Type: Schemes

Introduction

• In a significant move towards women’s safety and empowerment, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development recently announced the establishment of One Stop Centres (OSCs) in over 700 districts across the nation.

About One Stop Centre Scheme

• Central Sponsorship: The One Stop Centre scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme developed under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD).
• Inception: The scheme has been in operation since April 1, 2015, with a primary focus on addressing Gender-Based Violence.
• Universal Reach: The One Stop Centre Scheme is committed to aiding all women, including girls below 18 years, who have suffered violence. Regardless of caste, class, religion, region, sexual orientation, or marital status, all women are eligible for support.
• Protection for Minors: For girls below 18 years of age, the scheme collaborates with institutions and authorities established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012.

Objectives of the One Stop Centre Scheme

• Holistic Support: The core objective is to provide comprehensive and integrated support to women who have endured violence, whether in private or public spaces. All assistance is conveniently accessible under one roof.
• Immediate Access: These centres ensure immediate access to a wide array of services encompassing medical, legal, psychological, and counseling support. This collective approach stands resolute against all forms of violence targeting women.

Funding and Administration

• Financial Backing: The Scheme receives its funding through the Nirbhaya Fund, with the Central Government providing 100% financial assistance.
• Local Administration: Day-to-day implementation and administrative responsibilities rest with the District Collector/District Magistrate.

Services Offered by OSCs

The One Stop Centres serve as a lifeline for women in need, offering an array of essential services:

• Emergency Response and Rescue Services
• Medical Assistance
• Assistance with lodging FIR/ NCR/DIR
• Psycho-social Support and Counseling
• Legal Aid and Counseling
• Shelter
• Video Conferencing Facility

Introduction

• Revival of NYAY: A mainstream political party has revived its 2019 manifesto center-piece, the NYAY scheme (Nyuntam Aay Yojana or Minimum Income Scheme), ahead of the 2024 general election.
• Promised Benefits: The party announced that if elected, the party would implement NYAY, providing women with an annual income of Rs 60,000-70,000.

Background of NYAY and PM-KISAN

• NYAY’s 2019 Proposal: Its 2019 manifesto promised NYAY to the poorest 20% of Indian families, guaranteeing Rs 72,000 annually to each eligible family.
• Comparison with PM-KISAN: Around the same time, the incumbent government launched PM-KISAN, providing Rs 6,000 per year to farmer families, showcasing the appeal of direct benefit transfers (DBTs).

Understanding Universal Basic Income (UBI) vs. Targeted Schemes

• UBI Definition: UBI involves providing a basic income to every citizen, from the wealthiest to the poorest, with the simultaneous removal of all subsidies.
• Differences with NYAY/PM-KISAN: These schemes are not UBI as they don’t remove existing subsidies, offer a smaller amount than a basic income, and are targeted rather than universal.

Challenges and Questions Surrounding UBI and DBTs

• Affordability: No country has been able to afford UBI due to its high costs and the population size, especially in countries like India.
• Political Backlash: Removing existing subsidies to fund UBI could lead to significant political backlash.
• Effectiveness of DBTs: Despite criticisms of being mere doles or freebies, DBTs have been seen as effective in alleviating economic distress in various situations.

Rationale behind Direct Benefit Transfers

• Economic Arguments: Direct cash transfers can stimulate local economies and create a virtuous cycle of development.
• Empowerment: Providing cash can empower individuals to make their own decisions and invest in their futures.

A Radical Policy Solution: Direct Cash Transfers

• Provocative Proposition: In their 2010 book, “Just give money to the poor: The Development Revolution from the Global South,” authors Joseph Hanlon, Armando Barrientos, and David Hulme advocate for unconditional cash transfers to the poor.
• Historical Shifts in Welfare Thinking: The book outlines four paradigm shifts in welfare policies:
  1. 16th-century England’s collective responsibility for subsistence.
  2. Increased social spending and introduction of pensions in late-19th-century Europe.
  3. Mid-20th-century recognition of an adequate standard of living as a human right.
  4. Early 21st-century trend in the Global South of using cash transfers to combat poverty and promote development.

Case for Unconditional Cash Transfers

• Argument for Simplicity and Effectiveness: The authors argue that providing money directly to the poor, without conditions, is a promising approach for reducing poverty and fostering long-term development.
• Global Examples: They cite successful examples from Mexico, South Africa, Namibia, Brazil, Indonesia, and India (NREGA), where governments have implemented such policies.

Implementation Challenges and Principles

• Effective Implementation: Successful DBT programs require fairness, assurance, practicality, sufficient payment size, and political acceptability.
• International Examples: Developed countries have implemented various forms of cash transfers, indicating the potential benefits of such policies.

Public Perception and Political Strategy

• Rejection of Higher Cash Transfers: The public’s rejection of 2019 NYAY offer suggests that implementation and trust are as crucial as the policy itself.
• Political Discourse: The debate over DBTs often gets mired in political rhetoric, overshadowing the policy’s potential benefits and challenges.

Conclusion

• Balancing Act: India must balance the immediate relief provided by DBTs with long-term strategies for poverty alleviation and economic empowerment.
• Learning from the Past: The revival of NYAY and the ongoing debate on DBTs provide an opportunity to learn from past experiences and design more effective and inclusive policies.
• Future of Welfare Policies: As India approaches the 2024 general election, the discourse on NYAY, PM-KISAN, and similar schemes will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s welfare policies.