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Author: CD Staff

  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: Cluster Farming

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: Cluster Farming

    Central idea

    • Five private firms have been allowed by the Central Government to engage in cluster farming of specific horticulture crops on a pilot basis.
    • The goal of this initiative is to enhance the competitiveness of Indian produce on a global scale and increase the earnings of farmers.
    Overview of the Horticulture Sector in India

    India is the world’s second-largest producer of horticulture crops. It is a leading producer of fruits such as Mango, Banana, Pomegranate, Sapota, Acid Lime and Amla.
    UP was the top state in horticulture production in 2021-22, followed by MP and West Bengal. West Bengal, UP and MP were the top states in vegetable production.
    Maharashtra followed by AP and UP were the top states in fruit production.
    The area under horticulture crops increased to 27.74 million hectares in 2021-22, producing around 341.63 million tonnes.

    What is Cluster Farming?

    • Cluster farming is a strategy aimed at improving the global competitiveness of Indian produce and boosting farmers’ income.
    • It involves the regional concentration of targeted horticulture crops to allow for specialization in production, post-harvest management, marketing, and exports.

    Features of cluster farming include

    • Collaboration: It is a collaborative effort where farmers work together to share resources, knowledge, and expertise to achieve common goals.
    • Resource sharing: It involves sharing resources such as land, water, labor, and equipment to achieve economies of scale and reduce the cost of production.
    • Specialization: It allows farmers to specialize in particular crops or livestock, which enables them to become experts in their chosen areas and increase their productivity.
    • Marketing: It enables farmers to market their products more effectively by pooling their resources and creating a unified marketing strategy.
    • Infrastructure development: It involves the development of shared infrastructure such as irrigation systems, warehouses, and processing facilities, which improves efficiency and reduces costs.
    • Environmental sustainability: It promotes environmental sustainability by encouraging farmers to adopt eco-friendly farming practices, such as conservation agriculture and integrated pest management.

    Why need Cluster Farming in India?

    There are several reasons why cluster farming is needed in India:

    • Income push for small farmers: India has a high percentage of small and marginal farmers who own less than 2 hectares of land. Cluster farming can help small farmers pool their resources and achieve better access to inputs, services, and markets.
    • Youth retention: Many young people are leaving rural areas in search of better economic opportunities in urban areas. Cluster farming can help create job opportunities in rural areas and improve the livelihoods of rural communities.
    • Supply chains utilization: India’s agriculture supply chain is fragmented, resulting in low prices for farmers and high prices for consumers. Cluster farming helps farmers create a unified supply chain and market their products effectively, reducing intermediaries and improving prices.
    • Filling infrastructure gap: Many parts of rural India lack basic infrastructure such as roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities. Cluster farming can help farmers share the cost of building and maintaining such infrastructure, which can improve efficiency and reduce costs.
    • Mitigate climate change: Climate change is increasingly affecting India’s agriculture sector, with frequent droughts, floods, and extreme weather events. Cluster farming can help farmers adopt climate-resilient farming practices and reduce their vulnerability to climate change.

    Key initiative: Horticulture Cluster Development Programme

    • The CDP is a recently launched central scheme with an outlay of Rs 2,200 crore.
    • It is a central sector programme aimed at growing and developing identified horticulture clusters to make them globally competitive.
    • Under the CDP, financial assistance of up to Rs 100 crore will be provided to projects based on their size.

    Implementation strategy

    • The National Horticulture Board (NHB) is responsible for implementing it.
    • The list of 55 clusters, each with a focus on specific crops, includes states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Manipur, Mizoram, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand.
    • During the pilot phase, it was implemented in 12 clusters across 11 states and union territories.

    Objectives of the CDP

    • Export promotion: Improve exports of targeted crops by 20% and create cluster-specific brands to enhance competitiveness
    • Sectoral reform: Address all major issues related to the Indian horticulture sector including pre-production, production, post-harvest management, logistics, marketing and branding
    • Leverage geographical specialisation:  Promote integrated and market-led development of horticulture clusters
    • Converge with other government initiatives: Such as the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
    • Attract investment

    Other initiatives

    (1) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)

    • MIDH is a centrally sponsored scheme for the holistic growth of India’s horticulture sector, covering fruits, vegetables, and other areas.
    • The government of India contributes 60% of the total outlay for developmental programs in all states (except North Eastern and Himalayan states where it contributes 90%), with 40% contributed by state governments.

    (2) Project CHAMAN

    • The project name stands for “Coordinated Horticulture Assessment and Management using Geo-informatics.”
    • It is focused on leveraging geo-informatics, which involves using spatial data, to provide assistance to farmers and improve the overall management of the horticulture sector.
    • It aims to provide farmers with accurate and up-to-date information on factors such as weather patterns, soil moisture levels, and disease outbreaks.

    (3) National Horticulture Board (NHB)

    • NHB is a government organization that provides financial assistance and other support to promote the development of the horticulture sector.
    • The NHB provides support for various activities, including production, post-harvest management, marketing, and export.

    Hurdles for horticulture development in India

    • Fragmented landholdings: Land fragmentation is a major issue in many horticulture clusters in India, which can make it difficult for farmers to achieve economies of scale and adopt modern farming practices.
    • Inadequate market linkages: Many farmers in horticulture clusters have limited access to markets, which can result in low prices for their produce. Improving market linkages is crucial for promoting the growth of the horticulture sector.
    • Pest and disease management: Pests and diseases can pose a major threat to horticulture crops, and managing these risks can be challenging for small-scale farmers who may lack access to information and resources.

    Way forward

    • Land consolidation: The government could encourage land consolidation in horticulture clusters, which would enable farmers to achieve economies of scale and adopt modern farming practices.
    • Facilitate access to finance: The government could work with financial institutions to provide credit and other financial services to small-scale farmers in horticulture clusters. This would enable farmers to invest in their farms and adopt new technologies.
    • Establish market linkages: The government could work with private sector players to develop market linkages for farmers in horticulture clusters. This would help farmers get better prices for their produce and improve their livelihoods.
    • Pest and disease management: The government could provide training and support to farmers in horticulture clusters on pest and disease management. This would help farmers adopt eco-friendly pest and disease management practices and reduce crop losses.

  • [Burning Issue] The Rising Demand for De-Dollarisation

    dollar

    Context

    • The BRICS collective, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, is working on a common currency in an attempt to ditch the US dollar and push back against America’s dominance.
    • The move comes as Moscow and Beijing call for de-dollarisation in the face of Western sanctions.
    • In this context, this edition of the burning issue will elaborate on this idea of de-dollarisation.

    Background of the news

    • The US dollar has been the official currency for international trade for years now. However, in recent times there have been talks of creating a new currency in an attempt to dump the dollar and push back against American hegemony.
    • This de-dollarisation has received a boost in recent times, especially after the Russia-Ukraine war began last February.
    • This movement received further impetus when the news broke out that the BRICS nations are in the process of creating a new medium for payments — established on a strategy that “does not defend the dollar or euro”.

    About US Dollar: The Global Currency

    • The U.S. dollar has been the world’s dominant currency since the end of World War II.
    • Roughly half of the international trade, international loans, and global debt securities are denominated in USD.
    • The USD became the official reserve currency of the world in 1944. The decision was made by a delegation from 44 Allied countries called the Bretton Woods Agreement.
    • Despite the challenges faced by the US economy due to fiscal and external deficits of the 1980s, the dollar’s share of global reserves remained steady and reserves even grew as time progressed.
    • The dominance of the dollar is backed by strong and highly credible institutions, deep markets and the fact that it is freely convertible.
    • Almost 40% of the world’s debt is issued in dollars. As a result, foreign banks need a lot of dollars to conduct business. This became evident during the 2008 financial crisis.

    What is de-dollarisation?

    • The US dollar has been called the king of currency. It became the official reserve currency of the world in 1944. The decision was made by a delegation from 44 Allied countries called the Bretton Woods Agreement.
    • Since then, the dollar has enjoyed a powerful status in the world. It has given the US a disproportionate amount of influence over other economies. In fact, the US has for long used the imposition of sanctions as a tool to achieve foreign policy goals.
    • However, not everybody likes playing by US rules and countries like Russia and China have called a halt to dollar hegemony. This process is called DE-DOLLARISATION — and it refers to reducing the dollar’s dominance in global markets. It is a process of substituting the US dollar as the currency used for trading oil and/or other commodities.
    • To punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, western governments froze $300 billion of Russia’s foreign currency reserves last year, roughly half the total, and expelled Russian banks from the Swift international payments system.
    • As Jason Hollands, managing director of investment platform Bestinvest, explains, “The so-called DOLLAR “WEAPONISATION” has rattled many countries and not just Russia.”

    Some recent examples

    • Countries willing to continue to trade with RUSSIA, like India and China, have started doing so in rupees and yuan instead, triggering talk of the de-dollarisation of the international trading order.
    • BRAZIL and CHINA are now trading with each other in yuan, helping to establish the Chinese renminbi as an international currency and dollar challenger.
    • INDIA too has been trying to move away from the dollar. Recently, 18 countries, including UK, Germany, Russia and even the United Arab Emirates, have been given permission to trade in Indian rupees. In February, noted economist Nouriel Roubini had said that the Indian rupee over time could become one of the global reserve currencies in the world.
    • Taking this forward, the BRICS collective —is also mulling over creating a new currency to facilitate trade. It is reported that the new financial agreement could be seen as soon as in August when the countries meet for their annual summit in South Africa.

    Proponents of de-dollarization

    • Reduce dependence on US: The proponents of de-dollarisation say that this process would reduce other countries’ dependence on the US dollar and the US economy.
    • Decouple from US Economy shocks: It could help mitigate the impact of economic and political changes in the US on their own economies.
    • Improve economic stability: countries can reduce their exposure to currency fluctuations and interest rate changes, which can help to improve economic stability and reduce the risk of financial crises.
    • Reducing share in forex: In 2022, the International Monetary Fund noted that central banks today are not holding the greenback as reserves in the same quantities as yesteryear. The dollar’s share of global foreign-exchange reserves fell below 59 per cent in the final quarter of last year.

    Impact of de-dollarization

    • Decrease in demand for the U.S. dollar: If more countries switch to using their own currencies or other currencies (e.g. euro, yuan) in international transactions, the demand for U.S. dollars could decrease. This could potentially lead to a decrease in the value of the dollar relative to other currencies, which could make imports more expensive for the United States and reduce the purchasing power of Americans abroad.
    • Reduced role of the United States in the global financial system: If the U.S. dollar loses its status as the world’s reserve currency, the United States could lose some of its power and influence in global financial affairs. This could potentially weaken the U.S. economy and reduce its ability to borrow money at favorable rates.
    • Increased volatility in currency exchange rates: As more countries move away from the U.S. dollar, there could be increased volatility in currency exchange rates, which could make international trade more difficult and expensive.
    • Potential benefits for other currencies: If the U.S. dollar loses some of its dominance, other currencies (such as the euro or yuan) could potentially benefit from increased demand and become more widely used in international transactions.
    • Volatility in global markets: As the demand for the US Dollar is decreasing in the world, US bonds are also falling, and in order to make them float, banks like SVB have no solution but to offer higher interest rates, which burn holes in their liquidity and thus causing their collapse. Such collapse impacts the world economy,

    What is India’s plan: Internationalisation of the Rupee

    • The process of increasing the use of local currency in cross-border transactions is known as the internationalization of the rupee. Promoting the rupee for use in import and export trade, other current account transactions and capital account transactions are all components of this strategy.
    • Recently, a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) emphasized the benefits and dangers of the rupee’s internationalization. The RBI has also launched a mechanism in July 2022 to make rupee-based international trade easier.
    • About 35 nations have expressed an interest in learning more about how the rupee trade mechanism works. India would save money on foreign exchange if it were able to begin rupee trade even with some of them.

    Advantages

    • Indian businesses can reduce currency risk by using the rupee in cross-border transactions. Security from cash instability not just lessens the cost of carrying on with work, it likewise empowers better development of business, working on the opportunities for Indian business to universally develop.
    • India will be less susceptible to external shocks if it reduces its reliance on foreign currency. For instance, during periods of financial fixing in US and reinforcing dollar, unreasonable unfamiliar cash liabilities of homegrown business bring about a true homegrown fixing. The impact of capital flow reversals would be significantly lessened if currency risk was reduced.
    • It lessens the requirement for holding unfamiliar trade saves. Reserves cost the economy, but they help control exchange rate volatility and project external stability.
    • The bargaining power of Indian businesses would increase as the rupee becomes more important, adding weight to the Indian economy and enhancing India’s global standing and respect.

    Challenges

    • A diminished role for convertible currencies in external transactions may result in lower reserve accretion.
    • However, if the trade deficit is funded in rupees, the requirement for reserves would also decrease.
    • Rupee holdings held by non-residents might make it harder for domestic financial markets to absorb stimulus from outside the country, which would raise volatility.
    • Non-residents, for instance, might convert their Rupee holdings and leave India during a global risk-off period.

    Conclusion

    • India is looking into signing rupee trade agreements with some countries, particularly those with deficit-ridden economies. India would benefit from payments being made in rupees when imports are greater than exports.
    • At the moment, the US dollar is the currency of choice for international trade. Because of this, the value of the dollar can affect trade between countries. India’s reliance on the US dollar will be lessened by transactions in rupee.
    • Even though the current situation prevents the rupee from becoming a reserve currency like the US dollar, it is a small first step. The prospects for bilateral trade with India will improve as more nations begin to invoice in rupees for their exports and imports.

  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: 50 Successful Years of Project Tiger

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: 50 Successful Years of Project Tiger

    Context

    • Prime Minister visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and released the latest tiger census data marking the completion of 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’.
    • PM also launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). IBCA will focus on protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world -Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah, with membership of the range countries.

    About Project Tiger

    • Launched from Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, the project is an ongoing scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
    • The centrally sponsored scheme is applicable in nine reserves of different States, namely Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. 
    Project Tiger has been converted into a statutory authority, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) by providing enabling provisions in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 through an amendment, via Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006.  The NTCA addresses ecological and administrative concerns for conserving tigers. It provides a statutory basis for the protection of tiger reserves and provides strengthened institutional mechanisms for the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and endangered species.

    Purpose of Project Tiger

    The tiger is a unique animal that plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem.

    • Predation balance: It is a top predator which is at the apex of the food chain.
    • Regulation of herbivores: It keeps the population of wild ungulates in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed.
    • Ecosystem balance: Therefore, the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the well being of the ecosystem.
    • Tourism: Apart from the ecological services provided by the animal, the tiger also offers direct use such as attracting tourists, which provide incomes for local communities.

    Execution of the Project Tiger

    Project Tiger was administered by the NTCA. The overall administration of the project is monitored by a steering committee, which is headed by a director. A field director is appointed for each reserve, who is assisted by a group of field and technical personnel.

    1. Shivalik-Terai Conservation Unit
    2. North-East Conservation Unit
    3. Sunderbans Conservation Unit
    4. Western Ghats Conservation Unit
    5. Eastern Ghats Conservation Unit
    6. Central India Conservation Unit
    7. Sariska Conservation Unit
    8. Kaziranga Conservation Unit

    The various tiger reserves were created in the country based on the ‘core-buffer’ strategy:

    • Core Area: are free of all human activities. It has the legal status of a national park or wildlife sanctuary. It is kept free of biotic disturbances and forestry operations like a collection of minor forest produce, grazing, and other human disturbances are not allowed within.
    • Buffer Areas: are subjected to ‘conservation-oriented land use’. They comprise forest and non-forest land. It is a multi-purpose use area with twin objectives of providing habitat supplement to spillover population of wild animals from the core conservation unit and providing site-specific co-developmental inputs to surrounding villages for relieving their impact on the core area.

    Issues with the Project

    • Implementation bottlenecks: The efforts were hampered by poaching, as well as debacles and irregularities in Sariska and Namdapha, both of which were reported extensively in the Indian media.
    • Forest Dwellers Rights: The Forest Rights Act passed by the Indian government in 2006 recognizes the rights of some forest-dwelling communities in forest areas. This has led to controversy over implications of such recognition for tiger conservation.
    • Man-Animal Conflict: Some have argued that this is problematic as it will increase conflict and opportunities for poaching; some also assert that “tigers and humans cannot co-exist”.
    • Abuse of Authority: Others argue that this is a limited perspective that overlooks the reality of human-tiger coexistence and the abuse of power by authorities, evicting local people and making them pariahs in their own traditional lands.

    Other efforts to save Tigers

    India is home to 70 percent of the global tiger population. Therefore, the country has an important role to play in tiger conservation.

    [1] Project Tiger

    (discussed above)

    [2] CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

    • Besides protecting tiger territory, other measures being taken to save the tiger include: curbing wildlife trade through international agreements.
    • CITES is an international agreement between governments aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants, including tigers, does not threaten their survival. India ratified this treaty in 1976.

    [3] Global Tiger Forum and Tiger Range Countries

    • Established in 1994, the Global Tiger Forum is the only inter-governmental body for tiger conservation.
    • Its membership includes seven tiger range countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam.

    [4] CA|TS

    • 14 tiger reserves have been accredited under CA|TS (Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards) categories.
    • The CA|TS is a set of criteria that examines the management of tiger sites to gauge the success rates of tiger conservation.

    [5] St. Petersburg Declaration   

    • This resolution was adopted In November 2010, by the leaders of 13 tiger range countries (TRCs) assembled at an International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia
    • It aimed at promoting a global system to protect the natural habitat of tigers and raise awareness among people on white tiger conservation.

    [6] Various NGOs

    • International NGO members consist of World Wildlife Fund, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and TRAFFIC.
    • Several national NGOs from India and Nepal are also members.

    Success of these efforts

    • India’s tiger population rose by 200 in the past four years to reach 3,167 in 2022, the latest tiger census data revealed.
    • According to the data, the tiger population was 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014, 2,967 in 2018 and 3,167 in 2022.
    • The four-year tiger census report, Status of Tigers in India, 2018 shows numbers of the big cat have increased across all landscapes.
    • The total count has risen to 2,967 from 2,226 in 2014 — an increase of 741 individuals (aged more than one year), or 33%, in four years.
    • At present, India has around 75% of tiger population and its source areas amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world.
    • 2.24% of country’s geographical area is spread out in 51 tiger reserves in 18 States.

    Significance of Tiger Conservation

    Tiger conservation is necessary for several reasons:

    • Ecological balance: Tigers are apex predators and help maintain the ecological balance of the ecosystem they inhabit. They help regulate the populations of prey species and maintain a balance in the food chain.
    • Biodiversity: Tigers are an umbrella species, meaning that their conservation can lead to the conservation of other species in their ecosystem. The presence of tigers indicates a healthy ecosystem with a diverse range of flora and fauna.
    • Economic benefits: Tiger conservation can provide economic benefits to local communities through eco-tourism. It can create job opportunities and generate revenue for the local economy.
    • Cultural significance: Tigers hold cultural significance in many societies and are considered to be symbols of power, strength, and courage.
    • Climate change: Tigers are indicators of the health of forests, which play a crucial role in mitigating climate change. The conservation of tigers and their habitat can help in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change.

    Various threats to Tigers

    • Despite measures being initiated to protect wild tigers, habitat loss and poaching continue to pose a threat to the animal’s survival.
    • Tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicines, tiger skin is used for decorative and medicinal purposes and tiger bones are again used for medicinal purposes for curing body pain, et al.
    • Between 2000 and 2014, TRAFFIC’s research found that parts of a minimum of 1,590 Tigers were seized in Tiger range States, an average of two Tigers per week.

    Other existential threats to tigers

    • Poaching: Illegal hunting and poaching of tigers for their body parts and skins remains a significant threat to their survival.
    • Man-Animal conflict: This largely seems a normal phenomenon in India. We broadly remember the case of Tigress Avni which was finally shot dead by the forest officials in Maharashtra.
    • Illegal wildlife trade: The illegal trade in tiger parts, skins, and bones remains a significant threat to the survival of tigers in India and around the world.
    • Shrinking habitat: This often leads to territorial conflicts among the Tigers.
    • Issues with Tourism: Excess of tourist activities is problematic for animals. Frequent visits in reserved forests areas disrupt them to move freely for their prey.
    • Climate Change: The effects of climate change and floods are a major problem.  The latest study by WWF shows that Sundarban which is one of the biggest home of tigers in India would sink entirely in 2070.

    Way forward

    • The process of tiger conservation should be more dynamic and compatible with the future possibilities of climatic changes as well.
    • The Forest Department and the Central government can collaborate to protect the natural corridors to ensure the free movement of the tigers for better food resources.
    • Campaigns such as ‘Save the Tiger’ are recommended as effective measures to make people across the country and globe aware of the significance of conserving tiger species.
    • Sensitization of local communities against poaching is also a crucial measure in this regard.
    • We have to make the environment and development co-exist and go hand in hand by planning our future developmental goals in such a manner that our environmental goals are not compromised.

  • [Burning issue] The Pre-draft National Curriculum Framework 2023

    curriculum

    Context

    • The Ministry of Education has released a pre-draft version of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) for School Education. It will be the second in the series of 4 curriculum frameworks to be launched.
    • In this context, this edition of The Burning issue will elaborate on this new Curriculum framework.

    Background

    • The Union Education Ministry launched the National Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage of education of children in the three to eight years age group in October 2022.
    • The NCF has four sections –
      • National Curriculum Framework for School Education,
      • National Curriculum Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education,
      • National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Educatio
      • National Curriculum Framework for Adult Education.

    What is the NCF 2023?

    • It is a comprehensive framework for school education in India. It provides guidelines for the development of curricula and syllabi, textbooks, and teaching practices for schools in India.
    • It is developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education.
    • It AIMS to promote a child-centred, activity-based approach to learning that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and values.
    • The first NCF was developed in 1986 and subsequently revised in 2000 and 2005.
    • The latest pre-draft version of NCF for School Education was released by the Ministry of Education in April 2023. It will cover age groups 3 to 18 years.
    • The framework has been developed by the National Steering Committee set up by the Ministry to undertake and develop NCFs under the chairmanship of K. Kasturirangan.
    • The NCF says its five parts are based on the ‘PANCHAKOSHA’ CONCEPT’, these are:
      • Physical development (sharirik vikas),
      • Development of life energy (pranik vikas),
      • Emotional and mental development (manasik vikas),
      • Intellectual development (bauddhik vikas) and
      • Spiritual development (chaitsik vikas).
    • The NCF (National Curriculum Framework) is an important step taken to implement the New Education Policy 2020.

    Some issues with the Indian education system

    • Poor learning outcomes: According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2019, only 26.8% of Class 3 students in rural India can read a Class 2 level text, and only 41.1% of Class 5 students can do basic arithmetic. These figures highlight the poor learning outcomes in many schools.
    • High dropout rates: The dropout rate at the primary level (Class 1-5) is 4.3%, while at the upper primary level (Class 6-8) it is 17.1%. This suggests that a significant number of students are not completing their basic education.
    • Shortage of teachers: The Right to Education Act mandates a pupil-teacher ratio of 30:1, but as of 2020, many states have failed to meet this requirement. For instance, Bihar has a ratio of 38:1, Uttar Pradesh has a ratio of 41:1, and Jharkhand has a ratio of 42:1. This shortage of teachers can affect the quality of education.
    • Inadequate infrastructure: Many schools in rural areas lack basic facilities such as clean drinking water, toilets, and playgrounds. According to ASER 2019, only 71.9% of schools in rural areas have usable toilets, and only 54.3% have access to drinking water.
    • Rote learning: The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017 found that only 33% of Class 8 students could solve a real-life mathematical problem, and only 43% of Class 10 students could understand a concept in science. This suggests that rote learning is still prevalent in many schools.
    • Lack of ethical education: The science and commerce-focused education system lacks ethical education leading to the creation of a good ‘workforce’ rather good human beings and citizens.
    • Archaic curriculum and textbooks: The NCERT textbooks were majorly revamped almost half and a decade ago. The NCF calls for a revamping of the curriculum as well as the school textbooks to ease the burden on students and make them up to date.

    Key features of the Draft NCF 2023

    curriculum

    Values and Roots

    • A key part of the document is the inclusion of values and their “rootedness” in India.
    • The pre-draft says that the framework is deeply rooted in India in content and learning of languages, in the pedagogical approaches including tools and resources, and in philosophical basis — in the aims and the epistemic approach.
    • The document further says that it leans towards making students acquainted with true sources of knowledge, which have been a philosophical preoccupation of ancient Indians.
    • These sources focus on SIX PRAMANAS: pratyaksa, anumana, upamana, arthapatti, anupalabdhi, and sabda.

    Moral Development

    • A part of the document focuses on the moral development of a child through PANCHAKOSHA VIKAS or five-fold development.
    • The pre-draft recommends DEVELOPING MORAL VALUES for the child through a balanced diet, traditional games, yoga asanas, as well as a wide variety of stories, songs, lullabies, poems, and prayers to develop a love for cultural context.

    Curriculum revamp

    • The pre-draft says that for Grade 10 certification, students will have to take two essential courses from humanities, maths and computing, vocational education, physical education, arts education, social science, science, and interdisciplinary areas.
    • In Grades 11 and 12, students will be offered CHOICE-BASED COURSES in the same disciplines for more rigorous engagement.
    • Arts education will include music, dance, theatre, sculpture, painting, set design, and scriptwriting, while interdisciplinary areas will include knowledge of India, traditions, and practices of Indian knowledge systems.
    • For Class 11 and 12, the document states that “MODULAR BOARD EXAMS” will be offered as opposed to a single exam at the end of the year, and the final result will be based on the cumulative result of each exam.”

    Social Science Curriculum

    • The pre-draft emphasizes understanding and appreciating the Feeling Of Indianess, “Bhartiyata,” by valuing the rich cultural heritage and tradition of the country.
    • The pre-draft also stresses identifying and explaining important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, with special reference to Gandhian and other subaltern movements.
    • It also recommends teaching concepts of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic and Confucian philosophies.

    Possible positive outcomes: How does NCF’23 solve the challenges of the Indian Education system?

    • Inter-disciplinary education: the provision of choice to students of different streams to choose subjects of other streams (science students taking up humanities subjects and visa versa) will help in building interdisciplinary knowledge of students rather than just one stream.
    • Inculcation of Values and Roots: The framework emphasizes the importance of values and their “rootedness” in India. This can help students develop a strong sense of identity and cultural pride.
    • Moral Development of Students: The pre-draft focuses on the moral development of a child through various activities such as a balanced diet, traditional games, yoga, and exposure to cultural context through stories, songs, and prayers. This can help students develop a well-rounded personality.
    • Better designed and updated curriculum: The framework offers a more flexible and diverse curriculum for students, allowing them to choose essential courses from various disciplines such as humanities, maths, computing, vocational education, physical education, arts education, social science, science, and interdisciplinary areas. The modular board exams and the stress on interdisciplinary areas can also promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
    • Expand the horizon of thinking of students: The framework emphasizes the understanding and appreciation of Indian culture and heritage, as well as important phases of the Indian national movement against British rule, including subaltern movements. It also recommends teaching concepts of Buddhism, Jainism, and Vedic and Confucian philosophies, which can broaden students’ perspectives and enhance their understanding of the world.

    Some Issues with the Policy

    • The NCF falls short of telling anything about technical education and how the schools, textbooks and teachers will adjust in the era of rising disruptive technologies like Artificial intelligence specially Chat-GPT.
    • With 8 small board examinations over the year rather than one, the burden and fear of board examinations will increase, putting students under the pressure to study and perform throughout the year.
    • The issue with the change in curriculum: several opposition parties have raised their voices against the changes being proposed in school textbooks.

    Controversy over curriculum revamp

    • The latest round of textbook rationalization has resulted in some of the most sweeping changes in the curriculum since the NDA government came to power.
    • These changes include removing all references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, reducing content related to the Mughal era and the caste system, and dropping chapters on protests and social movements.
    • Many of these changes are seen as ‘political’, however, their earlier introduction into the curriculum was also a political move.

    Furore over Mughal History

    • While some of the content on the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire has indeed been removed from the history textbook for Class 7, the Mughals have not entirely disappeared.
    • For instance, the chapter ‘The Mughal Empire’ in the Class 7 history textbook, Our Pasts – II, has undergone deletions — including a two-page table on the milestones and achievements of the reigns of the emperors Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. However, the chapter itself has not been removed.
    • Students of Class 7 will continue to learn about the Mughals, though in lesser detail.

    Conclusion

    • In conclusion, the National Curriculum Framework 2023 provides a comprehensive approach to education that emphasizes the importance of values, rootedness in Indian culture, and the moral development of students.
    • But it still falls short on several parameters. Thus, the draft needs to be thoroughly revisited by opening to its public comments and suggestions to incorporate other important things like learning new technologies, so as to make Indian students updated, educated and technically sound.

  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: Civil Services – Changing Profile

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: Civil Services – Changing Profile

    Central idea

    • Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has said that in recent years the profile of civil administration has changed and it has become socially more inclusive.
    • Acknowledging that young talent from remote villages and marginalized communities, including young girls, are joining the civil services.
    • The VP appreciated this change in the profile of civil administration.
    civil

    Changing profile of civil services

    • Social inclusion: In recent decades, the civil administration in India has become more socially inclusive to reflect the country’s commitment to diversity and equal opportunity.
    • Representative reservations: The government has made efforts to recruit people from different regions, religions, and backgrounds to ensure that civil services represent the diversity of India’s population.
    • Lateral entries: With the growing emphasis on technology and digitalization, civil services have started to prioritize skills related to technology, leading to the recruitment of people with backgrounds in engineering, IT, and related fields.
    • Specialization demands: The decentralization of power has resulted in the creation of new institutions and departments at the state and local levels. This has led to the recruitment of civil servants who have specialized skills in areas such as urban planning, environmental management, and social welfare.

    Key developments: Mission Karmayogi

    • In 2020 Govt had approved the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building also known as Mission Karmayogi.
    • The programme aims at building a future-ready civil service with the right attitude, skills and knowledge, aligned to the vision of New India.
    • Recently three departments have been identified under this programme which have the maximum interaction with people, to improve the experience of interacting with a government arm – railways, postal service and police.

    What is Mission Karmayogi?

    • Mission Karmayogi is a government initiative aimed at bringing transformational reforms in the capacity building of civil servants.
    • It was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 2, 2020, and is considered a major step towards making Indian bureaucracy more future-ready.

    Key objectives

    • The primary objective of Mission Karmayogi is to empower civil servants with the right skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and efficiently.
    • It aims to create a future-ready civil service that is accountable, responsive, and efficient in serving the needs of citizens.

    Major features

    1. National Program for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB): Mission Karmayogi includes the creation of NPCSCB as a comprehensive, world-class platform for civil service capacity building. NPCSCB will be an integrated platform that will provide training, mentoring, and skill development opportunities to civil servants at all levels of the hierarchy.
    2. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs): Mission Karmayogi aims to create ILPs for all civil servants. ILPs will be customized training plans that will be developed based on the specific needs and skills of each civil servant. ILPs will help civil servants to identify their strengths and weaknesses and provide them with the necessary training and support to enhance their skills.
    3. Competency Framework for Civil Services: Mission Karmayogi will develop a competency framework that will define the core competencies required for each role in civil services. The framework will help in identifying skill gaps and developing training programs to bridge those gaps.

    Implementation

    • Mission Karmayogi will be implemented in a phased manner.
    • The first phase will focus on creating the NPCSCB and developing the competency framework for civil services.
    • The second phase will focus on the development of ILPs for civil servants and providing them with training and support to enhance their skills.

    Benefits offered by the mission

    • Specialization Training: The Mission Karmayogi program aims to match the competencies of civil servants to the requirements of their posts by transitioning from rules-based to roles-based HR management.
    • Domain Training: Civil servants will have the opportunity to continuously enhance their behavioural, functional, and domain competencies through self-driven and mandated learning paths.
    • Uniform Training Standards: The program aims to harmonize training standards across India to ensure a common understanding of the country’s aspirations and development goals.
    • Vision for New India: Mission Karmayogi aims to develop a future-ready civil service with the right attitude, skills, and knowledge aligned with the vision of New India.
    • On-Site Learning: The program emphasizes “on-site learning” to complement traditional “off-site” learning.
    • Best Practices: Mission Karmayogi encourages and partners with top learning content creators, including public training institutions, universities, start-ups, and individual experts.

    Various challenges

    • Rigid hierarchical system: Economist John Maynard Keynes once said, “The difficulty lies not in the new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones.”
    • Status-quoism: Bureaucracy tends to resist change that challenges their status quo, and it must understand the need for domain knowledge and the importance of moving away from a generalist to a specialist approach.
    • Technological overhaul: Governance is becoming increasingly technical, so it’s important for those in authority to have the required skills and experience in that particular area.
    • Behaviour change: A behavioural change in the bureaucracy is necessary, and they must embrace change as a need of the hour, not an attack on their status quo.
    • Training bottlenecks: Online courses should not become another opportunity for officers to go on sabbatical leaves. It must be ensured that they actually attend and participate in the courses, so that the purpose isn’t defeated.

    Way forward

    • Develop a comprehensive communication strategy: The government should develop a communication strategy to create awareness about the program’s benefits and objectives. It should engage with civil servants, academicians, and other stakeholders to create a dialogue and seek feedback.
    • Emphasize the importance of continuous learning: The program should emphasize the importance of continuous learning and development in civil service. The government should encourage civil servants to take part in training programs and provide them with incentives and recognition for their achievements.
    • Strengthen the competency framework: The competency framework should be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including civil servants, experts, and academicians. The framework should be flexible and regularly updated to reflect changing needs and priorities.
    • Address training bottlenecks: The government should ensure that online courses are not misused by civil servants as a means to take sabbatical leaves. It should introduce measures to track attendance and ensure that civil servants participate actively in the training programs.
    • Promote a culture of innovation: The government should promote a culture of innovation and encourage civil servants to come up with innovative ideas and solutions to address governance challenges.
    • Develop partnerships with the private sector: The government should develop partnerships with the private sector to provide civil servants with exposure to cutting-edge technologies and best practices.

    Conclusion

    • The government can address the challenges in the implementation of Mission Karmayogi by adopting these measures.
    • These measures can ensure that Mission Karmayogi achieves its objectives of building a future-ready civil service that is accountable, responsive, and efficient in serving the needs of citizens.

    Top of Form

  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: Concerns over Dam Safety

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: Concerns over Dam Safety

    Context

    • A parliamentary panel has expressed concerns over the safety of ageing dams in India.
    • The Standing Committee on water resources, in its 20th report, has raised the issue of safety risks posed by more than 200 dams in the country.

    Central idea

    • Citing the National Register of Large Dams 2019, the panel says there are 234 large dams in India which are 100 years old – and still functional.
    • Dams are normally designed for approximately 100 years of useful age.
    • Their functional life gets decreased with progressive reservoir sedimentation concurrently reducing project benefits – is what has been submitted by the parliamentary panel in its report.

    Ageing Dams of India

    • India has 4,407 large dams, the third highest number in the world after China (23,841) and the USA (9,263).
    • Over 1,115 large dams will be about 50 years old by 2025.
    • In less than 30 years, by 2050, over 4,250 large dams would pass 50 years of age, with 64 large dams being 150 years old, cited a 2019 paper published in the Economic & Political Weekly.
    dam

    Why discuss Dams?

    • Cost overruns: The construction of dams can be expensive, and cost overruns are common. This can lead to delays in construction, reduced funding for other projects, and higher costs for consumers.
    • Environmental damage: Dams can cause significant environmental damage, such as altering the natural flow of rivers and altering habitats for fish and wildlife. The creation of reservoirs can also lead to the loss of forests and other important ecosystems.
    • Water scarcity: While dams can provide a source of water for irrigation, drinking, and other purposes, they can also lead to water scarcity downstream. The reduced flow of water can affect agriculture and the livelihoods of those who rely on rivers for their water supply.
    • Seismic activity: The construction of large dams can sometimes trigger seismic activity in the surrounding area. This can lead to landslides and other types of damage.

    Social Impacts of Dams

    • Displacement: Dams often result in the displacement of people living in the area. The displaced people are forced to leave their homes and land, which disrupts their livelihoods and cultural practices.
    • Dismay over resettlement: This is often promised as a means to compensate for displacement, is not always met.
    • Cultural loss: The construction of dams often involves flooding of large areas, which can lead to the loss of cultural heritage sites and artifacts.  
    • Environmental Impacts: Dams can have a range of environmental impacts, such as altering the natural flow of rivers, disrupting the habitats of aquatic species, and changing the water temperature and chemistry.  
    • Economic Impacts: There may also be a loss of economic opportunities due to the displacement of people and disruption of traditional livelihoods.
    • Health Impacts: These may include the spread of waterborne diseases due to changes in water quality, increased incidence of malaria due to the creation of stagnant water, and respiratory illnesses etc.

    Woes of Ageing Dams

    (1) Faster Rate of Storage Loss

    • As dams age, soil replaces the water in the reservoirs, causing the storage capacity to decrease.
    • In India, the storage space in reservoirs is receding at a faster rate than anticipated, with some reservoirs expected to become extinct in a few decades.
    • The iconic Bhakra dam’s siltation rate is 139.86% higher than originally assumed, causing it to function for only 47 years instead of the estimated 88 years.

    (2) Impact of Climate Change

    • The increasing frequency and severity of flooding and other extreme environmental events can overwhelm a dam’s design limits and accelerate the ageing process.
    • For example, development of crack on empty dams’ wall.

    (3) Structurally vulnerable dams

    • Most Indian reservoirs are designed with a poor understanding of sedimentation science, which can make them structurally weak over time.
    • Large storage structures, whether concrete, masonry, or earth, can become vulnerable with age.

    (4) Lack of storage information

    • The loss of large dams’ storage capacity over time is part of the ageing process. Sort of river rejuvenation also changes the dam topography.
    • However, this information continues to be sporadically documented in India, which makes it a blind spot in terms of understanding the water crisis in the country.

    Issues related to Ageing Dams

    • Decreasing Storage Capacity: As dams age, soil replaces the water in the reservoirs, leading to decreased storage capacity over time. This is a common problem faced by dams all over the world. In the case of Indian reservoirs, the storage space is receding at a rate faster than anticipated.  
    • Design flaws: Many of India’s reservoirs are designed with a poor understanding of sedimentation science, leading to flawed designs. The designs underestimate the rate of siltation and overestimate the live storage capacity created.
    • High Siltation Rates: High siltation rates refer to both the increased concentration of suspended sediments and the increased accumulation of fine sediments on bottoms where they are undesirable. This leads to the reduction of the storage capacity of the reservoirs and can have a detrimental effect on the functioning of the dam.

    Consequences of Ageing Dams

    The ageing of dams can have a significant impact on various aspects of life, including food security, farmers’ income, and increased flooding.

    • Impact on food Security: As soil replaces the water in reservoirs, the supply gets choked, leading to less and less water for cropped areas. This can cause the net sown water area to either shrink in size or depend on rains or over-exploited groundwater, which can have an impact on food security.
    • Impact on farmers’ Income: As crop yields may get affected severely, this can disrupt the farmer’s income. Water is a crucial factor for crop yield and credit, crop insurance, and investment. Therefore, the ageing of dams can have a significant impact on the livelihoods of farmers.
    • Increased flooding: The flawed siltation rates reinforce the argument that the designed flood cushion within several reservoirs across many river basins may have already depleted substantially. This has led to floods becoming more frequent downstream of dams.  

    Policy measures so far

    (1) Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)

    • The DRIP was initiated in April 2012 to improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams along with dam safety institutional strengthening with a system-wide management approach.
    • Financial assistance for DRIP was provided by the World Bank. The budget outlay for DRIP is Rs 10,211 Cr, which includes rehabilitation provisions for 736 dams.
    • The project is being implemented in three phases with a budget outlay of Rs 5,107 Cr each for Phase II and III.

    (2) Dam Safety Act 2021

    • The Dam Safety Act 2021 is a significant step taken by the government towards ensuring the safe functioning of all specified dams in the country.
    • The act provides for proper surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of dams to ensure their safe functioning.
    • It also includes the establishment of the National Dam Safety Authority as a regulatory body and the constitution of a State Committee on Dam Safety by the State Government.

    Way forward

    • Timely reviews: Review dams that have reached 50-60 years of age to assess their safety and take an informed decision.
    • Decommissioning: This should be given equal importance as dam building in water storage infrastructure development. Projects that pose serious safety risks should be listed and decommissioned in a phased manner.
    • Accountability and Transparency: Ensure accountability and transparency while taking into consideration the views of downstream communities, the most at-risk group in case of a breach.
    • Operational safety and drills: Update the rule curve, which decides how a dam should be operated, at regular intervals based on environmental changes like siltation and rainfall patterns that would change the frequency and intensity of incoming floods and the spillway capacity.
    • Cumulative Assessment: Conduct a cumulative assessment of every upstream and downstream dam to ensure dam safety in terms of operations. 

    Some major dams in India

    Dam nameRiverStateType of DamHeight (m)Length (m)
    Tehri DamBhagirathiUttarakhandEarth and rockfill260575
    Sardar Sarovar DamNarmadaGujaratConcrete gravity1631210
    Bhakra DamSutlejHimachal PradeshConcrete gravity225520
    Hirakud DamMahanadiOdishaEarthfill6125,800
    Nagarjuna Sagar DamKrishnaAndhra PradeshMasonry gravity1241,550
    Indira Sagar DamNarmadaMadhya PradeshConcrete gravity92653
    Mettur DamKaveriTamil NaduMasonry gravity1201,700
    Godavari Bridge DamGodavariMaharashtraEarthfall472,300
    Idukki DamPeriyarKeralaArch168550
    Mullaperiyar DamPeriyarKeralaMasonry gravity53365

  • [Burning Issue] New Foreign Trade Policy 2023

    trade

    Context

    • Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal recently launched the Foreign Trade Policy 2023. The policy had been under discussion for a long time and has been formulated after multiple stakeholder consultations.
    • In this context, this edition of the Burning Issue will elaborate on this new policy. The topic is relevant for the upcoming Prelims examination (export-import related data, facts and schemes) as well as for the Mains examination 2023 under GS-3 topic.

    About Indian exports

    • India’s overall exports, including services and merchandise exports, have already crossed US$ 750 Billion and are expected to cross US$ 760 Billion this year.
    • Also, the value of India’s exports in the financial year 2021-22 hit 400 billion dollars which translated into a growth of about 41% from the pandemic-hit year of 2020-21.

    Background of the policy

    • Foreign Trade Policy (2023) is a policy document that is based on the continuity of time-tested schemes facilitating exports as well as a document that is nimble and responsive to the requirements of the trade.
    • It is based on principles of ‘trust’ and ‘partnership’ with exporters. In the FTP 2015-20, changes were done after the initial release even without the announcement of a new FTP responding dynamically to emerging situations.
    • Hereafter, the revisions of the FTP shall be done as and when required. Incorporating feedback from Trade and Industry would also be continuous to streamline processes and update FTP, from time to time and also make export scheme WTO rules compliant.

    Aims and objectives of the new policy

    • The FTP 2023 AIMS AT process re-engineering and automation to facilitate ease of doing business for exporters. It also focuses on emerging areas like dual-use high-end technology items under SCOMET, facilitating e-commerce export, and collaborating with States and Districts for export promotion.
    • To increase exports and GET MORE DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE GLOBAL VALUE CHAIN. Given the size of the Indian economy and manufacturing & service sector base, the potential for the country to grow is manifold.
    • The Key Approach to the policy is based on these 4 PILLARS:
      • Incentive to Remission, 
      • Export promotion through collaboration – Exporters, States, Districts, Indian Missions,
      • Ease of doing business, reduction in transaction cost and e-initiatives and
    • Emerging Areas – E-Commerce Developing Districts as Export Hubs and streamlining SCOMET policy.

    Key highlights of the policy

    • Process Re-Engineering and Automation: Greater faith is being reposed on exporters through automated IT systems with risk management systems for various approvals in the new FTP. The policy emphasizes export promotion and development, moving away from an incentive regime to a regime which is facilitating, based on technology interface and principles of collaboration.
    • Towns of Export Excellence: Four new towns, namely Faridabad, Mirzapur, Moradabad, and Varanasi, have been designated as Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) in addition to the existing 39 towns. The TEEs will have priority access to export promotion funds under the MAI scheme and will be able to avail Common Service Provider (CSP) benefits for export fulfillment under the EPCG Scheme.
    • Recognition of Exporters: Exporter firms recognized with ‘status’ based on export performance will now be partners in capacity-building initiatives on a best-endeavor basis. Similar to the ‘each one teaches one’ initiative, 2-star and above status holders would be encouraged to provide trade-related training based on a model curriculum to interested individuals.
    • Promoting export from the districts: The FTP aims at building partnerships with State governments and taking forward the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to promote exports at the district level and accelerate the development of a grassroots trade ecosystem. Efforts to identify export-worthy products & services and resolve concerns at the district level will be made through an institutional mechanism – State Export Promotion Committee and District Export Promotion Committee at the State and District level, respectively.
    • Streamlining SCOMET Policy: India is placing more emphasis on the “export control” regime as its integration with export control regime countries strengthens. There is a wider outreach and understanding of SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) among stakeholders, and the policy regime is being made more robust to implement international treaties and agreements entered into by India.
    • Facilitating E-Commerce Exports: FTP 2023 outlines the intent and roadmap for establishing e-commerce hubs and related elements such as payment reconciliation, bookkeeping, returns policy, and export entitlements. As a starting point, the consignment-wise cap on E-Commerce exports through courier has been raised from ₹5Lakh to ₹10 Lakh in the FTP 2023.
    • Merchanting trade: To develop India into a merchanting trade hub, the FTP 2023 has introduced provisions for merchanting trade. Merchanting trade of restricted and prohibited items under the export policy would now be possible. Merchanting trade involves the shipment of goods from one foreign country to another foreign country without touching Indian ports, involving an Indian intermediary. This will be subject to compliance with RBI guidelines, and won’t be applicable for goods/items classified in the CITES and SCOMET list.
    • Amnesty Scheme: Finally, the government is strongly committed to reducing litigation and fostering trust-based relationships to help alleviate the issues faced by exporters. In line with “Vivaad se Vishwaas” initiative, which sought to settle tax disputes amicably, the government is introducing a special one-time Amnesty Scheme under the FTP 2023 to address default on Export Obligations. This scheme is intended to provide relief to exporters
    trade

    Current Export Schemes And Changes In Them w.r.t  NFT Policy 2023

    (A)Facilitation under the Export Promotion of Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme

    • The EPCG Scheme, which allows the import of capital goods at zero Customs duty for export production, is being further rationalized. Some key changes being added are:
      • Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel Parks (PM MITRA) scheme has been added as an additional scheme eligible to claim benefits under the CSP(Common Service Provider) Scheme of Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme(EPCG).
      • Dairy sector to be exempted from maintaining Average Export Obligation – to support the dairy sector to upgrade the technology.
      • Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) of all types, Vertical Farming equipment, Wastewater Treatment and Recycling, Rainwater harvesting system and Rainwater Filters, and Green Hydrogen are added to Green Technology products – will now be eligible for reduced Export Obligation requirements under EPCG Scheme

    (B)Facilitation under the Advance authorization Scheme

    • The advance authorization Scheme accessed by DTA units provides duty-free import of raw materials for manufacturing export items and is placed at a similar footing to EOU and SEZ schemes.
    • However, the DTA unit has the flexibility to work both for domestic as well as export production. Based on interactions with industry and Export Promotion councils, certain facilitation provisions have been added to the present FTP such as
      • Special Advance Authorisation Scheme extended to export of Apparel and Clothing sector under para 4.07 of HBP on the self-declaration basis to facilitate prompt execution of export orders – Norms would be fixed within a fixed timeframe.
      • Benefits of Self-Ratification Scheme for fixation of Input-Output Norms extended to 2 star and above status holders in addition to Authorised Economic Operators at present.

    Possible positive outcomes of the scheme

    • Supporting MSME’s to grow: TP 2023 codifies implementation mechanisms in a paperless, online environment, building on earlier ‘ease of doing business’ initiatives. Reduction in fee structures and IT-based schemes will make it easier for MSMEs and others to access export benefits.
    • Creating new export centres: Addition of new towns for export excellence is expected to boost the exports of handlooms, handicrafts, and carpets.
    • Educating exporters: This will help India build a skilled manpower pool capable of servicing a $5 Trillion economy before 2030. Status recognition norms have been re-calibrated to enable more exporting firms to achieve 4 and 5-star ratings, leading to better branding opportunities in export markets.
    • Provide access to dual-use High-end goods and technologies: A robust export control system in India would provide access of dual-use High-end goods and technologies to Indian exporters while facilitating exports of controlled items/technologies under SCOMET from India.
    • Growth of GIFT city: In course of time, this will allow Indian entrepreneurs to convert certain places like GIFT city etc. into major merchanting hubs as seen in places like Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.
    • Reduce litigation burden: The amnesty scheme is likely to provide relief to exporters as the interest burden will come down substantially. It is hoped that this amnesty will give these exporters a fresh start and an opportunity to come into compliance.

    Limitation of NFT Policy

    • Still, with global trade largely becalmed and the services sector facing headwinds of uncertainty in the key western markets, the FTP falls short in offering more substantive and sectorally targeted measures as well as a well-defined road map to meet the 2030 export target.

    Conclusion

    • The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 comes at a time of global uncertainty, but with India’s small share in global trade (around 1.8% in merchandise exports and roughly 4% in services), there is significant room for improvement.
    • The new policy, along with additional measures, can enhance the country’s trade performance and achieve the ambitious $2 trillion export target by 2030. However, it is crucial to monitor the policy’s implementation and address potential challenges for businesses to fully reap the benefits.

  • [Sansad TV] Perspective: SCO-NSA Meeting

    [Sansad TV] Perspective: SCO-NSA Meeting

    Context

    • India recently hosted a meeting of the National Security Advisors of member countries.
    • India is the current Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and is holding a series of events which will culminate in the SCO Summit, which will be held in July.

    In this article, we will discuss the significance of the SCO for India.

    Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO): A quick recap

    sco
    • Background: After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the then security and economic architecture in the Eurasian region dissolved and new structures had to come up.
    • Original shanghai five: The original Shanghai Five were China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan.
    • SCO formation: The SCO was formed in 2001, with Uzbekistan included. It expanded in 2017 to include India and Pakistan.
    • Security is the priority: Since its formation, the SCO has focused on regional non-traditional security, with counter-terrorism as a priority.
    • Three evils: The fight against the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism and extremism has become its mantra.
    • Expanded areas of cooperation: Today, areas of cooperation include themes such as economics and culture.

    Partner countries

    • Member States: 8 member states- China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, and Pakistan.
    • Observers: 4 observer states- Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, and Mongolia.
    • Dialogue Partners: 6 dialogue partners- Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Turkey.

    Functionaries of SCO

    • Executive Branch: The SCO has an executive branch, which is headed by the Secretary-General and is responsible for the day-to-day functioning of the organization.
    • Council of Heads of State: The highest decision-making body of the SCO is the Council of Heads of State, which meets annually to discuss and decide on important issues.
    • Council of Heads of Government: The Council of Heads of Government is the second most important decision-making body of the SCO, which meets annually to discuss and decide on economic and trade-related issues.
    • Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS): The SCO has RATS, which is responsible for coordinating the efforts of member states in the fight against terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

    Significance of SCO for India

    • Central Asia connection: SCO membership provides India with an opportunity to engage with Central Asian nations, Russia, and China, and work towards promoting regional stability, security, and economic cooperation.
    • Security cooperation: SCO focuses on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the region, which is of particular concern to India.
    • Consensus over CBT: India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for decades. India has been working closely with the RATS to share intelligence and coordinate counter-terrorism operations in the region.
    • Economic push: SCO has set up mechanisms for trade and economic cooperation, including the SCO Business Council, the SCO Interbank Consortium, and the SCO Development Bank.
    • Cultural cooperation: The organization aims to promote cultural exchanges among member states and has set up mechanisms for cooperation in fields such as education, science, and technology.

    Major push for India’s diplomacy

    • Engagement with China: SCO membership provides India with an opportunity to engage with China and Russia, two major powers in the region.
    • Reinstating Afghanistan: India has been working with China and Russia to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan.
    • Dais sharing with Pakistan: Pakistan’s membership in the SCO is also significant in the context of its ongoing conflict with India, as it provides it with a platform to engage in dialogue with India.

    Issues with SCO (Indian context)

    There have been several issues with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Some of these include:

    • Pakistan’s presence: India has accused Pakistan of using SCO forums to spread propaganda and misinformation against India.
    • China’s dominance: India has also expressed concerns over China’s dominance in the organization and its attempts to use the platform to push its strategic interests in the region.  
    • Limited economic benefits: Despite being a member of the organization for over a decade, India’s trade with other SCO members remains limited and has not been able to tap the full potential of the organization.
    • Limited counter-terrorism cooperation: While the primary objective of the organization is to combat terrorism, India has expressed concerns over the limited counter-terrorism cooperation among member states.  
    • Limited influence: Despite being a major power in the region, India’s voice and concerns have not been adequately represented in the organization

    Way forward

    • Engaging in more active participation: India can increase its participation in SCO activities, meetings, and initiatives to ensure its voice is heard and its concerns are addressed.
    • Emphasizing economic cooperation: India can focus on expanding economic cooperation with other SCO members to increase trade and investment and promote joint economic projects in the region.
    • Strengthening bilateral ties: India can work to strengthen bilateral ties with key SCO members, such as Russia and China, to ensure its interests are taken into account in SCO decisions and initiatives.
    • Addressing security concerns: India can work with other SCO members to address security concerns in the region, including terrorism, extremism, and separatism. This could involve sharing intelligence, coordinating security measures, and conducting joint military exercises.
    • Cultural exchanges: India can focus on promoting cultural exchanges with other SCO members to foster greater understanding and cooperation between nations. This could include promoting tourism, student exchanges, and cultural events.
    • Focusing on regional stability: India can work with other SCO members to promote stability and security in the region, including addressing conflicts and tensions between nations. This could involve promoting dialogue, mediating disputes, and supporting peacekeeping efforts.

  • [Burning Issue] Rajasthan’s Right to Health Bill

    health

    Context

    • The Right to Health Bill was recently approved by the Rajasthan legislative assembly. Rajasthan would become the first state in India to guarantee its citizens’ right to healthcare once the bill is announced.
    • Being a torch-bearing step in providing better healthcare, this edition of the burning issue will elaborate on this new law and its criticalities. The topic is relevant for the GS-2 mains paper.

    The Right to Health

    • The World Health Organization (WHO) says that everyone has the right to health, which means they should be able to get the health care they need, when and where they need them, without having to worry about money. No one should get sick and die because they can’t get the health care they need or because they don’t have enough money.
    • RTH is a fundamental human right that guarantees everyone the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
    • It is recognized as a crucial element of the right to an adequate standard of living and is enshrined in international human rights law.
    • Other fundamental human rights, such as having access to clean water and sanitation, nutritious food, adequate housing, education, and safe working conditions, clearly determine good health.

    Scope of RTH

    RTH covers various health-related issues, including-

    • Access to healthcare services, clean water and sanitation, adequate nutrition, healthy living and working conditions, health education, and disease prevention.
    • Accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services,
    • Eliminating barriers to healthcare access
    • Informed consent to medical treatment and accessing information about their health.

    Right to Health relating to India

    Provisions of the Constitution:

    • The Constitution of India doesn’t explicitly ensure a basic right to well-being. However, the Constitution makes numerous mentions of public health and the state’s role in providing healthcare to citizens.

    Under Directive Principles of State Policy:

    • DPSPs: To a limited extent IV of the Indian Constitution gives a premise to one side of wellbeing.
    • The State is obligated by Article 39 to ensure the health of workers.
    • Article 47 imposes a responsibility on the state to raise people’s nutrition levels, the standard of living, and public health. Article 42 requires the state to provide maternity relief and just and humane working conditions.

    Under Fundamental rights:

    • Article 21 The Supreme Court of India in Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India & Ors. found that the Constitution of India did not explicitly recognize the right to health care. interpreted Article 21’s guarantee of the right to life, which covers the right to health.
    • In Territory of Punjab and Ors. In the case of Mohinder Singh Chawla, the Supreme Court reiterated that the right to health is essential to the right to life and that the government was obligated by the Constitution to provide health services.

    Article 243G: The Role of Panchayats and Municipalities

    • The Constitution does not just oblige the State to upgrade general well-being, yet additionally blesses the Panchayats and Districts to fortify general well-being under Article 243G.

    15th Commission on Finances:

    • The 15th Finance Commission’s High-Level Group on the Health Sector recommended declaring the right to health a fundamental right in September 2019.
    • Additionally, it proposed putting health on the Concurrent List rather than the State List.

    Genesis of Right to Health

    • In 1996, the Supreme Court held that the right to life (Article 21) included the right to health within its fold, and also pointed out the obligation of state governments to provide health services.
    • Under the Constitution, public health and sanitation, including hospitals and dispensaries, come under the State List.
    • In 2018, the National Commission on Human Rights (NHRC) drafted the Charter of Patient Rights to be implemented by state governments.
    • Rajasthan runs certain schemes to ensure health coverage, including the Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana, under which health coverage is provided in over 1,550 private and public hospitals across the state. Under the yojana, insurance coverage is also provided for certain types of treatment.

    Features of the Rajasthan Right to Health Bill

    • Free treatment: RTH gives every resident of the state the right to avail of free Out Patient Department (OPD) services and In-Patient Department (IPD) services at all public health facilities and select private facilities.
    • Wider scope of healthcare: Free healthcare services will include consultation, drugs, diagnostics, emergency transport, procedures, and emergency care. However, there are conditions specified in the rules that will be formulated.
    • Free emergency treatment: Residents are entitled to emergency treatment and care without prepayment of fees or charges.
    • No delay in treatment: Hospitals cannot delay treatment on grounds of police clearance in medico-legal cases.
    • State reimbursement of charges: After emergency care and stabilization, if patients do not pay requisite charges, healthcare providers can receive proper reimbursement from the state government.

    Significance of the Bill

    Frees from Unnecessary obligations:

    • The Bill empowers patients to choose the source of obtaining medicines or tests at all healthcare establishments, which means that hospitals cannot insist on in-house medicines or tests.

    Eliminates discriminatory healthcare structures:

    • Article 15’s right to equality upholds non-discrimination based on religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, and other factors. However, healthcare has become a privilege for a select few due to decades of inadequate investment in public health.
    • To end discriminatory structures that will otherwise continue to perpetuate inequality in all spheres of life, including education, opportunity, wealth, and social mobility, the constitutional right to health is essential.

    Enhance the health ecosystem as a whole:

    • By passing a law that makes healthcare a right for everyone, the government would make it easier for people to demand better care and hold the government and healthcare workers accountable if they don’t get it.

    Unique regulation and different instruments to fortify medical services:

    • Special legislation, capable institutions, increased budgets, medical training and research, wellness and prevention, and service outreach will all be made possible by the Constitution’s right to health; thereby enhancing the health ecosystem as a whole.
    • For instance, before the constitutional amendment that made it a fundamental right in and of itself, the right to education had also been held to be implicit to the right to life. 15 years ago, the primary school enrollment rate was thought to be impossible; today, it is over 95%.

    Reduce expenses incurred out of pocket:

    • The Economic Survey for 2022–23 reveals that patients continue to directly pay for almost half of all healthcare costs in India. The Right to Health aims to increase public spending while decreasing individual healthcare costs.

    Challenges with the Right to Health ‘Pill’

    • Insufficient infrastructure: India’s healthcare system lacks the fundamental infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of a large population. India, for instance, has only 8.5 beds for every 10,000 people. Also, the doctor-to-patient and nurse-to-patient ratios are significantly lower than WHO standards, which are 1/1000 for doctors and 3/1000 for nurses, respectively (1 per 1456 patients).
    • The existing burden of schemes: Doctors are protesting against the RTH because they question the need for it when there are already schemes like Chiranjeevi that cover most of the population.
    • Specialization concerns: They are also objecting to certain clauses, such as defining “emergency” and being compelled to treat patients outside their specialty as part of an emergency.
    • Saving money on health care: India has the lowest public health spending as a percentage of GDP (1.6 percent). Among the BRICS nations, India has the lowest public health spending. Brazil has 3.96 percent, Russia has 3.16 percent, South Africa has 4.46 percent, and China has 3.02 percent.
    • No detailing of the process: To the charge that there is no detailing of the process, health rights activists have pointed out that it would be a function of the Rules, not the law itself.
    • Concerns pertaining to compensation: Healthcare providers have a problem with reimbursement delays. Additionally, there are complaints that the predetermined package rates for various medical procedures and treatments are not sufficiently profitable or do not cover the actual cost.
    • A high rate of disease: Both communicable and non-communicable diseases like malaria, diabetes, and tuberculosis are prevalent in India. Healthcare infrastructure and resources require significant investment to combat these diseases.
    health

    Way Forward

    • A fundamental shift in approach is required: We must fundamentally alter our healthcare approach. We must view it as a high-yield investment that can significantly reduce future out-of-pocket costs and also increase output rather than spending.
    • Coordination among states and the centre: Without hindering cooperative federalism, which is an essential component of the Indian Constitution, there must be coordination between the center and the states on a crucial subject like health.
    • More authority and assistance for states: The COVID-19 response by the Center and states reveals that health must remain on the State List, despite the importance of seamless coordination between the centers and states. Therefore, it is necessary to devolve authority and resources to states to improve their respective public health systems.
    • Boost public spending: By 2025, India must increase its investment in healthcare resources and infrastructure to at least 2.5% of GDP.
    • Improve transparency and accountability: Additionally, greater efforts could be made to improve transparency and accountability in the healthcare system, with a focus on educating patients about their rights.

    Conclusion:

    • Given the contentious nature of the Bill, all stakeholders need to come to the table and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issues at hand. It should involve liaisons between the government, doctors, patient advocacy groups, and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the concerns raised by all parties and identify potential solutions.
    • This could be followed by a revision of the Bill, incorporating feedback and suggestions from all stakeholders, and a renewed effort to build consensus and support for the legislation.
    • “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic condition, or social status,” as stated in the WHO constitution.
  • [Sansad TV] Mudda Aapka: Victory over Left-Wing Extremism

    [Sansad TV] Mudda Aapka: Victory over Left-Wing Extremism

    Central idea

    • In the last eight years, there has been a historic success in curbing Left Wing Extremism violence and the credit for this goes to the CRPF.
    • Union Home Minister has informed that there has been a 76 per cent decline in the incidents of LWE violence in the country and the fight against Naxalities is in the final stages.
    • In 2022, the number of deaths of civilians and security forces drastically reduced, with only 98 deaths as compared to 1005 deaths in 2010.

    Left vs. Right: Behind the Political Dichotomy

    • In politics, left refers to people and groups that have liberal views.
    • That generally means they support progressive reforms, especially those seeking greater social and economic equality.
    • The far left is often used for what is considered more extreme, revolutionary views, such as communism and socialism.
    • Collectively, people and groups, as well as the positions they hold, are referred to as the Left or the left wing.

    Being ‘Right’ means

    • The word right, in contrast, refers to people or groups that have conservative views.
    • It generally means they are disposed to preserve existing conditions and institutions.
    • They often want to restore traditional ones and limit change.
    • The far right is often used for more extreme, nationalistic viewpoints, including fascism and some oppressive ideologies.

    People and groups, as well as their positions, are collectively referred to as the Right or the right wing.

    Confused between Maoists and Naxalities?

    • Usually, people confuse themselves over Maoists and Naxalities and cannot exactly trace the difference between the two terminologies.
    • Media seems to be confused with the terms and uses Maoists and Naxalities quite inter-changeably. 
    • This creates confusion in the readers’ minds over the actual meaning of individual terms. 

    The actual difference between the terms is as follows: 

    • The difference between Maoists’ struggle and the Naxalite movement is that both trace their origin to the Naxalbari uprising of 1967.
    • But while the Naxalite movement thrives on the original spirit of Naxalbari; the Maoist struggle is an outcome of the 1967 uprising.
    • Maoists work with an agenda and use weapons to achieve their aims. 
    • Naxalism focuses on mass organisations while the Maoism relies mainly on arms.

    (1) Naxalism

    • Naxalism originated as a rebellion against the marginalisation of the poor forest dwellers and gradually against the lack of development and poverty at the local level in rural parts of eastern India.
    • It began in 1967 with an armed peasant uprising in Naxalbari village of Darjeeling district in West Bengal.
    • The term ‘Naxal’ came from the name of the village. 
    • The origin of the Naxals was a result of the split that took place in the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1967.
    • It led to the formation of Communist Party of India (Marxist and Leninist).

    (2) Maoism

    • Maoism originated in China as a form of communist theory derived from the teachings of Chinese political leader Mao Zedong.
    • Maoists were the loyal believers of the Chairman Mao’s philosophy that “Power flows from the barrel of the gun.”
    • When the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) was born out of the Naxalbari uprising, a section of communist rebels retained a distinct identity.
    • Along with Marxism and Leninism, a new concept, which is of Maoism, started emerging in India.
    • Around 1966, Maoist Communist Centre (MCC) was formed in West Bengal.

    History and evolution

    left
    • Russian Revolution: Naxalism in India, like any other leftist movement around the globe, draws its ideological basis from the Russian revolution.
    • Overthrowing Tsarist Regime: Lenin successfully fought against the Czarist Rule through a combination of the peasant movement and an armed struggle.
    • Marxian ideology of class struggle: The prime intent was to bestow power in the hands of the exploited and marginalized and enforce societal control over governance and nation building.
    • Neo-Marxism: After the success of the Lenin-led revolution in Russia, the intellectual class in many countries got inspired. Prominent amongst them were Fidel Castro and Mao Zedong.

    Root cause of origin in India

    • Corporate exploitation: Since Eastern India is rich in natural resources including forests, minerals and mines, tribal face exploitation and harassment from government and corporate bodies targeting to extract those resources.
    • Tribal alienation: Tribal communities have been systematically alienated from their traditional rights over natural resources after independence.
    • Livelihood losses: Tribal livelihood is at stake due to depletion of natural resource base.
    • Forceful displacement: Forceful displacement from their homeland destroys their traditional governance system.
    • Absence of governance: In such exploited areas, the absence of governance becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy since the delivery systems are extinguished through killings and intimidation.
    • Foreign provocations: Many of LWE outfits are supported by external forces inimical to India and the Maoists consider such alliances as strategic assets.

    Other factors:

    1. Oppression and HR violations by Security Forces e.g. AFSPA
    2. Violation of Constitutional Protections under PESA and FRA
    3. Prevalence of Acute Poverty

    Impact of LWE

    • Romanticism without a cause: Some sections of society, especially the younger generation, have romantic illusions about the Maoists, arising out of an incomplete understanding of their ideology of Class –Struggle.
    • Extreme violence: Their doctrine glorifies violence as the primary means to overwhelm the existing socio-economic and political structures.
    • Destruction of governance mechanism: LWEs aims at creating a vacuum at the grassroots level of the existing governance structures by killing lower-level government officials, police personnel of the local police stations and the people’s representatives of the PRIs.
    • Radicalization of youths: After creating a political and governance vacuum, they coerce the local population to join the movement.
    • Urban-Maoism: Many extremists have facilitated mass mobilization in semi-urban and urban areas through ostensibly democratic means often led by well-educated intellectuals.

    Outcomes of perpetrating LWE

    The Leftist organizations skilfully use state structures and legal processes to further the Maoist agenda and weaken the enforcement regime through:

    1. Recruitment of ‘professional revolutionaries’
    2. Raising funds for the insurgency
    3. Creating urban shelters for underground cadres
    4. Providing legal assistance to arrested cadres and
    5. Mass- mobilization by agitating over issues of relevance/ convenience

    Govt initiatives for LWE-affected areas

    • Aspirational Districts: The MHA has been tasked with the monitoring of the Aspirational district’s programme in 35 LWE affected districts.
    • HRD measures: Building of schools under the Eklavya model.
    • Road Connectivity Project for LWE affected areas (RRP-II): This aims for improving road connectivity in LWE affected States. Under this, 9279 km of roads and 392 bridges are sanctioned.
    • Naxal Surrender Policy: It aims to wean away misguided youth and hardcore naxalites who have strayed into the fold of the naxal movement and cannot find a way back.
    • National Policy Action Plan: To address Left Wing Extremism approved in 2015, has development as one of the most important component.

    SAMADHAN doctrine: It encompasses the entire strategy of government from short-term policy to long-term policy formulated at different levels. SAMADHAN stands for-

    • S- Smart Leadership
    • A- Aggressive Strategy
    • M- Motivation and Training
    • A- Actionable Intelligence
    • D- Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas)
    • H- Harnessing Technology
    • A- Action plan for each Theatre
    • N- No access to Financing

    Way forward

    • Indian counterinsurgency has to work with a dual objective of defeating the insurgents militarily and fully quell the insurgent impulses.
    • This will need institutional overhauls.
    • States must do more to synergize their efforts by launching coordinated operations, thereby denying Maoists any space for manoeuvrability.
    • On parallel grounds, it is also important to segregate the population from the insurgents both operationally and ideologically.
    • The conflict over the distribution of resources can be mended with economic development.

    

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