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IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 27th November, 2015
NATIONAL
TOPIC:
- General Studies 2:
- Indian Constitution- features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.
- Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and challenges therein.
- General Studies 3:
- Linkages between development and spread of extremism.
- Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
- Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges; Security challenges and their management in border areas.
How the Kashmir valley is changing?
- There is a worrying turn of events in Jammu and Kashmir that must be of serious concern to the State and Central governments.
- The changing character of the insurgency is a warning signal that an urgent course correction is required in Kashmir to prevent it from further deteriorating to lowest levels.
Growing anti India sentiment:
- Developments in Jammu and Kashmir do not look very promising.
- The socio-economic indicators point to difficult times ahead.
- Destructive tensions and violence are on the increase. Cross-border firings show no sign of stopping.
- The mood in the Valley is tempered. Anti-India sentiment is growing.
Centre’s failed response:
- During the 2014 Jammu Kashmir floods, centre failed to provide adequate funds to rehabilitate the victims.
- The centre and state government in Kashmir are ideologically divided on the relevance of article 370 in Jammu Kashmir.
- The rupees 80,000 crore relief package by the central government did not do much to stop the growing anti- India sentiment.
Jammu Kashmir: A unique state in India
- Jammu and Kashmir today is a region that is challenged both from within and from outside.
- There are divisive forces acting from within the state and also from the outside.
- Lack of economic development with very high unemployment levels among the youth, pose a serious threat as well.
- State has performed very poorly in improving the social indicators among the people.
Growing Pakistan’s role in Kashmir:
- Among the regional factors that need to be better understood is Pakistan’s new role.
- There are enough indications that Pakistan believes that it holds a strong hand today, given the changed nature of politics in the region.
- Pakistan, hence, feels it is ready to raise the stakes in Jammu and Kashmir.
- There are other factors as well such as the China-Pakistan Economic corridor, military partnership between china and Pakistan, cooperation in nuclear energy etc has added to Pakistan’s confidence to meddle in Jammu and Kashmir.
Radicalisation: A new threat in Kashmir
Geo-political aspects are also beginning to cast a shadow over Kashmir.
This is the underestimated threat of greater radicalisation of Kashmiri youth in the Valley, a transformation that can have serious consequences.
- Radicalisation rather than militancy and alienation should thus be seen as the new threat in Kashmir.
- Far more than ceasefire violations, actions of the Pakistani Deep State, terrorist incursions, and the separatists in Jammu & Kashmir, the looming threat that can no longer be ignored is the inexorable move towards extreme radicalisation.
- This has proved to be an irresistible magnet for the Muslim youth in many regions of the globe, and the youth in Kashmir cannot be expected to remain away to such propaganda.
Advancing ISIS:
- The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, has been steadily advancing eastwards — from civil war-wracked areas of Syria and Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- It has also carried out some attacks in Bangladesh.
- The ISIS has certain notions about what it refers to as the Islamic State of Khorasan.
- This incorporates many areas such as Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-west India. Kashmir falls within this arc.
Way ahead:
- If the youth in Jammu and Kashmir become victims of such fundamentalist principles, the consequences for entire India would be grave.
- It is important to estimate the nature of the changes taking place rather than be content to play by the old rules.
- The radicalisation is gaining ground is no longer a secret.
- What has to be achieved is to prevent such radicalisation from attaining a far larger dimension, by taking steps to limit the attraction of such radicalist and extremist ideas among the local youth.
Connecting the dots:
- Critically examine the relevance of Article 370 in present day Jammu and Kashmir.
- Discuss the implications of China – Pakistan relations on Kashmir in India.
- Discuss the importance of stable Afghanistan in maintaining peace and security in South Asian region.
TOPIC:
- General Studies 3:
- Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism.
- Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.
Paramilitary forces: Deserve to Feel ‘Left Out’
- India’s paramilitary forces have waiting for their ‘acche din’ from a very long time but the recent 7th Pay Commission has left them with wanting for what they actually deserve.
- Much importance has always been shifted towards the armed personnel and even the Indians have been oblivious to the work and amount of contribution from their end, for the country’s safety and prosperity, time and again.
Unaddressed Concerns:
Service Conditions
- Deployed along the border or naxal-hit districts
- No stability in terms of duration of posting and no peace-posting
- No Transfer allowances
- Disparity in hardship allowances
- Accompanying services: VIP security, law and order and election duty
- Lack of rest due to continuous hours of working
Career Graph
- Top most positions are occupied by IPS Officers- Stagnation & leads to a low morale that translates into low-efficiency
- Promotion system lacks a proper path and set-indicators to identify the deserving candidate
- Gallantry awards such as ParamVir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Kirti Chakra were reserved only for the armed forces (Home Ministry has changed this stance)
- Death: Government does not accord them the status of a ‘martyr’
Family:
- Cannot live with family
- Erratic living conditions at quarters which makes life miserable for their family
- Death does not lead to timely compensation for the family
Result:
- High attrition Rate:
- Due to slow promotions, salary mismatches, too much work, separation from family and continuous “hard” postings
- Leads to voluntary retirement and resignation which translates into shortage of manpower and thus, leads to heavy workload for the remaining personnel
- Psychological Disturbance: Leads to Suicides and Fratricide due to frustration and lack of peace of mind (Buddy System)
Demands of the CAPFs:
- Special pay on the lines of the Military Special Pay (MSP)
- Withdrawal of the contributory pension scheme
(Special pay allowance would have made a CAPF jawan richer by Rs 48,000 annually)
Both the demands have not been accepted by the Commission. Though the Commission has recommended that
- CAPF officers should get “sufficient opportunity to man senior positions in their organisations”
- The percentage of posts earmarked for IPS officers be reviewed and thrown open to CAPF officers
- An IPS officer should join at the Commandant level, and spend at least five years in a paramilitary force to be eligible to lead it
Recent Steps taken for the improvement of Service Conditions:
- Hardship allowance would be enhanced, the mechanism and the identification system would be made better and perks be taken into account as well. It would be similar with the receiving’s at J&K or NE
- Out of turn promotion for exceptional service and bravery
- Peace posting be given after a stint at naxal-affected areas
- Monetary benefits under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) are given after 12, 24 and 36 years of service
- Improved living conditions and inclusion of facilities like various sports, yoga, meditation centre
- Buddy System: Government has asked the chiefs of all the central paramilitary forces to adopt a “buddy” system under which a jawan can share his problems with a fellow jawan to deal with the increasing number of suicides and fratricides. This will lead to a way of “unburdening” themselves when the need arises and also warn seniors about the other’s mental condition “before it’s too late”.
- HC-Treat paramilitary forces as organized services: For their smooth career progression and to extend them not just financial benefits but better promotional and deputation avenues in the government
- Home Ministry: Planning to confer gallantry awards such as ParamVir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Kirti Chakra on those showing exemplary courage in internal security duties.
IASbaba’s Views:
- It is time the government translated intent into action and treat the paramilitary forces, who are putting their lives in danger, with dignity and respect. They should be conferred with martyrdom upon dying while saving our country from the attacks.
- The files dealing with these forces need to be looked into with utmost sensitivity and care. Also, the living conditions of their family needs to be deliberated upon and proper post-death compensation should be made available to their family in a timely as well as time-bound manner.
- Media attention has become a tool that should be positively employed to highlight their exemplary achievements to get due recognition and credit. Recommendations set forth by the Commission should be taken seriously and government should take action immediately
Connecting the Dots:
- Set forth the main grounds on which the expectations of the paramilitary forces have been put forth to the 7th Pay Commission. Are the recommendations and the final decision by the 7th Pay Commission on the lines of the demands of the paramilitary forces?
- Analyse the issues faced by the paramilitary forces of India. Suggest a way ahead to deal with the deficiencies and pave way for a better operational force for the country
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