April 29th 2021 Current Affairs Update
TOPIC: GS 3 Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.
Making social welfare universal
What is the news ?
India is one of the largest welfare states in the world and yet, with COVID19 striking in 2020, the state failed to provide for its most vulnerable citizens.
Crisis during pandemic
The country witnessed multiple crises: mass inter and intra migration, food insecurity, and a crumbling health infrastructure.
The faulty circumstances of the pandemic has pushed an estimated 75 million people into poverty.
The second wave has brought even the middle and upperclass citizens to their knees.
Economic capital, in the absence of social capital, has proven to be insufficient in accessing health- care facilities.
Illness is universal, but healthcare is not.
Absorbing shocks
The country has over 500 direct benefit transfer schemes for which various Central, State, and Line departments are responsible. However, these schemes have not reached those in need.
The pandemic has revealed that leveraging our existing schemes and providing universal social security is of utmost importance.
This will help absorb the impact of external shocks on our vulnerable populations.
Successful case study of India’s social security
A universal healthcare programme that India ran successfully — the Pulse Polio Universal Immunisation Programme.
In 2014, India was declared poliofree. It took a dedicated effort over a number of years.
However, it is possible. With the advancements in knowledge and technology, a universal coverage of social welfare is possible in a shorter time frame.
Bottlenecks
Existing schemes cover a wide variety of social protections, they are fractionalised across various departments and subschemes.
This causes problems beginning with data collection to lastmile delivery.
Ease of application
Universal system would improve the ease of application by consolidating the data of all eligible beneficiaries under one database.
It can also reduce exclusion errors.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) is one scheme that can be strengthened into universal social security. It already consolidates the public distribution system (PDS), the provision of gas cylinders, and wages for the MGNREGS.
Social assistance schemes are provided on the basis of an assessment of needs. Having a universal scheme would take away this access and exclusion barrier.
Making other schemes/welfare provisions like education, maternity benefits, disability benefits etc. also universal would ensure a better standard of living for the people.
To ensure some of these issues are addressed, schemes need to map the State and Central schemes in a consolidated manner.
Case study –
PDS can be linked to a universal identify ration card such as the Aadhaar or voter card, in the absence of a ration card. This would allow anyone who is in need of food grains to access these schemes. It would be especially useful for migrant populations.
Way forward
It will avoid duplication, inclusion and exclusion errors in welfare delivery. Alongside, a study to understand costs of welfare access for vulnerable groups can be conducted. . The implementation of any of these ideas is only possible through a focus on data digitisation, data driven decision making and collaboration across government departments.
Mains question
Leveraging existing schemes and providing universal social security is of utmost importance. Examine
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/making-social-welfare-universal/article34433217.ece
PRELIMS PUNCHERS
- Supply chain resilience
The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative aims to create a virtuous cycle of enhancing supply chain resilience with a view to eventually attaining strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth in the Indo-pacific region. In a move to counter China’s dominance of supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region, trade ministers of India, Japan and Australia formally launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in a virtual trilateral ministerial meeting.
Possible policy measures may include supporting the enhanced utilization of digital technology and supporting trade and investment diversification. Initially, SCRI will focus on sharing best practices on supply chain resilience and holding investment promotion events and buyer-seller matching events to provide opportunities for stakeholders to explore the possibility of diversification of their supply chains.
- Compulsory licensing
Compulsory licensing is when a government allows someone else to produce a patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner or plans to use the patent-protected invention itself. It is one of the flexibilities in the field of patent protection included in the WTO’s agreement on intellectual property — the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement.
For compulsory licensing, it’s when the generic copy is produced mainly for the domestic market, not for export. The patent owner still has rights over the patent, including a right to be paid compensation for copies of the products made under the compulsory licence. The TRIPS Agreement says the patent owner must be given the right to appeal. All WTO members are eligible to export medicines under this special compulsory licensing mechanism. As regards eligible importing members, LDCs can use it straight away; others have to notify their intention to do so, through a brief communication.
- Dekho Apna Desh Webinar
It’s main efforts to promote cultural tourism. It showcases India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The main Significance is to promotes tourism, Generates employment opportunities and Increases forex reserves. Recently organized a webinar on “Khajuraho Temples of Architectural Splendour” under Dekho Apna Desh.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has launched a webinar series, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, to promote domestic travel and provide information on many hidden destinations in India. It will also take a close look at Indian culture and heritage. The initiative has been rolled out to create buzz about domestic destinations virtually, and generate interest among travellers once the country comes out of the Covid-19 shock.
Sources: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1712718
- Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, which also includes the erstwhile Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 391 square kilometres protected area in Kollengode Block, Chittur taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala state, South India. The wildlife sanctuary, which had an area of 285 square kilometres was established in 1973.
It is in the Sungam range of hills between the Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on 19 February 2010. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
The sanctuary is the home of four different tribes of indigenous peoples including the Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Mala Malasar settled in six colonies. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve implements the Participatory Forest Management Scheme (PFMS). People from tribal colonies inside the reserve are engaged as guides for treks and safaris, and are provided employment through various eco-tourism initiatives
Prelims questions
Qn 1.Consider the following statement with reference to Dekho Apna Desh Webinar
- It’s main efforts is to promote cultural tourism
- Ministry of Culture launched its “Dekho Apna Desh” webinar series to promote various tourism destinations in India
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : A
It’s main efforts to promote cultural tourism. It showcases India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The main Significance is to promotes tourism, Generates employment opportunities and Increases forex reserves. Recently organized a webinar on “Khajuraho Temples of Architectural Splendour” under Dekho Apna Desh.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has launched a webinar series, ‘Dekho Apna Desh’, to promote domestic travel and provide information on many hidden destinations in India. It will also take a close look at Indian culture and heritage. The initiative has been rolled out to create buzz about domestic destinations virtually, and generate interest among travellers once the country comes out of the Covid-19 shock.
Qn 2.Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is located in which of the following states
- Maharastra
- Tamil Nadu
- Kerala
- Madhya Pradesh
Answer : C
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, which also includes the erstwhile Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is a 391 square kilometres protected area in Kollengode Block, Chittur taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala state, South India. The wildlife sanctuary, which had an area of 285 square kilometres was established in 1973.
It is in the Sungam range of hills between the Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as part of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve on 19 February 2010. The Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
The sanctuary is the home of four different tribes of indigenous peoples including the Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Mala Malasar settled in six colonies. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve implements the Participatory Forest Management Scheme (PFMS). People from tribal colonies inside the reserve are engaged as guides for treks and safaris, and are provided employment through various eco-tourism initiatives