Realizing the full potential of Union Budget 2024-25 health allocations depends on State-level factors, as states share costs and handle the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS).
About the two major Centrally Sponsored initiatives
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): Focuses on improving health infrastructure through health and wellness centres (AB-HWCs), block-level public health units (BPHUs), district public health laboratories (IDPHLs), and critical care hospital blocks (CCHBs).
Human Resources for Health and Medical Education (HRHME): Aims to boost medical personnel by building new medical, nursing, and paramedical colleges, increasing seats, and upgrading district hospitals to medical colleges.
Issue of Low Fund Utilization and Faculty Shortage:
Poor Fund Absorption in PM-ABHIM: Fund absorption has been poor, with only 29% used in 2022-23. The reasons are – complex execution structures, reliance on health grants from the 15th FC (only 45% utilized), and delays in construction due to rigid procedures.
Low Fund Utilization in HRHME: Utilization of funds in educational infrastructure was only around 25% of the budget estimates in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Shortage of teaching faculty: There is a significant shortage of teaching faculty in newly established medical institutions, with over 40% vacancies reported in 11 of the 18 All India Institutes of Medical Sciences.
For example, in Uttar Pradesh, 30% of teaching faculty positions were vacant in 2022 for government medical colleges established between 2019-21.
Lack of specialist positions: The shortage of specialists affects the establishment and upgrading of medical colleges and district hospitals, with more than a third of sanctioned specialist positions in urban CHCs and two-thirds in rural CHCs remaining vacant as of March 2022.
How can states work on Fiscal space? (Way forward)
Enhanced Budget Planning and Allocation: States should prioritize and allocate funds efficiently for health infrastructure and recurring costs.
Strengthening Revenue Generation: States can explore increasing their own revenue sources through improved tax collection, introducing new revenue streams, or enhancing public-private partnerships.
Optimizing Expenditure Management: Implementing better financial management practices, such as cost control measures, transparent procurement processes, and efficient use of existing resources, can help in managing and maximizing the impact of budget allocations for health infrastructure and services.
The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the AYUSH ministry’s notification, which advised state licensing authorities not to take action under Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act in the context of the ongoing case against Patanjali Ayurved.
Rule 170 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2018:
Details
What is it?
Rule 170 was introduced in 2018 to regulate the manufacture, storage, and sale of Ayurvedic, Siddha, and Unani medicines, focusing on controlling misleading advertisements in the AYUSH sector.
Requirements
• AYUSH drug manufacturers must obtain approval and a unique identification number from state licensing authorities before advertising their products.
• Required documentation includes textual references, rationale, indications for use, and evidence of safety, effectiveness, and quality.
Key Provisions
Prohibits advertisement of AYUSH products without prior state authority approval.
Advertisements may be rejected if they:
– Lack of contact details of the manufacturer.
– Contain obscene or vulgar content.
– Promote products for enhancing sexual organs.
– Feature endorsements from celebrities or government officials.
– Refer to government organizations.
– Convey false impressions or make misleading or exaggerated claims.
Rationale Behind
• Introduced following a parliamentary standing committee’s concerns about misleading claims in the AYUSH sector.
• Aims to ensure proactive measures by the AYUSH ministry against such advertisements.
Challenges
• AYUSH drug manufacturers are required to obtain licenses from drug controllers similar to allopathic medicines. • Unlike allopathic drugs, AYUSH drugs do not need to undergo Phase I, II, or III trials for approval.
PYQ:
[2019] How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies?
The Centre has published the first set of rules under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), titled ‘Telecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024.’
AboutTelecommunications (Administration of Digital Bharat Nidhi) Rules, 2024:
Responsible for overseeing the implementation and administration of DBN
Key Focus Areas
• Enhancing telecommunication services in underserved and remote areas
• Promoting access to mobile and broadband services
• Improving telecom security
• Supporting next-generation telecom technologies
Target Beneficiaries
• Marginalized groups (e.g., women, persons with disabilities, economically weaker sections)
• Remote and underserved regions
Project Criteria
• Provision of telecom services and equipment
• Enhancing telecom security
• Improving access and affordability
• Promoting innovation, R&D, and indigenous technology
• Supporting start-ups
• Encouraging sustainable and green technologies
Funding Conditions
Entities receiving DBN funding must provide telecom services on an open and non-discriminatory basis
Vision Alignment
Aligned with Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047
Sustainability Focus
Emphasizes the promotion of green technologies in telecommunications
PYQ:
[2019] In India, which of the following review the Independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.?
Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament
Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees
Finance Commission
Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission
NITI Aayog
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The Union Cabinet approved a new Unified Pension Scheme for Central government employees, set to launch on April 1, 2025, benefiting 23 lakh employees.
What are the main features of the Unified Pension Scheme?
Assured Pension: Employees will receive half of their average basic pay from the last 12 months of service as a monthly pension, provided they have served at least 25 years. A minimum pension of ₹10,000 is guaranteed for those with at least 10 years of service.
Family Pension: Dependents will receive 60% of the government worker’s pension upon their demise (death of a person).
Inflation Adjustment: Pension incomes will be adjusted for inflation, similar to the dearness relief provided to current employees.
Lump Sum Superannuation Payout: A lump sum equivalent to 1/10th of an employee’s salary and dearness allowance for every six months of service, in addition to gratuity benefits.
Contributory Mechanism: Employees will contribute 10% of their salary to the pension pool, while the government will contribute 18.5%.
How is it different from the current pension system?
Old Pension Scheme (OPS): Provided an assured pension at 50% of the last drawn salary with no contributions required from employees.
It also offered an additional pension for pensioners above 80 years and adjustments based on Pay Commission recommendations.
National Pension System (NPS): Introduced in 2004, it was a defined contribution scheme with 10% contributions from both employees and the government, but without guaranteed pension amounts.
Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Combines the assured pension model of OPS with the contributory mechanism of NPS, but with a higher government contribution (18.5%) and a guarantee of certain pension benefits.
Why did the government feel the need to bring about this change?
Employee Dissatisfaction with NPS: Government employees, especially those who joined post-2004 under the NPS, were dissatisfied with the uncertainty in pension incomes compared to their predecessors under the OPS.
Political and Electoral Considerations: The issue became politically sensitive, with opposition parties promising to revert to OPS in some states, prompting the central government to address these concerns.
Balancing Aspirations with Fiscal Prudence: The government aimed to find a middle ground that would satisfy employees while maintaining fiscal discipline.
How have government employees responded?
Positive Reception: Government employees have largely welcomed the UPS as it addresses concerns with the NPS by reintroducing assured pension benefits and increasing the government’s contribution, offering greater financial security in retirement.
Reservations: Despite the positive aspects, there are concerns about the continued contributory nature of the scheme and the absence of a commutation option, with employees seeking more clarity on these issues.
What will be the cost to the exchequer?
Immediate Costs: The UPS is expected to cost an additional ₹7,050 crore this year due to the higher government contribution and arrears for some employees.
Future Financial Impact: While the initial impact will be the additional 4.5% contribution from the government, the assured pensions will increase future government liabilities. However, economists believe this can be managed through higher revenue growth and can be compared to the impact of Pay Commission revisions.
Way forward:
Ensure Clear Communication and Transparency: The government should provide detailed guidelines and clarify any remaining ambiguities about the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
Plan for Long-Term Fiscal Sustainability: To manage the increased financial burden from the UPS, the government should incorporate these commitments into its fiscal planning, potentially exploring new revenue sources to maintain fiscal prudence while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the pension scheme.
PYQ Relevance: Mains Q An athlete participates in Olympics for personal triumph and nation’s glory; victors are showered with cash incentives by various agencies, on their return. Discuss the merit of state sponsored talent hunt and its cultivation as against the rationale of a reward mechanism as encouragement. (UPSC IAS/2014)
Prelims: Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics:(UPSC IAS/2021) 1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’. 2. Sports climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Baseball are included in this Olympics. Which of the above statements is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 only c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Mentor comment: The concept of categories (like citizenship, crime, and gender) is increasingly seen as fluid, leading to conflicts and challenges in governance. Modernity promotes individualism, viewing traditional social norms and communities as outdated, which can lead to fragmentation in society.
Historically, sex was seen as a clear binary (male and female), but emerging views suggest that gender is a personal choice, complicating traditional beliefs. Some argue that while biological sex is often viewed as fixed, the idea of gender as a choice is gaining traction, challenging long-held views. In today’s editorial the recent events, like controversies in sports regarding gender identity, illustrate the complexities and challenges of categorizing individuals based on sex and gender.
Let’s learn!
__
Why in the News?
The 2024 Paris Olympics has exposed the complexities in categorizing athletes based on sex and gender, with rigid weight classes contrasting with the fluidity and personal choice aspects of gender identity.
This debate has become a source of significant social and political tension in the USA.
What are the complexities and controversies surrounding categorization?
• Indian wrestlerVinesh Phogat was disqualified for being 100 grams overweight for her category, demonstrating the rigidity of weight categories. • Algerian boxerImane Khelif’s sex was questioned after winning gold. The International Boxing Association (IBA) had previously disqualified her for failing a confidential sex test, though the Paris Olympics organizers accepted her passport identifying her as a woman.
Other fluidity of categories:
The fluidity of categories has historically posed a governance challenge, leading to conflicts and wars over definitions of citizenship, crime, and legitimate politics.
Contemporary Issues: Current debates include the ethnic identity of Kamala Harris and the categorization of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes for social justice.
Modern Individualism: Modernity promotes individualism, viewing traditional communities as regressive, and emphasizing individuals as the primary units in politics and society.
Impact of Gender Perception: Historically, male and female categories were widely accepted across various fields.
The increasing view of sex as a matter of personal choice, influenced by gender perception, challenges traditional understandings and creates societal tensions.
The Modern Discourse on Gender Identity:
Contentious Issues Debate: According to the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, sex is usually categorized as female or male, while gender exists along a continuum and can change over time. In short, sex is what one is, and gender is what one feels.
This debate raises questions about consent age, public school involvement, and healthcare facilitation, especially in the U.S. political landscape.
Transition and Liberalism’s Issue: Gender-affirming transitions challenge the old belief that feelings should adjust to biological facts. Now, the idea is that our bodies should change to match how we feel inside.
Transitioning doesn’t erase the idea of being male or female; instead, it aims to align the body with one of these identities.
The idea of letting people define their own identities creates a conflict within liberal values, which can lead to confusion and division in society.
Conclusion:
The collapse of rigid traditional categories, particularly in gender and identity, reflects broader societal changes and tensions between individualism and traditional norms.
During his Independence Day address from the Red Fort this August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India’s aspiration to host the 2036 Olympic Games, stating that preparations are already underway to realize this dream.
Issue of Sports Infrastructure in Some States:
Limited Olympic-Standard Facilities: Currently, only about 10.4% of India’s mapped sports infrastructure meets Olympic standards. This includes only 1,645 completed facilities out of 15,822 across the country.
State-Level Disparities:Tamil Nadu leads with nearly 390 Olympic-standard facilities, followed by Delhi with 161 and Odisha with 153. This highlights a significant disparity in sports infrastructure across different states.
The Gujarat government has earmarked Rs 6,000 crore for developing sports complexes in Ahmedabad.
Potential in the present state of Infrastructure:
Current Infrastructure Landscape: India’s sports infrastructure is still developing, with significant investments needed to meet international standards.
The Khelo India Scheme, launched in 2017, aims to enhance sports infrastructure and promote talent development, focusing on grassroots improvements.
Future Developments: Plans are underway to upgrade existing facilities and build new ones, particularly in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, which have shown commitment to developing world-class sports venues.
Leveraging Existing Facilities: By utilizing existing sports infrastructure in states like Tamil Nadu, Delhi, and Odisha, India can advance a cost-efficient and eco-friendly bid for the Olympics. This strategy involves repurposing venues for public use post-games, ensuring lasting benefits.
Need for Collaborative Approach:
Multi-Stakeholder Involvement: A successful bid will require collaboration among various stakeholders, including state governments, sports associations, and the central government. A multi-stakeholder committee is essential to ensure that all voices are heard and that the bid reflects the country’s potential.
Building Consensus: The bid’s success hinges on building consensus both within India and with international stakeholders. This involves strategic planning and cooperation across political and territorial lines to present a unified front.
Significance for India:
Catalyst for Sports Development: Hosting the 2036 Olympics would necessitate significant investments in sports infrastructure across India. This would not only enhance existing facilities but also promote grassroots sports development through initiatives like the Khelo India Scheme.
Economic and Tourism Boost: The event is expected to generate substantial economic benefits, including job creation and increased tourism. The influx of international visitors and media attention would provide a platform to showcase India’s cultural heritage.
National Pride and Unity: The successful hosting of the Olympics would serve as a symbol of national achievement, fostering unity and pride among citizens.
Conclusion: India should prioritize the expansion and upgradation of sports infrastructure across all states, focusing on creating new Olympic-standard facilities while enhancing existing ones. Leveraging the Khelo India Scheme, investments should be directed towards grassroots development to ensure widespread access to quality sports venues.
Women-led development is central in this year’s Budget, with Gender Budget allocations reaching 1% of GDP and over ₹3 lakh crore for pro-women programs.
About Gender Budgeting in India:
The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) was introduced in the 2005-06 budget.
GBS has consistently represented an average of 5% of total budgetary allocations since its introduction, with minor fluctuations.
In the 2024-25 budget, the share of allocations to pro-women schemes has increased to approximately 6.8% of the total budget expenditure.
Different Components of the Gender Budget Statement
The Gender Budget Statement (GBS) is structured into three main parts:
Part A: This section includes schemes and programs that have 100% allocation specifically for women.
Part B: This part covers schemes with more than 30% but less than 100% of their allocations directed towards women.
Part C: Introduced recently, this section reports pro-women schemes that have less than 30% provisioning for women.
Instances of Missing Allocations Reported by Experts:
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): Initially, only a portion of PMAY’s budget was reported under Part B, which led to an underrepresentation of its impact on women. The entire allocation of ₹80,670 crore for 2024-25 was later moved to Part A, raising concerns about the accuracy of reporting since not all beneficiaries are women.
PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP): The GBS reported an allocation of ₹920 crore, which was claimed to be 40% of the total allocation to PMEGP, without a clear rationale for this percentage.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Although women constituted 59.3% of all person-days under MGNREGS, only 33.6% of its total outlay was reflected in the GBS, indicating a significant underreporting of women’s engagement and benefits from the scheme.
How should these anomalies be rectified by the Government (Way forward):
Incorporate Explanations: Providing clear explanations for the allocations reported in the GBS would enhance transparency and accountability.
Audit of Budgetary Allocation: The government should involve regular audits and assessments of how budgetary allocations impact gender equality.
Engage Stakeholders: Involving experts and stakeholders in the process of developing the GBS can provide insights into the specific needs of women and help ensure that the budget effectively addresses those needs.
Mains PYQ:
Q Women empowerment in India needs gender budgeting. What are requirements and status of gender budgeting in the Indian context? (2016)
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports launched the “RESET Programme” to empower retired sportspersons with career skills on National Sports Day.
What is RESET Programme?
Details
Launch Date
August 29, 2024 (National Sports Day)
Nodal Ministry
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Objective
To empower retired sportspersons with skills and knowledge for career development and employability
Eligibility
– Retired athletes aged 20-50 years
– Winners/participants in international events, national/state medallists
– Recognized by National Sports Federations/IOA/Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Programme Levels
Two levels based on educational qualifications:
– Class 12th and above
– Class 11th and below
Implementation
Lead institute: Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE)
Learning Mode
Hybrid mode: Self-paced online learning and on-ground training
Additional Support
Placement assistance, guidance for entrepreneurial ventures
PYQ:
[2017] Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’:
1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.
PM Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) on 28th August 2014. It has now completed a decade of successful implementation.
About PMJDY
Details
Objective
• Banking the Unbanked: Open basic savings bank deposit (BSBD) accounts with minimal paperwork, relaxed KYC, e-KYC, account opening in camp mode, zero balance & zero charges.
• Securing the Unsecured: Issue Indigenous Debit cards with free accident insurance coverage of ₹2 lakh.
• Funding the Unfunded: Provide micro-insurance, overdraft, micro-pension, and micro-credit facilities.
Initial Features
• Universal Access to Banking Services: Access through branches and BCs.
• Basic Savings Bank Accounts: With an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000 for every eligible adult.
• Financial Literacy Program: Promote savings and credit usage.
• Insurance: Accident cover up to ₹1 lakh and life cover of ₹30,000 for accounts opened between Aug 2014 to Jan 2015.
• Pension Scheme: For the unorganized sector.
• Creation of Credit Guarantee Fund.
Key Provisions
• Inter-operability: Through RuPay debit card or Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS).
• Fixed-point Business Correspondents.
• Simplified KYC / e-KYC.
Extension and New Features (Post-2018)
• Focus Shift: From ‘Every Household’ to ‘Every Unbanked Adult’.
• RuPay Card Insurance: Increased accidental insurance cover to ₹2 lakh for new accounts.
• Overdraft Facilities Enhanced: Limit doubled from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000; up to ₹2,000 without conditions.
• Increase in upper age limit for OD: From 60 to 65 years.
Eligibility for Other Programs
PMJDY accounts are eligible for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
Successes of PMJDY
Financial Inclusion: PMJDY is recognized as the largest financial inclusion initiative globally, with over 53 crore bank accounts opened as of August 2024.
It has facilitated access to credit for individuals without a formal financial history, as evidenced by the rise in Mudra loan sanctions at a compounded annual rate of 9.8% from FY 2019 to FY 2024.
Social Empowerment: 55.6% of Jan Dhan account holders are women, and 66.6% of accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas, demonstrating the program’s reach among marginalized communities.
Deposit Growth: The total deposits in PMJDY accounts have reached Rs. 2.31 lakh crore, showing a 15-fold increase since August 2015.
Digital Transaction Growth: Digital transactions under PMJDY have surged, with UPI financial transactions growing from 535 crore in FY 2018-19 to 13,113 crore in FY 2023-24.
Effective DBT Mechanism: The Jan-Dhan Aadhaar Mobile (JAM) trinity has enabled a diversion-proof subsidy delivery mechanism, with subsidies and social benefits directly transferred into the bank accounts of the underprivileged.
Savings and Financial Discipline: The average deposit in the PMJDY account has increased 4 times since August 2015, indicating improved saving habits among account holders.
PYQ:
[2015] ‘Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana’ has been launched for
(a) Providing housing loan to poor people at cheaper interest rates.
(b) Promoting women’s Self-Help Groups in backward areas.
(c) Promoting financial inclusion in the country.
(d) Providing financial help to the marginalized communities.
[2016] Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is necessary for bringing unbanked to the institutional finance fold. Do you agree with this for financial inclusion of the poorer section of the Indian society? Give arguments to justify your opinion.
The recent film Srikanth depicts industrialist Srikanth Bolla’s triumph over visual impairment. It highlights societal stigma, marginalization, and the lack of support for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
Status of Education and Jobs for PwD’s in India:
Limited Employment Opportunities: A 2023 report indicates that only five out of 50 Nifty 50 companies employ more than 1% of persons with disabilities (PwDs), with most being public sector firms.
Gap in Accessibility and Supply: Less than 1% of educational institutions in India are disabled-friendly, highlighting a significant gap in accessibility and support for PwDs in both education and employment sectors.
Inadequate Infrastructure: Data shows that fewer than 40% of school buildings have ramps, and only about 17% have accessible restrooms.
Lack of effective implementation: Despite legislative provisions for reservations in government jobs under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, there is a lack of effective implementation, resulting in low participation of PwDs in the workforce.
Challenges Faced by Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
Social Stigma and Marginalization: PwDs face deep-rooted social stigma, which leads to discrimination and exclusion from various sectors, including education and employment.
Inaccessible Infrastructure: Many public and private spaces lack the necessary infrastructure to accommodate PwDs, such as ramps and accessible restrooms, which severely limits their mobility and independence. For example, Less than 40% of school buildings have ramps, and only about 17% have accessible restrooms.
Educational Barriers: Despite the Right to Education Act, many PwDs encounter barriers such as a lack of inclusive schools, trained teachers, and assistive technologies, leading to high illiteracy rates among disabled individuals.
Workplace Discrimination: PwDs often face discrimination in the workplace, including a lack of reasonable accommodations and societal prejudices that create a “glass ceiling” for their employment opportunities.
Erosion of Identity for PwDs
Negative Representation: The portrayal of PwDs in society often reduces them to objects of pity or ridicule. This negative representation contributes to a societal attitude that undermines their dignity and identity.
Perception as Burdens: Sociologists argue that PwDs are frequently seen as burdens on society, which affects their self-identity and societal participation. This perception is reinforced through media and public discourse.
Intersectionality of Disability: PwDs who also belong to marginalized castes or genders face compounded discrimination, creating a double or triple burden that further erodes their identity and social standing.
Social Exclusion: The stigma surrounding disabilities often leads to exclusion from social activities and relationships, reinforcing the idea that PwDs can only relate to one another, which diminishes their broader social identity.
Way forward:
Enhance Accessibility: Ensure that educational institutions and workplaces are fully accessible by upgrading infrastructure and implementing inclusive design standards.
Combat Stigma and Promote Inclusion: Launch targeted awareness campaigns to challenge negative perceptions of PwDs and promote their positive contributions.
Back2Basics: Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan
Accessible India Campaign or Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan is a program that is set to be launched to serve the differently-able community of the country.
The flagship program has been launched on 3 December 2015, the International Day of People with Disabilities.
The program comes with an index to measure the design of disabled-friendly buildings and human resource policies.
The initiative also in line with Article 9 of the (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) which India is a signatory since 2007.
The scheme also comes under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 for equal Opportunities and protection of rights which provides non-discrimination in Transport to Persons with Disabilities.
Mains PYQ:
Q The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 remains only a legal document without intense sensitisation of government functionaries and citizens regarding disability. Comment. (2022)
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