Question : Of all your books, which of them did you enjoy writing the most?
Thank you for your question. I think I enjoyed writing “Why I Am A Liberal. A Manifesto for Indians Who Believe in Individual Freedom” the most, as I was able to work out my own ideas and philosophy in the course of writing the book!
Question : What is ECI doing about the Ram Mandir Surya Tilak which is portrayed in BJP handle in X, isn't it a violation of Moral Code of Conduct?
Thank you for your question. It is certainly violative of the Model Code of Conduct. Please do write to the Election Commission, as we need citizens to be proactive and involved to ensure the MCC is upheld. The email is: cec@eci.gov.in. Do write!
Question : Madam, vegetarianism is being forced in parliament canteen in a very subtle way since the takeover of management of the canteen by ITDC. For example, during navratris twice a year no non veg dishes are being prepared in staff canteen in Parliament house annexe/library canteen. Even during normal days varieties of non veg dishes have been reduced significantly. These creeping vegetarianism has been forced on us since ITDC took over canteen management. They have absolutely no regard for the dietary habits of people all across the country. I plead you to take up the issue of subtle vegetarianism being forced on us at appropriate fora.
Thank you for your question. Will certainly look into this and see what can be done. All tastes and cuisines need to be respected in diverse and democratic India.
Question : Hi Sagarika,
*Hope you and your team all are much aware with this factor.* We can see it all around. There is a very much pain point in all the Middle Class and all Youths regarding the backdated colonial Labour Laws & Work Culture of the country still prevailing, which is the cause of brain drain for most of the youth population. It has still not been reformed. Agar Desh ka population ka mental balance hi theek nahin rahega, Khushi hi nahi rahegi to Nation kahan se aaega kahan se build hoga?? A Nation is nothing but its people right ?
Everybody is waiting for amendments and Reforms in the Labour/Employment laws & work culture of India & specially in corporates.
It is high time Changes, policies and reforms are implemented in labour/ Employment laws of the country and in the work culture for the mental, emotional well-being of population and mainly the youths.
NCP MP Supriya Sule brought a private Member Bill 'Right to Disconnect' in parliament but no updates on that as well. And Back in 2020 there were some reforms but these factors were not included. Like
The main factors like-
•Specified working hours except emergencies in the organisations.
•Focusing on Work-life balance for mental emotional well-being of the population.
•Like skilled/unskilled labours, Selecting a minimum living wage/salary rate for freshers, in privates/corporates adjusting to the inflation.
•Minimum stipend rate in internships/apprenticeships.
•Compulsory minimum 2 days week offs(While many countries with much less Population are shifting to 4 days work week)
•Updating the old leave policies, according to the present situation, weather climate conditions for mental, physical well-being of the workforce.
•Easy access to helpline numbers Introducing helpline numbers/portals/WhatsApp services where employees/corporate employees/labours/workforce can complain or get connected regarding any malpractices/problems.
•Reform the old weekly working hours to 40-44 hours per week, instead of backdated 48 hours.
•Adequate payment /compensation for the overtime in unorganised sectors/privates/corporates(Most important)
•Reforms for flexible working hour contract and salary system in sectors/unorganised sectors wherever possible.
•Changing the backdated Work culture and other factors
•The nation can start working early be it from 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. in the morning but after 5pm to 5:30 p.m. it should not be pushed any further until emergencies in the organisations.
•Mental and emotional well-being, personal and family wellbeing to be given more importance through reforms (The nation is nothing but a group of 35 / 40 crore families)
The country has Also rank 125 in happiness index rankings. It is more sad for us that even after 75 years of Independence leaving India till now is still considered as an achievement. Many productive youths who can actually be the Asset of the country, are actually leaving the country, because of this backdated toxicity colonial Work Culture existing even in 2024, till now. which is greatly hampering the mental,physical and emotional well-being of the population.
And main thing is these reforms are no bills of conflict either where too much hustle or government expenditure will be there, and can be easily passed and amended in the parliament with a pinch, with out any investments or hustle.
Till now It is a huge/dream opportunity to gain electoral dividend by changing the work culture of the country for good, and after that strongly Campaigning on it *because there are many loopholes existing & lot of reforms pending till now* and it has been not been reformed by any party till now while reforms are always on process in other countries. It is high time these amendments are enforced in the nation to gain the electoral dividend for Middle Class,Youths And Fresh students/New voters(Approx 18-20 crores youth population)
As a MP I hope you will and everyone will raise and reform the issue collectively.
Pls raise and tell your views on this most important issue.
Thank you for your question. The biggest challenge ahead for all of us is to tackle the unemployment epidemic that is stalking our land. Youth unemployment is at record levels. We also need to bring in newer laws to ensure workplace equity, diversity and well being through suitable amendments but these will need to be done through interaction with multiple stakeholders at all levels.
Question : Why journalist or opposition leaders are allowing use of Modi Sarkar instead of Bhart Sarkar. Is individual Modi is bigger than Bharat.
Thank you for your question. Modi has made himself synonymous with the government, it is his face and name plastered everywhere. This government is based on Modi’s personality cult. It should therefore be called Modi Sarkar because Modi is the one taking all the decisions. Accountability and responsibility belongs to Modi.
Question : What do you think about EVM & VVPAT. is it good for democracy where finally the voter doesn't know exactly as to where the vote goes?
Thank you. Great question! I believe the EVM-VVPAT system is not necessarily entirely bad, but VVPATs must be verified more widely than they are at the moment. The most precious thing in an electoral democracy is the sanctity of the polling process. The polling process must always be completely trustworthy and accurate. Voters must have trust in election results. Even if the results take longer to declare, I feel VVPAT counting needs to be done on a wider scale. However we must also take note of the Supreme Court ‘s views on 26-04-2024 that the suspicion that EVMs can be manipulated is baseless. I would still say that checking the machines is a must. Before the elections, the DM of all districts calls in party reps at every booth to test the machines. Every machine needs to be tested by all party representatives for full satisfaction that they are working accurately.
Question : What made you choose TMC to make your political debut
Thank you for your question. TMC is a Bengal-based party and I come from Bengal. TMC is also a Woman-First party. Our chairperson is a woman. We have India’s only woman chief minister. TMC consistently gives much more representation to women than any other party. We give more tickets to women than any other party. We have created women-centric welfare schemes in Bengal many years before the other states did. Our flagship Kanyashree Prakalpa or scheme incentivising women’s education started as far back as 2013. Mamata Banerjee offered me a Rajya Sabha berth along with two other exceptional women and I was honoured to accept.
Question :
1. What for you should be the law for reservation for Government Jobs?
Caste based reservation or
(Monetory) Class based reservation?
2. Being a public figure, what for you is more easy - Freedom of speech on Twitter Or Expression of love/hate on you tube / private channel Or any other social media platform.
Thank you for your question. When it comes to reservations we must formulate policies based on dialogue with all stakeholders to ensure equality of opportunity for all. Freedom of speech and all basic freedoms come with a set of duties as well. Freedoms are only possible if you abide by the basics of democracy, foremost among them being the rule of law. Belief, thought, expression must be free in a democracy, but acting in violence because of a belief in “free speech” will always come with consequences.
Question : It is well known that political parties and it’s candidates splurge large sum of money in contesting elections, most part of it is in the black we all know it. Winning candidate then recovers the cost incurred during election exercise by doing corruption hence resulting in non delivery of basic services to public. Corporate donations is also a worrying thing in my opinion. I feel funding channels is the only reason why corruption takes place, but it is also impossible to fight elections without funds. So my question is –
How can we work towards making political election contests less expensive, ensuring that financial resources don’t become a roadblock for candidates, and what role do you see citizens playing in achieving this goal? What donation model you suggest that also entrusted with public?
Thank you for your question. I answered this question in the previous set of Q&As. I believe in state funding of elections. This ensures a level playing field and stops candidates from splurging on elections.
