The Hindu Editorial Newspaper Analysis Free PDF

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Mandate and allocations

Southern States to discuss contentious
2011 Census, and not the 1971 Census
Central government while providing consent to States when they borrow under Article
293(3);
Asking the Commission to propose measurable performance-based incentives to States
in respect of a number of areas such as
The implementation of flagship schemes,
Progress towards replacement rate of population growth,
A control or lack of it in incurring expenditure on populist measures; and
Finally, promoting ease of doing business
Basic ToRs of the Commission are laid down in Article 280 of the Constitution, guidelines
and directives are given by the Union government under clause:
“any other matter referred to Commission by the President in the interests of sound finance”.
However, the ToR of the 15th FC raise questions about constitutional propriety and has
implications for the federal fabric of the nation itself.
Never before in the history of the country has a Finance Commission been asked to review
the recommendations of the previous Commission on the grounds that it gave “substantially
enhanced devolution”
The ToR seek to reduce the role of Article 275, which is a legitimate channel for grants,
and asks the Commission to leave it more fiscal space to expand grants under Article 282
, which is questionable.
Asking Commission to take into account performances in implementation of various Central
schemes is equally contentious(वििादास्पद).
The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution assigns the respective functions in terms of Union,
State and Concurrent subjects
The resources belong to the nation and they should be applied at points where they are
needed most
ToR of the present Commission raise even more serious issues of constitutional propriety and,
hopefully, States will safeguard their turf to preserve the federal fabric of the country

Reimagining governance

115 Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) conceived by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi is radical not because this is the first time that a government in India has focussed
on India‟s most backward districts but because the exercise envisages a serious
reimagination of government and governance, and deepens cooperative federalism.
The 115 districts were chosen by senior officials of the Union government in consultation with
State officials on the basis of a composite index of the following:
Socio-Economic Caste Census,
key health and education performance indicators and
the state of basic infrastructure.
A minimum of one district was chosen from every State.
Unsurprisingly, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, or which are afflicted by left-wing extremism
such as Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Areas that have been targeted for transformation are: education, health and nutrition,
agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion, basic infrastructure and skills
Deliberately, the districts have been described as aspirational rather than backward so thatthey are viewed as islands of opportunity and hope rather than areas of distress and hopelessness.
Attitudes and narrative matter for outcomes.
No financial package or large allocation of funds to this programme.Leverage the resources of the several government programmes that already exist but are not a

lways used efficiently.

Achieving success in this programme requires three tiers of government, the Centre, States
and district administrations
It is necessary for Centre and States to be involved because not all decisions can be taken at
the level of district.
For example, if there is a shortage of teachers in a local school or a shortage of health
personnel in a primary health centre, it needs the State capital to act
Full cooperation of banks is necessary and only the Central government
has leverage over them.
Most crucial is the District Magistrate or Collector who is familiar with the challenges of
his or her geography and has considerable power to implement government schemes
The spirit of cooperation needs to be supplemented by a culture of competition
Smart data- Too often in India, data collection is delayed or lacking in quality
which ends up leading to policymakers shooting in the dark
A decisive shift in the paradigm of governance is likely to finally fulfil the many
broken promises of the past

Prelims Focus Facts-News Analysis

Page-1- Kathua outrage has united nation: Mufti
J&K Chief Minister accepts resignations of 2 BJP Ministers
Pak. denies pilgrims consular access
Ministry says it is „diplomatic discourtesy‟ and a clear violation of the Vienna Convention
Gaganshakti, in which over 1,100 aircraft are taking part.
The exercise began on April 8 and will conclude on April 22.