The recent Supreme Court verdict on the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution. It analyzes the implications of the verdict on federalism, democratic norms, and the sanctity of legal processes.
The Supreme Court has upheld the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370 of the Constitution.
The verdict is seen as a political boost to the ruling BJP and an endorsement of their move to strip Kashmir of its special status.
However, the verdict is criticized for legitimizing the subversion of federal principles and undermining constitutional procedure.
The Court's interpretation that Parliament can do any act, legislative or otherwise, on behalf of a State under President's Rule is seen as a threat to federal principles and the rights of States.
The government's stand has been endorsed by the Constitution Bench, rejecting arguments that it had acted in a mala fide manner.
The government adopted a complicated process to remove the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The State's special status was divided and downgraded into two Union Territories.
A Constitutional Order was issued on August 5, 2019, applying the whole Constitution to J&K and changing some definitions.
The State's Legislative Assembly recommended the abrogation instead of its now-dissolved Constituent Assembly.
The Court ruled that parts of the August 5 order were unconstitutional as they amounted to amending Article 370 itself.
However, the Court held that the notification on August 6 declaring Article 370 as valid and empowering the President to remove the State's special status was valid.
The Court has reasoned that the Constitution of India has been applied incrementally from time to time even after the Constituent Assembly was dissolved in 1957.
The removal of special status is seen as the culmination of the process of integration.
The idea that in the absence of the Constituent Assembly and in view of the subordination of J&K to the sovereignty of India, there is no fetter on the government’s intention to hollow out its residual autonomy is opposed to all canons of federalism and democracy.
J&K is not vested with any sovereignty.
Article 370 represents no more than a form of asymmetric federalism and additional features will not clothe it with sovereignty.
Historical obligations owed to J&K and promises made by constitutional functionaries cannot be blown away at the ruling dispensation’s whim.
The process of integration was built on a constant dialogue between Kashmir’s leaders and the Union government, the context and conditions in which it acceded to India, the terms of the Instrument of Accession, and the progressive extension of constitutional provisions with the consent of the State government over the years.
The Court did not give a ruling on whether the Constitution permits the reorganisation of J&K into two UTs
The Court's decision is an example of judicial evasion
The Court upheld the carving out of Ladakh as a separate UT
The verdict invites the Union to consider creating new UTs out of parts of any State
The Court's position on the President's power and Parliament's competence is dangerous
The reference to "non-legislative" powers of the State Assemblies poses a threat to the powers devolved to the States
A future regime at the Centre could impose President's rule to carry out extraordinary actions
The verdict weakens institutional limitations on power
The verdict undermines federalism and democratic processes.
Odisha's transformational journey in strengthening food security and building resilience to climate impact. It highlights the agricultural transformation in the state, the focus on small and marginal farmers, and the implementation of flagship schemes to increase income and promote climate resilience.
Odisha's transformational journey in achieving food security is being recognized as a model for other regions.
The state has strengthened food security by transforming agriculture through a community-driven approach.
Despite having a majority of small/marginal farmers, Odisha has achieved its highest food grain production of 13.606 million tonnes in 2022.
The average rice yield, the main crop in Odisha, has tripled in the past two decades.
Kalahandi district, once known as the "land of hunger," has now become Odisha's rice bowl.
Odisha's Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, has addressed the state's commitment to achieving the 'Zero Hunger' goal of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2.
The focus in Odisha is on small and marginal farmers and increasing their income
Flagship schemes like KALIA and the Odisha Millet Mission have helped increase non-paddy crop cultivation and promote climate resilience
Odisha has developed a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan to address the effects of climate change
The plan covers various sectors and is being implemented by various departments and agencies
The approach towards climate resilience is being developed from the bottom up, with regular meetings and field visits to monitor the crop programme during adverse weather conditions.
Odisha is a surplus state for paddy production and contributes significantly to the rice pool of the Food Corporation of India.
The state has implemented climate-resilient cultivation practices such as integrated farming, zero-input-based natural farming, and non-paddy crops.
Training farmers in crop-specific techniques, including integrated nutrient and pest management, has led to increased food grains production.
The partnership between the United Nations World Food Programme and the Government of Odisha has resulted in innovative pilots to improve food and nutrition security.
Odisha has been ranked as the top state in the country for the National Food Security Act in 2022.
Odisha has transformed from facing food grains scarcity to generating surplus.
The state has made sustained efforts to climate-proof its agricultural system.
Crop diversification has been a key focus in Odisha's agricultural development.
The state has also prioritized the protection of smallholders' interests.
Odisha's development model can serve as an example for other states in addressing the challenges of global climate change.
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