18 March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. New Delhi’s perilous recalibration with the Taliban
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
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Context |
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Allowing a New Taliban Envoy in India
- This follows a high-level meeting between India’s representatives and Taliban officials in January.
- The engagement marks a shift in India’s stance, which started when New Delhi reopened its embassy in Kabul in June 2022.
- Accepting a Taliban diplomat would be a major policy change, effectively recognizing the regime.
Concerns Over Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
- Many countries have refused to recognize the Taliban due to its treatment of women.
- Around 1.4 million school-age girls have been denied education.
- Women are banned from most jobs, beauty parlours, and national parks, leading to what the United Nations has called “gender apartheid.”
- Despite these concerns, India sees an opportunity to strengthen its influence in Afghanistan.
China’s Strategic Moves in Afghanistan
- China has already accepted a Taliban envoy and invested in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.
- It is also considering including the Taliban in its Belt and Road Initiative.
- This would bring Afghanistan further under China’s economic influence.
- India aims to gain strategic ground, especially as relations between Afghanistan and a neighboring country have soured.
Strained Relations Between Afghanistan and a Neighboring Country
- A country that once supported the Taliban now has a deteriorating relationship with the regime.
- The Taliban has sought independence from its former allies and is strengthening ties with China, Russia, and Central Asian nations.
- The breakdown in relations is due to the Taliban’s failure to control terrorist activities within its borders.
- Afghanistan has become a hub for terrorism under the Taliban’s rule.
- A major terrorist group is actively carrying out deadly attacks in the country.
Threats Against India
- A terrorist group previously attacked an Indian consulate in Afghanistan, killing one person and injuring two others.
- A United Nations report stated that the group is trying to recruit individuals for large-scale attacks in India.
- This raises security concerns for India as it engages with Afghanistan.
India’s Need for Caution
- India has always emphasized that Afghanistan should be free of terrorism.
- Any further engagement should depend on Afghanistan’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
- The Taliban must take action against terrorist organizations within its borders.
- Other countries have faced challenges after engaging with Afghanistan, and India must consider the risks carefully.
- Given its history of terrorism threats, India must evaluate whether involvement in Afghanistan is a safe and beneficial decision.
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PYQ: The proposed withdrawal of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2013) |
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Practice Question: Discuss the strategic and security implications of India’s increasing engagement with the Taliban, considering regional geopolitics, terrorism concerns, and humanitarian issues. (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. The barriers faced by construction workers
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)
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Context |
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Growing Importance of the Construction Sector
- The construction sector is one of the fastest-growing industries in India, contributing about 9% to the national GDP.
- It is projected to reach $1.4 trillion by 2025 and employ around 3 crore workers by 2030.
- However, concerns about labour shortages have been raised, with claims that workers are reluctant to relocate due to welfare schemes that provide financial security.
- This explanation overlooks the deeper structural challenges that construction workers face.
Challenges Faced by Construction Workers
Frequent Relocation and Job Insecurity
- Migrant construction workers frequently move from one site to another, leading to high job insecurity and unstable incomes.
- Their employment is often temporary, making it difficult to access consistent welfare benefits.
Difficulties in Accessing Welfare Schemes
- The Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996 was created to protect workers, but many struggle to access benefits.
- Around 5.65 crore workers are registered under State construction boards, which have collected nearly ₹70,000 crore in cesses for worker welfare.
- However, 75% of this amount remains unutilised due to bureaucratic issues.
Documentation Barriers
- To access welfare schemes, workers need documents like identity proof, birth certificates, and residence proof.
- Because of their migratory nature, many workers lack permanent addresses and struggle to provide the required documents.
- A key requirement is an employment certificate proving 90 days of work in a year, which many contractors refuse to provide.
State-Specific Issues
- Each State has different rules for verification, creating inconsistencies in welfare access.
- Migrant workers who move from one State to another lose access to welfare schemes, as there is no system for portability.
- For example, a worker registered in Haryana cannot access benefits in Delhi, leading to disruptions in their welfare support.
Seasonal Employment and Emergency Support Issues
- Construction workers face seasonal employment challenges, such as job losses during heat waves.
- When construction bans are imposed due to air pollution, workers lose income but struggle to receive timely financial relief due to slow administrative processes.
- Lack of digital infrastructure further delays welfare disbursement, worsening their financial difficulties.
Proposed Solutions
Creating a Unified Labour Identification System
- A nationwide system for worker identification, similar to the One Nation One Ration Card scheme, is needed.
- Linking BOCW registrations with UAN on e-Shram would allow workers to access welfare benefits regardless of location.
Improving Digital Infrastructure
- State governments should adopt digital platforms to streamline welfare schemes and reduce delays.
- A centralised portal can enable real-time tracking of benefits and use Aadhaar-based verification for efficiency.
Simplifying Documentation Requirements
- Accepting alternative forms of proof can help workers access benefits more easily.
- States should organise on-site registration camps to ensure workers are enrolled in welfare schemes.
Investing in Skill Development
- Strengthening skill development programs can help address long-term labour shortages and improve worker efficiency.
- Construction firms should focus on training initiatives and ensuring safe working conditions to retain skilled workers.
Conclusion
- The construction sector’s labour shortage is not just due to welfare schemes but also systemic barriers to employment and welfare access.
- Addressing these issues through better documentation processes, digital infrastructure, and skilling programs is crucial for building a stable and secure workforce.
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Practice Question: What are the major challenges faced by construction workers in India, and how can welfare accessibility be improved? (150 Words /10 marks) |
Check More – 17 March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
