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Subject: Governance

Important aspects of Society

  • The quest for ‘happiness’ in the Viksit Bharat odyssey

    Huge Disparities in Children's Well-Being Across India, says Report | NewsClick

    Central idea 

    The article calls for a reimagining of India’s development strategy, shifting from an economic-centric model to prioritizing happiness and well-being. It critiques the current focus on GDP, highlighting the need for comprehensive social indicators in the development narrative. The central idea is to envision a “Happy India-Developed India” by 2047, where happiness becomes the central pursuit, transcending conventional economic measures.

    Key Highlights:

    • Viksit Bharat Launch: The launch of Viksit Bharat aims to make India a developed nation by its 100th Independence year in 2047.
    • Economic Overemphasis: Critics argue that Viksit Bharat places excessive emphasis on economic development, overlooking other crucial aspects.
    • Happiness as Central Pursuit: The author suggests reimagining the theme as ‘Happy India-Developed India,’ focusing on happiness as a central pursuit for meaningful development.
    • Happiness Metrics: The World Happiness Report measures happiness through variables like GDP per capita, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and perception of corruption.
    • Social Connections and Well-being: Countries like Finland and Denmark, ranked highest in happiness, emphasize social connections and support systems, contributing to well-being.

    Key Challenges:

    • Economic-Centric Development: The challenge lies in shifting the development narrative from an economic-centric model to one that prioritizes happiness and well-being.
    • Social Disruption: The current economic-focused development model may lead to social disruption, imbalances, and contradictions.
    • Disregard for Social Indicators: The conventional focus on GDP fails to consider crucial social indicators, neglecting human and social aspects of development.

    Key Terms and Phrases:

    • Viksit Bharat: The development initiative launched with the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.
    • World Happiness Report: An annual report measuring happiness using multiple variables and indicators.
    • Human Development Index (HDI): An index considering life expectancy, educational attainment, and income level.
    • Green Index: A World Bank-developed index measuring a nation’s wealth based on produced assets, natural resources, and human resources.
    • Social Development Index: Introduced by the UN Research Institute for Social Development, it includes 16 core indicators.
    • Global Innovation Index, Rule of Law Index, Poverty Index, Corruption Perceptions Index, Gender Equality Index, and World Press Freedom Index: Various indices significant for comprehensive national development.

    Key Quotes:

    • “Without achieving happiness, development has no meaning.”
    • “Happiness ought to be the central pursuit in this journey.”
    • “The nations have developed, but people are not happy.”

    Critical Analysis: The article critically examines the conventional economic-focused development model and advocates for a paradigm shift towards happiness-centric development. It emphasizes the inadequacy of GDP-centric measures and highlights the importance of considering social indicators for a more inclusive and balanced development approach.

    Way Forward: The way forward involves reimagining the development narrative, giving importance to happiness metrics, and incorporating a broader set of indicators such as the Human Development Index, Green Index, and others. Prioritizing social connections, well-being, and happiness in development strategies will contribute to a more holistic and sustainable vision for Viksit Bharat@2047.

  • Loneliness in India: A Deepening Public Health Concern

    Central Idea

    • The World Health Organization (WHO) recently declared loneliness a significant global health threat, with an estimated 10% of adolescents and 25% of older people affected worldwide.
    • Despite being a collectivistic society with over 140 billion people, loneliness in India remains relatively understudied and unacknowledged as a public health and social issue.

    Understanding Loneliness

    • Definition: Loneliness is defined as the unpleasant experience due to a deficiency in one’s network of social relations, either quantitatively or qualitatively.
    • Health Impact: Comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, loneliness can lead to severe mental and physical health issues, including heart disease, depression, and decreased longevity.

    Data and Trends in India

    • Historical Data: Studies from the early 1990s to recent years show varying rates of loneliness, with a notable increase in loneliness among the elderly and the highly educated.
    • Pandemic Effect: COVID-19 and subsequent lockdowns have exacerbated loneliness, particularly among young people and those living alone.

    Disparities and Challenges

    • Higher Among Educated Youth: Young, highly educated individuals face disproportionately higher rates of unemployment and loneliness, indicating a structural issue in the Indian economy.
    • Cultural Stigma: In India, loneliness is often dismissed as a phase or a state of mind, and discussing mental health is stigmatized, making it challenging to address the issue effectively.

    Public Health Implications

    • Rising Disease Burden: Loneliness contributes to an increased risk of various diseases, potentially inflaming India’s already rising communicable and non-communicable disease burden.
    • Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure: India’s healthcare system struggles with inadequate staff, infrastructure, and budgetary allocation, further complicating the response to the loneliness epidemic.

    The Indian Experience of Loneliness

    • Cultural Differences: Unlike Western countries, India’s collectivistic culture and socioeconomic barriers present unique challenges in understanding and addressing loneliness.
    • Marginalized Communities: Loneliness disproportionately affects marginalized identities, and addressing it requires understanding the intersection of social inequity and mental health.

    Addressing Loneliness as a Structural Problem

    • Need for Targeted Interventions: Recognizing loneliness as a distinct condition can help develop interventions tailored to India’s cultural context.
    • Community-Based Solutions: Addressing loneliness may require community-focused strategies that respond to structural inequities rather than solely clinical approaches.

    Conclusion

    • National-Level Surveys: Conducting comprehensive surveys in local languages can help understand the true scale of loneliness in India’s diverse population.
    • Holistic Approach: Combating loneliness in India requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving mental health literacy, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, and addressing social inequalities.
    • Continuous Engagement: As loneliness gains recognition as a public health issue, India must continuously adapt its strategies to effectively support those affected by this silent epidemic.

  • Century of Change in Indian Villages: Insights from Longitudinal Studies

    Central Idea

    • Historical Surveys: Starting in 1916-17, Gilbert Slater initiated a series of surveys in five Tamil Nadu villages, marking the beginning of a century-long study of rural India.
    • Unique Village Studies: Palakurichi and Palanpur stand out as unique Indian villages extensively studied over a century and decades, respectively.

    Methodology and Evolution of Village Studies

    • Initial Approach: Slater’s students, natives of the surveyed villages, used questionnaires to understand the socioeconomic conditions of rural households.
    • Subsequent Surveys: These villages were revisited for studies in subsequent years, including 1936-37, 1964, 1983, 2004, and 2019, providing a longitudinal perspective.

    Significance of Longitudinal Studies

    • Contrast with Cross-Sectional Surveys: Unlike the National Sample Survey Office’s cross-sectional surveys, village studies are longitudinal, focusing on in-depth analysis over time.
    • Objective: The aim is to trace changes in the specific village over time, providing micro-level insights that complement macro-level data.

    Key Findings from Recent Surveys

    • Economic Shifts: The 2019 survey of Palakurichi revealed a decline in agriculture’s dominance, with only 43.3% of the workforce engaged in farming, down from 85% in 1983.
    • Diversification of Workforce: Similar trends were observed in Palanpur, with a significant shift from agriculture to non-farm jobs over the decades.

    Changing Social Dynamics

    • Diminished Dominance of Traditional Landholders: In both Palakurichi and Palanpur, traditional upper caste landholders’ power has declined, with middle castes and Dalits gaining more land ownership.
    • Economic and Social Mobility: These changes reflect broader social and economic mobility within these rural communities.

    Policy Implications and Challenges

    • Land Leasing Practices: As some communities move away from agriculture, land leasing becomes common, often based on oral agreements to avoid legal complications.
    • Need for Policy Reforms: There’s a need for policies that balance the interests of landowners and tenant farmers, encouraging investment in land improvement.
    • Sustaining Agricultural Productivity: With rural India becoming less dependent on agriculture, ensuring continued or improved farming practices on existing agricultural lands is crucial.

    Conclusion

    • Insights from Micro-Level Studies: Longitudinal village studies offer valuable insights into the patterns of change in rural India, informing policy and understanding of rural dynamics.
    • Balancing Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Growth: These studies highlight the need for balanced development policies that support both agricultural sustainability and non-farm employment opportunities.

  • Why terrorist activity has shifted from Kashmir to Poonch-Rajouri

    Solved] Where is the Pir Panjal Range located?

    Central idea 

    The recent surge in terrorist activity in the Poonch-Rajouri sector challenges the Indian Army’s historical success in counter-terrorism operations. This shift is attributed to the path of least resistance as Kashmir becomes less conducive, prompting a need for a strategic reassessment and adaptation of deployment and operational strategies to address emerging challenges. Transparent investigations into civilian deaths and a balanced approach in public statements are crucial to maintaining public trust and stability in the region.

    Key Highlights:

    • Recent encounters in the Poonch-Rajouri sector challenge the Indian Army’s historical success in counter-terrorism operations.
    • Shift of terrorist activity to Poonch-Rajouri is due to the path of least resistance, with Kashmir facing strong counter-terrorism measures.
    • Dilution of local support, abrogation of Article 370, and focus on Pir Panjal (South) indicate a strategic shift in the region’s dynamics.
    • Questions arise about the redeployment of formations and potential dilution of optimum deployment in the sector.

    Key Challenges:

    • Losses for the Indian Army in recent encounters raise concerns about the effectiveness of current strategies and the need for potential adjustments.
    • Shift in terrorist activity to Poonch-Rajouri poses a challenge to the Army’s counter-terrorism efforts.
    • Allegations surrounding the deaths of three local civilians in suspicious circumstances require thorough investigations and pose a challenge to maintaining public trust.

    Key Terms/Phrases:

    • Poonch-Rajouri sector
    • Counter-terrorism operations
    • Proxy hybrid war
    • Counter-infiltration (CI) and counter-terrorism (CT) grid
    • Article 370
    • Pir Panjal (South)
    • Redeployment
    • Rashtriya Rifles troops

    Key Quotes:

    • “Terrorism is like water; it takes the path of least resistance.”
    • “The abrogation of Article 370 has also made Kashmir less conducive to separatist trends.”
    • “The Indian government’s demonstrated capability for retaliation when an undetermined threshold is crossed will keep Pakistan on tenterhooks.”

    Key Statements:

    • Recent encounters challenge the Indian Army’s historical success in counter-terrorism operations.
    • The strategic shift of terrorist activity to the Poonch-Rajouri sector necessitates a reassessment of deployment and operational strategies.

    Key Examples/References:

    • Shift in terrorist tactics and focus from Kashmir to the Poonch-Rajouri sector.
    • Allegations surrounding the deaths of three local civilians.

    Key Facts/Data:

    • Recent encounters in the Poonch-Rajouri sector resulted in more losses for the Army than terrorists.
    • Redeployment of troops from the Jammu sector since May 2020.

    Critical Analysis:

    • Losses in recent encounters raise questions about the effectiveness of the Army’s current strategies.
    • Shift in terrorist activity indicates the need for adaptability in response strategies.
    • Allegations surrounding civilian deaths require transparent investigations to maintain public trust.

    Way Forward:

    • Conduct a thorough review of identified weaknesses in convoy security, vehicle hardening, and reinforcement movements.
    • Adapt drills, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and minor tactics to address current challenges.
    • Ensure transparent investigations into civilian deaths, with suitable disciplinary action if mistakes are identified.
    • Conduct brigade-sized operations in Pir Panjal with drone support, reinforced by strong public outreach to address local sentiments.
    • Maintain a balanced approach in public statements to prevent speculation and unrest, and continue precautionary measures in the Kashmir Valley.

  • Explained: Creating new Districts

    Central Idea

    • Amid reports that Odisha may create a few more districts before the end of the year, the Orissa High Court has directed the government not to issue any final order in this regard without its permission.

    Districts in India

    • Historical Background: Districts, as local administrative units, are a legacy from the British Raj era.
    • Administrative Hierarchy: Positioned below the state and territory level, districts are crucial in India’s local governance structure.
    • Leadership and Responsibilities: A Deputy Commissioner or Collector, often from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), heads a district, overseeing administration and maintaining law and order.
    • Subdivision of Districts: Districts are further divided into smaller units like tehsils, talukas, or mandals, varying by region.

    Mechanics of Creating New Districts

    • State Government’s Prerogative: The authority to create, modify, or abolish districts lies with State governments, executed via executive orders or state assembly legislation.
    • Preferred Methodology: States typically opt for the executive route, issuing official gazette notifications for these changes.

    Central Government’s Role in District Reconfiguration

    • Limited Involvement: The Central government’s role is minimal in district reformation, primarily concerning name changes.
    • Procedure for Name Changes: For renaming districts or railway stations, State governments seek clearances from central entities like the Home Ministry, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Intelligence Bureau, Department of Posts, Geographical Survey of India, and the Railway Ministry.

    Trends in District Formation

    • Increase in Numbers: India’s district count has risen from 593 in 2011 to 718, as per the Government of India’s Know India website.
    • Factors Influencing Growth: This increase includes new districts formed between 2001-2011 and the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014.

    Rationale behind Creating New Districts

    • Benefits: Districts gain from government investments in local administration and development.
    • Infrastructure and Economic Development: New districts see enhanced infrastructure, attracting investments and boosting economic activities and employment.

    Challenges in District Formation

    • Limitations and Costs: The financial burden of establishing administrative infrastructure restricts rampant district creation.
    • Resource Allocation: The process involves setting up offices and deploying officers and public servants, impacting the state’s budget.

    Way Forward

    • Community Engagement: Involving local populations in the decision-making process is vital to align district formation with their aspirations and needs.
    • Conflict Resolution and Inclusive Growth: This approach can help mitigate conflicts and ensure decisions contribute to the inclusive growth of the state and nation.

    Back2Basics: History of Districts in India

    Details
    Early Administration Initiated by the British East India Company post-Battle of Plassey (1757) and Battle of Buxar (1764)
    Collectorate System Introduced by Warren Hastings in 1772; District Collector as key revenue, judicial, and administrative authority
    Transition to Crown Rule Post-1857 Revolt, direct British Crown rule led to formalization of district system
    Role of District Collector Central figure in district administration, responsible for revenue, law, and order
    Revenue Systems Implementation of Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari systems for land revenue collection
    Survey and Settlement Extensive land surveys for revenue assessment
    Judicial Functions Initially, Collectors (District Magistrate) handled judicial roles; later, separate judicial offices were established
    Law Enforcement Establishment of modern police system with districts as key units
    Impact on Indian Society Centralized control, introduction of bureaucracy
    Post-Independence Legacy Retained district system with evolved role of District Collector

  • Tavleen Singh writes: A caste census is casteism

    Has reservation served its purpose in the Indian society for the welfare of the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes? Is reservation a substitute for groundwork to make caste based discrimination a relic? -

    Central idea 

    The central idea revolves around the author’s proposition to reevaluate the effectiveness of caste reservations, questioning whether they have genuinely uplifted the marginalized communities. The author highlights the venomous backlash faced for this stance, prompting a call for a new kind of affirmative action that goes beyond existing policies and involves addressing root causes.

    Key Highlights:

    • The author faced severe backlash, including threats and demands for arrest, after suggesting an end to caste reservations instead of a caste census.
    • The attack was led by individuals associated with advocacy and sympathy for Dalits, raising questions about their effectiveness in addressing fundamental issues.

    Key Challenges:

    • The author questions the efficacy of reservations, emphasizing the need to examine if they have truly worked for the intended beneficiaries.
    • The plight of Dalit communities, particularly the musahar community, living in extreme poverty and squalor, highlights the persistent challenges despite reservation policies.

    Key Terms:

    • Caste census: A survey to gather information about the distribution of different castes in a population.
    • Affirmative action: Policies and initiatives aimed at providing opportunities to marginalized groups, often through reservations.

    Key Phrases:

    • “The time has come to examine how well reservations have worked.”
    • “Reservations have benefited politicians and Dalit advocacy groups more than the people for whom they were created.”

    Key Quotes:

    • “The vile, malicious abuse I faced from these groups has convinced me that affirmative action of a new kind is needed.”
    • “Reservations have created a class of people who continue the evil, inhuman exploitation that lower-caste Indians have faced for too long.”

    Key Examples and References:

    • Reference to a Bhumihaar dominant village in Jehanabad district, highlighting the stark contrast between clean prosperity and the squalor of the musahar quarter.
    • Mention of a challenge from a Dalit advocate based in the United States, raising questions about the commitment to the cause on the ground.

    Key Facts:

    • The Chief Minister of Bihar has already ordered a caste census.
    • Dalit communities continue to face challenges such as lack of access to decent schools, healthcare, and living in squalid conditions.

    Critical Analysis:

    • The author questions the impact of reservations, arguing that they have benefited politicians and advocacy groups more than the marginalized communities.
    • The focus on the need for a new kind of affirmative action suggests a call for innovative solutions beyond existing reservation policies.

    Way Forward:

    • Emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of Dalit marginalization, such as poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare.
    • Advocate for comprehensive solutions that go beyond reservations, involving community development, education, and healthcare initiatives.
    • Encourage a constructive debate on the effectiveness of existing policies and the exploration of new approaches to uplift marginalized communities.

  • [pib] PM-AJAY Scheme for Upliftment of SC Community

    Central Idea

    • The Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment recently informed about the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) Scheme during 2023 year-end review.

    About PM-AJAY Scheme

    Details
    Launch Implemented since 2021-22
    Aim To reduce poverty of SC communities through employment generation, skill development, income generation, and infrastructure development.
    Nature 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme
    Components Development of SC dominated villages into ‘Adarsh Gram’

    Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs

    Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions
    Merged Schemes Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)

    Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)

    Babu Jagjivan Ram Chatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)
    Developments in Grants-in-Aid Component Financial assistance enhanced from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 50,000 or 50% of the asset cost, whichever is lesser, for beneficiary/household.

    Web-based portal developed for submission, appraisal, approval, and monitoring of Annual Action Plan.

  • Lapses in the implementation of PM-DevINE Scheme

    Central Idea

    • Only about 10% of the funds under the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) have been sanctioned.

    About PM-DevINE Scheme

    Details
    Genesis of PM-DevINE – Introduced in Union Budget 2022-23

    – Approved by the Cabinet on 12th October 2022
    Funding 100% Central funding
    Implementing Ministry Ministry of Development of North-East Region
    Objectives – Infrastructure Development in line with PM GatiShakti

    – Supporting Social Development Projects

    – Empowering Youth and Women in the NER
    Project Implementation State-wise, project-wise list of projects approved for FY 2022-23, tailored to specific state needs

  • Govt aims to set up 17,000 creches under Palna Scheme

    Central Idea

    • The Union Women and Child Development Ministry aims to establish 17,000 creches in Anganwadi centres across the country out of which 5,222 have been approved to date under the ‘Palna’ scheme.

    What is Palna Scheme?

    Details
    Objective To provide quality childcare facilities through Anganwadi-cum-Crèches, enabling women’s participation in the workforce
    Integration Part of the Samarthya sub-component of Mission Shakti, starting from April 2022

    National Creche Scheme (NCS) was revised and subsumed as part of the ‘Palna’ scheme under Mission Shakti.
    Focus Establishing combined Anganwadi and crèche facilities for comprehensive childcare
    Target Demographic Primarily urban areas where family-based childcare support is less available
    Standard Operating Procedure SOP released to outline administrative framework, roles, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms

     

    About National Crèche Scheme (NCS)

    Details
    Launch Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme (RGNCS) launched in 2006;

    From 2017, implemented as the National Crèche Scheme (NCS).
    Legal Provisions MGNREGA;

    Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017.
    Objective To provide daycare facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers
    Target Group Children of working mothers, especially from economically weaker sections of society
    Childcare Services Daycare, supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, health check-ups
    Operational Hours Typically 7 to 8 hours a day, 26 days a month
    Age Group Children aged 6 months to 6 years
    Administration Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
    Execution Through state governments, NGOs, and community-based organizations

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:

    Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?

    1. Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
    2. Enterprises with creches must allow the mother minimum six creche visits daily.
    3. Women with more than two children get reduced entitlements.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”9dvaju3ugn” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

  • Telecom law upgrades for a digital authoritarian state

    bill: Key features of the Telecommunication Bill, 2023 - The Economic Times

    Central idea 

    The article critiques the recently passed Telecom Bill, emphasizing its nationalistic undertones, potential authoritarian features, and the failure to address the digital divide effectively. It questions the rushed parliamentary process and highlights concerns about corporate favoritism, symbolized by the renaming of the Universal Services Obligation Fund.

    Key Highlights:

    • The tweet by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announces the passage of the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, and the repeal of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
    • The use of the term “Bharat” instead of “India” and crediting the PM’s individual vision are intentional for cultural nativism.

    Key Challenges:

    • The Telecom Bill is criticized for ignoring the persisting digital divide and lacking fresh ideas to address it.
    • Provisions favoring select private firms and potential misuse of regulatory power are highlighted.
    • State control and surveillance powers without defined safeguards raise concerns about privacy and freedom.

    Key Terms and Phrases:

    • “Digital Bharat Nidhi”: Renaming of Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) in the Telecom Bill.
    • “Regulatory sandboxes”: Provisions likely to benefit large corporations in the telecom sector.
    • “Authorisation” vs. “Licensing”: The change in terminology with increased severity in the Telecom Act.

    Key Quotes:

    • “Bharat moves on…” – Tweet by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav.
    • “Guess who will soon step into Mobile Satellite Services from India?” – MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on potential favoritism towards private firms.

    Key Statements:

    • The Telecom Bill is criticized for distracting from the digital divide issue and lacking innovative solutions.
    • Concerns raised about potential misuse of regulatory powers and selective favoritism toward private corporations.

    Key Examples and References:

    • Mention of the renaming of USOF as “Digital Bharat Nidhi” in the Telecom Bill.
    • Reference to the allocation of satellite spectrum benefiting the Adani Group.

    Key Facts and Data:

    • Stagnation in new telecom users and contraction in smartphone sales, as reported by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and International Data Corporation.
    • A legal penalty of ₹25,000 for providing false particulars or failing to share information as required by the Telecom Act.

    Critical Analysis:

    • The Telecom Bill is criticized for maintaining colonial architecture, vague definitions, and potential threats to privacy.
    • The rushed passage of the bill without addressing raised concerns reflects an unconstitutional concentration of power.

    Way Forward:

    • Advocate for a thorough review of the Telecom Bill by a Standing Committee to address concerns.
    • Emphasize the need for policies that genuinely bridge the digital divide and promote fair competition in the telecom sector.
    • Encourage transparency, public participation, and safeguards to protect individual rights in telecommunications legislation.