Context: This article is based on an Editorial “Legislative decline: On government’s actions and a disregard for deliberative democracy” which was published in the Hindu. This article is expressing concerns over the denial of legislative debate that is adversely impacting on the Indian democratic structure and values. 

Rising Concerns over recent Suspension of Members of Parliament (MPs)

• Recently, a total of 92 Opposition MPs were suspended. 
  • Reason of Suspension: The MPs in both Houses were suspended for disrupting Parliamentary proceedings while protesting for a recent Parliament security breach. 
• Earlier Experience: Till now, the highest number of MPs suspended in a single day was on March 15, 1989, when 63 Opposition members were suspended from Lok Sabha over tabling of the inquiry commission report on the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Role of opposition party in democracy

• To question the government of the day.
• To hold the government accountable to the public. 
• Responsible for upholding the best interests of the people of the country (equally as of the Ruling party).

Such Actions by the Government raise a Question on India’s Democracy 

• Use of Electoral Autocracy by V-Dem Institute: Such actions have compelled global democracy reports by research institutions such as V-Dem Institute to characterize India’s democracy as an “electoral autocracy”. 
• Use of Partially Free by the U.S.-based Freedom House: Such actions have led the U.S.-based Freedom House, which measures civil and political liberties, to declare India as “partially free”. 
• Adverse Impacts: The recent actions by the government such as the Suspension of Members of Parliament (MPs), and the use of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to indiscriminately target dissenters are adversely impacting democracy in India.

The Path Ahead

• Need of Debates and Deliberations: In a democracy, elected legislators debate and discuss issues of public import and seek solutions to issues that affect citizens.
  • There is a need for healthy debates, the utilization of parliamentary and standing committees to delve into the issue, and for Bills and legislation to be discussed before any consideration. 
• Need for a Powerful Opposition: To check the power of the ruling party and for mature democracy, an effective Opposition is desirable.

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Context: This article is based on an Editorial “A blow for the rights of the legislature, in law making” which was published in the Hindu. Withholding of bills was usually practiced by some Governors and was a cause of conflict between the Governor and State Legislature but the Supreme Court’s judgment in the Punjab case has brought greater clarity to Article 200 and Governors will have to quickly take a decision on the Bills.

Governor Can’t Keep Bill Pending Indefinitely: Supreme Court

• Assent of the Governor is mandatory after the Reconsideration: The Governor may send the Bill back to the Assembly with a request for reconsideration of the Bill as a whole or certain provisions thereof, but if the Assembly after such reconsideration passes the Bill with or without the amendments, the Governor shall not withhold assent from the Bill. 
• Protection of the Rights of the Legislature: As by this judgment, the option of withholding assent is virtually knocked and has protected the rights of the legislature in the law making.

Continue Reading: Governor Can’t Keep Bill Pending Indefinitely

Role of Governors in Law Making and Their Powers Over State Bills

• Reserving a Bill for the consideration of the President: As per Article 200, there are few Bills which are mandatorily to be reserved for the consideration of the President and hence, means  the consideration by the Union government.
  • Examples of Such Bills: Bills that derogate from the powers of the High Court in such a way as to endanger the constitutionally designed position of that court. 
• Using a surface view, the Governor can use his discretion to send any Bill to the President. 
• Examples of Such Misuse: 
  • Kerala: When the Supreme Court took up the Kerala government’s petition challenging the Governor’s inaction on Bills for more than 2 years, he gave his assent to one Bill and sent the seven Bills to the President for his consideration. 
  • Tamil Nadu: The Tamil Nadu Assembly after reconsideration sent the 10 Bills to the Governor without accepting any amendments, then rather than giving his assent, he sent all those Bills to the President for his consideration.

Reservation of Bills by Governors for President’s Consideration: Constitutional Provisions

• Article 213 of the Indian Constitution: It deals with the ordinance-making power of Governors. 
  • Under clause (b) of this Article, the Governor can promulgate an ordinance only with instructions from the President in a case where he would have deemed it necessary to reserve a Bill containing the same provisions as in the ordinance. 
  • Also, the words “deemed it necessary” indicate the making of judgment by the Governor in terms of the constitutional scheme of the power of legislative division.
• Article 254 of the Indian Constitution: Under clause (2) of this Article, a Bill on a Concurrent subject can be or needs to be sent to the President for assent only if it contains provisions contrary to an existing central law.
• • However, it does not mean that every Bill on a concurrent subject should be sent to the President for assent.
    • In fact the President has no jurisdiction to scrutinize and give assent to a Bill exclusively on a subject in the State List. 

Conclusion:

• A Governor cannot send to the President for assent Bills which are exclusively on the State subject and also cannot send Bills on concurrent subjects if they do not contain provisions contrary to the central law. 
• If the Governor thinks that a Bill contains unconstitutional provisions, then the only option is to send it back to the Assembly for reconsideration. 
• Also, the constitutional validity of a law is decided by the court and neither the Governor nor the President has any jurisdiction over it.

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Context: This article is based on an Editorial “Homegrown benefit: Why ‘desi’ should be the catchword for India’s dairy sector” which was published in the Down to Earth. To ensure the profitability and sustainability of the Indian dairy sector, there is a need to transition from exotic and crossbred cattle to the indigenous cattle breeds of India. 

Indigenous Cattle Breeds of India

• India has 50 Indigenous Bovine Breeds (37 Cattle and 13 Buffaloes). 
  • Milch Breeds: Specifically raised for milk production. 
    • Examples: Sahiwal, Gir, Red Sindhi, Tharparkar and Rathi. 
  • Milch and Draught Breeds: Draught cattle are employed for heavy labor purposes, aiding in agricultural activities such as plowing and transportation. 
    • Examples: Kankrej, Ongole, and Hariana.
• Specialty of Indian Cows:
  • Hump: It is an exclusive characteristic of the Indian Desi bulls and cows and facilitates them to carry loads without effort, while the foreign breeds do not have a hump.
  • Dewlap: It is a fold of loose skin hanging from the neck of an animal. The Indigenous Cattle have a high heat resistance from their extensive Dewlaps.
  • Dung: The dung of Indian breeds of cows is used in agriculture, medicine, etc., whereas the dung of foreign breeds is of no use.

Must Read: Credit Guarantee Scheme for Livestock Sector

Indigenous Cattle Breeds of India: Why They Are Preferred to Exotic Breeds?: Reasons

• Affordability: Indigenous cattle breeds of India are easy to afford while purchase and maintenance of exotic or crossbred cattle are expensive. 
• Adaptability: According to CSE, the exotic breeds, adapted to temperate regions, struggle in heat and humidity, while native animals exhibit heat tolerance, disease resistance, and ability to thrive in extreme climates.
• Disease Resistance: According to a study published in the Asian Journal of Dairy and Food Research in 2023, indigenous breeds of India are renowned for their resistance to illnesses including vector-borne trypanosomiasis, tick-borne babesiosis, and theileriosis.  
• Long-Term Gains: Unlike indigenous breeds, the production of crossbreds drops quickly for crossbreds as they lose the improved function due to cross-breeding. 
• Less Methane Emission: According to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Third Biennial Update Report (BUR), the emission of methane in indigenous dairy cattle is much less compared to exotic castles. 
• Inclusive Development: Promoting indigenous breeds supports the livelihoods of small and marginal farmers who may not have the resources to manage exotic breeds effectively. 
• Cultural and Social Importance: As many communities value and prefer the use of indigenous breeds for various agricultural and religious practices.

Indigenous Cattle Breeds of India: Challenges associated with them

• Low Milk Productivity of indigenous breeds compared to exotic breeds.
• Limited Access to Technology by Small and Marginal Farmers, which can hinder the improvement of indigenous breeds’ genetic potential and overall productivity. 
• Shifting consumer preferences for products from indigenous breeds can be a challenge.
• Declining Population, as per the National Breed-wise Census, populations of some breeds like Tharparkar, Sahiwal, etc. require attention while Punganur and Vechur are under extinction.
• Shortage of Germplasm in indigenous cattle breeds. Of the 37 indigenous cattle breeds known for milk production, the semen stations provide germplasm for only nine breeds.

Way Forward to Promote Indigenous Cattle Breeds in India

• Improving Product Demand: The demand for desi cow’s milk is rising. Establishing milk cooperatives to promote desi cow milk could improve demand. 
• Awareness and Education: To highlight indigenous breeds’ benefits and products. 
• Research and Development: To improve productivity, disease resistance, and other desirable traits of indigenous cattle.
• Livestock Extension Services: To provide farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills for the management and breeding of indigenous cattle. 
• Indigenous Breeds in Dairy Development Programs: To ensure that indigenous breeds would receive equal attention and support as exotic breeds.
• Financial Assistance to Adopters: Financial incentives and subsidies should be provided to farmers who adopt or maintain indigenous breeds.

Conclusion:

Promoting indigenous breeds for the Indian dairy sector is important because they are affordable, well-adapted to the climate, resistant to diseases, and support the livelihoods of small farmers, ensuring a sustainable and culturally valuable future for the dairy sector.

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