When dreams of Viksit Bharat stumble over Nehruvian impulses
Source: Indian Express
Syllabus context: GS III Economics
The “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision envisions India as a developed nation by its centenary of independence, focusing on robust economic growth, social equity, global competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and industrial modernization. This vision, while ambitious, necessitates addressing complex challenges that could impede progress toward achieving a developed nation status.
Viksit Bharat 2047: India’s Vision for a Developed Nation
India’s aspirations for becoming a developed nation by 2047, as outlined in the “Viksit Bharat” vision, are grounded in a multifaceted approach targeting sustained economic growth, social inclusivity, and environmental sustainability. Achieving these goals requires a clear, integrated strategy, alongside robust reforms in various sectors, while addressing challenges that may derail progress.
Key Targets for Viksit Bharat 2047
- Economic Growth: India aims to sustain an annual GDP growth rate of 7-8%, which would place the nation among the top three global economies by the middle of the 21st century. A balanced approach to growth, focusing on all economic sectors—agriculture, industry, and services—is pivotal. The services sector currently contributes the most to GDP, but industrial and agricultural growth remain critical to ensuring balanced development across regions.
- Social Equity: Ensuring inclusive growth by eradicating poverty, providing universal healthcare, and delivering quality education is central to India’s vision. Addressing the socio-economic disparities across different regions and income groups will be essential to prevent growth from being concentrated in select urban areas.
- Global Competitiveness: India aims to emerge as a global economic leader, positioning itself among the top three economies by enhancing manufacturing under initiatives like Make in India, improving ease of doing business, and scaling exports. Boosting global competitiveness requires investments in infrastructure, a stable regulatory environment, and greater integration into global value chains.
- Environmental Sustainability: India’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 is a pivotal aspect of the Viksit Bharat vision. This requires a massive scaling up of renewable energy capacities, incentivizing green technologies, and adopting sustainable industrial practices. Environmental conservation must not come at the cost of growth but must be integrated into every sector, particularly manufacturing, which is a significant contributor to emissions.
- Industrial Modernization: A key objective is to make manufacturing contribute 25% of GDP, supported by the Make in India initiative, which aims to reduce India’s dependence on imports and position the country as a manufacturing hub. To achieve this, India needs to strengthen its domestic industries, promote innovation, and ensure the availability of a skilled workforce.
Current Economic Performance (2024)
India’s economic performance in 2024 presents both opportunities and challenges. With a GDP growth rate slowing to 5.4%, falling short of the RBI’s projection of 7%, the economy faces a slower-than-expected recovery. The services sector remains a key driver, contributing over 54% of GDP, while agriculture continues to be a stabilizing force, despite challenges posed by climate change and agrarian distress. The industrial sector, accounting for 27.6% of GDP, is hampered by issues such as high steel imports, affecting domestic manufacturers’ competitiveness.
Inflation remains a concern, with retail inflation reaching 6.21% in October 2024, surpassing the RBI’s tolerance band. In response, the RBI has maintained a cautious approach, retaining interest rates at 6.5% while injecting liquidity into the system through the reduction of the cash reserve ratio. These measures aim to stabilize inflation while stimulating economic activity.
Government Initiatives for Achieving Viksit Bharat
The government has rolled out various initiatives to address the key sectors of economic and social development:
- Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat: These initiatives focus on promoting domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependence, and fostering self-reliance in critical sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and defense.
- PLI Schemes: Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes provide financial incentives to key sectors like electronics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, encouraging domestic production and innovation.
- PM Gati Shakti Master Plan: This plan integrates infrastructure projects across sectors like transportation, logistics, and urban development, ensuring faster development and better connectivity, which is crucial for industrial growth.
- Digital India: The push for digital infrastructure aims to enhance internet penetration, increase financial inclusion, and promote digital literacy, while also improving governance through e-governance platforms.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP aims to create a skilled and competent workforce by emphasizing vocational education, higher education reforms, and research and innovation.
- Green India Mission: This mission aims to enhance India’s renewable energy capacity and promote sustainable urban and rural development practices.
Challenges Hindering Progress
India faces several key challenges on its path to achieving the Viksit Bharat vision:
- Economic Inequality: Persistent regional and income disparities threaten the inclusivity of growth. The divide between urban and rural areas, as well as differences in access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, need to be bridged to ensure equitable growth.
- Infrastructure Deficits: While the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan aims to address infrastructural bottlenecks, delayed project execution, poor quality of infrastructure in rural areas, and insufficient funding remain significant hurdles.
- Policy and Regulatory Challenges: Policy uncertainty, particularly with respect to taxation (e.g., retrospective tax policies), weak enforcement of reforms, and unpredictable regulatory changes, continue to deter foreign and domestic investments.
- Global Risks: Economic slowdowns in key markets, geopolitical tensions, and trade disruptions due to global uncertainties can undermine India’s growth trajectory and affect foreign direct investment.
- Environmental Sustainability: Balancing industrial growth with environmental protection presents a major challenge. India’s dependency on fossil fuels and industrial emissions makes the green transition a complex and costly endeavor.
Strategic Way Forward
To achieve the Viksit Bharat vision, India must focus on the following strategies:
- Policy Reforms: Consistency in fiscal and monetary policies, coupled with effective regulatory measures, will instill investor confidence and create a conducive environment for economic growth.
- Skill Development and Education: Bridging the education-employment gap by focusing on industry-relevant skills and vocational training is crucial for building a competitive workforce. The National Education Policy 2020 is a step in this direction, but its full implementation will be key.
- Boosting Exports and Global Trade: Enhancing India’s competitiveness in manufacturing and expanding export markets will require policy shifts, improved infrastructure, and integration into global value chains.
- Rural and Social Development: Strengthening healthcare, education, and infrastructure in rural areas will be essential for ensuring inclusive growth. This includes improving agricultural productivity and addressing rural-urban disparities.
- Green Transition: Scaling up renewable energy capacity and adopting sustainable practices across industries, including incentivizing green technologies, will enable India to meet its environmental targets while ensuring industrial growth.
Conclusion
India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047 is an ambitious yet achievable goal. With the right mix of policy reforms, strategic investments, and social inclusivity, India can overcome existing challenges and emerge as a global leader in economic growth, sustainability, and social equity. Addressing regional disparities, strengthening institutions, and ensuring environmental protection will be critical for ensuring that growth is inclusive and sustainable. By staying focused on these objectives, India can achieve the status of a developed nation by 2047, fostering prosperity for all its citizens.
Explained: How the Supreme Court hears cases
Source: Indian Express
Syllabus context: GS II Polity – Supreme court
Supreme Court Case Scheduling: An In-depth Overview
The Supreme Court of India, as the apex judicial body, plays a crucial role in the administration of justice. Its ability to effectively manage case loads, ensure timely hearings, and deliver justice is fundamental to maintaining public trust in the judiciary. Recently, the Supreme Court has focused on improving the scheduling and prioritization of cases, especially Special Leave Petitions (SLPs), in light of its growing backlog. This approach aims to expedite the process of hearing urgent matters while ensuring the fair and just consideration of all cases.
Key Aspects of Case Scheduling in the Supreme Court
Who Oversees Case Scheduling?
- Chief Justice of India (CJI): The Chief Justice of India holds the pivotal responsibility as the “master of the roster,” a term that refers to the CJI’s authority to allocate cases and schedule hearings. The CJI has the discretion to decide which bench hears a particular case, ensuring an equitable distribution of work among the judges. This role is crucial in managing the court’s docket efficiently and in aligning judicial resources to the demands of cases.
- Supreme Court Registry: The administrative arm of the Supreme Court, the Registry handles the technical aspects of case management, including the filing, scrutiny, listing, and scheduling of cases. It ensures that all procedural requirements are met before a case is presented for hearing.
Legal Framework Governing Case Scheduling
- Supreme Court Rules, 2013: The scheduling of cases in the Supreme Court is governed by the Supreme Court Rules, 2013, which lay down the procedures for filing, listing, and hearing cases. These rules are designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency in case management, outlining how different categories of cases are handled.
The Procedure for Case Scheduling
- Filing of Cases:
- Cases are typically filed by Advocates-on-Record (AoRs) through the court’s e-portal or physical counters. The electronic filing system has enhanced the accessibility of the court, allowing for quicker submission of petitions and improving the overall efficiency of case processing.
- Once filed, cases are assigned a diary number by the Supreme Court Registry. This number serves as a unique identifier for tracking the case throughout its lifecycle.
- Scrutiny:
- Upon submission, the Registry scrutinizes the cases for any defects, such as missing documents or non-compliance with procedural requirements. If any discrepancies are found, the case is returned to the advocate for rectification. Cases without defects are then moved forward in the listing process.
- Listing of Cases:
- Miscellaneous Days (Mondays and Fridays): These are designated for fresh matters, primarily involving the issuance of notices. On these days, the court considers newly filed cases, including Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) and other urgent petitions, where the court may issue notices or stay orders.
- Non-Miscellaneous Days (Tuesdays to Thursdays): These days are reserved for regular hearings and post-notice matters, which include cases that have already undergone preliminary scrutiny. These hearings involve detailed arguments on substantive issues.
- Admission of Cases:
- Cases that require in-depth hearings, such as those involving significant constitutional issues or matters of national importance, are admitted by the court. This involves a detailed review by a bench of judges who decide whether the case should be fully heard or dismissed at the initial stage. Admission hearings serve as a filtering mechanism, ensuring that only cases of substantial merit are proceeded with.
- Hearing and Judgment:
- Once admitted, the cases are scheduled for full hearings. The arguments from both parties are heard, and the judges deliberate on the matter. The final stage involves the delivery of judgment, which could be a verdict or an interim order, depending on the nature of the case. The Supreme Court aims to deliver judgments in a timely manner, balancing the complexity of cases with the need for expedience.
Current Prioritization of Special Leave Petitions (SLPs)
In response to the increasing backlog, the Supreme Court has recently focused on prioritizing Special Leave Petitions (SLPs). These petitions, which allow individuals to challenge decisions made by lower courts, are often time-sensitive. The Court has allocated three workdays per week specifically for hearing and deciding SLPs, in an effort to expedite their resolution. By dedicating these days to SLPs, the Court hopes to reduce delays in urgent matters while ensuring that fresh matters are also addressed promptly.
Mondays and Fridays are now exclusively designated as Miscellaneous Days to focus on fresh filings, and these days are vital for issuing notices to parties involved in newly filed cases. This approach not only reduces the waiting period for the initiation of proceedings but also enhances the overall efficiency of the Court’s docket.
Challenges and Strategic Considerations
While the recent shift in scheduling priorities is a step towards addressing the backlog, several challenges persist in case management:
- Increasing Case Load: The Supreme Court faces an ever-growing number of cases, including complex constitutional, civil, and criminal matters, putting pressure on the available judicial resources.
- Delays in Justice Delivery: Despite efforts to expedite case hearings, delays in the justice delivery system, especially in complex matters, continue to be a concern.
- Backlog of Cases: The backlog of cases remains a significant issue, with the court striving to balance the demands of new petitions and the need to address older cases. Innovative reforms and digitalization are seen as potential solutions to mitigate delays and enhance judicial efficiency.
- Access to Justice: The reliance on Advocates-on-Record (AoRs) for filing cases might limit access to the judicial process for the general public, especially for those without legal representation or resources.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court of India plays an instrumental role in safeguarding the Constitution and ensuring justice. The current focus on streamlining the scheduling process and prioritizing cases like Special Leave Petitions is a significant step toward improving the Court’s efficiency and accessibility. However, continued efforts to address the backlog, enhance transparency, and innovate in judicial processes will be necessary to ensure the timely delivery of justice, particularly as India aspires to uphold the rule of law as a cornerstone of its democratic framework.
Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, and why the Church has frowned at relaxing rules around it
Source: Indian Express
Syllabus context: GS II Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations
Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival and the Controversy Over Relaxing Liquor Prohibition
Why in News?
The 25th Hornbill Festival in Nagaland is being held amid a growing controversy surrounding the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989. The state’s decision to permit the use of Indian-made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) during the festival at Kisama Heritage Village has sparked significant debate. This shift in policy aims to cater to tourists and stall owners, but has drawn fierce opposition from influential church bodies, particularly the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), which opposes the availability of alcohol, including traditional rice beer, during the festival. Additionally, the Nagaland government is considering a review of the NLTP Act, adding fuel to the ongoing controversy.
Hornbill Festival: An Overview
- Origin: The Hornbill Festival was launched in 2000 by the Nagaland government to promote tourism and celebrate the diverse heritage and culture of the state. It is the largest annual cultural event in Nagaland, showcasing the traditions of the state’s 14 recognized Naga tribes.
- Symbolism: The festival is named after the hornbill, a bird revered in Naga folklore and an important symbol of the state’s indigenous culture.
- Attraction: The festival serves as a tourist magnet, attracting over 1.54 lakh visitors in 2023, including 2,108 foreign tourists and 37,089 domestic travelers.
- Organizers: The event is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, and is held at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near the state capital, Kohima.
Alcohol and the Hornbill Festival
- The festival has become a focal point for the debate over liquor prohibition in Nagaland. The government’s decision to allow the sale and consumption of IMFL at the festival, alongside traditional rice beer (Thutse), has reignited tensions between cultural and moral values.
- Historically, the government has allowed the sale of Thutse during the festival, acknowledging its cultural significance to the Naga tribes. However, the introduction of IMFL at the venue marks a shift in policy and raises concerns about the impact on the state’s moral fabric and its long-standing prohibition laws.
- While the Tourism Minister of Nagaland supports the move to relax restrictions on alcohol to attract tourists, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) strongly opposes this change. The Church asserts that the festival should be focused on culture and heritage, not on promoting alcohol consumption. This stance reflects the ongoing tension between the state’s traditional cultural practices and its predominantly Christian identity, with the latter advocating for alcohol abstinence based on moral and religious grounds.
Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act, 1989
- The NLTP Act, enacted in 1989, prohibits the manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol in Nagaland. The law was largely influenced by Christian values, particularly from the influence of American Baptists who arrived in Nagaland in the 1870s and instilled a strict moral code. Alcohol consumption was viewed as sinful, and violators were penalized by expulsion from the community.
- Despite the fact that 87% of Nagaland’s population is Christian, predominantly Baptists, traditional alcohol consumption such as rice beer has remained an integral part of cultural practices in several Naga tribes.
- The NLTP Act has been supported by powerful local institutions, including the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), and remains a significant aspect of Nagaland’s social and cultural framework.
State Government’s Consideration to Repeal or Revise the NLTP Act
- Challenges to the NLTP Act: In recent years, the effectiveness of the prohibition law has come under scrutiny. The Nagaland government has raised concerns about the health hazards posed by spurious alcohol and the illegal alcohol trade, which has led to the proliferation of bootlegging and the circulation of unsafe alcohol.
- Key issues highlighted:
- Liquor Smuggling: The government has noted the continued smuggling of alcohol from neighboring states like Assam, leading to the growth of illegal alcohol markets in Nagaland.
- Health Hazards: The presence of spurious alcohol in the state has contributed to health risks, including fatalities from consuming unsafe beverages.
- Revenue Losses: The government has also highlighted the loss of potential excise revenue, as alcohol sales remain banned.
- Public Debate: The ongoing discussion revolves around whether the NLTP Act has achieved its intended goals, or whether a regulated system of alcohol control might be a better solution. Proponents of repeal argue for a regulated approach that would allow for alcohol consumption while ensuring public safety, as opposed to a complete prohibition that has led to illegal and harmful practices.
- Church Opposition: Despite these concerns, the Church’s opposition remains a formidable barrier to any attempts to repeal or amend the NLTP Act. The NBCC and other religious organizations continue to view alcohol consumption as a moral issue, with the church leaders asserting that such changes would undermine the cultural and spiritual values of the Naga people.
Conclusion
The ongoing debate over the Hornbill Festival and the Nagaland Liquor Total Prohibition (NLTP) Act underscores the complex intersection of culture, religion, and policy in the state of Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival, a vibrant celebration of Naga culture, is now at the center of a larger ideological battle between economic interests driven by tourism and religious and cultural values championed by the Church. As the government considers revising or repealing the prohibition law, it must navigate the moral and political implications of such a move, balancing economic development with the preservation of religious and cultural identity.
Key Takeaways
- Hornbill Festival Controversy: The decision to permit IMFL at the festival has drawn criticism from the Church, which opposes the move on moral grounds.
- NLTP Act: The NLTP Act, which has been in place since 1989, remains a source of debate due to challenges like bootlegging, health risks, and revenue loss.
- State Government’s Dilemma: The government is considering a review of the Act, but the strong opposition fArom religious groups makes the process complicated.
What the collapse of France’s govt means, what happens now
Source: Indian Express
Syllabus context: GS II Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice, and International relations.
The resignation of French Prime Minister Michel Barnier following a no-confidence vote marks a significant political event in France. This vote, supported by both far-right and left-wing lawmakers, led to the collapse of Barnier’s government just three months after it took office. This is the first time in over 60 years that a French government has been ousted through a no-confidence motion, making Michel Barnier the shortest-serving Prime Minister in modern French history. With the government now in a caretaker role until a new government is formed, this crisis has sent shockwaves through the country and raised serious questions about France’s political stability. President Emmanuel Macron is expected to address the nation to clarify the way forward.
Electoral and Governance System of France
System of Governance:
France operates under a semi-presidential system of governance, established by the Fifth Republic in 1958. This system combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary systems, giving substantial executive powers to both the President and the Prime Minister. The President is responsible for strategic foreign policy, national defense, and overseeing constitutional matters, while the Prime Minister manages domestic policy, implements laws, and coordinates government functions.
Parliamentary Structure:
France has a bicameral parliament:
- National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale): The lower house, composed of 577 deputies elected for a five-year term through a two-round majority system.
- Senate (Sénat): The upper house, indirectly elected by an electoral college, which primarily represents local authorities.
Role of the President and Prime Minister:
- President: As the head of state, the President holds significant powers, including appointing the Prime Minister, presiding over the Council of Ministers, commanding the armed forces, and calling referenda. The President can dissolve the National Assembly and call early elections.
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister, appointed by the President, is the head of government, responsible for managing domestic affairs, implementing policies, and coordinating ministerial work. The Prime Minister is accountable to the National Assembly.
Background of the Current Political Crisis in France
Dissolution of Parliament:
The political instability in France began with President Macron’s decision to dissolve parliament after the defeat of centrist forces in the European Parliament elections. This dissolution led to early elections, resulting in a fragmented parliament with three roughly equal blocs: left, center, and far-right, none commanding a clear majority. The left-wing coalition (NFP) emerged as the largest bloc, but was denied the right to form a government.
Cohabitation:
Macron appointed Michel Barnier as Prime Minister, which led to a situation of “cohabitation”—a scenario in which the President and Prime Minister belong to different political factions. This created a fragile government and further complicated decision-making.
Barnier’s Strategy:
To secure support, Barnier attempted to court the far-right by introducing policies on immigration, security, and crime, while also addressing the cost of living. However, this strategy did not succeed in securing long-term backing, particularly from the left.
Why Did the French Government Fall?
The downfall of the French government occurred after Prime Minister Michel Barnier invoked Article 49.3 of the French Constitution to bypass parliamentary approval of a controversial austerity budget. This draft budget aimed to save €60 billion by implementing significant spending cuts and tax hikes. The austerity measures sparked a no-confidence motion led by left-wing lawmakers who opposed these policies, leading to Barnier’s resignation.
Implications of the French Government’s Fall
- Political Instability: The fall of the government has plunged France into deep political uncertainty. With the risk of entering 2025 without a stable government or an approved budget, the political paralysis is deeply troubling. The uncertainty surrounding governance has shaken investor confidence, briefly pushing France’s borrowing costs above those of Greece. The financial markets are keenly watching how the government crisis is managed.
- Economic Consequences: The economic consequences of this instability could be profound. Without a stable government, there may be significant delays in implementing necessary economic reforms, and the 2025 budget could face delays. The political crisis could also disrupt France’s efforts to address ongoing fiscal deficits and curb public debt, further straining its economy.
- Emergency Budget Provisions: Despite the crisis, France’s constitution allows the caretaker government to pass emergency laws, including extending the previous year’s budget to ensure continuity. This means that basic functions of government, such as public sector salaries and essential services, can continue, and France will avoid the type of government shutdown seen in other countries like the United States.
- Impact on the European Union: The political turmoil in France adds to the growing challenges faced by the European Union (EU). In addition to the collapse of Germany’s coalition government, the EU is grappling with maintaining unity within its member states. The French crisis could have repercussions for EU policy-making, especially as the bloc prepares for upcoming challenges related to global political shifts and the potential return of Donald Trump to the White House.
Conclusion
The collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government has introduced significant political instability in France, threatening the timely approval of the 2025 budget and exacerbating economic concerns. It highlights the challenges faced by countries with a fragmented political landscape, where coalition governance becomes increasingly difficult. The French crisis serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of semi-presidential systems and the impact of political fragmentation on governance. Furthermore, it presents significant challenges to the European Union, which must now contend with both internal governance issues and external pressures from global political developments.
