Camel in the tent

The proposal is to attach medical colleges to existing district hospitals in the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Viability gap funding is provided for projects that the government does not find commercially viable because of long gestation periods, and relatively minor revenue flows and involves PPP. States that fully allow the facilities of the hospital to the medical college and…

Towards cooperative federalism

Background: The states of West Bengal and Kerala, have stopped all work on the National Population Register (NPR). The Punjab Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution seeking amendments to the NPR form to ensure that it does not seek data that may be used for verification of citizenship. Chief Ministers of at least 11 States…

Explained: How Section 144 CrPC works

Why in news? Recently various state governments sought to tamp down on the demonstrations by issuing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code Of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973.  What is Section 144? Section 144 CrPC, a law retained from the colonial era, empowers a district magistrate, a sub-divisional magistrate or any other executive magistrate specially empowered by the…

Relevancy of death penalty

Why in news? Supreme Court dismissed of review petitions by all four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. Why is capital punishment not the solution? It is clear that death penalty as a measure to end sexual violence has completely failed. In 1965, only 23 nations had abolished the death penalty. But, subsequently,…

A duty to publish: On RTI

The Right to Information Act’s role in fostering a transparency has never been in doubt ever since its role out in 2005. Section 4 of the Act calls for pro­active and voluntary dissemination of information but only a few Central and State institutions have published relevant information; here, Rajasthan has taken a lead through its…

GUJARAT MODEL TO CHECK METERNAL MORTALITY RATE

Why in news? Recent advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry to States to adopt the Gujarat model of “non­interventional approach during the final stages of labour” as the best obstetric practice to deal with the high incidence of maternal mortality rate. What is it? Obstetricians say the advisory runs contrary to WHO recommendations and…

Destruction of public property: What the law says

Why need to read? Despite a law against the destruction of property, incidents of rioting, vandalism, and arson have been common during protests across the country. Important for: GS Paper 3 (Internal Security), Public Administration Paper 2 (Law and Order) What the law says The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 punishes anyone…

The widening fissure in India’s rule of law

What is all about? Many times it has been observed that police used to arrest people on charges of sedition. Some times even fake encounters take place. Even after seven decades of Independence, the relationship between the individual and the state is marked by a deep and pervasive imbalance of power. Indian state retains a…

Why BRICS matters for INDIA?

In the run-up to 11th BRICS summit that is scheduled to be held at Brasilia (Brazil) on 13-14 Nov, Indian Prime Minister has articulated a vision of strengthening and reforming the multilateral system itself. Origin In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The…

Chief Justice of India under the Ambit of the RTI Act

Recently, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court of India (SC) ruled that the office of the Chief Justice of India (CJI) would come under the ambit of the Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act), as CJI is a public authority under the RTI Act. The declaration of assets by ministers and legislators provide the citizenry with more…