There have been arguments that sedition law is an attack on the very foundation of India's liberal democratic principles, as enshrined in the Constitution. Do you agree? Discuss.

Sect. 124A of Indian Penal Code defines sedition as attempting/defending hatred, contempt and disaffection against a lawfully elected government. This can be by either use of words, written piece or otherwise. Sedition law is attack on foundation of liberal democratic principles — (1) It hampers the freedom of speech & expression - fundamental right (Art 19(1)a) of Constitution. (2) Sedition law has been misused by governments to silence

genuine criticism (2) 'Denies' right to dissent - also a fundamental right (Art 19(1)a). (3) The verifiable non-bailable nature of law's punishment is misused to deny bail to accused. (4) Attack on liberty to express oneself is viewed due as looked under sedition to speak against government's handling of COVID-19. (5) Arbitrary arrests - against Act 20 and Art 22 of constitution. (6) No mechanism for appeal deny right to constitutional remedies (Article 32). however, the historical & present conditions of India need sedition law to —

Government-e-Marketplace GeM is an online portal from where government procures its lease equipments be goods & office stationery supply of printers. Challenges faced by GeM: (1) Inadequate choices for different products to many times only 1 brand for one product (2) This leads to monopoly & inefficiency. Less competition & ineffective waste taxpayer's money. (3) Non-availability of various

items in COVID times many offices procured emergency hand-held thermometer outside GeM. (4) opportunity to procure & COVID time saw the ban on prices of families to more than double. (5) Less efficient supply chain → non-delivery to remote local-time - adding to regional disparities by not promoting government at those places. Improvement in procurement of goods & services — (1) Transparency in procurement → reduced corruption → easier track of expenditure (2) Government has streamlined → easy access to goods not

available in far remote areas → promoted standardized theory of comparative advantage of nationalist market. → proper resource allocation (3) Easier tracking of delivery time (4) Increased digitisation of various office & functions (5) Competitive pricing & efficiency in money for value. Way forward — (1) Public procurement guidelines → price ceilings on essential items guidelines to improve supply chain (2) empowering reviews private sector criteria, etc. - increase good availability & competition To realise goals of digital India we must put impetus on GeM.

— Priyanka Choudhary · AIR 79