1. India-Kuwait Relations: Strategic Partnership
Key Highlights:
- MoU on Defence Cooperation:
- Exchange of defence personnel.
- Joint exercises and supply of military equipment.
- Institutionalizing bilateral defence cooperation.
- Bilateral Ties Elevated:
- Relationship upgraded to “strategic partnership.”
- Announcement made during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait.
- Broader Cooperation:
- Areas of focus include:
- Pharmaceuticals, IT, infrastructure, and security.
- Energy, food parks, medical devices.
- Areas of focus include:
- Cultural and Sports Cooperation:
- MoU signed on cultural exchange and sports agreements.
- Emphasis on people-to-people ties.
- Economic Initiatives:
- Engagement with Kuwait Investment Authority to explore investment opportunities.
- Joint Commission for Cooperation operational with new working groups in:
- Trade
- Technology
- Agriculture
- Security
Honors: PM Modi received Kuwait’s highest civilian honor.
2. MGNREGS Implementation Issues in West Bengal
Image source: PMF IAS
Key Points:
- Funds Withheld:
- The Centre has not sent funds for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to West Bengal since 2021.
- Cited irregularities in the scheme’s implementation as the reason.
- RTI Findings:
- A set of RTI replies revealed:
- 63 work sites were inspected during three visits between 2019-2022.
- 31 sites had serious shortcomings; only 32 were satisfactory.
- A set of RTI replies revealed:
- Major Issues Identified:
- Fragmentation of work parcels to avoid scrutiny.
- Fraudulent job cards created under MGNREGS.
- Tendering norms not followed for system procurement.
- Works impermissible under MGNREGS undertaken.
- Poor maintenance of records and files.
- Scale of the Scheme in Bengal:
- 4 crore registered workers in the state.
- The Centre funds 90% of MGNREGS, which guarantees up to 100 days of employment.
- Field Visits:
- January 2019: Purba Bardhaman and Hooghly.
- March 2022:
- April 2022: Hooghly, Purba Bardhaman, and Darjeeling.
- Broader Implications:
- Disputes highlight governance and accountability issues in large-scale welfare programs.
Affects rural livelihoods reliant on MGNREGS.
3. Indian Workers Abroad: Challenges and Solutions
Key Points:
- Labour Exploitation:
- Incident in Libya: 16 Indian workers, deceived into inhumane working conditions, coerced to work in a cement factory in Benghazi.
- The Indian mission is providing food and supplies, but exit permits are needed for repatriation.
- Vulnerability of Migrant Workers:
- Over 13 million Indians work abroad, predominantly in Gulf countries.
- Contributions: Significant remittances: $111 billion in 2022.
- Challenges:
- Recruitment fees, travel loans, and exploitative contracts.
- Risks in the kafala system in Gulf countries.
- Past Incidents:
- Kuwait: June 2023 fire in a labour camp killed 10 workers.
- Broader dangers include conflict zones like Israel and Russia.
- Government Initiatives:
- e-Migrate System: Introduced for workers traveling to 18 Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) countries.
- Challenges:
- Labour agents bypass safeguards.
- Non-ECR countries lack protections.
- Proposed Solutions:
- Stricter monitoring of recruitment agents.
- Demanding higher compensation guarantees from host nations.
- Long-term solution: Economic growth and job creation in India to reduce dependence on foreign employment.
- Diplomatic and Policy Actions:
- Utilize forums like Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to address workers’ struggles.
- Reform India’s Emigration Act for better protections.
- Implications for India:
- The plight of migrant workers reflects on India’s global economic and diplomatic aspirations.
Balance between leveraging diaspora contributions and safeguarding worker rights.
4. Indian Rupee and US Dollar
