Is sting operation an invasion on privacy?

When privacy of any individual gets hurt, he begins to question the societal set up, the laws of the land, the constitution, the right given to other persons to infringe upon others' rights and so on. As soon as the questioning begins, many things get unravelled in the process. For e.g. why was the privacy intruded, what were the circumstances in which the privacy was intruded and so on.

In order to analyse whether  sting operation really an invasion on privacy, we need to consider multiple view points.

Let us first take case of a media which conducts a sting operation on a corrupt politician. Say a politician is engaging himself or herself in some money bargaining. This bargain is unethical. This is horse trading of MLAs to be inducted in his own party. This got caught in the camera. The sting operation was conducted by some news media channel. This was finally aired in the media through TV. The politician who was engaging in unscrupulous activities was defamed within a minute. Here in this case, we may discuss and debate that the politician privacy was invaded. But we need to look at the larger picture here. Even if the privacy was invaded, he was absolutely unethical. So sting operation is not an invasion on privacy if it concerns larger societal interests. If he would have been dealing with absolutely personal affairs, then such sting operation would be an invasion on privacy.

There are multiple examples from the historical past when such “sting operations” were conducted. If we go back to the period of Mauryas in 3^rd century BC, then our mind raises questions whether such sting operations were common in that period.

That is why I have inserted the word sting operation in quotes, because the method of conducting the sting operation was different. Today we conduct with all new technologies. That day, they were conducted with the spies. It would be absurd to think of any technology that would be used in conducting such operations. Samrat Ashoka, the great king of those times, would then take action based on the feedback of such spies. If the vicitims of such “sting operation” were found to be unethical, he would be brutally slaughtered. Such was the dire consequences in those times. But in 21^st century, atleast he deserves a fair trial in the court of law. There is no media trial. Hence, there is absolutely no invasion on privacy of individuals, if the sting operation is conducted in the interests of society. That is why I gave the example of Mauryans to prove the fact that such sting operations need to be supported even if there is an invasion on privacy.

But often, it is seen that when there is such operation by any media or some other civil society activists, the victim is not guilty. He or she tries to defend himself or herself. Moreover, victim tries to save himself under the cloak of Art 21; Right to Life which is guaranteed by the constitution of India. Victim chooses Right to life itself; because this right automatically gives the victim right to privacy. However, this should be no defence if the victim engages himself/herself in such malpractices. This has been also confirmed by the SC judgements.

Sting Operation is common not only in India but also in international arena. The politics of developed country has its own set of challenges as opposed to developing countries like India. In such cases, media is better tool to strengthen the polity. For e.g. US, UK, Japan or other industrialised countries of G7 have a very vigilant media. The media does not hesitate to report a full story of any such unscrupulous activities- whether it is print media or digital media. In such cases, sting operation is a better tool to control corruption and anarchy. In such countries, democracy is further strengthened by such sting operation even if there is invasion of privacy.

Sting operation, as an idea to control malpractices has been often displayed in sci-fi movies. And the idea of invasion on privacy of individuals is rarely emphasized in such movies if you have seen any of them. This itself tells us that such sting operations are definitely a more powerful concept than “invasion on privacy”. Only the motive should be fine. It should be ethical .

Ethical media will never invade privacy. Neither state will do. Because most of the countries are bound by the their constitution and laws. For India, it is the lengthiest one of all. However, nowhere it is mentioned that Sting operation is legal. Neither it has been mentioned in any legislation that sting operation will bring invasion on privacy. It is only interpretation of some of the provisions of the constitution for e.g. Art 21 i.e. Right to life is interpreted in different ways by the victims. It is then corrected by the custodian of the constitution i.e. Supreme court.

Supreme court can only restrict itself to judicial review or writs mentioned in the constitution for infringement of fundamental rights. The debate of Sting operation vs invasion on privacy can be properly taken up by the Supreme court or High courts within their jurisdiction. But how about the idea of a media regulator to oversee such conflicts? If there is some regulator to control such conflicts in the first place, the gravity of the situation can be controlled. The regulator will then provide some guidelines concerning sting operation. The guidelines will have sense of ethics. By following those, sting operation can be made ethical without hurting anyone’s genuine privacy.

If there is sting operation on someone and the victim is found to be innocent, then that is an invasion on privacy for sure. Because anything that gets aired on TV becomes irrevocable. So, the sting operation should be conducted only after solid base of facts and evidence against the victim.

As long as, the intention of the media is congruent with the societal interests, sting operation is not an “invasion on privacy”. In fact this is dichotomy. 

Enumerate the problems and prospects of inland water transport in India.

Problems of inland water transport ranges from economical, political , geographical, political, cultural criterias.

1. From the economics point of view, the inland water transport may require separate fare structure and viability of such transport. 5 year separate data has to be taken and analysis needs to be done. Although from th experience of the developed countries, water transport has less expenditure as compared to road freight transport. But still this needs to be confirmed in context of India

2. Water transport comes under state subject. So transporting across the borders of state will be fair until and unless there is no hassle among the states relating to the transport guidelines. 

3. Environmentally also, there are issues relating to ganges dolphin, irrawady dolphin, gharials etc. Gnages dolphin and gahrials are endangered. Transport may create ecosystem  damage in the water.

4. Pollution in water may be another problem. 

However despite such problems, water transport has prospects such as:

1. Significant contribution to the GDP due to seamless transport of goods. Also due to the fact that there are nearly 1 crore rivers in India. However only 20 of them are major water basins such as Indus, Ganges Brahmputra and so on. 

2. Gives an insight to the developing world like Africa, South American countries about how we are implenting water transport.

3. Attracts investment from institutions like World Bank.

So the idea is to bring more innovative solutions to the problems of such water transport. Not only mechanised transport but also renewable technologies that boost water transport need to be brought on board. 

How globalisation has led to reduction of employment in formal sector of Indian economy? Is increased informalisation detrimental to the development of country?

Globalisation has offered opportunities which were absent before 1991. Willow or cricket bat makers from Jammu Kashmir can now find market even outside the country for e.g. Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan or even countries like Afghanistan where access is difficult. And we know this is an informal sector. Earlier they could only sell within India.
Similar evidences can be seen in lock making, paints, candles business, cosmetics, kites, ivory making and others. These industries sometimes employ less than 10 people. But since they find market outside India, they earn.
So with this increase in employment in informal sector, employment in formal sector has decreased. People in formal sector may be more secure from the year round benefits they are provided. However, they prefer informal jobs because of two main reasons. The skills they have inherited from their forefathers offer them a good business. Secondly, they need not migrate from rural to urban or rural to some other rural places.
Increased informalisation is not always detrimental to the development of the country. Until and unless it offers these:
1. Significant contribution to the GDP due to volume of sales.
2. Human capital utilisation of the country
3. Augmenting other sectors of the country which are forwardly linked to these informal sectors. For e.g  if some industry source rice husk for their businesses from the informal sectos which is involved in rice husk making. Then both gets benefited in that case.
However, it may affect the economy of the country in following cases
1. If the % of informalisation increases to such an extent that GDP contributed by them is less than GDP contributed by the formal sector. If 60% informal sector of the economy contributed to only 30% of GDP , then there is a serious problem with the structure of economy.
A balance of the formal and informal sector is needed. 

Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are requirements and status of gender budgeting in Indian context?

Gender budgeting can help in various ways such as assured outcomes. In India, women needs specific policies that not only uplift them from poverty but also skill them so that they can contribute to GDP significantly. This has become important in India where still many families are patriarchal. So they do not like women to work after they get married. In past we have heard of Nairs of Kerela who were matriarchal families but how many of them we know at present except some of them in tribal settings. This is in contrast to developed countries like US, UK and even some of the south asian economies which are fairly advanced. Also, India has come far in terms of literacy rate of women. At the time of Independence, literacy rate of women was only 18%. Today the figure is 67% for women. But still short of 7-8% as compared to literacy rate for men which is 74%. So, gender budgeting become important here again. 

Government of India has taken certain steps in this direction. Schemes such as MAA (Mothers absolute affection programme), Priyadarshini scheme(which uplifts the women from poverty in Kerela), Indira Gnadhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana( monthly entitlement benefits to pregnant and lactating women for two birth child) are best examples to support this. However, despite these gender budgeting initiatives in Ministry of Women and Child development, it takes time to achieve the desired outcomes. Perseverance and patience is the key. The programme is started in mission mode starts for few high burden districts initially. This itself speak of the regional disparity in terms socio- economic indicators. But to achieve the results in a coherent manner require innovative and prudent approach from permanent and political executives. 

GM Mustard and the debate..

The debate at present, that concerns India is whether GM Mustard crops should be allowed on fields. GEAC which reports to Ministry of Environment and Forest is mandated to approve the commercial trials. It has even approved it. However, since it is a food crop, it has raised concern among the masses. The common people, farmers, scientists, NGOs and few section of civil society think it would not be apt to go for GM Mustard on fields. They think it will hurt the environment, soil, biotic and abiotic factors of the eco system and health of human beings. Moreover, if there is some damage to the above, it will be irrevocable. 

However despite such apprehensions, some support it on the following grounds. It will help in the food security mission. The government is dependent on the farmers for its procurement of food grains such as rice, wheat, pulses to feed the masses at subsidised rates. So, by introducing GM Mustard, the productivity of food grains will increase. This is because after its introduction, lesser area will be required for growing mustard; since GM crops increase the productivity, with lesser area we can grow more crops. The remaining area can be diverted for other crops such as rice, wheat, pulses and so on. So, the government will not be apprehensible of failing to maintain sufficient food stock every quarter. 

Another advantage is that GM Mustard will be drought as well as pest resistant. So both these factors which affect the production in a substantial amount can be eliminated.

I have few proposals regarding what should be the final fate of GM Mustard. Grow these crops forst not on the agricultural fields but on vertical farms. These farms are very popular in Japan. They get nutrition not from the soil but some mechanised routes, may be from air. We can deploy some of the experienced professionals in the regard who can implement this Japanese knowledge. By doing this we will have no fear of what may go wrong with the soil, environment at least in the initial stage. the outcome then should be carefully monitored by the suitable professionals. Farmers should be taken help of in assessing the outcomes. Then, increase the area of such farms every year. Again assess the outcomes. Send the outcome report to the developed countries technical bodies and they should also be studied by indian technical bodies like Central Water commission. Based on such outcomes, the action need to be taken. By deploying PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) we can achieve sustainable results without worries. Please no ad-hocs.