Author: CD Staff

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Context

• The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers will implement One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF) under the fertilizer subsidy scheme named “Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna” (PMBJP).
• In this edition of the Burning issue, we will delve deeper into the fertilizer sector of India, see its achievements, lacunas, and schemes under operation and suggest a way forward.

About Fertilizer Sector in India

• Fertilizers are substances that provide one or more of the chemicals required for plant growth. Fertilizers can be both organic and inorganic.
• The benchmark that the food industry in India has set in terms of annual production is primarily due to the many technically competent fertilizer-producing companies in the country.
• In the present scenario, niti.gov.in states that 56 large plants produce nitrogenous, phosphatic, and complex fertilizers and 72 medium and small fertilizer production units in the Indian fertilizer industry, have single super Phosphate (SSP).
• The main products manufactured by the fertilizer industry in India are phosphate-based fertilizers, nitrogenous fertilizers, and complex fertilizers. With its rapid growth, the fertilizer industry in India is all set to make a long-lasting global impression.
• India is home to numerous top-class private and government fertilizer companies. Ranging from fertilizers to seeds to fungicides, the many fertilizer companies in India are the primary reason behind the success story of the sector in India.

Positive aspects of the Fertilizer Sector

• The Indian fertilizers market is estimated to record a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period (2021-2026). The Indian fertilizer market reached a value of INR 887 Billion in 2020.
• The Indian fertilizer industry has made good progress in the case of Nitrogen-based fertilizers. India is the 2nd largest consumer of Urea fertilizers after China. India also ranks 2nd in the production of nitrogenous fertilizers and 3rd in phosphatic fertilizers. 
• Potash requirement is met through imports since we have limited reserves of potash. Productions are largely state-controlled.
• Popular PSUs are The Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd, National fertilizers Limited, Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Ltd., etc.

Challenges in the Fertilizer sector

1] Distortion in use due to price difference

• The shift in the composition of fertilizer used: The high price differences among fertilizers (Nitrogen is much cheaper than Potassium and Phosphorus) have disturbed the relative prices of various fertilizers and resulted in a big shift in the composition of fertilizers used in the country in favor of urea and thus Nitrogen.

• In 2019-20, fertilizer use per hectare of cultivated area varied from 70 kg of NPK in Rajasthan to 250 kg in Telangana
• Further, the composition of total plant nutrients in terms of the N, P, K ratio deviated considerably from the recommended or optimal NPK mix. It was 33.7:8.0:1 in Punjab and 1.3:0.7:1 in Kerala.

2] Increasing fertilizer subsidy

• Fertilizer subsidy has doubled in a short period of three years. For 2021-22, the Union Budget has estimated fertilizer subsidy at ₹79,530 crores (from ₹66,468 crores in 2017-18).
• The subsidy is likely to reach a much higher level due to the recent upsurge in the prices of energy, the international prices of urea and other fertilizers, and India’s dependence on imports.
• In order to minimize the impact of rising prices on farmers, the bulk of the price rise is absorbed by the government through enhanced fertilizer subsidies. This created serious fiscal challenges.
• At current prices, farmers pay about ₹268 per bag of urea and the Government of India pays an average subsidy of about ₹930 per bag.
• Thus, taxpayers bear 78% of the cost of urea and farmers pay only 22%. This is expected to increase and is not sustainable.

3] Import dependence

• Total demand for urea: The total demand for urea in the country is about 34-35 million tonnes whereas the domestic production is about 25 million tonnes.
• The requirement for Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) is about 12 million tonnes and domestic production is just 5 million tonnes.

4] Other issues

• Lesser expansion of Irrigation facilities and consequent low fertilizer consumption leads to low demand and therefore, restricts the growth of the industry.
• Use of Obsolete Technology: Most of the fertilizer industry operates under PSUs that are using decade-old technology and thus making huge losses and also the competitive edge.

Issue of fertilizer subsidy

• According to Economic Survey 2016, the fertilizer sector is highly regulated, which causes a major distortion in the sector. The subsidy which is intended to help small farmers benefits a small proportion of them.
• According to the survey, 24 per cent is spent on inefficient urea producers of the remaining, 41 per cent is diverted to non-agricultural uses and abroad; of the remaining, 24 per cent is consumed by large farmers.

• Fertilizer subsidy ultimately goes to the fertilizer company, even though it is the farmer who benefits.
• Before 2018, companies were reimbursed after the material was dispatched and received by the district railhead or designated godown.
• 2018 saw the beginning of DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), which would transfer money directly to the retailer’s account. However, the companies will be paid only after the actual sale to the farmer.
• With the DBT system, each retailer — there is over 2.3 lakh of them across India — now has a point-of-sale (PoS) machine linked to the Department of Fertilizers’ e-Urvarak DBT portal.

What about non-urea fertilizers?

• Decontrolled system: The non-urea fertilizer is decontrolled or fixed by the companies.
• The non- urea fertilizers are further divided into two parts, DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and MOP (Muriate of Phosphate).

Issues with such subsidies

• Flawed subsidy policy: This is harmful not just to the farmer, but to the environment as well.
• No permanent remedy: Indian soil has low Nitrogen use efficiency, which is the main constituent of Urea.
• Excessive use: Consequently, excess usage contaminates groundwater.
• Emission: The bulk of urea applied to the soil is lost as NH3 (Ammonia) and Nitrogen Oxides causing emissions.
• Health hazards: For human beings, “blue baby syndrome” is a common side ailment caused by Nitrate contaminated water.

Latest step: One Nation One Fertilizer (ONOF)

• the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers issued a memo announcing the implementation of the “One Nation One Fertilizer” scheme under which a single brand and logo for fertilizers will have to be used by all manufacturers under the Centre’s fertilizer subsidy scheme newly renamed as a Prime Minister’s scheme- “Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna” (PMBJP).
• The single brand name for UREA, DAP, MOP and NPK etc. would be BHARAT UREA, BHARAT DAP, BHARAT MOP and BHARAT NPK etc. respectively for all Fertilizer Companies, State Trading Entities (STEs) and Fertilizer Marketing Entities (FMEs).
• Also, a logo indicating the Fertilizer subsidy scheme namely Pradhanmantri Bhartiya Janurvarak Pariyojna will be used on said fertilizer bags.
• Under the scheme, companies are allowed to display their name, brand, logo and other relevant product information only on one-third space of their bags.
• On the remaining two-thirds space, the “Bharat” brand and Pradhanmantri Bharatiya Jan Urvarak Pariyojana logo will have to be shown.

What is the government’s argument for introducing this scheme?

The government’s logic for introducing a single ‘Bharat’ brand for all subsidized fertilizers being marketed by companies is as follows:

(1) Subsidies normalization

• The maximum retail price of urea is currently fixed by the government, which compensates companies for the higher cost of manufacturing or imports incurred by them.
• The MRPs of non-urea fertilizers are decontrolled.
• But companies cannot avail of subsidy if they sell at MRPs higher than that informally indicated by the government.
• Simply put, there are some 26 fertilizers (inclusive of urea), on which government bears subsidy and also effectively decides the MRPs;

(2) Harmonizing markets

• Besides paying subsidies to companies for the cost of production, the government also pays manufacturers freight subsidies- or the cost of ferrying their products to the end-user.
• So, another argument for the launch of single-brand fertilizers is to reduce transport subsidies, estimated to be over ₹6,000 crore per year. This is done through the Fertilizer (Movement) Control Order, 1973.

 (3) Reduce specific brand demands

• Brand-wise demand for fertilizers in specific areas is one of the reasons for this movement. One rationale is that if manufacturers stop selling urea distinctively under individual brands, there would be no need for Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO) to move fertilizers across states, thus reining in the fertilizer subsidy expenditure.

What can be the drawbacks of the scheme?

• It may disincentivize fertilizer companies from undertaking marketing and brand promotion activities.
• They will now be reduced to contract manufacturers and importers for the government. Any company’s strength ultimately is its brands and farmer trust built over decades.
• Currently, in case of any bag or batch of fertilizers not meeting the required standards, the blame is put on the company. But now, that may be passed on fully to the government. 
• A government brand will add another layer of regulation to the fertilizer manufacturing sector where almost every aspect- from product pricing to cost structure to geographical distribution and sale- is controlled by the government.

Other steps taken by Government in the fertilizer sector

Nutrient Based Subsidy scheme

• Under the NBS regime – fertilizers are provided to the farmers at subsidized rates based on the nutrients (N, P, K & S) contained in these fertilizers.
• Also, fertilizers that are fortified with secondary and micronutrients such as molybdenum (Mo) and zinc are given additional subsidies.
• The subsidy on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers is announced by the Government on an annual basis for each nutrient on a per kg basis – which is determined taking into account the international and domestic prices of P&K fertilizers, exchange rate, inventory level in the country etc.
• NBS policy intends to increase the consumption of P&K fertilizers so that the optimum balance (N:P:K= 4:2:1) of NPK fertilization is achieved.

More Steps that can be taken

[A] Need to shift our focus to Bio-fertilizers

• Bio-fertilizers are cheap, renewable, and eco-friendly, with great potential to supplement plant nutrients.
• The use of biofertilizers is necessary to maintain soil health as more and more use of chemical fertilizers kills all the microorganisms available in the soil, which are so essential for maintaining soil health.

[B] Reduce consumption of high-analysis fertilizers

• There is a need to cap or even reduce consumption of high-analysis fertilizers – particularly urea (46 per cent N content), DAP (18 per cent N and 46 per cent P) and MOP (60 per cent).
• Incorporate urease and inhibition compounds in urea: This can be done by incorporating urease and nitrification inhibition compounds in urea.

[C] Revise nutrient application recommendations

• Farmers need to know what is a suitable substitute for DAP and which NPK complex or organic manure can bring down their urea application from 2.5 to 1.5 bags per acre.
• It calls for agriculture departments and universities not just to revisit their existing crop-wise nutrient application recommendations, but to disseminate this information to farmers in a campaign mode.

Way forward

• Self-reliance: We need to be self-reliant and not depend on the import of fertilizers. In this way, we can escape the vagaries of high volatility in international prices. In this direction, five urea plants at Gorakhpur, Sindri, Barauni, Talcher, and Ramagundam are being revived in the public sector.

• Extend the NBS model to urea: There is a need to extend the NBS model to urea and allow for price rationalization of urea compared to non-nitrogenous fertilizers and prices of crops.
• Improve innovation: To scale up and improve innovations to develop alternative fertilizers.
• Improve fertilizer efficiency:  India should pay attention to improving fertilizer efficiency through need-based use rather than broadcasting fertilizer in the field. The recently developed Nano urea by IFFCO shows promising results in reducing the usage of urea.

Conclusion

Thus, it can be concluded that the Indian fertilizer sector needs a structural overhaul from production to prices. In the current situation, the newly launch One Nation, One Fertilizer scheme along with the above-mentioned changes will go a long way in enhancing the productivity of agriculture, mitigating climate change, providing an alternative to chemical fertilizers and balancing the fiscal impact of fertilizer subsidy on the Union Budgets in the years to come.

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Context

• Recently, the Gujarat government released 11 convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment for the heinous murder and gang rape of women during the Gujarat communal riots of 2002.
• The action by the government has received heavy criticism from all sections of society with more than 130 former civil servants writing an open letter to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) against the action and asking for its revocation.
• The case has again highlighted the issues regarding crimes against women in India and prisoner’s conviction remission policies of states.

About the Bilkis Bano Case

• Bilkis Bano is a gangrape survivor of the 2002 riots in Gujarat. Rioters brutally attacked Bilkis and her family, raped the women and killed many of them.
• Her case was taken up by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Supreme Court. Later, the Supreme Court transferred the investigation to the CBI and the case to Mumbai to facilitate a free and fair trial.
• Eleven men were convicted by the trial court and sentenced to life. The Bombay High Court confirmed their life terms in 2017.
• In 2019, the Supreme Court awarded compensation of Rs 50 lakh to Bilkis — the first such order in a case related to the 2002 riots.

Issues highlighted by the case

(A)Crimes against women

• Crime against women increased 7.3 per cent from 2018 to 2019 says the annual National Crime Record Bureau’s “Crime in India” 2019 report.
• Majority of cases under crime against women under IPC were registered under ‘cruelty by husband or his relatives (30.9%), followed by an assault on women with intent to outrage her modesty (21.8%), kidnapping & abduction of women (17.9%) and ‘rape’ (7.9%).
• UP reported the highest number of crimes against women (59,853), accounting for 14.7 percent of such cases across the country.
• It was followed by Rajasthan (41,550 cases; 10.2 per cent) and Maharashtra (37,144 cases; 9.2 per cent).
• The problem of underestimation of gender-based crime is compounded by the failure of the justice system of the country in securing convictions.

Various types of crimes against women in India

[I] Domestic violence

• Domestic violence is abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as dating, marriage, cohabitation or a familial relationship.
• It is also categorized as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, dating abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV).

[II] Killings

(a) Female infanticide and sex-selective abortion

• Female infanticide is the elected killing of a newborn female child or the termination of a female fetus through sex-selective abortion.
• In India, there is an incentive to have a son, because they offer security to the family in old age and can conduct rituals for deceased parents and ancestors.
• In contrast, daughters are considered to be a social and economic burden

(b) Dowry deaths

• Dowry death is the murder or suicide of a married woman caused by a dispute over her dowry.
• In some cases, husbands and in-laws will attempt to extort a greater dowry through continuous harassment and torture which sometimes results in the wife committing suicide.

(c) Honor killings

• An honor killing is a murder of a family member who has been considered to have brought dishonor and shame upon the family.
• Examples of reasons for honor killings include the refusal to enter an arranged marriage, committing adultery, choosing a partner that the family disapproves of, and becoming a victim of rape.
• Village caste councils or khap panchayats in certain regions of India regularly pass death sentences for persons who do not follow their diktats on caste or gotra.

(d) Witchcraft accusations and related murders

• Witchcraft is the practice of what the practitioner believes to be magical skills and abilities, and activities such as spells, incantations, and magical rituals.
• Murders of women accused of witchcraft still occur in India.  Poor women, widows, and women from lower castes are most at risk of such killings.

[III] Sexual Abuse/ Molestation/ Rape

• Rape is one of the most common crimes in India.
• According to the National Crime Records Bureau, one woman is raped every 20 minutes in India.

• In India, marital rape is not a criminal offense.  
• India is one of fifty countries that have not yet outlawed marital rape.

(b) Forced Marriage

• Girls are vulnerable to being forced into marriage at young ages, suffering from a double vulnerability: both for being a child and for being female.
• Child brides often do not understand the meaning and responsibilities of marriage.

[V] Harassment

(a) Trafficking and forced prostitution

• Human trafficking, especially of girls and women, often leads to forced prostitution and sexual slavery.

(b) Online abuse

• As the internet becomes an increasingly important part of human existence to make their voices heard, a woman’s inability to feel safe online impedes her freedom.
• Women are regularly subject to online rape threats, online harassment, cyber-stalking, blackmail, trolling, slut-shaming and more.

(c) Harassment at the workplace

• The #MeToo movement is aimed at demonstrating how many women have survived sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace.
• Scores of women, many journalists, came out with accounts of sexual harassment at the workplace, mostly comprising of indecent remarks, unwanted touches, demands for sex, and the dissemination of pornography.

(B) Issues with Remission Procedure

What is Remission?

• Life imprisonment normally means convicts remain in jail for the whole of their life. However, they can be released by the State and Central governments at some point, but not before they complete 14 years, by remitting the remaining prison term. This act by governments is called remission.
• Article 72  and Article 161 of the Constitution deals with the judicial power of the President and Governor to grant pardon. It also includes the remission of sentences by the two dignitaries.
• Judicial decisions advocate both subjective and objective norms for remission. Courts have ruled that remission should be informed, fair and reasonable, and not arbitrary; that it should not undermine the nature of the crime.
•  In Laxman Naskar vs Union of India (2000), the Supreme Court laid down five considerations: whether the offense is an individual act of crime that does not affect society; whether there is a chance of the crime being repeated in the future; whether the convict has lost the potentiality to commit a crime; whether any purpose is being served in keeping the convict in prison; and socio-economic conditions of the convict’s family.
• However, recently the Supreme Court took notice of the remission issue and referred to a seven-judge bench the issue of whether states can grant the benefit of remission to convicts under the Constitution by laying down a common policy. The bench will take into consideration whether states can use remission powers without consulting the Governor.
• The bench will also visit Section 433-A of CrPC, according to which, a person, serving a life term, cannot be granted remission benefit without completing 14 years in prison.

Remission in this case

• The outcry over the remission granted in this case is largely due to the brutal and horrific nature of the crime. However, lawyers and activists have highlighted possible legal infirmities.
• For one, the remission has been granted by the Gujarat government without consulting the Centre. Under Section 435 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), in a case investigated by the CBI, such consultation is mandatory before remission. The Supreme Court has also ruled that ‘consultation’ means ‘concurrence’ in this regard.
• The opinion of the judge who conducted the trial or in charge of the district should be taken too. But in this case, it was not taken.
• Section 432(7) of the CrPC says the appropriate government will be “the State within which the offender is sentenced or the said order is passed”. Thus, in this case, it should be Maharashtra Government.
• Commentators have also pointed out that the current remission policy of the Gujarat Government bars those found guilty of heinous crimes from being given remission. Their release under a 1992 policy (because it was the one prevailing during their conviction) may also be subjected to legal scrutiny.
• The remission policy of states was also brought under the scanner when the Tamil Nadu government passed an order for the remission of the sentence of A.G Perarivalan, a convict in former PM Rajiv Gandhi’s murder case.

Some Government initiatives for Women’s safety

• Nirbhaya Fund for projects for the safety and security of women
• One-Stop Centre Scheme to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof
• Online analytic tool for police called “Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences” to monitor and track time-bound investigations in sexual assault cases in accordance with Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018.
• National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO) to facilitate the investigation and tracking of sexual offenders across the country by law enforcement agencies
• In order to coordinate various initiatives for women safety, MHA has set up a Women Safety Division.

Way forward

• Gender-based violence, an especially violent crime like rape, is a multifaceted problem.
• To address this, it is essential to tackle various other concurrent issues that act as contributing factors and thus play an equally important role.
• Although the incorporation of stringent laws and stricter punishments are important to deter people from committing such crimes, the solution to this is much more than just promulgation.
• It is important to acknowledge that judicial reform is only one aspect; there is a more humane side to this whole issue.
• For the remission of sentence issue, the state governments must consider the parameters given by Supreme court diligently before granting any remission.

Conclusion

Thus, the Bilkis Bano Case has multiple dimensions, especially social and legal aspects. The need is to carefully examine all aspects, strengthen our vow to secure women’s rights in the nation and at the same time make necessary changes to remission policies to not let any undeserved person set free.

Also read

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Context

• Power is one of the most crucial components for the economic growth and welfare of nations. The existence and development of an adequate power sector are essential for the sustainable growth of the Indian economy. 
• In this context, a report titled, “Investing for Impact: Renewable Energy & Cleantech,” released by Aspire Circle, has projected that India can generate a staggering $212 billion in revenue and create 3.4 million jobs, impacting 919 million lives by 2030 with an investment of USD 350 billion in several ventures and initiatives dedicated to renewable energy and cleantech.
• Thus, in this edition of the burning issue, we will be discussing the renewable energy sector of India, its prospects, achievements, challenges and way forward.

What is renewable energy?

• Renewable energy is defined as energy that comes from resources, which are naturally replenished on their own.
• The major renewable energy sources presently are Solar energy, Wind energy, Hydroelectric power (large and small units), Wave energy, Ocean thermal energy conversion and Tidal energy and Biomass power.

Current scenario of Renewable Energy in India

• India is the world’s 3^rd biggest renewable energy producer (136 GW out of 373 GW) of total installed energy capacity in 2021 coming from renewable sources.
• India has been ranked 5^th for installed hydroelectric power capacity. As of 31 March 2020, India’s installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity was 45,699 MW, or 12.35% of its total utility power generation capacity. The following is the breakup of the total installed capacity for Renewables, as of 31 December 2021-

• Small Hydro Power: 4.83 GW

• Large Hydro: 46.51 GW
• Wind power: 40.08 GW
• Solar Power: 49.34 GW
• Biopower: 10.61 GW

Benefits of renewable energy:

• Private sector involvement: the set target of 450GW from renewables by the government created a huge opportunity for the private sector to get involved in the design and manufacturing of components of renewable energy technology in India only and thus book profits.
• Low cost of maintenance: Renewable energies like wind energy, biopower or solar energy requires almost zero maintenance and thus provide longer working hours and reduced labor cost.
• Environment friendly: as they have almost nil carbon footprint and does not emit any harmful pollutants like PM2.5 or PM10 or greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide, NOx etc.
• Fulfill several government objectives: like achieving the Panchamrit goals, SDGs, make in India, INDC of Paris Climate Deal and employment generation.
• Decentralized: Renewable energy plants can be located near the location of demand for energy. For example, a biogas plant or a solar plant can be established near a far-off cluster of villages thus eliminating the need to connect such remote villages to the national grid. For example, UT Daman has been receiving its energy completely from solar energy generated inside and in the vicinity of the city, thus reducing its dependence on the national power grid.

Factor’s responsible for increasing demand for renewable

• Waiver of inter-state transmission charges for the sale of solar and wind power.
• The renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets state DISCOMS to boost demand for renewable energy in states.
• Permitting FDI in the renewable sector has accelerated the progress.
• Rising demand for electricity as the economy rebounds after the COVID lockdowns.
• Falling prices for renewable energy, with per unit tariff for solar energy getting reduced up to 80% from the 2008 level.
• India’s push to manufacture solar photovoltaic modules through the government support schemes aimed at boosting Indian manufacturers’ competitiveness and attracting investment (Production Linked Incentive schemes)

Need for transition to renewable energy

• Increasing climate crisis due to historic and current continuous burning of Fossil fuels for the majority of power generation in the world and India. Renewable energy can limit climate disruption and boost energy security. Renewables are the peace plan of the 21st century.

• Volatile supplies of non-renewable energy sources due to regional wars and sanctions on supplying nations. For example, Iran and Russia- the two major energy producers in the world are under various international sanctions, thus reducing the supply of energy products in international markets.
• To promote Sustainable development by reducing externalities of pollution and promoting a green economy.

• As a signatory to the Paris Climate Agreement, India is committed to increasing its share of renewable energy capacity to 450 GW by 2030. Thus, a transition to renewable is needed to fulfill our commitments to the international community.
• The government of India has set targets to reduce India’s total projected carbon emission by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, reduce the carbon intensity of the nation’s economy by less than 45% by the end of the decade, achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 and expand India’s renewable energy installed capacity to 500 GW by 2030.

Prospects of Renewables in India

• Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index of EY ranked India 3^rd behind USA and China as the most attractive renewable energy destination.
• The estimation of the potential wind resources in India is 102,788 MW assessed at 80m Hub height. The installed capacity of wind power in India was 22,645 MW as of 30 March 2015.
• India has a coastline of 7,500 km with an estimated wave energy potential of about 40,000 MW.
• India has a potential of 8,000 MW of tidal energy as per the estimates. An agreement is signed to implement India’s first 3.75 MW mini-tidal power project in West Bengal.
• The total OTEC potential around India is estimated as 180,000 MW considering 40% of gross power for parasitic losses. 
• India is very rich in biomass. It has a potential of 19,500 MW (3,500 MW from biogas-based cogeneration and 16,000 MW from surplus biomass). Currently, India has 537 MW commissioned and 536 MW under construction. 
• Growing private sector interest in the renewable energy sector in India is evident from major private companies of India like Reliance Powers planning to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in green energies.

Achievements of India in the Renewable energy sector

• India has today become the most attractive destination for investment in the renewable sector.
• During the last six years, the renewable energy sector has attracted over Rs 4.7 lakh crore of investment, including FDI of about Rs 42,700 crore.
• India witnessed 20% CAGR growth in renewable generation since FY16 while total electricity generation saw 4.3% growth in the same period.
• The current cost of energy (LCOE) for large-scale solar in India has reduced to around Rs 2.5 per kWh, compared to ~Rs 12 in 2010. 
• India is now in the 4th global position for overall installed renewable energy capacity. Renewable energy has a share of 26.53% of the total installed generation capacity in the country.
• Renewable energy installed capacity increased 286% in the last 7.5 years.
• Highest ever wind capacity addition of 5.5GW in 2016-2017.
• The world’s largest renewable energy park of 30 GW capacity solar-wind hybrid project is under installation in Gujarat.

Challenges of Renewable Energy in India

• High initial cost of installation: While the development of a coal-based power plant requires around Rs 4 crore per MW, the investment required a wind-based plant, with a capacity utilization of 25%, which requires an investment of Rs 6 crore per MW.

• Reliability: By their very nature, solar and wind energy are variable in availability both spatially as well as geographically. Hence, they need to be supported by conventional sources of power.
• Creation of storage infrastructure: To overcome the variable nature of renewable sources of energy, it is vital to invest in affordable batteries of large capacity.
• Poor DISCOM’s condition: An important challenge for further scaling up renewables in India is the poor financial condition of power distribution companies (discoms), most of which are owned by state governments and are reeling under heavy debts.
• Funding: As already stated, renewable energy requires setting up large projects to harness economies of scale. This acts as a deterrent for private companies to invest initially.
• Low Social acceptance: renewable-based energy system is still not very encouraging in urban India. Despite heavy subsidies being provided by the government for the installation of solar water heaters and lighting systems, its penetration is still very low.
• Weak domestic manufacturing capability: It is important to set up manufacturing capacity in India to decrease imports and promote Atmanirbhar Bharat. It would also aid in the creation of multiple manufacturing jobs.
•  Sustainability: that is, how to expand reliable energy access and use while maintaining affordability for consumers and financial stability for the DISCOMs.
• Integration into the national grid: that is how to integrate increasing shares of renewable energy securely and reliably into the national electricity grid.

Government policies for the promotion of Renewable in India

• Renewable energy certificate: REC mechanism is a market-based instrument to promote renewable energy and facilitate the compliance of renewable purchase obligations (RPO). It aims to fix the mismatch between the availability of renewable energy resources in the state and what is required by a RPO.
• Release of Green Hydrogen mission: The Mission aims to aid the government in meeting its climate targets and making India a green hydrogen hub. This will help in meeting the target of production of 5 million tonnes of Green hydrogen by 2030 and the related development of renewable energy capacity.
• Launch of PLI scheme: A Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme ‘National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage’ to promote renewable energy storage infrastructure and manufacturing capacity.
• Green term ahead market: As a first step towards Greening the Indian short-term power market, the government has launched pan-India Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) in electricity which is an alternative new model introduced for selling off the power by the renewable developers in the open market without getting into long term PPAs.

• International efforts: An India Energy Modeling Forum was launched under the US-India Energy partnership. Also, India has launched the International solar alliance which is a treaty-based international inter-governmental organization and aims to mobilize more than $1000 billion of investment needed by 2030 for the massive deployment of solar energy.

• The Setting up of the Solar Energy Corporation of India: with the mandate of the SECI allows wide-ranging activities to be undertaken with an overall view to facilitating the implementation of the National Solar Mission and the achievement of targets set therein. The SECI has the objective of developing renewable energy (RE) technologies and ensuring inclusive RE power development throughout India.
• National Offshore Wind Energy Policy, 2015: Under this Policy, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has been authorized to explore and promote the deployment of offshore wind farms in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 

Way Forward

• Long-term Planning: Since renewable energy requires huge investment to achieve economies of scale, it is necessary to lay down policy direction well in advance so that the private sector can plan accordingly.
• Avoid Frequent Surprises and changes: Frequent changes inthe policy are not appreciated by the private sector. The government should involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process, wide research and suggestions must be taken before announcing new policies or amending them.
• New regulatory and policy frameworks: can activate more flexibility in the renewable energy sector. This can include steps like the creation of a single renewable energy regulator or a federal commission to manage the generation and flow of renewable energy.
• Renewable energy technology as global good: We must make renewable energy technology a global public good, including removing intellectual property barriers to technology transfer.

Conclusion

• There can be no doubt about the fact that renewable energy is the energy of the future. The current direction indicates the possibility of the elimination of fossil fuel-based energy as early as 2050. This will lead to improved environmental health.
• However, it is important that we have a clear policy guideline, wherein we explore the right mix of energy sources, integrated into the grid to achieve maximum efficiency.

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Context

• On 2nd August 2022, after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the Chinese have been conducting aggressive military drills near Taiwan. This situation is so critical that a minor miscalculation here and there could escalate this conflict to World War III itself.

• In this edition of the burning issue, we would try to delve into the possible war strategy of China to attack and acquire Taiwan. How could this little island of Taiwan with the support of the American and Japanese armies defend against the mighty Chinese army and how could this battle of Taiwan lead to the horrific World War III.

What is the issue between China and Taiwan?

• Taiwan is an island about 160 km off the coast of south-eastern China, opposite the Chinese cities of Fuzhou, Quanzhou, and Xiamen. It was administered by the imperial Qing dynasty, but its control was passed to the Japanese in 1895. After the defeat of Japan in World War II, the island passed back into Chinese hands.
• After the communists led by Mao Zedong won the civil war in mainland China, Chiang Kai-shek, the leader of the nationalist Kuomintang party, fled to Taiwan in 1949.
• Chiang Kai-shek set up the government of the Republic of China on the island and remained President until 1975.
• Beijing has never recognized the existence of Taiwan as an independent political entity, arguing that it was always a Chinese province under its ‘One China Policy‘. The PRC considers the island as a renegade province awaiting reunification by peaceful means, if possible.
• This has generated strong opposition from the Taiwanese government and people. To protect its sovereignty, Taiwan remains closer to the US, buying weapons from it and thus irking China. This has become a major bone of contention between the two.

Importance of Taiwan to China

• TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) is the largest foundry in the world and holds around 65 percent of the global production of chips.
• Any potential conflict with China would completely disrupt the entire supply chain of TSMC and labor availability and could cause a major shortage of electronic chips.
• Being in close vicinity of China, any alliance or engagement of Taiwan with any of the enemies of China would threaten its national security. Thus, it’s necessary for China to control Taiwan’s engagements with other  

Importance of Taiwan for the US

• Strategic importance– After Japan, Taiwan is the geographically closest friendly territory around China for the US in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Economic importance– US-Taiwan has a bilateral trade of $105 billion with the US high dependence on Taiwanese semiconductor chips.
• Gaining lost credibility– the current crisis is about re-establishing steadily diminishing American credibility in the eyes of friends and foes through Taiwan.

China’s War Strategy

(A) Grey-zone warfare

• The People’s Liberation Army – is waging so-called Grey-Zone warfare against Taiwan.
• This consists of an almost daily campaign of intimidating military exercises, patrols and surveillance that falls just short of armed conflict.
• The campaign has intensified, with Beijing stepping up the number of warplanes it is sending into the airspace around Taiwan. China has also used sand dredgers to swarm Taiwan’s outlying islands.
• Military strategists tell that the grey-zone strategy has the potential to grind down Taipei’s resistance – but also that it may fall short, or even backfire by strengthening the island’s resolve.

(B) Impose a blockade on Taiwan’s Matsu and Kingman islands

• If a long campaign of grey-zone warfare fails to bring Taipei to the negotiating table the next step by China would be to impose a blockade on Taiwan’s Matsu and Kinmen Island which are just a few kilometers away from mainland China.
• Since China is already facing the heat of Covid and the real estate bubble, China would plan to take Taiwan as quickly as possible and with as little damage as possible so the safest way to get Taiwan would be to intimidate them so much that they by default surrender without any bloodshed.
• Chinese navy and submarines would encircle these islands and islets hundreds of sand dredgers fishing boats and Chinese paramilitary ships would move in to surround them and the Chinese fighter jets would begin round-the-clock patrols over the Taiwanese strait.

(C) Customs quarantine strategy for mainland Taiwan

• After the above steps, China will enforce customs, maritime and airspace jurisdictions over Taiwan. The move overrides Taiwan’s existing control of its airspace and maritime boundary.
• China would ban all shipping from entering Taiwan’s territorial waters without its permission. The Chinese authorities inform all airlines and shipping companies that they must have Beijing’s official approval to enter or leave Taiwan’s airspace or ports. They also insist that all flights, ships and ferries submit passenger manifestos and customs declarations to Chinese authorities.
• A vast fleet of PLA Navy, coast guard and maritime militia ships deploy around Taiwan to enforce the quarantine, intercepting ships attempting to approach the island without approval from Beijing.
• OUTCOME: With the sudden halt to all imports and exports, Taiwan faces almost immediate shortages of essential supplies, particularly energy. The island is suddenly cut off from the world.

(D) Full blockade of mainland Taiwan

• Here’s where China uses its huge naval fleet to surround Taiwan in such a way that they take complete control over the entire water and airspace around Taiwan so this way neither ships nor planes could go in or come out.
• Warships and strike aircraft would be deployed to make sure that the American and Japanese forces are prevented from approaching Taiwan and now China and Taiwan would launch air and missile strikes on each other.
• With its blockade still in place, China may call for an immediate ceasefire, offers to allow urgently needed supplies to reach Taiwan, and invites negotiations with Washington in a bid to avert a full-scale war.

(E) Attack on Taiwan infrastructure

• Devastating air and missile attack will be launched on the island’s defenses. The aim is to smash Taiwan’s military, demoralize the population and force Taipei to the negotiating table before the United States and its allies can intervene.
• PLA forces launch massive saturation attacks on key military and civilian targets. These include airfields, ports, air-defense radars, communication nodes, military command centers and headquarters, missile batteries, navy bases, major warships, key bridges, communication networks, power stations and grids, government buildings, radio and television stations, data centers and major transport arteries.

(F) Full-fledged invasion

• Without warning, the PLA would launch massive air, missile and cyber-attacks on key military and civilian targets all over Taiwan. At the same time, the PLA attacks U.S. bases in Japan and Guam with air and missile strikes in a bid to paralyze American forces and delay any intervention.
• Within hours a major war will be raging in East Asia.

Options for Taiwan

• Fight back– Taiwan uses its full armed force to defend itself with or without US and allies. But it would be equivalent to suicide as Taiwan’s armed power is minuscule as compared to the Chinese army.
• Surrender– surrender to the Chinese PLA thus saving itself from much destruction and hence leading to the realization of a decade-old dream of China- The unification of Taiwan with mainland China.
• Buy time tactics– to keep China in a loop through diplomatic channels and negotiations till the time US and allies forces reach the Taiwan strait.

Weaknesses of Taiwan

Taiwan has three major weak points:

• Taiwan has a very small army– China has 10 times more ground force, 8 times more naval destroyers and 30 times more submarines. Thus, China is going to outright destroy them all.

• Communication cables in the South China Sea– Taiwan sends and receives 95 percent of the data and voice traffic along with these bundles of cable lines that run through this bay to different parts of the world. So, the Chinese fleet will cut these cables off and will completely disrupt the communication of Taiwan and more importantly the communication of the Taiwanese army.
• Taiwan’s energy supplies- As of 2020, about 98 percent of Taiwan’s energy was imported from foreign countries and this was in the form of coal crude oil and petroleum products and these shipments come from Australia, Qatar Indonesia and Russia.

Possible Outcomes of an invasion

• Chinese control of Taiwan would dramatically reinforce the Communist Party’s prestige at home and eliminate the island as a viable model of a democratic alternative to authoritarian Party rule.
• It would also give China a foothold in the so-called first island chain, the line which runs through the string of islands from the Japanese archipelago to Taiwan, the Philippines and Borneo, which enclose China’s coastal seas.
• For China, success would translate into a commanding strategic position in Asia, undermining the security of Japan and South Korea, and allowing China to project power into the Western Pacific.
• But if China loses the war, it might cause a revolt within CPC for new leadership and anger against President Xi Jinping or the Chinese population may rise against their communist government.
• Severe sanctions by the western countries against China would further cripple its economy, making it difficult for China to regain its diplomatic might and economic status.

Possible outcomes for the US and its Allies

• If the US and its allies successfully counter China, it would be a great power booster for the US camp and the western world.
• The US would be re-established as the only Superpower in the world, with the world order becoming unipolar once again.
• However, if the US and its allies lose the war, it would be marked as the end of its hegemony as the world superpower, loss of power and prestige and would by default establish China’s dominance in the world.

Implications for India and the world

• Economic ties will be hit– Arguably more important to New Delhi is the economic component of its engagement with Taiwan. Last year, bilateral trade between India and Taiwan was estimated to be worth over $7 billion. Taiwanese firms have also invested over $2.3 billion in India. The two countries are even talking about a free trade deal and working out ways to create a semiconductor manufacturing hub in India. A war would nullify all these aspects.
• World economy to suffer badly– Experts have predicted that any escalation in the Taiwan Strait will have an impact on trade and security throughout the entire Indo-Pacific region. Also, China has been a crucial value-adder to the global supply chain. It would be very difficult for the US to replicate Russia’s sanctioning of the aggressor and resupplying the resistor strategy on China-Taiwan. 
• Semiconductor shortage– Taiwan is a small nation that has placed itself as one of the biggest manufacturers of essential semiconductors and electronic components. A blockade or slowdown of semiconductor chip shipments could be one of the many effects of a conflict between China and Taiwan, which would have an impact on many global industries, including manufacturing and internet communications technology.

Way forward

• Avoiding any escalation- both sides should maintain a restraint from further escalation of tensions keeping diplomatic channels open and actively pursuing back-channel diplomacy.
• Respecting each-others sensitivities– on important unclear matters and taking up the trust-building process.
• More Realistic approach by India– also, New Delhi must begin to deal with Taiwan as a weighty entity in its own right that offers so much to advance India’s prosperity.

Conclusion

• As Taiwan becomes the world’s most dangerous flashpoint, the geopolitical consequences for Asia and the world are real.
• Once a sane man had said,” War is a tricky game, the only way to win it is to not play it at all”. After the war with COVID and then Russia-Ukraine ongoing war, the world cannot afford another war. Thus, a restraint from all sides is thus a sine qua non.

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Context

Recently, India celebrated its 75^th Independence Day. The occasion provides us a great opportunity to delve back in time when a newly independent nation made its ‘tryst’ with political democracy and how it is faring today on key democratic factors as well as in comparison to other major democracies of the world

What is a democracy?

The word democracy comes from the Greek words “demos”, meaning people, and “kratos” meaning power; so democracy can be thought of as “power of the people”: a way of governing that depends on the will of the people.

No one is born a good citizen, no nation is born a democracy. Rather, both are processes that continue to evolve over a lifetime. Young people must be included from birth.   – Kofi Annan

Why choose democracy?

The idea of democracy derives its moral strength – and popular appeal – from two key principles:

• Individual autonomy: The idea that no one should be subject to rules which have been imposed by others. People should be able to control their own lives (within reason).
• Equality: The idea that everyone should have the same opportunity to influence the decisions that affect people in society.

Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse.

– Pt Nehry

Democracy in India

• Ancient India had a democratic republic even before the 6^th century BCE and India has seen democratic rule through ages. Vaishali (in present-day Bihar) is considered one of the first republics around 6th century BCE.
• Republics at that time were called ‘Mahajanpadas’ and Sabhas and Samitis (assemblies) existed. Panchayat systems were also used in some of these republics.
• Anti-colonial movements in India brought democracy into the picture during British rule in India. Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar, etc helped in bringing universal adult franchise, at a time when the literacy rate was very low in the nation.
• Government of India Act, 1935 laid the foundation for democratic rule in India.
• India’s independent modern democratic journey started in 1950 with the full implementation of the constitution of India. The constitution of India declared the nation as a sovereign democratic republic. India granted Universal Adult Franchise under Article 326 of its Constitution effective in 1950 giving a strong base for democracy.
• The general elections of 1951 were the biggest electoral exercise on such a large scale in democratic history. Since then 17 Lok Sabha have been formed, several PMs and Presidents have been elected.
•  The Indian Republic at present has a parliamentary system of democracy and a federal structure in which leaders are elected by citizens of various castes, classes, religions, etc.

How Indian Democracy has performed in past?

(A)Positive aspects

Political front

• India is the world’s largest democracy proving a success in accommodation of group and regional demands in a complex, quasi-federal, polity.
• During the first general election in 1951, India had 54 political parties and now it has grown up to 464 in the 2019 general election as evidence of the deepening of the democratic process.
• In the first General election in 1951, 173 million citizens were given the right to vote.
• In the 16^th general election in 2014, the size of the electorate had increased to 814 million.

Social front

• The democratic process has brought about a shift of political power from the middle and higher castes and classes of urban society to backward classes who are now the politically most influential ones in the country.
• They have won reservations for themselves in legislatures and government services as were accorded to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes after independence through Constitutional provisions.
• Members of marginalized sections of society and minority communities have reached the top legislative and executive positions in the country.

Economic Front

• India has become the 5^th largest economy in the world and is also the fastest growing major economy in the world.
• India has been able to emerge as a regional power in Asia and superpower in south Asia backed by its economic, military and nuclear capabilities.
• The incidence of Poverty has reduced from 70% in 1950 to around 20% at present. The economic well-being of people has improved. Incomes and living standard of people has improved substantially.

(B)Negative aspects

Political front

• Declaration of emergency- in 1975 was an aberration in India’s political democracy journey and will remain a blot on Indian democracy.
• Period of political instability– India saw the assassination of two of its Prime Ministers in the first 40 years of its democracy. The last decade of the 20^th century witnessed high political turmoil due to unstable coalition governments. In this period, India saw 5 PM’s in 10 years.

Social front

• Low women representation: the number of elected women representatives in the Indian parliament is just 16% even after 75 years of independence.
• Continuing ill social practices– like caste-based discrimination, manual scavenging etc point towards continuous breaching of fundamental rights of citizens of India. It also shows that we are still to achieve Social democracy.

Economic front

• Low per capita income– An Indian’s per capita income is one the lowest in the world, even lower than a Bangladeshi national.
• High poverty and inequality: India still has one of the world’s largest populations of poor in the world. In addition to this, income and wealth distribution is highly unequal with the top 1% of wealthy people owing 70% of the wealth in India (Source- World inequality report)

We must not to be content with mere political democracy. We must make our political democracy a social democracy as well. Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life that recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.    – Dr. BR Ambedkar

Present situation of Indian Democracy

(A)Positive aspects

• Still continuing democracy: The Indian democracy is still continuing opposite to what was apprehended by British PM Winston Churchill at the time of independence of India.
• Public trust: The enthusiasm and trust among the Indian masses for democracy is still continuing as evident from high voting turnout during elections as compared tp developed democracies where voting percentages are declining.
• Respect for constitution: The original constitution is still intact, continuing and greatly revered by all political parties and sections of the society.
• Global reputation: At the international level, India has carved its own space as a highly diverse and largest democracy in the world,

(B) Negative Aspect

• Weakening of political democracy: Several constitutional experts have pointed toward a decline in democracy in India. It is evident from the dropping rankings of India in several key indices like the Democracy index (labelled India a ‘flawed democracy’), V-Dem report (called India ‘Electoral Autocracy’)
• Decline of Parliament: Parliament as a democratic institution is underperforming. The ability of Parliament to seek accountability of the executive has been severely hampered. Productivity of Lok Sabha in the 2021 monsoon was just 22% due to disruption by Opposition. Informed debates in parliament have also been reduced. There is high usage of ordinances and voice notes to make decisions inside parliament
• Non-Attainment of economic democracy: As evident from high economic inequality among masses [the debate of INDIA (Urban India) vs BHARAT (Rural India)], low women participation in the labour force, economic backwardness in several large states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha etc
• Weak social democracy: As evident from recent communal clashes in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, continuing of several secessionist movements like Khalistan, demand for Nagalim, high crimes against women etc this has hampered the creation of true ‘Fraternity’ which Preamble of Constitution talks about.
• Weakening of civil society: There has been a continuing phenomenon of weakening of civil society including NGO’s, academic institutions where these institutions are finding it difficult to uphold accountability of the govt.
• Growing gulf between public and their representatives: Today, elected representatives are more representatives of their political parties than the people who have elected them. Also, Older MP’s are representing young India (Average age of Indian MP’s-54) and Crorepati MP’s are representing poor Indians (88% MP’s are crorepati).

Causes of lacunas in current democracy

• Authoritarian attitude of the regime– The government due to Weak opposition and civil society, as they are failing to uphold the Government’s accountability inside and outside parliament.
• COVID-19 crisis– parliaments stopped working during the crisis which further led to reduced accountability of the executive to parliament
• Criminalization of politics– there has been a growing trend in the number of parliamentarians having criminal records with the current 17^th Lok Sabha having the highest ever (50%) of MP with criminal records of them. Thus, lawbreakers are becoming lawmakers.
• Decreasing ethical politics- The political morality and ethical conduct of elected representatives have been decreasing rapidly as evident from the frequent shifting of politicians between different political parties (‘Resort’ democracy, where the governments are being formed in resorts rather than in parliament), use of unethical language and unparliamentary conduct inside parliament.
• Strengthening of identity politics– Identity politics have been rising in India for the past few years where people are being polarized to vote for their caste or religion only.

Consequences

• Democratic backsliding or democratic deficit– all of the above causes have led to democratic deficit/backsliding which there has a growing gulf between preaching and practice of democracy in India.
• Spillover effect– with the growing power of the executive and weakening of democratic institutions like parliament, the pressure on the judiciary is increasing as evident from the fact that almost all major bills passed by parliament are being challenged in the supreme court. This is leading to Judicial activism.
• Weak social mobility and human capital development– Because of all this, the economic growth of the nation is suffering which is further leading to slow social mobility and human capital development.

Comparison with thy neighbors

• Though both India and Pakistan started their political journey under a democratic framework, both countries after 75 years stand at opposite ends. While India is considered a vibrant democracy, Pakistan is considered a failed state.
• In India, 70% of the population believes that democracy is preferable to other forms of government, whereas in Pakistan, only 37% population, believes that democracy is preferable.
• Pakistan witnessed three dictatorships regimes under different military generals and multiple suspensions of its constitution while India continued on its path of democracy and constitutionalism.
• Even during periods of civilian rule, the Pakistan army and its powerful Inter-Intelligence-Services have retained the right to set the country’s foreign and security policy.

Comparison between Bangladesh and Pakistan

• Bangladesh chose the secular democratic route after independence, but its flirtation with the secular government was brief. It soon followed in the footsteps of Pakistan, opted for authoritarian military rule and made Islam the state religion. However, under its current Sheikh Hasina regime, Bangladesh is regenerating its democracy and economy.
• Bangladesh outpaces Pakistan across all standard economic indicators, including nominal gross domestic product, GDP per capita, GDP growth rate and foreign reserves. It has now become one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
• A GDP of $411 billion, compared to Pakistan’s GDP of $347 billion, makes Bangladesh the 33rd largest economy in the world. Experts forecast that the economy’s size could double by 2030.
• Bangladesh has also made more progress in human development in some areas compared to Pakistan, for example in the infant mortality rate. In 2018 there were 22 deaths per 1,000 live births in Bangladesh, compared to 57deaths in Pakistan. The current life expectancy in Bangladesh is 73, compared to 67 in Pakistan, 

Way forward

• Opposition: strong democracy requires strong opposition. Without an alternative choice, the very objective of election to provide a check on arbitrary power gets defeated.
• Need to bring in Constitutional Morality: It also makes the governing institutions and representatives accountable to the people.
•  Promoting Good Governance: Good governance enables to reach out government schemes to the needy and it entrusts the desire to do well in life.  It also helps to realize one’s duties and rights and boosts confidence in government.
• Welcoming criticism: The Government should hear criticism rather than reject it out rightly. Suggestions on eroding democratic values need a thoughtful and respectful response.
• Equality in the society: If redistributive public welfare policies are effective, the inequality in society would be reduced. Thus, it must be the priority of the government to maintain social and economic equality and inclusive growth.
• Parliamentary oversight: It is necessary to hold strong checks on the executive through parliamentary committees, question hours, etc. Separation of powers is the most important thing for a healthy democracy.

Conclusion

Until and unless we don’t realize the real sense of Democracy we can’t live with dignity. Only with people’s participation, it can be achieved.

It is important that all the government organs work in harmony to uphold the trust people of the country have held in them and ensure the objectives of true democracy.

In the upcoming “Amrit Kaal” (2022-2047), we must ensure that by the end of this period, India should have achieved its “Tryst with Destiny”- A Social, Political and Economic Democracy in the true sense.

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