Democracy

is better because it promotes equality among citizens. Enhances dignity

of the individual. However for LGBT community in India, this is only a
misconception. Since, in India there is criminalization of sexual orientation.
If we compare present situation with Indias past, the philosophy of sexually
dimorphic body demonstrated in Ardhnareshwar. The mithunas of Khujuraho are
also not strictly binary. We can unambiguously say that present law is regressive,
which derive itself from colonial legacy of IPC framed in 1860.
Due to absence of any law in their support, the community is subjected to various
social prejudice of the majority. Hijras, gay-men, trans sexual constantly face
physical violence, sexual exploitation, extortion, blackmailing from police. They can
fight back only when they have supportive law which deter others. The proof for
this is the grant of rights to women to fight social custom.
Democracy also provides the room for correcting mistakes and improves the quality
of decision-making. We can do this by amending section 377 of IPC and providing
other supportive rights in the favour of community like 2014 NALSA judgment of
Supreme Court.
One belt one road initiative has a new perspective and many dilemmas for
India. Analyze?
The Silk Road economic belt and 21st century Maritime Silk Road combined together
is known as one belt one road initiative (OBOR) proposed by China. The new
perspective to OBOR is as follow
1.Entity Diplomacy, dealing Asia as a one single entity instead of individual nation of
Asia on diplomatic front.
The dilemmas for India are OBOR, as an initiative-by joining it India will loose its
claim over POK, since CPEC pass through the region is part of OBOR. By not joining
OBOR India will miss the economic opportunities, which it can get.
However, to make OBOR successful China will have to make partner India. Else, its
south asian branch will remain weak. India can seek reworking of CPEC from China
for its active participation.

MGNREGA has many achievements on developmental front. Analyze its role in
reducing the rural distress and success of rights framework in India. Throw light on
present day challenges of the program?
MGNREGA is a demand based employment guarantee program in rural India. Its role
in reducing rural distress can be analyzed by answering 2 questions.
1.Does it Enhanced livelihood security? Various data shows it provides 40-45 days
of employment to a fourth of rural households every year. Further, seasonality data

indicate it served as a supplementary employment and sustain household when

other opportunities were few.
2.Does it served as an instrument for rural employment? Various surveys shows it is
responsible for increase and reversal of stagnation in rural wages. Provided greater
opportunities to women and improved gender parity. Reduced distress migration in
traditionally migration intensive areas. NCAER data shows it reduced poverty of
Dalits and Adivasis by 28% and 38% respectively. It triggered institutional change
by increasing financial inclusion.
However, verdict on rural empowerment is mixed one due to uneven
implementation across states.
The major present day challenges of the program are
1.Leakages and Corruption.
2.Plummeting Demand, with rising MGNREGA wages and artificially capped budget.
3.Delay in wage payments. In year 2015 there has been 40% delay in wage payment.
4.Overall government policy on MGNREGA has been wavering.
Way forward
1. The problem of leakage and corruption can be solved use of IT and Social
Audit.
2. The Act should be immediately linked to SECC for better targeting.
3. Time to review basis of determining wage rates.
4. Consistency in political support.

Rural economy at current juncture is shifting from low income farm work to
low quality non-farm work. This situation need to be changed. Recommend
the measures?
With the decrease in average size of land holding and in turn decrease in
agricultural productivity, farmers are forced to combine non-farm work with
agriculture. However, the non-farm work is generally rural construction with poor
working condition leading to overall decrease in employment quality.
If we want to change the situation we need to revive Rural Economy. This can by
done by
1.Reviving farm sector and make it more climate resilient. This can be done by
investment in developing irrigation infrastructure especially in rainfed region
Program for watershed development and MGNREGA can be converged together.
Increasing awareness about organic farming and encouraging farmers to adopt it.
Crop diversification, crops like Millet impart greater resilience to cropping system.

Increasing investment in agricultural research and developing crops more robust to

climate change. Efforts to revive agriculture extension system