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10 EDITORIAL DELHI
The link between jobs, farming and climate
It is imperative to focus on agricultural production in devising a longterm solution to the problem of unemployment
it is in crisis today, and that is un The rural picture matters not a stagnation. Now, unlike in the
Dangerous precedent employment. Figures reported in
the report of the last Periodic La
only because the largest numbers
are located there but also because
case of a cycle, recovery cannot
simply be assumed. We would
bour Force Survey point to a dra of their low incomes. This means need the expertise of agricultural
The EC’s order on Sikkim CM’s disqualifi cation matic rise in the unemployment that the future growth of demand scientists to confi rm what exactly
goes against the antigraft current in law rate since 201112, when the pre for much of industrial production is responsible for this state but it
Pulapre Balakrishnan vious survey on unemployment is likely to come from there. After would not be out to place to ask if
T
he Election Commission (EC)’s order reducing
was undertaken. Apart from the all, how many more fl atscreen te there is not a role for ecological
the period of Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh
A
t a panel discussion hosted category of ‘Urban Females’, the levisions can an urban middle factors in causing agricultural stag
Tamang’s disqualifi cation from electoral contest recently by the students of most recent estimate of unemploy class household buy once it alrea nation. These factors encompass
is morally wrong and a dangerous precedent that may Delhi’s Ambedkar Universi ment shows that it is the highest in dy possess one? The high unem land degradation involving loss of
end up reversing the trend towards decriminalising pol ty, the topic was, ‘Are we heading the 45 years since 197273. But ployment rate for ‘Rural Males’ soil moisture and nutrients, and
itics. Under Section 11 of the Representation of the Peo for an economic crisis?’ Presuma even for ‘Urban Females’, it is dou does suggest that we have zoomed the drop in the water table, lead
AFP
ple Act, 1951, the EC indeed has the power to remove or bly, they had been prompted by ble what it was in 201112. For the in up to a reasonable degree of ing to scarcity which raises the
reduce the disqualifi cation attached to a conviction. the allabsorbing news of a slowing largest cohort, namely ‘Rural precision on the site of low de cost of cultivation. Almost all of
economy. It is indeed correct that Males’, in 201718, it is four times mand. lowers the demand for agricultural this is directly manmade, related
However, this has been used rarely, and seldom in a
such a slowing is taking place. the average for the 40 years up to labour and, subsequently, its sup as it is to overexploitation or
case involving a conviction for corruption. Mr. Tamang Growth has slowed for the past 201112. These fi gures should con Production decline ply, showing up in greater unem abuse, as in the case of excessive
was convicted under the Prevention of Corruption Act few quarters — the past twoanda vince us of the existence of a grave We must now answer the question ployment. It has been pointed out fertilizer use, of the earth’s re
for misappropriating ₹ 9.50 lakh in the purchase of half years, if we go by annual situation, if not crisis, with respect of why rural incomes are growing that the investment rate has de sources. Then there the increas
milch cows for distribution in 199697. His oneyear pri growth rates. to employment in the country. In so slowly. The recent history of clined. This is indeed correct but ingly erratic rainfall, seemingly
son term was upheld by the High Court and the Su That this has not been comfort the average country of the OECD, crop agriculture points towards this may well be a refl ection of the godgiven but actually due to cli
preme Court. He went to jail and was released on Au ing to the government is evident an increase in unemployment of one reason. In the nine years since poor agricultural performance. mate change entirely induced by
from the fact that its Ministers are such magnitude would have trig 20082009, this activity has re Private investment both follows human action. A deeper adapta
gust 10, 2018. He was controversially — and in brazen
running from pillar to post in an gered a nationwide debate, not to corded zero or negative growth in output growth and leads it. When tion is required to deal with these
disregard of the Supreme Court’s 2001 ruling in the eff ort to goose the economy. But mention agitation on the streets. fi ve. Put diff erently, in the majori nonagricultural fi rms observe factors. Intelligent governance, re
case of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa — ap should we be worried? The government has responded ty of years, it has shown no slow agricultural growth, they are source deployment and change in
pointed Chief Minister by the Sikkim Governor earlier Those who heard the address to to the slowing of growth by an growth. The economy has very likely to shrink their investment farmer behaviour would all need
this year. Mr. Tamang did not contest, but was elected the United Nations climate change nouncing a range of measures, the likely not seen anything like this plans and may not revise their de to combine for this.
legislature party leader by the Sikkim Krantikari Mor summit by the teenager Greta most prominent of them being the since 1947. cision till this growth improves. It is signifi cant that the reality of
cha (SKM), which won the election. His appointment as Thunberg earlier this month may reduction in the corporate tax When growth fl uctuations in Thus, attempting to infl uence the an unstable agricultural sector
Chief Minister was challenged in the Supreme Court. not be as worried about economic rate. While this may have a posi clude production decline, a partic private investment rate is to only rendering economywide growth
growth as the government is. Glo tive eff ect, the move is not based ular feature emerges. Households deal with a symptom. It is rural in fragile has not elicited an adequate
Meanwhile, he approached the EC for removing his dis
bally, industrial growth driven by on the big picture. The tax cut is incurring consumption debt in come generation that is the economic policy response. Policy
qualifi cation. His main argument was that the law pre mindless consumption is the meant to be a remedy for stagnant bad crop years would be repaying problem. focus is disproportionately on the
vailing at the time of his off ence entailed disqualifi ca cause of climate change, now un corporate investment. But if the le it in the good ones. This implies tax rate, the ease of doing business
tion only if the sentence was for a term of two years or mistakably upon us. But India vel of corporate investment itself that consumption does not grow Long-term solution in the nonagricultural sector and
more; and that the amendment in 2003, under which does need some growth as income refl ects some underlying reality, it appreciably even in good years. Any longterm solution to the pro a fussy adherence to a dubious fi s
any conviction under the anticorruption law would at levels here are still very low. The is only by tackling the latter that Recognising the record of agricul blem of unemployment to which calbalance target. It is now time to
tract the sixyear disqualifi cation norm, should not be problem of low incomes can, ho we can get to the root of the pro tural production is suffi cient to the slowing growth of the econo draw in the public agricultural in
wever, be tackled even with less blem. A large part of corporate grasp what we see in India today. my is related must start with agri stitutes and farmer bodies for
applied to him.
growth so long as it is of the appro sales is driven by rural demand, This does not imply that other fac cultural production. Observing their views on how to resuscitate
Disqualifi cation from contest is a civil disability creat priate type. So, the slowing of refl ected in the reported layoff s tors do not matter, and we could the performance of crop agricul the sector. We may be experienc
ed by electoral law to keep those convicted by criminal growth in India cannot reasonably by biscuit manufacturers. We do imagine several, ranging from low ture for close to a decade since ing an ecological undertow, and it
courts from entering elected offi ces. It is not a second be termed a crisis. not hear their voices or, more im export growth to the state of the 200809, we might say that we are could defeat our bestlaid plans for
punishment in a criminal sense. Mr. Tamang cannot ar portantly, the government does banking sector, but this does sug witnessing something wholly new progress.
gue that disqualifi cation for a oneyear term amounts to Rural unemployment not, as they are less organised gest that poor agricultural perfor in India. It has long been recog
being given a punishment not prevalent at the time of There is, however, one feature of than some other sections of the mance is a signifi cant explanation nised that there is a cropyield cy Pulapre Balakrishnan is Professor,
the economy that does answer corporate world, the automobile of slack domestic demand. Unsta cle related to annual variations in Ashoka University, Sonipat and Senior
the off ence. The EC decision also goes against the grain
positively to the query of whether industry being one such. ble agricultural production fi rst rainfall but we are now witnessing Fellow, IIM Kozhikode
of a series of legislative and judicial measures to streng
then the legal framework against corruption in recent
years. The apex court has described corruption as a se
rious malady and one impinging on the economy. In
2013, the protection given to sitting legislators from im
mediate disqualifi cation was removed. Further, com
A test for judicial review in India
mon sense would suggest that disqualifi cation should U.K. Supreme Court’s ruling on Parliament prorogation is an exemplar on how the judiciary should view executive actions
be more strictly applied to those convicted for corrup
tion. Legislators handle public funds, and there is good rogue Parliament for it to recon mentary processes: Reservation these Bills were introduced in Par
reason to keep out those guilty of misusing them. Mr. vene on October 14. The process for Economically Weaker Sections liament was also in direct violation
Tamang, even by virtue of the order reducing his dis was widely perceived to be a sharp and the Bills passed around Jam of the Rules of Procedure and Con
and calculated move by the go mu and Kashmir ( J&K). The Con duct of Business. In Rajya Sabha,
qualifi cation to oneyearandamonth, was not eligible
vernment to conclude the Brexit stitutional (One Hundred and specifi cally, Rule 69 talks about
to be sworn in, as his disqualifi cation continued till Sep process with minimal parliamen Third) Amendment Act 2019 pro ‘Motions after Introduction of
tember 10. Yet, he is now eligible to contest a byelection Manuraj Shunmugasundaram tary scrutiny. viding reservation for Economical Bills’ and ‘Scope of Debate’. Ac
GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
T
tion that its actions are partisan. Its order in favour of he highest court in the U.K., culminating with the Scottish for consideration of Parliament in there is discretion given to the
Mr. Tamang, coming just a day after the BJP struck an earlier this month, found Court of Session fi nding that the less than 48 hours from the time Chairman in exceptional situa
alliance with the SKM for bypolls to be held on October that the actions of Prime Mi Prime Minister had misled the the decision was taken by the tions. But, every discretionary
nister Boris Johnson to prorogue Queen with regard to the proroga Centre. By doing so, the govern power does require that the Chair
21, is bound to further strain its credibility.
Parliament were unlawful. The tion of Parliament. Simultaneous ment ensured that there was insuf man must exercise it judiciously
matter had come to be heard be ly, the matter was heard by the fi cient time for Parliament scruti and with proper application of
fore a panel of 11 Justices, the per High Court of England and Wales, ny. The Bills around J&K also mind. There has been no cogent or
Testing time mitted maximum quota of serving
Justices, of the Supreme Court.
which ruled that the prerogative
powers of the government were
the fi rst instance, dismissed the le
gal challenge on the grounds that
suff ered from a similar defect. detailed explanation given by
those presiding our Houses of Par
As India plays South Africa, it has the chance The verdict had the eff ect of nonjusticiable. These confl icting this was a matter of “high policy Violation of rules liament as to why the government
quashing the Queen’s order to pro decisions were handed down on and political judgment” and as The Monsoon Session of Parlia has been allowed to fl out parlia
to strengthen its Test position
rogue Parliament on the advice of September 11. The appeals ema such was nonjusticiable. Allowing ment was originally scheduled to mentary rules and convention on
I
ndia began its campaign in the ICC World Test Cham the Prime Minister. By doing so, nating from these two courts were the appeal, the Inner House found end on July 26 but was extended to more than one occasion.
pionship on a rousing note a few weeks ago, over the U.K. Supreme Court asserted heard by the Supreme Court bet that the advice given by Mr. John August 7 by the government. On Such actions of governments of
whelming the West Indies 20 in the Caribbean. The its majesty in the constitutional ween September 17 and Septem son, which formed the basis for August 5, the Jammu and Kashmir Mr. Johnson and Prime Minister
result put India on top of the nascent Championship ta framework and functioned as the ber 19 and the judgment was deli the Queen’s order, was justiciable Reservation (Second Amendment) Narendra Modi have revealed a
true sentinel on the qui vive. vered on September 24. The entire and further, declared it to be un Bill, 2019 was suddenly intro complete disregard for established
ble with 120 points, and made Virat Kohli the country's
As legal ramifi cations of this de judicial approach, in dealing with lawful. Upholding this judgment, duced to the ‘Parliamentary List of parliamentary processes. This has
most successful Test captain with 28 wins. It may be ar cision ripple through common law a matter concerning the “funda the Supreme Court confi rmed that Business’. When the Rajya Sabha placed democratic institutions in
gued that the West Indies was not the hardest of oppo countries and constitutional de mentals of democracy”, under the prorogation was “unlawful be convened, Home Minister Amit the peril of being weakened. While
nents, but Kohli’s men were hugely impressive. Hanu mocracies, what is equally star lines the eff ectiveness of the judi cause it had the eff ect of frustrat Shah, at 11.15 a.m., moved the Stat the courts in the United Kingdom
ma Vihari and Ajinkya Rahane scored tough runs while tling is the time taken by the coun cial review process when ing or preventing the ability of Par utory Resolution proposing to nul have made their determinations
Jasprit Bumrah proved virtually unplayable. Mo try’s apex court to hold and conducted in a timely manner. liament to carry out its lify all clauses in Article 370 apart on these issues, there is suffi cient
hammed Shami and Ishant Sharma were relentlessly conclude these proceedings. The last parliamentary session constitutional functions without from Clause(1). Copies of the Bill material for Indian courts to assess
in the United Kingdom, which be reasonable justifi cation.” In other and the Resolution were not pro whether executive actions have in
good too as Kohli rejoiced in the might of his pace bat
Prorogation in U.K. gan in June 2017 and lasted more countries following the Westmin vided to MPs till 11.30 a.m. deed undermined parliamentary
tery. His team now has a chance to strengthen its posi It was known that the Boris John than 340 days, was one of the lon ster system of government, this The conventional practice is processes. How the court res
tion in the World Test Championship when the three sonled government had promised gest in recent history. The govern decision should naturally lead to that legislative documents are pro ponds to this challenge will deter
match series against South Africa begins in Visakhapat to make Britain leave the Euro ment justifi ed that the prorogation increased introspection of execu vided at least a few days before mine the majesty of the judicial re
nam on Wednesday. India has established a pean Union by October 31, even if was necessary under such circum tive actions and provide a boost to they are tabled. This is done for view process in India.
nearimpregnable home record, having lost only one of that meant an exit without a deal. stances and also for the prepara due parliamentary processes. the MPs understand the contents
its last 29 Tests on home soil, a record stretching back The suspicion around actions of tion of the Queen’s Speech. Closer home, there have been at of the legislation, seek views and Manuraj Shunmugasundaram is an
the government grew when Mr. Accepting these arguments, the least two key executive actions this formulate their positions better. advocate and spokesperson of the Dravida
some sixandahalf years. Key to that dominance has
Johnson advised the Queen to pro Scottish Court of Outer House, in year that have undermined parlia The manner in which both Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)
been the mastery India’s spin bowlers have exerted ov
er touring sides, and the home team’s superior batting,
helmed by Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.
At fi rst glance, this South Africa team in transition ap LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to letters@thehindu.co.in must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials.
pears unlikely to off er a stern challenge. When the side
was here last for a Test series, in 2015, it was tormented Not just Nehru’s call presentday Pakistan Kashmir issue with a fi ne Respect and rewards Call for help entering homes and shops,
by spin. No South African batsman barring A.B. de Vil With elections occupied Kashmir. But, the tooth comb (Editorial page, It is preposterous for an Incessant rains have taken rendering us isolated. The
liers managed more than 150 runs over the four Tests. approaching, Amit Shah is war was far from easy, “Strictures in the name of incumbent Prime Minister Bihar’s troubles to its peak. situation of the poor
Indeed only two others even got to triple fi gures for the back again at the Nehru given the mountainous security,” Sept. 30). The to boast that respect for Had this calamity struck in people, whose means of
bashing game (News page, heights, the wintry writer seems to have India has gone up around some other State, people livelihood have got
series. Faf du Plessis, who is now captain, averaged less
“Kashmir curbs only in conditions and many other ignored that the situation in the world since he assumed would have put up stories destroyed and who have no
than nine. Yet, it would be unwise to consider the cur certain minds,” Sept. 30), factors. India had hoped Ladakh and Jammu are offi ce. By making such a on Instagram, added food or water to drink, is
rent contest a foregone conclusion. Aiden Markram has paying scant regard to facts. that taking the matter to the almost normal. But with the claim, in one sweep, Prime ‘hashtags’ and changed unimaginable. Sadly, many
been in form in the preparatory matches, and in Kagiso India’s fi rst war with UN would help in getting mention of nuclear Minister Narendra Modi has their profi le pictures to of our fellow Indians seem
Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Vernon Philander, the visitor Pakistan in 19471948 went the aggressor to vacate the weapons by Pakistan undermined the valuable muster up support. Where to have forgotten that Bihar
has a potent pace attack, even if the conditions are un on for more than 14 territories illegally occupied President Imran Khan and contributions of all his are all the ‘woke citizens’ of too is part of the country
likely to favour the three. And India can be vulnerable. months, much longer than by it. The decision to this with hundreds of terrorists predecessors. Mr. Modi’s the nation now? People are and in need of help.
the duration of the eff ect was taken by the waiting to cross the Line of visit drew a blank on a losing their lives, homes, Mrinalini,
There is an overreliance on Kohli and Pujara. Mayank Patna
subsequent ones between Union Cabinet that Control to foment terror in number of bilateral trade property and their
Agarwal and Hanuma Vihari have played only 10 Tests the two nations. Jawaharlal consisted of stalwarts like the Kashmir Valley, the related irritants. While emotional and physical more letters online:
between them. Rishabh Pant, who was India’s wicket Nehru had resisted Sardar Patel, B.R. government can’t close its several other issues remain strength. Rainwater is www.hindu.com/opinion/letters/
CM A ND-NDE
YK