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  • Principles of Natural Justice and Proportionality

    justice

    Central idea

    • The Supreme Court lifted a broadcasting ban on a Malayalam news channel ‘MediaOne’.
    • The court blasted the government for silencing voices in the media who “speak truth to power” by branding them as “anti-establishment”.

    A quick recap of the case

    • The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has earlier refused to renew broadcast license of a Malayalam news channel.
    • The Ministry of Home Affairs had declined to grant security clearance to the channel’s promoters citing alleged links between radical groups.
    • Hence the news agency approached Kerala High Court, which upheld the ban on February 9, 2022
    • The Supreme Court granted temporary relief and allowed it to resume operations.

    Supreme Court’s ruling

    • The Supreme Court set aside earlier ban orders and upheld the channel’s appeal on two procedural grounds, namely
    1. Principles of natural justice and
    2. Proportionality

    Articles invoked in the judgment

    • The Court stated that the burden shifts on the Centre to prove that the procedure followed was reasonable and in compliance with the requirements of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
    • The Court used the standard of proportionality to test the reasonableness of the procedure in the present case and assessed the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”.
    • The Court found that the reasons for denying security clearance to the channel were not legitimate purposes for the restriction of the right of freedom of speech protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

    Key concepts involved

    (1) Principles of natural justice

    • The principles of natural justice are a set of procedural rules that ensure fairness and justice in administrative and legal proceedings.
    • These principles are based on the fundamental idea that everyone is entitled to a fair hearing, and they are aimed at preventing arbitrary or biased decisions by decision-makers.
    • The SC bench allowed the challenge to the MHA order and judgment of the High Court on account of the principles of natural justice constitutionalized by its judgment in its 1978 ruling in “Maneka Gandhi vs Union of India”
    • Actions which violate procedural guarantees can be struck down even if non-compliance does not prejudice the outcome of the case.

    (2) Proportionality

    • The principle requires that the decision or action must be proportionate to the objective it seeks to achieve.
    • In other words, the means employed to achieve the objective must be no more than necessary to achieve it, and the harm caused by the decision or action must not be excessive in relation to the benefit gained.
    • The validity of the claim of involvement of national security considerations must be assessed on the test of whether there is material to conclude that the non-disclosure of information is in the interest of national security.
    • Courts can assess the validity of public interest immunity claims based on the “structured proportionality standard”, said the SC.
    • The SC observed that sealed cover proceedings infringe the principles natural justice and open justice.

    Conclusion

    • The Court’s ruling has been welcomed by media organizations and civil society groups as a victory for freedom of speech and expression
    • The Court observed that the duty to act fairly derived from common law is not exhaustively defined in a set of concrete principles, and the concept of natural justice “cannot be put into a ‘straitjacket formula’.
    • The ruling has been hailed as a victory for freedom of speech and expression, and a blow to attempts to stifle dissent and critical voices in the media.

  • Artform in news: Bidri Crafts

    bidri

    Bidri craft artist from Karnataka Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri has been conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri Award.

    Bidri Crafts

    • Bidri ware is a traditional form of handicraft that originated in Bidar, Karnataka.
    • It involves the crafting of metal wares using a unique technique that incorporates zinc and copper.

    Its history

    • Bidri ware has a long history that can be traced back to the 14th century.
    • It was introduced to Bidar by Persian artisans during the reign of the Bahmani Sultans.
    • The craft flourished under the patronage of the Mughal emperors, and it became a symbol of wealth and status.

    Crafting process

    • The process of making Bidri ware involves several stages. First, a mould is made of the object to be crafted.
    • Next, the object is cast in an alloy of zinc and copper.
    • The cast object is then filed and polished to remove any rough edges.
    • The design is then etched onto the surface of the object using a sharp chisel.
    • The etched areas are then filled with a blackened paste made from a mixture of copper sulphate and mud.
    • Finally, the object is polished again to remove any excess paste and to create a smooth finish.

    Designs and motifs

    • Bidriware is known for its intricate designs and motifs, which are often inspired by nature, Islamic art, and Persian calligraphy.
    • Common motifs include flowers, leaves, and geometric patterns.
    • Many pieces also feature verses from the Quran or other Islamic texts.

    Recognition and awards

    • Bidri ware has received several awards and recognition for its craftsmanship and cultural significance.
    • In 2006, it was awarded the Geographical Indication status by the Indian government, which recognizes its unique origin and traditional crafting techniques.
    • Bidriware has also been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

     

     

     

  • 6th Apr 23 | Nikaalo Prelims- Mini Test 7 (Key/ Important Terms and concepts related to Ancient/ Medieval History)

    6th Apr 23 | Nikaalo Prelims- Mini Test 7 (Key/ Important Terms and concepts related to Ancient/ Medieval History)

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  • Finland Joining NATO and its Implications

    Central Idea

    • The induction of Finland into NATO is a significant setback for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, as it has long been neutral in Moscow’s conflict with the West. The move has doubled Finland’s frontier with Russia and has implications for global governance of the Arctic region.

    Induction of Finland into NATO

    • The recent induction of Finland into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a significant development that has strategic implications for Russia and the Arctic region.
    • Finland has traditionally been neutral in the prolonged conflict between Moscow and the West.
    • Its inclusion in NATO is seen as a major setback for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, who has cited NATO’s expansion closer to Russia’s borders as a justification for aggression against Ukraine.

    What is the North Atlantic Treaty? 

    • North Atlantic Treaty, often referred to as the Washington Treaty, states the parties to the treaty seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.
    • The signatories affirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and express their desire to live in peace with all people and governments, the treaty states.

    Background

    • Finlandisation: Finland’s neutrality during the Cold War made Finlandisation a part of the global diplomatic lexicon, referring to a small nation’s political deference to its larger neighbor.
    • Russia’s policies in the neighbourhood: Many of Finland’s small European neighbors have been at the receiving end of Russia’s muscular regional policies over the past decade.
    • Ukraine invasion: The Ukraine invasion has confirmed their worst fears, and they are seeking protection from the US and NATO.

    Russia’s Response

    • Countermeasures: Unsurprisingly, Moscow has responded to Finland’s inclusion in NATO by promising countermeasures.
    • Encroachment on national interest: Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, called NATO’s inclusion of Finland an encroachment on our security and on Russia’s national interests.
    • Monitoring: Moscow will be watching for any NATO military deployments in Finland.

    Why does Russia fume over NATO?

    • NATO’s expansion: Russia views NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe as a threat to its security and influence in the region. The alliance’s decision to accept former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact members as members is seen by Russia as a direct challenge to its strategic interests.
    • Military exercises: Russia has also expressed concern over NATO military exercises in the region, which it sees as a provocation and a show of force. NATO’s decision to station troops and equipment in Eastern Europe has also been criticized by Russia.
    • Missile defense system: Russia has been particularly critical of NATO’s missile defense system, which it sees as a threat to its own nuclear deterrence capabilities. Russia argues that the system is designed to neutralize its strategic weapons and that it undermines global strategic stability.
    • Ukraine and Georgia: Russia has accused NATO of interfering in the affairs of Ukraine and Georgia, two former Soviet republics that are seeking closer ties with the West. Russia sees NATO’s support for these countries as an attempt to encircle and contain Russia.

    Implications for India and the Arctic region

    • Real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region: Finland has maintained a small but capable armed force that is well-trained and resilient, and its inclusion in NATO adds real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region.
    • High north is commercial attraction: As the Arctic ice cap melts amidst global warming, the high north has become attractive commercially and contested geopolitically.
    • India is an observer of the Arctic Council: India is an observer of the Arctic Council that seeks to promote wide-ranging cooperation in the polar north.
    • China raising profile in the Arctic: The militarisation of the high north appears inevitable as Finland and Sweden turn from neutrals to Western allies and China raises its profile in the Arctic in partnership with Russia.
    • Global governance: This might make global governance of the Arctic region increasingly problematic

    Conclusion

    • The induction of Finland into NATO is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West. The move has implications for the Arctic region, which is attracting global attention due to the melting of the Arctic ice cap. As a stakeholder in the region, India must closely monitor developments and prepare for any geopolitical consequences.

    Mains Question

    Q. In light of Finland’s recent inclusion in NATO, discuss the strategic implications for the Arctic region and India. India as a stakeholder in the region and what steps can India take to prepare for potential geopolitical consequences?

  • The Need For Humane Policing In India

    Central Idea

    • The recent case of human rights violation against an IPS officer in Ambasamudram highlights the need for humane policing in India. The history of police brutality across the globe, including in the US, reveals the need for change in the policing system. The pressure to produce results, coupled with corruption and lack of ethics training, contributes to police excesses, which must be curbed.

    History of Policing Excesses

    • Policing Excesses in U.S: The history of policing in many countries is pockmarked by episodes of excesses, and the U.S. is one such country which has had far too many instances of police torture.
    • For example: The Rodney King incident of 1991 in Los Angeles and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020 are some examples of police brutality.

    Factors Contributing to Police Excesses in India

    • Corruption among public servants: Corruption is rampant in India and is a major factor contributing to police excesses. Bribery and corruption make it easy for criminals to escape the law and for police officers to use violence and coercion to extract money and other benefits.
    • The pressure to produce results: Police officers are often under tremendous pressure to produce results and show that they are making progress in solving cases. This pressure can lead to an overzealous approach to policing, with officers resorting to torture and other illegal methods to extract information and solve cases quickly.
    • Lack of ethics training: Police officers in India are not given sufficient training in ethics and human rights. This lack of training makes it easier for officers to resort to violence and abuse of power, as they do not understand the consequences of their actions.
    • Political interference: In some cases, politicians and other powerful people may interfere in police investigations or use their influence to protect criminals. This interference can undermine the rule of law and make it more difficult for police officers to do their job effectively and without fear or favor.
    • Poor working conditions: Police officers in India often work long hours in difficult and dangerous conditions. This can lead to stress and fatigue, which can in turn lead to a higher incidence of police excesses.
    • Lack of accountability: There is often little accountability for police officers who commit excesses. In many cases, officers who are found guilty of human rights violations are simply transferred to another location, rather than being punished or dismissed from the force. This lack of accountability sends a message to other officers that they can get away with abuse of power and violence.

    Role of Technology and Ethics in Policing

    • Both technology and ethics are necessary for effective policing: While technology can help solve crimes and improve policing efficiency, ethics and a commitment to human rights are necessary to ensure that police officers act within the law and respect the rights of all citizens.
    • Technology alone is not enough: The technology has played a significant role in improving policing in India, with many officers now trained in the use of modern tools and techniques to solve crimes. However, technology alone is not enough, and that ethics must also be prioritized in policing.
    • Training in ethics must be prioritized at all levels of the police force: Many police officers in India lack sufficient training in ethics and human rights, which makes it easier for them to resort to violence and abuse of power. Training in ethics must be prioritized at all levels of the police force, from the highest-ranking officers to those on the front lines.
    • Police leaders are crucial players: The police leaders, such as DGPs and IGPs, have a crucial role to play in indoctrinating young recruits on the value of sticking to the law and civilised behaviour.

    What is mean by humane policing?

    • Humane policing refers to a style of law enforcement that places a greater emphasis on preserving the human rights and dignity of individuals.
    • Humane policing recognizes that police officers are entrusted with great power and authority and that they have a duty to exercise this power with respect, compassion, and professionalism.
    • It prioritizes building trust and positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
    • Humane policing It seeks to avoid the use of excessive force, unnecessary aggression, or intimidation in policing activities.
    • It recognizes the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement.
    • It also recognizes the importance of training and education for police officers in areas such as cultural competence, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution.

    Conclusion

    • It is sad and equally true that many in the political firmament subscribe to the philosophy that without physical force on misbehaving citizens, the quality of policing cannot improve and law and order cannot be maintained. This perception has to be changed. India needs a human policing. Moreover, the authorities must take swift action against offending officials to send a strong message that no illegal physical treatment of crime suspects will be tolerated.

    Mains Question

    Q. Rising cases of police excesses reveals the need for change in the policing system. In this backdrop highlight the factors behind Policing Excesses in India and what steps can be taken to promote humane policing?

  • 6th Apr 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    6th Apr 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: Civil Services – Changing Profile

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: Civil Services – Changing Profile

    Central idea

    • Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that in recent years the profile of civil administration has changed and it has become socially more inclusive.
    • Acknowledging that young talent from remote villages and marginalized communities, including young girls, are joining the civil services.
    • The VP appreciated this change in the profile of civil administration.
    civil

    Changing profile of civil services

    • Social inclusion: In recent decades, the civil administration in India has become more socially inclusive to reflect the country’s commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.
    • Representative reservations: The government has made efforts to recruit people from different regions, religions, and backgrounds to ensure that civil services represent the diversity of India’s population.
    • Lateral entries: With the growing emphasis on technology and digitalization, civil services have started to prioritize skills related to technology, leading to the recruitment of people with backgrounds in engineering, IT, and related fields.
    • Specialization demands: The decentralization of power has resulted in the creation of new institutions and departments at the state and local levels. This has led to the recruitment of civil servants who have specialized skills in areas such as urban planning, environmental management, and social welfare.

    Key developments: Mission Karmayogi

    • In 2020 Govt had approved the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building also known as Mission Karmayogi.
    • The programme aims at building a future-ready civil service with the right attitude, skills and knowledge, aligned to the vision of New India.
    • Recently three departments have been identified under this programme which have the maximum interaction with people, to improve the experience of interacting with a government arm – railways, postal service and police.

    What is Mission Karmayogi?

    • Mission Karmayogi is a government initiative aimed at bringing transformational reforms in the capacity building of civil servants.
    • It was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 2, 2020, and is considered a major step towards making Indian bureaucracy more future-ready.

    Key objectives

    • The primary objective of Mission Karmayogi is to empower civil servants with the right skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
    • It aims to create a future-ready civil service that is accountable, responsive, and efficient in serving the needs of citizens.

    Major features

    1. National Program for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB): Mission Karmayogi includes the creation of NPCSCB as a comprehensive, world-class platform for civil service capacity building. NPCSCB will be an integrated platform that will provide training, mentoring, and skill development opportunities to civil servants at all levels of the hierarchy.
    2. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs): Mission Karmayogi aims to create ILPs for all civil servants. ILPs will be customized training plans that will be developed based on the specific needs and skills of each civil servant. ILPs will help civil servants to identify their strengths and weaknesses and provide them with the necessary training and support to enhance their skills.
    3. Competency Framework for Civil Services: Mission Karmayogi will develop a competency framework that will define the core competencies required for each role in civil services. The framework will help in identifying skill gaps and developing training programs to bridge those gaps.

    Implementation

    • Mission Karmayogi will be implemented in a phased manner.
    • The first phase will focus on creating the NPCSCB and developing the competency framework for civil services.
    • The second phase will focus on the development of ILPs for civil servants and providing them with training and support to enhance their skills.

    Benefits offered by the mission

    • Specialization Training: The Mission Karmayogi program aims to match the competencies of civil servants to the requirements of their posts by transitioning from rules-based to roles-based HR management.
    • Domain Training: Civil servants will have the opportunity to continuously enhance their behavioural, functional, and domain competencies through self-driven and mandated learning paths.
    • Uniform Training Standards: The program aims to harmonize training standards across India to ensure a common understanding of the country’s aspirations and development goals.
    • Vision for New India: Mission Karmayogi aims to develop a future-ready civil service with the right attitude, skills, and knowledge aligned with the vision of New India.
    • On-Site Learning: The program emphasizes “on-site learning” to complement traditional “off-site” learning.
    • Best Practices: Mission Karmayogi encourages and partners with top learning content creators, including public training institutions, universities, start-ups, and individual experts.

    Various challenges

    • Rigid hierarchical system: Economist John Maynard Keynes once said, “The difficulty lies not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones.”
    • Status-quoism: Bureaucracy tends to resist change that challenges their status quo, and it must understand the need for domain knowledge and the importance of moving away from a generalist to a specialist approach.
    • Technological overhaul: Governance is becoming increasingly technical, so it’s important for those in authority to have the required skills and experience in that particular area.
    • Behaviour change: A behavioural change in the bureaucracy is necessary, and they must embrace change as a need of the hour, not an attack on their status quo.
    • Training bottlenecks: Online courses should not become another opportunity for officers to go on sabbatical leaves. It must be ensured that they actually attend and participate in the courses, so that the purpose isn’t defeated.

    Way forward

    • Develop a comprehensive communication strategy: The government should develop a communication strategy to create awareness about the program’s benefits and objectives. It should engage with civil servants, academicians, and other stakeholders to create a dialogue and seek feedback.
    • Emphasize the importance of continuous learning: The program should emphasize the importance of continuous learning and development in civil service. The government should encourage civil servants to take part in training programs and provide them with incentives and recognition for their achievements.
    • Strengthen the competency framework: The competency framework should be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including civil servants, experts, and academicians. The framework should be flexible and regularly updated to reflect changing needs and priorities.
    • Address training bottlenecks: The government should ensure that online courses are not misused by civil servants as a means to take sabbatical leaves. It should introduce measures to track attendance and ensure that civil servants participate actively in the training programs.
    • Promote a culture of innovation: The government should promote a culture of innovation and encourage civil servants to come up with innovative ideas and solutions to address governance challenges.
    • Develop partnerships with the private sector: The government should develop partnerships with the private sector to provide civil servants with exposure to cutting-edge technologies and best practices.

    Conclusion

    • The government can address the challenges in the implementation of Mission Karmayogi by adopting these measures.
    • These measures can ensure that Mission Karmayogi achieves its objectives of building a future-ready civil service that is accountable, responsive, and efficient in serving the needs of citizens.

    Top of Form

  • Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023

    aqua

    The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.

    What is Aquaculture?

    • Aquaculture essentially means, breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.
    • In a nutshell, it’s farming in water.
    • Saline water along the coast has been found to be suitable for practising aquaculture which produces shrimp, majorly.
    • If aquaculture is not practised on this land, it will be left idle and uncultivated as it is not suitable for the cultivation of crops.
    • Aquaculture can be practised on about 12 lakh hectares in the country along the coast, of which only 14% has been utilized so far.

    Key highlights of the amendment

    • Decriminalisation of certain offences: The Bill aims to decriminalize the offences under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act.
    • Fine-tuning operational procedures: It seeks to promote ease of doing business and to fine-tune the operational procedures of the authority.
    • Promotion of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture: The Bill also aims to promote newer forms of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture, such as cage culture, seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture, and pearl oyster culture.
    • Create employment opportunities: These newer forms of coastal aquaculture have the potential to create additional employment opportunities.
    • Prevention of use of harmful substances in coastal aquaculture: The Bill also includes a provision to prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances that are harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture.

    About the Coastal Aquaculture Act

    • This Act was enacted in the year 2005 for the establishment an authority to regulate activities in this sector.
    • It is a parliamentary act that establishes the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) for the regulation and registration of coastal aquaculture farms in India.

    Overview

    • The CAA Act, of 2005 mandates the Central Government to take measures to regulate coastal aquaculture and ensure that it does not cause any harm to the coastal environment.
    • The guidelines prescribed by the government aim to promote responsible coastal aquaculture practices that protect the livelihood of various coastal communities.

    Key features

    • The CAA Act, 2005 provides for the establishment of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority to regulate the activities related to coastal aquaculture.
    • The Central Government is responsible for prescribing guidelines to regulate coastal aquaculture activities and ensure responsible practices.
    • The guidelines aim to protect the livelihood of coastal communities and prevent any harm to the coastal environment.
    • The Act also mandates the registration of coastal aquaculture farms to ensure their compliance with the guidelines.
    • The CAA is a strong force in enforcing the regulations and registration of coastal aquaculture farms in India.

    Significance

    • The Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, of 2005 is significant in promoting responsible coastal aquaculture practices and protecting the livelihood of coastal communities.
    • The act ensures that coastal aquaculture activities are regulated and registered, which helps prevent harm to the coastal environment.

  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Key/Important Terms related to Ancient/ Medieval History

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2022.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    Morning 12 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 06:30  PM  – TIKDAM/MCQs Session

    Noon 03:00 PM – CSAT Google Meet Session

    Evening 08 PM  – Tests on Alternate Days

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    28th Marc

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 1 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 04 PM  – Daily Mini Tests

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    6th Apr 2023

     
    Important officers and their role in the Maurya Empire
    1. Sannidhata – Treasurer and keeper of the stores in Maurya Period. He was in charge of the collection of revenue from various parts of the kingdom and looked after the income and expenditure by supervising the works of akshapataladhyaksha (Accountant-General)
    2. Samharta– His function was to collect Revenue both in cash and kind.
    3. Amatyas–They were some sort of administrative personnel or civil servants who filled the highest administrative and judicial appointments.
    4. Rajukas–Ashoka appointed a class of officers known as the Rajukas, who were vested with the authority of rewarding as well we punishing people.
    5. Adhyaksas-­ The officers who looked after the various departments.
    6. Yuktas- They appear to have been the subordinate official whose duties were largely secretarial works and accounting.
    7. Gopa and Sthanika- There was an intermediate level of administration between the district level and village level, which was administered by the Gopa and Sthanikas.
    8. Gramika- Head of the village. He was not a paid servant and was chosen among village elders.
    9. Grambhojaka- Gramika was helped by Grambhojaka.
    10. Pramukha- Eighteen chief handicrafts of the time were organised in guilds called as Shrenis, the president of Shrenis was known as Pramukha.

    Important officers of the Gupta empire

    1. Uparika- He was directly appointed by the king as a provincial governor.
    2. Kumaramatyas- A link between the central and the provincial administration under the Guptas was provided by the officers called Kumaramatyas and Ayuktas. Kumaramatyas was a body of top-ranking officials attached not only to the king but also to the crown-prince and sometimes placed in charge of district.
    3. Gopasramin- In Samudraguptas period an officer working as akshapataladhikrita. Their function was to enter numerous matters in the accounts register, recover royal dues and to check embezzlement and recover fines.
    4. Sandhivigrahika-The foreign minister, minister of war and peace. First appeared under the rule of Samudragupta.
    5. Mahabaldikarta-Commander-in-Chief.
    6. Mahadandanayaka-
    7. Mahapratihara- Chief of palace guards.
    8. Pustapala- Record-keeper. Maintained record of land transactions in a district. They were also known as Karanika.
    9. Vishaya- Vishayas were divided into smaller parts called Vithis which were the villages and consisted of the lowest unit of administration.
    10. Mahattama,Mahattaka and Mahattara- Elder who assisted the Gramika in the village administration.
    11. Agharikas- During the reign of Harsha, Agharikas looked after the land given in charity.
    12. Samantas- Feudal chiefs.

    Important officers of Satvahana Period

    1. Uparakshita- In Satvahanas kingdom, their function was building caves for monks.
    2. Gaulamika- Administration of the villages was placed under them in the Satvahana period.
    3. Valaikkarars- Troops in the royal service and were the bodyguard of the monarch.

    Medieval India

    Amils– Revenue officers

    Arz-i-mamalik– Minister in-charge of the army of the whole country.

    Ahl-i-qalam– Reporter

    Baqqal– Trader, grain-dealer

    Batai– Division of crop between the cultivator and landlord or the government, payments may be in

    kind or cash

    Barid- An intelligence officer appointed by the state to collect information

    Chachar– Land out of cultivation for 3-4 years.

    Chaauth or Chauthaai– One-fourth of the land revenue, originally a Zamindari charge in Gujrat demanded by Shivaji as a war expense.

    Charai– A tax on cattle.

    Dagh System– A system of branding of horses and animal.

    Dam- A copper coin considered as 1/40* the silver rupee for the official purposes.

    Dastur-al-amal- Rule book

    Dhimmi-  A non-Muslim client or subject

    Darul Mulk- Capital

    Gumashta- An agent or representative

    Hamam– A room for the bath of hot and cold water

    Hundi- A bill of exchange

    Jamabandi– Settlement of the amount of revenue assessed upon an estate or district

    Jarib– A measurement, land measurement or survey

    Jihat– Extra cesses

    Jizya– (a) In the literature of Delhi sultanate, any tax which is not kharaj or land tax

    (b) In the Shariat, a personal and yearly tax on non-Muslims.

    Kankut– Estimation of land revenue

    Karori– A revenue officer.

    Khiraj– Land revenue

    Mahal- A group of land regarded as a unit for land revenue purposes.

    Mansab– A military rank conferred by the Mughal emperor.

    Mauza- Revenue term for village

    Mokasa- Grant of land for military service, rent-free land.

    Nabud– Remission of land revenue on account of natural disasters.

    Paibaqi- Land reserved for allotment in jagir

    Polaj- Land continuously in cultivation

    Sarrafs– Money Chargers, bankers

    Saurghal-Rent-free land

    Taqavi- Advance of money for sowing or extending cultivation

    Upari- Temporary occupant; tenant at will.

    Usar- Barren land

    Zawabit- Secular laws

    Read More keywords here

  • What is the Open-Source Seeds Movement?

    seed

    Central idea

    • The article discusses the concept of open-source software and its parallels with open-source seeds.
    • Richard Stallman pioneered the Free Software Movement and developed the General Public License (GPL) to protect users’ rights and prevent code misappropriation.
    • Farmers have been innovating and sharing seeds without intellectual property rights (IPR) claims for centuries.

    Backgrounder: Plant Breeders’ Rights

    • Plant breeders’ rights (PBR) granted exclusive rights to breeders and developers of new varieties.
    • Farmers’ rights were limited under this regime.
    • The TRIPS agreement established a global IPR regime over plant varieties.
    • The consolidation of the seed sector raised concerns about the freedom to innovate.

    Forms of IPR Protection in Agriculture

    • There are now two forms of IPR protection in agriculture: PBR and patents.
    • Together, they restrict farmers’ rights and the freedom to develop new varieties.
    • The use of genetically modified seeds and IP claims triggered many problems, including State intervention on Bt cotton seeds in India.
    • The decline of public sector breeding and the dominance of the private sector in the seed sector increased the need for alternatives.

    What are Open Source Seeds?

    • The success of open-source software inspired a solution for seeds.
    • In 1999, a Canadian plant breeder named T.E. Michaels suggested an approach to seeds based on the principles of open-source software.
    • In 2012, Jack Kloppenburg launched the Open Source Seeds Initiative (OSSI) in Wisconsin.
    • Agrecol launched another initiative in Europe, and similar programs have come up worldwide.

    Open Source Seeds Initiatives in India

    • In India, the Hyderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), part of the Apna Beej Network, developed a model incorporated into an agreement between CSA and the recipient of the seed/germplasm.
    • CSA’s Open Source Seeds Initiative uses a contracts approach similar to Agrecol’s strategy.
    • The number of seed firms using open-source models and the crop varieties and seeds made available thereunder is small but growing.
    • India is yet to test and adopt it widely.

    Potential Applications of Open-Source Seeds

    • Open-source principles can help promote farmer-led participatory plant-breeding exercises.
    • Traditional varieties often lack uniformity and aren’t of excellent quality, but open-source principles can facilitate testing, improvisation, and adoption.
    • Open-source principles can be used in farmer-led seed conservation and distribution systems.
    • The government and other stakeholders can consider adopting this approach to more widely adopt traditional varieties.

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