Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
7. List down the key features of National Security Act? What are the Criticisms and concerns over its misuse, comment on the need for its review.(250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why this question:
Recently, many state governments have invoked the National Security Act (NSA) to detain people on doubtful offenses. The Act has stringent provisions against the arrested. The Usage of NSA by States is being seen as the misuse of these provisions. Thus the question.
Key demand of the question:
Explain the key features of National Security Act and elucidate upon the criticisms and concerns over its misuse, comment on the need for its review.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by explaining What is the NSA Act?
Body:
List down the key features –
- National Security Act allows Central or State governments to prevent any person from acting as a threat to national security.
- The Act also allows the government to preventively detain any person from disrupting supply or maintenance of essential commodities and services to the community or disrupting public order.
- As per the act, a person can be detained for a maximum of 12 months but can be extended when fresh evidence is produced by the government.
Explain the concerns associated in detail and highlight the possibilities of its misuse.
Conclusion:
In a democracy often acts such as this hampers the progress of the nation. Already, the act is 40 years old and reconsidering it is the need of the hour. Arbitrary detention for personal goals becomes the norm which does not augur well for the country.
