NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
Internal Security
Q1. Critically analyze the new measures taken by the government to secure its border in light of instability in India’s neighborhood. (10M)
Introduction
India has a land boundary of over 15000 km which it shares with seven countries (Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Afghanistan ). Further, it also has a Coastline of over 7500 km. This coastline is shared by 9 states and 4 UTs. Thus Effective border management is much needed to curb various national security challenges.
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Instabilities in India’s neighborhood
New measures are taken by the government to secure its border in light of instability in these regions.
- After 9 months of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, recently the Indian government sent its first official visit to Afghanistan to revive ties between the two countries.
- India is following a “twin-track approach” towards Myanmar– carrying on diplomatic engagement with Myanmar’s military and, at the same time, pushing for the country’s return to democracy.
- Land border agreement and military cooperation with Bangladesh.
- Border Infrastructure Management (BIM) – Creation of infrastructure such as the construction of border fences, and technological solutions along international boundaries.
- Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS)-It is capable of addressing the gaps in the present system of border security by seamlessly integrating human resources, weapons, and high-tech surveillance equipment.
- BOLD-QIT– It is the project to install technical systems under the CIBMS, which enables BSF to equip Indo-Bangla borders with different kinds of sensors in unfenced riverine areas.
- Creation of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL)- NHIDCL took over several projects from BRO to address delays in execution.
- Border Area Development Program – BADP aims at meeting the special developmental needs and well-being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas near the International Boundary (IB).
Advantages
- Talks with the Taliban will ensure the resumption of stalled infrastructure projects, activation of diplomatic ties, and restarting of the issue of visas for Afghan students and patients.
- Twin track approach will not let insurgent groups use Myanmar soil to plan and launch attacks on India.
- Close ties with Bangladesh enabled uproot of anti-India insurgency elements from its borders, making the India-Bangladesh border one of the region’s most peaceful.
- The implementation of the BOLD-QIT project will not only help BSF to curb all types of cross-border crimes but also provide respite to the troops from round-the-clock human surveillance.
- BIM helps to curb cross-border terrorism, infiltration, and exfiltration of armed militants and insurgents, narcotics and arms smuggling;
Some of the challenges that persist in Border management.
- Transgressions and ceasefire violations across LAC and LOC.
- Refugee influx from Myanmar and their active involvement with insurgent groups of NE states.
- India is concerned about the Taliban’s links with Pakistan’s ISI, JeM, and LeT who are behind various terrorist activities against India.
- The illegal movement of Bangladeshi people and refugees along the porous boundary and their killings by Indian troops is still a cause of concern.
- Rough and difficult terrain, seismically active areas on most of the border, Inadequate manpower, and funds with BRO will hinder the real-time completion of projects.
Way forward
- India has to use its soft power in reviving ties with Myanmar and Afghanistan.
- Matching Neighboring countries’ Infrastructure along the border like that of China’s.
- Implementation of Shekatkar committee recommendations.
Q2. Recently the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has been fully or partially withdrawn from parts of Northeast states. Why is the decision significant, and why had AFSPA been imposed in the first place? 15M
Introduction
AFSPA act 1958, grants extraordinary powers and immunity to the armed forces to bring back law and order in the “disturbed areas”. Areas are considered disturbed “because of differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities”.
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Recently AFSPA has been fully or partially withdrawn from parts of three Northeast states — Assam, Nagaland, and Manipur.
- It is withdrawn entirely from 23 districts in Assam.
- It is partially withdrawn from seven districts in Nagaland, six districts in Manipur, and one district in Assam.
- Still, AFSPA remains in force in parts of these three states as well as in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Earlier AFSPA was removed from Mizoram in 1986-87, Tripura in 2015, and Meghalaya in 2018.
Why is the decision to withdraw AFSPA from parts of the Northeast significant?
- Reduce the feeling of alienation – The Northeast has lived under the shadow of AFSPA for nearly 60 years, creating a feeling of alienation from the rest of the country.
- Demilitarize the region – The move is expected to help demilitarize the region. It will lift restrictions on movements through checkpoints and frisking of residents.
- Reduces instances of civilian killings – Restricting AFSPA to certain regions will reduce the chances of unnecessary killings of civilians like the one that happened in the Mon district of Nagaland.
- Security improvement – The withdrawal of AFSPA shows a reduction of insurgency improvement of security and development and restoration of law and order in the Northeast region.
- Aid peace process – Move will ensure peace in NE states and minimize Separatist movement thus enabling peace process like the Naga peace process.
- Minimizes chances of misuse of the act- Since its imposition, AFSPA has been criticized for its misuse by armed forces, sweeping powers given by the act. Withdrawn from certain regions ensures the act is utilized for the intended purpose only.
Why was AFSPA imposed on the Northeast in the first place?
- Post-independence, Nagas in the Northeast region had already taken up insurgency against the Government of India and formed Political regional groups known as Naga national council (NNC).
- They declared independence from India in 1947 itself and no longer to be part of the Indian union. After the independence, they boycotted elections and started a separatist movement to liberate Naga inhabited areas to form Greater Nagalim.
- Since the Government of Assam was not able to contain the insurgency, the centre imposed AFSPA for the first time in 1958 in Naga hill areas and Manipur to defend India’s National security and unity, and integrity.
- Later, as insurgency broke out for instance – in the 1960s in Manipur and Mizoram and 1970s in Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya, the law was also expanded to these regions.
- Different causes and different motives of the insurgent groups pose a grave threat to India’s internal as well as national security. Thus AFSPA has been continued in these regions for a very long time.
Conclusion
Withdrawn of AFSPA from the northeast region is a significant move by the center, but effective use of the act, accountability of armed officials, and proper investigation of fake killings need to be ensured by the government.
What needs to be done?
Ethics
Q3. Explain the role of public funds in an economy. Discuss the ethical issues involved in the poor allocation of public funds to healthcare. Suggest measures for effective utilization of public funds. 10M
Introduction
Effective utilization of public funds is crucial to meeting development goals. Transparency and accountability by the administration are primary for this effective utilization of funds.
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Role of public funds in an economy.
- Crucial for Socio-economic development – Funds by the government ensure quality healthcare, education, etc to poor people, who are not able to afford it at their own cost.
- Essential for supporting the rural economy – More than 70% of the population lives in rural India. Public funds play a crucial role to support Agriculture etc, thereby the livelihood of most rural sections.
- Empowerment of women in a patriarchal society – In India, especially in Rural parts women are more dependent upon men for their education, health, income, etc. Government funds ensure free education, Healthcare system for girls and children and also ensure the participation of women in the Indian economy.
- Growth of the private sector – Along with the government, the private sector is also necessary for the development of India. Public funds ensure private participation by providing incentives, subsidies, etc.
- Responsibility – Public funds ensure the responsibility of the government in the development of the country.
- Empowerment of Socially Disadvantaged groups like SC, ST, OBCs, and other sections of society.
Ethical issues are involved in the poor allocation of public funds to healthcare.
- Corruption in the healthcare system and misuse of public funds for private gain.
- The reluctance of the government in fund allocation.
- Lack of accountability and transparency in fund allocation and its usage.
- Lack of quality healthcare service to poor people and rural and backward areas.
- Scarcity of resources like human resources, infrastructure, etc.
- Privatization and corporatization of healthcare.
- Inequality in access to healthcare.
- Lack of compassion, humanitarian treatment, and selfless service by the government doctors.
Measures for effective utilization of public funds.
- Transparency and accountability in fund allocation by the ministry.
- Need for Social audit in fund allocation to the healthcare system.
- Real-time information sharing will curb the chances of corruption.
- The medical code of ethics needs to be followed by healthcare professionals.
Conclusion
Effective utilization of public funds needs reforms in various aspects like plugging the loopholes in administration, accountability and transparency, responsible fund allocation, strengthening RTI, and making society aware of social welfare schemes. These reforms can address the above challenges and ensure the quality of service to people.
Case study: 20M
Q4. Fifteen-year-old Suryakanti was born to very poor parents. As if the curse of abject poverty was not enough, two years ago Suryakanti was diagnosed to be suffering from a rare disease afflicting limbs. She couldn’t use her hands to eat, play or write. Her parents have stopped sending her to school. She has been helping her parents at their family shop.
A Good Samaritan notices Suryakanti practicing to write with her feet. Impressed with her spirit to learn. He convinces her parents to send her to a residential school for the disabled. After much persuasion, her parents finally agree. Suryakanti joins the residential school. After a few months, the Good Samaritan finds out that Suryakanti has left the school. Her parents complain about the lack of facilities at school and that she struggles to do the daily chores on her own. But the school’s version of the story is different; they agree about the lack of caretakers at the school due to a shortage of funds but also complain that Suryakanti was forcefully taken away by her parents. The Samaritan tries to talk with Suryakanti but she is silent and tells him that she doesn’t want to pursue further education.
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- If you are that Good Samaritan, identify the various dimensions of the issue. Based on your understanding, suggest measures to deal with the crisis.
Introduction
The case study shows the lack of proper allocation of public funds in the education system by the state government. It also highlights how poverty and disability can hinder the true potential of children by discontinuing education for the sake of family.
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- Various dimensions of the given issue.
- The lack of proper facilities at the residential school for the disabled indicates an absence of accountability and responsibility of the state education department.
- The lack of caretakers because of the shortage of funds for the school shows improper allocation and utilization of public funds by the government.
- Lack of responsibility of school authorities in complaining about the shortage of funds and lack of caretakers for the disabled children.
- Earlier good samaritan convinced and persuaded suryakanti’s parents about her education and schooling. But now taking into consideration the school authorities’ complaint that they forcefully took away her from school shows the failure of persuasion by the good Samaritan.
- Suryakanti was forcefully taken by her parents to help their family shop, indicating a lack of awareness to them about government welfare schemes like Samagra Shiksha, and RTE.
- It also notifies the government of showing reluctance in identifying true beneficiaries of government schemes.
- Frequent discontinuation of suryakanti’s education shows the absence of educational opportunities for the girl child, especially disabled children.
- Suryakanti goes against her voice of conscience, morality, and spirit by saying she doesn’t want to pursue further education but earlier she practiced writing with her feet, showing her spirit towards education.
- Measures to deal with the above crisis.
- Firstly, a good samaritan once again has to pursue Suryakanti and her parents about continuing her education by providing benefits of her education to their family in the future.
- Good Samaritan has to inform them about government welfare schemes for her education like National scholarships for persons with disabilities and welfare schemes for the poor, this will motivate her parents to send her to school.
- Good Samaritan has to file an RTI to know the true reasons behind the shortage of funds for the school.
- Upon getting information from the RTI complaint, S/he has to complain to the education department of state or district authority about the same and pressure the authorities to allocate higher funds for the school.
- These options will benefit the school to get proper funds and caretakers for disabled children.
- Apart from this, S/he can work with NGOs working in education to provide funds to the school and provide required facilities.
- Good samaritan can also contact NGOs which are working in the field of welfare of the poor to help the Suryakanti family.
