Topic: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures.
6) Government has revived National Population Register project at a time when National Register of Citizens has been published in Assam. How are the two different? What kind of data will be collected, and why? Elucidate.(250 words)
Why this question:
Amidst the recent backdrop of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam excluding 19 lakh among the 3.3 crore who had applied, the resurrection of the National Population Register (NPR) project has added to the uncertainty around the idea of citizenship in the country.
Key demand of the question:
One has to explain what is NPR, in what way it is similar to the NRC that was recently updated by state of Assam and the purpose of such a registration and its consequences.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define What the NPR is.
Body:
Discuss the concept of NPR in detail, differentiate it from NRC – The NPR is a list of “usual residents of the country”. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a “usual resident of the country” is one who has been residing in a local area for at least the last six months, or intends to stay in a particular location for the next six months. Unlike the NRC, the NPR is not a citizenship enumeration drive, as it would record even a foreigner staying in a locality for more than six months.
Discuss what and why is the controversy. Throw light upon the one nation, one card initiative.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a fair and balanced opinion by weighing pros and cons of such a move.
