Police is the most basic and key functionary affecting people’s lives. An effective policing and peaceful law and order is the key to growth and development but our present structures are archaic and need reforms. The process of modernizing the Central Armed Police Forces to further increase their capacity and readiness will be the mainstay of an effective combat against internal security challenges. Additionally, state upgradation plans through the ‘Scheme for Modernization of Police Forces’ is on the anvil. NFPRC will assist in expediting police reforms so as to enable the forces to deal with new types of crimes like forms of cyber-crimes- e-banking frauds, social networking traps etc. and augment greater sensitivity towards citizens, especially the weak and vulnerable sections of the society.

Steps for ensuring the security of India’s coastline go a long way in strengthening our maritime security and response system. Under the Coastal Security Scheme, the government has implemented a range of measures including provision of modern equipments, infrastructure support, setting-up an Island Information System, to name a few. Through our wide-ranging research and stakeholder consultations, NFPRC will support the government in its agenda.

Reinforcing Border Security by creating necessary infrastructure in border areas to ensure that border security is strengthened, and to enable increased participation of and benefits for border areas in the country’s development and progress, is being undertaken extensively. Six integrated check-posts have been built thus far with a few under construction to facilitate easier trade and travel from the neighbouring countries. The aim is to create 14 more integrated check-posts by 2024 through which trade will take place. Combating infiltration especially in the states of North East will be taken up on mission-mode. Along with conventional methods for strengthening our borders, the government plans to use available technology like smart fencing etc. to stop infiltration.

Curbing dilatory judicial procedures has seen a great deal of attention from the policy-makers. Accentuating processes through Alternative Dispute Resolution forums, simplifying procedural laws, encouraging mediation, and strengthening the judicial and court management system in order to increase accessibility will help India become a hub of arbitration services.

The ruling dispensation is committed to the idea of a simultaneous elections for Parliament, State assemblies and local bodies in order to reduce expenditure, ensure efficient utilization of government resources and security forces and for effective policy planning. Furthermore, a single voter list to ensure hassle-free, franchise rights to citizens will make the process seamless. There is a need, however, to build consensus on this issue with all parties. With explanatory and evidence-based research on the advantages of simultaneous elections, the government can successfully push the agenda.

Establishing the Island Development Authority to ensure the overall development of the island regions was the first step in this direction. There is need for greater focus on these areas given their economic potential and strategic importance. The unique identity and fragile ecosystems of both
Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands need to be kept in mind while planning. A holistic planning process that takes into account the ground-level strengths and challenges can go a long way in developing a tourism blueprint for the islands while improving the quality of life for their citizens.

Traditionally, policies on Indian agriculture sector has remained focused on productivity and subsidies but poverty has remained a commonplace in the sector. Research is now indicating that agriculture poverty trap can be broken by offering farmers the freedom to grow what they want and sell to whoever they wish to. The possibility lies in a two-pronged approach, namely, (a) farmers organize themselves into groups so that they can aggregate their produce and sell with collective strength. This is possible through forming Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), including producer companies and consortiums; and (b) farmers take advantage of modern technology such as digital communication and precision farming methods to get high quality inputs at low cost. This is possible through individual farmers and FPOs engaging with aggregators and agri-entrepreneurs. The goal of this engagement will be to distil effective policy design solutions needed for the purposes of agricultural reforms, particularly in the management of FPOs, as well as its convergence with technology, which is very high on the government agenda.

A conducive business environment that fosters opportunities and investments is a pre-requisite for the growth of any nation. The World Bank EoDB rankings form the basis upon which investors and companies base their trade, investment and expansion decisions. Having consistently improved its position on the World Bank EoDB Index since 2014, the government, by way of a slew of progressive policy steps like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code and the labour reforms; has categorically stated its intent to improve the business environment in the country. Some issues like registering a property, tax payments, enforcing contracts and starting a business do require accentuated efforts. NFPRC seeks to assist the government in plugging the leakages and loopholes in both design and implementation of the reform proposals under EoDB and suggest ways to strengthen efforts in domains that still lag behind.

POSHAN Abhiyaan aims to reduce the malnutrition level as well as accelerate the rate of reduction of malnourishment. The aim is to reduce malnutrition level by at least 10% in the next five years through immunization and nutrition support for children as well as pregnant and lactating mothers by leveraging the network of Anganwadis and AASHA workers. These efforts will be supplemented by effective implementation of other WASH schemes in convergence.

The government aims to establish 50,000 ‘Van Dhan Vikas Kendras’ in the tribal areas of the country to ensure the availability of primary processing and value addition for forest produce and to provide employment for tribals and increase tribal income. NFPRC will curate effective policy design solutions needed for enhancing livelihood opportunities for tribals involved in collection and sales of forest produce, particularly w.r.t primary processing and value addition facilities, while ensuring sustainable utilization of ecosystem services in these forests. The idea of translating tribal wisdom into a viable economic activity that helps regenerate the immensely bestowed forest ecosystems, has been high on Government agenda and we seek to support this endeavour.

Under this government, there has been a 42% growth in the National Minimum Wage but the informality and added deprivation faced by migrant labourers make them extremely vulnerable. Niti Aayog has just come out with a Draft Migrant Policy. But there is need to engage with relevant stakeholders so that there is a bottom-up flow of knowledge that informs relevant policy measures.

Combating terrorism through active participation in global forums to ensure tangible measures are undertaken against countries and organizations that support terrorism will be given priority by the government. To ensure the same, the government also wants to establish a ‘Comity of Nations Against International Terrorism’ as a voluntary multi-lateral forum based on the principles of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Deeper Multilateral Cooperation will be fostered and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism adopted. In order to however create preparedness amongst security forces, an adequate assessment of risks and opportunities will have to be undertaken. NFPRC with its commitment to ‘Nation First’ will help plug the gaps so should they arise as we embark on this fight against terrorism.

The goal of this engagement will be to distil crisp policy design solutions needed for the of revival and conservation of our rich cultural history proliferated through a plethora of dialects and languages, written and spoken, across the country. The revival of Bharatiya languages and especially Sanskrit has been high on the government agenda. The government aims at expanding the teaching of Sanskrit at the school level along with 100 Panini fellowships to researchers and scholars across India to promote research in Sanskrit. The possibility lies in a two-pronged approach, namely, (a) creating a roadmap for restoring the vulnerable or sparsely spoken dialects and languages including through the use of technological tools; and (b) promoting an understanding of Sanskrit and its usage beyond specific centres or institutions.