DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS 25 FEBRUARY
ECONOMY
Income scheme to cover fewer farmers
Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana:
- Centre has revised the farmer income support scheme’s beneficiary target down to just under 12 crores from 14 crores.
- Empirical evidence suggests that saturation level will reach around 10 crores families.
- West Bengal government has refused to join the scheme.
- The Bihar government’s approach of waiting for applicants means more than 60% of potential beneficiaries are yet to register.
- The centre’s beneficiary estimate of 14 crores was initially based on the number of landholdings recorded in the agricultural land census.
About Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana:
- Government has launched this Central Sector Scheme on 12th September, 2019
- Aim: To provides social security net to eligible small and marginal farmers (a farmer who owns cultivable land up to 2 hectare as per land records of the concerned State/UT) by paying minimum old age pension of Rs.3000/- per month on attaining the age of 60 years.
- Key Features:
- It is voluntary and contributory pension scheme, with entry age of 18 to 40 years.
- The monthly contribution by farmer ranges between Rs.55 to 200. Central Government will contribute an equal amount in the pension scheme.
- The spouse is also eligible to get a separate pension of Rs.3000/- upon making separate contributions to the Fund.
- The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) shall be the Pension Fund Manager and responsible for Pension pay out.
- If the farmer dies after the retirement date, the spouse will receive 50% of the pension as Family Pension. After the death of both the farmer and the spouse, the accumulated corpus shall be credited back to the Pension Fund.
- The beneficiaries may opt voluntarily to exit the Scheme after a minimum period of 5 years of regular contributions. On exit, their entire contribution shall be returned by LIC with an interest equivalent to prevailing saving bank rates.
Banks’ profitability remains fragile, says Das
RBI governor comment:
- Indian banking sector may be slowly turning around on the back of improvement in asset quality, its profitability remains fragile.
- The Indian banking sector is slowly turning around on the back of improvements in asset quality with enhanced resolutions through the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC).
- Despite the recent decline in impaired assets and a significant improvement in provisioning, profitability of the banking sector remains fragile.
- Capital position of banks had improved because of recapitalisation of public sector banks by the government and capital raising efforts by private sector banks.
- RBI was focussing on a sharper and forward-looking off-site surveillance framework, apart from on-site supervision.
About Credit growth:
- The overhang of non-performing assets (NPAs) remains relatively high, which is weighing on credit growth.
- In view of subdued profitability and deleveraging by certain corporate, risk-averse banks have shifted their focus away from large infrastructure and industrial loans towards retail loans.
- Proper due diligence and risk pricing in lending is of prime importance so that the health of the banking sector is not compromised while ensuring adequate flow of credit to productive sectors of the economy.
Consolidation of public banks:
- Properly worked out consolidation of PSBs can generate synergies in allocation of workforce and branches.
- The focus has to be on ushering in significant improvements in efficiency and rationalisation of scarce capital to meet the capital adequacy requirements.
ART & CULTURE
ASI planning barricade around famed stone chariot at Hampi
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is contemplating installing a wooden barricade around the stone chariot inside Vittala Temple complex at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi in a bid to protect it from vandalism.
About Hampi:
- Hampi, the city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers.
- Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time.
- Among the attractions of Hampi are beautiful temples, ruins of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, and treasury buildings.
- Hampi is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the eastern part of central Karnataka near the state border with Andhra Pradesh.
About Vittala Temple:
- The structure was never finished or consecrated, yet its incredible sculptural work remains the pinnacle of Vijayanagar art.
- The courtyard's ornate stone chariot (illustrated on the ₹50 note) is the temple’s showpiece and represents Vishnu’s vehicle with an image of Garuda within.
- Its wheels were once capable of turning.
- The outer ‘musical’ pillars, supposedly designed to replicate 81 different Indian instruments, reverberate when tapped.
About Virupaksha Temple:
- Believed to be the oldest functioning temple in India, Sri Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
- The temple is seen to have many inscriptions of Lord Shiva. The temple was initially a shrine, which was later extended into a huge complex during the Vijayanagara rule.
POLITY
Dissent against govt is not anti-national: Justice Gupta
Justice Gupta Comment:
- A dissenter is not an anti-national. Holding a contrary view to that of the government does not make one an anti-national.
- Criticism of the executive, the judiciary, the bureaucracy or the armed forces cannot be termed ‘anti-national’.
- If we attempt to stifle criticism of the institutions, we shall become a police state instead of a democracy.
- To question, to challenge, to verify, and to ask for accountability from the government is the right of every citizen.
- A political party getting 51% mandate in the polls did not mean the other 49% of the country ought to remain silent for the next five years.
- Majoritarianism is an anti-thesis to democracy.
- When those in power claim that, they represent the will of all the people that is more often than not a baseless claim.
- They may be the elected government voted on the first-past-the-post system by a large number of voters, but it cannot be said that they represent the entire will of the people.
- Governance did not mean carrying out the whims of a few, but following the rule of law.
- Citizens have the right to come together, protest and dissent peacefully.
- A society will not evolve unless its rules are questioned. Dissent must be encouraged.
- Dissent, after all, was the essence of Civil Disobedience movement of Mahatma Gandhi. We are only a free country when there is freedom of speech.
Supreme Court Judgment on dissent:
Bhima-Koregaon case:
- Dissent note observed that individuals who assert causes may be unpopular to the echelons of power are yet entitled to the freedoms, which are guaranteed by the Constitution.
- Voices in opposition cannot be muzzled by persecuting those who take up unpopular causes.
- It upheld the view that dissent is a symbol of a vibrant democracy.
Kharak Singh case:
- Dissent note noted that restrictions could not be imposed on free speech and dissent based on the “personal sensitiveness”.
- Movement under the scrutinising gaze of a police officer is not free movement. The whole country is his jail.
Puttaswamy Judgement:
- Court observed that life is liberty is not bounties conferred by the State”. Shreya Singhal Judgment:
Shreya-Singhal case
- Court observed protected and innocent speech could not be curtailed on vague grounds that it was grossly offensive or “causes annoyance or inconvenience”.
- What offends, annoys or inconveniences one may not have the same effect on another.
Khushbu Case:
- The free flow of opinions and ideas is essential to sustain the collective life of the citizenry.
- An informed citizenry is a pre-condition for meaningful governance.
Way Forward:
- The right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Indian Constitution—Article 19(1)(a) guarantees the freedom of speech and expression; Article 19(1)(b) assures citizens the right to assemble peaceably and without arms.
- Article 19(1)(3) says this right is subject to “reasonable restrictions” in the interest of public order. Reasonable restrictions could involve the following:
- If the security of the state is in jeopardy.
- If the friendly relationship we share with a neighbouring country is at stake.
- If public order is disturbed.
- If there is contempt of court.
- If the sovereignty and integrity of India are threatened.
HEALTH
Intensified campaign against vaccine-preventable diseases launched
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, inaugurated a special campaign on Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 2.0).
About Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI 2.0):
- It will focus on 272 districts of 27 states and 652 blocks of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar among hard-to-reach and tribal populations.
- It is supported by several ministries, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs, among others, to ensure the benefits of vaccines.
- It will be in four rounds over seven working days, excluding Sundays and holidays.
- Enhanced immunization session with flexible timing, mobile session and mobilization by other departments.
- There will be an enhanced focus on left-outs, dropouts, and resistant families and hard to reach areas, focus on urban, underserved population and tribal areas.
- Inter-ministerial and inter-departmental coordination, enhance political, administrative and financial commitment, through advocacy.
About Mission Indradhanush:
- Aims: To cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against vaccine preventable diseases.
- The Universal Immunization Programme provides life-saving vaccines to all children across the country free of cost to protect them against Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea. (Rubella, JE and Rotavirus vaccine in select states and districts).
- The Ministry is being technically supported by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other donor partners. Mass media, interpersonal communication, and sturdy mechanisms of monitoring and evaluating the scheme are crucial components of Mission Indradhanush.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
News analysis: Is Donald Trump soft on Pakistan?
Mr. Trump chose to reaffirm the U.S.’s improving ties with Pakistan at a public meeting in Ahmedabad with Prime Minister Modi.
Pakistan factor:
- The U.S. and the Taliban are observing a seven-day period of violence-reduction in Afghanistan.
- If the test period passes without any major violent incident, both sides are expected to sign a peace agreement under which the U.S. would pull out its troops from the war-torn country.
- Pakistan, which hosts the leadership of the Afghan Taliban as well as the Haqqani Network, which is a key constituent of the Taliban, had played a critical role in facilitating direct talks between the insurgents and the Americans.
- Mr. Trump offered mediation between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir crisis — in so doing, he practically endorsed the Pakistani position as India has always maintained that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan.
- A few days prior to the visit, General Mark Milley, the highest-ranking officer in the U.S. military, had said U.S. “interests are better served if the country maintains strong military ties with Pakistan”.
- The International Military Education and Training Programme (IMET) had been a central pillar of the U.S.-Pakistan military cooperation for years.
- President Trump suspended the $2-billion programme in 2018 to force Pakistan to crack down on terrorist groups. However, by mid-2019, the U.S. had already started changing its approach.
- Washington and its allies along with China raised no adverse remark on Pakistan in the review meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
- Therefore, the Trump administration’s policy is to stay engaged with Pakistan with offers for limited protection, while seeking to strengthen trade, defence and strategic ties with India.
INTERNAL SECURITY
Not fair, just or reasonable
The revocation of statehood for Jammu and Kashmir was accompanied by widespread arrests and detentions under the erstwhile State’s Public Safety Act of 1978, which allows for detention without trial for up to two years.
Constitutional Provisions for preventive detention:
- Article 22(3) provides that if the person who has been arrested or detained under preventive detention laws then the protection against arrest and detention provided under article22(1) and 22(2) shall not be available to that person.
- A person may be taken to preventive custody only for 3 months at the first instance. If the period of detention is extended beyond 3 months, the case must be referred to an Advisory Board consisting of persons with qualifications for appointment as judges of High Courts.
- The detainee is entitled to know the grounds of his detention. The state, however, may refuse to divulge the grounds of detention if it is in the public interest to do so. Needless to say, this power conferred on the state leaves scope for arbitrary action on the part of the authorities.
- The detaining authorities must give the detainee earliest opportunities for making representation against the detention.
About preventive detention:
- Under these laws, executive officers such as District Magistrates and Commissioners of Police are empowered to pass orders for arrest and to take persons into custody.
Laws on Preventive detention:
- Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA): It gave the State apparatus the right to arrest and detains a citizen for up to one year without due judicial process.
- National Security Act : This act empowers the Central Government and State Governments to detain a person to prevent him/her from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of India, the relations of India with foreign countries, the maintenance of public order, or the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the community it is necessary so to do. The act also gives power to the governments to detain a foreigner in a view to regulate his presence or expel from the country.
- COFEPOSA (Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act ): It is an Act of Parliament passed in 1974 during administration of Indira Gandhi, trying to retain foreign currency and prevent smuggling.
Objective of The Preventive Detention:
The objective of Preventive Detention is not to Punish but to prevent the detenu from doing something, which is prejudicial to the State. The satisfaction of the concerned authority is a subjective satisfaction in such a manner. It comes within any of the grounds specified like
- Security of the State,
- Public Order,
- Foreign affairs,
- Services essential to the community.
Supreme court judgement on preventive law:
Ahmed Noor Mohamad Bhatti Vs. State of Gujarat 2005 :
- While upholding the validity of the power of the Police under section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code 1973 to arrest and detention of a person without a warrant to prevent the commission of a Cognizable offense ruled that a provision could not be held to be unreasonable as arbitrary and therefore unconstitutional merely because the Police official might abuse his authority.
- Preventive detention act is a necessary tool in the hands of the executive, which authorizes them to arrest any person from whom reasonable suspicious arises that he can commit any cognizable offense or his activities are prejudicial to law and order to state and the police can arrest that person without warrant.
Issues with Preventive detention:
- Preventive detention processes come without many of the hallmarks of procedural fairness that we take for granted in regular criminal law.
- While all arrests and detentions under preventive detention laws do undergo some subsequent checks, this scrutiny remains almost exclusively executive-based.
- There is no judicial oversight where detention beyond three months is not sought.
- No publicly available orders or judgments are published about the ultimate decision.
- There is no right to legal assistance for detenues.
- The legal framework governing this preventive project comes along with reduced procedural compliances and quick outcomes only makes preventive detention laws more tantalising for security-minded officers.
- It has been exercised arbitrarily by executive .
- HARASSMENT OF ORDINARY PEOPLE: It is a source of harassment for ordinary people, as they can be detained even for a year even without any consular access being provided to them.
- BREACH OF RIGHTS: It leads to breaching of rights of the people who are illegitimately detained either due to political reasons or due to any other reason.
- DRACONIAN NATURE: The law by its very nature is draconian in nature and empowers the police to run as per its whims and fancies.
1.png)
