GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

As a recent update in India’s lack of efforts towards Women workforce, the G20 Declaration says it encourages ‘women-led development’ but data show that women are not being paid enough for their work.

G20 Summit Declaration and Women's Empowerment

• Working Group's Track Record: Previous working groups lacked implementation; only 12% of SDGs on track globally.
• Vague Commitments: The Declaration encourages "women-led development" without defining its parameters or distinguishing it from existing models.
• Macro Development Model: G20 reaffirms commitment to a macroeconomic model, raising questions about the integration of women-led development.

Discrepancies in Women-Led Development Schemes

• Misleading Schemes: Government's 'Women-led Development' schemes hide decreased investments in women's projects.
• Gender Budget Concerns: The Gender Budget, meant to prioritize women's development, faces reductions and inadequate allocations.
• Budgetary Allocation Trends: In 2023-24, 'women-led development' rhetoric coincided with a decrease in wholly women-specific scheme expenditure.

Women's Economic Independence and Policy Impact

• Decline in Women's Workforce: Periodic Labour Force Survey shows a drop in women's regular waged work from 21.9% to 15.9%.
• Unorganised Sector Exploitation: Over 95% of women in unorganised sectors face job insecurity and exploitation.
• Policy Impact on Vulnerable Groups: Economic policies favoring the rich adversely affect women, especially Dalits and Adivasis, reinforcing corporate-led development.

Context:

As an alternate view for the court’s gyanvapi case judgment, there is a thought that Courts should not stray from the constitutional vision of secularism.

Allahabad High Court's Controversial Ruling

• Legal Challenge Validated: Allahabad High Court permits suits from 1991 to declare part of Gyanvapi Mosque property of Lord Vishweshwar.
• Controversial Interpretation: Court claims the Places of Worship Act is not applicable until the "religious character" is determined.
• Potential for Communal Tension: The ruling may expedite the conversion of a mosque into a temple, fueling societal tension.

Discrepancies in Judicial Treatment

• Divergent Treatment: Contrasts treatment of 2022 suits by women worshippers, focused on worship rights, with 1991 suits seeking mosque conversion.
• Inconsistent Interpretation: Despite explicit mosque-related relief sought in 1991 suits, the court deems them maintainable, raising concerns.
• Survey Controversy: ASI survey ordered for 2022 suits to decide 1991 suits, fostering ambiguity and potential for further disputes.

Constitutional Vision

• Judiciary's Constitutional Role: The judiciary must prioritize secularism and resist legitimizing attempts to change worship places' status.
• National Importance Claim: The High Court's claim of "vital national importance" raises eyebrows; judiciary should focus on impartial adjudication.
• Enforcement of Legal Bar: Upholding the statutory Places of Worship Act is crucial to prevent altering the status of religious sites.

Context:

PLI is good for high-end manufacturing, but industrial policy is best bet for mass job creation.

Make in India vs. Historical Policies

• Divergence from Past Policies: Make in India contrasts with 1970s self-sufficiency dogma, avoiding protectionist measures.
• Concerns of Protectionism: Fears arise over tariff hikes in some sectors, reminiscent of 1970s protectionist tendencies.
• Need for Caution: Protectionist history caused shortages and rent-seeking; calls for careful implementation of Make in India.

Examination of Make in India's Objectives

• Core of Make in India: Launched in 2014 to boost manufacturing, transform India into a global export hub.
• Derivatives of Make in India: Made in India and Make for India exist, but MII remains fundamental.
• Critical Questions: Scrutiny needed on how MII is sold to the public and if it fulfills promised objectives.

Evaluating Industrial Policy and Job Creation

• Industrial Policy Impact: New Industrial Policy 2023 put on hold; PLI aims to attract investments and ensure efficiency.
• Need for Articulation: Industrial policy required for job creation, particularly in a labor-abundant country.
• Importance of Data: Lack of frequent and detailed PLI data hinders scrutiny; need for policies promoting labor-intensive manufacturing.