Time for a Census, come what may

Why has there been such a long wait for the 2021 Census? A tenable hypothesis is that the Census is being delayed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in order to accelerate the “delimitation” process ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in 2029.

The 84th Amendment of the Constitution

• Census-Based Delimitation: The 84th Amendment mandates that the following delimitation process be based on the results of the first census that is carried out following 2026.
• Timing of Delimitation: Delimitation would not take place until after the following census in the 2030s if it takes place before 2026.
• Effect on State Representation: The goal of delimitation is to maintain comparable population numbers throughout constituencies and to rebalance the shares of various states in Lok Sabha seats according to their population shares.
• Change in Seat Balance: It is anticipated that the upcoming delimitation will favor northern states, whose populations have grown more quickly since 1973, possibly at the expense of southern states.

About the 106th Amendment

• Women’s Reservation: This amendment, which was passed in September 2023, allocates one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to women.
• Implementation: The reservation will take effect “after the relevant figures for the first census taken after [2023] have been published and after an exercise of delimitation is undertaken for this purpose.”
• Women’s Reservation might Be Implemented Through Its Own Delimitation Process: The word “for this purpose” implies that women’s reservation might be implemented through a delimitation process distinct from the more general delimitation required by the 84th Amendment.
• Change in Seat Balance: It is anticipated that the upcoming delimitation will favor northern states, whose populations have grown more quickly since 1973, possibly at the expense of southern states.

About the 106th Amendment

• Women’s Reservation: This amendment, which was passed in September 2023, allocates one-third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies to women.
• Implementation: The reservation will take effect “after the relevant figures for the first census taken after [2023] have been published and after an exercise of delimitation is undertaken for this purpose.”
• Women’s Reservation might Be Implemented Through Its Own Delimitation Process: The word “for this purpose” implies that women’s reservation might be implemented through a delimitation process distinct from the more general delimitation required by the 84th Amendment.
• Interpretation: This permits the prospect of starting the women’s reservation without waiting for the more extensive delimitation exercise, based on an early census.

Overall Implications

Impact on the Southern States:

• Seat Redistribution: More Lok Sabha seats are anticipated to be moved to northern states with faster population growth as a result of delimitation, perhaps lowering the representation of southern states.
• Political Backlash: Losing representation may cause Southern states to respond badly, which might exacerbate regional tensions and fuel hostility to the BJP there.

Women’s Reservation:

• Implementation Delay: The 106th amendment, which requires a one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, would take longer to take effect if the census is postponed.

Separate Delimitation:

• Women’s reserve could be implemented through a different delimitation process, distinct from the more comprehensive delimitation required under the 84th Amendment.

Welfare and Rights:

• Revised Data Requirements: Implementing social programs and making sure that resources are distributed in accordance with the most recent population estimates depend heavily on census data.
• Effect on Recipients: Millions of individuals lose out on updated benefits, such food rations under the National Food Security Act, if the census is delayed, which impacts their ability to get basic services.

Empowering women is the key to controlling the population growth.” Discuss. (2019)

Why caste should inform debates on inequality in the country

The widening gap between the rich and the poor has been the subject of recent discussion, according to a working paper published by the World Inequality Lab.

Disparities in consumption patterns among different socioeconomic groups reflect differences in income, access to resources, or purchasing power:

• Share of Consumption versus Population: Scheduled Tribes (ST): They account for 9% of the population, although only 7% of it is consumed. Scheduled Castes (SC): 20% of the population, but only 16% of consumption. Other Backward Classes (OBC): Make up 43% of the population and 41% of the consumption share, which is more in line with their population percentage.General Category: Consists of 28% of the population but commands a 36% consumption share, which is much higher.
• Diminished Consumption Inequality: Between 2017 and 2018, the overall Gini coefficient was 0.359; by 2022–2023 it was 0.309, not as high. Reduced Gini coefficients were also observed for the ST, SC, OBC, and General categories, suggesting a marginal improvement in the fair distribution of consumption in these populations.
• Economic Disparities Among Social Groups: Although only somewhat, consumption levels for ST, SC, and OBC groups decreased in the bottom 20% decile. The poorest segment’s consumption levels decreased more sharply in the General category, indicating a relative reduction in consumption among this group.
• Concentration of Wealth in Higher Deciles: All social groupings in the top 20% decile have seen increases in consumption.
• Between 2017–18 and 2022–2023 there was a notable 10 percentage point increase in consumption for the General category, suggesting that wealth may be concentrated among upper caste elites and that economic inequities may remain.

Efforts to Augment Income Generation Abilities:

Specific Policies:

• Reservation: Programs for affirmative action to increase chances for OBCs, SCs, and STs.
• Policies targeted at improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure in rural areas are known as rural development initiatives.
• Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): This method of transferring financial aid to recipients ensures they get the advantages intended without the need for intermediaries.
• Pay Attention to Lower Deciles: The necessity of promoting social peace and economic stability through equitable income distribution is emphasized, with a focus on enhancing income generation and consumption capacity, particularly within the lower deciles of SC, ST, and OBC communities.
• Monitoring and Intervention: A constant watch on economic inequality and consumer patterns. To guarantee continued advancement toward economic fairness, they are putting into practice focused interventions that address the unique socioeconomic difficulties that various groups encounter.

Way forward:

• Enhance and strictly execute affirmative action policies, such as providing reservations for SC, ST, and OBC individuals in employment and education, in order to strengthen and broaden affirmative action programs. To support these communities’ social and economic empowerment, more access to high-quality education, career training, and skill development initiatives should be provided.
• Encourage Inclusive Economic Development Initiatives: Put into action all-encompassing rural development programs with an emphasis on enhancing the facilities, medical care, and educational opportunities in underprivileged communities.

What are the main factors responsible for gender inequality in India? Discuss the contribution of Savitribai Phule in this regard.(2020)

Who is the Pro-Tem Speaker of Lok Sabha and how is an MP chosen for the role?

• The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will soon begin. During this session, a new Speaker of the House will be chosen.
• A pro-tem Speaker will be chosen to administer the oath to the newly elected Members of Parliament until the election of a new Speaker.

Who is a Pro-tem Speaker?

• The Lok Sabha’s Speaker is in charge of the House’s daily operations.
• The outgoing Speaker of India remains in office until the first Lok Sabha meeting, as per Article 94 of the Indian Constitution.
• In order to oversee specific responsibilities until the next Speaker is chosen, a pro-tem Speaker is temporarily appointed.
• The post is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
• Nonetheless, the Speaker pro-tem’s nomination and responsibilities are outlined in the “Handbook on the Working of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.”

Uses:

• Article 99 of the Constitution mandates that the pro-tem Speaker appoints new Members of Parliament and that this is his or her principal responsibility.

Appointment of the Pro-tem Speaker

• In the event that the Speaker’s position becomes vacant prior to the next Lok Sabha meeting, the Speaker pro-tem is chosen by the President from among House Members.
• At Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Speaker pro-tem is sworn in by the President.
• To help with the oath-taking procedure, the President typically appoints three additional elected members of the Lok Sabha.
• Though there may be exceptions, the SENIORMOST members with the most years of service are often selected for this position.

Process of Administering Oaths

• Following the creation of the new administration, the administration of India’s Legislative I Section compiles a list of the most senior members of the Lok Sabha.
• The Speaker pro tem and the other three members are chosen for oath-taking from this list by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs or the Prime Minister.
• The Minister of Parliamentary Affairs gets the selected members’ assent after the Prime Minister gives his or her approval, typically over the phone.
• After that, the Minister sends a note to the President asking for permission to make the appointments as well as the time and date of the swearing-in ceremony.

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : (2024)

While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is under consideration

1. He/She shall not preside.
2. He/She shall not have the right to speak.
3. He/She shall not be entitled to vote on the resolution in the first instance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3