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  • Goods and Services Tax (GST)

    No Rationalization of GST structure for now: Revenue Secretary

    | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    The long-awaited rationalization of the multiple rate structure of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is off the table for now and unlikely to materialize in the near future.

    What is GST?

    • GST launched in India on 1 July 2017 is a comprehensive indirect tax for the entire country.
    • It is charged at the time of supply and depends on the destination of consumption.
    • For instance, if a good is manufactured in state A but consumed in state B, then the revenue generated through GST collection is credited to the state of consumption (state B) and not to the state of production (state A).
    • GST, being a consumption-based tax, resulted in loss of revenue for manufacturing-heavy states.

    What are GST Slabs?

    • In India, almost 500+ services and over 1300 products fall under the 4 major GST slabs.
    • There are five broad tax rates of zero, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%, plus a cess levied over and above the 28% on some ‘sin’ goods.
    • The GST Council periodically revises the items under each slab rate to adjust them according to industry demands and market trends.
    • The updated structure ensures that the essential items fall under lower tax brackets, while luxury products and services entail higher GST rates.
    • The 28% rate is levied on demerit goods such as tobacco products, automobiles, and aerated drinks, along with an additional GST compensation cess.

    Issues with GST structure

    • Complexity of the GST Structure: The GST structure is quite complex and difficult to understand, which has led to confusion among businesses and consumers alike. This has also led to an increase in the cost of compliance and administration for businesses.
    • Heterogeneity of Rates: One of the main issues with the GST structure is the heterogeneity of rates across different goods and services. This has led to an increase in the cost of compliance for businesses as they need to be aware of the applicable GST rate for each product and service.
    • Dual GST System: India has a dual GST system, which has led to confusion and complexity for businesses that have to deal with both the central GST (CGST) and the state GST (SGST). This has also led to an increased cost of compliance for businesses.
    • Cascading Taxation: The GST structure has led to the problem of cascading taxation, wherein taxes are levied at every stage of the supply chain, leading to an increase in the cost of goods and services.
    • Lack of Transparency: The GST structure has led to a lack of transparency in the pricing of goods and services, as the applicable taxes are not clearly indicated in the invoice.
    • Poor collection infrastructure: The GST system requires a strong infrastructure in order to function properly, which is not always present in India. This can lead to delays in filing and other issues.

    Why rationalize GST slabs?

    • Complex duty structure: From businesses’ viewpoint, there are just too many tax rate slabs, compounded by aberrations in the duty structure through their supply chains with some inputs taxed more than the final product.
    • Multiple rate changes: This has been since the introduction of the GST regime in July 2017 have brought the effective GST rate to 11.6% from the original revenue-neutral rate of 15.5%.
    • Stipulated revenue losses: Merging the 12% and 18% GST rates into any tax rate lower than 18% may result in revenue loss.

    Benefits of GST rationalization

    • Easier compliance: Rationalizing GST slabs helps simplify the tax structure and make it easier for businesses to comply with the law.
    • Fairness of taxation: It also helps to ensure that the tax burden is shared fairly and that the revenue generated is used efficiently.
    • Efficiency in tax collection: Finally, rationalizing GST slabs leads to more efficient collection of taxes, which helps to reduce the cost of compliance for businesses.

    Conclusion

    • Rate rationalization is probably the biggest ‘reform’ that is required to make the GST regime more efficient.
    • As and when the exercise is complete, it is expected that the GST would be a less complex system that not only would make compliances easier but also boost revenue collection.

     

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  • President’s Rule

    What is Article 356 of Indian Constitution?

    | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    Sitting PM recalled that governments at the Centre had dismissed 90 elected state governments by “misusing” Article 356 of the Constitution.

    What is Article 356?

    • Article 356 of the Indian Constitution contains provisions for the imposition of “President’s Rule” in a state, removing an elected government.
    • While the Constitution intended Article 356 to be used only under extraordinary circumstances, central governments repeatedly used the provision to settle political scores.

    What does it say?

    • Article 356 empowers the President to withdraw to the Union the executive and legislative powers of any state.
    • She/he has to be satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
    • Whether the constitutional machinery has broken down may be determined by the President at any time, either upon receipt of a report from the Governor, or suo motu.

    Duration of Presidents Rule

    • According to the provisions of Article 356, President’s Rule in a state can be imposed for six months at a time for a maximum duration of three years.
    • Every six months, Parliamentary approval to impose President’s Rule will be required again.
    • However, in the past, President’s Rule has been extended for significantly longer periods under specific circumstances.
    • For instance, Punjab was under President’s Rule from 1987-1992 due to the growing militancy.

    What are the origins of Article 356?

    • Article 356 was inspired by Section 93 of the Government of India Act, 1935.
    • This provided that if a Governor of a province was satisfied that a situation had arisen in which the government of the province cannot be carried on in accordance GOI Act, he could assume to himself all or any of the powers of the government and discharge those functions in his discretion.
    • The Governor, however, could not encroach upon the powers of the high court.
    • For the British, this provision allowed for a ‘controlled democracy’ – while providing some autonomy to provincial governments, Section 93 allowed the British authorities to exercise ultimate power when they deemed necessary.

    How was the provision used as a political weapon in independent India?

    • During the decades of Congress’s dominance at the Centre, Article 356 was used against governments of the Left and regional parties in the states.
    • Until 1959, Jawaharlal Nehru’s government had used the article six times, including to dislodge the first-ever elected communist government in the world, in Kerala in 1959.
    • In the 1960s, it was used 11 times. After Indira came to power in 1966, Article 356 was used seven times between 1967 and 1969 alone.
    • The 1970s were more politically turbulent. Between 1970 and 1974, President’s Rule was imposed 19 times.
    • Post-emergency, the Janata Party government used it in 1977 to summarily dismiss nine Congress state governments.
    • When Indira returned to power in 1980, her government too imposed President’s Rule in nine states.
    • In 1992-93, PM Narasimha Rao dismissed three governments in the wake of the demolition of Babri Masjid, besides Kalyan Singh’s government in UP.

    How was this political misuse of Article 356 curbed?

    Ans. S R Bommai Judgment, 1989

    • In its judgment in the landmark R. Bommai v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court discussed the provisions of Article 356 at length.
    • A nine-judge Bench in its decision in 1994 noted the specific instances when President’s Rule can be imposed and when it cannot.
    • The court held that Article 356 can be invoked in situations of the physical breakdown of the government or when there is a ‘hung assembly’.
    • But that it cannot be used without giving the state government a chance to either prove its majority in the House or without instances of a violent breakdown of the constitutional machinery.
    • Since the judgment, the arbitrary use of Article 356 has been largely controlled.

     

    Try this PYQ:

    Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State?

    1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
    2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State
    3. Dissolution of the local bodies

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 2

    (b) 1 and 3

    (c) 2 and 3

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

    Post your answers here.

     

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  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Global Implications

    US bombed Nord Stream Gas Pipeline

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions

    nord

    An American investigative journalist has claimed that the September 2022 bombing of the undersea Nord Stream gas pipelines was carried out by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

    What is Nord Stream Pipeline?

    (1) Nord Stream 1:

    • Nord Stream 1 is the biggest pipeline transporting natural gas between Russia and Europe via Germany.
    • It is a system of offshore natural gas pipelines running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
    • Nord Stream 1 is a 1,224 km underwater gas pipeline that runs from Vyborg in northwest Russia to Lubmin in northeastern Germany via the Baltic Sea.

    (2) Nord Stream 2:

    • Russian threats to choke this gas supply to Europe present an economic threat to Germany.
    • To expand options and double the supply from Russia, Germany decided to build Nord Stream 2.
    • The construction of the $11 billion-worth Nord Stream 2 was completed in 2021 but never began commercial operations.

    Why the Nord Stream pipeline is so much in news?

    • For Germany: Energy prices in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, are among the lowest in the continent because of the cheap gas supplies via Nord Stream 1. This also makes German manufactured goods more competitive in the international market.
    • For European Union: In 2021, Russia supplied nearly 40 per cent of the EU’s natural gas needs through this pipeline. The flows through Nord Stream play a vital role in filling up the national storage tanks of EU. It is crucial to provide the required heating in the upcoming winter.
    • For Russia: Russia is using the supplies via the crucial pipeline as a bargain to navigate its economy through sanctions from the western countries.

    What is the current status of Nord Stream Pipeline?

    • Nord stream pipeline is the largest single supply route for Russian gas to Europe. The Russian state owned gas company Gazprom has a majority ownership in the pipeline.
    • While it was running at just 20% of its capacity since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, the company, in early September fully cut gas flows from the pipeline on the pretext of maintenance.
    • According to Bloomberg, while 40% of Europe’s pipeline gas came from Russia before Russia Ukraine the war, the number now stands at just 9%.
    • Even though both pipelines were not running commercially, they had millions of cubic metres of gas stored in them.

     

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  • ISRO Missions and Discoveries

    ISRO’s SSLV-D2 launched successfully

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    sslv

    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will undertake the second development flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV –D2).

    Payload details

    The SSLV-D2 is intended to inject ISRO’s EOS-07, U.S.-based firm Antaris’ Janus-1 and Chennai-based space start-up Space Kidz’s AzaadiSAT-2 satellites into a 450-km circular orbit in its 15 minutes flight.

    • EOS-07: is a 156.3 kg satellite designed, developed and realized by the ISRO. Its mission objective is to design and develop payload instruments compatible with microsatellite buses and new technologies that are required for future operational satellites.
    • Janus-1: Weighing around 10.2 kg, Janus-1 is a technology demonstrator, smart satellite mission based on Antaris software platform.
    • AzaadiSAT-2: A 8.7-kg satellite, AzaadiSAT-2 is a combined effort of about 750 girl students across India guided by Space Kidz India, Chennai.

    What is SSLV?

    • The SSLV is a small-lift launch vehicle being developed by the ISRO with payload capacity to deliver:
    1. 600 kg to Low Earth Orbit (500 km) or
    2. 300 kg to Sun-synchronous Orbit (500 km)
    • It would help launching small satellites, with the capability to support multiple orbital drop-offs.
    • In future a dedicated launch pad in Sriharikota called Small Satellite Launch Complex (SSLC) will be set up.
    • A new spaceport, under development, near Kulasekharapatnam in Tamil Nadu will handle SSLV launches when complete.
    • After entering the operational phase, the vehicle’s production and launch operations will be done by a consortium of Indian firms along with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

    Vehicle details

    (A) Dimensions

    • Height: 34 meters
    • Diameter: 2 meters
    • Mass: 120 tonnes

    (B) Propulsion

    • It will be a four stage launching vehicle.
    • The first three stages will use Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based solid propellant, with a fourth terminal stage being a Velocity-Trimming Module (VTM).

    SSLV vs. PSLV: A comparison

    • The SSLV was developed with the aim of launching small satellites commercially at drastically reduced price and higher launch rate as compared to Polar SLV (PSLV).
    • The projected high launch rate relies on largely autonomous launch operation and on overall simple logistics.
    • To compare, a PSLV launch involves 600 officials while SSLV launch operations would be managed by a small team of about six people.
    • The launch readiness period of the SSLV is expected to be less than a week instead of months.
    • The SSLV can carry satellites weighing up to 500 kg to a low earth orbit while the tried and tested PSLV can launch satellites weighing in the range of 1000 kg.
    • The entire job will be done in a very short time and the cost will be only around Rs 30 crore for SSLV.

    Significance of SSLV

    • SSLV is perfectly suited for launching multiple microsatellites at a time and supports multiple orbital drop-offs.
    • The development and manufacture of the SSLV are expected to create greater synergy between the space sector and private Indian industries – a key aim of the space ministry.

     

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  • Renewable Energy – Wind, Tidal, Geothermal, etc.

    India- Nordic can be the powerhouse of the green transition globally

    op-ed snap | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Nordic

    Context

    • Over the last decades, Nordic countries have been pioneering in green technologies. Over the last decades, Nordic have also been at the forefront of developing new green technologies and solutions such as hydrogen, offshore wind, batteries and carbon capture and storage solutions that are essential for the world to succeed in the green transition it desperately needs. Together, the Nordics and India can deliver key technologies and solutions to stop climate change and boost green growth.

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    Nordic

    India- Nordic connect

    • Nordic-India Summit: At the Nordic-India Summit held in Copenhagen in May 2022, the five Nordic Prime Ministers and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to intensify cooperation on digitalisation, renewable energy, maritime industries, and the circular economy.
    • Joint Nordic solutions for green transition: Modi expressed an interest in joint Nordic solutions that can support India’s green transition.
    • Knowledge exchange and cooperation: It is very much with this in mind that, the Trade Ministers of Norway and Finland, are currently visiting India together During their visit, they aim to showcase the added value to the partnership can bring to India and learn from the impressive innovations and digital solutions being developed in India.
    • Ambition to increase collaboration: They have business delegations and companies that are leaders within sectors such as clean energy, circular economy, digitalisation, tourism, and the maritime sector. They have great ambitions for increased collaboration with India.
    • Nordic business community in India is also growing: The most valued and renowned Nordic businesses are already operating in India and have made substantial investments. There are now 240 Norwegian and Finnish companies in India.

    Nordic

    Trade links that can grow

    • India a priority country for Finland: The past year has seen a significant rise in trade and investments between Finland and India, and India has grown to become a priority country for Finland.
    • For instance: Finland opened a new consulate General in Mumbai. This further increases the number of Nordic representations in India’s commercial capital and will contribute to strengthening India-Finnish ties.
    • Trade between Norway and India has doubled in the last three years: Finnish companies such as Nokia and Fortum see India as their largest growth market now and have some of their most significant investments in India. The Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund is likely to become one of India’s largest single foreign investors (around $17.6 billion).
    • Number of investments is increasing rapidly: The Norwegian government has also recently established a new Climate Investment Fund for investments in renewables abroad, and India has been declined as a focus country. Almost ₹1,500 crore have been invested so far in India through the climate investment fund, and the number of investments is increasing rapidly.

    Nordic

    Untapped potential for trade and further collaboration

    • Finland, as a member of the European Union (EU), is a part of the EU-India FTA negotiations, and Norway is negotiating through the European Free Trade Association.
    • Trade in services is an area of significant potential, especially with tourism, education, IT, energy, maritime and financial services.
    • As India takes rapid strides into a green, digital, and innovative future, Nordic countries such as Finland and Norway stand ready to share experiences and be a part of India’s transition.

    Conclusion

    • Although Nordic countries are significantly smaller than India population-wise and a located on the other side of the globe, they have world-leading technologies and expertise to other. Technologies and innovations that are successful and are scaled-up in India can easily be transferred to other parts of the world. Together, the Nordics and India can be the powerhouse of the green transition globally.

    Mains question

    Q. Over the last decades, Nordic countries have been pioneering in green technologies. Together, the Nordics and India can power the green transition the world needs. Discuss.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Pakistan

    Indus Water Treaty: A Case of Hydropolitics

    op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood – Relations

    Indus

    Context

    • Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) made it the headlines recently. As India issued a notification to Pakistan for modification to the treaty, speculations are rife that the treaty is showing signs of inefficacy and that cracks are visible on the sole bridge between the two nuclear neighbours. On the other hand, for many in the hydro-diplomacy community, the IWT remain a stellar example for asserting that nations can cooperate for managing their shared rivers even with mutual mistrust and hostile political relations.

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    Indus

    What is Indus Water Treaty (IWT)?

    • The Indus Waters Treaty is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank signed in Karachi in 1960.
    • According to this agreement, control over the water flowing in three eastern rivers of India the Beas, the Ravi and the Sutlej was given to India.
    • The control over the water flowing in three western rivers of India the Indus, the Chenab and the Jhelum was given to Pakistan

    Indus

    The present developments

    • Intergovernmental negotiations to rectify material breach of the treaty: India issued a notice to Pakistan on 25th January 2023 through its commissioner to the bilateral Permanent Indus Commission suggesting that Pakistan should enter intergovernmental negotiations within 90 days to rectify the material breach of the treaty under Article 12(3) of IWT.
    • Government-to-government negotiation before accepting the involvement of a neutral expert: India defended its move by stating that it was adhering to the provision under the treaty for a graded mechanism for handling an issue of concern as it interpreted it. Therefore, it asked for a government-to-government negotiation before accepting the involvement of a neutral expert and finally taking it to a court of arbitration.

    Why such move?

    • Pakistan initially sought a neutral expert and then backtracked: In India, the perceived root cause for this present move is that Pakistan initially sought a neutral expert to examine the technical objections that it had raised on India’s Kishanganga and Ratle Hydropower projects but then backtracked and asked for adjudication through a court of arbitration.
    • Despite India’s efforts Pakistan refused to negotiate: Despite repeated efforts by India to negotiate at consecutive meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission, Pakistan refused to budge.
    • Pakistan has always preferred the route of arbitration: This is of consequence since Pakistan has always preferred the route of arbitration rather than a graded approach in the past with the involvement of a neutral expert before submitting to arbitration.
    • Pakistan’s repeated stance of seeking arbitration is prejudicial and pernicious: Indian strategic experts have called Pakistan’s repeated stance of seeking arbitration as prejudicial and pernicious while accusing the World Bank that it has allowed Pakistan to run riot in the last few years.

    The role of World Bank?

    • Brokered by WB: The long-standing Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a first-of-its-kind arrangement that was brokered by the World Bank between India and Pakistan for sharing the waters of the Indus system,
    • Signatory to the treaty to maintain ambivalence: The World Bank, as a signatory to the treaty, has maintained ambivalence and has yielded to both demands by appointing a neutral expert and a chairman for the court of arbitration.
    • Legal risk in duality of discussing and resolving: This has created a particularly confounding situation due to the initiation of two mutually-exclusive tracks for discussing and resolving the thorny issues. The Bank also recognised the practical and legal risks that this duality poses.

    Indus

    Mistrust and mismanagement

    • IWT concerns linked with National security and sovereignty: In the last two decades, both governments have raked up their concerns with the IWT, often coupling the Indus waters with national security and sovereignty with concerns emerging from the highest levels of governments at times.
    • Pakistan’s accusation: Pakistani officials and ministers on their part have issued statements accusing India of creating water woes in Pakistan by allowing sudden releases of water without prior notification as was the case in 2019.
    • Pakistan has also been apprehensive about two projects by India: The Baglihar and Kishanganga Hydroelectric Project (HEP), accusing India of acquiring the power to affect the timing and flow of water into Pakistan on rivers that belong to it under the provisions of IWT.
    • Misplaced developmental priorities of Pakistan: The politicisation of the IWT is systematic and has been occurring in a synchronised way, especially in Pakistan due to their misplaced developmental priorities.
    • Lack of ecosystems approach

    Conditions that underlie any successful transboundary water negotiation process

    1. Parties actively recognise their interdependencies;
    2. Parties agree to explore competing and often conflicting values and interests and invent creative options for mutual gains; and
    3. Parties agree to create mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the agreement and adapt the agreement to address new issues as they emerge.

    Climate change is often neglected in politicization of the water issues

    • The newer challenges of water governance are emerging. Water cannot be looked at as a stock of resource to be stored for human convenience, and released as per human will.
    • Today, whether it is in the Ganges or in the Indus delta regions, there is hardly any acknowledgement that upstream constructions and climate change are wreaking havoc on delta livelihoods.
    • Pakistan is so embroiled in the politics of water that they have become oblivious that they are losing a living heritage, the Palla fish The decline in catch is affecting the livelihoods of the fishing community.
    • Moreover, higher glacial melt due to global warming around the headwaters in the Himalayas is slated to increase flow in the short run but will be a threat to water security in the long run due to scarcities.
    • Therefore, all these bigger climatic threats and the threats created by the dam structures that can arrest the sediments and can cause upstream floods should be of bigger concern than mere politicisation of the water issues.

    Conclusion

    • On the whole, the lack of trust between nations has marred the hydropolitics of the Indus. The priority should have been settling disputes amicably by drawing strength and confidence from the past and preparing for an uncertain precipitation regime of the future due to climate change. The concerns of a much-needed integrated basin governance approach for the Indus must not be overshadowed by politics of mistrust and hatred.

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  • Government Budgets

    Explained: Status and proceeds of Disinvestment

    | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    disinvestment

    In the Union Budget for 2023-24, the government has set a disinvestment target of ₹51,000 crore, down nearly 21% from the budget estimate for the current year and just ₹1,000 crore more than the revised estimate.

    Lowest Disinvestment target in years

    • It is also the lowest target in seven years.
    • The Centre has not met the disinvestment target for 2022-23 so far.
    • It has realised ₹31,106 crore to date, of which, ₹20,516 crore or close to a third of the budgeted estimate came from the IPO of 3.5% of its shares in the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).

    What is Disinvestment?

    • Disinvestment or divestment, in this context, is when the government sells its assets or a subsidiary, such as a Central or State public sector enterprise.
    • There are the three main approaches to disinvestment
    1. Minority disinvestment: The government retains a majority in the company, typically greater than 51%, thus ensuring management control.
    2. Majority disinvestment: The government hands over control to the acquiring entity but retains some stake.
    3. Complete privatisation: 100% control of the company is passed on to the buyer.

    Objectives of disinvestment

    The following main objectives of disinvestment were outlined:

    • To reduce the financial burden on the Government.
    • To improve public finances.
    • To introduce, competition and market discipline.
    • To fund growth.
    • To encourage wider share of ownership.
    • To depoliticize non-essential services.

    Institutional mechanism

    Ans. DIPAM

    • The Union Finance Ministry has a separate department for undertaking disinvestment-related procedures called the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).

    Why need disinvestment?

    • Reduce money crunch: The government may disinvest in order to reduce the fiscal burden or bridge the revenue shortfall for that year.
    • Deficit financing: It also uses disinvestment proceeds to finance the fiscal deficit, to invest in the economy and development or social sector programmes, and to retire government debt.
    • Promote private ownership facilitation: Disinvestment also encourages private ownership of assets and trading in the open market.
    • Do away with loss-making: If successful, it also means that the government does not have to fund the losses of a loss-making unit anymore.

    Other importance of disinvestment lies in the utilization of funds for:

    1. Financing large-scale infrastructure development
    2. Investing in the economy to encourage spending
    3. For social programs like health and education

    How has disinvestment fared in India?

    Ans. Disinvestment in India has had mixed results.

    • Since the current government came to power in 2014, it has made significant progress in disinvestment, having raised a record ₹1.05 trillion (US$14.6 billion) for the fiscal year of 2017–18.
    • However, the government has also failed to reach its disinvestment targets in other years, due to various reasons such as market conditions, investor sentiment, and political opposition.
    • The government has also been criticized for not doing enough to find potential buyers for state-owned companies.
    • Despite this, recent years have seen several successful disinvestment deals, such as the strategic sale of Air India and the privatization of BPCL.

    Issues with CPSEs through years

    • Inherent flaws in PSU’s: The entire PSU’s mechanism did not turn out as efficient as it ought to be, all thanks to the prevailing hierarchy and bureaucracy.
    • Lack of autonomy: Lack of autonomy, political interference, nepotism & corruption has further deteriorated the situation.
    • Revenue losses: Due to the expenditure on items such as interest payments, wages and salaries of PSU employees and subsidies, the Government is left with hardly any surplus for capital expenditure on social and physical infrastructure.
    • Lack of Competitiveness: In an era of LPG industrial competitiveness has especially assumed an important role, necessitating privatization or disinvestment of PSUs.
    • Poor performance: Despite the huge injection of funds in the past decades, the functioning of many public sector units (PSUs) has traditionally been characterized by poor management, slow decision-making procedures, lack of accountability, low productivity, unsatisfactory quality of goods, excessive manpower utilization etc.

    Conclusion

    • Confronted with an unprecedented fiscal deficit and worried by an economy in crisis, the government has to find resources.
    • Disinvestment is a preferred option for ideological and practical reasons.
    • Short-term financial exigencies should not be the Centre’s sole reason for disinvestment in core sectors like petroleum.
    • The government could utilize the money gained by selling off PSUs to improve services in public goods like infrastructure, health and education.

     

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  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    Expunging Un-Parliamentary Speeches from Records

    | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Parliament & State Legislatures

    Portions of a politicians’ speech delivered in Lok Sabha have been expunged — or removed — from the records of Parliament by the orders of the Speaker.

    Constitutional immunity for parliamentary speeches

    • Under Article 105(2) of the Constitution, “no Member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said…in Parliament or any committee thereof”.
    • However, MPs don’t enjoy the freedom to say whatever they want inside the House.
    • The speech of MPs is subject to the discipline of the Rules of Parliament, “good sense” of its Members, and the control of proceedings by the Speaker.
    • These checks ensure that MPs cannot use “defamatory or indecent or undignified or unparliamentary words” inside the House.

    How should Parliamentary Speeches be?

    • The Indian Parliament has a code of conduct which requires all members to speak in a civil and courteous manner.
    • Un-parliamentary speeches are not tolerated and offenders can be suspended or even expelled from the house.
    • The Speaker has the power to expunge any un-parliamentary speech from the record of the House and from the transcripts of the proceedings.

    Disciplinary action against unruly speeches

    • The Lok Sabha Speaker has the power to expunge any un-parliamentary speech made in the House.
    • The Speaker can also refer the matter to the Ethics Committee for further action.
    • The Speaker can also refer the matter to the Ethics Committee for further action which may include imposing fines and imprisonment for a period of up to six months.
    • The Speaker may also order the offender to apologize to the House.
    • Similar is the procedure with the Rajya Sabha Chairman.

    What is the expunging of speeches?

    • The expunging of certain words, sentences, or portions of a speech from the records is fairly routine procedure, and is carried out in accordance with laid down rules.
    • The decision on which parts of the proceedings are to be expunged lies with the Presiding Officer of the House.

    What are the rules on expunging from the record?

    • Rule 380 (“Expunction”) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha states the procedure for removal of a speech from the records.
    • Rule 381 says: The portion of the proceedings of the House so expunged shall be marked by asterisks and an explanatory footnote shall be inserted in the proceedings as follows: ‘Expunged as ordered by the Chair’.”

    What happens after a word has been expunged?

    • Expunged portions of the proceedings cease to exist in the records of Parliament, and they can no longer be reported by media houses, even though they may have been heard during the live telecast of the proceedings.
    • However, the proliferation of social media has introduced challenges in the watertight implementation of expunction orders.

    Way forward

    • Parliamentary speeches should be polite, respectful and dignified, avoiding any kind of personal attacks or slurs.
    • They should focus on the issue at hand, avoiding any kind of partisan rhetoric.
    • No offensive language should be used and all debates should be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.
    • As a rule, all speakers should show due consideration for their colleagues and refrain from any kind of personal criticism.
    • They should stick to the facts and avoid unsubstantiated claims. Parliamentary speeches should be concise, clear and fact-based.
    • Finally, all speakers should remain mindful of their role as representatives of the people and should strive to maintain the highest standards of public discourse.

     

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    In news: Kingdom of Vijayanagara

    | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    vijay

    A British author has published a book telling of the fictionalised story of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. He took accounts of the poet named Pampa Kampana, who witnessed Vijayanagara’s many victories and defeats.

    Who was Pampa Kampana?

    • Pampa Kampana was a 15th-century ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, who reigned from 1484 to 1490.
    • He is known for his military campaigns against the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapati kingdom of Orissa.
    • He was a great patron of the arts and literature, and his court was home to illustrious poets and scholars such as Vyasatirtha.

     

    About Vijayanagara Kingdom

    • The Vijayanagara kingdom has long been a subject of historical and political interest.
    • From their capital, now known as Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the kings of Vijayanagara at the peak of their power ruled over a territory of more than 360,000 sq. km.
    • Founded in 1336, the kingdom of Vijayanagara lasted for more than three centuries, a period in which it withstood multiple political stresses, and saw significant advances in art and economy.
    • It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the sub-continent.

    Its foundation

    • Over the course of its existence from 1336 to 1646, the kingdom saw various ups and downs.
    • Founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty, Vijayanagara expanded from a strategic position on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
    • By the 15th century, it had become a force to reckon with.

    Rise under Krishna Deva Raya I

    • The kingdom reached its peak under Krishna Deva Raya (reign 1509-1529).
    • It is a period in which Vijayanagara enjoyed military superiority to its rival kingdoms such as the Bahmani Sultanate, the Golconda Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha.
    • At its peak, the kingdom stretched from Goa in the Konkan coast to parts of southern Odisha in the east and all the way to the very tip of the subcontinent in the south.

    Why the Vijayanagara history is so much celebrated?

    Ans. Economic Prosperity

    • Monetized economy: Coins were minted by the state as well as by merchant guilds using gold, silver, copper and brass, and their value depended on material weight.
    • Control over key commodities: The Empire’s principal exports were pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, myrobalan, tamarind timber, anafistula, precious and semi-precious stones, pearls, musk, ambergris, rhubarb, aloe, cotton cloth and porcelain.
    • Maritime trade: While the economy of the kingdom was largely dependent on agriculture, trade thrived in its many ports on either coast. Traveller Abd al-Razzaq Samarqandi chronicled how the ports of Mangalore, Honavar, Bhatkal, Barkur, Cochin, Cannanore, Machilipatnam, and Dharmadam saw traders from Africa, Arabia, Aden, the Red sea, China and Bengal and also served as ship building centres.

    Vijayanagara’s contributions to culture and architecture

    (1) Literary development

    • The Vijayanagar Empire was also known for its flourishing culture and literature.
    • The court was home to many poets and scholars, who wrote in both Sanskrit and Kannada.
    • The emperor Krishnadevaraya was himself a noted poet, authoring works such as the Amuktamalyada and the Jambavati Kalyanam.
    • The Vijayanagar Empire also patronized the arts, which led to a flourishing of music, dance, and painting.

    (2) Architectural development

    • Vijayanagara’s capital Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today, known for its sophisticated fortifications as well as innumerable temples and other architectural marvels.
    • From accounts of foreign travellers, by the beginning of the 16th century, Hampi-Vijayanagara was probably the second largest urban settlement on the planet (after Beijing) and among the most prosperous.
    • The most impressive architectural feat of the Vijayanagar Empire was the iconic Vitthala temple complex in Hampi.
    • This complex consists of a temple dedicated to the god Vitthala, a large audience hall, and a stone chariot shrine.
    • The Prasanna Virupaksha temple of Bukka I and the Hazara Rama temple of Krishna Deva Raya are striking examples of Vijayanagara’s characteristic style and intricate artistry.

    Causes of its decline

    • Military defeats: The first major defeat for the empire was the Battle of Talikota in 1565, in which the Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates. This major defeat drastically weakened the Vijayanagara Empire and led to a period of political instability and civil war.
    • Economic disruption: This was further worsened by the Deccan Sultanates’ policy of destroying Vijayanagara’s economy and trade networks. This ultimately resulted in the loss of the empire’s political power and reduced its ability to defend itself from further attacks.
    • Internal conflict: Other contributing factors included internal divisions between the ruling families and the rise of local governors who declared their independence.

    Various travellers details of Vijayanagara kingdom

    • Vasco da Gama: The first encounter with the Vijayanagara Empire by a European traveller was by the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, who visited the kingdom in 1498, and was the first to recognize its wealth and power. After this, Krishnadevaraya in 1510 signed a treaty with the Portuguese to permit Albuquerque to construct forts in Bhatkal.
    • Nicolo Conti: The Italian traveller Nicolo Conti visited the kingdom in 1420 and documented his journey in a book titled “Viaggio in India”. He wrote about the grandeur of the cities and the wealth of the kingdom.
    • Jan Huyghen van Linschoten: The Dutch traveller Jan Huyghen van Linschoten visited the kingdom in 1583 and wrote a book describing his journey titled “Itinerario”. He wrote about the impressive forts, the magnificent temples, the thriving markets and the grand palaces.
    • Jean-Baptiste Tavernier: The French traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier visited the kingdom in 1665 and wrote a book about his journey titled “Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier”. He wrote about the fine architecture, the grandeur of the palaces, and the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom.
    • Robert Orme: The English traveller Robert Orme visited the kingdom in 1770 and wrote a book about his journey titled “Military Transactions in India”. He wrote about the size and scope of the empire, the grandeur of its cities and the advanced military technology used by the kingdom.

    Try this PYQ:

    Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

    (a) Chalukya

    (b) Chandela

    (c) Rashtrakuta

    (d) Vijayanagara

     

    Post your answers here.

     

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  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    Lack of Quorum in Lok Sabha

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    The Lok Sabha began a discussion on the general Budget but the House had to be adjourned before the scheduled time due to lack of quorum.

    What is Quorum?

    • Quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that assembly.
    • Article 100 of the Indian Constitution states that the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament shall be one-tenth of the total number of members of that House.
    • This means that the quorum of Lok Sabha (Lower House) is 55 and that of Rajya Sabha (Upper House) is 25.

    Who decides the Quorum?

    • The quorum is usually decided at the beginning of the session and if it is not present when a vote is taken, the vote is invalid.
    • In the event of inadequate quorum, the Speaker or the Chairman can adjourn the House or suspend the sitting till the quorum is present.

    Challenging a Quorum

    • Furthermore, the quorum can be challenged by any member of the House.
    • In the event that the quorum is challenged, the Speaker or the Chairman can direct that a count of the members present be taken.
    • If the quorum is not present, the House is adjourned. However, if the quorum is present, the business of the House is resumed.

     

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