From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Surat Diamond Bourse
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
The Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), hailed as the world’s largest office space project, is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister.
About Surat Diamond Bourse
The SDB is a large-scale project located in Surat, Gujarat, India.
It is claimed to be the world’s biggest office space in a single project.
It is built to expand and consolidate the diamond trading business from Mumbai to Surat.
Surat is renowned as a major hub for cutting and polishing diamonds, and the development of SDB aims to bring all diamond-related activities and infrastructure under one roof.
Key features
Location: The SDB is situated at DREAM (Diamond Research and Mercantile) city in Surat.
Size: The bourse spans an area of 66 lakh square feet (approximately 6.6 million square feet), making it one of the largest office spaces in the world.
Design: The thematic landscaping of the project is based on the ‘panch tatva’ theme, representing the five elements of nature – air, water, fire, earth, and sky.
Infrastructure: The SDB consists of nine towers, each with ground plus 15 floors. It will accommodate over 4,200 offices with sizes ranging from 300 square feet to 7,500 square feet.
Security: Given the high-security nature of the diamond industry, over 4,000 CCTV cameras have been installed at different locations inside and outside the SDB.
Shifting from Mumbai: The bourse seeks to address the space crunch and expensive office real estate in Mumbai, where much of the diamond trading currently takes place.
Economic significance of SDB
Businesses: The complex will house various diamond-related businesses, including the sale of rough and polished diamonds, diamond manufacturing machinery, diamond planning software, diamond certificate firms, lab-grown diamonds, and more.
Employment: The SDB is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, providing direct employment to over 1 lakh people in various roles related to the diamond industry.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: IMD Heat Index
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
Union Ministry of Earth Sciences informed that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has introduced the Heat Index on an experimental basis.
IMD Heat Index
The Heat Index aims to provide general guidance for regions in India where the combination of temperature and humidity leads to higher apparent temperatures, causing discomfort for people.
It is derived using an equation similar to the one used by the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the USA.
It considers the impact of humidity on high temperatures, providing a “feel-like” temperature for human beings and indicating the level of discomfort.
Color Codes for Experimental Heat Index
The Heat Index is represented with different color codes to signify the varying levels of heat impact and discomfort:
Green: Below 35°C
Yellow: Range of 36-45°C
Orange: Range of 46-55°C
Red: Above 55°C
Mitigating heat impact in India
The Heat Index is currently being implemented on an experimental basis across India, including Andhra Pradesh.
Under the Heat Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) collaborates with local agencies such as the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) to implement the Heat Index project for Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedabad.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Export Preparedness Index (EPI
Mains level: Not Much
PC: Live Mint
Central Idea
Tamil Nadu has emerged as the most export-competitive state in India, securing the top spot in the Export Preparedness Index 2022 by Niti Aayog.
Export Preparedness Index (EPI)
EPI is a comprehensive tool aimed at gauging the export readiness of India’s states and union territories (UTs).
The index analyses various parameters, enabling the identification of strengths and weaknesses in each region and offering valuable insights for effective policy formulation.
EPI focuses on four pillars:
Policy: This pillar evaluates the effectiveness of a state’s trade policy, providing strategic direction for both exports and imports.
Business Ecosystem: The efficiency of a business ecosystem is crucial for attracting investments and fostering an enabling infrastructure for startups and entrepreneurship.
Export Ecosystem: This pillar assesses the business environment specific to exports, determining the level of support and facilitation provided to exporters.
Export Performance: The sole output-based parameter, this pillar examines the reach of export footprints in states and UTs, measuring their actual export achievements.
10 Sub-pillars include: Export Promotion Policy; Institutional Framework; Business Environment; Infrastructure; Transport Connectivity; Export Infrastructure; Trade Support; R&D Infrastructure; Export Diversification; and Growth Orientation.
States performance
Export-Competitive State:Top Contenders: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat (last year’s leader) followed closely, while Haryana claimed the fifth position.
Coastal States’ Dominance: Coastal states dominated the top rankings, with four out of the top five positions occupied by them. Andhra Pradesh also secured the ninth spot.
Gujarat- Leading Merchandise Exporter: Gujarat holds the top position as the leading merchandise exporter, accounting for one-third of India’s total merchandise exports.
Top Five Exporting States: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh complete India’s top five exporters.
Seven States’ Dominance: An impressive 75% of India’s total exports are contributed by just seven states.
Reasons for export boost
Export Promotion Policies: The top-performing states have implemented export promotion policies at both state and district levels.
Diversified Export Basket: These states have a diverse export basket, showcasing their global footprint.
Promoting Unique Products: Successful states focus on promoting products unique to their region. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka lead in exporting geographical indication (GI) products.
India’s Export Performance
Resilient Exports: Despite pandemic challenges and supply-side issues, India’s goods exports remained robust, reaching an all-time high of $447 billion in FY23.
Target for FY24: The government refrained from setting a specific export target for FY24 due to global headwinds but may aim for $450 billion to $500 billion in goods exports.
Services Exports: Services exports amounted to $323 billion in FY23, bringing India’s overall exports to $770 billion.
Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Eighth Schedule, Classical Languages
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
The Supreme Court said it cannot direct the Centre to include Rajasthani as an official language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
About Eighth Schedule
The Eighth Schedule outlines the official languages of the Republic of India.
Articles 344(1) and 351 of the Constitution contain constitutional provisions relating to the Eighth Schedule.
It was originally created to grant representation on the Official Languages Commission and enrich Hindi and English, the official languages of the Union.
Candidates appearing for public service examinations have the privilege of using any language from the Eighth Schedule as a medium to answer the exam papers.
Article 344(1): It mandates the appointment of a Commission by the President after 5 years from the date the Constitution comes into effect.
Article 351: It places the responsibility on the Union to promote and develop the Hindi language, enabling it to be a medium of expression for India’s diverse cultural elements.
Article 351(1): The President is required to establish a commission every five years, and subsequently every ten years, with a chairman and members representing languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. The primary role is to provide advice to the President on the effective use of Hindi for official purposes by the GOI.
| Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution - historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: President Rule
Mains level: Read the attached story
PC: The Hindu
Central Idea
A political party has called for the dismissal of the state government in Manipur and immediate imposition of President’s Rule to initiate a peace process under a neutral administration.
What is President’s Rule?
Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, commonly known as President’s Rule, empowers the President to impose central rule in a state where the constitutional machinery has broken down.
While initially intended for extraordinary circumstances, it has often been misused by central governments for political purposes.
Provisions of Article 356:
Imposition of President’s Rule: Article 356 allows the President to withdraw the executive and legislative powers of a state government when it cannot function in accordance with the Constitution.
Triggering factors: The President can invoke Article 356 based on a report from the Governor or suo motu if the constitutional machinery has broken down in the state.
Duration: It can be imposed for six months at a time, with a maximum duration of three years.
Parliamentary approval: Every six months, Parliament’s approval is required to continue the imposition of President’s Rule.
Historical Origins
Inspiration from the Government of India Act, 1935: Article 356 was inspired by Section 93 of this act, which allowed the Governor of a province to assume the powers of the government under certain circumstances.
Controlled democracy: The provision provided some autonomy to provincial governments while enabling British authorities to exercise ultimate power when necessary.
Political Misuse of Article 356
Early instances: During Congress dominance, Article 356 was used against governments of the Left and regional parties in states. Jawaharlal Nehru’s government utilized it six times until 1959, including to dislodge Kerala’s elected communist government.
Increasing misuse: In subsequent decades, Article 356 was used frequently against state governments by various central governments, including those led by Indira Gandhi and the Janata Party.
Landmark Judgment: S R Bommai Case
Landmark Supreme Court ruling: In the 1994 R. Bommai v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court provided detailed guidelines on the use of Article 356.
Specific instances for imposition: The court stated that President’s Rule can be invoked in cases of physical breakdown of the government or a ‘hung assembly.’
Curbing arbitrary use: The judgment emphasized the need to give the state government a chance to prove its majority or instances of violent breakdown before imposing President’s Rule.
Try this PYQ:
Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State?
Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
Dissolution of the local bodies
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Cinematograph Act, 1952
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister has introduced the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha, with the goal of addressing piracy concerns in the film industry.
It seeks to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
What is the Cinematograph Act, 1952?
The Cinematograph Act of 1952, was enacted by the Parliament to ensure that films are shown in accordance with the limits of tolerance of society.
The Act establishes the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC, or the censor board) to certify films.
Under the Act, the Board scrutinizes the films following the procedure laid down in the Act and can either reject or grant a certificate, valid for ten years.
The Act authorizes the police to perform search and seizure actions if the film is being exhibited in contravention of any of the provisions of the Act.
Cinematograph Amendment Bill, 2023
Amendment
The bill proposes to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1952
Harsher Penalty
The act has provisions for harsher penal provisions for film piracy
New Age Categories
It introduces new sub-age categories for films to bring about uniformity in categorisation across platforms
Perpetual Certification
The certification once given will be perpetual
New Sub-age based Certification
UA-7+’, ‘UA-13+’, and ‘UA-16+’ in place for 12 years
Alignment
The act will be aligned with Supreme Court judgments
Recertification
Recertification of the edited film for television broadcast
Public Exhibition
Only Unrestricted Public Exhibition category films can be shown on television
Uniformity
It will make the act provisions in line with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 to maintain uniformity
Stringent Laws against Piracy
Details
Imprisonment and Penalty
It includes imprisonment for three years and a Rs 10 lakh penalty for those found involved in piracy
Legal Offence
The act of piracy will be a legal offense, and even transmitting pirated content will be punishable
Indian Cinema: A Backgrounder
The history of Indian cinema dates back to the late 19th century, with the screening of the Lumiere Brothers’ short films in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1896.
Dadasaheb Phalke is considered to be the father of Indian cinema.
The first Indian-made film, Raja Harishchandra, was released by him in 1913 and marked the beginning of Indian cinema.
The first Indian talkie, Alam Ara, was released in 1931, marking a new era in Indian cinema.
Contribution of Indian Cinema
(1) Economic contribution
Revenue Source: The film industry contributes significantly to the country’s economy, generating substantial revenue through production, distribution, and exhibition.
Employment Generation: The film sector offers employment opportunities to millions of people in various related fields.
Allied Sectors: The film industry provides a boost to other industries like advertising, hospitality, tourism, and fashion.
Entertainment Economy: Cinema houses and multiplexes generate revenue through ticket sales, concessions, and merchandise sales.
(2) Societal Contribution
Social Cause: Movies have addressed crucial social issues, raising awareness and encouraging discussions.
Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Strong female characters in films challenge traditional gender roles, positively impacting women’s status.
Accessible Entertainment: Cinema breaks social barriers by providing affordable and accessible entertainment.
Inspirational Aspects: Movies inspire the youth, leading them to look up to their favorite stars as role models.
(3) Nation Building
Promotion of Social Harmony: Indian cinema showcases diversity and cultural richness, promoting social harmony and unity.
Inculcation of Moral Values: Films play a crucial role in imparting moral values and social responsibilities.
Creating Awareness about Social Issues: Movies raise awareness about various social issues, breaking taboos and addressing important topics.
Issues with Indian Cinema
Portrayal of Violence and Sexuality: Some films depict violence and sexual content, impacting younger viewers negatively.
Reinforcement of Stereotypes: Certain films reinforce gender, caste, and religious stereotypes, perpetuating prejudice.
Promotion of Materialism: Movies that promote materialism can lead to unrealistic expectations and values.
Lack of Diversity: The lack of diversity in mainstream films needs to be addressed to ensure equal representation.
Undue Commercialization: Excessive commercialization may overshadow the importance of quality content.
Nepotism: The practice of nepotism can hinder deserving talent from entering the industry.
Way Forward
Revising the Certification Process: Ensure transparency and accountability in the certification process.
Protecting Artistic Freedom: Safeguard artistic freedom and creativity in filmmaking.
Encouraging Regional Cinema: Promote and support regional cinema through incentives and subsidies.
Promoting Cultural Diversity: Encourage filmmakers to explore diverse cultures and promote intercultural dialogue.
Combating Piracy: Take effective measures to combat film piracy and protect revenues.
Developing Film Infrastructure: Invest in developing film infrastructure and educational facilities.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: India's oil trade with Russia, advantages, implications and way forward
What’s the news?
For over a year, India, the world’s third-largest consumer of crude oil with an import dependency of more than 85%, has been entangled in a passionate affair with Russian oil.
Central idea
Aftermath invasion of Ukraine, Russia began offering deep discounts to willing buyers as Western countries turned their backs on its oil. Prior to the conflict, Russia had a minor role in India’s oil trade, which was predominantly dominated by West Asian suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. However, the discounts offered by Russia led to a drastic transformation, making it India’s primary source of crude oil
Recent growth in Russian oil imports
According to data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), India’s oil imports from Russia surged more than tenfold since April 2022.
This steady growth gained momentum, particularly after the G7 imposed a $60-per-barrel price cap on seaborne Russian crude in December 2022.
Russia’s market share skyrocketed to 24.2% during the 14-month period, up from a mere 2% in FY22. In contrast, other major suppliers such as Iraq, Nigeria, and the US witnessed substantial declines in their market shares.
OPEC’s share in India’s oil imports fell by almost half, from 75.3% in May 2022 to 40.3% in May 2023.
Among the major suppliers to India, several OPEC members saw their market shares decline, while Russia’s share surged from 6% to 40.4%.
How it transformed India’s energy landscape?
Before the Ukraine conflict, Russia was a minor player in India’s oil trade, and the country relied heavily on West Asian suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The deep discounts offered by Russia created an opportunity for India to diversify its sources of crude oil, reducing its dependence on a few dominant suppliers and increasing energy security.
The discounts on Russian oil provided significant foreign exchange savings for Indian refiners. Till May 2023, Indian refiners saved approximately $7.17 billion in foreign exchange due to increased purchases of discounted Russian oil.
These savings positively impacted India’s trade balance and current account deficit, contributing to overall economic stability.
What are the concerns?
India’s deepening energy ties with Russia amid geopolitical tensions and international sanctions may expose India to geopolitical risks.
The association with Russian oil could lead to diplomatic complexities with other nations.
Despite diversifying energy sources, there is still concern about over-reliance on Russian oil.
India’s substantial imports from Russia could leave it vulnerable to supply disruptions or geopolitical developments affecting Russian exports.
The volatility of discount levels on Russian oil adds uncertainty to India’s energy trade calculations.
The lack of transparency in the pricing of Russian oil cargoes makes determining exact discounts challenging, leading to uncertainties in trade negotiations and financial planning.
Way forward
India should continue diversifying its sources of crude oil to reduce dependence on a single supplier.
Ensuring transparency in oil pricing and understanding the actual discounts offered by Russia can help in making informed decisions.
As India deepens its energy ties with Russia, it should manage its relationships with other oil-producing nations, especially those from OPEC.
India should develop a comprehensive and forward-looking energy policy that considers both short-term energy needs and long-term sustainability.
Adequate energy infrastructure, including ports, pipelines, and storage facilities, is crucial to support diverse energy sources and efficient energy trade.
Conclusion
The unprecedented shift in India’s oil trade reflects the dramatic impact of Russia’s deep discounts amid geopolitical conflicts. Although the recent erosion of discounts poses challenges for Indian refiners, the affair with Russian oil has left a lasting impact on India’s energy trade dynamics. The future of this relationship remains uncertain, but the profound influence of Russia’s discounts will be remembered as a transformative episode in India’s oil trade history.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NFHS findings
Mains level: Changing dynamics of women in India and Aging women and its implications
What is the news?
The observance of World Population Day (11 July) provides an opportunity to reflect upon India’s demographic journey and its transformative impact on the lives of its citizens, particularly women. This article presents insights and perspectives on how population growth, fertility decline, and social norms have influenced various aspects of women’s lives in India.
Central idea
From a population of 340 million at Independence to a staggering 1.4 billion today, India has experienced remarkable growth fueled by advancements in public health, diminished starvation, and medical breakthroughs. This demographic transition has had profound implications for Indian women throughout their lives, presenting both positive and negative changes.
Challenges Faced by Indian Women
Son Preference and Gender Bias: Indian society’s preference for sons is reflected in the sex ratio imbalance. The number of girls per 100 boys under the age of five dropped from 96 to 91 between 1950 and 2019. This decline can be attributed to practices such as sex-selective abortion and the neglect of sick daughters, resulting in limited opportunities and discrimination against girls.
Early Marriage and Childbearing: The early marriage and childbearing continue to be significant challenges for Indian women. The average age at first birth has remained low, with women born in the 1980s still having a first birth below 22 years of age. Early motherhood limits women’s educational and employment prospects, perpetuating gender inequality.
Limited Access to Education: While recent improvements have been made, access to quality education remains limited for many girls and women in India. The article emphasizes that although over 70% of girls enroll in secondary education, early marriage and childbearing restrict their educational opportunities, hindering their skill development and access to better employment prospects.
Gender-based Violence and Harassment: There is prevalence of gender-based violence and harassment, including domestic violence, dowry-related violence, and sexual harassment. Such incidents negatively impact women’s physical and psychological well-being, restrict their freedom, and limit their ability to fully participate in society.
Limited Economic Opportunities: Gender pay gaps, occupational segregation, and biases in hiring and promotion processes contribute to limited economic opportunities for women in India. The burden of unpaid domestic and caregiving work falls disproportionately on women, hindering their ability to engage in paid employment and achieve economic empowerment.
Lack of Social and Financial Support: The widowed or elderly women often lack adequate social and financial support systems. Dependence on male family members, particularly sons, for financial support can perpetuate gender inequality and leave women vulnerable to economic hardships, social isolation, and limited access to healthcare and pension benefits
Aging women and its implications
Increase in Proportion: The proportion of the female population aged 65 and above has risen significantly over the years. Between 1950 and 2022, the proportion of women aged 65 and above increased from 5% to 11% and is projected to reach 21% by 2050.
Outliving Husbands: Women tend to marry older men and are more likely to outlive their husbands. As a result, a higher percentage of elderly women are widowed compared to men in the same age group. The 2011 Census shows that while only 18% of men above age 65 are widowed, about 55% of the women are widowed.
Financial Challenges: Widowed women often face financial difficulties, as they may lack access to savings, property, and other financial resources. This dependence on their husbands and subsequent reliance on their children, primarily sons, can perpetuate the cycle of son preference.
Limited Agency: Widowed women may experience limited decision-making power and agency in their later years. Their dependence on sons for support can restrict their ability to make independent choices and contribute to a sense of social and economic vulnerability.
Changing Dynamics for Indian Women
Difficulty in ensuring the birth of a son: With families having fewer children, the likelihood of not having a son increased. Social norms, patrilocal kinship patterns, and financial insecurity reinforced the preference for sons. This led to practices such as sex-selective abortion and neglect of sick daughters.
Decreased years spent on active mothering: As fertility rates declined, women had more time for education and employment. NFHS finds that the number of years women spend caring for children under five declined from 14 years in 1992-93 to eight in 2018-20; the years spent caring for children ages six to 15 dropped from 20 to 14 years.
Persistent early marriage and childbearing: While women’s educational attainment increased, with over 70% of girls enrolling in secondary education, early marriage and childbearing remain the predominant forces defining women’s lives. As a recent article by Park, Hathi, Broussard, and Spears documents, the average age at first birth has hardly budged about 20 for women born in the 1940s and still remains well below 22 years for those born in the 1980s.
What is mean by Gender Dividend?
Gender Dividend refers to the concept that societies can achieve greater productivity and equity by investing in women and girls and closing gender gaps, particularly in the labor market.
It emphasizes that by realizing the economic potential of women and girls through increased investments and opportunities, societies can become more productive and equitable.
Strategies to harness the Gender Dividend
Education and Skill Development: Promote gender equality in education by ensuring equal access to quality education for girls and women. Encourage girls’ enrollment and retention in schools, address barriers to education, and provide skill development programs that equip women with relevant skills for employment.
Economic Empowerment: Create an enabling environment for women’s economic participation by addressing gender disparities in the labor market, promoting entrepreneurship, and ensuring equal pay for equal work. Implement policies and programs that support women’s access to financial resources, credit, and business opportunities.
Women’s Leadership and Decision-making: Increase women’s representation and participation in leadership positions across sectors, including politics, business, and public institutions. Encourage women’s involvement in decision-making processes at all levels to ensure their perspectives and voices are heard.
Legal Reforms and Gender Equality: Enact and enforce laws that protect women’s rights and promote gender equality. Address discriminatory practices, such as early marriage, dowry, and violence against women. Strengthen the implementation of existing laws to ensure justice and protection for women.
Health and Well-being: Improve women’s access to healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare, maternal health, and preventive care. Address specific health issues affecting women, such as gender-based violence, reproductive health concerns, and mental health.
Social Support and Safety: Establish social support systems that provide safety nets for women, particularly vulnerable groups such as widows, elderly women, and single mothers. Create awareness campaigns to challenge social norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality and violence against women.
Engaging Men and Boys: Engage men and boys as allies in promoting gender equality and challenging harmful gender norms. Encourage men’s involvement in caregiving, domestic responsibilities, and advocating for women’s rights.
Data Collection and Monitoring: Collect sex-disaggregated data and conduct gender analysis to identify gaps, monitor progress, and inform evidence-based policymaking. Regularly evaluate and measure the impact of gender equality initiatives to ensure accountability and guide future interventions.
Strategies for enhancing childcare access
Utilize National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS): Consider making staffing crèches an acceptable form of work under NREGS. This would involve using NREGS workers to help staff childcare centers, thereby expanding access to affordable childcare services.
Leverage the Self-Help Group Movement: Harness the self-help group movement to establish neighborhood childcare centers in urban and rural areas. This can involve utilizing the network and resources of self-help groups to set up and manage childcare facilities.
Expand Anganwadis: Increase the reach and scope of Anganwadis, which are government-funded centers providing integrated childcare and early education services. Expand their capacity and include provisions for crèche services to accommodate working parents.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM): Integrate childcare services within the NRLM framework, which aims to enhance the livelihoods of rural households. This can involve incorporating childcare as part of the skill development and income-generation activities supported by NRLM.
Financial Support for Childcare: Explore the implementation of subsidy programs or financial assistance schemes to make childcare more affordable for low-income families. This could include income-based subsidies, vouchers, or tax credits to alleviate the financial burden of childcare expenses.
Neighbourhood Childcare Centers: Encourage the establishment of neighborhood-based childcare centers, particularly in urban areas, to cater to the local community’s childcare needs. This approach ensures proximity and accessibility for parents, making it easier for them to balance work and childcare responsibilities.
Recognition of Childcare as Work: Recognize the valuable work of childcare providers and promote the professionalization of the childcare sector. This can include offering training programs, certification, and support systems to improve the quality of care provided by childcare professionals
Conclusion
Realizing India’s demographic dividend requires fully harnessing the gender dividend by empowering women throughout their lives. Access to childcare plays a pivotal role in facilitating women’s labor force participation. Efforts to improve childcare access should be combined with strategies to challenge patriarchal norms and create an enabling environment for women’s education, employment, and asset ownership. By embracing these measures, India can empower its women and achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Motions and other parliamentary procedures and related provisions
Mains level: Adjournment motion, its significance and criticism and various parliamentary procedures
What’s the news?
In the second day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Lok Sabha witnessed adjournment proceedings as Opposition parties demanded an urgent discussion on the alleged sexual assault of women in Manipur amid the ongoing ethnic violence in the state.
Central idea
Congress MPs moved adjournment motions, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the matter and uphold the government’s constitutional commitment to protect religious minorities and Scheduled Tribes. This article will delve into the concept of adjournment motions and their differences from other parliamentary motions raised in Indian Parliament.
What is an adjournment motion?
An adjournment motion is a parliamentary procedure used to raise an issue of urgent public importance that requires immediate discussion and debate.
It allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to interrupt the regular business of the house and seek the attention of the entire house on a specific matter that is deemed pressing and critical.
Adjournment motion can be moved in the Lok Sabha by any member who seeks the Speaker’s consent to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance.
The notice for an adjournment motion must be given before 10 am to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General on the day it is to be raised.
Parliamentary Procedures in Indian Parliament
Members of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have various procedures to draw attention to relevant issues.
There are four main procedures under which discussions can take place in the Lok Sabha – a debate without voting under Rule 193, a motion (with a vote) under Rule 184, an adjournment motion, and a no-confidence motion.
Similar measures, except no-confidence motion, also exist in the Rajya Sabha.
Rule 193: Short Duration Discussion
Under Rule 193 of the Lok Sabha’s rules and Rule 176 of the Rajya Sabha’s rules, Short Duration Discussions can take place.
These discussions require the Chairman or Speaker’s satisfaction that the matter is urgent and of sufficient public importance.
The Chairman or Speaker can then fix a date for discussion, allowing a time period of up to two and a half hours.
Disagreements over the rule to invoke led to the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha on the issue of Manipur.
Rule 184: Motion with a Vote
A motion on a matter of general public interest can be admitted under Rule 184 if it satisfies certain conditions.
The motion should not contain arguments, inferences, ironical expressions, imputations, or defamatory statements.
It must be restricted to a recent occurrence and cannot pertain to a matter pending before any statutory authority, commission, or court of enquiry.
The Speaker can allow such a motion to be raised at his own discretion, and a time period for discussion can be allotted.
Significance of the adjournment motion
It allows the Parliament to discuss pressing matters promptly, ensuring that critical issues do not get overlooked or delayed.
It serves as a tool for holding the government accountable for its actions or inactions.
By raising urgent matters and initiating discussions, MPs can seek clarifications, explanations, and government responses, which promotes transparency in governance.
The discussions resulting from an adjournment motion bring urgent matters into the public domain, raising awareness among citizens about significant issues affecting the country.
The government is obligated to address the concerns raised during the adjournment motion debate.
It provides an opportunity for the government to present its stance, actions, and plans to address the issue, thus ensuring greater accountability.
It empowers the Opposition to raise important issues and bring government shortcomings to the forefront.
It gives them a platform to voice dissent and critique government policies, fostering healthy democratic debates.
Criticisms over the adjournment motion
The adjournment motion, once admitted, disrupts the regular proceedings of the house.
Other important legislative business, debates, or bills scheduled for that session may get delayed or postponed, affecting the overall productivity of the Parliament.
The debate resulting from an adjournment motion can be time-consuming
Some critics argue that the adjournment motion overlaps with other parliamentary motions, such as the calling attention motion and the motion for an urgent discussion, which also provide opportunities to discuss urgent matters.
In some cases, the adjournment motion can be misused for political purposes rather than genuinely addressing urgent matters.
While the adjournment motion raises urgent matters and demands government attention, it does not guarantee immediate action or resolution.
Conclusion
The recent demand for an urgent discussion on the ethnic violence in Manipur through an adjournment motion resulted in the Lok Sabha’s adjournment. Parliament has various procedures to address relevant issues, each with its own set of conditions and implications. As the proceedings are set to resume, it remains to be seen how the government and Opposition parties will navigate the demands for discussion on this critical matter.
