Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Sulina Canal
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- As Russia threatens ships in the Black Sea, a Romanian route ‘Sulina Channel’ provides a lifeline for Ukraine’s grain exports.
Sulina Channel
- The Sulina Channel is located in the southeastern part of Romania, specifically within the Danube Delta region.
- It connects the Danube River, one of Europe’s major rivers, with the Black Sea, providing a direct route for maritime transportation.
- The channel is approximately 64 km long, making it a significant watercourse for shipping and navigation.
- It is a vital trade route for cargo vessels, commercial ships, and other maritime traffic entering or leaving the Black Sea region.
- The construction of the Sulina Channel dates back to the 19th century when it was developed to improve the navigation of large ships and vessels in and out of the Danube Delta.
Significance for Ukraine
- The Sulina Channel, the only deep and wide channel among the Danube’s branches, serves as a crucial “riverine expressway” for transporting goods from inland Ukrainian ports to the Black Sea.
- Ukrainian grain ships sail from ports like Izmail and Reni on the Chilia Channel to Sulina, where the cargo is transferred to larger vessels.
- These vessels proceed to Constanta, Romania’s major seaport, for further transport into the Mediterranean.
- This route falls under NATO’s surveillance and protection, ensuring a degree of security against Russian aggression.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PM Vishwakarma Scheme
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Union Cabinet has given its nod to the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at uplifting artisans and craftsmen in India.
What is PM Vishwakarma Scheme?
- Supporting Artisans: It will be a Central Sector Scheme with twofold objective: to nurture the Guru-Shishya Parampara:
- Age-old tradition of imparting skills within families, and
- To uplift artisans and craftsmen engaged in manual trades.
- Coverage: This comprehensive scheme encompasses 18 traditional trades in its initial phase, including blacksmiths, carpenters, potters, goldsmiths, tailors, and more, who form the bedrock of rural economies.
Key Highlights of Scheme
- Financial Provision: The scheme is fortified by a budgetary outlay of ₹13,000 crore, ensuring robust financial support to artisans and craftsmen.
- Recognition and ID: Artisans and craftspeople will receive recognition through the prestigious PM Vishwakarma certificate and an official ID card, validating their skills and contributions.
- Credit Support: The scheme provides access to credit support, offering up to ₹1 lakh in the first tranche and ₹2 lakh in the second tranche, with an advantageous interest rate of 5%.
- Skill Upgradation: To enhance expertise, the scheme includes skill upgradation programs encompassing both basic and advanced training. Participants will receive a stipend of ₹500 per day during training.
- Modern Tools and Incentives: Beneficiaries will be granted up to ₹15,000 to acquire modern tools, further improving the quality and efficiency of their work.
- Digital Transactions and Marketing: Embracing modern practices, the scheme encourages digital transactions and marketing support, linking artisans with broader markets.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: E-Bus Seva Scheme
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Union Cabinet’s recent approval of the PM e-bus Seva scheme marks a significant step towards enhancing urban mobility and promoting green transportation across India.
PM E-Bus Seva: Scheme Overview
- E-Bus Definition: The scheme’s core revolves around e-buses, which are buses powered solely by zero-emissions electricity sources for both propulsion and accessory systems.
- Scope and Cost: The PM e-bus Sewa scheme is estimated to cost ₹57,613 crore, with the Central government contributing ₹20,000 crore.
- Operational Support: The scheme is designed to provide operational support to bus services for a period of 10 years.
Implementation Strategy
- Two Segments: The scheme will be executed in two distinct segments:
- 10,000 E-Buses: In 169 cities, 10,000 e-buses will be introduced through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: In 181 other cities, green urban mobility initiatives will focus on improving infrastructure, bus priority, charging infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, and automated fare collection systems.
- Depot Infrastructure: For the first segment, the development and enhancement of depot infrastructure, including power substations, will be undertaken to support the new e-buses.
- Job Creation: The scheme is expected to generate around 45,000 to 55,000 direct jobs, contributing to employment growth.
Coverage and Funding
- Coverage: Cities with populations of three lakh and above, Union Territory capitals, as well as northeastern and hill states, are included in the scheme’s ambit.
- Funding Model: States or cities will manage bus services and payments to bus operators, with the Central government providing subsidies as outlined in the scheme. This approach promotes decentralized management.
Positive Impacts
- Environmental Benefits: The adoption of electric buses will significantly reduce noise and air pollution, contributing to cleaner and healthier urban environments.
- Carbon Emission Reduction: Electric mobility aligns with India’s commitment to curb carbon emissions and combat climate change.
- Economies of Scale: Aggregating electric bus procurement is expected to achieve economies of scale, making electric buses more financially viable and encouraging their adoption.
Conclusion
- The PM e-bus Sewa scheme signifies India’s ambitious stride towards sustainable and eco-friendly urban mobility.
- It also highlights the government’s commitment to job creation, as well as its determination to transform the transportation sector into a cleaner, greener, and more efficient mode of commuting.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Issues with Caste Censuses
Central Idea
- The upcoming Supreme Court hearing on August 18 concerning the legality of Bihar’s ongoing caste survey has generated significant legal and socio-political debates.
- This article delves into the intricacies of the caste survey, the legal challenges it faces, the implications for affirmative action, and concerns over data privacy.
Must read:
[Sansad TV] Mudda Aapka: Bihar Caste Census
Bihar Caste Survey: Legal Battles
- Petitions Challenging Survey: Multiple petitions contesting the Bihar caste survey have been filed in the Supreme Court, alleging the state government’s encroachment on the Union government’s powers.
- High Court Ruling: On August 1, the Patna High Court permitted the state to proceed with the survey, deeming it legally sound, initiated with due competence, and aligned with compelling public interest.
- Supreme Court Involvement: The Supreme Court declined to stay the survey on August 14, clearing the way for the ongoing data collection process.
Nature of the Caste Survey
- Government Initiative: Launched on January 7, the two-phase caste survey intends to collect detailed socioeconomic information to inform better government policies for marginalized groups.
- Scope and Data Collection: The survey encompasses data on caste and economic status for a population of 12.70 crore in Bihar’s 38 districts.
- Survey Progress: The first phase, a house listing exercise, was conducted from January 7 to January 12. The halted second phase resumed after the High Court’s verdict and aims to complete by mid-August.
Legal Contentions against the Survey
- Constitutional Powers: Petitioners contend that the state lacks authority to conduct a census as it is solely within the Union government’s purview, as per the Constitution and Census Act.
- Privacy Concerns: Challenges raised about data collection intruding on individuals’ right to privacy, given sensitive questions about religion, caste, and income.
- Data Security: Some argue that the data collected should not be shared with political parties, as it raises concerns about privacy and potential misuse.
High Court’s Rationale for Upholding Survey
- Affirmative Action: The High Court recognized the survey’s aim to identify and uplift backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes for equal opportunities.
- Competence of State Government: The Court ruled that the survey aligns with the state’s authority for better administration and policy framing.
- Legitimacy of Caste Identification: The Court referred to Indra Sawhney’s ruling to affirm caste identification’s validity for ameliorating social backwardness.
Expected Implications
- Efficacy in Battling Discrimination: Advocates argue that caste surveys are crucial to addressing caste discrimination and mapping socio-economic deprivations for a more egalitarian society.
- Potential for Expansion: A successful Bihar survey could lead to other states demanding similar surveys, which the Union government is resisting.
- Social and Political Impacts: The survey has the potential to reshape social and political dynamics by addressing the invisibility of upper castes and bolstering Mandal politics.
Conclusion
- The legal battle over the Bihar caste survey has wide-ranging implications on data privacy, constitutional powers, and social equity.
- As the Supreme Court takes up the case, its decision will not only determine the fate of this particular survey but could set a precedent for future caste surveys and their role in fostering a more inclusive and just society.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- PM highlighted a significant milestone achieved during his government’s first 5-year term – the liberation of 13.5 crore Indians from the clutches of multidimensional poverty.
- This achievement, as substantiated by the National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report, reflects the government’s commitment to improving the lives of millions across various dimensions of well-being.
Understanding Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
- Holistic Evaluation: The MPI gauges deprivations across health and nutrition, education, and standard of living, offering a comprehensive assessment of poverty that extends beyond traditional monetary measures.
- Three Dimensions: Health is evaluated through nutrition, child and adolescent mortality, and maternal health. Education encompasses years of schooling and school attendance. The standard of living is assessed through variables like sanitation, drinking water, and access to financial services.
- Technical Collaborators: The methodology behind India’s MPI draws inspiration from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP), with OPHI and UNDP collaborating to formulate the national index.
Notable Achievements and Data
- Decline in Poverty: The poverty headcount ratio – the proportion of multidimensionally poor individuals – witnessed a remarkable drop from around 25% to under 15% between the periods of National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21).
- Significant Impact: This reduction signifies that a staggering 13.5 crore Indians liberated themselves from multidimensional poverty during this period.
Comparison with Historical Records
- Historical Context: The MPI’s multidimensional nature makes direct comparisons with India’s traditional poverty estimations challenging. However, the Global MPI 2023 report underscores that 415 million Indians emerged from poverty between 2005-06 and 2019-21.
- Distribution over Time: Economists elucidate that out of the 415 million, 270 million transitioned out of poverty from 2005-06 to 2015-16, with the remaining following thereafter.
- Discrepancies in Ratio: The Global MPI cites India’s poverty ratio as 16.4%, while Niti Aayog’s MPI places it at 14.96%, due to variations in metrics and definitions.
Traditional Poverty Measurement
- Historical Monetary Measure: Since 1901, poverty in India has been estimated using monetary measures that ascertain the income needed for subsistence or a minimum standard of living.
- Creation of Poverty Line: Expert committees headed by D T Lakdawala (1993), Suresh Tendulkar (2009), and C Rangarajan (2014) established a poverty line based on consumption expenditure data.
- Unresolved Data Issues: The absence of updated consumption data since 2011 has led to economists using alternative sources like NFHS data and CMIE data to estimate poverty, which has introduced uncertainty.
Conundrum of Middle-Class Definition
- Ambiguity in Classification: India lacks an official middle-class definition, making it challenging to ascertain whether those emerging from poverty automatically join the middle class.
- Income Disparity: Private research by PRICE categorizes the middle class based on annual income between ₹5 lakh and ₹30 lakh, a considerable jump from the income levels of individuals transitioning from poverty.
- Survey Insights: As per PRICE’s survey, out of India’s population of 1,416 million, 432 million fall under the “Middle Class” category, while 732 million are classified as “Aspirers.”
Conclusion
- The reduction of 13.5 crore individuals from multidimensional poverty is a testament to India’s commitment to holistic development.
- While multidimensional poverty indices gauge well-being across dimensions, traditional poverty estimation methods use monetary measures.
- India’s achievements reflect its focus on inclusive growth, emphasizing improvements in health, education, and living standards.
- As the nation continues its journey, these achievements illuminate the path towards building a more prosperous, equitable, and resilient society.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Deemed Forest, Forest Classification
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Odisha government has rescinded a contentious order that declared the discontinuation of the ‘deemed forests’ category under the amended Forest Act.
- This reversal comes after concerns were raised regarding the implications of the order on forest classification and protection.
Understanding ‘Deemed Forests’
- Definition: ‘Deemed forests’ refer to areas that are not formally classified as forests by central or state authorities in official records.
- Legal Ambiguity: The term ‘deemed forests’ lacks a clear legal definition, including under the Forest Conservation Act of 1980.
- Broad Interpretation: The Supreme Court’s T N Godavarman Thirumulpad Case (1996) embraced an expansive interpretation of forests. It encompassed statutorily recognized forests, irrespective of their reservation status, under the Forest Conservation Act.
- Inclusive Scope: ‘Forest land’ within Section 2 of the Act extends beyond the dictionary meaning to include areas recorded as forests in government records, regardless of ownership, according to the court.
Recent Relevance and Controversy
- News Spotlight: The issue of ‘deemed forests’ has gained attention, particularly in Odisha and Karnataka, where allegations of unscientific classification and impact on agriculture and mining persist.
- Calls for Reclassification: Advocates assert that ‘deemed forests’ should adhere to the dictionary meaning of forests, irrespective of ownership. Concerns have been raised about arbitrary classifications affecting farmers and mining activities.
- Classification Challenges: Critics argue that the existing subjective classification lacks a well-defined scientific criterion, leading to conflicts and hardships for communities.
Forest Classification in India
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) classifies forest cover in 4 classes:
- Very Dense forest: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density of 70% and above.
- Moderately dense forest: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density between 40% and 70%.
- Open forests: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density between 10% and 40%.
- Scrubs: All forest lands with poor tree growth mainly of small or stunted trees having canopy density less than 10%.
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Motivations behind Reclassification
- Reassessment in 2014: The Centre initiated a review of forest categorization in 2014 to address the classification process’s shortcomings.
- Need for Objective Criteria: While the dictionary definition guided initial classifications, a lack of objective criteria resulted in subjective designations that hindered clarity and fairness.
- Addressing Hardships: Officials classified land as ‘deemed forest’ without considering local needs, leading to difficulties for farmers and communities dependent on such lands.
- Commercial Demands: Some regions categorized as ‘deemed forests’ hold commercial value for mining, prompting calls for reclassification.
Implications in Odisha
- State-Level Identification: Since 1996, Odisha had designated nearly 66 lakh acres as ‘deemed forest’ with the assistance of district-level expert committees. However, many of these areas were not officially recognized as forests in government records.
- Controversy and Debate: The decision sparked controversy as experts and activists raised concerns about the potential ramifications of discontinuing the ‘deemed forest’ classification. The move could impact conservation efforts and the legal status of these lands.
Conclusion
- The Odisha government’s decision to reverse the order discontinuing the ‘deemed forests’ category underscores the significance of clear forest classification and protection policies.
- The episode emphasizes the intricate balance between legal interpretations, conservation imperatives, and policy implementation in the realm of environmental protection.
- Moving forward, it is essential for authorities to align policies with legal frameworks to ensure sustainable forest management and safeguard the delicate ecological balance.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Urea Gold
Mains level: Urea Gold, Fortified fertilizer, significance, challenges and way forward
What’s the news?
- Late last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched Urea Gold fertiliser.
Central idea
- In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Urea Gold, a novel fertiliser product, created by Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (RCF), a state-owned entity. This pioneering formulation involves enhancing urea with sulphur to address crucial agricultural challenges.
What is Urea Gold?
- Traditional urea primarily consists of 46% nitrogen (N). Urea Gold represents a leap forward by combining 37% nitrogen and 17% sulphur.
- This innovative composition serves two primary purposes: bolstering soil quality and boosting nitrogen utilization efficiency.
Soil Deficiencies Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency (NUE)
- Soil Deficiencies in India
- Indian soils suffer from deficiencies, particularly in key nutrients like sulphur (S).
- This deficiency is particularly crucial for certain crops such as oilseeds and pulses, which play a significant role in India’s agricultural output. These crops require adequate sulphur for healthy growth and optimal yield.
- The deficiency in sulphur can hinder their productivity and affect the overall agricultural landscape.
- Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency (NUE) Challenge
- NUE refers to the proportion of applied nitrogen fertilisers that is effectively taken up by crops for growth and yield production.
- Only about 35% of the nitrogen from urea, a commonly used fertiliser, is utilized by crops in India.
- The rest, roughly 65%, is lost through various processes, including ammonia volatilisation into the atmosphere and leaching into the ground as nitrate.
Challenges in Urea Consumption in India
- Import Dependency: India heavily relies on imported urea due to insufficient domestic production. Around 7.6 million tonnes of urea were imported out of the total 35.7 million tonnes sold last fiscal year.
- Feedstock Dependency: The feedstock for domestic urea production, natural gas, is predominantly imported. This adds to the overall import dependence for the fertiliser.
- High Consumption: Urea is India’s most widely used fertiliser, with consumption rising from 26.7 million tonnes to 35.7 million tonnes between 2009-10 and 2022-23.
- Environmental Impact: Excessive urea usage contributes to environmental problems such as air and water pollution. Ammonia emissions and nitrate leaching are associated with these environmental challenges.
- Higher Input Costs: Inefficient fertiliser use due to low NUE leads to higher input costs for farmers. They need to apply more fertiliser to achieve desired yields.
Significance of Urea Gold
- Nutrient Enrichment: Urea Gold is a novel fertiliser fortified with sulphur (S). It contains 37% nitrogen (N) and 17% sulphur, addressing soil deficiencies that are critical for crops like oilseeds and pulses.
- Targeted Improvement: The sulphur content in Urea Gold addresses the specific nutrient requirements of oilseeds and pulses, which are crucial components of Indian agriculture and are significantly import-dependent.
- Packaging and Pricing Shift: Urea Gold’s introduction might entail packaging in 40-kg bags, adapting to the preferences of farmers.While exact pricing remains undisclosed, market trends suggest Urea Gold could be priced between Rs 400 to Rs 500 per 40-kg bag.
- Enhanced NUE: The sulphur-coated urea granules in Urea Gold facilitate a controlled and gradual release of nitrogen. This extended nutrient availability improves NUE, leading to reduced fertiliser application frequency and better crop health.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Urea Gold’s dual focus on addressing soil deficiencies and improving NUE contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices. It reduces excessive fertiliser use and associated environmental impact.
- Economic Benefit: The improved NUE offered by Urea Gold has the potential to reduce input costs for farmers, as they can achieve similar or better yields with lower fertiliser quantities.
- Potential Yield Boost: The sustained nitrogen release mechanism of Urea Gold can potentially lead to increased crop yields due to longer periods of vibrant foliage and enhanced nutrient availability.
Potential Hurdles
- Pricing Uncertainty: Lack of clear pricing details for Urea Gold could impact its adoption among farmers.
- Subsidy Disparity: The current additional rates offered by the government may not sufficiently incentivize companies to promote fortified fertilisers like Urea Gold.
- Limited Farmer Incentives: Farmers might perceive fortified fertilisers as more expensive compared to traditional options, leading to reluctance in adoption.
- Distribution Challenges: Ensuring uniform distribution and application of fortified fertilisers presents logistical complexities.
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory aspects, such as pricing controls and subsidy structures, can affect the feasibility of fortified fertiliser products.
- Awareness Gap: Limited farmer awareness regarding the benefits and correct usage of fortified fertilisers might hinder their willingness to switch.
- Production Scalability: Scaling up fortified fertiliser production to meet demand and ensure availability poses a significant hurdle.
Way Forward
- Price Rationalization: The government could consider revisiting subsidy rates to make fortified fertilisers economically attractive for both companies and farmers. This would encourage the adoption of innovative products like Urea Gold.
- Subsidy Structure: Tailoring subsidies to reflect the enhanced benefits of fortified fertilisers, such as improved NUE and reduced environmental impact, could encourage their adoption.
- Education Campaigns: Launching awareness campaigns about the advantages of fortified fertilisers, like Urea Gold, can educate farmers and dispel misconceptions about their higher costs.
- Field Demonstrations: Organizing on-field demonstrations of the benefits of fortified fertilisers could provide tangible evidence to farmers, boosting their confidence in making the switch.
- Long-Term Perspective: Encouraging farmers to consider the long-term economic and environmental benefits of fortified fertilisers could shift their focus from initial cost concerns.
- Market Diversification: Exploring partnerships with private sector players and agribusinesses to promote fortified fertilisers could enhance market penetration.
- Gradual Transition: Gradually phasing in fortified fertilisers while continuing to offer traditional options at subsidized rates can ease farmers into adopting the new products.
Conclusion
- Urea Gold’s introduction marks a significant step towards addressing the complexities of modern agriculture. To fully harness the power of fortified fertilisers, a multi-faceted approach is needed – blending cutting-edge technology with conducive policies – to steer Indian agriculture towards sustainable growth and heightened productivity.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Constitutional provisions
Mains level: Caste census analysis
What’s the news?
- The upcoming Supreme Court hearing on August 18th regarding petitions challenging the Patna High Court’s decision to uphold the Bihar government’s caste survey has sparked significant debate and interest.
Central idea
- The caste survey, initiated by the State government, aims to gather comprehensive socio-economic data to shape targeted policies for marginalized communities. The Patna HC’s recent dismissal of petitions against the survey has reignited discussions surrounding the necessity and constitutionality of such an initiative.
What is a caste-based survey?
- A caste-based survey is a comprehensive data collection initiative launched by the Bihar state government in India. This endeavor aims to gather detailed socio-economic information about various castes, sub-castes, and religious groups within the population of Bihar.
- The survey is estimated to collect socio-economic data for a population of 12.70 crore in the 38 districts of Bihar.
- The primary objective is to gain a deeper understanding of the living conditions and economic status of different communities, especially those that have historically faced marginalization and socio-economic disadvantage.
Why the need for a caste census?
- Incomplete Data: The standard Census focuses solely on SC and ST data, leaving a substantial void in comprehending the socio-economic aspects of OBCs and their subdivisions.
- Targeted Policies: A lack of comprehensive data obstructs the creation of effective policies tailored to the distinct requirements of different caste groups.
- Equitable Development: The caste census has the potential to reveal disparities within various castes, enabling customized development strategies for historically marginalized communities.
- Historical and Contemporary Insights: With deep historical roots, the caste system’s evolution can be better understood through a comprehensive census that captures both historical and contemporary dynamics.
- Political and Governance Implications: The initiative carries political implications, potentially influencing electoral strategies and governance agendas focused on the welfare of backward classes.
- Constitutional Clarification: Legal scrutiny over caste surveys provides clarity on the authority to conduct such initiatives, delineating roles between state and central governments.
- Inclusive Governance and Policy Efficacy: By focusing on accurate and comprehensive caste-specific data, policies can be better tailored to uplift marginalized groups, promoting inclusive governance.
- Evidence-Based Decision-Making: In a data-centric era, decisions grounded in concrete socio-economic data hold greater potential for equitable and effective governance.
Union government’s stance
- Unfeasibility: The Union government categorically declared that a socio-economic caste census is deemed unfeasible, administratively difficult, and cumbersome.
- Historical Policy Decision: The Union government’s affidavit, responding to a writ petition from the State of Maharashtra, highlighted that excluding castes beyond Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) was a conscious policy decision made since the 1951 Census.
- Official Discouragement of Caste: The Union government asserted that the policy of official discouragement of caste has been in place since the 1951 Census, implying a deliberate stance against extensive caste-based categorization.
- Previous Survey Flaws: In 2011, the Union government conducted a Socio-Economic and Caste Census; however, due to data flaws, the raw data collected from nearly 130 crore Indians was never made public.
Why is it being challenged?
- Constitutional Jurisdiction: Opponents of the survey argue that the Bihar state government’s decision to conduct the caste-based survey infringes upon constitutional jurisdiction. They contend that only the central government has the exclusive authority to carry out comprehensive censuses.
- Census Act Compliance: The absence of a formal notification under Section 3 of the Census Act, 1948, issued by the central government raises doubts about the legitimacy of the state government’s appointment of District Magistrates and local authorities for data collection. This legal requirement plays a crucial role in determining the authority to conduct such surveys.
- Executive Order Controversy: Challengers claim that the survey’s data collection, facilitated through an executive order, violates the Puttaswamy judgment, which emphasizes safeguarding personal data from government intrusion.
- State vs. Central Mandate: While the High Court maintains that the state government is authorized to formulate policies for better administration, this stance contradicts the argument that only the central government can undertake comprehensive censuses.
- Privacy Apprehensions: The High Court’s dismissal of privacy concerns based on the Puttaswamy judgment’s triple-test criteria for data collection is being contested. Opponents stress that personal data sensitivity necessitates more stringent considerations.
Way forward
- Legal Resolution: Await the Supreme Court’s verdict to obtain a clear understanding of the constitutional validity of state-level caste surveys. This ruling will provide a framework for future actions and delineate the roles of state and central governments.
- Collaboration with the Central Government: To address concerns about legal jurisdiction and the Census Act, the state government could seek collaboration and endorsement from the central government. This collaboration could help ensure compliance and legitimacy.
- Privacy Safeguards: Implement stringent privacy measures in the survey. Ensure that personal data collection adheres to established legal standards, safeguarding citizens’ rights and addressing potential privacy concerns.
- Balanced Implementation: Strike a balance between political considerations and the integrity of the survey. Prioritize unbiased data collection over immediate political gains.
- Effective Use of Data: Utilize the survey data to inform targeted policies aimed at reducing socio-economic disparities among different caste groups. Ensure that the survey’s outcomes translate into tangible welfare improvements.
- Long-Term Vision: Plan for continuous monitoring and updates of collected data. Use this data to guide policy adjustments in response to changing socio-economic dynamics over time.
Conclusion
- While the State’s efforts to gather comprehensive socio-economic data and address the concerns of marginalized groups are commendable, the constitutional and privacy challenges inherent in the initiative should not be overlooked. The outcome of this legal battle is likely to have far-reaching implications for the understanding of caste dynamics, policy formulation, and political strategies in India.
Also read:
The Caste Census and Mandal Politics: Analysis
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