MANUJ JINDAL GS 2 - mjindalcom.files.wordpress.com · MANUJ JINDAL, AIR 53 GS 2 notes, GS Marks 111...

MANUJJINDAL,AIR53GS2notes,GSMarks111

MarksinGS:4491

MANUJJINDAL,AIR53

CSE2016

FullGS2Notes(exceptIR)

MarksinGS2:111

TotalGSMarks:449


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?

________________________________________

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.

________________________________________

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.

________________________________________

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.

________________________________________

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

________________________________________

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

________________________________________

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

________________________________________

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.

________________________________________

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.


MarksinGS:449214

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


MarksinGS:449215

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


MarksinGS:449216

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)


MarksinGS:449217

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"


MarksinGS:449218

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