercountries.InBrazil,awelfareprogramcalled“Bolsafamilia”wasintroduced,whichincentivizesfamiliestosendandkeeptheirchildreninschool.
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ChildLabour+1. Kailashsatyarthi,founderofbachpanbachaoandolan,wasawarded
nobelpeaceprizein2014forhisfightagainstchildlabour.2. ChildLabourperpetuatesilliteracy,unemployment,poverty,
populationgrowthandothersocio-economicproblemsinthecountry.3. Sincetheinceptionofbachpanbachaoandolan,ithasrescuedmore
than84000children4. Indiahasthehighestnumberofchildlabourersintheworld.5. AsperNSSO,in2011therewere49.8lakhchildlabourersinIndia6. In1973,Internationallabourorganization(ILO)passedtheILO
convention138thatprohibitschildrenunder14tobeemployed.7. In1999,convention182bannedchildlabour,childslavery,child
traffickingandinvolvementofchildreninhazardouswork.Indiahasstillnotratifiedthesetwoconventions.Atotalofonly7countrieshavenotratifiedtheconvention.
8. Thechildlabour(prohibitionandregulation)act(CLPRact),1986prohibitedemploymentofchildrenunder14inhazardousconditions.
9. Thisweaklawleftalmost90%ofchildlabouroutofitsperview.10. In2012,CLPRamendmentbillwasintroduced,whichmakesanyform
oflabourunder14illegal(exceptfamilyenterprise)oprohibitshazardousworkforchildrenbetween15-18ohigherpunishments.
11. GovernmentofIndianeedstotakeinspirationfromprogramsinothercountries.InBrazil,awelfareprogramcalled“Bolsafamilia”wasintroduced,whichincentivizesfamiliestosendandkeeptheirchildreninschool.
AADHARANDHEALTHCAREAadhaar,thecountry’suniqueidentitysystem,hasanabilitytochangealotaboutIndia’sdeliveryofpublicservicesinaveryshortperiodoftime.
1. Aadharhasalmostabillionmembersalready
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2. Aadhaarnowservesnotjustasaaddressandidentityproofbutalsoasthefinancialaddressforitsresidents.
3. Armedwiththissystem,Indiahasbeenabletorevolutionizeitsfinancialsystems,rethinkthenatureofitswelfarestate,cuttingbackonbenefitsin-kindandmarket-distortingsubsidies,andturningtodirectcashtransferspaidintotheJanDhanaccountsoftheneediest.
UniversalBasicIncome(UBI)• SwitzerlandinareferendumrecentlyrejectedtheideaofUBI.• ThebasicideaofaUBIisthateverybodyshouldbegivenabasic
minimumincomeasanentitlementandnotascompensationforwork.• Benefits:
o UBIwouldhelptopartlyoffsettherapidriseininequalityobservedinrecentyears.
o AsasafetytheUBIwouldbethesimplestandmosteffective.• Robots:
o Anotherpointstemsfromthepotentialobsolescenceofworkinarobotizedworld.Asrobotstakeovermoreandmoreofthetaskshithertoperformedbyhumanbeings,robotizedproductionsystemswillbecapableofproducinggoodsofmassconsumptiononanalmostunlimitedscale.
o Ontheotherhand,humanworkersnolongerrequiredorpaidtodomostjobswouldlackthepurchasingpowertobuythesegoodsofmassconsumption.
o Ifmassconsumerslackthepurchasingpowertobuythegoodsproducedformassconsumption,whetherforreasonsofincomeinequalityorworkobsolescence,thenthemarketsformassconsumergoodswillcollapse.
o Theonlywayoutofthisimpasseofchronicunder-consumptionistorevisitthelinkbetweenincomeandwork,henceUBI.
• BetterTargeting:o AccordingtotheShantaKumarcommitteereport,nearlyhalfthe
subsidizedfoodgrainsdistributedthroughthetargetedpublicdistributionsystem(TPDS)forBPLfamiliesdonotreachtheintendedbeneficiaries.
o UBIwouldcompletelydoawaywithtargetingandallthechallengesthatcomewithit.
• LeakageswouldalsobeminimizedifUBIisadministeredusingtheJAM(JanDhanYojana,Aadhaarandmobileconnectivity)trinity,theIT-enabledtechnologicalinnovation.
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• Problems:o Expensive:Wouldentailalargebudget.Somestudiespegitatas
muchas8-10%ofGDP.However,thecostcanbesimultaneouslymadeupforwithsavingsfromleakagesinongoingsubsidiesaswell.
BharatBillPaymentsSystem(BBPS)BBPSisanintegratedbillpaymentsystemdevelopedbyNationalPaymentcorporationofIndia(NPCI)thatwillofferinteroperablebillpaymentservicestocustomersonlineandofflineFeatures:
1. Billpaymentseasier2. Asingleplatformisprovidedtopayanybillphysicallyor
electronically.Instantconfirmationisanotherfeature.3. Chequepaymentisnotallowed.Paymentsareallowedasin
cashorasdigitaltransactioni.e.debit,credit,netbanking,UPI4. AnothersteptofacilitateRBI’svisionofpaymentsfor
customersanytime,anywhere.5. BBPS’sinitialaimistopromotedigitaleconomyandcashless
transaction6. AnypersoncanpaythroughaBBPSoutletorBBPSwebsite.
S/heneedstohaveanaccountforpayment.7. Somebanksestablishedamobilehandsetforthisfacility.8. Start-upactivitiesarealsomushroomingaroundBBPSwith
featureslikee-walletormobilepayment.Challenges:
1. DigitalDivide2. Developingaviablebusinessmodelisstillinprocess3. FundingfromVCsorAngelinvestorsarehighlyneeded4. Afinancialtaskforcetofinalizecommercialmodelisrequired5. Customerreactiontothisecosystemwillplayabigrolefor
sustainabilityofthesame.BBPSisanovelandinnovativeapproach.Itcanbedevelopedasasingle-nationallevelplatformanycashbasedorcashlesspayment.
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VoterEducationinIndia1. NationalVoters’Day(NVD).
a. NobudgetandnonationalholidayneededfortheNVD.Infact,VoterregistrationisanormalactivityoftheElectionCommission(EC),carriedoutthroughtheyear.
b. Allthatwasdonewasconvertthestaggered,sporadicactivityintoan“event”usingthenormalbudget.
c. ThefirstNVDwasinauguratedbythenPresidentPratibhaPatilinthepresenceof30chiefelectioncommissionersfromaroundtheworld.Someofthem,includingfromPakistanandBhutan,wentbackhomeanddeclaredtheirownNVDs.
d. AfterjustfourNVDs,the2014electionwasconductedwiththeadditionofnearly120millionmorevotersthanin2009.ThisislikeaddingtheentirepopulationofSouthAfricaandSouthKoreacombined,orthreeCanadas,orfourAustralias,or10Portugals,or20Finlands!
e. NVDistheflagshipeventofanothernewprogrammeoftheEC,SystematicVoters’EducationforElectoralParticipation(SVEEP).Thisprogramme,too,facedhiccups—someintheorganisationquestionedwhether“educating”voterswastheEC’sjob.Forme,itindeedwas.
f. Lowturnouthadbeenthebaneofourelections,raisingquestionsonelectedrepresentatives’legitimacy.Inthiscontext,weconsideredvotereducationanimperative.
2. Enormouspublicapathy,especiallyamongtheeducatedurbanmiddleclass,whichnotonlyabstainedfromvotingbutusedtobragaboutthis.
a. Campaignslike“Pappudoesn’tvote,aaha”—changedthis.Itachievedaremarkableincreaseinvoterturnout.
b. Akeystrategywastohavebrandambassadors—headedbynolessthanformerPresidentA.P.J.AbdulKalam.
c. Theyouth,hithertoindifferentorcontemptuousofpolitics,startedleadingfromthefront.Twenty-fivethousandcampusambassadorswereappointedinuniversitiesandcolleges.Schoolchildrenbecamewatchdogsofvoterparticipation,coaxingapatheticparentstovote.Allelectionssince2010haveseenrecordturnouts.
d. Election2014brokeasix-decaderecordwith66.4percentturnout.Insomestates,thiscrossed80percent.
e. Inhalfthestates,womenvotersoutnumberedmen.Manyhavedescribedthisasa“participationrevolution”.
3. Theinkedfingerbecameasymbol—restaurantsapparentlystartedofferingdiscounts,barbersgivingfreehaircuts.TheEChasnowtakenthemovementtonewheights.AgrandVoterFest(MatdaataMahotsav)inDelhilastweekattractednearlythreelakhcitizens.
4. ThebestendorsementhascomefromPMNarendraModi,whoinhisMannKiBaatsaid,“Tillafewyearsago,weusedtoseethatourElectionCommissionisworkingjustasaregulator.Butithasundergoneasignificantchangeinthepastfewyears.Today,ourECisnotamereregulatoranymore.Ithasinsteadbecomeafacilitator,ismorevoter-friendlyandvotersarenowatthecentreofallitsplansandthoughts.”
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WhatmakestheseremarksespeciallysignificantisthattheEChasconsistentlydifferedwithhisadvocacyofcompulsoryvoting.Whosaysthereisnofreedomtodiffer.
JuvenileJusticeAct,2015[passed]KeyProvisions:
1. Thebillallowsforjuveniles16yearsoroldertobetriedasadultsforheinousoffenceslikerapeandmurder.Heinousoffencesarethosewhicharepunishablewithimprisonmentofsevenyearsormore.
2. ThebillmandatessettingupJuvenileJusticeBoardsandChildWelfareCommitteesineverydistrict.Bothmusthaveatleastonewomanmembereach.
3. Oncethebillbecomeslaw,thedecisiontotryajuvenile16yearsorolderasanadultwillbetakenbytheJuvenileJusticeBoard,whichwillhaveajudicialmagistrateandtwosocialworkersasmembers.Iftheboarddecidesagainstit,thejuvenilewillbesentforrehabilitation.
4. TheChildWelfareCommitteeswilllookatinstitutionalcareforchildrenintheirrespectivedistricts.Eachcommitteewillhaveachairpersonandfourothermembers,allspecialistsinmattersrelatingtochildren.
5. IndiaisasignatorytotheUNConventionontheRightsoftheChildwhichmandatesthatallchildrenundertheageof18yearsbetreatedequal.ThependingbillhasbeencriticisedforviolationoftheConvention.
6. SeveralRehabilitationandSocialIntegrationMeasuresforinstitutionalandnon-institutionalchildren.
Providesforsponsorshipandfostercare.
• Thebillalsodealswithadoptionofchildrenandlaysdowntheeligibilitycriteriaforadoptiveparents.Acentraladoptionresourceagencywillframetherulesforadoption,whichwillbeimplementedbystateanddistrictlevelagencies.
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NationalWomenPolicy• Aimedat“re-scripting”women’sempowermentbyfollowinga“
sociallyinclusiverightsbasedapproach”• RoughlybasedonPamRajputCommittee(2012)setupbyMWCD• Lasttime,womenempowermentpolicycamein2001• Highlights:
o Createconducivesocio-culturalenvironmentforwomentodeveloptheirfaculties,pursuetheircareersandlifegoals.
o Politicalrightsforwomentoenablethemtogetfullrepresentationinthepoliticaldiscourseinthecountry.
o InstitutionalDevelopment:EffectiveGenderInstitutionalStructuretoenableimplementationofgenderpolicies
o GenderBudgeting,Inter-Sectoralconvergence,stakeholderpartnerships,andcollectionofgenderrelateddataforbetterpolicymaking.
o Priorityareasforwomen:§ Nutrition[anemia,communitynutrition,infantandyoung
childfeeding]§ Education§ Health§ Security§ Governanceanddecisionmaking§ Violenceagainstwomen§ Environmentandclimatechange§ Enablingenvironment
o SchemesandPrograms:o BetiBachaoBetiPadhao(trilateralministries:MinistryofWomen
andChildDevelopment,MinistryofHRD,MinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare)
• Toaddressdecliningsexratioofgirls• Objectives:
o Preventgenderbasedsexselectiveeliminationo Ensuresurvival&protectionofthegirlchildo Ensureeducationofthegirlchildo FocusongendercriticaldistrictsandcitieslowonCSRfor
intensiveandintegratedaction.o Trainingofpanchayats.o Sustainedsocialmobilizationandcommunicationcampaign.o StandUpIndiao MahilaBank
• WhyImportant:o Poorchildsexratioof918/1000in2011
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Euthanasia• SimonedeBeauvoirinherbookdescribesplightofherdyingmotherin
hospitalas“deathbyintensivecare”• Theplightofadyingpatientcanonlybeunderstoodbytheirclosest
familymembers,relativesandfriends.Additionally,thedebatecutsacrossvariousethical,legal,political,socialandindividualhumanrights.
• ArunShanbaugCase:Thelongvegetativestate[42years]ofbelovednurseArunaShanbaugandaplighttotheSupremecourttoallowcarryingouteuthanasiaforherhadledtotheopeningofdebateonEuthanasiainIndia.
1. ArgumentsAgainst:a. NeglectofHealthcarebyState:
i. TheCourtnotedthateuthanasiamayencourageorincentivizestatetonottakecareofcriticalpatients.Infact,inHolland,thelegalizationofeuthanasiahasledtoseveredeclineinqualityofcareofterminally-illpatients.
ii. CommercializationofHealthCare:b. Thecourtwiselynotedthatwecannotputthelifeofapersonin
handsofcommercialhealthsector(doctors)whocouldputtodeathmanyolderanddisabledpatientsinthehospitals.
i. MalafideIntent:ii. Additionally,unscrupulouselementsinthefamilyor
relativecirclemaynotunderstandthebestforthepatient.iii. ConstitutionalRighttoLife—Article21iv. Hence,activeeuthanasiahasbeencompletelybannedin
India.2. ArgumentsinFavourofEuthanasia:
a. RighttoDiewithDignityb. Organtransplantationencouraged
i. Terminallyillpatientsmaybeencouragedtodonatetheirorgans,therebyallowing“Righttolive”foranotherpatient
c. Theburdenofthecaregiveri. Thecaregivermustprovideallthepossibletreatmentsregardlessofthefinancial,legalandpersonalreasonsasitisonlyethicalthingtodo.
d. RighttoRefuseCarei. Righttorefusecareisrecognizedbythelawandeffectivelygiveswayforpassiveeuthanasia.
3. JudicialPronouncements
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a. InGianKaurCase1996,theSupremeCourthasinterpretedtheconstitution’sArticle21—RighttoLifeasanarticlethatdoesnotincludetheRighttoDie.
i. 2011:Inthislight,theSupremeCourthasruledin2011thatonlypassiveeuthanasiacanbeadministeredinIndia.
ii. Passiveeuthanasiameansthatonlywithdrawaloflifesupportornutritionisallowed,anddoctorscannotadministeranymedicineordrugtoactuallyputthepatienttosnuffoutlife.
iii. Additionally,thefamilymembersneedtogetapermissionfromtherelevantHighCourt.
iv. TheHCchiefjusticewouldformabenchof2judgesaswellasappoint3reputeddoctorstoadministersuchasdecision.
v. Thedoctorsmustprovideareporttothenextofkinandthestategovernmentinregardtothis.
vi. LegislativeActionvii. Governmenthasframedanew“PassiveEuthansia”or“
Medicaltreatmentforterminallyillpatients”Billviii. Allowsfora“LivingWill”or“AdvanceMedical
Directive”bypatientsbeforehandintermsofmedicaltreatmentwhentheybecomeill
ix. Apatient(above16yearsofage)willhavefullauthorityforwithholdingmedicalcaretohimselforherselfandallowthenaturetotakeitscourse.
x. Informationregardingthishastopassedontoparents,relatives,friendetc.bythemedicalpractitoner.
Educationrequirementsneededforstandinginelections:SupremeCourtupholdstheconstitutionalityofHaryanaLawthatdisqualifiescandidatesforPanchayatiseatswithoutrequisiteEducationalrequirements.Positiveeffects:
9. Ableleadership:Educationimpartssomeleveloftechnicaleducationandbetterunderstandingofvarioussocial,economicandpolitical.
10. RoleModel:Theycanprovetoberolemodelforruralmassesowingtocriteriaofmaintainingsanitation,reduceopendefecation(havingafunctionaltoilet),promotespiritofeducation.
11. Ensurethateducationispromotedinruralareaswithoutbiastobothwomenandmen
Negativeeffects:
1. Isolationoffemalestrata:Limitparticipationonilliteratewomeninpanchayatirajinstitutionsastheirliteracyratesarealmost10-15%belowmen.
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2. Againsttheprincipleof“onemanonevote”→AgainsttheRighttoEqualityasperarticle21asitputspeoplewitheducationonadifferentplaneandquestionsraisedonitsimpactonRighttoUniversalsuffrage
3. Blackmarketingofbogusdegreesandcertificatescouldincreases4. IsolationofSTsandSCsfromthedemocraticprocess5. NotprovidingeducationtothemassesandhighilliteracyinIndiais
failureofthegovernmentitself→citizensundulysuffering6. Againsttheprinciplesof“DirectDemocracy”
SimultaneousElections
1. Fromfirstelectionsin1952until1967,electioncyclesinStatesandtheCentermatchedandallwereheldtogether.
2. From1967,duetoemergenceofregionalpartiesandthecoalitionera,stategovernmentsweredissolvedwithoutfulfillingfullfiveyearsoftheirmandate.ThisledtononmatchingofelectioncycleinIndia.
3. Problemswithstaggeredelectionsa. Expensive:ElectionCommissioninitsreporttotheLaw
Commissionhasestimatedthatcostofholdingmultipleelectionswouldbealmost50%lowerthanholdingstaggeredelections
b. Holdondevelopmentalactivities:DuetoMCCcomingintoforce,variousdevelopmentactivitiescometoahold.
c. Deploymentofgovernmentofficialsandsecurityforcesd. Communalforcesandimmoralactivitiesduetomoneypowerand
muslepowerincrease4. Pros:
a. Decreaseexpenseb. Continuationindevelopmentalpoliciesandprogramsc. Savinggovernmentapparatusfromregulardeploymentson
electiondutyd. Reducedmoneypowerandmusclepoweruse
5. Cons:a. ChallengetothefederalstructureofIndiab. Voterstendtovoteforsamepartyduringelectionsatthesame
timec. Nationalissueswilldominatetheagendaandregionalissueswill
takeabackseat
6. WaterCrisisandWaterasstatesubjecta. WaterproblemhasmanydimensionsinIndia:
i. Scarcityofwaterii. Inter-statewaterdisputessuchasCauveryriverwateriii. InternationalwaterdisputessuchasTeestariver
waterwithBangladeshiv. Pollutionofriverwater
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PressureGroups1. AttempttobringchangestoPublicPolicy2. Lobbying,publicity,correspondence,petitioning,publicdebates,
contactswiththeirlegislators.3. Alsousestrikes,violentactivitiesandcorruptionwhichdamages
publicinterestandadministrativeintegrity.4. Electioneering,Lobbying,Propagandizing5. India:
a. BusinessgroupssuchasFICCI,ASSOCHAMb. TradeUnionssuchasAITUC,BMS,INTUCc. AgrariangroupssuchasAIKS,BKU,BKSd. ProfessionalassociationssuchasIndianMedicalassociation,Bar
CouncilofIndiae. StudentOrganizationssuchasAISU,ABVPf. Religious:RSS,VHP,J-e-Ig. Caste:Marwariassociation,KayasthaSabhah. Tribal:AllIndiaJharkhand,NSCNi. Linguistic:TamilSanghj. Ideology:NarmadaBachaoAndolan,ChipkoMovement,Gandhi
PeaceFoundation
Alternatedisputeredressalmechanism1. Tools:ARBITRATION,CONCILIATIONANDMEDIATION2. Arbitration:atrainedneutralthirdpartyresolvesthecase.Binding
reward.Arbitratornominatedbythecourt.3. Conciliation:Acompromiseismade.Notbinding.4. Mediation:Aconsensualdecisionisreachedbydisputingparties
themselves.Amediatorisselectedwhoseauthorityrestsonagreementbythetwocontestingparties.
5. TheconciliatorisintheIndiancontext,oftenaGovernmentofficialwhosereportcontainsrecommendations.SofarasDepartmentofLegalAffairsisconcerned,thisDepartmentprovidesannualrecurringGrants-in-aidtoNationalLegalServicesAuthority(NALSA)whichisastatutorybody.
6. Asregardsthepromotionofalternativemethodsofdisputeresolution,theInternationalCentreforAlternativeDisputeResolution(ICADR)wassetupbytheDepartmentofLegalAffairsasanautonomousbodyregisteredundertheSocietiesRegistrationAct,1860.
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PublicInterestLitigations6. “PublicinterestLitigation“,insimplewords,means,litigation
filedinacourtoflaw,fortheprotectionof“PublicInterest”,suchasPollution,Terrorism,Roadsafety,Constructionalhazardsetc.[filedin1979inIndiaforthefirsttime--HussainaraKhatoonvStateofBiharonpitiableconditionsofprisoners.Ledtoreleaseof40000prisoners]
7. Publicinterestlitigation(PIL)wasarevolutionaryconceptinitiatedwithalaudableobject.InthewordsoftheSupremeCourtofIndia,itwasaimedat“fosteringanddevelopingthelaudableconceptofPILandextendingitslongarmofsympathytothepoor,theignorant,theoppressedandtheneedywhosefundamentalrightsareinfringedandviolatedandwhosegrievancesgounnoticed,un-representedandunheard”.
8. HoweverPILbeenusedbyNGOswhoarebecoming“ProxyLitigants”or“afrontforsettlingcorporaterivalryorpersonalvendetta”
9. Advantages:a. Madejusticemoreaccessibleforthepoor.b. Dramaticimprovementsinenvironmentalconditionsand
humanrightsduetoPILsc. LandmarkPILjudgments:i. Vishakav.StateofRajasthanorVishakaCaseonguidelines
aboutsexualharassmentii. DKBasuCasethatshapedDKBasuGuidelinesfortreatmentof
undertrialandarrestedpeople.iii. TSRSubramaniamCaseiv. PrakashSinghCaseonPoliceReforms10. Misuseexamples:
a. Publicinterestlitigationwasfiledfor“reliefs”suchasprivateplanesandspecialtransportforthehigherjudiciary.--FiledinUttarPradeshbyalawyerforpublicity.
b. Misusefor:i. Politicalpurposes“politicalinterestlitigations”orii. Publicity“publicityinterestlitigations”iii. Private--“privateinterestlitigations”
c. Hiddenlitigantsusedforsettlingbusinessproblemsorscores
7. ThethirdandequallydisturbingaspectisthemisuseofPILbyhiddenlitigants.Thisishappeninginallsortsofmatters;rivalbusinessgroupsaresettlingscoresbyresorttoPILs.Personswhodescribethemselvesas“publicspiritedpersons”andothersas“socialorganisations”springupovernighttocanvassthesecauses.
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UniformCivilCode1. ShahBanoCase1985andDanialLatificase20012. ShayaraBanuCase--fightagainsttripletalaq3. Article44DPSP4. Reformofpersonallawisnotenoughaspersonallawthemselves
couldberestrictive.Forexample:Muslimwomenarenotallowedtoadoptchildrenunderpersonallaw.
5. HinduCodeBill1955--HinduMarriageAct,HinduSuccessionAct,SpecialMarriageAct--problem:RegistrationnotrequiredbyHinduMarriageActthereforechildmarriagescouldcontinue
6. MuslimPersonalLawApplicationActallowsmuslimsinIndiatobegovernedbyShariatLawaspertheirchoice.
7. GoaistheonlystatewithUCCasperthePortuguesecivilcode
OrdinanceMakingPower• Article123• Thisisalegislativepowerinhandsoftheexecutive,therebynegatively
affecting“SeparationofPowersDoctrine”• DCWadhwav.StateofBihar--259instancesofordinancesinoneyearby
Bihargovernment• RCCoopervs.UnionofIndia--ordinancemustmeetsomeconditions
AERBandNuclearSecurityStructureinIndia1. RajaRamannaCommitteewasthefirstonetoraisethequestionof
nuclearsecurityregulatorystructure.2. CAGhasalsopointedoutthatAERBisnotindependentandaNational
NuclearSafetyAuthoritymustbeformedforthispurpose.3. 2014“NuclearMaterialsSecurityIndex”preparedbyNuclear
ThreatInitiative(NTI)ranksIndialowat23outof25countries.4. Currently,theAERBregulatesIndiannuclearciviliansecurity
structure.However,AERBisnotindependentasitisundertheAtomicEnergyCommissiononly.[Dept.ofAtomicEnergy]
5. Itcannotoverseedefencenuclearinfra.6. NoestablishedbyanActbutbygovernmentorder.
RTI1. RTI’ssignificanceliesinitsmandatetopromotetransparency,
accountabilityandparticipationofcitizensingovernment.2. Problems:
a. LackofmanpowerasmanytoppostsintheInformationcommissionsareempty
b. AttacksonvariousRTIactivistsareraisingquestionsonlawandordercondition
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c. Closeto25,000appealsareinbacklog
AadharandRighttoPrivacy1. Aadharcardhasraisedconcernsofprivacyasitusesbiometric
informationandimportantdemographicdataofindividuals.Atthesametime,itpromisestoenableefficientandtimelydeliveryofpublicservicesviadirectbenefitstransfer.
2. Amidsttheseconcerns,variousgovernmentdepts.haveapproachedtheSupremeCourtrequestingittorelievingthemfromitsorderstoprovideservicestothepoorwithouttheneedofAadharcard.
3. However,SupremeCourthasrefusedthisandraisedmanyconstitutionalquestionsandobservations.
4. Poorcannot“surrender”theirprivacyrightstogetbenefits:a. Firstly,thepoordonotneedtosurrendertheirrighttoprivacyin
ordertoavailthesepublicbenefits.Thiswoulddifferentiatebetweentherightsofpoorandtherich.
5. ThemiddlepathcanbereachedbygovernmentinaddressingboththeefficientandtimelydeliveryofservicesaspromisedbyAadharaswellasdoingitsmosttoprotectrightsofthepoorestpeople.
6. Thiscanbedonebyallowingcitizenstoopt-intowaivetheirrightsofprivacyiftheywantinordertouseAadharrelatedsubsidies.
LegislativeCouncils--abolishorallow?Whyneeded:
1. Checkonhastyactionsoftheassembly2. Allowsmoredebateontopics3. Individualswhoareexpertsinrespectivefieldsandnotabletoget
electedinpopularelectionsareabletocontributetolawmakingprocess
Abolish:
1. Doesnothaveeffectivepowerasassemblycanrejectallamendmentsproposedbyit
2. LeaderswithinfluencewholoseelectionsarenominatedtothisHouseorpeoplewithrelationswithpoliticalleaders
3. Strainstatefinances--Approx.Rs.100crorearerequiredtoestablishandthenRs.20croreperyeartorunitasperstandingcommittee
Procedure:
1. Statemustpasstheresolutionwithspecialmajorityinassemblytocreateorabolishit
2. ThenmustbepassedbytheParliamentaswell
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StandingCommitteeoftheParliamenthasrecommendedaNationalPolicywithregardstocreatingthesecondchamberinvariousstates.
HumanRightsInstitutionsinIndiaAccordingtotheParisPrinciplesRelatingtoStatusofNationalInstitutions(1993),whichserveasaninternationalbenchmark,independencefromthegovernmentisoneofthemostcrucialelementsinbuildingeffectivehumanrightsinstitutions.Thisprincipleisseriouslyunderminedwheneverthereispoliticalinterferenceinappointmentsandwheneverthetenureandstabilityoftheseinstitutionsissubjecttothewhimsandfanciesofthegovernment.Thejudiciaryhasplayeditspartwellbyrevokingsucharbitraryappointments,butnowitisforthegovernmenttodemonstrateitswillingnesstoestablishstrongandindependentinstitutionsaccordingtotheruleoflaw.
1. NHRC2. NationalCommissionforProtectionofChildren’sRights3. NationalDisasterManagementCommittee4. NationalCommissionforWomen
Problems:
1. Usedbypoliticalpartiestoappointtheirownknownpeopletherebypromotingnepotisminsteadofmerit.[selectiononpoliticalgrounds]
2. Theselectionprocesshenceremainsopaque.3. Removalofheadsandmembersisseenduringchangeofgovernment.
ViolationsofMCC;ShoulditbepartofRPA?1. 2013Parliamentarycommitteestatedthatprovisionsthatdonothave
statutorybackingbegivensuchbackinga. Exampleuseofpublicvehicles,combiningofficialworkwith
electioncampaigns2. Examplesofviolations:
a. AlawministerwascensuredbythepresidentafterECfiledacomplaintagainsthimforviolatingMCCbyannouncingaschemewhenMCCwasinforce
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b. ElectionCommissionservedashowcausenoticetoBengalchiefministerMamtaBanerjeeforannouncinganewdistrict
3. Insuchcase,theaccusedshouldissueapologya. FIRwaslodgedagainstAssamex-CMTarunGogoiforholding
pressconferenceinGuwahatiduringpolling4. MCCishingedtotallyonMoralityanddoesnothaveanybasisinthe
law5. GivepowerofjudicialactioninsuchcasestoElectionCommission
itselfa. Counter:willaffecttheseparationofpowersdoctrine
6. FilinganFIR,eventhoughnotwithmuchrepercussions,sendsastrongmessagetothepeopleandtheyviewtheleaderasethicallywrong.
7. AlotofMCC’sprovisionsalsofallunderIndianPenalCodeanywayssoincorrecttosaythatithasnolegalbacking
8. Willleadtoneedlesslegalcases
InquiryintoCivilServants:Protectionsprovided:Article311
• Acivilservantcannotbedismissedbyanyauthoritythatissubordinatetotheonebywhichhewasappointed.
• Anenquiryisimportanttopresenttheinformationofthechargeshehasbeenframedwithandtogivehimthe‘Righttobeheard’.
DSPESection6A
• PriorConcurrenceonregistrationofacase:Section6AoftheDSPEAct1946
• Section6AofDSPEwasabolishedbySCasitisagainstArticle14RecommendationsbyCommittees:
• ADGorwalaCommitteeReport,1951→Greaterunderstandingbetweenministersandcivilservants
• HotaCommittee,2004o AmendingcertainsectionsinthePreventionofcorruptionActand
codeofCriminalproceduretoprotecthonestcivilservants• CodeofEthics• Publicevaluationofperformances
T.S.RSubramaniumvsUnionofIndia
• CreationofanindependentCivilServicesBoardbothattheCentreandtheStateforpromotionandtransfersofbureaucrats
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• Provisionoffixedtenureinservicegivingthemprotectionagainstbiasedtransferbypoliticians
• Allbureaucratsshouldrecordthedirectivesgiventothemfromtheiradministrativesuperiorsandpoliticalauthorities
IndianAdministrativeService(Cadre)Rules,1955,havebeenamendedandanewclauseinserted-
• TheCentralGovernment,inconsultationwiththeStateGovernmentorStateGovernmentsconcerned,maydeterminethetenureofalloranyofthecadrepostsspecifiedfortheStateconcernedinitem1oftheScheduletotheIndianAdministrativeService(FixationofCadreStrength)Regulation,1955
• Acadreofficerappointedtoanypostforwhichthetenurehasbeensodetermined,shallholdtheminimumtenureasprescribedexceptintheeventofpromotion,retirement,deputationoutsidetheStateortrainingexceedingtwomonths
• AnofficermaybetransferredbeforetheminimumprescribedtenureonlyontherecommendationofaCommitteeonMinimumTenureasspecifiedintheScheduleannexedtotheserules
StepstakenbySupremeCourt:
• Spendaminimumoftwoyearsinapostingbeforetheycanbetransferred• SettingupofaCivilServicesBoardtocheckpoliticalinterference• Adviceswithregardstoappointmentsandpostingsshouldberecorded
ensuringtransparencyandaccountabilityImpactontheOfficer:
• Motivationisimportant.Thelossofmoralewhenaskedtoleavebehindhis/hervisionandafailedopportunitytobringaboutachangeispainful.
• Uncertaintyoftenureleadstofearandinstabilityinthemindthatshouldbewithoutfearfortheproperdeliveryofservices.
• Incentivesencouragehardworkbutpunishmentattractsmoremalfunctioning,cripplingthequalityofgovernance.
Wayforward:
• Thenatureoftransfershouldbedoneinanindependentmanneronsoundadministrativegroundsthatareclearlyspeltout.
• FixedTenuresforcriticalrankslikeDGPs,DistrictSPs&SHOs;toensuresmoothfunctioningofadministration
• Thetenureshouldbedirectlylinkedtoperformancetargetsandfast-trackadvancementsonthebasisofforward-lookingcareermanagementpoliciesandtechniquesshouldbemanagedbyautonomousPersonnelBoardsforassistingthehighlevelpoliticalauthoritiesinmakingkeydecisions.
• Civilserviceboardsshouldbeconstitutedunderstatutoryprovisions• Therepeatedshufflingisamenaceforgoodgovernanceandiftheofficer
isconcernedaboutthedisruptionintheflowofservicesduetohis
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transfer,heshouldbegivenachancetotakehiscasebeforeanOmbudsman.
• Ministersmustupholdthepoliticalimpartialityofthecivilserviceandnotaskthecivilservantstoactinanywaywhichwouldconflictwiththedutiesandresponsibilitiesofthecivilservants.
CivilServices—PostingOfficersindiscriminately—BlurreddivisionofResponsibility-CaseofPunishmentPosting
• InIndia,theelectedrepresentativesareresponsibletothepeopleandthecivilservantsareresponsibletotheMinisters.Duetosomevestedinterests,‘politicalneutrality’haspavedwayfor‘politicalinterferences’andthishasledtothephenomenaof‘politicisationofthecivilservice’.
• Recently,thecasesofarbitraryandquestionablemovesbythepoliticalmastershaveincreasedmanifoldandhasstrengthenedthetemptationtoresorttocollusivepracticestoavoiduntimelytransfersandtoplaysafe,givingriseto‘politicalneutrality’asanewhallmark.
Recentexamples
• Maria,whowasheadingthehigh-profileSheenaBoramurdercasewasshuntedoutofthepostandpromotedasDirectorGeneralofPoliceHomeGuards.
• “TriedhardtoaddresscorruptionandbringreformsinTransportdespiteseverelimitationsandentrenchedinterests.Momentistrulypainful.”–Khemka(46thtransferintheserviceof22years)
ConstitutionalProvisions
• Articles53and154veststheexecutivepoweroftheUnionandtheStatesinthePresidentorGovernordirectlyorthroughofficerssubordinatetohimandtheseofficersconstitutethepermanentcivilservicegovernedbyPartXIVoftheConstitution.
• ThePresidentorGovernorisrequiredtoactaccordingtotheaidandadviceofhis/herCouncilofMinisters,appointedunderArticles73and163oftheConstitutionandthisgrantsapoliticalcolourtothework-process.
• TheMinisterhasthemandateofthepeopletogovern,buttheSecretaryhasanequivalentconstitutionalmandatetoadvisetheMinister.Oncehis/heradvicehasbeensuitablyconsidered,unlesstheMinisterpassesanillegalorder,theSecretaryisboundtoimplementitandtheMinisterisrequiredtosupporttheSecretarywhoisimplementinghis/herorder.
DROUGHT--parametersandthenewDroughtCrisisManagementPlan:Droughtisaslow-onset,complexphenomenonofecologicalchallengethataffectspeopledirectly.ThefiveparametersusedtoassessdroughtinIndiaarerelatedtotheavailabilityof:
1. Drinkingwater,
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2. Irrigationwater,3. Fodder4. Foodgrains,and5. therequirementofenergysector6. Themanualbroughtoutin2015givesfourimportantmeasuresthata
State(inco-operationwithUnion)governmentshouldtakeatthetimeofadrought:1. MGNREGAtoprovideimmediateemploymenttodrought-
affectedpeople,howevertheschemesuffersfromhugepay-delaysindroughtaffectedregionsofMPandTelangana,makingpeopleunwillingtowork.Wheretheyarewilling,theysufferfromproblemsofaccesstothescheme.
2. PDSshouldbestrengthenedtoprovidefoodandfodderasameasuretosustaintheruraleconomy,butthePDSisalsoamalfunctioningsystemwithnoguaranteeoffoodsecurityinstateslikeUP.
3. Acttorechargethegroundwatertablebybuildingcheckdams,providingpipelinewaterandotherirrigationfacilities,buttheserequirelongtermplanningwhichonlyafewstateshaveundertaken.Thescarcityofdrinkingwaterhasalsogoneup,causingcommunity/casteconflicts.
4. Eitherwaiveoffordeferfarmerloansandarrangeforcroplosscompensation-however,thisstrategyonlyaddressesthesymptomsandnottherootcauseofdroughts
TheSupremecourthasalsodirectedtheCenterandthestatetoreleasefundsimmediatelyontheonsetofadrought.Twoconsecutiveyearsofdroughtshaveresultedinmassmigration,starvationdeaths,malnutritionandlivelihoodcrisis,needofthehouristoundertakelong-termpreventionandprecautionbuildingapproachesthatdonotappearasmerefirefightingattheeleventhhourofcrisis.
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Monsoon Indianoceanhasbeenwarmingatanalarmingrateduetofollowingreasons:-
1. LandLockedOceanintheNortha. TheIndianoceanislandlockedinthenorthunlikeotheroceans
likeAtlanticorPacific.Thus,itisnotabletoflushouttheaccumulatedheattothepoles.So,theheatpilepersistsforalongerperiod.
2. Humaninducedactivities:a. TheseactivitiesincreaseGreenHouseGases(GHGs)inthe
atmospherethusheatingit;andalargeshareofthisheatisabsorbedbytheoceans
3. Elninomagnitudegoneup.a. whenElnino(prolongedwarmingofPacificocean)emergesin
PacificOcean,theatmosphericcirculationbetweenPacificandIndianoceanleadstoaccumulationofheatinIndianocean.AsElninoisonrise,thewarmingofIndianoceanisalsofaster.
Although,thehighertemperatureoftheIndianoceanshouldtranslateintomorerainfallovertheadjoiningcoastalareasofsouthAsia,thisisnothappeningduetotheweakenedmonsoonwindsblowingovertheocean.Thusensuringthatitrainsovertheoceanitself.Themonsoonwindshaveweakenedduetothewarmingoftheoceanitself,asinthesummerthelandiswarmerthantheoceansothewindstravelfromseatoland,howevernowthattheoceanisalsosignificantlywarmer,thewindshavelosttheurgencytotravellandwards.
WomenSafetyinIndiaJUSTICEJSVERMACOMMITTEE→setupaftertheNirbhayacaseinDelhi.Theimportantrecommendationsareasfollows:
1. Rape
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a. Retainrapeasseparateoffenceandmodifythedefinitionofrapeasanynon-consensualpenetrationofsexualnature.
b. Includemaritalrapeinthedefinitionofrape.c. SetuprapecrisiscellwhichwillbenotifiedonanyFIRrelatedto
sexualoffenceandwillprovidelegalassistancetothevictims.2. Offencesagainstwomeninconflictareas.
a. Removerequirementforcentralgovt.sanctionincasesofallegedsexualoffence.
b. Appointcommissionersinconflictareastomonitorandprosecuteofficialsfoundguiltyofsexualoffences.
c. Reorientarmytrainingtoinculcatestrictobservanceinthisregard.
3. Policereformsa. establishstatesecuritycommissionstoprotectstatepolicefrom
anyinterferencebystategovt.sb. PolicestationsshouldhaveCCTVcameraintheentranceandthe
questioningroom.4. Electoralreforms
a) AmendRepresentationofPeopleActtoincludesexualoffencesasthebasisfordisqualificationofanycandidate.
b) SittingmembersofParliamentwithcasesbookedagainstthemmuststepdown.
5. Educationreforms1. Sexualeducationshouldbeimpartedinschoolsasitwillmake
childrenmoreaware.2. CarryoutAdultliteracyprogramsasitwillleadtogender
empowerment.6. JudicialReforms+others:
1. Thestrengthofjudgesshouldbestrengthenedwithdueconsiderationtoquality.
2. Allmarriagesshouldberegisteredanddowrytransactionsstopped.Newmedicalprotocolmustbesuggestedforrapevictimsandlawsshouldcoversexualityminorities.
3. CrackdownontheunconstitutionalKhappanchayatsfromactingasaparallellegalsystem.
4. Travellinginpublictransportshouldbemadesafer,especiallyforwomen.
PCPNDTChangeinpatriarchalattitudeisalsoneedofthehour.Thereshouldbeachangeinthewaysocietylooksuponwomen.Communityawarenessprogramsandeducatingpeopleontheseissueswillhelpalotinraisingthestatusofwomeninsociety.ObjectivesandImplementationofPCPNDTAct
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ThePCPNDTAct,1994appliedablanketbanonpre-natalsexdetermination.Thiswasdoneto:--Stopfemalefoeticides--ArrestthedecliningsexratioChildsexratiohasdeclinedfrom927in2001to914in2011showcasinghowthisacthasnothelpedthereductionoffemalefoeticide.OBJECTIVES
a) Prohibitionofsexselectiontechniquesbeforeorafterconception.b) RegulatePrenataldiagnostictechniquesfordetectinggeneticor
metabolicorcongenitalmalformationsorsexlinkeddisorders.c) Preventmisuseofsuchtechniquesforthepurposeofsexdetermination
offemalefoeticide.REASONSFORTHEFAILUREOFTHEACT...
a) Womenarenotawareoftheirrightsundertheact.b) Thereisagapbetweentheavailabilityofthefundsandtheireffective
utilisation.c) Incompletepaperworkrelatedtotheactfromclinicrecords,caserelated
documentsetc.d) Inadequatemonitoringoftheclinicsasmostofthestatesdonothave
detailedplansforstrictimplementation.e) Lackofwitnessesandinsufficientevidencestherebyresultinginlow
convictionrates..Howeverthebanshouldnotbeliftedasitwillactasadeterrenceforthedoctorandhewillnotindulgehimselfinanywrongdoing,theonustosafeguardfoetuswillthenbeonfemale,banonsexselectionadvertisements,easydetectionofsexlinkeddisorders,congenitalmalformationsetc.Wayforward.
• ThegovernmentshouldprovidefinancialsupporttothestatesandUT'sforoperationalisationofpndtcells,capacitybuilding,sensitisationworkshopsetc
• Information,educationandcommunicationcampaignsandstrengtheningthestructuresfortheimplementationofPCPNDTact.
• Statestofocusondistricts/blocks/villageswithlowchildsexratiotoascertainthecausesandtoplanappropriatebehavioralchanges.
• Mobilizecivilsocietyasagentsofchangeandcommunitylevelwatchdogsofmalpractices.
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WhistleblowingencouragedbyCompaniesAct2013a) CorporateGovernanceismuchstrongerinCompaniesAct2013.b) Mandatedavigilancemechanism.Thishasledtomanyfirmscreatinga
procedureforemployeestoeffectivelyusewhitleblowingincompanies.c) Coupledwithothersectionsthatplaceacriminalliabilityonboard
membersfornon-complianceandwrongdoing.d) Auditcommitteeinthecompanytohaveperiodicreviews.e) Forexample:AdriverinamajorITfirminBanglaorebecamea
whistleblowerontheCEOwhowasrunningaparallelfirm.a. TataandMahindra&Mahindrahasstartedanexternalhotlineto
reportsuchissues.b. Ranbaxyfoundoutaboutfalsificationofdatafromanemployee
andtookstepstoownuptheirmistakesandsettlewiththeUSFDA.
ForestRightsAct,2006andpeople’sabilitytoprotecttheirlandandforestrights
1. TheForestRightsAct,2006providestherighttotribalcommunitiesforgoverning,usingandconservingtheirlocalforestresourcesandlandthroughtheprovisionofgramsabhasProvides:a. TitleRights→cannotbereveresedifoncegiventotribalsb. UseRightsc. ReliefandDevelopmentalrightd. Forestmanagementrights
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2. However,thisacthasbeenpoorlyimplementedandenforced,andmanyadivasicommunitieshavefacedalienationfromtheirownlandandforestresources.a. Example:RecentacqusitionoftraditionallandsinGHATBARRA
villageinChattisgarh3. VetobyAdvasigrampanchayatstominingandhydroelectricdams:
a. Recently,(may2016)5AdivasivillagesinRaigarh,Chattisgarh,unanimouslyvetoedplansofSouthEasternCoalfieldsLimited(SECL),asubsidiaryofCoalIndiaLimitedtominetheirforests.
b. SomemoreadivasivillagesinOdishaalsodecidednottoawardlandto“Rungtamines”project
4. JudicialActiona. NGTruledthatbeforeconstructinghydroelectricproject,Himachal
PowerCorporationplaceapprovalbeforetheLippavillagegramsabhainKinnaur.
b. SupremeCourtalsoruledinMay2016thatOdishaMiningCorporationmustseekthepremisingofgramsabhasforminingproposalinNiyamgirihills.[ForVedantaMiningProject]—DongriaKondhAdivasis
5. ProvisionsoftheActa. Providestheforesttribalcommunitiestherighttogovern,useand
conserveforeststhroughgramsabhas.b. Also,processofrecognitionofrightsneedsthescreeningand
approvalattaluqalevelandthendistrictlevelaswell.6. Somenegativedevelopments:
a. Maharastrastategovernmenthaspassedregulationsthatensuredthatforestdepartmentretainedcontroloverforestmanagement,whichincludesthelarge-scaletradeandsaleofforestproduce.
b. SimilarrulesalsonotifiedbytheMadhyaPradeshgovernment.c. ThisposesthreattotheempoweringprovisionsoftheFRA.
7. UNprovisionsa. UNDeclarationofRightsoftheIndigenousPeoplealsohighlights
theprincipleof“freeandpriorinformedconsent”enshrinedinitsinternationalagreements.
TribalProblems
1. ChangeindemographicbalanceinNorthEasternStatesa. WhileNEstatescompriseof12%oftotaltribalpopulationinIndia,
majorityofthesestatehave>50%oftheirpopulationformedbytribals.
b. Hence,unlikeCentralIndianstateswheretribalshavebeenminorities,NEtribalsenjoymajoritiesandhencetheirissuesarenotsidelinedeasily.
c. However,therapidimmigrationofnon-tribalsintotheseareashastiltedthebalanceofpopulation.
d. Since1951,Arunachal’stribalpopulationproportionhasdeclinefrom90%to64%in1991,Tripurafrom56%to30%andBodoshavebecomeaminorityinmanydistrictsaswell.
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2. SixthScheduleProvisionsa. The6thscheduleprovisionswereenactedtoprovidegreater
autonomyforthetribalstatesinhandlingtheirdevelopmentalandsocialconcerns.
b. However,theimplementationofthe6thscheduleprovisionstodevolvepowertothelowestlevelandintroducedemocraticprovisionshavenotworkedbecauseofthelocaltribalsystemsthathavebeeninplaceintheseareas.
3. PrivatizationofCommunalLandsa. Adverseimpactofprivatizationoflandonwomen’spositiondue
tolackofheredityrights.4. Fundsareavailablebutlackofcapacitytospendthem—human
resources,institutionsareweakandlackofplanning,transparencyandaccountability.a. LackofPlanningdepartments
5. HumanDevelopmentIndicators—healthandeducationservices
StreetDogMenace• 20millionpeoplebittenbydogseveryyearinIndiaandover20,000die
ofrabieseveryyear.• Alargenumberofvehicleaccidentshappenduetodogs.• Manyofthesearechildren,oldpeopleandwomen.• Over50milliondogsonroadsinIndia→financiallyverydifficultto
sterilizethem.
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• Legislationo MinistryofCultureissuedAnimalBirthControlRules(ABCRules)
underPreventionofCrueltyonAnimalsAct,1960§ Sterilizationmustbeusedtocontroldogpopulationon
streets.§ OtherrulesofPCAareself-contradictory→forexampleno
provisionfortreatofdogscapturedbymunicipalities.§ TheActalsodoesnotclassifydogsaseitherwildlifeor
domesticatedanimals.§ Rulesalsoforbideuthanizingofrabiddogs.
• Internationallydogsareroutinelyeuthanized.InUS,HUmaneSocietyeuthanized3.4millionunowneddogsandcats.InUKadogthatisconsidereddangerouscanbe“destroyed”
BudgetinginIndia--ConstitutionalprovisionsBudgetwasfirstintroducedinIndiain1860duringthecolonialrule.Lateron,afterindependence,provisionsrelatingtobudgetwereincludedintheconstitution.Someoftheconstitutionalprovisionsareasfollows:-
1. OnPresident'srecommendation(Art.117(1)and117(3))Thefinanceministerlaysdownthebudgetbeforetheparliamentforitsapprovalasparliamentisthesoleauthorityonfinancesofthecountry.Itlegislatesthetaxestobelevied(Art.265)andauthorizesexpenditurefromtheconsolidatedfundofIndia(Art.266).
2. TheBudget,whichisknownby'AnnualFinancialStatement'intheconstitution(Art.112),providesastatementofestimatedreceiptsandexpenditureforthefinancialyearunderthreeaccounts-consolidatedfundofIndia,ContingencyfundofIndiaandPublicAccounts.
3. TheBudgetconsistsoftwoparts-RevenueBudgetandCapitalbudget.RevenueBudgettalksaboutProceedsoftaxes,interestsanddividendsoninvestmentsmadebygovernment,feesandotherreceiptsforservicesrenderedbythegovernment.TheCapitalbudgetgivesdetailsforcapitalreceiptsandpayments,includingloansfrompublicorborrowingfromReserveBanketc.
4. ProcedureinParliament
• DemandforGrantso TheexpenditureestimatesfromConsolidatedfundarevotedby
theLokSabhaintheformofDemandforGrantswhicharearrangedministrywise.(Art.113)
• AppropriationBill
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o ItisintroducedtogiveauthoritytogovernmenttoappropriatemoniesoutofConsolidatedfundtoincurexpenditure.
• FinanceBillo Itisamoneybillandisintroducedalong-withthebudget.It
providesforimposition,abolition,remission,alterationorregulationortaxesproposedinthebudget.
• Vote-on-account,voteofcreditandexceptionalgranto Voteonaccountdealswithexpenditurependingthepassingof
Demandforgrantsandappropriationbill.LokSabhamakesgrantsinadvancetoauthorisethewithdrawalofmoneyforsuchperiod(Art.116).VoteofcreditreferstothegrantsthatLokSabhamakesformeetingunexpecteddemands.
WomeninSportsneeded.Why?Theneedforpopularizingwomen’sgamearisesfromthefollowing–
1. EnhanceIndia’sabilitytowinatwomen-centredeventslikegymnasticsandsynchronizedswimminginworld-eventslikeOlympics
2. Encouragesportsasanalternativecareeravenueforwomen,leadingtogreaterparticipationandraisingthequalityofwomen’sgame
3. Womensport-starscanbeabettermediumtofightagainstsocialevilslikefemalefoeticide,dowrysystemetc.
4. ResearchpapersshowthatsportslowerstresslevelsandimprovesconfidencewhichcanbeeffectiveincounteringincreasingsuicideratesandobesityamongurbanIndianwomen
5. Canhaveapositivespill-overeffectforwomenintoothersectorssuchasstartups,armedforcesetc.
Stepswhichcanbetakentopopularizewomen’sgameare–1. EqualremunerationtowomenandmeninsportsaswasdoneinWimbledon
in20072. ExtendingtheLodhaPanel’srecommendationofincludingwomeninPlayer
Associationstoparticipateindecision-making,toallsports3. Obligingsponsorstosignsponsorshipdealswithbothmenandwomen’s
teamasasingleunit,especiallyincricketwheretheasymmetryishigh4. Greatercoveragetowomen’ssportsinnationalchannelsanddisseminating
informationaboutwomensports-starsthroughinterviews,documentariesetc.
5. SettingupaCommissiontolookintocasesofasymmetricfunding,infrastructuraldeficiencies,lackofwomencoachesetc.
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CONSTITUTIONofINDIA
HistoricalOverviewoftheConstitutionTheprocessoftheformationandevolutionoftheConstitutionofIndiaisbasedinlonghistory.ItstartedwithintroductionofRegulatingActstoadministertheterritoriesunderCompanyrulefrom1773.Afterthecompanyrulewasendedin1858,theCrowntookoverthecontrolofBritishterritoriesinIndiaandstarteddecentralizingadministrativepower,verygradually,totheprovinciallevel.ManycontroversialchangesweremadeintheCharterActs(actsgoverningtheadministrationofIndiangovernment)liketheMorleyMintoReformsof1909,whichintroducedcommunalelectorates,andshapedthedarkhistoryofcommunalisminIndia.Eventually,theIndiaIndependenceActwaspassedin1947,andformationofconstituentassemblywithleaderslikeNehru,MNRoyandBRAmbedkar,whoshapedtheConstitutionaswehavetoday.**AllActsetc.innotesofHistoryofModernIndia**Summary:CompanyRule:
1. RegulatingActof1773a. CreatedGovernorGeneralofBengalandallthegovernorsin
BritishIndianterritoriescameunderhim.LordWarrenHastingswasthefirstone.
b. CreatedaSupremeCourtest.atCalcuttain1774c. CourtofDirectors(governingbodyofthecompany)toprovide
reportofrevenue,civilandmilitaryaffairsinIndiatotheBritish2. Pitt’sIndiaActof1784
a. CreatedBoardofControlthattookovermilitaryaffairsoftheCompanyinIndia
b. CourtofDirectorsnowresponsibleonlyforrevenuesandcommercialinterests
c. FirsttimetheIndianterritoriescalledBritishpossessions.3. CharterActof1833
a. GovernorGeneralofBengalbecametheGovernorGeneralofIndiab. GovernorGeneralofIndiagivenexclusivelegislativeandexecutive
powersc. Companyjustbecameanadministrativebodynow,notevena
commercialbodyanymored. Opencivilservicesintroduced,butallowingIndianstotakeitwas
opposed4. CharterActof1853
a. LegislativeandExecutivepowersoftheGovernorGeneralofIndiaseparated
b. 6membercouncilformedtoadviseGovernorGeneralofIndia-IndianLegislativeCouncil“miniparliament”
c. Opencivilservicesexamonacompetitivebasisd. IntroducedlocalrepresentationintheIndianLegislativeCouncil-
4wereelectedfromlocalprovincesofMadras,Bengal,BombayandAgra
CrownRule:1. GovernmentofIndiaAct1858—“ActforGoodGovernanceofIndia”
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a. PassedallthepowersoftheCompanytotheCrownandendedcompanyruleeffectively.BritishterritoriesofIndiawerenowundertheCrownandtheParliamentdirectly.
b. OfficeofGovernorGeneralabolishedandthatofViceroyofIndiacreated.LordCanningwasthefirstViceroy.HewouldfallundertheSecretaryofState,whowaspartoftheBritishCabinet.Hence,thepowersofadministeringIndiacamedirectlyundertheBritishParliament.
c. 15membercouncil(knownasCouncilofIndia)createdtoassisttheSecretaryofStateinIndia.Councilwasanadvisorybody.
d. Sec.ofStatein-councilabodycorporate,capableofsuingandbeingsuedinIndiaandinEngland.
e. TheCouncilofIndiawasexclusivelyEnglish,withsomenomineesoftheCrownandothersrepresentativesoftheDirectorsoftheEastIndiacompany.
f. Allpowers,military,civil,executiveandlegislativevestedintheGovernorGeneralresponsibletotheSecretaryofstate.
g. Didn’tchangethesystemofgovernmentinIndia,justchangeditsadministrativefunctions
2. IndiaCouncilsAct1861(Indiansasnon-officialmembers,Ordinancepower,decentralizationofpowerstarted,newlegislativecouncils,PortfolioSystem)a. ProvidedthatviceroyshouldincludeIndiansasnon-official
membersinhisextendedcouncil.b. Thesewerenominatedandnotpopularlyelected
i. LordCanningnominated:RajaofBanares,MaharajaofPatialaandSirDinkarRao
c. StarteddecentralizingtheadministrationofIndiabyrestoringlegislativepowerstoBombayandMadras.
d. EstablishednewlegislativecouncilsofPunjab,Bengal,NWFrontieretc.
e. EmpoweredViceroytoissueordinanceswithoutconcurrenceofthelegislativecouncil,duringanemergency,thelifeofwhichwassixmonthsandhealsobecameinchargeofthedepartmentsofgovernmentinIndia.
f. “Portfoliosystem”—LordCanning1859:oneormoremembersofthecouncilmadein-chargeofdepts.andissuedfinalordersonbehalfofthecouncilonmattersofhisdepartment.
3. IndiaCouncilsActof1892a. Prettymuchthesame,addedsomemorefeatureswhichwere
largely4. MorleyMintoReformsof1909
a. IncreasedthesizeofthelegislativecouncilsbothattheCentreandinProvinces.
b. Enlargedthedeliberativefunctionsofthelegislativecouncilasmemberswereallowedtoasksupplementalquestions
c. AllowedfortheassociationofIndianmemberstotheViceroy’sExecutivecouncil.SatyendraPrasadSinhawasthefirstIndiantojointheViceroy’scouncil.
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d. IntroducedcommunalrepresentationofMuslimsina“separateelectorate”
5. Montague-ChelmsfordReforms1919a. SystemofdyarchywasintroducedinIndiaforthefirsttime,with
theseparationoflistsonwhichdecisionscouldbetakenbytheCentreandProvincesrespectively.
b. "TheReserved"ListwasintroducedwhichwasalistofitemsonwhichonlytheCentralCouncilcouldtakedecisions(withViceroyandhisexecutivecouncil)andmakelaws,whilea“Transferred”listwasintroducedonwhichtheProvincialLegislativeCouncil(Governorandexecutivecouncil)wouldtakedecisionsandmakelaws.
c. Hence,theprocessofdecentralizationwasfurtherexpandedandprovisionsweremadetointroduceself-governanceintheprovinces.IntroducedprovincialbudgetandCentralbudgets.However,provinceswerenotautonomousanddidn’thavecompletepoweroverfinances,duetowhichthissystemwaslargelyunsuccessful.
d. Introduced,BicameralismforthefirsttimeinIndiaanddirectelections.TheIndianLegislativecouncilwasreplacedbytheUpperHouseandtheLowerHouse.
e. 3of6membersoftheViceroy’sexecutivecouncilwereIndiansf. ExpandedcommunalrepresentationtoChristians,AngloIndians
andEuropeansg. Franchisegrantedtoaveryfewpeopleonlyonthebasisoftaxes,
propertyetc.6. SimonCommission–19277. CommunalAward–19328. GovernmentofIndiaAct1935
a. AttheProvincialLevelb. EndedthesystemofDyarchyattheProvinciallevelasintroduced
bytheGOIAct1919andintroducedProvincialAutonomyc. Thegrantofalargemeasureofautonomytotheprovincesof
BritishIndia(endingthesystemofdyarchyintroducedbytheGovernmentofIndiaAct1919)
d. TheProvincialGovernorsretainedimportantreservepowers,ande. TheBritishauthoritiesalsoretainedarighttosuspendresponsible
government.f. Nowdirectelectionstobeheldhencetheministerswere
collectivelyresponsibletotheprovinciallegislatureg. Communalawardwasintroducedanddepressedclasses,in
additiontoMuslims,Christiansetc.,werenowgivenreservedseatsinthelegislature
h. Provisionfortheestablishmentofa“FederationofIndia”,tobemadeupofbothBritishIndiaandsomeorallofthe“princelystates”.
i. IntroductionofDirectElectionshenceincreasingthefranchisefrom7millionto35million
j. Reorganizationoftheprovinces
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k. AttheCentralLevel:i. DyarchyandBicameralLegislaturesii. ReservedandTransferedlistatthislevel.iii. Reserved:Defence,ExternalAffairs,TribalAreas
administrationiv. BicameralLegislaturev. CouncilofStates:ElectedDirectlyvi. FederalAssembly:ElectedIndirectly
l. EstablishmentofaFederalCourt9. IndiaIndependenceAct194
DerivationsfromforeignconstitutionsintheIndianConstitution:
1. AppointmentofPresident-notonAmericanlines2. AppointmentoftheGovernor-notonAmericanlinesbutonCanadian
lines3. AmericanconstitutiondesignedasaFederalconstitutionwhere
regardlessofsituationsinthecountry,thecountryisalwayskeptintightmouldoffederalism.InIndia,BRAmbedkarandconstitutiondesignerstookadifferentrouteastheydecidedtomakeitaUnitaryaswellasFederalsystemaccordingtotheconditionsofthetimeandcircumstances.Innormaltimes,itworksasafederalsystem,butintimesofemergencyitbecomesmoreofaunitarysystem.(Articles352-360outlinetheemergencyprovisions)
FormationoftheIndianConstitutionorMakingoftheConstitutionTheConstitutionofIndiawasformedthroughaprocessofformationofconstituentassemblywhichdrafted,debated,deliberated,amendedandfinallyformedafinalConstitutionofIndia.TheprocesshashistoricalrootsintheBritishadministrationinIndiafromtheCompanyruletotheCrownrule.ItderivedmanyfunctionsofadministrationanddivisionofpoweranddutiesfromvariousRegulatingActsandGovernmentofIndiaActspassedbytheBritishinIndia.Eventually,itwasdraftedundertheleadershipofDr.BRAmbedkar,whoalongwithotherdraftingcommitteemembersadoptedvariouspracticesandmethodsfromotherconstitutionsinthedemocraticworld.TheConstitutionwasadoptedfinallyinNov.1949withthesealoftheConstituentassemblyofIndia.MajorEventsintheformationofIndianConstitution:
1. MNRoy’sdemandandcallforformationofaconstituentassembly1934
2. Nehru’scallforformationofanindependentconstituentassembly1938
3. Cripps’missiontoestablishconstituentassemblyinIndia1942-rejectedbyMuslimLeaguewhichwasdemandingtwonationsandaseparateconstituentassembly
4. CabinetMissionsenttoIndiatoformconstituentassembly1946-proposedtheformationofconstituentassemblyinIndiaandstructuredthedivisionofseatsintheassemblytoBritishProvinces(consistingofcommunalseatsamongGeneral,MuslimsandSikhs,
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whichweretobeelectedthroughavoteintheseprovinces)andPrincelyStates(membersnominatedbytheheadoftherespectivestates)a. ProportionalrepresentationofBritishprovincesandalsoofthe
Princelystates5. ObjectivesResolutionproposedbyNehruin1946intheConstituent
assemblywhichproclaimedIndiaasasovereigncountryanddrawupforhergovernanceaconstitution.-unanimouslyadopted
6. Princelystatesrepresentativeswhohadstayedawaygraduallystartedjoiningtheconstituentassembly
7. MountbattenPlanproposedforthedivisionofIndiaandPakistanfandadoptedbytheMuslimLeagureinJune1947
8. IndiaIndependenceActof1947alsogavepowertotheconstituentassemblytoformtheconstitution
9. RajendraPrasadelectedPresidentoftheConstituentBody(framingoftheconstitution)andGVMavlankarthechairofthelegislativebody(forenactinglaws)
10. TheDraftingcommitteeoftheConstituentassemblywascreatedtopendownthepreamble,basicfeaturesandaframeworkforthegovernanceofthenewlyformedIndiaanditsstates.
11. TheDraftingcommitteeconsideredvariousaspectsoftheIndianpolitical,socialandeconomicsocietyinpreandpost-independenceIndia
12. ThemajorfeaturesoftheConstitutionwere:PreamblewhichdefinedthemajordrivingthemesoftheconstitutionandderivationofpoweroftheIndianconstitution,formationofbicamerallegislaturesattheCentreandtheStates,theFederalstructureoftheGovernmentofIndia,theprovisionofFundamentalRightsandDirectivesPrinciplesofStatePolicy,theexecutiveatthecentreandthestatelevels(officeofthePresident,PrimeMinister,Governoretc.).
MajorCommittees:1. UnionPowerCommittee:Nehru2. UnionConstitutionCommittee:Nehru3. ProvincialConstitutionCommittee:SardarPatel4. DraftingCommittee:BRAmbedkar5. AdvisoryCommitteeonFRs,Minorities,TribalandExcludedAreas:
SardarPatel6. RulesofProcedureCommittee:RajendraPrasad7. StatesCommittee(negotiatingwithStates):Nehru8. SteeringCommittee:RajendraPrasad
DraftingCommittee:1. BRAmbedkar2. Ayyangar3. Ayyar4. Munshi5. Saadullah6. MadhavaRau-replacedbyBLMitter7. KirshnamacharireplacedbyDPKhaitan
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Enactment-Nov26,1949,Enforcement-Jan26,1950(samedayascallforPurnaSwarajinLahoresession1930)HistoricalPrecedenceandEvolutionofFundamentalRightsinIndia
1. InEngland,there’snowrittenconstitutionandnoBillofRights.TheFundamentalRightsaremorenegativeintheUK,inthatacitizenenjoysallthebasichumanrights,aslongasshedoesnotviolateanyordinarylawoftheland.ThejudiciaryprotectsthelegalrightsofcitizensintheUK,andprotectstheirrightsfromthetyrannyoftheExecutive.However,thejudiciaryhasnopowerovertheLegislature.TheLegislaturehasfullpowertothwartanyoftherightsasitpleases.Hence,thesupremacyofParliamentorits“omnipotence”existsintheUK.Therefore,thereisnorightwhichcanbesaidtobe“fundamental”inthepropersenseoftheword.a. AnothervitalconsequenceofthesupremacyoftheParliamentis
thattheEnglishCourthasnopowerofjudicialreviewoverlegislationatall.
2. IntheUS,aBillofRightsguaranteesthefundamentalrightstocitizens.Here,unliketheUK,themakersoftheconstitutionwereapprehensivenotonlywiththetyrannyoftheexecutivebutalsothelegislature.Therefore,boththeexecutiveandthelegislativecannotchangeanyfeaturesofthefundamentalrightsthere.Hence,whileinUKthereis“Parliamentarysupremacy”,intheUS,thereliesthe“Judicialsupremacy”.OnlythejudiciaryisempoweredtochangetheBillofRightsinfaceofanyemergencyordangertothestate.
3. InIndia,theFundamentalRights(PartIII)areensuredbytheconstitutionandtheyareexplicitlywrittendown.a. TheIndianconstitutionaffectsacompromisebetweenthejudicial
supremacyandtheParliamentarysovereignty.b. ThefactthatIndiahasawrittenconstitutionanditsParliamentis
subjecttolimitationsimposedbythiswrittenconstitution,makeitdifferentfromtheBritishpractice.Additionally,thereareprovisionsenshrinedintheconstitutionofIndiathatenablethejudiciarytodeclareanytransgressionsoftheParliamentasunconstitutionalandvoid.
c. ThisislaidoutinArticle13(2),whichsays:“TheStateshallnotmakeanylawwhichtakesawayorabridgestherightsconferredbythePartandanylawincontraventionofthisclauseshall,totheextentofthecontravention,bevoid.”
d. TheAmericanBillofRightsdoesnotlaydownanylimitationstofundamentalrightswithintheBillitself.ThelimitationsaregovernedbythejudiciaryforwhichithasgivendoctrinessuchasthePolicePoweroftheState.Unlikethat,inIndia,theconstitutionlaysdownvariouslimitationstofundamentalrightsnexttotherightsthemselves.
e. Hence,ourConstitutionfollowstheAmericanmodelratherthattheEnglish.
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f. However,stillJudicialSupremacyweakerthanAmericanmodelbecause:
g. FundamentalRightstoPropertywasmadealegalrightbythe44thAmendmentActin1978,hencebringingitundertheauthorityoftheLegislature,nottheJudiciary.
h. IntroductionofFundamentalDutiesbythe42ndAmendmentActin1976(Article51A).Thoughthesearenotenforceableinthecourt,however,acourt,infrontofwhichafundamentalrightissoughttobeenforced,hastoreadallpartsoftheConstitution.ThismeansthatthecourtmayrefusetoenforcethefundamentalrightattheinstanceifthatindividualhaspatentlyviolatedanyoftheDutiesspecifiedinArticle51A.Therefore,theoriginalprovisionofFundamentalRightshasbeeneffectivelyminimized.
i. TheAmericanConstitutionexpresslysaysthattheenumerationofcertainrightsintheBillofRightsshallnotbeconstruedtodenyordisparageothersretainedbythepeople.Therefore,itintroducestheconceptofnaturalrightsthatpeoplehaveregardlessofwhethermentionedintheBillofRights.ThereisnosuchprovisionintheIndianconstitution.
j. ThismeansthatArticle32canbeappliedonlytoseekjudicialreviewofFundamentalRightsmentionedinPartIII,andthisarticlecannotbeappliedtootherinterpretationsof“rights”ifbroughttothecourt.
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TheJudiciaryinIndia
1. SingleintegratedsystemofjudiciaryunliketheUSwhereithasdoublesystemofcourts.
2. ThissinglesystemwasadoptedfromtheGovernmentofIndiaAct1935andenforcesbothCentrallawsandStatelaws.a. InUShowever,Federallawsareenforcedbyfederaljudiciaryand
statelawbystatejudiciary.
SelfHelpGroups:• “THETHIRDSECTOR”—THECIVILSOCIETY—SHGs,Associations,
NGOs,TrustsandCharitableInstitutions,Endowments,Waqfboards• NGOs:
o Advantages/Importance:§ Backboneofthedemocraticsocietyanditscontinuous
deliberativeprocess.--3millioninIndia--HOMETOhighestnumberofNGOsintheworld
§ Evidence:Russiahasonly4lakhNGOs,Kenyasome240andIndiahasaround3million,UShas2million
o Majoreconomicforce—provideemploymentopportunitieso Evidence:8%employmentinUSgeneratedbyNGOs
• Enhancepeoplecentricityofthegovernment--citizencentricandresponsivegovernance
• Contributetoinclusivewealthcreation• Helptoscaleupproductivityandcompetitiveness.
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FundingSources:
1. Individuals2. privatefoundations(nationalaswellglobal)3. businesshouses4. Government.[largestcontributor]
GovernmentNGOinterface:• TheCentralSocialWelfareBoard(CSWB)andNationalInstituteofPublic
CooperationandChildDevelopment(NIPCCD)aretwosuchprominentBodiesdealingwithGovernment–NGOinterfaceinthesocialwelfaresector
• TheCouncilforAdvancementofPeople’sActionandRuralTechnology(CAPART)isanagencywhichfinancesvoluntaryorganisationstostimulategrassrootsparticipationandencouragementofruraltechnology.
• Therearemorethan437suchautonomousorganisationsfunctioningundervariousMinistriesoftheGovernmentofIndiaexcludingthoseunderScientificDepartments.
• Anotherwayofsupportisthroughtaxconcessions.Problems:
1. Corruption2. MoneyLaundering3. PromotingforeignagendainIndia→IBreportonanti-nationalNGOs4. Hindranceindevelopmentalprojects5. Causingdelayinreformprocess
Recommendations/Governemntsteps:
1. Asrecommendedby2ndARCReport,setuptheNationalAccreditationCounciltodeviseanaccreditationsystemforvoluntaryorganizationsobtainingfundsfromgovernment
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2. EncouragingtheextensionofSHGmovementtourbanandperi-urbanareas
3. RashtriyaMahilaKoshcouldbeenhancedtoincreasereachofNGOstowomen
4. EncouragingCSIparticipationinSelf-regulatoryAuthoritiessuchasUGC,BCI,MCIetc.
SelfHelpGroups2.0
• “Self-HelpisthebestHelp”• AGandhianIdea• Aself-helpgroup(SHG)isavillage-basedfinancialintermediary
committeeusuallycomposedof10–20localwomenormen.Amixedgroupisgenerallynotpreferred.Mostself-helpgroupsarelocatedinIndia,althoughSHGscanbefoundinothercountries,especiallyinSouthAsiaandSoutheastAsia.
• Membersmakesmallregularsavingscontributionsoverafewmonthsuntilthereisenoughcapitalinthegrouptobeginlending.Fundsmaythenbelentbacktothemembersortoothersinthevillageforanypurpose.InIndia,manySHGsare'linked'tobanksforthedeliveryofmicro-credit.
• AspertherecentmicrofinancereportreleasedbyNABARD-asonMarch2012,atotalnumberof80lakhSHGswithactivebank-linkagesareoperatinginIndiawhichhavebeenabletoensureinvolvementofaround9.7crorepeopleofthisnation,withanaggregatebankbalanceofRs.6,551crores;simultaneouslylateststatisticsalsoindicatethatover90%ofSHGsinIndiaconsistexclusivelyofwomen.
• Beginnings:o ThefirstorganisedinitiativeinthisdirectionwastakeninGujarat
in1954whentheTextileLabourAssociation(TLA)ofAhmedabadformeditswomen’swingtoorganisethewomenbelongingtohouseholdsofmillworkersinordertotraintheminprimaryskillslikesewing,knittingembroidery,typesettingandstenographyetc.
o In1972,itwasgivenamoresystematizedstructurewhenSelfEmployedWomen’sAssociation(SEWA)wasformedasaTradeUnionundertheleadershipofElaBhatt.
o Inthe1980s,Myrada–aKarnatakabasednon-governmentalorganisation,promotedseverallocallyformedgroupstoenablethememberstosecurecreditcollectivelyanduseitalongwiththeirownsavingsforactivitieswhichcouldprovidethemeconomicallygainfulemployment.
o Kudumbshree• Functions:
o ThriftandSavings—“SavingsFirst,CreditLater"o Collectiveplanningforadditionalincome
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o Financialliteracyo Conduitforformalbankingservicestoreachthemo InternalLendingo Discussingproblems
• 8millionactiveSHGsinthecountry,consistingofaround780millionmembers,80percentofwhicharefemaleSHGs.
• Contributestofinancialinclusionasoverall,73%ofthehouseholdsdonothavecreditlinkswithanyfinancialinstitution.
• Advantages/Benefits:(1)FinancialInclusion,(2)IncomeGenerationandSelf-Employment(3)SocialEmpowerment(4)ImprovementinSocialIndicators
o Reduceddependenceonmoneylendersandexploitativeinstitutions
o Enabledhouseholdstospendmoreoneducationo Reductionofchildmortalityandmaternalmortalityo StopExploitationofWomeno GroupSupporttoVulnerableindividuals:Aneconomicallypoor
individualgainsstrengthaspartofagroup.o Lowtransactioncosts:Besides,financingthroughSHGsreduces
transactioncostsforbothlendersandborrowers.o Reasonableinterestrateso Accessibility:WhilelendershavetohandleonlyasingleSHG
accountinsteadofalargenumberofsmall-sizedindividualaccounts,borrowersaspartofanSHGcutdownexpensesontravel(toandfromthebranchandotherplaces)forcompletingpaperworkandonthelossofworkdaysincanvassingforloans.
o Empowering:Wheresuccessful,SHGshavesignificantlyempoweredpoorpeople,especiallywomen,inruralareas.
o PromotesentrepreneurshipandinnovationformicrobusinessesbytheseindividualsuseNABARDstudy
• Impact:o Surveyfrom2000byNABARD
i. 58%ofthehouseholdscoveredunderSHGsreportedanincreaseinassets;
ii. theaveragevalueofassetsperhouseholdincreasedby72%fromRs.6,843toRs.11,793;
iii. majorityofthemembersdevelopedsavingshabitagainst23%earlier;
iv. therewasathreefoldincreaseinsavingsandadoublingofborrowingsperhousehold;
v. theshareofconsumptionloanintheborrowingwentdownfrom50%to25%
vi. 70%oftheloanstakeninpost-SHGperiodwenttowardsincomegenerationventures;
vii. employmentexpandedby18%;viii. theaveragenetincomeperhouseholdbeforejoiningaSHG
wasRs.20,177whichroseby33%to26,889;andix. about41.5%ofthehouseholdstudiedwerebelowtheir
Statespecificpovertylineinthepre-SHGenrolmentstage;
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itcamedownto22%.Participationingroupactivitysignificantlycontributedtoimprovementofself-confidenceamongthemembers.Ingeneral,groupmembersandparticularlywomenbecamemorevocalandassertiveonsocialandfamilyissues.
• e-Shakti[SHGs]— NABARD’sSHG-BankLinkageProgramo SHG-Banklinkageprogrammewasstartedasatestprojectin1989
whenNABARD,theApexRuralDevelopmentBankinthecountry,sanctionedRs.10lakhstoMYRADAasseedmoneyassistanceforformingcreditmanagementgroups.
o "Byaggregatingtheirindividualsavingsintoasingledeposit,self-helpgroupsminimizethebank'stransactioncostsandgenerateanattractivevolumeofdeposits.Throughself-helpgroupsthebankcanservesmallruraldepositorswhilepayingthemamarketrateofinterest."
o NABARDestimatesthatthereare2.2millionSHGsinIndia,representing33millionmembers,thathavetakenloansfrombanksunderitslinkageprogramtodate.
o HasresultedinincreaseofSHGdepositsinbanksfrom9000croreto17000from2013to2014,almostan88%increase
o e-ShaktihasbeenimplementedtoimprovethequalityofinterfacebetweenSHGmembersandbanksforefficientandhassle-freedeliveryofbankingservices
o AbankmanagerwillbeabletotracktheactivitiesofSHGssittinginaroom,includingparticularslikehowmuchsavingsanSHGhasorhowregularlyitmeetsandtheprofileofitsmembers.ThiswillnotonlyhelpthebankerbutalsochangetheriskperceptionofSHGs
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Organizationsinvolved:• NABARD• RashitriyaMahilaKosh:
i. Itwasfeltthatthecreditneedsofpoorwomen,speciallythoseintheunorganizedsector,werenotadequatelyaddressedbytheformalfinancialinstitutionsofthecountry.
ii. ThusRMKwasestablishedtoprovideloansinaquasiformalcreditdeliverymechanism,whichisclient-friendly,hassimpleandminimalprocedure,disbursesquicklyandrepeatedly,hasflexiblerepaymentschedules,linksthriftsandsavingswithcreditandhasrelativelylowtransactioncostsbothfortheborrowerandthelender.
iii. TheKoshlendswithauniquecreditdeliverymodel“RMK–NGO-SHGBeneficiaries”
iv. ThesupportisextendedthroughNGO’s,WomenDevelopmentCorporations,StateGovernmentagencieslikeDRDA’s,DairyFederations,MunicipalCouncilsetc.
• SuccessStories
o AndhraPradesho TamilNaduo KudumbshreeinKerela
• Self-HelpPromoterInstitutions(SHPIs)o Guidanceandtrainingo Seedfundingforverypoormemberso Eg:MYRADA— MYRADAwaseffectiveinsettingupseveralSelf-
HelpGroupsinruralareasofKarnatakain1989byproviding(a)sustainedguidanceand(b)bygrantingseedmoneytothemfromthecorpusof10lakhswhichwasgiventoitbyNABARDunderademonstrationproject.
o SEWAinAhmedabad,NavBharatJagritiKendraandRamakrishnaMissioninJharkhand,andADITHIinBihar
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• Challenges:
o HighNPAs:§ ThebiggestchallengewithSHGscurrentlyishigherNPA
percentageduetomultiplefinancing,inadequaciesinaccountkeepingandotherthings.OnanaverageNPAofSHGsstandsataround7-8percent,whichNabardintendstobringdownto2percentinthenextfiveyears.
o Regionalvariations(northandnortheastvs.southindia)—notpresentincreditdeficientareasofIndia
o IssueofSustainability—toomuchdependentonStateforfunds,marketing,skillsetc.
o Presentmostlyinruralareasonly,andnotinurbanareasofIndiaandperi-urbanareasduetoheterogeneityofcommunity
o PoorskillsinruralareasexacerbatesituationinsuchSHGso Membersofthegroupnotnecessarilyfromthepoorestfamilieso SocialInequities:Doesnotaddressthesocialinequitiesofpoor
peopleo LackofStaff:thereislackofqualifiedresourcepersonnelinthe
ruralareaswhocouldhelpinskillup-gradation/acquisitionofnewskillsbygroupmembers
o PoliticizationlikeCooperatives§ usedaslaunchpadsofpoliticians§ usedtofundpoliticalactivities
CompetitionbetweenSHGsandPRIsIncreasingly,SHGshavebeenadoptingtheroleofPRIssuchas:
1. Conduitforroutinganumberofdevelopmentschemes2. IncreasinginvolvementofNGOsandMFIswithSHGsinsteadofPRIs.3. SomestateshavemandatedtheinclusionofSHGsinvarious
committeessuchasMDMschemeofPRIs.Workingintandem:
1. Kudumbashreeprogram--workingtogether
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2. SocietyofEliminationofRuralPoverty(SERP)inAndhrapradesh--KrantiPrathamYojana
________________________________________Waqf
• UnderMuslimruleinIndia,theconceptofWaqfwasmorewidelycomprehendedasalignedwiththespiritofcharityendorsedbytheQuran.
• Waqfimpliestheendowmentofproperty,moveableorimmovable,tangibleorintangibletoGodbyaMuslim,underthepremisethatthetransferwillbenefittheneedy.
• Asalegaltransaction,theWaqif(settler)appointshimselforanothertrustworthypersonasMutawalli(manager)inanendowmentdeed(Waqfnamah)toadministertheWaqf(charitableTrust).
• AsitimpliesasurrenderofpropertiestoGod,aWaqfdeedisirrevocableandperpetual.
• MussalmanWaqfValidatingAct,1913,• Currently,300000WaqfsinIndiaarebeingadministeredundervarious
provisionsoftheWaqfAct,1995.
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• Atthenationallevel,thereisCentralWaqfCouncilwhichactsinanadvisorycapacity.
Charities
CSR(CorporateSocialResponsibility)• Traditionsof“trusteeship”,“giving”and“welfare”haveexisted
sincelonginoursociety.• TheconceptofsocialgoodhasalwaysbeenpartoftheIndianpsyche.• Fromthebeginningofthe20thcentury,businessandindustryinIndia
haveindifferentwaysbeenpayingattentiontotheirobligationandcommitmenttowardssocietyandthecommunity.
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• Thelargenumberofschools,colleges,hospitalsandothercharitableestablishments,whichweresetupinthe20thcenturyindifferentpartsofthecountry,arefineexamplesofsuchsocialcommitment
• Notjustcharityanymore:o Inrecentyears,CSRhasshiftedfromthedomainofcharitytothe
domainofstandardbusinesspractices.o Togetherwith‘profit’and‘growth’,itisoneoftheessential
parameterswhichdefineabusiness.o Stakeholderawareness,increasingpowerofcivilsociety,intensity
ofcompetitionandenvironmentalchallengesaresomeofthefactorswhichhaveincreasedtheemphasisonCSRinrecenttimes
• ProvisionsintheCompaniesAct,2013o Mandatory2%spendingonCSRforcompanieswithnetworthof
Rs.500croreormore,orTurnoverofRs.1000croreormoreorprofitofRs.5croreormore.
o Activitiesofspendingcanbeinpovertyalleviation,malnutrition,preventiveHealthCare,educationandgenderequality,andenvironmentalsustainability.
o ACSRCommitteetobesetupinsuchcompanieso Ifnotabletomeet,reasonsforsoaretobegiveninaboardreport.
• Eg:MarutiSuzuki’stieupwithSulabhInternationalindevelopingindividualhouseholdtoilets
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Self-RegulatoryAuthorities• TheSelf-RegulatoryAuthorityofaprofessionmeansaselectBodyofits
memberswhichisresponsibleforgrowthanddevelopmentoftheprofessioninthebackgroundofitsresponsibilitytowardssocietyandState.
• ThefunctionsofsuchaSelf-RegulatoryBodymayinclude:o (i)issuesofprofessionaleducation:developmentofcurriculum,
settingupofteachingstandards,institutionalinfrastructure,recognitionofdegreesetc.and
o (ii)mattersconnectedwithlicensing,andethicalconductofthepractitioners.
o (iii)asignificantroleastechnicaladviserstothegovernmentinconceptualizing,formulatingandimplementingpoliciesandstandardsforprovidingimportantpublicservicestothecitizens
• Currently,therearesixmajorprofessionalBodiesoperatinginIndiaeachhavingbeenformedunderaspecificlaw.
o BarCouncilofIndia(BCI)–formedundertheAdvocatesAct,1961o MedicalCouncilofIndia(MCI)–formedundertheIndianMedical
CouncilAct1956o InstituteofCharteredAccountantsofIndia(ICAI)–formedunder
theCharteredAccountantsAct,194
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o InstituteofCostandWorksAccountantsofIndia(ICWAI)–formedundertheCostandWorksAccountantsAct,1959
o InstituteofCompanySecretariesofIndia(ICSI)–formedundertheCompanySecretariesAct,1980
o CouncilofArchitecture(COA)–formedundertheArchitectsAct,1972
• Then,thereareorganisationsliketheInstitutionofEngineerswhichhavebeenformedpurelybyvoluntaryactionbyrespectivemembersoftheprofession.Theydonothaveanystatutorybackground.
• However,theirmandatetomanageandregulateeducationfortheirrespectiveprofessionshasbeenchallengedonthegroundthatitprohibitsinnovation
• NationalKnowledgeCommissionhasrecommendedestablishmentofanIndependentRegulatoryAuthorityforHigherEducation(IRAHE).
o TheIRAHEmustbeatanarm’slengthfromthegovernmentandindependentofallstakeholdersincludingtheconcernedMinistriesofthegovernment
o TheIRAHEwouldhavetobeestablishedbyanActofParliament,andwouldberesponsibleforsettingthecriteriaanddecidingonentry.
o Itwouldbetheonlyagencythatwouldbeauthorizedtoaccorddegree-grantingpowertohighereducationinstitutions.
o Itwouldberesponsibleformonitoringstandardsandsettlingdisputes.
o Itwouldapplyexactlythesamenormstopublicandprivateinstitutions,asitwouldtodomesticandinternationalinstitutions.
o Itwouldbetheauthorityforlicensingaccreditationagencies• Renewal/RevalidationofRegistration
o NosuchpracticeinIndiawhilethisismustforprofessionslikedoctors
• DisciplinaryMechanismo Notwelldevelopedexceptafewcaseso Also,reportingareverylowo ICAIhasaninnovativemechanismtopunisherrantmembersand
preventunethicalpractices.o Ithasapro-activedisciplinarycellwhichspeedilyinvestigates
complaintsagainstitsmembers.ICAIentertainscomplaintsnotonlyfromstakeholdersoruser-groupsbutalsotakessuo-motuactiononthebasisofitsin-houseinformation.
o TheprovisionscontainedinthecodeofconductofICAIareverystringentandtheagencyisequallyeffectiveintakingactionagainstitsdefaultingmembers.Peerreviewisundertakentoensurecompliancewithtechnicalstandardsandadherencetoqualitycontrolpoliciesandprocedures.Often,ICAIonitsown,looksintopublicaccountsofdifferentorganisationsincludingBanksandfinancialinstitutions.Disciplinaryactionsistakenifthereisanydeficiencyinreporting.Qualitycontrolamong
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CharteredAccountantsisensuredbypeerpressureandfinancialreportingreview.
• AccountabilityandParliamentaryOversighto Self-RegulatoryAuthoritiesenjoyconsiderablefunctional
autonomy.o Though,theyarecreaturesofthelaw,theiraccountabilityis
currentlyambiguousandincomplete.o Thelawdoesnotprovideforanexplicitmechanismwhichcan
holdthemresponsiblefortheirperformance.ThePublic,Parliament,GovernmentandtheprofessionhavearighttoknowhowaSelf-RegulatoryAuthoritydischargesitsfunctionsandtoholdthemaccountable.
o Self-RegulatoryAuthority’sprimaryaccountabilityasastatutoryBodymustbetoParliament,which,onbehalfofthepublic,definesitspowersandresponsibilities
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Socialcapital—SHGsandCooperatives—aGandhiideaofself-reliance• DuringthestruggleforIndependencethewholeemphasisofthe
Gandhianmovementwasonself-helpandcooperation.• Thecooperativemovementgainedmomentumasapartofsuchself-help
ethosembeddedintheindependencemovement.• ToGandhijitheswadeshimovementwas“thegreatestconstructiveand
cooperativemovementinthecountry”.• Inpropagationofkhadiandvillageindustries,hefound“thepanaceafor
India’sgrowingpauperism”and“anobjectlessonincooperation”.• Gandhijilookedatcooperationasamoralmovement.• Socialcapitalreferstothoseinstitutions,relationships,andnormsthat
shapethequalityandquantityofasociety’sinteraction.o Itconsistsoftrust,mutualunderstanding,sharedvaluesand
behaviourthatbindtogetherthemembersofacommunityandmakecooperativeactionpossible.
o Thebasicpremiseisthatsuchinteractionenablespeopletobuildcommunities,tocommitthemselvestoeachother,andtoknitthesocialfabric.
o Asenseofbelongingandtheconcreteexperienceofsocialnetworking(andtherelationshipsoftrustandtolerancethatevolve)canbringgreatbenefitstopeople.
• CorporateFoundationso Towardstheendofthe19thcenturythecorporatecommunityin
Indiaalsobegansettinguporganisationsdedicatedtothewelfareanddevelopmentoftheunderprivileged.
o TheJNTataEndowmentTrustwasestablishedinourcountryin1892,muchbeforeRockfellerandCarnegiesetuptheirphilanthropicfoundationsintheUSA.
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o AmajorcontributionofthisendowmentwastheestablishmentoftheIndianInstituteofScienceatBangalore.
o TheJJSchoolofArts,TataInstituteofSocialSciences,TataInstituteofFundamentalResearch,BirlaInstituteofTechnology,SriRamCollegeofCommerce
• Socio-PoliticalMovementso 1960sand70s:VinobaBhave’sBhoodanandJaiPrakashNarain’sSarvodayamovementwerethetwomajorvoluntaryactioninitiativeswhichcaughttheattentionofpeopleacrossthecountryinthe1950sand60s
• Constitutionalismo 1970sand1980s,thegrowthofconstitutionalismandthe
emergenceofeconomicliberalisationfueledidealsofequity,humanrightsandexpansionofeconomicopportunities.
o Theenvironmentofliberalismledtoarecognitionthatpeopleneededtobeempoweredthroughsocialactionnetwork.Thissupportedemergenceofnewercategoriesofcharitiesandvoluntaryactiongroupsinourcountry.
Cooperatives,SocietiesandWaqfso Startedintheearlyyearsofthe20thcenturywhenfarmerswere
organizedintovoluntarygroupstosecurecheapcreditoncollectivebasisandthussavethemfromusuriouspracticesofmoneylenders.
o StartedinEuropeo SpreadtoIndiabythe1920s,asitbecameverywellsuitedfortheIndian
ruralareas.o AfterIndependencetheUnionandStateGovernmentsenactedseveral
lawswithregardtoPublicTrusts,Waqfs,ProducerCompanies,othervoluntarysector/civilsocietyorganisationsandcooperativesocieties.
o TheSocietiesRegistrationAct,1860o TheWaqfAct,1954o ConstitutionalPositions:(ConstitutionalRighttoformassociationsand
cooperatives)o TheIndianConstitutionprovidesadistinctlegalspacetosocial
capital/civilsocietyinstitutionso (a)throughitsArticleontherighttoformassociationsorunions–
Article19(1)(c);o (b)throughArticle43whichtalksofStatesmakingendeavourto
promotecooperativesinruralareas;ando (c)throughexplicitmentioninentriesmadeinSchedule7
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FinancialInclusionCausesorreasonsC.RangarajanCommitteehasidentifiedfourmajorreasonsforlackoffinancialinclusion:
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1. Inabilitytoprovidecollateralsecurity2. Poorcreditabsorptioncapacity3. Inadequatereachoftheinstitutions4. Weakcommunitynetwork.
Varieshighlyregionalwise,andevensub-regionwise.
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GovernanceIssueso ASPECTSofGovernance:
o FourPillarsofGovernance(CitizenCentric)
§ Ethos(ofservicetothecitizen)§ Ethics(honesty,integrityandtransparency)§ Equity(empathyforweakersections)§ Efficiency(speedyandeffective,useofICTandno
harassment)o GovernancemustprovideforCitizenCentricAdministrationo Institutionssetupforthis:
§ InstitutionssuchastheNationalHumanRightsCommission,NationalWomen’sCommission,NationalConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission,andLokayuktasetc.havebeensetup.
o TransparencyInternationalIndex:IndiafeaturesatNo.70witharatingof3.3.ThisisaverylowrankingintheinternationalscenarioandshowsthatcorruptionisaseriousprobleminIndia
o Bottlenecks
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o Accountability
§ Accountabilityalsomeansanswerabilityi.e.questionsaskedofpublicofficialshavetobeansweredbythem.
§ Therearetwotypesofquestionsthatcanbeasked.§ (1)UnderRTIAct:OnetypeasundertheRTIActmerely
seeksinformation/dataandinvolvesonewaytransmissionofinformation.ItpromotestransparencyandtoamuchlesserdegreeaccountabilityinGovernment.
§ (2)Why?:Thesecondtypeofquestionenquiresnotjustastowhatwasdonebutwhy;andthereforeinvolvesaconsultativetwo-wayflowofinformationwiththecitizensusuallyprovidingafeedbackinrespectoftheworkingofgovernmentdepartmentsandservicedeliveryofpublicagencies.
o Suchmechanismsincludecitizens’charters,ServiceDeliverySurveys,socialaudits,citizens’reportcardandoutcomesurveys.
o Transparency§ Transparencyindecisionmaking,disclosureofstandardsof
deliveryandopennessintheeverydayfunctioningoftheadministrationarethehallmarksofacitizencentricapproach.
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§ Asthisisareasonablynewconcept,whichhasgainedacceptanceaftertheenactmentoftheRighttoInformationAct,achangeinapproachisrequiredatalllevelsofthegovernment.
o AspectsofRegulation§ Onlywherenecessary§ Shouldbeeffectiveandnotsymbolic§ Selfregulationisbestformofregulation§ Regulatoryproceduresshouldbetransparent,andcitizen
friendly.§ Involvecitizengroupsandprofessionalorganizationsin
regulationo SingleWindowSystemforDeliveryofServices
§ Oneofthewaysinwhichgovernmentsacrosstheworldhaveapproachedefficientandeffectiveservicedeliverytocitizens(andbusinesses)isbyadoptinga‘singlewindowsystem’.
§ Thedrivingforcebehindthisapproachisthebeliefthatcitizensneednotrunarounddifferentgovernmentofficesforgettingvariousservices.
§ Thisisachievedthroughanumberofways.Oneapproachallowsaserviceprovidingorganizationtore-engineeritsprocessesinsuchawaythatalltheservicesprovidedbyitgetdeliveredtocitizensthroughasingleoutlet/unit.
§ Anotherapproachistoestablishanorganizationwhichwouldcreateaninfrastructurethroughwhichdifferentgovernmentorganizationsareabletoprovideservicestocitizensatasinglepointofdelivery.Somegovernmentshaveadoptedanapproachwherenoseparateorganizationiscreated–alltheorganizationsworkintandemtoestablishacommonservicedeliveryinfrastructure.Eg:Germany
o e-Govo GovernanceinIndiaowesitsoriginstothein-housedevelopment
ofapplicationsduringthe1970sand1980sindefence,economicplanning,census,taxadministrationandelections.
o Subsequently,massiveeffortsweremadeduringthe1980sbytheNationalInformaticsCentre(NIC)toconnectallthedistrictheadquartersinthecountrythroughaVSATnetwork.
o However,alltheseeffortsweremainlygovernmentcentricwiththeprimaryobjectiveofexploitinginformationandcommunicationtechnologies(ICTs)forautomatinginternalgovernmentfunctions.
o Citizencentricitywithafocusonimprovingdeliveryofservicestothecitizenswasnottheprimarygoalduringthisperiod.
o Citizencentricservicesspreadwiththecomingoftheinternetinthelate1990sandformostofthelast1decade.
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o NeGPwasconceptualizedtospreadthesetechnologiesfordeliveryofservicestocitizensandalsoaddresschallengesofafragmentedeGovpracticedbyvariousstatesinthecountry.
o “TheSMARTwayforward"o A"Simple,Moral,Accountable,ResponsiveandTransparent"
(SMART)governanceo Kant’sobservation:"Thecitizensareendsinthemselves,ratherthanas
meanstootherends."o Governmentisresponsibleforprovidingcertainservicestothecitizens,
justlikeanorganisationisresponsibleformanagingavaluechainthatleadstooutput.
o Businesscorporationshavediscoveredoverthelastfewdecadesthatinformationtechnologycanmakethevaluechainmoreefficientandleadtoqualityimprovementsandcostsavings.
o Similarly,Governmentshavediscoveredthatinformationtechnologycanmaketheprovisionofservicestothecitizenmoreefficientandtransparent,cansavecostsandleadtoahigherlevelofefficiency.
o Analogoustoe-commerce,whichallowsbusinesstotransactwitheachothermoreefficiently(B2B)andbringscustomersclosertobusinesses(B2C),e-governmentaimstomaketheinteractionbetweengovernmentandcitizens(G2C),governmentandbusinessenterprises(G2B),andinter-agencyrelationships(G2G)morefriendly,convenient,transparent,andinexpensive.
o Thekeyprinciplesofe-Kranti(NeGP2.0)areasfollows:§ TransformationandnotTranslation.§ IntegratedServicesandnotIndividualServices.§ GovernmentProcessReengineering(GPR)tobemandatory
ineveryMMP.§ ICTInfrastructureonDemand.§ CloudbyDefault.§ MobileFirst.§ FastTrackingApprovals.§ MandatingStandardsandProtocols.§ LanguageLocalization.§ NationalGIS(Geo-SpatialInformationSystem).§ SecurityandElectronicDataPreservation.
o e-GovPrograms:o e-Kranti(NeGP2.0)o Aimstoenhancetheportfolioofcitizen-centricservicesand
ensureoptimumusageofcoreinformationandcommunicationtechnology(ICT).
o TheNationale-GovernancePlan(NeGP)isthemostsignificantinitiativetakeninIndiaduringthelastdecadetomainstreamICTingovernanceatbothcentralandstatelevels.
o Itlaysemphasisoncreatingtherightgovernanceandinstitutionalframeworkwithinthecountry,establishthecoreITinfrastructure,andimplementanumberofMissionModeProjectsatthecentral,stateandintegratedlevels.
o Theobjectivesof'e-Kranti’are:
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o CitizenCentricServiceDeliveryo OptimumusageofICTo WithICTinfrastructureondemand,theprogrammealsoseeksto
ensurecloudbydefault,mobilefirst,languagelocalisationandsecurityandelectronicdatapreservation.
o E-KrantiisanimportantpillaroftheDigitalIndiaprogramme.Themissionofe-Krantiistoensureagovernmentwidetransformationbydeliveringallgovernmentserviceselectronicallytocitizensthroughintegratedandinteroperablesystemsviamultiplemodes,whileensuringefficiency,transparencyandreliabilityofsuchservicesataffordablecosts
o TheprogrammemanagementstructureapprovedforDigitalIndiaprogrammewouldbeusedformonitoringimplementationofe-Krantiandalsoforprovidingaforumtoascertainviewsofallstakeholders,overseeingimplementation,resolvinginter-Ministerialissuesandensuringspeedysanctionofprojects.
o Thethrustareasofthee-Kranti-electronicdeliveryofservicesunderthe
DigitalIndiaprogrammeare:o TechnologyforEducation(e-Education)o Health(e-Healthcare)o Farmerso FinancialInclusiono Planningo Justiceo Securityo CyberSecurityo DigitalIndia(overarchingumbrellaovereveything)o GovernmentisimplementingtheDigitalIndiaprogrammeasan
umbrellaprogrammetoprepareIndiaforaknowledgebasedtransformationintoadigitallyempoweredSocietyandknowledgeeconomy.
o DigitalIndiaaimstoprovidethemuchneededthrusttotheninepillarsofgrowthareas,namely:
o BroadbandHighwayso UniversalAccesstoMobileConnectivityo PublicInternetAccessProgrammeo e-Governance:ReformingGovernmentthroughTechnology
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o e-Kranti-ElectronicDeliveryofServiceso InformationforAllo ElectronicsManufacturingo ITforJobso EarlyHarvestProgrammes.o MyGovwebsite(shiningexampleofC2G)o ProblemswhyPrivateCompaniesnotcomingo NetNeutralityo DigitalSovereigntyo G2C
§ E-courts§ MobileOnebyKarnatakaGovernment
o G2B§ E-Biz§ Taxationfilings§ E-Procurement§ G2G§ E-Courts§ Districtlevelportalsforadministrationuse§ LandRecordsModernization
o C2G§ MyGov§ CentralizedPublicGrievancesRedressandMonitoring
System(CPGRAMS)o CitizenGrievanceRedressal:
§ CVC§ StateLokayuktas§ NHRC§ SHRC§ NationalConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission
o FinancialInclusion:§ vidyalakshmi.co.inDevelopedbyNSDLwithMinistryof
Finance§ One-stop-Shopwebsiteforalleducationloanneedsof
students§ Thegovernmenthaslaunchedaneducationloansportal,
wherestudentscanapplyforaloantomultiplebanks,tracktheirapplications,andavailvariousloanschemesbeingoffered.
o MobileOnebyKarnatakaGovernment• AnanganwadiworkerinruralKarnatakacan
registerherattendancethroughaservicecalledMobileOne,whichasoftwareprofessionalinBengalurucanalsousetopayelectricityandwaterbillsorbooktickets.
o Jaankari:§ Bihar’suniqueattempttoacceptRighttoInformation
(RTI)applicationsthroughphonecalls(‘Jaankari’project)hasbeenselectedforthefirstprizefor‘
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outstandingperformanceincitizencentricservicedelivery’attheNationalAwardsfore-Governance(2008-09).
e-Shakti[SHGs]o HasresultedinincreaseofSHGdepositsinbanksfrom9000croreto
17000from2013to2014,almostan88%increaseo e-Shaktihasbeenimplementedtoimprovethequalityofinterface
betweenSHGmembersandbanksforefficientandhassle-freedeliveryofbankingservices
o AbankmanagerwillbeabletotracktheactivitiesofSHGssittinginaroom,includingparticularslikehowmuchsavingsanSHGhasorhowregularlyitmeetsandtheprofileofitsmembers.ThiswillnotonlyhelpthebankerbutalsochangetheriskperceptionofSHGs
o Samanvayo WebportaltotracktheimplementationoftheSansadAdarshGram
Yojana(SAGY).o Problemsine-Gov
o Fundingo Interoperabilityo UseofLocalLanguageo CapacityDevelopmento Resistanceo DigitalDivideo SecurityandPrivacy
o ConsumerProtectiono ThewelfareroleoftheStateisofconsiderableimportanceand
thereforevariousmeasurestoensurethewelfare-safety,securityandwellbeing-ofitscitizensareessential.
o However,citizensrelyontheopenmarketformostoftheirpurchases–particularly,goodsandalsoincreasingly,ofservicesandtheasymmetrybetweentheconsumersofgoodsandservicesandtheproducersofthesegoodsandservicesintermsofknowledge,bargainingpoweretc.necessitatesStateintervention.
o Thishasresultedinsettingupofconsumerprotectionmechanisms.
o TheConsumerProtectionActwaspassedin1986toprotecttheinterestsoftheconsumers.
§ Theobjectiveofthislawistoprovideasimple,fastandinexpensivemechanismtothecitizenstoredresstheirgrievancesinspecifiedcases.
§ TheActenvisagesathree-tierquasi-judicialmachineryattheNational,StateandDistrictlevels;
§ (i)NationalConsumerDisputesRedressalCommission-knownas“NationalCommission”,
§ (ii)StateConsumerDisputesRedressalCommissionknownas“StateCommission”
§ (iii)DistrictConsumerDisputesRedressalForum-knownas“DistrictForum”.
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§ TheActalsoprovidesforestablishmentofConsumerProtectionCouncilsattheUnion,StateandDistrictlevels,whosemainobjectivesaretopromoteandprotecttherightsofconsumers
Citizen’sCharter
o Example:IncomeTaxDepartment,DelhiTransportCorporationo Recommendations:
o Onesizedoesnotfitall.o Citizens’Chartershouldbepreparedforeachindependentunit
undertheoverallumbrellaoftheorganisations’charter.o WideconsultationwhichincludeCivilSocietyintheprocesso Internalprocessesandstructureshouldbereformedtomeetthe
commitmentsgivenintheCharter.o PeriodicevaluationofCitizens’Charters.o Benchmarkusingend-userfeedback.o Redressalmechanismincaseofdefaulto Holdofficersaccountableforresults
SevottamModel(MonitoringandImplementationofCitizenCharters)o SevottamisaServiceDeliveryExcellenceModelwhichprovidesan
assessmentimprovementframeworktobringaboutexcellenceinpublicservicedelivery.
o TheneedforatoollikeSevottamarosefromthefactthatCitizens’Chartersbythemselvescouldnotachievethedesiredresultsinimprovingqualityofpublicservices.
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o Besides,theabsenceofacrediblegrievancesredressalmechanismwithinorganizationswasalsobecomingamajorimpedimentinimprovingservicedeliverystandards.Thus,itwasfeltthatunlessthereisamechanismtoassesstheoutcomesofvariousmeasures,thereforminitiativeswouldnotyieldthedesiredresults.TheSevottammodelworksasanevaluationmechanismtoassessthequalityofinternalprocessesandtheirimpactonthequalityofservicedelivery
o Components:o ServiceDeliveryReviewo GrievanceRedressalReviewo StandardsandQualityinspections
o CitizenParticipation
o Example:
§ CitizenGivingSuggestions(BATF)§ Toillustrate,theBangaloreAgendaTaskForce(BATF)was
setupin1999withthegoaloftransformingBangaloreintoaworldclasscitywiththeparticipationofitsleadingcitizensincludingtheheadsofitsmajorITcompanies,aswellasprominentmembersoftheBangaloreciviccommunity.
§ Citizensholdingserviceprovidersaccountable:§ Example:CitizenReportCards(CRCs)—threecitizens’
reportcards(CRC)oncityservicesinBangaloreconductedbythePublicAffairsCentre(PAC)–in1994,1999and2003–showedasignificantimprovementinthequalityofservicesprovidedbycityagencies
§ Mandatoryforallgovernmentorganizationstodevelopasuitablemechanismforreceiptofsuggestionsfromcitizens,whichcouldrangefromthesimple‘SuggestionBox’toperiodicconsultationswithcitizens’groups.
o SocialAudit
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ProtectionofWhistleblowersandWhistleblowersAct2014o ManjunathShanmugamworkingwithIndianOilCorporation(IOC)wasa
graduateoftheIndianInstituteofManagement,Lucknow.Herefusedbribesandignoredthreatstohislifeinhisfightagainstadulterationbythepetrolpumpowners.Hepaidtheprice.Hewasshotdeadon19thNovember,2005allegedlyatthebehestofcorruptpetrolpumpowners.
o SatyendraDubey,workingwiththeNationalHighwaysAuthorityofIndia(NHAI),exposedtherampantcorruptioninconstructionofroads.Hewasalsofounddeadon27thNovember,2003
o WhatislackingintheWhistleblowersAct2014o PenaltyforVictimization:Actsofharassmentorvictimizationofor
retaliationagainst,awhistleblowershouldbecriminaloffenseswithsubstantialpenaltyandsentence
o Anonymity:Whistleblowersexposingfalseclaims,fraudorcorruptionshouldbeprotectedbyensuringconfidentialityandanonymity,protectionfromvictimizationincareer,andotheradministrativemeasurestopreventbodilyharmandharassment.
o PrivateSectorWhistleblowers:Thelegislationshouldcovercorporatewhistleblowersunearthingfraudorseriousdamagetopublicinterestbywillfulactsofomissionorcommission
o ImmunityenjoyedbyLegislatorso PriorConcurrenceonregistrationofacase:Section6AoftheDSPEAct
1946
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Corruptiono SituationinIndia
o AccordingtoTransparencyInternational,1in2citizensinterviewedinIndiaadmittedtohavepaidbribetoaccesspublicservicein2013(globalaverage=27%)
o SurveybyJanagrahaCentreforCitizenshipandDemocracycalculatedthatanavgurbanIndianhadpaidINR27000asbribesin2013
o Problemso Culturallyacceptableandingrainedoveraperiodoftimeasa
normofdoingbusinesso Toleratedo Honestpeopleareostracizedevenbysocietyandclosenetworkof
relativesetc.o Difficulttoprosecuteduetopoorlegislationandtoothless
agencieso CourtRulings
o LilyThomasCaseo TimebounddisposalofcasesagainstMPsandMLAso Timelimitforgrantofsanctionforprosecutionofpublicservants
fixedat90dayso Section6AofDSPEstruckdowno AdvisedPMandCMnottoappointchargesheetedpersonsas
ministerso Anti-CorruptionlawsinIndia:Evolution
o BeforeindependenceIPChadsectionsthatgovernedcorruptionentitlesas“OffencesbyPublicServants"
o PreventionofCorruptionAct1947waspassedafterindependenceascorruptionhadreachedveryhighlevels
o AdoptedmostlyfromIPCcodeo Amendmentsalongthewaytoclarifythemeaningof“Public
Servant”andCorruptpracticeso ThePreventionofCorruptionAct1988o Term“publicservant”moreclearlyandcomprehensively
definedo “PublicDuty”—anewconceptintroducedo SpecialJudgesfortrialo Provisionsforexpeditedtrialso Nodefinitionof“Corruption”providedo Violationofoathofofficeo Fourtypesofoffensesshouldbeclassified:o Wilfulviolationofdemocraticandconstitutionalinstitutionso Squanderingpublicmoneyforostentatiouslifestyleo Abuseofauthorityundulyfavoringorharmingsomeoneo ObstructionofJustice
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PovertyConceptofPoverty
o Feelingofresourcelessnessandpowerlessnesso DimensionsofPoverty:
b. LackofLivelihoodStrategiesc. InaccessibilitytoResources(money,land,credit)d. FeelingofInsecurityandFrustrationse. Inabilitytodevelopsocialrelationswithothersduetolackof
resourcesViewsofPoverty—>MeasurementsofPoverty:[Absolutevs.Relative]
a. Incomeviewi. Inabilitytogratifythephysiologicalneeds,i.e.,safetyneeds,survivalandsecurity,food,nutrition,shelter,preventiveandprotectivehealthcare.
ii. Inthiscase,minimumincomeisrequiredtomeettheseneeds,therefore,povertyinthisviewismeasuredintermsof“povertyline”(Inpractice,thiscouldbemeasuredintermsofconsumption,calorieintakeetc.)
b. LivingStandardsinthesocietyiii. Relatedtotimeandplace,aspovertystandardsvaryfrom
countrytocountry,andsocietytosocietyiv. Therefore,income,food,education,healthetc.arethe
requiredminimumservicesforpeopletosubsist,sustain,however,thelevelofsuchsustenancemaydifferfromplacetoplace.
c. Comparativeview:v. Intermsofothers,i.e.,comparativestateofwell-beingofa
fewvs.deprivationanddestitutionofthemajorityinthesociety
e. MeasurementsofPovertyv. Malnutritionvi. Lowconsumptionexpenditurevii. LowIncomeviii. Chronicillnessix. Illiteracyx. Unemploymentorunderemploymentxi. Insanitaryhousing
f. Expressedintermsof:percapitaincome,inequalityindex,lownationalincome,weakdefenceetc.
PovertyinIndiaa. 22%ofworld’spoor,orabout260millionpoorpeopleliveinIndia
--WorldBankReportb. UNHumanDevelopmentIndex--Indiarankslowat134/186
countriesc. 75%ofthepoorinIndialiveinruralareasd. AccordingtoNSSO,peoplelivingbelowBPLhavedrasticallycome
downfrom36%in1993-94to26%in2000.
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CausesofPovertya. Lowproductivityinagriculture--fragmentedlandholdings,lack
ofcapital,lackoftechnologyb. Rapidlyrisingpopulation--rateof2.2%perannuminthelast50
yearsc. UnderemploymentandDisguisedemploymentd. Lowrateofeconomicdevelopmenttillliberalizatione. Pricerisef. Capitalshortageandentrepreneurshipg. Socialfactors--casteandwomen’sposition(inheritancelaws)h. Politicalfactors
Targetsonpoverty:
1. Eradicateextremepoverty(Below$1.25perday)by2030,andendpovertyinallitsformseverywhere
2. By2030,ensurethatallmenandwomen,inparticularthepoorandthevulnerable:a. haveequalrightstoeconomicresourcesb. accesstobasicservicesc. Housingforalld. ownershipandcontroloverlandandotherformsofproperty,
Inheritancee. naturalresourcesf. appropriatenewtechnologyandfinancialservices,including
microfinance3. Createsoundpolicyframeworksatthenational,regionaland
internationallevels,basedonpro-poorandgender-sensitivedevelopmentstrategies,tosupportacceleratedinvestmentinpovertyeradicationactions;SDGs
Schemes:
1. MGNREGA2. NationalSocialAssistanceProgram(NSAP)
a. AtalPensionYojana,PMJeevanJyotiYojana,PMJanDhanYojana3. NULM4. NRLM5. NationalLandRecordManagementProgram
Hunger:• Endhunger,achievefoodsecurityandimprovednutritionandpromote
sustainableagriculture.• Mainfocusonmulti-dimensionalwaystodothis:
o ProperNutritiono EndingMalnutritionbystoppingstuntingandwastinginchildren
below5yearsofageo DoublingAgricultureProductivityby2030--inparticularfor
women,indigenousproducers,familyfarmers,pastoralistsand
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fishers,secureandequalaccesstoland,knowledge,financialservices,etc.
o Sustainablefoodproductionandadaptationtoclimatechangeo Maintaingeneticdiversityofseeds,plants,domesticatedanimals.o Traditionalknowledgeconservationo Investmentinagricultureo Correctandpreventtraderestrictionsanddistortionsinworld
agriculturalmarkets,includingthroughtheparalleleliminationofallformsofagriculturalexportsubsidiesandallexportmeasureswithequivalenteffect,inaccordancewiththemandateoftheDohaDevelopmentRound.
Schemes:• NationalFoodSecurityMission
o NationalFoodSecurityActo MissionforIntegratedDevelopmentinHorticulture
• NationalMissionforSustainableAgriculture• RashtriyaKirshiVikasYojana• NationalLivestockMission
o LivestockDiseaseandHealthControl
SOCIALSECTOR:NSAP:
• TheNationalSocialAssistanceProgramme(NSAP)whichcameintoeffectfrom15thAugust,1995representsasignificantsteptowardsthefulfillmentoftheDirectivePrinciplesinArticle41oftheConstitution.
• TheprogrammeintroducedaNationalPolicyforSocialAssistanceforthepoorandaimsatensuringminimumnationalstandardforsocialassistanceinadditiontothebenefitsthatstatesarecurrentlyprovidingormightprovideinfuture.
• NSAPatpresent,comprisesofOldAgePensionScheme(IGNOAPS),NationalWidowPensionScheme(IGNWPS),NationalDisabilityPensionScheme(IGNDPS),NationalFamilyBenefitScheme(NFBS).
OldAgePersonsWhy:
• Indiaishometoover86millionpeopleagedabove60yearstoday.By2030,Indiawillbehometohighestnumberofoldagepersons--over300million.
• AgeDependencyRatioisalsorisingsteadilyovertheyears.Mostimportantneeds:
1. Healthcarecoverage2. DignityandInter-generationalBonding3. Housing4. Incomesecurity/Pension
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• IndiaisasignatorytoMadridPlanofActionandBarrierFreeFramework,thePolicywillaimtoworktowardsaninclusive,barrierfreeandage-friendlysociety.
• MaintenanceandWelfareofParentsandSeniorCitizensAct,2007o Tribunalsforoldagepersons
Programs:
1. NationalOldPersonsPolicy1999a. FundingOldAgeHomesinpublicsphereaswellasthroughNGOs
2. NationalOldPersonsCouncilSteps:
• SetupaNationalCommissionforSeniorCitizens• HelplineandDistrictlevelcommittees
ChildrenNUTRITIONGlobalNutritionReport2016
1. Stunting:IndiaRanks114outof132(highstunting)--38%stunting2. Wasting:IndiaRanks120outof132(high)3. Anemia:Indiais170/185countries--48%
• Thesegmentsmostatriskcontinuetobeadolescentgirls,womenand
children,andamongthemScheduledCastesandTribesaretheworstoff,reflectingtheinsidiouseconomicandsocioculturaldeprivationsoprevalentinIndia.
• Marriageofunderagegirls:AccordingtothemostrecentUnitedNationsPopulationFund(UNFPA)report,nearly50percentofwomeninIndiaaremarriedbeforetheyturn18,inviolationofthelaw.
WhyIndiaispoorlynutritioned?
1. Governmentprogramshavehadlimitedsuccess(ICDS,MidDayMeal,andPDS)--leakages,qualityofservicesandfoodisnotuptopar,notabletoreachinanycases.
2. Sanitationproblem--opendefecation3. MaternalhealthandChildhealthawarenessislacking4. Patriarchalsociety--girlgivenlowernutritiondietthanthe
boy(halfglassofmilk)Whypoornutritionisbad?
1. Poornutritionispooreconomics.TheWorldBankestimatesthatIndialoses2-3percentofitsannualGDPbywayoflowerproductivity,theunderlyingcauseofwhichismalnutrition.
a. EvenEconomicSurvey2016hasarguedthathighesteconomicreturnstopublicinvestmentinhumancapitalinIndialieinmaternalandearly-lifehealthandnutritioninterventions.
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b. TheCopenhagenConsensushasidentifiedtwiceseveralnutritioninterventionsassomeofthemosthigh-yieldingofallpossibledevelopmentassessments.
2. PoornutritionwillfracturethedreamsandaspirationsofIndiatobecomeaglobalplayerinmanufacturingandotherindustries
3. Poornutritionispoorhumanity.Article47oftheConstitutionmentionsthe“dutyofthestatetoraisethelevelofnutritionandthestandardoflivingandtoimprovepublichealth.”
Steps:
1. SwachhBharat,‘BetiBachao,BetiPadhao’,etc.arecriticalnutrition-sensitivefactorsthataddresshygiene,sanitationandeducation.
2. Overhaulneededinalreadyestablishedsystems:a. TheICDS,whichcaterstotheneedsofpregnant
andnursingmothersandchildrenundertheageofsix;
b. Themid-daymealscheme,whichdirectlyfeedsapproximately120millionschoolchildreneveryday;
c. Thepublicdistributionsystem[PDS],whichmakesavailablesubsistencerationstoaboveandbelowpovertylinefamilies.
d. CSRandPPPcanbeusedtoaddressallthreeprograms.
a) Othermeasures:a. NUTRITIONMISSION:One,createaNutritionSecretariataspartof
thePrimeMinister’sOfficewithresponsibilityforensuringmulti-sectoralalignmentonpriorities,sequencingandtimelines.
b. Two,makethenodalMinistriesaccountableforrevampingtheICDS,MDM,PDSwithcleargoals,timelinesandresources.Opentheseupforpublic-privatepartnershipsandmaketheseCSR-eligible.
c. Three,extendlarge-scalefoodfortificationbeyondsalttootherstapleslikeflour,oil,dairy,etc.andestablishmandatorystandardsbycategory.
d. Four,investininformationandeducationaboutgoodnutritionpractices,extendingfromadiversediettodeworming,breastfeeding,hygieneandsanitation,etc.Nutritioniscomplexandthereforeneedstobesimplifiedinbehaviouralterms
e. Indiamustconvertitsyoungpopulationtoacompetitiveadvantage,andnutritionandhealtharefoundationaltothatoutcome.
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HealthAsper12thFYP,Healthshouldbeviewedasnotmerelytheabsenceofdiseasebutasastateofcompletephysical,mentalandsocialwell-being.Weaknesses:
1. Availabilitya. Shortageofdoctorandnursingstaffisacute.Doctor
perlakhofpopulationaround45whiletheminimumnumbershouldbe85.Similarlylackofnursesandauxiliarymidwives(ANMs).
2. Affordabilitya. Outofpocketexpensesofpooraretoohigh(almost70%ofthe
overallhealthcareexpenses).Medicinesaretooexpensiveforvariouscommunicableandnoncommunicablediseases.Theprivatesectorformsmajorityofthehealthcaresystembutitisoutofreachformostofthepopulation.
b. Prescriptiondrugsreforms,promotionofessential,genericmedicines,andmakingtheseuniversallyavailablefreeofcosttoallpatientsinpublicfacilitiesi. Theseshouldbepartofthe“EssentialHealthPackage”--Pricecontrolsandpriceregulation,especiallyonessentialdrugs,shouldbeenforced.TheEssentialDrugsListshouldberevisedandexpanded,andrationaluseofdrugsensured.
ii. SafeguardsprovidedbyIndianpatentslawandtheTRIPSAgreementagainstthecountry’sabilitytoproduceessentialdrugsshouldbeprotected
3. LackofFocusonPreventativeCareandLackofQuality:a. Preventativecareisinshamblesasnotedinthepoorstateof
Primaryhealthcarecenters(PHCs)b. Manydoctorsarenotqualifiedorlicensedtopractice.c. ThisisalsoreflectedinpoorMMRandIMRratios
4. Healthcarespendinga. Publicspendingisonly1.2%ofGDP,whichisfarbelow
internationalstandardsforsimilarcountries.Newinstitutionsneeded:TheestablishmentofaNationalHealthRegulatoryandDevelopmentAuthority(NHRDA)a,NationalDrugRegulatoryandDevelopmentAuthority(NDRDA)anda,NationalHealthPromotionandProtectionTrust(NHPPT)isalsorecommended.Whyimmediateneed:
• AhealthycitizenryistheveryfundamentalrequirementforawelfaresocietylikeIndia.Withoutahappyandhealthycitizenry,growthanddevelopmentarenotpossible.
• PartofDirectivePrinciplesofStatePolicyandvisionofourconstitution• IndiaissignatorytoMDGsandSDGs,bothofwhichencapsulateUniversal
Healthcoverageasamustfordevelopmentalneeds.
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• HealthycitizensIncreasesproductivity,economicgrowthetc.Stepstaken:
1. UniversalHealthCoveragehasbeenenvisagedasthegoalofnewdraftHealthcarepolicy
2. GovernanceReformsinHealthcarea. Performancelinkedincentivesb. Devolutionofpowersandfunctionstolocalhealthcare
institutionsandmakingthemresponsibleforthehealthofthepeoplelivinginadefinedgeographicalarea.
c. NRHM’sstrategyofdecentralisation,PRIinvolvement,integrationofverticalprogrammes,inter-sectoralconvergenceandHealthSystemsStrengtheninghavebeenpartiallyachieved.
d. Example:ProfessionalprocurementagenciesonthelinesofTamilNadu
3. NationalHealthMissiona. JnaniSurakshaYojanab. Indradhanushforfullimmunizationofchildren
4. RashtriyaSwasthyaSurakshaYojana5. FocusondevelopingANMs,ASHAs6. CommunityinvolvementthroughJanSunwaisandRogiKalyan
Samitis.a. VillageHealthSanitationandNutritionCommittee
UHCModels
1. EHP:CashlessdeliveryofanEssentialHealthPackage(EHP)toalloughttobethebasicdeliverableinallmodels.
2. LinkagesofEHPwithGovernmentpharmacies(forpublicproviders)andJanAushadhioutlets(forall).
3. Aneffectivehealthinformationnetworkthatcouldbeaccessedbyallserviceprovidersandpatients(fortheirownrecords)wouldenablethecontinuumofcare.
4. TargetingofpeoplethroughAadhar5. CommunityInvolvementtobethefocus6. FinancingofUHC:
a. ByPPPorNPPP(NotforProfitPPP)b. CSRfundingcangotogovernmenthospitals,healthcarecenters
etc.DiseaseControlPrograms:
1. NationalVectorBorneDiseaseControlProgrammea. Indiahas56%ofworld’sleprosypatientsand21%ofitsTB
patients.b. Multi-drugresistancetoTBisbeingincreasinglyrecognised.
2. MentalHealthproblemsincreasing
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a. NationalMentalHealthcareBill?3. Regulation
a. TheFoodSafetyandStandardsAct(FSSA)cameintobeingin2011andintegratedthefoodlawsinIndiaintoonesinglelaw.
b. VariousotheractssuchasTheTransplantationofHumanOrgansAct,PC-PNDTActhasbeenamended.
4. AYUSHMinistryhasbeensetupanduseofAYUSHmedicineinplaceofallopathicmedicinehasbeenrecommendedinaphasedmannerinCHCs,PHCs,anddistricthospitals.
5. RoleofICMR[indiancouncilformedicalresearch]andNewHealthResearchDivision
FoodSafety:• FoodSafetyandStandardsAuthorityofIndia(FSSAI)hasbeen
establishedtoimprovetransparencyinitsfunctioninganddecisionmaking.
o Bio-safetywouldbeanintegralpartofanyriskassessmentbeingundertakenbyFSSAI.
• StandardizedTestsforAdulterationtobeintroducedacrossthelabsinIndiaandBIStoundertakeguidelinesaswell.
• Publicinformationcampaignstoreducetheconsumptionofunhealthyfoodstobeundertaken.
• Foodsurveystogettheinformationandtheirresultswouldbepublishedregularly.
• Stepssuchasmarkingofveg,non-veg,bestbeforedates,nutritionalrequirementsetc.
EarlyChildhoodDevelopment:• AccordingtoWHO,first6monthsofachild’slifearethemost
vulnerableandimportantdaysinrespecttomortalityaswellaslatergrowth.
• IMR,MMRstillhighinIndia--MDGnotachieved• Childrenarestunted,wasted,malnutritioned
RashtriyaSwasthyaBimaYojana--highout-of-pocketexpendituresdespiteRSBY--whataretheshortcomings?RSBYisahealthinsuranceschemethatcoverstreatmentsuptoRs.30,000undercashlessschemeforBPLpopulationinbothgovernmentandprivatehospitalsacrossIndia.Highenrollmentofover40millionindividualsintheschemehasalreadybeendone.Despitethehighenrollment,abigfailureoftheschemehasbeenthecontinuedriseinoutofpocketexpensesdespitethescheme.(StudybyCouncilofSocialDevelopment)
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Thisisdueto:
1. Lowamount:Inabilityoftheschemetomeethighlevelofexpensesincasesofexpensivetreatmentssuchashearttransplants,surgeriesetc.Hence,theamountshouldberaisedfromRs.30,000(asdoneininRSSY)
2. Corruption:InstancesofleakagesoffundsandghostpatientshavebeenwidelyreportedinRSBY.UseofAadharcanbeimplementedtoplugthese.
3. Focusonlyonsecondaryandtertiaryandnotonpreventivehealthcare.
4. PoortargetingofmarginalizedsectionsRecentsteps:→RSBYsmartcardsissuedunderShramevJayateprogramforworkersintheunorganizedsector.Convergence.
Education:EducationformsthecoreofIndia’s“trystwithdestiny”.Ourfoundingfathersandfreedomfighters,andevenspiritualtorchbearerssuchasVivekanandaandSriAurobindohadconsistentlywrittenabouteducation’simportanceinanewlybornnation.Problems:
1. Primarylevelschoolingsuffersfromtheproblemofquality--contentandpedagogy.a. Accessibilityisprettygoodasover135millionchildrenare
enrolledinprimaryschoolswithgrossenrollmentrationtouching100%.→However,thequalityofeducationgiventothemsuffersduetopoorcoursedesign,teacherabsenteeismandpoorteachingmethods.
b. Also,lackofcommunityparticipationwhereparentsandgrampanchayatscancontroltheperformanceevaluationofteachersisnotthere.
2. Secondarylevelschoolingsuffersfromtheproblemofchoiceincoursesduetowhichalargepercentageofstudentsdropout.→Dropoutrateisaround50%forstudentsfromprimarytosecondarylevel.
3. Thetertiaryandvocationalleveleducationsuffersfromtheproblemoflackofratingandcertificationsinpublicandprivateinstitutions.
Solutions:
1. Primarylevel→Newdrafteducationpolicyenvisagesrevampedcoursedesignatthislevel.Italsoenvisagescompulsorycertification
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ofteachers,enhancedtrainingandgreatermonitoringofinclassteachingmethods.
2. Secondarylevel→Newdrafteducationpolicyenvisagesdoingawaywiththedetentionpolicytofocusonteachingoutcomes.
3. Tertiarylevel→NewdrafteducationpolicyenvisagesdoingawaywithUGCandcreatinganautonomousNationalEducationRegulatortooverseehighereducation.→NationalKnowledgeCommissionalsorecommendedthis.
→NationalInstituteRatingsFramework[NIRF]hasbeenlaunchedtorankandratecollegesbothprivateandpublic.BroadObjectivesofEducationEducationmustdevelopmulti-dimensionalintelligenceamongstudents.Thismayinclude:
1. Cognitiveintelligencecoveringskilldevelopmentandresearchorientation
2. Emotionalintelligenceforteamspiritandrisktakingattitude3. Moralintelligencetoblendpersonalambitionswithnationalgoals4. Socialintelligencetodefendcivilrightsandfightinequality5. Spiritualintelligenceforpeace
NewEducationPolicyinIndia--TSRReportEducationisthefoundationofanymodernsociety.Historically,Indiahashadastrongtraditionofpromotingbothscientificaswellasreligiouslearning.Customssuchas“guru-shishya”relationshipandtheexcellencedemonstratedbyIndianengineers,scientistsandmanagementpersonneloninternationalstagespeaksvolumesoftheIndianmind.However,despiteseveralmeasures,educationhasnotmettherisingstandardsofthe21stcentury.AnurgentpolicytoutilizeIndia’smassivedemographicdividendisneedofthehour.Inthiscontext,TSRSubramaniamcommitteehassubmittedaneweducationpolicyforIndia.RecommendationsoftheCommittee:
1. SpendingIncrease:Totalpublicspendingoneducationmustincreasefromcurrent3%to6%ofGDPwithimmediateeffect.
2. ScrappingofUGC.3. AllowingforeignuniversitiestosetupcampusesinIndia4. AllIndiaCadreofEducationService.5. CompulsoryQualityAuditofSchoolsevery3years6. PositionofVCsinuniversitiesshouldbenon-political7. LicensingofTeachers:Compulsorylicensingorcertificationfor
teachersingovernmentandprivateschoolsshouldbemademandatory,withprovisionforrenewalevery10yearsbasedonindependentexternaltesting.
8. Pre-schooleducationasaRight:Pre-schooleducationfortheagegroupof4-5yearsshouldbedeclaredasarightasprovidedbyDPSPs.
9. Expansionofmid-daymeal:TheambitofMidDayMealschemeshouldbeexpandedtocoverstudentsofsecondaryschools.
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10. TeacherEntranceTests(TET)shouldbemadecompulsoryforrecruitmentofallteachers.AlsoforadmissiontoB.Edcoursesminimummarksatgraduatelevelshouldbe50%.
11. NoDetentionPolicytoberemoved:ThenodetentionpolicymustbecontinuedforchildrenuntilclassVonlywhenthechildwillbe11yearsold.AfterclassV,attheupperprimarystage,systemofdetentionshallberestoredsubjecttotheprovisionofremedialcoachingandatleasttwoextrachancesbeingofferedtoprovecapabilitytomovetoahigherclass.
12. The25%economicallyweakersectionquotainprivateschoolsshouldbeextendedtominorityinstitutions,asnumberofschoolsclaimingreligiousorlinguisticminoritystatushasincreasedtremendously.
13. Focusongirleducation14. Inclusionofvaluelearningandethicsintheclassroom.
NoDetentionPolicy
• Variousstategovernments(18)havedemandedrepealofnodetentionpolicygiveninRighttoEducationAct.
• AsperSection16ofRTEAct,thestudentsuptoclassVIIIareautomaticallypromotedtothenextclasswithoutbeingheldbackeveniftheydonotgetapassinggrade.
• ThishasbeenimplementedaspartoftheContinuousandComprehensiveEvaluation(CCE)undertheRTEActtoensureall-rounddevelopmentofstudents.
OlderPolicies:
1. Firstpolicy:1968;Second:1986(mostrecent),underIndiraGandhiandRajivGandhigovtsrespectively.
2. TheNationalEducationPolicy(NEP)of1986wasrevisedin1992.OtherSchemes:
1. VolunteerTeaching:VidyanjalischemeNewDraftNationalEducationPolicyTheDraftNationalPolicyoneducationcanhelpinsolvingtheseproblemsinthefollowingmanner:
1) FocusonPre-schoolEducation--useAnganwadinetwork2) CurriculumRenewalandExaminationReforms3) LearningoutcomesinSchoolEducation4) SchoolEducationwouldbefocusedon--expansionofKVsandJawahar
NavodayaVidyalayas5) LiteracyandLifelongLearningthroughtheexistinginitiativesbeing
strengthenedandcurricularevampedwithmulti-prongedstrategiesinvolvingSelfHelpGroups,NGOs,Governmentetc.
6) UseofICTinEducation
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7) Enhancingfundingforeducation
NationalSkillDevelopmentMissionSkillsandknowledgearethedrivingforcesofeconomicgrowthandsocialdevelopmentforanycountry.Problem:Indiacurrentlyfacesasevereshortageofwell-trained,skilledworkers.Itisestimatedthatonly2.3%oftheworkforceinIndiahasundergoneformalskilltrainingascomparedto68%intheUK,75%inGermany,52%inUSA,80%inJapanand96%inSouthKorea.Largesectionsoftheeducatedworkforcehavelittleornojobskills,makingthemlargelyunemployable.Therefore,Indiamustfocusonscalingupskilltrainingeffortstomeetthedemandsofemployersanddriveeconomicgrowth.Opportunity:--demographicdividendIndiaisoneoftheyoungestnationsintheworld,withmorethan54%ofthetotalpopulationbelow25yearsofageandover62%ofthepopulationintheworkingagegroup(15-59years)
• Thisdemographicadvantageispredictedtolastonlyuntil2040.Indiathereforehasaverynarrowtimeframetoharnessitsdemographicdividendandtoovercomeitsskillshortages.
TheenormityofIndia’sskillingchallengeisfurtheraggravatedbythefactthatskilltrainingeffortscutacrossmultiplesectorsandrequiretheinvolvementofdiversestakeholderssuchas:multiplegovernmentdepartmentsatthecentreandstatelevels,privatetrainingproviders,educationalandtraininginstitutions,employers,industryassociations,assessmentandcertificationbodiesandtrainees.SubmissionsofNSDM:(i)InstitutionalTraining,(ii)Infrastructure,(iii)Convergence,(iv)Trainers,(v)OverseasEmployment,(vi)SustainableLivelihoods,(vii)LeveragingPublicInfrastructure.NationalSkillDevelopmentCorporation(NSDC)willsupporttheMissionthroughcapacitybuildinginitiativesandsupportprivatetrainingpartners.UDAAN
• UdaanisaSpecialIndustryInitiativeforJammu&KashmirinthenatureofpartnershipbetweenthecorporatesofIndiaandMinistryofHomeAffairsandimplementedbyNationalSkillDevelopmentCorporation.TheprogrammeaimstoprovideskillstrainingandenhancetheemployabilityofunemployedyouthofJ&K.TheSchemecoversgraduates,postgraduatesandthreeyearengineeringdiplomaholders.Ithastwoobjectives:
o ToprovideanexposuretotheunemployedgraduatestothebestofCorporateIndia;
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o ToprovideCorporateIndia,anexposuretotherichtalentpoolavailableintheState.
STARScheme:TheNationalSkillCertificationandMonetaryRewardScheme,knownasSTAR(StandardTrainingAssessmentandReward),wasoperationalbetweenAugust2013andSeptember2014.PMKaushalVikasYojana[PMKVY]TheobjectiveofthisSkillCertificationSchemeistoenablealargenumberofIndianyouthtotakeupindustry-relevantskilltrainingthatwillhelptheminsecuringabetterlivelihood.IndividualswithpriorlearningexperienceorskillswillalsobeassessedandcertifiedunderRecognitionofPriorLearning(RPL).UnderthisScheme,TrainingandAssessmentfeesarecompletelypaidbytheGovernment.Envisagestrainingof10millionindividualsinthenext4years.[2016-2020]
1. IncludesNSQF[nationalskillsqualificationsframework]toensureastandardizedmodeoftrainingandcertificationacrossthecountry.
2. Envisagesskillinginavarietyoffieldssuchasmanufacturing,construction,mediaservicesetc.through3rdpartypartnersfromtheprivatesector.Thiswillalsoenableinplacementoftrainedindividualsinnewjobs.
3. Quarterlyreviewoftrainingimpartedtoensuretargetsaremet.4. Thenewversionoftheschemewillalsoincludetrainingpeopleto
workoverseasincludingEuropeandcentralAsia.5. PeoplefromtheNortheastandJammuandKashmiranddistricts
affectedbyMaoistviolencewillbeencouragedtoenlistforresidentialtraining
6. Theskillministrywillspendbetween10%and15%ofthebudgetforcreatingapoolofworkersforjobscreatedunderprogrammessuchasMakeInIndia,SwachhBharatandDigitalIndia.
7. Athirdpartyauditorforensuringthattargetsaremetwillbesetuptooverseetheprogramaswell.
NSFQTheNationalSkillsQualificationsFramework(NSQF)isacompetency-basedframeworkthatorganizesallqualificationsaccordingtoaseriesoflevelsofknowledge,skillsandaptitude.Theselevels,gradedfromonetoten,aredefinedintermsoflearningoutcomeswhichthelearnermustpossessregardlessofwhethertheyareobtainedthroughformal,non-formalorinformallearning.NSQFinIndiawasnotifiedon27thDecember2013.Allotherframeworks,includingtheNVEQF(NationalVocationalEducationalQualificationFramework)releasedbytheMinistryofHRD,standsupercededbytheNSQF.UnderNSQF,thelearnercanacquirethecertificationforcompetencyneededatanylevelthroughformal,non-formalorinformallearning.Inthatsense,theNSQFisaqualityassuranceframework.Presently,morethan100countrieshave,orareintheprocessofdevelopingnationalqualificationframeworks.
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TheNSQFisanchoredattheNationalSkillDevelopmentAgency(NSDA)andisbeingimplementedthroughtheNationalSkillsQualificationsCommittee(NSQC)whichcomprisesofallkeystakeholders.TheNSQC'sfunctionsamongstothersincludeapprovingNOSs/QPs,approvingaccreditationnorms,prescribingguidelinestoaddresstheneedsofdisadvantagessections,reviewinginter-agencydisputesandalignmentofNSQFwithinternationalqualificationframeworks.SpecificoutcomesexpectedfromimplementationofNSQFare:
1. MobilitybetweenvocationalandgeneraleducationbyalignmentofdegreeswithNSQF
2. RecognitionofPriorLearning(RPL),allowingtransitionfromnon-formaltoorganisedjobmarket
3. Standardised,consistent,nationallyacceptableoutcomesoftrainingacrossthecountrythroughanationalqualityassuranceframework
4. GlobalmobilityofskilledworkforcefromIndia,throughinternationalequivalenceofNSQF
5. Mappingofprogressionpathwayswithinsectorsandcross-sectorally6. ApprovalofNOS/QPsasnationalstandardsforskilltraining
PovertyReduction--SECCandgraduationapproachinGraminSwarozgarYojana(GSY)--selfemployment
• Povertyisrarelyjustabinarystateofbeingpoorornot.• Inreality,thepoormayexperienceanythingbetweendestitutionand
moderatepoverty,andtheirconditionmaychangefromoneendofthespectrumtotheotherovertime.
• TheSocioEconomicCasteCensus(SECC),adatabasecreatedbytheministryofruraldevelopment,attemptstoidentifysuchdiversitybymeasuringvariousparametersaccordingtowhichahouseholdisdeprived.
o AsperSECCdata,nearlyhalfofthe18croreruralhouseholdsinthecountryaredeprivedaccordingtooneormoreofthesevenindicators.
o Astaggering75%ofruralhouseholdshavemonthlyincomeoflessthanRs.5,000andaround38%ofruralhouseholdsarelandlessanddependentonmanualcasuallabourastheirmainsourceofincome.
o Thefiguresshowthatthemultiplesocialprotectionandlivelihoodprogrammesimplementedbysuccessivegovernments,suchastheMahatmaGandhiNationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeActandNationalRuralLivelihoodsMission,havebeenunabletoreachtheextremepoor.
StudiesbypovertylabssuchasJ-PALhaveshownthat‘ultra-poor’havelittlecapital,minimalskillsandareusuallyengagedininsecureand/orlow-returnoccupations.Theyareunabletomeetbasicneeds,areextremelyvulnerabletounexpectedlifeeventssuchashealthemergencies,andremaintrappedinacycleofpoverty.Whilethereisnouniversallyacceptedthresholdforbeing‘ultra-poor’,morethanone-fifthoftheworld’spopulationandone-thirdofIndia’sruralpopulationliveon$1.90(purchasingpowerparity)orapproximatelyRs.130a
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dayorless—i.e.,belowtheWorldBankandUnitedNations’thresholdforextremepoverty.Theministryofruraldevelopmenthasrecentlyincorporatednewevidenceintothedesignofanewlyproposedscheme,tentativelynamedtheGrameenSwarozgarYojana(GSY).GSYproposesadiverseframeworktoachievepoverty-freepanchayatsthroughgenerationofself-employmentopportunitiesforthepoor.Keepinginmindaregion’snaturalresourcesandeconomicopportunities,GSYallowsimplementingpartnerstoapplyforgovernmentsupportinimplementingself-employmentgenerationprojectsspecifictotheneedsoftheultra-poor,extremelypoorandmoderatelypoorwithoutexcludinganygroup.AcoreandunprecedentedcomponentofGSYisaspecificprovisionfortheultra-poorusingtheevidencefromgraduationapproach.Throughtheproposedpolicy,approvedimplementationagencieswillidentifyultra-poorfamiliesusingboththeSECCdataandcommunitysurveys.Thereafter,implementationagencieswillreceivegovernmentsupporttoworkwiththesefamiliesusingtheprovengraduationapproach.IfapprovedbythegovernmentofIndia,GSYwillbecomethefirstgovernmentpolicyinterventionbackedbyrigorousscientificevidencethatwillaimtoprovidesustainablelivelihoodopportunitiestotheultra-pooratsuchalargescale.IfIndiaistotrulycatertothepoor,suchnuancedapproachesarerequiredtoaddressthediversitywithinthecountry’spoverty.NFHS4→Resultsof1stphase
• TheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfarereleasedresultsfromthefirstphaseoftheNationalFamilyHealthSurvey(NFHS-4),2015-16.
• Findingsfrom13statesand2UTs.• Results:
o LowerIMR§ InfantmortalityhasdeclinedinallfirstphaseStates/Union
Territories.§ All15States/UnionTerritorieshaveratesbelow51deaths
per1,000livebirths,althoughthereisconsiderablevariationamongtheStates/UnionTerritories.Infantmortalityratesrangefromalowof10inAndamanandNicobarIslandstoahighof51deathsper1000livebirthsinMadhyaPradesh.
• MaternalHealtho 100%mothershavereceivedantenatalcarefortheirmostrecent
pregnancyo 90%InstitutionalDeliveriesinsomestates
• LowerfertilityRates:o Thetotalfertilityrates,ortheaveragenumberofchildrenper
woman,rangefrom1.2inSikkimto3.4inBihar.o AllFirstPhaseStates/UnionTerritoriesexceptBihar,Madhya
PradeshandMeghalayahaveeitherachievedormaintainedreplacementleveloffertility–amajorachievementinthepastdecade.
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§ Fullimmunizationcoverageamongchildrenage12-23monthshasincreasedbutstillvarieswidelyamongstates.
§ PoornutritionislesscommonthanreportedinNFHS-3.o Fewerchildrenunderfiveyearsofagearenowfoundtobe
stunted,showingintakeofimprovednutrition.• Sanitation:IndianfamiliesintheFirstPhasehouseholdsarenowmore
inclinedtouseimprovedwaterandsanitationfacilities.• Hypertension:Amongfarmersishigh→leadingtosuicides.
SocialAuditSocialAuditistheprocessofmeasuringtheperformanceofvariousgovernmentschemesandpublicservicesasagainstthestatedobjectives.Inshort,thesocialauditshelptoevaluatethetruegroundimpactofsocialschemes.Benefits:
1. Limitingthescopeofleakagesandcorruption.2. Enhanceslocalpeople’sparticipationingovernanceandmakesit
moreeffectiveformofgovernance.3. Increaseslocalpeople’sawarenessaboutgovernmentprogramsand
theirentitlementrights.4. Increasestheresponsivenessofthegovernmenttowardsthecitizens.5. Allowsformoretransparencyandaccountabilityinvariousschemes
forgovernment.Problems:
1. MoststateshavenotimplementedsocialauditdespitemandatoryprovisionslaiddownbyMGNREGA.
2. Localofficialsarehesitantinimplementingsocialauditprincipalsandthereisresistanceagainstitsinstitutionalization.
3. Theredressalprocessofsocialauditsisstillnotstrongenough.4. Stakeholdersareignored
Steps:
1. Ensureinstitutionalisationofsocialauditsacrossallstatesmakingitenforceableandcredible
2. Capacitybuildingtofacilitatebeneficiary-led-auditskeepinginmindlocalcircumstancesandempoweringlocalparticipation.
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RightsBasedapproachtosocialpolicyRightsbasedapproachcanbedefinedasthetreatmentofvariousbasicminimumneedssuchaseducation,healthandsocialservicesforthecitizensasessentialandabsolutelynecessaryfortheirdevelopment.Thegovernmentmustviewsuchrightsasitsobligationtobeprovidedtocitizens.Rightsbasedapproachhasmadegovernancemorepeoplecentric.Itallowspeopletodemandtheirrightstovariousservicesandensurethattheirdeliveryisdoneinaneffectiveandefficientmanneraswell.Itensuresaccountabilityandtransparencyofservicesavailabletothecitizens.Itensuresthatinstitutionsarerunforthepeopleandpeoplearenotharassedbyinstitutionsindemandingtheirentitlements.Forexample:TheUnitedNationshasdeclaredtheMDGsandnowtheSDGskeepinginmindthebasicrightsofallthepeopletosomebasicservicessuchashealth,education,socialsafetynetsetc.Similarly,theSupremeCourthasinterpretedtheArticle21,RighttoLifeinavarietyofbroadwaystoincludeRighttocleanenvironment,Righttoprivacy,Righttolifewithdignityandsoon.Examples:ConstitutionalStatustoPRIs,AdoptionofRTI,RighttoEducation,RighttoFood,FormulationofRighttoUHC,SocialAuditsetc.Therightsare“BasicMinimum”toensureaparticularstandardofliving,andtheyarenomorestatepatronagebuttheyareregardedasstatedutiestowardsitscitizens.
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India’slagsbehindasaDigitalEconomy--“NetworkReadiness”o Indiahasbeenrankedat91stpositionintherecentlyrevealed“Network
ReadinessIndex”byWEF.--partoftheGlobalInformationTechnologyreport.
o Thereportassessesthestateofnetworkedreadinessof139economiesusingtheNRIandexaminestheroleofinformationandcommunicationtechnologies(ICTs)indrivinginnovation.
o Reasonsforalowrank:o LackofacomprehensiveRegulatoryEnvironment→lackofa
nationaldigitalpolicytoconnectthebottomofthepyramidwithinternet
o LackofagoodBusinessandinnovationenvironment→EaseofDoingbusinesshasnotbeenachievedconsistentlyacrossIndiaandexpenditureonR&Disaslowas<1%ofGDP.
o Othercountriesmovingfastahead--countriessuchasVietnam,SingaporeandIndonesiaareaddressingtheseconcernsfasterandhavesignificantlyimprovedtheirrankings.
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o LackofinfrastructureandlowlevelsofskillsamongthepopulationremainthekeybottleneckstowidespreadICTadoption,especiallyintermsofindividualusage.
§ AthirdoftheIndianpopulationisstillilliterateandasimilarshareofyouthisnotenrolledinsecondaryeducation.
§ Only15outof100householdshaveaccesstotheInternetandmobilebroadbandremainsaprivilegeofthefew,withonly5.5subscriptionsforevery100people.
o Affordabilityisgood:8thrankinginaffordability§ Adeepdividepersistsbetweenwell-connected
metropolitanhubsandremoteruralareas,whereeventhemostbasicinfrastructureisinsufficient.
§ In2015,thegovernmentlaunchedtheDigitalIndiaprogram,whichaimstoclosethisgapbyfosteringinvestmentindigitalinfrastructure,improvingdigitalliteracy,andincreasinglyprovidingonlineservicestocitizens.
§ India’sperformanceintermsofprovidingonlineservicesandallowinge-participationhassofarbeeninlinewiththatofpeercountries,butfarfromtheglobalbest(57thand40th,respectively).
RightsofMinoritiesinIndiao Article16guaranteesnodiscriminationonbasisofrace,religion,casteor
languageetcinmattersofpublicemployment.o Article25,28--FreedomtoReligionandFreedomtoreligiousinstruction
Articles29and30--freedomofculturalandeducationalrightsforminorities
o Preambleoftheconstitutionprovidesequality,liberty,fraternityandJustice
o NationalCommissionforMinoritieso Challenges:
o PersonalLaws:ComplexsocialstructureofIndia,presenceofmultiplePersonalLaws,castes,classesfurthercomplicatesthelegalandconstitutionalprovisions→Example:TripleTalaqasapersonallawincontradictiontoachievingRighttoEqualityforwomeninIndia.
o CommunalandSectariantendencies,especiallyduringpoliticaleventssuchaselections.
o SacharCommitteereportrecommendationsstillnotcodifiedforimplementation
o Poorskilldevelopmentandeducationlevelsamongminoritiesascomparedtoothersectionsisroadblockingtheirdevelopment.
RegulatoryInstitutionsinIndia
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o FSSAI,RBI,SEBI,TRAI,PFRDA,IRDA“TrustBased”approachtowardslocalgovernanceinstitutions
o Atrustbasedapproachhasbeenrecommendedby14thfinancecommission.
o TISS→DevolutionIndex→21/24statesevaluatedhavedevolvedonly50%ofFFFprovisionstolocalinstitutions.
o Trustbasedapproach→Funds,FunctionsandFunctionaries→devolvepowersandresponsibilities.Providefullpoliticalcapitaltothelocalelectedrepresentatives.
o Allowpeopletodevisetheirownregionalplansfordevelopment.o EnableDPC--DistrictPlanningCommitteeso ImplementtheprovisionsofPESAinscheduledareas
WomenEmpowermentTheUnitedNationsdefineswomenempowermentastheprocessbywhichwomentakecontrolandownershipoftheirlivesthroughtheexpansionoftheirchoices.Ingeneral,womenempowermentindicatesanincreaseineconomic,social,spiritualandpoliticalstrength,boostingtheirself-esteem,enlargingtheirdecision-makingpowerandallowingthembetteraccesstoresources.Allthisleadstoapositiveattitude.OneproxyforwomenempowermentisthestatusofruralwomeninIndia.Ruralwomenplayasignificantroleinsociety,andnationaldevelopmentisnotpossiblewithoutnurturingthissegment.IntheIndiancontext,studiesrelatedtocreditaccessibilityofwomenshowthatrelativeaccesstoinstitutionalcreditofruralwomenmaybelimitedvis-a-vistheirurbancounterparts.Inourstudy,wefoundthatthereisindeedtraction,thoughlimited,acrossJanDhanandMudraaccounts—primarilyintheshishucategoryofloans,thatisloanslessthanRs50,000.Interestingly,ifweapplythesamepercentageoftheSBIoverlapratio—thatispeoplehavingbothaJanDhanaccountandaMudraloan—totheaggregateJanDhanaccountsopenedtilldate,thenwehavecloseto100lakhMudraaccountholderswithaJanDhanaccouThegoodthingisthat23percentofMudraloanaccountholderswiththeSBIarewomenwithanaverageticketsizeofaroundRs55,000.Alternatively,thisimpliesthatmostofthewomenaccountholdershavetakenloansundertheshishucategoryonly.Incontrast,65percentoftheMudraloanaccountholdersaremenwithanaverageexposureofaroundRs87,000,ofwhichthereisagoodchunkfromtheeconomicallybackwardclasses.ButthemostremarkablefindingwasthatthedistributionofthewomenentrepreneursacrossIndiawith36percentoftheaccountscomingfromsouthernIndia(AndhraPradesh,TamilNaduandTelangana)and16percentfromeasternIndia(WestBengal,OdishaandAssam).Maharashtra,GujaratandMadhyaPradeshaccountedforanother17percent.
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Thus,itclearlyseemsthatstatesthatwerelaggardsintermsofeconomicgrowthinthepastareseeingmoretractioninwomenentrepreneurshipthroughtheMudraroute.Intermsoftheaverageexposureamountforwomenentrepreneursacrossstates,resultswereevenmoreinteresting.Onanaverage,inmostofthestatesasmentionedabove,activitieswererelatedtogroceryandkiranastores,retailshopsandevenpublicutilityservices.ButinsomeofthesmallerstateslikeUttarakhand,JammuandKashmir,Nagaland,Mizoram,HimachalPradesh,ArunachalPradeshandeveneasternstateslikeBiharandJharkhand,theaverageexposurewassignificantlyhigherthanthenationalaverage.Itispossiblethatthoughlimitedinnumber,loansmayhavebeenavailedbywomeninsuchstatesforactivitieslikebuyingtrucks,carsforpassengerandfreighttransport,giventheinhospitableterrainswhichnecessitatestheneedforanefficienttransportinfrastructure.Inthiscontextofempoweringwomen,ananalogymaybedrawndirectlytotheself-helpgrouporSHG-banklinkageprogramme—oftenconsideredastheultimatebenchmarkinwomen’sempowermentandsocio-economicdevelopment.LoansliketheonesundertheMudraschemeareanalogoustomicrofinanceandremainapowerfultoolfordevelopmentasitbringsdownthecapitalandtheoperatingcostsandhelpswomenentrepreneurshipblossomfrommeresuperficialitytoproductivity.Comingbacktooursecondmajorfinding:Nearly35percentofthetotalinwardremittancesintheSBIsamplearealsofromstateswithhighwomenliteracyrates,ofwhich25percentarebelowtheagegroupof45years.Similarly,48percentofthecashwithdrawal—withalargerprobabilityofwomenwithdrawingcashfromtheiraccountscomparedtotheirmalecounterparts—alsocomesfromsuchstates.Thisclearlyindicatesthattheinwardremittancessentbytheirmalecounterpartsarepossiblybeingputtomoreproductiveusebywomenfacilitatingindependentdecisionmaking.Tosumup,researchhasconfirmedthatinvestinginwomen’scapabilitiesresultsinthewell-beingofthefamily,especiallychildren.TheexperienceofthesuccessfulSHG-banklinkageisacaseinpointintheIndiancontext.ThereisnoharminemulatingthisinthecontextofbetterMudraloantargetingbyusingtheJanDhanaccountinterface.Asourresultsshow,evenaswomenentrepreneurs,specificallytheruralones,aresomehowusingtheMudraroute,wemustencouragethemevenmore.Thiscanbeachievedbybettertargetingusingbigdataanalytics.Forexample,stateswithhighliteracyacrosswomenmaybespecificallytargetedformoreofMudraloans.Simultaneously,thegovernmentmustthinkseriouslyaboutcreatingadatabaseofwomenentrepreneursacrossstatespursuingsimilaractivities.ThiswillcreateasuccessfulMudra-banklinkage.Afterall,astheSHGexampleshows,womensavemore,repayontimeandpromptlyattendtheSHGmeetings.ThisisallweneedformakingwomenavisiblepartofIndiangrowthstory.
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MediaandEntertainmentIndustryReformsThemediaandentertainmentsectorisaRs1.2-lakh-croreindustry.Televisionaccountsforabout46percent,theprintmediaabout26percentandfilms12.5percent.Variousreportssince2012havestatedthatitcangrowat15to20percentperannum.Itisalsoalargeemployer.Itis,therefore,surprisingthatthesectorseemstohaveescapedthegovernment'sattention.Eveniflegislationisruledout,thereisstillanagendaonwhichactionshouldbetaken.Here'swhatcanbedone.Digitisationofcabletelevisionisaclearpriority:Itprovidesbetterservicetotheconsumer,itisthequickestwaytodeliverbroadbandinurbansettingsanditpreparesIndiaforconvergence.Digitisationisbeingcloselywatchedbyforeigninvestorsasitwillprovideamorebalanceddistributionofincomeamongstthebroadcasters(contentproviders),multiplesystemoperators(infrastructureproviders),andlast-mileoperators.Andparliamentarylegislationisinplace.Oneofthemostregrettabledecisionsofthepresentgovernmentwastopostponedigitisationbytwoyears.Asapriority,theMinistryofInformationandBroadcasting(MIB)mustnowincreasethepressure.Aclearmessagemustbetransmittedthatthe2016datesarefinal.Leaveasideallelse,thiswillpavethewayforfreeingupthepricingofcontent.Theco-existenceoftheanalogueanddigitalsystemscompelscompliancewithaSupremeCourt(SC)ruling,whichleadstoregulationofpricing.Liberatingthepricingofcontenthasdonewondersforthissectortheworldover.WhyshouldIndiabebehind?Bizarrely,theMIBissueslicencesthathavenoprovisionforextension/renewal.Forinstance,DTH(directtohome)licenseesgetpermissiontooperatefor10years.Theoutcome:CorporatesarelefttothetendermerciesofMIBmandarins.TheTelecomRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia's(Trai)recommendationsonanentirelynewlicensingschemewereissuedinJuly2014.Theserationalisedlicensingpracticesandalsoaddressedthelicencefeeissuetobringthesectoronaparwithtelecom(bothusespectrum).Mostofthisisstraightforwardandcanbeimplementedinthreemonths.Thenwhydon'twe?FMradiolicensinghasthesamebizarrecharacteristic-namely,noprovisionforrenewalorextension.AnFMoperatorhastotransitionfromonephasetothenextunderanewlicence.Thereareotherproblems:Thespacebetweentwofrequencyspotsofspectrumhasbeenfrozenat800KHzforoveradecade.Theregulatorhasrepeatedlyarguedthatthiscanbereducedto400KHz.Itwouldvastlyaugmentthenumberofradiospotsthatcanbeputtouse.TheWirelessPlanningandCoordinationwingintheDepartmentofTelecommunicationshasbeen"studying"theissueforoverfiveyears.Inactiononspacingonlycreatesartificialscarcity,escalatingauctionpricesinpremierlocations.Towhatend?Theauctionheldin2015primarilyenabledexistinglicenceholderstomigratetoPhaseIII.Thattookfouryears.FMradioisnotaboutearningrevenueforthegovernment;itisameanstoexpandoutreachandprovideentertainmentandinformation.Thesameholdstrueforcommunityradio(CR)stations;inaddition,CRstationsservelocalcommunities.Mostclass"B","C"and"D"citiesand
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remotelocationsstillhavenoFMcoverage.Theregulatorrecommendedmeasurestooverhaulthelicensingregimeandexpandcoverage.Reservepricesforthesecities/townshavebeenavailablewiththeMIBforclosetoayear.Weshouldexpandthenumberofradiospotsbyreducingspacingandconducttheauctionimmediately.Taxationofplatformsforcontentdeliverydoesnotyieldalevel-playingfield.TheliabilitycoverstheCentre(servicetax)andthestates(entertainmenttax)andleviessuchasset-topboxcharges.Therearelargevariationsacrossandwithinstates.Insomecases,likeonlinedelivery,legalliabilityhasnotyetbeentested.Allinall,itisamess.RemitthemattertotheTraitomakerecommendationsonunifyingratesandrationalisinglevies.Mediaownershipandregulationhavebeenmajorissuestowhichattentionhasbeendrawnbythemediaitself.Takeoverofnewschannelsbyconglomeratesisanotherdisconcertingtrend.Contentregulationisbroken.ThePressCouncilofIndiaisstackedwithpeoplefromtheprintmediaandhasnoteethtoenforceitswrit.Contentregulationintheelectronicmediumisweak.Newschannelregulationisvoluntary.Onethingisabsolutelyclear:Undernocircumstancesshouldthegovernmentbeassociatedwithcontentregulation.Thatdoesnotmeanwecannotimproveonwhatwehave.AppointacommissionchairedbyaformerSCjudgetolookatcontentregulationforallmediaandmakerecommendations.Thatcouldlaythefoundationforlegislativechangesinthefuture.Anotherissuehangingfireistheuseofairwavesbythegovernment.InthecaseoftheCricketAssociationofBengal,theSCruledthatthegovernmenthadnobusinessusingtheairwavesotherthanforasoleexemption,apublicbroadcaster.Andyet,stategovernmentsrunTV/cablechannels,politicians(orsurrogates)runnewschannels.Thetopcourt'srulingwasthebasisforsettingupPrasarBharati.TheTraisenttheMIBtwosetsofrecommendations,fiveyearsapart,drawingattentiontothecourtruling.Butgovernmentindecisionrules.Thisisnotgoodforourdemocracyandthelongerweletitlinger,theworsewillbethedamage.TheMIBhasbeeninthenewsforallthewrongreasons.EnormousenergyhasbeenfritteredawayontheFilmandTelevisionInstituteofIndiaepisode.NowtheCentralBoardofFilmCertificationisintheeyeofastorm.Politicalcapitalhasbeensquandered;now,focusonwhatneedstogetdonetodeveloptheindustry.
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ShyamaPrasadMukherjeeRurbanMissiono AllocationofRs.5142croresforthedevelopmentofruralgrowth
clusters.o CLUSTERBASEDDevelopmentofVillages:
o Theseclusterswouldbedevelopedbyprovisioningofeconomicactivities,developingskills&localentrepreneurshipandprovidinginfrastructureamenities.
o SMARTVillages:TheRurbanMissionwillthusdevelopaclusterofSMARTVillages.
o TheclusterswillbegeographicallycontiguousGramPanchayatso ClusterSelectionbasedon:
o Demography,economy,tourismandpilgrimagesignificanceandtransportationcorridorimpact.
o Themissionaimstocreate300suchRurbangrowthclustersoverthenext3years,acrossthecountry.
o Toensureanoptimumlevelofdevelopment,fourteencomponentshavebeensuggestedasdesirableforthecluster,whichwouldinclude;Skilldevelopmenttraininglinkedtoeconomicactivities,AgroProcessing/AgriServices/StorageandWarehousing,DigitalLiteracy,Sanitation,Provisionofpipedwatersupply,Solidandliquidwastemanagement,Villagestreetsanddrains,Streetlights,Fullyequippedmobilehealthunit,Upgradingschool/highereducationfacilities,Inter-villageroadconnectivity,CitizenServiceCentres-forelectronicdeliveryofcitizencentricservices/e-gramconnectivity,Publictransport.,LPGgasconnections.
SANSADADARSHGRAMYOJANA(SAGY)o UndertheschemeeachMemberofParliamentwilltaketheresponsibility
ofdevelopingphysicalandinstitutionalinfrastructureinselectedvillagesfromtheirconstituenciesinaphasedmanner.
o TheSchemeplacesequalstressonnurturingvaluesofnationalpride,patriotism,communityspirit,self-confidenceandondevelopinginfrastructure.
o Itenvisagesintegrateddevelopmentoftheselectedvillageacrossmultipleareassuchasagriculture,health,education,sanitation,environment,livelihoodsetc.Farbeyondmereinfrastructuredevelopment,SAGYaimsatinstillingcertainvalues,suchaspeople’sparticipation,Antyodaya,genderequality,dignityofwomen,socialjustice,spiritofcommunityservice,cleanliness,eco-friendliness,maintainingecologicalbalance,peaceandharmony,mutualcooperation,self-reliance,localself-government,transparencyandaccountabilityinpubliclife,etc.,inthevillagesandtheirpeoplesothattheygettransformedintomodelsforothers.
o TheMembersofParliament(MPs)arethepivotsthisSchemewillrunon.o GramPanchayatwouldbethebasicunitfordevelopment.o Benefits:
o GreaterempowermentofGramPanchayats
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§ StrengtheningoflocaldemocracythroughstrongandtransparentGramPanchayatsandactiveGramSabhasandfacilitatinggoodgovernanceisalsoanimportantobjectiveofSAGY.
o Developmentof“villages”thatcouldserveasmodelsofdevelopmentforotheraroundthem.
o Socialmobilizationofvillagecommunitycantriggerachainofotherdevelopmentactivitiesinthevillage.Forinstance,reducingriskbehaviourslikealcoholism,smoking,substanceabuse(drugs/tobacco/gutkhaetc)amongallagegroupsofpopulation.
o UtilizationofVillageDevelopmentPlano Useoftheconstituencyfund,MPLADS.o ParticipatorydevelopmentwithMPandofficialsfromtheareaas
facilitatorso DemanddrivenprogramasSAGYgivesfocustocommunity
participation.o Womenparticipationinthedecision-makingprocesswillbe
encouraged.o MahilaSabhasandBalSabhastodiscusswomenandchildrenspecific
issuesandconcerns.o E-governancewillalsobegivenapush.
o Adoptionandadaptationoftechnologyandintroductionofinnovationsarecriticaltothisprogramme.
o Thiswillincludeuseofspaceapplicationandremotesensingforplanning,mobilebasedtechnologyformonitoring,agriculturetechnologyforincreasingproductivityetc.
ACCESSIBLEINDIACAMPAIGN[SugamyaBharatAbhiyan]o IndiaissignatorytoUNConventiononRightsofthePersonswith
Disabilityo 2.68croredisabledpeopleinIndiaaspercensus2011o Disabilityconstitutionalrights:
o ARTICLE41oftheIndianconstitutionsaysthatstateshallmakeefforts(DPSP)toprovidingjustenvironmentforthedevelopmentofdisabled.
o TheconstitutionalsoprovidesforRightstoEquality,justice,freedomanddignitytoallwithoutdiscrimination.
o ThePersonswithDisabilitiesAct1995o NationalPolicyin2006
o SugamyaBharatAbhiyano MakeBuildingsandinfrastructureDisabledFriendly
o Thetargetistomakeatleast50%governmentbuildingsdisabledfriendlyunderthecampaignineachofthestatecapitalandcentralcapitaltillendofMay2018andmake25percentofthepublictransportvehiclesundergovernmentasdisabledfriendlytillmid2017
o AccessibleIndiawebsitecreatedwherepeoplecanputtheirviewsontheaccessibilityofanybuildingandgetitconvertedaswell.
o Allairportsandrailwaystationstobemadedisabledfriendly.
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o Specialset-topboxeswillbemadeavailabletomakewatchingTVmoreconvenientforthevisuallyimpaired.
o Inthenext5years,almost200personswillbetrainedtospeakinsignlanguagesongovernmentTVchannels.
o Governmentwebsiteswillalsobemademorefriendlybyusingtexttospeechoption.
o Theinitiativeinvolvesretrofittingbuildings,framingsuchstandardsfornewbuildingsandtransportthattheyarefriendlytothedifferently-abled,auditingprivatecompanieson'accessibilityindex'standardandmakingallgovernmentwebsitesfriendlytothedifferently-abled.
o MobileAppo Privatecompanieswillberatedonbasisoftheirdisabilityfriendly
programso HumanResourcePolicies
o "SugamyaPustakalaya"launched→DaisyforumofIndia
NationalSocialSecurityAuthorityo Socialsecurityisaprograminwhichthegovernmentprovidesmoneyto
peoplewhoareunabletoworkbecausetheyareold,disabled,orunemployed.Itisfundedusuallybymandatorypayrollcontributionfromboththeemployeesandtheemployerandfromthegovernmenttaxrevenue.
o IdeamootedbyLabourMinistryo Socialsecurityisstillanunderdevelopedconceptforacountrywhereat
least30%ofthepopulationcontinuestoliveinpovertyandwhereoldageisoftenaccompaniedbyextremedestitutionformany.
o TheInternationalLabourOrganization'sWorldSocialProtectionReport2014-15showslessthanafourthofIndia'spopulationabovethestatutorypensionableagereceivesanykindofpension.
o Thecurrentsocialsectorprogramcoversonlyasmallportionofthepopulationandisprimarilyemployerdriven,limitingitsscopetohelpthevastmajorityofpeople.
o Around50%ofIndiansworkinAgriculturesectorwheretheyenjoynosocialsecurity.Around92%ofIndia'surbanworkforceareemployedininformalsectorandthoughnumberofschemeslikeRSBY,AtalPensionYojanahavebeenlaunchedforthemthereimpactongrantingtruesocialsecuritytotheWorkersisstillfoundtobenotadequate.
o Proposal:o Theauthoritymayhavealltheministersandsecretariesofall
ministriesdealingwithsocialsecurityprogrammesalongwithstategovernmentofficialsasmembers.ItwillbeheadedbyThePrimeminister
o ThefunctionsoftheauthoritywouldbemainlytoformulatetheNationalPolicyonSocialSecurityandtoco-ordinatethecentralandstatelevelprogrammesandtoensurethattheobjectivesofthepolicyareachievedwithinthetimeframeprescribed.
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o TheproposedSocialSecurityDepartmentwithintheLabourMinistrywillprovide“policyinputs”and“secretarialservices”tothebody.
o TheMinistrynoteproposesa4tiersystemtocovertheentirepopulationofthecountry,includingbothformalandinformalsectorworkers,throughacommonSocialSecurityCode.
§ The1sttierwouldincludethe“destituteandpeoplebelowthepovertyline,”thesecondtierwouldhaveworkersintheunorganizedsectorwhomaybecoveredunderasubsidizedschemeandthe3rdtierwouldcoverworkerswhocan,withthehelpofemployer,canmakecontributiontotheschemes.
o The4thtierwouldincludepeoplewhoarecomparativelyaffluentandcanmaketheirownprovisionsformeetingcontingenciesorrisksasandwhenarise
o SocialSecuritySchemes:o AtalPensionYojanao PMJeevanJyotiBimaYojanao PMSurakshaBimaYojanao RSBYo NSAPo EPFO
EDUCATIONPOLICYUGCandHigherEducationReformsIndiaishometotheoldesteducationalinstitutionssuchasNalanda,Vikramshila,Taxilaandmanyothers.Itremainedthetopdestinationforthousandsofscholarsfromacrosstheworldstudiesreligion,science,mathematicsandsocialsciencesovermanyyears.UGCwasestablishedin1956topromotehighereducationinIndia.However,theIndianhighereducationsystemisinapoorstatetoday.Whiletheinfrastructureislacking,variousotherfactorsarealsostiflingitsgrowth.Theseare:
6. AsrecommendedbytheTSRSubramaniamCommitteereport,UGCisunabletomeetthechallengesofneweducationparadigm.ItmustbereplacedwithaNationalHigherEducationAct.
7. UGChasfailedinensuringqualitystandards.AccordingtoQSRankings,Indiastandsonlyat24thoutof50countriesinHighereducationlevels.
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8. UGChasdelayedfellowshipstomanyscholarsresultinginpoorresearchoutcomes.
9. Inmanycasesithasover-regulated,therebystiflingcreativity,andinmanyithasfailedtoregulate,therebyresultingingrowthoffakecollegesacrossthecountry.
WayForward:Firstly,highereducationmustbefreedfrompoliticalandbureaucraticinterference.Academicsmustbegivenindependencetoframecoursework,administrationandothercomponents.Abalancedaccountabilitymechanismshouldbeset-uptoensureoverallsuccessofinstitutions.Secondly,anewandupdatedversionofUGCActmustbeconsideredtoenablefastprocessingoffellowships,standardqualitymeasurement,andrightamountofregulation.________________________________________
NewEducationPolicyinIndia--TSRReportEducationisthefoundationofanymodernsociety.Historically,Indiahashadastrongtraditionofpromotingbothscientificaswellasreligiouslearning.Customssuchas“guru-shishya”relationshipandtheexcellencedemonstratedbyIndianengineers,scientistsandmanagementpersonneloninternationalstagespeaksvolumesoftheIndianmind.However,despiteseveralmeasures,educationhasnotmettherisingstandardsofthe21stcentury.AnurgentpolicytoutilizeIndia’smassivedemographicdividendisneedofthehour.Inthiscontext,TSRSubramaniamcommitteehassubmittedaneweducationpolicyforIndia.RecommendationsoftheCommittee:
5. SpendingIncrease:Totalpublicspendingoneducationmustincreasefromcurrent3%to6%ofGDPwithimmediateeffect.
6. ScrappingofUGC.7. AllowingforeignuniversitiestosetupcampusesinIndia8. AllIndiaCadreofEducationService.9. CompulsoryQualityAuditofSchoolsevery3years10. PositionofVCsinuniversitiesshouldbenon-political11. LicensingofTeachers:Compulsorylicensingorcertificationfor
teachersingovernmentandprivateschoolsshouldbemademandatory,withprovisionforrenewalevery10yearsbasedonindependentexternaltesting.
12. Pre-schooleducationasaRight:Pre-schooleducationfortheagegroupof4-5yearsshouldbedeclaredasarightasprovidedbyDPSPs.
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13. Expansionofmid-daymeal:TheambitofMidDayMealschemeshouldbeexpandedtocoverstudentsofsecondaryschools.
14. TeacherEntranceTests(TET)shouldbemadecompulsoryforrecruitmentofallteachers.AlsoforadmissiontoB.Edcoursesminimummarksatgraduatelevelshouldbe50%.
15. NoDetentionPolicytoberemoved:ThenodetentionpolicymustbecontinuedforchildrenuntilclassVonlywhenthechildwillbe11yearsold.AfterclassV,attheupperprimarystage,systemofdetentionshallberestoredsubjecttotheprovisionofremedialcoachingandatleasttwoextrachancesbeingofferedtoprovecapabilitytomovetoahigherclass.
16. The25%economicallyweakersectionquotainprivateschoolsshouldbeextendedtominorityinstitutions,asnumberofschoolsclaimingreligiousorlinguisticminoritystatushasincreasedtremendously.
17. Focusongirleducation18. Inclusionofvaluelearningandethicsintheclassroom.
NoDetentionPolicy
• Variousstategovernments(18)havedemandedrepealofnodetentionpolicygiveninRighttoEducationAct.
• AsperSection16ofRTEAct,thestudentsuptoclassVIIIareautomaticallypromotedtothenextclasswithoutbeingheldbackeveniftheydonotgetapassinggrade.
• ThishasbeenimplementedaspartoftheContinuousandComprehensiveEvaluation(CCE)undertheRTEActtoensureall-rounddevelopmentofstudents.
OlderPolicies:
1. Firstpolicy:1968;Second:1986(mostrecent),underIndiraGandhiandRajivGandhigovtsrespectively.
2. TheNationalEducationPolicy(NEP)of1986wasrevisedin1992.OtherSchemes:
1. VolunteerTeaching:Vidyanjalischeme
NewDraftNationalEducationPolicyTheDraftNationalPolicyoneducationcanhelpinsolvingtheseproblemsinthefollowingmanner:1) FocusonPre-schoolEducation--useAnganwadinetwork2) CurriculumRenewalandExaminationReforms
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3) LearningoutcomesinSchoolEducation4) SchoolEducationwouldbefocusedon--expansionofKVsandJawahar
NavodayaVidyalayas5) LiteracyandLifelongLearningthroughtheexistinginitiativesbeing
strengthenedandcurricularevampedwithmulti-prongedstrategiesinvolvingSelfHelpGroups,NGOs,Governmentetc.
6) UseofICTinEducation7) Enhancingfundingforeducation
WOMENDraftNationalPolicyforWomen,2016Womenform50%ofthepopulationbutdespitethatfacechallengesineveryaspectoflifefrombirthtooldage.ThenewNationalPolicyforWomenseekstocreateaneffectiveframeworkfordevelopingpoliciesandpracticeswhichwillensureequalrightsandopportunitiesforwomen.Ittakesanewapproachbychangingentitlementsintorightsandempoweringwomentoattaintheirrightfulplaceinsociety.ItisdraftedbytheMinistryofWomenandChildDevelopment.Itcoverssevenpriorityareas,including:(i)health,includingfoodsecurityandnutrition,(ii)education,(iii)economy,(iv)governanceanddecisionmaking,(v)violenceagainstwomen,(vi)enablingenvironmentthroughhousing,drinkingwater,sanitationfacilitiesandsocialsecurity,and(vii)environmentandclimatechange.ThePolicyaimstoaddressemergingissuesthataffectwomenbytakingstepssuchas:
1. Preparingfamily-friendlypolicies,whichprovideforchildcare,dependentcare,andpaidleaveforwomenandmen,bothinorganizedandunorganizedsectors.
2. ReviewingpersonalandcustomarylawsinaccordancewithConstitutionalprovisionstoenableequitableandinclusiveentitlementsforwomen.
3. Developingprotectivemeasuresinlightofanincreaseincyber-crimesasvictimsofsuchfraudsarelargelywomen.
4. Ensuringtherightsofwomenwhotaketherecourseofartificialreproductivetechniques,suchassurrogatemothers,commissioningmothersandchildrenbornasaresultareprotected.
5. Creatinganecosystemforwomentoparticipateinentrepreneurialactivitiesandtakeupdecision-makingandleadershiprolesinallsectorsoftheeconomy.
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NationalWomenPolicy• Aimedat“re-scripting”women’sempowermentbyfollowinga“
sociallyinclusiverightsbasedapproach”• RoughlybasedonPamRajputCommittee(2012)setupbyMWCD• Lasttime,womenempowermentpolicycamein2001• Highlights:
o Createconducivesocio-culturalenvironmentforwomentodeveloptheirfaculties,pursuetheircareersandlifegoals.
o Politicalrightsforwomentoenablethemtogetfullrepresentationinthepoliticaldiscourseinthecountry.
o InstitutionalDevelopment:EffectiveGenderInstitutionalStructuretoenableimplementationofgenderpolicies
o GenderBudgeting,Inter-Sectoralconvergence,stakeholderpartnerships,andcollectionofgenderrelateddataforbetterpolicymaking.
o Priorityareasforwomen:§ Nutrition[anemia,communitynutrition,infantandyoung
childfeeding]§ Education§ Health§ Security§ Governanceanddecisionmaking§ Violenceagainstwomen§ Environmentandclimatechange§ Enablingenvironment
o SchemesandPrograms:§ BetiBachaoBetiPadhao(trilateralministries:Ministryof
WomenandChildDevelopment,MinistryofHRD,MinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare)
§ Toaddressdecliningsexratioofgirls§ Objectives:§ Preventgenderbasedsexselectiveelimination§ Ensuresurvival&protectionofthegirlchild§ Ensureeducationofthegirlchild§ FocusongendercriticaldistrictsandcitieslowonCSRfor
intensiveandintegratedaction.§ Trainingofpanchayats.§ Sustainedsocialmobilizationandcommunication
campaign.• StandUpIndia• MahilaBank
o WhyImportant:o Poorchildsexratioof918/1000in2011
MEDIANewPrintMediaAdvertisementPolicy
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PrintmediahasplayedadefinitiveroleinIndianhistory.DuringNationalFreedommovement,itcirculatednationalistopinionsacrossthecountryandhelpedinbringingthenationtogether.Sinceindependence,theprintmediahastrulyactedasa“fourthpillar”ofourdemocracybyshowingresilienceduringvariouswars,emergency,liberalisationandotherimportantevents.Incontemporarycontext,thebombardmentofadvertisementsinprintmediaposesvariousnewchallenges.Theseare:
1. Lackoftransparencyandaccountabilityinprintingof“paidnews”g. Publicopinioncanbeeasilymanipulatedbyshowcasing“paid
news”as“realnews”.Forexample,duringelectionsvariouscandidatesprintadsthatappearasarticlesoftheirachievements.Thismisguidesgeneralpublic.
2. ConstitutionalrightsofFreedomofspeechandexpressionareaffectedbyanynewrulesandpoliciescreatedforthissector.
3. Ethicalstandardsgoverningprintmediaanditseditorialshipareunderquestion.
MinistryofInformation&BroadcastinghasframedaNewPrintMediaAdvertisementPolicyforDirectorateofAdvertising&VisualPublicity(DAVP).KeyHighlightsoftheNewPolicyForthefirsttimethepolicyintroducesaNewMarkingSystemfornewspaperstoincentivizeNewspaperswhohavebetterprofessionalstanding.
1. ItincludescirculationverificationProcedureforempanelmentofNewspapers/JournalswithDAVP.
2. ThepolicyalsostipulatestheempanelmentprocedureforMulti-Editionsofanewspaper.
3. Topromoteequitybasedregionaloutreach,thepolicyemphasizesthatthebudgetforallIndiareleaseofadvertisementsshallbedividedamongstatesbasedontotalcirculationofnewspapersineachState/Language
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NewTextileSectorPolicy• India’stextileandapparelindustryisallsetforanoverhaulasthenew
NationalTextilePolicy.• ThegovernmenthasalreadyacceptedaRs.60billionspecialpackagefor
thissectorwithanaimtocreate10millionnewjobsinthenextthreeyears,attractinvestmentsof$11billion,aswellasgenerateanadditional$30billioninexports.
• Keychanges:o Flexibilityinlabourlawstoincreaseproductivity
• TEXTILEisSECONDLARGESTEMPLOYERinIndiaafterAgriculture.o Italsoprovides14%ofindustrialproductioninIndiaand4%to
GDP
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• SectorwithaMazeoflabourregulations• Informalisationofjobshastakenplaceinthesectorduetostringent
labourlaws• Thereareover200labourlaws,including52CentralActsintheindustrial
sectorinIndia• IntheirbookIndia’sTrystwithDestiny,JagdishBhagwatiandArvind
Panagariyamaintainedthatitisimpossibletocomplywith100percentofthelabourlawswithoutviolatingatleast20percent.
• TheEconomicSurvey2016hasrightlypointedoutthatstringentlabourregulationsactas“regulatorycholesterol”,inhibitingtheindustryfromgeneratingemploymentandhiringregularworkers.
o Additionalincentivesfordutydrawbackschemeforgarmentso Aspartofthereformagenda,theMinistryofTextileswouldalso
seektolowerexcisedutyonman-madefibreto6percentfromtheexisting12percent.
o Taxandproductionincentivesforjobcreationingarmentmanufacturing.
HEALTH
NewNationalMentalHealthPolicy• AccordingtoWHOreport,over2.5lakhpeoplecommitsuicidesinIndia
everyyear--highestnumberintheworld.Youngstersinageof15-29formhighestofthis.
• EarlierActssuchasIndianLunacyAct1912ignoredtheHumanrightsaspectofthisconcern.Itwastreatedasacrime.
• PolicyisbackedbyMentalHealthActionPlan365.ItclearlyspellsoutrolestobeplayedbytheCentralgovernment,stategovernments,localbodiesandcivilsocietyinprovidingmentalhealthcaretoall.
• ProvisionsofNationalpolicy:o Decriminalizementalhealthproblemso SeekstofulfilIndia’sinternationalobligationpursuanttothe
ConventiononRightsofPersonswithDisabilitieso Seekstoempowerpersonssufferingfrommental-illness,marking
adeparturefromtheActof1987.o Adoptsarights-basedapproach,whichisafirstinthemental
healthlawofIndia.o UniversalAccesstomentalhealthcare
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MentalHealthcareBill,2016TheMentalHealthcareBill,2016waspassedbyRajyaSabhalastweek,andisexpectedtobediscussedinLokSabhaduringnextsession.TheBillrepealstheexistingMentalHealthAct,1987,whichisvastlydifferentinletterandspirit.TheActof1987hadbeenwidelycriticisedforprovingtobeinadequatetoprotecttherightsofmentallyillpersons.HerearecertainthingsyouneedtoknowaboutthenewBill:
1. MentalHealthcareBillseekstodecriminalisetheAttempttoCommitSuicide.
2. SeekstofulfilIndia’sinternationalobligationpursuanttotheConventiononRightsofPersonswithDisabilities
3. TheBilladoptsamorenuancedunderstandingof“mentalillness”thantheActof1987.h. Seekstoempowerpersonssufferingfrommental-illness,marking
adeparturefromtheActof1987.4. TheBillalsolaysdowncertainparametersfordeterminationof
mentalillness,seekingtousenationallyandinternationallyacceptedmedicalstandards,especiallythestandardsadoptedbyWorldHealthOrganisation.
5. Adoptsarights-basedapproach,whichisafirstinthementalhealthlawofIndia.TheBillcreatesarights-basedframeworkformentallyillpersons.a. TheBillguaranteeseverypersontherighttoaccessmentalhealth
careandtreatmentfrommentalhealthservicesrunorfundedbygovernment.Thisrightismeanttoensurementalhealthservicesofaffordablecost,ofgoodquality,ofsufficientquantity,aregeographicallyaccessibleandareprovidedwithoutdiscrimination.
6. TheBillalsorecognisestherighttocommunityliving;righttolivewithdignity;protectionfromcruel,inhumanordegradingtreatment;treatmentequaltopersonswithphysicalillness;righttorelevantinformationconcerningtreatmentotherrightsandrecourses;righttoconfidentiality;righttoaccesstheirbasicmedicalrecords;righttopersonalcontactsandcommunication;righttolegalaid;recourseagainstdeficienciesinprovisionofcare,treatmentandservices.
7. Everyinsurerisboundtomakeprovisionformedicalinsurancefortreatmentofmentalillnessonthesamebasisasisavailablefortreatmentofphysicalillness.
8. ProvisionsforregistrationofinstitutionsandregulationofthesectorTheBillprovidesforthecreationofCentralandStateMentalHealthAuthoritiesa. TheBillalsoprovidesforthecreationofMentalHealthReview
BoardsthathasadjudicatorypowersoverthevariousrightsandprotectionsguaranteedbytheBill.
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9. Funds:TheBillguaranteesarightofaffordable,accessibleandqualitymentalhealthcareandtreatmentfrommentalhealthservicesrunorfundedbyCentralandStategovernments.TheBillalsomakesprovisionforarangeofservicestobeprovidedbytheappropriategovernment.
ProblemsintheBill:
1. HowevertheBillvariesfromthesocialmodelofdisabilityincorporatedintheConvention.Thesocialmodelofdisabilityfocusesonhowdisabilityhampersaperson’sfullandeffectiveparticipationofthesociety.
2. TheBill,ontheotherhand,adoptsanarrowapproachtoseementalillnessashamperingrecognitionofrealityorabilitytomeettheordinarydemandsoflifeandalsoasconditionsassociatedwithdrugandalcoholabuse.
DrugPolicy• SupremeCourthasstatedthat"theDrugPolicyinIndiaisunreasonable
andirrational"• Somecompaniesaremakingunreasonableprofitsandsellingsomevery
basicmedicinesforhigh,unaffordableprices• InIndia,onlyabout35%ofpeoplehaveaccesstoessentialmedicines,as
perWHOreport“WorldMedicineSituation”AllIndiaDrugsNetworkwasfiledinSC
• Governmentislegitimizingthehigh• GovernmenthasconstitutedanInterMinisterialCommitteetoreviewthe
DrugPriceControlOrder,2013.Thecommitteewilllookintothedrugpricingmechanism.TheSupremeCourthad,earlierinthisyear,declaredtheDrugPricingPolicyasirrationalandunreasonable.Italsoobservedthatthecentrehasbeenfixingthemaximumpriceforamedicineabovetheretailprice.
• Thedrugpricingmechanismwastermedirrationalandunreasonablebecause:
o Themarketpricesofallthemedicinesenlistedinthecontrolorderwerenotcollected
o Thecollecteddatawasinadequateandsometimesfaultyalso.o Thereweresomeinstanceswherethesellingpricesofcertain
medicineswerehigherthanthepricesofmarketleaderforsuchmedicines.
o Theorderhasnotcoveredallthedosagesofasamedrug(onlyoneortwodosagescovered).
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o DRUGCOMBINATIONS:Ifapricecontrolleddrugiscombinedwithanon-pricecontrolleddrug,thenitisoutofthepurviewofthecontrolorder.
o ORDERSNOTFOLLOWED:Drugslikecardiovasculardrugs,anti-diabeticdrugs,whicharerequiredforlife-longtherapy,areexcludedfromthecontrolorder.108suchdrugswereputunderNationalPharmaPricingAuthority(NPPA)whichcontrolstheirprices.However,allthedrugmanufacturersarenotfollowingtheNPPA’sorders.Actionhasnotbeentakenonthosewhoarenotfollowing
• The2013orderfixestheceilingpriceofessentialmedicineslistedinSchedule1.NoonecansellthescheduledmedicinesatahigherpricethantheoneprescribedbytheNPPA.However,thenumberofsuchmedicinescoveredintheScheduleareonly14.3%ofthetotalmedicinessoldinthecountry.
• PharmaindustryisamajorindustryinIndia.Asper2013figures,thepharmaindustryhasa:
• Turnover:$25billion,ofwhich60%domesticand40%exports.• CumulativeAverageGrowthRate:14%sincelast5yearsof2013.• Ranked3rdgloballyintermsofvolumeand14thintermsofvalue.• Thegovernmenthaslaunched“JanAushadi”storestoensure
availabilityofqualitygenericmedicinesataffordablepricestoall.However,therearecertainlapsesinthescheme.90%ofthedoctorsdonotgiveprescriptionsingenericnames.DOCTORSDON’TGIVEPRESCRIPTIONSINGENERICNAMES.Besides,thenetworkconnectivityofJanAushadistoresispoor.
• Twoareaswherethereisalackorabsenceofgovernmentregulationare:MedicalequipmentandDiagnostics.Thisisoneofthereasonsforincurringhighexpendituresonhealthcare.
o InIndia,onlyabout35%ofpeoplehaveaccesstoessentialmedicines,asperWHOreport“WorldMedicineSituation”
o 60%oftheout-of-pocketexpenditureonhealthgoesforbuyingmedicines
o StateslikeTamilNaduprovidefreemedicinestotheirpeople.Ithasaverywellorganizedprocurement,distributionandqualitycontrolnetworks.
o CountrieslikeBrazilalsoprovidefreemedicines.o Indiashouldalsotrytoimplementfreehealthcaretoitspeople.
ThedraftNationalHealthPolicy,2015highlightsthis.Itproposestoraisethehealthexpenditureto2.5%ofGDPandtoensureuniversalaccesstofreedrugs,diagnosticsingovt.Hospitals.Healthcareshouldbemadeafundamentalright
NationalCapitalGoodsPolicy2015
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Draftpolicyaimstocreate3.5millionmorejobs,increaseexportsto40%oftotaloutput,or2trillion,by2025
• Inrecentyears,productionofcapitalgoodssectorhasvastlylaggedbehindtargets.TheformerPlanningCommissiontargetedagrowthrateof16.8%everyyearintheproductionofcapitalgoodsinthe12thFiveyearPlanperiod(2012-17),butthesector’scompoundedannualgrowthhasonlybeen0.3%.
• ComplementMakeofIndia• Increasetheshareofcapitalgoodsfrom12%to20%oftotalvalue
manufacturingby2025.• Thegovernmentwantstodoubleproductionofcapitalgoods—which
includeequipmentandmachineryusedtoproduceothergoods—tomorethan`5trillionfrom`2.2trillionnow.Asignificantpartoftheincreasedproductionwillbeexportedtooverseasmarkets.
• ThepolicyisaimedatturningIndiainto“oneofthetopcapitalgoodsproducingnationsoftheworld”,thepolicydraftsaid.
• DrasticallyincreasetheproportionofproductionofcapitalgoodsinIndianmanufacturingindustry
• ThepolicyisanoffshootofPrimeMinisterNarendraModi’sambitious“MakeInIndia”campaignthatseekstoattractforeigninvestmentintomanufacturingandaccelerateeconomicgrowth.
PrimaryHealthcareasaFundamentalRight[UNIVERSALHEALTHCAREPolicyinIndia]12thFiveyearplanlaidoutadefinitivestrategy.TherecommendationsoftheHighLevelExpertGroup(HLEG)onUniversalHealthCoverageencompasstheareaofhealthfinancing,healthservicesnorms,humanresourcesforhealth,communityparticipationandcitizenengagement,accesstomedicines,vaccinesandtechnologyandmanagementandinstitutionalreforms.TherecommendationsoftheHLEG,inter-alia,include:
(i) Increasepublicexpenditureonhealthtoatleast2.5percentofGDPbytheendofthe12thPlanandtoatleast3%ofGDPby2022.
(ii) Ensureavailabilityoffreeessentialmedicinesbyincreasing
publicspendingondrugprocurement.
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(iii) PurchaseofallhealthcareservicesundertheUniversalHealthCoverage(UHC)systemshouldbeundertakeneitherdirectlybytheCentralandstategovernmentsthroughtheirDepartmentsofHealthorbyquasi-governmentalautonomousagenciesestablishedforthepurpose.
(iv) Allgovernmentfundedinsuranceschemesshould,overtime,
beintegratedwiththeUHCsystem.Allhealthinsurancecardsshould,induecourse,bereplacedbyNationalHealthEntitlementCards.ThetechnicalandothercapacitiesdevelopedbytheMinistryofLabourfortheRSBYshouldbeleveragedasthecoreofUHCoperations–andtransferredtotheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare.
(v) DevelopaNationalHealthPackagethatoffers,aspartofthe
entitlementofeverycitizen,essentialhealthservicesatdifferentlevelsofthehealthcaredeliverysystem.
(vi) Reorienthealthcareprovisiontofocussignificantlyonprimary
healthcare.
(vii) StrengthenDistrictHospitals.
(viii) Ensureadequatenumbersoftrainedhealthcareprovidersandtechnicalhealthcareworkersatdifferentlevelsbya)givingprimacytotheprovisionofprimaryhealthcareb)increasingHumanResourcesforHealth(HRH)densitytoachieveWHOnormsofatleast23healthworkers(doctors,nurses,andmidwives).
(ix) EstablishDistrictHealthKnowledgeInstitutes(DHKIs).
(x) EstablishtheNationalCouncilforHumanResourcesinHealth
(NCHRH).
(xi) TransformexistingVillageHealthCommittees(orHealthandSanitationCommittees)intoparticipatoryHealthCouncils.
(xii) Ensuretherationaluseofdrugs.
(xiii) Setupnationalandstatedrugsupplylogisticscorporations.
(xiv) EmpowertheMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfareto
strengthenthedrugregulatorysystem.
(xv) IntroduceAllIndiaandstatelevelPublicHealthServiceCadresandaspecializedstatelevelHealthSystemsManagementCadreinordertogivegreaterattentiontopublichealthandalsostrengthenthemanagementoftheUHCsystem.
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(xvi) EstablishmentofNationalHealthRegulatoryandDevelopment
Authority(NHRDA).
(xvii) NationalDrugRegulatoryandDevelopmentAuthority(NDRDA):ThemainaimofNDRDAshouldbetoregulatepharmaceuticalsandmedicaldevicesandprovidepatientsaccesstosafeandcosteffectiveproducts.
TherecommendationsoftheHighLevelExpertGroup(HLEG)areconsideredbyPlanningCommission,forformulatingthe12thFiveYearPlanwhichhastobeapprovedbytheNationalDevelopmentCouncil(NDC).DefinitionEnsuringequitableaccessforallIndiancitizens,residentinanypartofthecountry,regardlessofincomelevel,socialstatus,gender,casteorreligion,toaffordable,accountable,appropriatehealthservicesofassuredquality(promotive,preventive,curativeandrehabilitative)aswellaspublichealthservicesaddressingthewiderdeterminantsofhealthdeliveredtoindividualsandpopulations,withthegovernmentbeingtheguarantorandenabler,althoughnotnecessarilytheonlyprovider,ofhealthandrelatedservices.
PrinciplesTenprincipleshaveguidedtheformulationofUHCinIndia:
1. Universality
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2. Equity3. Non-exclusionandnon-discrimination4. Comprehensivecarethatisrationalandofgoodquality5. Financialprotection6. Protectionofpatients’rightsthatguaranteeappropriatenessofcare,
patientchoice,portabilityandcontinuityofcare.7. Consolidatedandstrengthenedpublichealthprovisioning8. Accountabilityandtransparency9. Communityparticipation10. Puttinghealthinpeople’shands.
HumanTraffickingAccordingtoNationalCrimeRecordsBureau,humantraffickingisthefastestrisingcrimeinIndia.AsperthedefinitiongivenbytheUnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrime(UNODC)itincludesprostitution,harbouringofhumans,transferandtransportofhumans,slavetrade,childtradeetc.Humantraffickingisthetradeofhumans,mostcommonlyforthepurposeofsexualslavery,forcedlabor,orcommercialsexualexploitationforthetraffickerorothers.Thisistheacquisitionofpeoplebyimpropermeanssuchasforce,fraudordeception,withtheaimofexploitingthem.FormsofTrafficking
1. Traffickingforforcedlabour:2. Traffickinginwomenforsexualexploitation3. Commercialsexualexploitationofchildrenintourism4. Traffickingfortissue,cellsandorgans5. PeopleSmuggling:
HumanTraffickingInIndiaAsperofficialestimates,15childrengomissingeveryhourinIndiaand8areneverfound.AsperthedatafromHomeMinistry,1379casesofhumantraffickingwerereportedfromKarnatakaintheperiodoffouryears,inTamilNaduthenumberis2,244whereasAndhraPradeshhas2,157casesofhumantrafficking.Delhiisthehotspotforillegaltradeofyounggirlsfordomesticlabour,forcedmarriageandprostitution.IndiaisalsoadestinationforwomenandgirlsfromNepalandBangladeshtraffickedforthepurposeofcommercialsexualexploitation.IndiahasratifiedthethreeprotocolsoftheUnitedNationsConventionagainstTransnationalOrganizedCrime,includingtheUNTraffickingProtocol.India’sgovernmentpolicies
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1. Ujjawala:AcomprehensiveschemeforpreventionofTraffickingandRescueandRehabilitationandRe-integrationofvictimsoftraffickingforcommercialsexualexploitations.
2. SudharGreh:ASchemeforwomenindifficultcircumstances.3. JuvenileJustice(careandprotectingofchildren)Act2002--includes
traffickedchildren4. CodeofCriminalProcedure
Issuesinpolicyimplementation
1. India’straffickingrecoverylawsandpoliciesarepiecemealandhaphazardlyappliedmoreover
2. Lackofcoordinationamongthepoliceandgovernmentagencies.foreg.theholdingfacilitiesforrescuedtraffickedgirlsoftenhavemiserableconditionsandmaybeworsethanthebrothelsinwhichtheyhadpreviouslybeenhoused.
3. In2013,Indiaenactedgroundbreakinglegislation,theCriminalLaw(Amendment)Actof2013,whichamendedvarioussectionsoftheIndianPenalCode,includingprovisionsonhumantraffickinginIndia.a. Thesereformsreflectasteptowardsaligningthecountrywithits
obligationsundertheUnitedNationsProtocoltoPrevent,SuppressandPunishTraffickinginPersons,EspeciallyWomenandChildren(UNTraffickingProtocol).
UNODC'sResponsetoHumanTraffickingUNODCofferspracticalhelptoStates,notonlyhelpingtodraftlawsandcreatecomprehensivenationalanti-traffickingstrategiesbutalsoassistingwithresourcestoimplementthem.Statesreceivespecializedassistanceincludingthedevelopmentoflocalcapacityandexpertise,aswellaspracticaltoolstoencouragecross-bordercooperationininvestigationsandprosecutions.Theadoptionin2000bytheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyoftheProtocoltoPrevent,SuppressandPunishTraffickinginPersons,EspeciallyWomenandChildrenmarkedasignificantmilestoneininternationaleffortstostopthetradeinpeople.
BenamiTransactionsProhibitionBill--amendmentsin20151. Benamiliterallymeans“nameless”andatransactionisconsidered
benamiwhenpropertyistransferredtoapersonwhilepaymentisdonebysomeoneelse.
2. Thebillamendsthe1988billandaimstoblocktheavenuesformakingblackmoneyandtransferringit.
3. Provisions:a. AimedtocurbBlackMoneyb. Providesforfineof25%ofthefairvalueoftheassetand
imprisonmentupto7yearsc. Propertyisdefinedasmovable,immovable,tangible,intangible.
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d. Incaseofjointownershipofproperty,thetaxpayerwillhavetoshowfinancingsources.
4. Steps:a. IncomeDeclarationSchemehasbeenlaunchedwhichallowed
declarationofpropertyandassetsthathavebeenhiddenfromtaxauthorities.Benamipropertiesalsocomeunderthisambit.
DraftTraffickingofPersonsBill,2016TheMinistryofWomen&ChildDevelopmentreleasedthedraftTraffickingofPersons(Prevention,ProtectionandRehabilitation)Bill,2016TheBillsetsupanti-traffickingbodiesatthreelevelstopreventtraffickingandrehabilitatevictimsandcreatespenaltiesifprovisionsoftheActarenotcompliedwith.KeyfeaturesofthedraftBillinclude:
1. Anti-Traffickingbodies:Anti-Traffickingbodieswillbeconstitutedatthedistrict,stateandcentrallevel.a. DistrictAnti-TraffickingCommitteewillperformdutiesinrelation
topreventionoftraffickingandrescueandrehabilitationofvictims.
b. Itwillbeheadedbyadistrictmagistrateordistrictcollectorandwillconsistoffivemembers.
c. Anti-TraffickingbodiesatthestateandcentrallevelwilloverseetheimplementationoftheAct.ThestateAntiTraffickingCommitteewillbeheadedbythechiefsecretaryandwillhaveninemembers.
4. ProtectionandRehabilitation:Protectionhomesineverydistrictwillprovideimmediatecareandprotectiontovictims,intheformofshelter,foodandmedicalcare.a) Forlong-terminstitutionalsupport,specialhomeswillbesetup.
Both,protectionandspecialhomeswillberequiredtoberegisteredundertheAct.
b) Schemesforsocialintegrationoftraffickedpersonswillbeformulatedbythegovernment.
c) Ananti-traffickingfundwillalsobecreatedfortheeffectiveimplementationoftheAct.
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5. Offences:Useofnarcoticdrugoralcoholforthepurposeoftraffickingandadministeringachemicalsubstanceorhormonestoatraffickedwomanispunishablewithimprisonmentupto10years.
6. Investigationandprosecution:Aspecialagencywillbeconstitutedforinvestigationofoffences.ASession’sCourtineachdistrictwillbespecifiedasaSpecialCourt.
Problems:
1. First:thatitincludestheword‘immoral’,insertinganelementofmoralitywhenthediscussionshouldbepurelylegal.
2. Two,thatallsexworkisassumedtobearesultoftraffickingwithworkersneedingrescue.
3. Three,thatadultsexworkersshouldbeputintohomeswithouttheirconsent.
4. Four,thatadultwomenshouldneedtoproducefamiliestobereleased,thusdenyingthemanyagencyintheirlives.
Moralpolicing:theDraftBillthatallows,amongothers,anysocialworkerorpublic-spiritedcitizento‘rescue’and‘produce’a‘victim’beforetheDistrictAnti-TraffickingCommitteesitproposestosetup.Thisisunprecedented,openingthedoortoexactlythekindofmoralpolicingthatonebeginstosuspecttheBillofwantingtoencourage.Itcouldleadtoharassmentofnotjustsexworkersbutotherordinarypeoplebyoverzealous,vigilantecitizens.Further,theDraftBillthreatensbasicconstitutionalfreedomsofthepersonsitseekstorescue.Forinstance,Article22givesadetainedindividualtherighttoconsultalawyerandbeproducedbeforeamagistratewithin24hours,buttheDraftBillallowspersonstobedirectlyproducedbeforethemember-secretariesofitsDistrictAnti-TraffickingCommittees.Second,theCommitteescanindependentlyrecommendthatavictimberepatriatedtoherhomeState(oranotherState)forincreasedprotection.ThiscontravenesArticle19,whichgrantscitizenstherighttomovefreelyacross,andresideanywherein,thecountry.Thousandsofmenandwomenvoluntarilyleavehometownsandvillagestoescapepoverty.Andwhataboutthewomenwho,evenwhenvictimsoftrafficking,arereluctanttoreturntohomeswheretheymightfacefurtherharassment?Adulttraffickedpersonsmustbeconsultedandmadeawareoftheirrightssothattheycantakeinformedandindependentdecisionsonwhethertheywanttoberepatriated.Thebillhasbeenformulatedwithoutinvolvingthecivilsocietyandstakeholders.Traffickinginhumanbeingsisgrossviolationofhumanrights.TheMinistryofWomenandChildDevelopmenthaspublishedtheDraftTraffickingofPersons(Prevention,ProtectionandRehabilitation)Bill,2016,whichprovidesamechanismfortheredressalofgrievancesandprovidespunishmentforcertainoffences.ThoughagoodpieceofworkbutcertainprovisionsofthisBillhavecertainshortcomings-
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1. SexWorker,theonlyvictim-TheBillspecifyingabouttrafficking,includesonlysexworkersandnotthevictimofbondedlabor,domesticlabor,laborsinminestextiles,girlstraffickedformarriage.
2. DirectRepresentationtotheCommittee-Sec.30oftheBillprovidestopresenttherescuedvictimdirectlytotheCommitteesformedanddoesnotgiveanopportunitytogetrepresentedbythelawyerofchoice,asevereviolationofArt.22
3. Victimstosendhomestateoranotherstate-Sec.31violatesArt.19whichprovidestoresideandsettleanywhereinIndiabyforcingthevictimtoresideataparticularplace.
4. EnormouspowerstoCommittee-Committeesaregivenpowertorescue,produceandrehabilitatethevictimcanfurtherbefatalwithoutaproperinvestigation.
5. Rescuebyanyone-theBillprovidesthatthevictimscanberescuedbyanycitizen-suchseriousactsshouldbedonebytheauthoritieswhoarecapableofdoingthisorelseitcanbeharmfulforthevictimaswellasrescuer.
Inasteptocurbthecrimeagainstsexworkers,theMinistryofWomenandChildDevelopmentshouldthinkoveragainonthesmallloopholesandamendthemwithconsultationwiththeexpertsbeforepassingthebill.Negatives:
1. VoluntaryProstitutionignored:DraftdoesnotcoverthisaspectacctoVermaCommitteethatitwouldpermitlawenforcementagenciestoharasswhoundertakeactivitiesoftheirownfreewill
2. Otherdimensionsuntouched:DraftBilltacklestraffickingsolelythroughthelensofsexworkandignoredroutinelytraffickedformarriage,domesticlabour,forcedlaborbeedifactories
3. Threatensbasicconstitutionalfreedoms:DraftBillallowspersonstobedirectlyproducedbeforeDistrictAnti-TraffickingCommitteesagainstArticle22
4. Leadtoharassment:Asanysocialworkerorpublic-spiritedcitizentorescueandproduceavictim’beforecommittee
Positives:1. Legalrighttoberehabilitated:Itwouldgivevictimsnewleaseoflife
tostartafreshinrehabilitationhomesunderAnti-TraffickingFund2. BroadenedCoverage:TraffickingcurrentLawITPA,1956onlydeal
withtraffickingforsexworkbutnewlawwouldcovercriminalactivitieslikeforcedlabor,boundedlaborandchildlaborandinlinewithUnitedNationsConventiononTransnationalOrganisedCrime
3. Banondisclosingidentityofvictim:isrightstepwhichwouldprotectfromfurthervictimization
4. RestrictedBrothelentry:Nobodycanenterabrothelwithoutawarrant,andonlysomecategoriesofpoliceofficershavethepowertoraidabrothelpreventvictimization
5. Recoveryofthevictim’sunpaidwages:duetoforcedorboundedlaborwouldempoweredthem
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NationalWaterFrameworkBillIndiagetsoneofthehighestrainfallsduringmonsoonsintheworld,andalsohasarichsourceofriver,lakeandundergroundwaternetwork.However,theInternationalWaterManagementInstitute(IWMI)hascategorizedIndiaasa“WaterScarce”nation.ThisisduetothefactthatIndianstatesarenotabletomanagetheirwaterresourcesproperly.Thiscausesacuteshortageofpotablewater,leadingtofarmersuicidesandpoorproductivityoffarming.Additionally,waterproblemisnotonlyrelatedtoscarcity,butalsowithsanitation,propermanagement,wastewatertreatment,riverbasinhealthanditsimpactonqualityoflifeofwomenandchildreninthecountry.Inthiscontext,NWFBhasbeendrafted.It’svariousfeaturesare:
1. Watertobeprovidedasa“fundamentalright”toeachindividual.Itshouldbeprovidedequallyforpromotionofsanitation,health,womenandchildren.
2. Noonetobedeniedwateronanygroundanddrinkingwouldtakeprecedenceoverallotheruses,includingagricultural,industrialandcommercial.
3. Introduce“gradedpricingsystem”forwaterwhererichpayfullpriceforitandthepoorestgetitforfree.
4. IntegratedRiverBasinDevelopmentManagementPlana. AviralDhara,NirmalDharaandSwacchDhara
5. A“binding”nationalwaterqualitystandardsforeverykindofuseisproposedtobeintroduced.
NationalWaterCommissionProposalMihirShahcommitteehasbeensetuptolookintoformingaNationalWaterCommission.ThiswillsubsumetheCentralWaterCommissionandCentralGroundWaterBoard.Thiswillhelpinintegratingbothsurfaceandgroundwatermanagement.Inaddition,itmustbenotedthatIndia’swaterneedshavechangeddrasticallyinthelast50years.Inthe1960s,thefocusonwatermanagementwasprimarilyirrigationtoboosttheGreenRevolution.Whilethishasbeenachieved,todaynewproblemshaveemergedduetooverexploitationofundergroundwaterandunderutilizationofdamsbuiltinvariousstates(example:Maharastrahas40%ofcountry’sdamsbutonly18%oftheagriculturalareaisirrigated).Firstly,thecommitteehasalsoproposedthatweshouldtakeamultidisciplinaryviewofwater.Itsmanagementshouldbedonewithhelpofeconomists,hydrologists,geologistsandincludestakeholdersfromvarioussectionsofthesociety.
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Secondly,wemusthaveaparticipatoryapproachtowatermanagementinvolvingbothstatesandconcernedregions.Third,wemustalsoviewgroundandsurfacewaterinanintegratedmanner.ThereforemergerofCGWBandCWChasbeenrecommended.Four,focusonriverbasinswhicharethemainareasthroughwhichriverscanberejuvenated.TheNationalRiverBoardandtheNamamiGangeProgramaretargetedtoincludevariousfactorsfromthenewwaterpolicybytheMinistryofEnvironmentandMinistryofWaterResources,andtheMinistryofDrinkingwaterandsanitation.ModelBillforConservation,RegulationandManagementofGroundwaterhasalsobeenreleasedtoconservegroundwaterandpromoteitssustainableuse.Sanitationrelated:
• SwacchYugCampaign• MakeVillageslocatedalongGangaopendefecation-free
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MentalHealthcareBill,2016TheMentalHealthcareBill,2016waspassedbyRajyaSabhalastweek,andisexpectedtobediscussedinLokSabhaduringnextsession.TheBillrepealstheexistingMentalHealthAct,1987,whichisvastlydifferentinletterandspirit.TheActof1987hadbeenwidelycriticisedforprovingtobeinadequatetoprotecttherightsofmentallyillpersons.HerearecertainthingsyouneedtoknowaboutthenewBill:
1. MentalHealthcareBillseekstodecriminalisetheAttempttoCommitSuicide.
2. SeekstofulfilIndia’sinternationalobligationpursuanttotheConventiononRightsofPersonswithDisabilities
3. TheBilladoptsamorenuancedunderstandingof“mentalillness”thantheActof1987.a. Seekstoempowerpersonssufferingfrommental-illness,
markingadeparturefromtheActof1987.4. TheBillalsolaysdowncertainparametersfordeterminationof
mentalillness,seekingtousenationallyandinternationallyacceptedmedicalstandards,especiallythestandardsadoptedbyWorldHealthOrganisation.
5. Adoptsarights-basedapproach,whichisafirstinthementalhealthlawofIndia.TheBillcreatesarights-basedframeworkformentallyillpersons.a. TheBillguaranteeseverypersontherighttoaccessmental
healthcareandtreatmentfrommentalhealthservicesrunorfundedbygovernment.Thisrightismeanttoensurementalhealthservicesofaffordablecost,ofgoodquality,ofsufficientquantity,aregeographicallyaccessibleandareprovidedwithoutdiscrimination.
6. TheBillalsorecognisestherighttocommunityliving;righttolivewithdignity;protectionfromcruel,inhumanordegradingtreatment;treatmentequaltopersonswithphysicalillness;righttorelevantinformationconcerningtreatmentotherrightsandrecourses;righttoconfidentiality;righttoaccesstheirbasicmedicalrecords;righttopersonalcontactsandcommunication;righttolegalaid;recourseagainstdeficienciesinprovisionofcare,treatmentandservices.
7. Everyinsurerisboundtomakeprovisionformedicalinsurancefortreatmentofmentalillnessonthesamebasisasisavailablefortreatmentofphysicalillness.
8. ProvisionsforregistrationofinstitutionsandregulationofthesectorTheBillprovidesforthecreationofCentralandStateMentalHealthAuthoritiesa. TheBillalsoprovidesforthecreationofMentalHealthReview
BoardsthathasadjudicatorypowersoverthevariousrightsandprotectionsguaranteedbytheBill.
9. Funds:TheBillguaranteesarightofaffordable,accessibleandqualitymentalhealthcareandtreatmentfrommentalhealthservicesrunorfundedbyCentralandStategovernments.TheBillalsomakes
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provisionforarangeofservicestobeprovidedbytheappropriategovernment.
ProblemsintheBill:
1. HowevertheBillvariesfromthesocialmodelofdisabilityincorporatedintheConvention.Thesocialmodelofdisabilityfocusesonhowdisabilityhampersaperson’sfullandeffectiveparticipationofthesociety.
2. TheBill,ontheotherhand,adoptsanarrowapproachtoseementalillnessashamperingrecognitionofrealityorabilitytomeettheordinarydemandsoflifeandalsoasconditionsassociatedwithdrugandalcoholabuse.
ModelShopsandEstablishmentsBillCentre’sModelShopsandEstablishments(RegulationofEmploymentandConditionsofService)Bill,2016willaffectvariousstakeholdersinfollowingways:
1. States–principleofcooperativefederalismwillbestrengthened.Statescaneitherfullyadoptthemodellaworinamodifiedform.
2. Governmentatvariouslevel-Increasedconsumerspending,asestablishmentsstayopenforlongerhours,willleadtoincreasedrevenueforestablishments,andcorrespondingincreaseinthetaxbaseforthegovernments.
3. Employableyouths-employmentislikelytogetboostbecauseestablishmentswillneedtohireemployeesforthelate-nightshift.
4. Women-Womenempowerment.Womencanhavechoicestoplanforabetterwork-lifebalanceastheycanoptforeveningornightshifts.
5. Businessmen-Easeofdoingbusiness.Thebillenablesoperationofeconomicactivitiesall365daysoftheyear,andround-the-clock.Itobviatestheneedoflicensingbureaucracyandhencewouldhelpreducecorruption.
6. Society:a. Socialjustice-Mallscanalreadyoperate27X7.
Nowsmallshopkeeperswillhavethesameprivilege.
b. Improvedworkingcondition–Thebillspecifieslabourissuessuchasworkinghours,overtime,casualandearnedleave,protectionforwomenincludingtransportaccessforthoseoptingtoworknightshifts,andworkplacefacilities.ThereisalsoenforcementmechanismthroughcadreofChiefFacilitatorsandFacilitators.
Thesuccessofcenter’smodellawwilldependonthepro-activenessandintentionofstates,justlikepanchayatandAPMCacts.Additionallypromoting
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retailservicesround-the-clockalsorequiresagood,affordablepublictransportbackbonewithsecurityarrangementstoensuresafetravel._______________________________________________________________________________
MaternityBenefitBill1. Amendsthe1961Bill2. Alandmarkbillthatwilldirectlyhaveapositiveeffectonlivesof
millionsofwomeninIndia.3. Provisions
a. MaternityLeave:Increasesitfrom12weeksto26weeksb. Maternityleaveforwomenadoptingchildrenaswellasfora“
commissioningmother”(12weeks)c. CrecheFacility:Foreveryworkplacewithmorethan50employeesd. Informingwomenofmaternitybenefits:Theemployerisrequired
toinformnewwomenemployeesofallthematernitybenefitsbeforehandattimeofjoining.
e. Optiontoworkfromhome:Employercanallowwomentoworkfromhomeifemployeragrees
4. Benefits:a. Enablesgreaterflexibilityforworkingwomen,whootherwiseface
manydifficultiesinearlyyearsofmotherhood.→AsperNationalCommissionforWomen
• ItwillleadtoChildwelfareandcontributetochildhealthasmotherswillhavegreatertimetobondandbreastfeednewlybornchildren.
→AsperWHOreport,thefirst30weeksarecriticaltohealthofayoungbaby.AccordingtoWHO,“Optimalbreastfeedingissocriticalthatitcouldsaveover8lakhunder-5childliveseveryyear…Exclusivebreastfeedingfor6monthshasmanybenefitsfortheinfantandmother…Initiationofbreastfeeding,withinonehourofbirth,protectsthenewbornfromacquiringinfectionsandreducesnewbornmortality.Theriskofmortalityduetodiarrhoeaandotherinfectionscanincreaseininfantswhoareeitherpartiallybreastfedornotbreastfedatall.”→AsperRapidsurveybyMWCD,over30%ofchildrenareunderweightand39%stunted,alsoduetolackofearlycarebymother.
• Crechefacilitiesatworkwillenablewomentogetbacktoworkandresumetheirprofessionallives.
5. Problems:a. EmployersDisincentivized:Duetosuchlongleaveprovisionsfor
womenandnoneformen,theemployersmaybeincentivizedtohiremoremen.
b. Nonewprovisionsforpaternalleave:
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c. Absenceofpaternalleavereinforcesthealreadydeeplyentrenchedsocialnormofbabycarebeingleftexclusivelytothemother,effectivelyrelievingthefatherofresponsibility.
→AsIndependentMPAnuAgatoldtheHouse,“Menleavechildcaretotheirwivesandglorifymotherhood.”________________________________________
TransgenderPersons(ProtectionofRights)BillIndiahasapopulationofapproximately6lakhtransgendersasper2011Censusreport.Thisgrouphasfacedsocietal,economicandpoliticaldiscriminationforalongperiod.TheRightsofTransgendersPersonsBillaimstoovercomevarioushandicapsfacedbytransgenderpersonsinthesociety.→TheSupremeCourtinNationalLegalServicesAuthority(NALSA)Casejudgementhasalreadyguaranteedtransgenderpeoplefreedomfromdiscriminationbythestate,equalemploymentandeducationopportunity,recognitionoftheirrightstodecidetheirgender,reservationingovernmentjobsandineducationalinstitutions.TheBillenvisagesaComprehensivenationalpolicyforensuringoveralldevelopmentoftheTransgenderPersonsandfortheirwelfaretobeundertakenbytheState.TheBillalsohasprovisionsregardingsocialsecurity,health,rehabilitation&recreation,Education,skilldevelopment&employmentofTransgenders.
6. Provisions:a. ProhibitiononDiscrimination:b. TheBillprohibitsthediscriminationagainstatransgenderperson,
includingdenialofserviceorunfairtreatmentinrelationto:(i)education;(ii)employment;(iii)healthcare;(iv)accessto,orenjoymentofgoods,facilities,opportunitiesavailabletothepublic;(v)righttomovement;(vi)righttoreside,rent,ownorotherwiseoccupyproperty;(vii)opportunitytoholdpublicorprivateoffice;and(viii)accesstoagovernmentorprivateestablishmentinwhosecareorcustodyatransgenderpersonis.
c. NationalCouncilforTransgenderpersons(NCT):TheNCTwillconsistof:(i)UnionMinisterforSocialJustice(Chairperson);(ii)MinisterofStateforSocialJustice(Vice-Chairperson);(iii)SecretaryoftheMinistryofSocialJustice;(iv)onerepresentativefromministriesincludingHealth,HomeAffairs,MinorityAffairs,Housing,HumanResourcesDevelopment,etc.OthermembersincluderepresentativesoftheNITIAayog,NationalHumanRightsCommission,andNationalCommissionforWomen.Stategovernmentswillalsoberepresented.TheCouncilwillalsoconsistoffivemembersfromthetransgendercommunityandfiveexpertsfromnon-governmentalorganisations.
d. Rightofresidence:
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i. Everytransgenderpersonshallhavearighttoresideandbeincludedinhishousehold.Iftheimmediatefamilyisunabletocareforthetransgenderperson,thepersonmaybeplacedinarehabilitationcentre,ontheordersofacompetentcourt.
e. Employment:i. Nogovernmentorprivateentitycandiscriminateagainstatransgenderpersoninemploymentmatters,includingrecruitment,promotion,etc.
f. Education:i. Educationalinstitutionsfundedorrecognisedbythegovernmentshallprovideinclusiveeducation,sportsandrecreationalfacilitiesfortransgenderpersons,withoutdiscrimination.
g. Healthcare:i. ThegovernmentshalltakestepstoprovidehealthfacilitiestotransgenderpersonsincludingseparateHIVsurveillancecentres,sexreassignmentsurgeries,etc.Thegovernmentshallreviewmedicalcurriculumtoaddresshealthissuesoftransgenderpersons,andprovidecomprehensivemedicalinsuranceschemesforthem.
h. Certificateofidentityforatransgenderperson:AtransgenderpersonmaymakeanapplicationtotheDistrictMagistrateforacertificateofidentity,indicatingthegenderas‘transgender’.TheDistrictMagistratewillissuesuchcertificatebasedontherecommendationsofaDistrictScreeningCommittee.TheCommitteewillcomprise:(i)theChiefMedicalOfficer;(ii)DistrictSocialWelfareOfficer;(iii)apsychologistorpsychiatrist;(iv)arepresentativeofthetransgendercommunity;and(v)anofficeroftherelevantgovernment.
i. Welfaremeasuresbythegovernment:TheBillstatesthattherelevantgovernmentwilltakemeasurestoensurethefullinclusionandparticipationoftransgenderpersonsinsociety.Itmustalsotakestepsfortheirrescueandrehabilitation,vocationaltrainingandself-employment,createschemesthataretransgendersensitive,andpromotetheirparticipationinculturalactivities.
j. OffencesandPenalties:TheBillrecognizesthefollowingoffences:(i)begging,forcedorbondedlabour(excludingcompulsorygovernmentserviceforpublicpurposes);(ii)denialofuseofapublicplace;(iii)denialofresidenceinhousehold,village,etc.;(iv)physical,sexual,verbal,emotionalandeconomicabuse.
k. Theseoffenceswillattractimprisonmentbetweensixmonthsandtwoyears,andafine.
l. Problems/Shortcomings:i. ThemethodofcertificationasaTransgenderbyDistrictcommitteemaybeinsensitivegiventhenatureofthesubjectanddiscriminationalreadyfacedbytransgenders
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ii. Thedefinitionoftransgendersisnotbasedonscientificinputsbutgeneralassumptionsaboutthiscommunity.
iii. SouthAsianHumanRightsAssociationhasreportedthatover50%ofexploitationofthetransgendersisbyPoliceofficials.ThishasnotbeenaddressedintheBill.
iv. Section377remainsaroadblockinhelpingtransgendersachievefullrights.
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InsolvencyandBankruptcyCodeIndiaranks136intheWorldBank'sresolvingofinsolvencyrankings.ThisinhibitsFDIaswellaslocalinvestingbyventurecapitalfirmsinentrepreneursaseaseofexitasconsideredasimportantaseaseofexitforcompanies.TheEconomicSurvey2015-16hasdescribedtheinsolvencyresolutionprobleminIndiaasa“Chakravyuh”problem.Ithampers“EaseofDoingBusiness”andleadstolesscapitalinvestmentsaswell.NewCode:
1. Timeboundprocessofinsolvencyresolutions:180days;ifnotresolved,assetsoftheborrowersmaybesoldtorepaycreditors
2. LicensedProfessionals:Theresolutionprocesswillbeconductedbylicensedinsolvencyprofessionals(IPs)workingunderInsolvencyProfessionalagencies(IPAs).
3. Informationutilities(IU)willbeestablishedtocollect,collateanddisseminatefinancialinformationtofacilitateinsolvencyresolution.
4. TheNationalCompanyLawTribunal(NCLT)willadjudicateinsolvencyresolutionforcompanies.
5. TheDebtRecoveryTribunal(DRT)willadjudicateinsolvencyresolutionforindividuals.
6. InsolvencyandBankruptcyBoardofIndiawillbeestablishedtoregulatetheIPs,IPAsandIUsa. CoversIndividuals,PrivatePartnerships,CompaniesandLLPsb. Jailtermof5yearsifdebtorfoundguilty
7. WORKERPROTECTION:Protectstheworkerfor24monthsincaseofbankruptcy(salariesofupto24monthspaid)
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WhyEaseofExitImportant:
1. Enablescreditorsofthecompanytorecovertheirfundsinthemostefficientmanner.
2. Enableslaid-offworkersofthecompanytofindnewemploymentandsupportlivelihoodsinthetimebeing.
3. Enablescapitalformationaspoorcompaniesexitfromtheeconomicsystemandnewcompaniesintheirplaceutilizethecapitalmoreeffectively
4. Theexperienceindevelopedeconomieshasshownthatwithoutgoodbankruptcylaws,creatingvibrantentrepreneurialenvironmentisnotpossible.
CommercialSurrogacyRegulationBill2016TheWarnockReportonhumanfertilizationandembryologyhasdefinedSurrogacyastheprocessofcarryinganddeliveringachildforanotherperson.CommercialSurrogacyreferstothepracticeofsurrogacyforcompensation.Thiscompensationisbeyondjustmedicalexpensesandisconsideredasa“Fee”fortheservicesofsurrogacyprovidedbythemother.Indiahasemergedasareproductivetourismdestination.Theusualfeeisaround$25,000to$30,000inIndiawhichisaround1/3rdofthatindevelopedcountriesliketheUSA.ThishasmadeIndiaafavourabledestinationforforeigncoupleswholookforacost-effectivetreatmentforinfertilityandawholebranchofmedicaltourismhasflourishedonthesurrogatepractice.ARTindustryisnowaRs.25,000crorepotofgold.Anand,asmalltowninGujarat,hasacquiredadistinctreputationasaplaceforoutsourcingcommercialsurrogacy.ItseemsthatwombsinIndiaareonrentwhichtranslatesintobabiesforforeignersanddollarsforIndiansurrogatemothers.Thebillissimilartolegislationsinothercountriesandalsoasper228thLAWCOMMISSIONREPORTandasperrecommendationbytheIndianCouncilofMedicalResearch(ICMR).Needforthebill
1. EthicalandMoralChallenges:a. Themoralissuesassociatedwithsurrogacyareprettyobvious,yet
ofaneye-openingnature.Thisincludesthecriticismthatsurrogacyleadstocommoditizationofthechild,breaksthebondbetweenthemotherandthechild,interfereswithnatureandleadstoexploitationofpoorwomeninunderdevelopedcountrieswhoselltheirbodiesformoney.Sometimes,psychologicalconsiderationsmaycomeinthewayofasuccessfulsurrogacyarrangement
2. Casesofsurrogatemothers’deathduetocomplicationsduringpregnancyhavecausedmoreethicalconcernsoverthepractice.
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3. Nolegalremediestocompensatemothersincaseofanymedicalproblemsafterchild’sbirth.
4. CommoditizationofchildandmotherhoodandMisusebycompaniesthattreatthepracticeaspurelycommercialandexploitpoorwomeninneedofmoney
Provisions:1. OnlymarriedcoupleswhoareIndiancitizenscanusesurrogacyservices:The
billbarsunmarriedcouples,singleparents,live-inpartnersandhomosexuals,amongothers,fromavailingofsurrogacyservicesinIndia.
2. OnlyCloseRelativescanbecomesurrogatemothers3. Ethicalaspect:Thebillseekstostopthephysical,emotionalandeconomic
exploitationofIndianwomenthroughunethicalsurrogacypractices,andprotecttherightsofsurrogatechildren.
Problems
1. ReproductiveRightsofmothersarepartoftheRighttoLife(dignity)asperarticle21a. Forinstance,inB.K.Parthasarthiv.GovernmentofAndhra
Pradesh,theAndhraPradeshHighCourtupheld“therightofreproductiveautonomy”ofanindividualasafacetofhis“righttoprivacy”
2. CriticshavealsoarguedthatthebillalsoviolatesArticle14whichassureseveryIndiancitizen“equalitybeforethelawortheequalprotectionofthelawswithintheterritoryofIndia.”a. Bydefininglimitingeligibilitycriteria,theCentralgovernmentis
seekingtodenyahostofperfectlysuitableindividualswhoarewellwithintheirrightstodemandaccesstosurrogacyservices.Thisiscertainlyadirectcontraventionofthespiritofourconstitution.
3. Thebillalsoputstoendaneconomicactivityforthousandsofmothers.TheindustryhadtouchedRs.25000croreperyearmarkasperICMR.Thiswouldbeahugelossofincomeformanypoorwomen.
ArtificialReproductiveTechnologies--socialrealitiesinIndia(228thLawcommissionreport)ThegrowthintheARTmethodsisrecognitionofthefactthatinfertilityasamedicalconditionisahugeimpedimentintheoverallwell-beingofcouplesandcannotbeoverlookedespeciallyinapatriarchalsocietylikeIndia.Awomanisrespectedasawifeonlyifsheismotherofachild,sothatherhusband'smasculinityandsexualpotencyisprovedandthelineagecontinues.Someauthorsputitasfollows:Theparentsconstructthechildbiologically,whilethechildconstructstheparentssocially.Theproblemhoweverariseswhenthe
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parentsareunabletoconstructthechildthroughtheconventionalbiologicalmeans.Infertilityisseenasamajorproblemaskinshipandfamilytiesaredependentonprogeny.
DraftNationalSportsDevelopmentBill,2013SalientFeatures:
1. NationalOlympicCommittee2. SportsAppellateTribunal3. EthicsCommission4. SportsElectionCommission
a. ForelectionstoNationalOlympicCommittee,NationalSportsFederations,andAthletesCommission
5. NationalSportsFederationa. Twofoldsystemofsportsfederations--i.e.accreditationby
governmentforfundingandrecognitionbyNationalOlympicCommittee
6. WhoWillRepresentIndia--ruleslaiddown7. AthletesCommission--willbesetupineachNSFandNOC
PreventionofSportingFraudBill,2015
1. ItisarevampedversionofPreventionofDishonestyinSportsBill2001
2. DefinedSportingFraud3. Containsprovisionsforvariouspenalties4. Dealswithjurisdictionofcourtsinsuchmatters
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AmendmentstoChildLabourLaw[passed]
1. TheBillamendstheChildLabour(ProhibitionandRegulation)Act,1986,whichprohibitstheemploymentofchildrenyoungerthan14in83hazardousoccupationsandprocesses.
2. Theamendmentextendsthisbanonemploymentofchildrenunder14acrossallsectorsexceptinemploymentintheirfamilybusiness,outsideofschoolhoursandduringholidays,andinentertainmentandsports.
a. Withthefamilyenterprisesclause,criticssay,childrencanbemadetoworkincarpet,zariandbidiunits,micaordiamondcutting,scavenging,brickkilns,slaughterhouses,handlinge-wasteorasdomestichelp.
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3. Prohibitstheemploymentofadolescentsaged14-18yearsinhazardousoccupations
a. However,TheBillbringsdownthelistofhazardousoccupationsfromtheearlier83tojustthree:mining,inflammablesubstances,andhazardousprocessesundertheFactoriesAct
4. Introducesmorestringentjailtermandfinesforoffenders:ajailtermofsixmonthstotwoyearsandafineofRs20,000toRs50,000.
5. Children’srights:a. Article21AandArticle45promisetoprovidefreeandcompulsory
educationtoallchildrenbetweentheagesof6and14.b. NationalPolicyonChildLabourof1987c. TheyalsocontravenetheInternationalLabourOrganisation’s
(ILO)MinimumAgeConventionandUNICEF’sConventionontheRightsoftheChild,towhichIndiaisasignatory.
d. TheCentralgovernmentprovidedaRs.6billionfundforimplementingthepolicy.
e. Unfortunately,thisbudgethasbeencutmassivelyineducation(28percent)andforwomenandchildren(50percent)inthelasttwoyearsalone,leadingtothetheclosureof42,000schools.
f. TheEducationforAllinitiativeandtheMahilaSamakhyaprogrammeshavealsobeendownsized,leadingtoreportsofincreasedtraffickingoftribalandminoritygirlsfromOdishaandJharkhand.TaxeschargedfortheBetiBachao,BetiPadhaocampaignshavereportedlybeenmisused
HIVandAIDS(PreventionandControl)Bill2014--amendmentsOver2.1millionHIVpatientsliveinIndiaasperMinistryofHealth.7.9lakhofthesearewomen.ThebillamendmentsarewelcomeandintandemwiththeSDGof'Endingtheepidemicby2030'.Changeintherightdirection
1. Insurancecannotbedenied:Underthebill,itisalegallypunishableoffencetodenyapersonlivingwithHIV/AIDSinsuranceonthegroundofthediseasethatlowerstheimmunity.Insuchacase,theinsurerwillhavetopartwithafineofRs10000
2. Discriminationprohibited:Italsoguaranteesprotectionagainstdiscriminationinthefieldofeducation,employment,accesstohousingandhealthcareb. ProtectsRighttoEducationasperArticle21A,
employmentandotherconstitutionalrights.
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3. Confidentiality:Themostcrucialstepisthatitrecognisestherightofapersontokeephishealthstatusconfidential.
4. StoptheSpread:Itisbasedonthetenetofstoppingthespreadofthediseaseandatthesametimehelptheinfectedgetantiretroviraltherapy
5. Apersonbetween12-18yearsoftheagewithsufficientmaturitycanbeatthehelmofaffairsandcantakeguardianshipofasiblingbelow18yearsofage.
However,itisonlyhalfthebattlewon.Thevariousissuesunaddressedare-
1. Treatmentnotlegalright:ItdoesnotguaranteetreatmentasthelegalrightofthepatientimplyingthatapersonwhoisdeniedtreatmentcannotdragtheGovernmenttothecourt.Itessentiallydilutesanimportantpartofthebill
2. InsurancecompaniescanuseactuarialcalculationstolimitaccesstoproductstopeoplelivingwithHIV.
Theamendmenttothebillisprogressiveonvariousfrontsandthegovernment'seffortmustbeappreciated.Atthesametime,thebiggestfallacyplaguingHIVistheparochialmindsetofoursociety.Whatstopsthemfrommergingwiththemainstreamisthetabooassociatedwiththisdisease.TheGovernmentmustundertakeanationwidesensitisationprogramandusherinaneraofmentalmetamorphosis.“MeriSadak”--anapptosendinstantgrievanceaboutPMGramSadakYojanaIndus--India’sOS--now2ndwith6.8%marketshareinIndianmobilemarket
NEETIssue--commonentrancetest• In2013,SChadgivenadifferentjudgmentonthesamecaseandallowed
statestocontinuepracticeofdeterminingownmedicalentrancetestsforadmissionsinprivatecollege,statecollegesaswellasminorityinstitutions.
o ThiswasPAIFoundationCase[oldcase]• MCIandIMAbothhavewelcomedthe2016SCdecision• MedicalEducationReforms
o AdmissionsinmedicalcollegesmiredwithcorruptionandMCIhasbeenheldlargelyresponsibleforthis--aspertheRANJITROYCHAUDHARYCOMMITTEEREPORT
o ProposaltoreplaceitwithNationalCommissionforHumanResourcesforHealth(NCHRH)
o ParliamentaryStandingCommitteeonthisalsorevivedfindingsandproposalsofRANJITROYCHAUDHARYCOMMITTEEreporttoreplaceMCIwithNCHRH
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RajyaSabha--domicileofcandidatestandingforRSseat• ParliamentamendedRPAtoallowcandidates“elector”fromanywhere
inIndiaasopposedtopreviouslylimitedtothosefromthestateonly.• WhyshouldbefromStateonly?
o NationalCommissiononTheReviewoftheConstitutionhaspointedoutthatthecandidateshouldbedomiciledinthestateasitisnecessarytomaintainbasicfederalstructure.
o “Representative”:Apersonfromstatewouldbepreferabletobea“representative”ofthatstateintheRajyaSabha.Forinstance,amidstalltherunningbattlebetweenKarnatakaandTN,aRSmemberfromtheirrespectivestateasadomicilewouldbemoreeligibletorepresentitinsuchacase.
o LoweredthestatusofRajyaSabhafromanindependentHousetoa“Revising”house
• ShriGopalswamiAyyanagar,oneofthefoundingfathersoftheConstitutionofIndiaexpressedtheopinionthat“themostthatweexpecttheSecondChambertodoisperhapstoholddignifieddebatesonimportantissues.”
• Whycanbefromanywhere:o Supremecourthasheldthatdomiciledoesnothavemuchtodo
withrepresentationandthepersoncanbelongtoanywhereinIndiaandstillberepresentativeofthestate.
o IndiaisforemostaUnionandthenafederation.o Theoriginalconstitutionalsodidnotenvisageadomicile
requirement.Itwasonlyinferredassuchandnotsetintheconstitutionasaprinciple.
SupremeCourtdirectiontosubmit“fees”bybigclientsforearlyhearing
• Litigationshouldbeexpensiveforbigclients”andtheyshouldpaytogettheircasesdisposedearlier.
• Whywrong?o Raisesquestionof“EqualAccesstoJustice”
§ Article14oftheConstitutionguaranteestoallpersonsarighttoequalitybeforethelawandtheequalprotectionofthelaws.
o GoesagainstthespiritembracedbySupremeCourtinthe1980swhenitstartedacceptingPILstoenableaccesstojusticeforall
o MakestheSupremeCourtaneo-liberalinstitutionthatisfundamentallyagainstthe“welfare”principlesoftheconstitution
o JusticeS.N.DwivediinhisseparatejudgmentinthefamousKesavanandaBharaticasewrote,“TheConstitutionisnot
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intendedtobethearenaoflegalquibblingformenwithlongpurses”.
• CaseforEqualAccesso Ensuringequalaccesstojusticeisalsoapracticenotereleasedby
theUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP)initsreport.o Justicepromisestreatmentbeyondclassasitseeseveryoneas
equal.
ShortageofJudges• Over40,000emptypositions[44,000positionsrecommendedbyLaw
Commissionitself]andover2.6crorecasespendingin-frontoflowercourtsinIndia.HighCourtshave45lakhcasespending.SupremeCourthas65000casespendingasof2014.
o Judgestopopulationratio:USis107:1million,Indiais10:1milliono TheAmericanSupremeCourtdecides81casesinonefullyearand
inIndianSupremeCourt17000backlogcasesaddedlastyearalone.
• WhyBacklog?o Judgestopopulationratioisverylowo Vacancyofjudgespositionso Poorinfrastructurecauseslowproductivityo Governmentitselfisthebiggestlitigatorinthecountry
• ProblemsCaused:o “Justicedelayedisjusticedenied”o Accesstojusticeisafundamentalrightandgovernmentscannot
affordtodenyittothepeople.o RuleofLawisroutinelytrampledduetodelayedjustice.o Denialofvariousrightsofcitizensduetoinabilityofcourtsto
disposecasesinIndia.o Vitalprogramsofthecountryalsosuffer--“MakeinIndia”or
InvestinIndiasufferasjudiciaryisnotabletoaddressthecases/concernsofinvestors
Whathasgovernmentdone?
• Rs.1000croreinvestedtoimprovejudiciaryinfrastructure• Numberofjudgesincreasedby42%asagainstriseincaseloadby17%
only;henceappointmentofjudgesnotlaggingbehindassupposed• Consensusbeingbuilton:CJI-ledCollegiumonthememorandumof
procedureOtherproblemswithjusticesystem
o lakhinprison,68%areundertrialso 1987LawCommissionReporthadrecommendedtoraisejudges
vacanciesto44000o ImtiazAhmedcase(2012),theSupremeCourtitselfhasaskedthe
LawCommissiontoonceagainlookintothematter.
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MetropolitanCities--problemsImportance:
• EconomicHubs:Top5metropolitancitiescontributealmost11%toIndia’sGDPasperCSO
• Employmentcenters• Centersforinnovation• Educationhubs• Largepopulationsresidehere
Problems:
• PoorInfrastructure--transportation,roads,communitycenters,wastetreatment,parksandrecreationcentersetc.arelackingplanninganddesignthinking
• AbsenceofPlanning:The74thCAenvisagessettingupMetropolitanPlanningCommittees(MPCs)forplanningandexecutionofdevelopmentplans.However,moststateshavenotevensetupthese.
• GrowthofSlums:lackofaffordablehousinghasledtodegenerationofmajorportionsofmetropolitansduetogrowthofslums.IndianmetroslikeMumbai,DelhiandKolkataarehometobiggestslumsareassuchas“Dharavi”inMumbaiandYamunaKinarainDelhi.
• LackofFinancialautonomy:Financesofmetrosareinshamblesandinadequatetodevelopthemquickly.
• Probleminindustrialization:o UrbanisationbeyondMunicipalBoundaries,aWorldBank2013
reportindicatesthatindustrializationconcentrationhasnotoccurredtoitsfullpotentialinmostIndianmetros,leadingtostaggeredgrowth.
Solutions:
• Transit-orientedDevelopmentProgramthatenablestocreatecitieswheremovementofpeople,insteadofmovementofvehicleisgivenpreference.→Lesspollution,lesstraffic,higherproductivity
• Inter-municipalcoordinationtoenablesynergiesinplanninganddevelopment→Example:STEMWaterauthoritysetupbyThane,Bhiwandi-NizampurMetrocorporationhasledtoeasingofurbanwaterproblemsinthearea.
• SettingupofMPCsinstatesattheearliest• AdoptionofSMARTcitiesframeworkbyMetrosontheirown
ConditionofUndertrials
• Indiahasover2.78lakhundertrials• 2/3rdoftotalincarceratedpeopleinjailsareundertrials• NHRCReporthashighlightedthehorribleconditionsofundertrials.
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• Manyofthesearelanguishinginjailforperiodsevenmorethantheirsentences
• Reasonsforsomanyundertrials:o Primaryreasonispovertyastheseundertrialsarenotableto
affordtheirlegalfeeso AbsenceofUndertrialReviewCommitteethatfunctiontobring
theseindividualstoquickjusticeo LackofAdequateLegalAido Delaysinthefunctioningofcourtso LackofeffectivePrisonManagementSystems
• GovernmentSteps:o Codeofcriminalprocedureamendedin2005tointroduceSection
436Atoreduceovercrowdingo Underthissection,anundertrialmustbereleasedontheirown
personalbondincasetheyhavespentmorethanhalfoftheperiodspecifiedfortheiroffenseinthejailalready.
• Recommendations:a. LegalAidAgenciesmustcreateawarenessamongprisonersabout
theirrightsb. Governmentmustundertakeacost-benefitanalysisofthe
economicandsocialcostsofkeepingsomanyinnocentpeopleinjailastheycouldevenbecomecriminalsinpoorjailconditionsandtheirmentalconditionsmaydegrade.
c. Expeditingthetrialprocessisacriticalpointd. Conceptofopenprisonsneedstobefurtherworkedontoaddress
theovercrowdinginjailsasduetoovercrowdingthereisdisorderandafewprisonersunderstandthedistinctionbetweencriminalconductandgoodcitizenship;
e. NHRChasfoundthatundertrialsinafewcasesremainedinjudicialcustodyfor24-54yearswhichismuchabovetheperiodofasentencingtoimprisonmentunderanysectionoftheIPC.
f. SeekingmonthlyreportsfromalltheInspectorsGeneralofprisononthenumberofconvictsandundertrialprisonersintheirjails;
g. Releaseofundertrialprisonersonbondiftheyhavecompletedhalfortwo-thirdsoftheirpunishmentperiod;
h. Workingoutasystemofholdingregularspecialcourtsintheprisonsforearlydisposalofcases;
i. Tooffloadalargenumberofprisonersbymakingtheavailabilityofbailaccessible,undertakingspeedytrialsandprovidinglegalaid;
j. Aninstitutionalmechanismshouldbeinplacetoprotectthefutureofthechildrenoftheprisoners;
k. Prisonconditionsshouldbemademorepeople-friendly,keepinginviewtheneedsofwomen,agedandmentally-illprisoners;
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ElderlyHealth,HousingandWelfare Indiaishometoover86millionpeopleagedabove60yearstoday.By2030,Indiawillbehometohighestnumberofoldagepersons--over300million.ProblemsFaced:
1. Health:Oldagerequiresimmensecare.Auniversalhealthcaresystemisamusttoenablesuchalargesectionofpopulationtomeetitsneeds.
2. Housing:Oldagepeopleoftenfacetheproblemofhomelessnessduetofamilialproblemsorduetolackofsocialsecurity.Acountry-widenetworkofaffordableold-agehomesaswellassuchfacilitiesforBPLbypublicsectorisneededtobebuilt.
3. Dignity:Duetoglobalization,influencesofwesterncultureandchangeinfamilydynamics,oldagepeoplearelosingtheirhierarchicalpositionandsayinthehomeandfamilymatters.Thiscanleadtopoorpsychologicalstate.
Interventionsneeded:
1. GeriatricMedicalEcosystem2. “GreyFriendly”publicspaces3. Transport4. Housing
Steps:
1. MaintenanceandWelfareofParentsandCitizensAct,2007a. Obligatoryforchildrenorrelativestoprovidemaintenanceto
seniorcitizensandparents.ItalsoprovidesforthesettingupofoldagehomesbyStategovernments.
2. IntegratedProgramforOlderPersons(IPOP)--oldagehomes3. NationalOldAgePensionPlan(NOAP)4. MadridActionPlanforaBarrierFreeSociety
OpinionPollsProblems:
1. Impactsmindandperceptionofthevoters,whichcouldchangetheirvotingpattern.→ElectionCommissionhassaidthatopinionpollshavea“deleteriousimpact”onvoters’minds.a. “BandwagonEffect”--Hemayfeelthatinfirst-past-the-post
systemhisvotemaybewastedandhencemayvoteaccordingtothepolls.
b. “TheUnderdogEffect”--Thisisoppositetothebandwagoneffectasvotermaydecidetovoteforcandidateshownlosingintheelection.
2. Agenciesdonotrevealtheirmethodologiesandsamplesizes.
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3. “MoneyPower”comesintoplayaspartiesorcandidatesmaypayhighsumstoinfluencetheseopinionpolls.
Alternatively,opinionpollsareaformofspeechandexpressionandhenceprotectedundertheRightunderArticle19(1)(a).Hence,abalancebetweenthisrightandrighttofairandfreeelectionshastobebalanced.Steps:
1. OpinionpollsareregulatedbyECIunderRPA,1951.-->stoppedforacertaintimeperiod.
2. Nojudicialdecisionoropinioninthiscase.________________________________________
Euthanasia1. SimonedeBeauvoirinherbookdescribesplightofherdyingmother
inhospitalas“deathbyintensivecare”2. Theplightofadyingpatientcanonlybeunderstoodbytheirclosest
familymembers,relativesandfriends.Additionally,thedebatecutsacrossvariousethical,legal,political,socialandindividualhumanrights.
3. ArunaShanbaugCase:Thelongvegetativestate[42years]ofbelovednurseArunaShanbaugandaplighttotheSupremecourttoallowcarryingouteuthanasiaforherhadledtotheopeningofdebateonEuthanasiainIndia.
4. ArgumentsAgainst:a. AgainsttheprincipleofConstitutionalRighttoLife—Article21as
itdoesnotentail“Righttodeath”b. InGianKaurCase,theSupremeCourthasinterpretedthe
constitution’sArticle21—RighttoLifeasanarticlethatdoesnotincludetheRighttoDie.
c. NeglectofHealthcarebyState:d. TheCourtnotedthateuthanasiamayencourageorincentivize
statetonottakecareofcriticalpatients.Infact,inHolland,thelegalizationofeuthanasiahasledtoseveredeclineinqualityofcareofterminally-illpatients.
e. CommercializationofHealthCare:f. Thecourtwiselynotedthatwecannotputthelifeofapersonin
handsofcommercialhealthsector(doctors)whocouldputtodeathmanyolderanddisabledpatientsinthehospitals.
g. MalafideIntent:i. Additionally,unscrupulouselementsinthefamilyorrelativecirclemaynotunderstandthebestforthepatient.
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ii. Hence,activeeuthanasiahasbeencompletelybannedinIndia.
5. ArgumentsinFavourofEuthanasia:a. RighttoDiewithDignityb. Righttogetrelieffromexcruciatingpainc. Organtransplantationencouraged
i. Terminallyillpatientsmaybeencouragedtodonatetheirorgans,therebyallowing“Righttolive”foranotherpatient
d. Theburdenofthecaregivere. Thecaregivermustprovideallthepossibletreatmentsregardless
ofthefinancial,legalandpersonalreasonsasitisonlyethicalthingtodo.
f. RighttoRefuseCarei. Righttorefusecareisrecognizedbythelawandeffectivelygiveswayforpassiveeuthanasia.
g. JudicialPronouncementsi. InGianKaurCase1996,theSupremeCourthasinterpretedtheconstitution’sArticle21—RighttoLifeasanarticlethatdoesnotincludetheRighttoDie.
ii. 2011:Inthislight,theSupremeCourthasruledin2011thatonlypassiveeuthanasiacanbeadministeredinIndia.
h. Passiveeuthanasiameansthatonlywithdrawaloflifesupportornutritionisallowed,anddoctorscannotadministeranymedicineordrugtoactuallyputthepatienttosnuffoutlife.
i. Additionally,thefamilymembersneedtogetapermissionfromtherelevantHighCourt.
j. TheHCchiefjusticewouldformabenchof2judgesaswellasappoint3reputeddoctorstoadministersuchasdecision.
k. Thedoctorsmustprovideareporttothenextofkinandthestategovernmentinregardtothis.
________________________________________
DefamationasCriminaloffense—SupremeCourtdeclaresittoremainso.
• “Imaynotagreewithwhatyouhavetosay,butIwilldefendtodeathyourrighttosayit”—EvelynBeatrice
• Freespeechandexpressionformstheveryfoundationofanyliberal,progressivedemocracy.TheprovisionofArticle19(1)intheconstitutionhighlightsthewisdomandforesightofourconstitutionmakersinregardstotheconcernoffreespeech.However,thepresenceofadraconianprovisionofIPC(section499)hasledtomuchuneasinessin
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thesocietyregardingabilitytospeak,dissentanddisagreewithoutfearofcriminalcharges.
o TherecentSupremecourtjudgmentthatupheldthecriminalnatureofdefamationopenspandora’sboxinthisdebate.
• ThecourthasupheldtheSections499/500and199(2)oftheIPC.• Whyimportant?
o FreedomofSpeechandExpression:Thestatusofdefamationasacriminaloffenseaspersection499and500oftheIPCleadstosuppressionoffreedomofspeechandexpressionguaranteedbyArticle19oftheconstitution.
o SpeechandExpressionaretheveryfundamentalsofaliberaldemocracyandwithoutthese,rightscannotbeachievedinwhole.
o Self-Censorshipisalsoaregressiveoutcomeofthesesectionsasindividualsareafraidofpursuingfreespeechwithoutfearofcriminalprosecution.
o MisusedbyLargecorporatesandpowerfulindividuals• Duetohighlegalcostsandcomplexlegalmechanismsinvolved,itis
frequentlyusedbypowerfulindividualsandorganizationstostifledissent,disagreementandsometimesevenopenreportingagainstthem.
• HistoricalBurdeno Section499and500ofLordMacaulay’sIndianPenalCodeof
1860,therefore,continuetostandinIndia.—prescribe2years’punishmentincaseofdefamation.
o OutlawedElsewhere:Noothermoderndemocracyprescribesdefamationasacriminaloffenseanymore.
• AlreadyoutlawedinmostoftheprogressivedemocraciesintheWest,aswellascountrieslikeSriLanka.
• JudicialPronouncement:o Supremecourtupholdsdefamationascriminaloffenceo Thecourtsaidthat“mutualrespectisthefulcrumoffraternity
thatassuresdignity.Itdoesnotmeanthattherecannotbedissent”
o Article21:Thecourtsaidthat“RighttoReputation”isalsoaconstituentofArticle21.
o FreeSpeechnotabsolute:SupremeCourthassaidthatfreespeechcannotbeusedbymediatoinjureanindividual’sreputation.Itnotedthatfreespeechisa“highlyvaluedandcherishedright”
• Ithassaidthatwhilefreepressisheartandsoulofpoliticalintercourseandisapubliceducator,anindividual’sreputationispreciousandcannotbemalignedbythemedia.
o RoleofMediaasa“PublicEducator”:Itcalledformediatoactlikea“publiceducator”andmakeformalandnon-formaleducationpossibleatalargescale,particularlyinadevelopingcountrylikeIndia.
• Hence,pressmustobserve“reasonablerestrictions”andplayitsroleof“advancingpublicinterestbypublishingfactsandopinionswithoutwhichademocraticelectoratecannotmakeresponsiblejudgements”
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• Thecourtprovidedtwodifferentstrokesontheissueoffreespeech.o Inthefirst,itregardsthe“freedomofspeechandexpressionas
thefirstconditionofliberty”.o While,intheother,itreinsthislibertybycautioningthatfree
speechis“notanabsolutevalueunderourconstitution”o Italsosaysthatvoiceofdissentordisagreementhastobe
regardedandrespectedandnottobescuttledas“unpalatablecriticism”.
• Theadvocatesofmakingfreespeechabsolutebyremovingcriminalaspectofdefamationarguedthatthismakesfreespeechdifficultandsuppressesiteffectivelyduetothethreatofprosecution.Itsaidthatcriminaldefamationhasachillingeffectonpress.
• TheSupremeCourtalsocalleddefamationasa“crimeagainstthesociety,andnotjustanindividual”
ProsofSupremeCourtDecision:
• Righttolifeunderarticle21indeedencapsulatestheconceptofRighttotoLifewithDignitywithoutdoubt.TheSupremecourthaskeptthisinmindasdefamationofextremenaturecancauseheavypsychologicalandsocialstressforanindividual.
Cons:
1. Defamationhasbeenroutinelyusedbypowerfulandrichindividualsandcorporationstostiflefreespeechthroughprolongedlegalbattles.
2. Defamationasacriminaloffenseautomaticallyleadstoself-censorshipofmanythoughtsandideas.Hence,applicationofArticle19(1)(a)isdeniedbythisprovision.
3. Internationally,defamationistreatedasciviloffenceinmostcountrieswhereonceitwasacriminaloffence.Infact,thisisacoloniallawinIndiaandthecolonialcountriesthemselveshaveremovedit.
4. UNCommissiononHumanRightsenvisagesFreedomofSpeechandExpressionasoneofthefundamentalfreedomswithoutwhichothersarehardtofulfill.
CensorshipIndiaishometomultitudeofviews,literature,andathrivingnewsmediaandmovieindustry.IssueregardingtheroleofCentralBoardofFilmCertificationandcensorshiphasemergedrecently.Itencapsulatesissuesregardingbothconstitutionalrightsaswellascreativityrightsofindividualsinthenation.Thisemergenceofissueon“excessive”censorshipbyCBFCowesitsorigintochangingsocietalvalues.Thenewgenerationhasadifferentsetofvalueswithrespecttomarriage,relationships,opennessinpublicandsoon.
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Forexample,thecuttingofdrugscenesfromthemovieUdtaPunjabhasbeenconsideredagainstFreedomofSpeechandExpressionasperArticle19bymany.Ontheotherhand,manyconsideritasgovernment’sdutytoblockanyspeechthatisagainsttheoverallwelfareofthesociety.MeritsofCensorship:
1. Variousdestabilizingforcescanbecontrolledandpreventedincreatingchaosinsociety.
2. Ensuresthatsensitivematerialaboutreligionisnotusedtocreateviolence.
Demeritsofcensorship:
1. Stiflesfreespeechandexpression2. Takesawaytherightfromindividualstojudgeopinionsonbasisof
theirownfaculties3. Impactscreativityandinnovationinsociety
Clearly,theabovedemeritsofcensorshipoutweighitsmeritsandsuggestthatcensorshipshouldbeminimizedaltogether.Forexample,thebanningofTaslimaNasreen’sbookinBangladeshhaseffectivelysuppressedthevoiceofwomen’srightsinthecountry.Similarly,manyIndianartistshavecomplainedoffacingharassmentduringfilmcertificationprocedures,therebydiscouragingthem.Stepsbygovernment:ShyamBenegalCommitteehasbeensetupWayForward
1. AsrecommendedbytheShyamBenegalCommitteeonfilmcertificationthemandateofCBFCshouldbeto“certify”filmsandnotcensororcutthem.Hence,theideaof“Self-censorship”hastakenstage
2. CBFCshouldsimplyrecommendcertificationssuchas“adult”,“suitableforall”etc.andonlyrecommendextremecasestohigherlevelcommittees.
BackgroundofCBFC:
1. RegulatesthepublicexhibitionoffilmsundertheprovisionsoftheCinematographAct1952
2. Providescertificationstomovies,televisionshows,ads,publicationsforexhibitionetc.
3. Controversies:a. MSG--messengerofgodandUdtapunjabandDancefor
Democracy4. FilmCertificationApellateTribunalhearsappeals
Ex-PostScrutinyofLegislationWhyneeded:
1. Assesswhetherthelegislationishavingrealimpactontheground.
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2. Unintendedconsequences.3. Whetherconditionshavechangedinsocietyoreconomythat
legislationisnomoreuseful.4. Tocollectnewdataforfurtherresearchandpolicymaking.
InternationalExperience:
1. UKhasaLawCommissionreportonpostlegislativescrutiny.InIndia,departmentallyrelatedstandingcommittees(DRSCs)couldtakeupthisroleforlegislationsundertheirministries. ________________________________________
Sedition(IPCSection124A)GandhijidescribedseditionastheprinceofIndianpenalcode.Itwasusedfreelyagainstourfreedomfightersinattempttomuzzletheiranti-colonialwritings,speechesandvoices.Nofundamentalrightinourconstitutionisabsolute.FreedomofspeechandexpressionguaranteedbyArticle19(1)(a)canbereasonablyrestrictedonthegroundsspecifiedinArticle19(2).Itisnotablethatduringconstituentassemblydebates,ourfoundingfathersdeleted“sedition”aspermissiblegroundofrestrictionunderArticle19(2)onfreedomofspeech.However,itremainsasacriminaloffenceunderIPCsection124Aandprovidesforinteraliasentenceoflifeimprisonmentandfineuponconviction.InKedarnathv.StateofBihar,theSupremecourtopinedthatvigorouswordsinwritingandverystrongcriticismofmeasuresofgovernmentoractsofpublicofficialswouldbeoutsidethescopeofSection124A.RecentinvokementsofSeditionlaw:AmnestyInternationalandDivyaSpandana(Pakistanisnohell)
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StringentfineswhoinvokeSection124Acasuallyforanysmallcase,includingonlawyers.Needforseditionlaw:
1. Oursisstillanevolvingdemocracywithmultitudesofethnic,linguisticandcommunalproblemsfacedregularlybyus.Inthissense,seditionisnecessarytocurtailspeechesthatcanleadtopublicviolenceanddisorder.
Caseagainstseditionlaw:
1. Iteffectivelysilencesmanyauthorsandthinkerstopresenthonestcritiquesaboutthegovernment.
2. Itinsulatesgovernmentfromhealthydiscussion,criticismandfeedbackfromthecitizens.
3. Itcreatesfearamongpeopleonpresentingtheirview.4. Itrenderstheconstitutionrightofspeechandexpressionpowerless.
(Article19)5. ItraisesquestionsonmoraldutiesoftheStatetoprotectcitizens
insteadofsilencingthem.6. ItisagainstIndia’scommitmenttoenhancinghumanrights(which
includesfreedomofspeechandexpression)ininternationalforumssuchastheUNHumanRightsCommission.
OfficeofProfit• PurposeofOfficeofProfit:
o Independence:TosecureindependenceoftheMPsandtoensurethatParliamentdoesnotcontainpersonswhohavereceivedfavoursorbenefitsfromtheexecutiveandwhoconsequentlymightbeamenabletoitsinfluence.
o EliminateConflictofInterests:Toeliminateorreducetheriskofconflictbetweendutyandself-interestamongMPs
o ToprotectthedemocraticfabricofthecountryfrombeingcorruptedbyexecutivepatronageandalsosecurestheindependenceofMPsfromtheinfluenceoftheGovernmentsothattheydischargetheirfunctionswithoutfearorfavour.
• TheConstitutionofIndiavidearticles102(1)and191(1)providesfordisqualificationanMPorMLAifshe/heholdsanOfficeofProfitundertheUnionortheStateunlesstheParliamentortheStateLegislaturedeclaresbylawthatsuchofficedoesnotdisqualifyitsholder.
• Presidentisthedecidingauthorityonwhetherapersonqualifiesforholdingofficeofprofit.--ElectionCommission’sopinionisrequired.[Presidentdoesnotactontheadviceofcouncilofministershere]
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• “OfficeofProfit”isonetowhichsomepowerofpatronageisattachedorinwhichtheholderisentitledtoexercisetheexecutivefunctions,orwhichcarriesdignity,prestigeorhonourtotheincumbentthereof.
• NotDefinedintheconstitution.• BHARGAVACOMMITTEEonOFFICEOFPROFIT• Exemptedoffices:ChairmanofNCforST/SCs,NationalCommissionfor
Womenetc.• UK:
o IntheHouseofCommonsDisqualificationAct1975whichspecifiesanumberofstatepositionsthatmakeanindividualineligibletoserveasaMemberofParliament.
o UnlikeinIndia,inEnglandwheneveranewofficeiscreated,thelawalsolaysdownwhetheritwouldbeanofficeofprofitornot.
NationalCourtofAppeal SupremeCourthassetupa5judgesbenchtodebatetheneedforaNationalCourtofAppeal.ANationalCourtofAppealwillhavebenchesinmajormetrocitiesandwilltakeupappealsfromtheHighCourtsandtribunalswithintheirregionsincivil,criminal,labourandrevenuematters.SupremeCourtwillhearmattersofonlyconstitutionallawandpubliclawofnationalimportance.Needofthecourt:
1. Supremecourtisburdenedbymanypendingcases(over65000)whichcausesdelayinjustice.
2. Supremecourtisunabletogivesufficienttimetoimportantconstitutionalmatters.
3. Two-judgebenchesdonotdojusticetoquestionsofnationalimportancewithlongtermrepercussions.→NickRobinson’sstudieshaveshownthat5judgebencheswereashighas15%between1950-54buthavedeclinedtomere0.12%today.→LandmarkcasessuchasShreyaSinghal(ITSec.69A)andNazFoundationCaseweredecidedbyonly2judgebenches.
4. CostofjusticeisveryhighasSupremecourthasonlyonebenchandpeoplefromfarpartsofthecountrycannotaccessit.→GeographicalproximityofNCOAwillmakeitmoreaccessible.
5. Willimprovequalityofgovernanceinthecountry.MakeIndiamoreamenabletoinvestmentsaswell.
→Even229thLawCommissionReporthassuggestedestablishing“Cassation”benchesoftheSupremecourtinmajormetroregions.→Theconstitutionprovidesforthisviaarticle130.
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→SuchmodelhasalsoworkedwellinItaly,Denmark,Irelandetc.→ParliamentaryStandingcommitteehasalsorecommendedthis.Problems:
1. Opposedbythegovernment2. Centerarguesthatsuchestablishmentwillonlylengthenalreadylong
enoughprocessoflitigationinIndiatherebydefeatingtherighttoswiftjusticeunderArticle21.
3. Suchlegislationmayalsoweakenthepoweroftheapexcourt.Solutions:
1. Thiscanbeachievedbystrengtheningthelowerjudiciary.→quickerdisposalofcasesatthislevel,highqualityofjudgments,fulfillingallsanctionedstrengthofthecourtswillautomaticallydecreasependencyofcases.→NationalJudicialDataGridshowsonly1judgeforevery73,000peopleinIndia.Thisislessthan7timesthanthatintheUS.
SupremeCourtorderonDroughtManagementSupremecourt’sverdictsaidclear“lackofwill”ofpartofCenterandStatestotacklewithdroughtproblemsacrossIndia.Both“washinghands”fromadisasterofnationalproportionwithmorethan1/4thcountryreelingunderthedrought/CourtOrderto:
1. SupplyheavilySubsidizedFoodgrainstoallhouseholdsinaffectedareas.a. CenterandStatesnotdoingsodespitetheNationalFoodSecurity
Actprovisionsforthis.2. MidDayMealtobecontinuedduringsummervacationsinallschools.3. MGNREGAtoberaisedfrom100daysto150daysindroughthit
areas.4. ConstituteaCommissionforimplementationofNFSAandmonitoring
it.5. Evolveatransparent,Rules-basedframework:developastandard
methodologytoassessanddeclaredrought,andastandardguidelinetotackleit.
NationalDroughtCrisisManagementPlan
• Thiswasreleasedin2015tobytheCentertohandledroughtsandhasfourcomponents:
a. MGNREGA--extendingandusingMGNREGAtoprovideimmediateemploymenttopeopleinsuchareas
b. PDSmechanismtodistributesubsidizedfoodgrainsc. Rechargeofgroundwaterbybuildingcheckdamsandpipeline
waterd. Waivingofffarmerdebtandarrangeloansforcrops.
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JudicialActivismInIndia:Theconstitutionhasgivenourlegislatorsandexecutiveamandatetocreateawelfarebasedsociety.Unfortunately,povertygaphasbecomemorestarkovertheyearsandrightsofindividualshavebeenbreachedagainandagain.Additionally,corruptionhasleftthecommonmandisappointedanddisillusioned.Inthissituation,thejudiciaryhascometotherescueofthecommonmanbyprotectionhisrights.IthasstrivedtofulfillthemandateofArticle37oftheIndianconstitution“DPSPsarefundamentaltothegovernanceofthecountryandshallbethedutyofthestatetoapplytheseinmakinglaws”simplybecausethestatehasfailedtoimplementthisDPSP.Inthis,ithasoccasionallyoverreacheditsjurisdictionorwalkedathinlineaswell.Whatis(fashionably)deridedas“judicialoverreach”hasbeenrecentlydescribedbyUpendraBaxi(legalscholar)asthe“daringadjudicatoryleadershipoftheSupremeCourtinthepast25-30years”.InanessayjustpublishedintheOxfordHandbookoftheIndianConstitution(2016),hesaysthehighestcourthas“mutatedthediscourseofjudiciallyunenforceabledirectiveprinciples(asoriginallyenacted)byincorporatingthemintoArticle21(asnowinterpreted)”,andsoconvertedhumanneedsintohumanrights.
RiverWaterDispute--CauveryWhysomuchangstabouttheCauvery?TheriverCauveryisthelargestinsouthernIndia,andbeginsintheCoorgregioninKarnatakaandflowsintoTamilNadu,beforejoiningtheBayofBengal.TheCauvery’supperhillycatchmentliesinKarnatakaandKerala.Itisinfluencedbytheusuallydependablesouth-westmonsoonduringJunetoSeptember.ItslowerpartliesintheplainsofTamilNadu,servedbythenot-so-dependablenorth-eastMonsoonduringOctobertoDecember.Intechnicalwaterlawlanguage,Karnatakaistheupperriparianstatewheretheriveroriginates;TamilNaduisalowerriparianstate.PuducherrywantsitsshareoftheCauverybecauseitiswheretheriverflowsintotheBayofBengal.AndKeralaactuallycontributesmorewatertotheriverthanitcanutilize,becauseofitsgeography.
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HowoldisthedisputeovertheCauvery?1. Itismorethan150yearsold.-->startedin18922. Agreementssignedin1892and1924tosharethewaterbyboththe
states.3. UnderthelawMysorecoulddonothingthatwouldcurtailwater
supplytoTamilNadu,thelowerriparianstate.However,post-independence,theissuewastakenupagainin1974butKarnatakadidnotimplementtheseolderagreements.Instead,itformedfournewprojectsbyconstructingdamsacrossthetributariesofCauvery,withoutgettingclearancefromthecentralgovernment,PlanningCommission,andCentralWaterCommission.[METTURDamisatthecenterofcontroversy]InternationalLaw:
• Internationallawclearlysaysthatsuchriverwatercannotbesaidtobelocatedinanyonestate,andthatnostatecanclaimexclusiveownershipofsuchwaterstodepriveotherdownstreamstatesoftheirequitableshare.
Contentions:
1. MismatchinAllocation:a. TamilNaducontendsthatwaterbeingreleasedtoitfromMettur
damisdecreasingyearafteryearanditisnotenoughtosupportagriculture.Also,itcontendsthatwaterreleaseisnotaspertheallocationbyCAUVERYTRIBUNALverdictpassedin1991and2007.
2. Karnatakacontendsthatitdoesn’thaveenoughdrinkingwaterforBangalore.Since,nationaldrinkingwaterpolicygiveshigherweightagetodrinkingwater,itcannotreleasethewater.
3. Differenceinverdicts:a. The1991ordergiveTN205tmcofwaterand2007ordergivesit
419tmcft.ThisisnotacceptedbyKarnataka4. NoPlanforDistressYears--droughtyearsnoplan
HowdidthelatestdisputeintheSupremeCourtevenstart?
• Therearefourpartiestothedispute—TamilNadu,Karnataka,KeralaandPuducherry.
• KarnatakaconstructedfourprojectsonandneartheCauvery:Harangi,Kabini,HemavathiandSuvarnavathy.Forthese,KarnatakadidnotgetthepriorconsentoftheTamilNadugovernment.
From1974,Karnatakastarteddivertingriverflowsintothefournewreservoirs.Unabletoresolvethedispute,theCentrereferredittotheCauveryWaterDisputesTribunal(CWDT)in1990.
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HowdidtheSCevengetdraggedintothisdispute?Isn’ttheCWDTsupposedtosortthisstuffout?
• TheCWDThadindeedgivenitsinterimawardin1991,infavourofTamilNadu,whichthenaskedforimplementation.Karnatakawasnotwilling.So,TamilNadufiledsuitintheSupremeCourtin2001.Itisstillpending.
• Inthemeantime,theCWDTgaveitsfinalorderin2007(whichalsotechnicallyreplacedthe1892and1924agreementsonwatersharing).AndthelatestSCordershavebeenappealedinspecialleavepetitions(SLPs)filedbyTamilNaduagainstKarnataka.
Whatwasthe1991CWDTinterimorder?
• TheTribunaldirectedKarnatakatoensurethat205,000millioncubicfeet(TMC)ofwaterwasavailableinTamilNadu’sMetturReservoirinayearfromJunetoMay.
Thenwhathappened?Karnatakapromulgatedanordinance,followedbyanAct,tonegatetheeffectofthetribunalruling.ThePresidentthenmadeareferencetotheSupremeCourtforitsopinion.TheSCansweredthisreferenceinNovember1991,sayingtheordinanceandtheActwereunconstitutionalandbeyondthelegislativecompetenceoftheState.In1998,thecentralgovernmentsetuptheCauveryRiverAuthority(CRA)andamonitoringcommittee(MC).TheCRAincludedthePrimeMinister,andthechiefministersofTamilNadu,Karnataka,KeralaandofPuducherry.TheMCincludedsecretaryoftheunionministryofwaterresources,andchiefsecretariesofthethreestates,andPuducherry,Chairman,CentralWaterCommission,andothers.TheCRAandtheMCweresupposedtodealwithissuesonsharingofwatersfromtimetotime.So,presumablytheCRAandtheMCfailedtoresolvematters?Yes,itappearsso.Inanycase,nooneknowswhethertheystillexist,asanewsupervisorycommitteehasbeensetupintheirplacein2013.WhathappenswhenTamilNaduapproachestheSCfromtimetotime?Usually,TamilNaduapproachestheSCforadirectiontoKarnatakatocomplywiththeinterimorderpassedbythetribunal,fixingascheduleforreleaseofthewaterindifferentmonthsoftheyear.Onmostoftheseoccasions,Karnatakacomesupwiththepleathatbecauseoftheinsufficientrainfall,ithadnotbeenpossibleforittostrictlycomplywiththeinterimorderbyreleasingthequantityofwaterasdirected.Whatdoesthe2007finalorderoftheTribunalsay?TheTribunal,inaunanimousdecision,determinedthetotalavailabilityofwaterintheCauverybasinat740TMCattheLowerColeroonAnicutsite,including14TMCforenvironmentalprotectionandseepageintothesea.
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Thefinalawardmadeanannualallocationof419TMCtoTamilNaduintheentireCauverybasin,270TMCtoKarnataka,30TMCtoKerala,and7TMCtoPuducherry.WhatweretheTribunal’sotherconclusions?Itdefineda“normalyear”asoneinwhichthetotalyieldoftheCauverybasinis740TMC.Inanormalyear,KarnatakahastoreleasetoTamilNaduatBiligundulu192TMC(asagainst205TMCintheinterimaward)inmonthlydeliveries.Thiscomprises182TMCfromtheallocatedshareofTN,including10TMCforenvironmentalpurposes.Inaso-calleddistressyear,theallocatedsharesaretobeproportionatelyreducedamongKerala,Karnataka,TNandPuducherry.TheTribunalalsorecommendedsettinguptheCauveryManagementBoard(CMB)toimplementtheTribunal’sdecisions,andsaid,otherwise,“itsdecisionwouldonlybeonapieceofpaper”.Andonpaperiswhereithasmostlyremained:theCMBhasnotyetbeensetup,althoughthefinalorderhasbeennotifiedintheofficialgazetteon19February2013,andistheoreticallybinding.
Whatisthesupervisorycommittee,then?Thesupervisorycommitteewasconstitutedbytheministryofwaterresourcesin2013.,andincludespeoplefromtheministryofwaterresources,chiefsecretariesofKarnataka,TamilNadu,KeralaandPuducherry,andtheCWC.TheroleofthecommitteewastogiveeffecttotheimplementationoftheTribunalorderof5February2007.Obviously,thiscommitteereplacesthepreviousCauveryRiverAuthorityandthemonitoringcommittee,setupin1998,andisconsideredanalternativetotheBoard,suggestedbytheTribunal.ThelatestSupremeCourtorderhasaskedTamilNadutoapproachthesupervisorycommitteetosortoutitsgrievance.Soundsgreatonpaper;thenagain,theSCgotinvolvedanyway,sowhatwasthepoint?ThefactthattheSupremeCourtinterveneddoessuggestthattheJudiciaryisperhapsunnecessarilygettinginvolvedinmattersthatarebeyonditscompetence.TheSCcouldhavejustaskedthiscommitteetomeeturgentlyandresolvethecrisisamicably,argueobservers.ButhastheSupremeCourtmanagedtoresolvethedisputenow?Itisessentiallyafederaldispute,andneedstoberesolvedamicablybetweenthestatesbecausetheissueissocomplex.Top-downadjudicationbytheSupremeCourtwillinevitablyfavouronestateandalienateanother.Thestatethatisperceivedtohavelostinthelitigationthencannotcontrolpopularsentimentsinthestate,andwillagainleadtoappeal,ashasnowreportedlyhappenedagainagainsttheSCjudgment.
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Therefore,thematterreallyhastobedealtwithbyaprofessionalbodyincludingprofessionalrepresentativesofbothStates.Soisthedisputelikelytodragonandcontinueintothenextcentury?Itwill,ifthestatesconcerneddonotdisplaymaturityandinsteadconstantlyresorttolitigation,knowingfullywellthattheSupremeCourtcannotenforcetheTribunal’sfinalaward.Andwhenevertherearelegalbattles,emotionswillcontinuetorunhighinbothstatesontheissue.
ContemptofCourtandFreedomofSpeech1. ConstitutionhasexplicitlyprovidedtheParliamentwithpowerto
framelawonpunishmentregardingContemptofcourt.a. ContemptofCourtsAct1971waspassedregardingthisand
providesforcivilandcriminalpunishmentsincaseofcontemptofcourts.
2. Also.FreedomofSpeechunderArticle19(2)providesforreasonablerestrictionofspeechifitcausescontemptofcourt.→ArundhatiRoyhasbeenchargedwithcontemptofcourtinregardstothis.
3. Inconstituentassemblydebates,TTKrishnamacharisuggestedthatcontemptofcourtasoneofthepermissiblelimitsonfreedomofspeechandexpressiona. Inthesamedebate,PanditThakurDasBhargavaarguedthat
contemptofcourtmustbelimitedtodisobedienceofcourt’sjudgmentonly.
4. RonaldDworkinarguedthatfreedomofspeechhastwocomponents:5. Freespeechallowspeopletospeakfreelywhichinherentlyleadsto
goodpolicies6. Freespeechispremisedonthecommitmenttoautonomyofan
individualinsociety
DISE--DistrictInformationSystemforEducation1. DatafromDISEshowsthatgovernmentschoolsdonotfulfillmany
normsandstandardssetbyRTEAct.2. DISEdatashowsthatbetween2010-2014governmentschool
enrollmentfellby1.6crorestudentsandprivateschoolenrollmentroseby1.8crore
3. Despitethis,privateschoolsarecloseddownduetotheirinabilitytoadheretoRTEActguidelines.ItmustbenotedherethatasperDISEdatathereare3.3lakhprivateschools(unaided)inIndiaandmostareLOWFEEestablishments(feecomparableorlowerthanevengovernmentschools).Only16000oftheseare“highorelitefee”payingschools.
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LeprosyinIndiaLeprosyisamongtheworld'soldestandmostdreadeddiseasesandIndiahashighestnumberofleprosypatientsasperWHO.India’strategy-
1. Earlydetection&completetreatmentofnewleprosycases.CarryingouthouseholdcontactsurveyindetectionofMultibacillary(MB)&childcases.
2. DecentralizedintegratedleprosyservicesthroughGeneralHealthCaresystem.
3. InvolvementofAccreditedSocialHealthActivists(ASHAs)inthedetection&completetreatmentofLeprosycasesforleprosywork
4. StrengtheningofDisabilityPrevention&MedicalRehabilitation(DPMR)services.
5. Information,Education&Communication(IEC)activitiesinthecommunitytoimproveselfreportingtoPrimaryHealthCentre(PHC)andreductionofstigma.FurtherIntensivemonitoringandsupervisionatPrimaryHealthCentre/CommunityHealthCentre.
Variousoutcomes-Positives-
1. IndianresearchcontributedtothedevelopmentofMulti-DrugTherapyorMDT,whichresultedinincreaseincurerate.
2. Indiaachievedleprosyeliminationoflessthan1per10000populationin2005
Negatives-
1. 60%ofworld’sleprosypatientinIndia.2. ICMRestimatedthattheremaybe250000newcaseseveryyear.
MahatmaGandhi'sdreamof“EmpowermentofPeopleAffectedbyLeprosy,”-canbefulfilledbyremovingthestigmaassociatedwithleprosyandgivingthemequalrights.HenceweneedtostrengthenandmodifytheNationalLeprosyEradicationProgramme(NLEP),sothatitfocusesonbothpreventionandcure,especiallyinendemicregions.FurtherLeprosyDetectionCampaignisagoodstepwhichinvolvehousetohousescreeninghencepicturingthegroundreality
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JudicialReformsinElections1. JanChowkidariCase—jailedelectorcannotparticipateinelections2. LilyThomasCase—membersofparliamentwhoareconvictedare
immediatelydisqualifiedfrommembershipoftheHouses3. NOTA4. VVPAT5. Promiseofbenefitsinelectionmanifestos6. StayoncastebasedralliesinUP7. RulingonNominationPapersin2013—returningofficercanreject
nominationpapersofacandidateonbasisofincompleteinformation,non-disclosure,suppressionofinformationincludingthatofassetsandcriminalbackground.InresponsetoPILfiledbyNGOResurgenceIndia.“Nocolumnshallbeallowedtoremainempty”asittantamounttoconcealinginformationandnotfilingcompleteaffidavit.
Article311• Civilservantscannotberemovedexceptforauthoritythathasappointed
them.• Additionally,theycannotberemoved,demotedetc.withoutaninquiry.
ConstitutionalExpertsonvariousissues
JudicialActivism• AKAyyarintheCADfamouslysaidthatthejudiciarycannotfunctionasa
super-Legislatureorsuper-executive.It’spurposeistointerprettheconstitutionandtoadjudicateuponrights...
SelfGovernanceandPRIs• M.A.Ayyangar,prominentconstitutionalisthassaidthatwemusttrain
thevillagesintheartofself-governmentandautonomytobeabletohavetruedemocracyatthegrassrootslevels.
Federalismquotes• Centresoverwhelmingfinancialpowers:
o TTKrishnammachari,adistinguishedfinanceministerandmemberofprestigiousNationalCouncilforAppliedEconomic
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Research,saidthatultimateresponsibilityoftheeconomicwell-beingofthecountryhasbecomeparamountresponsibilityoftheCentre,andthereforeitmusthavegreatersayinitsfinancialmattersandgreatercontrolaswell.
o Morerecently,thisdebatehasarisenaspartofboththe14thFCdevolutionandalsotheGST.
o TTKalsobecamethefirstministertoresignduetocorruptionscamMundhrascamthathappenedin1957
SwarajandSu-raj• “Wishesofthepeoplefreelyexpressedthroughtheirfreelychosen
representative”—MahatmaGandhi
RighttoSpeechandExpression• EarlieststrandsofRighttoFreedomandEqualityfoundinthewritingsof
JyotiraoPhule(1827-1890)—>theserightswerefurthersharpenedduringthenationalmovementandexpandedtoconstitutionalrights.
• EvelynBeatriceHalltoVoltaire—"IdonotagreewithwhatyouhavetosaybutIwilldefendtodeathyourrighttosayit.”
• RajarammohanRoywasthefirstoneinIndiatoprotestagainstthecurtailmentoffreedomofpressbytheBritishcolonialstate.Hearguedthatwithoutsuchright,thecitizenscannotcommunicatetheirgrievancetothegovernmentinthefirstplace.Therefore,statemustpermitunlimitedfreedomofpressandpublication.
UniversalAdultFranchise:• UniversalAdultFranchisewasthesingleprovisionwhichwaspassed
withoutanydebateandwithtotalunanimityintheConstituentAssemblyin1946.
• PanditNehruinDiscoveryofIndiahasemphasizedthatUniversalFranchisewasnotanidealwithwhichhewouldcompromiseastherewasnologicingivingmoreweighttooneperson’sopinionovertheother.
• A.K.Ayyar,oneoftheconstitutionexpertssaidthattheassemblyadoptedtheprincipleofadultfranchiseduetoitsdeepfaithinthecommonmanandtheultimatesuccessofdemocraticrule.Theassemblybelievedthattheintroductionofdemocraticgovernmentonthebasisofadultsuffragewillpromotewell-beingofall.—ConstituentAssemblyDebate(CAD)
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QuotesonConstitution,Parliament,FreedomsandRights,Polityetc.• “Theconstitutionisonlyaframeorskeleton,theactualfleshandbloodis
providedbytheactualprocessofpolitics.”—M.A.Ayyangar[constituentassemblydebates]
• Constitutionisalivingdocument• Constitutionisnotjustamazeofruleandprocedures,butalsoamoral
commitmenttoestablishagovernmentthatwillfulfillthemanypromisesthatthenationalistmovementheldbeforethepeople—thoseofequality,liberty,fraternity,justice,sovereigntyandacosmopolitanidentity.
• AJusticeinKesavanandBharticase:“Theconstitutionisnotinthestateofbeing,butbecoming”
• VicePresidentKrishnaKant:“LokSabhaistheHouseofChangeandtheRajyaSabhaisahouseofContinuity”
• GranvilleAustin,“Indianconstitutionisnotapieceofpaper,butadocumentofsocialrevolution”—itstranscendentgoalistoachieveasocialrevolution.
• Riversdonotdrinktheirownwater,treesdonoteattheirownfruits,cloudsdonotswallowtheirownrain.Whatgreatoneshaveisalwaysforthebenefitoftheothers.
• HamsaKsheeraNyaya—thejusticebytheswanwhocanseparatemilkandwater
• GVMavalankarhadwarnedNehruaboutpossibleindiscriminateuseofordinances.
• Nehru:“Citizenshipconsistsintheserviceofthecountry.”• B.R.Ambedkar—fundamentalrightsandDPSPsarethe“conscienceof
theconstitution”DPSPsareavisionforgoodgovernanceandfundamentaltogovernanceinindia.
• BRAmbedkarcalled“RighttoConstitutionalRemedies”theHeartandSouloftheconstitution
• B.R.AmbedkarsaidthatthenewlydraftedconstitutionofaIndiawasagoodoneandcouldholdthecountrytogetherduringpeacetimeaswellwartime.However,thevilenessofindividualmis-usingitiswhatworriedhim.
• Constitutionshaveadistinctpowertoactaslimitationsontheexerciseofpower,andinthatprocessdelineatethefunctionsofthegovernmentandoutlinetherightsofthepeople.Thisiswhatdistinguishesconstitutionsfromotherlegislations.
• "PrimusInterPares"—firstamongequals• BRAmbedkar—“Educate,Agitate,Organize"