Saturday, February 21, 2015

Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA)


Who can open the account? – Sukanya Samriddhi a/c (or Khata) can be opened on a girl child’s name by her natural (biological) parents or legal guardian.
What is the Age limit? – SSA can be opened in the name of a girl child from the birth of the girl child till she attains the age of  10 years.  ( As per SB Order No. 2/2015 : The Girl child who is born on or after  02.12.2003 can open account )
How many accounts can be opened? – A depositor may open and operate only one account in the name of same girl child under this scheme. The depositor (or) guardian can open only two SSA accounts. There is one exception to this rule. The natural or legal guardian can open two or three accounts if twin girls are born as second birth or triplets are born in the first birth itself.
How to open a SSA account? Accounts in name of the girl child can be opened in post offices or in any branch of a commercial bank that is authorized by the Central Government to open an account under this scheme rules.
What is the minimum deposit to open the account? – The account may be opened with an initial deposit of one thousand rupees. The minimum contribution in any financial year is Rs 1000. Thereafter the contributions can in multiples of one hundred rupees.
What is the maximum deposit amount? – a minimum of one thousand rupees shall be deposited in a financial year but the total money deposited in an account on a single occasion or on multiple occasions shall not exceed Rs 1.5 Lakh in a financial year.
Deposits in an account may be made till the child completes fourteen years, from the date of opening of the account.
Is there any penalty? – If minimum (Rs 1000 pa) amount is not deposited, the account will be treated as an irregular account. This can be regularized/renewed on payment of Rs 50 per year as penalty. Along with this, the minimum specified subscription for the year (s) of default should be paid.
What is the mode of deposit? – The deposits in Sukanya Samruddhi scheme can be made in the form of Cash or Demand Draft or Cheque. Where deposit is made by cheque or demand draft, the date of encashment of the cheque or demand draft shall be the date of credit to the account. The cheque or DD should be drawn in favour of the postmaster of the concerned post office or the Manager of the concerned bank.The depositor (parents or guardian) has to write the account holder’s name (child’s name) and the account number on the backside of the instrument.
What is the Rate of Interest on Sukanya Samriddhi Account? – The applicable rate of interest on SSA for the financial year 2014-2015 is 9.1%. This is one of the highest rates of interest offered by Government on small savings scheme
Is interest rate fixed or variable? – The rate of interest is not fixed and will be notified by the central government on a yearly basis.
The account can be transferred anywhere in India if the girl shifts to a place other than the city or locality where the account stands.
Is Premature withdrawal allowed? – 50 % (half of the fund) of the accumulated amount in SSA can be withdrawn for girl’s higher education and marriage after she attains 18 years of age. The account’s balance at the end of preceding financial year is used for the calculation.
Can the girl child operate the account? On attaining age of ten years, the account holder that is the girl child may herself operate the account, however, deposit in the account may be made by the guardian or parents.
Is premature closure allowed? In the event of death of the account holder, the account shall be closed immediately on production of death certificate. the balance at the credit of the account shall be paid along with interest till the month preceding the month of premature closure of the account , to the guardian of the account holder.
The scheme would mature on completion of 21 years of the girl child, from the date of opening of the account, with an option of keeping the account till marriage.
Can the girl child continue the account after her marriage? – The operation of the account shall not be permitted beyond the date of the girl’s marriage.
What are the required documents to open Sukanya Samriddhi Account? – Birth certificate of the girl child has to be produced. The depositor (parents or guardian) has to submit his/her identity and address proofs.
On opening an account, the depositor shall be given a pass book. It will have date of birth of the girl child, date of opening of account, account number, name and address of the account holder and the initial amount deposited. The depositor has to present the passbook to the post office or bank at the time of depositing/receiving the interest/on maturity.
Tax Benefits on Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme
The amount that is deposited under Sukanya Samriddhi Account will be eligible for income tax exemption under Section 80C of Income Tax Act, 1961.
At present, only the contribution of up to Rs 1.5 lakh toward Sukanya Samridhi Yojana is eligible for tax deduction under Section 80C. But discussions are on to also exempt the interest income and withdrawal amount. We can expect a formal announcement on this in the coming Union Budget 2015-16.

(Issue of making interest income and withdrawal exempt from taxation can be done by Department of Revenue (DoR) through legislative amendments. The matter is under examination of DoR)

Sukanya Samriddhi Account vs Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Both Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA) and Public Provident Fund (PPF) aims to seed the savings habit but both schemes have their own pros and cons. Stressing on the girls role in making the India competitive and prosperous nation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has today launched a new small savings account for the girl child “Sukanya Samriddhi Account” as an integral part of the “Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao” campaign.

Sukanya Samriddhi Account was initially introduced by Shri Arun Jaitely in his maiden budget speech but has been officially launched today by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He has handed over bank account details to five girls under the “Sukanya Samridhi Yojna” (girl child prosperity scheme).
Sukanya Samridhi Yojna is a special deposit scheme for girl child only but one another popular scheme to benefit child (irrespective of girl or boy) is Public Provident Fund (PPF).
Let’s see the difference between Sukanya Samriddhi Account and Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Sukanya Samriddhi Account vs Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Points of Difference
Sukanya Samriddhi Account (SSA)
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
For whom
Only for Girl Child.
For every Indian Citizen.

Age Limit
From the birth till she attains age of 10 years.
No age limit.



By whom
By the girl child who has attained the age of 10 years or by the natural or legal guardian.
By the Individual but by the natural or legal guardian for the minor child.

Where to open
Post office and nationalized banks but not private banks.
Post office and nationalized banks, including private banks.


Number of Account
One account for each girl child, maximum up to 2 or 3 accounts if twin girls are born in the second birth or triplets are born in the first birth.
Each Individual can hold only one account in his name.

Minimum Contribution
    Rs.1,000
Rs.500

Maximum Contribution
   Rs.1.5 lakhs in all accounts.
Rs.1.5 lakhs in all accounts.
Interest Rate
9.1% per annum for fiscal year 2014-15.
8.70% per annum for fiscal year 2014-15.

Tax Benefit on the Contribution
Contributed Amount will be deductible u/s 80C.
Contributed Amount will be deductible u/s 80C.

Tax Benefit on the interest earned
At present no tax benefit is announced for the interest earned. A mere sum of Rs.1,5o0 will be deductible u/s 10(32) .
Interest Earned is tax free under PPF.

Time Period of contribution
Minimum tenure of contribution is 14 years from the date of opening of account.
Minimum 15 years and then in blocks of 5 years.


Maturity
21 years from the date of opening of account.
15 years from the fiscal year of opening of account.


Penalty
Rs.50 per year if minimum contribution is not made.
Rs.50 per year if minimum contribution is not made.

Mode of Deposit
Cash or Demand Draft or Cheque
Cash or Demand Draft or Cheque


Premature Withdrawal
Allowed up to 50% for the girl’s higher education and marriage after she attains 18 years of age
No premature withdrawal is allowed except in case of death of the account holder.



Loan
No loan can be taken on the SSA balance.
Loan can be taken from the third year of opening of account to the sixth year.

Taxation on Maturity
No tax will be levied on the maturity amount.
No tax will be levied on the maturity amount.

Vishaka Guidelines

Guidelines and norms laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Vishaka and Others Vs. State of Rajasthan and Others(JT 1997 (7) SC 384)

HAVING REGARD to the definition of ‘human rights’ in Section 2 (d) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, TAKING NOTE of the fact that the present civil and penal laws in India do not adequately provide for specific protection of women from sexual harassment in work places and that enactment of such legislation will take considerable time, It is necessary and expedient for employers in work places as well as other responsible persons or institutions to observe certain guidelines to ensure the prevention of sexual harassment of women.

Duty of the Employer or other responsible persons in work places and other institutions

It shall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work places or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts, of sexual harassment by taking all steps
required.

Definition

For this purpose, sexual harassment includes such unwelcome sexually determined behaviour (whether directly or by implication) as:
a) Physical contact and advances;
b) A demand or request for sexual favours;
c) Sexually coloured remarks;
d) Showing pornography;
e) Any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature
Where any of these acts is committed in circumstances where-under the victim of such conduct has a reasonable apprehension that in relation to the victim’s employment or work whether she is drawing salary, or honorarium or voluntary, whether in government, public or private enterprise such conduct can be humiliating and may constitute a health and safety problem. It is discriminatory for instance when the woman has reasonable grounds to believe that her objection would disadvantage her in connection with her employment or work including recruiting or promotion or when it creates a hostile work environment. Adverse consequences might be visited if the victim
does not consent to the conduct in question or raises any objection thereto.

Preventive Steps

All employers or persons in charge of work place whether in public or private
sector should take appropriate steps to prevent sexual harassment. Without
prejudice to the generality of this obligation they should take the following
steps:
A. Express prohibition of sexual harassment as defined above at the work place should be notified, published and circulated in appropriate ways.
B. The Rules/Regulations of Government and Public Sector bodies relating to conduct and discipline should include rules/regulations prohibiting sexual harassment and provide for appropriate penalties in such rules against the offender.
C. As regards private employers, steps should be taken to include the aforesaid prohibitions in the standing orders under the Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
D. Appropriate work conditions should be provided in respect of work, leisure, health and hygiene to further ensure that there is no hostile environment towards women at work places and no employee woman should have reasonable grounds to believe that she is disadvantaged in connection with her employment.

Criminal Proceedings

Where such conduct amounts to a specific offence under the Indian Penal Code or under any other law, the employer shall initiate appropriate action in accordance with law by making a complaint with the appropriate authority.

In particular, it should ensure that victims or witnesses are not victimized or discriminated against while dealing with complaints of sexual harassment. The victims of sexual harassment should have the option to seek transfer of the perpetrator or their own transfer.

Disciplinary Action

Where such conduct amounts to misconduct in employment as defined by the relevant service rules, appropriate disciplinary action should be initiated by the employer in accordance with those rules.

Complaint Mechanism

Whether or not such conduct constitutes an offence under law or a breach of the service rules, an appropriate complaint mechanism should be created in the employer’s organisation for redress of the complaint made by the victim. Such complaint mechanism should ensure time bound treatment of complaints.

Complaints Committee

The complaint mechanism, referred to above, should be adequate to provide, where necessary, a Complaints Committee, a special counsellor or other support service, including the maintenance of confidentiality. The Complaints Committee should be headed by a woman and not less than half of its member should be women. Further, to prevent the possibility of any undue pressure or influence from senior levels, such Complaints Committee should involve a third party, either NGO or other body who is familiar with the issue of sexual harassment.
The Complaints Committee must make an annual report to the Government department concerned of the complaints and action taken by them. The employers and person in charge will also report on the compliance with the aforesaid guidelines including on the reports of the Complaints Committee to the Government department.

Worker’s Initiative

Employees should be allowed to raise issues of sexual harassment at a workers’ meeting and in other appropriate forum and it should be affirmatively discussed in Employer-Employee Meetings.

Awareness

Awareness of the rights of female employees in this regard should be created in particular by prominently notifying the guidelines (and appropriate legislation when enacted on the subject) in a suitable manner.

Third Party Harassment

Where sexual harassment occurs as a result of an act or omission by any third party or outsider, the employer and person in charge will take all steps necessary and reasonable to assist the affected person in terms of support and preventive action.
The Central/State Governments are requested to consider adopting suitable measures including legislation to ensure that the guidelines laid down by this order are also observed by the employers in Private Sector.
These guidelines will not prejudice any rights available under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Main Recommendations of Punchhi Commission

Related Article:
Centre State Relations
Inter-State Council

There should be an amendment in Articles 355 and 356 to enable the Centre to bring specific trouble- torn areas under its rule for a limited period.

I. The commission has proposed "localizing emergency provisions" under Articles 355 and 356, contending that localized areas-either a district or parts of a district - be brought under Governor's rule instead of the whole state. Such an emergency provision should however not be of duration of more than three months.

II. The commission however supports their right to give sanction for the prosecution of ministers against the advice of the state government.

III. To make an amendment in the Communal Violence Bill to allow deployment of Central forces without the state's consent for a short period. It has proposed that state consent should not become a hurdle in deployment of central forces in a communal conflagration. However, such deployment should only be for a week and post-facto consent should be taken from the state.

IV. Among the significant suggestions made by the Commission is, lying down of clear guidelines for the appointment of chief ministers. Upholding the view that a pre-poll alliance should be treated as one political party, it lays down the order of precedence that ought to be followed by the governor in case of a hung house:
  • Call the group with the largest prepoll alliance commanding the largest number;
  • The single largest party with support of others;
  • The post-electoral coalition with all parties joining the government; and last
  • The post electoral alliance with some parties joining the government and remaining including Independents supporting from outside.


V. The panel also feels that governors should have the right to sanction prosecution of a minister against the advice of the council of ministers. However, it wants the convention of making them chancellors of universities done away with.

VI. As for qualifications for a governor, the Punchhi commission suggests that the nominee not have participated in active politics at even local level for at least a couple of years before his appointment. It also agrees with the Sarkaria recommendation that a governor be an eminent person and not belongs to the state where he is to be posted.

VII. The commission also criticizes arbitrary dismissal of governors, saying, "the practice of treating gov­ernors as political football must stop".

VIII. There should be critical changes in the role of the governor - including fixed five-year tenure as well as their removal only through impeachment by the state Assembly. It has also recommended that the state chief minister have a say in the appointment of governor.

IX. Underlining that removal of a governor be for a reason related to his discharge of functions, it has proposed provisions for impeachment by the state legislature along the same lines as that of Presi­dent by Parliament. This, significantly, goes against the doctrine of pleasure upheld by the recent Supreme Court judgment.

X. Endorsing an NCRWC recommendation, it says appointment of governor should be entrusted to a committee comprising the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Speaker of the Lok Sabha and chief min­ister of the concerned state. The Vice-President can also be involved in the process.

XI. Unlike the Sarkaria report, the Punchhi report is categorical that a governor be given fixed five-year tenure. The Punchhi Commission report also recommends that a constitutional amendment be brought about to limit the scope of discretionary powers of the governor under Article 163 (2). Governors should not sit on decisions and must decide matters within a four-month period.

XII. The creation of an overriding structure to maintain internal security along the lines of the US Home­land Security department, giving more teeth to the National Integration Council.

XIII. For the National Integration Council (NIC), the commission has proposed that it should meet at least once a year. In case of any communal incident, it has said that a delegation of five members of the Council, who would be eminent persons, should visit the affected area within two days National debate and submit a fact-finding report.

XIV. The commission, however, rejects a suggestion from some stakeholders as well as the Liberhan Commission that the NIC be accorded constitutional status.

XV. The commission has also studied new set-ups like the National Investigation Agency, and recommended procedures to ensure smooth co-operation of the states in terror investigations entrusted to NIA. One can say that the extreme politicization of the post of Governor must be decried and certain specific norms for the appointment and removal have to be evolved.

XVI. The recent ruling of the Supreme Court has indicated that the sanctity of this constitutional post should be preserved. In democracy, nobody can have absolute power in the name of smooth administration and good governance. The administrative apparatus has to be in the line of the constitution, which was prepared by the people of the country and amended by the elected representative of the people of India. The 'doctrine of pleasure' has to be understood in this light.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Inter-State Council

Related Article: Centre State Relations

Fulfilling its commitment of Common Minimum Programme, the Government set up a Commission on Centre-State Relations on FRIDAY, 27th APRIL 2007/VAISAKHA 7, 1929 to look into the new issues of Centre-State relations keeping in view the changes that have been taken place in the polity and economy of India since the Sarkaria Commission had last looked at the issue of Centre-State relations over two decades ago. 

The Commission was chaired by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, former Chief Justice of India. Shri Dhirendra Singh and Shri Vinod Kumar Duggal, both former Secretary to the Government of India, Prof. (Dr.) N.R. Madhava Menon, former Director, National Judicial Academy, Bhopal and National Law School of India, Bangalore and Dr. Amaresh Bagchi, Emeritus Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, New Delhi were the other members of the Commission. Secretary, Inter-State Council served as the Secretary of the Commission.

The Commission examined and reviewed the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States, various pronouncements of the Courts in regard to powers, functions and responsibilities in all spheres including legislative relations, administrative relations, role of governors, emergency provisions, financial relations, economic and social planning, Panchayati Raj institutions, sharing of resources including inter-state river water etc. The Commission made a number recommendations in its seven volume report presented to Government on 30 March 2010. 

The main recommendations of the Commission regarding the Inter-State Council and its secretariat were as under: 
  1. The Inter-State Council need to be substantially strengthened and activised as the key player in intergovernmental resolutions. It must meet at least thrice in a year on an agenda evolved after proper consultation with States.
  2. The ISC must be empowered to follow up the implementation of its decisions for which appropriate statutory provisions should be made. The Government will be well advised to evolve an appropriate scheme to utilize the full potential of ISC in harmonizing Centre-State relations which has become urgent in the changed circumstances. Issues of governance must as far as possible be sorted out through the political and administrative processes rather than pushed to long drawn adjudication in the Court.
  3. Inter-State Council appears to be the most viable, promising, Constitutional mechanism to be developed for the purpose provided it is properly restructured and duly empowered. Once ISC is made a vibrant, negotiating forum for policy development and conflict resolution, the Government may consider the functions for the National Development also being transferred to the ISC. 
  4. The Council should have functional independence with a professional Secretariat constituted with experts on relevant fields of knowledge supported by Central and State officials on deputation for limited periods. 
  5. ISC should have an organizational and management structure which different from the Government departments and flexible enough to accommodate management practices involving multidisciplinary skills conducive to federal governance under the Constitution.
  6. Given the Constitutional and quasi-judicial tasks, the Council should have experts in its organizational set up drawn from the disciplines of Law, Management and Political Science besides the All India Services.
  7. The Secretary of ISC should be designated ex-officio Secretary of the Department of States reporting directly to the Union Home Minister who is to be ex-officio Deputy Chairman of the Council. 

Amendment process under Indian Constitution

The procedure of amendment makes the Constitution of India neither totally rigid nor totally flexible, rather a curious mixture of both. Some provisions can be easily changed and for some others, special procedures are to be followed. Despite the fact that India is a federal state, the proposal for amending the constitution can be initiated only in the House of the Union Legislature and the State Legislatures have no such power.

In case of ordinary legislation, if both houses of the Parliament disagree, a joint session is convened. But in case of amendment of bills, unless both the houses agree, it cannot materialize, as in such cases there is no provision for convening the joint session of both the Houses of the Parliament.
In fact, there are three methods of amending the Constitution. But Article 368 of the constitution which lays down the procedure for amendment mentions two methods.
1. An amendment of the constitution may be initiated only by the introduction of a Bill for the purpose in either house of Parliament and when a bill is passed in each house.
  • by a majority of total membership of that house.
  • by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that house present and voting, it shall be presented to the President who shall give his assent to the Bill and there upon the Constitution shall stand amended in accordance with the term of the Bill.
  • Most of the provisions of the constitution can be amended by this procedure.
2. For amending certain provisions a special procedure to be followed,
  • a Bill for the purpose must be passed in each house of Parliament by a majority of total membership of the house,
  • by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of that house present and voting and
  • it should be notified by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the states before the Bill is presented to the President for assent.
  • The provisions requiring this special procedure to be followed include- (a) manner of the election of the President, (b) matters relating to the executive power of the union and of the state, (c) representation of the states in Parliament (d) matters relating to the Union Judiciary and High Courts in the states (e) distribution of legislative powers between the union and the states (f) any of the list in the seventh schedule (g) provisions of Article 368 relating to the procedure for amendment of the constitution etc.

3. There are certain provisions which require simple majority for amend­ments. They can be amended by the ordinary law making process. They include (a) formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing ones (b) creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in the states (c) administration and control of scheduled areas and sched­uled Tribes (d) the salaries and allowances of the Supreme Court and High Court Judges (e) laws regarding citizenship etc. It is significant that the laws passed by Parliament to change the above provisions would not be deemed to be amendments of the Constitution for the purpose of Article 368.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India. The act banned prenatal sex determination.

Female foeticide in India

This process began in the early 1990s when ultrasound techniques gained widespread use in India. There was a tendency for families to continuously produce children until a male child was born. Foetal sex determination and sex selective abortion by medical professionals has today grown into a Rs. 1,000 crore industry (US$ 244 million). Social discrimination against women and a preference for sons have promoted. According to the decennial Indian census, the sex ratio in the 0-6 age group in India went from 104.0 males per 100 females in 1981, to 105.8 in 1991, to 107.8 in 2001, to 109.4 in 2011. The ratio is significantly higher in certain states such as Punjab and Haryana (126.1 and 122.0, as of 2001).

Objectives
The main purpose of enacting the act is to ban the use of sex selection techniques before or after conception and prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic technique for sex selective abortion.
Definitions
Sex selection is any act of identifying the sex of the foetus and elimination of the foetus if it is of the unwanted sex.
Salient features
Offences under this act include conducting or helping in the conduct of prenatal diagnostic technique in the unregistered units, sex selection on a man or woman, conducting PND test for any purpose other than the one mentioned in the act, sale, distribution, supply, renting etc. of any ultra sound machine or any other equipment capable of detecting sex of the foetus. Main provisions in the act are
The Act provides for the prohibition of sex selection, before or after conception.
It regulates the use of pre-natal diagnostic techniques, like ultrasound and amniocentesis by allowing them their use only to detect :
  • genetic abnormalities
  • metabolic disorders
  • chromosomal abnormalities
  • certain congenital malformations
  • haemoglobinopathies
  • sex linked disorders.

No laboratory or centre or clinic will conduct any test including ultrasonography for the purpose of determining the sex of the foetus.
No person, including the one who is conducting the procedure as per the law, will communicate the sex of the foetus to the pregnant woman or her relatives by words, signs or any other method.
Any person who puts an advertisement for pre-natal and pre-conception sex determination facilities in the form of a notice, circular, label, wrapper or any document, or advertises through interior or other media in electronic or print form or engages in any visible representation made by means of hoarding, wall painting, signal, light, sound, smoke or gas, can be imprisoned for up to three years and fined Rs. 10,000.
Compulsory Registration
The Act mandates compulsory registration of all diagnostic laboratories, all genetic counselling centres, genetic laboratories, genetic clinics and ultrasound clinics.
Amendment in 2003
Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Regulation and Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1994 (PNDT), was amended in 2003 to The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition Of Sex Selection) Act (PCPNDT Act) to improve the regulation of the technology used in sex selection.
Implications of the amendment are
Amendment of the act mainly covered bringing the technique of pre conception sex selection within the ambit of the act:
  • Bringing ultrasound within its ambit
  • Empowering the central supervisory board, constitution of state level supervisory board
  • Provision for more stringent punishments
  • Empowering appropriate authorities with the power of civil court for search, seizure and sealing the machines and equipments of the violators
  • Regulating the sale of the ultrasound machines only to registered bodies

Two State Solution for the Palestine-Israel Conflict

It seem Israel and Palestine conflict will never get resolved. Thousands of innocent people have been killed on both the sides in last 6 - 7 decades. Israel is militarily far superior and has backing of most of the western nations, especially the USA. Palestine lacks superior military hardware and it's economy is very weak. Palestine is supported by the Arab countries but merely in words [and that too always politically correct due to fear of the western powers]. The modern state of Israel came to existence on 18 May 1948. It is an artificial creation of winning powers of the world war 2, especially the United Kingdom. The genocide of the Jews by the Nazi Germany was one of the most horrendous crime. Before the creation of the State of Israel the Jews were a stateless nation. They were discriminated in all the countries. The Jews needed a permanent home of their own. The land of Israel is claimed to be their historical home. That's why a large number of the Jews wanted to settle in the land of Israel [Palestine]. But the Palestinian people call it an illegal state. They say Israel has no right to exist on Palestinian land. According to them the Zionists have occupied their land.

The winning powers of the world war 2 wanted to keep the West Asia under their control perpetual control. The defeated and divided the Ottoman empire in the first world war. Most of the countries of this region are an artificial creation of the Allies. The Holy Land, Petroleum, Suez Canal, Strategic location of these countries at the centre of the world, desire to control the Muslim world, etc are the main reasons for their interest in this region. Israel is their key to this region, a foothold from where they can keep whole of of West Asia under their dominance. And Palestine is the symbolic protest of the Arab countries against the continued hold of the western powers. Some may call it the clash of the civilizations, some may call it petro-politics, same may call it geo-politics, but it is only a mindless stubbornness in which innocent including children, hapless women, old and destitute are being  killed. People on both the sides want to live in peace but due to the  politicians and foreign powers they are living a life of fear. Rockets and bombs are destroying schools, hospitals, homes on both the sides. There is a continuous cycle of attack and counter attack, allegations and counter-allegations. 

The innocent people are paying the price for the stubbornness of their political masters. Both the countries have a right to exist. The Zionist state could have been set up in the empty land of Canada, Falklands, Australia, Siberia etc. But since majority of the Zionist people wanted to settle in their Holy  Land and most of them had already arrived there, the state of Israel was created  here only. But the total size of the land is very small, making it very difficult to defend. Israel is surrounded by hostile Arab countries. Between 1945-1995 about 74000 military personnel and 18000 civilians have lost their life in Arab-Israel conflict. Their is complete deadlock. Occasionally their are talks of resolving the issue through peaceful means but due to deep rooted mistrusted such talks soon break down. 


It is in the interest of both the nations to accept each other's right to exist. What has already happened cannot be undo. Neither Britain and America [or any other western power] is a well-wisher of the Israeli people nor the fellow Arab countries are genuinely interested in the welfare of the Palestinian  people. If it would have not been so then the western powers would have had granted land for the Zionist people in a conflict free area as mentioned above. It is true that the Arab countries have supported the Palestinian resistance movement but they had their own national interest behind such actions [read war]. The USA has given continued support to the Zionist state but not because it wants so but because of the powerful Zionist lobby. 

Israel Palestine Peace- Two state solution

There are two possible solutions. Two state or a secular federal state. The Zionist state and the Palestinian state can co-exist. There should be two separate states, each honoring other's right to exist. However at present the Palestinian state is divided in enclaves. Israel has very little land. Creating two states in such a tiny piece of land is nonviable. So their is an option of a secular federal democratic republic where both the communities will have equal share of power. However this one is quite difficult to achieve as both of them have different socio-religious beliefs and differing opinions on many matters. It will be very difficult to run such a country. There will be continuous mistrust on both the sides. 

If the two state solution is implemented then it has to be guaranteed by both the states they will honor each other's sovereignty and will not let their respective land to be used against the other. Major regional powers like Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the USA, the UK,the EU,Russia, China,India, etc should also be involved in this process. Israel-Palestine peace is important for peace in the West Asia. It is necessary for upholding human rights of innocent people. It is important for world peace. Two state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict seems to be the best possible solution. But it requires genuine interest and will power of the both sides to make it a possible and a success.

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