<p>Karnataka, which is heading for polls on May 12, is the only big state which left with Congress.</p>

<p>Once a pan-India party, the Congress's presence in the country is now reduced to just three states (Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka) and one Union Territory (Puducherry).</p>

<p>The first major jolt to the party came in the form of defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the general elections in 2014. Since then, Congress has been experiencing a series of failures. After losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has failed to stand against the might of Modi-Shah combine. The party lost electoral battles in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc.</p>

<p>The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. A loss again will translate into Rahul's inefficiency against the Modi-Shah might.</p>

<p>If the Congress is able to win the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the victory will certainly be attributed to current chief minister Siddaramaiah's strong reputation in the party. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba (shepherd) caste but enjoys a status of a strong leader in the state. His name and political tenure has been out of any controversy. The various schemes and measures favouring Dalits and minorities that he introduced may also prove profitable to him.</p>

<p>The BJP contemplated the importance Siddaramaiah holds in the state politics as compared to its chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa and therefore fielded PM Modi and his "development agenda" against the fight with Congress.</p>

<p>A victory for the Congress in Karnataka will also decide the role that it will play in the potential grand alliance against the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.</p>

<p>UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner party for the leaders of 20 opposition parties at her Janpath residence on March 13. The party was apparently hosted to devise a collective plan to root out the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said that the party meeting was called to promote "amity and friendship".</p>

<p>Quoting Tejashwi Yadav and Sharad Yadav, a news report said that the meeting was the first step towards a comprehensive alliance of the 2019 elections.</p>

<p>In a bid to win over the hearts (and the votes) of the people of Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not leaving any stone unturned. He is also resorting to the Hindutva card.</p>

<p>Rahul visited around 25 temples in Gujarat during the election campaign in the state. Similar religious symbolism is seen in his recent visits to temples and dargahs in Karnataka.</p>

<p>Also, to woo the Lingayat community in the state, the Karnataka government granted minority status to them in March. Lingayats, the single largest community in Karnataka constitutes 17 per cent of the vote share and plays an important role in about 100 of the state's 224 seats.</p>

<p>A win in the state will also have a significant impact for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.</p>

<p>The election in Karnataka is therefore seen as an existential battle for the Congress party which has almost vanished from the map of India.</p>


The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka, which is heading for polls on May 12, is the only big state which left with Congress. Once a pan-India party, the Congress's presence in the country is now reduced to just three states (Punjab, Mizoram and Karnataka) and one Union Territory (Puducherry). The first major jolt to the party came in the form of defeat at the hands of Narendra Modi-led BJP in the general elections in 2014. Since then, Congress has been experiencing a series of failures. After losing the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, it has failed to stand against the might of Modi-Shah combine. The party lost electoral battles in Delhi, Assam, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tripura, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh etc. The repeated loss of Congress has already put a question mark on the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. A loss again will translate into Rahul's inefficiency against the Modi-Shah might. If the Congress is able to win the Assembly elections in Karnataka, the victory will certainly be attributed to current chief minister Siddaramaiah's strong reputation in the party. Siddaramaiah belongs to Kuruba (shepherd) caste but enjoys a status of a strong leader in the state. His name and political tenure has been out of any controversy. The various schemes and measures favouring Dalits and minorities that he introduced may also prove profitable to him. The BJP contemplated the importance Siddaramaiah holds in the state politics as compared to its chief ministerial candidate Yeddyurappa and therefore fielded PM Modi and his "development agenda" against the fight with Congress. A victory for the Congress in Karnataka will also decide the role that it will play in the potential grand alliance against the BJP ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had hosted a dinner party for the leaders of 20 opposition parties at her Janpath residence on March 13. The party was apparently hosted to devise a collective plan to root out the BJP-led NDA in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Congress said that the party meeting was called to promote "amity and friendship". Quoting Tejashwi Yadav and Sharad Yadav, a news report said that the meeting was the first step towards a comprehensive alliance of the 2019 elections. In a bid to win over the hearts (and the votes) of the people of Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not leaving any stone unturned. He is also resorting to the Hindutva card. Rahul visited around 25 temples in Gujarat during the election campaign in the state. Similar religious symbolism is seen in his recent visits to temples and dargahs in Karnataka. Also, to woo the Lingayat community in the state, the Karnataka government granted minority status to them in March. Lingayats, the single largest community in Karnataka constitutes 17 per cent of the vote share and plays an important role in about 100 of the state's 224 seats. A win in the state will also have a significant impact for Congress in the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram, and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The election in Karnataka is therefore seen as an existential battle for the Congress party which has almost vanished from the map of India.

Karnataka elections: An existential battle for Congress

<p>The recent assembly elections in the North East have seen a huge change in the political landscape of the region. The election results marked the entry of the right-wing power in the state, replacing the long-established hold of Left.</p>

<p>But what exactly do we mean by &#39;Left&#39; and &#39;Right&#39; while discussing politics? The terms originated in France during the French Revolution in 1789 when the members of the National Assembly were divided into two groups.</p>

<p>One supported the king while the other opposed the order of the day. The supporters of the contemporary political system used to sit on the right side of the President while the opposition sat to his left and sought revolution by disrupting the existing system.</p>

<p>The seating arrangement of the two groups was not accepted by the loyalists of the kings, whereas the left appreciated the different seating seeing it as a move of change.</p>

<p>With the beginning of the twentieth century, the terms were widely associated with different political ideology. Republicans who practiced liberal political ideas came to be known as the &ldquo;left&rdquo; group; the &ldquo;right-wing&rdquo; politics was associated with the Conservatives.</p>

<p>&nbsp;By 1914, the terms were widely used to describe political positions and parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his book, The Web of Government (1947), Scottish sociologist Robert M Maclver has mentioned Right ideological politics as always associated with the interests of the upper or dominant classes, while the Left sector caters to the lower economic and social classes.</p>

<p>The &#39;left&#39; is generally called the &#39;party of the movement&#39; while the &#39;right&#39; often stands as the &#39;party of the order&#39;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The major front of the Left politics in India is occupied by the Communist Party of India (CPI). The party was founded on December 26, 1925, at the first Party Conference in Kanpur.</p>

<p>However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), which is now separated from the party (CPI), believes its foundation year as 1920 in Tashkent, Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic.</p>

<p>&nbsp;In the recent years, the CPI has witnessed a massive defeat. It secured a single seat out of 545 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Following this, the Election Commission had issued a letter asking the party &ldquo;why its status as the national party should not be revoked&rdquo;.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The party which was the major opposition in 1952, after the very first general elections in Independent India, has now reduced to a single state presence in Kerala.</p>

<p>It ceded its control over West Bengal in 2011 after ruling the state for nearly 30 years including its current loss in the Left bastion of North East.</p>

<p>In 2008, it drew support from the United Progressive Alliance after UPAs decision to join US-Indian peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act. It also opposed the setting up of private industries in Kolkata</p>

<p>The Bhartiya Janata Party, founded in the 1980s, gained prominence in the country with its support to the building of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.&nbsp; The ideological inclination of the party clearly demarcates it as a &#39;right-wing&#39; political party. Until the advent of the BJP, the parties ruling the county had either &#39;Centrist&#39;, &#39;Left to Centre&#39; or a complete &#39;Leftist&#39; stance.</p>

<p>Over the years, BJP has shown an aggressive stand on religion, nationalism, support for traditional society and culture. It has never tried to gather minority votes by following appeasement policy of religious minorities. The BJP has always demanded equality for all, including the majority community.</p>

<p>In the recent assembly elections in the North East, the BJP swept to power evicting the Left front in Tripura which ruled the state for 25 years. Tripura was one of the few Left-led havens in India. However, the massive mandate with which the right-wing tore apart the strong presence of the Left government questions the future of Left politics in India.</p>

<p>Will the Left make a strong comeback or soon become history in Indian politics is a question only they can answer.&nbsp;</p>


In the recent assembly elections in the North East, the BJP swept to power evicting the Left front in Tripura which ruled the state for 25 years. The massive mandate with which the right-wing tore apart the strong presence of the Left government questions the future of Left politics in India

The recent assembly elections in the North East have seen a huge change in the political landscape of the region. The election results marked the entry of the right-wing power in the state, replacing the long-established hold of Left. But what exactly do we mean by 'Left' and 'Right' while discussing politics? The terms originated in France during the French Revolution in 1789 when the members of the National Assembly were divided into two groups. One supported the king while the other opposed the order of the day. The supporters of the contemporary political system used to sit on the right side of the President while the opposition sat to his left and sought revolution by disrupting the existing system. The seating arrangement of the two groups was not accepted by the loyalists of the kings, whereas the left appreciated the different seating seeing it as a move of change. With the beginning of the twentieth century, the terms were widely associated with different political ideology. Republicans who practiced liberal political ideas came to be known as the “left” group; the “right-wing” politics was associated with the Conservatives. By 1914, the terms were widely used to describe political positions and parties. In his book, The Web of Government (1947), Scottish sociologist Robert M Maclver has mentioned Right ideological politics as always associated with the interests of the upper or dominant classes, while the Left sector caters to the lower economic and social classes. The 'left' is generally called the 'party of the movement' while the 'right' often stands as the 'party of the order'. The major front of the Left politics in India is occupied by the Communist Party of India (CPI). The party was founded on December 26, 1925, at the first Party Conference in Kanpur. However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), which is now separated from the party (CPI), believes its foundation year as 1920 in Tashkent, Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. In the recent years, the CPI has witnessed a massive defeat. It secured a single seat out of 545 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Following this, the Election Commission had issued a letter asking the party “why its status as the national party should not be revoked”. The party which was the major opposition in 1952, after the very first general elections in Independent India, has now reduced to a single state presence in Kerala. It ceded its control over West Bengal in 2011 after ruling the state for nearly 30 years including its current loss in the Left bastion of North East. In 2008, it drew support from the United Progressive Alliance after UPAs decision to join US-Indian peaceful Atomic Energy Cooperation Act. It also opposed the setting up of private industries in Kolkata The Bhartiya Janata Party, founded in the 1980s, gained prominence in the country with its support to the building of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The ideological inclination of the party clearly demarcates it as a 'right-wing' political party. Until the advent of the BJP, the parties ruling the county had either 'Centrist', 'Left to Centre' or a complete 'Leftist' stance. Over the years, BJP has shown an aggressive stand on religion, nationalism, support for traditional society and culture. It has never tried to gather minority votes by following appeasement policy of religious minorities. The BJP has always demanded equality for all, including the majority community. In the recent assembly elections in the North East, the BJP swept to power evicting the Left front in Tripura which ruled the state for 25 years. Tripura was one of the few Left-led havens in India. However, the massive mandate with which the right-wing tore apart the strong presence of the Left government questions the future of Left politics in India. Will the Left make a strong comeback or soon become history in Indian politics is a question only they can answer.

The 'Left' and 'Right' of politics: What's left in 'Left' after North-East drubbing

<p>India has seen an active participation of women in the country&rsquo;s struggle for independence against the colonial power.&nbsp;This participation was recognised after independence when the universal suffrage was introduced in the very first elections held in independent India.&nbsp;However, in over seventy decades of independence, the country could see only a handful of prominent female politicians, including the first and the only woman prime minister to date, Indira Gandhi.</p>

<p>Pratibha Patil the former President of the country, J Jayalalithaa, Vasundhara Raje, Mamata Banerjee, Sushma Swaraj are few other politicians who managed to penetrate through the male dominance spectrum.</p>

<p>With just 11 per cent representation in the lower house of the Parliament and 10.6 per cent in the Upper House, there is an urgent need for implementing measures to improve female participation in the politics of the country.</p>

<p>While the plan to improve women&#39;s role in politics is in the process for a long time, the bill which was introduced for the same has lapsed in the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.&nbsp;The Women Reservation Bill, also known as The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008 was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but could not get through the Lok Sabha.&nbsp;It was stuck in the Lower house for long and was finally lapsed after the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha headed by the members elected during the 2009 general elections.</p>

<p>The Bill was introduced with a proposal to amend the Constitution of India and to reserve 33 per cent of all seats for women in the Lower-house of the Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies.&nbsp;These seats were to be reserved on the rotational basis in a way that a seat would be reserved only once in three consecutive general elections.</p>

<p>The foundation of the proposal was laid in a constitutional amendment that was passed in 1993, aiming at reserving one-third positions for women in Gram Panchayat.&nbsp;Since then, the Panchayat and the Municipal have witnessed an increased representation of women. Though most of these women are mere faces to the elections with their husband&rsquo;s or son&rsquo;s leading the political battle.&nbsp;The proposal was also extended for reserving the same 33 percent seats for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.&nbsp;However several people opposed the bill saying that it will be discrimination against the others.</p>

<p>The female participation in Indian politics is lower than the global average representation of women. Our country ranks below Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe and many more.</p>

<p>Unless and until women&rsquo;s participation in the governing body of the country increases, serious grievances like acid attacks, rape, dowry, molestation, killings will not be addressed with grievous concern.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;</em></p>


The female participation in Indian politics is lower than the global average representation of women. Unless and until women’s participation in the governing body of the country increases, serious grievances will not be addressed with grievous concern

India has seen an active participation of women in the country’s struggle for independence against the colonial power. This participation was recognised after independence when the universal suffrage was introduced in the very first elections held in independent India. However, in over seventy decades of independence, the country could see only a handful of prominent female politicians, including the first and the only woman prime minister to date, Indira Gandhi. Pratibha Patil the former President of the country, J Jayalalithaa, Vasundhara Raje, Mamata Banerjee, Sushma Swaraj are few other politicians who managed to penetrate through the male dominance spectrum. With just 11 per cent representation in the lower house of the Parliament and 10.6 per cent in the Upper House, there is an urgent need for implementing measures to improve female participation in the politics of the country. While the plan to improve women's role in politics is in the process for a long time, the bill which was introduced for the same has lapsed in the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha. The Women Reservation Bill, also known as The Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill, 2008 was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but could not get through the Lok Sabha. It was stuck in the Lower house for long and was finally lapsed after the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha headed by the members elected during the 2009 general elections. The Bill was introduced with a proposal to amend the Constitution of India and to reserve 33 per cent of all seats for women in the Lower-house of the Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies. These seats were to be reserved on the rotational basis in a way that a seat would be reserved only once in three consecutive general elections. The foundation of the proposal was laid in a constitutional amendment that was passed in 1993, aiming at reserving one-third positions for women in Gram Panchayat. Since then, the Panchayat and the Municipal have witnessed an increased representation of women. Though most of these women are mere faces to the elections with their husband’s or son’s leading the political battle. The proposal was also extended for reserving the same 33 percent seats for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies. However several people opposed the bill saying that it will be discrimination against the others. The female participation in Indian politics is lower than the global average representation of women. Our country ranks below Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Zimbabwe and many more. Unless and until women’s participation in the governing body of the country increases, serious grievances like acid attacks, rape, dowry, molestation, killings will not be addressed with grievous concern. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: How long will India's women wait for Women's Reservation Bill?

<p>The Constitution of India offers basic guidelines and principles for the efficient functioning of our nation. It dictates the fundamental political principles, powers, and duties of the government and also enumerates the fundamental rights, directive principles and duties of the citizens.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Constitution advocates constitutional supremacy over parliamentary supremacy and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. It came into effect on January 26, 1950.</p>

<p>The Constitution was framed in a way to ensure that the Parliament does not have the power to override it. &nbsp;</p>

<p>However, one of the most controversial amendments introduced in the Constitution -- during the emergency of 1975 -- tweaked this very characteristic of the Constitution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was then when the powers of the Constitution were curtailed in the Forty-second Amendment of the Constitution. Popularly known as the Constitution (Forty second Amendment) Act of 1977, the amendment to the Constitution was initiated by the Indira Gandhi-led Indian National Congress during the emergency period.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The amendment was considered the most controversial in the history of India as it called for restricting the power of the Supreme Court and the High Court in pronouncing judgments complying with constitutional validity.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The 59th clause of the amendment snatched away several powers resting with the Supreme Court making Parliament the Supreme authority.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The amendment equipped the Prime Minister with uncontrolled powers to amend any section of the Constitution without any judicial intervention.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It transferred more powers to the Central Government, reducing the authority vested with the state governments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Article 368 of the Amendment act restrained any constitutional amendment from being &ldquo;called into question in any court on any ground&rdquo;. Also, it clearly stated the nature of (unlimited) powers offered to the Parliament allowing it to amend the Constitution at any given point.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Act dismissed the powers of the courts in dictating any judgment for office for profit cases. It eroded the federal structure of the Constitution completely.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
The Preamble was changed from &ldquo;sovereign, democratic, republic&rdquo; to &ldquo;sovereign, socialist, democratic, republic&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Due to its utmost modifications of the Constitution, the amendment is often called &ldquo;mini-Constitution&rdquo; and the &quot;Constitution of Indira&rdquo;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme court in 1980 reverted these modifications calling two provisions of the 42nd Amendment as unconstitutional.</p>

<p>The Emergency era and its infamous Constitution amendment had been widely criticised.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indira Gandhi had to face its consequences in the elections that followed which led to the first-ever downfall of the Indian National Congress in India.</p>


The Constitution was framed in a way to ensure that the Parliament does not have the power to override it

The Constitution of India offers basic guidelines and principles for the efficient functioning of our nation. It dictates the fundamental political principles, powers, and duties of the government and also enumerates the fundamental rights, directive principles and duties of the citizens. The Constitution advocates constitutional supremacy over parliamentary supremacy and was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949. It came into effect on January 26, 1950. The Constitution was framed in a way to ensure that the Parliament does not have the power to override it. However, one of the most controversial amendments introduced in the Constitution -- during the emergency of 1975 -- tweaked this very characteristic of the Constitution. It was then when the powers of the Constitution were curtailed in the Forty-second Amendment of the Constitution. Popularly known as the Constitution (Forty second Amendment) Act of 1977, the amendment to the Constitution was initiated by the Indira Gandhi-led Indian National Congress during the emergency period. The amendment was considered the most controversial in the history of India as it called for restricting the power of the Supreme Court and the High Court in pronouncing judgments complying with constitutional validity. The 59th clause of the amendment snatched away several powers resting with the Supreme Court making Parliament the Supreme authority. The amendment equipped the Prime Minister with uncontrolled powers to amend any section of the Constitution without any judicial intervention. It transferred more powers to the Central Government, reducing the authority vested with the state governments. Article 368 of the Amendment act restrained any constitutional amendment from being “called into question in any court on any ground”. Also, it clearly stated the nature of (unlimited) powers offered to the Parliament allowing it to amend the Constitution at any given point. The Act dismissed the powers of the courts in dictating any judgment for office for profit cases. It eroded the federal structure of the Constitution completely. The Preamble was changed from “sovereign, democratic, republic” to “sovereign, socialist, democratic, republic” Due to its utmost modifications of the Constitution, the amendment is often called “mini-Constitution” and the "Constitution of Indira”. The Supreme court in 1980 reverted these modifications calling two provisions of the 42nd Amendment as unconstitutional. The Emergency era and its infamous Constitution amendment had been widely criticised. Indira Gandhi had to face its consequences in the elections that followed which led to the first-ever downfall of the Indian National Congress in India.

Constitution of Indira: The most controversial amendment to the Indian constitution

<p>Today, December 16, 2017, marks the fifth anniversary of the &ldquo;Nirbhaya&rdquo; Delhi gangrape case.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Among the six accused, Ram Singh - the driver of the bus, allegedly committed suicide on 11 March 2013 in Tihar jail. The others were tried in a fast track court. All five accused were convicted of rape and murder.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The juvenile, however, was given a maximum sentence of three years of imprisonment in reform facility while the remaining four were sentenced to death by hanging.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The medical reports had shown that a blunt object (subjected to be iron rod) was used for attacking the private part of the victim. According to the police, the rod was rusted, L-shaped of the type used as a wheel jack handle.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Reports said that one of the accused men admitted to having seen a rope-like object being pulled out of the woman&rsquo;s body by one of his companions. It was widely believed the juvenile was behind the heinous act.</p>

<p>&nbsp;A juvenile is now a free man, roaming the streets having served out his time at the reform facility.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The brutal gangrape of the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in 2012 had led to huge protests in the national capital and had shaken the nation.</p>

<p>&nbsp;As a result, a judicial committee was set up to study and take public suggestions for the best ways to amend laws and provide quicker investigation and prosecution of sex offenders.</p>

<p>&nbsp;In 2013, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance was passed by the then President Pranab Mukherjee. Fast-track courts were introduced to hear rape cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;Justice Verma Committee submitted a report on January 23, 2013 to the government.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The report recommended amendments to the Criminal Law to provide speedy trial and punishment for criminals in sexual assault cases.</p>

<p>&nbsp;It made recommendations on laws relating to rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, child sexual abuse, medical examination of victims, police, electoral and educational reforms.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Key recommendations by the committee:</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The report stressed that rape should not be limited to penetration of the vagina, mouth or anus and added that any non-consensual penetration of a sexual nature should be included in the definition of rape.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Stating that the relation between the victim and the accused should not be seen, the committee recommended that the exception to marital rape should be removed.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It also recommended that use of words, acts or gestures that create an unwelcome threat of a sexual nature should be termed as &ldquo;sexual assault&rdquo; and be punishable with 1 year of imprisonment or fine or both.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It suggested a punishment of imprisonment for 10 years or life to criminalise trafficking by threat, force or inducement. It also recommended criminalising employment of a trafficked person.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; It said that death penalty should not be awarded for the offense of rape, instead recommended life imprisonment for rape. It based its argument saying there was considerable evidence that death penalty was not a deterrence to serious crimes.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It recommended the discontinuation of the two-finger test which is conducted to determine the laxity of the vaginal muscles.</p>

<p>&nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;It recognised voyeurism, molestation to be punished with imprisonment up to seven years while stalking or unwanted attempts to contact a person repeatedly up to three years.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The recommendations were based after a rigorous investigation.</p>

<p>&nbsp;While investigating, the committee realised that a major loophole existed at the level of registering an FIR. It, therefore, recommended reforms in police and FIR structure.</p>

<p>&nbsp;The Commission said that rape crises cells should be set up at every police station to enable legal assistance to the survivor.</p>

<p>&nbsp;It ordered almost all big cities to install CCTV cameras in police stations.</p>

<p>&nbsp;In addition, it recommended women cops to be posted at police stations to handle sexual offenses and police personnel to be trained specifically to deal with gender crimes.</p>

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<p>Women safety in India is a big concern and on the fifth anniversary of the Delhi gang rape, we look at what&#39;s changed and what hasn&#39;t. Watch this video for more information (WION)</p>
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Today,?December 16, 2017, marks the fifth anniversary of the 'Nirbhaya' Delhi gangrape case

Today, December 16, 2017, marks the fifth anniversary of the “Nirbhaya” Delhi gangrape case. Among the six accused, Ram Singh - the driver of the bus, allegedly committed suicide on 11 March 2013 in Tihar jail. The others were tried in a fast track court. All five accused were convicted of rape and murder. The juvenile, however, was given a maximum sentence of three years of imprisonment in reform facility while the remaining four were sentenced to death by hanging. The medical reports had shown that a blunt object (subjected to be iron rod) was used for attacking the private part of the victim. According to the police, the rod was rusted, L-shaped of the type used as a wheel jack handle. Reports said that one of the accused men admitted to having seen a rope-like object being pulled out of the woman’s body by one of his companions. It was widely believed the juvenile was behind the heinous act. A juvenile is now a free man, roaming the streets having served out his time at the reform facility. The brutal gangrape of the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in 2012 had led to huge protests in the national capital and had shaken the nation. As a result, a judicial committee was set up to study and take public suggestions for the best ways to amend laws and provide quicker investigation and prosecution of sex offenders. In 2013, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance was passed by the then President Pranab Mukherjee. Fast-track courts were introduced to hear rape cases. Justice Verma Committee submitted a report on January 23, 2013 to the government. The report recommended amendments to the Criminal Law to provide speedy trial and punishment for criminals in sexual assault cases. It made recommendations on laws relating to rape, sexual harassment, trafficking, child sexual abuse, medical examination of victims, police, electoral and educational reforms. Key recommendations by the committee: · The report stressed that rape should not be limited to penetration of the vagina, mouth or anus and added that any non-consensual penetration of a sexual nature should be included in the definition of rape. · Stating that the relation between the victim and the accused should not be seen, the committee recommended that the exception to marital rape should be removed. · It also recommended that use of words, acts or gestures that create an unwelcome threat of a sexual nature should be termed as “sexual assault” and be punishable with 1 year of imprisonment or fine or both. · It suggested a punishment of imprisonment for 10 years or life to criminalise trafficking by threat, force or inducement. It also recommended criminalising employment of a trafficked person. · It said that death penalty should not be awarded for the offense of rape, instead recommended life imprisonment for rape. It based its argument saying there was considerable evidence that death penalty was not a deterrence to serious crimes. · It recommended the discontinuation of the two-finger test which is conducted to determine the laxity of the vaginal muscles. · It recognised voyeurism, molestation to be punished with imprisonment up to seven years while stalking or unwanted attempts to contact a person repeatedly up to three years. The recommendations were based after a rigorous investigation. While investigating, the committee realised that a major loophole existed at the level of registering an FIR. It, therefore, recommended reforms in police and FIR structure. The Commission said that rape crises cells should be set up at every police station to enable legal assistance to the survivor. It ordered almost all big cities to install CCTV cameras in police stations. In addition, it recommended women cops to be posted at police stations to handle sexual offenses and police personnel to be trained specifically to deal with gender crimes. Women safety in India is a big concern and on the fifth anniversary of the Delhi gang rape, we look at what's changed and what hasn't. Watch this video for more information (WION) ×

'Nirbhaya' Delhi gangrape case: A judicial perspective

<p>&quot;At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom&hellip;. when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The famous Tryst and Destiny speech was addressed by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru on the eve of Indian Independence when the country was stepping from the old to new.</p>

<p>The two hundred years of colonial power had left India poverty-stricken and disintegrated, and the partition inflicted severe pains of communal violence.</p>

<p>It was not easy to lay the foundation of a country, which had suffered two hundred years of exploitation. The struggle for Independence had already played a major role in unifying the country, but half of the battle was still to be won in laying the foundation for &ldquo;India&rdquo;.</p>

<p>The collective efforts of the first Prime Minister Nehru and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeeded in integrating the 567 princely states into the dominion of India. The Congress managed to add Junagarh, Kerala, Hyderabad, Kashmir and many other princely states to India.</p>

<p>It implemented many other policies to reform the social, economic and educational sector of the country. However, amidst the many progressive steps that were undertaken for the improvement of the country, the Congress led by Nehru was also held responsible for the existing ire on Kashmir as well as the enmity between India and Pakistan.</p>

<p>Jammu and Kashmir had voluntarily joined India after Indian army protected the state from the atrocities, loot, murder and rapes committed by Pakistani Kabalis. The then ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh had sought help from India after the tribal invasion by Pakistan.</p>

<p>In return, he signed the Instrument of Accession and acceded to be a part of the dominion of India.</p>

<p>&nbsp;However, the issue of Kashmir still remains a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. Pakistan keeps on asking for UN involvement in resolving the matter between the two countries.</p>

<p>National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah was also involved in a similar rhetoric recently. While asking for more autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister of the state emphasised on PoK being part of Pakistan. While readily accepting PoK as part of Pakistan, he said that India cannot claim its authority over it. He reminded that India should stick to the Instrument of Accession signed with Maharaja Hari Singh.</p>

<p>Evidently, off late, Farooq Abdullah has been speaking in the language of Pakistan.</p>

<p>He said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and &quot;this won&#39;t change&quot; no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.</p>

<p>&quot;You do not remember the Instrument of Accession and claim the other side of Kashmir is administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Separatists and leaders like him who willfully accept the occupation of Pakistan over PoK choose to avoid the constant revolt by the people against the human right violations.</p>

<p>PoK recently held anti-Pakistan protests across the region to mark 70 years of Pakistan occupation of the region. To mark the unfortunate seventy years of the &ldquo;Black Day&rdquo; invasion, Gilgit and Baltistan held protest across the region on October 22, 2017.</p>

<p>The protestors chanted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Pakistan Army from the occupied territory.</p>

<p>Another PoK leader Tauqeer Gilani hit out at the Pakistan occupation on Kashmir. While addressing a conference in Muzaffarabad, he questioned Pakistan&#39;s claim over Kashmir. Calling it propaganda by Muslim Conference and their paid stooges, he asked where is it written that Kashmir is Pakistan&#39;s?&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said, &quot;Where is it written that Kashmir is Pakistan&#39;s? No agreement says so. This is nonsense and is propaganda by Muslim Conference and their paid stooges. Even on our bathroom doors, they have written &#39;Kashmir banega Pakistan.&quot;</p>

<p>Recently, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have strengthened their voice against Pakistan&#39;s immoral imposition of taxes on them. The lawyers claim that the imposition of any tax in the region is illegal as people of the region do not have any representation in national assembly and senate.</p>

<p>Legal experts say that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan should not be taxed until they are granted constitutional rights. They also underlined that there are no taxes in Jammu and Kashmir despite it being part of the Constitution, also that the state provides them subsidies.</p>

<p>Pakistan and its organisations and leaders who constantly attack India over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should not forget that the peaceful state was first attacked by Pakistan Kabalis. It was Pakistan which had created havoc in one of the most peaceful areas of South Asia.</p>

<p>The ones who talk about India conducting plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir must not forget that according to the UN resolution, Pakistan is first supposed to vacate the place.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Responding to P. Chidambaram&rsquo;s advice for granting greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Arun Jaitley had said its position regard to aazadi or greater autonomy for Kashmir was against the national interest.</p>

<p>P Chidambaram recently said when people of Jammu and Kashmir ask for aazadi, most of them mean they want greater autonomy.</p>

<p>On this Jaitley blamed Congress&rsquo;s flawed policy since 1947 for the Kashmir problem.</p>

<p>He asked what kind of &ldquo;aazadi or autonomy&rdquo; is Chidambaram asking which the state government or India&rsquo;s Constitution does not already provide.</p>

<p>Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley also said that the state assembly and the state government have all the necessary powers under the Constitution, and the only issues not covered by the state are defence, communication, foreign affairs and currency.</p>

<p>Recently, a Delhi-based NGO&nbsp; filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Article 35A. Article 35(A) and Article 370 gives special rights to the permanent residents of Jammu &amp; Kashmir. It restricts people from the rest of the country to buy or own immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir, settle permanently, or avail themselves of state-sponsored scholarship schemes. The petition said that the article discriminates against the fellow citizens from the rest of the country.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


PoK recently held anti-Pakistan protests across the region to mark 70 years of Pakistan occupation of the region.

"At the stroke of the midnight hour when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom…. when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance”. The famous Tryst and Destiny speech was addressed by Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru on the eve of Indian Independence when the country was stepping from the old to new. The two hundred years of colonial power had left India poverty-stricken and disintegrated, and the partition inflicted severe pains of communal violence. It was not easy to lay the foundation of a country, which had suffered two hundred years of exploitation. The struggle for Independence had already played a major role in unifying the country, but half of the battle was still to be won in laying the foundation for “India”. The collective efforts of the first Prime Minister Nehru and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeeded in integrating the 567 princely states into the dominion of India. The Congress managed to add Junagarh, Kerala, Hyderabad, Kashmir and many other princely states to India. It implemented many other policies to reform the social, economic and educational sector of the country. However, amidst the many progressive steps that were undertaken for the improvement of the country, the Congress led by Nehru was also held responsible for the existing ire on Kashmir as well as the enmity between India and Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir had voluntarily joined India after Indian army protected the state from the atrocities, loot, murder and rapes committed by Pakistani Kabalis. The then ruling Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh had sought help from India after the tribal invasion by Pakistan. In return, he signed the Instrument of Accession and acceded to be a part of the dominion of India. However, the issue of Kashmir still remains a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. Pakistan keeps on asking for UN involvement in resolving the matter between the two countries. National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah was also involved in a similar rhetoric recently. While asking for more autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, the former chief minister of the state emphasised on PoK being part of Pakistan. While readily accepting PoK as part of Pakistan, he said that India cannot claim its authority over it. He reminded that India should stick to the Instrument of Accession signed with Maharaja Hari Singh. Evidently, off late, Farooq Abdullah has been speaking in the language of Pakistan. He said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. "You do not remember the Instrument of Accession and claim the other side of Kashmir is administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?" he said. Separatists and leaders like him who willfully accept the occupation of Pakistan over PoK choose to avoid the constant revolt by the people against the human right violations. PoK recently held anti-Pakistan protests across the region to mark 70 years of Pakistan occupation of the region. To mark the unfortunate seventy years of the “Black Day” invasion, Gilgit and Baltistan held protest across the region on October 22, 2017. The protestors chanted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Pakistan Army from the occupied territory. Another PoK leader Tauqeer Gilani hit out at the Pakistan occupation on Kashmir. While addressing a conference in Muzaffarabad, he questioned Pakistan's claim over Kashmir. Calling it propaganda by Muslim Conference and their paid stooges, he asked where is it written that Kashmir is Pakistan's? He said, "Where is it written that Kashmir is Pakistan's? No agreement says so. This is nonsense and is propaganda by Muslim Conference and their paid stooges. Even on our bathroom doors, they have written 'Kashmir banega Pakistan." Recently, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have strengthened their voice against Pakistan's immoral imposition of taxes on them. The lawyers claim that the imposition of any tax in the region is illegal as people of the region do not have any representation in national assembly and senate. Legal experts say that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan should not be taxed until they are granted constitutional rights. They also underlined that there are no taxes in Jammu and Kashmir despite it being part of the Constitution, also that the state provides them subsidies. Pakistan and its organisations and leaders who constantly attack India over the issue of Jammu and Kashmir should not forget that the peaceful state was first attacked by Pakistan Kabalis. It was Pakistan which had created havoc in one of the most peaceful areas of South Asia. The ones who talk about India conducting plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir must not forget that according to the UN resolution, Pakistan is first supposed to vacate the place. Responding to P. Chidambaram’s advice for granting greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister Arun Jaitley had said its position regard to aazadi or greater autonomy for Kashmir was against the national interest. P Chidambaram recently said when people of Jammu and Kashmir ask for aazadi, most of them mean they want greater autonomy. On this Jaitley blamed Congress’s flawed policy since 1947 for the Kashmir problem. He asked what kind of “aazadi or autonomy” is Chidambaram asking which the state government or India’s Constitution does not already provide. Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley also said that the state assembly and the state government have all the necessary powers under the Constitution, and the only issues not covered by the state are defence, communication, foreign affairs and currency. Recently, a Delhi-based NGO filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging Article 35A. Article 35(A) and Article 370 gives special rights to the permanent residents of Jammu & Kashmir. It restricts people from the rest of the country to buy or own immovable property in Jammu and Kashmir, settle permanently, or avail themselves of state-sponsored scholarship schemes. The petition said that the article discriminates against the fellow citizens from the rest of the country. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Why Pakistan supports Kashmir's aazadi and not that of PoK

<p>Chennai has been experiencing heavy rain since the past one week. Chief minister K Palaniswami has stated that the city recorded a rainfall of 56.6 cm in five days. The rain in the city has disrupted the normal lives of the people. Many of them living in the low lying areas have shifted to safer places, fearing 2015 like flood situation.</p>

<p>The schools in the city are closed, several university exams have been postponed, people are facing regular power cuts, waterlogging and traffic jams. The continuous downpour in the city is the result of low pressure developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal between the Sri Lankan and the Tamil Nadu coast and the cyclonic circulation rising up to 3.1 km above mean sea level.</p>

<p>The Tamil Nadu government has been constantly assuring that they are taking up required measures to drain the water out of the city.&nbsp;The chief minister claimed that the current government has handled the situation better than Bengaluru and Mumbai.</p>

<p>SP Velumani, minister of municipal administration and rural development said that the state government has done more work than several developed nations to deal with the rains.</p>

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<h5>The man-made disaster is the result of the diminishing water bodies in the city.</h5>
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<p>D Jayakumar, minister of finance and fishing, went a step further and claimed to have solved 98 per cent of rain-related issues in the city. However, the undeniable fact remains that it is only because of the years of improper planning that has worsened the ecological balance of the city.</p>

<p>Chennai suffered from severe water shortage in 2016-17.&nbsp;The city was hard hit by the 60 per cent deficit in the northeastern monsoon.&nbsp;The city has already experienced one of the most devastating floods in 2015. Such natural disaster continues to hit Chennai almost every year.</p>

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<p>Pallavaram Lake (Others)</p>
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<p>The man-made disaster is the result of the diminishing water bodies in the city. Chennai once had around 650 lakes and rivers which were a source of their freshwater. Besides this, they were also responsible for recharging the groundwater level thus preventing drought. During heavy rainfall, these rivers regulated the flow of water to human settlements by draining the excess water.</p>

<p>However, with the rapid growth of urbanisation and industrialisation, most of these water bodies have lost their existence. Ever increasing population in the city has led to the increasing demands for housing societies, institutions, and industries. Most of this construction has taken place over these water bodies. Also, the direct discharge of industrial and municipal waste has worsened the remaining waterways.</p>

<p>Konnur Lake once occupied over 250 acres of land. Due to the residential and industrial construction, it has now been reduced to 20 acres. Over 4000 houses have been built over it and it also supports the Sidco Industries. While the remaining 20 acres has also been allotted for institutional construction. Sidco Nagar was one of the worst affected areas during the 2015 floods. The construction over the lake restricted the free flow of water into the lake which had a devastating effect over the nearby slum dwellers.</p>

<p>The urban planning authorities do not take into consideration the ecological balance of the city while devising any architectural plan. This way they affect the natural penetration process which further leads to floods during heavy rainfall while drought in case of less rainfall. Besides this, the lakes and rivers which are not considered fit for drinking or irrigation are declared as wasteland permitting construction over it. This further disrupts the ecological balance of the city.</p>

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<p>Pallavaram Lake (Others)</p>
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<p>Pallavaram Lake which once spread over 200 acres is now left with just 50 acres. The lake was bifurcated after the construction of Thoraipakkam road for connecting Chennai Airport and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. One side of the lake still remains, however, the other side has choked to death due to encroachment and dumping of effluents from the nearby leather factory, industries, and sewage waste. This part of the lake has become a dump yard due to the consistent dumping of garbage for the past few decades. This dumping has contaminated the groundwater of that area.</p>

<p>Residents around the Pallavaram Lake had filed a petition in the HC for removing the illegal encroachment over the water body. According to them the settlements over the water have come up in connivance with the Pallavaram municipality. Besides letting the growth of encroachment in the lake the municipality itself planned to construct a methanation plant on the land.</p>

<p>An activist working for the restoration of water bodies in Chennai states &quot;it is only because of the municipal that the illegal settlements have survived well. had they not provided the basic amenities the temporary shanties would not have turned into permanent residents&rdquo;.</p>

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<h5>One of the major causes for diminishing waterways in Chennai is that a lot of construction is being done on it.</h5>
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<p>The illegal encroachment over the water bodies is not restricted to this lake. In fact, one of the major causes for diminishing waterways in Chennai is that a lot of construction is being done on it. No government official is ready to take the responsibility of the ever-growing illegal encroachment.</p>

<p>The depleting water bodies because of the encroachment over them is severely affecting the ecology of the city. The consequent result of this is that Chennai faces drought during less rainfall whereas waterlogging and floods during heavy rains.</p>


The illegal encroachment over the water bodies is one of the major causes for diminishing waterways in Chennai that leads to flooding like situation

Chennai has been experiencing heavy rain since the past one week. Chief minister K Palaniswami has stated that the city recorded a rainfall of 56.6 cm in five days. The rain in the city has disrupted the normal lives of the people. Many of them living in the low lying areas have shifted to safer places, fearing 2015 like flood situation. The schools in the city are closed, several university exams have been postponed, people are facing regular power cuts, waterlogging and traffic jams. The continuous downpour in the city is the result of low pressure developed over Southwest Bay of Bengal between the Sri Lankan and the Tamil Nadu coast and the cyclonic circulation rising up to 3.1 km above mean sea level. The Tamil Nadu government has been constantly assuring that they are taking up required measures to drain the water out of the city. The chief minister claimed that the current government has handled the situation better than Bengaluru and Mumbai. SP Velumani, minister of municipal administration and rural development said that the state government has done more work than several developed nations to deal with the rains. The man-made disaster is the result of the diminishing water bodies in the city. × D Jayakumar, minister of finance and fishing, went a step further and claimed to have solved 98 per cent of rain-related issues in the city. However, the undeniable fact remains that it is only because of the years of improper planning that has worsened the ecological balance of the city. Chennai suffered from severe water shortage in 2016-17. The city was hard hit by the 60 per cent deficit in the northeastern monsoon. The city has already experienced one of the most devastating floods in 2015. Such natural disaster continues to hit Chennai almost every year. Pallavaram Lake (Others) × The man-made disaster is the result of the diminishing water bodies in the city. Chennai once had around 650 lakes and rivers which were a source of their freshwater. Besides this, they were also responsible for recharging the groundwater level thus preventing drought. During heavy rainfall, these rivers regulated the flow of water to human settlements by draining the excess water. However, with the rapid growth of urbanisation and industrialisation, most of these water bodies have lost their existence. Ever increasing population in the city has led to the increasing demands for housing societies, institutions, and industries. Most of this construction has taken place over these water bodies. Also, the direct discharge of industrial and municipal waste has worsened the remaining waterways. Konnur Lake once occupied over 250 acres of land. Due to the residential and industrial construction, it has now been reduced to 20 acres. Over 4000 houses have been built over it and it also supports the Sidco Industries. While the remaining 20 acres has also been allotted for institutional construction. Sidco Nagar was one of the worst affected areas during the 2015 floods. The construction over the lake restricted the free flow of water into the lake which had a devastating effect over the nearby slum dwellers. The urban planning authorities do not take into consideration the ecological balance of the city while devising any architectural plan. This way they affect the natural penetration process which further leads to floods during heavy rainfall while drought in case of less rainfall. Besides this, the lakes and rivers which are not considered fit for drinking or irrigation are declared as wasteland permitting construction over it. This further disrupts the ecological balance of the city. Pallavaram Lake (Others) × Pallavaram Lake which once spread over 200 acres is now left with just 50 acres. The lake was bifurcated after the construction of Thoraipakkam road for connecting Chennai Airport and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. One side of the lake still remains, however, the other side has choked to death due to encroachment and dumping of effluents from the nearby leather factory, industries, and sewage waste. This part of the lake has become a dump yard due to the consistent dumping of garbage for the past few decades. This dumping has contaminated the groundwater of that area. Residents around the Pallavaram Lake had filed a petition in the HC for removing the illegal encroachment over the water body. According to them the settlements over the water have come up in connivance with the Pallavaram municipality. Besides letting the growth of encroachment in the lake the municipality itself planned to construct a methanation plant on the land. An activist working for the restoration of water bodies in Chennai states "it is only because of the municipal that the illegal settlements have survived well. had they not provided the basic amenities the temporary shanties would not have turned into permanent residents”. One of the major causes for diminishing waterways in Chennai is that a lot of construction is being done on it. × The illegal encroachment over the water bodies is not restricted to this lake. In fact, one of the major causes for diminishing waterways in Chennai is that a lot of construction is being done on it. No government official is ready to take the responsibility of the ever-growing illegal encroachment. The depleting water bodies because of the encroachment over them is severely affecting the ecology of the city. The consequent result of this is that Chennai faces drought during less rainfall whereas waterlogging and floods during heavy rains.

The man-made disaster in Chennai

<p>The Maharashtra government rolled out the first phase of its loan waiver scheme on&nbsp;June 18. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed a sum of Rs 4000 crore for the first set of farmers. The first phase is expected to benefit more than 8 lakh farmers. The government also added that about 80 per cent of the farmers will get their loan waiver amount by mid-November.</p>

<p>Chief minister Fadnavis had announced the loan waiver scheme in June. Claiming it to be &ldquo;biggest in history&rdquo; the state government then allotted Rs 34,000&nbsp;crore towards it. However, according to a recent report in Mint, the government is not sure about the real estimate of the fund to be extended for the loan waiver scheme as several amendments have been introduced since its announcement.</p>

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<h5>The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators.</h5>
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<p>The Maharashtra government was forced to introduce the farm loan waiving scheme after days of protest by farmers. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. The farmers will be getting the loan amount from the state government after four months of wait. The government, in order to curb manual interventions, has devised an online application process. This will transfer the money directly to their bank accounts.</p>

<p>Over one lakh farmers are not entitled to receive funds from the scheme. The conditions laid down by the government restrict them from receiving compensation for their losses.&nbsp;Ajit Nawle, convener of the coordination committee of agitating farmers has said that these farmers&rsquo; will demand a case of cheating, murder and abetment of suicide to be filed against the government for the loss of farmer&#39;s life.</p>

<p>A report in Financial Express stated that many farmers in the first phase of the scheme have received certificates without the loan waiver amount in it. Citing a local news channel the report mentioned Dhondiba Laxman Patil and Santan Dumin Fernandes, farmers from Mugali village, Chandgad district, Kolhapur have received certificates without the amount.</p>

<p>The state government assented to the farmer&#39;s demands of waiving off the loan after several days of protest. The government implemented the first phase of the scheme after five months.&nbsp;Within two days&nbsp;of its implementation, it has received a set back from the very section of the society that it was launched for.</p>

<p>A similar farm loan waiving scheme was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government. As part of his election promise to waive off farmers&rsquo; loan, the state government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced &ldquo;Krishi Rin Mochan Yojana&rdquo; in April. The state government had allotted Rs 36000 crores for the same. The scheme aimed at waiving crop loan of small and marginal farmers up to Rs 100,000. The election promise had raised big hopes among the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and was launched in September.However, the implementation of the scheme had left many farmers shocked and infuriated. They felt cheated after receiving amounts as low as Rs 10, 12 and even 1 paisa, 10 paisa, 12 paisa.</p>

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<h5>The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise.</h5>
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<p>Shambhu Nath, a farmer in Barabanki spent Rs 218 only to receive a loan waiver of Rs 12. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Adityanath said, &ldquo;farmers of UP are so self-reliant that they paid the loan all by themselves&rdquo;. Shambhu Nath had taken a loan of Rs 28,812. Out of which he returned Rs 28, 800 by selling his bull. Therefore he was entitled to receive only the outstanding amount which amounted to Rs 12.</p>

<p>A report stated that over 4,814 farmers got loan waivers amounting between Rs 1-100. About 17,260 farmers received loan amounting Rs 1000 or less than it. Clearing off the farmers&rsquo; outstanding loan amounting to 1 Rs, 10 Rs or few paisa will certainly not benefit any of these farmers.&nbsp;However, it will add up to the figures of beneficiaries from the Yogi government&rsquo;s flagship mission of waiving off farmer&rsquo;s loan.</p>

<p>The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise. Since independence over 3 lakh&nbsp;farmers have ended their life. Natural calamities, drought and floods strike our country every year. Loan waiver is certainly not the only solution to farmers&rsquo; distress. Waiving off the loan is a short-term sustenance for their miseries. The government needs to address the root problem. They need to minimise the ever-growing devastation to agriculture and farmers of our country.&nbsp;</p>


Inhuman treatment received by farmers in the name of loan write-offs

The Maharashtra government rolled out the first phase of its loan waiver scheme on June 18. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis directed a sum of Rs 4000 crore for the first set of farmers. The first phase is expected to benefit more than 8 lakh farmers. The government also added that about 80 per cent of the farmers will get their loan waiver amount by mid-November. Chief minister Fadnavis had announced the loan waiver scheme in June. Claiming it to be “biggest in history” the state government then allotted Rs 34,000 crore towards it. However, according to a recent report in Mint, the government is not sure about the real estimate of the fund to be extended for the loan waiver scheme as several amendments have been introduced since its announcement. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. × The Maharashtra government was forced to introduce the farm loan waiving scheme after days of protest by farmers. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. The farmers will be getting the loan amount from the state government after four months of wait. The government, in order to curb manual interventions, has devised an online application process. This will transfer the money directly to their bank accounts. Over one lakh farmers are not entitled to receive funds from the scheme. The conditions laid down by the government restrict them from receiving compensation for their losses. Ajit Nawle, convener of the coordination committee of agitating farmers has said that these farmers’ will demand a case of cheating, murder and abetment of suicide to be filed against the government for the loss of farmer's life. A report in Financial Express stated that many farmers in the first phase of the scheme have received certificates without the loan waiver amount in it. Citing a local news channel the report mentioned Dhondiba Laxman Patil and Santan Dumin Fernandes, farmers from Mugali village, Chandgad district, Kolhapur have received certificates without the amount. The state government assented to the farmer's demands of waiving off the loan after several days of protest. The government implemented the first phase of the scheme after five months. Within two days of its implementation, it has received a set back from the very section of the society that it was launched for. A similar farm loan waiving scheme was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government. As part of his election promise to waive off farmers’ loan, the state government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced “Krishi Rin Mochan Yojana” in April. The state government had allotted Rs 36000 crores for the same. The scheme aimed at waiving crop loan of small and marginal farmers up to Rs 100,000. The election promise had raised big hopes among the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and was launched in September.However, the implementation of the scheme had left many farmers shocked and infuriated. They felt cheated after receiving amounts as low as Rs 10, 12 and even 1 paisa, 10 paisa, 12 paisa. The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise. × Shambhu Nath, a farmer in Barabanki spent Rs 218 only to receive a loan waiver of Rs 12. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Adityanath said, “farmers of UP are so self-reliant that they paid the loan all by themselves”. Shambhu Nath had taken a loan of Rs 28,812. Out of which he returned Rs 28, 800 by selling his bull. Therefore he was entitled to receive only the outstanding amount which amounted to Rs 12. A report stated that over 4,814 farmers got loan waivers amounting between Rs 1-100. About 17,260 farmers received loan amounting Rs 1000 or less than it. Clearing off the farmers’ outstanding loan amounting to 1 Rs, 10 Rs or few paisa will certainly not benefit any of these farmers. However, it will add up to the figures of beneficiaries from the Yogi government’s flagship mission of waiving off farmer’s loan. The agricultural growth rate of our country has been on a constant decline and farmers suicide on a rise. Since independence over 3 lakh farmers have ended their life. Natural calamities, drought and floods strike our country every year. Loan waiver is certainly not the only solution to farmers’ distress. Waiving off the loan is a short-term sustenance for their miseries. The government needs to address the root problem. They need to minimise the ever-growing devastation to agriculture and farmers of our country.

How beneficial is loan waiver scheme?

<p>The Maharashtra government is all set to roll out its loan waiver scheme on Wednesday. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will be providing loan waivers to the first set of farmers on October 18. The scheme was announced in June by the state government after days of protest by farmers. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators.</p>

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<h5>The government, in order to curb manual manipulations, has devised an online application process. The money will be transferred to their bank accounts after strict regulation.</h5>
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<p>Claiming it to be &ldquo;biggest in history&rdquo; the state government had allotted Rs 34,022 crore for the scheme. However, recent reports say that the chief minister is not sure about the real estimate diverted for the scheme as several amendments were introduced after its announcement.</p>

<p>The farmers will be getting the loan amount from the state government after five months of wait.The government, in order to curb manual manipulations, has devised an online application process. The money will be transferred to their bank accounts after strict regulation.</p>

<p>A similar farm loan waiver scheme was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government recently. As part of his election promise to waive off farmers&rsquo; loan, the Uttar Pradesh government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced &ldquo;Krishi Rin Mochan Yojana&rdquo; in April.The state government had diverted Rs 36000 crores for the same.</p>

<p>The scheme aimed at waiving crop loan of small and marginal farmers up to Rs 100,000. The election promise had raised big hopes among the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and was launched in September.&nbsp;However, the implementation of the scheme has left many farmers shocked and infuriated. They feel cheated after receiving amounts as low as Rs 10, 12 or even 1 paisa, 10 paisa, 12 paisa.</p>

<p>Shambhi Nath, a farmer in Barabanki (UP) spent Rs 218 only to receive a loan waiver of Rs 12. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Adityanath said, &ldquo;Farmers of Uttar Pradesh are so self-reliant that they paid the loan all by themselves&rdquo;.</p>

<p>Shambhu Nath had taken a loan of Rs 28,812. Out of which he returned Rs 28, 800 by selling his bull. Therefore he received only the outstanding amount which figured out to Rs 12. A report stated that over 4,814 farmers got loan waivers amounting between Rs 1- 100. About 17,260 farmers received loan amounting Rs 1000 or less than it.</p>

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<h5>The ever-increasing farmers&rsquo; plight cannot be tackled just by introducing loan waivers scheme.</h5>
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<p>Clearing off the farmers&rsquo; outstanding loan amounting to 1 Rs, 10 Rs or few paisa will certainly not benefit any of these farmers.&nbsp;However, it will add up to the figures of beneficiaries from the Yogi government&rsquo;s flagship mission of waiving off farmer&rsquo;s loan.</p>

<p>The ever-increasing farmers&rsquo; plight cannot be tackled just by introducing loan waivers scheme. For a country which suffers from floods and droughts every year,&nbsp;writing off the loan amount is not the ultimate solution.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A well-organised plan is required to be implemented by the collective efforts of Central and State government to improve the root cause of the plight.&nbsp;</p>


The government of India needs to come up with a well-organised loan waivers scheme

The Maharashtra government is all set to roll out its loan waiver scheme on Wednesday. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis will be providing loan waivers to the first set of farmers on October 18. The scheme was announced in June by the state government after days of protest by farmers. The state was hard hit by severe drought since 2012, adversely impacting the cultivators. The government, in order to curb manual manipulations, has devised an online application process. The money will be transferred to their bank accounts after strict regulation. × Claiming it to be “biggest in history” the state government had allotted Rs 34,022 crore for the scheme. However, recent reports say that the chief minister is not sure about the real estimate diverted for the scheme as several amendments were introduced after its announcement. The farmers will be getting the loan amount from the state government after five months of wait.The government, in order to curb manual manipulations, has devised an online application process. The money will be transferred to their bank accounts after strict regulation. A similar farm loan waiver scheme was carried out by the Uttar Pradesh government recently. As part of his election promise to waive off farmers’ loan, the Uttar Pradesh government led by chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced “Krishi Rin Mochan Yojana” in April.The state government had diverted Rs 36000 crores for the same. The scheme aimed at waiving crop loan of small and marginal farmers up to Rs 100,000. The election promise had raised big hopes among the farmers of Uttar Pradesh and was launched in September. However, the implementation of the scheme has left many farmers shocked and infuriated. They feel cheated after receiving amounts as low as Rs 10, 12 or even 1 paisa, 10 paisa, 12 paisa. Shambhi Nath, a farmer in Barabanki (UP) spent Rs 218 only to receive a loan waiver of Rs 12. In an interview to a Hindi daily, Adityanath said, “Farmers of Uttar Pradesh are so self-reliant that they paid the loan all by themselves”. Shambhu Nath had taken a loan of Rs 28,812. Out of which he returned Rs 28, 800 by selling his bull. Therefore he received only the outstanding amount which figured out to Rs 12. A report stated that over 4,814 farmers got loan waivers amounting between Rs 1- 100. About 17,260 farmers received loan amounting Rs 1000 or less than it. The ever-increasing farmers’ plight cannot be tackled just by introducing loan waivers scheme. × Clearing off the farmers’ outstanding loan amounting to 1 Rs, 10 Rs or few paisa will certainly not benefit any of these farmers. However, it will add up to the figures of beneficiaries from the Yogi government’s flagship mission of waiving off farmer’s loan. The ever-increasing farmers’ plight cannot be tackled just by introducing loan waivers scheme. For a country which suffers from floods and droughts every year, writing off the loan amount is not the ultimate solution. A well-organised plan is required to be implemented by the collective efforts of Central and State government to improve the root cause of the plight.

The inhuman treatment is given to the farmers in the name of loan write-offs

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Puniti Pandey

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