THE NEED FOR A SECOND CHAMBER: BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE
Introduction The Rajya Sabha came into being on April 3, 1952, and had undergone severe prenatal scrutiny in the Constituent Assembly. History of Formation of Bicameral Structure in India The central legislature that came into being under the Government of India Act, 1919 was bicameral with a Council of States and a Legislative Assembly. The membership and […]
PLAYING OUT LIVE, A NARRATIVE OF DISCRIMINATION
Key insights into migration The government gave a tentative estimate of there being 10 crore migrant workers in India but admitted to many being largely undocumented and unregistered as workers. The last National Sample Survey Office migration survey, which was published more than 20 years ago, showed that between 1992-93 to 2007–08, the proportion of migrant households […]
EQUAL FREEDOM AND FORCED LABOUR
Introduction Quote B.R. Ambedkar therefore argued that fundamental rights must also “eliminate the possibility of the more powerful having the power to impose arbitrary restraints on the less powerful by withdrawing from the control he has over the economic life of the people”. Labour rights The 1931 Karachi Declaration and Bill of Rights expressly placed labour […]
BUBONIC PLAGUE LEADING TO EPIDEMIC DISEASES ACT
Introduction The Centre amended the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, making attacks on healthcare workers a cognisable, non-bailable offence, on March 2020. The colonial-era Act empowers the state governments to take special measures and prescribe regulations in an epidemic, defines penalties for disobedience of these regulations, and provides for immunity for actions taken under the Act […]
A ROADMAP FOR MANUFACTURING
Current Situation Within the manufacturing sector MSMEs are the hardest hit, with many of them getting close to bankruptcy. At a global level, there is a very clear indication that companies that are doing business in China are now looking to consider other attractive investment destinations. India’s Opportunity Potentially, India can take the lead and […]
A WAR-LIKE STATE AND A BOND TO THE RESCUE
Introduction In the Budget before the pandemic, India projected a deficit of ₹7.96-lakh crore. The financial deficit number is set to grow by a wide margin due to revenue shrinkage from the coming depression that will most certainly be accompanied by a lack of appetite for disinvestment. In addition to the expenditure that was planned, […]
RESUSCITATING MULTILATERALISM WITH INDIA’S HELP
Introduction Even as the coronavirus pandemic unleashes its devastation across the globe, the great and the good have been quick to remind us of the value of multilateralism and the necessity to preserve it. India may be uniquely positioned to help resuscitate multilateralism. India can start playing a role United States facing multiple internal challenges […]
IT’S TIME FOR A VIRTUAL JUDICIARY
Why do we need a ‘Virtual Judiciary’ now? The pendency of cases in various courts in India is staggering- and the existing infrastructure may be grossly under-utilised. There are tribunals such as the Income Tax Tribunal that function only half-day most of the time. To make matters worse, most courts are closed for Christmas and […]
DO NUMBERS MATTER IN RAJYA SABHA?
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha: Cooperation in Divergent Composition The Indian Constitution provides for parity of powers between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in law, making an exception in some cases. The Money Bill or Finance Bills can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha which only can approve the Demands for Grants. The Rajya Sabha […]
SC SETS UP PANEL TO LOOK INTO J&K INTERNET CURBS
Why in news? The Jammu and Kashmir government’s orders do not reveal any reason for making mobile 4G Internet inaccessible across the Union Territory (UT), the Supreme Court said in an order on 11th May 2020. Besides, the government orders snipping the Internet speed to 2G were meant to operate for only a limited time. Petitions […]