SECURE SYNOPSIS: 19 APRIL 2019
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.
Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Why this question:
The article discusses the necessity and need of creating green urban spaces to achieve sustainable development of resources in Urban areas.
Demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate in detail the concept of Green spaces applied to urban areas, what are the benefits and challenges in implementing them and their relevance in Indian context.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Start by explaining the concept of Green spaces.
Body
- Merits of Green spaces – Green spaces such as parks and sports fields as well as woods and natural meadows, wetlands or other ecosystems, represent a fundamental component of any urban ecosystem. Green urban areas facilitate physical activity and relaxation, and form a refuge from noise. Trees produce oxygen, and help filter out harmful air pollution, including airborne particulate matter. Water spots, from lakes to rivers and fountains, moderate temperatures.
- Urban parks and gardens play a critical role in cooling cities, and also provide safe routes for walking and cycling for transport purposes as well as sites for physical activity, social interaction and for recreation.
- Discuss the challenges in creating urban green spaces
- Why is the necessity?
- Conclude with what should be done?
Conclusion
Conclude with way forward.
Introduction:
Green spaces are important components of the green infrastructure of cities and provide a range of ecosystem services, as well as cultural services such as recreation and restoration. It includes parks and sports fields as well as woods and natural meadows, wetlands or other ecosystems, represent a fundamental component of any urban ecosystem.
Body:
Significance of Green Spaces:
Environmental Benefits:
- Green spaces, from large parks to trees and grass, can reduce local temperatures by 1–6°C during the day, in both the sun and shade, through albedo change, reduced surface heat storage, and increased evapotranspiration.
- Trees, plants, and green spaces can also reduce local air pollution, improve human well-being in dense urban areas and increase property values.
- They assure regulation of the carbon cycle and attenuating climate change.
- They constitute infiltration zones for water (and thus help prevent flooding and soil erosion) and alimentation of groundwater and contribute to a better water quality.
- They are an essential support for biodiversity.
Economic and Aesthetic Benefits:
- Energy savings: using vegetation to reduce the energy costs of cooling buildings has been increasingly recognized as a cost-effective reason for increasing green space and tree planting. Plants improve air circulation and provide shade.
- This provides a cooling effect and help to lower air temperature.
- Property value: areas of the city with enough greenery are aesthetically pleasing and attractive to residents, visitors and investors.
- Urban green spaces can be one of the factors that attract significant foreign investments that assist in rapid economic growth.
Social and Psychological Benefits:
- Recreation and wellbeing: Green urban areas facilitate physical activity and relaxation, and form a refuge from noise. Trees produce oxygen, and help filter out harmful air pollution, including airborne particulate matter. Water spots, from lakes to rivers and fountains, moderate temperatures.
- Urban parks and gardens provide safe routes for walking and cycling for transport purposes as well as sites for physical activity, social interaction and for recreation.
- Recent estimates show that physical inactivity, linked to poor walkability and lack of access to recreational areas, accounts for 3.3% of global deaths.
- Green spaces also are important to mental health. Having access to green spaces can reduce health inequalities, improve well-being, and aid in treatment of mental illness.
- Some analysis suggests that physical activity in a natural environment can help remedy mild depression and reduce physiological stress indicators.
Challenges in creating urban green spaces:
- Increased migration has led to rampant urbanization and extreme pressures on the land leading to destruction of the forests, woods area around the cities.
- Cost of land has increased manifold and high rise buildings are coming up, people are getting hardly any area for the greenery.
- Steadily growing traffic and urban heat, especially in the developing countries is not only damaging the environment but also incur social and economic costs.
- Insufficient Operation of Urban Planning Regulations has led to poor urban planning and reduction in the green spaces.
Way forward:
- Urban green spaces, especially public parks and gardens provide resources for relaxation and recreation.
- Green spaces need to be uniformly distributed throughout the city area, and the total area occupied by green spaces in the city should be large enough to accommodate the city population needs.
- Cities are responsible for most of the consumption of the world’s resources and are home to most of the world’s citizens as well.
- Bringing green space to the urban landscape can promote and inspire a better relationship with the environment while supporting important services.
- The promotion and conservation of green space in cities is in the hands of local and regional authorities. Effective urban planning can make green spaces a reality.
- Innovative measures like Vertical gardens, roof-top gardens can be incorporated into green building codes.
- Plantation, greenery and other environment friendly applications should be planned around the buildings by way of dwarf trees, small shrubs, ground covers, hanging baskets, creepers, etc.
- Promoting urban forest areas as seen in Chattisgarh can be emulated across cities.
Topic: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.
Polity by Lakshmikanth
Why this question:
The question is to analyse the harmony Between Legislature and Executive as distinct feature of Indian constitution.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must explain this feature of harmony between the two wings as the greatest merit of parliamentary system of government.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with importance of Indian constitutional scheme.
Body:
The body of the answer should explain that the greatest advantage of the parliamentary system is that it ensures harmonious relationship and cooperation between the legislative and executive organs of the government. The executive is a part of the legislature and both are interdependent at work.
As a result, there is less scope for disputes and conflicts between the two organs.
Justify it with recent instances where the harmony was evident to substantiate your answer better. Also compare and contrast it with constitutional schemes of other countries.
Conclusion:
Conclude by stating importance of such a feature of the constitution.
Introduction:
A constitution is a set of rules through which a country or state operates. The Constitution of India has chosen the British parliamentary System. The parliamentary system is based on the principle of collaboration and coordination between the legislative and executive organs. It is also called the ‘Westminster’ model of government, responsible government and cabinet government. The Constitution establishes the parliamentary system not only at the Centre but also in the states.
Body:
Montesquieu and Blackstone maintained that the three organs of government should be kept separate and distinct and one should have no relation with the other. But strict separation of powers is neither desirable nor practicable. The government is an organic unity and the legislature and the executive must work in co-operation and collaboration.
Relationship between Executive & legislature in Indian Constitutional Scheme:
Executive Functions of the Legislature:
- In a parliamentary system of government the legislature controls the executive through a vote of no-confidence, interpellation (asking of questions) and adjournment motion.
- The life of the executive depends upon the will of the legislature since it continues in office so long as it enjoys the confidence of the majority of members in the legislature. The moment a cabinet loses the confidence of the majority, it is liable to be thrown out of office by a vote of no confidence.
- Certain legislatures perform some direct executive functions e.g., the Senate of the United States shares with the President his power of making appointments and treaties.
Legislative Powers of the Executive:
Just as the legislature performs certain executive functions, similarly, the executive enjoys some legislative powers, which may be discussed as follows:
- The chief executive head in all parliamentary governments has the power to summon and prorogue both the Houses of the legislature. He may also dissolve the Lower House and order for fresh elections.
- The Bills passed by the legislature are submitted to the chief executive head for final approval. A Bill cannot become an Act unless it has been assented to by him. The chief executive, heads enjoy varying degrees of veto in this respect in different countries of the world.
- The chief executive head may issue ordinances during the recess of the legislature though the nature and life of ordinances differ from state to state. The ordinance issuing power, enjoyed by the executive, is a direct legislative authority in its hands.
- The executive head may address the legislature at any time, specially under the cabinet form of government. The sessions of the legislature open with the speech of the chief executive head.
- A parliamentary executive has more or less complete control over the legislative work of the legislature. It initiates and pilots all the important measures in the House. A Bill moved by a private member has very little chance of success if it does not enjoy the support of the ministry. In a presidential form of government, however, the executive has very little direct control over legislation.
- The executive exercises powers of ‘delegated legislation’. The parliament makes laws in general broad terms and delegates the powers to the executive to fill in the details. The power takes the form of rules and regulations issued by the administration under a law of the parliament. This power has become so enormous that Chief Justice Haldane described it as ‘new despotism.’
However, in the recent times, there has been disharmony in the relation between the two arms
- Excessive usage of the Ordinance making power of the President which infringes the powers of Legislature.
- Usage of alternative routes like Money bills to bypass the amendments of the upper house of Parliament.
- Lack of a true opposition spirit and overemphasis on the party and own ideologies over the welfare of the nation have led to washing out of many sessions of the parliament, thereby drastically reducing the time available to meaningfully scrutinise the Executive.
- Large parts of the annual budget are guillotined each year, without adequate discussion.
- The anti-defection law has to an extent reduced the ability of MPs to hold the government to account by forcing themselves to be in line with party ideology.
The Report of the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution under the Chairmanship of Justice M.N. Venkatachalaiah made recommendations on strengthening the role of the Legislature. Some of the recommendations were:
- establish new committees on the Constitution, National Economy and Legislation;
- discuss major reports of committees in Parliament;
- plan legislation in a more systematic manner so that major social and economic Bills are circulated for public discussion;
- Control treaty power of government.
Conclusion:
In democracies, the general principle has come to be accepted that legislature performs one function, that is, to elect the executive and then entrust it with powers. It exercises only a supervision lest the executive betrays the trust. These are thus two wheels of the cart of the state and must move in harmony and cooperation.
Topic: Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries
Polity by Lakshmikant
Why this question:
The question is direct evaluation of electoral process of our country with respect to other countries that also exercise electoral process as a tool of democracy.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must evaluate the current systems of elections and the processes in comparison with processes practiced in other countries. Provide for a Comparative study of Electoral Systems and their Features.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin with significance of Indian electoral system and how it has evolved over time.
Body:
In brief discuss – the aspects of origins of electoral systems, simplicity, geographic accountability of voters, Questions concerning the relationships between electoral systems, proportionality, and the number of political parties in a party system etc. should be discussed in comparison with other popular countries that use elections as a tool of Democracy.
Then have a dimension specifically dedicated to discuss Indian electoral process – how it has evolved? Solutions it came up with EVM machines, VVPAT system etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude with optimism, that Indian electoral system has evolved a long way and there is still scope to improve upon.
Introduction:
India is the world’s largest democracy and Indian elections are a magnanimous democratic exercise. Elections express the will of the people as well as the authority decided to be the driver of the society for a specified period of time. A strong democracy can function only when the elections are free and fair without manipulation.
Body:
The Indian and the US democracies are two of the largest democracies in the world. While the subcontinental system is just about 70 years old, the United States version has been in action for nearly 240 years. These systems basically mean that the citizens of the respective nations have a major say over who comes into power and how they approach their policies. However, one of the most prominent part of these two democracies is that of the election systems they have in place.
Political parties:
United States has two prominent parties that have the most power, both in terms of reach and popularity. These parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, both of which are built on a specific ideology. Although, there are other parties like the Libertarian Party and the Green Party, they are mostly considered to be the outliers and are commonly referred to as independent entities.
In India, the Congress Party takes the mettle for being the most popular party, the Bharatiya Janata Party comes a close second in terms of reach. Apart from these two, India is riddled with countless other regional parties which often differs from one state to the other. For instance, in Tamil Nadu, both BJP and Congress have no reach whatsoever as the state is dominated by regional parties like AIADMK and DMK among others. However, most of these parties don’t adhere to a specific ideology and form policies based on the general population’s response, their needs, and requirements.
Voting system:
Both the nations have a robust voting system in place, however the US system is a lot more flexible and advanced when compared to that of India. For instance, the US offers plenty of methods to cast a vote such as voting at poll booths on poll day, absentee voting through mail, early voting in person. In India, on the other hand, the only way to vote is by furnishing a valid voter ID, choose a candidate on the Electronic Voting Machine, and get inked. Also, scanning and counting of votes are done in more or less the same way in both countries.
Election boards:
India and US both have autonomous election bodies which take up the responsibility for hosting the elections. In the case of the US, it has two federal bodies called the Federal Election Commission and US Election Assistance Commission (EAC). However, these entities don’t have the liberty to exert control as their role is mostly confined to setting up campaign finance regulations. On the other hand, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has a larger power to yield, wherein it deals with setting up elections, counting votes, setting up financial regulations, enlisting the service of police of domestic military forces to keep the voting process as incident-free as possible.
Registration of Eligible voters:
The onus to register as a voter lies on the voter and it is neither compulsory to register nor to vote. The last date for registration varies from one month prior to the poll to the same day (polling day). Online registration is allowed in 31 states plus DC. Any person turning 18 even on polling day is eligible to register. The registration of voters is very low. While in India over 95 per cent of all eligible persons are already registered, in the US it was just above 71 per cent in 2012. The voter identification system varies too — from different photo identity proofs to self-authentication without a photo.
Voter turnouts:
India boasts of a much larger voter turnout when compared to the United States. For instance, here’s how the statistics stand from the latest national elections in both the countries. During the recently concluded elections, US saw a turnout of just 61.8% when compared to 66.8% in India. Also, voter demographic in the US is primarily older people above the age of 65 who vote 25% more than that of the 18-24 age group.
Conclusion:
A fully empowered but fiercely independent and neutral election commission has worked well for India. The biggest reason of the success of Indian system is extreme simplicity. All things considered, Indian elections are regarded as a model for a large part of the world.
Topic : Salient features of the Representation of People’s Act.
Why this question:
The Election Commission (EC) has come under intense scrutiny over the last few weeks for its inability to take swift action against those violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Thus the question tends to evaluate the powers and limitations of Election commission of India.
Key demands of the question:
The answer must discuss how Election commission plays a vital role in organizing elections. The most critical challenge before the Election Commission of India is to implement norms and the Model Code of Conduct to ensure free and fair elections in the country. Its existence and independence are necessitated by history, which has revealed that self-governing elections are not free from disruption.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction
Introduce by highlighting the significance of ECI.
Body
The body of the answer should address the following dimensions:
- Role of Election Commission of India.
- Key Functions and Powers.
- Independence of the Election Commission
- Electoral Reforms
- Use of Scientific and Technological Advancements.
- Discuss the recent cases where ECI went vociferously and also instances where it was rendered toothless.
Conclusion
Conclude with significance and way forward.
Introduction:
The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering election processes in India. The body administers elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state legislatures, and the offices of the President and Vice President in the country. The Election Commission operates under the authority of Constitution per Article 324, and subsequently enacted Representation of the People Act. It was established on January 25, 1950.
The Election Commission (EC) has come under intense scrutiny over the last few weeks for its inability to take swift action against those violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Body:
The powers of ECI include:
- The Election Commission of India is considered the guardian of free and reasonable elections.
- It issues the Model Code of Conduct in every election for political parties and candidates so that the decorum of democracy is maintained.
- It regulates political parties and registers them for being eligible to contest elections.
- It publishes the allowed limits of campaign expenditure per candidate to all the political parties, and also monitors the same.
- The political parties must submit their annual reports to the ECI for getting tax benefit on contributions.
- It guarantees that all the political parties regularly submit their audited financial reports.
- EC can repress the results of opinion polls if it deems such an action fit for the cause of democracy.
- The Commission can recommend for disqualification of members after the elections if it thinks they have violated certain guidelines.
- In case, a candidate is found guilty of dishonest practices during the elections, the Supreme Court and High Courts consult the Commission.
- The Commission can postpone candidates who fail to submit their election expense accounts timely.
ECI currently faces some challenges which are seen as its limitations:
- Model code of conduct:
- The lack of statutory backing of MCC makes it difficult to be implemented in its true letter and spirit.
- MCC has become increasingly more difficult in recent times due to evolution of new mediums of communications and innovative and overzealous campaigning.
- Social media is an evolving platform. It provides an intimate, immediate and democratic space for information dissemination and interaction. The scale and depth of this platform is so vast that it is practically impossible to oversight and regulates it in a liberal democracy like India.
- Lack of Autonomy:
- According to the Supreme Court of India, The Election Commission has to act in conformity with the law (representatives of People’s Act) made by Parliament and it cannot transgress the same.
- The election process of Chief election commission is not interference proof. The expenditure incurred by it is not charged on consolidated fund of India.
- It doesn’t even has a separate dedicated staff for conducting election process and has to be dependent on various government departments for roping in personnel.
- Decreasing credibility:
- Many political parties challenged the tampering with the EVMs which led to victory of a particular party.
- Frequent use of money power and muscle power is being viewed as rude shock to fairness of election pr
- Insufficient Plenary powers:
- The EC can only disqualify a candidate if the money expenditure is no shown in his accounts. Other than that use of illicit money and black money tackling is outside the purview of EC.
- However, it has recommended the govt. to amend RPA and make it an offence. It has also suggested to include new clause 58 (B) to empower itself to cancel poll in case of muscle power use.
- Structural issues:
- The Constitution has not prescribed the qualifications (legal, educational, administrative or judicial) of the members of the Election Commission.
- The Constitution has not debarred the retiring election commissioners from any further appointment by the government.
- The tenure of Election commissioner not fixed hence not safe and independent of government’s intervention.
Way forward:
- ECI has taken stringent measures to overcome many of the challenges like VVPAT, open challenge to hack the EVM, multi- stakeholder involvement of social media companies to regulate the Social media during MCC, cVIGIL to involve people also in MCC activities etc.
- However, there needs to be some positive action from the side of the Government too to incorporate changes.
- Further, full usage of the powers of EC is the need of the hour to ensure MCC is followed in true letter and spirit.
- Technology has been a saviour for ECI over a period of time. Innovative usage of the social media and apps like cVIGIL can be leveraged to make elections free and fair.
Conclusion:
EC has transformed itself into an institution which is trusted by Indian people. Its various recommendations and moves to keep up with the challenges of the times have strengthened the elections process. Its neutrality, efficiency and work ethic are well established now. Robustness of our election results, peaceful transition of power and people’s faith in the EC stand testimony to all its virtues. It certainly is the dark knight of our democracy.
Topic :Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Why this question:
The question is amidst the recent controversies surrounding Jet Airways, the problems faced by Indian aviation industry is alarming and one needs to assess the New aviation policy and the fixes it aims to bring.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must discuss the lacunae plaguing the airlines sector in India and explain the nuances of the new aviation policy.
Directive:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer
Introduction:
Introduce by highlighting the alarming situation of airlines sector in India.
Body:
- The answer is straight forward and must be explained with recent cases such that ranging from Kingfisher airlines of the past to Jet airways of today.
- Quote suitable facts to express the current crisis situation in the Aviation industry in India.
- Discuss specific issues – competition , rise in the price of fuel, Government interventions, High operational costs, High cost of aviation turbine fuel, High service tax and other charges, Shortage of maintenance facilities, High foreign exchange rate, Competition from foreign airlines, Congestion at airports, Lack of qualified pilots and technical manpower etc.
- Discuss relevance of the new aviation policy ; salient features and what solutions it has to offer.
- Role of the government to help manage the crisis facing the industry.
Conclusion –
Conclude with what needs to be done.
Introduction:
The suspension of operations at Jet Airways — at one time India’s largest private airline — announced recently, follows the troubles at Kingfisher, Air Deccan, and Sahara. The aviation sector is rife with hope and distress in a highly competitive market over the last 30 years.
Body:
The issues plaguing Airlines industries in India:
- Increase in fuel prices
- Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is one of the important sections of the industry.
- The Centre charges 14% excise duty on ATF. The states pile on their own sales tax that can go as high as 29%.
- ATF charges, vulnerable to currency movements, comprise a large chunk of Indian airlines’ operating expenses—some 40% compared to 20% for foreign carriers.
- As the price for oil has shot up, it had led to difficulties for airlines as they have not been able to absorb in the short term due to their business model.
- Rupee depreciation:
- The rupee’s depreciation is hitting carriers hard as it did a few years ago.
- About 25-30% of their costs, excluding fuel, are dollar denominated—from aircraft lease rents and maintenance costs to ground handling and parking charges abroad.
- Excessive parking and landing charges:
- High Airport (aeronautical) Charges levied by Airport Authority of India.
- These charges payable at the International airports are higher than those payable at the airports designated as Domestic airports.
- As a result, the domestic airlines in India are incurring additional costs at the international designated airports without deriving any extra facilities.
- Fare wars:
- There is a cut throat competition faced by the top airline due to ticket pricing.
- Established Airlines are threatened by low cost carriers, which are eating up their market share.
- In order to consolidate their market share, top premium airlines were forced to reduce their ticket fares to around 15- 20 per cent.
- Such a slash down in price will lead to a price war in the long run amongst the airlines with the only goal of increasing their market share.
- A growing market for low-cost carriers (SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir) that affected the profitability of a full-service carrier like Jet
- Loads of debt:
- To keep the operations afloat, the carriers take loans.
- But poor operational efficiency, steady losses in the wake of higher fuel costs and a weaker rupee leads to non-payment of debts.
- No airlines company has been able to devise a credible currency policy to protect them against sharp currency movements.
- Lack of Managerial Expertise:
- Indian aviation sector is struggling due to lack of managerial expert and expertise in the sector and lack of a regulator to monitor the industry
Relevance of the new aviation policy:
- The new civil aviation policy (NCAP) 2016’s regional connectivity scheme doesn’t help.
- The regional aviation policy is well-intentioned, but expecting private capital to flow to loss-making projects remains elusive.
- Its goal is laudable and it may well benefit potential flyers in smaller towns.
- The policy is also silent on the future roadmap for the state run Air India and the way forward for that airline.
- There is no word about removing the sales tax on ATF and other taxation measures levied on Indian carriers.
- The regional aviation policy unveiled by the previous government with incentives like 4% sales tax on ATF and no landing/ parking charges could not achieve the expected progress. Experts feel that the policy is too difficult to implement.
- Adding to the woes, the expected rise in helicopter operations, private flying and regional airlines is likely to add to the pressure.
- But the ticket price caps it imposes under the scheme, the fact that the viability gap funding will last only for three years and various operational issues, such as the lack of slots for connecting flights at major airports, mean that carriers are, by and large, left holding the can.
Way forward:
- The government can lower the excise duty on jet fuel further to bring down the operational costs of the airlines.
- NCAP’s liberalization of foreign direct investment in the sector needs to be ironed out to attract investors.
- Bilateral treaties for international routes that Indian carriers are unable to take full advantage need to be looked into at the earliest.
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy code can be used to quickly resolve the issues in case of defaults and bankruptcy by airline companies.
- Aviation sector should have been better prepared to handle such an unforeseen situation, learning from the past situations – as fuel prices and rupee volatility were among the top reasons for one of the biggest aviation disasters of recent times.
- There is a need to set up simulators to develop the skills of unemployed pilots
- A clear long-term policy roadmap which is aligned to the industry’s requirements is yet to emerge. One method could be opening up international routes faster for our airlines that are successful.
- The industry stakeholders should engage and collaborate with policy makers to implement efficient and rational decisions that would boost India’s civil aviation industry.
- With the right policies and relentless focus on quality, cost and passenger interest, India would be well placed to achieve its vision of becoming the third-largest aviation market by 2025
Conclusion:
Above all, the industry experts and the government should be mindful of the fact that India’s aviation industry is largely untapped with huge growth opportunities, considering that air transport is still expensive for majority of the country’s population, of which nearly 40 per cent is the upwardly mobile middle class.
Topic : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Human Resources..
Why this question:
The article captures the menace of lack of stable income in Indian employment scenario. It discusses the relevance of Gig economy and how it has turned into an eyewash bearing to the lack of social security and guarantee of the income to individuals.
Key demand of the question:
The answer must explain the meaning, opportunities and challenges provided by a new trend in the job market – gig economy. How in today’s digital age it is gaining popularity , but however there is much to understand about its relevance in providing Job security and stability.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Introduce with what you understand by a Gig economy.
Body:
- What is ‘Gig Economy’? – A gig economy is a work environment where organizations hire temporary workers or freelancers instead of full-time long-term employees.
- Discuss how the trend is very strong in advanced economies like the US where there is large volume of cases where firms engages in short term contracts with workers.
- Then move on to discuss the demerits of Gig economy in Indian Job scenario – Low job-security, Worker’s welfare compromised, Internet dependent thus requires only skilled labour, Security issues etc.
- Discuss what needs to be done to provide security and sustainable Jobs, what should be the policy focus in the employment sector.
Conclusion:
Conclude with importance of tackling such issues with effective policy measures.
Introduction:
A gig economy is a work environment where organizations hire temporary workers or freelancers instead of full-time long-term employees. The trend is very strong in advanced economies like the US and European countries where firms engage in short term contracts with workers. Globally, growth in freelancers is expected to be one of the most significant employment related trends over the next couple of decades. In India too, the signs of freelancing is becoming increasingly relevant and attracting professionals
Body:
The challenges posed by Gig economy:
- It is making the work environment uncertain for the workers
- No labour welfare emoluments like pension, gratuity etc.
- Gig workers miss out on statutory safeguards with respect to unfair termination, minimum wages, paid leave, etc.
- Workers do not have the bargaining power to negotiate a fair deal with their employers.
- Banks and other financial service providers resist extending lines of credit when steady income is not assured
- In situations where teamwork is essential, gig worker teams formed and disbanded on a case-to-case basis will likely produce tardy, inconsistent and poor output
- Unionization of workers will be difficult.
- In industries such as information technology and pharmaceuticals where confidentiality becomes crucial, having control over the actions of a gig worker will be challenging.
Challenges in India:
- Minimum wages in India are woefully low. Earning an ‘employee’ status may not entitle them to more than what they currently make.
- Outside social security net: Social security laws like the EPF and ESI currently only cover employees earning below Rs 15,000 and Rs 21,000 per month, respectively.
- If drivers earn more, they may not be entitled to these benefits, even after they get employment status, leaving them in a position that isn’t significantly better than before.
- Most Indian employment laws expressly prohibit dual employment, i.e. individuals cannot carry out two jobs if the total working hours exceed 8-9 hours a day based on location.
- Many gig workers work with multiple apps at the same time to supplement their income, which may become harder or illegal to do if they attain employment status with app operators.
- Security: A big drawback for a gig economy system was the lack of security for workers. Those working in the gig economy do not enjoy the same rights and protections as employed workers, such as health benefits, overtime pay and sick leave pay.
Measures needed:
- Basic labour protection like minimum wages, paid leave provisions and maternity benefits should be available to gig workers as well.
- The proposed Code on Wages and the Labour Code on Social Security are steps in the right direction.
- The state should balance the interests of business exigencies and social welfare.
- India can engage with the European Union and the United States, where discussion on protections in a gig economy is already underway.
- The government need to redefine labour laws that must not stifle innovation but certainly prevent exploitation.
Conclusion:
The government needs to step in, not to regulate away flexibility but to build worker and workplace protection into the system. The business, as well as welfare considerations of the workers, should be well balanced.
Topic : Determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions
7) Those who commit delinquency out of ignorance should be treated less starkly. Comment.(250 words)
Ethics by Lexicon publications.
Why this question:
The question is based on the concept of delinquency and its evaluation from an angle of Ethics.
Key demand of the question:
The answer should comment in detail and provide for an analysis as to how a person should be treated for misconduct and what should be the line of action in cases where misconduct is out of sheer ignorance.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Discuss the importance of ethics and moral in conduct of individuals.
Body:
- Elaborate on the term – Delinquency, why is it necessary to evaluate it with prism of ethics.
- Discussion should be upon how misconduct of an individual should be penalized depending on the level of ignorance, should a person be punished harshly if she/he acts in veil of ignorance or they should be punished equally for the delinquent act?
- Use case studies to justify that the answer to it is situational and can not be one shoe fits all approach
Conclusion:
Conclude with significance of knowledge and awareness that ensure and keep a check on misconduct of individuals .
Introduction:
Ethical behavior is based on written and unwritten codes of principles and values held in society. Ethical principles and values serve as a guide to behavior on a personal level, within professions, and at the organizational level.
Body:
The word ‘delinquency’ has been derived from the term ‘de’ (away from) and ‘linquere’ (to leave) the Latin word ‘delinquere’ translated was apparently used in earlier times to refer to the failure of an individual to perform a task or duty. Delinquency would refer to behaviours that society considers as inappropriate if committed by a young person.
Age and behaviour play a determining role to decide who is a delinquent. Individuals who are young are usually ignorant of how the society works and what exactly their role in society as an individual is. With the limited experience of life, they are bound to commit mistakes, their conduct that does not conform to the legal or moral standards of society.
Each society has its own unique laws, rules and expected norms of behaviour. They reflect the prevailing value system, accepted code of behaviour and social expectations. However, when youngsters commit ignorant acts, they should not be punished severely as this could affect their beliefs and values in the society itself. There is a need to use the veil of ignorance as proposed by Kant to think from the perspective of the delinquent and take proportional action.
A case in study here would be of the Juvenile Justice Act in India which is the law to deal with children who commit crimes. The act follows the above logic that young ignorants are not treated in the same way as an adult is treated for a purported crime.
Conclusion:
Education and awareness of societal values and human values will help the delinquents to be a moral person in future. Thus, compassion should guide the treatment of ignorants rather than retribution.
