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Northeast India and The Troika of Bangladesh, India and Japan
Central Idea
- The third India-Japan Intellectual Dialogue hosted by the Asian Confluence (ASCON), Tripura, was an ideal opportunity to assess the evolving thinking of experts and policymakers. It showed that the current decade may produce path-breaking changes in the northeast, bringing the troika of Bangladesh, India and Japan closer.
Significant changes in the North East India
- The region comprising India’s eight northeastern States (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim) is undergoing dramatic change.
- It has overcome several (but not all) security challenges and is now heading toward economic development.
- Political changes have been helpful. So is the extensive web of linkages with neighbouring Bangladesh. Besides, Japan has emerged as a significant development partner for both India and Bangladesh.
Japan’s historical ties with the North Eastern region of India
- Cultural ties: There are deep cultural ties between the North Eastern region of India and Japan, with Buddhism being a common thread that binds the two regions.
- World War II: The North Eastern region of India played a crucial role in World War II, with the Battle of Imphal and Kohima considered to be turning points in the war. The Japanese army had advanced into the region and fought fiercely against the Allied forces.
- Post-Independence: After India gained independence, the North Eastern region remained largely isolated from the rest of the country. However, in the 1950s, the Indian government started building roads and infrastructure to connect the region with the rest of the country. Japan also played a role in the region’s development, with its assistance in building the Dimapur-Imphal highway.
- Economic ties: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on economic ties between the North Eastern region of India and Japan. Japan has been investing in infrastructure projects in the region, such as the Guwahati water supply project and the Northeast Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project.
- Connectivity: Improved connectivity between the North Eastern region of India and Japan is seen as a key factor in strengthening the historical ties between the two regions. There have been talks of establishing a direct flight between Guwahati and Tokyo to enhance connectivity.
What is Asian Confluence?
- The Asian Confluence is a think tank and cultural centre based in Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
- It was established in 2012 with the aim of promoting and strengthening cultural and economic ties between the Northeastern region of India and the countries of Southeast Asia.
- The centre seeks to facilitate dialogue and collaboration between academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and civil society groups from across the region, with a particular focus on issues related to connectivity, trade, investment, and tourism.
- The Asian Confluence hosts a variety of events, including conferences, seminars, workshops, and cultural programs, that bring together experts and stakeholders from different fields to discuss and explore opportunities for collaboration and cooperation.
- In addition to promoting economic and cultural ties, the centre also seeks to foster a sense of community and shared identity among the diverse peoples of the region.
Opportunities for Northeast India
- Matarbari Deep Sea Port: The development of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port in Bangladesh, with Japanese assistance, is expected to be a game changer for the region. To be optimally viable, the port will have to cater to the needs of Bangladesh and India’s northeast, serving a population of 220 million.
- Competitive advantage: The creation of regional industrial value chains and rapid industrialization in sectors where the northeast has a competitive advantage will be crucial to ensure that the new connectivity links are fully utilized and productive.
- Natural resources and strategic location: The region’s natural resources and strategic location make it an attractive destination for investors in diverse sectors such as agro-processing, man-made fibers, handicrafts, assembly of two-wheelers, mobile phones, and pharmaceuticals.
What are the Challenges?
- Insufficient investment: Japan as a single investor in the northeast is unworkable. Indian companies must also invest, and India needs to ease restrictions on the flow of investments from Bangladesh.
- Security challenges: While the northeastern region has overcome several security challenges, not all of them have been addressed.
- Infrastructure connectivity: While Bangladesh and India have made progress in restoring pre-1965 infrastructure connectivity, other countries in the region need to reciprocate with similar connectivity initiatives.
- Environmental concerns: As industrialization and development take place, there is a need to ensure that environmental concerns are addressed and sustainability is prioritized.
- Lack of attention to BIMSTEC: When issues of regional cooperation and integration are discussed, scant attention seems to be paid to the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), which is self-defeating.
What measures should be taken?
- Limited policy convergence: Policy convergence must be expanded to address challenges in the region.
- Need for closer linkages: The three governments of Bangladesh, India, and Japan should forge closer linkages of economic cooperation.
- Investment: Indian companies need to invest in the northeast along with Japanese companies. India should also ease restrictions on the flow of investments from Bangladesh.
- Infrastructure connectivity: Bangladesh facilitated much connectivity with India and now needs reciprocity from other countries, particularly India, so that it is better connected with other neighbors, including Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
- Need for leadership: The goal of connecting a large part of South Asia with Southeast Asia requires an astute pilot. This leadership can come from the triad of Bangladesh, India, and Japan.
Conclusion
- The triad of Bangladesh, India, and Japan (BIJ) can provide astute leadership in connecting a large part of South Asia with Southeast Asia. A BIJ Forum should be launched at the level of Foreign Ministers, a move that will be welcomed in the northeast. The three governments should forge closer linkages of economic cooperation.
Mains Question
Q. Highlight the role and the potential of North east India for bringing in the troika of Bangladesh, India and Japan closer?
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India’s Population Growth: Dividend or a Disaster?
Central Idea
- India’s projected transition as the most populous country from China by mid-2023 presents opportunities for demographic advantage, but also requires focusing on the available demographic dividend. The population growth, size, and composition must be viewed from an empirical and scientific perspective to understand whether it is a dividend or a disaster.
India’s Population Projection
- A UN report released on recently has provided the first official confirmation that India’s population is expected to surpass that of China by the middle of this year at the latest.
- The annual State of World Population report by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has pegged India’s mid-2023 population at 142.86 crore, marginally ahead of China’s 142.57 crore, which is 2.9 million higher than China’s population
What is State of World Population Report?
- The report is an annual report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides a global overview of population trends and issues.
- The report covers a wide range of topics related to the population, such as fertility, mortality, migration, family planning, and gender equality.
- It also includes analysis and recommendations for policymakers and governments to address population challenges and promote sustainable development.
- The report is widely regarded as a key reference for researchers, policymakers, and international organizations working on population and development issues.
How India’s Population growth can be a resource?
- A larger workforce: A growing population means a larger workforce, which, if trained and employed, can contribute to economic growth and development.
- Domestic market: A larger population can create a larger domestic market, which can drive economic growth by increasing demand for goods and services.
- Innovation and technological advancements: A larger population can provide a greater pool of knowledge and expertise, and a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovation and technological advancements.
- Investment in infrastructure: Population growth can create opportunities for investment in infrastructure, education, and health, which can further stimulate economic development.
- Cultural richness: A larger population can lead to cultural richness and diversity. With a diverse population comes a range of languages, traditions, and cultural practices, which can contribute to a vibrant and dynamic society.
- Diplomatic influence: A larger population can give a country greater diplomatic influence on the world stage. As one of the world’s most populous countries, India has significant diplomatic influence and can use its demographic size as a bargaining tool in international negotiations.
How India’s Population growth can be a Burden?
- Strain on resources: A growing population can put a strain on natural resources, such as water, food, and energy. This can lead to environmental degradation, scarcity, and conflict.
- Unemployment: A larger population can create a mismatch between the supply and demand of jobs, leading to high unemployment rates, particularly among young people
- Poverty: Population growth can exacerbate poverty, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. This can create social and economic inequality and limit access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs.
- Overcrowding: A larger population can lead to overcrowding, particularly in urban areas. This can create poor living conditions, increased pollution, and health hazards.
- Infrastructure: A growing population can put a strain on infrastructure, such as transportation, housing, and sanitation. This can lead to inadequate services and poor living conditions.
- Health: A larger population can increase the spread of disease and illness, particularly in areas with poor healthcare infrastructure. This can lead to public health crises and decreased life expectancy.
- Education: Population growth can put a strain on education systems, particularly in terms of providing quality education to all. This can limit social and economic mobility and contribute to inequality.
- Migration: A larger population can lead to migration, particularly to urban areas, which can create social and economic challenges, such as increased crime rates and inequality.
Deeper outlook: Trends of population growth, size and composition
- Replacement level fertility: With total fertility rate of 2.0 in 2023, India is already at replacement level fertility, meaning two children replacing their parents. This indicates that the population is on a path toward stabilisation.
- Negative growth: India continues to experience positive growth, but in a decelerated mode until 2064, from which point it will become negative growth. The peak of India’s population size will be around 169.6 crore in 2063.
- Working age population: Looking at the population composition of India, there are greater prospects for demographic dividend than a disaster. With 68% of the working age population in 2023, the country continues to have a demographic window of opportunity for the next 35 years to reap an economic dividend
Facts for prelims
Fertility Decline - According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS), fertility rate falling below the replacement level for the first time to 2.0 in 2021.dropped from 2.2 to 2.0.
- Only five States have a fertility rate above the replacement rate: Bihar (3), Meghalaya (2.9), Uttar Pradesh (2.4), Jharkhand (2.3), and Manipur (2.2)
- At the time of Independence, India’s fertility rate was six per woman, and it had taken 25 years to reach five, with the government launching the first ever family planning program in the world in 1952.
- India’s fertility further declined to four in the 1990s when Kerala became the first State in India to have a fertility rate below replacement l
- Increased use of contraception, more years of average schooling, better health care, and an increase in the mean marriage age of women are of the reasons behind the steady dip in fertility rate.
Mechanism to translate a demographic bonus to economic dividend
- There are four key mechanisms that translate a demographic bonus to economic dividend:
- Employment, 2. Education and skills, 3. Health conditions, and 4. Governance.
- Job creation, education, skills generation, and ensuring a healthy lifespan are important channels that translate demographic opportunity into economic gains.
- Good governance, reflected through conscientious policies, is another essential aspect for reaping demographic dividend.
Way ahead: India’s Demographic opportunity
- India’s relatively younger population provides higher support ratios, with lesser disease, disability, and caring burden.
- India has the potential to become a worldwide market for both production and consumption, with lower manufacturing costs due to a relatively cheaper workforce.
- Available demographic opportunity in the form of a greater share of the working age population has the potential to boost per capita GDP by an additional 43% by 2061.
- However, a total fertility rate of less than 1.8 may not be economically beneficial for India, and population control methods run the risk of inducing forced population aging.
Conclusion
- While India’s demographic transition presents opportunities for demographic advantage, it must focus on reaping the available demographic dividend. The composition of India’s population presents prospects for demographic dividends, but certain mechanisms must be employed to translate demographic opportunity into economic gains. Policies that support an enabling environment that can provide high-quality education, good healthcare, respectable employment opportunities, good infrastructure, and gender empowerment are essential.
Mains Question
Q. India is set to surpass China as the most populous country in the mid 2023. This presents India an opportunity and a challenge of population growth. Analyze and suggest a way ahead to harness the potential of its working age population.
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24th Apr 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions
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UPSC Interview 2022: 200+ score in the interview | Book your FREE session + Mock interview with the Secretary level panel
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India-UAE Food Security Partnership Stands to Benefit From Multiple Points of Convergence
Central Idea
- The UAE, heavily dependent on food imports, has set the goal of achieving food access and supply chain crisis readiness. India is a key partner in the UAE’s efforts to strengthen food security, given India’s status as the world’s second-largest food producer. The India-UAE food security partnership stands to benefit from multiple points of convergence.
India’s Capabilities in the Global Agri-Export Market
- Global agri-export powerhouse: India has become a global agri-export powerhouse thanks to its vast arable land, favourable climate, and growing food production and processing sector
- India’s role in global food security: India has demonstrated its evolving role in advancing regional and global food security by serving as a humanitarian provider of food to developing countries
- Global food marketplace: India has invested in massive food parks and placed its food sector to benefit from bilateral trade agreements, reflecting a strong and sustained intent to make the most of its agri-capabilities in the global food marketplace
India’s Domestic Food Security Measures
- World’s largest food subsidy programme: India runs the world’s largest food subsidy programme, the Public Distribution System, providing nearly 800 million citizens with subsidised grains for daily, affordable meals
- POSHAN Abhiyaan: India’s Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Abhiyaan is the world’s largest nutrition programme for children and women
- 3 C’s for instance: India promotes the consumption and farming of millets as part of its G-20 presidency, demonstrating its resilience focus to address the three Cs of Covid, Conflict, and Climate issues pernicious to food security in India and across the globe
Facts for prelims: Food security measures
Scheme Description Target Beneficiaries Public Distribution System (PDS) World’s largest food subsidy program providing subsidized grains to nearly 800 million citizens BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line) families National Food Security Act (NFSA) Provides legal entitlement to subsidized food grains to two-thirds of India’s population Priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) Provides cooked meals to children in primary and upper primary schools Children in primary and upper primary schools Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme Provides supplementary nutrition to children under six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers Children under six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers Annapurna Scheme Provides 10 kg of food grains per month free of cost to senior citizens who are not covered under the NFSA or PDS Senior citizens who are not covered under the NFSA or PDS Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Abhiyaan World’s largest nutrition program for children and women Children under six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) Provides free food grains to around 80 crore beneficiaries for a period of 8 months to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 Migrant workers, urban and rural poor, and other vulnerable groups Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Provides highly subsidized food grains to the poorest of the poor families identified by the government Poorest of the poor families identified by the government 
The India-UAE Food Security Partnership
- UAE’s Commitment to Food Security: The UAE is focusing on the twin objectives of food access and readiness to confront supply chain crises
- Food corridor: The food corridor could potentially commence a route for foods made and processed in India, beginning their outbound journey on the Indian coast of the Arabian Sea, passing through the UAE, and towards major international markets
- Agri-trade for India: The corridor stands to emerge as a world-class template of successful agri-trade for India, while also unlocking greater productivity, efficiency, and growth for its millions of workers and employees
- Boost to food processing sector: The UAE’s private sector projects spanning its agricultural and food processing sector will generate lakhs of non-farm agri-jobs while enabling farmers to discover better prices for their products.
- Diversified pathways to the global marketplace: Bolstered by the UAE’s infrastructural capabilities, India’s agricultural products will have more resilient and diversified pathways to the global marketplace
Facts for prelims
Millet production and food security - Largest producer: India is the largest producer of millet in the world with a share of 41% in 2020, as per FAO. Nine types are grown as kharif crops in over 20 States in the country.
- Major millets include: finger millet (ragi or mandua), pearl millet (bajra) and sorghum (jowar) and minor millets include foxtail millet (kangani or kakun), barnyard millet (sawa or sanwa, jhangora), little millet (kutki), kodo millet (kodon), proso millet (cheena) and browntop millet.
- Leading producers: Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are leading producers.
- India is also among the top five exporters: India exported millets worth $64.28 million in 2021-22 and $59.75 million in 2020-21, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.
In depth: The Benefits of India-UAE food security partnership for India and the UAE
For India
- Investment in Food Parks: During the I2U2 summit in July 2020, the UAE committed $2 billion in investment towards constructing food parks in India. This investment will generate lakhs of non-farm agri-jobs, while enabling farmers to discover better prices for their products.
- Access to Global Markets: The food security corridor established on the sidelines of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with logistics partner DP World takes forward India’s envisioned presence on the global food value chain, beyond the UAE. The corridor has the potential to establish a route for foods made and processed in India, beginning their outbound journey on the Indian coast of the Arabian Sea, passing through the UAE, and towards major international markets.
- Direct Access to UAE’s Food Ecosystem: The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the UAE’s largest free trade zone, launched Agriota, an agri-trading and commodity platform to link Indian farmers to food companies in the UAE. This platform will give millions of Indian farmers the opportunity to directly reach out to the entirety of the UAE’s food ecosystem (processing companies, traders, wholesalers) and stock their products in Emirati stores.
- Infrastructure Development: Several UAE-based companies have expressed interest in constructing a supporting logistics and infrastructure pipeline to accelerate trade and reinforce the food corridor. A consortium of UAE-based entities are investing up to $7 billion in mega food parks, contract farming, and the sourcing of agro-commodities in India. This initiative will include mega food parks, logistics and warehouse hubs, and fruits and vegetable hubs, which will bolster India’s agricultural products’ resilient and diversified pathways to the global marketplace.
For UAE
- Diversification of food reserves: UAE heavily relies on food imports to feed its population. The partnership with India will help UAE diversify its food reserves and reduce its dependence on a few countries for its food security.
- Strategic location: UAE’s strategic location between Asia and Europe can be leveraged to serve as India’s food export gateway to West Asia and Africa region, and beyond. This could enhance the UAE’s position as a hub for food trade in the region.
- Investment opportunities: The partnership could open up investment opportunities for UAE-based companies to invest in India’s food and agriculture sector, including mega food parks, contract farming, and sourcing of agro-commodities.
- Better access to Indian products: The partnership could give UAE better access to India’s diversified agri-produce, enabling them to benefit from India’s large and growing food production and processing sector.
- Infrastructural capabilities: The UAE’s infrastructural capabilities could strengthen India’s agricultural products’ pathways to the global marketplace, providing more resilient and diversified routes to the global food value chain.
Value addition box
India’s efforts to promote millet: - The Union government promoted millets under the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP), as a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) between 2011 and 2014.
- In the following years, NITI Aayog worked on a framework to introduce millets under the public distribution system for nutritional support.
- The government declared 2018 as the ‘national year of millets’ to trigger an increase in demand.
- The programme under INSIMP was merged with the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) as NFSM-Coarse Cereals and implemented in 14 States. Several States led separate missions to promote millets.
- In 2021, the Centre approved the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) and advised State governments to include millets in the midday meal menu to enhance the nutritional outcome.
- India’s efforts to promote the consumption and production of millet got a boost when the UNGA accepted the country’s proposal and dedicated 2023 to spreading awareness about these grains. It is instrumental for PM’s vision to make IYM 2023 a people’s movement and positioning India as the ‘global hub for millets’.
Conclusion
- The India-UAE food security partnership stands to benefit both countries, and the collaboration between the two nations can offer solutions to address food security issues in the Global South. With the UAE’s infrastructural capabilities and India’s agricultural capabilities, the partnership can create diversified pathways to the global marketplace, generate non-farm agri-jobs, and enable farmers to receive better prices for their products.
Mains Question
Q. Explain the India-UAE food security partnership and enumerate the mutual benefit of the food security partnership.
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Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || Current Affairs developments in security and disaster in last one year
Dear Aspirants,This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.
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24th Apr 2023
Current Affairs developments in security and disaster in last one year
Refer to current affairs compilation.
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![[Sansad TV] In Focus: Transforming Indian Railways](https://d18x2uyjeekruj.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/sansad.jpg)
[Sansad TV] In Focus: Transforming Indian Railways
Central idea
- PM flagged off India’s 15th Vande Bharat express train running between Ajmer and Delhi Cantonment.
- The first Vande Bharat Express train was flagged off on February 15, 2019 on the New Delhi Kanpur-Allahabad-Varanasi route.
Why discuss this?
- The discussion on the growth and transformation of Indian Railways highlights progress made in this sector over time and ongoing efforts for a modern, efficient, and sustainable railway system.
- The National Rail Plan and Vision 2024 provide a roadmap for achieving this goal.
- The focus is on increasing the modal share of railways in freight transportation, electrification of railways, and multi-tracking of congested routes.
- The significant allocation of funds in the recent budget shows the government’s commitment to railway development
About Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, is a semi-high-speed, fully air-conditioned train in India that runs on electric traction. It is named after the country’s national slogan “Vande Mataram” and was designed and manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, India. The train is equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, an infotainment system, and a GPS-based passenger information system, among others. It has a maximum speed of 180 km/h and is considered to be one of the fastest trains in India. It is designed to be an energy-efficient and eco-friendly train, and is expected to provide a comfortable and safe travel experience to passengers.Why Vande Bharati Express is a success?
The Vande Bharat is considered a success for several reasons:
- Fastest train in India: The Vande Bharat Express is currently the fastest train in India, with a top speed of 180 kmph. This results in reduced travel time between the cities connected by the train, making it an attractive option for travellers.
- State-of-the-art features: The train comes with features such as Wi-Fi, information and infotainment screens, and the KAVACH (Train Collision Avoidance System), which is a state-of-the-art safety feature. These features provide passengers with a comfortable and safe travel experience.
- Modern ergonomic design: The train’s modern and angular design, with a dual colour scheme of white and blue, and a protruded nose of the engine, is eye-catching and unique compared to other trains in India. The train reaches 0-100 kmph in just 52 seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating trains in the world.
- Covers important routes: The train covers important routes in India, including Delhi-Varanasi, Mumbai-Shirdi, and Chennai-Mysuru, making it a convenient and efficient mode of transportation for passengers.
- Environment-friendly: The Vande Bharat Express is an energy-efficient and eco-friendly train, with ACs that are 1 percent more energy efficient compared to the previous version. This makes it a more sustainable option for rail travel.
Issues with the train
- Technical glitches: There have been instances of technical glitches and breakdowns on some of the Vande Bharat Express trains, leading to delays and inconvenience to passengers.
- High fares: The fares for the Vande Bharat Express are generally higher than those of other trains on the same routes, making it less accessible to some passengers.
- Limited routes: While the Vande Bharat Express covers important routes in India, it is currently limited to only a few routes, and there are plans to expand its network.
- Safety concerns: There have been concerns about the safety of the Vande Bharat Express, particularly with regards to the Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), which has not been fully implemented on all trains.
- Maintenance issues: Due to the train’s modern design and advanced features, maintenance and repair of the Vande Bharat Express can be more complex and expensive than that of other trains.
Indian Railways: Quick stats
Statistics Figures India’s railway network ranking Fourth largest Number of operating trains in India Over 22,593 Daily passenger count in India’s railway network 24 million passengers Total freight transported in India’s railway network 203.88 million tonnes Indian Railways’ revenue in the 2022-23 financial year Rs 2.40 lakh crore Increase in Indian Railways’ revenue from previous year Nearly Rs 49,000 crore Indian Railways’ passenger revenue growth in 2022-23 All-time high growth of 61% to reach Rs 63,300 crore India’s projected global share of rail activity by 2050 40% Issues with Indian Railways
(1) Services
- Safety: India has witnessed a series of rail accidents over the years.
- Quality: Poor quality in services delivered, especially in meals served on board and management of linen used in the trains.
(2) Administration
- Monopoly: The government is the sole player in the rail transportation system in India, resulting in poor quality service delivery and inefficient management of the system.
- Highly centralised: Railway Board has the powers of policy making, operations, and regulation, while zones have very limited powers.
- Non-core functions: Railways is engaged in several un-remunerative peripheral activities, imposing a huge financial burden.
- Political involvement: Indian Railways has often been used as a tool for political patronage.
- Dilemma of identity: Indian Railways suffers from a dilemma of identity as a commercial entity or a government department.
(3) Finances
- Cross-subsidy: Driving away freight business by subsidizing passenger fares has affected the internal revenue generation of the Railways.
- Operating inefficiency: Large number of delayed and stranded projects adds to the stress of operating the railways.
- High revenue expenditure: Railway meets salary and pension obligations out of its own earnings, bound to strain finances further.
- Heavy reliance on budgetary support: Dependence on budgetary support for capital expenditure has been on the rise.
- Self-sufficiency vs. social obligation: Caught up between making it a self-sufficient organization and serving its social obligation as a poor man’s mode of transport.
Various modernization projects
- High Speed Rail Corridors: Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project is a work in progress.
- Induction of semi-high speed trains: Intention to introduce 400 Vande Bharat trains during the next five years.
- Tejas Rajdhani trains: Ultra-modern Tejas trains introduced on LHB platform with sleeper coaches.
- LHB coaches: Large scale proliferation of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches which are technologically superior.
- ‘KAVACH’ System: Automatic train protection system to avoid train collisions.
- Automatic Signalling (ABS): To increase line capacity to run more trains on existing High Density Routes.
- Theme-Based ‘Bharat Gaurav’ Tourist Circuit Trains: To showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places.
- Station Redevelopment: Station development as the main focus area to enhance customer satisfaction.
Way forward
- Split the three roles: The policy-making function should remain within government control, while an independent body can handle regulation to ensure a level playing field for all entities.
- Encourage private entry: The Railways can encourage private entities to run both freight and passenger trains, introducing competition that can improve the quality of services.
- Establish Railway Regulatory Authority of India (RRAI): An independent regulator can ensure fair and open access, establish tariffs, and adjudicate disputes.
- Focus on core activities: The Railways should focus on its core activities and distance itself from non-core activities that impose a financial burden on the sector.
- Investment Advisory Committee: The Railways can set up an Investment Advisory Committee consisting of experts, investment bankers, and representatives of institutions to recommend raising new resources.
- Refinement in accounting and HR processes: Indian Railways can improve the way it prepares and maintains accounts, costs, activities, and services, recruitment, and HR processes.
- Decentralization of Railways: The Railways can decentralize its operations and give more autonomy to zones, enabling them to contribute more effectively to the sector’s revenue.
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50 years of Kesavananda Bharati Case
Fifty years ago, on April 24, 1973, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru and Ors vs. State of Kerala and Anr, the landmark case that redefined the relationship between Parliament and the Constitution.
Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
- The Kesavananda Bharati judgement, was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court that outlined the basic structure doctrine of the Indian Constitution.
- The case is also known as the Fundamental Rights Case.
- The SC in a 7-6 decision asserted its right to strike down amendments to the constitution that were in violation of the fundamental architecture of the constitution.
- The Court asserted through the Basic Structure doctrine that the constitution possesses a basic structure of constitutional principles and values.
- Key outcomes were:
- Basic Structure Doctrine: It is a principle that limits Parliament’s power to amend the Indian Constitution. It holds that certain fundamental features of the Constitution, such as the principle of separation of powers, cannot be amended by Parliament.
- Judicial Review: The Court partially cemented the prior precedent Golaknath v. State of Punjab, which held that constitutional amendments through Article 368 were subject to fundamental rights review, but only if they could affect the ‘basic structure of the Constitution’.
- Exceptions to Judicial Review: At the same time, the Court also upheld the constitutionality of the first provision of Article 31-C, which implied that amendments seeking to implement the Directive Principles, which do not affect the ‘Basic Structure,’ shall not be subjected to judicial review.
Criticism of the doctrine
- Dilution of powers: The basic structure doctrine has been criticized for diluting the principle of separation of powers and undermining the sovereignty of Parliament.
- Ambiguous nature: It has also been criticized as a vague and subjective form of judicial review.
Landmark cases of the doctrine
- Indira Gandhi v Raj Narain (1975): The Supreme Court applied the principle laid down in the Kesavananda ruling for the first time in this case. It struck down The Constitution (39th Amendment) Act, 1975, which barred the Supreme Court from hearing a challenge to the election of President, Prime Minister, Vice-President, and Speaker of Lok Sabha.
- Minerva Mills Ltd vs. Union of India (1980): The Supreme Court struck down a clause inserted in Article 368, which said “there shall be no limitation whatever on the constituent power of Parliament to amend by way of addition, variation or repeal the provisions of this Constitution.”
- P Sambamurthy v State of Andhra Pradesh (1986): The Supreme Court struck down a portion of the 32nd Amendment (1973), which constituted an Administrative Tribunal for Andhra Pradesh for service matters, taking away the P jurisdiction of the High Court.
- L Chandra Kumar v Union of India (1997): The Supreme Court struck down a portion of the 42nd Amendment, which set up administrative tribunals excluding judicial review by High Courts.
Significance of the Judgment and the doctrine
- Strengthen judicial review: The doctrine forms the basis of the power of the Indian judiciary to review and override amendments to the Constitution of India enacted by the Parliament.
- Clarification about Article 368: Article 368 postulates only a ‘procedure’ for amendment of the Constitution. The same could not be treated as a ‘power’ vested in the Parliament to amend the Constitution to alter the ‘core’ of the Constitution, which has also been described as the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
- Not antithetical to legislative authority: Justice Shastri said Judicial Review was undertaken by the courts “not out of any desire to tilt at legislative authority in a crusader’s spirit, but in the discharge of a duty laid down upon them by the Constitution”.
- A system of checks and balances: The Kesavananda Bharati verdict (1973) made it clear that judicial review is not a means to usurp parliamentary sovereignty. It is a “system of checks and balances” to ensure constitutional functionaries do not exceed their limits.
