Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Multidimensional Poverty
Mains level: Poverty stats of India
Introduction
- The recent paper by Niti Aayog has highlighted a significant reduction in ‘multidimensional poverty’ among Indians between 2013-14 and 2022-23, an achievement acknowledged by PM Modi.
- To comprehend this data accurately, it is essential to grasp the concept of multidimensional poverty and evaluate the methodology used.
Understanding Multidimensional Poverty
- Traditional Poverty Metrics: Poverty is commonly measured monetarily, based on income or expenditure thresholds.
- Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): India employs a global MPI that assesses poverty by considering 12 life aspects beyond income. These aspects fall under categories like education, health, and living standards.
- Deprivation Assessment: Households are evaluated for deprivation across each of the 12 indicators. If they are deprived in several areas, they are labelled ‘multidimensionally poor’ (MDP).
Data Sources
- National Family Health Surveys (NFHS): Household-level data from NFHS serves as the raw material. Niti Aayog further processes this data to calculate MDP figures.
- NFHS Rounds: NFHS data is available for three rounds: 2005-06 (NFHS-3), 2015-16 (NFHS-4), and 2019-21 (NFHS-5).
- Share of MDP Indians: In 2005-06, it was 55%, which decreased to 25% in 2015-16. Assuming a consistent pace, the paper suggests it may have been 29% in 2013-14. Further extrapolation estimates it to be 11% by 2022-23.
Assessing the Assumptions
- Vague Starting Point: The choice of 2013-14 as a starting point may be open to interpretation and serves as a defining factor for evaluating nine years of Modi’s leadership.
- Uniform Pace Assumption: Assuming a uniform pace over such a long period can be challenging, as it may not account for variations in progress over different years.
- Neglecting Pandemic Impact: Extrapolating progress without considering the pandemic’s effects on data collection and welfare reversals may lead to inaccuracies.
Interpreting the Data
- Value of Indices: While indices like MPI offer a combined view of multiple indicators, they should not overshadow the importance of monetary poverty data.
- Not Equivalent to Poverty: Multidimensional poverty should not be equated with poverty itself, as they represent different aspects. It is essential to differentiate between the two.
- Selective Maths: The exercise of interpolation and extrapolation to align with a government’s tenure should be viewed critically and with consideration of potential limitations.
Conclusion
- The reduction in multidimensional poverty in India is a noteworthy achievement, as evidenced by NFHS data.
- However, it is crucial to approach such data with a nuanced understanding of the methodology, assumptions, and its implications.
- While multidimensional poverty indices provide valuable insights, they should complement, not replace, comprehensive poverty assessment methods.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Swachh Survekshan
Mains level: Read the attached story
Introduction
- Surat in Gujarat and Indore in Madhya Pradesh have been jointly recognized as the cleanest cities in India at the Union Urban Affairs Ministry’s annual Clean City Awards 2023.
About Swachh Survekshan
- Swachh Survekshan, initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2016, serves as a competitive framework to promote urban sanitation improvements and citizen participation.
- Over time, Swachh Survekshan has grown to become the world’s largest urban sanitation survey.
- In the 2023 edition (SS 2023), emphasis is placed on source segregation of waste, increasing cities’ waste processing capacity, and reducing waste sent to dumpsites.
- SS 2023 introduces new indicators with added importance, focusing on phased plastic reduction, enhanced plastic waste management, “waste to wonder” parks, and zero-waste events.
- The ranking of wards within cities is encouraged through SS 2023.
- The survey assesses cities on dedicated indicators addressing issues such as ‘Open Urination’ (Yellow Spots) and ‘Open Spitting’ (Red Spots).
Highlights of the Clean City Awards 2023
- Top Rankings: Surat and Indore shared the top spot, with Navi Mumbai securing the third position in the cleanest cities category.
- Indore’s Continued Success: Remarkably, Indore has maintained its status as the cleanest city for the seventh consecutive year.
- Other Top Cities: The list of the top 10 cleanest cities also includes Greater Visakhapatnam, Bhopal, Vijayawada, New Delhi, Tirupati, Greater Hyderabad, and Pune.
State Rankings and Special Categories
- Maharashtra Leads: In the state rankings, Maharashtra emerged as the top performer, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- Smaller Cities and Cantonnement Boards: In cities with a population of less than one lakh, Sasvad and Lonavala in Maharashtra, and Patan in Chhattisgarh, were top performers. Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was recognized as the cleanest cantonment board.
- Cleanest Ganga Towns: Varanasi and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh won awards for being the cleanest towns along the Ganga river.
Awards and Themes
- Swachh Survekshan Awards: Initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2016, these awards have become the world’s largest urban sanitation survey.
- Themes: The 2023 survey focused on the theme “Waste to Wealth,” while the upcoming 2024 survey will emphasize “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”
Indore’s Journey to the Top
- Leap in Rankings: Indore’s remarkable journey from ranking 25th in 2016 to consistently holding the top position is noteworthy.
- Key Factors for Success: The city’s success is attributed to a sustainable system of garbage collection, processing, and disposal, along with citizen participation and innovative sanitation measures.
Indore’s Sanitation Initiatives
- Waste Segregation and Disposal: Indore revamped its sanitation and waste collection system, involving NGOs and changing routes for garbage disposal vehicles.
- Legacy Waste Management: The city efficiently cleared and treated large amounts of legacy waste at the Devguradiya ground.
- Infrastructure Development: Funds were allocated for constructing transfer stations and treatment plants for waste management.
- Community Engagement: Efforts were made to build sanitation habits among citizens, including the distribution of free dustbins and imposing fines for littering.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
Mains level: Read the attached story
Introduction
- Justice BR Gavai has been appointed as the Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC), succeeding Justice Sanjiv Khanna.
Understanding the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee
- Constitution and Purpose: The SCLSC, established under Section 3A of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, aims to provide free legal services to weaker sections of society in cases under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.
- Composition: Chaired by a sitting Supreme Court judge, the committee includes members with prescribed experience and qualifications, all nominated by the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
Composition and Functioning of the SCLSC
- Current Members: As of now, the SCLSC comprises Chairperson BR Gavai and nine other members appointed by the CJI.
- Staffing and Administration: The Committee can appoint officers and employees as per the Centre’s guidelines, in consultation with the CJI.
Need for Legal Services in India
- Constitutional Basis: The Indian Constitution, particularly Article 39A, emphasizes the state’s role in ensuring legal justice is accessible to all citizens, regardless of economic or other disabilities.
- Historical Development: The concept of legal aid in India evolved over decades, with significant progress marked by the establishment of a national committee under Justice PN Bhagwati in 1980.
Legal Services Authorities Act and Its Provisions
- Statutory Framework: The 1987 Act provides a legal basis for offering free and competent legal services to eligible groups, including women, children, SC/ST, EWS categories, and others.
- Establishment of NALSA: Formed in 1995, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) oversees legal aid programs and formulates policies for legal services.
- Nationwide Network: The Act envisions a network across India for legal aid, with State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) implementing these services at state and district levels, respectively.
Role of State and District Legal Services Authorities
- State-Level Implementation: Each SLSA, led by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court, executes NALSA’s policies and provides free legal services.
- District and Taluk Committees: DLSAs and Taluk Legal Services Committees, chaired by district and senior civil judges respectively, conduct legal awareness programs and provide various legal services.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Slums rehabilitation in India
Central Idea
- Research Citation: Nipesh Narayanan’s research, published in the Economic & Political Weekly on October 21, 2023, delves into the changing conceptualization of slums in Indian parliamentary debates from 1953 to 2014.
- Policy on Slums: These shifting narratives have significantly influenced government policies and approaches towards slums.
Evolution of Discourses on Slums
- Parliamentary Debates Analysis: Narayanan analyzed 1,228 debates in the Rajya Sabha and various policy documents, including Five-Year Plans, to trace the evolution of discourses surrounding slums.
- Dynamic Definitions: The study highlights the fluid nature of slum definitions and the tendency to overlook urban disparity as a causal factor in slum formation.
Eras of Changing Perspectives
- 1950s-1960s: Initially, slums were seen as a by-product of partition and rapid urbanization. The focus was on eradication due to health concerns and spatial constraints, side-lining socio-economic factors like migration. The Slum Areas Act of 1956 marked a significant shift, allowing government intervention in slum areas.
- Early 1970s-Mid-1980s: The narrative shifted to viewing slums as necessary evils requiring development rather than eradication. Town planning emerged as a key tool, pushing slums to city peripheries and prioritizing basic amenities over demolition.
- Mid-1980s-Late 1990s: With the National Commission on Urbanisation’s report in 1985, cities and slums began to be seen as economic assets. This era saw a focus on housing policies and infrastructure development, with economic reasoning driving interventions.
- 2000s-2014: The 2001 Census provided comprehensive data on slums, leading to targeted schemes. Slums transitioned from social concerns to technical, economic objects. The focus was on upgradation strategies, legal rights, and property rights for slum dwellers.
Slum Formation and Government Response
- Causality and Complexity: The research identifies urban planning issues, population growth, land pressure, and housing affordability as key factors in slum formation.
- Government Role: The Union government’s role shifted to funding State governments for urban improvement, with a focus on data-driven policies.
Technocratic Solutions and Challenges
- Technological Reliance: The increasing dependence on technological solutions for urban issues is evident in current government policies.
- Critical Examination: The article warns against using slums merely as a tool for anti-poverty policies and emphasizes understanding slum formation beyond numerical data.
Conclusion
- Historical Insights: Narayanan’s analysis provides valuable insights into the historical shifts in government perceptions and actions towards slums.
- Significance for Urban Studies: This research contributes significantly to the understanding of urban dynamics, socio-economic inequalities, and the complexities of slum life in India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Health Tax
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Public health researchers recommend a health tax of 20% to 30% on sugar, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) products, in addition to the existing GST.
- The recommendation stems from a UNICEF-funded project, aiming to influence policies to reduce sugar consumption.
Study Insights and Recommendations
- Targeting Bulk Consumers: The study suggests taxing bulk consumers like confectionery manufacturers, rather than household sugar purchases.
- Definition of Sugar: The study includes all forms of refined, unrefined sugar, and gur (brown cane sugar) used by manufacturers.
- Impact on Manufacturers: Manufacturers, who buy up to 55% of India’s annual sugar production, are expected to be more price-sensitive than households.
Tax Implications and Demand Reduction
- Niti Aayog’s Interest: Niti Aayog is exploring the impact of health taxes and warning labels on food products to promote healthy eating in India.
- Current and Proposed Tax Rates: Sugar is currently taxed at 18% GST. The proposed additional tax could raise the total tax to 38-48%.
- Price Elasticity Metric: The study uses ‘Price Elasticity’ to estimate demand reduction. A 10% price increase could lead to a 2% demand reduction for households and a 13-18% reduction for manufacturers.
- Health Tax on Beverages and HFSS Products: A 10-30% health tax on SSBs could decrease demand by 7-30%, while a similar tax on HFSS products might lead to a 5-24% decline.
Government Revenue and Public Health Impact
- Increase in Tax Revenues: Additional taxes could boost government revenues by 12-200% across different scenarios.
- Current Tax Rates on Products: Sugar attracts 18% GST, SSBs 28% GST plus 12% cess, and HFSS products 12% GST.
- Public Health Benefits: Higher taxes on unhealthy foods could reduce obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
India’s Sugar Consumption and Health Risks
- India’s Sugar Intake: India is the world’s largest sugar consumer, with an average consumption of 25 kg per person per year, exceeding WHO recommendations.
- Rise in Sugar-Related Health Issues: There has been a significant increase in the sale of aerated drinks and HFSS food products, contributing to obesity and diabetes.
Taxation and Reformulation
- Encouraging Product Reformulation: The proposed tax rate is linked to sugar volume, encouraging manufacturers to reduce sugar content in products.
- Taxing Sugar Replacements: The study also recommends taxing artificial sweeteners to prevent manufacturers from switching to cheaper, unhealthy alternatives.
Global Precedents and Outcomes
- Health Tax Implementation Worldwide: Over 70 countries, including Mexico, Chile, and South Africa, have implemented health taxes on sugar and related products.
- Positive Outcomes in Mexico: In Mexico, the taxation on SSBs led to decreased consumption of taxed beverages and a reduction in mean BMI among younger age groups.
Conclusion
- Potential for Health Improvement: Imposing a health tax on sugar and related products could significantly contribute to public health improvement in India.
- Consideration of Economic Factors: The success of such a policy will depend on balancing health benefits with economic impacts on consumers and manufacturers.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Finance Commission
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Centre has appointed Arvind Panagariya, a renowned trade economist and former Niti Aayog vice chairman, as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
Who is Arvind Panagariya?
- Panagariya is a professor at Columbia University.
- He served as the first vice chairman of the Niti Aayog from 2015 to 2017, succeeding the Planning Commission.
About Finance Commission
- Establishment: The Finance Commission (FC) of India was established by the President in 1951 under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution.
- Purpose: Its primary role is to define and regulate the financial relations between the central government and the individual state governments.
- Legislative Framework: The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, further outlines the qualifications, appointment, disqualification, term, eligibility, and powers of the Finance Commission.
- Composition: Appointed every five years, the FC comprises a chairman and four other members.
- Evolution: Since the First FC, changes in India’s macroeconomic landscape have significantly influenced the Commission’s recommendations.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 268: Facilitates the levy of duties by the Centre, with collection and retention by the States.
- Article 280: Outlines the FC’s composition, qualifications for members, and its terms of reference. It mandates the FC to recommend the distribution of net tax proceeds between the Union and States and the allocation among States. It also addresses the financial relations between the Union and States and the devolution of unplanned revenue resources.
Key Functions of the Finance Commission
- Tax Devolution: Recommends how net tax proceeds should be distributed between the Center and States.
- Grants-in-Aid: Determines the principles governing these grants to States.
- Augmenting State Funds: Advises on measures to enhance the States’ Consolidated Funds to support local bodies and panchayats, based on State Finance Commissions’ recommendations.
- Other Financial Functions: Addresses any other financial matters referred by the President.
Members of the Finance Commission
- Structure and Standards: The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, provides a structured format and global standards for the FC.
- Qualifications and Powers: Specifies rules for members’ qualifications, disqualification, appointment, term, eligibility, and powers.
- Composition: The Chairman is chosen for their experience in public affairs. The other members are selected based on their judicial experience, knowledge of government finances, administrative and financial expertise, or special economic knowledge.
Challenges for the 16th Finance Commission
- Overlap with GST Council: The coexistence with the GST Council, a permanent constitutional body, presents a new challenge.
- Conflict of Interest: Decisions by the GST Council on tax rates could impact the FC’s revenue-sharing calculations.
- Feasibility of Recommendations: While the Centre often adopts the FC’s suggestions on tax devolution and fiscal targets, other recommendations may be overlooked.
Major Outstanding Recommendations
- Fiscal Council Creation: The 15th FC proposed a Fiscal Council for collective macro-fiscal management, but the government has shown reluctance.
- Non-Lapsable Fund for Internal Security: Though the Centre agreed ‘in principle’ to establish this fund, its implementation details are pending.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Core Sector
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- India’s eight core sectors experienced a significant slowdown, growing by 7.8% in November, down from 12% in October.
About Core Industries in India
- The main or key industries constitute the core sectors of an economy.
- In India, eight sectors are considered the core sectors.
- These sectors are in decreasing order of their weightage: Refinery Products> Electricity> Steel> Coal> Crude Oil> Natural Gas> Cement> Fertilizers.
About Index of Eight Core Industries
- The monthly Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a production volume index.
- ICI measures the collective and individual performance of production in selected eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.
- Before the 2004-05 series six core industries namely Coal, Cement, Finished Steel, Electricity, Crude petroleum and Refinery products constituted the index basket.
- Two more industries i.e. Fertilizer and Natural Gas were added to the index basket in the 2004-05 series. The ICI series with base 2011-12 will continue to have eight core industries.
The components covered in these eight industries for compilation of the index are as follows:
- Coal – Coal Production excluding Coking coal.
- Crude Oil – Total Crude Oil Production.
- Natural Gas – Total Natural Gas Production.
- Refinery Products – Total Refinery Production (in terms of Crude Throughput).
- Fertilizer – Urea, Ammonium Sulphate (A/S), Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN), Ammonium chloride (A/C), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), Complex Grade Fertilizer and Single superphosphate (SSP).
- Steel – Production of Alloy and Non-Alloy Steel only.
- Cement – Production of Large Plants and Mini Plants.
- Electricity – Actual Electricity Generation of Thermal, Nuclear, Hydro, imports from Bhutan.
Recent data: Sector-Wise Growth Details
- Decline in ICI: The ICI witnessed a 3.34% drop from October, marking its lowest since March 2023.
- Sector-Specific Trends: Notably, only refinery products and coal showed month-on-month growth, with significant year-on-year increases.
- Steel Production: Growth in steel production hit a 13-month low at 9.1%.
- Crude Oil and Fertilizer: Crude oil saw a contraction, while fertilizer production growth decelerated.
- Natural Gas and Electricity: Both natural gas output and electricity generation growth slowed down considerably in November.
Comparative Analysis with Previous Year
- Year-on-Year Comparison: The core sectors had a 5.7% growth in November 2022.
- Influence of Base Effects: Last year’s high growth in certain sectors like cement significantly influenced this year’s comparative figures.
Economic Insights and Projections
- Bank of Baroda’s Perspective: The slowdown in fertilizer growth aligns with the end of the rabi sowing season, as per the bank’s chief economist.
- IIP Forecast: The core sectors are expected to contribute to an IIP growth of 7%-8%.
- Economists’ View: Experts predict a continued slowdown in core sector growth due to strong base effects from the previous fiscal year.
Future Expectations and Challenges
- India Ratings and Research Predictions: A slowdown in core sector growth is anticipated in the coming months, influenced by the strong base effect.
- Broader Economic Impact: This slowdown is indicative of larger economic challenges, potentially affecting future policy and market expectations.
Conclusion
- Economic Resilience Test: The trends in India’s core sectors underscore the challenges in sustaining growth amid diverse economic conditions.
- Need for Strategic Economic Planning: Addressing these slowdowns will require astute economic planning and possibly new strategies to boost growth in these key sectors.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Unemployment in India
Central Idea
- In 1932, M Visvesvaraya highlighted the issue of unemployment among educated individuals in India.
- Ninety years later, the issue of youth unemployment remains a significant concern, despite official data indicating a decrease in the overall unemployment rate.
Unemployment Trends: Data Analysis
- Official Statistics: According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the unemployment rate decreased from 6.1% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2022-23.
- Disparities in Experience: Despite the overall reduction, young, highly educated workers face the highest unemployment rates, indicating a structural problem in the Indian economy.
Educational Attainment and Unemployment
- Higher Education and Unemployment: Individuals with higher education have consistently faced higher unemployment rates since the 1990s.
- Trends Over Time: Unemployment rates for graduates have fluctuated, reaching 17% in 2017-18 and then dropping to 13% in 2022-23.
Youth Unemployment
- Young Graduates: The unemployment rate for young workers (aged 18 to 29) with graduate degrees has been notably high, with significant long-term unemployment spells.
- Increasing Share of Graduates: The proportion of graduates in the labor force has risen from 5% in 1993-94 to around 15% in 2022-23, impacting overall unemployment rates.
Challenges and Implications
- Growing Concern: The increasing share of educated workers in the labor force, coupled with high unemployment rates among them, points to a deepening problem.
- Need for Analysis: Understanding the causes of unemployment among the highly educated is crucial, whether it’s the education system’s failure to impart relevant skills or the economy’s inability to create sufficient jobs.
Conclusion
- Serious Issue: Youth unemployment in India is a critical issue that needs comprehensive analysis and action.
- Harnessing Demographic Dividend: Effective measures are required to ensure that the aspirations of the youth are met and the potential of India’s demographic dividend is fully realized.
- Policy Focus: Addressing youth unemployment requires targeted policies that focus on skill development, job creation, and aligning education with market needs.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Longitudinal Studies
Mains level: Read the attached story
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.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: LEADS Report
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The govt has released the LEADS (Logistics Ease across Different States) 2023 report, assessing logistics performance across Indian States and Union Territories (UTs).
- The report includes 11 States and two UTs, encompassing coastal, landlocked, North Eastern States, and UTs.
About LEADS Report
- The LEADS index was launched in 2018 by the Commerce and Industry Ministry and Deloitte.
- It was inspired by the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) of World Bank, and has evolved over time.
- It ranks states on the score of their logistics services and efficiency that are indicative of economic growth.
- States are ranked based on quality and capacity of key infrastructure such as road, rail and warehousing as well as on operational ease of logistics.
Key Highlights of the 2023 Report
- ‘Achievers’ Category: States like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Tripura, and UTs Chandigarh, Delhi are named as ‘Achievers’.
- Category Shifts: Maharashtra moved from ‘Achievers’ to ‘Fast Movers’, while Odisha shifted from ‘Achievers’ to ‘Aspirers’.
- ‘Fast Movers’: Kerala and Maharashtra among coastal States, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand among land-locked States, and Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland among North Eastern States are ‘Fast Movers’.
- ‘Aspirers’: Goa, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and UTs like Daman & Diu/Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh are categorized as ‘Aspirers’.
Policy perspectives
- Digital Initiatives: Digital reforms like PM GatiShakti, Logistics Data Bank, ULIP, and GST are driving India’s improved global ranking.
- India’s Improved LPI Rank: India’s LPI rank improved by six places to 38th position in 2023, reflecting the positive impact of these efforts.
- Vision for Logistics Sector: India’s logistics sector is set to grow from a $3.5 trillion to $35 trillion economy by 2047.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Crimes against Women
Central Idea
- Despite a decline in overall crime rate in 2022, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report highlights a 4% rise in crimes against women.
- The crime rate dropped to 258.1 per lakh population in 2022 from 268 per lakh in 2021, but crimes against women increased.
Nature of Crimes Against Women
- Major Categories: The majority of crimes included:
- Cruelty by husband or relatives (31.4%),
- Kidnapping and abduction (19.2%),
- Assault with intent to outrage modesty (18.7%), and
- Rape (7.1%).
- Dowry Prohibition Act: 13,479 cases were registered under this act.
Societal and Legal Perspectives
- Patriarchal Society: Activists and lawyers attribute the rise to deep-rooted patriarchal mind-sets in Indian society.
- Legal Framework: Key laws for women’s safety include The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, The Dowry Prohibition Act, The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, and others.
- Implementation Challenges: Despite strong laws, their effective implementation remains a challenge.
Interpretation of Increased Crime Registration
- NCRB Report Findings: Over 4.45 lakh cases of crimes against women were registered in 2022, indicating a high rate of 66.4 crimes per lakh population.
- Charge Sheet Filing Rate: The rate of filing charge sheets in such cases was 75.8%.
- Views on Increased Registration: Some experts view the rise as indicative of women’s increased confidence in approaching police, while others see it as a reflection of persistent inequality and societal attitudes.
Regional Variations in Crime Registration
- Delhi’s High Crime Rate: With 14,247 cases, Delhi recorded the highest rate of crimes against women at 144.4 per lakh.
- Contrast with Other Regions: In many parts of India, especially rural areas, crime registration is low, and fear of police is high.
Challenges in Law Enforcement and Judiciary
- Policing Issues: There is a lack of trained police officers for investigations, leading to poor charge sheet preparation.
- Judicial Delays: Cases take years in trial courts, with appeals extending the duration further.
- Fast-Track Courts: Despite their existence, fast-track courts for grievous crimes are as slow as regular courts.
Representation of Women in Police Force
- Low Proportion: Women police officers’ representation in the force is low, leading to disproportionate workloads and slower charge sheeting and convictions.
- Ministry of Home Affairs Data: As of January 1, 2022, women constituted only 11.7% of the total state police force.
Conclusion
- Need for Strong Political Will: Effective policies and programs are required to elevate women’s status and address the root causes of gender-based violence.
- Improving Law Enforcement and Judiciary: Enhancing police training, increasing women’s representation in the force, and expediting judicial processes are crucial steps.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Panchayat Development Index (PDI)
Mains level: Not Much
Central Idea
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is leading the effort to localize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- A report on the Panchayat Development Index (PDI) has been released to evaluate the progress of grassroots institutions in achieving Localized SDGs (LSDGs).
About Panchayat Development Index (PDI)
- PDI is a comprehensive, multi-domain, and multi-sectoral index designed to assess the holistic development, performance, and progress of panchayats.
- It incorporates various socio-economic indicators to measure the well-being and development status of local communities under a panchayat’s jurisdiction.
- PDI is crucial for evaluating performance and tracking progress in the localization of Sustainable Development Goals in rural areas.
- The Index is based on a framework of local indicators encompassing nine themes related to sustainable development in villages.
Nine Themes of PDI
- Poverty-Free and Enhanced Livelihood in Village
- Healthy Village
- Child-Friendly Village
- Water-Sufficient Village
- Clean and Green Village
- Village with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure
- Socially Just and Secured Villages
- Village with Good Governance
- Women-Friendly Village
Ranking and Grading System
Panchayats are ranked based on their scores and categorized into four grades:
- Grade A+: Scores above 90%
- Grade A: Scores between 75-90%
- Grade B: Scores between 60-75%
- Grade C: Scores between 40-60%
- Grade D: Scores under 40%
Significance of the Panchayat Development Index
- Insightful Analysis: PDI provides critical insights into areas needing improvement in rural jurisdictions.
- Identifying Disparities: It helps in pinpointing disparities and the achievement of development goals.
- Policy Formulation: The Index aids in creating targeted policies and interventions to enhance the well-being and quality of life in rural communities.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB)
Mains level: Crime in India
Central Idea
Background of NCRB Reports
- Origin: The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) was established in January 1986 under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Purpose: NCRB’s primary role is to compile and maintain national crime statistics, acting as a central repository for criminal data.
- Scope: The reports encompass a wide range of criminal activities, including crimes against women, cybercrimes, economic offenses, and more.
Data Compilation Process
- Sources: Data is sourced from police forces of 36 states and Union Territories, and 53 cities with populations over 10 lakh as per the 2011 Census.
- Validation: Information recorded at local police stations undergoes validation at district and state levels before final verification by the NCRB.
Highlights from the 2022 NCRB Report
- Overall Crimes: The report registered a total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes, including 35,61,379 IPC crimes and 22,63,567 Special and Local Laws (SLL) crimes.
- Crime Rate: A decline in crime rate from 445.9 in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022 per lakh population.
- Crimes Against Women: There were 4,45,256 cases, marking a 4% increase from 2021.
- Cyber Crimes: A significant increase of 24.4% from 2021, totaling 65,893 cases.
- Suicides: An increase of 4.2% in suicides, totaling 1,70,924 cases in 2022.
State-wise Data and Interpretation
- Chargesheeting Rate: Highest in Kerala (96.0%), Puducherry (91.3%), and West Bengal (90.6%).
- Interpretation: High chargesheet rates do not necessarily indicate higher crime rates but could reflect more efficient law enforcement.
Challenges and Limitations of NCRB Data
- Principal Offence Rule: This rule might lead to underreporting of certain types of crimes.
- Data Accuracy: Local-level inefficiencies or gaps can affect the overall accuracy of the report.
- Socio-Economic Factors: The report does not capture the deeper socio-economic reasons behind crimes.
- Underreporting Issues: Fear of police response or societal stigma may lead to underreporting of crimes.
Conclusion
- Understanding the NCRB report requires recognizing its scope, methodology, and limitations.
- While it provides crucial insights into crime trends in India, interpreting the data with an awareness of these factors is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the country’s crime dynamics.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: National Coal Index
Mains level: NA
Central Idea
- In a recent development, the National Coal Index (NCI) saw a substantial rise in September, marking its first increase since April 2023.
- This surge in the NCI is linked to global coal price fluctuations and holds significant implications for India’s coal sector.
Understanding the National Coal Index (NCI)
- What is it? The NCI is a price index which reflects the change in the price level of coal on a particular month relative to the fixed base year.
- Release: It is released every month by the Ministry of Coal.
- Launch: The NCI was introduced on June 4, 2020, as a tool to monitor coal price fluctuations relative to a fixed base year FY 2017-18.
- Price Indicator: The NCI serves as a crucial price indicator that combines coal prices from various sources, including notified prices, auction prices, and import prices.
- Basis for Premiums: It plays a vital role in determining premium rates, either on a per-tonne basis or through revenue sharing, using a market-based approach.
Components of NCI
- Sub-Indices: NCI comprises five distinct sub-indices, encompassing three for Non-Coking Coal and two for Coking Coal. These sub-indices are amalgamated to derive the final Index for Non-Coking and Coking Coal, making them distinctly separate.
- Customized Revenue Shares: Based on the coal grade associated with a mine, the relevant sub-index is employed to determine the revenue share.
Factors behind the NCI Surge
- Global Price Impact: The recent uptick in the NCI is primarily influenced by a temporary rise in global coal prices, which has reverberated in the Indian coal market.
- Seasonal Demand: With the festive season and winter approaching in India, the demand for coal has risen, prompting coal producers to boost domestic production to meet the growing energy needs.
- Power Sector Growth: India has experienced a surge in coal demand, particularly from the power sector, driven by increased electricity requirements.
- Continued Coal Imports: Power plants have continued to import coal as part of the coal blending mandate set by the power ministry.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: National Security Strategy
Central Idea
- India is embarking on a historic journey as it initiates the development of its inaugural National Security Strategy (NSS).
- The National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) is actively collecting insights and inputs from diverse Central ministries and departments, laying the foundation for a comprehensive strategy that will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s interests.
Explained: National Security Strategy
- Crucial Milestone: India’s NSS represents its first-ever comprehensive document that outlines security objectives and strategies.
- Periodically Updated: The NSS evolves over time, addressing both traditional and non-traditional threats while fostering accountability among agencies tasked with implementation.
- Guiding Holistic Security: The NSS will serve as a guiding framework for military, defense, and security reforms, offering a holistic perspective on national security, threats, and strategies to counter them.
Scope and Content of India’s NSS
- Modern Challenges: The NSS is poised to encompass a broad spectrum of contemporary challenges, including financial and economic security, food and energy security, information warfare, critical information infrastructure vulnerabilities, supply chain concerns, and environmental issues.
- Comprehensive Approach: It will adopt a comprehensive approach to tackling emerging threats, aligning with India’s evolving security landscape.
Global Precedents
- Established Nations with NSS: Developed nations with robust military and security infrastructures maintain National Security Strategies, updated periodically. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia have published their NSS.
- China’s Comprehensive National Security: China has a closely integrated Comprehensive National Security strategy, tightly linked to its governance structure.
- Pakistan’s National Security Policy: Pakistan recently unveiled a National Security Policy for 2022-2026, outlining its national security objectives and priorities.
India’s Imperative for a National Security Strategy
- Long-Debated Need: The idea of a National Security Strategy for India has long been debated within military circles and the strategic community.
- Urgency in Uncertain Times: Rising geopolitical tensions and the uncertain global environment have heightened the urgency for India to formulate a comprehensive strategy.
- Relevance Highlighted: Experts and former officials emphasize that a national security strategy is vital to provide clear political direction to the Armed Forces, guide military reforms, and address modern security challenges effectively.
Past Attempts and Hurdles
- Failed Attempts: India has previously made three attempts to develop a national security strategy, all without fruition.
- Political Hesitation: Some speculate that hesitation at the political level, driven by concerns about accountability in defense management, may have impeded the strategy’s release.
- Varied Views: There have been differing views within the strategic community regarding the absence of a national security strategy, ranging from a lack of cohesive government efforts to intentional non-disclosure of national security objectives.
Conclusion
- India’s journey towards formulating its National Security Strategy marks a significant milestone in its quest for a well-defined and coordinated approach to security.
- As India forges ahead, this inaugural strategy promises to provide a roadmap for addressing complex security challenges, ensuring national interests are protected, and fostering a secure future in an ever-evolving world.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Road Accidents in India
Central Idea
- A recent government report titled ‘Road Accidents in India – 2022’ has revealed a concerning surge in road accidents, fatalities, and injuries.
- The report sheds light on the grim statistics of road safety in the country.
Road Accidents in India
- The report is based on information provided by police departments of States and Union Territories collected on a calendar year basis.
- Standardized formats from the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) were used for data collection under the Asia Pacific Road Accident Data (APRAD) base project.
Statistical Overview:
- In 2022, India witnessed a total of 4,61,312 road accidents. It resulted in a tragic loss of 1,68,491 lives.
- Additionally, 4,43,366 individuals sustained injuries.
State-Specific Data
- Tamil Nadu recorded the highest number of road accidents on National Highways in 2022 (64,105 accidents or 13.9%).
- Madhya Pradesh followed closely with 54,432 accidents (11.8%).
- Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of fatalities (22,595 or 13.4%) due to road accidents.
- TN came second with 17,884 fatalities (10.6%).
Why discuss this?
(1) Year-on-Year Increase:
- The report disclosed an alarming year-on-year increase of 11.9% in road accidents.
- Fatalities also rose by 9.4% in the same period.
- The number of injuries surged by a staggering 15.3% compared to the previous year.
(2) Accident Distribution:
- The accidents were distributed across different types of roads as follows:
- National Highways, including Expressways: 32.9% (Fatalities: 36.2%)
- State Highways: 23.1% (Fatalities: 24.3%)
- Other roads: 43.9% (Fatalities: 39.4%)
(3) Demographic Impact:
- Young adults: Mostly between 18 and 45 years old comprised a significant portion, accounting for 66.5% of road accident victims in 2022.
- Working People: Within the working age group of 18 to 60 years represented 83.4% of total road accident fatalities.
(4) Rural vs. Urban Accidents:
- Approximately 68% of road accident fatalities occurred in rural areas.
- Urban areas accounted for 32% of total accident deaths in the country.
(5) Vehicle Categories
- Two-wheelers remained the most prominent vehicle category involved in road accidents and fatalities for the second consecutive year.
- Light vehicles, including cars, jeeps, and taxis, ranked a distant second.
What global reports have to say?
- A recent analytical series published by The Lancet highlights the potential to reduce road accident-related deaths in India and other countries by 25 to 40%.
- This reduction is achievable through preventive interventions that target four key risk factors.
Major issues identified
In developing countries like India, several structural problems persist:
- High Speed: Excessive speed contributes to accidents.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol-impaired driving poses a substantial risk.
- Unplanned Motorization: Rapid motorization and urbanization create challenges.
- Highway Development: Speedy highway construction often lacks accommodation for diverse traffic speeds.
- Vehicle Conditions: Ramshackle vehicles, wrong-side driving, and inadequate traffic policing are widespread issues.
India-specific Problems
- Weak Law Enforcement: Inconsistent enforcement of traffic laws, often resolved through bribery.
- Speeding: Higher vehicle speeds and increased traffic volume on highways.
- Engineering Challenges: Gaps in highway medians, untreated intersections, and missing crash barriers.
- Behavioural Issues: Violations such as wrong-side driving, lane misuse, and traffic light disobedience.
- Lack of Immediate Trauma Care: Insufficient trauma care on highways leading to higher fatalities.
Steps Taken by India
India has undertaken various measures to address road safety concerns:
- Sundar Committee (2007): India lacks competent investigation units to determine accident causes.
- Amendment to Motor Vehicles Act (2019): Legislative changes, though not uniformly implemented across states.
- National Road Safety Board: Establishment with advisory powers for safety reforms.
- World Bank Support: Approval of a $250 million loan for the India State Support Programme for Road Safety.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite efforts, the focus remains conventional, with limited emphasis on structural changes:
- User Behavior Focus: States prioritize user behavior and education over structural improvements.
- Low Emphasis on Engineering Standards: Inadequate attention to raising engineering standards for roads, signage, signals, and accident investigation training.
- Responsibility Fixation: Neglect in assigning responsibility to government departments for road infrastructure design, creation, and maintenance.
Way forward
- Promoting awareness and responsible behaviour.
- Better road design, maintenance, and signage.
- Strictly enforcing traffic rules and penalties.
- Ensuring vehicle safety and roadworthiness.
- Enhancing first aid and paramedic care in Golden Hour.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: State Food Safety Index (SFSI)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Four years after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) introduced a state-wise index to encourage improvements in food safety, alarming trends have emerged.
- A significant number of large Indian states have witnessed a drop in their food safety scores in 2023 compared to 2019.
- This analysis delves into the details of these findings, highlighting the key parameters, their weights, and how the states fared.
Understanding the State Food Safety Index (SFSI)
- FSSAI has developed the State Food Safety Index to measure the performance of states on various parameters of Food Safety.
- It was first rolled in 2018-19.
- This index is based on the performance of the State/ UT on five significant parameters set by the Health Ministry, namely
- Human Resources and Institutional Data
- Compliance
- Food Testing – Infrastructure and Surveillance
- Training & Capacity Building and
- Consumer Empowerment
- In 2023, a new parameter, ‘Improvement in SFSI Rank,’ was added, altering the weightages of existing parameters to maintain a total score of 100.
- The Index is a dynamic quantitative and qualitative benchmarking model that provides an objective framework for evaluating food safety across all States/UTs.
Highlights of the 2023 Report
[A] Steepest Decline in Scores:
- Maharashtra: Witnessed the most significant drop, with a score of 45 in 2023 compared to 74 in 2019.
- Bihar: Scored 20.5 in 2023, down from 46 in 2019.
- Gujarat: Recorded a score of 48.5 in 2023, a sharp decline from 73 in 2019.
[B] Key Parameter Findings:
- Food Testing Infrastructure: Witnessed the most substantial decline, with the average score dropping to 7 out of 17 in 2023 from 13 out of 20 in 2019.
- Compliance: Received the highest weightage in 2023 but experienced a drop in scores for states like Jharkhand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
- Consumer Empowerment: Scored the highest in Tamil Nadu, while Bihar saw a significant decrease in this parameter.
- Human Resources and Institutional Data: Experienced a decline in scores for states like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
- Training and Capacity Building: Recorded an improvement, with the average score increasing to 5 out of 8 in 2023 from 3.5 out of 10 in 2019.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS)
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Periodic Labour Force Surveys (PLFS) have diligently monitored the gender earnings gap in India from April-June 2019 to 2023.
- This latest iteration places a vital spotlight on weekly hours worked, unveiling that the inequity in total earnings may not fully encapsulate the true narrative.
Examining the Gender Earnings Disparities
- Claudia Goldin’s Pioneering Work: Building upon Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin’s research, India’s gender disparities in employment and wages come into focus.
- Earnings Converted to Weekly Figures: Earnings for various worker categories are transformed into weekly earnings.
- Ratio of Weekly Earnings: Table 1 displays the ratio of weekly earnings between men and women at the national level, encompassing rural and urban sectors. A figure above 1 denotes men earning more than women.
- Persistent Gender Gap: Men out-earn women across all forms of work, with the self-employed experiencing the most significant gender gap in 2023, where men earned 2.8 times more than women. In contrast, male regular wage workers earned 24% more, and male casual workers earned 48% more than their female counterparts. The gender earnings gap remains a persistent challenge.
- Changing Trends: Notably, the gender gap has increased for self-employed workers but decreased for regular wage workers, dropping to 24% in 2023 from 34% in 2019.
Analyzing Average Weekly Work Hours
- Incomplete Picture: Disparities in earnings per unit of work are not entirely elucidated by the earnings gap alone. Women consistently work fewer hours than men across all forms of employment, as depicted in Table 2.
- Largest Gap for the Self-Employed: In 2023, men in self-employment worked 50% more hours than women, while the gap was the smallest for regular wage workers (19%).
- Rising Gender Gap in Hours Worked: The gender gap in hours worked has expanded, particularly for self-employed women, indicating an increase in part-time employment among them. Simultaneously, male self-employed workers continue full-time work.
Diving Deeper into Hourly Earnings Gap
- Hourly Earnings Analysis: Calculations of hourly earnings for each worker category reveal the ratio between men and women’s hourly earnings, as presented in Table 3.
- Significant Reduction in Regular Wage Workers’ Gap: In 2023, men in regular wage employment earned 24% more than women over the week but worked 19% longer hours. The hourly earnings gap narrows to approximately 4%, down from 11% in 2019.
- Hourly Earnings Parity in Regular Wage Work: On average, women in regular employment earn less per week but nearly match men when hourly earnings are considered. However, these averages mask nuanced disparities across occupations and industries.
- Higher Inequality in Other Employment Types: Inequality in hourly earnings is more pronounced in other work categories, albeit lower than when assessing total earnings. In 2023, male casual workers earned 23% more per hour than women, a reduction from 33% in 2019. Conversely, the self-employed category witnessed an increase in the hourly earnings gap from 84% in 2019 to 87% in 2023.
Factors Influencing Work Hours
- Beyond Pure Choice: Lower hourly earnings inequality for regular wage workers doesn’t imply women opt for shorter work hours by choice.
- Societal barriers: Barriers, such as societal expectations that women manage domestic and childcare duties, may limit their employment options.
Conclusion
- Addressing both remuneration disparities and disparities in total work hours is crucial.
- Policymakers should target the removal of barriers that curtail women’s working hours.
- This involves workplace interventions like mandating childcare facilities and extended maternity leaves and broader societal transformations that challenge traditional gender norms and share childcare and domestic responsibilities more equitably.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Food Production stats
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- Recent data from the agriculture ministry has revealed that India achieved record-high food production in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
- However, this surge in production appears to be at odds with the government’s decision to restrict the export of key staples like wheat and rice, as well as the persistent trend of rising food inflation.
Food Production Statistics
- Record-High Food Production: The agriculture ministry estimates food production for 2022-23 at a historic 329.7 million tonnes, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year.
- Cereal Production: Major cereal production, including rice and wheat, rose by 4.9% and 2.6%, respectively. Coarse grain production surged by 12%, while pulses production experienced a 4.4% year-on-year decline but remained 6% higher than the five-year average.
- Challenges Faced: These estimations were made despite adverse conditions such as subpar monsoons affecting rice output and late rains causing damage during crop harvesting.
Inconsistencies in the Data
- Export Curbs: In September 2022, India imposed export curbs on broken rice and imposed a 20% duty on certain varieties due to expected domestic production challenges. These curbs have since intensified.
- Wheat Export Ban: Last year, a miscalculation of wheat harvest, primarily due to a heatwave, led to export bans in May 2022, despite promises to bridge global supply gaps after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Rising Food Prices: Despite record production and export restrictions, retail prices for cereals have continued to surge. Wheat and rice prices have been in double digits, with consumer cereal prices up by 11% year-on-year, and pulses registering a 16.4% increase. As of October 21, retail prices for rice and wheat flour were 12.7% and 5% higher year-on-year, respectively.
Prospects for 2023-24
- Kharif Production Estimate: The first advance estimate for kharif production, typically released in September, is yet to be published. This year’s monsoon, with the lowest rainfall in five years and uneven distribution, is expected to impact rice production, the main kharif crop.
- Pulses and Oilseeds: Additionally, reduced rainfall in several states may affect pulses and oilseeds production. Retail prices for specific pulse varieties like tur (pigeon peas) have already surged by 38% compared to the previous year.
Challenges in Robust Crop Estimations
- Reliability of Data: National crop yield estimates rely on crop-cutting experiments conducted by state revenue and agriculture departments, raising concerns about the accuracy of data collection, particularly in understaffed state departments.
- Remote Sensing: India is using remote sensing to cross-verify the data, yet reliability remains a challenge, especially for crops with multiple harvests.
- Horticulture Crops: Estimating yield for horticulture crops, which are harvested in stages, is even more complex than for food grains.
Conclusion
- India’s agricultural landscape presents a perplexing scenario with record-high food production, export restrictions, and stubborn food inflation.
- The government’s efforts to stabilize prices through export curbs have not yielded the expected results.
- As India navigates the complexities of its agricultural sector, it must address the discrepancies in data collection and explore innovative approaches to ensure accurate estimates and sustainable food security.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: OBCs, Various commissions mentioned
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The recent publication of Bihar’s caste survey results has sparked discussions about the possibility of similar exercises in other states as India enters a new electoral cycle.
- Enumerating castes and sub-categorizing Other Backward Classes (OBCs) for equitable reservation distribution have long been contentious issues.
Who are Other Backward Classes (OBCs)?
- Origins of OBCs: OBCs represent communities and castes considered socially and educationally backward, distinct from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- Constitutional Mandate: The Indian Constitution mandates affirmative action for OBCs through Articles 15(4) and 16(4), enabling special provisions and reservations.
Diverse Categories within OBCs
- Occupational Classification: OBCs have historically been identified based on their occupations, including land ownership, farming, labor, and artisanal work.
- Two Broad Categories: OBCs can be broadly categorized into landowners (e.g., Yadavs and Kurmis in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) and non-landowners.
- Inequality Concerns: A demand for reservation within OBCs has emerged, as a few “upper” OBCs have reportedly benefitted disproportionately from the existing 27% reservation, a result of the Mandal Commission’s recommendations over 30 years ago.
EBCs in Bihar
- EBC Identification: Bihar’s caste survey identified 27% of the population as “pichhda” (backward) and 36% as “atyant pichhda” (Extremely Backward Classes, or EBCs).
- Historical Context: The state had previously categorized castes as “more backward,” and the Karpoori Thakur Formula, implemented in the 1970s, offered reservation benefits to various groups, including OBCs, economically backward OBCs, women, and the economically disadvantaged from “upper castes.”
Historical OBC Commissions
- Kaka Kalekar Commission (1953): Established in 1953, it recommended identifying socially and educationally backward classes and 25-40% reservation in government jobs.
- Mandal Commission (1979): Appointed in 1979 but implemented in 1990, it identified 3,743 OBC castes, suggested 27% reservation in government jobs and educational institutions, and proposed no sub-categorization.
State-specific Subcategorization
- Diverse State Approaches: Various states have implemented subcategorization within their OBC quotas based on unique criteria.
- Examples: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have subgroups within their OBC reservations.
Subcategorization at the National Level
- Subcategorization Initiative: In 2015, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment tasked the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) with examining the subcategorization of OBCs.
- NCBC’s Recommendation: The NCBC proposed subcategorization into Extremely Backward Classes, More Backward Classes, and Backward Classes.
Recent Developments: Rohini Commission
- In October 2017, the Rohini Commission was formed to explore OBC subcategorization.
- It submitted its report in July 2023, although its contents remain undisclosed.
Conclusion
- The issue of caste enumeration and subcategorization of OBCs in India reflects complex social and political dynamics.
- While it aims to ensure equitable distribution of reservation benefits, it also highlights the need for nuanced, state-specific approaches to address the diverse composition of OBC communities.
- The recent report by the Rohini Commission holds potential significance, but its implications and recommendations await public scrutiny and debate.
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