CURRENT AFFAIRS 25 NOVEMBER 2019

CURRENT AFFAIRS

25 NOVEMBER 2019

NATIONAL:

1.The National Cadet Corps (NCC)(gs-2,3)

Context: NCC celebrates its 71st Raising Day
The National Cadet Corps (NCC), the world's largest uniformed youth organization, is celebrating its 71st Raising Day today. The celebrations began yesterday, with Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and DG NCC Lt Gen Rajeev Chopra paying homage to the martyrs, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation, at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.

The NCC Raising Day was also celebrated all over the country with the cadets participating in marches, cultural activities and social development programs.
The multifaceted activities and varied curriculum of NCC provides unique opportunities to the youth for their development

The National Cadet Corps (NCC)

The NCC is the largest uniformed youth organization. Its motto is 'Unity and Discipline'.
The NCC in India was formed the National Cadet Corps Act of 1948. It can be traced back to the ‘University Corps’, which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917, with the objective to make up for the shortage in the Army. In 1920, when the Indian Territorial Act was passed, the ‘University Corps’ was replaced by the University Training Corps (UTC). The aim was to raise the status of the UTC and make it more attractive to the youth. The UTC Officers and cadets dressed like the army. It was a significant step towards the Indianisation of armed forces. It was rechristened as UOTC so the National Cadet Corps can be considered as a successor of the University Officers Training Corps (UOTC) which was established by the British Government in 1942. During World War II, the UOTC never came up to the expectations set by the British. This led to the idea that some better schemes should be formed, which could train more young men in a better way, even during peace. A committee headed by H N KUNZRU recommended a cadet organization to be established in schools and colleges at a national level. The National Cadet Corps Act was accepted by the Governor General and on 15 July 1948 the National Cadet Corps came into existence.
In 1948, the Girls Division was raised in order to give equal opportunities to school and college going girls. The NCC was given an inter-service image in 1950 when the Air Wing was added, followed by the Naval Wing in 1952. In the same year, the NCC curriculum was extended to include community development/social service activities as a part of the NCC syllabus at the behest of Late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who took keen interest in the growth of the NCC. Following the 1962 Sino-Indian War, to meet the requirement of the Nation, the NCC training was made compulsory in 1963. In 1968, the Corps was again made voluntary.
During Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 & Bangladesh-Pakistani war of 1971, NCC cadets were second line of defence. They organized camp to assist ordnance factories, supplying arms and ammunition to the front and also were used as patrol parties to capture enemy paratroopers. The NCC cadets also worked hand in hand with the Civil defence authorities and actively took part in rescue works and traffic control.
After the 1965 and 1971 wars, the NCC syllabus was revised. Rather than just being a second line of defence, the revised NCC syllabus laid greater stress on developing qualities of leadership and officer like qualities. The military training which the NCC cadets received was reduced and greater importance was given to social service and youth management.

2.Governors' conference(gs-2)

Context:Governors' conference concludes with focuses on tribal welfare, education, ease of living
The two-day conference of Governors laid emphasis on tribal welfare and issues related to water, agriculture, higher education and ease of living. The conference held at Rashtrapati Bhawan took keen interest in tribal welfare issue pointing out that policies for tribal uplift have to be tailored in accordance with the local requirements. The Conference, which concluded this evening, deliberated and identified actionable points in which Governors can play a facilitating role based on reports submitted by five groups of Governors
The President also made suggestions to governors to make their respective Raj Bhavans more interactive and accessible to ordinary people and representatives of different organs of the state.
Mr Kovind said, 26th of November this year is the 70th anniversary of the Constitution and on that day a campaign will be launched to create awareness about fundamental duties among the citizens.
He expressed hope that all Raj Bhavans will celebrate Constitution Day in an effective manner and Governors will play a major role in creating awareness about fundamental duties among the people

GOVERNOR:

The Governor’s appointment, his powers and everything related to the office of Governor have been discussed under Article 153 to Article 162 of the Indian Constitution.
The role of the Governor is quite similar to that of the President of India. The Governor performs the same duties as of President, but for the State. Governor stands as executive head of a State and the working remains the same as of the office of President of India. Under the Constitution of India, the governing machinery is the same as that of the Central Government.
It is stated that the Governor has a dual role.
He is the constitutional head of the state, bound by the advice of his council of ministers.
He functions as a vital link between the Union Government and the State Government.

Constitutional Provisions related to Governor

The appointment and powers of government can be derived from Part VI of the Indian constitution. Article 153 says that there shall be a Governor for each State. One person can be appointed as Governor for two or more States.
The governor acts in 'Dual Capacity' as the Constitutional head of the state and as the representative.
He is the part of federal system of Indian polity and acts as a bridge between union and state governments.
Article 157 and Article 158 of the Constitution of India specify eligibility requirements for the post of governor. They are as follows:
A governor must:
Be a citizen of India. Be at least 35 years of age. Not be a member of the either house of the parliament or house of the state legislature. Not hold any office of profit.
The term of governor's office is normally 5 years but it can be terminated earlier by:
Dismissal by the president on the advice of the council of minister headed by the prime minister of the country. Dismissal of governors without a valid reason is not permitted. However, it is the duty of the President to dismiss a governor whose acts are upheld by courts as unconstitutional and malafide. Resignation by the governor.

Historical Background

The Governors under the Government of India Act 1935 were “by the Raj, of the Raj and for the Raj”. The constituent assembly wanted elected governors as proposed by a sub-committee of B.G. Kher, K.N. Katju and P. Subbarayan.
The apprehension of the clash between powers of Governor and Chief minister led to the system of appointed Governor in the state.
The draft constitution of 1948 was ambivalent – the drafting committee leaving it to the constituent assembly to decide whether governors should be elected or nominated.

Issues

There are numerous examples of the Governor’s position being abused, usually at the behest of the ruling party at the Centre. The process of appointment has generally been the cause behind it.
In several cases, politicians and former bureaucrats identifying with a particular political ideology have been appointed as the Governors by the Governments. This goes against the constitutionally mandated neutral seat and has resulted in bias, as appears to have happened in Karnataka and Goa.
Recently, the Governor of Rajasthan has been charged with the violation of the model code of conduct. His support of the ruling party is against the spirit of nonpartisanship that is expected from the person sitting on constitutional posts.
Due to such incidents, negative terms like an agent of the Centre, Puppet and rubber stamps are used to describe a governor of the state.
Governor’s discretionary powers to invite the leader of the largest party/alliance, post-election, to form the government has often been misused to favour a particular political party.
The Governors Committee (1971) laid down the responsibility on the governor to see that the administration of the State does not breakdown due to political instability and he must send a regular report about the political situation of the State.
However, the imposition of President’s rule (Article 356) in case of breakdown of constitutional machinery in a State has been frequently misused by the central government.
Governor’s work is bound by the aid and advice of his council of ministers, this has brought down the significance of the office to a mere rubber stamp.
This is reflected in TB. Pattabhi Sitaramayya (a former Governor of Madhya Pradesh) observation that he had no public function to perform except making the fortnightly report to the President.
The arbitrary removal of the Governor before the expiration of his tenure has also been an important issue in the recent past.
The Governor cannot be removed on the ground that he is out of sync with the policies and ideologies of the Union government or the party in power at the Centre. Nor can he be removed on the ground that the Union government has lost confidence in him.

Recommendations

S.R. Bommai Judgment

In S.R. Bommai case (1994), following the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations, the Supreme Court underlined that the breakdown of constitutional machinery implied a virtual impossibility, and not a mere difficulty, in carrying out governance in a State.
SC said that while the subjective satisfaction of the President regarding such a breakdown was beyond judicial scrutiny, the material on which such satisfaction was based could certainly be analysed by the judiciary, including the Governor’s report.
The Court reinstated the governments in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand which were suspended after the arbitrary imposition of the President’s Rule.
The Supreme Court classified the instances of failure of constitutional machinery into four heads:
Political crises.
Internal subversion.
Physical breakdown.
Non-compliance with constitutional directions of the Union Executive.

Other Cases and Recommendation

The Supreme Court in the Nabam Rebia judgment (2016) ruled that the exercise of Governor’s discretion Article 163 is limited and his choice of action should not be arbitrary or fanciful. It must be a choice dictated by reason, actuated by good faith and tempered by caution.
The Administrative Reforms Commission (1968) recommended that the report of the governor regarding the president's rule has to be objective and also the governor should exercise his own judgment in this regard.
The Rajamannar Committee (1971) recommended the deletion of Articles 356 and 357 from the constitution of India. The necessary provisions for safeguards against arbitrary action of the ruling party at the Centre under Article 356 should be incorporated in the constitution.
The Rajamannar Committee emphasised that the governor of the state should not consider himself as an agent of the centre but play his role as the constitutional head of the State.
The Sarkaria Commission (1988) recommended that Article 356 should be used in very rare cases when it becomes unavoidable to restore the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State.
The commission recommended that before taking action under Article 356, a warning should be issued to the state government that it is not functioning according to the constitution.
"Justice V.Chelliah Commission" (2002) recommended that Article 356 must be used sparingly and only as a remedy of the last resort after exhausting all actions under Articles 256, 257 and 355.
The "Punchhi commission" recommended that these Articles 355 & 356 be amended. It sought to protect the interests of the States by trying to curb their misuse by the Centre.

Constitutional provisions

Article 163: It talks about the discretionary power of governor.
Article 256: The executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose.
Article 257: The executive power of the Union shall also extend to the giving of directions to a State as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared in the direction to be of national or military importance:
Article 355: It entrusts the duty upon Union to protect the states against “external aggression” and “internal disturbance” to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of Constitution.
Article 356: In the event that a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions, the Central government can take direct control of the state machinery. The state's governor issues the proclamation, after obtaining the consent of the President of India.
Article 357: It deals with Exercise of legislative powers under Proclamation issued under Article 356 by the central government

3.Constitution Day(GS-2)

CONTEXT:Constitution has potential to unite diverse elements of large country like India, says PM Modi
In the run-up to Constitution Day on 26th November, we recall the thoughts shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the Parliament at the conclusion of debate on a commitment to the Constitution as a part of 125th birth anniversary celebration of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on 27th November 2015.
The Prime Minister said that the Constitution has the potential to unite the diverse elements of a large country like India.

Constitution Day:

What is Constitution day?

Constitution day which is also known as the Samvidhan Divas is celebrated every year on November 26 to mark the day on which the Constitution of India was adopted. While the adoption of the Constitution took place on November 26, 1949, it came into effect on January 26, 1950.
The draft of the constitution was prepared by the drafting committee under BR Ambedkar’s aegis. According to the government notification, the Constitution Day was also a tribute to Ambedkar.
Earlier, this day was commemorated as National Law Day, after a resolution by the Supreme Court Bar Association, a lawyers’ body, in 1979.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar:

Dr. B R Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956)
Popularly known as Baba Saheb. He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and is called the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’.
He was a jurist and an economist. Born into a caste that was considered untouchable, he faced many injustices and discrimination in society. He was born in Mhow in the Central Provinces (modern-day Madhya Pradesh) to a Marathi family with roots in Ambadawe town of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
He was a brilliant student and had doctoral degrees in economics from the Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
Ambedkar was against the caste-based discriminations in society and advocated the Dalits to organise and demand their rights.
He promoted the education of Dalits and made representations to the government in various capacities in this regard. He was part of the Bombay Presidency Committee that worked with the Simon Commission in 1925.
He established the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to promote education and socio-economic improvements among the Dalits. He started magazines like Mooknayak, Equality Janta and Bahishkrit Bharat.
In 1927, he launched active agitation against untouchability. He organised and agitated for the right of Dalits to enter temples and to draw water from public water resources. He condemned Hindu scriptures that he thought propagated caste discrimination.
He advocated separate electorates for the ‘Depressed Classes’, the term with which Dalits were called at that time. He was in disagreement with Mahatma Gandhi at that time since Gandhi was against any sort of reservation in the electorates. When the British government announced the ‘Communal Award’ in 1932, Gandhi went on a fast in Yerwada Jail. An agreement was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar in the jail whereby it was agreed to give reserved seats to the depressed classes within the general electorate. This was called the Poona Pact.
Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party (later transformed into the Scheduled Castes Federation) in 1936 and contested in 1937 from Bombay to the Central Legislative Assembly. He also contested from Bombay (north-central) after independence in the country’s first general elections. But he lost both times.
He also worked as Minister of Labour in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. After independence, Ambedkar became the first Law Minister in 1947 under the Congress-led government. Later he resigned due to differences with Jawaharlal Nehru on the Hindu Code Bill.
He was appointed to the Rajya Sabha in 1952 and remained a member till his death.
He advocated a free economy with a stable Rupee. He also mooted birth control for economic development. He also emphasised equal rights for women.
A few months before he died, he converted to Buddhism in a public ceremony in Nagpur and with him lakhs of Dalits converted to Buddhism.
He authored several books and essays. Some of them are: The Annihilation of Caste, Pakistan or the Partition of India, The Buddha and his Dhamma, The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India, Administration and Finance of the East India Company, etc.
Ambedkar considered the Right to Constitutional Remedy as the soul of the constitution.
Ambedkar died of ill health in 1956 at Delhi. He was cremated according to Buddhist rites in Dadar and a memorial is constructed there. The place is called Chaitya Bhoomi. His death anniversary is observed as Mahaparinirvan Din. His birth anniversary is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti on 14 April every year.

International:

1.Soviet–Japanese Joint Declaration of 1956(GS-1)

CONTEXT:Russia’s foreign minister says US-Japan security alliance 'a problem' for Russia

Russia's foreign minister Serge Lavrov said that the US-Japan security alliance poses a problem for Russia-Japan relations and complicates peace treaty talks.

Mr Lavrov said today that implementation of the 1956 Soviet-Japanese Declaration, which outlined conditions for a peace treaty, was not possible with the US military presence in Japan. He said, the Japanese government has promised to address Russia's concerns.

Soviet–Japanese Joint Declaration of 1956:

The Soviet Union did not sign the Treaty of Peace with Japan in 1951. On October 19, 1956, Japan and the Soviet Union signed a Joint Declaration providing for the end of the state of war, and for restoration of diplomatic relations between USSR and Japan. The two parties also agreed to continue negotiations for a peace treaty. In addition, the Soviet Union pledged to support Japan for the UN membership and waive all World War II reparations claims. The joint declaration was accompanied by a trade protocol that granted reciprocal most-favored-nation treatment and provided for the development of trade. Japan derived few apparent gains from the normalization of diplomatic relations. The second half of the 1950s saw an increase in cultural exchanges.

2.Nagasaki and Hiroshima(GS-1)

CONTEXT:Pope condemns use of nuclear weapons, growing arms trade
Pope Francis has condemned the use of nuclear weapons and the growing arms trade. In a symbolic visit to the Japanese city, Nagasaki, devastated by the nuclear attack in August 1945, he said nuclear weapons were not the answer to a desire for security, peace and stability.
The Pope today paid tribute to what he called the unspeakable horror suffered by victims of the Nagasaki atomic bomb. He said this place makes people deeply aware of the pain and horror that human beings are capable of inflicting upon one another.
At least 74,000 people died from the atomic bomb unleashed on the city - just three days after the world's first nuclear attack hit Hiroshima and killed at least 140,000.
Later today, Pope Francis will visit Hiroshima and meet survivors of the atomic attack, known in Japanese as hibakusha, at the world-famous Peace Memorial in the city

Nagasaki and Hiroshima:

The United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6th August 1945 during the course of the Second World War leading to the deaths of over a lakh people. A similar bomb was dropped on another Japanese city of Nagasaki three days later leading to a further 80000 deaths. This was the first and only instance of the usage of nuclear weapons in the world

Hiroshima Day Background

The war in Europe had concluded after Germany surrendered on 8th May 1945. But the war in the Pacific continued between the Allies and Japan.
The Allies asked for an unconditional surrender from Japan in the Potsdam Declaration in July 1945. This ultimatum was, however, ignored by Japan who continued waging the war.
The US had been developing nuclear weaponry through the Manhattan Project since the 1940s, especially after receiving information that Nazi Germany was also involved in such research. By August, the project had developed two kinds of atomic bombs.
The US army had created a separate unit in 1944 called the 509th Composite Group in order to operationalize the nuclear weapons usage in the war.
After shortlisting five targets, the ‘Target Committee’ selected Hiroshima and Nagasaki because of their importance and industrial and military facilities.
The orders for the atomic bombs to be used on Japanese cities were issued on July 25th.
On 6th August, a B-29 (US army bomber) dropped the ‘Little Boy’ on Hiroshima. Little Boy was the codename for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima which was a uranium gun-type bomb.
Between 90000 and 146000 people died in Hiroshima. The city was immediately devastated after the bombing.
For months after the bombing, people continued to die because of radiation sickness, burns and other wounds. Malnutrition and illness also compounded matters. Although most of the victims were civilians, some military personnel also were killed.
In Nagasaki, which was bombed on 9th August, about 80000 people were killed. The bomb dropped on this city was nicknamed ‘Fat Man’. It was a plutonium implosion-type bomb.
On 15th August 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allies. The War officially ended on 2nd September when Japan signed the instrument of surrender.
While many in the US defended its use of the atomic bombs arguing that it brought an end to the war which otherwise would have cost more lives, the legality and ethicality of the use of those weapons is still debated.
Japan became a pacifist and non-nuclear country as a result of the horrendous effects of the nuclear weapons.
The effects of the radiation on the cities continued for decades with increased risks of cancer, birth defects and other anomalies in the survivors.
In Japan, the survivors are called ‘Hibakusha’ (Japanese for ‘explosion-affected people’). There is about 650000 Hibakusha recognised by the government.
Every year, August 6th is observed as ‘Hiroshima Day’ in memory of the victims.
The use of atomic bombs by the US also led to the Soviet Union starting its nuclear weapons program. The Soviet Union detonated an atomic bomb in 1949.

STATES:

1.unlawful activities prevention act 2019(GS-2)

CONTEXT:Manipur, J&K record maximum number of cases under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act

More than 35% cases registered under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) were recorded in Manipur, as per the National Crime Records Data (NCRB) provided by the Home Ministry in the Rajya Sabha last week.

The State registered 330 cases in 2017 in which 352 persons were arrested.

With 156 cases, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) recorded 17% of such cases, followed by Assam (133) which reported 14% of all cases registered under it in 2017 in the entire country. Uttar Pradesh (109 cases) recorded 12% and Bihar (52 cases) accounted for 5% of total cases.

unlawful activities prevention act 2019:

This law is aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.

Its main objective is to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.

The Act makes it a crime to support any secessionist movement or to support claims by a foreign power to what India claims as its territory.

The UAPA, framed in 1967, has been already amended twice since: first in 2008 and then in 2012 and now again.

The law is contested for few draconian provisions:

The Act introduces a vague definition of terrorism to encompass a wide range of non-violent political activity, including political protest.

It empowers the government to declare an organisation as ‘terrorist’ and ban it. Mere membership of such a proscribed organisation itself becomes a criminal offence.

It allows detention without a chargesheet for up to 180 days and police custody can be up to 30 days.

It creates a strong presumption against bail and anticipatory bail is out of the question. It creates a presumption of guilt for terrorism offences merely based on the evidence allegedly seized.

It authorises the creation of special courts, with wide discretion to hold in-camera proceedings (closed-door hearings) and use secret witnesses but contains no sunset clause and provisions for mandatory periodic review.

Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2019

The Bill amends the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

Who may commit terrorism: Under the Act, the central government may designate an organisation as a terrorist organisation if it: (i) commits or participates in acts of terrorism, (ii) prepares for terrorism, (iii) promotes terrorism, or (iv) is otherwise involved in terrorism. The Bill additionally empowers the government to designate individuals as terrorists on the same grounds.

Approval for seizure of property by NIA: If the investigation is conducted by an officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the approval of the Director General of NIA would be required for seizure of properties that may be connected with terrorism.

Investigation by NIA: Under the Act, investigation of cases may be conducted by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent or Assistant Commissioner of Police or above. The Bill additionally empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases.

Insertion to schedule of treaties: The Act defines terrorist acts to include acts committed within the scope of any of the treaties listed in a schedule to the Act. The Schedule lists nine treaties, including the Convention for the Suppression of Terrorist Bombings (1997), and the Convention against Taking of Hostages (1979). The Bill adds another treaty to the list. This is the International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism (2005).

Why is it being opposed?

This is a potentially dangerous amendment which will empower officials of Union Ministry to brand any person ‘a terrorist‘, without following due process. The name of such a person will be included in the ‘Fourth Schedule’ proposed to be added in the parent Act. The only statutory remedy available to such a person is to make an application before the Central Government for de-notification, which will be considered by a Review Committee constituted by the Government itself.

The amendment does not provide any legal consequence in case an individual is designated a terrorist. The inclusion of one’s name in the Fourth Schedule as a terrorist per se will not lead to any conviction, imprisonment, fine, disqualifications or any sort of civil penalties. So this is simply a power for the government to brand any one as a terrorist.

An official designation as a terrorist will be akin to ‘civil death’ for a person, with social boycott, expulsion from job, hounding by media, and perhaps attack from self-proclaimed vigilante groups following.

2.Sangai Festival 2019(GS-1,3)

CONTEXT:Sangai Festival 2019 begins in Manipur

In Manipur, week-long Manipur Sangai Festival 2019 started from today. The festival is organized by the State Tourism Department and biggest festival held annually to promote tourism. The formal inaugural function of the festival was held at Hapta Kangjeibung at Imphal this evening.

Sangai Festival 2019:

Every year the State of Manipur celebrates the “Manipur Sangai Festival” from 21st to 30th November. The ‘Festival’ is named after the State animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur. It started in the year 2010 and has grown over the years into a big platform for Manipur to showcase its rich tradition and culture to the world. The festival is labeled as the grandest festival of the State today and helps promote Manipur as a world class tourism destination. Every edition of the festival showcases the tourism potential of the state in the field of Arts & Culture, Handloom, Handicrafts, Indigenous Sports, Cuisine, Music and Adventure sports of the state etC

3.NSO(national statistics office )

CONTEXT:Open defecation-free India: National Statistical Office survey debunks Swachh Bharat claims

The latest National Statistical Offi ce (NSO) survey on sani- tation debunked the claims of an open defecation free or ODF+ India made by the Centre’s fl agship Swachh Bharat scheme, although it did record great progress in toilet access and use in rural areas. The results, released on Saturday, showed that about 71% of rural households had access to toilets at a time when the Centre was claim- ing 95% had access.

On October 2, 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the whole country was ODF with complete access to toilets. The survey was carried out between July and December 2018, with a refe- rence date of October 1. Large States which had been declared ODF — that is, 100% access to toilets and 100% us- age — even before the survey began included Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Others which were declared ODF during the survey included Jhark- hand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. According to the NSO, al- most 42% of the rural house- holds in Jharkhand had no access to a toilet at that time. In Tamil Nadu, the gap was 37%, followed by 34% in Rajasthan. In Gujarat, which was one of the earliest States declared ODF, back in Octob- er 2017, almost a quarter of all rural households had no toilet access, the NSO data showed. The other major States listed also had signifi cant gaps: Karnataka (30%), Madhya Pradesh (29%), And- hra Pradesh (22%) and Maha- rashtra (22%).

NSO(national statistics office) :

The new NSO as an agency was envisaged firstly by Rangarajan Commission to implement and maintain statistical standards and coordinate statistical activities of Central and State agencies as laid down by the National Statistical Commission (NSC).

This commission had also recommended setting up of the NSC, headed by a person with a Minister of State-level designation, to serve as a nodal and empowered body for all core statistical activities of the country.

According to recent order, NSO will be formed with the merger of NSSO and CSO under MoSPI.

This recent restructuring seems to be a reaction to the resignations tendered by the member and acting Chairman of the NSC earlier this year

Composition:

As per the recent order, there will be three Director Generals —DG (Statistics), DG (Coordination, Administration and Policy) and DG (National Sample Survey) — reporting to the Secretary (S&PI) as against DG (Economic Statistics), DG (Social Statistics) and DG (Surveys) earlier.

The Field Operations Division (FOD) of the present NSSO will be a subordinate office of the MoSPI and all the other divisions of present CSO, NSSO and administrative wing will exist as divisions of MoSPI.

The Ministry has also ordered constitution of a committee to recommend the operational level modifications required to give effect to this restructuring.

The order states that the proposed NSO would be headed by Secretary (Statistics and Programme Implementation), but skips any mention of NSC, which has been the overseeing body for all the statistical work done in the country.

2005 Resolution:

It notified initiation of the setting up of the NSC along with proposing the single entity, NSO, as “the executive wing of the government for statistics” which would “act according to the policies and priorities as laid down by the NSC.”

The resolution had proposed NSO with two wings, CSO and NSSO, while recent order states that the “statistics wing, comprising the NSO, with constituents as CSO and NSSO, to be an integral part of the main Ministry, with CSO and NSO to be merged into NSO”.

Aim of this step:

This order aims to streamline and strengthen the present nodal functions of the ministry and “to bring in more synergy by integrating its administrative functions within the ministry.”

This will help in meeting the requirement of the statistical system as a lack of control on these two bodies was one challenge presently.

It will align India’s statistical system with other countries.

A Data Quality Assurance Division has also been set up, replacing the Data Processing Division, which will have the responsibility to bring about improvements in survey and administrative databases. This division will be strengthened through “re-skilling and deployment of existing personnel”.