GS Paper 2

Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)

Context: Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI)  is conducting a seminar to facilitate the effective implementation of the National Education Policy and human resource development specifically targeting the empowerment of persons with disabilities.

About Rehabilitation Council of India

  • Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body established by the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992. 
  • The body functions under the Department of Disability under Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
  • Main mandate of RCI is to standardise, regulate and monitor training programs in the field of special education and disability and prescribe minimum standards of education and training for 16 categories of professionals and personnel allocated for RCI. 

Objectives of Rehabilitation Council of India

  • Regulate & monitor training programs in the field of disability rehabilitation & special education.
  • Prescribe minimum standards of education & training for various categories of human resources dealing with persons with disabilities.
  • Regulate these standards in all training institution to bring about uniformity throughout India.
  • Make recommendations to the Ministry regarding recognition of qualification granted by Training Institution, Universities etc. in India for rehabilitation professionals/personnel.
  • Make recommendations to Ministry regarding recognition of qualification granted by institution outside India under the scheme of reciprocity.
  • Maintain Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) of persons possessing recognised rehabilitation qualification.
  • Encourage continuing rehabilitation education program at approved institution.
  • Promote research in disability rehabilitation and special education.

Functions of Rehabilitation Council of India

  • Qualifications granted by any University or other institution in India that are included in the schedule shall be recognised qualifications for rehabilitation professionals/personnel.
  • Registration of Rehabilitation Professionals/Personnel in the Central Rehabilitation Register (CRR) of persons possessing the recognised qualifications. 
  • Prescribe the minimum standards of education required for granting recognised rehabilitation qualification by Universities/Institutions of India. 
  • Prescribe standards of professional conduct, etiquette and code of ethics for rehabilitation professional/personnel.
  • Assess & grant approval to institution/universities for training of professionals in the field of rehabilitation and to facilitate their recognition and its withdrawal by Government.
  • Appoint visitors to inspect any University or Institution where education for rehabilitation professional is given or attend any examination for the purpose of granting recognised rehabilitation qualifications. 

16 Categories of Rehabilitation Professionals/Personnel covered under RCI Act

  • Audiologists & Speech Therapists
  • Clinical Psychologists
  • Hearing & Ear Mould Technicians
  • Rehabilitation Engineers & Technicians
  • Special Teachers for Educating & Training Persons with Disabilities
  • Vocational counsellors, employment officers & placement officers dealing with Persons with Disabilities
  • Multipurpose Rehabilitation Therapists & Technicians
  • Speech Pathologists
  • Rehabilitation Psychologists
  • Rehabilitation Social Workers
  • Rehabilitation Practitioners in Mental Retardation
  • Orientation & Mobility Specialists
  • Community based Rehabilitation Professionals
  • Rehabilitation Counsellors/Administrators
  • Prosthetists & Orthotists
  • Rehabilitation Workshop Managers
  • Any other category of professionals included from time to time.

Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) 2022-23

Context: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has secured 2nd position among 66 ministries in the Data Governance Quality Index.

Data Governance Quality Index 2023

Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) survey aims to measure the maturity level of administrative data systems and their use in decision-making of various Ministries & Departments on the implementation of Central Sector Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes. 

Also identifies reforms to reach the frontier of seamless data exchange and its synergistic use within the ministry, while defining clear pathways to achieve these goals. 

This index is published by Development Monitoring & Evaluation Office (DMEO) under Niti Aayog. 

Methodology of Data Governance Quality Index

  • Data Generation: Measures ability of respective ministries/departments to efficiently generate data for program implementation.
  • Data Quality: Covers processes of scientifically and statistically evaluating data to determine whether they meet quality benchmarks. 
  • Use of Technology: Assesses if emerging technologies are being utilised to improve data robustness.
  • Data Analysis, Use & Dissemination: Covers if collected data is being analysed and used for evidence creation and decision making. 
  • Data Security & Human Resource Capacity: Assesses if antivirus updates and internal audit systems are in place to ensure data is not corrupted or prone to areas. 
  • Case Studies: Focuses on any intervention at Ministry/Department level or any innovative approach can be highlighted as case studies. 

Significance of Data driven governance

  • Enables policymakers to identify trends, opportunities and areas for improvement accurately.
  • Enables policymakers to make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes for citizens.
  • Data driven decision making leads to economies and cost-effective solutions.
  • Enhances transparency and makes it easier to track the progress of schemes and policies.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)

Context: Parveen Sood, a 1986 batch officer, has been appointed director of CBI for a period of two years.

About CBI: 

  • It was setup in 1963 by resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • The establishment of the CBI was recommended by Santhanam Committee.
  • It is a non-constitutional and non-statutory body.
  • It derives its powers from the Delhi Police Establishment Act, 1946.
  • It is the main investigating agency of the Central Government.
  • It acts as the “National Central Bureau” of Interpol in India.

Director of CBI:

  • The CBI is headed by a Director.
  • The director of CBI has been provided security of two-year tenure in office by CVC Act, 2003.
  • Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013 amended the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act 1946 and made following changes: The Central Government shall appoint the Director of CBI on the recommendations of a three-member committee consisting of Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition and the Chief Justice of India or Judge of Supreme Court nominated by him.

Functions of CBI:

  • Investigating cases of corruption, bribery and misconduct of Central government employees.
  • Investigating cases relating to infringement of fiscal and economic laws.
  • Investigating serious crimes, having national and international ramifications, committed by organized gangs of professional criminals.
  • Coordinating the activities of anticorruption agencies and various state police forces.
  • It takes up investigation of conventional crimes like murder, kidnapping, rape etc. on the reference from the state governments or when directed by the Supreme Court/High Courts.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is India's premier investigative agency, responsible for conducting probes into a wide range of crimes and offences. However, the agency has faced several issues and controversies in recent years. 

  • Limited jurisdiction: Its jurisdiction is limited to certain types of cases, such as those related to corruption or economic offences. This has led to questions about the agency's ability to investigate other types of crimes, such as terrorism or organized crime.
  • Withdrawal of Consent: The work of the agency has been further constrained by the increasingly hostile relations between the Centre and the state governments. As many as nine states have withdrawn general consent to the CBI. Most of these are Opposition-ruled states, which have alleged that the CBI is being used by the Centre to target the Opposition.
  • Political interference: CBI is often accused of being used as a tool by the ruling government to target political opponents and shield their own leaders from corruption charges. E.g., CBI's investigation into the alleged corruption in the Rafale deal was seen as politically motivated by the opposition parties. 
  • Lack of autonomy: CBI is supposed to be an independent investigating agency, but it often faces interference from the government and its officials. In 2018, the CBI director Alok Verma was removed from his post and sent on leave by the government, which led to a controversy over the agency's autonomy. 
  • Delay in investigations: It is known for its slow pace of investigations, which often leads to delays in justice and allows the accused to go scot-free. For example, the investigation into the 2G spectrum scam took several years to complete, which led to criticism from the public and the media. 
  • Lack of transparency: It is often criticized for its lack of transparency in its functioning and investigations. The agency's refusal to disclose information under the Right to Information Act has been challenged in courts by activists and journalists. E.g., In the 2017 Ryan International School murder case, the CBI was criticized for not disclosing key information about the investigation.
  • Corruption within the agency: CBI itself has been rocked by corruption scandals in the past, which have raised questions about its credibility and impartiality. In 2018, the CBI arrested its own DSP Devender Kumar for allegedly falsifying records in a case against the meat exporter Moin Qureshi. 
  • Inefficient use of resources: Its resources are often stretched thin due to its heavy workload, which leads to inefficiencies in its functioning. The agency has a backlog of several thousand cases, which has led to the demand for more resources and manpower. 
  • Lack of expertise: Its investigators are often accused of lacking the necessary expertise and skills to handle complex cases. For instance, the agency's investigation into the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh was criticized for being shoddy and inadequate.
  • Internal Conflicts: The issue between former Director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana, who accused each other of corruption and interference in ongoing investigations, led to two factions within the CBI. The conflict affected the CBI's credibility and raised concerns about independence.

Way Forward: 

  • Greater Autonomy: The 2nd ARC have recommended enactment of a comprehensive central legislation to remove the deficiencies of not having a central investigative agency having its own laws and charter of duties and functions. 
  • Increase Jurisdiction: 24th Parliamentary Standing Committee even suggested CBI to take Suo moto cognizance of crimes and to give CBI pan Indian jurisdiction including jurisdiction to investigate corruption charges against officers of All India Service.
  • Enhanced Accountability: To ensure greater accountability, the CBI should be made answerable to a parliamentary committee rather than the executive. This would help to prevent interference in the agency's functioning and improve transparency. 
  • Strengthening Coordination: The CBI should strengthen coordination with state police forces and other law enforcement agencies to enhance its investigative capabilities. This would help to avoid duplication of effort and ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly and efficiently.

RCEP & India

Context: In November 2019, India walked out from the trade pact called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) involving China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10-state Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping. Fast forward to 2023, and now India along with many of the same countries, but with China replaced by the United States, is getting into the U.S.-driven Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

Moving Away from China

  • The one clear difference is of China versus the U.S. Developing a strategic partnership with the U.S. is India’s top foreign policy priority. Its relationship with China has, meanwhile, further deteriorated. But a strategic partnership with the U.S. need not come at the cost of economic dependency on it. With China, the big economic fear was any trade deal’s impact on India’s manufacturing sector; of cheap Chinese goods flooding Indian markets.
  • Traditionally, trade deals used to be mostly about tariffs. Increasingly though, issues related to intellectual property, services, investment, domestic regulation, digital, and labour and environmental standards, are becoming more important. The U.S.’s IPEF proposal completely removes the tariff element of typical trade deals, and is entirely about all these other areas.

Potential Negative Impact

  • Early assessment by many experts shows that the IPEF would result in a complete stranglehold over the economic systems of the participating countries, in a manner that is to the complete advantage of the U.S. The systemic integration caused by the IPEF’s actual long-term impact will leave little leeway for domestic policies to help a country’s own industrialisation (for example through tight supply chain integration that many elements of the IPEF contribute to).
  • The IPEF has four pillars: trade, supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. Fearful of a possible trap, India has joined the other three pillars but not trade. But there is great pressure on it to join trade too, and India could relent. Joining the trade pillar is the worst, but the other pillars too contribute to developing hard new economic architectures and structures that are not tariff-based.
  • The IPEF can already be seen to have deep implications in agriculture, in terms of genetically modified seeds and food, surrendering policy space for regulating Big Tech, and compromising a comparative advantage in manufacturing because of unfair labour and environment standards. It will also seriously affect India’s ability to create a vibrant domestic ecosystem in emerging areas such as a digital economy and green products.

To read more about IPEF i.e. Background, Pros and Cons 
(https://compass.rauias.com/current-affairs/indo-pacific-economic-framework-prosperity/)

Revamping Middle East

Context: The weekend meeting in Riyadh between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the national security advisers of the US, UAE, and India underlines the growing strategic convergence between Delhi and Washington in the Gulf. It also highlights India’s new possibilities in the Arabian Peninsula.

New Development in the Middle East

The new India-US warmth on the Gulf is a major departure from the traditional approaches to the Middle East in both India and the US. 

  • In India, one of the entrenched principles of the Nehruvian foreign policy was the proposition that Delhi must either oppose Washington or keep its distance from it in the Middle East. This self-imposed ideological taboo was broken with the formation of a four-nation grouping  unveiled in October 2021 called I2U2 that brought the US, India, Israel, and the UAE together.
  • It is too understand that joining hands with the US was not the only taboo that current foreign policy dispensation discarded. It also rejected the notion that India can’t be visibly friendly to Israel. 
  • The move has also transformed India’s uneasy relations with the two Arabian kingdoms, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, into solid strategic partnerships. As India is now doubling down with a new quadrilateral with the US, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
  • Emerging Arabia opens enormous new possibilities for India’s economic growth and Delhi’s productive involvement in promoting connectivity and security within Arabia and between it and the abutting regions including Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean and the Subcontinent. 
  • The engagement would also help India overcome the dangerous forces of violent religious extremism within the Subcontinent. The new opportunities in Arabia and the emerging possibilities for partnership with the US and the West position India to rapidly elevate its own standing in the region.
  • Further the US is not the only Western power that India is beginning to work with in the Gulf. France has emerged as an important partner in the Gulf and the Western Indian Ocean. India now has a trilateral dialogue with Abu Dhabi and Paris
  • It is also to understand that it is not only India that  is shedding its “anti-Western” lens in the Middle East, the US is leading the West to discard its pro-Pakistan bias in thinking about the relationship between the Subcontinent and the Gulf. Under Nehruvian foreign policy India withdrew from its historic geopolitical role in the Middle East, Pakistan became the lynchpin of the Anglo-American strategy to secure the “wells of (oil) power” in the Gulf.
  • However Pakistan’s continuing strategic decline makes it a lot less relevant to the changing geopolitics of the Gulf. Once viewed as a moderate Muslim nation with prospects for economic growth, it has now locked itself into a self-made trap of violent religious extremism and its political elite is utterly unprepared to lift the nation economically.
  • Pakistan has drifted too close to China. As the US-China confrontation sharpens, Islamabad is tempted to align with China and Russia in the region and the scholars believe that the current government might prefer to boost its “all-weather partnership” with Beijing.

Understanding the Changing Regional Dynamics

  • The US is not about to abandon the Middle East. But it certainly is recalibrating its regional strategy.
  • US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan highlighted several elements of the new US approach. Viewed from Delhi, two of them stand out. 
  • One was about building new partnerships, including with Delhi 
  • Second was about the integration of the Arabian Peninsula into India and the world. 
  • It is also about the rising power of the Arabian Peninsula, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Gulf kingdoms have accumulated massive financial capital and embarked on an ambitious economic transformation that will reduce their dependence on oil over the long term. 
  • They have also begun to diversify their strategic partnerships, develop nationalism rather than religion as the political foundation for their states, promote religious tolerance at home, and initiate social reform.

Conclusion

The momentous change in intra-regional and international relations of the Arabian Peninsula, India has inevitably become part of the new regional calculus. Seizing the new strategic opportunities for India in the Gulf would, however, involve the long overdue modernisation of Delhi’s strategic discourse on the Gulf and a conscious effort to change the outdated popular narratives on the Arabian Peninsula.

Read also: New proposed project, benefits and about I2U2 visit

Delhi vs Centre: the question is who has control over the bureaucrats

Context: Five years ago, a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court advised the Centre, acting through the Lieutenant Governor, and the Delhi government led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to follow the path of “collaborative federalism”. The term, coined by the court in its July 2018 judgment, merely meant that the Centre and the Delhi government should lay aside their differences, show mature statesmanship in their relationship. The five judge Bench had held that the two powers —Centre and Delhi government — were “inter­dependent”.

ADMINISTRATION OF DELHI

• Delhi State Legislative Assembly having a Chief Minister came into being in 1952 under Government of Part-C States Act, 1951. (Chief Commissioners Province)

• The States Reorganisation Act, 1957, conferred UT status on Delhi, to be administered by  an Administrator appointed by President.

• Limited representative government was provided by the Delhi Administration Act, 1966.

• Constitution 69thAmendment added Article 239AA & Article 239AB which was gave constitutional status and the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCT) Act, 1991 was enacted based on recommendations of Balakrishnan Committee Report.

• Election Commission under Article 324 conducts elections to Legislative Assembly of Delhi.

ARTICLE 239AA - SPECIAL PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO DELHI

Provides that Legislative Assembly of Delhi can legislate on matters in State & Concurrent List except – State List: Entry 1–Public Order; Entry 2 – Police; Entry 18 – Land.

DELHI HIGH COURT JUDGMENT – 2016

It declared Delhi as a UT, with LG as administrative head having discretionary powers.

SC JUDGMENT – 2018

• Reversed Delhi HC Order - stated that Article 239AA provides for representative government with Council of Ministers to aid and advice the LG except on matters he refers to the president.

• Court Focussed on Collaborative Federalism – “The Union government and the State governments should endeavour to address the common problems with the intention of arriving at a solution by showing statesmanship, combined action and sincere cooperation. In collaborative federalism, the Union and the State governments should express their readiness to achieve the common objective and work together for it.”

• If difference arises on any matter, LG has to send it to the President.

• However, LG cannot refer every matter to the President as Article 239AA (4) mentions about “any matter”.

SALIENT FEATURES OF GOVT. OF NCT DELHI ACT, 1991

• Special address by Lieutenant Governor: At the first session after election of Legislative assembly and at the first session of each year.

• Matters in which Lieutenant Governor to act in his discretion, which falls outside purview of powers of Legislative Assembly; matters in which powers or functions are entrusted or delegated to LG by the President; where LG under any law is required to act in his discretion, where LG is  to exercise any judicial or quasi-judicial functions.

• President shall make rules for procedure to be adopted in the case of a difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and the Council of Ministers or a Minister.

• All executive action of the Lieutenant Governor shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Lieutenant Governor.

• Duties of Chief Minister: To communicate to LG all decisions of Council of Ministers relating to administration of the Capital and proposals for legislation, to furnish such information relating to the administration of the Capital and proposals for legislation as LG may call for & if the Lieutenant Governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of Council of Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has not been considered by the Council.

PROVISION IN CASE OF FAILURE OF CONSTITUTIONAL MACHINERY IN NCT OF DELHI (ARTICLE 239AB)

• President after receiving report of LG may suspend the operation of Article 239AA or any law made under Article 239AA for one year.

• President’s order under Article 239AB shall expire at  the end of one year from  the date of issue of the order and the provisions of clauses (2) and (3) of Article 356 shall apply to such order as they apply to a Proclamation issued under clause (1) of Article 356.

GOVERNMENT OF NCT DELHI AMENDMENT (2021)

• The term “government” referred in any law made by Legislative Assembly will imply LG of Delhi.

• Rules regulating procedure and conduct of business in Delhi Assembly to be consistent with Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.

• Prohibits Delhi Assembly from making any rule to enable itself or its committees to: (i) consider matters of day-to-day administration of NCT of Delhi (ii) conduct any inquiry in relation to administrative decisions.

• The Amendment adds that on certain matters, as specified by the LG, his opinion must be obtained before taking any executive action on the decisions of the Minister/ Council of Ministers.

Higher pension: EPFO offices told to work out dues of subscribers (Note about EPFO)

Context: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has issued an internal circular directing its regional offices on the method to calculate the dues of subscribers who apply for higher Provident Fund (PF) pensions.

About EPFO:

  • The Employees' Provident Fund came into existence with the promulgation of the Employees' Provident Funds Ordinance on the 15th of November 1951.
  • It was replaced by the Employees' Provident Funds Act, of 1952.
  • The Employees' Provident Funds Bill was introduced in the Parliament as Bill Number 15 of the year 1952 as a Bill to provide for the institution of provident funds for employees in factories and other establishments.
  • The Act is now referred to as the Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 which extends to the whole of India.
  • The Act and Schemes framed there under are administered by a tri-partite Board known as the Central Board of Trustees, Employees' Provident Fund, consisting of representatives of Government (Both Central and State), Employers, and Employees.
  • The Central Board of Trustees administers a contributory provident fund, a pension scheme and an insurance scheme for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India.
  • The Board is assisted by the Employees’ PF Organization (EPFO), consisting of offices at 138 locations across the country.
  • The Organization has a well-equipped training set-up where officers and employees of the Organization as well as Representatives of the Employers and Employees attend sessions for pieces of training and seminars.
  • The EPFO is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
  • EPFO Organisation Structure (Annual Report 2019-20) The Board operates three schemes - EPF Scheme 1952, Pension Scheme 1995 (EPS) and Insurance Scheme 1976 (EDLI).
  • EPFO is one of the World's largest Social Security Organisations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.
  • At present it maintains 24.77 crore accounts (Annual Report 2019-20) pertaining to its members.

Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi’: Anganwadi scheme for early childhood care, education launched

Context: Union Minister for Women and Child Development, launched the Centre’s flagship programme ‘Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi’, which will focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) at anganwadis across the country.

About Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi campaign

  • Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi is a pathbreaking ECCE program to ensure that India has the world’s largest, universal, high-quality preschool network, as the National Education Policy suggests. 
  • Close to 13.9 lacks operational Anganwadi centres across the country are providing supplementary nutrition and early care and education to around 8 crore beneficiary children under the age of 6 years, making it the largest public provisioning of such services in the world.
  • Considering global evidence on 85% of brain development being achieved by the age of 6, the Anganwadi eco-system becomes a critical access point for building our children’s base to secure their future.
  • The government will target children’s development in every domain mentioned in the National Curriculum Framework, viz., physical and motor development, cognitive development, socio-emotional-ethical development, cultural/artistic development, and the development of communication and early language, literacy, and numeracy.
  • All States will follow the national ECCE task force recommendations for a play-based, activity-based learning pedagogy, targeted specifically at developmental milestones of 0-3-year olds as well as 3-6-year olds, including special support for Divyang children.
  • Through the changes introduced by the “Poshan bhi, Padhai bhi” ECCE policy, every child would be provided with at least two hours of high-quality preschool instruction on a daily basis.
  •  As stated in the NEP, Anganwadi Centres will be strengthened with high-quality infrastructure, play equipment, and well-trained Anganwadi workers/teachers.
  • Poshan bhi Padhai bhi will focus on promoting holistic and quality early stimulation and pre-primary education for children, ensuring the use of developmentally appropriate pedagogies and emphasizing the links with primary education as well as early childhood health and nutrition services.
  • Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi program will provide for the mother tongue as primary teacher instruction medium, different types of teaching-learning material (visual aids, audio aids, audio-visual and bodily-kinesthetic aids) to Anganwadi Sewikas, and help build a Jan Andolan, to involve communities in strengthening the foundations of the country’s future generations.

A top-down code

Context: The central government has codified 29 labour laws into 4 labour codes but, labour legislation is under the concurrent list so the responsibility of framing the rules related to these codes lies with states but they have not framed the rules yet which is defeating the very purpose of these codes.

Labour Code (Wage Code) – 2019

  • After 73 years of independence, work is being done to provide wage security, social security and health security to 50 crore workers, covering organized and unorganized sectors.
  • The guarantee of minimum wages is available to 50 crore workers in organized and unorganized sectors.
  • Review of minimum wages every 5 years.
  • Guarantee of timely payment of wages to all workers
  • Equal remuneration to male and female workers.
  • For the first time, around 40 crore workers of the unorganized sector in the country have got this right.
  • To remove regional disparity in minimum wages the provision of floor wage has been introduced.
  • The determination of minimum wages has been made easy. It will be based on criteria such as skill level and geographical area.
  • From 28.08.2017 Payment of Wages Act has increased the wage ceiling from Rs. 18000 to Rs. 24000.

Social security code 2020

  • Through a small contribution, the benefit of free treatment is available under hospitals and dispensaries of ESIC.
  • The doors of ESIC will now be opened for the workers of all sectors and the unorganised sector workers.
  • Expansion of ESIC hospitals, dispensaries and branches up to the district level.
  • This facility is to be increased from 566 districts to all 740 districts of the country.
  • Even if a single worker is engaged in hazardous work, he would be given ESIC benefit.
  • Opportunity to join ESIC for platform and gig workers engaged in new technology.
  • Plantation workers get the benefit of ESIC.
  • Institutions working in hazardous areas are to be compulsorily registered with ESIC.

Expansion of Social Security

  • The benefit of a pension scheme (EPFO) to all workers of organized, unorganized and self-employed sectors.
  • Creation of social security fund for providing comprehensive social security to the unorganized sector.
  • The requirement of minimum service has been removed for payment of gratuity in the case of fixed-term employees.
  • Employees engaged on fixed terms get the same social security benefit as permanent employees.
  • Creating a national database of workers of the unorganized sector through registration on Portal.
  • Employers employing more than 20 workers to mandatorily report vacancies online.
  • A Universal Account Number (UAN) for ESIC, EPFO and Unorganised Sector workers.
  • Aadhaar-based Universal Account Number (UAN) to ensure seamless portability.

OSH Code (Occupational, Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code) - 2020

  • Various provisions in the OSH Code will ease the lives of the Inter-State Migrant Workers.
  •  Anomalies of the Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, of 1979 have been comprehensively addressed in the OSH Code. Earlier only workers appointed by a contractor were recognized as Inter-State Migrant Workers. However, under the new provisions of the Code, workers can be Aatmanirbhar as they can now register themselves as Inter-State Migrant Workers on the national portal. By this provision, the worker would get a legal identity which would enable them to get the benefits of all social security schemes.
  • A provision has been made for employers to provide a travelling allowance annually to an Inter-State Migrant Worker for undertaking a to-and-fro journey to his native place.
  • Providing of appointment letters to the workers has been made mandatory.
  • Mandatory, free annual health check-ups of the workers to be provided by the employers.
  • For a worker engaged in building and other construction work in one State and moving to another State, benefit from the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Cess fund will be provided.
  • Under the “One Nation - One Ration Card”, an Inter-State Migrant Worker would get a ration facility in the State he is working in and the remaining members of his family would be able to avail of the ration facility in the State where they reside.
  • Mandatory helpline facility in every State for the resolution of Inter-State Migrant Workers’ grievances.
  • A national database is to be created for the Inter-State Migrant Workers.
  • Instead of 240 days, now if a worker has worked 180 days, he shall be entitled to one-day leave for every 20 days of work done.
  • Women’s Empowerment through the Labour Codes
  • Right to women workers to work in all types of establishments.
  • Women have been given the right to work at night with their consent and it has also been ensured that the employer would make adequate arrangements to provide safety and facilities to women workers at night.
  • The Maternity Benefit Act was amended in 2017 to increase the paid Maternity leave for women workers from 12 to 26 weeks and ensure mandatory crèche facility in all establishments having 50 or more workers.

Industrial Relations (IR) Code, 2020

  • In case of job loss, a worker will get benefits under the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna.
  • Under the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna, a worker of the organized sector who loses his job gets financial aid from the Government. This is a type of unemployment allowance, the benefit of which is admissible to the workers covered under the ESI Scheme.
  •  At the time of retrenchment, a worker would Chapter 8 New Labour Code For New India 20 be provided 15 days’ wages for re-skilling. The wages would be credited directly into the bank account of the worker so as to enable him to learn new skills.
  • Faster justice for the workers through the Tribunal.
  • Workers’ disputes are to be resolved within a year in the Tribunal.
  • Industrial Tribunals to have 2 members to facilitate faster disposal of cases.
  • In industrial establishments, a Trade Union having 51 per cent votes shall be recognised as the sole negotiating union which can make agreements with employers.
  • In industrial establishments in which no trade union gets 51 per cent votes, a negotiating council of trade unions shall be constituted for making agreements with employer.

AISHE report and low Muslim participation in higher education

Context: The Ministry of Education, Government of India has released All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2020-2021. The Ministry has been conducting All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) since 2011, covering all higher educational institutions located in Indian Territory and imparting higher education in the country. The survey collects detailed information on different parameters such as student enrollment, teacher’s data, infrastructural information, financial information etc.

Key findings of AISHE 2020-21:

  • The total enrollment in higher education has increased to nearly 4.14 crore in 2020-21 from 3.85 crore in 2019-20.  Since 2014-15, there has been an increase of around 72 Lakh in the enrolment (21%).
  • Higher education's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) has also surpassed 27.3%. The GER measures the proportion of adults between the ages of 18 and 23 who are enrolled in college. It was determined using data from the 2011 Census.
  • The Female enrolment has increased to 2.01 crore from 1.88 crore in 2019-20.  There has been an increase of around 44 Lakh (28%) since 2014-15.
  • Female GER has overtaken Male GER since 2017-18. Gender Parity Index (GPI), the ratio of female GER to male GER, has increased from 1 in 2017-18 to 1.05 in 2020-21.
  • There has been a noticeable increase in the enrolment of students from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) in higher education institutions between 2014–15 and 2020–21. ST students have seen the largest growth, with a nearly 47% increase.

Government universities constitute contribute 73.1% of total enrolment of students. Whereas, private universities account for only 26.3% of the total enrolment.

Declining representation of Muslim minority groups in Higher education:

One contrasting trend observed in the recent AISHE report is the declining representation of Muslims in higher education.  Enrollment of Muslim students dropped by 8 per cent from 2019-20 – that is, by 1,79,147 students. This level of absolute decline has never happened in the recent past for any group. 

Possible reasons:

  • Bias in labour markets: As per Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) report, unemployment rate of Muslims is comparably lower than other religious groups. This data is partly a reflection of some discrimination in the job market. 
  • Barriers to female education: Economic and social backwardness of the minority community and other cultural barriers inhibited participation of Muslim women in higher education. 
  • Violence: Increased violence against Muslims has restricted their spatial mobility and has forced them to withdraw into their shells, a development evident from the ongoing process of ghettoization in almost all Indian cities. 

This increased marginalisation of Muslims in higher education and public employment, which was also reflected in Sachar committee and Ranganath Mishra reports, calls for need to extend affirmative action policies to Muslims.

Buddhism, India’s soft power projection tool

Context: There is much significance to India having hosted a two-day global Buddhist summit in New Delhi (April 20-21), which was organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation. The summit saw the participation of key figures from the global Buddhist community, including the Dalai Lama. The summit was a significant opportunity for India to project and connect with the Buddhist population around the world, thereby strengthening the country’s soft power.

Use of Buddhism as a soft power tool:

With its strong historical and cultural ties to Buddhism, India is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the discourse around Buddhist issues on the global stage.

  • The Indian government has been actively investing in its Buddhist diplomacy efforts, with a focus on promoting tourism through the development of the “Buddhist tourist circuit”. Additionally, India under PM Modi has made it a point to visit Buddhist sites during his Southeast and East Asian visits. By hosting such a high-profile event, the Indian government hopes to demonstrate its commitment to preserving and promoting Buddhist culture and heritage, as well as strengthening ties with the global Buddhist community
  • Further India’s efforts to position itself as a great power is committed to cooperation rather than coercion and are rooted in its deep historical and cultural ties to the region. The current government’s guiding principles for foreign policy, Panchamrit principles include “Sanskriti Evam Sabhyata” which means cultural and civilizational links, which were highlighted during the Delhi summit
  • India hopes to reinforce its image as a responsible global power committed to peaceful cooperation and regional stability. By laying an emphasis on cultural and civilisational ties, India seeks to promote greater understanding and cooperation between nations and to demonstrate the unique role it can play in shaping the region’s future.

What can be done further?

  • India needs to utilise the reach of Bollywood in promoting its Buddhist heritage. China, with its influence over Hollywood, has completely dominated the narrative around Buddhism through cinema. In contrast, India is behind in this domain; there have not been any efforts made through cinema.
  • India’s G-20 presidency this year could be used to promote Buddhist diplomacy on a bigger scale through various cultural meetings, especially as Buddhist teachings align with the motto of India’s G-20 presidency, ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’

As Buddha was the first diplomat of peace, his teachings of peace and cooperation in these tough times can become the guiding light of Indian diplomacy on the world stage.

ABOUT SOFT-POWER

DEFINITION: The American political theorist Joseph Nye, who coined the term Soft power, defines it as ‘the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than

coercion.’ Indian External Affairs ministry has also defined the term soft power as ability to influence others through appeal and attraction, using non-coercive means.

INDIAN EFFORTS

India has been exercising a range of soft power resources which have widespread global appeal. These include Indian arts, dances and literature, cuisine, yoga and traditional holistic medicine, Indian cinema and entertainment and sports, historical monuments, India’s democracy, its Constitution, its unity in diversity and its composite cultural ethos, traditional values, unique approaches to contemporary issues such as climate change and environmental preservation, scientific and technological accomplishments and socio economic innovation.

METHODS UNDERTAKEN BY INDIA

  • Role of Culture: India has a rich culture and cultural diplomacy is its expression abroad to foreign audiences in order to facilitate/create long term international influence.
  • Role of Diaspora: India has a large Diaspora in the world with over 31 million including over 13 million NRIs and 18 million PIOs spread across the globe. The presence of an extensive and vibrant Indian Diaspora abroad with their growing political and economic profile has emerged as a unique soft power asset of the country. 
  • The Indian Diaspora has emerged as a major partner in promotion of cultural diplomacy in their respective countries. Enumerating the steps taken to engage the extensive network of Indian Diaspora in furthering India's foreign policy and long term interests, various programmes and has taken several steps from time to time to engage with Indian Diaspora for example Know India Programme, Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana, Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children, Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz, Promotion of Cultural Ties with Diaspora, Pravasi Bharatiya Divas among others.
  • Role of Tourism: The Committee are aware that tourism is a key indicator of a country’s soft power capital. Religious tourism and medical tourism have emerged as areas with immense tourism potential. As an ancient civilization and a land of many religions, India has been cashing on this potential. 
  • Efforts that are being taken: India’s Buddhist Circuit/ Pilgrimage and attract foreign tourist to Buddhist sites in India, the International Buddhist Conclave (IBC) is being organized regularly by the Government. To promote tourism, various efforts have also been made viz, launching of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign Under the Champion Sector Scheme, Marketing & Promotion for Buddhist circuits in overseas markets shall be taken up are some of the schemes that are being undertaken.
  • Role of Parliamentary Democracy: India’s vibrant parliamentary democracy, multi-party-political system and orderly change of Government through regular peaceful elections have significantly enhanced India’s standing and profile globally. India is held in great esteem worldwide as the world’s largest democracy.
  • Role of Yoga: Yoga is the ancient Indian practice of physical and mental well-being. The Committee are pleased to note that The United Nations General Assembly declared 21st June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY). The Ministry of AYUSH is the nodal Ministry for International Day of Yoga celebrations and has been celebrating IDY since last five years at national as well as at international level. 
  • ICCR has established the Indo-Turkmenistan Centre for Yoga and Traditional Medicine in Ashgabat and the India- China Yoga College at Yunnan Minzu University, China.
  • Role of Media and Cinema: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting through Prasar Bharati, External Services Division of All India Radio, Film Facilitation Office, etc have been playing a prominent role in the projection of India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy. Hindi film industry, popularly known as Bollywood, has emerged as one of the most notable examples of global entertainment emanating from outside the Western world. The Committee are of the strong view that added emphasis needs to be given to the global imprint of our Cinema as an instrument of soft power while taking effective steps to celebrate and popularize our movies abroad, including regional cinema.

CHALLENGES

The Ministry of External Affairs has highlighted four key factors inhibiting effective conduct of India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy

  1. Inadequate budgetary allocation: Non-availability of adequate finances is one of the factors derailing the effective facilitation of India’s soft power projection. Soft power capabilities require capital, both human as well as financial to be effective. A cursory glance at the budgetary allocation to India’s ICCR and Confucius Institutes of China or UKS’s British Council or Germany’s Goethe Institute is testimony to the hurdles in our institutional efficacy
  2. Lack of coordination among multiple institution: There is a need for greater coordination and consultation among multiple institutions, both in the government and private sector, engaged in conduct of cultural and soft power projection. Currently, there is duplication of efforts and resources due to overlapping mandates of several ministries and agencies.
  3. Shortage of skilled manpower: Shortage of skilled, motivated manpower in the Headquarters as well as in Indian Missions/Posts abroad who have the requisite enthusiasm and interest in cultural work.
  4. Lack of clarity about the mandate of ICCR: While ICCR was established some 71 years ago, global situation has witnessed several drastic changes thereafter. Hence, an institutional device conceived some seven decades back needs a relook in the context of its organizational set functionality and efficacy. The Committee recommend that the Ministry should appoint a Study Group firstly to assess the working of ICCR in comparison to British Council, the American Centre and the Confucius Institute etc and later suggest ways to further strengthen ICCR

SOLUTIONS

  • The Committee, therefore, recommend that MEA should conduct a thorough assessment of our soft power potential and devise strategies for optimum utilization of the same in achieving India’s foreign policy objectives on priority basis and apprise the Committee accordingly.
  • The Committee recommend that the MEA should capitalize in multilateral diplomacy channels and abundantly incorporate Track 2 and Track 3 diplomacy in India’s foreign policy strategies.
  • The Committee therefore recommend that the Ministry should take urgent steps firstly to evolve and later adopt National Policy on Cultural Relationship Development across the countries or National Soft Power Policy.
  • The Committee, therefore, recommend that the Government should increase ICCR’s budgetary allocation by at least 20% than what is being provisioned as of now.
  • In view of the urgent need for greater synergy and coordination among the various Ministries/ Departments /agencies involved in India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, the Committee recommend that the Coordination Committee may be constituted at the earliest.

The Committee, feels that a study could establish the linkages between our soft power and tangible outcomes in the field of diplomacy and hence they fail to comprehend the glaring delay in developing India’s Soft Power Matrix and thus recommends Ministry should have objective metrics for evaluating soft power outcomes through a ‘Soft Power Matrix’ at the earliest.

India’s China strategy needs to be debated

Context: The Chinese policy follows the principle of making headlines on India’s borders. The latest move, in April, saw them “renaming” 11 places in Arunachal Pradesh, which they consider to be “Zangnam” or, in English, “South Tibet”. The announcement was made after approval from the State Council, implying a green light from the very top of the Chinese system.

India-China Relations

  • Ever since the unresolved stand-off at Galwan in June 2020, there has been no serious attempt by Beijing at a resolution, let alone a restoration of the status quo ante, while several instances of further provocation have occurred from the Chinese side. 
  • Another border skirmish in December 2022 in the Tawang area showed that whatever policy the Ministry of External Affairs is masking with its anodyne statements, it is not ensuring deterrence.

India’s Tepid Response

The current response of Indian foreign policy despite of the subsequent reports of incursions seems to be tepid and scholars have identified following reasons for the same:

  • The growing power differential between the two countries act as a deterring force on India taking an aggressive stand against government.
  • Further there is also uncertainty about the strategic actions of major powers such as the U.S. in case of a military stand-off actually takes place between two hostile neighbours.
  • There is a wide military differential capability between the two countries and strategic reports have pointed out that India is not equipped for a major war with China. 
  • There is also pressure from Indian business interests who are anxious to safeguard trade as despite of the rhetoric (under Atmanirbhar Bharat) India’s trade dependence on China has now crossed over $100 billion.
  • Further there is a lack of consensus within the various ministries of the government about the kind of response the Chinese threat merits which is reflected in the non-coherent statements made by different heads of ministries.
  • At last there is a lack of political will within assertive and majoritarian government at the central level which seeks to safeguard its tough image domestically.

This brings us to the question that if India repeating the errors made in its pre-1962 engagement with Communist China? 

  • During 1962, PM Nehru’s vision of India and China as the two major south Asian civilizations led to India being one of the first countries to recognise the Communist government in China and ended up with its softening its line on China’s invasion and occupation of Tibet, its encroachment on India’s borders and its cartographical aggression in the pursuit of Chinese goodwill. 
  • PM Modi’s current policy seems eerily similar to what can be called as Chinese appeasement, and scholars believe that it could end just as badly if not exactly as it did in 1962.
  • Further the Chinese Communist Party has shored up its domestic credibility by valorising its international image. The earlier policy which was anchored in the “peaceful rise” theory, it is now about showing strength, determination, economic might and an unwillingness to compromise on what it sees as its core national interests. 
  • Previously China has always had a fear of being isolated in global affairs but today guided by the geopolitical interest and pragmatism in foreign policy, its assertiveness today is accompanied by diplomatic overtures in Europe, Russia and West Asia, to add an adroit diplomatic gloss to its uncompromising military determination.

Conclusion:

  • When dealing with the Chinese, India must always remember Mark Twain’s observation, that history does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.
  • The period since Galwan, 2020-23, is not the same as 1949-62, but the same pattern of appeasement and self-denial is ominously emerging.
  • India should not miss an opportunity to loudly and proudly raise matters of its own vital interest by not using a strategy that fractures China’s image by challenging it publicly on its transgressions.