MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. Discuss the significance of achieving food security in India in light of its socio-economic challenges, and analyze the role of government policies like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in ensuring equitable access to food. What improvements can be made to enhance food security in the country?
GS II – Government Policies and Interventions
Introduction:
- Food security, which ensures that all people have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, is a critical issue for India. Given the country’s large and diverse population, food security plays a vital role in maintaining social stability and promoting economic growth.
Importance of Food Security:
- Food security is essential for the eradication of hunger and poverty.
- It impacts the health and nutrition levels of the population, which in turn affects productivity and economic growth.
- Ensures social equity by preventing food-related disparities across different segments of society.
Role of Government Policies:
Public Distribution System (PDS):
- The PDS provides subsidized food grains to the poor and plays a crucial role in food security.
- It helps stabilize food prices and ensure the availability of essential commodities, particularly during times of economic distress or natural calamities.
National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
- The NFSA legally entitles approximately two-thirds of the population to receive highly subsidized food grains under the PDS.
- It also includes provisions for nutritional support for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children.
Challenges:
- Inefficiencies in the PDS, such as leakage, corruption, and the exclusion of eligible beneficiaries.
- Issues of food wastage and inadequate storage facilities.
- Malnutrition and undernutrition remain prevalent, despite the availability of food.
Recommendations for Improvement:
- Strengthening the PDS by improving transparency, reducing leakages, and using technology for better targeting.
- Expanding nutritional programs, particularly for vulnerable groups, and enhancing food diversity in government schemes.
- Addressing issues of food storage, distribution, and wastage by upgrading infrastructure and logistics.
Conclusion:
- Achieving food security is fundamental to India’s socio-economic development. While government policies like the PDS and NFSA have made significant strides, continuous improvements are necessary to ensure that all citizens have access to adequate and nutritious food, thereby promoting overall well-being and social stability.
Q2. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) is often criticized for its potential misuse against political dissenters and activists. Critically analyze the provisions of the UAPA in light of these concerns, and suggest measures to ensure its balanced implementation while safeguarding national security and protecting individual rights.
GS III – Internal Security related issues
Introduction:
- The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), originally enacted in 1967, is an anti-terrorism law aimed at preventing unlawful activities that threaten the sovereignty and integrity of India. Over time, the Act has been amended to include more stringent provisions, but it has also attracted criticism for its potential to be misused against political dissenters and activists, raising concerns about civil liberties.
Concerns regarding UAPA:
- Vague Definitions and Broad Provisions: The definitions of “unlawful activity” and “terrorist act” under the UAPA are broad and vague, allowing for a wide range of activities to be categorized as unlawful or terrorist, potentially leading to misuse against political dissenters.
- Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions: The UAPA permits detention of individuals for extended periods without charge, leading to concerns about arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions, which may be used to silence dissent.
- Lack of Bail Provision: The stringent bail provisions under UAPA make it extremely difficult for the accused to secure bail, even in cases where the evidence may be weak or circumstantial. This can result in prolonged incarceration without trial.
- Reduced Judicial Oversight: The act reduces the scope for judicial review of the government’s decisions to designate an individual as a terrorist or an organization as unlawful, limiting the checks and balances necessary for preventing misuse.
Suggested Measures:
- Narrowing the Definitions: The definitions of “unlawful activity” and “terrorist act” should be narrowed to prevent the inclusion of legitimate political activities and dissent under these categories.
- Stronger Judicial Oversight: Enhance judicial oversight by ensuring that decisions to designate individuals or organizations under UAPA are subject to timely and independent judicial review to prevent arbitrary actions.
- Reforming Bail Provisions: Reform the bail provisions to ensure that individuals are not unjustly incarcerated for extended periods without trial. Bail should be granted based on the merits of the case and the nature of the evidence.
- Regular Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of cases registered under UAPA to ensure that the law is being used appropriately and not as a tool for political vendetta.
Conclusion:
- While the UAPA is an essential tool for safeguarding national security, it is crucial to balance its implementation with the protection of individual rights. By addressing the concerns regarding its misuse and ensuring stronger checks and balances, the law can be enforced in a manner that upholds both security and justice.
