12 Jun 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Category: POLITY

1. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Syllabus: Statutory, Regulatory & Quasi-Judicial Bodies

Mains: Roles and responsibilities of NHRC

Context: NHRC notice to Centre, State, SEC over West Bengal panchayat polls.

Introduction: 

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notices to the Union government, the West Bengal government, and the State Election Commission (SEC) regarding the implementation of “human rights protection measures” for the upcoming panchayat elections in West Bengal.
• The NHRC also appointed its director general (investigation) as a special human rights observer. 
• This observer will conduct an on-site survey in West Bengal, in consultation with the SEC, to identify “sensitive constituencies” that are at risk of experiencing violence during the upcoming polls. 

Preemptive steps to prevent  human rights violation:

• The NHRC has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report highlighting incidents of violence related to various elections in West Bengal, particularly targeting individuals associated with political parties. 
• According to the report, in the Purba Medinipur district, a 60-year-old political activist serving as a booth president was allegedly abducted and killed. 
• Recognizing the seriousness of this issue and its impact on human rights, the NHRC believes it is crucial to take proactive measures in order to prevent and deter any form of human rights violations, thus safeguarding the citizens’ inherent and inviolable right to life and livelihood as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. 
• In the NHRC vs. State of Arunachal Pradesh case (1996 vol. 1 SCC 742), the Supreme Court stated that no state government should tolerate threats by one group of individuals against another, as it is their duty to protect the threatened group from such assaults. 
  • Failure to do so would result in the government’s failure to fulfill its constitutional and statutory obligations.
• Once the sensitive areas are identified, DG (Investigation) will submit a comprehensive report to the Commission for deployment of Micro Human Rights Observers in all the sensitive constituencies in the state.

Nut Graf: NHRC has issued notices to the Union government, West Bengal government, and SEC, seeking “human rights protection measures” for the panchayat elections. NHRC appointed its director general as a special observer to identify sensitive constituencies at risk of violence.

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Manipur, a rude reminder of northeast tensions

Syllabus: Internal Security Challenges.

Mains: Violence in Manipur.

Introduction:

• Manipur Violence has claimed more than 100 lives and has left thousands of people displaced.
• It is argued that despite several developments in the northeast, ethnic divide and violence is still prevalent 

For more details, read here: 2023 Manipur Violence Explained [UPSC Notes]

Associated Concerns:

• Though communications, transit facilities, and support for special needs of the region have improved, there is still a divide between tribes and plains people within the region.
• In case of an outbreak of violence, the reasons cited are:
  • Excess of region-centric calculus
  • Lack of internal cohesion
  • Ethnic/caste rivalries
  • Presence of ethnic sub-nationalism and identity politics in an aggravated form
• It is highlighted that in the Northeast, ethnic identities still overshadow all other considerations.
• Additionally, various reports point out that consolidation efforts by different tribal entities resulted in subterranean pressures and ultimately led to the reopening of several issues that were deemed settled.

Details about 2023 Violence in Manipur:

• It is highlighted that though Meities lack a significant militaristic profile, they have developed a networking strategy with other northeastern resurgent outfits and militant groups.
• The current polarisation appears total and irreconcilable, despite peace moves by authorities.
• The Kuki tribals have blamed the state government (more specifically Chief Minister) for ongoing violence.
• The police are also accused of siding with the Meitei attackers.
• Meities have threatened to form a ‘civilian defence force’ to protect their people against attacks by Kuki militants.
• Tribal groups like the Kukis-Chins-Mizos-Zomis are urging the Centre to give the region inhabited by them a separate administration. While some are demanding the imposition of President’s rule under Article 356 of the Constitution.

Proposed Solutions and its Consequences:

• The Home Minister announced the judicial probe into ethnic violence and a three-member committee to look into the situation. This is well-received by the public.
  • However, to many the solutions seem uncertain.
• It is argued that the proposal for the establishment of a unified command to oversee security in the State appears draconian in the prevailing circumstances.

Way Ahead:

• The Centre should achieve ‘optimal positioning’. It requires both sensitivity and innovative thinking.
• The cultural factors should be critically understood as the Meity versus Tribal divide is a cultural as well as sociological phenomenon.
• It is important to find a  solution soon as it has the potential to ignite conflicts elsewhere in the region.
• The impression that the Central Government is neutral in any conflict, and is only on the side of justice should be properly communicated.

Related Link:  AIR Spotlight [UPSC Notes] Download PDF – Manipur Violence

Nut Graf: The violence in Manipur reminds that despite development, the ethnic divide is still prevalent in Northeast India. It is important to urgently find a solution to the problem, otherwise, it can ignite similar conflicts elsewhere in the region.

Category: HEALTH AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Amplify the subject of adolescent girl nutrition

Syllabus: Issues related to health; Welfare Schemes for vulnerable sections of society.

Mains: Nutrition of Adolescent Girls.

Introduction:

• Adolescence is a crucial period of cognitive development. Thus, improving access to nutrition during this “second window of opportunity of growth” compensates for any nutrient deficiencies acquired during childhood in the girl child. 
• Notably, adolescent health is an important indicator of women’s labour force participation in the long term.
• In order to improve the nation’s demographic dividend, it is necessary to intervene in the nutrition of adolescent girls as better nutrition improves the productivity of an individual.

Details:

• Adolescent girls are highly vulnerable to undernutrition and anaemia due to the onset of menstruation. For instance,
  • According to NFHS-5, 59.1% of adolescent girls were found to be anaemic.
  • NFHS-4 reported more than 41.9% of school-going girls as underweight.
• Notably, multiple factors including cultural norms lack a gender-neutral environment within a household and thus hampers the nutrition uptake in adolescent girls.
• Despite improvements in crucial health indicators through government interventions, current health schemes do not focus on the nutritional status of adolescent girls.
• It should be noted that poorly balanced and insufficient diets affect adolescent girls’ academic performance. It can further limit employment opportunities and economic self-sufficiency later in life.
• Moreover, undernourished adolescent girls are at a higher risk of pregnancy complications and other chronic diseases. It can thus result in financial instability and increased poverty.

Way Ahead:

• The interventions should be redefined and a life-cycle approach should be adopted. It should be ensured that no girl is left behind. As a result,
  • It will break the intergenerational cycle of poverty
  • Well-nourished girls can provide better care for family and the economy in the future
• There is also a need for the convergence of several government initiatives.
  • The convergence of the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) within POSHAN 2.0 is a great initiative.
• A stronger awareness and nutrition education programme can help sustain beneficiary compliance.
  • Better targeted and regionally contextualized Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) efforts around adolescent girls’ nutrition will result in the adoption of good practices.
• Several government departments should collaborate and converge.
• Another important step is the routine training of health workers.
• The formulation and implementation of the scheme should be backed by evidence-based data.

Also read: Poshan Abhiyaan – Features, Significance, Concerns

Conclusion:

• It is important to acknowledge that the issue of nutrition among adolescent girls is not just a health concern but is an investment in the future of the country.
• All the stakeholders should collectively sow the seeds of a healthier, stronger India, where every girl can reach her full potential.

Related Link: International Day of Action for Women’s Health (28th may) – UPSC Notes

Nut Graf: One of the crucial health indicators is the nutrition and well-being of adolescent girls. It is important for the government to intervene in this aspect as it will not only secure the girls’ health but also is an investment in India’s economic future because a healthy girl can have better productivity both in the field of education and employment.

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Governors cannot indefinitely hold back Bills

Syllabus: Governor.

Mains: Governor versus State Government.

Prelims: Role, Function, and Responsibilities of Governor.

Introduction:

• There are multiple instances of the tussle between the state governments and Governors with regard to the pendency of bills. 

The article has been covered in detail in the link: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. Apr 29th, 2023 CNA. Download PDF

Important Cases and their Rulings:

• Shamsher Singh v State of Punjab (1974): It was held by the Supreme Court(SC) that a President or a Governor can exercise their discretion independently of their Ministers only where the Constitution expressly permits them to do so.
• Purushothaman Nambudiri v State of Kerala: The case discussed that whether a Bill pending the Governor’s assent would lapse upon the dissolution of the House. It was held that as per the provisions of Articles 200 and 201, it would not lapse.
• Nabam Rebia and Bamang Felix vs Dy. Speaker: It was held that as far as Article 200 is concerned, the Governor should exercise discretion only with regard to whether a Bill ought to be reserved for the consideration of the President or not.

Conclusion:

• It is highlighted that the Governor does not have the discretion to indefinitely withhold assent to a Bill.
• Moreover, refusing to act on a Bill is in violation of the Constitution, and a Governor’s action or inaction in this regard is susceptible to judicial review.

Related Link:  Governor – Appointment, Term, Functions & Discretion – Indian Polity

Nut Graf: It is suggested that for parliamentary democracy to sustain, the governor of the state should not withhold assent to the bill as the elected government has the constitutional responsibility to legislate.