MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. Food processing plays a crucial role in enhancing the value of agricultural produce and contributing to economic growth. Analyze.
GS III: Food processing-Issues
Introduction:
- Food processing is a pivotal component of the agricultural and economic landscape, playing a crucial role in enhancing the value of raw agricultural produce and contributing significantly to overall economic growth. This sector involves various activities that transform agricultural products into value-added goods, making them suitable for consumption or use in other industries.
- Value Addition to Agricultural Produce: Food processing enhances the value of raw agricultural goods by transforming them into processed and packaged products. Cleaning, sorting, cutting, preserving, and packaging are some of the steps involved in this. These processes extend shelf life, reduce perishability, and broaden market accessibility.
- For example, Peanuts can be used to make a range of products, such as peanut butter, peanut oil, peanut flour, peanut candy, etc. These products have higher value, longer shelf life.
- Economic Growth and Employment Generation: The food processing industry significantly contributes to economic growth by creating employment opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship. The establishment of food processing units, ranging from small-scale enterprises to large industrial complexes, generates jobs across the value chain from farming and transportation to processing, distribution, and retail.
- Agricultural Sustainability and Reduced Wastage: Food processing plays a crucial role in reducing post-harvest losses and wastage. During peak harvest seasons, the industry helps maintain the marketability of surplus produce by preserving and processing perishable crops.
- Diversification of Agricultural Products: The food processing sector encourages the diversification of agricultural products. It enables the creation of a wide array of food items, ranging from snacks and ready-to-eat meals to processed beverages.
Challenges:
- Infrastructure Development: Investments in cold storage facilities, transportation networks, and modern processing units are essential to address infrastructure gaps and enhance the efficiency of the food processing sector.
- Technology Adoption: Encouraging the adoption of modern technologies, including automation and digitization, can improve efficiency, reduce wastage, and enhance the quality of processed foods.
- Skill Development: Focused skill development programs can enhance the capabilities of the workforce in the food processing sector, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Regulatory Reforms: Streamlining regulations, ensuring compliance with international standards, and simplifying licensing processes can create a conducive environment for the growth of the food processing industry.
- The symbiotic relationship between agriculture and food processing is indispensable for sustainable economic development. As a driver for value addition, employment development, and agricultural sustainability, the food processing industry demands strategic attention and supportive policies to unlock its full potential and contribute to the broader goals of economic growth and food security.
Q2. Examine the key provisions and implications of the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, often referred to as the ‘Mini-Constitution.’
GS II: Constitution-related issues
Introduction:
- The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 was enacted during the Emergency period by the government of India. It is often referred to as the ‘Mini-Constitution’ because it made sweeping changes to the Constitution of India, affecting its basic structure, fundamental rights, and federal balance.
Some of the key provisions and implications of the 42nd Amendment Act:
- It amended the Preamble and added the words ‘socialist’, ‘secular’, and ‘integrity’ to describe the nature of the Indian Republic.
- It inserted a new Part IVA in the Constitution, which contained a list of ten Fundamental Duties for the citizens of India, such as respecting the Constitution, the national flag, and the national anthem, promoting harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, safeguarding public property, and protecting the environment.
- It transferred five subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List, namely education, forests, protection of wild animals and birds, administration of justice, and weights and measures. This increased the legislative power of the Centre over the States.
- It expanded the power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and made it immune from judicial review. It also empowered the President to make laws during the proclamation of emergency without the consent of the States.
- It curtailed the power and independence of the Supreme Court and the High Courts by restricting their jurisdiction, increasing the age of retirement of judges, and allowing the transfer of judges without their consent.
- It gave primacy to the Directive Principles of State Policy over the Fundamental Rights and authorized the Parliament to restrict or abrogate any Fundamental Right.
- It changed the relationship between the executive and the legislature by extending the tenure of the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies from five to six years, and by making the President and the Governors bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers.
- The 42nd Amendment Act was widely criticized as an attempt to establish a totalitarian and authoritarian regime in India. It was seen as a threat to the democratic and federal features of the Constitution. Many of its provisions were repealed or modified by the subsequent 43rd and 44th Amendment Acts in 1977 and 1978, respectively.
