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Q.1) Anaemia among women and children in India is an important public health problem which is widely ignored. Comment. (15 Marks - 250 Words)
Why this question? - According to the recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS V) 2019-20, Indian women and children are overwhelmingly anaemic.
Intro - What is anaemia and women and children are worst affected.
Body -
- NFHS V data on this
- Reasons for high prevalence among women and children
- Steps taken by GoI
- Concerns
Way ahead - What more needs to be done
Conclusion - Summarize based on above discussion
Q.2) Discuss the significance of Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project for Indian railways and the country as a whole. (15 Marks - 250 Words)
Why this question? - Recently, Prime Minister of India inaugurated a 351-km section between Khurja and Bhaupur in Uttar Pradesh for commercial operations of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC).
Intro - A brief about DFC project
Body -
- Salient features
- Importance
- Challenges
Way ahead - How to overcome these challenges
Conclusion - Summarize based on above discussion.
Q.3) The public scrutiny of parties and political candidates is an essential and inalienable part of a free and fair democratic process. Discuss the controversy around electoral bonds. (150 words)
Why this question?
The Central Information Commission (CIC), the lead body for implementing the Right to Information Act 2005 has ruled that disclosing details about donors and donees relating to electoral bonds under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, will not serve any larger public interest and will violate provisions of the Act itself.
Introduction: Highlight the issue of black money in Indian elections. Also mention the amount of money garnered by electoral bonds so far.
Body:
- About electoral bonds:
- Concerns:
- Arbitrariness and non-transparency: The scheme conceals the identity of the donors and donees as well as the amount of donation.
- Black money:It will result in opaqueness, heighten the odds of conflict of interest and also drastically increase black money and corruption.
- It will also lead to the creation of shell companies and rise of benami transactions to channelize the undocumented money into the political and electoral process in India.
- Against right to freedom of speech: In People’s Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India (2003), the Supreme Court held that the freedom of speech and expression also contained the fundamental right of a voter to secure information about the candidates who are contesting the election.
Conclusion: Summarize the discussion
Q.4) Complete information in the public domain does not mean good governance. It is also about the mindset and approach towards transparency. Discuss various issues arising out of the exemptions provided under the RTI, Act. (150 words)
Why this question?
The Central Information Commission (CIC), the lead body for implementing the Right to Information Act 2005 has ruled that disclosing details about donors and donees relating to electoral bonds under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, will not serve any larger public interest and will violate provisions of the Act itself.
Introduction: Define good governance and the significance of disclosure of information.
Body:
- Exemptions under RTI Act, Section 8(1)(j) of RTI, Act
Issues:
- Disclosing details about donors and donees relating to electoral bonds
- Disclosure of assets and liabilities to the judges, PUCL (2003) and Lok Prahari v. Union of India (2018)
- Section 44 of the Lokpal Act, 2013
- Supreme court judgments on RTI and privacy
Conclusion: Summarize the above discussion
