Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Kerala are considering or have considered allowing doorstep delivery of alcohol through platforms such as Swiggy, BigBasket, and Zomato.
Arguments in favour of Online Delivery of Alcohol:
Revenue Generation: Excise taxes on alcohol sales can help generate significant revenue for Central and State governments.
Reduce Drunk-Driving Incidents: Doorstep delivery can potentially reduce drunk-driving incidents and prevent road traffic crashes and injuries.
Access and Safety for Women:Ā Doorstep delivery may reduce on-premise violence against women and allow women to access alcohol without facing social stigma.
Arguments against Online Delivery of Alcohol:
Economic Costs vs. Benefits: The costs due to alcohol use often exceed the economic benefits from alcohol sales.
Increased Consumption and Binge Drinking: The availability of alcohol on-demand can increase consumption, promote binge drinking, and lead to alcohol-related harms.
Public Health Concerns: Alcohol is associated with various health risks including cancers, mental illnesses, liver disease, and increased risk of inter-partner violence.
Consumption of Liquor in India:
India is the sixth-largest alcohol market worldwide with $52 billion in revenue.
Per capita alcohol consumption has increased from 1.6 litres in 2003-2005 to 5.5 litres in 2016-2018.
According to a 2019 survey, there were about 16 crore alcohol users in India in 2018.
Of these, 5.7 crore frequently consumed alcohol leading to social or interpersonal problems, and 2.9 crore were dependent users requiring therapeutic intervention.
Can such a system make it safer for women to access alcohol?
Doorstep delivery may help women access alcohol without dealing with social stigma.
There is some evidence that it could reduce on-premise violence against women, as seen in Kerala. However, domestic violence related to alcohol use is rampant, and the overall safety of women cannot be presumed.
How should governments regulate liquor consumption? (Way forward)
Restrict Availability and Marketing: Implement policies to limit the availability and marketing of alcohol.
Higher Taxes: Increase taxes on alcohol to deter consumption and generate revenue.
Enforce Drunk-Driving Laws: Strengthen the enforcement of drunk-driving laws with stringent penalties.
Invest in Treatment Programs: Allocate funds for psychosocial treatments of alcohol-use disorders and mental health initiatives.
Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Governments should work with health departments to monitor and evaluate the impact of doorstep delivery on alcohol consumption and revise policies if necessary.
Uniform Policy Standards: Develop more uniform policy standards and ensure better implementation grounded in public health priorities over revenue generation.
Mains question for practice:
Q Analyze the trends in alcohol consumption in India over the past two decades. How has this trend impacted public health and social dynamics? 10M
Q1 COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid the management of the pandemic. (UPSC IAS/2020)Ā
Q2 Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic. (UPSC IAS/2020)Ā
Note4Students:
Mains: Reasons behind the disagreement on the Pandemic Treaty;
Mentor comments: Despite extensive negotiations, 194 WHO member states failed to finalize a historic Pandemic Agreement to bolster global pandemic preparedness and reduce inequities highlighted by COVID-19. At the 77th World Health Assembly (May 27-June 1, 2024), two significant developments occurred. First, amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 were agreed upon, drawn from 300 global reform proposals. These amendments aim to improve response to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) and introduce a Pandemic Emergency (PE) category, ensuring equitable access to health products and financial support for developing countries, emphasizing solidarity and equity, and mandating a National IHR Authority.
Let’s learn!
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Why in the News?
The 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024 failed to finalize the treaty due to disagreements on key articles, particularly PABS, technology transfer, and the One Health approach.
Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed severe limitations in the International Health Regulations (IHR) and the WHO’s institutional capacities to effectively prevent, prepare for and respond to global health emergencies.
In light of the pandemic’s devastating global impact, many countries called for a stronger international framework to deal with future pandemics.
Responding to these calls, a special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in November 2021 agreed to establish an intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response
What is the Pandemic Treaty?
The Pandemic Treaty, also known as the International Treaty on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, is a proposed international agreement currently being negotiated by the 194 member states of the World Health Organization (WHO).
Key Provisions
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): The treaty aims to establish a PABS system to ensure that genetic resources and pathogen samples shared from developing countries are reciprocated with corresponding benefits, such as vaccines and diagnostics.
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property: The treaty seeks to address issues related to technology transfer, local production, and intellectual property rights to enhance the manufacturing capacities of low- and middle-income countries.
One Health Approach: The treaty emphasizes a holistic approach that recognizes the interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health, promoting coordinated public health measures across these domains.
Reasons behind the disagreement
Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS): The PABS mechanism under Article 12 Ā is a central point of contention, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) advocating for guaranteed access to at least 20% of shared pandemic products.
In contrast, many high-income countries argue that this percentage should be the maximum limit, with some refusing to agree to any fixed percentage.
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property: Disagreements over technology transfer provisions are significant, with LMICs pushing for mandatory technology transfer and intellectual property waivers to enable local production of vaccines and treatments.
High-income countries prefer voluntary agreements, fearing that mandatory requirements could undermine their intellectual property rights.
One Health Approach: The One Health approach, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, has faced resistance from LMICs. They view it as an additional burden without adequate funding, while high-income countries strongly support it.
Geopolitical Discord: Geopolitical tensions and competing interests between higher- and lower-income countries have hindered progress in negotiations.
Misinformation and Distrust: The negotiations have been affected by misinformation, skepticism, and distrust among member states. Some countries are concerned about the implications of the agreement on their national sovereignty and public health policies.
Urgency vs. Comprehensive Solutions: There is a tension between the urgency to finalize an agreement and the desire to address complex issues comprehensively. Some countries are pushing for quick resolutions, while others emphasize the need for thorough discussions to ensure long-term effectiveness.
Way forward:
Promote Inclusive Dialogue and Mutual Compromise: Need to facilitate continuous, transparent dialogue among all member states to address concerns and build trust. Encourage mutual compromise by balancing the interests of both high- and low-income countries, ensuring that all parties feel their needs and perspectives are being considered.
Strengthen Financial and Technical Support for LMICs: Need to enhance financial and technical assistance for low- and middle-income countries to implement the proposed treaty provisions effectively.
On July 31, 1940, Indian revolutionary leader Udham Singh was executed at the Pentonville prison in London for killing Michael OāDwyer, the former lieutenant governor of Punjab.
Singh was born in Sunam in Punjabās Sangrur district in 1899.
Political Activism
Became associated with the Ghadar Party while in the US, which was founded by Sohan Singh Bhakna in 1913 and headquartered in California.
Purpose and Actions
In 1934, Singh travelled to London to assassinate Michael OāDwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Reason for Targeting OāDwyer
OāDwyer had ordered Brigadier Reginald Dyer to Amritsar before the massacre, fearing a second Indian mutiny due to Hindu-Muslim unity and demonstrations.
Assassination of OāDwyer
On March 13, 1940, Singh shot OāDwyer at a meeting in Caxton Hall, London.
Arrest and Execution
Arrested immediately, held in Brixton prison, sentenced to death, and hanged on July 31, 1940, at Pentonville Prison.
Legacy and Recognition
Regarded as a hero for avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Gandhi termed it an āact of insanityā.
He symbolized Hindu-Sikh-Muslim unity by adopting the name āRamMohamed Singh Azadā during his trial.
Posthumous Honors
His remains were returned to India in 1974 and cremated in his village in Sunam.
His statue was installed at Jallianwala Bagh in 2018;
Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand is named after him.
PYQ:
[2014] The Ghadr (Ghadar) was a:
(a) Revolutionary association of Indians with headquarters at San Francisco.
(b) Nationalist organization operating from Singapore
(c) Militant organization with headquarters at Berlin
(d) Communist movement for Indiaās freedom with head-quarters at Tashkent
The 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee has concluded successfully.
It was the first timeIndia hosted this international assembly.
Capacity-building initiatives proposed by India
Indiapledged $1 million to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to support capacity-building initiatives and conservation projects in developing countries.
India proposed to develop and implement training programsfor heritage professionals from around the world.
India proposed exchange programs for heritage professionals and researchers.
Leading Indian heritage institutions, such as the Archaeological Survey of India and the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), will play a key role in implementing the initiatives.
About the World Heritage Young Professional Forum
The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum is an initiative by UNESCO to engage young professionals in the field of heritage conservation.
The first World Heritage Young Professionals Forum was organized in 1995.
The primary aim is to engage young professionals in heritage conservation and management through capacity building, networking, and awareness-raising.
Back2Basics: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Description
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Landmarks or areas selected by UNESCO for their cultural, historical, scientific, or other significant value, legally protected by international treaties.
Importance
World Heritage Sites represent collective and preservative interests of humanity, signifying remarkable accomplishments and intellectual history.
Selection Criteria
Sites must be already-classified landmarks, unique and significant culturally or physically, such as ancient ruins, historical structures, cities, monuments, etc.
Conservation
World Heritage Sites require practical conservation to protect them from risks like trespassing, uncontrolled access, or administrative negligence.
World Heritage Committee
Selects and monitors World Heritage Sites, manages the World Heritage Fund, and provides financial assistance. Composed of 21 states parties elected for a four-year term.
Membership
India is NOT a permanent member of the World Heritage Committee.
It has been selected for a term from 2021 to 2025.
PYQ:
[2014] Consider the following international agreements:
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
The World Heritage Convention
Which of the above has / have a bearing on the biodiversity?
The Charaideo Moidams, a unique 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty from Assam, has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
About Charaideo Moidams
The Charaideo moidams represents the late medieval(13th-19th century CE) mound burial tradition of the Tai Ahom community in Assam.
Charaideo, more than 400 km east of Guwahati, was the first capital of the Ahom dynasty founded by Chao Lung Sukaphaa in 1253.
The Ahoms preferred to place the deceased family members at Charaideo where the first king Sukapha was laid to rest.
The historical chronicles inform that wives, attendants, pet animals and huge quantity of valuables were buried with the departed kings.
After 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted the Hindumethod of cremation and began entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Maidam at Charaideo.
Out of 386 Maidams explored so far, 90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best preserved, representative of and the most complete examples of mound burial tradition of the Ahoms.
Architecture details:
Architecturally it comprises a massive underground vault with one or more chambers having domical superstructure.
It is covered by a heap of earthen mound and externally it appears a hemispherical mound.
At the top of the mound, a small open pavilion chow-chali is provided.
An octagonal dwarf wall encloses whole maidam.
Significance of this addition:
Moidams has become the 43rd property from India to be included in the UNESCO List.
India now stands at the 6th position globally for the most number of World Heritage Properties.
The Moidams are the first site from the North East to be recognized as a World Heritage Site in the cultural category.
Assam has 2 other World Heritage Sites in the natural category: Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park, both upgraded to tiger reserves.
Who were the Ahoms?
The Ahom, also known as the Tai-Ahom, are an ethnic group from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in India.
This ethnic group is made up of interbred descendants of the Tai people, who first came to Assamās Brahmaputra valley in 1228, and indigenous people who later joined them.
The current Ahom people and culture are a mix of the ancient Tai people and culture, as well as indigenous Tibeto-Burman people and cultures that they assimilated in Assam.
Sukaphaa, the Tai groupās leader, and his 9000 supporters founded the Ahom empire (1228ā1826 CE), which ruled over part of modern-day Assamās Brahmaputra Valley until 1826.
It retained sovereignty for 600 years until annexed by British India in 1826 (Treaty of Yandaboo).
Lachit Borphukan (1622-1672) is the most celebrated ruler of Ahom Dynasty.
Back2Basics:UNESCOWorld Heritage SitesĀ
Aspect
Details
Definition
Sites of outstanding cultural or natural value to humanity, are protected under the UNESCO Convention of 1972.
Classification
Cultural Heritage Sites: Historic buildings, archaeological sites, monumental sculptures/paintings.
A single bench of the Kerala High Court has stayed the release of the Justice Hema Commission report.
The report investigated womenās working conditions in the Malayalam film industry.
About the Assault that Exposed the Deep Gender DivideĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā
On February 17, 2017, a leading Malayalam film actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in her car while traveling from Thrissur to Kochi.
The incident caused shock and outrage across Kerala as disturbing details emerged, including a video purportedly intended for blackmail.
Six of the ten accused were arrested quickly, and popular actor Dileep was named an accused and remanded to judicial custody in July. He is currently out on bail, with the trial ongoing since 2020.
Formation of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC)
The incident highlighted the discriminatory treatment faced by women in the film industry.
The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) was formed in response, submitting a petition to the Chief Minister demanding an inquiry into gender issues in the industry.
The Hema Commission
In July 2017, five months after the incident, the state government formed a 3-member committee headed by retired Kerala High Court judge, Justice K Hema.
The committee’s objective was to investigate issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry.
In December 2019, a 300-page report was submitted to the CM Pinarayi Vijayan, including documents, audio, and video evidence.
Findings and Recommendations
The commission consulted multiple women professionals in the industry, recording detailed accounts of sexual harassment, wages earned, and possible blacklisting.
The report highlighted the existence of a casting couch, and the presence of alcohol and drugs on film sets.
The commission recommended forming a tribunal to investigate these allegations.
Other recommendations included making job contracts mandatory, ensuring wage parity across genders for the same job, banning drugs and liquor on shooting locations, and ensuring safe working conditions for women.
PYQ:
[2010] Two of the schemes launched by the Government of India for Womenās development are Swadhar and Swayam Siddha. As regards the difference between them, consider the following statements:
Swayam Siddha is meant for those in difficult circumstances such as women survivors of natural disasters or terrorism, women prisoners released from jails, mentally challenged women etc., whereas Swadhar is meant for holistic empowerment of women through Self Help Groups.
Swayam Siddha is implemented through Local Self-Government bodies or reputed Voluntary Organizations whereas Swadhar is implemented through the ICDS units set up in the states.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ā
[2014] We are witnessing increasing instances of sexual violence against women in the country. Despite existing legal provisions against it, the number of such incidences is on the rise. Suggest some innovative measures to tackle this menace.
After making landfall in the Philippines, Typhoon Gaemi is heading towards Taiwan.
What is a Typhoon?
A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, primarily between 100Ā°E and 180Ā°E.
It is characterised by strong winds, and heavy rain, and can cause significant damage due to high wind speeds, storm surges, and flooding.
Factors causing its formation:
It needs sustained ocean temperatures of 26.5Ā°C or higher.
High moisture content in the mid-troposphere.
Presence of the Coriolis force to initiate rotation.
Minimal vertical wind shear to allow for storm growth.
Atmospheric instability to promote rising motion and thunderstorm activity.
An initial low-pressure area or tropical wave to trigger development.
Formation Regions: Northwest Pacific Ocean in areas east of the Philippines, southeast of Japan, and near Taiwan; South China Sea and in Western North Pacific near the Mariana Islands and Guam.
Note: Typhoons do not form in the South Atlantic Ocean and the southeastern Pacific Ocean because of cooler sea surface temperatures and higher wind shear in those regions.
PYQ:
[2015] In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason?
(a) Sea surface temperatures are low
(b) Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone seldom occurs
(c) Coriolis force is too weak
(d) Absence of land in those regions
Budget 2024 maintains the same approach as previous years regarding social sector allocations.
Decreasing allocations in the Budget for social sector schemes
Education Sector: The allocations for school education increased by ā¹5,000 crore and for higher education by ā¹3,000 crore. The increased recoveries from fees and self-financing schemes suggest a shift towards cost recovery in educational institutions.
Health Sector: The allocation for the Department of Health and Family Welfare rose by only ā¹1,500 crore.
Food Subsidy: There is a limited increase in food subsidies despite rising economic costs and the need to update coverage based on the latest population figures.
Shift in Approach: The government giving greater emphasis on cost-effectiveness and privatization in education and health, shifting focus towards contributory schemes like the Atal Pension Yojana.
Social Sector Schemes in Budget 2024-25
Social Protection Schemes:
POSHAN Scheme: There is a slight increase from ā¹11,600 crore to ā¹12,467 crore, but still less than the actual expenditure in 2022-23.
Saksham Anganwadi Scheme: The allocation increased to ā¹21,200 crore from ā¹20,554 crore, but no increase in salaries for Anganwadi workers or honorarium for mid-day meal cooks.
Maternity and Social Assistance:
Samarthya Scheme: The budget reduced to ā¹2,517 crore from ā¹2,582 crore. The PMMVY schemeās maternity benefits have remained unchanged since 2017.
NSAP: Allocation for social security pensions remains unchanged at ā¹9,652 crore, reducing real coverage and value.
Schemes for the Unemployed
The ‘Prime Minister’s Package for Employment and Skilling’ includes government-sponsored internships, formalization of jobs through incentives for EPFO enrolments, and skill-development programmes
An allocation of ā¹2 lakh crore over five years for the employment package, linked to industry response
Schemes for Street Vendors
The PM SVANidhi Scheme (PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi) aims to benefit over 50 Lakh street vendors across India
All lending institutions, including NBFCs, are participating in the scheme to provide affordable loans to street vendors
Employment Challenges
Stagnant Wages and Dampened Demand: The Indian economy faces significant challenges with stagnant wages, which affect consumer demand. This stagnation can hinder overall economic growth and employment generation.
Reliance on the Private Sector for Job Creation: The government is increasingly looking to the private sector to address employment challenges.
Initiatives like the ‘Prime Ministerās Package for Employment and Skilling’ aim to incentivize private sector job creation through government-sponsored internships and skill development programs.
Limited Budgetary Allocations: The budgetary allocations for employment-related schemes are limited, with the entire employment package amounting to ā¹2 lakh crore over five years.
Focus on Supply-Side Solutions: The current approach emphasizes supply-side measures to incentivize the private sector rather than addressing the underlying demand-side issues, such as low consumer spending and economic uncertainty.
Way forward:Ā
Enhance Social Sector Investments: The government should significantly increase budget allocations for critical social sector schemes, particularly in education, health, and social protection.
Comprehensive Employment Strategy: Need to develop a holistic approach to employment that addresses both supply and demand-side issues.
