UPSC Key | India-Bangladesh ties, Oil imports, Mining tax and more

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The Editorial Page

Stakes are high

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: India and its neighbourhood- relations,  Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story- The first conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the chief adviser to the new government in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, last Thursday, underlines the imperative of geography that binds the two nations and the resilient foundation for good relations that has been laid in the last decade and more.

Prerequisites: 

— Read about the recent political change in Bangladesh.

— What is the history of the Liberation of Bangladesh and what role did India play in it?

— Map work: Location of Bangladesh and Indian states sharing boundaries with Bangladesh.

Key takeaways: 

— Underlying the positive conversation was a recognition by both sides of the importance of putting behind some of the acrimony between Delhi and Dhaka triggered by the tumultuous conditions under which the old order collapsed in Bangladesh and Delhi’s anxious response to it. 

— There is far too much at stake — in the form of economic interdependence and mutual security — for Delhi and Dhaka to allow suspicions and grievances to overwhelm the need to preserve a beneficial partnership. 

— As reports in this paper from Dhaka in the last few days have highlighted, senior officials of the new regime as well as leaders of political parties that were opposed to Hasina fully understand the importance of the relationship with India and are open to looking ahead rather than continuing to bicker about the past. Yet, the two sides need to be mindful of the potential dangers to the re-engagement between Delhi and Dhaka.

—  At stake is not just the question of managing this delicate moment in bilateral relations. It is, even more, about ending the bouts of violent retribution that have followed every major political change in Bangladesh. Bangladesh needs internal political reconciliation; it also needs a long overdue closure on the nation’s disputed history and contested identity.

— Undoubtedly, the new order in Bangladesh is fragile; Delhi must engage all political forces and institutions in the country, without prejudice, to get a deeper sense of its changing domestic dynamics and to guard against political surprises ahead. For now, though, helping Yunus succeed is India’s best insurance against continuing instability in Bangladesh.

For Your Information: 

— India and Bangladesh have deep-rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and many other commonalities. The exceptional nature of their bilateral ties is reflected in a comprehensive partnership based on sovereignty, equality, trust, and understanding.

— Assam, West Bengal, Mizoram, Meghalaya, and Tripura share borders with Bangladesh.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the areas of cooperation between India and Bangladesh?

— What are the challenges in India and Bangladesh ties?

— How does the current Bangladesh turmoil present a challenge for India?

Post Read Question:

In light of the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh, critically examine the implications of this political change on India-Bangladesh bilateral ties.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

UPSC Issue at a Glance | Bangladesh Crisis and India: 4 Key Questions You Must Know for Prelims and Mains

Policy, not court

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Government Policies and Interventions, Indian Economy

What’s the ongoing story- On July 25, a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that states in India have the power to tax mining activities, and that their collecting “royalties” from mining leaseholders does not violate the Constitution. This ruling has wide-ranging ramifications not just for India’s federal polity but also for the mining companies.

Prerequisites: 

— The mining sector in India-Know in detail

— What is retrospective taxation?

— What are the taxes levied and collected by states?

— Map Work-Major Mining States of India

Key takeaways: 

—  The apex court was soon moved by mining companies with the aim of convincing it to apply this ruling prospectively — that is, starting 2024. Last week, the SC ruled that the ruling will be applicable from 2004. This has raised concerns about the spectre of retrospective taxation, but a close reading of the latest verdict suggests that this is not the case.

— Retrospective taxation essentially implies raising a new tax demand for a time in the past when such a tax did not exist. But the facts of the current case are substantially different. In 1989, in the India Cements case, a seven-judge SC bench ruled that royalty is a tax and the states can’t raise any such revenue demands. 

— In 2004, in the Kesoram case, a five-judge bench revisited this issue and concluded that there was a “typographical error” in the India Cements judgment. While this judgment by a smaller bench could not overturn the 1989 ruling, it set the precedent for different states to raise demands for royalty payments from companies. 

—.In its ruling last week, the same nine-judge bench chose to start the application of its ruling from 2004 — the date of the Kesoram case verdict. 

— The court explained that it applies prospective overruling when a law is found to be ultra vires to the Constitution. But, “In the case of taxing statutes, such a declaration would make the State liable to refund all amounts collected under the invalid legislation.”

— While the SC has softened the financial setback for companies — they are required to pay only the principal amount, not the interest, and the payment can be staggered over 12 years — it is undeniable that this protracted judicial process and reversal of verdicts can undermine business confidence. However, the primary responsibility of creating a stable policy environment lies not with the court but with policymakers — both at the Centre and states. 

For Your Information

— Article 246 of the Constitution mentions three lists in the Seventh Schedule — union, state and concurrent lists.

— Entry 49 of List II concerns “taxes on lands and buildings” and Entry 50 of List II concerns “taxes on mineral rights subject to any limitations imposed by Parliament by law relating to mineral development”.

— Taxes on income other than agricultural income and taxes on the sale or purchase of newspapers come under the Union list.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the current status of  mining sector in India?

— What are the major ssues and challenges of the mining sector in India?

— What are the Government initiatives for the mining sector in India?

Post Read Question:

PRELIMS

(1) Consider the following:

1. Taxes on lands and buildings
2. Taxes on mineral rights subject to any limitations imposed by Parliament by law relating to mineral development.
3. Taxes on income other than agricultural income.
4. Taxes on the sale or purchase of newspapers.

How many of the above taxes are part of the State List under the seventh schedule of the Constitution of India?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Supreme Court allows states to collect mining tax dues from April 1, 2005

 

A health gap

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination: GS-II: Government policies and interventions, health

What’s the ongoing story- K. Sujatha Rao writes— “On August 16, The Indian Express reported that the National Medical Commission has constituted a Task Force for the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Medical Students in response to the alarming incidents of 122 suicides by medical students in the last five years.”

Prerequisites: 

— What do you understand by the term “mental health”?

— Know about the status of mental health in India.

— Read about the National Mental Health Programme and National Medical Commission. 

Key takeaways: 

— “The Commission’s online survey showed that a whopping 27.8 per cent of undergraduate students had mental-health conditions and 31.3 per cent of postgraduate students had suicidal thoughts. Clearly, mental health cannot be neglected anymore — it needs a calibrated policy.”

— “The human resources required to deal with the condition and treatment facilities are woefully inadequate. This means that the treatment gap in the country is an extremely disquieting 80 per cent.”

— “It has been apparent for some time now that mental health is low priority for policymakers….Poor policy attention is often ascribed to the “lack of political will”. However, the more important reason is the substantial knowledge gap – “how-to” intervene and “when-to” intervene are often difficult challenges for policymakers.”

— “The rights-based National Mental Health Policy of 2014 and the Mental Health Act of 2017 did indicate a shift in policy towards ensuring that the mentally ill receive as much priority as those suffering from physical ailments and are treated with dignity. While the policy and the Act delineate a clear vision, there is a lack of clarity on implementation, the financial and physical resources required, and by when.”

— “A common critique of India’s policymaking system is the substantial hiatus between what needs to be done and what is actually feasible and doable. Formulating strategic interventions requires a nuanced understanding of the challenges and constraints within which a system works. Such initiatives require consultation and dialogue among all stakeholders.”

— “India’s success in stemming HIV-AIDS can offer lessons in the country’s endeavours to tackle mental health-related challenges. The HIV-AIDS story has lessons in four key realms. 

1. Crafting strategic interventions based on epidemiological evidence drawn from a concurrently operating surveillance system.

2. The importance of modelling different options and the wide array of interventions required in different geographies among different target groups.

3. Advocacy related to systemic issues and removal of stigma – here, parliamentarians, media, judiciary, police and other government departments were involved.

4. Engagement with leaders of the community and civil society – this endeavour was allocated 25 per cent of the budget.

— The programme was centrally funded. Most importantly, however, the interventions were designed with active participation and dialogue with states and affected communities.

Such an approach is urgently needed to craft an implementable strategy for mental-health patients.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the challenges on the path of addressing the issue of mental health?

— What initiatives have been taken by the government with regard to mental health?

(Thought Process: Read about the National Mental Health Policy of 2014 and the Mental Health Act of 2017)

Post Read Question:

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until and unless we obtain peace within ourselves. (UPSC CSE 2021)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

NMC’s mental health task force suggests better pay, 74-hour work week for medics

 

The Ideas Page

Co-creators of new solutions

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance

Mains Examination:  GS-II: Bilateral agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests;  Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests.

What’s the ongoing story-  Kamikawa Yoko writes— “The friendship between Japan and India is built on a common foundation of long historical ties and democracy. As the world faces various challenges and stands at a turning point in history, Japan and India are expected to make a significant contribution to peace and stability.”

Prerequisites: 

— What is the history of India-Japan bilateral ties?

— Read about the India-Japan Act East Forum.

— Map work: Locations of Japan and islands in news related to Japan.

Key takeaways: 

— “Japan and India have historical ties which date back to the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century.”

— “Japan and India, which forged such deep ties, launched the “Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership” in 2014, and in the past decade have dramatically strengthened our relationship in wide-ranging areas. Through our past efforts, I am convinced that there are tangible possibilities for further cooperation in the future.” 

— “Based on this conviction, I would like to broaden the scope of our bilateral relationship built up over the years, and further deepen our relationship in the following four areas by formulating concrete projects.”

— “First, in the area of defence and security, my visit will include the third Japan-India Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting (“2+2”), the first such meeting in nearly two years.”

— “Second, in the economic area, we have made steady progress in specific projects including our flagship High-Speed Rail project, the development of the northeastern region,….In addition, our countries are firmly committed to achieving the 5-trillion-yen target of public and private investment and financing in five years, which was set by the leaders in 2022..”

— “Thirdly, ties between the people of Japan and India are the foundation of our bilateral relationship, and we would like to greatly expand the base of people-to-people exchange in the future.”

— “Fourth, I would like to work with India in the area of Women, Peace and Security (WPS)…WPS is based on the idea that society can be much closer to a more sustainable peace through the participation of women themselves in leadership positions in prevention as well as humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, while at the same time working to protect vulnerable groups such as women in times of crisis.”

— “The friendship between Japan and India is a unique one, as it is built on a common foundation of long historical ties and democracy. As the world faces various challenges and stands at a turning point in history, Japan and India, as partners in “co-creating” new solutions, are expected to make a significant contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

For Your Information: 

— India-Japan relations were elevated to ‘Global Partnership’ in 2000, ‘Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2006, and ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’ in 2014. Regular annual summits have been held between India and Japan since 2006.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the present status of India-Japan ties?

— What are the areas of cooperation between India and Japan?

— What are the challenges in India-Japan bilateral ties?

— What is QUAD?

Post Read Question:

PRELIMS

(2) Consider the following projects:

1. Renewable energy

2. E-mobility

3. Waste Management

4. Low carbon emission

How many of the above projects will be covered under India-Japan Fund (IJF)?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Mains

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is transforming itself into a trade bloc from a military alliance, in present times Discuss. (UPSC CSE 2020).

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

India, Japan discuss developments in areas of disarmament, non-proliferation

Economy

India’s oil import dependency 

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economic development

Mains Examination: GS-III: Indian economy

What’s the ongoing story-

India’s reliance on imported crude oil to meet its domestic consumption needs climbed to over 88 per cent in the first four months of the current financial year due to rising demand for fuel and other petroleum products amid flagging domestic oil production. The country’s oil import dependency in April-July was 88.3 per cent, up from 87.8 in the year-ago period as well as for the full financial year 2023-24 (FY24), per latest data from the oil ministry’s Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC).

Prerequisites:

— What is crude oil and what are petroleum products?

— What petroleum products are made from crude oil?

— What is the import share of crude oil of total energy imports? 

— How does oil account for CO2 emissions globally? 

— What are the main substitutes for oil and gas energy?

Key takeaways: 

—India’s energy demand has been rising briskly, leading to higher oil imports and increasing dependence on imported crude. Reliance on imported oil has been growing continuously over the past few years, except in FY21, when demand was suppressed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

— The country’s oil import dependency stood at 87.8 per cent in FY24, 87.4 per cent in FY23, 85.5 per cent in FY22, 84.4 per cent in FY21, 85 per cent in FY20, and 83.8 per cent in FY19.

— Heavy dependence on imported crude oil makes the Indian economy vulnerable to global oil price volatility, apart from having a bearing on the country’s trade deficit, foreign exchange reserves, rupee’s exchange rate, and inflation. 

—The government wants to reduce India’s reliance on imported crude oil but sluggish domestic oil output in the face of incessantly growing demand for petroleum products has been the biggest roadblock.

— Reducing oil imports is also one of the fundamental objectives of the government’s push for electric mobility, biofuels, and other alternative fuels for transportation as well as industries. 

— Over the past few years, the government has also intensified efforts to raise domestic crude oil output by making exploration and production contracts more lucrative and opening vast acreages for oil and gas exploration. While there has been a pick-up in electric mobility adoption and blending of biofuels with conventional fuels, it is not enough to offset petroleum demand growth.

— The computation of the level of import dependency is based on the domestic consumption of petroleum products and excludes petroleum product exports as those volumes do not represent India’s demand. 

— With a refining capacity of almost 257 million tonnes per annum, India—the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil and also one of its top importers—is a net exporter of fuels and other petroleum products. Export of crude oil from India, however, is not permitted.

For Your Information: 

— India’s crude oil imports from Iraq touched a 21-month high in January as refiners turned to West Asia to replace volumes from the United States (US). The oil supply from Washington remains disrupted due to the spurt in freight rates in view of the Red Sea crisis, an analysis of ship tracking data shows. 

— The US has been among India’s top-five crude suppliers for some time now, with domestic refiners buying an average of 205,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude in 2023. However, in the first month of 2024, Indian refiners did not receive any US crude, according to preliminary data from commodity market analytics firm Kpler.

— Russia remains India’s top oil exporter.

Points to Ponder: 

— Does India need to worry about other oil imports like edible oil? 

— Over-dependence on crude oil can impact India’s energy security. Discuss.

(Thought Process: Diversification of sources, Reducing import dependence – increasing domestic production, use of bio-fuel, electric vehicles, green hydrogen and other renewable energy. Looking for routes and country sources which have less geo-political tensions and can be economical)

Post Read Question:

PRELIMS

(3) With reference to India’s heavy dependence on imported crude oil consider the following outcomes:

1. Increases vulnerability to global oil price volatility

2. Increases bearing on the country’s trade deficit and foreign exchange reserves

3. Eases geo-political tension impact on India

4. Promotes use of bio-fuel and electric vehicles

Which of the above given outcomes are true?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) 3 and 4 only

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

World Biofuel Day – All you need to know for UPSC Prelims and Mains

Red Sea Crisis: India turns to West Asia to replace US oil supply

The other oil imports India needs to worry about

Explained

Lateral entry into bureaucracy

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Mains Examination: Role of civil services in a democracy

What’s the ongoing story-

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Saturday (August 17) issued an advertisement seeking applications for “talented and motivated Indian nationals for Lateral Recruitment” to the posts of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Secretary in 24 ministries of the Union government.

A total of 45 posts have been advertised with individuals having appropriate qualifications and experience from State/UT governments, PSUs, statutory organisations, research institutes and universities, and even the private sector eligible to apply. The advertisement mentions that all posts are “suitable for candidates belonging to the category of Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD).”

However, opposition party leaders, including Congress party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati, and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav, have criticised the policy for not having reservations for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates.

Prerequisites:

—What have been important administrative reforms in India?

— When was the lateral entry to bureaucracy started in India?

— Who is a  Joint Secretary in the Indian bureaucratic system?

Key takeaways: 

— These ‘lateral entrants’ would be part of the central secretariat which, till then, had only career bureaucrats from the All India Services/ Central Civil Services. They would be given contracts of three years, extendable to a total term of five years.

— Basically, the idea behind lateral recruitment is for the government to tap into individuals’ domain expertise and specialised know-how, regardless of whether they are career bureaucrats or not. In line with this idea, officials ofvarious Central Civil Services have been given opportunities to serve in the Central Secretariat in the last decade, though it was always considered IAS-dominated.

For Your Information: 

Lateral entries have been criticised on the grounds that there are no quotas for SC, ST and OBC candidates in such recruitment.

Why are there no quotas in lateral recruitment?

— In a May 15, 2018 circular, the DoPT noted that “in respect of appointments to Central Government posts and services there shall be reservation for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class candidates in temporary appointments which are to last for 45 days or more”. This was a reiteration — with OBCs added — of a circular issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs as far back as September 24, 1968. In effect, reservations have to be offered for any appointment in the bureaucracy.

— However, on November 29, 2018, while the first round of lateral recruitment was being carried out, then DoPT Additional Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi wrote a letter to UPSC Secretary Rakesh Gupta, saying: “The candidates to be considered from the State Government, Public Sector, Autonomous Bodies, Statutory Bodies, Universities, would be taken on Deputation (Including Short Term Contract) with lien in the parent department. There are no instructions stipulating mandatory reservation for appointment on deputation”.

— The letter further stated, “The present arrangement of filling up these posts may be deemed as a close approximation of deputation, where mandatory reservation for SC/ST/OBC is not necessary. However, if duly eligible SC/ST/OBC candidates are eligible, they should be considered and priority may be given to such candidates in similarly situated cases for ensuring holistic representation”.

How have lateral entries been kept out of the ambit of reservation?

— Reservation in public jobs and universities is implemented via what is known as the “13-point roster”. According to this policy, a candidate’s position on a roster of openings is determined by dividing the quota percentage of their group (SC, ST, OBC, and now EWS) by a hundred.

— For example, the OBC quota is 27%. Therefore, OBC candidates are recruited to every 4th post for which a vacancy arises in a department/cadre (100/27=3.7). Likewise, SC candidates, with 15% reservation, are supposed to fill every 7th vacancy (100/15=6.66), ST candidates, with 7.5% reservation, are supposed to fill every 14th vacancy (100/7.5=13.33), and EWS candidates, with 10% reservation, are supposed to fill every 10th vacancy (100/10=10).

— According to this formula, however, there is no reservation for up to three vacancies. Files obtained from the DoPT by The Indian Express under the RTI Act state that “In a single post cadre, reservation does not apply. Since each post to be filled under this scheme [lateral entry] is a Single Post, reservation is not applicable”.

Points to Ponder: 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of lateral entry in bureaucracy?

Post Read Question:

PRELIMS

(4) With reference to lateral entry in bureaucracy, consider the following statements:

1. Lateral entrants would be given contracts of five years, extendable to a total term of seven years.

2. The idea behind lateral recruitment is for the government to tap into individuals’ domain expertise and specialised know-how, regardless of whether they are career bureaucrats or not.

Which of the above given statements are true?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

‘Lateral entry’ into bureaucracy: reason, process and the controversy

 

Why new districts created in 2016 talking point now in strife-torn Manipur

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance

Mains Examination: GS II: State Legislatures: powers & privileges and issues arising out of these

What’s the ongoing story- 

— During the recently concluded Session of the Manipur Assembly, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said it was necessary to reorganise districts in the state, terming the 2016 decision of the Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress government to carve out seven new districts as “driven by political interests”.

Prerequisites:

— Various groups in Manipur: Nagas, Kuki-Zomis, Meiteis

— What is the Inner Permit line?

— What is the conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis?

Key takeaways: 

— Citing the need for administrative efficiency and the long-standing demands of locals,, the Ibobi Singh government, through a notification in December 2016, created new districts by bifurcating seven of the nine districts of the state, months ahead of the Assembly elections.

— The most contentious issue was the creation of the Kuki-Zomi dominated Kangpokpi district, carved out from the Naga-dominated Senapati district in the Sadar Hills region of the state.

—  Ahead of the 2017 Assembly polls, the Congress, in power in the state since 2002, faced an exodus of prominent leaders, including its former vice-president (and current BJP CM) Biren Singh.

—  The Okram Ibobi government was also reeling under massive protests in the hills, which had left eight people dead in Churachandpur, over the three Bills passed by it to replace the Inner Permit Line (IPL) regime in 2015.

—  The IPL would stay eventually till 2020 as tribal groups kept opposing its removal, due to apprehension that their lands – which enjoy Constitutional protection – could be infringed upon.

—  The United Naga Council along with the largest insurgent group of the northeast, the NSCN (I-M), opposed the creation of the new districts, accusing the Okram Ibobi government of “appropriating” Naga villages and merging them with non-Naga areas. They also claimed that the Hills Areas Committee, which comprises all MLAs from the hill areas of the state, was not consulted on the issue.

For Your Information: 

What are Manipur’s hill councils?

— Although Manipur went through the same phase of governance division when the British took over the region in 1891, somehow its hill areas were never covered under the Sixth Schedule. The Maharaja of Manipur had in 1939 agreed with the British to exclude the hill areas of the region from his direct control and governance. In fact, the demand for a separate administration for hill areas has been raised in the region since the early 1960s.

— It was in this context that in December 1971, Parliament passed The Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, paving the way for creation of ADCs in Manipur’s hill areas. These regions constituted 90% of its geographical area, inhabited by tribes such as Nagas, Kukis, Zomis, Hmars, etc. At that time, Manipur was a Union Territory.

— Here too the stated aim of the legislation was to grant the hill people a chance at self-governance, protect their identity and culture, and to give them rights over the management of their resources.

— The councils are to have not more than 18 members who are to be elected and enjoy powers of taxation, maintenance of properties, allotment of land, management of forests, regulation of cultivation, and legislative authority on matters of marriage, inheritance, social customs and appointment of chiefs.

Govt & Politics 

Paris to Kolkata, Phogat to doctor: What Mamata and all other politicians don’t get

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current Events of National and International Importance

Mains Examination: GS I and Essays: Salient features of Indian Society, Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies.

What’s the ongoing story-

Neerja Chowdhury writes:  “Mhari chhori, khara sona,” declared the proud residents of the Haryana village Balali as Vinesh Phogat returned to her home there after the Paris Olympics, even though she was without a medal. Had she won a gold, she would have met the Prime Minister and sat in the front row at the Red Fort event on the 78th Independence Day, along with other Olympic medalists…

…“Our girl, pure gold,” are also words that could describe the 31-year-old doctor of Kolkata, who India mourns today. The only daughter of parents who scraped and saved to educate her to become a post-graduate doctor who, as per her colleagues, was a fine and dedicated doctor. She too aspired to be a gold medalist. But her life was cut short by the rape and murder at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital, in a seminar hall next to the Emergency, where she had been on duty.

Prerequisites:

— What was the ‘Nirbhaya Protest’ related to?

— What is ‘The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION and REDRESSAL) Act, 2013’?

Key takeaways: 

— For the first time in the history of India, there are more women doing MBBS today, and in a few years time, most doctors in the country may well be women.

— The anguished, spontaneous and widespread response to the doctor’s rape-murder — and before her to Nirbhaya’s death who was gangraped in a moving Delhi bus in 2012 and then thrown off it — shows that India is moving on, with many more women today unwilling to take things lying down.

— The Nirbhaya protests helped change the country’s political trajectory even though it was a leaderless movement. It led to the constitution of the J S Verma Committee which led to changes in the rape laws.

— A safe workplace for women in India of 2024 is surely the least that any government should ensure, whether it is helmed by a man or a woman. 

— Even as they try and attract women votes, political parties have essentially viewed women as “labharthis”, who must be given free bus tickets, or gas cylinders in place of smoky chulhas, or be part of the Self Help Groups to earn and be hailed as “lakhpati didis”— or as recipients of the 

— Ladli Behna Yojana which brought the BJP back to power in Madhya Pradesh, and is being operationalised in Maharashtra ahead of the polls.

— Such measures are important—and women welcome them. They take them a step closer to economic independence.

— But women now want to be not just beneficiaries of schemes or sops doled out to them. They want their due place under the sun – as citizens, as equals. And this is something political parties will have to factor in the policies they frame.

For Your Information: 

From the Front Page

— Days after the Calcutta High Court, expressing displeasure over the handling of the case relating to the alleged rape and murder of a junior doctor at the R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata, transferred the probe to the CBI, the Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the August 9 incident.

— Sunday was supposed to be a derby match between the two teams in the Durand Cup but it was cancelled on Saturday due to the prevailing unrest in the city and concerns over the law and order situation.

Points to Ponder: 

A government’s crackdown on gender crimes on the back of protests may bring results that are short-lived unless patriarchy is nipped in the bud. Discuss. 

Post Read Question:

PRELIMS

(5) Which of the following committee  was constituted ‘to recommend amendments to the Criminal Law so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women.’

(a) N.N. Vohra Committee

(b) Sapru Committee

(c) J S Verma Committee

(d) Justice Sanjiv Khanna Committee

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Kolkata rape and murder case: Why it’s not enough to hold protests and candle-light vigils

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