SFJ ban puts the spotlight on UAPA

The Union government has banned the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) on the grounds of promoting secessionism. Formed in 2007, SFJ is a US-based group seeking Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a law graduate from Panjab University and currently an attorney at law in the US, is the face of the SFJ and its legal adviser. The secessionist campaign called Referendum 2020 seeks to “liberate Punjab from Indian occupation”.

UAPA

The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act is a law aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.

Its main objective is to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.

The National Integration Council appointed a committee to look into the aspect of putting reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India. Pursuant to the acceptance of the recommendations of the Committee, the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, was enacted to impose, by law, reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India. In order to implement the provisions of the 1963 Act, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Bill was introduced in Parliament.

Contentious clauses

* The Act introduces a vague definition of terrorism to encompass a wide range of non-violent political activity, including political protest.

* The Act empowers the government to declare an organisation as “terrorist” and ban it. Mere membership of such a proscribed organisation itself becomes a criminal offence.

* The Act allows a person’s detention without filing of a charge sheet for up to 180 days; police custody can be up to 30 days.

* The Act creates a strong presumption against bail and anticipatory bail is out of the question. It creates a presumption of guilt for terrorism offences merely based on the evidence allegedly seized.

* The Act authorises the creation of special courts, with wide discretion to hold in-camera proceedings (closed-door hearings) and uses secret witnesses.

* The Act contains no sunset clause and provisions for mandatory periodic review.

Non-resident Keralite investment company

To channel investments from non-resident Keralites (NRKs) for major infrastructure development in the state, the Kerala government has decided to form an NRK investment company, with NRKs holding a 74 per cent stake. The decision comes following a recommendation in this regard from the Loka Kerala Sabha’s standing committee.

Key points

* The NRK Investment and Holding Company Ltd will be formed with 74 per cent share capital from NRKs, while the state government will hold the remaining stake.

* The CEO of NORKA Roots will be the special officer of the new company.

* The Loka Kerala Sabha has come up with the recommendation to capitalise on investments from NRKs for various development initiatives across the state.

* The company can set up a special purpose vehicle or subsidiary company for the purpose. Construction of NRK townships and other projects related to basic infrastructure development will be taken up by the company.

NORKA Roots

Established in 2002, NORKA Roots is the arm of the state government to promote and execute several welfare activities for millions of NRKs. The key objectives of the agency are to effectively address the challenges faced by NRKs, protect their rights, rehabilitate returnees, etc. The government also looks forward to use their vast experience and expertise for the development of the state.

Formation of STF as per BBBP guidelines

All states and Union Territories except West Bengal have constituted a state task force (STF) headed by the chief secretary as per the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme guidelines.

So far, out of 405 districts selected for multi-sectoral activities, 390 districts have constituted the district task force. Block-level committees have been constituted by Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme was introduced in October 2014 to address the issue of declining child sex ratio. The scheme was launched on January 22, 2015 in Panipat, Haryana. It is a tri-ministerial effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health & Family Welfare and Human Resource Development.

Objectives

* Prevent gender-biased sex selective elimination

* Ensure survival and protection of the girl child

* Ensure the girl child’s education

Strategies

* Implement a sustained social mobilisation and communication campaign to create equal value for the girl child and promote her education.

* Place the issue of decline in child sex ratio / sex ratio at birth in the public discourse, improvement of which would be an indicator for good governance.

* Focus on gender critical districts and cities low on child sex ratio for intensive and integrated action.

* Mobilise and train Panchayati Raj institutions / urban local bodies / grassroot workers as catalysts for social change in partnership with local community / women’s / youth groups.

* Ensure that service delivery structures / schemes and programmes are sufficiently responsive to issues of gender and children’s rights.

* Enable inter-sectoral and inter-institutional convergence at district / block / grassroot levels.